Chapter 43
“I’ll prepare some tea.”
I couldn’t even remember how I ended up inside.
By the time I became aware of my surroundings, I was already seated across from Jeok I-geon at a table.
Between us sat a steaming cup of tea.
“Your expression finally looks normal again.”
“…I apologize. I was so startled…”
I had never imagined I’d be given my own residence in the main sect, complete with a nameplate.
This was beyond overwhelming.
Could such a grand pavilion be bestowed just because I became the Heavenly Demon’s disciple?
Am I really allowed to accept something like this?
“There will be many similar instances in the future. If you react like this every time, your subordinates might underestimate you.”
“…I’ll be more careful.”
Just this morning, I was an ordinary maid.
Even if one’s status rises, there’s usually a progression, but in my case, I had skipped all the steps and soared straight to the top tier.
Surely, I deserved some time to adjust.
Jeok I-geon, born into nobility, would never understand this.
“How does it feel?”
“I’m still in disbelief.”
“I didn’t expect my father to make such a bold decision either.”
“Am I really qualified to be the Heavenly Demon’s disciple?”
“Why wouldn’t you be?”
“May I ask why you didn’t oppose it… Second Young Master?”
If nothing else, I thought Jeok I-geon would oppose it.
Like the time I was almost dragged to the Demon Hall.
“Why would I oppose it?”
“Wouldn’t it be inconvenient if the position of your personal maid were vacant?”
“Your safety is more important than my inconvenience.”
“…My safety?”
What is this now?
I blinked in confusion at Jeok I-geon’s unexpected response.
Suddenly, he reached out and stroked my hair.
What?
Jeok I-geon touching a woman’s hair?
It would be surprising enough if he didn’t crush my head on the spot, but I didn’t recall reading anything like this in the novel.
“No one will dare mistreat you now. That’s what I like the most.”
He gently pushed my hair behind my ears and spoke softly about my safety.
Is this really Jeok I-geon?
Watching him act like a romantic partner, I was utterly shocked.
Why is my heart racing at a time like this?
The longer I locked eyes with Jeok I-geon, the faster my heart pounded.
“Th-thank you for saving me.”
In the end, I was the first to break eye contact.
Finally, I managed to express the gratitude I hadn’t conveyed earlier amidst all the chaos.
“I owe you my life, Second Young Master.”
“It’s fortunate I arrived in time. I’m sorry for the trouble you had to go through because of me.”
What?
Jeok I-geon has completely lost it.
First my grandmother, and now he’s apologizing to me?
For anyone else, this might have been a normal conversation, but as you know, Jeok I-geon isn’t exactly the type to engage in normal exchanges.
I was so stunned by his apology that I couldn’t even respond.
I just gawked at him with my mouth slightly open like an idiot.
“How are you feeling? Has the murky energy from Gunjasan been completely dispelled?”
“…Yes, I think so.”
“A martial artist must always be prepared for ambushes. It might have been your first time, but you need to be cautious from now on. I’ll give you an Antidote Pearl. Carry it with you at all times.”
He’s giving me something so precious just like that?
I instinctively touched the red bracelet around my wrist.
A person has to have some shame.
I couldn’t possibly accept anything more from Jeok I-geon.
“I already have an Antidote Pearl, so I’ll be fine.”
“Really?”
“Yes. Some reckless individual left one at my grandmother’s noodle shop. They never came back for it, so I claimed it as mine.”
I didn’t even have time to pull it out before being struck on Gunjasan.
If not for the Antidote Pearl, no one would understand how unjust I felt.
Next time something similar happens, I might as well practice holding the pearl in my mouth.
“I see. For now, I understand. It’s late today, so make sure to get plenty of rest.”
Jeok I-geon’s face still looked like there were many things he wanted to say to me.
Yet, for some reason, he simply bid me farewell and left Yeong-eun Pavilion quickly.
Does he have other urgent matters to attend to?
Ah, who knows.
For now, I just need to sleep.
So much had happened in a single day.
Whenever I’m stressed, my way of coping is to lock myself in a room and sleep the entire day away.
Now that I was no longer a maid, even this was possible.
Rubbing my suddenly heavy eyelids, I crawled under the covers.
***
The next morning.
While I awkwardly dismissed a maid who brought my breakfast, Jeok I-geon arrived.
But he wasn’t alone.
A tall woman accompanied him, unusually tall for a woman.
The young female martial artist with her long hair tied into a ponytail was a dazzling beauty.
I couldn’t discern what martial art she had mastered, but I could sense her significant skill level—a surprising realization, likely due to my increased internal energy.
Indeed, in the martial world, power really did reveal everything.
“Greetings. My name is Seo Ryeon.”
I was only puzzled for a moment at the sudden visitor, but then her name shocked me.
Now that I knew who she was, her appearance matched exactly as described in the original story.
Her seemingly casually tied ponytail was her signature style.
She was the legendary heroine known as the “Divine Wind Witch”, famed for her incredible speed with a massive greatsword five inches longer than most.
She had achieved countless feats and was a rising star within the Demonic Cult, consistently earning promotions.
But the reason I remembered her so vividly was something else entirely.
She was the only woman Cheon Gang ever held in his heart, never once straying.
The fact that he couldn’t confess to her had me fuming while reading the story!
“She’s the bodyguard sent by the Master of the Ghostly Soul Pavilion.”
While I was lost in thought, Jeok I-geon introduced Seo Ryeon.
I’m getting a bodyguard just because I became the Heavenly Demon’s disciple?
“But wasn’t she part of the King of Hell Corps?”
The King of Hell Corps was essentially the Demonic Cult’s special forces.
Why would they assign someone thriving in such a unit to guard me?
Surely they wouldn’t have wanted to let her go.
“…You know who I am?”
Oh no.
Both Seo Ryeon and Jeok I-geon looked surprised at my question.
It was understandable. After all, until yesterday, I was just a maid, and now I was suddenly recognizing someone like Seo Ryeon on sight.
“I’ve seen members of the King of Hell Corps pass by before. You stood out, so I remembered you.”
“Please, do not speak formally to me!”
Seo Ryeon hurriedly bowed as if she had committed a grave sin upon hearing my polite tone.
Jeok I-geon intervened when I became flustered.
“It’s nothing to be so alarmed about. Changing the way one speaks overnight isn’t easy. It’ll improve gradually.”
“My apologies.”
Though he wasn’t reprimanding me, I instinctively apologized to Jeok I-geon.
“Seo Ryeon is one of the most talented young martial artists in the sect. That’s why I personally chose her, so get along well.”
“Didn’t you just say she was sent by the Master of the Ghostly Soul Pavilion?”
“…I made the recommendation.”
“I see.”
Was that really a “recommendation”?
The circumstances seemed suspicious, but it wasn’t important enough to dwell on.
“Would you like some tea?”
Since it was our first meeting, offering tea seemed like the proper thing to do.
As I gestured for Seo Ryeon to take a seat and instructed a maid to prepare tea, another visitor was announced.
“Lady Seol-ha, you have a guest.”
A guest? This early in the morning?
The only people I knew in the main sect were my fellow maids from before.
I didn’t mind if they came to see me, but they might feel awkward about my sudden rise in status.
So, it probably wasn’t them. Could it be that rascal?
“Seol-ha!”
“Yang So-baek!”
I knew it.
Hearing Yang So-baek’s voice, which I had been eager to hear, I ran to greet him.
“Are you okay? Did the injuries from yesterday heal?”
“Of course, I’m fine! Don’t you see me here to visit you?”
“Thanks. I heard you alerted the Second Young Master.”
“When I came to my senses, you were gone! Just thinking about it still makes me shiver. I ran like my life depended on it.”
“This rascal saved my life! You’re amazing!”
Unable to hold back, I grabbed him in a tight hug.
If Yang So-baek hadn’t informed Jeok I-geon in time, I might not have survived yesterday.
“I sure chose the right friend!”
I released Yang So-baek and ruffled his hair.
“Hey, Shin Seol-ha! How many times have I told you not to mess with my hair?!”
“If you don’t like it, stop me.”
“I swear, I’m letting this slide just for today.”
Yang So-baek grumbled as he shot glances at Jeok I-geon.
That’s when I noticed Jeok I-geon whispering something into Seo Ryeon’s ear.
What?
Are they close?
Knowing Jeok I-geon’s personality, it was astonishing that he would lean in to whisper to someone.
Were they closer than I realized?
But why was I feeling this strange, inexplicable emotion?
—
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