Chapter 196

To prove Han Kangyoon’s innocence by finding his clone and raiding Cheong Soha’s residence, Yoo Haon and his companions found themselves in a truly grave crisis.

“Augh, we found the clone, but what on earth is this mess!”

Han Kangyoon’s clone, which they had initially expected to resist with force, strangely obeyed Yoo Haon’s group’s instructions like a soulless scarecrow.

The problem was that, for some reason, the Cheong Family Elders’ forces, who had taken the bait, had descended upon them, triggering a massive chaotic battle.

“…They definitely shouldn’t have known we were here.”

“The news spread too fast. And how did the Elders find us so quickly?”

Because of this, while they were smuggling Han Kangyoon’s clone to a safe location, Cheong Joohwa volunteered to act as the bait and rushed into the heart of the conflict.

They wanted to stop her, but given the situation, there was no other way.

In the end, Yoo Haon’s group handed the clone over to Baek Soyool’s subordinates, who had been waiting nearby, and hurried with Baek Soyool toward the location where the fierce battle was taking place.

“But is there a way? Frankly speaking, our friends don’t seem to be at a level to confront the Elders yet.”

Baek Soyool voiced the cold reality with her characteristic smile-filled face.

Even in a situation where their lives were in danger, her attitude showed not a hint of tension.

Yoo Haon, forcing himself to shake off his fear, spoke to Baek Soyool.

“It doesn’t matter. It’s something we must do.”

During the kidnapping incident in Spain, Han Kangyoon had fought without retreating an inch against enemies far stronger than himself.

And in the end, he had saved Yoo Haon and several other students from death.

Even if they couldn’t achieve that level of feat, they at least had to repay that debt.

Separate from worrying about Han Seoa, who cared for her family, this was a resolve Yoo Haon himself held in his heart.

“…Well, that should be fine then.”

Soon after, Baek Soyool let out a meaningful laugh, stepped forward to block the path, and stopped Yoo Haon’s group, who had been rushing ahead.

“Soyool unni? What are you doing?”

“Our Eunseo really needs to fix that straightforward thinking of hers. Honestly.”

Looking at her junior sister, who still stubbornly focused on only one thing, Baek Soyool continued in a low voice.

“Let me tell you one thing: the person our friends are looking for has already escaped Yangcheolkoong.”

She hadn’t specifically heard the news, but she knew. Having formed a contract of subjugation with Han Kangyoon at the White Forest Pavilion, Baek Soyool could clearly sense Han Kangyoon’s energy present at this very location.

“Moreover, he’s right here, of all places. Judging by the direction, it seems a fight is happening over the Azure Dragon.”

“Unni? Is that really true?”

Yoo Haon’s group tilted their heads as if they couldn’t believe it.

After all, even for them, mere Academy students, the notoriety of Yangcheolkoong was extremely well-known.

However, Baek Soyool didn’t seem to find it particularly strange.

“Isn’t it not that difficult? Well, he’s the one who got locked up in there.”

“…Just what position does that person hold in unni’s head? I don’t get it at all.”

But in this situation, there was no reason for their ally Baek Soyool to lie, so Yoo Haon’s group truly felt relieved and let out a sigh.

“Then, in the end, doesn’t that mean one less thing to worry about?”

“Yeah. If we just secure the clone, we can clear oppa’s name sufficiently after this situation is resolved.”

Han Seoa let out a sigh of relief as if her tension had eased, and Yoo Haon fell deep in thought. Then, he soon made a decision.

“Then, let’s change direction.”

As far as Yoo Haon knew, Han Kangyoon was always a man who looked several steps ahead.

The fact that he had headed toward Cheong Joohwa in this situation was consistent with the meaning that there was a sufficient way to save her.

If so, the direction Yoo Haon’s group should head is toward where Shin Noeul and Arietta, who were isolated earlier, are located. That was a reasonable judgment.

“Is that okay?”

“Yeah. In the current situation, the side that needs help more desperately is probably that one. Seoa, are you okay?”

“…I’m worried about oppa, but I think you’re right too.”

Thus, Yoo Haon’s group changed direction and moved their steps again toward where their comrades were.

Watching that scene, Baek Soyool sent an interested gaze toward Yoo Haon.

“…’Give them the utmost convenience,’ he said. Indeed, the one he’s had his eye on is worth it.”

The Academy student Yoo Haon, whom Han Kangyoon was watching over—in Baek Soyool’s perception, she had the qualities to rise to a much higher place.

She had intuitively sensed the reason Baek Soyool stopped the group, and even at the end, she openly sent a gaze as if asking if this was right.

Therefore, in this incident, protecting her and that group would be Baek Soyool’s role.

Recalling the image of her master, who by now would be confronting the Family Elders surrounding the Azure Dragon, Baek Soyool let out an expectant smile for the coming fight.

Cheong Joohwa, who had deliberately acted as bait for her friends, clenched her fist with all her might as she watched the back of the Azure Dragon, roaring in agony.

‘…What’s the point of that tradition and justification, that we have to go this far?’

She didn’t regret taking the Azure Dragon from Cheong Doyool’s grasp.

The Azure Dragon itself was satisfied with it, and Cheong Joohwa also felt her childhood wounds healing as she received the Azure Dragon’s acknowledgment.

However, the Family’s malice once again did not leave her alone.

They framed the troublesome Han Kangyoon and sent him to Yangcheolkoong, and now, everyone was rushing in with eyes ablaze to get their hands on the Azure Dragon once more.

The moment the escape she had managed by using all her wits became futile, Cheong Joohwa even fell into brief contemplation.

Perhaps she should just give up and hand the Azure Dragon over to them.

She wasn’t the least bit afraid of getting hurt herself, but she also didn’t want her comrades and the Azure Dragon itself to get swept up and injured because of it.

‘But…….’

Such tyranny from the Elders was utterly unacceptable to Cheong Joohwa.

The idea of having to helplessly hand over the Azure Dragon, who had cherished and supported her all this time, was simply unbearable.

The Azure Dragon was not an object to be manipulated according to the Elders’ circumstances.

It was the guardian deity that had protected the Cheong Family for ages, a great being that still upheld the promise made with the ancestors long ago.

Even if they couldn’t show respect to such an Azure Dragon, to try to suppress it in this manner—if she aided such an act, the Family’s ancestors somewhere in the heavens would lament and shake their heads.

As if sympathizing with Cheong Joohwa’s feelings, the Azure Dragon also resolved to resist and said this.

It had not the slightest intention of lending its power to those with such rotten minds.

Thus, Cheong Joohwa endured and endured again.

Creeeak!

Kwaaadududuk!

[Kreeuuk! So you have truly abandoned the Righteous Path, blinded by your selfish desires!]

Even as the Azure Dragon was wounded and shaken by the Elders’ Cursed Techniques, even as various malicious gazes poured upon her in that moment.

Yet, despite that, nothing changed.

“Truly stubborn. Now, come back to where you belong.”

“How long do you intend to be so obstinate? Do you truly not know that the Family’s will lies with us?”

They would never change. Unless their resolve was forcibly broken, they would maintain the same appearance and take the same actions forever.

In response, Cheong Joohwa quietly raised her hand and began reciting an Incantation.

“Nine Mountains Azure, Five Paths Six Boundaries.”

Whooosh.

Psssssh!

The Grand Art that Cheong Jiwoon, the Cheong Family’s 10th Elder, had once attempted to use against Cheong Wooncheol in front of Cheong Joohwa.

That secret technique, created by the genius Cheong Jiwoon after five years of reinterpreting his Family’s Secret Arts, was being perfectly reproduced in Cheong Joohwa’s mind.

“Nine Mountains Azure, Seven Retributions Eight Grudges.”

Naturally, scornful gazes flew in from all directions. The mere thought of a trivial thing like her using an Elder-level Grand Art was undoubtedly laughable.

However, the original owner himself, Cheong Jiwoon, who was fighting fiercely in the distance, hurriedly turned his head and shouted.

“What are you doing right now! Stop her immediately!”

At his words, the Elders’ expressions changed. Only then did they realize this wasn’t merely an imitation.

“What is this, how can such a thing be possible?”

“8th Elder! I’ll block the deployment, you separate the Azure Dragon!”

But it was too late. While the astonished Elders remained in disbelief, the Art Formula had already reached the completion stage.

“Nine Mountains Azure, Nine Graces Ten Inscriptions.”

It was clearly impossible.

Even if it were a basic Art Formula, one who could see and replicate it once is called a prodigy.

And if such a feat is maintained up to the Intermediate-Rank, the world calls such a person a genius.

But this is a Grand Art.

Not even an Advanced Art, but a Grand Art.

A talent reaching a realm so frightening it borders on the bizarre—even the Elders were encountering this for the first time since they were born and named.

Whooosh!

Creeejerejejek!

Soon, the Art Formula was completed, and it exploded with its inherent power, finally reaching the deployment stage.

“Get out of that spot right now!”

[…Try it if you can. I have no intention of backing down even if I die.]

In that imminent moment, there was a being who escaped everyone’s notice.

The former 6th Elder, Cheong Woondo, who was called the Family’s troublemaker and had been stripped of his Elder position, had somehow taken a long detour and caught up behind Cheong Joohwa.

“You seem more useful than those trash, but unfortunately, it’s over.”

Sssshriek!

Kwaaaduduk!

Soon, Cheong Woondo’s strike slammed into Cheong Joohwa’s shoulder, who was pouring all her concentration into the Art Formula.

A gruesome sound of bones breaking echoed, and Cheong Joohwa’s body tumbled onto the dirt ground.

And the immense Spiritual Power she had been forcibly holding back surged back, ravaging her body.

“Cough! Kehek…!”

Feeling a trickle of fresh blood flowing from the corner of her mouth, Cheong Joohwa deeply bowed her head.

She thought she had done everything she possibly could, but in the end, she fell one step short.

Now, she had neither remaining strength nor a shred of will left.

Merely clinging to her fading consciousness with all her might was the best she could do.

[You foolish, insignificant creatures……!]

The Azure Dragon was truly furious, glaring at the Family Elders with crimson eyes.

But seeing Cheong Joohwa’s severely critical condition at a glance, it barely managed to regain its sharp focus.

[…Heal her. For the last time, I will play along with your hands.]

Unlike the Elders, who obediently withdrew their arms at those words, Cheong Woondo tilted his head and stomped on the back of the fallen Cheong Joohwa.

Kwaaduk!

“Hheuk!*”

“What foolish nonsense are you all spouting? Don’t you know that if this child grows, it won’t take more than a moment for her to tear you all apart?”

“Hey, Cheong Woondo! We said acting on your own is prohibited.”

“No, I don’t want to. Originally, the agreement was with Lord Doyool, not you insignificant riffraff.”

At his action, the Elders contorted their faces, and just as the Azure Dragon was about to express its uncontrollable rage, a group of people revealed themselves from one side.

“…….”

And Han Kangyoon, who had directly witnessed the entire scene, broke his characteristic expressionless mask and furrowed his brow.

At that, most of the Exorcists present couldn’t help but flinch and take a step back.

For some reason, the gaze of that being, who should still be utterly immature, felt extremely ominous.