Whispers of the Sacred Bloodline
"Hyeongu."
"Yes, Dragon Lord."
"See if you can lay down a formation. Prioritize the Lost Track Array or the Cloud and Mist Array."
"Understood."
Hyeongu climbed down from Bigu's back and began inspecting their surroundings. Meanwhile, Muk-su took it upon itself to direct Bigu toward a sunny spot.
The aquatic demons followed Hyeongu, some measuring the topography of the land while others patrolled the waters to ensure everything was secure.
The humans scoured the island, checking every nook and cranny for anything of value. Though Jekyeong had skimmed the area during his previous visit, it had been a cursory glance at best; there was no telling what they might have missed.
"Dragon Lord. The flow of spiritual energy here is highly unstable, making it difficult to establish a formation. However, if you were to lend your hand..."
"Very well."
A moment later, Jekyeong set out to assist with the formation, followed by Hyeongu, who bowed his head apologetically. As Jekyeong used his immense monster power to suppress and stabilize the chaotic flow of spiritual energy, Hyeongu swiftly arranged the formation flags and activated the array.
"Your monster power is grand enough to shake the heavens, Dragon Lord!"
Hyeongu poured out flattery, his eyes shining. In truth, it was not mere sycophancy, but admiration straight from the heart. When Hyeongu had tried on his own, no amount of effort could stabilize the spiritual energy. Yet Jekyeong had not merely stabilized it—he had completely suppressed and halted the flow itself. It was only natural for the turtle demon to be struck with awe.
"Is this all?"
"Yes. I plan to deploy the Cloud and Mist Array on the outer perimeter and the Lost Track Array within it. While we cannot expect much in terms of direct defensive capabilities, this will at least keep out any unwanted pests."
"Hmph."
Jekyeong grunted in satisfaction. That was exactly what he had expected. If an enemy invaded with absolute determination, no ordinary formation would hold them back anyway. What he wanted for now was a simple barrier to deter casual intruders, just as Hyeongu had suggested. Anything more would require a proper Island Protecting Grand Array, which demanded thorough preparation.
"We need a Spirit Gathering Array. A proper one, far superior to the one we laid before."
At Jekyeong's words, Hyeongu scratched his head, looking troubled.
"Dragon Lord, the spiritual energy here is far stronger and more violent than on Heukgyo Island. To establish a Spirit Gathering Array in such a place, we will need formation flags that are much sturdier and more powerful than before."
"Obtain them if they are needed."
While everyone was busy moving about, Muk-su was the first to finish its "work." The creature settled on an island of decent size. Though the terrain had originally been flat, Muk-su had ordered the aquatic demons to pile up earth into a small hill, upon which it finally took root.
"Muk-su! Is it good? Is it good?"
"Mm. Not bad."
Cheongo, who had been leisurely flying around and watching, landed on the branch of the newly rooted Muk-su.
Whoosh! Muk-su whipped a branch and tossed a spiritual fruit. Bigu, who had been drooling and wagging his tail just off the shore, opened his massive maw and swallowed the fruit in one gulp, as if he had been waiting for this exact moment.
"Me too! Me too!"
Seeing this, Cheongo whined, prompting Muk-su to flick another branch and toss a spiritual fruit its way.
Catch! Instantly transforming into a young child, Cheongo caught the spiritual fruit with both hands and began nibbling on it like a little mouse.
Things That Have Changed
The chaotic spiritual energy of the Seongya Archipelago was a natural barrier in its own right. With the Cloud and Mist Array and the Lost Track Array now layered on top, their safety was reasonably assured—unless they faced a Core Formation cultivator bent on breaking in, or some fool who managed to stumble inside by sheer, absurd luck.
Jekyeong patiently moved alongside Hyeongu, suppressing the wild, turbulent currents of spiritual energy whenever requested. A task that required Hyeongu's utmost effort was a simple matter for Jekyeong, requiring only a fraction of his strength.
"It is complete!"
Hyeongu wiped the sweat from his smooth, bald head after placing the final formation flag and checking the array several times. Through his frequent interactions with humans for various matters, he had naturally adopted these human-like habits. Even now, he didn't stop to consider whether the moisture on his brow was actual sweat or merely stray droplets of water.
"What happens when the flow of spiritual energy returns? Will it cause any issues with the formation?"
"It will be fine, Dragon Lord. Once the formation is fully established, even if the spiritual energy becomes violent again, the array will not be damaged. In fact, it might even gain a few unexpected advantages from the turbulence."
"As long as there are no issues, that is fine."
Although Jekyeong valued the various cultivation arts of the human race, his understanding of formations remained at a rudimentary level. While he acknowledged their utility, he had never felt the need to study and master them himself.
Formations were one of the representative cultivation arts of humanity, but they differed from other arts like alchemy. Unlike alchemy, which enjoyed constant demand for cultivation and other purposes, a formation was usually a one-time installation. Furthermore, one did not need to become a formation master to set one up; it was easy enough to simply purchase the necessary formation flags. Unless one had a particular passion for the Dao of Formations, few chose to delve deeply into the subject, and Jekyeong was no exception.
Moreover, Jekyeong had a reliable subordinate like Hyeongu. The turtle demon possessed both a natural talent for formations and an enviable passion for the craft, making him more than capable of fulfilling any of Jekyeong's demands.
"Dragon Lord. As for the Spirit Gathering Array, as I mentioned before, we require sturdier formation flags. To achieve that, the flags will inevitably have to be much larger."
"That does not matter. As long as the formation can be established, the rest is of no concern."
"Understood."
Hyeongu scurried around the island Jekyeong had claimed, observing the flow of spiritual energy and studying the terrain. If he wanted to do a mediocre job, simply placing and connecting the flags would suffice, but Hyeongu refused to settle for that. To showcase the absolute peak of his abilities, he meticulously surveyed the entire island, checking if there was even a single detail he might have overlooked.
Hyeongu's diligence earned Jekyeong's trust once more, gaining him a few silent points of favor.
On a small, unremarkable island south of Jaseong Island, a turtle and a man stood facing each other.
"The Dragon Lord requires these items."
"Hmm."
Han Cheongyu nodded as he reviewed the contents written on the bamboo scroll. As always, he did not ask why. The youth of his past was entirely gone, replaced by the mature, weathered appearance of a mid Foundation Establishment cultivator, but Han Cheongyu was still the same Han Cheongyu.
"You aren't going to ask why?"
"If there is something I need to know, you will tell me."
Though they belonged to different races, they both served the same master and had known each other for a long time. Through years of interaction, they had built a deep mutual understanding and rapport. While their bond was not grand enough to be called a deep friendship, it was close enough for them to share light conversation whenever they met after a long absence.
"The Dragon Lord has claimed the spiritual vein of the Seongya Archipelago."
At those words, Han Cheongyu's eyes gleamed.
"From what I know, that place is..."
"I know what you mean. But what does that matter to the Dragon Lord? Even the most violent storm falls silent with a single breath from him."
Han Cheongyu nodded silently. In truth, he had long found it strange that the Dragon Lord remained in the secluded Heukgyo Water Territory even after ascending to the Demon King realm. The only reason he could think of was that the Dragon Lord was quietly biding his time to consolidate his cultivation at the Demon King stage... but it seemed that quiet period had finally come to an end.
Though the Seongya Archipelago had turned into a hazardous zone, anyone who was anyone knew that a rich spiritual vein lay hidden there. Now that the Dragon Lord had boldly entered and claimed it as his own, his presence would soon be known throughout the entirety of Yangseo Lake.
No, that's not quite right.
The Dragon Lord's existence had already been widely known for a long time. If the Heukgyo Water Territory had remained peaceful, it was partly due to its remote location and lack of value, but also because of the fearsome reputation of the Black Dragon who ruled it. Thus, his claiming of the Seongya Archipelago's spiritual vein was merely adding a coat of gold to an already legendary name.
Once the news spread that the Seongya Archipelago had a new master, the world would realize that a new Demon King had truly risen in Yangseo Lake. As this thought crossed his mind, Han Cheongyu pondered how this development would affect him, but he quickly concluded that it would have little impact on his current position.
The Dragon Lord had only ever asked him to quietly build his influence and establish a foothold on Jaseong Island. The tasks assigned to him were minor errands that could easily be handled under his guise as a human cultivator, and this was unlikely to change even if the Dragon Lord began to act openly as a Demon King.
"How are things on your end?"
"The same as always."
For decades, Han Cheongyu had worked as a demon hunter on Jaseong Island, gradually expanding his influence. Since he was a highly skilled Foundation Establishment cultivator—even when compared to rogue cultivators and those from prominent sects—and still relatively young, he had naturally earned a reputation among the local demon hunters. Had he wished, he could have easily become one of the most famous figures on Jaseong Island by now.
However, following the Dragon Lord's orders, he had expanded his influence with utmost caution. As a result, he had now become the leader of a sizable band of demon hunters.
Those in the know fully recognized Han Cheongyu as a true powerhouse. Not only was his cultivation formidable, but his skills as a demon hunter were also exceptional. What they did not know, however, was that his legendary hunting prowess was somewhat exaggerated.
Many of the "major catches" he had secured over the decades had actually been set up for him by Hyeongu. Whether it was herding useless aquatic monsters his way or luring troublesome Great Demons into traps, Han Cheongyu's reputation as a master hunter had been heavily bolstered by Hyeongu's covert assistance.
Of course, this did not mean Han Cheongyu's actual abilities were lacking. He was, after all, a highly capable Foundation Establishment cultivator with extensive experience hunting demon beasts, placing him well within the upper echelon of demon hunters. It was simply that his glittering achievements had been slightly inflated.
"Didn't you say a massive influx of outsiders had arrived? Like a pack of jackals?"
"Yes. But they have no interest in someone like me. I am merely a demon hunter, and my work is what lines their pockets. The opponents they have to fight are entirely different."
The conflict between rogue cultivators and the prominent sects had long since become a chronic issue, yet they still needed each other. This was especially true on Jaseong Island. Demon hunters needed clients to buy their prey with spirit stones, and the wealthy sects were their prime customers.
When the friction between rogue cultivators and the sects had previously swept through like a raging storm, many demon hunters on Jaseong Island had jumped on the bandwagon to raise their voices. But storms always pass. As time went on, those who had spoken out the loudest were naturally weeded out of the trade. Some vanished without a trace, others met with unfortunate accidents, and many more were forced out of the profession for various other reasons.
Han Cheongyu had kept his distance from the chaos back then. He had quietly continued hunting demon beasts, earning his spirit stones honestly. Though a few had mocked him for lacking spine, he had never bothered to argue. When a few brainless fools went beyond words and tried to pick a fight, he had thoroughly crushed them with sheer strength. After that happened once or twice, the petty provocations naturally ceased.
When the dust finally settled and everything returned to normal, Han Cheongyu naturally found himself as one of the leaders among Jaseong Island's demon hunters. No one found it odd. He possessed both the strength and the experience, so his rise in status seemed entirely natural in their eyes.
To them, Han Cheongyu was a seeker of the Dao—highly skilled, yet entirely indifferent to fame and fortune. They believed that if he had been born into a prominent sect, he would have long since secluded himself deep within a cave, fasting and pursuing the highest realms of immortality.
In their minds, Han Cheongyu was a man pushed into the spotlight against his will. He did not seek fame, nor did he wish to lead, but his outstanding strength and character naturally drew people to him, forcing him to take up the mantle of leadership. Yes, everyone believed this without a shadow of a doubt.
"The Dragon Lord is highly pleased with your resourcefulness."
Hyeongu pulled out a storage ring as if he had just remembered it and handed it to Han Cheongyu. Han Cheongyu caught it deftly and asked,
"Does the Dragon Lord have other plans?"
"Well, how could a mere turtle like me fathom the profound will of the Dragon Lord?"
Hyeongu spoke humbly, but after a brief hesitation, he added a few more words.
"However... though I cannot fathom the Dragon Lord's plans, I can at least comprehend the ways of the world."
"What do you mean by that?"
"Even if a tree wishes to remain still, the wind will inevitably shake its branches and leaves."
"Are you saying the humans won't welcome the emergence of a new Demon King? But we already had the example of the Simjeon Demon King. Now that he is gone, isn't this just one taking the place of another?"
Hyeongu shook his head at Han Cheongyu's question.
"You cannot compare the Dragon Lord to the Simjeon Demon King. The Simjeon Demon King was a mere ordinary Demon King, but our Dragon Lord belongs to the noble Sacred Race."
Han Cheongyu finally understood, yet he could not entirely dispel his doubts.
"Does that make such a big difference?"
"You are a human, and your horizons are narrow. That is why you do not understand the weight of the Sacred Race. Now that the Dragon Lord has decided to no longer hide himself, his name will soon echo not only across Yangseo Lake but far beyond it. Naturally, this will stir up storms both great and small."
"Even so, do you truly believe the Dragon Lord would overlook something that even you are aware of?"
"Of course not," Hyeongu replied, waving his hands in a sudden panic.