Chapter 5
“Is this a dream?”
Without realizing it, Huil traced his lips with his fingers. He could not tell whether this was a dream or reality. Then again, there had been nothing here that could reasonably be believed as real.
“Immortal?”
Just as Huil opened the door and stepped into the courtyard, he stopped short.
The starlight, the star blossoms, the pond, the lotus flowers, even the rainbow—everything had vanished.
Wearing a dazed expression, Huil looked around. Even the small hut where he had just been sleeping had disappeared without a trace. He now stood alone in an ordinary mountain forest.
He had returned to the human world—to Mount Hoam, where he had first set foot.
It was then—
“…A peach.”
The scent of peaches.
An overwhelming, intoxicating fragrance filled the air, more intense than anything he had ever imagined.
Where the Peach Blossom Paradise had vanished, a single peach tree of the Immortal remained. Hanging from its branches were astonishingly large, luscious peaches.
—
A mere human gains nothing from coveting what belongs to the divine.
These peaches are not meant for the likes of you!
Do not touch my tree. The moment you do, you will be as good as dead.
—
Horangi’s words echoed in Huil’s ears.
‘No. If I touch that, I’ll die. No… perhaps not just me—everything could come to an end.’
And yet, he could not look away. As if possessed, Huil found himself walking toward the peaches.
‘With this… I can save Father.’
‘There will be hundreds, thousands of peaches anyway. No one will notice if just one is gone.’
‘Just once. Just one.’
At last, Huil reached out his hand.
And he took one of the Immortal’s peaches.
Then he ran.
He dashed down the mountainside like a madman. The peach hidden within his robes felt heavy.
Was it always this heavy? He could not tell whether the weight came from the fruit—or from his heart.
But if it meant saving his father, there was no other way…
“I was wrong! Immortal, I was wrong!”
In the distance, he saw the faint lights of a village. As he ran toward it, he repeated the same words over and over.
“I was wrong… Please spare me. Please…”
The royal bedchamber of Gangnyeongjeon.
Gasping sharply, Huil snapped awake.
“Ah…”
He had dozed off—and dreamed again.
The same dream that had haunted him for the past ten years.
He was no longer the seventeen-year-old Crown Prince.
Ten years had passed since the day he stole the peach and fled. Now twenty-seven, Lee Huil was an ill-fated king.
“Horangi…”
And then, he became aware of a reality even more terrifying than the dream.
He had encountered Horangi at the tavern during his incognito inspection—and Munchang had secretly brought her into the palace.
Which meant…
She was now inside the palace.
“Your Majesty, Gyeomsa-bok requests an audience.”
“Let him enter.”
As if on cue, the head eunuch announced Munchang’s arrival. Once the doors closed, Munchang spoke in a low voice.
“For now, I have escorted the young lady to an empty palace residence.”
“Young lady?”
The term sounded absurd to Huil. What kind of “young lady” lived for three thousand nine hundred years? Still, since Horangi appeared no different from an ordinary young woman, it was hardly Munchang’s fault.
“You left her alone?”
What if something happened?
Then again, even if he stationed hundreds of soldiers, she was not someone who could be controlled.
“I told her to remain inside for the time being. As she entered the palace in haste, everything must feel unfamiliar. I thought it might be proper to assign attendants to serve her.”
“Attendants?”
Huil’s voice sharpened.
Nonsense. Horangi had said she would leave the palace the moment she found the peach.
“I will handle it myself.”
“My apologies, Your Majesty. You must have your reasons. I spoke out of turn.”
Mistaking Huil’s reaction, Munchang hurriedly bowed in apology.
“And, Your Majesty—please take this. The young lady asked that it be delivered to you.”
Munchang respectfully presented a crumpled piece of paper.
Huil’s hand trembled slightly as he unfolded it.
[To the King.
Come to my quarters at once.
If you delay or fail to appear, you will die.
You have ignored my warnings more than once already.
Show some conscience and come.
From your beloved fiancée.]
Ah. This woman was insane.
“Ha… I can finally breathe.”
Having entered the palace, Horangi let out a long sigh.
It had been a secret entry under royal command. She had ridden in the palanquin prepared by Munchang and arrived swiftly and discreetly.
“But seriously, what is that man Lee Huil doing? Time is of the essence.”
She muttered in annoyance.
The place she occupied was a small residence near the rear garden. It was originally meant for women favored by the king or for royal children, but since Huil kept neither concubines nor court ladies, the area was deserted—perfect for someone entering in secret.
“I need to find the peach quickly and leave. I’m sick of humans.”
Her thoughts drifted back to ten years ago—the day Huil stole the peach and fled.
It was not that she had been unable to stop him. She had simply chosen to let him go.
Though she had threatened him out of her disdain for humans, the truth was that the Immortal’s peaches had little effect on mortals.
At most, eating one would extend a human’s life by a month or two—it could not defy fate. That was why she had not bothered to stop him.
But she had not known then…
That ten years after Huil left, all the peaches would vanish—and even her domain would disappear.
Just then—
“…Excuse me.”
At the sound of Huil’s voice outside, Horangi sprang to her feet and flung the door open.
“Lee Huil! Didn’t I say I’d kill you if you kept me waiting?!”
Ah.
“Oh my.”
She had failed to notice Munchang standing behind him.
“…What did you just say, my lady?”
Munchang asked, stunned.
It was hard to believe what he had just heard. Not only had she dared to speak the king’s name, but she was also threatening to kill him. Whether queen or commoner, such words would cost anyone their head.
But Horangi remained perfectly composed.
“It seems I made a mistake, not realizing an official was present. But, in truth…”
She lowered her voice conspiratorially.
“His Majesty happens to like this sort of thing.”
Whisper, whisper.
“It’s a preference. Please respect it.”
“Please stop!”
Unable to endure any longer, Huil shouted—only to flinch at his own outburst.
If he provoked Horangi, there was no telling what might happen. There was only one solution: take her to the rear garden and hand over the peach. That was the only way for everyone to survive.
“Munchang. Wait here. I have urgent matters to discuss with Horangi.”
“Horangi?”
“This woman.”
“Ah…”
Only then did Munchang learn the “young lady’s” name.
Horangi… Even her name was unusual.
“Your Majesty, now is hardly the time for names. We’re in a hurry. Let’s go.”
Horangi urged him, her mind filled only with thoughts of the peach.
“…Very well. Let us go.”
Huil was equally eager. The sooner he gave her the peach, the sooner she would leave.
“Your Majesty, where are you going?”
Munchang asked, concerned. The king had no attendants with him.
“I will take a brief walk in the rear garden with this woman.”
“The rear garden? At this hour?”
Munchang’s voice rose.
“Your Majesty, due to the ongoing drought, wild animals have been descending even into the garden. It is dangerous to go there at night without guards.”
“I said I will handle it.”
“But last year, a tiger came down from Mount Baegak into the garden—have you forgotten? This cannot be allowed.”
“A tiger?”
“Me?”
Horangi suddenly interjected.
“N-no, not you—an actual tiger…”
That was hardly the point.
“Your Majesty, it is too dangerous at night. Please go during the day.”
“I said I will handle it. Stand aside.”
“Then I shall accompany you. I will keep my distance and not interfere—”
“Ah, honestly…”
Growing impatient, Horangi grabbed Huil’s sleeve and stepped forward.
“Listen here, bodyguard. Do you even know what His Majesty and I plan to do in the rear garden?”
“….”
Caught off guard by her bluntness, Munchang was left speechless.
“As I said earlier—”
She leaned in again, whispering.
“His Majesty has rather… particular tastes. In dark, quiet places, with no one around, surrounded by mountains, grass, and nature…”
“L-let’s go!”
Huil suddenly shouted, unable to endure any more of her nonsense. The best course of action was to get away from Munchang as quickly as possible.
“Munchang. Remain here. If you follow or trail us, I will not forgive you.”
His tone was firm.
“That is a royal command.”
Better to be thought a man with questionable tastes than to confess that this woman was an Immortal, that he had once wronged her, and that his actions might bring ruin upon the kingdom.
“Let’s hurry, Your Majesty! Hurry!”
Horangi’s excited voice cut through the quiet night.
Leaving Munchang behind, the two made their way swiftly toward the rear garden.
The rear garden of Gyeongbokgung.
It was less a palace garden and more a part of Mount Baegak itself. Dense trees, wild grass, flowers, and rocks—all preserved in their natural state.
Darkness had already fallen. The rustling of branches and leaves in the wind felt eerie.
The only light guiding Huil and Horangi was the bright full moon overhead. Dry grass crunched beneath their feet as they moved through the darkness.
“Hey, human. You do remember where you planted the peach seed, right?”
“There is a pond just ahead. I planted it by the water’s edge.”
“Good. That’s enough.”
Horangi nodded, her eyes filled with hope.
The Immortal’s peach was the fruit of life. To those unworthy, its effects were minimal. Only pure beings could truly benefit from it.
That was why it had little effect on humans.
No matter how kind a person might be, none were untouched by the mortal world.
In truth, the exact location did not matter. Wherever it was planted, the peach tree would have bloomed and borne fruit.
The thought lifted her spirits.
“Huil.”
“Yes, Immortal.”
“It’s dark and quiet.”
“…Yes, it is.”
“There’s no one here but you and me. In a place like this, surrounded by mountains, grass, and nature, we could…”
“W-what are you saying?!”
Startled, Huil leapt away from her.
Horangi burst into laughter.
“I’m joking, I’m joking. Hey—ten years is a long time for humans, isn’t it? But aside from getting taller, you haven’t changed at all. How do you even manage to rule as king?”
“I only act like this in front of you!”
“Oh, I’m sure you do.”
Horangi snickered, clearly amused.
