Book 18 Chapter 1

Hwaryongseungcheon (Fire Dragon Ascending)

―A red fire dragon emerges from the edge of the earth [Geon] and pierces the clouds,

Connecting heaven [Gan] and earth [Gon] as one.

From the summit of Cheonmu Peak, a pillar of flame shot up, connecting heaven and earth, reminiscent of a fire dragon ascending. A sight that could not be believed to be of this world. The Great Son, Bi, gazed at the majestic and awe-inspiring spectacle in a long silence. He stood on a peak quite a distance from the volcano. However, the sight of the red pillar connecting heaven and earth was perfectly clear even from there, three thousand *jang* away.

"My Lord!"

The loyal retainers, the Macheon Chilgeol, who stood behind him, were also speechless upon witnessing the spectacle. Their flames spread out below as if to burn the entire world, not piercing sharply upwards as if to penetrate the sky.

Something was wrong. The tower of conviction they had built with meticulous planning was crumbling, a silent roar echoing in their ears. Though he tried to ignore it, Bi could not escape the vivid resonance.

"Is this an auspicious omen, or an inauspicious one?"

Which hand would Lady Fate raise in victory?

天何言哉(Cheon Heon Jae) 告之卽應(Go Ji Jeuk Eung)!

Heaven speaks no words, yet if you ask, it will immediately respond.

However, the vast sky they looked up at in silence, with its mouth covered by white clouds, remained utterly silent.