Chapter 44
“Pardon the interruption, but another guest has arrived.”
As I stared at Jeok I-geon and Seo Ryeon with a curious gaze, a maid announced the arrival of another visitor.
Since Yang So-baek was the only one I expected to visit, I tilted my head in confusion.
Could it be my grandmother?
The thought suddenly struck me that the Demonic Cult’s medical elder might have informed her about my situation.
Knowing my grandmother, Shin Geum, she probably hadn’t slept a wink out of worry for me.
With a mix of guilt and anticipation, I fixed my gaze on the doorway.
“……?”
But the person who stepped inside was far from who I expected.
“So, Brother is here too?”
Without a hint of shame, Jeok Hui-gyeom walked toward us with a bright smile.
Although he hadn’t directly harmed me, this lunatic had treated my dangerous situation as a form of entertainment and enjoyed it.
Naturally, his visit was far from welcome.
I doubted Jeok I-geon felt any differently.
He glared at his younger brother and asked on my behalf.
“What brings you here?”
“What else? As the Heavenly Demon’s son, it’s only proper to pay my respects to the Heavenly Demon’s First Disciple. Isn’t that the right thing to do?”
Respect? Right thing to do?
If I could, I would have sewn his mouth shut.
Since the last time I saw him, this brat had a knack for saying things that set my nerves on edge.
“Judging by the tea, you seem to be in the middle of a conversation. Would it be all right if I joined you?”
Without waiting for anyone’s permission, Jeok Hui-gyeom confidently took a seat.
The maids began exchanging uneasy glances.
Although I, as the mistress of the pavilion, was clearly displeased with the situation, their hesitation stemmed from the fact that Jeok Hui-gyeom was the Heavenly Demon’s son.
They were uncertain whether they should bring tea for him or not.
Sigh.
Just yesterday, I had been in their shoes.
In times like these, someone needed to step up and take charge to make things easier for those working.
“Of course. Please, have a seat.”
Reluctantly, I decided to treat Jeok Hui-gyeom as a guest and instructed the maids to bring more tea.
“Yang So-baek, you too.”
Since this was a gathering involving two of the Heavenly Demon’s sons, I hesitated to let Yang So-baek leave.
Dragging him to sit next to me, I ensured he wouldn’t feel excluded or unwelcome.
If I had simply sent him away, he might have misunderstood, thinking I was casting him aside.
I didn’t want my only childhood friend to feel that way.
Soon, five cups of tea and some snacks were placed on the round table.
The atmosphere was tense as the five of us—two women and three men—sipped tea in silence.
If this scene were part of a novel, it would have been my role as the mistress of Yeong-eun Pavilion to steer the conversation.
But as a newly appointed disciple with no experience, I had no idea how to begin.
To make matters worse, none of the people here were invited by me.
I didn’t even know where to start.
I wasn’t great at conversation in the first place.
As my discomfort grew, my expression began to stiffen.
Breaking the silence, Jeok Hui-gyeom set down his teacup and looked directly at me.
“First, congratulations. I didn’t get the chance to offer my regards yesterday. Let me sincerely congratulate you on becoming the Heavenly Demon’s First Disciple.”
“Thank you.”
“Please, speak casually. Aren’t you my senior?”
“…Excuse me?”
“From now on, feel free to call me by my name, Hui-gyeom.”
Wow. The audacity of this brat.
Did he really forget what happened yesterday?
He wants me to call him “Hui-gyeom” as if nothing happened?
“Wouldn’t that make it easier for me to visit my dear senior sister more often?”
Jeok Hui-gyeom smiled brightly at me, his crescent-moon-shaped eyes momentarily appearing genuinely kind.
But I could see right through him.
It was clear he wanted to sweep yesterday’s events under the rug and start fresh.
For a fifteen-year-old to adapt his behavior so quickly in a single day?
Though my status had changed drastically, I had been nothing more than a lowly maid just yesterday.
Considering that, I had to admit his adaptability was commendable.
Of course, that didn’t mean my feelings toward him changed instantly.
Still, his acknowledgment of my new status was somewhat impressive.
At least he was sharper than Jeok Wi-baek, the First Young Master.
“What business do you have with Seol-ha?”
The problem was Jeok I-geon. Quietly observing until now, he interjected coldly, not bothering to hide his displeasure.
“As the Third Young Master, isn’t it only natural for me to value the First Disciple of the Heavenly Demon as a sibling? I already have two older brothers, but now I have such a lovely senior sister. How could I not be thrilled?”
“Seol-ha is Father’s disciple, not his daughter. Watch your words.”
“My point was that she’s an important presence, nothing more. You understand what I mean, don’t you, Senior Sister?”
Every time Jeok Hui-gyeom addressed me as “Senior Sister,” I felt as though I were undergoing training.
I had to resist the urge to slap him.
No matter how much I had risen in status as the Heavenly Demon’s disciple, that would be going too far.
If I caused trouble on my first day, the already chaotic Demonic Cult would become even more tumultuous.
“And who might they be?”
Even though I didn’t respond, Jeok Hui-gyeom showed no signs of embarrassment. Instead, he casually asked about Seo Ryeon and Yang So-baek.
“Apologies for the late introduction, Third Young Master. My name is Seo Ryeon. As of today, I’ve been assigned as Lady Seol-ha’s bodyguard.”
“Ah, so you’re my senior sister’s bodyguard.”
Then, what about this one?
Jeok Hui-gyeom’s gaze shifted to Yang So-baek.
Though he was visibly nervous, Yang So-baek introduced himself in a firm voice.
“I’m Yang So-baek, a member of the 10th Strike Team of the Blood Shadow Corps.”
“Are you also my senior sister’s bodyguard?”
“A-ah, no. I’m…”
“He’s my friend.”
“…Excuse me?”
“He’s my friend. My closest childhood friend since we were young.”
It was a tricky situation for Yang So-baek to call himself my friend, so I stepped in to answer on his behalf. Jeok Hui-gyeom’s expression changed subtly.
Why?
Was he surprised I spoke so casually to him?
Even though he told me to speak informally, he probably didn’t expect me to actually do it so quickly. He must have assumed my prior status would make me hesitant or uncomfortable.
But I wasn’t like most people.
Until five years ago, I had lived in South Korea, a society that valued equality. On top of that, I was in my twenties.
Speaking informally to a fifteen-year-old middle schooler didn’t even register as awkward for me.
“He’s a newcomer who recently joined the Blood Shadow Corps. You might not cross paths often, but if you do, I hope you treat him kindly for my sake.”
“…Of course. If my senior sister asks, I must oblige. Now that I’ve seen his face, I’ll be sure to keep an eye on him.”
It wasn’t just Jeok Hui-gyeom who was surprised by my sudden change in demeanor.
Yang So-baek looked like he might faint, and Seo Ryeon’s lips curved into a faint smile before returning to their neutral position.
Only Jeok I-geon’s expression remained unchanged, though the aura he emitted was noticeably unpleasant.
Clearly, something I said or did had rubbed him the wrong way again.
Honestly, who could figure out what was going on in his head?
“Well, it seems like we’ve finished our business here.”
Could you leave now?
Though Jeok Hui-gyeom didn’t know it, I had been in the middle of being introduced to Seo Ryeon when he barged in.
I fixed my gaze on him, silently conveying my desire for him to leave.
Thankfully, he wasn’t entirely oblivious.
“I was so eager to pay my respects to my senior sister that I may have come too early this morning. Next time, I’ll schedule a proper visit in advance.”
“If I have the time, you’re always welcome.”
In truth, I was already planning excuses like intense martial arts training to dodge any future visits.
“Oh, before I go, may I ask you one question?”
“Go ahead.”
“What martial art did you learn from Father?”
“……!”
“Was it the Heavenly Demon Divine Art?”
This brat.
So this is what he was curious about—what brought him rushing here first thing in the morning.
The Heavenly Demon Divine Art was a secret martial art passed down solely to the successor of the Heavenly Demon. As of now, the current Heavenly Demon hadn’t taught it to any of his sons.
And now, because I had been made the First Disciple, the Demonic Cult was in turmoil.
Back at Geomeon Pavilion, the Heavenly Demon himself had declared that he personally taught me martial arts.
What I learned was the martial arts of the Demon Empress, but the Heavenly Demon had merely stated that he had taught me, leading to this misunderstanding.
There were those who suspected I had been taught the Heavenly Demon Divine Art, though the sect’s leadership likely knew by now that I had learned the Demonic Phoenix Sky Art.
Unfortunately for Jeok Hui-gyeom, he wasn’t part of the sect’s leadership.
The fact that he was openly asking me suggested he had no connections with the leadership—or hadn’t met with them yet.
“Well…”
Why did I hesitate?
All I had to do was deny it outright, but a sudden mischievous urge overtook me.
I didn’t want to give this cheeky brat a straightforward answer.
Though he’d learn the truth soon enough, I decided to have a little fun at his expense for now.
“My master told me to keep it a secret, so I’m afraid I can’t say.”
I feigned an apologetic tone as I subtly dodged the question.
By throwing in the word “secret,” I ensured Jeok Hui-gyeom would lose sleep over this.
Watching his expression stiffen gave me a sense of satisfaction.
Serves you right. Why did you have to provoke me?
—
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