Chapter 404:  What made her freeze?

"Among all the times I've seen you, you look the coolest right now."

Whenever he heard such things, Drunken Demon would always respond jokingly.

"We just haven't met enough yet. If you think about all the cool sides of me that remain, we're basically meeting for the first time. Nice to meet you, Young Cult Leader."

He liked to joke around like this and was always open about his feelings. Because of that, sometimes Drunken Demon seemed like a weak person.

But that was not true. Drunken Demon was someone stronger than anyone. I thought he was even stronger because he was someone who wavered. His wavering was the kind that sought to find its rightful place.

And he was lonelier than anyone else. Whenever I thought of him, I always pictured him drinking alone on a small boat.

I looked down at Lee Ahn, who was standing next to the carriage, and said,

"Brother will take care of everything. This time, let's just relax and enjoy the snow. Find a place that serves good food. Since we're here, let's try everything before we leave."

Lee Ahn smiled and said,

"First, let's eat these noodles."

She flew up lightly carrying the noodles.

We sat side by side on the roof of the carriage and ate the noodles.

"Oh? It's delicious? Why is this so good?"

I added to Drunken Demon's exclamation with exaggerated excitement.

"Right? I was surprised too. I thought the Heavenly Demon Pavilion’s head cook had secretly passed by."

Lee Ahn laughed pleasantly.

"I'll make something even better for you next time."

And like that, we emptied even the soup cleanly while sitting on the roof of the carriage.

"Alright, now that our stomachs are full, shall we go?"

"I'll drive the carriage."

Lee Ahn lightly jumped down and sat in the coachman's seat.

"Departing."

I stayed on the roof of the carriage with Drunken Demon. Even if we went inside, the annoying guys were probably sleeping. It was better here where it was cool and pleasant.

While the carriage was running, Drunken Demon spoke.

"Maybe the Northern Blood Gate incident and the death of the Former Master Brewer are connected."

I nodded. It could have been a coincidence, or it might not have been. One thing was certain: the Blood King was behind this event. The Blood King, who was incredibly difficult and extremely dangerous to deal with.

"In the end, we'll uncover all the truths. Northern Blood Gate and Northern Sea Ice Palace, we'll take care of both matters and return."

Seeing Drunken Demon nod at my words, I added jokingly,

"Ah, my mistake. Not us—brother will handle it and come back."

The carriage raced across the snowfields endlessly stretching toward the Northern Sea Ice Palace.

*         *         *

Geom Mugeuk, Lee Ahn, and Drunken Demon, guided by Han Seol, went up to the Palace Master's Hall.

Since the Northern Sea Ice Palace had accepted the deal, they were now going to formally greet the Ice Palace Master.

Lee Ahn, who had said she was extremely nervous about meeting the Ice Palace Master for the first time, admired the circular stairs that changed color depending on the light.

"Truly, it’s so beautifully built."

Unlike her, Geom Mugeuk was sensing a faint killing intent from these stairs. It was not the killing intent of a person.

'It’s a mechanism.'

Because everything was transparent, it did not seem like there could be any mechanism anywhere. It was unimaginable how these beautiful ice walls, stairs, and pillars would deal with intruders.

This was not a mechanism—it was art.

Because of that, he had a hunch that it would be more dangerous than any mechanism he had ever experienced. Even Lee Ahn, who had already reached the level of an early master with her Soaring Sword Art, had not sensed the existence of this mechanism at all.

Thus, the three of them followed Han Seol and ascended to the Palace Master's Hall.

"We greet the Palace Master."

Geom Mugeuk was the first to bow politely and give his greeting.

The Ice Palace Master also gave the formalities appropriate for meeting the Young Cult Leader.

"Welcome, Young Cult Leader."

Geom Mugeuk had met her once before in his life prior to the regression. Though it was an event that occurred much later than now.

At that time, that cold woman was shedding hot tears.

Before the death of her daughter.

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 main character who had continuously astonished her through the reports from her agents.

The Ice Palace Master quietly observed Geom Mugeuk’s gaze and demeanor. Had this young man truly accomplished all those feats?

Geom Mugeuk neither completely concealed himself, nor did he overly reveal himself. He had reached a state more natural and perfect than completely hiding himself—the true peak of the Complete Reversal of Energy and Spirit.

Her daughter had spoken of Geom Mugeuk with some distrust, saying she wanted to observe him further. Naturally, she thought, since even she herself found him difficult to read.

"Is the Cult Leader doing well?"

When the Ice Palace Master asked about his father, Geom Mugeuk smiled and asked back,

"Have you met my father before?"

"I met him a long time ago."

She had only seen him once, but he was not someone easily forgotten. Probably because his gaze was so intense.

"He is doing well."

"I heard you led a major event recently? I heard it was you who spearheaded it."

The Orthodox, Unorthodox, and Demonic Faction Summit had not been conducted in strict secrecy; it had been held at Maga Village. It was natural that the Ice Palace Master knew about it.

"Since I have met the Palace Master like this today, please attend the next summit as well. I am thinking of inviting the Heavenly Wind Cult Leader too."

Whether it was a joke or not, the Ice Palace Master calmly nodded.

"Make sure to invite me."

She replied as a joke, but Geom Mugeuk confirmed once more.

"If a true five-party summit is held, would you really attend?"

The leaders of the Orthodox, Unorthodox, and Demonic Faction Summit gathering again? And adding the Heavenly Wind Cult Leader to it? Would such a thing even be possible?

"Send word."

"I look forward to that day."

After exchanging greetings with Geom Mugeuk, the Ice Palace Master then greeted Drunken Demon.

"You've come a long way, Demon Supreme."

"It’s been a long time since we last met."

"You remember me."

"Of course."

Drunken Demon had met the Ice Palace Master a very long time ago. It was before he became the Demon Supreme, and before she became the Palace Master.

Back then, she did not feel like this. Now, she seemed like an icy statue whose inner thoughts could not be seen at all, but in those days, the Ice Palace Master was a pure woman who suited her snow-white clothes well.

What had made her freeze like this? The cold winds of the Northern Sea? Her difficult life, trying to protect the Ice Palace with a woman’s body?

"As the years flow so quickly, life truly feels fleeting."

At Drunken Demon's words, the Ice Palace Master nodded.

Finally, Geom Mugeuk introduced Lee Ahn.

"This is one of my subordinates."

The Ice Palace Master had already been informed that Geom Mugeuk had brought along a subordinate involved in this recent matter. At first, she could not understand it. At a time when it would be wiser to hide such things, why openly reveal it like this?

"I greet the Palace Master."

At Lee Ahn’s greeting, the Ice Palace Master once again carefully observed her.

Was it because her beauty was overwhelming? Lee Ahn drew the Ice Palace Master's gaze more than necessary.

"Why would someone so beautiful cause such a commotion?"

"I am sorry. I am still inexperienced, and thus clumsy in handling affairs of the Central Plains."

Though she had much she could say, Lee Ahn offered a polite apology. In any case, it was not her place to hold the Ice Palace Master responsible.

It was Geom Mugeuk who spoke on Lee Ahn's behalf.

"Because she was inexperienced, she was cautious. She safely brought back those who were kidnapped."

Geom Mugeuk stared straight at the Ice Palace Master and added,

"On the other hand, the Northern Blood Gate, which has far more experience and skill, did not act with such care. Why do they treat human lives so lightly?"

As he spoke, Geom Mugeuk carefully watched the Ice Palace Master’s expression. Did she know about what the Northern Blood Gate had been doing? He had brought it up deliberately to find out.

"I don't quite understand what you mean."

Her expression made it seem as though she genuinely knew nothing.

"There was such an incident. I will explain it to you in detail another time."

Geom Mugeuk did not press further. Now was not the time to provoke the Ice Palace Master but to investigate the death of the Former Master Brewer.

Dealing with the Blood King was important, but easing Drunken Demon's heart was just as important. No, it was even more important.

By handling Drunken Demon's matter, the Blood King would be dealt with along the way. Even if the Northern Sea were to be submerged in blood, Geom Mugeuk resolved to approach this situation with that mindset. Evil was trivial, and life was important.

The Ice Palace Master asked Han Seol,

"Is Young Master Yang safe?"

"Yes."

"Escort Young Master Yang here and guide these three to their lodgings."

"Understood."

Finally, the Ice Palace Master spoke to Drunken Demon.

"You wish to investigate the death of the Former Master Brewer of the Hundred Liquors Snow Courtyard?"

"Yes."

"Though the death of that person is regrettable, I cannot give you much time for the investigation."

It meant that an expulsion order could be issued at any time.

"I will try to hurry as much as possible."

"Thank you for your understanding."

Thus ended the first meeting, where silent probing between the past and present had crossed paths.

*         *         *

Yang Joong, the second son of the Northern Blood Gate Master, woke up feeling a chill.

He was sitting in a chair. Looking around, he realized that the walls, pillars—everything—were made of ice.

"You’re awake?"

A woman was standing ahead of him, her back turned.

"Who are you?"

The woman turned around and walked toward him. She was none other than the Ice Palace Master of the Northern Sea Ice Palace.

"Palace Master?"

Recognizing her, Yang Joong was startled. Astonishingly, this place was the Palace Master's Hall of the Northern Sea Ice Palace.

"How is your body?"

"I’m fine. But why am I here?"

Good news was conveyed to him.

"We made a deal with the Demonic Cult and brought you out."

Yang Joong’s face brightened as he realized he had survived.

"Thank you, Palace Master! I thought I was going to die at the hands of those Demonic Cult bastards."

Though it was a reckless statement that did not need to be said here, the Ice Palace Master’s expression remained unchanged.

"It’s a relief that you are safe."

Yang Joong could not understand. Why had the Ice Palace rescued him?

At that moment, a middle-aged man entered the room. With sharp, beast-like eyes, a square jaw, and a robust frame, he immediately appeared to be a powerful martial artist.

Yang Joong's face stiffened as he identified the man. The one who had entered was his father, the Northern Blood Gate Master Yang Shin.

It was not just because of his mastery of the Twelve Techniques of Northern Fist that he had raised the Northern Blood Gate into one of the three major powers of the Northern Sea. Though he looked like a bear, he possessed a sharper mind and greater ambition than anyone else.

"Father!"

Even though he knew his father had abandoned him, seeing him still stirred a sense of relief. Could it be that his father had requested the Ice Palace’s intervention? Could it be that his father had a grander plan all along? But that hope was quickly crushed as Yang Shin spoke bluntly.

"We'll be leaving soon, so you go down first."

Yang Joong's chest tightened. Not even a single word asking if he was alright after being kidnapped? The last shred of hope that maybe his father had rescued him vanished like smoke.

'Right, Father abandoned me. The moment he refused the hostage exchange, that woman could have killed me on the spot.'

A mix of resentment and sorrow swirled within Yang Joong. Both the Northern Blood Gate Master and the Ice Palace Master sensed his emotions, but they pretended not to notice.

Yang Joong turned and descended the icy stairs, leaving behind his father and the Ice Palace Master. He glanced up once, but he could only faintly see the two figures standing side by side talking. He could not hear what they were saying.

'Even abandoning your own son... Just what are you plotting? What kind of deal did you make for the Ice Palace to rescue me from the Demonic Cult?'

As Yang Joong descended to the entrance of the Palace Master's Hall, he saw a man standing there with his back turned. Naturally assuming he was a subordinate, he spoke to him.

"Where's the carriage?"

The man did not answer and simply kept looking up at the sky.

"I asked you, where's the carriage!"

The fierce emotions stirred up by his father were wrongly directed at a bystander.

"Even when you survive and come back, it's not the same, is it?"

At the sound of the voice, Yang Joong flinched.

The man standing with his back turned was none other than Geom Mugeuk.

"I promised that if you opened your eyes, it would be your room, but I couldn't keep that promise. Still, you got to see your father, so that's enough, right?"

Yang Joong’s mind told him so:

He had just barely gotten out—there was no need to provoke this man.

But he was someone who lived by his heart rather than his head.

Especially when his father was mentioned, his anger flared even more.

"I will never forget the humiliation I suffered this time!"

Behind the shouting was the belief that, since the Ice Palace had made a deal, they would not dare seize him now.

"A martial artist should, of course, think that way. Make sure you come back for revenge next time."

Thinking he would be unable to come even if he wanted to!

Since he could not scream back, Yang Joong grew more and more aggravated.  

What he managed to say was this:

"The ones who were captured will never be released."

The people your subordinate tried to save, and even kidnapped me for.

"You haven't heard yet, have you? They killed them all. Only one could be rescued."

At that moment, Yang Joong felt the air around him turn as cold as Geom Mugeuk’s gaze.

"Wouldn't it be fair if only one of your people survived too?"

Would it be you? Or your father?

Though he did not say it out loud, Geom Mugeuk asked this with his eyes.

Yang Joong had lived a life where he had only ever threatened others—he had never been on the receiving end.  

And now, he was facing his very first threat, and it was being delivered perfectly.

At that moment, the Northern Blood Gate Master, having finished his conversation with the Ice Palace Master, descended to the entrance.

Upon recognizing Geom Mugeuk, he offered a formal greeting.

"It is a pleasure to meet you for the first time."

His greeting was so respectful that Yang Joong was shocked.

Even if this was the Young Cult Leader of the Demonic Cult, was his father not one of the top three figures in the Northern Sea?

Geom Mugeuk returned the greeting with a clasped fist salute.

"I have long heard of the Gate Master’s reputation."

"It cannot be compared to that of the Young Cult Leader."

He treated him in a way that felt special, yet at the same time as calmly as he would treat anyone else. Geom Mugeuk knew well how difficult that was.

Unlike his son, he was not someone who was swayed by emotions. Geom Mugeuk could tell the moment he saw him. He would never hand over his position to this second son.

"Before long, we will formally welcome the Young Cult Leader at the Main Hall."

"I will be waiting."

The Northern Blood Gate Master walked ahead first, and Yang Joong followed behind.

At that moment, Geom Mugeuk’s voice transmission reached Yang Joong.

―If only one person survives, it will probably be your father.

It was a remark that poured oil onto the flames of Yang Joong’s hatred toward his father.

Those words would linger in his heart, continuously unsettling and dividing the two of them. Geom Mugeuk had no intention of letting them stay comfortable.

Yang Joong glared furiously at Geom Mugeuk before striding away from the place.

Watching his retreating figure coldly, Geom Mugeuk suddenly spoke.

"Why are you not curious?"

At that moment, Han Seol walked out from behind the building.

She had been there for some time. She had not purposely hidden—she just had not found the right timing to step forward.

"What do you mean?"

"About what they are plotting."

"Why do you assume I am not curious?"

Geom Mugeuk turned to look at her and asked,

"Are you curious?"

"Of course I’m curious."

It was a lie. In truth, she was not curious.

She thought their scheming was obvious—to become stronger.

To maintain and expand their hegemony over the Northern Sea.

She had believed it was something her mother would handle anyway.

Mother must know everything. In this Northern Sea, there was no way anyone could plot anything without her mother's knowledge.

But Geom Mugeuk thought differently.

"This time, it seems your mother will definitely need her daughter’s help."