Chapter 325: The Blackmail
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 325: The Blackmail
Whoooooooosh!
Rumble!
Boom!
The fierce snow wind and hundreds of spears collided, unleashing a massive shockwave.
After some time, the two forces that had been radiating such immense power finally neutralized each other and began to subside.
"Not bad."
Lee Yeon murmured in admiration as he watched Bukgung Yeon, who had once again blocked his Spear Kinesis.
He hadn't imagined she could manipulate the snow wind so freely. She truly lived up to her reputation as a master of the Profound Realm—one who possessed the power to defy nature itself.
"Huff... huff... You’re weak."
Bukgung Yeon panted heavily as she spoke.
"How amusing."
Lee Yeon replied, a hint of entertainment in his voice.
"You’re struggling just to keep up, gasping for air like that. Why bother with such a bluff?"
"I’m not bluffing. I just felt like taking a deep breath of fresh air for the first time in a while."
Bukgung Yeon maintained her bravado, but Lee Yeon was right. She was feeling the pressure.
When she first confronted him, she had felt confident. The snow wind of the North Sea was her weapon, and the glaciers beneath the earth were her shield.
However, as time passed, a sense of unease began to creep in. It was because of Lee Yeon’s internal energy, which seemed to overflow like an inexhaustible spring.
His energy never wavered throughout their entire confrontation.
Generally, once a martial artist reached the Profound Realm—a stage often called the Half-Immortal Stage that transcends human limits—they were usually freed from the constraints of internal energy. This was because they naturally learned how to maximize the effect of even a small amount of energy.
Consequently, battles between those in the Profound Realm were usually decided by enlightenment or technique.
But the battle with Lee Yeon was different. He poured out massive amounts of internal energy in a relentless assault, and Bukgung Yeon had to summon an equivalent scale of snow wind to match him.
As a result, Bukgung Yeon had consumed a significant portion of her internal energy. Though she had transcended humanity, she was not yet a true immortal, and thus could not completely escape the limitations of her reserves.
Just how much internal energy does he have?!
Bukgung Yeon was bewildered. How could he remain so unfazed after using such grand techniques?
She took pride in her own reserves; after all, she had absorbed the Ten-Thousand-Year Ice Essence, a treasure so rare it might never be found in the North Sea again.
Yet, Lee Yeon’s internal energy seemed to far surpass her own. Even after using Spear Kinesis with hundreds of spears without pause, he showed no signs of exhaustion.
Bukgung Yeon furrowed her brow. Meeting her enemy was one thing, but she hadn't expected him to possess such troublesome power. She needed to find another way.
Bukgung Yeon extended her hand. She flattened her palm and concentrated her cold qi.
Cr-cr-crack!
The moisture in the air rapidly froze, forming a long, slender sword.
"Ho."
Lee Yeon let out a short exclamation of admiration.
"So, you know swordsmanship as well?"
"The Ice Spirit Divine Sword is a secret technique of the North Sea Ice Palace," Bukgung Yeon replied calmly.
"Impressive. To think you’ve even inherited the Ice Spirit Divine Sword."
"I’ve been gifted since I was a child."
"I hope your skills live up to that claim."
Vrooooom!
As soon as Lee Yeon finished speaking, the hundreds of spears embedded in the ground began to float into the air once more. Then, they hurtled toward Bukgung Yeon.
Swish!
The spears tore through the wind, plunging toward her.
Clang!
Bukgung Yeon deflected the incoming spears with her sword as she charged forward.
Whoosh!
A spear flew toward her back.
Clang!
She quickly rotated her wrist, gripping the sword in a reverse hold and tucking it against her side. The spear struck the blade and bounced away.
Clang!
The next one aimed for her left shoulder.
Clang!
The next for the back of her head.
Clang! Clang! Clang! Clang!
Bukgung Yeon responded to the relentless Spear Kinesis, advancing further and further. Her only goal was to reach Lee Yeon.
Perhaps feeling threatened by her approach, Lee Yeon used Void Manipulation to pull a single spear toward him.
Snap!
He caught the spear and concentrated his internal energy.
Vroooooom!
A massive amount of energy gathered in his hand, and soon, a Spear Cry began to resonate from the weapon.
Whoosh!
He immediately hurled it at Bukgung Yeon.
Shreeeeeeek!
The spear, imbued with terrifying strength, tore through the air, unleashing its raw power toward her.
This is dangerous.
Bukgung Yeon realized the power within that spear was extraordinary. She immediately began to circulate her Heavenly Yin Ice Soul Divine Art to its absolute peak.
Whooooosh!
An immense wave of cold qi momentarily enveloped her body before exploding outward.
Cr-cr-crack!
Cr-cr-crack!
As the cold qi erupted, the spears flying toward her began to freeze one by one. Having momentarily frozen the surrounding spears, Bukgung Yeon raised her sword to meet Lee Yeon’s thrown spear.
Swish!
In an instant, the spear was right in front of her. Once it was within range, she swung her sword.
Boom!
Her sword collided with Lee Yeon’s spear, creating a thunderous roar and a massive shockwave.
"Ugh!"
Bukgung Yeon let out a soft groan. Withstanding the force of Lee Yeon’s spear was more difficult than she had imagined.
Crack!
Crack!
The sword she had fashioned from ice began to fracture at the point of impact. She knew that if she couldn't deflect it here, her body would be pierced through.
Vrooooom!
Bukgung Yeon gathered even more Heavenly Yin Ice Soul Qi and poured it into the sword. The blade glowed with intense energy and slowly began to push the spear back.
"Hah!"
With a short shout, she finally knocked the spear aside.
"Huff... huff... huff..."
Bukgung Yeon panted heavily. The sheer concentration required to hold her breath while focusing had left her winded.
"Hmph!"
But she quickly caught her breath and pushed her internal energy to its limit again. She needed to use the opening created by the deflected spear to get as close to him as possible.
Boom!
She detonated the energy in her Yongcheon points, using the recoil to propel herself forward.
Whoosh!
Her form blurred through the wind, reaching Lee Yeon in the blink of an eye.
Thud.
Landing in front of him, she swung her sword at his neck.
Whoosh.
Lee Yeon lightly dodged the blade by stepping back a single pace.
Swish!
Another sword, created from ice in her other hand, lunged toward his heart.
Thwack!
Lee Yeon kicked upward with his knee, knocking the sword off course. He then twisted his body, completely neutralizing her attack.
Whoosh!
The sword aimed at his heart pierced nothing but empty air. Lee Yeon looked down at Bukgung Yeon with a mocking smile.
That smile ignited her fury.
Bukgung Yeon increased her speed even further, pressing her assault. The essence of the Ice Spirit Divine Sword unfolded from her hands.
Yet, Lee Yeon blocked her attacks with ease—as if he were dealing with a child. He parried her strikes with his bare hands, without using any weapon at all.
The more he did so, the more desperately Bukgung Yeon lunged at him.
After some time...
Thump!
Lee Yeon’s foot slammed into Bukgung Yeon’s abdomen.
"Ack!"
She was sent skidding backward across the ground.
Screeeech.
"Huff... huff... huff..."
Pushed back, Bukgung Yeon stared at Lee Yeon, her eyes filled with resentment.
"Impressive," Lee Yeon said, looking at her.
"What... what is so impressive?"
"That you managed to hold your own against me."
"You crazy bastard."
"I am serious."
Lee Yeon looked at her with a grave expression.
"I reached the Profound Realm over ten years ago. It is only natural that you, who have just stepped into this realm, are no match for me."
"No wonder... you're so damn strong."
Bukgung Yeon spoke as if she finally understood. Though they were both masters of the Profound Realm, she had felt a clear difference in their levels. Their raw power might be similar, but he was superior in every other way—technique, internal energy management, and strategy.
That gap was the result of those ten years.
"Have you reached the Middle Stage?"
"Unfortunately, I have not reached that level yet."
"You're saying you're still at the Beginning Stage?"
Bukgung Yeon asked in surprise. Given the difference between them, she had assumed he was at least one stage higher.
"The degree of enlightenment may be the same, but fully integrating that enlightenment into one's body is a different matter," Lee Yeon explained calmly. "Over the past ten years, I have not only integrated that enlightenment perfectly but have also refined it again and again, sublimating it into perfect technique."
Lee Yeon looked at her with pride.
"How could you possibly hope to defeat me?"
"You're so obnoxious."
Bukgung Yeon frowned. She acknowledged his strength, but his arrogant way of speaking irritated her.
"So, in the end, you're still just at the Beginning Stage, aren't you?"
She looked at him with cold eyes.
"I suppose you didn't understand. I said that after ten years of refinement, I have perfectly—"
"No, I heard you loud and clear."
Bukgung Yeon cut him off.
"You're just a hill, then. Not a mountain."
She raised her sword slowly, a cold smile on her face.
"I'll climb over you. A hill is nothing."
She glared at him with her deep blue eyes.
"I like your spirit, girl," Lee Yeon said. "But you are foolish. To start a fight you cannot win..."
"I refuse to give up before the fight is even over. At least, that's not how I was taught."
Bukgung Yeon spoke with an icy expression.
"That is recklessness."
"It's courage."
"Can you prove it?"
"Of course."
Her eyes sparkled, bluer and deeper than the North Sea.
"Then I shall get serious as well."
Lee Yeon extended his hand and flattened his palm. He used Void Manipulation to pull a spear toward him.
Swish!
Snap.
The spear flew into his hand and settled firmly in his palm.
"I will make you regret forcing me to pick up a spear."
Lee Yeon gripped the weapon, his eyes turning cold as he stared at her.
"I look forward to it," Bukgung Yeon replied calmly.
The two stood in a deadlock, spear and sword ready, waiting for the slightest opening to strike.
Lee Yeon’s indifferent eyes flashed. Bukgung Yeon’s cold eyes did the same. They were on the verge of clashing.
"Kwahahahahahahahaha!"
Suddenly, a roar of laughter that shook heaven and earth shattered the tension.
Twitch.
Bukgung Yeon’s brow furrowed deeply at the interruption of their duel. She immediately turned her head toward the source of the laughter.
It was coming from atop the fortress wall.
As she looked up, her expression froze.
The traitor who had betrayed his friend and forcibly occupied the North Sea Ice Palace.
The enemy who had annihilated the Ice Palace’s martial artists to "pull out the roots."
The enemy who haunted her every night like a brand burned into her mind.
The enemy she had killed thousands of times in her imagination.
The Evil Demon, Ju Do-san, stood there.
Whooooosh!
A massive wave of murderous aura and snow wind began to swirl around her.
"JU DO-SAN!!!!!!!!"
Bukgung Yeon screamed, her voice thick with killing intent.
"Kwahahaha! It’s good to see you, Bukgung Yeon!"
Ju Do-san burst into delighted laughter. He seemed impressed by how much she had grown.
"You’ve become quite the fine lady!"
"I’ll kill you! I’ll kill you! I’ll kill you! I’ll kill you! I’ll kill you!"
Bukgung Yeon began to walk toward him, radiating pure malice, completely forgetting about Lee Yeon. To her, Lee Yeon was an enemy, but her hatred for Ju Do-san was on an entirely different level.
He was the one who had raped and murdered her kind mother and slaughtered the Ice Palace warriors who were like her own brothers. Seeing him, it was impossible for her to remain sane.
"Whoa there, stop right where you are, you bitch!"
Seeing Bukgung Yeon approaching with such terrifying intensity, Ju Do-san shouted, sounding slightly flustered.
Step. Step. Step.
Despite his words, Bukgung Yeon did not stop. Consumed by her grudge, there was no way she would halt her advance so easily.
"Look at this!"
In a panic, Ju Do-san quickly pulled something up.
Bukgung Yeon’s eyes widened in shock as she realized who it was.
"Hahahaha! You recognize this girl, don't you?"
"Seol-hyang!"
Bukgung Yeon screamed at the person being held by the hair.
It was indeed Seol-hyang. Though they had only known each other for a night, the Emei disciple was someone she considered a friend. And now, Seol-hyang was in Ju Do-san’s grasp.
Bukgung Yeon’s eyes filled with despair. How could she have been captured by that man?
"It’s not just her. The Demon Troops have already occupied the North Sea Ice Palace."
The Evil Demon spoke with a sinister smile.
"Listen well, Bukgung Yeon."
He glared at her with predatory eyes.
"If you want everyone to live, strip naked and get on your knees. If you don't!"
Ju Do-san lifted Seol-hyang higher by her hair.
"This girl’s head will be the first to roll... after her deflowering ceremony, of course."
He looked at Bukgung Yeon with a lecherous gaze.
"Now... what do you intend to do?"