Blood Demon's Awakening

❄️ Morning at the Ice Soul Palace

The morning light filtered through the crystal windows of the Ice Soul Palace as Jin-ho approached Seol Hwa-rin about the third floor.

"I heard there's something special on the third floor of the archive," Jin-ho said carefully, watching her reaction.

Seol Hwa-rin's expression subtly hardened. "The third floor? Oh... that place is dangerous. The floor is unstable and..."

"But that's where the oldest records would be kept," Blood Scribe (혈화) interjected with genuine scholarly interest.

"Really, it's nothing special. Just musty old books covered in mold," Seol Hwa-rin waved dismissively. "Nobody reads that stuff anymore."

🎭 Suspicious Reactions

Jin-ho noticed how hard she was trying to dissuade them. "There must be a reason you're so concerned about us going up there."

"It's not that!" Seol Hwa-rin's voice pitched slightly higher. "I'm just worried about your safety. What if something happens?"

『She's hiding something important up there』 Blood Heaven Emperor observed coldly.

『The more she tries to stop us, the more suspicious it becomes』 Thunder Lightning King agreed.

"Thank you for your concern, but we'll be careful," Jin-ho said with a polite but firm smile.

🔍 Third Floor Investigation

Despite Seol Hwa-rin's protests, Jin-ho's group climbed to the third floor. The ancient wooden steps creaked under their feet, and the air grew noticeably colder.

"Look at these documents!" Blood Scribe exclaimed, his eyes lighting up as he examined dusty scrolls and books that hadn't been touched in decades.

Among the pile of seemingly mundane records, they discovered something extraordinary.

🏗️ Shocking Discovery

『Ice Soul Palace Construction Records』

"Lord Ice Soul Emperor chose this location for a specific reason: Deep beneath the ground, traces of the Supreme Great Demon God's residual power were detected. This palace was built to seal and simultaneously monitor these forces."

Jin-ho felt a chill that had nothing to do with the cold air. "So this whole palace... was built as a surveillance facility?"

"It gets more interesting," Blood Scribe continued reading. "Listen to this entry:"

⏰ Time Manipulation Experiments

『Time Manipulation Experiment Log』

"Experiment #137: Successfully stopped time for 3 seconds. Side effect: 5% mental energy depletion.

Experiment #244: 10-second time stop achieved. Side effects: Partial memory loss, emotional numbing.

Experiment #999: 1-minute time stop successful. Side effects: Caster unconscious for 3 days, complete emotional shutdown.

Conclusion: Time manipulation is directly connected to emotions. The more time is frozen, the more the heart freezes as well."

『Fascinating... so time and emotion are linked』 Thunder Lightning King mused.

『That explains why the Ice Soul Emperor became so cold and calculating』 Blood Heaven Emperor added grimly.

⛔ Desperate Attempts to Stop Them

Armed with new information, Jin-ho was determined to explore the underground facility mentioned in the construction records.

"Underground? But that's..." Seol Hwa-rin's composure finally cracked when they asked about accessing the basement levels.

"That area is absolutely forbidden! Ancient seals are down there, and if something goes wrong..."

"All the more reason to investigate," Jin-ho replied. "Important information is often kept in dangerous places."

🔓 Breaking Through Security

"Please, I'm begging you," Seol Hwa-rin's voice took on a desperate edge. "There's really nothing down there but old, broken magic circles. You'll just be wasting your time!"

But Jin-ho had made up his mind. "I appreciate your concern, but we need to see for ourselves."

Blood Guard (혈위) stepped forward. "I can handle the security measures. Leave it to me."

With Blood Guard's expertise, they bypassed the multiple locks and warning barriers that protected the underground entrance.

🌌 Underground Marvel

The underground chamber was vast beyond imagination. In the center lay an intricate magic circle that seemed to pulse with ancient power, its blue light flickering like a dying heartbeat.

"This... this is the same style as the sealing techniques used 3,000 years ago!" Blood Scribe gasped in amazement.

"3,000 years ago... you mean when they sealed the Supreme Great Demon God?" Jin-ho asked.

"Exactly! This is identical to the formations used in that legendary sealing!"

📊 System Analysis

As they examined the formation more closely, glowing runes revealed detailed information:

『Supreme Great Demon God Surveillance Seal Facility』

Designer: Ice Soul Emperor + Orthodox Alliance Functions: Monitor Supreme Great Demon God's residual power Early detection of resurrection signs Track the Four Great Demon God activities Emergency additional sealing activation Current Status: Operational but unstable Warning: Seal weakening due to increased special constitution awakenings ⚡ Reactions from Within

"Such a sophisticated system..." Jin-ho marveled at the complexity.

『So our activities have been monitored from here all along』 Blood Heaven Emperor said with displeasure.

『But look - the seal is weakening. That could be an opportunity』 Thunder Lightning King observed calculatingly.

❄️ A Voice from the Past

As they approached the center of the magic circle, a sudden cold wind swept through the chamber.

"Who... dares to enter this place..."

A hollow, ethereal voice echoed through the underground space.

"Who's there?" Jin-ho called out cautiously.

"I am... the will of the Ice Soul Emperor..."

👑 The Empress Awakens

A translucent feminine figure materialized before them. Though her form was ghostly, her presence commanded respect and authority.

"You... carry fragments of the Supreme Great Demon God within you..."

The Ice Soul Emperor's remnant consciousness fixed her gaze on Jin-ho.

『Long time no see, Ice Soul』 Blood Heaven Emperor spoke up.

『Hahaha! It really has been ages!』 Thunder Lightning King added cheerfully.

"Blood Heaven... Thunder Lightning... so it's you two..." The Ice Soul Emperor seemed surprised.

💔 The Truth About Division

"Be careful... if you lose your emotions... you'll become like the Supreme Great Demon God..."

The Ice Soul Emperor's warning carried the weight of ancient wisdom.

"The true cause of the division was... emotional imbalance..."

"Emotional imbalance?" Jin-ho leaned forward intently.

🧠 The Real Reason for Failure

"Blood Heaven was consumed by rage... Thunder Lightning by destructive urges... I by cold detachment..."

"Shadow was consumed by the desire for domination... that's why we split apart..."

Her voice grew weaker as she continued.

"The Supreme Great Demon God... extremized all emotions..."

"That's why he lost control... and divided..."

😱 Shocking Revelations

『So that... that was the real reason』 Blood Heaven Emperor was shocked by this revelation.

『A truth we never knew』 Thunder Lightning King was equally stunned.

"Then what should I do?" Jin-ho asked desperately.

⚖️ The Key to Balance

"Balance... don't lose balance..."

"Accept all emotions... but don't become obsessed with any single one..."

"And... beware of that child..."

The Ice Soul Emperor pointed in the direction where Seol Hwa-rin waited above.

"Seol Hwa-rin?"

"That child has... already frozen her heart... for the sake of power..."

"Don't make... the same mistake... I did..."

The Ice Soul Emperor's form began to fade.

📋 Critical Information Acquired

Critical Information Acquired:

📜 Important Discovery #5: The True Cause of the Four-Way Division Technique's Failure - The real reason the Supreme Great Demon God split into four parts - Mental imbalance caused by extreme emotional polarization - Each fragment became obsessed with only one emotion - This problem must be solved even during reunification - Unbalanced emotions lead to greater destruction

📚 Complete Intelligence Report

Returning to the surface, Jin-ho's group compiled their discoveries from the Ice Soul Palace.

Collected Information Summary:

📚 Document Information: - Ice Soul Technique basics (importance of emotional preservation) - Ice Soul Emperor's handwritten will (warning not to lose warmth) - Ice Soul Palace construction logs (surveillance facility purpose) - Time manipulation experiment records (connection between emotion and time) 👥 Oral Information: - Time-stop phenomenon witness accounts (underground facility activity) - Ice Soul Emperor's voice testimonies (remnant consciousness warnings) - Seol Hwa-rin's transformation testimonies (callousness due to power obsession) 🔮 Direct Encounters: - Conversation with Ice Soul Emperor's remnant consciousness - Discovery of Four-Way Division Technique's failure cause - Confirmation of emotional balance's importance 🎉 Major Progress Achievement

"We've really learned a lot," Blood Scribe said with satisfaction.

"Now we have a basic understanding of the Four-Way Division Technique."

📈 Interpretation Rate Update

『Four-Way Division Technique Interpretation Rate: 5% → 25%』

『Newly Understood Aspects:』

True cause of division (emotional imbalance) Each demon god's weakness (extreme emotional obsession) Precautions for reunification (maintaining balance) Difference between sealing vs. unification (emotional control)

『Next Stage Unlocked:』

Basic emotional balance maintenance techniques Time detection ability (Ice Soul Emperor's influence) Seal facility detection ability

"We've achieved 25%!" Jin-ho celebrated.

『But we still have a long way to go』 Blood Heaven Emperor said realistically.

『Next is the Thunder Lightning Gate. It'll be even more difficult there』 Thunder Lightning King warned.

⚠️ Dangerous Discoveries

However, they hadn't only gained positive information. Several concerning elements had also been revealed.

Confirmed Risk Factors:

⚠️ Seol Hwa-rin's Betrayal Plan: - Confirmed pre-contract relationship with Yin Mu-geuk - Plans to betray Jin-ho after using him - Primary goal is seizing Ice Soul Palace power ⚠️ Supreme Great Demon God Resurrection Signs: - Underground seals are gradually weakening - Seal instability increases with each awakening - Complete collapse expected at 50th awakening ⚠️ Importance of Emotional Balance: - Jin-ho also faces risk of emotional extremism - Blood Heaven Emperor and Thunder Lightning King show emotional bias - Without balance, will repeat Supreme Great Demon God's failure

"We'll need to be even more careful going forward," Jin-ho resolved.

🎪 Perfect Acting Until the End

Before leaving the Ice Soul Palace, Seol Hwa-rin came to bid them farewell.

"Was it helpful, Jin-ho?" She maintained her bright smile, but Jin-ho could now see through the facade.

"Yes, we learned a great deal," Jin-ho replied, matching her performance.

"I'm so glad! Come visit again sometime~" Seol Hwa-rin waved cheerfully.

🧠 Hidden Thoughts

(Inner thoughts: 'Now that I've used them enough... time to proceed to the next phase')

Jin-ho thought to himself: (She knows we've seen through her, but she's still acting to the very end...)

『That traitor... we'll make sure she pays the price eventually』 Blood Heaven Emperor seethed.

『But first, we need to use her more ourselves』 Thunder Lightning King said coldly.

🗺️ Next Destination Decision

As their Blood Flame Sect airship departed the Ice Soul Palace, Jin-ho made his decision about their next destination.

"The Thunder Lightning Gate," he declared. "That's where we need to go next."

It would be a return to the place where Noe Jin-woon had died, where Jin Noe-mu awaited his revenge. But Jin-ho was no longer the same person who had fled in desperation.

💪 New Resolve

『It's time to face the past』 Blood Heaven Emperor said grimly.

『And claim what belongs to us』 Thunder Lightning King added with anticipation.

As lightning began to flash across the distant mountain peaks, Jin-ho prepared himself for the challenges ahead. The Thunder Lightning Gate awaited, and with it, the next phase of his dangerous journey to master the Four-Way Division Technique.

🌩️ Approaching the Storm

"Lightning mountains are starting to come into view..." Blood Guard reported from the observation deck.

"Those are the Thunder Lightning Gate territories," Blood Scribe confirmed, consulting his maps.

Jin-ho gripped the ship's railing as he watched the storm clouds gathering ahead. This next confrontation would test everything he had learned at the Ice Soul Palace about emotional balance and inner strength.

"Noe Jin-woon... I'll make sure your death wasn't in vain," he whispered to the wind.