The White Tiger Clan’s Baby Cotton Ball - Chapter 239

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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 31

Of course, Irim had no intention of telling him about the conversation he had with Soya.

Irim subtly avoided Saeon’s gaze and unconsciously stroked the back of his neck.

The sensation of her fingertips brushing against him still seemed to linger on his skin.

He now clearly knew the name of this sensation that somehow made his heart race and his mouth go dry.

Why his eyes would soften whenever he saw her.

He now also understood why intense emotions would surge up, making him want to turn the whole world upside down whenever she was in danger.

Love.

He was in love with Soya.

From a very long time ago.

But…

[Your Majesty is just like a father.]

Her voice, speaking shyly, lingered in his ears.

‘A father…’

He let out a bitter laugh and turned his head.

* * *

The White Tiger Family’s search party, which departed in the late afternoon, arrived at the Village of the Black Snake Tribe only after the sun had set.

“This is the place!”

At the man’s shout, everyone stopped walking.

A desolate wasteland stretched out before them with nothing visible.

The man from the Black Snake Tribe reached out toward the empty air and activated his special ability.

Rumble—!

The transparent barrier was released, revealing the village that had been completely ‘sealed’ away.

A black-haired woman who noticed their visit came running breathlessly from the village entrance.

“The village’s seal, who on earth…!”

Toward the woman who was scanning the visitors with trembling eyes, the man from the Snake Tribe stepped forward.

“Elder…! Don’t you remember me? I’m Haemu, who received teachings from you as a child.”

“You’re… Haemu? You were alive!”

The faint hope and expectation that had been dwelling in the woman’s eyes surged violently.

“Yes.”

The man told the Elder about what had happened.

Starting with being kidnapped by Sasu-sa while playing with friends at the village outskirts over ten years ago, becoming test subjects to complete their evil magic, and watching his friends fall one by one.

The painful days when he alone survived but had his Spirit Core’s power exploited and even his soul corrupted by the completed evil magic.

And finally, being rescued by people from the White Tiger Family and guiding them here.

“The noble people from the White Tiger Family saved me. If it weren’t for them, I would still be having my Spirit Core’s power exploited.”

“…I see, such things happened. You’ve suffered so much.”

The Elder sadly embraced the man who had disappeared as a child and returned as a young man, then looked back at Saeon’s group.

“As the tribe’s Elder, I express gratitude on behalf of the tribe. Thank you so much for finding our lost tribal child. You are benefactors of our Black Snake Tribe.”

“We didn’t come here to receive thanks. We are searching for the successor of the ‘Black Water.'”

Though the Elder expressed gratitude, Saeon answered with a sharp voice.

“Evidence has been found in the Imperial Palace that Evil has allied with the ‘Black Water.’ Therefore, we judge that a direct descendant who inherited Hyeonmu’s authority is related to this, so please tell us everything you know.”

“…I see. Please come this way. It seems like it will be a long story.”

The Elder calmly guided the guests inside.

Soya’s group, who entered the Elder’s room, sat around a large round table.

“In the Northern Lands, legends about the black dragon have been passed down since ancient times. According to legend, it would become a great leader who would bring glory to the Northern Lands with power strong enough to rival the Imperial Dragon.”

After confirming that the guests were seated, the Elder began the story while serving warm tea cups to each person.

“My older sister, who was the chief of the Black Snake Tribe, married Hyeon Rabaek, who was the head of the Black Tortoise Tribe and leader of the clan. The child born between them was precisely the black dragon that is said to be born once every thousand years.”

Soya sipped her tea while glancing at the large tapestry hanging behind the Elder.

The tapestry was embroidered with the image of a black dragon ascending to heaven with a gleaming black orb in its mouth.

“But when my sister learned that Hyeon Rabaek intended to cut off the direct bloodline, she hid the child’s identity and entrusted the orb to me.”

The Elder took out a wooden box and placed it on the round table.

“This is the Black Dragon’s orb that the Black Snake Tribe has protected with sealing power all this time.”

Click.

When the box lid opened, a small black-colored orb appeared.

“…So the Black Dragon’s orb was here.”

Irim muttered while staring intently at the black orb.

“As you can see, the orb’s light hasn’t gone out. This is proof that the child is still alive.”

The Elder’s story continued again.

“That child is a direct descendant of Hyeonmu who inherited the blood of two chiefs among the seven tribal leaders, and the black dragon that is born once every thousand years.”

The Elder put down the tea cup she was holding onto the table and spoke in a calm voice.

“I can be certain. If alive, that child would surely have become the successor of the Black Water who inherited Hyeonmu’s authority.”

The Elder’s story had come to an end.

Everyone was silent with thoughtful expressions.

“Do you happen to know that child’s name?”

Soya, who had been quietly listening until now, suddenly asked.

“The name, how could that be…?”

“Could that child’s name be Seolyeo?”

Everyone looked at her in surprise at Soya’s words.

“What are you saying, Cotton Ball? Why suddenly mention Seolyeo’s name…?”

Gayul asked with a bewildered face, but Soya looked straight at only the Elder, waiting for an answer.

“How does the Young Lady know that name…”

The Elder muttered in a flustered voice, then answered clearly.

“That’s right. It’s Seolyeo, the child’s name.”

“…!”

“…!”

“…!”

Shock appeared on everyone’s faces.

Even Soya, who had asked if the child was Seolyeo, froze in surprise.

Only Irim maintained the same expression throughout, merely gazing at Seolyeo’s orb.

‘So Seolyeo was Hyeon Rabaek’s son…’

Soya suddenly remembered the moment five years ago when she encountered Hyeon Rabaek with Seolyeo in the Dark Earth Underground Palace.

She and Seolyeo were together at the moment when Hyeon Rabaek was dying.

Did Seolyeo know that man was his father?

Recalling Seolyeo watching Hyeon Rabaek’s death with a solemn expression, Soya felt somehow sad.

“Soya, why did you think that child would be Seolyeo?”

“Well, actually…”

At Ga Hyeon’s question, Soya looked around at her family and said.

“I met Seolyeo in the Northern Lands. Just before suffering from growth pains…”

“What? You met Seolyeo? In the Northern Lands?”

This time Gayul asked back with an incredulous expression.

“Yes, but Seolyeo was acting a bit strange. He saw me and ran away, then saved me from demon beasts, then attacked me, then ran away in anguish…”

“Wait, attacked?”

“It seemed like he was being controlled by something. But it was definitely Seolyeo. The Seolyeo we know. Just… he looked a bit hurt.”

A sad expression crossed Soya’s face as she thought of Seolyeo.

“We came all this way to find the successor of the Black Water who allied with Evil and stop Evil’s resurrection, but…”

Soya hesitated for a moment, then spoke with strength in her voice.

“I don’t think Seolyeo would willingly conspire with evil of his own accord. The way he suddenly left us three years ago, there must be circumstances he can’t speak of.”

Soya clenched both fists tightly as she looked around at her family.

“If that’s the case, then we need to save Seolyeo.”

After finishing her words, Soya looked at her elder brothers with an anxious heart.

She was worried about what would happen if her elder brothers thought differently from her.

“Seolyeo, that bastard. He made Cotton Ball cry, and he’s been hiding in a place like this?”

“Good thing he’s hurt. It’ll be easier to catch him while he’s weakened.”

“Don’t worry, Somsom. I’ll catch Seolyeo and wrap him up prettily as a gift for you.”

Gayul, Ga Hyeon, and Gaya each added their comments.

At that moment, their expressions and tone were as casual as if they were talking about a companion they had been living with just a short while ago.

“What? You’re going to catch Seolyeo and… wrap him up?”

Soya was flustered by her elder brothers’ completely unexpected reaction and could only blink her eyes.

“It’s a gift for you, so of course we have to wrap it as prettily as possible.”

Gaya answered with a grin.

Soya remembered how Cheongya had recently wrapped up Heuksa prettily and given it to her.

She had wondered where young Cheongya learned such things, but perhaps he learned it from Elder Brother Gaya.

“Wait a minute, are you all really okay with this?”

Soya, who had been blinking in confusion, suddenly came to her senses and asked.

“Seolyeo might be the successor of the black water trying to revive evil…”

“Huh? What are you talking about, Cotton Ball? There’s no way Seolyeo would do that.”

When Gayul responded as if she had heard the most ridiculous thing in the world, Ga Hyeon and Gaya beside her also nodded.

“I know what you’re worried about, grown-up Cotton Ball.”

Swish.

Saeon, who had been watching the children’s conversation, placed his hand on Soya’s shoulder and spoke.

“You’re worried because the successor of the black water we’ve been looking for is Seolyeo. If that child really conspired with evil to threaten the world, we would have to eliminate him with our own hands.”

“Father…”

Soya’s expression darkened at the word “eliminate.”

“We don’t know how Seolyeo got involved in evil’s revival. Whether it was his own will, or if he was swept up in an unwanted situation. But I remember what kind of child Seolyeo was when he ran around the courtyard in front of White Tiger Palace.”

“Father…?”

“I also know how absurd it is to say that a kid who couldn’t even kill an ant would revive evil.”

“…!”

Soya’s eyes widened at his additional words.

“So until we meet Seolyeo directly and confirm things, I won’t be certain of anything. Of course, if Seolyeo is going down the wrong path.”

Saeon curled up one corner of his mouth in a grin as he spoke.

“As an adult, the responsibility to stop that child would be mine. Since I’m also the guardian who brought him in.”

“Father…!”

Soya’s face, which had been full of worry just moments before, brightened.

Fortunately, her elder brothers and father all shared the same intentions as Soya.

However, there was still one person left who had the final decision-making authority regarding Seolyeo’s fate.

“What is His Majesty’s will?”

“I share the same thoughts as you all.”

Irim answered concisely without adding any unnecessary words.

“Since His Majesty has also agreed, the decision is made. Until we meet him directly and confirm things, we’ll think of Seolyeo and evil as separate matters. For this purpose, we’ll find traces of Seolyeo as quickly as possible.”

Finally having gained everyone’s agreement, the worry disappeared from Soya’s face.

“So you are the Dragon Emperor’s Bride.”

The Elder, who had been quietly listening to the conversation, bowed his head as he entrusted Seolyeo’s Dragon Orb to Soya.

“I beg of you, Dragon Emperor’s Bride. Please save that child from evil.”

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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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