Chapter 67
The joint training with Jeok I-geon wasn’t as bad as I had thought.
Having to meet him twice a day at designated times was a hassle, but the training at Majungcheon was undeniably effective.
The martial arts of the Demon Empress require an enormous amount of internal energy as they progress to the later techniques.
Since it was created with inspiration from the Heavenly Demon Divine Art, its destructive power and lethality were truly beyond imagination.
Majungcheon was the optimal place to rapidly absorb high-quality energy and make it my own, as well as a location where I could freely unleash techniques without any restrictions.
“There are quite a few caves nearby. There’s an interesting place—do you want to check it out?”
Occasionally, Jeok I-geon would try to test me in this way, but I never fell for it.
“Ah, I’m still lacking in many ways. For now, I’ll focus solely on training!”
What if I ended up seeing that?
Whether it was good luck or bad luck that brought me here, I had decided to dedicate myself only to achieving my goal.
I wasn’t going to pay attention to anything else.
Because my life was precious.
On the fourth day of training with Jeok I-geon, I finally found a valid reason to escape from our training sessions.
That day was the day I was invited by the Tak Family.
After I won the martial arts tournament, the Tak Family’s head had promised to give me a reward on behalf of the Heavenly Demon, and now he had reached out first to extend the invitation.
Since I had only ever been to my home and the noodle shop, I had actually been looking forward to this day quite a bit.
Having lived as a commoner all my life, I was honestly curious about how wealthy households looked.
“Miss Seol-ha, did you have a good dream last night?”
While changing into my outing clothes and having my makeup done by So-ok, Seo Ryeon, who was waiting by my side, suddenly asked.
“I didn’t dream of anything. I just slept well. Why?”
“You seem to be in a better mood than usual.”
“Do I?”
Had I let it show?
Maintaining a poker face was harder than I thought.
“I guess I’m a little excited since it’s my first time visiting a noble family.”
More than that, the relief of escaping from Jeok I-geon was much greater, but I couldn’t just say that outright.
“This is my first time visiting the Hyunma Manor of the Tak Family as well.”
Seo Ryeon smiled, her cheeks slightly flushed.
“Huh? You sound like you’re looking forward to it?”
I had been so lost in my own thoughts that I had failed to notice—Seo Ryeon, who usually had an unreadable expression, also seemed excited.
“Actually, I have a small connection with the head of the Tak Family from my childhood.”
“Oh? Really? Can I ask what kind of connection it is?”
“It’s not anything special, to the point that you might say, ‘That’s it?’ when you hear it.”
“What is it, Miss Seo Ryeon? I want to hear it too!”
So-ok, pausing in the middle of applying makeup, chimed in eagerly. At that, Seo Ryeon finally began her story.
“My parents run a small inn in Hwajeong. A long time ago, the head of the Tak Family happened to stop by while passing through, and after seeing me as a child, he recommended to my parents that I learn martial arts.”
“Wow! He recognized your talent at a glance!”
At So-ok’s exclamation, Seo Ryeon gave a small smile and continued speaking.
“I’m not sure about that. But thanks to that, I, the eldest daughter of a rural household with three younger siblings, was able to attend a martial arts school in a neighboring village that was half a day’s walk away. Eventually, I ended up here. If it weren’t for the head of the Tak Family, I’d probably be sweating in the kitchen of the inn right now, cooking meals.”
“As expected of the head of the Tak Family! He changed your entire life with just a few words!”
So-ok clasped her hands together in admiration.
“I’m moved too. If it weren’t for him, you wouldn’t be here, Seo Ryeon.”
“Then I wouldn’t be your bodyguard, Miss Seol-ha.”
Ah, that would be the worst.
I couldn’t even imagine having a bodyguard who wasn’t Seo Ryeon.
“In a way, the head of the Tak Family is like a benefactor to you.”
“That’s right. Honestly, I originally wanted to join the Tak Family as one of their martial artists. But as the head of the family went into seclusion for a long time, I somehow ended up joining the King of Hell Corps instead.”
Seo Ryeon’s expression turned slightly wistful.
“But why did the head of the Tak Family go into seclusion? Do you know anything about it?”
“I don’t know much about that either. Considering his age, it doesn’t seem like it was due to old age…”
“Right? He didn’t look like he was in his eighties to me either.”
With his massive frame and imposing stature, he seemed, at most, to be in his sixties.
“Can I mention your story to the head of the Tak Family later?”
“…About me?”
“Yes. Aren’t you curious if he still remembers you?”
“Of course, I’m curious. It would be an honor if he did.”
Seo Ryeon’s face flushed once again.
In the novel, she was always portrayed as having a blunt personality, so I never expected this side of her.
Seeing Seo Ryeon looking like a shy girl, I suppressed my laughter.
“Shall we make a bet? I’ll bet that he remembers you!”
“A bet?”
“You can bet that he remembers you too.”
“…No, I’m not confident. It happened too long ago, and it seems like it would be a common occurrence for him.”
“Then you’re betting that he won’t remember you?”
“What kind of bet is this?”
“The winner gets a wish granted.”
“…What?”
Seo Ryeon looked dumbfounded, but I continued coaxing her.
“As long as it’s within reason. What do you think?”
Seo Ryeon slowly nodded at my unreasonable proposal.
“…Alright, fine. I trust that Miss Seol-ha won’t ask for an outrageous amount of money.”
“You can ask me for money if you win. You know I’m rich now, right?”
The maintenance costs allocated for Yeong-eun Pavilion alone were astronomical.
That alone wouldn’t have surprised me much.
I also received separate personal funds every month, and luxurious items like silk, elixirs, and expensive accessories were distributed quarterly.
That was why Jeok I-geon could splurge as much as he wanted at the black market.
“Then I’ll cheer for you, Miss Seo Ryeon! Win and get a lot of money, okay?”
“Thank you, So-ok.”
Seo Ryeon and So-ok giggled at the same time.
It hadn’t been that long, but since the three of us spent so much time together, we had grown quite close recently.
So-ok’s sociability and Seo Ryeon’s easygoing nature blended well.
“Shall we head out now?”
We had chatted for too long and were running late.
After doing a final check on my outfit, I left Yeong-eun Pavilion with Seo Ryeon.
“I greet the First Young Lady!”
“I greet the First Young Lady!”
Just as we crossed the main gate while talking about our bet, we were met with an unexpected sight.
A group of over ten Tak Family martial artists, who had seemingly been waiting for us, immediately bowed with disciplined precision upon seeing me.
I hadn’t expected the Tak Family to send an escort, so I was momentarily taken aback.
“We have come to escort you.”
Unaware of my slight confusion, the Tak Family warriors quickly surrounded Seo Ryeon and me.
Was this normal?
Since I had never been invited anywhere before, I glanced at Seo Ryeon to ask with my eyes.
She simply shrugged.
That confirmed that this was definitely not a usual situation.
There was no need for an escort just to travel from the main residence to the Tak Family estate.
Besides, who would even target me in between?
I felt a bit embarrassed by the Tak Family head’s excessive hospitality, but as the recipient of such treatment, I couldn’t complain.
I simply nodded and quietly followed where the Tak Family warriors led me.
After a short while, we arrived at the Hyunma Manor of the Tak Family, known as the most prestigious household within the Demonic Cult.
‘Wow, this is incredible.’
The sheer scale of it was overwhelming.
From where I stood, I couldn’t even see the end of the estate.
Passing through the grand entrance, I found myself surrounded by a series of massive buildings.
Even after spending five years as a maid in the main residence, I was in awe of its grandeur.
“Welcome, First Young Lady.”
At the center stood Tak Joong-hak, flanked on his left by a middle-aged man I had never seen before and on his right by Tak Seung-myeong, whom I had met before.
I didn’t openly acknowledge him due to the elders’ presence, but internally, I was a bit glad to see a familiar face.
“Tak Family Head, thank you for the invitation. To be honest, I came with a light heart, but I didn’t expect such a grand reception.”
“How could I receive an esteemed guest so casually? You must have had a tiring journey. Please, come inside first.”
Even during the martial arts tournament, I had felt it—Tak Joong-hak’s gaze was somewhat different from that of ordinary people.
His words were extremely respectful, addressing me as the First Young Lady, yet for some reason, I felt like I was dealing with a kindhearted grandfather.
Despite standing before one of the most revered figures in the Demonic Cult, I felt no nervousness—only a sense of comfort.
Was this the presence of someone truly experienced?
Indeed, such prestige wasn’t gained without reason.
Feeling once again how remarkable the Tak Family was, I quietly followed behind Tak Joong-hak.
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