One reason for moving the festival earlier was to see the leader of the Rooster Clan in person, so I had gathered some prior information.

The leader of the Rooster Clan, one of the Twelve Zodiac Tribes: Gye Myeongnim.

The sacred white rooster who announced the location of the golden chest where the founder of the Gyelim Dynasty was born and laid to rest.

A legendary national bird of Silla appearing in myths — a mythical Rooster Clan.

By current standards, a being from about two thousand years ago, not quite as old as the five-thousand-year-old tigers, but it wouldn’t be strange to call it a native lord of the Korean Peninsula.

“Moreover, the Rooster Clan was revered not only in Silla but also in the last dynasty as an auspicious presence. They foretold the king’s ascension and even used bronze chicken-shaped censers with rooster patterns at the Jongmyo rites.”

Considering that, their presence remains significant even now, but if they openly reveal themselves, they would surely display the power befitting a mythical Rooster Clan.

Though currently covering their eyes and hair in black, thinking of the name “white rooster,” might they actually be white like a white tiger?

Anyway, the tigers appeared, sparing me the trouble of speaking directly with Gye Myeongnim.

“Jo Yi-shin, did that fighting cock do any harm to you?”

“A fighting cock means a rooster, you know? I’m a hen.”

“Right, you’re a hen.”

“Why do you say that like it’s an insult? By the way, why are you dressed like that?”

“Hah, that’s because you started it... Never mind. You’re impossible to reason with.”

Hearing the conversation between the leaders made me reconsider.

Had the tigers just caused unnecessary trouble?

Maybe the story would have gone faster if Hwang Ji-ho hadn’t been here.

I cleared my thoughts while watching the bickering between the rooster and the tiger.

“I’ve had many questions about the Rooster Clan for a long time.”

Despite being one of the Jin tribes deeply linked with the Korean Peninsula, the Rooster Clan barely appeared in Plmago.

That’s why, despite other pressing issues, I hadn’t tried to investigate the Rooster Clan first.

But if the opportunity arose, there were a few things I wanted to confirm.

Especially as the demon realm scenario approached, and considering the sacred territory status of the Rooster Clan confirmed by Yong Jegun.

“The Rooster Clan’s sacred territory is Gyeryongsan. When Yong Jegun visited it on his own, he mentioned some troubling points.”

There were two things Yong Jegun had noted.

First, there were places within the Rooster Clan’s sacred territory that resisted his presence and showed fear when he tried to approach.

Second, despite their closed-off lifestyle, many wanted to leave Gyeryongsan.

In contrast, the Yang Clan, including their water surface territories, seemed content staying entirely on Jeju Island without leaving.

But the Rooster Clan was different.

In other words, there was a reason the Rooster Clan wanted to leave Gyeryongsan but could not.

During the recent Twelve Zodiac Alliance meeting, Gye Myeongnim used the chat name “酉 [Rooster Flying Outside Gyeryongsan],” but when Seodol admitted spreading a plague on the peninsula, he immediately said he would postpone leaving.

The conversation between Seodol and Gye Myeongnim went like this:

—酉 [Rooster Flying Outside Gyeryongsan]: “This info isn’t confirmed yet, but I need to ask. There’s a rumor about a mysterious plague—is that something from Kkyeodori?”

—子 [This Year’s Best Designer Presidential Awardee Kkyeodori]: “The rumor’s already spreading? Probably yes.”

—酉 [Rooster Flying Outside Gyeryongsan]: “Ah, I’ll have to postpone going outside Gyeryongsan!”

They intended to leave and were prepared, but upon confirming the danger, they changed their minds.

Other leaders were startled by Seodol’s words but none of the tribes restricted their activities.

In fact, compared to that time, some tribes like the Dragon and Primordial tribes have increased contact with outsiders.

Though Seodol’s plague is annoying and intrusive, it’s not a reason to avoid going out or living reclusively.

So, was the Rooster Clan weak or cowardly?

I thought not.

“Gye Myeongnim is the national bird appearing in myths of a kingdom that existed on the peninsula for about a thousand years. It was revered as an auspicious being in subsequent dynasties. There’s no way its power is weak. And...”

Gye Myeongnim was still bickering with Hwang Ji-ho.

If it was a coward, could it verbally spar alone with Hwang Ji-ho in the sacred center of the Tiger Clan’s territory?

And not just Hwang Ji-ho, but also with a white tiger beside him?

No matter how strong a Jin tribe it is, it probably isn’t strong enough to fight both at once at Eun Gwang High.

If it were the leader of the former Primordial or Dragon clans who worked with the mastermind, would they dare be so shameless and bold to argue with tigers?

If it were an unavoidable situation, they’d probably bluff or feign ignorance, but now there was no need.

After organizing my thoughts, I spoke.

“Hello, sorry for the late greeting. You’re the one who gave blessings to Sawol Seyum, right? Nice to meet you.”

“Hmm, unlike others, you have manners. You’re Yi-shin, right? Seyum talks about you a lot. Did she tell you I gave you blessings?”

“No, I heard it from Oh Hyejeong, who introduced me and said you gave me blessings.”

“...She even said that?”

When Oh Hyejeong’s name came up, Gye Myeongnim narrowed their eyes.

Oh Hyejeong is a lady of the Oh family and a fairly skilled player, so it wouldn’t be strange if she had ties with a powerful Jin tribe.

But currently, after breaking off her engagement with Joo Suhyeok, she’s publicly missing and cut ties with her family, entrusting herself to the Sawol family.

Since Oh Hyejeong arranged the blessing between Gye Myeongnim and Sawol Seyum after the Phantom Gate incident, it was natural for Gye Myeongnim to be cautious when that name was suddenly mentioned.

I thought, “Sawol Seyum probably didn’t ❀ Nоvеlігht ❀ (Don’t copy, read here) tell Gye Myeongnim ‘that word.’ Even if they gave blessings back and forth, they’d be careful not to spread my name.”

Between Sawol Seyum and Gye Myeongnim, there was a somewhat strong blessing that even Hwang Ji-ho noticed, but it was weaker compared to what I and the white tiger shared.

It was rare for a Jin tribe to do the crazy thing of engraving their true name.

So Gye Myeongnim couldn’t possibly read Sawol Seyum’s mind, and information about me would be limited.

“Yes, that’s right. I have connections not only with Oh Hyejeong but also with the Tiger Clan. So I know the chat name you used during the Twelve Zodiac Alliance meeting and what you said then.”

“Really? Hwangho, is that true?”

“It’s true.”

Hwang Ji-ho’s sharp reply made Gye Myeongnim look at us in disbelief.

It wasn’t threatening, but a white light flickered in their eyes, as if they were using a skill like “white gaze” to observe me closely.

What followed was very important, so I warned them in advance.

Don’t let others come near.

The white tiger nodded and turned its eyes toward the door.

Fortunately, no one was approaching.

Hwang Ji-ho, sensing something from that glance alone, raised his fingers and cast a barrier.

Golden-colored energy spread like threads, drawing a barrier; Gye Myeongnim frowned but didn’t interfere.

They seemed to recognize it was a barrier only for soundproofing and vision blocking.

“I’ve always wondered how the leader of the Rooster Clan, who rarely ventures outside, got connected with Oh Hyejeong.”

“The Jin tribes have many circumstances. To survive in this world, sometimes you have to get involved with governments or companies. Occasionally, you have no choice but to show your face. That’s how your acquaintances increase. You’d know if you had ties with the Tiger Clan.”

“Yes, I know. But it’s not common to form such a connection to the point of giving blessings to a complete stranger on a mere request.”

Some Jin tribes, like Hwang Ji-ho or Seodol, suddenly demand blessings even if they barely know you, but Gye Myeongnim didn’t seem that type.

Out of curiosity, they didn’t seem the kind to risk their safety.

Proof of that was that Gye Myeongnim couldn’t refute immediately.

I looked into their eyes filled with white energy and said,

“You are the sacred white rooster who informed about the golden chest where the founder Kim Alji sleeps for King Talhae. You see fate. Just as you saw the bond between Talhae and Kim Alji.”

“What are you trying to say?”

“Is your closeness with Oh Hyejeong because you saw the connection with the Sawol family?”

Oh Hyejeong and Sawol Seyum liked each other very much.

Though Seyum denies it fiercely, according to her, that resistance is weakening, and their wedding day is approaching.

If things had proceeded like in Plmago, both would have died failing to rescue Sawol Seyum.

So no matter the ending, a strong bond existed between them.

“If your goal was from the start to connect with the Sawol family, your behavior makes sense. Getting close to Oh Hyejeong and giving blessings to Sawol Seyum right away. That’s a Rooster Clan’s way, deeply tied to the peninsula’s dynasties.”

“If Seyum hadn’t praised you so much, I’d have dragged you somewhere and made you tell me everything by now.”

“That wouldn’t happen while I’m here.”

Gye Myeongnim glared with flashing white eyes, but Hwang Ji-ho immediately intervened.

Anyway, I had no intention of going willingly even if dragged away.

“Yes, my eyes can see fate, and my voice can guide it. As the rooster who heralded the dynasty’s start and took part in the Jongmyo rites, it’s only natural to care about the herald clan.”

“Yes, I think that’s natural. It’s just strange that the Rooster Clan, which refrains from outside activity and is settled in Gyeryongsan, would move actively.”

“What’s strange?”

Gye Myeongnim spoke calmly without changing expression.

I honestly told them what I found strange.

“The Silla capital where the rooster was the national bird is Gyeongju, but the Rooster Clan settled in Gyeryongsan. The power of the clan should be stronger there. Moreover, the mountain’s name means a dragon with a rooster’s crest. Although it includes ‘rooster’ in the name, it ultimately symbolizes a dragon.”

If you think about it, Gyeryongsan isn’t really a place that fits the Rooster Clan.

Gyeongju and Gyeryongsan are about 200 km apart in a straight line.

So the excuse that they simply liked the mountain nearby after living in Gyeongju doesn’t hold.

“Gyeryongsan’s terrain is rugged and good for defense. During the Mongol invasions, Gyeryongsanseong fortress was built as a defense line. Also, the military city housing the army, navy, and air force headquarters—Gyeryongdae—is just in front. It’s a very good place to protect something.”

The Rooster Clan deliberately moved away from where their power would be greatest to the best place for defense.

Considering even the reason why they gave blessings to Sawol Seyum, only one thing came to mind.

I finally organized my thoughts and asked.

“Was there a place Yong Jegun hesitated to enter? Could it be something related to the last dynasty, especially the herald clan?”