By Zephyria 
The child giggled and threw dirt into Lee Shim’s eyes. Lee Shim yanked the child’s hair, but he couldn’t do it too harshly, mindful of Young-pa’s gaze. When Lee Shim pushed the child away in annoyance, the child rolled around on the dirt ground.
“Let’s give the brat a name, Brother. What would be good? Gaeddong? Malddong? Baemttong?”
“There is no need.”
“Don’t humans give names to the animals they raise?”
“Don’t make me say it twice. I said it’s not necessary.”
“Yes, sir… I have committed a mortal sin.”
It took about another fifteen minutes before Biryoo stepped outside.
He walked out slowly, as if that was simply how things should be. He gazed intently at the soft sunlight beneath a wild pear tree, then put on his bamboo hat and tied the string.
“The sleepyhead has arrived.”
Young-pa admired his elegant poise, but he complained anyway.
“How can you sleep so much? We’re late to start because of you.”
He had spoken expecting to be ignored, but Biryoo reacted as if he were hearing nagging for the first time in his life, raising an eyebrow.
“You shameless bastard. Do you think a pretty face is everything? Everything was delayed because of you; how are you going to take responsibility? Huh? Why don’t you go back in the room and pay me back with your body!”
As Young-pa strode toward him, Biryoo stepped back just as far, looking at him as if he were a bug.
“If you were that rushed, you should have left first.”
Young-pa was appalled by the coldly sarcastic remark. However, there was no flaw in the logic.
Lee Shim, who had been closely watching Young-pa clench and unclench his fist, eventually wore a disappointed expression when nothing happened.
“Why are you all fighting since early morning? Please, just get along!”
As Lee Shim stepped forward, clapping his hands, Young-pa smacked him across the back.
“You worry about yourself.”
Despite having waited, Biryoo had already disappeared in the meantime.
Young-pa spat out a curse and picked up the child. Then, without looking back at Lee Shim, who had been sent flying and sprawled out in the distance, he set off.
≋ ≋ ≋
This day was similar to the previous one, which is to say that traveling was not easy. Young-pa and Lee Shim had to stop and rest by the roadside once every two hours to feed and soothe the child. Though they were slow, they gradually drew closer to their destination.
From merchants carrying bundles to travelers with packed gear, Young-pa met numerous humans. They were all heading toward Nazgol for different reasons. Some to buy and sell goods, some to meet relatives, some to study literature, and…
“As for me, I am going to take the entrance exam for Pacheondang.”
“I shall test the skills I have honed my entire life at Pacheondang.”
“Becoming a practitioner of Pacheondang is my life’s goal.”
The closer they got to Nazgol, the stranger the things they heard. They encountered various practitioners: one walking with a boulder on his head, one walking backward with eyes closed, one with white hair grown down to his ankles, one doing a handstand on a tree branch—and many other eccentrics.
“Why does everyone want to entrust themselves to Pacheondang?”
As Young-pa muttered, the quick-witted Lee Shim brought over a practitioner. The man was practicing the skill of splitting a stone by striking it with his bare hand.
“You, why do you want to enter Pacheondang?”
When Lee Shim asked, the man answered as if it were obvious.
“Because they welcome practitioners like us. In a world where surviving is so difficult these days, who would refuse such good conditions?”
“What are the conditions?”
“For those whose skills are recognized, it starts from five sacks of rice. I heard a master from Gokryeong received a hundred sacks not long ago.”
Young-pa exchanged a meaningful glance with Lee Shim. Recruiting practitioners and paying them was a suspicious story. Curious about the truth, Young-pa asked the man.
“What do those who pass the exam do?”
“No one knows. Because once a practitioner enters, they never come out again. It is known that they undergo bloody training to reach the peak of mastery.”
After answering the various questions, the man left, appearing busy.
Young-pa sank into thought. The fact that Pacheondang treated practitioners well was good news. But even if he entered, how could he gain access to the changjingyeong?
“Brother, how about making a fake treasure?”
Lee Shim muttered as if he had read Young-pa’s mind. He picked up a pebble from the ground and instantly transformed it into a gem that looked precious.
“You know I can make fake treasures look convincing. If you add your skills to this, wouldn’t it be flawless?”
“That may be so, but would those bastards trade a divine artifact for a rootless treasure you fabricated?”
“True, they wouldn’t give it up so easily.”
Lee Shim’s eyes suddenly widened.
“Brother, I have a great idea!”
After confirming that Biryoo was far away, he whispered into Young-pa’s ear.
“How about using that guy as bait?”
“What do you mean?”
“Pacheondang recruits those with outstanding skills, right? When they see Biryoo, won’t they be greedy? Once we arrive at Nazgol, we offer Biryoo to Woo-pyeong in exchange for them showing us the changjingyeong. Then we can find an opportunity to steal it and flee.”
Young-pa looked at Lee Shim in surprise. He lowered his voice and whispered.
“A useful thought actually came out of your rotten head, you earthworm.”
“I am overwhelmed by such praise.”
“Biryoo’s special ability is all thanks to the pure necklace. Even so, ordinary humans would be fooled.”
“Indeed, Pacheondang will be desperate to take Biryoo as a practitioner.”
Young-pa seemed to like the idea, muttering “Give Biryoo, take the changjingyeong” several times.
Unaware of their conspiracy, Biryoo was gazing at the sky in the distance. Looking at his noble profile, Young-pa clicked his tongue, inwardly feeling it was a waste.
≋ ≋ ≋
After walking and resting, they stayed at a suitable village. Fortunately, there were plenty of vacant rooms in the local houses.
Once the sun set, Young-pa, Lee Shim, and the child, having nothing to do, sat on a wooden platform and had a hearty meal as usual. After emptying their bowls and putting the nodding child to sleep in the room, Biryoo appeared from somewhere.
“Hey, you’ve come at the right time. Come eat something.”
Young-pa, who had been lounging, bolted upright and waved his hand.
“A beauty like you needs to eat too. If you want to enjoy yourself with me tonight, you should fill your stomach first, right?”
Biryoo’s expression crumpled like autumn leaves. As he distanced himself as if nothing had happened, Young-pa’s temper flared, and he slammed his clenched fist onto the table. Because of that, the plates and liquor bottle jumped into the air and fell back down.
“Aren’t you curious where your treasure is?”
At those words, Biryoo, who was about to open the door, stopped.
“Who knows, maybe I’ll reveal the hiding spot while I’m drunk.”
Young-pa pretended to be drunk, swaying his upper body and pouring the remaining liquor from the jar into his mouth. Biryoo approached the drinking party hosted by Young-pa and Lee Shim with a wary expression.
“If you’re curious, sit here and pour some drinks.”
He sat opposite Young-pa rather than in the seat Young-pa pointed to and said,
“Let’s hear it.”
“You idiot, why would I tell you that? You’d leave immediately.”
Young-pa slapped the floor and cackled. Lee Shim laughed along blindly, not even knowing what it meant. Needless to say, a cold wave swept over Biryoo’s already chilly face.
“Stop hiding that fancy face of yours.”
Young-pa flicked the bamboo hat off and grinned.
Biryoo merely looked at Young-pa with emotionless eyes, arms crossed. He knew the purity of that appearance well, but without the hat covering his face, it was almost blinding. Young-pa felt a sudden urge to drag Biryoo to a secluded spot and loosen his robe.
“You are truly heartless. We’ve been traveling together for days now, yet you won’t even share a table…”
“Do you think I am traveling for pleasure with you?”
“Stop being so stiff. Try some liquor. It tastes great.”
Young-pa quickly opened a new liquor jar, filled a glass, and placed it before Biryoo.
The owner said this liquor, brewed with great care since last year, contained a hundred types of fragrant flowers, from early spring plum blossoms to autumn wild chrysanthemums. At Young-pa’s urging, Lee Shim had to take out the last two gold rings he had kept between his toes.
“Flower liquor.”
He identified the type of liquor by the scent alone and brought the glass to his lips.
“For all your faults, you have an eye for liquor.”
“That’s right, Brother. This is a rarer liquor than it looks… Ack!”
When Lee Shim intervened, Young-pa struck the crown of his head with a fist.
“Shut up. Biryoo is talking.”
Young-pa held his breath and watched as the clear liquor flowed into Biryoo’s mouth. Once he emptied the glass, an even more emboldened Young-pa quickly refilled it with a squinting smile.
“I see you’re a liquor lover. I’ll buy you drinks often, so let’s get along. Hmm? You even touched my thigh the other day, so why be so heartless?”
“I did not touch it. I merely searched your bosom with sorcery.”
“You felt me up plenty and now you’re denying it.”
Young-pa pulled up the hem of his trousers and whispered low.
“Want to touch it again?”
“Regrettably, I have absolutely no interest in your thighs.”
Biryoo picked up a spoon, held it by the tip, and pushed Young-pa’s forehead away with the other end.
“There will be no such interest in the future, so stop acting up.”
“Fuck.”
Young-pa rubbed the mark on his forehead vigorously with the back of his hand. Then, he picked up the jar and poured liquor into his mouth in gulps.
A moment of silence followed. Despite his coldness, Biryoo did not leave, and Young-pa assumed he liked the flower liquor. Just as Biryoo emptied his glass, Young-pa refilled it and rested his elbows on the table.
“Biryoo. I brought a child yesterday; do you know why?”
“How should I know your circumstances?”
“Actually, it’s my hidden daughter.”
“I see.”
Biryoo was playing completely innocent. If his blue bird had not guided him, Young-pa would never have entered that sacred mountain.
Irritated by that inscrutable attitude, Young-pa snapped.
“Don’t pretend you don’t know, you bastard. You’re the one who sent me to that mountain.”
An opponent against whom intimidation did not work at all. Biryoo merely sipped his liquor with downcast eyes. Young-pa, who hadn’t expected him to say anything in the first place, was not surprised. Rather, he found it strange that Biryoo liked the liquor but didn’t touch the food.
“Eat some appetizers while you drink.”
Young-pa pushed a few pieces of meat left by the child and a plate of seasoned vegetables forward. Biryoo did not like this gesture.
“You should eat it; why do you keep telling others to eat?”
“Can you afford to be such a picky eater with your size? Eat heartily so I can watch.”
Biryoo, annoyed, pushed the two plates back to Young-pa.
“This smells like game, and this smells like dirt. Satisfied?”
Young-pa picked up three pieces of meat at once and sniffed them.
“It’s perfectly fine; you’re just being fussy for no reason.”
As he tossed the meat into his mouth and chewed loudly, Biryoo turned his head away with a look of disgust.
“Fine, since I’m in a good mood. Then eat this.”
Young-pa picked up the last honey rice cake on the plate. It was the final piece he had desperately saved for himself, even while the child eyed it. Biryoo’s cold gaze lingered on Young-pa’s fingers, stained with meat broth and side dish seasoning, so the answer was obvious even without hearing it.
“If you don’t eat it, it’s only your loss.”
The rice cake, floating in the air, popped into Young-pa’s mouth. Lee Shim glared at the sight as if it were unsightly.
They drank in silence for a while. Then, Young-pa asked playfully.
“I’m bored, so how about we each ask and answer one thing we’re curious about from now on?”
“That sounds good, Brother. Shall I go first?”
“I wasn’t asking you!”
Because Young-pa shouted, Lee Shim was startled and fell backward. He grumbled that he was the only one being picked on, but no one cared.
Since Biryoo brought the glass to his lips without a word, Young-pa took it as permission.
“Then I’ll go first. I’ll start. I have many questions… First, who are you, how old are you? Where did you learn martial arts?”
Biryoo listened until the end and spoke indifferently.
“You should only ask one question.”
“Right? Hmm, then… who are you?”
“A wanderer who roams idly.”
Biryoo answered without any sign of distress, and Young-pa exploded in frustration. This was because he couldn’t learn a single new fact from that answer.
“It’s my turn, right? I will also ask Brother Biryoo a question.”
Lee Shim chattered along in excitement.
“Is there something you dislike, Brother?”
Biryoo replied that there were two things. Young-pa, who expected him to dodge or give an improper answer again, pricked up his ears in curiosity.
“First is the sight of a filthy and barbaric human acting up.”
There was no sign of mockery in Biryoo’s expression, but anyone could tell the answer referred to Young-pa. Far from being heartbroken, Young-pa wore a deep smile.
“Brother Biryoo, you’re too much! What did our Brother Young-pa do to deserve being called that…”
Lee Shim clutched his stomach and cackled.
“Second is when a lesser dragon speaks to me.”
The smile vanished from Lee Shim’s face. He whipped his body around and whispered into Young-pa’s ear.
“Brother! Did you tell that guy that I’m a lesser dragon?”
“No. It seems you just smell like a lesser dragon.”
“That can’t be…”
Young-pa left Lee Shim, who was burying his nose in his clothes and sniffing, and turned toward Biryoo.
“Your turn, Biryoo. Is there anything you’re curious about?”
Their eyes met. Biryoo’s gaze was as calm as a lake and as cold as ice.
“What did you do to be abandoned by the Black Tortoise?”
The hand pouring liquor stopped in mid-air. Even though the glass was overflowing, Young-pa held the liquor jar with a trembling hand.
“Why… abandoned?”
The jar shattered into pieces.
“Oh my goodness!”
Villagers chatting nearby murmured in surprise. Lee Shim hid his face under the table upon seeing blood dripping from Young-pa’s tightly clenched fist.
“What does this bastard think he knows to be talking like that?”
Even as Young-pa glared with terrifying eyes, Biryoo’s expressionless face remained unchanged. Young-pa leaned forward and shouted fiercely.
“I asked what you know! Do you think I was ever favored? From the moment I can remember, I was locked underground and tortured to death!”
A trace of bewilderment crossed the black pupils, but it was brief. Biryoo quickly returned to his original indifferent expression.
“Stop making a scene and sit down.”
One of the few things Young-pa knew about himself was that he disliked orders. Yet, at that overbearing word, Young-pa’s anger subsided.
“This guy, what does he think he knows…”
Young-pa muttered and slowly sat down. His thighs were soaked with the blood flowing from his hand. Feeling a bit awkward, he brushed off the jar shards embedded in his palm.
Since he couldn’t control his emotions, he had personally proven himself to be the ‘barbaric human’ Biryoo disliked. He felt that it was a mercy that Biryoo stayed, as he would have had no right to complain if the man had simply left.
“Brother, you’re bleeding a lot! Please wait!”
As Lee Shim stood up and ran somewhere, Biryoo spoke again.
“If I ask a second question, this place will vanish without a trace.”
Young-pa glanced at Biryoo. He saw the cold man, composed as if he had no expectations of him. He had kept forgetting it because he was enchanted by that handsome face, but Biryoo despised Young-pa, who had come from the underground.
“Just understand. I’m a bit sensitive when it comes to the Black Tortoise.”
Young-pa spoke with a bitter smile. As he tilted his head back and drained the glass, the scent of various flowers poured down his throat.
When he went to refill the empty glass, the liquor jar was broken. Since Biryoo’s glass was also empty, the excuse to keep him there had practically vanished.
‘Who is this guy, why do I want to pester him so much?’
Young-pa muttered inwardly while looking at Biryoo.
“There’s something I’m really curious about, so please accept just my last question.”
“I thought it was over since we asked and answered once each.”
“No. I answered your question honestly, but you slipped away like a loach. It’s not fair.”
When Young-pa argued seriously, Biryoo unexpectedly agreed.
“That makes sense.”