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Chapter 629: Nine. And Three.

Hoo-wook-!

The corridor was filled with a chilling air.

Tududuk-! The sound of the palace crumbling due to fierce battles echoed around.

Silence was apparent, yet within it, a tiny sound resonated.

Drop.

At some moment, that sound stopped.

Silence had come.

Suddenly, all sounds ceased.

Even the rushing chill faded away, but I didn’t panic.

I simply stared quietly at the woman in my grasp.

Blood dripped steadily from her blackened lips.

Her eyes, now revealed with whites showing, were clearly lifeless, yet—

[How did you know?]

She was speaking to me.

What was strange was that, instead of her originally lovely voice, a deep male voice echoed.

Hearing that voice made me smirk.

“Oh, really? Nice to meet you too.”

[…]

My greeting caused the figure to fall silent for a moment.

Their expression was hardened, making it hard to gauge their thoughts, but I didn’t care.

Seconds passed.

[I will ask again.]

They spoke to me once more.

[Ninth Pureblood.]

[How did you know I was within the Apostle’s body?]

‘Hmmm.’

I frowned slightly at the words.

Even in that brief statement, two pieces of information were packed inside.

Apostle.

Ninth Pureblood.

I had to forcibly suppress the corner of my mouth that wanted to curl upward.

And then I said to them.

“Apostle… are you saying this girl is your Apostle?”

[Ha ha-.]

They let out a short laugh.

[Knowing you weren’t surprised, you intend to put on a ridiculous act, don’t you.]

Oh, got caught.

Right.

As they said, I wasn’t particularly shocked.

Having experienced so much in life, I wasn’t one to be surprised by such things.

Moreover, I had somewhat expected it.

‘Although, I didn’t know it was an Apostle or that there were nine of them.’

What I had expected was merely that something was inside Yu Seon’s body.

I had sensed it was related to the Ice Spirit, but beyond that, I was clueless.

[Are you planning to not answer my question?]

Hearing that made me nod.

What a bad temper, huh?

“It wasn’t exactly a huge question.”

It was something I could have figured out rather easily.

The reason was simple.

“Her?”

Yu Seon was.

“Not a topic worth discussing.”

Way too weak to be a dragon.

[Topic?]

“Yeah. Just not a topic worth discussing.”

It wasn’t something I should say, but Yu Seon was lacking in many ways to be called a dragon.

That was my first doubt.

In the past, I might not have noticed, but I realized it through several close battles.

I didn’t know what kind of power and effect her abilities possessed, but when she used them, she was strong.

It was just that the gap compared to when she wasn’t using them was far too vast.

‘…Not bad, but.’

She wasn’t that strong.

Ah, of course.

Considering her age, she’d be quite extraordinary, but that was just a comparison to me.

She had indeed reached the Transformation Realm, but in comparison to a true dragon, it seemed rather pathetic.

Without her powers, she was no different from an ordinary martial artist.

It might be odd to treat a Transformation Realm like an ordinary martial artist, but anyway, that’s how it was.

She felt lacking to be called a dragon.

I was convinced of that just now through battle.

‘It’s impossible for her to be a dragon.’

While Yu Seon had extraordinary talent as a human, it seemed she lacked the qualifications to become a dragon.

Thus, I pondered.

What events could have led Yu Seon to become a dragon?

The reason for crossing over the wall to become a dragon.

And.

Despite being called a Pureblood, the reason Yu Seon wasn’t one.

I wanted to find out.

Then, when greed momentarily swallowed their powers—

An inkling struck me.

‘Inside, there’s something.’

Yu Seon was harboring something.

Just like me.

What could it be?

What could be inside her that feels so faint yet clear?

What I could be certain of here was—

‘That thing has made her become a dragon.’

With that conviction, I didn’t dwell on the matter for long.

I had already sensed an energy I was familiar with from Tam.

It was something I wouldn’t mistake for anything else, felt right after just experiencing it.

Ice Spirit.

I sensed the energy of the Ice Spirit within Yu Seon.

This wasn’t strange.

From the start, the Bloodline of the Ice Palace used Ice Techniques.

Having energy similar to that of the Ice Spirit was only natural, and as the Demon Lord said.

‘Given that the curse of the Ice Spirit is carried by the Bloodline, that energy should be a given.’

However, the sensation felt with Yu Seon was different from that.

It was much more twisted.

Far more intense.

What was it?

I had been dying to know.

“It’s refreshing to meet like this.”

[…Huh.]

After taking a (little) strong stance, I was luckily able to meet her.

“How should I call you? Ice Spirit? Can I call you that?”

[…Titles don’t matter much. That’s not the point.]

Zzzt-!

“…!”

Kwaaaah–!!

Ice spikes burst through the ground.

I quickly recoiled backward, barely managing to evade.

Kekekeke-!

The spikes thrust up through the ceiling, forming a wall.

“What’s this again?”

[It seems too close to have a conversation.]

Thud thud.

Yu Seon’s physical body began to gradually change.

Her distorted form was forcibly regenerating.

Torn skin healed, and shattered bones were mended.

What a brutal sight it was.

[It’s nice to see you, Ninth. I am the Third Pureblood.]

Wood duck.

Even the collapsed upper body was fully restored.

[They call me Mang.]

‘Mang.’

Hearing that name reminded me of when Yu Seon had used her powers.

—Mang…!

She must have said something when she used her abilities, and it seems that was its name.

Furthermore.

[As the Third Pureblood,] calling myself “Ninth” was another way to imply my order.

“You mean there are seven others besides you?”

Even excluding Yu Seon who is not a Pureblood, it meant there were still more Purebloods.

In response to such a query, the being named Mang replied.

[There were. Long ago.]

The response came without a hint of doubt.

Long ago.

“So that means there are none left now?”

[Ha ha.]

Mang chuckled briefly.

[None remain. Except for one… No, now it must be two.]

If they’ve increased to two, it probably refers to the loss of one.

Who might that one be?

Considering that—

‘There were once eight Purebloods, seven have perished, and only one remains.’

That seemed about right.

This ancient tale aside, what truly mattered now was not this.

What mattered was the being before me who stated her name was Mang.

This being.

‘Is not the Blood Demon.’

I could tell because I had briefly encountered the Blood Demon.

It felt different, almost similar, yet there was a distinct difference.

What’s troubling about this is—

‘The Ice Spirit was said to be left behind by the Blood Demon.’

This so-called Dragon Emperor was the one regarded as the Blood Demon, who had caused the calamity in the North Sea.

But if this being isn’t the Blood Demon, then—

‘What’s going on here?’

It was an uncanny situation.

“Who are you? What are you trying to do within her? And what is this Pureblood?”

The Ninth Pureblood.

In a situation where I didn’t even properly understand what it means to be a dragon, what could a Pureblood be?

‘As the Demon Lord said, it’s a dragon that has broken its own vessel and risen.’

What a vague statement that was.

Saying there are only eight beings who experienced this, excluding me.

In response to such a meaningful inquiry—

[That’s strange. Ninth. You seem to be under some misconception.]

Mang spoke to me.

[What makes you think I would answer you?]

Indicating that there was no desire to respond.

Hearing that, I couldn’t help but scoff.

“You’ve got quite the attitude. You could at least share a bit.”

[Do you think I am being friendly toward you?]

“You’re a Pureblood or whatever. We’re in the same boat; we could help each other out.”

As I spoke, I eyed the ice before me.

Could I break it?

I was pondering whether to casually give it a try when—

[Same boat? Nonsense.]

Mang continued.

That voice was filled with an unknown chill.

[You are a distortion. An existence that should not have been born in the first place.]

Mang’s words made me frown.

An existence that shouldn’t have been born?

“What does that mean?”

[From the beginning, we should have been eight. That was the rule set by the world.]

So there should have only been eight from the start?

That sounded like some absurdity I couldn’t comprehend.

“Yet you say seven have died, so whatever has filled that gap?”

[Ha.]

My answer drew a laugh of exasperation from Mang.

[Not understanding this at all proves you are indeed a distortion.]

This time I didn’t reply.

Rather, I took a position and threw a punch.

The punch carried my qi and struck the wall.

Bang-! Crack crack–!!

As my fist hit the wall, cracks spread across it, and debris flew.

That would break if I hit it about four times.

[…Truly violent.]

“Keep talking. I’ll do what I’ve got to do.”

It was not a threat.

I genuinely considered it something I had to do.

“So, what now?”

I curled my fist once more and asked.

“If you don’t want to tell me what I am, keep your mouth shut.”

I didn’t feel frustrated or annoyed like before for not being told.

If you don’t want to say it, then don’t.

“I’ll figure it out myself.”

Although that might be a bit cruel and violent, I was willing to do it.

Kuuuung—!!

The wall vibrated significantly.

My fist sank deep, and the cracks intensified.

Just one more hit.

Let’s try hitting it a little harder this time.

As I gathered qi to deliver a more intense strike—

[Stop.]

Mang’s words caused me to hold my actions in place and look at them.

“Why? Got something to say?”

Did they finally decide to speak? I cocked my head, looking at them.

[…There’s no need for us to be taking this unnecessary approach.]

“Not a single response yet.”

Fed up with crude words, I swung my fist down.

Kwaaa-!!!

A much larger vibration echoed down the corridor.

As the shards flew, I snuck a glance.

‘No counterattack.’

Even after all this, there was still no strike in return.

What could that mean?

Did it mean I wasn’t worth it?

Or.

‘Am I in a situation where they can’t retaliate?’

That could also be true, but—

‘Whatever.’

I’d know if I just hit again.

This time, I was about to use Heart’s Authority and touch the Soul.

Suuu-!

Just as I felt an unpleasant reverberation from my soul, I was about to strike the wall when—

[…It seems we are enemies.]

I stopped short.

At Mang’s words, I finally halted my actions.

“Continue talking. I’m listening.”

[…]

Remaining ready to break it any moment, I kept my qi maintained.

[You don’t plan on facing the Dragon Emperor, do you?]

That was an interesting statement.

It implied that Mang was not the Dragon Emperor and that I was attempting to face the Blood Demon.

Additionally, it subtly hinted that the true enemy was also the Blood Demon.

If the Dragon Emperor was indeed the Blood Demon.

Feigning ignorance, I asked.

“Dragon Emperor? You said he left you here. What’s your connection?”

[…]

Silence.

Noticing the pause, I moved my elbow slightly.

[The reason there were eight Purebloods and now seven is precisely because of him.]

“Wow.”

Finally, precious information popped out.

The reason the number of dragons called Purebloods decreased.

It was because of the Blood Demon?

“Explain. What do you mean?”

[He consumed the other Purebloods for his own greed.]

I frowned. This meant—

‘The Blood Demon is also one of the Purebloods.’

The being that appeared as the first calamity in the Central Plains and has been scheming behind the Martial Alliance for centuries, who had also planted Blood Qi within me—was another dragon, the Blood Demon.

That he—

‘Ate the other Purebloods and wiped them out?’

Furthermore, it seemed Mang’s will was already embedded here.

Why would that be?

‘That’s not the heart of the Dragon Emperor.’

It was surging with tremendous energy, and it held a power I couldn’t fathom.

Yet it fundamentally felt different from the Blood Demon’s power.

Then whose energy was this?

My earlier doubts upon touching the Ice Spirit became clear when I saw Mang.

‘That’s all the power of this being.’

The energy contained within the Ice Spirit belonged to Mang.

I had no idea why the Blood Demon threw it here, but I was certain it was not their energy.

Trying to make sense of it, I asked.

“Why did we think we were enemies?”

[It’s simple….]

Mang spoke.

[The Dragon Emperor seeks to consume all Purebloods. He will be coming for you too. The Dragon Emperor is thus your enemy as well.]

That was indeed a straightforward reason.

One, it was already a word echoing in my ears.

“Why? Why does he eat the other Purebloods?”

Dragons are said to be arrogant beings, developing animosity toward their kin from simply seeing one another.

So, it would be quite normal for them to fight each other after all.

But the fact that he specifically ‘sees’ them as Purebloods suggested there was another meaning beneath that.

[To gain strength. To achieve what he desires…. he will need that strength.]

“What does he desire?”

[…I cannot say.]

Kwaaah-!

[…!!]

My punch shattered the wall.

Just one more.

Just one more punch, and the entire wall would crumble.

“So keep your mouth shut.”

[Truly violent.]

“I’ve lived a life that hasn’t exactly been soft, you know. I’m a little impatient.”

[We need not engage in this quarrel, as I said before…!]

“If you want to pretend to be an ally, then you’d better at least enlighten me. Otherwise, it sounds like you’re asking for a fight.”

The phrase was becoming tiresome.

If you weren’t going to share, it would be better to clear you out quickly.

‘Besides…’

I looked at Mang as I pondered.

‘Something feels off about him too.’

While I had been absorbing the information he’d been spilling, the reason I didn’t cling to it was due to that gut feeling.

Hearing about the Blood Demon was not bad.

It wasn’t bad learning about the Third and Eighth Purebloods.

But.

‘Something’s ominous.’

If it was truly urgent, he should have tried telling me something.

But he didn’t seem in any hurry to share.

There was also a hint of wanting to win me over, but that didn’t feel substantial.

It felt like there was some hidden agenda behind it.

Sensing that, even the curiosity I had in me dwindled rapidly.

‘This is annoying.’

I grew tired of these mundane inquiries.

So I decided to make this simple.

Yes, the most straightforward way.

“I’ll just hit until you say something.”

I would make him speak until then.

That would resolve most things anyway.

Hoo-wook-!

As I tightened my fist, wrapping it in Strong Energy, preparing to deliver the final blow—

[You truly are an obstinate one.]

Crack crack–!!

“…!”

In an instant, a violent gust blew, forcing me to leap backward.

It was an overwhelming chill.

Nothing compared to what Yu Seon had emitted.

After creating some distance, I glanced over at them.

[As you are, I have interest in you too.]

Mang, in the form of Yu Seon, began to elaborate.

[You, a Pureblood born out of the rules, who possesses the ability to consume powers. How could I not be intrigued?]

“So I really am a special case?”

[Not just special. It’s a force that extends far beyond reason. It is as though…]

Mang pointed a finger toward me.

[It seems I have chosen you as the one to stand against the Dragon Emperor.]

The strength to face beings that are not human.

The intent held within those words was far too clear and made me want to laugh.

If what they said were true—

‘What are you trying to achieve?’

What does the world expect from me?

The Blood Demon, the calamity that was brought upon me.

If it intends to rise again and show its intentions,

Then the world would have to support it.

[I shall seize that creature’s neck and tear it apart.]

[After consuming me, he is fine leaving me discarded in this land. I must make him pay regardless.]

There was fury in Mang’s voice.

[Thus, I can join you in purpose. We can assist one another to achieve our aims.]

“Why do you think you can work together after saying I’m a distortion?”

[Even so, you are still a Pureblood.]

They shifted their posture, extending a hand toward me.

[Now, Ninth. Let us join forces. Let us prevail against the Dragon Emperor.]

“Hmm.”

I made a thoughtful expression.

You want to join forces?

“But how can you, bound as you are to the Ice Spirit, even suggest such a thing?”

Seeming to express doubt, I inquired. To which—

[The Dragon Emperor made a grave mistake when he left me here.]

Mang reassured me not to worry.

“What kind of mistake?”

[He split my physical form and energy to seal me with the Ice Spirit. He likely didn’t think it would be so.]

[That I would have ample opportunities to recover my power.]

Hearing Mang’s words, I frowned.

His body and energy had been divided and sealed away. Upon realizing this, a thought struck me.

‘So that’s why…’

The reason I had sensed massive energy emanating from the Ice Spirit.

On top of that, it invoked a memory.

The hero from the past I once met, Cheol-Yeong of Shaolin, mentioned something similar.

‘He had torn apart the senses of the Blood Demon and sealed away his body and energy.’

This felt quite reminiscent.

Could it be a coincidence?

‘It could be or it could not.’

It might just be a similar occurrence or could be something more entwined.

But right now, there was something that bothered me. It was quite significant.

I looked at Mang and asked.

“The Ice Spirit was said to halt the calamity, and the other half was alleged to cause it.”

That was what I had heard from the Demon Lord.

It was said the divided Ice Spirit served opposite roles, and the Demon Lord had sacrificed their life force to maintain it.

Then, Mang’s recent claims of regaining energy struck me as really concerning.

“Wait, did you intend for this to happen?”

[Hmmm?]

The question seemed to perplex Mang.

[What a strange thing to ask.]

What could have made him look puzzled?

[It’s only natural; recovering energy is necessary.]

“…”

I erased my expression.

That meant the calamity wrought by the Ice Spirit was due to the Bloodline of the Ice Palace draining its life force at the same time.

Mang was confessing that was intentional.

[That was their greatest mistake.]

Mang chuckled.

[Once my energy fully recovers, I shall reclaim power in order to swallow it whole.]

It seemed likely that was exactly what he intended to do.

[Not long remains. I will resurrect. So, let’s join forces and…]

“Enough.”

[Huh?]

I shook my head.

That was enough for me to hear.

[Ninth….]

“I’ve heard enough. I wasn’t planning to join forces anyway.”

Having listened to the situation, it became clearer to me.

“It seems you’re quite the problematic being. Just get lost.”

[Ha.]

Mang scoffed with a hollow laugh.

[You truly…!]

Just as Mang was about to speak again, they paused.

[What… are you trying to do?]

It seemed they were observing my actions.

Flame Burst–!!

Heat began to gather around me.

I crafted a Flame Jade above my hand and began spinning it toward my target.

Only, my gaze wasn’t toward Mang in Yu Seon’s body.

Instead, I was staring at the empty ground.

No, it wasn’t entirely empty.

Far below the distant ground, an enormous energy resonated.

That must be the one.

Where the Ice Spirit resides.

[You can’t mean-!]

Mang reacted in a hurried manner as if they sensed something.

Hearing that, I merely smirked at him.

“I’m off to meet them.”

I threw the Flame Jade enveloped in heat down toward the ground.

Kuwaaaaaah–!!!

An explosion erupted, creating a massive hole in the earth.

 

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