Ch#6
I recognized Jeok I-geon at a single glance.
‘There was no way I couldn’t recognize him…’
Just as described in the novel, he possessed an appearance that the word “beautiful” was simply inadequate to describe.
I would have believed it if someone told me he had unified the Murim with his face rather than his martial arts.
If not for that piercing glare of his, his visuals were so perfect that I would have wanted to keep staring.
Shin Seol-ha, you’ve lost your mind.
What do you mean, “keep staring”?
Your opponent is Jeok I-geon. That crazy, murderous bastard!
It was a relief that I hadn’t trembled like a leaf during our first encounter, but acting like a starstruck fool was strictly forbidden.
Even introducing myself was forbidden. I recalled the warning of my favorite character: never even speak to him.
I quickly bowed to show my respects and fled the bedroom as if running for my life.
“He won’t kill me just because I gave him the cold shoulder, right?”
Strictly speaking, I hadn’t completely ignored him.
I just hadn’t opened my mouth; I had even bowed before leaving.
Since they said he liked quietness, perhaps I had actually scored some points.
Wow, but did he really kill so many people with a face like that?
He was called the most handsome man in the world in the novel, so I had expected it to some extent, but the gap between reading about it in print and seeing him in person was far too vast.
With those looks, it was no wonder women were driven to distraction.
Throughout the book, I had wondered what on earth they found so appealing about this cruel bastard to make such a fuss, but now I saw that his face was the ultimate justification.
If he had debuted as a celebrity in South Korea, he would have left a historic mark.
No matter how terrible his acting was, with that face, everything would have been easily forgiven.
A crazy psychopath who bewitched people by his mere existence—that was the true identity of Jeok I-geon.
He’s even more dangerous than I thought.
“Ugh.”
A belated chill ran down my spine.
Even knowing who Jeok I-geon was, I had almost been mesmerized.
Realizing in this manner that I had a weak spot for handsome men did not feel great at all.
From now on, I must avoid looking at Jeok I-geon’s face as much as possible.
Recalling his cruel atrocities, I steeled my resolve once more.
My mind control continued until breakfast arrived from the Jamigwan.
“Seol-ha!”
The one who brought the meal was So-ok.
“What happened? So-ok, you’re not assigned to this place.”
“I swapped for today. I was curious to see if you were doing well. Did you see the Second Young Master? How was it? Did he welcome you warmly?”
“You could have just asked at the quarters after work, but you couldn’t even wait that long and came all the way here?”
“Well, I was half-shoved into coming. Right now, everyone at the Jamigwan is waiting for me. They’re all dying of curiosity.”
“Good grief, they sure have a lot to be curious about. Hurry, hand it over. The food is going to get cold.”
Among the maids in the Demonic Cult’s fortress, Jeok I-geon was an absolute superstar.
They said his every move became a hot topic, and now it seemed I was going to be dragged into it as well.
No, wait. Since I’m already caught up in this, why not ask for a favor?
“So-ok, can I ask you a favor?”
“Of course. What is it?”
“Could you get me some ice from the Ice Storage?”
“Ice?”
“Yes, the Second Young Master wants to drink some very, very cold water. Not a lot, just one or two pieces should do.”
“Just you wait! I’ve been working at the Jamigwan for five years. I’ll bring it right away!”
In this world without refrigerators, ice was an extremely precious commodity.
Since storing it was difficult, ice was something even those of high status could rarely enjoy.
Why was I looking for such a thing?
Naturally, it was to give to Jeok I-geon.
Jeok I-geon was originally someone who drank only cold water all year round.
Because of that, once he became the Heavenly Demon, the staff in charge of the Ice Storage fought a daily war over ice.
Having to serve ice water not only for every meal but also for any water he drank in between, they must have been sweating bullets.
At any rate, he was a master at tormenting people in various ways.
Since this was a time when he had to hide his true nature, he would be forcing himself to drink tea that he didn’t even like.
If I suddenly presented him with ice water at a time like this, wouldn’t he be pleased?
And on the other hand, he might think of me as slightly useful.
That was exactly what I was aiming for.
It would be like scratching an itch for him before he even had to ask.
If so, he might feel slightly less inclined to kill me.
What I desired was very modest.
To leave Geonyeonggak alive in two months.
I really hope this ice trick works.
“Seol-ha, here!”
Just as my mind was filling with all sorts of distracting thoughts, So-ok came running back, dripping with sweat.
Seeing the ice tightly wrapped in cloth to keep it from melting, I couldn’t have been more grateful.
“I’ll make it up to you later. Thank you so much!”
I should pull out the snacks I hid away later tonight.
I thanked So-ok repeatedly, picked up the tray, and hurried inside.
“You’re here.”
“Yes, Lord Cheon Gang. I have brought the meal.”
I ran into my favorite character again in the hallway.
Come to think of it, what about his breakfast?
Does he eat alone?
As I hesitated at the sudden question, Cheon Gang pointed with his hand toward the inner room on the right.
“The Young Master usually dines in there.”
“Ah, yes.”
I had almost taken it to the bedroom.
I bowed my head slightly in gratitude, then carried the tray into the inner room he had indicated.
Jeok I-geon was sitting at a round table, sipping tea.
Seeing him dressed in the blue light armor I had chosen, the corners of my mouth twitched for no reason.
Looking at him again, he really was incredibly handsome.
It felt like I was admiring a beautiful painting.
I approached carefully and set the meal down in front of him.
Anyone else would have announced first that they had brought breakfast, but I strictly followed Cheon Gang’s warning.
As I removed the covers placed to keep out dust and debris one by one, an appetizing aroma filled the room.
It was a feast of meat, fish, and seasoned wild greens.
I began to place small portions of the side dishes onto an empty plate for food testing.
“That is enough.”
That was when Jeok I-geon spoke for the first time.
Given his pretty face, I had subconsciously assumed he would have a matching beautiful voice, but it was a deep, low baritone completely contrary to my expectations.
Of course, that too suited Jeok I-geon perfectly.
But why did he tell me not to test the food?
The First Young Master might have played another trick, so was he planning to just ignore it?
I had even brought the Poison-Evading Bead on purpose, yet he made me feel so futile.
“But what is this?”
Dismissing the food testing, Jeok I-geon picked up his chopsticks and pointed at the ice container.
I quickly set the plate down, opened the container’s lid, and emptied some into a cup.
Where was the water?
Not far away, I saw the kettle of water brought to brew tea.
I brought it over and poured the water into the cup with the ice.
Here, drink up.
It will be very refreshing.
I stepped back and awaited his reaction.
But no matter how long I waited, I didn’t hear any movement.
Having kept my head lowered to avoid eye contact with him, I stealthily raised my gaze.
And once again, my eyes locked directly with his pitch-black pupils.
“…!”
Oh, for heaven’s sake, why are you looking at me like that?!
Didn’t you like ice water?
It was a gaze that made it impossible to tell if he was angry or what.
A person has to speak for others to understand; I knew he was taciturn, but isn’t this a bit much?
I had absolutely no clue what the meaning behind that terrifying glint in his eyes was.
Just as I was on the verge of panicking, imagining all sorts of scenarios in the face of the encroaching fear, Jeok I-geon finally opened his mouth.
“You don’t seem unable to speak… so why do you keep silent?”
“…Pardon?”
“What is this?”
Jeok I-geon pointed to the ice water once more.
“T-That is ice water.”
“Did you think I asked because I didn’t know that?”
“Ah… well, since you trained from dawn and also bathed in hot water, I thought you might seek something refreshing… so I prepared it…”
Did I do something unnecessary?
I thought he would just drink it happily, but I never expected him to be so guarded.
I’m doomed.
Grandmother, I’m about to die without even getting a chance to use the Poison-Evading Bead.
Shivering, I thought of Madam Sin-geum.
Trying to get on his good side had backfired.
No one had ordered me to do this; I had brought it upon myself, so I was the one who had hastened my own death.
If you’re going to kill me, do it in one painless blow, you psycho bastard!
It was just as I was grinding my teeth and screaming inwardly.
“Good.”
Having drunk it when I wasn’t looking, Jeok I-geon set the cup down and uttered a single word.
Then, he began to eat the rice and side dishes that hadn’t even been tested for poison.
What?
Did I do well?
Did the ice water trick actually work?
