Bachelor [EN]: Chapter 866

“So, you changed your mind because of the grand plan. But didn’t Old Devil Ji Hyeol ask you to kill him? Old Devil Ji Hyeol isn’t a very forgiving person, so shouldn’t you have a plan?”

“Of course. I’ll take care of that. You just need to make sure that one guy doesn’t escape before I handle things.”

“Yes, I will keep a close watch.”

Mok Cheong nodded, satisfied with Hyul Gyo’s respectful reply, and waved her hand, signaling him to leave. As Hyul Gyo departed, Mok Cheong touched a golden flower in the dimness.

*Woong!*

The large petals trembled, and a round mirror emerged from the center. It had an antique design, and magical characters shimmered on its surface. Mok Cheong opened her mouth and released a stream of green energy, which seeped into the mirror, turning its surface golden. After a moment, a stiff male voice echoed from within the golden energy.

“Mok Susa, why are you looking for me?”

“Brother Yuk! Is the Yin energy gathering well? I need the Nam Gwi Sect to condense enough Yin Armor Dark Ghosts before the date we discussed.”

“…The pure Yin energy from the lower levels has been completely collected, and the Yin energy on the first floor is too thin, so it’s taking a bit longer. However, it should be enough for the Nam Gwi Sect to create 8,000 Yin Armor Dark Ghosts. Mok Susa, why are you suddenly contacting me about this?”

After a moment of silence, Yuk Jok asked in a cold voice.

“According to our plan, the 8,000 Yin Armor Dark Ghosts and Ji Hyeol’s more than 10,000 puppets are just sacrifices to block the ghosts of the Underworld River, aren’t they? Breaking the barrier of the Underworld’s land will require another method. What we have prepared is still not enough.”

“Then, has Mok Susa found another good method?”

“Haha, you are indeed Brother Yuk. Actually, I had a small gain and contacted you to discuss it.”

“A gain? Let’s hear it.”

Yuk Jok returned to his emotionless tone.

“Today, I found someone who wields the Evil-Slaying Divine Lightning. The Underworld barrier is a restriction based on Yin energy [negative, dark energy], but the most troublesome thing is the energy of the Underworld Devil contained within, isn’t it? It’s such pure demonic energy that we can’t guarantee we can handle it properly. But if we have the Evil-Slaying Divine Lightning, why should we fear demonic energy?”

Mok Cheong spoke with fervor.

“If it’s the Evil-Slaying Divine Lightning, there’s nothing better for dispelling demonic energy. But I thought the Ancient Evil Dragon Clan had found and destroyed all the Golden Lightning Bamboo when they dominated the Spirit Realm. They also slaughtered all those who possessed or cultivated the Golden Lightning Bamboo treasures. But someone who wields the Evil-Slaying Divine Lightning has appeared? Are you mistaken?”

Yuk Jok sounded incredulous.

“Don’t worry about that. His divine power was definitely the Evil-Slaying Divine Lightning. The only problem is that he doesn’t know the true way to use it. He’s only using ordinary lightning divine powers, which is only one-tenth or one-twentieth of its original power.”

“Oh, if you’re so sure, then it’s not impossible. He might have accidentally obtained and cultivated the remaining Golden Lightning Bamboo.”

“Haha, I thought so too. If he had fully used the divine power of the Evil-Slaying Divine Lightning, we would have been in trouble. But finding this person now is just luck. Heaven is helping our grand plan.”

“If he possesses the Evil-Slaying Divine Lightning, he will definitely be a great help to us. But why are you suddenly telling me about this?”

“Brother Yuk, you really understand me. Actually, I didn’t find this person first. Old Devil Ji Hyeol asked me to kill him. He wanted his soul extracted, so it must be related to the Nam Gwi Sect, right?”

Mok Cheong smiled and spoke frankly when Yuk Jok suddenly hit the nail on the head.

“Then, Mok Susa, keep him safe. I’ll take care of the rest.”

“That’s exactly what I was about to say. As you know, my body is formed from the condensation of Wood Spirit, so my understanding of the Golden Lightning Bamboo is higher than any of the four of us. If I personally teach him, I can make him master the Evil-Slaying Divine Lightning and use it when needed.”

Mok Cheong smiled, subtly revealing her true intentions.

“That’s not unreasonable. But this is a serious matter, so let’s all gather and discuss it. You’ll have to bring him with you then.”

“Of course, I will. Let’s meet in fifteen days. Brother Yuk, please tell Gwi Pa and Ji Hyeol directly. I’ll be waiting for everyone’s visit at the Wood Immortal Hall.”

“Understood. I’ll do that.”

The golden energy soon faded, and Yuk Jok’s voice was no longer heard.

“Hmph, just as I expected. Yuk Jok doesn’t care whether I keep this person or not. He’s the only one among us who isn’t afraid of the Evil-Slaying Divine Lightning! The other two won’t be so easily fooled, but I can’t easily give up someone who’s already in my hands.”

* * *

On the round table, delicacies and a black wine jug were laid out, and a green-robed maid called ‘Byuk Ah’ stood to one side, attending to Han Li and a man.

Han Li was speechless, looking at the man who was offering him wine with a bright smile.

“Come on, Brother Han, try our Wood Immortal Valley’s Wood Marrow Wine! This wine isn’t as miraculous as the Yin Tea, but it’s made from the sap of a ten-thousand-year-old spirit tree, so it’s good for nourishing consciousness and vitality. After a few cups, you’ll know it’s really good wine.”

“Senior Hyul Gyo, I’m not good with alcohol. I’ve already drunk too much, and I’m worried I’ll make a fool of myself if I drink more.”

The middle-aged scholar was Hyul Gyo in his human form. As soon as Han Li took a seat in one of the pavilions, he followed and prepared a table of food and drink, constantly pouring and drinking to liven up the atmosphere. Han Li had no reason to refuse, so he was forced to sit across from Hyul Gyo and drink.

“Haha, with our level of cultivation, how could we get drunk from just a few bottles of wine! Brother Han, are you still holding a grudge about our previous sparring?”

Hyul Gyo asked, tilting his head.

“Hahahaha, I’ve long forgotten such a trivial matter. Alright, let’s keep drinking.”

What else could Han Li say in this situation? He raised his glass and emptied it. Then, the maid standing next to him quickly picked up the wine jug and filled his glass to the brim.

Han Li slightly narrowed his brows but said nothing.

“Brother Han, you can relax now. The master seems to value you highly, so she will surely give you an important task. Whatever it is, the reward will be substantial. Isn’t it much better than being a Saint of the Bi Ryung Clan on the surface? Frankly, what your clan can give you, we can easily provide here. It seems you’ve encountered a great opportunity!”

Hyul Gyo spoke confidently and calmly. At his words, Han Li’s lips twitched, and he smiled.

“I don’t know which level of the Earth Abyss this is. And do you happen to know why Senior Mok Cheong summoned me?”

“It would be a lie if I said I didn’t know the master’s intentions at all. But it’s difficult for me to bring it up now. But don’t worry! You’ll know everything in about fifteen days. And this place is the Black Mist Forest on the third level of the Earth Abyss.”

“Black Mist Forest? Isn’t that the forest covered in eerie fog where no one who enters ever returns alive?”

Han Li’s expression subtly changed at those words.

“Haha, that’s exactly it. I didn’t know the Black Mist Forest was so well-known even to your clan. The master has just set up a small restriction in the forest.”

“I see.”

Han Li gave a wry smile and closed his mouth.

“Ah, now that I think about it, I have something I’m curious about. I wonder if Brother Han can answer it.”

“If you tell me what it is, I’ll answer.”

Han Li quickly activated the Great Connection [a technique to enhance senses], sensing a change in the middle-aged scholar’s eyes, and dispelled the alcohol.

“It’s nothing much. I’m just curious because your body is so tough. It’s so mysterious that you deflected the Blood Fang Needle with your bare body.”

Hyul Gyo paused for a moment before asking, staring intently at Han Li.

“You were curious about that. My body is a bit tougher than others. I had a lucky encounter in the past and took a spiritual medicine that strengthened my body. But how can it compare to the body of a Jiao Dragon [a mythical dragon-like creature] like you, Senior?”

“A spiritual medicine! I thought so. But the three-headed, six-armed dharma form [a manifestation of spiritual power] you used in your last attack was different from the true spirit dharma form of your clan, wasn’t it? It looks familiar, but I can’t remember where I’ve seen it.”

“Ah, I accidentally obtained a technique that outsiders cultivate. It’s such a chaotic divine power that I don’t even know what kind of dharma form it is.”

Han Li seemed to answer each question, but he glossed over the important parts. Hyul Gyo just chuckled at his slippery responses and continued to offer him wine.

When Han Li was drunk, Hyul Gyo left his seat. Han Li, who had lost his smile, went to the pavilion window and looked outside.

Hyul Gyo slowly walked into another pavilion, which was no more than a few hundred feet away. Han Li frowned.

Being so close meant he was being watched. It seemed Mok Cheong had ordered him to keep an eye on him.

While he was lost in thought, the green-robed maid cleaned the pavilion. She approached him respectfully, waiting for his orders.

“I need to rest, so you may leave.”

“Yes, Susa Han. I’ll be staying on the first floor, so please call me anytime if you need anything.”

The green-robed maid replied respectfully and went down the stairs. As soon as the woman left, Han Li rubbed his storage pouch. A set of blue formation flags appeared, and with a wave of his hand, a dozen or so blue lights flew to various parts of the room.

He formed a hand seal and threw a blue magic seal.

*Bang!*

A blue light barrier spread out, forming a restriction that sealed the space. It had no defensive power, but it was quite good at blocking consciousness. He was already under house arrest, but he didn’t want his every move to be seen.

At that moment, Hyul Gyo, who was sitting cross-legged in another pavilion, opened his eyes. But he soon sneered and closed them again.

After setting up the formation, Han Li lay down on the bed to rest. He was in a dangerous situation, but he had used a lot of mental energy helping the Saints’ trials, so it was best to rest when he could.

‘I need to restore my magic power and consciousness to their best state and then think of a plan.’

With this thought, Han Li quickly fell asleep. A full day passed, and he slowly woke up from his deep sleep.

Han Li got up from the bed, calmly stretched, and sat on a wooden chair, resting his chin in his hand as he fell into thought.

He couldn’t believe that Mok Cheong and Hyul Gyo had intended to give him an important task from the beginning. Based on his years of experience, he had clearly felt hostility and killing intent when they first chased after him.

But the woman named Mok Cheong suddenly changed her mind, which must be because he had some value to her. Thinking back carefully, he realized that at some point, the opponent had shifted from killing him to imprisoning him in a formation and moving him.

And after a few words, the only useful thing he heard was about the Evil-Slaying Divine Lightning.

‘Could it be because of the Evil-Slaying Divine Lightning…’

Han Li’s eyes sparkled as he roughly grasped the situation.

But even if the Evil-Slaying Divine Lightning was strong against demonic and evil energy, there were limits. If there were demons or evil spirits that a Combined Body Stage [a high cultivation stage] demon king like Mok Cheong couldn’t handle, he would be helpless too.

He thought hard, but nothing came to mind. In any case, as long as he had value to them, he wouldn’t have to worry about losing his life. He was confident that he could escape whenever they lowered their guard.

It wouldn’t be too late to listen to Mok Cheong’s explanation and make a plan step by step. Organizing his thoughts made him feel much more at ease.

The thought of escaping right now crossed his mind, but it was difficult with Hyul Gyo so close.

Suddenly, he thought of Lei Lan, Baek Byuk, and Jin Hyo, who he had parted ways with in the middle.

Since Mok Cheong and Hyul Gyo had both come after him, they must have safely ascended to the surface and succeeded in their trials. Then he had kept his promise to the Cheonbung Clan, and he was now free. He wouldn’t be bound by the Cheonbung oath.

The Cheonbung Clan wouldn’t care about the life or death of their temporary Saint once Lei Lan and Baek Byuk passed their trials. Han Li chuckled and sat there blankly for a long time.