The Heavenly Demon Cult’s Strongest Maid - Chapter 223

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Chapter 223

I spent the night at the Hao Clan’s inner residence with barely any sleep.

Since there was suspicion that the murderer was someone from the Namgung Family, I had to confirm it.

I heard that Namgung Cheon desperately struggled to hold onto his sword and the Honcheon Technique until the very end in his battle with Sadoryeon.

Based on that, there was a high probability that the murderer’s identity was Namgung Cheon.

What would happen if a master of Hyeon-gyeong went on a rampage after losing his reason?

Probably a hellscape would unfold in Hefei.

That had to be prevented at all costs.

“Prince Lee, are you certain that the fake Honcheon Technique is connected to the Blood Sect?”

The destruction of the Blood Sect was accomplished by Grandpa Tak, my maternal grandfather. This meant he knew better than anyone how terrible a group the Blood Sect was.

To Grandpa Tak and Grandfather Am-wang, who knew nothing about the fake Honcheon Technique, I had no choice but to confess everything about what had happened.

“I didn’t know it would turn out like this… I’m sorry.”

I was prepared for scolding, but for some reason, the two of them remained silent and lost in thought for a long time without saying much.

That meant the situation was that serious.

Whether I intended it or not, it was true that I had escalated the incident, so I had to at least pretend to reflect on it beside them.

“It’s definitely the Blood Sect’s Reverse Heaven Blood Technique. The one who made this fake Honcheon Technique must be someone who knows both the Honcheon Technique and the Reverse Heaven Blood Technique.”

At Eok I-geon’s answer, Grandpa Tak’s expression grew even darker.

Since he already understood Eok I-geon’s genius intellect, it wouldn’t be easy to dismiss this.

“Am-wang, we need to move as soon as the sun rises. If the Blood Sect really had a hand in this, it won’t be a simple matter to resolve.”

“Let’s do that.”

“But Grandfather, will the Namgung Family willingly meet with us?”

Regardless of right or wrong, Grandfather Am-wang was the one who had imposed the gate closure on the Namgung Family.

The Namgung Family naturally wouldn’t be pleased.

“Still, this old man must go. If that Namgung Cheon has become a murderer, just anyone shouldn’t step forward.”

“Then I’ll step back. With my in-law going too, there shouldn’t be any problems.”

Bandit Grandfather seemed to be withdrawing out of concern that Sadoryeon might interfere and complicate matters further.

“Still, just in case, I’ll stand by.”

These words were spoken out of concern for me, not the two grandfathers.

As time passed and the morning sun rose, we hurriedly headed to the Namgung Family.

Thud thud thud!

When Cheon-gang knocked on the back gate of the Namgung Family, an old servant came out and opened the door.

“Who is it?”

“I am Dang Cheol-woo, the Supreme Clan Leader of the Sichuan Dang Family. I must see the clan leader urgently, so send word.”

“…!”

The old servant’s eyes widened upon hearing Grandfather’s identity. Without a moment’s delay, he immediately ran inside.

We entered the family compound through the half-open door first.

Before long, we spotted Namgung Myeong and Namgung San, father and son, approaching from ahead.

“What brings Elder Am-wang here so early in the morning?”

It was an early hour before even having breakfast.

Though he could have been displeased, Namgung Myeong maintained courtesy as he greeted us.

“I apologize for this. It’s an urgent matter, so I took the liberty of coming here.”

“Since you’re here, please come inside.”

Since this wasn’t a conversation for outside, we quickly moved to Namgung Myeong’s Small Main Hall.

I was startled by Namgung Myeong’s gaze as it passed over me, but I succeeded in maintaining my poker face.

He wouldn’t even think I was the maid he encountered in the study last time.

So let’s stay calm.

“This is the sect leader of Cheon-sin-mun. He came with me because I needed his help.”

“…Namo Guanshiyin Bodhisattva.”

At Grandfather Am-wang’s introduction, Grandpa Tak clasped his hands together in greeting. The way he recited the Buddhist invocation seemed much more natural than before.

‘But why is he staring at me so intently?’

Namgung San’s gaze hadn’t left me since earlier.

I tried to subtly avoid it while flashing awkward smiles, but Namgung San remained unmoved as if there was a magnet attached somewhere on my face.

Only after Eok I-geon glared at him did Namgung San finally look away from me.

Don’t tell me he still likes me?

Shouldn’t he know by now that we can never be together?

I’m going to be engaged soon.

I could only hope that Namgung San would come to his senses quickly.

This noona believes that the cliché of a sub-male lead turning dark after not being chosen by the female lead won’t happen.

If I chose you, the protagonist might turn dark and this world could be ruined.

So please don’t resent me for being too heartless.

“Clan Leader Namgung, have you heard about the murderer?”

While I was having a battle of nerves with Namgung San, Grandfather Am-wang asked directly.

“Rumors have no walls, so I do know about it.”

Even with the gate closure, they would be able to hear about outside affairs through workers and maids.

But judging by their reactions, they didn’t seem to know anything too serious.

“Then it will be easier to talk.”

As if that was sufficient, Grandfather Am-wang nodded and continued.

“Someone saw the murderer coming out of the Namgung Family.”

“…Elder Am-wang!”

Namgung Myeong, momentarily overwhelmed with bewilderment, raised his voice in anger.

“Please stop disgracing our main family! Aren’t you satisfied with 30 years of gate closure? I cannot tolerate this any longer!”

“I’m not trying to disgrace the Namgung Family. The Blood Sect is involved with the murderer, so I had no choice but to come!”

“Bl-Blood Sect? What do you suddenly mean by that?”

Namgung Myeong seemed to hesitate, apparently knowing the fearsome nature of the Blood Sect.

“Now it seems to be my turn to speak.”

Grandpa Tak, who had been quietly listening, finally stepped forward.

“Clan Leader Namgung, do you know the Blood Sect well?”

“Is there any martial artist who doesn’t know the Blood Sect?”

“It probably wasn’t known in detail in Jungwon. Our sect has been located outside the borders, so we’ve clashed with the Blood Sect many times. That’s why we pride ourselves on knowing more about the Blood Sect than anyone.”

How fortunate that the existence of Cheon-sin-mun could be useful in this way.

“The Blood Sect has a martial art called the Reverse Heaven Blood Technique. Our sect recently found traces of it, and those traces were discovered in none other than the Honcheon Technique.”

“By Honcheon Technique, do you mean the one stolen by Sadoryeon?”

“To be precise, it should be called a forged Honcheon Technique.”

“…Forged?”

Namgung Myeong reacted unusually strongly to the word “forged.”

So he did learn the fake Honcheon Technique after all.

“We confirmed it on our way from Sadoryeon. Our sect is somewhat free in such matters.”

It was thanks to me as a stepping stone, but the important thing was delivering the facts.

“The purpose of the fake Honcheon Technique is to create a murderer. The original owner of the Honcheon Technique is the Namgung Family, and coincidentally, someone witnessed the murderer coming out of the family compound, so I’ll speak directly. I want to see Clan Leader Namgung.”

“…Are you suspecting my father right now?”

“I hope that’s not the case.”

“That’s impossible!”

Namgung Myeong refused more firmly than ever.

“You’ve got the wrong person. Currently, my father is barely breathing, no different from a living corpse. How could such a person become a murderer?”

“I’m asking as a favor. I’ll take responsibility for everything that happens afterward, so please let me see Clan Leader Namgung.”

Grandfather Am-wang’s eyes held pity as he looked at Namgung Myeong.

Regardless of the circumstances, Namgung Cheon was his father.

Since this touched on blood relations, Grandfather’s feelings couldn’t be entirely comfortable either.

“Elder Am-wang!”

Namgung Myeong’s voice became agitated.

“Just how far do you intend to drag our main family? I will no longer tolerate any further humiliation!”

The good-natured Namgung Myeong I knew seemed like a different person as he glared at Am-wang Grandfather, unable to contain his anger.

Wasn’t this going to cause big trouble?

Namgung Myeong had no intention of showing us Namgung Cheon, and we likewise had no intention of backing down, creating a truly tense standoff.

Surprisingly, it was then that Namgung San stepped forward.

“Please follow me. I will guide you.”

“S-San!”

The one most shocked by this wasn’t us, but Namgung Myeong.

Though he quickly composed his expression, I sensed something strange.

“Father, I will handle this myself. In any case, these people need to see for themselves to be convinced.”

“….”

Namgung Myeong made no reply to his son’s words.

As if they had exchanged secret transmissions without our knowledge, Namgung Myeong eventually stepped back.

“Grandfather is in the Gajujeon.”

Namgung San immediately led us to the Gajujeon.

‘Ugh!’

As soon as the door to the Gajujeon opened, a thick medicinal scent wafted out.

With slight exaggeration, it was strong enough to numb the nose.

The headache was a bonus.

‘Namgung Cheon…!’

He was lying on the bed as if dead, just as Namgung Myeong had said.

His face was pale, and acupuncture needles were stuck all over his body.

No matter how generously I looked at it, this was a dying old man, not someone you could call a murderer.

“What is the meaning of this?”

As soon as the Am-wang group left the Sega, Namgung Myeong asked his son.

“Why is someone who was supposed to be in seclusion here!”

“Father…”

Namgung San’s expression, which he had maintained well until now, crumbled.

“Sob, Grandfather…”

“…Why Father?”

Namgung Myeong’s eyes gradually widened as he looked at Namgung San, who couldn’t bring himself to continue speaking.

A look of dread was also rising in his expression.

“…It seems he really is the murderer.”

Namgung San wept as he gave his father a detailed account of what he had witnessed with his own eyes the night before.

“Wh-what are you saying…!”

As Namgung Myeong’s body swayed from shock, Namgung San quickly supported him.

“This must not be discovered.”

“…What do you intend to do?”

“When Grandfather regains consciousness, I must ask him! Perhaps he can return to normal?”

“A-and if not…?”

“Then…”

Namgung San squeezed his eyes shut once and opened them.

In his eyes was a cold resolve.

“I will send him peacefully to rest with my own hands.”

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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