Chapter 586: The Young Lady of the North Sea Ice Palace
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 586: The Young Lady of the North Sea Ice Palace
Crack!
“……!!”
One of his arms was twisted into a completely unnatural shape.
There hadn't been a shred of hesitation in the act of snapping his right arm.
The man had screamed when his molar was pulled, caught off guard by the suddenness of it. But not this time. Despite his trembling shoulders, he tried to move, to resist somehow.
But he couldn't budge an inch.
“I broke your right arm because you seem to be left-handed.”
“…!”
At those words, the masked man’s body flinched.
His opponent had already realized his dominant hand. But when? He hadn't even drawn his sword yet. He wanted to bite his lip to endure the agony, but even that was impossible; his captor was forcing his mouth open.
“Gurg… gack…”
“I have a few things to ask. You can take your time answering.”
A hint of amusement laced the voice, which only made it more chilling.
“First.”
He felt a heavy grip settle on the index finger of his remaining left hand.
“Who are you?”
The pressure on his mouth loosened slightly, just enough to allow him to speak.
The masked man wheezed out an answer. “As if… I’d tell… y—”
Crack.
“…Ghk!”
His index finger was snapped backward.
“Second.”
There was no hesitation. His middle finger was seized next.
“Why were you watching us?”
“Kgh… ughh…”
Crack!
“Guaargh!”
With no answer, pain followed immediately. This time, it wasn't just bent; it felt as if the finger had been grabbed and utterly crushed. He felt the bone crumble into dust.
There was no time to even process the pain before the grip moved to his ring finger.
“Third.”
As that same indifferent voice spoke again, the masked man let out a wet, hacking laugh.
“Ghk… khkhk…. Khkhk…”
The movement paused for a moment. Silence fell over the alley.
“Why are you laughing?”
For some reason, the voice that asked was filled with genuine interest.
The masked man continued to chuckle. “…Khk… gurgle…. How could I not… find this amusing…?”
“Go on, keep talking. What’s so amusing?”
“A bastard from the Orthodox Faction… who claims to uphold… righteousness and chivalry… acting so… cruelly….”
“Oh.”
A sound of mock admiration followed. “Do you know who I am?”
“I know… very well.”
The masked man lifted his head to look at the young man.
Brilliantly shining blue eyes. Fierce features and thick, black hair. Though his eyes were clear, they held no emotion whatsoever. The masked man could tell—this man didn't see him as a person. He saw him as nothing more than an animal.
Is he truly of the Orthodox Faction?
The question arose, but he already knew the answer.
“…Gu Yangcheon of the Shanxi Gu Clan…”
The subject of rumors that had, for a fleeting moment, set the Central Plains ablaze a few years ago. That was this young man. His appearance had changed significantly since then, but the intelligence reports confirmed it.
“Hmm.”
Gu Yangcheon made a short, thoughtful sound. It was one thing for the man to recognize him, but his words held a deeper implication.
“Then, does that mean you’re not of the Orthodox Faction?”
“Khk… khkhk…. Orthodox, Unorthodox…. In the end, you bastards are the ones who set all the standards…!”
Pluck!
The nail was torn clean off his broken index finger. And then—
Szzzzzle!
“Guaaaaaaaah!!”
An immense heat seared the raw flesh where the nail had been. His skin sizzled, and a foul stench filled the air.
“Just answer my questions. No unnecessary commentary.”
“Kghh… ghk…”
Waves of agony washed over him. Drool trickled from his forced-open mouth. It was a pain that pierced straight through his Combat Qi. Having lived as an assassin, he was no stranger to torture, but the pain he felt now made it nearly impossible to maintain his sanity.
And yet, despite the excruciating agony, he did not lose consciousness.
This bastard…
As his body trembled, a cold fear began to choke him. He shouldn't be this exhausted from just a broken finger and burnt flesh. The pain he was feeling was far greater than the physical injuries suggested. Seeing that he remained conscious despite it all, the masked man felt a profound sense of crisis.
Does that mean… he’s controlling all of this?
It meant Gu Yangcheon was doing something to artificially heighten his sensitivity to pain while ensuring he couldn't pass out.
Cruel. If that was true, it was an act of utter depravity. Killing was something any martial artist might do, but torturing an opponent with such clinical precision was different. Until one became accustomed to the act, there was nothing more mentally taxing.
But looking at this man, he could tell.
He’s not just used to it; he’s completely jaded.
His actions held no guilt, no hesitation, and no emotion. Was this truly a martial artist who had only just passed the age of twenty? No, beyond that…
Is he… really from the Orthodox Faction?
The question arose naturally as the masked man swallowed a scream, his eyes darting around in terror.
“How annoying,” Gu Yangcheon muttered. “If it weren't for the internal injuries, I'd use Corruption on him and make him spill everything easily. Tsk.”
Corruption? It was a word the man didn't understand.
“Let’s make this easy on ourselves. Who knows? I might even let you live.”
“Huuuh…”
“From the looks of it, you weren't targeting me. Nor were you targeting the Young Lady… Just what the hell were you doing?”
He wasn't targeting him. Nor was he targeting the woman. Gu Yangcheon spoke with absolute conviction. Hearing this, the masked man had to swallow a gasp.
How did he know?
What detail had given him away? Normally, one would assume he was observing someone in the group.
“So let’s make this easy. Just talk and—”
“Khkhk… You expect me to believe that?”
At the masked man’s laughter, Gu Yangcheon fell silent.
“You Orthodox Faction bastards… always just running your mouths… spouting words you can’t even keep.”
He was right. Gu Yangcheon actually agreed with him. All talk and no substance—it was a perfect description of the current Orthodox Faction.
Moreover...
He’s right. I have no intention of letting him live, either.
Gu Yangcheon had no plans to spare this man. The Orthodox Faction couldn't be trusted, but there was no mercy for the Unorthodox Faction. It was a stubborn streak he’d held since his past life.
“Do you still believe… that your futile justice remains…?”
And the man talked too much.
Should I just kill him?
Gu Yangcheon was starting to get annoyed. It was clear that some ‘bastard’ or ‘bastards’ were plotting something in the background, but judging by this guy's state, he wouldn't break easily.
Tsk.
It was at times like these that he hated his past life, yet also missed it a little.
If it were back then, things would have been a bit different.
He had really lost his edge. Making guys like this talk used to be a piece of cake. Maybe it was because he had tried to live a little more like a human after regressing, but he felt he’d grown dull.
I know they’re planning something.
But he didn't know what. Was it because the tournament was about to start? All sorts of strange freaks were crawling out of the woodwork.
Well, if they’re not targeting us, it doesn’t really matter.
If by some chance they were targeting the Alliance, he would actually welcome it. It would make his own plans that much easier.
“You foolish child… of the blind Orthodox Faction…. Just quietly await your end….”
Right, let’s just kill him.
He needed to get back to the merchant association soon anyway. Perhaps because he was in a foul mood, he was suddenly craving dumplings.
Torture? What torture?
He was done getting tangled up in annoying affairs. The situation was already irritating enough.
“As time flows… and the end arrives, this Orthodox Faction, and you…! And—”
I saw Moyong Hi-ah for the first time in a while. I should take the kids and get something to eat—
“Those lowly wenches next to you will also—”
“Hey.”
Stop.
The masked man, who had been spewing venom, instantly shut his mouth.
Silence fell. Even though he had spoken with the resolve to die, he was forced to stop. The reason was simple.
“Gack…? Gack…!!”
An immense, suffocating killing intent had suddenly begun to pour over him.
Fwoooosh!
It was paralyzing. Just feeling it made his skin feel like it was being shredded. His breath caught in his throat. Even the pain in his arms seemed to vanish, replaced by primal terror.
The masked man turned his gaze, wondering what in the world this killing intent was. It was emanating from Gu Yangcheon, who was still holding him down.
The air had changed. It felt as if space itself was distorting from the sheer weight of the aura.
“Who did you call lowly?”
“Ugh… g-gh…”
His body began to tremble uncontrollably. The killing intent pouring from Gu Yangcheon was shutting down all his senses.
Th-th… this is…
How could he feel such killing intent? How could a human being exude such an aura?
This… I’ve never felt anything like this… not even from the Captain…!
Bam!
“Guaargh!”
In that instant, a fist slammed into the masked man’s mouth. It was Gu Yangcheon’s.
Crunch!
Blood and teeth spilled out. Gu Yangcheon had shattered every single tooth to prevent him from biting his tongue. A scream he couldn't hold back erupted, but it didn't matter. He had already cast a sound barrier.
Looking at the man trembling and spitting blood, Gu Yangcheon spoke.
“I was going to give you an easy death. Why’d you have to run your fucking mouth and piss me off?”
His tone was completely different from before. Gu Yangcheon’s hand moved in a blur.
Crack!
A short, sharp sound came from the masked man’s abdomen.
What was that sound?
The question flashed through the masked man’s mind, but he soon found out. It was the sound of his Dantian shattering.
Agony followed—an unbelievable, soul-crushing pain. But he couldn't scream; Gu Yangcheon had already clamped a hand over his mouth.
“Mmmph-mmmmmph!!”
“Don't bark. It's annoying.”
The Qi gathered in his Dantian scattered in an instant. A lifetime of accumulated internal energy vanished, and a hollow emptiness washed over him.
“Gurg… heuk…!”
In just a few seconds, he had gone from a powerful martial artist to someone weaker than an ordinary person. The masked man’s eyes shook uncontrollably. Only then did the hand covering his mouth release its grip.
“You… you demonic bastard…!” he shouted, his voice filled with rage. His pronunciation was slurred without any teeth, but his hatred was clear.
Yet, Gu Yangcheon’s expression remained unchanged. He simply watched.
Seeing this, the masked man continued to shout. “Just…! Just kill me! Even if you do this…! Do you think I’ll talk—?”
“Don’t.”
“…!”
“Don’t say anything. I’m not curious anymore.”
What did that mean? Just as the masked man was wondering—
“From now on, no matter what you say, I’m not going to listen.”
“What in the world…”
“So please, don’t say a single word. Got it?”
Grip!
“Ghk!”
His neck was seized.
“No matter what happens to you from now on, don’t say anything. I’m not curious. Remember that.”
“Kghhhk.”
He felt like he was going to lose his mind from fear.
Fwoosh!
Flames erupted from Gu Yangcheon’s back. Blue flames. They were exceptionally beautiful to look at, but the masked man could feel the pure killing intent contained within them.
Why?
Why did the atmosphere change so suddenly? As he trembled, a thought flashed through the masked man’s mind.
[Those lowly wenches next to you will also….]
[Who did you call lowly?]
That was definitely the turning point. The moment when the boredom and annoyance in Gu Yangcheon’s eyes had transformed into something far more dangerous.
Don’t tell me…
Not for any other reason. He had become this enraged simply because he had insulted the women? He tried to deny it, but there seemed to be no other explanation.
No. Whatever the reason was, it no longer mattered. The rising flames enveloped the surroundings, creating a wall of fire.
“No—!”
Before long, the faintly visible sky was swallowed by the flames and disappeared.
And so, when the flames finally vanished and the scene was revealed again, all that remained was a black, charred mark on the ground.
And Gu Yangcheon, wiping his hands on his clothes with a displeased expression.
* * *
Cleaning up the traces wasn't difficult. He hadn't left any traces to begin with. Hiding his unsettling feeling, he returned to the alley.
Tang Soyeol was still there, waiting for him.
“Ah, Young Master.”
As he carefully entered the alley, Tang Soyeol greeted him. Seeing her, he asked, “Where is she?”
He was asking about Moyong Hi-ah, who was nowhere to be seen.
“Um, she said it seemed more important to get the Young Lady back to the merchant association, so she went on ahead.”
“I see.”
He had told her to go first anyway. Fortunately, it seemed she had listened.
“What happened?” Tang Soyeol asked. She was curious about the person he had chased.
Gu Yangcheon slightly avoided her gaze and said, “He wouldn’t talk, so I took care of him.”
He answered with a hint of the truth. He had burned him without a trace. Saying he had killed him while experimenting with a few things was a bit much, and saying he hadn't killed him would be a pointless lie.
“Ah, I see.”
Fortunately, Tang Soyeol seemed unfazed.
“Mmm. We should have gotten some information, though…” If anything, she seemed disappointed. “I’ll go next time, Young Master. I’m good at that kind of thing now!”
“…Uh, r-right.”
What kind of thing…? He wanted to ask the brightly smiling Tang Soyeol, but he couldn't bring himself to do it. That Dark King… what in the world had he taught her? What did he do to make her turn out like this? It was good that she had gotten stronger, but was this really a positive direction?
“That aside…”
Gu Yangcheon shifted his gaze from Tang Soyeol to look elsewhere. It was the direction where Seong Yul stood, holding his sword.
“What’s that now?”
He asked Seong Yul, noticing the changed scene. It should have been an ordinary alley with nothing in it just a moment ago. But now, a person was lying on the ground.
He’s already dead?
And he was very dead. At first, he thought Seong Yul might have killed him, but looking at the body, it seemed some time had passed. Besides...
“His face looks familiar.”
The corpse was that of a middle-aged man. It was a face he felt he had seen somewhere before.
Who is it? He couldn't quite remember. He looked from the corpse to Seong Yul and asked, “What is this?”
“There was a formation.”
Gu Yangcheon tilted his head. “A formation?”
There was a formation in this alley? Hearing that, he had a strange feeling.
Could that bastard have been looking at the formation?
He had wondered what the man watching them was looking at. Was he observing the formation set up here? If so, it would more or less make sense.
If he wasn't targeting me or the Young Lady… it must have been this.
It was a formation that even he, at his level, couldn't easily detect. If it was that sophisticated, he could understand why it was there, though it was still a mystery why such a formation would be used to hide a corpse.
“And how did you find it?”
Seong Yul had detected a formation that even Gu Yangcheon hadn't. He was curious how the swordsman had managed to dismantle such an intricate array.
Seong Yul answered calmly. “I felt something, so I cut it.”
“...”
“And then it came undone.”
Seong Yul spoke as if asking what the problem was. Gu Yangcheon stared at him. Somehow, it was an answer he’d heard many times before.
* * *
Afterward, they returned directly to the merchant association. For the record, they just left the body there. Reporting it would only get them caught by the Alliance and interrogated. Escaping would be possible, but he didn't want to get involved in such matters, so he just erased their traces and left.
Of course, he had an agent keep an eye on it, so he would be contacted if any problems arose. He just hoped today’s events wouldn't lead to any unnecessary incidents.
It seems like something is going on, though.
It was certain that something was about to happen in Henan. It wasn't unusual for things to happen—they did all the time. But the important thing was: How will it affect me?
Whatever happened, what mattered was how the situation would unfold. If it seemed like it would have a negative impact, he would destroy it. If it was helpful, he would leave it be. To do that, he needed to quickly grasp the situation.
With this, the number of things he had to look into had grown. It meant that annoying and irritating matters were piling up all at once. Elder Shin’s matter, the Heavenly Demon’s matter, and the Murim Alliance’s problems as well.
Was it because he was trying to do something beyond his station? Annoying things were just piling on top of each other. Yes, he was already busy enough.
“Excuse me.”
The Young Lady of the Ice Palace, sitting in front of him, spoke.
“Would it be alright if I were to marry you?”
Hearing her words, Gu Yangcheon immediately blurted out.
“What the hell is this crazy bitch talking about?”
He couldn't help himself.