Chapter 62: Ugh
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 62: Ugh
It was the Dark Yin Myriad Woman Herb.
The Extreme Yin Qi radiating from within the fruit was staggering.
“Is it really alright to feed something like this to Lady Seol?”
—Chuckles. When the body is weakened, medicinal herbs that can replenish energy are the best. To one with the Extreme Yin Body, Extreme Yin Qi is nothing short of a miracle tonic.
“Is that why you hoarded so many of them?”
There wasn't just one.
Inside the jar were several stalks of the Dark Yin Myriad Woman Herb.
—Master, it seems your greed was quite excessive back then.
—Hahaha, that was a long time ago!
Whether he had decided to be thick-skinned about it or not, a broad smile was plastered across the Sword Venerable’s face.
“I’ll take them all.”
—Haha, do as you wish!
Perhaps because he had returned to a place of old memories after so long, the Sword Venerable seemed to be in high spirits.
And right next to it...
Swish—
“Is this... the Clear Brightness Water?”
—Correct. It is a mystical elixir that can wash away all evil qi and impurities when consumed. In the old days, it was frequently used for Metamorphosis.
An elixir for Metamorphosis.
Truly, there were so many good things in the past.
“The Martial God wasn't called a Martial God for nothing.”
Hyeok Ryeon-yeom packed the Clear Brightness Water as well. There were several bottles of it.
“The members of the Little Snow Unit will be able to become even stronger.”
—You intend to share it?
“Yes.”
Hyeok Ryeon-yeom could not consume these. While he could technically absorb Extreme Yin Qi, bringing energy that was the polar opposite of his Extreme Yang Body into his system would likely interfere with the martial arts he was currently practicing.
—You should use it to nourish your future wife's health.
“They say too much of a good thing is as bad as too little.”
If he made Extreme Yin Qi overflow even more in someone who already had an excess of it, it would surely cause trouble.
—It’ll be effective for her beauty as well!
“Well, I should keep at least one for emergencies.”
He thought it might be good to have her take it when they eventually held their wedding.
‘Hmm.’
He suddenly startled himself, realizing he was naturally thinking about holding a wedding with Seol Yerin.
‘I should head back up quickly.’
He had lost track of time while packing the elixirs.
“Is there anything else I should take?”
Since this place could now be used as a hot spring, he could come back anytime, but traveling back and forth seemed like it would be quite a chore.
—Let’s see.
The Sword Venerable and the Demon Empress began to scan the secret cave.
Since Hyeok Ryeon-yeom had already taken everything of monetary value, there didn't seem to be much else worth grabbing.
—There doesn't seem to be anything else in particular.
“I think these will make for perfect engagement gifts.”
Hyeok Ryeon-yeom left the secret cave, hoping Seol Yerin would like the glittering treasures.
Splash!
Unlike the descent, going back up was instantaneous.
Whoosh!
He looked upward as he surged through the spring water.
“Where do you think you’re looking?!”
Swoosh!
A pillar made of ice lunged toward Hyeok Ryeon-yeom.
Swish— Swish—
Dodging the pillars as he ascended, Hyeok Ryeon-yeom burst through the surface into the air.
“Phew—”
He was startled. Come to think of it, he had forgotten he was underwater.
“I didn't see anything!”
No, but he had already seen everything there was to see...
Swoosh—!
This time, a spear made of ice came flying at him.
Leaving the brief commotion behind, Hyeok Ryeon-yeom landed in front of Seol Yerin.
He waved the Dark Yin Myriad Woman Herb he had brought along with the gold and silver treasures.
“This is...”
“It’s an elixir. You’ll feel much better after eating this.”
“I-If you thought you could just gloss over what happened with something like this...”
“Here, just eat it for now.”
Hyeok Ryeon-yeom handed the Dark Yin Myriad Woman Herb to Seol Yerin and then moved behind her.
“Why are you going behind me?”
“I have to guide the flow of your true qi.”
This was the best method for that. Hyeok Ryeon-yeom’s palms touched Seol Yerin’s back.
“...It’s warm.”
“Is it?”
“I’ll eat it now.”
Seol Yerin put the Dark Yin Myriad Woman Herb into her mouth. The moment it touched the tip of her tongue, it melted away and slid down her esophagus.
Then...
Vrrr—
A massive wave of cold air began to rush toward Seol Yerin’s dantian.
“Start circulating your qi!”
This energy was not meant to go straight to the dantian. To drive out the poison accumulated in her acupoints all at once, it had to make a full circuit through her meridians first.
Seol Yerin began her breathing exercises. The Extreme Yang Qi emerging from Hyeok Ryeon-yeom’s fingertips began to guide the Extreme Yin Qi.
Extreme Yang and Extreme Yin were polar opposites. When the energy entered her body, it naturally tried to expel the opposing force.
However...
‘Huh?’
Slurp—
The Extreme Yin Qi began to pull the Extreme Yang Qi toward it.
‘What’s going on?’
The situation was different from the last time they achieved Yin-Yang Unity.
‘Is it treating it as prey just because it has absorbed the energy once before?’
Naturally, Extreme Yin Qi would be the dominant force for Seol Yerin. He knew the Extreme Yang Qi was merely a byproduct to keep her from freezing solid.
Even so, it wasn't an energy she could just consume whenever she felt like it. He needed to teach her that.
Thump—
So, he gave a slight flick of energy. Seol Yerin’s body vibrated.
“Keep circulating your qi.”
The energy erupting from her dantian and the Extreme Yin Qi from the Dark Yin Myriad Woman Herb began to harmonize. Then, they started to flow through the gaps between the poisons that had been weakened by the Extreme Yang Qi.
At first, the poisonous qi rushed in as if to devour the Yin energy, but it was soon swept away. Following that flow, the remaining waste products accumulated in her blood vessels were pushed out, and he could feel Seol Yerin’s meridians gradually becoming sturdier.
The pathways were widening so that they wouldn't be damaged by the Extreme Yin Qi and could accommodate the Extreme Yang Qi without issue.
Before he could even think that with this level of flow, it would be difficult for ordinary poisons to harm Seol Yerin—
Rumble—
Simultaneously, the Extreme Yin Qi began to fill those pathways.
Then...
“Oh?”
Seol Yerin immediately began to feel a refreshing sensation throughout her body.
—This old man knows that feeling well. Doesn't it feel invigorating?
The Snow Extreme Sword began to vibrate. The Sword Venerable was prattling on as if he had eaten the Dark Yin Myriad Woman Herb himself.
—Master, please be quiet!
This was the first time he had encountered a person—no, a ghost—who was so bothersome during qi circulation.
Despite the surrounding distractions, Hyeok Ryeon-yeom remained unshaken and continued to guide Seol Yerin’s true qi.
Finally, after completing a full circuit through her entire body...
Flash—!
Both Extreme Yang and Extreme Yin settled into Seol Yerin’s dantian. There was no longer a trace of poison to be found. Only a calm lake of internal energy, as still as a mirror, remained there.
“Haa.”
“Are you alright?”
“...Yes. My body feels refreshed.”
“That’s a relief.”
“It’s a bit of a shame, though.”
“What is?”
Seol Yerin dipped her hand into the hot spring water.
“It’s not hot anymore.”
It seemed she could no longer feel the warmth of the spring.
“Ah, is that so?”
Well, both Hyeok Ryeon-yeom and Seol Yerin had constitutions that made them almost immune to heat and cold.
“Next time, I’ll have to look into a way to block that so you can feel the warmth.”
“Just so I can enjoy a half-bath?”
“Exactly.”
Splash—
Hyeok Ryeon-yeom pulled his hands away from Seol Yerin’s back. It was because Seol Yerin had leaned back directly against his chest.
“I like it. The half-bath.”
Seol Yerin turned her head to the right to look at Hyeok Ryeon-yeom. The moment she drew close enough for their noses to almost touch...
Snap—
Hyeok Ryeon-yeom’s patience finally broke.
The Divine Physician, Seong Yi-han, tilted his head in confusion as he saw Seol Yerin return to the Ice Palace alone, her face flushed red.
“Hmm, she recovered enough to use lightness techniques in just two hours?”
It was a recovery speed that was almost impossible to believe.
“But why did she come back alone?”
He clearly remembered Hyeok Ryeon-yeom carrying her out on his back. He had asked where he was taking a sick person, but he hadn't received an answer.
“What a relief!”
“It seems she has made a full recovery.”
“Then let’s continue with the engagement preparations.”
“I’ll prepare the banquet.”
Was it the Little Snow Unit? Seeing the unit that was supposed to be guarding the Young Palace Lord leisurely preparing for the engagement ceremony instead of protecting her made the Divine Physician curious.
“Did she eat something good for her health?”
“We wouldn't know that~”
“If you’re curious, why don't you ask the Captain himself when he returns?”
“It looks like he’s returning just now.”
Clatter—
It was clear they were curious too, as they all stopped what they were doing and flocked toward him.
“Captain!”
“Young Master!”
“How did it go?”
The Divine Physician sharpened his senses.
“It was a success.”
He was dying to know what exactly had been a success.
“Oh, congratulations!”
“Where is Lady Seol?”
“She went inside first.”
“Young Master, you should get ready quickly too!”
“Is the engagement ceremony proceeding right away?”
“Yes! Since the Young Palace Lord has recovered, even though it’s evening, we’ll proceed immediately and then enjoy the banquet!”
“Alright, then let’s get ready.”
“Yes, sir!”
If Hyeok Ryeon-yeom went inside now, the Divine Physician wouldn't be able to satisfy his curiosity until the ceremony was over. He sidled up and asked.
“Young Master, how did you do it?”
“Elder Divine Physician? What are you referring to?”
“From the looks of it, the poison has been neutralized...”
“Ah, I obtained some Dark Yin Myriad Woman Herb.”
“What? You found something that rare?!”
“So it was rare.”
“It was... rare?”
“Would you like a root?”
Would you like a root?
As if it were nothing special, Hyeok Ryeon-yeom pulled out something that looked like a medicinal herb and waved it. The Divine Physician knew what it was the moment he saw it.
“I-Is that really... the Dark Yin Myriad Woman Herb?”
Even as a Divine Physician, it was a precious spiritual item he had never seen before. It was something so valuable it might significantly impact his medical skills.
Above all... something the Divine Physician needed more than his own life was right before his eyes.
Swish—
The Divine Physician reached out, but his hand grasped nothing but air.
“Ah, since all you did was provide a diagnosis to treat the Young Palace Lord, this seems a bit excessive. Let’s talk about this again later.”
With those words, Hyeok Ryeon-yeom went inside with the Little Snow Unit.
“...That cheeky brat.”
To tease an elder like that!
Gulp—
A hint of greed began to flicker in the Divine Physician’s eyes.
“If only I had that...”
He might be able to save his granddaughter. The Divine Physician didn't leave but followed Hyeok Ryeon-yeom into the engagement hall. He now had a reason why he couldn't go back until he obtained that Dark Yin Myriad Woman Herb.
After a period of reorganization, the engagement ceremony began once more.
Whether they had decided to discuss the attack by the Martial Alliance and the League of Four Tyrants after the ceremony, everyone was waiting in the hall.
“Guests, good evening. I am Seol Su-hyeok, the Chief Officer of the North Sea Ice Palace, and I will be presiding over today’s ceremony. I never imagined so many people would visit for the engagement ceremony—not even the wedding—of our Young Palace Lord, Seol Yerin, and Hyeok Ryeon-yeom of the Heavenly Demon Cult. It makes me think we’ll have to hold an even grander event for the actual wedding. Ah, it seems I’ve rambled on too long. Let us begin the engagement ceremony immediately! First, let me introduce the two people who will be getting engaged today!”
Flash!
Everyone’s eyes turned toward the platform.
Standing on the platform was the Lord of the North Sea Ice Palace, Seol Baek-ho.
And in front of him...
There stood Hyeok Ryeon-yeom, dressed handsomely, and Seol Yerin, showcasing a fluttering palace dress. They were truly a match made in heaven.
“Hmm?”
“The Young Palace Lord’s face seems a bit flushed.”
The heads of the Five Great Families of the Ice Palace were also sitting in the seats of honor, watching the ceremony.
“She must be nervous.”
“Is she?”
“Well, it must be her first time standing before so many people.”
“And now, we will have a congratulatory speech from the Lord of the North Sea Ice Palace, Lord Seol Baek-ho!”
All eyes focused on Seol Baek-ho.
“Ahem. First, I would like to apologize for the security issues on this auspicious day. I also want to thank you all for traveling such a long distance to visit us. As this engagement ceremony is a place to prove the harmony between the North Sea Ice Palace and the Heavenly Demon Cult, I will keep my speech brief.”
With those words, Seol Baek-ho’s gaze turned toward Hyeok Ryeon-yeom and Seol Yerin.
“Congratulations on your engagement.”
“Thank you.”
“Thank you, Father.”
“Then, we will proceed with the ceremony by having the couple pour and drink the Unity Wine!”
At the mention of sharing the Unity Wine, Moyong Jae, the leader of the Moyong Merchant Group, asked Moyong Geum.
“Are they doing a simplified version of the wedding ritual beforehand?”
“I provided the liquor for the Unity Wine. I told them that since it’s an engagement, they should at least drink some fine wine.”
“Well done. As expected of my son.”
After praising Moyong Geum, Moyong Jae looked back at Seol Yerin and Hyeok Ryeon-yeom.
Trickle—
The wine filled the cups to the brim.
“Oh, it must be a legendary vintage.”
The fragrant aroma of the Unity Wine could be smelled even from a distance.
At that moment...
“Ugh—”
Seol Yerin suddenly retched.