Chapter 404: What Froze Her?

TL: FoodieMonster007

"Of all the times I have seen you, now is the coolest, Hyung."

The Drunken Demon, hearing such words again, responded with playful banter. "We just haven't met enough yet. Considering all the cool sides of me that remain, we're practically strangers. Nice to meet you, Young Cult Leader."

He loved to joke around like this, openly expressing his feelings, which sometimes made the Drunken Demon appear weak.

He was not. The Drunken Demon was stronger than anyone, believing his strength stemmed precisely from his wavering—a wavering to find his true place.

And he was more solitary than anyone. Whenever I saw him, I always imagined him sitting alone in a small boat, drinking.

I looked down at Lee Ahn, who stood beside the carriage, and told her, "Hyung says he'll take care of everything. This time, let's just enjoy the snow without a care. Find some good places to eat. Since we're here, let's try everything before we leave."

Lee Ahn smiled. "First, let's eat these noodles."

She lightly leaped onto the carriage roof, noodles in hand.

We sat side by side on the carriage roof, eating noodles.

"Oh? It's delicious? Why is it so delicious?"

The Drunken Demon exclaimed with exaggerated admiration.

"Right? I was surprised too. I thought the Heavenly Demon Hall's head chef had secretly visited."

Lee Ahn laughed happily. "Next time, I'll make you something even more delicious."

And so, we finished every last drop of broth on the carriage roof.

"Alright, now that we're full, shall we go?"

"I'll drive the carriage."

Lee Ahn leaped down and sat in the driver's seat.

"Departing now."

I remained on the carriage roof with the Drunken Demon. If we rode inside, those annoying guys would be sleeping. This was cooler, and far better.

As the carriage moved, the Drunken Demon mused, "Perhaps this Northern Blood Sect matter and the Brewmaster's death are related."

I nodded. While they could be separate incidents that happened by chance, one thing was certain: the Blood King, an extremely difficult and dangerous individual, was behind this.

"Eventually, all the truth will be revealed. We'll resolve both the Northern Blood Sect and the North Sea Ice Palace matters and return."

Seeing the Drunken Demon nod at my words, I added playfully, "Ah, my mistake. Not 'we,' but 'Hyung' will resolve it and return."

The carriage rapidly traversed the endless snowy plains toward the North Sea Ice Palace.

Geom Mugeuk, Lee Ahn, and the Drunken Demon ascended to the Empress's hall, guided by Han Seol. Since the North Sea Ice Palace had accepted the deal, they were formally greeting the Ice Empress.

Lee Ahn, who had been so nervous about her first meeting with the Ice Empress, marveled at the circular staircase that changed color with the light.

"It's truly built so beautifully."

Unlike her, Geom Mugeuk sensed a subtle killing intent emanating from this staircase, though it wasn't emitted by a person.

It's a trap mechanism.

Because the staircase was transparent, it seemed impossible for any mechanism to be hidden anywhere. He couldn't even imagine how these beautiful ice walls, stairs, and pillars would deal with intruders.

This was not just engineering. It was art.

Because of that, he had a premonition it would be more dangerous than any mechanism he had ever encountered. Even Lee Ahn, whose Soaring Sky Sword Art was so advanced, couldn't sense the presence of this mechanism at all.

And so, the three of them followed Han Seol up to the Empress's hall.

"Greetings, Empress."

Geom Mugeuk was the first to respectfully bow.

The Ice Empress also showed the proper courtesy for a Young Cult Leader.

"Welcome, Young Cult Leader."

Geom Mugeuk had met her in his life before his regression, though it was much later.

At that time, that cold woman was shedding hot tears at her daughter's death.

On the other hand, the Ice Empress met Geom Mugeuk for the first time today. It was the moment she finally met the protagonist who had endlessly surprised her through her spies' reports.

The Ice Empress carefully observed Geom Mugeuk's eyes and aura. Did he really accomplish all those things? This young man?

Geom Mugeuk didn't completely conceal himself, nor did he overly reveal himself. He had reached the realm of Natural Assimilation, which was more natural and perfect than complete concealment.

Her daughter had spoken of Geom Mugeuk with a hint of distrust, saying she wanted to observe him more closely. The Ice Empress thought that was natural; even she found him difficult to read.

"Is Cult Leader doing well?"

When the Ice Empress inquired about his father, Geom Mugeuk smiled and asked in return, "Have you met my father?"

"I met him a long time ago."

She had only seen him once, but he was a person not easily forgotten. Perhaps it was because his eyes were so intense.

"He's doing well."

"You handled a major affair recently, didn't you? I heard you spearheaded it."

The orthodox, unorthodox, and demonic conference wasn't held in secret but in the Demon Village, so it was natural for the Ice Empress to know about it.

"Now that I've met you, Empress, will you attend the next conference? I plan to invite the Heavenly Wind Cult Leader as well."

It was hard to tell if he was joking or serious, but the Ice Empress calmly nodded. "Be sure to invite me," she answered, as if it were a joke.

Geom Mugeuk confirmed once more. "If a five-way conference truly takes place, will you really attend?"

The leaders of the orthodox, unorthodox, and demonic factions, who had gathered once, gathering again? And with the Heavenly Wind Cult Leader too? Would that even be possible?

"Inform me."

"I look forward to that day."

After exchanging greetings with Geom Mugeuk, she then greeted the Drunken Demon. "You've come a long way, Demon Supreme."

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

"You remember."

"Of course."

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

Even then, she didn't have this feeling. Now she felt like an ice statue whose depths couldn't be fathomed, but back then, the Ice Empress was a pure woman who looked good in white clothes.

What had frozen her like this? The cold winds of North Sea? Her difficult life, striving to protect the Ice Palace as a woman?

"Time flows so quickly, life is truly fleeting."

The Ice Empress nodded at the Drunken Demon's words.

Finally, Geom Mugeuk introduced Lee Ahn. "This is my subordinate."

The Ice Empress had already been informed that Geom Mugeuk had brought the subordinate who caused this incident. At first, she couldn't understand. Why reveal her when it would be better to hide her?

"Greetings, Empress."

At Lee Ahn's greeting, the Ice Empress once again carefully observed her.

Was it because her beauty was excessive? Lee Ahn drew the Ice Empress's gaze more than necessary.

"Why did such a beautiful person cause such trouble?"

"I apologize. My experience is still lacking, and my handling of jianghu matters is immature."

Lee Ahn had much to say, but she politely apologized. After all, it wasn't something to hold the Ice Empress accountable for.

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

"She was as cautious as she was immature. She safely brought back those she kidnapped." Geom Mugeuk stared intently at the Ice Empress, adding, "Conversely, the Northern Blood Sect's handling of matters, despite their experience and skill, wasn't so. Why do they treat human lives so lightly?"

As he spoke, Geom Mugeuk observed the Ice Empress's expression. Did the Ice Empress know about the Northern Blood Sect's ongoing activities? He had deliberately brought it up to find out.

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

Her expression truly made it seem as if she knew nothing.

"Such an incident occurred. I'll explain in detail later."

Geom Mugeuk didn't press further. This wasn't the time to provoke the Ice Empress, but rather to investigate the Brewmaster's death.

As important as confronting the Blood King was, alleviating the Drunken Demon's distress was equally, if not more, crucial.

He would handle the Blood King as a secondary matter while resolving the Drunken Demon's affairs. Even if the North Sea were to be submerged in blood, Geom Mugeuk resolved to approach this matter with that mindset. Evil was trivial, and life was paramount.

The Ice Empress asked Han Seol, "Is Young Lord Yang safe?"

"Yes."

"Bring Young Lord Yang here, and guide the three of them to their accommodations."

"Understood."

Finally, the Ice Empress addressed the Drunken Demon. "You wish to investigate the death of the Hundred Wines Snow Cellar Brewmaster?"

"That's correct."

"His death is regrettable, but I can't grant you much time for that investigation."

It implied that an order to depart could be issued at any moment.

"I'll do my best to hurry."

"Thank you for your understanding."

Thus concluded their first meeting, a silent probing that traversed between past and present.

Yang Chung, the second brother's son of the Northern Blood Sect Leader, awoke feeling a chill.

He found himself seated in a chair. Looking around, he saw the walls and pillars were all made of ice.

"Are you awake?"

Before him, a woman stood with her back turned.

"Who are you?"

The woman turned and walked towards him. She was none other than the Empress of the North Sea Ice Palace.

"Empress?"

Recognizing her, Yang Chung was startled. Surprisingly, this was the Empress's Hall of the North Sea Ice Palace.

"How's your body?"

"I'm fine. But why am I here?"

A most welcome piece of news was delivered to him.

"We made a deal with the Demonic Cult and brought Young Lord Yang back."

Realizing he was alive, Yang Chung's expression brightened considerably. "Thank you, Empress! I thought I was going to die at the hands of that Demonic Cult bastard."

He was uttering careless words, unnecessary in this situation, but the Ice Empress's expression remained unchanged. "It's fortunate you're safe."

Yang Chung couldn't understand. Why had the Ice Palace rescued him?

Just then, a middle-aged man entered the room. With eyes as sharp as a beast's, a chiseled jaw, and a formidable physique, he was clearly a powerful martial artist at first glance.

Yang Chung's face stiffened as he recognized the man. The one who had entered was none other than his father, the Northern Blood Sect Leader Yang Jin.

His ability to elevate the Northern Blood Sect to one of the North Sea's three major powers wasn't solely due to his martial arts prowess, having achieved complete mastery of the Twelve Northern Fists. Though he appeared like a bear, he possessed a sharper mind and greater ambition than anyone.

"Father!"

Even though he clearly knew his father had abandoned him, a sense of relief still welled up upon seeing him. Had his father perhaps requested the Ice Palace's intervention? Was there a greater purpose behind his father's actions?

This hope was fleeting, however, as Yang Jin spoke curtly, "You'll be leaving soon, so go downstairs first."

Yang Chung's chest tightened. Not a single word of concern for his well-being, for a son who had just returned from being kidnapped? His last shred of hope, that his father might have saved him, vanished into thin air.

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

Resentment and hatred mingled in Yang Chung's heart.

Both the Northern Blood Sect Leader and the Ice Empress sensed his emotions, but they feigned ignorance.

Leaving his father and the Ice Empress, Yang Chung turned and descended the ice staircase. He glanced up, but could only faintly discern them standing side-by-side, conversing. He couldn't hear what they were saying.

What are you plotting, abandoning even your own son? What kind of deal did the Ice Palace make with the Demonic Cult to rescue me?

As Yang Chung reached the entrance of the Empress's Hall, a man stood there with his back turned. Assuming him to be a subordinate, Yang Chung addressed him, "Where's the carriage?"

The man gave no reply, simply gazing up at the sky.

"I said, where's the carriage?!"

The sparks of intense emotion, ignited by his father, were now flying at an innocent person.

"Even returning alive, you're not the same as before, are you?"

The moment he heard the voice, Yang Chung flinched in surprise. The man standing with his back turned was Geom Mugeuk.

"I promised you'd wake up in your own room, but I couldn't keep that. Still, you saw your father, so that's enough, isn't it?"

Yang Chung's mind told him this: He had just barely been freed, there was no need to provoke this man again.

He was, however, a person who lived by his heart rather than his head. Especially when his father was mentioned, his anger flared further.

"I'll never forget the humiliation I suffered this time!"

In his defiant outburst, he believed that since the Ice Palace had made a deal, they wouldn't seize him here.

"A martial artist should naturally feel that way. Be sure to come for revenge next time."

As if I wouldn't come if you told me to!

Unable to shout that, Yang Chung felt provoked. The only thing he could think of was that he would never release those who were captured.

"You mean those people your subordinate kidnapped me to save?"

"Haven't you heard yet? You people killed all of them. Only one person barely survived."

At that moment, Yang Chung felt the air around him grow as cold as Geom Mugeuk's gaze.

"It would be fair if only one of you survived, wouldn't it?"

Would that be you? Or your father?

He didn't say it aloud, but Geom Mugeuk's eyes were asking just that.

His entire life, he had been the one to threaten, never the one to be threatened. Now, he was experiencing his first real threat.

Just then, the Northern Blood Sect Leader, having finished his conversation with the Ice Empress, descended to that spot.

Recognizing Geom Mugeuk, he greeted him respectfully. "It's my first time meeting you."

Yang Chung was surprised by how polite the greeting was. Even if Geom Mugeuk was the Demonic Cult's Young Cult Leader, wasn't his father one of the top three figures in the North Sea?

Geom Mugeuk received his greeting with a clasped hands greeting. "I've long heard of the Sect Leader's renown."

"It can't compare to the Young Cult Leader's."

He seemed to treat him specially, yet remained as calm as he would with anyone else. Geom Mugeuk knew well how difficult this was.

Unlike his son, Yang Chung wasn't a person swayed by emotions. The moment Geom Mugeuk saw him, he knew. This man would never pass his position to this second son.

"I'll formally invite the Young Cult Leader to our main sect soon."

"I'll be waiting."

The Northern Blood Sect Leader walked ahead, and Yang Chung followed behind him.

[It seems if only one person survives, it will be your father,] Geom Mugeuk's voice echoed in his mind.

These words poured oil onto the flames of hatred for his father. This statement would linger in his mind, creating discomfort and division between the two men. Geom Mugeuk had no intention of making things easy for them.

Yang Chung glared at Geom Mugeuk with a furious expression, then strode away from the spot.

Geom Mugeuk, who had been coldly watching his retreating back, suddenly asked, "Why aren't you curious?"

At that, Han Seol emerged from behind the building. She had been there for a while, not intentionally hiding, but simply not finding an opportunity to step forward.

"About what?"

"Why do you assume I'm not curious?"

Geom Mugeuk turned to her and asked, "Are you curious?"

"Of course I am."

It was a lie. In truth, she wasn't curious. She thought their schemes were obvious, to grow stronger, to maintain and expand their dominance over the North Sea.

She believed her mother would handle it anyway. Her mother would know everything. No one could plot in the North Sea without her mother's knowledge.

Geom Mugeuk, however, thought differently. "This time, it seems your mother will definitely need her daughter's help."