Absolute Regression - Chapter 407



Only Noblemtl

Episode 407: If you prepare, I will prepare too.

I was drinking tea in Daru and watching people passing by.

People walked along the snow-covered road without slipping. Just like people living under the sandstorms of the West Sea, the people of the North Sea were living with the snow.

The person I was supposed to meet here was someone I was meeting for the first time today, so I didn’t know if someone passing by would suddenly come in and sit in front of me.

The reason I wore a hat so that I wouldn’t be noticed by others was not to hide myself, but because of the person I was meeting. He was a man whose life depended on secrecy.

How long was it like that?

A middle-aged man sat down casually in front of me.

“Oh my, it’s cold.”

The ordinary man with a kind face was the head of Eunwol’s North Sea branch.

All of Tongcheon-gak and Eunwol’s intelligence was currently concentrated in Bukhyeolmun and Bukhae Ice Palace, but Eunwol contacted them to say that there was something urgent to report. It was something that could have been relayed by telegram from afar, but I wanted to meet the person in charge.

“Have a cup of warm tea first. Thank you for your hard work.”

He poured tea into his cup. He wanted to give his hard-working subordinate a cup of warm tea, even if he couldn’t give him alcohol.

It would have been better if we had alcohol, but the reason we chose Daru instead of the guest house was because of drunkenness. I told Hanseol that we would drink next time, but I also decided not to drink until drunkenness has taken hold.

While I was pouring tea, the man quickly sent a message.

-Bukhyeolmun Lee Gongja Yang Jung has died.

It was unexpected news. It was expected that Yang Joong would be pushed out of the successor position because of this incident.

But he died? I remembered the polite face of the Bukhyeolmunju who had invited me.

‘He was much more ruthless than he looked.’

What on earth are you planning, killing your own children?

There are many reasons for death that can be given. Since it was the death of the son of the Lord of the North Blood Gate, there would be no one to investigate the cause of death.

This report made one thing clear.

That the North Blood Gate is connected to the Blood King.

If not, this matter would not have been dealt with so hastily, even to the point of killing a child.

-Now, pay attention to the movements of the eldest son of the Bukhyeolmun clan.

– We will report any special movements as soon as they are detected.

-Thank you.

The man left first.

I stayed for a while to drink the remaining tea and then left Daru.

As I opened the door and came out, this thought suddenly occurred to me.

The name Bukhyeolmun was chosen by fate.

The door that will guide me to the Blood King.

Oh, Blood King. Do you know that? The north gate is the gate to the underworld.

* * *

When Geommu-geuk returned, Chwi-ma brought good news.

“I found out why he killed that guy.”

When the sword dance came back, I didn’t tell Ian and Hanseol because I wanted to tell everyone in front of them.

“I knew our Lord would find out.”

In front of Hanseol, Geommugeuk treated Chwima as a demon king, not as a brother.

Now that everyone is gathered, Chwima reveals how he found out.

“First of all, I looked into the letters she had exchanged recently, believing that the content related to alcohol was certain. Most of the conversations we had were about alcohol.”

Since it was a letter collected by Wonju, it was natural that he read the letter he had sent. That was why it was so difficult to find clues.

“Then I found this passage.”

Chwima showed me a passage.

-I want to try some fragrant snow ice wine too.

Hyangseol Bingju was a liquor that Geommugeuk and Ian had never heard of before. On the other hand, Hanseol knew a lot about Hyangseol Bingju.

“Hyangseolbingju is not just an ordinary liquor, it is a liquor with special effects.”

“What effect?”

“It’s a drink that helps you endure the cold. Normally, when you drink alcohol, your body gets warmer and you feel less cold, but this Hyangseolbingju has a great effect.”

Chwima also knew well about the efficacy of Hyangseolbingju. And the moment he saw the word Hyangseolbingju, one thing came to mind.

“This time, the constitution they were looking for was extreme retardation, right?”

Extreme cold and ice skating. They both had something in common: they were both able to withstand the cold.

“Isn’t that a coincidence?”

Geommugeuk and Ian nodded.

At that time, Hanseol raised a question.

“Isn’t that enough reason to say that Wonju died?”

“Right, that’s right.”

The obedient admission of drunkenness added another decisive reason.

“As far as I know, Hyangseolbingju is a liquor that can only be made with permission from the Ice Palace.”

“That’s right. Alcohol with special effects requires permission from the palace.”

“But when I looked into the past liquor production at Baekjuseolwon earlier, there was nothing about Hyangseolbingju.”

“You said there wasn’t any? That can’t be possible?”

If so, it was definitely suspicious.

“You secretly made it for someone.”

Chuma also agreed with Geommugeuk’s speculation.

“The fact that she told me that means she had no idea that the liquor would be put to bad use. She probably asked someone she knew well. Someone she could trust.”

It was a guess I could make, knowing her well.

“Did he tell you who asked him to make it?”

Chwima shook his head and expressed his regret.

“I didn’t tell you that much. I told you that it was my first time making Hyangseolbingju and that it was a really good experience, and I told you that I wanted to try it.”

“You found the answer with just that phrase. That’s amazing.”

Geommu-geuk praised Chwi-ma. He didn’t just say it, he really praised him. Chwi-ma was definitely a smarter person than he thought.

“It seems like my head is spinning because I don’t drink alcohol!”

Smiling at Chwima’s joke, Geommugeuk looked at Hanseol.

Hanseol could tell what Geommugeuk wanted.

“I’ll find out who asked me to make some Hyangseolbingju.”

I answered, but I wondered if I could actually find out. If I had made it without the palace’s permission, I would have thoroughly hidden the process. Did I read her mind?

“Move with Ian.”

Hanseol rejected the offer to perform the Geommugeuk.

“It’s easier to research on my own.”

It’s burdensome enough to sleep together in the same room. And to walk around together during the day? That’s unpleasant.

“I know.”

“But why are you doing this?”

“I wonder if you are in danger.”

It was an unexpected reason not only for Hanseol, but also for Ian and Chwima.

“Are you worried about my safety as the Princess of the Ice Palace?”

Then Geommugeuk relayed the news he had just learned.

“Yang Joong is dead.”

The most surprised person was Ian.

“He died? Why?”

“I guess he was also a tail to the Bukhyeolmunju.”

That saying said it all.

He deserved to die anyway, since he had tricked so many people into coming here and then killed them in experiments. However, it was surprising that the person who killed him was his father.

Han Seol was surprised, but her surprise was not because of Yang Joong’s death. She was surprised because Geommu Geuk knew about his death before she did.

‘You have more information than us? Here in the North Sea, of all places? Does your mother know about this news?’

Geommugeuk warned Hanseol, who was momentarily distracted.

“You must never let your guard down. The children of the Bukhyeolmun clan will die within the Bukhyeolmun clan, that is the essence of this fight.”

To put it broadly, it meant that there was a fight within the North Sea Ice Palace where the Ice Palace Lord’s blood relatives could die.

“So move with Ian.”

Hanseol felt an irresistible authority in the gaze of the swordsman looking at her. It was not an overbearing attitude. It was a compulsion that came from a heart that truly cared for her.

“Yeah.”

Hanseol didn’t refuse anymore. This was the first time she had felt this kind of tension while living as the daughter of the Ice Palace Lord.

The swordsman looked at Ian. There was no need to speak, nod, or nod. She would take care of herself. A glance was enough.

As the two women left the room, only Geommugeuk and Chwima remained.

“They are looking for a way to endure the extreme cold. Why? Are they trying to learn some kind of sailor we don’t know? Or are they plotting something related to the North Sea Ice Palace?”

At Chwima’s question, Geommugeuk stood up from his seat.

“I have a place to go. Hyung, secretly watch over Ian and the princess.”

“Where are you going all of a sudden?”

Geommugeuk said with an incomprehensible smile.

“I’m also trying to prepare for the cold.”

“What are you talking about?”

Leaving the curious Chuma behind, Geommugeuk also left the room.

“Answer me and go! Hurry up! I told you I’m sensitive because I don’t drink, right?”

* * *

It was something I absolutely could not tell you even if I wanted to answer. I had come to deal with matters related to my life before returning.

The place I arrived at in an instant by speedboat was Seolsan Mountain.

Among the vast snow-capped mountains, it was Daepunggok (大風谷), the coldest and most windy place in the world.

Wheeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeing.

A terrifyingly strong wind blew through the valley. It was a valley of winds that even masters who had mastered martial arts were said to be unable to pass through. It was a place where winds that tore human bones and flesh apart blew. In addition, the wind blew into the snow, making it difficult to see.

The people of Bukhae also called the wind here the mad killing wind. It was literally a crazy wind, a wind of death. It was so cold and fierce that even if you raised your internal energy to protect yourself, it was not easy to pass through the valley. It was truly a mystery created by nature.

After hearing the theory that they were looking for a way to prepare for the cold, I finally realized that it was time to come here.

Before returning, when I was searching for Dafa materials, I went to all sorts of places. When I came across a place like this, I went in there even more tenaciously.

Because I’ve come this far.

Oh man, I really don’t think I could live that life again.

Wheeeeeeeeing.

I continued walking into the valley, pushing through the wind.

The further we went in, the stronger the wind became.

The wind was blowing so fiercely that it seemed as if it would even tear apart the self-defense equipment, and it was really not easy to get inside because I had to use my strength just to avoid being blown away.

‘It was around here.’

As I entered, I went into a gap in the right wall. It was a space where I could hide for a very short time to avoid the wind outside.

At that time, I also hid my body like this.

It was probably fate. It was at a time when I was always looking around, that I discovered that there was a passage leading to another place at the end of this gap.

There was another gap in a place that was completely invisible to the naked eye. It was a narrow gap behind a thick vine blocking the way.

It didn’t look like something I wanted to go in at all. I just thought that if I went in and got stuck I’d probably die.

I went inside. I kept going in there, barely enough for one person to pass through.

After passing through there, a slightly wider space appeared.

It was as if I had come to another world, where sunlight came in and grass and trees grew. Outside, a cold wind was blowing, but here, a stream flowed. A place where you can feel the mystery of the ancient times.

“It’s been a while.”

There was a tree in the middle of them. White fruit was hanging on that tree. It looked like a block of ice was hanging there. This was the elixir that was passed down like a legend.

Eternal snow fruit.

It allowed one to gain much more internal energy than the Everlasting Ginseng, and it also had one more amazing effect.

Not only did he become resistant to the cold, he could easily accept any cold energy. Not only that, he could block attacks that contained extremely cold internal energy.

For example, even if he was hit by Han Bing Jang (寒氷掌), it meant that his blood vessels would not be damaged by the cold air. Conversely, he could learn Han Bing Jang more easily than anyone else.

With the Cheon-gi-dan obtained from the former Poison King, he became invincible in both cold and heat. This elixir, along with the Eternal Snow, was a specialized elixir for blocking the cold. If the two elixirs were combined, he would be able to overcome even extreme cold that exceeded his limits.

I never took the Eternal Snow Fruit in my life before I returned.

The cold energy contained in the Everlasting Snow Fruit was so strong that it could not be taken on its own. If one were to greedily take it, their blood vessels would immediately freeze. It was probably a magical elixir that could only be taken by someone who had mastered the Ice Palace Spirituality.

I still remember.

What I said as I left the eternal snow.

Let’s meet again next time.

Because at that time, I had faith that I might return and come back here again.

Now I could try. I had gained incomparable internal energy, my blood vessels had become stronger, and most importantly, I had achieved great success in the Heavenly Horse Guardian Spirit. I believed that the Heavenly Horse Guardian Spirit, which had achieved great success, would protect me from the cold air emitted by this eternal snow fruit.

If you lack even a little bit of this faith, you should not take the Mannyeonseol fruit, because it is certain that you will suffer great internal injuries.

But I felt like all of this was fate. I discovered this place before returning, achieved great success in the Heavenly Horse Guardian Sword, and the enemy was trying to find the extreme delay and use it.

Destiny is speaking to me.

It’s time to take the Eternal Snow. No, you absolutely must take it.

Instinct, along with fate, said this.

If you guys prepare for extreme cold, I will prepare too.

‘Cheonmahosingong, I only trust you.’

The moment I held the everlasting fruit in my hand, I felt a coldness that made my whole body feel like it was freezing. Just by touching it, the everlasting fruit warned me of its danger. If I eat it, I will die.

I took the Mannyeonseol without hesitation. The moment it entered my mouth, I felt a coldness I had never felt before. I thought it would be hard and not melt easily, but it was not. The moment it entered my mouth, it melted in an instant and an extreme coldness spread through my body.

The Cheonmahoshinkong had already been activated and was fighting against the cold air.

Ss …

It was a coldness that made me scream. It was so cold that I couldn’t believe that something this cold existed in the world. Even though I activated the Heavenly Horse Guardian, I felt a pain as if my whole body was freezing. I wanted to expel this energy from my body right away. I was terrified that I might die if I continued like this.

‘Hold on, hold on.’

While melting the energy of the eternal snow, I recited the nine-fold spell of the Nine-Handed Demonic Cult and thought of the evil spirits. I thought of the east, west, south, and north, and I thought of the heavenly demons I had seen in my visions.

I thought of everything related to the Guhwamagong and Cheonmahoshingong. I couldn’t bear it anymore, so I thought of my father. I thought of the way he laughed at me.

It worked. Surprisingly, a smile formed on my face even in this painful situation.

Note, note again.

And the result was a huge success.

It succeeded in melting all the energy from the eternal snow.

A large amount of internal energy was added to my dantian, and most importantly, I achieved what I wanted. The cold energy of the eternal snow was permanently frozen in every vein.

Now, if something colder than the eternal snow were to invade my body, no cold air would be able to harm me.

I was glad to have another weapon to fight against them. They were getting stronger and stronger.

“I will definitely use this power for good.”

After greeting the snow and trees with both hands together, I left the place.

We passed through a narrow passage and came back out into the valley where the wind was blowing.

Wheeeeeeeeeeeeing.

A strong wind blew against me.

Even though I didn’t use my strength to protect myself, the biting wind didn’t feel cold at all. To exaggerate a little, the cold wind had now become a spring breeze and a warm breeze to me.

Before returning, I went back the way I came, because I couldn’t go any further into the valley.

But today I was curious. What would be at the end?

So I started walking towards the source of the wind.