Chapter 132

Cheong Jiwoon, the 10th Elder, was one of the youngest Exorcists among the Cheong Family Elders, alongside Cheong Soha.

Of course, in terms of skill, Cheong Soha was considered superior, but that did not mean Cheong Jiwoon’s abilities were lacking in any way.

Cheong Jiwoon was undoubtedly one of the most talented individuals of his generation, and had Cheong Soha not existed, he would likely have gained even greater renown than he had now.

That Cheong Jiwoon looked at the large man standing firmly before him and let out a soft, derisive laugh.

“As expected of Cheong Wooncheol. Truly, your skill is too good to be under someone else’s command.”

“…Hmph, you insolent brat.”

Though he didn’t show it outwardly, Cheong Wooncheol’s breathing was noticeably more ragged compared to when they first clashed. Sensing this, Cheong Jiwoon casually brushed back his curly hair and continued speaking nonchalantly.

“The match seems decided. Is there really a need to waste your strength?”

“You talk well for a youngster. This body is still hale and hearty.”

“Stubborn, aren’t you.”

Having made countless powerful individuals kneel before him, Cheong Jiwoon knew. The Cheong Wooncheol and Cheong Jiyeon before him could not be his match.

The simple difference in power might not be that great, but with such an antiquated fighting style, they would never be able to touch him.

“Do you know? Your movements are far too predictable to be any fun. That weak-looking woman over there would be better. Is it an age thing, perhaps?”

“……”

“Well, it seems they’re also getting into the thick of the fight over there. I should wrap things up here now.”

A powerful surge of Spiritual Power, intense enough to shake heaven and earth and reverse the climate.

As Cheong Jiwoon knew, this was none other than Cheong Doyool’s Grand Art.

‘It’s unlikely the two of them would lose to her alone, but…’

One never knew, so it was better to resolve the situation one step ahead. That was the rational and stable course.

“Nine Mountain Azure, Five Paths Six Boundaries.”

Whoosh.

Fsssh!

The incantation’s opening for the Grand Art, a reinterpretation in his own style of the unique Cursed Technique passed down through Cheong Jiwoon’s branch of the family.

Seeing the Art Formula begin to take shape, Cheong Wooncheol gnashed his teeth, and Cheong Jiyeon clicked her tongue, starting to frown.

“Since you cannot use a Grand Art, you won’t be able to stop it anyway.”

Grand Art was an incredibly broad and vague term. However, all techniques called by that name shared one commonality.

Whatever they were, they possessed power that could never be expressed within the existing three stages of an Art Formula.

Furthermore, a Grand Art was not something one could use simply by being strong or reaching a certain level.

Talent, effort, and the magnitude of one’s own power—all three elements had to be harmoniously present to reach the realm of Grand Arts.

“……”

Cheong Jiwoon continued reciting the incantation, and the Art Formula gradually neared completion.

Using a Grand Art usually required tricky conditions and preparation time, leaving an opening to exploit, but Cheong Jiwoon had naturally prepared for that as well.

In his current weakened state, Cheong Wooncheol would have no way to deal with it.

‘It’s over.’

As expected, Cheong Wooncheol and Cheong Jiyeon stiffened their expressions but could not mount any meaningful countermeasure.

The Art Formula’s completion was now imminent; only the final incantation remained.

However, this very moment was also the most dangerous.

Cheong Jiwoon could not yet use a Grand Art with such ease, and consequently, there inevitably came a moment just before completion when he had to focus all his nerves on controlling the heavily burdened Art Formula.

But that was a mere instant. The Cheong Wooncheol before him probably wouldn’t even notice the opening that appeared in Cheong Jiwoon.

Just as he was about to recite the final incantation with that reassurance, Cheong Jiwoon suddenly felt a powerful surge of Cursed energy shooting toward him.

‘What…?’

An unpleasant timing, as if it had been waiting for this very moment. Because Cheong Jiwoon was currently in a state where using his hands was difficult due to completing the Art Formula, he had no choice but to deploy a Defensive Spell using a Cursed Tool he possessed.

Whoosh!

‘That level should be enough to block it.’

His judgment was swift. Cheong Jiwoon ignored the incoming Curse and began concentrating again to complete his technique.

And that was his fatal mistake.

Crreeeak!

Fsssh!

“Kuh?”

Surprisingly, the Curse’s target was not Cheong Jiwoon himself. It invaded through the gaps of the Grand Art, which was on the verge of completion, and wantonly wreaked destruction, tearing apart its structure.

It was a type of Cursed Technique Cheong Jiwoon had never seen before.

‘Just what is this…?!’

But this was no time for indignation.

The Curse’s influence was already flowing into Cheong Jiwoon through the Art Formula’s connections. If he didn’t sever it quickly, the backlash from the ruined Art Formula would undoubtedly return directly to him.

“Damn it all…”

Fsssh.

In the end, Cheong Jiwoon had no choice but to release the vast amount of Spiritual Power he had poured into the technique, sending it scattering into the void, incurring a significant loss.

And that, in other words, was an opportunity for Cheong Wooncheol. For the first time, an opening had appeared in Cheong Jiwoon, who had maintained a fortress-like defense until now.

Thud.

“I don’t know what happened, but this closes the distance.”

“…Kgh!”

Close-quarters combat was Cheong Wooncheol’s specialty from the start. Until now, Cheong Jiwoon had preemptively blocked it with near-perfect distance control, but in this situation, even he would find it difficult to shake him off.

“Azure Heavens… Kgh.”

Though he thought he had quickly judged and severed the connection with the Art Formula, it seemed some backlash from earlier still remained. He simply couldn’t deploy a Defensive Spell in time.

In the end, Cheong Jiwoon, his consistently relaxed expression finally contorting, had no choice but to take Cheong Wooncheol’s attack head-on.

Thwoom!

Crrunch!

“Keugh!”

“Hmph, finally got to land a solid hit.”

This blow was quite critical.

Cheong Jiwoon was not particularly the type to rely on endurance, and compounded with the backlash from severing the Art Formula earlier, his stance was completely disrupted.

In his current state, even using an Advanced Art would take more time than usual.

Though Cheong Jiwoon barely managed to regain distance and steady his breathing, he now realized the opposite. The situation had completely reversed from before.

‘…Kgh. I can’t move my Spiritual Power freely.’

All of this was due to the Cursed Technique that had ambushed Cheong Jiwoon earlier. Amidst the confusion, Cheong Jiwoon traced its remnants and located the point of origin.

And he couldn’t help but widen his eyes.

‘An Academy student? That guy used such a high-level Art Formula?’

It wasn’t just about the power; the method of the Curse and its structure were of a type he had never seen before.

For someone who wasn’t even a formal Exorcist to unleash such a technique was utterly absurd.

But such thoughts were meaningless now.

Whoosh!

“Thinking of other things in the middle of battle? Seems I was looked down upon quite a bit.”

With no time to rest, watching the scene of Cheong Wooncheol’s cauldron-lid-like fist hurtling toward him, Cheong Jiwoon could only let out a groan.

‘…Fortunately, it worked?’

To be honest, it was luck. Of course, it was intentional, but the attack seemed more effective than expected.

The fact that the opponent was Cheong Jiwoun also made the situation somewhat favorable. Through knowledge of the original work, I was relatively aware of his current weakness.

“Now that uncle is pushing forward.”

“The flow has shifted. With this, he won’t lose easily.”

On Cheong Wooncheol’s side, this lessened the worry.

Now, even looking at the overall picture, our side had gained a somewhat advantageous position.

If there was one remaining variable, it was the battle between the Elders currently unfolding on the other side of the canyon.

‘…Is the time approaching?’

Our side’s damage wasn’t insignificant either, but Cheong Doyool’s side was worse. Even if he didn’t show it, he was surely quite concerned internally.

If there was an optimal timing, it was now. Coincidentally, a situation where as many as six family Elders were gathered. The more witnesses to what was about to happen, the better.

“Let’s approach where the Elders are.”

“That area is no joke… Are you sure it’s okay?”

“As long as we don’t get too close, there shouldn’t be a problem.”

Having made my decision, I headed toward the Elders’ battlefield, where tremendous roars were echoing, taking Cheong Joohwa with me.

And as expected, that place too had already become the scene of a considerable battle of attrition.

“Huff, huff. Truly impressive. I never imagined you’d already reached this level.”

“…It’s only natural. My goal lies higher still.”

Cheong Kilyeong, the 5th Elder of the Cheong Family, was exhaling ragged breaths in admiration.

Beside him, Cheong Doyool was also visible, his expression hardened as he clutched one arm.

‘…Cheong Kibeom and Cheong Jonghoo are evenly matched.’

Frankly, I thought Cheong Jonghoo would be outmatched by Cheong Kibeom in terms of individual skill, but they were fighting more closely than expected.

Having roughly assessed both sides’ situations, I became convinced that now was the time to release Azure Dragon and reverse the situation.

I glanced at Cheong Joohwa beside me, drew up my Spiritual Power, and shouted loudly.

“Everyone, stop.”

“……”

The Elders’ gazes focused on me, and an immense pressure rushed in.

But I couldn’t back down here. The moment I had long envisioned was now right before my eyes.

I took a deep breath and spoke again.

“The damage between both sides is already significant. How about stopping around this point?”

“…What foolish talk. This isn’t something that can be resolved by the three-inch tongue of a mere brat like you.”

“Is that so? However, I can’t help but feel there’s no reason to fight any longer.”

At those words, Cheong Doyool shot me a sharp look and opened his mouth.

“I don’t know what you’re trying to say, but Cheong Sawoon violated a Forbidden Technique. And that daughter’s existence is ruining our Cheong Family. I have no intention of allowing interference from an outsider now.”

On the surface, it sounded plausible, but in reality, it was all an excuse. Cheong Doyool’s indifferent expression as he spat out those words proved it.

In response, I curled up the corner of my mouth and answered.

“You say Cheong Joohwa’s existence is harmful to the Cheong Family. However, I don’t think so.”

“……”

By now, Cheong Doyool probably also knew that I had some connection with Cheong Soha and that I wasn’t merely Cheong Joohwa’s escort.

That’s why he was even listening to the words of a mere Academy student right now.

At my words, spoken with near certainty, Cheong Doyool asked with a dismissive expression.

“On what basis do you say that?”

I had been waiting for that very question.

Cheong Kibeom and Cheong Jonghoo were also pretending not to listen while eavesdropping on this conversation.

Confirming their reactions, I finally brought out the main point.

“Azure Dragon did not leave the family out of disappointment over the violation of a Forbidden Technique. Rather, the opposite is true.”

“…What?”

As if they hadn’t expected me to bring up Azure Dragon’s name here, the expressions of all the Elders changed to one of puzzlement.

To them, I declared.

“The reason Azure Dragon’s whereabouts became obscure is that he finally found a true Contractor once more. And that Contractor is right here.”

At those words, for a moment, all movement ceased.