Chapter 40
Half a day had not passed before the rumors spread like wildfire.
The news that the Heavenly Demon had finally taken a disciple struck the Demonic Cult like a thunderbolt.
Centered on those who were present at the Geomeon Pavilion incident, the details about Seol-ha’s existence quickly spread across the entire cult.
Information about her background, gender, and family relations—all of it was shared in no time.
The Heavenly Demon had three sons, but none had yet been named his successor.
Naturally, the Heavenly Demon’s unique martial arts techniques had not yet been passed down.
In such a time, the sudden appearance of the Heavenly Demon’s disciple took everyone by surprise.
Seol-ha instantly became a key figure within the Demonic Cult.
***
“Take it. The flavor should be decent.”
Only a select few within the cult were privileged to drink tea personally brewed by Tak Jung-hak.
After all, who was he?
As the patriarch of the Tak Family, one of the Six Great Demon Clans, he commanded respect nearly equal to the Heavenly Demon himself.
Since the establishment of the Demonic Cult, the Tak Family had always been at the forefront in defending the cult during its most perilous times.
Decades ago, when the Blood Cult invaded and placed the Demonic Cult at a crossroads of survival, Tak Jung-hak led the battle to a hard-fought victory, even at the cost of his life.
One legendary tale of that time was how he saved the Heavenly Demon, who was then but a child, earning eternal respect and admiration.
Although grouped with the other clans of the Six Great Demon Clans, the Tak Family was undoubtedly the most prestigious and respected lineage in the cult.
“Your skills are as excellent as ever, Elder.”
Shim Eui-cheon genuinely admired the tea’s quality.
Although he brewed tea himself daily, he could never replicate this level of flavor.
“This is a new tea I brought from the Western Regions last month. It’s still unrefined.”
“Can it possibly get better than this?”
“Tea’s flavor changes constantly, and that’s what makes it interesting.”
“To be honest, I don’t find it all that intriguing. I’m content to enjoy it occasionally, thanks to your generosity, Elder.”
“It’s no trouble at all. After all, how could I refuse when the head of the Shim Family visits this old man?”
Tak Jung-hak’s face softened with a kind smile as he looked at Shim Eui-cheon, the young head of the Demonic Blade Shim Family.
“You flatter me, Elder. It’s an honor that you would make time for me.”
“Nonsense. I have no interest in outside matters anymore. Young ones like you will handle things just fine.”
“Don’t place too much faith in us juniors. It’ll take us a long time to match your wisdom and experience.”
“So, have you come to ask my opinion about something?”
As he set down his teacup, Tak Jung-hak’s gaze grew sharp.
“I hear the Heavenly Demon has taken a disciple.”
“…”
“At his age, has he had a change of heart? For someone who claimed he’d never take a disciple, I was quite surprised to hear the news.”
“She’s a seventeen-year-old girl, formerly a maid, living with her grandmother.”
“They say she’s the granddaughter of a noodle shop owner?”
Despite his earlier claim of disinterest in external affairs, Tak Jung-hak was clearly well-informed.
Naturally so—his Tak Family’s intelligence network spanned not only the Demonic Cult but all of Zhongyuan, rivaling even the Ghostly Soul Pavilion in its scope.
Shim Eui-cheon hesitated.
He had come here knowing full well that Tak Jung-hak was already aware of the matter.
However, speaking about it wasn’t easy.
He was fully aware of the sensitive nature of the topic.
“She’s said to possess exceptional talent.”
“That must be why the Heavenly Demon chose her.”
“I see it differently.”
“Oh? Do you think there’s another reason?”
“Yes.”
Tak Jung-hak waited briefly, but Shim Eui-cheon remained reluctant to speak.
“That’s unusual. You’re not one to hesitate. What’s on your mind?”
“…She resembles someone.”
“…?”
“Seonhwa…”
“What?”
“She looks just like Seonhwa.”
Tak Jung-hak’s pupils dilated.
It was a name he had not heard in a long time, though he had never once forgotten it.
“I was at Geomeon Pavilion myself. Even as I watched with my own eyes, I couldn’t believe it. She looked so much like Seonhwa in her teenage years that, for a moment, I thought she had come back to life.”
“So, you’re telling me… that the disciple taken by the Heavenly Demon looks like my deceased daughter, Seonhwa?”
“Calling it a resemblance doesn’t do it justice. She looks so identical that one could mistake her for a twin—or even say she’s Seonhwa’s daughter.”
“It’s been nearly twenty years since Seonhwa passed. Perhaps you’re mistaken or letting your memory play tricks on you.”
“Seonhwa was my closest friend. How could I ever forget her, no matter how much time has passed? I assure you, I’m not exaggerating. If you saw her yourself, you’d completely understand my feelings.”
Shim Eui-cheon’s voice was firmer than ever.
Tak Jung-hak stared intently at him. Having known him since childhood, Tak Jung-hak prided himself on understanding Shim Eui-cheon’s character better than anyone.
Though Shim Eui-cheon initially stumbled after inheriting his position at a young age, his natural intelligence and leadership eventually allowed him to firmly secure the Shim Family’s place among the Six Great Demon Clans.
In short, Shim Eui-cheon wasn’t someone who would make frivolous claims, especially not in a deliberate visit like this.
“Are you truly saying the girl looks that much like Seonhwa?”
“Would you believe me if you went to see her yourself?”
It had been over a decade since Tak Jung-hak last had a private audience with the Heavenly Demon.
As the head of one of the Six Great Demon Clans, Tak Jung-hak held a vital role within the Demonic Cult. However, to him, the Heavenly Demon was the very person responsible for his daughter’s death.
“That damned bastard… Now he’s even taking disciples?!”
His voice thundered like a bolt of lightning.
Tak Jung-hak harbored deep hatred toward the Heavenly Demon, who had driven his daughter to her demise yet still couldn’t let go of his obsessions.
“Chun-young.”
“Yes, Patriarch.”
A voice echoed from somewhere near the ceiling in response to Tak Jung-hak’s call.
“Investigate everything about the girl. Who her parents are, where she was born and raised, and what her grandmother’s past is like. If it turns out that she approached the Heavenly Demon with knowledge of his connection to Seonhwa, I will never forgive her.”
To think someone would dare exploit the memory of his deceased daughter to win the Heavenly Demon’s favor…
If his suspicions proved true, Tak Jung-hak wouldn’t spare her, disciple of the Heavenly Demon or not.
After all, Seonhwa had been his only daughter.
She was his precious treasure, born late in life, and he had raised her with utmost care. When the news of her death reached him, Tak Jung-hak wept tears of blood for three days.
The worst part was that her body was never found. He couldn’t even give her a proper funeral or burial.
That was when the rift between him and the Heavenly Demon began.
The Heavenly Demon, whom he had raised like a son, had coveted his daughter and caused a catastrophic scandal.
Though he wanted to forget, the unforgettable memories surged back, filling Tak Jung-hak with renewed fury.
Crack!
The teacup in his hand shattered.
What was surprising wasn’t just the sound of the cup breaking—it left no trace behind. No fragments or powder remained on the table. The teacup had completely disappeared as if it had never existed.
As Tak Jung-hak seethed with anger and resolved himself further, at that same moment…
Thud.
The door to Shin Geum’s noodle shop creaked open, and a middle-aged man clad in a black robe stepped inside.
It was the busy evening rush, and only one seat remained available.
The man sat there naturally and ordered a bowl of noodles and a plate of dumplings.
Thud.
Before long, the door opened again, and three more customers entered.
Busy preparing the food, Shin Geum glanced over and quickly apologized with an exclamation.
“Oh my, I’m so sorry. We’ve just run out of ingredients for today. If you come back tomorrow, I’ll steam you a free plate of dumplings on the house! Please don’t forget to visit again!”
She repeated her apologies to the departing customers, emphasizing that they should return the next day, and flipped the sign on the door to indicate the shop was closed.
_
After a while, the other customers finished their meals and left, leaving only the man in the black robe who had been the last to order.
“What brings you here, Commander Gong?”
The visitor was none other than Gong Pae-cheon, the Master of the Ghostly Soul Pavilion.
“Is this about Seol-ha?”
Taking a seat across from him in haste, Shin Geum’s demeanor completely changed.
Though her face was unmistakably that of Seol-ha’s grandmother, Shin Geum’s voice and presence seemed as youthful as if she were Gong Pae-cheon’s peer—or perhaps even younger.
—
Read More at – GENZNOVEL.COM!!
PLEASE JOIN OUR DISCORD AND SUBSCRIBE THE ROLE TO RECEIVE LATEST NOTIFICATIONS!!
Click here -> https://discord.gg/S8c2kGVr2g
Comment