A Choice of Kings
"If it's one of the two, I'd wager on the former. I highly doubt they possess that kind of grand vision."
"One cannot be so certain," Myeong-ha replied. "When people grow desperate, they tend to sharpen their focus."
"...Perhaps."
Jekyeong sipped his Spirit Wine and fell silent. Since Myeong-ha was the one who had sought him out, Jekyeong felt no need to initiate the conversation. Even if it was nothing more than a superficial gesture, it was a clear statement of his stance.
"Fellow Daoist, the time is ripe. Public sentiment has never been more unsettled. Now is the perfect moment to light the fuse."
The flat, monotonous voice of the Lost-Soul Puppet sounded exceptionally sinister. Listening to him go on about the human territory and the human race, calculating the perfect timing, made him look like a consummate conspirator.
Then again, he is a conspirator.
Actually, on second thought, there was no need to even debate it. Not that he was trying to defend Myeong-ha, but in the grand scheme of cultivation, who wasn't a conspirator? Countless cultivators would stab someone in the back for a single spirit stone or betray their own flesh and blood for a single treasure. The only difference was that while they plotted against a handful of individuals, Myeong-ha was scheming against an entire race of a cultivation world.
"What is the plan? How do you want me to help?"
"I do not require your immediate assistance, Fellow Daoist. A matter of this scale must not be rushed. For now, I simply wished to share the situation with you."
Jekyeong unconsciously scanned the Lost-Soul Puppet once more. Then, with a smirk, he spoke.
"It has been well over a decade since we first went into business together. Yet, only now does it feel like we are truly partners."
"Haha. I understand what you mean. It is likely because our lives are now bound as one."
Though the laughter squeezed from the monotonous voice sounded incredibly awkward, Jekyeong could practically picture Myeong-ha smiling at the top of the stone tower on Haeyeon Island at this very moment.
"As you said, this is a monumental undertaking. I know you won't act recklessly, but we must still proceed with the utmost caution."
"Of course. I am well aware."
Following Myeong-ha's visit, Jekyeong immediately made his way to Bul-mang-won. His goal was to meet his friendly senior, Yu Gon. In truth, he had wanted to seek him out much sooner, but he had held back, fearing that pestering him too frequently in such a short span would exhaust the good-natured senior's patience. However, since more than half a year had passed, he figured he could shamelessly brazen it out once more.
"You cheeky bastard."
Yu Gon's greeting was far more intense than Jekyeong had anticipated. Was half a year not enough? Then again, for a Demon King with a lifespan spanning thousands of years, six months might have been far too brief a time to regain his peace of mind. Jekyeong regretted not being more patient, but the milk was already spilled. Since it had come to this, he had no choice but to double down on his shamelessness.
"Senior, thanks to your guidance last time, I barely managed to find a path to survival."
Before Yu Gon could truly lose his temper, Jekyeong quickly launched into a detailed explanation of everything that had transpired. He knew that this senior, who loved shutting himself away in this quiet place, actually had a weakness for interesting gossip. Thus, Jekyeong dramatized and exaggerated his recent exploits as much as possible. Fortunately, his desperate efforts paid off. Yu Gon, who had initially looked ready to kick him out or perhaps do something even harsher, hesitated before gradually suppressing his overbearing aura.
"So... you and that half-demon brat are planning to stir up trouble in the human territory?"
"Yes, Senior. We have no other choice. Although he is the one targeted by Docheol, he claims that my fate is bound to his. I couldn't tell if it was an empty threat or not, so I had no choice but to play along for now."
"Hmm. I suppose you didn't."
"Senior, do you think his words are true? If I refuse to work for Docheol, will he truly punish me?"
"Hmm. Well, who knows? There is no way to be sure."
When Yu Gon offered such a deflating response after a brief moment of contemplation, Jekyeong felt a wave of disappointment. Sensing Jekyeong's dismay, Yu Gon continued in a gruff tone.
"I'm not just brushing you off; it truly is impossible to know. Logically speaking, nothing should happen. Malevolent Gods are powerful, but there is a fundamental limit to the power they can project into a stable world. Once they interfere, the Heavenly Dao will reject them even more fiercely. Unless he is exceptionally motivated, he won't rashly stretch out his hand. However... those known as Malevolent Gods are not sane. At least, by our standards, they are completely mad. So, it wouldn't be surprising if he did something that defies all common sense."
Yu Gon's words struck at the very heart of Jekyeong's anxiety. That was the crux of the problem: the sheer unpredictability. Logically, there was no reason for Docheol to spare a single thought for an ant like him. But that logic belonged to ordinary cultivators, and "sparing a thought" was also defined by ordinary standards. Compared to a Malevolent God, an ordinary cultivator was less than an ant. How could one possibly fathom the methods of a god?
"My advice is to keep a low profile and build your strength for now. Once you reach the Core Formation stage, even Docheol won't be able to easily lay a hand on you. Of course, if he is absolutely determined, he could still do it, but the price he would have to pay would be vastly greater."
"I will engrave your advice upon my heart, Senior. Thank you."
In the end, he had come full circle.
Still, this isn't bad. Once I reach the Core Formation stage, even a Malevolent God will find it burdensome to interfere with me.
Had anyone else said this, he would have been skeptical. After all, Jekyeong knew all too well what kind of miserable end the Demon King Jegu had met seven thousand years ago. But the one speaking was none other than Yu Gon. He seemed to possess a deep understanding of Malevolent Gods, and while he disliked Docheol, he did not seem to fear him. Since Yu Gon had no reason to deceive him, Jekyeong chose to believe his words.
It seems I have yet another reason to form my core.
Nothing had fundamentally changed. However, having gained a clearer grasp of reality and dispelled some of the uncertainty surrounding his future, this trip to Bul-mang-won had been well worth it.
"Get lost!"
Promptly kicked out by Yu Gon, whose social anxiety had flared up again, Jekyeong departed Bul-mang-won and opened his eyes in the deepest chamber of the Black Cult Palace.
"Hyeongu."
"Yes, Lord Dragon."
Hyeongu, who had been waiting, scurried over and prostrated himself.
"There is something you must do."
Myeong-ha had said he wouldn't need to borrow his strength for the time being. This meant Jekyeong would have some free time to himself for a while.
"How are the movements of the Yojeong?"
"They have quieted down again. It seems the weather anomalies Lord Dragon caused during your secluded cultivation have put them on high alert."
Hyeongu flattered Jekyeong with subtle praise. While blatant flattery only invited scowls, this cunning turtle's adulation was as natural as breathing, leaving Jekyeong with no sense of aversion whatsoever.
"Is that so?"
The Yojeong, originally established by the Shimjeon Beast King Mu-ara, had now essentially become the private property of the Heumwon clan. This transition had brought about numerous changes both within and outside the court, one of the most prominent being their attitude toward outsiders. Previously, Jekyeong's relationship with the Yojeong had not been bad. Aside from a brief skirmish with that mad dog, Ha Yuseong, their interactions had been generally smooth. Jekyeong had raised no rebellion against the Yojeong, and they, in turn, had tacitly recognized his domain, never setting foot near the Heukgyo Water Territory.
However, once the Heumwon clan made their full-scale entry into Yang-seo-ho and seized control of the Yojeong in the blink of an eye, this dynamic shifted instantly. While they did not show outright hostility toward Jekyeong, the tacit recognition and respect of the past vanished. A prime example occurred while Jekyeong was away in the Secret Realm; a few lowlifes had appeared, loitering near the borders of his water territory. Although they retreated quietly after Hyeongu issued a warning, they continued to show their faces several times afterward. It was, without a doubt, a blatant attempt to test his boundaries.
"They are like mere flies. They will poke their heads in whenever Lord Dragon is absent, but they dare not draw near as long as you are here."
Beneath his flattery, Hyeongu concealed earnest concern and advice. Though he spoke as if those pests were insignificant and unworthy of attention, the true target of his warning was not those fly-like lackeys, but the Yojeong backing them. Hyeongu was likely worried that Jekyeong might lose his temper and clash head-on with the Yojeong.
Do I really look that reckless?
Jekyeong smiled bitterly to himself. Naturally, he had no intention of colliding with the Yojeong. To put it coldly, he didn't even have the luxury to do so. If even the weakest Demon King of the Heumwon clan stepped forward, Jekyeong would have no choice but to flee. What clash could there possibly be? Yet, he couldn't just grovel in advance either. Until they actually clashed, he had to bark fiercely, acting as if he did not fear them in the slightest. This aligned with the persona of the ferocious Gyoryong he had been portraying, and projecting such strength would force the Yojeong to think twice before attempting to lay a hand on him.
"What are the Yojeong's movements like?"
"They continue to squirm. At this point, they don't even seem to care about hiding it."
The Yojeong was not targeting him specifically. Rather, they had their eyes on every corner of the demon territory that did not fall under the direct influence of the Gyeongwang Palace. This was an inevitable outcome. The Heumwon clan had entered Yang-seo-ho in droves and integrated themselves into the minor faction of the Yojeong. Originally, the demon territory of Yang-seo-ho was ruled solely by the Jansu Whale King, but now, at least five Demon Kings were huddled together in a territory that had shrunk even further than before.
The only reason things hadn't exploded yet was purely due to external pressure. Now that the war was over, the post-war tension had eased to some extent, and the human race was preoccupied with the commotion surrounding the Secret Realm, the Heumwon clan's patience had finally reached its limit.
How incredibly annoying.
Acting as Docheol's lackey was already enough to turn his hair white, and now he had to worry about these half-bug, half-bird nuisances. If he could, he would have loved to march straight into the Yojeong and burn them all to ashes. Of course, that was merely a passing wish. Jekyeong had always strived to face reality with cold rationality, and now was no exception.
The Yojeong's patience may be wearing thin, but the situation isn't entirely terrible yet.
The Heukgyo Water Territory was the remotest of backwaters. The Heumwon clan wouldn't bother starting with such an insignificant place, meaning their first clash would be with Gyeongwang Palace, not him.
The Jansu Whale King is no fool. He must have known this day would come.
He had likely compromised despite knowing this, simply because the Heumwon clan's power was too immense for a single individual to handle. Yet, the fact that he had only compromised and not outright submitted to them meant that even that passive whale possessed the pride of a Demon King.
But now, the situation has changed.
Back then, a compromise had been possible because there was a common enemy that forced all the demons of Yang-seo-ho to unite. But now, the war was over, and the external pressure that had bound the fractured demon factions together had vanished. Faced with the undisguised greed of the Heumwon clan, the Jansu Whale King had to make a choice: resist, or submit.
This was precisely what gave Jekyeong a headache. Through his few interactions with the Jansu Whale King, he had developed his own understanding of the ruler's character, but that only made things more confusing. The Jansu Whale King was neither the majestic and ambitious leader of the Yang-seo-ho demons that some claimed him to be, nor was he the insidious, cowardly fool that others described. In Jekyeong's estimation, the Whale King was a well-rounded individual without any extreme traits. Consequently, he could be insidious if necessary, recklessly fierce if pushed, or even submissive if the situation demanded it.
It is certain that he dislikes the Heumwon clan. If there is even a slight chance of victory, he will choose to resist rather than submit.
The premise, however, was that there had to be a chance of victory. No matter how powerful the Jansu Whale King was, a single hand could not block multiple strikes, and it was highly probable that there were Demon Kings within the Heumwon clan who were even stronger than him.
I just don't know. I have no idea.
Jekyeong could not predict what stance the Jansu Whale King would adopt toward the Heumwon clan. But one thing was certain: the Heumwon clan would care far more about the Jansu Whale King than hundreds of Great Demons in the Yang-seo-ho territory. Until the Whale King made his move, the Heukgyo Water Territory would remain safe. Even so, Jekyeong could not simply sit back and hope the Whale King would hold out as long as possible. The Whale King might show some backbone and endure for years, but he could just as easily give up and become the new figurehead of the Yojeong within days.
Jekyeong traveled to Haeyeon Island to discuss the matter with Myeong-ha. Having anticipated Jekyeong's personal visit, Myeong-ha remained calm upon hearing about the Yojeong's movements and fell into deep thought.
"The Heumwon clan. They are indeed troublesome."
To plot grand designs abroad, one's home base had to be secure. Furthermore, for the sake of their business on Haeyeon Island, the Heukgyo Water Territory had to remain safe. The Yojeong's rampant behavior was detrimental to Myeong-ha as well.
"I shall look into the Heumwon clan with greater care. We must have solid intelligence before we can formulate a response."
"I will investigate as well, though I cannot say how much I will be able to uncover."
Although Jekyeong had made significant efforts, his information network was still no match for Myeong-ha's.