“What brings the Second Young Lord all the way here?”
The first to speak on behalf of the Heavenly Demon was a middle-aged man. He acknowledged Jeok Igeon and walked toward us.
Who is he? Someone who dared to speak while everyone else was prostrated at the Heavenly Demon’s appearance. There were few in the Demon Cult who could do such a thing. Though I didn’t know for sure, this man must hold a significant position.
“It’s been a while, Lord of the Hall of Ghostly Spirits.”
As expected, my hunch was correct. Within the Demon Cult, there were countless organizations, and among them, the Hall of Ghostly Spirits was a crucial group handling intelligence. The head of that place, the Hall Lord, was also known as the Cult’s chief strategist. It was a vital position that required reading the political climate of the Murim, grasping its flow, and preparing for various contingencies in advance. Naturally, one had to be exceptionally intelligent.
The current Lord of the Hall of Ghostly Spirits was a man named Gong Paecheon. He was also the first person Jeok Igeon would eventually kill before ascending to become the Heavenly Demon. Jeok Igeon considered him the greatest obstacle to seizing total control of the Cult. That was how outstanding a strategist Gong Paecheon was, and he served the current Heavenly Demon with absolute loyalty.
“You’ve become even more handsome since I last saw you. If I had met you outside the castle, I might not have recognized you.”
“You must receive daily reports about me.”
So cut the pleasantries and get to the point, Jeok Igeon’s tone was icy. Had their relationship already soured by this time? Though I couldn’t see their expressions with my head bowed, I could feel the friction between them.
“You are the one who will lead our headquarters in the future. As the Lord of the Hall of Ghostly Spirits, keeping watch is my duty, so please understand graciously.”
“What about this man?” Jeok Igeon asked, cutting through Gong Paecheon’s excuses like a blade through a radish.
“He’s a spy belonging to the Murim Alliance.”
“A spy?”
“He operated in the Blood Shadow Unit for the past five years under a forged identity but was caught a few days ago. We were considering using him as a double agent, but he noticed and fled, causing quite a commotion.”
“I heard that the Hall of Ghostly Spirits conducts thorough background checks before admission.”
“It was my oversight,” Gong Paecheon readily admitted. “More importantly, what brings the Second Young Lord here at this hour? May I ask why you wish to personally execute this man?”
“I didn’t know he was a spy. I simply intervened because my maid appeared to be in danger.”
“...Who appeared to be in danger?”
“My maid here. When I arrived after hearing the commotion, she was being held hostage by that man. She even suffered a wound on her neck.”
I unconsciously brought my hand to my neck. Though it was just a shallow cut and the bleeding had stopped, I winced at the slight sting.
“Igeon, are you saying you stepped forward for this child?”
Then the Heavenly Demon, who had been silent until now, suddenly approached my side.
“...!”
I nearly screamed. I couldn’t believe the Heavenly Demon’s feet were right in front of my eyes. Surely he wouldn't speak to me directly? Just having him so close made my mind go blank—how could I dare exchange words with him? That was something that should absolutely never happen.
But the world never follows my will.
“Lift your head and look at me,” the Heavenly Demon commanded.
Damn, why are my ominous premonitions never wrong? My entire body trembled with tension. Like a malfunctioning robot, I slowly and creakily lifted my head.
“Look me in the eye.”
I had been trying to keep my gaze lowered, unable to bear the pressure, but he commanded me again. It’s not like we’re having a staring contest, so why must I do this? I wanted to retort, but naturally, I couldn't make a peep. I just blankly raised my eyes as instructed.
“...!”
My first impression of the current Heavenly Demon, Jeok Yeogwang, could be summed up in one phrase: Scary old man. Befitting Jeok Igeon’s father, his appearance was remarkable, but his intense gaze made me feel like a moth caught in a web. At the same time, I felt something strange. Did he just recognize me? The moment our eyes met, there was a brief flash of surprise, as if he knew exactly who I was.
It must be my imagination. There’s no way the Heavenly Demon would know a mere maid like me.
“...What is your name?”
Suddenly, he asked for my name. I began to panic. No matter how hard I racked my brain, I couldn’t find a reason why he would be curious. I wasn’t the only one puzzled; Jeok Igeon and Gong Paecheon both looked at their lord with questioning eyes.
Wait. Where have I seen that person before? My gaze, passing over Gong Paecheon, returned to him. This should be the first time I’m seeing him, yet he looked strangely familiar. He’s someone I should have no connection with at all...
“Do you not have a name?”
When I didn’t answer immediately, the Heavenly Demon’s voice grew louder. I snapped back to my senses.
“This humble one is called Shin Seolha.”
“...The Shin family?”
“Yes.”
Something about my confirmation displeased him; deep wrinkles formed on his brow. Though I didn’t know why, he seemed to have expected a different answer.
“Master, do you know this child?”
As a strategist, Gong Paecheon couldn’t ignore anyone his lord showed interest in. He was the type who could find out my entire life history and even the number of my undergarments if he set his mind to it. Just as I was getting nervous about becoming his target—an honor I definitely didn't want—the Heavenly Demon spoke.
“No. Someone just came to mind for a moment.”
Fortunately, his interest in me subsided. He quickly turned his attention back to his son.
“Igeon.”
“Yes, Father.”
“That you stepped forward for your maid is understandable. However, trying to kill a fleeing spy was wrong. Shouldn’t we find out what he stole and what information we can extract?”
“I was short-sighted. Next time, I will examine the situation more carefully.”
“Good. In any case, you were the one who caught him, so you have achieved merit. I will reward you accordingly.”
With those words, the Heavenly Demon, Gong Paecheon, and the warriors left the scene. The spy, who had fainted, was carried away on a stretcher.
Watching them go reminded me once again of Jeok Igeon’s prowess. What would have happened to me if he hadn’t arrived? I certainly wouldn’t have been unharmed. I might have even died. The hostage-taker seemed more interested in mutual destruction than survival; he probably took me because I looked like an easy way to take one more Cult member with him.
I should probably thank him, right? To be saved by Jeok Igeon and then have to thank him for it... that was a scene that never appeared in the original novel. I suddenly thought it was a good thing I had fed him rice balls for dinner.
“Um, Young Master.”
Before I knew it, only Jeok Igeon, myself, and Doae’s group remained. Though their necks weren’t cut, all three seniors had tear-stained faces and looked shell-shocked. Jiae, whom I had knocked out, even had bruises turning blue.
“Thank you so much for today. I was able to stay safe thanks to you, Young Master.”
“Do you even know what ‘safe’ means?”
“Pardon?”
“If that bastard’s dagger had been poisoned, you’d already be a corpse.”
“Ah...”
If that were the case, I would have been fine since I had the Poison-Resisting Bead. Of course, I couldn't say that, so I just smiled awkwardly. Jeok Igeon looked at me as if I were utterly pathetic, then turned around sharply. He seemed almost... angry? Or was that also my imagination?
Both the Heavenly Demon and Jeok Igeon—so difficult, so very difficult.
It was astounding that only the first day as his personal maid had passed. I hoped tomorrow would be better. My hopes were shattered to pieces by the Heavenly Demon, who returned with the morning breeze at dawn.
“How old are you?” he asked right off the bat.
But why was this? It might sound crazy, but what I saw in his gaze wasn't malice. It was unmistakable longing.