The Key to the Seal
After all, this auction's catalog included quite a few items from his sullen business partner. But the goods Jekyeong had put forward were... how should one put it? While none of them were of poor quality, there was nothing that truly caught the eye either. They were all rather mediocre, giving off a strong impression that they were offered merely for the sake of keeping up appearances.
Yet, his partner had radiated an aura of intense reluctance when handing over those items, as if parting with them was tearing his soul apart—and that display didn't seem like an act at all. This left Myeong-ha both suspicious and bewildered. Are these really his treasures? Is he actually that poor?
It was hard to believe, but on the other hand, it wasn't entirely incomprehensible. Though Myeong-ha often forgot because Jekyeong behaved more like a human than most humans, his partner was still a bona fide Great Demon. What the Beast Race required differed from what the Human Race needed, so their perspectives on what constituted a "treasure" would naturally differ as well.
Come to think of it, everything he took for himself was either Spirit Stones or Essence Blood. It was only natural, but Jekyeong showed absolutely no interest in alchemical pills or Dharma Treasures. He did keep a sharp eye out for spiritual beasts and rare herbs, but any cultivator would do the same, and those had likely long since been consumed, so there was no point in bringing them up now.
What a grueling life. Jekyeong's claim that he had staked his entire fortune on this venture might have been slightly exaggerated, but it was no lie. Although he had earned a vast amount of Spirit Stones while operating Haeyeon Island, he hadn't been able to convert them into cultivation resources or valuable treasures. He simply lacked the time and the opportunity to do so.
Far from acquiring new treasures, he had even put several of his own possessions up for auction when the market was first establishing itself. Of course, it had been an investment in the future, and the successful auctions had brought in a tidy sum of Spirit Stones, but he couldn't help feeling a bit strange whenever he looked inside his barren storage bag.
"Are you confident?"
"Hmm? Don't tell me you're getting anxious?"
Jekyeong snorted at Myeong-ha's teasing remark. "You're the one who should be anxious. You've already been robbed once. What will you do if it happens again?"
"That is precisely why I dragged you into this, Fellow Daoist."
"Even I can do nothing against a Shift Talisman."
"It is fine. As long as we guard the item, the other party will grow impatient first."
Jekyeong nodded.
"Do you think they'll show up?"
"They came last time, so they will come this time as well. The conditions are the same. However... I do not know how they will approach," Myeong-ha murmured in a pregnant tone.
It did not take long to understand the meaning behind Myeong-ha's words.
"They have arrived."
Jekyeong, who had been killing time atop the stone tower of Haeyeon Island by endlessly swigging spirit wine, slightly raised his head. Myeong-ha's voice drifted faintly through the mist surrounding the tower.
"Did they realize we're here, or did they simply not bother to hide?"
"They came openly. Their attitude is quite different from when we first met," Myeong-ha replied, a dark chuckle laced in his voice.
"Should we go?"
"No, let us meet them here."
Not long after he spoke, Myeong-ha appeared. He looked lazily relaxed as usual, but Jekyeong could sense the ominous, turbulent energy hidden beneath that placid facade. Staring intently at him, Jekyeong shook his wine gourd.
"Care for a drink?"
"Sure. I don't really feel like tea right now."
"Cool your head. Don't make a mistake."
"I am trying my absolute best, believe it or not."
While Myeong-ha seemed uneasy, Jekyeong was actually quite amused. Seeing a fellow who always seemed to harbor half a dozen schemes in his head get so emotionally shaken was both intriguing and novel. I suppose that secret realm is just that crucial to him. It was entirely understandable. What cultivator could maintain their composure when faced with a chance at Core Formation? Even if it was only a sliver of a possibility, they would want to stake everything on it.
"They are here."
At Myeong-ha's words, Jekyeong straightened his slouched posture. It was still a rather indolent stance, but he had no intention of correcting it. Why show manners to a thief?
"Is it just one?"
"Just one. The same bastard from before."
Having seized control of all the formations laid out across Haeyeon Island, Myeong-ha could see everything on the island as clearly as the palm of his hand if he so desired. Yet, this thief had bypassed Myeong-ha's surveillance, stolen an item right from the center of the auction house, and slipped away with ease. Jekyeong was genuinely curious to see what kind of person this thief was.
A section of the dense fog parted, and a figure stepped forward. Myeong-ha's eyes gleamed, while Jekyeong quietly scanned the newcomer from head to toe.
"Ghost Spider, we meet again. And this gentleman is..."
A soft, melodious voice, like jade beads rolling on a plate, flowed from an expressionless face.
So it wasn't a 'he' after all. Jekyeong's gaze swept over her several times, but he couldn't find anything unusual. A human. A young-looking woman. However, trying to guess the age of a Foundation Establishment cultivator—especially a female cultivator—by her appearance was utterly meaningless. More importantly, he couldn't gauge her cultivation level at all. She had either mastered a special secret technique or possessed an extremely refined control over her Dharma Power. Either way, she was bound to be troublesome.
Her attitude... was surprisingly submissive. Well, considering her past offense, she had to bow her head here.
"He is my business partner," Myeong-ha introduced.
"The rumored..." A strange light flickered in the female cultivator's eyes.
"I hardly know what to say. Should I be angry? Or should I be pleased?" Myeong-ha said.
"I apologize for my rudeness that day," the woman said, bowing politely.
"How convenient your math is," Myeong-ha sneered, raising a hand. At that, Gwak Yeon reflexively took a step back, her expression stiffening.
"Of course, I do not intend to apologize with words alone. But before that, I wish to confirm your intentions."
"My intentions?" Myeong-ha drawled, feigning ignorance.
"You must have guessed I would come. You lured me here on purpose, did you not?"
"And?"
"Is it to fight, or is it to talk?"
Myeong-ha chuckled. "How bold. I suppose you have more Shift Talismans in your possession?"
"I am confident in my ability to keep myself safe. More importantly, will you answer me?"
"Hmm."
Above his slightly raised hand, a sharp metal shard materialized. Upon seeing it, Gwak Yeon's eyes sharpened.
"I, too, prefer talking over fighting. But if we are to sit down and converse, shouldn't we settle our old debts first?"
"Of course we should."
With a flick of her finger, a ring worn on her ring finger flew toward Myeong-ha. "This is my apology and a token of my sincerity."
"From the moment I first saw you, I knew you were a sensible person. Your judgment and execution were both impeccable. Seeing this sincerity of yours, I see my assessment was not wrong."
"You flatter me."
What on earth is going on here? Jekyeong was momentarily dumbfounded, unable to keep up with the rapid shift in the atmosphere. Even so, he hid his confusion and maintained a detached, expressionless face. However, when Myeong-ha started calling her "Fellow Daoist," Jekyeong couldn't help but cover his mouth with his wine gourd. What a shameless bastard! Just how thick is his skin? Surely it can't be thicker than my scales?
"I am Gwak Yeon."
"I am Myeong-ha."
"It is a pleasure to meet you, Fellow Daoist Myeong-ha. And this gentleman is..."
Gwak Yeon's gaze shifted to Jekyeong. It was a look laden with many unspoken questions.
Myeong-ha smiled and nodded. "Indeed. This is the Dragon Lord of the Heukgyo Water Territory."
"Jekyeong."
Jekyeong had not yet decided how to treat this woman. In times like this, his identity as a member of the Beast Race—the Dragon Lord of the Heukgyo Water Territory—came in handy. His sullen attitude, which would normally be perceived as sheer arrogance, was accepted naturally by the other party.
"I greet the Dragon Lord of the Heukgyo Water Territory. May I address you as Fellow Daoist?"
Instead of answering, Jekyeong looked at Myeong-ha. In response, Myeong-ha handed over the storage ring he was holding.
"..."
Only then did Jekyeong understand why Myeong-ha's attitude had shifted so dramatically. Inside the storage ring lay more than ten rare spiritual items. Jekyeong recognized half of them, while the other half were things he had never even heard of. However, judging by the rarity of the half he did know, he could easily guess that the rest were of equal value.
"Please, have a seat."
With a light wave of Myeong-ha's hand, a luxurious cushion materialized opposite them. As if expecting this, Gwak Yeon calmly sat down on the cushion.
"Now that our past misunderstanding has been resolved, let us get straight to the point. I assume that would be more convenient for you as well, Fellow Daoist Gwak?"
"Yes."
Gwak Yeon now felt comfortable enough to fix her gaze on the sharp metal shard resting before Myeong-ha.
"Fellow Daoist Gwak, you know what this is, don't you?"
"...I do."
She hesitated for a brief moment, but it was truly only a moment. Gwak Yeon knew that if she feigned ignorance now, her host's newly softened disposition would instantly turn hostile again.
"Excellent. Then, would you mind telling us?"
"..."
Gwak Yeon stared down at the teacup that had appeared before her, lost in thought. But that, too, was brief. The moment she had resolved to return here, her mind had been made up.
"It is a key."
The smile on Myeong-ha's lips deepened. Jekyeong, who was sipping his spirit wine, also relaxed his expression slightly.
"The key to a seal."
Myeong-ha nodded silently, urging her to continue.
"You must have already guessed as much, Fellow Daoist Myeong-ha."