The Heavenly Demon Cult’s Strongest Maid - Chapter 23

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

Chapter 23

“Whew.”

Indeed, nothing was better than breathing exercises for calming the mind.

I had tossed and turned a bit last night due to my complicated thoughts, but after completing the circulation of qi, my body felt refreshed in an instant.

Not only that.

“Wow, this ointment is truly miraculous.”

Just as the physician elder had said, after sleeping one night, my wounds had completely healed.

In the mirror’s reflection, not a single small scar remained on my face.

“It would have been annoying to explain to everyone I met, but this is amazing. If we sold this on the market, we’d get rich in no time.”

I was so greedy I wanted to swallow it whole.

However, it was a precious item that didn’t suit a maid’s status.

If I kept it any longer, it might cause misunderstandings.

Even the container holding the ointment was surrounded by gold leaf and was surely more expensive than my annual salary.

“I should go return it right away.”

As soon as the morning assembly ended, I stopped by Maeuigam first.

“Seolha, what brings you here at this hour? Are you perhaps feeling unwell somewhere?”

I had intended to just quickly deliver the ointment and leave, but somehow ended up facing the physician elder again.

I had only shown the ointment at the entrance, but the guard on duty had brought me here without question.

“No, elder. I came to return this.”

When I took out the ointment from my bosom, Pyo Jin-yang let out a sigh of relief.

“That’s a relief. For a moment I wondered if I had made some mistake yesterday.”

“A mistake from the physician elder? That’s unthinkable. The ointment was so miraculous that all my wounds disappeared.”

“That medicine is quite effective, isn’t it? Even I was amazed after making it.”

“Thank you so much. For giving me such a precious thing.”

“For you, Seolha, I could do even more than this, so don’t say such things. This little thing is nothing at all.”

Is this man serious?

When did he even see me that he’s calling me by name so familiarly?

I felt it yesterday too, but he was excessively kind to me.

No matter that I’m his nephew’s personal maid, this kind of treatment is definitely strange.

“Have you seen me somewhere before?”

“You, you mean?”

“Yes, I keep getting the feeling that you know me somehow…”

“Well. It’s true that I saw you for the first time yesterday, but hehe…”

But what?

If you’re going to say something, you should finish it.

Leaving the listener frustrated, Pyo Jin-yang just trailed off and smiled.

I wanted to press him and ask more, but going any further would be too much.

Even this situation was only possible because of his goodwill.

I must never forget that my status is that of a maid.

“Then, physician elder, I’ll see you next time.”

Now that I had returned the ointment, it was time to fulfill the duties I couldn’t perform yesterday.

I recalled the breakfast menu for Eok I-geon that I had thought about during the night and hurriedly turned my steps toward Jami-gwan.

Preparing the food was quick as always.

The sisters at Jami-gwan happily cooked at my request, and I carried the meal using only one hand.

Someday I might be able to move this with telekinesis, right?

Of course, by then I wouldn’t be here anymore.

Ever since learning martial arts, my body had become so light I felt like I could fly, causing me to often fall into daydreams.

I was still a beginner who hadn’t even properly fought, let alone sparred, but the more I thought about it, the more my heart swelled with excitement.

Especially the Mabang Bicheongang I had performed on the rear mountain yesterday – just recalling the memory made me feel exhilarated.

Honestly, I wanted to rush out and run around right now.

But for that, I needed Eok I-geon’s permission.

If not for yesterday’s incident, it would have been worth trying to ask, but now I was scared to bring it up.

If I unnecessarily upset him and received a scolding, I would be the only one at a loss.

I should behave modestly for the time being.

And maybe improve the atmosphere with something delicious.

I focused on managing my expression to avoid revealing my scheming thoughts as I crossed the main gate of Geonyeong-gak and headed to the inner chamber where Eok I-geon would be waiting.

“You’re just coming now?”

But what was this? Eok I-geon was not alone.

“I greet Cheonma!”

For some reason, Cheonma was sitting there with him from early morning.

“Come closer here.”

At Cheonma’s command, I rose like a machine and approached him.

“Ho, the physician’s skills are indeed good.”

Cheonma looked at my face and smiled with satisfaction.

“Do you know how surprised I was when I heard you were injured?”

“I am deeply sorry! I was inadequate and made a mistake. Please forgive me.”

Having dared to surprise Cheonma was practically committing a sin.

I hastily apologized, fearing he might become angry and impose punishment.

“I’m not scolding you. If anyone should be scolded, it should be this fellow.”

Cheonma clicked his tongue and looked at his son, Eok I-geon.

“I trusted you and sent you together, so where was your mind that you couldn’t prevent even that? Is your skill really only that much?”

“I’m sorry.”

Excuse me.

I’m the one who did wrong, so why are you scolding your son?

And Eok I-geon, why are you apologizing?

When you act like that, you seem just like my protector!

“Foolish boy, your neglect of training is showing here. Didn’t I tell you not to be so arrogant!”

“…”

“How can I continue to entrust Seolha to you like this?”

Entrust what to whom?

I’m just your son’s personal maid, you know?

“I will ensure that yesterday’s incident never happens again.”

“How can you guarantee that? If you made the mistake once, you’ll make it twice.”

Why is Cheonma being like this?

Until yesterday he acted like a kind tall uncle, but today why is he so eager to devour an innocent person?

Are you going to take responsibility if your son’s lid blows off from this?

Do you want to see it become a bloodbath?

His cold gaze and tightly pressed lips spoke for Eok I-geon’s current mood.

I desperately wished that Cheonma would please stop his nonsense before he exploded.

But that was just my modest hope.

“This won’t do. I’ll have to take Seolha to Macheondeon.”

What? What did you say?

You’re taking me where?

“That cannot be!”

Eok I-geon jumped up and shouted firmly.

“Seolha is my maid. Even if you are my father, you cannot do as you please like this!”

Yes, well done, Eok I-geon!

At Cheonma’s thunderbolt-like words, I had barely managed not to scream and was almost on the verge of fainting.

While escaping from Eok I-geon would be welcome, I didn’t want to become a maid at Macheondeon.

How dare she carelessly set foot in such a place.

I had heard that only specially trained maids could enter Macheondeon, and once you went in, you couldn’t quit of your own free will.

So if I got dragged there, my resignation would be out of the question.

“Do you dare defy my command as Cheonma?”

At his son’s defiance, Cheonma’s eyes immediately curved menacingly.

The atmosphere turned deadly in an instant, cold enough to freeze the very air.

“I will gladly accept any punishment you give me. But not Seolha.”

“Haha, you’ll accept punishment?”

Cheonma laughed as if amused by his son’s childish defiance.

And I read something hidden in that laughter.

I didn’t know exactly what it was, but it definitely wasn’t anything good.

“Pl-please withdraw your command!”

Seized by an ominous uneasiness, I immediately bowed my head and pleaded with Cheonma.

“I have a sickly grandmother. If I become a maid of Macheondeon, it will be difficult to visit her as I do now. Please understand my heart.”

“Is your grandmother’s condition very poor?”

“Yes. Given her advanced age, she desperately needs my help.”

Our Shin Geum was perfectly healthy, but I desperately replied as if it were true.

“Ahem, then there’s nothing to be done. I had wanted to keep you by my side and care for you.”

“Your words alone are more than enough gratitude.”

As expected, the sickly grandmother concept was a well-received trope.

Cheonma’s gaze, which had been glaring as if ready to kill his son, turned pitying.

“I’ll be watching from now on.”

After staring at me pitifully for a long while, Cheonma left something like a warning for Eok I-geon and disappeared.

Phew!

That was a harrowing experience.

My legs, which had been trembling mercilessly, finally began to return to normal.

Just this morning I had thought I could manage well enough as a personal maid, but I had nearly fallen into ruin in an instant.

One moment of carelessness and it’s over.

It wasn’t even some butterfly effect – I was simply amazed that one mistake during lightness skill practice had led to this situation.

Ah, the breakfast must have gone cold by now.

It was just as I was about to move, thinking to bring it again.

Thud!

Suddenly Eok I-geon grabbed my wrist.

Was he holding a grudge because he got scolded by his father because of me?

Since I wasn’t entirely without guilt as the cause of this, I was prepared to take a fair beating if he hit me.

I might as well build up my endurance while I’m at it.

It was an aspiration possible because I had become a different body than before.

But what came wasn’t a fist, but an order to go out.

“Tomorrow morning early, we’re going to Sichuan. Prepare yourself.”

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