Chapter 78
“Seol-ha, Grandmother will explain everything later. I swear, I am not a spy…”
“Of course not! How could you be a spy for the Martial Alliance?! Do you think I’d believe such ridiculous nonsense?”
As I recalled the original novel, I was shocked, but I misunderstood my Grandmother’s reaction and snapped at her.
How had Shin Geum lived all these years burdened with such injustice?
“A spy? That’s hilarious!”
She was never a named character, but whenever Tang Yeong-ryeong’s tragic story was mentioned, I always found it heartbreaking.
The current decline of the Sichuan Tang Clan stemmed from an unforgivable false accusation placed on Tang Yeong-ryeong seventeen years ago.
She was the reason the Tang Clan had fallen from its prestigious position among the Five Noble Families.
It was shocking enough to learn that Grandmother was a direct descendant of the Sichuan Tang Clan, but to realize she was at the center of that catastrophe infuriated me.
“That goat-faced bastard doesn’t even know what he’s talking about! Do you think being the head of the Yeo Family makes you all-powerful? Huh?!”
Without realizing it, I rolled up my sleeves, burning with rage.
Who the hell did he think he was?!
“W-what did you just say?!”
“How dare this wench…!”
“I’ve hated the way you talk since earlier! Do you think people don’t curse you out because they can’t? Say one more word about my Grandmother, and I swear, I will make you regret it!”
My love for Grandmother, combined with my pity for Tang Yeong-ryeong, blinded me with rage.
I had read the original story, and I knew better than anyone that she was not a spy for the Martial Alliance.
So, her suicide was fake—she had hidden her identity and continued living within the Demonic Cult.
And now, she was being framed as a spy on top of that?
How much more must she endure?!
“Grandmother, you have to stay calm. The more chaotic the situation, the calmer we must be. Understand?”
I feared she might collapse from stress, so I gently rubbed her back to soothe her.
“…Seol-ha…”
“Why are you crying, Grandmother? Are you moved?”
I froze when I saw Shin Geum’s tears welling up.
I had no memory before possession, but ever since, I had never seen her cry.
“My child… I don’t know why, but just knowing you believe in me is making me tear up. I must be foolish, right?”
“Foolish, my ass. People need to cry sometimes—it clears the heart.”
I wiped her tears with my sleeve.
“You think so?”
“Of course.”
I pulled her into a tight hug, overwhelmed by sorrow after learning her story.
“Those two wenches have lost their minds!”
As we comforted each other, Yeo Gong raged.
“As expected, the First Young Lady is clearly an accomplice! This proves she infiltrated the Demonic Cult as part of a grand scheme!”
Wi Lin joined in, and Yeo Gong gave an order.
“What are you waiting for? Arrest the spies! Force them to kneel!”
“Yes, sir!”
Oh? That voice…?
I turned my head at just the right moment.
As soon as I saw the man’s face, my vision flared white.
It was that bastard who had tricked me—Hyeok Ri-cheon!
“Oh, you son of a…!”
I was about to charge forward, but—
“Hundred Souls Hyeonma Corps, hear me! As of this moment, the Yeo Family is under complete lockdown! If anyone attempts to escape, cut them down without hesitation!”
“Yes, sir!”
“Yes, sir!”
At Tak Joong-hak’s command, the Hundred Souls Hyeonma Corps moved swiftly.
They spread out in a wide formation, encircling Yeo Gong and Wi Lin, sealing off every possible escape route.
They were vastly outnumbered compared to the Yeo Family’s warriors, yet not a single one of them showed fear.
After all, it was common knowledge that a single Hundred Souls warrior was as strong as a hundred men.
The Blood Wolves of the Yeo Family were formidable, but they were no match for the Hundred Souls Hyeonma Corps.
Not to mention, Tak Joong-hak himself was here.
He was the only martial artist in the Demonic Cult with the title “Sword Demon.”
It was said that his swordsmanship was so peerless that even the Heavenly Demon found him challenging to face.
As long as he was here, no one would dare lay a hand on Grandmother or me.
“Thank you.”
As expected of the Tak Family’s Lord, he had an eye for people.
If he had come with Grandmother to find me, then he already knew she wasn’t a Martial Alliance spy.
‘Did Grandmother ask for his help?’
As I tilted my head in confusion, Yeo Gong and Wi Lin turned on Tak Joong-hak instead.
“Tak Lord! I suspected as much, but you’ve truly sided with the Martial Alliance!”
“Are you committing treason by openly sheltering these spies?!”
“If the Heavenly Demon hears of this, he will weep in sorrow!”
“There’s no need to worry about that. None of this is true, and even if it were, no one will ever hear of it.”
“…What?”
At Tak Joong-hak’s calm declaration, both Yeo Gong and Wi Lin’s eyes widened in shock.
His words were straightforward and uncomplicated.
No one would be left alive today, so there was no need to worry about unnecessary things.
In other words, he planned to kill everyone here and erase all evidence.
‘Wow, this old man has an insane presence.’
How could someone make a death sentence sound so cool?
Maybe this was why one should learn from such people.
I couldn’t help but envy whoever was lucky enough to call him grandfather.
Oh, right—he was Tak Seung-myeong’s grandfather.
I already liked the grandson.
Now, the grandfather was also my type.
I loved this family.
“Why are you all silent? Do you think I won’t do it?”
Whoooosh—
Suddenly, a wind blew from nowhere. Tak Joong-hak’s robes fluttered, and the air itself seemed to vibrate around him.
With my sensitive energy perception, I felt an overwhelming surge of power.
“Grandmother…”
If Tak Joong-hak was going to step in personally, I couldn’t just stand by and do nothing.
That would be shameless of me as someone directly involved.
Sensing my inner turmoil, Grandmother whispered to me.
“It’s fine. He’s just scaring them.”
“…How do you know that?”
“Because they’re no match for him. If they want to live, they better know their place.”
“Oh.”
It was a simple truth.
But then why did they even start this mess in the first place?
What did they gain from tormenting Grandmother and me?
“Tak Lord! Have you no shame?”
“Are you truly conspiring with the Martial Alliance and attempting to silence us through slaughter? Do you plan to become the Heavenly Demon yourself?”
Oh wow, this was the highlight of today’s performance.
They had no intention of fighting Tak Joong-hak directly.
Instead, they planted a seed of suspicion.
If news of Tak Joong-hak’s ambitions reached the Heavenly Demon, even a sliver of doubt could be catastrophic.
If rumors spread among the Demonic Cult that he had connections to a Martial Alliance spy, it could tarnish the Tak Family’s legendary reputation.
Even though they belonged to the Six Great Demon Clans, the Yeo Family and Wi Family were bitterly envious of the Tak Family’s position.
In the original novel, this resentment often led to conflicts.
I never expected to witness it firsthand like this.
“Yeo Lord, I advise you to watch your words.”
“Did I strike a nerve?”
“Do not push any further. My patience isn’t what it used to be.”
Gasp.
Grandmother, you said he was just scaring them?!
The killing intent radiating from Tak Joong-hak was no joke.
The kindly old man from earlier now looked like he was about to snap Yeo Gong’s neck at any moment.
“That doesn’t look fine to me.”
I widened my eyes and turned to Grandmother, who whispered back.
“He’s just like someone I know.”
“Just like who?”
Instead of answering, she just shrugged.
‘Hmmm…’
The bloodshed had already happened.
Even though they weren’t on our side, many people had died.
The misunderstanding about Grandmother and me would be cleared up soon, so I just hoped things wouldn’t escalate further.
Of course, those who insulted us needed to pay for it, but I didn’t want this to become an even bigger mess.
If Grandmother’s true identity was exposed, some people would refuse to believe the truth, no matter how clear it was.
That would make her life difficult, and I wouldn’t be able to ignore it.
Even if I wanted to leave the Demonic Cult, they wouldn’t let me go anytime soon.
I needed to solidify my position first and then—huh?
Just as I was deep in thought, I suddenly noticed Jeok I-geon standing there.
“What is he doing here…?”
Our eyes met.
Two pitch-black irises locked onto mine.
Ah.
I screwed up.
I had no idea what he had heard, but Jeok I-geon’s eyes were filled with pure fury.
“…Who is Hyeok Ri-cheon?”
His voice was flat, devoid of any emotion.
Thankfully, no one answered.
However, multiple people’s gazes shifted toward one spot at the same time.
A panicked Hyeok Ri-cheon.
And in the next moment, Jeok I-geon lunged toward him.
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