Chapter 256: Dango
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 256: Dango
A woman with white hair gently stroked me.
“She’s quite docile, contrary to what the Faction Leader said. Look at this. She’s even purring, she must be happy.”
I’m not a cat. What does she mean, purring?
“Gerorong.”
“Wh-what is this…?”
Seeing my reaction, the Faction Leader wore an expression of disbelief.
To him, I must have seemed like a hopelessly ferocious lizard.
One that tried to bite whenever he approached, one that did nothing but steal and eat elixirs every day.
But surprisingly, that was all an act.
This was closer to my true self.
“I’m sure it tried to snap at me every time I reached for it… I heard it becomes unusually docile around women, but to think it would even wag its tail…”
The Faction Leader had found his own way of dealing with me.
When he brought women to fan me, I would pretend to listen to them.
They were all beautiful, but I’m not some pathetic lizard who falls for a honey trap.
To be precise, it was because the people around me were so stunningly beautiful that I was rarely impressed anymore.
I hate to admit it, but they were all inferior to Soyeong.
Though, everything below the neck was superior to Soyeong’s.
“Ahem…”
The Faction Leader glanced for a brief moment at those bountiful internal energy pouches and cleared his throat.
You’re not the kind of lizard who’d be moved by a size like that.
Isn’t that what he’s thinking?
Sorry, but I’m a lizard who has attained the enlightenment of the Peak Realm.
My body has realized that the size of one’s chest is no longer important.
Of course, it’s nice if they’re big, but it’s not something I obsess over.
And there’s something I realized after seeing Taotie.
What you see isn’t everything.
This lizard’s brilliant eyes could tell that there was something more hidden beneath those clothes.
Didn’t I let out a ‘Kkerorong’ instead of a ‘Gerorong’—a cry completely devoid of dignity?
I have a feeling there’s something even more amazing there.
Though I don’t know what it is.
The woman stroking me was a beauty with a cold impression.
Her pouches are nice, and her internal energy—no euphemism intended—is also outstanding.
That’s why I’m acting like I’ve fallen for her.
I couldn’t be sure, but I could feel a level of internal energy similar to Ak Bulhwi’s.
The fact that I like her face is a bonus.
…Could it be that I’ve always been attracted to strong women?
I always felt an endless desire to wag my tail in front of my Master.
Yes, that must be it.
Thinking of it this way helps me save some face.
“I don’t know what you’re talking about, calling such a gentle lizard these things. Faction Leader, do you think I’m unaware of your tricks? You always leave out a few elixirs and take the full payment. This isn’t the first or second time.”
Crack.
A white frost formed around us.
It was just a guess, but now I was certain she wielded cold energy.
It wouldn’t be easy for a human to handle such an aura, though it’d be a different story for a spirit beast.
On our side, not just Tus and Pus, but even Chillang-i is starting to use cold energy, so I wasn’t sure if it was that impressive, but she’s human, after all.
“The… Ice-White Divine Art!”
The Faction Leader shouted for me.
Ice-White Divine Art.
Hearing those words, I knew for certain who this woman was.
One of the factions outside the Central Plains, the Northern Sea Ice Palace.
As a classic trope, they look like people from the Western Regions with blue eyes.
And they’re a formidable group with a 90% chance of having a constitution that forces them into a conjugal union with the protagonist.
And the woman before me must be the master of such a Northern Sea Ice Palace, the Ice Palace Lord.
“Gek…”
But is it really okay to do this while I’m on her hand?
I’m fine because I’m no ordinary lizard, but if you blast me with cold energy like this, won’t I become a frozen lizard?
Tsk, and to call this the Ice-White Divine Art… it’s a bit underwhelming.
Is she controlling her power because she’s conscious of me being in her hand?
The output isn’t even on the level of Tus and Pus.
“Huu… hu…”
The Black Cloud Faction Leader panted heavily.
He must think the Ice Palace Lord showed him mercy.
Regardless of whether he could win a fight, he must have been terrified that if things got messy here, the elixir storage would take a massive hit.
If the elixirs were ruined, he would be ruined too.
…Of course, a certain lizard did stuff all the nearby elixirs into its mouth, but that’s not the same as being ruined.
I’m just storing them.
“It seems you’re trying to use this innocent lizard to cover up your mistakes. Am I right?”
“Th-that’s not it…”
“If not that, then what? Are you going to lie until the very end?”
Hmm, what should I say?
My tail was wagging.
Still, I need to get a grip.
Drooling over a pretty face is not how the divine beast of Gaegaek should act.
“Kkerorong.”
Whoa, her hips are super wide.
“I apologize. However, I swear on the honor of this faction, what that lizard did was…”
That lizard stole and ate all the elixirs!
The Black Cloud Faction Leader was sticking to his claim.
Since he put it that way, the Ice Palace Lord looked at me with a puzzled expression and pressed my belly firmly.
“Geeeek.”
Nothing’s going to come out even if you touch me like that.
“Well, whatever. It’s not like I can just cut off my dealings with this place because of what you’ve done.”
It seemed she knew about the Black Cloud Faction’s corruption but wasn’t going to make a big deal out of it.
Would the Ice Palace Lord also be in trouble if the Black Cloud Faction disappeared?
Unlike me, who eats them frequently, elixirs are treated as literally precious.
Didn’t even Baek Woon, who seemed to come from a well-off family, approach the 100,000 Great Mountains just to obtain a single elixir?
If he knew the rumors about the 100,000 Great Mountains, there could be no act more reckless, which must mean he was that desperate and that it was that difficult to find high-quality elixirs.
Therefore, a group like this Black Cloud Faction, where one could obtain elixirs just by paying, was bound to have demand.
Even so, my plan to destroy this place after everything was over hadn’t changed.
“Just give me this one lizard, and I’ll turn a blind eye.”
“Gek?”
I lifted my head and looked at the Ice Palace Lord.
She wants to take me?
I like her, but that would mess up my plans.
Chomp.
I quickly bit the Ice Palace Lord’s finger.
Munch.
It was so cold my tongue went numb.
My head throbbed, like I’d eaten ice cream too fast.
I wonder if this is what extreme cold sensitivity in one’s hands and feet feels like.
It was different from just touching her.
“Th-that is…”
The Black Cloud Faction Leader couldn’t hide his panic.
Does he mean he can’t let me be taken?
But I don’t like it when men get clingy.
“What, do you think I’m asking for it for free? I’ll pay a fair price. I know you’re trying to jack up the price by claiming it ate elixirs it didn’t, but if you name a reasonable price, I’ll let it slide.”
She’s rich, too!
I stared at the Ice Palace Lord with sparkling eyes.
Just then, I felt someone’s gaze and turned my head slightly.
I could see someone’s antennae in a small hole in the wall.
…Mr. Centipede?
It was Mr. Centipede’s antennae.
And they were drooping listlessly.
Mr. Centipede!
It’s a misunderstanding, a misunderstanding.
“Gekgek, gegegek…!”
Droooop…
“…It’s not a matter of price.”
“Not a matter of price? Are you really going to pin the crime of stealing elixirs on it and then punish this lizard?”
The Ice Palace Lord’s voice grew fierce.
It seemed her anger at the Faction Leader for opposing her was greater than her favor toward me.
“This lizard is scheduled to be offered to another person. You could say there was a first arrival.”
Twitch.
A vein popped on that fine, white face for a moment.
“Black Cloud Faction Leader, have you forgotten who I am?”
Crack-crack.
Once again, the surroundings were covered in frost.
“You are a valued client of the Black Cloud Faction, and the master of the Ice-White Divine Art who owns five palaces. Ice Palace Lord, Arin.”
But this time, it seemed the Black Cloud Faction Leader wouldn’t back down either.
I lightly bit Arin’s finger and watched with great interest.
After all, watching a fight is the best entertainment.
The Ice Palace Lord is strong, but the Black Cloud Faction Leader seems to be no slouch either.
“And someone who knows that dares to mention a ‘first arrival’?”
It was a hair-trigger situation.
I racked my small lizard brain.
If the two of them fought here, the mission would be completed in the confusion.
It wasn’t entirely satisfactory, but I had stolen elixirs, and the Black Cloud Faction would be naturally destroyed.
Moreover, Jin-ryong’s anger would be directed at someone else, not me.
That was one of the reasons I was operating in this small body.
Even if I couldn’t move directly, it would be best to attract as little attention as possible for now.
If the Black Cloud Faction were destroyed, it would inevitably draw attention, but if the Ice Palace Lord took the blame, we’d be getting what we want without lifting a finger.
The Black Cloud Faction Leader sighed as if troubled, then looked around and whispered softly.
“Ice Palace Lord, this story must not leak outside.”
Things wouldn’t proceed that easily.
The Black Cloud Faction Leader showed signs of taking a step back.
“…This lizard is an elixir to be offered to that person.”
“That person?”
“Yes, the Black Cloud Faction can operate entirely thanks to that person’s grace, so this matter cannot be helped. If you would please calm your anger… I will offer you the Hwari that just came in as a gift.”
The Black Cloud Faction Leader kept referring to Jin-ryong as ‘that person.’
The Ice Palace Lord didn’t seem to know much about ‘that person,’ a.k.a. Jin-ryong.
But the way the Faction Leader spoke as if she knew Jin-ryong was very suspicious.
“Hwari, you say… Well, I suppose I have no choice but to accept.”
Arin nodded slightly, looking displeased.
“But until then, it’s fine if I keep it with me, right?”
“Pardon? Wh-what do you mean?”
“If the Faction Leader is right, this ferocious lizard is docile in front of me. That means it won’t cause any more trouble, which is a gain for the Black Cloud Faction.”
Arin pressed my belly firmly.
“Geeeek.”
Let go, you brute.
I may not be an ordinary lizard, but aren’t you pressing too hard?
It strangely felt like there was some emotion behind it.
…Not that there should be any emotion to feel towards a lizard she just met.
“And I get to learn more about this interesting lizard, which is good for me?”
The Black Cloud Faction Leader.
No, the Faction Sucker didn’t hide his anguish.
He must be weighing his options furiously in his head.
Whether it would be more beneficial to grant the request of the Ice Palace Lord, with whom he had built a long-standing relationship of trust.
Or if he should ignore the request and stand firm.
“…If it’s you, Ice Palace Lord, that much should be fine.”
It seemed he reluctantly agreed, unable to lose a client like the Ice Palace Lord.
“Hmph, is that so? Then I’ll take that as a yes. You may leave now, Faction Leader.”
I wanted to cause a bit more of a ruckus, but I guess it can’t be helped.
I had met one of the few beings who could restrain me.
I suppose I have no choice but to live a life of playing, eating, and lazing around until Taotie arrives.
“Oh, before that, if you have any leftover dango made with Okbong honey, bring them to my quarters. I’ll pay double the price.”
Okbong honey!
This woman knows her food.
“Gerong.”
Drool trickled down.
It’s one of my favorite snacks.
So I can get it here, too.
…That bald guy had such a snack and didn’t give it to me?
How infuriating.
“Oh my, do you understand my words? I said Okbong honey, and you started drooling.”
Arin grabbed me by the scruff of my neck and lifted me up.
I’ve had it a few times, and it was delicious.
“You like dango that much?”
“Gerong.”
“Right, I knew you would.”
Arin smiled.
I think we get along surprisingly well.
Our tastes in food are similar, and she seems to like me to some extent.
What should I do with this sinful lizard?
Looks like I’ll be leaving this place after lazing around and getting properly fattened up again.
It was then, as I was lost in such happy thoughts.
Grab!
The hand holding the scruff of my neck suddenly enveloped my entire body.
She had me held tight in one hand.
“That’s why you stole and ate so much, isn’t it?”
Arin looked at my flustered self and spoke without moving her lips.
[Finally caught you, you thief lizard.]
So this is sound transmission.
……Wait, thief lizard?
Is there anyone else who would call me a thief?
The Black Cloud Faction, sure, but Arin was the one who denied the lizard-thief theory.
I looked closely at Arin’s face.
Only then did I realize.
Why I had performed a ‘Kkerorong’ instead of a ‘Gerorong’ at the sight of such pouches.
Why the position of that beauty mark under her eye felt so familiar.
[I told you to just wait, didn’t I?]
The one who had captured me wasn’t the Lord of the Northern Sea Ice Palace, but Baek Seol-hwa.