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A few days ago, at the Hwangmyeong mansion.
We overhauled the Christmas operation at the news that traces of Cheongho were found overseas.
Hwang Jiho reiterated that he would stay in Korea since it’s been a while since we found Cheongho and Shinin.
“I already told Euishin, but I’m not going.”
“Well thought out. I’m curious about what Cheongho-nim and Shinin-nim went through, but we’d have no choice but to remain here.”
I saw Jeokho and Baekho nodding at Eunho’s words.
The tigers must be very concerned about their friends, but all of them declared without hesitation that they’d stay.
Still, it was impossible to leave that discovered trace.
If they knew that Hwang Jiho didn’t move, the opponent might suspect that he used other means or that the Tiger Clan saw through their entire plan.
So we decided to send a tiger to retrieve the band.
“I’ll send my deputy on a private plane. I can’t not send anyone because I have to check the band that I gifted them. I’m thinking of sending one of Cheongho’s students.”
“You said you trusted the four of them, Hwangho-nim. Then, as Baekho hyungnim recommended, the two can go with me and the other two can retrieve Cheongho-nim’s belt.”
As part of the plan, two students of Cheongho disguised as Hwang Jiho boarded his private plane.
The two will be using a skill and pretend to be Hwang Jiho in shifts.
They were the ones who taught Kim Shinrok the reversal skill, proving that Cheongho’s disciples aren’t just well-versed in Taehokwon.
In order to achieve perfection, Hwang Jiho’s alter ego has to be hidden in time for departure, and to give his clothes, shoes, and accessories to Cheongho’s students.
Then, Jeokho asked a question.
“We’ve decided where the fake Hwangho will be sent, but what about the real one?”
Jeokho attended all the meetings ahead of Christmas, but it was indeed a good question.
Where should Hwang Jiho be placed?
After several meetings, we had trouble answering this question.
Given the level of vigilance against Hwang Jiho, if he’s found to be in Korea too early, then the Black Screen will completely change its plan.
But we had no intention of hiding Hwang Jiho until the end.
He’s too powerful to not be utilized, and it was foolish to do so.
‘Communication in Eungwang High will not be smooth, but Hwang Jiho is an exception. He can communicate freely through his main body and alter egos. In addition, Hwang Jiho deals with earth power, and the place where it's most abundant is Eungwang High.’
If the Black Screen thinks that Hwang Jiho is not in Korea, then they’d be completely off-guard.
Hwang Jiho is the strongest player in the First Christmas operation, and he’d be our wildcard.
Of course, the story is completely different if Baekho-gun’s restrictions are completely lifted.
Baekho-gun, who still has a debuff, will only be in charge of the Bear clan.
In any case, there were different opinions on what to do with Hwang Jiho, but after putting all the ideas together…
“I want Hwang Jiho’s alter egos to be placed at all the gates. It doesn’t matter if more are placed in other places, but at least one should be stationed at every entrance.”
The tigers were surprised to hear this.
Each entrance can be seen as a battleground, but we’ve already set pieces to be dispatched to that area.
Jeokho was the first to question.
“But the gates will have the Dragon Clan, Red Lion Team, Lake of Eternity, and the Han River Cycling Team, right?”
In other words, one of the 12 clans, two world-famous professional player teams, and the legendary hero of the Korean Peninsula will be defending the gates.
It’s indeed questionable if Hwang Jiho needs to be deployed.
I agree with that, but I had a different idea.
“Unlike the development in the game, there are variables that changed. Kwon Lena, Min Geurin, Yeom Junyeol sunbaenim, and Kwon Jein sunbaenim will be there. Besides, there are students and relationships that the Black Screen couldn’t break.”
Everyone knows that Yeom Junyeol will be leading the Christmas event as the student representative.
Kwon Lena’s existence spread widely through the video of her playing with Kwon Jein in front of the sea wall and the video of her busking with Dokgo Miro.
Everyone knows that Min Geurin will be re-releasing the work that she unveiled at the festival’s exhibition event.
In other words, the Black Screen knows that the Dragon Clan, Red Lion Team, Lake of Eternity Team, and Song Manseok are likely to come at Christmas.
“The Black Screen will be thoroughly prepared to isolate Eungwang High. We’ll plan on the assumption that they’re coming. Even if they join forces, the fight will be equal and will take time.”
Jeokho was caught off guard.
The names mentioned were all reliable, but he didn’t seem to have thought that the Black Screen would see through it.
“It’s the Long Tail, the Bear Clan, and the Demon Race who will break into the school. Then that means the only other royal lineage attached to the Black Screen will be outside.”
“The Pig Clan…!”
The tigers’ eyes turned sharp at Jeokho’s words.
Everyone knew that Jeokho was seriously injured by the Sangbosimgeumpa.
“The Pig Clan has laid low after the Kimopolea incident.”
“…That’s right. Jogangryeob was alive when he returned to the Pig Clan, but his injuries didn’t heal well. He only talked nonsense on his bed, and it was so hard for him that he was practically bedridden.”
Jeokho, who infiltrated the Pig Clan’s home and saw Jogangryeob, explained so.
Jeokho must be bothered by his existence.
Jogangryeob’s injuries are irrelevant now, so I decided to pretend I didn’t know.
“If it’s the Black Screen, they’d try to heal Jogangryeob by Christmas at all costs. He’s probably out of bed now.”
Jeokho nodded in agreement.
He’s not in charge of the Pig Clan at the moment so he couldn’t have seen it personally, but he must have the same guess.
After listening to Jeokho and I’s conversation, Hwang Jiho asked.
“Do you think the Pig Clan will attack each gate, Jo Euishin?”
“Yeah. It’s possible that it won’t be the Pig Clan, but I’m sure they’ll target the players who will try to deal with the otherworlds. I want you to wait around there just in case.”
I said it could be someone other than the Pig Clan, but I was almost certain that Jogangryeob would be there.
‘Jogangryeob was Marshall Tienpeng before angering the heavens. He got kicked, but he still has his connections. Besides, his skills are not bad. Considering that Choi Pyeondeuk followed him in this world… Wouldn’t it be possible to bring in pathetic old men like him?’
The fight outside the school may be bigger than I thought.
Hwang Jiho nodded at my earlier answer.
“I may have to stand by at the gates. Got it. What other measures do you have?”
“First, they’ll ask those who will come that day to hide before the entrance time. Before they move, they’ll check for any strong players around.
“I should hide myself then. My hiding skills aren’t as good as Jeokho’s, but I’m confident if this body decides to do so. I won’t be caught by weaklings.”
However, it wasn’t a problem that could be simply solved by hiding.
We should be prepared for the presence of the Black Screen.
Hiding would only let us launch a surprise attack first.
“It will be a difficult battle since reinforcements will come in the middle, but at least we can do a surprise attack.”
“I don’t think there’s much to do just by those words, but looking at your face, there must be something more.”
It was quite a heavy topic, but Hwang Jiho spoke lightly.
Not only he, but the other tigers looked at me with expectations.
It’s not a definite move yet so it’s hard to say.
But I couldn’t help but reveal it.
“…I thought of something.”
“What sort?”
“I think there’s a royal lineage that I met so far that can fight Jogangryeob. If this goes well, it could be solved without Hwang Jiho needing to step up.”
It wouldn’t be strange for that royal lineage to join hands with Jogangryeob and go after the Tiger Clan.
However, that royal lineage already revealed its weaknesses to the Tiger Clan and asked for its help.
That royal lineage owes me and the Tiger Clan a favor.
‘It’s a different situation though, so it’s possible that he’d refuse. But considering their actions so far…’
I was only speculating, but I decided to lay this idea for now.
“If it works out as I thought, you won’t have to come forward.”
***
Eungwang High, around the east gate.
A frozen otherworld spawned, Cheongho and Jogangryeob met.
The ground was full of Pig Clan, and the sky was full of Jogangryeob’s army.
Even they were corrupt enough to fall for Jogangryeob’s sweet words.
If Jogangryeob and Cheongho fought one-on-one though, the blue flame would emerge victorious.
“I will go, Cheongryong-nim!”
“There’s no reason for us to hide now”
“They’re aiming for Eungwang High where our Junyeol is!”
Some Dragon Clan members who were hiding themselves appeared one by one.
But they weren’t more than twenty.
There weren’t so many dragons who had their names still remaining until this era, and dragons from Western mythology often refused to flock.
Many of the dragons present were from oriental mythology.
Considering the strength of every dragon, it wasn’t a small force, but they looked infinitesimal compared to the opponents.
Hwangho, in the appearance of Hwang Yuho, looked up at the scene and planned intervention.
‘Any time now.’
Jo Euishin’s plan is possible, but it’s not certain.
He wouldn’t have believed in the plan if it wasn’t Jo Euishin who suggested it.
Hwangho still couldn’t trust the other royal lineage.
On the other hand, Jogangryeob laughed when he saw the small forces from the Dragon Clan.
“Pfft, what is this? Aren’t you all sorts of foolish dragons! If you’re so worried about that kid, you should’ve kept him at home!”
“Wahahaha!”
Tahahaha! Ahahahaha!
The laughter of the 800 men carrying Jogangryeob’s energy waves laughed with him.
It was childish, but hundreds laughing at the same time was almost discouraging.
The Dragon Tribe was a minority elite, which means they were not huge in numbers in the first place.
Fortunately, the majority of the dragons can use flying skills to avoid being bombarded.
After laughing for a while, Jogangryeob shouted.
“The dragon hunt begins now! The one who catches the most, I will reward an armor made of Cheongryong’s scales!”
Waaaah!
Jogangryeob pointed at Cheongryong with his spear, and hundreds of troops set out to get the dragons.
At that moment…
Fwwaapow! Pop!
Firecrackers went off everywhere, sending the army of 800 in chaos.
An unidentified royal lineage.
That royal lineage was holding a staff.
“T-this is…”
Jogangryeob was appalled.
“…Son!”
A number of alter egos attacked the army.
It was a royal lineage who had the Gingoju on his head.
One of the many alter egos spoke.
“I thought you forgot how to distinguish heaven and earth at the sight of you running around in the human world, but I see you didn’t forget my face.”
The head of the Monkey Clan shouted at the countless eyes that looked at him.
“The Strongest in the Universe, Jecheondaesung is here!”
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