By Zephyria 
The hateful human strutted arrogantly across the mortal realm, yet wept incessantly whenever they stood before the Azure Dragon; Biryoo found them so contemptible that he ground his teeth in disgust.
‘I am sorry. I cannot grant all your requests.’
Unable to contain their anger, Yeon-hwa stormed out of the bedroom. They then descended to the mortal realm aboard the cloud carriage that the Azure Dragon had personally crafted for them.
This left Biryoo with a lingering question. The Azure Dragon had been the King of the heavenly realm for a long time. He must have known better than anyone that humans were greedy and fickle beings. Why, then, had he entered such a foolish position of his own accord?
What Biryoo had overlooked was the emotion of romantic love. A sweet yet fatal poison that one cannot control by will. An incomprehensible heart that plunges even the most brilliant being in the world into a pit of folly.
When the Azure Dragon could not meet Yeon-hwa, he began to waste away. His once robust body grew gaunt, and his scales lost their luster. Even when nourishing foods were brought to him, he would not touch them.
When there was no improvement after two months, Biryoo had no choice but to descend to the mortal realm to find the human king. At first, Yeon-hwa acted sensitively and defensively upon seeing Biryoo. However, they shed tears upon hearing that the Azure Dragon was ill.
‘Take me to the heavenly realm. I must see him.’
Biryoo took Yeon-hwa back to the heavenly realm and placed them in the Azure Dragon’s bedroom. This was a mistake. After the two spent several days in the room sharing their love, things spiraled out of control.
From then on, the Azure Dragon lent his power to Yeon-hwa indiscriminately. He was reduced to the state of a dog running at the sound of a whistle. Now, Yeon-hwa summoned and utilized the Azure Dragon for even the most trivial matters. Instead of riding in a carriage, they rode on the Azure Dragon’s back, intentionally flying low to become a spectacle for the people.
As the human kingdom grew wealthier and stronger by the day, the serpents of the underground wailed that there was nothing left to eat. The King of Tigers openly criticized the Azure Dragon for abandoning his pride and becoming like livestock. The Vermilion Bird of the upper skies also rebuked the Azure Dragon, stating that such deep intervention in the human world was inappropriate.
The dragons had long since withdrawn their trust from the Azure Dragon. No one remained by the side of the once deeply revered King of the heavenly realm. Except for Biryoo.
‘I have no choice but to take matters into my own hands.’
Steeling himself to turn against the Azure Dragon, Biryoo descended to the mortal realm. He arrived at the royal palace in the dead of night. The sky was pitch black, and a drizzle fell from ink-colored clouds.
He evaded the strict security and infiltrated the king’s bedroom. The room, adorned with blue curtains and dragon patterns, radiated the king’s solemn authority. Even though Biryoo made no sound, Yeon-hwa rose from the bed and glared at him. A sneer appeared on that brazen face.
‘You have viewed me as a thorn in your side for a long time. Tell me, what have I done so wrong that you seek to drive a wedge between him and me?’
Biryoo’s teeth clenched instinctively at the hostility toward that person. However, Biryoo had come to kill Yeon-hwa, not to argue. Just as he was about to carry out his resolve in silence, Yeon-hwa shouted with confidence.
‘Appear, Hwi-seung!’
Before Biryoo knew it, the Azure Dragon was standing between him and Yeon-hwa. It was too short a time for him to have flown there simply upon hearing Yeon-hwa’s call. The glowing sphere Biryoo had formed in his palm to snap Yeon-hwa’s neck wavered in the air.
‘Hahaha! Do not ever attempt such a thing again.’
Biryoo could not take his eyes off the Azure Dragon. His expression was so utterly helpless and lonely.
‘What have you done, Azure Dragon?’
The divine beast, having become a human puppet, looked at Biryoo with hollow eyes.
‘This person is mad. They are no longer the girl from before, so they must be killed. If you cannot do it, I will, so move aside.’
The Azure Dragon did not answer. He simply waved his hand and pushed Biryoo far away.
‘You think dragons are the greatest beings in the world, don’t you? Far from it. I have one more contract awaiting me. It is a power that will crush someone like you, so look forward to it.’
As Biryoo escaped through the window, a manic voice cackled. Hiding from the guards who swarmed like ants, Biryoo cursed himself over and over.
‘I should have stopped this before it reached this point.’
Before the Azure Dragon loved that person as his own life. Before Yeon-hwa became corrupted. Before that shameless wretch trampled upon and exploited his partner’s heart.
Since time could not be reversed, it was now out of Biryoo’s hands. There was nothing he could do.
≋ ≋ ≋
Upon hearing of Yeon-hwa’s end, Biryoo could not erase the feeling of satisfaction. He did not know what had happened underground, but Yeon-hwa had lost their life while conspiring with the Black Tortoise.
The problem was that Ji Seo-gu had mutilated the body and displayed it atop the palace roof. The people gathered like clouds to see the remains, which were little more than a bloody pulp, placed upon the magnificent and authoritative building.
The moment the Azure Dragon saw that sight, he became an evil dragon. He slaughtered every human in sight and poured rain over them, submerging the grand buildings in water. In an instant, one-third of the unified kingdom’s people were annihilated, and one-quarter of the mortal realm was submerged.
“At this rate, the world is going to end.”
“We cannot leave it like this. We must do something.”
Who had said that dragons were incapable of uniting? Driven by a sense of crisis, the dragons came to Biryoo one by one. Biryoo, who shared their thoughts, led a flock of dozens of dragons to find the Azure Dragon.
“Please, stop, Azure Dragon.”
The Azure Dragon did not recognize Biryoo. The spellcraft he fired contained such deep hatred that Biryoo felt a sense of despair as he barely managed to block it. The dragon before him was the crystallization of grief, rage, and helplessness. He was not the sage Biryoo had respected and looked up to.
As Biryoo made his decision, a binding barrier unfolded. Dozens of dragons poured their respective special abilities into the spellcasting technique. Everyone’s power merged and mixed into one. Their combined strength was far too insufficient to overcome the Azure Dragon’s wish-fulfilling orb, but the Azure Dragon—who was not in his right mind and had already wasted his power over several days—was bound by the barrier and fell silent.
“We did it!”
“Good work. You saved us all.”
Having poured everything into the spellcraft, Biryoo had no strength left to answer the dragons encouraging him. All he could do was crawl toward the Azure Dragon, who had collapsed onto the clouds. Even in that state, the Azure Dragon was clutching the remains, which were in a state too gruesome to even be called a body.
‘It’s over now.’
Biryoo breathed a sigh of relief. Although the Azure Dragon had made a grave mistake, Biryoo believed that if he returned to his former self, things could be restored. The mortal realm ruined by the torrential rains, the trust of the dragons, and the relationships with other divine beasts—all of it could be recovered. How naive a thought that was.
“Rest, Biryoo. I will escort the Azure Dragon to his bedroom.”
When Jeolgon patted his shoulder, Biryoo did not suspect him. Being exhausted, he merely felt grateful to the friend who volunteered to handle the aftermath.
However, the way Jeolgon approached the Azure Dragon was somewhat unsettling. His posture was strangely suspicious, and he wore a bizarre smile.
“Stop!”
By the time Biryoo pushed himself up, a sharp dagger had already pierced the Azure Dragon’s heart. The scream of the divine beast shook the heavenly realm. Biryoo had never heard a sound so horrific. The surrounding dragons gasped in shock and horror.
“Someone had to do it.”
Jeolgon muttered with a dark laugh. His attitude was brazen, as if he had done nothing wrong.
Biryoo immediately transformed into a dragon to confront him. Sorrow and rage swirled in his chest. The time the three of them—the Azure Dragon, Jeolgon, and himself—had spent together flashed through his mind. The days that had sparkled like jewels were now stained with blood, submerged in water, and shattered by a dagger.
“I cannot forgive you, Jeolgon.”
“And what if I’m not forgiven? You’re completely drained of power. No matter how much you fly or crawl, how on earth do you expect to beat me?”
Though they had fought often as children, they had not opposed each other since reaching maturity. The two of them were the strongest dragons in the flock. They were mature enough to know that the aftermath of a fight between them would be catastrophic.
“Be honest. You loved that human too, didn’t you? That’s why you lingered around them?”
When Jeolgon spouted words not even worth answering, Biryoo was dumbfounded. Love? Biryoo had merely struggled to believe in the Azure Dragon until the end; his hostility toward Yeon-hwa was equal to, if not greater than, Jeolgon’s.
“Don’t think of it poorly. Once I become the Azure Dragon, I’ll be much better than Hwi-seung.”
The words he tossed out casually set Biryoo’s rage ablaze. Jeolgon was certain that he would become the next Azure Dragon.
Had he harmed his benefactor for a mere reason like that? With eyes bloodshot from rage, Biryoo lunged at Jeolgon.
The two fought fiercely. When Jeolgon’s teeth sank into Biryoo’s flank, Biryoo’s claws aimed for Jeolgon’s throat. Blue and gold swapped places frantically in a chaotic struggle. Manes fluttered in the wind, and long tails whipped like lashes.
It was a closely matched duel, but the difference in power was clear. When Jeolgon twisted his body upward, Biryoo flew toward him. As he bit deep into the throat, Jeolgon let out a scream that seemed to deafen the surroundings. Thick blood filled Biryoo’s mouth.
“Aaaaagh!”
Jeolgon struggled violently, but Biryoo did not let go of his throat. Not until the golden scales were stained blood-red and the agile tail went limp.
“Haa, haa…”
Only when Jeolgon stopped resisting did Biryoo let him go. Only then did Biryoo realize that a deep wound had been carved into his own chest.
“You… bastard. Once I become the Azure Dragon… you’re a dead… man…”
Jeolgon, barely clinging to life, continued to spout nonsense even while coughing up blood. Biryoo looked down at him with cold eyes. Deeming him not even worth the effort of killing, he simply let him fall below the clouds.
Biryoo staggered toward where the Azure Dragon lay. While he was covered in sticky blood, the Azure Dragon looked clean, as if asleep, despite the dagger embedded in his heart.
“Azure… Dragon.”
As Biryoo pulled out the dagger with blood-stained hands, tears quickly pooled in his eyes. He had not thought he would send him away like this. In such a wretched state.
“Biryoo. My precious child.”
The Azure Dragon opened his eyes. ‘Precious child’ was the nickname the Azure Dragon had used for Biryoo when he was very young. His trembling fingertips sought the back of Biryoo’s hand.
“Azure Dragon, it’s… all… over… Now, please… rest…”
“No. I only delayed death for a moment to speak with you.”
His face, wearing a slight smile, was calm and beautiful. Looking at him, Biryoo felt the illusion of returning to the distant past. To the time before that human intervened in their lives. To the peaceful days when there was no need to fight and bleed with a friend who was like a brother.
“You were a child born with a good nature. Do you remember when you cared for and treated a deer with a broken leg before letting it go?”
The Azure Dragon spoke of times he could barely remember with a longing expression. He also knew of the time Biryoo had taken a wounded bear to a remote cave and brought it food. The Azure Dragon spoke of these ancient events as if they had happened yesterday.
“Of all the things I have raised, you are the most precious. Seeing you brings back so many memories of those days.”
The one sitting across from him was no longer the kind and mature young dragon. The Azure Dragon looked upon the fully grown youth with newfound tenderness.
“You know that the Azure Dragon’s wish-fulfilling orb finds the strongest and wisest dragon on its own.”
Biryoo gripped the Azure Dragon’s hand, tears streaming down his face.
“I can tell. When my last breath leaves me, the orb will choose you.”
“No. You will… survive. If you rest… soon, very soon…”
“I only feel sorry for placing this burden upon you, my child.”
Tears flowed down the Azure Dragon’s cheeks as well.
“I did things I should not have done.”
Biryoo could not deny those words. But no matter how great a mistake the Azure Dragon had made, he remained his benefactor and teacher. Biryoo’s affection for him remained unchanged.
“I begged… to release the sorcery of the wish-fulfilling orb… but it would not let go. I am sorry.”
The Azure Dragon continued with a self-deprecating laugh.
“Now, you will strive with all your might to never give your heart to anyone.”
He slowly stroked Biryoo’s cheek, which was wet with tears and blood. Biryoo closed his eyes and wept, leaning against the Azure Dragon.
“It is all my fault. I ruined it with my own hands. I only hope… that you do not become like me.”
The Azure Dragon’s fingertips brushed up Biryoo’s forehead and caressed his head.
“It is all my fault, so do not resent anyone. There must be no further great turmoil.”
Biryoo shook his head violently. His chest felt as if it would burst with grudge and rage. Yeon-hwa, the culprit of this ordeal; Jeolgon, who betrayed them; and Ji Seo-gu, who plotted filthy conspiracies underground.
“I will… definitely kill them. I will… not let them… live.”
“Biryoo. Promise me you will not seek revenge. Please…”
The Azure Dragon pulled Biryoo’s head down so their foreheads touched. Then, the tears Biryoo shed flowed down the Azure Dragon’s cheek.
“Quickly.”
Since he was urged to speak the words of promise, Biryoo could not disobey the Azure Dragon’s final request.
“I… promise… Azure Dragon.”
“I trust you, child who resembles me.”
The strength slid out of the Azure Dragon’s hand. Traces of pain spread across his face. Then, a gentle smile appeared on his lips.
“Even so, if I were happy… would you call me shameless?”
The Azure Dragon let out a strained laugh.
“If I were not a divine beast… could I have made them happy?”
He was still holding the horrific, blood-clotted remains with one arm.
“I miss Yeon-hwa.”
Biryoo watched as life departed from the pale face. He murmured as he let go of his benefactor’s cold hand.
“Rest in peace, Hwi-seung.”
The light sphere faded from the body of the deceased Azure Dragon. His complexion lost its vitality, becoming pale as if all the blood had drained away.
In the next moment, a soft cluster of light gathered in his chest, forming a spherical radiance. A sphere of bluish light, the most noble wish-fulfilling orb in the world, rose after losing its master.
The Azure Dragon’s wish-fulfilling orb spun around as if searching from a high vantage point. When the brilliant sphere stopped rotating, Biryoo knew the orb was looking directly at him.
‘I only hope… that you do not become like me.’
Biryoo thought of the final years of Hwi-seung, who had made a great mistake. His error in trusting a wretched human. His negligence in handing over great power to the wrong person.
It was meaningless to reproach him now. However, Biryoo stood upon the responsibility of not repeating the same mistake. The necessary attitude for him was to learn from his teacher’s faults and be cautious.
‘I will never become like you.’
Biryoo vowed firmly and accepted the choice of the wish-fulfilling orb. Then, a flood of blue-glowing divine power poured into his chest.
The life force that makes the sprouts of mountains and streams grow, the divine power of rain that drenches the whole world, and the power of thunderbolts that punishes the earth surged into his heart and spread throughout his entire body. A soft radiance shimmered over his skin, and his tied-back black hair rose like billowing clouds, turning blue.
Biryoo released his power all at once and returned to his true form.
The weeping youth was nowhere to be seen. A white horn rose proudly from the forehead of the noble divine beast, and winding whiskers fluttered in the wind. The bright silver-white mane extending to the tail seemed alive, and the smooth scales sparkled brilliantly in the azure of the midday sky, translucent shaded green, and deep water-blue.
He lifted his deep indigo eyes and looked upon his territory. At the birth of the new Azure Dragon, dozens of dragons bowed in unison. Biryoo looked down at them one by one from his height.
‘They do not know in what state the wish-fulfilling orb came to me.’
The orb was beautiful and strong, but it was contaminated by foul sorcery. From the thin, black bindings that entwined the treasure pearl like a spiderweb, the scent of the underground wafted.
The moment Biryoo saw the shape of that spellcraft, he recognized the materials. And he realized that no matter what he did, he could not undo it with his own power.
‘I did things I should not have done.’
Only then could Biryoo understand the actions Hwi-seung had taken in his final years. The reason why he had appeared helplessly wherever Yeon-hwa beckoned. It was because of the sorcery connecting the human and the wish-fulfilling orb, a binding that stole power using the heart as collateral.
The most appalling thing was that the spellcraft remained intact even though both people were dead. If this binding were left alone, the power of the heavenly realm might once again be exploited by the wrong hands.
‘No one must know. Absolutely no one.’
Biryoo vowed and vowed again that such a tragedy must never be repeated. At the very least, they were confident they would not become like Hwi-seung.
To never give one’s heart to anyone, to never teach anyone how to call one’s name, to never bleed for another. None of these seemed difficult.
“Azure Dragon, what shall we do with the human remains?”
A dragon asked. Biryoo was about to answer to throw that disgusting thing beneath the clouds. Then, a thought flashed through their mind.
Biryoo quietly examined the form of the spellcasting technique. The structure was simple, but it was sorcery formed by a strong bond between two subjects. It took a unilateral form and was designed so that it could not be broken from the outside. If that were the case, there was only one way to dismantle it. The one who cast the spell had to undo it themselves.
Biryoo ground their teeth in fury.
‘The only way is to bring him back to life.’
A body from which breath has departed cannot be restored even by a deity. However, there was but one way to revive a vanished life, a method known to every dragon.
“Leave it. I shall handle it myself.”
“Yes.”
Biryoo thought of the treasure Yeon-hwa had stolen. The brilliant heavenly divine artifact that had slept in the palace until then.
‘That ring must be in Black Tortoise’s hands.’
They had promised Hwi-seung that they would not take revenge on anyone, but this was not revenge. It was a necessary task, even for the sake of future dragons.
Biryoo felt a sense of displeasure at the thought that they would have to meet Yeon-hwa again at the end of this matter. They would have to face that arrogant creature and intimidate them into releasing the disgusting spellcraft. Even though he would be resurrected as a powerless mere human, the mere thought of facing him sparked a strong sense of repulsion.
However, since they could not even guess how many long years it would take to recover the treasure, it was a worry for the distant future.
‘It doesn’t matter. Time is the one thing in abundance.’
Biryoo looked down coldly at the unrecognizable remains.
— Divine Realm END
Four, Afterstory
This is a story from the time when the heavens opened and Hwanin Cheonje ruled over all creation. The Heavenly Emperor held a grand feast and summoned all things under heaven, and nearly every breathing being attended.
When the atmosphere had ripened with eating and drinking, the dragon, the serpent, the tiger, and the Bonghwang offered the gifts they had each prepared to the Heavenly Emperor. They were the medicinal water of a clear spring, poison selected from cool tree roots, fragments of hard rock, and warmly burning flames. The Heavenly Emperor was greatly pleased and asked them what they desired.
The tiger said they wished to run freely across the mountains and fields. Thus, the Heavenly Emperor gave the tiger the lands of the mortal realm. The Bonghwang said they wished to fly freely. Thus, the Heavenly Emperor gave the Bonghwang the skies above.
The dragon said they wished to live in the serene heavenly realm. The serpent said the same. Since the requests of the two beasts overlapped, the Heavenly Emperor had them determine the winner through a game of jegichagi.
The winner of the jegichagi was the dragon. The serpent complained that they were at a disadvantage because they had no legs and did not accept the result. Thus, the Heavenly Emperor had them determine the winner through a game of bisachigi.
The winner of the bisachigi was the dragon. The serpent complained that they were at a disadvantage because they had no hands and did not accept the result. Finally, the Heavenly Emperor had them determine the winner through a game of gonu.
The winner of the gonu game was the dragon. The serpent could no longer make excuses and admitted defeat. Thus, the Heavenly Emperor allowed the dragon to live in the heavenly realm. And to the serpent, he gave the remaining underground.
At the end of the feast, the Heavenly Emperor split himself into four parts, distributed his divinity equally among the four beasts, and let them each rule their respective domains. Everyone rejoiced at that decision. Except for the humans, who had not appeared at the feast out of jealousy toward the Heavenly Emperor, all things under heaven were satisfied.
Bestowal
｢Jangjanghail: A Long, Long Summer Day｣
Biryoo woke from sleep and realized the space beside them was empty. This had not happened once in two months.
Since ascending to the heavenly realm, Young-pa had clung to Biryoo’s side, like clouds following a dragon or wind following a tiger. Though Biryoo had intentionally provided a room in a cool and spacious area, he would not even enter it, following Biryoo all day and falling asleep in their bedroom.
Thus, these days, the sight upon opening one’s eyes was always one of three: Young-pa sleeping soundly in their arms, lying with his head on their arm while staring intently at their face, or pleasuring himself.
Feeling a subtle restlessness, Biryoo rose from the bed. Stepping outside, the entire palace was silent. Not only was Young-pa absent, but it seemed even the retainers had gone out. They climbed onto the railing and looked around. Seeing the shadows of two people flickering in the pavilion, they summoned clouds beneath their feet.
Upon arriving at the pavilion, Seo-o and Yeomdan were playing gonu. Seo-o jumped up and bowed upon seeing Biryoo, but Yeomdan, absorbed in the game, ignored them.
“Do you know where Young-pa has gone?”
“I think he went down to the mortal realm…”
Yeomdan muttered indifferently. Biryoo was bewildered by the completely unexpected answer.
“The mortal realm? Where on earth?”
“You don’t know? He caused a huge scene, turning the whole palace upside down, and then left with Cheongsimi.”
“When was that?”
“A while ago.”
Yeomdan seemed completely indifferent to Young-pa’s well-being. Just as Biryoo was about to scold them, Seo-o quickly intervened.
“Master, I did not hear that Yeongparang was going down to the mortal realm. However, I saw him going out early this morning.”
“Tell me in detail.”
“He said he wanted to give you a gift, and since the wall peaches are in season, I told him the way to the flower jealousy stream.”
He could have just asked Suchong for such a thing; did he really go to pick them himself? Biryoo found Young-pa’s heart, wanting to please them, admirable yet frustrating.
How many times had they told him that they needed nothing, that it was enough for him to just stay by their side? Why did he not realize that he himself was the most precious existence? Did he not even think about how startled they would be if he disappeared without a word?
“Has your partner already run away, Azure Dragon? He lasted quite a while for two months.”
Yeomdan smirked, moving a piece. He seemed delighted to have found a way to tease Biryoo. Biryoo intended to give Yeomdan a stern lesson this time, but the quick-witted Seo-o intervened again.
“Miss! How can you say such things to the Master!”
“Isn’t it true? What does it mean to go down to the mortal realm without a word? It means he’s endured as much as he could. Isn’t it the fault of the person who confined him to the palace and treated him poorly?”
“Confined? You know that is not the case, so why do you speak such things?”
Biryoo asked sharply, but Yeomdan only cackled.
“Seeing how angry you are, it must be true that he really ran away.”
Ever since Yeomdan had passed five hundred years of age, he had been teasing Biryoo and winning every verbal spat. While Biryoo always resolved to treat him strictly, their heart would soften whenever they recalled his childhood, when he was an adorable, albeit troublesome, handful.
Moreover, Yeomdan had been recovering from a severe injury two months ago. Although he was almost fully healed now, it was not easy to scold a child who had been bedridden until recently. Whenever Biryoo saw the scars remaining on his delicate scales, their heart still felt as if it were tearing.
“Naughty brat, I shall give you a proper scolding later.”
As Biryoo let it slide, Seo-o shook their head and added,
“You’re being far too bold today. Miss Yeomdan, you only know the Master’s gentle side, don’t you? You need to know how much the humans and serpents outside fear the Master!”
“What can I do? I’m not some serpent; I’m a retainer raised with indulgence by the Azure Dragon.”
At those brazen words, Biryoo and Seo-o burst out laughing simultaneously.
“Anyway, have a safe trip. Seo-o, it’s your turn. Hurry up.”
“Please go safely, Master.”
Biryoo turned away after seeing Seo-o and Yeomdan return their gaze to the gonu board. Heading toward the place where Young-pa had gone early in the morning, they recalled the past two months that had felt like a dream. They were the most hectic days of Biryoo’s life.
After making rings and exchanging them, they took their fill of the person who had now officially become theirs. They never tired of laying him down and kissing every inch of his body, sitting him beside them and whispering sweet words, or holding his hand and locking eyes.
It was also a joy to dress him in various garments made of celestial fabric. A light robe woven with fine thread, a silk outer robe embroidered with the patterns of the sun and moon, a lustrous azure snake robe, a belt of blue jade carved with a dragon, a crown decorated with reed leaves and silver flowers, and leaf-shaped earrings. No matter what he wore, no matter the color, that beautiful man radiated light.
And how well he ate when served on the Celestial Jade Tray. Five-colored sweets, three-colored threads, citron punch, seasonal fruits, and sweet honey. He was happy, claiming that everything tasted the best. Biryoo wanted to give everything to the lovely man.
There was nothing more to wish for than lying together on a pavilion where a fragrant breeze blew, with Celestial Sun Liquor and honey cakes laid out. With one glass of Celestial Sun Liquor in a silver cup, they would gaze into his bead-like eyes; with another, they would hold his delicate hand; and with another, they would steal a kiss from his plump lips. In doing so, they would inevitably merge their bodies while buried in clouds; no pleasure or joy existed greater than sharing cloud and rain affection while gazing at his face flushed with pleasure.
Young-pa possessed a body so strangely sweet that it made it impossible to want to be apart. It wasn’t that he emitted a particularly grand fragrance, yet Biryoo constantly wanted to taste, touch, and embrace him. In the process, night became day and day became night again. While a day, two days, a week, a month, and then two months flew by like an arrow, their affection did not cool but burned hotly.
‘Run away…’
Had he not clung to them just last night, tearfully saying he didn’t know what to do because he loved them so much? Even knowing that Young-pa’s heart could not have changed overnight, Biryoo was overcome with anxiety.
As they entered the mouth of the flower jealousy stream, the scent of the scent pouch Biryoo had attached to Young-pa’s waist wafted through the air.
As Seo-o had said, wall peaches were growing on every tree. Near the spring, Biryoo found traces of someone eating fruit and spitting out the seeds. That person had eaten two peaches and thrown one away after taking two or three bites. It looked as if they had left in a hurry while eating.
While Biryoo was examining the bitten peach, voices were heard not far away.
“Why do you try to steal everything that is mine!”
“How ridiculous. Do you know how many times you’ve snatched my credit until now?”
The water dragons Biryoo raised were fighting, grabbing each other by the crests. Biryoo’s eyes narrowed with boredom.
“Aren’t you tired of this? Stop fighting.”
Cheon-hae and Suro flattened themselves and chorused, “Azure Dragon, you have arrived!” Biryoo stood askew, looking down at the backs of their heads.
“What were you fighting about this time?”
“Please punish Suro, Azure Dragon. He constantly tries to steal the credit I have earned.”
“That is not true, Azure Dragon. On the contrary, Cheon-hae is greedy for my achievements.”
Biryoo wanted to avoid this pathetic conversation for even a second. However, disciplining the young dragons they had taken in was a duty that could not be easily abandoned.
“What credit and achievements did you earn?”
At that question, Suro held something high. Cheon-hae immediately snatched it away, but in that gap, Biryoo saw a glittering ornament.
“Cheon-hae! You’re really too much. Are you really going to act like this?”
“What do you mean too much? I found it first in the first place.”
“I discovered it first! I saw it first!”
“But I was the one who pulled it out!”
When Biryoo reached out their hand, Cheon-hae handed over the object politely with an expectant expression. Lying solitary on the palm was a ring.
“I discovered it, Azure Dragon.”
“No, it was me. I saw the sparkling light first.”
“I definitely picked it up. This is Yeongparang’s item, isn’t it?”
Biryoo could not answer immediately and gazed at the ring.
It was one half of the pair of rings prepared two months ago, with the other half hanging on Biryoo’s finger. Engraved lines circled the edge, and a shining bead was embedded in the center of the loop. Since a human body cannot hold a wish-fulfilling orb, they had embedded a small one; how could it have been discarded?
“Where did you find this?”
“It was fallen in a hole between those trees.”
Where Suro pointed, there was a large peach tree. Seeing the wall peaches hanging in clusters on the sturdy branches, looking particularly luscious, Biryoo felt they understood the whole story.
‘You don’t know? He caused a huge scene, turning the whole palace upside down, and then left with Cheongsimi.’
Given the circumstances, it seemed Young-pa had lost the ring while picking peaches and, unable to find it no matter how hard he searched, had descended to the mortal realm.
As they approached the tree, Mount Seoun was visible beneath the clouds. Looking closely, it seemed a feast was taking place in nazgol.
‘I can tell where he went.’
Biryoo put the ring in their robe and turned toward the young dragons. They were huffing and glaring at each other.
“To find the ring Young-pa lost, you have done a wonderful thing.”
“Azure Dragon, which one of us are you referring to?”
“Please tell us clearly whose credit it is, Azure Dragon!”
“If one found it and one pulled it out, it is a combined credit, so both deserve praise.”
Cheon-hae and Suro sighed in relief simultaneously. Though they acted eccentric and fierce at times, they were children who could not be hated.
“I shall exempt you from today’s earth magic training, so go and play.”
“Really? Yahoo!”
“Thank you, Azure Dragon!”
After the children transformed into dragons and flew away, Biryoo stretched lazily. To prepare for descending to the mortal realm for the first time in a while, they had to return to the palace. They would have to change clothes, wear a bamboo hat, and put on the necklace that limits divine power.
“He is a human who requires a lot of effort.”
Biryoo muttered softly. Despite the tedious tasks ahead, a faint smile lingered on their lips.
≋ ≋ ≋
The mortal realm visited after two months had changed seasons. The sun beat down hotly, and the wind touching the skin was sweltering. In the mountains and streams, patraea, hangeasae, and bellflowers had bloomed, and bulrushes swayed by the water. In the deep green foliage where morning glories trailed their vines and apricot petals fluttered, cicadas wailed.
As Biryoo guessed, a feast was in full swing in nazgol. On this day alone, the farmers were enjoying a holiday, eating and drinking instead of weeding.
They saw people playing yogo and drums. They passed by those dancing while drunk. Humans had set out light-bringing rice on an altar and were performing a rain ritual, splashing water on each other’s heads. Biryoo walked past, ignoring their prayers for fortune, longevity, and a bountiful harvest.
‘What people, giving their utmost to such futile acts.’
How could a deity understand the meaningless actions of humans? They believed in all sorts of superstitions. For example, on a certain day, claiming to ‘scoop the dragon’s egg,’ they would draw well water from dawn to cook rice. In another region, they said it was unlucky to wash one’s hair on that day, so everyone walked around with greasy hair. Naturally, these stories had nothing to do with dragons, nor with dragon eggs.
“Master, Master!”
At the sound of someone calling, Biryoo turned their head. The one running breathlessly toward them was the young clan head of pacheondang.
“I hoped it was you just by seeing your back, and indeed it is! How long has it been? Have you been well?”
Wudam had gained some flesh in his cheeks, looking well-fed, and his expression had improved. Even seeing him smile brightly, Biryoo gave a short nod with an expressionless face.
“Master Young-pa was here until a moment ago… did you come together? Ah, now I see you’ve come to look for Master Young-pa!”
Wudam said, looking around.
“Where did he go? He was searching for something intently and then had a meal here. After that, I saw him heading that way…”
Those words were enough for Biryoo. They walked past Wudam.
“Hiyahae, hiyahae.”
In one area, people were gathered, pounding rice cakes. Women sitting on a wooden platform were kneading the freshly made cakes into shapes. What caught Biryoo’s eye was a girl sitting at the edge. She was concentrating on shaping the cakes, and because of that, her slanted eyebrows seemed to tilt even further. As Biryoo waited quietly, the maiden raised her head.
“Little Brother! Have you been well?”
She was no longer the scruffy girl they had seen in Bipung. Her gloomy face had brightened, and her complexion had improved. She was wearing silk clothes, suggesting she was being treated well at pacheondang.
“Where is Young-pa?”
“Big Brother was searching for his lost ring and left after playing the dragon-tiger game.”
“He played a game?”
“Yes. Over there.”