The White Tiger Clan’s Baby Cotton Ball - Chapter 246
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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 38
“…That child.”
The Heavenly Emperor asked with a voice that seemed ready to fade away at any moment.
Han Seol looked straight into his father’s eyes and answered.
“My sister. Hwaon.”
One of the Four Spirit Generals who formed a pair with Han Seol, the administrator of the Sacred Tree, and a sanctuary for lost young souls.
The king of beautiful birds with brilliant five-colored feathers.
General Hwanghwa, Hwaon.
As he brought forth that name he had buried in his heart for so long, the Heavenly Emperor’s face instantly turned pale.
When that child was born, the Heavenly Emperor shed tears of joy.
That child was the Heavenly Emperor’s joy.
When that child grew up and became a pillar of the Heavenly Realm, the Heavenly Emperor personally appointed the child as a Spirit General and announced it to all under heaven.
That child was the Heavenly Emperor’s happiness.
When that child sought out their father in longing, the Heavenly Emperor turned away from the child.
That child was the Heavenly Emperor’s mistake.
When that child finally wandered the human realm and met death, the Heavenly Emperor sank into sorrow filled with belated regret.
That child was the Heavenly Emperor’s sorrow.
“That child… has been reborn?”
“Born as a young Suzaku on earth, continuing that life once more within the time of the human realm.”
“Yes, I see…”
The Heavenly Emperor painfully closed his eyes.
“But how could I… see that child again.”
He had abandoned that child with his own hands.
The unwashable curse and stigma of the past still remained on his hands.
* * *
The birth of evil began from something very trivial.
Though the result was anything but trivial.
Long ago, Cheonhu, the consort of the Heavenly Emperor who ruled the sky, gave birth to two children.
The two children born at the same day and hour took the form of divine and auspicious spirit beasts with brilliant five-colored feathers.
The male child was a phoenix , and the female child was a phoenix .
These two children were the kings of birds, the phoenixes.
The siblings, who got along well and always went everywhere together, grew up and were appointed as Spirit Generals supporting the Heavenly Realm.
The great Sacred Tree located at the northern end of the earth was a divine tree connecting the Heavenly Realm and earth, serving as a sanctuary for lost souls.
Hwaon tended and managed the Sacred Tree there together with four young Divine Beasts who followed her.
“Lady Hwaon.”
A pretty girl with short blue hair called out to Hwaon.
It was the blue dragon Divine Beast, Cheonghae Yongsin.
Though she appeared to be about ten years old on the outside, she was actually older than Hwaon.
However, worldly age was not important to celestial beings.
Their growth was not proportional to time.
“Come here, Cheong’a.”
“Look at this, Lady Hwaon. I brought this to give to you.”
Cheonghae Yongsin shyly held out a bouquet of flowers.
“Oh my, thank you.”
As Hwaon smiled brightly and accepted the bouquet, Cheonghae Yongsin’s face turned slightly red.
Though she was usually blunt and didn’t show much expression, in front of Hwaon she would display rich emotions like an adolescent girl.
But at that moment, a noisy sound interrupted her time with Hwaon.
It was the sound of flapping wings and the crying of a baby tiger.
White Tiger Mountain Lord, the youngest among the Divine Beasts and a baby tiger who had just been weaned, was crying loudly.
It seemed he had been kicked in the bottom by the small and young Vermillion Bird Heavenly Lady, who was still small like a red chick.
Though Vermillion Bird Heavenly Lady looked small enough to be mistaken for a chick, she was still a Divine Beast, so even her small kicks packed considerable power.
“Oh my, Bai’e.”
“Kying, king…”
The small tiger, who still didn’t have all his teeth and couldn’t speak properly, whimpered as he burrowed into Hwaon’s embrace.
“Zhua, aren’t you bullying Bai’e too much?”
“No, Lady Hwaon! This guy is young but has no manners, so he needs to be thoroughly disciplined! This little brat who’s still wet behind the ears bit Zhua’s tail feathers!”
“Oh my, such a thing happened. Tail feathers are the most sensitive part for us flying creatures, so Zhua must have been upset.”
“That’s right, Lady Hwaon! Zhua is so upset because of that rude little tiger!”
Hwaon burst into laughter at the sight of Vermillion Bird Heavenly Lady flapping her short wings and chirping.
“You two are always bickering but get along so well.”
“G-get along well? How unfair…!”
Hwaon gently curved her eyes and stroked the small bird’s head.
“Still, Zhua was born before Bai’e. How about being a little more generous to your younger sibling?”
Under Hwaon’s gentle touch, Vermillion Bird Heavenly Lady forgot her grievances and obediently nodded.
“Ah, understood, Lady Hwaon! Zhua will take responsibility for educating this little tiger!”
“Krwang! Krwaang!”
At that, White Tiger Mountain Lord immediately started crying and throwing a tantrum.
“This naughty tiger!”
Vermillion Bird Heavenly Lady flew up in indignation.
“Did you hear that, Lady Hwaon? That naughty tiger mocked Zhua, saying what right does a fool who hasn’t even reached adulthood after over 500 years have to educate anyone!”
“Oh my, Zhua can understand what Bai’e says?”
“How curious. Vermillion Bird Heavenly Lady doesn’t even have ears yet…”
Hwaon and Cheonghae Yongsin were simply amazed that Vermillion Bird Heavenly Lady could understand White Tiger Mountain Lord’s words.
While the two were marveling, White Tiger Mountain Lord stuck his tongue out at Vermillion Bird Heavenly Lady to provoke her, then escaped from Hwaon’s embrace and ran away.
The thoroughly provoked Vermillion Bird Heavenly Lady chased after him, spitting fire.
As White Tiger Mountain Lord and Vermillion Bird Heavenly Lady chased each other in circles around Hwaon, unfortunately, flames that spewed from Vermillion Bird Heavenly Lady’s beak flew toward Hwaon.
Swoosh—!
A black-haired young man sitting on a tree branch jumped down and swung his sword to deflect the flames.
Though he appeared to be the same age as Hwaon, he was actually younger than Cheonghae Yongsin—it was Hyeonto Yeomwang.
“…”
Hyeonto Yeomwang glared fiercely at Vermillion Bird Heavenly Lady and White Tiger Mountain Lord, who had nearly hurt Hwaon by accident.
Even with just his glaring gaze without saying a word, the two young Divine Beasts became intimidated.
“Don’t be like that, Hyeona. Zhua and Bai’e didn’t do it on purpose.”
“But those little ones nearly hurt Lady Hwaon.”
Hyeonto Yeomwang spoke in a stiff voice.
“But I’m perfectly fine like this. I always feel secure because you’re here.”
Hwaon let out a small laugh and took out a large mirror, gesturing toward the Divine Beasts.
“Instead of that, everyone come gather here.”
At her gesture, Cheonghae Yongsin and Hyeonto Yeomwang leaned in.
Vermillion Bird Heavenly Lady and White Tiger Mountain Lord, who had been dejected thinking they had nearly hurt her, also scurried over.
The large mirror was reflecting the appearance of the earthly realm.
“The beastkin who were born from the fragments of joy shed by the Heavenly Emperor have built their own society and civilization. Therefore, the Heavenly Emperor now wishes to gradually separate the Heavenly Realm and earth so they can live by their own strength.”
“Separate the Heavenly Realm and earth?”
Cheonghae Yongsin tilted her head and asked.
“Yes. When that happens, people from the Heavenly Realm won’t be able to interfere in earthly affairs. But occasionally, disasters that are difficult for the beastkin to handle with their strength alone will come to earth.”
“Krwang, krwang!”
White Tiger Mountain Lord nodded along without understanding what it meant.
“So the Heavenly Emperor is searching for suitable candidates to guard the four directions of the earthly realm. I recommended you all to the Heavenly Emperor. Therefore, when you grow up, you must care for the beast tamers of the earthly realm.”
“…I will accomplish it perfectly, staking Hwaon-nim’s honor on it.”
Hyeonto Yeomwang spoke with a voice filled with firm determination.
“How very reliable? Thanks to this, the Heavenly Emperor will surely feel at ease.”
However, unlike the previous three divine beasts who nodded with solemn expressions, Vermillion Bird Heavenly Lady clung to Hwaon’s hem and acted spoiled.
“But Zhua wants to stay by Hwaon-nim’s side forever! I don’t want to leave Hwaon-nim!”
“Why do you think you’re leaving my side? I will always guard this Sacred Tree and be together with you all.”
Hwaon said while comforting the tearful Vermillion Bird Heavenly Lady.
“You absolutely must, Hwaon-nim. Zhua likes Hwaon-nim the most in the world. I will be with Hwaon-nim for my entire life.”
“I’m so happy, Zhua.”
Looking down at the tiny Baby Bird clinging to her and chirping, Hwaon smiled brightly.
Then White Tiger Mountain Lord also leaped into Hwaon’s embrace, wagging his tail while going “Krwang krwang!”
Though she still couldn’t interpret the Baby Tiger’s cries, it sounded like he was saying “Me too, me too!”
“I will also… stay by Hwaon-nim’s side forever.”
Cheonghae Yongsin’s earlobes turned red as he spoke while firmly grasping Hwaon’s hem.
“Everyone, I’m so grateful I don’t know what to do.”
Hwaon burst into a happy laugh.
In that peaceful and beautiful atmosphere where the young Suzaku chirped sweetly and the Baby Tiger rolled around on the grass field.
“…”
Hyeonto Yeomwang quietly gazed at her smiling face.
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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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