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The Dragon Clan’s base — the Dragon Palace.
Doors are tightly closed as it has been a while since a guest visited the Dragon Palace.
One of the doors of the palace shone blue while the other shone yellow.
The door handles shone in five colors.
It was a symbol that those who did not get permission — from Cheongryong the head of the Dragon Clan, Hwangryong the manager of the Dragon Palace, or the Dragon King himself — could not cross.
“Jeokho-ssi, did you bring the invitation?”
The invitation was the prize that Hwangho won in the picnic treasure hunt event, but it was now transferred to Jeokho.
A student from Eungwang High described it as something that sounded similar to a Chinese restaurant free pass, and unlike the inexpensive-sounding name, the item was precious as it contains power from the Dragon King.
Without it, one cannot cross the Dragon Palace’s threshold.
Anyone who would try to enter the palace without an invitation would be attacked by Cheongryong, Hwangryong, and the Dragon King’s power.
Jeokho nodded.
“Of course. When did the Dragon King entrust you with these relics?”
“I said I wanted to bring my friend here so I have several of those. I guess I’m really the favorite.”
“It sounds sarcastic, but from the look on your face, you seem to be serious.”
Yong Jegun smiled, holding up his laughter.
Jeokho’s attitude toward him changed drastically after the replay, and Yong Jegun couldn’t help but feel ecstatic when it manifests.
He couldn’t laugh considering what the replay showed, but it was a relief that Yong Jegun’s friend and Jeokho’s son was alive in this world.
Yong Jegun decided to enjoy Jeokho’s change of attitude.
“You laugh well, just like my son said.”
“Hahaha! Did Shinrok say that?”
Jeokho expressed it with considerable refinement, but Yong Jegun laughed excitedly at the thought of Kim Shinrok complaining about him behind his back.
After a long laugh, Yong Jegun stood in front of the Dragon Palace’s main gate.
“Alright, I’ll open the door now.”
Yong Jegun placed his hand on the door and released energy waves.
Sensing the energy of a dragon, the door shone in green, red, sulfur, jade, and purple and began to open.
Kugugu…
Yellow smoke rose as the main gate opened, giving the impression of a cloud of gold.
With the sea above the head and clouds rising from the floor, Hwangryong appeared.
Behind him were people whose faces were covered with yellow yarn.
Hwangryong’s eyes were covered, but it could be seen that his eyes were drawn to Jeokho, not to Yong Jegun.
Even after receiving Hwangryong’s gaze, Jeokho’s attention was focused elsewhere.
The people behind Hwangryong were candidates for showmanship.
‘Are they the eliminated ones?’
The Dragon King has five shamans.
More candidates are eliminated from the test.
Those who failed are given two choices.
Either they cut ties with the Dragon Clan and return to the world or remain in the Dragon Palace.
Those who remain in the palace will help Hwangryong, an entity close to a higher being, in protecting the palace.
Those who stood behind Hwangryong were the shaman candidates who didn’t pass.
“It’s been a while, Hwangryong.”
Hwangryong took his gaze off Jeokho at Yong Jegun’s greeting.
He seemed to be impressed that Jeokho didn’t back down even after being subjected to his gaze.
“I haven’t seen you since the last test. Welcome, Yong Jegun. Is this your rumored good friend? I thought it was a descendant…”
Hwangryong welcomed Yong Jegun and asked.
Jeokho didn’t know that the story of his son being close friends with Yong Jegun spread to the Dragon Palace, but he was satisfied with the two’s deep friendship nonetheless.
Yong Jegun’s lips twitched as if he knew what Jeokho was thinking.
“No, he’s my friend’s father.”
“Is that so? Bring your friend next time.”
“Yep, if Shinrok has time. For now, shall I introduce you to each other?”
With Yong Jegun introducing Jeokho and Hwangryong to each other, the three finally entered the Dragon Palace.
As soon as they crossed the door, the invitation in Jeokho’s hand became agitated but settled down after a few more steps.
“You’ve risen in deity again. Don’t you want to ascend?”
“In my heart, yes. You and Cheongryong are already in this land. I don’t have to be here.”
“But you’re under the sea, not above the ground, Hwangryong.”
“That pun remains, Yong Jegun. If there was no mission to protect the Dragon Palace, I would’ve gone to the Dragon King’s side already.”
Hwangryong apparently wants to ascend to heaven as a superior being.
His qualifications and strength were already sufficient, but he chooses to stay in this land to protect the Dragon Palace.
However, he cannot hide his level of deity so he has to cover his eyes, just like Jecheondaesung and Hyunmoo.
Hwangryong, who was guiding the two through the corridors decorated with seawater pearls, suddenly stopped walking.
Hwangryong looked at Yong Jegun with narrowed eyes.
“Apparently, my ascension will be further postponed.”
“…”
Yong Jegun was smiling without a word.
In a short period of time, Hwangryong seemed to have seen through something that Yong Jegun was hiding.
“Your deity has risen as well, Yong Jegun. So that’s why you’re squinting your eyes and suppressing your strength.”
“I’ve been like this since a thousand years ago though?”
“Then your deity has risen so much since then. The story of the Cintamani is widespread in the human world and is becoming increasingly famous. It wouldn’t be strange for you to become a god.”
Jeokho had to hide his surprise at the remark.
Yong Jegun has been living his life with his eyes half-squinted since he could remember.
No one found it strange given the mischievous dragon’s nature.
But it seems like he had a reason for walking around with half-closed eyes.
Yong Jegun was hiding his level of diety.
‘He’s deserving to be entrusted the Dragon Palace.’
Jeokho admired Hwangryong’s skill in handling Yong Jegun.
Looking at the Dragon of Amusement, Hwangryong, and Cheongryong, Jeokho realized that his preconceptions about the Dragon Clan were broken.
Come to think of it, there was a tiger among the Tiger Clan who was once negligent and now searches for joy, a tiger who cared for his descendant very much, and a tiger that couldn’t really go anywhere.
Meanwhile, Hwangryong seemed to be very pleased that Yong Jegun was also approaching the status of being a superior being.
“I don’t mind my ascension being delayed if you become a superior being. The Dragon King loves you so much that he will be happy to have you.”
“You know that the Dragon King gave me freedom. And the Dragon King cares a lot about you too, Hwangryong.”
“I know. I’ve never forgotten his grace. And I will respect your choice, just as the Dragon King did.”
Hwangryong gently comforted Yong Jegun, somehow looking like he was treating him like a younger brother.
He took out a blindfold decorated with golden thread from his arms and handed it to Yong Jegun.
Although its design was similar to what Hwangryong was wearing, the blindfold was primarily jade.
It was prepared just for Yong Jegun.
“Your stature is very high. If you do more heroic acts, you won’t be able to hide your deity just by squinting your eyes. Take this.”
“Did you prepare it in advance? You’re well-prepared, Hwangryong. I think you’ve been waiting for me to become a superior being.”
“It’s not just you. I have everything in store for all the dragons. Next to you is Cheongryong.”
Yong Jegun accepted the blindfold, unable to refuse Hwangryong’s sincerity.
It was difficult for Jeokho to watch the scene quietly.
Nervous at the thought that his son’s only friend might disappear, he unwittingly joined the conversation between the two dragons.
“I heard that Cheongryong chose to stay in the human world as a royal lineage and gave up his deity status.”
“Yes. Unlike Yong Jegun, Cheongryong’s will is firm.”
Hwangryong replied with words that seemed to have layers.
It sounded as if Yong Jegun was considering becoming a superior being.
No, that was exactly what Hwangryong was saying.
“Alright, go ahead and greet the Dragon King. I won’t be waiting outside. I’ll prepare the banquet for our guests.”
When Hwangryong left after leading the two deep into the Dragon Palace, Jeokho asked Yong Jegun something.
“Do you intend to be a superior being, Yong Jegun?”
“I’m thinking about it.”
Jeokho couldn’t understand it.
This land was full of things that gave joy to Yong Jegun.
He couldn’t understand why he would abandon all of that to become a superior being.
Yong Jegun talked to himself as he held the blindfold in his hand.
“There were many things that I couldn’t fix with my power as a royal lineage. Maybe it’ll be different if I become a higher being.”
Yong Jegun recalled his conversation with Hwangho in his nightmare.
— Hahahaha…
— …Yong Jegun?
— You and I are beings that appeared in history and mythology. It’s funny that such beings couldn’t give that child a reason to live.
As he expressed, many things couldn’t be solved even by the power of royal lineage who have their names in myths.
When he lost his friend, Yong Jegun felt incredibly helpless.
A lot could’ve been different if Yong Jegun became a god and has given protection and intervention in this world.
“Yong Jegun…”
Instead of responding, Jeokho could only utter Yong Jegun’s name.
The latter opened his eyes wide and walked toward the other side of the Dragon Palace shining in five colors.
More than talking to Jeokho, Yong Jegun wanted to speak with the Dragon King.
The Dragon Palace is where the superior being could descend.
It was clear that the Dragon King would immediately come down with Yong Jegun present in the palace.
“It’s a little early than the succession ceremony, but I have come to see you, Dragon King.”
Yong Jegun called for the Dragon King.
However, after being surrounded by five colors…
The Dragon King did not show up.
An hour, two hours, and three hours passed.
At the ten-hour mark, Hwangryong came inside to call him, but the Dragon King did not respond at all.
***
Hearing what happened at the Dragon Palace from Hwang Jiho reminded me of what the shaman candidate experienced.
The candidate was caught up in a mess after noticing the Dragon King’s absence.
“The two are considering staying at the palace longer than scheduled.”
“They can’t stay at the palace for long. Just let them come back.”
“Even though we don’t know why the Dragon King didn’t respond to the call?”
I shook my head.
What matters now is not determining the cause.
We already know what’s going to happen, so we just have to be prepared.
There’s no need to put Yong Jegun and Jeokho at further risk.
“What about the thing I asked for?”
“It ended well. It seems that he had a hard time moving without being noticed by Hwangryong.”
“Then the goal is achieved. No matter what happens to the palace, it will be fine until the first day of the next year.”
Hwang Jiho seemed to still be bothered, but he conceded.
“Okay. I’ll tell them to return right away through my alter ego.”
Yong Jegun seems to have a well-rounded reason for his sudden visit to the palace so as to not be suspicious.
Rather, it was highly likely to be suspicious if Yong Jegun stayed at the palace for long, sacrificing his time on earth looking for fun.
When Hwang Jiho and I finished talking, the other kids in our class arrived soon.
“Kwon Jein sunbaenim gave me some snacks. Let’s eat together! It’s made by the Lake of Eternity team chef.”
Kwon Lena lifted bags with the Lake of Eternity’s logo.
The heavy bags contained blueberry cakes, muffins, and tarts.
Kwon Jein seemed to have sent enough for our whole class.
‘Kwon Jein must be busy with Jared Lee these days so it must be difficult to fully care for Kwon Lena.’
The Lake of Eternity was in a state of alert over the Oath of the Three Knights.
The OTK openly attacked and attempted to kidnap the Lake of Eternity’s sub-master, so there was no way that they’d sit around.
‘It won’t end quietly even if they don’t end up fighting a war against each other.’
Still, there’s no way Kwon Jein would neglect her niece during her exam period.
Kwon Lena also knows Kwon Jein’s intentions, so she practiced hard to cope with the coming test.
Encouraging the kids who were tired of studying, the final exam came soon enough.
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