Chapter 45
After Jeok Hui-gyeom left Yeong-eun Pavilion, an awkward atmosphere lingered over us, but this time for a different reason.
Not only Yang So-baek but also Seo Ryeon stared at me, their faces pale.
That’s when I realized the mistake I had made.
“Oh, that was a lie. I didn’t learn the Heavenly Demon Divine Art.”
In my enthusiasm to tease Jeok Hui-gyeom, I had completely forgotten about them. I waved my hands frantically in denial.
“Seo Ryeon, it’s not true. The martial art I learned from the Heavenly Demon was one of Demon Empress. So, please calm down.”
Both of them, as members of the Blood Shadow Corps and the King of Hell Corps—organizations that represented the military might of the Demonic Cult—would understandably be alarmed. Receiving martial instruction from the Heavenly Demon implied I might be a future successor.
Their reaction was natural.
“Hey, seriously! Relax your expressions already!”
Even after my confession, Yang So-baek remained stuck in shock.
“Seo Ryeon? You believe me, don’t you?”
Fortunately, Seo Ryeon wasn’t as completely out of it as Yang So-baek.
To reassure them, I dragged Jeok I-geon into the conversation.
“Second Young Master, please say something. You were there when I learned martial arts from the Heavenly Demon, weren’t you?”
“Everything Seol-ha said is true.”
Jeok I-geon, his usual expressionless self, thankfully backed me up.
But only for a moment.
“Still, the future is unpredictable. Who’s to say? Perhaps Father might decide to pass the Heavenly Demon Divine Art on to you someday.”
“Second Young Master, do you truly think that’s possible?”
“My father is a man of whims. If his three sons fail to satisfy him, it’s entirely possible he might consider making his disciple the successor.”
No. That will never happen.
Because you, Jeok I-geon, are destined to be the next Heavenly Demon.
“You’re overthinking things. Such statements are reckless—what if someone overheard you? Please never say such things again!”
Just being the disciple of the Heavenly Demon was overwhelming enough. With all eyes on me within the Demonic Cult, Jeok I-geon’s comment was far too dangerous.
“Yang So-baek, you understood that clearly, right?”
“…Understood what?”
“If anyone asks about me, you tell them I’ve never learned the Heavenly Demon Divine Art.”
“Why are you asking me to do that?”
“Are you stupid? Word’s probably already spread that you’re my friend. Do you think people are going to leave you alone?”
“……!”
“Our little So-baek didn’t even think that far, huh? Yeah, that’s just like you.”
Judging by the way he rushed over to me the moment he heard the news, it was clear that Yang So-baek was the type to hyper-focus on one thing and forget everything else.
“Anyway, you know how to respond now, right? Now go get to work before you’re late and people start scolding you.”
“Shin Seol-ha, are you an idiot?”
“What?”
“You just said I’m your friend. Who’s going to scold me? They’re just going to bombard me with questions about you. Let me think. What embarrassing stories about you come to mind…”
“Oh, wow! You were trembling like a leaf earlier, and now you’re suddenly so confident?”
“That’s why you should treat me well.”
“Do you really want me to treat you well?”
“Oops, I’m late. Better get going before my punctuality score drops!”
He must have sensed the faint aura of menace radiating from me because Yang So-baek suddenly sprang to his feet. With a quick bow to Jeok I-geon, he darted out of the room at full speed.
Seriously, his instincts are sharp at moments like this.
What a cute kid.
Thanks to him, my stress levels, which had been skyrocketing due to my sudden change in status, felt slightly alleviated.
With Yang So-baek in the same headquarters, I felt a small measure of comfort knowing I wasn’t entirely alone.
“And now it’s just the two of us. I didn’t invite them, but I apologize for the disturbance.”
I hadn’t had the chance to properly speak with Seo Ryeon yet because of the unexpected visitors.
When I apologized, Seo Ryeon immediately jumped to her feet.
“Please, lower your speech. It’s too humbling to hear such words from you.”
“I’m not someone who casually speaks informally…”
“Lady seemed to manage just fine with the Third Young Master earlier.”
Ah, I forgot.
Seo Ryeon was the type to say whatever was on her mind.
I suppose it was out of revenge earlier that I got so immersed. Explaining the situation to her in detail seemed unnecessary, and if I had to do it eventually, I figured now might as well be the time.
Still, having to speak informally to a character I admired and called “sister” felt a little uncomfortable.
“Haha, it’s because he kept calling me ‘senior sister,’ so I just went along with it.”
I brushed it off and formally greeted her again.
“Anyway, it’s a pleasure to meet you—no, it’s a pleasure. And thank you for agreeing to be my bodyguard.”
Leaving the King of Hell Corps to join me must have been a difficult decision.
I didn’t know how Jeok I-geon had convinced her, but now that she was here, I was determined to get along with her.
“The honor is mine. I will serve you with all my heart.”
“For the time being, she will need to remain in close proximity for protection. With so many lunatics in the Demonic Cult, you never know when something might happen. Always stay vigilant, and report any anomalies to me immediately.”
Aren’t you, Jeok I-geon, the biggest lunatic of them all?
When will you realize that you’re the number one person to be wary of?
Also, why should the reports go to him?
Seo Ryeon was my assigned guard. If something happened, the person she should report to was me, not Jeok I-geon.
If anything concerning my safety occurred, it would make more sense to inform the Heavenly Demon, my master, rather than Jeok I-geon.
Now that I had become the Heavenly Demon’s disciple, Jeok I-geon and I should have naturally grown more distant.
Unless we set up meetings deliberately, there would hardly be a reason for us to meet.
Eventually, I’d even see less of Cheon Gang.
That sudden realization dampened my mood.
Getting assigned as Jeok I-geon’s personal maid had been the worst crisis of my transmigrated life, but being able to see my favorite character every day was the greatest privilege.
Maybe I should visit him occasionally under the pretext of catching up?
While I was lost in my own concerns, the maid once again announced the presence of another visitor.
Was my entire day going to be consumed by meeting guests?
I didn’t even bother guessing who it could be this time.
I simply sat and sipped my tea, staring lazily at the door.
“Cheon Gang!”
It didn’t even take a second for me to jump up and shout in delight.
“Have you been discharged? Are you all better now?”
“Yes, Lady Seol-ha.”
Cheon Gang bowed politely to me before heading straight to Jeok I-geon and whispering something.
If I concentrated, I might have been able to overhear, but eavesdropping wouldn’t have been polite, so I just sipped my tea.
Meanwhile, this was the first encounter between Cheon Gang and Seo Ryeon.
They didn’t acknowledge each other, but it felt like this wasn’t their first meeting.
I wondered if Cheon Gang liked Seo Ryeon even back then.
Not knowing when their feelings had started, I couldn’t help smirking as I observed them.
After all, nothing is as entertaining as other people’s love lives.
“It seems I can’t refuse.”
Jeok I-geon’s heavy voice snapped me back to reality.
Was something serious going on?
A deep wrinkle formed on Jeok I-geon’s normally flawless forehead, indicating that this might be a significant issue.
But why was he looking at me?
Jeok I-geon’s contemplative gaze settled on me after he finished his conversation with Cheon Gang.
I had a bad feeling. Whatever it was, it seemed to involve me.
What could possibly be happening around this time?
I could remember most events clearly, given how few flashback stories there were in the original work, but this period was a blank.
“In two weeks, there will be an intramural martial arts competition.”
“…I’m aware.”
I suddenly remembered my promise to cheer for Yang So-baek. I had completely forgotten about it until now.
“You’re going to participate.”
“Ah, so you mean to spectate?”
“Not spectate—participate.”
“By participate, you mean…?”
Though the sentence was simple and brief, I couldn’t quite grasp its meaning.
“The martial artists of the Demonic Cult wish to see the skills of the Heavenly Demon’s first disciple. They’re curious about your martial prowess, given your sudden appearance. This isn’t unprecedented—there have been numerous cases like this in the past.”
The Demonic Cult was a society strictly governed by strength.
If one’s superior was weak, it was entirely acceptable for subordinates to rise up, crush them, and take their place.
Thus, the Heavenly Demon always had to remain strong, and so did their disciple.
In this world, a test of strength was an inevitable rite of passage until one reached a certain level.
“…Are you serious?”
A martial arts competition? I had never even participated in a duel before.
It was clear I’d be eliminated in the first round.
To think I’d disgrace myself so soon after becoming the Heavenly Demon’s disciple.
“There’s no other choice. If they want to see, you’ll have to show them.”
Why was he glaring at me like that all of a sudden? His piercing gaze was terrifying.
For some reason, Jeok I-geon’s face grew chillingly cold, and I had no idea what had upset him.
“The goal is to win. Can you do that?”
Excuse me?
How am I supposed to win when the only thing I know is lightness techniques?
“Training starts today. Cheon Gang, Seo Ryeon, you’re ready, right?”
“Yes!”
“Of course!”
Cheon Gang and Seo Ryeon’s voices rang out powerfully, filled with an inexplicable determination.
I was the one who had to participate in the competition, but why did it seem like they were the ones most excited?
Watching the three of them radiating seriousness, I was overwhelmed by a growing sense of dread.
—
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