Chapter 54
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 54
Just then, Yeon-jeong appeared, carrying a bowl of medicinal decoction.
“Clan Head, I have brewed the medicine you requested.”
“Perfect timing.”
Sa-eon smirked as he took the bowl and handed it to So-ya.
“Ugh! That smell!”
Ga-yul pinched his nose and took a step back.
However, So-ya couldn't hide her curiosity as she peered into the bowl. “What is this?”
“It’s medicine that’s very good for the body. Even better for the spirit core.”
“...!”
At the mention of it being good for her spirit core, So-ya’s face brightened, and she reached out.
“I—I’ll drink it! I’ll drink the medicine Sa-eon gave me and get even healthier!”
So-ya gripped the bowl with both hands and gulped it down.
“Poor Cotton Ball. That looks absolutely disgusting,” Ga-yul remarked, watching her with pitying eyes. “How is it, Cotton Ball? Do you feel healthier already?”
“Yes...! I really feel like my body and my spirit core have become much stronger!”
At her spirited response, Sa-eon let out a soft chuckle and took the empty bowl from her hands.
“You’re such a brave little Cotton Ball, even taking your medicine so well.”
“Hehe.”
It wasn't just a polite answer; she truly felt more energetic. The thought that a healthier spirit core would allow her to use her supernatural ability to her heart's content brought a natural smile to her face.
*
Late at night.
Under the dark sky, a boy stood still, his platinum-blonde hair falling elegantly and reflecting the moonlight. His teal eyes stared intently at a single point in the darkness.
Soon, his pupils constricted vertically like a reptile’s, and a golden haze shot toward the darkness, slithering like a long snake.
Swoosh—!
Where the haze passed, an assassin dressed in black collapsed, bleeding.
Slash—
The golden light cut through the assassin’s body once more. The man died instantly, unable to let out even a small scream.
The boy glanced at the corpse with cold eyes before slowly walking forward. As he did, the body crumbled into black ash.
Swoosh— Swoosh—!
The thick scent of blood wafted through the air everywhere he passed. One might have expected him to grimace at the vibrating stench of gore, but the boy’s face remained expressionless throughout.
Tae Yi-rim, the sixteenth Emperor of the Taehwa Empire.
As if he had foreseen their presence, he found and eliminated every assassin hiding in the shadows. His reason for coming to the Western Land was not to deliver the Dragon Blood Herb to Baek Sa-eon, nor was it solely to see So-ya. It was this:
To eliminate Hyeon Ra-baek’s puppets who had infiltrated the Western Land.
After finding the last puppet and ending its life, he wiped a drop of blood from his cheek with the back of his hand and turned away indifferently.
These puppets were fragments of the soul strands that the ruler of the Northern Land—who had embraced ‘The Evil’—had pulled from his own spirit core. Normally, they would not vanish upon death but return to their master. However, since the Golden Dragon’s ability had claimed their lives, his spirit core would have taken a significant hit as well.
‘This should make Hyeon Ra-baek withdraw for a while.’
He had secured enough time for So-ya to reach her First Growth, so it was now safe to return to the Imperial Palace. He couldn't leave the palace vacant for long. Although he held the throne, he had yet to deal with all the remnants of the First Prince’s faction who had fled.
‘I suppose I am a bit tired,’ Yi-rim thought, rubbing his eyes.
Since sending Sa-eon to the Southern Land, he hadn't rested for a single moment. When he told So-ya he hadn't slept well because he was busy, it was partly to soothe her feelings, but it was also the truth. His physical condition was such that it wouldn't be strange if he collapsed at any moment.
If he hadn't awakened as the Golden Dragon, he would have long since become a wandering ghost. But he was a man who couldn't afford to fall.
To avoid losing that child again...
To protect her this time, no matter what...
“Oh? Brother Rim-i?”
Yi-rim snapped his head up at the voice coming from ahead. So-ya was walking toward him, her arms full of books.
A gentle smile instantly bloomed over his cold expression.
“So-ya.”
He called her name tenderly and stepped out of the shadows. Because of this, So-ya didn't see the face that had been filled with chilling coldness just moments ago; she only saw the boy smiling warmly at her.
“It’s late. What are all those books for?”
“Ah, well...” So-ya explained with a slightly bashful look.
She told him that she thought she had manifested her supernatural ability recently, but she didn't know how to control it yet. So, she was on her way back from the library with a pile of books to study up on it.
“Your ability is ‘Purification’?”
“Yes! I was told it’s the power to make polluted things clean!”
“Hmm.”
Yi-rim nodded quietly as he listened to her story. “I see. I suppose one could think of it that way.”
He muttered softly to himself before looking at So-ya.
“Your ability isn't ‘Purification.’ You simply borrowed that power for a moment. Borrowing power from beings who possess great strength—that is your true ability.”
“Borrowing? From whom?” So-ya asked, looking bewildered.
“I can’t tell you that. You have to find out for yourself.”
“...?”
“Close your eyes and try to listen to your spirit core, So-ya.”
“Listen?”
“Yes. Focus on the sound coming from within you.”
So-ya closed her eyes as Yi-rim instructed, but she still didn't understand what he meant.
‘I don’t hear anything...’
Just as the doubt crossed her mind—
—...Little bird...
Huh?
—...Little bird...
This voice...!
It was the exact same voice she had heard in her dream a few days ago!
The moment she realized it, whoosh— a massive flame erupted before her eyes. Even though her eyes were closed, So-ya could feel the giant fire blooming in front of her.
But the moment she tried to step toward the flame—
Fwoosh—
The fire scattered instantly, and a cool breeze brushed against her skin as she returned to reality.
“Ah...”
So-ya blinked blankly before quickly turning to Yi-rim.
“Brother Rim-i, just now...”
Then, as she reflexively looked down at her hands, she gasped in shock.
“Wait...?”
A small flame was flickering atop her palm.
“‘The Flame that Purifies All.’ That is its name.”
“...It’s so beautiful,” So-ya murmured, staring at the flame crackling in her hand.
Even though it was burning brightly, it didn't feel hot. Instead, it felt warm and cozy. Just like that mysterious voice she had heard...
“Ah!”
So-ya let out a soft exclamation.
“I’ve seen this flame before! A ghost came to Sa-eon’s office once. Back then, sparks flew just like this...!”
I was using the power of purification even then.
So-ya looked at the flame with an excited face. Unlike before, when it had flashed briefly and gone out, this flame didn't extinguish easily and remained in her hand.
“Say, Brother Rim-i. Does making things clean also mean it can heal pain?”
“If you truly wish for it, then anything. You can purify anything. Pollution, curses, and wounds.”
“...!”
To be able to heal anything—it was truly incredible.
‘If I can borrow this kind of power, I can be helpful to the clan too!’
So-ya’s eyes sparkled with the desire to run to Sa-eon and tell him about her ability immediately.
“However, great power comes with great sacrifice. The heavens are sometimes cruel in their impartiality and justice.”
As he spoke, Yi-rim’s eyes suddenly sank deep. It was a gaze so profound and heavy, as if he were remembering something incredibly sad.