I Became an Evolving Lizard in a Martial Arts Novel-Chapter 276

“Are you still thinking about that woman?”

Qiongqi spoke in an irritated voice.

With his abilities, Cho-Do’s trap should have been easy to break through.

After all, while fire could burn wood, metal could cut it down entirely—a far deadlier method.

But he didn’t do that.

To be more precise, he couldn’t.

Not because of a lack of ability—Bihee had stopped him.

With Qiongqi’s power, he could have shattered the entire domain even with Bihee in the way.

But since Bihee had stepped in, he immediately withdrew his strength.

Did that mean he respected Bihee’s decision?

Not at all.

Qiongqi himself was almost unaffected by the power of wood, but Bihee was different.

As a being aligned with earth, wood-based attacks could be highly dangerous to him.

In other words, if they didn’t get out of this domain soon, Bihee would be the one to suffer.

They weren’t particularly allies, nor did they have any fondness for each other.

In fact, Qiongqi had been watching for an opportunity to take Bihee’s head.

As a fiend who punished the righteous and delighted in the wicked, Bihee was one of the most disgusting creatures he had ever laid eyes on.

And now, there was a golden chance to weaken him, even if only slightly.

Things couldn’t have gone more conveniently.

“I don’t get it. Why are you going so far to protect a confirmed traitor?”

Even as he spoke, he truly didn’t understand Bihee’s actions.

Qiongqi also knew that Cho-Do was Jinlong’s daughter.

But a betrayal changed everything.

Jinlong’s orders had been to cleanse the Mountains of Ten Thousand Beasts.

That meant Cho-Do’s fate was irrelevant.

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Bihee was the kind of spirit beast who prioritized Jinlong’s commands above all else.

And yet, he had acted like this.

Qiongqi couldn’t help but wonder—was Cho-Do Bihee’s weakness?

That thought made Qiongqi smirk.

“That’s not the case,” Bihee said. “There are a few things I need to ask her. But more importantly, I must prioritize my father’s orders.”

“Hah. And yet, you physically stepped in to protect her?”

“...There are unclear aspects to this.”

“So, you actually cared about the youngest sibling?”

“That’s not what I meant. You still don’t understand me, Qiongqi?”

Bihee’s expression remained blank as he looked down at Cho-Do’s abandoned domain.

“She sacrificed her own domain. Do you understand what that means?”

Cho-Do never left her domain.

Ancient humans who had once seen her even crafted door ornaments in her image—a symbol of protection.

Just as she guarded her domain, humans hoped she would protect their homes as well.

That was the kind of being she was.

Even if it meant death, she would rather perish within her domain than abandon it.

Which meant one thing—

“...I don’t understand. I can tell she switched sides, but she knows father’s power better than anyone. Why would she do something like this?”

Who had appeared that convinced Cho-Do to abandon everything?

“Maybe she found a better option,” Qiongqi sneered.

Bihee didn’t react.

“No one in this world can replace father.”

Bihee’s calm declaration made Qiongqi chuckle mockingly.

“Oh? Didn’t your ‘father’ get beaten down right here in the Mountains of Ten Thousand Beasts?”

Had any other spirit beast dared to say this, they would have lost their head on the spot.

But Qiongqi was an exception.

Jinlong himself had recognized his strength, granting him special privileges.

And Qiongqi was more than happy to abuse them.

“If Jinlong wanted, taking care of a single human would be nothing.”

Of course, Bihee wasn’t so easily provoked.

He was someone who always prioritized his missions above all else.

“Hah. Is that so?” Qiongqi’s lips curled. “Even if that’s true, doesn’t that mean your father isn’t invincible?”

“Recently, he subdued both the dragon of ice and the thunder-wielding bird. There are no spirit beasts left in this age who can oppose Jinlong.”

That was true.

Jinlong had devoured countless spirit beasts’ Neidans, growing stronger and stronger over time.

There was likely no spirit beast left who could stand against him.

“Well, in this era, that might be true,” Qiongqi admitted.

It was precisely because of Jinlong’s overwhelming power and his nature that Qiongqi had chosen to serve him.

“But what if we expand the scope a little?”

A mischievous grin spread across Qiongqi’s face.

Before Bihee could reply, he continued.

“The Ancient Tail of Death... what about him?”

BOOM!

The ground where Qiongqi had been standing exploded.

“You dare speak that name...?”

For the first time, Bihee’s expression changed.

His face twisted into a mix of rage and fear.

Seeing this, Qiongqi beamed.

“Haha... now you’re finally paying attention to me.”

This was exactly the reaction he wanted.

Bihee’s fingers trembled slightly.

“You still haven’t let go of the past.”

“...Shut up.”

The Ancient Tail of Death.

In the present day, some spirit beasts worshipped him like a legendary being.

But those who had actually lived during that time...

Didn’t even dare think of such a thing.

How could they?

That creature had drenched the world in terror.

Even Jinlong himself had been unable to stop him.

For Bihee, he was a nightmare.

For Qiongqi, he was an idol.

“...Do not speak his name. Unless you want to die by my hands.”

For the first time, Bihee’s composure wavered.

And Qiongqi, satisfied that he had gotten exactly what he wanted, grinned in delight.

“Khh, haha... I swear, I’d love to cut your head off right now.”

“Qiongqi. Do you truly wish for that?”

Bihee’s sharp glare locked onto him.

This translation is the intellectual property of Novelight.

“Heh... well, I should at least finish my job first, right?”

Qiongqi sighed dramatically.

“Never speak that cursed name in front of me again.”

“Sure, sure. Whatever our young master commands.”

Qiongqi’s mocking tone remained unchanged.

“But have you thought about why I brought up that name in the first place?”

Bihee’s eyebrow twitched.

Another scheme?

“Al-Yu, was it? That half-blood who went to meet Kunlun?”

“...Al-Yu?”

Bihee remembered him—the spirit beast who had dared to meet Jinlong alone.

“I heard Gongbok is dead.”

“...What?”

Bihee’s expression hardened.

Gongbok.

He had never been particularly close to him, but he knew of him.

And now, someone had killed him?

And if that same someone was their current target...

“Describe him.”

“A black-scaled lizard... with dragon’s scales.”

“...A lizard?”

If it had dragon’s scales, wouldn’t it make sense to call it a dragon?

Why insist on calling it a lizard?

“I don’t know the details, but that’s how the message was delivered.”

“...And what does that have to do with that name?”

Qiongqi shrugged.

“That guy was actually pretty decent at defending himself, but then a single lizard cut him down in one strike? Doesn’t that sound familiar?”

Hearing it like that, it sounded like Gongbok had been overwhelmingly defeated.

But in reality, it was nothing like that.

The battle had been one-sided—until a final, desperate gamble had succeeded.

But since they only knew the outcome and not the struggle, they had no choice but to misinterpret the events.

“The Ancient Tail of Death. That being has returned.”

“Hah. And here I was wondering what nonsense you were about to say.”

Bihee’s expression returned to its usual neutrality.

There was no point in listening to such nonsense.

“I witnessed Gomodo’s destruction with my own eyes. He vanished without a trace. There’s no way he could return.”

“Oh? Is that so?”

Vanished without a trace.

Bihee had personally seen Jinlong finally put an end to him.

There was no way that thing could still exist.

He forced himself to push aside the fear that had momentarily crept into his mind.

A black-scaled lizard—it might resemble Gomodo, sure.

But if Cho-Do had sided with it, she had either been deceived or made a mistake.

“...Even if this incident has nothing to do with that monster... I can’t afford to let such a threat linger.”

No matter what, he needed to find and confront that lizard.

He felt no brotherly attachment to Gongbok.

But if someone had killed a fellow Yongsaengguja, they deserved retribution.

And if that black-scaled lizard truly did resemble the Ancient Tail of Death...

Then this could be his opportunity to bury the painful memories that had refused to fade—even after all these years.

*

“Great Hero, that child...”

Cho-Do gazed at So-Yeong, who was dozing off in my embrace.

I had forced an unreasonable request onto her.

Could she really handle it with such a small body?

But it was something that had to be done.

Sssssk.

Blades of grass sprouted from Cho-Do’s hands, gently cradling So-Yeong as she slept soundly.

“...Let’s talk.”

Gweong.

A tiny green frog, shrunken down to the size of a palm, let out a soft cry.

“Great Hero, you’re planning to take on either Qiongqi or Bihee, aren’t you?”

Even though I explicitly denied it...

She’s too sharp.

“In truth, I already knew. From the little time I’ve observed you and from what your followers have told me, it was obvious how you’d act.”

My plan hadn’t changed.

But I had lied, just a little—because I didn’t want my followers to worry.

There’s a saying that asking for forgiveness is easier than asking for permission.

A bit underhanded, sure.

But if I held off one of the enemies and withdrew from the battlefield, my followers would have no choice but to give their all.

If they failed to take down their opponent quickly, I’d be the one to die.

I was taking myself hostage to motivate them.

“...I won’t stop you. If you truly hold back one of them, this plan offers our best chance of victory.”

It wasn’t that I planned to die.

It was that I trusted my followers.

The followers of Gae-Gaek-Gyo grow stronger in proportion to my strength.

Against a Heavenly Realm opponent, the likes of Cheol-Du-Ryong and weaker beasts wouldn’t be able to do much.

But if I used the abilities of Gae-Gaek-Gyo, the story would change.

At the very least, they’d be strong enough to survive and land a few blows.

That’s why this battle wasn’t about me—it was about my followers.

“And your followers know. Even though you tried to reassure them, they already figured out what you’re planning.”

...Seriously?

They’ve all gotten too sharp.

“The White Wolf told me to pass on a message. She knows what you’re planning, so for the love of everything, at least choose the safer option.”

So even though I thought I had reassured them, I still ended up worrying them.

“If you have to face one, let it be Bihee, not Qiongqi.”

Qiongqi and Bihee.

One is a Fiend-Beast, and the other is a Divine-Beast.

If I had to fight one, Bihee was the obvious choice.

The reason was simple.

From the start, I had the elemental advantage.

On the other hand, Qiongqi wielded metal, which countered my wood affinity.

Even without affinity issues, the difference in power between us was already vast.

But with that disadvantage, there was zero chance of victory.

“Bihee doesn’t enjoy killing. If it’s an order from his father, he might follow through, but in this case, he’ll likely capture you instead. Since you destroyed Black Cloud Pavilion, they’ll need to replenish their supply of elixirs.”

Meanwhile, Qiongqi would do anything to kill me.

He wasn’t a half-baked minor Fiend-Beast like Do-Cheol.

He was one of the Four Great Fiends—and not just any of them, but the most powerful, the most wicked... the "Worst of the Worst."

So logically, facing Bihee made more sense.

Regardless of who I fought, I wouldn’t win.

But at least against Bihee, I’d have a chance of surviving.

“So choose Bihee...”

Cho-Do’s voice trailed off.

“...Why... You’re still the same....”

She realized.

I wasn’t going to fight Bihee.

I was going to face Qiongqi.

My safety didn’t matter.

What was the point of buying time if Qiongqi was butchering my followers?

Just as Qiongqi countered me, he also countered Gae-Gaek-Gyo.

Gae-Gaek-Gyo’s entire foundation came from me—a Divine Beast of Wood.

The entire sect could be considered wood-aligned.

Throwing them against Qiongqi would be suicide.

Strategically, facing Bihee would be better.

Cho-Do began to tear up.

“You always...”

I didn’t expect her to cry.

...Was she seeing me as the previous Gomodo?

For a long moment, she silently wept.

Then, as if realizing I wouldn’t change my mind, she gave up.

She shared everything she knew—her final advice on how to handle the fight.

“...You must survive. Think about why I came here.”

With those parting words, she carried So-Yeong away.

She had abandoned her domain to help me.

I was grateful.

And I had no intention of dying.

This battle was winnable.

I had found a way to balance our firepower.

I had contingency plans in place.

And there was still one final trump card that only I knew about.

Everything was ready.

Now, I just needed to rest...

Knock, knock.

“Gek.”

Before I could even respond, the wooden door creaked open.

So-Yeong?

Cho-Do?

Did they forget something?

“...I hate you.”

That voice...

Nephila?

Her red eyes bore into me.

Just like the first time I saw her, they sent a chill down my spine.

And just like that first time, they pulled me in despite the danger.

I took a cautious step forward.

She waited—and then, as if she had planned it all along, she pulled me onto her lap.

“Gek.”

Did she come because she wanted to sleep beside me?

I mean... she must be anxious too.

“You keep adding more and more people. Even though you met me first.”

...Huh?

Was Nephila’s speech always this fluent?

Drip.

Something warm splashed onto my scales.

Was she... crying?

Was she mad at me for making another reckless decision?

Drip.

...Wait.

This is tears, right?

“This is your punishment.”

“Geeeek—?!”

Nephila’s hands clamped onto my cheeks.

Before I realized it, my arms and legs had been wrapped in webbing.

Her beautiful face inched closer.

Her ruby-red eyes...

Her golden bobbed hair...

The perfect match for my childhood ideal.

Her face was getting closer.

Her cherry-like lips glistened—with saliva.

...Why was there so much saliva?

“Gekekekekekek—!”

No, Nephila, stop!

We aren’t ready for this—

Chomp.

...Chomp?

“GEEEKKKK—?!”

She bit down hard on my neck—and refused to let go.

I guess... this was her way of forgiving me for my recklessness.

......But, Nephila.

You are forgiving me, right?

Because I think you just injected venom.

“...Want me to clean you up?”

...What the hell does that mean?

Clean me up?