Chapter 1
If you transfer schools often from a young age, you develop certain… special abilities.
“Hello. Nice to meet you for the first time. I am…”
The ability to immediately find the nearest convenience store even when dropped into a completely unfamiliar neighborhood.
The ability to calmly open your textbook instead of panicking when faced with a suddenly unfamiliar curriculum.
The ability to slip into an already well-formed social group and casually bring up your favorite idol.
“I’m Dang Riseo, from Sichuan. Pleased to meet you.”
These abilities proved extremely useful in many situations—
especially when one had to adapt to a new environment.
“I hope to temper myself alongside all of you and become an outstanding member of the Demonic Cult.”
But even so, there should be limits.
After dying in an unfortunate accident, being forcibly reincarnated into a martial arts fantasy world was already absurd enough.
And on top of that, being enrolled in the Demonic Cult as one of the Heavenly Demon’s consorts…
Well, that was a bit much.
“I look forward to working with you all.”
Even so, once I realized I had no choice in the matter, I—
a professional transfer student, a genius of adaptation, a demon of relocation—
resolved to overcome this ridiculous, dreamlike situation and survive.
At the end of the day, people are people, no matter the world.
The world Dang Riseo was born into was a fundamentally nonsensical martial arts setting where the Demonic Cult had emerged victorious.
How nonsensical was it? Even the country’s name was something unheard of—Geon Nation.
She had no idea which era or which rebellious faction had triumphed to found such a nation, but it was clearly a world that had diverged entirely from the history she once knew.
All her previous knowledge—including even the laws of physics—had become utterly useless.
But Riseo did not despair.
Because she had been born into a rather decent family.
The rulers of Sichuan, the so-called Land of Abundance.
The daughter of the head of the Sichuan Tang Clan.
Yes—that clan. The rich one that uses poison.
Since ancient times, Sichuan had been a fertile region blessed with mountains and water, and far removed from the central government.
The Sichuan Tang Clan, a martial family that handled local security, merchant operations, and even minor judicial matters, effectively ruled the region like kings.
To be born as the clan head’s daughter in such a household was practically the same as being a princess of a small nation.
Considering she had reincarnated without any preparation, it was a remarkably good start.
…Even if the clan head had four wives, and her mother was the fourth.
And even if the first, second, and third wives were all noble ladies from powerful or prestigious families, while her mother had once been nothing more than a laundry maid.
But what did that matter?
What was so great about getting caught up in pointless succession struggles and risking one’s life?
Wouldn’t it be far better to step back, live comfortably, and eventually marry into a decent household?
Surely, that was the kind of modest happiness a noble daughter of this era should pursue.
“Madam has passed away.”
“…What? So suddenly?”
Six-year-old Dang Riseo, who had been happily sorting poisonous mushrooms, dropped her reagent in shock.
The liquid spilled from the small porcelain bottle seeped into the dirt, bubbling violently before releasing a nauseating stench and thick black smoke.
‘Which one? The first, second, or third wife?’
Despite the sudden death of someone who had been perfectly healthy, no investigation was conducted at the clan level.
Which meant only one thing: it was an intentional killing involving someone powerful.
In such a situation, finding and punishing the culprit was impossible.
If she went around digging into it, she might end up disappearing without a trace herself.
So even if it was unjust, keeping her mouth shut was the best option.
“My apologies, but you will have to stay in this room from now on.”
And just like that, her treatment worsened.
The days of comfort ended, replaced by a cold, barren room.
Even so, she couldn’t help but think—isn’t this a bit much? She was still a direct descendant of the clan head.
But with the first, second, and third wives all watching closely, there was little to be done.
‘Why do they go after me instead of fighting among themselves?’
Shouldn’t conflicts like this be settled among the powerful whales, while shrimps like her simply tried not to get crushed in the process?
It made no sense—but Riseo still didn’t despair.
In an era where a single famine could wipe out countless lives, the fact that she didn’t have to starve was already a blessing.
At this point, just eating well was practically a successful life.
—Or so she thought, until even the food became a problem.
“Child, there’s poison in the vegetables.”
“Eek! I-I deserve death!”
“…? That’s not necessary. Next time, soak them overnight in water mixed with plant ash—burned bamboo or mulberry leaves—to remove the toxins before cooking.”
Honestly. Assigning a servant who didn’t even have basic cooking knowledge?
The Tang Clan’s neglect toward their youngest daughter, who had lost her mother at a young age, was beyond imagination.
Even while grumbling, Riseo poked at her food with silver chopsticks, making sure to eat three full meals a day without fail.
‘At this rate, I’ll probably be kicked out soon. I should start preparing for independence in advance.’
Fortunately, about a year before her mother passed away, she had undergone a process called Beolmo Se-su—Body Cleansing.
It was a kind of constitution-altering technique used by martial families to help children learn martial arts more easily.
After undergoing it, one could accumulate internal energy faster, making it possible to become a decent martial artist even without natural talent.
‘It was truly a horrible experience.’
If she had to compare it, it was like having all four wisdom teeth pulled out at once.
Apparently, it was usually done during infancy—but due to her mother’s lack of influence, she had received it much later, leaving her with nothing but trauma.
Looking back, the fact that her mother died exactly one year after the procedure didn’t seem like a coincidence…
…Well, anyway.
‘Now that I’ve undergone Body Cleansing, if I train diligently, at least I won’t get beaten up in broad daylight. Ideally, I’d open an apothecary under the Tang Clan name… but getting permission for that will probably be difficult.’
With such plans in mind, she endured her motherless youth with determination—
until one day.
“Hey! Dang Riseo!”
A girl called out to her in a sharp voice.
It was Dang Sorin, the daughter of the third wife—who, despite being only four months older, insisted on being treated as the elder sister.
“Dang Sorin. What brings you to Hanjeong Pavilion?”
“You! Again! Call me sister!”
Though a bit bratty, Sorin was refreshingly straightforward—one of the few family members Riseo actually liked.
In a clan where smiling to your face and throwing hidden weapons at your back was considered normal, Sorin was practically adorable.
“Alright, alright. Sister Sorin. What brings you here? You used to avoid this place because you said the well looked haunted.”
Sorin flinched.
“Th-that was when I was little! I’m not scared at all now.”
“Really? Want to stay the night here today?”
“W-What?!”
Just look at that panicked expression and those wildly shaking eyes.
As Sorin fidgeted, desperately trying to think of a way to refuse without looking like a coward, her face suddenly brightened.
She had remembered she didn’t need an excuse.
“Sorry, but I can’t. We have a guest from Mount Cheonryeon.”
“From Mount Cheonryeon?”
Riseo tilted her head, stroking her chin thoughtfully.
‘When someone says there’s a guest from Mount Cheonryeon… it usually means someone from the Demonic Cult has arrived.’
