Chapter 73
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 73
Ga-hyeon entered the library and began scouring the records.
They were books concerning the lineages of beastkin.
Can the traits of a direct lineage manifest late?
Beastkin society tended to place an extraordinary emphasis on bloodlines, a result of the power of the Spirit Core that was passed down through the blood.
Among them, the blood of the direct lineages that inherited the power of the Four Divine Beasts was stronger than any other, save for the Imperial Family.
And because that blood was so potent, its characteristics were usually unmistakable.
For this reason, members of a direct lineage who were not chosen as the next Clan Head would have a portion of the direct power dwelling within their Spirit Cores sealed upon marriage. This was a measure to prevent the blood of a direct lineage from leaking into other families.
It was the same logic that dictated why the three brothers—Ga-ya, Ga-hyeon, and Ga-yul—all took after their father Sa-eon’s traits so perfectly.
Yet, until now, So-ya had shown no traits of the Vermilion Bird whatsoever.
If she truly belonged to the direct lineage of the Vermilion Bird Clan, those characteristics should have appeared during her first beast transformation.
Perhaps avian beastkin show different patterns.
Thinking he might have missed some information, Ga-hyeon meticulously combed through the related texts.
However, the records regarding avian species were relatively scarce in the library of the Western Land.
Nevertheless, he did not give up and continued to flip through the books for a long time.
But what if the blood of the direct lineage didn't manifest late... but was actually present from the beginning, only to be suppressed by some other divine power?
Ga-hyeon frowned as the thought suddenly struck him.
But... is such a thing even possible? The Vermilion Bird Clan is one of the Four Great Clans that inherited the blood of the Ancient Divine Beasts. For a power to surpass that...
Unless it was a power on the level of an Ancient Divine Beast, it was impossible for an ordinary beastkin to suppress the blood of a direct lineage.
It was while Ga-hyeon was lost in these serious thoughts that a voice called out.
"Oh? Brother Hyeon, you were here!"
"Ah, So-ya."
Startled by So-ya’s voice, he jerked his head up and quickly slid the book he was holding back into the shelf, offering a bright smile as if nothing were wrong.
"Did you come to find a book?"
"Yes. I’m going to investigate the plague with Father in five days! So I wanted to look up some related books in advance."
"With Father? I see. Our So-ya must be very excited. The medical books are over this way."
Ga-hyeon responded with his usual gentle tone and helped So-ya find books related to the plague.
As he browsed the shelves, he stole a glance at her.
Is that red feather truly So-ya’s?
He tried to reassure himself that perhaps Ga-yul had seen wrong, or that he had mistaken the feather of some other bird.
And yet, Hyeon also instinctively believed it was So-ya’s feather.
Above all, the feather had glowed as red as a blazing flame—too brilliant to be dismissed as belonging to an ordinary bird.
It matched the description of a Vermilion Bird’s feather he had read in books as a child.
But if that really was So-ya’s feather...
Does she still not know?
So-ya seemed no different than usual.
Yes. She definitely didn't know yet.
If she had truly discovered that feather, she would have shown some kind of agitation.
Whether it was joy, sadness, or anger...
[You know, Brother. What if Cotton Ball... just what if...]
He recalled Ga-yul’s voice, which had been uncharacteristically murmuring with worry earlier.
[What if Cotton Ball really is the daughter of the Vermilion Bird Clan, and she leaves us?]
Of course, Ga-hyeon had snapped back, telling him not to talk nonsense and that there was no way So-ya would leave them, but he couldn't help the anxiety rising in his own heart.
If So-ya really is the true daughter of the Vermilion Bird Clan, and if she finds out...
Ga-hyeon bit down on the soft flesh inside his cheek, suppressing the surging unease.
* * *
Five days passed, and the day dawned for So-ya to leave with Sa-eon to investigate the plague.
Waking up early in the morning, So-ya tied her hair up into neat buns and dressed herself smartly in clothes that were easy to move in.
With the White Tiger Sword strapped to her waist and the tiger mask she had received for winning the Mountain Lord Festival three years ago in hand, she looked every bit the young lady of the White Tiger Clan.
"Wow, you look so wonderful, My Lady!"
"To think our lady has already grown so much that she’s going off to help the Clan Head... it’s truly amazing."
Yeon-jeong and San-ho marveled at So-ya repeatedly.
"Hehe."
Though she was now twelve, So-ya still felt shy at Yeon-jeong and San-ho’s praise.
"My Lady, you can manage well even without me, right?"
"Yes, don't worry, Lady Yeon-jeong. I’m good at waking up by myself in the morning now, and I’ll be sure to eat my meals and take my tonic bravely."
Yeon-jeong felt a bit regretful that she couldn't accompany them on this journey.
Instead, San-ho and Seol-yo were planned to follow as So-ya’s guards.
When they stepped outside, Sa-eon and Ga-hyeon were exchanging farewells.
"Father! Brother!"
So-ya ran toward them with quick, short steps.
"Where is Brother Yul?"
"W-wait for me, Cotton Ball!"
Ga-yul, who had overslept, came rushing out and clung tightly to So-ya.
Seeing this, Sa-eon looked down at Ga-yul with a mock-suspicious gaze.
"Baby Tiger, be honest. You’re not coming along to help your father; you’re coming because you don't want to be apart from Cotton Ball, aren't you?"
"I-I’m Cotton Ball’s brother, so I have no choice! I have to protect her!"
Ga-yul retorted with a face that asked why his father was even questioning something so obvious.
No wonder Ga-yul, who had never once followed him before, had suddenly shown up and begged to come along.
Sa-eon found it absurd, yet he couldn't help but chuckle at the siblings' affection. It was quite cute how the normally childish Ga-yul tried to act like a proper older brother whenever he was by So-ya’s side.
After a brief farewell to Ga-hyeon, they headed toward the main gate.
Beastkin did not use modes of transport unless the situation was exceptional. In particular, taking a palanquin or a carriage for long distances was highly inefficient.
This was because it was much faster to undergo beast transformation and run themselves.
In Sa-eon’s case, he was faster than any vehicle even without transforming.
Poof!
Seol-yo transformed into a large wolf and lowered his body in front of So-ya.
As So-ya climbed onto Seol-yo’s back, Jjaek-jjaek settled himself atop her head.
"Then, let us depart."
At Sa-eon’s signal, everyone went Poof! Poof! as they transformed and dashed forward like arrows.
"I’m counting on you, Seol-yo."
When So-ya patted Seol-yo’s head and made her request, Seol-yo let out an excited snort and leaped off the ground.
With every stride Seol-yo took, the surrounding scenery blurred past.
Feeling the cool breeze of early spring brush against her skin, So-ya smiled brightly.
This was the first time she had traveled so far from the White Tiger Palace.
Until now, the furthest she had gone was climbing Mt. Horim behind the North Gate.
Their destination was a village in the outskirts where the Central Region, ruled by the Emperor, met the Western Land, governed by the White Tiger Clan.
As they drew closer to the center, she began to see various animals she had never seen at the White Tiger Palace.
"Oh? Look at that one, Lady San-ho! It just came out of the ground!"
"Ah, that’s a mole."
"...!"
So-ya’s heart throbbed with excitement as she saw animals in person that she had only ever seen in books.
I’m so glad I followed Father.
With every step Seol-yo took, So-ya felt as though her world was expanding right along with him.