Chapter 89

“…Are you heading out now?”

“Yeah. Since it’s a bit of a distance, I should get going now.”

“Alright, see you at the Academy on Monday. If you get lost, be sure to call.”

11 PM.

The time when most people are starting to go to bed.

Having finished all my preparations, I set out on the road, seen off by Cheong Joohwa.

‘I don’t remember the location with one hundred percent accuracy.’

However, knowing his habits, I was sure I could find it if I just spent the time.

‘Beyond the mountains to the north, that much is certain.’

Since it wasn’t a time when I could use public transportation anyway, I retraced my memories and moved on foot.

After traveling for quite a while, a journey of about two hours, I finally managed to locate my intended destination.

Thud.

Thud thud.

“Excuse me.”

A hastily built house in a remote corner of a quiet village, looking barely fit for human habitation.

In that place, where all sorts of antiques were piled up even in the yard, I succeeded in meeting the face of the person I had come to see.

Thump.

Thump.

“Well, I’ll be. What kind of fellow is this, coming so early in the morning?”

Strictly speaking, it was the middle of the night, but it wasn’t exactly wrong.

For him, this was probably the time to start the day in a good mood.

“I came because I have business. Elder Cheong Jong.”

“What’s this, a green youngster knows me? Don’t tell me it’s an errand from the family?”

He was a man named Cheong Jong, who had once held a position comparable to an Elder in the Cheong Family, but had cut ties due to some incident and was living alone.

In my personal opinion, he was probably the person who best fit the term ‘reclusive master’ as people often say.

“It has nothing to do with the family. I just heard about it before, so I knew where you resided.”

“Too obvious to be a lie, and strange even if it’s true. Whatever it is, you’re no ordinary fellow either.”

“I’d like to have a conversation for a moment, if that’s alright?”

In response to my consistently confident question, Cheong Jong also didn’t back down and accepted it.

“Fine. Come inside.”

To be honest, what followed wasn’t particularly difficult.

In fact, you could say the outcome was already decided the moment he accepted my request for a talk.

“Right! That’s exactly what I’m saying! You’re a youngster who really gets it!”

“As for understanding your intentions, Elder Cheong Jong, they have simply become blinded by what’s right in front of them, their vision narrowed.”

For me, who fully grasped Cheong Jong’s disposition, Trait, and past, winning his favor was all too easy.

After exchanging words and playing off each other for quite a while, Cheong Jong asked me a question with an interested expression.

“So, what’s your name? Hearing you, it seems you know the family’s inner workings inside out for someone claiming no connection.”

“My name is Han Kangyoon. I have connections to the Cheong Family due to various circumstances.”

“Right, anyway, you must have a reason for seeking out this old man in the back room.”

Now was the time to gradually bring up the main point. I changed my expression to a serious one and spoke to Cheong Jong.

“What are your thoughts on Cheong Doyool?”

“What’s there to think? That guy is wrong. He may have outstanding skill, but he is absolutely not the talent to lead the family.”

“I think the same. His ideology is far too incompatible with the old Cheong Family’s principles.”

Principles aside, if left alone, Cheong Doyool becomes an extremely troublesome enemy in the future story.

Since he was someone completely opposed to this side, strictly speaking, he was the type that persuasion or negotiation wouldn’t work on at all.

It meant we were bound to face him as an enemy someday.

Therefore, even from now, we must prepare cards to deal with him as much as possible.

“When a certain situation arises, I intend to create a means to check Cheong Doyool.”

“A means to check Cheong Doyool? Does such a thing exist?”

“I plan to seek the help of the Azure Dragon, the Divine Beast of the Cheong Family.”

The Divine Beast, regarded as the guardian deity of the Cheong Family for ages—its symbolism is something even Elder Cheong Doyool cannot easily ignore.

At those words, Cheong Jong blinked and asked again, as if he couldn’t understand.

“The Azure Dragon? You mean the Azure Dragon I know?”

“Yes. That’s the one.”

“You must be mistaken. That crazy serpent isn’t a convenient being that grants anyone’s requests. Rather, it would be fortunate if you don’t incur its wrath.”

That perception isn’t wrong. While most Divine Beasts are like that, the Azure Dragon was also an extremely finicky being.

However, for me, who knows the original work’s knowledge inside out, there naturally exists a means to control that Azure Dragon as well.

“If there’s a way to secure the Azure Dragon’s cooperation, will you believe me?”

“Hah, really. You don’t seem to be lying. But that guy isn’t the type to cooperate quietly…”

“While the Azure Dragon is certainly stingy with its help, it’s not always so if conditions are met. And I know those conditions.”

After a moment of contemplation, Cheong Jong soon nodded and expressed his willingness to cooperate.

“But what do you plan to do? I heard that Cheong Doyool fellow is putting all his effort into coaxing the Azure Dragon day in and day out.”

“I’ll steal it.”

“…What did you say?”

“I mean I’ll take the Azure Dragon out of the shrine.”

At my words, Cheong Jong soon burst into loud laughter.

“Kkkk. This youngster has completely lost his mind. Right, one needs to be that bold to accomplish great things in the future. Do you have the confidence?”

“If you just lend me the family’s seal, I will definitely succeed.”

“Fine. It’s a worthless item to me now anyway. Go ahead and try as you please.”

And so, I finally obtained the Cheong Family’s seal from Cheong Jong.

With this, all preparations were complete.

‘……’

Now, only the actual execution remained.

Crash!

“What exactly is the problem! Have you truly forgotten the pact with our ancestors?”

A private room permeated with dense Spiritual Power. A man there vented his anger, shouting into the air.

Then, from an unseen place, a shimmering form appeared and threw an answer at the man.

[How truly foolish. I have not the slightest intention of lending power to those who have even forgotten the price of that pact. Do not make me say it again and again.]

“……”

[Annoying. Leave at once. Were it not for the pact as you say, I would have already burned this entire area to ashes.]

“…It would be wise not to think you can act like that forever.”

Crash.

Cheong Doyool, the Leader of one of the two major factions forming the current Cheong Family and also an Elder of the family. Frowning, he kicked the door open and returned to his quarters.

Thud.

“…You don’t look well. Did the Azure Dragon give no answer again today?”

“Tch. That creature isn’t even worth respecting. It’s truly frustrating during this critical time.”

Although the Azure Dragon had been with them for ages as the family’s Divine Beast, to the current Cheong Doyool, it was literally nothing but a troublesome burden.

Its symbolism couldn’t be ignored, making it all the more of a headache.

‘To suppress Cheong Soha’s standing, I absolutely need that creature’s power…’

Currently, the forces following Cheong Doyool’s faction and Cheong Soha’s faction could be said to maintain roughly equal strength.

However, Cheong Soha had received the selection of the Azure-White Sword, the family’s treasure.

If Cheong Doyool failed to obtain the Azure Dragon’s power, that difference would surely one day become a sharp dagger tightening around Cheong Doyool’s neck.

‘Damn it, Cheong Sawoon. Could he have received the Azure Dragon’s selection?’

In fact, the Azure Dragon hadn’t been so stingy towards him alone.

Among the many forces of the Cheong Family, he was a descendant of the direct lineage that had personally served the Azure Dragon.

Recalling Cheong Sawoon, Cheong Joohwa’s father, whom he had also buried with his own hands, Cheong Doyool clicked his tongue at the rising displeasure.

‘Cheong Sawoon, you torment me even in death.’

After returning to the Academy, I began looking for an opportune moment, watching for a chance.

‘If possible, it would be better to take advantage of a time when Cheong Doyool is away.’

Since Cheong Doyool, as one of the Cheong Family Elders, also serves as a public face, an opportunity was bound to come if I waited.

And luckily, just then, word came that Cheong Doyool was leaving Korea for a while to make an appearance at a national Event.

‘This Saturday. If we execute the plan, that’s the time.’

I set the date, but next, one most important hurdle remained.

Namely, securing Cheong Joohwa’s cooperation.

‘It’s absolutely necessary, but I can’t explain how or what…’

Let me be clear, this is quite a dangerous undertaking.

If things go wrong, we could completely fall out with Cheong Doyool’s faction, or beyond that, there’s also the possibility of being branded a wanted criminal on charges of attempting to steal a Divine Beast.

Of course, I was confident it wouldn’t come to that, but asking Cheong Joohwa, who doesn’t even know the proper circumstances, made me uneasy nonetheless.

Hesitating like that for two days.

Finally, unable to bear it any longer, Cheong Joohwa spoke to me first.

“What’s wrong with you lately? Do you have something to tell me?”

“…I do.”

“Then just say it. Don’t keep hesitating and making me curious.”

So, I explained the situation as carefully as possible, to the extent that Cheong Joohwa could understand.

And, as it turned out, Cheong Joohwa accepted it all too easily.

“Are you really sure about this?”

“Why? Ultimately, it’s about screwing over Cheong Doyool, right? Then of course I’m all for it.”

“It’s not exactly wrong, but…”

Well, from Cheong Joohwa’s perspective, Cheong Doyool was literally the root of all evil causing every tragedy. So, I could understand her feeling such strong aversion.

“You said you’re confident we won’t get caught. I’m confident I can run away without losing face even if we do. And we have backing anyway.”

By backing, she surely meant Cheong Soha. Since I planned to use her name if any unforeseen situation arose, I nodded quietly.

“Then that’s fine. When you think about it, the one who should have received the Azure Dragon’s selection… wasn’t that bastard Cheong Doyool in the first place.”

That statement is certainly correct.

Considering what happened to her father, Cheong Sawoon, the Azure Dragon is also just returning to its rightful place.

Since the person concerned said so herself, I had no reason to dissuade her. In the end, we made our promise, and as soon as Saturday morning arrived, we left the Academy together once again.

Our destination was Dobongsan (Dobong Mountain), spanning between Dobong-gu, Seoul and Uijeongbu-si, Gyeonggi-do.

The very place where the Cheong Family’s shrine housing the slumbering Azure Dragon was located.