Chapter 111: Hemolysis (2)

A month. That was how long it took to arrive in Jincheon, a place I didn’t even know existed.

A land overflowing with earth’s energy, where bountiful harvests continued throughout the four seasons, and thus where all the wealth of this land was concentrated.

That was Jincheon.

From the entrance to the region, the long stretch of stone pavement was impressive.

Seeing not a single weed between the cracks meant that the stone pavement was being constantly maintained.

Following the well-maintained road, we discovered towering ramparts and wide-open gates.

Only then did Cheongbin and Cheonga relax their imposing auras, as if relieved.

What should I do…

I hesitated, looking up at the massive gate.

I had followed them here because there was no way to clear up the misunderstanding, but I wasn’t a true Dragonblood like them.

“What are you doing?”

“Ah. Just thinking for a moment…”

“Hmm… No matter how I look at it, you’re definitely a Scarlet Dragon family child…”

“You’re mistaken. I’m not Dragonblood.”

“You’re saying that again. Are you just scared to go home? Are you afraid of getting scolded by your parents?”

“That’s not it…”

“I understand. Everyone does that at least once at your age.

Even Cheongbin over there, striking a pose, did it.”

“I didn’t.”

Cheongbin’s face stiffened at Cheonga’s words.

The coldness that had subsided was rising again; he seemed quite angry.

Cheonga frowned slightly at Cheongbin’s aura and shook her head.

I sighed. I had been telling them I wasn’t Dragonblood the whole way, but they didn’t believe me.

They seemed to think I was just a runaway teenager lying because I was afraid to go home.

But I couldn’t just shake them off and run away. If I went somewhere beyond the reach of the Dragonblood’s power, I would be attacked again.

There’s a saying, symbolic terrain. That’s the situation. Whether I liked it or not, I had no choice but to head to Jincheon.

What kind of reaction would the real Scarlet Dragon family Dragonbloods show when they saw me?

Even if they found out the truth, they wouldn’t attack me right away.

I had the identity of a mage from the Magic Tower, a disciple of Haben.

“Let’s go.”

I nodded and pulled on Nightmare’s reins. Cheonga and Cheongbin stood on either side of me, walking as if to escort me.

“Those, those people are…”

“Shh… Lower your head.”

“Azure Dragon family…”

As we approached the massive main gate, the demi-humans lined up in front of it began to lower their heads.

Cheonga and Cheongbin nodded, naturally accepting their greetings.

No one dared to meet their eyes. Not Cheonga and Cheongbin’s, and not even mine.

The demi-humans waited with their heads bowed for us to pass.

It was a different reaction from the demi-humans I had encountered elsewhere.

Just then, a group of demi-humans rushed towards us from inside the gate.

Leading the group was a warrior with a huge build. The animal form revealed outside his body resembled a tiger.

The tiger demi-human warrior stopped in front of us and examined Cheonga and Cheongbin with a shocked expression.

He especially scrutinized Cheongbin, who was wearing tattered rags.

“Officer Jeong.”

“Ah, Young Lady… What on earth happened… Young Master…!”

Cheongbin frowned and pushed away the one called Officer Jeong.

He blinked, uncharacteristically for his large size, and obediently stepped back.

“Just some gnats swarming around a Scarlet Dragon family child.”

“Scarlet Dragon family…? Could it be the one in the back…”

“Go back and prepare clothes to change into and a meal. Let the Scarlet Dragon family know a little later… We’ll be eating on our side.”

“Yes, yes sir!”

The tiger, Officer Jeong, nodded at Cheongbin’s words and disappeared as quickly as he had come.

His back view as he ran into the castle was like a cat dashing off.

Having sent Officer Jeong ahead, Cheongbin and Cheonga walked leisurely.

The buildings built along the wide main road looked very extravagant.

The tall buildings and the gold threads decorating under the eaves embroidered the sky.

When the wind blew, the gold threads fluttered softly like waves.

I looked around, gaping blankly. I didn’t have much experience traveling this land, but I could confidently say that no matter where else I went, it wouldn’t be more splendid than this city of Jincheon.

As we walked along the road, the scene we had seen at the entrance to the city was replayed.

The busy demi-humans stopped what they were doing and bowed their heads towards us.

Even if food fell to the ground or a liquor jar fell over and spilled its contents, they didn’t raise their heads.

The demi-humans living here seemed very accustomed to this behavior.

At the end of the road stood a huge mansion.

I wondered how much power they wielded to make everyone bow their heads like this, but the size of the mansion was about half the size of the city.

Towering buildings soared beyond the high walls, captivating the eye.

On top of the tall buildings, large and small dragon ornaments were perched.

Cheongbin and Cheonga strode towards the massive gate.

The firmly closed gate opened as we approached, without any signal.

The gatekeepers guarding the gate quietly bowed their heads and waited for us to pass.

The moment I stepped inside the mansion, countless people poured out from all directions and approached me.

Unlike me, who was flustered, Cheongbin and Cheonga naturally accepted their touch.

“You must have felt uncomfortable not being able to wash all this time? If you follow them and wash up, they’ll guide you.”

“Guide me…?”

“See you later.”

Cheonga waved at me and headed into a large building, surrounded by many people.

Cheongbin did the same. He glanced at me, then turned and headed towards a place near the building Cheonga had gone to.

“Please give us your luggage.”

“Ah, this…”

“I’ll take care of the horse.”

“Ah, you have to give him meat to eat.”

“Meat…?”

The people’s attitude was extremely polite. After a moment’s thought, I nodded and entrusted myself to them.

I was led by the people to a large bathhouse. Luxurious flowers floated on the wide tub.

“Oh…”

As I exclaimed at the sight of the large bathhouse, the closed door opened and women in thin clothes carefully entered.

“What, what is it?”

Surprised by their sudden appearance, I hid in the tub and asked.

The women who opened the door tilted their heads at my question and answered.

“We came to assist you with your bath… Is there anything uncomfortable…”

“Bath assistance…?”

This was the first time in my past and present life that I had ever received bath assistance from someone.

I touched my burning cheeks and entrusted myself to the women.

A soft cloth lathered with foam swept over my body, and gentle hands caressed my hair.

As I was being served like that, my body became languid.

From beginning to end, I didn’t lift a finger.

After my body was washed clean, I was guided to a large room and changed into clean clothes. My luggage was in this room.

I looked at myself in the large mirror. The clothes were fancy but light.

A red robe was draped over the clothes, which had been stripped of anything cumbersome.

The golden dragon embroidered on it was impressive. The sleeves of the robe were long and flowing.

It was a garment focused on style rather than ease of movement.

I ran my hand through my long red hair. It had been dried with a soft towel, but it wasn’t completely dry.

I created a hot flame over it to blow away the moisture in my hair.

“The Young Master and Young Lady are waiting…”

The Young Master and Young Lady here clearly meant Cheongbin and Cheonga.

I hung the sword that was placed in the corner of the room on my waist and followed the maid.

Even the shoes had been newly prepared. They were flower shoes that seemed to be sized to fit my small feet.

I walked through the vast manor with the maid.

I passed the large and small trees decorated along the road and crossed a small bridge over a large pond.

When I turned my head slightly, I saw huge carp swimming in the pond.

“Oh, you’re here.”

It was Cheonga’s voice. She was standing in front of the wide wooden floor, looking no different from when I first met her.

Judging by the delicious smell stimulating my appetite wafting from inside, the table must already be set.

“Were you uncomfortable?”

“Yes.”

“Hmm…”

Cheonga’s eyebrows twitched at my answer.

She gestured for the maid who had guided me to leave.

“Come on up. Bin is waiting.”

Following Cheonga into the room inside the wooden floor, an incredibly lavish table setting greeted me.

I was mesmerized by the delicious-looking food, and then I noticed Cheongbin a beat later.

“Ahem…”

Cheongbin, sitting at the head of the table, was wearing very fancy clothes, unlike before.

Instead of the sword he always carried, he held a folding fan in his hand, and his flowing hair was combed back and neatly arranged.

“Are you hungry?”

Cheonga sat me down next to her and picked up various foods for me.

Cheongbin, sitting at the head of the table, flinched as he watched us, but didn’t do anything else.

The food was delicious. It was salty, sweet, and very stimulating, but that was what suited my taste.

Just then, as I was comfortably picking up food, I could feel a huge aura approaching at a terrifying speed from afar.

Cheonga and Cheongbin also seemed to sense the aura, as they put down the chopsticks they were holding and stared at the door.

How much time had passed? Suddenly, a hot wind whooshed in.

Along with the hot wind, a handsome young man appeared.

His red hair fluttering like flames was impressive.

Horns protruded from his head, and red scales covered the back of his hands.

White smoke rose from his sharply raised fingernails.

“You are…”

“Jeokrin, you…”

The man called Jeokrin by Cheongbin strode into the room and approached me. His actions were too natural.

Jeokrin, who had come before me, suddenly poured flames at me.

Cheonga, who was next to me, was horrified and stood up.

Whoosh-!

“You, you… you crazy…!”

The man called Jeokrin didn’t care about Cheonga’s reaction. His gaze was fixed only on me.

The fire wasn’t hot. I stared blankly at the red flames clinging to my body.

As the flames poured over my body and were absorbed, changes began to occur in my body.

Red scales and sharp fingernails grew, small fangs protruded from my mouth, and horns rose above my head.

Jeokrin, who was looking down at me, opened his mouth in a trembling voice.

“It’s definitely the Scarlet Dragon family bloodline… but…”

“Me…?”

“Whose child is it…?”

Jeokrin sat down next to me with a very confused expression.