The Little Baby Snake of the Vermilion Bird Family - Chapter 94

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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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“I would have offered anything else if I could, but at the moment, this is the only thing I have that can truly show my sincerity.”
“The retainers must have objected.”
“Who would dare object? I am the Family Head.”
Ha Seolyeong spoke with fierce determination.
“Since ancient times, it has been said that one must never forget a kindness. Our Ha Clan never forgets our debts. Divine Lord, please accept this Phoenix Armor.”
As she pleaded so earnestly, Ju Jeokseo could no longer bring himself to refuse.
“If that is truly how you feel, I shall accept it with gratitude. However, I believe it would be best if you gave it to Yeon yourself.”
“Is the young lady alright? It has not been long since she recovered, and I worry that receiving a guest might worsen her condition…”
“She is fine. Seeing your face will bring her joy. Besides, there is something I wish to show you.”
He rose gracefully from his seat. Then, as he made to walk past the Ha couple, he paused and glanced back over his shoulder.
“What are you doing? Come along.”
“Ah, yes!”
Quickly gathering the Phoenix Armor, she followed in Ju Jeokseo’s wake. Ha Seolyeong’s Husband also silently trailed behind them.
The place Ju Jeokseo led them to was not the Detached Villa, but a small pavilion.
A little girl sat inside the structure, which was beautifully adorned with lotus motifs. Her hair, which had returned to its pure white state, fluttered in the breeze like silk threads.
That girl was the little baby dragon, Baeksa, who was currently the center of attention among all the Namto Beast-folk.
And right beside her…
“…Je-ui?!”
Ha Seolyeong gasped, her eyes widening in sheer astonishment at the sight of her daughter.
“I left both Je-ryu and Je-ui in the care of the servant girl, so when on earth did…!”
“It seems Je-ui threw a tantrum because she wanted to see Baeksa. And since Yeon welcomed her with open arms, here they are together.”
Instead of approaching Baeksa immediately, Ju Jeokseo and the Ha couple stayed back for a moment, watching the two children from a short distance away.
Baeksa and Je-ui were moving their tiny hands busily, engrossed in playing with something.
Upon closer inspection, it was a play string, a common pastime for young children in Namto.
The game involved weaving the string between one’s fingers to create various intricate patterns, and it happened to be one of Je-ui’s favorite hobbies.
As the sound of ringing laughter drifted over on the wind, a gentle smile graced Ju Jeokseo’s lips.
“She looks well, doesn’t she?”
“Yes, Divine Lord.”
“When she first arrived here, I truly thought she was a child who had completely forgotten how to smile. Her face held nothing but deep sorrow.”
He looked back on the days when Baeksa had first come to Namto.
A creature so frail and young—a tiny baby snake who might have lost her life had he been even a moment later.
Just looking at her filled his heart with profound pity and ache, but what cut him deepest was how she behaved as though there was no place for her in this world.
To be burdened with such heavy thoughts at an age when she should have been laughing and running around without a single care or worry.
That was why Ju Jeokseo had made a vow to himself, back when he still had no idea that Baeksa was his own niece.
He had resolved to foster this child for about ten years, ensuring she grew up cherished and whole, just like any ordinary child her age.
To laugh, to chatter, to cry when she was sad, and to throw tantrums when she was upset…
He wanted to restore those simple, ordinary things to her.
And now.
The baby dragon had taken a step closer to the very image Ju Jeokseo had dreamed of and longed to see.
“I cannot begin to tell you how proud I am of Yeon. How incredibly difficult must it be for a child that young to shake off such terrible memories and continue to grow?”
Now, Baeksa knew how to beam brightly, and she could voice the things she desired.
No one else would ever truly understand just how much courage that required of the little girl.
“Indeed, Divine Lord. Lady Baeksa is truly a remarkable and admirable soul.”
“I want you to keep a watchful eye on her, so she can continue to grow well without losing that bright smile.”
He offered a warm, gentle smile.
“Right now, the Namto Beast-folk revere Yeon as their savior because she rescued them, but will the same hold true if tragedy strikes Namto again in the future?”
Would they turn around and blame the baby snake simply because she carried the Emperor’s bloodline?
It was not because the Namto Beast-folk were inherently malicious or wicked by nature.
It was simply the way of the world.
When misfortune falls, it is always far easier to hate someone than to search for the root cause.
And while Baeksa was a perfect icon to praise, she was also an easy target to direct hatred toward. That was what weighed heavily on Ju Jeokseo’s mind.
“As long as that child can grow up with a bright and happy heart, I have nothing left to wish for.”
“Do not fret, Divine Lord. I, Seolyeong, will dedicate my entire being to serving and protecting the young lady.”
Quick on the uptake, Ha Seolyeong bowed her head deeply as she answered. He looked down at her and offered a soft, appreciative smile.
Then, turning his gaze back, he watched Baeksa once more.
The wound inflicted by the Ghost Dragon’s talons showed no signs of improvement. He had to layer two or three sheets of cloth over it just to hide the blood and fluid leaking from the unhealed injury.
‘It needs to mend.’
Only then could he hold down the fort until Yeon was fully grown, until Hwaring and Hwanya reached adulthood.
And until Myeongyeong made her safe return to this land of Namto.
Ju Jeokseo was the sole shelter and shade for this entire region. If those great wings of his were to vanish, the Namto Beast-folk would be left utterly adrift.
‘Siyeom told me to show the wound to Yeon, but…’
What if Yeon could not heal it?
If so, it would do nothing but plant another seed of needless worry inside the young girl’s heart.
A tangle of complicated thoughts clouded Ju Jeokseo’s mind before gradually fading away. He quietly watched the two laughing children for a moment longer, then turned back to Ha Seolyeong.
“Let us go and deliver your gift.”
***
“Wow, it’s so beautiful…”
Baeksa held the Phoenix Armor up against the sunlight, marveling at it.
Just a short while ago, Ha Seolyeong had come to fetch Je-ui and left this behind for her.
‘Lady Baeksa, I wish to present this Phoenix Armor to you.’
‘Pardon? To… to me?’
‘Yes, it is a token of gratitude for saving the two daughters of the Ha Clan. It would bring me immense joy if you would accept it without refusal.’
Perhaps worried that Baeksa might turn it down, the Family Head had deliberately omitted just how extraordinarily rare and precious the armor actually was.
Yet, even with a single glance, Baeksa could tell it was an invaluable treasure.
When caught in the sunlight, the fabric shimmered like the surface of a clear pond, and it was so impossibly light that it felt as though she were holding nothing at all.
To think that this was armor; she could not even fathom its true worth.
While she was deeply grateful for such a magnificent gift from the Ha Clan Head, something else brought the young girl even greater happiness.
‘Um, Family Head.’
‘Yes, my lady. Please speak freely.’
‘If it’s alright… could I play with Je-ui like this from time to time? This is… the very first time I’ve ever made a friend my own age. I want to meet up and spend time together sometimes.’
‘Of course, without a doubt. You are more than welcome to visit the Ha Clan Estate whenever you like. Je-ui’s playroom is absolutely packed with toys.’
‘She said I could go over to play!’
The time spent with Je-ui had been far more delightful than she could have imagined.
That clever girl knew so much more and could do so much more than Baeksa, who had only just stepped out into the wider world.
Yet, instead of putting on airs, she had kindly promised to teach her everything, one slow step at a time. The little girl could not contain her joy at those words.
Just then, a tiny bird came swooping into the pavilion with a sharp flutter of wings.
“Chirp, chirp, chirp!”
The little bird, whose crimson feathers had grown in quite beautifully, was none other than Hwaring.
Poof!
The moment he canceled his Beast Transformation mid-air, the young boy came tumbling down with a heavy thud right into Ju Jeokseo’s arms.
“Whoops!”
Undeterred by the sudden collision, Ju Jeokseo deftly caught the reverted Hwaring with practiced ease.
“You…”
Before the scolding could even leave his lips, Hwaring quickly wriggled out of Ju Jeokseo’s embrace and dashed over to Baeksa.
“Yeon, I heard you received the Phoenix Armor! Is it true?”
“Yes, it’s right here! The Ha Clan Head gave it to me as a gift.”
“Whoa, it really is! This is an incredibly rare and amazing treasure! Let’s try it on right now. Come on!”
Eyes sparkling with excitement, Hwaring admired the Phoenix Armor before swiftly tugging off the outer robe Yeon was wearing.
He then slipped the thin Phoenix Armor over her undergarments. As he wrapped the attached cords around her back and tied them off, the ribbons of the armor fluttered gracefully, resembling the celestial robes of a fairy.
Hwaring then lost no time in slipping Baeksa’s outer robe back over her shoulders.
“Wow! It suits you perfectly!”
The boy clapped his hands in sheer delight.
“Since you have it now, make sure to wear it under your clothes at all times. It’s so powerful that almost nothing will be able to hurt you while you have it on.”
“Hehe. Yes, brother!”
It was at that exact moment, as Ju Jeokseo watched the affectionate siblings with an indulgent, helpless smile, that it happened.
“…Ngh?”
A sudden, agonizing pain began to rip through his chest, right where his heart lay.
“Gasp…!”
Ju Jeokseo’s eyes flew wide as he tightly clutched his chest.

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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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