Episode 37: The Usefulness of Ppippi
“How’s your lip?”
“No, it’s not okay.”
Gwangyu glared at Ppippi—who hid in my hair while nursing his swollen lip—with sharp, narrowed eyes.
‘He’s furious. If I leave them alone and they meet when I’m gone, Gwangyu might pluck every last feather off Ppippi.’
“Ppippi, biting his lip with your beak went too far.”
“Ppiik ppiiik! (But snakes strike the moment you lower your guard! I was saving you!)”
‘Snakes do ambush their prey, true.’
I understood Ppippi’s perspective.
But the black snake’s ability to transform into a human, his affiliation with the Demon Sect, and his inexplicable power marked him as extraordinary. I didn’t want Ppippi making enemies with someone so dangerous on my account.
“Ppippi.”
“Ppiit! (No!)”
Ppippi whipped his head away, sulking as if wounded by my sternness.
‘This is complicated.’
“Don’t apologize. His pride’s just bruised from being bitten by a bird. It’ll heal quickly.”
‘Wait—really?’
As Gwangyu claimed, his lip had already deflated despite being grotesquely swollen moments earlier.
‘It looked like it’d take days to heal… Do snakes recover this fast?’
His abnormal healing speed confirmed my suspicion—he wasn’t ordinary.
“You’re from the Demon Sect, right?”
“Yeah.”
“Did you know who I was when we met at the market?”
“Of course. I went there specifically to see you.”
‘He came to the market for me?’
“Ppiik ppik! (Devious snake!)”
Ppippi screeched, shooting Gwangyu a hostile glare.
‘I need to stay cautious.’
“Why seek me out?”
“Relax. I heard an interesting new advisor joined the Demon Sect and wanted to see what you’re like.”
Noticing my wariness, Gwangyu offered reassurance while tapping the handkerchief around his neck.
“How did you find where I live?”
‘Even Biwang only knows I left for prayers, not my residence…’
What if he’s a high-ranking Demon Sect member who recognizes the Heavenly Demon? If he saw me with Dad—
“I threatened Biwang, but he genuinely didn’t know. Then I caught a stranger’s scent near the Vice Sect Leader’s office. Tracked it here. Got lucky bumping into you.”
‘Snakes have strong senses, after all.’
But surviving after threatening Biwang—captain of the Three Wings—meant his status was alarmingly high. Higher status meant higher chances of knowing the Heavenly Demon’s identity.
According to Ppippi, this snake had been prowling our yard. Had he discovered I’m the Heavenly Demon’s daughter?
“Why warn me about the Four Heavenly Halls’ pursuit? Losing one advisor won’t cripple the Demon Sect.”
“Couldn’t care less about the Sect. I act on whims. Helping you—Kongal—amuses me. Consider it repaying a debt.”
‘Self-centered, as expected.’ Still, his tip about the Four Heavenly Halls seemed genuine.
“Why ‘Kongal’?”
“You’re bean-sized.”
“I’m average for a six-year-old!”
“Never said you’re small. Just… bean-sized.”
‘Semantics!’
Arguing with this snake felt futile.
“Did you see anything at my house?”
“Too dark. Even if I did, it’s irrelevant. Your secret’s safe, Kongal.”
“Stop calling me that!”
Gwangyu burst into laughter, his earlier slyness replaced by boyish mirth.
‘At least he keeps promises.’
“Leave. I’m in a hurry.”
‘He’s wasted enough time.’
I waved him off, but he remained rooted.
“Ppippi, let’s go.”
“Ppiik! (Bye, snake! I’m with Cheonsung!)”
Ppippi taunted Gwangyu before perching on my head.
‘Finally, peace—’
“Why are you following me?!”
Gwangyu strolled beside me, unbothered.
“Can’t return alone. Vice Sect Leader’s orders to escort you.”
“Since when?!”
‘He never mentioned that!’
Gwangyu scratched his head, feigning innocence.
“The Vice Sect Leader wants you protected from the Four Heavenly Halls.”
‘He’s… helping me?’
His past words resurfaced: Stay by my side, and you won’t die.
‘Mocked him for grandstanding, but assigning guards works.’
Surprisingly, the Vice Sect Leader had uses beyond tormenting me.
“Why walk? Use Sky-Stepping to reach the Sect faster.”
‘Sky-Stepping—walking on air? A master’s technique.’
“I can’t.”
“But you summoned a phoenix!”
“Who said that?!”
“Your heroic tale’s spread through the Sect—phoenix-summoner who crushed spies.”
‘What nonsense!’
I recounted the truth: hurling a statue that combusted mid-air, no phoenix involved.
“Igniting a statue through sheer force is still impressive.”
“Then why no Sky-Stepping?”
‘Taunting me?’
Gwangyu seemed genuinely perplexed.
“No internal energy training. Never learned martial arts.”
“A novice wielding such power? Astonishing.”
“Ppiik ppik! (Stop bragging, wingless worm! Cheonsung doesn’t need Sky-Stepping!)”
Ppippi’s beak clacked furiously, his transparent head flushing red.
‘I want to learn it!’ But his fierce loyalty silenced me.
“Why reject Sky-Stepping?”
“Ppiik! (I’ll fly her there instantly!)”
‘Last week, he whined about back pain from carrying me…’
Inscrutable bird.
Gwangyu clapped, grinning.
“Ah! So your use to Kongal is—”
“Ppik? (My use?)”
He pointed at Ppippi.
“Transportation.”
