I Became an Evolving Lizard in a Martial Arts Novel-Chapter 338:

I Became an Evolving Lizard in a Martial Arts Novel-Chapter 338:

"So, what are you going to do?"
That long declaration from Tang So-Yeong—well, because Dan Hwa-Yeon couldn’t understand it even after hearing it about five times, So-Yeong ended up panting—and then Dan Hwa-Yeon turned to me and asked.
She must be asking about what comes next and what I plan to do in the Beast Palace.
"First, I’ll just probe them a little. I would've used a different method normally, but since you’ve joined us..."
Honestly, Dan Hwa-Yeon is a tremendously valuable asset.
Even her basic combat power is at the level of Hwa-gyeong, and she’s a martial artist from Jidokmun, which specializes in poisons.
Her poison strength alone is on a level that makes it feel unfair to even compare her with So-Yeong.
On top of that, the refinement of her technique is impressive—I've even seen her briefly take flight using wings made of poisonous energy, like a butterfly.
I have no idea how it works, but she must’ve used inner energy, that magical cheat code of the martial arts world, to pull it off somehow.
Of course, she’s definitely a powerful human, but compared to the entirety of the Gae Gak Sect, she’s not particularly outstanding as a martial artist.
After all, Gae Gak Sect is filled with spiritual beings far stronger than her.
Even so, in this case, Dan Hwa-Yeon’s value was enormous.
It was too obvious how it would look to them if the master of Jidokmun was seen walking side-by-side with an envoy of the Heavenly Demon Cult.
Originally, So-Yeong was supposed to play that role.
Even now, with that pointy little face glaring at Dan Hwa-Yeon while sneakily tugging on my sleeve, she might look pathetic, but let’s not forget—she’s the youngest daughter of the prestigious Tang Clan.
“Ugh... I-I’m really sorry, but could you... maybe, um, stop talking? I-I mean, not because it’s unpleasant or anything... and it’s not like life in the Gae Gak Sect has gotten easier or anything... it’s just... just something about it, okay...”
Do I look like I’m going to eat her or what?
Why’s she reacting like that?
Baekrang swayed her tail gently, as if she understood.
"Surprised at how decent he looks, right? This guy used to look totally different. There was a time he didn’t even have fur—just all scales. Back then he looked completely dumb..."
That’s just your personal preference for furry things, isn’t it?
With no other choice, I ended up playing with Baekrang’s fur—my interpreter’s fluff.
The treatment of divine beasts, I tell you, is no joke.
"So yeah, now that the master of Jidokmun is with us, there’s no reason to use any other method. We just need to show your face around a bit, let them know we’re the kind of people who are dangerous to mess with, and handle things swiftly. It’ll depend on how they respond, but I think this can all be resolved through dialogue."
She really is my defense attorney.
I continued fiddling with the fur around her neck.
"Grooowl... Kaeng! H-hey, don’t touch there!"
Now I just want to touch it more.
“T-then... I’m going to touch you the same way later...”
I let go immediately.
What exactly were you planning to touch?
"Hmm, so in the end, the grand annihilation operation to bring storm and thunder upon the Beast Palace isn’t happening, huh?"
What kind of apocalyptic name is that?
And is it just me, or does it sound like she wants the Beast Palace wiped out?
"There can be no two suns under one sky. Without the Beast Palace, our Jidokmun will be the undisputed strongest...!"
"Jidokmun no longer exists."
“T-Tang Someone-or-other! Take that back!”
“Taken back.”
"Are you mocking me right now?!"
Seems like So-Yeong’s found her own punching bag. For some reason, I feel proud.
Yes, So-Yeong, Hwa-Yeon.
Don’t fight, and just live happily ever after in the Gae Gak Sect.
“Kyeoong...”
I picked up Pus and wiped my eyes with her.
“Kyeong!”
What, you want me to do that for you too?
“Kyeeeeng...”
Baekrang and So-Yeong added a few more notes about the plan, and now all that was left was to enter the Beast Palace.
I placed So-Yeong and Hwa-Yeon on either side of me, had all spirit beasts who could take human form do so, and lined them up beside us.
To anyone looking, we definitely appeared like a delegation from some noble house.
Given the above-average appearance levels in the Gae Gak Sect, anyone unaware would think we were descendants of a prestigious family.
Everything was ready.
I would show them there are ways to subjugate enemies without even needing to fight.
“GAAARRRR!”
Someone interrupted before I could even open my mouth.
"I shall destroy you! That is what every man desires!"
Wait—what? I didn’t expect them to pick a fight first.
And that reasoning is kind of weird, no?
*
The one guarding the gate of the Beast Palace was Maeng-Ah, son of Maeng Gak.
Some might wonder why the son of the Palace Lord is doing something as lowly as gatekeeping, but at least within the Beast Palace, no one thinks that way.
Being a gatekeeper of the Beast Palace is considered one of the highest honors a warrior can receive.
It’s a land where all kinds of spirit beasts and creatures gather.
Though it’s slightly lacking compared to the Mountains of Ten Thousand Beasts, there’s almost nowhere else in the Central Plains with spiritual energy as rich as Namman.
Naturally, for these spirit beasts and creatures, the Beast Palace at the heart of Namman would be a constant thorn in their side, and those who considered themselves strong would attack it whenever they found the chance.
Standing on the frontlines to fend off other spirit beasts and defend the Beast Palace—
That was the gatekeeper’s duty and the role of a true warrior.
But is the gatekeeper chosen purely based on strength?
Not at all.
While strength is certainly important, intelligence is also an indispensable quality.
And in that regard, Maeng-Ah could be called the perfect candidate to serve as the gatekeeper of the Beast Palace.
He’d readily accept a fight against those who came seeking combat, and if someone came with a different purpose, he’d quickly handle the situation using his wits.
Maeng-Ah was an irreplaceable figure in the Beast Palace, and it was almost certain he would succeed his father Maeng Gak as the next Palace Lord.
That’s when he saw a group of people.
They didn’t appear to be here to fight.
None of them were carrying weapons.
Could they be envoys from somewhere?
Traditionally, envoys would come dressed extravagantly to project authority and prestige.
It was customary to arrive in carriages adorned with gold, exuding an air of majesty.
But these people were different.
They didn’t even have a carriage—they simply walked forward slowly, one step at a time.
Yet who could say they looked any less impressive than an entourage in a bejeweled carriage?
Though not flashy, they were dazzling.
It wasn’t forced splendor—it was a natural, overwhelming beauty.
Looking at them, Maeng-Ah thought:
A courtesan’s brother.
The man standing at the front looked exactly like a high-born dandy.
A clean face, dignified clothes that screamed, “I’m from a noble family.”
He didn’t match the atmosphere of the Beast Palace at all.
Still, Maeng-Ah instantly knew this man wasn’t just some vagrant offering hunted prey or trying to trade black-market goods.
He was clearly an important figure.
After all, how you treat your guests reflects your sect’s character.
And this kind of guest needed to be escorted in immediately.
As a warrior and gatekeeper under orders from the Palace Lord, Maeng-Ah knew this well.
That’s what his head was saying.
But his heart did not agree.
There was a heat swelling inside him.
A bizarre, unpleasant feeling.
He had never met this man before, so why was his mood so sour?
How could a gatekeeper, who was supposed to separate public duty from personal feelings, be overcome by emotion like this?
Maeng-Ah soon realized the reason.
Standing to the man’s left was a small woman with brown hair.
Her figure was plain, lacking in the curves typically considered attractive, but her face was too lovely to deny.
She ✪ Nоvеlіgһt ✪ (Official version) was the type of pretty girl people would quietly have a soft spot for.
That much was understandable.
But look to his right: the woman with purple hair.
Bronzed skin, a curvaceous body—
A beauty who would be impossible not to notice.
That much was understandable.
Then, there was a woman with white hair who resembled a wolf, and on the other side, another woman with the wild charm of a tiger.
That too, was understandable.
But all of them, together? At once? That was unacceptable.
There’s a saying: “Heroes are fond of beauty.”
But wasn’t this a bit much?
Still, even if the other man lived a life of indulgence, it had nothing to do with him personally.
A gatekeeper is someone who protects the gate.
One must never let personal feelings influence their judgment.
But then... he saw it.
The man shamelessly patting the round backside of a plump spider woman beside him.
That was the moment his reason snapped.
“GAAARRRR!”
Yes.
That man was a lunatic.
He had bedded so many women that now, even a giant spider aroused his lust.
Look at that expression.
It clearly said, “I could spend all day doing all sorts of things with spiders.”
Suspicious.
Suspicious to a suspicious degree.
Maeng-Ah realized the truth.
If that man passed through this gate, the Beast Palace would fall into ruin.
It was obvious what sort of depravity he’d commit with that handsome face.
Not just with human women—he would corrupt countless beasts and spirit creatures too.
His pride as a man.
His duty as a human being.
He could tell that this man possessed great power, but this was not a moment to step aside.
His father, the Palace Lord, once said:
“There are times when a man must not back down, even knowing he’ll lose.”
And this was that moment.
“I shall destroy you!”
This man must be stopped.
For the sake of the Beast Palace.
For the countless dragons and beasts now entering mating season!
Maeng-Ah’s resolve blazed.
*
“Ehehehe...”
Somewhere deep within the Wave Dragon’s nest, a secret gathering began once again.
Sensing that their master was once again seeking overwhelming power, the Bicorns erupted in cheers.
“One-wife per universe!”
“One-wife per galaxy!”
Of course, even if he was their revered master, he wouldn’t just go around recklessly multiplying his partners.
Still, what had happened today would surely become a pivotal moment in broadening his world.
The Black Sun.
The being they worshipped was now close to reaching the true Black Sun.
“One-wife per infinite world!”
“O-One-wife... only...”
The Bicorns turned their heads toward the sound.
It came from a lone Unicorn standing quietly in the corner.
“Hehe?”
“One-wife... only...”
The Unicorn, unwilling to betray its beliefs, had actually dared to resist.
“Hehe... hehehe...”
The Bicorns began closing in, one by one.
“One-wife only...”
“Many-wives!”
“Faithful... undying devotion... true love...”
“Hehe... the more the merrier!”
And so began yet another chase for the Unicorn’s chastity—though, in its own way, the Unicorn almost seemed to be enjoying the attention.
“Hehehe... bring it on!”
At least, that’s what the Bicorns believed.

.
!
Chapter 338: