The Heavenly Demon Cult’s Strongest Maid - Chapter 81

—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————

Chapter 81

“Seolha.”

“Yes, Grandmother…”

Is it right to address her like this?

When Grandmother called me, it came out naturally without thinking, but look at that face.

How could that possibly be called the appearance of someone in their forties?

It would be more reasonable to call her sister, though that would feel just as strange.

“Were you very surprised?”

“…A little?”

Grandmother, having regained her original form, looked like a fairy who had just descended from heaven.

If she had been born in our country, management companies would have definitely followed her around begging her to become a celebrity.

“Grandmother is sorry. I keep startling my child.”

After finding her true body for the first time in 17 years, Grandmother was more concerned about my feelings than her own joy or sense of liberation.

The way she looked me over seemed worried about what to do if the shock was too great.

Even though her beauty had changed, our Shin Geum was still the same.

The reason I was able to endure in this place was entirely because of Grandmother.

From the moment I have memories, I always came first to Grandmother as her granddaughter.

Just because her face changed doesn’t mean Grandmother isn’t Shin Geum anymore, right?

If Grandmother became prettier, that’s all there is to it.

Our poor Grandmother has enough troubles – I won’t make her worry about unnecessary things!

“But Grandmother!”

I deliberately raised my voice to sound cheerful.

“How did you do that just now? Can you teach me too? No, if I learn it, can I do it too?”

“…What?”

“The transformation technique – that seems pretty useful! I think there would be quite a few times to use it. Especially when I have to do embarrassing things, it would be perfect for those times. Right?”

I could see the exasperation in Grandmother’s eyes.

She seemed at a loss for words because her one and only granddaughter was so utterly lacking in sense.

Playing the role of a thoughtless granddaughter is really easy.

“Grandmother was taller than me. Wow! Isn’t this kind of a betrayal?”

“You little thing! Didn’t you refuse to eat when you were young? Who was it that wouldn’t eat even when I chased you around desperately trying to feed you spoonful by spoonful, and now you’re calling it betrayal!”

“You should have forced me to eat! Martial arts look cooler when you have long arms and legs!”

“Oh my, this tiny thing with only her mouth working! I should just—!”

Gasp!

Her face had changed, but the warning signs of a back-smacking were exactly the same.

The moment I saw those wickedly curving eyes, I instinctively backed away.

“Hey hey! Shin Geum, it would be troublesome to do that here!”

I frantically pointed in all directions with my hands to remind Grandmother of our situation.

Only then did she remember that she had momentarily lost her composure in front of others and returned to a composed state.

Of course, she didn’t forget to send me a sharp look first.

That was, so to speak, a silent promise saying ‘we’ll settle this later.’

‘Should I run away?’

Grandmother’s hands really sting.

“Heh heh, you two have such a nice relationship.”

While I was conflicted internally, Cheonma burst into laughter and interjected.

Master, this isn’t something to laugh about, you know?

Our Grandmother is really scary when she’s angry.

Now that I knew Grandmother was a martial arts master, her disciplinary methods might change too.

Ah, this feels ominous.

“Thank you.”

Huh?

“For protecting Seolha.”

I was puzzled by Cheonma’s sudden words.

Thank you for protecting me – what does that mean?

Is he perhaps praising Grandmother’s actions in coming to find me at Yeo-ga today?

If that’s the case, he should say something to Tak Ga-ju over there too.

If Grandfather Tak hadn’t helped, it could have been a much longer day.

But Cheonma said nothing to Tak Ga-ju.

He just stared intently for a long while. Tak Joong-hak also looked directly back at Cheonma.

What is this atmosphere?

The eye contact between the two masters felt suffocating.

Even though they were just gazing at each other, it felt as if thousands of exchanges had passed between them.

How long did this continue?

“Yeo Ga-ju.”

Cheonma, who withdrew his gaze first, spoke to Yeo Gong.

“It will take some time to repair the collapsed gate. During that time, set aside your assigned duties and focus entirely on the repairs. I’ll call for you when I need you.”

“…I can only be deeply grateful for the Cult Leader’s consideration.”

Yeo Gong’s beard trembled. He felt humiliated at being openly ordered to reflect on his actions in front of everyone.

Cheonma’s words sounded like concern for his subordinate at first glance, but the hidden meaning was the complete opposite.

To say so lengthily and indirectly that he should stay quietly at home fixing gates and not act rashly until called upon.

That was also a skill, if you could call it that.

‘You goat bastard, you should know how lucky you are today.’

Just thinking about how he called Grandmother names made me want to rush over and show him what for with my Jade Hand Technique.

But once Cheonma’s order was given, there was no taking it back.

‘Just wait and see.’

Guys like that were bound to cause trouble again next time.

When that time comes, I won’t be caught off guard like this time, I vowed as I took Grandmother’s hand and headed home.

“Three more dumplings here!”

“The noodles are delicious. Just give me one more bowl of noodles!”

“Elder Ma, that’s already your third bowl. Aren’t you full?”

“Even though my body is this thin, I’m naturally a big eater. Can’t you tell from watching I-geon eat?”

Pyo Jin-yang subtly pointed in front of him. There, Eok I-geon was continuously inhaling dumplings without rest.

How many plates was that now?

Ah, I’m too tired to even count anymore.

I’ve completely given up on that guy’s appetite.

“Senior Cheon-gang, these dumplings are really delicious, right?”

“Would you believe me if I said they’re the best dumplings I’ve ever had?”

“Yes, I totally believe you! I ordered three more, should we get even more?”

Next to Eok I-geon, Cheon-gang and Seo-ryeon sat side by side, enthusiastically enjoying dumplings together.

When I first heard their conversation a moment ago, I nearly fainted from surprise.

Despite seeing them together countless times, I had no idea they were this close.

Cheon-gang and Seo-ryeon acted so naturally that I even suspected they had been deceiving me all this time.

“Seolha, take the noodles first!”

“…Yes.”

Hearing Grandmother’s voice from the kitchen, I trudged over and thought.

Why exactly did things turn out this way?

I had definitely planned to spend the night talking with Grandmother about all the things we hadn’t been able to tell each other.

Honestly, how many things did I want to ask about?

Grandmother’s real identity, her youthful appearance, the secrets from 17 years ago, and so on – there wasn’t just one or two things I wanted to know.

But how did I end up serving noodles?

“Here you go.”

As I set down the noodles in front of the medical elder, I caught sight of Gong Pae-cheon sitting alone, sipping tea.

Unlike the others who were busy eating noodles and dumplings, he was drinking tea while occasionally glancing toward the kitchen.

‘Right, this is all because of that man.’

He unnecessarily mentioned being hungry and caused this whole situation. When all he’s going to do is drink lots of tea.

“Miss Dang, may I have a bowl of noodles?”

“Of course. You must be hungry since you skipped your meal because of me.”

“I suppose the tension has eased, and now I’m hungry.”

“May I join as well?”

“…Of course, Young Master.”

Cheonma left first, then Gong Pae-cheon struck up a conversation with Grandmother as he was leaving Yeo-ga, and Eok I-geon quickly joined in.

Cheon-gang and Seo-ryeon naturally joined as they were bodyguards.

As for how the medical elder ended up here, he was already pacing in front of the shop when we arrived.

Since they were friends, he seemed to have come personally out of concern.

And so Grandmother suddenly found herself cooking, while serving became my responsibility.

Grandmother’s 17 years of experience was tremendous.

Seeing how the business started without preparation and flowed like water.

But is this actually a business?

Are we definitely charging money for this?

Just try eating and leaving without paying. This has our grandmother’s blood and sweat in it, so you better pay properly!

Perhaps because my intimate time with Grandmother was stolen away.

Today, my feelings toward my associates were quite twisted.

‘Has it been 17 years?’

Looking up at the signboard that read Macheondeon, Tak Joong-hak’s heart felt heavier than ever.

After the day he lost Seon-hwa, he had resolved never to visit this place again, but indeed, one should never make promises about matters concerning their children.

Passing through the long, dark corridor, Tak Joong-hak stood before a heavy iron door with nothing carved on it.

“You have arrived.”

A man appeared from a place where just moments before not even a shadow of a person could be seen, and greeted Tak Joong-hak.

He was Yul, Cheonma’s longtime bodyguard.

A master of stealth techniques known only to the sect leader’s closest associates, and the only disciple Tak Joong-hak had ever taken.

He gladly led his master, who had visited Macheondeon after such a long time, to his lord.

—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————