Chapter 87
‘So, having a name… does that mean it has an owner after all?’
Normally, a beast’s name is given by its master, so it was hard not to think that way.
Then, could the Huangbo Taesan in front of me be its owner?
But it didn’t seem that way. Huangbo Taesan suddenly muttered a complaint and began talking about it.
“This is a creature that must go to the royal estate within a month, but it refuses to move at all, giving us quite a headache.”
If he said “royal estate,” he was probably referring to the Central Royal Estate. Its location was close to Bima Village, and its power was among the strongest of all royal estates.
If it were a horse of Yeongma’s caliber being given to someone else, that would be one thing, but taking it to another royal estate? That would be an affront to the Central Royal Estate’s pride, and they would never leave a prized horse like that alone.
So the Yeongma would inevitably end up with the Central King.
“The reason I’m telling you all this…”
Even if he considered me a benefactor, there was no reason to share the secret of the Yeongma with me. It wasn’t kindness; it had a purpose.
“Seems like you need my help.”
They had calmed the chaotic horses so easily that they couldn’t help but reach out to me for assistance. A little effort on my part had made things go smoother than expected.
“It’s shameless, but yes. Could you help us? I won’t hold back on compensation.”
If I had accepted immediately, it might have raised suspicion. So I pretended to think for a moment before nodding.
“If there’s something I can do, I’ll help. First, let’s go see this Chupung fellow.”
As I agreed, Huangbo Taesan’s expression brightened slightly—but quickly darkened again.
“Actually, you don’t need to feel burdened by this request. I brought this one with hope, even knowing from the start it might not be tamed.”
I smiled faintly and nodded, understanding. The request came from that same “just in case” hope.
“Then I’ll guide you inside myself. It’s better if I go in first so it doesn’t get too rowdy.”
It wasn’t just talk; everyone seemed to agree. As the master of this place, Huangbo Taesan seemed the most skilled with horses.
Guidance wasn’t strictly necessary, but I nodded after seeing the earnestness in his eyes. He wanted to witness everything firsthand in case something unexpected happened. Perhaps he was curious about how I handled horses or my techniques. Honestly, I didn’t have any special methods, nor did I have a reason to hide, so I nodded.
“All right. Please guide me.”
“Then this way.”
Huangbo Taesan immediately led the way, perhaps worried I might change my mind. Inside was astonishing: the entire stable was covered with a hut-like structure, even layered two or three times.
“Normally, horses sleep about two or three periods a day at most. But Chupung, once it sleeps, can ignore a whole day or two. There have been times it slept for five days straight. So we block the light for it to sleep comfortably.”
From his words, it was clear how much they cared for the Yeongma. Five days of sleep, though… My expectations for the horse dropped slightly. I wondered if this Yeongma might be a lazy creature.
‘Innate laziness is hard to correct.’
At least with humans, you could push a lazy person to act, even just to pretend. But with spiritual beasts, more instinct-driven than humans but less than wild animals, you couldn’t even push them easily. They would either lie down or run away.
For such creatures, it might be better not to keep them at all. You’d just take what you needed from them. Though cutting one open just for laziness might be cruel.
While thinking this, Huangbo Taesan pointed to a spot.
“That’s it. Luckily, it seems calm today.”
Calm? I wasn’t so sure. Its eyes glared at me, bloodshot, its breathing rough, ready to charge at any moment.
‘Truly a Yeongma.’
The first thing that struck me was its color.
A black so deep it couldn’t be described by mere “black,” gleaming even in the dark as if draped in the night itself.
“Impressive.”
Next was its size. Horses called “famed horses” were usually twice the size of normal horses. That was threatening enough. But this one was twice that size again—almost bull-like in magnitude. Yet, not a shred of excess on its body. Perfectly proportioned, like a sculpture.
A sleek neck, a smooth back, muscles coiled like they could leap at any second—almost like observing a masterpiece rather than a living creature.
I had assumed it might be lazy, but that thought was canceled. No matter how great a Yeongma, laziness wouldn’t produce that form.
“Makes me want to see it run.”
That was my final impression of Chupung. For it to make me think that alone made it an extraordinary creature. Perhaps the first time I’d wanted a spiritual beast, not an artifact or tool.
“I assure you, it’s even more magnificent than you imagine.”
I wasn’t the only one excited about Chupung. Huangbo Taesan’s voice was similarly elated. Despite a worried expression, his gaze was full of affection. At that level of horse, it was natural.
“I’ll go closer to examine it.”
“Are you sure?”
“It seems a bit angry, but it should be fine.”
Ignoring Huangbo Taesan’s worry, I walked toward Chupung.
Heeiiing!
As I approached, it whinnied nervously, pawing the ground. When I stood directly before it, it lifted a foreleg as other horses did when agitated, ready to stamp me. Normally, I’d say something—“Stop” or “Enough”—but this time I said nothing. I let it act as it wished.
All I did was look into its black eyes. Even as it slammed its hoof down, my reflection in its eyes was smiling. I knew already.
Tap!
Lick! Lick!
Chupung began licking my hand. The hoof that seemed ready to strike passed safely beside me to the ground.
Prrrt!
It was asking if it could dare to lick me.
“That’s not appropriate, just the hand will do.”
Heeiiing! With a lively response, Chupung pressed its face into my chest, asking to be petted. I chuckled and indulged it. So this was a playful side I hadn’t expected, though I had some inkling.
“Looks like you were very scared.”
Recalling why it was agitated, I knew. It was the Tiger King. Chupung had been startled by a tiger. Its trembling hands as I petted it confirmed this. I reassured Chupung.
“Fear not. That one who frightened you is actually under my command.”
I whispered the last part so only Chupung could hear. Behind me, Huangbo Taesan stared in astonishment.
Heeiiing?
Chupung’s mouth opened wide like a human’s. The fact that the tiger it feared was my subordinate seemed a huge shock. But unlike before, it didn’t run wild. Situation resolved.
“Seems to be done.”
I showed Huangbo Taesan that Chupung was calm now. He reacted dramatically, uncharacteristically flustered.
“How… how did you tame a Yeongma so easily?”
At first, I just smiled. All I had done was make Chupung recognize the difference in our ranks and accept it. Being a smart spiritual beast, Chupung adapted quickly.
“Maybe I’m just popular with spiritual beasts.”
I tried to pass it off as nonsense, but Huangbo Taesan had a clever move.
“Then let’s do this. I won’t ask you to tell me everything. Just answer one of my questions, and I’ll accept it.”
“What is it?”
“About Chupung.”
Gasp. I wasn’t expecting that. Was this man crazy? But he looked completely serious. He explained his reasoning:
“I may seem insane or joking, but I have no other choice. A tamed Yeongma means it has accepted its owner. No one else can ride it in the future, except its master—you. In short, I can no longer sell Chupung to anyone else. So I wish to make a deal with you: on the condition I hand over Chupung.”
Hearing this, I realized I had misunderstood him. He wasn’t crazy; he was extraordinary.
‘Giving up a Yeongma like Chupung would not be easy for anyone.’
It’s impressive how quickly he set aside personal desire and made this decision. I had to take this seriously.
“What do you wish to know? I’ll answer everything.”
Even though it was frustrating, Huangbo Taesan smiled at me.
“I originally wanted to ask how you tamed a Yeongma, but I’ve changed my mind. Even seeing it, I couldn’t understand. Hearing about it won’t help either. If I don’t understand, no one in the stables will. Better to ask you about something that can immediately help this ranch.”
Something more useful than knowledge of taming? Did I have that?
‘What could that be?’
I briefly pondered, but I couldn’t find an answer. Huangbo Taesan smiled.
