Follow Me to the Great Wall - 5
I was momentarily speechless at the qilin's greeting. In truth, every time I visited the Gonghuwon, the qilin had always welcomed me warmly. I'd once saved it from being relentlessly molested by Do-cheol, and I'd even given it spirit elixirs for free when it looked like it might die if left alone. Sure, I'd received one of its horns in return, but to the qilin, I was its lifesaver. Even if it was one of the resurrectable sa-ryeong, it was still grateful. So its greeting wasn't anything special.
But... 'It... talks...?'
Not something like giriring, but a proper "welcome" like hurry and come in. That was special. It threw me off. Of course, seeing Do-cheol speak human language was proof that both sa-ryeong and sa-hung could do it. Right now, Bonghwang was crying boo-oong, do-ro-long, and Do-ol had fluently spoken before reviving. So yeah, the qilin must have grown enough to speak human words—easy to accept that.
'Feels strange.'
But for some reason, even though I'd expected it someday, actually hearing it speak filled me with an indescribable mix of emotions. It might have been fine if it'd talked from the start. But our first meeting was giriring, and now that's what felt normal. It was like the qilin I knew had died.
"Human? Why are you staring like that?"
"I was just thinking you've gotten bigger since I last saw you."
"Spot on. Yes. Compared to before, I've grown by about a third of a chi."
The qilin tilted its head, so I made up some excuse. It proudly straightened its neck. A chi is roughly 3 cm, so a third would be about 1 cm—an error margin, really. But it looked so pleased, I just nodded. Growth is growth, even if it's within margin of error.
'It's still a furry beast, huh.'
More than that, the way it puffed up its neck reminded me of Kki-ing or Kki-ong. King of furry beasts or sa-ryeong, it couldn't shake its animal nature.
"Qilin. Could you repeat to the Ubu Do-eosa what you told me?"
As I dazedly watched its not-quite-boast, the Emperor gently spoke up.
"Of course. This human is more than qualified to hear it."
The qilin nodded at the Emperor's words and stared up at my face.
"Human. You've forged deep bonds with beings like us sa-ryeong and sa-hung. That means you're qualified to set foot in this world, so please hear me out."
For a split second, 'Can I just live my whole life unqualified?' nearly burst from my throat. Truths revealed through bonds with sa-ryeong and sa-hung? I didn't have the confidence to handle that. I just wanted to live as an ordinary human and die ordinarily.
"I'll listen carefully, so speak freely."
But this meeting was arranged by the Emperor. He'd come all this way to hear it, and asked the qilin to tell me directly. Refusing now would be like defying an imperial command. So with a heavy heart, I waited for the qilin to speak. If it was a truth I couldn't ignore, better to hear it clearly and remember.
"It's not certain yet, but the beasts crossing into the Central Plains lately are influenced by the sa-hung."
I nodded calmly at the first sentence. I'd heard that from the Emperor before meeting the qilin.
"Likely the work of Hundun or Qiongqi, one or the other."
But at the next words, I could only blankly look down at it. Obviously Hundun or Qiongqi. Do-cheol and Do-ol were right here. This was like a fortune teller saying, "Your spouse will be older, younger, or the same age."
"The influence of sa-hung can sprout suddenly even decades or centuries later. Do-cheol and Do-ol here might have unknowingly sown evil seeds while we weren't watching."
Sensing my subtle gaze, the qilin hurriedly added an explanation. It was so frantic I let it slide. A sa-ryeong would know more about sa-ryeong and sa-hung than a human like me.
"Anyway, all sa-hung are vicious and ferocious, but Hundun and Qiongqi are the worst. Giving innocent beasts the power to self-destruct? Such a horrific act must be their doing!"
"What makes you so sure? Do Hundun or Qiongqi have self-destruction abilities?"
The qilin, trembling with rage, shook its head firmly at my question.
"I can't say. Sa-ryeong and sa-hung abilities are either innate or self-developed over thousands of years. They might have unique powers I don't know about."
"Then why..."
"Hundun has the most vicious temperament among sa-hung, and Qiongqi pursues barbaric pleasure and violence. Do-cheol and Do-ol aren't saints, but only Hundun or Qiongqi would drive hundreds, thousands, tens of thousands of beasts to death for fun."
Its words brimmed with conviction, so I glanced around the qilin. It was freely hurling words like vicious, ferocious, not-kind-hearted. Sure, sa-hung lived up to their name, but two of them were lodging here. Was it okay to trash-talk so openly?
'Guess it is.'
Do-cheol napping in the back, Do-ol sprawled beside it after tiring from fighting Bonghwang. They ignored the qilin completely, which calmed me instantly. Makes sense. Sa-ryeong and sa-hung bickering had gone on for thousands of years, maybe longer. How much cursing and slander had flown? Vicious or ferocious was hardly surprising.
"Sadly, we can't tell which of the two intervened, how much, intentionally or by chance. We can only suspect sa-hung involvement—nothing more in the current situation."
"A-And if we find out?"
"Plenty changes. If a sa-hung is deliberately meddling in human affairs, we must step in to stop it."
The qilin glanced back as it spoke.
"Truthfully... simply mingling with humans isn't a problem. But intervening as a major force in something huge like war—something that gets recorded in history—is."
"I see."
I got it. Sa-ryeong or sa-hung living as advisors or pets was fine. That influenced individuals, not history. But the clash between a unified Central Plains dynasty and northern powers was no personal matter. Beast rampages were a dagger aimed at Mongol history. Sa-hung involvement meant it went beyond "just hanging out with humans."
"So I have a request."
At "request," my eyes flicked to Do-cheol and Do-ol. Was it to capture Hundun and Qiongqi like these two and bring them to the Gonghuwon? That'd be tough.
"Could you take me to the Great Wall?"
"What?"
"To investigate properly, I need to see the beasts up close. Feel their energy, observe their behavior directly."
Caught off guard, I reflexively looked at the Emperor. Taking someone's pet to the border needed the owner's permission. Even if the pet could negotiate solo, the qilin's owner was the Emperor.
"I've already discussed it with the qilin. I understand its resolve fully—now it only awaits the Ubu Do-eosa's decision."
The Emperor smiled faintly at my glance. That was the scariest part. If he'd already talked it over, it was basically set. Asking me was just formality.
"Why me? Plenty of stronger warriors for escort duty."
"You're the only human who knows my identity. Well, your grandfather too, but he's a bit..."
The qilin trailed off awkwardly. I closed my eyes in gloom. What about our grandfather, you giriring?
We agreed to escort the qilin to the Great Wall as requested. Hard to refuse since the Emperor had approved, but the destination was within Daesong territory anyway, risks aside. Plus, as a border, it had massive military presence. Even with Grandfather's eyes half-rolled in fury, no issue. Worst case, ask Jung San Wang for extra guards.
'If it works out, good for Grandfather too.'
From the qilin's story, if sa-hung were deliberately involved, sa-ryeong like it might join the fray. Qilin in meant Bonghwang might tag along too. King of furry beasts and king of winged beasts on Daesong's side? Amid beast headaches, what could be better? A huge gift for Grandfather heading north soon.
Sure, disappointing if no sa-hung involvement, but just disappointment—no loss. Win-win, lose-neutral. No reason to refuse.
"Take me too."
'What?'
But another surprise hit. Woken by our talk, Do-cheol blinked, grasped the situation, and demanded to come to the Great Wall.
"Why you? Won't sa-hung root for fellow sa-hung?"
"Not that. Just..."
Do-cheol glanced around, then lifted its right front paw and nodded toward the ground—like asking me to lower my head. I scooped it up to my ear. Too small to bend down for its size; it'd require me prostrating.
"...Don't wanna stay here alone."
"What? Bonghwang and Do-ol are here."
"That's why I hate it. We stop their fights first, but without you, I'd handle them solo. No thanks."
Its voice dripped desperation. I quietly stroked its head.
"No human talk there. Act like normal beasts, you and qilin both."
"Got it, just take me please. I can't handle those two alone."
And so our Great Wall patrol party formed: one human, one sa-ryeong, one sa-hung. Never thought I'd beat Grandfather there.