Chương 195: Betrayal (3)

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"... Ha!"

I am momentarily taken aback by her words.

"To accept someone you've only met twice into your faction?"

Isn't that a bit too reckless?

"Oh my, what would you do if you were in my position?"

"Well..."

"Wouldn't you know after fighting with a fellow Heart Tribe member?"

"..."

Although it sounds ridiculous, it makes sense upon reflection.

Heart Tribe members can read each other's heart essence by competing in skills.

Of course, in my case, with the addition of the Earth Tribe's vision, I even read into the past.

Yu Hwa only somewhat understood what kind of being I am by encountering my heart essence.

Yet, I can't easily refute her words.

We touched each other's essence.

Just that has already given us enough knowledge about each other.

"... Well, I guess I understand the feeling."

"Hehe, since I know you are an upright person, I trust you will keep your promise."

"I will keep it. I'll arrange a place after Seo Hweol leaves the Sea Dragon Palace."

"Thank you."

Chalak, chalak!

She begins to retract the spider webs she had spread around and starts cleaning the disordered waiting room.

I watch her, lost in thought for a moment.

'I didn't read her past perfectly.'

I only briefly skimmed through the flashback that passed by in the blink of an eye during the Nascent Soul stage.

That alone was enough to roughly understand how she reached the realm of the Heart Tribe, But in other words, reading how she became a Heart Tribe was all I did.

Reading a few fragments of memories was truly all there was to it.

'However, it's certainly possible to read the moments of intense emotion someone has felt throughout their life.'

Then.

I look up, lost in thought.

'Maybe, if I look at Seo Hweol with this vision, I can also know about Seo Hweol's past.'

Thud.

Yu Hwa and I exit from the third basement level waiting room.

When we head up to the second basement floor, I see Yu Hwa's fellow musicians there.

Out of curiosity, I read their heart essences as well, and apart from the clam demon, they seem to be just ordinary slave races.

"Ah, Yu Hwa, you're here."

"Yes. Phew, it's hot."

As she enters the second floor, wiping off her sweat, the eyes of her colleagues strangely change.

They look back and forth between her and me, and seeing both of us sweating, they exchange peculiar glances with each other.

'...? Why are they acting like that...'

Puzzled, I decide to head back up to the Immortal Demon Tower.

"Today was good. Let's meet again if there's a chance."

"Yes, I look forward to it."

I nod to Yu Hwa, expecting the day we will spar again, and she also bows her half-spider lower body to me in respect.

Somehow, there is a lot of murmuring among her fellow musicians, but I ignore it and concentrate on other thoughts as I climb the stairs.

'The vision of reading memories is something I glimpsed during our intense spar.'

She is of the same Heart Tribe, and Heart Tribe members of the Treading Heavens realm or higher intertwine their heart essences when sparring.

Thanks to that phenomenon, I was able to read a few fragments of her memories.

'If I want to enter the heart essence of someone who is not of the Heart Tribe and see their inner thoughts and memories, what should I do?'

The first thing that comes to mind is the Sea of Righteousness and Mountain of Grace.

If I were to thrust Seo Hweol's head with the Sea of Righteousness and Mountain of Grace, my Nascent Soul can directly enter his consciousness and peek into his heart essence and memories.

But I immediately dismiss that plan.

'My soul might rot away instantly.'

The Sea of Righteousness and Mountain of Grace can be used on someone manageable, but if I were to immerse my Nascent Soul into Seo Hweol's heart essence, it's no joke that my Nascent Soul might corrode.

'The Sea of Righteousness and Mountain of Grace... let's not think about it.'

Then, what other methods could there be?

As I ponder over and over, my thoughts reach the Wonderfully Mysterious Innate Heart Canon.

'Hmm, maybe with the Wonderfully Mysterious Innate Heart Canon...'

Using the Wonderfully Mysterious Innate Heart Canon to momentarily connect my consciousness with Seo Hweol's, and during that time, peeking into his memories through the heart essence might be an option.

'It might rot my consciousness as well, but it's a bit better than Sea of Righteousness and Mountain of Grace.'

Maybe if I can get the Mad Lord's help, a more proper investigation of Seo Hweol's memories might be possible.

'Joining hands with the Mad Lord to kidnap Seo Hweol and then remodel him into a puppet, investigating Seo Hweol's consciousness trapped in the puppet...'

But this is too much like something Seo Hweol would do, so I dismiss it.

If I suggest kidnapping Seo Hweol to the Mad Lord, he will probably try to remodel me first.

'It's futile to expect common sense from someone you can't reason with.'

Step, step...

Before I know it, I have returned to the first floor of the Immortal Demon Tower, recalling Seo Hweol and Gyu Ryeon on the fourth floor.

'Come to think of it, this building is under a restraint that even controls the consciousness of cultivators at the Four-Axis stage.'

Of course, cultivators at the Four-Axis stage aren't really restrained by the restraint but 'allow themselves to be restrained' for the sake of the performance, and they can break free at any time.

But anyway, their consciousness is clearly restrained.

'Maybe this moment, with Seo Hweol and Gyu Ryeon together, is when they're most vulnerable.'

Then, let's try out this newly discovered vision today.

If it's possible to see fragments of memories just by looking from the outside without mixing with the heart essence, that alone will be a great gain.

'I'll wait for the performance to start again.'

The consciousness inside the building is slightly restrained now, but not as much as during a performance.

I decide to wait for the right moment.

Soon.

The lights in the building go out again, and Yu Hwa and the musicians once again come up to prepare for their performance. Everyone's consciousness is restrained once more.

Ordinary cultivators, if their consciousness is restrained, are practically unable to act properly, as if their senses were restrained.

But I am different.

I had lived well even before I had a realm of consciousness as a mortal.

'Let's see...'

Swish!

I use the Record of Transcending Cultivation and Exhausting Martial Arts, entering the gaps in the perception of many within the darkness.

Then, with the Earth Tribe's vision and my Nascent Soul's vision, I cut through the flow of Qi itself, making my body invisible to anyone.

'And, I also hide the flow of my life.'

If there is something I realized after reaching the Nascent Soul stage with the Earth Tribe's method, it is the enlightenment about 'life.'

'Those at the Four-Axis stage have gained enlightenment of life...'

I cut through my own flow of life, momentarily ensuring that those who have gained enlightenment of life can't detect me...!

Swish!

Finally, cutting myself off and completely hiding in the crevice of perception, spiritual energy, and the flow of life, I begin to ascend to the fourth floor.

Just in case, I even use a technique to silence my footsteps as I ascend to the fourth floor.

Woong!

Although restrained, Seo Hweol and Gyu Ryeon's consciousness nearly fills the entire fourth floor.

Of course, considering the original size of their consciousness, this is also a significantly restrained level, but I tense up and carefully make my way through the gaps in their consciousness.

"...?"

I see Gyu Ryeon and Seo Hweol not sitting and listening to the musicians but standing and arguing with each other.

'...?'

What's going on?

Gyu Ryeon cast a soundproofing spell, and since the entire fourth floor is dark, I can't tell why they are fighting.

But clearly, Gyu Ryeon is feeling strong jealousy, pity, obsession and love towards Seo Hweol.

Of course, Seo Hweol seems to be flustered on the outside, but as usual, he feels no emotion on the inside.

Just then.

Wo-woong!

Inside the dark fourth floor.

Gyu Ryeon begins to use a strange, pinkish spell.

As she forms a hand seal, something metaphysical begins happening around them.

Seo Hweol's normally calm heart essence shows slight turmoil.

Seo Hweol is flustered.

And the next moment.

'Hoh...'

Filled with grief, jealousy, and love, Gyu Ryeon grabs Seo Hweol by the collar.

She pulls his face towards hers and kisses him.

Seo Hweol, caught off guard by Gyu Ryeon's sudden kiss, is flustered but soon calms his emotions.

'What exactly is happening...'

But this is good.

If Seo Hweol is even slightly flustered now, maybe I can delve into his heart essence and read his memories.

That's when.

"...!"

As Gyu Ryeon kisses Seo Hweol, something metaphysical seems to happen between them, and I, too, feel caught up in that change while observing.

'What is this...!'

Wo-woong!

Gyu Ryeon detaches her lips from Seo Hweol and, after dispelling the soundproofing spell, looks this way.

"Who is it! Who is spying on us!?"

'This...!'

It isn't so much a problem with the Record of Transcending Cultivation and Exhausting Martial Arts, but it seems I was caught because of observing Gyu Ryeon's spell as a third party.

I hurriedly descend from the fourth floor, and Gyu Ryeon's roar echoes behind me.

"Who dares...!"

Kugugugu!

Her restrained consciousness shatters the constraints around her, expanding in all directions.

But, just in time!

Whoosh!

I successfully leave her consciousness domain and reach my original place on the first floor of the Immortal Demon Tower before she can find me.

'Phew...'

Just as I sit down and normalize my bodily reactions, taking a sip of White-Red Wine, Gyu Ryeon's consciousness sweeps through the entire Immortal Demon Tower.

'She used some spell on Seo Hweol.'

And, seeing Seo Hweol's flustered appearance caused by Gyu Ryeon's actions,

'It seems like it was some kind of curse that takes effect through a kiss...'

Did she use some kind of spell to force marriage?

I can't help but feel pleased at the thought of Seo Hweol being flustered.

'At least Senior Gyu got one over on Seo Hweol.'

But upon further thought, before Gyu Ryeon forcibly used that spell on Seo Hweol, their relationship seemed to be on the verge of turning sour.

Gyu Ryeon appeared to be boiling with feelings of injustice, jealousy, obsession, and love.

No, even now.

Kugugugu!

Her consciousness thoroughly scans the vicinity, and I can observe the irritation, jealousy, and love carried within her entire consciousness domain.

Pretending nothing is amiss, Yu Hwa too must have noticed Gyu Ryeon's jealousy, as she momentarily falters in her performance.

Of course, like a first-class musician, she quickly calms her mind and continues playing.

'... A lot of interesting things are happening tonight.'

I finish my White-Red Wine, comfortably settling into Yu Hwa's performance.

Finally, even comes at the Immortal Demon Tower and Seo Hweol's farewell party comes to an end.

Now it is Seo Hweol's turn to return to the Sea Dragon Palace and prepare for departure.

As the Sea Dragon Palace party and Gyu Ryeon are saying their goodbyes outside the Immortal Demon Tower,

"Seo Eun-hyun, stay back for a moment."

"Yes?"

Gyu Ryeon suddenly calls me to stop.

Seo Hweol, looking puzzled, glances back and forth between her and me.

"There's something I need to say to this kid for a moment, so Grand Prince Seo, please go ahead."

"Yes, understood."

Seo Hweol, appearing embarrassed, can't meet her eyes and coughs awkwardly before quickly flying away from the Immortal Demon Tower.

'What a spine-chilling performance.'

I inwardly click my tongue, comparing Seo Hweol's demeanor to his heart essence.

That's when.

"Was it you, Seo Eun-hyun?"

"Yes?"

"The one who was spying on us."

"..."

Gyu Ryeon asks me with a cold expression.

After a moment of silence, I slowly nod.

'I was drawn into the change caused by the spell Gyu Ryeon used.'

Perhaps Gyu Ryeon detected that change and is addressing it to me.

Denying it seems pointless.

As I nod, Gyu Ryeon sighs and looks up at the sky.

"... From where did you watch?"

"... When Senior Gyu, you... kissed... the Grand Prince."

"Yes, I see. Sigh..."

She presses her temples.

"... Why were you spying on us?"

"My apologies. There was something I needed to report to the Grand Prince..."

"Well, Grand Prince Seo has a lot on his plate, so I understand. Maybe... it's better it was you."

She glances at me briefly before sighing again.

"... I used an ancient spell known as the Vast Cold Beautiful Agreement, also called the Vast Cold Oath."

Gyu Ryeon's story begins.

"Long, long ago, in a time unimaginably distant, before the rituals involving White-Red Wine, there was the Vast Cold Oath to prove marriage between two people."

Yet, despite using the spell she so desired to bind herself to Seo Hweol, she appears somewhat bitter.

"Congratulations... Didn't you wish to be bonded with Grand Prince Seo?"

"Well... I did want to be bonded with him. Not forcibly like this, but naturally, with everyone's blessings...""

I ask her the question she seems to want to answer, reading her intent.

"What happened...?"

Gyu Ryeon seems to want to unburden her heart to someone.

"... Last time, I saw Seo Hweol with someone else."

"Who was it?"

"It was a woman of the human race, dressed in white. I saw her walking down the streets of the Serving Command Ark, holding hands with Seo Hweol. They were... smiling as if they were extremely happy."

"..."

"Once could be overlooked. But after following Seo Hweol several times... they met regularly, becoming even closer."

I am startled by her story about the human woman accompanying Seo Hweol.

"How could... How could he do that? He said he loved me... said he wanted to be with me...! Why is he with another woman, and a human at that...!!"

She vents her frustration.

"I took this opportunity to ask him who she was. Seo Hweol said it was nothing, but I could tell. He was thinking of her more than me! I mean, I could understand if he wanted to take a human concubine. But shouldn't he have discussed it with me first!?"

"..."

"I... So, I used the Vast Cold Oath on Seo Hweol by force this time. I wanted to swear to the world that he is mine."

She suddenly covers her face with a hand, sighing as if feeling self-loathing.

"If it weren't for that woman, I wouldn't have been so desperate to do something about him. Do you think I was wrong...?"

"... I know Grand Prince Seo well."

I start to advise her to keep her distance from Seo Hweol.

"Grand Prince Seo's history with women is quite severe. As you know, some of the Sea Dragon Palace's people are his descendants. From the Lower Realm, he has taken countless wives and concubines."

"... Is that so."

"Yes... So perhaps not expecting much from Grand Prince Seo might be..."

"Well... Fine."

After hearing my words, her golden eyes begin to shine brightly.

Her golden pupils, along with her golden horns, split vertically as they blaze.

"Then, while Seo Hweol is away on his Axis Foundation Practice, I will definitely reach the Integration stage."

"...?"

"As an Integration stage Demon King, I will take Seo Hweol under my wing. Then, he wouldn't dare take any more concubines."

"..."

I am at a loss for words for a moment, but then the thought crosses my mind that perhaps this is for the best.

'Gyu Ryeon possesses the cultivation of the Grand Perfection Four-Axis stage.'

Continuously cultivating will naturally lead to her becoming an Integration stage Dragon King.

That is Gyu Ryeon of the Golden Dragon Race.

'If Gyu Ryeon takes Seo Hweol as her husband and becomes obsessed with him, constantly doubting him, with her higher cultivation level...'

Perhaps Seo Hweol's freedom of movement can be greatly reduced.

'I'm sorry for supporting you with ulterior motives but...'

"I support you. In fact, I wasn't pleased with the Grand Prince's philandering ways."

"Thank you for your support."

"And about the human woman you mentioned seeing with the Grand Prince..."

"Yes, that displeasing woman?"

"Yes, that lady was originally meant to accompany me as per Grand Prince Seo's plans. It's just that the Grand Prince has been taking her around. So, if Senior Gyu achieves her realm and forms a marital bond with the Grand Prince, could you possibly leave that woman to me? Considering you might be concerned about the Grand Prince meeting other women."

"Yes, that sounds good."

Of course, the human woman mentioned to be accompanying Seo Hweol is likely Oh Hye-seo, who was supposed to 'accompany me,' a term with a double meaning.

Not implying a matrimonial bond but literally meaning that if not for being trapped in this world, she would have continued to accompany me as a colleague and comrade.

'Anyway, if I can, through Gyu Ryeon, separate Oh Hye-seo and Seo Hweol...'

Gyu Ryeon said she saw them happily walking the streets together, but honestly, I am anxious just by not knowing what Seo Hweol might be doing to her.

"Hmm!"

Suddenly, she shakes her head vigorously and exhales a faint energy.

'Ah...'

It's drunkenness.

It seems she was a bit intoxicated from drinking the spirit wine.

"... Sorry for showing you such an unsightly state."

"Not at all. I sincerely support the relationship between Senior Gyu and Grand Prince Seo."

"Thank you.... I might have babbled some strange things in my drunken state... but I actually have something else to say."

"Please, go ahead."

"The Vast Cold Oath I bound with Seo Hweol should originally be formed in front of many witnesses, or in complete privacy."

"... Did my presence cause a significant issue?"

"No, there's no major issue. The reason people must witness the Vast Cold Oath is to serve as 'witnesses' to prove our marital bond."

"Ah..."

"In other words, you are the sole witness to the marital bond between me and Seo Hweol. However, the Vast Cold Oath formed today wasn't proper, as it was forced upon Seo Hweol in my moment of drunkenness and jealousy..."

She asks me, fiddling with her hair somewhat embarrassedly.

"When I become an Integration stage Demon King and have a proper wedding with Seo Hweol, as the sole witness of the Vast Cold Oath, would you be able to witness our marital progression?"

'So that's why she recognized me right away.'

I inwardly sigh softly.

Nevertheless, Gyu Ryeon's proposal holds no downsides for me.

"Yes. On the day when your Vast Cold Oath with the Grand Prince is properly formed, I will definitely... oversee the progression of your bond."

"Thank you."

Gyu Ryeon beams, expressing her gratitude.

'It seems I'm starting to see a way to deal with Seo Hweol.'

I had been frustrated, not knowing how to escape or follow Seo Hweol, who schemes all sorts of wicked plans.

But today, after hearing Gyu Ryeon's inner thoughts, I found an answer.

'Marry Seo Hweol off!'

After Gyu Ryeon becomes an Integration Stage Demon King and marries Seo Hweol, he will be caught by her strong obsession for hundreds of years, limiting his freedom of action.

This will greatly increase the chances of achieving the goals I've set in this life.

Of course, this means the Heavenly Lightning Banner should not be placed in the mouth of the newlywed Seo Hweol, but rather in the mouth of the Black Dragon King Hyeon-eum.

'While Seo Hweol is away, I'll meticulously prepare everything necessary for Seo Hweol to marry Gyu Ryeon upon his return!'

I revise the goals of this life with determination.

Author's note: Teaming up to forcefully marry the villainous lady Gyu Ryeon to the romantic fantasy's male lead and taking the heroine for himself is the wicked mastermind, Seo Eun-hyun….