Chapter 59
After listening to Shin Geum’s story, Gong Pae-cheon couldn’t find the words to speak for a long time.
How could such a thing happen?
He had been so sure that Shin Geum and Shin Seol-ha would be safe as long as they stayed within the bounds of Cheonsan.
Yet another danger had emerged, lying in wait.
Gong Pae-cheon struggled to believe that all of this could be the result of both coincidence and inevitability.
“Why… why didn’t you tell me?”
“I was asked to raise her as an ordinary child. To ensure that she never came under the Heavenly Demon’s scrutiny. I didn’t know the reasons, but I had no choice but to fulfill the favor of a benefactor.”
“And yet, fate has brought Seol-ha directly to the Heavenly Demon.”
Gong Pae-cheon knew little about Tak Seon-hwa, the daughter of Tak Joong-hak.
He only vaguely understood that she had been the ill-fated woman his lord had loved deeply.
That her child was Shin Seol-ha was beyond belief.
He couldn’t even imagine what Tak Joong-hak must have been feeling at this moment.
“So that’s why he appeared at the competition.”
The pieces finally fit together.
Tak Joong-hak’s sudden appearance had already thrown the Ghostly Soul Pavilion into a state of high alert.
As the head of the pavilion, Gong Pae-cheon knew he had to tread carefully around a figure of Tak Joong-hak’s magnitude.
“Tak Joong-hak has decided to take Seol-ha with him.”
Today’s actions had made that intention clear.
How could he convey this to his lord?
“Are you going to tell Seol-ha the truth?”
At Gong Pae-cheon’s question, Shin Geum shook her head firmly.
“Not yet.”
Too much had happened to Seol-ha recently.
Though she was naturally positive and resilient, this time, it involved familial bonds.
Shin Geum had yet to meet Seol-ha since she had become the Heavenly Demon’s disciple, but she was sure of one thing—her granddaughter likely adored her master.
Watching Seol-ha duel on the martial arts stage had made that clear to Shin Geum.
Her granddaughter had wholeheartedly enjoyed the duel.
A girl who resembled her late mother so vividly.
And that talent—where could it have gone?
Tak Seon-hwa, even at a young age, had demonstrated remarkable martial prowess and had saved Shin Geum’s life.
The image of Tak Seon-hwa slicing through assassins with her sword, even while carrying Seol-ha on her back, remained vivid in Shin Geum’s memory.
If only they hadn’t been outnumbered, Tak Seon-hwa might still be alive.
Whenever Shin Geum thought of that day, she was overwhelmed by regret.
“I want her to live peacefully for a little while longer.”
“But this cannot be delayed for too long.”
“You’re planning to report this to the Heavenly Demon, aren’t you?”
“Yes. I’m already worried about how he will react. I just hope this doesn’t backfire on you…”
Shin Geum frowned, sensing the unease in Gong Pae-cheon’s tone.
“The Heavenly Demon already knows my true identity. Why would this cause trouble for me?”
“He’s not someone who acts rationally when it comes to matters involving Tak Seon-hwa.”
When he first heard of Tak Seon-hwa’s death, the Heavenly Demon had screamed in agony and even attempted self-harm.
It had been his only friend and bodyguard, Yul, who managed to stop him.
“He wouldn’t harm Seol-ha, would he?”
What Shin Geum feared most was that possibility.
“He’s someone who cruelly killed the woman he loved. If he learns that Seol-ha is her daughter, could he act the same way toward her?”
“No, that won’t happen. The lord specifically ordered her to be brought back alive at the time. It’s only that this couldn’t be achieved.”
“She wouldn’t have gone willingly.”
After all, Tak Seon-hwa had already borne a child with her lover.
What woman would abandon everything to go back to a man who was obsessed with her?
“It’s hard to predict how the Heavenly Demon will react, but I assure you, Seol-ha’s safety is guaranteed. That much, I can promise.”
Though Gong Pae-cheon spoke earnestly in defense of his lord, Shin Geum remained unconvinced.
“If he asks to meet me, I’ll face him. I won’t avoid it, for the sake of my benefactor and for Seol-ha.”
Shin Geum had met the Heavenly Demon only once—on the day she officially joined the Demonic Cult.
Gong Pae-cheon had convinced her that, to avoid greater complications, the Heavenly Demon should be informed of her true identity.
At the time, the Heavenly Demon had been delighted to hear of her identity, remarking that she might prove useful someday.
It was also because he knew of Shin Geum that the Heavenly Demon hadn’t questioned the fragment of martial energy that lingered in Seol-ha’s body.
“Tak Joong-hak has promised to pretend not to recognize you, so we’ve bought some time.”
One of Gong Pae-cheon’s longstanding fears had been resolved.
“But remain vigilant.”
Seol-ha had made a public announcement of inheriting the martial arts of the Demon Empress.
She was now the center of a frenzy, heralded as the start of a new legend.
Inevitably, those seeking to align themselves with Seol-ha would also approach her grandmother, Shin Geum.
If her true identity were to be discovered, it could lead to disaster.
Even though the Heavenly Demon had accepted her, public opinion within the Demonic Cult couldn’t be ignored.
The Heavenly Demon was powerful enough to override such opinions, but his unpredictability remained a concern.
“If we’re done here, I’ll take my leave. Seol-ha is supposed to come today.”
“…Take care.”
As always, their parting was brief and hurried.
Gong Pae-cheon watched Shin Geum’s retreating figure as she pulled her hood low and exited the medical wing, standing there until she disappeared from view.
***
“Grandma! Where have you been? You’re just getting back now!”
As soon as the martial arts competition ended, I rushed to the noodle shop.
I hadn’t been able to send any news while being dragged around by Jeok I-geon for training, and I couldn’t wait a moment longer to tell my grandmother everything.
“Why is the shop closed? You’re not sick, are you?”
This was Shin Geum, the woman who never stopped working no matter how fierce the storm or how loud the thunder.
When I saw the ‘Closed’ sign, my heart nearly stopped.
“Why would I be sick, silly girl? I just went out to take care of something.”
“What kind of business makes you shut down the shop?”
“I went to a funeral home! Is that good enough for you?”
“Oh, really? I thought it was something worse…”
“More importantly, don’t you have something to tell your grandma?”
Shin Geum’s gaze turned sharp, one eye squinting menacingly.
It was the precursor to her infamous backhand smack—a sight I hadn’t seen in ages.
Wow, even this felt nostalgic.
Not that I’d willingly offer my back, of course, so I quickly laid out everything that had happened in vivid detail.
“Grandma, were you surprised?”
“Of course, I was surprised! Who wouldn’t be? My granddaughter suddenly became the Heavenly Demon’s disciple! Do you think I could keep my wits about me?”
“I’m sorry. I know you told me to stay off the Heavenly Demon’s radar, but things just turned out this way…”
“What do you have to be sorry for? It’s not like you wanted this to happen!”
“Well, that’s true, but… Honestly, I’m happier now! Practicing martial arts is so much fun!”
“I did raise you well, didn’t I?”
“Right? My body feels amazing with all this energy I didn’t even know I had! Was that also thanks to you, Grandma?”
“Do you think you were such a weakling as a kid?”
Was I?
I couldn’t recall anything from before my possession, so I just had to take her word for it.
“Trying to save my one and only granddaughter, I asked the elder at the medical wing for help. He gave me all kinds of things to feed you regularly.”
“Wait, were those elixirs or something?”
“Elixirs or not, I just trusted they were good for you and made you eat them.”
“That’s amazing! My grandma is besties with the elder at the medical wing?”
“Besties?”
“Like, a real friend! He gave you such rare stuff—shouldn’t I thank him in person?”
It all made sense now where my innate energy had come from.
I’d have to pay my respects to the elder someday.
“Don’t bother him unnecessarily. He’s a busy man.”
“Okay, I’ll find the right time to visit.”
“But Seol-ha, are you truly happy?”
Grandma brought out noodles and dumplings from the kitchen and set them in front of me.
“You’re the first disciple, right? Doesn’t that feel like a lot of pressure?”
“Well, yeah, it’s a bit overwhelming sometimes.”
The pressure I’d felt when I had to strip my upper robe in front of a crowd this morning had been unlike anything I’d experienced before.
“But come on, who am I? I’m Shin Geum’s granddaughter!”
I raised my voice on purpose, grinning as wide as I could.
“I adapted quickly. Turns out, I’m better suited to this than being a maid!”
Truthfully, that was a bit of a lie.
I did enjoy training, but I still felt uncomfortable being served by the maids at Yeong-eun Pavilion.
Every time they attended to me, it made my skin crawl.
“Hmm, maybe you were born noble?”
…What?
Normally, this would be the point where Grandma would scold me to eat before the noodles got soggy.
But her expression was strange—was that… sympathy?
Pity?
I’d never seen those emotions in her eyes before.
—
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