The Heavenly Demon Cult’s Strongest Maid - Chapter 68
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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 68
“I greet the First Miss for the first time. My name is Tak Mu-seong.”
As soon as we sat at the table, the middle-aged man introduced himself to me.
Despite being Tak Joong-hak’s adopted son, perhaps because he was his nephew, there were quite a few resemblances.
Especially his calm demeanor.
“Nice to meet you. I’m Shin Seolha.”
“It’s an honor to meet you again, First Miss.”
“Indeed. I’m sorry about how things ended that day.”
I belatedly apologized for not properly hosting them at the last gathering.
Of course, it wasn’t my fault, but I didn’t want to avoid responsibility as the organizer.
“What happened that day?”
“…Pardon?”
“I only remember having a delicious meal thanks to the First Miss.”
Tak Seung-myeong added with a gentle smile.
Ah, he really is witty.
Is putting people at ease a Tak Family tradition?
Or is it genetic?
As I indulged in silly thoughts alone, Tak Joong-hak spoke to me in a warm tone.
“This fellow kept going on about how good the food was, so I put some effort into it this time too. I hope it suits the First Miss’s taste.”
“As Tak Ga-ju knows, I’m the granddaughter of a noodle shop owner. I eat anything well, so don’t worry about that.”
“The noodle shop famous for its dumplings?”
“…Don’t tell me you’ve been there?”
While it was the best restaurant to me, it wasn’t a place Tak Ga-ju would visit.
He was someone who didn’t suit old, shabby shops.
“I went there twice.”
“Really?”
Seeing me ask again, Tak Joong-hak laughed heartily.
“Did I go somewhere I shouldn’t have?”
“No. It’s not that, but our grandmother’s shop is so old that it would be inadequate to host Tak Ga-ju.”
“Being old also means many people have visited it. Both the noodles and dumplings were very delicious. I’m thinking of taking my son and grandson next time.”
Tak Ga-ju smiled good-naturedly and pointed to the two men.
“Wow, our sales will really shoot up thanks to you! Grandmother will be so happy.”
“Grandfather, please keep your promise. I’ll be disappointed if you only take Father.”
“Alright. Just don’t back out when the time comes.”
“These aren’t foods Father usually enjoys, but they must have really tasted good. I want to go try them soon too.”
When even Tak Seung-myeong and Tak Mu-seong showed interest, I was actually a bit worried.
What if they go and end up disappointed by the shabby shop atmosphere?
The prejudices formed from growing up didn’t change easily even after possessing this body.
“By the way, your grandmother’s love for her granddaughter is amazing. She bragged about you throughout the entire meal – I was truly envious.”
“Gasp, Grandmother said such things to Tak Ga-ju?”
While our Shin Geum is indeed a granddaughter fool, she’s not the type to grab just anyone and chatter away.
Why is the embarrassment my burden to bear?
“Thanks to that, mealtime was even more enjoyable. I was also curious about what kind of person the First Miss, who grew up receiving such affection, would be.”
“Since I’ve lived alone with just Grandmother since childhood, others might find me a bit peculiar. If our grandmother was rude in any way, please forgive her generously, Tak Ga-ju.”
“I should be the one asking for forgiveness.”
“Pardon?”
“Since I was the one who caused trouble.”
Tak Joong-hak looked at me as if he was truly sorry.
Does he mean he caused trouble by visiting as a customer?
It seemed like a double-meaning expression somehow, so I tilted my head in confusion.
“The tea will get cold.”
Then Tak Mu-seong offered me tea. Somehow we had just been talking while leaving the tea untouched.
Following his words, I sipped the tea before it cooled.
‘Oh!’
This tastes amazing?
It was a taste that made my eyes widen.
Even though I’m ignorant about tea, my taste buds are alive. The most delicious tea of my entire life was right before my eyes.
It would have been nice if Seo-ryeon outside could have had some too.
The fact that Seo-ryeon naturally came to mind in this situation showed that I had come to consider her one of my people.
Actually, leaving Seo-ryeon alone outside while only I came inside didn’t sit entirely well with me.
There will be many such occasions in the future – should I get used to it?
“Shall I call in the escort who came with you?”
“…Don’t tell me Tak Ga-ju can read minds too?”
At Tak Joong-hak’s sudden words, I was genuinely startled.
For a moment, I even suspected I had voiced my thoughts out loud.
It’s not like I don’t have a history of that.
“Haha, no. I just asked because you glanced outside after drinking the tea.”
“Ah.”
Still, his perceptiveness is no joke.
Something that could be considered just a simple glance.
“Then if it wouldn’t be rude to the three of you, may I call my escort? Actually, I have something I’d like to ask Tak Ga-ju about regarding my escort.”
“About me?”
“Yes.”
Tak Joong-hak, who had been puzzled for a moment, signaled to his subordinate.
After he left, Seo-ryeon entered cautiously with obvious nervousness and greeted them.
“I am Seo-ryeon, serving as the First Miss’s escort. It is an undeserved honor to meet the head of the Hyeon-ma Tak Clan.”
“Come here and sit.”
Once Seo-ryeon took her seat, Tak Mu-seong personally poured her tea.
“I called you because the tea tastes good. We also need to settle our bet.”
“S-Seolha!”
At the mention of a bet, Seo-ryeon was startled and looked distressed.
“A bet?”
Meanwhile, Tak Joong-hak and his family showed curiosity.
“You made a bet with your escort?”
“Yes, I was curious. About whether Tak Ga-ju would remember my escort or not.”
“Ho, is it something I should remember?”
“Have you ever stopped at an inn in a place called Hwa-jeong long ago?”
At my question, Tak Joong-hak furrowed his brow and fell into thought.
“Go ahead and continue.”
“I heard you saw a child there and advised the parents to teach martial arts…”
“You’re saying that child is the escort here.”
Tak Joong-hak was quick-witted. Even with the brief explanation, he immediately understood what I wanted to say.
He fell into contemplation again, stroking his beard.
Seo-ryeon watched this with more tension than anyone.
“Father, I think it was that time.”
It was Tak Mu-seong who recalled the memory first.
“That time?”
“Yes. We were searching near Cheonsan and stayed at a small inn when night fell. It was run by a couple – don’t you remember?”
They were searching near Cheonsan?
Was he looking for something there?
At his son’s words, Tak Joong-hak’s face briefly hardened coldly before relaxing again.
And the words that came from him were enough to move Seo-ryeon.
“So you’re that little girl. You had three younger siblings, if I remember correctly?”
“You, you remember all of that?”
“I thought you might ignore my advice since you had many children. Learning martial arts costs a lot of money, after all.”
“How could I dare ignore Tak Ga-ju’s words? My parents sent me to the Martial Arts School the very next day. And now I’ve come to assist First Miss like this. I always wanted to express my gratitude if I ever got to see you again. Thank you so much!”
Seo-ryeon expressed infinite gratitude to Tak Joong-hak as if she was about to perform a deep bow.
Indeed, it was the turning point that changed her entire life.
Everyone has such a point in their life.
For me, perhaps now is exactly that time.
“I’m so pleased to see you’ve become such an excellent swordsman.”
Tak Joong-hak looked at Seo-ryeon with fond eyes.
He looked exactly like a kind grandfather.
There was no trace anywhere of the Hyeon-wol Sword Demon who had displayed tremendous martial prowess in battle against the Blood Sect and protected Maegyo.
“So who won the bet?”
At Tak Seung-myeong’s question, I straightened my shoulders confidently.
“Of course I won. I knew Tak Ga-ju would definitely remember.”
“I’m curious what the prize for the bet is.”
“Granting the other person’s wish. Seo-ryeon, you have to keep your promise, okay?”
“Yes, Seolha-nim. Just tell me anything.”
Seo-ryeon was so moved by the fact that Tak Joong-hak remembered her that she wasn’t in her right mind.
I wonder if she even knows what she just agreed to.
‘Hehehe, you fell for it.’
Just watch how I use this later.
I have it all planned out.
“Congratulations, First Miss.”
At Tak Seung-myeong’s playful tone, I couldn’t help but laugh out loud.
It was laughter that came naturally when I thought about the future.
Hm?
Then I made eye contact with Tak Joong-hak, and I felt a strange sensation.
Even though he was clearly smiling too, strangely one side of my chest felt wistful.
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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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