The Ice Palace Master stared silently out the window.
Seeing her troubled heart, it seemed Seo Nak's final gambit had succeeded.
Han Seol entered.
“Palace Master.”
“You're here?” The Ice Palace Master turned to face her.
“I am going to the Northern Blood Sect with the Young Cult Master.”
At her daughter's words, the Ice Palace Master nodded.
She knew the situation was dangerous, but she had already decided to trust Geom Mugeuk and let her go.
Her daughter would also grow into a true martial artist through such experiences.
In truth, Han Seol had not come just to report her visit to the Northern Blood Sect.
She was worried about her mother, concerned that she might have been hurt because of Elder Seo.
—You must express it with words.
Those were the words Geom Mugeuk had spoken to her when she said she would report to her mother.
He was so perceptive that he knew the reason she was going to see her mother.
Expressing it with words.
To her, it felt like a gateway between life and death.
In the past, this meeting would have ended with her mother’s reply, ‘Alright, have a safe trip,’ without them ever truly making eye contact.
But this time was different.
Han Seol looked directly at her mother.
“Why are you looking at me like that?”
After a brief pause, Han Seol spoke.
“I was wondering if you were alright.”
The Ice Palace Master could feel how much courage her daughter had summoned to say those words.
Even in the awkward atmosphere, their feelings were being conveyed to one another.
“Let’s have some tea.”
“I’ll prepare it today.”
Han Seol prepared the tea herself.
The Ice Palace Master sat at the tea table and silently watched her back.
It was the first time her daughter had ever brewed tea for her.
Thanks to that, her gloomy heart felt a little lighter.
“You’re all grown up.”
The moment she heard those words, Han Seol’s hand, which was preparing the tea, paused.
Geom Mugeuk’s words came to her mind again.
—If they’ve raised us to this age, isn’t it a child’s duty to make them say, ‘You’ve grown up so much,’ at least once?
A moment later, Han Seol brought the tea and set it down.
The two drank in silence.
It was less awkward than the first time.
“I am fine.”
She really was fine.
Elder Seo’s betrayal did not feel particularly significant.
It was because she had already suspected him that she had allowed the demonic practitioners into the palace.
Seeing that she was not intentionally hiding her pain, Han Seol felt relieved.
“That’s a relief. I’ll be on my way then.”
She was about to get up before things became awkward again.
“Wait a moment.”
The Ice Palace Master rose from her seat and brought something she had prepared.
It was a suit of protective armor.
“This is the Heavenly Palace Protective Armor. Wear it.”
The Heavenly Palace Protective Armor was a protective suit passed down as a treasure of the Northern Sea Ice Palace.
To Han Seol, who was surprised by the unexpected armor, an even greater wave of emotion washed over her.
“If they use the Self-Destruction Art right in front of you with no time to evade, trust the Heavenly Palace Protective Armor and use the North Wind Ice Barrier form to protect only your face. You should be able to avoid serious injury that way.”
Her mother's concern for her was conveyed to Han Seol.
Because of that, Han Seol’s voice trembled slightly as she bowed.
“I will do as you say. I shall be going now.”
Han Seol left the Palace Master’s Hall with the Heavenly Palace Protective Armor.
She should have properly expressed her gratitude.
But she had been too flustered, surprised, and moved to thank her mother properly before leaving.
The change in their relationship made her happy, but at the same time, it worried her.
Even Elder Seo, whom they had known for so long, had betrayed her mother.
A person's heart can change in an instant.
She was afraid of hurting her mother.
And of being hurt herself.
It was because they had lived for so long without considering each other's feelings.
*
Ha Gyeol entered the secret chamber with the water tank.
The calculated chill that could only be felt in this space was present again today.
The Blood King was still submerged in the tank of blood.
Once the one with the Extreme Cold Body arrived, he would complete his great art and emerge from that place.
Only two days remained, and yet he had to deliver this news.
“Elder Seo is dead.”
At Ha Gyeol’s report, the Blood King in the tank snapped his eyes open.
“He was killed by the Drunken Demon.”
Then, a low, deep voice rumbled from within the blood.
“And the Drunken Demon?”
He must have thought that since the Blood Disciples who used the Self-Destruction Art were guarding the place, the Drunken Demon would not have escaped unscathed.
“The Drunken Demon is unharmed. The Young Cult Master of the Demon Sect and the Ice Palace Master were with him. It seems they blocked the Self-Destruction Art with their combined efforts.”
The expression of the Blood King, submerged in the blood, hardened frighteningly.
It took a vast amount of money and time to cultivate a single Blood Disciple capable of using the Self-Destruction Art.
Moreover, Seo Nak was a pawn he had painstakingly cultivated for a long time to take over the Ice Palace completely.
The Blood King’s fury was only natural.
The blood in the tank felt as if it was growing colder.
The submerged Blood King began to rise slowly to the surface.
Shwaaaaaaak.
He emerged from the blood.
Blood streamed down his long limbs and body.
The Blood Qi flowing from his eyes was so intense that one could not dare to meet his gaze.
“I will not let the Drunken Demon live.”
Just as he was about to step out, Ha Gyeol prostrated himself before the tank as if bowing deeply.
“Please, restrain yourself, Master!”
The Blood King’s movement paused for a moment.
His cold gaze fell upon Ha Gyeol.
“Your grand ambition is right before you. You only need to endure for two more days.”
Blood dripped from the Blood King’s body.
Ha Gyeol knew.
His master was not a man who would wait, not even for a couple of hours, let alone two days.
His master was a man of blood.
Blood that boiled like lava and froze like glaciers.
“Please, just wait for two days. They have not yet discovered us. Seo Nak died because he was discovered while they were searching for the one who killed the brewer of the Hundred Wines Snow Courtyard. Please, postpone your retribution for two days.”
Ha Gyeol desperately tried to persuade his master.
The Blood King looked down at Ha Gyeol in silence.
Shwaaaaaaaah.
He sank back into the blood.
He closed his eyes and said nothing.
In two days, he would emerge with the fury he had suppressed today, and the Drunken Demon would surely die.
Ha Gyeol’s eyes hardened with resolve.
“Even if I must sacrifice everyone in the Northern Blood Sect, I will hold out for these two days.”
*
After leaving the secret chamber, Ha Gyeol went straight back to Yang Seok’s residence.
As he was about to enter the building, he saw Yang Seok waiting at the entrance.
“Where have you been again?”
“My apologies. I went to see the Sect Master.”
Whenever he was away, he always used the Sect Master as an excuse.
Yang Seok was displeased with him.
It was not simply because he was often away to see his father.
His father was inexplicably cautious when dealing with Ha Gyeol, and there was a strange secrecy between the two of them.
It made him feel uneasy whenever he saw them.
“It’s alright. I understand.”
Yang Seok had now decided to change his strategy.
“Here, take this. It’s for all your hard work.”
Yang Seok handed him an envelope.
When Ha Gyeol opened it, he found three promissory notes, each for one hundred nyang.
It was a large sum of money for his troubles.
“I cannot accept this.”
“It’s a token of my sincerity. Take it.”
Yang Seok insisted, and in the end, Ha Gyeol reluctantly accepted the notes.
Yang Seok intended to make Ha Gyeol his man and use him to find out what his father was thinking.
‘I should have done this sooner.’
Who in the world hates money? Yang Seok regretted it.
He had been so angry at his father for monitoring him that he had failed to act rationally.
If his father gave him a thousand nyang, he would give two thousand.
“I’ll be counting on you from now on.”
“I will serve you with all my loyalty.”
Just then, a subordinate came to report the arrival of a guest.
“The Young Palace Master of the Ice Palace has arrived.”
“She’s here already?”
She had said she would come again, but he had not expected her to be this soon.
“Is anyone with her?”
“Yes, she came with a young man.”
Yang Seok instinctively knew that the young man was the Young Cult Master of the Demon Sect.
She had said she would bring him when she returned.
He heard the Young Cult Master was arrogant and rude; she must really want to resolve her conflict with him as soon as possible.
“Let’s go.”
Yang Seok led the way.
He was eager to see what kind of person the Young Cult Master of the Demon Sect was.
Following him, Ha Gyeol’s expression was stiff.
‘The Demon Sect is here already?’
Their movements were faster than he had expected.
It had not been long since they had killed Elder Seo.
‘And they’re planning to target Young Master Yang?’
It was the right move.
He would have done the same.
Ha Gyeol was also curious about the Young Cult Master who moved so swiftly, so he quickened his pace following Yang Seok.
*
Han Seol was waiting in the guest hall with Geom Mugeuk.
Unlike her last visit, today she had a clear plan and strategy.
Han Seol was not one to get nervous over trivial matters, but today she was trembling.
She looked at Geom Mugeuk.
He did not seem nervous at all.
“Aren’t you nervous?”
Geom Mugeuk nodded and asked back.
“Do you know why you’re so nervous?”
“Why?”
“Because you’re trying too hard to do well.”
He was right.
There was a clear desire in her to make the plan succeed with a perfect performance.
“So what if you mess up a little? Just think, ‘Even if I make a mistake, that Young Cult Master over there will take care of it.’ Try to think like that. Then you won’t be nervous at all.”
Even without consciously thinking that way, just hearing Geom Mugeuk’s words made Han Seol feel a little more at ease.
“Martial artist Lee told me. That you would never give the order to die. What if you die because you don’t give that order? Would you still not give it? Even if the Demon Sect falls to ruin?”
Geom Mugeuk smiled and gazed at her.
“That’s right. I still wouldn’t give the order. If I have to kill a subordinate who likes me that much just to live, what’s the point of living? The same goes for the Main Sect. If its survival depends on the life or death of one woman, I’d rather see it fall.”
Han Seol looked at Geom Mugeuk, then turned her head to look out the window, avoiding his gaze.
“Such boasts!”
She knew it was not a boast.
And that was why she felt worse.
Just then, the door opened and two men entered.
Ha Gyeol stood guard by the entrance, while Yang Seok walked toward the two and greeted them brightly.
“Young Palace Master, welcome.”
“I have come again because there is a distinguished person I wish to introduce to you.”
She introduced Geom Mugeuk.
“This is the Young Cult Master of the Divine Sect.”
Yang Seok politely bowed in greeting.
“I am Yang Seok of the Northern Blood Sect. It is an honor to meet you.”
“A pleasure. I am Geom Mugeuk.”
Yang Seok carefully observed Geom Mugeuk.
He was the type to ruthlessly beat up anyone who nearly bumped into him on the street, but he was polite and cautious with those stronger than himself.
What is this guy?
Geom Mugeuk was much younger and more handsome than he had imagined.
He had expected someone brawny and fierce-looking.
“I heard that you, Young Cult Master, are personally investigating the death of the brewer of the Hundred Wines Snow Courtyard.”
“That investigation is already over.”
“Over?”
Yang Seok had not yet heard any news about it.
“The culprit was Elder Seo.”
“Surely you don’t mean Elder Seo Nak?”
“And why not?”
Yang Seok was startled.
But from his reaction, Geom Mugeuk could tell.
He did not know this fact.
It was a clear sign that the Northern Blood Sect Master was not sharing all information with his son.
“What happened to Elder Seo?”
“He’s dead.”
Yang Seok could not believe it.
“If that were true, the Northern Sea would be in an uproar.”
But why is it so quiet?
“Because we are not the type to spread rumors while we work.”
Unable to believe Geom Mugeuk’s words, Yang Seok looked at Han Seol.
When his eyes asked if it was true, she gave a single nod.
Starting with the announcement of Seo Nak’s death, Geom Mugeuk began to slowly set the mood.
“Your younger brother was searching for someone with an Extreme Cold Body. Do you know why?”
Yang Seok was flustered, not expecting Geom Mugeuk to ask so bluntly.
“I do not know anything about that matter.”
“You seem to be a very lucky man. To become the successor without even knowing what your brother, your rival, was up to.”
Knowing it was a sarcastic remark, Yang Seok’s expression hardened, but Geom Mugeuk continued to provoke him.
“Then again, you became the successor thanks to us.”
Yang Seok suppressed his anger and spoke in a low voice.
“Whatever the reason, my brother died because of a demonic practitioner from your esteemed sect. How can you treat me like this?”
It was a polite but pointed remark.
Is it right to act this way after killing someone?
“Are you sure he died because of us?”
Geom Mugeuk’s eyes turned cold.
“When we released him, he did not look at all like a man about to die. His will to live was immense. But he killed himself just because he was kidnapped? Don’t you think that’s a bit strange?”
Geom Mugeuk stared at him intently before adding, “Perhaps you killed him?”
Naturally, the atmosphere turned icy.
Han Seol stopped Geom Mugeuk.
“Those are words without proof.”
“When searching for a culprit, isn’t the first step to see who benefited most from the death?”
“That may be so, but it is not a matter to be handled on suspicion alone.”
As Han Seol took his side in this situation, Yang Seok’s favor toward her naturally grew.
This was all part of Geom Mugeuk’s plan.
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 of the guest hall.
Geom Mugeuk had witnessed Ha Gyeol using Blood Arts on a servant, so he knew the man was directly connected to the Blood King.
As Geom Mugeuk suddenly approached him, Ha Gyeol secretly raised his inner energy.
He had observed Geom Mugeuk from a distance, but he could not get a feel for what kind of person he was.
He could not possibly be skilled enough to overwhelm him.
And yet, he had a strange feeling.
Geom Mugeuk came right up to him and asked.
“What is your name?”
“I am Ha Gyeol.”
Geom Mugeuk stared at Ha Gyeol for a moment.
“The scent of blood is strong on you.”
Did he figure out my identity?
Ha Gyeol tensed, ready to strike at any moment.
“You were a wanderer before you became an escort martial artist, weren’t you?”
Ha Gyeol felt a sense of relief at the question.
The remark about the scent of blood was not because he had detected his Blood Arts, but because he did not seem like an escort martial artist.
“Of all martial artists, I have a particular fondness for escort martial artists and wanderers. You happen to be both.”
“Thank you for your kind words.”
While Geom Mugeuk dealt with Ha Gyeol, Han Seol was proceeding with the most crucial part of their plan.
She let out a light sigh and sent a telepathic message to Yang Seok.
—My apologies, I should not have brought him.
Her words sounded as if to say, I thought you could handle that Young Cult Master, but it seems you’re helpless too.
Yang Seok’s pride was wounded.
But he could neither curse the Young Cult Master nor challenge him to a fight.
As his emotions grew complicated, Han Seol carefully sent another telepathic message.
—And I have hesitated several times whether I should tell you this….
—What is it?
—I happened to overhear the Young Cult Master talking with the Drunken Demon.
Because she had defended him earlier, Yang Seok subconsciously felt that he and Han Seol were on the same side.
—Tell me.
But Han Seol continued to hesitate.
—It’s alright, please tell me.
As if pondering until the very last moment, Han Seol spoke carefully.
—Please don’t be alarmed.
But words that he could not help but be alarmed by flowed from her lips.
—According to the information they found, the Northern Blood Sect Master is considering someone other than you, Young Master Yang, as his successor.
His father was considering someone else as his successor? The words were like a bolt from the blue.
—They said the purpose of finding the Extreme Cold Body was also related to this new successor.
As truth and lies mingled, Yang Seok became confused.
He could not simply dismiss it as nonsense.
He had killed his own brother in front of his father.
And his father had watched without stopping him.
That was the kind of family he belonged to.
—Did they say who it was?
Han Seol’s gaze slowly turned toward the entrance of the guest hall.
Toward the man who was being held by Geom Mugeuk, listening to all sorts of stories.
—They said it was Ha Gyeol.