The seven realms of heaven embodied virtues such as patience, gratitude, temperance, humility, charity, and diligence. Each realm was presided over by a demi-god, a paragon of the respective virtue. Yeonhwa, determined to see the Cha brothers ascend to heaven and govern these realms, had already observed the virtues of Yunki, Jimin, and Taehyun. Now, her attention shifted to the remaining four brothers.

Descending to the mortal realm once more, the early morning atmosphere greeted her with the melodious tunes of birds and the gentle glow of the rising sun. Wandering in search of the remaining brothers, Yeonhwa found herself alone. With a decisive move, she removed the protective necklace around her neck, casting it away.

Almost instantly, a man appeared on the scene, resembling the divine beauty of the Greek God Apollo. He headed towards the shrine dedicated to the mountain deity, unaware of Yeonhwa's presence. A mischievous grin adorned her face as she silently trailed behind him.

As the man approached the shrine of the mountain deity, his heart swelled with gratitude. Each step he took was a testament to the blessings he had received from the divine. He humbly bowed before the shrine, offering his prayers with reverence.

Unbeknownst to him, Yeonhwa observed from a distance, her curiosity piqued by the aura of virtue surrounding him. With a mischievous grin, she transformed her appearance into that of a feeble old woman, her guise a clever test of his virtue.

As the man turned to leave the shrine, he noticed the elderly woman struggling on the path ahead. With a heart full of compassion, he approached her, his eyes reflecting kindness and empathy.

"Hello, I am Cha Jin. Are you alright, lady?" Jin's voice was gentle, his concern genuine as he reached out to assist her.

Yeonhwa, disguised as the old woman, looked up with feigned frailty, her voice trembling with a hint of desperation. "Oh, kind sir, I have lost my way in these woods. Could you help an old woman find her way home?"

Jin nodded, his gratitude shining through his actions. "Of course, let me guide you safely."

With measured steps, Jin walked alongside the old woman, his presence a comforting reassurance amidst the dense forest. As they traversed the winding paths, Jin's heart overflowed with gratitude for the opportunity to help another soul in need.

However, as they neared the edge of the woods, Yeonhwa, in her disguise, stumbled but Jin caught her. In that moment of contact, Jin's curse was triggered, his touch igniting a blaze that threatened to consume everything it reached but thankfully his gloves served as a barrier against the destructive power of his touch.

"Are you ok?" he asked with concern.

As Yeonhwa nodded, he sighed in relief. Jin gazed at Yeonhwa, "Thank you, dear lady, for allowing me to assist you. May the divine bless you and keep you safe on your journey."

Yeonhwa, humbled by Jin's unwavering virtue, smiled in admiration. At that moment, she knew that he was indeed worthy of ascending to the heavenly realms as a beacon of gratitude and benevolence, "Thank you, dear. I can continue on my own now..."

"Are you sure? I can help you reach your destination!" Jin offered with genuine concern.

Yeonhwa maintained her warm smile, "I wouldn't want to trouble you anymore... With your help, I've overcome the challenging mountainous streets. Now, I can walk alone..."

Jin nodded, respecting her decision, "Alright if you insist! Have a nice day!" He bowed gracefully as he watched Yeonhwa leave. Once she was out of sight, he cautiously removed his gloves to inspect his hands, expecting the aftermath of his curse. To his astonishment, he discovered that his wedding ring had miraculously regained its colour. Wide-eyed, he sprinted in the direction Yeonhwa had gone, only to find an empty path, devoid of the elderly lady.

.......................

In the royal study, Yuhok's eyes remained fixed on Master Sukra, whose countenance bore an air of strictness and seriousness.

"I heard you wanted to learn necromancy," the master inquired.

Yuhok, with a lowered voice, responded, "Not exactly, master... I sought to meet you."

Master Sukra raised an intrigued brow, "And for what reason?"

"I wish for you to resurrect someone named Sian!" Yuhok declared boldly.

The master scrutinized him for a moment before stating, "The living cannot be resurrected..."

Yuhok tilted his head, seeking clarification, "So, Sian is alive?"

Master Sukra clarified, "His soul has found another vessel... living a new existence as someone else..."

Yuhok, puzzled, questioned, "So, a rebirth?"

The master nodded, "Precisely."

Yuhok pressed further, "Who is he now?"

Master Sukra shook his head, offering a cryptic response, "It is better that you do not delve into such matters..."

Yuhok, his desperation evident, pleaded, "Master, please...I've gone to great lengths to find him. I sense a deep connection with him...I need to know more. Please..."

Master Sukra sighed, a mixture of compassion and caution in his expression, "Listen, young one...the body may perish, but the soul endures. Sian's soul has been transferred into a new vessel, and I was the one who orchestrated it. That's all I can reveal to you... for your own well-being."

Yuhok, shocked by this revelation, felt a surge of desperation for more answers. His yearning for the truth intensified.

Master Sukra could see the turmoil in Yuhok's eyes and the pain in his heart. He hesitated before continuing, "The threads of fate are intricate, and tampering with the fabric of life can lead to unforeseen consequences. When souls change bodies, the memories of their previous lives are wiped. Sian's soul is now intertwined with a new existence, a new identity."

Yuhok pressed further, "But-"

Master Sukra shook his head, cutting him off, "I cannot divulge more. Knowing many details might disturb the delicate balance of destiny. Some things are better left unknown."

Frustration boiled within Yuhok as he clenched his fists. "I need to find him. I need to know the truth. Can you at least guide me on how to locate him?"

Master Sukra considered Yuhok's request, recognizing the sincerity of his plea. After a moment of contemplation, he spoke, "All I can tell you is that he is in hell. For the beings of this realm, a touch from someone or something intimately connected to their past life has the power to unlock forgotten memories. The more intimate the touch, the more memories will return."

Yuhok processed the information, connecting the dots between Eunsang's unwavering belief, the mysterious visions, and the revelations from Master Sukra. A determined resolve etched across his features, he bowed respectfully to the master, "Thank you, Master Sukra."

Without wasting another moment, Yuhok teleported back to the mortal realm. Eunsang, seated with his morning tea, looked up in surprise as Yuhok appeared before him. His eyes sparkled as he greeted the devil prince with a bow, "Your Highness..."

Yuhok dispelled the formalities, "Enough with the titles. Remember when I warned you that deals with beings from hell carry a price, and I promised to reveal that price later?"

Eunsang nodded, curiosity in his eyes, "Yes, I remember. What do I have to pay?"

"Kiss me. Now!"

......................................

In the midst of the tempest in the Northern Ocean, a ship battled against the ferocious waves, its fate hanging in the balance.

"Lord Ming, we might not make it!" shouted the captain, his voice barely audible above the raging storm as the ship began to take on water.

Ming, on his return journey from the North Kingdom to the East Kingdom, where he supervised trade affairs, felt his heart tighten with fear. "What are you saying?!"

"The ship is sinking, my lord!" the captain exclaimed.

"No... This cannot be... We can't meet our end like this! I haven't yet found Lord Haejun... I can't die like this..."

As an enormous wave crashed over the vessel, engulfing it in a whirlpool of chaos, Ming found himself sinking into the abyss. Desperation clawed at him as he struggled for air, his limbs fighting against the force of the water. In the dimming light, just as he felt suffocated and his vision began to blur, a shadowy figure appeared, swimming determinedly toward him.

________________________________________

A/N

Thank you so so much to everyone who took the time to help with my dissertation. I love you all 🥹💜