Chapter 143
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 143
So-ya appeared to be in perfect health.
How is this possible?
Ri-ri bit her lower lip hard, her eyes trembling with unease as she stared at So-ya. That girl should not have been able to appear looking so well.
[I have obtained what you requested, Lady Ri-ri. If one inhales this poisonous herb powder, their limbs will lose all strength, leaving them bedridden. Eventually, they will waste away and die over a long period, as if succumbing to a severe illness. It leaves no trace once absorbed into the body, so do not worry.]
It was because Ri-ri had coaxed a household retainer into procuring that poisonous herb powder and had fed it to her.
Right then, So-ya’s gaze shifted toward her. Their eyes met in midair.
Flinching at the piercing stare directed straight at her, Ri-ri reflexively jerked her head away, avoiding the look.
Why is she looking at me like that? She couldn't possibly know anything, could she?
Anxiety began to gnaw at her.
No, it’s fine. What could a brat like her possibly find out? Besides, he was certain. He said it was a poisonous herb that leaves absolutely no trace.
Baek Sa-eon, the Clan Head of the White Tiger Clan, did not take his seat. Still holding So-ya’s hand, he walked straight toward the altar. Passing between the two stone statues of the Yellow Dragon that faced each other, Sa-eon ascended the altar with the child. Upon reaching the Emperor, he knelt and prostrated himself.
“Your Majesty.”
“What is it, Sa-eon?” Yi-rim asked in a casual tone.
“I, Sa-eon, Master of the Baek Clan and ruler of the West, dare to speak before the omnipotent Yellow Dragon.”
“Speak.”
“The Young Maiden of the Vermilion Bird Clan attempted to harm my daughter.”
Ri-ri’s body froze the moment she was singled out.
“What are you talking about, Baek Sa-eon!” Jeok Ah-yun, who was sitting nearby, leaped to his feet and shouted.
However, Sa-eon did not spare Ah-yun a single glance. He kept his eyes fixed solely on the Emperor.
“I offer the evidence of her crime, and I humbly request that you judge her guilt with absolute clarity.”
At Sa-eon’s signal, Jeok Yeong stepped forward carrying a jar.
What is that…?
As Ri-ri squinted at the object, Jeok Ah-yun suddenly rushed forward, the veins in his neck bulging.
“Your Majesty! How can you listen to the nonsense of such a man who seeks to humiliate my daughter in front of so many people? Please… I beg you to reconsider!”
Despite his loud shouting, his voice trembled as if he had already sensed something was wrong.
“I swear upon the name of the White Tiger Mountain Lord, the Guardian of the West, Your Majesty. If there is even a shred of falsehood in what I have reported, I will resign from my position as Clan Head and accept any punishment on this very spot.”
“Sa-eon, show us the evidence.”
Yi-rim gave a slight nod and issued the command.
The object Jeok Yeong brought forward was an illusion jar, typically used to manifest phantom beasts during the Mountain Lord Festival held every summer on Mt. Horim.
Phantom beasts served two purposes. One was to act as safe prey for young beastkin to hunt; thus, the moment a phantom beast was struck in a vital spot, it would scatter into white light. The other purpose was to record what it had seen and recreate it as an illusion for others to witness. This was originally intended to determine the winner of the Mountain Lord Festival.
So-ya had realized that the records of such a phantom beast could show her exactly how Ri-ri intended to "treat" her. She had shared her thoughts with Sa-eon, and he had ordered Jeok Yeong to bring the jar from the White Tiger Palace.
Then, he had created a phantom beast in So-ya’s likeness. As long as it wasn't struck in a vital spot, the ruse would go unnoticed. They had placed the phantom beast mimicking So-ya on the bed, intentionally dimmed the room, and then welcomed Ri-ri inside.
However, they hadn't expected Ri-ri to attempt such a blatant act of harm while left alone in the room. So-ya had known of the girl’s hostility ever since Ri-ri pushed her into the pond, but she had at least expected her to make a pretense of offering treatment.
The illusion vividly recreated Ri-ri’s wicked deed before the gathered crowd, showing her feeding the poisonous herb powder to the "sick" little bird.
“The Young Maiden of the Vermilion Bird Clan sought to poison my daughter. This is a clear crime and an unpardonable felony.”
“There… there is no proof that the powder was poison…!”
“The proof is also here.”
At that moment, San-yu, who had remained silent until now, stepped before the Emperor and produced an item.
“This is the poisonous herb powder found in Ri-ri’s room.”
“Brother!”
“San-yu!”
“Elder Brother!”
The members of the Vermilion Bird Clan called out to San-yu, their faces turning pale with shock. However, he continued his accusation with a calm expression, looking directly at the Emperor.
“The analysis of the components has already been completed. We have also confirmed the route through which the poisonous powder was brought in.”
Gasps of shock erupted from all sides.
“I—I’m innocent!”
Even though her crime had been fully exposed, Ri-ri shrieked, insisting on her innocence.
“The illusion shown by the White Tiger Clan could have been fabricated!”
“That jar was a gift from the First Emperor to the White Tiger Clan,” Yi-rim interjected, his voice low and steady. “Nothing was fabricated. The record of the illusion is the truth.”
A sudden silence fell over the room. Because the Yellow Dragon could not speak lies, the words from his mouth were always absolute. Was that not why another title for the Yellow Dragon was the ‘Judge of the Earth’?
“I beg your forgiveness, Your Majesty…!”
Realizing the gravity of the situation, Jeok Ah-yun slammed his head against the floor in apology.
“My daughter committed a grave crime because she is still young and foolish.”
“Father!”
Ri-ri, who had been trying to deny everything until the end, screamed when she saw her father apologizing on her behalf.
“I—I really don’t know! I didn't do it! That… that wasn't me, it was…”
As she protested, her eyes darting around frantically, they landed on Hwa-yu. Her second brother, who would do anything for her—who would even pretend to die if she asked.
“Yes, Hwa-yu! Brother Hwa-yu gave it to me! I didn't even know that powder was poison!”
At Ri-ri’s sudden shout, Hwa-yu faltered for a moment, but soon nodded in agreement.
“…That is correct. In truth, it was I—I planned everything.”
Even though the entire blame had been suddenly thrust upon him, Hwa-yu answered without hesitation.
“I hated that girl from the White Tiger Clan so much I wanted to kill her. Since Ri-ri said she was going to see her, I told Ri-ri to feed her that powder.”
His voice didn't waver as he referred to So-ya with such contempt.
“Ri-ri used it without knowing it was poison. So please, forgive my sister Ri-ri and punish me instead.”
Hwa-yu appealed to the Emperor in a desperate voice. Ri-ri was beginning to feel a sense of relief at his words when—
“Do you dare mock the Yellow Dragon with such a pathetic lie?”
A voice laced with a faint trace of fury flew toward them.
Everyone present, not just Hwa-yu and Ri-ri, flinched. It was a chilling voice that made everyone in the room tremble.
“…Your Majesty. I wish to exercise the right of immunity that the former Emperor granted to the heads of the Four Great Clans long ago. Please show mercy to Ri-ri, my daughter, just this once.”
Jeok Ah-yun pleaded for leniency, shielding Ri-ri.
“What truly impressive paternal love,” Yi-rim said, the corners of his mouth curling into a sharp smirk. “However, the victim of this incident is the daughter of the Baek Clan. It makes no sense for me to forgive you on her behalf, does it?”
Ah-yun flinched and lifted his trembling gaze to look at So-ya. His eyes met So-ya’s, who had been standing silently beside Sa-eon until then.
“What do you think, So-ya?” Yi-rim asked for her opinion.
“So-ya…” Jeok Ah-yun squeezed his eyes shut as he pleaded with her. “I know I have no right to ask, but I beg of you. Please forgive my daughter just this once.”
“How dare you…”
Unable to contain his rage, Sa-eon ground his teeth. He looked ready to pounce on the man making such a shameless request of his daughter.
However, So-ya stopped him by firmly grabbing a handful of his sleeve. Then, with a calm face, she looked at Jeok Ah-yun and asked, “Do you realize what you are asking of me right now?”
“Ri-ri is…”
With every syllable he uttered, Jeok Ah-yun felt his throat tighten painfully.
“Please, forgive Ri-ri.”
He, too, knew exactly how absurd his request to So-ya was. Ri-ri had tried to kill So-ya. It was a truth testified by the White Tiger Clan’s illusion and confirmed by the Yellow Dragon. His daughter, Ri-ri, had committed such a horrific act. And yet, he was asking So-ya—the child who had nearly been killed by Ri-ri—to forgive her.
How utterly shameless.
“Ri-ri tried to kill me. If it had been the real me in that room instead of a phantom beast, I would truly be dead.”
“…”
“And yet, you are shielding Ri-ri right in front of me?”
“I am sorry…”
“Are you certain you won't regret this request?”
“Ri-ri is… my everything.”
She was his everything, left behind by his wife who had traded her life for the girl's. She was the child he had to protect even if it meant risking everything he had left.
After meeting So-ya, he had been momentarily confused and failed to keep his balance, which had made Ri-ri anxious. He had even gone so far as to doubt the child because she didn't resemble him or his wife. She was already a child with much anxiety due to things that happened in her youth; how much must his attitude have tormented her for her to commit such a terrible deed?
Therefore, this was all his fault.
“In the end, through all those many moments, you consistently choose Ri-ri.”
“…”
“Not for a single moment was I ever an option for you.”
“I am… truly sorry…”
Jeok Ah-yun could not bring himself to lift his head and look at So-ya. As he stared at the floor, answering in a sunken voice, So-ya spoke coldly.
“Fine. I will forgive her.”
“...!”
Jeok Ah-yun’s face brightened instantly.
“In exchange, you must bring her directly before me and have her apologize.”
“Why should I—!” Ri-ri protested, her face flushed with humiliation.
“Ri-ri. It’s all right. Come with your father.”
However, Jeok Ah-yun spoke in a gentle voice as he took Ri-ri’s hand. Ri-ri truly did not want to apologize. But to resolve this situation, there was no other way but to apologize to So-ya.
Jeok Ah-yun held Ri-ri’s hand tightly and headed toward So-ya, who was standing on the altar.
It was just as they passed between the two facing stone statues of the Yellow Dragon and took a step onto the altar.
Suddenly, the surrounding air vibrated strangely. The sound of the crowd murmuring began to rise. Jeok Ah-yun reflexively turned his head, then froze in shock.
“Father? What’s wrong?”
“…”
Ri-ri looked at him with a puzzled expression, not understanding what was happening, but Jeok Ah-yun could not say a word.
Ri-ri’s hair and eyes, which had been a vibrant red…
“How…”
…had transformed into a murky gray.