Bachelor [EN]: Chapter 128

The old man and the scholar-like man watched as the Guiling Sect’s young sect leader and Yeon Yeo-eon entered the council chamber.

“The Yeon family has already accepted your sect’s demands, so is there anything more to discuss?” the Yeon family elder asked, his tone noticeably different from before.

“Senior Yeon, there’s no need to be so formal. Since Lady Yeo-eon and I have formed a marriage bond through the life-and-death curse, please call me Wang Seon, not the young sect leader, from now on,” Wang Seon said humbly, bowing slightly.

“How can we do that! You haven’t officially married Yeo-eon yet, so we cannot be rude to the young sect leader. In any case, the Yeon family is now practically a part of the Guiling Sect,” the Yeon family elder replied, stroking his beard expressionlessly and shaking his head. The Guiling Sect’s young sect leader realized from his words that the other party had not yet lowered their guard. He did not press the issue and simply smiled.

“The reason I wanted to see the elder with Lady Yeo-eon is to ask how the Yeon family plans to fulfill their promise. In five days, the six sects will attack Wolguk, and if the Yeon family’s withdrawal is delayed, things will become difficult.”

“Don’t worry about that. Although our Yeon family seems large, we will only move those who are closely related by blood, excluding distant relatives and ordinary people without magical power. The Yeon family is well aware that it is difficult for so many people to withdraw without being noticed,” Hyeon-ya, dressed as a scholar, interjected, taking over the young sect leader’s words.

“Then I am relieved. In fact, if a large number of people move at once, it will be difficult to deceive the eyes of the Seven Great Sects, and it is not good for information to leak at such times. You must be the esteemed Mr. Hyeon-ya, who misses nothing. I have heard of your distinguished name before,” the Guiling Sect’s young sect leader said, smiling lightly. The scholar felt a chill in his heart, but outwardly he smiled naturally.

“The reason I came to see the elder is not only for that matter, but also to know what the Yeon family plans to do with the more than 200 Foundation Establishment cultivators currently in Yeonryeong Fortress. They are all mid-level disciples of each sect, and if the Yeon family, who must move within two days, is discovered by them, it will greatly ruin things,” the Guiling Sect’s young sect leader spoke casually, but the expressions of the Yeon family elder and Hyeon-ya, who understood the meaning of his words, immediately changed.

“What is the young sect leader’s opinion…?” Hongbul Elder asked, his face darkening.

“How about this? Cultivators who practice the Blood Spirit Great Method must kill and offer the souls of others to begin their training smoothly. How about we imprison the cultivators in Yeonryeong Fortress in our Guiling Sect’s Yin Fire Great Formation [a formation that uses yin fire], burn their bodies, and use their remaining souls for Lady Yeo-eon? With the powerful souls of so many Foundation Establishment cultivators, Lady Yeo-eon will surely be able to complete the first stage of the Blood Spirit Great Method,” the old man and Hyeon-ya felt a chill at the young sect leader’s suggestion.

“That is out of the question. Even if they are disciples of the Seven Great Sects, the cultivators from other countries have gathered to ask our Yeo-eon for a cultivation partner, and the Yeon family cannot commit such an outrageous act,” Hyeon-ya spoke hastily, afraid that the old man might agree to the other party’s words. Then, the old man stopped him with a grave expression.

“Although the young sect leader has made a reasonable suggestion, if we really do that, the Yeon family will have nowhere to show its face in this world. Since these cultivators came at the Yeon family’s invitation, we cannot harm them. However, we can gather them in one place for you. How you deal with them is up to your sect’s capabilities,” Hyeon-ya was relieved by the old man’s words and agreed. However, the Guiling Sect’s young sect leader showed displeasure on his face.

“Those cultivators’ souls are for Lady Yeo-eon. It’s too much that you won’t even lift a finger for something that will ultimately benefit the Yeon family.”

The Hongbul Elder was silent for a moment, but a cunning old fox like him could not be without a justification.

“Yeo-eon will soon marry the young sect leader and become his wife. Isn’t it natural to lend a hand for one’s own people? Of course, once our Yeon family officially becomes a part of the Guiling Sect, we will not hesitate to deal with the Seven Great Sects. However, if we harm the guests we invited first, our family’s honor will fall to the ground.

In any case, we cannot just let them go, so it would be best for your sect to step in, and our Yeon family will have something to say to the other cultivators. Besides, even with just the two Core Formation cultivators by the young sect leader’s side, they can handle dozens of Foundation Establishment disciples.”

The Guiling Sect’s young sect leader stared deeply at the old man, seeming to consider his words. After a while, he looked at Yeon Yeo-eon, who had been silent all along, and finally made a decision.

“Since the elder says so, our Guiling Sect will play the villain this time. And let’s consider those cultivators’ souls as a gift from this Wang Seon to Lady Yeo-eon!”

“Haha! I will gladly accept the young sect leader’s gift on behalf of our Yeo-eon. Yeo-eon, quickly greet the young sect leader. He has done so much for you,” Hongbul Elder said, pleased that the Yeon family would not have to take action.

“Yeo-eon will remember the young sect leader’s kindness,” the beautiful woman stepped forward and bowed, and the Guiling Sect’s young sect leader’s eyes changed.

“It would be good for me if Lady Yeo-eon trains in the Blood Spirit Great Method as soon as possible, so there is no need to be so polite. Then, please let me know when you decide where to gather the Seven Great Sects’ cultivators. Wang Seon will take his leave now,” he bowed to the Yeon family elder and left the council chamber. After he had completely disappeared, the remaining Yeon family elder and Hyeon-ya exchanged meaningful glances.

* * *

Han Li was currently having a terrible headache. The cause was the three people confronting each other and a stranger. The three familiar faces were Yeon-woo, Senior Brother Bong, and Dong Hwon-ah, and the stranger was a very handsome man.

Dong Hwon-ah was currently in his arms, her eyes glazed over, completely infatuated with the handsome man’s face. Han Li couldn’t help but curse inwardly at the sight. Moreover, the two guys who were already smitten with Dong Hwon-ah approached Han Li with delight. They were hoping that Han Li would take Dong Hwon-ah out of that man’s arms. Han Li listened to the two men’s jealous ramblings while observing the man and Dong Hwon-ah’s eyes.

According to the two, they had been visiting famous shops with Dong Hwon-ah today, looking at materials and talismans, when they encountered the man in one of the shops. As soon as Dong Hwon-ah saw him, she was immediately captivated and started flirting, becoming increasingly bold. When the man tried to leave with Dong Hwon-ah, Yeon-woo and Senior Brother Bong had stopped him.

However, the man had scoffed at them and said that if Dong Hwon-ah wanted, he would leave her behind, leaving Yeon-woo and Senior Brother Bong speechless. It seemed to everyone that Dong Hwon-ah was in his arms because she wanted to be.

As Han Li pieced together the situation, he noticed a few suspicious things about the man. First, it was difficult to determine his exact age due to his appearance. His smooth skin made him look young, but his behavior and eyes made him seem like he was in his thirties or forties. Moreover, he was subtly frivolous. Second, even though he had appeared, Dong Hwon-ah had coldly glanced at him and then immediately returned to staring at the handsome man. Her gaze was as if she was seeing him for the first time, which was very strange.

“Who are you? Are you perhaps another one of this young lady’s followers? Let me tell you in advance, no one can take this beautiful woman from my arms unless she wants to leave,” the man said, after checking Han Li’s face and Foundation Establishment level, immediately ignoring him and wrapping his arm around Dong Hwon-ah’s shoulder. Han Li didn’t care whether the man ignored him or not, he just kept looking back and forth between Dong Hwon-ah and the man’s face.

“Then who are you to dare cast a soul-charming spell on a cultivator of the Seven Great Sects? You’ve got some nerve,” Han Li said. As soon as he finished speaking, the man’s expression changed slightly, but he quickly returned to his original expression.

“What nonsense are you talking about! The young lady and I are of one mind and want to be together. If you continue to block our path, don’t blame me, Jeon, for taking action!” However, Yeon-woo and Senior Brother Bong, who had been listening, finally realized what was happening and surrounded the man with menacing auras.

“No wonder Dong Senior Sister was ignoring us as if she were possessed, it was you who used sorcery to bewitch her! If you don’t undo that magic right now, don’t blame us!” Yeon-woo exclaimed.

“That’s right. I thought it was strange. How could Dong Senior Sister leave us and follow a stranger for no reason! I will punish you on behalf of Dong Senior Sister,” Senior Brother Bong added. While speaking, Senior Brother Bong and Yeon-woo had already taken out their purple bells and short spear-shaped magical artifacts. They were ready to use force at any moment. The man’s face turned cold as he saw two early and mid-stage Foundation Establishment cultivators threatening him.

“You don’t know your place!” At that sight, Han Li felt that something was wrong, and his subconscious sent a warning that the man was very dangerous. He quickly sent a sound transmission [a method of telepathic communication] to Dong Hwon-ah’s ear, shouting as if he was yelling.

‘Dong Hwon-ah! What are you doing! Aren’t you afraid of being imprisoned by Hongbul Senior Uncle!’ Dong Hwon-ah looked very surprised, then immediately struggled and broke free from the man’s arms. She then looked as if she was very embarrassed by the situation. Naturally, Yeon-woo and Senior Brother Bong were overjoyed at the sight. Now completely conscious, she didn’t even think about looking at the man and ran behind Han Li, hiding herself. She had thus blocked the gaze of the man who was now furious.

Seeing that all three were wary and glaring at him, it was impossible to forcibly take Dong Hwon-ah now. It wasn’t that he couldn’t win, but now that Dong Hwon-ah was conscious, there was a high chance she would run away, and if a fight broke out, other cultivators would gather. However, he had never had the fish he had in his mouth taken away before. As that thought crossed his mind, his handsome face contorted, and he shouted.

“Don’t think this is the end, I’ve remembered all three of you, so be prepared!” As soon as he finished speaking, a five-colored light flashed from the man’s body, and he disappeared, turning into a streak of sunset light. Then, they entered the Pungyeol Inn where Han Li was staying, and were listening to Dong Hwon-ah explain what had happened.

“When I made eye contact with him, my head went blank, and I couldn’t think of anything. I just desperately wanted to look good to him, and it felt like I had to do whatever he wanted. It was like serving a master! I’ve never met him before, so how could that happen? I really don’t want to be anyone’s slave!” As Dong Hwon-ah spoke, her face turned pale. Her mind had been controlled by the man, and she had felt a fear more terrifying than death for the first time. The expressions of the two men listening to her explanation also hardened. If that handsome guy’s soul-charming spell was that powerful, how could they possibly stand against it?

“Don’t worry, everyone. No matter how powerful the opponent’s soul-charming spell is, it won’t work on the three of us,” Han Li said confidently.

“How can Senior Brother Han be so sure?” Yeon-woo asked.

“It’s simple. If the opponent could cast a soul-charming spell on men as well, he wouldn’t have just glared at us with such a venomous look, he wouldn’t have left us alone. Or, it’s possible that the opponent didn’t have enough magical power to cast the spell again, but considering that he looked confident even with the three of us in front of him, it’s more likely the former,” Han Li explained. Senior Brother Bong and Yeon-woo sighed deeply after hearing the explanation. In any case, since that powerful soul-charming spell could only be cast on women, there was no reason for them, who were confident in their magical power and artifacts, to be afraid.

“Senior Brother Han! Does that mean that our female cultivators will be controlled for life if they meet someone like that? I really hate it!” Dong Hwon-ah’s face was pale, and she looked like she was about to burst into tears. Moreover, when she called him Senior Brother Han, she sounded so desperate and pitiful. However, Han Li was speechless for a moment. In fact, since being rescued, Dong Hwon-ah had naturally developed a sense of reliance on Han Li. Fortunately, before Han Li could say anything, the other two men rushed to pat their chests, promising to protect Dong Hwon-ah in the future so that such a thing would not happen again. In any case, she was relieved that two Foundation Establishment cultivators would protect her.

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