Chapter 63
In conclusion, the gathering was a complete disaster.
Yeo So-min spent the entire time crying until she left, and Wi Gun-seong barely got to taste the lavish feast because he was too busy consoling her.
The ladies of Jamigwan had really outdone themselves this time—the quality of the food was beyond impressive.
The sheer variety was astounding, and each dish was decorated so beautifully that they were practically works of art.
Of course, the taste was just as exquisite.
No matter how good food looks, if it doesn’t taste good, what’s the point?
Taste, presentation, and variety.
Today’s meal had achieved the perfect balance of all three, making it a banquet of the highest caliber.
“What a waste.”
But since most of it went untouched, I couldn’t help but feel bitter about it.
“Have you lost your appetite?”
Would you still have one in this situation?
While everyone else was barely eating, Jeok I-geon was the only one enjoying the food to the fullest.
He didn’t care in the slightest that Yeo So-min was crying—his entire focus was on the meal.
From time to time, he even let out sighs of appreciation as he savored the flavors.
I could only imagine how bizarre this must have looked to the heirs of the Six Great Demon Clans.
Had he finally decided to drop the act of pretending to be normal?
“If that’s the case, I’ll take my leave now, looking forward to our next meeting, First Young Lady.”
If not for Tak Seung-myeong’s quick wit in ending the gathering early, I had no idea how much longer this suffocating meal would have dragged on.
I was beyond grateful when everyone started leaving en masse after him.
Even though I wasn’t at fault, I still had to see them off with an apologetic expression.
“Shouldn’t you also be returning to Geonyeong Pavilion, Second Young Master?”
Ignoring Jeok I-geon’s question about my appetite, I subtly urged him to leave.
“And Hui-gyeom, why are you still here?”
Like his brother, Jeok Hui-gyeom wasn’t making any move to return to his quarters either.
“Aren’t you busy? Don’t you need to train?”
Ever since I stopped using honorifics with him last time, I had stuck with it.
At this point, it had become a habit.
“Why do I feel like your tone has thorns in it? It’s almost as if you’re trying to kick me out.”
He hit the nail on the head, but I feigned innocence.
“It’s not that. I just want to wrap things up before it gets too late.”
“Why would you be cleaning up after the meal? There are so many servants for that.”
Jeok Hui-gyeom’s gaze shifted to So-ok and the other maids standing in a neat row.
“That’s not what I meant by cleaning up.”
I pointed at the towering pile of gifts stacked in the corridor.
“My grandmother always said that nothing in this world comes for free. So I need to send thank-you gifts in return.”
“For all the Great Demon Clans?”
“Yes, and that’s the problem. This isn’t exactly my area of expertise.”
Maybe I really should hire a secretary?
As I was contemplating this, Jeok Hui-gyeom unexpectedly offered his help.
“Would you like me to assist you?”
“You?”
“Unlike you, I’ve done this plenty of times before.”
Oh, right.
His tone was a little irritating, but he wasn’t wrong.
As the son of the Heavenly Demon, he must have received far more gifts than I ever had.
‘Instead of a secretary… maybe I should just use him as my lackey?’
I could clearly see his ulterior motives—getting closer to me to extract information or gain some kind of advantage.
But unlike our first meeting, he didn’t feel intimidating anymore.
Compared to Jeok I-geon, he seemed almost… cute.
I’d just play along and turn the tables on him.
For an impromptu plan, it actually seemed quite decent.
“Then, why not?”
“Leave it to me. This won’t take long.”
I responded with a smile and signaled So-ok.
She immediately instructed the maids to move the gifts into the room.
Before long, ink, a brush, and paper were prepared, and Jeok Hui-gyeom took his seat to start writing the thank-you letters.
“Hah. Never thought he’d come in handy like this.”
Watching us, Jeok I-geon chuckled as if he found it amusing.
“And what’s so funny?”
Ack!
That was just a thought—why did I say it out loud?!
I froze on the spot.
Did I seriously just talk back to Jeok I-geon?
Had I lost my mind?
Were we getting too familiar after spending so much time together?
I cursed myself and braced for his reaction.
If worse came to worst, I’d either fight or use Demonic Phoenix Sky Art to escape.
“Are you angry at me?”
“What? Oh, no! How could I ever…?”
I was so caught off guard by Jeok I-geon’s direct question that I stammered.
This was the same man who, in the original story, would decapitate people just for being rude.
“Even if you are, you should understand.”
“…?”
“You’re still an unpolished gem. You never know what kind of flies might start buzzing around you. For now, it’s best to keep a sense of mystery.”
“Are you saying you did all that today on purpose?”
“Not entirely. I was genuinely annoyed.”
“Because of Yeo So-min?”
Even in the original story, Jeok I-geon had always despised women who showed interest in him.
Considering how many women threw themselves at him throughout the novel, his daily life must have been a constant irritation.
“I heard she’s liked you since childhood. You’re an impressive man, after all. Maybe you could be a little more understanding and treat her kindly?”
“You think I’m impressive too?”
“…Huh?”
“I asked how I look in your eyes.”
“Well… obviously, you’re impressive. You’re the most handsome man in the entire cult.”
“So, you like my face?”
“…I guess?”
I found myself answering as if entranced by Jeok I-geon’s deep gaze.
What just happened?
Did Jeok I-geon just… seduce me?
I knew that was impossible, yet for a split second, I was genuinely confused.
It felt as if he were trying to court me or something.
Shin Seol-ha, are you out of your mind?!
Courting? Seriously?
Does that word even remotely fit with Jeok I-geon?
That Jeok I-geon—the one who has pointed a sword at you! The one who threw daggers at you! The one who made you go through endless jar training!
I must have lost my sanity.
This was all because I had made the mistake of looking into his face for more than three seconds.
I needed to get a grip!
I had to remind myself that this was Jeok I-geon, the psychopath obsessed with food.
I quickly tore my gaze away and gulped down the ice-cold water in front of me.
Why was my throat so dry?
“Now, let’s talk about your condition.”
“My… condition? What about it?”
The sudden shift in topic caught me completely off guard.
“I have a feeling you’re hiding something from me. Am I wrong?”
There were far too many things I hadn’t told Jeok I-geon.
I blinked at him, pretending not to understand.
Eventually, he cut straight to the point.
“I’m talking about your inner energy.”
“……!”
“Since returning from Sichuan, your inner energy has been increasing at an abnormal rate. Does this have anything to do with the Red Jade Bracelet?”
Damn.
How was he so sharp?
He immediately linked it to the Red Jade Bracelet?
I had planned to tell him about it soon anyway, so I decided to be honest.
“I really found it by accident. Isn’t it fascinating?”
I flipped the seven jade beads over in front of him, making a crisp clicking sound.
The Red Jade Bracelet was made up of seventeen red jade beads, normally glowing in a deep crimson.
However, when seven of the beads were turned, they radiated a rainbow-colored light.
When I circulated Qi while it was in that state, my inner energy accumulated several times faster than usual.
It was like a magic bracelet.
“I decided to call it the Seven-Colored Red Jade Bracelet.”
“Seven-Colored Red Jade Bracelet…”
After hearing my explanation, Jeok I-geon studied the Red Jade Bracelet for a long time, deep in thought.
Yeah, I bet he wanted it.
Still, I wasn’t going to be petty and say, “Finders keepers.”
Now that I had seriously trained in martial arts, I understood just how valuable the Red Jade Bracelet really was.
“Take it.”
I unfastened the bracelet and handed it over to Jeok I-geon.
Great. Now an already overpowered guy was about to get even stronger.
Was this going to push the story’s timeline forward?
“Why are you giving this to me?”
“Because you were the one who bought it for me in the first place. It only makes sense for you to have it.”
“That may be true, but it was your gift. Not mine.”
His voice was firm, though I detected a slight hint of disappointment.
“…Are you serious?”
“I was thinking.”
“About what…?”
“How to make your inner energy grow even faster.”
“I already have the Red Jade Bracelet for that.”
“I meant using it differently.”
…What? Using it differently?
“Yes, that method will be best.”
Jeok I-geon suddenly grinned.
It was an undeniably beautiful smile, but for some reason, I could see a hint of madness in his eyes.
Oh no.
I knew that look.
“Stand up.”
“…Why?”
I instinctively resisted.
It was a stupid move, but I had a feeling that whatever he had planned would be even worse.
“There’s somewhere we need to go.”
That was all he said.
Before I could protest, he grabbed my wrist and activated his movement technique.
“Wait—! Hui-gyeom! Brother! Where are you two going?! I just finished my work!”
I faintly heard Jeok Hui-gyeom’s voice calling after us in the distance.
But I had no time to respond.
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