I Understand Your Concern

"I understand your concern."

Hyeongu did not hide his anxiety. It was not because Ha Yuseong's attitude was particularly rebellious, or because he deemed him untrustworthy. It was simply because his cultivation realm was at the late Great Yao stage, and his strength was among the very best ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠of all the Great Yao in Yangseo Lake. Just as one instinctively hesitates to draw near a sharp blade even when it lies still, the same was true for a powerful cultivator. To Hyeongu, a mighty Great Yao like Ha Yuseong was inherently intimidating by his mere presence. For this reason, Hyeongu had urged Jekyeong early on to bind Ha Yuseong with a Blood Contract Restriction, but Jekyeong had declined.

"It would be meaningless."

Ha Yuseong was one of the most outstanding talents among the Beast Race of Yangseo Lake. He was born with the Yaksha Bloodline, and his innate talent was extraordinary. In a way, he was similar to the former Simjeon Demon King; with just a small stroke of serendipity, it would not be surprising if he formed his core tomorrow. Even if such a being were bound by a Blood Contract Restriction, how long would its efficacy last? The only reason the fellow currently obeyed his commands so submissively was the result of crushing him with sheer power and then placating him with favors. Forcing a blood contract on him now would only breed resentment. If Jekyeong intended to keep grinding him down and treating him like a slave, that would be one thing, but if he wanted to forge him into a proper subordinate, such methods had to be avoided.

"I have my own thoughts on that matter, so do not worry."

"Understood."

Quite some time had passed since Jekyeong first realized the limitations of the Blood Contract Restriction and began searching for a superior method of control. Although he had acquired several other restriction techniques through various channels, each had some flaw that displeased him, leaving him with no choice but to continue using the Blood Contract Restriction for now.

He is different from ordinary Great Yao.

Jekyeong did not know exactly how pure Ha Yuseong's Yaksha Bloodline was. However, compared to his blood brother Jo-gang, Ha Yuseong's talent was clearly one or two tiers higher. Based on this, Jekyeong estimated that the probability of Ha Yuseong reaching the Yao King realm in the future was quite high. A fellow like this deserved special treatment. Furthermore, Ha Yuseong belonged to the Beast Race. Jekyeong did not know the exact lifespan of the Yaksha clan, but as long as he did not meet an untimely end, he would live far longer than any member of the Human Race. He was well worth the investment.

Not long after sending Hyeongu away, Jekyeong summoned Ha Yuseong. Ha Yuseong, who had been patrolling several northern waters, returned to the Black Bridge Archipelago without a single word of complaint the moment he received Jekyeong's command.

"For what reason have you summoned me?"

Standing tall and looking up, Ha Yuseong's gaze was neither insolent nor polite. Jekyeong looked down at him, assessing his physical condition.

"It seems you have almost fully recovered."

"It is thanks to your care, Dragon Lord. The humans you sent were quite skilled."

"They make their living solely on that skill, after all."

"I have never heard that expression before, but I think I understand the gist of it."

Jekyeong and Ha Yuseong conversed about various matters regarding the northern waters—whether any wild beasts were running amok, unable to control their tempers, or if any humans had been slipping in and out in secret.

"I have not seen any humans myself, but I have spotted traces of their intrusion a few times. It seems your majesty's dread reputation has lost some of its potency."

"They have always been that way. Like annoying gnats, they will recklessly rush forward just to tear off a piece of flesh, even if it kills them."

"That is certainly true. In any case... I doubt you summoned me just to idle away the time with such talk."

"Has your patience run dry already?"

"I am merely saying you do not need to walk on eggshells around me."

Jekyeong let out a soft chuckle at those words. Though this mad dog of a fellow had become reasonably obedient, his proud, unyielding temperament remained unchanged. Jekyeong did not particularly mind it. While he would not call himself exceptionally broad-minded, he was not petty either; he could tolerate this much personality.

"There is a technique called the Blood Contract Restriction."

"A blood contract? A restriction?"

Ha Yuseong frowned. He seemed to sense something ominous from the very name.

"As you have already experienced, I am not stingy with my subordinates. One could even call me a rather generous master. However, that generosity does not come without a price. I expect my subordinates to be as loyal to me as I am generous to them. But words cannot be trusted."

"And so you control them with this Blood Contract Restriction?"

"Indeed."

Ha Yuseong's complexion darkened.

"Even if you do not wish for it, I can forcibly implant the restriction within you. But... I cannot help but feel that would be a waste."

"Stop playing word games with me."

"This is no game. Therefore, you would do well to show a bit more respect for my generosity."

As if a sudden tempest had whipped across a tranquil surface, an immense pressure erupted, bearing down on Ha Yuseong. He forced himself to resist, straining to keep his back straight, but he soon let out a low groan and bowed his head.

He has grown even stronger!

He was struck with shock. He had been crushed by the same pressure before, but back then, he had consoled himself with the excuse that his physical condition had been at its absolute worst. But what about now? Thanks to the steady treatment ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠he had received, he prided himself on being near peak condition, yet the result was exactly the same.

Creak!

His straight back bent, and his entire body tilted downward. At this rate, it was only a matter of time before he collapsed in a pathetic heap.

"I highly value your talents. Unlike those I would use and discard, I am willing to keep you by my side and nurture your growth."

"Nurture my growth?"

The corner of Ha Yuseong's mouth twitched upward.

"And how exactly do you plan to do that? Will you help me form my core?"

"I will not stand in your way. If you perform sufficient merits and move my heart, perhaps I truly might aid you."

"Allow me to return the very words you spoke moments ago. How can I trust words spoken so casually?"

"What reason would I have to lie to you?"

Jekyeong rose. His massive form as a black Gyoryong slithered down the stone steps, coming to a halt right in front of Ha Yuseong. His vertically slit pupils reflected the pale, strained face of the Yaksha demon.

"Do you know how old I am? Do you know how long it took for me to transcend from a mere Great Yao to a Demon King?"

Ha Yuseong's eyes narrowed sharply.

"Even if you should one day obtain a fortuitous encounter and form your core, by then, I will have already grasped this entire petty Yangseo Lake in the palm of my hand—or, unsatisfied even with that, I will be preparing to depart for a grander world. My magnanimity is not so small that I cannot tolerate a few Demon Kings beneath me. So do not presume to measure me with your pathetic perspective."

Jekyeong quietly stared at the deeply shaken Ha Yuseong. The words he had just spoken were not mere bravado, but his genuine, heartfelt ambition. Jekyeong possessed absolute confidence. Although he could not remember his exact age in this life, it was clear that he was not even three hundred years old.

A Demon King at less than three hundred years of age! According to what he had heard from the seniors in the Bulmangwon network, such a rate of cultivation progress was on par with the most outstanding geniuses of the Seongjok. With his Nine Tribulations Ascending Heaven Art, which still had room for further refinement, and various other methods at his disposal, he would be able to reach the threshold of the Nascent Soul realm as quickly as possible. Although it was difficult to say whether he could successfully achieve the Nascent Soul stage after that, even a late-stage Yao King was considered a peak powerhouse among the Beast Race. Furthermore, since he was a Gyoryong recognized by the Seoncheon Yonggung, few even among late-stage Yao Kings could match him in sheer strength.

While some described the path of cultivation as a treacherous path of thorns where one could not see an inch ahead, Jekyeong believed that what lay before him was a smoothly paved highway. That belief, that momentum, naturally radiated from him without him having to put it into words. Ha Yuseong could feel it clearly.

So this is the Seongjok.

The Seongjok. Yes, the Sacred Race. Though Ha Yuseong was considered relatively well-informed among the Great Yao of Yangseo Lake, he was ultimately still just a Great Yao of a small lake. His understanding of the Seongjok was merely that they were an incredibly powerful race, held in absolute reverence even among the Beast Race. But now, looking at the black Gyoryong who spoke of taking over Yangseo Lake as if it were a foregone conclusion, his perception of the Seongjok was completely redefined.

No, that's not it. It's not just because he is of the Seongjok. Isn't this being exceptional even among them?

He did not know exactly how grand a Sealed Title was, but since he had heard that many among the Seongjok did not possess one, this black Gyoryong was undoubtedly an extraordinary existence even among his peers.

So that is why he doesn't care about a single Demon King.

It felt as though he was being looked down upon, yet strangely, it did not offend him. Perhaps it was because he truly felt that this being's magnanimity was vastly superior to that of the previous Demon Kings. In his eyes, whether it was the Jansu Whale King or the Simjeon Demon King, none of them were worthy of the title of king. Their cultivation might be high, but their magnanimity could not even compare to a puddle, let alone a lake. But this being was different. The small black serpent against whom he had once burned with competitive spirit had now become a magnificent Dragon Lord, looking down upon the entirety of Yangseo Lake.

"Just as you said, I do not believe in words. Therefore, if you show me through your actions, I too shall prove myself through mine."

Though strained, his voice remained proud, yet it now carried a trace of respect that had never been there before.

"Very well. You may dismiss yourself."

Once Ha Yuseong withdrew, Jekyeong pulled ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠his body back. Slithering up the high stone steps, he settled back into the spot where he had originally coiled himself.

An audacious fellow to the very end.

He decided to overlook the way the fellow had kept his head held high at the end, viewing it with a touch of amusement. After all, he was a creature of immense pride.

This should suffice for now.

Everything he had said to Ha Yuseong was the absolute truth. Confident in his own future path, he did not mind having a Demon King or two under his command. However, the primary reason he was so generous to Ha Yuseong was because he belonged to the Beast Race. Unlike the Human Race, who could easily flee and hide within the Human Territory, members of the Beast Race had very few places to go even if they betrayed him. To put it more bluntly, if a beast subordinate betrayed him, dealing with the traitor would be a simple matter. The same applied to Ha Yuseong. If the fellow trusted him and did not disappoint him, Jekyeong was more than willing to support his ascension to the Yao King realm. But what if he disappointed him? Then he would serve as an excellent example to others. Either way, it was a winning proposition.

A civil war had erupted in the Human Territory. Though it was a slightly exaggerated expression, there was no other word more fitting. When two major Golden Core sects began openly engaging in a bloody feud, what else could it be called but a civil war of the Human Race? Day after day, slaughter took place across various regions. Perhaps out of consideration for the Cultivator Alliance's reputation, the two sects refrained from committing their deeds in broad daylight, but committing them under the cover of night did not mean they made any effort to hide their involvement.

Had it ended there, calling it a civil war would have been an absurd exaggeration, no matter how much poetic license was taken. However, in Yangseo Lake, a Golden Core sect was not merely a single entity. The subordinate cultivation forces serving beneath them were too numerous to count; when a Golden Core sect moved, those forces had to move as well. Furthermore, in a total war where the very foundation of the sect was at stake, even those who wished to keep their heads down were forced to contribute their strength. To make matters worse, some viewed this conflict as an opportunity to catch the eye of their parent sect, drawing their blades as eagerly as if they were the main combatants. Their zeal only added fuel to the murderous aura already saturating the Human Territory.

The clouds of war brought both anxiety and excitement. While some stamped their feet in anxiety, desperate to avoid the chaos, others licked their blades, their eyes gleaming with anticipation.

A mountain gate that had weathered two hundred years of history burned, and the cultivators of the sect were slaughtered. There was no grand reason for such a tragedy. Is it not said that a child walking down the street clutching a gold bar is inviting death? The Byeongmu Sect of today had simply become that child. In the past, there had at least been a modicum of order, preventing the greedy from openly displaying their dark intentions... but now that order had crumbled, and some no longer bothered to hide their avarice. The neighboring sects and clans had neither the strength nor the will to help. The declining sect had to face these wild dogs entirely on their own.

"Though we of the Beast Race often kill our own kind, it seems we cannot even begin to compare to those humans."