Only I Am A Reader

"We have discovered signs of scouting around the emergence point!"

It had only been one day when the Heavenly Strength Society's scouts who had set off on time returned with surprising news.

"Other scouts…?"

Cheon Jeong who had been impatiently waiting turned to look at Leo who came around to hear the scouting's results. She held on by spending most of her time training both of her students aggressively, almost dragging Leo in, but in the end… It seemed like Leo's worries weren't unfounded.

However, the one who showed the most surprise was none other than Cheon Chang. His face was mostly as stiff as usual, but the little change showed just how shocked he was deep inside.

'How?'

Despite the fact that he supported his junior brother's opinion out of curiosity, trying to repay the sincerity hidden in his words, as the head of the Spear Manor, the Absolute Spear denied that possibility.

Since his outer organization was the one closest to the plains, the members of the Heavenly Strength Society stationed there were the ones responsible for looking after the emergence point. For it to leak out…

"Are there rotten people in your little manor, Spearhead?"

The Blade Spirit was as brash as usual, directly accusing Cheon Chang of being too careless, but even she found these words unlikely as soon as she muttered them. The stiff face in front of her was just as stiff with regulation, for something to roll under would be even more surprising than the fact that others knew about the Azure Tree.

"Forget it, I asked the wrong question. If people are already aware, the appropriate action would be to go even more quickly to secure the point… I see where you are going with this."

Quickly shrugging her words, Cheon Chang turned back to Leo with some understanding. Depending on the number of people that came to know of the Azure Tree's upcoming emergence, they could be besieged from all sides if they moved too early!

Undeniably, the powerhouses of the Heavenly Strength Society were the ones boasting the strongest individual prowess, but things would be different if most of the Righteous Faction's powerhouses ganged up on them, especially if monsters were to be added to the mix…

"Then again, are you saying we should give up just because there is danger involved? We might not be able to finish off our opponents when faced with large groups, but I'm confident in stalling them till we manage to grab the Sky Fruits!"

The doubt on Cheon Chang's face had mostly disappeared as she started discussing the situation with Leo as if they were equals. She obviously wasn't fond of his line of thought, but things were different now that some major points had been proved valid.

"I'm not saying we should give up the whole opportunity. We just need to give up the 'owner's priority'."

The most critical point that led the 'Azure Tree's Emergence' event to develop into tragedy was the point of view that the Heavenly Strength Society had taken. Once they noticed that other people were on to them, they dispatched a large number of forces to ward them off in order to get what originally belonged to them.

"Rather than starting our fight too early, leaving our backs open just to secure the first spot, we just need to arrive in time to vie for the Sky Fruits like everyone else."

Whether the Azure Tree had emerged already or not, the Martial Artists around couldn't bother to differentiate. Everyone wanted to be closer to the emergence point and the Heavenly Strength Society that was the first to do so would basically receive the full brunt of the whole crowd!

The emergence point was not that much different from a 'hot potato' that the Heavenly Strength Society tried to hold on to for too long. Protecting the tree, protecting themselves, pushing people back… It was only right for their hands to be burned.

"I may be ignorant of the limit of your true ability, but it's only because I believe in your ability that I find this to be the most optimal choice and not the other way around."

However, Leo simply couldn't let that happen! Not when the results would be too devastating, especially for him in particular. Not to mention that the side quest would become almost impossible to finish, Leo couldn't accept losing one of his little focal points in this world…

Cheon Chang had to stay alive!

"This would turn out useless if the so-called 'righteous' people get absorbed with greed that they keep the information to themselves, but…"

'Finally.'

Once Cheon Jeong propped her hand to her chin, appearing to be deep in thought, Leo knew that he had at least managed to attach the hook to his fish. Only a few more pushes were needed for his little ploy to come to fruition!

<Help me out.>

Leo turned to his three team members who he had grown closer to over the years, sending them a short Sound Transmission. There was no better way to end the doubt other than utilizing the person involved.

"Master… It's not my place to talk, but I think it wouldn't be too bad to listen to Baekho orabeoni. He does have some strangely accurate guesses every now and then."

Although Leo couldn't use his semi-omniscience too much through the last few years due to the frequent time skips that the author used in the beginning phase of the monsters' invasion, a few bits of knowledge that would only appear later or elsewhere were still usable. The way he managed to steer his time away from imminent danger most of the time had left a relatively strong impression on Cheon Sohee.

"I agree with Ho as well, it shouldn't be a problem for Master to snatch it for us in time."

"The idea of fighting so many people looks nice, but… I will make sure Baekho compensates me for it. I too don't want us to fall in danger for no reason."

"I…"

Seeing the gazes gathering on her face, Cheon Jeong hesitatingly opened her mouth, she had been strangely cornered by four juniors…