Chapter 142
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Chapter 142
Fluttering wings beat the air—
A young sparrow flapped its wings before suddenly plummeting to the ground.
The sparrow trembled violently where it had fallen.
Small, rough hands reached down to lift it.
It was none other than Baek Gayul.
"Huh? The bird's leg is injured, isn't it?"
The sparrow's leg was turning a sickly black as it rotted away.
Baek Gayul, distressed by the tiny creature's suffering, carefully cradled it and hurried to find Jeok Soya.
Jeok Soya examined the young sparrow's condition, her expression growing grave as she asked.
"Where did you find this bird?"
"I-I don't know. It just fell from the sky."
....
"What should I do, little fluffball? Is the baby bird in a lot of pain?"
Baek Gayul shuffled his feet anxiously as he spoke.
"Don't worry too much, Older Brother. I'll care for the baby sparrow so it doesn't suffer any further."
"But...."
Baek Gayul gazed down at the small bird with a sorrowful expression.
"Something so tiny... it must have been so difficult."
"Still, thanks to you, Older Brother, the baby sparrow doesn't have to suffer alone and can receive treatment. I'm truly grateful."
"A sparrow? Isn't it a wild sparrow? I thought it was a wild sparrow."
Baek Gayul, who had always struggled to remember bird names, was still murmuring the sparrow's name over and over.
A magnificent and dignified Phoenix with fluttering crimson plumage arrived to see Jeok Soya.
"Eek? A-a flaming chicken?"
Startled, Baek Gayul's eyes widened in surprise.
"It's not a flaming chicken—it's the Phoenix."
Jeok Soya chuckled softly as she explained.
"What? The Phoenix?"
Baek Gayul's eyes suddenly narrowed sharply as he glared at the crimson Phoenix.
Unlike the innocent, anxious demeanor he had shown moments before over the young sparrow, his presence now radiated lethal intensity.
Bang!
The Phoenix who had come to see Jeok Soya quickly transformed into human form.
"Hello, Jeok Soya. It's been a while, Young Master Baek Gayul."
San Yu greeted them both.
"Welcome, Older Broth...."
She paused.
Jeok Soya's expression, which had been warmly greeting San Yu with a smile, suddenly froze.
"Older Brother, did something happen with Riri?"
"I had Riri treat my injured hand."
San Yu extended his palm toward Jeok Soya.
"You were curious about that power, weren't you?"
"Older Brother, I'm asking just to be sure... you didn't deliberately wound yourself to verify it, did you?"
Jeok Soya grasped San Yu's hands with both of hers and asked carefully.
"Ha ha, of course not. Besides, it's healed without leaving a single trace."
The way he hastily changed the subject seemed suspicious, so I examined his palm with eyes that refused to let go of my doubts.
His palm, cleanly healed, bore not the slightest scar, and yet....
'There's a scent of sorcery.'
A thick, unmistakable aura of sorcery emanated from it.
And this scent was identical to what I had sensed from the baby sparrow moments before.
"Is there any discomfort?"
"None at all. It seems perfectly healed. I wonder why the Phoenix bestowed such tremendous power upon that child...."
"...."
San Yu murmured with an expression of utter bewilderment.
True to his words, his hand was healed so flawlessly it seemed never to have been injured at all.
It would have been perfect, were it not for that thick sorcerous aura.
'I really should observe Riri performing the treatment myself.'
The problem was that the relationship between Jeok Soya and Riri was far from good....
As I pondered briefly, a method suddenly came to mind.
* * *
Ever since that day when she had healed those afflicted by the Lotus Demon Beast.
Riri had become the object of everyone's attention.
Even those who scarcely believed in prophecy showed interest in her.
As the youngest daughter of the Jujak Family, Riri possessed bloodline superior to all others.
Though unfortunate rumors had circulated that her spiritual core was weak and she could not undergo beast transformation, this time she had demonstrated her remarkable abilities by healing people with purification power, thereby swiftly suppressing the malicious gossip.
Gifts accumulated in Riri's Room, and the footsteps of those seeking her to examine their ailments continued without pause.
Everyone spoke in unison that Riri would become the next Empress.
Riri hummed cheerfully as she strolled through the Corridor.
Then she spotted San Yu engaged in serious conversation with someone.
'That person... is Samjok O?'
The man bore a tattoo of a three-legged raven on the nape of his neck.
"Ah, Riri."
At that moment, San Yu turned to Riri and smiled gently.
The man conversing with him immediately bowed his head and withdrew.
"It seems you were in the middle of an important conversation."
"Not at all. I was merely discussing matters that occurred at the Estate during my absence. No matter how important the conversation, could it be more important than you, my sister?"
At those words, the corners of Riri's mouth curled upward.
At first, I thought San Yu showed less interest in me than the other family members, but within mere days, he had become an older brother utterly smitten with me.
Of course, there were times when his lack of perceptiveness meant he failed to notice my displeasure immediately.
Like when I encountered members of the Baekho Family at the Pond and he stood there vacantly.
'Well, it can't be helped. People aren't perfect, after all. I'm kind enough to understand even if he lacks a bit of perceptiveness.'
Though the memory still irritated me, Riri decided to be unusually magnanimous and let it pass.
"By the way, Riri. I hear Jeok Soya still hasn't recovered."
"Pardon? Who?"
The moment that name left San Yu's lips, Riri's expression darkened instantly.
"So I was wondering—could you perhaps treat that child?"
"Me? Treat that child?"
Riri asked back in a reluctant tone.
Just moments ago, I had decided to be understanding even without much tact. But there were limits to even that.
Asking me to treat that child? Was he in his right mind?
"Of course, it would be uncomfortable for you, but that child's older brother is a dear friend whom I hold in highest regard."
San Yu explained in a deeply troubled voice.
"Watching him suffer as his sister remains unconscious pains me greatly. So I ask this of you, Riri."
"But you said that child was picked up from the streets. A true friend wouldn't genuinely care for someone like that."
Riri pouted her lips as she retorted.
'Why should I treat her? It would be better if she just wasted away and died.'
It was then that such wicked thoughts crossed Riri's mind.
'No, wait. Perhaps this is an opportunity....'
Suddenly, a most sinister idea occurred to her.
"But since you ask so earnestly, I shall make a special effort to examine that child."
Riri spoke as though bestowing a great favor.
That afternoon, Riri arrived at the White Tiger Clan Quarters.
A man with reddish-brown hair greeted her with a bright smile.
"Welcome, young lady of the Jujak Family. I am Ho Jeok Young of the Red Fox Clan, tasked with managing all affairs of Baek Ho Palace. Thank you so much for coming."
Jeok Young led Riri to Soya's Room.
The chamber was rather dark, with all windows closed and no light burning within.
"I shall leave you to examine her in peace."
Ho Jeok Young withdrew with those words.
Riri approached the bedside with an indifferent expression.
Upon the large bed lay a small, snow-white bird, covered by blankets.
In the darkness of the room, her form seemed particularly pale and luminous.
Riri longed to pluck every feather from this tiny creature....
'But I am the benevolent bride of the Yellow Dragon. I cannot commit such a terrible act.'
Instead, Riri smiled wickedly and withdrew something from her robes.
* * *
Several days later.
Riri held her Father's hand as they made their way to the Yellow Dragon Altar.
It was said to be the most sacred place in the Imperial Palace, normally closed to the public.
To commemorate the victory of this war, a ritual would be performed before the Yellow Dragon Altar, and the altar would be specially opened to all who had visited the Imperial Palace.
Upon arriving before the altar, prepared seating came into view.
'They said the Yellow Dragon would receive his bride upon that very altar.'
Riri gazed up at the Altar with enchanted eyes when the announcement of the Emperor's arrival echoed through the chamber.
Everyone rose from their seats and bowed their heads toward the Emperor.
Soon after, the Emperor ascended to the Altar.
The Baekho Family's seat remained empty.
As Riri's gaze flickered toward that vacant space, a subtle smile curled at the corners of her lips.
From that day forward, Jeok Soya, unable to rise from her bed, ceased to appear at official gatherings.
[I did everything I could, yet she remains unhealed—how peculiar. Has she perhaps been cursed by the heavens?]
Of course, Riri spoke thus before the assembled crowd with an expression of bewilderment, but that girl would likely never stand again.
Because....
A pause.
Riri's thoughts came to an abrupt halt.
Upon spotting those who had arrived late, her pupils trembled faintly.
'How is that possible...!'
Jeok Soya appeared alongside the members of the Baekho Family.
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Brought to you by Valir Scans! To support our team and enjoy the latest releases, please read directly on our official site: valirscans.org
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