Chapter: 646
When I opened my eyes again, it was a cold night.
The white night created by my father had vanished, and the moon had risen once more.
The sharp cold was still present, and I could feel the intensifying chill.
It wasn’t snowing, but the cold was becoming more fierce.
From the gap of that uncomfortable sensation, a sound echoed.
“Extraordinary force—!!”
It was the cry of the Black Lion.
My gaze shifted.
The Black Lion had already set the princess he was supporting down on the floor and was glaring at something.
Following his gaze, I saw Woohyuk collapsed on the ground.
It seemed like we had just been talking moments ago.
‘Did he just faint?’
I was about to ask what had happened, but seeing him in that state, it was clearly impossible.
‘What is going on?’
I grabbed my dizzy head and tried to make sense of the situation.
I had to confirm the state of things to ensure that the meeting I just had wasn’t just an illusion.
‘It was definitely Namgung Myung.’
I wasn’t sure if he was lying or not, but it would be silly to doubt it now.
For now, it was better to assume he was the real Namgung Myung.
Let’s gather some information.
I recalled what Namgung Myung had said.
—All the devils will bow their heads before you.
This was the first piece of information.
The reason I could use items designated by other masters, including the Brain, was because I am a “dragon.”
However, he mentioned that forcing others to follow Namgung Myung’s will is a different matter entirely.
I can use the Brain, but getting it to follow me like a ghost is a different story.
That’s why Namgung Myung was so sure of this.
—You are the reincarnation.
I am the body that Shin Noya should have reincarnated into.
‘What nonsense!’
How could that even be possible?
Even hearing it, I couldn’t understand. Even if that was the reason why Guijeong casually followed me around, it wasn’t something I could easily accept.
Still, I was left with nothing but questions.
‘Why me?’
I wasn’t a member of the volcano’s school, nor was I part of an ordinary sect; I was from the Gu Clan.
If someone like me were said to be the reincarnation of Noya, I simply couldn’t accept that.
Volcanic Sword.
And the number one sword of the Central Plains.
If I were genuinely the reincarnation of someone extraordinary enough to achieve anything.
‘Really, shouldn’t I have gotten something?’
Shouldn’t I have been born just as outstanding?
While I’ve climbed the ranks by utilizing every opportunity available to me, I was a far cry from that in my past life.
Also, what was the discrepancy between Namgung Myung’s mention of Noya’s beliefs?
‘Living for the world? How ridiculous.’
If it were living for myself, that might make sense. But this was an entirely opposite belief.
Even if it is reincarnation, I don’t resemble anything significant, so is it asking me to believe this naively?
‘…And besides, it’s strange that Noya didn’t know.’
It didn’t make sense that Noya, who handed me Guijeong, failed to notice something that Namgung Myung, seeing me for the first time, recognized instantly.
‘In the end, I guess I’ll have to ask Noya or Namgung Myung about this.’
This was a burdensome thought to carry alone.
‘And if, indeed, I really am Noya’s reincarnation.’
Would that even matter so much?
It only surprised me a little, but it didn’t strike me profoundly.
After all, my consciousness is separate from my physical body, and I have no memories of living as Noya centuries ago. Should I even be concerned about that? I wasn’t sure.
It felt burdensome and cumbersome.
Right now, only that feeling remained.
This was inevitable.
‘Either way, I have to deal with this, whether it’s true or not.’
My tasks involve Noya’s affairs anyway, and even if there is a separate reincarnation, tackling this issue is something I intended to do.
Given this circumstance, it really doesn’t matter what form it takes.
‘More importantly, right now…’
What Namgung Myung said afterward was more crucial.
—Find Xinjiang.
He said this as he poked my forehead.
At that moment, I understood that Namgung Myung’s brain energy had also seeped into my body.
‘Why is he telling me to go to Xinjiang?’
Where exactly is Xinjiang?
It’s the far end of a long journey from Hanam to the western regions.
‘It was the area where the Demonic Cult existed in my previous life.’
This is where the true essence of the Cheonma Sect, founded by the Heavenly Demon, originated.
It was revered as a sacred site, considered a sanctuary by its followers, yet it had become a sort of hell for me.
‘Why on earth would I have to go somewhere like that?’
What on earth was worth heading to Xinjiang?
As far as I remember, it was a place that became a ruin after the appearance of the Demonic Gate, much like the front lines that the Gu Clan was assigned to…
‘Huh?’
As I pondered this, something suddenly clicked in my mind. Thinking back, it made sense.
‘If it was Xinjiang when the Demonic Gate broke out…?’
In my previous life, the Demonic Cult was located there, particularly when Noya and others were active.
‘It’s also where the Blood Cult once thrived.’
Just like the new religion founded by the Heavenly Demon, Xinjiang was also the site of the religious order created by the Blood Demon.
‘Why didn’t I think of this before?’
Perhaps it felt like it was too far back in time.
Now that I recall, it feels more ominous.
‘Is there something significant in Xinjiang?’
Why did both the Blood Demon and the Heavenly Demon establish their bases in Xinjiang?
It felt uncomfortably like too much of a coincidence.
Was it because Namgung Myung pointed to Xinjiang specifically?
‘Whatever the case may be, I have to go.’
It’s a place I’ve always thought about visiting.
I just didn’t choose to go there because I lacked the time and reasons.
If I can adjust my schedule to fit in with important matters, it shouldn’t be a problem.
‘Since I’ve pretty much sorted things out… now, what’s left?’
The last words, perhaps the most important:
—Be cautious of Yeonilcheon.
“…”
A regressor like me, the world’s greatest, someone who led the superhumans of his era, including Noya.
King of Geumcheon, Yeonilcheon.
Why did Namgung Myung warn me to be careful of him?
‘Hasn’t that guy already disappeared?’
To me, he wasn’t someone I held much admiration for.
When I faced the thought in the Divine Dragon Hall, if not for Noya’s help, I would have died at the hands of Yeonilcheon.
There was also the time he labeled me a catastrophe.
That I would bring about the end of the world.
Thus, I would indeed become a disaster. He had defined it clearly.
‘But… it seems like things are turning out just as he said.’
If the story back then was pure nonsense, that’s one thing. However, my current state of being, inhuman, along with the unfolding circumstances, truly pushed me to feel like a disaster.
With that in mind, Namgung Myung told me to be cautious.
‘Does this mean I’m destined to meet Yeonilcheon someday?’
It implies that whether I want it or not, my fate is still intertwined with him.
I don’t know why Namgung Myung was so certain, or whether his spirit was already investigating something in the North Sea.
‘So, does that mean I’ll have to meet him again to find out?’
Currently, I find myself in a situation where I must meet Namgung Myung again to inquire about his words. Perhaps… this is a situation he deliberately orchestrated.
If not, then.
“I can’t imagine he wouldn’t have created a circumstance that would force me to act like this.”
I stepped forward, twisting my waist and swiftly sweeping my foot.
Kwa-gak-!! My foot, wrapped in powerful energy, collided with the blade of Taedo, creating a wave of force.
The wind pressure mixed with atmospheric pressure swept the snow from the ground.
Huh-!
The Black Lion, who blocked my kick, groaned lightly and momentarily backed away.
Whoosh-! A heavy attitude swung, pointing its sword tip directly at me.
“What do you think you’re doing?”
The Black Lion glared at me with burning eyes. Even under that intense gaze, I raised both my hands slightly to show him.
“Calm down, please?”
“Calm down? You just said that!”
“Yes, I heard you loud and clear. Just calm down!”
As I spoke, I extended my hand.
The moment my fist connected with the air, a sword struck that position.
Kuung-!! I smashed the blade with my fist.
The tip of my fist tingled. Clearly, my body wasn’t in the best shape.
“I told you to calm down! Goodness… .”
Despite my continuous remarks, the Black Lion seemed unable to calm down, exuding an aura filled with fighting spirit and malice.
The malice was aimed at me. The killing intent directed towards the guy lying behind me.
In the North Sea, there are no exceptions.
To the one known to me as Woohyuk.
“Do you know what you’re protecting right now?”
“I know very well.”
“Knowing that, you’re still telling me to calm down?”
“Yes.”
The rumor that Woohyuk was planning a rebellion in Bukhae had spread like wildfire.
I was also aware that this guy was already involved to some degree.
Even if there were reasons I couldn’t understand, that fact remained unchanged.
‘So, I was willing to overlook it to a certain extent, regardless of whether it was right or wrong.’
Getting punched was one thing, but getting him killed was problematic.
The Black Lion looked as if he would kill Woohyuk at any moment.
No, he would certainly do it. That malevolent aura was genuine.
That’s why I stepped in.
“If he dies here, it puts me in a difficult position. Please hold on for a bit.”
I still had questions I wanted to ask Namgung Myung. For that reason, Woohyuk couldn’t die.
“Hold on…?”
The problem is that these words made the Black Lion’s killing intent even more intense.
“I’m saying this because I know what that guy has done—!!”
A fierce roar erupted. The emotion behind his words made it even louder.
“Because of the rebellion, several warriors died, and innocent North Sea citizens caught in the chaos died! And now you want me to calm down while looking at the mastermind behind this?”
A sob seeped into his shout. I understood all too well what emotions were simmering inside the Black Lion.
But.
“Well?”
“What did you just say?”
“How many people died, and how many are involved? Why should I care?”
His feelings didn’t reach me.
I recognized that his rage was justified and righteous.
However.
“Why didn’t you handle things better from the beginning? The real issue is the fool who thought the regime could last forever thanks to the sacrifice of his kin.”
“This—!!”
The Black Lion, who was at his limit, flared his muscles.
I thought the veins in his eyes might burst from the intensity.
Yet, I felt indifferent even as I observed.
I continued speaking to the Black Lion, nudging the fallen Woohyuk with my foot.
“I understand this idiot caused an accident. But the North Sea has always been a place where it wouldn’t be strange if it collapsed at any moment.”
Perhaps it was around the time he’d met Yuri and heard tales about the princess.
And it was something I realized once I roamed around the North Sea a few times.
“The palace’s power was being managed by someone other than the princess. I noticed the finances and everything were being handled by someone else?”
It is said that she needs permission to move these resources.
However, the important part was that the princess wasn’t controlling the overall affairs but rather assigning responsibility to the internal staff, not to mention, designating specific clans rather than a division of labor.
I understood that.
“They did a great job. They must have assigned tasks to their blood relatives. But.”
I understood nonetheless.
“Power should never be exercised that way.”
If you operate like that, desires will inevitably thrive among humankind.
“That’s the nature of humans. The more they touch something grand, the more they yearn for it.”
You’ve been managing resources for how many years?
I heard that the Blue Wolf had been in charge for over a century.
An individual clan manages most of the palace’s power—not just the power within their clan.
Moreover, the princess has gladly overlooked this?
‘Couldn’t that be perceived as recognition and possibly foster loyalty?’
Looking at the facts, it was hardly the situation.
“The issue has arisen because things were allowed to deteriorate.”
Even if a rebellion occurred, what about those who participated?
At that moment, didn’t they immediately decide to follow suit upon believing they could finally act after being suppressed for so long and not betraying the princess?
It was likely a desire they had harbored.
I surmised they secretly hoped for this, which is why they had gathered so rapidly.
“When taking this into account, the princess bears some responsibility…”
“How dare you—!”
Overwhelmed by fury, the Black Lion seized his stance and sprang into the air.
As the sword slice crossed the air, it created ripples, leaving marks throughout the atmosphere.
This was an exceptional display of power.
“Tsk.”
I clicked my tongue while witnessing the Black Lion’s flight toward me.
‘I didn’t say anything incorrect.’
Learning that one family had centralized most of the power was shocking.
‘That made it utterly unsurprising that a rebellion could break out at any moment.’
Without the presence of the Ice Palace’s bloodline, the North Sea couldn’t resist the cold wind.
Had there been an alternative, wasn’t this precisely how things spiraled out of control?
Whoosh—!!
I dodged the blade and contemplated the reasons behind the success of this rebellion.
‘It was most likely because they hadn’t laid the groundwork beforehand.’
Many reasons exist, yet the fundamental issue remains that the princess lacked the capacity to manage everything.
‘Because she was preoccupied.’
She had to withstand the cold and manage the ice.
While she held the title of princess, it was all just for appearance’s sake.
Was she expected to run politics and garner public affection on top of that? She’d need to be regarded as a superhuman to pull off such feats.
‘The reality is not lined with ideals or romance.’
If unable to do so, one risks falling prey to the cunning and ruthless world around them. This is indeed the grim state of reality.
That’s why it felt so bizarre.
‘How is she still managing to hold it together?’
In such scenarios, one might think that resorting to severe measures, such as imprisoning the blood relatives and utilizing their mere presence to block the cold’s advance, would have been in order. It was indeed surprising to see that the palace was still in existence.
‘Not that I would consider resorting to such extremes.’
How can one lock away a person with a conscience and merely drain their life force?
That would only be the acts of someone crazed by power.
‘If… I’m no longer a person either.’
Regardless, it indicated that the Ice Palace was in severe trouble.
In these situations, there are some means to solidify one’s position.
Among them, if there was a simpler option, I might point to the example of the Heavenly Demon.
She could care less about power or politics.
Even while managing a plethora of followers and several generations, not a single one dared betray her; they would only offer themselves to her.
So how was that even remotely feasible? The reason is straightforward.
‘Because she was extraordinarily strong.’
Not only did her presence prevent betrayal due to her status as a demon, but even without that, her strength was so overwhelming that no one dared go against her.
That’s all there is to it.
A force so incredible that nobody can dare betray.
Otherwise, it would be beyond bearable.
There might be discussions about potentiality or excellence, but I myself couldn’t fathom such notions.
Of course… if you account for this and that.
‘Still, the one causing the rebellion is in the wrong.’
No matter how poorly the door was barricaded, in the end, it was still the thief at fault.
This is simply common sense, yet I couldn’t easily bring it up.
Boom-!! Boom-!
As I continued to block attacks, the discussion went on.
The Black Lion, who had been fueling my energy, spoke up.
“If you plan to protect Woohyuk, I’ll have to kill you too.”
His murderous intent started mixing with the energy projected in my direction.
My eyes widened as I gazed at it.
‘Now it’s starting to mix.’
I was surprised that it was delayed.
The Black Lion remained staunch, warning me that he would certainly greet me with death rather than let me live, maintaining his stance.
What a noble figure he is.
‘So that’s why he never turned against anyone until the end.’
With that thought, I managed to remark to the Black Lion, in a mocking tone.
“If push comes to shove, you could make it happen, right?”
“Even if I can’t, I cannot back down. Therefore, I will act upon it.”
“…Hmm.”
That sounds quite acceptable in many respects.
‘Pass.’
I nodded inwardly in response to his answer.
I found his reply satisfactory, and it affirmed my decision regarding my initial uncertainties.
‘I can’t just kill him.’
Initially, I intended to kill him out of sheer irritation, but it seems leaving a person like him alone might be the best course of action.
I slightly lowered my stance, channeling my energy.
As my energy began to take shape, displaying itself visibly, a sense of vigilance emerged within the Black Lion.
Now was the moment.
“Hey! Look! There’s something over there!”
He abruptly lifted his upper body, urgency etched in his expression, pointing in a direction.
The Black Lion frowned at what he saw.
“What nonsense are you pulling now? Do you think I would fall for such a trick…!”
Due to the unfolding situation, the Black Lion swallowed his exasperation.
It didn’t really matter even if it failed.
The key was to disrupt his concentration even for a brief moment.
My body was already in front of the Black Lion.
At an unexpected speed, he barely reacted.
Yeah, it was far too late. By the time the Black Lion noticed what was happening,
Thwack-!
“Huh!?”
My fist had already landed a solid hit on the Black Lion’s jaw.
One direct hit, and the Black Lion immediately lost consciousness.
Thud! His heavy body collapsed into the snow.
Watching that unfold, I let out a small sigh.
“That was close.”
Had I been even slightly late, the surprise attack would have surely failed.
While my level had certainly improved, the fact that the Black Lion, an expert martial artist, was utterly exhausted from battling against monsters allowed my sneak attack to succeed.
I took a moment to catch my breath and collect myself.
“I guess it’s all over now.”
Paejon and Seongyul, who had been watching from a distance, approached.
I couldn’t help but display a look of bewilderment as I saw them.
“Isn’t it a bit late for you to arrive? I knew you were watching. You could have simply helped me out.”
“Why should I butt into someone else’s fight? Watching it unfold is far more entertaining.”
Paejon laughed heartily.
“And besides, I doubt you were really keen on my interruption.”
“…Tsk.”
He was right.
This was something I could handle alone. I intended to tackle this matter independently, so perhaps if Paejon had jumped in, I wouldn’t have welcomed it.
I stepped forward with little hesitation.
It was where the princess was.
“Are you planning to kill her?”
The fat nobleman watching asked.
Upon hearing that, I had to exhale sharply.
“What are you even talking about? Who am I going to kill?”
The fact that a reputable figure like a Three Lord of the Orthodox Sect would say such things so nonchalantly was hard to comprehend.
‘Yet, the amusing part is, denying it is difficult.’
To speak honestly, I had originally planned to kill her.
More accurately, I didn’t care whether she lived or died; it was simply advantageous for me if the princess perished.
It would make it much easier to escape the North Sea, where chaos would likely erupt if the princess died.
I could simply whisk Woohyuk away in that confusion.
‘But now, things have kind of complicated.’
Namgung Myung’s earlier remarks were unsettling, preventing that from happening.
This was also the reason I faced the Black Lion here.
The reason for incapacitating him lay here; I didn’t have the time or capacity to detail out all the explanations, so knocking him out proved much easier.
As I shifted my focus, I felt a gaze upon me from behind.
It was likely from Paejon and Seongyul.
Paejon remained silent and just kept an intrigued eye on me.
He must have been curious about my next move.
‘Honestly, I hoped he wouldn’t see this unfold either.’
It wasn’t as if I could restrain him from witnessing it.
I began to think it was time to reveal something to the underdog.
I approached the princess, lowered my stance, and stretched out my hand.
When my palm connected with her chest, I could feel her shallow breaths.
So weak—her breathing felt so fragile as if it could cease any moment.
If left as is, it wouldn’t be long before she stopped breathing altogether.
Crackle-! A peculiar sensation started to spread through my body.
Something felt like it was freezing.
I wondered what it was for a moment, but before long, I identified it.
‘…My energy is freezing.’
The princess’s aura was freezing incredibly fast, likely due to her weakened condition.
How was I ever to save her?
From a distance, it seemed feasible, but touching it directly revealed a level of coldness unlike anything I had encountered before from Mo Yong-hee.
You want me to melt this away with heat? Is that genuinely achievable?
‘Right now, my body isn’t feeling particularly good.’
My physical condition was indeed a problem. This led me to hesitate momentarily but later reconsider, inspired by Namgung Myung’s words.
‘If he asks for my help now and later says to go to Xinjiang, it must mean I can deal with this immediately.’
Even if that’s not the case, it implies there’s a way for me to do so.
I nodded slightly and sent heat toward the princess.
Whoosh—
The heat formed deep within my heart surged and flowed from my hand into the princess’s body. Up to this point, there were no particular issues.
The warmth began to penetrate her body steadily, and gratefully, I felt the cold receding to some extent.
The challenge was.
‘It’s so slow?’
The rate at which my warmth spread emerged comparably sluggish.
It was almost excessively slow compared to the speed at which the cold was freezing her energy.
My efforts were barely enough to prevent further freezing. Was it already too late for me to make any impact?
As I attempted to infuse more heat just in case,
Whoosh-!!
“…!”
In an instant, a wave of cold air surged back from the princess’s body.
I tried to retract my hand from the icy stream.
Fsss–!!
As soon as the cold current struck me, the Demonic Absorption Technique activated uncontrollably, starting to pull that cold air toward myself.
Swish! Swish!
The Demonic Absorption force greedily fed off the cold energy, filling my own sense of strength.
Watching this unfold, it dawned on me.
‘So this kid was actually sucking it in!’
The cold didn’t just suddenly penetrate; instead, the Demonic Absorption had activated on its own to feast on the cold energy.
Thanks to that, the cold energy began accumulating gradually within a corner of my heart, and just like with the last time, my energy began purifying the cold.
‘Hmm.’
Feeling the buildup of energy within my heart, I had to wear a somewhat awkward expression.
‘Is this also a stroke of fate?’
Even before, my reserve of energy had been quite astounding, and considering the energy I was currently absorbing, I could even enhance that further.
Just in sheer volume, it’s massive, to put it bluntly.
For me, that volume could equate to the internal energy capacity of an average peak martial artist.
‘Fortunately, it seems like I can tackle the cold this way.’
Though I had my doubts about the effectiveness of this, with this method looking feasible, I would consider it a successful outcome.
What’s more, I seem to be acquiring energy in the process, making it quite a valuable gain…
Wiiinh—!!
‘Huh?’
Suddenly, I sensed an unusual occurrence.
BZZZZZZ—!!!
A bizarre sound resonated from above.
I couldn’t lift my head.
Thus, at that moment, just as I was focusing on absorbing the cold,
Boooooooom—!!!
“…!!!”
A tremendous force cascaded upon me from above.
“…Cough…!”
The immense pressure rendered me unable to even scream as I struggled to regain my focus.
‘What in the world is happening?’
I couldn’t move.
This was a state where even a scream wouldn’t escape my lips.
Given the energic transmission, if I mishandled this, I risked falling prey to demonic possession. In essence, I must endure this.
“My—!!”
“Master—!!”
The muffled shouts of Paejon and Seongyul drifted in the background.
In the meantime, I thought back.
What sort of energy was this right now?
It was hard to process this sudden situation, but instinctively, I understood.
This was the cold wave spreading through the North Sea.
The bitter chill that the ice had generated, which the bloodlines managed to suppress.
What had finally broken free as the ice collapsed.
Once I touched the cold emanating from the princess, it fused at one point and came crashing down towards me.
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