Chapter 14: Descending Immortal Spreading Snow (2)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 14: Descending Immortal Spreading Snow (2)
Two figures streaked across the snowy forest.
They were two men with their faces concealed by masks, propelling themselves forward at high speeds using lightness skills.
[She’s finally falling behind.]
At the left masked man’s sound transmission, the man on the right nodded.
Far behind them, they could see a woman with a stout build panting as she tried to keep up. However, the distance between them was gradually widening.
[I suppose her stamina is lacking because of her weight.]
[Still, she’s impressive. I guess being a subordinate of the Blood Hand Witch counts for something; her martial arts and speed are remarkable for someone of her size.]
The man on the left clicked his tongue via sound transmission. They had underestimated her because of her heavy build, and now it had turned into a full-blown pursuit. Originally, they had intended to strike her pressure points and knock both of them unconscious.
[Let’s draw this out a little longer, Great Leader Mak.]
[Let’s do that.]
The exhausted figure in the distance was almost out of sight. It seemed they could return after losing her completely.
The man on the right smirked as he looked at the Descending Immortal Spreading Snow tucked into his robes and sent a transmission.
[We certainly got lucky. Following that brat So Woon-hwi turned out to be a blessing.]
[Indeed. But one thing still bothers me.]
[What is it?]
[How a kid with a destroyed dantian managed to use lightness skills.]
[That is true.]
They had been scouring the mountain until late after sunset. By chance, they had spotted So Woon-hwi using a lightness skill. Suspicious of how someone who was supposed to be unable to use martial arts due to a damaged dantian could move like that, they had followed him out of curiosity.
As a result, they had overheard the conversation between the two and managed to seize the herb.
[Well, even if we’re curious, there’s no way to find out right now. We need to look after our own interests first. Anyway, the Four Venerable will keep his word, won't he?]
Surprisingly, they were referring to the Four Venerable Haeakcheon. What was going on?
[He said he would grant any wish if we brought him the herb, so he’ll keep it. Would a man of his status break a promise made on his honor as one of the Four Venerables?]
Haeakcheon, who had been wandering all day in search of the herb, had made a proposal to the Blood Cultists from Six Blood Valley. He promised to grant any request as long as they brought him the herb.
If not for that, they would never have dreamed of being bold enough to strike the pressure points of So Woon-hwi, the disciple of a Four Venerable. They were confident that once the herb was in the Four Venerable’s hands, neither So Woon-hwi nor the fat girl—who they presumed was a subordinate of the Six Blood Stars—would be able to complain much.
[They’ll probably think the Four Venerable ordered it anyway, so how could they complain? Hahahaha!]
[Hehehe.]
[If things go well, we might even be able to leave Six Blood Valley and get promoted to Deputy Unit Leaders.]
It was at that moment of celebration.
A faint figure appeared in their line of sight as they sped along. Something blurry was rushing toward them at high speed.
‘!?’
The moment they noticed it, they were forced to skidding to a halt. They had recognized exactly who the blurry figure was.
‘The Blood Hand Witch!’
It was none other than Han Baek-ha, the Blood Hand Witch of the Six Blood Stars. They were bewildered, never imagining they would run into her so suddenly. To make matters worse, they were currently wearing masks.
Step!
Han Baek-ha, the Blood Hand Witch, came to a stop before them and asked with her characteristically expressionless face.
“Who are you?”
The two hesitated. If they took off their masks and revealed their identities now, the situation would turn messy.
“I asked who you are.”
Ssssss!
Han Baek-ha’s hands began to turn a deep crimson.
‘Damn it!’
Fearing they might be killed for being mistaken for enemies, they quickly tore off their masks and bowed respectfully.
“Blood Tax! Blood Tax! Blood-Blood Tax! Mak Wi-hong, Great Leader of Six Blood Valley, greets the Six Blood Star.”
“Blood Tax! Blood Tax! Blood-Blood Tax! Sa Hyeon, Great Leader of Six Blood Valley, greets the Six Blood Star.”
To get through this situation, they had no choice but to reveal their identities. It was better than being mistaken for an enemy.
Just then, a shout erupted from behind them.
“Huff, huff! Master! Those men attacked me and stole the Descending Immortal Spreading Snow!”
‘!?’
The faces of the two men froze.
“S-Six Blood Star! This is...”
“The Four Venerable...”
Before they could offer any excuse, Han Baek-ha’s hands moved faster.
Thud-thud-thud-thud!
“Gah!”
“Ugh!”
In an instant, her hands struck their vital pressure points, sending both Great Leaders flying backward. No matter how skilled they were as first-rate masters, the gap between them and a Six Blood Star was simply too vast.
“How dare you attack whom?”
Her eyes were as sharp as blades. She approached the unconscious men and pulled the Descending Immortal Spreading Snow from their robes.
“Hmph!”
Right then, the stout woman—no, Ha Yeon—arrived.
“Huff, huff!”
Her face was drenched in sweat, showing just how hard she had pushed herself. Looking at her struggling to breathe, Han Baek-ha lowered her head slightly and spoke.
“Why did you go off on your own without a word?”
“Huff... huff... My... apologies.”
“I am glad you are safe.”
Swish!
Following behind, three women wearing white bamboo veils arrived from the direction Han Baek-ha had come. They had arrived late, unable to keep up with her speed. The women bowed simultaneously to Ha Yeon.
Han Baek-ha spoke.
“Since we have successfully obtained the herb, let us return to the main hall.”
At those words, Ha Yeon barely managed to catch her breath and said, “Haa, haa... Master... you go back first. I have to go back the way I came.”
“Pardon?”
Han Baek-ha asked back, puzzled.
Crack!
The ice shattered, and shards fell below. I had used the third stage of the Life Bright Divine Art to break the ice, but it was so thick that only now had a gap appeared. Just how cold was it for even a waterfall to freeze like this?
—Is it really in here?
‘Yeah.’
The real Descending Immortal Spreading Snow was behind the frozen waterfall. I don’t know who those attackers were, but if they had waited just a little longer, they would have actually stolen the real herb.
—That was lucky.
‘Tell me about it. Or maybe they were just stupid.’
If you’re going to stab someone in the back, you should at least have some patience.
—Who were those guys anyway?
I have a rough idea. Judging by the fact that they traded blows with Lady Ha Yeon, they definitely weren't people from the Blood Hand Witch’s side. In that case, they were likely high-ranking warriors from Six Blood Valley. With that level of skill, they were probably at least Great Leaders.
—They’ve got some nerve. Attacking you could get them torn apart by that crazy old man later.
That was the strange part. Even if they attacked us and took the herb, it would be obvious who did it. The fact that they went as far as striking pressure points to seize the herb suggested they had something to rely on.
‘I can’t figure that part out.’
Regardless, the cave was very dark. There was a hollow space like a cavern behind the waterfall, but unlike the outside where the moonlight was soft, it was too dark to see anything.
‘Should I light a fire?’
But since everything here was ice, it was hard to find any branches. Just as I was about to head back out, the Lesser Conversation Sword spoke.
—What’s that?
‘That?’
—I see something faint in the back.
I narrowed my eyes and peered into the dark cavern. At first glance, there was nothing, but looking closely, I really did see something glowing faintly. I slowly approached the spot.
As I leaned down to inspect it, I saw small beads emitting a faint green light, like luminous pearls. And in the light of those beads, I saw purple petals.
‘Found it!’
—Is that the real Descending Immortal Spreading Snow?
Seven small beads glowing with a faint green light inside the petals. This was the fully matured Descending Immortal Spreading Snow. Unlike the immature ones outside, there were only two flowers. But two should be enough, right?
‘It’s cold.’
They said it was a cold spirit herb that only bloomed on winter nights, and just touching it made my palm feel like it was freezing. I had to wrap my hand in my sleeve to grab the stem. I carefully uprooted the Descending Immortal Spreading Snow and tucked it into my robes.
‘This would be incredibly refreshing in the summer.’
As I was pulling out the second one, the Namcheon Iron Sword spoke.
—Woon-hwi. A broken sword at your feet is calling out to you.
‘A broken sword?’
—It’s saying something, but its Sword Heart is broken, so I can’t hear it clearly.
‘Really?’
I tucked the remaining herb into my robes and carefully reached down toward my feet. The sensation of cold metal touched my fingertips. At that moment, a fragmented voice echoed in my head.
—Run... away... quickly. Get... out... side!
‘What did you say?’
—Run...
‘Run?’
—Away...
‘Away?’
Is this thing telling me to run away right now? Why is it saying something so creepy?
Then, the Lesser Conversation Sword whispered to me.
—Woon-hwi. Don’t make a sound. Stay quiet, and the moment I tell you to run, sprint for the exit no matter what.
Why are they trying to scare me? What on earth is in here? I held my breath and stayed silent, just as the Lesser Conversation Sword instructed.
—Run!
The moment the word was out, I used my lightness skill to dash toward the outside of the frozen waterfall. At that instant, a strange sound erupted from behind me.
Skitter-skitter-skitter!
It sounded like something crawling and scratching the floor, but it didn't sound like a four-legged animal. It was terrifyingly loud and fast.
—It’s too fast. Draw me, Woon-hwi!
At the Namcheon Iron Sword’s command, I urgently drew him from his scabbard. I quickly spun around, channeled my Innate True Qi, and swung the sword in a wide arc.
Clang!
Something grazed the tip of the sword.
Sssssss!
The sound of something burning came from the floor. Then, my eyes caught sight of something bizarre. Four eerie purple eyes were darting around, glaring at me.
Skitter-skitter-skitter!
The purple eyes seemed to be the head, and it moved left and right at incredible speed, reminiscent of a martial arts master, as it lunged toward me.
—Woon-hwi! Step back two paces and defend with the blade!
Following the Namcheon Iron Sword’s instructions, I retreated two steps and thrust the blade forward.
Boom! Crackle!
A heavy impact vibrated through the blade. Shards of ice sprayed up from the front and pelted my face. Just how big was this thing that it could shatter the ice floor and send fragments flying into my face? Not being able to see it clearly made it even more terrifying.
—Now! Hidden Convergence Void Sword!
I hurriedly unleashed the technique. The second form of the Life Bright Sword Technique: Hidden Convergence Void Sword. It was a technique designed to meet an opponent’s attack with explosive momentum and counter.
Clash-clash-clash-clash!
As I executed the technique, I heard the sound of the sword striking something hard, like scales. It was incredibly tough, but I could feel the sword biting in here and there.
Skitter-skitter!
The four purple eyes flickered and tried to vanish, as if the creature was trying to dodge my attack.
—Don’t let it get away.
‘I know.’
I unleashed the first form of the Life Bright Sword Technique, the Tiger Fang Momentum Sword, toward the disappearing purple eyes.
Slash-slash-slash-slash!
The blade traced arcs forward with even more ferocious momentum than the previous technique. I felt the distinct sensation of cutting through something through the hilt.
“Krrraaaaagh!”
A blood-curdling scream echoed through the entire cave. The creature seemed to be in agony. I have to finish it. I swung my sword like a madman as I pressed forward.
Then, a thud shook the floor.
Thump!
—It’s down!
The Namcheon Iron Sword informed me that the monstrous entity had collapsed.
Stab-stab-stab!
Just in case, I swung and stabbed forward a few more times, but there was no reaction.
“Huff...”
Despite the cold, a cold sweat broke out. I had almost been killed by this invisible monster. What exactly was it?
—That is absolutely disgusting.
—I’ve never seen anything like this either.
I guess only the swords could see it clearly. It was at that moment.
Squelch!
“Aaaaagh!”
Something sharp pierced through the top of my foot. I desperately drove the Namcheon Iron Sword down toward the creature.
“Krrk!”
I must have struck it near the mouth, as it thrashed for a moment before falling still. I thought I had killed it, but I had let my guard down. My foot hurt like hell. It was burning as if it had been branded.
Could it be poison? There was no other reason for it to feel like this.
“Ugh!”
I felt a searing poisonous energy rapidly climbing up from my ankle. It reached my torso in an instant. The poison was so potent that my insides felt like they were being consumed by fire.
Thump!
With a heavy beat, the Innate True Qi in my chest moved, attempting to resist the poison. But the pain didn't subside; this was no ordinary poison.
“It’s burning...”
Along with the pain that felt like my internal organs were being seared, my throat felt parched. A desperate thirst took hold, and I craved cold water. I grabbed shards of ice from the floor and shoved them into my mouth indiscriminately.
—Hey! Snap out of it!
—Woon-hwi! Circulate the Innate Heart Method to drive out the poison!
I know that! But my insides are burning up. I want to gulp down cold water to soothe this heat, but these ice shards aren't enough...
‘Ah!’
Then, I remembered the cold Descending Immortal Spreading Snow in my robes. I reached in with trembling hands and grabbed one of the herbs. Like a man possessed, I stuffed it into my mouth and swallowed it whole without even chewing it properly.
Gulp!
A wave of coldness flowed down my esophagus. It was on a completely different level than swallowing ice shards. White steam billowed from my mouth. The frigid energy coursing down my throat snapped my fading consciousness back to alertness.
—Focus and circulate your energy! Quickly!
As the Namcheon Iron Sword said, I crossed my legs and began to circulate my energy. The Innate True Qi that had been fighting the poison moved even more vigorously as I began the cultivation.
“Ugh!”
The searing poison rising from my foot and the frigid cold from my throat met in the center of my body, clashing violently.