Chapter 696: No Forgiveness.
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 696: No Forgiveness.
The Fist King has been defeated by the Ice Palace Master.
This clear yet explosive rumor began to set the Central Plains ablaze. It was a report so shocking that it defied belief.
Who was the Fist King?
Alongside the late master of the Heavenly King Divine Fist, was he not the absolute powerhouse who had purged demons with nothing but his bare knuckles?
For such a man to be defeated by the Ice Palace Master—how could such a thing even be possible?
The people were skeptical, wondering if it was merely a baseless rumor.
However, they were soon forced to accept the truth. The man at the center of the storm, Fist King Eon Jung-gi, had admitted his defeat and immediately entered closed-door meditation.
The world was struck with awe.
If the prideful Eon Jung-gi had personally admitted defeat, did it not mean he had been beaten so thoroughly that there was no room for excuses?
How could anyone not be stunned?
The public’s attention shifted to the newly emerged absolute master, the Ice Palace Master, and the Tang Clan where she was currently staying. They realized that many changes would follow in the wake of their next move.
*
Gnaw, gnaw.
Tang Jin-seol began to bite her nails incessantly—a clear sign of her psychological instability.
‘Damn it, damn it, damn it, damn it!’
She cursed repeatedly under her breath. Anxiety and dread welled up within her as the situation spiraled in a direction completely different from what she had anticipated.
Eon Jung-gi had lost. And he had lost so decisively that there was no room for justification.
This was entirely unexpected. Far from eroding the Tang Clan Head’s trust in the Ice Palace Master, this incident had become the catalyst that strengthened the bond between the two powers.
Everything was a mess.
‘What... what should I do... what on earth am I supposed to do?’
Tang Jin-seol racked her brain over and over, trying to find a way to break through this predicament. But no matter how much she agonized, no suitable solution came to mind.
Her current situation was the worst it could be. Not a single part of her plan had succeeded.
‘I wish Eon Jung-gi had just died!’
A venomous expression twisted her features. If Eon Jung-gi had met his end at the hands of the Ice Palace Master, she could have manipulated public opinion to brand the Ice Palace Master a public enemy. Killing a leader of the Orthodox Faction when the Great War of Righteousness and Demons was looming would have had an enormous impact.
But it was impossible now. Eon Jung-gi had returned to the Eon family alive and well. Furthermore, he had made a formal announcement, stating that he only kept his life thanks to the Ice Palace Master’s mercy.
In such a situation, how could she possibly fix this?
‘That dog-like bastard! Interfering until the very end!’
She cursed Eon Jung-gi for admitting defeat upon his return. If he hadn't made that useless announcement, things wouldn't be this complicated.
‘What do I do... what do I do...’
As time passed, her anxiety only grew, and no solution presented itself. The hidden strength of the North Sea far exceeded her expectations. They had defeated that monster, Eon Jung-gi. That was as good as saying the Ice Palace Master’s realm had surpassed the Transcendent Realm and reached the Profound Realm.
She had to admit it: the current power of the Tang Clan had surpassed that of the Cheonmu Alliance.
A master of the Profound Realm was a magnificent being who could overwhelm everyone by their mere existence. The Cheonmu Alliance could never hope to overcome a Tang Clan that possessed two such beings.
That was why she was terrified and anxious. Without properly gauging the Ice Palace Master’s strength, she had done something that was practically a declaration of war against the Tang Clan Head. She had told him to "know his place."
From the Tang Clan Head’s perspective, it was an act so offensive he would want to grind her bones to powder.
She couldn't think of a single way out.
Thud.
After agonizing for who knows how long, Tang Jin-seol stood up. She realized that sitting still would solve nothing. She quickly began to move.
*
"What brings you here without notice?"
Sun-woo spoke with a cold expression. He was displeased by the rudeness of Tang Jin-seol, who had barged in unannounced.
"I have something to say," Tang Jin-seol said, her face composed as she opened her mouth.
"Is there anything left for us to talk about?"
Sun-woo’s eyes flashed with a chilling light. He and Tang Jin-seol had already crossed a point of no return. She had maliciously sent Eon Jung-gi to Bukgung Yeon specifically to harm her. What could he possibly have to say to such a woman? It was absurd.
"I want to apologize to you, Brother."
Tang Jin-seol continued in an incredibly polite tone. She was a completely different person from the one who used to glare at him with venomous eyes.
"Do you think I’ll accept that apology?"
Sun-woo spoke with an amused expression. He hadn't expected the spiteful Tang Jin-seol to come crawling back and tuck her tail so quickly.
"I hope you will."
"How utterly ridiculous. Have you finally learned the meaning of fear?"
"Yes, I am afraid," Tang Jin-seol confessed her inner thoughts in a calm voice. "How could I not be? The Tang Clan’s power has now surpassed that of the Cheonmu Alliance."
"That fear is something you must bear, Tang Jin-seol."
Sun-woo looked at her and spoke in a level tone.
"Weren't you the one who turned the Tang Clan into an enemy?"
"I didn't turn you into an enemy... I only wished for the Tang Clan to be... operated more correctly."
"And that 'correctness' involved preventing the Tang Clan’s independence?"
Sun-woo spoke with an incredulous look. Tang Jin-seol had tried to keep the Tang Clan under the influence of the Cheonmu Alliance, making them dependent. And now she claimed she wanted "correct operation"? Even a passing dog would laugh at that.
"That’s not it... I just... thought you were... making a reckless challenge..."
"You have far too many excuses."
Sun-woo cut her off, his expression cold.
"I never knew you were so fond of unnecessary digressions."
He let out a chilling smile.
"........."
At his words, Tang Jin-seol’s face flushed deep red. She was filled with an immense sense of shame at being insulted. However, she couldn't bring herself to retort. No matter what she said, it would only sound like an excuse.
"If you’re cornered, why don't you stop wagging your tongue and act with some sincerity?"
Sun-woo glared at her with a mocking gaze, telling her to show him through actions rather than words.
Thud.
Tang Jin-seol immediately dropped to her knees. Then, she slowly bent her waist, prostrated herself on the floor, and slammed her forehead against the ground.
"I was wrong, Brother. Please, forgive my foolishness."
She apologized in a desperate voice.
"Your knees and head are remarkably light."
"They are knees and a head that can be bowed as many times as necessary for the greater good."
"Do you even know what you did wrong?"
"I acted presumptuously without gauging the Tang Clan’s true strength..."
Tang Jin-seol’s voice trembled. Sun-woo watched her with a dispassionate gaze.
Step, step.
He walked toward the prostrate woman.
"Do you think you can be forgiven?" he asked, looking down at her.
"I will make sure nothing like this ever happens again... Please... forgive me."
Her voice was filled with absolute desperation, as if her very soul were melting with grief.
"Raise your head."
"......Brother."
At his command, Tang Jin-seol looked up at him with trembling eyes. Her gaze held a flicker of hope that she might actually be forgiven.
"Seol-ah."
Sun-woo spoke in a soft voice.
"......Yes, Brother."
"You seem to think life is very easy."
"..........Pardon?"
"Did you think that after trying to manipulate the clan as you pleased, you could settle everything with a single apology?"
Sun-woo’s eyes turned cold as he glared at her.
Flinch.
Meeting that gaze, Tang Jin-seol’s body shuddered. The moment she looked into his eyes—deep and abyssal like a bottomless pit—she felt her heart drop.
"Did you think the world would always go your way just because people praised you for being clever?"
Woooooooong—
Sun-woo began to release his internal energy in a threatening manner. Immediately, the room was filled with a heavy, suffocating pressure.
"Ugh...!"
Tang Jin-seol let out a faint groan. The immense pressure weighed down on her entire body.
"There is no forgiveness."
Sun-woo spoke as if delivering a decree.
"You are now a complete outsider. No matter where you are or what you do, do not expect help from the Tang Clan. Furthermore, the Tang Clan will officially declare the termination of its partnership with the Cheonmu Alliance."
He glared at her with icy eyes.
"B-Brother, that’s—!"
"This is the consequence of your actions. Accept it."
Sun-woo spoke with finality. His eyes were filled with a resolute determination.
"........If... if you do that...... public opinion of the Tang Clan... will turn sour."
Tang Jin-seol spoke hurriedly, trying to make him reconsider his decision.
"I don't care."
Sun-woo’s response was firm.
"The Tang Clan is not so fragile that it can be swayed by public opinion."
"If the people turn their backs on you..... it will be... disadvantageous for the Tang Clan... in terms of business and..."
"The Tang Clan currently has a contract to supply weapons to the Imperial Court. Furthermore, no one can replace the Tang Clan in the distribution of medicinal herbs. We are also seeing significant profits through trade with foreign nations."
".........."
"We are not so small that we need to worry about others' opinions to do business."
Sun-woo looked at her with eyes full of conviction.
".........If the alliance is broken....... if you make an enemy of the Cheonmu Alliance.... if a war breaks out..... it will only benefit the Demonic Cult..."
"It doesn't matter."
"Brother!"
"Do you really think the Tang Clan would suffer great damage if we clashed with the Cheonmu Alliance?"
Sun-woo asked her curiously.
"............"
Tang Jin-seol bit her lip and remained silent. She knew they wouldn't.
The Profound Realm was a state of a Half-Immortal, transcending humanity. Unless one was in the same realm, it would be difficult to even leave a scratch on them. She didn't think the Tang Clan, with two such masters, would suffer at the hands of the Cheonmu Alliance.
"The Tang Clan is terminating its alliance with the Cheonmu Alliance. This is a final decision and will not be reversed."
Sun-woo declared.
"....Brother..... please..... please.. forgive me.."
Tang Jin-seol spoke in a pitiful voice. If the alliance were broken, the Cheonmu Alliance would suffer an enormous loss. Was it not the Tang Clan that stored their war supplies and provided them with a base? If the clan turned its back, the alliance would be in a dire situation.
At first, they would use public opinion to openly criticize the Tang Clan—attacking Sun-woo for prioritizing personal feelings over the greater good. They would demand that he retract the termination, using the masses as their shield.
But looking at his attitude now, he didn't seem to care about public opinion maneuvers at all. He was firmly set on breaking the alliance.
And if the alliance were truly broken, the arrows of blame would inevitably focus on her. She was the one who had planned everything that led to this rupture.
"Please..... forgive me... Brother... please.."
So she begged and begged again. She pleaded for forgiveness. If she were identified as the cause of the alliance's collapse, not only she but also her daughter would be unable to escape the brunt of the criticism. She would lose everything she had built until now.
That was why she had no choice but to beg desperately.
"There is no reversal."
Sun-woo looked down at the pleading Tang Jin-seol. He understood perfectly well how much the termination of the alliance would affect her—how her smooth life would turn into an arduous struggle.
However, he still had no intention of changing his mind. He believed she had to pay for her sins.
Thud.
Thud.
Thud.
Suddenly, Tang Jin-seol began to slam her head against the floor. Violently.
"Please..... please..... anything but the termination of the alliance....."
She begged through her tears. She felt that if things ended like this, it would be the end of everything for her.
Sun-woo simply watched her with a calm expression. Seeing this spiteful woman weeping and groaning gave him a rather refreshing sense of satisfaction.
‘Cry more..... more... more.’
He even urged her on in his mind. After watching her pathetic display for a while, he finally spoke.
"Stop."
Sun-woo stopped her from slamming her head. Tang Jin-seol immediately ceased her actions.
"Do you want to cancel the termination of the alliance?"
"...I want to cancel it..... I’ll do anything...:"
"It’s not that there isn't a way."
"R-Really!?"
Tang Jin-seol’s face brightened as she asked him.
"But there is one condition."
"What..... what is it!?"
"If the Leader of the Cheonmu Alliance personally slams his head on the ground and apologizes, I will act as if the termination never happened."
Sun-woo spoke with a cold smile. Hearing those words, Tang Jin-seol’s face froze in an expression of pure horror.