Chapter 399: I Came to See You After So Long

TL: FoodieMonster007

It was a provocative first greeting.

Han Seol should have formally greeted Geom Mugeuk and the Drunken Demon first. Instead, her first words were a suggestion to drink Ice Wine. She must have calculated that the Drunken Demon would not find a greeting related to alcohol rude. This meant she knew the person with Geom Mugeuk was the Drunken Demon.

It also showed the excellence of the Ice Palace's intelligence network in the North Sea.

If they knew about them, they might also know about Lee Ahn's movements. Geom Mugeuk knew this would not work in Lee Ahn's favor. The North Sea Ice Palace was not an enemy of the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult, but they were not friends either.

Geom Mugeuk stared silently at Han Seol, wondering how different she was from the rumors.

"Do you like alcohol?" Geom Mugeuk asked.

Han Seol looked slightly surprised before she answered calmly.

"I like drinking alone."

A slight smile formed on the Drunken Demon's lips at her honest answer. He, more than anyone, loved drinking alone.

"Pay your respects," Geom Mugeuk said. "This is the Drunken Demon, the Demon Supreme of our Cult."

Han Seol politely greeted the Drunken Demon with clasped hands.

"It's an honor to meet such a distinguished person."

"The rumors that the precious daughter of the Ice Palace is truly beautiful were true."

"You praise me too much."

Unlike rumors that she was heartless and cold, Han Seol seemed no different from an ordinary woman her age. However, Geom Mugeuk knew better.

A person's coldness or heartlessness is revealed not in their appearance, but in their decisions and choices.

Therefore, he could not have any preconceptions about her yet. He still did not know what kind of person she was.

Han Seol's gaze returned to Geom Mugeuk.

"You still haven't answered my question."

Geom Mugeuk left the decision to the Drunken Demon.

"Shall we have a drink?"

For a moment, Han Seol felt puzzled. If the Young Cult Leader and a Demon Supreme were present, the Young Cult Leader should naturally make the decision. Just as she made all the decisions, not the masters waiting outside.

But this Young Cult Leader asked the Drunken Demon for a decision instead of making it himself.

This time, the Drunken Demon looked at Han Seol.

Geom Mugeuk felt it. The Drunken Demon of this moment was not the pathetic older brother he always picked on.

There was a world and a life seen by the man who had reached the pinnacle of martial arts through alcohol. How does she appear to him right now?

"If it's Ice Wine, I can't refuse," the Drunken Demon answered.

Han Seol signaled to the martial artists outside. Her subordinate, Chan, entered with a pure white wine bottle and handed it to her.

"This is Ice Wine brewed at our palace."

When she opened the stopper, a captivating aroma spread through the tavern. The drinkers, who had been holding their breath, looked awestruck.

Many types of Ice Wine existed in the North Sea, but the one brewed at the North Sea Ice Palace was considered the finest. This fragrant and captivating scent was its signature aroma.

The wine poured with a clear, trickling sound.

Han Seol first poured a cup for Geom Mugeuk.

As she poured, she recalled what her mother, the owner of the North Sea Ice Palace, had said.

[The Young Cult Leader is no ordinary person.]

Han Seol had heard about Geom Mugeuk several times. He was changing the landscape of the murim.

[You must deal with him carefully. If you don't want to be devoured by him.]

Her mother had never said anything like that when giving her a task. It felt like her mother rated the Young Cult Leader higher than her.

Is this person really that amazing?

He grinned foolishly while commenting on the wine's aroma, which made him look rather frivolous. No matter how she looked, she could not see any authority that overwhelmed the Demon Supreme.

Han Seol next poured a cup for the Drunken Demon.

Finally, the Drunken Demon filled her cup.

"I also mostly drink alone."

The three of them toasted and drank the Ice Wine.

"Ah, this is truly delicious."

Geom Mugeuk was genuinely impressed. He had drunk Ice Wine before his regression, but it had not tasted this good. The taste of the same alcohol could change drastically depending on who you drank it with and in what situation.

"Why don't you suspect that it might be poisoned?" Han Seol asked.

Geom Mugeuk glanced at the Drunken Demon. Right, I can drink it because I have Myriad Poison Immunity, but Hyung, are you really okay drinking it so carelessly?

The Drunken Demon answered Han Seol.

"If you were to poison food or water, I might not notice. However, I can tell if even an imperceptible poison is mixed in alcohol. I can tell just by smelling it."

"Indeed, your reputation is not for nothing."

This time, Geom Mugeuk filled Han Seol's cup.

"It's a pleasure to meet you."

He did not know this woman well. However, he knew the kind of life this woman had lived before his regression. More precisely, he knew the kind of death she had met.

Geom Mugeuk asked Han Seol, "I imagine you have a reason for seeking us out."

"Yes, I do," Han Seol said, revealing her reason for coming.

"I'm sure you're well aware of the Northern Blood Sect, as they are quite a famous sect. The son of the Northern Blood Sect Leader's second brother has been kidnapped. Have you perhaps heard the news?"

"I heard people talking about it earlier."

"I believe the one who committed the act is a Divine Cult martial artist."

The atmosphere naturally grew cold and heavy.

"Why do you think so?"

"The kidnapper is so elusive that the Northern Blood Sect's martial artists have been completely unable to find any trace of them. Our palace has also stepped in, but we are not having an easy time finding them either. It's someone who is either extremely clever or has received professional training."

Worried because she's like a child left by the water's edge? That child is building a dam and fishing by the water. Lee Ahn, you're amazing.

"That's not enough to say it was our Cult's doing, is it?"

"There is decisive evidence."

Han Seol stared intently at Geom Mugeuk and added, "You, Young Cult Leader. You are the evidence."

Even at this provocative statement, Geom Mugeuk remained calm.

"Why am I the evidence?"

"Because you showed up in the North Sea at such a coincidental time."

"Circumstantial evidence, then."

"That's right. It's evidence that cannot be confirmed if you, Young Cult Leader, deny it."

Geom Mugeuk could understand Han Seol's reputation for being cold and heartless. She conveyed only facts, without embedding any emotion in her speech. While saying he was suspicious, she did not show a single suspicious expression or glance.

It was not a matter of speaking a lot or a little. She felt even colder because she said everything she needed to say without any emotion.

"You're right. I also think it's the work of my subordinate," Geom Mugeuk admitted readily.

"Then that makes things easier to say. This is strictly the territory of our palace. Have your subordinate release the child of the Northern Blood Sect Leader, and hand your subordinate over to us. If the kidnapped child of the Northern Blood Sect returns safely, we will mediate the situation and then return your subordinate to you."

Geom Mugeuk's expression was gentle, but his refusal was firm.

"I cannot do that."

"What do you mean?"

"If my subordinate kidnapped the child of the Northern Blood Sect Leader, there must be a good reason for it."

"That's right. There must be a reason. However, the murim is a place where the justification of an organization is more important than an individual's reasons."

"If you were the one who had to be sacrificed for the organization's justification, could you still say that?"

Han Seol looked at Geom Mugeuk and stated calmly, "Of course. I would willingly give myself up."

He felt that her words were sincere.

However, the emotion he felt from her words was not a spirit of sacrifice or loyalty. It was emptiness. A black hole that felt even larger because she was young and beautiful.

This woman has no lingering attachment to life.

Yang Chung could not understand the situation.

"When were you captured?"

A surprising answer came from Hwangchu's mouth.

"Two days ago."

"Does that mean you were captured before us?"

"It seems so."

A chill ran down the spines of Yang Chung and Ju Gyo. It meant their captor had captured Hwangchu, the master of tracking, first and then orchestrated the plan. This was completely unexpected.

"This incident was meticulously planned in advance."

"Who on earth is responsible for this? Who would dare to do this against the great Northern Blood Sect!"

Just then, someone spoke from the darkness.

"Isn't the important thing 'why' rather than 'who'?"

It was a woman's voice, the most pleasant he had ever heard.

Yang Chung shouted furiously, "Who are you?"

She had been in the same space, but they had not sensed her presence.

Before Yang Chung could spew curses, Ju Gyo quickly said, "If you release us now, we will treat this as if it never happened. Let's go our separate ways."

The woman's laughter echoed. The sound grew louder as a woman walked out of the darkness, revealing herself. She wore a bamboo hat and a veil. It was Lee Ahn.

"Who might you be?" Ju Gyo asked politely.

Lee Ahn answered, "I'm someone who came here at the request of a woman to save her husband. I came all the way from a very distant place. I never thought I'd end up coming all the way to the North Sea."

"Who on earth did you come to save?"

"Why? Would you even know if I told you the name?"

Ju Gyo could not answer. There were too many people captured because of them.

"You tricked people from all over the Central Plains, saying you'd help them make a lot of money, and brought them here."

Lee Ahn had investigated thoroughly. This incident was not a simple case of deception and kidnapping. They had brought only special individuals.

"All those people had unique constitutions, didn't they? What on earth did you gather them for? To use them as ingredients for some grand technique? Or are you trying to practice evil arts?"

Yang Chung and Ju Gyo did not answer.

"I've sent word to the Northern Blood Sect. If you release all the people you brought here, I'll release you too."

Yang Chung's expression hardened. This matter had been carried out in utmost secrecy. To protect that secret, his father might not release the people. His father was a man who valued the family more than his own blood.

Feeling the anxiety that he might not be released, Yang Chung said desperately, "Should I tell you what will happen if you kill us? In the end, the main sect will find you and kill you. They'll kill not only you, but your entire family too. Your in-laws, your distant cousins, everyone will die because of you. That's not all. They'll kill your neighbors too. They'll find and kill everyone who has ever exchanged even a single word with you. That's the only way to ensure something like this never happens again. So go on, kill me!"

Lee Ahn stared silently at Yang Chung. When she remained silent, he thought his threat had worked, but he was mistaken.

Lee Ahn took off her bamboo hat and removed her veil.

"Don't take it off!" Ju Gyo shouted, squeezing his eyes shut.

He was afraid they would be killed to silence them if they saw her face. Hwangchu also closed his eyes.

However, Yang Chung kept his eyes wide open, glaring at Lee Ahn.

He was about to curse but stood with his mouth agape, unable to speak. The damn woman who had kidnapped him was breathtakingly beautiful.

Words that the three of them could not understand flowed from her lips.

"I'm so grateful to the Young Master and those around him. Because they're the kind of people who wouldn't be fazed by threats like this."

A few scenes flashed through her mind.

[You're the one closest to Lee Ahn? Who are you?]

[I'm the Young Cult Leader of the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult.]

[And you!]

[The Director of the Sanzu Hall?]

[And you? I heard you even had a drinking party with her?]

[I'm the General of the Demonic Army.]

[And you!]

[The granddaughter of the Murim Alliance Chairman.]

[And you? I heard you're her new father?]

[……]

She laughed to herself at the silly imagination.

"And I'm so grateful that I can say this."

The smile vanished from Lee Ahn's face. She stared coldly at Yang Chung and said, "Make sure you tell them to come kill me. Please, be sure to even leave a will asking for revenge."

"I am a person who considers my subordinate's reasons more important than the organization."

Han Seol did not believe him. Even if he says such plausible things, in the end, the organization will come first. For the Young Cult Leader of all people to say such a thing. Did he think I was foolish enough to believe that?

"My subordinate is not the type of person to do something like this just because she was humiliated. She must have been asked for help or witnessed an injustice."

Han Seol could not understand Geom Mugeuk, who defended his subordinate, or the subordinate who would cause such an incident to help others. Why do they live so hypocritically?

"So you're saying you can't accept it because you believe your subordinate is right."

"That's right," Geom Mugeuk said, still calm.

"My subordinate has had a hard and tiring life serving the Young Cult Leader of the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult. At times like this, there should at least be some reward for serving the Young Cult Leader."

Han Seol stated calmly, "The Northern Blood Sect has asked our palace for help. We have our own position to consider."

"Help them."

"Then that precious subordinate of yours might die. Are you okay with that?"

Geom Mugeuk stared intently at Han Seol.

"If my subordinate is right, and the child of the Northern Blood Sect is wrong, will you still kill my subordinate?"

Han Seol stared back at Geom Mugeuk with a blank expression before asking in return, "Then what if the Young Cult Leader's subordinate is wrong, and the child of the Northern Blood Sect is right? Is it okay to kill your subordinate then?"

Geom Mugeuk smiled faintly.

"In that case, I would have to rescue my subordinate and escape from here."

Han Seol wore a slightly dumbfounded expression.

"I believe I've said all I have to say. Please, continue your conversation."

Han Seol stood up from her seat. Just discovering that a Demonic Cult member was behind this incident made the meeting meaningful.

Then, Geom Mugeuk said, "Actually, we have another reason for coming to the North Sea. There is someone we very much wish to meet."

"Who is that?"

"The owner of the Hundred Wines Snow Cellar. The Drunken Demon has mentioned many times what a remarkable person she is, so I have wanted to meet her for a long time."

Since this was the reason the Drunken Demon had come, he wanted to mention it in advance.

At that, Han Seol's expression hardened.

"What's wrong?"

Han Seol looked at Geom Mugeuk and the Drunken Demon with a strange expression, then delivered the shocking news.

"The owner of the Hundred Wines Snow Cellar has passed away."

The Drunken Demon flinched in surprise. Sorrow soon spread across his stiffened face. I came to see her after such a long time, and she's dead? When was the last time I saw her?

"When and how did she pass away?"

Han Seol did not answer Geom Mugeuk's question and just stared at the two of them. A hint of suspicion flowed in her cold eyes.

"Why have you two come looking for the owner at this particular time?"

It was clear that a single wrong word would lead to a misunderstanding. Since the Drunken Demon said nothing, Geom Mugeuk answered for him.

"Every year, the owner sent alcohol to the Drunken Demon. It didn't arrive this year. So we came to see if something had happened."

After a brief pause, Han Seol said quietly, "The owner took her own life a short while ago."

"……"

The cup the Drunken Demon was holding shattered. Wine spilled onto the table.

Han Seol said to Geom Mugeuk, "Please tell your subordinate to return the child of the Northern Blood Sect."

Leaving those words behind, Han Seol left the place.

Silence fell in the room. The wine that had spilled on the table dripped to the floor. Finally, the Drunken Demon, who had been watching silently, broke the silence.

"There's no way she killed herself."

He had a reason for his certainty.

"She had more pride in making alcohol than anyone and was satisfied with her work. She was someone who knew how many people became happy from the alcohol she brewed. It can't be."

The Drunken Demon would know the owner better than anyone. If so, she had not taken her own life but had been killed.

Geom Mugeuk nodded and drained his remaining cup of wine.

"To think I can no longer taste such fine wine."

Geom Mugeuk placed the empty cup down and clasped his hands in mourning.

The Drunken Demon emptied the Hyeollu wine gourd at his waist, then poured the remaining Ice Wine into it. He poured carefully, not spilling a single drop.

Through the clear, flowing Ice Wine, the Drunken Demon's face shimmered. The sorrow and anger in his eyes were also being poured into the Hyeollu along with the wine.