Symptoms of Chaos
The symptoms varied wildly. Some suffered nothing more than mild headaches and fatigue, while others were bedridden as if struck by a terminal illness, with more than a few succumbing to death within days. Still others grew violent and wild-tempered, eventually running amok as if possessed by inner demons.
Around that time, several factions, including the Cultivator Alliance, solidified their suspicions into certainty.
"It is a grudge."
"The Simjeon Demon King. The resentment he left behind at his death has spread even into the Human Territory."
"This current commotion is a matter that will resolve itself naturally with time."
"So the Simjeon Demon King is dead. Good riddance."
Before long, even the cultivators of minor sects and clans, as well as rogue cultivators, arrived at the same conclusion.
The Simjeon Demon King was dead. But who had killed him? Into whose hands had the opportunity for Core Formation fallen?
"It seems neither the Golden Core cultivators nor any other Core Formation experts made a move. If so..."
Naturally, suspicion fell on the Foundation Establishment cultivators who had set out earlier, but it was soon revealed that not a single one of them had returned.
While there was a possibility that someone had plucked the final fruit and was secretly digesting the opportunity in hiding, most believed it far more likely that the Simjeon Demon King and the swarming Foundation Establishment cultivators had ended in mutual destruction.
Whether they truly believe that or are just hoping it's true... Well, either way is fine by me.
Ju-hyeong, his complexion pale and haggard, let out a satisfied chuckle. It was gratifying that things were going well, but the price of his carelessness was bitter. He had never imagined the Demon King's lingering resentment would be this virulent.
He had gone to sleep in high spirits, pleased with how smoothly the plan was unfolding. Yet, when he opened his eyes, his chest felt suffocatingly tight. It was only after vomiting a pool of black blood that he realized he had suffered internal injuries. Having never been struck, he was deeply bewildered by this bizarre affliction.
Only later did he realize this was a curse of sorts, born of the lingering resentment. To resolve it immediately, he would either need to seek a curse-breaker or have a Core Formation cultivator intervene. Since neither option was available to him, he had no choice but to endure it.
Because the curse left by the resentment was not targeted but widely dispersed, it would naturally dissipate over time.
Still... the effects are almost too good.
Forced into the role of a bystander while recovering, he was able to observe the situation with calm objectivity. The humans catching the scent and swarming the Simjeon Demon King, leading to the Demon King's eventual demise—everything up to that point had gone exactly as he had originally planned.
But what followed... far exceeded his expectations. While anyone could have thought of the Demon King's remains or the unclaimed opportunity for Core Formation, the speed and intensity with which those thoughts morphed into rumors and spread was almost alarming. It felt as though someone was behind the scenes, vigorously fanning the flames.
...No matter. There's no need to overthink it.
In any case, he had executed his assigned task to perfection and then some. That was enough. Cutting off his complicated thoughts, Ju-hyeong peacefully focused on his recovery.
The leaders of the two great Golden Core sects of the human race in Yangseo Lake met in person to discuss the recent commotion.
"This is highly unusual. Someone is playing with fire."
"And they are fanning the sparks in our direction quite vigorously."
When Hahou Jang, the Sect Master of the Geumyang Sect, spoke in a grave tone, Je Rim-so, the Sect Master of the Myeongseomun Sect, replied calmly. Yet, only his expression and voice were tranquil; the deep, sunken look in his eyes clearly revealed how seriously he viewed the situation.
"Is it really wise to let this continue?"
Je Rim-so did not answer Hahou Jang's question. Rather, he could not. He, too, lacked certainty.
When the rumors regarding the Simjeon Demon King first began to circulate, they had been skeptical, but they ultimately decided not to intervene. They reasoned that if the rumors were true, it would not be a bad thing, and if they were false, it would still be fine.
Although it was said that the human race's vitality had waned after the great battle in the Starry Night Archipelago, strictly speaking, the ones who had taken the blow were their two sects. In the end, two Grand Elders had fallen, and both Sect Masters had been severely injured, requiring decades of recuperation. The damage was incalculable.
Under such circumstances, what they feared most was not external enemies, but internal strife. The Human Territory of Yangseo Lake belonged to the Geumyang Sect and Myeongseomun. Their stance was that even if the Human Territory suffered losses and shrank, the established order must never be dismantled.
Thus, they had turned a blind eye to the various commotions, large and small, occurring within the Human Territory. They had watched with quiet satisfaction as the minor sects, clans, and rogue cultivators tore at each other's throats. How convenient it was for them to fight amongst themselves before the two great sects even had to lift a finger.
Thanks to that moderate bloodletting, the order of the Human Territory remained unchanged, and the balance was maintained. Hahou Jang and Je Rim-so believed everything was running smoothly. At least, until recently.
"It is certainly excessive now. If this continues, the entire generation of Foundation Establishment cultivators might be wiped out."
It was an exaggeration, but not a falsehood. The current number of Foundation Establishment cultivators had dwindled significantly compared to the past, with the mid-to-late stage Foundation Establishment forces reduced by more than half. Since they were the true backbone of the Foundation Establishment forces and the core of the human race, the two great Golden Core sects, who claimed dominion over the Human Territory of Yangseo Lake, could not ignore the issue.
Whipping or starving a pet dog to tame it before it could bare its teeth was a necessary and effective measure. However, one must not go so far as to let the dog die.
"Should we intervene?"
"It is already too late to intervene openly. If we step forward now, we will only draw resentment, which might be exactly what the rat in the shadows wants."
"We cannot leave things as they are. In that case... we must shake up the board."
"Do you have a plan?"
"If we step forward of our own accord, we will face resentment. But if we are dragged out by necessity, we will receive gratitude and acclaim. Besides, since the human race has shed so much blood, it is only fair that the other side sheds some as well."
Hahou Jang nodded in understanding.
"A sound plan. But what of the Jansu Whale King?"
"Would that cautious fellow act any differently this time? I am more concerned about the other side. That Black Flood Dragon... you mentioned he was someone who could be reasoned with. Do you think he will make a move?"
"Who knows? Just because he can be reasoned with doesn't mean I can read his mind."
"Then... we might as well take this opportunity to test him."
That very day, a Foundation Establishment cultivator from Myeongseomun departed the mountain gate.
"My deepest apologies, Lord Dragon. But this time, I simply could not make the decision..."
"It is fine. Bring them in."
Even though a month had not yet passed, Hyeongu had awakened him. Jekyeong had been puzzled, but upon hearing Hyeongu's explanation, he quickly grasped the situation.
"I pay my respects to the Lord Dragon."
An unexpected guest had arrived. A human Foundation Establishment cultivator. Furthermore, he was an envoy sent under the direct orders of the Sect Master of Myeongseomun. Looking down at the envoy, whose complexion was pale—perhaps from the arduous journey or simply from being intimidated by his presence—Jekyeong spoke.
"Sent by the Sect Master of Myeongseomun?"
"That is correct."
"For what purpose?"
"My Sect Master wishes to meet with you in person to discuss a matter."
"Oh?"
Jekyeong's mind raced. Je Rim-so, the Sect Master of Myeongseomun. Along with Hahou Jang of the Geumyang Sect, he was one of the two giants ruling the Human Territory of Yangseo Lake. With the Grand Elders of the two Golden Core sects rarely showing themselves, these two were practically the masters of the Human Territory.
Why would such a man seek him out? Had he heard something from Hahou Jang? But if that were the case, this response was far too late.
There must be another reason.
If so, what could it be? Had they caught wind of Mu-ara's affair? Had Ju-hyeong been exposed? His thoughts tangled and knotted, complicating his mind, but the answer he had to give was clear.
"If he has business with me, tell him to come himself. I do not turn away guests."
"Lord Dragon, my Sect Master is..."
"I have no need for your words. Simply deliver mine exactly as I have spoken them."
No matter what the other party knew or what they were planning, Jekyeong's answer was set from the beginning. If they wished to meet, he would not refuse, but he had no intention of stepping outside. If there was truly something to discuss, then they must come to him.
Masking the deep wariness in his heart with arrogance and gruffness, Jekyeong declared his stance in a domineering tone.
After sending the envoy of Myeongseomun away as if chasing him out, Jekyeong resumed his meditation without much thought. He did not particularly care how Je Rim-so would react.
In the past, he might have racked his brain to appease the other party, but now, he too was a Core Formation Demon King.
And above all, Jekyeong remembered the attitude Hahou Jang, the Sect Master of the Geumyang Sect, had shown him previously. His desire to avoid conflict and compromise as much as possible was by no means an act.
If Hahou Jang was like that, would Je Rim-so be any different? Only time would tell, but Jekyeong believed that even if Ju-hyeong's actions were exposed, Je Rim-so would not dare lay a hand on him recklessly.
"Hmm?"
As he continued his meditation in peace, Jekyeong suddenly opened his eyes. Hyeongu had not awakened him. He had sensed the presence of Core Formation cultivators outside and woke naturally.
Core Formation, Golden Core cultivators. One unfamiliar presence, and one relatively familiar.
Two of them?
Jekyeong frowned. This was unexpected. He had not truly believed they would come, let alone that the two of them would arrive together.
But...
In a split second, Jekyeong organized his thoughts. At the same time, he raised his massive body and glided outward.
He had no intention of letting them set foot inside the Starry Night Archipelago. He did not want to expose Cheongo, Hyeongu, or Muk-su to them, nor did he want his modest sanctuary within the formation to be discovered.
"Grrrrrr!"
The low, rumbling growl of a dragon brought the two Golden Core cultivators, who were slowly approaching from the distance, to a halt.
"A dragon's roar," Je Rim-so murmured in admiration.
Though he had known intellectually for some time that a Flood Dragon had appeared in Yangseo Lake, only now did the reality truly sink in. To feel such a tremor in one's very soul... This did not stem from fear or excitement. It was simply the natural awe and shiver felt upon witnessing a being that any living creature was bound to look up to.
"Fellow Daoist! We meet again! Since you invited Fellow Daoist Je, I took the liberty of tagging along despite my lack of shame!"
Hahou Jang, who was already acquainted with him, stepped forward and called out. Responding to his call, the rapidly approaching Jekyeong gradually slowed his pace, stopping at a reasonable distance from them.
"How unexpected."
"Did you not say to come in person if we had something to discuss?"
"I did. But I did not expect you to actually show up. You certainly have initiative, and no shortage of courage."
His vertically slit, reddish pupils swept over the two men in turn. Though they might have felt uncomfortable or offended by such an overtly probing gaze, the two human Golden Core cultivators showed no sign of it.
Instead, they returned the favor, scanning Jekyeong's colossal form up and down with equally blatant curiosity.
Once the mutual scrutiny concluded, Je Rim-so spoke.
"We came because you told us to. In a manner of speaking, we are the guests you invited."
"No. I never invited you. I merely said that if you had something to say, you should come and say it."