Yongbong Tournament Finals (3): The Assassination and the Frozen World
In the decisive moment of a single exchange that would determine the victor—a true do-or-die instant—killing intent surged from all directions.
By the time I forcibly pulled back my attack, a bunch of round porcelain-like objects were already flying toward us. Some aimed at me and Jegal Yeongyeong, others at the spectator stands.
What the fuck is this?
My body stiffened from the recoil of that crude movement, but my focus remained sharp, allowing me to closely examine the incoming porcelain orbs. They were about the size of two fists, with one side pitted as if eaten away by bugs. And protruding from those pits were fuses, lit and burning...
No way—this is straight-up bombs, isn't it?
As if confirming my guess, Paeng Ojin's urgent voice boomed from the VIP seats.
"Bi-gyeok Jin-cheon-roe!"
I didn't know exactly what that was, but I knew things named "thunderclap bombs" or "heavenly thunder" were explosives.
The reaction was immediate. Not just from the VIP seats, but Murim Alliance warriors stationed everywhere began slicing the Bi-gyeok Jin-cheon-roe out of the air one by one. With me and Jegal Yeongyeong unable to move properly, the ones headed our way were being intercepted by the referee, the Azure Dragon Unit leader.
Bombs weren't typically effective against martial artists. They packed a punch, but without firing them from cannons, they were hard to throw fast enough to hit sensitive, agile Murim folk effectively.
So far, it seemed like a smooth response... but there was one problem. There were way too many Bi-gyeok Jin-cheon-roe. On closer inspection, while they looked identical, quite a few had gravel mixed inside instead of iron pellets and gunpowder—decoys to complicate countermeasures.
The area around the VIP seats, packed with super peak experts and Fire Realm master Paeng Ojin, seemed fine, but elsewhere? Not so much. If this kept up, the spectators—and even me—wouldn't make it out unscathed. My Iron King Heart Protection Art made my body tough, but not bomb-proof.
All this happened in a split second. My body finally started responding to my will, but by then, the Bi-gyeok Jin-cheon-roe were closer than the distance I could cover with one sword swing. They'd detonate first.
Am I gonna die here?
It was then, as I shielded my head with my arms in a last-ditch effort—
Boom!
A sensation like a stone dropping on my heart hit me, and a chill raced up my spine.
"How dare you."
Next came Hong Yeonhwa's voice—chillingly cold, one I'd never heard before—echoing softly yet across the entire grand arena.
"Do you even know what it means to try to harm someone in this lady's presence?"
It wasn't even loud, but the words pierced my ears crystal clear, freezing the world as if everyone had been struck with fear. The Azure Dragon Unit leader, who had stepped in front of me and Jegal Yeongyeong with a grim, death-ready expression, sword barrier at the ready. The low-rank warriors who had curled up, figuring at least they had to survive. Even the Bi-gyeok Jin-cheon-roe, their fuses burned down to the end and overdue to explode.
Nothing moved properly—except for Paeng Ojin at Fire Realm.
"Come forth."
In the suffocating silence, Hong Yeonhwa—the only one free—swept her hand once. About thirty people floated up lightly from the spectator seats, lining up in front of the arena like dolls.
Even though it wasn't aimed at me, the thick demonic energy pouring from her was so oppressive it choked the air. The apparent culprits behind the terror shook uncontrollably, teeth chattering, before collapsing unconscious one by one. Probably overwhelmed by demonic energy that struck at primal human fear.
"Tch."
As if it wasn't her intent, Hong Yeonhwa clicked her tongue, and the overwhelming pressure enveloping the area melted into the void.
"Hah...!"
"This is..."
"Ugh..."
Only then did people gasp for breath, and the pulverized Bi-gyeok Jin-cheon-roe scattered as powder. Hong Yeonhwa ignored the scene she'd created, stepping through the air from the VIP seats straight to me.
"My lord!"
Back to her usual soft, squishy vibe in an instant, she started groping me all over.
"Are you alright? Anywhere hurt?"
"......"
Caught off guard by the sudden shift, I spaced out for a second—only for her to start hopping in place "to check" or spinning around me.
If I stayed quiet, she'd keep this up forever, so I reached out and pressed down on her head.
"Nyeh?"
"I'm fine. Got a bit scared thinking I might die, but no injuries."
"Then that's a relief..."
Only after my firm assurance did she smile gently, as if truly relieved. Guess I wasn't the only one spooked.
As I stroked her hair to soothe her, I noticed the Azure Dragon Unit leader glaring at us with a terrifying expression, like he might attack any second.
Ah... right, she got caught using demonic energy.
"Um, about that..."
As I racked my brain for how to explain that my Heavenly Demon wife wasn't dangerous—
"No need to be so wary, Azure Dragon Unit leader."
"Poison King..."
Paeng Ojin appeared with Paeng Soso, stepping in for me.
"You saw it yourself just now. She only used her power to save lives."
"But that was demonic energy. The most horrific level I've never felt even after fighting Sama Lian for over twenty years! You know better than anyone what kind of monsters cultivate demonic arts, Poison King!"
"Mm. I'll admit, even I was surprised..."
Paeng Ojin scratched his head awkwardly as the Azure Dragon Unit leader went off like a triggered alarm. In that short time, he'd seen Paeng Soso rush over and hug both me and Hong Yeonhwa, prompting a deep sigh.
"Sigh... If you're that worried, then I, Paeng Ojin, will vouch for her. She's no threat. Don't demonic cultivators cause trouble because the energy corrupts their minds? I can't imagine a transcendent Escape-from-Demonic Realm expert being swayed by it. And besides... even if you deem her dangerous, Azure Dragon Unit leader, what could you do?"
"Alone, nothing—but if everyone here unites their strength..."
"Do you really think that?"
"......"
He had a point. I'd just experienced it firsthand. Warriors below Fire Realm couldn't even withstand Hong Yeonhwa's presence. And while they didn't know, I'd seen her Heavenly Demon Ruling Aura once before—a peak expert crushed like an insect, rendered helpless. No number of sub-peak warriors could threaten her.
"Nngh~..."
Right now she was rubbing her face against my chest like a cat, but Hong Yeonhwa was the Heavenly Demon who'd faced the entire Central Plains alone.
As the Azure Dragon Unit leader clamped his mouth shut, unable to retort, Paeng Ojin sighed again and clapped lightly.
Clap clap.
"Anyway, more importantly, shouldn't we interrogate these bastards who brought explosives to assault the Murim Alliance?"
With that, Paeng Ojin gestured to the surrounding warriors. They snapped to attention, binding the fainted assailants and preventing suicides.
But the Azure Dragon Unit leader wasn't ready to let it end there.
"...No. I still can't accept this."
Raising his hand again with a resolute expression, flames erupted from his talon-like hand—his eyes even fiercer as he glared at Hong Yeonhwa.
Caught off guard by the sudden hardness, Paeng Ojin shouted in alarm.
"Hey, Azure Dragon Unit leader!"
"Ever since I lost family to a demon, I've devoted half my life to war against Sama Lian. And I've reached one conclusion."
Sensing the ominous mood, Hong Yeonhwa slipped from my arms and spoke.
"And what is that?"
"The only good demonic cultivator is a dead one."
Even Hong Yeonhwa bristled at that, her eyebrow twitching.
"What did you say?"
"Doesn't apply? You've transcended to Escape-from-Demonic, so you don't rampage in bloodlust? Then how many did you kill to reach that realm?"
"Are you lumping this lady in with those idiots? Fine, I'll answer. This lady has never once stained her hands with innocent blood."
"I can't believe that."
The Azure Dragon Unit leader's resolve didn't waver. The atmosphere grew vicious, like blades would clash any second, twisting Paeng Ojin's face.
"Are you saying you can't trust Paengga?"
"I trust the Poison King's love for his daughter more than the Hebei Paengga's name."
Fair enough—even I could see our trio looked awfully close. He probably thought Paeng Ojin was forcing himself to defend Hong Yeonhwa out of worry for Paeng Soso, or blinded by fatherly love.
"All Azure Dragon Unit members, draw weapons and form ranks! And those in the VIP seats, please lend your strength!"
The VIP warriors who'd been doting on Hong Yeonhwa hesitated, but the Azure Dragon troops leaped into the arena without pause at the command.
And it wasn't over. To top it off, a powerful aura rapidly approached from afar.
Bang!
Soon, a white-haired elder smashed half the entrance and leaped in. Seeing his face, the Azure Dragon Unit leader lit up.
"Alliance Leader!"
Not him too—the Murim Alliance Leader?
The situation spiraling into chaos made me want to lose my mind. Sure, if it came to a real fight, Hong Yeonhwa would win—but from our perspective of seeking Alliance cooperation, this was going straight to hell.
"I sensed demonic energy and came... What in the world happened?"
"A demonic cultivator infiltrated us, Alliance Leader!"
"Leaving out how she saved us—and that she's a Present Realm monster, huh."
The Murim Alliance Leader's brow furrowed as he alternated between the Azure Dragon Unit leader and Paeng Ojin.
"Care to explain in more detail?"
"No need."
Hong Yeonhwa shook her head.
"I've heard enough nonsense. You say you can't trust this lady? Then I'll show you exactly what I am. Something etched into your own eyes—you'll believe that, won't you?"
Thicker demonic energy than before exploded from Hong Yeonhwa's body.