Bachelor [EN]: Chapter 420

Ryeorak hurried into the main hall, and upon seeing Han Li, he was overjoyed and rushed over to him.

“Junior Brother Han, you’ve finally arrived! Do you know how worried Senior Brother and I were when you didn’t show up for half a year!”

“I apologize for causing you concern. My vital energy was a bit damaged, and I needed some rest. However, I was worried about Senior Brother’s safety when I heard the news that the defense of All-Heaven City had fallen.”

“It’s good that you’re alright. Oh, where are the other junior disciples? Why haven’t they paid their respects to me and Junior Brother Han?”

Ryeorak’s beaming face slightly hardened as he looked around.

“Reporting to the Honorable Uncle, Junior Brother Woo and the others are on duty today, adjusting the mountain defenses,” the Red-Clothed Old Man respectfully replied.

“Ah, is that so? Then, they can’t be blamed.”

As Ryeorak’s expression softened, Han Li smiled and said, “It seems I’ve become a celebrity since returning. There’s quite a bit of talk about me.”

“Haha! I was just about to mention that. You all go out for now. I have something to discuss with Junior Brother Han privately.”

Ryeorak was about to speak with a smile but instead gave instructions to the Red-Clothed Old Man and Madam Song. Madam Song glanced at Han Li as she left. She seemed to have something to say but couldn’t bring herself to speak. Han Li found it strange but didn’t ask.

“Junior Brother, you must have had a hard time deceiving me and Senior Brother. But with such great skills, why didn’t you show it?”

Once the junior disciples had left, Ryeorak grumbled with a wry smile.

“You know very well that I haven’t been a Nascent Soul cultivator for long, so how can you call it great skill? The rumors are exaggerated.”

“There’s no need to be so modest. We know very well what kind of person can face a Peony Clan envoy. But what surprised me and Senior Brother was something else. I’m very impressed that you managed to persuade and bring along a Nascent Soul female cultivator from the Eomwol Sect.”

Ryeorak joked with a smile.

“Has Senior Brother met Wan?”

Before they parted, he had given Nangong Wan a jade slip [a communication device] to prove her identity, but it didn’t accurately state her identity. Yet, Ryeorak clearly knew about Nangong Wan.

“Yes, I have. Senior Brother Jeong has already told me everything. Junior Brother Han, you don’t have to worry about anything.”

Ryeorak said with a smile, having read Han Li’s concerns.

“What do you mean, Senior Brother Ryeorak…?”

“Junior Brother might not know, but a few months ago, the Eomwol Sect announced that Nangong had suddenly died from a Qi deviation [a dangerous imbalance of spiritual energy] during cultivation. Her engagement with Wi Rijin of the Hwaeui Sect naturally fell through. Senior Brother Jeong wants to make the female cultivator Wan his sworn sister and pair her with you. I don’t know what you think about it.”

“Wan became Senior Brother Jeong’s sworn sister?”

Han Li’s eyes widened.

“That’s right. Once we repel the Peony Clan mages, we plan to openly hold a wedding for you and your sworn sister. Even if someone suspects something then, what can they do? They can’t possibly turn against the entire Heavenly Dao Alliance and attack us.

Even if Wi Mu-ae finds out about this, would he dare to cause trouble when we’ve just defeated a powerful enemy by joining forces with our Heavenly Dao Alliance? Besides, your reputation is so high right now that neither the Hwaeui Sect nor the Eomwol Sect would dare to do anything rash.”

Ryeorak explained as he had planned. After listening to the story, Han Li was silent for a while with a complicated expression, then he let out a light breath and said,

“I’ve caused trouble for both of you senior brothers because of my situation. I will definitely keep it in mind.”

Although it was just two words, Ryeorak felt good. How could the Yellow Maple Valley try to win him over now?

“Junior Brother Han is one of us, so it’s only natural. Ah, Miss Nangong tried to come here immediately after hearing about your disappearance, but Senior Brother Jeong barely managed to persuade her to stay. There are quite a few cultivators from the Eomwol Sect and the Hwaeui Sect here. It would be best if Miss Nangong didn’t show herself until the two of you get married. However, your concubine has been escorted back by our disciples. There will be a major battle soon, so it’s too dangerous.”

Ryeorak spoke very warmly.

At Ryeorak’s words, Han Li imagined the scene of Mo Paeryeong and Nangong Wan meeting, and his heart pounded, but he didn’t show it and expressed his gratitude.

“What are you planning to do in the future, Junior Brother? Originally, you wouldn’t have to participate in the upcoming battles since you’ve already gone out to support. But a few days ago, someone mentioned you at a high-level meeting of the Righteous and Demonic Alliance. They said that you must be using a counter-elemental technique since you killed a black-robed mage in an instant, and they want you to participate in the battles in the future. Our Heavenly Dao Alliance also wants you to step forward. In this situation, if you don’t participate, it would be a bit…”

“It’s not difficult for me to participate again. If the Peony Clan takes over Tiannan, our Falling Cloud Sect won’t be in a good position either. But before that, I need to know how the alliance will handle the previous agreement. Promises made with words are nothing.”

Contrary to Ryeorak’s expectations, Han Li sneered without showing any signs of hesitation.

“Of course, you should. Besides, you have the merit of exposing the Spirit Beast Sect spy and killing the black-robed mage. The alliance has said that they will accept any conditions as long as you continue to participate in the battles. Anything possible as compensation.”

“Compensation? Very well. Then, I will discuss the conditions directly with the supervisors.”

“That would be good. Then, I’ll take you to meet the supervisors on duty in the Heavenly Dao Alliance. They will grant you anything as long as it’s not an excessive condition.”

Ryeorak said with a smile.

“Don’t worry, Senior Brother Ryeorak. I won’t be too greedy and make things difficult for you.”

“Don’t worry about our reputation and do as you please. It’s not often that you get an opportunity like this, so you should get as much as you can.”

Ryeorak felt much more at ease when Han Li said that he would act reasonably. Ryeorak immediately headed to the Heavenly Dao Alliance’s council hall with Han Li.

“Currently, our Heavenly Dao Alliance is managed by an elders’ council made up of cultivators from about a dozen large sects. A few members change every ten years, but the Lanmyeong Sect, the Gogeom Sect, and the Yehaengjae Sect, which first established the Heavenly Dao Alliance, never change.

You can say that these three sects manage most of the affairs within the alliance. I’ll tell you in advance that the Lanmyeong Sect’s power surpasses the other two sects. The ones who manage the alliance’s affairs in Cheonilseong are the Lanmyeong Sect’s Ryongham and Bongbing cultivators.

As you already know, they are a married couple who can match a late-stage Nascent Soul cultivator when they attack together. The reason why our alliance maintains balance with other forces is all thanks to them. However, only Ryongham is currently on the front lines, and Bongbing went into secluded training as soon as she arrived in Cheonilseong.

It seems she’s training some kind of secret technique. If you talk to the other Cheonilseong supervisors first, it will be easier to pass the elders’ council. The council hall is also where the elders from the other two sects reside, besides Elder Ryongham.”

Han Li had heard about this through rumors, but he listened silently and nodded.

As Ryeorak finished speaking, a magnificent watchtower and a grand hall made of bluestone appeared before them.

“Greetings, Senior Ryeorak. Have you come to meet the other elders? The senior here is…”

Several Foundation Establishment disciples guarding the gate recognized Ryeorak and asked very respectfully.

“This is Elder Han from our sect. I’ve come to see Elder Ryong and the other elders, so please announce our arrival.”

“Ah, Elder Han, I see. Then, please wait a moment. The elders are currently in a meeting, so I will announce your arrival.”

The surprised cultivators looked at Han Li with even more respect. One of them took out a communication talisman and sent it, and a red beam of light disappeared inside.

Shortly after, a bell rang three times inside the grand hall, and the cultivators guarding the gate bowed.

“Seniors, please enter.”

Ryeorak nodded and entered without hesitation. Han Li followed him without any change in expression.

After passing through the corridor, Ryeorak and Han Li entered a side hall, where they saw about six or seven Nascent Soul cultivators sitting. Everyone’s gaze was drawn to the two of them. However, most of them were focused on Han Li rather than Ryeorak, creating a slightly excited atmosphere.

Everyone’s cultivation was extraordinary, but Han Li focused on the middle-aged cultivator sitting in the center.

With a gray robe, a unique face, and a grand physique, he showed a much stronger cultivation than a typical mid-stage Nascent Soul cultivator. He was at the peak of the mid-stage and could reach the late-stage at any time if the opportunity arose.

Han Li immediately realized that he was Ryongham of the Lanmyeong Sect.

With such high cultivation, it was no wonder that they were said to be able to fight against a late-stage cultivator when the couple attacked together.

Before the others could speak, the middle-aged man smiled first.

“Brother Ryeo, is this the Elder Han from your sect? His reputation is quite high these days.”

Ryongham stood up and greeted them with a very gentle face.

“So you are Cultivator Ryongham. I’ve heard of your great name for a long time.”

Han Li looked at the middle-aged man in detail and greeted him with a smile.

“There hasn’t been a cultivator who has made as much of a name for himself as Cultivator Han recently. You’ve saved the face of our Heavenly Dao Alliance.”

A fair-skinned old man next to Ryongham said with a playful smile.

“You flatter me. May I ask for the cultivator’s name…?”

Han Li also looked at the old man. He was a mid-stage Nascent Soul cultivator like Ryongham.

“Junior Brother Han, this is Brother Hwang of Yehaengjae. He’s been famous in Tiannan for hundreds of years for his Dry Earth Technique.”

Ryeorak introduced him before the fair-skinned old man could answer.

“So you are Brother Hwang. I’ve heard of your name for a long time.”

Han Li was a little surprised and puzzled.

If he was the Yehaengjae cultivator Hwang, he was indeed famous, and he was a presence in the Heavenly Dao Alliance comparable to Ryongham and his wife. When he first entered the Falling Cloud Sect, the silver-haired old man had mentioned him repeatedly.

Then, Ryeorak introduced Han Li to the other cultivators. Among them, Han Li paid close attention to Elder Jeon of the Gogeom Sect, who had a grotesque appearance.

Once everyone was seated again, Ryongham smiled and said calmly,

“The reason Cultivator Han has come here is because the alliance wants you to continue participating in the battles. Although there was a previous agreement, the battle is imminent, and your abilities are essential to Tiannan, so it was unavoidable. Therefore, please tell us what you want as compensation, whether it’s raw materials or elixirs, anything that will satisfy you.”

Ryongham had been managing the alliance’s affairs for a long time, so he tactfully expressed his apologies to Han Li before Han Li and Ryeorak could bring it up.

However, Han Li had originally intended to participate in the battles. No matter how fierce the battle became, he had the skills to survive. If so, participating could be a good opportunity.

Therefore, after a moment of silence, Han Li opened his mouth.

“Since Brother Ryong brought it up first, I will speak. It’s not difficult for me to continue participating in the battles. If the nest is destroyed, both the birds and the eggs will be finished. However, I also have a wish that can only be fulfilled with the help of the alliance, so I will take this opportunity to mention it.”

There was no point in beating around the bush or trying to be clever in front of these old monsters. Indeed, some of them seemed to be impressed by his straightforward answer.

Cultivator Hwang also burst into laughter.

“You’re very straightforward. I’m very curious about what your condition is, so please tell us.”

“It’s actually simple. I want to gather the materials needed for refining with the help of the alliance. To be honest, it’s a very important material for me, and if I can gather it before the battle starts, it will be of great help to me in facing the black-robed mages.”

“Materials?”

Everyone was a little puzzled. They knew that the materials needed for refining were difficult to obtain, but they didn’t expect Han Li to ask for such a condition as compensation for participating in the battles.

# 422