TGHD Ch 47

The world was in turmoil.

Simultaneous accidents befell various figures, including prominent businesspeople, politicians, and public officials. These ranged from individual injuries to disruptions in corporate deals, revelations of illegal slush funds, and even buildings collapsing.

Miraculously, no one other than the corporate families was injured. There was no way to explain this phenomenon other than the term “divine punishment.”

People were bewildered by the simultaneous commotion. However, it became clear that all these accidents began the moment chaos erupted at a tiger clan event, and all those who suffered were linked to the Cheonho Foundation.

Several people cornered revealed that they had received “blessings” from the tiger elders. They spoke as if they were victims, but documents exposing their corruption were released.

The documents released by the former chief of staff of Kyung Jaehwan, a leading presidential candidate, detailed the corrupt collusion between the tiger clan and humans. Kyung Jaehwan was arrested at the airport while attempting to flee the country.

The Cheonho Foundation tried to cover up the incident. However, the tiger clan was preoccupied with preparing for the battle with the fox leader and missed the initial response, and the scale was too large to cover up.

Moreover, on the night of the event, several loud explosions were heard from the mountain where the Cheon family estate was said to be located. Some people saw something falling from the sky. Those with spiritual insight described it as looking like divine punishment.

After a chaotic time, the tiger elders held a press conference.

“We acknowledge all the crimes we committed.”

People were shocked at the sight of the tiger elders who appeared at the scene. Most of them walked in, looking like wrecks or severe patients, and knelt before the humans, bowing their heads. Some grimaced as if they really didn’t want to do it.

Strangely, the elders answered all the reporters’ questions truthfully. They would purse their lips as if they didn’t want to speak, but then their mouths would open, revealing all their wrongdoings. Additional crimes were uncovered as the conference continued.

Humans mocked the scene, finding it strange, while the Suin recognized that the elders were under the command of the family head.

A brave Suin reporter asked,

“Did the family head, Cheon Gun, command you to confess all your crimes? Why is the family head not here today?”

The scene included not just elders but other tiger clan members and even the grandchildren’s generation. They confessed to benefiting from the illegal alliances formed through the malevolent spirits, even if they hadn’t directly distributed them.

People found it strange that the clan representative wasn’t present at a press conference where almost the entire clan was.

“There’s a rumor that the fox clan was attacked by tigers. Do you have any comments on this?”

Questions continued to pile up as the clan members hesitated to answer. Reporters, realizing the clan members had to tell the truth, poured out all their long-held questions.

But no one easily answered the question about the family head until one elder finally said,

“The family head has changed.”

A moment of silence fell over the conference hall, followed by a great commotion. Questions flooded in about why the family head had changed, what had happened to the previous head, and who the current head was. The tiger clan members left without answering further questions.

No concrete answers were given, but one thing was certain: the Cheon family had been overturned.

The tiger clan, which once boasted such high and unassailable status and wielded unparalleled power, had fallen in an instant.

While the outside world was in chaos, the Cheon family estate was also busy.

“No matter how I think about it, you must have brought me back to life to work me to the bone.”

Cheon Hoyeon pressed her temples as if she had a headache. Buried under a mountain of documents, she sent a resentful look at Cheon Ryubeom.

Ryubeom, dressed in elegant blue attire, gave an awkward smile.

“At least we have strong hands to help…”

That night, the elders and young members of the Cheon family were dying. They had received the punishment of hell, and if they hadn’t been treated, they would have passed away by the next day.

Ryubeom saved them all. He used all the divinity he received as the head of the family and also revived them by feeding them Yeongyahwa since they were not the kind of people who deserved such precious energy. Fortunately, the Yeongyahwa stored in Daehogwan’s warehouse hadn’t burned and could be used.

Ryubeom’s reason for saving them was that he didn’t think they had paid for all their sins. After committing sins for so long, ending it by merely suffering for a few hours and then dying was too easy. Even though they had suffered in the most terrible hell of unending pain for what seemed like an eternity, Ryubeom didn’t concern himself with that.

So, he revived them all, made them apologize in front of the humans, and used them as labor to rebuild the Cheon family estate. They were tasked with clearing the debris from the ruined mansion, acquiring and transporting new materials, and constructing the buildings themselves. There were no better workers than the tiger clan members.

The clan members were deeply ashamed but didn’t dare refuse the order.

“That wretch…”

The elders occasionally showed anger, but they would immediately lower their heads when their eyes met Ryubeom’s. They didn’t even need to make eye contact; just turning his head made them assume a submissive posture. Ryubeom, as the newly appointed family head, overflowed with divinity.

They instinctively obeyed and worshiped Cheon Ryubeom. Cheon Yeongdo, who would be grumbling, would express joy when Ryubeom casually commented, “The construction is progressing quickly.” With a grateful face, he would bow deeply and exclaim, “Thank you!” only to feel ashamed and strike the ground once Ryubeom was out of sight. Ryubeom thought this was another form of new punishment.

Cheon Hoyeon sighed deeply.

“What’s the use of having workers to build the mansion when I’m handling all matters related to the foundation?”

“Well… but you did intend to expose all the foundation’s corruption, didn’t you, Aunt?”

“Huh, now you’re responding like this.”

Ryubeom only glanced away as Hoyeon let out an incredulous laugh. It was true that Cheon Hoyeon was overworking herself. She personally verified and ordered the resolution of all issues in the Cheon family’s businesses.

Ryubeom hadn’t learned business management, and it wasn’t feasible to leave it to the other elders, so he had no choice but to rely on Hoyeon.

The purpose wasn’t to calm the controversy. It was to acknowledge all the sins, find those harmed by the corrupt gains, and compensate them. It was a process to completely dismantle the already broken Cheon family’s business.

The Cheon family had to start anew from that empty land.

Knowing how significant Hoyeon’s role was in this process, Ryubeom had been following all her instructions lately. The blue hanbok he wore was also on her orders. Now that he was the head of the family, he needed to wear formal attire, and since the clan members would gather in a few days, she made him get used to it in advance.

For Ryubeom, who always wore comfortable clothes except during family events, it was a significant burden, but he couldn’t dare take it off. Even if the Cheon family was changing, it wouldn’t be easy to alter the tiger clan’s tradition-bound nature.

Just then, someone approached Ryubeom, clapping their hands.

“Wow, you look completely different from how you did outside! You look great!”

“Oh, you’ve arrived.”

It was Baekyeong. He looked at Ryubeom with curiosity and then took in the scenery that had surprised him on the way here.

“I heard the Cheon family estate was grand and beautiful, but this is a total mess.”

He had heard that some restoration had been done, but if this was the state after some restoration, he couldn’t imagine what it looked like before.

The elderly woman supported by Baekyeong also kept looking around, bewildered.

“Eh? Baekyeong, where are we?”

“If even this old woman can’t recognize the place, isn’t that a problem? Or maybe not. She always hated the very idea of the Cheon family, so not recognizing it might be a good sign.”

Listening to Baekyeong’s playful comments, Ryubeom smiled awkwardly.

When he invited Baekyeong and the grandmother this morning, Baekyeong had warned him not to be surprised by anything. Ryubeom hadn’t understood what he meant then, but seeing the grandmother now, he understood.

The grandmother’s life force was extremely faint. Before, she seemed like she wouldn’t last a year, but now it wouldn’t be surprising if she passed away within a few days. It seemed she had used all her energy to guide Ryubeom from afar.

Ryubeom approached the grandmother and lowered himself. He squatted down, not caring if his clothes got dirty on the ground, and looked up at her. The hand he carefully grasped felt like a withered old tree.

“Grandmother. Do you recognize me?”

The grandmother’s cloudy eyes looked blankly at Ryubeom. The brilliant golden light was gone, leaving her eyes a desolate gray, like a ruin.

But a slow, yet unmistakable smile spread across her eyes as they held Ryubeom’s gaze.

“Yes, you are Beom-i, aren’t you?”

Ryubeom was momentarily stunned and held his breath. Her call felt different somehow. He calmed his fluttering heart before speaking.

“I’ll finish the new mansion quickly and show it to you. You must come to see it then.”

The grandmother silently smiled and gently patted Ryubeom’s head. The touch felt just like that day, and Ryubeom smiled back.

Afterward, Ryubeom quickly approached the figure standing behind Baekyeong, who seemed very out of place and kept trying to leave. He quickly grabbed his hand.

“Where exactly are you trying to go, Dad?”

“I feel like I don’t belong here at all…”

It was Lee Han. Baekyeong, standing beside him, playfully interjected, “Well, I don’t exactly fit in here either.” For once, Ryubeom was glad to hear his teasing.

When Ryubeom held his hand tightly, meaning for him not to leave, Lee Han looked around with a confused expression and muttered.

“I never thought I’d find myself here…”

* * *

A long time ago, following Cheon Eunhwa’s words, Lee Han used to imagine the Cheon family estate. He had lost his family because of the tigers, but he had also gained a new family through her. He wondered what kind of place this clear-hearted person loved so much.

Although the Cheon family estate had burned down and was being rebuilt, just stepping into this place filled Lee Han with emotions. Especially being here with Ryubeom.

Cheon Eunhwa was gone, but a child with eyes just like hers stood right in front of him. Holding his hand cautiously, as if worried he might dislike the place, and waiting quietly for a response, he looked just like her. Lee Han couldn’t help but smile.

As soon as Ryubeom saw his father smile, he quickly led him by the hand.

“I have something to show you.”

There was a reason Ryubeom had invited his father today. His heart was excited, and his steps quickened. He kept glancing back to make sure his father was following, his eyes shining.

Lee Han wondered what the child was so eager to show him. Then, finally, at the place where Ryubeom stopped, he froze.

[天恩花]

The name he had repeated every day without forgetting for even a single day was engraved on a wooden plaque. Lee Han knew what it was. It was the memorial tablet of Cheon Eunhwa, enshrined by the tiger family.

That day, the mansion had burned down and collapsed. But the shrine had only been damaged on the outside; the interior was intact. Although everything was made of wood and should have been scorched, none of the memorial tablets were harmed by the flames. Seeing this, Ryubeom thought he had to show it to his father. He wanted to create a moment where they could all be together here as soon as possible.

Cheon Eunhwa had given all her life force to Lee Han and left. Her soul, having given up on reincarnation, no longer remained.

But they say that spirits dwell in places long remembered by people. Ryubeom longed for his mother, Cheon Hoyeon often visited and placed golden flowers there, and even though he was far away, Lee Han remembered her every day.

Because of this, the memorial tablet held a faint trace of Cheon Eunhwa’s energy. It was an energy created by the memories of those who missed her.

With a trembling voice, Lee Han asked,

“Did you want to show me this…?”

“Yes. Mother once said that someday the three of us should come to the mansion together.”

The scene was very different from what his mother had envisioned that day. It was different for both Ryubeom and Lee Han. But the fact that they had come to fulfill a promise made with her touched their hearts.

Lee Han, overwhelmed by unexpected emotions, couldn’t hold back the flood of feelings. His eyes quickly reddened.

“When did you grow up so much…?”

Lee Han gently cupped Ryubeom’s cheek, his hand trembling as he tenderly stroked his face.

Ryubeom held his father’s hand tightly, pressing his cheek against it for a moment before suddenly exclaiming,

“I have urgent business to attend to, so I must go. Aunt mentioned some documents I needed to review, and I completely forgot.”

Before Lee Han could respond to what sounded like an excuse, Cheon Ryubeom quickly left.

Lee Han watched Ryubeom’s retreating figure with surprised eyes, then awkwardly smiled and looked around as if the place felt unfamiliar. Slowly, he turned back to the memorial tablet.

His hand, reaching for the tablet, kept faltering. He struggled to lift his hand, which kept sinking into the sea of emotions.

Finally, his hand touched the tablet, filled with deep emotion. He carefully traced the engraved letters, gently stroking them.

“……”

Hearing the sound of sobbing from behind, Cheon Ryubeom quickened his pace. It was a sound he had never heard before. But he intended to forget this memory.

As he moved away from the shrine, Baekyeong suddenly appeared in front of him.

“Hmm, so this is why you called us?”

Baekyeong smiled with a peculiar expression, suggesting that Ryubeom had invited them quickly to show the grandmother the newly rebuilt Cheon family estate and to show Lee Han the memorial tablet. His narrowed eyes held pride but also a hint of curiosity.

Reading his curiosity, Ryubeom asked first,

“What question do you want to ask?”

“Your actions are admirable… but I’m curious as to why you’re staying with the Cheon family. Didn’t you go through a lot of hardship here? You might want to leave without looking back.”

Ryubeom’s eyes widened. It was an entirely unexpected question. Ryubeom had never considered leaving, so Baekyeong’s words seemed curious to him.

Baekyeong had lived alone for a long time and had no particular attachment to the family. After being with the grandmother, he grew to dislike the family.

In truth, Ryubeom had only spent about ten years with the family, not long enough to develop a deep attachment. It was half his life, but as Baekyeong said, that time hadn’t been smooth.

Simply saying that he had grown to love the family by following his mother didn’t seem convincing, so he chose his words carefully.

“There are many things that need to be set right here. Many things to atone for…”

“Why do you have to go to the trouble?”

“Is there a reason I shouldn’t?”

“You were a victim too.”

“That’s precisely why I want to ensure it never happens again.”

Ryubeom answered calmly. Remembering the injustices he suffered in the family and knowing the past ruined by the elders’ selfishness, he didn’t want any more clan members to endure such things.

“Someone needs to say no. That the wrongdoings committed under the guise of strength are not justified, and that exploiting the weak, regardless of one’s power, is not right.”

“Wasn’t tearing it all down enough?”

“Hmm, that’s true. But for the intentions to endure, I believe there must be someone to keep vigilance. And… the history of the tigers is too significant to end in total collapse due to such wrongdoings.”

Baekyeong let out a laugh.

“So, you love history. Haven’t you ever thought that clinging to past glories is a futile attachment?”

“…That’s a rather sharp expression.”

“Oh, no! I’m not insulting you! I don’t dislike tigers either; I am a tiger myself! It’s just… you’ve suffered so much. Even though some respect you as the new family head, there are still some clan members who are discontent.”

“Ah, you were worried about me.”

“It’s maddening…”

Baekyeong hastily explained in response to Ryubeom’s glum reaction, then sighed as he saw Ryubeom smile. He muttered about how Ryubeom had become so sly and must have picked up some strange influence somewhere. Ryubeom chuckled softly at his annoyed demeanor.

Afterward, Ryubeom chose his words thoughtfully again.

“While closing Sagwido, I met many people. Since it was a task I was practically expelled to undertake, I never revealed that I was a tiger anywhere.”

Baekyeong wondered why he was bringing up old stories but listened quietly. There was a peculiar atmosphere around Cheon Ryubeom as he reminisced.

Cheon Ryubeom had been extensively educated about the greatness of tigers by the family, almost to the point of brainwashing. It was said that it was right for tigers, as the supreme species, to rule over all and that humans should naturally revere them. That it was the natural order and logic.

However, Ryubeom experienced that significance differently outside. He encountered the crow spirits of Hyojomyeon, the mermaids of the Han River, and the Imugi of Jeju Island. Despite meeting various people in different regions, there was a common reaction.

“When they learned I was a tiger Suin, their faces showed relief.”

“……”

“The belief that the problem would be solved, the relief that they could somehow escape the difficult situation. I don’t think it’s something Cheon Gun built.”

The trust and reliance people showed must be the significance built by the history of the tigers.

Other strong species of Suin might have also reassured people. But the actions the crow of Hyojomyeon took, asking the descendant of the mountain lord for help, the reason the mermaid formed by Suin’s resentment finally responded to the leader’s words, and the spirits consumed by the Imugi ultimately following the mountain lord’s command—

These were all rooted in the myth of the tigers.

It was a similar experience in the village below Yuseom Mountain. The relief on the residents’ faces when they heard that the tiger clan had come to help with the landslide damage, and the pure smile of the child when Ryubeom found the toy plane for them.

“I want to preserve the significance of tigers as protectors. The greatest significance that reassures people.”

Baekyeong’s mouth opened slightly at Ryubeom’s words. The sincerity in each word was so clear and straightforward that he couldn’t respond easily. Just listening to it made his heart pound. He hadn’t experienced the significance of being a protector himself, but he couldn’t understand why he was feeling this way.

Was it the power of the family head, or had he been moved by the significance of the path Cheon Ryubeom had walked?

Baekyeong remained silent for a long time before finally turning his head and speaking.

“…This incident has likely buried the significance of being a protector. Human feelings towards tigers have probably turned negative. It won’t be easy to bring it back up.”

He spoke coldly on purpose, but Ryubeom could sense the concern in his voice. Baekyeong’s tone showed he was worried about whether Ryubeom could endure and move forward with such scrutiny. He feared for the bright convictions of the child, wondering when they might break.

So, Ryubeom smiled and replied,

“Nothing has ever been easy for me from the beginning.”

“…Living such a difficult life has led to this kind of side effect. No matter how much I warn you about the difficulty, you always push through.”

* * *

Baekyeong shook his head as if in disbelief, but still glanced at Ryubeom with curious eyes.

It was undoubtedly an incredibly difficult task, yet there was an odd feeling that Cheon Ryubeom would somehow manage to accomplish it. He wasn’t even a fox, yet he had a way of entrancing people.

At that moment, Ryubeom sighed and made eye contact with Baekyeong before speaking.

“Actually, I have a favor to ask regarding that matter, Baekyeong.”

“What could I possibly do?”

“We’re planning to invite all the tiger Suin in the country here in a few days, and I’d really like you to attend as well.”

“Huh. Someone without spiritual power like me would only bring bad luck.”

Soon, all the tiger Suin in the land would gather at the mansion. With a new family head, everyone was coming to pay their respects.

Although a summons had been issued to the clan on the day of the battle, it was so urgent that not everyone had gathered. Ryubeom wanted to invite those who had been ‘excluded.’

They were like Baekyeong—tiger Suin without spiritual power.

It turned out that there were quite a few among the tiger clan who couldn’t use spiritual power. But the clan considered them a disgrace and erased them from the records, casting them out. The Cheon family, especially Cheon Gun, claimed that only strength was right. The clan always managed its members to avoid falling out of the family head’s favor.

Thinking about it, it didn’t make sense that only the tiger family had no members without spiritual power, while other species of Suin had many who lacked it. This was a legacy of Cheon Gun. He emphasized that the tiger clan had to be flawless and perfect.

Ryubeom wanted to change that. He didn’t want to hide those without spiritual power or consider them a disgrace but accept them as equal clan members.

“Strictly speaking, you are closest to the gods, Baekyeong. There’s no one in the clan greater than you.”

Ryubeom subtly praised Baekyeong. For the change Ryubeom pursued, Baekyeong’s presence was essential. Even if invitations were sent to those who had been excluded, the clan members who had faced long-term discrimination wouldn’t easily decide to attend.

Moreover, even if they did attend, they might face subtle glances from the other clan members. Hatred and discrimination spread easily and take root deeply, whereas acceptance and improvement take a long time and require much effort.

“If anyone dares to say anything foolish to you, I’ll personally see that they’re punished.”

Feeling that offering such terms was all he could do, Ryubeom felt sorry. But Baekyeong was staring at him in amazement, as if he had never imagined hearing such words.

After blinking slowly, he finally replied,

“…If you do that, the other clan members might not be happy.”

In fact, Ryubeom’s decision could provoke backlash from the clan. The Cheon family had committed the greatest wrong in the recent incident, tarnishing the clan’s reputation, and other members might resent having to follow the change.

“Wouldn’t it be better to do it later?”

“If we postpone it for not being the right time, it might get delayed indefinitely. And honestly, is there a better time than when everything is turned upside down like now?”

“…You’re very idealistic.”

Baekyeong let out a hollow laugh at Ryubeom’s calm answer. Though he didn’t say more, his eyes still asked why he was trying to create conflict from the start.

After a prolonged sound of contemplation, Ryubeom spoke.

“It’s not about some grand cause or mission. I’m too young and just became the family head to talk about such things… I didn’t want to say this, but I’m still inexperienced and newly appointed.”

“…”

“I might be making idealistic statements because I don’t yet grasp reality. Being certain my path is right might be arrogant. But Baekyeong, you did call this ‘ideal,’ so it’s not entirely wrong, is it?”

“…What?”

Baekyeong was taken aback. What could have sounded like sarcasm, Ryubeom took positively.

Ideal—an imagined perfect state from the present. So Ryubeom was saying that even if his argument lacked practicality, it wasn’t wrong.

“I’m merely choosing this path because I know the way that’s definitely wrong.”

Under Cheon Gun’s rule, the tiger family wielded immense power, enjoying enormous wealth and an unapproachable status. Humans would lower themselves and bow in fear over even minor mistakes in front of the tiger clan.

Ryubeom had once felt pride in that status, but…

“I’ve seen how a clan that only pursues strength ends up decaying.”

At Ryubeom’s calm tone, Baekyeong opened and closed his mouth a couple of times. He seemed at a loss for words, or perhaps overwhelmed with emotion. He awkwardly touched his chest, unfamiliar with the feeling of his heart pounding.

“Well, I see now why you called me…”

Muttering in a slightly embarrassed tone, Baekyeong then burst into laughter. He couldn’t help but laugh as his chest felt ticklish. He laughed heartily and, with his usual bold demeanor, extended his hand to Ryubeom.

“I’ll personally decide the punishment for anyone who talks nonsense to me.”

“…Alright.”

Reading the agreement in his response, Ryubeom willingly shook his hand. Their hands enthusiastically shook in the air.

Baekyeong looked at Ryubeom with curious eyes.

“You have a lot of responsibility, new family head.”

“Well, it’s more like I can’t ignore it since I’ve already received something in return…”

Having used the divinity he gained as family head right away, Ryubeom had made an irreversible commitment. Of course, even if he could go back, he would make the same choice.

Baekyeong tilted his head in confusion, but Ryubeom just smiled silently.

Cheon Ryubeom then walked across the mansion. The ruined estate felt desolate. But it was being rebuilt, and Ryubeom cherished the sight.

The tiger clan now had to change in many ways.

With that in mind, Cheon Ryubeom created a new protective formation today. He carefully laid out the spells in Daehogwan, the first building to be rebuilt.

Other Suin families had noticed that the tiger clan’s barrier had broken due to the recent chaos. Some of them sent malevolent beings to verify the situation, or more precisely, to exploit any gaps.

The prestige the tiger clan had built up had crumbled in an instant, but the myth of the tigers hadn’t disappeared. So, they were looking for an opportunity to mock the Cheon family before it recovered.

Ryubeom had brought down the family with his own hands, but it was all to set things right. As soon as Daehogwan was rebuilt, Cheon Hoyeon had insisted on drawing a new protective formation.

Though he had never drawn a large-scale protective formation before, it wasn’t daunting. It came to his mind like a revelation.

The myth within him was continually guiding him.

How the tiger had risen to prominence in this land, the history that was rightly called a national treasure, how it had been created.

Ryubeom walked along that history, taking each step cautiously, reflecting on its meaning. There was light before him, and behind him, a new path was carved.

Finally, he completed the protective formation.

Ryubeom looked at the formation in wonder. Majestic golden light rose over the enormous formation and soon spread throughout the entire mansion. He instinctively felt the barrier was complete.

Feeling his energy draining, he took a deep breath. He was incredibly tired from not having rested properly for days, but there was no time to rest.

Today, he had someone to meet.

* * *

A few hours later.

The new head of the tiger clan was in a place the clan members would never have imagined. And Ryubeom himself had never thought he would walk in this space.

Cheon Ryubeom was now in the main house of the fox clan. He was walking through the main hall, the center of the estate. In Suin estates, the main hall usually referred to the residence of the family head.

Ryubeom’s impression of the main hall was usually serene and calm, but the fox clan’s main hall was different. Most notably, it echoed with someone’s loud crying.

“Ahhhhh, sob, hic! It’s so good to see you again, young master!”

Today, Cheon Ryubeom had visited the fox clan very discreetly. To avoid being noticed, he wore a long cloak that covered his entire body, and Guil was assigned to guide him from the entrance to the main hall. Guil’s expression changed dramatically when Ryubeom slightly lifted his hat to greet him.

Guil had been on the verge of tears the entire way, and as soon as they entered the main hall, he burst into tears. Ryubeom was incredibly flustered. Though he understood the meaning behind Guil’s words, “It’s good to see you again,” he hadn’t expected such a reaction.

At a loss for what to do, Ryubeom blurted out anything that came to mind.

“But we met at the fortress a few months ago.”

“Sniffle, you don’t know how I felt then!”

Instead, Guil burst into even louder tears, and as Ryubeom stood there in dismay, Yeohwi approached him. Waiting in the main hall, Yeohwi shook his head as if he had a headache.

“I didn’t expect to show such an embarrassing scene as soon as we invited you to our family…”

He scolded Guil for crying so easily these days and now, again today.

* * *

Guil tried to shout something defiantly, but at that moment, a red energy stuck to his mouth like tape. Yeohwi had silenced him, telling him not to make a fuss.

Guil was probably about to insist on how sad he was, so Ryubeom just nodded awkwardly.

“Ugh, what’s going on? Is Guil crying?”

“Guil cries more than we do…”

“Guil, you often show us that the notion that adults don’t cry is a misconception.”

At that moment, the triplets slid open the sliding door and came out. They seemed to have just woken up, stumbling sleepily, and Yeohwi clicked his tongue, scolding Guil for waking them up.

Soon, the children spotted Ryubeom and their eyes widened.

“Beom-i!”

“Hey, it’s Beom-i…!”

“Younger master!”

The children, their faces lighting up, rushed towards Ryubeom. Ryubeom, equally pleased, bent down to greet the children.

“Why is Beom-i here?”

“Are you going to live here now…?”

“I wouldn’t mind! I can give you a room!”

Geumo, Euno, and Dongo spoke in turn, their eyes shining. They must have decided among themselves to have Cheon Ryubeom stay here, clinging to his clothes tightly.

“Let’s play together! Pillow fight, pillow fight…!”

“I’m on Beom-i’s side!”

“Me too, I’m on the young master’s side!”

“Hey, if all three of us are on Beom-i’s side, who will be on the other side?”

“Yeohwi and Guil can be the opponents!”

“Kids, it’s scary how casually you suggest such things.”

Yeohwi sighed deeply, while Guil shook his head in horror, clearly afraid he might actually die.

As Ryubeom chuckled, Yeohwi murmured softly.

“How did we end up not being enemies…”

It was a very quiet whisper, but Ryubeom didn’t miss it. He stared at Yeohwi for a moment, then smiled silently and patted the triplets’ backs.

“That would be nice, but I have some work to do today. Let’s play together later.”

The children grabbed Ryubeom’s arm, shaking it in disappointment. They wanted to play since it had been a while since they last met, but they quickly read the apologetic look in Ryubeom’s eyes and stepped back. They even cheerfully declared, “I can sleep alone!” not wanting to burden him, which made Ryubeom smile.

The reason Cheon Ryubeom visited the fox family today was to check on Ryeong.

Since that day, Ryeong hadn’t woken up. Although Ryubeom had poured out his divinity to bring back his breathing, Ryeong hadn’t opened his eyes.

Yeohwi had kept this a secret. Ryubeom only found out after probing him, and when he asked to see for himself, Yeohwi discouraged him. He was grateful enough that Ryubeom had saved Ryeong and didn’t want him to exert himself further. He said he would handle the rest, worried since Ryubeom had exhausted himself after using his life force.

But Ryubeom felt responsible for Ryeong until he woke up. Maybe something went wrong during the urgent summoning process, causing Ryeong to be unable to open his eyes.

By then, Guil was freed from the red spell.

“Sniffle. Let’s go back to sleep, kids.”

The triplets looked disappointed but eventually nodded. They held out their pinkies, making Ryubeom promise to come back and play with them again. Ryubeom gladly sealed the promise with all of them.

After finally getting the children back into their rooms, Guil bowed his head in thanks.

“Thank you very much, young master.”

“No, it’s nothing. I enjoy playing with the kids, so if I have time later…”

“No, I mean, I want to thank you for everything that happened ‘that day.'”

While Ryubeom was momentarily taken aback, Guil continued. He took a deep breath, as if trying not to cry again, and began to speak.

“I thought I would never see anyone again. So, I am truly grateful, though it’s shameful of me to say it.”

“…Guil.”

“I had prepared an antidote to make sure the kids wouldn’t forget you and the family head, but I never thought I would actually use it…”

Yeohwi tried to stop him from speaking, but hearing about an antidote, he looked puzzled and asked, “Antidote?”

In fact, even while letting Yeohwi go that day, Guil hadn’t given up hope. He had prepared the antidote long in advance, not just because he hoped but because he believed.

It was impossible to break the family head’s spell with his power alone, so he prepared it with the help of other clan members. Guil held nearly all the administrative power in the family, allowing him to make it secretly without Yeohwi knowing. He carefully divided the tasks to ensure the secret didn’t leak.

Guil bowed his head again, this time his voice trembling.

“And I am truly sorry for everything during that time.”

Ryubeom looked at Guil quietly. Guil seemed tense, as if ready to accept any rebuke, but after a short silence, Ryubeom responded lightly.

“I promised to repay your kindness before.”

When he investigated Yuseom Mountain, Guil had greatly assisted him. He contacted the fox clan members scattered across the country to gather information, and afterward, he issued orders to watch over the area around Yuseom Mountain at night.

Although Guil’s help at that time was likely part of his duties to support Yeohwi, the fox family head, it allowed Ryubeom to meet his father sooner. Without Guil’s help, they might have missed each other.

Ryubeom focused on the positive outcome and said he was just keeping his promise from then. There was no falsehood in his tone.

“But I…”

Guil shook his head, finally contorting his face. Overwhelmed by emotion, he could only move his lips without making a sound before bowing deeply and leaving. He claimed he had something to check on, but his departure seemed more like fleeing.

Ryubeom watched him go, then turned to see Yeohwi looking at him with a peculiar expression. He seemed to be debating whether to say something, staring intently, making Ryubeom sigh.

“Thanks for the bracelet. It allowed me to come in quietly, so I’ll return it now.”

Guil had given him a bracelet similar to the prayer beads Yeohwi used to wear, which concealed the wearer’s energy. As the new family head, Ryubeom’s pure energy radiated strongly. If he had entered the fox family estate without it, other clan members would have noticed. Even the triplets wouldn’t have approached him.

Thinking this must be why Yeohwi kept staring, Ryubeom removed the bracelet, but Yeohwi shook his head.

“No. You’ll need it when you return. And that bracelet was made for you.”

“For me?”

“Yes. It was originally meant for you…”

As Yeohwi carefully reattached the bracelet, he added in the same cautious tone.

“You might come again, after all.”

Ryubeom blinked. The bracelet was useful for hiding his energy, but he felt happier knowing Yeohwi had made it for him. And he appreciated Yeohwi naturally hinting at ‘next time.’

When Yeohwi’s fingers brushed his wrist while fastening the bracelet, the simple touch made Ryubeom’s heart flutter. He looked at the bracelet with a new feeling.

“Is this the same as the prayer beads Yeohwi used to wear?”

“It’s similar, but there’s an additional spell.”

“Oh? What spell?”

“…Um, a perception inhibition spell.”

The explanation followed that while it wouldn’t affect those who already knew Cheon Ryubeom, it would make it difficult for others to recognize his face. Ryubeom tilted his head in confusion.

“Why? It’s convenient, but…”

He had experienced the convenience of that spell during the fortress festival, and as he would be more active as the family head, its usefulness would indeed increase. So he was grateful, but curious as to why Yeohwi had included such a spell.

Yeohwi spoke slowly. He seemed to have intended to keep it a secret but now found himself unable to hide the truth when Ryubeom asked.

“Because you have a way of charming everyone around you.”

“What? When did I ever do that?”

“The fact that you don’t even realize when you do it is the bigger problem.”

Yeohwi shook his head. He exaggeratedly claimed that if he listed all the people who had been charmed by Cheon Ryubeom, it would take more than a day.

Ryubeom chuckled.

“I told you before, you’re the one who charms people more.”

“Young master, do you realize that everyone in the main hall of the fox family, the very center of the fox clan, likes you? That’s a huge deal.”

“Hmm, does that include you, Yeohwi?”

“…”

Yeohwi, who had been speaking continuously, fell silent. He looked flustered, his mouth opening and closing, before finally letting out a sigh-like laugh.

“Where did you even learn to say things like this…?”

“I have only one teacher.”

Ryubeom even shrugged nonchalantly, causing Yeohwi to fall silent, unable to continue the teasing. A slightly bemused whisper escaped him, marveling at how Ryubeom had surpassed his teacher.