The White Tiger Clan’s Baby Cotton Ball - Chapter 224

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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 16

“Hmm, so this snake is a subordinate of Hyeonto Yeomwang, the Northern Divine Beast, and is a very wicked snake that betrayed its master?”

Soya simply summarized the identity of the black snake that the divine beasts had tattled about to her.

—That’s right, exactly that, Baby Bird!

—As expected, our Baby Bird is so smart.

The divine beasts nodded their heads while making a fuss.

—W-wicked snake…!

—How dare this wretch raise its head so impudently before us?

Heuksa tried to say something, but immediately dropped its head at Cheonghae Yongsin’s stern rebuke.

—Hik, I-I was wrong, Dragon God.

Heuksa curled its body into the wooden box while tearing up.

‘It seems that snake is thoroughly hated by the divine beasts.’

According to the divine beasts, this black snake was a subordinate of Hyeonto Yeomwang, created by imbuing a part of his body with the power of water.

However, long ago, when the divine beasts were fighting against evil and the situation turned unfavorable, it abandoned its master and fled alone.

—It was an extremely fierce war. Everyone fought risking their lives for the peace of the continent. But that creature, trying to survive alone…

The Vermillion Bird Heavenly Lady, who was recalling the war against evil from a thousand years ago, glared fiercely at Heuksa.

Afterwards, it ended with the divine beasts’ victory and the evil’s soul was sealed, but this black snake couldn’t return to its master.

“Why didn’t you return to Yeomwang after the war ended? You could have gone and asked for forgiveness.”

—I-I was scared! What if Yeomwang was very angry with me and wouldn’t forgive me…

Unlike its rough way of speaking, Heuksa was quite cowardly.

Like a coward, it kept postponing asking for forgiveness, and as time passed, the divine beasts began entering eternal sleep one by one.

The Northern Divine Beast Hyeonto Yeomwang was the last to enter eternal sleep.

Heuksa had a chance to ask for forgiveness, but only fidgeted its tail from afar and ultimately couldn’t go find its master.

—If I had known I would never be able to meet Yeomwang again, I would have gone then to beg for forgiveness! Waaah!

Heuksa drooped its tail and began crying with sniffles.

“I see. You must have been very upset.”

Soya felt a little sympathetic.

“So, what’s the reason you’ve been lurking around me?”

But pitiful was pitiful, and she still had to ask what needed to be asked.

—Uh, huh? I-I-I was worried because you collapsed…

“Not just today, but you’ve been hovering around me for a while now.”

At Soya’s persistently gentle yet probing voice, Heuksa felt a cold sweat somehow and rolled its eyes around.

—Well… I made a promise.

“A promise? With whom?”

—…

Heuksa said nothing more and kept its mouth tightly shut.

‘Hmm. It doesn’t seem to be lying, but it clams up when things get unfavorable.’

Soya stared at Heuksa thoughtfully.

Since it seemed like it wouldn’t answer if she asked more, she changed her question.

“How did you know that was the power of evil?”

Soya asked, recalling the black water that had attacked her and Cheongya.

It was already five years ago now, but it was similar to the black water she had seen when fighting Hyeon Rabaek in the Northern Lands.

—…Because I saw it.

“Saw it? What?”

—Evil… finding a new body…

Heuksa glanced at Soya’s expression, then answered in a hesitant tone.

—You wretch, why are you only saying such important things now?

—You must have ulterior motives! You’ve been suspicious since you started hovering around Baby Bird!

At the divine beasts’ words, Heuksa jumped up in protest.

—Ulterior motives! I-I just want Yeomwang to awaken! Just like the other divine beasts here…

Upon hearing those words, Soya’s face darkened a little.

“But that’s impossible. Hyeon Rabaek severed all of Hyeonmu’s direct lineage.”

However, Heuksa immediately objected.

—No, there’s still one left!

“What…?”

—Hyeon Rabaek’s bloodline! They’re alive in the Northern Lands!

Soya’s eyes widened in an instant.

* * *

Saeon returned only the next morning.

The Imperial Palace had decided to select those to send to the Northern Lands to prevent the revival of evil, and after a long meeting, roles were divided with the three great families as the main axis.

“Our family was assigned the role of locating evil. Once we return to White Tiger Palace, we’ll immediately form a search party and depart. His Majesty plans to join us later as well.”

While having breakfast, Saeon explained the results of the previous night’s meeting.

The Vermillion Bird Family and Cheongryong Family were also assigned roles of dealing with demon beasts and evacuating people, respectively.

“Finding the location of evil won’t be easy.”

“We plan to first check if there are any surviving members of the Xuanwu Clan.”

“The Xuanwu Clan? Ah, is it because of that black water from earlier today?”

“That’s right. The head of the Xuanwu Clan has inherited the power of water for generations. That’s why they’re often called the inheritors of ‘black water.'”

Saeon explained.

After investigating more thoroughly following the day’s events, all the suspicious incidents that had occurred in various places happened near dark waters.

“Perhaps a surviving member of the Xuanwu Clan inherited the black water and allied with evil.”

Despite explaining calmly, a faint worry could be felt in Saeon’s voice.

“Father, I want to accompany you on this trip to the north.”

Soya, who had been quietly listening to Saeon and Ga Hyeon’s conversation, interjected softly.

“But Soya, you’re about to undergo your second growth stage soon. If you suddenly experience growth pains in the Northern Lands…”

At Ga Hyeon’s worried voice, Soya’s face also darkened.

As Ga Hyeon said, Soya, who was seventeen this year, was approaching her second growth stage.

If she were to suddenly experience growth pains in the distant Northern Lands after leaving White Tiger Palace, it wouldn’t just be hard on her body but would also cause trouble for others.

‘But I also want to help Father and fulfill my duties as a direct descendant. Besides, I made a promise with His Majesty. That I would help His Majesty defeat evil…’

Above all, if evil was truly about to be revived, she thought she had a responsibility to stop it as the owner of the divine oracle.

It was when Soya was sitting with a deeply dejected expression.

“Alright, Cotton Ball.”

A large palm landed gently on top of her head.

“…!”

Soya looked up with wide eyes.

“If you’re a direct descendant of the White Tiger Family, shouldn’t you leave the family at least once to work for the peace of the continent?”

Saeon grinned and gently stroked Soya’s head.

“Father…!”

Soya’s face instantly brightened.

“But will it really be okay? If I suddenly suffer from growth pains…”

“What’s the problem? Papa will be right there with our grown-up Cotton Ball.”

Saeon’s nonchalant reply was filled with solid affection and trust toward Soya.

Soya felt her heart grow warm and fuzzy as she closed her eyes with a bright smile.

Father is always like this.

Sometimes he seems to protect me somewhat excessively, but at crucial moments, he always believes in me, cheers me on, and supports me.

“Taking away children’s opportunities to grow in the name of ‘protection’ is wrong. It’s an old teaching of White Tiger Palace.”

Saeon said, looking at Ga Hyeon, whose worries hadn’t yet dissipated.

This was also the reason he hadn’t stopped Ga Hyeon when he said he would leave White Tiger Palace to advance to the Central Region.

Ga Hyeon, understanding her meaning, smiled with a short sigh.

“Then there’s nothing we can do about it. But Soya, although Elder Brother is bound to the Central Region and can’t go with you, if you ever face any difficulties, contact me anytime. Elder Brother will come to get you.”

“Yes, Elder Brother. I won’t cause you any worry.”

Soya nodded with a bright smile.

As the harmonious meal continued, the Emperor’s eunuch arrived.

“This is herbal medicine His Majesty sends to the Baek family’s daughter.”

“…!”

A bright smile spread across Soya’s face at the unexpected gift.

Palace servants lined up behind the eunuch brought the herbal medicine to Soya.

The bitter-sweet scent of the herbal medicine tickled her nose.

“Bear with the slight bitterness. You must get well soon.”

A faint voice brushed past her ear.

“So that this spring, we can leave this palace together….”

With the rustling sound of fabric, platinum-colored strands swayed before her eyes….

Blink.

But the moment Soya blinked her eyes.

Both the gentle voice and the faint afterimage scattered far away in an instant.

All that remained was the bitter yet fragrant scent of herbal medicine.

‘Huh? What was that just now?’

Had some old memory surfaced? But no matter how much she searched, it was a scene that didn’t exist in her memories.

‘I must be weakened from yesterday’s events.’

Soya thought nothing of it and politely bowed to the palace servants.

“Please tell His Majesty I’m grateful.”

As she held the bowl of herbal medicine with warm steam rising from it and took a sip, she felt a gaze from nearby.

Saeon was looking this way with an expression somehow different from usual, his eyes narrowed.

When Soya looked up, Saeon quickly averted his gaze.

‘Did I see wrong?’

As she sipped the herbal medicine again, she felt Saeon’s piercing gaze once more.

“Father? What’s wrong?”

“…Ahem, hmm. It’s nothing.”

Soya tilted her head at Father’s appearance of clearing his throat and feigning ignorance.

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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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