By Zephyria 
Rocks and Lightning
The scene where the tiger and dragon faced off was suffocating. Birds, sensing the heavy air, flew far away, and even the sun hid behind the clouds in fear.
The tiger, whose body had already been more than half consumed by darkness, bristled his fur as if he were about to explode. The blue dragon, his mane fluttering in the wind, did not take his eyes off his opponent.
“If that human hands over the somyeonghwan, I will spare his life.”
Po Ui growled low. To this, Biryoo replied cynically.
“You don’t know that human very well. Do you think he would listen to me?”
“Then get out of the way!”
“That will not happen.”
Since there was no hesitation in the Azure Dragon’s voice, the White Tiger’s wide eyes blazed.
The Azure Dragon was attempting to oppose the White Tiger to protect Young-pa. This meant that things were unfolding exactly as the Black Tortoise had hoped.
‘There is a tacit rule that divine beasts do not fight each other. Because they could destroy the world.’
Young-pa recalled the Vermilion Bird’s words while watching the dragon’s tail sway threateningly. A clash between beings of such immense power would bring storms to the heavens and earth. He knew it had to be stopped.
However, the only way was to give the somyeonghwan to the White Tiger. Young-pa could not give up the power of the divine realm, his only weapon, and it was unclear where Po Ui’s rage would turn if he failed to save Immortal Flower.
“To become a puppet of a human once again!”
Just as the ground seemed to shake, a powerful force was felt from behind. Before Young-pa could even look back, the Azure Dragon’s tail wrapped around him and pulled him into his embrace. Where Young-pa had been sitting was the tiger, revealing his terrifying teeth.
Driven by the heartbreak over Immortal Flower’s death and the vain hope that he could be revived, Po Ui had become a vicious tiger, the fur on his entire body turning black. No reason remained in his burning red eyes; he looked just like the mountain god seen at Hanul Mountain.
Boom!
A thunderous roar erupted as Po Ui pounced on the Azure Dragon with his front paws. He then appeared from multiple directions, launching a fierce assault. Biryoo responded by twisting his body, but he was exposed to danger from all sides.
‘To face a tiger, I must fly.’
The dragon would have the advantage as long as he stayed out of the range of the tiger’s claws. However, Biryoo seemed to have no leeway because he was protecting Young-pa. To make matters worse, stones began to fall from the sky. Each one was a sharp weapon, like a dagger.
K-boom!
Biryoo desperately shielded Young-pa. He coiled his body tightly like a spiral, so Young-pa could see nothing. He could only guess what was happening through the ear-splitting noise and the vibrations transmitted to his body.
Zzap, zzzap!
Flashes like lightning flickered, and a stinging current flowed through the Azure Dragon’s body. Then, as if power were exploding, there was a sound of something crumbling into powder and scattering. The roar of a beast, the resonance of violence, and strong collisions and vibrations erupted.
The next moment, Young-pa was flying, held by the Azure Dragon’s tail. His vision spun, and a roar echoed in his ears. The White Tiger appeared and disappeared in flashes to the east and west, swinging his massive front paws. Biryoo was defending with all his might against the beast blinded by revenge.
Young-pa did not dare move and buried himself in the mane. A rock larger than his own body fell before his eyes, but the Azure Dragon’s tail whipped up at the last second, narrowly avoiding the collision.
The dragon, who had been purely defensive until now, released lightning and twisted his body. While the White Tiger hesitated, he dove for the nape. Po Ui leaped back.
In the brief moment the relentless attacks stopped, the Azure Dragon raised his head and soared. As the White Tiger leaped and swung his claws, blue scales were torn away, and red blood scattered. Young-pa curled up, feeling a pain as if his own skin had been ripped.
As Biryoo soared without even a hint of pain, the distance from the tiger grew. Po Ui did not give up. He rained rocks down from the sky like hail, tore through space, moved with a sudden leap, and jumped high.
The tiger and dragon collided in mid-air. Amidst falling boulders and falling thunder, the claws and teeth of the two divine beasts sought each other’s lives.
While Po Ui attacked with full intent, Biryoo merely feigned an attack and spiraled upward. Once again, the tiger’s claws dug into the dragon’s scales. It was not far from where Young-pa was curled up.
Despite the wound not being shallow, the Azure Dragon focused all his effort on flying higher. He only stopped once he reached a position where the White Tiger could not reach him no matter what he did. Blood was dripping from his back and near his right leg.
White Tiger roared from below, smashing the peaks. A few boulders flew their way, but Azure Dragon shattered them with lightning. He looked down coldly, breathing heavily.
“Seo-o.”
The call, imbued with divine power, echoed. Before long, the black-capped bird appeared from between the clouds. Judging by the terrified expression, it seemed they had been watching from nearby.
“M-Master… please, receive treatment quickly….”
“Take them away. Now!”
Biryoo shouted without even letting Seo-o finish. His blue eyes, steeped in pain and rage, desperately avoided looking at Young-pa.
“Now, this way.”
Seo-o flew to Young-pa’s side and spread their wings. Only then did Young-pa release the mane he had been gripping tightly, noticing that his hands were not just sweaty, but swollen.
Young-pa had much he wanted to say to Azure Dragon, but he didn’t have the confidence to utter a single word. He felt sorry that the dragon had been hurt protecting him, grateful that he had come to save him, and also felt a surge of resentment, wondering why he hadn’t just been left to die. However, he could not bring any of those emotions to his lips.
Even as Young-pa held his sword and climbed onto Seo-o’s back, Biryoo did not give him a single glance. It was as if someone like Young-pa wasn’t even worth glancing at.
‘It is only natural.’
As Young-pa settled on the back, the black-capped bird soared upward. Biryoo did not look toward Young-pa until the very end. Young-pa had to swallow a complex tangle of emotions as he watched the blue dragon recede.
Along with a thunderous roar that seemed to shatter the sky, clusters of lightning appeared and vanished around Azure Dragon. A flash of light, bright enough to force one’s eyes shut, dyed the heavens, and his silhouette rapidly shrank.
“Hehe… it couldn’t be more perfect.”
A shadow whispered above the nape of Young-pa’s neck.
Young-pa looked down at the majestic sight of the dragon and tiger attempting to destroy one another. It was the scene that Black Tortoise had desperately desired and meticulously designed.
Azure Dragon, who had hesitated for fear of hurting Young-pa, now unleashed attacks upon White Tiger as if venting his frustration. The two divine beasts struggled to sink teeth and claws into each other at a speed impossible for human eyes to follow. As two different divine arts clashed, the surrounding terrain was carved, broken, and utterly devastated.
Young-pa grit his teeth. The image of Biryoo getting hurt kept flashing through his mind. His wounds looked deep. Even at this moment, he must be bleeding.
‘Do you expect me to just watch that from up here?’
Despite having been through it so many times, Biryoo still didn’t seem to know Young-pa very well.
“Seo-o. Put me back down.”
The black-capped bird whipped its head around and glared at Young-pa.
“Are you insane? After seeing what the Master went through to save you, you can still say that?”
“Biryoo is hurt. I have to help him.”
“Staying still is helping him! Don’t even try to persuade me. I am simply moving according to the Master’s orders.”
“And what are those orders?”
“He told me to take you to the highest place possible to evacuate. He said if something bad happens to the Master or if the situation becomes unfavorable, I should take you to the illusion nest.”
‘Even after being betrayed, you still wanted to save me. Why on earth?’
Young-pa’s fists clenched. From a heart he thought had been torn and shredded until not a single drop of blood remained, blood began to pour. Just like the deep gash in Azure Dragon’s side.
Now, the battle between the two divine beasts had grown so distant that they looked like a single dot. That dot exploded, moved, grew, and shrank. Young-pa stared at his own fist, clutching the black feathers.
‘There is one thing you have mistaken.’
Young-pa possessed a strong will to survive. It was the strength that had allowed him to endure three hundred years of torture and the driving force that enabled his escape from the snake cave. Without it, Young-pa would not have survived until now.
However, survival was not everything.
‘I want to live too. But what I do while living is far more important.’
Young-pa let go of the feathers. Then, he kicked Seo-o’s back with all his might, performed a somersault, and leaped off.
“Wha-what are you doing?!”
Young-pa’s mind was made up, and he didn’t want to waste time. Positioning his head downward, he summoned a strong Gale to push Seo-o away.
“Screeeee!”
The shrill scream of the black-capped bird faded into the distance.
His hair fluttered in a wind so strong he could barely keep his eyes open. As he pulled his arms in as if hugging his sword, his speed increased further.
As he plummeted toward the death trap, the first emotion to hit him was fear. Knowing that he could not suppress a deity even after gathering the heavenly gift of four gods, he lacked confidence. He worried that by meddling, he might not only fail to help Biryoo but might actually become a hindrance. It felt as if an end involving being torn apart by the evil tiger’s claws in mid-air was waiting for him.
‘Even so, it doesn’t matter.’
Young-pa had already prepared for the end of his life in the face of death. He had merely survived by a miracle, so things couldn’t get any worse. Though that cautious man had saved him by taking on the risk of alienating every wild beast on the mortal realm, did that make one human life significantly more valuable?
A reckless eccentric who dives into the most dangerous situations. A rebel who pushes back even harder when blocked.
‘I’ll do as I please. Because that’s the kind of person I am.’
Young-pa chuckled as he fell.
The sight of the two divine beasts fighting grew closer. They were evenly matched. It was a battlefield where lightning and boulders struck the mortal realm. Giant rocks fell like raindrops, and house-sized surges crashed. The peaks where Young-pa and Immortal Flower had fought were all smashed into a flat plain.
Young-pa waited until he was close enough to the battlefield and called out softly.
“Biryoo.”
The divine beast, who had become a puppet for the crime of loving a human, lifted his head. His eyes were filled with terror. Originally, those eyes should have been filled with cool intellect, arrogance, and a touch of laziness.
Biryoo flew toward him like an arrow after pouring a deluge of water on Po Ui; to an outsider, it would have looked as if he intended to kill Young-pa. He looked utterly exhausted. With his mane standing on end, eyes consumed by rage, and nostrils flaring, he was nothing short of an evil dragon.
Azure Dragon’s grip snatched Young-pa by the waist.
“What kind of human are you?!”
As he roared, Young-pa’s hair fluttered as if a great wind had passed.
If one finds even an angry voice welcoming, what must be wrong with their head? A smile spread across Young-pa’s firmly closed lips.
“You were the one who didn’t listen first. Didn’t I tell you to stay in the heavenly realm?”
Biryoo glared fiercely.
“You shameless human. To be this disobedient is a talent in itself!”
Unable to contain his anger, he shouted loudly. Despite his fiery rage, Young-pa just kept grinning like someone who had lost their mind.
“I’ve always been this kind of guy. Did you keep me around without knowing that?”
“Do I look like I’m joking! Just what kind of human are you….”
“It’s because I hate seeing you get hurt.”
Biryoo, who had been huffing and shouting, slowly closed his mouth. Feeling awkward, Young-pa avoided his gaze.
“I know you were hurt because of me… that’s why… I feel so sorry. Since you’re wounded, maybe adding my strength will help. I happened to collect all the divine artifacts, after all….”
Biryoo gasped for air, glaring at Young-pa with a pained expression.
“Do you truly wish to die?”
Young-pa couldn’t tell if he was asking out of curiosity or threatening to kill him with his own hands. Either way, the answer was the same.
“I don’t care if I die. It’s just one human disappearing from the world; what’s the big deal?”
Just then, Po Ui summoned rocks, climbing them like stairs to try and scratch Azure Dragon’s belly. Azure Dragon dodged backward and instead struck his forehead with lightning, sending Po Ui screaming downward. Biryoo muttered, his eyes never leaving White Tiger, who was venting his anger on an innocent mountain peak.
“What difference would reproaching you make? It is all because I committed a pathetic act.”
Young-pa shook his head.
“No. It’s all my fault.”
“I did not ask for your opinion, so shut your mouth.”
Biryoo spat out harshly and let out a sigh so heavy it felt as if the whole world would collapse.
“The only way to shake off a leech like you is to kill you.”
“Right.”
“First, I must save the mortal realm.”
“Then… can I ride on your back?”
Young-pa trailed off, gauging the reaction. Biryoo’s expression became noticeably fiercer, but he only growled low without answering. Avoiding his eyes, Young-pa climbed onto his back.
‘He used to flick me away as if I were a bug, but he’s letting me ride now.’
Riding on a dragon’s back—it was a luxury anyone might have imagined once, but few could enjoy. Young-pa knew that Yeon-hwa must have done this a thousand years ago, and that the memory of those days still tormented Biryoo. However, as he said, the situation was urgent, so it couldn’t be helped.
Young-pa settled at the nape of Biryoo’s neck and pushed aside the silver mane fluttering before his eyes. As he lowered his posture, Azure Dragon’s back felt surprisingly comfortable.
“Don’t mind me and just do what you need to do.”
“Just don’t roll off.”
Biryoo spat out fiercely, then, as if resigned, turned his head and flew downward.
As he dove sharply, Young-pa had to close his eyes and press himself against the scales. Riding a dragon was different from riding Cheongsim or Seo-o. He had never imagined such power and speed; he had to struggle with all his might just to keep from falling.
As they entered range, Po Ui stomped his feet as if he had been waiting. Subsequently, rocks of all sizes began to fall from the sky.
Biryoo changed direction, leisurely dodging the rocks, and circled around White Tiger’s head. Mysterious clouds gathered around him and began to rain. It was less like rain and more like a deluge of water.
Above the head of the irritably roaring black tiger, a giant boulder appeared to block the waves. The surge, imbued with the power of the heavenly realm, smashed the wide rock and poured over it. White Tiger leaped here and there, but there was no way to avoid the waterfall, and his black fur became drenched. He shivered and growled.
Biryoo lowered his altitude and flew low. The frenzied White Tiger lunged without hesitation, swinging his front paws. Rather than facing Po Ui head-on, Biryoo flew around him as if performing acrobatics.
‘He’s trying to wear down White Tiger’s strength.’
The two had already engaged in a bloody brawl and poured their best sorcery into each other. Biryoo seemed to be inducing the self-controlled-less White Tiger to attack him, waiting for him to tire.
Amidst the dizzying whirl of his vision, Young-pa summoned his sorcery. Even if the spellcasting technique he used was merely a bothersome breeze to White Tiger, he wanted to be helpful. His chance to act came soon.
It was while Biryoo was flying in a complex trajectory, dodging White Tiger’s fierce attacks and boulders. Jagged clumps of lightning formed around his body. Seeing this, an idea struck Young-pa, and he raised his upper body.
As he reached out, a long streak of golden thunderbolt emerged from the clouds. It had been a long time since Young-pa had become able to handle that power without burning his skin, so he grasped the sizzling yellow lightning and threw it at White Tiger’s back. The black tiger shifted through space to dodge and then glared at Young-pa with burning eyes.
‘Yes. I’m right here, you damn tiger.’
He thought the tiger had gone completely mad from the shock of losing Immortal Flower, but it seemed a shred of reason remained. As the tiger lunged at Young-pa with wide eyes, Biryoo spun around and shook him off. When White Tiger leaped, Young-pa threw another streak of lightning toward his heart.
White Tiger was extremely agile, so hitting him was no easy task. However, it was incredibly effective at breaking the enemy’s concentration and causing interference.
The thoroughly provoked tiger flung himself toward Young-pa. Young-pa, who had been waiting, aimed a long-drawn bolt of lightning at him. As White Tiger twisted his body in mid-air to dodge, the lightning narrowly grazed him. The blue dragon did not miss that opening, and his claws tore into the tiger’s back.
“Kyaaaaa!”
The wounded Po Ui landed in an unstable posture. Young-pa thought the tide of victory had finally turned. But in the next moment, the enraged face of the black tiger appeared before his eyes. By the time he tried to react, the tiger was already lunging with its massive maw wide open.
Because Biryoo twisted his body, Young-pa’s vision lurched. The scream of the dragon, bitten in the flank by the tiger, shook the sky. Someone precious was being torn apart right before his eyes. Young-pa screamed and drove the tiger tooth severing sword into White Tiger’s eye.
As Po Ui howled in pain and fell, Azure Dragon escaped his teeth. The scales where he had been bitten were tattered, and blood dripped down.
“A-are you okay?”
Instead of answering, Biryoo soared upward unsteadily.
On the ground, White Tiger was thrashing in pain. As he let out a monstrous shriek toward the sky, the air grew heavy. A sensation of being slammed down. A heavy force pulling everything downward. Young-pa had seen this arcane art before.
Biryoo flew in a wide circle to avoid being dragged down. Young-pa clung to Biryoo’s back, enduring the sensation of his internal organs being crushed.
“Are you alive?”
Biryoo asked. Young-pa wanted to answer that it was bearable, but only a pained groan escaped from between his teeth.
Po Ui howled with his mouth wide open. He was rampaging without holding back any strength. The remaining hills and great trees of the mountains collapsed and caved in. Even the clouds were sucked down to the ground, and all objects were flattened.
Only the Azure Dragon remained aloft, but even he seemed to be struggling. Now, Young-pa reached a point where he couldn’t even lift his head.
“Ugh, ugh….”
“Endure just a little longer,” Biryoo whispered quickly. Young-pa buried his face in the mane and barely managed to nod. Though his consciousness grew hazy, he gripped the sword hilt tightly and held on.
White Tiger did not give up. As he lowered his posture and let out a horrific shriek, the air pressing down on the land became even heavier. He could feel Azure Dragon being dragged toward the ground bit by bit. However, no matter how great a divine beast is, they cannot wield such a powerful divine art forever.
After a moment that felt like an eternal age, Young-pa was able to breathe again. As Azure Dragon released his power all at once, a massive collision occurred. Thunder deafened the ears, and a heavenly flash dyed the vision stark white.
From that moment, the hunter and the hunted were reversed.
As White Tiger stepped back, huffing, Azure Dragon charged like a bolt of lightning, aiming for his nape. Po Ui had to use the leaping power he had been using for attack to instead evade. He growled ferociously, but he retreated under the consecutive attacks.
“Get a grip. It’s not over yet.”
Biryoo muttered, soaring sharply while dodging the claws swinging at his back. This time, Young-pa replied with a small “Yeah.” But by the time the sound left his lips, the dragon and tiger were already clawing at each other. Young-pa barely regained his focus and drew a long bolt of lightning from Biryoo’s scales, throwing it at Po Ui’s back. The black tiger summoned rocks to defend himself as before, but his speed had noticeably slowed.
“Young-pa.”
Biryoo only called his name, but Young-pa could understand what he intended to say.
“I’m ready,” Young-pa whispered, and Biryoo began to scatter a wide rain over Po Ui’s head. As Young-pa’s spellcraft merged, the heavy rain met the storm wind, creating a fierce tempest. White Tiger glared at them with terrifying eyes, but he was too busy dodging the falling thunder.
Arcane arts extended like threads from Biryoo’s body, dancing in the air. Mysterious wefts and warps intertwined, creating a beautiful band of light around Po Ui. Young-pa placed his hand on the scales and quietly felt the flow of power.
A surging torrent, wide-spread wings, water-scales breaking through in a whirl.
Biryoo’s power, having regained his divine power, was incomparably stronger and clearer than what Young-pa had experienced at asadal mountain. Touching the fluid and clear energy that flowed like a spring, Young-pa’s eyes welled with tears.
‘Biryoo, your power is just like you.’
Young-pa did not hesitate to inject his spiritual energy into the sorcery. Young-pa’s power, which felt like a beating pulse, did not harmonize with the transparently waving flow. The two forces pushed each other away and refused to mix. However, he had done this once before.
As Young-pa closed his eyes and let go of himself, he felt as if he were being sucked into Biryoo, and the flow became smooth. The original essence Young-pa possessed and the special ability of the divine realm resulting from the heavenly gift of four gods poured into the spellcasting technique. While White Tiger leaped here and there, the Binding Array woven by Biryoo was rapidly filled.
“Kuuuuugh!”
The moment the sorcery was completed, Po Ui, who had been rampaging blindly despite his wounds, fell to his knees. As his massive body collapsed, the pebbles rattled as if an earthquake had struck.
“Kyaaaaah!”
The tiger, covered in black fur, screamed as if unable to believe he had been defeated. Biryoo glared at him for a while before descending to the mortal realm.
“Are you alright, Biryoo?”
“As if I could be.”
Biryoo spoke coldly, letting out a heavy breath.
Young-pa leaped down from his back and examined his wounds. He was injured in more than a few places. Seeing the beautiful scales overturned, torn, and bleeding made Young-pa’s blood boil.
“That tiger will pay for this with his life.”
“Leave it. If you kill him, a storm of blood will blow across the mortal realm.”
“What does that matter? Look at yourself!”
Biryoo glared at Young-pa, looking utterly exhausted. He didn’t say a word, but Young-pa felt as though he had just been given a severe scolding. After all, the fact that Biryoo was injured and worn down was Young-pa’s fault, not White Tiger’s.
“Don’t stop me! This is my revenge too.”
Young-pa shouted fiercely to hide his emotions. Without waiting for Biryoo’s answer, he dashed forward, clutching the divine artifact that held the power of the mortal realm.
The pitch-black tiger lay collapsed as if he had given up on everything. His limp body looked like a small hill. Young-pa gripped the tiger tooth severing sword tightly.
“Go to Immortal Flower’s side.”
Immortal Flower. At that name, Po Ui lifted his eyes to look at Young-pa. In that brief moment, Young-pa saw reason return to his gaze. The emotion etched in those crimson eyes was not anger or hatred, but sadness and longing.
“Die!”
Hiding his hesitation, Young-pa swung the sword.
Swish!
Before he could pierce Po Ui’s heart, an external force intervened and knocked the sword away, sending Young-pa rolling once before he stood up.
He glared at the blade embedded in the ground. At the tip of the red arrow, dancing flames flickered instead of feathers.
“Stop it.”
A person who had suddenly appeared in the air spoke. A girl wrapped in a flame-like winged garment floated there, holding a bow in one hand. Young-pa glared at her, his chest heaving with ragged breaths.
“Step back, Vermilion Bird.”
“Shut up! If I had known things would end up like this, I would never have lent you the changjingyeong.”
Yeon Mu-geum silenced Young-pa with a shout, her winged garment fluttering.
“Since you all abandoned me first, I intended not to intervene whether the mortal realm perished or not. But… this is too much.”
“Move. White Tiger is not in his right mind; you are in danger too.”
Young-pa picked up the tiger tooth severing sword and gripped it firmly. This whole disaster had happened because he had caused Immortal Flower’s death. If there was anyone who had to finish this, it was Young-pa himself.
However, the Vermilion Bird turned around and looked down at Po Ui. Even seeing that he had turned into a vicious tiger, she showed no sign of fear.
“Do you think I want to save this fellow? But for the sake of the mortal realm, I cannot let him die.”
Yeon Mu-geum descended lower and lower until she was beside White Tiger’s face. The girl before the giant tiger looked as small as a fly. Po Ui lunged forward a few times in a frenzy, but because of the Binding Array, he only flopped around in place.
“I can feel the sadness.”
The Vermilion Bird’s feet touched the ground. She looked up at White Tiger. The tiger was shedding poignant tears.
“You idiot. You acted so proud and arrogant, yet look at this pathetic sight.”
The Vermilion Bird slowly reached out. From where her fingertips touched, a wave of power spread, and the lush black fur trembled. Then, like a crashing wave, white fur began to return.
It didn’t take long for Po Ui to regain his original form. Blood-stained white fur fluttered in the wind. Blood flowed from one eye socket pierced by Young-pa, and tears flowed from the other.
“Azure Dragon, please.”
As the Vermilion Bird murmured softly, Biryoo withdrew the array. The sorcery that had enveloped Po Ui like a net unraveled and was sucked back into the Azure Dragon’s scales.
“What do you intend to do with him?”
The Azure Dragon, who had been watching silently until now, asked. The Vermilion Bird replied while staring blankly at Po Ui.
“Since you seem to be in a tight spot yourself, I’ll take him.”
“Do so.”
“I’ll keep him alive for now. I’ll make him pay back the debt he owes you later.”
The Vermilion Bird looked up and soon transformed into a red Bonghwang. She took the unconscious White Tiger on her back and soared into the sky. The dazzling form quickly receded and soon vanished.
Young-pa, who had been watching the scene blankly, finally came to his senses and ran toward the Azure Dragon. However, Biryoo turned his head away sharply.
“Do not come near me.”
Biryoo let out a heavy breath. Despite becoming blood-soaked to save a mere human, he was refusing that very person’s approach. Young-pa stopped and looked at the blood-stained scales.
“It’s as you wished. Now what do you plan to do?”
A cold voice hiding pain. Biryoo, who had persistently avoided eye contact until now, lifted his head and looked down at Young-pa.
He was exhausted, injured, and emotionally scarred. Young-pa wanted to embrace him. But the one who had hurt him was none other than himself.
Young-pa had come all this way to kill Ji Seo-gu, and the target was not far. But now, meeting Biryoo’s gaze, everything he had vowed became faint. Even at this moment, time was flowing, and a decision had to be made.
It was just as Young-pa opened his mouth. Black energy flowed from the nape of his neck, forming the shape of a small serpent.
“My human. You have proven yourself worthy of sitting at my right hand.”
The dark voice was steeped in excitement. As if the acts of binding the Azure Dragon, neutralizing the White Tiger, and sending the Vermilion Bird away had all been Young-pa’s scheme. Young-pa unconsciously looked at Biryoo and read a deep sense of contempt on his face.
“When all is finished, you shall receive the highest reward. Now, bring the Azure Dragon before me!”
The shadow implanted in his shoulder by Black Tortoise shouted.
An image of himself obeying Ji Seo-gu’s orders formed in Young-pa’s mind. An image of himself dragging the noble Azure Dragon underground with a single command. A human who wore the black darkness and became a trusted subordinate, favored at Black Tortoise’s right hand and handling his affairs, just as Chilno had in the past.
Of course, Young-pa had absolutely no intention of doing so.
‘I’ll pretend to do it and achieve my revenge.’
The incarnation of rebellion living inside him whispered.
Killing Black Tortoise was something he had yearned for for three hundred years—no, since before he was imprisoned underground. If he offered the fatally wounded Azure Dragon as bait, he might be able to kill Black Tortoise. No, that was the only opportunity worth aiming for.
‘But… I can’t.’
Young-pa shook his head.
He was not a profane being who had merely cut away the evil side of a human, nor was he a vicious demon who knew nothing but revenge. He was simply a human with both good and bad traits like anyone else, not a being defined by a single thing.
Young-pa knew how to understand the pain of others, and if necessary, he could abandon his stubbornness and his goals. And he was naturally rebellious.
‘Give up Biryoo and take the changjingyeong.’
Young-pa smiled faintly, recalling something that felt like it happened a long time ago. Back then, Biryoo was a being who didn’t matter even if he were handed over to the pacheondang. Not anymore. He was a person that Young-pa would not trade for anything.
Young-pa brought his hand to the nape of his neck. He curled his fingers like hooks and yanked at the mark Black Tortoise had implanted. The deity’s sorcery was torn away with trivial ease. Young-pa murmured as he crushed the shimmering black energy.
“The spying is over. You’ll have to come and deal with me yourself, you fucking bastard.”
As he chuckled, Biryoo narrowed his brows and glared at Young-pa.
Young-pa stood proudly before the one he loved. A divine beast who had struggled not to give his heart to anyone because of responsibilities tied to the past. A man who could not reveal his affection due to vigilance and distrust. A foolish person who had rushed to save his life even after being used.
“Biryoo.”
The sorcery that bound the jewel like a net trembled in response to the call. Biryoo’s complexion turned pale. Young-pa looked at him and spoke.
“There is no reason for you to be mine.”
Yeon-hwa had used Jeong-in’s heart to maintain peace. But what Young-pa wanted was not a grand cause like that, but merely a private revenge. There was no reason to follow Yeon-hwa’s path. No, he didn’t want to follow it.
Young-pa saw that one end of the slender sorcery was connected to his own heart. He traced the wicked spellcasting technique that would have tormented Biryoo for thousands of years with his fingertips and murmured.
“The blood, the name, and the heart entwined in this sorcery belong only to you. Break free from the shackles and be free, Biryoo.”
As the declaration to give up the power of the wish-fulfilling orb fell, the bond shook violently. Young-pa raised the tiger tooth severing sword high and slashed down.
The black thread snapped with trivial ease. From there, the connection shortened like a thatched-roof house burning down. The cheonchu spellcasting technique that had woven the Azure Dragon’s jewel crumbled and fell as dark powder.
A look of shock, bordering on terror, appeared on Biryoo’s face. He looked at the wish-fulfilling jewel floating in the air as if he couldn’t believe it. Eventually, he retrieved the jewel and dropped his gaze to Young-pa.
“Why…?”
Instead of answering, Young-pa approached Biryoo. With every step closer, he felt as if his heart were being squeezed.
How wonderful would it have been if he could have told him in advance? That even a human who is good at lying and frequently betrays others can sometimes act with a sincerity that borders on eccentricity.
The Azure Dragon’s head lowered until it was at Young-pa’s eye level. Two eyes, like blue gems, were not far away. Young-pa reached out toward the dragon’s bridge of the nose.
“Go.”
He leaned his forehead against the Azure Dragon’s cheek and murmured.
“I have adored you, who looks down upon the world while tearing through the firmament. I did not need a dragon on a leash.”
“Young-pa.”
Biryoo’s voice was trembling. The dragon, now free from the cheonchu constraints, looked at Young-pa with an affectionate gaze.
“It was not because of that filthy sorcery that we fought. It was because I could not bear to see you get hurt—you, who took my heart despite being a mere human.”
Young-pa’s face contorted as a wide smile spread across his features. The weakness of having lost the weapon to oppose Black Tortoise, the fact that he was like a speck of dust before the divine dragon, and the anxiety that there was little time left to be with him—all were forgotten.
Young-pa stood on his tiptoes and embraced his love. Then, a dazzling light emanated from the Azure Dragon’s scales, and his size gradually shrank.
Biryoo, now in human form, was blood-soaked just as he had been as a dragon. The shoulders, one side of the chest, waist, and thigh area of his blue robes were stained red, and his complexion was pale.
Young-pa was held in the arms of the man he had missed. Biryoo hugged Young-pa’s back, applying strength as if he would never let go.
He had thought he was the one who dragged a heavenly being down. He believed he had caused Biryoo to make mistakes, stained him with lust, and wounded him. But it was Young-pa himself who had fallen from a clear and distinct world into a swamp of foolishness. A fatal and brilliant abyss that clouded his judgment and made him act like a fool.
‘What on earth has this man done to me?’
Having released the Azure Dragon’s constraints, Young-pa stood on the edge of a cliff. Without a trump card, he now had to face Black Tortoise with only the heavenly gift of four gods. Yet, he was immersed in ecstasy simply from confirming Biryoo’s heart and embracing him; it was a strange thing.
“That’s enough now. Go back to the heavenly realm.”
Young-pa suppressed his lingering regret and pushed Biryoo’s shoulder. Why wouldn’t he want to stay with the one he loved for thousands of years? But a serpent, brimming with rage, was bound to appear. The final battle with Ji Seo-gu was Young-pa’s burden and had nothing to do with a heavenly being.
However, Biryoo did not release the arms embracing Young-pa.
“Azure Dragon, I’ve set you free.”
“And?”
“You must treat your wounds. Please, ascend now.”
Instead of answering, Biryoo buried his nose in the nape of Young-pa’s neck and inhaled. Young-pa staggered as Biryoo leaned his weight on him. It was, of course, an ecstatic experience, but now was not the time. When Biryoo continued to ignore him despite his kind words, Young-pa eventually resorted to shouting.
“I told you Ji Seo-gu is coming soon! Go up!”
“What do you take me for? I am a king of the heavenly realm who needs to answer to no one’s command.”
“Just listen to me, given the situation, okay?”
“You dare say such things to me? You might as well have a fallen leaf tell a pine needle that it’s rustling.”
Truly, this was not the moment for idle chatter. But as Biryoo smiled and cracked jokes, Young-pa couldn’t help but smile back.
After how long had he been looking at a face he could feast upon for a lifetime without tiring? Biryoo’s expression darkened. In the next moment, he transformed into a dragon and coiled his body around Young-pa.
Before long, a profane energy rose from the earth. A wide, deep shadow dominated the mortal realm as if the sun had been eclipsed. The ground shook as if an earthquake had occurred, and pebbles bounced up.
“I thought you were doing well, but your sickness has flared up again, and you dare oppose me. Do you think I gave you the annihilation command so you could share sweet, tender affections?”
The black shadow flickered threateningly, and a gloomy voice shook the mortal realm. The Azure Dragon used his tail to push Young-pa behind him.
“This is a fight between that serpent and me. Step back!”
Young-pa shouted while buried in the mane, but Biryoo didn’t even pretend to hear. Young-pa tried to rush forward but was knocked over by the swing of Biryoo’s tail. Seeing this, Black Tortoise snorted.
“Azure Dragon, I have words for my human, so step aside.”
“He is no longer your human. He is mine.”
As Biryoo answered boldly, Young-pa shook his head.
The conflict between the Azure Dragon and Black Tortoise. That was not what Young-pa wanted. No, he had wanted it once, but not anymore. Unaware of these feelings, the Azure Dragon’s silver mane fluttered beautifully and indifferently in the wind.
The shadow covering the ground rose like a raging wave. Black energy surged and swelled like a hill. Soon, it took the form of a hybrid serpent wearing a shell. The king of the underground, Ji Seo-gu, who was absolutely livid, glared with crimson eyes.
“Do you intend to repeat the same mistake as a thousand years ago!”
As he roared, the entire land trembled. Biryoo bristled his scales and stiffened his body, but only for a moment. He soon relaxed and returned to a leisurely demeanor.
“If it is to save this person, I will endure what you call a mistake as many times as it takes. Therefore, you are the one who should give up.”
The king of the heavenly realm, who did not lose his dignity even while injured, spoke. Black Tortoise glared at him as if he wanted to devour him.
The Final Battle
Black Tortoise let out a sharp laugh.
“Stealing and whisking away someone else’s human—your brazenness is beyond belief!”
Biryoo’s eyes narrowed.
“I heard that all you did with Young-pa in the underground was torture.”
“That was my own way of cherishing him.”
Listening quietly, Young-pa shouted in disbelief.
“You osari serpent, what did you just say? Cherish? Che… rish? Stop with the creepy talk and shut your mouth!”
Biryoo turned his head and sighed. Black Tortoise’s cold gaze shifted to Young-pa, who was venting his frustration behind the Azure Dragon. He let out a despicable smirk and spoke.
“During all that time, you never once behaved obediently toward me.”
“Why do you think that is? Because your head is full of shit, you hybrid…!”
“I did not start by intimidating and torturing you.”
As Ji Seo-gu growled, the ground beneath Young-pa’s feet shook.
“You kept your heart firmly closed and rebelled against every attempt at persuasion. I only did so because you only reacted when tortured, stabbed, and seared. Looking back, should I have seduced you with my body like the Azure Dragon?”
Young-pa was so appalled he had no words to respond. Black Tortoise stared at Young-pa silently. Black mist flowed from his shell and fluttered before Young-pa’s eyes as if beckoning.
“Young-pa, my human.”
His affectionate tone left Young-pa utterly bewildered.
“Have you forgotten that I am the only one in the whole world who can embrace you? Since you suffer so much, I shall not force anything upon you nor cause you pain from now on. I pledge this upon my name.”
“What?”
“I will place you at my right hand and pour out power and glory without reserve, so come back. To your home.”
Young-pa blinked, stunned. Was Black Tortoise not a wise one? Did he still not know that the human before him was someone who would rather die than live in the underground?