Chapter 163
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 163
Chapter Title: The Wind from the North Sea (3)
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“Slurp, slurp, slurp.”
“……”
“Slurp, ahh! It's been a while, hasn't it? Still delicious.”
Seo Ryang's face looked quite happy as he gazed at the bowl with admiration.
He noisily sucked at his teeth, dislodging a piece of meat stuck between them, and spoke.
“The Young Lord has quite the taste. Six-legged chicken-headed bastards. They look disgusting enough to ruin your appetite, but once you try them, they're an uncommon delicacy. I've had my fair share of these.”
“Ah, is that so?”
“They tasted so good, and who knew? Maybe eating one would add even a bean-sized amount of internal energy. At one point, I hunted these chicken-heads with such fervor I nearly drove them to extinction. Thinking back, I feel a little bad about it.”
Quite the vocabulary, huh?
Yeo Ganghwi found himself feeling strangely more at ease with the man. His initial tension had long since melted away like snow.
“You have a healthy appetite.”
“You have to eat well to have strength when you need it, right?”
He wondered just how much strength the man needed to exert to eat that much.
Yeo Ganghwi cautiously opened his mouth.
“Um…”
“Speak.”
“There's something I've been wanting to ask.”
“Hmm?”
Yeo Ganghwi scratched his head.
“What happened to your eye?”
Seo Ryang's face immediately contorted.
“An injury from training. Just leave it at that.”
“Ah, yes.”
Seo Ryang cursed internally.
‘Damn it. She looks so slender she probably can't even lift chopsticks, but her fists are vicious as hell.’
Of course, if they had fought normally, he never would have allowed such a blow.
Seo Ryang had completely sealed his internal energy, facing her with only the Supremacy of the Demonic Emperor and Thunderclap Fist, both of which were still at the first level. So Yeonsim had also sealed her internal energy, but her Thunderclap Fist and footwork had reached a master's level.
Even with an advantage in every aspect—stamina, senses, strength, speed—it's tough to face someone who has mastered a single martial art. Thanks to his extreme reflexes and combat experience, he'd managed to make it a close fight, but he couldn't overcome the difference in the mastery of the art itself.
‘Still, this is so damn embarrassing.’
It seemed he'd unknowingly felt a sense of relief after reaching the pinnacle of demonic arts. That's why he'd let his guard down.
If it had been a blade to his eye instead of a fist, he would have been blinded at best, or dead at worst.
‘Stay sharp. You haven't even reached the level you had in your past life. What have you accomplished that you're already feeling relieved?’
Seo Ryang's grumbling ended with a chilling resolve.
‘Next time, I'll have to suggest we fight with our demonic arts unsealed.’
Yeo Ganghwi said with a smile.
“You're amazing.”
“Hmm?”
“To possess such unfathomable martial arts and still train so diligently.”
“What are you talking about?”
“Pardon?”
“Whether your martial arts are strong or weak, isn't training something you must always do?”
Who didn't know that? Seeing Seo Ryang take his words of flattery so seriously, Yeo Ganghwi licked his lips.
‘I should avoid empty compliments.’
He said with a smile.
“You're right.”
“Of course.”
Seo Ryang pushed the table to the side and spoke.
“Anyway, since I've had a tasty meal, let's get to the point. You wanted to see me?”
“Ah, yes.”
“What's the reason?”
Yeo Ganghwi cleared his throat.
“You met with the swordsmen of the Sword Palace?”
A glint appeared in Seo Ryang's eyes.
“I did.”
Somehow, his tone had completely changed.
Yeo Ganghwi asked seriously.
“How were they?”
“They were strong.”
“…Is that all?”
“It's difficult to describe a fight in detail. All I can say is that those bastards were strong, and they gave me a hard time.”
“I see.”
Seo Ryang, who had been staring intently at Yeo Ganghwi, spoke as if tossing out a comment.
“He was a couple of steps stronger than you, Young Lord.”
“Pardon?”
“The Vice Lord of the Sword Palace, I mean.”
Yeo Ganghwi gave an awkward laugh.
“You overestimate me. I may be called one of the rising stars, but in many ways, I'm still…”
“Not as you are now.”
“Pardon?”
“If you were to unleash your true, hidden power, you could probably exchange a few blows with the Vice Lord of the Sword Palace.”
“……!!”
Yeo Ganghwi's face hardened instantly.
“Of course, you'd have to train your body properly so it could handle that much potential once unleashed.”
A strange expression appeared on Seo Ryang's face.
“I don't know if it's a seal or what, but doesn't it feel suffocating? If you just unleashed that power, you'd instantly be called the greatest rising star beyond the borders.”
“……”
“Looks like you have your reasons.”
Yeo Ganghwi's hardened face was simply frigid.
“How did you know?”
“I just looked and I could tell.”
“……”
“Looking at your posture, breathing, and disposition, it's clear you've already surpassed human limits, yet your physical strength and internal energy are only at the level of a peak expert. I was curious, so I just took a closer look.”
“I don't think everything becomes visible just by looking closely.”
“What am I supposed to do if I can see it?”
Yeo Ganghwi, who had been silently watching Seo Ryang, took a deep breath.
He didn't show it, but inwardly, he couldn't hide his astonishment.
‘He saw through it?’
Only three people in the Ice Palace had ever seen through the Glass Potential Grand Art. Two of them only felt a faint sense of unease because they knew him well.
In the end, the Third Young Master of the Divine Cult had recognized at a glance the Grand Art that only his father, the greatest master of the North Sea and the current Lord of the Ice Palace, had been able to see through.
“Third Young Master… you truly are an incredible master.”
“I'm pretty good.”
“I'm impressed. I was told this Grand Art cannot be seen through simply by being strong in martial arts. Your insight is exceptional.”
“It's as good as my swordsmanship.”
Seo Ryang's expression turned serious.
“You wouldn't have called me here just to ask about the level of the Sword Palace's swordsmen.”
“…That's right.”
“Let's not beat around the bush. I want the main point.”
“……”
“Why did you want to see me, and not the Cult Leader?”
“Because among all the demonic practitioners, I believe you, Third Young Master, care for the Divine Cult the most.”
For the Divine Cult? What does that mean?
As Seo Ryang tilted his head in confusion, Yeo Ganghwi continued.
“Moreover, you are the one who currently holds the greatest fame and support within the Divine Cult. That is why I asked to see you.”
“Stop with the nonsense I can't understand…”
“Please build a bridge.”
“A bridge?”
“Yes. I hope that you, Third Young Master, will act as a bridge so that my palace and your esteemed cult can form an alliance.”
For a moment, surprise flickered in Seo Ryang's eyes.
“Form an alliance?”
“That's right.”
“Suddenly?”
“……”
“…This is getting harder and harder to understand.”
Seo Ryang frowned.
“If you came to form an alliance between my cult and your palace, you should have sought out the Cult Leader, shouldn't you? I am merely the Cult Leader's disciple; I hold no such authority.”
“I know.”
“Then why?”
“As I said. I judged you to be the one who cares most for the Divine Cult.”
“I'd like to say that's a misjudgment. And even if it were true, that's not a reason to come to me.”
“It is reason enough.”
A fire lit up in Yeo Ganghwi's eyes.
“Because an alliance with my palace will clearly be of great benefit to your cult. And you, Third Young Master, are the right person to lend your strength to that cause.”
“Now this is an interesting story.”
Seo Ryang crossed his arms.
“Let's hear it. Why did you come to that conclusion?”
“There's no need to think too deeply about it. My palace is, without a doubt, the strongest power beyond the borders. It's only natural that forming an alliance with such a power would be beneficial.”
Such confidence. Seo Ryang acknowledged his opponent's self-assurance.
Even if only half the rumors were true, the power of the Ice Palace was on par with the Shaolin Temple. Forming a connection with such a force wouldn't be a bad thing for the Divine Cult of the Heavenly Demon.
“You said you came to see the Divine Cult, but you were hiding quite the cute ulterior motive.”
It was a rude remark. But Yeo Ganghwi couldn't find fault with Seo Ryang's tone.
Not because this was the Divine Cult of the Heavenly Demon, but because of the seasoned air that emanated from Seo Ryang.
“So?”
“Pardon?”
“I asked, what do you want from us?”
Yeo Ganghwi's eyes sparkled.
“Want… why would you think that?”
“If you beat around the bush and test me one more time, I'm just going to leave.”
“My apologies. I have a habit of being coy.”
“Now, speak.”
Yeo Ganghwi once again steadied his breathing.
A hint of tension naturally emerged. At least this expression, right now, was not a lie.
“Please rescue my younger sibling.”
Seo Ryang tilted his head.
“You have a sibling?”
“I do.”
“But why are you asking us to rescue them?”
Ssshhh.
A faint chill rose from Yeo Ganghwi's body. It was an energy unconsciously released due to his complicated state of mind.
“My sibling was captured by the Beast Palace.”
Seo Ryang's eyes widened.
“The Beast Palace? The ones who command those crimson dog bastards?”
“Have you encountered the Blood Wolf Unit?”
“I have. Their bodies were so tough my blade could barely pierce them.”
Yeo Ganghwi's face contorted. Even scrunched up in a frown, his face was still beautiful.
“Astonishing. To think the Blood Wolf Unit was a challenge even for your martial arts, Third Young Master. The rumors that they completed the Beast King Grand Art were true.”
“Ah, it wasn't exactly a challenge. Besides, I was different back then. In any case, it was at a level where even a peak expert would have trouble taking down a single one.”
“That would be the case. Once the Beast King Grand Art is complete, they can turn even ordinary beasts into demonic beasts in a short time.”
“Hmm.”
Seo Ryang nodded.
“I want to hear the rest.”
Yeo Ganghwi's story was quite long. Though he tried to hide it, the anger and anxiety he had accumulated were so great that he occasionally needed time to calm himself.
“So, to summarize…”
Seo Ryang said after a moment of thought.
“Your sibling was traveling in the northwest of the Central Plains, encountered the beasts of the Beast Palace, a fight broke out, they were defeated, and then captured by those bastards. Is that it?”
“That is correct.”
“The Ice Palace originally had no interest in the Central Plains and only wanted peace in the North Sea, but it's currently under pressure from the other three palaces. And in the midst of all this, a blood relative of the Palace Lord has been kidnapped, so you're unable to act. Is that it?”
“You're good at summarizing.”
Seo Ryang's gaze deepened.
“And so you seek an alliance with our cult? Do you not know what kind of place our cult is?”
“I do.”
“Then why?”
“Because my father—no, the Palace Lord—wishes for the downfall of the Three Palaces.”
“…Oh-ho?”
“I considered the Righteous Heaven Alliance and the Iron Blood Fortress as well. But no. They possess great power, but they don't use it properly when they need to. The reason being…”
“Because they're alliances.”
“Correct. On the other hand, the Divine Cult of the Heavenly Demon does not apply the yardstick of morality when it acts.”
“……”
“Furthermore, the Divine Cult and the Beast Palace are geographically much closer than the Righteous Heaven Alliance or the Iron Blood Fortress. And since you've already had disputes with the other two palaces, this won't be a bad thing for the Divine Cult either.”
Yeo Ganghwi smiled.
Within that mysterious smile dwelled a deadly killing intent.
“They are a nuisance to us and a nuisance to your esteemed cult. Let's wipe them out.”
Seo Ryang smiled back.
Within that splendid smile, a mad killing intent raged.
“The situation is that we've already caught wind of the Sword Palace bastards joining hands with the Righteous Heaven Alliance anyway. If we join hands with the Ice Palace and crush them all, it'll certainly be a good thing for our cult.”
“That's a relief.”
Shhhk.
Yeo Ganghwi rose from the divan.
“Then, please rise.”
“Hmm?”
“Isn't our discussion more or less over?”
“It's not over. I haven't made a decision yet. And I must report this matter to the Cult Leader.”
“I requested this meeting based on the rumors I've heard of your martial arts and personality. However, if you intend to drag this out, I will go directly to the Cult Leader.”
“You should have done that from the start.”
Yeo Ganghwi's smile deepened.
A smile whose meaning was hard to discern.
“…Forgive my rudeness.”
Paaaaang!
His delicate hand swung, aiming for Seo Ryang's neck.