The Land Clan’s Race (6)
The choice I made was the black dragon's pure bloodline.
It was only natural.
'In the end, to burrow deep into the dragon race, the most efficient way would be to absorb the same race's blood and stir it up.'
Moreover, since the black dragon symbolized the Taiyin and governed the power of water, within the defensive line of the Sea Dragon Clan—its offshoot—the black dragon race could stand tall with their heads held high.
Furthermore, receiving the black dragon's pure bloodline would open the door to delving into the secrets of the Black Dragon King Hyun-eum.
And at the same time, it would grant me an opportunity to establish relations with Heukrin Eoryeongmun, the vanguard spearhead of the Demon Realm invasion in the current Human Race Total Alliance.
The benefits to be gained from a single drop of the black dragon's pure bloodline were far from just a few.
Of course, there was a possibility that accepting the black dragon's pure bloodline would instead allow the Black Dragon King to exert influence upon me in some way, but honestly, I was not that afraid of him.
'The real terror was not that man at all.'
Considering the fear I felt upon meeting him and the pressure I felt upon meeting the Black Dragon King, I believed I could somehow overcome any influence the Black Dragon King might exert through blood.
“Very well. Choosing the black dragon bloodline was a good decision.”
Gyu-ryeon smiled warmly, as if genuinely pleased that I—a member of the same dragon race—had selected their bloodline, and praised me for it.
After receiving a single drop of the black dragon bloodline, I descended from the dais.
Seo Hyul also smiled broadly and showered me with compliments.
“As expected, your insight is outstanding. There is no power in the land race that is respected as much as the dragon race's power. What a choice that requires no regret. Moreover, with the power of the black dragon, it should complement the Hofung Eungryongbyeon perfectly.”
“I am deeply grateful for your benevolence.”
“Excellent. As soon as we return to the Sea Dragon Palace, I will spare no effort to ensure that you achieve swift enlightenment of the black dragon bloodline.”
'Spare no effort?
But I merely smiled in return, hiding my inner thoughts.
“I will always be grateful for your benevolence, Lord Seo Hyul.”
The moment I returned, he said he would help me?
Sorry, but that would not happen.
Because I had already planted the seeds four months before the upcoming Seed Blood Conclave.
'Now is the time for news to start trickling in.'
No, I could hear the news the moment the Sea Dragon King arrived at the Sea Dragon Palace.
It was because I had deliberately arranged things so that I could hear the news at this exact time.
After receiving the seed bloodline, I returned with Seo Hyul and the other Sea Dragon Clan members to the Sea Dragon Palace, smiling as if nothing had happened.
“Now that our Sea Dragon Clan has produced a genius like you, I have been considering holding a grand feast. Ah, and...”
It was at that moment that Seo Hyul began to chatter.
“Hmm?”
He suddenly noticed, outside the Yun-sim Ho where the Sea Dragon Palace stood, countless Sea Dragon Clan members gathered.
“Hmm? What brings everyone here?”
“T-that...”
One of the elder Sea Dragon Clan members, head bowed in obvious unease, lowered it further in apology.
“...There has been a thief in the Sea Dragon Palace. That is why valuable treasures have been stolen from various locations throughout the palace.”
“What? How could a mere thief intrude into the Sea Dragon Palace?”
“T-that is... I apologize. The spirits and I have investigated with all our strength, yet...”
“First, please state the scale of the Sea Dragon Palace's treasury that has been plundered.”
“...Every last drop of the Sea Dragon Palace's inner treasury has been stolen.”
“...What?”
Seo Hyul's eyes narrowed.
He transformed into his human form and surveyed the elders with a stern expression.
“The Sea Dragon Palace that these Heavenly Person-stage elders have guarded with ironclad protection—have unheard-of thieves so easily slipped in and plundered it?”
The tone with which he spoke to the elders had changed to that of someone addressing his own subordinates, not a clan elder.
“From what I see, this is not the work of some outsider thief, but rather an internal thief from our own race, or someone who has colluded with them. You all must bear responsibility for the fact that the entire inner treasury has vanished.”
“...I apologize.”
This was the first time I had ever seen Seo Hyul truly angry.
But I laughed coldly inside.
'He's only pretending to be angry. There's almost no agitation at all.'
Seo Hyul showed no sign of regret over the loss of his own inner treasury.
He simply seemed to be using this as an excuse to tighten discipline among his subordinates.
'His heart is full of malice, but he lacks true desire.'
I closely observed Seo Hyul.
'But without desire, he is an expert at seizing opportunities to convert them into his own political power.'
For the time being, he would likely use this incident as a pretext to sort out the Sea Dragon Palace's internal affairs.
That was more than enough.
In a few days, I could fully enlighten the black dragon bloodline without any help from Seo Hyul.
In truth, the thieves who had entered the Sea Dragon Palace were the very ones I had drawn in.
I had merely opened the hidden passages of the Sea Dragon Palace—places I had laid out for countless lower-race beasts that had lost the Yun-sim Ho's supremacy—and handed over a map of the palace's structure.
'They were already dissatisfied with the Sea Dragon Clan, and now I had given them this perfect opportunity. No wonder Seo Hyul, while I was at the Seed Blood Conclave, has been busy stealing treasures.'
If something like this happened to the Sea Dragon Palace, Seo Hyul himself would not be able to focus solely on me.
As expected, he looked at me and said,
“I have no choice. I will handle your training in three days. Until then, do not attempt to enlighten the black dragon bloodline, and instead raise your life force to the maximum.”
“I understand.”
Seo Hyul left to consult with the Sea Dragon Clan elders regarding the inner treasury issue, and I entered the Sea Dragon Palace. First, I released the Blood Body Armor I had been wearing from the Seed Blood Conclave.
Crackle!
The lump of flesh that had merged with my body fell with a thud and transformed into a human figure.
It was Won-yu.
I instructed Won-yu to bring me high-quality silk for writing letters—ink and brushes, as well as the fine silk used to send letters from the Gwanghan Realm.
Even though the convenient method of Transmission was available, sending a letter this way was something I did only when I wanted to impress someone of higher status.
Now that I had three days, I needed to find a way to slip away from Seo Hyul during those three days.
I had regressed for ten months already.
Thanks to Seo Hyul's recommendation, I had become a clear member of the Sea Dragon Clan.
However, Seo Hyul had deliberately prevented me from leaving the Sea Dragon Palace, claiming that I had not even reached the Foundation Establishment stage.
Although I had mastered the inside of the Sea Dragon Palace, I could not leave it, so I had no acquaintances among the Sea Dragon Clan or the lower-race beasts living near it—except for a few.
Probably even if I learned something like the Hofung Eungryongbyeon, I would still not be able to escape Seo Hyul's influence.
It was time to leave the Sea Dragon Palace.
I was the only dragon race member—besides Seo Hyul—with whom I shared acquaintance.
I sent a letter to Gyu-ryeon.
―To the esteemed senior Gyu-ryeon.
This is a junior named Seo Eun-hyun who has sent a letter.
Thanks to your kind consideration, I and the entire Sea Dragon Clan, along with Lord Seo Hyul, have found a suitable position within Yun-sim Ho and are steadily pursuing our training in peace.
I do not know how much gratitude Lord Seo Hyul holds for you, senior.
The reason I have taken the trouble to send this letter is to ask you to assist me in achieving enlightenment of the black dragon bloodline I obtained from the Seed Blood Conclave this time.
Since the moment I first met you, I have always held your dragon race demeanor in the highest regard.
Since you are the benefactor of the Sea Dragon Clan to which I and my comrades belong, if you would be willing to assist in enlightening the black dragon bloodline, it would be something for which I would be eternally grateful before heaven.
Furthermore, as a reward for assisting me in handling duties for Lord Seo Hyul at the Sea Dragon Palace, I will present you with twenty thousand spirit stones, one hundred catties of blue sea stone, ten catties of five-colored salt, seven pieces of scarlet coral, and a scale fragment from Lord Seo Hyul's shedding.
Moreover, as one who has received Lord Seo Hyul's trust and is therefore receiving such vast wealth, after I achieve enlightenment of the black dragon bloodline, I intend to invite you, senior Gyu-ryeon, to the Sea Dragon Palace based on this benevolence.
Lord Seo Hyul is also filled with a desire to ask you about your enlightenment, but it has been difficult to arrange an appropriate venue.
Therefore, I will later prepare a place where the two of you may exchange your enlightenment, and humbly request your benevolent assistance in enlightening the bloodline.
—Juniors Seo Eun-hyun
The moment Gyu-ryeon first saw Seo Hyul, her heart had begun to race, and I had seen at a glance that she harbored feelings for him during the previous Seed Blood Conclave without anyone noticing.
'He has even promised me wealth. There's no reason to refuse.'
Of course, it was not something I had given him; as one would expect, it was wealth I had provided to the nearby lower-race beasts as payment for opening the Sea Dragon Palace's hidden passages and its protective barriers to allow the theft of treasures.
By tomorrow, the lower-race beasts would secretly distribute the wealth among themselves.
After folding the silk I had written the letter on, I headed for the Dragon Link Pond, located deep within the Sea Dragon Palace.
The Dragon Link Pond was a contact method used by the dragon race when they needed to meet or communicate from afar.
It could only be used by dragon race members.
Woo-woong!
Standing before the brightly glowing pond, I raised the silk and took out the jade bottle containing the seed bloodline I had received from Gyu-ryeon.
The Dragon Link Pond was secured so that only dragon race members could use it, for the security of conversations among the dragon race.
The dragon race member had to infuse their own dragon qi into it for it to activate.
Of course.
Woo-woong!
After I infused the dragon qi emanating from the jade bottle containing the seed bloodline into the Dragon Link Pond, the pond glowed brightly and displayed the dragon race members connected to the Sea Dragon Palace.
Within the Dragon Link Pond, the forms of the dragon race members who had communicated the most appeared in descending order of frequency.
The largest was that of the Black Dragon King Hyun-eum, followed by several Sea Dragon Clan elders living outside the palace, then the Nascent Soul-stage black dragon race cultivators, and finally the Heavenly Person-stage elders.
'It seems I have been communicating with the black dragon race quite frequently.'
And the next one after the black dragon race's Heavenly Person elders was Gyu-ryeon's form.
“Gyu-ryeon, connect.”
Tzu-tzu-ch!
Gyu-ryeon's form enlarged, and the Dragon Link Pond connected to the one in her residence.
“Transmit.”
Woo-woong!
I dropped the folded silk onto the Dragon Link Pond connected to Gyu-ryeon's.
Pa-a-ah!
The pond glowed, transmitting the silk to Gyu-ryeon's Dragon Link Pond.
I canceled the Dragon Link Pond's activation, manipulated the Sea Dragon Palace to erase any record that I had entered the Dragon Link Pond, and returned to my room.
Probably, I would receive a reply within three days.
**
About two days had passed.
Kugugugugu!
A massive body appeared above the Sea Dragon Palace.
Sensing Gyu-ryeon's aura, I flew up to the Sea Dragon Palace. When she peered into the palace's formation, searching for something, she noticed me and transformed into human form, her eyes sparkling with delight.
Pa-ah!
The woman in her robes entered the formation and stood before me, saying,
“Heum, is it truly you? The words in the letter... truly...”
I saw her face flush red as she twisted her hands in front of me and asked.
A faint sense of guilt arose within me.
'Using someone who has fallen in love... I feel a little sorry.'
In any case, seeing her made it clear.
Gyu-ryeon truly liked Seo Hyul.
“Yes, of course. Ah, and please do not mention the contents of the letter to Lord Seo Hyul. I wanted to give him a surprise gift.”
“Ah, I see. That is good. I will not say anything.”
She nodded, and while she did so, the Sea Dragon Clan elders flew in rapidly at her appearance.
“No, it is Senior Gyu-ryeon!”
“What brings you to the Sea Dragon Palace?”
“Ah...”
She cleared her throat and pointed at me.
“This child received the black dragon bloodline from the Seed Blood Conclave. Although he is human, seeing him try to inherit the black dragon's lineage is quite touching, so I have come personally to assist with the bloodline's enlightenment.”
“Ah...”
“Heum, I see.”
The Sea Dragon Clan elders nodded, seeming bewildered yet accepting the explanation.
However, their eyes showed clear bewilderment at why they were helping a mere human like me so enthusiastically.
It was then.
Pa-ah!
Seo Hyul appeared in the courtyard and smiled.
“This is touching. The fact that Senior Gyu-ryeon has such a warm heart and is caring for our Sea Dragon Clan members fills me with emotion.”
“Ah, Seosaengnim Seo also came. Well, although he is human, he is still a talented individual who has chosen the black dragon bloodline despite not yet reaching the Nascent Soul stage, and possesses the consciousness of a Nascent Soul-stage cultivator. It is only natural that I am helping him.”
She looked at Seo Hyul and adjusted her expression to remain calm, as if trying to hide any embarrassment.
However, to my eyes, Seo Hyul's arrival only made her feelings for him shine even more brightly.
“I will always be grateful to Senior Gyu-ryeon. Seo Eun-hyun is a splendid talent of our clan, and if you would assist him with his bloodline enlightenment, it would be an honor beyond words.”
Seo Hyul, without hesitation, allowed that I would enlighten the bloodline.
However, the next instant.
Seo Hyul gently took both of Gyu-ryeon's hands in his and smiled softly.
“Since you think of our Sea Dragon Clan in this way and treat Seo Eun-hyun, whom I cherish, so warmly, it is clear that your feelings for Senior Gyu-ryeon run deep. If you wish, you may perform the bloodline enlightenment within the Sea Dragon Palace. I will arrange a place. Please assist him with the enlightenment, and occasionally join me for a cup of tea. I have no other way to express my gratitude.”
“...!”
The moment Seo Hyul held her hand, Gyu-ryeon failed to control her qi and her face flushed scarlet.
I, too, bit my lip inside.
'Damn it. I planned this to slip out of Seo Hyul's influence, but now he's forcing Gyu-ryeon to bring me to her residence to help with the bloodline enlightenment.'
If she accepted Seo Hyul's suggestion and agreed to help me with the bloodline enlightenment inside the Sea Dragon Palace, it would be problematic.
'Dragons generally prefer to handle things within their own territory.'
I had calculated on her dragon race habit—learned through living with Seo Ran and discovering the dragons' preference for staying in their own territories when learning the Hofung Eungryongbyeon—of her bringing me to her territory.
But if Seo Hyul's plan had succeeded...
It was then.
“Hmm, hmm. My apologies, but my territory has had a slave rebellion recently, so I must suppress it. That may take some time.”
“Ah, I see. What a pity.”
“Indeed.”
“I, too, had a bit of trouble a few days ago when a thief entered the Sea Dragon Palace and plundered its inner treasury. Senior Gyu-ryeon's affairs seem no different.”
“In any case, the atmosphere has been uneasy lately. There are reports of strange energy appearing at the dimensional barrier of the Hyeol-eum Realm, and the activities of the heart races are gradually growing more active...”
“What an unstable time. And since Senior Gyu-ryeon seems to be troubled as well...”
“We Sea Dragon Clan elders will dispatch several to Senior Gyu-ryeon's territory to help suppress the rebellion.”
“Ah, really?”
“Yes, as I said, it is not the same as a few days ago when a thief entered.”
Seo Hyul gave the excuse that it was not the same and attached a few Sea Dragon Clan elders to Gyu-ryeon.
In name, it was to help her suppress the rebellion, but the intention was obvious.
'They are here to keep an eye on me.'
Truly, the sight of them attached to me despite my efforts to escape his influence was quite suspicious.
“In that case, since Senior Gyu-ryeon has been lucky enough to assist you, I hope you will enlighten the black dragon bloodline well.”
Tap tap.
Seo Hyul patted my shoulder, boosting my morale, then secretly slipped a trace of his energy into my identity token as some sort of trick.
'As soon as I arrive at Gyu-ryeon's territory, I must hide this identity token.'
Thinking so, I bid farewell to Seo Hyul and left with Gyu-ryeon for her territory.
The territory Gyu-ryeon had flown to was a breathtaking landscape of jagged rocks.
White clouds hung between the rocks, giving it the feeling of a fairyland inhabited by immortals.
Her territory was a cave carved into the highest peak of the rock mountains.
“Very well, come down first. And those warriors who followed us from the Sea Dragon Clan...”
Gyu-ryeon looked at the young Nascent Soul-stage warriors who had accompanied us and said,
“Although they are a slave race, since they caused quite a disturbance in my territory, you will need to work hard.”
“I will remember.”
“Although they rebelled, they are still my people. Avoid killing as much as possible. The main goal is to capture the leaders of the rebellion.”
“Yes!”
“Then I will enlighten Seo Eun-hyun's bloodline...”
And, smiling, I said in front of Gyu-ryeon,
“No, as a member of the Sea Dragon Clan, I cannot bear to watch the Sea Dragon Clan warriors suffer. I will accompany you both in suppressing the rebellion.”
“What?”
The Sea Dragon Clan warrior's eyes widened in surprise at my words.
Rebellion suppression was the pretext, and in truth, they had been sent to monitor me.
If I removed that pretext, then it was over.
“Oh, even though he is human, he is a talented individual with deep loyalty to the Sea Dragon Clan.”
Gyu-ryeon nodded in satisfaction with my attitude.
“Please assist us. Although our races differ, the sight of you taking the lead in helping with the organization's affairs as a fellow member is admirable. Although you are still at the Foundation Establishment stage, you have survived the Seed Blood Conclave, so your life force and strength should be comparable to that of a Nascent Soul-stage cultivator.”
“Yes, I have been trying to repay even a little of the benevolence Senior Gyu-ryeon has shown me by helping the Sea Dragon Clan, and I am grateful for the opportunity you have given me.”
Her words made her expression soften into a gentle smile. The Sea Dragon Clan warriors watching her began to speak but bit their lips shut.
Woo-woong!
She raised a golden qi sphere above her hand.
“Follow this sphere, and it will show the area of the territory where the current rebellion is occurring. Go and suppress the rebellion, then return.”
“...Yes.”
The three Sea Dragon Clan warriors nodded and flew out of the cave.
I also obtained permission from one of the Sea Dragon Clan warriors and climbed onto his back.
“Then I will return quickly. Senior Gyu-ryeon.”
“Yes, go quickly.”
And just before the Sea Dragon Clan warrior began to use his flying technique,
she said as if remembering something,
“Ah, one more thing! Although they are a weak slave race whose maximum power is only at the Foundation Establishment stage, be careful.”
“There are four of us in total, including this fellow. Even if there are many and the rebellion is widespread, it will only be a little troublesome. Please take care, Senior Gyu-ryeon.”
“No, I heard that a heart race has appeared among the slave races.”
At her words, my eyes narrowed sharply.
“Although it is said to be a weak heart race that does not even reach the Core Formation stage...”
“...still, heart races are said to use mysterious techniques, so everyone must be cautious with their bodies.”
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