Chapter 298: Shall We Defy the Laws of Nature?
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 298: Shall We Defy the Laws of Nature?
Crunch. Crunch. Crunch.
The Evil Demon and his Demon Troops were reaching the end of their tether, their irritation peaking as they trudged through the knee-deep snow.
No matter how far they walked, the snow seemed endless, piling up higher and higher.
Ju Do-san, the Evil Demon, felt a surge of regret.
If I had known it would be like this, I would have kept a few Blood-Sweating Horses.
He was the one who had slaughtered every single horse within the territory of the North Sea Ice Palace. He had done it with the sole intention of cutting off the villagers' escape routes.
Now, it seemed that decision had come back to haunt him as karmic retribution.
Damn it. Damn it all.
Ju Do-san cursed incessantly under his breath.
It had already been two days since Kang-pae, Lee Yeon’s subordinate, had taken the lead as their guide. By now, even if they hadn't reached the North Sea Ice Palace, they should have at least seen a familiar landmark. Yet, there was no sign of anything recognizable.
Is this bastard actually lost?
Doubt began to gnaw at Ju Do-san.
He had followed the man without a word because he had seemed so confident in his navigation. But as time passed and they encountered nothing but unfamiliar terrain, suspicion was inevitable.
Ju Do-san glared at Kang-pae’s back with narrowed eyes and spoke up.
"Hey."
His voice was thick with murderous intent.
"……"
However, Kang-pae didn't respond.
"Hey!"
When there was still no reaction, Ju Do-san shouted even louder.
"……"
Despite the shouting, Kang-pae remained silent.
Grip.
Fuming with irritation, Ju Do-san reached out and grabbed Kang-pae by the shoulder.
"Do you want to die?!"
"Is something the matter?"
Only then did Kang-pae turn his body to look at the Evil Demon.
"I called you several times!"
"My name isn't 'Hey,' you see."
Kang-pae replied in a calm, indifferent tone.
Grind.
Ju Do-san ground his teeth. The man clearly knew he was being addressed but had ignored him on purpose.
"Well, since you've called me, I'll bite. Why did you call?"
"Are we even going the right way?"
"And here I thought you were a master of the Demonic Path. Are you really this impatient?" Kang-pae shot back mockingly.
Grind.
"It’s not about impatience! We’ve been wandering for far too long!" Ju Do-san snarled, his voice rising.
"We are going the right way, so don't concern yourself."
"You've been saying that for two days! In two days, we should have hit a familiar path, yet all we see is land I've never laid eyes on!"
"In the North Sea, where blizzards rage year-round, it's common for the terrain to shift. Do not concern yourself."
"That bullshit again! Is that the only thing you know how to say?!"
"For a demonic seed, your memory seems quite sharp."
"Aaaargh! I can't take it anymore!"
Driven to a breaking point by Kang-pae’s sarcasm, the Evil Demon began to radiate an explosive murderous aura.
"To hell with Lee Yeon! Let's see who dies today, you or me!"
Ju Do-san instantly unleashed his ferocious Demonic Qi.
"Tsk, tsk. Truly a demonic seed. What use is a man with such narrow vision?"
Seeing this, Kang-pae didn't even look tense; he simply let out a smirk and continued talking. That smirk was the final straw that snapped Ju Do-san’s last thread of reason.
Snap.
"You son of a bitch!!!"
Losing all control, the Evil Demon gathered his internal energy into his fist. He intended to swing it and shatter Kang-pae’s skull then and there. An ominous energy, a mixture of savage bloodlust and Demonic Qi, began to flicker around his hand.
Ju Do-san pulled his fist back, ready to strike.
"Urgh!"
Suddenly, a groan escaped his lips.
"Aaaaaagh!"
The groan quickly turned into a blood-curdling scream as Ju Do-san began to writhe in agony.
[Did I not tell you that Kang-pae is a cherished subordinate of mine?]
A voice rang out in his ear, so clear it felt as if someone were whispering right beside him.
"Aaaaaaargh!"
[Is it not true that you are a demonic seed? Why then do you seek to harm Kang-pae?]
Lee Yeon!
Ju Do-san knew instantly. The owner of that vivid voice echoing in his mind was none other than Lee Yeon.
"Aaaagh!! I... I was wrong! Please, forgive me!"
Ju Do-san screamed for mercy, unable to withstand the overwhelming internal energy crushing his entire body.
[Tsk. How can you have so little backbone?]
Lee Yeon clicked his tongue in disappointment.
Flash.
With those final words, the massive pressure that had been crushing his body vanished in an instant.
"Haa... haa... haa..."
Having regained his freedom, Ju Do-san gasped for air, trying to steady his breathing. He quickly whipped his head around, searching his surroundings. He was looking for Lee Yeon, the one who had just exerted that terrifying pressure.
But Lee Yeon was nowhere to be seen.
"H-how... how is this possible..."
Ju Do-san stared at Kang-pae, cold sweat pouring down his face. Lee Yeon was definitely not nearby. How could he exert such immense pressure from so far away?
"Why did you say you were leading us to where Lee Yeon is?!" Ju Do-san demanded, his face contorted.
"I said I would be the guide. I never said I was leading you to the North Sea Ice Palace," Kang-pae replied with a nonchalant expression.
"You piece of shit! I'll fry you in sewage!"
Ju Do-san glared at him with murderous eyes, spitting out curses.
"As expected of a demonic seed, your words are as filthy as your soul."
"Where is Lee Yeon?!"
"He is not far."
"Don't lie to me! I looked all the way to the horizon and couldn't see a trace of him! So where exactly is he?!" Ju Do-san roared, shaking his head in disbelief.
"If you couldn't see him this side of the horizon, then he must be beyond it, shouldn't he?" Kang-pae sneered, seemingly enjoying the Evil Demon's reaction.
"That's impossible! I felt a force I couldn't even hope to match! How could he pressure me like that from such a distance?!"
Ju Do-san couldn't comprehend it. Even if Lee Yeon was the First Sword of the Imperial Palace and had reached the Half-Immortal stage, how could he exert such power from beyond the horizon? It was a feat that transcended human limits.
"Don't believe it if you don't want to."
Losing interest in Ju Do-san’s repeated disbelief, Kang-pae turned away and began walking forward again.
Grind.
Ju Do-san ground his teeth at Kang-pae’s blatant disregard. He had been ruling the North Sea Ice Palace like a king. To be treated with such contempt by someone like Kang-pae was an unbearable insult.
Glint.
His eyes flashed with a murderous light.
Just you wait, you dog.
Ju Do-san bided his time. He wanted nothing more than to drive his fist through the man's crown, but he was terrified of Lee Yeon, who could be anywhere. If he killed Kang-pae, Lee Yeon would undoubtedly tear him limb from limb.
Grinding his teeth once more, he followed after Kang-pae.
*
How much time had passed?
The Evil Demon and the Demon Troops finally reached the horizon. And there, they saw it.
Thousands of soldiers stood in formation, and before them stood Lee Yeon, waiting with a composed and arrogant posture.
"Loyalty!"
Thud.
As soon as Lee Yeon came into view, Kang-pae dropped to one knee and bowed his head.
"You've arrived?" Lee Yeon said calmly.
"I am late, General," Kang-pae replied apologetically.
"It is fine. Not everything in the world goes according to plan."
"I am deeply sorry."
"Rise. I wish to hear your report."
"As you command."
Kang-pae stood up and looked at Lee Yeon.
"Three days ago, we searched the North Sea Lake thoroughly, but we failed to find the target, Bukgung Yeon."
"That is a pity. I was certain she would be there."
"However, I believe I know where she might be."
"And where is that?"
"The North Sea Ice Palace!" Kang-pae answered confidently.
"Your reasoning?"
"The North Sea Lake was frozen."
"The North Sea Lake?!" Lee Yeon asked, surprised.
What was the North Sea Lake? It was a massive body of water, as vast as a sea, and the symbol of the North Sea that was famous for never freezing. And yet, it was frozen?
"Of course, it wasn't frozen entirely, but an ice sheet had formed that was thick enough to support dozens of grown men."
"How large was it?"
"About the size of a small village."
"Is that so? Hmm... I see..."
Lee Yeon stroked his chin, falling into deep thought.
The North Sea Lake does not freeze. This was a law of nature. Therefore, freezing the lake was equivalent to defying the providence of nature itself. It was something utterly impossible for a human to achieve.
Yet, the lake had frozen. And over an area the size of a village.
What did this imply? It was proof that something transcending human capability had intervened.
"Tsk. Has she reached the Half-Immortal stage? This has become troublesome."
Having finished his thoughts, Lee Yeon clicked his tongue, his brow furrowing slightly. He realized the truth. Bukgung Yeon had transcended her previous limits and reached the Profound Realm.
Things had become more complicated than he had anticipated.
What was the Profound Realm? It was the great stage known as the Half-Immortal, where one gained the power to defy nature itself. Having someone who had reached such a height as an enemy was bound to be a headache.
"H-Half-Immortal? Do you mean the Profound Realm?!"
Ju Do-san, who had been listening silently, asked in shock.
"Why are you so surprised? Is it not obvious?"
"No! How can you be so sure Bukgung Yeon has reached the Profound Realm just because the North Sea Lake froze?!" Ju Do-san shouted, unable to accept it.
The Profound Realm wasn't some common neighborhood dog; how could a girl who hadn't even reached the age of thirty have attained it?
"I should ask you instead. Why do you think she isn't a Half-Immortal?" Lee Yeon asked in a level voice.
"She practices the North Sea Ice Palace's secret art, the Heavenly Yin Ice Soul Divine Art! It's a technique that manipulates Extreme Yin Energy capable of freezing the very air! The lake froze because her martial art is unique, that's all!"
Ju Do-san’s face was flushed as he argued his point. He couldn't admit it.
What was the Profound Realm? It was the legendary stage where one was said to have transcended humanity. Even he, the Evil Demon who made the entire Murim tremble, had hit that wall and fallen into despair. How could a mere slip of a girl reach it?
He couldn't accept it. He wouldn't accept it. He didn't want to accept it.
"You are truly a pitiful man."
Lee Yeon’s voice, filled with pity, reached his ears.
"……Why am I pitiful?"
"You are so consumed by inferiority that you deny reality. How can I not find you pitiful?"
Those words of pity pierced Ju Do-san’s heart like a blade.
"Don't be ridiculous! The lake froze simply because she used Ice Arts!" Ju Do-san screamed desperately.
"The North Sea Lake does not freeze," Lee Yeon stated firmly. "Think about it. The North Sea Lake has endured countless bitter winters over the centuries. Yet, in all those hundreds of years, it has never once frozen. What does that mean? The fact that it doesn't freeze is a law of nature."
"……"
"Freezing the North Sea Lake is an act of defying nature's providence. And humans cannot defy the laws of nature. Only something that has transcended humanity can possess such magnificent power."
Lee Yeon looked down at Ju Do-san with arrogant eyes.
"She has reached the great realm beyond humanity. That is a fact so certain it doesn't even warrant a second thought."
"……"
Ju Do-san’s eyes trembled uncontrollably. Two emotions were warring within him.
The first was inferiority. He felt a crushing sense of inadequacy toward Bukgung Yeon, who had reached a realm he couldn't even touch. He had remained a mere human, unable to even set foot on that path.
The second was fear. He was terrified. Utterly terrified.
He was the one who had taken everything from Bukgung Yeon; he was her sworn enemy. Bukgung Yeon, now possessing the power to defy nature, would surely come for him. She would come to kill him in the most gruesome way possible.
How could he not be afraid? He was about to lose everything—everything he had enjoyed for the past twenty years.
"Are you afraid?"
Lee Yeon’s dignified voice reached him.
Nod, nod, nod.
Paralyzed by fear, Ju Do-san couldn't even speak; he could only nod his head frantically.
"Of course you are. Even I cannot afford to underestimate her current realm," Lee Yeon continued, nodding as if in understanding. "If you and your Demon Troops encounter her, you will surely die a miserable death. That is as certain as the laws of nature."
Ju Do-san’s face turned pale. The thought of death being only a step away terrified him.
"However, if I am with you, the story changes."
Lee Yeon looked at the trembling man and spoke with a calm face.
"What do you say? Shall we try defying the laws of nature together?"
A golden light began to shimmer in Lee Yeon’s eyes.