Chapter 200
Chapter 200
“Haah! Haah!”
After a journey that had lasted a full month, Yoon Seojeong collapsed from exhaustion.
Her chest rose and fell steeply, to the point that merely watching it made one feel tired.
“Demon… he’s a demon…….”
Realizing the fearsome nature of her Master again after a long time, Yoon Seojeong’s body trembled.
‘So that’s why he chose such a shabby cart!’
The rickety cart creaked every time it passed over rough ground, sounding as though it might fall apart at any moment.
Because of that, she realized it. Just how brutal the training her Master intended to give her would be.
To pull the cart, the control of Internal Energy was crucial.
If even the slightest amount of energy was lacking, the cart would break under the weight of Youngho and Jongpal. Yet if too much Internal Energy was poured in, the cart would not withstand the force and would break as well.
It could neither be insufficient nor excessive.
If it ended there, it might simply be described as grueling training.
But Youngho did not neglect physical conditioning either, not just the control of Internal Energy.
Jongpal, sitting in the cart, faithfully followed Youngho’s orders like the loyal subordinate he was.
When Jongpal used the Thousand-Catty Weight Technique, his weight more than doubled. As a result, the legs of Yoon Seojeong—who had been running swiftly—gradually slowed.
Because Jongpal used the Thousand-Catty Weight Technique, the energy she had infused into the cart also had to be redistributed. Forced to concentrate on multiple things at once, Yoon Seojeong collapsed for the first time before even two Shijin had passed.
After half a Shijin of rest, she pulled the cart again. Even Jongpal clicked his tongue at Youngho’s merciless training method.
If others had seen it, the scene before them would have been so brutal they would not believe it.
Yet after five days passed, she was able to endure for about a Quarter-Hour longer.
After half a month passed, she could run while pulling the cart continuously for three Shijin without rest.
And now, a month later.
Yoon Seojeong’s body had undergone tremendous growth—short only of Bone-Marrow Reforging itself.
If judged by pure strength alone, she was already on par with Jongpal.
The mere fact that a woman could compete with a man in strength was astonishing.
Just one month.
In merely one month, Youngho had used Yoon Seojeong’s genius to evolve her body.
Looking at Yoon Seojeong sprawled out after pulling the cart without rest for five Shijin, Youngho smirked.
‘Impressive.’
It was an unexpected result. Originally, he had even thought she might run away at least once…
Though she constantly complained, Yoon Seojeong had endured every bit of his training.
He could not help but admire her monstrous mental fortitude.
“…She’s impressive.”
Jongpal, who had thought the same as Youngho, spoke with a weary expression.
“Even among the training I’ve endured, this ranks within the top three most vicious things. Why did you push her this harshly?”
At Jongpal’s complaint-laced question, Youngho asked in return.
“Seojeong must have had a hard time, right?”
“Of course. If I were her age, I would have run away.”
“It couldn’t be helped. It’s better than dying.”
Jongpal’s lips, which had been slightly curled upward the entire time, stiffened.
As if he had expected that reaction, Youngho’s expression remained indifferent.
“You probably noticed as well. It seems there are several groups targeting me.”
Youngho kept his eyes on Yoon Seojeong, who was practicing Circulation and Regulation of Qi, not even glancing at Jongpal’s stiff face.
“No matter how well you guard her, if the opponent is a master of the Transformation Realm, it will be useless.”
It was the first time in a long while that such words made Jongpal feel a bone-deep sense of helplessness.
“Just in case, I placed Black Shadow beside Jeong-ah as well.”
“Then, Lord of the Unorthodox Alliance… what about you?”
“I’ll be fine. If I have no intention of dying, I won’t die.”
If anyone else had said those words, they would have sounded unbearably arrogant.
But coming from Youngho, they felt strangely different.
Jongpal let out a small chuckle at Youngho’s unchanged tone.
“So that’s why you’re making the Young Lady stronger?”
“Do you have a complaint?”
“More like regret. The day she surpasses me will come sooner.”
His words carried a subtle heaviness, like the expression of a parent sending their child away.
Youngho made a disgusted face.
“She is my disciple.”
“Of course.”
Jongpal chuckled at Youngho’s serious expression.
Soon his laughter faded, and he spoke with a hardened face.
“Lord of the Unorthodox Alliance, may I change my Lord?”
Seeing the firm determination on Jongpal’s face, Youngho briefly wore a complicated expression.
There were many things he wanted to know. Many things he wanted to ask.
‘But this doesn’t seem like the right time.’
Realizing it was still too early, Youngho nodded and spoke.
“I permit it.”
Thud!
As soon as Youngho finished speaking, Jongpal dropped to one knee and slammed his fist into the ground.
The series of actions carried a noble solemnity, almost like a ritual.
After briefly looking at Yoon Seojeong’s face, Jongpal lowered his head and spoke.
“I greet my Lord.”
It was a short sentence.
And a mad action.
Once a Lord was chosen, they could not be changed.
There were exceptions, but only if the original Lord had died—or if one had become a traitor.
Yet Jongpal belonged to neither case.
Youngho could have cut his head off on the spot without anyone objecting.
Which was why Youngho remained silent.
Why his subordinate had made such a decision was unimportant.
Mistake, confusion, misunderstanding.
Not even such common thoughts crossed Youngho’s mind.
There was only one reason he had granted Jongpal’s request.
His eyes.
The eyes that were usually playful now carried the fierce determination of someone ready to die at any moment.
The playful curve of his lips flattened.
Once a man had made a resolution in his heart, no one could stop it.
‘Even if I hadn’t permitted it, he would have secretly sworn loyalty to Seojeong.’
In the first place, Jongpal must have spoken because he knew Youngho would permit it.
Youngho did not ask for reasons.
He simply heard the request—and accepted it.
That was all.
Not long after, Yoon Seojeong’s closed eyes slowly opened.
She had not heard their conversation.
Naturally so, since she had been practicing Circulation and Regulation of Qi.
Youngho glanced briefly at Jongpal’s expression.
‘He looks perfectly fine.’
Normally, not having one’s loyalty recognized by the Lord one had sworn to would be extremely painful.
Yet not even the slightest trace of disappointment appeared on Jongpal’s face.
Watching him grin slyly as though nothing had happened, Youngho gave a bitter smile.
‘I don’t know what you’ve resolved yourself to. Nor what you’re thinking.’
Still, he trusted him.
Jongpal’s will. The Jongpal he knew.
Youngho quickly shook off the complicated thoughts and chuckled while looking at the dust-covered Yoon Seojeong.
The sight was so irritating that even Jongpal, standing beside him, nearly raised his fist.
“Jongpal.”
Yoon Seojeong called him.
She was clearly about to use him to complain about Youngho.
Because of that, Jongpal approached her with a sincere smile.
“What is it?”
“You… just wait until later, okay? That Thousand-Catty Weight Technique? I can use it too.”
…Huh?
Something felt wrong, but Jongpal forced a laugh.
“Was it very heavy?”
“You alone felt like you weighed four hundred Geun.”
“….”
Instead of answering, Jongpal turned his head and whistled.
Seeing his shameless attempt to dodge the topic, Yoon Seojeong sighed deeply.
“Anyway, I want to wash up first…”
Yoon Seojeong glanced at Youngho.
Youngho looked utterly distressed at his disciple’s obvious attempt to read his mood.
“Jeong-ah, why are you looking at me like that? You’re tearing your Master’s heart apart.”
“Then why make me do such barbaric training?”
“You became stronger, didn’t you?”
At the shameless answer, Yoon Seojeong stared at Youngho blankly like someone who had lost their country.
Perhaps even Youngho felt this time had gone too far, because he laughed awkwardly.
“Haha… There should be a village nearby. Let’s stay there for a day.”
“Won’t it take time to find it?”
“I already found it. Walk a little more than four Li ahead and a village will appear.”
“……”
This time, she was speechless for a different reason.
Just how sharp must one’s Qi Sense be to detect presence four Li away?
Moreover, since he specifically said it was a village rather than wild beasts, it meant he sensed many presences.
Even more frightening was the feeling that this was not even the limit of Youngho’s abilities.
‘Is Master a god?’
In reality, Youngho had once killed the god of a religion.
But Yoon Seojeong knew little about her Master’s past.
Youngho’s group immediately used Lightness Skill and dashed forward.
They moved so fast they covered over twenty Zhang in the blink of an eye.
“It suddenly got really hot.”
Yoon Seojeong fanned her collar.
“Really? I’m not hot at all. Young Lady, haven’t you achieved Resistance to Heat and Cold yet?”
“Do I look as old as you?”
“That’s not about age but enlightenment and realm—agh!”
Yoon Seojeong smacked Jongpal repeatedly on the back.
While watching their little skit, Youngho sensed presences nearby.
‘Three. And all of them are masters of the Transformation Realm.’
The mysterious presences that had begun following them earlier sharpened his senses.
—I will deal with them.
Hearing Black Shadow’s Voice Transmission in his mind, Youngho glanced briefly at Yoon Seojeong’s shadow.
—No need. I don’t sense hostility. If it seems like trouble will arise, step in then.
—Understood.
Youngho subtly sent a hand signal to Jongpal.
Upon seeing it, Jongpal’s dark pupils flickered like flames.
Before long, Youngho and his group arrived at the village.
“Oh….”
Seeing Yoon Seojeong’s sparkling eyes, Youngho asked curiously.
“Jeong-ah, your eyes never rest.”
“There are so many strange animals.”
Youngho slowly followed her gaze.
Giant Pandas, lions, and great apes lived together with the villagers.
Watching a great ape trimming medicinal herbs—a rare sight—Youngho spoke.
“They must have raised them to be gentle.”
“Animals? Seonghu is my family.”
A deep voice suddenly sounded from behind.
Youngho slowly raised his head.
A tall man was looking down at him.
Seeing the man, who was three heads taller than himself, Youngho muttered.
“He’s even bigger than Jeong Guyu.”
“Who’s that?”
“A strong friend of mine.”
“Stronger than me?”
“That would depend on a match.”
Youngho rubbed his neck as if it hurt from looking up and turned around.
Facing him directly, the tall man was even bigger than expected.
Bulging muscles that looked ready to burst and deeply tanned skin revealed his wild aura.
Looking at the scars carved across the man’s body, Youngho asked,
“What kind of place is this?”
“A normal village.”
“Really? Is that so…”
Youngho carefully observed the thirty people in the village.
“All these people are normal villagers?”
He looked back at the man.
“What’s your name?”
The man’s chest muscles rippled once, and faint gazes began to gather around them.
They were so subtle that no one but an expert would notice them.
Youngho asked again, pretending not to notice anything.
“I asked your name.”
“Yulho. You look like a Young Noble Master from a wealthy family, but you won’t be able to enjoy sightseeing in the Southern Wilderness right now. Recently we’ve been restricting outsiders.”
“Why?”
“It seems something happened at the Beast Palace. I don’t know the affairs of those high-ranking figures, but the surroundings have been unsettled.”
“That’s something we’ll handle ourselves… Are you the village chief?”
“That’s right.”
“Impressive for someone so young.”
At Youngho’s admiration, Yulho laughed heartily.
“In our village, you need a good physique to qualify as village chief.”
“Well, physique is important if you don’t want to be looked down upon.”
Seeing Youngho appear convinced, Yulho turned his gaze to Jongpal.
“Could you turn back? Your Young Master seems to understand.”
“….”
Jongpal did not answer.
He simply stared at Yulho.
Yulho’s expression hardened at being ignored.
“Hey, didn’t you hear what I—!”
“Why is the Beast Palace Lord here?”
At that moment, the lively village froze.
The villagers chatting and laughing, Yulho, even the three hidden masters of the Transformation Realm—all went still.
In the suffocating silence, Youngho grinned.
“Did a rebellion break out?”
Staring into Yulho’s cold eyes, Youngho asked,
“You’re the Beast Palace Lord, aren’t you?”