WeTried Translations
Translator/Editor: WeTried Translations
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◈ Ophidian of the Immortal World ◈
Chapter 78: Seongam Island
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The Spirit Talisman Merchant Association's ship was no ordinary vessel.
It required neither wind nor oars.
Huge shark-like Spirit Beasts called Knowledge-Sharks pulled it as horses pulled a carriage, and their speed rivaled that of Qi Refining cultivators traveling at full speed.
“Um... Dragon Lord.”
Yang Yohyeon, the ship's captain, watched Jegyeong at the bow with some unease.
He knew that this pale-looking man was the master of Black Shark Island, the notorious black jiao surrounded by countless rumors.
Yang Yohyeon believed that the black jiao was not a true Jiao Dragon and had inherited only a faint trace of dragon blood. Even so, he could not afford to look down on him.
After all, Jegyeong was the master of Black Shark Island, and his fearsome reputation had spread widely among those in the know over the past decade.
More importantly, he was an important partner of the Spirit Talisman Merchant Association. Yang Yohyeon wanted to avoid offending him if possible.
‘Should I have brought a Spirit Boat?’
Most members of the Demon Race were fiercely individualistic, but on rare occasions, there were those who took pride in their racial identity.
Some of them despised seeing their collared kin called Spirit Beasts by the Human Race. Could this black jiao be one of them?
“Ah, don't worry. I have no particular feelings about these Spirit Beasts.”
Jegyeong was quick to read people.
He saw through Yang Yohyeon's thoughts and put him at ease.
“These... Knowledge-Sharks. Are they intelligent?”
“They might as well have no intelligence at all. At best, they're a little smarter than dogs.”
Yang Yohyeon's expression brightened at once. He approached Jegyeong and diligently answered his questions.
Noticing Jegyeong's interest in the Knowledge-Sharks, he eagerly explained things Jegyeong had not even asked about.
“They certainly seem convenient.”
“They are. A ship like this isn't as safe as a Spirit Boat, but Spirit Boats cost far too much to maintain.”
Operating a Spirit Boat consumed Spirit Stones.
If a battle broke out, that consumption would increase exponentially. Even the wealthy Spirit Talisman Merchant Association could not bear such expenses.
That was why it used Spirit Boats only to transport important goods. In all other cases, it used ordinary ships like this one.
“Of course, if the association had known the Dragon Lord would accompany us this time, it would have sent a Spirit Boat.”
Jegyeong merely gave a small nod at Yang Yohyeon's flattering words and said nothing.
Aside from people, the ship carried only Fleshscale Fish and Spirit Rice. There was no reason for the Spirit Talisman Merchant Association to send a Spirit Boat.
Strictly speaking, this was not even the association's transaction. It was practically Gwak Jeongsin's personal business.
“Did you say it was Stonewall Island?”
“That is correct. It is one of the most prosperous places in the outer region.”
The Human Territories of Yangseo Lake were divided into inner and outer regions around the Lone Duckweed Plains, known as the Great Dao.
Stonewall Island, their destination, was one of the largest and most prosperous islands in the outer region. It had a market town of considerable size.
The Spirit Talisman Merchant Association and several nearby cultivation factions jointly held regular auctions there, and this was precisely that time.
Jegyeong had continued trading steadily with Gwak Jeongsin.
Their business might have seemed insignificant to major cultivation factions, but it was large enough to make an ordinary Rogue Cultivator uneasy.
Once word of the Fleshscale Fish business spread, several greedy people had come knocking.
Naturally, all of them became offerings that further enhanced the master of Black Shark Island's fearsome reputation.
‘An auction.’
Jegyeong thought of the Spirit Stones resting in his Storage bag.
He had spent Spirit Stones freely to increase his cultivation speed by even the slightest amount, yet a substantial quantity still remained in his Storage bag.
That should be enough to obtain one or two items he wanted at the auction.
‘Spirit Stones aren't the problem. The question is whether anything worth buying will appear at the auction.’
He sought fire-aspect spiritual treasures, cultivation methods, or pill formulas for cultivation Medicinal Pills.
The chance of a spiritual treasure appearing was not high, but cultivation methods and pill formulas were worth hoping for.
“We'll arrive soon.”
Jegyeong had already guessed as much without Yang Yohyeon's words.
He had felt the Spiritual Energy growing denser for some time.
According to what he had heard before, Stonewall Island stood at the center of a Spiritual Land. This Spiritual Land was so vast that it could not be compared with the one centered on Black Shark Island.
The larger a Spiritual Land was, the denser the Spiritual Energy at its center.
Though a massive Spiritual Land could not compare to a Spiritual Vein, it was still a cultivation sanctuary that any cultivation faction would covet.
Stonewall Island was such a cultivation sanctuary.
Several large and small cultivation factions occupied the great island, and they were the masters of Stonewall Island.
Yet because there were several masters, Stonewall Island was always noisy.
“The auction period is when Stonewall Island is at its most orderly.”
Stonewall Island's income came from its market town and auctions.
The auctions in particular were the peak season that came once every few years. The island's masters did not want to leave a bad impression on guests arriving from elsewhere during this time.
“Still, you must be careful. As you know, your identity could become a problem.”
“Don't worry. I know that well.”
Yang Yohyeon could not relax even after hearing Jegyeong's answer.
He could not be fooled by Jegyeong's calm appearance.
Jegyeong was a Great Demon, after all, and an infamous black jiao at that.
They had built a basic level of trust through more than ten years of trade, but no one knew how Jegyeong would react if something offended him.
The best course was to prevent anything from displeasing him in the first place.
As soon as they arrived at Stonewall Island, Yang Yohyeon intended to contact the association's people and have them look after this troublesome guest.
The Spirit Talisman Merchant Association was one of Stonewall Island's masters, and no one could ignore its standing. If the association made an effort to manage this guest, nothing worth worrying about should happen.
‘The real problem may be within the association.’
More than ten years had passed since Gwak Jeongsin began seriously expanding his influence in the association.
During that time, he had made many friends and subordinates. At the same time, he had made no small number of enemies.
Those enemies kept a close eye not only on Gwak Jeongsin, but also on his important partners.
Naturally, they would not do anything so foolish as attacking Black Shark Island or ambushing a Fleshscale Fish transport ship.
They knew they had to distinguish between dealing with Gwak Jeongsin and harming the association's interests.
The association's higher-ups could keep their subordinates in the palm of their hands. They tolerated a certain degree of childish internal conflict, but they would not permit people to damage the association's own interests.
At least until now, everyone who tried to secure their own share at the cost of the association's profits had received suitable punishment without exception.
Yang Yohyeon did not worry about that.
Still, there were countless ways to achieve what one wanted without acting directly.
* * *
Jegyeong did not leave the bow.
It was not to clear his head in the wind.
Unlike before, he no longer needed such things to refresh himself.
As long as nothing unusual happened and he had enough Spirit Wine, he could maintain his transformed form for more than a month.
‘It never gets tiresome.’
His long hair and robe fluttered in the wind.
That cool, refreshing breeze was what kept him at the bow the entire time.
The vast horizon, captivating no matter where he turned his head, also played a part.
“Dragon Lord, I think we should change how we address you on Stonewall Island. Your current title may draw unnecessary attention.”
“Do so.”
Jegyeong had a rough idea of what Yang Yohyeon was worried about.
In Jegyeong's view, those concerns were needless.
He valued his life, and the foul temperament and unpredictable whims supposedly characteristic of the Demon Race had nothing to do with him.
Stonewall Island might be in the outer region, but it was still one of the Human Race's centers. Its wariness and hostility toward the Demon Race would be considerable.
Unless he had lost his mind, how could he act recklessly in such a place?
“Fellow Daoist Jegyeong, that is Stonewall Island.”
Jegyeong had been watching Stonewall Island even before Yang Yohyeon spoke.
A short while later, several ships passed them.
Some had departed from Stonewall Island, while others were patrolling the surrounding waters.
They could even occasionally see Foundation Establishment cultivators flying through the sky. Yang Yohyeon said they were Stonewall Island's patrol guards.
“Normally, we would have to undergo an inspection, but we have no need for that.”
The Spirit Talisman Merchant Association's prestige showed itself once again.
Not only did they enter Stonewall Island without an inspection, they even received polite greetings.
“Fellow Daoist Yang.”
People from the Spirit Talisman Merchant Association had already come out to meet them at the pier.
Jegyeong immediately recognized the middle-aged man in scholar's robes at their head as a Foundation Establishment cultivator.
The man greeted Yang Yohyeon, who returned his greeting with a calm smile.
“Fellow Daoist Yeon. You came out to meet us in advance.”
After exchanging greetings, their gazes naturally turned toward Jegyeong.
Yeon Jung-hyeok, in particular, could not hide his confusion.
“This is Fellow Daoist Jegyeong of Black Shark Island. Fellow Daoist Jegyeong, this is Fellow Daoist Yeon Jung-hyeok.”
“Fellow Daoist Jegyeong? Black Shark Island?”
No one had expected Jegyeong to board a Spirit Talisman Merchant Association ship and come to Stonewall Island. It was an unexpected development.
Jegyeong knew there were quite a few people targeting him, and he knew they were watching Black Shark Island.
He was certain that if he shared his plans to visit Stonewall Island in advance, the news would soon leak out.
“Could it be...?”
That was already clear from Yeon Jung-hyeok's reaction.
His eyes widened, and his gaze became far more cautious.
The probing look was discreet, but it could not deceive Jegyeong.
“Don't worry. I'll return as soon as the auction ends, so I won't cause much trouble.”
He did not know whether Yeon Jung-hyeok was one of Gwak Jeongsin's enemies, but it did not matter.
By the time this news spread and those hostile to him reacted, he would already be aboard a ship returning to Black Shark Island, or he would have arrived there.
“Trouble? What are you saying?”
Whether because of Jegyeong's piercing gaze or the black jiao's fearsome reputation, Yeon Jung-hyeok's manner became exceedingly respectful.
Yang Yohyeon quietly urged him on.
“Fellow Daoist Yeon, please lead us to the lodgings.”
“Ah, yes. This way, please.”
Jegyeong left the pier under Yeon Jung-hyeok's guidance.
Yeon Jung-hyeok apologized for not preparing transportation in advance, saying he had not known an honored guest would arrive. Jegyeong let the insincere words go in one ear and out the other as he took in the sight of the Human Territories for the first time.
Footnotes:
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