Chapter 39
Chapter 39
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: uly
Chapter: 39
Chapter Title: Another Doting Father
-----------------------------------------------------------------
"Golden... Immortal Lotus?"
Red Cloud was understandably flustered.
'The legendary spirit beast somewhere in these Ten Thousand Great Mountains? But I've heard that everyone who went searching for the Golden Immortal Lotus came back crippled or dead. How did Seol Cheon-seong...?'
"I've heard the Golden Immortal Lotus is a golden lotus flower."
"It's no great feat for a spirit beast from the immortal realm to take human form."
'She definitely said the Golden Immortal Lotus transformed because of her influence. Does that mean Seol Cheon-seong truly became the owner of the real Golden Immortal Lotus? To obtain a spirit beast that even martial arts masters spent decades searching for fruitlessly, at just six years old? ...I knew she was no ordinary child, but I didn't expect this much.'
"You look quite shocked. Well, having laid eyes on this noble form directly, it's only natural you'd be stunned."
"I'm not interested in your true form."
'I don't know how Seol Cheon-seong tamed the spirit beast, but one this friendly is rare. Keeping it close shouldn't cause any harm.'
Red Cloud decisively conveyed his intent and sheathed the sword he had pointed at the Golden Immortal Lotus.
"All that matters is whether it's beneficial or harmful to Seol-i."
"So you'll spare me because I'm beneficial to that human?"
"That's right."
The Golden Immortal Lotus gazed at Red Cloud— who had answered without hesitation— with displeased eyes.
"Why go so far for that human?"
'The reason I look after Seol Cheon-seong is simple. She's the Heavenly Demon's precious only daughter. But...'
"None of your business."
For some reason, Red Cloud didn't want to explain and held back his words as he turned away from the Golden Immortal Lotus.
"I'll call a physician, so get that sword wound treated first. Seol-i will be startled if she sees it."
"No need."
The Golden Immortal Lotus refused treatment and, as if to show Red Cloud, wrapped her other hand around the wound on her left hand.
Golden light bloomed from the hand covering the wound, and the gash that had been bleeding healed in an instant.
"This body is a spirit beast adept at healing."
The Golden Immortal Lotus proudly held up her left hand toward Red Cloud, not even a small scar remaining.
"Good. Saves me the trouble."
"Can't you at least pretend to ask if I'm okay?"
As the Golden Immortal Lotus reproached him, Red Cloud turned back with a serious face.
"You want to hear that from me?"
"No, absolutely don't. It'd make me extremely uncomfortable."
For a brief moment, the Golden Immortal Lotus imagined Red Cloud worrying about her and felt chills all over, waving him off.
"Smart thinking. Best to avoid mutual discomfort."
"Discomfort? You have no appreciation for a spirit beast's value. Now get out— I need to clean!"
The Golden Immortal Lotus blatantly shook out the blankets toward Red Cloud, sending dust flying.
But Red Cloud merely furrowed his brow and didn't budge from his spot.
"One warning before I go."
He lightly brushed the dust from his hair and fixed the Golden Immortal Lotus with a sharp gaze.
"No matter the reason, if you put Seol-i in danger, even a spirit beast won't be spared by this cult."
"How ridiculous. Didn't you see this body's healing power? Even if all the humans here attacked at once, they couldn't kill me. But don't worry. I have no intention of endangering that child."
The Golden Immortal Lotus neatly spread out the blankets and smiled at Red Cloud, lifting the corners of her mouth.
"That child is the first human to touch this body's heart."
"Why say it's unnecessary? With Void Step, things would be so much easier than they are now."
'I definitely need to start learning martial arts now.'
I was deep in thought while flying through the sky with Pippy.
'What's the use of having power?'
Without the skills, all I can do with the flower seed's power is exhibit brute strength.
Recalling what Gwang-yu had said, I felt anew the necessity of training in martial arts.
'But who should I learn from?'
I'd had the same worry back when I was working as a servant in the cult.
'And in the end, I never found anyone to teach me.'
Daddy was unsuitable as a master from the start.
I'd already been rejected by Red Cloud early on.
'Now that I'm officially part of the cult, Jang-ryu and Chae-chae might make time to teach me...'
The situation was very different now compared to then.
I had the power of the spirit beast Golden Immortal Lotus within me.
'Meaning I have the potential to reach even higher realms.'
So I needed a powerful mentor who could help me fully utilize the spirit beast's power.
It wasn't that Jang-ryu and Chae-chae were weak, but they lacked the experience to guide the use of a spirit beast's power.
'It's frustrating not to make use of having a Heavenly Demon dad. Isn't there at least someone on his level?'
"Pippy! Pip-pip-py! (Look! I see the cult!)"
Lost in thought, Pippy chirped to alert me that we'd arrived at the cult.
"Land a bit away from the entrance!"
'If someone sees me flying on Pippy... Since Pippy is invisible to others, it might spark more weird rumors.'
"Pip-py! Pipp! (Got it! Here we go!)"
Pippy replied with a clear cry and landed a short distance from the cult entrance, setting me down.
"Thanks for flying me all the way here, Pippy. It was so comfy!"
"Pip! Pi, pippip! (You're welcome! W-we're family, after all!)"
Pippy called us family with her own words but blushed like a ripe red fruit, embarrassed.
'Seeing her like that, she must like being called family too.'
Pippy was happy, which made me feel good too for some reason.
"Right, we're family! Instead of thanks, here's a red fruit. You must be hungry after flying here."
"Pip! Pipp! (Red fruit! Yay!)"
Pippy cheered, already thrilled at the thought of eating the red fruit.
"Little Bean, aren't you getting hungry too? The timing's awkward, so it might be hard to eat right away at the cult. I know a great dumpling place— wanna go together? My treat!"
As I handed the red fruit to Pippy, Gwang-yu— who had been watching us— approached cautiously and asked.
"Excluding that bird, of course."
Gwang-yu grinned slyly, pointing at Pippy with his fingertip.
"Pip-pippy! Pip! Pippip! (Seol Cheon-seong! Don't go with that shady snake even if he offers treats! It's dangerous!)"
Pippy, with red fruit juice on her beak, urgently tried to stop me, worried I might follow Gwang-yu.
'Wait a sec...'
The moment I looked at Gwang-yu's face, a brilliant idea flashed in my mind.
'Gwang-yu can use Void Step, so he's skilled enough. Plus, he's a black snake who can take human form and wield substantial inner energy, making him a spirit beast too!'
The answer to my question might be right in front of me!
"Pippip? Pippy? Pippip! (What? Seol Cheon-seong, why no answer? Refuse him quick!)"
Ignoring Pippy's pleas, I clutched my stomach lightly while looking at Gwang-yu.
"I am kinda hungry..."
"I didn't know there was a place like this near the cult!"
Defying Pippy's objections, I followed Gwang-yu and arrived at a market vastly larger than the one near home.
"It's no exaggeration to say the cult buys everything it needs from this market."
'No wonder the cult's ingredients are so fresh. Being close to a market like this makes such delicious meals possible.'
I recalled the bountiful meals at the cult and licked my lips, then belatedly thought of Pippy.
'I did end up following Gwang-yu, but now I'm worried about Pippy.'
"Pippip! Pip-pip? Pip! (Seol Cheon-seong! How could you? We were all just worried and advising you!)"
'The moment I said I'd go with Gwang-yu, she got upset and flew off without looking back.'
Thinking of Pippy made me sigh involuntarily.
'But no choice. I need a strong master right now!'
Now I had to become Gwang-yu's disciple no matter what!
I'd heard that experts don't take disciples easily, and even if they do, the conditions are strict.
'He won't set impossibly harsh conditions, right? Actually, he might find teaching annoying altogether— will he even accept me?'
"Here it is, the great place I mentioned!"
While I was racking my little brain, Gwang-yu and I had entered a small eatery in a corner of the market.
"Well, if it isn't the young man! Here for drinks today?"
"Just dumplings today."
'Looks like he's a regular, being so chummy with the owner.'
"Oh, and you've brought a cute little girl today. Who's this?"
The owner showed interest in me, as if it was unusual for Gwang-yu to come with someone.
"Ah, Little Bean is..."
To the owner's question, Gwang-yu flashed his usual sly smile and said,
"My daughter."