The Blue Dragon Clan’s Very Suspicious Little Chick - Chapter 36

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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 36

“Chirp?”
(So it’s true? What’s causing it?)
“Caw-caw!!”
(The atmosphere feels eerie for no reason! Even that old screech owl who only flies at night says so—so something’s definitely wrong!)
As the crow spoke, a pigeon butted in.
“Coo-coo? Coo-roo…….”
(From what I hear, it’s all because of the prince, yeah? That little brat turns into a monster every night and eats birds, they say……)
At those words, a magpie who’d been merely watching suddenly bristled.
“Caw-caw-caw!”
(Hey, you old fool! Talk sense! The prince is of Imperial Dragon blood! If he were to transform, he’d become a dragon, not some monster!)
The crow then offered a measured assessment.
“Caw, caw.”
(That pigeon probably hasn’t even been near Hwangdo, sir. Discount what he says.)
Aran shook her head slowly.
The blood of the Imperial Dragon flowing through the royal house had grown so dilute that it could no longer take dragon form at all.
So the prince could not transform into a dragon or anything else.
What was certain, though, was that the mood in the Imperial City was deeply unsettled.
That would explain why such preposterous rumors were spreading.
The more they circulated, the more urgent Aran’s anxiety became.
She needed to reach the Imperial Palace soon and extinguish this spark of discord.
Aran fluttered her small wings and issued a command.
“Chirp-chirp? Chirp.”
(Winter’s coming soon—won’t wild geese or swallows be heading north? If you meet any, tell them to stop by Hwangdo.)
“Caw-caw.”
(The geese are too timid to manage that, I’m afraid……. But I’ll pass the word if I see any swallows!)
The crow answered briskly, then fell quiet for a moment before adding something while gauging Aran’s expression.
“Caw?”
(Madam, couldn’t you show us our baby once? It’s been so long.)
“Chirp-it. Chirp?”
(Seeing it too often won’t do you any good, I’ve told you repeatedly.)
“Caw-aw.”
(Still, madam. Even if it’s just a pleasant dream—it feels the same. I don’t really believe our baby is alive. I just want to see him.)
Aran relented and drew close to the crow, lowering her head to its shoulder.
A small crow chick soon appeared in their shared view.
It was the chick born last year, now contentedly pecking at red berries.
In truth, the child had died a cruel death months ago, torn apart by a wild beast.
Aran could not yet render it seamlessly—the chick hung awkwardly in empty air as a crude illusion, shadowless and unfinished, drifting clumsily through space.
Yet still the crow beamed within it.
“Caw-caw.”
(Thank you, madam. Our baby’s doing well.)
Aran gradually dissolved the illusion and lifted her head from the crow’s shoulder.
Her Innate Ability was still weak; she could only project illusions through physical contact with another being.
“Chirp-ee.”
(Don’t grow too accustomed to illusions. They’re not real.)
Even as Aran spoke with concern, the crow simply seemed content.
“Caw-aw! Caw!”
(I understand perfectly! I’ll bring word next time!)
Aran was watching the crow depart when——
“Young lady!”
Startled by the call, she turned to find Sorim standing there.
How long had she been watching?
Fortunately, the training master didn’t know Sign Language.
From her perch on the high branch, Aran fluttered down toward Sorim.
“Chirp-chirp-chirp.”
(Training master, when did you arrive?)
Whenever Aran used Sign Language that Sorim couldn’t understand, she always spoke with casual indifference.
Sorim, unaware of the truth, gazed at the baby bird cradled in her arms with an expression of unbridled affection as she answered.
“The Master is looking for you, Miss. Though it’s only my guess, I suspect a letter may have arrived from Hyeonmu Palace.”

***

Meanwhile, at Hyeonmu Palace, Tae-o had been sullen all day long.
His father had refused his request to deliver the letter to Aran in person instead of sending it by post.
He could summon the Six-Tailed Deer Spirit himself and return whenever he wished. He needed no Innate Ability training—he was already the most exceptional in Hyeonmu Palace. And the library held no books left for him to read.
Yet without permission, he could not go to see Aran.
Once, when Tae-o had told Aran that her appearance mattered nothing to him, he had meant every word sincerely.
But when Aran had gained her Human Form last year, he had arrived at a profound revelation.
“……Inner beauty was truly such a trifling thing.”
Aran had transformed into an endearingly cute girl—something unimaginable in the cold Northern Region where only the dark-winged Hyeonmu and serpent Beast Persons dwelled.
Round, bead-like eyes; lashes like snow piled atop her lids. Plump cheeks; lips the color of cherries.
Even the warmth radiating from her small, delicate hands felt not the least bit unpleasant to him.
Tae-o picked up his teacup, thinking of Aran as he habitually did.
He flung the tea into the air, and it scattered briefly before crystallizing into ice just as it was about to strike the table.
Crack!
The sound of shattering ice displeased him entirely.
The Ice Crystallization Ability depended on speed, and his training was painfully slow.
As he sat brooding, a soft knock came at the door, and Uicheon, the family head, entered.
He looked down at the ice shards scattered across the table and smiled faintly.
The broken fragments still glistened like crystal, not having melted in the slightest.
“You, who will barely leave without paying your respects to your mother—do you miss the youngest of the Aran family so very much?”
Tae-o did not deign to answer his father.
After all, his father was not asking because he didn’t know the answer himself.
Uicheon, met with his son’s silence, opened his mouth in a tone tinged with resignation.
“I’ve just come from a family council where a decision was made—one I think you’ll be pleased to hear.”
Tae-o asked reluctantly, his tone flat.
“……What decision?”
“We’ve decided to take you to the Divine Beast Festival next spring.”
“The Divine Beast Festival?”
The Divine Beast Festival in Hwangdo, held in spring, was half a year away.
Uicheon smiled broadly upon seeing his son finally show interest.
“It seems the eldest of Baekho Palace has only just gained his Human Form. The Lord of the Baekho household is bursting with pride, I’m sure. Come spring, you shall accompany me and exchange greetings with the heirs of the other Divine Beast Palaces.”
Tae-o had grown so rapidly that he already reached Uicheon’s waist.
The youngest of Baekho Palace or the Imperial Prince, still toddling about, could hardly be his match. Among the unremarkable youngest heirs, Tae-o would surely stand out like a crane among chickens.
Just at the thought, Uicheon’s shoulders swelled with pride.
Whether Tae-o understood his father’s expectations or not, he asked what he himself was curious about first.
“Will the children of Cheongryong Palace attend as well?”
Uicheon laughed in disbelief, shaking his head.
“I’ll send a letter to the Lord of Cheongryong Palace for you—provided you cause no great trouble in the remaining half-year, that is.”
At that, Tae-o straightened his posture further and lowered his eyes.
“When have I ever caused trouble, Father?”
One would think him afflicted with a fatal illness if he minded his manners for even a single day.
Those green eyes, which had always flickered with restless discontent, suddenly became docile, as if such a thing had never been.
Uicheon narrowed his eyes at his son’s blatant pretense.
“Since I never know when you might summon the Six-Tailed Deer Spirit and flee, surely you’re aware that the guards remain perpetually on edge?”
“They’re merely doing their duty.”
Tae-o answered shamelessly, then asked with studied care.
“But the youngest of the Cheongryong family……will attend as well, won’t they?”
He seemed curious whether the adopted youngest would be permitted to join the gathering.
Uicheon nodded slowly.
“The Lord of Cheongryong Palace is a man who would spare no effort for his adoptive daughter. Still, I thought to write to him in advance, lest he harbor any hesitation.”
“I would be most grateful, Father.”
This spoiled youngest of the household.
Save for times when matters went against him, he was the stoic sort who would never dream of coaxing his father with honeyed words.
Uicheon deliberately scrunched his nose to suppress the laughter threatening to escape.
“Then do stop tormenting that spirit creature. Since Hyeonmu Palace was founded, not a soul has exploited the Six-Tailed Deer Spirit as you have.”
“Its obedience is its joy, is it not.”
Tae-o, who had been answering straightforwardly, quickly swallowed his words at the sight of his father’s sharp gaze.
“…I’ll be careful.”
Uicheon rose from his seat, clearly pleased.
“So she’s a child you treasure so dearly—now I’m curious myself.”
A proud smile played at the corners of Tae-o’s mouth.
Uicheon shook his head at that expression.
Even when Tae-o had climbed the Dark Heaven stairs on his own, even when his Ice Crystallization Ability had manifested before he was a year old, even when he could recite every book in the library from memory—he had simply taken it all in stride, never once showing pride in his accomplishments.
“Aran. Her name is Aran, isn’t it…?”
He’d heard she was just an ordinary bird Beast Person, but just how adorable could this creature possibly be?
The Cheongryong Clan’s Dubious Chick — Chapter 36
E-book Publication Date | August 5, 2026

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

UCI | G720:N+A101-20260722065.0036
List Price | 100 won

ⓒ Ravioli 2026

This e-book is protected by copyright law.
This e-book has been published under contract with the author and may not be reproduced, distributed, shared, or transmitted 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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