The Heavenly Demon Cult’s Strongest Maid - Chapter 42

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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 42

Having nowhere to go after Cheonma’s sudden declaration of discipleship, I found myself at the Maeuigam.

My main purpose was to avoid others’ eyes, but it wasn’t entirely without excuse.

“Cheon-gang, what should I do now?”

Cheon-gang, who had protected Eok Wi-baek from Eok I-geon’s attack.

As a result, he had sustained internal injuries and was currently receiving treatment at the Maeuigam.

I had come both to escape and to visit the sick.

Fortunately, Cheon-gang’s internal injuries weren’t deep, so his treatment was completed with some oral medicine and a few acupuncture sessions.

The physician said that if he rested well for about a day, there wouldn’t be much inconvenience in moving around.

“Is there perhaps some way to be stripped of disciple status?”

“….”

“Right, there’s no way such a thing would exist. Even as I asked, I thought this wasn’t right.”

Cheon-gang didn’t say anything, but his eyes were answer enough.

He had been looking at me with bewilderment as I rambled on.

“Sigh, what am I really going to do. I want to cry, but it’s so absurd that tears won’t even come.”

“…Do you dislike becoming the Cult Leader’s disciple that much?”

“Of course! Someone like me, what kind of…! But Cheon-gang, did you just speak formally to me?”

“Yes.”

“Why?”

“Well, Seolha-nim is now the Cult Leader’s disciple.”

Ugh!

I clutched my head and screamed internally.

I desperately wished it was a dream, but judging by the hair being pulled out, the probability was close to zero.

“But why are you here?”

“I had nowhere to go. And I was worried about you, Cheon-gang.”

He didn’t know it, but Cheon-gang was the person I trusted and relied on most in the palace.

His character had already been proven to me as a reader of the novel, and our time together traveling to Sichuan had added a certain intimacy.

Moreover, wasn’t he my ultimate favorite?

The only person I could open up to, even slightly, now that I couldn’t go out to meet Grandmother.

That was the reason I was here.

“Prince Lee must be looking for you.”

“He’s probably busy being investigated.”

Eok I-geon had avoided punishment for now, but still had to finish giving his statement about the crime scene.

Having relatively little to testify about, I had finished early and come to the Maeuigam.

“I’m truly relieved that you’re safe.”

“You’re worrying about me in the midst of all this?”

“As soon as Prince Lee heard about the kidnapping from that friend Yang So-baek, he immediately rushed out. I’ve never seen him run that fast in my entire life.”

“…Prince Lee did?”

“Yes. I ran as hard as I could too, but as you saw, I was late.”

“Late? You came just in time and blocked Prince Lee’s attack! If it hadn’t been for you, Cheon-gang, that bastard Eok Wi-baek… I mean, the First Prince wouldn’t be alive.”

If that had happened, Cheonma wouldn’t have taken me as a disciple either.

Would it have been better if that guy had died?

Even while praising Cheon-gang’s achievement, somehow my heart wasn’t at ease.

“I only did what was natural as Prince Lee’s guard.”

I was well aware of Cheon-gang’s loyalty, which wouldn’t hesitate to enter a pit of fire to protect Eok I-geon.

That’s probably why Eok I-geon, even when going crazy and rampaging, would listen to Cheon-gang’s words.

Since he would save many people in the future, Cheon-gang had to live long and well.

“But truly, isn’t there any way?”

“Pardon?”

“A way to not become the Cult Leader’s disciple. I’m not joking, I’m really serious. If you know anything, please tell me.”

Perhaps my sincerity got through to him.

After staring at me silently for a long while, Cheon-gang finally opened his mouth.

“There is one method, but…”

“Please tell me! I’m prepared to do anything!”

“Even if you have to risk your life?”

“…My life?”

“Yes.”

What, I have to risk my life just because I don’t want to be a disciple?

To me, who was dumbfounded, Cheon-gang continued as if trying to persuade me.

“Becoming Cheonma’s disciple is considered a tremendous honor in the Headquarters. Not only will wealth and fame follow, but you’ll enjoy many benefits you can’t even imagine.”

Who doesn’t know that?

It’s just that I don’t need those things.

“I fully understand your burdened feelings. But Seolha-nim, you must know this. No matter how outstanding one’s martial talent, one cannot become Cheonma’s disciple. It’s an honorable position that only those chosen by the Cult Leader can attain. So why don’t you set aside your worries for a moment and enjoy it?”

“…Enjoy it?”

“Didn’t you say you had many things you wanted to do?”

“I did.”

During our trip to Sichuan, we had quite a lot of personal conversations.

After spending nearly a month together, we naturally came to understand each other.

“If I remember correctly, besides Sichuan, you said you wanted to visit the Heavenly Lands? That’s why you learned Mabang Bicheongang from the Cult Leader.”

“That’s right. My wish is to take Grandmother on a tour to places with beautiful scenery.”

“It will be possible once you become a disciple.”

“What?”

“If you’re Cheonma’s disciple, what couldn’t you do? I know that among the previous disciples, many left on martial world tours after reaching a certain level. I believe such a day will come for Seolha-nim as well.”

Wow, is that so?

Actually, this was a development I hadn’t considered.

I had only thought that becoming Cheonma’s disciple would bind me to the Demonic Sect, but it turns out I could leave freely and openly.

There was the prerequisite of properly fulfilling my duties as a disciple first, but that didn’t seem particularly difficult.

Cheonma had directly told me I had talent, and anyway, the important thing was escaping the Demonic Sect, right?

Fortunately, Eok I-geon was still hiding his fangs.

The point when he reveals his true nature is still far from now, so couldn’t I learn martial arts as quickly as possible and then escape?

Yes, Cheon-gang was right.

Don’t we have that famous saying in our country too: if you can’t avoid it, enjoy it?

Right now, when I can’t control anything.

Let me behave obediently and wait for the right time.

Without being frustrated, without self-torment, while accepting fate.

“Cheon-gang, thank you!”

Honestly, I never expected to be persuaded by him.

Just when I was disappointed in myself for coming to visit and only whining, I found an answer at an unexpected timing.

“Thanks to you, Cheon-gang, I gained courage! I really just wanted to run away to a place where no one was, but now I think I’ve found some peace of mind.”

The headache that had been throbbing all along had also disappeared.

Though Cheon-gang probably didn’t intend it, the solution he gave me cleanly swept away my worries in one go.

“I will definitely repay this kindness!”

I was so grateful that I grabbed and shook the hands of Cheon-gang, who was lying down.

It was meant to be a handshake of gratitude, but the problem was that Eok I-geon happened to enter at that moment.

“….”

It felt like the indoor temperature instantly dropped below freezing.

Eok I-geon’s cold gaze pierced through mine and Cheon-gang’s hands.

I quickly let go of the hands I was holding as if burned by fire.

I could tell it was a perfect situation for misunderstanding, but the moment I met Eok I-geon’s eyes, I felt as if I had committed adultery.

What kind of relationship do we have?

Why are you looking at me like that?

Frankly speaking, when a grown man and woman connect emotionally, can’t they hold hands?

Even though I had no romantic feelings for Cheon-gang whatsoever, perhaps due to Eok I-geon’s murderous reaction, I even felt a pointless sense of defiance.

Of course, I didn’t show such feelings outwardly.

If I provoked him further, it seemed like something infinitely terrifying would happen.

After all, avoiding psychopaths was the best strategy.

“Let’s go.”

Eok I-geon, who had been silently glaring, suddenly extended his hand toward me.

Surely he doesn’t expect me to take that hand?

When I hesitated without readily moving, Eok I-geon strode closer.

Then he swiftly pulled me away as if snatching me from Cheon-gang’s side.

Eek!

Eok I-geon and I holding hands!

Though this wasn’t our first physical contact, this was the first time we’d held hands like this.

My heart shrank with fear.

Eok I-geon dragged me somewhere without even asking about Cheon-gang’s wellbeing.

His stride was so wide that I had to almost run to keep up.

“This is where you’ll be staying from now on.”

“…Pardon?”

All my nerves were focused on my left hand caught in Eok I-geon’s grip, so I didn’t even know where I was.

“I just had a new plaque hung. Would you like to read it?”

“…It says Yeong-eun Hall.”

Only then did I look around and realize we were in front of the main gate of a massive pavilion.

But was there a place called Yeong-eun Hall at Headquarters?

Having memorized the map thoroughly while avoiding Eok I-geon, the name Yeong-eun Hall was quite unfamiliar to me.

“Do you like the name?”

“Yes, well… it seems to have a good meaning. But why did you bring me here…?”

“Didn’t I say this is where you’ll be staying from now on?”

“When you say staying…”

“It means you are the owner of Yeong-eun Hall.”

What? What did you say?

This pavilion is mine?

Looking down at me as I was startled in shock, Eok I-geon stifled a chuckle.

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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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