Bachelor [EN]: Chapter 867

The fifteen days passed quickly. During that time, Hyul Gyo visited him frequently, sharing conversations and drinks, while Han Li remained quietly within his residence, patiently waiting for time to pass.

* * *

On the fifteenth day, Hyul Gyo came to Han Li with a serious expression.

“Brother Han, the Master has summoned you to Mokseon Hall. Let’s go. It seems he intends to introduce you to the other seniors.”

“Understood. Senior Hyul, you’ve worked hard.”

Han Li replied without any sign of reluctance. Hyul Gyo was inwardly impressed by his calm demeanor. If he were in the same situation, he would never be able to maintain such composure.

However, Hyul Gyo outwardly chuckled and led Han Li away. After about an hour, they arrived at Mokseon Hall and entered.

Inside the main hall, unlike before, three more tables had been set up, and three groups of people were seated there.

Han Li slowly examined them.

The two figures in crimson robes at the first table were completely identical in aura and physique, making it impossible to distinguish them. At the second table, a large man wearing a black bamboo hat sat exuding an oppressive aura. It felt as if the surrounding air was freezing.

At the last, third table, three women were seated. A woman with snow-white hair and a bloodless face, dressed in a cyan palace gown, sat there, with two mysterious women standing behind her.

One was a petite woman with a cute face, and the other was a beauty with a voluptuous figure and snow-white skin, but her expression was extremely cold. Both had pale complexions like the woman, devoid of vitality.

The individuals at the first and second tables were so deeply cultivated that they were unfathomable, but Han Li did not show it. The problem was the mysterious women sitting at the last table.

He was confused whether what he had just seen was real.

‘How can it be them! We parted ways in the Chaotic Star Sea, and I haven’t heard any news since. To meet them again in the alien lands of the Spirit Realm! Seeing them unharmed, it seems the Soul Return Technique was successful back then.’

Suddenly, his mind became complicated.

The beautiful woman with snow-white skin was Yuan Yao, whom he had met in the Chaotic Star Sea, and the woman standing next to her was Yeon Ryo, whose soul had almost scattered.

Back then, he had performed a mystic art in response to Yuan Yao’s feelings and had acted as her protector.

And then, he had been swept away by the Ghost Mist and sucked into a place called the Land of Yin, and after all sorts of hardships, he had escaped, but he had not heard anything about the two women’s whereabouts since then.

To meet them at the residence of Ji Yeon, the Demon King, was quite surprising for Han Li. As Han Li and Hyul Gyo entered, the others in the main hall also scanned him.

And as expected, Yuan Yao and Yeon Ryo’s expressions changed drastically upon seeing him.

Yuan Yao quickly hid her surprised look and put on a blank face, while Yeon Ryo blinked, looking puzzled. Yeon Ryo had only seen Han Li once, so she would only think his face looked familiar.

“Oh, is this the one you were talking about? With only a Spirit General-level cultivation, I wonder if he’ll be of any use…”

The white-haired woman spoke first in a frail voice.

“Southern Investigator, there’s no need to jump to conclusions so hastily. What we’re borrowing isn’t Investigator Han’s cultivation itself, but the power of the Evil-Slaying Divine Lightning. Even if his cultivation is low, if he can properly unleash the power of the Evil-Slaying Divine Lightning, it’s possible.”

Mok Cheong smiled from within the darkness.

“Do you think it’s so easy to control the Evil-Slaying Divine Lightning? It’s only natural that the higher the cultivation, the greater the power of the divine ability! I doubt whether a mere Spirit General-level cultivator can properly draw out the power of the Evil-Slaying Divine Lightning. At least he should be a Spirit Master of the early stage.”

This time, one of the two men in crimson robes voiced his doubt in a voice that sounded like scraping metal.

“You can rest assured about that. Investigator Han’s spiritual power is as pure and dense as an early-stage Spirit Master, even though he is a high-level Spirit General. Or do you have another way to safely remove the restriction that Ji Hyul ordered? If so, there’s no need for Investigator Han to show his skills.”

Mok Cheong spoke meaningfully.

“If he can help resolve the restriction, it would be good for everyone. I’m not blindly opposing, but speaking out of concern, so I hope that Elder Mok doesn’t misunderstand my intentions.”

This time, the other man in crimson robes spoke, and surprisingly, his voice was identical to the previous one.

“It’s good that Elder Ji Hyul doesn’t oppose Investigator Han’s involvement. What do you think, Elder Yuk and Southern Investigator?”

“If it benefits our great cause, I will support it.”

Yuk, the man in the black bamboo hat, calmly agreed to Mok Cheong’s question. However, the white-haired woman frowned.

“Southern Investigator, are you not pleased?”

Mok Cheong pressed, his eyes gleaming.

“It’s not that, but his consciousness is quite strong, so I was originally going to use him to refine an Yin Armor Ghost King. Now that I have to find another material, it’s a headache! Besides, Investigator Han was originally discovered by me and Investigator Ji Hyul, so it seems unfair that Elder Mok is taking him.”

“Haha, so Southern Investigator wants to personally guide Investigator Han. As far as I know, Southern Investigator’s cultivation method is incompatible with the Evil-Slaying Divine Lightning. I wonder if you can properly guide him. Don’t create a situation where you regret ruining the great cause.”

“Is that so? Judging from Elder Mok’s tone, you seem very confident about the Evil-Slaying Divine Lightning. Since it’s a divine ability that neither of us has cultivated, it doesn’t seem like it would make a difference who teaches it.”

The white-haired woman sneered as Mok Cheong smiled softly.

“I was formed from the condensation of wood spirit. The Evil-Slaying Divine Lightning is a divine ability with wood attributes, so much so that it was called the Supreme Wood Divine Lightning among the Five Elements Divine Lightning in ancient times. I am confident that my direct guidance will be the most effective.”

Mok Cheong’s expression darkened slightly.

“That’s something we won’t know until we try. Considering the years I’ve spent comprehending the Dao [the Way, or the fundamental principle of the universe], is there anyone here who can replace me, except for Elder Yuk? How can I be inferior to Elder Mok after all these years of cultivation?”

Mok Cheong was about to argue with the woman’s words when Yuk intervened.

“Both of you, please stop. Let’s first confirm Investigator Han’s Evil-Slaying Divine Lightning and then continue the discussion.”

His words had an effect, and the woman and Mok Cheong exchanged glances and stopped arguing. Mok Cheong turned his head and said to Han Li.

“You must have heard all of our conversation. So, show us the Evil-Slaying Divine Lightning. You know how important this matter is, so you won’t refuse, will you?”

Han Li gave a wry smile and silently formed a hand seal.

*Kuururung! Kwa-kwang!*

Golden light flashed from his body, and countless thin lightning bolts shot out with tremendous force. The woman, Yuk, and others inside the wooden hall widened their eyes and examined the golden lightning, and Mok Cheong was no exception.

*Whoosh.*

Yuk flapped his large sleeves, creating a dark, gloomy wind.

Then, Han Li raised his eyebrows and sent the golden lightning flying.

*Kwa-kwang!*

The black wind that collided with the golden lightning disappeared like snow melting in the spring breeze.

“That’s right. It is indeed the Evil-Slaying Divine Lightning!”

Yuk nodded his head in delight.

“How many times can the investigator release this much power of the Evil-Slaying Divine Lightning?”

One of the men in crimson robes asked.

“About twenty times. Once I use it all, it takes quite a while to recover before I can use it again.”

Han Li replied, his eyes gleaming. The amount of his Evil-Slaying Divine Lightning had decreased by 30% in an instant.

‘There’s no need to tell them everything truthfully.’

“Twenty times! That’s enough.”

The other man in crimson robes made a bizarre face at his words.

“No matter how powerful the Restriction of the Underworld is, it won’t be able to withstand this much Evil-Slaying Divine Lightning. Now that the Evil-Slaying Divine Lightning has been confirmed, we just need to decide on Investigator Han’s future. It doesn’t matter to me and Investigator Ji Hyul since we’re not proficient in the related techniques, but the problem is that both Elder Mok and Southern Investigator want to guide Investigator Han. I think it would be best if Elder Mok guides him for two years, and then Southern Investigator guides him for the next two years. The last two years should be given to Investigator Han to cultivate and comprehend on his own. What do you think?”

The woman and Mok Cheong were stunned by Yuk’s words.

“Hahaha, Elder Yuk’s suggestion is excellent, isn’t it? It will prevent the two of you from fighting.”

One of the men in crimson robes burst into laughter.

“Since Elder Yuk and Elder Ji Hyul both agree, this old one will follow.”

The white-haired woman nodded slowly after a moment of silence. Only Mok Cheong did not answer immediately.

“Elder Mok, are you not pleased with this proposal?”

Yuk asked with a cold gaze.

“Of course not! I will follow the opinions of the three of you as well.”

Mok Cheong flinched for a moment and replied with a forced smile.

“Good. We must not be bound by trivial matters and focus only on succeeding in the great cause! Investigator Han, you have been given six years, but you must not be lazy in your cultivation. If you properly unleash its power, we will take you to a very mysterious place and promise you a great reward. But if you fail to unleash the true power of the Evil-Slaying Divine Lightning within six years… Haha, do you understand what will happen?”

One of the men in crimson robes grinned at Han Li. Han Li’s expression darkened at those words.

“Investigator Han, you can rest assured. If you have achieved this level of cultivation at such a young age, you must have outstanding talent! Six years is enough to unleash the true power of the Evil-Slaying Divine Lightning. However, to prevent the investigator from having other thoughts, I will place a small restriction on you.”

The white-haired woman suddenly stretched out her hand and shot a gray thread-like object at Han Li. Han Li’s expression changed drastically, and he tried to dodge, but the surrounding air froze, and an invisible pressure was applied to his shoulders, making it impossible for him to move.

However, he did not do the foolish thing of trying to break free with force. The thread, which looked both blue and gray, flashed and disappeared into his body.

At the same time, Yuk, Mok Cheong, and Ji Hyul each inserted a small amount of black energy, green light, and crimson mist into Han Li’s body. Only then did the force pressing down on Han Li disappear.

He examined his body with his consciousness and relaxed. What had entered his body were four types of marks, and it was absurd to think of running away with four marks on his body, but they were not something that would cause great harm.

“Investigator Han, the discussion is over, so you will stay in Mokseon Valley for two years. After two years, Southern Investigator will send someone to pick you up! Now, let’s end this matter here and discuss other important things. Southern Investigator, I heard that the Yin Armor Ghost Fiends are almost complete, but…”

Yuk left a few words for Han Li and immediately moved on to another topic.

The others listened to his story or answered, discussing various matters.

Han Li was depressed but waited silently, recalling their words. As expected, they were trying to break some kind of restriction by borrowing the power of the Evil-Slaying Divine Lightning.

‘What is this about controlling lightning and the true power of the Evil-Slaying Divine Lightning? Could it be that there was a special hand seal for controlling the Evil-Slaying Divine Lightning? Or could there be other divine abilities that I didn’t know about until now!’

As he pondered, he suddenly felt someone’s gaze. When he turned his head, he made eye contact with the mysterious woman who was peeking at him, and it was none other than Yuan Yao.

Yuan Yao was staring at him with a blank expression. Han Li’s expression changed for a moment and then returned to normal.