Chapter 159
But there was one problem.
“…Your innate vital energy must have already been contaminated by the miasma, right?”
At Do-yul’s skeptical question, the Blood Demon nodded.
“That’s why I need you.”
“I see.”
In that moment, Do-yul understood why the Blood Demon needed him.
He intended to use Do-yul’s body as a kind of filter to purify the contaminated innate vital energy.
Ye-rin and Do-yul had both learned the same ice cultivation technique, so their internal energy had similar properties. In particular, Do-yul had inherited the martial arts of the North Sea Ice Palace in its entirety, making him a pure user of internal energy.
What this meant was that the purified innate vital energy could be safely transferred to Ye-rin’s body without causing any side effects.
‘But the chances of success are slim.’
After all, it was the Blood Demon’s innate vital energy.
The highest likelihood was that while attempting to purify the Blood Demon’s energy, Do-yul might be consumed by the miasma, resulting in him falling into cultivation deviation.
If things went really wrong, Do-yul might die.
‘Who in their right mind would want to take such a risk!’
Ye-rin’s horrified voice echoed in his ears.
But Do-yul nodded without hesitation.
“Alright.”
Sitting cross-legged, Do-yul placed his hand on Ye-rin’s chest.
Her heartbeat was faint, as if it might stop any second. The pain of it ached in his chest.
He gently pressed his lips to her, his heart tightening.
At the same time, the Blood Demon placed his hand on Do-yul’s back.
“Are you ready?”
“Just get on with it already.”
Without saying another word, the Blood Demon pushed his innate vital energy into Do-yul’s body.
“Ugh.”
Do-yul gasped sharply as the immense internal energy surged through his body like a tidal wave.
It felt as though his entire body was being shredded with agony.
It was as if his blood vessels were on fire, and his head was blanked out by the intensity.
The pressure on his dantian was so overwhelming that it felt like it might shatter any second.
“…Ugh.”
Still, Do-yul endured it.
He clenched his teeth to resist the pain, even as his fists tightened so much that blood pooled in his palms.
All he focused on was purifying the Blood Demon’s innate vital energy.
‘I can hold on.’
No, he *had* to hold on.
Nothing mattered more than saving Ye-rin.
Even if Ye-rin would never want him to take such a risk…
‘It doesn’t matter.’
If he could save Ye-rin, Do-yul would give up anything—his own life included.
And in that moment…
*Thump.*
Ye-rin’s heart gave a sudden, loud beat.
—
After a fierce battle, the Eternal Ice Master finally defeated all the Blood Sect disciples.
– *Huff, huff, pant…*
The Eternal Ice Master panted heavily, exhausted.
The attacks from the Blood Sect disciples had been fierce.
Had it only been that, it wouldn’t have been such a struggle.
– …Why are they so filthy and grotesque?
The Eternal Ice Master trembled with disgust.
The internal energy of the Blood Sect disciples had been tainted by miasma, and their attacks were the complete opposite of his own, which was born from nature’s purest energy.
– At last… this nightmare is over.
The Eternal Ice Master’s eyes hardened with determination.
All that remained was to destroy it.
Behind the fallen Blood Sect disciples, a foreboding box lay on the ground.
It was the same kind of object he had seen earlier in the Juru. A medium that maintained the formation, marked with blood-red symbols.
The Eternal Ice Master limped toward it.
– If I just destroy this…
His massive paw came down, crushing the final medium.
*Crack!*
The wooden box shattered into pieces, and the moment it did…
*Zzzzt!*
A wave of energy radiated from the box, shaking the entire city of Hangzhou.
—
“Ah.”
Ye-rin blinked her eyes.
Countless white butterfly-like shapes were falling from the gray sky.
Upon closer inspection, they were snowflakes.
“…Where am I?”
Ye-rin lowered her head and glanced around.
The camellias, blooming red, were gently covered in snow.
The buildings of the North Sea Ice Palace appeared brand new, as if freshly built.
“This looks like…”
It reminded her of the illusion the Eternal Ice Master had created as a test some time ago.
Or rather, it looked exactly like a scene from her past, the one she had shared with Se-jin.
“Could this be… the afterlife?”
Ye-rin muttered with a bewildered expression.
At that moment, a voice responded, gruff and blunt.
“Do you really think that’s the case?”
Se-jin had somehow appeared beside her.
Though his face remained as indifferent as always, his voice wavered with a trace of emotion.
“Really, using the innate vital energy like that, isn’t it a bit of a cheat?”
Ye-rin looked at him, still stunned.
“You always told me not to use it. You said if I did, I could lose my life.”
The words Se-jin had drilled into her from the time she was young echoed in her mind.
“Didn’t you say that? That using it carelessly would kill me?”
Se-jin sighed loudly, as if to emphasize his point.
“I can’t believe you’re asking me to endure watching my master die a second time.”
“…”
Ye-rin, who had been stunned for a moment, finally asked a question.
“Am I… alive right now?”
“Of course,” Se-jin answered, shrugging his shoulders. “Do you think I’d let my master die like that?”
“This is your mental world.”
“My… mental world?”
“Yes. Since you interfered with your innate vital energy, somehow, you ended up here.”
Se-jin flashed her a mischievous smile.
Ye-rin, still flustered, quickly asked.
“You interfered with my innate vital energy?”
“Did I forget to mention? I am the Blood Demon, after all.”
Se-jin smirked.
“The vast internal energy I forcefully obtained as a Blood Demon is actually quite useful in situations like this.”
“What do you mean?”
“Well, if your innate vital energy was depleted and is now in danger, you can simply replenish what’s missing.”
“…”
Ye-rin froze, feeling as though she had just been hit in the back of the head.
Se-jin added teasingly, “But, there’s no guarantee you’ll wake up in perfect condition. You’ll probably need to stay in bed for a while.”
“…You really are something else.”
Ye-rin, who had been about to scold Se-jin, let out a long sigh.
Countless questions filled her mind, but the first one that blurted out was:
“So, what happened?”
“Huh?”
“Why did you get resurrected as the Blood Demon?”
That was the question.
Se-jin had been a direct disciple of Seol-ryeon and someone from 300 years ago. Naturally, he should have long since passed away, so why was he still here, still alive?
And why…
‘Why did he become the Blood Demon?’
Unable to suppress the rising emotions, Ye-rin lowered her head.
“Did I do something wrong towards you?”
“Huh?”
“Did I make you feel neglected, or was there something lacking in my teaching? So…?”
“No, that’s not it at all!”
Se-jin, startled, immediately shook his head.
“It’s actually my fault.”
“…Se-jin.”
“I thought I had completely let go of my master, but I guess I couldn’t after all.”
Se-jin gave a bitter smile.
“It’s because of my own inadequacies. You don’t need to blame yourself, Master. Instead, I should be the one apologizing.”
“…”
Ye-rin couldn’t find the words to respond. She just stared at him with a heavy heart.
“My heart is stubborn, you see. I couldn’t bring myself to let go of you, Master.”
Se-jin whispered with a sigh, almost as if to himself.
“You had already accepted death and departed, but I couldn’t give up on you, even though I knew that.”
“…”
“So, my lingering feelings remained near your body…”
Se-jin awkwardly looked away and scratched his cheek.
“I didn’t intend to be resurrected as the Blood Demon, but somehow, things got tangled up.”
“No, this isn’t something you can just brush off by saying ‘things got tangled up.'”
Ye-rin narrowed her eyes.
“Explain it to me in detail so I can understand.”
“Ahh, must you be so strict about it?”
“Tell me quickly.”
“Yes, of course. I’ll explain everything, Master.”
Unable to withstand Ye-rin’s sharp gaze, Se-jin reluctantly began to explain the whole story.
The original goal of the Blood Sect was to use both the soul and body of Seol-ryeon to resurrect him as the Blood Demon.
However, when they attempted to seize Seol-ryeon’s body, his soul had already moved on and begun a new life as Ye-rin.
Meanwhile, Se-jin’s soul, which had been left behind due to his attachment to Seol-ryeon, entered Seol-ryeon’s vacant body as a temporary measure.
Since Se-jin had been Seol-ryeon’s direct disciple and had also learned the same martial arts, his soul easily settled into Seol-ryeon’s body.
Afterward, Se-jin tried to prevent his resurrection as the Blood Demon, but in the end, he was caught up in the Blood Sect’s sorcery.
The sect’s magic had stirred Se-jin’s deepest and most secret desires—his possessiveness towards Seol-ryeon—and as a result…
“Yeah, that’s how it happened.”
Se-jin finished explaining and quickly glanced at Ye-rin’s reaction.
“Really, you’re such an idiot.”
After a long silence, Ye-rin muttered in a damp voice.
At that, Se-jin straightened up.
“Well, it’s also your fault, Master.”
“What?”
“After all, you were the one who took me in and raised me when I was young.”
Se-jin’s cheeky response left Ye-rin speechless.
Not caring about her reaction, Se-jin continued.
“So, I think part of the blame lies with you for me acting like such a fool. Don’t you agree?”
“Really, not a single word you say is sensible.”
Ye-rin rolled her eyes but couldn’t help but let out a small chuckle.
And so, the two of them talked about the old days.
When Seol-ryeon first found Se-jin and took him as a disciple.
How they would argue and fight with each other when Se-jin didn’t listen, and how they would make up afterward.
And how Se-jin, having grown up, made Seol-ryeon proud.
As they reminisced, time passed by without them noticing.
Eventually, the conversation slowed down.
“So, are you ready to leave now?”
“Well, honestly, it’d be a lie to say that I’ve completely let go of everything.”
Se-jin replied, sulking.
“But I still want to preserve my last bit of pride.”
Then, he narrowed his eyes and gave Ye-rin a sidelong glance.
“I still can’t stand the fact that I’m in love with a woman who’s already in love with someone else. It’s a matter of pride.”
“…”
Huh?
Ye-rin couldn’t believe her ears.
She turned to look at Se-jin, and he shrugged his shoulders as if to show off.
“Honestly, it’s not fair, right? I fell for her first, but I never even had a chance to confess.”
