Chapter 182: The Lizard That’s All the Rage These Days
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 182: The Lizard That’s All the Rage These Days
I had discovered the secret of a snake's tail.
…Come to think of it, that explains her reaction when I cut off my tail for her.
Did snakes see tails as… that kind of body part?
That Swish-Swish.
Didn't she gulp down my severed tail?
Even after learning such a shocking truth, nothing changed.
I spent the next few days with the mother and daughter snakes.
I was a little worried I'd fallen into an endless swamp of scales, but thankfully, the mother and daughter treated me as they always had.
In other words, I didn't have to worry about being eaten.
Of course, Swish-Swish would sometimes stare at my tail with an unreadable expression, which was a bit suspicious, but she never acted on it, so it was fine.
I had various conversations while held in the Snake Queen's embrace.
Though it was less of an embrace and more like being wrapped in her coils.
“To have a territory is to have responsibility. Well, I'm sure my companion will do just fine without me having to say anything.”
A senior in life.
No, the Snake Queen, who had a territory long before I did, was giving me advice.
Even though I'd gained a territory and accepted a powerful believer, compared to the Snake Queen, I was still just a baby lizard.
…Not in terms of size, of course, but in terms of experience managing a territory.
The advice the Snake Queen gave me was invaluable, so I had no choice but to stick by her side.
It definitely wasn't because of how soft and squishy she was.
“Even if it is your territory, you know you shouldn't push things too far, right?”
“Gek?”
“Even if a territory is bountiful, if the predator hunts indiscriminately, other animals will not gather there.”
This jungle was certainly like that.
The Snake Queen was an apex predator, but she didn't hunt very often.
Countless animals, besides those who followed her faith, lived in this jungle.
If the Snake Queen were to hunt haphazardly and distribute the food to her followers, those animals would naturally have no choice but to leave for other places.
And the Snake Queen's followers would gradually dwindle as well.
“Reign, but do not rule.”
“Geek…!”
“It is your freedom, of course, but I recommend you don't intervene too much.”
It was common sense, really.
There's no rule that says only my followers can live in my territory.
The territory will become richer if a variety of creatures live there.
“Because of the Dragon Gate's unique properties, there's a high chance that powerful individuals will come to challenge you. …Now that Baek Rang has become your follower, you can rest easy for a while, but there are quite a few who are even stronger than her.”
I was worried about that too, but I soon realized it was a needless concern.
Most challengers wouldn't even be able to get close.
Even without the Red Dragon, the charge of ten bicorn beasts alone is terrifyingly powerful.
Phew, just watching them stampede and charge wildly…
Their eyes look a little crazed, too.
Wouldn't even Tai Sui run away if he saw that?
“I look forward to it. I wonder how far your territory will expand, uhuhut.”
The master of investment, the Snake Queen, chuckled softly.
“I don't regret breaking the Mirror of Possibilities at all.”
“Pyaak…”
The Snake Queen and Swish-Swish's kimbap-roll-like grip seemed to be getting tighter. Is it just my imagination?
After spending more time like that, it was finally time for me to leave.
“Pyak.”
Swish-Swish seemed to have learned that I visit often, as she didn't react as intensely as before.
“Pyaak!”
Come back safe. Was that what she meant?
“Are you going to the Divine Cult now?”
“Gek gek.”
“…I see. It seems I've kept you for quite a while.”
Kept me? I can spare this much time for you.
“I have a favor to ask. Would you be able to grant it?”
A favor? I think I can grant anything except taking off this necklace.
The Snake Queen, uncharacteristically, seemed hesitant.
“…I was hoping you could bring me that thing.”
That thing?
“My body has become one that cannot live without your honey anymore.”
She was talking about the dango made with Okbong honey.
So this was what she was embarrassed about.
I gave her quite a lot last time, but it seemed she'd already eaten it all and was asking for more.
It was a rare delicacy, but for the Snake Queen, I had no choice but to bring it.
…I wonder if Baek Seol-hwa has prepared them well? I'm sure I'll find some if I rummage around.
“Gek gek!”
“…Thank you. Ah, and wait just a moment.”
The Snake Queen extended her arm and began to carve something onto a stone tablet.
“You can give this to your master.”
She handed me the inscribed stone tablet and a plant that I presumed was a medicinal herb.
Is she using me as a carrier pigeon!
“Gek gek.”
If it's a request from the Queen, I have to do it.
But what did she write?
“This herb is a token of gratitude for last time.”
“Geek.”
Gratitude for last time? Come to think of it, I did ask for a Mae-i-du-bok before.
Then what she's asking for this time is….
“Uhuhut…”
Could it be… a Snake Queen in a school swimsuit?
…I must deliver this, even if it costs me my life.
*
A rumor about a strange spirit beast spread throughout the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult.
The subject of the rumor was a black lizard with white fur.
A spirit beast that saved a disciple in danger and shared its prey without asking for anything in return.
It was a story known only to a few, but that prey was a beast with remnants of the Tai Sui the Divine Cult had been searching for.
Stories about the lizard sprang up like mushrooms after rain.
A black lizard with dragon scales.
The younger disciples, who had little combat ability, couldn't help but love the stories about the lizard.
After all, the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult was a religion with close ties to spirit beasts.
A spirit beast that resembled a dragon, possessed outstanding power, and was friendly to humans.
It was an existence impossible to dislike.
The rumor continued to spread until it eventually reached the ears of the elders.
“Third Elder. Have you heard? There are stories about a four-legged snake.”
“I have. Well, it took care of a task I was supposed to handle, so personally, I'm grateful, but…”
Unlike the disciples, the elders' thoughts leaned toward the negative.
No matter what, the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult was a group that worshipped the Heavenly Demon.
Yet for their attention to be drawn to another spirit beast…
While they were a group that maintained close relationships with spirit beasts, the black lizard at the center of the rumors was another matter entirely.
This was because it was a spirit beast from a completely different faction, with no official ties to the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult.
“It would be fine as long as it doesn't cross the line, but it's a bit concerning that even the young disciples are all talking about this lizard.”
“Shouldn't we deal with it immediately? The god we worship is the Heavenly Demon, and only him. How can we tolerate a spirit beast that isn't even an ally!”
“But we can't just subjugate it. It has been somewhat friendly to us, after all.”
“If you're going to be like that, Third Elder, then I'll do it myself.”
“Elder Sa. Are you saying you'll touch a spirit beast without the Cult Leader's permission?”
The elders' voices grew louder.
Baek Seol-hwa, who had been watching them quietly, spoke in a calm voice.
“That's enough.”
Baek Seol-hwa considered it a relief that Baek Yeon-yeong was not present.
If she had heard that, one of the elder positions would have become vacant.
Of course, the leader of the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult wouldn't harm an elder over a single comment like that.
On the surface, his words seemed to be for the good of the Divine Cult.
But it was obvious where the blade of the Left Guardian, the Yin Shadow Dark Ghost, would be pointed.
“I believe it's right to think of a solution regarding the spirit beast. But to recklessly suppress it with force? We don't even know what kind of strength it could offer us.”
Baek Seol-hwa knew the identity of the black lizard the disciples were talking about.
According to Seo Wol-ah's testimony, it made a cute 'ge-ge-gek' sound.
There was only one lizard that made such a sound.
Of course, the other men claimed the lizard spoke human words, but that wasn't a reason to disbelieve Seo Wol-ah.
“Of course, I think it's fine to capture the lizard without harming it.”
Baek Seol-hwa recalled the black lizard.
The vexing image of its back as it ran away with her dango was still vivid in her mind.
“And once you capture it, tell me immediately.”
“…If the Priestess says so.”
Elder Sa was momentarily taken aback by her reaction.
Baek Seol-hwa, who had a gentle and calm personality, had just clearly shown a hint of anger.
At the same time, he was relieved.
Because she had the authority to deal with the lizard.
…Of course, the way Baek Seol-hwa would 'deal' with the lizard was different from what he imagined, but Elder Sa had no way of knowing that.
The discussion about the lizard was settled in that manner.
The next topic of discussion was the movements of the Murim Alliance.
“I hear the situation is not very good.”
“Yes. Their movements have not been favorable.”
The other elders let out small sighs.
The Heavenly Demon Divine Cult was strong. But it lacked the power to face the entire Murim Alliance.
No matter how strong Baek Yeon-yeong was, it wasn't as if there was no one in the entire Central Plains who could match her.
And most of those powerful individuals belonged to the Murim Alliance, and even the masters of the Unorthodox Factions were likely to side with them.
“Are there any specific sects that have made a move?”
“No sect has made an official move.”
Although they desired to conquer the 100,000 Great Mountains, the Murim Alliance also knew.
That even without Baek Yeon-yeong, the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult had many masters.
The nine elders. The three guardians. Their strength was comparable to that of any sect leader.
They too would have to suffer great losses to wage war against the Divine Cult.
Because they had formed an alliance, the Murim Alliance, rather than acting as individual sects, they were all just watching and waiting for an opportunity.
The first sects to move would surely be annihilated.
Thanks to them eyeing each other, the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult was able to buy some time.
“However, movement has been observed from Mount Hua.”
“Mount Hua? If they've made a move…”
The elders' faces darkened.
The Mount Hua Sect was home to one of the Ten Great Masters of the World.
“The entire sect didn't move, just a single Dragon Person.”
“Just one Dragon Person?”
“Yes. And the Cult Leader has already handled it.”
“The Cult Leader? No, does that mean the Dragon Person crossed into our cult's territory?”
“The Cult Leader left a message not to worry too much. She said it's more likely that the Dragon Person of Mount Hua will side with our cult.”
Only then did the elders' faces brighten.
“Indeed, Dragon People are known to be fickle. Besides, the Dragon Person of Mount Hua has a connection with the Cult Leader. That's a relief.”
It was good news enough that they wouldn't have to face the Mount Hua Sect in an all-out war, but now a Dragon Person whose skills were second only to the sect leader might side with the Divine Cult.
It was like turning an enemy's strength into their own, making it a more valuable outcome than simply defeating the Dragon Person.
For the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult, this was good news.
However, Baek Seol-hwa hadn't gathered them just to relay this story.
“…And, we've received intelligence that Shaolin has made a move.”
“What? Did you just say Shaolin?”
One of the elders asked.
“…Wait, not the Murim Alliance, but Shaolin? Those damn monks wouldn't move on their own.”
“To be precise, the Arhats of Shaolin have moved.”
“Arhats… Now I see why the Priestess gathered us. Are you saying that I should deal with the Arhats moving alone?”
If they could eliminate the Arhats who had infiltrated secretly before an all-out war began, they could turn the situation to their advantage.
“No.”
Baek Seol-hwa continued in a calm voice.
“It's the opposite.”
“The opposite?”
“The Arhats will not come to our cult.”
It was a statement that made no sense.
Then why would the Arhats be moving in secret?
“The place the Arhats are heading is the 100,000 Great Mountains.”
“Do you think we don't know that? Of course they're heading for the 100,000 Great Mountains. Wait, don't tell me…”
It was obvious that Shaolin's goal was not the subjugation of the Divine Cult, but the spirit beasts in the 100,000 Great Mountains.
However, to enter the 100,000 Great Mountains, a conflict with the Divine Cult was inevitable.
Nevertheless, there was only one reason she would say such a thing.
“By 'the opposite'... do you mean we're just to stand by and watch?”
Do not stop the Arhats from entering the 100,000 Great Mountains.
That was what Baek Seol-hwa was saying.
“But why…”
Just as Elder Sa was about to protest, Baek Seol-hwa's lips parted.
“It is an order from the Cult Leader.”
*
Returning to her room, Baek Seol-hwa let out a long sigh.
“Hooo…”
Her worries grew more numerous by the day.
Of all things, an Evil God had descended upon the 100,000 Great Mountains, making a clash with the Murim Alliance unavoidable.
They were continuously dealing with the remnants of the Tai Sui, but it wasn't enough.
Even if they eliminated the Tai Sui itself, the Murim Alliance would attack the 100,000 Great Mountains no matter what.
What was important to them was a justification, and the descent of an Evil God was the perfect one.
If an all-out war were to break out, the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult would inevitably lose.
That was why the Divine Cult was trying to increase its military strength by any means necessary.
They were fostering a force to stand against the Murim Alliance by forming alliances with high-tier spirit beasts like the Snake Queen.
But even that was not enough.
They needed more power to face the entire Central Plains.
Because even the factions from outside the Central Plains, having caught the scent, might join the fray.
Her head was spinning.
‘…Something sweet.’
Out of habit, she opened a drawer to take out a dango, but an unfamiliar object caught her eye.
“…Huh?”
It was a large tree fruit.
It was bright red and perfectly ripe, looking truly delicious.
But the Priestess of the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult could not eat food from an unknown source.
Just as she was about to throw the fruit away, a gold accessory caught her eye.
“…A ring?”
It was a ring.
For some reason, it was the perfect size for her left ring finger.
As she wondered who could have played such a prank, a few strands of white fur came into view.
White fur.
Baek Seol-hwa knew that the black lizard she was familiar with had grown white fur.
“…It does have a cute side to it, I suppose.”
Did it leave the fruit to apologize for stealing her snacks all this time?
Baek Seol-hwa smiled faintly.
She felt her headache ease a little.
“To think I'd live to be comforted by a lizard.”
She carefully set the ring aside and reached for the spot where the dango should have been.
“…Huh?”
But her hand touched nothing.
Baek Seol-hwa's headache vanished completely.
Her anxiety disappeared, replaced by a new emotion.
“Hey, you damn lizard!”
It was the emotion of rage toward that sly lizard who had stolen her dango yet again.