Chapter 260

Since falling into this era, I’ve seen quite a few Cursed Techniques, but the ones that most piqued my interest were Jangsam’s clone technique and Shin Pyoeul’s Eight Trigrams Star Sky.

Frankly, the Art of the Eight Trigrams Star Sky was particularly shocking.

So much so that I thought the level of the sorcery itself was high, even relative to the capabilities of its user, Shin Pyoeul.

That’s why I had already guessed back then that she must have had a teacher-like figure.

Of course, I didn’t know I’d encounter her so soon.

“Th-the Art of the Eight Trigrams Star Sky?”

“Yes. I must admit, I was quite intrigued by it myself.”

With my vast knowledge of the Exorcism Academy Series, I could tell.

This Art of the Eight Trigrams Star Sky is an Art Formula that comes incredibly close to the origin of sorcery.

Shin Pyoeul clearly referred to the Eight Trigrams Star Sky as a Taoist Method, and I agree with that statement.

It was an Art Formula fully deserving of such a title.

“B-but if it’s something I learned from my master, I can’t just arbitrarily pass it on to someone…”

“I understand. If it’s difficult for you, it’s fine.”

“Ugh…”

While a considerable glint of greed flickered in Shin Pyoeul’s eyes, upon assessing the situation, she soon showed signs of resignation.

Sneaking a glance at her reaction, I quickly added a word.

“She doesn’t seem particularly attached to you. Or rather, it’s closer to saying she holds no attachment to the concept of a disciple or to the world itself.”

“…That’s probably true. My master has lived for an extremely long time, and she only took me in on a momentary whim.”

“I understand you, Shin Pyoeul, wish to uphold your duty as a disciple, but is that truly the right thing?”

“Huh?”

Shin Pyoeul wore a dumbfounded expression as if asking what I meant. Sensing her wavering, I continued without pause.

“You are Seo Cheonye’s disciple, but before that, you are a Taoist Master who chose to fight against Specters. In that sense, this is closer to cooperation between individuals to confront a powerful and evil enemy—the realization of righteousness.”

“……”

“In the end, when all pretense is stripped away, it’s a question of what Shin Pyoeul wishes to hold most deeply within. At least, that’s how I’ve lived.”

At my words, Shin Pyoeul seemed to receive a tremendous shock for a moment.

It must have been a thought she had never even considered, trapped as she was within the immense shadow of her great master.

“I can tell. She is not someone living in this era. She’s practically… closer to an observer.”

This is absolutely not an attempt to find fault or empty flattery.

That was also one of the reasons I didn’t fully trust Seo Cheonye.

“In the end, you are the one living in this era. Carrying out your will is your choice, and you simply bear the responsibility for it afterward. And I believe our exchange would never be an act of betraying righteousness.”

“……”

“Let me say again, it’s fine if you refuse. I was just complaining out of regret.”

Shin Pyoeul was able to grow this quickly thanks to having an outstanding master, but paradoxically, that’s also why she’s currently stalled at her present level.

There are no longer even traces of anyone’s footsteps ahead of her, so she ultimately had to leave her master’s embrace and advance alone.

When she earlier cited her duty as a disciple as a reason, I got the impression she was closer to fearing and avoiding that very step.

“Won’t Shin Pyoeul also eventually want to take on a disciple someday to pass on her progress? It might sound a bit strange, but I never really understood the reason for being fixated on formalities in the first place.”

Well, if she still says no after all this, then there’s really nothing to be done.

At my detached attitude, Shin Pyoeul hesitated, then asked a question as if to confirm.

“Are you saying that if one wishes to practice righteousness as a Taoist Master, there’s no need to hesitate in exchanging sorcery?”

“It’s not that extreme. I just mean there’s no need to be bound.”

Shin Pyoeul remained silent, pondering for a long while.

Then, as if having made a decision, she nodded.

“Yes. I will teach you the Art of the Eight Trigrams Star Sky. It’s true I’m reluctant… but I think it would be okay to share it with you, Kangyoon.”

And so, while learning the Art of the Eight Trigrams Star Sky from Shin Pyoeul, I also taught her various Cursed Techniques I knew.

Days that felt too short for a fortnight passed, and we finally arrived at Yeocheon, the city known as the capital of pleasure and revelry.

“It’s incredible…”

After entering Yeocheon and parting ways with the caravan, Shin Pyoeul and I looked around, observing the streets.

Hoobaek and Cheongra, which I saw last time, were also quite developed cities, but Yeocheon had a different atmosphere from both of them.

It felt like a city built from the ground up for proper enjoyment.

“Is this your first time in Yeocheon?”

“Yes. Actually, I only recently started staying in this area. I’d heard of its reputation before, but I never imagined it would be to this extent.”

Nodding at her words, I subtly gauged Shin Pyoeul’s reaction.

As expected, even Shin Pyoeul didn’t seem to notice anything particularly strange.

She probably wouldn’t even dream that a powerful Great Specter resides in this city.

‘It’s a point in time earlier than the original work, but given it’s said to have ruled this place for nearly a hundred years, it should exist now too.’

My reason for coming to Yeocheon was no other.

If the rest of the group were also searching for each other, they would naturally be traveling mainly around large cities.

Moreover, as material consumption was active, numerous merchants came and went in Yeocheon, making the likelihood of obtaining quality information high.

Even if it’s a one-in-a-million chance, there’s also a slight probability of targeting a Great Specter that has come here directly or is hiding here.

Since it was originally a city Yoo Haon’s group passed through in the source material, it wasn’t a baseless idea.

“But, what do we do from here?”

“First, I plan to stay for about a month and exorcise nearby Specters. We should gather information during that time too.”

Still, if no leads are found by then, there’s nothing to be done.

We’d have no choice but to give up and head for Jinyeonsan again.

Of course, by then, after assessing the situation, I’d also consider confronting the Great Specter here.

“Hey, you two! If you’re looking for lodging, why not stop by here!”

“Oh my, what are you saying. They clearly look like distinguished people; wouldn’t your place be beneath their standards?”

True to its name as the city of revelry, the people here were competing fiercely to attract visitors.

Of course, since Shin Pyoeul and I disliked trouble, we found an old inn away from the bustling area and settled in.

“I’ll be in the room right next door, so if you have anything to say, just call.”

“Alright. Shall we start moving in earnest from tomorrow?”

“Let’s do that.”

And so, Shin Noeul and I stayed in Yeocheon and hunted the surrounding Specters thoroughly for a while.

Perhaps they were indeed targeting travelers, as their numbers were considerable, so we spent a better time than expected.

Of course, the disappointing part was that there were no Specters of Special-Rank or above among them.

“You worked hard again today. Are you free this evening?”

“Shall I continue teaching you the Unbinding Art Formula?”

“Yes. I’ve grasped the feel of it, so seeing it a few more times should be enough.”

Hunting Specters during the day, exchanging knowledge in the evening.

Ironically, for me, who had relied on the power of the Intracranial Spell Repository, this orthodox training felt quite novel.

Perhaps because of that, these were days where I could surprisingly gain many minor achievements.

“It’s quiet around here now…”

“After hunting so many, unless the Specters are fools, they must have realized the danger and left.”

It was no exaggeration; there were no Specters worth targeting anymore.

Well, for them, with humans scattered everywhere, there was no reason to be fixated on this place.

However, right around that time, I too managed to achieve a significant result.

I finally caught news of someone presumed to be from our scattered group.

“A Water God has appeared…”

“Is that person really Kangyoon’s comrade?”

“I think it’s almost certain.”

Information heard from merchants who came from the far north.

If it wasn’t the act of a Specter that transformed into a human, it was highly likely to be Seo Jian.

Since there aren’t that many humans with an aptitude for Natural-Type Sorcery in the first place, it was almost one hundred percent.

“Then, are we leaving for there?”

“Yes. I think it’s about time to wrap things up here.”

Then there’s no reason to hesitate. I was already considering leaving since we had caught all the nearby Specters.

Feeling the time had come, I carefully conveyed the information I knew to Shin Pyoeul as well.

“Is that really true? I didn’t notice at all…”

I know.

That’s also why I deliberately didn’t tell her earlier.

It was possible she might unknowingly give it away.

“If it managed to perfectly evade my sight, it must be a Specter of a very high level.”

“I’m not certain, but it probably possesses power worthy of being called a Great Specter.”

At that, Shin Pyoeul made a somewhat awkward expression.

“T-to be honest, at that level, I’m not very confident…”

“I don’t plan to be reckless either. It’s closer to reconnaissance for now.”

While a competitive spirit stirs within me about how much I can achieve now, there’s no need to deliberately invite danger.

If it seems difficult immediately, I can find a few more members of the group and challenge it again later.

“…If it’s just that, it seems okay. To be honest, it does bother me. So, do we move tomorrow?”

“I’m not certain, but that would probably be meaningless.”

“Then…?”

“If you’re coming along, it would be better to rest and recover your fatigue during this gap.”

I too had been aware of the Great Specter’s presence, but no matter how much I scouted the city during the day, I couldn’t find even a trace of it.

I only faintly sensed its presence for a truly fleeting moment, even within the short gap from just past midnight until dawn.

‘Precisely, from the Hour of the Ox to before the Hour of the Tiger.’

That is, between 1 AM and 3 AM was the only moment when its concealment weakened slightly.

Once might be a coincidence, but during the over a fortnight I stayed here, it repeated at least ten times.

Meaning, this is a regular phenomenon and closely related to it.

“It’s highly likely that during that time, it is taking some kind of action.”

And today marks the second day I haven’t sensed its presence, which is very rare.

Until now, it had never deviated from that pattern for more than three days.

“So tonight is the opportune time.”

The only chance to approach it and grasp its true identity.

That time was now drawing near.