Bachelor [EN]: Chapter 404

“Elder Oh is hesitant to speak because he thinks it’s unlikely. I’ll explain instead!”

Madam Cheok of the Hwa Clan smiled and stepped forward in place of Oh Bung. Everyone focused their attention on her, wondering what she was about to say.

“Actually, the situation is like this. The disciples who witnessed the battle reported that the two Nascent Soul cultivators looked very strange. Moreover, they devoured the souls of the dead cultivators, regardless of whether they were mages or cultivators.

Perhaps Sect Master Oh suspects that the two are not humans but other races in disguise. However, since they didn’t clearly sense any demonic or magical energy from their bodies, it’s still too early to make a judgment.

Still, considering the sudden appearance of powerful ancient demonic beasts, isn’t it highly likely that they are related? So, we suspect that the Moran tribe might be colluding with other forces to invade our Cheonnam.”

“If they are from another race, does Madam mean demonic beasts that have taken human form?”

Amidst everyone’s surprise, Senior Ryeo asked in a low voice.

“I would rather it be so. If they are not demonic beasts, they would be evil cultivators who have mastered wicked demonic arts or sorcery, and it’s better to face demonic beasts than them.”

Oh Bung, with a somber face, acknowledged that Madam Cheok’s words were true.

“When did you hear this news, Sect Master Oh?”

Han Li, who had been silent, asked calmly.

“I heard it when I received the last battle report. Why do you ask?”

“It’s nothing. It’s just that it bothers me that these two strange mages, whether they are cultivators or demonic beasts, have revealed themselves so quickly. Unlike before, the Moran people don’t seem to be planning a long war. They might try to find the main force of the cultivators and seize victory at once. Could something have happened on the Moran Plains?”

Han Li stroked his chin and shared his thoughts. Oh Bung and Madam Cheok’s expressions changed at his analysis, and they looked at each other.

The others were the same; they couldn’t have failed to understand the implications of the change Han Li mentioned.

In the past, even when the Moran people invaded, it always led to a long war. The last battle was short, but wars used to last for decades.

This was because both the Cheonnam cultivators and the Moran mages avoided large-scale decisive battles.

If such a large-scale battle were to occur, one side would be completely destroyed, or both sides would be severely weakened and perish together. Neither the Cheonnam cultivators nor the Moran mages could afford such a risk.

Moreover, the Moran mages were a federation of numerous tribes, and the Cheonnam cultivators also fought in a coalition of large and small sects, making it even more difficult to reach a consensus.

However, considering the Moran tribe’s fierce momentum, the appearance of strange mages, and even the ancient demonic beasts, something must have changed within the Moran tribe.

“Brother Han’s words make sense. The current Moran tribe is definitely different from before. The situation is serious, so all the sects in Cheonnam must send disciples and immediately dispatch a second reinforcement to the front lines. Otherwise, it will be a disaster if the Moran tribe starts to defeat each sect individually. Everyone, please return to your respective sects, convey the situation, and move quickly. Our National Salvation Alliance alone cannot hold out for long.”

After a while, Oh Bung gave a wry smile and announced solemnly.

“What Cultivator Han said is highly likely, but it is still just speculation. So, let’s keep the contents of today’s meeting a secret from everyone except the Nascent Soul cultivators.

However, if the Moran tribe wants an all-out war, their high-ranking divine masters will surely come forward. We cannot handle these late-stage Nascent Soul mages, so I will contact Elder Wi Mu-ae of the Alliance to see if the three great cultivators can gather to prepare for this.”

Madam Cheok suggested after some thought.

“Madam Cheok is right. We cannot be careless in preparing for this. I will also contact my sect immediately.”

A gaunt old man, looking a bit haggard, nodded in agreement. The other cultivators also knew it was a serious matter, so they nodded repeatedly to show their agreement.

They then discussed the details and decided to form a reinforcement to slow down the Moran tribe’s advance and buy time for each force in Cheonnam to dispatch their disciples.

After that, the cultivators who had finished the meeting hurriedly left the conference hall.

Han Li was walking alongside Senior Ryeo and Hwaryong Dongja when he frowned as soon as they stepped out of the main gate of the hall.

“What’s wrong?”

Senior Ryeo turned his head, surprised to see Han Li’s expression.

“It’s nothing. An old acquaintance wants to see me, so I think I should go for a bit. Senior and Brother Ryeo, please go back first.”

Han Li raised an eyebrow and then replied with a nonchalant expression.

“If you have something to do, you should go. I’ll go back and inform the Cheondo Alliance cultivators about today’s meeting, and I’ll also contact my senior brother. We need to hear how our Cheondo Alliance will handle this matter.”

Senior Ryeo nodded with a smile, and Hwaryong Dongja slightly curled his lips and grinned. Han Li bowed to the two and disappeared in a different direction from his residence.

Senior Ryeo had not even taken a few steps out of the main gate of the hall when he turned his gaze towards the direction Han Li had disappeared. Then, Hwaryong Dongja, seeing this, playfully asked.

“Are you worried?”

“Why would I be worried?”

Senior Ryeo was inwardly pricked, but outwardly he asked back nonchalantly.

“You know best what you are worried about, even if I don’t say it. Wasn’t Cultivator Han originally from the Hwangpung Valley? And Old Monster Ryeo also has little time left, like your senior brother. With no other Nascent Soul cultivators around, Old Monster Ryeo must be even more anxious.

It might not be a big deal for a small sect, but if a large sect like the Hwangpung Valley loses its Nascent Soul cultivator, it could be destroyed. In this situation, who else would have sent a sound transmission to Cultivator Han just now if not Old Monster Ryeo?”

“…How did Brother Nam know about Cultivator Han’s background? I don’t remember telling you.”

Senior Ryeo remained silent instead of answering and then asked.

“Hehe, when such a young elder suddenly appeared in the Nagun Sect, the Gogeom Sect naturally investigated. It wasn’t difficult to find out.”

The boy spoke without hiding anything, and Ryeo Rak said, lost in thought.

“It’s not a big deal that Junior Brother Han went to meet an old acquaintance. If he really intended to return to the Hwangpung Valley, he would have already gone back.”

“That’s true, but wouldn’t a cunning old man like Old Monster Ryeo have some confidence in persuading Cultivator Han when he called him out?”

At Hwaryong Dongja’s words, Senior Ryeo finally showed a worried expression.

“We have to leave everything to fate. If Cultivator Han wants to go back, how can my senior brother and I hold him back?”

Senior Ryeo sighed with a wry smile.

* * *

At that time, Han Li was heading to the outskirts, constantly looking left and right.

He stopped walking and looked at a two-story pavilion. It wasn’t a very large pavilion, but there was a small flag at the front gate, and the flag had the large character ‘Tea’ written on it.

And in front of the pavilion, two Foundation Establishment cultivators in yellow robes were looking at him. As Han Li quietly smiled and approached, the two cultivators politely and quickly bowed to Han Li.

“We greet Senior Han! Our Ancestor is waiting for you inside!”

“I understand.”

Han Li nodded and walked inside, but there was no one there.

He hesitated for a moment and then headed straight to the second floor. As soon as he climbed the stairs, he could see someone standing in the empty space.

It was an old man in a yellow robe, none other than Senior Ryeo, whom he had just parted ways with at the hall. He was alone in the center of the second floor, drinking tea.

Han Li walked over without hesitation and sat facing him. Senior Ryeo silently extended a hand and filled Han Li’s cup.

“This spiritual tea, brewed here, is quite palatable. Please try it if you don’t mind.”

The old man narrowed his eyes and looked at him, and Han Li smiled and lifted his teacup, examining the tea filled with spiritual energy.

“Indeed, it is good tea. It’s different from ordinary spiritual tea.”

“Hehe! Cultivator Han also enjoys tea. It was a good choice for this old man to meet you here.”

Senior Ryeo calmly put down his teacup.

“The reason you called me here is not to enjoy spiritual tea. If you have something to say, please do so.”

“Then, I will be direct. Does Cultivator Han have any intention of returning to the Hwangpung Valley to take on the role of elder?”

“To the Hwangpung Valley?”

Han Li drank his tea, showing no reaction on the outside.

“I will not make excuses for what happened back then. I am just telling you that my lifespan is running out. At most, I have 20 years left. If you return, the Hwangpung Valley will immediately be yours. You are not still holding a grudge over what happened back then, are you?”

“I don’t mind what happened back then. If I were in your position, I might have made the same decision. But since I have already joined the Nagun Sect, I have no intention of returning to the Hwangpung Valley. Senior Ryeo, please look for another cultivator.”

“I know that you are currently an elder of the Nagun Sect. But there are already two other elders in the Nagun Sect. No matter how much of an elder you are, it cannot compare to the joy of holding power alone.”

“You are greatly mistaken. I did not join the sect to seize power. I simply chose a suitable place to cultivate and settled down. I have no interest in power or anything like that.”

Han Li curled his lips and scoffed at the old man’s words. Senior Ryeo narrowed his brows for a moment but immediately returned to his original expression.

“It seems that Cultivator Han does not know yet, but seizing power in a sect is of great help in cultivation. You don’t have to go around looking for rare spiritual herbs and materials, and your status in the cultivation world will also change.

Moreover, even if you have no desire for these things, aren’t you concerned about your former fellow disciples who remain in the Hwangpung Valley? If the Nascent Soul cultivator disappears, they could be destroyed overnight.”

Senior Ryeo began to appeal to his emotions.

“I am enjoying spiritual herbs and materials without any shortage as an elder of the Nagun Sect. The status in the cultivation world is just an empty name. Also, the rise and fall of sects is a natural occurrence.

It is the way of the world for numerous sects to appear and disappear. My former fellow disciples will live according to their own fate, so it is not my place to interfere.”

Han Li remained completely unmoved and calmly refused the offer with a smile.

Ryeo’s face darkened, and he was speechless for a while before slowly lifting his teacup.

“I understand your intentions, Cultivator Han. But the Hwangpung Valley has been with me for over a thousand years, so I cannot help but be attached to it. I have no intention of letting the Hwangpung Valley disappear with my death.

I don’t think you would be interested in this condition, but how about I give you all my assets when my life ends? I have quite a few precious treasures that I have collected over the years, which will be of great help in your future cultivation.”

Ryeo offered a condition that Han Li had not expected.

“All the treasures you possess? I remember that you have disciples in the Hwangpung Valley.”

Han Li’s heart wavered this time, and he unconsciously narrowed his eyes and stared at the old man.

“The disciple with the highest cultivation is only at the mid-stage of Core Formation. Leaving these treasures to them would only be a disaster. Even if you had not appeared, I was planning to dispose of most of the items separately and not leave them in the Hwangpung Valley.”

Han Li stroked his chin and fell into thought.

# 406