Chapter – 24

“Both of you, please calm down.”

Sehwa’s voice cut through the awkward silence that followed Fox’s outburst.

“Lord Rouge. Lady Hyeryeong acted with both Cheonwolru and me in mind.”

“I know.”

“She returned safely in the end. So please don’t scold her too harshly.”

At that, Fox sharply turned his head away. Seeing that, Sehwa gave a wry smile and looked at me.

“Lady Hyeryeong, I’m relieved that you weren’t hurt.”

“……I’m sorry for dirtying your clothes.”

“Clothes can always be washed. Still, next time, could you let someone know beforehand? We were very worried.”

His calm, courteous tone loosened something in my chest.

“……I’m sorry for making you worry. I won’t do that again.”

“Thank you for saying that.”

Seeing Sehwa smile gently, the fact that I’d beaten the stuffing out of that hulking idiot didn’t feel like a mistake at all.

How could I not protect a child who only ever did such lovely things?

“……Still, you did well.”

Just as my heart softened at Sehwa’s smile, Fox’s voice came unexpectedly.

“…What?”

“You got caught off guard, sure—but you still wrecked them properly. I’m glad you weren’t hurt.”

As he said that, Fox strode over and suddenly shoved something toward me.

“This is…”

The scent brushing my nose—and the energy contained within—made my eyes widen.

“Ten-Thousand-Year He Shou Wu.”

Fox said it flatly.

Any herb that had aged ten thousand years was something one might encounter only once in an entire spirit’s lifetime.

For an energy-gathering herb to grow undetected by humans or spirits for ten thousand years was nearly impossible.

So obtaining a Ten-Thousand-Year He Shou Wu was nothing short of astonishing.

“How did you even get this…?”

“Just got lucky, I guess.”

Fox replied casually, then added,

“Looks like Jimjo’s been sneaking around collecting herbs for a while.”

“What? That’s dangerous—!”

“Not something you should say, Mountain Lord. Anyway, thanks to that, we found it earlier than expected. So later, make sure you thank Jimjo.”

Then he frowned deeply, his expression firm.

“Next time we’ll have to go even farther. And if you pull something like this again—! I won’t look for herbs. I won’t! Got it?!”

He was clearly trying to sound strict, but more than that, I felt a tight ache in my chest at his consideration.

“…This might not be my place to say, but shouldn’t you or Jimjo be the ones to take it? Why give it to me…?”

It was a fair question. This wasn’t just any herb—it was Ten-Thousand-Year He Shou Wu.

Even swallowing it without telling anyone would’ve been understandable.

“Is that even a question? I get why you’d ask, though.”

Fox let out a deep sigh.

“You know exactly what the Blood Cult is like. I don’t know all the details since you haven’t told me everything, but I know enough to understand why you’re that wary.”

He leaned back loosely and nodded slowly.

“And honestly, I don’t really care about getting stronger. I’m already strong enough to enjoy myself. Why bother? I’m not aiming for ascension or anything. And Jimjo’s been obsessed with how to restore you—there’s no way he’d eat it first.”

“But you know from what I told you—the Blood Cult is—”

“You promised on your inner core that you’d protect us.”

Fox smiled.

“I prefer being the brains rather than the brawn. Foxes are crafty—we’re not exactly a fighting species.”

“What, so you’re saying I should fight instead?”

“Well, that means you need to be strong. So naturally, the herb goes to you. Makes sense, right?”

Fox laughed lightly, and somehow, it didn’t irritate me.

Because beneath his words, I could clearly feel his sincerity.

For a spirit to give up an herb like this required immense restraint and generosity.

“…Thank you. Both of you. Truly.”

“If you’re grateful, then stop worrying us and hurry up and recover. Get stronger.”

As he said that, Fox roughly ruffled my hair.

Fox claimed he’d taken care of the aftermath, but it seemed he still had plenty to do.

Muttering about squeezing money out of some thug, or how the Amhonhoe didn’t have anything worth looting.

Fox talked to himself more than usual, but I didn’t interfere.

It wasn’t my place—and more importantly, I had to prepare to consume the Ten-Thousand-Year He Shou Wu.

If I take it unprepared, it’ll backfire.

The energy contained in a ten-thousand-year herb was nothing to underestimate.

Without preparation, my body might quite literally explode.

To absorb it safely, I needed to refine and balance my internal energy.

“…This is going to take a while.”

The herb’s energy was that immense. And unlike before, Fox was too busy to act as my guardian.

No choice, then.

I walked toward the window.

[Jimjo. Are you free for a moment?]

[What is it, Mountain Lord?]

Jimjo, disguised as a crow, landed on the window sill.

[I’m sorry, but I’ll need you to guard me.]

[Ah, because of the herb, right?]

[Yes. I’ll be vulnerable.]

[Of course I’ll help.]

[Are you sure? The place is the basement of this building.]

Jimjo spread one wing and waved it lightly.

[Humans are tiresome, but this is about protecting you. And it’s underground—we won’t run into humans anyway.]

As he spoke, his size shrank. Turning into a small black sparrow, he fluttered onto my shoulder.

[Tch. What is Fox even doing, not guarding you himself—]

[Fox is probably handling things only he can. I didn’t want to interfere.]

[Hmph. Doesn’t matter. I can protect you just fine without him.]

Jimjo puffed out his chest proudly—but as a sparrow, he looked more adorable than dependable.

[Alright. I’m counting on you.]

Holding back a smile, I brushed my finger along Jimjo’s back and headed to the underground training hall.

I’d already notified Fox.

All that remained was to prepare my body to consume the Ten-Thousand-Year He Shou Wu.

After about two weeks of focused cultivation, I reached a state I found acceptable.

[This should be enough.]

I returned to my true form, consumed the herbs and elixirs Fox had provided, and reinforced my internal foundation.

Now, I should be able to control the herb’s energy without being overwhelmed.

[Oh? You’re finally done training?]

As I opened the door to the underground hall, Fox approached with a bright expression.

[You’ve recovered more than before! Your fur’s glossier—and your muscles have more strength.]

He inspected my tiger form from every angle, his face full of emotion.

[Mountain Lord, let me check properly.]

[Check what?]

[You said your muscles got stronger. And your fur’s shiny—just let me touch it once.]

[Do you want to get bitten?]

I bared my teeth and growled, but Fox didn’t back down.

Instead, his eyes sparkled as he crept closer, wiggling his fingers.

A chill ran down my spine. I flicked my tail sharply, and Jimjo chimed in.

[Don’t satisfy your personal desires, you damn fox.]

[That’s my line. You stayed with the Mountain Lord under the excuse of guarding him, didn’t you?]

[Because I’m way more reliable than you!]

[Delusions are free.]

[Delusions? Please. Calling reality a delusion is just easier for you.]

Jimjo puffed up all his feathers and lifted his head proudly.

…Though as a tiny black sparrow, he looked more cute than arrogant.

[Both of you, stop it. More importantly—the Ten-Thousand-Year He Shou Wu.]

[Hey, you can’t just say that now.]

[Everything I did was to eat it. Hand it over.]

[Ugh, give me back my moment.]

[Can your emotions restore my inner core? Recovery comes first. Eating that herb before I’m ready would be no different from poison.]

As Fox and I started bickering, Jimjo shook his head and quietly hopped down from my shoulder.

[Honestly… this is really not the time.]

I ignored the muttering.