The Beloved Baby Deer of the Hwangryong Family - Chapter 142

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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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Each of the Four Spirits had their own symbol.

The Winged Dragon’s Orb.

The Qilin’s Horn.

The Phoenix’s Feather.

The Spirit Turtle’s Shell.

These symbols were the very source of the Four Spirits’ power.

Among them, the Spirit Turtle’s Shell, or carapace, was itself a powerful medium capable of performing sorcery.

The problem was that even those who weren’t Yeong-gwi could utilize their power through it.

Moreover, unlike the Dragon’s Wish-Fulfilling Orb that was always kept hidden, or the Qilin’s Horn and Phoenix’s Feather that could regrow even when cut or damaged, the shell did not regenerate and was far too openly exposed.

Fortunately, only the Yeong-gwi knew this fact.

Every Yeong-gwi entrusted their shell to the being they trusted most—family, close friends—before death.

They asked them to protect the shell that would remain in the world long after they met their death, so it wouldn’t be used by evil intentions.

Thus, Yi-eon also possessed a part of his Mother’s shell.

The rest of the shell had all been consumed to send Yi-eon Outside the Barrier, so this was now the only trace of his mother remaining in the world.

‘Mother, I’m sorry. I’ve ended up returning to the Northern Region after all.’

Yi-eon took out the shell fragment of his mother that he had treasured and held it tight.

‘But Mother, you said so yourself. The Yeong-gwi Clan is not guilty of any crime. If there are hidden truths, I want to uncover them all.’

And he placed that fragment down onto his shadow.

Swoosh—

As the shell fragment touched the shadow, black aura rose up.

The fragment melted into the shadow as if dissolving in water.

Soon Yi-eon’s shadow began to writhe, then separated from beneath his feet and started moving.

“….”

Yi-eon watched the scene while holding his breath.

The separated shadow glided toward the barrier.

The shadow paused briefly before the invisible wall, then disappeared as if seeping through the cracks of the barrier.

Yi-eon stood in place and waited.

How much time had passed?

The sun tilted, making the northern sky even darker.

That’s when it happened.

Swish—

Something could be seen approaching from far Beyond the Barrier.

It was Yi-eon’s shadow.

But that wasn’t all.

Behind his shadow, a much more massive shadow was following.

Yi-eon unconsciously took a step back.

The massive shadow approached slowly, yet imposingly.

A round, enormous shell darkened the surroundings. A long neck and tail undulated gracefully in the darkness.

Despite being a formless shadow, an overwhelming sense of intimidation could be felt.

With each movement, quiet yet powerful Divine Power stirred the air.

‘Yeong-gwi.’

Yi-eon immediately recognized his kinsman.

Yi-eon’s shadow escaped the barrier and returned to beneath his feet.

However, the massive shadow stopped within the barrier.

And slowly raised its head toward Yi-eon.

— This shell belongs to Sister Ji-an. Then you must be Sister’s son.

A low, deep voice echoed through Yi-eon’s mind.

“Yes. That is indeed my mother’s name.”

When Yi-eon answered, the shadow slowly began to change.

The massive Yeong-gwi form blurred and transformed into human shape.

Black hair and black eyes.

Up to that point, these were typical Yeong-gwi characteristics, so nothing special.

But Yi-eon unconsciously narrowed his eyes.

The cold, beautiful features of what appeared to be a man in his forties were strikingly familiar. A face that resembled him, and also resembled his mother.

Sharp jawline, deeply set eyes, firmly pressed lips.

Though his impression was cold, it was a face somehow steeped in sorrow.

“You couldn’t possibly be…”

“I am Sister Ji-an’s younger brother.”

“So you are indeed my uncle.”

Yi-eon let out a small sigh.

His mother had never properly told Yi-eon about their family.

But there was one story he heard just once before she died. She said she had been very close with her younger brother, and was sorry she couldn’t leave him any siblings.

The Yeong-gwi who had been gazing at Yi-eon as if longing for someone slowly opened his mouth.

“Seeing that you have the shell, Sister must have passed away.”

“Yes, she passed away five years ago.”

“I see, otherwise there would be no reason for such a long silence…”

His murmuring voice was quite bitter.

Yi-eon realized that he was searching for his mother in him.

However, the longing that had faintly appeared on his face that resembled his mother soon disappeared and returned to expressionlessness.

“Why have you returned to this land?”

The direct question was somewhat startling, but Yi-eon answered calmly.

“I discovered that some unknown clan member had cast a curse on the Golden Dragon Family Head. Do you know anything about this, Uncle?”

“Golden Dragon? And the Family Head at that?”

The Yeong-gwi’s voice immediately rose as he scowled fiercely.

“You’re saying you’ve formed ties with the Four Spirits? Sister surely would have told you not to get close to the Four Spirit Families!”

“Mother warned me countless times. However, a child who saved my life became an adopted daughter of the Golden Dragon Family. I became friends with that child.”

Though angry black eyes stared at him, Yi-eon continued without being intimidated.

“My friend’s father’s life is in danger, and this matter is related to our clan—how could I turn away?”

At those words, the Yeong-gwi snorted.

“His life is in danger, you say. Isn’t that a good thing.”

“Huh?”

Thinking he had misheard, he asked again, but the Yeong-gwi only opened his mouth once more.

“What do you think is the reason our Yeong-gwi lost their homeland and the north came to be treated as an exile land?”

“That is…”

What Yi-eon knew was that the Yeong-gwi had summoned the Four Evils to this land in order to become emperor.

As a result, they came to be ostracized as they were now.

But Uncle’s expression was too rigidly hardened to say it outright.

“When our clan was branded as traitors, was there even one among the Four Spirits who took our side?”

“…”

“Go back. And never think of seeking me out again for the same matter.”

Having finished speaking coldly, Uncle turned his back.

Who exactly was the Yeong-gwi that had cursed the Golden Dragon Family Head, and whose were those threads he had seen in the Shadow World that seemed to be controlling the Yeong-gwi.

There were many things he wanted to ask, but it seemed there wasn’t even time for that.

Finally, Yi-eon’s heart grew urgent and he shouted at the retreating back.

“Do you know about the Herb That Grows in Shadows?”

“…”

The Yeong-gwi who had hesitated slowly turned his head. Surprise could be felt from his profile.

Soon the Yeong-gwi who had squeezed his eyes shut spoke to himself.

“Seeing that you know that story, you really are Sister’s son.”

“What did you just say?”

He couldn’t hear the quiet voice so he asked again, but the Yeong-gwi didn’t answer.

Instead, he said this.

“Since you are Sister’s bloodline, I’ll give you just one last piece of advice.”

The Yeong-gwi who slowly opened his eyes looked directly at Yi-eon and spoke.

“Are you prepared to throw away everything of yourself to help those who have harmed you?”

“What do you mean…”

“If you don’t have that kind of resolve, don’t even think about looking for it. Because that thing is…”

The shape of his moving lips slowly blurred.

Slowly emerging from the memory and coming to his senses, he saw small hands waving back and forth in his vision.

“Yi-eon, are you okay?”

Seo-yu was looking up at him with a worried face.

“Oh, yeah. Sorry. I guess I got tired from coming back without resting properly. I dozed off a little.”

“What? You were tired enough to doze off while standing?”

Seo-yu made a tearful face and drooped her eyebrows.

“I’m sorry, Yi-eon. I didn’t realize and rushed you too much. Go rest first, and tell me later. I’ll get out of your way.”

And as she tried to hurry out, Yi-eon carefully stopped her.

“No, Seo-yu. I’ll tell you now. I want to.”

“Is that okay?”

Yi-eon smiled and nodded, then opened his mouth with difficulty.

“I’m sorry, but he said he doesn’t know anything right now. But he said he might ask other elders since they might know, so he told me to come back later.”

“Later?”

An anxious expression appeared on Seo-yu’s face.

It was a face that wanted to ask when exactly that would be.

Uncle’s voice echoed in his ears.

‘It is within you.’

Yi-eon thought he understood what that meant.

Probably, to find the medicinal herbs Seo-yu wanted, he would have to part ways with Seo-yu.

That was truly a sad thing. Yi-eon wanted to be friends with Seo-yu for a long time.

But for Seo-yu’s sake, he had no choice.

Besides, Uncle’s words were wrong.

‘Seo-yu isn’t one of the Four Spirits.’

Seo-yu was merely an adopted daughter of the Golden Dragon Family, with no direct connection to the Four Spirits. She had never harmed Yi-eon. Rather, she had helped him.

So now it was Yi-eon’s turn to help Seo-yu.

“So this winter…”

Yi-eon mentally calculated how long the Golden Dragon Family Head would maintain his peace.

And he corrected his answer.

“No, around next spring.”

The Golden Dragon Family Head would be safe until then.

So he too could stay with Seo-yu until that day came.

Perhaps he could visit Seo-yu’s household once more. This time, he might be welcomed even more than before.

Even though after that, he might never see her again.

‘As long as Seo-yu can be happy, I’ll be fine.’

Unlike him, who would continue to be alone, Seo-yu had plenty of family to spend countless days with.

Yi-eon hoped that Seo-yu, who had finally found happiness, would spend time laughing with them. For a very long time.

“I’ll go get the answer from the Northern Region next spring.”

“Really? Thank you, Yi-eon!”

Seo-yu smiled brightly. With just that one smile, Yi-eon felt his shadowed heart brighten.

“Yi-eon is such a good friend! Really.”

The heartfelt words were carved deep in Yi-eon’s chest.

‘Yes, I can remain as Seo-yu’s friend.’

Yi-eon earnestly hoped that Seo-yu would never know how much comfort that brought him.

* * *

“So, I’m really sorry…”

As Bi-neung slowly bowed her head in apology with a drawn-out creak, her body tilted forward in the blink of an eye with an “Eh?”

Seo-yu quickly caught Bi-neung and gently patted her shoulder.

“It’s okay, Bi-neung. You were thinking of me when you tried to ask Qilin Grandfather.”

Bi-neung had come to apologize to Seo-yu while telling her about what happened during the break.

There had been a reason why Bi-neung seemed uncomfortable ever since school started.

Seo-yu understood Bi-neung. There was nothing to forgive either.

Bi-neung hadn’t intentionally tried to expose her shameful secret, and now she didn’t even consider it shameful anymore, so there was no problem at all.

“Ah, is that why Grandfather told us all to come visit together?”

Seo-yu smiled brightly on purpose and pulled out a letter from her belongings to lighten the mood.

It was from Tae-heum, containing an invitation for her to come visit the Mountain Hut with her friends.

‘Maybe this will be the opportunity to show my friends my true self.’

On the day of the Festival, Su-jeong had called her a mutant and tried to reveal her identity. Seo-yu had been quite afraid of that.

But thinking about it again, there was no need to be scared. These were the horns that her beloved siblings had praised.

“Perfect timing! How about I tell the kids in class later, and we all go to the Mountain Hut together tomorrow?”

“I, think, that’s good….”

Bi-neung nodded her head in agreement.

Seo-yu decided she would no longer hide herself.

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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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