By Zephyria 
HF 29
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Since they hadn’t spoken much when they first met, Ho-yeon hadn’t noticed anything strange about the fact that Mu Seong-pyeong didn’t speak down to him. Of course, no matter how much the demon sect despised the ice palace, Mu Seong-pyeong was a gentleman. He was not the type of man to use rude language toward the son of a palace master.
“It seems an intruder attacked the residence the Elder provided. The valuables are untouched, and only Mu-gyeong is missing, so it seems there was another objective!”
“……An attack by an intruder, you say.”
Mu Seong-pyeong merely let out a thoughtful hum. Ho-yeon felt the strength leave his legs. To react with such composure when his own child was in danger!
“There was blood all over the yard, and Mu-gyeong’s sword was left behind at the cottage, so he must be in a perilous situation. Elder, you must deploy people to find Mu-gyeong immediately.”
No matter how high Mu-gyeong’s martial prowess was, he would be in danger without his sword. Ho-yeon was half out of his mind. Come to think of it, Mu Seong-pyeong might not know that Mu-gyeong was tracking the blood cult. Ho-yeon quickly spoke up to Mu Seong-pyeong.
“Since Mu-gyeong said he was following the blood cult, perhaps—”
“I understand! I understand, so please, come inside now!”
Cutting Ho-yeon off with a loud voice, Mu Seong-pyeong turned around, his long robe fluttering.
“You must send people quickly!”
“I understand everything you’re saying, so for now, come inside.”
Ho-yeon looked as if he would never move from that spot unless he received an answer that Mu-gyeong would be rescued. Mu Seong-pyeong cleared his throat again and then spoke to the subordinate standing behind him.
“You, go and search for the second son.”
“Pardon?”
The subordinate, who had been monitoring Ho-yeon while standing straight, bowed his body under Mu Seong-pyeong’s stern gaze.
“I shall search for him immediately.”
The bowing subordinate left the training grounds in an instant. Worried that a single person wouldn’t be enough, Ho-yeon looked at Mu Seong-pyeong desperately.
“I will order the martial artists to be deployed for the pursuit, so calm yourself and follow me.”
Ho-yeon thanked him several times as he followed Mu Seong-pyeong. After passing the training grounds, dozens of pavilions came into view. The estate was so vast that one would need a mount to see the entirety of the demonic shadow martial house. When he first saw Mu Seong-pyeong, the man had been in a carriage, but seeing the scale with his own eyes, it was even more immense than he had imagined.
However, while there had been very few workers or martial artists compared to the massive size that day, today the place was bustling with servants bowing while sweeping and maids walking hurriedly toward some destination.
Mu Seong-pyeong entered the pavilion closest to the training grounds, and Ho-yeon followed closely behind. It seemed to be a place for receiving guests; a massive wooden chair placed at the top appeared to be Mu Seong-pyeong’s seat. In front of it were several round tables and chairs carved with landscapes.
Instead of the seat at the top, Mu Seong-pyeong took a seat at the central round table. He gestured with his chin for Ho-yeon to sit in front of him. Ho-yeon’s face, already pale, had grown even whiter.
“You said you would deploy the martial artists……”
Though his heart was racing, Ho-yeon spoke cautiously, fearing he might upset Mu Seong-pyeong. A servant entered carrying an elegant small tray with a teapot and two teacups that looked expensive at a glance. As the servant prepared to pour the tea, Mu Seong-pyeong dismissed him with a simple wave of his hand.
Only after they were left alone did Mu Seong-pyeong pick up the teapot himself. It was a purple clay teapot with a crude yet subtle violet luster. Watching Mu Seong-pyeong calmly pour the tea, Ho-yeon gripped his thighs tightly.
“Do you happen to like tea?”
The urge to ask if tea was really the priority right now rose to the tip of his throat. However, Ho-yeon only answered in a suppressed voice, “Yes.”
Mu Seong-pyeong, who poured tea into Ho-yeon’s cup first, smiled faintly.
“They call it ‘three rises and three falls.’ When the tea leaves rise and fall three times within this purple clay pot, the essence is brewed.”
Ho-yeon was nearly stunned. Was Mu-gyeong really his child? Would he have acted this way if the eldest son, whom he supposedly cherished so much, had been attacked? Ho-yeon kept his lips pressed tight, not even drinking the tea in front of him.
“Try it first.”
Ho-yeon decided he had only enough patience left for exactly one cup of tea. As he lifted the cup and drank, Mu Seong-pyeong spoke.
“The correct order is to observe the color, smell the aroma, and then taste the flavor.”
Since he hadn’t finished the cup yet, he decided to follow Mu Seong-pyeong’s instructions. Ho-yeon glanced at the color of the tea, quickly smelled it, and then gulped it down. His patience ended there.
“This is a yellow tea of which only ten catties can be harvested in a year.”
“If that is the case, the taste should be exquisite, yet I taste nothing.”
“Try it again.”
He poured tea into Ho-yeon’s empty cup.
“Elder.”
“To call me Elder… it seems the ice palace inhabitant has become a sect member. Now, try it once more.”
Mu Seong-pyeong wore a benevolent smile, but the aura he emanated was unusual. Furthermore, breaking his own patience wouldn’t provide a way to save Mu-gyeong. Ho-yeon barely swallowed a sigh and sipped the tea.
Though he had denied it earlier, Ho-yeon could tell. It was truly the finest tea he had ever tasted. The sensation soothing his throat was so smooth it felt as if he were inhaling the clear mist of dawn. The lingering aftertaste permeated his entire body, creating an illusion that his dirty qi and blood were being washed away.
“Do you believe that because every tea leaf in the world undergoes ‘three rises and three falls,’ every brew tastes the same?”
“…….”
Ho-yeon remained silent. Mu Seong-pyeong wasn’t doing this to brag about owning expensive tea.
Just because everyone can handle internal energy, does that mean they all possess the same martial prowess?
That was what he was saying. He was indirectly stating that it was unlikely someone with martial prowess superior to Mu-gyeong’s had attacked him.
“Have you seen every tea leaf that exists in this land, Elder?”
Ho-yeon did not back down, asking if the person who attacked Mu-gyeong might possess even greater martial prowess. Mu Seong-pyeong smiled more deeply, having found someone he could actually converse with for the first time in a long while.
“Of course. I pride myself on having seen everything throughout the Central Plains.”
“Have you ever visited the ice palace, Elder?”
“Regrettably, I have not. However, I am aware that harvesting tea in the North Sea is not easy.”
There was a tea in the ice palace that was no less impressive than this yellow tea. It was the North Sea Snow Lotus Tea, made from the sprouts of snow lotuses that grew through the eternal snow.
“Then you must not have heard of the North Sea Snow Lotus Tea.”
“Hmm…, it is the first I’ve heard of it.”
“Then how can you boast that you have seen all the tea leaves, Elder?”
Haha, Mu Seong-pyeong laughed aloud. Although today was the first time he had spoken with Ho-yeon, he found the youth’s boldness and intelligence quite pleasing. Since he had participated in deceiving such a person, a small sprout of guilt bloomed within Mu Seong-pyeong.
“However, I believe what I have seen is more impressive than the North Sea Snow Lotus Tea.”
Only today did Ho-yeon understand why Mu-gyeong had become twisted. Mu-gyeong was naturally a direct speaker; how frustrated must he have been with a father who spoke in such riddles? Moreover, Mu Seong-pyeong’s stubbornness was considerable. Ho-yeon wanted to say this, even if it meant Mu Seong-pyeong would be enraged.
“If you do not help Mu-gyeong while he is in danger, he may no longer think of you as his father.”
“If that happens, it cannot be helped.”
To think such a father existed in the world. The hand gripping Ho-yeon’s thigh trembled slightly.
“I shall take my leave.”
“Why leave without staying a bit longer?”
Is he mocking me right now? Ho-yeon gripped the oil-paper umbrella leaning against the chair.
“Since you will not act, Elder, I will try to find him myself somehow.”
“Now, now. Have I not already sent someone?”
“You are truly too much.”
Ho-yeon’s blue-grey eyes were filled with sorrow.
“They say there is always one finger that hurts less when bitten, but it seems the finger called Mu-gyeong doesn’t hurt you at all.”
No, in the first place, such a finger doesn’t exist, so how am I supposed to pretend it hurts? Mu Seong-pyeong had no way to make an excuse as he watched Ho-yeon stand up.
‘It’s unfair. Truly unfair. Who in the world would dare harm the Sect Leader?’
He wanted to claim his innocence immediately. However, listening to Ho-yeon’s story, it was evident that something had happened at the cottage. If he let Ho-yeon leave in such a state, he worried about the aftermath. Furthermore, Ho-yeon’s hair color had returned to its original state, making him far too conspicuous.
“I will be going.”
“Wait, wait a moment. Hearing Young Master Ho-yeon’s words, I feel I have been too indifferent. You there!”
At Mu Seong-pyeong’s call, another subordinate waiting outside quickly entered the pavilion. Mu Seong-pyeong hardened his expression and stood up. Then, he flicked his hand toward the subordinate.
“From this moment on, mobilize all members of the household to find my second son!”
The Elder’s second child is a daughter, and aside from the eldest son, they are all daughters… The bewildered subordinate wore such an expression.
“What are you doing! Get moving this instant!”
A voice as booming as Mu Seong-pyeong’s stature filled the pavilion.