"We're close to the Jade Blossom Mountain Range, but we haven't entered its territory yet," Im Beomhyeon said, shaking his head while looking straight ahead. "A river flows out from the Jade Blossom Mountain Range and forms a lake over there. The village's irrigation water cos from that lake. There are plenty of fish in it, and I'm taking you there to fish."
At last, they arrived at the lake, where a cool, misty chill rose from the water.
Bok Taejin unconsciously rubbed his arms.
Im Beomhyeon expertly searched the soil nearby for earthworms.
In no ti, he had filled the small wooden bucket halfway with them.
Then, he took one, hooked it onto the fishing line, and flicked the rod, letting the hook sink into the lake.
The fishing had begun.
Bok Taejin walked to the lakeside and observed closely.
The lake's surface rippled gently.
The water was clear, but aquatic plants grew abundantly.
When he looked down, he saw vast stretches of underwater vegetation.
Only occasionally did he catch a glimpse of a fish's tail flickering among the dense greenery.
In the deeper parts of the lake, the water darkened, making it harder to see.
It was as if so kind of magic was at play, distorting one's vision and creating illusions.
Bok Taejin stared into the water for a while, and his mind montarily blurred.
Just then, a cool sensation spread from the faint glow at the center of his forehead, snapping him back to awareness.
His gaze was then inexplicably drawn toward the center of the lake.
It was as if his vision had pierced through ti and space—at the bottom of the lake, buried in the silt, lay an enormous turtle, completely still.
Its entire body was retracted into its shell, yet Bok Taejin instinctively knew it was alive—and incredibly dangerous.
He had a strong feeling that the lake's strangeness was sohow connected to this turtle.
Just as he tried to get a clearer look at the patterns on its shell, a sudden wave of dizziness washed over him.
He nearly lost his balance.
He quickly withdrawing his focus and felt slightly better—but he had already staggered at the water's edge.
If he hadn't been cautious earlier and kept a safe stance, he might have fallen into the lake.
Im Beomhyeon was clearly startled by him.
Forgetting about his fishing rod, he rushed over and grabbed Bok Taejin, helping him to sit down safely away from the water.
He scolded, "You're seriously weak! At this rate, I don't know how long it'll take to get you back to full health!"
Bok Taejin forced a weak smile.
He had no idea how pale his face had beco.
That smile of his sent a chill down Im Beomhyeon's spine, making his hair stand on end.
Im Beomhyeon quickly rubbed his arms to shake off the eerie feeling.
Then, he gathered so dry twigs and leaves, started a fire, and had Bok Taejin warm himself by it before returning to his fishing.
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