Chapter 299: Rampaging Extreme Yang Flame Emperor Demonic Qi-1
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 299: Rampaging Extreme Yang Flame Emperor Demonic Qi-1
Thundering hooves.
Thundering hooves.
Two horses, their bodies coated in a brilliant crimson hue, galloped forward at a fierce pace.
Their strength was so immense that even the deep, heavy snowdrifts failed to act as an obstacle. They moved with such velocity that only the whistling sound of wind slicing through the air lingered in their wake.
They ran without rest.
It was as if they carried all the urgency in the world within them.
After galloping for some time, a solitary iceberg covered in ancient glaciers began to appear in the distance.
The colossal iceberg boasted a magnificent presence, radiating a pure, pristine white light. As the mountain of ice came into view, the horses' pace across the snowy plains quickened even further.
Gallop, gallop, gallop.
Gallop, gallop, gallop.
Before long, they reached the foot of the frozen heights in an instant.
Halt.
As they neared the slopes, the lead horse gradually slowed to a stop. The horse following closely behind mirrored the movement, coming to a standstill.
"Do you think this is far enough?"
Once the horses had fully settled, the rider of the lead horse spoke.
"It is not enough. We must ascend that iceberg ahead. Atop the ice, the fire will not be able to spread."
The rider of the trailing horse nodded as she spoke.
"Sohwa, does it really make a difference whether there's a mountain or not?"
"It does. Is that iceberg not made of ice? It may melt, but it will not catch fire. Does Sun-woo not even know such a basic thing?"
"I just thought the fire wouldn't catch here either."
Sun-woo tilted his head as he spoke. This was the North Sea, a land where even the ground was buried under layers of snow. How could the ground possibly catch fire? He didn't see the point in going through the trouble of climbing the iceberg.
"Though the North Sea is a glacial region, it is not devoid of plant life. Moss and similar flora often grow wild beneath the snow without dying. If I release the seal here, a great conflagration will surely erupt."
Neung So-hwa replied with a firm expression to Sun-woo's question.
"Fire is inherently more dangerous when there is fuel to burn. For safety, I shall choose the top of the iceberg where there is nothing to consume. On the ice, will the melting water not help suppress my flames?"
"Oh... that’s actually impressive."
Sun-woo let out a small sound of admiration. To be honest, ever since he realized she had zero sexual knowledge, he had started viewing her as a bit childish. Hearing her display such practical wisdom made him see her in a new light.
"It is too early to be surprised. This is but a fraction of the knowledge I possess."
Neung So-hwa seemed pleased by Sun-woo's admiration, her nose turning up slightly in pride. Sun-woo found the sight somewhat adorable and suppressed a chuckle.
"Anyway, so we have to climb the iceberg?"
"Indeed. The snowy plains alone do not put my mind at ease."
"Then let's tie the horses here and head up."
Sun-woo patted the Blood-Sweating Horse beside him.
"And why is that?"
"If you lose control, I don't think I'll have the leeway to protect the horses too."
Sun-woo spoke his honest thoughts in response to her question.
"What an unlucky thing to say!"
Neung So-hwa flared up and shouted. She was already nervous enough; how could he be so inconsiderate?
"It doesn't hurt to be prepared for everything, right?"
Sun-woo gave a casual answer and looked around. He was searching for a place to tether the horses. However, all he saw was an endless expanse of snow; there wasn't a single spot suitable for tying them up.
"This is a problem. There's nowhere to tie them."
Sun-woo fell into thought. He could take them up the iceberg, but if Neung So-hwa truly went on a rampage, he had no confidence he could protect them. He couldn't even guarantee his own safety, so how could he look after the Blood-Sweating Horses?
The horses were an indispensable means of transport for their return to the North Sea Ice Palace. The deep snow hindered even the footsteps of martial artists. If they lost the horses, a journey that would take half a day would turn into a three-day trek.
He couldn't let that happen. He was already anxious about being away for half a day; the idea of taking three days to get back was out of the question.
"Is something the matter?"
As Sun-woo agonized over the situation, Neung So-hwa asked.
"There's nowhere to tie the Blood-Sweating Horses."
Sun-woo explained with a troubled expression. Neung So-hwa turned her head to scan the surroundings. Just as he said, there was nothing to be found.
"If there is nothing, can you not simply make something?"
"Make something?" Sun-woo asked, puzzled.
"A hitching post to tie the horses to."
"How am I supposed to make a post in a place that doesn't even have a stone, let alone a tree?"
Sun-woo spoke as if it were impossible. What could he possibly build in a place with nothing but snow? He didn't expect a tree, but if there were at least a boulder, he could have carved a stone post with his sword. But there was nothing.
"Is the material not right in front of you?"
Neung So-hwa pointed forward.
"Material?"
Confused, Sun-woo followed her finger. And then he saw it. The massive iceberg.
"Can you not make it out of ice?"
"Ah!"
Sun-woo let out an exclamation of realization. That was it. There was ice—ice as hard and sturdy as rock.
That's clever.
Sun-woo was impressed. He hadn't imagined the idea of splitting the ice to create a hitching post.
"That's a great idea."
Sun-woo looked at her and smiled.
Shring.
He immediately drew the sword from his waist.
Whoosh.
He swung the blade toward the iceberg.
Slice.
A human-sized cut appeared in the ice, and the section began to tilt forward.
Thump.
A large block of ice crashed onto the ground.
Scrape, scrape, scrape.
Sun-woo began to carve the large block of ice with his sword, even emitting Sword Qi to refine the shape. After some time had passed, a rather crude-looking ice post was completed.
"Done!"
Sun-woo let out a cheer of joy at the finished product. He could have just cut it roughly, but a sudden, unnecessary artisan spirit had taken hold of him, causing him to spend nearly fifteen minutes on it. Perhaps thanks to the effort proportional to the time spent, the result was quite satisfying.
"How is it?"
Sun-woo looked at Neung So-hwa with a beaming face. His expression was full of expectation, like a child seeking praise.
"It is crude."
Of course, Neung So-hwa did not give him the praise he wanted.
"........."
Sun-woo's face fell. He had put quite a bit of heart into it, so the lukewarm reaction was disappointing.
"I... I mean, looking at it again! It is clear you put great effort into it. Furthermore, its practical side is emphasized, so it should more than suffice as a post for the horses!"
Seeing Sun-woo's blatant disappointment, a flustered Neung So-hwa quickly added more words.
"Really?"
Sun-woo's face brightened as he asked back.
"Of course. If it would not melt, I would even wish to purchase a few myself!"
"Hehehe."
Sun-woo smiled bashfully at her compliment. They say praise can make even a whale dance; her words made him grin from ear to ear.
"Then I'll carve a few out of stone for you later!"
Sun-woo spoke excitedly.
"W-would it not be better to leave such things to stonemasons?"
"Hey, the sincerity is different. Which would you prefer: something made to be sold, or something made with heart?"
Of course, something made to be sold was usually better. However, unable to disappoint Sun-woo, Neung So-hwa told a white lie.
"Naturally, the one with heart would be better."
"I'll make them for you as soon as we get back to the Ice Palace."
Sun-woo nodded, satisfied with her reaction. Neung So-hwa looked bewildered.
Did he always have this side to him?
She had never imagined Sun-woo possessed such an innocent streak.
He's cute.
A small smile played on her lips. Since she had always relied on him, seeing this new side of him felt refreshing.
Boom!
Suddenly, a loud thud startled her. She looked toward the sound with wide eyes. There, she saw Sun-woo, who had just driven the crude ice post into the ground. The post, which had been as tall as a grown man, was now buried more than halfway into the earth.
Having driven the post in, Sun-woo pulled the reins of the Blood-Sweating Horses and tied them to it, looping them several times to ensure they wouldn't come loose.
"Let's go now."
Once the horses were secured, he looked at Neung So-hwa. She nodded back at him.
*
"Are you going to be okay?"
Sun-woo looked down at Neung So-hwa, who was lying on the ground, with a worried gaze.
"Are you getting cold feet now? I have already prepared myself mentally."
"It's not that I'm scared, it's just that it's the first time..."
Sun-woo trailed off, sounding unsure.
"It is fine. It is always like that the first time."
Neung So-hwa looked at him with a warm gaze.
"Do not tremble... If you tremble, does it not make me nervous as well?"
"I... I got it. I'll try."
Sun-woo slowly raised his hand. He began to reach toward Neung So-hwa's smooth skin.
Tap.
Zing.
The moment his fingertip touched her skin, Sun-woo felt a jolt run through his entire body, as if he had been electrocuted.
"Ah..."
At the same time, a soft moan escaped Neung So-hwa's lips.
Gulp.
Hearing her moan, Sun-woo swallowed hard. Her faint sound only made him more tense.
"Why did you just swallow?"
Neung So-hwa's sharp voice pierced his ears.
"You must have imagined it."
Sun-woo feigned innocence.
"I did not. I heard it clearly. Why are you smacking your lips!"
"I told you, I'm not!"
"Liar! Are you plotting to devour me again? I told you! I do not taste good!"
Neung So-hwa raised her voice in indignation.
"I'm really not. More importantly, be quiet. I can't concentrate!"
"I shall be watching you."
Having said her piece, Neung So-hwa rested her head back on the ground. She slowly closed her eyes.
She's got sharp ears.
Sun-woo chuckled as he looked at her. He wondered how she never missed a single passing word. Of course, that serious side of hers was incredibly cute.
Shake, shake.
Sun-woo shook his head vigorously to clear his thoughts. Now was not the time to be distracted by her cuteness. He had a task to complete as quickly as possible.
Place.
Sun-woo placed his hand over her Dantian once more.
"Ngh..."
As his palm touched her smooth skin, Neung So-hwa let out another bashful moan. But Sun-woo didn't pay it any mind; he pressed his fingertips firmer against her skin. He slowly began to circulate the Yin-Yang Harmony Divine Art.
Hummmmm.
The Yin-Yang Harmony Qi within Sun-woo's Dantian spread through his fine meridians and began to seep into Neung So-hwa's Dantian through his fingertips.
Whoosh.
The Yin-Yang Harmony Qi that entered her Dantian immediately coiled around it. Soon, Sun-woo could feel the incredibly hot Extreme Yang Flame Emperor Demonic Qi slumbering within.
Feeling the demonic qi, Sun-woo relentlessly stimulated the Yang energy dormant in her Dantian. Before long, the Extreme Yang Flame Emperor Demonic Qi began to surge, pounding against the walls of her Dantian.
What a violent fellow.
Sun-woo inwardly commented as he felt the rampaging energy. Unlike the calm and elegant Neung So-hwa, this energy possessed a violent and explosive nature. It was no wonder it refused to be tamed.
It's closer to a demonic art than an orthodox one.
Sun-woo realized that the martial art she practiced was closer to a demonic art than an orthodox one. He was amazed that she had reached the Half-Immortal stage while harboring such a violent energy.
Vroooooom.
Sun-woo moved his Yin-Yang Harmony Qi to embrace the Yang energy. The Extreme Yang Flame Emperor Demonic Qi resisted fiercely, but in its sealed state, it was no match for the Yin-Yang Harmony Qi. Eventually, the demonic qi had no choice but to follow the lead of his energy.
Leading the Extreme Yang Flame Emperor Demonic Qi, Sun-woo began to move it through every corner of Neung So-hwa's fine meridians and blood vessels.
"Ugh..."
A moan escaped her every time the energy passed through a meridian.
"Haaah..."
Her moans continued as it moved through her blood vessels. The sounds were so suggestive that Sun-woo felt his body tense up involuntarily, but he tried his best to maintain his Immovable Mind.
He was currently guiding the Extreme Yang Flame Emperor Demonic Qi. A single mistake in this state could cause Neung So-hwa to suffer Qi Deviation. Therefore, he had to be more cautious and careful than ever.
Sun-woo's expression began to turn grave.