The Traitor's Trail
The feeling of growing stronger with every single hunt was incredibly addictive, making it hard to pull himself away.
Still, I have to go back.
The owners of the place were slowly making their way back, so he had to hurry before they caught him red-handed. Making another enemy when he already had a powerful foe on his hands would be foolish.
Inside the Black Cult Palace, Cheongo, who had been sprawled out lazily in a glittering nest, slowly sat up. The bird preened its feathers while still half-reclined and spoke.
"You look like you're in a good mood. Did you have a good harvest?"
"It was certainly decent."
"Then is everything ready now? Shouldn't we be doing something more?"
Whenever Cheongo was bored, it would fly outside to chat with various people. Most of the time, its conversational partner was Muk-su, but occasionally it mingled with humans like Han Cheongyu or aquatic demons like Hyeongu. In the process, the bird had grown smarter. Or rather, it would be more accurate to say it had acquired more knowledge.
It could now grasp things clearly that it had only vaguely understood before due to lack of interest, and it had even learned to use its head in its own way. Just like right now.
"Aren't you going to set any traps? When those guys invade, we can just lure them into a trap."
"A trap? What kind of trap? And how exactly would we lure them?"
"Huh? Um..."
At Jekyeong's counter-questions, Cheongo turned its head away, pretending to look at something else. The bird could spout plausible-sounding ideas to fit the situation, but those words were never born of deep thought. The enemy is coming for us, so shouldn't we dig a trap and wait? That was about the limit of its intellect. It couldn't fathom what kind of trap to set, where to put it, or how to lure the enemy into it.
Though it had been putting on airs and offering advice like a know-it-all just a moment ago, it was now rolling its eyes and pecking uselessly at a nearby spirit stone. Jekyeong didn't mock the bird, as he hadn't expected anything from it in the first place.
"Still, you have a point."
"Huh?"
"It might not be anything as grand as a trap, but we do need to prepare."
Jekyeong believed in his own strength, but he didn't rely on strength alone. While he would ultimately have to trust his own power in the end, before that moment arrived... if there were better means available, there was no reason not to use them. If there was anything he could prepare, there was no reason not to do so.
Choi Ju-tang was a Foundation Establishment cultivator and a consecrated expert of the Yeongbu Chamber of Commerce. Originally an outsider who had only recently joined, his position within the merchant group had been somewhat unstable. However, after participating in the war against the Beast Race and surviving several actual battles, he was now recognized as a key figure within the association.
"No, that's not quite right. If I hadn't revealed my mid-stage Foundation Establishment strength, those fellows would still be acting stiff around me," Choi Ju-tang said with a chuckle.
"The atmosphere is ripe. I wouldn't be surprised if the humans launched an invasion into the demon territory tomorrow."
"Are the preparations complete?"
"Yes. I've leaked the information to the Cheongdo Sect, the Jangtap Sect, the Gye Family, and every other place you mentioned. They aren't fools, so they won't believe it blindly, but it will at least sow seeds of suspicion."
"That is more than enough."
Jekyeong felt that bringing Choi Ju-tang into Yangseo Lake had been a stroke of genius. Through him, Jekyeong could gather information and orchestrate subtle schemes like this.
In some ways, he's similar to Myeong-ha. Though the pieces I can move aren't as numerous or fiercely loyal as that guy's puppets.
Naturally, Jekyeong had to pay a price to employ Choi Ju-tang. And that price was by no means small. Why else would Choi Ju-tang be helping him so enthusiastically with a smile on his face? It was because the reward he received was incredibly handsome.
In a way, Choi Ju-tang was the true winner of this conflict. He didn't need to participate in the upcoming battles, nor did he have to take responsibility for the outcome. He was pocketing a fortune without shedding a single drop of blood, or even a drop of sweat. What could be better than that?
"Well then, I shall take my leave."
"Is it finally starting?"
"Yes. It is starting."
"I wish you luck."
"..."
As his consciousness returned from the Bul-mang-won, Jekyeong slowly opened his eyes. Though he was currently in his human form, his pupils were slit vertically, just like those of his true body.
Seeing Jekyeong wake up, Cheongo flew over and asked, "Jekyeong! Jekyeong! Are you going?"
"Of course."
The exchange group was scheduled to meet soon. As the host of this small gathering, his attendance was expected. All the Great Demons of the exchange group knew he would be there—including Seon-gu.
It will be this time.
Anyone who was anyone knew that a highly robust Island Protecting Grand Array shielded Heukgyodo. The Hoyeon Family would certainly know this as well. They must have gathered plenty of information, whether from Seon-gu or Gwak Jeong-sin.
They will want a swift battle, so they will definitely strike the moment I am outside the island. This is the perfect opportunity.
Jekyeong was more than eighty percent certain. The Hoyeon Family would not let this chance slip by.
"Fellow Daoist Jekyeong."
"You have arrived."
The exchange group was bustling today as well. The closer the flames of war drew, the more anxious they became, driving them to show their faces and raise their voices even more eagerly at the gathering. Jekyeong sneered inwardly at the Great Demons who were acting far friendlier than usual, but outwardly, he conversed with them warmly.
"Fellow Daoist Jekyeong."
Seon-gu also approached first to greet him. He didn't act overly friendly like the others, nor did he show any signs of avoidance. He maintained a perfectly measured distance—exactly as he always did.
If Jekyeong hadn't already been absolutely certain of his betrayal, he might not have sensed anything amiss in Seon-gu's calm demeanor. But now... Seon-gu's shameless acting was merely laughable.
"Fellow Daoist Seon-gu."
Jekyeong didn't let anything show and acted as he always did. When it came to acting, Seon-gu was no match for him. Though Jekyeong was already tearing this filthy octopus into ten thousand bloody shreds in his mind, he casually exchanged greetings on the surface.
"Fellow Daoist Jekyeong, is there any new information?"
Those gathered here knew that Jekyeong had quite a few humans under his command, and they assumed he was able to gather various pieces of intelligence from the Human Territory thanks to those subordinates.
"None. The atmosphere in the Human Territory has been so chaotic lately that useful information has become harder to come by."
Since they had expected as much, their disappointment wasn't deep. The Great Demons smacked their lips and began to display the items they had brought, one by one. Jekyeong and Seon-gu did the same.
After the usual active trading concluded, the more impatient Great Demons already began preparing to leave. In contrast, Seon-gu lingered, chatting quietly with a few other Great Demons.
To an outsider, it would have looked like a normal conversation, but Jekyeong knew their chatter was nothing but meaningless gossip. Seon-gu was merely spouting whatever came to mind, his attention focused not on his conversational partners, but elsewhere.
He seems anxious.
He could feel Seon-gu's covert glances and the anxiety laced within them. Jekyeong would bet all his spirit stones that the octopus was waiting for him to leave as quickly as possible.
I suppose he has no intention of making contact before I leave.
Most of the creatures gathered here were small fry, but they were still Great Demons. Both the Hoyeon Family and Seon-gu would want to eliminate as many variables as possible, meaning they would move with extreme caution. While it wouldn't hurt to let him squirm a bit longer, watching that octopus's hideous eyes blink repeatedly was becoming a chore.
"I shall take my leave as well."
As Jekyeong turned around after offering a half-hearted farewell to the remaining Great Demons, Seon-gu's eyes flashed. Shortly after Jekyeong departed, Seon-gu also said his goodbyes and stood up.
Has he returned to Heukgyodo?
He probably had. But "probably" was not good enough. Those humans had acted as if this matter were of utmost importance, but the same applied to him. The most those humans risked in this affair was a few measly spirit stones, but he was risking his life.
If that ferocious Black Flood Dragon found out he had been betrayed, he would go on a mad rampage and would never let Seon-gu off alive. When that happened, even if Seon-gu fled to Gyeongwang Palace or the Court of Demons, there was no guarantee he would survive. Therefore, he had to make absolutely sure no loose ends remained.
If he is heading back to Heukgyodo, I must contact them immediately. If not, I'll have to monitor the waters around Heukgyodo until he returns.
Seon-gu tracked the Black Flood Dragon's trail. Even though some time had passed since the beast's departure, following the scent was effortless. This wasn't because his tracking skills were exceptional, but rather due to the Black Flood Dragon's peculiar monster power.
The dragon's monster power was incredibly dense and foreign compared to other Great Demons. Looking at the Black Flood Dragon, Seon-gu had often felt as though the beast were a living ball of fire. The sheer heat radiating from its breath and its mouth was hot enough to cook a Great Demon's hide.
Usually, he detested that monster power and heat, which only served to magnify the Black Flood Dragon's overwhelming presence, but now he was benefiting from that very nuisance. The lingering scent of that unique monster power was like a deep footprint; with just a little focus, tracking it was child's play.
It seems to lead toward Heukgyodo... but the direction is slightly off.
Seon-gu narrowed his eyes, lost in thought. Right at that moment, a blurry silhouette shot toward him like an arrow from the deep, dark waters below.
By the time Seon-gu noticed, the silhouette had already reached his tentacles. Originally, it had been thinner and shorter than a single one of his tentacles, but by the time it arrived before him, its size had ballooned over a hundredfold, its shape transforming into something entirely different.
"What—!"
Terrified, Seon-gu hastily retracted his tentacles and bloated his body. However—
Thud!
Seon-gu nearly lost consciousness from a suffocating wave of pain. He realized instantly what had hit him. It was a simple body slam. A collision of pure, unadulterated physical force, devoid of any trickery.
I've been caught!
Seon-gu's horrified gaze locked onto the blazing eyes of the Black Flood Dragon, and above them, the massive, crimson-tinged horns.
I—I have to run...
The option of fighting back didn't even cross his mind. He knew the Black Flood Dragon's strength, and this single collision had made it painfully clear. Resistance was futile. It would be nothing but a dog's death!
"Gurgle..."
Seon-gu deflated his bloated body, attempting to spew a toxic mist. But before the gathered poison could even escape his venom sac, his body suddenly seized up.
Ah...