I Became the Owner of the Heavenly Flower Palace-Chapter 26: Dragon-Heaven Sword Art

Maybe it was just a coincidence.

But in the very moment the Oracle’s voice felt unbearably sweet, that man’s voice echoed vividly in Jincheon’s ear.

“You’re responsible for your own life. Stop playing around and try doing something. No one’s going to live it for you in this harsh world, so don’t regret it later. Understand?”

Right now, the Oracle was telling him that all the burdens of life were an exception for the Red Dragon.

But what that man said was right.

No one lives your life for you.

In the end, regret, responsibility, pride, and fulfillment—every one of them—falls on your own shoulders.

And Jincheon had seen it clearly.

That the Red Dragon, who was supposed to make the world more beautiful and forgiving, would eventually end up stabbed and full of regret.

“If you go through it yourself and still learn nothing—are you even human?”

Jincheon let out a bitter smile without realizing it.

“Well, I mean... got it. I guess.”

It was a vague reply, but the Oracle knew it was a refusal.

“O Red Dragon,”

she said, her tone slightly disappointed.

“If that is your decision, then so it shall be.”

With a soft smile on her lips, she looked like a single, serene flower in bloom.

Jincheon silently clicked his tongue.

‘A moment ago she looked like a seductress...’

Now she looked like something out of an old myth—a celestial maiden.

She really was a woman of a thousand faces.

Clearing his throat to change the subject, Jincheon said,

“Come to think of it, this place... has a lot of interesting people.”

He used “interesting” instead of calling them pretty or beautiful, but the Oracle caught on and gave a quiet laugh.

“Yes. Aren’t they all lovely? Must be the bloodline. Heavenly Valley originally comes from the distant West, you know.”

“The West?”

“Yes. Far beyond the great desert, there’s a city called ‘Half the World.’ I think they call it Pasara now.”

Jincheon’s eyes widened.

If it was Pasara, that was practically the other end of the world.

“Heavenly Valley came from Pasara?”

“Oh no, not recently. They settled here back when the rivers still ran blue and the Empire was still grand.”

‘Huh?’

Jincheon considered himself fairly well-read, but he couldn’t make heads or tails of what she meant.

“What do you mean by that...?”

“Would you show me the Wrath?”

Showing it wasn’t difficult.

He already had it in one hand.

Swish.

Jincheon extended his hand.

The Oracle stared silently at the red orb.

Though her eyes were hidden, Jincheon sensed a certain heaviness in her expression.

Rustle.

Her pale hand reached toward the orb.

Jincheon instinctively tried to pull away, but her hand had already gripped his.

“Uh, wait...”

Her small hands cupped Jincheon’s hand, which held the red orb.

And then her white forehead gently touched his hand.

“To the Master of the Heavenly Flame Palace, Lord of the Heavenly Valley, and rightful heir of the Ten Heavenlies...”

Without him noticing, she had knelt on one knee, whispering with her forehead resting on his hand wrapped around the orb.

Each word she spoke brushed her breath against his skin.

“I, the nameless priestess bound to the Celestial Dragon Spring, offer you my love and truth.”

Her soft, delicate voice flowed from her crimson lips.

The phrasing of her vow was unlike any of the others.

“Though I offer you my love, do not call me to your bed.”

Smiling gently, she continued,

“My fragile body cannot endure the vigorous acts of carnal union between man and woman.”

“Kuhk.”

Jincheon choked again at the blunt obscenity.

The Oracle’s eyes still weren’t visible.

But he could clearly see the shimmer of tears welling at their corners.

Something in his chest tightened.

“I...”

He was about to ask something—

Crunch.

Suddenly, he heard footsteps and turned his head.

Three unfamiliar women were walking toward them.

Rustle.

They immediately knelt on one knee and lowered their heads.

Their robes resembled the Oracle’s—simple, long garments with muted patterns, like something from a Taoist temple.

Jincheon watched them silently, then looked back down at the Oracle.

“Who are they?”

He asked as he gently pulled his hand away.

The Oracle, still touching his hand, let out a sigh of regret before standing up.

“They are Soryeon, Hwarin, and Hyanghwa. Three divine attendants who assist me alongside the hundred priestesses. Together, they are called the Three Divine Maidens.”

So means white, Hyeon means black, and Chae represents all colors.

Like the Seven Luminaries, the Three Divine Maidens’ names seemed symbolic.

The three women bowed their heads and spoke in unison, quietly:

“I am Soryeon, the Pale Maiden. I offer the Red Dragon my love and truth.”

“I am Hwarin, the Black Maiden. I offer the Red Dragon my love and truth.”

“I am Hyanghwa, the Colored Maiden. I offer the Red Dragon my love and truth.”

“Ah, yes. I...”

Jincheon began to respond instinctively, but stopped.

Maybe it was because of the Oracle’s earlier warning, but saying his name now felt uncomfortable. Wasn’t the name meaningless to the Red Dragon?

And claiming the title of Red Dragon out loud felt awkward, too. So he mumbled,

“It’s a pleasure to meet you. You may rise.”

He even changed his tone of speech.

The women rose silently, but kept their gazes slightly lowered, not meeting Jincheon’s eyes.

Jincheon turned to the Oracle again.

“So you do work, huh?”

She had just said the Three Divine Maidens assisted her.

The Oracle pouted.

“My, that’s rude. Do you have any idea how much I do around here?”

She looked to the three women and added,

“Thank you. Without you, I’d probably be dead by now.”

“You honor us too much.”

“Not at all.”

“We’re glad to be of help.”

Each woman responded in turn.

“You’re sweet. Oh, right.”

The Oracle clapped her hands together.

“This is a good chance. Why don’t you show the Red Dragon the Dragon-Heaven Sword Art?”

The one most startled by her suggestion was Jincheon.

“What? Now?”

He had been curious, sure—but that didn’t mean he wanted to see it right away.

“I mean, I...”

“Come on now, quickly. You’re busy, remember? Let’s get started.”

Before Jincheon could say another word, the three women had already taken their positions in a triangle formation.

Shrring.

They drew their swords.

The blades were inscribed with patterns—it looked like the kind of ceremonial sword used in rituals. But Jincheon hadn’t even noticed they were carrying swords at all.

Where did they even pull those from?

While Jincheon puzzled over that, the three blades began slicing through the air.

Shhhk.

Oh.

He was seeing swordplay for the first time.

But their sword technique didn’t feel sharp or threatening—it felt beautiful, graceful.

Maybe it was like the Oracle said—less a martial art and more a sword dance.

The way their movements flowed like water, the elegant lines they traced—it was less like watching combat and more like witnessing a living work of art.

Whoom.

The three blades glimmered under the sunlight, painting trails of light.

Three beautiful women—Three Divine Maidens—unleashing an entrancing sword dance. Jincheon couldn’t take his eyes off them.

Then—

“This is the part.”

The Oracle leaned close, whispering beside him.

“If you tilt your head a little and look up from below...”

Without thinking, Jincheon followed her suggestion and lowered his head.

Right then, the three women leapt into the air.

Fwoosh.

Their garments fluttered like flower petals.

“You can see their calves.”

“Kuhk.”

Jincheon jerked his head away almost on reflex.

But the image of those pale, bare calves was already burned into his memory.

“What the hell are you making me look at...”

“They’re pretty, aren’t they?”

The Oracle’s bold justification left Jincheon unable to argue.

And at the same time, he was certain:

This woman is... strange.

She was a kind of person Jincheon couldn’t begin to understand.

Before he knew it, the Three Divine Maidens had finished their sword dance, and the Oracle clapped enthusiastically.

“So pretty. Truly beautiful. That was perfect. Just perfect!”

She showered them with praise, but Jincheon couldn’t bring himself to do the same.

When he looked up, the women were standing demurely again as if nothing had happened.

The swords were already hidden behind their backs.

“How was it? Beautiful, right? They did great, didn’t they? I bet you could learn it quickly too.”

The Oracle asked with sparkling eyes.

Jincheon had no intention of learning it—but it was well done.

He nodded and turned to the three attendants.

“That was... no, it was truly impressive. Thank you for showing me the sword technique.”

Praising an art was considered basic etiquette for a scholar.

But since he didn’t know much, and simply saying it was “well done” might cause a misunderstanding, he made sure to refer specifically to their “sword technique.”

The three attendants bowed respectfully to express their gratitude for the compliment.

“Good girls. You may all return now...”

As she spoke, the Oracle turned to Jincheon.

“That’s alright, isn’t it?”

“Ah. Yes.”

He wasn’t sure why she was asking that, but he nodded anyway.

The Three Divine Maidens gave a final bow to Jincheon, then slowly stepped back.

Soon, they vanished into the underbrush.

“They’re all really sweet. And seriously, they are beautiful, you know?”

Jincheon gave a wry smile.

“And you told me not to call anyone beautiful so casually?”

“Yes. Saying that means you’re allowed to take them to your bed.”

He still wasn’t used to her shameless remarks.

“But do give me some notice. It’s tough without them around. Especially during the season when lots of babies are born—sometimes even the hundred ✧ NоvеIight ✧ (Original source) priestesses aren’t enough.”

He assumed the priestesses must also serve as midwives.

As Jincheon was thinking that, the Oracle spoke again.

“Have you found the answer you were looking for?”

“What answer?”

“You were wondering, weren’t you? Whether you really are the Red Dragon.”

Jincheon flinched.

But he answered quietly.

“...I still don’t know.”

“And even when I, the Oracle, say you are?”

“Words don’t count as proof.”

“But words can bind people. And people are power. You’ve practically taken control of Heavenly Valley already.”

Maybe she was right.

But the situation was too uncertain, too precarious to believe her outright.

If evidence ever emerged—evidence even they were unaware of—that proved Jincheon wasn’t the Red Dragon, would they still obey his command?

Would they understand that he was forced into the role, that he had no intention of deceiving anyone, and let him go peacefully?

Not a chance.

Their loyalty was passionate, but blind.

Like a cult. And if the figure they believed to be their “god” turned out to be a fraud, their faith would instantly flip into hatred.

A chill ran through Jincheon.

The Oracle—this beautiful woman—only spoke so kindly because she believed him to be the Red Dragon.

If he wasn’t, he probably wouldn’t even be allowed to look at her. A smile or a kind word would be completely out of the question.

So all of this wasn’t for Jincheon.

This chapter is updat𝙚d by freeweɓnovel.cøm.

It was for the Red Dragon.

Because he wasn’t the Red Dragon, Jincheon could see that all the more clearly.

“Oracle...”

“Please, speak comfortably. The attendants and I exist for you alone.”

Jincheon hesitated.

“...Comfortably, you say.”

Honestly, the speech itself wasn’t the hard part. It was just the first step that was difficult.

“...Fine.”

The Oracle smiled.

Jincheon did his best to ignore that enchanting smile and asked,

“Why do you want me to stay here, Oracle? Why do you want it so badly?”

She sighed as if caught off guard.

“You saw right through me. That puts me at a disadvantage.”

Jincheon waited calmly for her answer.

“If I say it’s because the Red Dragon must be here, you won’t buy that, will you?”

Jincheon nodded. He wasn’t asking to hear some obvious line.

“Well... if I had to put it into a metaphor...”

She paused thoughtfully.

“Maybe it’s like a mother trying to find a new father for her kids after losing their dad. Preferably a young, healthy one.”

Jincheon was speechless.

He’d lost count of how many times already.

“What kind of metaphor is that...”

“It just means I’m that desperate. Oh, and don’t call me to your bed. I told you, didn’t I?”

“I won’t. I mean—I shan’t.”

Grinding his teeth, Jincheon gave his reply. The Oracle giggled.

That smile was devastatingly charming.