The Dragon Family’s Beloved Baby Cat - Chapter 86

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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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Chapter 86

The Grand Hall fell silent.

The cry that burst forth like a desperate scream at what everyone thought was the end of the situation startled everyone.

All eyes turned to Jin Wonbaek.

As if overwhelmed by the old general’s imposing presence, no one could easily open their mouth.

“…What do you mean, Master Seon?”

The Emperor asked in a low voice.

“That we cannot end this matter.”

“Your Majesty.”

Jin Wonbaek took something out from his robes.

An object of black ash clumped together in the shape of a seed. It was the evidence Moa had given him.

“This is the remains left by the demon.”

Murmurs arose among the subjects.

Jin Wonbaek held the object up high for all to see.

“These are traces of forbidden arts. My clever granddaughter braved her fears and personally retrieved this. I believe that if we investigate this, we will be able to find the culprit.”

Even in this situation, Jin Wonbaek meticulously boasted about his granddaughter’s intelligence.

The Emperor’s face, on the other hand, turned slightly pale.

It was a trace of the goblin needle forbidden art he had created.

‘I had no idea such things would remain…!’

He had always properly retrieved the demons, and since he had never seen them die, he didn’t know such evidence would be left behind.

If they investigated that, the source of the forbidden arts might be revealed.

At least it was fortunate that forbidden arts once released from one’s hands could not identify the caster.

“…We shall investigate thoroughly.”

The Emperor said through gritted teeth.

He had no choice but to give that answer.

If he refused, it would be like admitting he was the culprit.

“A wise decision, Your Majesty.”

Jin Wonbaek bowed his head, not hiding the light of victory.

The Emperor felt humiliated and bit the tender flesh inside his cheek until he tasted blood.

‘Ugh…!’

Once again, a terrible pain arose as if his stomach was being twisted.

His malicious feelings toward the Jinryong Clan and Danhwi boiled over.

“Your Majesty, I have one more request.”

“…Speak.”

“For the stability of the spirit in the future, please refrain from summoning my granddaughter.”

The Emperor’s eyes narrowed.

“…What do you mean?”

“My granddaughter was attacked by a demon in the Imperial Palace.”

Jin Wonbaek’s voice lowered.

“If Crown Prince had not risked his life to protect her, my granddaughter would have died.”

“…”

“My granddaughter is like a light that appeared in the days before my eternal rest. This old man’s heart can no longer bear such shocks.”

Jin Wonbaek bowed deeply.

“When the late Emperor was alive, I served as the military governor and grand commander in charge of the northern frontier, devoting my loyalty and accumulating countless merits. Privately, I was a close friend of the late Emperor, and publicly, I was recognized for never once bearing responsibility for defeat, so the late Emperor said, ‘I will surely grant you one wish.’ My only wish is for the peace of my family and the safety of the children.”

At Jin Wonbaek’s earnest words, backed by his undeniable record, the Emperor’s face hardened while the other elderly subjects seemed moved.

In any case, the conclusion was not to touch his family and grandchildren.

Especially Moa. He was saying he hoped the Emperor would not keep summoning and using the child in the future.

“Please grant this request.”

The Emperor gritted his teeth.

He desperately wanted to strike down the old man who dared to speak words like threats.

But he had no justification to refuse.

After all, Moa had been put in danger because of the demon he had created.

Moreover, when he was talking about patriotic loyalty, refusing here would only make the Emperor look like the bad guy.

Even between subject and emperor, propriety must be observed.

“…Very well. I grant it.”

“Your grace is boundless.”

Jin Wonbaek bowed his head.

And then he spoke again.

“However, I am truly grateful for Crown Prince’s life-saving grace. Therefore, please allow at least correspondence so my granddaughter can repay this kindness.”

The Emperor’s brow furrowed.

“Also, if my granddaughter could meet His Highness, it would be even better if her brothers could accompany her and become His Highness’s friends.”

“…What?”

The Emperor’s voice sharpened.

“Are you asking me to assign friends to the Crown Prince?”

“I heard His Highness has no friends of his age.”

Jin Wonbaek said calmly.

“As repayment for the life-saving grace, my granddaughter and her brothers wish to become His Highness’s companions.”

“…Hmm.”

“Kindness must always be repaid, so wouldn’t it be good if Master Sayeom who helped fight the demon alongside His Highness, our children, and Crown Prince all became friends?”

The Emperor’s insides boiled with rage.

If he agreed, it would mean Danhwi would gain allies.

But if he refused.

‘Rumors that I abuse Danhwi would spread.’

Moreover, the justification was good.

It wasn’t that the entire Jinryong Clan supported the Crown Prince, but that they wanted to become friends because they owed him a life debt, so there was no reason to refuse.

Furthermore, seeing how he even mentioned Saem Lin to take care of her, it seemed to mean not to retaliate just because things didn’t go his way.

‘Damn, damn, damn!’

The subjects were already watching.

If he refused even the repayment when the Crown Prince had risked his life to save a child.

“…Fine. I grant it.”

The Emperor said through gritted teeth.

“Your grace is boundless, Your Majesty. As it happens, my grandsons have regained their lost water powers, so as pillars worthy of continuing my legacy of loyalty to future generations, they will devote themselves with all their might.”

Jin Wonbaek bowed his head.

A faint smile hung on his lips.

The Grand Hall stirred.

“Water powers?”

“I heard they had lost their abilities, what tremendous good fortune.”

“The Jinryong Clan will become even stronger.”

The Emperor’s face hardened like stone.

It wasn’t just assigning two boys to Danhwi.

If two ability users with water powers became Danhwi’s friends.

It would be difficult to carelessly touch Danhwi in the future.

‘This old man…!’

It felt like his insides were turning upside down.

Following Jin Wonbaek and Jin Saheon, the second generation Unparalleled Under Heaven, if the third generation successors had also regained their bloodline powers.

Now he truly could not carelessly touch the Jinryong Clan.

A few years ago, after secretly trapping Jin Wonbaek who knew nothing, he thought everything was going well…

‘Ever since that detestable little child entered the picture, it feels like everything is slipping through my fingers.’

The Emperor bit his lips, feeling stomach pain as if his solar plexus was being stabbed with a knife.

“…What good fortune. I hope they will become the Crown Prince’s loyal friends.”

The Emperor forced a smile.

“I am deeply grateful, Your Majesty.”

Jin Wonbaek’s eyes held a warning light.

Not to carelessly touch the Jinryong Clan.

“…Everyone withdraw.”

The Emperor spoke in a weary voice.

“Your grace is immeasurable.”

Jin Wonbaek and Jin Saheon bowed their waists.

Danhwi also obediently lowered his head. Before leaving the Grand Hall, Danhwi’s eyes met the Emperor’s.

The Emperor’s eyes were filled with anger and suspicion.

In contrast, Danhwi’s eyes held only composure.

‘Don’t worry, Dan Hyeonwoo. Everything will proceed according to the natural order.’

Danhwi muttered to himself as he left the Grand Hall.

As the door closed, the Emperor’s face contorted.

“Ugh, urgh, ugh… Taeeui, call the Taeeui immediately!”

The Emperor clutched his tearing stomach and shouted sharply at the eunuch.

***

As the sun began to set.

The Emperor summoned Rin separately.

“Saem Lin.”

The Emperor’s voice sank coldly.

“You must know what you’ve done.”

Rin knelt down.

She answered with her head bowed.

“…Your Majesty.”

“Try making an excuse.”

Sparks flew from the Emperor’s eyes.

“I’ll listen to your excuse and decide whether to tear you apart alive or after killing you.”

Rin remained silent for a moment.

Then she opened her mouth calmly.

“Have you seen the extent of His Highness the Crown Prince’s injuries?”

“…”

“He was said to have hovered between life and death. Even the Imperial Guards could not deny this.”

Rin continued speaking with her head bowed.

“To say he summoned a demon while injured to that extent…”

At Rin’s words, the Emperor’s face contorted.

“The story simply doesn’t add up, and no motive has been revealed. So if I had falsely accused him, it would have backfired instead.”

The Emperor’s brow furrowed.

It was a reasonable point.

The fact that Danhwi had hovered between life and death was something even the Emperor didn’t know.

He hadn’t thought that the boy would risk his own life to protect a girl who wasn’t even blood-related.

It would certainly be unreasonable to insist that a child injured to that extent had summoned a demon himself.

“…Fine.”

The Emperor gritted his teeth.

“Let’s say you’re right.”

“…”

“But where should I vent this anger?”

The Emperor’s eyes blazed.

“The Jin girl. I’ll have to take my frustration out on her at least.”

Rin slightly raised her head.

While maintaining the most expressionless face possible so the Emperor wouldn’t hear her heartbeat.

“…Your Majesty. How about summoning her through Saryeom House?”

The Emperor’s eyes narrowed.

“…What do you mean?”

“The Jinryong Clan will not want to send their granddaughter to the Imperial Palace immediately.”

Rin spoke carefully.

“But if it’s through Saryeom House…”

Rin smiled faintly.

“Don’t you know well what our clan possesses? I will bring her personally.”

The Emperor stared intently at Rin.

His gaze was suspicious.

But nothing could be read from Rin’s expression.

“…Good.”

The Emperor nodded.

“I’ll leave it to you. This is your last chance.”

“I am deeply grateful, Your Majesty.”

Rin bowed her head deeply.

***

Rin, who had come to a place where the Emperor couldn’t see her, muttered to herself.

‘Moa.’

A complex light appeared in her eyes.

‘I have something to tell you.’

The truth about Saryeom House.

How the Head of the Manor sold the clan to the Emperor.

And even Rin’s own story.

‘It’s time to reveal everything now.’

Rin looked up at the sky as she left the Imperial Palace.

The sun was setting.

The red sunset stained the sky like blood.

‘With this gamble, finally. I too will buy my freedom.’

A resolute smile appeared on Rin’s lips.

It was somehow bitter and salty, a bittersweet smile.

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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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