Chapter 749: The Meaning of Purple (4)

For a brief instant, the sight of a drop of sweet liquid falling before my eyes flashed past.

At that moment, Hwa-eun’s voice rang in my ears.

“Husband?”

“Honey... no, brea—”

“Yes?”

When I turned toward the source of the voice, Hwa-eun was floating in the air, pointing at Jeokwol’s cocoon, which was faintly emitting a red glow.

For a moment, I didn’t understand what was happening, but then I realized.

“Ah, it’s nothing.”

“You were talking, and then suddenly you got lost in thought. What were you thinking so deeply about?”

“Ahaha... I, I just drifted off for a moment.”

The suggestion I had received yesterday suddenly came to mind, and I had blanked out for a second before snapping back at Hwa-eun’s voice.

'I was talking about Hwa-eun and Jeokwol, then I thought of her inside Dokmul-hyang, then her human form, then... that chest... and that made me think of Ranghu’s offer, right?'

How did it even end up like this?

It’s all because of breasts—no, honey—no, that’s not it.

There had still been no contact from Sonyeo, Hyeonnyeo, or Chaenyeo, and aside from what happened with Jayo yesterday, nothing else had occurred.

So as usual, I had been in the office stopping my senior sister from trying to “drain my yang energy,” when Hwa-eun came to see me and suggested that since it was almost time for Jeokwol to awaken, we should move her into Dokmul-hyang.

Right now, our Dokmul-hyang might be under surveillance by high-ranking dragon immortals or their factions.

Her idea was that something like a major breakthrough—something that caused large fluctuations in energy—should be carried out discreetly inside Dokmul-hyang.

A large movement of energy was proof that something was happening.

Once the heavenly tribulation began, others would naturally realize that someone was advancing realms, but before that, they might misunderstand.

They might think we were performing some large-scale Law Art or Dao Technique and take action.

Or they might realize a breakthrough was happening and interfere with it directly.

So the plan was to undergo the heavenly tribulation inside.

It was certain that Jeokwol would rise to the Primordial Infant Stage.

Inside Dokmul-hyang was essentially a separate, isolated world.

From the outside, no one could tell whether someone inside was advancing realms or not.

So it was definitely right to carry out breakthroughs inside.

That was how we had handled things with my wives and the others as well.

“I’ll move her into Dokmul-hyang right away.”

“Yes, So-ryong.”

I had already been thinking the same thing, so I nodded and reached out toward the cocoon.

Just then, Hwa-eun’s voice stopped me again.

“But, So-ryong.”

“Yes?”

I turned back, my hand still halfway extended, and saw Hwa-eun with a careful expression, one hand resting over her chest.

'That looks like she’s about to say something important.'

After living together this long, I had come to recognize that expression.

Whenever she looked like that, she always had something important to say.

I asked cautiously, my voice slightly tense.

“Is there something you want to say?”

“Yes.”

As expected, she nodded.

I first tried to think if I had done something wrong—but nothing came to mind.

Then one last possibility surfaced.

What was it?

The thought that it might be because of what I had just said about breasts... or honey.

Mentioning another chest in front of Hwa-eun without thinking.

'Damn it.'

I figured I should probably explain myself, but then Hwa-eun spoke again—

And what she said was completely different from what I had expected.

“Um...”

“So-ryong, you heard it too, right? Why the children underground are so focused on raising their cultivation?”

“....”

For a moment, I felt relieved that it wasn’t what I thought—but once I understood what she meant, I found myself at a loss for words.

Because I did know the reason.

And it wasn’t something Hwa-eun would enjoy hearing.

The reason the children underground were obsessively raising their realms—

Was because they wanted to mate with me.

In human terms, they wanted to perform dual cultivation with me—but it wasn’t simple lust.

Highly intelligent beings like humans used sexual activity for more than just reproduction.

It could strengthen bonds or relieve desire.

But for spirit-creatures, mating had a single, perfect purpose.

Producing offspring.

But our children’s purpose was different.

They didn’t want to mate with me out of lust, nor to have children.

Then why?

Because they believed that doing so would make them my partner.

In human terms, it was like wanting to hold a wedding.

They had already expressed their feelings before coming to the cultivation world, and after learning they could take human form, they had begun expressing those feelings even more openly.

They were trying to fully transform and claim a place as my wives.

'Even a state-run enterprise would collapse if it hired this recklessly!'

No matter how stable it was, if it kept opening positions like this, it would go bankrupt.

If the number of dependents increased too much, salaries—no, the supply of yang energy—would become a problem.

I answered, filled with guilt and uncertainty.

“...Yes, Hwa-eun.”

I hadn’t intended for things to turn out like this, but how could I not feel sorry toward her?

So I answered like a guilty man—

But Hwa-eun stepped closer and gently embraced me.

“Husband, I think I understand why you’re making that expression. But you’ve already accepted Ji-ryeon, Hye-rin, Yo-hwa, Zihwa, and even Senior Sister Cheongcheong, haven’t you? So you don’t need to look so apologetic.”

“...Ugh.”

It sounded like she was saying it was fine—but it wasn’t.

Every time another name came out of her mouth, it felt like a blade stabbing into my chest.

Hye-rin, Ji-ryeon, Zihwa, Yo-hwa, and Senior Sister Cheongcheong.

Gun Hye-rin had been helping the Heavenly Demon Cult—there had been no choice.

I had registered her to protect secrets, and that led to making her my wife.

Ji-ryeon... if a princess like her died to a martial artist, it would have caused a disaster in the martial world, so I had taken that burden.

Zihwa had needed it to survive her fate of melting away.

Yo-hwa... because of that medicinal benefit to my body.

Senior Sister Cheongcheong... to treat her broken state of mind.

It wasn’t that I had taken them in recklessly like some libertine hero—

But hearing all those names from Hwa-eun—the one most affected—

I couldn’t avoid feeling guilty.

Hwa-eun continued.

“Husband, I’m not blaming you. There were times I asked you to do it too, and times when it couldn’t be helped.”

“That may be true, but...”

“I’m not blaming you. Like I said before, I just want you to be clear about your stance.”

“My stance?”

When I tilted my head, she explained.

“If something dangerous happens like now, how do you think the children underground will act?”

“Well... of course... they’d risk their lives...”

That wasn’t even something to think about.

If something happened, they would stake their lives.

I could say that with certainty.

Not a single one of them would turn tail and run if I or my family were in danger.

They would protect us to the end, even if it cost their lives.

Hwa-eun nodded at my answer.

“Yes. Of course they would risk their lives. That’s why I’m saying you should respond to those feelings.”

“....”

Her words left me momentarily stunned.

I had put off accepting their feelings because they were a different species—but I realized now that the feelings I was receiving were too great to leave unanswered.

They gave me unconditional trust and support.

And there was no doubt they would sacrifice themselves for me.

I understood what Hwa-eun was trying to say.

Behind me, the cocoon glowing red.

Jeokwol, who would soon awaken.

When she awoke, there was a high chance she would ask me to accept her feelings as well.

And if that happened—

Hwa-eun was telling me to accept them.

It was advice to properly answer the feelings directed at me.

Since Yo-hwa, she had been telling me to prepare myself mentally, and now that I was hesitating, she was pushing me forward.

It was the dignity and consideration of a first wife.

Hwa-eun was a greater person than I had realized.

I pulled her into a tight embrace.

And after a moment—

“Husband, it’s time.”

When I opened my eyes, still holding her, I felt the energy inside the cocoon reach perfect balance.

It felt like the breakthrough would soon be complete.

I placed my hand on Jeokwol’s cocoon—

And together, we entered Dokmul-hyang.

***

Five hundred li east from the center of the Upper Heavens—

A crimson mountain towering as if it touched the sky came into Chaenyeo’s view.

It was said to have existed since the heavens and earth first opened.

A mountain recorded nowhere.

Yet everyone in the Upper Heavens knew its name.

Danhyeol Mountain.

In the records of a certain divine official, it was written:

“If one travels five hundred li to the east, there lies Danhyeol Mountain, where gold and jade abound, and from it flows the Dansu River to the south.”

But no record, Chaenyeo thought, could truly capture how vast or how red this mountain really was.

From high above, she looked down at the crimson mountain.

The slopes were layered with dark red rock, like dried blood.

Between them, threads of gold and jade shimmered in the sunlight.

As dusk approached, mist rose over the ridges, making the entire mountain appear like a massive, breathing heart.

At its center, a crimson opening gaped wide.

As her gaze swept toward the summit—

She noticed a strange rock near the opening.

Like a great perch.

From it, an auspicious aura could be felt.

Chaenyeo descended quickly.

—Tak.

As she landed, the hem of her purple silk robes brushed softly against the ground, and a faint scent of peach blossoms spread.

The moment that fragrance touched the auspicious aura—

The center of that aura rippled, as if a stone had been dropped into a lake.

The light of the setting sun refracted strangely—

And something began to emerge.

It was neither smoke nor mist.

Like a living thing, it slowly took shape.

Form appeared in the empty air.

Color filled that form.

And presence followed.

What appeared were two enormous birds.

But they were no ordinary birds.

They looked like beings formed from every auspicious symbol combined.

They had long, straight legs like cranes, elegant bodies like geese, crowned heads, and feathers that shimmered in the five colors of the Five Elements.

Creatures said to appear only in times of great peace—

Their appearance alone signifying that the Son of Heaven stood rightful and the world was at rest.

Phoenixes.

—Flap.

—Drring.

As the pair flapped their wings, a harmonious sound rose with the wind.

“We greet Lady Chaenyeo.”

“We greet Lady Chaenyeo.”

The Feng and Huang bowed respectfully.

Mortals believed the phoenix to be a single creature, but in truth, Feng was female and Huang was male.

At their greeting, Chaenyeo nodded and spoke her purpose.

“I have come to meet your lord. Guide me.”

“Yes. Please follow us.”

“Yes. Please follow us.”

The phoenixes lowered their bodies.

Chaenyeo stepped onto one of them—

And it swiftly descended into the mountain’s crimson opening.