BRDM 206

chapter 206

Lee Hyun thought it had been a long time since he last met Mo Jeong-gyeon.

“As always, she’s extraordinary every time I see her.”

[‘Holy Relic: Hwa An Geum Jeong’ is intensely alert to the enormous divine presence!]
[Yeouisae is preparing to release.]
[Ginkgo is ready to activate.]
[Geunduun is preparing to escape at any moment.]

On top of that, the natural reactions of the Four Great Treasures added to the tension.

Every time their eyes met, he felt a tingling sensation at his fingertips.

The higher the realm he stepped into, the more clearly he could see just how extraordinary Mo Jeong-gyeon was.

Once, Sun Wukong had casually remarked:

• “Of course. To cram such an enormous, world-overpowering soul into such a tiny, narrow body… it’s bound to be overwhelming.”

• “That’s already a demigod. One could rise even higher.”

It meant that Mo Jeong-gyeon was originally a being who could have ascended to the heavens long ago, even in a world not her own.

She had transcended tradition to the point where she was the tradition itself.

A mountain deity.

The nickname meaning “tiger” was not just a nickname.

• “Heh heh. A demigod who could take on an executioner in a duel… truly, there is no scarier being.”

What Sa O-jeong said carried even more weight.

A being comparable to Sun Wukong himself.

“Daeseong only recently managed to reclaim half his name. And yet he was able to casually drive away Raphael and the angelic legion.”

Raphael wasn’t merely a messenger of the so-called <Malah>. He was one of the officials leading divine society.

“And now it’s said that someone is being compared to Daeseong’s prime… how is that possible? It’s true Mo Jeong-gyeon is incredible, but to bridge such a gap in a life not even a hundred years long…”

There had to be some secret that transcended the limits of time.

“Of course, Daeseong would never admit this. But at least, it means someone capable of matching him at a comparable level exists.”

Otherwise, it meant she had lived a timeline different from what the world knew.

Whatever the reason:

“If what I saw before was just a tail… then now it must be like the hind legs.”

Lee Hyun swallowed dryly.

And then…

“Ah, look at this, huh?”

Even Mo Jeong-gyeon was surprised.

With a bamboo staff in her mouth and a playful squint in her eyes, Lee Hyun found her astonishing in multiple ways.

The Golden Supreme, standing behind, was equally startled.

“Did you have a second awakening in the meantime?”

“Yes. I was fortunate.”

“Fortune, my foot. The one who caught a High Ranker in the first awakening… If anything, this is late. Or is it fast if you consider when the first awakening was restored?”

Mo Jeong-gyeon let out a dry laugh and clicked her tongue.

“When I see you, everything I knew and all my preconceived notions get completely shattered. Makes calculation impossible.”

“Thank you for seeing it so positively.”

“Truly, a monster in the flesh. Ji-sang, if you just sit still, you’ll be caught up in no time, you know?”

The Golden Supreme bowed slightly.

“Yes. I’ll do my best.”

“The elder would have a fit if he saw this. He’s outside now, right?”

“Yes. We sent him on a business trip for a few days. Better than running into Team Leader Jang and making a fuss, right?”

“Hoho! That was wise.”

The elder Ho, Ho Sang-moo, was known for his competitive spirit. Seeing Lee Hyun now, he would probably destroy the training grounds again. Hence, sending Lee Hyun far away in advance.

“I just wanted to check if the ‘homework’ was being done properly. But… despite your growth, this side seems stagnant, huh?”

Mo Jeong-gyeon went straight to the point.

Homework.

The Ho Wang Technique.

Lee Hyun smiled bitterly.

“Honestly, I still haven’t fully grasped it.”

“Why?”

“I’ve mastered the form, but the intent and focus aren’t easy. I’m still studying them.”

When he received the Jakho Sword, he had succeeded in partially inheriting the Ho Wang Technique.

He thought it would be fine if he could combine it with the fighting style of the Toujeon technique.

But that was it.

He had not yet fully honed the Ho Wang Technique. Time had been scarce, and even learning the Toujeon style alone overwhelmed him.

“Above all, the directions of the two techniques are too different. Toujeon is free and bold, but Ho Wang is crude and dominant.”

Of course, there were some results.

“Still, if some connection could be made, it might flow smoothly…”

But Sun Wukong had given no hints.

The technique of ascent was a domain of enlightenment. Teaching it recklessly could even restrict the learner.

To Lee Hyun, it seemed just an excuse for monopolizing knowledge. But he also believed it was a key he had to unlock himself.

“Ultimately, Ho Wang must also be integrated into the Douukshin legacy, like the Toujeon technique.”

While absorbing the vast mythology of <Journey to the West>, he never lost sight of his absolute standards.

Tradition, Douukshin.

If a skill could not be contained within the legacy controlling the mysterious and chaotic, he would organize it. If it could, he would reinterpret it to make it his own.

He never accepted anything passively, so his acquisition was slow.

“Intent and form… I see. So, a stimulant is ultimately necessary, huh?”

At that moment,

Fuuuu-

Mo Jeong-gyeon exhaled a long plume of smoke.

The smoke coalesced into a gigantic white tiger.

Much more imposing than the Jangsan Tiger handled by Lim Won-young.

Before he could think why it had been summoned,

Kreaaaah!!

The white tiger lunged suddenly at Unhui.

Lee Hyun instinctively reached for his weapon from Kibisis, recalling the time he obtained the White Tiger Executioner, but

Whirrr!

The tiger dissipated into smoke mid-charge and was drawn toward the ring on his hand.

“…!?”

His gaze fell on his own hand.

The Holy Relic he had received while being saved by Lim Won-young, [Protector’s Ring].

Although he had tried returning it several times, Lim Won-young postponed it, saying it would be needed later. The jade ring now reacted violently.

Ziiiiing!!

[Protector (Tiger God) Amulet]

From ancient times, it is said those eaten by a tiger become spirits that follow and serve the tiger even in death.

Naturally, generals and heroes with exceptional martial skills would become even greater warriors to protect the tiger.

• Type: Holy Relic

• Origin: Legend, “Mountain Army Tradition”

[In addition to the four Gulgak and one Iol, one more Six Souls has been added to the Holy Relic.]

“Six Souls?”

Lee Hyun’s eyes gleamed slightly.

“…!?”

Thud!!

His hand nearly dropped from the sudden reaction.

Not only that.

Shiiik!

The ring emitted a deadly poison. His hand turned black instantly.

[The Spear Spirit’s poison penetrates your body. Attempting to poison your magical circuits.]

As Lee Hyun struggled to dispel the poison,

[Poisoning completed.]

Suddenly, the poison dissipated, and his hand returned to its normal color.

“…What?”

“According to <Eouyadam>, when a cat swishes its tail, chickens fall from trees, and mice come out of holes. A tiger’s tail releases an even greater toxin that mesmerizes people.”

Lee Hyun’s eyes widened.

“I swished it once in front of you. Since you couldn’t grasp the Ho Wang Technique, I gave a suitable stimulant. When the time comes, open it. You’ll see something interesting.”

Mo Jeong-gyeon did not tell him how to unlock the stimulant, and Lee Hyun did not ask.

Ho Wang Technique.

Her signature technique, the entry skill of the Mountain Deity style.

If possible, he wanted to master it properly.

“Thank you.”

“Don’t thank me. This is to ensure you keep working hard beside my granddaughter. You focus on earning your keep.”

Lee Hyun smiled lightly.

Both Lim Won-young and Mo Jeong-gyeon had such immense respect for those they trusted, pushing them to the end.

“Ah, and if you fail again, you’ll end up like those Spear Spirits, so be careful.”

Of course, Mo Jeong-gyeon never let things be easy.

Lee Hyun thanked her and left the main office.

“Is this the final test?”

“Will it be?”

After Lee Hyun left, Mo Jeong-gyeon quietly smiled, still chewing on her bamboo staff.

“First, the White Tiger Executioner, second, Ho Wang Technique, third, the Protector’s Amulet… wasn’t that the original order?”

“That’s true, but…”

One side of her mouth twisted even further.

“Has he ever followed what I taught?”

“No… he hasn’t.”

“Exactly. That’s the problem. Even if I teach, he doesn’t follow obediently. Well, it’s fun, though.”

“Then…”

“But,”

As the Golden Supreme’s expression darkened slightly, Mo Jeong-gyeon cut her words.

“If he passes this test properly, we can finally start the ‘hunt’ we’ve postponed without worrying about the aftermath.”

“…!!”

Golden Supreme’s eyes widened.

The Hunt.

The reason Mo Jeong-gyeon had not ascended to the heavens, even after becoming a Mountain Deity.

She had spent ages preparing for it: grooming Lim Won-young as her successor, arranging faith, and even showing the ruthlessness of abandoning her only child.

Now, with Lee Hyun’s arrival, she could finally proceed with her plans.

‘Though he probably doesn’t realize it.’

White Burn.

The massive organization was essentially a cult for the Mountain Deity, a testing ground for her plans.

The biggest progress had been made by the X and Y teams representing White Burn.

Especially, both team leaders called themselves ‘the Mountain Deity’s disciples.’

‘Both are loyal to the Guild Master. But if they hear Team Leader Jang took the Protector’s Amulet test… hmm, I wonder how they’d react. I must be careful.’

Golden Supreme had to remain cautious to prevent friction among the 26 teams.

“Once the operation on the Near Eastern Front is over—”

“Guild Maasteeer!”

Before Golden Supreme could finish, a booming voice echoed down the corridor.

His expression crumpled instantly.

Like the X and Y team leaders, this was someone Lee Hyun must never meet.

“I sent him to Canberra, Australia… when did he—”

“Sent him far away? We’ll talk later. Let’s kick out this immature guy first.”

Bang!!

The door burst open, and Ho Sang-moo appeared, sweating and panting from running at incredible speed.

“Where is Team Leader Jang?!”

“Why are you back already? Weren’t you on a business trip?”

“I went because that damn man tricked me!”

Ho Sang-moo pointed at Golden Supreme and shouted.

“And what business trip matters? Where is Team Leader Jang?! Rumor says he underwent a second awakening! We were supposed to spar when he returned!”

His eyes burned with fury.

Mo Jeong-gyeon answered flatly.

“He’s not here.”

“Excuse me?”

“He was sent on a trip. Did you hear about the second awakening but not this?”

“Damn!!”

Ho Sang-moo ran back outside to check the situation.

Mo Jeong-gyeon said:

“Send Team Leader Jang to the Near Eastern Front as soon as possible.”

“Yes, understood.”

Golden Supreme bowed his head.

On the Day of Dispatch

Suwon Military Airport.

With Golden Supreme’s approval, preparations moved swiftly.

An unofficial protocol agreement with Astra was also completed, and the dispatch day finally arrived.

The Z Team boarded Astra’s special transport plane alongside familiar faces—and some unexpected ones.

“So you’re the new Z Team leader? Finally we meet. I’m Kang Yoon-su of X Team.”

The elite team, along with Y Team, was already on board.

‘Did headquarters assign another team besides us? I hadn’t heard…’

Lee Hyun shook Kang Yoon-su’s hand cheerfully.

The man’s expression, masked and unreadable, revealed nothing.

“Yes. Nice to meet you—”

Crack!

He couldn’t finish his sentence.

Kang Yoon-su tightened his grip—clear combat spirit.

Lee Hyun’s eyes slightly narrowed.

“Straight to the point—let me ask one thing.”

Kang Yoon-su’s eyes blazed.

“The rumor that the Guild Master wants to make you his ‘disciple’… is it true?”