Chapter 407: If You Prepare, I Will Prepare Too

TL: FoodieMonster007

I was drinking tea at a teahouse, watching the people pass by.

People walked well on the snow-covered path without slipping. Like those who lived under the sandstorms of the Outer Regions, the people of this North Sea lived with the snow.

The person I was scheduled to meet here was someone I was meeting for the first time today, so I had no idea which passerby would suddenly enter the teahouse and take the seat opposite me.

The reason I wore a bamboo hat pulled low, out of sight of others, wasn't to hide myself, but because of the person I was meeting. Secrecy was paramount for him.

How long had I been there?

A middle-aged man naturally took the seat opposite me.

"Oh, it's cold."

The ordinary man, whose demeanor exuded benevolence, was none other than the North Sea Branch Head of the Hidden Moon.

Right now, all the intelligence agents of the All-Knowing Hall and the Hidden Moon were currently focused on the Northern Blood Sect and the North Sea Ice Palace.

Of them, the Hidden Moon had contacted me, stating they had an urgent report. Though the information could have been relayed telepathically from afar, I had wanted to meet them in person.

"Have a warm cup of tea first. You've worked hard."

I poured tea into his teacup. Though I couldn't offer alcohol to a subordinate who had worked so diligently, I wished to at least provide him a warm cup of tea.

Alcohol would have been better, but the reason I chose the teahouse instead of an inn for our meeting place was because of the Drunken Demon. I had promised Han Seol we'd drink together next time, but I resolved not to touch alcohol myself until the Drunken Demon did.

While I poured the tea, the man quickly sent a telepathic message.

[The Northern Blood Sect's Second Young Lord, Yang Chung, is dead.]

The news was unexpected. I had anticipated Yang Chung would be pushed out of the succession due to this incident. Yet he was dead?

The polite demeanor of the Northern Blood Sect Leader, who had extended the invitation, flashed through my mind.

He was far more ruthless than he appeared.

What exactly was he plotting, to go so far as to kill his own son? Any reason for his death could be fabricated. Since it was the Northern Blood Sect Leader's own son who had died, no one would dare step forward to investigate the cause.

This report allowed me to definitively surmise one crucial fact. The Northern Blood Sect was connected to the Blood King. Otherwise, they wouldn't have handled this matter so hastily, even going so far as to kill a son.

[Now, pay attention to the movements of the Northern Blood Sect's eldest son.]

[I will inform you as soon as any unusual movements are detected.]

[Thank you.]

The man departed first.

I remained for a moment, finished the remaining tea, then left the teahouse.

As I opened the teahouse door and stepped out, though, a thought suddenly struck me.

The name 'Northern Blood Sect' must have been fated. It was a door that would guide me to the Blood King.

Ah, Blood King. Did you know? The northern gate is actually the gate to the underworld.

When Geom Mugeuk returned, the Drunken Demon delivered welcome news.

"I found out why that person was killed."

He hadn't told Lee Ahn and Han Seol, intending to reveal it when Geom Mugeuk returned and everyone was present.

"I knew our Demon Supreme would figure it out."

In front of Han Seol, Geom Mugeuk addressed the Drunken Demon as the Demon Supreme, not by Hyung-nim.

Now that everyone was gathered, the Drunken Demon revealed how he had found out.

"First, convinced it was definitely related to alcohol, I examined the letters recently exchanged with her. Most of our conversations were about alcohol."

Since the Brewmaster had collected the letters, naturally, the ones she read were the ones she had sent. That made finding clues exceedingly difficult.

"Then I found this passage."

The Drunken Demon showed them a line.

[I also wish to try the Fragrant Snow Ice Wine.]

The Fragrant Snow Ice Wine was a drink Geom Mugeuk and Lee Ahn had never heard of.

Han Seol, however, knew a great deal about it.

"The Fragrant Snow Ice Wine isn't just an ordinary drink. It possesses special effects."

"What effects?"

"It's a drink that helps you endure the cold. Normally, alcohol warms the body, reducing the sensation of cold, but the effect of this Fragrant Snow Ice Wine is truly remarkable."

The Drunken Demon also knew the effects of the Fragrant Snow Ice Wine well. The moment he saw the words 'Fragrant Snow Ice Wine,' one fact immediately came to mind.

"The constitution those bastards were looking for this time was the Extreme Cold Body Constitution, wasn't it?"

The Extreme Cold Body Constitution and the Fragrant Snow Ice Wine. Both shared the commonality of enduring cold.

"Isn't that a coincidence?"

Geom Mugeuk and Lee Ahn nodded.

At that moment, Han Seol raised a question. "Isn't that reason insufficient to say the Brewmaster died just because of it?"

"Yes, that's right." The Drunken Demon, readily admitting it, added another crucial reason. "As far as I know, though, the Fragrant Snow Ice Wine is a drink that can only be made with the Ice Palace's permission."

"That's right. Drinks with special effects require the Palace's permission."

"Earlier, when I examined past alcohol production at the Hundred Wines Snow Cellar, there was no mention of the Fragrant Snow Ice Wine."

"There wasn't? That can't be!"

If so, it was certainly suspicious.

"So someone secretly had it made for them," Geom Mugeuk said.

The Drunken Demon agreed with Geom Mugeuk's conjecture. "The fact that she told me about it meant she never thought the alcohol would be used for ill purposes. Perhaps someone she knew well had asked for it. Someone trustworthy, I suppose."

It was a conjecture he could make because he knew her well.

"Did she say who asked her to make it?"

The Drunken Demon shook his head, expressing regret. "She didn't reveal that much. She said it was a truly good experience making the Fragrant Snow Ice Wine for the first time, and I replied that I wanted to try it."

"To find the answer from just that passage… You're amazing."

Geom Mugeuk praised the Drunken Demon. His praise wasn't mere empty words; he spoke with genuine sincerity. The Drunken Demon was certainly smarter than he had thought.

"My head must be spinning because I'm not drinking alcohol!"

Smiling at the Drunken Demon's joke, Geom Mugeuk looked at Han Seol.

Han Seol understood what Geom Mugeuk wanted.

"I'll find out who asked for the Fragrant Snow Ice Wine to be made," she answered.

Still, doubt arose. Could she really find out? If it was made without the Palace's permission, the process would have been thoroughly hidden. Could she read her mind?

"Move with Lee Ahn."

Han Seol refused Geom Mugeuk's suggestion. "It's more comfortable investigating alone."

Sleeping in the same room was already burdensome. Now he wanted her to wander around with him during the day too? She thoroughly disliked the idea.

"I know."

"So why are you doing this?"

"It's because I'm worried you might be in danger."

It was an unexpected reason for Han Seol, as well as Lee Ahn and the Drunken Demon.

"Are you worried about my safety, a Princess of the Ice Palace?"

Geom Mugeuk relayed the news he had just learned. "Yang Chung is dead."

The most surprised person was Lee Ahn.

"He's dead? Why?"

"To the Northern Blood Sect Leader, he must have just been a lizard's tail."

That statement contained everything. He was a man who deserved to die anyway, having deceived and led so many to their deaths through his experiments. Still, the fact that his own father killed him was astonishing.

Han Seol was also surprised, but her surprise wasn't due to Yang Chung's death. She was surprised that Geom Mugeuk knew of his death before she did.

Their intelligence is better than ours? Not just anywhere, but here in the North Sea? Does Mother know this news?

Geom Mugeuk warned Han Seol, who was momentarily lost in thought. "You must never let your guard down. The death of the Northern Blood Sect Leader's child within the Northern Blood Sect itself. That is the essence of this fight."

To put it more broadly, it meant this was a fight where the Ice Empress's own kin could die within the North Sea Ice Palace.

"Therefore, move with Lee Ahn."

In Geom Mugeuk's gaze, Han Seol felt an undeniable authority. It wasn't an overbearing attitude. It was a compulsion stemming from a genuine concern for her well-being.

"Alright."

Han Seol no longer refused. Living as the Ice Empress's daughter, this was the first time she had ever felt such tension.

Geom Mugeuk looked at Lee Ahn. There was no need for words, telepathy, or even a nod. He knew she would handle it well. A single glance was enough.

As the two women left the room, only Geom Mugeuk and the Drunken Demon remained.

"Those bastards are looking for a way to withstand extreme cold. Why? Are they trying to learn some martial art we don't know about? Or are they plotting a conspiracy related to the North Sea Ice Palace?"

At the Drunken Demon's question, Geom Mugeuk rose from his seat.

"I have somewhere to go. Drunken Demon, secretly protect Lee Ahn and the Princess."

"Where are you suddenly going?"

Geom Mugeuk said with an enigmatic smile.

"I'm going to prepare for the cold too."

"What do you mean?"

Leaving the curious Drunken Demon behind, Geom Mugeuk also left the room.

"Answer me before you go! Hurry! Didn't I say I'm sensitive because I've gone cold turkey?"

Even if Geom Mugeuk had wanted to answer, it was something he absolutely couldn't reveal. He had come to deal with matters related to his life before his regression.

The place he instantly arrived at, using the Swift Step, was a snow mountain. Within that vast snow mountain, the coldest and most biting winds blew in the Tempest Valley. This place was known to have the strongest winds in the world.

WHIIIIIIIIIIING.

Terrifyingly strong winds blew through a wind valley known to be impassable even for masters of martial arts. Winds that tore human flesh and bone raged there. Moreover, snow swirled with the wind, obscuring all visibility.

The people of the North Sea also called the winds here the Killing Tempest. It was literally a truly mad wind, a wind of death. It was so cold and fierce that even by activating inner arts to protect one's body, traversing the valley was no easy feat. It was truly a mystery created by nature.

After hearing the deduction that those bastards were seeking a way to prepare for the cold, I finally realized it was time to come here.

Before my regression, when I wandered in search of materials for the Grand Regression Art, I traveled everywhere. When I encountered places like this, I pushed even harder to enter. I had even come here.

Ugh, I truly don't have the confidence to live that life again.

WHIIIIING.

I continued walking deeper into the valley, pushing through the wind. The deeper I went, the stronger the wind became. The wind blew so fiercely it seemed capable of tearing even enhanced qi apart, and I had to expend qi just to avoid being blown away, making it truly difficult to go deeper.

It was around here.

As I went deeper, I entered a crevice in the right wall. It was a space where I could briefly hide from the wind outside.

My past self had also hidden like this. It must have been fate that I discovered a passage leading elsewhere at the far corner of this crevice. It was a time when I meticulously searched every nook and cranny.

There was another crevice, completely imperceptible to the eye. It was a narrow gap behind a spot blocked by thick vines. It looked utterly uninviting. The thought that I could easily get stuck and die if I tried to enter naturally crossed my mind.

I ventured inside. I continued through that place where barely one person could pass.

After passing through it all, a slightly wider space appeared. As if entering another world, sunlight streamed into the space, and grass and trees grew.

Outside, biting winds blew, but here, a stream gurgled. It was a place where one could feel the mystery of ancient times.

"It's been a long time."

In the center stood a lone tree. On that tree hung white fruits resembling suspended ice chunks.

These were the miracle herbs passed down through legend, the 10000 Year Snow Fruit.

It could grant far more inner arts than the Ten-Thousand Year Blood Ginseng, and it possessed one more astonishing effect. Not only did it strengthen one against cold, but it also allowed one to comfortably accept any cold-attributed energy.

Furthermore, it could block attacks imbued with extremely cold inner arts. For example, even if struck by the Cold Ice Palm, one's blood vessels would not be damaged by the cold. Conversely, one could also master the Cold Ice Palm more easily than anyone else.

Previously, I had gained a body with Extreme Temperature Immunity from the Heavenly Qi Pill obtained from the Poison King. This 10000 Year Snow Fruit was a miracle herb specialized in resisting cold. If these two miracle herbs were to overlap, I would be able to overcome even extreme cold beyond all limits.

In my life before regression, I couldn't consume the 10000 Year Snow Fruit. The cold contained within the 10000 Year Snow Fruit was so intense it couldn't be consumed casually. If one consumed it greedily, their blood vessels would instantly freeze. It was likely a miracle herb that only the Ice Empress, who had achieved complete mastery of the Cold Ice Divine Art, could consume.

I still remembered the words I had spoken as I left the 10000 Year Snow Fruit behind.

Let's meet again if fate allows.

At that time, I held the belief that I might regress and return to this place.

Now, I could attempt it. I had gained incomparable inner arts compared to before, my blood vessels had strengthened, and most importantly, I had achieved complete mastery of the Heavenly Demon Defense Art.

I believed that the Heavenly Demon Defense Art, having achieved complete mastery, would protect my body from the cold emitted by this 10000 Year Snow Fruit.

If this belief was even slightly lacking, I shouldn't consume the 10000 Year Snow Fruit. It was clear I would suffer severe internal injuries.

Still, I felt that all of this was fate. I had discovered this place before my regression, achieved complete mastery of the Heavenly Demon Defense Art, and my enemies were trying to find and utilize the Extreme Cold Body Constitution.

Fate was telling me it was time to consume the 10000 Year Snow Fruit, no, that I absolutely must consume it. Along with fate, my instincts also urged me.

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

Heavenly Demon Defense Art, I'm counting on you.

The moment I grasped the 10000 Year Snow Fruit, a coldness that felt like my entire body would freeze spread through me.

Just by touching it, the 10000 Year Snow Fruit warned of its danger. It seemed to say, 'Eat me and die.'

I didn't hesitate and consumed the 10000 Year Snow Fruit.

The moment it entered my mouth, I felt a coldness I had never experienced before. I had thought it would be hard and wouldn't melt easily, but I was wrong.

The instant it entered my mouth, it melted rapidly, and an extreme cold spread throughout my body.

The Heavenly Demon Defense Art had already activated, resisting the frigid cold.

HISSSSSS.

It was a coldness that would naturally make one scream. It was hard to believe such coldness truly existed in the world.

Even with the Heavenly Demon Defense Art activated, I felt a pain as if my entire body was freezing. I wanted to expel this energy from my body immediately.

Fear crept in. The fear that I might die.

Endure, I must endure.

Throughout the process of dissolving the 10000 Year Snow Fruit's energy, I recited the incantations of the Nine Calamities Demonic Art, recalling evil spirits. I recalled the four cardinal directions, and the Heavenly Demon Souls I had seen in my illusions. I recalled everything related to the Nine Calamities Demonic Art and the Heavenly Demon Defense Art.

When I still couldn't endure it, I recalled my father. I remembered his sneering face as he looked at me.

It worked. Surprisingly, even in this agonizing situation, a smile formed on my lips.

Enduring, enduring again.

The result was complete success. I absorbed all of the 10000 Year Snow Fruit's energy, and a large amount of inner qi was added to my qi center, and most importantly, I achieved what I desired. The cold energy of the 10000 Year Snow Fruit permanently settled throughout my blood vessels.

Now, unless an energy colder than the 10000 Year Snow Fruit were to invade my body, no cold energy would be able to affect me.

I was delighted at the thought of having another weapon to counter those bastards. This was how I would grow stronger and stronger.

"I will surely use this power for good."

After bowing to the 10000 Year Snow Fruit tree with clasped hands, I departed the place.

Passing through the narrow passage, I re-emerged into the valley where fierce winds blew.

WHIIIIIIING.

An immense wind assailed me. Even without activating qi to protect my body, the biting wind felt not cold at all.

To exaggerate slightly, the Killing Tempest had now become a mere spring breeze and a warm breeze to me.

Before my regression, I had turned back the way I came. I couldn't go any deeper into the valley then. Today, however, I was curious. What lay at the very end?

Thus, I began walking towards the source of the wind.