By Zephyria 
Young-pa could no longer speak. In the blink of an eye, Biryoo had flown to his side and covered his mouth with a palm. Startled, Young-pa swallowed whatever had been in his mouth. Biryoo’s robe brushed against his shoulder. A clear scent resembling orchids mingled with the rich smell of wild strawberries.
Before long, a golden dragon appeared at the portal of the cave. The creature let out a monstrous shriek and circled the area. The cave shook as it struck randomly with its tail.
As Young-pa held his breath, the palm covering his mouth slid away.
Biryoo stared outside, motionless. Young-pa gazed at his profile with an intensity that made his eyes ache. In doing so, he became completely indifferent to the ruckus outside or Jeolgon’s tyranny.
Biryoo turned his gaze, and their eyes met. Pupils that made it impossible to tell what he was thinking. Young-pa’s heart hammered violently against his ribs. He felt as if time had stopped, but what he took for eternity was merely an instant. As the dragon’s roar receded, Biryoo returned to his place as if nothing had happened.
“I hope the dog is safe.”
Oblivious to Young-pa’s heart, he looked outside and spoke only of the dog.
“That fellow is no ordinary dog, so there is no need to worry.”
Young-pa needlessly picked up a cup of water and poured it greedily into his mouth. Only then did the heat that had scorched his skin subside slightly.
“Now that Jeochi has returned, what should we do?”
“Asadal Mountain is so vast, why worry? We just need to stay out of sight.”
Young-pa wanted to respond with a witty remark, but no words came to mind. His heart was still beating heavily.
“Your face looks like a strawberry.”
There was a hint of a smile in Biryoo’s voice as he spoke with a slight frown.
Did Biryoo not know? That his actions and manner of speaking shook Young-pa’s heart. Or did he know and simply tease him?
“It is because I ate too many strawberries.”
Young-pa stuffed all the remaining strawberries on the plate into his mouth.
The dog returned before a single meal’s time had passed. Judging by the leaves and straw clinging to its fur and the way it entered shaking its rump excitedly, it didn’t seem to have encountered any danger.
As the dog barked, Biryoo responded with an indifferent “Well done,” matching its energy. Young-pa leaned crookedly against a corner of the cave, watching the meaningless kindness bestowed by a divine dragon rumored to have a foul temper.
Even to Young-pa, the dog had a cute side that belied its hideous appearance and mountain-sized body, but it was still surprising that Biryoo acted so generously. At first, he had called it a wicked monster and wouldn’t even let it come near.
Biryoo, who grew fond of a hideous dog, and Biryoo, who did not forgive Young-pa.
Biryoo, who let the squirrel go, and Biryoo, who crushed Lee Shim’s dreams.
The benevolent and kind Biryoo, and the cold and ruthless Biryoo.
‘What did I tell you, Brother? I said he was the most ferocious among the death gods. Long ago, for some reason, didn’t he commit an atrocity in an innocent place and massacre a third of humanity?’
Rumors circulated in the world that the Azure Dragon was indifferent and cruel. However, Young-pa knew that Biryoo was not simply a ferocious dragon. He was exceedingly tolerant toward pure and innocent beings. He merely loathed those who were evil and impure.
‘I suppose it cannot be helped if I am hated. For I am evil and impure.’
The moon hung low in the dark sky. Young-pa’s gaze could not pull away from the back of the man standing by the water.
Since the myeonggyeongjisu reflected the night sky studded with stars, clusters of light twinkled whenever ripples stirred. The most radiant thing in that sight was a beautiful man who in no way lagged behind the splendor of nature.
Young-pa struggled to recall the time he had peeked at Biryoo’s bare skin when he had fainted. There had been a deep scar on his chest. It was lamentable that he could not remember it clearly as time passed.
‘I shouldn’t have just undone his jacket; I should have stripped off his trousers too.’
Young-pa spent his time in meaningless regret. No doubt his phallus would be as beautiful as his face, but there was no longer any way to find out.
“Puppy.”
At Young-pa’s call, the resting dog trotted over and pushed its large head into his side.
“What do you think? Do you think I can eat Biryoo one day?”
The dog began to tremble as if terrified.
“We live in one cave; it’s only a matter of time before I knock him down. Don’t you agree?”
As the dog let out a whimper and backed away from his side, Young-pa clicked his tongue and cleared the small table.
After tidying the cave, Biryoo had disappeared.
Young-pa went outside and lingered in front of the lake where he had been standing. When Biryoo still did not appear, he sat down in that spot, took out his belongings, and began to masturbate.
While gripping and releasing his phallus, he suddenly saw Biryoo walking toward the lakeshore. Young-pa, who had been exhaling rough breaths with a furrowed brow, froze on the spot.
Biryoo did not seem surprised to see Young-pa. He didn’t even rebuke him for performing lewd acts outdoors; he simply passed by casually with a look of contempt, as if thinking, ‘Of course a filthy fellow like you would do such a thing.’
‘He’d faint if he knew what I was thinking while shaking my cock.’
If he had been scolded severely, Young-pa could have at least pretended to be ashamed, but seeing Biryoo ignore it sparked a sense of mischief in him.
He roughly pulled up his trousers and followed Biryoo’s trail with his eyes.
“O Azure Dragon, do deities not masturbate?”
“Divine beasts, unlike insignificant creatures like you, can control their lust.”
A cold answer returned to a question that he had expected to be ignored.
Indeed, Young-pa had never heard stories of deities causing accidents because they couldn’t control their lust like humans. Moreover, did the noble divine dragon not utterly despise lewdness?
“Life would be much easier if I could do that.”
Biryoo ignored Young-pa’s smiling words and passed him by.
“Then how is it when you have lost your divine power? Can you still eliminate lust at will?”
When Young-pa asked loudly, Biryoo stopped his pace.
“Why are you curious about that?”
Though he couldn’t see his face, his voice was full of wariness.
“If you ever feel lust, please give me a chance. I will send you to the heavenly realm even without a wish-fulfilling orb.”
“What nonsense is this? It has absolutely nothing to do with you.”
Biryoo answered irritably and disappeared into the opposite forest.
Left alone by the lakeshore, Young-pa sat blankly for a while.
Just the thought that Biryoo could be flushed with sexual desire like a human made his mouth go dry. It was only natural that his manhood, which had subsided for a moment due to the interruption, stood erect again; not long after bringing his cock out once more, Young-pa ended up ejaculating.
That night, Young-pa waited for Biryoo to fall into a deep sleep.
After listening to his steady breathing for about fifteen minutes, Young-pa slowly stood up. Holding his breath and walking on tiptoe, he crept like a cat. Easily crossing the line Biryoo had drawn, Young-pa took three more steps. He swore he made no sound. However…
“Do you wish to die?”
Startled by the frost-like voice, Young-pa nearly fell backward.
“I remembered something I left over there, O Azure Dragon. Please return to your sleep.”
Young-pa had no choice but to return to his spot and lean against the wall. Seeing this, the dog turned its head with a look of relief.
How could he not touch someone so tantalizing right in front of him? Young-pa glared at the lake, which shimmered like a silver tray under the round moon.
The low sound of breathing indicated that the heartless man had fallen asleep. Only the brilliant full moon could know Young-pa’s heart.
Water Gathered High
The next day, Biryoo drank the water Young-pa had prepared and sat at the dining table. The two filled their stomachs with butterbur and stonecrops blanched in boiling water. By the time they finished, the sun was soaring overhead.
“My body feels lighter, so I shall go search for the ingredients,” Biryoo said, putting down his chopsticks. Young-pa, who had been thinking about where to pick herbs today, looked up.
“Right now? Where to? What are you looking for first?”
“Water.”
“It was ‘water gathered high,’ right? Then is it above the clouds? Or a tall tree, or a mountain peak?”
Biryoo ignored Young-pa’s question and muttered to himself while looking elsewhere.
“It is a long way to walk. Moreover, I must avoid the eyes of serpents and birds… You said you came here by riding a dog’s back previously.”
Hearing this, the dog rushed over and wagged its tail frantically. Biryoo looked at it with his arms crossed.
“I am not particularly keen on it, but I must rely on you. Do you know where Hanul Mountain is?”
Woof!
“I know, so it is fine. Can you carry two people across a long distance?”
Woof! Woof woof! Woof!
The two reached a quick agreement, leaving Young-pa out. Judging by the way the dog spun in circles, it seemed happy to finally have something to do.
“What are you doing? Get ready.”
Biryoo, who had spoken kindly and softly to the dog, snapped curtly at Young-pa. It was an attitude of treating him as nothing more than a servant.
“Pack a cup to draw the water.”
“Yes, sir.”
Young-pa answered half-heartedly and cleared the table. All that entailed was rinsing the bowls in water, turning them upside down, and pushing the table into a corner.
When he finished tidying up and went outside, Biryoo was already on the dog’s back. The man, who would have suited a seductive steed, looked out of place riding a monster with a distorted face and a patched-up body.
Young-pa climbed on behind Biryoo. In his heart, he wanted to sit on Biryoo’s lap, but he didn’t even dare to attempt it.
Even before he could settle in, the scent coming from the nape of Biryoo’s neck made his mind go hazy. As he tried to stealthily wrap his arms around Biryoo’s waist, a sharp, checking gaze returned. Young-pa had to settle for gripping whatever dog hair he could reach.
Bark bark!
The dog kicked off the ground and spread its wings wide. It was so powerful that they rose ten feet with every flap.
From high above, they observed the state of Asadal Mountain. In the forest, traces of the commotion Jeolgon had caused the previous night remained. Trees were broken and tilted in the shape of a dragon. Following those traces, a golden tail protruding from between the trees was visible.
“Let us fly higher.”
As Biryoo urged, the dog flapped its wings and rose above the clouds. In a place where there were neither birds nor serpents, amidst the cotton-like clouds, Biryoo’s hair fluttered over Young-pa’s nose. Though nothing good was happening, a smile curved Young-pa’s lips.
While flying toward Hanul Mountain, Biryoo explained the outline of the task.
“At the peak of that mountain, there is a lake called Baeknokdam. It is filled with miraculous water, a place dragons have loved since ancient times.”
“If it is Baeknok, is it a place where white deer live?”
“So they say in the past.”
Biryoo’s voice sounded like a song reminiscing about the distant past.
“A very long time ago, when the world was first born, the mountain god of Hanul Mountain was a deer with snow-white fur.”
A mountain god is one who protects the sacred mountain from external threats. Divine mountains often bestowed the duty of mountain god upon the strongest or wisest wild beast.
“That mountain was peaceful, so the mountain god lived leisurely. The only worry was the drying up of Baeknokdam.”
“Why? Because the dragons loved the water too much?”
“Yes. The benevolent mountain god did not hesitate to share the water of Baeknokdam when sick dragons visited. However, even healthy dragons became greedy, and the water became scarce.”
The mountain god tried talking, crying, setting up forbidden ropes, and shouting, but it was all in vain. As time passed, more and more dragons coveted the water of Baeknokdam.
The mountain god eventually went mad. The fur that had been like snowflakes turned black, and the benevolent nature became ferocious. He abandoned even his duties as a mountain god and became a monster that circled Baeknokdam, attacking intruders.
“So the dragons gave up on the water?”
“Far from it. The dragons challenged the mountain god who had turned into a monster and stole the water. As the monster grew stronger, overcoming him became a measure of skill and a point of pride for dragons. For example, even today, a fully grown dragon must bring back a cup of water from Baeknokdam to be recognized by others.”
“Wahahaha! Then did you also bring back water, O Azure Dragon?”
Biryoo’s gaze drifted toward a distant place.
“Jeolgon and I took the test of Baeknokdam around the same time. Jeolgon threatened the monster with a sharp dagger and drew water, but he returned with a great wound after being counterattacked.”
“And you?”
“I took a flute carved from bamboo and played it. I put the monster to sleep with a slow melody and drew the water.”
“I see you are quite cunning. Did you bring that flute this time as well?”
“How could I possibly still have such a thing?”
Biryoo clicked his tongue as if Young-pa were saying something absurd.
“Anyway, that method cannot be used. After it became known that I did so, dragons started bringing biwas and gayageums and making a racket, and the monster developed insomnia.”
Young-pa burst into laughter imagining the scene. As the laughter wouldn’t easily fade and he slapped his thigh with his palm, Biryoo glanced at him.
“Does laughter come to you in this situation?”
The tone held more question than rebuke.
“I laughed because your story was amusing; is there a problem with that?”
“Are you not afraid?”
“I am a man who is well-acquainted with monsters.”
“Is that so? I shall remember those words.”
Biryoo smiled meaningfully and looked ahead.
“Come to think of it, you haven’t told me the important part. So how are you going to draw the water?”
“That is for you to figure out.”
The nonchalant tone strongly suggested a test. Young-pa did not dislike the feeling of returning to the days when he received the teachings of Master Semok. He had never been afraid of tests. Moreover, proving his skill was a hundred times better than the position of a servant who simply obeyed orders.
“Since there are two of us, it is fitting for one to lure the monster far away, while the other, hiding in the gap, draws the water.”
“That monster is as agile as a leopard and has the stubbornness of not wanting to leave Baeknokdam by even an inch. How will you lure it?”
“I will know once I face it. I will handle it, so you just watch and then draw the water.”
Young-pa took the cup from his robe and handed it to Biryoo. They flew through the clouds in silence.
Hanul Mountain was said to be in the middle of an island to the south that Young-pa had never visited. While reaching there, Young-pa distractedly admired the famous mountains and great rivers unfolding beneath his feet. He saw towering peaks, gentle plains, long-flowing rivers, and the endless sea. The ocean shimmered with deep green scales like the back of a dragon.
“That is the mountain.”
Where Biryoo pointed, there was a high mountain of a grayish-white hue. As Young-pa looked closer, he realized that Hanul Mountain was extremely barren. It wasn’t just barren; even with a keen eye, there wasn’t a single tree.
As Biryoo made the dog fly low, the desolate rocky mountain drew near. The dog gradually slowed down and stopped halfway up, where strange rocks and boulders unfolded like a folding screen.
“Well done.”
The dog, having flown a long distance, looked proud without any sign of fatigue. Young-pa jumped off its back and reached out his hand to Biryoo. However, Biryoo descended on the opposite side as if that hand were invisible.
“You rest here.”
Woof woof!
“I will not allow it.”
Woof! Woof woof!
“Do you intend to make me say it three times?”
Once the conversation, the meaning of which Young-pa could only guess, ended, the dog lay down in front of a stone mound with a sullen attitude. It let out a timid whimper of dissatisfaction.
Biryoo and Young-pa climbed the mountain. It was an ordinary mountain with steep parts, gentle parts, and valley spots where water might flow. However, not a single blade of grass or drop of water was visible wherever the eye landed. Nothing moved; only pebbles and animal bones caught their feet.
“This place remains unchanged,” Biryoo muttered, stepping over a pile of bones.
How long ago was it when he took the test as a young adult? Had thousands of years passed? Had this mountain looked this gruesome since then?
The stone Young-pa’s foot touched must have once been covered in soil. Trees would have grown upon it, green forests would have flourished, squirrels would have dug burrows, and birds would have built nests. Rabbits, roe deer, wildcats, foxes, and bears. Though they were animals Young-pa hated, tigers and serpents must have also run and crawled along these ridges.
‘These are meaningless thoughts.’
Young-pa cut off his musings. This was merely a dead mountain where traces of life had departed long ago. He just had to trick the monster and steal a cup of water.
“Once we cross this ridge, it is Baeknokdam. Are you ready?”
“Of course.”
Young-pa grinned and leaped high into the air. From the peak, the lake looked like a vast sea contained within a cauldron. A shallow water mist blanketed the surface. The blue-green hue of the water was vivid and beautiful, but to Young-pa’s eyes, it did not look particularly sacred.
“Do you see the black shape?”
Young-pa’s gaze followed where Biryoo pointed. On one side of the lakeshore, there was a mottled, round, black form. At a glance, it could easily be mistaken for the shadow of a rock. Young-pa snorted, seeing that the monster was smaller than he had expected.
“I’ll finish this quickly. You just look for an opportunity to scoop the water.”
He jumped down before Biryoo could even answer. Until that moment, Young-pa was brimming with confidence. However, as he drew closer to the lakeshore, he realized he had been mistaken.
The crouching monster spotted Young-pa and began to uncoil its body with a growl. As it unfurled, a form beyond imagination was revealed. Its body was long, and it flew through the air like a bolt of lightning.
‘It’s not a deer… it’s a dragon?’
The monster coiled its long body around the perimeter of the lake. The wicked eyes glaring at Young-pa seemed to burn.
Kreeeeeeek!
As it opened its black maw and roared, violent waves surged across the once-placid lake.
“Hahaha, I’ll just take one cup. Huh? Just one cup… Aagh!”
A black tail lashed out like a whip, striking Young-pa across the back. It was so fast that he couldn’t even dodge. Young-pa was sent flying, crashing into a rock and sliding across the ground.
“This thing is tougher than it looks… Ugh!”
Before he could even push himself up, the tail flew at him again. Young-pa barely managed to roll away to avoid the attack and leaped toward the lake. In mid-air, he was head-butted by the black dragon. It was a lucky thing he had coated himself in spiritual energy; otherwise, the blow would have ruptured his internal organs.
The tail flew at him again. Once he dodged that, the head followed. The opponent was so excessively agile that it was infuriating. Young-pa was nearly losing his mind under the barrage of attacks.
Young-pa tried to thrust a whirlwind into the enemy as it approached, but the black, smoke-like body nimbly flew to evade the sorcery. Even when the edge of the spell grazed the monster, it dealt no damage. As a price for his momentary lapse in focus, Young-pa’s waist was seized by the creature’s tail.
“Let go, you rotten monster!”
He struggled with all his might, but the monster only tightened its grip. Then, with a slicing sound, the monster’s tail was severed. After rolling once on the ground and standing up, he found Biryoo standing before him.
“It seems things are going as well as you guaranteed.”
Biryoo mocked him in a nonchalant tone.
In the next instant, as if by prior agreement, the two leaped in opposite directions. The monster lunged with its head, shattering the rock behind them into pieces.
The monster was adept at handling two opponents. It pursued one with its head and kept the other in check with its tail; it was as if the tail had eyes of its own. Young-pa scanned the terrain, racking his brain.
‘I can’t even get close to the water if I just keep dodging like this. In that case….’
While lost in thought, he was struck hard by the tail. The monster sharply pivoted its head and lunged at Young-pa.
“What are you doing? Wake up.”
Biryoo stepped in front of Young-pa. The monster struck with its forehead, but the sorcery Biryoo deployed absorbed a good portion of the impact. The two of them were sent flying together, crashing into a wall.
As he landed sprawled atop Biryoo’s chest, a thought flashed through Young-pa’s mind. Without hesitation, he wrapped his arms around Biryoo’s neck.
“Hold me.”
Young-pa could feel Biryoo’s body stiffen through his clothes. With the situation becoming urgent, he couldn’t be bothered to pretend to be polite. Young-pa urged him irritably.
“Hurry! I have a plan!”
Though reluctant, Biryoo wrapped one arm around Young-pa’s waist. Just before the monster charged, he leaped into the air while holding Young-pa.
The monster, now furious to the extreme, let out a shriek and chased after Biryoo. Everywhere Biryoo lingered for even a moment was ground into powder by the beast. For a while, Biryoo did nothing but flee, leaping along the walls.
Young-pa was timing the perfect moment to jump, but being held by Biryoo kept breaking his concentration. Contrary to the man’s moon-like and cloud-like demeanor, a firm chest and arms enveloped Young-pa’s body. Having his ear and nape right before his eyes felt like a dream. If he wanted to, he could probably lick his earlobe. Though he would be punished for it afterward.
“When are you going to let go?”
The displeased voice pierced through his sweet fantasies. Young-pa hugged Biryoo’s neck with one arm and peered downward.
“Not yet. When I give the signal, throw me into the lake.”
Biryoo leaped, narrowly avoiding the monster’s attacks. The monster opened its black maw, chasing him right up to the tip of its chin.
Biryoo spun once in mid-air and landed on the monster’s snout, forcing its mouth shut. Just before the monster could open its mouth again, Biryoo leaped backward. If there were no interference, he was poised to fall right into the center of the lake.
The monster was not one to simply watch. It shrieked and pursued Biryoo. Young-pa waited patiently and shouted the moment the monster was about to ram into Biryoo.
“Now!”
Just before the monster could knock Biryoo out of the lake, Young-pa’s vision flipped violently. The sky and the lake spun in circles. A terrible roar echoed from a place he couldn’t tell was above or below. He saw Biryoo being thrown far away.
Splash!
In the next moment, Young-pa was submerged in water. As the sacred water entered his nose and ears, he coughed slightly, and at the same time, a piercing scream echoed from outside.
Before long, violent waves surged as the monster’s head dove under. Angry eyes were searching for the human who dared to disturb baeknokdam. This was the moment Young-pa had been waiting for.
He conjured a great whirlwind to push his body out of the water. The monster approached, revealing terrifying teeth, but when Young-pa thrust a whirlwind directly into its eyes, it recoiled with a horrific scream. However, this time the tail flew in, coiled around Young-pa’s waist, and flung him to the furthest point from the lake.
Young-pa slammed into the ground and rolled. As soon as he pushed himself up, his eyes met Biryoo’s, who was standing a short distance away.
Biryoo took a step back. Even though the plan hadn’t been explained, he seemed to know Young-pa’s intention.
Kreeeeeeek!
The monster was charging toward Young-pa. Its eyes were rolled back in rage, and water dripped from its head. Instead of dodging, Young-pa extended both arms. In his mind, he recalled Biryoo’s teachings.
‘Focus your mind and remember the sensation of lightning.’
‘No matter how much I focus, it doesn’t feel like it did that day.’
‘Recall the situation of that day and how you felt together.’
Young-pa reminisced about the day he fought the serpents flying in the sky. The serpents, the failures, and Black Tortoise. The villain who had split him in half and imprisoned him underground for three hundred years.
Zzzzt, zzzzt.
His teeth clenched, and streaks of thunderbolt shot out from his palms. A white lightning strike slammed into the forehead of the monster that had reached him. The recoil sent Young-pa sliding back significantly.
Kieeeeeek!
Electricity coursed through the drenched body of the monster, all the way to its tail. Grey smoke rose from the black dragon, and its body became stiff as a log. Finally, the monster collapsed by the lakeshore.
Young-pa rolled several times before landing flat on his face. He knelt there, gasping for breath.
“Haah, haah… Did you see? Did you see that I did it?”
Biryoo wore a rare smile. Young-pa smiled back at him.
“What happened to the monster?”
“It’s unconscious, but it will wake up soon. Let’s quickly scoop the water and leave.”
“Yes.”
Young-pa took the cup Biryoo threw to him and ran toward the lake. With no one to interfere, scooping the water was a piece of cake. He filled the cup to the brim and looked back.
The lake, which had looked blue-green from afar, was clear and transparent up close. He couldn’t understand why a monster would obsess over this mere water to the point of becoming so hideous.
Young-pa turned away with a bittersweet feeling. Now that the goal was achieved, he should have felt relieved, but his gaze kept drifting back.
‘Tomorrow, and the day after, that thing will keep doing this just to protect this meaningless water.’
Then, Young-pa spotted something unusual at the edge of his vision. Upon closer look, it was a slender green blade of grass. A few clumps of weeds rooted by the lakeshore were the only living things on this dead mountain.
“Oh….”
Young-pa snapped his head up.
Grass that grew only on the lakeshore and the devastated stone mountain. The water of baeknokdam, which was enough to soak the entire mountain range, and the mountain god who was said to have been kind. Thoughts swirled like a whirlwind. His grip tightened on the cup.
‘Now I understand.’
Young-pa set down the water cup and ran back toward the lake. He ignored even the call of the Azure Dragon asking where he was going.
He brushed past the unconscious, sprawling body of the black dragon. Seeing the tail twitch, he knew it would wake up soon, so he had to hurry.
Young-pa took a deep breath and imagined the most grotesque wind he could conceive. A storm wind that carves mountains and bores holes into the underground. A strong wind that never loses to rock. Not a passing mountain breeze, but a dust devil that crushes and breaks.
Between his wide-open arms, a wind that tore and clawed at the sky howled fiercely. Young-pa concentrated all his spiritual energy into the sorcery.
Kreeeeeeek!
When the monster awoke, Young-pa was ready. He thrust the raging whirlwind into the thinnest wall of the lake.
K-BOOM!
With a thunderous roar that shook the earth, one side supporting the lake collapsed. Through that gap, the mystical water surged and flowed down. At first, it was just a stream squeezing through the hole, but it gradually gained speed until the remaining wall broke, and the entire lake collapsed.
The water poured down powerfully like a waterfall. A deafening roar echoed from the plummeting cascade. The liberated waterway rushed in winding curves, soaking the desolate stone mountain.
The monster, which had been circling the lakeshore not knowing what to do, wailed as it watched the water level drop rapidly. It tried to block the hole with its tail, but it was futile. The miraculous water that had been filled in the cauldron-shaped basin had all poured out, and the bottom was soon visible.
Then, something unbelievable happened. Everywhere the water of baeknokdam passed, it sparkled, covered in a faint light. From those spots, vegetation began to grow as if by magic.
Young sprouts pushed through the rocks, and green leaves climbed the cliffs. Tender shoots and thin cotyledons raised their heads. This was only the beginning. Young trees with brown stems, crown-shaped ferns, reeds, dokkaebi grass, fragrant herbs, and lush greenery. Wildflowers bloomed on a carpet of grass.
The variety of vegetation was dazzling. White magnolias, camphor trees, cherry blossoms, mulberry trees, thyme, and mountain hydrangeas grew. It didn’t take long for the grey stone mountain to be covered in the colors of life.
Young-pa remained kneeling, his mouth agape. He turned his head and saw Biryoo’s eyes wide with surprise for the first time.
The monster lay collapsed on the site of the now-empty lake. It shed sorrowful tears, having given up everything; it didn’t seem like the same creature that had been attacking them so fiercely moments ago.
Young-pa stood up and approached it.
A being who had lost everything good and was left only with malice. Even when he had heard the story while riding on the dog’s back, it hadn’t felt like someone else’s problem.
If the kind and righteous one, Immortal Flower, was a white deer, then the greedy and despicable one, Young-pa, was a black dragon. Young-pa and the monster shared the commonality of being beings that no one in the world wanted.
“I am in a similar position as you.”
Young-pa muttered in front of the monster.
There were things in the world they could not give up. Foolish things they couldn’t let go of, no matter how hopeless others claimed they were.
“Don’t live like that. This mountain needs you.”
Young-pa grabbed the maw of the weeping monster with both hands and forced it open. Then, he poured the last of the water from the cup down its throat.
The divine water of baeknokdam slowly flowed into the monster’s body. At first, nothing happened. But then its yellow eyes snapped open, and its long body twisted and shook violently.
A mysterious light flickered for a moment, then a brilliant shimmer enveloped the monster, and its black scales began to fall off one by one.
Surrounded by scales fluttering in the swirling wind, Young-pa watched the monster transform.
The body that had become similar to the enemy while fighting against a hated existence slowly shortened. The tips of the sharp teeth became blunt. Soft fur began to grow where the scales had fallen. The yellow eyes full of malice became round, black pupils. A pair of cute ears appeared on its temples.
The mountain god of hanul mountain, who had returned after a long time, had fur that shone white. He looked at his mountain with moist eyes. Then, he lifted his head and let out a long, mournful cry.
The beautiful deer leaped and ran energetically around the lake. Once he stopped in front of Young-pa, the two locked eyes for a while.
The white deer bent its front legs in a deep bow. Then, it turned around and ran off somewhere.
Young-pa stared at the spot where the deer had disappeared without even blinking. He didn’t look back even when he felt a presence behind him.
“Your intention is noble, but what about the medicinal ingredients?”
Young-pa grinned, his back still to Biryoo.
“Do you really think I would hand over your ingredients to an unknown mountain god without a plan? Please wait, Azure Dragon.”
As soon as he finished speaking, Young-pa took off his upper garment. He squeezed the soaked fabric, and the cup was filled.
“My sweat might be mixed in, but please bear with that much.”
As Young-pa confidently held out the cup, Biryoo narrowed his eyes as if appalled.
“If you want a different flavor, shall I squeeze my undergarments for you?”
Before Biryoo’s expression could turn even more menacing, Young-pa brushed it off as a joke.
≋ ≋ ≋
The dog, waiting halfway up the mountain, was running around playing with butterflies. Young camphor trees formed a forest around them, and royal azaleas and gentians swayed. The scene looked harmonious.
They rode on the dog’s back and ascended above the clouds. On the way back, Young-pa was exhausted and kept nodding off. Even when he accidentally leaned his cheek against the back, for some reason, Biryoo pretended not to notice.
Leaning against the broad back, he felt as if all his worries were flying away. Young-pa subtly wrapped his arms around Biryoo’s waist and pressed his chest close. Even then, Biryoo said nothing.
“Azure Dragon.”
“What is it?”
As Biryoo spoke, the low voice vibrated through his body. That vibration deeply satisfied Young-pa.
“Azure Dragon.”
“If you have nothing to say, stop calling me for no reason and shut your mouth.”
It was strange that even those blunt words sounded affectionate.
“If you had to choose between Immortal Flower and me… would there be anyone in the world who would choose me?”
“There already is.”
“Who are you talking about?”
“Ji Seo-gu.”
Young-pa almost forgot he was the Azure Dragon and nearly threw a punch. Young-pa pretended not to hear the answer and changed the subject.
“Did I do well today?”
“Do you want praise?”
“Yes.”
Biryoo did not easily give Young-pa the words he wanted. After hesitating for a long time, just as Young-pa was about to give up, he let it out as if it were nothing.
“You did well.”
That was all. Yet, those simple words flowed down into Young-pa’s dry stone mountain, soaking every corner. Tears suddenly welled up, and Young-pa realized how much he had longed for the recognition and warmth of another.
“I… am confused as to whether you are evil or good.”
Biryoo muttered a long while later. This was after Young-pa had fallen asleep leaning against his back.
≋ ≋ ≋
The three of them returned to the cave on asadal mountain and fell into a deep sleep. Whether dragon, human, or dog, they were all completely exhausted.
Young-pa slept for half a day and woke up the next morning. When he woke, Biryoo was not there. The dog, who had fallen asleep flat on its back, was so tired that it didn’t even wake up while Young-pa walked around.
Young-pa went outside and searched for Biryoo. Since Biryoo never left traces, he had no choice but to wander here and there.
Young-pa searched two lakes and the forest. He also checked the upper reaches of the river and the entrance to the valley, but Biryoo was nowhere to be found. Just as he was about to give up and return to the cave, he heard the sound of birds chirping.
“Are they having a feast or something?”
The sound of several birds twittering was like a joyful song. Young-pa unconsciously walked toward the sound.
As he pushed aside the branches of a weeping willow whose leaves hung down like blinds, a waterside filled with blooming wildflowers was revealed. On one side, there were several lilacs in full purple bloom. On the opposite side, a waterfall cascaded refreshingly from a towering cliff. A rainbow shimmered in the water mist floating on the surface. There was someone soaking in the wide pond—none other than Biryoo.