The White Tiger Clan’s Baby Cotton Ball - Chapter 261

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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 53

Northern Lands. The foothills of Black Valley.

“P-please spare us…”

Young salamander beastmen were captured by bandits and trembling violently.

It was the poison toad bandit group that picked only weaker beastmen than themselves to do evil deeds.

“Kekeke, since they’re still young ones, if we capture them and sell them to slave traders, they’ll fetch quite a bit of money…”

That was when it happened.

Whooosh—!

An arrow that flew from afar struck into the dirt ground, and green tree branches bloomed from the arrowhead tip, binding the bandits.

“Wh-what is this… Aaaaah!”

Grroooar—!

Along with the roar of a wild beast, a large white tiger appeared and struck down the bandits with its front paws.

“Kids, are you okay?”

A woman riding on the tiger’s back looked back at the children and asked.

Pure white hair and pink eyes with red energy rippling within them.

This woman who had a white blade at her waist and a bow with red feathers on her back was…

‘Cotton Ball Miss of the White Tiger Family!’

The children had heard enough rumors about the woman to know who she was.

Western Lands, the precious Cotton Ball Miss of the White Tiger Family.

The owner of the oracle who repelled the evil that revived three years ago when it tried to devour the continent, using the power of the divine beasts.

She was called Cotton Ball Miss, and she truly had a snow-white and fluffy feeling like snowflakes.

Unlike the White Tiger Family members who had the same white hair but gave off a firm and cool feeling.

Soya jumped down from Gayul’s back and approached the children.

“You were very scared, weren’t you? It’s okay now. Let’s go back to the village together.”

The children who had been staring blankly at Soya quickly came to their senses and expressed their gratitude.

“Th-thank you for saving us, Young Lady.”

“You didn’t even cry and are very brave.”

While Soya was checking on the children, Gayul had perfectly subdued the bandits.

Soya and Gayul returned to the Yellow Dorongnyong Tribe Village with the rescued children.

When they arrived at the village, the children ran to their parents and hugged them.

Cheongha, who happened to be talking with the chief of the salamander tribe in the village center, looked back at Soya and Gayul and smiled brightly.

“Puppies, did you have a good trip?”

“We found the children, Mother!”

“I caught the bandits too.”

Gayul threw the bandits he had been carrying in his mouth onto the dirt ground.

“Oh my, our puppy caught the bad guys too.”

Cheongha patted Gayul’s bottom as if he were praiseworthy.

Then Gayul bristled his fur and jumped.

“Wh-what are you doing!”

“How mean, our youngest tiger. You used to like it when mom patted your bottom before.”

“That was when I was little. I’m twenty-one years old now.”

Gayul, who instantly released his beast transformation, distanced himself from Cheongha and pouted.

“Thank you. How can we repay this kindness?”

“I’m so glad we could bring the children back in time. Please let us know if there’s anything else we can help with.”

Soya smiled and responded to the tribe members’ grateful words.

Soya had been following her mother since three years ago, helping with the recovery of the Northern Lands.

The Black Land, which was once desolate, could now easily see green plants.

“Soya…!”

When she turned her head at the familiar voice, Seolyeo, who had been with a group of people, spotted her and was approaching.

“Did you come with Cheongha?”

“Yeah, I followed Mother. When did you arrive, Seolyeo?”

“…I heard the news that Cheongha was visiting the salamander tribe, so I came a little while ago too.”

Seolyeo answered while slightly avoiding Soya’s gaze.

In truth, he had come after hearing the news that Soya was here, but somehow he couldn’t say that.

‘Seolyeo has grown even taller.’

Soya thought while secretly envying Seolyeo’s eye level, which had become much higher than hers.

Seolyeo went to the Imperial Palace last year and was officially recognized as the successor of the Northern Lands.

The Northern Lands were now quite stable, but still lacked rules and regulations.

There were occasional cases where strong tribes plundered weak tribes, and crimes occurred in unseen places.

Previously, the Imperial Palace would send people to manage things, but now Seolyeo was doing that work together with some young people from the Northern Lands.

Young men in black clothes tied up the poison toad bandits tightly with ropes under Seolyeo’s instructions and took them somewhere.

“You must be very busy. You’re really amazing, Seolyeo.”

“No, I’m not really doing much.”

“Not doing much! You work without resting even a single day to help the people of the Northern Lands live safely. You’re so busy lately that you can’t even come to White Tiger Palace.”

“That’s right. Thanks to our good Seolyeo, life has become much better, and the people of the Northern Lands are full of praise.”

Cheongha joined the two’s conversation with a grin.

“The chief of the salamander tribe was just saying that too. Since you became the leader of the Northern Lands, even the weak tribes can breathe and live.”

The Northern Lands originally worshipped strength, so weak tribes naturally accepted being invaded and plundered by strong tribes.

However, Seolyeo showed an embracing attitude toward weak tribes as well, moving busily to protect them so they could be guaranteed safety and not go hungry.

“That’s all I can do. I don’t know much either…”

Seolyeo blushed at Cheongha’s praise and waved both hands.

“Well. But isn’t that the most important virtue of a leader? Embracing weak people too.”

“That’s right, you’re really cool, Seolyeo.”

Soya nodded and agreed with Cheongha’s words.

“I learned all that from Soya.”

“Oh, what are you saying, Seolyeo. This is all because you’re amazing.”

“It’s true though…”

Seolyeo glanced at Soya, who didn’t believe his words at all, and muttered timidly.

“Hmm?”

At this, Cheongha looked at Seolyeo suspiciously, then soon laughed softly.

Seolyeo felt Cheongha’s gaze, but instead of flinching in surprise, he only silently reddened his earlobes.

Now Seolyeo had become good at hiding his inner thoughts like this, unlike before.

When he was young, he was always teased by Su Ri and Arang for his inner thoughts being too obvious…

But his inner thoughts, which were said to be visible to everyone…

‘Soya… doesn’t seem to know.’

He didn’t know if he should be happy or sad.

[We’re friends, aren’t we, Seolyeo.]

[You’re my most precious friend.]

Soya often said.

That we are friends.

That you are my most precious friend.

Seolyeo’s heart strangely fluttered every time she said that.

Three years ago, when the evil briefly took control of his body.

The sensation of that moment when he embraced Soya still remained.

Even though it wasn’t his own will, Seolyeo couldn’t forget that day’s sensation, which had been imprinted on his entire body.

‘But Soya…’

When the evil dwelling in Seolyeo’s body disappeared and they returned to White Tiger Palace together.

There was a day when she wasn’t visible all day long.

Seolyeo, who had been looking around for Soya all day, was only able to find her the next day.

[I didn’t see you yesterday, Soya.]

[Mm-hmm, I had somewhere important to go.]

Soya spoke with a smile, but the scent of tears and ‘That Man’s’ scent came from her.

Even without Soya telling her, Seolyeo could tell.

Soya had been to see That Man.

But why do you look so sad after going to see That Man.

As she was staring intently at her face, she suddenly spoke.

[Thank you, Seol Yoya. You left to protect me, right? I heard everything from Heuksa.]

[Oh, mm-hmm…]

[But from now on, if something like that happens, it would be better if you told me instead of suffering alone in silence. I was really upset when you left so suddenly without saying anything, but I was even more upset learning later that you had such difficult circumstances.]

[I’m sorry…]

At Soya’s gentle voice, Seolyeo obediently nodded her head.

[I’m not trying to blame you!]

Then Soya hastily added.

[I want to help you together when you have difficult times. We’re friends, aren’t we!]

[…]

Friends. At those words, Seolyeo’s heart somehow fluttered as she quietly stared at Soya.

Then without realizing it, she raised her voice and shouted.

[Soya, you too…!]

[Mm-hmm?]

[You, you too, if you have any difficult times, please tell me. You keep smelling of tears.]

At those words, Soya, who had been blinking her eyes, soon burst into laughter.

[Seolyeo, you still have a good sense of smell.]

[Really, truly. If there’s anyone who makes you suffer or upsets you… I’ll scold them for you.]

What did she answer to the words I courageously spoke?

[What? That would be a big problem, Seol Yoya.]

She said that and burst into laughter.

Soya laughed.

Seeing that, Seolyeo’s heart swayed and fluttered.

From that day on, the fluttering feeling in her heart grew bigger and bigger every time she saw Soya.

Now she had left White Tiger Palace to live elsewhere, but even so, her heart still fluttered like this every time she encountered Soya.

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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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