I Became the Academy’s Genius Shikigami Summoner – Chapter 192

𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝟏𝟗𝟐

Cheong Juhwa and Arietta, along with their group led by Yoo Ha-on, had one simple goal:

To somehow clear Han Kang-yoon’s name and use that as a basis for freeing him from Yangcheolgung.

However, it wasn’t that easy.

“It’s actually harder. To clear his name, we first need to deal with the cause.”

Fortunately, they were able to get their hands on detailed information about the false accusations through Shin No-eul’s connections.

A series of videos showed a man who looked like Han Kang-yoon attacking and killing other exorcists.

Upon seeing the videos, Yoo Ha-on and her group gasped in surprise.

“His appearance and mannerisms are definitely like Oppa’s, but. . .”

“Something’s a little off?”

They had helped resolve the situation at the academy when the voodoo seed incident occurred.

That’s why they could tell.

“This looks a lot like the shadow soldiers from back then.”

That was when they finally understood the outline of the incident, and what they had to do.

“We have to find the guy in the video.”

“Isn’t it possible that he’s already been disposed of?”

“. . .I don’t think that’s likely. He’s still useful right now.”

If he had already been disposed of, it would be nearly impossible to prove Han Kang-yoon’s innocence through normal means.

For now, they had no choice but to assume the opposite and act accordingly.

“The area in the video isn’t that far from Cheong So-ha’s territory. Are you getting a strange vibe?”

If so, there’s a possibility that Cheong So-ha is hiding and controlling him.

With their goal set, the group decided to intentionally reveal their location once, and then use every means possible to infiltrate Cheong So-ha’s territory at full speed.

“We’ve also received information that the other elders have started moving to obtain the azure dragon. So Cheong So-ha will have no choice but to come in person.””

In other words, it meant that they would be free to raid the place while the two forces were clashing.

The plan went smoothly.

Especially when they succeeded in drawing out the elders using the location they had revealed.

However, once they infiltrated Cheong So-ha’s territory, Yoo Ha-on and her group realized that all of their assumptions had been too optimistic.

“. . .She really came. Cheong So-ha is Cheong So-ha after all.”

Unexpectedly, there were quite a few exorcists lying in wait in Cheong So-ha’s territory.

Furthermore, two elders were among them.

“Cheong Ka-hui and Cheong Gye-bok. . .”

“And you’re the leader of the Red Unit. I didn’t know you were working with the successor of the azure dragon.”

Cheong Ka-hui, the third elder of the Cheong family, and Cheong Gye-bok, the seventh elder.

They were both genuine special-grade exorcists, and not even Shin No-eul could easily face them.

「𝘾𝙝𝙚𝙤𝙣𝙜 𝙂𝙮𝙚-𝙗𝙤𝙠 𝙢𝙖𝙮 𝙗𝙚 𝙖 𝙡𝙞𝙩𝙩𝙡𝙚 𝙗𝙚𝙝𝙞𝙣𝙙, 𝙗𝙪𝙩 𝙝𝙚’𝙨 𝙣𝙤 𝙥𝙪𝙨𝙝𝙤𝙫𝙚𝙧 𝙚𝙞𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙧.」

However, there was still a positive side.

“It seems that Cheong So-ha isn’t here, so she didn’t expect this either, huh?”

“Hmph! You people aren’t worth Cheong So-ha coming out for.”

That was good news.

Not only would there be no one to support them, but there was also a high probability that the shadow soldier they were after was still there.

With that in mind, Shin No-eul decided to take a gamble.

“We don’t need to fight head-on anyway. We’ll stall for time, so find him.”

“. . .I can’t do it alone. I’ll stay too.”

And so, while Shin No-eul and Arietta faced off against the two elders, Yoo Ha-on and her group slipped away.

From here on out, it was a race against time.

“. . .What a fool’s errand. I don’t know what you’re after, but I’ve already planted my men all over the place.”

“Well, I wonder if that’s enough to stop us.”

Although it was a short time, Shin No-eul was able to accurately gauge the potential of Yoo Ha-on and her group.

They were all different, but they were all great. They were all qualified to reach great heights.

“At the very least, they’re too precious to be sacrificed in a meaningless power struggle like this.”

She didn’t regret getting involved.

Guiding them on their path was the role given to Shin No-eul, who had already filled her cup to the brim and reached her limit.

🔷🔷🔷🔷🔷🔷

“Those guys. . .”

The first thing I encountered with Hae Ga-ram after we set off was the Cheong family elders who had been pursuing Cheong Juhwa.

“Didn’t you say there was nothing here?”

“It seems like they went on a wild goose chase after the azure dragon.”

As far as I know, Cheong Juhwa is no longer here. They had been completely fooled.

「𝙊𝙣 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙤𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙧 𝙝𝙖𝙣𝙙, 𝘾𝙝𝙚𝙤𝙣𝙜 𝙎𝙤-𝙝𝙖. . .」

She is already heading straight for Cheong Juhwa’s location, one step ahead of them.

If this continues, they will definitely face the worst possible outcome.

“I think we should contact them.”

“What for?”

“There’s someone who has a useful mouth.”

No matter how hard we rush to our destination, we won’t make it in time at this rate.

And so, I approached them without hesitation and revealed myself.

Thud.

“Who the hell are you?”

They don’t seem particularly tense. That’s only natural, since there are several elders gathered here.

However, there was one person among them who reacted somewhat noticeably.

“You, how. . .”

“Long time no see.”

It was Cheong Do-yool, who had suffered great losses because of me in the past.

It seems that he is now in an ambiguous position among the group, not quite a representative.

“I heard that you were imprisoned in Yangcheolgung.”

“That’s not important right now, is it? I already know your goal.”

“. . .Are you going to interfere again?”

No. Ironically, it was quite the opposite.

“I want to join forces.”

“What. . .”

“I know the location of Cheong So-ha and Cheong Juhwa. And I don’t want Cheong So-ha to get her hands on the azure dragon either.”

Cheong Do-yool’s expression twisted strangely.

He must be having a headache right now, trying to figure out my unfathomable intentions.

However, the situation was just as urgent for them.

“First Elder, what is he talking about? It sounds like he knows the location of the azure dragon.”

“He seems to be connected to the successor of the azure dragon, so his words may be true.”

“. . .He has a close relationship with the successor of the azure dragon. It’s probably not a lie.”

Cheong Do-yool looked very displeased, but he didn’t seem inclined to refuse my offer.

And so, I continued, pointing to Cheong Kang-hoon, the eighth elder behind him.

“I need the power of your Wind-Crossing Cloud, Eighth Elder. It’s too late without it.”

“Hmm? How did you know that. . .”

“There’s no time.”

Cheong Kang-hoon enjoys acting decisively rather than thinking too much, as I expected.

He soon took out his special-grade artifact, the Wind-Crossing Cloud, with a whatever expression.

Whoosh.

Clatter!

“Get on. It’s a special occasion.”

Once the situation was resolved, I called Hae Ga-ram over, and the elders glanced at her with somewhat surprised expressions.

After all, she was the guardian of Yangcheolgung, known as the greatest of all time, so they must have seen her face once or twice.

Screech!

“We’re almost there.”

And so, we arrived at Cheongdam-dong, Cheong So-ha’s territory, in an instant. Soon, we were able to spot Cheong So-ha and her men approaching not far away.

And among them, my eyes were drawn to the old man with a wrinkled face.

「. . .𝙒𝙚 𝙛𝙞𝙣𝙖𝙡𝙡𝙮 𝙢𝙚𝙚𝙩.」

Jin-myeong.

He was the one who planted a deep suggestion in Cheong So-ha’s mind when she was a child, and the greatest villain of the second Night Parade of a Hundred Demons.

Eighth Elder Cheong Kang-hoon’s grumbling reached my ears as I braced myself.

“By the way, what are we going to do? We’re outnumbered since we didn’t bring our men.”

The Wind-Crossing Cloud was a great means of transportation, but of course it was impossible to carry everyone present.

As a result, only the elders, including myself and Hae Ga-ram, had arrived here.

Naturally, it would be difficult to fight a head-on battle.

And now was the time to throw them a tempting bait.

“We’ll hold Cheong So-ha back. Can you handle the rest of her forces?”

“Of course. But even with the guardian of Yangcheolgung, will you have the time to do so?”

“We have a mutual interest, so we’ll be able to stall for some time.”

The elders immediately took the bait with great pleasure. After all, they had no reason to refuse, since we were holding back Cheong So-ha, who had been their most annoying enemy.

However, what I really needed was time to face Cheong So-ha and Jin-myeong without anyone’s interference.

In that sense, there was no one better to use as a shield than them.

“. . .It’s decided. Let’s move.”

Immediately after Cheong Do-yool spoke, Cheong Kang-hoon lowered the Wind-Crossing Cloud and gradually revealed himself in front of Cheong So-ha and her group.

Soon, everyone landed on the ground, and a sharp killing intent spread from Cheong So-ha, who had spotted me.

“What are you doing here. . .!”

Death throes!

Zzzzaaaap─!

I glanced over and saw that Cheong So-ha’s Blue-White Sword had already been drawn from its scabbard.

I broke out in a cold sweat as I thanked Hae Ga-ram, who had stepped in front of me.

「. . .𝙄𝙩 𝙬𝙖𝙨 𝙖𝙡𝙢𝙤𝙨𝙩 𝙩𝙤𝙤 𝙘𝙡𝙤𝙨𝙚.」

I had managed to deploy a defensive spell because I had been on my guard, but I might not have made it in time.

Once again, I realized that I was still no match for Cheong So-ha as I am now.

“You dare show your face, you insignificant creature who mocked the Ancestor. . .”

“. . . . . .”

Her attitude, which had become completely hostile, was both frightening and sad.

Wasn’t she just being played around with by her enemies, completely unaware of the truth?

And so, it was time to free her from that curse.

“. . .As promised, we’ll take her.”

“I understand. I’ll leave it to you.”

Even as the elders dispersed, Cheong So-ha didn’t take her eyes off me and didn’t even think about moving.

And then, the old man with a wrinkled face appeared next to her.

“Kukuku. I was going to let you go easily, but you ended up wanting to see the end after all.”

As Jin-myeong chanted an incantation, a thick curtain instantly covered the surroundings, blocking out the scenery and sound.

It was a barrier technique activated through a stone staff he was holding.

「. . .𝙄 𝙠𝙣𝙚𝙬 𝙞𝙩 𝙬𝙤𝙪𝙡𝙙 𝙘𝙤𝙢𝙚 𝙩𝙤 𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙨.」

This space, which is essentially as strong as a barrier created by a grand spell, is of course not easy to break.

As a result, only four people remained in this space: myself, Hae Ga-ram, Cheong So-ha, and Jin-myeong. It’s what I wanted.

“I had a few things I wanted to ask you anyway, but I guess this is a good opportunity.”

“. . .You don’t need to come out, Ancestor. I’ll make him tell the truth piece by piece with my own hands.”

Finally, the situation unfolded as planned, and I nodded slightly at Hae Ga-ram with a glance.

“. . .Are you really okay?”

“Yes. I can do it. You might be in more danger, Ga-ram-nim.”

“Indeed, even a casual observer can see that she’s no ordinary.”

However, Hae Ga-ram continued to smile happily, and removed the mask she was wearing, letting it fall to the ground.

“But I’ve never been pushed around by a barrier before.”

It was a different item from the demon mask that was linked to Yangcheolgung’s grand barrier formation.

It was a medium for barrier spells that she had brought in advance for this situation.

Whoosh.

Clatter!

“What. . .”

As the spell activated, Hae Ga-ram and Jin-myeong were enveloped in another barrier that began to form within the barrier, disappearing from sight.

With that, the stage was set.

And so, Cheong So-ha and I, who were left alone, met each other’s gazes with different meanings.

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