Chapter 81
“Seol-ha.”
“Yes, Grandma…”
Is that the right way to address her?
It came out naturally since she called me, but still—look at that face.
How could anyone say that’s the face of someone in her forties?
Calling her ‘unnie’ (sister) would make more sense, but even that feels strange.
“You were really surprised, huh?”
“…A little?”
Grandma, having regained her original appearance, looked like a celestial maiden who had just descended from the heavens.
If she’d been born in Korea, talent agencies would’ve swarmed her, begging her to become a celebrity.
“I’m sorry, sweetie. This old lady keeps scaring you.”
She had finally returned to her true body after seventeen years, and yet Grandma prioritized my reaction over her own joy or sense of liberation.
The way she kept checking on me—it was clear she was worried I might be too shocked.
Her appearance might have changed, but our Shin Geum was still the same.
The reason I managed to survive here at all was entirely because of Grandma.
From the moment I could remember, I was always her first priority.
Just because her face changed doesn’t mean she’s no longer Shin Geum.
If she got prettier, that’s a good thing.
My poor Grandma, I won’t let her worry over something so trivial!
“But Grandma!”
I deliberately raised my voice in a cheerful tone.
“What was that just now? Can you teach me? Like, is it something I could learn too?”
“…What?”
“That reverse transformation technique—it’s pretty cool! I feel like it’d come in handy. Especially for doing embarrassing stuff! Wouldn’t it be perfect for that?”
Grandma looked completely dumbfounded.
Like she had no words for how ridiculous her only granddaughter was being.
Playing the role of the clueless granddaughter is seriously too easy.
“Grandma was taller than me? Wow! That kinda feels like betrayal, don’t you think?”
“You brat! Who was it that wouldn’t eat as a child? I chased you around with a spoon, begging you to take even a bite! And now you’re accusing me of betrayal?”
“You should’ve force-fed me! I mean, martial arts look cooler with long limbs!”
“Oh, you little runt! That mouth of yours—!”
Gasp!
Her face might have changed, but that pre-smack warning look in her eyes was exactly the same.
The moment I saw that wickedly arched brow, I instinctively stepped back.
“Hey now! Miss Shin Geum! Not here, please!”
I flailed my arms around pointing in all directions to snap her back to her senses.
Only then did she remember she was in front of others and returned to a composed state.
Of course, she didn’t forget to shoot me a sharp glare on the way—one that basically said:
We’ll settle this later.
‘Should I run?’
Her smacks seriously hurt.
“Hahaha, you two look so close. It’s a wonderful sight.”
Just as I was internally debating my escape, the Heavenly Demon broke into laughter and intervened.
Master, this isn’t something to laugh about, okay?
My grandma gets really scary when she’s mad.
And now that I know she’s a martial arts master, there’s even the risk she might change her discipline methods.
Ugh, I’ve got a bad feeling about this.
“Thank you.”
…Huh?
“For protecting Seol-ha.”
The Heavenly Demon’s sudden words left me puzzled.
Thank you for protecting me? What does that mean?
Is he complimenting Grandma for showing up today to get me?
If so, then he should really be thanking Tak Joong-hak too.
If it weren’t for Grandpa Tak, this day could’ve gone a lot worse.
But the Heavenly Demon said nothing to Tak Joong-hak.
He simply looked at him for a long moment.
Tak Joong-hak returned the stare, unwavering.
…What is this atmosphere?
Their eye contact alone felt suffocating.
Even though they were merely staring, it felt like thousands of blows had already been exchanged.
How long did they keep that up?
“Lord Yeo.”
The Heavenly Demon was the first to look away and spoke to Yeo Gong.
“Fixing the collapsed gate will take some time. For now, put down your current duties and focus on the repairs. I’ll summon you when you’re needed.”
“…I am honored by the Cult Leader’s consideration.”
Yeo Gong’s mustache trembled slightly.
Being publicly ordered to remain in reflection like this—he must have felt humiliated.
On the surface, the Heavenly Demon’s words sounded like concern for his subordinate, but the true meaning was quite the opposite.
He was telling him, at length, to stay quiet, don’t act out, and go fix the house until called upon again.
Now that’s a skill in itself.
‘You little goat, consider yourself lucky today.’
If I just thought about him calling Grandma “that woman,” I wanted to dash over and unleash my White Jade Sleeve Demon Art on him.
But once the Heavenly Demon had spoken, there was no taking it back.
‘I’ll get you next time.’
Guys like him always caused trouble again sooner or later.
I firmly promised myself that I wouldn’t be caught off guard like today when that time came, and headed home hand in hand with Grandma.
“Three more dumplings here, please!”
“I really like these noodles. One more bowl for me!”
“Elder of the Medical Wing, that’s your third bowl. Aren’t you full yet?”
“I may look skinny, but I’ve always been a big eater. Can’t you tell from how this kid is eating?”
Pyo Jin-yang subtly pointed in front of her. There, Jeok I-geon was inhaling dumplings without pause.
How many plates was that now?
Ugh, I’m too tired to keep count.
That guy’s appetite is just too much.
“Senior Cheon Gang, these dumplings are really good, right?”
“Would you believe me if I said they’re the best I’ve ever had?”
“Yes! Totally believable! I already ordered three more—should I get more?”
Seated beside Jeok I-geon, Cheon Gang and Seo Ryeon were also going hard on dumplings.
When I first overheard their conversation, I almost fainted from shock.
I’d seen them together countless times, but I hadn’t realized they were this close.
They were acting so naturally with each other that I even began to suspect they’d been hiding it from me.
“Seol-ha, take the noodles out first!”
“…Okay.”
Hearing Grandma’s voice from the kitchen, I trudged over while wondering.
How did things end up like this?
I’d planned to stay up all night talking with Grandma about all the things we hadn’t been able to say.
Honestly, there were so many things I wanted to ask.
Her real identity, her youthful appearance, the hidden events from seventeen years ago… It wasn’t just one or two things.
And yet, somehow, I ended up serving noodles.
“Here you go.”
As I set the noodles down in front of the Elder of the Medical Wing, I spotted Gong Pae-cheon sipping tea alone.
Unlike the others, who were too busy devouring noodles and dumplings to care, he was calmly drinking his tea and occasionally glancing toward the kitchen.
‘Yeah, this is all that guy’s fault.’
He just had to mention being hungry, and that kicked off this whole situation. And now he’s only drinking tea?
“Lady Tang, would it be alright if I got a bowl of noodles too?”
“Of course. You must be hungry after skipping your meal because of me.”
“Now that the tension’s passed, I find myself famished.”
“May I join too?”
“…Of course, Young Master.”
After the Heavenly Demon left, Gong Pae-cheon, who had been preparing to go, tried to flirt with Grandma—only for Jeok I-geon to butt in right away.
Cheon Gang and Seo Ryeon naturally joined as guards.
As for the Elder of the Medical Wing, well… When we arrived at the shop, he was already loitering out front.
They were probably old friends, and he had come out of concern.
That’s how Grandma ended up suddenly cooking, and I got stuck serving.
Grandma’s 17 years of culinary experience were no joke.
Even without any prep, the food service ran like water.
But wait—was this really a business?
Are we charging money?
If they all just eat and leave, I swear—this is my Grandma’s sweat and tears. You better pay up properly!
Maybe it was because I lost my alone time with Grandma.
But today, I found myself feeling unusually resentful toward the close aides around me.
‘Seventeen years… huh.’
Tak Joong-hak looked up at the signboard that read Machonjeon, his heart heavier than ever.
After losing Seonhwa that day, he had vowed never to return to this place—but clearly, you can’t make promises when it comes to your children.
After walking down a long, dim hallway, he stood before a heavy iron door without any inscriptions.
“You’ve arrived.”
Though no one had been visible just moments before, a man now appeared and greeted Tak Joong-hak.
He was Yul, the Heavenly Demon’s long-serving bodyguard.
An expert in Stealth Techniques, known only to the Cult Leader’s closest aides—and the only disciple Tak Joong-hak had ever taken in.
Welcoming the rare visit from his master to the Machonjeon, he began leading him inside.
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