Chapter 302: To the Murim Alliance (4)

Seol Baek licked the blade of the Blood Demon Sword with her tongue as if seducing it.

She might not know, but I could hear the strange moaning sound from the Blood Demon Sword.

—Keh heh heh.

…This bastard. He criticized the Namcheon Iron Sword so much, and yet...

He's no different.

Normally, if someone even touched him, he would rampage with overflowing blood energy. But now, when Seol Baek licked him with her tongue, he stayed still like he was enjoying it.

I took the sword away from her.

—Aah…

The Blood Demon Sword moaned in disappointment, seemingly regretful.

Seol Baek looked up at me and licked her own lips with her tongue.

She's clearly trying to seduce me.

"Are you sure about the information you just gave me?"

To my question, Seol Baek replied with a smile.

"If I say I stake the honor of the North Sea Ice Palace and my life on it, will you believe me?"

Her eyes didn't waver in the slightest.

It didn't seem like a lie.

It really seemed like she wanted to break away from the Golden Emperor.

She wouldn't easily disclose such confidential information otherwise.

—Keh heh heh. Isn't there an old saying among humans, that a man should have three wives and four concubines? Take this human woman too, and bear many children to prosper our Blood Sect.

'…'

You're missing something. Her goal is to restore the North Sea Ice Palace.

If she has children, they'll be raised as heirs of the Ice Palace, not of the Blood Sect. What do you mean by "take her"?

—Then just absorb the North Sea Ice Palace into the Blood Sect. Simple, isn't it?

'…'

You must really like Seol Baek.

You're showing a rare moment of cleverness.

At that moment, Seol Baek stood up with a suggestive expression and walked toward me.

I almost stepped back instinctively.

"I've proven I can be trusted. Now it's time you pay the price."

"Price?"

"I can't be the only one giving. I gave you this valuable information — you're not planning to just take it for free, are you?"

"The most important information is..."

"I said I'd give that only if you give me what I want."

Her words made me inwardly uncomfortable.

Judging by her aura, she wouldn't care even if this was a place drenched in blood and ruins.

I never imagined a woman could be this terrifying after Baek Hye-hyang.

—You don't really have a choice. Just accept it.

The Blood Demon Sword seemed to be thoroughly enjoying the situation.

As it said, if I just gave in and accepted her, I could learn the enemy's whereabouts.

Seol Baek exhaled softly and spoke.

"Haa… You have no idea how long I've waited for this moment."

She came right up to me.

I stretched my palm out as a sign to not come any closer.

"Are you absolutely sure that the Golden Emperor—"

Before I could finish, she suddenly launched herself at me.

More precisely, she threw her face at mine.

I could've avoided it — but I didn't.

If giving her what she wanted would let me get what I wanted, then so be it.

Seol Baek's lips aimed straight for mine.

—Sshk!

The moment our lips touched, an intense chill ran through me.

Even though she was suppressing her power, it was far beyond what I felt during our last kiss.

I quickly shifted to the "Seoleumji" internal energy technique.

A cold qi rose inside me, and her lips no longer felt freezing.

"Haa…"

Noticing this, Seol Baek's lips curled into a smile.

Then, with our lips still touching, she slid her tongue into my mouth.

At the moment, I was in the form of Baek Ryeon-ha, but she didn't seem to care one bit.

—A white-haired beauty and a red-haired beauty kissing... What a rare and fascinating sight.

The Blood Demon Sword's mocking voice echoed in my head.

But with her tongue intertwining with mine, I couldn't focus on anything but the sensation.

Seol Baek, as if releasing all the desire she had held back, let her passion explode.

Her saliva overflowed, soaking my lips.

"Haa… Haa…"

Her face flushed red, she boldly grabbed my chest.

Since I was in a woman's body through the "Transformation Art," the sensation was strange.

Seol Baek mumbled while squeezing my chest.

"They're big. Is this your type?"

What do you mean type?

I just perfectly recreated Baek Ryeon-ha's appearance.

Seol Baek brought her lips close to my ear and whispered excitedly.

"Haa… The woman's form isn't bad, but I want to see your real self."

Why did that sound so erotic?

If I weren't in a transformed body, certain parts of me would've definitely reacted.

She rubbed against me, and as her clothes were torn by my sword's energy, I could feel her bare skin pressing against mine.

"Hyuuk…"

A moan escaped her lips.

Her hand slowly moved downward, without hesitation.

"Haa… Haa… Or should we just do it like this? I don't mind."

'!?'

No, I mind!

It wasn't just about feeling aroused — I was getting chills.

Then, in that brief moment, a good idea flashed through my mind.

I regretted not thinking of it sooner.

I grabbed both of her arms and forcibly pushed her away.

"What's this?"

Seol Baek furrowed her pretty brows.

She looked like someone who had just been denied pleasure.

"How about I introduce you to someone else who can meet your expectations?"

"Someone else?"

She looked confused.

Understandable — she'd spent over 300 years looking for a man who could handle her, only to fail.

I said to her:

"There's someone with a constitution that can withstand your yin energy."

"Someone who can withstand it?"

"There's someone suffering from Solar Vessel Disorder."

At my words, her expression turned peculiar.

I thought she'd show interest, but she didn't.

With a flat tone, she replied:

"You have a man with the best seed right in front of you, and you're offering someone with an illness? Hah!"

She scoffed, dumbfounded.

She clearly preferred the 'treat in front of her' over some mystery substitute.

"But because he suffers from Solar Vessel Disorder, you might be of help to him too. And I'm confident in his lineage."

"Confident in his lineage?"

—Human, don't tell me you mean that prince brat?

Yeah, that's right.

The Prince of the Great Yeon Empire — Gyeongwang.

In terms of lineage, it doesn't get better than that.

Though that doesn't necessarily mean he's the best martial artist...

At my words, Seol Baek narrowed her eyes slightly in thought.

But only for a moment.

Then she looked at me in disappointment and said:

"I've waited over 300 years thinking only of you, and now you say you're not the one?"

Hearing that she's thought of me for three centuries is incredibly overwhelming.

Now that I've found someone else who can fulfill her needs, I don't need to match her expectations anymore.

"I already have a woman I've promised to spend my life with."

—You mean women, right?

The Blood Demon Sword chimed in cluelessly.

I ignored it and continued.

"You may have thought about me for 300 years, but I haven't thought about you even once."

She looked up at me with wide eyes and asked:

"Am I really that unattractive?"

She usually wore a cold, icy expression. I wasn't sure why she now looked like a pitiful kitten.

It made me feel unnecessarily guilty.

I sighed and said:

"…It's not that you're unattractive."

"Really?"

At my words, her face brightened a little.

She may be over 300 years old, but her actions were no different from a girl in love.

She doesn't even know my real face. Is this even possible?

Was that kiss really so deeply imprinted on her?

I couldn't understand her feelings.

"...Anyway, that person can give you what you want too."

She pouted and said:

"Am I that much of a burden to you?"

"I told you, that's not what I meant."

Seol Baek, still baffled, replied:

"You're very different from any man I've ever known. If I were a man, and had your level of skill, I'd be desperate to have a woman as beautiful as me."

"....."

She has quite a high opinion of herself.

You can tell by how naturally she says such embarrassing things out loud.

Let's take it as proof that she knows how beautiful she is.

—What a narcissist.

Yeah, in crude terms, that's what it seems like.

Seolbaek continued speaking.

"I said I would abandon him purely because of you. I made that choice because you're his enemy. But if you told me who the substitute was, I'd realize there was no need to make that choice in the first place, right?"

At her words, I involuntarily narrowed my eyes.

She scoffed and said,

"Does that bother you?"

This woman was subtly aware of her own worth.

Even with her life in my hands, she was slowly steering the situation in her favor. She was wiser than I expected.

Indeed, someone worthy of catching the Golden Emperor's eye.

—A warrior of this caliber willingly throws herself into a human's arms, and you, worrying about how your other companions would react, consider giving her up? You're unbelievably foolish.

You're not entirely wrong.

The woman before me certainly has that kind of value.

But I don't take a woman just out of greed.

If that were the case, I would already have countless women as concubines.

I only desire those I'm emotionally drawn to.

—Of all the Blood Demons I've known, you're the strangest.

I'll admit that.

Baek Hyeyang fits the image of a Blood Demon you're familiar with better.

But I don't think I need to conform to everyone's idea of what a Blood Demon should be.

I'll live the way I want.

—Suit yourself.

His tone was gruff, but there was more warmth than before.

Anyway, I spoke to Seolbaek.

"The Golden Emperor is a man fated to die by my hand. As long as you're not under him, I don't care how you live. But if you stand in my way, I won't forgive you—regardless of that."

At my words, her expression turned strange.

She had every reason to be angry or upset, but I couldn't tell what she was thinking.

She stared at me and said,

"Hearing that makes me feel defiant."

"Defiant?"

"I used to think that rebuilding the palace was my sole purpose in life. I swore to live only for that."

"Then live by that vow."

"No. Somehow, I no longer want to live only by that vow. I have feelings too."

"What?"

"I don't just want your seed. I want you."

"....."

What is she, a contrarian frog?

I was dumbfounded.

"I told you already. I—"

She held out her hand and cut me off.

"I understood. You love another woman."

"And you still say things like that?"

"Is it a crime to be honest about my feelings?"

"You're driving me crazy."

The words slipped out of my mouth.

Looking at me, Seolbaek said with slight regret,

"Well, as you said, a relationship isn't something that can happen just because one person wants it."

Is she giving up?

I asked,

"Then, are you accepting my offer?"

"I'll accept it halfway. I have my standards too. If the person you introduce doesn't meet them, I won't reveal anything about the Golden Emperor."

"Ha!"

I was stunned.

I brought the Blood Demon Sword back to her neck and coldly said,

"Sorry, but I'm not interested in bargaining like that. I can't leave the Golden Emperor unchecked any longer."

At my words, she leaned her neck even closer to the sword.

"Then kill me."

"...."

This woman is really putting me in a bind.

Aside from information about the Golden Emperor, I've gotten plenty of useful intel from her.

If I can't get the one thing I want, killing her might actually be the better option.

"You think I won't do it?"

"....It wouldn't be so bad to die at the hands of the first man I've ever wanted."

Her words made my hand lose strength.

I felt drained.

"You're not going to rebuild Bukhae Ice Palace?"

"I will."

"Yet you're gambling your life?"

"Because it's worth that much."

She looked straight at me as she said it.

Her determination to have me was clear as day.

So in the end, I withdrew the Blood Demon Sword.

"Fine. Then if that man fits your standards, will you give up on me?"

"I'll decide when the time comes."

"Give me a clear answer."

"Right now, my heart leans completely toward you. Do you really think someone else could catch my eye so easily?"

She was so honest it gave me a headache.

No helping it.

Arguing further would only be exhausting.

I'll just have to hope Prince Gyeong suits her taste.

—Think that'll work?

Whose side are you even on?

At my question, the Blood Demon Sword chuckled quietly.

Anyway, the destination was set.

Whether to meet Prince Gyeong or stop whatever the Golden Emperor was plotting through the Martial Alliance—I had to head to Wuhan.

"Follow me."

At those words, the corners of Seolbaek's lips lifted slightly.

Those predatory eyes aimed at prey...

...This is going to be a rough journey.

---

---

A damp, dark cavern chamber.

Inside, dozens of people had gathered.

One of them looked up at a massive black, glossy boulder blocking the ceiling and asked,

"Can you break it, Right Guardian?"

The one asking was Left Guardian Ha Jong-il of the Blood Sect.

In his hand was a broken saber.

It had been forged from black steel, but even that couldn't withstand the hardness of this massive boulder and snapped.

In response, a muscular giant of a man said,

"How would I know? Lord Mankayeong has reached composition, and this old man has restored his inner power to the eighth star, so maybe it's possible."

"You just can't bring yourself to say 'master,' huh?"

Fist Demon Jang Mun-ryang clicked his tongue at Song Jwabaek.

"Ugh, that 'master' stuff again…"

"Ugh, so frustrating. Once I fully recover, I'll fix that disrespectful tongue of yours."

"Then recover your energy first before talking."

Everyone watching seemed used to this back-and-forth and barely reacted.

In truth, they just wanted to escape this place.

"Damn boulder."

"It's called a Demonstone."

"Whatever it is, it's still just a rock. Why nitpick?"

"You complaining even when I correct you, punk?"

The boulder sealing their only exit was known as a Demonstone.

Its composition was unknown, but it was harder than black steel and could even absorb the inner energy of martial masters.

Left Guardian Ha Jong-il, an expert of the highest tier, had struck it all day with his saber and left only a tiny dent.

With a sigh, Ha Jong-il spoke to the two disciples.

"Hoo… Let's stop the bickering. We have to succeed this time."

"You said it."

"With your powers now restored, we have a chance."

They had tried breaking it together a month ago.

Destroying the giant rock was nearly impossible—but they had managed to lift it slightly for a moment.

Now, their chances were better.

"Damn Mad God. When I get out, I'll rip that bastard to shreds."

"....That's my line."

Ha Jong-il agreed.

They had fallen into a trap set by the Mad God of Noklim and ended up in this cave.

It had taken two weeks for them to realize they were inside the Demonstone Cavern—one of the three forbidden zones of Murim, hidden in northern Sichuan.

Though they endured many hardships for months, they had survived.

"...So... hungry…"

Song Jwabaek looked at his younger brother, Song Woo-hyeon.

He had a strong appetite but had survived eating nothing but worms and rats.

"I'll let you eat your fill once we're out. So give it all you've got."

Woo-hyeon nodded.

All of them—sect guards, Song brothers, Jang Mun-ryang—placed their hands on the Demonstone, filled with resolve.

This time, they would break free.

Ha Jong-il shouted,

"On the count of three, pour your energy into it!"

"Why not just say 'on three'? You always say 'one, two, three' and push by yourself."

"...Just understand already."

Ha Jong-il scolded the grumbling Song Jwabaek.

Still, they'd all grown close through shared hardship.

"All right then, one! Two!…"

Just as he was about to shout "three"—

—Crack! Zzzzt!

Suddenly, a sharp energy surged from the Demonstone, and the immovable boulder split in a cross pattern.

"Gasp!"

"E-Everyone, back!"

They leapt back in shock.

Rumble—Crash! Crash!

The rock that sealed them so firmly split and collapsed to the ground.

They stared, wide-eyed.

They had no idea what had just happened.

"It's... open!"

But as light poured through the opening, everyone rushed out with their qinggong.

"Huh?"

"Th-this…"

They didn't even have time to enjoy fresh air.

All around them were corpses—bandits of Nokrim.

"All dead."

"Who did this?"

Each had been killed with a single strike.

As they stared in disbelief, Jang Mun-ryang saw someone.

"Wolak Sword?"

A pale-faced middle-aged man with a mustache stood with a sword behind his back.

It was none other than Sama Chak, the Wolak Sword.

Only then did Jang Mun-ryang realize who had split the Demonstone.

'His swordsmanship really is beyond belief.'

A true master.

"Sama Lady!"

Song Jwabaek recognized the stunning beauty next to him and shouted.

It was Sama Yeong.

She ran to him and greeted him warmly.

"Song Guardian! You're alive!"

She had worried they might have died trapped in the Demonstone Cavern.

"You wouldn't believe how we survived in that damned cave…"

"I'm so glad. But let's talk on the way down the mountain."

At her words, Song Jwabaek couldn't hide his disappointment.

"We just got out—why are you in such a rush?"

Sama Yeong looked sharply toward the southeast and said in a nervous voice,

"I have a bad feeling. I think we need to hurry back to Lord Unhwi."

"Huh?"

Song Jwabaek had no idea what was going on.