Chapter 41
“Seol-ha has officially become the Heavenly Demon’s disciple.”
“What… does that mean?”
Shin Geum was bewildered.
Although she had guessed something had happened when he arrived in a different attire, the words were entirely incomprehensible.
“An official decree will be issued soon. Before that, I felt it was necessary to inform you personally, even without prior notice.”
“Seol-ha is the Second Young Master’s dedicated maid. How could someone like her possibly become the Heavenly Demon’s disciple? Until last night, she hadn’t mentioned anything to me.”
“The Heavenly Demon has taught Seol-ha the martial arts of Demon Empress.”
“…!”
“It happened before the departure to Sichuan. Even I, the Master of the Ghostly Soul Pavilion, only learned about it today.”
“So, that’s why…”
Somehow, it had felt a little strange.
“Last night, when I touched Seol-ha’s body, I felt an unusual flow of energy. I thought she had merely learned martial arts from the Second Young Master, but I never imagined it was the martial arts of Demon Empress.”
“I suspected it was you who had planted internal energy within Seol-ha’s body.”
“Could it be that the Heavenly Demon tampered with it?”
“No.”
“Then… was it the Second Young Master?”
As Gong Pae-cheon nodded, Shin Geum bit her lip.
Indeed, becoming the Second Young Master’s maid was the root of the problem.
The task she had intended to undertake herself had instead fallen into the hands of an unexpected person.
Fearing Seol-ha would be surprised, she had pretended not to know anything last night.
She had thought it best to give her some time, but now, she deeply regretted not being upfront.
“There was a kidnapping incident today.”
“A kidnapping? Are you saying Seol-ha was kidnapped?”
“Well, this is how it happened…”
Gong Pae-cheon calmed the agitated Shin Geum and briefly recounted the events that had occurred at the Geomeon Pavilion earlier in the day.
“…That’s how it was. It was fortunate that the Second Young Master arrived before anything serious happened to Seol-ha. It was then that the Heavenly Demon decided to take her as his disciple. Although I don’t know the exact reason, it seems he had taken a liking to her from the moment he first saw her.”
“This cannot happen! Seol-ha must not stay by the Heavenly Demon’s side!”
“I understand your concern for Seol-ha. But think carefully. From her perspective, living as the Heavenly Demon’s disciple might be a much better life than serving as a maid. She can live comfortably, free from worries, and devote herself to mastering martial arts.”
“Who says the Heavenly Demon’s disciples live without worries? The Demonic Cult will have expectations. They will be curious. They’ll want to know what makes the Heavenly Demon’s disciple so special, why he only now decided to take a disciple, and so on. These countless questions will follow Seol-ha everywhere. The immense responsibility that comes with it? I do not want my granddaughter to bear such a burden. This decision by the Heavenly Demon is far too reckless!”
How many in the Demonic Cult dared to speak so boldly to the Heavenly Demon?
Even Gong Pae-cheon wouldn’t dare, yet Shin Geum showed no hesitation.
That was what Gong Pae-cheon had always admired about her.
From the moment he first met her, she had been a woman deeply rooted in his heart.
Thus, Gong Pae-cheon wanted her to survive.
“The real problem is you.”
After taking a moment to catch his breath, Gong Pae-cheon continued.
“Although the official decree has not been issued, Seol-ha has, as of today, become the Heavenly Demon’s disciple. Naturally, all attention will be focused on her, and they will also want to learn about you, her only family.”
“So that’s why there were so many visitors tonight…”
The unusual frequency of martial artists coming and going now made sense.
She had naively assumed they were merely passing by, but it was clearly her mistake.
After so many years of peace, her sense of caution had evidently dulled.
“And even more will come in the future.”
“So, you came here not because of Seol-ha, but because you were worried about me.”
It was only at that moment that Gong Pae-cheon’s sudden visit became clear.
“Your identity might be exposed. No, it’s only a matter of time before it is. I can only do so much to shield you.”
“…I knew this day would come eventually. Seventeen years is a long time to live in hiding.”
“What about leaving immediately? I will help you.”
“I am already deeply indebted to you for your help thus far. I have resolved myself for this, so it would be best if you pretend not to know me from this point forward.”
“I cannot do that! Have you forgotten? I owe you my life!”
“That debt has been repaid many times over, with interest.”
Shin Geum’s resoluteness made Gong Pae-cheon feel as if something were stuck in his chest.
“What is the reason? Don’t you understand that exposing your identity could mean death?”
“I do.”
Shin Geum looked at Gong Pae-cheon with unwavering eyes.
“But I cannot leave Seol-ha behind.”
“She is not even your real granddaughter! You’ve raised a child without a drop of your blood for seventeen years—that’s more than enough!”
“As you said, I’ve raised her for seventeen years. Seol-ha is my family. Abandoning my family once was more than enough.”
She never wanted to experience that again.
Back then, she had no choice, but Shin Geum had regretted that day ever since.
“So I ask you, please stop Seol-ha from becoming a disciple!”
“You know I cannot do that. It is the Heavenly Demon’s decision. I could not find any valid reason to oppose it.”
“Then, what about escaping?”
“Are you suggesting escaping the main sect with Seol-ha?”
“Do we have any other way to survive?”
The regret of not having done so sooner surged through her, but it was already too late.
The idea that Seol-ha would become the Heavenly Demon’s disciple was entirely unexpected for Shin Geum, and she had not anticipated that it would put her identity at risk of being exposed.
At this point, the only choice left for her was to escape with Seol-ha.
“It might be possible if it’s just you.”
“Seol-ha will follow me well.”
Shin Geum did not yet know that Seol-ha had mastered the Demonic Phoenix Sky Art, but the internal energy equivalent to a first-rate martial artist would certainly be helpful.
“The Heavenly Demon is not one to desire much.”
“…?”
“But when it comes to people, he is insistent.”
“What do you mean?”
“If he decides someone is his, he never lets them go.”
“Are you saying he won’t let Seol-ha go?”
“Do you think you can escape the Demonic Cult’s Heavenly Net with Seol-ha?”
“Surely it won’t come to that…”
“They will likely mobilize the Silent Blade Guard.”
The Silent Blade Guard, the strongest force of the Demonic Cult, was an elite unit that answered only to the Heavenly Demon.
Their primary role was to protect the Heavenly Demon, but they possessed near-perfect skills in combat, tracking, and assassination.
“Escape is impossible.”
Gong Pae-cheon spoke with sincere advice.
“Consider what kind of punishment might befall you if you are caught after fleeing. For Seol-ha, becoming the Heavenly Demon’s disciple is the best option right now.”
It wasn’t wrong, and that made Shin Geum furious.
Was there truly no way?
Would she have to hand Seol-ha over as a disciple to the Heavenly Demon?
She had failed to keep the promise she had made to her benefactor to ensure that Seol-ha would never meet the Heavenly Demon.
She had made good use of hiding in plain sight until now, but it had turned into a situation where they were like birds trapped in a cage.
It felt as though the wheels of fate were testing her.
“I will help you. At least you…”
“Shh!”
Just as Gong Pae-cheon tried to persuade her again, Shin Geum suddenly pressed her finger to her lips and gestured toward the ceiling with her eyes.
“There’s someone on the roof.”
“So, the rats have already scurried in.”
“Being the Heavenly Demon’s disciple must be quite a big deal if even the old grandmother is being monitored.”
“It’s likely the Hyeonwol Hall.”
Despite the unexpected intruder, Shin Geum and Gong Pae-cheon calmly exchanged their conversation through sound transmission.
Hyeonwol Hall was the intelligence organization operated by the Tak Family.
If they were moving, it meant that news of Seol-ha had reached Tak Joong-hak, the head of the Tak Family.
Given Tak Joong-hak’s poor relationship with the Heavenly Demon over the loss of his daughter, it was plausible that he bore ill feelings toward Seol-ha.
“It seems we’ll have to assign guards to Seol-ha for the time being.”
“Is that to prevent her from running away?”
“No, it’s to protect her from Hyeonwol Hall.”
“Why would they target Seol-ha?”
“There are unresolved issues between the Tak Family and the Heavenly Demon.”
“That has nothing to do with Seol-ha.”
“I hope that explanation will suffice for them as well.”
“For now, it’s better if you don’t visit either, Gong Strategist. We must reduce anything that could raise suspicion.”
“I came today under the pretense of delivering news about Seol-ha. So, don’t worry too much. If anything urgent arises, I’ll send a letter through someone trustworthy. When that time comes, don’t hesitate to run without looking back. Do you understand?”
Shin Geum did not respond.
Even Gong Pae-cheon knew she wouldn’t be able to do so.
‘Seol-ha, where are you, and what are you doing right now?’
Shin Geum’s mind was filled solely with worry for her granddaughter.
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