The Beloved Baby Deer of the Hwangryong Family - Chapter 121
—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————
“The Heavenly Medicine Forest?”
Seo-yu’s eyes widened in surprise.
The vast forest called the treasure trove of medicinal herbs was like the ultimate sacred ground that all physicians dreamed of.
Naturally, Seo-yu had also thought that she would definitely want to visit the Heavenly Medicine Forest someday.
“But Master, I still don’t have the qualifications to enter the Heavenly Medicine Forest.”
The Heavenly Medicine Forest strictly restricted entry.
Entry permits were only granted to direct descendants of the Qilin Family or branch family members whose contributions were recognized, and the only exception was the path of graduating as valedictorian from the Medical Academy.
‘I did place first this time too…’
Even so, Seo-yu was still just a new student. With graduation still far away, there was no way she could have already earned the qualifications.
Seo-yu soon found the answer.
“Ah! Master is going to the Heavenly Medicine Forest and taking me along, right?”
At her gaze filled with trust, Hwang Hyeon-ya chuckled and lightly placed his hand on top of Seo-yu’s head.
“Unfortunately, I graduated as salutatorian. The one who was invited isn’t me, but you.”
“Why me…”
“Well, it must be because you have the qualifications.”
She had thought he would mess up her hair as always, but for some reason, Hyeon-ya didn’t play any tricks.
He simply patted Seo-yu’s head a couple of times as she blinked her eyes in confusion.
“Think of it as an apology. They owe you a debt for this incident. They probably want to repay it.”
“Ah… I understand, Master!”
The reward that the Qilin Family Head had mentioned was the Heavenly Medicine Forest!
Seo-yu nodded her head vigorously and giggled.
“Still, I didn’t expect him to let me enter the Heavenly Medicine Forest. The Qilin Family Head is someone who keeps his promises!”
“Well, I think we’ll have to wait and see about that.”
Hyeon-ya, who responded that way, somehow looked disgruntled. As if he had some complaint against the Qilin Family Head.
Eventually, the two arrived at the medical room. Seo-yu, who had been quietly following Hyeon-ya, asked cautiously.
“Master, did you perhaps have a fight with the Qilin Family Head?”
“What?”
Click, as Hyeon-ya opened the door with a bewildered expression, Seo-yu hesitantly spoke up.
“Well… Qilin Grandfather told me about it.”
It wasn’t a secret, but somehow feeling like she was tattling, her large eyes rolled around.
“He said that when Master attended the Medical Academy, you fought every single day. So, so Master’s nickname was the Unrestrained Mou…”
“That old man has nothing he won’t say to a child.”
The mouth that restrains itself well in front of his disciple, Hyeon-ya let out a hollow laugh. Seo-yu glanced around and quickly said.
“I, I’m on Master’s side.”
“I told you we didn’t fight.”
They say you can’t even drink cold water carelessly in front of a child, and here he was saying all sorts of nonsense.
Hyeon-ya briefly pressed his throbbing temples, then voiced a thought that suddenly occurred to him.
“Never mind about me. Did the Qilin Family Head seem like that kind of person to you?”
“No! He’s not like that.”
Whether fortunately or unfortunately, Seo-yu immediately denied it.
Whether he was truly worried, he even let out a sigh of relief—whew.
“Actually, I was hoping you two weren’t really fighting. The Qilin Family Head seemed like a good person.”
“Is that so? In what way?”
“Miss Su-jeong kept lying, but he didn’t just believe her words and listened to mine very well. Also, he immediately apologized when he did something wrong. That takes a lot of courage.”
Hwang Hyeon-ya quietly watched Seo-yu praising Gi Tae-ha with her clear voice, then pulled up the corners of his mouth.
“Yes, that’s fortunate.”
Someday when all the conspiracies would be revealed and Seo-yu would learn the truth, there was only one thing Hwang Hyeon-ya hoped for.
That Seo-yu wouldn’t get hurt.
If it couldn’t be avoided, then at least that it would hurt less.
For that to happen, the role of both parents was truly important, and fortunately the Qilin Family Head seemed to have left a decent first impression on the child.
“At the Heavenly Medicine Forest, you’ll be able to learn many things. So many things you haven’t been able to learn until now.”
She would be able to learn everything that Seo-yu would have naturally acquired under normal circumstances.
In doing so, the day would come when she would grow into a proper Qilin and realize her own identity.
“Yes, Master! I’ll study hard and come back. So I can tell you everything when I return!”
“Good. I prepared for this day knowing it would come someday, so learn well.”
It was questionable whether Seo-yu, who would grow up as a Qilin, would still remain his disciple, but even so, Hwang Hyeon-ya only wished for Seo-yu to grow up healthy and strong.
With the heart of a master who wished for his first and last personally chosen disciple to be happy wherever she might be.
* * *
“Wow, the medicinal herbs are in such good condition today too. There isn’t even a single withered one!”
What surprised Seo-yu most after returning to the household was the change in the land.
Hwang Hyeon-ya’s herb garden where the revived Jeongdam Herb had been planted was overflowing with lush vitality, and even the front courtyard that had looked like a barren field of dying weeds was now imbued with verdant energy.
“Hahaha, it’s all thanks to the Jeongdam Herb that Young Miss has been caring for growing so well. Since the poison from the nearby fields has completely disappeared, even the courtyard is pleasant to visit these days.”
“Everything we plant grows well, so it feels just like we’ve returned to the old days, doesn’t it?”
The physicians who used to only sigh deeply when passing through the courtyard were now excitedly grabbing Seo-yu to eagerly tell her about the new types of medicinal herbs they had planted.
“This is Jandae that we got seeds for this year, and it’s already grown this much.”
“Here we planted Dansam…”
Seo-yu was listening attentively to their proud boasting when she spotted a corner of the land that was nurturing sturdy medicinal herbs and brightened up.
“You…!”
Seo-yu quickly lowered her voice, crouched down, and sat in place.
It was that piece of land that had been so depressed that nothing planted there would grow well, and it wouldn’t even respond when spoken to.
Even after being moved to a flower pot, she could barely hear its voice and had been very worried about it.
‘Great! Now you’re growing medicinal herbs too!’
It was then, as she smiled brightly with joy and conveyed her thoughts inwardly.
[Thank you, Seo-yu.]
The land that had been silent for so long spoke to Seo-yu for the first time.
Wow!
Seo-yu barely managed to suppress an exclamation that almost burst out.
[I couldn’t breathe because of the poison, but thanks to Seo-yu sharing your energy with me, I’ve become this healthy.]
‘It’s all thanks to Jeongdamcho working hard to purify everything!’
[Of course, Jeongdam also helped, but for me, the power Seo-yu gave me was greater. Every day she stroked me and breathed energy into me. That’s all because Seo-yu is a true ki….]
The voice of the earth that had been clearly audible suddenly became blurred.
The moment I unconsciously leaned forward to listen more carefully, a clear voice was transmitted to my mind again.
[We will also become Seo-yu’s strength. Please remember that we are always by Seo-yu’s side.]
With those words, the earth became quiet.
Though it was disappointing to miss a word in the middle, it was a time when I could clearly feel their grateful heart.
‘I’m grateful too. You don’t know how precious the time I spent caring for you was to me as well.’
Seo-yu gently stroked the soil just like the first day she had tended the front courtyard.
At that time, there was still much she didn’t know and the Golden Dragon Family felt unfamiliar, so her heart was always anxious and uneasy, but when she was tending the courtyard like this, peace would come to her.
‘I had hoped it would quickly stop being sick….’
Now seeing the earth so healthy, she was smiling contentedly when someone entered the medical room entrance. It was Ga-ram.
“Miss Seo-yu! Are you busy?”
“Oh, no! The lessons are all finished now so I was about to go back.”
When she quickly stood up from her seat, Ga-ram approached with quick steps and linked arms with her.
“Perfect! Then come with me to see the Family Head.”
“Father?”
“Yes! He said there’s someone he wants to show you.”
“Who… Oh, Ga-ram! Could it be…!”
When Seo-yu looked at her with round eyes, Ga-ram exhaled through her nose with an expression that said ‘How can our young miss be so sweet.’
Then she eventually nodded her head as if she couldn’t resist.
“That’s right. The child you’ve been waiting for has come.”
“Let’s go quickly, Ga-ram!”
Seo-yu’s face brightened as she firmly grasped Ga-ram’s arm. Ga-ram looked at Seo-yu with a pleased smile and left together with her.
After the two left, the spot where Seo-yu had been sitting was filled with fresh energy as if dew had fallen.
The earth glowed moistly, and clear water droplets formed on the leaves of the surrounding medicinal herbs, sparkling. The green leaves fluttered with incomparable vitality.
An invisible power had permeated that place, blessing everything.
* * *
Ga-ram and Seo-yu walked side by side down the corridor toward Hwang Hyeon-rang’s office.
Her steps naturally quickened with her excited heart. Ga-ram smiled gently and matched Seo-yu’s pace.
“Father, Seo-yu is here!”
“Yes, my daughter. Come in.”
When the door opened, Hwang Hyeon-rang with a warm smile was the first thing she saw.
Next, a familiar figure from behind came into view. The person standing nervously was Cho-ok.
“Cho-ok!”
“Ah, Young Miss!”
Seo-yu ran over in one breath and hugged Cho-ok tightly. Cho-ok also embraced Seo-yu carefully with a moved expression.
“Cho-ok, are you hurt anywhere? Did you come here comfortably?”
“Yes, Young Miss. I’m fine. Thanks to the Family Head acting quickly, I was able to come here safely.”
Cho-ok’s voice trembled. Her eyes reddened.
“To think that Young Miss remembered me… and even asked to bring me here…”
“Cho-ok tried to help me. How could I leave Cho-ok behind?”
Seo-yu smiled brightly and firmly grasped Cho-ok’s hand.
“Thank you, Cho-ok. You were trying to tell me to run away for my sake back then, weren’t you?”
“No. I should have spoken more clearly, but I lacked the courage to do so. I’m truly sorry.”
“No. Thanks to Cho-ok, I was able to return home safely like this. Thank you so much, Cho-ok.”
Cho-ok’s eyes welled up with tears from feelings of regret and guilt.
“From now on, I will serve you with all my heart. I truly mean it.”
“Please take care of me from now on too, Cho-ok.”
Hwang Hyeon-rang, who had been watching this warm reunion, quietly spoke up.
“Seo-yu, have you packed all your luggage?”
Worry was evident on Hwang Hyeon-rang’s face as he looked at Seo-yu with affectionate eyes. Tomorrow was the day they would depart for the Qilin Family.
“Ah, I was planning to pack today!”
“Then stop by Bi-yeon’s place. She said she has something to give you.”
“Yes, Father! Cho-ok, I’ll go ahead first!”
Seo-yu smiled and responded to his gentle words before leaving the room.
Thud.
Soon the door closed, and instantly the atmosphere in the room changed.
Hwang Hyeon-rang’s gaze slowly shifted to Cho-ok. Cho-ok unconsciously swallowed her dry saliva.
The warm gaze that had been looking at Seo-yu just moments ago was nowhere to be found.
Hwang Hyeon-rang, drained of warmth, made it clear why even demon beasts must tremble before the Golden Dragon. He was exactly like a dignified Family Head.
“Seo-yu plans to stay at the Qilin Family for a while, away from others’ eyes.”
Hwang Hyeon-rang’s voice resonated low and calm.
“I would like you to accompany her and assist Seo-yu.”
“I will devote myself wholeheartedly, so please entrust her to me!”
Cho-ok nodded vigorously.
She was a grateful Young Miss who had remembered her and brought her all the way here. Even without being told, she intended to serve her with all her heart.
“There’s one more favor I have to ask.”
Hwang Hyeon-rang paused briefly before clearing his throat.
“You said you saw a child named Cho-a by the side of the Great Antlered Deer Family’s daughter. She was definitely a Tit Bird beast-person.”
“Yes, that’s right. She was a merchant from the Feather Trading Company who had earned Miss Su-jeong’s trust.”
Cho-ok honestly answered what she knew. Hwang Hyeon-rang’s eyes deepened.
“That child also recommended a new maid?”
“Yes. I think she said it was her cousin.”
Hwang Hyeon-rang nodded and slowly continued speaking.
“When you visit the Qilin Family this time, I want you to remember everyone who associated with that child Cho-a and the new maid, then report back to me.”
Each word heavily pressed down on the air.
“Can you do that?”
“Yes! I can do it.”
Cho-ok answered confidently.
Since she had lost her position overnight, Cho-ok had also been carefully observing the newly arrived maid. She could certainly handle that much.
“Good, I’m counting on you.”
Hyeon-rang gestured as if she could leave now. Cho-ok bowed politely at the waist and carefully left the room.
Left alone, Hyeon-rang fell into deep thought by himself.
‘From the Feather Trading Company in the Southern Region…’
He slowly unfolded the documents placed on his desk. It was investigation material about the Great Antlered Deer Family.
—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————