The Beloved Baby Deer of the Hwangryong Family - Chapter 122

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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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Nok Sa-pyeong’s younger brother, who he claimed was Seo-yu’s biological father, was someone who had disappeared without a trace over twenty years ago.

The people of the Great Antlered Deer Family said they didn’t even know that Nok Sa-pyeong had been secretly exchanging communications with his younger brother until he brought Seo-yu.

The family head’s younger brother had never once returned to the family after entrusting Seo-yu to them, and no one had even heard news of him, which was indeed strange.

Hwang Hyeon-rang focused on the part concerning family head Nok Sa-pyeong.

‘He’s been on the path to success for exactly ten years. Until then, he was someone with a terrible reputation in the palace and stuck in a minor position.’

Hwang Hyeon-rang’s eyes gradually narrowed.

The change was too stark. As if someone had intentionally altered his fate.

However, there weren’t many with the power to do such a thing.

‘A palace official. And it would have to be quite a high-ranking one.’

But coincidentally, many of the current high-ranking officials of Jusang Kingdom were birds from the Southern Region.

Originally, the bureaucratic composition often followed the Emperor’s place of origin, so this was natural, but things changed when the Feather Trading Company became involved.

‘The Phoenix Family.’

Because the family that operated that Feather Trading Company was none other than the Emperor’s own family.

Golden Dragon, Qilin, and Great Antlered Deer.

The only common point between these three completely different families was the child called Cho-a from the Feather Trading Company.

A mysterious Tit Bird beast-person whose identity was uncertain, whether adult or child.

If Cho-ok did her assigned task well, he would be able to find out what exactly Cho-a was after while hovering around the three families.

‘I’ll need to keep watch.’

As the red sunset colored the office, Hwang Hyeon-rang looked down at the documents for a long time with coldly sunken eyes.

* * *

A morning when birds sang.

Emperor Gon Hak-yeo of Jusang Kingdom was handling state affairs as usual.

“How are the rifts in the Northern Region?”

The Four Evils, sealed long ago and banished to the Underground World, were constantly watching for opportunities to rise to the surface.

The rifts that appeared in the Northern and Eastern Regions were proof of this.

Since the Demonic Arts, remnants of the Four Evils, were rising to Jusang Kingdom through the rifts, blocking them was the role of those who protected each land.

“Thanks to Your Majesty’s swift response, the rifts are no longer growing. Since the Demonic Arts cannot penetrate the Sacred Flames, the possibility of it escalating into war like in the Eastern Region is extremely low.”

“That is welcome news to hear.”

“It is all thanks to Your Majesty’s benevolence.”

“However, we must not be complacent until the rifts are completely sealed. Watch carefully and report immediately if any abnormalities occur.”

“Yes, Your Majesty!”

The face of the minister bowing deeply was filled with loyalty and trust toward the Emperor.

The wise Phoenix never turned away or ignored problems when they arose, but immediately found solutions.

The clever strategies he devised were always the best choices for Jusang Kingdom, making him a ruler that his subjects could only trust and follow.

Gon Hak-yeo rose from his seat and headed to the window side. His gesture of raising the bamboo curtain hung over the window was elegant.

Knowing this was a silent dismissal, the minister quietly withdrew, soon leaving only the Emperor alone in the room.

Gon Hak-yeo opened the window that provided a clear view of the back garden.

Flutter.

A small bird that had been waiting flew in and landed gently on Gon Hak-yeo’s finger. A note was tied to its ankle.

— Nok Su-jeong’s engagement broken off, Hwang Hyeon-rang is investigating Nok Sa-pyeong’s background.

Gon Hak-yeo nodded after unfolding the note and checking its contents. This was already an expected development.

Meanwhile, the little bird, Choa, returned to human form and sat down with one knee politely raised. Gon Hak-yeo spoke while still keeping his eyes fixed on the note.

“Thanks to you, it seems the situation won’t escalate further and can be resolved. You’ve worked hard, Little Bird.”

“If I was able to help Master, that’s all that matters to me.”

On the day of the Medical Academy Festival, while being chased by the Golden Dragon Twins, Choa saw the Great Antlered Deer Family’s soldiers bustling about and immediately sensed that Nok Su-jeong had caused some trouble.

So she immediately flew to the central area and quickly reported to Gon Hak-yeo.

As a result, Gon Hak-yeo was able to silence Nok Sa-pyeong and quickly take measures to prevent the Golden Dragon and Qilin families from having any further contact with Nok Su-jeong.

It was all thanks to the loyal Little Bird’s efforts.

“You might have a tail on you as well, so it would be best to stay out of sight for a while. Take a break from merchant work for some time. Think of it as getting a vacation.”

“Yes, Master.”

Choa, who had been crouching as if folding her wings to transform back into beast form, suddenly raised her head.

“Master, you said that young qilin’s abilities are sealed, right?”

“That’s right. Why do you ask?”

Gon Hak-yeo’s gaze turned to Choa for the first time. Choa fell into thought for a moment.

On the day when Su-jeong deliberately rolled down the hill to frame Seo-yu, mysterious vines caught her, causing the plan to fail.

At first, she thought Su-jeong had simply chosen the wrong position to fall, or that vines between the tents had blocked her view.

But no matter how much she thought about it, something was strange. Although vines spread widely below the hill, there weren’t any that grew high enough to catch Su-jeong.

What came to Choa’s mind as she pondered was the qilin’s special ability.

The miraculous special ability called Growth, which could bring greenery even to barren land.

‘What if that little qilin used her ability to control the vines?’

That would explain the incredible coincidence.

However, as far as Choa knew, the young qilin was unable to use her abilities. Even when she checked again just to be sure, she got the same answer.

‘I’ll report this when I’m more certain.’

Choa, who had been about to report that day’s events, quickly changed her mind. She didn’t want to act rashly and lose the trust she had finally earned.

Choa quickly shook her head.

“No. I was just wondering how that child managed to find so many Snow Scale Flowers.”

“Though her abilities are sealed, her identity cannot be hidden, so that must be why. The Four Death Spirit Herbs recognized the qilin.”

“I understand.”

Choa didn’t ask any more questions. She simply smiled obediently as usual and transformed into bird form.

Blue and green feathers rippled softly, and soon she had become a palm-sized tit bird.

She carefully landed on the Emperor’s finger.

“Then I’ll take my leave, Master.”

It was her usual gesture of giving a final greeting before departing.

Then Gon Hak-yeo narrowed his eyes slightly and spoke gently.

“You always work so hard, Choa.”

There was affection in his voice. When her name was called instead of the usual title “Little Bird,” Choa chirped happily.

“Serving Your Majesty is my only joy.”

“No. You’ve worked hard enough, so how about resting now.”

“Huh? No, I’m not. I’m so happy right now!”

It was the moment when her small wings fluttered excitedly along with her joy.

Whoosh!

Flames erupted from Gon Hak-yeo’s fingertips.

Choa’s blue feathers were instantly engulfed in red flames.

“Lungs, squawk! Squawwwk!”

Choa, who had finally lost even human language, screamed in agony, but the flames showed no sign of dying down.

A moment later, all that remained where the blazing flames had subsided was a handful of blackened ash.

Gon Hak-yeo casually brushed off the ash from his fingers and muttered quietly as if nothing had happened.

“It would be amusing to watch them engage in futile efforts.”

Nok Sa-pyeong’s Younger Brother was already dead, and the Errand Runner who was most deeply involved in this matter was no longer of this world, so the Golden Dragon would be unable to discover anything.

“There’s nothing more futile than chasing illusions.”

With those words, wind blew in through the open window. The fine ash scattered into the air, and eventually all traces of the bird completely disappeared.

* * *

“Yaaawn.”

Seo-yu rubbed her sleepy eyes and yawned without realizing it.

Today was the day to head to the Qilin Family to visit the Heavenly Medicine Forest.

However, the departure time was not in the morning but at night. And at a very late hour when everyone was asleep.

‘It won’t be treated as an official visit. If a precedent is set that someone was allowed to visit the Heavenly Medicine Forest as an apology, it would be troublesome for the Qilin Family too.’

‘Ah, I understand what you mean!’

Since it was a visit not announced to the outside world, Seo-yu decided to depart on the deep night journey alone with Hwang Hyeon-rang.

Though it was a time she had eagerly awaited, when it came time to actually depart, she couldn’t help but feel drowsy.

Hwang Hyeon-rang scooped up the sleepy Seo-yu in his arms and said with a smile.

“Sleepy? Get some rest on Dad’s back on the way there.”

“But… then Father will be bored. Since we have to fly so far and all.”

“Dad is a very big dragon, so we’ll get there quickly with just a few wingbeats, you know?”

“Hehe, that’s true. Young Master Li-han asked when he’d become as big as Father.”

“He’s got a long way to go to catch up to this dad.”

After the change in how they addressed each other, Hwang Hyeon-rang and Seo-yu had grown much closer. It was thanks to the disappearance of the sense of distance that had naturally formed while maintaining boundaries.

“Well then, shall we go?”

“Yes!”

Hwang Hyeon-rang set Seo-yu down and was just about to use Beast Transformation to change into the Golden Dragon.

“Urgh!”

Suddenly clutching his chest, Hwang Hyeon-rang staggered. Startled, Seo-yu quickly approached and grabbed Hwang Hyeon-rang’s hand.

“Father! What’s wrong? Are you hurt somewhere?”

“No… no. It’s nothing at all.”

Though Hwang Hyeon-rang forced a smile and shook his head, to Seo-yu’s eyes, Hwang Hyeon-rang didn’t look fine at all.

“Shouldn’t you visit the medical room? Father, your face is too pale. Your breathing is rough too… Instead of this, let me quickly go and bring Master here!”

“It’s fine, Seo-yu.”

Hyeon-rang caught Seo-yu, who had been checking his pulse and was about to turn around hurriedly.

“I’ve been going to the battlefield often lately, so fatigue has accumulated. I didn’t want to show it because I was worried the family would be concerned, but I guess I pushed my body too hard.”

“Father…”

When she made a tearful expression from her upset feelings, Hyeon-rang quietly pulled up the corners of his mouth to show a smile.

“I’ll come back quickly and rest, so don’t make that expression. Still, thanks to the Seollin root soup our daughter made, I’m this fine. This dad is stronger than ever, you know?”

Hyeon-rang proudly placed his hands on both sides of his waist, showing off his robust body.

Indeed, aside from his complexion being pale, there were no problems to be found in other parts that could indicate health issues, such as his skin or eyes.

Still not feeling reassured, Seo-yu took her hand off Hyeon-rang’s wrist and spoke as if making a vow.

“I’ll definitely get medicinal herbs good for fatigue from the Heavenly Medicine Forest. So that Father won’t be tired at all.”

“Haha, the Qilin Family Head should be nervous. If he doesn’t want to give all his medicinal herbs to our Seo-yu, that is.”

Hyeon-rang, who had eased the tense atmosphere with a joke, transformed into beast form again.

Whoosh!

Since he had to secretly visit the Qilin Family, Hyeon-rang’s body as a Golden Dragon was much smaller than usual.

But that was still enough to carry Seo-yu. Seo-yu skillfully climbed onto the Golden Dragon’s back.

And she quickly called for Seollin in her mind.

‘Hey, Seollin. Are you listening?’

[Yes, Seo-yu! I’m here!]

With a soft sound, Seollin appeared in the sky.

Although the main body Seol Lin-hwa was with the Qilin Family Head, since spirits are ultimately souls, Seo-yu could continue communicating with Seollin.

Seo-yu urgently asked Seollin.

‘You said Seollin roots definitely help with recovering health, right?’

[Of course! When it comes to wounds remaining in the body, there’s no medicinal herb as excellent as my roots!]

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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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