Chapter 66: Gathering Pieces

The Spirit Summoner’s name was Manar.

She was a woman in her early twenties.

However, rather than giving off a feminine impression…

‘She feels like water itself.

No, perhaps I should say she feels like nature.’

She was someone who possessed a distinct aura.

She had awakened her talent for spirits and became a Spirit Summoner through a connection with a teacher who had since passed away.

‘She’s stronger than I thought.’

She was capable of summoning two lower-tier spirits.

She even mentioned that with a bit more effort, she might be able to handle intermediate-tier ones.

Once a person could command intermediate-tier spirits, they were at a level comparable to a Viscount at the very least.

Depending on how they applied that power, it was a realm where one could even challenge the status of a Count.

‘Of course, that’s only in terms of combat power.

Since she’s a Spirit Summoner, she probably isn’t greedy for such things.’

Spirit Summoners were famous for having absolutely zero interest in titles or power in the human world.

Their only concern was nature itself.

And to someone like Manar…

Fwooooosh—

“Ooh!”

My Qi, which was close to the essence of nature, was a force that she couldn’t help but be drawn to, even if I simply stayed still.

Fwoosh— Fwoosh—

I subtly showed her my internal energy while continuing the conversation.

“This is truly something good…

but it’s not easy to teach.”

“As I thought, right?

But it is possible, isn’t it?”

“For now, yes.”

“Wow…”

To be honest, it felt less like a conversation and more like I was coaxing a child.

‘It feels like I’ve become a wicked adult.’

I continued to demonstrate my power, and at times…

Crackle—

“The fire attribute!”

“It’s similar, but it’s not complete fire.”

“Still, it’s close.

Can you do water?”

“It’s not entirely impossible.

Though I cannot do it myself.”

“Wow!”

By showing her things like Sammae Jinhwa or Jipung, I lured her into being completely captivated by my power.

It didn’t take long before she caved.

“What should I do?

Please?

What do I have to do for you to teach me?”

She asked of her own accord before I even had to suggest it.

It was the perfect timing I had been waiting for!

“I’ll tell you that later.

For now, why don’t we talk again after the waterway construction is finished?”

“Ah!

That’s true!

Hmm…

Um…”

After agonizing over it for a moment, Manar spoke up.

“Then I’ll do my best to finish the waterway construction as soon as possible!”

“Right.

That would be good.”

She volunteered to dedicate herself to the construction project.

I didn’t even need to provide compensation for her efforts.

‘Since she’s doing it of her own volition, after all.’

It was almost cute to see her clenching her fists in determination.

“Then I’ll leave it to you.

Since it will likely take me another month to finish organizing the Spiritual Land, just come find me then.”

“Yes!

I’ll definitely!

Definitely!

I’ll come find you!

You have to teach me then.”

“If the situation allows.”

“Yes!”

Now, there was a clear sign that she would seek me out even if I didn’t call for her.

‘The waterway construction will be much faster thanks to this.

There is still much to do even after arriving at Ophern Castle.’

The only problem was that Spirit Summoners didn’t reveal their strength easily.

In reality, if a Spirit Summoner was willing to help, there were plenty of places where they were useful.

Depending on how it was used, the power of a spirit was often better than that of a Ma Beop Sa.

‘Hurry up and come to me.’

When Manar came to find me on her own two feet…

‘I’ll work her to the bone.

Heh heh…’

I might have just obtained a very good sucker—no, a worker.

“Then I’ll be going now to finish the waterway!”

From that moment on, Manar put her heart and soul into the waterway construction.

Esty and Myuron, who were watching the scene, commented.

“…You lured her in quite thoroughly, Territory Administrator.”

“Ahem.

I should congratulate you in advance on gaining a new vassal.

You are gathering quite a few people.”

“Hey, this is just the beginning.”

Gajei, Hoden, Sian, Reton, and Esty were currently the only ones who were completely my people.

The members of the Iron Fist were still far from being called vassals, so they had to be excluded.

That meant I had only five people I could call true vassals.

‘There’s no way that’s enough.

I’m far from being satisfied.’

During my days as Jegal Hyeon, I had dozens of people who served as my guards.

Whether they were connected by fate, saved by me, or had their problems solved by me, many had sworn their loyalty.

The only thing I lacked was Mugong.

Other than that, I could be said to have possessed everything.

It was to the point that even when the Demonic Cult rose up, I, despite having no Mugong, was a target they monitored intensively.

“If you had possessed Mugong, or if the Iron-Blooded Sword Emperor’s comprehension had been slightly better, it would have been difficult for us to even dare to step forward.”

“Nonsense.”

Until the day I died because my Jeongmak could not be cured, I had been busy running around to stop the rising Demonic Cult.

The battle of wits between me and Manoe, with the Murim as the board, was a level of strategic play that had never been seen before.

‘It was difficult.’

I had no Mugong, while he had surpassed the peak and reached for the realm of Hwagyeong.

Because he used his own martial prowess as a move on the board, for me, who lacked Mugong, it was like fighting with one arm tied behind my back.

In that situation, the tug-of-war in a life-or-death battle of wits was intense!

There were times when I felt a deep resentment for not having Mugong, but I also felt a thrill in every single move we exchanged.

‘There were times like that.’

Now, the situation was completely different.

It was a different era, but it was a time I occasionally thought about.

Not that I missed it, though.

My current life had its own happiness.

The Spiritual Land, my family, and my vassals.

That was enough.

However, to protect them, I would need to increase my strength further.

Myuron, whom I hadn’t seen in a long time, asked regretfully.

“You’ve only stayed for a single day; are you leaving right away?”

“I must.

But thanks to you, I’ve gained a precious Spirit Summoner.”

“It’s because you were lucky, Territory Administrator.

No, Young Master.”

“Hmm?”

Myuron looked at me.

His eyes were filled with the weight of years.

“Call me whenever you need me.

I will help you anytime.”

“…I’ll take that to heart.”

“I mean it.

You’ve been doing well so far, but sometimes I worry.

I suppose it’s just a useless thought, though?”

“Don’t worry.”

“Well…

perhaps it’s just the grumbling of an old man.

Then, have a safe journey.”

“Right.

You take care as well.”

See?

Even in this world, weren’t there many people looking at me?

I wasn’t so stupid or foolish as to only long for the past when I had such people around me.

“Then, let’s go.”

“Yes!”

“Everyone, get ready!”

Leaving behind Myuron, who saw us off until the end, I hurried my steps.

The next destination was Maim Castle.

Maim was a castle similar to Pollen.

If we moved on horseback, it was only a day’s distance.

Even on foot, following the main road, we would arrive within three days.

“This village is called Hebesub.”

“Interesting.”

“There are often villages like this between castles.

Technically, this place is part of Pollen Castle.”

The security was decent enough that a village existed in the middle of the road.

‘It’s actually strange that a Goblin appeared during the last inspection of the Spiritual Land.’

The village of Hebesub, which we stopped at on the way, was peaceful.

“Pollen Castle is in such a mess, yet this place looks fine?”

“It’s subtly on the outskirts.

Besides, even though it belongs to Pollen Castle, its position is somewhat ambiguous.

As a result, it’s become quite a decent place.”

“Interesting.”

It meant the village was located on the boundary between two castles.

Since it had to belong somewhere, it was registered under Pollen Castle, but in terms of actual distance, it was closer to Maim than Pollen.

Because of that, Pollen’s administrative power hadn’t fully reached this far.

In other words, the corrupt Administrative Officers of Pollen had less to take from here.

Since there were few people to exploit them, the village had developed quite a balance.

About three shops were visible, and among those moving around, some appeared to be artisans.

‘It’s practically a semi-autonomous territory.’

It was a peculiar village.

The Bailiff’s house in the middle of the village was where I would stay.

“You only need to stay for about one day.

So even if it’s a bit humble…”

“Don’t worry.

I’m not some idiot who throws a tantrum over something like that.”

“Yes!”

The Bailiff’s house I entered under Esty’s guidance was small.

It was so vague that calling it a mansion was difficult.

There were only three rooms, and even the kitchen was tiny.

‘Should I call it frugal?’

Usually, the Bailiff’s house was the largest in the village.

Considering that, this place was quite small.

“The Bailiff seems to be doing quite well.

Look into it, and if it’s been managed well, give them a reward.”

“Oh.

I hadn’t even thought of that.

I will look into it immediately.”

“Do so.”

Esty soon left the Bailiff’s house with a few guards.

He was moving to carry out the task I had given him.

Although he was weak-hearted at times, his ability to take action was remarkable.

‘For some reason, there are several weak-hearted people around me.’

I wasn’t sure if I made people weak-hearted or if I just happened to attract them.

Regardless, both Reton and Esty performed their respective duties well.

‘Anyway, what should I do now…’

Left alone for the first time in a while, I began to review my future plans.

Maim Castle, which was similar to Pollen, would be easy to organize.

‘I should gather more evidence and more people there.’

The problem was what came after.

There were many other castles besides Pollen and Maim that were part of the Direct Dominion.

There was no way the news of the two castles wouldn’t reach them.

‘They’ll all start hiding things.

From then on, I’ll have to change my methods.’

They weren’t fools.

In fact, people who committed corruption were beyond clever when it came to their own well-being.

So, once they heard news of my movement, they would move busily.

Some would start carrying away their assets.

To cover up their mistakes, they might even commit other crimes.

I had to stop that.

To do so…

‘I suppose it’s time to strike the top.

After two or three more places, I’ll have gathered enough evidence.’

I had to show movements they wouldn’t expect.

I had to be more serious and settle it all in one blow.

“I need to start executing the plan soon.

The signs of securing funds are starting to show.”

I spent quite a while refining my plan while feeling the peacefulness of the village.

“I also need to focus more on my training soon.

But there’s still no sign of progress.

Hmm?”

I felt something.

At first, I thought it was a hallucination.

But it wasn’t.

Swish—

An aura rising like a haze continued to move, proving it wasn’t a hallucination.

It wasn’t a large energy.

It was a faint aura that wouldn’t even be felt by a Ma Beop Sa who wasn’t sensitive to Mana.

‘It’s ticklish.’

Though small, an aura that was too ambiguous to ignore continued to circle the area.

“What is this?”

While I felt curious, the aura continued to move.

Like a snake!

“What an interesting little trick.”

I raised my body and my internal energy simultaneously.

As soon as I was ready…

Boom!

I launched my body forward like a projectile.

Toward the place where that annoying aura was!