By Zephyria 
HF 54
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* * *
“W-what on earth is this?”
Stepping out of the Ice Palace Hall, Wi Yeon-gang was left speechless by the abundance of treasures and gold bars strewn across the ground. The men surrounding the carriages that had brought the wealth wore masks and posed as escorts, yet they radiated a formidable martial prowess that could never be found in ordinary escorts.
Furthermore, the name of the express company was the Pobing Express. It was obvious that he had never heard of such a place, and the name—meaning “catching ice”—was highly suspicious. Had it not been for the immense wealth and the unsettling martial prowess they displayed, the Black Tortoise Hall Master would have handled the matter himself without bothering to inform the Palace Master.
Despite being surrounded by the Snow Shadow Guard, who were responsible for the Palace Master’s personal safety, the escorts showed no sign of intimidation.
“This is a token of sincerity for the Palace Master,” the man who appeared to be the leader said politely, holding a letter with both hands. But what express company would offer tribute just to get on the good side of the Ice Palace, located outside the Central Plains?
Not long ago, the Haeun Express had returned the snow lotus that Wi Ho-yeon had sent. However, that had been a delivery intended to convey news.
Before the Ice Palace party could even enter the Hundred Thousand Great Mountains, they had all been killed by an unknown attacking force, and only Wi Ho-yeon had survived. Fortunately, with the help of a certain noble, he had managed to save his own life and the snow lotus, and thus he had used the Haeun Express to send word of his situation. The snow lotus had been sent as proof.
Consequently, Wi Yeon-gang had been anxious, wondering if Wi Ho-yeon was staying in Qinghai, where the Haeun Express was located, rather than in the Demon Sect. He had been deeply conflicted over whether he should send people to Qinghai. Yet, despite this, there had been no word from the Demon Sect.
As Wi Yeon-gang stood in silence, the Black Tortoise Hall Master took the letter offered by the leader and presented it to him. Wi Yeon-gang glanced once more at the piles of wealth before unfolding the letter.
Sleeve-Hand Bystander Permission
Permission to stand by? The letter was absurd from the very beginning. Wi Yeon-gang quickly began to read the contents.
I have heard from Young Master Wi that the North Sea Frozen Land is so desolate, with eternal frost energy beyond measure, that the people cannot afford meals and the palace’s finances are meager. This seat, having looked upon the hardships of the North Sea, bestows this wealth that had been gathering dust in a corner of the cult.
The Palace Master’s hand trembled as he held the letter. Misinterpreting this action, the Black Tortoise Hall Master whispered quietly beside him. His expression was a strange mix of bewilderment and joy.
“P-Palace Master… just how much is all that? Finally, the prestige of our Ice Palace has reached the Central Plains—”
“Shut your mouth.”
Wi Yeon-gang snapped at the Black Tortoise Hall Master and continued reading.
Since the effort of taking in and feeding Young Master Wi, who arrived with nothing but his own body, was not insignificant, and despite knowing full well your incompetent fatherly nature, I shall pay the price. With this, the purchase is complete. Wi Ho-yeon belongs to this seat; refrain from the delusional act of discussing his return to the palace by citing non-existent father-son affection.
The “Young Master Wi” referred to was Wi Ho-yeon, and the “this seat” who spoke of the cult… must be Cheon Mu-gyeong, the Heavenly Demon and leader of the Demon Sect.
Not much was known about the Demon Sect Leader. It was only known that he was the son of the previous leader, had held the position of Young Master, and had ascended to the leadership at a young age after mastering the Heavenly Demon Divine Art.
There were rumors that he had reached the stage of transcending demonicity, but since the sect was such a closed group, such claims were easily exaggerated. Thus, rumors about the leader were often more rampant than clear information.
Even though it was merely a letter, Wi Yeon-gang felt an overwhelming pressure that made him unable to even express his displeasure. However, he was also the Palace Master responsible for the Ice Palace. Gritting his teeth, he glared at the wealth sent by the Demon Sect.
The delusion that Wi Ho-yeon was staying in Qinghai without ever reaching the Demon Sect was shattered instantly by this single letter. Wi Yeon-gang could not even begin to guess how things were unfolding. In the midst of this, one fact was certain.
The funds Wi Yeon-gang had originally sent in carriages for Wi Ho-yeon to live on in the Demon Sect had all been plundered, except for the snow lotus. This meant Wi Ho-yeon had been living penniless in the Demon Sect, and the leader was the one taking care of him. Moreover, the letter stated that the leader intended to pay for Wi Ho-yeon’s “ransom.”
Incompetent fatherly nature, non-existent father-son affection.
Wi Yeon-gang was not so dull as to not understand what that implied.
The leader… the Heavenly Demon… knew that Wi Ho-yeon was not his son.
“Ugh, it’s freezing my ass off.”
In an instant, Wi Yeon-gang, the Black Tortoise Hall Master, and the Snow Shadow Guard heightened their vigilance. Looking toward the source of the voice, they saw a man perched atop a carriage.
Instead of a mask, he wore an eye patch and was chewing on jerky with a bored expression. He was someone they hadn’t even noticed until now. However, it was impossible for such a handsome man to lack presence. It made more sense that he had deliberately erased his presence.
The Black Tortoise Hall Master was about to scold him for his arrogant lack of etiquette, but Wi Yeon-gang spoke first.
“We have absolutely no reason to accept this wealth.”
At Wi Yeon-gang’s stubborn voice, the man hopped down from the roof of the carriage and landed. Neither the masked men nor the man with the eye patch emitted any demonic energy. Surprisingly, all of them were masters capable of concealing their demonic energy. And the man leading them was the one with the eye patch.
“You’re as stiff as a board, with not a single thing in common with the Young Master. Pleased to meet you. I am Do-gyeon.”
The moment he heard the man’s name, the most shocked person was the Black Tortoise Hall Master. No matter how closed the sect was, as the one responsible for the Ice Palace’s diplomacy, the Black Tortoise Hall Master’s intelligence network was excellent. He had heard the notoriety of the Sharp-Tongued Demon, the 15th ranked master of the Demon Sect, but he had only known the name Do-gyeon and had never known what he looked like. At Do-gyeon’s arrogant behavior, the Snow Shadow Guard had already drawn their swords.
“I believe I have shown sufficient courtesy to the Palace Master.”
With a casual posture, Do-gyeon performed a cupped-fist salute and laughed, scanning the Snow Shadow Guard with only one eye.
“If that man truly is the Sharp-Tongued Demon, Do-gyeon, he is the one ranked fifteenth in the Demon Sect,” the Black Tortoise Hall Master whispered low to Wi Yeon-gang.
“Is the news not too late?”
Do-gyeon, whose hearing was sharp, stuffed the rest of the jerky into his mouth and dusted off his hands.
“Since Eum Yohwa is dead, I’m fourteenth now.”
Eum Yohwa’s performance on the seven-stringed zither was called the greatest of all time across both the orthodox and unorthodox sects. Thanks to her beautiful appearance, she was actually more famous externally than Do-gyeon. However, to Wi Yeon-gang and the Black Tortoise Hall Master, the fact that Do-gyeon was present here was far more significant than the news of Eum Yohwa’s death.
Although he was listed in the lower ranks, he was a demonic practitioner who had been ranked first back when the previous leader was in power. It was said that after returning to youth, he lost interest in everything and secluded himself somewhere in the Hundred Thousand Great Mountains, but it seemed he was currently serving Cheon Mu-gyeong.
“The leader took a liking to your daughter—no, your son—and sent these as gifts, so whether you throw them away or take them is your choice.”
“How dare you call them gifts…!”
The Black Tortoise Hall Master infused his voice with internal energy. In an instant, Do-gyeon closed the distance and shoved his finger into the Black Tortoise Hall Master’s mouth. Just as he was about to grip the tongue tightly and rip it out, Wi Yeon-gang grabbed Do-gyeon’s wrist firmly.
The Snow Shadow Guard did not act rashly, deterred by the fierce frost energy emanating from the Palace Master. However, their hostility toward the demonic practitioner was immense. As the demonic energy and frost energy clashed violently, the Black Tortoise Hall Master trembled, his mouth still held open.
Do-gyeon and Wi Yeon-gang locked eyes for a while, and then Do-gyeon chuckled and released his grip. He then wiped his wet hand on the Black Tortoise Hall Master’s clothing.
“I couldn’t help it when a brat younger than an old monster wags his tongue so recklessly. I hope the Palace Master understands.”
I came as an envoy, so I shouldn’t cause trouble, he thought, flashing a forced smile this time. Then, turning his back, Do-gyeon mounted a horse that was breathing out white mist.
“Let’s go. If we stay any longer, we’ll freeze to death.”
Do-gyeon looked down at his forearm holding the reins and shook his hand to brush off the chill left by Wi Yeon-gang. Before turning the horse, he spoke one last word to Wi Yeon-gang.
“The Palace Master should think carefully. Isn’t this a great opportunity?”
“Opportunity?”
“A political marriage. A marriage alliance between the Divine Cult and the Ice Palace.”
Led by a boisterously laughing Do-gyeon, the demonic practitioners withdrew. The Snow Shadow Guard seemed eager for the Palace Master to give the order to attack even now, but no matter how advantageous his position, Wi Yeon-gang had no intention of attacking Do-gyeon.
The moment they exchanged internal power, Wi Yeon-gang instinctively felt the stark difference. Do-gyeon had reached a higher realm than he had. Anyone who had undergone returning to youth was at least in the extreme demon realm.
It would be poking a hornet’s nest. Having brought such immense wealth, causing a friction now could bring a bloodbath to the North Sea. It had only been a few years since he had successfully rebelled and found stability. Wi Yeon-gang could not risk his people’s lives for the sake of mere pride.
The eyes of the Black Tortoise Hall Master, who had been on the verge of having his tongue ripped out, were now fixed on the wealth sent by the Demon Sect. If they accepted that wealth, the Ice Palace would lose its right to speak regardless of what the Demon Sect did to Wi Ho-yeon from now on. In truth, the most unsettling part was why Cheon Mu-gyeong coveted Wi Ho-yeon. The talk of a political marriage was utterly absurd.
“Black Tortoise Hall Master.”
The letter crumpled in Wi Yeon-gang’s hand.
“By any means necessary, we must make contact with Wi Ho-yeon.”
* * *
Ho-yeon’s hands, gripping Mu-gyeong tightly, were as white as snow that was about to melt. Because Mu-gyeong’s robe was open at the chest, Ho-yeon’s cheek was pressed directly against him. This was partly because Mu-gyeong was hugging Ho-yeon tightly, and partly because Ho-yeon was clinging to him for dear life, terrified of falling.
They were safe because Mu-gyeong had shifted direction just before the fall and driven his sword into a rock, but Ho-yeon still felt as if the void were beneath his feet.
Ho-yeon’s body was rigid and his heart was pounding as if it would jump out of his chest, yet Mu-gyeong simply lowered his face into the white hair held in his arms and breathed in.
Ho-yeon let go of Mu-gyeong’s torso, but he did not fall to the ground below. He was still being held. With his waist gripped firmly, Ho-yeon glared at Mu-gyeong.
He really thought he was going to die. No, as long as Cheon Mu-gyeong needed him, he wouldn’t let him die, but there was a huge difference between knowing it in his head and the terror felt by the body.
Thud, thud. At the sound of something falling to the ground, Ho-yeon quickly turned his head and saw a large python impaled on the sword. Perhaps it had been climbing the cliff; the bleeding black python lay dead with its mouth wide open toward them.
From Tae-pyeong to the violent carp and crows, and now a python imbued with damp demonic energy. Every beast in the Hundred Thousand Great Mountains was utterly ferocious. Of course, the most ferocious of them all was Cheon Mu-gyeong. Perhaps due to the strong wind, the corners of Ho-yeon’s eyes were bright red.
Suddenly, the scent of blood brushing past his nose made his chest ache. It was because he missed the refreshing wind of the Ice Palace, which held the eternal snow despite the cold. He hadn’t had a moment to feel homesick amidst the events in the Demon Sect, but the longer he had been left alone up there, the more the sorrow rushed over him.
Mu-gyeong had not shown his face for the longest time, only to appear and terrify him. His laughter was more refreshing than the wind blowing in the North Sea, but because of that, there was no way to hide the resentment that surged like a landslide.
“You… you might have found it funny, but I didn’t.”
Mu-gyeong let go of the sword. They finally fell, but there was no impact. Ho-yeon was still cradled in Mu-gyeong’s arms.
“And… it’s very lonely being alone in a place like that.”
An ordinary person would not voice their vulnerability, but Ho-yeon was honest. He reached out, asking not to be left alone, and this honesty—born of casting aside pride—became a power that led any relationship in a positive direction.
“If you miss your family, I shall permit them to be brought here.”
Ho-yeon’s reddened eyes widened.
Family…? Could he be talking about the children of Eumbyeol Hall?
As Mu-gyeong pulled out the sword, the python’s carcass fell with a thud onto the dirt ground.
“Though I do not know if they can survive intact within this cult.”
Of course, the price of honesty varied depending on who the opponent was.