Chapter 628: Nine.

Hooook-!

A fist brushes past my face.

I shifted my gaze, examining the opponent’s body closely.

A tired expression flickered across their face, but it didn’t impede their movements.

Which meant…

‘Excluding mental fatigue, their physical recovery is also fast.’

I savored the scene, dissecting every detail with interest.

Even so, the attacks continued.

A knee aimed at my abdomen came forward. As I twisted to dodge, cone-shaped ice suddenly rained down on the spot.

Seeing this, I immediately conjured flames.

‘Nine Flame Wheel Transformation.’

Hwa-reureuk-!

Flames erupting from my body broke into pieces, exploding towards the ice.

Papapapang–!!

Swishhhhh–!!!

As the flames and ice collided and burst, steam billowed out.

The thick steam momentarily obscured my vision, but…

Since we were both martial artists at the Hwagyeong realm, this wasn’t an issue.

Swishhh-!

Sharp assaults continued, piercing through the steam.

I dodged the attacks by moving my head, rolling my eyes.

‘Oh.’

I glanced at the arm that had just aimed for my head.

I had just ripped it off, yet I could confirm that her, Yuseon’s, arm had regenerated.

‘Does she regenerate ripped-off arms too?’

Grasping this, I glanced back.

It was the direction where the arm I’d ripped off and thrown earlier had landed.

Surprisingly, Yuseon’s arm was lying there intact.

Ttak-tak…!

I could see it gradually burning away and disappearing.

‘If the body regenerates, does the detached part vanish?’

It was a strange phenomenon.

What I could tell even from this was…

That it far surpassed the regenerative abilities a dragon might possess.

‘That’s definitely the domain of a divine power.’

It was a level that could only be explained as a divine power.

I turned my gaze back to Yuseon.

She had put some distance between us and was glaring at me with fiercely narrowed eyes.

The sound of her grinding her teeth was audible even from here.

“What… are you doing right now?”

“Hmm? Doing what?”

“Are you playing with me?”

Yuseon’s voice was filled with rage.

“Why aren’t you fighting back?”

Right after I ripped off her arm.

Her assault had continued for quite some time.

Yuseon, refusing to yield, had charged at me with only one arm.

I could have stopped her if I wanted to, but I didn’t bother stopping her resistance.

The reason was simple.

“I’m not going easy on you. I’m experimenting.”

“…What did you say?”

“I haven’t seen everything yet.”

Yes, I haven’t seen everything yet.

‘What else you possess.’

I haven’t seen it all yet.

So.

“Try harder. I’m fine.”

“…!”

Eudeudeuk.

The teeth Yuseon was biting down on ground harshly.

And then.

Hooook-!

“!”

Cold air rushed in through the massive hole that pierced the palace.

The cold air grazed my back.

Where was this heading?

I didn’t need to ponder that.

‘Looks like she’s trying something.’

All the cold air was directed towards Yuseon.

A rough, cold energy swirled around Yuseon, being absorbed into her body.

‘Hmm.’

It felt strange.

I wondered if that was also a divine power, but I could immediately tell it wasn’t.

Jjeojeojeok-!

The cold air gradually gathered, starting to take shape within Yuseon’s body.

Ice began to cover Yuseon’s body.

It was like…

‘Armor?’

A means to protect the body.

It resembled the form of armor.

Is that also part of Ice Arts?

Its appearance is peculiar, but it’s not strange.

‘Mine isn’t much different either.’

I engage in battle, covered in the flames of the Nine Flame Wheel Technique.

It’s not strange, as Fire Arts practitioners also use energy like that, but…

‘It doesn’t seem to be for that purpose.’

Mine is strictly used for offense, but…

Something that takes that form…

No matter how I look at it…

Seuk-!

“…!”

Sensing a presence, I quickly turned my body.

Pfft-! The wind grazed the spot where my body had been.

Kkung-!!

Hearing a sound from behind, I turned my head to see a pillar behind me falling.

It was cleanly split in half.

“Oh.”

Admiring this, I looked at Yuseon.

Not only was she armored, but a sword was now in her hand.

It wasn’t just an ordinary sword.

A sword made entirely of ice.

It felt completely different from a typical steel sword.

Seeing it, I said to Yuseon.

“Were you a swordmaster?”

We had only exchanged punches, after all.

Her movements were so clean and practiced that I naturally assumed Yuseon was a martial artist specializing in unarmed combat.

‘That sword wind just now…’

It was surprisingly sharp and precise.

To the point where it couldn’t be used without sword training.

“…”

Cheok.

Yuseon pointed the tip of her sword at me and spoke.

“…Just because I can’t use my divine power, do you think I’ll lose to you? Not a chance. The outcome won’t change.”

“Really? That’s quite intere-“

I couldn’t finish my sentence.

Because Yuseon charged at me.

‘She’s really impatient.’

The problem was…

Swishhh-!

‘…Oho?’

It felt completely different from her previous movements.

Much faster.

And much stronger.

Swish-! Seogeok-!

Every time she swung her sword lightly, a part of the palace was cut off.

Ice flowers bloomed where the cuts were made.

‘She cuts and then freezes?’

That’s a definite countermeasure.

I thought it wasn’t bad.

‘Her speed seems about twice as fast. And her attacks….’

Ggigigig-!

Watching another pillar being cut, I nodded.

‘That’s double too.’

Dodging the incoming attacks, I continued to observe Yuseon.

It was fun.

What she could do.

How far she could go.

Learning it all, piece by piece.

‘So, both speed and attack power have doubled.’

It’s a curious martial art.

I thought Yuseon’s previous attacks were definitely all-out.

Was it an act?

No, I don’t think so.

There was something strange about it if it was hidden power.

Sarrak-!

As I moved around dodging, my hair was cut.

Seeing that, I was convinced.

‘That woman can’t use a sword.’

Yuseon was indeed a martial artist.

Her swordsmanship was utterly clumsy.

Yet…

Saaaak-!

‘Her sword intent is precise, though?’

The aura emanating from the tip of her sword was exceptionally intense.

This means…

‘She doesn’t know how to use a sword well, but her attacks are strong.’

Conversely, since she’s a martial artist, she should fight without a sword, but…

The fact that she insists on using a sword like that…

‘There must be a reason she has to use it that way.’

There’s another reason she shouldn’t put the sword down.

Watching her, I felt a sense of regret.

Not because of the other reason, but…

‘That’s not a divine power.’

I felt regret simply because I couldn’t consume it.

“Just dodging like a rat…!”

As her attacks kept missing, Yuseon scowled deeply.

Kkiaaaaaa-!

She let out a scream right at me.

What the hell is this now?

I stared at her with somewhat strange eyes.

Oomph.

“Huh?”

My body froze for a moment at her scream.

How strange, is this even possible?

Within that brief hesitation, that short moment.

Yuseon’s sword was already at my throat.

If this continues, I’ll be stabbed.

So, what should I do?

The method was simple.

I looked at the approaching Yuseon and said.

[Stop.]

“…!”

Just like she did to me.

I just needed to make the opponent stop.

U-ttuk-!

Yuseon’s body froze at my draconic words.

At most one second.

Although the duration was short.

Woong-!

That was enough for me.

Unlike when using Simgwon, this time I took a large stance.

Kkung-! As I generated energy, my heart pounded fiercely.

Gigigigig-! A sensation like my insides were grinding passed through me.

It was because I was casting Tuapacheonmu.

I twisted my waist forcefully.

Kwaak-!

I planted my front foot firmly, catching the recoil.

After that.

Hwiriric-!

Moving my Gui Jeong, I wrapped several layers around my left fist, making it thicker.

Similar to the form of gauntlets.

It would never tear or break.

The characteristics of Gui Jeong would shine in places like this.

‘Tuapacheonmu.’

First Style.

Tuamu Kwon.

I drove my energy-wrapped fist into Yuseon’s upper body with perfect form.

Kkung-!

My fist shattered Yuseon’s ice armor and dug into her solar plexus.

Wadeudeudeuk-!!

“Keoheok…!”

It landed properly.

My senses told me so.

Kwaaaaaa-!

Wind surged, and Yuseon’s body exploded with energy, flying up.

Kwang-! Kwang-! Kwang-!

She flew through the air, crashing into the few remaining pillars.

Seeing that, I brushed my hands off.

Afterward, I clenched my fist a few times and thought.

‘The recoil has decreased.’

It wasn’t just that; the recoil from using Tuapacheonmu had significantly decreased.

Originally, after using it a few times, the pain would double, making it difficult to use consecutively.

Judging by how I just used it, it seemed like I could use it consecutively without issue now.

‘Though using it continuously would still be difficult.’

The recoil decreased, yes.

But it hasn’t disappeared.

Because this insane martial art was still painful.

Seeing this, it’s a martial art suited only for insane beings like the ‘Paejon’.

However, it means I’ve reached the point where I can incorporate Tuapacheonmu into combat.

At least, I’ve surpassed the stage where I’d hesitate thinking about the recoil.

“Hey, you okay?”

I took a step forward and spoke.

I could see Yuseon buried in the debris.

“Cough…”

She looked worse off than before.

It must be because she took a direct hit.

I knelt down to meet the gaze of Yuseon, who was sitting there bleeding.

“Hmm.”

I raised my hand and lifted Yuseon’s chin.

“How is it?”

“…Cough… Heo-eok…”

As she spoke, her gaze shifted towards my chest.

Specifically, towards my solar plexus.

The spot I hit.

“Your internal organs are all gone. Looks like they burst?”

With my other hand, I pressed down hard on her ribcage.

“Kkeueueu…!”

Yuseon let out a scream of pain.

“Your bones are broken too. Badly.”

As if proving that the attack had penetrated not only the armor but also the Qi.

Yuseon’s body was a mess.

If left like this, even as a Hwagyeong realm expert, she would die within ten seconds at most.

Remembering that, I chuckled.

“How is it?”

“…Heok… Heo-eok…”

“Can you regenerate this too?”

“…!”

“I hope you can. Because then…”

I said, looking into Yuseon’s eyes.

“Just like you said. It’ll be ‘fun’, won’t it?”

“…Cough…”

Emotions appeared in Yuseon’s eyes as she coughed up blood.

Fear?

Or perhaps displeasure?

It felt something like that.

It didn’t matter either way.

Whatever she was thinking.

It had nothing to do with me.

“Is that an ultimate technique of the Ice Palace? Interesting. It doesn’t seem like it’s just wrapping oneself in ice. Does it do something to the body?”

“…”

“It wasn’t bad in terms of speed or power either.”

Although her actions seemed clumsy.

It just looked like she couldn’t control her enhanced body.

“What’s the principle? Is it related to your regenerative power?”

As I continued to ask with interest.

Yuseon, who had been glaring at me while bleeding.

“…You… monstrous human.”

Suddenly spat harsh words at me.

Hearing that, I let out a chuckle.

“You’re wrong.”

Kwak.

“Keuk!”

I grabbed her neck.

“We’re not human, you know.”

“…Kkeueu…”

It was problematic to call me human now.

How far did I go to discard that–.

As I recalled, I suddenly tilted my head.

‘What did I do?’

It’s a part I don’t remember.

Thinking about it, I don’t think I did much.

‘Rather, I did all sorts of things trying not to discard it.’

Now, this wasn’t a very important point either.

“Anything else? Something you can show me.”

“Heu… keuk…”

Try harder.

I’ll watch as much as you want.

Do whatever you can.

Because then…

‘It’ll taste much better when I consume it.’

With that thought, I kept smiling.

“I learned something from you.”

This was sincere.

The fight just now was like that too.

Although I knew I could use divine power, being able to actually see it was quite helpful.

Also.

“I also realized I shouldn’t fight like a mere martial artist.”

I could also feel that there was a way of fighting specific to this side.

“Hoo… hoo…”

“Anyway. Anything else?”

As I spoke, my gaze focused on Yuseon’s abdomen.

Seu-eu…

I can see it.

Yuseon’s body regenerating in real-time.

‘Internal organs regenerate too.’

They regenerate even when an arm is torn off.

They regenerate even when internal organs burst.

Indeed, what is the limit of that regenerative power?

Seeing as it seems somewhat slower than the arm, it seems to vary depending on the wound.

Just that alone…

‘It means losing an arm is not a problem.’

I covet it.

Although it’s different from the teachings of Paejon.

I still thought that was the thing that best suited my fighting style.

Although Yuseon displayed abilities beyond my understanding.

It wasn’t that; it was her regenerative power that I craved so much.

“Looks like you have nothing else to show?”

“Heu…”

Yuseon replied with a pained groan.

The regeneration process didn’t seem very peaceful.

Seeing this, my smile faded, and a sense of regret naturally crossed my mind.

‘Is this all?’

After showing something that seemed so formidable.

It felt like it wasn’t much after all.

“If that’s all, then fine.”

My interest cooled down in an instant.

Coldness seeped into my voice.

“Now, just tell me where that guy is.”

“…Do you think I’ll… tell you…?”

Heh heh.

This time, Yuseon let out a laugh.

It wasn’t a mocking laugh.

It was closer to a laugh filled with disbelief.

“Consuming… divine power… Where in the world is such an unreasonable thing…?”

I couldn’t help but nod at Yuseon’s words.

She was right.

It clearly looked like a crucial divine power, and having the power to nullify it…

It would be absurd from Yuseon’s perspective.

But.

“That’s just how life is.”

Life itself is the epitome of absurdity.

“I didn’t exactly ask for this either.”

Does anyone think I wanted this divine power and obtained it?

I just woke up to find myself like this.

‘Power for a dragon.’

My greed was for such power.

It’s funny.

How many dragons are there, really?

To think the effects of the divine power I gained are like this.

It’s like…

‘It feels like it was given to me to fight dragons.’

The ones you’ll face are not human.

It felt like it was saying that.

And it wasn’t much different in reality.

As I clicked my tongue inwardly at this situation I didn’t particularly like.

“…In the end… will light never come for me?”

Yuseon spoke.

“I lived having lost many things.”

Her voice, grinding with emotion, felt somewhat pitiful.

“The position I couldn’t grasp, being born a woman against my will.

Even the affection I barely desired.

I…!”

Yuseon cried out desperately.

Her life was like that.

Being pushed back in the line of succession compared to other clansmen without talent, simply because she was a woman.

And losing the one she desired so much-.

“Sorry, but…”

Kkwaak.

Cutting off her continuing words, I grabbed Yuseon’s neck.

“Cough!”

“I’m not curious. About why you ended up like this. Not curious at all.”

I covered Yuseon’s mouth.

“Why are you trying to spout useless nonsense? We’re not that kind of people.”

Anyone would think we were close.

Why are you trying to talk about your personal history without permission?

I briefly considered listening, but I had absolutely no interest.

“So what? Should I say, ‘Oh, I see? What a pitiful life. That’s why you had no choice but to become like this.’ Is that what you want me to say? Bullshit.”

The actions committed need no reason.

What difference would it make if I knew?

“If you did it, then you did it. You stupid bitch.”

Trying to sneak in excuses.

“I don’t care about your reasons or circumstances. Neither do I, nor the world.”

There are no evil people without reason.

A saying uttered by some benevolent person.

But it was also a saying I hated the most.

“Don’t think about winning the battle in your mind. Prepare to answer what I ask. Don’t annoy me.”

“Keuk… Kkeuk… Heu heu…”

Yuseon laughed at my words.

Every time she laughed, blood flowed from her mouth, wetting my hand.

“Do you think I… will… tell you…?”

She wouldn’t be toyed with by my words.

Yuseon seemed to be saying that, but…

“Ah, it’s fine.”

I replied calmly to her words.

“I will ask, but the one who will answer isn’t you.”

“What…?”

Hearing that, Yuseon burst out in confusion.

“What does that…?”

Kwaang-!

“…Kkeureuk…!”

I immediately raised my fist and struck Yuseon’s heart.

Tududuk.

Yuseon bled black blood and showed only her whites.

I didn’t burst it.

I controlled it deliberately.

Enough to withstand one more blow.

I immediately looked at Yuseon and said.

“I’m going to hit you one more time. I’ll really burst it this time. Think carefully.”

Yuseon had already lost consciousness from the previous blow.

Nevertheless, I spoke to her.

No, more precisely.

It was to the one ‘inside’ her.

“…”

Tuk.

The unconscious Yuseon’s head drooped.

It seemed like she intended to let it go like this.

“Not answering?”

Then just die.

Woong.

The moment I was about to strike her heart one more time.

[…My, my.]

Meomchit.

[How rough.]

I stopped the fist I was swinging upon hearing the voice from Yuseon.

Seureuk.

Yuseon, who had been looking down, lifted her head and looked at me.

Her eyes still showed only the whites, but I could tell.

She was definitely looking at me.

[Ninth pureblood.]

I smiled at what he said.

It was correct.

Just as I expected.

That guy. That is to say.

[How did you know?]

The will of ‘Bingjeong’ greeted me.