The Heavenly Demon Cult’s Strongest Maid - Chapter 59

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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 59

After hearing Shin Geum’s entire story, Gong Pae-cheon couldn’t speak for a long while.

How could such a thing be possible?

He had been confident that Shin Geum would be safe once she entered Cheonsan, but another danger had been lurking.

He simply couldn’t believe that all of this was woven together by coincidence and inevitability.

“Why… why didn’t you tell me?”

“She asked me to raise her normally. She said she must never catch Cheonma’s attention… I had no choice but to honor my benefactor’s request without even knowing the reason.”

“But fate led Seolha to our sect leader.”

Gong Pae-cheon didn’t know much in detail about Tak Seon-hwa, the daughter of Tak Ga-ju. He could only vaguely guess that she was the tragic woman his lord had truly loved.

To think that woman’s daughter was Seolha.

He couldn’t even dare to imagine what Tak Ga-ju’s current feelings must be.

“So that’s why he appeared at the competition venue.”

Now it all made sense.

Gwihongak was already in an emergency situation due to Tak Joong-hak’s sudden appearance.

He was a big shot that even the hall master couldn’t carelessly touch, so they had to approach carefully in every aspect.

“It seems Tak Ga-ju has decided to take Seolha away.”

He finally realized that today’s actions were exactly that intention.

How should he report this to his lord?

“Are you planning to tell Seolha?”

At Gong Pae-cheon’s question, Shin Geum firmly shook her head.

“Not yet.”

Too many things had been happening to Seolha lately.

Though she was enduring it well with her naturally positive nature, this time it involved blood relations.

Even though she hadn’t met Seolha since she became Cheonma’s disciple, if it was her granddaughter, she would surely follow and like her master Cheonma very much.

Watching Seolha compete against her opponent on the sparring arena, Shin Geum could tell immediately.

That her granddaughter was wholeheartedly enjoying the match.

A child who looked exactly like her deceased mother.

Well, where would that talent go?

Tak Seon-hwa was the benefactor who had saved her, displaying amazing martial arts despite her young age.

The sight of her subduing assassins with a single stroke while carrying Seolha on her back was still vivid in her eyes.

If only she hadn’t been outnumbered, she too could have lived.

Whenever she thought of that time, she was filled with nothing but regret.

“I want to let her mind be at ease for now.”

“Even so, you can’t drag this out for long.”

“You’ll have to report to Cheonma too, won’t you, Military Advisor Gong?”

“Yes. I’m already worried about that. I hope you won’t get caught in the crossfire…”

Shin Geum felt puzzled by Gong Pae-cheon’s expression.

“Cheonma knows my true identity. But why do you say I might get caught in the crossfire?”

“When it comes to matters related to Tak Seon-hwa, he’s someone who doesn’t follow common sense.”

When he first heard news of her death, Cheonma wailed and attempted self-harm.

It was Yul, his lord’s only friend and bodyguard, who barely managed to stop him.

“He won’t harm Seolha, will he?”

That was what Shin Geum feared most.

“He’s the one who cruelly killed the woman he loved. If he finds out she’s his daughter, might he not treat her the same way?”

“That won’t happen. The sect leader ordered us to bring her back alive at all costs. It just wasn’t accomplished.”

“I wouldn’t have gone along quietly either.”

She had a legitimate husband and had even borne a child.

What woman would abandon all of that and go willingly to a man obsessed with her?

“Though it’s hard to predict the sect leader’s reaction, Seolha’s safety will be secure anyway. I guarantee that.”

Gong Pae-cheon defended his lord in a serious tone, but Shin Geum couldn’t believe it.

“If you’re looking for me, please let me meet him anytime. For my benefactor and Seolha’s sake, I won’t avoid it.”

Shin Geum had met Cheonma exactly once.

On the day she first joined the sect.

Gong Pae-cheon had persuaded her that for safety’s sake, she should reveal her identity to Cheonma alone.

Because if Cheonma happened to see her by chance, that would truly be a disaster.

At that time, Cheonma had actually been pleased to hear of Shin Geum’s identity. Saying he might be able to use her someday.

The reason Cheonma didn’t find it strange and let it pass even after knowing about the scattered energy of ten years’ worth of internal power in Seolha’s body was because he already knew about Shin Geum.

“Since Tak Ga-ju promised to pretend not to know you, we’ve bought some time for now.”

The point that had always made Gong Pae-cheon anxious was resolved.

“Still, you must be careful.”

It was announced to the world that Seolha had inherited Mahu’s martial arts.

Everyone was making a fuss, calling it the beginning of another legend.

Surely those trying to curry favor with Seolha would also approach her grandmother Shin Geum.

If something went wrong and Shin Geum’s identity was discovered, it would be a disaster.

Though Cheonma had tolerated it, public opinion existed even in the Demonic Sect.

Of course, Cheonma was in a position above all others where he could break that public opinion and do as he pleased, but the variable of whims couldn’t be ignored.

“If you’re done talking, I’ll be going now. Seolha is supposed to come.”

“…Be careful.”

As always, their parting ended with hurried farewells.

Gong Pae-cheon watched Shin Geum’s retreating figure as she left Maeuigam wearing her hood until she was no longer visible.

“Grandmother! Where did you go and why are you just coming back now!”

As soon as the martial arts competition ended, I rushed to the noodle shop.

Because I wanted to tell my grandmother everything as quickly as possible, having been unable to send any news while being caught by Eok I-geon for training.

“You even closed the shop, what’s wrong? Don’t tell me you’re sick, Grandmother?”

Shin Geum was someone who never rested even when storms raged or thunder and lightning struck.

Seeing the closed for business sign, I felt my heart sink.

“Child, why would this old woman be sick! I just went out for some business.”

“What business made you close the shop?”

“I went to a funeral home! Are you satisfied?”

“Ah, really? I thought…”

“More importantly, don’t you have something to tell this old woman?”

One corner of Shin Geum’s eye curved wickedly.

It was the precursor to a back-smashing that I hadn’t seen in a long time.

Wow, this is also welcome since it’s been a while.

But since I couldn’t offer my back for smashing, I hurriedly laid out all the circumstances in detail.

“Grandmother, were you very surprised?”

“Of course I was surprised, how could I not be! Child! My granddaughter suddenly became Cheonma’s disciple, how could this old woman be in her right mind?”

“I’m sorry. You kept earnestly warning me not to catch Cheonma’s attention, but somehow it ended up like this.”

“What do you have to be sorry for? It’s not like you wanted this to happen!”

“That’s true, but… Still, I like it better now! This thing called martial arts is incredibly fun!”

“This old woman did polish your body very well.”

“Right! Those energies in my body that I didn’t even know about! That was also your doing, Grandmother?”

“Were you sickly when you were young?”

Was I like that?

Since I have no memories from before the possession, I can only assume that was the case.

“I asked the Mahu elder to help save my only granddaughter, and she gave me various things to feed you regularly.”

“Gasp! Were those like elixirs?”

“Elixirs or whatever, this old woman just believed they were good for your body and fed them to you.”

“Awesome! Our grandmother is really true friends with Elder Ma-ui?”

“True friends?”

“Real friends, I mean! To just give away something so precious like that, I should go thank Elder Ma-ui!”

It was the moment the source of my sixty years’ worth of internal energy was revealed.

As expected, since I liked him from first impression, I should show filial piety to Elder Ma-ui too.

“He’s a busy person, so don’t bother him.”

“Okay, I’ll pick a good time when he’s free to visit.”

“But Seolha, are you really okay with this?”

Grandmother asked me as she brought out noodles and dumplings from the kitchen.

“Being the first disciple and all. Isn’t it burdensome or anything?”

“There are some aspects like that, I won’t lie.”

The pressure I felt this morning when I had to remove my veil in front of so many people was an emotion I’d rarely experienced in my life.

“But who am I? I’m the granddaughter of our Shin Geum!”

I deliberately raised my voice tone exaggeratedly and grinned widely.

“I adapted quickly. I didn’t know it myself, but surprisingly, that suits me better than being a maid!”

Honestly, this was a lie.

While martial arts training was indeed fun, even now I felt conscious of the maids when I was at Yeong-eun Hall.

It was like a cringe-worthy feeling whenever they attended to me.

“Hehe, is it because you were born noble?”

…Huh?

Normally in this situation, she should be nagging me to eat quickly before the noodles get soggy instead of talking nonsense, but why does our grandmother have that expression?

Pity?

Sympathy?

I had never once seen such a look in grandmother’s eyes 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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