Chapter 431: The Moment My Busy Life Comes to a Halt
Chapter 431: The Moment My Busy Life Comes to a Halt
The cup exuded an aura of both opulence and mystery.
Crafted from pristine white material, it was designed to resemble a moon rising over a snowy plain. Gazing at it, one felt as though they were standing alone in a vast, frozen field under the soft, ethereal glow of moonlight.
A crescent moon, delicately perched on one side, served as a handle, allowing it to be fastened to a belt and carried with ease.
However, the cup’s true value did not lie in its appearance.
“Do you know the nature of that vessel?”
The Ice Palace Master truly had not expected Geom Mu-geuk to choose this particular item.
“I have heard rumors that a sacred chalice exists within the North Sea Ice Palace. Is this not it?”
“Your eyes are sharp.”
She began to explain the history of the artifact.
The Ice Palace Holy Cup.
At a glance, it appeared to be made of fine white porcelain, but it was actually forged from a rare metal. This unique alloy was renowned for being incredibly light, yet it would never break or bend.
But its most significant attribute was its effect on its contents.
The cup itself possessed a natural, eternal chill, allowing one to enjoy a cold drink even in the height of summer. Furthermore, it was said that drinking from this cup bolstered one's internal energy and fortified the body’s health.
Of course, the amount of internal energy gained was less than what one could achieve through a similar duration of Qi Circulation. Thus, it would be foolish to drink oneself into a stupor solely for the sake of cultivation.
Except, perhaps, for one man in this martial world.
For the Drunken Demon, who lived every moment with a bottle in hand, this cup held immense significance.
Moreover, such a vessel was unique in all the world, found only here within the Ice Palace Treasury. For a man who loved wine more than life itself and intended to spend his days drinking, this was the ultimate gift.
“Are you certain you want this?”
Geom Mu-geuk replied with a smile.
“Lord Drunken Demon will cherish this cup far more than any Ten-Thousand-Year Snow Ginseng.”
The Ice Palace Master hadn't asked out of mere curiosity. There were far too many priceless treasures here to settle for a gift for someone else. She glanced toward a magnificent set of protective armor displayed on the opposite wall.
“That Ice Protection Armor could save your life. And there are elixirs here that—while perhaps not as potent as the Ten Thousand Extreme Ice Essence you just consumed—would grant you far more internal energy than a Ten-Thousand-Year Snow Ginseng.”
“I am fine as I am.”
Seeing that Geom Mu-geuk’s mind was made up, the Ice Palace Master pressed him no further. She reached out, and the block of ice containing the cup drifted toward her.
Using her unique internal energy, she easily melted the ice. Had an ordinary master attempted to melt this special ice using Heat Yang Energy, they would have had to expend an incomparable amount of strength.
Freed from its icy prison, the Ice Palace Holy Cup revealed its mystical aura.
A faint, white mist shimmered around the vessel, like snow swirling across a frozen plain. Its precious nature was evident at a glance; an ordinary person wouldn't dare carry it openly, for they would be beset by thieves every hour of the day.
“Here, take it.”
The Ice Palace Master handed the cup to Geom Mu-geuk. Accepting it carefully, Mu-geuk marveled at the weight of it in his palm.
“It is a truly magnificent vessel.”
He was genuinely delighted at the thought of presenting it to the Drunken Demon.
The Ice Palace Master watched him. In this moment, she saw that Geom Mu-geuk was as purely happy as a young boy.
The rumors were all true.
When she first heard that Geom Mu-geuk had brought the Eight Demon Lords to heel, she had been skeptical.
How could anyone control the Eight Demon Lords?
She had assumed they weren't following him out of true loyalty—that perhaps a few had merely formed a superficial alliance. The Eight Demon Lords were not the type of men a young successor could easily handle.
But seeing him now, her doubts vanished.
If their relationship was such that he could be this happy giving away such a precious treasure, the word "control" seemed insufficient to describe it.
“Thank you. I will never forget the great kindness you have shown me today.”
Mu-geuk was truly grateful to the Ice Palace Master. Even if she had told him he could pick anything, it was no small matter to part so readily with a treasure bearing the title of a "Holy Cup."
“It is a trifle compared to what you have done for my Palace. Come, let us return.”
Geom Mu-geuk left the Ice Palace Treasury alongside the Ice Palace Master.
Sshhhhhhh.
As the doors opened, a strange sound accompanied the rush of the forgotten, biting cold. Leaving that place where even conversation was a struggle, the two walked quickly away.
As they neared the exit of the valley, Mu-geuk spoke.
“Occasionally, those of my generation gather together.”
The Ice Palace Master was aware of this. She knew that the successors and siblings of various sects had gathered during the recent Three-Party Summit.
“I would like to invite Miss Han as well.”
The Ice Palace Master stopped in her tracks. Even without him explaining, she knew why he was inviting her daughter. Han Seol needed to leave the North Sea and meet many different people if she was to grow further.
But could she really send her daughter, who had never once stepped foot outside the North Sea, into the Central Plains? The mere thought filled her with worry.
When the Ice Palace Master looked back at Geom Mu-geuk, his eyes seemed to say: Do not worry. I will look after her and see her returned safely.
It was a gesture of gratitude for the precious gift she had given him. Whether she could trust him enough to send her daughter was another matter entirely.
*
When Geom Mu-geuk returned, the Drunken Demon was lying on his bed.
“How are you feeling?”
“I feel like I’m dying.”
Only a short while ago, when the physician had visited, he had taken his treatment with stoic dignity. He had maintained the majesty of a Demon Lord without a single change in his expression.
But the moment he saw Mu-geuk, he began to play up his misery.
“I can’t even lift my arms. It hurts too much.” The Drunken Demon lifted his foot while still lying down. “Look at this. If you had pulled the glass shards out sooner, it wouldn't hurt this much.”
“My persistent older brother. That’s why I brought you a gift.”
“What good is a gift when I’m dying of pain?”
Mu-geuk placed a small box on the table.
“You really don't want it?”
“I don't.”
“You’ll regret it.”
“It’s booze, isn't it? You bought some wine. It’s obvious.” The Drunken Demon pretended to be uninterested while stealing a glance at the box.
“It’ll be too late for regrets later.”
As Mu-geuk made a move to take the box back, the Drunken Demon asked casually, “What is it? Let me just have a look.”
“It’ll only make your heart ache for nothing.”
“It’s fine, just show me!”
“Just look with your eyes. I have to return it.”
Mu-geuk slowly opened the box.
The moment the object inside was revealed, the Drunken Demon’s eyes nearly popped out of his head. Even if the rest of the world didn't recognize it, he certainly did.
“Waaaaah!”
With a shout, the Drunken Demon lunged toward the table. He ran as if he had forgotten his feet were ever in pain.
“Is this...? Is it really that? It is, isn't it? That’s it!”
The Drunken Demon was speechless. This was the one thing he had wanted most in the world.
“Why is this here?” His voice trembled.
“I picked it up on the way.”
“Don't joke with me!”
“I received it as a gift from the Ice Palace Master.”
The Drunken Demon understood immediately. The Ice Palace Master must have given it as a reward for his recent efforts.
“You gave up your own reward to get a gift for me.”
“It would be very touching if that were the case, but I got something for myself too. So don't feel burdened and take it. Ah, wait. Didn't you say you didn't want it?”
“What are you talking about?!”
The Drunken Demon spread his arms like wings to shield the cup. The arms he claimed he couldn't even lift were now forming a perfect defensive perimeter.
“Take my life instead! This is mine! Get back!”
How could the Drunken Demon not know? Mu-geuk could have chosen something else instead of this cup. He had sacrificed the value of the Ice Palace Holy Cup for himself just to give him this gift.
A wave of emotion crashed over the Drunken Demon. It was the most precious gift he had ever received, and more than anything, it was what he had desired most.
Mu-geuk knew the Drunken Demon would be happy, but he hadn't expected this level of excitement.
“Here, have a drink. I washed it thoroughly before I came.”
Mu-geuk poured the wine.
Trickle.
It was the moment wine was poured into the long-sealed Ice Palace Holy Cup. Perhaps it was just his imagination, but the white aura shimmering around the cup seemed to grow even stronger.
The Drunken Demon took a deep breath and drank. The cold wine flowed down his throat in great, rhythmic gulps.
“Kaaaaah! That is incredible!”
Mu-geuk shouted "Kaaah!" along with him. It looked delicious just watching him.
“One for me too!”
This time, the Drunken Demon filled the cup to the brim. As he poured, the moonlight on the cup seemed to glow even more softly.
Mu-geuk downed the wine in the Ice Palace Holy Cup. It was incredibly cold and crisp. An exclamation of "Kaaah!" escaped his lips involuntarily.
“This is the best!”
The taste of wine always depends on one's mood, and there wouldn't be many days where the wine tasted as good as it did now.
“Alright, one more for me.”
“You’re taking medicine, that’s enough!”
“Just one more!”
Mu-geuk said as he poured the drink.
“I’m not giving you this cup so you can drink more. I’m giving it to you so you’ll drink less. They say the cup has a protective effect on the body. So, thinking of the heart behind this gift, every time you’re about to have two cups, just have one delicious one in this. Think of it that way.”
Mu-geuk’s concern reached him. He had nagged him so much about eating snacks with his drinks, and even here, he was still at it.
“Don't overdo it. Understood?”
“I know, I know. But just one last one. I have to have at least three.”
“Fine, I’ll allow it for today!”
The two laughed as they looked at each other.
After finishing his three drinks, the Drunken Demon fastened the Ice Palace Holy Cup to his belt, opposite where he carried the Blood Tear. The two artifacts looked strangely well-matched—though perhaps that was only because the man wearing them was the Drunken Demon.
“Then, get some rest.”
As Mu-geuk turned to leave, the Drunken Demon spoke from behind him.
“Thank you, Young Cult Leader.”
Since there was no trace of playfulness in his voice, Mu-geuk replied with equal solemnity.
“You did a great thing this time, Lord Drunken Demon.”
*
Returning to my room, I activated the Space-Time Displacement Technique to absorb the White Essence.
Snap!
With a flick of my fingers, I stood in a new space. It wasn't the beach I usually opened, but the second space—a pristine snowy field with a small hot spring.
It was the very place I had created after being inspired by my father’s hot spring. This space felt perfectly suited to the North Sea. There were only three things in this space: pure white snow, the stars in the night sky, and the warm hot spring.
First, I took the Secret Casket and the White Essence from my robes.
Vrrrrm.
The Secret Casket vibrated in response to the White Essence. Though this was the third time, I couldn't help but feel a surge of tension. I carefully placed the White Essence atop the Secret Casket.
Sssssss.
A wondrous sight unfolded, as it always did. The hard White Essence began to seep into the casket like a liquid. Once it had fully absorbed the essence, the Secret Casket vibrated violently.
Shaaaaa!
A white-colored energy began to emanate from the casket. As always, it was neither smoke, nor liquid, nor light. Something indescribable spread through my hands and arms, permeating my entire body.
My Heavenly Demon Body Protection Art, which had reached Great Achievement, remained dormant. This meant the energy was not a threat. Trusting in my technique, I sought out and absorbed this energy.
A refreshing sensation spread through my frame. The moment the energy reached every corner of my body, a radiance erupted from me. It was a light so intense I had to close my eyes.
When I opened them again, the white energy had been completely absorbed. I had now taken in three distinct energies through the Secret Casket.
As with the previous two times, there was no immediate change to my body. The energies did not meet or mingle. It meant I was not yet ready for a major transformation—or perhaps, that I needed to absorb even more energies.
Thud.
The Secret Casket spat out the White Essence, now drained of its power. It had become nothing more than an ordinary stone.
“Just who on earth created you?”
As always, the Secret Casket seemed to merely smile back at me. Having absorbed the energy of the White Essence, I shed my clothes and stepped into the steaming hot spring.
“Ah, this is the life.”
Cold wind above, warmth below. I closed my eyes and enjoyed the soak. This time alone was a precious moment for me.
Since my regression, my life had been packed to the brim every single day. A continuous string of full days. But in this moment, alone within the Space-Time Displacement Technique, the life that had been racing forward finally slowed its pace.
As the speed decreased, I felt more distant from my own life. I liked this distance. Naked as I was now, I had cast off all my responsibilities as well.
“The Murim is going to ruin? The Demonic Path is collapsing? What’s that to do with me! Don't disturb my rest!”
This irresponsibility slowed the pace of my life even further. The speed dropped and dropped until, finally, it came to a complete halt. In the moment my busy life stopped entirely, I finally felt free.
At the same time, I met another version of myself.
The me from before the regression, who had accumulated so much loneliness that he had become loneliness itself. The me who had never rested, never once properly comforted himself, and had only raced toward a single goal.
We stood facing each other across a vast, pitch-black hole in my heart.
Was the me on the other side more lonely? Or was the me who was laughing among so many people more lonely? I couldn't easily find the answer.
Still, I wanted to say this much to him.
— It is all thanks to you that I was able to come this far.
I had said all sorts of kind words to the people around me, but this was the first time I had offered comfort and gratitude to myself.
— Truly, thank you.
I looked at the lonely version of myself on the other side with a gentle gaze. I didn't want him to disappear. After all, the me on the other side was still me.
— Just don't fall into this pit.
At my words, the me on the other side gave me a look that seemed to say, You’re the one who should be careful. That the person who always falls into the pit is the one trying to be perfect, the one who is always smiling.
In the next moment, the black hole between us turned back into the hot spring, and I was soaking within it. I gazed up at the twinkling stars for a long time before stepping out of the water.
It was time to return to reality.
“The Murim can't be allowed to fall. My Demonic Path must not collapse. What else can I do? I have to go out and protect it.”
Snap!