Chapter 447

Chapter 447
## Chapter 447

The Yellow Dragon’s Orb (2)

Jeokgal Hye-mi made her way back to the waiting area where the rest of the group had gathered.

“Sister! Are you alright? You look completely exhausted.”

Namgoong Soran approached her immediately, her voice laced with concern as she carefully scrutinized her appearance.

There were pronounced dark rings beneath her eyes, and her skin had lost its luster.

Though she had only been gone for a brief period, Jeokgal Hye-mi’s complexion—which had radiated vitality just a short while ago—was now so pale and spent that she looked on the verge of fainting.

“Yes, I am fine. I simply pushed my limits a little. A brief period of rest will suffice to restore me.”

Regardless of the precautions taken to lessen the toll, calling forth a miracle of such magnitude inevitably demanded a heavy price.

In truth, escaping with nothing more than severe fatigue was an incredible feat.

Ha Seung-hoon, who had played a central role in the events, understood this better than anyone. He walked over to her with a warm, comforting expression.

His desire to look after her was driven partly by how flawlessly the ceremony had been completed.

“You performed wonderfully, Lady Jeokgal. It appears everything concluded without any significant mishaps.”

“Ah, Young Master Ha. Yes, I merely lent my assistance to a single ceremony.”

“You look as though you have pushed yourself far too hard. Please, sit down and take it easy. I shall inquire with the goblin attendants to see if they possess any remedies to help restore your strength.”

“Hehe, I truly appreciate your thoughtfulness.”

A bright, genuine smile illuminated her face at his considerate gesture.

Just as a gentle, warm ambiance began to settle between the two…

“Oh! I recognize that spot! Come along, sister! I discovered a marvelous place while I was exploring earlier.”

Namgoong Soran suddenly inserted herself into the conversation, catching her by the arm and pulling her away.

“This island has so many incredible locations. There is an onsen over there that is not only wonderful for washing away exhaustion and soothing injuries, but it is also absolutely perfect for refining the skin. I was holding out to visit it with you—this is the ideal moment!”

She offered a playful wink and began leading the way with an air of absolute confidence.

“S-Soran?”

“When will we ever have the opportunity to visit a domain like this again? We ought to experience everything available while we have the chance. Besides, as invited dignitaries, we do not have to pay a single coin!”

“You belong to an incredibly wealthy clan…”

“Frugality is a virtue regardless of wealth, is it not? Furthermore, their coin is entirely different from the currency used by ordinary yokai anyway. And just a moment ago, that sister with the fox staff informed me that the location…”

Leaning in close, she lowered her voice to a whisper right against Jeokgal Hye-mi’s ear.

Her internal cultivation had not yet progressed to the point where she could utilize transmission arts, but whispering ensured her words remained completely private.

“…Is that truly the case?”

“Beyond a doubt.”

“…Let us depart then.”

“Splendid!”

Having quickly reached an understanding, the two women offered a brief parting word to Ha Seung-hoon and hurried away together.

Because Horus spent the majority of his time confined to the dragons’ lairs, he was not intimately familiar with every amenity located on Geumoh Island. However, it was clear the two women had caught wind of something highly compelling.

A soft chuckle escaped him as he watched the pair walk away in such high spirits.

He had harbored some anxiety immediately following the conclusion of such a massive ritual, but seeing them display such energy brought immense relief—they had not been utterly spent.

‘Then again, from a mortal’s perspective, this domain is filled with nothing short of wonders.’

Just as Namgoong Soran had pointed out, hot springs capable of rejuvenating the skin were merely the tip of the iceberg.

There were bamboo shoots capable of increasing one’s stature upon consumption, incense blessed with the power to call back the departed, flower petals that granted absolute invisibility when applied to the flesh, and countless other marvels.

‘Hold on, looking at it through a different lens—this is hardly something to simply brush aside.’

A sudden realization caused his gaze to sharpen.

The deep-seated instincts of his identity as the “Dimensional Merchant” began to tingle.

An undeniable scent of immense profit had been lingering in the air for some time now.

Up until this point, a myriad of limitations had forced him to secretly abandon such thoughts, but had he not successfully navigated past those hurdles by now?

‘I must evaluate this opportunity with absolute seriousness. This possesses the potential to become… ’

While Ha Seung-hoon was actively brainstorming fresh avenues for generating wealth, a recognizable voice reached him from nearby.

“Hmph, a fox, is it.”

The voice belonged to Mok In-gwang, who had been idly loitering around the companions ever since their arrival on Geumoh Island—likely driven by sheer restlessness.

He insisted he was present under his master’s directives to look after their well-being, but to any outside observer, he resembled nothing more than an inquisitive, middle-aged fellow wandering aimlessly.

“A fox? Ah, are you referring to the onsen the ladies are currently visiting?”

“While that establishment is indeed managed by fox yokai, that is not what I am referring to. I am speaking of that young lady from just now.”

“Lady Namgoong?”

Ha Seung-hoon tilted his head slightly, puzzled by the strange daoist mannerisms and cryptic remarks of the man.

The man could not possibly mean she was an actual fox yokai—it was undoubtedly a figure of speech.

If one were to compare her to an animal, her demeanor aligned much closer with an energetic puppy than a fox…

‘Though, when you think about it, both belong to the canine family anyway.’

Mok In-gwang cast a glance at the blinking Ha Seung-hoon, let out a mocking snort, and gradually closed his eyes.

The level of martial prowess he detected within Namgoong Soran placed her firmly as a first-rate master.

For a young woman who had barely reached her late teenage years to achieve the status of a first-rate expert was a feat utterly impossible without sheer, unadulterated genius.

Setting aside the handful of transcendent figures who had attained the Profound Realm, the Fire Realm stood as the absolute peak of the martial world.

‘Of course, that oblivious anomaly is the sole exception.’

In ordinary circumstances, the venerated elders of prestigious sects resided within the Absolute Realm, while individual division leaders commanded the Pinnacle. Achieving first-rate status made one an elite asset anywhere under heaven.

In more remote provinces, individuals of that caliber were fully capable of establishing their own martial institutions and taking on disciples as formal sect leaders.

Given her status as a direct scion of a renowned clan, combined with raw potential, relentless dedication, and boundless resources, such an achievement was within the realm of possibility.

Yet, why would a uniquely gifted and beautiful daughter of a noble house abandon the security of her clan to venture to such a distant place…?

“Listen here, Heavenly Dragon Sword. I find myself thoroughly annoyed—draw your weapon and spar with me.”

“Excuse me? Out of nowhere? And that title, Heavenly Dragon Sword, is…”

“Cut the nonsense, the title of ‘hero’ does not suit your character at all. Heh, surely you aren’t planning to tuck your tail and run, you handsome scoundrel?”

“Ha, very well. I was actually looking for an excuse to stretch my limbs.”

Mok In-gwang ground his teeth fiercely as he glared intently at the young, striking, good-natured, and undeniably charismatic youth standing before him.

The unfairness of it all was maddening!

How could an individual like that share the exact same martial tier as him?

He was well aware of his own volatile temperament and had tried not to dwell on it previously, but standing right next to such an irritatingly perfect contrast made his temper flare uncontrollably.

‘The Heavenly Dragon Sword Hero? What a ridiculously grand moniker! Meanwhile, I am still burdened with that absurd Old Mad Demon title!’

What infuriated him to an even greater degree was the fact that the thief who had brazenly plundered his “Mad Demon” title had completely dropped off the face of the earth since that fateful encounter—failing to make even a single public appearance.

From the grand restoration of the world utilizing the dragon’s offspring all the way up to the present moment.

‘If you had no intention of utilizing the title, why did you steal it in the first place? Return it to me at once if you are going to leave it idle, you miserable wretch!’

Naturally, shouting such grievances internally changed absolutely nothing.

Ha Seung-hoon gave a slow shake of his head as he observed Mok In-gwang seething in silence.

It appeared that without Harley delivering his unique brand of physical intervention, the man’s eccentric madness was acting up once more.

He remained completely oblivious to the reality that he himself was the primary source of the other man’s immense frustration.

‘Still, if he is this determined to fight, it provides an excellent opportunity to significantly advance my mastery over “Infinite Extremity”.’

At the end of the day, Mok In-gwang was a formidable Fire Realm master standing right on the precipice of entering the Profound Realm.

Engaging in combat with an equal would undoubtedly yield profound insights.

‘The others will likely remain occupied over there for a considerable duration anyway.’

He cast a fleeting glance in the direction of the Dragon God Temple and offered a loose shrug of his shoulders.

Not only the Five Dragons, including Horus, but the entire collective of dragons would remain deeply engrossed in their affairs for the foreseeable future.

And their preoccupation was entirely justified.

The sacred Yellow Dragon lineage, which had been utterly obliterated during the ancient Great War that brought ruin to the entire yokai race, had finally achieved a complete and flawless resurrection.

◇◇◇◆◇◇◇

“Here, would you like to sample this?”

[Kyauung!]

“Kyaa! You actually swallowed it! You are absolutely precious! So incredibly cute! Would you care for another piece?”

The young girl, appearing to be in her mid-teens with her long black hair styled in elegant braids—the Black Dragon—was practically leaping up and down with sheer exhilaration.

She retrieved another faintly radiating object, resembling a tiny spiritual flame, from her pocket and extended it with utmost care.

It was perfectly smoothed out without any jagged edges, held gently toward the tiny maw of the infant dragon.

Lick—

The miniature Yellow Dragon blinked its large, rounded eyes before eagerly snapping up the offering without a moment’s hesitation.

As it vigorously shook its head and let out a succession of contented smacking noises, the Black Dragon’s expression dissolved into pure, unadulterated adoration.

“Uhehe! It devoured that one too! Marvelous, up next…”

“Control yourself, Black Dragon. Hwi-a has only just emerged into this world. Regardless of how enriching those items may be, overindulgence will inevitably cause harm to its constitution.”

“…White Dragon, if you intend to lecture me, perhaps you should first set down that immortal fairy peach you are gripping so tightly? Your words carry absolutely zero weight.”

“Ahem.”

The White Dragon averted her gaze, releasing a transparently false cough to deflect the Black Dragon’s piercing stare.

Even so, she made absolutely no movement to relinquish her hold on the peach-like fruit.

“Excuse me…”

Horus let out a soft, defeated sigh at the comical display transpiring directly in front of his eyes and attempted to interject.

However, he was completely denied any opportunity to voice his grievances regarding the chaotic situation.

The exact instant his lips parted, a piece of exceptionally sweet fruit was abruptly stuffed into his mouth, forcing him to reflexively chew and completely ruining his chance to speak.

“One adorable creature alongside another. Truly an invaluable sight.”

“Ahem, indeed. Quite a magnificent view.”

“Red Dragon? Is that an authentic recording orb in your hands? Exactly when did you prepare that…?”

“Hmph! The true heir to the sacred Yellow Dragon bloodline, an existence we believed to be permanently erased from history, has finally experienced rebirth. It is our absolute obligation to document this monumental occasion for the sake of future generations, Blue Dragon.”

“That is remarkably true, precisely what I would expect from the Red Dragon. Your logic is sound… Make sure to provide me with a copy of that footage later, agreed?”

The physical dimensions of dragon orbs could be adjusted entirely at the whim of the user.

They could range from easily transportable spheres suited for a human hand to massive boulders designed to fit within the terrifying jaws of a fully transformed dragon.

The specific artifact utilized throughout the ceremony matched the approximate size of two clenched human fists, meaning the newly hatched Yellow Dragon was understandably modest in scale as well…

“Nom, nom. Your rate of development is truly astonishing, is it not?”

[Kya?]

Horus finished swallowing the remnants of the fruit and cast a gaze over his shoulder at the infant dragon peering out from behind him.

Its uniquely golden-yellow body, wrapped securely around his upper torso like the frame of a young child, had already transformed from its initial loach-like scale at birth into the proportions of a substantial serpent.

‘Then again, this creature is far from a conventional living being.’

The outcome would have been precisely identical even if they had chosen to expand the egg to the dimensions of a grand residence right from the beginning.

The defining factors were the initial surge of spiritual energy injected during the ritual and the subsequent nutrients it consumed as it matured.

Horus smiled warmly, extending a hand to softly stroke the crown of the newborn Yellow Dragon, Hwiryong.

‘Grow into a magnificent and powerful existence, free from sickness and suffering.’

Sensing the profound sincerity infused within his touch, the young creature closed its eyelids and affectionately pressed its head against his palm.

“Ahhh—.”

“Wait, Blue Dragon? Are you losing consciousness? Pull yourself together!”

“…Red Dragon, standard security protocol dictates that critically important historical records must be duplicated across a variety of independent storage devices. You are well aware of this rule, correct?”

“Hmph, who can say?”

Completely tuning out the chaotic chatter echoing from the sidelines, he directed his full attention toward the profound sense of harmony flowing from Hwiryong.

This sensation extended far beyond a mere emotional attachment to an infant whose birth had been made possible through his direct intervention.

‘This is the genuine manifestation of the Yellow Dragon’s Orb’s true power.’

He could perceive it with absolute clarity.

The imperceptible spiritual thread tethering his soul to Hwiryong, cast and solidified during the performance of the ritual.

Woooong—

A subtle, rhythmic pulse of energy began to emanate from the tips of Horus’s fingers.

While the source of this power undeniably traced back to the newly born Hwiryong, it was by no means being drained or borrowed from the infant dragon itself.

‘It is an entirely separate, equivalent power bestowed upon me in tandem with its existence. And the nature of this energy mirrors the exact properties of the orb.’

To put it another way, the very life of the child functioned as an entirely new orb dedicated exclusively to him.

While dragon orbs possessed the capability to amplify a dragon’s natural might to its absolute zenith, cosmic laws dictated that only a single such artifact could be utilized at any given time without incurring the wrath of heaven.

Filled with a deep sense of gratification, he continued to stroke the young creature as Hwiryong’s head tilted contentedly from side to side.

‘A walking, living totem.’

Though it was nothing more than a newborn infant at this current juncture, its extraordinary origins meant its progression would defy all standard conventions of growth.

The larger and more formidable it grew, the more exponentially his own personal reserves of power would expand.

This was a unique gift reserved solely for his person—an advantage not shared by the other dragons who served as structural pillars for the ritual, nor by Jeokgal Hye-mi, who acted as the sacred maiden connecting with the divine Dragon God.

‘And the potential does not conclude here. If Hwiryong is merely the first, and I manage to introduce additional Yellow Dragons into this space, raising them to maturity under ideal conditions… ’

Exactly what heights of power could Horus eventually attain?

A single breath weapon augmented by his original orb had been enough to completely level the city of Beijing.

If he could stack secondary and tertiary layers of amplification on top of one another, the resulting destructive capacity would transcend human imagination.

Unfortunately, realizing such a grand vision was impossible to achieve right away.

The Blue Dragon, who had personally investigated the depths of the Cheonhwa Cave at his behest, had delivered a discouraging assessment while shaking her head.

“The execution of the ritual effectively drained the vast majority of our accumulated spiritual reserves. To be completely candid, simply maintaining the integrity of the illusory domain is straining our resources at present. Naturally, now that the yokai inhabitants are capable of traversing the outer world freely, our reserves will eventually replenish over time, but…”

Even when factoring in that eventual recovery, it remained a project far beyond their immediate reach.

Horus was right on the verge of accepting this stark reality and letting the matter drop—

‘So, the entire obstacle boils down to resolving the spiritual energy deficit?’

—but he refused to give up.

If an path does not exist, one must simply forge it through sheer force of will.

Evoking the timeless wisdom of an ancient philosopher, he made his way back to the privacy of his personal quarters, continuing to stroke Hwiryong’s head as he immersed himself in deep reflection.

His thoughts drifted toward that apex of malevolent organizations that had brought ruin and devastation across the land, dragging the entire world to the absolute brink of destruction.

He vividly recalled the sheer satisfaction of completely plundering the grand treasury of the Heavenly Demon Divine Church.

◇◇◇◆◇◇◇

Within the familiar comfort of my personal sanctuary located on the fringes of Seoul.

“…And that summarizes the entire chain of events.”

Reclining back into my computer chair, I let out a weary, drawn-out sigh.

I then shifted my gaze downward toward the floor beneath me and spoke in a hushed, incredulous tone.

“Why on earth did you follow me all the way here?”

[Kyu?]

Hwiryong tilted its head to the side, its large, round eyes blinking up at my bewildered expression.

It remained wrapped perfectly and contentedly around one of my legs.