The White Tiger Clan’s Baby Cotton Ball - Chapter 212

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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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Part 2, Chapter 4

Living beings that exist on earth are divided into three types: beastkin, beasts, and demon beasts.

In the beginning, all living creatures on the continent had the form of beasts.

Then one day, fragments of joy shed by the heavenly god fell to earth, and their influence gave rise to new beings—the ‘beastkin.’

Born in a form resembling the heavenly god, they possessed intelligence unlike ordinary beasts, formed their own communities, created order and rules, and eventually established nations.

They could also transform into beast forms through ‘beast transformation,’ and each family awakened hereditary abilities passed down through their bloodlines, using these powers to subjugate the beasts.

Thus, the beasts of Taehwa Kingdom had long lived under the order of beastkin society, though occasionally some individuals would break free from beastkin rule.

These were the black beasts born under the influence of evil, also called ‘demon beasts.’

Like the beastkin, they originally had beast forms, but under evil’s influence, they lost their reason and became violent beings.

“…When you say the beasts have broken free of control, are you concerned about demon beast transformation?”

Saeon asked in a stiffly subdued voice.

Demon beast transformation.

This wasn’t limited to beasts alone.

Since beastkin were originally beings derived from beasts, the potential damage from demon beast transformation couldn’t be ignored.

“Of course, I hope it’s just my unfounded worry. I haven’t been able to directly confirm the beasts that broke free of control. When I rushed there after receiving the report, only rotting corpses remained.”

“…”

Saeon fell into thought with an even more serious expression.

As the Jeok Family Head said, it would be best if it were just unfounded worry, but if demon beast transformation was really occurring somewhere, it would be a very serious matter.

And in fact, strange phenomena had begun occurring in the Western Lands recently as well.

The water in the Western Lands was gradually drying up, and even the climate was becoming unstable.

Fortunately, Cheongha, who possessed wood abilities, was tending to the crops in the Western Lands…

Thanks to that, while it wasn’t noticeable yet, the pace was gradually accelerating, so it would soon become visible.

It would be good if this were just a brief, temporary anomaly, but what if it was related to the disaster in the Southern Lands?

“…I’ll need to request His Majesty for a meeting of the three great families.”

“I heard the White Family Head will be visiting the Imperial Palace soon. And the Azure Dragon Family Head will also be present. I’ll join that gathering as well.”

“Good. Then let’s proceed with that matter accordingly.”

Saeon exhaled briefly, dispelling the heavy atmosphere, and sent a proper welcome in his blunt voice.

“Though the lady of the house is absent, White Tiger Palace welcomes guests. Let’s meet again at the dinner banquet shortly.”

“Thank you, Family Head.”

After finishing their conversation, Sanyu was about to leave but suddenly turned back to look at Saeon.

“White Family Head.”

“Do you still have something to say?”

At the indifferent question, he smiled brightly and said,

“I realize I haven’t said the most important thing yet.”

“The most important thing…?”

“Thank you for raising Soya into such a wonderful young lady. This is a greeting I should have given three years ago, but I couldn’t do so then because I had to leave the Imperial Palace due to sudden family troubles.”

A pause.

At Soya’s name flowing from Sanyu’s lips, Saeon straightened his posture and looked at him.

“Thank you for giving Soya love, for being her reliable and solid refuge. I’m truly grateful.”

Just moments ago, while conversing with Soya, Sanyu had suddenly realized that the ‘mother’ he remembered and the ‘mother’ his sister remembered were different people.

The emotions that surged at that moment were so disappointing and sorrowful.

Though he knew intellectually that the refuge protecting Soya and the refuge he belonged to were different, it seemed his heart hadn’t accepted it.

Only after visiting White Tiger Palace did Sanyu come to fully accept that Soya was a person of the White Tiger Family.

Seeing Soya’s clear face as she worried about the Madam of White Tiger Palace, seeing the sharp gazes of the Young Masters of White Tiger Palace as they watched him warily, he finally acknowledged it with his whole heart.

Though it was quite sad, this was an emotion he dared not show in front of Soya.

“The new head of the Jeok family says quite strange things.”

Saeon responded in a cold tone without any warmth.

“Soya is my daughter, so why should I hear such words from the Jeok Family Head?”

Saeon’s sharp attitude was quite similar to what the Young Masters of White Tiger Palace had shown him.

From that guarded tone, Saeon’s feelings toward Soya were so clearly felt.

“Haha. The White Family Head is right. I spoke unnecessarily.”

Sanyu was able to smile happily.

* * *

After finishing dinner and chatting for a long time with Sanyu, whom she hadn’t seen in a while, Soya returned to her room a bit later than usual.

Actually, she wanted to continue their unfinished conversation with her elder brother until dawn, but she was no longer a child—she was now a proper seventeen-year-old, so she couldn’t act so childishly.

“Growing up isn’t entirely good, is it, Chirpy?”

When Soya asked with a small smile, the skylark playing on the window frame nodded its head with chirping sounds.

Chirpy was already eight years old. For a skylark, it was unusually long-lived, and it still had good stamina.

The important thing was that neither Soya nor Chirpy were the baby birds who used to excitedly fly around White Tiger Palace anymore.

On Soya’s desk, the flowers she had picked with Gayul during the day were beautifully arranged.

Looking at them, Soya took out writing materials and wrote two letters.

One was to be sent to her second elder brother, Ga Hyeon.

Ga Hyeon had advanced to the Central Region and become an official immediately after his coming-of-age ceremony two years ago.

She couldn’t describe how surprised she was when he suddenly declared he would leave White Tiger Palace.

It was extremely unusual for a direct descendant of the four great families to voluntarily serve the Emperor and advance to the Central Region.

Ga Hyeon had passed the civil service examination under an anonymous name without his family’s backing, and was now said to be making a name for himself among the renowned officials of the Central Region.

While she was proud of such an elder brother, it was true that she missed him being so far away.

However, Soya was no longer the young child who couldn’t accept her first separation from a childhood friend and burst into tears.

Becoming an adult meant understanding that one might temporarily part from precious people to walk one’s own path.

Therefore, while Soya missed being apart from Ga Hyeon, she could smile and support his independence.

Ga Hyeon visited White Tiger Palace once or twice a month to see his family so Soya wouldn’t feel his absence, and they also exchanged letters like this from time to time.

After finishing the letter to Ga Hyeon, Soya brought forward another sheet of paper she had spread out beside it.

This was a letter to be sent to another person in the Central Region.

[But, Your Majesty, perhaps later, much later.]

Now already three years ago, at the Imperial Palace during Gaya’s victory celebration banquet.

[When I want to come to where Your Majesty is, would it be alright for me to fly to Your Majesty then?]

[Anytime. And for as long as you wish.]

To her courageous question, His Majesty had smiled and answered thus.

Actually, it was an absolute secret from Father and her elder brothers, but trusting only in that promise, Soya had once gone to find Irim.

It was during the winter two years ago.

News had reached the Western Lands that His Majesty in the Imperial Palace had begun experiencing growing pains.

Remembering how painful the growing pains she experienced as a child were, Soya became very worried.

At least I had Father by my side, but His Majesty has no one beside him.

Though growing pains must be overcome alone, since I have the power of purification given by the Vermillion Bird Heavenly Lady, wouldn’t I be able to help even a little by being nearby?

The first person to notice Soya’s worry was none other than Cheongha.

[Our puppy, why do you have such a worried face?]

[Oh, Mother, actually, it’s because…]

After whispering her concerns, Soya finally obtained Cheongha’s permission.

However, they promised to keep it secret from everyone since Father and her elder brothers would cause an uproar if they found out.

After telling the family she was going to play at Azure Sea Palace with Mother, she parted ways with Mother at the border leading to the Eastern Lands.

On that day more than sharing a secret just between her and Mother, reuniting with Irim seemed more exciting.

However, even though she spread her small wings and flew all the way to the Imperial Palace, Soya couldn’t meet Irim that day.

This was because Irim had firmly shut his door and wouldn’t open it.

Even when she tapped the window frame with her beak and made chirping bird sounds, Irim remained silent.

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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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