The Evolution of the Black Dragon
Jekyeong wondered whether they would submit only under duress or follow him of their own free will.
"I shall obey your command." Han Cheongyu did not disappoint his expectations. He immediately prepared to depart for Three Frogs Island as if it were no trouble at all. His reaction naturally influenced the other humans.
Damn. This completely ruins the test. While the Blood Contract Restriction could seize their physical hearts, it could not control their minds. He had wanted to use this opportunity to gauge their true feelings, but Han Cheongyu had inadvertently ruined the plan. I made a mistake. I should have summoned them without him. It was a pity, but what was done was done.
"Go. Convey my will to your fellow humans."
The cultivators of Heukgyo Island departed all at once. Dividing into several groups, they visited the various islands of the Heukgyo water territory to deliver Jekyeong's decree. Some sighed and complied, while others resisted.
Just as Jekyeong had instructed beforehand, Cheongo paid a visit to those who resisted. No direct threats were even necessary. Simply unleashing the aura of a Great Yo-beast and crying out a few times in the sky above the islands was more than enough.
"Caw!" Cheongo's eyes gleamed as it looked down at the trembling humans below.
Though the islanders' spirits were already broken and they shook with fear, Cheongo continued to circle the islands for a while, showing off. It didn't display any overt killing intent or make direct threats, but a Great Yo-beast loitering without concealing its presence was enough to subject the humans to absolute terror.
The human cultivators of Heukgyo Island diligently made their rounds across the islands, and Cheongo followed them, continuing its grand display of power. In less than two months, every human in the Heukgyo water territory agreed to accept the new rules.
"Though the tribute is somewhat of a burden, it is still far better than when we were tormented by the Black Flood Dragon Gang. Besides, didn't the Dragon Lord graciously bestow upon us the skills to secure such tribute in the first place?"
Those who had no choice but to accept reality began to rationalize. However, this rationalization was not merely a coping mechanism.
Although they now had to offer tribute, this burden was vastly lighter than the ruthless exploitation they had suffered under the Heukgyobang. Furthermore, unlike in the past, they now possessed specialized skills. As long as they did not grow lazy, gathering the tribute would pose no real issue.
"Hmm." Gwak Jeong-sin nodded thoughtfully upon receiving the report of the subtle changes in the Heukgyo water territory.
So he has finally decided to squeeze them. He had no interest in refugees who possessed neither skills nor wealth. His sole interest lay in his business partner coiled on Heukgyo Island.
Well, he did endure for a long time. People were resources; even if they seemed utterly useless, squeezing them hard enough would always yield something. Gwak Jeong-sin believed his partner had shown remarkable patience by waiting this long.
Tribute. How very human of him. His patience was one thing, but the method he used to squeeze the humans now was equally impressive. Swinging the scythe only to a degree that wasn't overly burdensome, thereby securing long-term benefits—was that not the exact way of humans?
By the way... a crow Great Yo-beast. A Great Yo-beast resembling a crow had immediately appeared over any island that showed signs of rebellion. Judging by its actions, it was clearly the Black Dragon's subordinate. This in itself was not unusual, as powerful Great Yo-beasts often kept other Great Yo-beasts under their command.
Could it be that fellow? Gwak Jeong-sin recalled that his partner had a peculiar housemate, one for whom he had occasionally prepared sweet treats as gifts in the past. He distinctly remembered that companion being a crow Yo-beast. Had that creature actually crossed the threshold to become a Great Yo-beast?
Yes, that must be it. Gwak Jeong-sin marveled quietly. As expected, extraordinary individuals attract extraordinary companions. Who would have thought that the foolish-looking crow from back then possessed such hidden potential?
"Withdraw all our informants from the Heukgyo water territory."
"Understood."
A spiritual bird of the Great Yao stage was special. Combat power aside, its mobility was superior to a Foundation Establishment cultivator riding a flying sword. Now that such a force had been added to Heukgyo Island, the territory was bound to become far more dangerous than before. Rather than risking lives for trivial information, it was better to pull back entirely.
"Vice Chairman, the Myeongseomun Sect has contacted us stating they will attend the upcoming auction."
"I see. Subtly leak this news to the Geumyang Sect as well."
"Yes, sir."
"And... what of those bastards from before?"
"We still haven't found them. Could they have already left Yangseo Lake?"
Gwak Jeong-sin shook his head. "No. That is highly unlikely. How could those who have already tasted such sweetness withdraw so easily?"
"In that case... perhaps they have fled beyond the Human Territory."
"Perhaps."
A heavy silence settled over the room. Bandit Cultivators, who crossed the boundaries of order and law at their own whim, could occasionally serve as useful pawns, but in most cases, they were nothing but a nuisance. This time was no different.
"Forget it. If they have already escaped, there is nothing we can do. Tell the front-line crews to be cautious. Instruct them to deploy spiritual vessels for all merchant operations for the time being."
"Understood."
Having delivered his orders, Gwak Jeong-sin turned around. The grand, brilliantly illuminated panorama of the Great City filled his vision.
It was a sight he had grown accustomed to, yet it still captivated his eyes and heart. Every time he looked upon it, he felt a deep sense of joy and pride. How desperately had he struggled in the past just to stand here? Two years ago, when he finally secured this position, the emotions he felt were so intense they had even affected his state of mind.
Back then, he had been ecstatic, but he was far from satisfied. Even this position, envied by all, was not his ultimate goal. From the very beginning, his gaze had been fixed on a much higher peak. Not much longer now. Only one step remained. Though the height of this single step was greater than all the dozens of steps he had climbed combined, he had no doubt that he would eventually ascend it.
Yang Yo-hyeon, a skilled Mid-Foundation Establishment cultivator of the Yeongbu Merchant Guild and captain of a cargo transport ship, arrived at Heukgyo Island without fail to load the Fleshy-Scaled Fish. He met with Jekyeong and conveyed Gwak Jeong-sin's message.
"A band of Bandit Cultivators?"
Yang Yo-hyeon nodded with a serious expression. "Yes. They have been active for about a year, perhaps slightly longer. They flowed in from outside Yangseo Lake, and both their strength and methods are formidable."
According to his explanation, this group of Bandit Cultivators was highly unusual. They were far more numerous than typical bandit gangs, yet they operated with strict organization. He—or rather, Gwak Jeong-sin—seemed to believe they were a fully structured organization.
"These bastards don't stop at merely raiding people. They are incredibly adept at muddying the waters to avoid leaving any trace."
"For example?"
"They operate in border regions, intentionally instigating conflicts with other races. A city was recently swept away when the Water Spirit clan was enraged, and we suspect it was their doing."
"They went to such lengths just to hide their tracks?"
"There might be something more to it that we haven't grasped yet. However, it is an undeniable fact that they were spotted in the territory of the Water Spirit clan."
Hearing Yang Yo-hyeon's words, Jekyeong reconsidered this band of Bandit Cultivators. If they had truly provoked the Water Spirit clan to wipe out an entire city, they were no longer mere bandits. They're terrorists. Though, is there even a word for 'terrorist' in this world?
Unlike Yang Yo-hyeon, who was issuing grave warnings, Jekyeong remained perfectly relaxed. He understood that they were dangerous, but what did that have to do with him? Storage Bags were practically exclusive to humans anyway, so whether they were bandits or not, it was just humans fighting among themselves. Even if Yang Yo-hyeon's ship was raided by those bandits on the way back, it was none of his concern. The goods had been shipped, and the Spirit Stones had already been received.
"I shall keep that in mind."
Though his internal thoughts differed, he replied seriously out of courtesy for the information. Shortly after, Yang Yo-hyeon and the Yeongbu Merchant Guild's ship departed, fully laden with cargo.
Thump!
It was a resonant boom that only Jekyeong could hear. The sound of something colliding violently, cracking, and shattering. A single sound carrying those three distinct meanings. The moment Jekyeong accepted the final meaning, he had already ascended the step that had stifled him for so long.
"Grrr."
Though prefixed with the word 'minor,' a minor realm was still a realm. And in the path of the Dao, crossing a realm meant undergoing a transformation. However, Jekyeong preferred the term 'evolution' over 'transformation.' Leaping to a higher stage as a living organism—no matter how one looked at it, this was far more intuitive.
"Roaaar!"
A magnificent roar reverberated far beyond Heukgyo Island. The beautifully layered clouds scattered violently, and the calm surface of the water churned in wild agitation.
"This is..."
The human cultivators who had evacuated beyond Heukgyo Island on boats turned pale and trembled. Even Han Cheongyu, who had consolidated his Late Foundation Establishment realm, was in no better state. Only Cheongo, who was preening its feathers with one foot perched atop Han Cheongyu's head, remained perfectly calm.
"Oh no. The rice is all going to die."
"It is fine. We have already harvested everything that could be harvested."
Han Cheongyu, his lips pale, frowned as he stared at the smoking island. He was not seeing things. Smoke was truly rising from the island—or rather, from the water surrounding it.
"You guys are going to have a hard time."
"..."
At the words from above his head, which could have been either comfort or mockery, Han Cheongyu and the other human cultivators simply kept their mouths shut.
Meanwhile, Jekyeong was savoring the aftereffects of his evolution on Heukgyo Island, which had turned into a hot spring. This was his second true evolution. His growth from a mere beast to a Yo-beast, or his journey up until he knocked on the gates of a Great Yo-beast, felt somewhat lacking to be called true evolution.
It was only when he broke through the gate and became a Great Yo-beast that Jekyeong experienced evolution in the truest sense. However, because that was his first evolution and the changes were so massive—not to mention the chaotic circumstances at the time—he hadn't had the luxury to properly celebrate. But now was different. The current Jekyeong had the composure to comprehend every single change occurring within him and fully savor the joy.
First and foremost, his physical body had once again grown far more massive and powerful. Having already crossed the threshold of the physical body, his form was fully prepared. In a manner of speaking, the vessel had already expanded, but the contents filling it had been lacking. Now, however, as he ascended to the Mid-stage Great Yao, his monster power made a massive leap in both quality and quantity. The overflowing monster power completely filled the vessel, which had been more than half empty, and the moment the vessel was filled, his physical body underwent a wild, explosive growth.