He doesn’t know his own origins? Mak-gye did not find it strange. In the society of the demon races, it was a trivial matter.
The demon races generally did not have a strong attachment to their flesh and blood. Many would abandon their young right after birth, and even those who raised them personally would mostly leave them behind once they had grown to a certain extent.
The Holy Race might be a little different, but they were ultimately demon races, so this habit wouldn't be much different. Besides, this fellow looked too weak to be a flood dragon, which was likely because his bloodline was not whole. This too was a common occurrence.
The more powerful the bloodline, the harder it was to be inherited completely, and sometimes, such incomplete beings would emerge.
‘That must be why he was abandoned.’
Mak-gye was almost certain. This fellow likely carried the bloodline of a flood dragon, but its integrity was probably at a miserable level. So much so that he would not dare call himself kin in front of true flood dragons.
‘Right. This fellow is not of the Holy Race.’
His heart felt much lighter. The way he looked at the other being also softened.
“I see.”
If he was not of the Holy Race, there was no reason to be wary or afraid. Of course, even if it was diluted, the blood of the Holy Race flowed within this fellow, so he could not be treated carelessly, but as a member of the Whale King Palace, he had to show a more dignified attitude.
This was the Western Twin Lake, and the Whale King Palace was the master of all demon races in the Western Twin Lake.
“Ahem. What should I call you?”
“Call me Jaekyung.”
“Hmm. So it is Dao Friend Jaekyung.”
Once they had roughly sized each other up, a proper conversation began. Jaekyung was wary of Mak-gye, who was higher in Cultivation, and the Whale King Palace behind him, while Mak-gye was cautious in his attitude, believing Jaekyung possessed a flood dragon bloodline. Since they both had reasons to respect each other, their conversation flowed smoothly without any hitches.
Jaekyung acted with the arrogance befitting a flood dragon but knew where to draw the line, showing a certain level of reverence for the Shattered Waters Whale King and the Whale King Palace. Seeing this, Mak-gye deemed this incomplete flood dragon to be arrogant but reasonable.
“Dao Friend Jaekyung may not know, but from what I can see, you seem to have inherited a portion of the Holy Race’s bloodline. Your future will be boundless.”
“Is that so.”
There was a subtle craftiness to Mak-gye’s words. At a glance, it sounded like a compliment about his promising future, but in reality, it was closer to a warning. It was a reminder that no matter what the future held, his current self was nothing more than an insignificant Great Spirit Beast.
“This must be your first time in the Western Twin Lake, Dao Friend?”
“That is correct.”
Mak-gye did not ask about Jaekyung’s past. Not only was it unnecessary, but prying could have given a bad impression.
“The reason I sought you out today, Dao Friend, is to offer my greetings.”
“Greetings?”
“Yes. But it is also to confirm things, as well. As the master of the Western Twin Lake demon race cultivation world, the Whale King Palace has a responsibility to manage the various demon races.”
Countless demon races existed in the Western Twin Lake. Not to mention the ordinary demon races, even the number of Great Spirit Beasts was not small. Only a few of the Great Spirit Beasts were affiliated with the Whale King Palace.
This was partly because the Shattered Waters Whale King had little desire to control the Great Spirit Beasts, but it was fundamentally due to the nature of the demon races. The demon races are difficult to handle, and even more difficult to rule. This is because they are inherently lacking in spiritual wisdom and have rough dispositions.
Even if the Shattered Waters Whale King suppressed the Great Spirit Beasts with his bloodline and realm, forcing them into submission, they would often act as they pleased the moment he was out of sight, as if they had never submitted.
They were like sand; they would stay in your hand as long as you held on tight, but the moment you loosened your grip, they would flow away as they pleased. Therefore, the number of Great Spirit Beasts formally affiliated with and active in the Whale King Palace was small.
They were, in common, either intelligent or had relatively gentle dispositions, and thus, they were truly obedient to the Shattered Waters Whale King. Mak-gye was one of them.
“Dao Friend Jaekyung. Do you have any intention of entering the Whale King Palace and serving the Shattered Waters Whale King?”
Mak-gye conversed with Jaekyung on various topics, sounding him out. And he thought that perhaps he could draw this fellow into the Whale King Palace. Though his disposition was arrogant, he knew his limits, and most importantly, he was not stupid.
At the very least, he seemed capable of simple calculations. Being able to calculate was a considerable advantage and a special trait for a demon race member. It meant he wasn't just focused on the immediate matter at hand, but could think about what came after.
‘His realm is a bit low, which is a flaw, but since he has the bloodline of a flood dragon, he should be better than some common rabble.’
While the combat power of a human cultivator was influenced by the cultivation techniques they trained in and the spirit artifacts they possessed, in addition to their realm, the combat power of a demon race cultivator was heavily influenced by their bloodline.
Therefore, a demon race cultivator who inherited a noble bloodline sometimes possessed combat abilities strong enough to overcome differences in realm. This fellow might not be such a case, but he should still be more capable than most Great Spirit Beasts of the same realm.
Even if he had some shortcomings for now, looking to the future, bringing him into the Whale King Palace early might be…
“I do not.”
“Hm?”
Momentarily flustered, Mak-gye blinked his four eyes.
“I know myself. If I were to enter a power like the Whale King Palace at my current level, I would only be met with ridicule.”
“No, that…”
Mak-gye, who was about to snap back with ‘How dare you disrespect the Whale King Palace,’ closed his mouth at the words that followed. The anger that had flared up at the moment of refusal also subsided. It wasn't that there hadn't been others who refused the Whale King Palace’s invitation before, but none had refused in this manner.
Most gave reasons like, ‘Why should I, who am so great, bow my head to the Shattered Waters Whale King,’ or ‘I don't want to be restrained.’ This was the first time someone had come out with, ‘I am too lacking.’
“Hmm.”
“I simply wish to cultivate in my newly acquired spiritual land. I wish to think about entering the Whale King Palace only after my cultivation realm has risen.”
With him putting it like that, Mak-gye had nothing more to say. Wouldn't it be ridiculous to forcefully persuade and drag in someone who just wanted to cultivate?
‘He just wants to cultivate in his spiritual land?’
This was something an ordinary Great Spirit Beast, faithful to its various desires, would not, or rather, could not say. This one statement alone was enough to see that the incomplete flood dragon before him was no ordinary fellow.
“I can only admire your firm Dao Heart, Dao Friend. Very well. I will not insist. The gates of the Whale King Palace are always open, so please come whenever your heart desires.”
“I will do so.”
* Jaekyung parted with the Great Spirit Beast named Mak-gye from the Whale King Palace in a more or less amicable atmosphere. Only after Mak-gye’s figure disappeared from sight and his energy could no longer be sensed did Jaekyung relax his expression.
‘This is going to kill me.’
As the tension eased, fatigue washed over him like a wave. It was not an easy task to keep up an act in front of someone like Mak-gye. Showing even a single strange sign could immediately arouse suspicion, so he had to maintain a state of extreme tension throughout their encounter.
‘It’s a good thing he’s the type to think a lot.’
Jaekyung did not deceive Mak-gye. If he had tried to openly deceive Mak-gye, Mak-gye would have surely noticed. Therefore, Jaekyung acted with a calm demeanor, and upon seeing this performance, Mak-gye thought and misunderstood on his own.
‘It went well. This is the best possible outcome.’
Before they parted, Mak-gye had said he would register his name as a Guest Elder of the Whale King Palace. Jaekyung could not refuse. If he had refused, they would not have been able to part with a smile.
‘A Guest Elder.’
According to Mak-gye, the status of a Guest Elder was nothing but good. Without any duties or restrictions, one could live freely as a friend of the Whale King Palace. When he heard those words, Jaekyung had to try hard not to scoff.
‘Words to fool a simpleton.’
Was there anything in the world that was only good? In his view, this status of Guest Elder was a kind of loose shackle. It was likely a message saying, ‘You are now under the watch of the Whale King Palace, so do not act rashly.’
‘Well, it doesn’t matter.’
Jaekyung had not lied to Mak-gye. He had no intention of stirring up trouble in the Western Twin Lake, and even less desire to get on the wrong side of the Whale King Palace. He truly just wanted to be able to cultivate quietly on Black Flood Dragon Island.
So in that sense, Mak-gye’s words were not wrong. The status of a Guest Elder of the Whale King Palace was indeed only good for him. He was now a member of the Western Twin Lake demon races, certified by the Whale King Palace.
If humans were to covet Black Flood Dragon Island later on, they would have to take that into consideration.
‘But the demon races are different.’
From what Mak-gye said, it seemed the Whale King Palace’s control over the demon races of the Western Twin Lake was not strong. Many Great Spirit Beasts acted as they pleased, and it seemed some even openly challenged the authority of the Whale King Palace.
Well, such fellows were said to eventually face the iron fist of the Whale King Palace, sooner or later… but whether that was really true was another matter. In any case, Mak-gye was a subordinate of the Shattered Waters Whale King, so his stories would naturally include exaggerations and distortions, both large and small.
‘The demon races, the Whale King Palace.’
His thoughts grew numerous. Until now, he had been aware of being a demon race, but he had never given it much deep thought. Whether demon race or human, his principle was to use them if they could be used, and in his heart, Cultivation was always the top priority.
But things were different now. Of course, Cultivation was still his top priority, but having been registered as a Guest Elder of the Whale King Palace, he was now, for better or worse, officially a member of the demon races. In a way, a large shadow had been cast over his head.
Was it a good thing? It could be, or it could not be. A shadow provides shade from the heat, but at the same time, it also blocks the warmth of the sun.
All the way back to Black Flood Dragon Island, Jaekyung’s mind was in turmoil. * The ashen color that had shrouded Black Flood Dragon Island had almost disappeared. Life overflowed from the moist earth where spirit rice seeds had already been sown.
Whether it was because of the spirit rice seeds buried in the ground or the spiritual rain that Han Cheong-yu and the others had just sprinkled, he did not know, but in any case, it was a pleasant sight.
“Good work.”
Jaekyung praised Han Cheong-yu and the others, giving each of them a few spirit stones. They had never imagined they would receive such a reward, so even in their exhausted state, their faces were filled with smiles.
“Continue to take good care of the spirit rice.”
“Leave it to us.”
The spirit stones Jaekyung gave them were not many, and frankly, it was a trivial amount compared to the labor they had put in. However, Han Cheong-yu and the other workers were satisfied. They had to be satisfied.
They had not forgotten their situation, nor had they forgotten that the one pretending to be a good employer in front of them was not human. He was a Great Spirit Beast, the master of the Black Flood Dragon water territory, and the one who had annihilated the Black Shark Gang and stained Black Flood Dragon Island with ash.
If they were to displease him in the slightest, they could be reduced to a meal for a spirit beast at any moment, so they never let down their guard.
“Hmph!”
Returning home, Jaekyung saw Cheong-o doing something strange not far away. It stretched its two wings straight forward, letting out a sound that was hard to tell if it was a shout or a groan. Sometimes, it would overextend its wings, lose its balance, and stagger.
Jaekyung watched this ridiculous sight for a while. Then, as Cheong-o irritably struck the ground with its wing, he quietly asked.
“What are you doing?”
“Spiritual Rain Technique!”
“What?”
“You don’t know? The thing that makes it rain. The thing they were doing.”
Cheong-o pointed towards the spirit rice fields with its wing.
“Of course I know what the Spiritual Rain Technique is. But how are you going to use it?”
“Why? Can’t I?”
“No. It’s not that.”
As Jaekyung looked dumbfounded, Cheong-o looked at him as if he were a fool.
“The important thing is the heart. It’s the most important. If you think you can’t do it, you won’t be able to do even what you can.”
After saying that, Cheong-o nodded its head furiously.
“I can definitely do it! I know it!”
After hyping itself up, Cheong-o once again thrust its wings forward as if punching.
“Hmph! Hmph!”
Having no more energy to speak, Jaekyung closed his eyes, sneering at the stupid crow. But after a while.
Plop!
‘Huh?’
A small something landed on his scales. Thinking it couldn't be, he opened his eyes and saw something faint falling intermittently. It was barely enough to be called a drizzle, but it was definitely rain.
Jaekyung turned his head in a daze, and in his eyes, he saw Cheong-o, proudly spreading its two wings and looking up at the sky.