Chapter 769: O-ryong-jaeng-ju (11)

In the middle of the White Dragon Palace.

Having a strong desire to enjoy observing the shamans, Yong Jegun came to the White Dragon Palace.

The shamans' movements were complex, passing through corridors back and forth and dispersing at crossroads.

Yong Jegun decided to narrow down the targets that he'd follow.

He was headed to the center of the White Dragon Palace after tailing Shaman Ja and the palace shamans with her, but he ended up standing all alone.

At some point, Shaman Ja and the others had disappeared from Yong Jegun's eyes.

'They're pretty good at isolating me. I can feel their energies, but I can't see them.'

He tried to follow their energy, but it didn't work out.

The air in White Dragon Palace felt heavier, and even if he tried to chase their energies, he quickly lost his concentration.

Something of a dragon-like energy made Yong Jegun dizzy.

'Is it the Imoogi scales that they fed to Hwangryong? It wasn't this bad until yesterday though.'

Someone was coming to Yong Jegun.

It wasn't the shamans but the Dragon Clan members.

The dragons, who were secretly monitoring the shamans, were gathered in one place.

"Where did the shamans go?"

"We lost them. I'm sorry."

"And Cheongryong?"

"He headed to the Blue Dragon Palace. We lost the shamans shortly after parting ways with Cheongryong."

Yong Jegun felt a chill in his back.

After issuing an order, Cheongryong headed to the Blue Dragon Palace in the east, opposite of the White Dragon Palace in the west.

After that, the dragons had no clue about the shamans' whereabouts.

Flustered, the dragons didn't expect the shamans would do this at this hour and successfully shake off their surveillance.

Yong Jegun usually enjoys crises, but right now is different.

If something happened, his close friend, Kim Shinrok, would be targeted.

Yong Jegun coldly gave instructions.

"Spread out and look for the shamans, but move in pairs at least. They'll try to get to work."

"Got it. Will you move with us, Yong Jegun?"

"I have something to look into."

At the moment, Kim Shinrok was with Hwangryong and Jo Euishin at the Yellow Dragon Palace.

He knew that he didn't have to worry about Kim Shinrko's safety when he was with those two, but he didn't feel good.

The shamans wouldn't have aimed for Kim Shinrok without preparation.

Yong Jegun parted ways with the other dragons and immediately headed to the Yellow Dragon Palace.

However, something happened even before he got out of the White Dragon Palace.

Kugugugugu...!

Not long after the mysterious phenomenon of the White Dragon Palace turning purple, the structure of the Dragon Palace changed.

It's a warning to the allies.

They agreed that if an attack happens at an unexpected time, the Dragon Palace will be completely restructured.

'I can feel that the Dragon King's power is far away. The dragons who depend on his order and those who depend on colors are in danger.'

He was worried about Cheongryong, but more so for Hwangryong.

After all, Hwangryong has been ingesting Imoogi's scales all this time.

Although Jo Euishin made him eat the Dragon King's scales that the Dragon King gave him, it's obvious that his condition was worse than the other dragons.

'Should I have given these scales to Hwangryong? I should've just given it to him even if Euishin objected.'

Before Yong Jegun left the Dragon King's side to go to the human world, the Dragon King gave him scales near his yeokrin.

(T/N: Special dragon scales that sprout upside down from a dragon's neck. Touching it would make a dragon outrage.)

Yong Jegun usually goes around without much stuff, but he always had the scales in his arms.

After the worldly collisions, he began to carry it more as carding items became possible.

When Jo Euishin handed Hwangryong the scales that he received from the Dragon King as a pass to the Dragon Palace, Yong Jegun offered to give up his own instead.

But Jo Euishin rejected it.

— I want you to keep holding onto those scales, Professor Yong Jegun.

Jo Euishin was adamant, but Yong Jegun didn't give up easily.

Despite saying this and that, Jo Euishin rebutted well.

While Yong Jegun was thinking of how to manipulate Jo Euishin, Hwangryong stopped them.

— The scales that you have is closest to the Dragon King's yeokrin. Those scales regenerate the slowest. Those scales should be saved at least.

Dragon Scales vary from the source.

Although every scale of the Dragon King is rare, the ones that Yong Jegun has is exceptionally rare.

It was thousands of years ago that Yong Jegun received these scales, but it's unknown whether they regrew in the Dragon King's body.

Hwangryong didn't have any intention of using those.

— If this ends safely, the Dragon King will reward the benefactor with new scales. Don't worry.

— It's okay if he doesn't give me scales again.

— If the Dragon King doesn't give you his scales, I'll give you one of the Dragon Palace's pillars.

Jo Euishin fell silent at the mention of a pillar.

Yong Jegun once joked the same thing to Jo Euishin, and it seems like these dragons have similar trains of thought.

'Oh?'

While Yong Jegun was searching for his way to the Yellow Dragon Palace, an unpleasant sensation suddenly struck his body.

Hwiii...

Then, in a wide-open field, a huge mass of water with traces of ogansaek appeared.

It was the shamans' Water Mirror.

[I want to ask you a favor, Cintamani.]

Yoohwang's voice echoed through the water mirror.

Seeing that the voice was clear, Yong Jegun's location was accurately captured, and the water mirror was summoned freely, he knew that the shamans had become more powerful.

Hiding under the guise of leisure, Yong Jegun spoke.

"How about we talk in person? And my name is Yong Jegun."

[Yes, I know. I'm not foolish to forget the Cintamani's name, and it's futile to meet in person and fight.]

[But don't you think we stand a good chance against you now?]

[As Yoohwang-nim said, it's futile to fight now. We can do this peacefully.]

[It's going to be a fight between us.]

After Yoohwang, Shaman Nok, Shaman Byeok, and Shaman Ja spoke.

Yong Jegun deduced who owned the voice one by one.

'They're too drunk on power right now that they're spitting nonsense. But I don't think they're bluffing.'

Yoohwang would be a bit difficult, but there might still be room to dig with the other shamans.

While Yong Jegun was thinking of something to lure them out, Yoohwang talked again.

[We are going to compete for the Cintamani from here on.]

Hwiii!

The surface of the water mirror shook and illuminated the path between the Yellow Dragon Palace and the Blue Dragon Palace.

In a chaotic landscape with a mixture of yellow, blue and sulfur, and green, Kim Shinrok and Hwangryong were seen.

Just looking at Hwangryong, it was obvious that he lost a lot of strength, and Kim Shinrok was helping him stand.

Yong Jegun realized that the situation and his expectations were quite different.

'Euishin is not there.'

Not only that, but a bigger problem was presented.

The ice that melted around them had enemies wriggling out.

He saw Kim Shinrok drop his throwing knife through the mirror.

There was no need to explain the situation, it was clear from one glance.

They were minions from the Bear Clan, and the shamans wanted to use them against Kim Shinrok knowing that he couldn't fight against them.

[We're going to divide into five and move the Bear Clan minions. Those who will get that child, and as a bonus, Hwangryong, will negotiate a wish from you.]

Negotiate, as Yoohwang said, but it was ultimately a threat.

They intend to show Kim Shinrok and Hwangryong being haunted to break Yong Jegun's will.

Yong Jegun's head became tight.

'If I go catch the shamans before those minions hurt Shinrok... No, they're too far.'

Hwangryong would've separated the shamans from everyone for safety.

Yong Jegun's understanding of the Dragon Palace is different now.

Even if he used all his might to reach the shamans, it's questionable whether he would be able to overpower them safely.

'Even if I fulfill the shamans' wish and do as they wish, I can't guarantee Shinrok's safety.'

There was no way they would waste their power and send Kim Shinrok back to the ground, risking the situation of the Dragon Palace being known.

If things go their way, they will surely kill Kim Shinrok or forever take him hostage.

Before they even came to the Dragon Palace, Yong Jegun assumed the possibility of Kim Shinrok being in danger and prepared several measures for that.

However, when the situation came, Yong Jegun felt like his mind couldn't work properly.

The feelings of helplessness that he felt during the replay that Jo Euishin showed him resurfaced.

'No, there's a way.'

Yong Jegun's divinity is already so high that he could ascend right away.

If he uses his power and returns to his main body, he could ascend at once.

As soon as he ascends, he will be able to protect Kim Shinrok through his light skill, even if he refuses.

After all, Kim Shinrok practiced using his light skill before coming here.

[It's my first time. Will I be able to do well? Ah, it'll be easier than I thought.]

[I fed them scales before sending them here.]

The situation continued even as Yong Jegun thought.

As the shamans used their powers, the Bear Clan minions shone in their colors.

Except for Shaman Hong, who can't handle her power that well, all the shamans were ready to move the minions.

They didn't seem to think of the situation in which Yong Jegun would ascend and give Kim Shinrok powers.

If he makes a decision late, what happened in his nightmare would come true.

He'll wish for Kim Shinrok's life until his body disintegrates.

Yong Jegun's powers unconsciously flowed out as his fingertips colored jade.

— You didn't forget that you have to grant my wish before you ascend, have you?

Before he opened up his powers fully, he suddenly heard Jo Euishin's voice in his head.

The thought of replay and the nightmare of losing Kim Shinrok naturally reminded him of Jo Euishin.

Jo Euishin wished for one thing.

— I only have one wish. Whatever happens, please don't ascend in the Dragon Palace.

— It doesn't matter where I am when I ascend though... That's your wish?

— Yes.

The jade in Yong Jegun's fingertips disappeared.

Yong Jegun doesn't trust himself that he could save his only friend, but he trusts Jo Euishin.

Yong Jegun knows that Jo Euishin played hundreds of replays to save him.

Although he didn't escape in the end, Jo Euishin was able to induce him to go out.

Ever since he knew it, his trust in Jo Euishin became absolute.

'Did Jo Euishin not predict this situation?'

Then, a voice was heard from the Water Mirror.

[Yong Jegun!]

He heard his friend call his name after a long time.

Yong Jegun's name is given by Kim Shinrok, but as time passed, he was only referred to as "this dragon" or "that dragon," never calling his name properly.

But as if Kim Shinrok knew what Yong Jegun was thinking at the moment, he called his name.

Hearing his name, all thoughts of ascending left Yong Jegun's mind as he looked at his friend.

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