The Heavenly Demon Cult’s Strongest Maid - Chapter 48

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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 48

“What is all this?”

Before I knew it, the day of the martial arts competition had dawned.

I had barely slept last night, training until late, but thanks to the Mahu Hwan-hon Shin-gong, I didn’t feel tired at all.

I was just a bit nervous, I suppose.

Since this was my first official appearance as Cheonma’s disciple, I couldn’t help but have all sorts of thoughts.

“These are clothes that Prince Lee sent for Lady Seolha.”

Seo-ryeon visited just as I was clearing away my breakfast table.

She entered Yeong-eun Hall carrying armfuls of clothing.

“Prince Lee sent all of this?”

Without counting them individually, there appeared to be well over ten outfits.

Most importantly, they were clothes with brilliant colors I had never worn before.

“The message was to throw away all the old clothes and redecorate your wardrobe entirely.”

“Everyone’s going to be looking at me anyway, so he wants me to stand out openly?”

The moment I entered the competition venue, all eyes from the headquarters would be focused on me.

Everyone would be paying close attention to my voice and every single movement.

In times like these, flashy clothing was not what I wanted.

“If you’re going to be the center of attention anyway, wouldn’t it be better to make a definitive impression?”

“An impression?”

“Yes. To clearly imprint who Cheonma’s first disciple is. With that meaning, I would recommend this one.”

Seo-ryeon handed me a red palace robe as if she had been waiting for this day.

“It will suit Lady Seolha’s fair skin very well.”

I knew that red was perfect for cool tones too.

It’s just that since coming to this world, I had only worn drab-colored clothes every day, so I couldn’t readily muster the courage.

Still, if she was telling me to wear it, I supposed I should.

The discomfort would only be temporary.

Humans are creatures of adaptation, after all.

Since I had become Cheonma’s disciple, this was my burden to bear.

I stopped complaining and took the clothes from Seo-ryeon before entering my room.

The way to put it on was somewhat complicated, but given my background, it didn’t feel too difficult.

“Hmm, this is better than I thought.”

The clothes Seo-ryeon had chosen for me fit perfectly, making my worries about feeling out of place seem foolish.

Moreover, when I actually put it on, the entire outfit wasn’t red—the red was only used as accent points on the collar, shoulders, sleeves, and waist, giving it quite a sophisticated feel.

“This isn’t bad for moving around either.”

After spinning around once in front of the full-length mirror, I left the room with a satisfied expression.

“Wow, Lady Seolha! You look so beautiful! My eye was definitely right.”

Seo-ryeon was full of praise the moment she saw me.

If it had been someone else, I might have asked if they were being sincere, but knowing that she wasn’t the type to speak empty words, I simply smiled and thanked her.

“Shall we head to the competition venue now?”

“The round of eight won’t start until this afternoon. Wouldn’t it be better to stay at your quarters until then?”

“There’s something called atmosphere at the venue. I need to go early and let my body absorb it too.”

“There will be people who recognize you—will that be alright?”

“Wouldn’t it be better if I wore a face veil?”

“That might make you stand out even more.”

“…A bamboo hat?”

“A bamboo hat blocks too much of your vision, so how about a comfortable cap instead?”

“Whatever.”

“I’ll prepare it.”

Seeming to understand my determination to go, Seo-ryeon finally had a maid bring a cap.

“If the stares become burdensome, please tell me anytime.”

“Don’t worry so much. I won’t collapse in surprise like a child or anything.”

“More than that, I’m worried that Lady Seolha’s feelings might be hurt.”

“Ah, so there’s a lot of gossip about me?”

“…”

Since she didn’t deny it, it seemed to be true.

Well, this was the Demonic Sect, teeming with demonic people.

When even those so-called righteous sect people gossiped behind others’ backs, how much worse would these people be?

There would be countless people who wouldn’t hesitate to use profanity, sexual harassment, and even insults about one’s parents.

But in that area, my skills were not to be underestimated either.

Having been born and raised in an orphanage, I had endured each day amidst countless taunts since childhood.

I was surrounded by delinquents and had protected myself from them in my own way.

I might look like a gentle, fragile girl on the outside, but inside I’m an adult who has overcome hardships and adversity.

So no matter how much I told her not to worry, it probably wouldn’t resonate much with Seo-ryeon right now.

As they say, seeing is believing, so I had no choice but to show her myself.

“Let’s just go.”

The maid had just brought the cap. I put on only the cap without any weapons and headed to the competition venue with Seo-ryeon.

“Were there always this many people in the palace?”

Two martial arts stages were set up near the Maodogwan.

The prime spots with the best view of the stages had seats and tents set up for high-ranking officials, while everyone else could sit freely around the stages to watch.

Perhaps because of the preliminary matches that had started early in the morning, the competition venue was already packed with people like sardines.

“The atmosphere is just like a festival.”

Martial arts matches were in full swing on both stages.

Various scenes unfolded: some cheering at the top of their lungs while watching, others chattering noisily, absorbed in alcohol and food.

The martial arts competition was completely different from what I had imagined.

“The headquarters has very strict rules. When intensive training begins, they prohibit not only alcohol but even meetings between men and women.”

“So they let people release that stress at the quarterly martial arts competitions—is that the idea?”

“Yes, you can think of it as a kind of festival.”

I should have come to see this long ago.

I regretted staying away all this time, worried about running into Eok I-geon while wandering around.

“Those are all free, right?”

What I was pointing at were the sweets displayed at a street stall.

Just moments ago I hadn’t been thinking about anything, but seeing something sweet made my mouth water immediately.

“Of course.”

Perhaps finding me cute, Seo-ryeon chuckled and took the lead.

With an excited heart, I followed behind her and shyly picked up a piece of candy.

The surroundings suddenly became noisy just as I was about to take a bite of the candy.

“L-look over there!”

“It’s Prince Lee!”

“What? Where, where!”

Prince Lee—were they talking about Eok I-geon?

At the people’s murmuring, my gaze naturally turned in that direction too.

“It really is!”

“What brings Prince Lee here?”

“Is that what matters? The fact that we’re witnessing that beauty in person is amazing!”

“Truly a beauty that could topple a nation!”

It was common even in novels for terms usually applied to women to be used for Eok I-geon.

With Eok I-geon’s appearance, the nearby women suddenly went into a frenzy, adjusting their appearance.

The men weren’t much different either.

Eok I-geon possessed a bewitching appearance that could enchant even those of the same gender.

There were more than a few people clearing their throats with reddened faces for no reason.

He was annoyingly handsome.

The sight of Eok I-geon walking over with his blue robes fluttering under the bright sunlight was like a model on a runway.

All the spotlights focused on him in an instant.

But wait a minute.

Walking over? Where to?

Don’t tell me Eok I-geon is coming toward me right now?

I had been gazing at Eok I-geon like admiring artwork in a museum when I startled and quickly turned around.

No way.

We just happened to run into each other by chance.

Please just pass by me without a care?

Unable to eat the sweet pastry due to anxiety, I held it in my hand and desperately wished.

But heaven was not on my side.

Hearing Eok I-geon’s voice right behind me, I was caught up in serious contemplation about whether I should deploy Mabang Bicheongang right now.

“So you were here?”

“…Yes.”

If I could have followed my heart, I would have fled ten times over.

However, I still didn’t have enough boldness to put that into action.

I answered in a mosquito-like whisper and slowly turned toward him.

“The Palggang matches won’t be held until this afternoon, so why don’t you rest a bit.”

“…I was curious about the venue.”

“Do you like sweet pastries?”

I suppose so?

Though I couldn’t even taste it because of you.

I nodded and subtly glanced around with my peripheral vision.

Sure enough.

The sound of whispering pierced my eardrums like thunder.

“Palggang?”

“Aren’t the preliminary rounds going on right now?”

“Didn’t they say Cheonma’s Disciple would appear in today’s Palggang matches?”

“Then that girl is!”

The deduction was quickly finished.

“It’s Cheonma’s Disciple! Cheonma’s Disciple is here!”

When someone shouted, the area that was already in an uproar due to Eok I-geon became a complete pandemonium.

While no one dared to approach close enough to examine my face directly, dozens and hundreds of eyes pierced me like awls.

So this is how it feels.

The title of Cheonma’s Disciple, which I had only vaguely feared, pressed down on me with tremendous intimidation.

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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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