The Blue Dragon Clan’s Very Suspicious Little Chick - Chapter 38

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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 38

By now, it was common knowledge throughout both Cheongryong Palace and Hyeonmoo Palace that the youngest of Hyeonmoo Palace listened to Aran with particular obedience.
Cheongun signaled a few members of the Cheongsa Order outside the carriage before answering Aran.
“If the Cheongsa Order may accompany us, I have no objection.”
Hearing this, Min tried to interject, saying she wished to go as well, but Cheongun shook his head.
It would not do to cause a stir before even entering the Imperial Palace.
Yet he was willing to let Aran go because he trusted her Future Sight. Thus far, what Cheongun had seen was chiefly of grave import—
his wife’s pregnancy, her death.
Or disasters like the tremors that shook Cheongryong Ridge.
But since Aran had come to Cheongryong Palace, he had glimpsed her future many times over. That meant this child was necessary to the empire.
Cheongun reached this conclusion and added gently,
“Aran will return before long, Min. Put your mind at ease.”

***

Aran descended from the carriage with the aid of the Cheongsa Order.
Layered folds of her Jade-colored Skirt draped awkwardly about her ankles.
As a member of Cheongryong Palace attending the ceremony, she had dressed herself in proper formal attire.
At the sight of the youngest lady’s charming outfit, the Cheongsa Order quietly held their breath and looked away.
“What is it?”
Aran caught their reaction with quick sensitivity and asked.
The Cheongsa Order grew flustered.
The youngest lady, who always wore trousers and jacket like a twin set, looked so adorable in a skirt…….
But if they said so, she would surely take offense.
The youngest lady of Cheongryong Palace had an odd aversion to being called cute or pretty.
If only she didn’t look so endearing when she dressed like this…….
“It is nothing, miss. Merely that the hem of your skirt seems to be dragging somewhat…….”
“Oh, really?”
In her past life, Aran had rarely worn formal garments like this.
Taking the Cheongsa Order member’s observation as fact, she seized the hem of her skirt with her small hands and gathered it up high.
As the skirt suddenly shortened, Aran became all the more endearing in appearance.
Each member of the Cheongsa Order pressed their lips firmly shut.
Aran, trailed by a handful of Cheongsa Order members like shadows, bounded forward to the front of Hyeonmoo Palace’s carriage with what she fancied was a dignified stride.
Of course, that was her own impression; to others, it merely looked as though she were earnestly moving her small feet along in an endearing scurry.
Just as Hyeonmoo Palace’s Heuksae Order was assuming a guarded posture at the arrival of their small visitor, Aran, feigning ignorance, raised her voice and asked,
“Um, why is the road blocked like this? What’s happened?”
Even in the midst of the commotion, it was only a thin, childish voice that could barely be heard.
The Cheongsa Order hesitated whether to interject, when suddenly the carriage door of Hyeonmoo Palace swung open and someone tumbled out.
“Aran……!”
The boy who emerged was a head or two taller than when Aran had last seen him.
Aran looked up at Tae-o, who had grown so much she hardly recognized him, with eyes wide in surprise.
“Tae-o.”
Tae-o grinned brightly and took Aran’s hand.
“I didn’t think we’d get to meet this soon. What’s this—why did you come looking so cute?”
Tae-o fiddled with the Hair Ornament atop Aran’s head with his free hand.
“Um, that’s…….”
After all, even Aran found this outfit unfamiliar, so what must Tae-o think? And yet——
“Never mind that. Your carriage is blocking the road, and people are waiting all the way back there. What in the world are you doing parked here?”
When Aran asked, Tae-o’s expression darkened and he averted his gaze.
“They’re telling me I have to wear this Control Device for my Supernatural Ability.”
“What? You came here not knowing you were supposed to wear it?”
As Aran homed in on the crux of the matter, Tae-o gave a slight shake of his head.
“I’d heard something about it, but I never knew it would feel this bad. The bracelet touching my skin feels strange. It’s cold and it hurts.”
It made sense.
To suppress the use of Supernatural Ability, the Meridian System had to be compressed as much as possible, so the child had no choice but to feel stifled and uncomfortable.
Then, from Hyeonmoo Palace’s carriage, a large man with hair streaked here and there with gray, neatly tied back, stepped out slowly.
With merely the straightening of his previously bent frame, he commanded the presence to dominate those assembled.
The Heuksae Order members guarding the carriage quickly stepped back, and then a low voice rang out.
“So you’re Aran.”
Aran realized he was the Hyeonmoo Lord and quickly brought her hands together, bowing her head.
“Your Lordship, it’s an honor to meet you. I’m Aran, the youngest of the Cheongryong family.”
The Hyeonmoo Lord looked down at her with dark eyes that revealed little emotion, then offered the faintest hint of a smile.
“Yes, I’ve heard much about you.”
He then swept that faint smile away in an instant and turned to pressure his youngest son.
“So, Tae-o—will you enter the Imperial Palace with Aran, or do you prefer to return to Hyeonmoo Palace as things stand?”
On the Lord’s wrist already sat a golden Control Device.
Could something as simple as a bracelet truly contain the Lord’s Supernatural Ability completely?
It seemed unlikely to Aran.
But the Imperial Palace was the Emperor’s domain, and the Emperor was the only human who could command the Divine Beast Families through imperial decree.
So the Control Device was, symbolically at least, a means of demonstrating the Divine Beast Families’ obedience.
Aran watched Tae-o bite his lower lip in frustration and clicked her tongue inwardly.
But if a great Phoenix couldn’t manage a single child, that would be pathetic.
“Tae-o, are you really planning to leave me here alone?”
She feigned surprise, and Tae-o flinched, torn with conflict.
“But… you said we could spend a week together, and I was really looking forward to it……”
Aran heaved a long sigh.
“Sigh, if you’re not here, I suppose I’ll have to look around the other Divine Beast Palaces to find some decent friends……”
Then Tae-o asked hurriedly.
“What? If you find decent kids, then what? You’re going to spend time with them instead?”
Aran wanted to roll her eyes, but she pretended to consider it carefully instead.
“I didn’t want to, but if you’re not here, I’ll get bored. Maybe I’ll have to do that…?”
Tae-o finally made a pitiful face and abandoned his stubbornness.
“…… Fine, I’ll do it.”
Aran suppressed the urge to shake her head and respectfully extended her hand toward the Lord.
“If you’ll give me the Control Device, I’ll put it on Tae-o for you.”
“You will do so?”
The Lord asked with a gentle smile, and with a slight nod, a shadow-like man appeared from behind and presented the golden Control Device.
Since Aran also possessed a Supernatural Ability, she was just as reluctant to touch the object, but she carefully reached out anyway.
The moment her fingers made contact, a sharp, unpleasant sensation shot through her hand and up to the crown of her head.
Aran held her breath steady and turned to look at Tae-o.
“Give me your hand.”
I’m sorry.
But you know I need your help.
Aran reluctantly fastened the Control Device around Tae-o’s wrist.
“See you again, Tae-o.”

***

Moments later, the Cheongryong family’s carriage finally passed through the Yellow Dragon Gate.
As soon as Cheongun put on his Control Device, the armored Imperial Guard members handed over three more devices.
Cheongun raised one hand in refusal.
“I’ve brought only the youngest members, and none of them possess a Supernatural Ability.”
Indeed, Cheonghui and Cheongsuyeon had been tasked with defending Cheongryong Palace and couldn’t accompany this procession.
In the end, the official in charge came forward and asked with an awkward expression.
“Your Lordship, it is difficult for us to sense each individual’s Supernatural Ability, so we follow the principle that all direct lineage members of a Divine Beast Family must wear a Control Device. However, please understand that if a Supernatural Ability has not yet manifested, the Control Device likewise cannot function, so we hope you won’t take offense.”
The official spoke carefully and held out two more Control Devices.
“Your youngest daughter does not appear to carry the blood of the direct lineage—have I observed correctly?”
He seemed to believe he was showing considerable flexibility in an attempt not to upset Cheongun.
“…… That’s right.”
In the end, the twins put on their Control Devices, while Aran alone entered the Imperial Palace empty-handed.
“Phew.”
It was a blessing her hair wasn’t blue.
Contrary to everyone’s expectations that she’d come to see the sights of the Imperial Palace or meet the Phoenix Palace family, Aran had come here with a purpose.
The Divine Beast Ceremony, held every three years, was a thanksgiving ritual offered to the Divine Beasts who loved this land and sent their descendants to protect it.
It was a grand occasion where representatives from each Divine Beast Palace—hundreds of them—came to the Imperial Palace.
Aran had come to this bustling palace with the intention of eliminating Je Geon-u, the seed of discord, during that very event.
And for that, she needed a Supernatural Ability.

***

Since carriages were forbidden within the Imperial Palace, everyone had dismounted and was walking toward the Guest Hall
(a wing reserved for visitors)
when it happened.
Aran caught her breath as she felt a familiar presence approaching from the opposite direction.
It was unmistakably Phoenix drawing near.
The Strangely Suspicious Duckling of House Cheongryong – Chapter 38
E-book Release Date | August 5, 2026

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

UCI | G720:N+A101-20260722065.0038
Cover Price | 100 won

ⓒ Ravioli 2026

This e-book is a copyrighted work protected under copyright law.
This e-book is published under contract with the author and may not be reprinted, reproduced, distributed, or shared without the written consent of 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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