The Beloved Baby Deer of the Hwangryong Family - Chapter 153

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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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“Oh, come to think of it, you said the Crystal Water Chamber was also a gift from the ancient Yeong-gwi!”

“That’s right. Aunt said that Yeong-gwi was someone who tried hard to benefit many beastfolk through sorcery.”

Li-han’s expression, which had softened momentarily while recalling old memories, hardened stiffly.

“Now that you’ve spit it all out, you’ll be fine.”

As she gently stroked Blackie’s back, a sudden thought occurred to her.

‘…Fine because he spit it out?’

Seo-yu’s head snapped up.

“Young Master Li-han, are there cases where objects are needed when casting sorcery?”

“There would be. They’re called mediums, tools that enhance power.”

“If what Miss Su-jeong fed me earlier was exactly that medium…”

Seo-yu’s eyes sparkled with hope.

“If I could make her spit it out, wouldn’t the sorcery be broken? Just like how Blackie spit out the dried persimmon!”

Li-han’s eyes widened.

It was possible. No, with Yeong-gwi nowhere to be found, it was the only solution.

If the medium was removed, the connection of sorcery bound to that aura would also be severed.

“That makes sense. Whatever it was, if she was forced to swallow it, it might not have been completely absorbed yet.”

“If I go to the Medicine Hall, I should be able to get medicine that induces vomiting. I’ll go get it.”

Seo-yu knew the layout of the Medicine Hall like the back of her hand. Dressed as a physician, there was no worry of arousing suspicion.

Li-han hesitated for a moment but soon nodded.

If he left his post, there was no telling what Nok Su-jeong might do in the meantime.

Moreover, it would be much faster for Seo-yu to go than to waste time searching for where the medicine was located in the Medicine Hall.

“Alright, then I’ll leave the medicine to you. I’ll keep watch to make sure that thing doesn’t try anything else.”

Li-han’s gaze turned coldly serious.

“Once you get the medicine, leave the feeding to me. I’ll handle it.”

His face showed a determination to fulfill his duty no matter what.

While grateful for his feelings, Seo-yu couldn’t completely shake her worry.

“But Elder Brother, emetics take quite a while to show effects. If the funeral ends before then, Miss Su-jeong might leave for the east.”

This was the most concerning part.

Once she returned to the Golden Dragon Family, it would become much harder to find another opportunity to act.

Seeing Seo-yu’s anxiety, Li-han spoke firmly.

“Don’t worry about that. That fake will never set foot on the Eastern Lands.”

“But how…”

“I have a way. I won’t let that thing take your place. You trust this elder brother, don’t you?”

“Yes, Elder Brother. I trust you.”

At Li-han’s confident voice, Seo-yu finally felt at ease.

“Then let’s hurry. Be careful.”

Li-han briefly squeezed Seo-yu’s shoulder, then quickly turned around.

In his retreating figure striding away, there was no longer any hesitation to be felt. Only the solemnity of a warrior going to face the fake remained.

Seo-yu watched until that reliable back completely disappeared from view, then steeled her resolve.

‘I need to hurry and get the medicine too.’

Before that, Seo-yu turned to the small life sitting on her shoulder.

She wanted to thank the friend who had provided the crucial clue.

“Thank you, Blackie. Thanks to you…”

But before she could even finish speaking, Seo-yu’s eyes widened in surprise.

“Huh? Where did he go?”

Blackie, who had been sitting quietly just moments before, had vanished without a trace.

She hadn’t even sensed when he had left his spot.

Seo-yu touched her now-empty shoulder and looked around with a bewildered expression.

* * *

At that moment, Yi-eon was watching the confused Seo-yu from a distance.

His cheeks were slightly flushed as he wiped the wet fur around his mouth from pretending to vomit.

‘I showed Seo-yu such an unsightly appearance.’

But now wasn’t the time to be embarrassed.

‘At least I conveyed the method…’

The Spirit Turtle’s Shell was originally not a medium but sorcery itself.

However, since the wicked deer lacked the power to utilize it, whoever gave them the shell seemed to have played a trick.

For Yi-eon, who knew the true identity of the fragment Seo-yu had swallowed, this was extremely fortunate.

‘But making her vomit up the shell won’t be easy.’

Just as a shadow always clings to its owner, the swallowed shell wouldn’t easily leave the body either.

Therefore, Yi-eon planned to secretly cast sorcery to help Su-jeong expel the shell more easily.

It was help that only he, as Yeong-gwi, could provide.

“He must have already returned to the forest.”

Seo-yu, who had been constantly looking around, sighed and took reluctant steps.

Yi-eon watched until her figure completely disappeared from view before finally turning around.

While Seo-yu went to get the medicine, he too had to do his part.

Yi-eon scurried along the wall to get to where Nok Su-jeong was.

Tap tap.

It was when he was stepping on roof tiles and leaping lightly.

Below the wall, Yi-eon spotted a man hurriedly heading somewhere.

‘Nok Su-gyu?’

Where could he be going without greeting the mourners when he was the chief mourner?

His pace was too fast for it to be simply stepping away briefly.

Yi-eon hesitated.

Originally, he should have followed Su-jeong, but an inexplicable chill grabbed his ankle.

He couldn’t explain the reason. But Yeong-gwi’s intuition was whispering that he shouldn’t let this pass.

After hesitating briefly, Yi-eon changed direction.

Poof!

With a small puff of smoke, the squirrel’s form disappeared, and in its place appeared a small black mouse.

Yi-eon, now a mouse, quietly followed behind Nok Su-gyu.

The place Nok Su-gyu arrived at wasn’t the courtyard bustling with mourners.

Avoiding people’s eyes, he headed to the deepest part of the Sarangchae, to the Separate Quarters where outsiders were forbidden to enter.

Standing before the tightly closed door, Nok Su-gyu straightened his attire, then bowed with the utmost respectful attitude.

“I am Nok Su-gyu of the Great Antlered Deer Family. I have only just received word of your visit.”

There’s someone inside.

Yi-eon, reading the situation, quickly climbed over the corridor window to escape outside and instantly transformed into a bird.

Then he flapped his wings and flew toward the separate quarters, settling gracefully on a tree branch closest to the window.

‘Just who could it be that he’s treating with such deference?’

Yi-eon’s black eyes narrowed as he carefully observed through the window.

He saw a man rising from his seat. The man immediately clasped his hands behind his back. He was a man whose arrogance seemed as natural as breathing.

Right after that, an intense color pierced into Yi-eon’s vision through the paper screen.

Vivid red hair that looked as if it had been formed by solidifying blazing flames.

It belonged to someone Yi-eon knew well.

The man from the Phoenix Family who had shown interest in Seo-yu and lingered around her had hair of that color.

‘It’s the Crown Prince.’

The Crown Prince of Jusang Kingdom, Gon A-hwil, was having a secret private meeting with Nok Su-gyu.

* * *

“I apologize for keeping you waiting, Your Highness.”

Nok Su-gyu clasped his hands together and bowed deeply with utmost courtesy.

Ahwol looked at Su-gyu and waved his hand dismissively with a nonchalant smile.

“Raise your head. I’m not unaware of how busy a family head must be, so don’t worry about it.”

“I am grateful for your ocean-deep magnanimity.”

As Su-gyu slowly straightened his back, Ahwol looked at him with his characteristic red eyes gleaming.

Those eyes held sympathy and regret.

“How great your grief must be at such sudden tragic news. I offer you my deepest condolences.”

“Thank you, Your Highness. I am overwhelmed that you understand the sorrow of a child who has lost his father.”

“Sa-ryeong-ryeong was truly an outstanding person. His service was so great that His Imperial Majesty was deeply saddened upon hearing the news. He told me to be sure to convey his sentiments to you.”

Each word from Ahwol made Nok Su-gyu’s heart swell with emotion.

To think that His Imperial Majesty personally sent the Crown Prince to offer condolences.

This was the family’s glory, and tantamount to the Imperial Family’s trust in him as the future family head.

‘Indeed, I was right.’

Nok Su-gyu composed his expression to hide his rising elation.

His father Nok Sa-pyeong had always been passive and overly cautious. Now that such a father had disappeared, the Imperial Family was finally taking notice of him.

This private meeting was the first step toward being recognized as the true family head.

‘Now the Great Antlered Deer Family is mine.’

While intoxicated by the sweetness of power, Ahwol suddenly seemed to remember something and rummaged inside his sleeve.

“Ah, His Imperial Majesty told me to give this to you.”

What Ahwol handed over was a palm-sized lacquered box.

With phoenix patterns elaborately embossed on its surface, it was clearly an imperial gift at first glance.

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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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