Chapter 198: Betrayal (6)

Chapter 198: Betrayal (6) "Was there no one suspected to be from the Heart Tribe?"Visit for the best novel reading experience "It all happened so quickly, I'm not sure." I respond to his question while helping rectify the devastated Sea Dragon Race territory. Inquiries about the Heart Tribe are happening everywhere. "A tremendously large member of the Heart Tribe appeared. They resembled a lion... with three large horns, and when the Heart Tribe roared, it seemed like dark fog spewed out. Something crimson burst out from within that fog, and then I lost consciousness." "...." Listening to the Nascent Soul Sea Dragon being interrogated by another Four-Axis cultivator, I'm not sure what expression to wear. 'What did they see? Three horns? Resembling a lion?' It seems Yu Hwa had put them to sleep, inducing them to see strange things at the boundary between dream and reality. "Did the Heart Tribe member you saw look like that too?" "Uh... Yes. That's right." I also go along with the Sea Dragon's narrative, wildly distorting Yu Hwa's appearance in my answer. "The horns were large and fierce, and the face was purple. The eyes were terrifying as if lightning could strike from them." "Hmm... What kind of race is that?" "Well... It's not a characteristic of a race but a feature of the Heart Path Method, isn't it? It's said the Heart Tribe's Heart Path Method is profoundly mysterious." "That's true." The Four-Axis cultivator receives various distorted pieces of information about Yu Hwa from me and several Sea Dragons, and helps heal the injured Sea Dragon Race. Kurung, Kururung! Meanwhile, a dark cloud carrying golden lightning flies towards us. Kugugugu! From within the dark cloud, a dragon with golden scales leaps down and transforms into a woman in a brown robe with golden horns. It's Gyu-ryeon. "I heard there was a vicious attack by the Heart Tribe. Are you alright?" Moved by her concern, the Sea Dragon Race elders respond gratefully. "Yes, fortunately, thanks to the seniors from other races who came to help, it seems there was no major damage." "Be careful. All members of the Heart Tribe are vicious. By the way... Seo Eun-hyun, come here for a moment." Gyu-ryeon, who was talking to a Heavenly Being stage elder, calls me over. "As far as I know, you've also trained in the Heaven Tribe's methods. Can you read your celestial energy?" "Yes, I can." "Is there any change in your celestial energy?" "...There is." I wear a somber expression. "...Everyone has only heard rumors about the Heart Tribe but has never properly faced them. Moreover, since this place is close to Serving Command Ark, the heart of the Earth Tribe, everyone has been complacent and never properly explained about the Heart Tribe..." She begins to explain to us. "Listen well, from now on, you must know about the Heart Tribe. For the monsters that have reached a realm corresponding to the Heavenly Being stage in the Heart Tribe, their abilities have the same effect as facing Heavenly Tribulation the moment it hits." "Really...?" Gyu-ryeon's explanation about the Heart Tribe continues, and after a while, the Sea Dragon Race elders wear shocked expressions. The Heart Tribe, beings they only heard rumors about and never properly encountered. Located near Serving Command Ark, the core of the True Dragon Alliance, Cloud Heart Lake has been a place where the Sea Dragon Race lived without significant external threats until now. The traits of the Heart Tribe as described by Gyu-ryeon seem shockingly new to them, as they all look to the sky with bewildered expressions. And soon after, A look of disgust and fear towards the Heart Tribe is evident in their eyes. "...So, when we rise in cultivation, we now have to face two types of Heavenly Tribulations. In addition to the original Heavenly Tribulation, an absurd one has appeared because of that Heart Tribe!" "...Yes." "Hah, Hahahaha!" Those who are confident in their strength and consider typical Heavenly Tribulations manageable just go along with it. However, those weaker ones who barely overcame their Heavenly Tribulations are outraged. Especially since from the Nascent Soul stage onwards, with each advancement through the early, middle, late, and reaching Grand Perfection, they face a Heavenly Tribulation each time. In short, they, now at the Heavenly Being stage, must face Heavenly Tribulations at each step of their cultivation advancement. Thus, the Sea Dragon Race elders close to their next breakthrough are furiously outraged. They don't hesitate to hurl all kinds of curses at the Heart Tribe, forgetting they are in front of Gyu-ryeon and the Earth Tribe's Four-Axis cultivators. "Calm down! Those who suffered damage from the Heart Tribe this time will be allowed to use the True Dragon Alliance's Serving Command Ark for future breakthroughs! I, Gyu-ryeon, the Ark Controlling Envoy of the True Dragon Alliance, promise this in my name!" At her proposal, the enraged dragons' eyes return to reason. 'There is surely a place in the lower levels of the Serving Command Ark that helps when breaking through Heavenly Tribulation.' Gyu-ryeon is an elder of the True Dragon Alliance and holds the position of Ark Controlling Envoy. The title of Ark Controlling Envoy involves managing various areas of the Serving Command Ark as needed and allows the use of the facilities within the Serving Command Ark as necessary. The Sea Dragon Race elders express their gratitude to Gyu-ryeon, and I say to them with a smile, "Now that the Ark Controlling Envoy has given us the opportunity to use the facilities of the Serving Command Ark, I would like to repay this kindness by applying to assist the Ark Controlling Envoy's work as an attendant." "The Grand Leader... is..." "My title is essentially nominal anyway, but isn't it better to be able to work for the Sea Dragon Race through this opportunity? Or do the elders have a problem with me, who is the liaison between the Ark Controlling Envoy and the Grand Prince, entering as an attendant to serve the Ark Controlling Envoy to repay this kindness?" After settling in the Serving Command Ark, I secretly contacted Seo Hweol's opposition, uniting them. Over several days, I spread bad information and rumors about Seo Hweol among them, manipulating them to spread slander within their forces. 'After all, Seo Hweol will be away for a few decades to a century, so they can say whatever they want without him being able to refute.' However, not being able to refute directly doesn't mean there aren't plenty who would defend him. The Black Dragon Race, for some reason, seems to share a fate with Seo Hweol, and other Dragon Races also maintain quite good relations with Seo Hweol, with Gyu-ryeon at the forefront. Moreover, the other 13 major races also maintain friendships with Seo Hweol, so if minor races try to slander Seo Hweol, they will definitely defend him. 'I'll take advantage of that gap.' I will rally the so-called opposition, the minor force, and increase their size. Through them, I'll continuously highlight the limits of Seo Hweol's social status. Seo Hweol's official status is that of a Grand Prince, but he is actually the leader of the Sea Dragon Race, a 'collateral' branch of the Black Dragon Race. Therefore, assigning a major role in the True Dragon Alliance, led by the noble Immortal Beast bloodlines of thirteen major races, to Seo Hweol, who is not of noble birth, is not entirely suitable. However, Seo Hweol managed to dominate the Elders Council of the True Dragon Alliance with his unique charm and charisma. Strictly speaking, the status of the head of the Sea Dragon Race, a collateral branch of the Black Dragon Race, frankly does not match the dignity of the Elders Council governed by the noble Immortal Beast bloodline races. Moreover, being of lower realm origin, Seo Hweol's birth itself is not particularly noble. 'Then, the Elders Council of the thirteen races of the True Dragon Alliance will take measures to elevate Seo Hweol's status in defense of him.' There is honestly no puppet as good as Seo Hweol for the Elders Council of the thirteen races, so Seo Hweol is naturally to be valued. Seo Hweol would have surely manipulated things to ensure his continued importance before leaving. 'Then, at that time, I will advocate for Seo Hweol's marriage.' The partner, of course, is Gyu-ryeon. Gyu-ryeon is a partner who can fill the gaps in Seo Hweol's lacking status, and her becoming the Demon Queen will actually serve as a perfect shield for Seo Hweol. 'Of course, at the same time, it will be a tremendous prison for Seo Hweol.' Moreover, Gyu-ryeon's title is Ark Controlling Envoy. As she belongs not to the Golden Dragon Race but is a serving Ark Controlling Envoy of the True Dragon Alliance, the thirteen major races also have less to worry about Seo Hweol becoming a biased puppet. The title of Ark Controlling Envoy is something she will carry even after reaching the Integration stage, and rather, her dominion within the Serving Command Ark will expand if she becomes the Demon Queen. The more territories she manages within the Serving Command Ark, the farther she will be from the power struggles of the True Dragon Alliance, so neither I nor the Elder Council of the True Dragon Alliance will have to worry. 'In this way, after becoming an Integration stage Demon Queen, Seo Hweol will have to marry Gyu-ryeon regardless of the outcome, according to Gyu-ryeon's will.' While assisting with Gyu-ryeon's duties, I spread malicious rumors about Seo Hweol through the opposition that dislikes him, helping them spread their resentment within their forces. 'By gradually tightening the net around Seo Hweol, he will eventually be caught.' It won't be long now, Seo Hweol. Look forward to it. Thus, laying the groundwork for Seo Hweol's marriage, three more years pass. Entering the 10th year of my return. "You found a weakness of Seo Hweol?" "Yes, Cultivator Seo." I ask Cheon Ryang, the leader of the opposition faction against Seo Hweol, who has come to see me. It's been three years. Three years since uniting the opposition and gradually advancing the marriage plan for Seo Hweol. During that time, Cheon Ryang, the leader of the opposition, claims to have found Seo Hweol weakness and came to me. Cheon Ryang is a canine demon beast, who, feeling hot in the room, sticks out his tongue to cool down as he continues his explanation. "Phew, don't be shocked and just listen. A Nascent Soul elder of my Celestial Dog Race brought up a fact that can be a weakness of Seo Hweol." "Hmm A fact that can be a weakness" But conversely, it might not turn out to be a weakness. "What fact is it? Is the source of this information reliable?" "Absolutely reliable. We've even secured a witness." Cheon Ryang leans in close to whisper secretly. "Seo Hweol has connections to the Blood Yin Realm. Whether this fact is proven true or not, it can significantly damage him." Cheon Ryang says while chuckling bitterly. 'Blood Yin Realm' Indeed, it wouldn't be strange if Seo Hweol has connections to the Blood Yin Realm. "Is this witness reliable? If you bring forward uncertain information trying to shake Seo Hweol, you might be the one to face a counterattack." As I express my concerns, Cheon Ryang grins and claps his hands. Clap clap! Following his clapping, a middle-aged figure enters the room where he and I are talking. The figure is a plump humanoid demon beast with protruding tusks. With red hair and wearing a garment that bares his belly, he greets Cheon Ryang and I. Cheon Ryang introduces him. "This one is Hong Guk! Despite how he looks, he fought against the Heavenly Fiends of the Blood Yin Realm when they invaded the Earth Tribe territory 700 years ago. He was recognized for his achievements and even worked in the territory of Ark Controlling Envoy Gyu-ryeon." "Ah!" That's when I realize who he is. He was the Nascent Soul stage boar demon that Baek Nyeong beat up last time in Gyu-ryeon's territory. *** Discord: https://dsc.gg/wetried Link to donations in the discord!