Chapter 87
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Chapter 87
The day after Baek Gahyun returned to Baek Ho Palace, having completed his two-week suspension.
At last, the day Jeok Soya had eagerly awaited for the past three years had arrived.
It was the day when Baek Gahyun, Baek Gayul, and Jeok Soya would depart eastward to meet Chung Ha.
Baek Gahyun, who had already visited Cheonghae Palace twice in the previous two years, became the guardian of his younger siblings, while Jeok A, Suri, and Seol Yo accompanied them as attendants.
Riding on Seol Yo, Jeok Soya traveled for two full days and arrived at the Eastern Lands, where Festival preparations were in full swing.
Jeok Soya's eyes widened as she beheld the azure sea for the first time.
"Mother was right. The sea is incomparably vast compared to a lake!"
Jeok Soya exclaimed with barely contained excitement.
The Cheong Hae Sea was home to a diverse array of creatures that traversed both land and water, as well as marine life.
Seals, flounder, whales, sea lions, sea otters, hermit crabs, and sea ducks with wings and beaks like Jeok Soya herself inhabited these waters.
Jeok Soya's gaze was captivated by the marine creatures she had only ever seen in books.
The Eastern Lands, now visited in person, proved far more splendid than she had imagined in her mind's eye.
The vibrant, bustling atmosphere and the refreshing sea breeze were absolutely delightful.
"Cottontail! Let's go eat that!"
In the meantime, Baek Gayul, entranced by an enticing aroma, seized Jeok Soya's hand and made for a food stall.
Baek Gayul purchased skewers of grilled shrimp and scallop meat brushed with seasoning and distributed them to Jeok Soya and her companions.
As Jeok Soya chewed contentedly on a shrimp, her eyes narrowing in pleasure, something gently descended upon her head.
She felt something settle softly atop her.
Lifting her gaze, Jeok Soya discovered that Baek Gahyun had placed a flower crown upon her head.
Jeok Soya beamed and offered the skewer she had been holding to Baek Gahyun.
"Older Brother, please try this too. Gayul's older brother bought it for me, and it's truly delicious."
"As expected, only our Soya knows how to look after her older brother."
Baek Gahyun chuckled softly and took a bite of the skewer Jeok Soya offered him.
"You seem happy, our Soya."
"Yes, because I've always wanted to come see this since I was little. To witness such a lively festival, I mean."
Jeok Soya spoke while gazing out at the vibrant seaside.
Yes, it was one of the wishes she had harbored since earliest childhood.
To view the festival while holding her older brothers' hands.
Though that childhood dream had been abandoned and ended in betrayal.
'So this is what it means to spend joyful moments with precious people in a special place.'
As Jeok Soya smiled gently while taking in the sights around her, a gull flew toward her.
Jeok Soya shared what she was eating with the gull.
The bird's cry filled the air, and her face brightened radiantly as she conversed with it.
"What's that bird saying, Cottontail?"
"It's welcoming us to the Cheong Hae Sea!"
Jeok Soya answered with a delighted laugh to Baek Gayul, who tilted his head forward inquisitively.
Thus, as Jeok Soya and her party continued to enjoy the seaside festival with great merriment.
"Greetings, young lords of the White Tiger! And Miss Cottontail!"
A young boy with green hair came rushing over and introduced himself.
"I am Byeol Asaeng, a turtle-form humanoid from Cheonghae Dragon Palace, and I have been commanded by Chung Ha to escort the esteemed guests from the Western Lands! It is truly an honor to serve you!"
"It has been a long time, Asaeng. Has it been a year?"
"A turtle-form humanoid?"
"Hello, Asaeng. Thank you for your help."
The three siblings each greeted Asaeng in turn.
Asaeng guided the three siblings along the path toward Cheonghae Palace.
"I do hope the Eastern Lands have made a favorable first impression on the young lady."
"It seems quite vibrant."
"It is a bit bustling, isn't it? The Dragon God Festival will be held soon."
"Mother mentioned it. She said that every spring in the Eastern Lands, a festival is held before the Cheong Hae Sea."
"That's right. The martial tournament to select the greatest warrior of the Eastern Lands is also held...."
"A martial tournament? I want to participate!"
Baek Gayul interjected with keen interest in the martial tournament, his voice bright with excitement.
"The martial tournament is only open to humanoids who have completed their second growth phase."
"Ugh, that's not fair. How disappointing."
"Instead, on the final day of the festival, there will be a falling flower display. Would you all like to go watch it together?"
"A falling flower display?"
This time, Jeok Soya's eyes sparkled with interest.
"Yes, yes. We hang falling flower torches filled with charcoal powder from long ropes...."
"Fireworks falling from the sky? That sounds absolutely magnificent! I definitely want to see it!"
"Oh, and the greatest spectacle of the Dragon God Festival is, without question, the 'Song of Purmir.'"
"Mother told me about it! It's a ceremonial event where the Blue Dragon Transformation awakens the life of the Eastern Lands, making everything bloom verdantly."
"Exactly. Chung Ha, who is the master of the Blue Dragon Transformation, will personally oversee the ceremony."
As they walked and conversed, dolphins began poking their heads above the water's surface.
"Ah, we've arrived. Please each take one sea pearl."
The Eastern Lands, which Chung Ha manages, are divided into a terrestrial zone and an underwater zone.
Among these, the Cheonghae Palace of the Cheongryong Family is located in the underwater zone, and outsiders wishing to enter the underwater zone require these sea pearls.
These sea pearls, blessed by the Dragon God's grace, allow land-dwelling humanoids and beasts to breathe beneath the waves.
For the past three years, Jjak Jjak had been able to travel to and from Cheonghae Palace by delivering letters between Jeok Soya and Chung Ha, all thanks to these sea pearls.
However, the Dragon God's power is so formidable that young humanoids whose spiritual cores have not fully healed can experience side effects from the sea pearls.
'But now that I've completed my first growth phase, there's no problem!'
Jeok Soya, her heart racing with excitement, tucked the sea pearl Asaeng had given her into her pocket.
Once Asaeng confirmed that her entire party had mounted the dolphins, he transformed into a turtle with a 'splash!' and took his humanoid form.
"Then I'll see you at Cheonghae Palace."
As Asaeng plunged first into the seawater, the dolphins carrying Jeok Soya's party cut through the currents in pursuit.
Splash!
The refreshing sound of water rang clear in her ears.
Jeok Soya, opening her eyes beneath the waves, immediately gasped in wonder.
'Wow...!'
The sight beneath the sea was absolutely breathtaking.
Colorful starfish, coral reefs shimmering with mysterious hues, schools of tiny fish, and sea turtles grazing on aquatic plants....
While Jeok Soya's attention was captivated by these wonders, her party finally arrived at their destination.
The beautiful and enigmatic vista of Cheonghae Palace, known as the underwater palace, welcomed them.
* * *
Chung Ha had been wrestling with the recent disturbances plaguing the Eastern Lands.
The Blue Dragon, originally a divine beast governing life itself, had blessed the Eastern Lands with an endless abundance of vitality.
Yet of late, the plants of the Eastern Lands had been withering away, and the cries of newborn life had ceased some time ago.
"This is troublesome indeed."
It was precisely when Chung Ha's expression had grown grave upon receiving this report, already burdened with preparations for the Dragon God Festival.
"Chung Ha, Chung Ha! The guests from the Western Lands have arrived!"
Asaeng came scurrying over to announce the visitors' arrival.
"The little ones are here?"
Chung Ha's expression brightened instantly, and she rose to greet the guests.
"Mother!"
"Mom!"
"M-Mom...!"
Baek Gahyun and Baek Gayul, along with Jeok Soya, who had grown into such a lovely young lady in the interim, greeted her with delighted faces.
"Welcome, my little ones."
Chung Ha spread her arms wide with a radiant smile, and all three siblings embraced her at once.
"When did my youngest become such a refined young lady?"
"To meet you, Mother! I listened well to Father, ate properly, and studied hard so I could meet you!"
Though Chung Ha and Jeok Soya had exchanged letters frequently, hearing the word "Mom" spoken aloud directly still felt unfamiliar enough to set her heart aflutter.
"I'm so proud of how beautifully you've grown, Soya."
Chung Ha smiled gently as she stroked the hair of her youngest, who had grown so much taller.
Jeok Soya's face bloomed with joy.
After catching up for some time.
"Mother, I'd like to see the Blue Dragon Puppet."
"The puppet?"
"Yes!"
"Hehe, my precious little one. Shall we go see the Sacred Shrine together?"
At Jeok Soya's sparkling words, Chung Ha took the child's hand and led her to where the sacred object was enshrined.
The Blue Dragon Puppet resembled the toy puppet Jeok Soya had received as a gift from Chung Ha three years ago. Though this one was considerably larger and far more magnificent.
Hidden within Jeok Soya's embrace was a single branch of spring blossoms.
Before departing for the Eastern Lands, the Vermillion Bird Goddess and the White Tiger Mountain Lord had told Jeok Soya that awakening the Blue Dragon required "a heart that nurtures life."
Thus, she had brought along a branch of spring blossoms that had bloomed and withered in early spring.
'I'll make the spring blossoms bloom again and give them to Mother as a gift.'
Mother had been away from Baek Ho Palace for so long—surely she would be delighted to receive this spring blossom tree that had once bloomed in the palace gardens.
At that thought, I couldn't help but smile to myself.
With a heart yearning for life to sprout anew upon the branch, Jeok Soya focused her spiritual core to awaken the Blue Dragon.
But then.
'Huh...?'
The divine artifact showed no response whatsoever.
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