The Last Imoogi

The Palace Is A Dangerous Place

Like a child that was quickly pacified by a treat, Sandara completely forgot how displeased she was earlier with Kwon Jiyong. Arriving at the Hidden Seclusion was like an adventure she had been looking forward to, but the fact that her lofty, distant husband was speaking more than the usual as he revealed more to her had her walking on cloud nine. He was true to his words. He had always been! How dare she doubt him for a second!

"This is where we keep our most important records and books." Kwon Jiyong said as they entered a secret door hidden behind one of the rustic shelves. "Over the centuries, stories about dragons and imoogis changed as they were passed on from one generation to another. But the real testimonies, encounters, history, illustrations and prophecies were here."

Sandara couldn't help but look everywhere in awe. Just how long have they been collecting these books for it to fill a room as big as their entire residences combined? The library's ceiling was high and the walls were divided into ten floors, each level were filled with shelves full of books. There were two spiral staircase on each side, while the middle of the room had only one long rosewood table surrounded with about twenty chairs.

"Meetings and important discussions take place here." Choi Seunghyun said as he tapped the long table. "Especially when great dragons from the Dragon Realm arrive."

Sandara couldn't recall just how many times she gasped in shock tonight but the amount of information had been too overwhelming for her.

"Imoogis are naturally benevolent creatures," Choi Seunghyun continued. "It was a long story on how we ended up here but believe me when I say I have lived longer than your oldest ancestors. Imoogis have learned to adapt more in the human society. Back in Silla, humans had no problem with us. They even honored our presence. You can go back and read some history books and you would see that the real founder of Silla was an imoogi. Shouldn't that explain why the symbol of the King even in this time is a dragon?"

Sandara felt she had to bow at the man in respect. Who would have known he had lived that long? But still she felt she needed to correct something. "But the King's symbol is a dragon, not an imoogi."

Choi Seunghyun had to glare at her as his broad shoulders sank. When would Young open his damn mouth and try explaining things to this woman? He was already getting tired! "Alright, let me explain this further. Imoogis... when they reach a certain point can become a great dragon. We are just a tad lesser dragons, alright? But we are still dragons. So that justifies my point. "

"So you also breathe fire?"

"Precisely!"

"You have lots of gold?"

"How much do you need?"

"Do you stay in caves near bodies of water?"

"Not too often but when we need to recuperate, yes."

"You can fly?"

"Do I really need to mention it?"

"You dispel drought?"

Choi Seunghyun cleared his throat and eyed Kwon Jiyong. "Well, I used to have this power to make rain. Most imoogis do. But when the Great Curse happened long ago, most of us lost some abilities. I was fortunate to have retained this appearance. Perhaps, I was still the benevolent type."

"Great Curse?" Sandara asked but Kwon Jiyong grabbed her by her shoulder and turned her to him.

"It's getting late. We need to head back."

"But—"

"I'm afraid you won't be able to fall asleep with the amount of information Hyung had told you. I'll take you here some other time again." He told her calmly and Sandara could only nod. Still, she couldn't help but wonder what happened during that Great Curse Choi Seunghyun was talking about.