Chapter 87
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 87
The day after Ga-hyeon returned to the White Tiger Palace, having completed his fifteen-day punishment.
The day So-ya had spent the last three years yearning for finally dawned.
It was the day the three siblings—Ga-hyeon, Ga-yul, and So-ya—would set off for the East to meet Cheong-ha.
Ga-hyeon, who had already visited the Cheonghae Palace twice over the past two years, acted as the guardian for his younger siblings. Jeok-a, Su-ri, and Seol-yo followed as their attendants.
So-ya rode atop Seol-yo for two full days of travel before they arrived in the Eastern Land, which was in the midst of bustling festival preparations.
So-ya’s eyes widened at her first sight of the blue ocean.
“Mother was right. The sea is so much bigger than the lake!” So-ya cried out, her voice laced with excitement.
The Cheonghae Sea was home to a diverse array of animals and marine life that moved between land and water. There were seals, flatfish, whales, sea lions, sea otters, hermit crabs, and even sea ducks with wings and beaks like So-ya’s.
So-ya was captivated by the marine creatures she had only ever seen in books.
The Eastern Land was even more magnificent in person than she had imagined. She loved the vibrant, boisterous atmosphere and the refreshing scent of the sea breeze.
“Cotton Ball! Let’s go eat that!”
In the meantime, Ga-yul, distracted by a delicious aroma, grabbed So-ya’s hand and headed toward a food stall. He bought skewers of grilled shrimp and clam meat brushed with seasoning and handed them to So-ya and the rest of the group.
As So-ya munched on a shrimp, her eyes crinkling into crescents, she felt something soft settle onto her head.
Looking up, she found Ga-hyeon placing a flower crown on her hair.
So-ya beamed and held out her skewer to him.
“You try some too, Brother. Yul bought it, and it’s really delicious.”
“As expected, only our So-ya looks out for her big brother.”
Ga-hyeon chuckled and took a bite of the skewer she offered.
“You seem to be having a good time, So-ya.”
“Yes! I’ve wanted to come here ever since I was little. I wanted to see a lively festival like this,” So-ya said, gazing out at the vibrant shoreline.
Indeed, it was one of the wishes she had held since she was very young—to walk through a festival while holding her brothers' hands. Though that childhood wish had once ended in abandonment and betrayal.
So, this is what it feels like to spend a happy time in a special place with people I cherish.
As So-ya watched the surroundings with a gentle smile, a black-tailed gull flew down toward her. She shared some of her food with the bird. Her face brightened as she "conversed" with the squawking gull.
“What’s the bird saying, Cotton Ball?”
“It says welcome to the Cheonghae Sea!”
So-ya giggled as she answered Ga-yul, who was peeking over with curiosity.
While the group was enjoying the seaside festival, a young boy with green hair came running toward them in a hurry.
“Greetings, Young Lords of the White Tiger Clan! And the young lady, Cotton Ball!”
The boy introduced himself breathlessly.
“I am Byeol Ah-saeng, a softshell turtle beastkin of the Cheonghae Dragon Palace! I have been ordered by Lady Cheong-ha to escort the honored guests from the West! It is an honor to serve you!”
“It’s been a while, Ah-saeng. Has it been a year?”
“A turtle beastkin?”
“Hello, Ah-saeng. It’s nice to meet you.”
The three siblings greeted him in their own ways. Ah-saeng then began leading them toward the Cheonghae Palace.
“I hope the Eastern Land has made a good first impression on you, My Lady.”
“It seems very lively.”
“It’s a bit hectic, isn't it? The Dragon God Festival is about to begin.”
“I heard from Mother. She said a festival is held in front of the Cheonghae Sea every spring.”
“That’s right. There’s also a Martial Arts Tournament to choose the greatest warrior of the East…”
“A Martial Arts Tournament? I want to join!” Ga-yul interrupted, his voice full of interest.
“The tournament is only open to beastkin who have completed their Second Growth.”
“Aw, what? That’s not fair.”
“Instead, there will be Falling Flower Fireworks on the final day of the festival. Why don’t you all go watch that together?”
“Falling Flower Fireworks?”
This time, So-ya’s eyes sparkled with interest.
“Yes, yes. We hang Falling Flower Sticks filled with charcoal powder on long ropes…”
“Fire falling from the sky… that sounds so wonderful! I definitely want to see it!”
“And of course, the highlight of the Dragon God Festival is the ‘Song of Purumir.’”
“I heard about that from Mother! It’s a ritual where the Blue Dragon Painted Halberd is used to make the life of the Eastern Land sprout green and fresh.”
“Correct. Lady Cheong-ha, the Keeper of the Blue Dragon Painted Halberd, will personally preside over the ceremony.”
As they walked and talked, they soon saw dolphins poking their heads above the water’s surface.
“Ah, we’ve arrived. Everyone, please take a Sea Bead.”
The Eastern Land governed by Cheong-ha was divided into a land zone and an undersea zone. The Blue Dragon Clan’s Cheonghae Palace was located in the undersea zone, and outsiders required these Sea Beads to enter.
Infused with the blessing of the Dragon God, these Sea Beads allowed land-dwelling beastkin and beasts to breathe underwater. It was thanks to these beads that Jjaek-jjaek had been able to travel back and forth to deliver letters between So-ya and Cheong-ha over the last three years.
However, the power of the Dragon God was so potent that young beastkin whose spirit cores had not yet fully matured sometimes suffered side effects from the beads.
But I’ve finished my First Growth now, so I’ll be fine!
With a fluttering heart, So-ya tucked the Sea Bead Ah-saeng gave her into her pocket.
Once he confirmed that the party had mounted the dolphins, Ah-saeng transformed into a turtle with a soft poof.
“Then, I shall see you at the Cheonghae Palace.”
Ah-saeng dove into the water first, and the dolphins carrying So-ya’s group followed, cutting through the waves.
Splash!
The refreshing sound of water resonated clearly in her ears. So-ya slowly opened her eyes underwater and immediately let out a gasp of admiration.
Wow…!
The sight beneath the sea was magnificent. Colorful starfish, mysteriously hued coral reefs, schools of tiny fish, and turtles grazing on seaweed…
While So-ya was captivated by the scenery, the group finally reached their destination. The beautiful and mystical sight of the Cheonghae Palace, also known as the Undersea Palace, welcomed them.
*
Cheong-ha was currently grappling with a series of strange occurrences in the Eastern Land.
Originally, the Blue Dragon was the divine beast in charge of life, and the Eastern Land under its influence was perpetually blessed with vitality. Recently, however, the plants of the East had been withering away, and it had been some time since the cries of new life had been heard.
“This is a serious problem.”
Cheong-ha’s expression was grim as she reviewed the reports amidst the busy preparations for the Dragon God Festival.
“Lady Cheong-ha, Lady Cheong-ha! I’ve brought the guests from the West!”
Ah-saeng came scurrying in to announce their arrival.
“The children are here?”
Her expression brightened instantly, and she stood up immediately to greet them.
“Mother!”
“Mom!”
“M-Mother…!”
Ga-hyeon, Ga-yul, and So-ya—who had grown remarkably beautiful in the interim—greeted her with joyful faces.
“Welcome, my children.”
As she opened her arms with a radiant smile, the three siblings threw themselves into her embrace simultaneously.
“When did our youngest grow into such a lady?”
“I-I wanted to see you, Mother! To see you, I listened to Father, ate well, and studied very hard!”
Though she had exchanged letters with Cheong-ha often, calling her "Mother" out loud felt a bit unfamiliar yet made So-ya’s heart swell with excitement.
“Congratulations on growing up so wonderfully, So-ya.”
Cheong-ha smiled warmly, stroking the head of the now much taller So-ya. A bright smile bloomed on So-ya’s face as well.
After they had spent some time catching up.
“Mother, I want to see the Blue Dragon Painted Halberd.”
“The Halberd?”
“Yes!”
“Fufu, my cute little one. Then shall we go see the shrine together?”
At So-ya’s request, made with sparkling eyes, Cheong-ha took the child’s hand and led her to the place where the divine object was enshrined.
The Blue Dragon Painted Halberd looked similar to the toy halberd So-ya had received as a gift from Cheong-ha three years ago. Of course, this one was much larger and more magnificent.
Hidden in So-ya’s robes was a branch from a spring flower tree.
Before she left for the East, the Vermilion Bird Celestial Maiden and the White Tiger Mountain Lord had told her that a "heart that desires life to sprout" was needed to awaken the Blue Dragon. Thus, she had brought a branch of spring flowers that had bloomed and then withered early in the season.
I’ll make the spring flowers bloom and give them to Mother as a gift.
Since Mother had been away from the White Tiger Palace for a long time, So-ya thought she would be happy to see these flowers that had bloomed in the palace garden. The thought made her giggle inwardly.
Focusing on her spirit core, So-ya concentrated on the desire for life to bud anew on the branch, hoping to awaken the Blue Dragon.
However.
Huh…?
There was no reaction from the divine object.