The Blue Dragon Clan’s Very Suspicious Little Chick - Chapter 28

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Chapter 28

Cheongyun smiled softly and nodded.
“Yes, it must have been wonderful for Tao to meet our Aran.”
In truth, he’d harbored suspicions that in the Hyeonmu Palace, where survival of the fittest was law, the older brothers might be mistreating the youngest—but a reply that had arrived this morning from the palace had swept those doubts entirely away.
The current Patriarch had pleaded with Cheongyun, frantic with worry over the child who had vanished without warning.
Since the authority of a Small Household Master at Hyeonmu Palace was limited, there was no way a grown Small Household Master could treat the youngest so cherished by the Patriarch as he wished.
Which meant the youngest of Hyeonmu Palace had come here of his own free will alone.
Tao continued, sounding quite forlorn.
“Yes, but it’s only been a few days. When we part next week, I don’t even know when I’ll see Aran again.”
At that, Yeon—who had been listening—suddenly caught her breath.
Yeon likely hadn’t considered Tao’s position before he explained it this way. She was only a small child who had just left infancy behind, however kind-hearted.
While the startled young Blue Dragon listened closely, Tao’s voice continued.
“That’s why I didn’t think about the other… friends. I’m sorry if I hurt them because of me.”
With Tao being so gentle about it, tender-hearted Yeon couldn’t possibly hold out.
“I-I’m sorry!”
Yeon cried out, her voice trembling even more than Tao’s.
“You’re right! I spent the whole year stuck to Aran, and I was too petty. I’m sorry!”
Then Min cocked her head with a thoughtless expression.
“So we’re all going to play together now? You’re really fast at running?”
Cheongyun burst out laughing.
How easily it was resolved!
Aran chimed in cheerfully—he’d gotten some useful information about the Hyeonmu God from Tao as well.
“Chirp?”
(Tao, are you going to play with the children?)
At Aran’s question, Tao’s face—which had been written all over with annoyance—suddenly lit up.
“If Aran wants me to.”
Cheongyun was just thinking perhaps he’d take the children for a walk around the Training Ground.
But Tao suddenly pulled a teacup on the table toward himself, looking at the twins.
“Or would you like me to show you my Special Ability?”
“Really?”
The twins immediately pressed their faces forward to the teacup as if something momentous were about to happen.
Tao looked up at Cheongyun as if seeking permission.
“Is that all right? Would you like to see too, Great Master?”
Cheongyun hesitated for a moment.
It seemed the current Patriarch wouldn’t want his youngest’s Special Ability displayed so casually anywhere.
But then again, a few nights’ lodging wasn’t exactly expensive compensation, was it?
Soon his brown eyes glimmered with mischief.
“Of course. I’m honored to witness it with my own eyes.”

***

Cheongyun considered the teacup filled to an appropriate level, turning over in his mind what he knew of the Hyeonmu Clan’s Special Abilities.
Water, Detoxification, and the Ice-Freezing Ability—these were the primary Special Abilities known of the northern Hyeonmu Palace.
If what Tao could show with that teacup was what was known about the Hyeonmu Clan—being born with the submission of beasts…
Tao gazed down at the teacup with pride shining in his eyes, then exhaled softly and blew.
The children’s eyes grew round as they watched, but the one truly astonished was Cheongyun.
For thin ice had begun to form on the steaming water in the cup.
“Wow!”
As the twins cried out in unison as if they’d never quarreled, Tao’s lips curved with satisfaction.
Aran chirped and whistled in wonder as well.
But it didn’t end there.
Tao focused intently on the ice above the teacup.
Crack!
The thin ice shattered, and ice fragments floated across the water’s surface.
“Wow! That’s amazing!”
As the innocent twins clapped their hands in praise, the floating ice fragments slowly faded into the air.
Tao, having expended considerable focus, caught his breath. His cheeks flushed, but his differently-colored eyes gleamed with fulfillment.
“Squeak, squeak?”
(Wow, you’re amazing, Tao. When did you gain the Ice-Freezing Ability?)
As Aran asked, Cheongyun also opened his mouth.
“The Ice-Freezing Ability? I understand it’s quite rare even within Hyeonmu Palace. Indeed, it’s an accomplishment worthy of our current Great Master.”
Tao turned to look between Aran and Cheongyun before answering.
“I gained it recently. But because of this ability, I hurt a maidservant and was punished for it.”
“Squeak?”
(Is that why you were confined to the Library?)
“……It wasn’t intentional, was it?”
When Aran and Cheongyun asked simultaneously, Tao nodded toward them both.
“No, it wasn’t.”
“Then all is forgiven, so long as you’ve reflected.”
As Cheongyun chuckled softly, Aran had to swallow a sigh.
“Now stop vexing your older brother and all get along, you rascals.”
Before Cheongyun could finish speaking, the twins rushed at Tao.
“Tao, freeze mine for me!”
“Mine too!”
Of course, Tao’s gaze was fixed on Aran alone.
“Chirp-chirp.”
(Be nice to them. If the twins like you, we’ll be able to see each other more often and grow closer.)
Was that it?
Tao’s eyes widened as if he’d grasped something of paramount importance, and he nodded solemnly.
It was only natural that the twins’ teacups soon froze solid side by side.

***

After Tao’s belated realization, peaceful days slipped by.
Meanwhile, the Blue Dragon Family brothers’ departure for the Imperial Capital drew near.
On their last night together, Tao waited until Sorim fell asleep before speaking softly.
“Aran, won’t you come with me?”
“Chirp?”
(What?)
Startled awake from his drowse, Aran chirped in confusion, and Tao answered in a dejected voice.
“Hyeonmu Palace is lonely and dreary. None of my many brothers bother to visit me.”
After overhearing the reply-letter that had come from Hyeonmu Palace, Aran had suspected that much of Tao’s sense of being persecuted by his family stemmed from misunderstanding.
Yet perhaps he should have paid more attention to Tao’s disappointment.
“Chirrup?”
(What about your family? How are things with them?)
When Aran asked with belated concern, Tao hesitated before responding.
“Well…… I can feel them being afraid of me most of the time.”
Without thinking, Aran drew closer to Tao.
“Chirp-chirp??”
(Is that really true? Everyone? Even though you’re just a child?)
Tao quietly nodded.
“My older brother, the Small Household Master, came to see me once on the day I was born, and since then he’s been consumed with Special Ability training. I think he sees my existence as a threat.”
“Caw?”
(What Special Ability does your older brother have?)
“He can move water.”
Aran studied Tao’s expression carefully before asking again.
“Chirp-chirp?”
(You can do that too, can’t you.)
This time Tao looked at Aran in surprise and asked in return.
“How did you know?”
How indeed.
The Ice-Freezing Ability doesn’t simply spring forth from nothing.
Naturally, one who could command water could also freeze it — and this fact wouldn’t have escaped either the Patriarch of Hyeonmu or Cheongyun himself.
“You’re so clever, Aran…….”
When Aran didn’t respond, Tao gently stroked the young spirit’s round head and added.
“But my older brother still doesn’t know. I won’t show him.”
Aran pondered for a moment, then asked again.
“Chirp?”
(Still, the Patriarch actually does favor you, doesn’t he?)
At this, Tao’s eyes crinkled, and he smiled softly.
“If Father truly did oppress me, could I win his sympathy and bring you to Hyeonmu Palace?”
“Peep?”
(You there—can’t you give me a straight answer?)
Aran was about to bristle, but instead held back carefully.
“Chirp.”
(Tao, my home is here. And a young phoenix cannot go north and live there.)
“I know, but……”
Tao drew the fledgling closer to his chest and closed his eyes.
“While we’re apart, I’d at least like you to think of me often. Every single day.”
“Chirp-chirp!!”
(I will think of you! I will, so answer my question straight—the current Patriarch does cherish you, doesn’t he?)
Yet Tao only held Aran to his heart and murmured once more.
“Does it matter? After all, besides you, there’s no one in this world who can wound me……”
“Peep. Chirp!?”
(That’s not an answer. Tao, Tao! Are you asleep? Are you really asleep?)
Had he truly fallen asleep?
No answer came at all.
Exceptional or not, a child was still a child.
If he was to leave come morning, perhaps he felt no reluctance after all……
Aran, left alone, pressed close to listen to the small heart beating beneath restless ribs.

-In his place, look after Tao of the Hyeonmu Clan.

Recalling the voice of the spirit—growing steadily clearer—Aran muttered under their breath.
“Chirp-chirp, peep?”
(This one, while this body is far away, you must watch over him, Spirit. Do you understand what I’m saying?)
When I want, I send you Leaf Letters without hesitation.
The spirit pretended not to hear and gave no answer.

***

The next morning, when Aran opened their eyes, Tao was sitting at a desk drawing a Hexagonal Formation.
The Blue Dragon Family’s Peculiar Chirping — Episode 28
E-book Publication Date | 2026.08.05

Author | Ravioli
Publisher | Odd Eye
Submissions/Inquiries | [email protected]

UCI | G720:N+A101-20260722065.0028
Price | 100 won

© Ravioli 2026

This e-book is protected under copyright law.
This e-book is published under contract with the author and may not be republished, reproduced, distributed, or shared in any form without written consent from both parties.

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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