Chapter 193

“What exactly are you scheming? You must know you’re no match for me.”

Cheong Soha stroked the Azure-White Sword with her fingertips as she spoke to me.

Of course, it wouldn’t make sense to her. After barely escaping Yangcheolkoong, not only did I appear before her eyes on my own, but I even created a one-on-one situation.

This was likely the exact scenario Cheong Soha had been hoping for.

“There’s no other reason. I simply wanted to have a conversation with you.”

“Are you trying to wag that silver tongue of yours before me again? It’s not even worth listening to anymore.”

Swoosh!

Whoosh!

Screeeech—!

Cheong Soha unleashed another high-level Cursed Technique slash, but this time, I didn’t just take it lying down.

The massive goblin, Keuseundae, revealed itself in an instant, glaring at Cheong Soha with fierce eyes.

‘…Keuseundae is tense.’

Moreover, it seemed Keuseundae hadn’t fully blocked the previous strike, as thick drops of blood dripped from its burly arm.

A direct confrontation is still impossible. I was painfully reminded of that obvious fact once again.

So, I immediately opened my mouth.

“Have you never felt, deep down, that something was off?”

“…I have no intention of listening.”

Whoosh!

Screech!

“As you said, I may be a fake. But, however, the actions and knowledge I’ve shown so far are real.”

Cheong Soha, with a murderous expression, extended her hand, while Keuseundae desperately tried to restrain it.

Amidst this, I desperately continued speaking.

“On the other hand, what has the ancestor you so faithfully follow shown or proven?”

“You truly spout foolish sophistry. The ancestor possesses knowledge far beyond anything you could ever compare to.”

“What is that? The origins of the Cheong Family, or perhaps the Cursed Techniques of the old era? If that’s all, I can imitate them as much as you like.”

Of course, Jinmyeong Daesa knows a great deal about the Cheong Family. Because he, too, was once a figure who had set foot in the Cheong Family in the past.

Moreover, Jinmyeong was someone who made a name for himself in the generation immediately following the era when the Cheong Family’s true ancestor existed.

For someone like him, playing the role of the Cheong Family’s ancestor would have been a piece of cake.

“What exactly are you trying to say?”

At those words, even Cheong Soha furrowed her brows, showing a slightly shaken expression.

Due to the suggestion implanted in her since childhood, she likely can’t make proper judgments, but somewhere in her subconscious, she must also sense something that doesn’t quite add up.

So, I must somehow dig into that part.

“His name is Jinmyeong Daesa. Not the Cheong Family’s ancestor, but a parasitic traitor who betrayed the Cheong Family. And he is merely using you through a suggestion implanted in you since childhood.”

“…I can’t bear to listen any further.”

Perhaps thinking it was utter nonsense, Cheong Soha began seriously drawing in Spiritual Power and closed the distance with Keuseundae.

If a full-scale battle breaks out, I won’t last long. Steeling my resolve, I took out the Cheonghongyeong from my bosom and held it out before Cheong Soha.

“That is……”

“You wouldn’t say you don’t know it, would you?”

The Cheonghongyeong, one of the Cheong Family’s three great Cursed Tools, just like the Azure-White Sword.

And of course, this Cheonghongyeong also possesses a special ability befitting it.

‘Fourth Elder Cheong Kibeom only knew it as a tool that aids in training, but the reality is different.’

Rather, that is merely a secondary effect.

The true nature of the Cheonghongyeong is to act as an assistant that presents trials to its owner so they can face their true self and gives them a push.

That’s why rumors have been passed down that it allows one to break through stagnant realms, i.e., achieve growth at the limit Level.

“If you want to know the truth, pierce the center of this mirror with that Azure-White Sword.”

“…Haven’t you considered that I could simply kill you right here?”

“What can I do? If so, my role here ends, and you will merely live on forever as a pitiful puppet.”

Of course, I have various other plans. Since the Phantom Body has a second phase, it’s enough to risk my life at least once.

However, to Cheong Soha, such resolve seemed to be received rather differently.

“…Fine. I’ll let you fool me one last time.”

Shiiing!

Soon after, Cheong Soha’s Azure-White Sword pierced the empty space of the Cheonghongyeong I was holding.

And so, we were swept into the trial space created by the Cheonghongyeong before we knew it.

The first thing Cheong Soha encountered after being transported to an unknown place was a disheveled black-haired girl.

“You are……”

[I’m cold……. I’m hungry…….]

Anyone could tell without being told. That girl was none other than Cheong Soha from her childhood.

During the Night Parade of One Hundred Specters Crisis, when her faction collapsed due to sinister schemes, the seven-year-old Cheong Soha, reduced to a complete vagrant, wandered the city infested with monsters.

The girl, with vacant eyes, kept talking into the empty air as if conversing with someone.

[Ancestor, where to next…….]

[Let’s head to the northern part of the city, there’s food there.]

As a mysterious voice echoed, the figure of an old man wearing a mask appeared in a corner.

It was the ancestor, Jinmyeong Daesa, who had protected and guided Cheong Soha from the shadows during her childhood.

‘…How laughable.’

Jinmyeong Daesa’s appearance was extremely benevolent, and he was looking at the girl with a gaze filled with genuine concern.

Exactly as Cheong Soha remembered from her childhood past.

[…Ancestor, there’s a monster.]

[It’s alright. It’s not a very powerful one. Try doing as I taught you.]

Thanks to Jinmyeong Daesa’s guidance, Cheong Soha was able to survive that hell. Revisiting the memories of the past made that fact even clearer.

“Do you truly think so?”

“What……”

The one who revealed himself from behind was none other than Han Kangyoon.

With his usual inscrutable expression, he stepped in front of Cheong Soha and pointed at Jinmyeong Daesa’s figure.

“Can’t you see what lies at the end of that fellow’s gaze?”

“I see it. A mere vagrant, isn’t it? There was nothing special about that time.”

“Then what is that vagrant holding in his hand?”

As Han Kangyoon forcibly opened the vagrant’s left hand, something emitting a foul odor fell from it.

“It’s Human Feces Gu. It has the effect of attracting low-level Specters with low intelligence.”

“What……”

Cheong Soha knew that much. But she couldn’t understand why it had appeared so abruptly.

‘Ancestor, why would you be looking at that person…….’

However, such doubts began to be painted over by something unknown within her heart.

“He must have been trying to identify any elements that could pose a threat to me. It’s only natural.”

“Is that really so? Even though it’s an item a mere vagrant couldn’t possibly create?”

At Han Kangyoon’s words, a headache suddenly struck.

Soon after, as if denying it, Cheong Soha rewound the time of the unfolding scene and recalled the memory that led to her present self.

[It’s impossible, Ancestor. I can’t do it.]

[No, you can. You are the proud descendant of the Cheong Family and my disciple. Cast aside your fear and look ahead.]

A massive Specter that could never be exorcised by merely firing weak Cursed Techniques.

But Cheong Soha gained resolve from Jinmyeong Daesa, who consistently believed in her, and ultimately managed to overcome it.

Thud!

[Huff, huff…….]

[Well done. Very well done. I’m proud of you. Never forget today’s memory. No matter what hardship you face, it will be a guiding beacon.]

Cheong Soha turned her head to Han Kangyoon like a child trying to prove her innocence.

This time, she shouldn’t be able to deny anything.

But Han Kangyoon, even in that situation, spoke nonchalantly.

“Looking roughly, it seems to be a Specter of around C+ rank. But its eyes are unfocused and its movements are unnatural. Moreover…….”

Han Kangyoon approached the fallen monster’s corpse and pointed at its nape.

A very small area near the ear, bulging out like a lump.

“He used a Gu. This Specter was being controlled by someone. That’s why even a seven-year-old you could defeat it.”

“…Stop mocking my memories with the ancestor.”

“It’s not mockery. I’m merely stating facts.”

With each of Han Kangyoon’s words, Cheong Soha felt something firmly embedded within herself constantly shifting out of place.

Just as she clutched her throbbing head, Han Kangyoon suddenly reached out and snatched the Azure-White Sword from Cheong Soha.

Thwack!

“You…!”

“What are the conditions for using the Purification Formation?”

“What?”

The Grand Art, Purification Formation, unleashed by utilizing the Cursed Technique inscription engraved on the Azure-White Sword.

It is the family’s signature secret technique that can only be performed by a direct descendant of the Cheong Family with suitable talent.

“Then naturally, the one you call ancestor should also be able to use it, right?”

“……”

Han Kangyoon walked over and casually tossed the Azure-White Sword at the illusion of Jinmyeong Daesa, who wore a benevolent smile.

Clatter!

“Stop smiling and try using it. The Purification Formation.”

However, no matter how long they waited, no response came from Jinmyeong Daesa. Cheong Soha unconsciously thought it was only natural. He was merely an illusion created by her memories, wasn’t he?

But Han Kangyoon knew. The Cheonghongyeong is a Cursed Tool that tests its owner and grants enlightenment.

And the illusions that appear there were recreated adversaries extremely close to reality.

Since it’s a space of fiction anyway, the illusions can also recreate any Cursed Technique the actual subject can use.

Facing Jinmyeong Daesa, who repeatedly pretended not to hear, Han Kangyoon chuckled softly, drew the Azure-White Sword, and swung it in one motion.

Whoosh!*

“You dodge it just fine, don’t you?”

[You bastard…!]

As if possessing his own ego, Jinmyeong Daesa flew into a rage and began firing various Cursed Techniques at Han Kangyoon.

And Han Kangyoon, dodging them, approached Cheong Soha and handed the Azure-White Sword back to her without resistance.

“That fellow cannot use the Cursed Technique contained within the Azure-White Sword. Because he lacks the qualification.”

Once, he betrayed the Cheong Family and tried to seize everything of the Cheong Family, but ultimately, it all came to nothing.

That’s why, in this era, he is trying to manipulate Cheong Soha to do the same thing.

“…Sophistry. Even among the current Elders, many cannot wield the Azure-White Sword. That alone isn’t enough to believe your words.”

At that, Han Kangyoon, with a slightly annoyed expression, sighed and then grabbed both of Cheong Soha’s shoulders.

“…Wh-what are you doing now?”

“Wouldn’t it be better to come to your senses? According to you, Cheong Soha, that fellow is the family’s ancestor. One of those who built everything of the family with their own hands, piece by piece, and passed it down to later generations.”

Surely, if that were the case.

“Could it be that they, the very ones, would be unable to use something that even the modern descendants, whose bloodline has thinned to the extreme, can use?”

At those words, the thick fog that had been eating away at Cheong Soha’s mind for so long began to lift.