The Heavenly Demon Cult’s Strongest Maid - Chapter 58

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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 58

Tak Joong-hak, who had secluded himself for nearly twenty years, finally broke his isolation and began his activities.

Why did his starting point happen to be today, when Cheonma’s disciple officially made her debut?

It was an open secret among the leadership that the relationship between the Tak family and Cheonma had completely soured due to the incident where he lost his daughter long ago.

Many were curious about what had prompted him to choose to emerge into the world again, after entrusting everything to his nephew and young family head Tak Mu-seong and living in complete isolation from the outside world.

“Does Lord Wi know nothing at all?”

At the question from Yeo Gong, head of the Cheonheol Yeo Clan, Wi-rin shook his head with a stern expression.

“I have no idea whatsoever. I haven’t felt even the slightest sign of this.”

“He’s a cunning old man, then as now. To reveal himself without any warning like this. Shouldn’t he have at least given word to the five families?”

“When has Tak Ga-ju ever acknowledged us?”

A brief but intense killing intent flowed from Wi-rin’s sharply raised eyes.

“Though we’re all part of the Six Great Demon Clans, he’s always had a tendency to subtly look down on the Yeo and Wi families.”

“While flaunting that the Tak family is the founder of demonic swordsmanship.”

“Even so, he too is beneath Cheonma.”

The appearance of Tak Ga-ju, that Tak Joong-hak, would surely bring new winds to Maegyo. That was an undeniable fact for everyone.

However, this caused the deep-rooted inferiority complex of the Cheonheol Yeo Clan and Goru Wi Clan to surface once again.

The Yeo family had for generations enhanced their internal energy by absorbing human essence and life force through the Thousand Blood Return to Origin Heart Formula.

The Star-Absorbing Great Method, which the Jeongpa called sorcery and considered taboo, was indeed the symbol of the Yeo family.

The Wi family also pursued the ultimate martial arts of becoming a Skull Vajra Ghost Spirit Body through the Heavenly Evil Skull Art internal cultivation method, creating a body like a lost soul while maintaining an intact mind.

Though cases of losing one’s reason often occurred during this process, the Wi family didn’t consider it a major problem.

Any martial art carried risks, and only by overcoming them could one truly be reborn as a strong warrior.

The Cheonheol Yeo Clan and Goru Wi Clan were two groups that didn’t match from birth with the Tak family, who pursued the Way of Demons like demons or Jeongpa.

Perhaps that’s why.

At some point, the Yeo and Wi families developed into close allies even among the Six Great Demon Clans.

If there was something they commonly desired, it was the day when the Yeo and Wi families would gain fame by surpassing the Tak family, which had been respected by demons for ages.

If their family martial arts hadn’t been powerful in the first place, they couldn’t have been called the Six Great Demon Clans.

The two resolved to show something definitive at this opportunity.

“Could it be that he reconciled with the Sect Leader during this time?”

Wi Gun-seong, who had been quietly listening to the adults’ conversation, cautiously voiced his opinion.

He was Wi-rin’s eldest son who would lead the next generation of the Goru Wi Clan.

“For that to be the case, the Sect Leader seemed quite surprised as well.”

It was Yeo Mu-geuk, the eldest son of the Yeo family, who answered Wi Gun-seong’s words.

Though they were both young family heads, he was eight years older than Wi Gun-seong.

“And from what I could see, Tak Ga-ju seemed to have favorable feelings toward the First Miss.”

Though he couldn’t sit in the VIP seats, Yeo Mu-geuk had also watched the martial arts tournament finals.

“Favorable feelings?”

“Yes, Father. When the Sect Leader had even specified that he would personally bestow a reward upon the First Miss, didn’t he suddenly interfere and intercept it? Even if it’s not favorable feelings, it’s hard to understand such behavior.”

“Indeed, it’s behavior unlike Tak Ga-ju.”

Yeo Gong frowned and fell into thought.

No matter how hard she tried to recall what she might have missed, she couldn’t grasp any clues.

Then Wi-rin brought up an old memory with an uncertain voice.

“Could it be, perhaps. It’s vague, but doesn’t the First Miss resemble someone?”

“Father, resemble? Who do you mean?”

“Tak Ga-ju’s dead daughter. What was her name…”

If she were alive, she would have been about ten years younger than them.

The Tak family had very few children, and since they weren’t of the same age, they had never associated, so his memory wasn’t certain.

“Tak Seon-hwa. Seon-hwa! That’s probably the name.”

“Lord Wi. Do you mean that Tak Ga-ju showed interest in the First Miss because she resembles his dead daughter?”

“It’s not certain. I just mentioned it because when I first saw the First Miss, I had a fleeting thought that I’d seen her somewhere before.”

“Didn’t you ask Lord Sim? I heard that Lord Sim was close friends with Tak Ga-ju’s daughter from childhood. That’s why he follows Tak Ga-ju like a father.”

“How could I ask such a thing in the presence of the Sect Leader? I couldn’t even open my mouth.”

It was a tragedy that happened long ago.

Though they spoke of it casually now, it was still a serious matter that couldn’t be discussed carelessly outside.

“Then let’s go find Lord Sim and ask him.”

“When it’s not even certain?”

“We can’t just do nothing and wait indefinitely, can we?”

If Tak Ga-ju’s moves might bring disaster upon them, they too needed to have cards to prepare with.

“We should also investigate the First Miss more thoroughly. There might be some connection with Tak Ga-ju that we haven’t discovered yet.”

“We’ve assigned people to her grandmother who runs the noodle shop, but there’s been nothing noteworthy so far.”

“From what I’ve heard, the relationship between the First Miss and Prince Lee Eok I-geon is quite unusual.”

Wi Gun-seong relayed what he had heard from his informants planted in the Palace.

“Prince Lee also took full charge of teaching her for the martial arts tournament preparation.”

“I heard she was Prince Lee’s personal maid. Wouldn’t he have shown kindness for that reason?”

“Whether that’s the case or not, couldn’t we observe directly during this congratulatory visit?”

“Will Brother Mu-geuk also attend?”

“No, our youngest insisted she wanted to go, so I yielded to her.”

“Ah, there’s So-min.”

Yeo Mu-geuk had a much younger sister named Yeo So-min.

She was Yeo Gong’s precious daughter, born when he was nearly forty after having five sons in a row.

Wi Gun-seong held back his words, but it wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say that Yeo So-min was obsessed with Prince Lee Eok I-geon.

She was a teenage girl whose dream and greatest life goal was to marry Eok I-geon.

“Make sure that wild filly doesn’t cause trouble, Brother Wi.”

“Don’t worry. I’ll make sure nothing happens.”

“You must also observe the atmosphere between Prince Lee and the First Miss without missing anything.”

“Yes, Father.”

“I’ll dig deeper into the First Miss’s grandmother’s side. If anything comes up, I’ll inform you immediately.”

“Then what remains is Lord Sim.”

It was uncertain whether Lord Sim would answer properly, but now was the time to grasp at any straw.

The newly born disciple of Cheonma.

The head of the Tak family who broke his seclusion.

These two facts alone made Maegyo quite noisy and chaotic.

“What’s the matter? Have you finally decided to leave?”

Gong Pae-cheon rushed to Maeuigam as soon as he received Shin Geum’s contact, setting aside all other matters.

Since it was no longer safe for him to visit the noodle shop, Shin Geum had asked the horse doctor Pyo Jin-yang for help.

“I already told you I won’t leave without Seolha.”

“You won’t bend your stubbornness to the end.”

He had hoped, but it was as expected.

“Then what’s this urgent matter?”

“Tak Ga-ju found out.”

“…You mean he discovered the young lady’s identity?”

“Hyeon-wol-dang’s capabilities are remarkable. No matter how forged the identity was, I didn’t expect it to be discovered so quickly when it was created by Military Strategist Gong.”

“It’s all my fault.”

He should have handled it more perfectly, but it seemed there were mistakes due to his haste.

“Of all people, for Tak Ga-ju to notice first… Now there’s really no other way. You must leave immediately!”

“You said he doesn’t get along well with Cheonma, right?”

“…That’s right.”

Gong Pae-cheon’s eyes filled with questions as if wondering why she was suddenly asking that.

“Does Seolha really resemble Tak Ga-ju’s dead daughter so much?”

“…Did Tak Ga-ju tell you even that?”

Gong Pae-cheon let out a deep sigh.

“Actually, I’ve never seen Tak Ga-ju’s daughter. I heard she left the headquarters before I took office as the Gwihongak leader. But judging by the sect leader’s reaction, she must resemble her greatly.”

“Do you remember that day 17 years ago?”

“That day…?”

“The day I came to the Demonic Sect recklessly, trusting only in Military Strategist Gong’s promise.”

Gong Pae-cheon slowly nodded. Thinking of that day made his heart heavy as well.

“Of course I remember. Though I said I wanted to repay a debt, I never thought you would actually come. Of course, my promise was sincere.”

“Then do you also remember what I said that day while holding baby Seolha in my arms?”

“Didn’t you say you discovered an abandoned child while fleeing and had no choice but to bring her? I was moved by your character for saving a child even in such circumstances.”

“Actually, that was just an excuse I made up.”

“…?”

“Seolha was Tak Ga-ju’s lost granddaughter. That day at Cheonsan…”

For the first time, Shin Geum opened up to Gong Pae-cheon about that day she had never spoken of before.

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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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