Chapter 425: It’s a snake.

What on earth am I supposed to do with this?

That’s what I thought, looking at the snake staring intently at me.

Setting aside its yellow eyes, you could tell just by looking at its red scales.

This guy.

‘It looks like the same one I killed earlier.’

It really did, no matter how I looked at it.

Of course, this isn’t exactly strange.

The crimson monster that appeared in the river is a monster called the 적수사 (Jeok-su-sa), the Crimson Water Snake.

The Jeok-su-sa is a monster that appears regardless of whether it’s a river or the sea.

While its size is considerable even among crimson monsters, its movements are sluggish in proportion to its bulk, making it not a difficult monster to deal with.

If there’s any issue, it’s merely that its habitat is water.

And then…

‘As far as I know, it seemed to use poison.’

Its fangs were filled with potent venom, and even if not, I remembered it as a monster that spewed poisonous gas from its mouth.

I hadn’t felt anything like that when dealing with this one.

Though, some might not use it…

‘Strange.’

The fact that it called me something like ‘Great One’ or whatever.

It felt as if it was intentionally trying not to attack me.

Why, exactly?

Why me?

It was strange enough for a monster to speak, but the biggest mystery was that the monster showed me favor.

‘This one too.’

Shifting my gaze with my hand, a small Jeok-su-sa was staring blankly at me.

This was my biggest concern right now.

What is this one, then?

Making eye contact with the Jeok-su-sa, I scowled.

‘I almost died because of this bastard.’

Right after extracting the magic stone from the monster’s body.

I felt a strange energy and examined the magic stone.

The moment I saw it, I knew instinctively.

I could feel an unknown stirring (胎動 – Tae-dong) emanating from it.

A stirring from a magic stone? What is this, an egg? Why a stirring out of nowhere?

I was so shocked I almost swallowed the river water.

What was even more surprising was…

Upon discovering it, I instinctively knew how to hatch it.

Hatching (孵化 – Bu-hwa).

Yes, I could hatch this magic stone.

What would emerge from it then? I couldn’t know for sure, but this much was certain.

So, what should I do?

There was no time to ponder. Before I could even think about it, I was already pouring my energy into it as if possessed.

‘This is….’

The method of hatching was simple.

Instead of absorbing the magic stone’s energy using the Ma-do-cheon-heup-gong (Magic Absorption Technique), it was the opposite: I was injecting energy into it.

Just like corrupting someone into a demon by injecting them with demonic energy.

The same principle was being applied to the magic stone.

If you ask how I knew, it felt as if someone had told me how to do it.

There was just one problem…

‘Why is it eating so much…!’

The magic stone was devouring my energy like crazy.

I expected it to consume some amount, but the extent was far too great.

Thanks to it consuming my martial arts and fortuitous encounters, I had an unusually large amount of internal energy even for my level.

And yet, it was gobbling up this much even in such a state.

‘It feels like it’s already eaten half.’

I thought I had plenty, as I hadn’t used much in combat.

But the amount it was consuming was extraordinary.

What’s more, I couldn’t stop giving it.

‘This crazy bastard…?’

At first, I was voluntarily injecting my energy, but…

At some point, the magic stone had reached a stage where it was absorbing my energy.

Normally, one could just sever such a connection, but this was different.

I could feel it from the way it was absorbing the energy.

I knew that forcibly severing it would twist my meridians and lead to cultivation deviation (주화입마 – Ju-hwa-im-ma).

It was difficult to even struggle, being underwater, and having my energy drained felt like hell.

If it took all of it, I might actually die.

Thinking so, I desperately tried to regain my senses.

I couldn’t die in a place like this.

That’s what I thought, but there was no particular method.

My energy was steadily dwindling.

‘Fuck.’

I felt like all my energy would be sucked dry if this continued.

What should I do?

Just as I felt I was in a truly critical situation and needed to do something, anything…

Drip-

Finally, the draining of my energy stopped.

‘…Haa.’

Sensing that, I immediately checked my body.

All the energy in my body was gone, leaving only a tiny amount.

If it had taken just a little more, it would have been the end.

A sense of relief that I wasn’t dead slowly crept in.

Crack-

I felt a change in the magic stone held in my hand.

The magic stone had cracked.

And then, I felt something in my hand.

Frowning, I checked my hand to find a red snake coiled around my arm.

I should have widened my eyes at that, but getting out of the water was the priority.

My internal energy was depleted, and I was running out of breath.

I had to survive first, so regardless of the snake, I quickly escaped to the surface.

Time passed, and now…

“What are you?”

I was facing off against the snake that had emerged from the magic stone.

A monster emerging from a magic stone.

‘…Is this how it normally works?’

It shouldn’t be.

I had never heard of monsters coming out of magic stones,

nor had I ever seen it in my life.

Of course, I hadn’t researched or taken any interest in monster breeding or childbirth.

But at least I knew that monsters didn’t come out of magic stones.

‘Then what is this thing?’

That’s why it’s even stranger.

Both the fact that it suddenly sucked my energy from the magic stone and then emerged, and its behavior were strange.

Shiaaa…

Lick.

The Jeok-su-sa flicked its tongue, licking my finger.

Seeing this, I knew it wasn’t an act of hostility, at least.

It was absurd.

Monsters, by nature, are creatures that don’t show affection to humans, so why is this one acting like this?

This is how significant it is:

The Martial Arts Alliance had sought to tame monsters for hundreds of years, but eventually concluded it was impossible and gave up.

Monsters are inherently vicious, leaving only greed and appetite as their remaining traits.

They cannot be tamed and must be hunted for peace.

This was the conclusion reached by the Martial Arts Alliance through long experience.

‘What a joke.’

The Jeok-su-sa continued to lick my arm as if showing affection.

I had to stare at it, dumbfounded.

“Speak. What are you?”

I kept trying to talk to it, but the Jeok-su-sa offered no response.

Believing a monster would answer was absurd in itself.

But recalling the situation earlier, it wasn’t entirely impossible.

That one had definitely spoken to me.

“Are you different from the one from earlier?”

Is this Jeok-su-sa different from the one I killed? That’s what I was asking, but it just stared blankly, sticking out its tongue.

“Hey, you answered just fine earlier. Why are you quiet again? Speak, speak.”

Shaaah?

The snake tilted its head as if it didn’t understand.

“Haa…”

My temper was starting to fray, and heat rose to my head.

Now I was even having this kind of conversation with a damn snake in the middle of the night.

I was already overwhelmed, but… it was so damn annoying.

Thwack-

Shiaak-

Unable to contain my anger, I finally grabbed the snake’s neck.

“How much energy did I feed you? You better not be useless like this.”

Shaak…! Shiaaak!

The caught Jeok-su-sa struggled back and forth, seemingly suffocating.

“What are you? If you don’t answer, I’ll kill you right here. Answer me clearly.”

The loss was immense.

I hadn’t given up a Crimson-grade magic stone just to have this insignificant thing, let alone poured my precious energy into it.

My situation was already tight on energy, and this was infuriating.

Shaak… Shiaaaaa….

“You’re Crimson-grade too, right? So you must have a magic stone?”

It didn’t seem to have much strength, and its body was tiny, so I doubted it had anything inside.

But I had to swallow this, at least.

That way, I wouldn’t feel so cheated.

With that thought, I glared at it and maintained my grip.

Shaak….

It still only struggled without speaking, showing no other particular reaction.

If anything, it was still licking my hand as if showing affection even in this situation.

Why on earth are monsters acting like this towards me?

Not only the sudden appearance of the Crimson monster, but the world itself, seeming to want something from me, displeased me.

When I should be sinking my fangs into it to survive, its desperate attempts to gain affection felt utterly fucking disgusting.

It felt like my past self.

My mood soured considerably.

“…This is fucking bullshit.”

Frowning deeply, I soon loosened my grip.

The Jeok-su-sa, which had been caught, dropped to the floor with a thump.

Thump-

Shiaaaa….

As soon as it hit the floor, the creature quickly climbed onto my body and crawled back onto my hand.

Why is it doing all this?

Could it possibly think I’m its parent?

‘A monster’s parent? What kind of bullshit is that?’

The saying that one might think of someone as a parent upon first encounter.

It’s a story often used, but it doesn’t apply to monsters.

This means…

Either this Jeok-su-sa is different from ordinary monsters,

‘Or something has changed about me.’

During my travels, monsters had attacked me several times. I had hunted them whenever opportunities arose, but nothing like this had ever happened.

‘What is it?’

The appearance of a Crimson monster, and now a baby monster emerging from a magic stone.

Adding just one would be complicated enough, but having two added simultaneously…

“Haa…”

It was truly a situation that only elicited sighs.

Shaa?

Hearing my sigh, the Jeok-su-sa poked its head out as if asking what was wrong.

Looking at it, I slightly furrowed my brow and said,

“I’m going out, so go back in.”

As if understanding my words, the Jeok-su-sa slipped back into my sleeve and disappeared.

This bastard, it really seems to understand me, doesn’t it…?

‘Is it really different?’

It was still too early to tell.

Whether it was the offspring of the monster I killed, or the same one. I couldn’t be sure.

If that were the case, the easiest method would be to just kill it and be done with it, but…

For some reason, I felt reluctant to kill it and stopped myself.

‘I’ll leave it be for now.’

It seems to listen, and it doesn’t seem to be causing any harm.

So, I plan to let it be for now.

For now, at least.

Creeeak.

I opened the door and went outside.

Climbing the stairs a bit brought me to the deck.

It was nighttime, and the night air carried the distinct smell of the river.

As I came outside, there were already a few people on the deck.

Most of them were standing guard.

Perhaps due to the incident earlier today, the security felt unusually heightened.

Glancing at them, I moved forward.

There was someone I needed to find.

Walking towards the very front of the ship, I spotted a figure sitting at the edge.

As I approached him slowly, he turned his head towards me, sensing my presence.

Perhaps because it was night, his green eyes seemed to shine unusually.

Approaching him, I paid my respects and asked,

“Why are you out here, Clan Head Dang?”

“Young Master Gu.”

I met the Clan Head of the Tang family, the Poison King.

“It’s late at night. You must be tired, so why are you out here?”

“…I just couldn’t sleep tonight.”

“Is that so?”

Judging by his expression, he seemed quite worried.

After all, the appearance of a Crimson monster would be a major issue for clan heads.

Under the guise of protecting regional peace and safety, they hold immense sponsorships and fame.

They would be the most sensitive to unexpected anomalies.

Especially the clan heads of the prestigious families known as the Four Great Clans.

‘It doesn’t seem like that’s the only problem, though.’

There seemed to be other, more subtle issues, but…

It wasn’t something to pry into directly. Besides, he probably wouldn’t answer even if I asked.

After a brief greeting, the Poison King and I simply looked at each other, without any further conversation.

A few seconds of silence passed.

Surprisingly, the Poison King spoke first.

“…What is it?”

His voice held a subtle sense of wariness. Why was he suddenly wary of me?

He hadn’t seemed particularly pleased with me before, but he hadn’t seemed wary either.

“I didn’t come specifically for any reason. I just came out for a stroll and happened to see you…”

“I know you didn’t come to me without a purpose.”

“…!”

I let out a startled breath at the Poison King’s words.

How did this guy know? We hadn’t even talked much, and he already figured it out.

‘This old man’s perceptive.’

He truly was the clan head among the Four Great Clans that I considered most fitting for the title.

While thinking that inwardly, I pretended ignorance outwardly.

“Purpose? I don’t understand what you mean.”

“I know that you, Young Master, are not someone who approaches without intent.”

“…”

Haha.

I let out a short laugh at the Poison King’s words.

I readjusted my expression, which had been trying to appear friendly (?).

Since it was all out in the open, there was no need for further pretense.

Noticing the change in my expression, the Poison King narrowed his eyes and spoke to me.

“What do you want?”

A concise question needing no further explanation.

The Poison King seemed to already know what pretext I had approached him with.

Helping to defeat the Crimson monster.

Actually, it wasn’t something I needed to ask for anything in return.

The Crimson monster would have been defeated even if I hadn’t intervened.

However, if I hadn’t intervened, there might have been more casualties due to the Jeok-su-sa’s rampage.

It was something that could have been brushed off as simply being saved, but…

As the person in charge of the current transport, it would be difficult for the Poison King, as the head of the Tang family, to simply let it slide.

That’s just how relationships work.

That’s the responsibility a clan head must bear.

Moreover…

‘He seems wary of me, but it means he doesn’t intend to ruin our relationship.’

The Poison King hadn’t dismissed my value or potential.

That’s why he asked about my business first.

Sensing that, I slightly curled the corners of my lips.

“No, it’s not like I’m asking for anything huge.”

At my words, the Poison King’s eyebrows furrowed. It meant I was asking for something, even if not huge, which likely displeased him.

His not questioning it further implied his tacit approval.

“It’s really not a big request. It’s just…”

“Before that.”

Just as I was about to make my request, the Poison King interrupted me.

What could it be?

“There’s something I want to ask you, Young Master.”

“And what might that be?”

Something he wanted to ask me? I looked at the Poison King with a questioning gaze.

He looked at me and asked,

“The weakness of a Crimson-grade monster. How do you know it?”

“Hmm.”

Ah.

Only upon hearing that question could I understand.

The reason the Poison King was looking at me with wary eyes.

The sudden appearance of a Crimson monster, a grade that hadn’t appeared in hundreds of years, was surprising enough.

But seeing me casually hunt such a monster must have made him view me as even stranger.

He probably wasn’t assuming I did something specific, but…

He was definitely looking at me strangely.

Ha.

‘This is ridiculous.’

I saved him, and now he’s suspecting me?

Look at this guy.

I could understand, but I couldn’t help but feel annoyed.

‘I was even prepared to save him from the ambush.’

If I had saved him from the ambush by Tang Deok’s subordinates as originally planned.

Things would have gone more smoothly without this incident.

The appearance of the Crimson monster seemed to have complicated things.

Anyway, where did the bandits waiting in the area go?

‘They were all eaten, of course.’

If they were waiting in the vicinity at the time, they would have either fled upon seeing the Crimson monster or been eaten by it.

“Are you suspecting me? That I intentionally tried to disrupt the transport?”

“I don’t believe you had such intentions, Young Master.”

“Then why?”

“My question stems from your actions at the time.”

The way you hunted the Crimson monster without hesitation upon seeing it.

Seeing the absurd barrier that absorbed internal energy, the way you attacked without a shred of hesitation was something the Poison King couldn’t comprehend.

“…I don’t understand how you could do that.”

“If you don’t understand, then there’s nothing that can be done, is there?”

“What?”

At my response, the Poison King’s expression crumpled. Did he think I was being sarcastic?

“If you don’t understand, then there’s nothing that can be done, is there?”

“What exactly do you mean by that?”

“You say you can’t understand something that was apparent upon sight. How can I explain it to you?”

I had already thought of an answer to this when I decided to hunt the monster.

It wasn’t something I needed to think much about.

It was simple.

“I see it. I know where the weakness is. That’s why I had the children handle it.”

“…!”

The Poison King’s expression changed at my audacious words.

From a crumpled expression to one of utter disbelief.

My words meant nothing complicated.

I saw it.

So I did it.

Is it my fault you don’t know?

That was basically what I was saying.

If anyone else had said it, they would have been scolded, but…

What is the title they call me in the world?

Not only the youngest peak master, but as rumors spread, they would surely learn that I had reached the Profound realm.

The Poison King already knew this fact, and reaching the Profound realm before the age of twenty…

‘It means I’m an incredible genius.’

In the Central Plains, I would already be considered a prodigy bestowed by heaven.

At first, the title bothered me, making me cringe, but…

Now, I had somewhat given up.

Since it had come to this, I might as well make good use of the rumors.

The Poison King’s dumbfounded expression felt particularly sweet.

“You mean… right now…”

“If not for this, do you think I’ve fought Crimson monsters before? Or that I’m expecting you to think that?”

That’s right. I’ve fought them since my previous life.

“I was trying to help, but I didn’t expect to be met with such suspicion…. It hurts a little.”

It didn’t hurt at all.

Rather, I was inwardly delighted to have caught onto a loophole.

With my continuous stream of words, the Poison King’s expression kept shifting.

‘I did it because I’m awesome.’ This excuse was always foolproof.

I suppose it works as long as you have the rumors or the strength to back it up.

Look now, the Poison King is speechless, only moving his lips.

“…My apologies. This was my mistake.”

Although the suspicious gaze hadn’t disappeared, seemingly out of options, the Poison King offered his apology.

Seeing that, I ‘pretended’ to relax my expression slightly.

“It’s alright…. Thank you for apologizing.”

Honestly, even having this conversation was tiresome.

But if I didn’t clean up the aftermath, it could become even more troublesome later.

Moreover, since the Poison King had apologized first, it made it a little easier to make my request.

“Clan Head Dang. If you don’t mind, may I ask for one favor now?”

“…Speak.”

“You don’t need to be so hesitant. It’s not a huge request.”

Does he think I’m going to ask for something enormous?

That’s not it.

‘It might be big from my perspective, but perhaps not so much from the Poison King’s.’

I wasn’t asking for anything material.

The Poison King seemed somewhat tense, wondering what request I might make, but…

What I was going to ask for wasn’t that grand.

I could have asked for an expensive elixir, or a famous sword befitting the Tang family’s name as the Iron Clan, but…

What I wanted was precisely…

“I heard there’s a lake in the Tang family.”

“Hmm?”

The Poison King’s face showed confusion at the sudden mention of a lake.

“It’s called the Poison Logic Lake (毒理湖水 – Dok-ri-ho-su)….”

A legacy left by Dok-jeol-cheon (毒絕天), the hero who repelled the Blood Demon and an ancestor of the Tang family.

The water of the deep lake consists entirely of potent poison, making it a dangerous place where ordinary people would die from poisoning just by approaching it.

Such poisonous substances also served as ingredients for the poisons used by the Tang family.

As they couldn’t figure out where this water originated from.

People dismissed it as another strange artifact.

“I’ve been curious about it since I was young. Could I see it once?”

I said with a smile, but the Poison King’s gaze didn’t change.

He looked like he couldn’t understand why I wanted to see it.

‘Do you think I want to see it?’

Why would I want to see such a dangerous place?

There was only one reason.

‘White Magic Stone.’

This damned White Magic Stone was hidden in a location.

And that location happened to be at the bottom of that lake.