The Workers Did Their Best
The workers labored with everything they had. Jekyeong could feel their inexplicably intense enthusiasm. For a brief moment, he wondered why they were working so hard, but the realization soon dawned on him. They're doing this because they don't want to die. Jekyeong figured they had some massive misunderstanding about him. Well, whatever. If they were going to work hard and finish his home quickly, it was all the same to him.
"Dragon Lord! It is complete!"
The construction, which he thought would be finished in the blink of an eye, took a full day to complete. This was largely because they had spent an excessive, almost obsessive amount of effort on the interior. While it was undoubtedly their absolute best, it didn't particularly move Jekyeong.
"You have worked hard," Jekyeong said.
Looking at the workers' faces, which practically dripped with exhaustion, he didn't have the heart to criticize them.
"Thank you, Dragon Lord!"
Perhaps his brief word of praise sounded to them like 'I shall spare your lives,' because the workers wept tears of joy. Han Cheongyu wasn't quite that dramatic, but he, too, looked visibly relieved.
Not bad.
Once the workers departed, Jekyeong surveyed his new home. He did not assume his human form, his Hwahyeong. This new dwelling was built for his true form. Designed to accommodate a massive serpent over a hundred meters long, the overall structure resembled a giant tunnel.
The architectural techniques of this world are truly astonishing.
A cultivator utilizing spells was far more efficient than any construction machinery from his past life. To erect such a massive structure in a single day... Even though it was a simple building with no special functions, it was still deeply impressive to Jekyeong, who retained the memories of his previous life.
I hear the Human Territory has all kinds of wondrous buildings...
Not long ago, his mind had been consumed with how to seize Heukgyodo and defeat the leader of the Heukgyobang. Now that everything had been resolved so smoothly, a deep sense of peace settled over him. With a relaxed mind came a flood of thoughts. Vague expectations for his cultivation and anticipation for the future filled his head.
"Jekyeong! Jekyeong! The new house is so big! So spacious!"
"Indeed."
Cheongo began pulling out treasures from the storage bag wrapped around its neck like a scarf, starting to build a nest. Watching the bird carefully carry each item one by one with its beak reminded Jekyeong of the human workers who had labored so diligently the day before.
Diligent in the most useless ways.
While Jekyeong lost himself in thought in his new home and Cheongo became fully absorbed in building its glowing nest, Muk-su was busily rolling all over Heukgyodo. It was searching for the perfect spot to take root. Heukgyodo was vast, and there were no threats to speak of. The only drawback was that more than half the land was covered in ash due to Jekyeong's Fire Rain Technique, his Hwa-u-sul, but to Muk-su, such a thing was hardly an issue.
After roaming Heukgyodo diligently for several days, Muk-su chose the highest mountain peak on the island as its new home. When Jekyeong went to check on it, he had to admit it was a prime location, with a cool breeze and warm sunlight.
"Not bad. This is the perfect spot to bear Spiritual Fruit."
Shiver!
Muk-su, who had been enjoying the pleasant breeze, suddenly trembled. As an intelligent Wood Demon, it knew very well that Jekyeong hadn't cared for it all this time out of pure sentimentality. Having spent so long playing and eating to its heart's content, Jekyeong's patience was likely on the verge of running out. Muk-su instinctively realized that the good old days were over. It was time to work.
The spiritual energy, the qi of Heukgyodo, was denser than that of the Spiritual Spring Jekyeong had previously occupied. Since he hadn't practiced a cultivation method back when he was at the Spiritual Spring, he couldn't measure it precisely, but subjectively, it felt nearly twice as rich.
Excellent. I can see why humans are so obsessed with spiritual veins.
Having cultivated only in a dim cave with faint spiritual energy for so long, Jekyeong smiled with satisfaction at the rich qi of his new territory. Back in the cave, each cultivation session felt like it increased his monster power by a single drop; now, it felt like it increased by more than ten drops. Of course, it was just a feeling, and even if it were a hundred drops instead of ten, it was still a minuscule amount in the grand scheme of things—but it was still a massive leap forward.
Let's call it a day.
Jekyeong stepped outside after finishing his cultivation. Leaning against a stone bed he had fashioned near the water, he took a habitual sip of Spirit Wine and let the wind wash over him. It felt like the life of an immortal. Though it seemed like idle lounging, to Jekyeong, this was another form of cultivation—the refinement of his Transformation Art, his Hwayeongsul, and the tempering of his mind state, his Sim-gyeong.
I need to find a way to grow the Fleshy-Scaled Fish population.
To suppress the beastly rage that threatened to color his mind at any moment, Jekyeong intentionally immersed himself in various thoughts. Most of his musings revolved around managing his territory and increasing his revenue.
I also need to establish control over the islanders.
He had no intention of exploiting them like the Heukgyobang did, but he couldn't allow them to freely interact with the outside world. Although Gwak Jeong-sin had handled the issues on the human side, Jekyeong couldn't just sit back and rely entirely on him.
The waters surrounding Heukgyodo must be completely severed from the Human Territory.
To achieve this, Jekyeong was open to interacting with other Yao. He had no intention of crawling under the command of the Jansu Whale King, but perhaps interacting with a few Yao to show the outside world that Heukgyodo belonged to the Beast Territory would be a viable strategy.
The problem is... the Beast Race is just as dangerous as the Human Race.
It was somewhat amusing for an active Great Demon to think this way, but Jekyeong truly believed it. While they might not be as cunning as humans, the Yao were still not beings one could easily trust.
Still, it's worth a try.
Jekyeong continued to sip his Spirit Wine, spinning various plans in his head. His peaceful reverie was eventually interrupted when Hyeongu slowly crawled out from the water.
"I pay my respects to the Dragon Lord."
Having been bestowed a name by Jekyeong, Hyeongu carried himself with even greater loyalty than before. With a newfound sense of responsibility added to his natural politeness, Jekyeong found himself unconsciously trying to act more like a proper 'Dragon Lord' whenever he faced the turtle demon. He spoke less, offering only slight nods to most inquiries.
Hyeongu, inwardly marveling at the Dragon Lord's ever-dignified presence, began his report on the status of the Fleshy-Scaled Fish shoals.
"The population remains stable. If we continue harvesting them at our previous rate, there shouldn't be any issues. However, there have been intruders sneaking in from outside our waters lately, so we may need to increase the number of Water Beasts guarding the shoals."
"Is that so?"
Jekyeong frowned. Intruders from outside his waters. He had expected this, but he hadn't thought they would start nosing around so soon.
"Will the number of trespassers continue to grow?"
"Most likely, yes. In the end, every beast desires to live in a spiritual territory."
"What are your thoughts? What do you think is the best course of action?"
Hyeongu pondered for a moment before speaking cautiously.
"If the Dragon Lord only wishes to protect the Fleshy-Scaled Fish shoals, we do not need to worry too much. The ones drifting in are merely drifters and low-level beasts; they wouldn't dare approach the shoals."
The Water Beasts under Hyeongu's command numbered in the dozens. With dozens of Water Beasts guarding the shoals, there was no need to worry about random strays.
"However, if you wish to keep the entire territory clean and well-managed... employing the humans might be an option."
"The humans?"
Jekyeong reacted with mild surprise, prompting Hyeongu to elaborate.
"Humans are weak and slow, but they make up for it in numbers. Furthermore, they occupy quite a few islands that can serve as outposts. If the Dragon Lord employs them, managing the waters will become much easier."
"Hmm."
Hyeongu's suggestion sounded reasonable. As the master of these waters, both the Water Beasts below and the humans above were his subjects. Since he guaranteed their survival, demanding a certain amount of labor in return could be seen as a perfectly legitimate exercise of his authority.
"Very well. We shall do as you say."
Hyeongu bowed respectfully.
"That aside, is there a way to increase the population of the Fleshy-Scaled Fish?"
"Ah..."
Hyeongu scratched his cheek with a webbed claw, looking flustered. "I... do not know. If you grant me some time, I will search for a way."
"Observe the fish. See what they eat and how they live. Perhaps you will think of something."
Until he found another lucrative source of income, the Fleshy-Scaled Fish trade was Jekyeong's sole means of earning Spirit Stones. Thus, expanding the shoals was of paramount importance. Furthermore, if they could find a way to breed them, they might even be able to relocate the shoals to a safer location.
"I will do my absolute best."
Seeing the fire of determination in Hyeongu's eyes, Jekyeong nodded with satisfaction.
"ROOOAAAR!"
After hearing Hyeongu's report, Jekyeong made a grand sweep of his entire territory to assert his dominance. He roared savagely, striking terror into everything nearby, and occasionally hunted down and slaughtered a few stray Water Beasts himself. His immense power and sheer ruthlessness left both the Water Beasts and the humans on the neighboring islands trembling in absolute terror.
"Cheongyu, will we truly be alright?"
The residents of Three Frogs Island were no exception. Their faces grew pale at the sight of the constantly churning lake waters and the thunderous roars that echoed from time to time.
"It will be fine. You all saw it. As long as we serve the Dragon Lord faithfully, there will be no trouble."
Despite Han Cheongyu's reassuring words, the islanders could not shake their fear. Only those who had previously gone to Heukgyodo to work alongside him managed to remain relatively calm.
"Besides, this is an opportunity for us. Think about it. They say we are to sail out and hunt the Water Beasts encroaching from the outer waters, but in truth, doesn't this mean we are being granted freedom of passage?"
At his words, the islanders exchanged glances. Freedom of passage? Come to think of it, that was a valid point. If those tasked with dealing with the Water Beasts were allowed to sail freely through the waters, they would be able to visit other islands as well.
"I am going to do it. Do not hesitate, everyone. Who knows? If we seize this chance, an even greater opportunity might follow."
After the fall of the Heukgyobang, Han Cheongyu had struggled with a sense of emptiness for some time. Having achieved what he thought was his ultimate life goal so unexpectedly, he felt relieved but also utterly lost. However, now that time had passed and the emptiness and confusion had cleared, he was finally beginning to look toward a brighter future. In other words, he found hope.
Three Frogs Island is too small.
He had visited several other islands while assisting the Dragon Lord. At the time, his mind had been too consumed by thoughts of the Heukgyobang to indulge in sentimentality, but looking back now, his heart began to race.
If I assist the Dragon Lord, I will be able to visit other islands.
He would see more islands, a larger world. Just the thought of it made Han Cheongyu's heart swell with anticipation.
While patrolling his waters, Jekyeong suddenly frowned and came to a halt. A powerful presence was slowly but steadily approaching him.
A Great Demon. Its aura... is roughly on par with mine?
The cautious nature of the approach suggested no immediate hostility, but Jekyeong did not lower his guard.
"Oh."
Once they were close enough to see each other clearly, the newcomer froze in his tracks. Or rather, it would be more accurate to say he went completely stiff.
"A-A Flood Dragon?"
Jekyeong did not respond, silently observing the stranger. As expected, it was a Great Demon—specifically, a Great Yo-beast.