The Path of Visualization
"Lord Dragon. Is there something weighing on your mind?"
"Hmm. I am merely concerned that the Ghost Disaster might reach Jaseong Island."
"Ah?"
Hyeongu's eyes widened, and his expression quickly grew grave. "The Ghost Disaster... It is indeed a headache. Looking at the behavior of the Thousand-Faced Ghost King, the Ghost Fog seems to spread without any clear direction. We cannot say Jaseong Island is safe."
Jaseong Island was close to the demon territory. Furthermore, all the waters where the Ghost Disaster had broken out so far were located near the demon territory.
"Should we give Han Cheongyu a warning in advance?"
"...Yes."
Jekyeong pondered for a moment before accepting Hyeongu's suggestion. In truth, he had a simpler and more definitive option: directly confronting Myeong-ha and warning or demanding him not to stretch his hands toward Jaseong Island. But doing so would mean voluntarily owing Myeong-ha a favor, and it would essentially reveal that there was something of value on Jaseong Island. Jekyeong had no desire to do that.
"But Lord Dragon, if the Thousand-Faced Ghost King continues to run amok so recklessly, won't either the humans or the Jansu Whale King step in soon?"
"Who knows."
Hyeongu harbored certain illusions about Core Formation cultivators. He believed they would possess a fierce pride matching their formidable cultivation. In reality, however, Core Formation cultivators were survivors who had endured countless hardships over long years to reach their current height. While their pride was indeed immense, they valued their own safety above all else.
The Jansu Whale King was the prime example of this, and the human Gold Cores were essentially the same, differing only in degree. Furthermore, they had already tasted bitter defeat once at the hands of So-byeok-ik-wang. Of course, they wouldn't think Myeong-ha was as powerful as So-byeok-ik-wang, but they would still hesitate to clash with an unknown opponent they had yet to fully grasp.
Jekyeong felt that everyone was currently engaged in a game of probing. A few powerhouses, including both humans and demons, were watching to see what kind of entity this newly appeared ghost cultivator truly was, while Myeong-ha, on his part, was constantly testing the limits of his opponents' patience.
Patience.
Who would run out of patience first? It certainly wouldn't be the Jansu Whale King. Unless the Ghost Fog directly enveloped the Whale King Palace, he would continue to play the bystander, just as he always had.
On the other hand, the humans were different. If the Ghost Fog penetrated deep into the Human Territory, the two great Gold Core sects would have no choice but to act, even if they didn't want to. They were the leaders and representatives of the human territory in Yangseo Lake, and such a status carried responsibilities alongside authority.
Thus, if the human territory fell into crisis, they had to step forward. Even if they didn't risk the very survival of their sects, they would at least make a serious show of intervening.
"We shall see. At least for now, it has nothing to do with us."
"Yes."
Hyeongu noticed Jekyeong's attitude toward the Thousand-Faced Ghost King and the Ghost Disaster.
Indeed, what do the affairs of the outside world have to do with Lord Dragon?
Whether it was a Ghost King or a human Gold Core, no one in Yangseo Lake would dare challenge the majesty of Lord Dragon.
"Then, I shall go to Ju-hyeong and tell him to bring the humans."
"No, take Bigu and bring them here immediately."
"Pardon? Ah, understood."
Hyeongu was momentarily taken aback but quickly obeyed.
Lord Dragon seems to value those human painters quite highly.
Though he couldn't understand why, Hyeongu put his doubts aside and executed the order as he always did.
Hyeongu returned with Bigu. The human painters and their families were carried inside Bigu's mouth, ship and all.
Jekyeong transformed into his human form to greet them. He completely concealed his aura and demonic energy, but the dozen or so painters prostrated themselves flat, not daring to raise their heads.
They had no choice. Before arriving here, Hyeongu had told them that this pale-faced man before them was the Lord Dragon of the Black Jiao Archipelago, a true Flood Dragon.
"There is no need to be so terrified. As long as you perform the tasks assigned to you well, you will not die, nor will you suffer any disadvantage."
"L-Lord Dragon... What is it that we must do?"
"Are you not all painters? Naturally, you must paint. Contemplation Paintings, that is."
The human painters flinched in unison. There was no way they hadn't considered this possibility on their way here, but hearing a terrifying Demon King command them to paint Contemplation Paintings made them panic.
"That is all I desire from you. If any among you prove their talent, I shall reward them generously. I can assist you in breaking through to the Foundation Establishment stage, and I can even look after your families."
Jekyeong looked down at the wavering painters and continued slowly.
"I do not know if you have heard, but a fair number of humans reside in my waters. They serve me with their respective talents, and I provide for them. You may find it hard to believe, but you will soon see it is the truth."
A short while later, the human painters departed for the island prepared for them.
"Make sure you look after them with care."
"Yes."
"Are you not curious? Why I place such importance on Contemplation Paintings?"
"Since it is your will, Lord Dragon, I am certain it holds great significance."
"Because it aids in cultivation."
Having already vaguely guessed as much, Hyeongu wasn't particularly surprised. What he was curious about was how looking at a painting could aid in cultivation.
"By visualizing an appropriate subject, one can partially experience an effect similar to a bloodline inheritance."
"...Pardon?"
Hyeongu's small eyes widened so much they looked ready to tear.
"You did not mishear. I have indeed seen a faint but definite effect from Contemplation Paintings. However, I do not know if this is unique to me or if other demons can enjoy the same benefit. Thus... I intend to test it."
That wasn't all. His purpose in bringing the human painters was to steadily nurture them and secure a stable supply of high-quality Contemplation Paintings. But if his demon subordinates could benefit in the process before that goal was fully realized, wouldn't that also be a good thing?
Jekyeong lightly patted the shoulder of the still-stunned Hyeongu and said,
"This could be a grand opportunity for demons like you, who can no longer rely on bloodline inheritance. Therefore, devote more of your heart to this matter."
"I-I shall do so."
Hyeongu's voice trembled. It seemed his turbulent emotions would not settle anytime soon.
The human painters were all settled on a suitable island. Hyeongu acted with even greater passion than when he managed Yeongi Island, and the reason was, of course, the few words Jekyeong had dropped.
He did not doubt in the slightest Jekyeong's words that Contemplation Paintings could aid a demon's cultivation, and even partially substitute for bloodline inheritance.
Lord Dragon is not one to speak falsehoods, nor does he have any reason to tease me with such matters.
The Lord Dragon must have discovered some profound truth within the humans' Contemplation Paintings. Perhaps, because he possessed an extraordinary comprehension, he had found the extraordinary within the ordinary.
Demons who were ordinary, or even dull-witted like himself, might gain nothing even if they looked at the same thing. That was likely why Lord Dragon had framed it as a mere possibility.
But still, wasn't it enough to hold onto hope? Perhaps the humans' Contemplation Paintings really could exert a strange, unexpected efficacy on demons.
"As Lord Dragon has already stated, your task is simple. Diligently accumulate your cultivation, and at the same time, devote your entire heart and soul to practicing the way of painting. All the cultivation resources you require will be provided without lack."
Hyeongu looked over the terrified humans and continued in an intentionally calm voice.
"Think about it. You only need to focus on your cultivation without any worries. Could you do that when you were in the Human Territory? You kept your eyes wide open just to earn a single spirit stone, and even when you held it in your hands, you couldn't sleep properly out of anxiety, could you? Compared to that, is this place not a grotto-heaven and a blessed land?"
Hyeongu skillfully eased their wariness and anxiety with his eloquent speech. Having picked up quite a few stories about the Human Territory through Han Cheongyu and Ju-hyeong, he knew exactly how to win them over.
This should do.
The men, who had looked like half-corpses at first, were now breathing more naturally and casting their eyes about.
"Seeing once is better than hearing a hundred times. You will soon realize that coming here was the greatest fortune of your lives."
He hadn't expected to win them over completely in one go. Today's progress was more than enough.
And it's not as if I lied.
Indeed, it was true. What he felt after hearing various stories about the Human Territory was that, in the end, the Human Territory and the Demon Territory were exactly the same. Ultimately, because it was a place where cultivators lived, they had to compete to survive, and compete even harder to advance. As long as they drew breath, every moment was the center of a battlefield, large or small.
Compared to that, how fortunate was their current situation? Unlike the Spirit Blacksmiths, they didn't even need to burn their lifespans. To simply sit, cultivate, and paint—where else could one find such a blessed fate?
If other humans in the Human Territory, or the countless low-level water beasts out there, were to find out, their eyes would surely turn green with envy.
A ship, neither too large nor too small, glided smoothly over the calm water. At the bow stood Han Cheongyu, his hands clasped behind his back, alongside a woman in a white Daoist robe.
"Is that the place?"
"It is."
Looking at the thick mist in the distance, Han Cheongyu replied softly. His heart was not as calm as his outward appearance suggested. He maintained an expressionless face because he couldn't show weakness in front of his anxious Dao companion, but in truth, he was also slightly tense.
How long had it been? He had seen Lord Dragon when the latter visited him directly, but this was the first time he had come on his own accord since he had left Heukgyodo all those years ago.
The thought of visiting him again at the new Heukgyodo made his chest feel slightly tight.
Han Cheongyu knew what that feeling was. It was a mixture of slight unease and fear.
"He's here."
His widely spread Divine Sense captured a massive presence approaching them. A few breaths later, his Dao companion Yeon-su also noticed, and her face stiffened.
"There is no need to worry. It is the one sent to guide us."
He had heard from Hyeongu that his mischievous son had finally started earning his keep after being assigned to patrol duty.
Crash!
A massive spray of water erupted. From the water rising so high it seemed to touch the sky, an equally colossal figure emerged.
A body so massive it could be mistaken for an island. A shell that occupied most of that body. And a head peeking out from the front.
"Ugh!"
On the swaying ship, the crew members, overwhelmed by the pressure of a Great Demon, collapsed or barely held on, clutching their trembling legs.
"Bigu. It has been a long time."
"Yeah. Why are you here?"
When Han Cheongyu resided on Heukgyodo, he hadn't interacted much with Hyeongu, and naturally, he had never spoken to Bigu separately. However, as fellow subordinates of Lord Dragon, they were aware of each other's existence. Having caught glimpses of each other in passing, they wouldn't fail to recognize one another after a long time.
"Lord Dragon summoned me. Have you not heard?"
"Uh... Did he? I think I might have."
Bigu hesitated for a moment, then scanned the human woman and the crew members behind Han Cheongyu.
"Hmm. Follow me."
Turning around, Bigu leisurely swam forward. Han Cheongyu signaled his subordinates to follow. Although Bigu seemed to be moving slowly, it was merely an illusion caused by his massive size; his actual speed was by no means slow.