Chapter 10
Zhuge Lin lowered her voice to a whisper when she said “delinquent.” But judging by how all the other girls nodded in unison, it didn’t seem to be much of a secret.
“Is he really that bad?”
“He is. They say he skips training all the time and spends his days drinking and gambling.”
“He neglects ancestral rites too, so his relationship with the Council of Elders is terrible.”
“I even heard he once spoke disrespectfully to the Heavenly Demon and got thrown into the Thunder Prison!”
“I usually judge men by their looks, but Young Master Cheon Mujin? It’s obvious he’d only make a woman suffer. I’ll pass.”
I didn’t expect his reputation to be this awful.
Riser found herself slightly taken aback as Cheon Mujin’s past was mercilessly torn apart.
Even so, he’s a direct descendant of the Cult Leader. Is it really okay for him to neglect his image this badly?
“W-well, I heard he’s incredibly talented in martial arts, at least.”
Without meaning to, Riser ended up defending Mujin, as though she were a fan of a controversial figure.
“You! What’s the point of talent if he doesn’t even train?!”
“Hey, just leave her be.”
Namgung Yeonhwa crossed her arms and let out a knowing scoff.
“There are always girls like that—ones who deliberately chase after problematic men. They get a sense of achievement from taming wild beasts. It’s a peculiar taste.”
Zhuge Lin flinched and took a step back.
“I-I’ll respect your taste, Riser.”
“Wait. That’s not my type.”
Riser tried to clear up the misunderstanding with a cold, serious expression, but no one listened.
At that exact moment, someone stepped up onto the platform.
The girls immediately fell silent, their chatter ceasing as they turned forward with slightly tense expressions.
“Ahem. It’s a pleasure to meet you, Ladies Hang-a.”
In contrast, Riser remained unusually calm—simply because it was a familiar face.
“As for myself, I am Sang Gwanbaek, the Lord of the Heavenly Refinement Palace.”
Sang Gwanbaek cleared his throat repeatedly, as if uncomfortable using honorific speech.
He was probably used to speaking casually to the prospective recruits he normally dealt with, but the girls gathered here might rise in status at any moment, so he had no choice but to be careful.
‘He must have it rough.’
Riser watched him with a sympathetic expression as she listened.
As was typical of such speeches, the content wasn’t particularly meaningful.
True to the name “Heavenly Refinement Palace,” which originated from training for a thousand days, he naturally began introducing the upcoming curriculum.
“You Ladies Hang-a will undergo physical training at dawn, doctrinal lessons in the morning, and demonic arts training in the afternoon.”
This was followed by ordinary information about daily life—where they would sleep, eat, and study.
Then, suddenly, the topic shifted to something slightly different.
“In addition, each of you will be assigned a certain amount of duties suited to your aptitudes, to help you adapt to the Ten Thousand Great Mountains…”
‘So… they’re making us do part-time work?’
No, not quite. There’s no pay, so it’s not really a part-time job.
If anything, it felt closer to a state-sponsored vocational training program.
Typically, prospective recruits who entered the Heavenly Refinement Palace had neither homes nor occupations.
Without the palace’s guarantee and mediation, it would be difficult for them to survive, so such training was likely essential.
‘But that doesn’t really apply to us, does it?’
What would concubine candidates need job training for?
If she had to guess, the program was probably hastily assembled, borrowing existing systems without much thought.
‘No need to take it too seriously, then.’
She had neither the energy nor the desire to give her all to something unpaid and ultimately useless to her life.
“Finally, a chance to show the Demonic Cult my abilities!”
Unlike Riser, who intended to just pass the time, the other girls were brimming with enthusiasm.
“You—of the Sichuan Tang Clan!”
Namgung Yeonhwa, in particular, seemed quite determined about becoming a concubine and burned with ambition to prove her worth.
“What, Namgung Clan?”
Since Yeonhwa had addressed her by her clan name first, Riser returned the same, causing Yeonhwa to flinch slightly before quickly regaining her composure.
“Y-you… what duty are you going to apply for?”
“I’ll just take whatever I’m assigned.”
“But you must have a preferred position!”
‘As long as it’s not cleaning toilets, I’m fine.’
Riser genuinely thought that, but didn’t bother saying it out loud.
Instead, she scanned the list of unpaid, mandatory duties laid out before them and picked something that seemed relatively less demanding.
“Hmm. Maybe a poison taster?”
“Gasp!”
“Hah!”
Not just Namgung Yeonhwa, but the other girls as well, sucked in sharp breaths.
What’s with that reaction?
“As expected… Riser, your ambition is impressive…”
“Hmm. I didn’t expect that direction, but it’s interesting. You’d be able to stay by the Cult Leader’s side during every meal and naturally make an impression.”
“That’s not all! You’d even get to share in his meals, even if only a little. They must be made with extraordinary elixirs!”
‘I just thought it’d be easy since I’d only have to sit and eat whatever I’m given.’
Riser felt a bit wronged, but with no good way to explain herself, she stayed silent.
“No! I’ll do it—the poison taster! Give it to me!”
Seeing everyone’s admiration, Namgung Yeonhwa grew greedy and stubbornly insisted.
The other girls secretly shook their heads at her shamelessness.
Even if she was from the famously arrogant Namgung Clan, coveting a position someone else had already claimed was a bit much.
“Sure. You can have it.”
“R-really…?”
Riser agreed so readily that it actually took the wind out of Yeonhwa’s sails.
She had pushed stubbornly, but hadn’t expected such an easy concession.
“Are you sure? You’ll give it to me?”
“Yeah. It’s fine.”
Namgung Yeonhwa beamed, her face lighting up with joy.
Perhaps, she thought, this could be an opportunity to build a friendly relationship with the Sichuan Tang Clan.
And then, a few minutes later—
“Sorry.”
“……”
“I said I’m sorry.”
Sang Gwanbaek assigned Riser to the role of poison taster, completely disregarding her wishes.
The reason was absurd.
“You’re from the Sichuan Tang Clan, aren’t you? Who else would do it if not you?”
Namgung Yeonhwa sulked, visibly upset.
‘I’ll have to get her some taffy later.’
Riser hadn’t confirmed whether Yeonhwa liked sweets, but at that age, it would be hard for any girl to refuse soft, sweet taffy.
At that moment, Zhuge Lin, who had been hesitating nearby, cautiously approached and whispered,
“Riser, we need to prepare for the banquet…”
“Hm? Oh, right. I’ll come now. Lady Namgung, I’m really sorry.”
After whispering one last apology to Namgung Yeonhwa, Riser quickly caught up with Zhuge Lin.
“Did you say we’re assigned to the same hall?”
“Yeah, that’s right.”
Pointing toward the various pavilions within the Heavenly Refinement Palace, Zhuge Lin explained,
“Those pavilions over there are where we’ll be staying. Directly across from us are the rooms for Lady Namgung and Lady Moyong, and next to them is a separate residence with a pond, where Lady Peng, Lady Ak, Lady Seomun, Lady Yang, and…”
“That place is going to be pretty noisy.”
“Right?”
Zhuge Lin covered her mouth and giggled shyly.
“The pavilion across the bridge—is that where the Nine Sects and One Gang are staying?”
“Well, technically just the Nine Sects. The Beggars’ Sect didn’t send any disciples.”
A wise decision. No matter how pretty they might be, it would be a bit much to immediately place a beggar into the concubine selection.
For all she knew, the disciples of the Nine Sects might have felt a great sense of relief at not having to share quarters with them.
