The Pale Man
And Gwak Jeong-sin was precisely that kind of young, influential figure within the Yeongbu Merchant Association. Therefore, if he confidently declared that nothing would happen, it meant that indeed, no trouble would arise.
"This time, let me ask you. Are you confident? Gong Byeok-un, the leader of the Heukgyobang, is a middle-stage Foundation Establishment cultivator. And he is not alone."
"But he is old. I doubt he even has the strength left to fight properly."
Even seventy years ago, Gong Byeok-un was so advanced in years that people assumed he was on the verge of retirement. What would he be like now? Although breaking through minor realms slightly extended one's lifespan, Gong Byeok-un had already been at the middle-stage of Foundation Establishment seventy years ago.
"You seem quite confident."
In response to Gwak Jeong-sin's inquiry, Jekyeong chose silence as his answer. Confidence? Of course I have it. Would I have spun all these words if I didn't?
Of course, he understood Gwak Jeong-sin's apprehension. From a purely cultivation-based perspective, it looked like an early-stage Foundation Establishment cultivator boasting that they could take on a middle-stage one. But Jekyeong belonged to the Yo-race. When comparing a demon beast and a human cultivator of the same rank in terms of sheer combat power, the demon beast generally held the upper hand. This was a fact even humans acknowledged.
Even without discussing innate Divine Abilities, the difference in their natural physical bodies was simply too vast. Naturally, human cultivators possessed various heritages, such as cultivation methods and dharma treasures. By utilizing these elements effectively, they could narrow or even overcome these biological limitations to some extent.
'But the leader of the Heukgyobang is old. He might have vast experience, but his actual combat capability must be severely depleted.' This was a deduction based on the man's age and the fact that he hadn't shown his face to the outside world in a very long time. Yet, even if his deduction proved wrong, it didn't matter.
"I will contact you again soon."
After all, Jekyeong had absolutely no intention of fighting the leader of the Heukgyobang in a fair and square duel to begin with.
"Jekyeong! Jekyeong! Are we moving?"
"That is the plan."
Cheongo was rolling around in its nest as usual. However, a small, fruit-candy-like treat was stuffed in its beak—a sweet confection Jekyeong had procured through Gwak Jeong-sin. Having eaten nothing but insects and dripping raw meat its entire life, Cheongo was utterly spellbound by the sweet treat, a flavor it was experiencing for the very first time. Not even a single day had passed, yet the bird was already polishing off nearly an entire bundle of them.
"There is something I need you to do."
"Yes! Yes! What is it?"
A short while later, Jekyeong set off toward Heukgyo Island with Cheongo. As a precaution, Jekyeong swam deep underwater, while Cheongo flew at an altitude so high that no cultivator could easily spot it.
'It's remarkably quiet.' Naturally, places rich in spiritual energy attracted all kinds of living creatures. Yet, even as he drew closer to Heukgyo Island, Jekyeong barely saw any demon beasts or cultivators. While this was highly unusual, it was not an unfamiliar sight to him. His first territory, the Spiritual Spring, had been exactly like this—specifically, back when the giant catfish thoroughly controlled and ruled over it.
'It seems the Heukgyobang strictly polices the waters surrounding the island.' They certainly deserved to hold onto their territory for decades. At the very least, it proved they possessed the capability to keep their domain so tightly secured.
'It should be coming into view soon.' Based on the accounts from the turtle and the information obtained from Gwak Jeong-sin, Jekyeong calculated that Heukgyo Island should be appearing on the horizon about now.
"Caw!" Right then, the faint cry of Cheongo echoed from above, and Jekyeong's eyes flashed.
They came to a halt at a safe distance from Heukgyo Island.
"Do you understand? You must not get too close."
"But I can't see well from here!" Cheongo grumbled, landing on Jekyeong's head and preening its feathers. Realizing he might indeed be being overly cautious, Jekyeong amended his words.
"Hmm. Fine. Let's get a bit closer then."
Since Jekyeong did not know the exact range of a middle-stage Foundation Establishment cultivator's Divine Sense, he estimated it based on his own capabilities. Although he assumed the elderly Heukgyobang leader's Divine Sense had weakened significantly, he refused to let his guard down.
Jekyeong and Cheongo crept slightly closer to Heukgyo Island. Once the faint speck on the horizon resolved into a distinct, sizable shape, Jekyeong halted once more.
"How about now? Can you see it?"
"Yes! But do I really just have to watch?"
"Yes. Watch the ships entering and leaving the island. Note where they come from, where they go, how many there are, and how frequently they travel."
"Got it!"
Perhaps because it was getting some fresh air after a long time, or because it had been entrusted with a proper mission, Cheongo was brimming with energy and enthusiasm. Jekyeong gave several warnings to ensure the bird wouldn't let its excitement lead to a mistake.
Cheongo merely nodded half-heartedly, barely listening, but Jekyeong trusted that the bird had understood well enough. It was naturally intelligent, and since its own safety was on the line, it wouldn't act recklessly.
"Remember. You must maintain this distance. If you go any further, you might get detected."
"Yes!"
"Good. Let's head back for today."
Jekyeong had no intention of rushing the matter of Heukgyo Island. This was another hunt, and he had never once been hasty when hunting. A hunt required preparation, and the more thorough the preparation, the better.
Of course, one should not become so absorbed in preparation that they miss the opportune moment, but since this particular prey would neither run away nor disappear, there was no need for such worries.
Upon returning to his island, Jekyeong spent several days training until his body and mind were thoroughly exhausted, accumulating as much monster power as he possibly could. After taking a brief rest, he went to find the turtle.
"Lord Dragon." As if he had been waiting, the turtle greeted Jekyeong with his usual calm yet deeply respectful demeanor.
"Did you say those water bandits took out their anger on the humans of the neighboring islands?"
"Yes. It was loud enough to be heard from afar. And after those bandits left, it became even noisier."
"Is that so..."
Jekyeong instructed the turtle to keep a close eye on that island from now on.
"By keeping an eye on the island, do you mean I should monitor their movements? And verify if the Heukgyobang bandits continue to frequent it?" Despite the somewhat vague instruction, the turtle understood instantly. Jekyeong looked at him with approving eyes, and the turtle gathered his webbed feet even more humbly.
"Exactly. If the bandits continue to frequent the island, determine their schedule."
"Understood."
Before departing, Jekyeong took a long look at the turtle, who still kept his head lowered. The more Jekyeong saw of him, the more he liked him. The turtle was knowledgeable, quick-witted, and above all, wise. Whenever Jekyeong spoke to him, there was not a single moment of annoyance or hassle; there was never any need to repeat himself.
'If I successfully seize Heukgyo Island...' A certain plan, perhaps a bit premature, briefly flashed through Jekyeong's mind.
If one wished to know just how much venom could pool in a person's eyes, they only needed to look at this boy, Han Cheongyu. Han Cheongyu's eyes were filled with deep resentment and malice, emotions that naturally bled into his training.
"Cheongyu..." Han Cheongyu was not alone. Beside him were other children of his age. Their atmosphere was similar to his, though their intensity fell far short of his sheer ferocity.
They had been sparring with spells until they grew exhausted and took a break, but Han Cheongyu continued to train even while they rested. A few, driven by stubborn pride, tried to keep up with him, but they eventually gave up, panting heavily as they collapsed to the ground.
"Cheongyu, stop and rest. They say rest is also a part of training."
Han Cheongyu shook his head at his friend's words. "Thank you. But I am fine."
He paid no heed to their worried attempts to stop him. His training persisted long after everyone else had packed up and returned home.
His relentless training, which continued until his qi and blood were thoroughly depleted and his mind grew hazy, only came to an end when a cool night breeze woke his senses. In an instant, the venom that had filled his eyes vanished, and Han Cheongyu collapsed like a doll with its strings cut.
As his gaze fell upon the darkening ripples of Yangseo Lake, Han Cheongyu finally poured out the emotions he had suppressed for so long. "Ugh... huff..." Tears streamed down, blurring his vision.
What truly devastated Han Cheongyu was nothing other than his own helplessness and cowardice. The previous day, when the Heukgyobang bandits raided Samwa Island demanding to know the whereabouts of their missing members, Han Cheongyu had been unable to step forward. Even as they harmed and humiliated the villagers, he could not bring himself to resist.
He had comforted himself with excuses—that his strength was still lacking, that now was not the time, that he was biding his time for the future. But deep down, he knew the truth. He hadn't failed to act because of some grand plan for the future. He had failed to act simply because he was terrified.
Confronting one's true self, so vastly different from one's self-image, often leaves deep scars. Han Cheongyu had received a shock so profound it nearly shattered his Mind State, realizing how pitiful and cowardly he was compared to the grand vengeance he harbored. The resentment and venom he displayed were merely a desperate struggle to deny and forget that cowardly reality.
"..." Lost in his self-deprecation and desperate rationalizations, Han Cheongyu failed to notice a turtle staring intently at him from the distant waters.
"Haaah..." About half a month had passed since the night Han Cheongyu had wept bitterly against the cold night breeze. The boy, who had crumbled under a wave of existential despair that night, resumed his grueling training the very next day as if nothing had happened.
To an outsider, the boy's relentless drive might have seemed like admirable willpower. In truth, however, it was closer to an escape than an expression of strength. If he did not push himself like this, he would be consumed by the guilt and self-loathing festering in his heart. Han Cheongyu was pushing his body to the limit simply to survive.
Today, as he continued to train alone long after the others had departed, Han Cheongyu paused to cool his throbbing head and catch his breath. When he habitually turned his body to look out over the lake, the boy froze. He realized that a pale-faced man was standing a short distance away, staring blankly at him.
"Ah!" Han Cheongyu's face went pale. For some unknown reason, he instinctively held his breath. No, it wasn't that he held it—his breath was snatched away. It felt as though someone had dragged a sharp icicle down his spine; his body froze cold, and his mind reeled.
The man scanned Han Cheongyu from head to toe with an expressionless face, then casually spat out a single word. "Tenacious."
Han Cheongyu forced his trembling body to steady itself. But even if he managed to suppress the physical shaking, his mind was already swaying precariously, like a reed caught in a tempest.
"Who are you? There is no one like you on this island."
"Are you certain? The island is large, and the population is not small. Surely you do not know everyone's face."
"No. If someone like you had been here, there is no way I wouldn't have known."
"Is that so?" A faint smile played on the man's otherwise expressionless face. Yet, Han Cheongyu's heart did not ease in the slightest.
"More importantly, is what you were doing self-harm or training?"
"It is training."
"Tenacious indeed."
"..."
"Why? Are you seeking revenge?"
Han Cheongyu tightly shut his mouth, but the man nodded slightly as if he already knew everything, slowly stepping closer. As the distance closed, Han Cheongyu could finally get a proper look at him.
He had a slender build overall, with skin so pale it made one wonder if he was ill. There was none of the overwhelming pressure typically felt from high-level cultivators. In fact, he radiated absolutely nothing, to the point where one might wonder if he had ever cultivated at all.
Yet, Han Cheongyu could not let his guard down. His primal instincts screamed that everything about this man was profoundly abnormal.
"Yes. One day... one day, I will wipe out every last one of those water bandits with my own hands." Why was he saying this? What if this man was with the Heukgyobang? He couldn't understand his own actions, but Han Cheongyu did not dare utter a lie in front of him.