Chapter 23
“Hoo…”
There really is nothing like Qi Circulation to calm the mind.
I had a restless night, my thoughts swirling around, but after completing One Cycle of Qi Circulation, my body felt instantly refreshed.
And that wasn’t all.
“Wow, this ointment is amazing.”
Just as Sir Pyo Jin-yang said, after a single night, my wounds were completely healed.
Not a single scar remained on my face as I saw it reflected in the mirror.
“This is incredible. It would’ve been so annoying having to explain my injuries to everyone I met, but now I don’t have to. If this were sold on the market, I’d make a fortune in no time.”
To be honest, I felt tempted to keep it for myself.
But this was a treasure far too precious for someone of my station as a maid.
If I held onto it for too long, it might lead to misunderstandings.
Even the container, lined with gold trim, looked like it cost more than my annual salary.
“I’d better return this right away.”
As soon as the morning assembly ended, I headed straight to the Demonic Cult’s Medical Wing.
“Seol-ha, what brings you here at this hour? Are you feeling unwell?”
All I intended was to quickly return the ointment, but somehow, I ended up facing Pyo Jin-yang again.
I’d merely shown the ointment at the entrance, but the guard stationed there immediately escorted me inside.
“No, sir. I came to return this.”
When I pulled the ointment out of my pouch, Pyo Jin-yang let out a sigh of relief.
“Thank goodness. For a moment, I wondered if I had made a mistake yesterday.”
“A mistake, sir? That’s impossible. The ointment worked wonders—it completely healed my wounds.”
“That medicine is indeed remarkable. Even I marvel at it, though I made it myself.”
“Thank you so much for sharing such a precious remedy with me.”
“There’s no need for such words. I could give you something even greater than this, Seol-ha. This is nothing.”
Is he serious?
He’s calling me by name like we’re close.
Even yesterday, I felt that his kindness toward me was overly generous.
Even though I’m Jeok I-geon’s exclusive maid, this level of treatment was unusual.
“Have we met before, sir?”
“Have we?”
“Yes. I keep feeling like you’re familiar with me somehow…”
“Well, it’s true that I saw you for the first time yesterday, but… hmm…”
What?
If you’re going to say something, finish your sentence!
Pyo Jin-yang trailed off with a cryptic smile, leaving me feeling frustrated.
I wanted to press him for answers, but it wasn’t my place to do so.
Being here at all was only possible thanks to his goodwill.
I couldn’t forget that my position was that of a maid.
“Then, Senior Physician, I’ll take my leave now.”
Having returned the ointment, it was time to fulfill the duties I hadn’t been able to perform yesterday.
I briskly made my way to the Jamigwan, mentally going over the breakfast menu I’d prepared for Jeok I-geon.
Preparing the meal went as smoothly as always.
The cooks at the Jamigwan were happy to accommodate my requests, and I carried the meal with just one hand.
One day, I might be able to carry this with Hollow Object Manipulation instead.
Of course, I wouldn’t be here by then.
Since learning martial arts, I often found myself imagining my future.
Though I was still a novice who hadn’t even sparred properly, just thinking about it made my heart race with excitement.
Especially the Demonic Phoenix Sky Art I practiced yesterday on the mountain behind the estate. The mere memory of it thrilled me.
Honestly, I wanted to run out and train again today.
But to do that, I’d need Jeok I-geon’s permission.
If not for the incident yesterday, I might have dared to ask, but now I was too afraid.
I didn’t want to risk upsetting him and bringing down his wrath.
For now, I decided to lay low and brighten the atmosphere with a delicious meal.
Hiding my mischievous intentions behind a calm expression, I carried the tray into the Geonyeong Pavilion where Jeok I-geon waited in his quarters.
“You’re here.”
But to my surprise, Jeok I-geon wasn’t alone.
“I greet the Heavenly Demon!”
Sitting with him was none other than the Heavenly Demon himself.
“Come closer.”
At his command, I moved forward mechanically, stopping in front of him.
“Hoho, as expected, Senior Pyo’s skills are impressive.”
The Heavenly Demon examined my face and smiled in satisfaction.
“When I heard you were injured, do you know how shocked I was?”
“My deepest apologies! It was my failure and carelessness. Please forgive me.”
To think I had startled the Heavenly Demon himself—it was practically a crime.
Fearing his anger and possible punishment, I hurriedly apologized.
“I’m not scolding you. If anyone deserves rebuking, it’s this rascal here.”
The Heavenly Demon clicked his tongue and turned to Jeok I-geon.
“I trusted you and sent her with you, yet you let something like this happen. Were you so distracted that you couldn’t even protect her? Is this the extent of your abilities?”
“I apologize.”
Wait a minute.
I’m the one at fault here, so why is he scolding his son?
And Jeok I-geon, why are you apologizing?
You’re making it seem like you’re my guardian or something!
“You incompetent fool. This reveals how lax your training has been. How many times have I told you not to get complacent?”
“…”
“How can I entrust Seol-ha to someone like you?”
Entrust me? To him?
I’m just your son’s exclusive maid, for goodness’ sake.
“I will ensure that nothing like yesterday ever happens again.”
“And how can you guarantee that? A mistake made once can be made twice.”
Seriously, Heavenly Demon, what’s this about?
You were acting like a benevolent benefactor just yesterday, but today you’re tearing into him like there’s no tomorrow.
What if your son snaps?
Do you really want to see a bloodbath here?
Jeok I-geon’s icy gaze and tightly clenched jaw spoke volumes about his simmering anger.
I silently prayed that the Heavenly Demon would stop his tirade before Jeok I-geon exploded.
But my hopes were in vain.
“No, this won’t do. I’ll take Seol-ha to the Heavenly Demon’s Hall.”
What?
Take me where?
“That won’t happen!”
Jeok I-geon shot to his feet, his voice firm and resolute.
“Seol-ha is my maid. Not even you, Father, have the right to take her as you please!”
Yes, Jeok I-geon! That’s the way to go!
I nearly fainted at the Heavenly Demon’s thunderous decree.
Sure, leaving Jeok I-geon wouldn’t be bad, but I had absolutely no desire to become a maid in the Heavenly Demon’s Hall.
That place wasn’t somewhere you could casually set foot in.
Only specially trained maids were allowed there, and once you entered, there was no leaving of your own free will.
If I ended up there, my resignation would be out of the question.
“Are you defying me, the Heavenly Demon?”
The Heavenly Demon’s gaze turned sharp, and the air around us grew suffocating.
“I will accept any punishment you deem fit. But I cannot allow this for Seol-ha.”
“Punishment, you say?”
The Heavenly Demon chuckled, clearly entertained by Jeok I-geon’s defiance.
But there was something ominous behind that laughter.
I didn’t know exactly what it was, but I knew it wouldn’t end well.
“P-please withdraw your order!”
Overwhelmed by dread, I quickly knelt and bowed my head before the Heavenly Demon.
“My grandmother is unwell. If I become a maid at the Heavenly Demon’s Hall, I won’t be able to visit her as I do now. I beg you to consider my circumstances.”
“Your grandmother is that unwell?”
“Yes. Due to her age, she relies on my care.”
Of course, Shin Geum was perfectly healthy, but I desperately played along as if it were true.
“Hmm, I see. In that case, I’ll have to reconsider. I had only wished to keep you close and look after you.”
“Your words alone are more than enough for me, my lord.”
The “frail grandmother” excuse never failed.
The Heavenly Demon, who had been glaring at his son as though he wanted to kill him, now looked at me with pity in his eyes.
“I will be keeping an eye on you.”
After staring at me sympathetically for a while, the Heavenly Demon left with a final warning to Jeok I-geon.
Phew!
That was close.
My trembling legs finally began to steady.
I had thought that I could handle my role as an exclusive maid, but I’d almost fallen into ruin in an instant.
There’s no room for complacency here.
All of this had started because of one slip during Lightness Techniques training.
This must be the so-called butterfly effect.
Sigh, the breakfast must’ve gone cold by now.
Just as I was about to go fetch another tray,
Snap!
Jeok I-geon suddenly grabbed my wrist.
Is he holding a grudge because his father scolded him because of me?
I wouldn’t blame him if he were.
Feeling guilty for causing trouble, I braced myself, ready to take a hit.
Maybe I could use this as an opportunity to toughen up.
After all, I wasn’t as frail as I used to be.
But instead of a punch, I received an order.
“Tomorrow morning, we leave for Sichuan. Prepare yourself.”
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