When we pulled the bald man out of the trap, he didn’t have any noticeable injuries.

There was some bloodstain here and there, but that was it.

“...He seems to be from Shaolin,” Tang So-Yeong remarked as she laid the bald man down.

Shaolin.

The thought naturally came to mind at the sight of his shaved head.

In the martial world, a bald head was synonymous with Shaolin.

Of course, there could be other reasons for his head being shaved, but the fact that he’d reached the Ten Thousand Mountain Range meant he was a martial artist.

It was clear he was a Shaolin warrior.

And that was the problem.

The Ten Thousand Mountain Range was the domain of the Heavenly Demon Cult.

Shaolin, on the other hand, was considered the epitome of the orthodox sects—a beacon of righteousness.

Even without additional information, it was safe to assume that this man hadn’t wandered into this place with friendly intentions.

Besides, I had additional information.

I already knew that Shaolin’s Arhat, Cheolduyong, would enter the Ten Thousand Mountain Range.

This man couldn’t be Cheolduyong himself—he was human, after all—but there was bound to be a connection.

“Gek-gegek...”

What made it even stranger was that he knew my name.

To be precise, he recognized the species of Gomo-Do.

That in itself was odd.

Let’s say, for argument’s sake, that he read about Gomo-Do in some book.

It wouldn’t be strange for Shaolin to know about it, especially since the Tang Clan reveres it as a sacred spiritual being.

The Tang Clan and Shaolin are both part of the orthodox faction, so they likely had some exchanges.

But how did he identify me as Gomo-Do?

Tang So-Yeong started calling me Gomo-Do back when I was the Crocodile King Lizard.

When I evolved into Gomo-Do, she said I matched the appearance she knew.

But now?

I’ve evolved into the Awaiting Serpent.

The traces of Gomo-Do have long disappeared.

I have horns, fur, and an entirely different form.

So how did he recognize me as Gomo-Do?

It’s reasonable to assume he doesn’t actually know what Gomo-Do looks like.

So why did the word “Gomo-Do” come out of his mouth?

Someone must have told him that Gomo-Do had appeared in the Ten Thousand Mountain Range.

That would explain why he called me Gomo-Do after seeing a massive black lizard.

But who spread the word about Gomo-Do’s appearance?

The likely suspects were Jang Bong and Baek Woon.

However, while Jang Bong might have spoken, it didn’t seem like Baek Woon would reveal my identity.

He seemed to have his own plans.

It’s more plausible that a third party saw me and leaked the information.

That’s as far as my reasoning could take me.

I couldn’t determine the identity of the third party.

“What will you do? Picking a fight with Shaolin could be risky,” Tang So-Yeong said.

She was from the Tang Clan.

Though she was with me now and part of my “followers,” she might one day return to her clan.

If there was a conflict with Shaolin, it wouldn’t bode well for her.

“The Martial Alliance might come after you, Sir Go,” she added.

If word got out that I killed this bald man, that would undoubtedly happen.

But if it didn’t?

I could commit the perfect crime.

...Of course, I wasn’t planning to harm this man just yet.

As suspicious as he was, killing him outright wouldn’t be the best choice.

Given his connection to Cheolduyong, he could provide valuable information.

“Gek-gegek.”

First, I’d treat him.

“Gek.”

Then, observe his reactions.

“Keeng.”

Nephila and Pus stared at me, their expressions serious.

They were waiting for my orders.

“Gek-gegek.”

Tie him up first.

“Ugh... W-where am I?”

The bald man finally woke up.

“You’re in the Ten Thousand Mountain Range,” Tang So-Yeong replied.

I stayed a short distance away, listening to their conversation.

My presence was too intimidating, and I didn’t want to risk him clamming up.

Sure, I could get the information I needed through threats, but that would be a last resort.

“That appearance... Are you from the Tang Clan?”

Was Tang So-Yeong a well-known figure?

It seemed he recognized her.

Or maybe he deduced her identity from her distinct Tang Clan traits.

“Is that really important right now?”

...Does everyone in the Tang Clan have a frail build like hers?

If so, it must be a nightmare there.

“Ahem!” Tang So-Yeong shot me a glare.

“I saw Gomo-Do... Was I hallucinating? No, but why am I tied up like this?”

He finally realized he was restrained.

Tang So-Yeong turned to face him.

“I have a question. Why did you call that spiritual being Gomo-Do?”

“So it wasn’t a hallucination...”

The bald man seemed momentarily flustered by the spider silk binding him but quickly composed himself.

“I’ll answer your question. Namgoong Yeon sent a letter. It mentioned the appearance of an evil god in the Ten Thousand Mountain Range. It also stated that a spiritual being known as Gomo-Do had appeared.”

...Namgoong Yeon?

Have I heard that name before?

It didn’t ring a bell.

This person knew about the Dragon Gates and my existence.

But I had no clue who they were.

“Namgoong Yeon... All right, next question. Who are you?”

Tang So-Yeong was handling this better than I expected.

She was calm and composed—gone was her usual scatterbrained demeanor.

This was a proper Tang Clan warrior.

“...Call me Do-In.”
“Do-In. So, you’re from Shaolin?”
“That’s correct.”

Even Do-In seemed subdued under Tang So-Yeong’s confident questioning.

Despite being more skilled than her, he was bound in a spiderweb, with a Tang Clan member before him—a precarious position.

Like an insect caught in a web, he knew that a mere gesture from Tang So-Yeong could spell his end.

“What’s your reason for coming here?”
“I saw smoke rising and ran here out of desperation.”

Do-In knew better than anyone else that he wasn’t in a position to lie.

“That’s not what I meant. Why is Shaolin here in the Ten Thousand Mountain Range?”
“...The descent of the evil god is our official reason.”
“I see. That much makes sense. Your public reason is to observe the descent of the evil god. But your real objective is to claim the spiritual beings of the Ten Thousand Mountain Range.”

Claiming the spiritual beings.

Tang So-Yeong had come here with the same intent, albeit for training the Dilophosaurus.

And deeper than that, it was tied to the political strife within the Tang Clan.

“You recognized Gomo-Do because it’s one of Shaolin’s targets, isn’t it?”
“...I won’t deny it.”

Do-In spoke honestly.

But...

“Grrr...”
“Kieek...”
“Ilboo... Buuuu...”

The followers hidden all around us couldn’t hide their hostility.

Sweat trickled down Do-In’s forehead.

He must have realized that all the killing intent was directed at him.

“...You dare try to harm Sir Go?”

Tang So-Yeong’s eyebrows twitched.

Despite everything, she was my follower.

“And now you have the audacity to ask for help?”

“Kieek...”

Pus and Tus climbed onto Tang So-Yeong’s shoulders, baring their fangs at the bald man.

“...I wish to speak directly to the divine beast you serve.”

Do-In struggled to form his words, clearly overwhelmed by the pressure.

There must be a reason for his persistence.

Tuk-tuk.

I stepped next to Tang So-Yeong.

“Hu-hup!”

Do-In flinched at my sudden appearance but swallowed his screams.

“Grrr...”

“Sir Go has shown mercy. If you have something to say, speak now,” Tang So-Yeong translated.

...I didn’t exactly say that, but close enough.

“C-Cheolduyong has defeated the Ice Bird.”

Do-In blurted out his revelation.

So it was Cheolduyong.

“...And the moment he took its power, he betrayed us.”

I see.

The Dragon Gate’s power must have driven him into a frenzy.

“Betrayal? Be more specific.”
“He slaughtered his brothers and mentors without hesitation. I escaped only because my senior brother bought me time...”

It wasn’t just betrayal—it felt calculated, like he’d been waiting for the right moment.

“Not betrayal. Revenge,” I growled, my interpretation delivered through Tang So-Yeong.

A powerful weapon indeed, that voice of mine.

“Revenge? If it were revenge, I wouldn’t have fled.”

Do-In clenched his fists.

“Cheolduyong is deluded.”
“Deluded?”
“Yes... The truth was hidden, and he awakened to lies instead.”

He seemed to be implying that Cheolduyong’s actions were based on misunderstandings.

“Grrr...”

So, what’s your point?

“Cheolduyong must be stopped.”

Shaolin’s Arhat, Cheolduyong, had betrayed his sect.

But his betrayal stemmed from a misunderstanding.

Do-In’s plea was simple: stop him.

“Please, I beg you.”

Boom!

Do-In slammed his head against the ground.

“I lack the strength to stop him...”

So he wants me to take care of Cheolduyong for him?

The nerve.

There’s no reason for me to help Shaolin.

My master’s instructions were clear: eliminate the Arhats of Shaolin.

If Cheolduyong hadn’t betrayed them, this man would be fighting against me.

“I know... I know how shameless this request is...”

Tears streamed from Do-In’s eyes.

“But if he isn’t stopped, all of humanity will perish.”

What?

“Despite the slaughter he committed, his hatred hasn’t diminished. No—it has grown stronger. And his hatred is now directed at all of humanity.”

The bald man trembled violently.

Crash!

I pressed my claw against his head.

“Gah... Guhhh!”

The blame for Cheolduyong’s twisted worldview rested squarely on the shoulders of these monks.

Their wickedness must have driven him to such hatred.

Because of their failures, those in the Ten Thousand Mountain Range would suffer.

The Heavenly Demon Cult would suffer.

My followers would suffer.

Because of the so-called righteous sects, those I cherish might get hurt.

“Grrr...”

Rage boiled within me.

“Sir Go!”

Tang So-Yeong clung to my foreleg.

Her embrace softened my anger.

If she hadn’t acted, that monk’s head would’ve burst by now.

“Hahh... Huff...”

Do-In gasped for air, trembling.

I turned away.

I’d learned enough.

One way or another, I had to deal with Cheolduyong.

If the Dragon Gate’s power spiraled out of control, it would become my problem too.

“Wait... please...”
“You!” Tang So-Yeong shouted.

Was he still not done?

“I must take responsibility... This request isn’t for you to defeat Cheolduyong...”

What?

“I’ll fulfill my duty, even if it costs my life... I’ll bring Cheolduyong back to his senses.”

I stopped in my tracks.

Though I disliked it, I couldn’t ignore his determination.

Hearing him out wouldn’t hurt.

“My plea to the divine beast is this: if I fail and perish, please... stop him.”

Do-In was prepared to die.

But just being prepared didn’t guarantee results.

It was clear now what he was asking.

Even if he failed and died, he wanted me to prevent further carnage.

“Divine beast, I beg you. Please... accompany me.”

I didn’t hold Shaolin in high regard.

My master had instilled in me a deep distrust of the orthodox sects.

As her disciple, I followed her teachings.

The orthodox factions were corrupt.

But that didn’t mean everyone in them was.

Tang So-Yeong was part of an orthodox faction too.

Judging people through someone else’s perspective is no different from stepping into their shadow.

I had to see the world through my own eyes.

...Perhaps this was my master’s intent in making her request.

I couldn’t say for sure.

Even my master couldn’t have foreseen this situation.

But one thing was certain:

I needed to see this through.

I had to witness the fates of Cheolduyong and Shaolin.

Expand my horizons.

“Gek-gegek.”

Like the divine being I was.