Chapter 43
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 43
After firmly securing the palanquin to Seol-yo’s back, Sa-eon helped So-ya onto the seat.
Soon, the north gate of the White Tiger Palace swung open. The mountain beasts carrying the children and their palanquins began to race up the mountainside at breakneck speed.
Seol-yo leaped toward the peaks faster than anyone else.
So-ya squeezed her eyes shut, terrified by the wind-like speed.
“So-ya! Open your eyes and look ahead!”
At the sound of Ga-hyeon’s voice from beside her, So-ya tentatively lifted her eyelids.
A cool breeze brushed against her cheeks, and at the same time, a panoramic view of the mountains under the clear autumn sky unfolded before her eyes.
“Wow...!”
An exclamation escaped So-ya’s lips despite herself.
“How is it, So-ya? Refreshing, isn’t it?”
Turning her head, she saw Ga-hyeon smiling at her. Unlike her, he was riding directly on the back of a mountain beast rather than in a palanquin.
So-ya mirrored his bright smile and replied, “Yes! It’s so cool!”
Her clear, melodic voice echoed through the valley.
The last time she had been on Seol-yo’s back, she had been too consumed by fear while racing through the dark mountain paths, worried about whether she could expose Si-yo’s misdeeds. She hadn't realized then just how refreshing the mountain air felt.
Before long, they passed the mid-slope where she used to play with Ga-yul and reached the very top.
So-ya and Seol-yo were the first to arrive.
Seol-yo tucked his knees and lowered his body, allowing So-ya to hop down from the palanquin.
“Thank you, Seol-yo.”
When she stroked his fluffy black fur, Seol-yo let out a soft, huffing snort of contentment.
Soon, not only the tigers of the branch lineages but also the prominent families of the Western Lands had gathered in one place.
Wearing a white tiger mask, Sa-eon stood before a massive altar and began the opening ceremony for the Mountain Lord Festival.
Holding a sword in one hand and bells in the other, he performed a ritual sword dance before the altar.
“Whoa...!”
So-ya watched, mesmerized by the fluid, elegant movements of the dance.
Once the ritual was complete, Sa-eon introduced So-ya to the retainers and officially announced her adoption into the family register.
Those who already knew of So-ya’s existence cleared their throats with awkward coughs, while some retainers who were hearing the news for the first time widened their eyes in shock.
Over the past few days, So-ya had gradually begun to feel like she was becoming part of Sa-eon’s family, but having it confirmed in front of so many people made her feel a mix of shyness and a warm, fuzzy sensation in her chest.
“Then, let the Mountain Lord Festival begin.”
Ho Jeok-yeong handed a large jar to Sa-eon.
Sa-eon placed his hand over the mouth of the jar and closed his eyes.
Suddenly, brilliant white light burst from the jar, transforming into hundreds of phantom beasts.
The creatures made of illusions wandered around the clearing like real mountain animals before darting into the thickets.
“The young beastkin who hunts the most phantom beasts will be named this year’s ‘Mountain Lord.’ Your hunting performances will be recorded by the phantom beasts themselves. However, please be aware that harming a real mountain animal will result in immediate disqualification.”
The children cheered at Ho Jeok-yeong’s explanation.
“I’ll show everyone the true bravery of a tiger!”
“Hmph, this year’s Mountain Lord title is mine!”
Ga-yul and Ah-rang also shouted excitedly from among the cheering children.
Bwaaaaa—!
Finally, with the thunderous blast of a horn, the Mountain Lord Festival began.
With a series of pops, Ga-yul and Ah-rang immediately underwent their beast transformations.
The other children followed suit, racing into the forest as animals.
So-ya, unable to transform, stood alone, hesitating.
“So-ya, let’s go with your brother.”
Ga-hyeon spoke as he took So-ya’s hand.
“Huh? But if you move with me...”
So-ya didn't have a wind bead like last time, and she had never received any martial arts training.
On top of that, since she couldn't transform, she was worried she would only be a burden to Ga-hyeon.
Sensing her hesitation, Ga-hyeon gave her hand a reassuring squeeze and smiled.
“It’s okay. I already won the festival last year. Since this is your first time, I’ll help you. Let’s try to catch even a small animal together.”
“Okay, Brother!”
So-ya replied with a bright smile.
“I’m sorry, Seol-yo. You can’t come with us from here. I’ll be back soon, though.”
So-ya gave Seol-yo a final pat—as he was huffing, clearly wanting to go along—and then ran into the forest with Ga-hyeon.
“Look, there’s a rabbit!”
The first thing they spotted was a small rabbit.
“You don’t necessarily need to use a weapon. You just need to strike a vital point. Approach quietly and grab it. Just like when you played tag with Yul.”
“Yes!”
Just as So-ya was creeping up to catch the rabbit—
Swish!
A snowy-white tiger cub pounced and snatched the rabbit by the scruff of its neck.
“Brother Yul...!”
Ga-yul glanced at So-ya before striking the rabbit’s vital point with a chubby front paw.
Pop!
The rabbit instantly dissolved into white light and scattered.
“Rawr, rawr! (Sorry, Cotton Ball! Even for you, I can’t give up the title of Mountain Lord!)”
Ga-yul’s pink nose twitched as he let out a mischievous, taunting laugh before leaping away into the opposite bushes.
“That’s mean.”
As So-ya watched the spot where Ga-yul had vanished with a disappointed expression—
“So-ya.”
Ga-hyeon called her in a hushed whisper from a short distance away.
Where he was pointing, a tiny harvest mouse was hiding inside a bright yellow flower bud.
With a determined face, So-ya crept toward the mouse.
The moment the harvest mouse twitched its ears and lifted its head at the approaching presence—
Grab!
So-ya caught the mouse with both hands.
Immediately, the mouse vanished into white light with a pop.
So-ya’s face lit up instantly.
“I did it!”
“Good job, So-ya.”
So-ya felt a surge of confidence.
“It might be hard to become the Mountain Lord, but I’ll work hard so I don’t bring shame to Lord Sa-eon’s name!”
“Right, I’ll help you.”
Ga-hyeon burst into laughter at the sight of So-ya clenching her fists with resolve.
“Oh! There’s a squirrel over there! I’ll go catch it!”
Spotting a squirrel at the base of a tree trunk, So-ya scurried toward it.
Bolstered by her success, she managed to catch the squirrel entirely on her own this time.
But as she watched the squirrel disappear into white light with a proud face—
“Honestly, the Clan Head... I can’t believe he brought someone of unknown origin into the direct lineage.”
So-ya froze.
She had been about to head back to Ga-hyeon, but she stopped dead in her tracks.
“I heard rumors that it’s just a winged beast from the Southern Lands...”
“Isn’t the fact that it can’t transform a bigger problem than being a winged beast? A beastkin who can’t transform. How could he take in such a thing...?”
“They say the rules for this year’s festival were changed because of that child...”
So-ya’s expression darkened as she unintentionally overheard the retainers whispering.
Oh no. It sounds like Lord Sa-eon is being criticized because of me.
She remembered Ga-yul saying that normally, only those who could transform were allowed to participate in the festival.
Instead of repaying Lord Sa-eon’s kindness, I’ve only caused him trouble and made people speak ill of him.
So-ya turned back with a dejected face.
“What’s wrong, So-ya? Did you lose the squirrel? Don’t be too sad, if we just catch another one...”
“Um, Brother Hyeon. Did Lord Sa-eon really change the rules of the festival because of me? Because I can’t transform...?”
“Who said something to you?”
“...”
Ga-hyeon immediately realized what had happened.
“I don’t know what you heard, but it’s all nonsense. So don’t pay any mind to those useless words, So-ya.”
“...”
“It’s fine if you can’t transform. What does it matter? That doesn’t change the fact that you’re my sister and we’re family.”
“...”
So-ya couldn't answer right away. The scenes from the nightmare she’d had the night before flashed through her mind.
But things did change back then.
At the memory of that day when everything that defined her had changed in an instant, So-ya remained uncharacteristically stubborn, keeping her lips pressed firmly together.
Seeing her like that, Ga-hyeon recalled what he had heard about So-ya’s past.
He had been there that night when So-ya had tentatively told Sa-eon about what she had endured in the Vermilion Bird Clan.
He had been so furious. And so regretful.
He was angry at the Vermilion Bird Clan for abusing this small child, and he regretted his own past actions—how he had ignored her and treated her as a nuisance instead of recognizing her pain.
But while he couldn't undo what had already been done, he could at least nurture her so that new skin could grow over her wounds.
“So-ya.”
Ga-hyeon knelt to bring himself to her level and looked up at her downcast face.
“You said you were a fake, but you’re wrong. You weren't the fake; those people were.”
“Brother...?”
“Real family doesn't abandon each other over something like that. Let’s just throw away those fake family members. And let’s be a real family together.”
“...!”
So-ya’s slumped shoulders straightened as her eyes went wide.
“I want to be a real family with you. A real family that protects and cherishes each other regardless of what we look like, whether we’re winged beasts or land beasts.”
“...”
“I promise. I’ll be a fence that never changes and protect you forever. Because I’m your real brother.”
“Brother Hyeon...”
The promise that he would never change resonated deep in So-ya’s heart.
“This won’t do. I have to make our So-ya the Mountain Lord.”
Seeing So-ya on the verge of tears, Ga-hyeon gave a small laugh and spoke with intentional playfulness.
“Let’s catch lots of phantom beasts and make you the Mountain Lord so we can beat that Yul kid. We’ll show those people who talked about winged beasts and transformations just how brave our little bird is.”
So-ya felt a lump in her throat, but she broke into a wide smile.
“Yes, Brother! Let’s go catch lots and lots of phantom beasts. I won’t lose to Brother Yul!”
Ga-hyeon smiled back, relieved to see So-ya laughing again.
Her spirits restored, So-ya continued the hunt with renewed energy.
The two of them worked together: Ga-hyeon would herd the small phantom beasts toward her, and So-ya would catch them.
Though she was out of breath and sweating, So-ya was having the time of her life.
And seeing her so happy, Ga-hyeon’s face was filled with pride.
“I got it!”
With Ga-hyeon’s help, So-ya succeeded in catching a large doe that had been drinking at a spring. Just as she looked up with a radiant smile—
“Huh?”
So-ya realized that her surroundings had become unnervingly silent.