The Beloved Baby Deer of the Hwangryong Family - Chapter 57

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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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‘If you’re not feeling unwell, would you like to visit Cheongmyeong Valley?’

 

‘Cheongmyeong Valley?’

 

‘It’s a canyon located next to the Dragon Palace, where many mystical medicinal herbs grow.’

 

Eun-ho took the first step forward.

 

“Let’s go.”

 

“Yes!”

 

Meanwhile, inwardly he couldn’t understand himself.

 

‘Why on earth am I doing this?’

 

Seo-yu, who hadn’t been like this until yesterday, looked so depressed that he had unconsciously made the suggestion, but now that he was actually going out alone with Seo-yu, this situation felt extremely awkward.

 

‘What does it matter to me whether that child is depressed or not.’

 

Rather, he should be pleased if she showed a poor state, but it was simply absurd.

 

Then, Seo-yu asked hesitantly.

 

“Eun-ho, are you perhaps busy? Am I being a bother?”

 

At her voice that still sounded listless, Eun-ho temporarily set aside his thoughts.

 

“The Azure Dragon Family has quite a few servants. As for my work, I’ve already finished it all.”

 

In truth, there was still work his sister had asked him to do, but for some reason he felt reluctant to leave Seo-yu alone and had hurried back.

 

‘Such pointless behavior…’

 

Eun-ho clicked his tongue secretly but didn’t stop guiding her.

 

“I’ll use Beast Transformation to go, so please ride the turtle.”

 

“Thank you.”

 

He had Seo-yu ride the turtle he had called in advance, then headed toward Cheongmyeong Valley.

 

How long had they traveled following the winding currents?

 

The two arrived at Cheongmyeong Valley.

 

“Wow!”

 

Seo-yu unconsciously let out an exclamation.

 

Cheongmyeong Valley was truly a mystical place. When she heard the word canyon, she had imagined cliffs similar to those on land, but it was more like a massive underwater cave.

 

However, there was no ceiling, and it was split wide open on both sides, so it didn’t feel stuffy. Instead of sky, the light of the sea poured down directly, making it extraordinarily beautiful.

 

“It’s like coming to another world…”

 

Seo-yu looked around in a daze.

 

Seaweed with transparent leaves that couldn’t be seen on land, coral bearing fruit that sparkled like jewels, aquatic creatures swaying like dancers following the currents.

 

It was truly a space filled with all kinds of vitality.

 

‘Maybe the friend Seollin mentioned might be here!’

 

When Eun-ho first mentioned Cheongmyeong Valley, she had simply wanted to see more medicinal herbs, but now that she had actually arrived at Cheongmyeong Valley, she felt hopeful.

 

‘Among all the water I’ve seen since coming to the Dragon Palace, the water here seems the cleanest and clearest.’

 

The water pooled between the canyon walls was as clear as crystal. It was so transparent that it felt like standing in air rather than water.

 

“Cheongmyeong Valley has been an area managed by the Azure Dragon Family since ancient times.”

 

Eun-ho explained.

 

“It’s a place where just anyone cannot enter freely, but since you are Master Hyeon-ya’s disciple, I’m giving you a special tour.”

 

“Thank you, Eun-ho.”

 

A smile spread across Seo-yu’s face for the first time.

 

“You already showed me the medicinal herb shop on the first day, and now you’re showing me such a wonderful place again.”

 

“….”

 

He only thought he had done something unnecessary, but seeing Seo-yu so grateful made him feel not so bad after all.

 

Besides, Seo-yu was clearly Hyeon-ya’s disciple. Helping Seo-yu was the same as helping the respected Hyeon-ya.

 

‘Right, this is also for Hyeon-ya’s sake.’

 

Eun-ho convinced himself this way, without realizing that he had unconsciously acknowledged Seo-yu as Hyeon-ya’s disciple.

 

“Are all those seaweeds over there used as medicinal materials?”

 

Seo-yu asked with sparkling eyes. Her gloomy appearance had completely disappeared without a trace.

 

“Most of them are. Though there are some whose effects we haven’t accurately identified yet.”

 

“There are so many herbs that aren’t in the books!”

 

If that was the case, the possibility of finding the friend Seollin mentioned was even higher.

 

‘Since both Snow Scale Flower and Jeongdam Herb look different from ordinary herbs, it would be better to examine the unusual herbs, right?’

 

Seo-yu pointed to a mysterious herb that had caught her eye from earlier.

 

“Eun-ho, what is that sparkling thing between those rocks?”

 

“That’s Crystal Herb. It has the effect of cleansing the turbid energy within the body.”

 

“Amazing! It looks just like a jewel.”

 

It looked truly mystical, but if it was an already known herb, it wouldn’t be Dragon Spirit Herb.

 

Seo-yu turned her gaze here and there, asking about another herb.

 

“Then do you happen to know what that herb that looks like a lotus over there is?”

 

“That’s Sea Lotus. Its effect is….”

 

Eun-ho answered each question without showing any sign of annoyance.

 

Just as the herb Q&A between Seo-yu and Eun-ho was continuing in earnest.

 

From far away, a turtle came waddling toward Eun-ho.

 

The turtle eventually transformed into a human and bowed to Eun-ho. Eun-ho wasn’t particularly surprised, as if he knew this beast-person.

 

“O-byeol, what’s the matter?”

 

“Eun-ho, Sa-rin is looking for you regarding Red Dragon Family matters.”

 

“Red Dragon Family… Ah.”

 

Eun-ho, who had been puzzled, recalled that his mother had previously told him about a marriage proposal coming from the second daughter of the Red Dragon Family.

 

It seemed his sister, the Young Family Head, remembered this and was trying to arrange a meeting.

 

Eun-ho looked at Seo-yu, who was examining various parts of Cheongmyeong Valley with consistently bright eyes.

 

Since he had brought her here, they should return together, but if he asked her to go back now, she would likely be greatly disappointed.

 

“Wait a moment.”

 

“Yes.”

 

Leaving O-byeol behind, Eun-ho approached Seo-yu and explained the situation.

 

“Ah… Then I should go back with you too, right?”

 

Sure enough, Seo-yu’s eyebrows drooped.

 

Eun-ho pondered for a moment, then made a suggestion.

 

“How about I go to the Dragon Palace alone and you look at the herbs a little longer?”

 

“Wow! Would that be okay?”

 

“This place has a barrier that prevents unauthorized aquatic creatures from entering freely. Since no one from the palace comes looking here, there shouldn’t be any danger.”

 

“Then I’ll ask that favor of you, Eun-ho!”

 

Seo-yu smiled with a brightened face. Eun-ho had to turn his gaze away because that face seemed to shine just like Crystal Herb.

 

* * *

 

Returning to the Dragon Palace, Eun-ho immediately went to find Sa-rin, the Young Family Head.

 

“Sister, I heard you called for me.”

 

“Eun-ho, you’re here. The second daughter of the Red Dragon Family has just arrived, so it would be good if you went personally to show your face and exchange greetings.”

 

“Yes. I’ll do that.”

 

Sa-rin gestured with her eyes toward one side of the banquet hall.

 

Indeed, he could see a red-haired girl with a demure impression waiting by a pillar. She seemed to be around the same age as Eun-ho.

 

Eun-ho approached and offered his greeting.

 

“It’s my first time meeting you. I’m called Cheong Eun-ho.”

 

“I’m Jeok Ja-yun. It’s nice to meet you like this.”

 

Her neat appearance and polite greeting seemed decent enough, but Eun-ho didn’t feel any particular interest.

 

A few more courteous exchanges followed, but they didn’t continue for long.

 

“Then I hope you enjoy the banquet.”

 

“Yes, you too, Eun-ho.”

 

After the brief meeting ended, Eun-ho walked around the banquet hall fulfilling his role.

 

Exchanging greetings with guests, checking if there were any inconveniences, and even handling cleanup to ensure the banquet proceeded smoothly.

 

Then he encountered Li-han.

 

“Elder Brother Li-han.”

 

“Oh, Eun-ho. I haven’t seen you since earlier, where have you been?”

 

Li-han was heading toward the banquet hall entrance. It seemed he was going to see Seo-yu.

 

“I went to Cheongmyeong Valley with Miss Seo-yu.”

 

“With Seo-yu? Her health isn’t good, so how could she go out…”

 

Li-han trailed off with a somewhat surprised expression.

 

Eun-ho quickly added more before Seo-yu could be misunderstood.

 

“I happened to meet her in the corridor and she said she was feeling better. I thought a change of mood would be good, so I guided her there.”

 

“I see. Thank you, Eun-ho. You’ve been very considerate.”

 

A look of relief crossed Li-han’s face.

 

“I was actually worried and on my way back to check on her. It’s fortunate that you took good care of her. Has she returned to her quarters now?”

 

“No. She’s still looking around Cheongmyeong Valley. She wanted to see more.”

 

“Haha, she’s really passionate about medicinal herbs. I’ll have to go pick her up later. Eun-ho, you’re quite mature.”

 

Eun-ho felt embarrassed by the kind praise. He hadn’t taken Seo-yu to Cheongmyeong Valley with such deep consideration.

 

“Eun-ho, please continue to be a good friend to Seo-yu. She’s really a kind child, so you won’t regret it. I want to treat her even better since she went through something unfortunate because of me.”

 

“…”

 

Eun-ho’s mouth closed tightly. He felt as if his unfavorable feelings toward Seo-yu had been discovered.

 

Li-han playfully narrowed his eyes.

 

“Just in case, I’m telling you not to fall for her.”

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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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