SERIES: The Heavenly Demon Cult’s Strongest Maid
CHAPTER: The Heavenly Demon Cult’s Strongest Maid, Chapter 218
Chapter 218
I could not suppress my curiosity about the murderous demon.
Grandfather Tak had said he would mobilize the Hyeonwol Hall to investigate, but it didn't suit my personality to sit idly by when the Beggar Sect, a prime source of information, was right nearby.
"Sister, where are we going?"
I had originally planned to slip away on my own, but at some point, Yang Ha-rin had latched onto me like a leech.
How could a girl be even more clingy than Jeok I-geon?
"To meet my uncle."
"Uncle? You have an uncle, Sister?"
"I’m sorry to say this to you, but aside from my parents, I have everyone. You saw that I have three grandfathers, right?"
"Oh, that’s truly amazing!"
What was it she said the day she first heard the true identity of the Bandit Grandfather?
"The Chief of the Green Forest Eighteen Villages? And the Dark Sovereign? Wow, this is insane! Two of your three grandfathers are among the Ten Sovereigns!"
Actually, it’s not two, but all three.
Surprising, isn't it?
To be honest, I’m still surprised myself.
I was more worried than excited about how Yang Ha-rin would react if she found out Grandfather Tak’s true identity.
Regardless, we arrived at our destination while Yang Ha-rin chattered away.
"We're here."
The place I had brought Yang Ha-rin to was an abandoned Guandi Shrine on the outskirts of Hefei.
Since it wasn't properly maintained, it looked even more dilapidated and shabby than usual today.
"You said we were going to see your uncle?"
Yang Ha-rin frowned at the shrine, which looked like it might collapse at any moment.
"Is your uncle a beggar, Sister?"
"Yes."
"I wasn't asking as a joke."
Thinking I was being dismissive, Yang Ha-rin pouted in annoyance.
"I wasn't answering as a joke, either."
"Whoa! You’re actually a beggar?"
For some reason, she seemed even more shocked than when she found out about the Bandit Grandfather’s identity.
Did she expect me to take her to some grand estate just because I said "uncle"?
Still, I added an explanation for her sake.
"He is a beggar, but he's also from the Beggar Sect."
"Ah, the Beggar Sect I know? So beggars live in places like this!"
Yang Ha-rin looked around the shrine as if she were admiring a rare sight, clearly impressed.
"Who’s there?"
Just then, a beggar who had been taking a nap nearby rubbed his eyes and sat up.
"Hello. Have you been well?"
"Oh my, if it isn't my niece Seol-ha!"
Perhaps due to the influence of Uncle Wang-dang, all the Beggar Sect members in Hefei called me "niece."
"I came to see Uncle Wang-dang. Is he inside?"
"Of course, of course! Go on in."
"Thank you."
Fearing Yang Ha-rin might cause some trouble, I quickly ushered her inside.
Uncle Wang-dang was sitting with his legs crossed, looking down at something with a grave expression.
"Who is it?"
He didn't even turn his head at our presence, as if he were busy with important work.
"Uncle!"
I greeted him with extra cheer.
"I'm here!"
"Oh?"
Uncle Wang-dang’s eyes widened as he looked at me.
"Niece Seol-ha! What brings you to Hefei? You didn't say you were coming back!"
"I missed you, Uncle, so I stopped by on my way."
"Niece Seol-ha always says such sweet things. Unlike some people."
I could have bet my wrist that he was talking about my grandmother.
"But who is this beside you?"
"A younger sister I'm close with. Ha-rin, introduce yourself. This is Uncle Wang-dang, the Hefei Branch Leader."
"Hello. My name is Yang Ha-rin."
Uncle Wang-dang nodded and gestured for us to sit. He didn't ask any further questions, as if the Beggar Sect’s intelligence network had already informed him that Yang Ha-rin and I were together.
I plopped down onto a cushion caked with grime.
Yang Ha-rin, on the other hand, picked up the cushion with her fingertips, shuddered, and tossed it aside. She then pulled out a silk cloth to lay down before she finally sat.
"When did you arrive?"
It was fortunate that Uncle Wang-dang hadn't noticed her reaction while he was focused on me.
"Yesterday."
"And the Special Envoy is still in Wuhan?"
"Yes. But where is everyone? I don't see as many Beggar Sect members outside as usual."
"Sigh, don't even ask. Something happened nearby, and everyone is out investigating."
Uncle Wang-dang sighed deeply and scratched his head vigorously.
I could feel Yang Ha-rin flinch as dandruff rained down.
"By 'that something,' do you mean the murderous demon?"
"You only arrived yesterday, and you've already heard?"
Uncle Wang-dang sighed again, as if the earth itself were collapsing. It seemed to be a serious matter indeed.
"Is it all true? They say over a hundred people have already died, and the innkeeper kept emphasizing that I should never go outside after sunset."
"You should be careful too, Niece Seol-ha. It’s not an idle warning."
This wasn't the look I was used to seeing in Uncle Wang-dang’s eyes.
Uncle Wang-dang handed me something, telling me to take a look.
"Is this a map?"
So this was what he had been looking at.
"Do you see the marks there?"
"Yes."
There were quite a few X-marks drawn around Hefei as the center.
"Are these all the areas where the incidents occurred?"
He nodded.
"Do you have any idea who it might be?"
"We're tracking them, but it’s not easy."
Seeing Uncle Wang-dang so unsure of himself felt very strange to me.
"There’s a reason they’re called a murderous demon. They are as elusive as a ghost; no one has ever seen them. It means anyone who catches their eye is killed."
"That also means they are an incredibly skilled martial artist."
"It’s possible that it’s not just one person."
"Pardon?"
Does that mean the murderous demon is operating as a group?
And yet, there isn't even a single small clue?
"It’s just a guess. There is no consistency in the method or style of the killings. If it’s a sword, it should be a sword; if it’s a fist, it should be a fist. There should be traces of the same lineage, but the methods are so varied that it’s impossible to pin down."
In the end, it meant they knew nothing.
If the Beggar Sect had stepped in and it was still like this, the chances of the Hyeonwol Hall returning empty-handed were high.
'Should I make a request to the Haomun Sect...'
Two is better than one, so I should consider the Haomun Sect as well.
"…!"
Then, I suddenly thought of the Bandit Grandfather.
That’s right, I have my grandfather!
Since he is one of the Five Elders of the Four Dao Alliance, asking the Haomun Sect would be a piece of cake!
"Uncle Wang-dang, you seem busy, so I’ll head out for now."
I stood up in a hurry.
"I’ll be at West Lake for a while, so if you need any help, contact me anytime. Whoever this murderous demon is, are they stronger than my grandfathers?"
"Just hearing you say that is reassuring."
"I’ll let you know if I find out anything, too. Let’s go, Ha-rin."
"Yes, Sister!"
As soon as I finished speaking, Yang Ha-rin ran outside without even saying goodbye to Uncle Wang-dang.
She must have really hated being inside.
I ran toward West Lake, my eyebrows fluttering in the wind, to meet the Bandit Grandfather.
"Grandfatheeeer!"
"Oh, my granddaughter. You’re here?"
The Bandit Grandfather happened to be coming out of an inn.
"Yes. But where are you going?"
"The Haomun Sect Leader sent word that he wanted to see me. I’ll be back in a flash."
Oh my, what a stroke of luck!
To think that the legendary Haomun Sect Leader was here at West Lake!
"Ha-rin, would you mind going inside first?"
I sent Yang Ha-rin into the inn and spoke to the Bandit Grandfather with a charming smile.
"Grandfather, can’t I come with you?"
"…You want to come too?"
"Yes. There’s something I want to ask the Haomun Sect Leader."
"Should I ask him for you?"
"Are you perhaps embarrassed by me?"
"Eh? What are you talking about? Why would I be embarrassed by you, Seol-ha!"
The Bandit Grandfather jumped at my words.
"No, it just seemed like you didn't want to take me with you."
"It’s not that I don't want to; I’m just worried that it might bring trouble upon you. It wouldn't be good for your identity to be revealed, would it?"
"Oh, come on! Do you think I’d go there and shout, 'I’m the disciple of the Heavenly Demon!'? In the Central Plains, I’m a disciple of the Heavenly Divine Sect. Do you know how hard I’ve worked to maintain that?"
I used my ultimate move, the Puss-in-Boots eyes, and looked up at the Bandit Grandfather.
"So please, take me with you. Please?"
The Bandit Grandfather asked me with a troubled expression.
"Are you truly sure?"
"Besides, don't you have to reveal that I’m your granddaughter eventually?"
The Haomun Sect couldn't possibly be unaware of the Grandfather’s recent movements.
It was just my guess, but seeing as they called him out immediately after he arrived at West Lake yesterday, the Haomun Sect Leader must have many questions about this situation as well.
The Double-Faced Gentleman, Sang Gwan-su.
I didn't want to miss the chance to meet the man who was called a sexy middle-aged man by fans of the original novel.
"I was planning on bringing that up if I went anyway."
"The leaders of intelligence organizations are all suspicious by nature. Wouldn't he only believe me if I went and showed him the star-shaped birthmark on my shoulder?"
"…Do you know the Double-Faced Gentleman?"
Of course I do.
He had quite a significant role in the novel.
"Aren't all heads of intelligence organizations like that?"
I feigned innocence as I asked back.
The Bandit Grandfather nodded in agreement.
"Very well, let’s go together. If you get to know the face of the Haomun Sect Leader now, it might be of help to you someday."
"Yes, Grandfather!"
I cheered inwardly and walked lightly beside him.
'If I can charm Mr. Sang Gwan-su and make him my ally...'
Wouldn't I be able to use the Haomun Sect’s services for free in the future?
Excited at the thought of meeting the Haomun Sect Leader, my head was filled with all sorts of wild fantasies.
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