Chapter 48: Instant Kill
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 48: Instant Kill
Fwoosh!
Sparks fly.
The Fire Spirit Energy permeating the room begins to converge on Cheon Deung-jin, the Young Palace Lord of Potala Palace.
"It’s a predatory energy, like a pack of jackals."
It was targeting Cheon Deung-jin as if he were prey.
- You need to change the energy of the room itself.
- Let's create something like a Fire Spirit Jade!
Hyeok Ryeon-yeom nodded at the Demon Empress's words.
Creating a concentrated mass of energy was not difficult for him.
The primary task of mages was to create circles.
In his past life, Hyeok Ryeon-yeom had recorded and organized the theories required to create those circles.
If those memories were the foundation of his internal energy manipulation...
"Come to me."
He began to draw out his Extreme Yang Qi.
As the Extreme Yang Qi left his body, the Fire Spirit Energy began to target Hyeok Ryeon-yeom as its new prey.
Rumble!
The Fire Spirit Energy surged toward him.
Furthermore, through the hand holding Cheon Deung-jin, he began to suck out the Fire Spirit Energy residing within the Young Palace Lord’s body.
The flames clinging to Cheon Deung-jin’s body immediately transferred to Hyeok Ryeon-yeom.
It wasn't hot. He didn't feel his acupoints burning.
This confirmed it.
Extreme Yang Qi was a far superior grade of energy compared to Fire Spirit Energy.
Condense.
Thrum—
Instead of moving the Fire Spirit Energy entering his body to his dantian, he began to condense it through his palm.
He was now more confident than anyone in controlling the flow of qi.
A pill-like sphere made of internal energy quickly began to form above his palm.
- Hmmm, quite impressive.
- Being able to handle Fire Spirit Energy like this is a talent in itself.
- It certainly would have been a major headache for us.
Ignoring the voices of the Sword Venerable and the Demon Empress, Hyeok Ryeon-yeom watched the Fire Spirit Ring grow larger.
The sweltering air in the room began to dissipate.
Hyeok Ryeon-yeom smiled as he watched the process.
Wung—
Before long, the red ring generated above his palm began to emit an orange glow.
"Gasp!"
As the Fire Spirit Energy that had completely filled the room vanished, Cheon Deung-jin, who had been lying as still as a corpse, opened his eyes.
He blinked, looking surprised by how suddenly light his body felt.
"Do you feel better now?"
"My... my body feels so light."
Cheon Deung-jin sat up.
The scorching Fire Spirit Energy that had trapped him in agony was entirely gone.
"Who on earth are you...?"
He couldn't believe that someone had removed all the Fire Spirit Energy that had caused him so much trouble.
"I would appreciate it if you just thought of me as someone who suffered from a much worse fever than you, Young Palace Lord."
*
Hyeok Ryeon-yeom stepped outside with Cheon Deung-jin.
"Jin!"
Cheon Jeok-pa, the Palace Lord of Potala Palace, was struck with shock at the sight.
He hadn't expected the treatment to be successful so quickly.
"How in the world...?"
As Cheon Jeok-pa stood there in awe of the recovered Cheon Deung-jin, Hyeok Ryeon-yeom spoke up, breaking the mood.
"He isn't fully cured yet."
"Then what must be done for a full recovery?"
"A full recovery can only be claimed once we ensure the Fire Spirit Energy cannot infiltrate the Young Palace Lord’s body again."
Hyeok Ryeon-yeom’s mission was to bring Cheon Deung-jin to the Northern Sea Ice Palace.
He wasn't sure if a complete cure was possible, but for now, he had to take Cheon Deung-jin with him.
To do that...
I need to take a look at the Fire Spirit Jade.
Like the Ice Crystal, there might be an issue with the Fire Spirit Jade itself.
Normally, a sacred artifact wouldn't harm a person.
When he brought up the Fire Spirit Energy, Cheon Jeok-pa’s gaze changed subtly.
"As expected of your background, you are familiar with Fire Spirit Energy."
"Despite how I look, I possess the wretched constitution known as the Extreme Yang Body, so I happened to learn about it."
Cheon Jeok-pa nodded.
He had already anticipated that the Heavenly Demon Cult would have a deeper understanding of Potala Palace’s energy than the Ice Palace would.
"So, is there a way to cure the Young Palace Lord?"
"I believe finding the cause of the Young Palace Lord’s condition comes first."
At those words, Arhat, the guardian monk, stepped forward.
- Palace Lord, you mustn't. That fellow is essentially asking if he can see the sacred artifact of Potala Palace.
The quick-witted Arhat seemed to be trying to stop the Palace Lord, fearing he might actually show him the Fire Spirit Jade.
However, the decision had already been made.
"Arhat, lead him to where the sacred artifact is kept."
"I think it would be best if the Young Palace Lord does not come along."
If he were affected by the Fire Spirit Energy again, the energy would only become more concentrated.
"Jin, go and rest."
"But..."
"As we discussed before, you may have to leave for the Ice Palace. So, go and pack your things."
Hyeok Ryeon-yeom tilted his head inwardly at the Palace Lord’s words.
He thought the Palace Lord might ask if it was still necessary to send him to the Ice Palace since Cheon Deung-jin was showing immediate improvement.
Instead, it seemed the Palace Lord already considered it a given that Cheon Deung-jin would go.
"Follow me."
"Understood. But what about my companions?"
"They are waiting comfortably, so do not worry."
This feels a bit like they're being held hostage.
- Hehe, shall we go check on them?
I’d appreciate that.
- I'll go. Master, you should stay with Yeom just in case.
The Demon Empress volunteered to move.
If anything happens, let me know immediately. I'll ditch the Palace Lord and move out.
- Got it.
Watching the Demon Empress depart, Hyeok Ryeon-yeom began to follow Cheon Jeok-pa.
"Is it really alright to show a sacred artifact to an outsider like this?"
"If you were from the Ice Palace, I would not have shown it."
That meant he was showing it because Hyeok Ryeon-yeom was from the Demonic Cult.
"It sounds like you're showing it to me... specifically because it's me?"
"Precisely."
"Now I'm curious."
Was it because they were rivals with the Ice Palace?
If that were the case, they wouldn't have requested help so desperately.
It was more likely that there was some connection between the Fire Spirit Jade and the Demonic Cult.
I'm definitely gaining more by being out here than I would have by training inside the Cult.
He had built a power base in the Ice Palace and was now forming a connection with Potala Palace.
- Brat.
The Sword Venerable called out to him.
Yes.
- That guardian monk is looking at you with an unusual gaze. You should be careful.
Hyeok Ryeon-yeom nodded slightly at the Sword Venerable’s warning.
He needed to remain constantly aware that he was wandering through enemy territory without a single guard.
After walking for a while...
"It is here."
Cheon Jeok-pa pointed downward from the center of the Palace Lord’s Hall.
"Below?"
"The Fire Spirit Jade is located in the basement of this palace."
"Is it alright to tell me all these details?"
"Well..."
It felt like he was being told something he shouldn't know.
A chilling sensation washed over him, but he decided to endure it until he saw the Fire Spirit Jade.
Indeed.
Whirrr—
From the moment he realized the Fire Spirit Jade was underground, a thick, viscous heat began to rise from below.
Thump— Thump—
As if a pulse were beating, the Fire Spirit Ring he had extracted from Cheon Deung-jin earlier began to resonate with the Fire Spirit Jade.
"We are going in."
Creeeak—
As Cheon Jeok-pa spoke, the floor gave way.
"What—"
"I sincerely hope you return alive."
Hyeok Ryeon-yeom’s body began to plummet.
*
"Will he be alright?"
After dropping Hyeok Ryeon-yeom into the basement, Arhat questioned Cheon Jeok-pa.
"He will be fine."
Because the boy was a member of the Demonic Cult.
"If he truly hails from the Fire Worshipping Cult, he will survive and emerge just like that other fellow did."
"Do you think he knows his brother visited this place?"
"He likely doesn't. I heard he has very little interest in the delinquent Third Young Master."
"Is it true that he's a delinquent? He didn't seem that way at all."
"Who knows. You shouldn't believe rumors until you see the truth with your own eyes."
Cheon Jeok-pa, the Palace Lord of Potala Palace, truly hoped Hyeok Ryeon-yeom would survive.
Only then would the Young Palace Lord have a chance at life.
"Please return alive. If you do, I will offer my apologies and entrust the Young Palace Lord to you."
Cheon Jeok-pa had no idea that Hyeok Ryeon-yeom was currently hearing every word of this conversation.
- ...That's what they're talking about.
Whoosh!
As he fell, Hyeok Ryeon-yeom began to discharge Extreme Yang Qi downward.
The Extreme Yang Qi erupting from his Yongquan Points vented an immense amount of heat.
Quickly stripping off his outer robe and rolling it into a ball, Hyeok Ryeon-yeom used the heat to make the garment buoyant.
Immediately, the gravitational pull dragging him to the ground significantly decreased.
I really need to learn Void Treading soon.
Using the principle of a hot air balloon to float and descend slowly, Hyeok Ryeon-yeom listened to the conversation between the Palace Lord and the guardian monk as relayed by the Sword Venerable.
"So he threw me into a basement while 'hoping' I'd return alive."
He wasn't sure which part of Cheon Jeok-pa was sincere yet.
But soon...
Sssss—
Because of the familiar energy he felt from below, Hyeok Ryeon-yeom realized why Cheon Jeok-pa had cast him down here alone.
Wung— Wung—
He looked down.
A gem glowing with a red light was radiating intense heat.
The problem was that the Fire Spirit Jade was surrounded by ink-black Demonic Qi.
"What kind of bastard left Demonic Qi here and ran off?"
- Hehe, who knows? Perhaps it's someone you know.
It seemed likely.
There was only one person within the Demonic Cult capable of such a crazy stunt.
"Hyeok Ryeon-geuk visited Potala Palace?"
This was entirely new information.
Suddenly, Hyeok Ryeon-yeom recalled the scene just before his death at the hands of Hyeok Ryeon-geuk.
- After you kill me and become the Young Cult Leader, what is the first thing you want to do, Eldest Brother?
- Invade the Central Plains. The foundation has already been laid.
Perhaps one of the foundations Hyeok Ryeon-geuk had mentioned was Potala Palace.
If Hyeok Ryeon-geuk is the one who did this to the Fire Spirit Jade and the Young Palace Lord...
Then he might be the one who tampered with the Ice Crystal as well.
What a troublesome fellow.
However...
"Your biggest mistake was not stopping me from leaving for the Ice Palace."
Tap.
Landing softly on the ground, Hyeok Ryeon-yeom faced the Fire Spirit Jade.
His Extreme Yang Qi surged, threatening to devour the Fire Spirit Energy.
"No overeating."
After reining in his Extreme Yang Qi, Hyeok Ryeon-yeom drew closer to the Fire Spirit Jade.
Then...
- Ho?
Baek Un-han, the Snow Wind Sword Saint, let out a gasp of admiration.
"What is it?"
- Haven't you felt it yet?
As soon as the Sword Venerable finished speaking...
Flicker—
Something began to shimmer within the violet Demonic Qi surrounding the Fire Spirit Jade.
- I never imagined... a fellow countryman would visit.
The voice transmitted to his mind was not human.
The source of the Demonic Qi enveloping the Fire Spirit Jade was coming from that being.
The moment Hyeok Ryeon-yeom saw it, he knew exactly what it was.
"...A zombie."
And not just any zombie, but a Living Zombie capable of fluid movement and even Secret Voice Transmission.
- Hehe, to think a zombie still exists after three hundred years. Your home sect really is rotten to the core.
Hyeok Ryeon-yeom couldn't deny the Sword Venerable’s words.
The Demonic Cult was indeed trash.
- Are you also after the Fire Spirit Jade?
"And if I am?"
- Instant kill.
The Living Zombie guarding the Fire Spirit Jade swung its sword toward Hyeok Ryeon-yeom.