Living with the Dangerous Beast-Chapter 110: The House Cat’s Promise

Sohwa stretched her neck like a turtle, watching him leave until he was completely gone.

“He’s gone, right?”

“Yes, ma’am.”

“Now tell me, what’s going on? Don’t tell me Dohwi abducted someone!”

“Oh, that’s... it’s not like that....”

With decades of experience, Woongsik had long realized that he was utterly powerless against Ma’am.

He could never keep a secret from her.

Resigned, he spilled every detail of the incident he knew, leaving nothing out.

“Do you remember that old village beyond the valley, Ma’am?”

“The Deer Hollow?”

“Yes, that’s the one. Something strange has been happening there recently.”

East of Mount Taeryong was White Deer Village, often mocked by predators as a ‘deer farm.’

Due to the polygamous nature of deer, the village had an unusually high number of widows.

“What? Widow abductions (* A historical practice where widows were taken for marriage, often without consent.)?!”

“Yes, it’s a disgraceful matter, to say the least.”

The problem was that these recent cases of ‘abductions’ didn’t end in marriage.

No one knew where the missing women were.

After multiple incidents, the deer of White Deer Village lived in constant fear.

Catching the culprit was beyond their power, so the village chief had personally come to the mountain lord for help.

“But you know how busy the Master is—he doesn’t have time to deal with deerfolk’s troubles. So, he entrusted the matter to me.”

“And have you caught the culprit?”

“Not quite... but I believe I’ve identified the suspect.”

“Who is it?”

Sohwa, completely drawn in by the unfolding mystery, leaned closer.

“There’s a Nohojeong who was imprisoned until a few years ago. I suspect it’s him.”

“A Nohojeong?”

“Yes. Apparently, he’s been asking around the human village about where to find White Deer Village.”

A Nohojeong referred to an old fox spirit.

Sohwa quickly understood why Woongsik suspected a fox of being behind the widow abductions.

“Oh, come now, isn’t that prejudice?”

“My apologies, Ma’am. Did I offend you?”

“No, but I think you’re right this time. There aren’t any other creatures around Mount Taeryong who would stoop to such depravity.”

Sly and selfish by nature, certain foxes had a reputation for causing trouble.

If this one had even served time in prison, Sohwa could imagine the kind of character they were dealing with.

“These damned wicked foxes are ruining the name for all of us....”

Sohwa clicked her tongue as she popped a piece of honey taffy into her mouth.

“But what are you doing here? Shouldn’t you be out hunting the culprit?”

“The Master will catch him soon enough. I’m here to protect you, Ma’am.”

“Don’t bother with that. Go help Dohwi instead.”

“But—”

“I promise, I won’t leave the house. Not a single step. You have my word.”

Reluctantly, Woongsik stood up as Sohwa gave him a push.

“Ma’am... things are dangerous outside. You must stay here.”

“Of course, I’ll stay put. I’m too scared of running into an old fox spirit to even think about leaving. Now, go on.”

“You truly promise?”

“If I step outside, I’ll be no fox but a mere house cat.”

Finally, Woongsik began to walk away, though he glanced back anxiously at every step until he reached the gate.

“Be careful out there.”

Sohwa waved him off cheerfully.

‘Everyone’s gone!’

The moment she no longer heard Woongsik’s heavy footsteps, Sohwa jumped to her feet.

Grabbing the veil someone had hidden beneath the pavilion, she quickly made her way toward the guest quarters.

“Teacher! Teacher! You must leave here at once!”

Bursting into the guest room, Sohwa roused the young fox, who was still sprawled out in bed.

“Get up! There’s no time to waste—it’s urgent!”

“Mm, what’s the matter, barging in at dawn like this...?”

“You already know! My husband has a serious grudge against you!”

“Against me? Ha, and what have I done to deserve that?” freewёbn૦νeɭ.com

Looking incredulous, Noksu took a sip of his water jar before continuing.

“Have I held your hand? Stolen your heart? Pray tell, what grave sin have I committed?”

“Don’t bother trying to understand! He’s been jealous by nature ever since he was a little cub—he can’t stand seeing another four-legged creature around me!”

“So, you’d give up on your dreams just because of a jealous husband?”

“Forget all that talk about aspirations and pack your things already! I haven’t gained anything from you yet, but I still feel sorry for you. Why waste your precious life?”

Although she pretended not to, Sohwa knew Dohwi better than he knew himself.

If she begged him not to kill the innocent gumiho, Dohwi would nod in front of her but sneak off later to hunt him down.

That was just the kind of tiger he was.

Knowing that, this was her only option.

“Leave. Quickly! Go as far away as you can!”

“What about my fan?”

“It’s... it’s gone. A ghost took it. There’s a bachelor ghost in this house, bitter from never marrying and greedy for worldly goods to fill the void.”

Sohwa averted her gaze, avoiding Noksu’s eyes.

She was good at harmless lies but terrible at malicious ones.

“That cursed ghost keeps taking my things. Maybe he’s collecting tolls for the afterlife.”

Her excuses grew increasingly convoluted.