As expected, Jang-yeong's backer was the Whale King Palace. 'Is this fellow also a Guest Elder of the Whale King Palace?'
Probably not.
The title of Guest Elder merely proved one was within the domain of the Whale King Palace, and nothing more. If that weren't the case, Mak-gye would not have so casually offered the position of Guest Elder, nor would he have left so satisfied, as if he were the one receiving a gift, when I accepted it.
"You struck Dae-yeong because you knew there would be no repercussions for attacking him, did you not, Dao Friend?"
Jaekyung looked down at Jang-yeong with an all-knowing air. Half of it was an act, and half was genuine. The masterful performance, combined with his intimidating appearance, ensured that even a Great Spirit Beast as clever and perceptive as Jang-yeong did not notice anything amiss.
"That is correct."
"Oh? It seems you know quite a lot about the fellows around here, Dao Friend."
"What do you mean by that?"
"You are a cautious one. For someone like you to move without hesitation to kill Dae-yeong, you must have already finished your calculations."
"In short, you knew how to distinguish between those who could be touched and those who could not, did you not?"
"..."
"I will speak frankly."
Jaekyung straightened his body and moved a little closer to Jang-yeong. At that, Jang-yeong flinched and retreated slightly. Even cultivators are living creatures, after all.
They cannot help but be influenced to some extent by what they see. Especially in a situation where their presence was already overwhelmed. Jaekyung's massive body and ferocious appearance intimidated his opponent with just a small movement.
"Some time ago, Dao Friend Mak-gye came and tried to draw me into the Whale King Palace. But when I said I was not interested, he urged me to become a Guest Elder."
When the name Mak-gye was mentioned, Jang-yeong reacted. It was only a fleeting change in his eyes, but Jaekyung, who was focusing all his attention, did not miss it.
"He offered twice, so I could not refuse in succession and accepted. But later, I came to regret it a little."
"Regret?"
"As you know, Dao Friend, for beings like us, the simplest way to advance our Cultivation is to hunt. Is that not so?"
"..."
Jang-yeong flinched once more. In that moment, he realized that the serpent eyes looking down on him were full of meaning. It felt as if, should he give the wrong answer, that massive mouth would gape open and tear him to pieces at any moment.
He forced open his reluctant mouth and played along.
"Your words are correct, Dao Friend."
"Indeed. But now that I am a Guest Elder, at least in name, would not the Whale King Palace become entangled if I were to make a mistake? Yet, I know next to nothing about the affairs of Western Twin Lake. So, what I mean to say is..."
A long tongue licked the corner of his mouth. Jang-yeong knew it was a blatant threat, but he could not help but feel afraid. The presence of this ferocious and cunning flood dragon completely suppressed him.
It was no longer a matter of whether to answer or not; he had to consider himself fortunate that this creature had not come to do him harm.
"Since you seem to know well, tell me. Which of the fellows around here can be hunted, and which ones cannot?"
Jang-yeong's mouth moved a few times, but no sound came out. He was clearly hesitating. Jaekyung did not press him.
He had already pushed him enough. If he pressed him further here, he might be able to completely subjugate Jang-yeong, but on the other hand, it could also earn his resentment. Was there really a need to take such a risk?
Jaekyung believed that Jang-yeong would ultimately make a wise choice.
"Very well. I will tell you. However, I have a condition."
"A condition?"
Jaekyung showed a dissatisfied expression and spoke brusquely. Of course, this too was an act.
Hmm.
A flood dragon must be arrogant and violent.
"Let's hear it first."
"I can assist you, Dao Friend. However, I wish to receive compensation for that assistance."
"Compensation?"
"I feel a heat from you, Dao Friend. It is a different feeling from all the kin I have seen in this lake. We are all cold, deep water, but you... you are fire. Is that not so?"
"Oh."
The short exclamation was an affirmation. Jang-yeong continued, his voice more forceful.
"I knew it. You drifted in from the outer regions, so it is perhaps natural that you are different from us."
A faint, searching light flickered in his seemingly calm gaze. Jaekyung felt a slight displeasure at that gaze but pretended not to notice and let it pass. He knew that excessive sensitivity could sometimes be perceived as weakness.
"So? What is it you want?"
"I want to join you in your hunt."
"Do you think I will need you?"
"I do not think so."
"Then?"
"However, the hunt will become faster and easier. I do not want much. A little of the prey's flesh will be enough. I believe this is not an excessive desire."
Jang-yeong's words were not wrong, and his motive for wanting to join the hunt was also understandable. He was an aquatic spirit beast, and their prey would also mostly be aquatic spirit beasts, so Jang-yeong would not want to miss such an opportunity.
Jaekyung thought Jang-yeong's bloodline was no ordinary one, but even if his was a Demon King-level bloodline, Cultivation was essential to reach the Demon King realm. And the blood feast was almost the only method of Cultivation for the demon races.
'Not bad.'
Jaekyung weighed Jang-yeong's proposal in his mind and quickly made a decision.
"Fine. But I will choose the prey."
"Of course, you must. I will follow your decision completely."
Jang-yeong bowed his head respectfully, but not servilely. * Bringing Jang-yeong into this was truly the right choice. Jang-yeong's information network was beyond what Jaekyung had expected; he seemed to have grasped the details of every Great Spirit Beast in the vicinity.
Their names, habitats, and even their realms. 'This fellow's backer is a high-ranking member of the Whale King Palace. Or perhaps this fellow himself is a member of the Whale King Palace.'
Jaekyung raised his guard against Jang-yeong even further. But on the other hand, he was pleased that his hunting plan had gained great momentum thanks to this information that exceeded his expectations. 'Even if this fellow is a member of the Whale King Palace, there is no need to be wary.
In a way, I am cleaning up the riffraff on behalf of the Whale King Palace.' Besides, he was a Guest Elder of the Whale King Palace, so it would not be wrong to say he was halfway a member himself. Even if the Whale King Palace later learned of his vigorous hunting, they would not blame him.
Jang-yeong laid out the information on the Great Spirit Beasts inhabiting the vicinity. He offered no recommendations or suggestions to Jaekyung, seemingly intending to keep his word to follow his decision completely. 'Hunting ordinary Great Spirit Beasts won't yield much profit.
The ones to aim for... are those likely to possess Refined Blood.' It was true that the higher the realm, the higher the probability of possessing Refined Blood, but it was only a probability, and enemies in high realms were difficult to hunt. No, forget hunting, it was questionable whether he could even win.
Jaekyung was confident in his combat prowess, but in any case, he had not even reached the mid-stage of the Great Spirit stage yet. Even if Jang-yeong helped, he too was only in the early or mid-stage of the Great Spirit stage, and Jaekyung did not expect Jang-yeong to aid him with his full strength.
Rather, he regarded Jang-yeong as both an accomplice and a potential enemy, or even a traitor. If he showed an opening during the hunt or suffered a serious injury, who could guarantee that this clever demon would not covet the blood and flesh of a flood dragon? 'The early or mid-stage of the Great Spirit stage is suitable.
I should choose from among those who fight with their bodies.' This hunt is a long-term plan and must not be rushed. 'It should be the early stage.
The chances of obtaining Refined Blood are slim, but since this is the first hunt...' Through this first hunt, he could also test Jang-yeong's attitude. 'A spirit beast would be good.'
Among the demon races, none could match the spirit beasts in the strength of their physical bodies. It might sound crude, but it was no exaggeration to say that spirit beasts lived and died by their bodies. Therefore, it was natural that spirit beasts also had the highest probability of forming Refined Blood.
"We'll go with this one."
Jang-yeong merely nodded upon seeing the prey Jaekyung had chosen, making no reply.
* "Kuaaargh!"
A deafening roar shook the surroundings. A giant crocodile struggled, but the streams of water binding it neither broke nor stretched. This mysterious and powerful binding art left a deep impression on Jaekyung.
"Its strength is too great. I do not think I can hold it for long."
Even before Jang-yeong gave that warning, Jaekyung was already charging through the water. The giant crocodile, struggling to shake off the water streams that bound it, noticed Jaekyung's approach too late, its eyes widening. In an instant, fear filled those wide-open eyes.
The crocodile was certainly huge. It was more than twice the size of Jang-yeong, who was well over ten meters long with his tentacles stretched down. But even such a massive crocodile looked somewhat shabby compared to Jaekyung.
It was like a kindergartener standing before a middle or high school student. Of course, size wasn't everything, but the presence of Jaekyung charging with his mouth wide open towards his prey was not something a mere early-stage Great Spirit Beast could handle.
Kwaduk!
Jaekyung bit down hard on the nape of the crocodile's neck, which was bound by the water streams and frozen in fear. At the same time, he skillfully moved his tail and body to coil around the crocodile's entire form.
"Kuaaaaargh~!"
Around that time, the streams of water binding the crocodile lost their power and vanished, but the crocodile still did not regain its freedom. The unfamiliar pain of its entire body being crushed mercilessly shook its mind.
Hwarreureuk!
But that was not the end. Without warning, a demonic flame bloomed and began to burn the crocodile. The crocodile could not even put up a proper resistance as it was roasted to a turn.
Its desperate screams soon faded, and the frantic struggles of its body also subsided. Jang-yeong watched the spectacle from a distance, from beginning to end.
"..."
Jang-yeong always tried to maintain his composure. In fact, he was always calm even without trying. Because since he had settled in the current eastern part, things that could shatter his composure rarely happened.
When he had hunted the foolish fish-head before, he had only been a little excited, and when the Black Flood Dragon had come to pressure him a few days ago, he had been slightly tense, but that was all. But now, having witnessed the Black Flood Dragon's power firsthand, his heart was in turmoil.
'Is this the power of a flood dragon?' Crushing a powerful Great Spirit Beast with sheer force was impressive, of course, but that destructive flame was...
'Truly incredible.
He has the right to be arrogant.' Because of that flame that bloomed for a moment, the spiritual energy of heaven and earth in the area was shaking. To be precise, the fierce fire energy was suppressing the water energy in the water.
Jang-yeong could not even imagine how powerful a fire had to be for such a thing to occur.
Ududuk!
The Black Flood Dragon put strength into it and tore off the entire neck of the well-roasted crocodile. At that violent, monstrous strength, Jang-yeong unknowingly swallowed dryly.