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In the bamboo forest.
While the cold air froze the bamboo forest, people from the Cow Clan entered.
Jukho, the chief sorcerer of the Tiger Clan, was a strong royal lineage.
However, his power was limited if the passageway that led to the forest where the earth power was strongest was frozen.
Perhaps that’s why the ten cows weren’t rejected when they stepped into the forest.
“We’re divided into two groups. First group will overpower Jukho and take the garden away. Second group will find the passage through the flow of cold air.”
After nodding their heads at the words of the leader, the cows divided into two groups.
The second group, fully dressed in winter clothes, headed to the source of the cold.
On the other hand, the first group was dressed relatively lighter and moved along the less frozen parts of the forest.
They judged that the less-frozen parts of the forest meant that that’s where Jukho’s power was still strong.
The sound of ice breaking was heard quietly with every step of the cows, but no one cared.
By now, the owner of the bamboo forest must be absorbed in saving the frozen bamboo.
But before they found Jukho, something unusual happened on the side of Eungwang High.
Fwaaat!
Three beams of light came down from the sky, and Jecheondaesung successfully eliminated the cold air.
The cows had no idea what happened outside the forest.
At first, they thought it was just the aftermath of the fight near the school gate, but the cold air gradually disappeared.
The air was still chilly, but it wasn’t enough to freeze the bamboo forest and find the passage.
The cold air they had arranged disappeared after the light came down, and the atmosphere returned to a regular winter day.
The cow stepped on the melted ground and observed the fresh bamboo leaves.
“The forest isn’t frozen. That person said to confirm the leaves are frozen before we move. I suggest we retreat.”
It was prudent and reasonable, but the others from their group disagreed.
One shook his head quietly, while the other hesitated.
The remaining one spoke in a tough manner.
“Everything was frozen when we entered the forest. Jukho’s power will not be as strong as usual.”
“And what about the possibility that the Tiger Clan knew and prepared in advance?”
The cow’s eyes rolled uneasily over his raincoat hood.
Their eyes reflected the dense bamboo forest that had been revived.
If they think positively, it could be that Jukho used up all his energy to revive the frozen bamboo.
However, what if Jukho knew the aim of the Cow Clan in advance, set up appropriate measures, and was waiting now to greet them?
Dealing with Jukho in a place like this was like voluntarily entering a tiger’s mouth.
But most of the cow people snorted and treated the cautious one like a coward.
“All the royal lineage who broke into Eungwang High succeeded. It doesn’t seem like the arrogant Tiger Clan to foresee this situation.”
The cows agreed with that statement.
Given the nature of the Tiger Clan, there was no way they could’ve let their intrusion go even though they knew all this beforehand.
Even if there was an effective way to beat them, the Tiger Clan wouldn’t have let their pride down and tolerate this kind of violation.
Perhaps that kind of thing would only happen if Eunho hadn’t fallen into a deep sleep and left the remaining tigers in charge.
Everything would be different if there was someone who could convince the prideful Tiger Clan, but it was unlikely that there would be anyone to even move the negligent Hwangho.
“…Alright. Let’s continue the operation.”
In the end, the cautious cow was convinced.
When they were about to search for Jukho again…
Swaa…
A fan blew in the bamboo forest.
The leaves trembled finely at the strange movement of the wind.
The cows stopped and looked around, but it was difficult to see in the bamboo forest that was so dense that sunlight could hardly reach them.
A voice was heard through the wind.
“You people are correct. We, the Tiger Clan, are arrogant. That’s because we have power worthy of arrogance.”
The Cow Clan trembled at the refreshing voice mixed with the sound of bamboo leaves shaking.
They realized that it was the voice of Jukho.
“Spread out! Everybody out of the woods!”
The cows quickly split directions and flew away, a decision to at least let one of them survive.
However, Jukho’s voice followed them, overshadowing such attempt.
“It’s foolish. Did you think I’d talk to you without any preparation?”
All five cows scattered far away, but they heard Jukho’s voice as if he was whispering right next to their ears.
At the same time, the air in the bamboo forest quickly became heavy.
The cows felt like they were moving under the weight of a thousand roots.
It was evidence that the entire forest lay under Jukho’s power.
The Cow Clan couldn’t hide their despair as their faces distorted.
Crunch!
“Geukh!”
“One.”
Sharply cut bamboo spears flew from all directions and pierced the body of the cow.
There were some spears that were missed because the cow struggled to avoid them, but it was impossible to evade while enduring the pressure of the bamboo forest.
Jukho’s first target was the cow who made the cautious remarks.
If the whole group retreated as he suggested, it would’ve been trouble for Jukho.
Things would get complicated if someone reasonable remained, so Jukho took care of him quickly.
“Who should I choose next? Who do you like?”
The cow’s eyes unknowingly moved at Jukho’s words.
Perhaps his judgment was blurred in the midst of the intense pain, but the cow looked at the cow who was most likely to survive.
He wanted him to run far away from Jukho, but looking in his direction was a mistake.
It was the cow who insisted on continuing the mission with the strongest attitude.
Seeing that the cautious cow looked in his direction with high hopes, the next cow must be the strongest in their group.
Jukho’s next target was decided.
“Alright, I’ll get that one next.”
Crack!
The fastest cow almost reached the exit, but a bamboo spear pierced his body and he collapsed in vain.
“Three left. I’ll ask that cow next.”
“No, save— Geuhk!”
The cautious cow’s eyes, ears, and mouth were blocked by bamboo leaves as he tried to beg for his life.
Jukho then hunted the other cows one by one.
He dragged the captured cows and counted them again.
“One, two, three, four, five. Caught them all.”
Jukho looked at the cows whose eyes and mouths were covered by bamboo leaves.
Satisfied, Jukho looked toward the source of the cold air.
In fact, the source of cold air, the location of the earth power path connecting the bamboo forest and Eungwang High, is fake.
In consideration of the Black Screen’s aim, today they temporarily blocked the real passage and made a fake one.
And around the passage, there were many traps prepared by the head of the Dog Clan who decided to help the operation.
“It’s probably done over there. Should I help? Or should I go reassure Yuri?”
In terms of efficiency, it would be better to go help the head of the Dog Clan and the tiger couple, but when he thought of his student sitting alone in the hanok, Jukho felt uncomfortable.
Thinking of his student Kim Yuri who was hesitant to bring a tree on this good day, Jukho wanted to finish this work quickly and enjoy Christmas.
While Jukho was lost in thought, he heard something being dragged on the ground.
He looked in the direction and saw a cow being dragged.
Jukho was startled when he saw the cow being dragged with one leg caught.
‘…They’re wearing masks.’
All the cows were wearing plain white masks.
Just as Jukho suggested that the cows’ senses be covered, the other side used energy masks.
The head of the Dog Clan glanced at the mask with an uncomfortable expression, but she was moving in front of the tiger couple without saying much.
“Good work.”
“Nope, I didn’t fight.”
The head of the Dog Clan said as she swept her hair back.
She looked back at the tiger couple who were dragging the cows without a word.
“I could’ve solved it myself, but I didn’t have the chance to fight. These tigers are good as dogs in fighting.”
The cows’ bodies were torn here and there as if they had been scratched and crushed by giant claws.
The tiger couple has a very rough fighting method.
‘They must’ve gotten a lot weaker because they haven’t been taking care of their bodies. I wonder if they’re just tired.’
The tiger couple walked weakly and limp, and although they were speechless, they didn’t have wounds.
On the other hand, even though he saw the ragged cows being dragged, Jukho was worried about the couple.
To vent his anger, Jukho spoke to the bound cows.
“You wanted to get your hands on the Tiger Clan’s garden, didn’t you? I can’t give you the garden, but I’ll make sure you get to know it well.”
Jukho planned to destroy the cows’ minds by tying them to the garden.
Kim Shinrok will have to torture them anyway, but won’t it be easier if it’s done in the garden where time is distorted?
Before opening the entrance to the garden, Jukho suggested to the tiger couple.
“Would you like to come with me?”
“…”
He thought that the tiger couple would agree right away, but they didn’t nod.
Instead, they spoke over their masks.
“…I heard that that child’s classmate is there.”
That child?
Jukho realized belatedly that the tiger couple was referring to Jo Euishin.
They seem to be interested in his classmate, Kim Yuri.
When the girl was mentioned, Jukho replied brightly.
“You must be talking about my student. Just in time, I wanted to introduce you, but let’s take care of these people first.”
While Jukho opened the entrance and pushed the allies, calling more bamboo spears to secure them, the tiger couple took something out of their arms.
Seeing it, Jukho couldn’t take his eyes off.
When he was about to ask what it was, the tiger couple spoke first.
As if they were making excuses.
“We were worried that we couldn’t give a gift to the benefactor…”
“But every time the benefactor sees us, he looks so sad, so we feel sorry to ask to meet…”
Are the tiger couple planning to ask Kim Yuri to deliver the gift?
It was Christmas, and Kim Yuri seemed willing to play the role of Santa because she enjoyed the Christmas atmosphere.
‘But why did they seal it so tightly?’
Jukho looked at the package in the hands of the tiger couple.
It was sealed so tightly that even Jukho couldn’t see through.
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