Chapter 166: Drastic Change (5)

Chapter 166: Drastic Change (5) The first Devil Race invasion was successfully carried out, and I received recognition for handing over the mass of tentacles to the upper ranks. Capturing a Devil Race commander was considered a significant achievement, especially according to the testimonies of my subordinates who said I defeated a Nascent Soul stage devil. I was awarded the plaque of a 100-Man Captain, enabling me to lead a 100-Man unit. Wo-woong! "There's someone in our 1000-Man unit who rashly tried to ascend stages before joining the invasion of the Devil Realm, fell to a Heart Demon, and was decapitated... It seems you had confidence in your skills to ascend stages. I look forward to working with you, 100-Man Captain." Wi Yeol, a Heavenly Being stage General of the 1000-Man unit I belong to patted my shoulder. I looked at the spirit plaque, dharma treasure, and Vast Cold Jade that are all issued to every 100-Man Captain. 'Vast Cold Jade...' From now on, I, too, will have to stand at the forefront of the Devil Race invasion operations, eroding the land of the Devil Realm with Vast Cold Jade. After expressing my gratitude to the upper echelons, I went to my assigned post. The area was already filled with dense heaven and earth spiritual energy, making it effortless to breathe and for cultivators below the Qi Building stage to use their spells without any inconvenience. And that means, "Hey, use your spells properly!" "Raise the wall!" "Build the roof!" Even with only Qi Building stage cultivators, its possible to build houses in the Devil Realm's land as if we are in the vast Bright Cold Realm. Already, the vicinity is filled with numerous houses made of mud and wood, palaces, and mansions galore. The incredible changes are the result of Qi Building stage cultivators earnestly diving into construction work. "Ah, 100-Man Captain, you've arrived!" Yeon Jin, who had briefly been my superior, and his 10-Man unit members came out from a manor to greet me. "As expected, Cultivator Seo... no, 100-Man Captain. I knew you were more skilled than me and would succeed someday, but I didn't expect you to rise so quickly. This mansion has been allocated to you as the 100-Man Captain." "Ah, thank you, Cultivator Yeon. Everyone, come in for now." I lead the 10-Man unit members into the manor. "You've been assigned to my 100-Man unit, and as more reinforcements arrive, our unit will be replenished with more personnel. Let's get along well until then." "Yes, 100-Man Captain!" "It's an honor!" I share a moment of light drinks with Yeon Jin and the 10-Man unit inside the manor. After laughing and chatting for a while, they returned to their original places, and after sending them off, I looked up at the sky from the silent mansion. "..." The land is illuminated by spiritual energy, but the sky of the Devil Realm is still dense with devilish energy. "Something feels off." I feel as if theres a hole in my chest. A feeling of having lost something. But I can't figure out what it is. Something seems wrong, but I can't remember what it is exactly. And so, time passes again as an invader. Initially, the ranks of the expedition force of the Devil Realm were purely based on cultivation stages. However, as the invasion progressed, ranks gradually became divided based on contributions. Even as a Core Formation stage cultivator, I established far more merits than cultivators of the same realm or even Nascent Soul stage cultivators and was eventually awarded the spirit plaque of a Thousand-Man General. I heard that from the rank of Thousand-Man General, one could be granted the authority of a provisional governor to manage colonies in the True Devil Realm. 'A governor...' After the 1st invasion of the Devil Realm, The erosion of the Devil Realm continued steadily, and we had just finished the ninth invasion operation. Wo-woong! Spiritual energy fills the Devil Realm I see the remnants of the Devil Race who had not yet fled and the human cultivators literally 'hunting' these remnants. I blankly stare at this scene. Oh Hyun-seok and Kim Yeon approach me, clicking their tongues in disapproval. They, too, had earned the plaque of a 1000-Man general through their numerous contributions. Oh Hyun-seok speaks up. "Honestly, we came here under our masters orders... but Im not sure if this is right." "...I think the same. I thought the Devil Realm was a place inhabited only by devils..." What we saw were Human Race members holding dharma treasures, chasing after the Devil Race, separating their flesh from bone, draining their blood, and even absorbing and storing their souls. "...I can't tell who's the devil and who's the human." "Exactly. I heard even the simplest devils possess intelligence, especially those above the Core Formation stage..." Listening to their conversation, I feel a turmoil in my chest. Emotionally, I found myself empathizing with the Devil Race. But rationally I understood the actions of the human cultivators hunting the Devil Race. 'Why?' Its a feeling I have been experiencing lately. My rationality and emotions are in stark contrast. 'Strange...' What is right and what is wrong? I absentmindedly stroke my chest, unable to remember something I might have forgotten, and gaze into the distance with Oh Hyun-seok and Kim Yeon. "Provincial governor of the occupied territory?" I ask, not quite understanding. "Yes, Seo Eun-hyun. You've been appointed as the provincial governor to oversee the territory from the newly occupied Devil Ridge Mountains to the Black Pearl River." I question Hyeon Woon. "Although I have achieved many merits I am still at the Core Formation stage... Wouldn't it be better to entrust this to someone at the Heavenly Being stage?" "On the contrary, that's why Im assigning you as the provincial governor. The other Heavenly Being stage cultivators have crucial roles in the next operation, and it will be problematic if we are missing even one or two in order to manage the occupied territories." "I see." "Moreover, recent reports suggest you've been showing signs of mental instability. Soldiers who have been on the battlefield for a long time sometimes experience psychological issues. Taking a break as a provincial governor and reaching Nascent Soul can solidify your mental foundation. Since you've previously attempted to ascend to the Nascent Soul stage on your own, what better opportunity can there be?" I fall silent for a moment at Hyeon Woon's words. He has a point. But what concerns me is... 'Hyeon Woon, the color of his intent...' Lately, I've been feeling an increasing sense of alienation from the color of his intent. He had received reports of my mental instability, but it seems he is unaware that his own mind might be deteriorating. 'What should I do...' After pondering for a moment, I decided to dismiss it as one of the mental illnesses many cultivators experience during war. 'It's not my problem anyway.' "If you say so, I will accept the position of governor." "Good, from today, you are the provincial governor of the 8th erosion area." I receive the spirit plaque from Hyeon Woon and walk out of the manor where he resided.New novel chapters are published on As reinforcements joined the expedition force, more and more human cultivators moved to the front lines. After defeating the Devil Race, the occupied territory was quickly transformed into a bustling area by numerous human cultivators. Many Qi Building stage cultivators gathered, swiftly building cities and fortresses. I pass through the bustling area and head to the manor assigned to me. Inside, the 100-Man captains of my 1000-Man unit were gathered, sharing conversations. "Ah, the 1000-Man General has arrived!" "1000-Man General, did you receive anything this time?" Most of the 100-Man Captains are at the Nascent Soul stage, but none of them look down on me. In fact, none of them can defeat me in a one-on-one fight. Recently, even General Seo, who has somewhat recovered to the Nascent Soul level, is under my command, so my skills are certainly not lacking. Among the 100-Man Captains, Yeon Jin, who followed me and made more contributions, is also there. Hes staggering around, his face flushed from drinking among the Nascent Soul stage cultivators. "Listen, everyone, I will not participate in the next 10th erosion operation." "Really...?" "What, why is that" I announce that I have been appointed as the provincial governor. "No! Where else can you find someone as capable as our 1000-Man General! Is this really right?" "Chief Strategist Hyeon Woon, I've disliked that guy from the start! Let's smash his head in and bring our 1000-Man General back!" "Oh my~ How many among the other 1000-Man Generals are as capable as Seo 1000-Man General!" "Everyone Thank you." Truthfully, the 1000-Man unit I've led has indeed been on a winning streak. Not because we achieved major contributions every time, but because we managed to secure many minor contributions while ensuring the majority of our forces returned safely, which is a well-regarded aspect within my 1000-Man unit. It was thanks to my tendency to focus on securing minor contributions while paying attention to the safety of my subordinates rather than chasing after major merits.. "Ah, 1000-Man General. So, you wont be standing on the front lines anymore?" "Yes, I come from the Horned Tribe, and this one is from the Batwing Tribe." "Yes, our tribes are next to each other, so we often play together. While playing, we found a tunnel and explored it until we got here." I sigh deeply. [Leave now. If you play here, evil humans might capture and eat you.] "Huh? Arent you a human?" "Are you evil?" [Hmm... Maybe I am. So you better leave right away.] "Why should we?" "We found this place, after all." I pondered how to send these little Devil Race children away without scaring them too much. After thinking for a moment, I decided to hide them temporarily, then went to the governor's mansion to quickly bring Gyeon Shin back to the Void Spirit Pond. "Look here, Cultivator Gyeon. Please tell these kids to go home." [? Ah, you little ones! Why on earth have you come here!] Upon discovering the two Devil Race children, Gyeon Shin scolded them with his tentacles and quickly chased them out after telling them various educational stories from the Devil Realm. [Whew, that was surprising. Thank you for safely sending the children back.] "Well, it's one thing to confront adult devils, but the young ones are innocent and shouldn't be antagonized." [Right. In the Devil Realm, it's an unspoken rule not to touch each other's offspring, no matter how bizarre the actions of various races might be. Humans capture anything, young or old, but it's truly fortunate that someone like you, Lord Seo, exists.] "Ha ha..." Each time I received ethical praise from Gyeon Shin, I felt something stirring in my heart. 'I can't go on like this.' Sighing, I returned to the governor's mansion with Gyeon Shin and began to hear about the overall situation in the occupied territory from the administrator, issuing a decree to fundamentally prohibit making elixirs from the Devil Race. The reason is to utilize the labor force of the Devil Race for mining resources from the Devil Ridge Mountains. Then, I instructed the administrator to implement policies for the occupied territory as gently as possible before descending back to the serene Void Spirit Pond. I plan to release Gyeon Shin when the time is right. But before that, I seek to quickly regain my memories to overcome the increasingly turbulent darkness in my heart. 'I must recover my memories...' Wo-woong! In the tranquil Void Spirit Pond, I inhaled the purified spiritual energy around me, cleansed by the Vast Cold Jade, time and again. I continuously challenged the Nascent Soul stage. With the newly created method, I formed artifact spirits within the dharma treasure, storing the concentrated spiritual energy each time I attempted the Nascent Soul stage. Thus, I spent years in the Void Spirit Pond. Despite my warnings, the two young members of the Devil Race kept visiting the Void Spirit Pond. The children kept ignoring my words, and at some point, I gave up and just made sure they didnt enter the pond. Eventually, I learned the names of the children: Su In (Longevitys Cause) and Hong Yeon (Red Connection). Occasionally, when something urgent came up at the governor's mansion, I would go up to deal with it and also comforted Yeon Jin, who cried missing his home. Thus, I spent years in the Devil Realm. [Read at https://wetriedtls.site/ ] "...So, what are you saying?" Sitting cross-legged and infusing leftover spiritual energy into the artifact spirits, I look at the figures before me. "We've decided to get engaged." "Yes!" I stare at Su In and Hong Yeon in front of me. Su In from the Horned Tribe and Hong Yeon from the Batwing Tribe look back at me with sparkling eyes. Eighteen years have passed since I became the provincial governor. These Devil Race children had matured significantly, no longer the gender-indistinct kids they once were. "...Well, I had a rough idea." I knew for a while they saw each other as more than just friends. But, the headache for me lay elsewhere. "But asking me to witness your engagement, what's that about?" Indeed. They started begging me to be their witness. "I'm a human. Wouldn't it be better for Cultivator Gyeon to do that?" [Yes, children. It would be much better for me, with my vast knowledge, to witness it!] Though I had promised to release Gyeon Shin, Due to his racial characteristics, he couldn't go anywhere alone without subduing a beast to parasitize. However, the Devil Ridge Mountains scarcely have any beasts, leaving Gyeon Shin unable to escape and leaving him waiting to be rescued by his kind. And now, eighteen years later. Gyeon Shin has yet to receive a rescue signal from his kin. Eventually, he seemed to give up, merely playing Go or Chess with me from time to time. "But... even if youre human, theres no human as good as you, governor." "Compared to other occupied territories of the Devil Realm, our territory is quite a good place to live, and perhaps because we've been with you, Governor, it really feels comfortable." "...But, have you gotten permission from your respective tribes?" The two look at each other, grin and say, "Yes!" "Of course!" "...Don't lie." "How did you... Ah, never mind, it doesnt matter, does it?" "Were not asking for a marriage witness, just an engagement witness!" Eventually, I gave in to their whining and agreed to witness their engagement. The two Devil Race members stood in the brightest spot near the Void Spirit Pond, surrounded by shining spirit stones, and promised their future to each other. 'Why am I even witnessing this...' Watching the young couple, I cant help but smile unwittingly. Apparently, I have a soft spot for people in love. Memories yet to sink into darkness. The recollection of planting quince and white magnolias with my first love and the love shared within the castle of puppets surfaced, making me smile involuntarily. Warmth filled my heart. 'Ah...' Watching these two, whom I had seen grow up, come together, the darkness that had been tormenting my heart seemed to ease. 'I think I understand something...' After blessing the two Devil Race members, I returned to the governor's mansion. Before organizing my enlightenment, I decided to clear up all the piled up work at the governor's office and before preparing myself for seclusion for a long time. 'Im almost there.' Just a few more steps seem to be needed to release the Heart Demon and recover my memories. Just when Im dealing with the piled up work at the governor's office with the administrator, "Go-Governor!!!" "Hm? Whats the matter?" The administrator and I, who are handling tasks in the governors office, turn to look at the person who rushed in. Its the messenger from the Human Race Grand Alliance, dispatched to each occupied territory. Sensing the emotional state of the messenger, I intuition that something significant had happened. "Take a breath and tell me slowly. Whats happening?" "From the mainland of the Bright Cold Realm, a message has come. That is, a True Immortal has appeared in one of the Human Territories, and a Sky Island named Thunder Spirit Island was directly burned to evaporation by Heavenly Lightning! Furthermore, the Integration Stage Grand Cultivators from various races of the Bright Cold Realm who went to investigate, as well as those from the Human Race, have all died or suffered critical injuries." I rise from my seat abruptly. Thunder Spirit Island is the name of the Sky Island where the Golden Divine Heavenly Thunder Sect is located. 'Is it this time already The messenger continues. "The problem is that the news of the Integration Stage Grand Cultivators from the Human Race suffering critical injuries have reached the deepest parts of the Devil Realm through spies." "...That means, the Integration Stage Grand Cultivators in the Devil Realm have also heard this news." Up until now, major wars had mostly seen Four-Axis stage cultivators as the maximum force deployed. After all, if Integration Stage cultivators started to move, it would mean irrevocable damage to both sides. Thus, even though Four-Axis stage cultivators participated in this Human-Devil Great War, Integration Stage cultivators from both sides have been watching each other from the side. However, the situation has now changed. The news that Integration Stage cultivators from the Bright Cold Realm being critically injured by a True Immortal has reached the ears of Integration Stage cultivators of the True Devil Realm. 'Integration Stage cultivators from the True Devil Realm will now start to move in this Human-Devil Great War!' The situation has undergone a drastic change. Author's Note: The buildup part of the story was a bit long. To avoid dragging it out, I've compacted the buildup part into one part. I apologize if the tension dropped a bit due to the monsoon affecting my condition. Now that the monsoon season is ending, I'll strive to focus more on quality going forward.... Thank you as always to all our readers. *** Discord: https://dsc.gg/wetried Link to donations in the discord!