The Embers of Calamity
At the center of the plateau that touched the heavens stood a colossal mountain. Faint clouds draped over its base and mid-slopes, while radiant celestial bodies brilliantly adorned the sky above. However, few could behold this mystical and beautiful sight. Those without the right would have their eyes burst and their souls shattered just by lifting their heads, while those with the right would not dare look up out of sheer terror.
In truth, it was not a mountain, but the effigy of a great entity, a sacred temple, and an altar.
"King! We have discovered traces of the Heumwon!"
At the low but powerful voice, the massive entity, which had been closing its eyes, reacted.
"Where?"
"Yangseo Lake."
"Yangseo Lake?" He fell into thought for a moment, but nothing came to mind. "Where is that?"
"A small lake south of the Buseu Forest."
"Ha! They went far."
"What shall we do?"
"What else?"
He raised his body. Gathering his folded wings and shaking them lightly, a tempest swept across the plateau, and the mist shrouding the divine statue cleared.
"They have already been designated as sacrifices, so they must naturally ascend the altar."
"But they have already established themselves. To handle this cleanly, you would either have to act personally or request the elders... but as you know, those esteemed ones..."
"They are sacrifices, so this matter is an extension of the holy war."
"The elders will not see it that way."
He felt a sudden surge of anger, but he knew his subordinate's words were not wrong. Those old fools would certainly not be cooperative. They might nod at the pretext of a holy war, but it would only be for show.
Damn old fools.
Just thinking about them made his blood boil. Far from helping even with words, they were cursed bastards who subtly interfered. If not for their quiet assistance, how could the sacrifices have escaped in the first place?
O Myeongsa. If you have eyes, look; if you have ears, hear. I run here and there for you, yet they are eager to drag me down. Shouldn't you do something for this loyal servant? Cast down divine punishment, or bestow more blessings.
He raised his head high and looked up at the divine statue. But even after a long while, no response came from the silent effigy.
He was not disappointed. He knew from experience how greedy yet indifferent gods could be.
"Tsk!"
In the end, the one who is thirsty must dig the well.
"I will go myself."
"But..."
"There are no buts. What has been started must be finished."
A majestic demonic energy vibrated through the holy land. Shortly after, a monstrous bird with three pairs of wings spread them wide and soared into the sky of Muryangae.
Between Gyeongwang Palace and Yojeong, the one closer to Jekyeong was undoubtedly Gyeongwang Palace. First of all, Gyeongwang Palace had never treated Jekyeong poorly; he had met with the Jansu Whale King in person under a good atmosphere, and Makgye, a high official, visited from time to time to maintain their friendship.
On the other hand, regarding Yojeong, Jang Yeong used to visit like Makgye did, and even earlier, they had hunted together and built a friendship, but at some point, it grew distant. On top of that, because a mad dog named Ha Yuseong had caused a massive ruckus there, on the surface, the relationship between him and Yojeong was not very good.
However, Jekyeong only harbored wariness toward Yojeong, not any particular ill will. He knew that, essentially, there was little difference between Gyeongwang Palace and Yojeong. Though he was smiling with Gyeongwang Palace now, hadn't he previously plotted with Jang Yeong to oppose them?
Relationships changed this way and that depending on the situation. There was no need to cling excessively just because they were on good terms now, nor was there any need to push them away too hard just because they had grown distant.
"Contact Jang Yeong."
"Pardon?"
Hyeongu blinked, momentarily flustered, but soon bowed his head in obedience as always. "Do you have a message to deliver to him?"
"No. Just tell him I am sending regards to a friend I haven't heard from in a while."
"Understood."
Jekyeong's calculation was simple. He was casting a fishing line. If that Demon King of Muryangae moved in any way, the Heumwon tribe would find out and react in some fashion. And if they reacted, some within Yojeong would naturally sense the change. Thus, Jekyeong felt the need to establish someone inside Yojeong with whom he could exchange words.
Perhaps... he might have an even greater use.
Jang Yeong was the son of the Simjeon Demon King, Mu-ara. Mu-ara had been the master of Yojeong before the Heumwon tribe set foot in Yangseo Lake. Although he was their representative or puppet from the beginning, looking at the subsequent atmosphere, their relationship did not seem very harmonious.
In Jekyeong's past life, there was a proverb: The mind changes between entering the latrine and leaving it. This eternal truth applied across worlds and species.
Mu-ara's status had plummeted from the master of Yojeong and representative of the Yangseo Lake demons to just another ordinary Demon King, thoroughly pushed aside by the Heumwon tribe and left out in the cold.
Could a man with the capability and deep calculation to boldly backstab the Jansu Whale King and establish Yojeong tolerate such treatment? Even if he could endure it, would he truly have no complaints? Impossible.
How would Mu-ara, who was currently suppressing his resentment, react when he realized the Heumwon tribe was a spark of calamity?
Jekyeong was curious and full of anticipation. Contacting Jang Yeong was a light measure for that. Since it was merely restoring a relationship with an estranged friend, there was nothing to lose no matter how things turned out.
"I understand. Please convey my thanks to the Dragon Lord."
"I shall do so."
After Hyeongu, the turtle Great Demon from the Heukgyo water territory, departed, Jang Yeong fell into deep thought.
What is his scheme?
After visiting Heukgyodo with Ha Yuseong and causing a massive incident, Jang Yeong thought he would never see the Black Flood Dragon again, and indeed, that had been the case. Although the Black Flood Dragon did not act hostilely toward Yojeong, the occasional exchanges they once had were completely severed.
But sending an envoy now... does he want to restore relations? Has he also felt the pressure?
The Heumwon tribe had lost their patience. They had begun expanding their influence in all directions, seemingly poised to swallow the entire demon territory whole. The Black Flood Dragon had likely sensed this unusual atmosphere and was seeking to improve relations with Yojeong through him.
Still as sharp as ever. But it is in vain.
Jang Yeong let out a hollow laugh. It was not mockery directed at the Black Flood Dragon, but self-deprecation. Although he was still the son of a Demon King and a Great Demon, such status meant nothing in the current Yojeong.
His royal father, once the master of Yojeong, had been reduced to a pitiful state, having to content himself with merely staying in the spiritual vein. With his father's backing faded, Jang Yeong's own position naturally became precarious.
Once the halo of being a Demon King's son lost its luster, he was nothing more than one of the many common Great Demons.
Most of Yojeong's key positions had gone to the Heumwon tribe, with only a few powerful individuals barely maintaining their places. Jang Yeong belonged to neither category, leaving him to spend his days sighing.
He shouldn't have to worry so much, though.
Jang Yeong thought of the Black Flood Dragon. His bloodline was extraordinary, and his strength was immense, matching even that lunatic Ha Yuseong. If he entered Yojeong, he would surely receive decent treatment. Of course, this was on the premise that he did not rebel against Yojeong and bowed his head sensibly... but the Black Flood Dragon was clever and quick-witted despite his appearance, so he would not do anything foolish.
If he joins Yojeong, I will have to bow my head every time I see him.
Reaching this thought, another sigh escaped him. Once, they had called each other fellow Daoists and maintained mutual respect. But now, he called him the Dragon Lord, and could not even dare to mistreat the envoy he sent.
Has the world changed, or have I?
A sense of emptiness and bitterness tickled his heart simultaneously.
After standing in a daze for a while, Jang Yeong finally snapped out of it and headed toward his father's palace. It had become a habit of late—visiting his royal father whenever he had time or nothing to do. Jang Yeong knew himself well. Even if it had faded, that dimming halo of his father was all he had left to show.
Deep within the Black Cult Palace.
Jekyeong was lost in thought. What he was doing now was not ordinary training, but a theoretical conceptualization of cultivation. Thus, instead of the inconvenient human form, he was comfortably coiled in his true form.
All cultivation systems are connected. Therefore, just as Qi Condensation is preparation for Foundation Establishment, Foundation Establishment must be preparation for forming the Core.
His cultivation system combined the methods of both the demon and human races. However, since demon cultivation mostly relied on bloodline, there was little he could reference from it. Consequently, he referred to the human methods.
Qi Condensation and Foundation Establishment, Foundation Establishment and Core Formation.
Absorbing the spiritual energy of heaven and earth to forge a strand of Dharma power, and condensing that Dharma power to construct a Core. The condensed Core then conceives the cultivator's Dao...
Jekyeong drew upon everything he had heard and learned, and even his own small realizations, to map out the concept.
Ultimately, the core is the Dao. But since I am already aiming for the Path of the Fire Dragon, it is safe to say that only the manifestation remains.
Speaking of manifestation, the Dharma Body he had seen in the Secret Realm came to mind. Even though it had been far away, the Dharma Body, which appeared as vivid and overwhelming as if it were right before his eyes, was undoubtedly the projection of a Golden Core cultivator's Dao.
A typical Gyoryong would walk the Path of Dragon Transformation. Their Dao would be clear. The manifestation of the Dao they pursue would be branded into their bloodline like a seal.
But he was different. Of course, he was not a Gyoryong, nor did he have a bloodline, but that was not the important part.
The dragon they conceive and the dragon I conceive are different.
Perhaps they shared only the name 'dragon' but were entirely different entities. No, they certainly were. If there were ten thousand cultivators, there were ten thousand Daos.
What I desire is longevity, which ultimately means transcendence.
For the destination of living spirits decreed by the Heavenly Dao was death. If cultivation was resistance against the heavenly laws, the pursuit of longevity was cultivation itself. A single painful past life and a terrifying death became the foundation supporting his Dao heart.
If Dharma power is a cultivator's strength and will, then the Core created by condensing it can be seen as the concentration and realization of that strength and will.
Jekyeong felt a small, brilliant bead slowly taking shape within his mind. It was a seed containing his will, obsession, and purpose. When that seed sprouted one day, he would finally become a true dragon and soar into the high heavens.
Boom!
His spiritual nature vibrated deeply. His excited mind and trembling Dao heart urged him, telling him to form the Core immediately and take another step forward.
No, not yet.
Some steps were points of no return. When there was still more to achieve and prepare, how could he abandon all of it out of a moment's impatience? He had to be cautious and cold-headed. The path of immortality held poison, and demons lurked everywhere, so he must never lower his guard at any step.
So, is this also an inner demon?
Jekyeong calmed his mind. He transformed into his human form and drank some spirit wine.
As he stood dazed and walked out of the Black Cult Palace, he happened to see Cheongo returning.
As always, the fellow was holding something shiny in its beak.