The Little Baby Snake of the Vermilion Bird Family - Chapter 36

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Episode 36
“The Spirit Treasure is the only tool that can detect Myeongyeong’s traces. And yet, you say it’s just a Spirit Treasure?”
“I, I…”
“You speak as though this child has stolen what belongs to you.”
Ju Jeokseo’s voice carried a bitter, freezing draft.
It was a tone far colder than the icy winds of the snowfield.
“This name is something this child won by her own hand. It was never yours to begin with.”
Glancing sideways.
Ahee peered toward a corner of the crowd before continuing, her expression twisted with grievance.
“But Family Head! If I had reached in, that name would have been mine!”
When she first arrived at the estate, Ahee had acted as though she couldn’t quite comprehend being Ju Myeongyeong’s biological daughter.
Yet as a day or two passed, she began behaving as if she indisputably held that bloodline.
It was as though the child knew exactly what kind of power being Myeongyeong’s daughter wielded within the Vermilion Bird Family.
‘I should have kept her in check back then.’
Ju Jeokseo stared down at Ahee, ignoring the throbbing headache behind his temples.
“No, names are not decided in such a manner. They are bestowed by the Divine Beast.”
His voice remained chillingly detached.
“The Divine Beast does not grant a single name to two different children. So cease this useless chatter.”
“Family Head…”
“This name belongs to this child.”
Cutting her off firmly, Ju Jeokseo turned his gaze toward Baeksa.
He gently stroked the head of the white snake, who had been waiting quietly, and then hoisted her high into his arms.
“The Divine Beast has bestowed a name upon this child.”
He spoke clearly, sweeping his eyes across the beast-kin gathered along the mid-mountain.
“From this day forward, the child’s name is Baekyan. Furthermore, I shall personally protect Yan until she is fully grown, so it would be wise for everyone to refrain from idle gossip.”
At Ju Jeokseo’s declaration, the beast-kin offered a delayed round of applause.
Those who had momentarily sympathized with Ahee cheered even louder now, desperate to hide the fact that they had agreed with her against Ju Jeokseo’s resolute stance.
Listening to the roaring cheers, Baeksa wrapped her arms tightly around Ju Jeokseo’s neck.
‘Baekyan.’
The newly acquired name resonated beautifully every time it was pronounced.
Baeksa blinked.
‘I have a name now.’
This was a name granted to her by the Divine Beast.
And it was an arrangement left behind by Ju Myeongyeong…
As her thoughts drifted there, she couldn’t help but worry about Ahee, who looked utterly scolded and disheartened.
While she had no intention of comforting the girl or giving the name away, she felt that Ahee’s words weren’t entirely devoid of truth.
If Ju Jeokseo hadn’t stepped in so quickly to resolve the situation, Baeksa might have surrendered the name or had it torn from her.
Reaching that conclusion, Baeksa squeezed her eyes shut.
‘Why do I hate the thought of that so much…?’
It seemed she truly was a selfish child.
Even after taking the residence, the name, and everything else that should have belonged to Ahee, she felt absolutely no desire to return them.
Of course, if she were forced to give them back, she would. She had been tending to the residence because she wanted to hand it over in its most beautiful state when the time came.
But the name was different.
This was the first thing she had ever truly possessed.
Before, being called a white snake was all she had.
Even that was a name she received only at the moment of her death.
Ahee had no inkling of what it felt like to live through two lifetimes burdened by such a moniker.
This sentiment belonged entirely to Baeksa.
It was an emotion only she could harbor and comprehend.
Baeksa blinked.
Ahee had to be Ju Myeongyeong’s real daughter.
Suddenly, thoughts of a mother whose face and name she didn’t even know flashed through her mind.
What kind of person was my mother?
How did she happen to meet my Imperial Father?
Did my mother… love me?
While Baeksa was lost in thought, Ju Jeokseo beamed and looked down at the child.
“Yan.”
“Yes, Family Head.”
“It suits you beautifully, as if it were your name from the very beginning.”
Ju Jeokseo whispered, gently brushing the girl’s bangs aside.
Hwaryeong dashed over and extended his hand, softly clasping Baeksa’s.
“Baekyan! Yan! Congratulations on receiving your name!”
The boy gripped her hand tightly, offering a bright grin.
“We’re truly a family now, because you’ve received your name!”
Doeui caught hold of her other hand.
“You were shaking like a little puppy earlier, but you went up there and did perfectly without a single tremble.”
“Hehe…”
Baeksa offered a sunny smile, lowering her eyes shyly.
Yet on the other hand, she remained concerned about Ahee, who had been screaming and throwing a tantrum just moments ago.
Ahee was already receiving comfort from the Song Clan Head. Song Hyun could be seen patting Ahee on the back.
Hwaryeong must have noticed that sight as well, because he pouted and muttered under his breath.
“That girl doesn’t understand the importance of a Spirit Treasure because she grew up in the outside world. A Spirit Treasure recognizes its true master. It’s bizarre that it hasn’t reacted to her yet.”
“Hwaryeong, refrain from such remarks in public.”
Ju Jeokseo gently admonished his son.
The grumbling Hwaryeong nodded obediently.
***
“It’s strange, Elder!”
Having moved to a secluded spot with Song Hyun, Ahee spoke with a distorted expression.
“You told me the Spirit Treasure would react to me. You said it wouldn’t respond to anyone else!”
He had insisted on that point ever since Song Hyun first laid out this entire plan.
“I do not know why that piece of junk failed to respond either.”
Song Hyun shook his head.
It wasn’t an excuse meant to gloss over the situation.
He genuinely had no idea why the Spirit Treasure had remained dormant.
‘It should have reacted by now.’
The Spirit Treasure was explicitly designed to recognize Ahee.
So why on earth did it fail to stir?
“I shall look further into the matter, so ensure you watch your behavior.”
“But I…”
“Think intelligently! That snake wench is currently receiving unprecedented favor within the Vermilion Bird Family. Turning her into an enemy right now yields no benefit… No, wait.”
As he quietly reprimanded Ahee, Song Hyun’s narrow eyes suddenly gleamed with sharp malice.
“No, try this instead.”
“Try what?”
“Do exactly as I tell you without any backtalk. If you do, the beast-kin gathered here will take your side.”
Song Hyun whispered into Ahee’s ear.
Ahee nodded slowly.
He gave a final warning.
“But you must play it smart. A foolish attempt will only result in digging your own grave…”
***
Even after Baeksa received the name Baekyan, the Divine Beast Festival carried on.
The beast-kin merrily enjoyed the banquet, knowing such a festival wouldn’t return for another five years. As the atmosphere grew livelier, some began showing an interest in the baby snake.
“Young Lady Baekyan is truly adorable.”
“Yan takes after me, which is why she’s so cute.”
Ju Jeokseo replied as if it were an obvious fact, though the comment left Yan feeling rather embarrassed.
‘Still, I’m glad I’m not too terrified of meeting unfamiliar beast-kin.’
It wasn’t as frightening as she had feared.
Of course, she had been a bit flustered when Ahee threw her tantrum…
As Baekyan reflected on this, she turned her head to scan the surroundings.
‘I don’t see Ahee.’
Oddly enough, Ahee had been missing from sight for a while now.
Where could she have gone?
Just as the girl was searching for her.
Toss.
Someone dropped a small note onto Yan’s lap and walked away.
Yan lifted her head to see who had delivered it, but the person had already vanished into the crowd, leaving no trace.
“What is this?”
The girl unfolded the note.
[I want to apologize to you. Come secretly to the back.]
The handwriting was crooked and uneven.
It was a note from Ahee!
‘She wants to apologize.’
Despite likely feeling hurt and miserable over thinking her name was stolen, was she actually trying to offer an apology?
Yan cautiously rose from her seat and headed toward the location where Ahee was waiting.
“Hey, brat, where are you…!”
“Hold on.”
Hwaryeong tried to call out to stop Yan, but Doeui checked his movement.
Even so, the deserted area still felt a bit frightening, causing her to hesitate for a moment as she approached the designated spot.
Yank!
Someone suddenly grabbed Yan by the arm and pulled her forward. Yan’s eyes widened in sheer surprise.
It was Ahee.
Ahee dragged Yan deeper into the secluded space. Yan tried to struggle weakly, having never intended to come this far, but it was futile.
Only when they reached a completely deserted area did Ahee finally release her grip.
“You’re a really bad person, you know that?”
Ahee panted with rage.
“The things you possess, the things you wear—all of it was originally supposed to be mine. Why does the Family Head dote on you more than me, when I’m Myeongyeong’s actual daughter?”
Yan found herself completely speechless.
As Ahee unleashed her fury, Yan felt a wave of sorrow, realizing it wasn’t a situation she could simply smooth over with reckless comfort.
Still, believing that an apology would be best, she opened her mouth to speak.
“Um, Ahee…”
Poof!
Ahee suddenly transformed into a tiny white bird right before Yan’s eyes.
Then, she began furiously plucking out her own feathers with her small beak.
Startled by the horrific sight, Yan lunged forward to hold her back.

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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