Chapter 12.2

Chapter 12.2

Although he was the most annoying person in the universe, Seok-kyung’s looks were undeniably attractive.

“See? He’s amazing, right? Honestly, even other goblins would fall for him.”

Cheong-seon laughed heartily again.

“Hong-seon and I aren’t exactly unattractive, but compared to our Geumsang Jeonha, we’re nothing. Like a drop in the ocean, a grain of sand on the beach, or a single hair on a cow.”

Cheong-seon praised Seok-kyung’s looks to the skies, even using idioms. Then he suddenly lowered his voice and cupped his hand around his mouth.

“But do you know why?”

“What?”

“Do you know why our Geumsang Jeonha has such an exceptionally radiant appearance? Aren’t you curious?”

Ara found herself drawn into Cheong-seon’s words without realizing it. His eloquent and resonant voice had a way of captivating listeners.

“I’m curious. Why is that?”

Ara lowered her voice and asked.

“Ara, don’t play along with Lee Cheong-seon.”

Seok-kyung interjected, warning her.

But Ara, mirroring Cheong-seon’s boldness, ignored Seok-kyung’s words. Even when a long, deep sigh was heard, she pretended not to notice.

“Indeed. You’re the only human our Princess Baekseol acknowledges.”

Cheong-seon, clearly pleased with Ara, gave her a thumbs-up. Then he cleared his throat and adjusted his voice.

“Ara, do you know the term ‘Yeonwon’ (淵源)?”

“Um… like in ‘tracing the origin,’ that Yeonwon?”

“Exactly. Yeonwon means the origin of something. All goblins are born from objects that have absorbed their owner’s *soul and blood, so we call the owner our Yeonwon. We inherit our surname from our Yeonwon because they are the source that brought us into the world.”

*The rule is if people keep calling you back and keep your soul on earth, and your soul/spirit inhabits an object that has a touch of human blood on it, then the spirit will become a goblin.

“Ah…”

Ara nodded in understanding.

She recalled reading something similar in a book when she was young. It mentioned that objects touched by human hands or stained with blood for a long time could become goblins.

“My Yeonwon is Yi Hang-bok of the Oseong family. My original form is the blue fan he used. That’s why my name is Cheong-seon (靑扇).”

“Wow. I never would have guessed. An artifact from a historical figure.”

Ara’s eyes sparkled with genuine admiration.

Since Cheong-seon’s original form was a blue fan, it made sense that his hair was bright blue in his human form.

Cheong-seon, encouraged by Ara’s reaction, pointed at Hong-seon with his chopsticks.

“Can you guess who Hong-seon’s Yeonwon is?”

“Hmm…”

“Here’s a hint: Hong-seon and I awakened on the same day. We’re not blood brothers, but we share a strong bond.”

“Could it be… Yi Deok-hyeong?”

“Wow, correct. You must have paid attention in history class.”

Cheong-seon clapped his hands. Ara felt a strange sense of pride and slightly raised her shoulders.

“Hong-seon is the red fan used by Yi Deok-hyeong. That’s why his name is Hong-seon (紅扇).”

Ara glanced at Hong-seon.

Hong-seon, who had been quietly eating, nodded once when he felt Ara’s gaze on him. It seemed to confirm that Cheong-seon’s words were true.

“What about Seol-do?”

Ara turned her attention to Seol-do, who was sitting next to Hong-seon.

“I’m the silver knife of independence activist Nam Yeoh-ho. That’s why I’m called Seol-do (雪刀).”

“Wow…”

Ara’s clear eyes shone with admiration.

Seol-do, with a subtly proud expression, took a big bite of his food.

“Specifically, it’s the knife Nam Yeoh-ho used to cut his finger to write a blood oath. Maybe that’s why I don’t get along with Japanese goblins at all.”

Cheong-seon chuckled as he explained.

Seol-do, who was stuffing his cheeks with side dishes, hurriedly swallowed his food to speak.

“Look who’s talking. You’ve hated the Japanese ever since the Imjin War.”

“Did I ever deny it?”

Cheong-seon shrugged, raising his hands. He then absentmindedly petted Baekseol’s neck, who was busy gnawing on a rib. Baekseol kicked Cheong-seon with her hind leg, signaling him not to disturb her while she was eating.

Ara chuckled but then suddenly turned her gaze forward.

Seok-kyung was focused on his meal, seemingly oblivious to the conversation happening around the table. Seeing his composed face made her even more curious about his origin.

“What about you, Kim Seok-kyung? Seok-kyung (石鏡) means… a mirror?”