Muryangae
Muryangae. It was a demon territory in the truest sense of the word, vastly different from the wild waters of Yangseo Lake. It was a land several times larger than Yangseo Lake, yet inhabited solely by countless members of the Beast Race. One could easily guess the sheer power of a clan that had made a name for itself in such a place.
"I see. No wonder. There was a reason the Jansu Whale King backed down so easily. But why do you associate the Heumwon clan with the Gakchung clan, Fellow Daoist?"
"If the Gakchung clan, who had been quiet for so long, suddenly intervened, there must be a reason. And right now... I can't think of any reason other than the Heumwon clan."
Myeong-ha thought for a moment, then looked at Jekyeong in admiration.
"That makes sense. If the Gakchung clan is keeping an eye on the Heumwon clan, it is entirely reasonable for them to act. Now that I think about it, it seems almost certain that they have joined hands with the human race."
"Yes. If my guess is correct, this war is not just a war between the demon beasts of Yangseo Lake and the humans, but also a war between the Heumwon clan and the Gakchung clan."
Myeong-ha shook his head.
"Even if the Heumwon clan is a powerful lineage of the Beast Race in Muryangae, it will be difficult for them to stand against the Gakchung clan in Yangseo Lake. Unless they make up their minds to swarm from Muryangae to Yangseo Lake in massive numbers."
"Yes. So if the Gakchung clan takes the front lines, the defeat of the demon beasts is as good as decided."
"But the affairs of the main battlefield have nothing to do with us. Isn't that right?"
"Indeed."
Jekyeong did not call out Myeong-ha for casually using the word "we." From the moment he stopped hiding his true intentions from Myeong-ha, they were already in the same boat. Jekyeong remained wary of Myeong-ha, but Myeong-ha was still an important business partner and a powerful ally. If he could be used, he had to be used. And to do that, Jekyeong had to share a certain amount of the information he possessed. This was not an impulsive decision, but a carefully considered judgment.
"Haha. Splendid, splendid." Myeong-ha rejoiced, showing his enthusiasm. "Let the big guys take the brunt of the heavy rain. We can hide in the shade and quietly have some fun. So, does Fellow Daoist have a plan in mind?"
"My plan is to watch how things unfold for now. I don't want to lose my life recklessly chasing after fun."
Though he said he would watch the situation, in reality, he was waiting for Choi Ju-tang's proposal. Expecting direct help was out of the question, but if he could obtain even a bit of useful information... he might indeed have some decent "fun," just as Myeong-ha said. Of course, such fun was secondary. The absolute priority was ensuring his safety. He would help Choi Ju-tang if he could, but only when he was confident that his own safety was guaranteed. Jekyeong endlessly cooled and suppressed the demonic ferocity boiling up from the depths of his body and mind.
Bulmangwon.
"My post has been decided," Choi Ju-tang said calmly. "It's Taesojin. I've been stationed there to guard it alongside three other Foundation Establishment cultivators. We are to cooperate with the three neighboring outposts to defend the area."
He added that three Foundation Establishment cultivators were deployed to each of the other three outposts.
"Thirteen Foundation Establishment cultivators in total. Among them, two are in the mid-stage. It would be enough to manage a single water territory, but the water territories we have to cover number three."
Great Demons who occupied an entire water territory like Jekyeong were extremely rare. Aside from the fact that the Heukgyo Water Territory had only one spiritual land, this was only possible because Jekyeong's status and strength were exceptional. Normally, if there were three water territories, the number of Great Demons would be at least ten, so it was only natural for Choi Ju-tang to feel anxious. Furthermore, once those Great Demons began to move, their actions would certainly not be sporadic.
"But the orders have already come from above, so I cannot disobey. For me to pull out of Taesojin, there has to be a change on the front lines."
Finally, Choi Ju-tang made his proposal. "I will give you information. You step in at the right moment and destroy one or two of the outposts. If you do, the higher-ups won't be able to force us to hold out any longer, and I'll be able to safely retreat to the rear."
"What do I get out of this?"
"Each outpost has a rich stockpile of various resources. How much you can get... depends on your ability."
"So you're trying to do me a favor using someone else's wealth."
At Jekyeong's sarcasm, Choi Ju-tang replied in a tone that was half-laughing, half-crying. "Cut me some slack. I'm just a mere rogue cultivator who barely managed to establish himself."
Jekyeong did not mind Choi Ju-tang's shamelessness. What caught his attention was the resources Choi Ju-tang mentioned, which were supposedly stockpiled in abundance at each outpost. Jekyeong's interest was piqued. Since he had heard from Choi Ju-tang about the approximate scale of a single outpost, he could roughly estimate the size of the stockpiled resources. Furthermore, these were wartime supplies. There would be plenty of practical and highly liquid goods like spiritual stones, elixirs, talismans, and array flags. Just as Choi Ju-tang said, plundering even one or two outposts would yield an immense harvest.
"What do you say?"
Though his mind was already made up, Jekyeong did not answer immediately. He repeatedly checked and calculated whether he was being sufficiently cautious. Only after confirming multiple times that there were no issues did he slowly give Choi Ju-tang his answer.
"Let's do it."
The deliberation had been long, but the action was swift. To be precise, it had to be swift. They did not have much time. Just as the human race was preparing for war, so was the Beast Race. The recent frequent disturbances along the borders were proof that the Whale King Palace and the Court of Demons were gathering their forces.
This area is highly likely under the jurisdiction of the Court of Demons.
The Heukgyo Water Territory where Jekyeong resided was at the southernmost tip of Yangseo Lake, not very far from the four outposts, including Taesojin, where Choi Ju-tang was stationed. However, there were several water territories in between, which had previously been battlefields where Jang Yeong had led several Great Demons against the human race. This meant that Jang Yeong's, and by extension the Court of Demons', influence was heavily present there. Therefore, Jekyeong was over ninety percent certain that this entire region fell under the jurisdiction of the Court of Demons.
I must strike first before they move.
To put it bluntly, this was cutting in line. It was an act that could easily be criticized if anyone wanted to find fault. Fortunately, there were no Great Demons in this area strong enough for Jekyeong to worry about. Even if he openly cut in line, the other Great Demons might harbor resentment inwardly, but they wouldn't dare challenge him to his face. If they did complain, Jekyeong could proudly declare: this is a war and a festival for the Beast Race, so what is wrong with me, a proud member of the Beast Race, running wild? Then, even if they had something to say, they would have to shut their mouths and blame their own slowness.
But if they moved first, the story would be completely different. Once the battle began, it would be the Court of Demons' war, and if Jekyeong tried to join in then, it would look like he was crashing their event. In that case, Jekyeong would have to choose between two options: join the Court of Demons, or tuck his tail and leave. Therefore, he had to outrun them before the Great Demons of the Court of Demons officially crossed into Human Territory and ran wild.
"This time, only you and I will move."
"Are you not calling your friends, Fellow Daoist?" Myeong-ha asked with a faint smile. He knew that Jekyeong had a small gathering of Great Demons. He also knew that the Great Demons in that gathering had rejected the Whale King Palace and the Court of Demons to gather by his side.
"It's not a difficult task, and if the numbers increase, our share decreases."
"Oho. It seems you don't intend to make a big scene?"
"Fame that one cannot handle is poison. You, of all people, should know this truth."
"...Indeed. I know it all too well." Myeong-ha shook his head with a bitter smile. "Very well. Have you decided on the targets?"
"These places." Jekyeong listed the names of the four outposts he had heard from Choi Ju-tang. Taesojin. Cheonghajin. Wonbojin. Hyeongseojin.
"My targets are one or two of the three, excluding Taesojin."
"Is the reason for excluding Taesojin because its forces are the strongest?"
"Yes."
Myeong-ha did not pry further. He did not think Jekyeong would fear a few early to mid-stage Foundation Establishment human cultivators, but on the other hand, since Jekyeong had suffered a setback before, it was understandable.
He was already cautious, but it seems he has become even more careful after losing one of his horns.
Myeong-ha knew about the four outposts Jekyeong mentioned. His information network extended beyond the Heukgyo Water Territory, and even partially into Human Territory.
"Not bad. If we launch a surprise attack, we can easily bring down at least one place. But after that, it won't be easy. They will be on high alert and start cooperating in earnest."
"Indeed. So from then on, it will depend on your performance."
"Haha." Myeong-ha tried to brush it off with a laugh, but Jekyeong did not let him off the hook.
"You said we are in the same boat. If so, do not hide your skills. This is our business."
"I understand, I understand. I will do my best, so don't put too much pressure on me," Myeong-ha said with an awkward laugh. However, Jekyeong's sharp gaze did not soften easily.
After coordinating the plan with Myeong-ha, Jekyeong moved immediately. Leaving the boundaries of the Heukgyo Water Territory in just a few days, Jekyeong did not slow down and headed straight north. For the first few days, he used his presence-concealing technique to hide his aura, but after leaving the Heukgyo Water Territory, he began to move openly without any such concealment.
"Kuaaaa!" The water beasts along his path scattered in panic at the sudden appearance of a Great Demon. Some of them, overwhelmed by Jekyeong's pressure, followed behind him as if possessed. As this continued for over ten days, the number of water beasts traveling with Jekyeong soon exceeded a thousand. From this point on, even other Great Demons could not ignore Jekyeong's presence even if they wanted to.
"Jekyeong! What is the meaning of this?!" Although the Great Demons of this area had never seen Jekyeong in person, they had at least heard of his name. Not only did he already have a reputation as the Black Flood Dragon, but his exploits in the previous war were constantly discussed among the Great Demons of Yangseo Lake. This hippopotamus-like Great Demon was no exception. He had heard rumors of Jekyeong, and even knew that he had flatly rejected the recruitment offers from both the Whale King Palace and the Court of Demons.
He had instinctively rushed out upon sensing an unfamiliar demonic aura near his territory, but he regretted it the moment he saw his opponent. A serpent several times larger than his own already massive body. It even had a horn, though one was snapped in half. No matter how he looked at it, wasn't that the rumored Black Flood Dragon?!
The moment he saw the Black Flood Dragon's colossal size, he wanted to retreat. But having already shown himself, he couldn't do that. If he backed away now pretending he hadn't seen anything, he wouldn't be able to hold his head high even in front of his own cave.
"This is not your water territory! What are you doing here? And what are those things following you? Are you here to pick a fight?!" The hippopotamus-like Great Demon shouted, but he did not let his guard down. Rumor had it that this Black Flood Dragon was a lunatic who didn't even fear a Demon King. Who knew if such a madman would suddenly charge at him?
"What am I doing here? That's what I want to ask you." The chilling slit pupils of the serpent locked onto the eyes of the hippopotamus-like Great Demon. At that cold gaze, the plump body of the Great Demon flinched.
"Hasn't the war started? Then, of course, I should go fight."
"What?" The hippopotamus-like Great Demon's eyes widened. His floppy, fat ears perked up.
"A grand battle like this doesn't happen often. It's practically a rare, magnificent festival. If so, shouldn't I naturally join in and claim a share?" The hippopotamus-like Great Demon was completely dumbfounded, his mouth hanging open.