Chapter 287: I Will Convince You
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 287: I Will Convince You
Sun-woo was currently in a very foul mood.
Hostility toward Bukgung Yeon surged within him for the way she was humiliating Neung So-hwa.
Bukgung Yeon had demanded that Neung So-hwa show proper etiquette, clearly displeased with her manner of speaking.
Sun-woo knew it too—that Neung So-hwa’s way of talking could come across as arrogant depending on the listener.
Upon hearing the demand, Neung So-hwa had immediately switched to the hao-che style to address Bukgung Yeon again. For someone like Neung So-hwa, who had spent her entire life reigning over others, that was likely the best she could do.
But Bukgung Yeon didn't seem satisfied with just that. With a malicious smile, she told Neung So-hwa to beg earnestly and pathetically.
Sun-woo could see it clearly. Bukgung Yeon was taking pleasure in cornering Neung So-hwa, a woman who looked elegant and noble at a single glance.
Sun-woo clicked his tongue. What a nasty personality.
Neung So-hwa, her face flushed with shame and mortification, slowly continued to speak in a tone she had never used in her life.
Seeing this made Sun-woo’s blood boil.
Wasn't Neung So-hwa a woman who was always dignified and full of confidence? He didn't want to see her looking so fragile.
Sun-woo decided that this malicious prank had to end. Without hesitation, he stomped his foot, shattering the floor beneath him.
Boom!
A thunderous roar echoed through the hall, drawing the eyes of both Bukgung Yeon and Neung So-hwa.
Bukgung Yeon’s brow furrowed deeply. She had been thoroughly enjoying herself by insulting Neung So-hwa. It was quite entertaining to heap shame and mockery upon someone who was so obviously high-born.
To have that fun suddenly cut short by an intruder... there was no way she would look upon him kindly.
"What do you think you're doing?" Bukgung Yeon glared at Sun-woo with eyes full of irritation.
"There was a fly," Sun-woo replied, meeting her gaze with a cold stare of his own.
"How strange. Flies can't survive in the North Sea," Bukgung Yeon spat back, her voice icy.
"And yet, there was one. Quite mysterious, isn't it?" Sun-woo continued, lying without batting an eye.
"Even so, I don't think there was any need to destroy the floor of the Ice Palace."
"I'll pay for it. If you'd like, I can even fix it myself."
"Hmph. I'll take both. The repair and compensation for the mental distress."
"What kind of mental distress could possibly be caused by a broken floor?"
"The aesthetics have been ruined, haven't they? It's an eyesore. It caused strain on my eyes."
"I'll provide both," Sun-woo said, his eyes gleaming. "In exchange, I have a request."
"What is it?"
"Give us the opportunity to make a proposal."
"How ridiculous. You break my property as you please and then use the compensation as an excuse to demand an audience? Do you even have a conscience?" Bukgung Yeon let out a hollow laugh.
"Didn't you realize I lacked a conscience the moment you saw me? It's a bit late to be surprised," Sun-woo replied with a nonchalant expression.
"You really are a piece of work. Do you not know who I am?"
"Are you not the supreme ruler of the North Sea, the Palace Master of the North Sea Ice Palace?"
"If you know that, why is your neck so stiff?"
As Bukgung Yeon glared at Sun-woo with a chilling gaze, a frost so cold it made one's skin crawl began to spread throughout the Great Hall.
"Your arrogant attitude is making me quite unhappy."
"Arrogant? You must be mistaken."
"I'm the one who decides whether it's a mistake or not."
"Humans are imperfect beings, so they often make errors in judgment."
"I am a perfect being."
"If you were perfect, you would have already achieved Ascension to the Immortal Realm above."
Sun-woo pointed a slender finger toward the ceiling as he spoke.
"Are you playing word games with me right now?"
"It's not a word game; I'm intending to make a proposal."
"I never said I'd listen."
Bukgung Yeon snorted at Sun-woo's words.
"Then I'll only fix the floor."
"What about the compensation for mental distress?"
"Why would I compensate a Palace Master who is so stingy she won't even give us a proper audience?"
"......"
Bukgung Yeon was momentarily speechless. She thought she had never encountered such stubborn, nonsensical logic in her life. To use mental distress compensation as leverage for an audience?
"You crazy bastard."
After a long silence, Bukgung Yeon suddenly cursed at Sun-woo. No matter how she looked at him, he seemed like a madman.
"Fine. I'll give you the chance for an audience."
She added the words shortly after. Curiosity had gotten the better of her—she wanted to know why he was going to such lengths.
"Thank you. I'll make sure you're handsomely compensated for your mental distress," Sun-woo replied with a sly grin.
Internally, he cheered. His "crazy" behavior had successfully piqued her interest.
Sun-woo turned his gaze toward Neung So-hwa and winked. Neung So-hwa looked back at him with tearful eyes and gave a slight nod. It was a sign of gratitude for him stepping up for her.
Seeing that, a smile played on Sun-woo's lips. He thought Neung So-hwa looked quite cute even with tears in her eyes.
Whew.
Sun-woo let out a deep breath inwardly. He had succeeded in catching Bukgung Yeon's attention, but what came next was the real problem. He had to make the absurd proposal of asking for the treasure of the North Sea Ice Palace.
He felt his tension rising. Through their brief exchange, he had realized her personality was incredibly foul. He couldn't even predict what kind of disaster would strike if he asked her to hand over the Ice Essence.
Thump, thump.
Sun-woo calmed his racing heart and slowly opened his mouth.
"I need the Ice Essence."
"Denied."
The moment she heard his words, Bukgung Yeon voiced her refusal. It was immediate, as if the request wasn't even worth a second of thought.
"I haven't even made my offer yet," Sun-woo said in a calm voice.
"It's a proposal not even worth hearing. You want the Ice Essence? The treasure of the North Sea?" Bukgung Yeon’s voice began to rise in agitation. "I don't know what you Central Plains people think of the Ice Essence, but to the Ice Palace, it is a peerless treasure. It is something that must be cherished to preserve the North Sea Ice Palace! And you're asking for that? Are you insane?"
Bukgung Yeon shouted, her face contorted with rage. She was truly furious.
What was the Ice Essence? It was a treasure of the ages, containing the essence of Extreme Yin, coveted by all who handled Yin-Cold Qi. Because the Ice Essence itself emitted an immense amount of cold, simply training near it—without even consuming it—allowed those who used Yin-Cold Qi to achieve incredible breakthroughs.
Because of this, the North Sea Ice Palace had treated it as a sacred object since ancient times, even dedicating a specific room to house it. They allowed disciples with great merit or exceptional talent to train in that room to reach higher realms of power.
Thus, for the North Sea Ice Palace, the Ice Essence was a vital factor in cultivating their core strength.
And he wanted her to just hand it over?
Bukgung Yeon was a woman who dreamed of rebuilding the fallen North Sea Ice Palace. To do that, she needed the Ice Essence. There was no way she would agree.
"I'll pretend I didn't hear the bullshit you spewed today. Be grateful for that and get out immediately."
Bukgung Yeon barked at them, her face flushed with anger. She desperately wanted to turn them both into ice statues right then and there, but she barely managed to restrain herself. She figured these Central Plains people simply didn't understand the importance of the Ice Essence.
She believed she was showing them divine mercy by letting such an outrageous remark slide so easily. They ought to be grateful for her benevolence.
"I can't do that."
Unfortunately, it seemed they didn't have a shred of gratitude for her.
"We need the Ice Essence."
Otherwise, why would they throw her hard-earned mercy into the gutter like that?
"I believe I told you to get out. Now."
Rumble...
Upon hearing Sun-woo's words, a bone-chilling cold began to radiate from Bukgung Yeon. It was a threat—a warning that she would not show mercy if he crossed the line again.
"Why is that?" Sun-woo asked, looking at Bukgung Yeon with a puzzled expression.
"What?" she snapped back.
"Why won't you give us the Ice Essence?"
"Hmph. There's no way you Central Plains people would understand what the Ice Essence means to the North Sea Ice Palace." Bukgung Yeon scoffed. "To us, the Ice Essence is the very future of the Ice Palace. Only with an intact Ice Essence can the Palace flourish! To ask for that... what kind of madness is this!"
Bukgung Yeon glared at Sun-woo, her face full of indignation.
"How is the Ice Essence the future of the Palace?" Sun-woo asked, as if he truly didn't understand.
Wasn't the Ice Essence just an elixir that boosted the progress of martial artists who used Yin-Cold Qi? How could such an elixir be the "future" of the Palace?
"The Ice Essence is a treasure among treasures that emits Extreme Yin Energy on its own. That energy creates the ultimate environment for the martial artists of the Ice Palace who have mastered Ice Arts to increase their achievement. It means it makes our warriors even stronger. The strength of our warriors is directly linked to the strength of the Ice Palace. How could we possibly give such a thing away?"
Bukgung Yeon explained the utility of the Ice Essence in detail. She hoped Sun-woo would realize just how foolish his request had been.
"......"
Sun-woo fell into thought for a moment. He knew the Ice Essence was a treasure of the North Sea Ice Palace, but he hadn't imagined it held such a status. A tool for building the sect's entire power base... it certainly made sense that she wouldn't hand it over easily.
Damn it.
Sun-woo cursed inwardly. The difficulty of obtaining the Ice Essence had just skyrocketed. He racked his brain, thinking and thinking again for a way to convince her.
"Palace Master." Sun-woo called out to her in a serious tone.
"What." Her reply was curt.
"I still can't give up on the Ice Essence."
"Your opinion doesn't matter. What matters is that I don't want to give it to you."
"I have a proposal."
"I have no intention of listening. No matter what you offer, I won't trade it for the Ice Essence."
Bukgung Yeon glared at him with a firm expression. What she needed to rebuild the Ice Palace right now wasn't money or rare jewels. She needed the Ice Essence to rapidly train her disciples. She wouldn't trade it for anything.
"I will give you money."
"Do you think the Ice Essence can be bought with something like money?"
"It can."
"What?"
"It's possible if it's a staggering amount of money."
"You're talking nonsense. Money cannot buy the Ice Essence. What I need right now is the Ice Essence to quickly raise the disciples of the Palace! It's not something that can be replaced by mere money!" Bukgung Yeon screamed at him.
"It can be bought."
Despite her shouting, Sun-woo did not back down.
"What! Are you insulting me right now?"
Hearing Sun-woo's stubborn answer, Bukgung Yeon’s face flushed with shame as she roared. She felt a profound sense of humiliation. How could the future of the Ice Palace be traded for mere money? Unless he saw her as nothing more than a money-grubbing merchant, he couldn't possibly say this.
The uncontrollable shame began to transform into rage. Who was she? She was the ruler of the North Sea and the supreme authority, the Palace Master of the North Sea Ice Palace. To be treated like a common merchant... she couldn't help but be furious.
A terrifying cold began to emanate from her body. She looked ready to freeze Sun-woo on the spot.
"Palace Master."
Sun-woo called out to the enraged Bukgung Yeon.
"What is it!"
"This is not an insult. I truly believe this."
"Don't make me laugh! How can the future of the North Sea Ice Palace be traded for money?" Bukgung Yeon shouted, her anger reaching its peak.
"Even the future of the North Sea Ice Palace can be bought with money," Sun-woo said firmly, meeting her gaze.
"What?!"
"Give me just one il-gak. I will convince you."
Sun-woo looked at Bukgung Yeon with eyes full of confidence. Bukgung Yeon glared back at him with eyes full of fury.
A strange tension began to flow through the Great Hall.