Chapter 133

‘There’s no need to even think about it. That’s nonsense.’

At the flustered words spat out by Han Kangyoon, Cheong Doyool reflexively denied them. Because it was such an absurd statement.

‘The Azure Dragon found a new Contractor? Impossible.’

The Azure Dragon, who had never given any opening for a contract despite Cheong Doyool himself humbling himself and persistently persuading it until now.

Even if someone said such an Azure Dragon suddenly found its true Contractor, it was impossible to believe.

‘But……’

If those words were true, the situation would become extremely troublesome.

The reason Cheong Doyool reacted so intensely to a mere nonsensical remark was precisely because he inwardly recognized that fact clearly.

Cheong Doyool shot a meaningful glance towards where Han Kangyoon was.

Judging by the vague way he spoke, it seemed the Azure Dragon’s new Contractor was present here, but in fact, his words implied something else.

Excluding the five Elders including Cheong Doyool, there were only two candidates present here.

‘That student brat, and the daughter of that Cheong Sawoon fellow.’

Among them, there was no way the Azure Dragon would contract with Han Kangyoon, who wasn’t even a member of the family, so naturally, the candidate narrowed down to Cheong Joohwa. He couldn’t think otherwise.

‘But that’s impossible.’

If Cheong Joohwa was the Azure Dragon’s new Contractor, things wouldn’t just be slightly complicated. Wasn’t the reason Cheong Doyool targeted Cheong Soha’s faction in the first place precisely to use Cheong Joohwa’s case as a pretext?

‘…If handled poorly, everything could collapse.’

At the very least, Cheong Doyool would lose all the justification he had built up until now and become a laughingstock among the forces he had gathered support from.

Naturally, his influence would diminish—that much was obvious without even needing to guess.

Without showing any outward change, Cheong Doyool retorted to Han Kangyoon’s words.

“What utter foolishness. That defective product tainted with the blood of an outsider could never receive the Azure Dragon’s acknowledgment.”

“That’s not something we can know for sure. After all, her father, Cheong Sawoon, also had a good relationship with the Azure Dragon-nim.”

“That was before Cheong Sawoon also committed a Forbidden Technique. You might not know, but that mistake was no ordinary one.”

“Indeed, I am not well-informed about that part. However, the Azure Dragon-nim was originally a being who freely roamed the world. Perhaps such rules hold no particular meaning for him?”

As much as he hated to admit it, that statement was correct. Unlike the other Elders who had never met the Azure Dragon directly, Cheong Doyool knew its temperament well.

Therefore, that was precisely the part that concerned Cheong Doyool the most.

‘Even so, it makes no sense. It’s utterly nonsensical, but……’

For some reason, he couldn’t conclude it was an outright impossibility.

What shook Cheong Doyool even more was Han Kangyoon’s gaze, which held not even a shred of hesitation.

‘That brat is confident in his words.’

Anyone could see it. Han Kangyoon’s expression showed no wavering and exuded composure.

As Cheong Doyool remained unable to speak, Han Kangyoon, who had let out a light chuckle, continued.

“I’ve heard about the circumstances that led to this situation in various ways. However, most of these issues would be resolved if Cheong Joohwa here is revealed to be the true Contractor of the Azure Dragon.”

In reality, that wasn’t the case. It was merely a pretext to seize justification.

But Han Kangyoon was blatantly uttering such words, clearly aware of the truth.

For some reason, Cheong Doyool felt a growing, burning sensation inside.

“Judging by the arguments you’ve put forth, Elder Cheong Doyool, it would make no sense to continue targeting Cheong Joohwa if she is the Azure Dragon’s Contractor. You must be aware of that yourself.”

At those words, Cheong Kilyeong and Cheong Jonghoo, who had been aligned with him, also began pretending not to notice and started gauging the situation.

If Han Kangyoon’s words were true, there truly would be no more justification. Supporting Cheong Doyool’s side here would yield nothing.

“…What arrogant words. That’s only if you haven’t been lying.”

“Yes. So I will now prove it to you.”

Han Kangyoon, who spoke with confidence, glanced subtly at the Elders one by one and then gave a look to Cheong Joohwa beside him.

Then, Cheong Joohwa began calmly drawing Spiritual Power from within her body.

Whoosh.

Sssssssss.

Cheong Doyool denied it again as he watched the scene. It was absolutely impossible.

His judgment had been perfect.

He had strengthened the cohesion within the faction, which had been shaken by having an external enemy, and created appropriate justifications to newly draw in some of the neutral forces.

Surely, there had been no mistakes up to that point. Everything proceeded according to plan, unfolding as Cheong Doyool intended.

But the idea that it would unravel in such a trivial place was unacceptable.

Ignoring his own intuition, which sent countless warnings, Cheong Doyool stared wide-eyed at Cheong Joohwa.

‘I severed all Fateful Connections with Cheong Sawoon.’

Yet the remnants still remained, tormenting him. It was utterly unacceptable.

Cheong Doyool’s intense Strong Desire continued to be directed at Cheong Joohwa, and as if it had been accepted, nothing happened around them.

Confirming this, Cheong Doyool let out a sneer.

“Well, that figures. You were just trying to buy time. What a pathetic plan.”

“……”

However, there was no change or agitation in Han Kangyoon’s expression.

He merely shifted his gaze subtly upward toward the sky.

The change began precisely at that moment.

Kwa-rrrrung—!

Ku-gu-gu-goong!

Even though the Grand Art Cheong Doyool had cast should have already taken full effect, suddenly thunder crashed, and a storm began to rage.

And Cheong Doyool, as a family Elder who had encountered various knowledge, could immediately recognize what this phenomenon meant.

“……”

It was the Azure Dragon.

The Azure Dragon was descending from the sky, accompanied by the storm.

Kwa-aaang!

Kwa-rrrrrrung!

[──!]

For an instant, an intense cry that made one’s entire body tingle resonated from above the clouds.

Everyone present, without exception, focused their gaze, and at the edge of it, they could see the Azure Dragon gradually revealing its form.

The 5th Elder, Cheong Kilyeong, with a hardened expression, muttered softly.

“…So it was true. According to the oath, unless the Azure Dragon finds a Contractor, it cannot wield power to that extent.”

He was right. Of course, it wasn’t in a complete state even now, but even to display such majesty, a Contractor was absolutely necessary.

And who that Contractor was had now become all too clear.

The Azure Dragon, which had somehow descended floating through the air while swinging its massive body, was now circling around Cheong Joohwa.

‘…This can’t be.’

Cheong Doyool was speechless.

A probability that wouldn’t even reach 1% by simple calculation.

It had actually happened before his eyes.

His body froze from the shocking situation, but Cheong Doyool’s mind continued to reflexively search for answers and deduce a way out.

‘A new justification?’

There was none.

With the Azure Dragon’s appearance, all the words he had uttered until now were naturally negated. It was difficult to find anything here that could convince the other forces.

‘Kill Cheong Joohwa here and take the Azure Dragon?’

That was a forced breakthrough. It was certainly a method suitable as a last resort. If he became the victor anyway, the aftermath could somehow be managed.

But.

‘…The situation isn’t favorable.’

He had already expended too much strength to do that. Even if he engaged in a direct confrontation now, there was no guarantee of victory.

If only he had known beforehand that Cheong Joohwa had contracted with the Azure Dragon, the situation could have been entirely different.

But the timing was too exquisite. For Cheong Doyool, it was already a point where no matter what plan he came up with, he couldn’t move a hand or a foot.

Then, in reality, only one path remained.

‘Retreat. While accepting the enormous losses that will follow.’

He knew it, but it was incredibly hard to accept.

With this judgment, countless things Cheong Doyool himself would lose began flashing through his mind.

The cohesion within the faction he had barely secured, the support of other forces, and even his influence within the family on a large scale.

Moreover, if the situation turned out like this, the losses here could increase indefinitely.

He would likely have to completely yield the path ahead to Cheong Soha’s faction for a while in future competitions.

‘Damn it.’

He would be seen as an incompetent fool by other influential figures, unable to even grasp the Azure Dragon’s whereabouts or recognize the Contractor, and his reputation would inevitably decline.

All of that happened because of that mere Cheong Joohwa.

‘…No, perhaps not her.’

Only now did Cheong Doyool fully capture Han Kangyoon’s figure in his eyes.

Thinking about it, it had been strange from the start. A mere student of unknown origin was involved in all sorts of matters.

He had known there was some connection with Cheong Soha, but now Cheong Doyool could more clearly grasp the hidden facts.

‘That brat is something strange. He knows too much.’

It was precisely that Han Kangyoon who connected Cheong Joohwa to Cheong Soha, and he heard that bringing in Cheong Kibeom through the Cheonghongyeong was also related.

Cheong Doyool thought. Perhaps the source of the information about the Cheonghongyeong’s location was also that Han Kangyoon.

‘At a glance, it seems Cheong Soha controlled everything, but no. In reality, the one who led the game behind the scenes was entirely that brat’s doing.’

Having thought that far, Cheong Doyool could come up with another hypothesis.

‘Could it be that sending the Azure Dragon to Cheong Sawoon’s daughter was also that brat’s…?’

Originally, whatever the case, the Azure Dragon had secluded itself in its own dwelling within the Cheong Family’s territory.

Naturally, without contact, there was no way a contract could be made.

It was impossible without someone’s intervention.

‘Moreover, the timing of bringing out the Azure Dragon was truly too exquisite.’

As if it had been waiting for this situation all along.

Coincidences can exist in the world, but if they continue, they are not coincidences. At least, Cheong Doyool thought so.

This situation was one that couldn’t have occurred unless one had drawn the picture from the start with the Azure Dragon as their own card.

‘…I’ve been completely outplayed.’

He didn’t know what Cheong Soha intended by joining hands, but he had completely lost the initiative.

This gap was huge. It would be difficult to narrow.

‘……’

If he retreated from this position now, the next opportunity might never come.

It would also be impossible to use Cheong Joohwa again as a pretext, and Cheong Soha’s forces would be even more solidly organized.

Yet, despite that, Cheong Doyool had no remaining moves.

In the end, Cheong Doyool had no choice but to bite his lip until blood flowed and utter the words.

“…I will withdraw.”

“What do you mean by that?”

“Don’t ask unnecessary questions. It means you can do as you please from now on.”

It was the moment when Cheong Doyool, the current 1st Elder of the family and considered one of the two major pillars alongside Cheong Soha, finally acknowledged his defeat.