“Of all the times I’ve seen you, Brother, this is the most impressive.”
The Drunken Demon would usually take such words with a jest.
“That just means we haven’t seen each other enough. Considering all the impressive sides of me you’ve yet to see, you could say we’ve just met. It’s a pleasure to meet you for the first time, Young Cult Master.”
He was fond of jesting like this, and he was honest in expressing his feelings.
That was why, at times, the Drunken Demon could seem like a weak person.
But he wasn't.
The Drunken Demon was stronger than anyone.
I believe he is a stronger person precisely because he wavers.
His wavering is a struggle to find his proper place.
And he was a lonelier person than anyone.
Whenever I saw him, the first image that came to mind was of him sitting alone on a small boat, drinking.
I looked down at Lee Ahn standing beside the carriage and spoke.
“Your brother will take care of everything. This time, let’s just relax and enjoy the snow. Find a place that cooks well. Since we’re here, let’s eat everything before we go.”
Lee Ahn smiled and said.
“First, let’s have these noodles.”
She leaped up with the noodles.
We sat side by side on the carriage roof and ate.
“Huh? This is good. Why is it so good?”
I added to the Drunken Demon’s dramatic admiration.
“Right? I was surprised too. I thought the chef from the Heavenly Demon Hall had secretly visited.”
Lee Ahn laughed happily.
“I’ll make you something even more delicious next time.”
And so, on the roof of the carriage, we finished every last drop of the broth.
“Well, now that our bellies are full, shall we go?”
“I’ll drive the carriage.”
Lee Ahn jumped down and sat in the driver’s seat.
“Departing.”
The Drunken Demon and I stayed on the carriage roof.
If we went inside, those unpleasant fellows would be sleeping there anyway.
It was much cooler and better up here.
On the moving carriage, the Drunken Demon spoke.
“Perhaps this Northern Blood Sect business and the brewer’s death are related.”
I nodded.
They could be separate, coincidental events, or they could not be.
One thing was certain: the Blood King was behind this affair.
That extremely difficult and dangerous Blood King.
“Eventually, we will learn the whole truth. We will solve both the Northern Blood Sect’s and the Northern Sea Ice Palace’s problems before we return.”
Seeing the Drunken Demon nod at my words, I added a jest.
“Ah, my mistake. Not we. You will solve it and return, Brother.”
The carriage sped across the snowfield, an endless expanse of white stretching toward the Northern Sea Ice Palace.
*
Geom Mugeuk, Lee Ahn, and the Drunken Demon followed Han Seol up to the Palace Master’s Hall.
Since the Northern Sea Ice Palace had accepted the deal, they were going to formally greet the Ice Palace Master.
Lee Ahn, who had been saying how nervous she was about her first meeting with the Ice Palace Master, marveled at the circular staircase that changed color with the light.
“It’s built so beautifully.”
Unlike her, Geom Mugeuk sensed a faint killing intent from the staircase.
It was not the killing intent of a person.
‘Mechanisms.’
Because it was transparent and you could see right through, it seemed impossible for any mechanisms to be there.
He couldn't even imagine how these beautiful ice walls, stairs, and pillars would deal with an intruder.
This wasn't a mechanism; it was art.
For that reason, he had a premonition that it would be more dangerous than any mechanism he had ever experienced.
Even Lee Ahn, a master who had reached the Ninth Star of the Flying Heaven Sword Technique, couldn't sense the presence of these mechanisms at all.
Thus, the three of them followed Han Seol up to the Palace Master’s Hall.
“Greetings, Palace Master.”
Geom Mugeuk was the first to bow respectfully.
The Ice Palace Master also showed the proper courtesy for the Young Cult Master.
“Welcome, Young Cult Master.”
Geom Mugeuk had met her in his life before regression.
Though it was much later than now.
At that time, that cold woman had been shedding hot tears.
At her daughter’s death.
On the other hand, the Ice Palace Master was meeting Geom Mugeuk for the first time today.
It was the moment she finally met the protagonist who had endlessly surprised her through the reports of her spies.
The Ice Palace Master carefully observed Geom Mugeuk’s gaze and aura.
Had he really accomplished all those things? This young man?
Geom Mugeuk did not completely hide himself, nor did he excessively reveal himself.
He had reached a more natural, more perfect state of Return to Simplicity than complete self-concealment.
His daughter had spoken of Geom Mugeuk with distrust.
She wanted to watch and confirm things for a while longer.
He thought that was natural.
Even he found it difficult to read himself.
“Is the Cult Master well?”
When the Ice Palace Master asked after his father, Geom Mugeuk smiled and asked back.
“Have you met my father?”
“I met him a long time ago.”
She had seen him only once, but he was not a person easily forgotten.
Perhaps it was because his gaze was so intense.
“He is doing well.”
“You’ve had a major event recently, haven’t you? I heard you were the one who led it.”
The three-party meeting was not held in extreme secrecy, but in the Demon Family Village.
It was natural for the Ice Palace Master to know about it.
“Now that I have met you today, Palace Master, why don’t you attend the next meeting? I plan to invite the Wind Heaven Sect Leader as well.”
It was hard to tell if he was joking or serious, but the Ice Palace Master calmly nodded.
“Be sure to invite me.”
She had replied as if it were a joke, but Geom Mugeuk confirmed once more.
“If a five-party meeting is truly held, will you attend?”
The leaders of the Righteous, Demonic, and Unorthodox sects gathering again? And the Wind Heaven Sect Leader on top of that? Was such a thing even possible?
“Send word.”
“I will look forward to that day.”
After exchanging greetings with Geom Mugeuk, it was the Drunken Demon’s turn.
“You have come a long way, Demon Sovereign.”
“It has been a long time.”
“You remember.”
“Of course.”
The Drunken Demon had met the Ice Palace Master a very long time ago.
It was when he was not yet a Demon Sovereign, and she was not yet the Palace Master.
Back then, she didn't have this kind of feeling.
Now she was like an ice statue, her inner thoughts completely unknowable, but the Ice Palace Master of that time was a pure woman who looked good in white clothes.
What could have frozen her like this? The cold winds of the Northern Sea? Her difficult life, trying to protect the Ice Palace as a woman?
“The passing years are so swift, life is truly fleeting.”
The Ice Palace Master nodded at the Drunken Demon’s words.
Finally, Geom Mugeuk introduced Lee Ahn.
“This is my subordinate.”
The Ice Palace Master had already received a report that Geom Mugeuk had brought the subordinate who caused this incident.
At first, she couldn't understand.
Why reveal her like this when he should be hiding her?
“Greetings, Palace Master.”
At Lee Ahn’s greeting, the Ice Palace Master once again observed her carefully.
Was it because her beauty was excessive? Lee Ahn drew the Ice Palace Master’s attention more than necessary.
“Why would such a beautiful person cause such trouble?”
“I apologize. I am still inexperienced, and my handling of affairs in the martial world is clumsy.”
Though she had much to say, Lee Ahn apologized politely.
It wasn't her place to hold the Ice Palace Master responsible anyway.
The one who spoke for Lee Ahn was Geom Mugeuk.
“As clumsy as she was, she was also cautious. She brought back the kidnapped people safely.”
Geom Mugeuk stared intently at the Ice Palace Master and added.
“On the other hand, the experienced and skilled work of the Northern Blood Sect was not so. I don't know why they regard human life so cheaply.”
As he spoke, Geom Mugeuk observed the Ice Palace Master’s expression.
Did she know what the Northern Blood Sect was up to? He had brought it up deliberately to find out.
“I’m not sure what you mean.”
Judging by her expression, she seemed to know nothing at all.
“Something like that happened. I’ll tell you in detail next time.”
Geom Mugeuk didn't press further.
Now was not the time to provoke the Ice Palace Master, but to investigate the brewer’s death.
As much as dealing with the Blood King, easing the Drunken Demon’s heart was also important.
No, it was more important.
While handling the Drunken Demon’s matter, the Blood King would be dealt with on the side.
Even if the Northern Sea were to be submerged in blood, Geom Mugeuk had resolved to approach this matter with that mindset.
Because evil is trivial, and life is important.
The Ice Palace Master asked Han Seol.
“Is Young Master Yang safe?”
“Yes.”
“Bring Young Master Yang, and guide these three to their quarters.”
“Understood.”
Finally, the Ice Palace Master spoke to the Drunken Demon.
“You wished to investigate the death of the Hundred Wines Snow Courtyard’s brewer?”
“That is correct.”
“His death is regrettable, but I cannot give you much time for that investigation.”
It meant an order to leave could be issued at any time.
“I will be as quick as possible.”
“Thank you for your understanding.”
Thus ended the first meeting, where a silent battle of wits had been fought, weaving between the past and present.
*
Yang Jung, the second son of the Northern Blood Sect Master, awoke to a chill.
He was sitting in a chair.
Looking around, he was in a place where the walls, pillars, everything was made of ice.
“You’re awake?”
A woman stood before him with her back turned.
“Who are you?”
The woman turned and walked toward him.
She was none other than the Master of the Northern Sea Ice Palace.
“Palace Master?”
Yang Jung was startled to recognize her.
Surprisingly, this was the Palace Master’s Hall of the Northern Sea Ice Palace.
“How is your body?”
“I’m fine. But why am I here?”
News that was most welcome to him was delivered.
“We made a deal with the Demon Sect and brought you out, Young Master Yang.”
Realizing he had survived, Yang Jung’s expression brightened.
“Thank you, Palace Master! I thought I was going to die at the hands of that Demon Sect bastard.”
He was spouting rash words that didn't need to be said in this place, but the Ice Palace Master’s expression remained unchanged.
“I’m glad you’re safe.”
Yang Jung couldn't understand.
Why had the Ice Palace saved him?
Just then, a middle-aged man entered.
With eyes as sharp as a beast’s, a square jaw, and a massive frame, he was a martial artist who looked strong at a glance.
Yang Jung’s face hardened as he recognized the man.
The one who had entered was his own father, the Northern Blood Sect Master, Yang Shin.
The reason he was able to build the Northern Blood Sect into one of the three great powers of the Northern Sea was not just because of his martial skill, having achieved Great Mastery in the Northern Fist’s Twelve Strikes.
He looked like a bear, but he possessed a mind sharper than anyone’s and was a man of great ambition.
“Father!”
Even though he knew full well he had been abandoned, he was still glad to see his father.
Could it be that the Ice Palace had acted on his father’s request? Was there a grander plan behind it all? Such hopes were short-lived, as Yang Shin said bluntly.
“We will be leaving soon, so go down first.”
Yang Jung’s chest felt tight.
Not even a single word asking if his son who had been kidnapped and returned was okay? The faint hope that his father might have been the one to save him vanished like a bubble.
‘Yes, my father abandoned me. The moment he refused the hostage exchange, that woman could have killed me on the spot.’
Resentment and hatred mixed in Yang Jung’s heart.
Both the Northern Blood Sect Master and the Ice Palace Master sensed his emotions, but they pretended not to notice.
Yang Jung left his father and the Ice Palace Master and descended the ice staircase.
He glanced up, but he could only faintly see them standing side by side talking; he couldn’t hear what they were saying.
‘What are you plotting, abandoning even your own son? What deal did you make for the Ice Palace to save me from the Demon Sect?’
As Yang Jung reached the entrance of the Palace Master’s Hall, a man stood there with his back to him.
Assuming he was a subordinate, he said.
“Where is the carriage?”
The man didn't answer and just looked up at the sky.
“I asked where the carriage is!”
The fiery emotions simmering because of his father were now lashing out at an innocent person.
“Even though you came back alive, it’s not like it used to be, is it?”
The moment he heard the voice, Yang Jung flinched.
The man standing with his back to him was none other than Geom Mugeuk.
“I promised you would wake up in your room, but I couldn’t keep that promise. Still, you saw your father, so that’s good enough, right?”
Yang Jung’s mind said this: You just got free, there’s no need to provoke this man again.
But he was a man who lived more by his heart than his head.
The mention of his father made him even angrier.
“I will not forget the humiliation I have suffered this time!”
In his heart, as he shouted, was this belief: Since they made a deal with the Ice Palace, he wouldn't be captured here again.
“A martial artist should naturally be so. Be sure to come for your revenge next time.”
As if he couldn't go if told to!
Unable to shout this, Yang Jung grew more irritated.
The only thing he could think of was this.
“I will never release the captives.”
I'm talking about the people your subordinate kidnapped me to save.
“You haven’t heard yet? Your people killed them all. We only managed to save one person.”
In that moment, Yang Jung felt the air around him turn as cold as Geom Mugeuk’s gaze.
“It would only be fair if only one of you survived too, wouldn't it?”
Will it be you? Or your father?
Though he didn’t say it, Geom Mugeuk’s eyes asked the question.
He had spent his whole life threatening others, never being threatened.
He was now experiencing his very first threat, and it was a proper one.
Just then, the Northern Blood Sect Master, having finished his conversation with the Ice Palace Master, came down.
He recognized Geom Mugeuk and greeted him politely.
“It is a pleasure to meet you for the first time.”
He greeted him so politely that Yang Jung was astonished.
No matter if he was the Demon Sect’s Young Cult Master, wasn’t his father one of the top three figures in the Northern Sea?
Geom Mugeuk cupped his fist and accepted the greeting.
“I have heard much of the Sect Master’s reputation.”
“It cannot compare to yours, Young Cult Master.”
He treated him with special deference, yet he was as calm as when dealing with anyone else.
Geom Mugeuk knew well how difficult a feat this was.
Unlike his son, he was not a man swayed by emotion.
The moment Geom Mugeuk saw him, he knew.
This man would never pass on his position to this second son.
“We will formally host you at our main sect soon, Young Cult Master.”
“I will be waiting.”
The Northern Blood Sect Master walked ahead, and Yang Jung followed behind him.
A telepathic message from Geom Mugeuk reached him.
—It seems that if only one person survives, it will be your father.
His words were like pouring oil on the flames of hatred for his father.
This statement would remain in his mind, making things awkward between the two and creating a rift.
Geom Mugeuk had no intention of letting them be at ease.
Yang Jung glared at Geom Mugeuk with an angry face before striding away.
As Geom Mugeuk watched his retreating back with a cold gaze, he spoke abruptly.
“Why are you not curious?”
At that, Han Seol walked out from behind a nearby building.
She had been there for a while.
She hadn’t hidden herself on purpose, but she couldn’t find a chance to step forward.
“About what?”
“About what they are plotting.”
“Why do you assume I’m not curious?”
Geom Mugeuk turned to her and asked.
“Are you curious?”
“Of course I am.”
It was a lie.
In truth, she wasn't curious.
She thought their scheme was obvious.
To become stronger.
To maintain and expand their dominance in the Northern Sea.
She thought it was a matter her mother would handle anyway.
Her mother would know everything.
It was impossible to plot a conspiracy in this Northern Sea without her mother’s knowledge.
But Geom Mugeuk thought differently.
“This time, it seems your mother will desperately need her daughter's help.”