Chapter 266

“You intend to take control of Daehwarim?”

“What in the world….”

The elders Jang Ryeokyeong had referred to immediately frowned, and from outside the door, I began to sense ominous auras directed toward us.

It was, of course, a hostile reaction. To them, I first spoke calmly.

“Not necessarily. It’s just that there is a very urgent matter, and I wish to receive the assistance of the entire Daehwarim for it.”

“The entire Daehwarim… That’s a rather significant statement, isn’t it? If you put it that way, it’s difficult for us to guess your meaning.”

Yeongwan seemed to sense something from my words, as he merely chuckled and maintained his silence.

Well, I couldn’t back down now that I’d come this far anyway.

After steeling my resolve, I first clarified my purpose by presenting them with precise conditions.

“For this matter, I want the entire Daehwarim to support me with all their might. Even if it means disregarding all other matters.”

“Can you offer us compensation worthy of that?”

“I’m sorry, but I don’t possess that level of wealth. However, I will only say that it is for a cause of equal magnitude.”

“That is an extremely one-sided request.”

Yeongwan sighed with a lament, and the influential figures of Daehwarim, who had been silently observing Yeongwan’s demeanor, all rose from their seats and glared at us.

“It seems there’s no need to hear more. Stop this nonsense and leave immediately.”

“…You all seem to possess considerable talent, but if it’s excessive, you’ll bring misfortune upon yourselves.”

The frowning old man and the sturdy young man standing beside him retorted.

Seeing their reaction, Yeongwan, as if having made up his mind, posed a final question to me.

“What do you intend to do if we refuse?”

“By the simplest principle, I will take control of this Daehwarim.”

In short, it meant resorting to force.

And at that, the influential figures of Daehwarim finally erupted in anger.

Whoosh!

“You insolent fool! Your arrogance truly reaches the heavens!”

“Heavenly Heart….”

However, their attempt to deploy their Cursed Techniques was instantly sealed by Cheong Joohwa, who had anticipated the timing.

Clatter!

Thud!

Thump!

Crash!

“Don’t act rashly and stay still. If you don’t want to get hurt.”

Blue chains that instantly filled the room emitted a chilling aura, ready to bind them at any moment.

The Taoist Masters, whose movements were sealed in an instant, wore bewildered expressions, unsure of what to do.

“Wh-what is this….”

“How can the construction of a spell be this swift!”

Well, for them, it must be like a whole new world.

Even I, facing her head-on, cannot match Cheong Joohwa’s speed of Art Formula deployment.

Moreover, their Levels merely hover around the late 50s and early 60s at best.

Even the highest among them, Yeongwan, only possesses a Level of 65.

Of course, even at their level, they are recognized as powerful figures anywhere, but they seemed to fall short by two or three steps when facing our current party.

“…Indeed, impressive.”

Having witnessed Cheong Joohwa’s prowess, Yeongwan sighed and responded to our intent.

“To get straight to the point, I am willing to hand over Daehwarim.”

“Master! What are you saying! Have you been intimidated by such shameless scoundrels?”

“Calm down, Taehaebae. Do you not understand what it means to have defeated the Nine Dragon Sons?”

“The Nine Dragon Sons, that trifling lot, if only our Daehwarim combined our strength….”

To Taehaebae’s protest, Yeongwan calmly declared.

“Even if the entire Daehwarim united, it would be difficult to defeat even one of the Nine Dragon Sons. Yet, they have already defeated Kongha. At best, the result would be mutual destruction, even if fortune favored us.”

His judgment was as accurate as it was coldly rational.

With Yeongwan, the elder of Daehwarim, asserting so definitively, even Taehaebae found it difficult to speak further.

Soon, Yeongwan, seizing the moment as the atmosphere somewhat calmed, initiated a conversation with us.

“As I said earlier, we are willing to hand over everything. However, it seems there is a point you are overlooking.”

“What is that?”

“Daehwarim is less of an organization and more of a gathering of individuals united by a singular purpose. Even if you take control of Daehwarim by force, if you do not offer benefits, most of them will simply leave.”

Certainly, that was a valid point.

The Taoist Masters of Daehwarim were inclined from the start to act in pursuit of profit and were not particularly bound by discipline or a sense of belonging.

As I pondered that point, Yeongwan presented a proposal.

“I can resolve that for you. Not completely, but I am confident I can make them assist you, at least for the time being.”

“Then…?”

“In return, leave Daehwarim to us as it is now, and someday, grant me one request. Isn’t that a rather good deal?”

As expected, Yeongwan was a very seasoned individual.

However, knowing it was an offer that greatly accommodated us, I found no particular reason to refuse.

“Very well. What is the request?”

“It’s nothing major. Just one of this old man’s long-cherished wishes….”

Soon, having organized his thoughts, Yeongwan conveyed his request to me with a somewhat sorrowful expression.

“My master, who fell and became a Specter… if you ever meet him, please guide him to rest.”

That alone was Yeongwan’s condition.

Having concluded a negotiation-that-wasn’t-a-negotiation, we left their residence and quietly observed the scene of Daehwarim’s Taoist Masters being summoned.

Perhaps not considering it something to be resolved immediately despite calling it a condition, Yeongwan decided to begin assisting us merely by promising it.

Thus, at this point, all Taoist Masters of Daehwarim remaining in Hwang Mountain departed under Yeongwan’s instructions to search for my companions.

Watching their retreating figures, Yeongwan asked me with a tone of curiosity.

“However, I find it hard to understand. According to your words, your companions are also not the type to die easily anywhere, so why such urgency?”

“I thought so too at first… but it seems our enemy is not to be taken lightly.”

“Hoh, that is indeed a frightening matter. A Great Evil that even those who defeated the Nine Dragon Sons cannot easily dismiss….”

Truthfully, even though I said that, I myself cannot yet clearly describe our enemy.

It’s just a vague intuition warning me. That before an irreversible mistake occurs, I must act with as much haste as possible.

Thus, after expressing our gratitude to Yeongwan, we left Hwang Mountain and set off on the road again.

“Fortunately, it somehow worked out….”

Things resolved more easily than I had thought.

I could say I had somewhat eased my worries.

And now, it was time to decide the next destination immediately.

“Regarding Seo Jian, you decided to wait for now, right?”

“Yes. She should be fine. We confirmed she is safe and understood her intent, so that’s enough.”

Then, two options remain.

Either wander around various places searching for the whereabouts of the remaining companions, or we too head to Jinyeonsan Mountain where the Celestial Guide Master Hochoong is.

After pondering briefly, I carefully weighed the two choices and reached a conclusion.

“First, we will go to Jinyeonsan Mountain.”

“I also think that would be better.”

We had also entrusted requests to the merchants we met in Cheongra and secured Daehwarim’s cooperation, so it was highly likely that soon, one of our companions would confirm the message to come to Jinyeonsan Mountain and act accordingly.

In that case, rather than wandering aimlessly, it seemed better to first meet with companions at Jinyeonsan Mountain and convey to them the dangers this World of Forbidden Techniques holds.

“In a situation where we’ve been scattered haphazardly like this from the start, gathering everyone at once without trial and error is nearly impossible.”

Cheong Joohwa is right.

Rather than greedily trying to gather everyone at once, it’s better to first join with some, exchange gathered information, and then go search for the remaining ones.

Thus, having set Jinyeonsan Mountain as our destination, we purchased necessary supplies and embarked on the long journey again.

Whether it’s fortunate or not, thanks to consistently moving in the direction of Jinyeonsan Mountain during that time, the distance had become relatively closer compared to the beginning.

A full month’s time.

During that period, we passed through numerous cities, defeated countless Specters, and continuously accumulated strength and information accordingly.

Feeling that my power had grown considerably compared to when I first fell into this era, I quietly opened my Status Window to check my own condition.

【Han Kangyoon】

▶Level 65

▶Attributes

【Stamina : B+】

【Spiritual Power : A-】

【Art Formula : B-】

【Mental Power : A】

▶Traits (9/10)

【Phantom Body (S)】

【Witch’s Resonance (A+)】

【Dragon Body (A+)】

【Desperate Struggle (A+)】

【Giant Slayer (A)】

【Soul Combustion (A)】

【Dragon’s Forest World (A)】

【Challenger (B+)】

【Intracranial Spell Repository (B)】

Immense growth, and the days that flowed by accordingly.

And finally, having arrived at the distant Jinyeonsan Mountain, I was able to meet the Celestial Guide Master Hochoong, who was the purpose of entering this World of Forbidden Techniques.

“Are you really… Hochoong?”

“Yes. That is correct, benefactor.”

Looking at his appearance, for some reason, I couldn’t shake the feeling that something was severely distorted.

Because the Hochoong I knew from the original work was an elderly figure, and even he was described as being older than he appeared.

Yet the Hochoong before my eyes had the appearance of a sturdy, robust young man.

What that meant was simple.

‘Does that mean… there exists that much of a time difference?’

The Level of Hochoong I confirmed was 75.

An absurdly outstanding achievement for his age, but unlike the description of a Taoist Master who had reached a near-absolute state, he now seemed lacking even compared to Seo Cheonye.

“Benefactor? Why are you so flustered?”

To Hochoong, who expressed puzzlement upon seeing my expression, I couldn’t grasp what to say at all.

The Hochoong in my memory was the greatest sage, who seemed to have comprehended all phenomena and would provide an answer to any question.

But I sensed no such aura from the Hochoong before me.

He was merely a young man full of talent, who had sufficiently accumulated training.

“You are… much younger than I thought.”

“…….”

Toward us, who were all equally bewildered, Hochoong tilted his head and said this.

“Please, come inside first. It seems you benefactors have something to convey to me.”

A series of bewilderment and shock,

That was the first meeting with the Celestial Guide Master Hochoong.