Chapter 421: I Can Handle the Cold Just Fine Too

TL: FoodieMonster007

A cry of 'Oh my!' burst from Yang Seok's lips. He was so utterly shocked he nearly swore aloud. How could he have imagined Geom Mugeuk would be inside the carriage?

Silence hung in the air for a brief moment, as if time itself had stopped.

"Why didn't you contact me?" Geom Mugeuk asked again.

Yang Seok belatedly offered an excuse. "Well… I only found out about it suddenly. I didn't have time to contact you. I was going to contact you right after I found them."

Such was his fluster, Yang Seok's voice trembled, and he even stammered.

"But how did you know to come here, Young Cult Leader?"

"How do you think I knew?"

Watching Geom Mugeuk retort as if posing a riddle, Yang Seok understood.

How else? He must have followed me. Damn it! He clearly didn't trust me and put me under surveillance.

He himself had been the one to guide Geom Mugeuk to the Extreme Cold Body Constitution.

I should have been more careful.

His excitement over discovering the movement path had been too great.

Yang Seok was not the only one startled by Geom Mugeuk's appearance. Ha Jyeol, standing behind him, was even more surprised than Yang Seok, and it wasn't because Geom Mugeuk was inside the carriage.

Someone spirited away the person with the Extreme Cold Body Constitution.

Something truly unacceptable had occurred. The Drunken Demon must have spirited them away earlier, while he was in a drunken haze. He needed to pursue the Drunken Demon immediately.

They didn't come this way. Behind that carriage. The opposite direction.

He strode purposefully towards the carriage. His intention was to feign approaching Yang Seok, then swiftly leap over the carriage and chase after the Drunken Demon. Since the person would be carried away, he might be able to catch them if he was lucky.

Neither the Young Cult Leader nor Yang Seok mattered. At this moment, only the Extreme Cold Body Constitution occupied his mind.

Geom Mugeuk saw right through his intentions. "Don't even bother trying. You can't catch up with his speed."

The moment Geom Mugeuk's warning fell, Ha Jyeol, on the contrary, launched himself forward.

WHOOSH!

Ha Jyeol's movement arts, as he lightly pushed off the ground and leaped, were excellent enough to disregard Geom Mugeuk's warning. He was about to leap over the carriage and fly away in an instant.

BOOM!

A thunderous explosion erupted in the air, and Ha Jyeol plummeted back to his original spot as if falling. Geom Mugeuk, who had instantly blocked his path as if teleporting through space, had delivered a palm strike.

Ha Jyeol's left arm throbbed from blocking the attack.

He's strong.

This time, Yang Seok was more surprised than the one who suffered the blow, Ha Jyeol. Had Geom Mugeuk burst through the carriage roof to block him, Yang Seok wouldn't have been this astonished.

However, Geom Mugeuk had vanished in the blink of an eye, and somehow, he had blocked Ha Jyeol in the air above the carriage.

When did he descend from the carriage and jump up?

Even if his martial arts were the weakest among the three present, wasn't he still the successor of the Northern Blood Sect? However, he had missed Geom Mugeuk's movements with his own eyes wide open. If Geom Mugeuk had intended to kill him, it meant he would have died without even knowing why.

After sending Ha Jyeol back to his original spot, Geom Mugeuk perched on the carriage roof.

"Should a bodyguard really leap over the head of the person he serves?"

He wasn't referring to himself, but to Yang Seok, who stood beside the carriage.

Yang Seok cried out, as if tattling, "That man tried to kill me!"

He finally realized it was time to execute the 'borrowed blade' scheme. Although the Extreme Cold Body Constitution he had intended to spirit away was gone, an opportunity had arisen to kill Ha Jyeol.

"Young Cult Leader! I earnestly beg you, please bestow upon that scoundrel a stern lesson that in this murim, there exists a strict hierarchy of superiors and inferiors."

Ha Jyeol scoffed. He had saved Yang Seok from dying by the Self Destruction Art, yet Yang Seok was acting so brazenly.

Geom Mugeuk chuckled, "I said from the first time I saw him that he reeked of blood."

Geom Mugeuk's composure plunged Ha Jyeol into contemplation.

It's already too late.

If an ordinary martial artist had taken the Extreme Cold Body Constitution, it would be one thing, but if the Drunken Demon had taken them, they would already be too far to track.

He truly hadn't anticipated such a variable. It was due to his complacency, assuming Geom Mugeuk and the Drunken Demon would only focus on the Brewmaster's death. Regardless, what needed to be done in the current situation was clear.

I have to negotiate with the Young Cult Leader and retrieve person with the Extreme Cold Body Constitution.

There were two ways to do this. First, he could retreat for now and slowly plan for the future. This was a safe and wise method, but the possibility of finding the Extreme Cold Body Constitution would become increasingly slim with time.

The problem was his master.

Would Master truly wait any longer?

His master, confined within the water tank, had reached the limits of his patience. If Ha Jyeol reported that the Extreme Cold Body Constitution had been taken by Geom Mugeuk, the Blood King would immediately emerge from the tank.

Ultimately, I have to settle this here and now.

Could he truly defeat this Young Cult Leader? The single move Geom Mugeuk had displayed moments ago was truly formidable.

Moreover, there was another problem. He could not rashly kill this Young Cult Leader. If he did, a greater problem would arise than failing to secure the Extreme Cold Body Constitution.

Nevertheless, Geom Mugeuk was skilled enough that he might barely be able to kill him. Subduing the Young Cult Leader was impossible.

While he wrestled with this vexing situation, Geom Mugeuk gazed up at the sky from the carriage roof. Time was on his side. He held the hilt of the blade. Instead of pressing first, he simply needed to observe how Ha Jyeol reacted and respond accordingly.

The biggest reason for ruining things, even in a favorable situation, was failing to overcome impatience. It was the simple desire to win, to succeed, and to see good results more quickly, precisely because one was in an advantageous position.

He had to suppress that simple yet powerful desire. If one started to crumble in an advantageous situation, it would become uncontrollable. Being in a favorable position made one more rushed, more regretful, more angry. Moreover, the opponent would gain momentum for a counterattack, and then ultimately, everything would be ruined.

This is why the sky exists, to be looked at in such moments.

Watching Geom Mugeuk gaze up at the sky, Yang Seok felt a strange sensation.

"Don't look at me, look at the sky." Geom Mugeuk said.

"Ah, yes!" Yang Seok, startled, looked up at the sky. However, in the current situation, the sky was hardly something he could focus on.

Please, just kill him!

He wanted to eliminate Ha Jyeol first and then think. He believed he was executing the 'borrowed blade' scheme, but he failed to realize that he was merely a guide leading Geom Mugeuk to the Blood King.

At that moment, the surrounding air began to change as Ha Jyeol revealed the aura he had kept hidden. He fully unleashed the aura he had only shown a quarter of to Yang Seok earlier.

His hot yet heavy aura began to dominate the surroundings. As he revealed his true form, he became a completely different person.

Geom Mugeuk snorted. Indeed, his aura truly reeks of blood.

On the other hand, this chilling aura filled Yang Seok with a fear that made him want to vomit. He knew Ha Jyeol was a master, but he hadn't known he was this formidable.

Could the Young Cult Leader possibly lose?

In truth, he couldn't tell who was stronger. Ha Jyeol's presence, now fully revealed, was that overwhelming.

Worse, it wasn't just Ha Jyeol who instilled fear in Yang Seok. Seven Blood Warriors, who had been waiting a short distance behind Ha Jyeol, revealed themselves. Their gazes and stances alone indicated they were masters, and all of them could use the Self Destruction Art.

Ha Jyeol looked at Geom Mugeuk and demanded. "Where is the person who was in the carriage?"

He decided that he would pressure the Young Cult Leader into handing over the person with the Extreme Cold Body Constitution.

Geom Mugeuk smiled. He understood clearly from Ha Jyeol's choice that his opponent needed the Extreme Cold Body Constitution so desperately that he was willing to reveal his full power. "I can handle the cold just fine too, so why don't you take me instead?"

He's joking in this situation? Ha Jyeol's gaze towards Geom Mugeuk grew even colder. "You think I can't kill you just because you're the Young Cult Leader?"

"Of course not. Aren't you the kind of people who kill even their own kin? If you could, you'd try to kill my father too."

Yang Seok, standing nearby, inwardly flinched. He was precisely the kind of person Geom Mugeuk spoke of, someone who would kill his own kin.

Ha Jyeol asked Geom Mugeuk, "What do you want?"

His remaining in the carriage meant he wanted something.

Indeed, his guess was correct.

"Let me meet the person you serve," Geom Mugeuk said.

Ha Jyeol showed no outward reaction, but inwardly, he was shaken.

How did he know about Master?

On the other hand, Yang Seok misunderstood, thinking that the one Ha Jyeol served was his father.

Perhaps this is my chance.

He now unhesitatingly entertained a thought he shouldn't. The moment Ha Jyeol appeared here, he had believed his father had completely abandoned him.

Who should I side with?

Upon realizing Ha Jyeol was such a formidable master, he fell into deep contemplation. Aligning with Ha Jyeol wasn't the worst choice either. Seeing how Ha Jyeol had saved him, even killing his own subordinate in the process, Yang Seok didn't think Ha Jyeol would kill him.

Should I side with Ha Jyeol now? No. What if that scoundrel is defeated by the Young Cult Leader?

He would then be considered to have betrayed the Young Cult Leader.

They won't fight here, at least, will they?

As the esteemed Young Cult Leader, would Geom Mugeuk rashly risk his life? This wasn't even directly connected to the Demonic Cult.

However, the situation did not unfold as he expected.

"What if I refuse?" Ha Jyeol asked. Naturally, he would never let Geom Mugeuk meet his master.

Geom Mugeuk calmly stated, "Then the only reason to keep you alive will disappear."

Ha Jyeol could feel that Geom Mugeuk was serious.

He truly intends to kill me. Does that mean he's confident he can kill me?

He spread out his qi and scanned his surroundings, cheking if the Drunken Demon had returned. However, there was no one else around.

Geom Mugeuk intended to kill him alone. He didn't know what the outcome would be, but he was confident he wouldn't lose to Geom Mugeuk.

Even if Geom Mugeuk was the Heavenly Demon's son and had inherited the Heavenly Demon martial arts, he was still too young. He might have gained a lot of qi from consuming elixirs, but there was a limit to the amount of combat experience a youngster could have.

Moreover, he had never experienced the Blood Art.

Let's do this. The Young Cult Leader won't sacrifice his life for the Extreme Cold Body Constitution, I only need to subdue him!

He was confident that once he revealed his killing intent, Geom Mugeuk would surely hand over the Extreme Cold Body Constitution.

And if Geom Mugeuk died in the process, by some slim chance? Then, he would have no choice but to pin the blame on the Northern Blood Sect Leader. If he could just retrieve the Extreme Cold Body Constitution, it would be worth the risk.

"It seems our Young Cult Leader needs to taste some blood."

The seven Blood Warriors stepped forward. A crimson aura flowed from the swords they simultaneously drew.

These were masters capable of wielding blood qi like sword qi. Ha Jyeol expected that their combined attack, even if it couldn't kill Geom Mugeuk, would at least injure him. If he was lucky, he might even get an opportunity to subdue Geom Mugeuk in the process.

He truly thought so…

In a flash, Geom Mugeuk surged towards the Blood Warrior on the left with the Vanishing Step.

SWISH! CRACK!

He was unstoppable. Before the Blood Warrior's instincts or mind could even register Geom Mugeuk's attack, which had appeared in a flash before his eyes, the sword had already passed through his neck with overwhelming speed.

The Blood Warrior closest to him reflexively swung his sword, but it only cut through empty air. However, that miss came at a great cost.

Before the second Blood Warrior, whose heart had been pierced, could even collapse to the ground, Geom Mugeuk was already employing the Shadow Step.

He seemed to vanish before everyone's eyes, then reappeared between the two Blood Warriors standing in the center.

STAB! STAB! STAB! STAB!

Geom Mugeuk continuously stabbed the necks and hearts of the two Blood Warriors on either side. Once in the left heart, once in the right neck, once in the left neck, once in the right heart. Those four attacks were so fast they were invisible to the eye.

The two Blood Warriors collapsed instantly. Just as the fifth Blood Warrior's face and body turned red to activate the Self Destruction Art…

CRASH!

Another Blood Warrior collapsed. Geom Mugeuk instantly subdued the Blood Warrior activating the Self Destruction Art, spinning him around like a doll so his body faced another Blood Warrior.

BOOM!

The sixth Blood Warrior collapsed, struck by the Self Destruction Art. The blood qi unleashed by the Self Destruction Art possessed a power that even they themselves could not evade or block.

The seventh Blood Warrior also attempted to use the Self Destruction Art. However, this time, Geom Mugeuk was a step faster.

STAB! STAB! STAB! STAB! STAB!

The Black Demon Sword continuously pierced his entire body. As all his major blood vessels were instantly severed, his reddened face returned to its original color. Geom Mugeuk's sword had been faster than the speed at which he could activate the Self Destruction Art.

Just like that, in the blink of an eye, all seven Blood Warriors died.

Yang Seok trembled, his eyes wide. He had experienced real combat multiple times before and had watched others fight on numerous occasions. And now, a thought struck him that the fights he had witnessed until now weren't real fights.

Geom Mugeuk flicked the blood from his sword, sending a straight line of blood splattering onto the ground.

"The taste of blood isn't very good, is it?"

Ha Jyeol's expression was completely frozen. He knew the Young Cult Leader would be strong, but this strong? He had boasted he would make Geom Mugeuk taste blood, but it was he who had tasted Geom Mugeuk's blood, in a sense.

"As expected of the Nine Calamities Demonic Art," he said, naturally assuming Geom Mugeuk had used the Heavenly Demon's martial arts.

"What? I never used the Nine Calamities Demonic Art. Aren't you overestimating yourselves too much? Did you think I'd need to use the Nine Calamities Demonic Art just to deal with your subordinates?"

Is he saying he only used the most basic swordsmanship?

Ha Jyeol's shock was natural. The Blood Warriors weren't just ordinary subordinates. He had spent an immense amount of time and effort cultivating those seven. They weren't meant to die like this.

"If you want to see the Nine Calamities Demonic Art, then guide me to your leader."

Ha Jyeol panicked. If those words were true, he felt he wouldn't be able to defeat Geom Mugeuk.

Of course, it could also be a bluff. A trick to intimidate him and gain an advantage in the fight. Regardless, Geom Mugeuk wouldn't let him go unless he spoke of his master.

No, I can't reveal anything about Master, even if I die.

Ha Jyeol drew his sword. A streak of crimson energy flowed along its blade.

Geom Mugeuk could feel a strength of a completely different caliber than what had flowed from the man's subordinates earlier.

"Whether it's the Nine Calamities Demonic Art or not, I'll find out for myself," Ha Jyeol said.

Geom Mugeuk instantly knew from Ha Jyeol's cold gaze and the hot blood qi swirling around. He had resolved himself to death.

"Then I'll just give you a little taste."

A question Ha Jyeol couldn't comprehend flowed from Geom Mugeuk's lips.

"Which direction do you prefer? East, west, north, or south?"