Chapter 419: The Most Terrifying Borrowed Blade

TL: FoodieMonster007

Yang Seok was greatly shocked.

Father considers him the successor?

His profound surprise stemmed from a deep sense of betrayal, and a single suspicion naturally assailed him.

Is that why he called him so often? Not to receive reports about me?

Just then, Han Seol sent him another telepathic message. [The Demonic Cult's information might be wrong. You should investigate properly.]

Geom Mugeuk had instructed her to say this, telling her not to deceive him but to empathize and think with him. Though she didn't yet understand why, she followed his orders.

No, the Demonic Cult's information can't be wrong.

Yang Seok knew well how excellent the Demonic Cult's intelligence network was. His father had always emphasized that the Northern Blood Sect should also possess an intelligence organization like the Demonic Cult's All-Knowing Hall.

Of course, there was this possibility.

What if Han Seol was lying?

Why would she? What would she gain by sowing discord between Ha Jyeol and himself?

Another possibility arose.

The Demonic Cult might have intentionally leaked false information to the Princess.

He preferred the latter possibility to the former. He hoped Han Seol wasn't allied with the Demonic Cult.

With nothing certain, and even the assumption that the information could be true, Yang Seok felt utterly confused.

Whatever the trick or reason, he underestimated me. I will never fall for such a petty scheme.

Yang Seok's gaze shifted towards Geom Mugeuk and Ha Jyeol.

Just then, Geom Mugeuk looked their way and called out loudly. "This friend here, he's a great fellow. Come, let's go together."

Geom Mugeuk led Ha Jyeol over to where Han Seol and Yang Seok were.

Naturally, Yang Seok and Ha Jyeol found themselves facing each other.

Seeing Ha Jyeol, Yang Seok's mind grew complicated.

Is it really you? Father made you the successor?

He wanted to grab him by the collar and demand answers, but he forced himself to calm his excitement.

Ha Jyeol noticed Yang Seok staring at him with an unusual gaze.

He couldn't imagine the reason was suspicion of him being the successor. Instead, he assumed it was resentment towards the Young Cult Leader's erratic behavior. Moreover, knowing Yang Seok harbored feelings for the Ice Palace Princess, Ha Jyeol understood this situation wouldn't be easy.

Geom Mugeuk, excited on his own, raised his voice. "It's fate that we've gathered like this. Let's all four of us have a drink together. I'd been abstaining from alcohol for a while, but that ended with Elder Seo's death. Come on, let's drink merrily, like barbarians unleashed!"

What could Yang Seok say when the Young Cult Leader wanted to drink? As a guest, he had to be entertained anyway, and even without Geom Mugeuk's urging, his troubled mind made him crave alcohol.

"Very well, I'll prepare the drinks."

He called for a servant to prepare alcohol in the guest hall.

Ha Jyeol, however, politely declined. "I'm afraid I'm unable to, as I have an appointment to see the Sect Leader. I'll take my leave now."

If I drink with Geom Mugeuk, my identity might be exposed.

With the great task just two days away, he had to be careful even of falling snowflakes, let alone the Young Cult Leader. How could he not know that the man chattering like a village woman in front of him was hiding his true, cruel, cunning self?

Yang Seok watched him retreat with a cold gaze. When they had met earlier, Ha Jyeol claimed he was on his way back from seeing his father.

They had been together ever since, yet now he claimed he had to go see his father again? Ha Jyeol could lie to the Young Cult Leader, but wasn't he also present?

He's just leaving without even glancing at me?

Geom Mugeuk, placing kindling on the flames rising in Yang Seok's heart, began to fan them. "Didn't I tell you? He's an interesting fellow. A bodyguard who leaves the person he's supposed to protect? Young Lord Yang, you must understand. This friend is from a mercenary background, isn't he?"

Yang Seok, surprisingly, defended Ha Jyeol. "In our sect, the Sect Leader's orders are absolute."

Though he smiled outwardly, smoke began to rise within his heart.

Is he truly ignoring me because he considers himself the successor?

Even normally, he was different from ordinary subordinates, possessing a subtle aura that made it impossible to treat him carelessly. His father also treated him differently from other subordinates.

Could all of that truly be because of this?

If he hadn't personally killed his younger brother, he wouldn't have been this suspicious. Having committed such an absurd act, he now believed that absurd things could indeed happen.

There was only one way to confirm this most quickly, and that was to meet his father and confirm it. However, he was reluctant.

What if the information the Demonic Cult uncovered was true? How would his father react? His father hadn't even blinked when his second brother died before his eyes; would he hesitate to kill his big brother?

As Yang Seok sank into dark thoughts, Geom Mugeuk sent a telepathic message to Han Seol.

[You did very well.]

Han Seol had perfectly executed her assigned task, lying without batting an eye. While relationships with people were difficult, deceiving them was not.

[Did I really do well? I'm so good at deceiving people.]

[You're not good at deceiving because you're a villainess, but because you're smart.]

[You truly seem to have an answer ready for anything.]

[That's because I'm smart too.]

Geom Mugeuk truly left her speechless.

Meanwhile, a table laden with drinks was set in the guest hall. Fine alcohol and dishes were prepared, and the three sat around it.

Yang Seok poured alcohol into Geom Mugeuk's cup, thinking inwardly.

If that information is true, this man knows I cannot be the successor, yet he shows no sign of it. He's certainly not an easy opponent.

Yang Seok emptied two cups of alcohol one after another.

"Oh, Young Lord Yang. You hold your liquor well."

However, Yang Seok's alcohol tolerance wasn't usually strong. Today, the alcohol went down like water.

After several more drinks, Geom Mugeuk and Han Seol began their planned conversation. Geom Mugeuk emitted his qi to prevent their upcoming discussion from leaking outside.

"Young Cult Leader, when will you return to the Divine Cult?"

"As you know, our task is complete, as I avenged the Drunken Demon by killing Elder Seo. All that remains is to return, but the Ice Empress asked me to investigate the issue with the Extreme Cold Body Constitution, which is why I'm still here."

Geom Mugeuk revealed why he spoke of such an important matter so casually.

"To be honest, I have no interest in the Extreme Cold Body Constitution."

Geom Mugeuk poured Yang Seok another drink.

"Young Lord Yang, please tell me everything you know about the Extreme Cold Body Constitution. Then I'll relay it to the Ice Empress and return to my Cult. If you don't wish to tell me, you can tell the Princess."

"I wish I knew anything," Yang Seok replied politely.

Indeed, he realized he knew nothing. He had only searched for those with the Extreme Cold Body Constitution alongside his younger brother, but he didn't actually know what purpose they served.

Suddenly, Han Seol's earlier words came to mind.

[They said the purpose of acquiring the Extreme Cold Body Constitution was also related to the succession.]

But I'm the successor? If I know nothing? Does that mean Ha Jyeol and the Extreme Cold Body Constitution are connected?

Geom Mugeuk summarized the current events in the North Sea with a single remark. "In any case, the avarice of old men."

It was clear that 'old men' referred to Elder Seo and the Northern Blood Sect Leader.

Despite the insult to his father, Yang Seok couldn't refute the words. No, he didn't even think to. His father was clearly harboring ambitions he hadn't even revealed to his own son.

Until now, he had simply trusted his father and followed him without question, but now, an unbearable sense of betrayal began to rear its ugly head.

"Come, let's drink."

Geom Mugeuk kept urging him to drink. Before long, Yang Seok's face was flushed with intoxication.

The North Sea affair had begun with the Drunken Demon's matter, and even at this moment, alcohol played a significant role.

Geom Mugeuk spared no means. As long as his opponent was charging at him with the Self Destruction Art, he had no intention of fighting fairly.

Han Seol sent a telepathic message to Yang Seok. [Ask the Young Cult Leader directly if that information is true.]

[Won't it be revealed that you told me?]

[I'm fine. Since I brought it up in the first place, I have to accept this much. Are you going to hand over the successor position to a subordinate like this?]

Yang Seok asked suspiciously. [Why are you trying to help me?]

Geom Mugeuk had anticipated he would ask this. Now was the moment for her to play her second most important role of the day, delivering a short, yet powerful, single sentence.

[I want you to become the Northern Blood Sect Leader.]

At her words, Yang Seok felt a surge of emotion. Already harboring feelings for Han Seol and intoxicated, he felt a thrill he had never experienced before the moment he heard her.

Geom Mugeuk could tell what telepathy Han Seol had sent just by looking at Yang Seok's expression. He pretended not to know, simply drinking, as Yang Seok finally drew his sword.

"Young Cult Leader, as one martial artist to another, I implore you."

"Why did you draw your sword? Scary."

"Did Father truly designate Ha Jyeol as the successor?"

The smile vanished from Geom Mugeuk's face. Instead of an excuse, he stared at Han Seol with cold eyes. "It was you."

Han Seol did not deny it. "That's right. I happened to overhear the Young Cult Leader conversing with the Drunken Demon, and I informed this person."

"You didn't 'happen to overhear,' you eavesdropped."

In truth, given her martial arts skill, it was impossible for Han Seol to eavesdrop on their conversation. However, Yang Seok currently lacked accurate information about the three people's martial arts skills, and even if he had possessed it, he was not in a state to judge rationally. All his attention was focused on whether the information was true or not.

"I'm sorry, I just wanted to help Young Lord Yang."

Han Seol bowed her head deeply. In her own way, she felt a strange thrill. This was a dangerous mission, even while wearing the Heavenly Palace Armor, yet surprisingly, this moment was enjoyable. It was fascinating how naturally she could perform such an act.

Yang Seok, unaware of her true feelings, stepped forward when she was cornered.

"Don't bother an innocent person. This is my problem, so let's resolve it between us."

He extended his wine cup. His expression suggested a man-to-man, martial artist-to-martial artist conversation.

"Did Father truly make Ha Jyeol the successor?"

Geom Mugeuk glared at Yang Seok with cold eyes. It was a coldness incomparable to when he had been smiling slyly moments before.

Han Seol could sense it. This contrasting reaction would heighten the credibility of his words from now on. She understood that overwhelming and deceiving an opponent wasn't just about speaking well. A single expression, a single glance, completely changed the feeling.

"You have learned a truth you should not have known."

With Geom Mugeuk acting this way, Yang Seok felt as if everything was true. He was increasingly swept away by the atmosphere Geom Mugeuk created.

"This is my affair. It's a truth I have every right to know. I demand again. Did you truly make Ha Jyeol the successor?"

Adopting an expression of resignation, Geom Mugeuk calmly replied, "That is correct."

"Do you have proof?"

"We invested all our intelligence resources into this matter. My word is proof."

With his serious expression, Geom Mugeuk truly did not look like someone lying. Yang Seok was confused. Had his father truly abandoned him?

"If the Sect Leader finds the Extreme Cold Body Constitution, you might find yourself in a difficult situation."

Though he phrased it as 'difficult', the implication was that Yang Seok could be eliminated. These words were intended to prevent him from seeking confirmation from the Northern Blood Sect Leader.

"That is why our Cult's All-Knowing Hall is also closely watching this matter closely. It's not common for someone to make another person the successor, even going so far as to eliminate their own kin."

This time, Geom Mugeuk directly used the phrase 'eliminate their own kin.' Every word he uttered was calculated.

Suddenly, Yang Seok wondered why his father had so easily permitted his younger brother's elimination.

Is it because we don't have the Extreme Cold Body Constitution, and are thus unnecessary?

The flames of suspicion, ignited in his heart, now began to emit black smoke.

"When searching for unique constitutions, isn't it usually for some grand technique? It might be a grand technique that shouldn't exist in the world, so our Cult is on high alert for various reasons. Thanks to that, I'm the only one inconvenienced."

Yang Seok's wavering belief now leaned further towards acceptance. There was no reason for Geom Mugeuk to lie about such a matter, because what would the Young Cult Leader lack that would make him stay in this cold North Sea?

"Now, I've been honest, so you too should speak frankly about what you know regarding the Extreme Cold Body Constitution."

Yang Seok hesitated for a moment before finally opening his mouth. "I don't know precisely either. Father only said it was an important matter that needed to be handled secretly. Ah, he did say that the Extreme Cold Body Constitution would make our sect the foremost sect in the North Sea."

A chill swept through Han Seol's heart as she listened. Those words meant they intended to bring down the North Sea Ice Palace, and considering what they had done so far, their methods would certainly not be righteous.

If that's their plan, you won't be erased by the Demonic Cult, but by our hands.

Geom Mugeuk subtly offered a solution. "If you find the Extreme Cold Body Constitution first, this matter will be easily resolved."

He added casually, still appearing as if he had little interest. "If you find out, be sure to contact me, or the Princess here."

"I will."

The three resumed drinking.

At this moment, Yang Seok was resolving to change his own destiny.

I will seize the Extreme Cold Body Constitution and eliminate Ha Jyeol.

If his father truly intended to make Ha Jyeol the successor, then he naturally had to kill him. It didn't matter even if this information wasn't true.

It would simply be the death of a subordinate who had been a thorn in his side. If the information was true, he would save himself. If it was false, it would just be the death of a mere servant.

The problem was his father. If his father learned that he had seized the Extreme Cold Body Constitution and killed Ha Jyeol, he wouldn't simply stand by, would he? How could he avoid that responsibility?

Yang Seok raised his head and looked at Geom Mugeuk.

What if the Young Cult Leader seized the Extreme Cold Body Constitution? What if Ha Jyeol died by the Young Cult Leader's hand?

He intended to use Geom Mugeuk as a borrowed blade. After all, he was the most terrifying and powerful borrowed blade in the murim.

If that was merely a petty trick, he was now contemplating an even more terrifying thought, one he shouldn't have.

What if even Father died by the Young Cult Leader's hand?

Now, flames blazed fiercely within his heart, a conflagration of doubt, rage, and ambition.

All of this will be your doing. Yes, keep smiling like a fool.

As if he had truly read Yang Seok's mind, Geom Mugeuk smiled brightly and extended his cup. "Looking at you, it seems the doors of the Northern Blood Sect have opened wide."

Yang Seok didn't understand the meaning behind those words, but Han Seol did. She had said that Lee Ahn could open even the gates of hell, but she would open the doors of the Northern Blood Sect herself.

And Geom Mugeuk was now telling her that she had succeeded.

"Come, let's toast to the Northern Blood Sect!"

Amidst the clash of ambition and lament, a toast of admiration was added.