Ex Rank Supporting Role’s Replay in a Prestigious School

“You’re not late. You must be looking around the palace.”

“Yes! I went around because the Dragon Palace was so cool and the energy I felt from it was really good.”

“I’m glad our candidates took a liking for the palace. Sit down, I want to start with the banquet now.”

Hwangryong welcomed the bright Yoon Yeorang.

The dragon talks smoothly so there’s no choice but to like him.

When the two other candidates waved to Yoon Yeorang, she asked the Dragon Palace shaman who was about to leave.

“Unnie, would you like to take a seat?”

“Why would I… N-no, no thank you.”

I don’t know what in the world they went through, but she must’ve suffered quite a bit from being caught up in Yoon Yeorang’s expedition around the palace.

The shaman responded rather emotionally before refining her words.

The candidness felt refreshing perhaps because everyone only showed courtesy and politeness in front of the guests.

The shaman wearing yellow moved away from Yoon Yeorang and joined her fellow shamans.

However, the others didn’t react that much.

‘Shouldn’t they ask what happened at least?’

It’s only natural to be curious why the candidate Yoon Yeorang would ask her to sit with them.

Although the Dragon Palace shamans were indeed less talkative than the Dragon King shamans, their reaction was too static.

The atmosphere seemed to have become colder after that particular shaman arrived.

It’s difficult to conclude, but I could guess what’s happening.

‘The shamans are like stale water. There must be an old conflict between them.’

Perhaps the shaman caught by Yoon Yeorang is someone who doesn’t fit in well with the others.

It’s strange that she’d waste a lot of time with the young human, even if all the shamans in the Dragon Palace are also traitors.

Though, if the shaman that Yoon Yeorang dragged along is a traitor, it makes sense if she’s ostracized.

“We must be thinking the same thing, Euishin-ah.”

“Probably.”

Yong Jegun saw my gaze and murmured.

I only observed them through reflections in cups and water, but Yong Jegun’s ghost-like vision caught it.

“I’ll be watching.”

That’s a good thing.

There’s a limit to what I can see.

I decided to leave Yong Jegun to watch the Dragon Palace shamans.

On the other hand, Kim Shinrok is still out of it since Jeokho and Cheongryong’s bragging contest was still going on.

It’s not good to have him do nothing in the enemy camp, but it will be difficult for him to move right now so I decided to leave him alone.

When all the guests sat down and the diligent Unryongs finished maintaining their seats, Hwangryong stood at the center of the pavilion.

“The shamans who visited the Dragon Palace said they would sing for our precious guests. This will be the last time we’ll hear a song from the shaman Yoohwang. Like the guests, I too am in luck.”

Hwangryong spoke as he took a few steps to make eye contact with all the guests.

His kind eyes and voice, ignorant of the betrayal of the shamans, contained nothing but joy and gladness.

A yellow cloud rose when Hwangryong stepped back after his speech.

Soon, the yellow clouds were obscured by five-colored clouds.

Hwangryong and the yellow cloud disappeared, revealing Yoohwang, Nok, Byeok, Ja, and Hong.

The shamans walked out of the clouds.

A subtle energy wave rose as Yoohwang sang the first verse.

‘It’s different from the song I heard before.’

When I first visited the Red Lion building, the shamans used the Dragon King’s power through a song to heal me.

Their purpose now is different, so the song is also different.

After Yoohwang sang a few lines alone, the other shamans continued.

The sight was spectacular as the energy rose through their song.

I would’ve enjoyed it if I was gullible.

“Woah… is that energy wave from the Dragon King?”

“It’s a beautiful song. I feel like my ears are clearing up.”

The candidates were moved and applauded at the end of the song.

The dragons and the tigers also praised them with smiles, hiding their true feelings.

On behalf of the dragons and the guests, Cheongryong said something in praise.

“Amazing. I wish the Dragon King had heard this song himself.”

There was a thorn in Cheongryong’s words.

He must think that the Dragon King’s absence is related to the shamans.

Yoohwang, wearing yellow cotton yarn, responded to Cheongryong.

“I’m overpraised. I’m sure the Dragon King was listening. Even if we can’t see him, he’s always with us.”

Those who follow the Dragon King might be moved by that humble remark.

But my head felt iced.

Cheongryong’s expression upon hearing Yoohwang’s words didn’t collapse, but he must be suffering inside.

Hwangryong, who reappeared after the performance, watched the conversation with satisfaction and added a word.

“I also live with the idea that the Dragon King is always around. I’m sure he was happy to hear your song.”

“I hope so.”

“Cheongryong, are you sad that you can’t see the Dragon King? He’ll be sure to show up once the test begins. For now, I will open a long-sealed bottle of alcohol for our guests. I want to make a toast.”

Hwangryong offered drinks without knowing what Cheongryong was feeling.

Hwangryong opened a bottle of wine that had been aged for years, and Cheongryong willingly received it.

From there, the adults took sips of their alcohol.

I can’t tell because I didn’t take a drink, but it must be a strong and delicious alcohol judging from their expressions.

The underage shamans and I were offered non-alcoholic drinks.

“That song is for the Dragon King…?”

Long after the end of the song, Yoon Yeorang, who had been in a daze, murmured.

Her words to herself were buried by the banquet, but it remained in my memory.

‘I don’t think we’re the only one who’s getting information while staying at the palace. Does Yoon Yeorang know more now than she did in PMH?’

No banquet like this was held in PMH.

Hwangryong was less talkative and less relaxed than he is now.

He couldn’t hold a banquet because it hadn’t been long since Yong Jegun’s funeral.

Yoon Yeorang didn’t have time to explore the Dragon Palace, and even if she did, it’s less likely that Hwangryong would allow it.

Because of that, there was a limit to the information that Yoon Yeorang obtained, even if she was the most outstanding candidate who saw the Dragon King in her dreams.

“I see there’s some food prepared by the guests. When did they do that? Can I taste it?”

“Of course, Hwangryong. It’s not every day you get the chance to eat food from land. We wanted to treat you too.”

It was a banquet hosted by Hwangryong, but when the atmosphere was ripe, the guests also contributed.

Among the five dragons that Cheongryong brought with him was someone with excellent cooking skills, so he demonstrated it for those who lived in the palace.

Another dragon who coached Yeom Junyeol’s live dragon show recreated it.

“This reminds me of Junyeol’s Hongryong. Junyeol has grown a lot I’m sure it’s thanks to you dragons’ teachings.”

Hwangryong was greatly pleased with what the dragons prepared.

In consideration, although the Unryongs did most of the preparation, people expressed joy and gratitude toward Hwangryong.

“I prepared this place to welcome you. Rather, I was treated.”

Hwangryong’s face was flushed, perhaps from joy or from the alcohol.

Suddenly, clouds rose in Hwangryong’s hand and a flute appeared.

It was a black flue that looked like it was carved from black clay.

Cheongryong asked in amazement when he saw the flute.

“Are you going to play, Hwangryong?”

“That’s right. I’ll play a song in return.”

All the dragons were surprised so maybe it’s rare for Hwangryong to play.

The lively pavilion quickly became silent when Hwangryong took the flute to his mouth.

All the Unryong also stopped moving and watched Hwangryong.

‘It’s a sweet sound.’

The song played by Hwangryong was the same one sung by the shamans.

In terms of technique and direction, the shamans’ voices would’ve been better, but I liked Hwangryong’s performance more.

Cheongryong also praised him with more emotions than earlier.

“That was a great performance.”

“It’s not at all close to Heukryong’s.”

“I like your performance better than that cold dragon’s. Though it’s a pity that I haven’t heard that dragon’s performance after he ascended.”

It’s said that Heukryong taught Hwangryong how to play the flute.

Heukryong left his flute to Hwangryong before ascending.

‘Did Heukryong stop playing after he ascended?’

The center of everyone’s conversations became Heukryong.

It was usually Cheongryong and Hwangryong who spoke, but everyone felt free enough to ask questions now.

Among them was Yoon Yeorang, the shaman most interested in exploring the palace.

“No one is using the Black Dragon Palace. Is there a reason why?”

“Nothing in particular, it’s just…”

Hwangryong’s gaze turned to the Black Dragon Palace in the north.

Black energy waves were rising there because of Heukryong’s influence, but perhaps because the whole palace is bright…

It just looked dark.

“It’s because Heukryong deals with cold air. The Black Dragon Palace is very cold. The sea is already a cold place.”

Among the five colors, black represents the north.

North is usually associated with cold and winter.

Hyunmoo, the Black Auspicious Beast, is also known to deal with cold air.

‘Come to think of it, Hyunmoo’s place was pretty cold too.’

I met Hyunmoo during the summer vacation.

I didn’t feel uncomfortable because it was hot in the summer, but his place might be too cold in the winter.

As he stared at the Black Dragon Palace, Hwangryong spoke again.

“Heukryong doesn’t feel cold so he always sprayed cold air. Everyone was reluctant to set foot on the Black Dragon Palace, except maybe for Cheongryong who can handle water well.”

“I didn’t really go visit either,”

Cheongryong spoke in a tone full of longing.

After pondering for a while, Hwangryong took his eyes off the Black Dragon Palace.

His gaze then landed on the tigers.

“There’s something I wanted to ask related to Heukryong.”

Hwangryong was looking at Jeokho.

“The Tiger Clan has tigers representing the same five colors. You’re called Hwangho, Baekho, Jeokho, and Cheongho, correct?”

“There is Eunho too.”

“Yes, I know that. You have yellow, white, red, and blue. But why is there no black?”

The five colors represent the five directions.

Yellow in the center, white in the west, red in the south, blue in the east, and black in the north.

The five palaces of the Dragon Palace are also composed of these five colors.

The Tiger Clan has four out of five of those colors.

Hwangho, Baekho, Jeokho, and Cheongho.

There must be a reason why he suddenly brought that up while we were talking about Heukryong.

Soon, Jeokho answered.

“You’re asking why there is no Heukho among the Tiger Clan?”

“That’s right.”

Hwangryong nodded.

Support Ex-Rank