To state the conclusion first, Han Seol could not refuse.
Persuasion from Geom Mugeuk alone was hard enough to bear, but today, he had an ally.
It was Lee Ahn.
“Looking at that man’s body earlier, I had a thought. If we hadn't gone to find him, would he still be alive?”
Han Seol could feel that Lee Ahn was furious about his death.
To be honest, until she heard those words from Lee Ahn, Han Seol had not thought about that man even once.
No, she had completely forgotten him.
He was just someone she had seen for the first time here.
Does it really bother her that much?
If this was an act, then it must have started from the very beginning.
Coming all the way to the Northern Sea to save the husband of a woman who gave her a glass of water.
“Do you think he died because of us?”
“No, he died because of the one who killed him.”
Lee Ahn didn't engage in pointless self-blame.
Having learned so much from Geom Mugeuk, she had to display at least this much wisdom.
“However, I don't want his death to be meaningless.”
At times like these, Lee Ahn's belief that kind people survive longer would waver.
The man who died had also shown kindness by telling them what he knew.
Lee Ahn looked at Geom Mugeuk and displayed another piece of wisdom.
“Please get revenge for him.”
She sensed that the opponent was not someone she could handle.
In times like this, she just had to do as Geom Mugeuk said.
“I will.”
After readily agreeing, he tended to Lee Ahn's heart.
“Things like this leave scars on the heart. The death of a stranger may seem like a shallow wound, but it is a scar that lasts forever. You'll probably keep thinking about it. You'll think of him whenever you see a brewery.”
Geom Mugeuk knew.
Sometimes, such scars linger far longer and torment a person more than a great wound one suffers directly.
“Don't try to forget it on purpose. That will only deepen the wound.”
“Then what should I do?”
“It gets scarred, and scarred again. Another wound forms on top of that one, and another, and another. And so you come to accept it, thinking, ‘Ah, so my heart was originally engraved with such a pattern.’ Congratulations on the new pattern carved into your heart this time.”
A bright smile spread across Lee Ahn's lips.
The only person in this world who would congratulate her for her pain—what more needed to be said?
“If my heart is like this, I can't even imagine what your heart must be like, Young Master.”
Lee Ahn tried to imagine Geom Mugeuk's heart.
Was it an intense heart carved with tens, hundreds of scars, able to overcome any situation? Or was it a clean heart, made from ten-thousand-year cold iron from the start, without a single scratch on it?
“You know very well what my heart is like, don't you?”
“What? How would I? Ah!”
Lee Ahn bowed her head deeply.
She had momentarily forgotten that Geom Mugeuk had called her his heart, and it had just come back to her.
Watching them, Han Seol felt a strange emotion.
A leader blaming himself for a stranger's death and comforting his subordinate over it.
Before, it seemed like an act, a deceptive display.
But now, her feelings about their relationship had changed.
Surprisingly, she was beginning to feel a little envious.
This time, Han Seol's gaze turned to Chwi-ma.
Come to think of it, he had said he was covered in that blood because he was trying to save them, right?
'Am I too inhuman?'
These three from the Demon Sect were making her think thoughts she'd never had in her life.
To feel such emotions because of demonic practitioners, of all people.
Geom Mugeuk said to Han Seol.
“Help us.”
“I told you I refuse.”
“There is a reason you cannot refuse.”
“What reason is that?”
After a short pause, Geom Mugeuk spoke.
“I believe their ultimate target is either you or the Palace Master.”
Han Seol was not surprised.
If it was true that Elder Seo was involved in the conspiracy, the target of that blade was obvious.
But still, it was hard to believe.
He had been like family since she was a child.
Targeting her mother and her?
“Is there truly definite proof?”
When Han Seol asked once more, Geom Mugeuk answered firmly.
“It became certain when they tried to frame Chwi-ma. Seo Nak is one of them.”
Han Seol was speechless for a moment.
The expressions on Chwi-ma's and Lee Ahn's faces showed that they completely believed Geom Mugeuk's words.
“A person's heart can be like a diamond one moment, and then melt away like candy the next. He probably didn't harbor such intentions from the beginning.”
Whether his heart changed because the Blood King burrowed into it, or the Blood King burrowed into him because his heart had changed, the end result was that he had changed.
She had shouted her refusal in vain, but Han Seol knew.
This was something she had to step up and handle herself.
Someone from the Ice Palace had died, and the enemy was targeting her and her mother.
But could she really trust these demonic practitioners?
As this distrust gradually faded, Han Seol, conversely, grew more anxious.
She couldn't let her guard down.
“There is something I would like you to do outside.”
“What is it?”
“Please meet with the eldest son of the Northern Blood Sect. I believe the Northern Blood Sect is also involved in this matter.”
In a situation where Elder Seo, whom she considered an uncle, had joined hands with some hidden force, the Northern Blood Sect was also in on it?
Han Seol felt a tightness in her chest.
If all of this was true, the Ice Palace was in a truly great crisis.
“The Northern Blood Sect Master and Elder Seo are still too much for the Young Palace Master to handle. That's why you should target the eldest son of the Northern Blood Sect. He is sure to know something. Whatever it is, you must find it out.”
Han Seol hesitated no longer.
This was a matter to be judged while in motion.
“Alright, I'll meet him.”
“Show him a taste so cold it freezes his blood.”
“I will.”
As she was about to leave the room, Geom Mugeuk spoke.
“Before you go, make sure to see your mother first.”
Han Seol, who had paused for a moment, left the room without a word.
After she left, Lee Ahn asked worriedly.
“Is it okay to send the Young Palace Master out alone?”
“Are you worried?”
“The enemies are formidable.”
“Don't worry. Why would you worry about the Ice Palace's Young Palace Master in the Northern Sea? You should be worrying about our Chwi-ma, who's over there just drinking tea!”
At that, Chwi-ma suddenly spoke up.
“You're planning to go out too, aren't you?”
Chwi-ma's gaze was fixed on Geom Mugeuk.
“You plan to draw their attention to her and then take care of things from behind, don't you?”
Geom Mugeuk smiled and said.
“You're becoming a genius now that you've quit drinking! Let's quit for good. It's a waste of such a good brain.”
“This brain is already pickled in wine.”
Lee Ahn blamed herself inwardly.
'And my brain is worse than that pickled one.'
She hadn't the slightest inkling that Geom Mugeuk was planning to leave secretly.
Lee Ahn asked Geom Mugeuk.
“What are you going to do when you get out?”
“As you saw earlier, the one behind this is a vulgar and ruthless bastard.”
He tried to frame Chwi-ma and killed those who didn't know martial arts.
“If they're going to act like this, I have to respond in kind. I'm going to use the method you used.”
“My method? What method?”
“I'm going to kidnap both Elder Seo and the Northern Blood Sect Master. If I cut off both arms, the torso will surely reveal itself.”
“Really?”
“Of course, I'm joking.”
He did want to do it for real.
Not kidnap them, but simply eliminate them both.
But he couldn't do that.
If he did, the Blood King would never show himself.
Moreover, the bastard would kill countless people in retaliation.
He was the type who would kill two hundred people if two of his were killed.
“I'm dying for a drink. Hurry up and bring me that bastard!”
To Chwi-ma's words, Geom Mugeuk replied.
“Alright, once we've dealt with all those bastards, let's really drink ourselves senseless. We'll become dogs that day.”
Lee Ahn raised her hand high.
“One more dog here, please!”
Geom Mugeuk stuffed pillows and clothes into the bed to make it look like someone was sleeping.
No one would dare enter the room without permission, but he did it just in case.
“You have to do a good job of pretending I'm here. Well then, I'm off.”
“How are you going to get past all those people?”
“A little late to be asking.”
No matter how you looked at it, the number of people guarding outside made it seem impossible to sneak out.
Each and every one of them was a master, different from ordinary martial artists who simply watched over people.
As he was about to head out, Geom Mugeuk said to Chwi-ma.
“Oh, Brother. I couldn't say this earlier.”
Two gazes filled with goodwill and curiosity met in the air.
“Covering yourself in blood to save those people... that was cool.”
Leaving those words behind, Geom Mugeuk went outside.
A smile naturally formed on Chwi-ma's lips.
Geom Mugeuk probably knew better than anyone.
Just how much he was trying right now.
Someone who recognizes my efforts.
And someone who says it out loud.
That was Geom Mugeuk.
As that thought crossed his mind.
'I really want a drink.'
Lee Ahn and Chwi-ma watched through the window as Geom Mugeuk slipped away.
He was using the Dark Shadow Step from the Four Divine Wind Steps.
The Dark Shadow Step was a footwork technique used for infiltration.
At first, it could only evade one person's eyes, but as one's level of mastery increased, the number of people one could avoid grew.
Having reached Great Mastery, the Dark Shadow Step allowed him to slip past masters who were watching with their eyes wide open.
“What did we just see?”
To Lee Ahn's exclamation, Chwi-ma said while sipping his tea.
“The masters of the Ice Palace, getting robbed blind right under their noses.”
*
Han Seol entered the Palace Master’s Hall.
“Palace Master.”
At Han Seol's visit, the Ice Palace Master recalled Geom Mugeuk's words.
—I wanted to tell you that it is time to look back at your daughter.
Fortunately, it seems she is still standing behind you.
This was the first time they had met alone since she heard those words.
“What brings you here?”
“I have come because there is something I must tell you.”
“Speak.”
Han Seol realized anew that whenever she came to see her mother like this, she didn't even offer a simple greeting.
She always got straight to the point.
Naturally, Han Seol also recalled Geom Mugeuk's words.
—Your relationship isn't a matter of being distant or close, cold or warm.
The problem is that it has frozen solid.
But now that she was here, she felt that wasn't the problem.
'Do I want to thaw that frozen relationship?'
She realized it was a matter of will.
Her mother might not want such a relationship with her.
Watching her daughter, whose eyes flickered with various thoughts, the Ice Palace Master sensed that she was different from usual.
While they were having these thoughts, the conversation continued.
“I am planning to meet the eldest son of the Northern Blood Sect.”
“Why him?”
“The Young Cult Master believes the Northern Blood Sect is involved in this matter. I intend to confirm whether that is true.”
It was unfamiliar, yet encouraging.
It was the first time her daughter had taken the initiative to investigate something.
“Is this something you are doing of your own will?”
After speaking, the Ice Palace Master realized her choice of words was poor.
What she had just said was the same as asking, ‘Are you doing this because the Young Cult Master ordered you to?’
“I am doing it of my own will.”
A moment of silence passed.
—Don't misunderstand, I only asked because you're doing something you've never done before.
—It's alright.
I suppose I can't help but be influenced by the Young Cult Master.
If only they could have such a candid conversation.
—I'm sure you can do it well.
—Thank you for believing in me.
How nice it would be if such encouragement and gratitude could be exchanged, but the reality was this.
“If you provoke the Northern Blood Sect carelessly, there could be trouble.”
“Yes, I suppose so.”
Silence flowed again.
Normally, the Ice Palace Master would have said, ‘It is still too early.’
But with her daughter coming to her directly like this, wanting to try something, the word ‘no’ did not come easily.
“Will you still try?”
“Yes.”
Neither of them had known until now.
Because this was how they had always conversed, they had lived without realizing anything was strange.
But now, as they spoke while conscious of each other, wondering if they should open their hearts, it was truly awkward.
“I will take my leave now.”
Han Seol bowed and turned away.
As she walked slowly towards the stairs, the Ice Palace Master spoke from behind.
“Stay for a cup of tea before you go.”
The one who summoned her courage first was the Ice Palace Master.
Yes, if a head was to be turned, she, the mother, should be the one to turn it first.
Han Seol was inwardly surprised.
When was the last time she had sat down for tea with her mother? She couldn't even remember.
“I will have some when I return.”
She refused out of surprise, and the Ice Palace Master didn't press further.
There was no need to feel disappointed.
Geom Mugeuk had said it.
Even if you turn back again and again, cruelly, seven or eight times out of ten, they won't even know you looked back.
And this attempt clearly had an effect.
Because as Han Seol descended the stairs of the Palace Master’s Hall, she felt regret.
Should I have stayed for tea?
*
Slap!
Yang Seok, the eldest son of the Northern Blood Sect, mercilessly slapped the servant girl's cheek.
“I was wrong, Young Master!”
Yang Seok, who was walking hurriedly, had almost bumped into the servant girl, and the water she was carrying spilled, splashing a few drops on his clothes.
“Because of you, I'm making the Young Palace Master of the Ice Palace wait? Or should I meet the Young Palace Master in these wet clothes?”
It wasn't even enough water to be noticeable.
He was just in a bad mood because she had gotten in his way as he was going to meet the Young Palace Master.
“I'm sorry, I'm so sorry.”
Slap! Smack!
Despite her apology, Yang Seok struck her relentlessly.
The servant girl's lip split open, and a red handprint appeared on her cheek.
“We don't have time for this.”
At his subordinate's words, Yang Seok hurriedly left the spot.
The only saving grace was that he had hit her without using inner energy.
He had simply left because he couldn't afford the bad luck of killing someone when the Young Palace Master of the Ice Palace had come to see him.
A short while after Yang Seok left.
Someone returned to the spot.
It was Yang Seok's escort martial artist, Ha Gyeol.
The very same man who had stopped him earlier, saying there was no time.
“Let me see.”
Ha Gyeol helped the fallen girl up and examined her wounds.
Blood was trickling from the cuts on her lip and cheek.
Ha Gyeol wiped the blood away with his hand.
“I'm alright.”
His touch felt burdensome, but she didn't dare push Ha Gyeol's hand away.
Besides, if he hadn't stopped it earlier, she didn't know how much more she would have been beaten.
“Fortunately, it seems your teeth are fine.”
The servant girl felt that Ha Gyeol's touch was incredibly hot.
She did not know.
She didn't know what changes were occurring on her face and in her eyes at that moment.
“You'll be in big trouble if the Young Master sees you, so stay in your room today.”
“Thank you.”
Returning to her room, the servant girl looked at her face in the bronze mirror.
From the feeling when she was hit, she thought a lot of blood had flowed, but now the blood on her face was completely gone.
Not even a trace of where the blood had been remained.
'He just wiped it roughly with his hand, how can this be?'
She was so busy examining her face that she didn't see it.
The red circle that was drawn on her neck before disappearing.
She would never know that her life was no longer her own, that she had paid too high a price for a small act of kindness.