The Fragile Elixer of the Fallen Clan

The Sammae Jin Fire is a technique only top-level masters can use, creating fire from their bare hands. Of course, Jeong-yeong, who was still a fresh bodyguard, couldn’t possibly do it.

“No, it was just a joke…”

“I’m sorry I haven’t reached that level yet…”

“No, it’s okay.”

“Is it really a phoenix?” Hwa-ryun asked, and everyone fell silent.

Up until now, talking about it being a phoenix was half-joking, half-serious. But after seeing such a strange phenomenon, it was hard to keep joking.

‘Could it really be a phoenix?’

“No, even if it is a phoenix… How could a chicken we raised suddenly turn into a phoenix? They’re not the same. Birds are not all the same, right?”

I had an idea, though. Energy, when accumulated, can turn creatures into spiritual beings. And I had fed it my energy, channeling waves of it from my body. But the others didn’t know that. Even the idea that I had made a phoenix was just a joke from Hwa-ryun.

“That’s true… Maybe this place has good energy?” Hwa-ryun muttered. He didn’t seem to fully believe that I had created a phoenix.

‘But if that’s the case…’ I swallowed hard.

I had considered methods of transferring my energy to others, including the idea of raising a spiritual creature and then consuming its essence. But I never imagined a chicken turning into a phoenix.

‘That’s impossible, right?’

But imagining it seriously—like eating Heukwol’s inner elixir—wasn’t as easy as it sounded. How could I even think of consuming something I had raised with care and affection? It was hard enough to say goodbye.

‘The plan to consume the spiritual creature’s inner elixir is canceled,’ I decided, looking back several times as we descended the mountain. The glow of the “phoenix” still flickered beyond the trees. Jeong-yeong, leading us down, also glanced back several times, his face showing how stunned he was.

“Do you think our Heukwol will be alright?” I asked.

“Wherever it goes, it’s likely to be a king,” Hwa-ryun replied.

“Still… Never mind, let’s hurry up.” I forced myself to push down the emptiness in my chest and picked up the pace. As Hwa-ryun said, we needed to get off the mountain quickly.

‘The speed at which my energy is filling up…’

Ever since we started climbing, I felt like I was suffocating because of the energy. The status screen had told me that the speed at which my energy was replenishing had greatly increased.

[Energy: 45]

[Hint: In places where nature breathes, energy fills up faster.]

In my past life, I tried to retreat to a secluded mountain temple for healing but ended up spitting blood and passing out for this very reason!

‘Ah! Let’s get down! Get down!’

I waved my sleeve, mentally urging the status screen to disappear. Not that it would actually make the numbers go down.

“Huh?”

I stopped and waved my sleeve again. The scenery beyond it hadn’t changed.

“Meow…”

“What?”

“Oh no.”

Under a half-dead tree, amidst the bushes, was a bundle of white fur. Jeong-yeong cautiously approached first. I craned my neck to see what it was.

“A kitten?”

Jeong-yeong used the scabbard of his sword to gently move the bushes, revealing a scrawny little kitten. Its cry was so weak it was almost a chirp.

Dirty white fur, round ears drooping, and blue eyes looking up at me.

“It’s probably too weak and was abandoned,” Jeong-yeong said softly, pity in his voice.

“What should we do?” I asked, feeling sorry for it. The kitten struggled to move closer to my hand.

“Oh no…”

Startled by the kitten’s sudden approach, I moved back, causing it to cry out even more pitifully. Its tiny, frail body looked too weak to even meow properly.

“Ah…”

I looked between Jeong-yeong, Hwa-ryun, and the kitten with a distressed expression.

“Can we just leave it here?” I asked.

“It’ll die if we do,” Jeong-yeong said in a sorrowful tone. I looked down at the kitten, which had snuggled up to my foot.

“Oh dear…”

“Just leave it be.”

“Even if we take it with us, it probably won’t survive long,” Hwa-ryun’s voice was colder than I’d ever heard. Startled, I turned to look at him. He grabbed my hand and pulled it away from the kitten.

“You couldn’t even let a chicken go without coming all the way here and crying about it. What will you do if this kitten dies after you’ve taken care of it?”

His words were harsh, but I knew he was trying to consider my feelings. With a sad expression, I hardened my resolve.

“You’re right… I suppose it can’t be helped.”

“What?” Hwa-ryun’s eyebrows shot up as I gently picked up the kitten.

“But I can’t just leave it to die here,” I said softly. “If it really doesn’t make it later, then I’ll deal with it then.”

“And what if it dies? What will you do then?”

“I’ll cry and grieve, of course.” 

Hwa-ryun’s eyebrows furrowed, and he pouted.

“Do what you want. When you cry your eyes out, I’ll be sure to tease you.”

“Ryun-ah, a true friend would offer comfort, not tease. And don’t say things like that; it’s bad luck.”

“You’ve already named it?” He sighed as I carefully started to descend the mountain, the kitten snuggled into my sleeve.

‘I think it’s getting better now that I’ve given it some of my energy…’

“Hey, watch where you’re going! You need to look ahead, not at the kitten! Sister! Sister! Look ahead!”

“I’m looking! I’m looking!”

* * *

I blinked my eyes wide, listening to the servants whispering ahead.

“A phoenix appeared! Is it true? Did you see it?”

“Of course I saw it! That’s why everyone’s in such an uproar! I nearly fainted!”

“A phoenix at the Danmok family estate. Isn’t this a sign that we’ll become the greatest family in the land?”

“Don’t get ahead of yourself. You might jinx it.”

“Can’t I say anything? Does everything I say turn out badly?”

“You fool! Remember the last time when you kept saying we’d succeed in the exams, and how did that turn out?”

“That was… Fine, I’ll shut up.”

Everyone in the family was talking about the phoenix. Even Nanny Jang was excited!

“My goodness, a phoenix appeared, Miss. It must be here to bless you and ensure your safe growth,” Nanny Jang said in a gentle tone, seeing my dirt-covered clothes and remembering how she laughed at me playing in the garden earlier that morning.

“…A phoenix? Really?”

“Yes. All the family members saw its golden feathers glistening in the morning sun,” Nanny Jang said.

“…Everyone saw it?” I tried to say something, but stopped myself. Glancing at Jeong-yeong, who had returned to his post, I saw him biting his lip.

“Yes. I heard the whole town is buzzing about it. But… Oh my! What’s this?” Nanny Jang’s eyes widened as she noticed the white kitten in my arms. In the time since we’d found it, I had cleaned it up and fed it.

“Oh, Nanny. It’s a kitten abandoned by its parents. I’m going to take care of it.” I couldn’t help but worry that this kitten might turn into a spiritual creature like Heukwol, but for now, I was more concerned about keeping it alive. I’d even given it some of my energy to help.

Nanny Jang tilted her head. “Is that… really a kitten?”

“Yes! Yes!” I nodded energetically. Nanny Jang looked puzzled for a moment, then smiled.

‘Of course, it’s a kitten. It’s not like it could be a tiger, right?’ I thought. The idea of a phoenix appearing in the morning and a white tiger showing up in my arms was too ridiculous.

“Take good care of it. Without you, it might not survive,” she said, and I nodded in agreement.

* * *

Even Mister Jeon in the kitchen couldn’t stop talking about the phoenix. He seemed to have completely forgotten about the chicken we lost. But amidst all the commotion, children always have their own priorities.

“Sister, sister!”

The door quietly opened, and two young children crawled in on their knees, trying not to be noticed by the adults.

“Bi-ah, Ryun-ah, you’re here?”

My younger siblings, Dan Mok-bi and Hwa-ryun, quickly climbed onto my bed and hugged me tightly.

“Sister, Uncle gave us dragon beard candy for learning our characters well today.”

“Really? Did you enjoy it?” Mok-bi nodded eagerly and pulled something out from his clothes. He unwrapped a thin cloth to reveal three pieces of white dragon beard candy, neatly arranged. The delicate threads of sugar had been carefully spun and wrapped.