Chapter 167: Living Two Lives
Red Dragon headed to the Hundred Thousand Great Mountains to meet the Black Lizard Namgoong Yeon had mentioned.
It was natural for rumors to spread, given her skill that rivaled the sect leader of Hwasan.
Since a figure of her stature was on the move, it was inevitable that she would clash with the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult.
However, the cult leader made an unusual decision.
The leader allowed her entry under certain conditions.
Red Dragon was a spiritual beast who had reached her current form within the Hundred Thousand Great Mountains.
Therefore, she had ties to the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult and was also acquainted with Baek Yeonyeong.
Considering this, it seemed the permission was granted in light of those connections, but the conditions Baek Yeonyeong imposed were rather peculiar.
It wasn’t about using Red Dragon’s martial prowess or affiliating her with the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult.
Instead, the conditions pertained solely to a certain lizard.
Red Dragon found it both curious and amusing that Baek Yeonyeong had figured out that her goal was the lizard.
What could that lizard possibly be to warrant even the cult leader’s involvement?
Moreover, it wasn’t outright prohibited but rather conditionally permitted.
Of course, those conditions weren’t light.
There were numerous restrictions, but they could be summarized in one sentence.
"Do not cross the line."
That was the underlying message in the conditions.
This only fueled Red Dragon’s curiosity further.
The Black Lizard, whom Namgoong Yeon had spoken of and Baek Yeonyeong protected.
She began to think that the lizard might not just be an ordinary creature but one with the potential to become a dragon.
Of course, seeing it in person would answer her doubts.
Red Dragon then set off toward the Dragon Gate.
To be precise, she headed to the summit of the volcano.
The volcano of the Hwasan Sect didn’t have much lava.
She had forcibly gathered it there herself.
Thus, this place, brimming with lava, was her favorite spot.
After driving away a rat guarding the area, she was soaking herself in the hot spring when an unusual event occurred.
She saw a spiritual beast fighting the Fire Rat.
Over the years, countless beasts had challenged the Fire Rat, the guardian of the volcano.
She watched the fight between the Fire Rat she had driven out and the challenger while immersed in lava.
The Fire Rat, adept at manipulating the volcano's heat, didn’t easily yield and burned all the challenging beasts.
Though not comparable to herself, it wasn’t a level that any ordinary creature could defeat.
But what was this?
A lizard she had never seen before defeated that rat.
She saw the lizard, of all things, walking on two legs and using martial arts with its hands.
Not only that, but it awkwardly imitated the Tang Sect’s martial art, Mancheonhwau, and also used poison.
She even discovered that it possessed both cold energy and heat deep within its body.
This wasn’t an ordinary lizard.
It was a lizard of a spiritual beast’s caliber.
Its black scales were so beautiful that calling them "dragon scales" wouldn’t be an exaggeration.
Red Dragon instinctively realized that this lizard was the one she was seeking.
Was this fate?
She had merely intended to warm herself, yet she found her target.
She had a strong urge to capture the lizard right then and there, but Baek Yeonyeong’s conditions restrained her.
Even she wanted to avoid direct confrontation with the cult leader.
Before arriving here, Red Dragon had sorted her thoughts about the lizard.
If Namgoong Yeon’s words were false, she would devour it in one bite.
If it were just a lizard with pretty scales, she might play with it for a brief amusement.
If it had the qualities to become a dragon and those fine scales?
She would see if it could thaw her frozen heart.
Thus, she did not approach the lizard but released her killing intent instead.
If it were just an empty shell, it would flee immediately.
It might even be content with defeating the guardian of the volcano and descend the mountain.
In that case, the lizard would not be the one she was looking for.
But the Black Lizard, despite feeling her killing intent, reached the summit of the volcano.
How could this not be fate?
Red Dragon instinctively felt that this lizard could become more precious than any treasure she had collected.
Though still young and unable to speak properly, if it matured, it might rival her.
Perhaps it could become a true dragon and thaw her frozen heart.
Even if it didn’t, if she claimed it, she might once again walk the path of a dragon.
Nothing was certain yet.
What was certain, however, was that the lizard was now hers.
She wouldn’t let anyone take it away.
"Well, if I keep living with you, that might become a problem in itself, huh?"
This happened while I was eating the food she had brought, as usual.
"Geck?"
"You’re capable enough to catch a rat, but this feels like I’m underestimating you somehow."
"Geck-geck."
Underestimating?
This kind of life wasn’t bad.
"My little one probably has things to learn from me, so you wouldn’t run away."
"Geeeck!"
Did she really have the Dragon’s Eye or something?
How could she understand me so well?
"I want to warm myself up since I came to the volcano for the first time in a while...."
Red Dragon glanced up at the higher part of the volcano.
"This spot isn’t bad, but it does get pretty chilly at night."
Chilly, she says.
In a place where fire seems to ignite just by standing still.
However, surprisingly, part of Red Dragon’s words were correct.
She had set up some kind of mechanism to store her treasures, and the temperature here had dropped just enough for a lizard to survive.
It was still hot for me, but for Red Dragon, who could literally soak herself in lava, it probably felt lukewarm.
"Or do you want to come in with me?"
"Ge-eek!"
I shook my head vehemently.
She was saying something terrifying about boiling me into stew.
"Hmm, that’s a bit disappointing."
What’s disappointing?
Even in a regular lava hot spring, I’d die instantly if I fell in.
Yet, here she was talking about going higher while already near the top of the volcano.
She was clearly referring to the volcanic crater.
"Then let’s do this."
"Geck?"
"During the day, we’ll stay together since it’s bearable then."
"Geck-geck."
"But when the sun sets, I’ll head into the crater."
"Geeck?"
I looked at Red Dragon with suspicious eyes.
She was always so reluctant to leave me alone; what had changed all of a sudden?
Could it be because of the cold breeze that had been blowing occasionally?
"Yaaawn... This way, you’ll also have time to train alone, and during the day, you can learn from me. Isn’t that what they call killing two birds with one stone?"
Red Dragon let out a big yawn.
From the way she acted, it seemed like she wasn’t overthinking things as usual.
Still, I couldn’t shake off some doubts.
"Well, if you’re really lonely, I can endure the cold and hug you."
"Keke-ge-geck!"
That would trigger a Maillard reaction!
Anyway, since she was offering me some personal time, I had no reason to refuse.
Her reasoning made sense, and I needed some time alone myself.
If she’s giving me space like this, maybe she won’t stop me if I decide to leave later?
"But you know what will happen if you sneak away, right?"
...Maybe not.
After Red Dragon’s declaration to sleep separately, I gained some long-awaited freedom.
Even if it was temporary, it didn’t matter.
Since I planned to stay here until I found a clue about becoming Paryong (Ascending Dragon), I was grateful for even this much.
Red Dragon entered the volcanic crater.
I heard her muttering something like, "Ah, so refreshing," but for the sake of her image, I erased that from my memory.
Now it was time for myself!
Finally, I could do the things I hadn’t dared to with her watching.
Was this how a husband felt sneaking around under his wife’s watchful eye?
"Geck-geck-geck."
As I was about to indulge in a little rebellion, a cold breeze brushed past me.
"...Hey."
Of course, the owner of the breeze was Baekrang.
I’d seen her from a distance several times before.
Each time, she tried to catch Red Dragon’s attention, and I worked hard to divert it.
I even stuck my head in the energy pouch to scatter her focus.
Anyway, it was nice to see her again after a while.
"Geck-geck."
Baekrang cautiously approached me.
Smack!
She slapped my chest with her front paw.
"Ge-eck?"
"How come you didn’t greet me even once?"
She seemed upset that I hadn’t come to see her after defeating the Fire Rat.
But it wasn’t like I had a choice.
I was captured by Red Dragon.
"Geck-geck."
"And that’s the face of someone who was caught? You looked so smug."
"Geeck..."
"Don’t make excuses. I saw everything."
...Why does it feel like she understands what I’m saying?
"Why are you looking at me like that?"
"Geck!"
"...Anyway, let’s go back quickly."
Baekrang bit my foreleg with her sharp teeth.
I couldn’t exactly go back to her cave, but I could hang out with her for a while.
We couldn’t keep talking here, so I followed her to a suitable spot.
Just in case, I had to be cautious of Red Dragon noticing.
Baekrang led me to a cave within the volcano.
Is it because she’s a wolf? She finds places like this with uncanny precision.
This spot had less heat and even seemed to have a cool breeze blowing in.
"...So, how’ve you been?"
"Geck-geck."
How else?
I’ve been living under Red Dragon’s captivity.
I drew on the ground to explain my situation to Baekrang.
"So you really did defeat the Fire Rat."
"Ge-ge-geck."
"Then can’t you go back now?"
"Geeeng..."
I want to go back too, but I can’t because of Red Dragon.
Who knows what she’ll do.
Plus, there are things I personally want to learn from her.
And since this place is called the Dragon Gate, it might meet the conditions for evolving into an Ascending Dragon.
"Geck-geck-geck."
But explaining all that wouldn’t be easy.
I can’t read letters, and my drawing skills aren’t that great either.
"...So you’re saying you’re staying here?"
"Geck?"
What? How did she understand that?
"I’ve seen you enough times. I can just tell."
I don’t think she’s seen me that often.
"So you have to stay with that red lizard during the day?"
"Kkeek."
"And you can only move around like this at night?"
"Geck."
Come to think of it, how did Baekrang even get here?
The heat should’ve made it hard for her to move.
"...Those weird guys with two horns helped, so it’s fine for now."
Ah, the two-horned gentlemen.
If they can do that, why don’t they help me out too?
"This is getting complicated... To think someone like that would show up all of a sudden."
"Geck-geck."
Exactly.
"Oh, don’t get me wrong. It’s not like I came because I missed you. Chillang was pestering me about it."
"Ge-ge-geck."
"...What’s with that sneaky look?"
"Geck."
What did I do?
"Anyway, I’ve confirmed that you’re fine, and since being captured is what you want, I don’t have to worry."
"Geck."
Baekrang gave a clear conclusion.
Alright, let Chillang know, and when I achieve something worthwhile, I’ll come down again.
"That’s enough. All I needed to know was that you’re alive. It’s not like we’re that close or anything."
For some reason, Baekrang turned her head sharply, looking upset.
An awkward silence fell between us.
Was it just me, or did it suddenly feel colder?
"...Hey."
Baekrang broke the silence.
She turned her head away while poking me with her paw.
"...Did you enjoy it that much?"
What’s she talking about?
"Why? You were sprawled out on her lap with your tongue hanging out."
She saw that too?
"Geck-geck."
That’s just a lizard’s instinct. I couldn’t help it.
"...Hey."
Baekrang called me again.
"You know I was the first one to do that, right?"
...Lap pillow?
"...Just so you know."
What was that supposed to mean?
She seemed restless, then suddenly got angry.
She sighed, then grumbled some more.
Finally, she looked at me as if there was no helping it.
"What’s so great about a scaly creature like you, anyway?"
Was she talking about her siblings?
Well, they did like me.
"Come here."
"Geck?"
I was like a lizard that comes when called and goes when told.
A white light flashed, and Baekrang’s form changed.
Snow-white hair and golden eyes.
Her slender hand pulled me closer.
"Is this what you like?"
She gently stroked my head.
"...I really don’t get it."
Yet, she smiled faintly.
"Hey."
Baekrang called me once more.
"...I have to be with my pack, so I can’t stay here forever, you know?"
Her face turned red, as if she was embarrassed.
"So, when the sun sets, come here."
I stared at her intently.
"I need to know whether you’re alive or not. I don’t care, but Chillang keeps nagging me...."
Even though I said nothing, she kept rambling excuses.
Her behavior was so amusing that I let out a small laugh.
I’m not sure how a lizard’s laugh would look to her.
"...Seriously, I don’t get it."
Well, it must be hard to understand a laughing lizard.
Maybe it looked a little creepy.
"What’s so great about something that’s all scales?"
She probably had a lot on her mind.
It can’t be easy for a wolf when her pack is drawn to a lizard.
Thinking about it, I felt a little sorry for her.