Chapter 297: Making Preparations
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 297: Making Preparations
"What on earth do you mean by that?!"
Chief Ma raised his voice, shouting as he stared at Neung So-hwa.
He was currently in a state of extreme agitation. It was because his one and only liege had just said something utterly preposterous.
"It is exactly as I said. I have obtained the Ice Essence, and I intend to consume it."
"No, I don't mean that! I'm asking who you're going with and where!"
"I am going with Sun-woo. To a place quite far from the Ice Palace."
Neung So-hwa continued speaking with a calm expression.
"Absolutely not!"
Upon hearing her words, Chief Ma forgot he was in the presence of his liege and bellowed.
It was unthinkable. Even if Neung So-hwa was currently hiding her identity, she was still a member of the Imperial Family and a Commandery Princess. How could such a person go to a secluded, lonely place alone with a man?
It was strictly forbidden. If word of this reached the Emperor’s ears, Chief Ma’s head would surely roll for the crime of failing to properly attend to the Princess.
"Why do you oppose it so?"
Faced with Chief Ma’s fierce opposition, Neung So-hwa asked back as if she truly didn't understand. Why was he being so vehemently against it? She had expected him to congratulate her on obtaining the Ice Essence.
"How can you even suggest leaving for a secluded place alone with a man!" Chief Ma shouted, his face a mask of horror.
"Do not speak of it in such a manner! You make it sound as if I am going to do something wicked!"
"It is wicked enough! How can a grown man and woman do something so scandalous..."
"Scandalous?! I merely intend to release my seals before I absorb the Ice Essence!"
Neung So-hwa flared up at Chief Ma’s words, her own voice rising. She was simply going to absorb the Ice Essence; why was he phrasing it so strangely? He was acting as if she were about to commit some terrible sin.
"I can release the seals for you! And why must you leave the Ice Palace at all? Such a deviation is unacceptable before you are even married, my Lady!"
Chief Ma continued, his tone bordering on a lecture. He was fuming. To him, Neung So-hwa was his sole liege and a person of incomparable nobility, but in his heart, he cherished her like a younger sister.
Despite being royalty, she was thoughtful, considerate, and possessed incredible martial arts—yet her naive nature and ignorance of the world’s ways made her seem like a cute, youngest sibling to him. Of course, if others knew of these thoughts, they might call it blasphemy and demand his execution.
From Chief Ma’s perspective, her declaration that she would disappear alone with Sun-woo felt like a massive act of delinquency. And that thought quickly shifted into anger toward Sun-woo. What was that man thinking, leading this innocent Princess astray? He couldn't help but feel enraged.
"It cannot be you."
Hearing Chief Ma’s words, Neung So-hwa spoke with a firm expression.
"And why not?!"
"If the seals suppressing the energies in my body are released, there is no telling what might happen!"
"What do you mean, 'what might happen' just because the seals are gone?" Chief Ma asked, genuinely confused.
"It is a very real possibility. From the beginning, it was the fire energy that seethed within me at all times. I have been pressing that fire down with everything I have to prevent it from igniting—how can you say it would be safe?"
Neung So-hwa stared at Chief Ma, her face flushed with agitation as she continued.
"If you were to release the seals in this state, the fire energy would surge out and overwhelm you instantly. You would be injured. In the worst case, you could die!"
"I don't care!"
"Well, I care! Do you not have a family to support? Besides, are you not a newlywed who just had his ceremony? Do you intend to make your new bride a widow?"
Frustrated by Chief Ma’s stubbornness, Neung So-hwa shouted back. How could a man with a family to provide for treat his own life so recklessly?
"Isn't that all just speculation?"
"No, I can feel it. I know the sheer magnitude of the fire energy boiling inside me. The moment the seals are released, that energy will go wild."
Neung So-hwa looked at Chief Ma with a profoundly somber face.
"If you release my seals, you will die. Or even if you don't, you will live the rest of your life covered in severe burns. Do you wish to show your new wife a face ravaged by fire?"
"................."
At her words, Chief Ma clamped his mouth shut. He certainly didn't want that. He had been sent to the North Sea before he could even enjoy the sweetness of married life. His bride, whom he had only just wed, would be waiting for him endlessly. He couldn't bear to show her a body covered in burns. How could he do that to her—the kind, gentle woman who had seen him off to the North Sea without a single word of complaint?
"I am well aware of your concern for me. I am merely grateful. It truly brings me joy to have a subordinate like you under my command. That is precisely why you cannot come. I do not wish for you to be hurt or killed."
"......Then, is Hero Jang going to be alright?"
"Fortunately, he has mastered a special qigong. He should be more than capable of withstanding the fire energy."
"What kind of qigong is it?"
"I cannot say in detail. How can I casually share another person's martial secrets?"
Neung So-hwa maintained a firm expression as she answered Chief Ma’s question.
"Then, is the reason you're leaving the North Sea Ice Palace also because you don't want to cause damage?"
"Correct. If the Extreme Yang Flame Emperor Demonic Art goes berserk, the range of the explosion would be vast enough to cover the entire Ice Palace. I do not wish to involve innocent people."
Neung So-hwa spoke with a grim face. Seeing this, Chief Ma’s expression turned dejected. He realized her mind was already made up.
"My Lady, will you really not reconsider? Why not return to the Imperial Palace first and invite General Lee Yeon or another martial master?"
Chief Ma tried one last time. He was still deeply uneasy about her being alone with Sun-woo. If the fire energy engulfed her entire body, her clothes would surely be incinerated, leaving her naked. How could the most noble Princess in the world expose her naked self to a strange man?
"It has to be him. My fire energy would injure even Lee Yeon. It must be Sun-woo."
Neung So-hwa looked at Chief Ma with eyes full of resolute determination.
"Phew... Fine. Then I shall stop trying to dissuade you."
Seeing her unwavering resolve, Chief Ma sighed and finally relented. How could he stop her when she was being this stubborn?
"Thank you for understanding."
"In exchange, you must keep this matter an absolute secret. My head is on the line."
"Do not worry. I intend to take this to my grave as well."
Neung So-hwa nodded in response to Chief Ma’s request.
"When do you plan to depart?"
"I intend to leave tonight."
"So soon?"
"Is there not a saying about striking while the iron is hot? If you delay a decision, it tends to fizzle out."
"But still..." Chief Ma trailed off, his worry lingering.
"Do not worry. Who do you think I am? I am a martial artist who has nearly reached the Half-Immortal stage. I will not die easily, so rest assured."
"I understand. Please, just stay safe."
Reassured by Neung So-hwa’s confident words, Chief Ma nodded.
"Ah, and bring a Blood-Sweating Horse from the Bukmun Merchant Guild."
"A Blood-Sweating Horse?"
"The journey is quite long. How can we travel without horses?"
"Will the Bukmun Merchant Guild just give one up?"
"They must have a guilty conscience. If they refuse, tell them we will spread rumors that they tried to sell their customers out to bandits. They will hand it over easily then."
Neung So-hwa spoke with a mischievous, bratty smile.
"Understood."
Chief Ma bowed his head in response.
"Then, I shall be on my way."
"Go ahead."
As soon as Neung So-hwa gave the order, Chief Ma turned and left. Neung So-hwa then stood up, spread out her luggage, and began rummaging through her clothes.
She started looking for her ugliest outfit. It was certain that her clothes would burn once the seals were released. If they were going to be destroyed anyway, wasn't it better to use the ugliest ones?
After searching for a while, she found a somewhat tacky outfit. This would do.
"Hmm."
But she soon fell back into thought. A part of her didn't want Sun-woo to see her wearing such a dowdy outfit. She began rummaging through her clothes again.
Soon, she picked out a beautiful set of garments. It was a stunning silk dress of a deep, vibrant red.
"Ugh..."
But she couldn't bring herself to wear the silk dress. It was too precious to just let it burn. She began digging through her clothes once more, trying to find something that was pretty enough to show Sun-woo but not so valuable that she'd regret losing it to the flames.
Soon, dozens of outfits were scattered all over Neung So-hwa’s room.
"Um... Unit Leader... I think we took the wrong path..."
Thwack!
The man’s head instantly exploded mid-sentence. The Evil Demon’s fist had struck home.
"Just die."
The Evil Demon, Ju Do-san, muttered curtly after obliterating his subordinate's head without a moment's hesitation. He then slowly turned his gaze toward the other demons behind him. He was looking for someone else to act as a guide.
The members of the Demon Troops who met his gaze broke into a cold sweat, desperately trying to avoid his eyes.
"Who’s going to try finding the path next?"
The Evil Demon spoke, his eyes gleaming with a murderous light.
"................."
The demons remained silent; not a single one dared to answer. Two men had already been chosen as guides and killed. In such a situation, no sane person would volunteer.
The Evil Demon scowled, clearly displeased with the silence.
"If no one comes forward by the time I count to three, I’ll pick someone myself. One... two... thr—"
"I will do it."
A cold voice reached the Evil Demon’s ears from the very back. He looked further back and saw a warrior with an impression as solid as steel standing there.
It was Kang-pae, Lee Yeon’s lieutenant.
The Evil Demon’s brow furrowed deeply at the sight of him. Kang-pae made him uncomfortable. The man’s own martial prowess was not far behind his own, and he was backed by Lee Yeon, the First Sword of the Imperial Palace, who had reached the Half-Immortal stage.
How could he not be wary?
The only saving grace was that Kang-pae was usually taciturn and quiet, so there had been no reason for conflict. He had been so quiet that the Evil Demon had almost forgotten he was there. So why was he stepping forward now?
"Why are you volunteering?"
"Weren't you looking for a guide? I shall be your guide."
"Do you not care if your head is crushed if you fail to find the way?"
"Do not worry. I will not fail. And you say such amusing things. Do you truly believe you can crush my head?"
"Ho? Are you that certain?"
"What is there to be uncertain about?"
Despite the Evil Demon’s savage threat, Kang-pae responded in a calm, level tone.
Arrogant bastard.
The Evil Demon’s scowl deepened. He hated how Kang-pae acted so cocky, relying on Lee Yeon’s backing. How could a mere lieutenant who spent his time hunting barbarians act so insolently toward someone who had been a direct subordinate of the Heavenly Demon, the ruler of all demons?
Irritation surged within him. Furthermore, even if Kang-pae failed to find the way, the Evil Demon couldn't kill him. Not only was the man's own strength formidable, but Lee Yeon had also issued a warning.
Lee Yeon had explicitly told the Evil Demon that Kang-pae was a cherished subordinate. It sounded like a simple compliment, but the Evil Demon recognized the threat hidden within—a threat that if even a hair on Kang-pae's head was harmed, Lee Yeon would not let it slide.
The man probably knew about Lee Yeon’s words, which was why he was acting so bold. It was infuriating. To think that the great Evil Demon was being looked down upon by such a whelp.
Disrespectful prick.
The Evil Demon cursed inwardly.
Whoosh.
He threw the map straight at Kang-pae. It was a gesture of handing over the role of guide. Kang-pae caught the map with ease.
"Follow me."
Having taken the map, Kang-pae immediately began walking at the front. The Evil Demon followed behind him, staring at the back of his head. Of course, he had to suppress the constant urge to smash that skull every time he looked at it.