The Bustling Port of Seongam
Furthermore, since he was a crucial partner of the Yeongbu Merchant Alliance, Yang Yo-hyeon wanted to avoid displeasing him at all costs. Should I have brought a spirit vessel instead? he wondered. Most of the Beast Race were fiercely individualistic, but on rare occasions, some took immense pride in their identity as Yao. Some of those types utterly despised the existence of their collared brethren, whom the Human Race referred to as spiritual beasts. Could this Black Flood Dragon be one of them?
"Ah, do not worry. I have no particular thoughts about these things you call spiritual beasts." Jekyeong was quick-witted. He easily read Yang Yo-hyeon's anxiety and reassured him.
"These... Shikseongyo. Do they possess any intelligence?"
"You can consider it virtually non-existent. At best, they are only slightly smarter than dogs." Yang Yo-hyeon, his complexion instantly brightening, stepped closer to Jekyeong and earnestly answered his questions. Realizing Jekyeong was interested in the Shikseongyo, he eagerly shared details without even being asked.
"They certainly seem convenient."
"Indeed. While these ships are not as safe as a spirit vessel, spirit vessels require a tremendous amount of maintenance." Operating a spirit vessel consumed spirit stones. If a battle broke out, the consumption would increase exponentially, an expense that even the wealthy Yeongbu Merchant Alliance could not easily justify. Therefore, they only deployed spirit vessels when transporting highly critical cargo, relying on ordinary ships like this one for other occasions.
"Of course, had we known you would be traveling with us, Lord Dragon, the Alliance would have naturally dispatched a spirit vessel." Jekyeong merely nodded at Yang Yo-hyeon's flattering words, offering no reply. Aside from the crew, the ship only carried fleshy-scaled fish and spiritual rice, so there was no reason for the Yeongbu Merchant Alliance to send a spirit vessel. Furthermore, strictly speaking, this transaction was practically Gwak Jeong-sin's personal venture rather than an official Alliance trade, making it even more unlikely.
"Did you say it was Seongam Island?"
"Yes. It is one of the most prosperous places in the outer lake region." The human territory of Yangseo Lake was divided into the inner and outer lake regions, centered around the Solitary Duckweed Plain, which they called the Great City. Seongam Island, their current destination, was one of the largest and most flourishing islands in the outer lake, boasting a market of considerable scale. The Yeongbu Merchant Alliance and several neighboring cultivation forces jointly held regular auctions there, and that time was precisely now.
Jekyeong had maintained a steady trade with Gwak Jeong-sin. While their transactions might seem trivial to massive cultivation sects, it was an alarmingly large business for a mere rogue cultivator. In fact, after word of the fleshy-scaled fish trade spread to some extent, a few greedy individuals had raided his territory. Of course, they all ended up as sacrifices that only enhanced the fearsome reputation of Heukgyodo's master.
An auction, huh. Jekyeong thought of the spirit stones resting inside his storage bag. Although he had spent them lavishly to accelerate his cultivation speed even slightly, a substantial amount of spirit stones still remained in his bag. This amount would easily suffice to secure one or two desired items at the auction.
Spirit stones aren't the issue. The real question is whether anything worth buying will appear at the auction. What he was targeting was either a fire-attribute spiritual item, a cultivation technique, or a recipe for cultivation elixirs. While the chances of a spiritual item appearing were slim, he could reasonably hope for a technique or an elixir recipe.
"We will arrive shortly." Even without Yang Yo-hyeon's words, Jekyeong had already guessed as much. He had felt the spiritual energy growing denser for some time now. According to what he had heard before, Seongam Island was the center of a spiritual territory, and this territory was incomparably larger than the one centered around Heukgyodo. A massive spiritual territory meant that the spiritual energy at its core was exceptionally thick. Although such a vast spiritual territory fell short of a spiritual vein, it was still a sacred cultivation ground that any cultivation force would covet. Seongam Island was precisely such a sacred ground. Numerous cultivation forces, both large and small, existed on this massive island, and they were its masters. However, as mentioned, because there were multiple factions acting as masters, Seongam Island was always bustling and chaotic.
"The auction period is when Seongam Island is at its most orderly." Seongam Island's revenue came from its market and auctions. In particular, the auction was a peak season that occurred only once every few years, so the island's masters went out of their way to avoid leaving a bad impression on visitors from outside.
"However, you must be careful. As you know, your identity could pose a problem."
"Do not worry. I am well aware." Despite Jekyeong's reassurance, Yang Yo-hyeon could not put his mind at ease. One must not be fooled by his calm exterior. After all, the being before him was a Great Demon, and the notoriously fearsome Black Flood Dragon at that. Although they had built a basic level of trust over more than ten years of trading, no one could predict how he would react if confronted with an offensive situation. Therefore, the best course of action was to prevent anything from displeasing him in the first place. Yang Yo-hyeon planned to contact the Alliance members as soon as they docked at Seongam Island to ensure this high-risk guest was properly managed. The Yeongbu Merchant Alliance was one of the masters of Seongam Island, and no one dared to disregard their influence. If the Alliance resolved to accommodate this guest, nothing worrisome would occur.
The problem is more likely to come from within. It had already been over ten years since Gwak Jeong-sin began expanding his influence within the Alliance. During that time, he had made many friends and subordinates, but he had also made no small number of enemies. Those enemies constantly kept a close eye not only on Gwak Jeong-sin but also on his key partners. Of course, they would not commit foolish acts like attacking Heukgyodo or raiding the fleshy-scaled fish transport ships. They knew that opposing Gwak Jeong-sin and harming the Alliance's profits were two entirely different matters. The higher-ups of the Alliance held their subordinates in the palm of their hands; while they tolerated a certain degree of petty internal squabbling, they absolutely did not condone self-destructive behavior. At least until now, anyone who tried to secure their own share at the expense of the Alliance's profits had, without exception, faced appropriate punishment. Thus, Yang Yo-hyeon did not worry about such direct actions. However, there were countless ways to achieve one's goals in this world without ever lifting a finger directly.
Jekyeong did not leave the bow of the ship. It was not to clear his head in the wind. Unlike in the past, he no longer needed such things to refresh his mind. Under the assumption that nothing unusual occurred, as long as he had enough spirit wine, he could maintain his human form for over a month.
I never get tired of this. His long, cascading hair and the hem of his robe fluttered in the wind. It was this cool, refreshing breeze that kept him at the bow the entire time. The vast horizon that captured his gaze no matter where he turned also played a part.
"Lord Dragon. I believe we should change how we address you on Seongam Island. Your current title might draw unnecessary attention from others."
"Very well." Jekyeong roughly guessed what Yang Yo-hyeon was worried about. In his opinion, Yang Yo-hyeon's concerns were unnecessary. Jekyeong valued his own life, and he was far removed from the foul temper or unpredictable whims typical of the Beast Race. Furthermore, even if Seongam Island was in the outer lake, it was still one of the central hubs of the Human Race, where vigilance and hostility toward the Beast Race would be considerable. Unless one had completely lost their mind, how could anyone act recklessly in such a place?
"Fellow Daoist Jekyeong. That is Seongam Island." Even before Yang Yo-hyeon spoke, Jekyeong's eyes were already fixed on Seongam Island. A moment later, several vessels sailed past them. Some were departing from Seongam Island, while others were patrolling the surrounding waters. He could even occasionally spot Foundation Establishment cultivators flying through the sky, whom Yang Yo-hyeon explained were the island's patrol guards.
"Normally, one must undergo an inspection, but we do not need to." The prestige of the Yeongbu Merchant Alliance was evident once again. Far from being inspected, they were able to enter Seongam Island while receiving respectful greetings.
"Fellow Daoist Yang." Members of the Yeongbu Merchant Alliance were already waiting at the dock. Jekyeong recognized at a glance that the middle-aged man in scholar's robes leading them was a Foundation Establishment cultivator. He acknowledged Yang Yo-hyeon, who returned the gesture with a calm smile.
"Fellow Daoist Yeon. You came out early to meet us." After exchanging greetings, their gazes naturally drifted toward Jekyeong. The man addressed as Fellow Daoist Yeon, in particular, did not hide his curiosity.
"This is Fellow Daoist Jekyeong of Heukgyodo. Fellow Daoist Jekyeong, this is Fellow Daoist Yeon Jung-hyeok."
"Fellow Daoist Jekyeong? Heukgyodo?" Jekyeong boarding the Yeongbu Merchant Alliance's ship to come to Seongam Island was an entirely unexpected turn of events. He knew that there were quite a few people targeting him, and he was also aware that they were keeping a close eye on Heukgyodo. Jekyeong was certain that if he had shared his plans to visit Seongam Island beforehand, the news would have leaked out in no time.
"Could it be..." Even now, it was obvious. Yeon Jung-hyeok's eyes widened significantly, and his gaze became much more cautious. Though his probing look was subtle, it could not deceive Jekyeong.
"Do not worry. I will return immediately after the auction is over, so I will not cause you much trouble." Whether this Yeon Jung-hyeok was Gwak Jeong-sin's enemy or not did not matter. By the time this news spread and those hostile to him reacted, he would already be on a ship heading back to Heukgyodo, or perhaps he would have already arrived.
"Trouble? How could you say such a thing?" Perhaps due to Jekyeong's piercing gaze, or perhaps because of the Black Flood Dragon's fearsome reputation, Yeon Jung-hyeok's attitude became exceptionally polite. Yang Yo-hyeon quietly urged him along.
"Fellow Daoist Yeon. Please guide us to our lodgings."
"Ah, yes. Right this way." Guided by Yeon Jung-hyeok, Jekyeong left the docks. Yeon Jung-hyeok apologized for not preparing a carriage in advance, claiming he had no idea such an esteemed guest would arrive. Jekyeong let the insincere words go in one ear and out the other, focusing instead on taking in his first sight of the human territory. Everything he saw on his tour of Seongam Island was both familiar and foreign. Wide, straight roads and tall buildings. Carriages pulled by all kinds of beasts. Everything in sight could be summarized in a single word: prosperity.
"Flight is fundamentally prohibited on Seongam Island." Seeing Jekyeong looking up at the tall buildings, Yeon Jung-hyeok seemed to misunderstand something and began rattling off explanations. Jekyeong had absolutely no interest in his chatter. Perhaps later, but for now, he simply wanted to focus on everything before his eyes.
"The auction will be held in a fortnight. Until then, I shall personally attend to you, Fellow Daoist." Yeon Jung-hyeok's attitude was extremely polite, acting as if he were a professional guide rather than a Foundation Establishment cultivator. However, Jekyeong saw right through the meaning behind this gentle demeanor. "Attending to him" was just a polite way of saying they would stick to him and monitor his every move. Of course, since that surveillance also served to protect him to some extent—perhaps even to a large degree—it wasn't entirely something to be displeased about.
"..." Jekyeong glanced at Yeon Jung-hyeok, who was waiting for his response. From the slight stiffness in his posture compared to before he spoke, Jekyeong could tell the man was tense.
"I worry that I might be imposing too much on you, Fellow Daoist Yeon."
"Imposing? Not at all. Fellow Daoist Jekyeong is an honored guest of our Alliance, so it is only natural that I attend to you. Please, do not decline."
"You flatter me. Well then... let us do so." A bright smile bloomed on Yeon Jung-hyeok's face.
"You must be tired after your long journey. I shall not disturb you further. If you need anything, please do not hesitate to call for me." Once Yeon Jung-hyeok closed the door and withdrew, Jekyeong quietly took a sip of his spirit wine.
Yeon Jung-hyeok realized that this Great Demon, the Lord of Heukgyodo, was indeed extraordinary. This realization had only grown stronger with each passing day, even now, five days after their first meeting. The more I look at him, the less he seems like one of the Beast Race. That was the first reason he felt Jekyeong was extraordinary. The man simply did not seem like a Yao. He was always so calm, resembling a scholar who had spent years refining his intellect. And his Transformation Art is flawless.