Chapter 262: Ice-White Divine Art
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 262: Ice-White Divine Art
Not all poisons are the same.
A viper's venom is stronger than that of a poisonous insect, and a Jinjo's poison is far stronger than a viper's.
And the poison of a Gomodo is so potent it makes a Jinjo's seem trivial.
Of course, I'm not saying my poison is like that, but that the poison arts of the previous Gomodo surpassed that of the Jinjo.
The Gomodo is a truly famous poisonous lizard.
I'm not sure if I should call the previous Gomodo a "lizard," but since we're the same species, I guess it's fine.
Tang Muyeong said that the poisons used by the Tang Clan are nothing more than an attempt to replicate the power of the Gomodo of the past.
The fact that they could become the greatest poison-wielding family in the Central Plains just by imitating the Gomodo gives you a rough idea of how powerful the original poison was.
When classifying poisons, potency is important, but it's not the only factor.
Whether it's the poison of a centipede, a viper, or a Jinjo, the result is the same: the enemy dies.
Beyond a certain level of power, it's not easy to tell the difference.
Even a strong poison is worthless if you can't use it effectively.
That's why its form is also a crucial factor in classification.
What it looks like, what it smells like.
In other words, whether the poison can be detected.
A poison that can kill in a single blow becomes useless if the target realizes it's poison.
That's why the art of poison focuses more on developing stealth than sheer power.
The one called the greatest among them is undoubtedly the Formless Poison.
A poison with no color, no scent, no smell, no form.
It's known as a poison that even the greatest masters cannot avoid.
Of course, I can't use such a poison, but I don't really need to.
Why do I use poison?
To kill my enemies?
It's a bit crude, but with these guys, I could just use Gigantification and stomp on them like beans. It'd be over in a second.
Killing them with poison arts would actually be more complicated.
I use poison arts to instill fear in my enemies.
So there's no need for me to go as far as using a Formless Poison.
The Tang Clan's poisons evolved to be concealed, whereas mine has no such refinement.
My knowledge of poisons is shallow, which ironically makes its sinister appearance even more intense.
If someone from the Tang Clan saw my poison, they'd click their tongue.
Tsk, and they call that poison.
Though later, when they find out its owner is a Gomodo, they'd change their tune and say, "As expected of the Great Hero's poison!"
Anyway, my poison isn't particularly strong or sophisticated, but unless you're an expert, you wouldn't know.
Sssss...
Stronger, more ferocious.
"Guuuh..."
For an ordinary martial artist, seeing my poison and becoming terrified like this would be a normal reaction.
If they actually get hit by it, all that happens is their hair falls out, their stomach hurts, and they have trouble breathing, but even that is enough to be optimal for inducing fear.
And into this state of terror, a single lizard suddenly appears.
The martial artists' eyes filled with horror.
"Gekgek."
Don't worry too much, I won't do anything that dangerous.
I'm just stopping you from going to support Seol-hwa.
And even if you do go, I'll just make sure you're in no condition to be of any use.
If anyone needs an antidote, raise your hand now.
Give me some useful information, and I'll let you keep your hair.
Baek Seol-hwa sat quietly in her seat.
From a distance, she could hear a commotion.
Hearing the occasional scream, she knew that lizard was up to something again.
He could have just infiltrated quietly, but it wasn't hard to figure out that he was working hard in that small body of his to lessen her burden.
That's why she couldn't help but smile.
It made her proud that he would unhesitatingly take such risks for the sake of the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult's Leader, her sister.
It was a little annoying how he kept stealing her dango, but then she'd think about how hungry he must be in that tiny body.
As she listened to the noise the lizard was making, an unwelcome voice reached her.
"Ice Palace Lord. Is the seat to your liking?"
It was the Black Cloud Faction Leader.
Of course, his tone was a little different from when he thought she was the real Ice Palace Lord.
"Was that always your way of speaking, Faction Leader?"
"Hehe... Wouldn't it depend on the situation?"
"Depend on the situation?"
"Indeed. If you were the Lord of the Northern Sea Ice Palace, I too would show you the proper courtesy, but..."
CRASH!
The door shattered as the Faction Leader and his troops stormed in.
"Now that I know you're a vile spy, things are different!"
Seol-hwa stood her ground, gazing at the martial artists who had entered.
"A vile spy?"
"How dare you impersonate the Ice Palace Lord! Do you not fear the Ice Palace?"
"Fear the Ice Palace? I received permission from Arin."
At those words, the Faction Leader faltered for a moment.
The name of the Northern Sea Ice Palace Lord was Arin.
"Hmph, still acting to the very end! Do you think I'll fall for your silver tongue? The crime of impersonating the Ice Palace Lord and ruthlessly destroying our faction's assets! I will take your head as payment!"
"Impersonating the Ice Palace Lord... well, let's just let that slide. But I destroyed the Black Cloud Faction's assets?"
"How shameless! Did you not order that lizard to swallow our faction's elixirs?"
Seol-hwa smiled faintly.
"I gave an order to the lizard that is to be offered to that being? Are you aware of what you're saying?"
Before, he would have been struck dumb, unable to speak.
But the Faction Leader no longer held back.
"Enough! You filthy spy, you persist to the end!"
No matter what, he was not at fault.
Why?
Because everything was the fault of this spy who had infiltrated their base.
No matter what was said, no matter what losses were incurred, he was innocent.
He just had to pin everything on this woman.
"With my sword, I, Changmu, the Leader of the Black Cloud Faction, will pass judgment upon you."
Shing.
A cold blade was drawn.
At his action, the subordinates standing behind him also drew their swords.
Their expressions twisted bizarrely.
They were well aware that the woman before them was a master of the Transformation Realm.
The Faction Leader had told them so several times before they began the operation.
But they weren't afraid.
Because the Black Cloud Faction Leader at their head was also a master of the Transformation Realm.
Several masters of the Peak Realm, two of the Superior Peak Realm, and the Faction Leader, a master of the Transformation Realm.
No matter how skilled she was, she wouldn't be able to withstand their combined attack.
They were confident they could take her down without a single scratch.
Convinced of their victory, they became faithful to their base desires.
How often had their gazes drifted to that magnificent prize the lizard had claimed?
They hadn't been able to look often, as the lizard would try to nip at them whenever they glanced over.
"...Faction Leader, I don't see the spirit beast that Lord Taotie entrusted to us."
Come to think of it, the lizard was nowhere to be seen.
Wasn't it always nestled near the woman's chest with a blissful expression?
Hearing this, even the Faction Leader frowned.
"...You bitch. Where did you put that lizard?"
It was true this woman was a spy and he planned to kill her, but the lizard was a different matter.
It was true that it had fallen for the spy's trick and swallowed all the elixirs.
But he couldn't punish the lizard for it.
It was a spirit beast brought by Taotie, an offering meant for Jin-ryong.
If they were forced to kill it, they would have to at least offer its corpse to Jin-ryong to keep their own heads attached to their necks.
"Why are you asking me where the lizard is?"
"Are you going to play that game again?"
Could this woman have consumed the lizard?
No, if she had consumed a spirit beast of that caliber, her internal energy would have increased noticeably. There was no way the Faction Leader wouldn't have noticed.
The lizard was somewhere else.
He didn't know where, but the spy must have anticipated this situation and sent it away.
"Jeokpungdae, Cheongpungdae. You two, break off and find that lizard."
Even if they killed this woman, losing the lizard would be a huge problem in itself.
Splitting his forces made him a little uneasy, but he had to find that lizard no matter what.
"But..."
"It's fine. I'll deal with this bitch myself."
Baek Seol-hwa watched them carefully.
Two Superior Peak martial artists were among them.
That lizard's realm was also around the Superior Peak level, so if the two of them ganged up on him, it could get quite dangerous.
Of course, Go-Hui had long since surpassed the Superior Peak Realm, but Seol-hwa, who had never seen his true form, made the most rational judgment she could.
"Hmm, that's strange."
Her clear voice echoed in the room.
"You've figured out I'm not the Ice Palace Lord, so why are you trying to attack me?"
"Are you trying to buy time? It's too late! Cheongpungdae, Jeokpungdae! Find that lizard, now!"
"Yes, sir!"
It was the moment the martial artists with the aliases Cheongpung and Jeokpung answered.
"Doesn't something seem off?"
A frost settled in Seol-hwa's voice.
Her clear, melodious voice had turned chillingly cold and emotionless.
"No matter how skilled my Disguise Art is, how do you think I was able to pass myself off as the Ice Palace Lord?"
The Black Cloud Faction was no ordinary group.
Many had tried to infiltrate it, but none had succeeded.
But Baek Seol-hwa had made it possible.
Because she hadn't just imitated a face.
Because she could make anyone who saw her believe she was the Ice Palace Lord.
C-c-c-crack!
The entrance the Black Cloud Faction Leader had smashed through froze over in an instant.
A dreadful yin energy and a frigid chill filled the room.
CRACK!
Two dragon-shaped forms of ice danced from Seol-hwa's hands.
Seeing this, all the martial artists said the same thing.
"The... the Ice-White Divine Art!"
A martial art worthy of the name "Divine Art," and the ultimate technique of the Ice Palace.
"H-how do you...!"
Unlike the brief glimpse she had shown the lizard, Baek Seol-hwa's true, unrestrained power blossomed forth, no longer holding back.
The reason she could deceive the Black Cloud Faction was simple.
She possessed the same constitution as the Ice Palace Lord.
Baek Seol-hwa.
She was the coldest flower of the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult, born with the Nine Yin Body.
"My body gets cold for a while after this, so I didn't want to do it."
Seol-hwa's gaze went past the ice-blocked door.
"I guess I'll have to go to a hot spring with that lizard when this is over."
With a small smile, Seol-hwa walked slowly toward the terrified faction members.