Chapter 285: It’s All Because of You!
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 285: It’s All Because of You!
Sun-woo fell into a deep, troubled silence.
He understood all too well how desperate she was. She was clearly standing at the edge of a precipice. If she failed to obtain the Ice Essence this time, she would be forced to live a life of de facto exile forever. In the worst-case scenario, she might even face assassination at the hands of her political rivals.
He felt for her. He truly did. Pity and compassion welled up within him naturally.
However, her request was far too heavy to be granted out of mere sympathy.
To protect her from Bukgung Yeon, the Palace Master of the North Sea Ice Palace?
It was a staggering burden.
Sun-woo had seen with his own eyes exactly what kind of martial artist Bukgung Yeon was. She was a woman who had reached the Profound Realm—the stage of a Half-Immortal, a process of transcending the Transcendent Realm, which was considered the absolute limit of human potential.
The image of her fierce battle against the Sword Man was still vivid in his mind.
How could he possibly protect Neung So-hwa from a woman like that?
It was absurd. It would be more realistic to ask the Sword Man for help.
"It’s impossible."
Sun-woo refused in a firm tone. As much as he wanted to help, he simply didn't have the capability.
"…Is it truly not possible?"
Neung So-hwa asked, her face clouding with visible disappointment.
"It’s beyond my power. My level isn't enough to stop her."
Sun-woo shook his head. He had no interest in making promises he couldn't keep, nor did he want to give false hope for something impossible. He was simply stating the cold, hard facts.
"No, it is entirely possible."
Contrary to Sun-woo’s words, Neung So-hwa spoke with a determined expression.
"I told you, it’s too much. The North Sea Ice Palace Master has reached the Profound Realm. There’s no way I, who am only at the Upper Stage of the Transcendent Realm, can be her match."
Sun-woo continued, exasperated. The gap between the Transcendent Realm and the Profound Realm was truly astronomical. Crossing that divide was no simple feat.
"No. With the martial arts you have mastered, it is more than possible."
Despite Sun-woo’s rebuttal, Neung So-hwa remained firm.
"I’m telling you, even with my martial arts, it’s impossible! How am I supposed to cut through the Snow Wind with a sword?"
Sun-woo shot back, feeling stifled. Bukgung Yeon was a force of nature. There was no way he, who had yet to reach the level of the Heart Sword, could face her.
"Do you not possess a technique that redirects the flow of energy?"
"……"
Shiver.
For a moment, a chill ran down Sun-woo’s spine. Those were words he had never expected to hear from her. How could she possibly know about the existence of the Great Shift of Heaven and Earth?
"W-what are you talking about?"
Sun-woo tried to play it off, feigning ignorance.
"There is no need to play innocent. I saw it all. I saw how you instantly redirected an incoming attack."
"……"
Sun-woo clamped his mouth shut. The situation was so sudden that he didn't know how to react. He had only demonstrated the Great Shift of Heaven and Earth in front of her once—when he redirected the attack from Jang Gwang, the Vice Leader of the Northern Wind Unit.
To think she had seen through the very essence of the technique after witnessing it only once…
It was hard to believe. Just how blessed with talent was this woman?
"I am no fool. I also realized at a glance that the North Sea Ice Palace Master has reached the stage of a Half-Immortal. And I concluded that with your martial arts, you could sufficiently block her. That is why I am asking this of you. Did you think I would ask you to protect me at the cost of your own life?"
Neung So-hwa continued to speak without pause, her eyes fixed on Sun-woo.
"It’s true that I’ve learned a special martial art. But there’s no guarantee that it can stop someone in the Profound Realm. How can you be so sure?"
"Has it not already been proven?"
"Proven?"
"Did the North Sea Ice Palace Master not ask you? She asked how you managed to block her Snow Wind. Hearing that, I knew. I knew that your special martial art could stand against even the Snow Wind."
"……"
Sun-woo remained silent. After their confrontation had ended, the Palace Master had indeed asked him several times how he had redirected her Snow Wind. It seemed Neung So-hwa had overheard that conversation.
Dammit.
Sun-woo cursed inwardly. Now that things had come to this, it felt awkward to refuse. Yet, he still hesitated to accept. The power Bukgung Yeon had shown during the day surely wasn't everything. It was obvious she was hiding even more terrifying strength.
To agree to face her based solely on the Great Shift of Heaven and Earth was too great a risk. Moreover, Bukgung Yeon was a benefactor to the Alliance. How could he stand against her?
Sun-woo’s expression grew somber as he fell into deep contemplation.
"Sun-woo."
As Sun-woo sat in silence, Neung So-hwa spoke up.
"I beg of you. Right now, I have no one else but you to ask for such a thing. I am well aware that I am being shameless. I know that for me, someone you have only known for a few days, to make such a request is a tremendous burden. But I have nowhere else to turn. If this succeeds, I will reward you even if I have to uproot the very pillars of the Imperial Palace. If there is anything you desire, I will give it to you. I swear it on my name as a Commandery Princess."
Neung So-hwa looked at Sun-woo with eyes of absolute sincerity. She was showing him her true heart. She knew she was making an unreasonable request based on a brief acquaintance. She knew Sun-woo had no obligation to help her.
But she had no other choice. With her powers sealed and her martial arts suppressed, she had no way to ensure her own survival.
Sun-woo was the only one. The only person who could protect her.
"Of course, if you refuse, I will not force you. Whatever choice you make after your deliberations, I will accept it. I shall simply follow your will."
"……"
Sun-woo sank deeper into thought. Looking at the situation objectively, he should absolutely refuse. Bukgung Yeon was powerful, and he had no reason to gamble with his life. His mind screamed at him to say no.
Yet, strangely, a heavy, stifling feeling weighed on his chest.
"What will you do if I refuse?"
"Then I have no choice. I will have to try and persuade her on my own."
Neung So-hwa replied with a look of resignation.
"You might die."
"Even so, I cannot just sit idly by after coming all this way."
"Why not bring in your troops instead?"
"Are you telling me to start a war with the North Sea Ice Palace?" she snapped, glaring at him with sharp eyes.
"I… I mean, at least to ensure your minimum safety."
Sun-woo stammered under her piercing gaze.
"If I bring troops to demand the Ice Essence, that is blackmail and coercion. How could I commit such an act just for my own safety?"
Neung So-hwa spoke calmly, her eyes never leaving his.
"There is no guarantee that consuming the Ice Essence will definitely control the flames anyway. It is merely an attempt. I cannot mobilize troops for such an uncertainty. Furthermore, if a war were to break out because of me, I would not be able to bear it."
"Bear what?"
"The guilt of sacrificing hundreds or thousands of lives for my own sake."
Neung So-hwa’s gaze was unwavering.
Sun-woo stared at her blankly, stunned. He was genuinely shocked.
She was royalty. A member of the Imperial Family, said to carry the blood of the Son of Heaven. No one could deny that she possessed the most noble bloodline in the Central Plains.
How could someone like her speak so selflessly? How could she possess such altruism in a world with such a rigid caste system?
To be honest, she could have simply ordered him. Her status was high enough for that. But instead of commanding, she had pleaded, and she was even willing to accept his refusal.
Sun-woo felt his heart race. It wasn't just her status that was noble. Her heart was noble as well.
He realized then: he didn't want to let her die.
"Stop it."
Sun-woo finally spoke, looking directly at her.
"Stop what?"
"Meeting the Palace Master alone."
"Why?"
"You’ll die."
Sun-woo’s expression was dead serious. He meant it. Though he had only known her briefly, the Palace Master’s personality was no joke. She was proud and fierce. Perhaps because she had reached the Profound Realm, she was also cold and indifferent. There was no telling what she would do if someone demanded the Ice Essence, the treasure of the North Sea Ice Palace.
"I have no other way," Neung So-hwa replied. "I can only hope the Palace Master is merciful."
"B-but…"
"That is enough."
Neung So-hwa met his eyes with a steady gaze.
"I have felt your concern for me, and that is enough. So, please, stop. It is not that I do not understand your worry, but I have already made my decision, and I will humbly accept the consequences."
"……"
"Even if it means my life is at risk," she added calmly.
Hearing her words, Sun-woo knew she was being completely sincere.
"Sigh."
Sun-woo let out a long, heavy breath. He realized there was no way to break her stubbornness. And he couldn't just let her go to her death. In the end, there was only one thing he could do.
"Neung So-hwa."
Sun-woo called her name, his brow furrowed deeply.
"Speak."
"That promise to give me whatever I want… you meant it, right?"
Neung So-hwa’s eyes widened like a startled rabbit’s. She had been certain he was going to refuse, so this unexpected response caught her off guard.
"Why aren't you answering?"
"…Of course. I will grant you anything you desire, even if I have to strip the Imperial Palace of its foundations. I swear it on my name as a Commandery Princess."
She spoke slowly after a moment of thought.
"Fine. Then I’m coming with you when you go to negotiate."
Sun-woo spoke in a nonchalant tone.
"……Are… are you truly alright with that?"
Having received his confirmation, Neung So-hwa asked with concern. She worried that he was making a choice he didn't want to make because of her.
"With what?"
"Accompanying me to meet the Palace Master alone."
"I’ve already made up my mind."
"You do not have to push yourself. Were you not feeling burdened?"
Neung So-hwa looked at him with a worried expression. Now that Sun-woo had actually accepted, guilt began to wash over her. She felt as though she had forced someone into something they hated.
"Don't get the wrong idea. I just figured it’s better to have the granddaughter of the current Emperor and the daughter of Prince Yeon in my debt."
"You are lying. How could a debt be more important than your life?"
"I just won't die, then."
"And what if you do?" she persisted, remaining negative.
Sun-woo looked at her, bewildered.
"Weren't you the one who came here to ask for help?"
She was the one who had come to him! Instead of being full of hope, why was she being so pessimistic now?
"I have changed my mind. I shall go alone. You should just wash your feet and go to sleep."
Neung So-hwa’s attitude shifted in an instant.
"What’s with you all of a sudden?" Sun-woo asked, dumbfounded.
Just moments ago, she was appealing to him, saying he was the only one she could turn to. Why the sudden change of heart?
"I do not wish to put you in a difficult position. Come to think of it, are you not indebted to the North Sea Ice Palace Master? If you were to stand against her, you would be an ungrateful wretch!"
"Hey! Where did you learn a nasty word like 'ungrateful wretch'?"
"I learned it from Seol-hyang!"
"It’s a bad word. Don't use it."
"Regardless, my mind is made up. I will go to her alone."
"Then you should have just gone alone from the start! Why come here in the middle of the night and mess with my head, only to say you're going alone?"
Sun-woo raised his voice, his face contorted in a scowl. He said he’d help, so why was she refusing now? She was acting like a total contrarian.
"I am sorry for that. But after speaking with you, I have changed my mind. I do not wish to force someone who refused so vehemently to help me!"
"When did I 'vehemently' refuse?" Sun-woo shouted, feeling wronged.
"It was written all over your face! From the moment I brought it up, your face didn't relax once! How could I possibly ask a favor of you like that?"
"I told you it’s fine! Like you said, I’ve learned a special qigong, so I can stand against her."
"I still refuse."
"Don't let your pride get in the way when your life is on the line!"
Sun-woo growled, glaring at her. Her stubbornness was starting to irritate him. She was in a position as precarious as a candle in the wind—what was she doing acting so proud?
"It is not because of my pride! It is all because of you!"
Neung So-hwa shouted back, her voice filled with indignation.