A Dragon's Sovereign Right
"Humans hunt Yao, and Yao hunt humans. It is entirely natural. What is the issue?"
"Sporadic skirmishes are unavoidable. But how can you dismiss the intervention of a Core Formation cultivator so lightly? Fellow Daoist, do you intend to start a war?"
"I have no such intention, but even if I did, what of it?"
Hahou Jang narrowed his eyes, glaring at the massive Black Flood Dragon. Realizing his opponent was not joking, his expression grew even graver.
Was this a provocation? Undoubtedly. But it was a provocation backed by genuine intent. The dragon race was naturally among the most arrogant in the world, and this creature before him had recently ascended to the Demon King realm, sending his confidence soaring to the heavens. Simply put, he was a beast itching to flaunt his newly acquired power and prestige.
Damn it. Of all times, a madman like this had to appear now.
If this had happened before the great cataclysm swept through Yangseo Lake, it would have been a headache, but still manageable. Though this beast was a Flood Dragon, he had originally been a mere Great Demon who used the power of his bloodline to ascend to the Demon King realm. This meant his bloodline was not entirely pure; even if he had evolved into a Flood Dragon upon reaching the Demon King realm, his actual strength would likely not be that formidable. If so, he was not an opponent they couldn't handle. Not to mention the Gakchung Clan, the latent power of the human cultivators was nothing to scoff at. A Flood Dragon was powerful, but in the end, he was just another cultivator. If a single Gold Core cultivator could not stand against him, they could simply send two. Yangseo Lake was not so soft a place that a half-baked Flood Dragon could run amok as he pleased.
But.
"Fellow Daoist. Restrain yourself."
In truth, Hahou Jang wanted to strike back fiercely. However, the timing was terrible. The human race had yet to recover their vitality after the disaster decades ago, and they had no strength to spare for a feud with a lunatic like this. Of course, that did not mean he would simply bow down. There was a limit to patience, and if the opponent crossed that line with endless arrogance, he would not care about the consequences.
"I do not understand. Is this truly something to react so strongly to? When your human demon hunters crossed into our demon territories and slaughtered the Yao at will, why did you say nothing then?"
"How can you compare the two?"
"What is the difference? Is there a difference between killing a few over a long period and killing many all at once? In the end, a life is a life, and we are merely trading them equally."
Hahou Jang was left speechless. It was not because he had lost the argument, but because the situation itself was unbelievable. Was a demon—and a ferocious Flood Dragon at that—actually trying to reason with him? Though thoroughly taken aback, he quickly regained his composure as befit a Gold Core cultivator.
"That is sophistry. How can a minor squabble between children be equated to an adult raising their hand?"
"You make a fair point. Then, I must ask for your understanding. As you can see, my physical body is exceptionally robust. At times, my vital energy surges to a point where even I find it difficult to control, so I must release it periodically. Seeing how quickly you appeared, you must be somewhat aware of my past actions. It was the same then as it is now. I had no choice but to release my vital energy..."
Hahou Jang's expression stiffened. He could not tell if the beast was being sincere, but it was a fact that this was only the second time the Flood Dragon had personally intervened. Furthermore, since nothing like this had happened before, if this 'strange affliction' of surging vital energy had indeed developed after his ascension to the Demon King realm... there was a high probability that his words were true.
"...Then, are you saying you intend to repeat these massacres periodically?"
"Yes."
The air grew freezing cold. Hahou Jang's face was a mask of deep conflict. However, this display was deliberate—an act meant to drop a hint to his opponent.
"I, too, have no desire to make an enemy of the human race. So, how about this? Let us consider it a mutual exchange."
Jekyeong immediately understood Hahou Jang's hint. He was asking for a more practical price instead of ridiculous excuses, was he not? That was not difficult at all.
"Even after becoming a Demon King, I kept quiet to consolidate my cultivation. But things are different now. I shall enjoy what is rightfully mine. Once I have firmly established my territory, I will turn a blind eye to your human cultivators entering my domain to hunt."
Hahou Jang flinched. He fell into deep thought for a moment before asking to confirm,
"Then, the price we must pay is..."
"To turn a blind eye to each other. Is it not simple?"
After a brief silence, Hahou Jang nodded slowly.
"Very well."
"Excellent. Now, do you intend to linger here? I doubt this is a pleasant sight for a human to behold."
"You are correct, Fellow Daoist. I shall take my leave."
"Mmh."
Hahou Jang's figure transformed into a streak of light and vanished. Jekyeong watched him recede rapidly until he completely slipped out of his Divine Sense's range, then turned his gaze back down. Below, countless Yao and a few foreign entities were busy feasting, completely oblivious to the negotiation that had just taken place in the sky above.
The Garden of No Forgetfulness—Bul-mang-won.
Jekyeong attended the regular meeting of the Mansi Assembly. For a Core Formation Demon King to mingle with Foundation Establishment cultivators was more out of place than a fully grown adult playing among toddlers, but Jekyeong deliberately chose to do so. He did this even though he knew the cultivators of the Mansi Assembly feared him and found his presence somewhat overbearing.
However, they were soon overjoyed to see Jekyeong still addressing them as seniors and fellow Daoists just as before. And why wouldn't they be? Even if he was of the Beast Race, a Core Formation master was still a Core Formation master. Even if their interactions were confined to Bul-mang-won, associating with a Core Formation cultivator was a rare opportunity that no one in their right mind would refuse.
"Indeed, I am looking forward to it. This old man's only remaining wish is to see that boy achieve Foundation Establishment before I pass."
U Do-baek chuckled warmly as he conversed with the other members of the Mansi Assembly. Having already reached the natural limit of his lifespan, he was scraping by year after year solely on the effects of Longevity Pills. However, taking multiple Longevity Pills yielded no additional benefits, and the exact amount of time gained varied slightly from cultivator to cultivator. Even so, based on average results, U Do-baek estimated he had about five more years left to live.
It was a span of time that could be considered either short or long, and he was dedicating every moment of it to nurturing his promising grandson. In doing so, he was subtly trying to establish connections for his grandson with his companions in Bul-mang-won. He did not expect anything grand; that would be greed. The bonds between the reincarnators of Bul-mang-won were forged on the shared ground of belonging to this garden—in other words, the common denominator of living a second life.
All U Do-baek hoped for was a relationship where they could trade fairly when needed, without the fear of betrayal. The members of the Mansi Assembly did not reject his overtures, at least on the surface. Perhaps they simply wished to avoid speaking harshly to a senior facing his final days, or perhaps they genuinely found the prospect agreeable. Even Jekyeong reacted positively to U Do-baek's cautious attempts.
He was not merely playing along; he fully intended to honor U Do-baek's wishes even after the old man passed. While he would not go out of his way to look after the boy, if U Do-baek's grandson ever approached him, he was willing to at least grant him an audience. Part of this was out of respect for a senior he had known for a long time, but a larger part was for his own sake. He was following the advice he had received from Seongsu Jinin.
Seongsu Jinin, whose true name was Yu Sang, was the Gold Core cultivator who had previously introduced Yu Gon to Jekyeong. After Jekyeong ascended to the Core Formation stage, he had begun to associate with him in earnest. Although Seongsu Jinin was astonished by how rapidly Jekyeong had reached the Core Formation stage, he warmly welcomed Jekyeong's desire to build a relationship. Jekyeong had shared many conversations with him.
Unlike Yu Gon—a blunt Demon King who hated long explanations and seemed best suited to the dark, dusty corners of a room—Seongsu Jinin was highly sociable and never stingy with his assistance to those who sought it. Jekyeong had vaguely confided in him about his current predicament—namely, how he had been corrupted by Demonic Obsession during his breakthrough—and asked for his counsel. He also mentioned the advice Yu Gon had given him: the method of washing away blood with blood and enduring endlessly.
"It is not a bad method. In the end, the fundamental solution is to overcome it yourself. However, as for the specific execution... I can only call it rather extreme."
Seongsu Jinin wore a wry smile, finding Yu Gon's method too violent, though not necessarily incorrect. Although he did not say it out loud, he seemed to be clicking his tongue at such a characteristically simple and brutish beast-like approach.
"The method I recommend is to hold onto your bonds. Every single person you familiarize yourself with, converse with, and engrave upon your heart will become an anchor holding you steady against the raging winds."
Hearing those words, Jekyeong immediately thought of Cheongo. When he had been consumed by Demonic Obsession and run amok, he had not laid a single finger on the bird, despite Cheongo constantly hovering around him. When he later asked Cheongo if it hadn't been terrified, the bird had simply tilted its head and asked why it should have been.
"You might find it puzzling. But trust me. These anchors are far more powerful and useful than you think."
Seongsu Jinin spoke with an air of knowing wisdom.
"Give it a try. There is nothing to lose by trying, is there?"
"Your words are wise, Senior."
Jekyeong decided to follow Seongsu Jinin's advice. Just as the senior had said, there was nothing to lose by trying.
"Senior Mukrin."
"Hmm?"
Jekyeong turned his gaze toward the cautious voice calling out to him.
Mukrin. More precisely, the Black Scale Flood Dragon King. It was his new name—his Daoist Name. Core Formation cultivators of exceptional skill and renown often possessed Daoist Names. At least, all the seniors Jekyeong had met in Bul-mang-won so far had one. And not long ago, Jekyeong had received his own. It was a title bestowed upon him by the human cultivators of Yangseo Lake.
Perhaps the two massacres he had unleashed were deeply impressive, for they had given him quite a grand Daoist Name. As for how this freshly minted title from Yangseo Lake had already spread all the way to Bul-mang-won... one could only attribute it to Choi Ju-tang's tireless efforts. Of course, while Choi Ju-tang played his part, it was only possible because Jekyeong had tacitly permitted it. After all, it would be rather absurd for a proud Core Formation cultivator—a Flood Dragon King, no less—to continue being addressed by his common name by mere Foundation Establishment cultivators.
"Regarding what you mentioned last time... I have managed to acquire an alchemy inheritance from another world. Ah, of course, there are no missing parts. It even includes six pill recipes..."
"Not bad."
Jekyeong had informed the members of the Mansi Assembly that he was looking to acquire any and all cultivation arts and inheritances, regardless of their nature. He did not bother to explain why a member of the Beast Race was seeking human inheritances. He knew Choi Ju-tang, with his loose tongue, would handle the explanations on his behalf.
"What do you want in return?"
Though the members of the Mansi Assembly had been hesitant at first, they eventually began trading their inherited knowledge one by one. Jekyeong paid them in whatever they desired—be it spirit stones, demon beast byproducts, or spiritual herbs that were of no use to him.
"Spirit stones, please."
"Very well."
Thanks to the Yeongbu Merchant Alliance, their transactions were always swift and clean. No one doubted their credibility, nor did anyone dare complain about the rather steep commission fees. Such was the weight carried by the name of a True Lord. This applied to Foundation Establishment cultivators, and Jekyeong—who had now acquired the name of the Black Scale Flood Dragon King—was no exception.
Jekyeong scanned the six newly acquired pill recipes. Among the ingredients listed, there were far more that he did not recognize than those he did, and even the ones he knew were mostly rare and difficult to obtain, making it highly unlikely he could actually refine these pills. But that did not matter. His primary goal in collecting alchemical inheritances and recipes was to deepen his understanding and comprehension of the Dao of Alchemy, not to actually refine new pills.
Not bad.
On the whole, everything was progressing smoothly. Although unexpected problems had arisen, it was far better than being tormented by the shadow of the Malevolent God.
What I must do next is...
The absolute highest priority was, without a doubt, controlling the Demonic Obsession, but that was not a task that could be accomplished overnight. Therefore, he had to focus on his next objective: solidifying his position as a Demon King.
This place will no longer suffice.
The Heukgyo Water Territory was vast, but its spiritual energy was abysmal.