WDCDF 02

Chapter 2

“Did you know my mom said Sister Hwa was the doctor of the Land’s End village?”

“I just know a bit about herbs. That’s not the same as being a doctor.”

Though she said that, Seo-hwa’s knowledge of medicinal herbs was on par with any doctor, just as Yul had said. In a remote village like this, even someone with a bit of herbal knowledge was precious. While Seo-hwa skillfully mixed the herbs, Yong-yong grumbled from her shoulder, but his voice was drowned out by Yul’s cheerful shout.

“But everyone loves your herbs, Sister Hwa! I like your medicine best!”

Seo-hwa chuckled softly, as if she couldn’t stop Yul, and opened the top drawer. Picking up a piece of finely shredded and dried wild ginseng, she handed it to Cheongryong (Blue Dragon) and replied,

“You really are something, Yul.”

[Hmph! How long do you think you can appease me with things like this? The energy of the earth can only buy time. You need to find a place where heaven and earth meet, build a shrine, and gather the prayers of people! I need refined divine power!]

As Yong-yong grumbled, Seo-hwa gently stroked between his horns while he still obediently ate the ginseng. Then, she pulled out clean wrapping paper from between the herb drawers and began wrapping the prepared medicine.

The crinkling sound of the wrapping paper made Yul slowly close her eyes. The severe drought and plague affecting the whole land hadn’t spared the Land’s End village. Years ago, the plague killed all the children, leaving Yul as the only one left—so she loved Seo-hwa more than anyone.

That’s why every time Yul visited Seo-hwa’s house, she tried to stay as long as possible by chatting endlessly. Thinking hard about what to talk about next, she remembered a story told by the old man who lived up the hill. Wiggling her toes, she said:

“Sister Hwa, my mom says Ryeo will fall soon.”

Seo-hwa chuckled softly at the childish remark she heard from behind. This village had a particularly strong belief in the Blue Dragon. Maybe because of the yearly droughts, or perhaps due to the plague that had ravaged them years ago. In any case, it was the perfect place for the Blue Dragon to reside.

She glanced sideways at Cheongryong, who nodded contentedly like a full beast.

“Don’t worry. It’s not so easy for a nation to fall.”

[That’s true. Even cursed nations survived for hundreds of years before collapsing. Didn’t it survive nearly a century without a single Heavenly Rite? Isn’t that right, Hwa?]

Tap tap. As Seo-hwa tapped her shoulder again, Yul raised her voice while Seo-hwa searched for more herbs.

“But all the grown-ups are saying it too! They said the endless droughts are punishment because the king burned down the shrine protected by the dragon god. They should’ve just removed the tyrant, not slaughtered innocent priestesses and burned the shrine!”

[The kid knows her stuff.]

Seo-hwa shook her head as she tucked a candy stick into Yul’s packet of herbs. Adults often spoke carelessly around children.

It was a relief that Yul was still too young to understand the word massacre. Unaware of Seo-hwa’s thoughts, Yul continued.

“They also say that the surviving princess of the fallen Seora Kingdom will build a new nation protected by the Blue Dragon. Then it’ll rain plenty, and we’ll all eat our fill.”

[A Heavenly Rite would bring rain in no time! Of course. Everything would go smoothly!]

Seo-hwa’s hand suddenly stopped mid-air. She furrowed her brow and sighed. As Yul said, maybe soldiers wouldn’t bother to come all the way out to this remote place—but it didn’t hurt to be cautious. She’d need to talk with the villagers soon. With that thought, she stepped outside.

“Yul, let me come with you—”

She didn’t even make it past the door before her words trailed off.

Standing in the courtyard was a man she had never seen before. A sharp, refined face paired with cold, piercing eyes.

[Fire.]

Before she could take him in fully, Yong-yong muttered in a chilly voice.

Seo-hwa didn’t understand what he meant.

Fire?

The man’s eyes were like finely forged blades. Rather than hot, they were icy and sharp. At a glance, nothing about him resembled fire. The man, sensing her gaze, pulled down his gat (traditional hat) to cover his face. Something flickered faintly at his fingertips, narrowing Seo-hwa’s eyes.

What was that?

But it was too blurry, like her vision was blocked by a translucent film. Has my power weakened this much? Even so, there was something she couldn’t quite explain. Seo-hwa straightened her leaning body and thought,

Something’s off.

She tilted her head. But staring too long at what couldn’t be seen wouldn’t help. Her attention shifted from the vague presence to the clearly visible stranger.

She’d wandered for ten years since leaving the capital. Though the world had changed, some things hadn’t.

How can a man be that beautiful?

Leaning slightly against the gate, the man was stunning—so much so that it made her laugh in disbelief. That face, that posture—it didn’t match, yet suited him perfectly.

“I heard a priestess lives here. I came to see her.”

He broke the silence with an unexpected statement, his eyes scanning the thatched house. Twisting his lips, he continued.

“Where is she?”

He spoke with no hint of respect. Seo-hwa, having momentarily been stunned by his looks, was about to snap.

“What the—”

“He’s crazy!”

If Yul hadn’t suddenly shouted, clutching Seo-hwa’s skirt, she might’ve gone off. “Crazy man! Sister Hwa, he’s crazy!” she shouted while tugging hard.

The man clicked his tongue in disappointment. Seo-hwa suddenly realized how easily she had been playing into his hands.

Who is he?

Realizing he wasn’t ordinary, Seo-hwa pulled Yul behind her.

“Yul, come here. Quickly!”

“Sister…”

Before she could even answer the worried child, Seo-hwa hid her behind her back and asked sternly:

“Who are you to enter someone’s home without permission?”

“Well, I thought if I introduced myself right away, it’d put the priestess in a bind. Was I wrong?”

Even while bowing slightly and adjusting his hat, his voice was smooth—like a storyteller. Yet his tone was more like a scoundrel trying to charm a housewife.

[A crazy man with a pretty face.]

“Wow.”

Problem was—it weirdly suited him. Yong-yong grumbled in displeasure but still sounded impressed, and Yul peeked from behind Seo-hwa and gasped too. Seo-hwa couldn’t really blame them.

She thought she’d seen enough beauty to be numb to it, but even to her eyes, the man was exceptional. However, her life hadn’t been easy enough to trust a handsome face. Seo-hwa said firmly, watching the man who clearly knew how good-looking he was:

“I don’t know who you are, but you’ve come to the wrong house.”

The man curled his lips at her sharp tone.

“Hm. I doubt that.”

He stepped through the gate like he owned the place. Seo-hwa exploded in anger.

“What do you think you’re doing!”

“You said it’s not the right place. So I’m just checking myself.”

She hadn’t expected him to leave quietly, but barging in like this? She was about to throw him out when she noticed the expensive silk of his robe and the obsidian beads on his hat strap. Nobody around here could afford such things.

Something’s wrong. Everything about him was off. If Yul hadn’t been here, Seo-hwa might’ve bolted. But she couldn’t abandon a child.

“I said you’ve got the wrong house! If you don’t leave, I’ll call the guards.”

“The guards? You sure about that? If they hear what that kid said earlier, you’ll be the one in trouble. What was it again? Ryeo will fall, and Seora will rise again? Ha! Kids these days are plotting rebellions too!”

He flailed his arms dramatically, raising his voice for all to hear. Terrified, Yul clung to Seo-hwa’s skirt.

“Sister…”

Seo-hwa gently patted her hand to calm her, then turned to face the man.

For the past ten years, her life had been anything but peaceful. Fleeing from pursuers wasn’t what anyone would call “calm.” A cold glint appeared in Seo-hwa’s eyes just as the man’s lips curled up again.

—Found you.

He hadn’t said it aloud, but Seo-hwa felt as if he had.

Before she could gather her thoughts, the man stepped back slowly, then stopped.

“I’m not an enemy, so no need to be so wary. Oh, and I’m not reporting what the kid said either.”

His sudden change in attitude was drastic. Seo-hwa frowned, then shook off her thoughts and asked again.

“Then why have you come here?”

“I said I came to see the priestess.”

Still shameless. Seo-hwa felt like a parrot repeating herself.

“I believe I already told you you’ve got the wrong house.”

The man narrowed his eyes, studying her. After a pause, he tilted his head and smiled faintly.

“What if I said I came to meet the Blue Dragon… to break a curse?”

That one sentence shifted everything.

Curse. Blue Dragon.

It felt like a long-forgotten task had come rushing back all at once. Seo-hwa’s mind went blank the moment she heard those words.