Chapter 194

“Why is this… Our ancestor clearly…”

“Now please shed your delusions and face reality. What is the current state of the Cheong Family? Is this truly the result you desired?”

The Cheong Family had split. And even now, they were gnawing at their own flesh, coveting each other’s lives.

“Do you think something will change once you become the head of the Cheong Family in that way?”

It would only lead to endless strife with other families, once again orchestrated by Jinmyeong Daesa.

Cheong Soha was not so foolish as to fail to realize this. It was merely that the flow of her thoughts was blocked by the suggestion.

“There is nothing more I can do for you now. You must realize it for yourself.”

I had done my best. From here on, it was Cheong Soha’s role.

And in truth, I already knew the outcome.

‘Although I am not the protagonist, Yoo Haon…’

At least in this place, I think I sufficiently played that role in his stead.

If it is Cheong Soha, who splendidly shattered the suggestion in the original work, she will surely be able to do it.

“…My head hurts.”

“Do not reject that flow; accept it. Surely, you will see things different from before.”

Cheong Soha soon closed her eyes, focused, and pulled the Azure-White Sword into her embrace.

After a few minutes passed like that, Cheong Soha’s eyes, having sorted out her thoughts, gradually revealed their true form.

There, not a trace of confusion remained.

“…I have made a grave mistake.”

“Have you realized the truth?”

“It’s almost laughable how I failed to notice until now.”

Cheong Soha adjusted her posture and showed a bitter smile.

But it couldn’t be helped. As the child she was back then, she would have been unable to resist the suggestion, and it had taken such deep root within her, residing there as if it were an unquestionable truth.

“…You have done a difficult thing. I offer my thanks.”

Cheong Soha, having sheathed the Azure-White Sword, bowed her head solemnly to me.

In response, I nodded back and pointed with my fingertip towards the destroyed city and the phantom of Jinmyeong Daesa standing within it.

“It seems it is time for us to leave this place now.”

“…….”

Cheong Soha took quiet steps forward and once again faced Jinmyeong Daesa, who stood guard like a statue.

And then, assuming a stance, she drew her sword.

“…I will forget neither the favor nor the grudge.”

Even if he used her, the fact that Jinmyeong Daesa saved and guided the young Cheong Soha remains unchanged.

Shaking off those complex emotions, Cheong Soha soon swung her sword.

Swish—!

Swoosh.

With this, the trial of the Cheonghongyeong had fulfilled its role. Cheong Soha would surely be able to shake off the false relationship and proceed to the next stage.

Whoosh!

Swoosh.

Swoosh.

As the trial was resolved, all the phantoms disappeared, and even the city reduced to ruins vanished from sight.

But soon, they began to change form, revealing a new spectacle before our eyes.

Momentarily taken aback, I recalled one fact I had briefly forgotten and could understand its identity.

‘…It’s my turn now, is it.’

I was not the only one who had entered the Cheonghongyeong using the Azure-White Sword as a key.

It meant that I, her Companion, had also been selected as a subject of the trial.

Swoosh!

Swoosh!

Whoooosh!

The place I soon faced was the duel map from the VR version of the Exorcism Academy Series that I used to enjoy in the other world. It was the Arena of the Partheum Temple.

As it was also a place where I had fought my duplicate during the process of obtaining the Cheonghongyeong, the sight was not entirely unfamiliar.

However, facing my opponent, I could instinctively sense that the situation was completely different from back then.

‘This is…’

The aura emanating was different. The one standing there was not a simple duplicate of me like before.

Judging by feeling alone, it was on par with when I first faced Cheong Soha, or perhaps even beyond that.

‘But it’s not unfamiliar.’

The reason for this became easy to understand the moment my opponent’s form became perfectly clear.

Feeling incredulous, I let out a hollow laugh.

‘…Am I supposed to fight that?’

Standing there was my form as the World Rank 7, one of the strongest who reigned in this Colosseum.

A powerhouse who had reached the pinnacle as a Shikigami Sorcerer, incomparable to my current self.

Sensing its aura, Cheong Soha also tensed and prepared to draw her sword.

However, it soon spoke with an indifferent gaze.

[It is not yet time.]

Although it was clearly speaking with my appearance, a sense of incongruity inexplicably wormed its way into my mind.

Of course, I knew what it meant. It signified that I had not yet reached a level sufficient to trigger the Cheonghongyeong’s trial event.

But I soon stopped the figure, who was about to turn and leave.

“The Art of Thought Transfer Scripture.”

[…Indeed, if it is to that extent, I suppose I cannot refuse.]

It was a being born from the memories of my soul; with a single phrase, we could sense each other’s intentions.

The Thought Transfer Scripture is an Art Formula that goes beyond mere information, allowing one to transmit their own memories and experiences in their complete form to another.

Normally, no matter how much knowledge is transferred, sufficient time is needed to utilize it, but the Thought Transfer Scripture has no such process.

If one’s capacity is sufficient, the recipient can immediately realize it.

In the game, it was an Art Formula that existed under the pretext of teachings bestowed upon players by beings who had already reached a high realm.

High-level players could inherit new Art Formulas through such events upon reaching a certain Level.

‘It is an Art Formula I cannot use in my current state due to low achievement…’

But it would be fully possible for it. And its purpose was clearly defined.

“What is your business?”

To Cheong Soha, who was wary of its approach, I quickly added a word.

“It’s fine. It won’t cause any harm.”

“…Understood. I shall trust you.”

Soon, it began to convey one Art Formula to Cheong Soha, who had lowered her guard.

It was another Grand Art contained within the Azure-White Sword.

Unlike the Purification Formation, which is revealed in the first part’s timeline, this was an Art Formula that would only be disclosed a bit later.

Having received it, Cheong Soha made a surprised, muffled sound with an expression of incomprehension.

“What is this…?”

“It will be of help to you.”

Cheong Soha looked at me with a complex expression. Leaving her behind, my duplicate vanished as if melting into the void.

[I will be waiting.]

As I had hoped.

Someday, I too would return to this place of my own volition.

But for now, there were matters I had to face one step ahead of that.

“We have been delayed quite a bit. We must hurry and leave this place.”

“…Let us do so.”

Swoosh.

Creeeak—!

Soon, all the scenery began to crumble once more, and Cheong Soha and I finally stepped beyond it.

Now, it was time to put an end to this entire situation.

Despite being separated from Cheong Soha due to Haekaram’s Barrier Technique, Jinmyeong, left alone, did not feel the slightest worry.

‘He is a fellow whose true nature is utterly unknowable, but even if such a thing struggles, it is meaningless.’

Of course, Jinmyeong had felt an inexplicable eeriness from Han Kangyoon. That’s why he deliberately created a situation to imprison him in Yangcheolkoong and took measures to prevent him from approaching Cheong Soha.

However, he now realized that all those worries were unfounded.

“Do you think that brat can change the situation? Unfortunately, it’s utterly impossible.”

Cheong Soha was completely consumed by the suggestion. She was showing a level of single-minded loyalty that even Jinmyeong himself found startling.

Once it reached that state, as far as Jinmyeong knew, breaking the suggestion was impossible no matter what method was used.

“That fool has already subordinated her soul to me. Even if I ordered her to lick my feet, she would do it without a doubt. Truly a laughable sight, isn’t it?”

“…I’d heard rumors, but you’re more of a trash than I thought.”

Haekaram felt intense hostility towards such a Jinmyeong, but he still couldn’t easily take action.

Even while spouting such arrogant words, Jinmyeong showed not a single gap in his defenses.

“What’s the matter? Your spirit seems broken. Losing confidence already?”

Thud!

As Jinmyeong tapped the ground with his stone staff, the earth transformed into multi-headed beasts, spewing forth various Art Formulas from their maws.

Faced with the deployment of Cursed Techniques he had never seen or heard of, Haekaram was forced on the defensive and struggled.

“…Just what are you?”

Han Kangyoon had said it. Jinmyeong Daesa was a Half-Human Half-Demon who had lived for many years.

But even considering that, Jinmyeong was a being whose origins were utterly unknowable.

“Keke. It is none of your business. Just quietly bury yourself in the dirt and watch the world I create.”

Whoosh.

Crash-crackle-crack—!

It wasn’t just peculiar. The very method of using Art Formulas and their structure was completely different.

Faced with a combat style he had never experienced before, Haekaram soon showed an opening and allowed a significant blow.

Splat!*

“Ugh!”

The wound was around his waist, showing considerable bleeding.

And from there, an ominous Curse of unknown origin began to creep up Haekaram’s body.

“What is this?”

“I’ve changed my mind. You possess quite usable skills. I shall erase your personality completely and make you my puppet.”

“…You should know your limits with the disrespect. Who do you think you are to decide that?”

Haekaram recited the Incantation of an Advanced Attack Art Formula while simultaneously deploying the unique illusion technique of the Iron Clan, dividing his focus.

Jinmyeong also hardened his expression and retreated under the intense offensive, but frankly, Haekaram’s condition was worse.

“The Unbinding Art Formula… isn’t working?”

Even though the Curse didn’t seem to be of such a complex nature, for some reason, the Unbinding Art Formula Haekaram possessed failed to exert its power.

Soon, Haekaram had no choice but to face the unpleasant sensation of something slowly forcing its way into his own mind.

‘If this continues…’

It was a mistake.

Since the opponent was of unknown origin, he should have completely blocked the attack from the start.

But the situation was already irreversible, and if the battle continued like this, the disadvantaged side was undoubtedly Haekaram.

Right at that moment, the Barrier Haekaram had created shattered, and someone stepped through the gap.

Seeing the face of that person, Haekaram immediately guessed the outcome on the other side and hardened his expression bitterly.

‘…It failed.’

It was not Han Kangyoon. The one who revealed themselves was Cheong Soha, radiating a fierce killing intent.

Having thus invaded the Barrier, Cheong Soha soon raised the Azure-White Sword and quietly recited an Incantation.

‘It’s over.’

The moment Haekaram resigned himself to everything and gave up, light flowing from the Azure-White Sword illuminated the surroundings and enveloped Haekaram’s body.

And the Curse that had been invading Haekaram’s mind just moments ago vanished without a trace.

“…I meet our ancestor once again.”

It was the second Art Formula contained within the Azure-White Sword.

It was the manifestation of the Grand Art, Clear Soul, which burns away all negativity contrary to the meaning of ‘Purity’ and illuminates the surroundings.