“We've met three times?”
Han Seol didn't remember seeing Yang Seok, the eldest son of the Northern Blood Sect, three times.
She only recalled seeing him once before.
“Today makes the fourth.”
“I'm sorry. My memory is poor.”
“No. You're a busy person, so it's understandable.”
Though Yang Seok's pride was hurt, he acted magnanimously.
He was fond of Han Seol.
Was he the only one? What young man living in the Northern Sea didn't like her?
By winning the beauty, one would also gain the Northern Sea Ice Palace, the greatest of families.
But she was an ice beauty.
He had never heard news of her giving her heart to anyone.
“But what brings you here today?”
Han Seol first expressed her condolences.
“I heard about your brother. You must be deeply saddened.”
“My heart is heavy, but I am overcoming it.”
Yang Seok was inwardly puzzled.
‘There's no way this cold Young Palace Master came because of my brother.’
That's why Yang Seok had a guess as to the reason.
“I heard you've been investigating the demonic practitioners and the death of the Hundred Wines Snow Courtyard's brewer. Is it going well?”
“I'm looking into various things, but it's not easy.”
On her way here, she had considered many things.
How could she approach Yang Seok without arousing suspicion? She had decided to frame it as a visit for the investigation, but thankfully, he brought it up first.
“Do you happen to know anything about that incident?”
“I'd like to help, but I know nothing.”
Han Seol sighed lightly and asked.
“Do you know that demonic practitioners are at our Palace?”
“How could I not know? My brother died because of them.”
Of course, if he were to speak his true heart, it would be this: Thanks to those demonic practitioners, he was able to kill the brother who was a thorn in his side.
“The Young Cult Master of the Demon Sect is committing all sorts of tyranny. He's pressing us to quickly produce evidence in this case.”
Yang Seok could now clearly see why Han Seol had come to him.
‘This is an opportunity.’
She was the one who wouldn't even give him a glance, no matter how much he wanted to get close to her.
“If there's anything I can do to help, I'll do it.”
While Yang Seok was trying to get on Han Seol's good side, Chan stood guard outside the guest hall where the two were.
Ha Gyeol walked over.
Chan looked at him nonchalantly, but in truth, he was observing Ha Gyeol carefully.
His profession being what it was, he had met countless guards before.
When he first saw Ha Gyeol, he possessed all the distinct feelings of a guard.
The cautious steps, the quick glances scanning the surroundings, the tenacity to even identify hidden weapons when observing an opponent, and the bloodshot eyes revealing chronic fatigue.
He was the very picture of an escort martial artist.
‘But he's leaving his post?’
He had come here together with them, but as soon as Yang Seok entered the guest hall, he left for a moment.
No matter that this was inside the Northern Blood Sect, the fact that the guard of none other than the successor had left his post was truly unexpected.
What if an accident happened in that time? What if a sudden fight broke out with the Young Palace Master?
Of course, these were unlikely events, but an escort martial artist is someone who worries about things others do not.
It was an action that felt even more out of place for a guard who seemed so perfect on the outside.
It was to the point that he wanted to ask what could possibly be more important than protecting the successor.
Of course, Chan couldn't have known.
That he had gone back the way he came to make a servant girl's blood his own.
Just then, Ha Gyeol glanced up at the top of the building.
“What is it?”
“Nothing.”
He had certainly felt something.
Chan also scanned the area, but there was no one.
Even when he raised his energy to search more actively, he felt no presence nearby.
‘He definitely seemed to feel something.’
If he felt something that I couldn't? Does that mean he's a greater master than I am?
So, if he had sensed something a moment ago, he should have informed him.
Is she just any guest? Is she not the Young Palace Master of the Ice Palace?
Though it was irritating in many ways, Chan did not show it on the surface.
Meanwhile, the conversation was in full swing inside the guest hall.
Of course, the one mainly speaking was Yang Seok, and the one listening was Han Seol.
Until she came here, Han Seol had worried if she could act this part well.
But now that she was doing it, it wasn't as difficult as she thought.
It even made her wonder if she might have a talent for deceiving others.
“I have one question.”
“What is it?”
“Why did your brother get involved with the Demon Sect?”
For a moment, Yang Seok's expression flinched, but he quickly spoke calmly.
“You know it too, Young Palace Master. Those Demon Sect bastards are like a pack of wolves that try to get involved in any way possible to take a piece for themselves.”
Exactly.
She also thought all demonic practitioners were like that.
“That's right. And the ones who came this time are truly strange people.”
To him, it would sound like an insult, but her words contained a compliment.
Although she knew Yang Seok wasn't being truthful, Han Seol arranged for a next time with him.
“Will you meet the Young Cult Master with me next time?”
She made this choice entirely because of Lee Ahn.
Previously, when handling a matter, at a moment of decision, Lee Ahn had said.
Since they had done all they could, they should leave the rest to Geom Mugeuk.
And the result was surprisingly good.
This matter was in the same vein.
He wasn't someone she wanted to keep meeting alone, either.
Yang Seok interpreted her proposal this way: She wanted him to lend his strength in dealing with the Young Cult Master.
“Very well. The Northern Sea sects must unite their strength.”
“Thank you. Then I'll be going for today.”
Yang Seok was reluctant to part with her.
To think a day would come when he would have such a good atmosphere with the Young Palace Master of the Northern Sea Ice Palace.
Thanks to those Demon Sect bastards, he had dealt with his brother, and now he had the pleasant thought that he might even gain a wife.
Han Seol left with Chan in tow.
As he was leaving, Chan glanced back at Ha Gyeol.
He was still a perfect guard, yet he kept feeling a sense of incongruity.
After the two left, Yang Seok said to Ha Gyeol.
“She's a cold but charming woman.”
“A tongue that touches ice doesn't come off easily.”
Yang Seok looked coldly at Ha Gyeol.
He neither trusted nor liked him.
Ha Gyeol was a guard his father had assigned to watch over him.
There were times he felt displeased just looking at him.
Though he always maintained a polite attitude, there were strange moments when he provoked him.
Now was one of them.
Where does this insolent bastard get off telling me to be careful or not.
You watch your own tongue.
Before I cut it clean off.
Just then, a martial artist ran up and said to Yang Seok.
“The Sect Master is looking for you.”
*
“If I play my cards right, I think I can draw in the Young Palace Master.”
Yang Seok reported his meeting with Han Seol to the Northern Blood Sect Master.
“The Young Palace Master came to find something out through you.”
“I suspected as much. I'll use her to find out information about their side instead.”
The Northern Blood Sect Master nodded.
“Always be cautious.”
“I will keep that in mind.”
After the report, as he was about to leave, the Northern Blood Sect Master had Ha Gyeol stay behind.
“You stay for a moment.”
Yang Seok went outside first.
Moments like this were unpleasant.
When his father, after hearing his full report, would try to confirm it once more with that bastard.
He'll probably report something to Father about Han Seol.
Anyway, his father was a suspicious man.
‘Just trust your son a little!’
But reality unfolded completely differently from his thoughts.
As his son left, the Northern Blood Sect Master opened a secret door behind the great hall and led Ha Gyeol inside.
There was a space there meant only for the two of them.
In that space was a small great hall.
It was a bizarre and eerie place, decorated entirely in red.
Furthermore, a thick smell of blood emanated from it.
Upon entering the great hall, the relationship between the two was reversed.
Ha Gyeol's aura was different from when he was outside.
A blood-red energy flowed faintly from his eyes and body.
It was an energy that felt fearsome just by being in the same space.
“Have you still not found it?”
To Ha Gyeol's question, the Northern Blood Sect Master replied politely.
“No, I received word a short while ago. They have finally found someone with an Extreme Cold Body and are escorting them here.”
It was news he had truly been waiting for, so Ha Gyeol's expression brightened.
“How long will it take?”
“They will arrive in three days.”
“Three days!”
It was the first time he had seen Ha Gyeol make such a happy face.
That was how important finding the Extreme Cold Body was to him.
“Now that you've found the Extreme Cold Body, please keep your promise.”
In that moment, a red energy shot out from Ha Gyeol's eyes.
“Ugh! Stop!”
The Northern Blood Sect Master let out a scream full of fear.
Red circles had appeared on both sides of his forehead and were swelling up as if about to burst.
“Please, spare me!”
The Northern Blood Sect Master pleaded desperately.
If they swelled just a little more, the meridians in his head would burst, and he would die.
The precarious moment, as if they would burst at any second, continued, until finally, the red energy in Ha Gyeol's eyes subsided.
Then, the Northern Blood Sect Master's swollen skin also subsided.
“The promise will be kept when you bring the Extreme Cold Body before me.”
“I understand.”
The Northern Blood Sect Master was anxious.
When he got what he wanted, would he obediently keep his promise?
He had fallen victim to Ha Gyeol because of greed.
Greed created a weakness, and that weakness allowed something terrible into his blood.
Yes, ruin always comes from greed.
But it was also greed that had brought him this far.
The Northern Blood Sect Master considered even this to be part of the process.
He would surely survive, just as he had until now.
Ha Gyeol said calmly, “Until then, you must prevent those Demon Sect bastards from moving.”
“Do not worry. Aren't the Demon Sect bastards tied down under the Ice Palace's surveillance because of the Drunken Demon incident?”
Then, a surprising statement came from Ha Gyeol's mouth.
“The Young Cult Master of the Demon Sect came here today. It was a very subtle feeling, but if it was enough to escape my eyes, it must have been him.”
The Northern Blood Sect Master quickly said, “I will send word to Elder Seo at once. Perhaps this unauthorized outing of his could be an opportunity. We only need three days.”
The Northern Blood Sect Master bowed politely and quickly left the place.
In his eyes as he turned away was a formidable spirit that faced destiny head-on.
Whether he lived or died would be decided in three days.
No, these words would more accurately express his heart.
Who would die, and who would live?
Meanwhile, Ha Gyeol, now alone, manipulated the back wall.
Pressing, pulling, and pressing specific spots again.
As he carefully operated the mechanism.
Srrrung.
A door opened, revealing another space.
A secret room within a secret room.
In it was a giant tank.
It was a special tank made of ice that could only be created in the Northern Sea, allowing one to see inside.
The tank was filled with blood.
All sorts of medicinal liquids were mixed in with the blood.
A bizarre smell that an ordinary person would have never encountered before wafted out.
Only the Drunken Demon would be able to recognize that smell.
That the aroma of Incense Snow Ice Wine was also mixed in.
A man was submerged in the tank.
Since it was filled with blood, nothing should have been visible, but strangely, his body could be seen clearly.
It was truly a mysterious sight.
He had long limbs, fantastic muscles, a perfect body as if carved by a master craftsman.
What drew the eye even more was the man's hair.
His hair was as red as blood.
His body, met with the blood, created a mysterious atmosphere that could not be seen anywhere else in the world.
Ha Gyeol spoke to the man in the tank.
“Master, I have finally obtained the Extreme Cold Body.”
At that, the red-haired man in the blood opened his eyes wide.
The man with opened eyes revealed a tremendous presence.
A presence that overwhelmed Ha Gyeol.
Though he looked young, he was by no means young; this man in the tank was the Blood King.
Ha Gyeol was the only first disciple to have inherited the Blood King's martial arts.
The Blood King smiled.
As he rejoiced, the blood also began to bubble as if rejoicing with him.
But there was also unwelcome news.
“Another order has come down for us to return.”
Then the Blood King spoke.
Though he spoke from within the blood, his voice was low yet deeply resonant and clearly audible.
“We are not going back. Even if it means dyeing the entire Northern Sea with blood.”
*
Seo Nak burst into Geom Mugeuk's residence with the Ice Palace martial artists.
Lee Ahn blocked the doorway.
“What's going on?”
“Where is the Young Cult Master?”
“He is currently sleeping.”
A sneer crossed Seo Nak's face.
“I received a report that the Young Cult Master left his residence.”
Lee Ahn's heart sank.
If it was discovered that he had left his residence without permission, it would become a serious problem.
“I think you've received mistaken news. He's sleeping right now.”
As she tried to close the door, Seo Nak reached out a hand to stop her.
Lee Ahn tried not to back down, but Seo Nak had come with a purpose from the start.
“Step aside. If you interfere with me confirming an order from the Palace Master, that too will be an act of disobeying the Palace Master's command.”
Seo Nak pushed his way inside with the masters.
Unable to fight Seo Nak, Lee Ahn had no choice but to step back.
Seo Nak stared at the lump under the covers on the bed.
“See, the Young Cult Master is sleeping. So please, everyone, leave.”
Lee Ahn even lowered her voice, acting her heart out, but it didn't work on Seo Nak.
“I don't see a wooden headrest.”
He meant that she had put pillows under there to make the lump.
He looked like someone who had come already convinced that Geom Mugeuk was not here.
“You pull back the covers yourself.”
Seo Nak ordered Lee Ahn.
Lee Ahn looked back at the Drunken Demon.
The Drunken Demon simply stared out the window with a peaceful expression.
‘This isn't the time for that!’
Then again, in this situation, it's not like he would have a clever solution.
“Hurry up! Do you dare to disrespectfully defy the Palace Master's order?”
Lee Ahn had no choice but to walk to the bed.
Whoosh.
Giving up, Lee Ahn pulled back the covers.
“!”
The next moment, everyone there froze.
Geom Mugeuk was lying there, hugging a wooden headrest.
“Are you trying to take away my blanket in this cold Northern Sea? While watching me sleep hugging my headrest?”
So shocked, Seo Nak's face turned red as he stammered.
“W-what in the world? Why are you?”
Everyone was shocked, but the most shocked person in that moment was Lee Ahn.
It was a relief she didn't scream.
‘Young Master, why are you coming out from there?’