Chapter 757: Dragon keeper (11)
When Yong Jegun died in PMH, the shamans collected the remains of the Cintamani using their five-colored clouds.
In other words, one of the things that the shamans want is the Cintamani.
Or perhaps just its remnants.
Still, wouldn’t the power of a living Yong Jegun be more useful than his dead remains?
‘Looking at their reactions, they seem to agree.’
The shamans didn’t show any noticeable reaction on the surface.
However, each of them seemed deeply lost in thought.
There would’ve been no need to ponder like that if a wish granted by Yong Jegun meant little to them.
“Only one wish can come true. It will be decided after you guys talk among yourselves. I will grant any wish to the extent of my strength, as long as it’s not unpleasant for me.”
“…Any wish.”
One of the shamans repeated the words in a small voice, almost like a sigh.
Although there’s a condition that the wish must not be unpleasant for Yong Jegun, the phrase ‘any wish’ must’ve stuck to her more.
A safe alternative has been suggested instead of the dangerous path of betraying the Dragon King and the Dragon Clan, so it would be tempting.
Even if their betrayal fails and everything falls apart, they might achieve what they want by wishing to Yong Jegun.
‘But Yong Jegun’s power is not infinite. It’s impossible to fulfill all the wishes of the shamans.’
Hwiii.
The shamans looked back at Yoohwang in unison.
They turned their heads at the same time, their cotton yarn making it feel as if the wind blew in the palace for a second.
The Dragon Palace and Dragon King shamans who turned their heads all stiffened while staring at Yoohwang.
Hwangryong spoke to Yoohwang in a friendly voice.
“You can ask for something larger than the gold and silver treasures that the Dragon Clan can give you, or you can ask for powers equivalent to those of the world’s best players. Ah, or how about perpetual youth and immortality?”
The shamans clenched their fists tightly.
It was a gesture that meant they were trying to stop themselves from screaming right away.
Hwangryong was focused on thinking about a gift for the shamans, doing a good job of feigning ignorance with the shamans’ reactions as he talked to Yong Jegun.
“Is that possible, Yong Jegun?”
“Immortality is a bit difficult. If someone stronger than me were to come after them, I can’t stop it.”
“There aren’t that many people stronger than you. They’ll be close to immortals.”
“I guess so? Ah, on the other hand, perpetual youth is much easier. I can do that.”
Much easier.
It’s not easy to say considering the efforts made by mankind to achieve just that.
Aging may be a very scary thing to say to the shamans who have not aged for quite a while, but it was a very good idea to say it lightly.
Hwangryong nodded as he listened to Yong Jegun and then spoke to Yoohwang.
“It must be a good wish for Yoohwang since she needs to adapt to the human world. She’s been a shaman to the Dragon King for a long time already. What do you think, Yoohwang?”
“I…”
I felt an uncontainable joy from Yoohwang’s voice.
If she’s willing to take the deal here, Yoohwang’s desire will come true.
Even if her will is not to be immortal as we now expect, it will be possible to achieve it with Yong Jegun’s power.
But before Yoohwang finished speaking, Yong Jegun intervened.
He had been narrowly waiting until just before Yoohwang revealed her intentions, and he now spoke in a very cheeky voice.
“Wait, Hwangryong. I want to grant the wish of the shamans. Don’t they need time to consult with each other?”
“I see. I was short-sighted. There’s no way Yoohwang would set aside the will of the other shamans.”
There was only one step left until the moment her wish came true, but it collapsed.
I looked forward to seeing Yoohwang falter and how she would react.
“…Yes. It’s a sudden and undeserved offer, so I think I need time to talk with the other shamans.”
Yoohwang did not fall apart.
She spoke very calmly, which is unsurprising since she’s hidden herself for so long for this betrayal.
Her voice even expressed gratitude for Yong Jegun and consideration for the other shamans.
It was a disgustingly perfect disguise.
Yong Jegun smiled cheerfully as if he enjoyed seeing Yoohwang’s camouflage.
“Okay, talk well.”
“I apologize. I was trying to be considerate to Yoohwang that I couldn’t show the same to the other shamans. Forget what I said and go decide on your own.”
Hwangryong sincerely apologized to the shamans.
After that, Hwangryong began to talk about the test and the candidates as if nothing had happened.
The shamans acted the same, but there was a strange air between them.
Even after Hwangryong finished talking and left, the shamans did not talk to each other.
Not even a light chat.
Seeing that, I became sure.
‘The action was right.’
If they fail to disrupt this test, Yoohwang will take the hardest hit.
She might still be able to play tricks after she retires, but it won’t be as easy as when she was on the job.
It’s obvious that all the shamans would be shaken if bait was thrown at Yoohwang.
‘If the arrow that will fly to Yoon Yeorang is redirected to Yoohwang, it would be perfect.’
I calculated that shaking up the shamans just before the test would pose a risk to Yoon Yeorang.
It will be impossible to prevent everything with just one measure, but it will be the basis for securing Yoon Yeorang’s safety and shaking up the enemies.
After all the shamans stepped down, I encouraged Yoon Yeorang to talk to the candidates who must’ve been nervous ahead of the exam and invited them to eat at the Blue Dragon Palace.
Yoon Yeorang smiled brightly when she saw me.
“That’s the expression!”
“What?”
Yoon Yeorang must’ve been observing me.
She spoke again and I did not feel any ill from her.
“The Nameless Supernova’s suspicious expression!”
I don’t know where, what, and how these rumors are spreading about me.
***
After Hwangryong’s convocation, at the White Dragon Palace where the shamans gathered.
The shamans seemed silent, but they were busy exchanging electronic signals with each other.
Unless it was difficult to detect multiple transmissions due to fluctuations of different forces, such as when they were preparing to teleport to the Dragon Palace, they couldn’t communicate like this in front of the Dragon Clan.
They were only able to talk after they arrived at the White Dragon Palace.
— Yoohwang-nim, what do you think about the wish that the Cintamani offered?
Nok (Green), who is said to have the most powerful ability among the Dragon King shamans, spoke to Yoohwang.
Since she had excellent power, Nok had the right and was able to ask the difficult question.
When Nok spoke to Yoohwang, the transmissions from all over the place were cut off at once.
After dragging her feet, pretending to be deeply agonizing, Yoohwang replied.
— I think it’s okay for me to accept immortality and perpetual youth because I’m about to retire.
Yoohwang answered with the pretext that she’d die alone once she retired.
Hearing that, the shamans were choked up but couldn’t make it obvious.
To prevent Yoohwang from retiring, they are riding a dangerous line in front of the Dragon Clan, including Cheongryong.
The shamans felt furious when they heard Yoohwang say that.
— A lot of the shamans worked hard for this succession ceremony. You will not be retiring.
— That’s right. Yoohwang-nim, the Dragon Palace shamans have come together and prepared a lot of things for you.
Shaman Nok and the oldest palace shaman indirectly condemned Yoohwang, hiding their inner thoughts.
Don’t even think about falling out alone when we struggled so hard because of you.
But Yoohwang had no intention to be a pushover.
In this case, it was more efficient to attack the opponent than to make excuses and secure one’s faults.
Yoohwang, who had been at the top of the food chain of a long-standing society, immediately attacked her opponents’ weakness.
— I know we have all worked hard. But unlike my thoughts, I feel very uneasy. When we came to the Dragon Palace, I realized that “all the shamans” did not become one.
— Are you doubting the Dragon Palace shamans?
The oldest of the palace shamans glared behind her cotton yarn.
Yoohwang smiled and turned her head.
On the side of the hill, the youngest shaman was looking out the window alone, unable to hear what they were talking about.
— The candidate being watched by the youngest shaman is a friend of the Cintamani’s guest. Eungwang High, the same school where Junyeol, the pride of the Dragon Clan, studies. She is an outstanding child who is going to enter such a school.
The oldest palace shaman couldn’t think of anything to refute.
She assigned the troublesome candidate to the youngest shaman to bully her, but it backfired.
While the oldest palace shaman was muzzled, Yoohwang spoke in a sad voice.
— We know very little about that candidate. Understand why I am anxious.
At this rate, Yoohwang will be the immortalized one.
When such tension was circulating, Byeok (Jade), spoke.
She’s the one who most often heard the Dragon King’s voice.
— We’d better wrap up the succession ceremony safely and then talk about it. We can make our wish before the Cintamani ascends, right?
Byeok emphasized that it was their collective wish.
Yoohwang decided to step back, judging that excessively pushing here would backfire on her.
They’ve prepared for a long time to kill a dragon.
Although Yoohwang could make her wish come faster, she was well aware that killing a dragon would ensure her full safety.
If she loses the support of the shamans, the plans they have set up to kill a dragon will literally become useless.
— That’s right. There’s no need to rush. I hope we can use the Cintamani to fulfill our best wishes.
Yoohwang didn’t give up her wish of being immortal, but she cleverly worded it out to make it seem like she was leaving room for the other shamans.
Yoohwang concluded the conversation and cemented her position with the other shamans.
— She was such a good candidate. Wasn’t she, Hong?
— …!
Hong (Red), who was suddenly called out, shivered.
Yoohwang looked at Shaman Hong and the youngest palace shaman alternately.
— I was shocked when she couldn’t become a formal shaman, and she couldn’t hang out with us at all. If she had become one, we wouldn’t have had to worry about this now.
Shaman Hong trembled.
Hong became a shaman at an unusually very young age.
She was the same age as Yeom Junyeol.
She didn’t know how to counter Yoohwang’s sharp words.
Yoohwang spoke to Hong again, as if she was speaking to a child.
— You shouldn’t forget how you were chosen as a shaman.
The youngest palace shaman might’ve felt her gaze as she looked toward them through the window.
Hong immediately dropped her head, avoiding the youngest’s gaze.
— …Yes, Yoohwang-nim.
Shaman Hong could do nothing but affirm Yoohwang’s words.
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