The Price of Defeat

The moment the last human master of the Three Pinnacles fell, the battle was decided. All that remained was the victor's one-sided pillaging and slaughter. In other words, it was XP fever time—meaning there was a massive feast laid out for Ryeo-ah.

"The war is over! Surrender and your lives will be spared! Lay down your weapons! Allies, cease the killing! Only pillaging is permitted from this moment on!"

I preemptively shut down any attempts to steal my free XP. Of course, there were plenty of complaints, but since I only forbade the killing and still allowed looting, it wasn't enough to trigger a full-blown rebellion. And besides...

"Aaargh!"

"Hehe, die!"

"You die first!"

For those who treated my orders like a dog's bark, I personally dealt with them on the spot.

Elder Seol of Seolyogok didn't seem particularly pleased with my decision at first, but after I slipped her a few bundles of premium elixirs, her face lit up with a brilliant smile, and she became the most passionate advocate for peace.

"Stop, you fools!"

"E-Elder Seol? This wasn't intentional—"

"Silence!"

Indeed, people always work hardest when you stuff their mouths with something sweet.

If I gathered all these human captives and executed them in one massive batch, I'd easily replenish everything I had expended earlier, with plenty to spare. As long as I personally took care of the Qi Circulation experts, none of the humans would be able to escape. I was busy hunting down the Qi Circulation signatures I sensed scattered throughout the fortress when—

Crash!

"Let's see. Ah, you guys are demons. I just reached the Three Pinnacles, so it's still a bit hard to distinguish those far away... Hm?"

"...Gang Hayun."

Well, look who it is. A very familiar face. Regrettably, it wasn't Kang So-ye. If it had been her, I would have bent her over right then and there, but unfortunately, the person standing before me was a man. Still, he was someone well worth spending some time on.

"Brother Kang Su-gong. Ah, actually, since my cultivation is higher now, I can speak casually, right?"

"..."

"Hmm. First off, why don't you tell your lackeys behind you to lower their weapons? I'm not really the kind of guy who takes that kind of treatment lightly anymore."

Kang Su-gong's single eye trembled as if struck by an earthquake. He scanned my body up and down in sheer disbelief, even pulling a bizarre dharma treasure from his robes to inspect me.

"..."

Finally, he uncovered his other eye—the one hidden beneath his eyepatch. Only after scanning me with the blue crystal embedded in his socket in place of an eyeball did he let out a heavy, defeated sigh, as if finally forced to accept reality.

"Huuuu..."

‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠

It was the sigh of a man facing a reality he utterly could not, and did not want to, accept. More than any negative emotion, what lay beneath that sigh was pure resignation. He waved his hand, signaling his subordinates who were still aiming their dharma treasures at me to stand down.

"Lower your weapons, all of you. He is not someone we can oppose."

"Young Master. But this is..."

"What can we do against a master of the Three Pinnacles? If you have the confidence to face him, I won't stop you."

The One-eyed Dragon, Kang Su-gong. He was said to have built the largest and most extensive network of power among all the successors. Yet, among his vast and diverse array of talents, not a single one was a master of the Three Pinnacles. He had everything except that, and because of that single missing piece, he was the first to tuck his tail. As proof, Kang Su-gong was actively suppressing the energy of the dharma treasures adorned on his body. Wait, are all those things he's wearing dharma treasures? There were three visible ones alone. Who knew how many more he had hidden away. He certainly possessed incredible hidden depth. Not that it mattered much now.

I had expected us to clash grandly at some point, but I never imagined he would be utterly overwhelmed before a fight could even begin. What an intriguing guy. In particular, the crystal eyeball he had revealed beneath his eyepatch clearly harbored a rather bizarre power. How did he interpret my scrutiny? Kang Su-gong stared into my eyes for a moment, then cupped his fists in a formal salute. He then uttered words I hadn't expected at all.

"I shall speak plainly. What must I do to secure my life and the lives of my subordinates?"

"?"

"In your eyes, I must still be an eyesore, and you have no reason not to eliminate me. However, fleeing is a humiliation, and staying will only lead to a predictable slaughter. Thus, like the loser I am, I shall beg for the price of our lives."

This guy is seriously misunderstanding something, ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠isn't he? Kang Su-gong seemed to think I was going to use this chaotic opportunity to wipe out him and his entire faction. I hadn't actually planned on doing that, but hearing him say it made the idea sound rather tempting. Just looking at the items on his body made my mouth water. Besides, purging the families, acquaintances, and subordinates of one's rivals upon ascending the throne was a time-honored tradition. But still, that was a bit much.

Killing him and his faction could easily be written off as part of the succession war. However, I had already sworn an oath that I wouldn't become the Young Patriarch, and above all, we were currently in the middle of a war. The men standing by his side right now might lack a master of the Three Pinnacles, but there were nearly ten Universal Circulation experts among them. Killing them all would leave a massive void in our military strength. Most of all, Kang Baek-jin wouldn't be pleased. His unspoken affection for his eldest son was an open secret. For all his iron-hard exterior, that man was surprisingly human. There was no way he didn't care for his firstborn. Plus, if I killed this guy and then ran off, Kang Baek-jin would probably lose his mind and hunt me down. No matter how strong I was after reaching the Three Pinnacles, I still wasn't in a position to mess with Kang Baek-jin.

"I have no reason to keep you alive, but I suppose I don't have an absolute reason to kill you either."

"..."

At those words, Kang Su-gong's shoulders trembled slightly, despite his best efforts to maintain a calm facade. I let the silence stretch for a moment before gesturing to him.

"Hand over every single coin and asset you possess. Everything from your hidden slush funds to the tiniest scrap of elixirs you've hoarded. Then, disband your faction and hand all your forces over to Sister Ha-yeon."

"To Kang Ha-yeon? Why to her, and not under your own banner...?"

"You got a problem with that?"

"None at all."

If I dismantled his faction and handed the pieces to Ha-yeon, her position as the Young Patriarch would be rock-solid. Besides, she was far better at managing people than I was. I handed down a few more orders, and Kang Su-gong accepted them all without a peep. It was as if he didn't care what he lost, so long as he could survive the bloodbath that would inevitably follow the succession ceremony. It was a bit anticlimactic, but he was certainly wise. Fools usually lost everything because they refused to let go of what little they held in their hands.

"Good. From now on, your job is to capture the survivors alive. Bring them all to me."

"Understood, my lord."

Kang Su-gong and his followers practically fled from my presence. Feeling a strange sense of emptiness, I looked up at the sky. "So this is over too." The battle for the Young Patriarch position was practically finished. It was a trivial matter that didn't really concern me anymore, but seeing a problem that once loomed so large get resolved so effortlessly felt bizarre.

Well, yeah. At this point, I had at least earned the bare minimum qualifications to survive even if I were dropped naked anywhere in the world. The right to stand tall ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠on my own strength alone. Sensing the women within my range of perception, a much lighter, refreshed smile spread across my face.

"Before we proceed with the post-war cleanup and the distribution of rewards, we shall hold a brief memorial service for Elder Do, who lost his life in battle."

Elder Seol poured a cup of wine onto the empty chair of the deceased Daoist Do. It was a simple, informal gesture, but it was more than enough. After all, not a single soul here was actually praying for his soul. The soldiers merely put on solemn faces because they couldn't laugh, offering the mandatory respect required for a superior. Still, I mourned him far more sincerely than any of them. Elder Do, I hope you can reach a peaceful compromise with Daoist Ok and Brother Jang over on the other side.

"The memorial is concluded."

Not even three seconds had passed since she bowed her head, yet Elder Seol declared it over with an entirely dry expression. It seemed she didn't have any real feelings about it either. Well, he wasn't even from her faction, so if anything, his death was a benefit to her rather than a loss.

"Now, we shall begin honoring the contributions of all the cultivators present."

Tension instantly filled the air. The rewards that trickled down based on the ranking decided by the Elder were on an entirely different level. This was the sweet, long-awaited moment that always followed a war—the very moment for which they had risked their lives.

"I have determined the ranks based on my own discretion and judgment, so I expect no complaints. The names of the third-class to first-class contributors have already been carved onto the massive stone tablet in front of the base, so you may verify them there."

These broad classifications of first-class or third-class contributors meant nothing to the people gathered inside this tent. Such vague rankings were meant for the Core Condensation stage cultivators, whose rewards weren't even personally handled by the Elder.

"Since there are ninety-eight people present in this tent, we shall begin with the ninety-eighth contributor. Cha Yo-beon of Seolyogok... You commanded the scout unit at the eastern gate during this battle..."

Joy and despair clashed with every name called. Simply reversing the order to start from the bottom instead of the top sent dopamine levels skyrocketing. Those whose names were called would look devastated for a split second, only for their lips to curl into broad grins the moment their rewards were announced. Those who hadn't been called yet watched with faces full of anticipation, praying they would be named as late as possible.

"Fifty-fifth, Sehyeon of the Kang Family."

Oh, that's the Heavenly Demon's name. As a Qi Circulation expert with plenty of specialized techniques, she must have put in some serious work. Perhaps experiencing a racial identity crisis over having her achievements recognized by a Dokkaebi, Sehyeon knelt to receive her reward with an awkward expression that was neither a smile nor a frown.

"Forty-fifth, So-wol... During this siege, you..."

Familiar names were called one after another, sparking brief bursts of laughter that quickly faded. Soon, only a handful of people remained uncalled. They began exchanging glances, silently sizing each other up and sparking unspoken rivalries.

"Heh."

"Hmph."

It was only natural that a silent war of nerves broke out between me and Kang So-ye—or rather, my future cum-dumpster. Looking quite confident, So-ye shot me a smug smirk. She didn't stop there, either; she raised a pointed finger and made a vulgar gesture, mimicking poking a hole. I was sure she didn't mean it in a purely lewd way. It was more like she was saying, I can't wait to tear your asshole apart. Since it was utterly hilarious, I responded with the exact same gesture. A finger thrusting into an imaginary hole. A blatant provocation meaning, I'm going to absolutely wreck your ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠pussy. The people around us caught wind of our trashy back-and-forth, gave us awkward side-eyes, and quickly looked away. Even Elder Seol of Seolyogok shook her head in disbelief when she saw me. What? I've been looking forward to this day for so long. Can't a guy play the hidden-OP-boss card just once?

"Fifth, the Red Flame Bird, Kang Ha-yeon."

Sister Ha-yeon furrowed her brow in disappointment. But with the remaining candidates being who they were, it couldn't be helped.

"Fourth, the One-eyed Dragon, Kang Su-gong."

Gasps rippled through the crowd. His reputation was far too grand for him to stop at fourth place. Yet, the man himself remained silent, looking entirely indifferent.

"Third, the Cold-Hearted Witch of Seolyogok, Seol Aeng."

She was famous too. A crazy bitch with insane area-of-effect damage. Not many left now.

"Second, the Young Valley Master of Seolyogok... the Snow Mountain Witch, Seol Ye."

Unlike the chaotic Kang Family, Seolyogok had sorted out their succession line long ago, and their Young Valley Master took second place. At that moment, everyone's eyes locked onto me and Kang So-ye. It was obvious one of us had to be first, but their eyes practically screamed: Wait, if one of them is first, where does the other one go?

And then, the long-awaited first place was announced.

"First place, of the Kang Family... Kang So-ye. I am deeply impressed by your glorious deeds."

"Thank you so much!!"

My, look at my dear sister. She must be absolutely thrilled to be grinning like a little kid. What on earth did she do to snatch first place? Her performance up until now had been pretty average, so she must have pulled off something crazy while I was busy trading blows with the Three Pinnacles.

Clap, clap, clap, clap, clap!

A thunderous round of applause erupted. It was the praise deserved by the warrior who had achieved the greatest merit. At the same time...

"Heh—"

She shot me an incredibly smug, obnoxious smirk.

"With this, the distribution of rewards is concluded."

It was at that exact moment.

"I have a question, Elder."

"Speak, Kang Ha-yeon."

"My brother served as our finest vanguard and achieved incredible feats in this war. It makes no sense for him to be excluded without any explanation."

That's my Sister Ha-yeon. Unlike a certain bitchy sister of mine, she actually had a good heart. However, Elder Seol looked back and forth between Ha-yeon and me. With a bizarre expression that made her look like an aunt who had just suffered an existential crisis while playing dolls with a toddler, she spoke.

"But of course. I have no intention of rewarding him."

"What?! That is unfair—"

"Listen to the end. I do not possess the authority to do so."

"Excuse me?"

The words that followed from Elder Seol's mouth sent a massive shockwave through the tent. It was a wonderfully satisfying murmur.

"For he is a master of the Three Pinnacles. How could I possibly judge and measure his achievements? Furthermore, he has slain two masters of the Three Pinnacles. This is not a matter within my jurisdiction, but one that must be decided through solemn procedures and deliberations by the lords of the Three Great Factions."

"What?"

My sisters wore the dumbest expressions I had ever seen on their faces. And by "sisters," I mean both of them.

Are you satisfied now?

Elder Seol shot me a look that suggested she found my tastes highly bizarre. Of course, my grin was so wide it practically touched my ears. I was utterly satisfied.

Come on, let me enjoy playing the hidden boss for once.

"Ahem!"

I let out a loud cough, clasped my hands behind my back, and deliberately lowered my voice. Then, a massive aura erupted from my body. It was a presence so clear and undeniable that only those who had reached the absolute limit of power could project it.

"I was fortunate enough to ascend to the Three Pinnacles this time. I look forward to working with you all... But wait, do you hear that sound?"

"Pardon?"

"A sound...?"

"Strange. I can hear it so clearly."

It was the rapid, frantic thumping of a heart—a sound only a female on the verge of being utterly dominated could make.