The Hidden Variable
While recruiting them from the outside was certainly an option, Jekyeong had chosen to cultivate his own after much deliberation. The reason was simple. Capable Spirit Blacksmiths were expensive and difficult to find. To secure such highly skilled talent on a large scale, he would have to enlist the help of Myeong-ha or Choi Ju-tang, and Jekyeong had no desire to explain to them why he needed so many of them.
"What of the replenishment of the water beasts?"
"I am doing my utmost, but progress remains sluggish, my Lord."
Hyeongu bowed his head in shame, but with a casual wave of Jekyeong's hand, the turtle demon's head froze mid-motion, as if blocked by an invisible wall. Hyeongu's eyes widened in surprise.
"It is not your fault."
In truth, it was Jekyeong's own doing. During his previous clash with the forces led by Gwak Jeong-sin, he had ground down the water beasts of the Heukgyo water territory without mercy. The region had never been particularly abundant in water beasts to begin with, and by driving almost all of them into the meat grinder of war, Jekyeong had practically wiped them out.
The water beasts currently remaining in the Heukgyo water territory were those who directly or indirectly obeyed Jekyeong's commands, essentially serving as his eyes and ears. In other words, they were all useful assets, making them too valuable to throw away carelessly. Jekyeong needed disposable cannon fodder—beasts like the ones he had hurled into the previous battle, to be used and discarded at a moment's notice.
Since such beasts were now scarce within his own domain, Jekyeong had instructed Hyeongu to lure water beasts from outside the Heukgyo water territory.
"You haven't been discovered, have you?"
"I believe not, my Lord. I have made every effort to handle the matter as quietly as possible, just as you commanded."
Since they couldn't capture and drag every single water beast back by force, they had to employ a combination of the carrot and the stick. Though simple, this method was highly effective on the dim-witted water beasts. It worked nine times out of ten—in fact, it worked so well that it posed its own set of problems.
Each operation drew anywhere from dozens to hundreds of beasts at a time. Such large-scale migrations ran the risk of attracting the attention of the neighboring Great Demons. Great Demons possessed a fierce sense of territory; they considered everything within their domain to be theirs, regardless of its value. This applied even to the lowly water beasts they usually ignored.
While a Great Demon wouldn't care if the water beasts slaughtered one another within their borders, they would react instantly if an outsider began luring their beasts away. Jekyeong did not fear confronting these Great Demons, but he preferred to avoid unnecessary trouble if possible. After all, some of the Great Demons he might offend were members of his trade association. Furthermore, if his actions were exposed, they would begin to wonder why he was hoarding seemingly useless water beasts.
"My Lord... are you preparing for war?" Hyeongu asked, hesitating slightly. It was rare for him to initiate a question.
"What do you think?"
"I believe... you are indeed preparing for war, my Lord."
"You are correct." Jekyeong looked up at the gloomy sky. "I am preparing."
Whether Choi Ju-tang would make a proposal, and whether Jekyeong would accept it if he did—nothing was certain yet. But no matter how things unfolded, there was no harm in being prepared.
"How are your studies of formations progressing?"
Hyeongu was naturally inquisitive, which meant he possessed a vast store of knowledge. His insatiable thirst for learning was what made him special. At some point, the turtle demon had taken to devouring various kinds of human knowledge, and recently, he had shown a keen interest in formations. Upon discovering this, Jekyeong had allowed Hyeongu to study a few basic formations, only to realize that the turtle possessed an extraordinary talent for them. While Jekyeong couldn't say how Hyeongu compared to human prodigies, he was certainly far superior to Jekyeong himself.
"I have yet to achieve any grand breakthroughs, but I am studying diligently."
"Learn and master as much as you can. The day will come when we will need it."
"Yes, my Lord."
After offering a few words of encouragement, Jekyeong retreated into the Black Cult Palace. Around that time, the darkening sky finally gave way, unleashing a torrential downpour.
"Fellow Daoist Jekyeong."
Myeong-ha had arrived at Heukgyo Island. Jekyeong was not surprised by his visit. In fact, he had been wondering when Myeong-ha would show up. Haeyeon Island was located within the Heukgyo water territory, and as far as Jekyeong knew, Myeong-ha spent most of his time there. Hiding the goings-on of the Heukgyo water territory from someone like Myeong-ha was an exercise in futility. Luring water beasts from the outer regions was impossible to conceal from the start.
"Fellow Daoist, it seems you are gathering water beasts. What are you preparing for?"
"Things are getting noisy out there. I need some hands to put to work."
"I thought you refused both sides because you despised troublesome affairs?"
"I did. But that was then, and this is now. If an opportunity presents itself, shouldn't one seize it?"
Jekyeong spoke as if he had yet to make up his mind. And indeed, that was the truth. If Choi Ju-tang's proposal was reasonable, he was willing to cooperate. But if the offer was absurd, he would turn his back on him, even if it meant making an enemy.
"You certainly possess grand ambitions," Myeong-ha said with a thin smile, offering a word of praise. "If you are willing to join the board, Fellow Daoist, I would like to offer my assistance as well."
"Why?"
It was the very offer Jekyeong had been waiting for, but he did not bite immediately. He asked with a neutral expression and a calm, detached tone.
"Because we are in the same boat, of course. Ah, alright, alright." Myeong-ha quickly waved his hands as Jekyeong's expression turned icy. "But that truly is part of the reason. I know you find me somewhat untrustworthy, Fellow Daoist. Yet, is it not a fact that we share the same fate? If I were to fall, you would find yourself in a difficult position, but my plight would be far worse. In all of Yangseo Lake, who else do I have to rely on but you?"
Jekyeong's expression remained cold. Had he not known that Myeong-ha possessed more than ten Foundation Establishment level Lost-Soul Puppets on Haeyeon Island, he might have believed those words. But knowing that Myeong-ha had the capability to run the business on Haeyeon Island entirely on his own, such talk was nothing more than empty wordplay. While it might be true that Myeong-ha benefited from Jekyeong's shadow to survive in the demon territory, that need was likely a convenience rather than a necessity.
Regardless of his inner thoughts, Jekyeong merely let out a cold snort, prompting Myeong-ha to get to the point.
"Very well. I shall speak. In truth, I obtained some information a few days ago. The main forces of the prominent human sects and clans, including the Geumyang Sect and the Myeongseomun Sect, have mobilized in large numbers toward the border. Yet, curiously, there has been no movement whatsoever near Jusongtan."
"Jusongtan?"
Jekyeong searched his memory, the name sounding vaguely familiar. He soon recalled that it was a border region of the human race, directly adjacent to the Jeokju water territory, the domain of the Gakchung Clan.
"Is that not only natural? The humans' enemy is the demon race, not the Gakchung Clan."
"It is easy to think so. But tell me, Fellow Daoist, do you know who the true master of Yangseo Lake is?"
Jekyeong did not answer. It was not out of ignorance, but because he knew Myeong-ha was asking a rhetorical question. The true master of Yangseo Lake was, without a doubt, the Gakchung Clan. The Insect Mother of the Gakchung Clan was a peak Core Formation cultivator and the undisputed strongest entity in Yangseo Lake, and the clan's collective might was second to none. Though the true extent of their power remained a mystery, it was clear that the humans and demons were only able to clash so noisily because of the Gakchung Clan's silence. Had they not remained confined to the Red Province, the geopolitical landscape of Yangseo Lake would be vastly different today.
"Even as they bared their fangs at the demon race, the humans have always kept a wary eye on the Gakchung Clan. The forces stationed at Jusongtan are merely symbolic. Think about it. If the Gakchung Clan truly intended to strike the humans, what could the garrison at Jusongtan possibly do to stop them?"
"So, by redirecting their internal forces toward the demon race, they are essentially abandoning their guard against the Gakchung Clan?"
"Precisely. Therefore, I believe there are only two possibilities. Either the immediate threat of the demon race is so overwhelming that they cannot afford to worry about the Gakchung Clan, or... they have struck some sort of secret pact with them."
Jekyeong's expression shifted subtly. Though his face remained largely impassive, a complex light flickered in his eyes.
The Gakchung Clan?
Naturally, Jekyeong was well aware that they were the most powerful force in Yangseo Lake. Yet, the reason he had not given them much thought until now was that the Gakchung Clan had become something of a legend in Yangseo Lake. It wasn't just Jekyeong; most cultivators shared this sentiment. They knew the clan existed, but it had been so long since they had ventured out of the Red Province that everyone subconsciously regarded them as a dormant force that would never leave their borders.
But now, that name, which had existed only as a faint whisper in the back of his mind, was threatening to burst into reality. Jekyeong had initially predicted that the humans would suffer a devastating defeat if the war resumed, but now, the future had become entirely unpredictable.
"No one knows how this board will play out. But one thing is certain: the main forces of both sides will clash fiercely on the primary front lines, far from here. That battle will be incomparably more violent than anything we have seen before. Even the Jansu Whale King won't be able to get away with merely showing his face this time," Myeong-ha said with a chuckle.
"..."
Jekyeong fell into deep thought, remaining silent. He had not forgotten his past experiences. Especially now, with Myeong-ha laying out such plausible theories right in front of him, Jekyeong's guard was raised higher than ever.
Assuming his speculation about the Gakchung Clan is correct, his logic is sound.
The key variable was the Gakchung Clan. Would they truly intervene in this war? If so, to what extent? Would they simply refrain from attacking the humans, or...
There are too many uncertainties. In times like this, I must be cautious.
Jekyeong did his best to cool his head. He opened his mind to every possibility, analyzing each scenario one by one.
The worst-case scenario was clear: the Gakchung Clan actively joining the war on the side of the humans. In that case, putting aside the question of victory or defeat, the demon race might have to worry about their very survival. If the Gakchung Clan, who could suppress the entire demon race of Yangseo Lake on their own, allied with the humans, then the demons would...
No, wait.
Suddenly, a thought struck Jekyeong.
The Heumwon Clan.
Behind Yojeong and the Simjeon Demon King stood the Heumwon Clan. They were a powerful clan renowned in Muryangae, a territory said to be even vaster than Yangseo Lake. Could they not stand against the Gakchung Clan?
Perhaps... the Gakchung Clan's alignment with the humans is precisely because they are wary of them.
In an instant, his mind cleared.
Indeed. The conflict between the humans and the demons is nothing new, yet I have never heard of the Gakchung Clan intervening before. If this is an exception, there must be a reason. And the only new variables are the emergence of another Demon King and the arrival of the Heumwon Clan.
The rise of a new Demon King versus the Heumwon Clan's intervention in the affairs of Yangseo Lake's demons—which of the two would concern the Gakchung Clan more? Unquestionably the latter. The former was merely the birth of a novice Demon King at the early stage, whereas the latter represented a powerful foreign force setting foot in Yangseo Lake.
I cannot be certain, but... it is highly plausible.
Though it was all mere speculation, Jekyeong's mind naturally began to lean toward this conclusion.
The Gakchung Clan. The Heumwon Clan.
Without a doubt, the outcome of this war rested in their hands. If so...
"Fellow Daoist, what has you so deeply lost in thought?" Myeong-ha's voice shattered Jekyeong's endless train of contemplation.
"I was thinking about the Gakchung Clan and the Heumwon Clan."
"The Heumwon Clan?" Myeong-ha's eyes widened slightly.
"Behind Yojeong stands the Heumwon Clan. It is precisely because of their presence that the Jansu Whale King gave up on dealing with Yojeong."
Myeong-ha had not known how the Simjeon Demon King and Yojeong had managed to survive the Jansu Whale King's wrath. He had merely assumed they had some hidden card up their sleeve.
"The Heumwon Clan..."
Even for Myeong-ha, who had traveled widely and gathered much knowledge, the name was unfamiliar.
"I hear they are a powerful clan that has made a name for themselves in Muryangae."
"Muryangae? Ah, I see."
At the mention of Muryangae, Myeong-ha finally nodded in understanding. That was a name he had heard before.