The Ice Palace Lord was silently gazing out the window.
Seeing her so agitated, Seo Nak's final act of spite had succeeded.
Into that place entered Han Seol.
"Palace Lord."
"You have come?"
The Ice Palace Lord turned toward her.
"I am planning to go to the Northern Blood Gate with the Young Cult Leader."
At her daughter's words, the Ice Palace Lord nodded.
She knew it was a dangerous matter given the circumstances, but she had already resolved to send her, trusting in Geom Mugeuk. Her daughter would grow into a true martial artist through such experiences as well.
In truth, Han Seol had not come solely to report that she was going to the Northern Blood Gate. She was worried about her mother. That she might have been hurt because of Elder Seo.
"Make sure to express it in words."
These were the words Geom Mugeuk had said to her when she told him she would go report to her mother. His perception was so sharp that he had known the reason she was going to see her mother.
Expressing it in words.
To her, those words felt like a gate of life and death.
In the past, this meeting would have ended with her mother's reply of "Very well, go and return safely," without them ever once properly meeting each other's gaze.
But this time was different.
Han Seol looked straight at her mother.
"Why do you look at me so?"
After a brief pause, Han Seol spoke.
"I was wondering if you were alright."
The Ice Palace Lord sensed it. How much courage her daughter had mustered to say those words. Even within the awkward atmosphere, emotions were being conveyed clearly between them.
"Let us have a cup of tea."
"Today, I will make it."
Han Seol brewed the tea herself. The Ice Palace Lord sat at the tea table and silently watched her from behind. It was the first time her daughter had brewed tea for her. Thanks to that, her depressed heart eased considerably.
"You have grown up."
The moment she heard those words, Han Seol's hand, which had been brewing tea, paused for a moment. Once again, Geom Mugeuk's words came to mind.
"Had she raised us to this age, wouldn't it be a child's duty to make her say something like, 'You've grown so much,' at least once?"
A short while later, Han Seol brought the tea and set it down.
The two drank tea in silence. It was less awkward than when they had first begun.
"I am fine."
She was truly fine. Elder Seo's betrayal did not affect her particularly. She had already suspected him, which was precisely why she had accepted the cult's people into the palace.
Since she did not seem to be deliberately hiding her wounds, Han Seol was relieved.
"That is a relief. Then I shall go and return."
She tried to get up before it became awkward for no reason.
"Wait a moment."
The Ice Palace Lord rose from her seat and brought something she had prepared. It was a set of protective armor.
"This is the Heavenly Palace Guardian Armor. Wear it when you go."
The Heavenly Palace Guardian Armor was protective armor passed down as a treasure of the Northern Sea Ice Palace.
Greater emotion was conveyed to Han Seol, who was surprised by the unexpected protective armor.
"If they use the Art of Self-Annihilation right before your eyes with no room to evade, trust the Heavenly Palace Guardian Armor and protect only your face with the Winter Wind Ice Barrier technique. Then you will be able to avoid critical injuries."
The heart worrying for her daughter was conveyed to Han Seol. That was why Han Seol's voice trembled slightly as she took her leave.
"I will handle it as you have said. Then I shall go and return."
Han Seol descended from the Palace Lord's quarters carrying the Heavenly Palace Guardian Armor. She should have properly conveyed her gratitude. But she had come down without being able to offer a proper word of thanks, being too flustered, surprised, and moved.
The change in their relationship was joyful, yet at the same time, it was worrying.
Even Elder Seo, whom she had watched for so long, had betrayed her mother. A human's heart when sitting differs from when they stand.
She was afraid she might hurt her mother. And that she might be hurt too. It was because she had lived for so long without considering the other person's heart.
* * *
Ha Gyeol entered the secret room containing the water tank.
Today too, he felt the calculated cold that could only be sensed in this space.
The Blood King was still submerged in the bloody water of the tank. Once the one with the Extreme Constitution arrived, he would finish the grand technique and emerge from that place. Now there were only two days left, and he had to deliver such news.
"Elder Seo is dead."
At Ha Gyeol's report, the Blood King in the tank opened his eyes wide.
"He fell to Chwima."
Then, a low and deep echo sounded from within the bloody water.
"What of Chwima?"
He likely thought Chwima would not be safe either, since blood men who used the Art of Self-Annihilation were guarding him.
"Chwima is safe. The Young Cult Leader of the Demonic Cult and the Ice Palace Lord were together at that place. It is presumed that the three of them blocked the Art of Self-Annihilation through a combined attack."
The expression of the Blood King submerged in the bloody water stiffened frighteningly.
Raising a single blood man capable of using the Art of Self-Annihilation required tremendous money and time.
Moreover, Seo Nak was a person who had long invested effort to completely take over the Ice Palace. Thus, the Blood King's fury was only natural.
He felt the bloody water of the tank growing even colder.
The submerged Blood King began to slowly rise to the water's surface.
Swiiiiish.
He revealed his body from within the bloody water.
Blood water flowed down his outstretched arms and body. The blood aura flowing from his two eyes was so intense that one could not dare meet his gaze.
"I will not leave Chwima alive."
The moment he tried to go outside immediately.
Ha Gyeol prostrated himself before the water tank as if performing a deep bow.
"Please endure, Master!"
The Blood King's movement paused for a moment. His cold gaze turned toward Ha Gyeol.
"You have the great enterprise right before you. You need only endure for two more days now."
The bloody water flowing down the Blood King's body dripped.
Ha Gyeol knew. Even if only one hour remained rather than two days, his master was not one to endure. His master was a man like blood. That blood boiled like lava and froze like a glacier.
"Please wait just two days. They have not yet discovered us. Seo Nak died because he was discovered in the process of those bastards tracking down the murderer who killed the Lord of the Daylight Snowfield. Please postpone the punishment until two days later."
Ha Gyeol desperately dissuaded his master.
The Blood King silently looked down at Ha Gyeol.
Swiiiiish.
He submerged back into the bloody water.
He closed his eyes and said nothing. Now, in two days, the fury he had endured today would accumulate and erupt, so Chwima would certainly die.
Ha Gyeol revealed his determination, putting strength into his eyes.
"Even if it means sacrificing everyone in the Northern Blood Gate, I will endure for two days."
* * *
Ha Gyeol, who had come out of the secret room, returned straight to Yang Seok's quarters.
As he was about to enter the building, Yang Seok was waiting at the entrance.
"Where have you been again?"
"I apologize. I went to see the Gate Lord."
Whenever he left his post, he always used the Gate Lord as an excuse.
Yang Seok found him displeasing. It was not merely because he frequently left his post to meet his father.
His father treated Ha Gyeol somehow cautiously, and the two were somehow secretive. Therefore, seeing them made him feel unpleasant.
"It is fine. I understand you."
Now Yang Seok had made up his mind to change his strategy.
"Here, I give this considering your troubles until now, so take it."
Yang Seok handed over an envelope. Ha Gyeol received it and opened it to see three promissory notes worth one hundred nyang each. It was a large sum for money given as reward for hard work.
"I cannot accept it."
"It is my sincerity, so take it."
Yang Seok insisted, and in the end, Ha Gyeol accepted the notes, pretending he could not overcome the gesture.
Yang Seok intended to make Ha Gyeol his person and use him in reverse to figure out his father's heart.
'I should have done this from the start.'
Where is there a fellow who hates money? Yang Seok regretted it. He had been angry at his father, who was watching him, and could not act rationally. If his father gave one thousand nyang, he would give two thousand.
"I ask for your goodwill in the future."
"I will serve you with full loyalty."
At that moment, a subordinate came and reported that a guest had arrived.
"The Little Palace Lord of the Ice Palace has arrived."
"She has already come?"
She had said she would come again, but he had not known it would be this soon.
"Is there anyone accompanying her?"
"Yes, she came with a young man."
Yang Seok intuited that the young man was the Young Cult Leader of the Demonic Cult. She had said she would bring the Young Cult Leader of the Demonic Cult when she came again. They said the Young Cult Leader acted arrogantly; it seemed she truly wanted to resolve the conflict with him even a day sooner.
"Let us go."
Yang Seok took the lead and walked. He wanted to hurry and see what kind of person the Young Cult Leader of the Demonic Cult was.
Ha Gyeol's expression as he followed him was stiff.
'They came from the Cult already?'
The Cult's movements were faster than he thought. It had not been long since Elder Seo was killed.
'Moreover, are they trying to target Young Master Yang?'
They had properly grasped the situation. Because he would have done the same.
Ha Gyeol too was curious about the Young Cult Leader of the Demonic Cult, who moved this quickly, so his steps following Yang Seok quickened.
* * *
Han Seol was waiting in the guest hall with Geom Mugeuk.
Unlike when she had come before, today a clear plan and strategy had been established.
Han Seol was someone who did not easily get nervous over most matters, but today she was anxious.
She looked at Geom Mugeuk. He showed no sign of nervousness at all.
"Aren't you nervous?"
Geom Mugeuk nodded and asked in return.
"Do you know why you are so nervous?"
"Why?"
"Because you are trying too hard to do well."
He was right. She clearly had the desire to make the plan succeed with perfect acting.
"So what if you are a bit lacking? Even if I make a mistake, the Young Cult Leader over there will handle it. Try adopting such a mindset. Then you will not be nervous at all."
Even without deliberately adopting such a mindset, hearing Geom Mugeuk's words alone made Han Seol feel a bit more at ease.
"This martial artist said: You will never give the order for me to die. If you do not give that order, you will die. Will you still not give it? Even if the Demonic Cult perishes?"
Geom Mugeuk smiled and gazed at her.
"That is correct. Still, I will not give it. What is the point of living a life where I must kill a subordinate who likes me so much in order to survive? The Main Cult is the same. If its rise or fall depends on a single woman's life or death, then it is better to perish."
Han Seol looked at Geom Mugeuk, then turned her head to the window and averted her gaze.
"It is not bluster!"
I know. That is why I feel even more upset.
Then the door opened, and two people entered.
Ha Gyeol stood guarding near the entrance, and Yang Seok walked toward the two, greeting them brightly.
"Little Palace Lord, welcome."
"There is a precious person I wish to introduce, so I have come to see you again like this."
She introduced Geom Mugeuk.
"He is the Young Cult Leader of the Divine Cult."
Yang Seok politely greeted him with courtesy.
"I am Yang Seok of the Northern Blood Gate. It is an honor to meet you."
"I am glad to meet you. I am Geom Mugeuk."
Yang Seok cautiously sized up Geom Mugeuk.
He was the type to mercilessly beat someone up over a quarrel from nearly bumping shoulders on the street, but toward those stronger than him, he displayed a polite and cautious demeanor.
'What the, this guy?'
Geom Mugeuk was far younger and more handsome than he had thought. He had expected him to look rugged and fierce.
"I heard that the Young Cult Leader is personally investigating the incident where the Lord of the Daylight Snowfield passed away."
"The investigation into that matter is finished."
"Finished?"
Yang Seok had not yet heard the news regarding it.
"The culprit was Elder Seo."
"Surely you do not mean Elder Seo Nak?"
"Why would I not?"
Yang Seok was startled. But Geom Mugeuk could tell from that reaction that he had not known this fact. It was a point that revealed the Lord of the Northern Blood Gate did not share all information with his son.
"What happened to Elder Seo?"
"He is dead."
Yang Seok could not believe it.
"If so, the Northern Sea should have been turned upside down."
But why is it so quiet?
"Because we are not people who work while making rumors."
Unable to believe Geom Mugeuk's words, Yang Seok looked at Han Seol. When he asked with his eyes if this was true, she nodded once.
Starting with the announcement of Seo Nak's death, Geom Mugeuk gradually began to set the mood.
"Your younger brother found the Extreme Constitution; do you know why?"
Yang Seok was flustered because he had not expected Geom Mugeuk to ask so openly.
"I do not know about that matter."
"You seem like a very lucky person. You did not know what your younger brother, with whom you were competing for succession, was doing, yet you became the successor."
Knowing it was sarcasm, Yang Seok hardened his expression, but Geom Mugeuk continued to provoke his nerves.
"Indeed. You became the successor thanks to us."
Suppressing his anger, Yang Seok spoke in a low voice.
"Whatever the reason, my younger brother died because of a man from your cult. Yet how can you speak to me like this?"
It was courteous, but there was an edge to it. As if to say, You killed a man, and you think this is acceptable?
“Are you certain he died because of us?”
Geom Mugeuk’s gaze turned cold.
“When we released him, he didn’t look like a man about to die at all. His desire to live was remarkable. And yet he killed himself merely because he had been kidnapped? Don’t you find that a little strange yourself?”
Geom Mugeuk stared fixedly at him, then added another question.
“Could it be that you killed him?”
Naturally, the atmosphere sank into a chill.
Han Seol stopped Geom Mugeuk.
“That is an accusation without evidence.”
“When looking for a culprit, isn’t it customary to first consider who benefited most from the death?”
“That does not mean it should be handled on mere suspicion.”
As Han Seol took his side in this situation, Yang Seok’s favorable impression of her naturally grew.
All of this was something Geom Mugeuk had planned in advance. He would press the attack, and Han Seol would defend him.
Geom Mugeuk now moved on to the next stage.
He walked toward Ha Gyeol, who was standing at the entrance to the reception hall.
Since Geom Mugeuk had witnessed Ha Gyeol using a blood art on the maidservant, he knew that Ha Gyeol was someone directly connected to the Blood King.
When Geom Mugeuk suddenly approached him, Ha Gyeol secretly raised his internal energy. He had observed Geom Mugeuk from a distance, but he could not get a sense of what kind of person the other man was. Surely he could not be someone whose skill overwhelmed his own. And so all he felt was a strange unease.
Geom Mugeuk came right up before him and asked,
“What is your name?”
“I am Ha Gyeol.”
Geom Mugeuk quietly gazed at Ha Gyeol.
“The smell of blood is thick on you.”
Has he seen through my identity? Ha Gyeol tensed, ready to strike at any moment.
“You lived as a wandering warrior before becoming a bodyguard, didn’t you?”
At that question, Ha Gyeol felt relieved. Saying he smelled of blood did not mean Geom Mugeuk had realized he practiced blood arts; it meant he did not seem like a bodyguard.
“Among all martial artists, I have a real fondness for bodyguards and wandering warriors. You happen to be both.”
“Thank you for looking on me favorably.”
While Geom Mugeuk kept Ha Gyeol occupied, Han Seol was carrying out the most important part of today’s plan.
She let out a light sigh and sent a voice transmission to Yang Seok.
—I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have brought that man here.
Those words sounded as if she were saying, I thought you would be able to handle that young cult leader of the Demonic Cult, but I suppose there is nothing you can do either.
Yang Seok’s pride was wounded. But that did not mean he could curse at the young cult leader of the Demonic Cult or challenge him to a fight.
When his emotions had grown complicated, Han Seol cautiously sent another voice transmission.
—And I’ve debated several times whether I should tell you this…
—What is it that makes you say that?
—I happened to overhear what the young cult leader of the Demonic Cult was saying to the Drunken Demon.
Because she had defended him earlier, Yang Seok now subconsciously felt that Han Seol was on his side.
—Tell me.
But Han Seol continued to hesitate.
—It’s all right, so please tell me quickly.
As if agonizing until the very end, Han Seol finally spoke with caution.
—Listen without being shocked.
But what flowed from her mouth was something Yang Seok could not possibly hear without being shocked.
—According to the information they obtained, the Northern Blood Sect Leader is considering someone other than Young Master Yang as his successor.
His father was considering someone else as his successor? It was truly a bolt from the blue.
—They said the purpose of finding the Extreme Cold Body was also related to the new successor.
As truth and falsehood became mixed together, Yang Seok fell into confusion.
He could not dismiss it as nonsense. He had killed his younger brother right in front of his father. And his father had watched without stopping him. Because that was the kind of family his was.
—Did they say who it was?
At that, Han Seol’s gaze slowly turned toward the entrance of the reception hall. Toward the man who had been caught by Geom Mugeuk and was being made to listen to all sorts of things.
—They said it was Ha Gyeol.