A Covenant of Blood
"What is the Blood Contract Restriction?"
"It is exactly as the name suggests. A method of placing a restriction through a blood covenant. It is a simple restriction, but its binding power is not particularly strong. Or perhaps I should say its conditions are rather strict?"
"Conditions? What sort of conditions?"
"The cultivation realm of the one imposing the restriction must be higher than the one receiving it. If there is only a difference of a minor realm, it can be a bit unstable, but if it is a major realm, you have nothing to worry about."
Choi Ju-tang paused slightly after saying that.
"From what I hear, the humans under your command are mostly in the Qi Condensation realm, is that correct?"
"Yes, that is correct."
"Then you have absolutely nothing to worry about."
Jekyeong could sense a strong conviction in Choi Ju-tang's voice. Choi Ju-tang had undoubtedly used this Blood Contract Restriction himself.
It seems this man's background is far from ordinary.
Jekyeong had already formed a rough understanding of the backgrounds of the cultivators in the Mansi Assembly.
U Do-baek, a middle-stage Foundation Establishment cultivator, was an elderly man who was likely a high-ranking executive or even an ancestor of a cultivation clan. Yeo Janggyeong, an early-stage Foundation Establishment cultivator, was clearly a sect cultivator. And finally, Choi Ju-tang, also an early-stage Foundation Establishment cultivator, had previously claimed to be a rogue cultivator... but looking at him now, things did not seem so simple. At the very least, he did not seem like an ordinary rogue cultivator who was merely busy looking out for himself.
A restriction like this is a tool only needed by someone like me.
In other words, Choi Ju-tang, who knew of such a method and seemed to have used it, was highly likely not just a lone rogue cultivator, but a leader who commanded his own band. A rogue cultivator commanding subordinates? A certain thought naturally occurred to Jekyeong.
Of course, what Choi Ju-tang had said before could be a lie. He might not be a rogue cultivator but rather someone belonging to a sect or a cultivation clan. However, Jekyeong thought that possibility was slim. Why would he tell such a pointless lie to fellow Daoists in Bul-mang-won, whom he would never meet in person?
Well, whatever his background is, it doesn't matter.
Jekyeong cut off the thoughts that were beginning to branch out. What mattered right now was not Choi Ju-tang's identity, but the Blood Contract Restriction technique he had offered.
"What do you want for it?"
Choi Ju-tang bringing up the Blood Contract Restriction first meant he was willing to trade. As long as his demands weren't too outrageous, Jekyeong was prepared to pay a premium to acquire it.
"A water-attributed cultivation spiritual item that a Foundation Establishment cultivator can use. If you don't have one, spirit stones will do."
"I have no such spiritual items. Let us go with spirit stones."
Jekyeong almost let out a wry chuckle the moment he heard that. A cultivation spiritual item usable by a Foundation Establishment cultivator? He didn't know whether to call it bold or shameless. But on second thought, Choi Ju-tang's perspective might be different. In the end, the key lay in the value of the Blood Contract Restriction technique.
If this restriction technique is even better than I think...
After the meeting ended, Jekyeong remained behind with Choi Ju-tang to discuss the trade in earnest. It mostly consisted of Choi Ju-tang giving a rough explanation of the Blood Contract Restriction, and Jekyeong asking questions about his concerns.
A short while later, after hearing Choi Ju-tang's full explanation, Jekyeong had no choice but to admit that the price he had previously deemed shameless was not entirely unacceptable. If Choi Ju-tang had not mixed any lies into his explanation, his Blood Contract Restriction was indeed an excellent tool. Of course, it might have shortcomings compared to other restriction techniques, but Jekyeong saw no need to compare them in that manner. If it was useful, it was useful; why waste effort comparing it to others just to find flaws?
According to Choi Ju-tang, this Blood Contract Restriction had no drawbacks, save for the requirement of a realm difference between the caster and the target, and the fact that the number of people one could control at a single time was limited.
"I see."
Choi Ju-tang could not hide his disappointment upon hearing there were no cultivation spiritual items. But that was only momentary, and the bargaining soon began.
"Thirty-five mid-grade spirit stones."
"Let's make it thirty."
"Restriction techniques are rare, and one of this caliber is even scarcer."
"Understood. Thirty-two."
"Thirty-three."
"Sigh... Very well. Thirty-three."
Honestly, to Jekyeong, this kind of bargaining was something he could take or leave. He had only spoken up because saving even a little was a good thing. Having settled the price at thirty-three, Jekyeong observed Choi Ju-tang's expression and saw that he seemed quite satisfied. Indeed, with thirty-three mid-grade spirit stones, he could obtain a decent cultivation spiritual item if luck was on his side, so it was natural for him to be pleased. Furthermore, selling knowledge like cultivation methods and secret arts didn't mean losing them, so in essence, he had earned spirit stones while sitting still.
As expected, knowledge and inheritance are the most powerful forces and the most valuable assets.
Jekyeong recalled the various cultivation methods, secret arts, and other knowledge he had scraped together over the past ten years. Though he had gathered them as diligently as he could, their variety and quality were still quite crude.
Let's take it slow. I have plenty of time.
Cultivation was a battle against time, and a battle against impatience. Whenever impatience reared its head, Jekyeong composed himself by repeating this to himself over and over.
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Jekyeong asked Choi Ju-tang if he could send the item through a route other than the Yeongbu Merchant Alliance, but unfortunately, he did not receive the answer he wanted. According to Choi Ju-tang, while there were countless large and small merchant groups in the Human Territory and many ways to deliver messages or goods, the Human Territory was simply too vast, and those that reached into minor, remote backwaters were extremely rare.
A minor backwater, is it?
Jekyeong, who acted as a local lord in a speck of water within Yangseo Lake, did not want to admit it, but his denial did not change the facts. When even deliveries wouldn't reach the remote countryside where he resided, what could he possibly say? He had no choice but to use the Yeongbu Merchant Alliance once again. This meant Gwak Jeong-sin would also find out that he had purchased an item separately in Bul-mang-won, but even so, it wouldn't be much of a problem. This was because Jekyeong had requested Choi Ju-tang to place a seal on the jade slip. As long as the seal was not damaged, Gwak Jeong-sin would have no way of knowing what was contained within the jade slip, and he would not ruin their business relationship over mere curiosity.
Now, I just have to wait a few days.
With that thought, he was about to leisurely resume his cultivation when unexpected news shattered his peace.
"What? Is that true?!"
Facing Hyeongu, who was prostrated flat on the ground, Jekyeong unleashed a harsh aura without realizing it. That was how violently his emotions were shaken.
"I-it is undoubtedly true!"
Since Hyeongu spoke while trembling from head to toe, Jekyeong had no choice but to believe him. But this news was truly absurd. A problem had arisen with the Great Demons who had returned to their territories after the exchange meeting. Daeyeong had ambushed Ha Son-seo, and both suffered mutual defeat, retreating with severe injuries. Then, less than a day later, Jang Yeong launched a sudden raid on Daeyeong's nest and killed Daeyeong while he was recovering from his wounds.
"Ha!"
It was hard to believe, but if he accepted all of this as fact, it wasn't difficult to guess the cause and outline of the incident.
That foolish fish let his greed get the better of him.
The instigator was likely Daeyeong. He had launched an ambush to seize the Foundation Establishment cultivators in Ha Son-seo's possession, but retreated with nothing but bloody wounds, which in turn drew in the cunning Jang Yeong.
But his reaction was too fast. Could that fellow Jang Yeong have already anticipated things would turn out this way?
Unless he asked the party involved directly, there was no way to know, but Jekyeong surmised that Jang Yeong had indeed anticipated Daeyeong's movements. After all, that half-human demon's response had been far too swift, and he was the only one who profited from this affair.
Tsk. Jackals, the lot of them.
Jekyeong clicked his tongue, calming his agitated emotions. After revising his assessment of Jang Yeong based on the news Hyeongu had brought, Jekyeong praised Hyeongu, who was still shivering. If Hyeongu had not shown the "initiative" to venture outside their waters and survey the situation, Jekyeong would have been left utterly bewildered at the next exchange meeting when Daeyeong failed to show up.
"By the way, why did you go outside our waters?"
Now that Jekyeong had composed his emotions and withdrawn his aura, and having received a round of praise, Hyeongu looked much better, a faint smile even playing on his lips. At Jekyeong's question, he immediately began to spin his modest tale of heroism.
"It was because I wanted to do even a little more work before the power of the grace bestowed by the Dragon Lord ran out. With the Dragon Lord's grace, the rabble outside our waters dare not approach me, so as long as I have your grace, I can work outside our waters as much as needed."
Though he spoke in a roundabout way, Hyeongu's meaning was clear. He was asking for more blood.
This fellow.
Jekyeong chuckled inwardly as he looked at Hyeongu, who was anxiously reading his expression. If he was going to be this nervous, he shouldn't have brought it up in the first place.
"I understand what you mean."
Though asking for his blood was somewhat audacious, in the end, he was requesting it to work harder, so Jekyeong felt no desire to blame him.
"What kind of work do you plan to do outside our waters?"
"I intend to search for the fellows you mentioned the other day."
"Very well. But be careful. Some beasts might not back down even after smelling my blood."
"I will keep that in mind."
Jekyeong gave Hyeongu a few more drops of his blood. Since his blood contained his aura, coating Hyeongu in too much of it might make it impossible for the turtle to bear, so this amount was just right.
"Go. You must return before the blood disperses."
"Yes, my Lord."
If it were anyone else, Jekyeong wouldn't have nagged them like this. But Hyeongu was special. Jekyeong did not fully trust even Han Cheongyu, but he placed his trust in this clever turtle. The loyalty this fellow offered him was of such a degree that it could be described as absolute devotion. Jekyeong did not know where this devoted loyalty originated. He merely made a vague guess that it was related to the inexplicable anticipation he occasionally sensed in the turtle's eyes. At first, he had been suspicious, and later, he had found it burdensome, but now he had decided to accept it for what it was. The turtle's expectations were expectations, and his loyalty was loyalty. There was no reason to reject the devoted loyalty of a capable subordinate.
If Hyeongu brings back something useful this time, I wouldn't mind giving him a Spiritual Fruit.
Hyeongu had long coveted Muk-su's Spiritual Fruits. Of course, he never said so openly, but he would subtly drop hints, complaining about how his son Bigu was foolish and lacked a proper foundation. Every time, Jekyeong had pretended not to hear. It wasn't because he begrudged them the fruit, but because the father and son had not yet performed a deed worthy of receiving one. The Spiritual Fruits that Muk-su bore from time to time were precious if deemed precious, and ordinary if not, but the value of an item was ultimately decided by its owner. If Jekyeong handed out Spiritual Fruits constantly to play the part of a generous master, his subordinates might praise his benevolence, but they would not hold the fruits in high regard, and naturally, the joy of receiving one would be diminished. A reward only held meaning when the recipient was truly delighted, so Jekyeong's frugality with the Spiritual Fruits was also for the sake of the Hyeongu father and son's eventual joy.
...Hmm.
A cultivator must be honest with their true feelings. Jekyeong reckoned that about ten percent of his motivation was indeed that noble sentiment. The remaining ninety percent was simply because the supply of Spiritual Fruits was limited. That had always been the case, but now, with no guarantee of when Muk-su would bear fruit again, how could he carelessly promise them to anyone? However, the work ethic Hyeongu had displayed this time was quite impressive, making it worth a grand gesture just this once. Hyeongu likely had his own calculations in mind as well, so if the turtle achieved some merit, Jekyeong was willing to play along with his designs.
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The Blood Contract Restriction technique arrived. As expected, the seal on the jade slip showed no signs of damage or tampering. Jekyeong joyfully broke the seal of the jade slip and examined the Blood Contract Restriction technique within. Having heard about it from Choi Ju-tang beforehand, the overall content was familiar to him.
Senior Choi didn't deceive me.
The Blood Contract Restriction technique was exactly as Choi Ju-tang had described.