Chapter 328: I Promise. I Will Never Die.
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 328: I Promise. I Will Never Die.
Thud-thud-thud-thud-thud!
Thud-thud-thud-thud-thud!
Two Blood-Sweating Horses tore through the snow at a ferocious speed. They moved so fast that they left nothing behind but massive clouds of swirling dust and snow.
After a considerable amount of time had passed like this—
"Sohwa, can’t we slow down a little?"
Sun-woo, trailing behind, called out to Neung So-hwa.
"I cannot! I wish to return to the Ice Palace this very instant!"
To Sun-woo’s pleading question, Neung So-hwa, leading the way, replied in a firm tone.
"We’ve been running for three shijin without a single break! The horses are going to collapse at this rate!"
"It is fine! The Blood-Sweating Horse is a legendary steed with indomitable stamina. It can run all day without tiring!"
Neung So-hwa spoke with a calm, unconcerned expression.
"Even so, we have to give them water!" Sun-woo shouted back, his temper rising.
Sun-woo knew as well as she did that Blood-Sweating Horses didn't tire easily, even after a full day of running. However, pushing them for six hours straight without a drop of water was nothing short of abuse. They could run all day, yes, but only if they were hydrated periodically. If one relied solely on the horse's grit and kept pushing, the animal would eventually keel over and die.
"It is fine! Hyeol-ma can endure it!"
"Who the hell is Hyeol-ma?"
"The nickname I have bestowed upon it!" Neung So-hwa declared proudly.
"That’s a terrible name!" Sun-woo retorted, looking disgusted. Of all the names she could have picked, why that?
"How cruel! How can you criticize it so harshly?" Neung So-hwa cried out, sounding genuinely hurt.
"Anyway, let’s stop somewhere suitable! If we don't give them water, they’re going to collapse." Sun-woo shouted again at Neung So-hwa’s back.
"Fine!"
After her brisk reply, Neung So-hwa focused entirely on the path ahead.
Thud-thud-thud-thud-thud.
More time passed. Despite having covered a significant distance, Neung So-hwa showed no signs of stopping.
"Aren't you stopping?!" Sun-woo bellowed in anger.
"Just... just a little... more! Just a little... further..."
"Stop talking like a gambler and just pull over!"
"A gambler? You go too far! I am a Monarch!" Neung So-hwa looked back at Sun-woo as she spoke.
Snap.
Tilt.
At that moment, Neung So-hwa’s horse stumbled as if it had tripped on something, its body lurching violently before it began to tumble forward.
"Wh-wh-what?"
As the horse went down, Neung So-hwa let out a series of panicked, meaningless sounds.
"What are you doing? Jump off, now!" Sun-woo screamed urgently. She was about to be thrown, yet she was just sitting there in a daze.
"I-I understand!"
Snapping out of it at Sun-woo’s shout, Neung So-hwa nodded quickly and leaped into the air.
Crash!
Whinnnnney!
Simultaneously, the horse slammed into the ground, letting out a mournful cry. Sun-woo quickly jerked his reins, veering his horse toward the spot where she was about to land.
Thud.
Neung So-hwa landed perfectly on the back of Sun-woo’s horse. He caught her immediately.
"Are you okay?" Sun-woo asked, looking her over.
"I am fine... but Hyeol-ma..." Neung So-hwa replied with a look of deep regret.
"It’ll be okay. Let’s go check on it first."
"........Understood."
Neung So-hwa spoke in a dejected tone. Sun-woo turned his horse and rode back to where the other animal had fallen. They reached the spot a moment later.
"Hyeol-ma!"
The moment they arrived, Neung So-hwa leaped down and ran to the fallen horse. She began to check its condition. Fortunately, the Blood-Sweating Horse didn't seem to have any major external injuries. Perhaps because its genetics were so robust, it was relatively unscathed despite falling at such a terrifying speed.
"Whew."
Neung So-hwa let out a sigh of relief.
"I am sorry... Hyeol-ma... My greed has caused you harm."
With a crestfallen face, Neung So-hwa stroked the horse and apologized. She realized that if she had just listened to Sun-woo and taken a moment to rest, this wouldn't have happened.
"No, technically it’s my fault for talking to you while we were moving," Sun-woo said, shaking his head. He felt that his distraction was the primary cause.
"Do not say that. Was it not I who ignored your suggestion to rest and kept running? If I had stopped in time, you would not have had to call out to me, and Hyeol-ma would not have been hurt!"
Neung So-hwa’s voice rose as if she were offended by his attempt to take the blame.
"Therefore, this is my fault! Do not try to shift the responsibility onto yourself!"
"Ha..."
Sun-woo’s eyes softened, and he let out a small, dry laugh. Seeing Neung So-hwa use grand gestures to argue why the fault was hers was actually quite funny. Usually, when an accident happens, people are busy blaming others—especially in traffic accidents like this. Seeing her insist on her own culpability made him think she was both admirable and cute.
"Hyeol-ma, I am sorry. From now on, let us walk more than we run."
Neung So-hwa continued to stroke the horse with even greater care.
Whinny!
As if it enjoyed her touch, the Blood-Sweating Horse let out a spirited cry.
"Yes, you have spirit. Truly a horse worthy of me!"
Neung So-hwa nodded, a satisfied smile playing on her lips. She then grabbed the horse’s torso and began to lift it up slowly.
Whinnney?!
The horse let out a startled cry as its body was suddenly hoisted into the air. It seemed amazed that she was lifting it. Once the horse was back on its feet, Neung So-hwa vaulted into the saddle.
Landing.
Once she was settled, she pulled a waterskin from the bag tied to the saddle and held it to the horse's mouth.
"You must be exhausted. Drink."
Splash, splash, splash.
Gulp, gulp, gulp.
Water poured from the skin, and the horse quenched its thirst.
Whinnnnney!
The horse let out a satisfied neigh.
"Sun-woo! It seems we are not far from the Ice Palace. Shall we walk the rest of the way?" Neung So-hwa asked, putting the waterskin away.
"Let’s do that. The horses look like they’ve had enough."
Sun-woo nodded in agreement. As she said, the North Sea Ice Palace was just ahead. They could afford to take it slow for a bit.
"I knew you would say that."
Neung So-hwa nodded with a satisfied expression.
"As expected, you always respect my opinions!"
"..........."
Sun-woo scratched his cheek at her embarrassing praise. He had just spoken without much thought, but her over-the-top reaction made him feel bashful.
"By the way, you truly have a fine, sturdy build."
Neung So-hwa’s eyes sparkled as she looked at Sun-woo’s bare torso.
"Stop looking, it’s embarrassing," Sun-woo said, his face scrunched in a frown.
He was currently practically naked. His clothes, which had already been turned to rags by Neung So-hwa’s flames, had completely disintegrated during his Marrow Cleansing. In the end, he’d had to tear up a travel bag just to fashion a makeshift loincloth to cover his vitals. Unlike Neung So-hwa, who had brought spare clothes, he had come completely unprepared.
"Anyway, Sohwa, why are you in such a hurry?" Sun-woo asked, trying to change the subject.
"Is it not obvious? Did you not say you would do it once we returned to the Ice Palace?" Neung So-hwa replied, her face flushing slightly.
"Do... do what!?"
"Making a baby!" Neung So-hwa declared boldly. "Did you not promise? Have you forgotten already?" She looked at him as if she were hurt.
"Hey, why are you saying things like that so shamelessly!" Sun-woo stammered, looking flustered. What on earth was this woman talking about?
"Why should it be shameful to conceive the child of one's lover? I have learned about healthy sexuality from you. Therefore, there is nothing to be ashamed of."
"It is shameful! It’s supposed to be shameful!"
"How so? Do you dislike the idea of joining with me?" Neung So-hwa asked, looking wounded.
"That’s not what I mean! It’s just... intimacy between a man and a woman is supposed to be... private and secret."
"By what law of the world is that so? I do not understand." Neung So-hwa looked genuinely puzzled. "What is there to hide about receiving the seed of the man I love?"
"Sohwa, think about it," Sun-woo said calmly. "When we make a baby, we both take off all our clothes. Then we rub our genitals together and join. Could you show that process to someone else?"
"Of course not! Why would I ever show such a thing to anyone!" Neung So-hwa shouted, her voice rising. Who would show such an embarrassing process to others?
"Why?"
"What do you mean, why?! Do you perhaps have such a fetish?!" Neung So-hwa looked horrified. "I... I cannot! I could never show such a shameful sight to anyone." She looked like she was on the verge of tears.
"So the process of receiving your lover's seed is shameful?"
"..........."
Neung So-hwa fell silent. She finally realized why the act of sharing affection had to be private and secret.
"I am sorry," she whispered in a dejected voice.
"What are you sorry for? You didn't do anything wrong."
"Still... I think I spoke too freely. Without any shame."
"I wasn't trying to scold you. It’s just that I was the one getting embarrassed listening to it..." Sun-woo trailed off.
"In the future, I shall speak with more modesty," Neung So-hwa said, nodding.
"No, just exercise some restraint! Good grief, woman!" Sun-woo shouted, exasperated.
They say late-blooming passion is the most frightening; Neung So-hwa, having discovered her sexuality at the ripe age of twenty-eight, seemed to have no brakes.
At this rate, I’m going to be drained dry, Sun-woo thought, his eyes trembling as he looked at her.
Shiver.
Suddenly, Sun-woo felt a chill run down his spine.
Twitch.
Snapping back to his senses, he turned his head and looked forward, his eyes wide with alarm.
Twitch, twitch.
He began to feel massive surges of energy that made his entire body shudder involuntarily. Sun-woo turned to Neung So-hwa.
"Do you feel it?"
"I do."
"It’s Bukgung Yeon, right?"
"Yes. I feel the aura of that woman who is like the Snow Wind."
"And the other side?"
"...........I do not know. I know of someone with a similar aura, but he is a general guarding the border. There is no reason for him to be here." Neung So-hwa shook her head.
"What’s the level?"
"At least equal to mine, or higher." Neung So-hwa stared ahead with deadly seriousness.
"It’s not Senior Sword Man, is it?"
"It is not him," Neung So-hwa said firmly. "He does not give off an aura so saturated with murderous intent. His energy is clean and solemn."
"Then it must be an Evil Demon."
Sun-woo spoke calmly. He figured that whoever was confronting Bukgung Yeon had to be an Evil Demon. Otherwise, who would dare oppose the ruler of the North Sea? He immediately began to circulate the Yin-Yang Harmony Divine Art, drawing up his internal energy.
"Are you planning to go?" Neung So-hwa asked, her eyes full of worry.
"She’s my benefactor. I won't pass up a chance to repay the debt."
"I shall go with you!"
"Can you keep up?" Sun-woo asked with a smirk. "I’m going to use the Transposition Technique."
"You... you have reached such a realm?" Neung So-hwa asked in shock. The Transposition Technique was a legendary movement skill that even she, a master of the Profound Realm, could not easily replicate.
"It’s a bit of a shortcut, but I can mimic it to some extent."
"It is too dangerous!"
"Based on the energy alone, we’re in the same league. If I join in, it’ll definitely turn the tide in her favor."
"You could die!"
"I won't. You saw it earlier, didn't you? How I twisted everything apart."
"But... but..." Neung So-hwa trailed off, her worry getting the better of her. She knew what he was capable of, but the thought of sending him alone was terrifying.
"I won't die. Besides, you’ll be right behind me, won't you?" Sun-woo looked at her with steady eyes.
"Can we not just go together at the same pace?" Neung So-hwa pleaded.
"No, I don't want to delay. If an Evil Demon is here, the Demon Troops are surely with him. The search parties must be clashing with them right now. I don't have the luxury of waiting for you in this situation." Sun-woo’s expression was resolute.
Pat, pat.
"Don't worry. I promise I won't die." Sun-woo stroked Neung So-hwa’s head as she looked at him with trembling eyes. "We haven't even properly made a baby yet, have we? I can't die before that." He added a light joke.
"........One... never knows." Neung So-hwa blushed at his joke and looked down. "Is it not possible that you have already made me pregnant?" She slowly stroked her lower abdomen. "Therefore, you must not die. I might already be carrying your child!"
She looked up at Sun-woo, her hand still on her stomach.
"I promise. I will never die."
Sun-woo held out his pinky finger to her.
"Why are you holding out your smallest finger?"
"It’s a sign of a promise. If you hook pinkies, you have to keep it no matter what." Sun-woo smiled slightly.
"I can feel your sincerity."
Neung So-hwa reached out her own pinky.
Hook.
She wrapped her finger tightly around Sun-woo’s.
"You must not, absolutely must not die."
"I swear it."
Only after he had reassured her several more times was he able to pull his finger away.
"Then, I’m heading off first."
"I shall follow immediately." Neung So-hwa nodded with a grim face.
Vroooooom!
The moment she finished speaking, Sun-woo pushed his Yin-Yang Harmony Divine Art to its peak. He began to violently accelerate his blood flow.
Sssssss.
His skin began to glow with a peach-colored heat.
Perfect.
Feeling a pleasant rush of excitement, Sun-woo arched his body back like a bow.
Boom!
He stomped his lead foot into the ground and launched himself forward.
Whoooooosh!
Sun-woo’s figure shot forward like a bolt of lightning. In an instant, he vanished from sight.