Chapter 357: I Wouldn''t Grant You A Peaceful Death

    TL: FoodieMonster007

    A Seol Clan martial artist who was being systematically dismantled by Baek Suryong yelled out a warning, "Don''t look him in the eye! He uses some bizarre evil art!"

    Baek Suryong snickered, "Evil art? You''ve got a rather keen eye yourself, don''t you?"

    Stupid bastard. Evil art, my ass. Why must these guys come up with an excuse for pissing their pants in terror?

    CLANG!

    Baek Suryong sword was parried for the first time, but he paid it no mind. Even if the ghouls somehow resisted the Heaven Defying Divine Art, his own martial arts were more than enough to overwhelm them.

    "You monster! I won''t let you run wild any longer!"

    "......" Sighing, Baek Suryong effortlessly flicked aside his opponent''s sword.

    The man''s triumphant face vanished, replaced with panic. Since he didn''t dare meet Baek Suryong''s eyes for fear of his body freezing, he instead retreated frantically, swinging his sword around wildly.

    Of course, there was no way Baek Suryong would be hit by such pathetic attacks.

    WHOOSH!

    In an instant, Baek Suryong ducked under the Seol Clan martial artist''s blade and slipped into his range. Drawing a silvery arc in the air with the Divine Azure Dragon Sword, he sliced the man''s chest open.

    "N-No...!" The man managed to follow the trajectory of the attack with his eyes, but his body couldn''t react in time.

    PWAAH!

    Blood spurted like a fountain from the collapsing enemy''s body. Thanks to the frigid energy cloaking his body, however, none of the blood touched Baek Suryong.

    PATTER, PATTER...

    Frozen in midair, the blood turned into red ice crystals that fell to the floor like hail.

    Baek Suryong immediately turned around to seek his next opponent. This time, the Seol Clan''s martial artists charged at him as a group, their eyes filled with malice.

    If you′re seeing this, you are at the wrong place.

    "Traitor! You have no idea how gracious the Empress Dowager was to take you in!"

    "How dare you betray our family!"

    "We should have known you were a coward when you said you were Seol Sinwoo''s son!"

    Baek Suryong shrugged nonchalantly. It seemed they still believed he was Seol Ryonghwi, and he didn''t bother to correct their misunderstanding.

    It will be more painful for them to think that way as they die.

    Master Eun had told him to forget the past and find happiness in the present. However, that was simply not possible for him.

    I promised her that I would try to forget, but I never said that I would forgive my enemies.

    Baek Suryong showed no mercy to the bastards who had enjoyed decades of wealth and power as a reward for luring Master Eun into a trap. With each swing of the Divine Azure Dragon Sword, screams erupted and limbs were severed.

    Ahh, their screams feel like music to my ears.

    Before he knew it, he had fallen into a trance. A cruel smile touched his lips, and a blood-red light filled his eyes. A pool of blood accumulated at his feet, splashing with every step he took.

    [Calm down! Baek Suryong!] the Divine Azure Dragon Sword screamed, sending a wave of mystical energy into her master.

    Baek Suryong paused his bloody sword dance. Fortunately, the sword''s call had jolted him back to his senses.

    If you′re seeing this, you are at the wrong place.

    "Phew..." Taking a deep breath, he lowered his sword.

    In front of him, the Seol Clan martial artists were huddled together, shivering in fear.

    "M-Monster..."

    "Why are you doing this to us...?"

    Baek Suryong stared at them blankly before turning away. He had gotten a little too carried away.

    They aren''t Master Eun''s true enemies.

    "Grand Elder. I''ll leave the rest to you," he said.

    Han Songbaek, having tended to the injured, stood up. "Execute the traitors who colluded with the Blood Cult!"

    The martial artists following him charged forward with a mighty roar. They had seen the Seol Clan martial artists use demonic arts. There was no longer any reason for them to hesitate, fearing that they might kill their own.

    "...It''s over," Baek Suryong muttered, flicking the blood from his sword onto the floor.

    Suddenly, he remembered something and glanced at Han Songbaek. [Don''t kill all of them. We need proof that the Seol Clan learned demonic arts. We also need to interrogate them to find out how deeply they''re involved with the Blood Cult.]

    [Don''t worry.] Nodding slightly, Han Songbaek imbued his voice with inner qi and bellowed, "ALL REBELS, KNEEL!"

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    One by one, the Seol Clan elders dropped their weapons and knelt. The battle had already been decided. Baek Suryong had killed most of those who had resisted fiercely, and the Ice Palace''s martial artists were swiftly finishing off the stragglers.

    For those still alive and sane, death or surrender were the only remaining choices.

    "Take them prisoner!" Han Songbaek commanded.

    Baek Suryong turned his attention to the two peerless masters clashing within the blizzard.

    KWAKWAKWAKWAKWA!

    That place was a whole other world. The divine might displayed by the two women was by no means inferior to that of the Central Plains'' Ten Supremes. Half of the spacious Royal Court was in ruins, the result of fragments of enhanced qi that occasionally shot out through the blizzard. It was a wonder the ceiling hadn''t collapsed yet.

    RUUUMBLE...!

    Sensing the gathered presences outside the Royal Court, it seemed that by now, the entire North Sea Ice Palace had noticed the commotion.

    "Grand Elder, please calm the people outside as well," Baek Suryong reminded Han Songbaek.

    There would be tremendous backlash, but with the Seol Clan''s leaders dead or captured, subduing the rest of the clan shouldn''t be too difficult.

    Han Songbaek nodded. His eyes, though, kept wandering back to the snowstorm. Although he knew that Eun Hwiryong wanted to execute Seol Suryeon alone, he couldn''t help but worry about her.

    He began, "Uhm, about the Empress..."

    "I know you want to help her, but can you even fight properly in that blizzard?" Baek Suryong quickly interjected.

    "...It would be difficult," Han Songbaek answered honestly.

    The blizzard was the result of two supreme masters of the White Ice Divine Art clashing, creating a synergistic effect. Without mastering the complete White Ice Divine Art, even the Ice Palace''s strongest elders wouldn''t last fifteen minutes in there.

    No, even if they could endure it, they wouldn''t be of any help. Given their skills, it would be fortunate if they did not get in the way.

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    Accepting reality, Han Songbaek sighed heavily, "...I understand. What will you do?"

    "I will remain here and watch them," Baek Suryong replied.

    Han Songbaek nodded. He knew how powerful this young man in front of him was.

    The Azure Dragon Hero. One of the current Ten Supremes of the Central Plains.

    Before the battle, Baek Suryong had revealed his true identity to Eun Hwiryong and him. Normally, news about masters in the Central Plains never reached the remote North Sea, yet he had heard of the Azure Dragon Hero.

    Who would have thought that the famous Azure Dragon Hero, the archenemy of the Blood Cult who reached the pinnacle of the Central Plains at a young age, would actually be the successor to the Ice Moon Goddess? Yerin, you sure raised a remarkable student.

    He regarded his old friend''s student with a serious expression.

    "I leave the Empress in your care," he said solemnly, then led his allies and the captured Seol Clan martial artists out of the Royal Court.

    Almost immediately, an uproar erupted outside the doors.

    The Divine Azure Dragon Sword trembled worriedly. [Is it alright not to go with them? If you persuade them to surrender, there will be far less resistance from the Seol Clan.]

    Baek Suryong shook his head. "That might be true for now, but everyone will eventually find out that Seol Ryonghwi is a fake."

    To avoid unnecessary confusion later, it was best to tackle the situation properly from the beginning. From now on, he would leave it to the people of the North Sea Ice Palace to resolve matters among themselves.

    "And besides... that fight over there is far more important," he added, turning his attention back to the blizzard.

    Narrowing his eyes, he closely observed Seol Suryeon''s movements. The battle between her and Eun Hwiryong was growing increasingly brutal. Right now, the blizzard had intensified to the point that even with the Blood Demon Eyes, he could only vaguely make out the shapes of the two fighters.

    "...I''m sure of it now."

    Baek Suryong''s eyes flashed. Finally, everything clicked into place. He understood why he''d felt a sense of incongruity with Seol Suryeon''s martial arts.

    It was the New Moon White Ice Dance.

    He didn''t know how she had learned it. Perhaps the Blood Cult had shared their version of the White Ice Divine Art with her, or perhaps she had mastered it herself after observing their test subjects.

    "...You sold Master Eun to the Blood Cult, and yet you have the gall to learn her martial arts?"

    Even if it wasn''t the full New Moon White Ice Dance, since Seol Suryeon already knew the authentic White Ice Divine Art, she was able to learn at least part of Eun Yerin''s unique variation without side effects.

    If you′re seeing this, you are at the wrong place.

    Baek Suryong placed his hand on the hilt of his sword and quietly glared at Seol Suryeon. A wave of pure fury washed over him, sweeping away his distractions and leaving his mind eerily calm and clear.

    "Fucking bitch. You''d better pray you die at the hands of the Empress. If it was me... I wouldn''t grant you a peaceful death."

    KWAKWAKWAKWAKWAKWA!

    A fierce arctic gale raged. Snowflakes flew in all directions, each one as sharp as a throwing star. Not even a rock that had stood for a thousand years could withstand such an terrible hailstorm.

    "Is this all you can do even with the help of two divine artifacts?"

    "You should look at yourself in the mirror, old vixen. Don''t you think you''re being too arrogant considering how shabby you currently appear?"

    The two strongest martial masters of the North Sea glared daggers at each other. Eun Hwiryong''s splendid fur robes and Seol Suryeon''s magnificent royal gown now lay in tatters, stained with frozen blood. Nevertheless, the two women exuded the same intensity as before.

    Their eyes glowing white, they clashed again, dancing in the heart of the blizzard.

    KWAKWAKWAKWAKWANG!

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    The battle resembled a clash of celestial gods. Thunder roared each time the two women''s enhanced qi collided. With every impact, an icy explosion erupted, and dozens of swirling vortexes surrounded the two.

    This was the domain of supreme masters, a space where inferior beings were not permitted to enter.

    Still, the two women kept up their war of words.

    "Child of the Eun Clan. How pathetic can you be, relying on mere artifacts to face me?"

    "No more pathetic than the old vixen of the Seol Clan, that''s for sure. I could fill this hall with the elixirs you''ve consumed at every meal."

    Seol Suryeon had more experience and inner qi, but Eun Hwiryong had more refined techniques and a steadfast will. Additionally, the divine artifacts of the North Sea Ice Palace lent her their strength.

    CLANG! BOOM!

    The Royal Court shook with each explosion. There was no room for distraction for either combatant, as even a momentary lapse in concentration could result in a severed limb.

    "Damn it..."

    Over time, Seol Suryeon grew increasingly dismayed. Eun Hwiryong was far more powerful than she had realized. She must have been hiding her true strength until now.

    This can''t be happening.

    As if that weren''t bad enough, her heightened senses as a supreme master made her aware of her surroundings whether she liked it or not. Familiar presences were disappearing, an indication that many martial artists of the Seol Clan had perished.

    "I was so close! So close to obtaining everything...!"

    The whites of Seol Suryeon''s eyes turned vivid red as the delicate blood vessels inside them burst. She still couldn''t believe the situation she was in.

    The Jade Throne of the North Sea Ice Palace was right before her. Although she had stepped down from it once before, she had never considered herself to have truly relinquished her power.

    I am the queen of this eternal, immutable kingdom!

    Eun Hwiryong snorted derisively. "Old vixen of the Seol Clan. Because of your foolish, stubborn obsession, countless people have shed tears of blood. Your sins must be paid in hell!"

    "Shut up!"

    Knowing that the current Empress was no match for her in close combat, Seol Suryeon thrust her palms at Eun Hwiryong. Nonetheless, Eun Hwiryong did not dodge the attack, instead swinging her sword to meet it.

    CLAAAAANG!!!

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    As expected, Eun Hwiryong was sent stumbling backward by the force of the clash. Sensing an opportunity, Seol Suryeon immediately pressed the attack.

    VWOOONG!

    At that moment, however, the White Ice Bangle on Eun Hwiryong''s left wrist slipped off and sped toward Seol Suryong, revolving so rapidly that it surpassed the sharpness of even the finest hidden weapons.

    SWISH!

    "KYAAAAAAAK!"

    A piercing scream erupted as the White Ice Bangle grazed Seol Suryeon''s right eye. In a frenzy, she unleashed the White Ice Divine Palm in all directions and retreated hastily.

    Eun Hwiryong smiled triumphantly. This was her trump card.

    Seol Suryeon panicked. A waterfall of blood was streaming from her injured eye, but she had lost more than just an eye in that exchange. Due to the characteristics of the White Ice Bangle, intense cold energy seeped through the wound, destroying her optic nerve, penetrating her body, and damaging her internal organs.

    "Keuaaaargh! You accursed Eun Clan wench!" she shrieked.

    "Kneel and confess your sins to everyone. If you do that, I will allow you to say your last words," Eun Hwiryong said. Despite her bravado, however, her face was as pale as a sheet. She too had sustained severe internal injuries.

    "You impertinent bitch...!"

    ROAAAAAR!

    A vastly more powerful surge of inner qi erupted from Seol Suryeon, whipping her gown about so violently that the fabric seemed on the verge of shredding.

    "Enough! I will take your head and annihilate the Eun Clan myself!" Grinning evilly, Seol Suryeon dug out her injured right eye. "I should have wiped out your kind sixty years ago... but it is not too late. I can still do it today."

    Eun Hwiryong eyes widened in disbelief. "How do you still have so much strength...?"

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    This didn''t make any sense. Seol Suryeon should have been struggling even to stand properly.

    Wait... don''t tell me?

    "You learned demonic arts? You, who was once Empress of the North Sea Ice Palace? Have you truly sold your pride to the devil?"

    "...Who are you to lecture me?"

    WHOOSH!

    Before Eun Hwiryong knew it, Seol Suryeon''s palm strike was bearing down on her heart. She hastily raised the White Ice Divine Sword to block, but couldn''t fully fend off the powerful blow.

    BOOM! CRASH!

    Eun Hwiryong was sent flying over a hundred feet and crashed into a wall. Falling to her knees, she coughed up blood. "Ugh..."

    The blizzard slowly subsided, and Seol Suryeon, her hair disheveled, emerged from it. Blood dripped from the eye socket where she had gouged out her own eye.

    "Yes, it''s still not too late... I will kill all who oppose me and restore order to the North Sea," she mumbled to herself.

    "No, it''s already too late," Baek Suryong said firmly, blocking her path.

    Seol Suryeon''s face contorted like a fearsome demon. White ice qi gathered ominously in her hands. "YOU! Who are you really?!" she screeched.

    Seol Ryonghwi''s facial muscles distorted and returned to their original state, revealing Baek Suryong''s true face. Raising his sword, he aimed it at Seol Suryeon. At the same time, a formidable aura radiated from his whole body.

    Smiling coldly, Baek Suryong declared, "Listen well. The one who will send you to hell... is Baek Suryong, the disciple of the Ice Moon Goddess Eun Yerin."

    Seol Suryeon''s sole remaining eye widened so much it looked as though it would pop out of its socket.