The Price of Satisfaction
That was why most of the young disciples of the Yeongu Sect liked this patrol duty. It didn't require much effort and only took a little bit of their time. However, So Cheonghwa did not like this mission, considering it a waste of time. He preferred missions where he could gain something, even if they required more effort. If it hadn't been for the urgent request of a senior brother he was close with, So Cheonghwa would never have taken on such a task.
"I heard the rogue cultivators have been causing a ruckus lately, but fortunately, nothing's happening on our end."
"It must be thanks to the Sect Master's prestige. Unless they have a death wish, who would dare cause trouble in our sect's territory?"
The chaos on Yubak Island showed no signs of dying down, and by now, everyone realized the gravity of the situation. The naive disciples of the Yeongu Sect were no exception. However, they believed this turmoil had nothing to do with them. Ever since they had entered the Yeongu Sect, they had lived under the shadow of their sect's prestige, looking down on the rest of the world. In this regard, everyone from the top to the bottom of the sect was exactly the same. Even those who were considered relatively sensible and intelligent could not cast aside the unique arrogance of a sect cultivator. Or perhaps, they didn't even realize they were being arrogant in the first place.
I have a bad feeling about this.
All the way back to the sect, So Cheonghwa felt uneasy. He tried to figure out why, but nothing specific came to mind. His heart sank heavily, as if he had been plagued by disturbing dreams all night. That uncomfortable sensation persisted throughout the entire day. Even when he immersed himself in cultivation to pass the time, or took occasional breaks to get some fresh air and clear his head, his condition did not improve at all.
"Phew."
Sitting cross-legged, So Cheonghwa slowly opened his eyes. He raised his head and gazed up at the silent night sky. As he finished a long, thin breath, he was finally able to forget the uncomfortable feeling that had been plaguing him.
Hmm?
Having completed another session of cultivation, focus returned to So Cheonghwa's eyes. Accordingly, his mind began to spin as quickly as usual, and he noticed something strange about the sky that had previously seemed merely beautiful.
It's not an illusion.
The sky looked exactly the same as it had before he entered his cultivation session hours ago. Even if the celestial bodies shining in their respective places could be excused, wasn't it bizarre that even the clouds adorning them hadn't changed at all for hours? Furthermore...
This is...
His heart pounded, and his mind wavered. It was uncontrollably violent.
What on earth is happening?
So Cheonghwa cautiously stepped out of his house. He opened his ears wide and sharpened his Spiritual Awareness to the utmost. Right then—
BOOM—!
A thunderous roar that seemed to shake heaven and earth erupted from deep within the sect. The moment he heard that sound, So Cheonghwa's eyes narrowed to slits.
"What is it?! What's happening?!"
"Is it an enemy?!"
Panicked disciples poured out all at once. They had rushed out reflexively, but that was all. They stared at each other in confusion, and in the meantime, the thunderous roar echoed three more times in rapid succession. It also came from deep within the sect, and at the very end, a fierce storm arose, sending a gust of wind sweeping all the way to this distant spot.
It's demonic energy.
Within the wind scratching against his skin, So Cheonghwa detected a faint trace of demonic energy.
Has the Beast Race invaded?
But for that to be the case, something was strange. The commotion had started from the inside, not at the sect's entrance. The inner area of the sect was where the Sect Master and a few high-ranking figures resided...
"What should we do?" The anxious voices of his fellow disciples interrupted his thoughts. So Cheonghwa frowned as he watched them grow visibly more distressed.
Something is wrong.
It was understandable that those with low cultivation and little experience would feel anxious in a sudden crisis. But there was a limit. It was only a few loud noises, yet their voices were trembling as if a mighty enemy had appeared right before their eyes. Such a reaction... was abnormal.
BOOM—! Another roar echoed. And at the spectacle of a yellow light that could be recognized at a glance even from afar, So Cheonghwa's eyes shook.
Thud! The body of the flung cultivator crashed heavily to the ground. Jekyeong immediately kicked off the earth and leaped into the air. Even while coughing up blood, his opponent reacted, swinging a claw-like hand, but the bracelet glowing on his wrist could not keep up with its master. Its light fading and cracks spreading across its surface, the artifact had already reached its limit.
CRACK! Jekyeong stomped in midair. An invisible shockwave pressed down on his opponent, and the barrier woven from Dharma Power tore like paper before his foot.
"Cough!" The ground caved in, burying the cultivator's body deep within.
"Do not kill him." At the telepathic transmission striking his ears, Jekyeong curled his lips.
"I know."
"His aura has grown so faint it feels as though it might snap. Surely you haven't crippled him?"
"He's fine, so don't worry."
He might have suffered some internal injuries, but his limbs were all intact, and his spiritual nature wasn't heavily damaged either, so this could be considered perfectly fine.
"Do not forget. We need a living sacrifice."
"I know."
Jekyeong pulled his opponent out from deep within the ground. Was his name Seok Ya-jung? His skills were quite decent. At the very least, he lived up to his reputation.
"What about the rest?"
"They're all small fry, so let's proceed as originally planned."
"Hmm."
Jekyeong slung Seok Ya-jung over his shoulder and left the scene. Rising silently into the air, he briefly looked down at the Yeongu Sect, which was slowly being swallowed by darkness, before turning away.
"You worked hard."
"Yeah. I certainly did."
Jekyeong did not hide his displeasure. When they had first set foot on Yubak Island, this fellow Seok Ya-jung was not their target. Touching someone so strong and famous risked drawing unnecessary attention. That was why Myeong-ha had gathered information early on and carefully selected their targets—those whose cultivation was at the Foundation Establishment stage or higher, but whose disappearance amidst the chaos would not cause too much of a stir.
After meticulously reviewing the list Myeong-ha had prepared, Jekyeong had judged that the task would not be difficult and the risk would not be high, so he had agreed to cooperate. In fact, everything had gone as smoothly as he had anticipated. Cultivators in the early Foundation Establishment stage, or those in the mid-stage who were too old to display their original strength, were no match for him. When he approached them stealthily and launched a surprise attack, most of them were subdued without even being able to block a single move.
But at the very end, Myeong-ha had suddenly put on a troubled face, claiming that this wouldn't be enough and suggesting they add one more person. That person was the Sect Master of the Yeongu Sect, Seok Ya-jung. Naturally, Jekyeong had objected. Though not as thoroughly as Myeong-ha, Jekyeong had also done his own research on Yubak Island and knew that Seok Ya-jung was one of its prominent figures.
"Fellow Daoist. As you have seen, Taotie is a being completely divorced from the concept of generosity. Offering a sacrifice to him means we must satisfy him. If we fail to do so..."
As Myeong-ha's borderline-unreasonable persuasion continued, Jekyeong became certain. This bastard had targeted Seok Ya-jung from the very beginning; he had simply left him off the list. It was truly disgusting how he had kept his mouth shut while they were in the middle of the work, only to cling to him and suggest "just one more job" right when they were about to pack up and leave.
Yet, it was also awkward to wash his hands of it and leave now. If nothing else, it was an undeniable fact that once a sacrifice was offered to Taotie, he had to be satisfied. And since Myeong-ha would know better than anyone whether the sacrifices would satisfy Taotie, seeing him play such a ridiculous trick made Jekyeong think that perhaps he really had no other choice.
"I'm warning you. This is the first and last time. If you pull a stunt like this again... don't blame me for being heartless."
"I will keep that in mind."
After delivering his warning to Myeong-ha, Jekyeong had infiltrated the Yeongu Sect with an uneasy mind. In truth, calling it an infiltration was generous; it was more like he had simply laid his spoon down on a table that Myeong-ha had already thoroughly set.
"Impressive."
The Sect Master of the Yeongu Sect certainly lived up to his name. Not only did he notice Jekyeong's stealthy approach, but he even managed to exchange a few blows. This was quite admirable. Leaving aside the difference in their cultivation realms, Jekyeong had rough information about Seok Ya-jung, whereas Seok Ya-jung knew absolutely nothing about him. Seok Ya-jung had reacted thinking Jekyeong was an ordinary cultivator, only to allow a lightning-fast punch, at which point the battle quickly tilted. Even in that state, he had managed to exchange a few more blows, proving he was indeed worthy of his reputation.
"Mmm. A clean job as expected." Myeong-ha, who had been waiting in advance, checked the condition of Seok Ya-jung, who was carried like a piece of luggage in Jekyeong's hand, and nodded in satisfaction.
"Let's go."
"Is that necessary? Why not do it right here?"
"I would like to, but... I'm not confident yet."
Myeong-ha explained that he was worried about leaving traces if they performed the ritual on Yubak Island. Since it was a reasonable concern, Jekyeong agreed. The boat carrying them glided smoothly through the water. Neither the cultivators of Yubak Island guarding the gateway nor the boats passing right beside them noticed their presence. The sight of a featureless boat slipping smoothly through the crowded gateway was so natural that it was actually unnatural, yet not a single soul sensed anything amiss.
On a small uninhabited island not far from Haeyeon Island, Jekyeong watched Myeong-ha setting up a formation and turned around.
"Are you leaving?"
"What is the point of staying any longer?"
"This sacrifice will be more than enough, so Taotie will be satisfied. Perhaps he might even bestow a reward."
"I have no interest."
It wasn't just a lack of interest; he actively did not want it. If he could snap Myeong-ha's neck right now and sever his karma with Taotie, Jekyeong was prepared to act without a moment's hesitation.
"I understand. Have a safe journey." Seeing Jekyeong's icy attitude, Myeong-ha tactfully shut his mouth. Normally, he would have used his silver tongue to soothe him, but not now. His business partner was rational and highly patient, but in the end, he was still a member of the Beast Race. Furthermore, he was a Flood Dragon, renowned for their fierce temperaments and arrogance. If Myeong-ha ran his mouth needlessly now, he might end up facing a grim fate.