The Beloved Baby Deer of the Hwangryong Family - Chapter 136

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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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Tae-heum told Gi Tae-ha everything about his visit to the Golden Dragon Family. This was something he had already discussed with Hwang Hyeon-ya.

After maintaining silence for a while, Gi Tae-ha asked as if confirming.

“Did you say that Seo-yu has one horn?”

“I didn’t see it directly myself, but since the child who saw Seo-yu’s beast transformation told me, it must be true. She’s not a child who would lie either.”

“Uncle, you mentioned before that originally our clan’s horns were single.”

“That’s right. I also recalled that story and went to the Eastern Region to confirm it. I never imagined that child Seo-yu would really be of our bloodline though.”

The current Qilin have two horns. This was true for both Gi Tae-heum and Gi Tae-ha, and even tracing back through their ancestors.

Originally, beast-people undergo changes as generations pass, so the difference in horn count could be seen as part of that process, which wouldn’t be strange.

However, if it was such a distinct change, it should normally be recorded in history.

But even Gi Tae-ha, who was the family head, didn’t know about this fact. Strangely, there were no related records left at all.

Therefore, when Tae-heum had mentioned the Qilin’s horns before, he hadn’t listened very seriously.

Not only that, but everyone was the same. Even Tae-heum, who was speaking, lacked confidence.

“Tae-ha. Do you remember what I said before? When I was working as a court physician in the palace. I once told you about a story I heard while drinking with a fellow physician I was close to at the time.”

In his youth, Tae-heum had served as a court physician in the palace.

While other Qilin rarely left the Western Lands, Tae-heum, who wanted to experience the wider world, had entered the palace of his own accord.

Since they were already the clan with the smallest numbers among the Four Spirits, and Qilin were especially rare to see in the palace due to their lack of desire for power, quite a few people approached Tae-heum.

Among them was a physician who shared his hobby of playing Go and often spent time with him. One day, while drinking, this physician said:

‘You know, you don’t know this, right? Originally, Qilin had one horn.’

‘Ha, are you discussing Qilin in front of an actual Qilin?’

‘It’s really true. I’m telling you this specially because it’s you.’

At first, Tae-heum also dismissed it as drunken rambling.

However, somehow, as time passed, he began to think that those words seemed correct.

No matter how much he searched for evidence, there was no related content, yet he accepted it as if it were an obvious fact.

Even though it was absurd for him as a scholar, he simply couldn’t erase that thought. It was as if a forgotten memory had returned. It was truly a strange experience.

“…You said that physician was a Phoenix.”

The gazes of the two Qilin met in the air. Tae-heum asked with deepened eyes.

“I heard from Hwang Hyeon-ya that this incident might be connected to the Imperial Family. Do you think this might be related as well?”

* * *

Yi-eon actually didn’t particularly enjoy reading.

However, he did read books out of habit. While watching over his sick mother’s bedside, reading books was the only thing he could do.

But many of the books his mother had collected were difficult to read and their content wasn’t interesting.

If it weren’t for his mother’s words that he absolutely had to read those books to survive in the future, he wouldn’t have been interested in them.

So for Yi-eon, reading felt more like homework than a hobby. This continued until he started working as a librarian at the Medical Academy.

“Yi-eon, would you like to read this too? It’s a book that Young Master Li-han recommended before, and the Dragon Palace folklore is really interesting.”

“Sure. I’ll read that first. It sounds fun.”

However, after meeting Seo-yu, reading had become a good hobby for Yi-eon.

Especially when they sat side by side reading books, he would feel endlessly happy. Recommending books they had read to each other was also nice.

“No, this isn’t play. Dad, this is a very important matter.”

“That’s right, Father. This is all for Seo-yu’s sake…!”

The complaints that broke the peace came from outside the library.

“Huh? That’s Yi-ryeong and Brother Li-gon’s voices.”

Not only Yi-eon, who had noticed their presence from the start, but also Seo-yu, who had been concentrating on her book, looked up.

Soon Yi-ryeong and Li-gon entered the library. More precisely, it would be correct to say they were dragged in by Father Hyeon-rang.

“Huh, Father? Why are you carrying Sister and Brother?”

Seo-yu’s eyes widened as she saw the twins dangling from Hyeon-rang’s hands.

“Now, you two need to explain yourselves, don’t you?”

Hyeon-rang set the twins down with a thud. Yi-ryeong, who landed lightly, pouted her lips.

“Well, we were just curious about what kind of kid our youngest’s friend was, so we just followed them around a little.”

“Then you should have approached and talked to them. Following them around and secretly eavesdropping on their conversation is wrong behavior.”

“I think that was wrong too. But just in case they were a bad friend, we had to protect Seo-yu…”

Li-gon trailed off while reading the mood. Seo-yu quickly stepped forward.

“Yi-eon isn’t a bad friend! He’s so good to me. When we go to the West Hall, he saves me a seat, and when I hurt my ankle, he even carried me on his back!”

Yi-ryeong made a dismayed expression at the passionate defense. Li-gon also looked dejected.

“This is serious. Our youngest has already fallen for him.”

“Seo-yu, are you really going to marry that friend? So you’re going to leave us?”

“What? Marriage?”

What kind of talk is this now!

Flustered Seo-yu looked up at Father Hyeon-rang. The dejected Li-gon mumbled.

“But Brother Li-han said so. That when you get married, you have to leave home.”

By then, Hyeon-rang had figured out why the twins had acted so strangely. He also understood what the siblings, including Li-han, were worried about.

“Yi-ryeong, Li-gon. Seo-yu just brought a friend she made at the Medical Academy. You two have friends too, don’t you.”

“All my friends are here. Seo-yu’s friends are at the Medical Academy, that’s why. What if she finds it so fun playing with her friends that she wants to live there.”

Yi-ryeong complained resentfully.

In fact, the twins weren’t entirely happy about Seo-yu going to the Medical Academy. They were bored since their youngest, who used to play with them every day, had left.

Still, since it was Seo-yu’s dream, and she would return home, they quietly waited for vacation. But when she finally came home, she left for another place again.

Though they didn’t show it, they were secretly hurt, and when even a friend came to visit, they felt upset as if they had grown distant for no reason.

Hyeon-rang understood the children’s feelings. That’s why he knew what words he should say as a parent.

“Of course, someday Seo-yu might get married. But that doesn’t mean Seo-yu will become a stranger to us.”

“Really?”

“Of course.”

Hyeon-rang patted the twins’ heads.

“Even if Seo-yu makes other friends, or even if she gets another family, Seo-yu and we will continue to be family.”

Someday the day would come when the children would learn about the Qilin Family story too.

He could easily predict that not only Seo-yu, but the children would also be greatly shocked.

Hyeon-rang and Bi-yeon had intended to tell the children this kind of story at least once before that day came.

He hadn’t expected to say this so suddenly, but since the moment had come, he thought it was rather fortunate.

“That’s right! Why would I leave Sister and Elder Brother? We’re family.”

Seo-yu approached the twins and spread her arms wide to give them both a tight hug. Only then did Yi-ryeong and Li-gon’s expressions soften.

“Now that you understand, let’s apologize to your friend too.”

Meanwhile, Yi-eon, who had been tense from the moment Hyeon-rang entered the library, flinched at the gaze directed at him.

He had skipped dinner and stayed in his room to avoid meeting Hyeon-rang, never thinking he would face him like this.

“Yi-eon, we’re sorry.”

“We didn’t suspect you. It’s just that you’re so pretty, we were worried Seo-yu might follow you.”

“What? Elder Brother, what are you saying!”

Startled, Seo-yu gently patted Li-gon’s shoulder without hurting him.

It was quite an amusing scene, but Yi-eon couldn’t laugh. This situation made him extremely uncomfortable.

“It’s fine.”

He barely managed to utter those words while lowering his gaze, when he saw a long shadow gradually approaching. Hyeon-rang was coming closer.

Completely unaware of his feelings, Hyeon-rang spoke to Yi-eon in a gentle voice.

“Come to think of it, I haven’t introduced myself. I’m Hyeon-rang, Seo-yu’s father.”

“….”

Yi-eon unconsciously swallowed dryly. A Four Spirit. And not just any, but the current head of the Golden Dragon Family, a Winged Dragon.

He was terribly worried that if their eyes met, his identity might be discovered.

However, ignoring the parents when visiting a friend’s house made no sense no matter how he thought about it.

Though he had never had friends before meeting Seo-yu, Yi-eon had common sense and knew that much.

“My name is… Yi-eon.”

Yi-eon struggled to lift his head and met Hyeon-rang’s eyes. It was the moment when Hyeon-rang’s figure was reflected in his jet-black pupils.

Yi-eon’s pupils dilated.

‘…What?’

He was sensing an aura from the Golden Dragon Family Head that shouldn’t be there.

None other than the aura of his own kind.

“Yes, nice to meet… Ugh!”

It was then that Hyeon-rang suddenly clutched his chest.

“Dad! What’s wrong?”

“Father!”

“Father, are you alright?”

The three siblings of the Golden Dragon Family were greatly alarmed and rushed to Hyeon-rang. After managing his breathing from the sudden attack, Hyeon-rang straightened up again.

“I’m fine… I’m fine. I’ve been overworking myself lately with so much to do.”

Hyeon-rang forced a smile, but the children couldn’t easily feel reassured.

“We’ll take you to Uncle!”

“Let’s go, Father. Quickly!”

“Seo-yu, we’ll be back. You stay with your friend.”

“It’s not that serious.”

Hyeon-rang apologized to Yi-eon with a troubled expression.

“I’m sorry for showing you such an unpleasant sight, Yi-eon. I hope you have a wonderful time and return home safely.”

“…Yes. Thank you.”

“Let’s go, Dad! Hurry!”

“I said it’s fine. You’ll get hurt if you push.”

Soon the Twins firmly grasped Hyeon-rang’s hands from both sides and left the library. Seo-yu, who had been anxiously watching their retreating figures, spoke up.

“Um, Yi-eon. Can I go to the Medical Room for just a moment?”

“Of course. I’ll wait here, so you don’t need to worry about me, Seo-yu.”

“Thank you! I’ll be back quickly!”

Yi-eon nodded and sent Seo-yu off.

Left alone in the library, Yi-eon’s expression hardened stiffly.

At this very moment, only one thought was circling in his mind.

‘Why is the Golden Dragon Family Head under sorcery?’

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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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