The Heavenly Demon Cult’s Strongest Maid - Chapter 44
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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 44
“I apologize for interrupting, but another guest has arrived.”
While I was watching Eok I-geon and Seo-ryeon with curious eyes, a maid announced the arrival of another visitor.
Since there was no one else who would come besides Yang So-baek, I tilted my head in confusion.
Could it be that Grandmother came?
The thought suddenly occurred to me that perhaps the elder physician had delivered news about me.
Our Lady Shin Geum must have been unable to sleep all night worrying about her granddaughter.
I gazed beyond the door with mixed feelings of guilt and anticipation.
“…?”
However, the identity of the guest who entered the room was quite far from my expectations.
“Second Brother, you’re here too?”
What thick skin he has – Eok Hwi-gyeom walked toward us with a bright smile.
Though he hadn’t directly harmed me, he was the lunatic who had treated me as entertainment when I was in danger.
Naturally, his visit was unwelcome.
That must have been the same for Eok I-geon as well.
He glared at his younger brother and asked on my behalf.
“What brings you here?”
“What brings me here? As Cheonma’s son, I came to pay my respects to Cheonma’s first disciple. Isn’t that the proper thing to do?”
How he loves talking about propriety.
If I could, I would have sewn Eok Hwi-gyeom’s mouth shut right then and there.
Ever since before, this young brat had a talent for making people angry with every word that came out of his chattering mouth.
“It seems you were about to have tea together. May this younger brother join as well?”
Though no one had given permission, Eok Hwi-gyeom boldly took a seat.
Then the maids began to look around nervously.
The owner of the residence – me – clearly looked displeased with this situation, but since the other party was Cheonma’s son, they were unsure whether to serve tea or not.
Sigh.
Until yesterday, I had been in exactly their position.
At times like this, someone needs to step forward and sort things out to make the workers comfortable.
“Of course. Everyone please sit down.”
I had no choice but to treat Eok Hwi-gyeom as a guest and instructed the maids to bring tea again.
“Yang So-baek, you too.”
There were two of Cheonma’s sons present.
I pulled the hesitating boy over and seated him next to me.
For Yang So-baek’s sake, it might have been better to just send him away, but then he might have been hurt.
He might have thought I was kicking him out because this wasn’t a place for him.
I didn’t want to make my only childhood friend feel that way.
Shortly after, five teacups and snacks were placed on the round table.
Including myself, two women and three men sipped tea in an awkward atmosphere.
If this situation were a scene from a novel, it would be my job as the owner of Yeong-eun Hall to drive the story forward.
However, as you know, I was just a novice who had recently become a disciple, and none of the people here were ones I had invited.
So I had no idea what topic to bring up first.
Besides, I wasn’t particularly good with words to begin with.
Just as my expression was gradually hardening from the awkwardness.
Eok Hwi-gyeom put down his teacup and looked up at me.
“First, let me congratulate you. Yesterday I was too flustered and left without proper greetings. I sincerely congratulate you on becoming Cheonma’s first disciple.”
“Thank you.”
“Please speak more casually. Aren’t you my elder sister now?”
“…Excuse me?”
“From now on, please feel free to call me Gyeom-ah.”
Wow, look at this bastard’s shamelessness.
Did he already forget about yesterday?
I saw what happened, so what’s this Gyeom-ah nonsense!
“That way I can also visit you more comfortably and frequently, can’t I?”
Eok Hwi-gyeom looked at me and smiled brightly. His crescent-shaped eye smile looked quite pretty for a moment.
But I could clearly read his dark intentions.
Right now, Eok Hwi-gyeom was asking me to forget about yesterday and start fresh in improving our relationship.
For a mere fifteen-year-old to change his approach to relationships overnight like this.
No matter how much my status had changed, until yesterday I was still a lowly maid.
Considering that, this attitude of his was quite commendable.
Of course, that didn’t immediately change my feelings, but since he was acknowledging me anyway, I suppose it was decent enough.
At least he was smarter than First Prince Eok Wi-baek.
“What business would you have with Seolha?”
The problem was Eok I-geon. He, who had been quietly observing his younger brother, bluntly interrupted. He didn’t even bother to hide his displeasure.
“Second Brother, Father taking on a disciple is no different from me gaining a sibling. I was already feeling lonely with only two older brothers, so this younger brother is very happy to have such a lovely elder sister.”
“Seolha is Father’s disciple, not his daughter. Watch your words.”
“What I mean is that she’s that precious of an existence, something like that. You understand, don’t you, Sister?”
Every time the word “Sister” popped out of Eok Hwi-gyeom’s mouth, I felt like I was training.
Because I felt like I might unconsciously slap him across the face.
No matter how much I had become Cheonma’s disciple, that wouldn’t be acceptable.
If I caused trouble on the first day, the already noisy Maegyo would become even more chaotic.
“But who are these people?”
Even seeing my lack of response, Eok Hwi-gyeom wasn’t embarrassed in the slightest.
Instead, he had the leisure to ask questions about Seo-ryeon and Yang So-baek.
“I’m late with my greetings to Third Prince. My name is Seo-ryeon. As of today, I’ve been assigned as Lady Seolha’s guard.”
“Ah, so you’re Sister’s guard.”
Then what about this one?
Eok Hwi-gyeom’s gaze shifted to Yang So-baek.
Though he was clearly nervous, Yang So-baek introduced himself in a steady voice.
“I’m Yang So-baek, belonging to the Blood Shadow Unit’s 10th Strike Force.”
“Are you also Sister’s guard?”
“No, I’m not. I’m….”
“A friend.”
“Excuse me?”
“My friend. My closest childhood friend since we were young.”
It was an awkward situation for Yang So-baek to answer “friend” first. When I spoke for the stammering boy, Eok Hwi-gyeom’s expression changed strangely.
Why?
Was he surprised that I immediately started speaking casually?
Eok Hwi-gyeom probably didn’t expect me to put it into practice so quickly, even though he had told me to speak casually.
Given my circumstances up until now, he probably thought I would be hesitant and troubled.
But I wasn’t an ordinary person.
Until five years ago, I was a transmigrator who had lived in the egalitarian society called South Korea. I was even in my twenties.
For someone like me, speaking casually to a fifteen-year-old middle schooler naturally didn’t even qualify as difficult.
“He’s a newcomer who just joined the Blood Shadow Unit. You two probably won’t have much occasion to meet, but if you happen to encounter each other, I hope you’ll greet him warmly for my sake.”
“…Of course. Since you say so, Sister, I should listen. Now that I’ve seen his face, I’ll keep an eye out for him too.”
Eok Hwi-gyeom wasn’t the only one surprised by my suddenly changed attitude.
Yang So-baek stared at me as if he might faint, and a smile briefly appeared and disappeared at the corner of Seo-ryeon’s lips.
Only Eok I-geon showed no change in expression, but the aura he was giving off was somehow not very good.
I had definitely touched a nerve with him again.
Anyway, his inner thoughts are incomprehensible even when I think I understand them.
“Well, it seems our business here is finished.”
Would you please get up now?
He probably didn’t know, but I was in the middle of being introduced to Seo-ryeon.
I stared at Eok Hwi-gyeom with eyes that conveyed my wish for him to leave, making my intentions clear.
Fortunately, he was the type to pick up on social cues.
“In my eagerness to greet you as soon as possible, I rushed here too early this morning. Next time, I’ll make a proper appointment in advance and visit formally.”
“Anytime you have the time.”
Contrary to my words, my mind was already planning to use martial arts training as an excuse to be busy whenever he contacted me.
“Ah, wait. May I ask just one thing before I leave?”
“Go ahead.”
“What martial art did Father teach you?”
“…!”
“Could it be the Cheonma Divine Art?”
Look at this guy.
Now I see this is what he was curious about when he came here first thing after waking up.
The Cheonma Divine Art was a martial art passed down only to Cheonma’s successor.
The current Cheonma had not yet taught the Cheonma Divine Art to anyone, including his three sons.
In such circumstances, taking me as his first disciple was what caused all this chaos in the Demonic Sect.
Cheonma had said it directly at Geomun-gak.
That he personally taught me martial arts.
What I learned was Mahu’s martial art, but Cheonma only said that he had taught me.
That’s where the misunderstanding arose.
Perhaps what he taught me might be Cheonma’s exclusive martial art.
By now, the leadership would know that I had learned Mabang Bicheongang, but unfortunately, my new brother today was not part of the leadership.
Seeing how openly he was asking, it seemed he had no close relationships with anyone in the leadership.
Or perhaps he hadn’t met them yet.
“Well.”
But why did I do that?
All I had to do was say no, but suddenly a mischievous impulse took hold of me.
I didn’t want to honestly confess to this impudent guy.
He would find out the truth soon enough anyway, but I decided to scratch at his nerves for a moment.
“Master ordered me to keep it secret for now, so I can’t tell you.”
Though I had never heard anything remotely similar, I subtly avoided answering while pretending to be sorry.
By deliberately using the word “secret,” Eok Hwi-gyeom probably wouldn’t get a wink of sleep tonight.
Watching his face stiffen, I felt like my frustration was completely clearing away.
That’s what you get for messing with 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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