The Beloved Baby Deer of the Hwangryong Family - Chapter 101

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Qilin Family Head Gi Tae-ha stepped deep into the Heavenly Medicine Forest.

 

The massive forest, as if it had gathered all the green in the world, contained such a variety of medicinal herbs that it wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say it embraced all things.

 

Night Light Grass that emitted its own brilliant light, Silver Frost Flower with cold energy like fallen frost that had excellent fever-reducing effects, Eye Recovery Wood whose branches when boiled temporarily greatly enhanced one’s vision.

 

A forest where precious plants that could no longer be seen outside lived and breathed everywhere the eye could see.

 

The Heavenly Medicine Forest, said to have been cultivated long ago by the Primordial Qilin’s breath, was the pride and honor of the Qilin Family.

 

However, even this sacred forest could not revive dying medicinal herbs.

 

“Even Eternal Snow is of no use.”

 

Gi Tae-ha muttered in a desolate voice.

 

Though he had specially transported snow that wouldn’t melt from the Northern Lands, the Snow Scale Flower that had once withered showed no signs of coming back to life.

 

Gi Tae-ha, who had been gazing at the Snow Scale Flower with lingering eyes, turned his steps and left the Heavenly Medicine Forest.

 

As he exited the forest, an aide who had been waiting at the entrance immediately approached him.

 

“Family Head, a letter has arrived from the Golden Dragon Family.”

 

“Another meeting request?”

 

Gi Tae-ha replied calmly.

 

It was already well-known that the Golden Dragon Family’s Madam had been struck by demonic poison and could not rise.

 

Thus, Golden Dragon Family Head Hwang Hyeon-rang had been asking Gi Tae-ha for help for several years now.

 

However, no matter how skilled in medical arts a qilin might be, there was nothing to be done about demonic poison. The only treatment method was Jeongdam Herb.

 

Therefore, Gi Tae-ha had refused Hwang Hyeon-rang’s requests every time. Even seeing her directly wouldn’t change anything, and above all, he currently could not leave the Western Lands.

 

Because.

 

“No. This time they sent a gift and a letter of gratitude.”

 

Pause.

 

Gi Tae-ha, pulled from his thoughts by the unexpected report, asked back.

 

“A letter of gratitude?”

 

“Yes. The messenger sent by the Golden Dragon Family Head said so directly, so it’s certain. Shall I have you read it right away?”

 

“Do so.”

 

Gi Tae-ha immediately received the letter and unfolded it. As he read through each line, rare amazement gradually spread across his usually dry expression.

 

‘The Madam has awakened?’

 

The letter politely contained words of gratitude, saying that his wife had awakened thanks to the Jeongdam Herb provided by the Qilin Family.

 

The completely unexpected news was enough to surprise Gi Tae-ha.

 

‘Jeongdam Herb cannot grow in lands not blessed by qilin protection. They couldn’t have grown new Jeongdam Herb either.’

 

The reason he hadn’t explained about Jeongdam Herb was because it was a secret passed down through generations in the Qilin Family.

 

Jeongdam Herb was a medicinal plant that grew by feeding on qilin energy, and if this fact became known, there would inevitably be those who would try to exploit it.

 

Therefore, the Qilin Family had thoroughly concealed the characteristics of Jeongdam Herb for the safety of their clan.

 

‘Its efficacy couldn’t have suddenly doubled, how strange. Even in the Heavenly Medicine Forest, Jeongdam Herb isn’t growing like it used to…’

 

Moreover, what was even more surprising was the fact that the efficacy of Jeongdam Herb was declining.

 

This was also related to the decline of the land.

 

The Western Lands, the most fertile in Jusang Kingdom, were losing their life force day by day. It was a very fundamental problem, different from the Eastern Lands where demonic beasts ran rampant and poison spread.

 

It was precisely because of this problem that Gi Tae-ha had been unable to respond even once to the Golden Dragon Family’s continuous requests.

 

The longer he, the strongest among the qilins, remained away from the Western Region, the more the land’s decline would accelerate.

 

Therefore, though he regretfully could not grant their earnest request, unexpected news had arrived today.

 

‘Has it already been five years since the Golden Dragon Matriarch collapsed?’

 

It was truly miraculous that the medicine was taking effect now, years later, rather than in the early stages when the Jeongdam Herb’s efficacy would have been stronger. Such an occurrence would surely be called a miracle.

 

‘…A miracle.’

 

Gi Tae-ha suddenly thought of his own wife, who still lay bedridden. As the withered Snow Scale Flower overlapped with his distant memories, he felt a bitter taste in his mouth.

 

“I should write a congratulatory reply letter. Since the detoxification was successful, tell them to select some medicinal herbs that will aid in recovery.”

 

“Understood. Also, Nok Su-jeong from the Great Antlered Deer Family has come to visit.”

 

Gi Tae-ha, who had skillfully concealed his darkening expression, turned his head at those words.

 

“Did she come today?”

 

“Yes.”

 

Gi Tae-ha had wanted to ask Nok Su-jeong more about the Snow Scale Flower, but he hadn’t been able to meet Su-jeong even once since the first evening he had invited her to dinner.

 

Moreover, even that conversation hadn’t gone particularly well.

 

‘I’d like to hear more details about where you found the Snow Scale Flower.’

 

‘As you know, it was in a snow field. I just went where I felt drawn to and found it there.’

 

‘Then could you perhaps visit that mountain once more on the next holiday?’

 

‘Of course I could, but… I’m worried that if I overexert myself and fall ill, I might not be able to attend the Medical Academy. Constantly missing classes at the Medical Academy wouldn’t look good either.’

 

So far, Su-jeong was the only person who had discovered Snow Scale Flower, yet the child seemed to have no interest whatsoever in finding more.

 

While he didn’t expect her to treat Tae-eon’s mother like her own, it was hard not to feel disappointed when she kept postponing their previously arranged plans.

 

Gi Tae-ha unconsciously swallowed a sigh as he recalled the frustrating memory.

 

“She’s in the reception room. Shall I bring her here?”

 

“No. I’ll go meet her myself.”

 

When there’s only one lifeline to grasp, one has no choice but to hold onto it regardless of its condition.

 

Gi Tae-ha moved his heavy steps to meet Su-jeong.

 

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One afternoon after all classes had ended, Seo-yu was climbing the mountain with Bi-neung in beast transformation form perched on her shoulder.

 

It was to keep her promise with Qilin Grandfather to visit together with Bi-neung.

 

“He definitely said it was a hut… Oh, Bi-neung! I think that’s it over there!”

 

Going even deeper into the mountains than when they had come to gather Solitary Glow Grass, they could see a truly quaint little hut.

 

Smoke was rising from the hut’s chimney. A thick, medicinal fragrance was also wafting through the air, suggesting someone was brewing medicine. The smell that might be unpleasant to others felt very welcoming to Seo-yu.

 

‘It’s similar to the smell of the medical room back home!’

 

Feeling cheerful, Seo-yu rushed toward the hut and called out.

 

“Grandfather, we’re here! It’s Seo-yu and Bi-neung!”

 

Before long, the door swung wide open.

 

“You came!”

 

Gi Tae-heum, who had come outside, looked at Seo-yu standing alone and the sloth on her shoulder just blinking its eyes, then asked in apparent amazement.

 

“Don’t tell me you carried Bi-neung on your back and climbed this mountain path?”

 

“Hehe, it’s not heavy at all.”

 

Seo-yu answered with a smiling face.

 

“I was the one who suggested we walk this way. I wanted to see Grandfather quickly.”

 

“Oh my, is that so?”

 

Tae-heum, who had never heard such words in his life, chuckled heartily.

 

His grandchildren were all mature and quiet without exception, so there had never been such an honest and innocent child.

 

Then Tae-heum’s gaze turned to the sloth on Seo-yu’s shoulder. Tae-heum frowned and shouted sternly.

 

“Bi-neung, you rascal! You should have sent a reply letter! There was no communication tube at all, so I thought you weren’t coming again this year!”

 

Bi-neung slowly came down to the ground and released her beast transformation. Then she rolled her eyes slowly with an embarrassed expression and said.

 

“I, still… came on the first day… didn’t want to… be late…”

 

“Right, for being a year late, you’re quite fast! So fast!”

 

Seo-yu tilted her head at the incredulous retort.

 

“A year? What do you mean by that?”

 

“I invited that girl to come to the Medical Academy last year. There was complete silence for a year, so I thought she had no interest. But then she suddenly appeared this year.”

 

“Ah!”

 

So that’s why Bi-neung had arrived at the dormitory early!

 

She had been curious about how the usually slow Bi-neung had arrived at the Medical Academy so early, but it turned out she was actually a year late.

 

Tae-heum clicked his tongue and threw open the door of the mountain hut wide, saying.

 

“Go inside for now. I’ll bring my steamer.”

 

“Grandfather, did you make rice cakes by any chance?”

 

Seo-yu’s eyes sparkled.

 

She remembered the poria rice cake she had eaten last time. She couldn’t forget that sweet yet savory taste.

 

“Yes. Today it’s steamed rice cake. It seems you have the fortune to eat, child.”

 

“No. It’s only when I meet Grandfather that this happens.”

 

If she had the fortune to eat, her childhood wouldn’t have been so difficult. Back then, every day was hungry, and everything was always lacking.

 

Deep in thought, Seo-yu suddenly remembered what Hyeon-ya had said before: ‘It’s fortunate that you came.’

 

“Oh, then Grandfather must have given me fortune!”

 

“Well, I see. Then I’ll have to bring in more rice. I’ll need to give you lots of fortune.”

 

Tae-heum burst into hearty laughter.

 

The more they talked, the better his mood became. Her pure and bright smile warmed even the observer’s heart.

 

‘To think the day would come when they’d envy my Golden Dragon Family!’

 

Thinking to himself, Tae-heum told the children to wait a moment and headed to the back of the mountain hut.

 

Meanwhile, Seo-yu looked around inside the mountain hut.

 

“Wow…”

 

Seo-yu let out an exclamation.

 

The mountain hut had two rooms, and the larger room looked exactly like a medical room had been moved there.

 

One wall was completely filled with drawers from top to bottom, and each drawer had the names of medicinal materials written in neat handwriting.

 

The opposite side was equipped with various medicine tools along with braziers and medicine pots of different sizes.

 

‘It’s really neat!’

 

Seo-yu’s eyes lit up as she slowly looked around inside.

 

Though it was a small space, nothing was wasted. Everything was kept clean and in its proper place.

 

Then her gaze suddenly fell upon the Books placed on the desk.

 

「Herbal Records」

 

Could it be a book recording Medicinal Herbs?

 

Curious, Seo-yu approached the Books.

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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