Bachelor [EN]: Chapter 305

Han Li, who was examining the teleportation array again, spoke coldly.

“I will use it right after killing Uncheon So, so quickly call a formation master to complete the formation. Uncheon So said that he would return within five days to personally oversee the secret market, so I will go back and wait.”

After speaking, he strode out.

As each day passed, Han Li grew more impatient. The longer he stayed in one place, the higher the chance that Punghee would find him.

Punghee’s words that the wind energy would dissipate over time had not yet come true. He didn’t know how long the time he spoke of was, whether it would be a year or several years.

He had tried several times to make the Silver Devouring Insects small and swallow them, then slowly gnaw away at the energy, but it didn’t work.

For the Silver Devouring Insects to touch the wind energy, they first had to remove the golden threads of the Evil-Slaying Divine Lightning that covered it, but even the smallest gap would cause a seizure, so there was nothing he could do.

If he wasn’t confident that he could easily kill Uncheon So, he would never have stayed here for long. But he was becoming increasingly uneasy, and he had a bad feeling.

* * *

Madam Beom, who had returned to Twin Peaks Mountain, dealt with Uncheon So’s subordinates with Han Li’s help and waited for his return.

Five days later, Madam Beom was pacing anxiously in front of Han Li, who was sitting in the main hall, circulating his energy.

At that moment, a light flew in from somewhere, and her face brightened. A flustered female voice flowed from the communication talisman [a magical communication device].

“Sect Leader, things have become difficult. In addition to Elder Un, Myohak Jin-in [a title for a Taoist master] has also returned and has already entered the market, so please prepare.”

Startled, Madam Beom put away the communication talisman and hardened her expression. Han Li opened his eyes and asked calmly,

“Are you talking about Myohak of the Byeokun Sect?”

Madam Beom, her face pale, muttered in a trembling voice,

“Who else would it be but the old monster of the Byeokun Sect? It’s already too late. Since we’ve killed all of Uncheon So’s people, it’s only a matter of time before they notice something strange.”

Han Li raised an eyebrow when the woman suddenly looked at him without saying anything.

“What do you want me to do by looking at me like that? Surely you don’t expect me to fight a Nascent Soul cultivator [a cultivator at a very high level]?”

He said this, but he was not at all flustered.

Unless it was someone like Manhoja or Mancheonmyeong, he might not be able to kill the enemy, but he could escape. Especially since he had the Wind and Thunder Wings, the probability of safely escaping from the hands of an early Nascent Soul cultivator was even higher.

He quickly began to think. But Madam Beom, who did not know this, was already pale and at a loss.

“What is the relationship between Myohak and Uncheon So? If I step in and kill Uncheon So, would he seek revenge?”

At Han Li’s question, Madam Beom hesitated for a moment, then answered happily as if she had realized something.

“Of course not. That old Taoist is only receiving female disciples of our sect as offerings from Uncheon So and helping him. They have become closer recently, but if a better offer is made, he will not interfere in the affairs of the Myoeum Gate. However, if Uncheon So survives and pleads with him directly, it is impossible to know what he will do, considering their relationship.”

“Then that’s settled. If I call Uncheon So separately, I will deal with him at once and not give him time to plead. If Madam Beom takes control and offers better conditions, Myohak will not be able to say anything else.”

Madam Beom was not an ordinary woman, so now that the situation had come this far, there was nothing she couldn’t do.

“Yes, then I will do that. If you wait in the secret chamber, please leave it to me to lure Uncheon So.”

Han Li left the main hall and headed for the passage leading to the secret chamber, but suddenly stopped and turned his head.

“Sect Leader Beom! After Uncheon So is dead, do not think about revealing my identity to Myohak. I may not be able to deal with Myohak with my cultivation, but know that escaping from his hands is a simple matter. If that really happens, I believe Madam Beom knows what I will do!”

Madam Beom was startled and gave a bitter smile with a troubled expression.

“How could I repay kindness with enmity? Besides, I know very well that Elder Han is no ordinary Core Formation cultivator [a mid-level cultivator], so please rest assured. If you can resolve the Uncheon So issue, I will definitely keep my promise.”

Han Li, who had been looking at her with a meaningful gaze, left the room. The secret chamber he entered was similar to the main hall from earlier, but a little smaller.

He sat cross-legged next to a paulownia wood chair and completely concealed his energy so that Myohak and the others would not notice his presence.

Now that he was in the late Core Formation stage, he thought he could deceive the consciousness of an early Nascent Soul cultivator with his unique nameless incantation.

But everything was just his guess, so he had no choice but to do his best with all the abilities he had. Madam Beom, who was left alone in the main hall on the other side of the wall, was just as anxious.

She had said that she firmly believed in Han Li, but she was not sure if his abilities were enough to kill Uncheon So in one go.

The power he had shown at the last exchange meeting might not be directly related to his actual abilities. However, Madam Beom was also quite bold, so she calmed herself down by drinking tea. The warm tea made her feel much more stable as it went down her throat.

At this time, footsteps were heard outside the door, and a man dressed as a scholar and a middle-aged Taoist wearing a Taoist robe appeared. Madam Beom deliberately looked surprised, put down her teacup, and bowed deeply to Myohak Jin-in.

“Are you not Senior Myohak and Elder Un!”

Myohak simply nodded, maintaining a silent and imposing atmosphere as if he were a celestial being. However, Uncheon So frowned as he scanned the main hall.

“Why is Ungeum, who assists the Sect Leader, not visible? He must be severely punished for being so lazy.”

Uncheon So was suspicious, but he pretended to be angry and expressed his doubts. Then, Madam Beom hesitated.

“Ungeum is…”

“Senior Myohak is not an outsider, so please speak comfortably.”

At Uncheon So’s unpleasant words, Madam Beom reluctantly opened her mouth.

“Since you say so, I will not beat around the bush. A cultivator appeared who wanted to trade the Dream Illusion Stone he was carrying with our sect, and he said that he would only negotiate with Ungeum, so I believe they are alone together right now.”

“What, a Dream Illusion Stone?”

Uncheon So was about to say something to Myohak Jin-in, but his face lit up at the mention of the Dream Illusion Stone. Myohak Jin-in also showed a gleam in his eyes. Then, Madam Beom spoke coldly, as if she was offended.

“Hmph! Elder Un’s great disciple is preventing even me, the Sect Leader, from interfering, so what can I do?”

“Hmm… Ungeum may have been a little excessive, but it must have been a decision made for the sake of our sect. Then, where is he now?”

Uncheon So cleared his throat and immediately asked Myohak for his understanding.

“Senior Myohak, may I handle this matter and return to continue our discussion?”

“If Taoist Un has urgent matters, I will wait here for a while.”

Uncheon So, relieved by his permission, turned his gaze back to Madam Beom. She forced a smile and showed an uncomfortable expression.

“Then please follow me. I will guide you.”

He was already distracted by the story of the Dream Illusion Stone, and when Madam Beom even pretended to reluctantly guide him, he completely let his guard down. Myohak watched the two disappear and found a chair to sit on.

Uncheon So followed Madam Beom to the innermost secret chamber, where the door was tightly closed. She pointed to the door and muttered discontentedly.

“This is the place, so please discuss it well. It seems there is no place for me, the Sect Leader, so I will take my leave!”

After scoffing and disappearing, Uncheon So opened the door and went inside.

Uncheon So, who had entered the door, found a man sitting in the middle of the room. When he didn’t see Ungeum, except for the man who was holding something in his hand and fiddling with it, his vigilance soared.

“Who are you? Where is Ungeum?”

Uncheon So stared intently at the man, and his body was shaking as if a magic treasure was about to burst out. Han Li raised his head and smiled.

“Hehe! It seems you have already forgotten me, Brother Un.”

“You are?”

Uncheon So’s face changed when he recognized the man’s face, and he tried to flee without thinking.

“It’s already too late!”

Han Li’s modulated voice echoed calmly, and light emanated from his hand. Five rings appeared next to Uncheon So and began to constrict him.

“Ugh!”

Tied up by the rings, he fell to the floor. He tried to quickly release his magic treasure, but when he couldn’t use his magic power, he screamed madly in terror.

“Senior Myohak! Please save me!”

At the same time as Uncheon So’s scream, Han Li’s mouth opened, and a blue beam of light appeared, circled around his neck, and disappeared. As soon as the severed head fell, he quickly reached out his hand, and the Demonic Treasure and Five Elements Rings were retrieved.

All the movements were carried out with lightning speed.

Bang.

As soon as he retrieved the Demonic Treasure, a loud explosion was heard from one wall. One side of the secret chamber wall collapsed, and Myohak Jin-in appeared from the dust.

The Taoist checked the severed head with a darkened face, and his eyes were filled with killing intent as he looked at Han Li.

“You want to die!”

As the Taoist flicked his finger, a dazzling white light was emitted and attacked Han Li. Han Li was also surprised.

The Five Elements Rings in his hand rapidly grew in size and blocked the attack. At the same time, a jade pendant with red and yellow colors appeared in his other hand.

Since his cultivation had increased and this was his first attack from a Nascent Soul cultivator, he naturally had a mix of wanting to gauge his abilities and anxiety.

Bang.

The white light collided with the five colors. Han Li was sent flying backward as if he had been hit by a hammer and crashed hard into the stone chamber wall.

“Hmm?”

However, even as his head was spinning, he clearly heard the other party’s surprised voice. A red and yellow mixed shield had appeared between the five rings.

Another fierce attack followed, but this time Han Li only took a few steps back and regained his balance. Silver-white bird wings spread from his back, having blocked two attacks from a Nascent Soul cultivator.

Kukwakwang.

With a loud sound of thunder, he disappeared and reappeared on the other side of the stone chamber. When he looked at the attack from afar, he saw that Myohak’s white light was hiding a small hammer made of jade.

The hammer, only the size of a palm, had strange patterns engraved on its surface and emitted tremendous spiritual energy. Myohak’s expression also changed when his attacks did not work in succession. As he waved his hand, the small hammer disappeared into his sleeve.

“I didn’t know that a mere Core Formation cultivator would possess so many ancient treasures. What is your name?”

Just as Han Li was about to open his mouth, the door of the stone chamber opened, and Madam Beom rushed in.

“Senior Myohak, Taoist Lye is a person I specially invited to deal with Uncheon So, a traitor of our sect. I will promise you a reward that is more than what Uncheon So promised you, so please rest assured.”

As Madam Beom spoke with courtesy, Myohak frowned and then shifted his gaze to the already decapitated Uncheon So. Han Li just stood there silently, but for Madam Beom, it was a spine-chilling moment.

Eventually, Myohak regained his composure.

“Since it is an internal affair of the Myoeum Gate, I will not interfere.”

“I will do my best to keep my promise, so please rest assured.”

The Taoist nodded and looked at Han Li with a face that could not hide his doubts.

“I am curious where Taoist Lye cultivated to have such an unfamiliar face.”

“I am…”

Just as he was about to open his mouth to explain, his expression suddenly changed, and a blue light flashed on his face. The wind energy he had wrapped in the Evil-Slaying Divine Lightning had started to act up at this very moment.

Judging by the fierce momentum, it was clear that the human-shaped gale, Punghee, was chasing him closely. Unable to help it, Han Li gathered all his magic power and suppressed the seizure.

# 307