The Heavenly Demon Cult’s Strongest Maid - Chapter 24

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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 24

I stayed up all night.

I thought and thought again about ways to avoid going to Sichuan with Eok I-geon, but I couldn’t find any suitable excuse.

It would have been nice if I had a burning fever and was hovering between life and death, but this damn body of mine was even more alert after staying up all night.

Eok I-geon’s sudden trip to Sichuan.

Others would find it endlessly puzzling, but having read the original work, it was more like ‘Ah, so this is that time’ for me.

The only strange thing was why I had to go to Sichuan with him.

It was clearly written that he went alone with just Cheon-gang, his bodyguard.

Had the novel’s content changed because of me?

I was actually a bit flustered since I had never considered that possibility at all.

Of course, my accompanying him wouldn’t greatly affect the flow of the original story.

Eok I-geon’s trip to Sichuan was an episode briefly covered in flashback format.

The problem was that content summarized in just a few pages would be a journey of about one or two months for me.

I was already feeling dizzy.

I was going to be stuck with Eok I-geon every day for a while.

At Headquarters, I at least had occasional breaks and moments to catch my breath, but now there was nowhere else to go or hide.

Even getting off work had disappeared.

If we camped, I’d have to sleep nearby, and if we got lodging, I’d obviously stay in the adjacent room to serve him.

The only advantage was that the contract period would be over when we returned.

Was that why?

Absurdly, this trip to Sichuan felt like a farewell journey with Eok I-geon to me.

“Are you ready?”

It was about an hour after we set out on our journey.

Eok I-geon asked me as I was walking while imagining all sorts of things in my head.

Though my confidence was very low, I forced a smile and answered.

“Yes, I’ve packed everything I could manage to bring. Is there anything you need right now?”

“Something I need?”

“I brought ice too, but I’m worried about when it might melt.”

So could you please ask for ice water first?

Let me lighten the backpack weight while I’m at it.

“Stop for a moment.”

How thoughtful of you to think of bringing ice water for me.

Knowing Eok I-geon as well as I did, I hadn’t even expected such praise.

I had only hoped he would drink it with satisfaction.

“Why… are you doing this?”

But what had rubbed him the wrong way again?

Eok I-geon made me stop and pointed at my bundle with a stern expression.

“Don’t tell me all this luggage isn’t yours but mine?”

“Not all of it. Some of my belongings are included too.”

I had packed a few small personal items like undergarments and a hair comb.

Maintaining a neat appearance was an essential requirement for a dedicated maid.

“Unpack it.”

For some reason, Eok I-geon sighed and commanded.

“Here?”

“Cheon-gang.”

When I hesitated, Eok I-geon gave another order to Cheon-gang.

Unlike me, Cheon-gang didn’t hesitate and took the luggage from me to spread it on the ground.

Quite a lot of things came out of the bundle.

For camping, I had brought bedding for Eok I-geon to lie on, a pillow, and since he was so particular about cleanliness, I brought several towels, and just in case, even his usual toiletries.

I had packed plenty of food like jerky, rice balls, and dried fruits to satisfy hunger along the way, but since he had such a good appetite, I was worried about when they might run out.

“Is that all that’s yours?”

Eok I-geon looked down coldly at the small bundle that had emerged from the luggage.

Now that it was unpacked, it did feel particularly small.

“Pack only your things and throw away everything else.”

“…Pardon?”

I really thought I had misheard.

So even though I knew he hated repeating himself, I asked again.

“I’ve already packed what I need, so you just need to pack what you need.”

But your pack is too light for that, isn’t it?

Both Eok I-geon and Cheon-gang were traveling too lightly for such a long journey.

I’d bet that all they had in their packs were clothes.

“Though it may be presumptuous, these are all useful items. Please allow me to take them.”

After all the trouble I went through preparing this in one day, you want me to throw it all away?

Eok I-geon, are you crazy?

How can you disregard someone’s sincerity like this?

I barely suppressed my rising anger and pleaded earnestly.

“We could have taken a carriage to Sichuan. But do you know why I chose not to?”

“…Wasn’t it to arrive more quickly?”

“Correct. Lightness skills are faster than carriages. This will be an excellent opportunity for you to practice Mabang Bicheongang.”

Ah, I hadn’t thought that far.

Don’t tell me he gave up the carriage specifically because of me?

“I will do my best to follow without hindering your progress, Young Master.”

“Then throw away that luggage.”

No, why does the conversation keep going in that direction?

“These things are a bit bulky, but they’re not heavy at all. I can definitely run while carrying them on my back.”

“Of course they wouldn’t be heavy for a master with ten years’ worth of internal energy. But you’ve only just started learning martial arts. Don’t waste your stamina on useless things.”

But I’m telling you these aren’t useless!

Eok I-geon, you’re going to use all of this!

Running with a lightened body would be good for me.

But my duty was to be Eok I-geon’s maid.

I had the responsibility to serve him devotedly wherever we were.

Frankly speaking, what if Eok I-geon exploded from discomfort while sleeping rough?

Eok I-geon called them useless, but to me, they were minimal safety measures.

“I will follow with full concentration, so please allow me to bring them.”

I looked at Eok I-geon with pleading eyes and begged earnestly.

“I’ll carry them.”

That’s when Cheon-gang stepped forward.

Perhaps feeling sorry for my situation, he personally asked Eok I-geon.

“Listening to Seolha, they would definitely be convenient to have. I won’t fall behind with this much luggage, so isn’t this a good compromise?”

“No! How could I burden such an esteemed person as Cheon-gang with this? I absolutely…!”

“Fine. If that’s your intention, I won’t stop you.”

Wow, he wouldn’t even listen to me, but gives an immediate okay to one word from Cheon-gang?

I guess the right-hand man is different after all.

“Then I’m sorry to trouble you, but please.”

To dare ask Cheon-gang, the heir of Mageum Cheon-ga, to do such a menial task.

Feeling sorry and guilty, I apologized to him several times while repacking the scattered luggage.

Each time, my favorite character’s personality shone through as he answered with a smiling face that it was fine.

Thanks to that, a smile never left my lips throughout our sprint using Mabang Bicheongang.

It was the first day I felt grateful that Cheon-gang was part of our group.

“We have no choice but to camp tonight. This will be your first time sleeping outdoors, will you be alright?”

Seven days after our departure, the moment had finally come for the things I brought to show their true worth.

Though we mainly traveled quickly along mountain paths, Eok I-geon had an amazing talent for finding inns every night, so we’d made it this far without much hardship.

Not only did we get well-prepared meals, but sometimes we could even bathe in hot water, making me wonder if I’d really done something pointless, but finally I could feel rewarded.

“Of course. Please don’t worry about me.”

On a moonless night, there were only the three of us deep in the mountains.

The atmosphere was such that it wouldn’t be strange for wild beasts to leap out from anywhere.

But beside me stood Eok I-geon, who was even more frightening than those beasts.

When you have something scary nearby, there’s an effect where everything else feels relatively harmless.

While Cheon-gang lit the campfire, I unpacked our belongings nearby and hurriedly set up Eok I-geon’s sleeping area.

Though it couldn’t compare to the bedding at headquarters, here it was no different from a five-star hotel.

I suppose I can just sleep over there?

I found a fairly flat spot not far from the fire.

I neatly spread out the blanket I’d brought for myself and sat down.

Oh, this feels pretty good?

For my first time sleeping outdoors, I was even getting excited for no reason.

“So this will be my bedroom tonight.”

Then Eok I-geon approached and examined the area around my blanket.

“No. The place for you to sleep, young master, is over there where I…”

“Never mind.”

“Pardon?”

“I like this spot. You go sleep over there instead.”

As soon as he finished speaking, Eok I-geon plopped down right beside me.

Startled, I let out a silent scream inside and jumped up almost bouncing.

“There are so many stars.”

Eok I-geon lay down without hesitation on the worn blanket, resting his back against it.

Then he used both arms as a pillow and gazed up at the night sky in admiration.

Flustered by Eok I-geon’s sudden action, I naturally followed his lead and tilted my head back, letting out an exclamation.

“Wow…”

The stars truly looked like they were about to pour down.

It was as if I had the illusion of being inside a cluster of stars.

I stood there for a long while, gazing up at the night sky in a dazed trance.

How much time had passed like that?

Suddenly feeling a gaze, I turned my head to find Eok I-geon looking at me.

What was strange was that he was literally ‘looking’ at me.

It wasn’t his usual glaring eyes, but deep, quiet ones with a somehow distant feeling as he gazed at me.

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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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