Chapter 6
Haomun, I was told, was a sect created by people from the very bottom of human society—coachmen, servants, thieves, and courtesans.
Because of that, it had its flaws, but it also meant outsiders could blend in easily.
Somehow, the fox ended up becoming the sect leader…
How that happened, I’ll find out later when I bite his tail and interrogate him properly.
Anyway, Cheonwolru was one of Haomun’s most important bases.
It was where the highest-grade information flowed.
The fox told me this was the perfect place to observe various kinds of humans and learn.
***
[So watch carefully and learn, Mountain Lord.]
[Instead of you teaching me?]
You’ll learn faster by seeing it yourself. Besides, everyone here in Cheonwolru is well-mannered and cultured. Better to learn from them.]
After saying that, the fox ran away—
no, escaped—leaving me with Sehwa.
Fine. My first priority was restoring my inner core’s qi anyway.
To get revenge, I had a lot to learn—regaining qi, learning shapeshifting, and understanding humans.
But the fox didn’t teach me properly… and simply dumped me on Sehwa.
Fortunately, unlike the fox, Sehwa treated me very carefully.
She held me gently as she walked, her eyes never leaving me.
I tilted my head at her worried stare.
“Kyawng?”
“… Are you really okay? You ate so many elixirs.”
“Keng!”
“You do look lively, but still…”
Her eyes were filled with anxiety.
Even though I was in a tiger cub’s form, her level of concern was unnecessary.
Her scent even changed with her emotions—humans were fascinatingly simple.
When I suddenly squirmed in her arms, she panicked.
Her thin arms couldn’t restrain me.
“Kyawng!”
When her grip loosened, I slipped down to the floor, landed neatly, and then hopped forward a few times.
I looked back at her and let out a cry.
See? Perfectly fine.
A human who hadn’t lived even 50 years had no right to worry about me.
Her eyes widened—then softened in relief.
“…Ah. You mean you’re fine?”
“Kyawng!”
“Alright, alright. Sorry for worrying. Come here?”
She crouched and held out a hand.
I padded over proudly.
This young thing worrying about me… adorable.
To me, all humans in this realm were like newly born children.
After all, I had lived for a thousand years.
I heard humans fall for appearances easily, but this is too easy.
She’d probably be tricked instantly by a villain.
***
Sehwa’s Busy Day
Sehwa was almost as busy as the fox.
“Lady Sehwa, today’s reservation—”
“The items you asked to prepare earlier are all ready.”
“We checked the missing supplies and tools. Here is the list, Lady Sehwa.”
People—men and women—spoke to her politely, reporting things and asking questions.
Some stole glances at me.
“That tiger cub…”
“Pavilion Master brought him. I’ll take care of him myself. Don’t worry about it.”
Her voice, respectful yet cold, surprised me a little.
She’s so different from how she talks to the fox.
Interesting.
As I stared at her, our eyes met.
“…Also, bring some finely minced beef.”
“Yes, Lady Sehwa.”
Once the man left, Sehwa let out a small sigh and approached me.
“Sorry, Sangun. I left you alone.”
“Kyaung.”
“Aren’t you hungry with only herbs? I told them to bring meat too. Try some.”
I didn’t need food, but I couldn’t say that aloud.
Soon, the smell of fresh raw beef drifted in.
Sigh… guess I should at least taste it since she prepared it.
***
Sehwa’s POV—Feeding the Tiger
Sehwa watched the tiger cub eating minced beef with soft chup-chup sounds.
Every time he chewed, his ears—black with white dots—twitched adorably.
She wanted to pet him so badly but held herself back.
Humans disliked being touched while eating. Tigers probably did too.
“… You’re eating less than I expected. Don’t like it?”
“Kyau.”
He licked away the crumbs near his mouth, then let out a small sound.
He yawned wide, then ignored the half-full plate and started exploring the room.
He stood on his hind legs to peek at drawers, tapped the floor with his paw, then headed toward a chair.
He wiggled his hips, ready to jump—
—but only made it halfway, claws scraping the side before slipping off.
“Kyak!”
“Oh dear. Are you alright?”
He landed perfectly on his back, staring at the ceiling for a moment, then snorted and jumped up.
His tail whipped around angrily.
Though she shouldn’t laugh, Sehwa couldn’t help smiling.
“You wanted to go up, right?”
“Kyahng!”
“Should I help you?”
He looked at her, then came over and bumped his forehead against her leg.
As if to say, Hurry up and lift me.
Sehwa happily picked him up and held him in her arms.
***
The Fox’s Words
“Take good care of Sangun.”
The Pavilion Master—the fox—had told her sternly.
“A tiger cub is rare enough, but raising one yourself is even rarer. Do it with care. Show him around Cheonwolru. When he grows up, he’ll be a dependable guardian.”
“Yes, Pavilion Master.”
“And as you’ve likely noticed, this isn’t an ordinary tiger. He’s very clever. Treat him carefully—he can distinguish good from bad.”
She remembered him saying that fondly while tapping Sangun’s head.
And then getting bitten.
Sehwa looked at Sangun in her arms.
His warmth alone was comforting.
His fur—rough and soft mixed together—was strangely addictive to touch.
When Sangun pawed toward the desk, she placed him on top.
He sniffed around with curiosity.
Just as the Pavilion Master said, Sangun didn’t knock over anything on the table.
No tapping inkstones, no licking brushes, no spilling water.
Then he tilted his head and stared at a paper—her report.
He looked so focused that she momentarily wondered:
Can he… read?
… Impossible. A tiger reading? Absurd.
“Curious?”
“Kyah!”
“It’s nothing special—just a list of supplies we need. Are you bored?”
“Kyawng?”
“The Pavilion Master said you’re allowed to go anywhere in Cheonwolru. Want to go for a walk?”
“Kao!”
Before she finished speaking, Sangun jumped off the desk with a thud.
He spun around her feet in excitement.
Sehwa burst out laughing.
The strange, mysterious tiger the Pavilion Master brought…
was unbelievably cute.
