Chapter 22: The Ice Wolf Unit
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 22: The Ice Wolf Unit
Hyeok Ryeon-yeom delivered the completely exhausted Seol Yerin to the Young Palace Lord’s Hall.
Absorbing the Extreme Yin Qi had been quite a task—so much so that it had nearly depleted the Extreme Yang Qi within him. However, once the process was finished, his body felt strangely light.
“Hmm, was it really necessary to go that far?”
—It’s necessary to empty yourself once in a while. Besides, the Extreme Yin Qi will fill back up once she wakes from her sleep. It’s the same for your Extreme Yang Body, isn't it?
He was right.
It was a characteristic of the Extreme Yang Body that no matter how much energy was consumed, it would replenish itself by the next morning as if it had never been used.
—Have you ever heard of the aesthetics of emptying?
“Are you saying there are things one only realizes after emptying oneself?”
—Exactly. Think of it as the idea that the more you cast aside, the more the most important essence remains.
Though Extreme Yin and Extreme Yang were not things one could simply cast aside at will, repeating this process would certainly yield results.
‘I’ll be able to avoid an early death.’
Of course, it would require blood-vomiting effort. Using one's energy until reaching such a state of total exhaustion was no easy feat.
“I think I need to empty myself as well.”
Even though it was only a short distance, by the time he returned from delivering Seol Yerin to her hall, his Yang Qi was surging uncontrollably.
In his past life, there were many times he had to discharge his Extreme Yang Qi like this. When he gave his all during a match, or when he pushed his body to its absolute limits during research. If he didn't keep his body moving, the heat would build up until it became unbearable.
In his second life, where he lived like a scoundrel and was eventually killed by Hyeok Ryeon-geuk, he had probably lived as long as he did only because he had taken many women.
Even the freezing weather of the North Sea could not suppress his Extreme Yang Qi.
Since it was quite late, he felt it would be inappropriate to call out Eun-bin, Baek Mu-yong, or Tae Un-seo. In the end, it meant he had to go find a place to do some "moonlight gymnastics" on his own.
“Haap!”
Suddenly, a shout rang out from somewhere.
“That sound…”
Realizing there was a martial unit still training at this late hour, he headed toward the source of the shout.
—Grrr.
Pure white wolves were gathered at the training hall.
—Those are Snow Wolves.
‘Snow Wolves?’
—They are wolves native to the North Sea. Seeing them together like that, those must be the members of the Ice Wolf Unit.
The Ice Wolf Unit? He had heard that name somewhere before.
Just then.
“Haap!”
Men who appeared to be warriors of the Ice Palace were swinging their swords.
‘They’re fast.’
The pure white wolves were lunging at the warriors, snapping their jaws, while the warriors dodged and countered.
“Dodge!”
“Hup!”
The wolves were lunging with such ferocity that it looked like a real battle to the death. Hyeok Ryeon-yeom assumed that since they were well-trained, no accidents would occur, but then—
“Ugh!”
One warrior, trying to retreat hastily, tripped over his own feet and began to fall. He was right in Hyeok Ryeon-yeom’s line of sight. At this rate, the man was going to be mauled by a wolf.
“Flame Butterfly.”
Red butterflies of fire fluttered between the wolf and the warrior.
Whoosh!
At the sudden eruption of flames, the wolves yelped and scrambled backward.
—Yelp!
“Who goes there?!”
The five warriors gathered in the training hall quickly turned their heads toward the intruder who had suddenly interfered.
“I stepped in because it looked dangerous.”
“You are…”
“…The Demonic Cultist?”
Even though he had suppressed the bandits and treated the Young Palace Lord, Seol Yerin, it seemed their perception of Hyeok Ryeon-yeom was still that of a "Demonic Cultist."
“I am Hyeok Ryeon-yeom.”
“…Were you spying on our training?”
“How could I not see it when you’re making such a racket in the middle of the night?”
Hyeok Ryeon-yeom spoke confidently. This wasn't a private training hall, after all. While spying on another's training was taboo in the martial world, witnessing it while passing through an open area was not a transgression.
“Recall the Snow Wolves.”
“Yes, Deputy Leader.”
Hyeok Ryeon-yeom’s eyes glinted at the title "Deputy Leader." Someone in that position should know that Hyeok Ryeon-yeom was the Captain of the Little Snow Unit. Despite that, the man had called him a "Demonic Cultist" just moments ago.
‘He did that on purpose.’
“Anyway, what brings the Captain of the Little Snow Unit to our training hall at this hour?”
“I was on my way back after escorting the Young Palace Lord.”
The men flinched at the mention of the Young Palace Lord.
“I have a question.”
“What is it?”
“Are the rumors actually true?”
“Which rumors are you referring to?”
“The rumor that the Captain of the Little Snow Unit suppressed the bandits with only four subordinates.”
“And if it is?”
“Then the Little Snow Unit must have stolen the credit for what the Young Palace Lord did.”
It was a plausible assumption. Moreover, since the Great Plains were currently frozen over, anyone who went out to investigate would have seen nothing but ice before returning.
Hyeok Ryeon-yeom scanned the members of the Ice Wolf Unit. This "Deputy Leader" was looking down on him while leading a group of guys who looked even weaker than Baek Mu-yong.
He thought this was actually a good opportunity. He had been looking for a way to expend his Extreme Yang Qi anyway.
“Would you like to test it?”
And so, a midnight martial duel with the Ice Wolf Unit was arranged.
*
The Deputy Leader of the Ice Wolf Unit, Seol Un-cheol, drew his sword.
“Deputy Leader?”
“We’ll handle this.”
“He is not someone you can face.”
The Ice Wolf Unit was a force that roamed the North Sea alongside the Snow Wolves, who were known as the "Wolves of the North Sea." Seol Un-cheol, who had been supervising the training of new recruits to tame the Snow Wolves, welcomed the interference of the Little Snow Unit’s Captain.
‘They said he was a scoundrel, but he’s incredibly arrogant.’
Even if the Palace Lord had appointed him as the Captain of the Little Snow Unit, how dare he treat Squad Leader Baek—who had been stripped of his Snow Wolf—like a common servant?
Still, perhaps because he was from the Demonic Cult…
‘He’s strong.’
Seol Un-cheol was a man who couldn't guarantee his own victory.
‘I suppose the rumors weren't entirely baseless.’
The story that he had scorched the Captain of the Snow Tiger Unit as soon as he arrived at the Ice Palace seemed to be true.
“Draw your sword.”
As Seol Un-cheol pointed his blade at him, Hyeok Ryeon-yeom glanced at the Snow Wolves.
“I heard the Ice Wolf Unit always moves with their Snow Wolves.”
“That is correct.”
“There’s a Squad Leader in my unit who came from the Ice Wolf Unit. Normally, that would mean he should be moving with a Snow Wolf too, right?”
He had heard about Baek Mu-yong, the 2nd Squad Leader of the Ice Wolf Unit who had recently been transferred to the Little Snow Unit.
“Squad Leader Baek’s Snow Wolf was taken back by the unit.”
“He was a comrade who lived and died with that wolf for a long time. That’s quite cold-hearted.”
“Since he left the Ice Wolf Unit, it’s only natural that he parts ways with the Snow Wolf.”
“Is that so? Then let’s do this. You said you were the Deputy Leader?”
“I am Seol Un-cheol.”
“If I win this duel, I want you to transfer the ownership of the Snow Wolf that Baek Mu-yong used to lead back to him.”
“That is…”
“What is this guy talking about?!”
“Deputy Leader, you can’t!”
Seol Un-cheol studied Hyeok Ryeon-yeom’s eyes. It wasn't that he coveted the Snow Wolf for himself. It truly seemed like Hyeok Ryeon-yeom wanted to take the wolf for the sake of Squad Leader Baek.
‘I heard he was a scoundrel.’
Seeing him in person, Seol Un-cheol realized that the man before him was quite different from the information he had.
‘I think I understand why even someone like Eun-bin was satisfied with being a Deputy Leader.’
He had heard that Eun-bin, who prided himself on being the Young Palace Lord’s personal guard, had joined the Little Snow Unit under Hyeok Ryeon-yeom. Knowing Eun-bin’s usual temperament, Seol Un-cheol realized from that fact alone that Hyeok Ryeon-yeom was a formidable individual.
“Are you proposing a bet?”
“Exactly.”
“Then, if the Captain of the Little Snow Unit loses this duel, what will you wager?”
What could he offer that would tempt a Deputy Leader?
“I’ll hand over the position of Captain of the Little Snow Unit.”
Seol Un-cheol’s eyes flashed. The Little Snow Unit was the unit that protected the Young Palace Lord. Seol Un-cheol knew that in his current position in the Ice Wolf Unit, the rank of Deputy Leader was his limit. If he won this duel and took over as Captain of the Little Snow Unit, he would gain significantly more power.
“Fine.”
Returning a single Snow Wolf was something he could do under his authority as Deputy Leader.
“A man’s word—”
“—is as heavy as a thousand gold pieces.”
As soon as Hyeok Ryeon-yeom finished his sentence—
“Ho-jung!”
—Grrr!
A Snow Wolf, much larger than the ones Hyeok Ryeon-yeom had seen earlier, moved to Seol Un-cheol’s side.
Swish!
Simultaneously, Seol Un-cheol lunged with his sword. Hyeok Ryeon-yeom had to keep an eye on the blade while also staying wary of the wolf, Ho-jung.
Clang!
The moment he blocked the sword—
Slash!
Sharp claws lunged for his throat.
“So this is the Ice Wolf Unit’s fighting style.”
Whoosh!
The wolf called Ho-jung couldn't sink its claws into Hyeok Ryeon-yeom’s body. Just before the claws could make contact, flames erupted from his entire body.
“F-Flames…”
The blooming fire began to melt the surrounding snow.
“I’m sure they were quite attached. I can’t let a man I’ve taken as a subordinate be forced into a permanent separation from his companion.”
Sssss—
Steam began to rise, obscuring Seol Un-cheol’s vision. To Hyeok Ryeon-yeom, a sword was merely an ornament anyway.
Whish!
A fireball blooming from Hyeok Ryeon-yeom’s hand shot toward Seol Un-cheol.
*
Elder Baek Seol-pung, a former member of the Ice Wolf Unit, was leaving the Council of Elders and heading toward the Ice Wolf Unit’s quarters. He intended to relay the plan to use the Snow Tiger Unit and the Ice Wolf Unit to pressure the Little Snow Unit to the Ice Wolf Unit Leader.
Boom!
Suddenly, an explosion echoed from the training hall.
‘Are they taming Snow Wolves?’
It was a long-standing tradition established by Baek Seol-pung to have new recruits train to tame Snow Wolves in the early hours of the morning. Thus, he could have expected people to be training at this hour, but—
“It shouldn't be this loud, though?”
Everyone else should be asleep. The members of the Ice Wolf Unit, for whom stealth was essential, must have caused some kind of accident. Even if it meant delaying his meeting with the Unit Leader, he had to prevent any harm to the Snow Wolves, which were a vital part of the Ice Palace’s military strength.
Baek Seol-pung headed toward the training hall. And there—
“Cough—”
—Whimper.
He found Seol Un-cheol, the Deputy Leader of the Ice Wolf Unit, beaten to a bloody pulp alongside his Snow Wolf.
“That was impressive. If your opponent hadn't been me, that tactic would have had a good chance of winning. But it seems this duel is my victory.”
A man enveloped in flames, holding a sword to Seol Un-cheol’s throat, came into view.
“Silence! What do you think you are doing?!”
At that sight, Baek Seol-pung forgot his original purpose and swung his sword.
Clang! Cl-cl-clang!
‘What?’
The man, whom he thought he could suppress in a single exchange, reacted to Baek Seol-pung’s blade. The flames surrounding him parried the strike as he stepped back.
“…And who might you be?”
Not only had he blocked the strike, but the man was now calmly questioning Baek Seol-pung’s identity. Only then did Baek Seol-pung recognize his opponent.
“Hyeok Ryeon-yeom?”
“Elder Baek!”
The members of the Ice Wolf Unit, who had been standing helplessly behind their Deputy Leader, called out to him in relief.
“What is the meaning of this?”
“Th-that is…”
“We had a martial duel, and I just won.”
“What?”
A duel at this hour? And it seemed the Deputy Leader of the Ice Wolf Unit had been defeated. He had heard that Hyeok Ryeon-yeom had forced Eun-bin of the Little Snow Unit into submission and had suppressed bandits alongside the Young Palace Lord. However, Baek Seol-pung had dismissed those as mere rumors. He didn't believe the bandits of the Great Plains were the type to be taken down by a single person.
But now…
‘Did this brat really suppress those bandits?’
The relaxed aura he exuded made it seem entirely possible.
“What brings an Elder here at this hour?”
“…I was just passing by.”
“You must have had business with the Ice Wolf Unit.”
‘Those eyes…’
The boy was clearly much younger than him, but his gaze was so deep it was impossible to fathom.
“…Since the duel is over, it would be best for you to withdraw.”
“I haven't received a definitive answer yet.”
“Answer for what?”
“We made a bet. The winner of the duel gets to make a demand.”
At those words, Baek Seol-pung’s eyes flared with anger. A gambling duel?
“Un-cheol—”
“I-I’m sorry.”
“…And what is your demand?”
“I want the Snow Wolf that Squad Leader Baek Mu-yong used to lead returned to him.”
Even though he had stepped back from the front lines, Baek Seol-pung was aware that Baek Mu-yong, a former Squad Leader of the Ice Wolf Unit, had been drafted into the Little Snow Unit.
“That is out of the question.”
No one outside of the Ice Wolf Unit was permitted to keep a Snow Wolf. Hyeok Ryeon-yeom’s demand struck at the very foundation of the Ice Wolf Unit.
“And why is that? That Snow Wolf is the one Squad Leader Baek lived and died with, isn't it?”
“Baek Mu-yong is no longer a member of the Ice Wolf Unit.”
“Wasn't this something well within the authority of the Unit Leader or Deputy Leader?”
“That…”
He had to choose his words carefully here. If he said they didn't have such authority, then Seol Un-cheol, the Deputy Leader who lost the duel, would be branded a liar. But if they surrendered the Snow Wolf after such a clear defeat, the Ice Wolf Unit’s reputation would hit rock bottom.
“Can you return it or not?”
Flames began to flicker around the boy’s body once more.
‘Extreme Yang Qi.’
A heat unlike anything ever felt in the North Sea was radiating from him. After a moment of deliberation, Baek Seol-pung turned to Seol Un-cheol. Getting angry here would only lead to a loss. He decided to return Baek Mu-yong’s wolf for now and then report Hyeok Ryeon-yeom’s actions to the Palace Lord later.
“Return Baek Mu-yong’s Snow Wolf.”
“E-Elder.”
“I will speak with the Palace Lord regarding this matter.”
“I… I’m so sorry.”
Despite Elder Baek Seol-pung’s command, Seol Un-cheol kept his head bowed.
“What is it now?”
“The truth is… Squad Leader Baek’s Snow Wolf was released outside the Ice Palace a few days ago.”
“What does that mean?!”
To release a fully tamed Snow Wolf?
“Elder, I didn't want to say this, but we were in a situation where we didn't have enough feed for the wolves.”
“What?”
A shortage of feed. That meant there was a problem with the Ice Palace’s finances.
At their conversation, Hyeok Ryeon-yeom’s eyes sparkled as he stepped closer.
“I’d like to hear more about that. In detail.”