The Heavenly Demon Cult’s Strongest Maid - Chapter 82

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

Chapter 82

“Would you like a drink?”

As soon as he saw Tak Joong-hak, Cheonma immediately offered him alcohol.

Beside him, empty liquor bottles were already piled up in heaps.

Yet not a trace of intoxication could be felt from Cheonma.

“What kind of strong liquor have you been drinking so much of?”

Tak Joong-hak lifted his cup and respectfully held it forward.

Glug glug, transparent liquid filled Tak Joong-hak’s cup.

“I wonder how long it’s been since we’ve shared drinks together.”

Tak Joong-hak didn’t know either. He brought the cup to his lips and emptied it in one gulp.

The warm sensation flowing down his esophagus felt truly nostalgic.

“Could you pour me a cup as well?”

Cheonma was someone who had lived his entire life giving orders. Yet he asked Tak Joong-hak in a pleading tone.

“…Please receive it.”

Though Tak Joong-hak hesitated for a moment, he gladly poured alcohol into Cheonma’s cup.

But for some reason, Cheonma couldn’t readily empty his cup.

He just stared down at the liquor cup without taking any action.

Tak Joong-hak waited silently. Since he too had much on his mind, there was no reason or need to rush.

How much time passed like that?

“I was recalling the day I received my first cup of alcohol from you.”

Cheonma continued, lost in memories.

“I complained that the alcohol was too bitter. I even scolded you, asking what taste you could possibly find in drinking this. Do you know what you answered then?”

“…”

“You said there would come a time when that bitter taste would feel sweet. And that when that happened, I would have truly become an adult.”

Tak Joong-hak remembered too.

Cheonma had been only twelve years old then.

“But it still only tastes bitter to me. The only time in my life when alcohol tasted sweet was when Seon-hwa was by my side.”

A forbidden word had slipped from Cheonma’s lips.

Tak Seon-hwa, who had been everything to Tak Joong-hak.

When that name leaked from none other than Cheonma, Tak Joong-hak felt like a hot lump was being swallowed down his throat.

“So that’s why I was drawn to that child…”

Cheonma finally emptied the liquor cup he had been holding and muttered.

“When… did you find out?”

“Hah.”

At Tak Joong-hak’s question, Cheonma suddenly let out a laugh.

“You won’t believe it, but I heard today.”

That meant he had sought out the Yeo family as soon as he heard the news.

Tak Joong-hak was somewhat puzzled.

After all, it had been quite some time since Dang Yeong-ryeong learned of Seolha’s true identity.

Moreover, she had gone straight to Gwi-hon Gak-ju Gong Pae-cheon that very day.

Had he not reported directly to Cheonma?

“It turns out Gwi-hon Gak-ju was just as desperate as I am.”

Recalling the day’s events, Cheonma was once again astounded.

“My lord! Please spare my life!”

Seeing Gong Pae-cheon suddenly appear and beg for his life, Cheonma could only blink in bewilderment.

Gong Pae-cheon was someone he had personally chosen and placed in the position of Gwi-hon Gak-ju.

Given his always calm nature and tendency never to rush, Cheonma was even perplexed.

“What’s the matter?”

“I have done wrong! I should have reported earlier, but I delayed and it has come to this. Please forgive me!”

“So tell me what you did wrong! What is this rambling so unlike you?”

After hesitating briefly, Gong Pae-cheon confessed as if he had made up his mind.

“It concerns the First Miss’s identity. Actually, the First Miss is said to be a descendant of the Tak family…”

“…The Tak family?”

“Yes, she is the daughter of Tak Ga-ju… the daughter of that departed one.”

Not daring to speak the name, he referred to her as ‘that one.’

Cheonma’s eyes widened like lanterns.

“Tell me in detail!”

From then until the story ended, Cheonma trembled with clenched fists.

He couldn’t believe it.

That Seon-hwa’s daughter was alive, that Dang Yeong-ryeong had taken in and raised that child – it all seemed like lies.

“It’s the truth revealed when Tak Ga-ju, who had doubts about Miss Dang’s identity, pressed for answers. It was also Miss Dang who recovered that person’s body and made a grave.”

“You’re saying there was a grave for Seon-hwa?”

Tremendous energy flowed from Cheonma.

‘Ugh…’

Gong Pae-cheon gathered all his internal energy to protect his body.

“Where is it? Guide me there immediately!”

Seventeen years ago, he had combed through all of Cheonsan like hunting lice to find Tak Seon-hwa’s body, but the search had failed.

But a grave?

Like a stone flying into a calm lake creating ripples, Cheonma’s heart began to beat frighteningly fast.

“Before that, you must go to Cheonhyeol Yeo Clan first!”

“To the Yeo family?”

“Yeo Ga-ju has taken the First Miss hostage and drawn in Tak Ga-ju and Miss Dang. He discovered Miss Dang’s identity and misunderstands her to be a spy for the Alliance!”

Gong Pae-cheon pleaded with desperate eyes.

“If Miss Dang’s origins become known to the world, she will find it hard to survive in the sect. No one will believe Miss Dang for certain. But don’t you know as well, Sect Leader? She is absolutely not a spy for the Alliance!”

“How can you be so certain? I didn’t trust Dang Yeong-ryeong then, and I don’t now!”

“Sect Leader! Miss Dang raised the First Miss as her own granddaughter for seventeen years. The First Miss is also that person’s daughter! For the sake of someone you once cherished, please help Miss Dang!”

Gong Pae-cheon prostrated himself and bowed his head, pleading earnestly. His nape was covered in sweat, and his limbs were trembling.

“You…!”

Cheonma realized then. In his loyal retainer who knelt on the ground begging for Dang Yeong-ryeong’s mercy, he saw his past self.

His subordinate’s uncharacteristic behavior finally made sense.

He should have recognized it from seventeen years ago when he brought Tian Shou Du Hua Dang Ying Ling into the headquarters, but back then he too wasn’t in his right mind from the shock of losing Tak Seon-hwa.

“What a sorry state for a Demonic Sect Grand Military Strategist.”

Making such an important report only now was probably also due to that foolish devotion.

“Tak Ga-ju is also at the Yeo family?”

“Yes!”

“I can’t afford to lose two cherished subordinates. Lead the way.”

“I obey your command!”

It was the moment Gong Pae-cheon officially received Cheonma’s promise for Dang Yeong-ryeong’s life.

“The reason you sought me out today is because of Tian Shou Du Hua, isn’t it?”

Tak Joong-hak hadn’t visited Macheondeon even once since losing his daughter.

He knew best the straight and firm character of the one he had raised with his own hands.

Someone who, once something was wrong, would absolutely consider it wrong to the end.

He had respected and admired such integrity.

But being human himself, he couldn’t help feeling hurt.

Sometimes, just once, he had hoped his longing heart would be acknowledged.

‘Because I’m a sinner… because I took away what was most precious…’

Simply enduring and persevering was the best he could do.

“I won’t touch your benefactor, so don’t worry.”

Tak Joong-hak didn’t respond at all, but Cheonma continued speaking as if he had heard an answer.

“She protected Seolha, didn’t she.”

If it hadn’t been for Dang Yeong-ryeong, Seolha would have surely followed her mother that day at Cheonsan.

In fact, until this very afternoon, Cheonma had believed that to be the case.

Though he hadn’t told anyone, the news of Seolha’s survival was the thing that had made Cheonma happiest in recent times.

In his shameful position, he was grateful that he could at least lessen a handful of his guilt.

“The Yeo-ga and Wi-ga will also exercise restraint for the time being.”

In his heart, he wanted to personally deal with Yeo Gong and Wi-rin who had laid hands on Seolha, but he was heeding Gwihon Gakju’s words not to escalate matters.

Even knowing it was clumsy advice for someone he favored, he decided to endure it solely for Seolha’s sake.

Tak Seon-hwa’s daughter.

She was the child left behind by a woman who had been more precious to him than life itself.

Taking Seolha as his disciple had been almost impulsive, but to Cheonma, it felt like an opportunity for atonement that Seon-hwa had given him.

“I plan to raise Seolha well as Cheonma’s disciple.”

Until now, he had left most of the martial arts training to his second son, Eok I-geon.

But from now on, he intended to step forward personally.

“Just as you raised me… I will treat her preciously.”

“Seolha might refuse.”

Tak Joong-hak, who had been listening silently all along, finally spoke after a long time.

“I’m keeping that possibility in mind as well.”

Seolha had lost her mother because of his obsession.

Naturally, once she learned that fact, she might declare she never wanted to see him again.

In truth, that was what Cheonma feared most at the moment.

“Still, if that child wants it, I won’t try to stop her either.”

She was already his granddaughter who had become Cheonma’s disciple.

He had no intention from the start of ordering her around under the pretext of being her grandfather.

Though he claimed ignorance, Tak Joong-hak was also a sinner toward Seolha.

He bore responsibility for letting a child who should have grown up as a daughter of the Hyeon-ma Tak Clan live as a maid instead.

“If you’re finished speaking, I’ll take my leave now.”

He had heard everything he wanted to hear today. He probably wouldn’t visit this place again.

“Rest well.”

It was when Tak Joong-hak offered his final greeting and stood up.

“I was wrong.”

“…!”

“Don’t forgive me.”

These were words he should have said seventeen years ago. No matter how young and foolish he had been, how could he have committed such a terrible act?

For the first time, Cheonma admitted his wrongdoing before Tak Joong-hak.

“…Of course I can’t forgive you.”

With those words, Tak Joong-hak left Macheondeon.

Strangely, his heart didn’t feel as heavy as it had that day seventeen years ago.

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