Chapter 256
Chapter 256
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>Translator: Ryuma
>Chapter: 256
>Chapter Title: The 31st Horse Overturns the Game Board
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“You’ve prepared a gift?”
“Yes.”
“What kind of gift? Oh, that one? The thing they sometimes set up at banquets?”
“Yes. However, the gift that Lord Jega has put his heart into preparing will be on an entirely different level from the others before it.”
“Hmm… What on earth did Jega prepare to brag like this?”
“Lord Jega said that to express his gratitude to those who attend the meeting held after the official event, he will temporarily fling open the locks of his annex.”
“…The annex?”
Jega owned a vast estate in Hongyeon, the heart of Khan.
And that was just a portion of his power—his true strength was undoubtedly even greater.
It went without saying that one could guess the quality of the items he kept under special care without needing to spell it out.
They were surely filled with rare treasures, and with some luck, even something suitable for Jangdu might be found among them.
“Really? He’s really opening his annex just for me?”
“Not exactly. It’s also promised to the other dragonseeds.”
“Well, same difference… Looks like Jega’s desperate, dumping all this wealth.”
“Lord Jega has high expectations for this council.”
“Hmm… I’ll talk it over with Lady Shinyo first.”
“We’ll await your word at the main gate.”
“Fine.”
Jangdu strode over to Shinyo.
“Lady Shinyo.”
“Go ahead.”
“Oh dear, you heard all that?”
“Your voice carries, Jangdu.”
“Heh…”
Jangdu scratched the back of his head and said,
“But isn’t it strange? Opening his annex to dragonseeds, and at a time like this…”
“When you consider we’re in the midst of the Dragonstrife, there’s nothing strange about it. Plus, it’s a sort of tradition to gift thanks to the dragonflowers’ dragonseeds who visit the banquet.”
“Even so, the annex…”
“It’s his way of saying ‘look closely.’ It’s more about the sincerity in the gifts than in his words.”
“Urgh…”
“What’s wrong? I already said you can go.”
“What if something happens to you while I’m gone?”
Shinyo looked at Jangdu with an exasperated gaze.
“I’m not a child, Jangdu.”
“Hahaha! Even so, to me, you’re always someone who needs protecting. Are you trying to leave my arms already? I’d say you’ve got at least a million years to go.”
“Showing off in front of me… In any case, rejecting a carefully prepared gift could come off as petty. It might leave a blemish on your future path. And the dragonseeds joining the council would just create a tense atmosphere—they’ve already agreed that only the dragonflowers will enter the meeting site.”
“What if something happens at the council…”
“Have you forgotten who I am? And who’s attending this council?”
“You mean… Ah!”
“Yes, Chiwu is joining the council too, so there shouldn’t be any issues.”
“Whew… Alright, then. Guess I have no choice but to ransack that annex.”
“They’ve probably moved anything you’d actually want elsewhere. Still, they’ll have put out enough for show.”
“Heh heh… If you run into any danger while I’m away… you know what to do, right?”
“What would I know?”
“Just shout ‘Save me, Jangdu!’ and I’ll come running from anywhere…”
Shinyo’s cheeks flushed red, and fierce words poured from her mouth.
“Enough nonsense—go already! And I’ve never said anything like that!”
“Ahahaha!”
Jangdu truly enjoyed these exchanges with Shinyo.
He, who had lived so wildly without restraint, had come to realize something while protecting this little girl.
As Jangdu trudged after Jega’s subordinate out of the banquet hall, the other dragonseeds were receiving the same offer and heading out.
Kang Seol had received the same proposal and was hesitating.
He wasn’t tempted by the annex’s contents. He could have refused outright, but he agonized over whether turning down the goodwill was the right move.
As the banquet’s lively mood began to fade, Chiwu sought out Kang Seol.
“Feels like we’re the only ones having fun—kinda sorry about that.”
“Don’t worry about it. There’s plenty to enjoy here too. More importantly… did you see?”
“Yeah, I saw. Everyone’s heading out? What’s going on?”
Kang Seol relayed the proposal he’d just heard to Chiwu.
“Hmm… Trying to score points before the council even starts?”
“Maybe.”
“Man… Jega’s annex? I’d go in your place if I could… Anyway, go ahead.”
“But if I leave, Seolhong…”
“What’re you worried about with me here? I’ll stick close during the council too, so go. Even without me, Shinyo’s there—they won’t try anything funny. And refusing the host’s goodwill will have you on the dragonflowers’ lips for a while. Seolhong’s in a good mood for once—why sour the end?”
- What’s this, sensible advice for once?
- Chiwu, reclaim your identity!
Kang Seol looked at Chiwu.
Chiwu had once saved Seolhong’s life even in the forge. He was a reliable comrade, practically her strongest ally.
Suddenly, Kang Seol wondered if he’d been shouldering too much alone all this time.
‘When it’s time to leave, I have to leave.’
He couldn’t replace everyone forever.
Even after he was gone, they needed to manage on their own—so practice starting now seemed necessary.
Kang Seol took in Seolhong’s figure with his eyes.
She was chatting happily with some man.
Nod.
Kang Seol said to Chiwu,
“Then, I’ll leave it to you.”
“Sure.”
* * *
Seolhong found herself alone when Chiwu stepped away briefly.
But she didn’t panic. She’d grown accustomed to the banquet’s atmosphere, no longer standing awkwardly.
She could now interact with others using refined, aristocratic gestures and smiles. One by one, she was learning. She felt deeply moved by her own progress.
Someone approached her then.
“Seolhong, how was the banquet? Did you enjoy it?”
“L-Lord Jega, brother…”
Jega, with his neatly combed-back hair and refined features, stood beside her with a smile.
“Not as impressive as you thought? Haha… Sorry, was the preparation lacking?”
“No, it was wonderful. Really!”
Seolhong looked at Jega’s face as she spoke.
Jega had given her so many good memories.
In her hard, painful days, words of comfort. He’d given a chance to someone no one sought out.
Even if others pointed out Jega’s flaws, Seolhong felt gratitude toward the man who had supported her.
“I’m glad you enjoyed it, Seolhong. So, did you hear the message?”
“Oh, the council… Yes.”
“Don’t overthink it. Let’s talk in the annex. I have a lot to say to everyone.”
“Yes, brother.”
“See you there shortly. I’ll head over first.”
Once Jega left, Chiwu quickly took his place.
“What’d he say?”
“N-Nothing much. The council… that…”
“Oh, got it. Let’s go—looks like everyone’s gathering.”
With the official event over, some left while others stayed. A few top-ranking dragonflowers headed to Jega’s annex.
Seolhong was among them.
The annex was no small side building.
In scale, it rivaled the banquet hall—a large two-story villa.
Its style felt slightly detached from Khan’s.
Even so, its luxury oozed out, leaving everyone inwardly shocked.
“They’ve plastered money all over it. So flashy.”
“Typical Jega move.”
“If he’s throwing it around like this, why not share some with me?”
“Kukuku… Can’t argue with that.”
The other powerhouses had arrived at the annex first.
“By the way, you prepared gifts for the dragonseeds? Everyone looked thrilled.”
“They’re the ones always working hard for worthless dragonflowers like us. They can’t even enjoy the banquet freely. Don’t you think?”
“Nah, I don’t.”
“Truth be told, me neither. Jega’s putting on quite the show.”
“But what can you do? Gotta do something. This council won’t have any real substance anyway.”
Seolhong bit her lip bitterly.
Words disparaging Jega came from everywhere, but the dragonflowers’ dismissive attitude toward dragonseeds stung her heart too.
She knew Kang Seol had been watching over her here the whole time.
He was someone she could never thank enough.
“Seolhong.”
Someone called her.
“Sister Shinyo?”
“Yeah, finally greeting me now? Couldn’t get close with all those people around you.”
“S-Sorry.”
“No need to apologize. Let’s go in.”
“Yes.”
Before greeting Seolhong, Shinyo used sorcery to create a clone made of clouds.
The cloud quickly took Shinyo’s form, crouching in an inconspicuous spot near the annex with dazed eyes.
No one there noticed the process. For her, this was the bare minimum safety measure.
“Alright, everyone’s here—let’s head in. See what nonsense Jega spouts.”
“Oh my, I was thinking the exact same thing.”
They belittled Jega to show off their boldness or flaunt their confidence.
But they kept glancing at Shinyo and Chiwu.
Those two were their safety nets.
Shinyo, unmatched among dragonflowers in sorcery; Chiwu, who could rival even Taeryul in martial prowess.
Formidable foes if enemies, but as allies, no dragonflowers could be more reassuring.
Clank…
Inside the council chamber were antique chairs, large bonsai trees, and various displays of Jega’s wealth.
Jega sat at one end of the council table, resting his interlaced hands on it.
“Everyone, sit.”
Immediate backlash erupted.
“Arrogant as ever, Jega. You barely survived the Dragonstrife, yet you’re still bottom-tier?”
“Even as host, that smug attitude is hard to stomach. Mind yourself.”
“Haha, looks like everyone came in a foul mood. Did something happen on the way?”
“Hmph.”
Jega handled them more boldly than expected. Meanwhile, Shinyo and Chiwu checked their conditions.
Less than a minute after entering, they confirmed if their sorcery power and qi were intact.
Fortunately, their bodies showed no anomalies.
‘Was I worrying over nothing?’
Shinyo let out a shallow sigh of relief.
As long as she could use sorcery, she could handle any threat.
The same went for qi-user Chiwu.
“No need to growl at each other needlessly… right, everyone?”
“If you try any tricks…”
“We’re here to talk, but it’s not progressing at all. So much worry—scared?”
“…Scared?!”
“Haha, joking. Who’d be scared coming this far…”
The dragonflowers’ gazes kept crossing.
Wary and hating each other, yet that made them potential collaborators.
The 100 dragonflowers still in the Dragonstrife took pride in reaching this level themselves. They believed they could smash any threat outright.
“Phew… Shall we start talking now?”
“Go on, speak.”
Scrape…
Jega rose briefly from his chair.
“First, I thank all the dragonflowers who came here to meet me.”
“At least you’ve got manners.”
“Already sucking up? What drivel are you about to spew?”
Jega straightened his clothes and said,
“Let’s speak frankly. I want to join forces with you all for the rest of the Dragonstrife.”
“…What nonsense.”
“Unbelievable.”
“Forgot this is a competition? An idiot like you made it here?”
“No surprise you’re weak—you’re trying to leech off us. Typical Jega… Disappointing. Or is disappointment too much attention?”
The dragonflowers unleashed sharp criticism. Teaming with someone untrustworthy was absurd.
To persuade them, Jega quickly continued.
“Hear me out to the end. All of us here must overcome one great mountain before reaching the end of the Dragonstrife.”
“You mean the great mountain is…”
“Yes, Taeryul. Does anyone here have confidence to take him down alone?”
No one could face the supreme Taeryul single-handedly. They all thought so deep down.
Jega had pinpointed that.
“…We’ll see when we clash.”
“Taeryul’s born different from us.”
“Ridiculous!”
“…Let’s hear it. If we team up, what method do you propose against Taeryul? Even united, without trust, we’re just a rabble. Don’t tell me you’re gathering around Shinyo? If so, I’m out.”
“Calm down, calm. I’ve already decided on the method.”
“…You have?”
Jega smirked and said,
“Yes. The method to unite without doubting each other.”
“What is it?”
“It’s…”
Jega signaled his subordinates.
Flinch!
The dragonflowers tensed in unison.
The room’s atmosphere shifted.
“Your submission to me.”
“You’ve lost it! Jega!”
“Finally showing your true colors! You…”
Screeech…
Thud-!
The slightly ajar door slammed shut.
Everyone’s faces drained of color. Their power circulation was severed.
“This is… Vortex Field! It’s the Vortex Field!”
“No way! It even suppresses qi?!”
“No, this is…”
Boom-!
Hiss…
Something burst, smoke billowing up.
“Qi-sealing powder!”
Qi-sealing powder suppressed qi operation. Jega had now openly detonated what he’d subtly dispersed into the air.
“Don’t breathe it in!”
Jega laughed heartily.
“Too late!”
Boom-!
Chiwu swiftly kicked the table into the air.
Rustle…
Snap-!
Warriors in red garb with strange devices over their mouths lined up around Jega.
The devices were likely to protect them from the qi-sealing powder.
Seolhong couldn’t close her mouth at Jega’s treachery.
“Jega… why…”
“Hee hee, you too, Seolhong.”
“……”
“Submit to me.”
“This was your plan from the start?”
“Yes, truth is, I don’t care about trash like you. It’s your dragonseed I’m after.”
“No…”
Chiwu blocked Seolhong.
“Get behind me, Seolhong.”
“Chiwu… the qi-sealing powder…”
At that moment, Jega’s face hardened as he shouted in another direction.
He wasn’t looking at Seolhong—he was staring at Shinyo.
“Damn… Shinyo! Stop that woman! Block Shinyo!”
“Too late for you, Jega.”
Her ocean-like sorcery power was sealed, but a puddle’s worth remained.
It would soon vanish under the Vortex Field’s influence, but luckily, she’d prepared a spell for this.
That puddle was more than enough to activate it.
Clap-!
[Shinyo uses Divine Ability: Six Harmonies Amplification.]
[Voice booms loudly.]
Crackle…
Her clone, huddled nearby, activated.
Swoosh…
With the sorcery link severed, Shinyo’s clone began dissolving from the feet up.
Yet the clone desperately fulfilled its role.
It gaped its mouth wide, gathering air to produce sound.
That sound formed one sentence.
A massive, desperate cry that shook Hongyeon’s core.
- Save me! Jangdu!