Chapter 400: If We Had Met, You Would Have Just Been a Drunken Mess
Chapter 400: If We Had Met, You Would Have Just Been a Drunken Mess
The Palace Master’s Hall of the North Sea Ice Palace sat atop a towering spire.
The tower, shaped like a massive icicle thrusting toward the heavens, was a mystical sight to behold. At its entrance, Han Seol suddenly recalled something Geom Mu-geuk had once said.
— I am a man who values a subordinate’s personal reasons more than the organization itself.
She abruptly turned to Chan, the subordinate who had followed her to the entrance, and asked, “Do you have a reason too?”
Chan blinked, his expression blank. “What kind of reason are you referring to, My Lady?”
“A reason that I ought to understand.”
Chan found the question itself impossible to grasp. “I have none,” he answered curtly.
Han Seol left him behind and entered the tower. Chan watched her retreating back with a puzzled look. Since she had never asked such a thing before, a thought occurred to him.
Young Palace Master, has something happened that requires my understanding?
Han Seol climbed the ice stairs. Everything in sight looked like frozen water. It was a structure built with the unique architectural techniques of the North Sea Ice Palace—made of ice, yet not quite ice. The light filtering through the windows reflected in a prism of colors, adding to the mystical atmosphere.
Though she was ascending through this fantastical space, Han Seol’s thoughts were grounded in cold reality.
This is how it should be. Why is the word ‘understanding’ even necessary between a leader and a subordinate? Even parents and children fail to understand one another.
Her mother was waiting for her at the top of the tower.
Ice Palace Master Han Seo-gyeong.
She was known as the "Iron Woman," a person rumored to have a heart carved from ice. She was also reputed to be the most martially gifted Palace Master in generations. Of course, since she never displayed her martial arts to the outside world, no one knew the true extent of her power.
The strength of the Ice Palace lay in such secrecy and mystery—in power that remained hidden.
“Palace Master.”
To Han Seol, she was not "Mom," but "Mother," and not "Mother," but the "Palace Master."
It had been that way since childhood. There had never been a warm embrace. Whenever Han Seol took a step closer, her mother took two steps back. She had been raised strictly to be the Young Palace Master, and to her, Han Seo-gyeong was only the formidable ruler of the Ice Palace.
If their faces hadn't been so strikingly similar that anyone could tell they were mother and daughter, Han Seol might have doubted they were even blood-related.
Currently, less than five paces separated them, yet an immeasurable abyss lay between them. They stood on opposite edges of that cliff, staring at each other.
“The individual who kidnapped the second son of the North Blood Sect was indeed a martial artist of the Demonic Cult, as expected.”
Despite this being a significant report confirming the Demonic Cult’s interference in North Sea affairs, the Palace Master remained unmoved.
“It was an independent act by a subordinate, and the Young Cult Leader appeared to be shielding them.”
The Palace Master’s eyes silently asked for the reason, but Han Seol could not answer. It was something she herself could not understand.
“It seemed to be a cherished subordinate,” Han Seol added.
The Palace Master spoke in a calm tone. “Even so, we cannot allow a blood relative of the North Blood Sect to die at their hands.”
The North Blood Sect had requested aid, and her mother intended to grant it. Han Seol did not know what kind of deal had been struck between her mother and the North Blood Sect Leader.
“For now, I have told the Young Cult Leader to hand over the subordinate’s whereabouts.”
“If it is a cherished subordinate as you say, would he hand them over so easily?”
“Likely not.”
The Palace Master’s gaze fixed on Han Seol again, demanding she provide her own conclusion.
Did her mother—no, the Palace Master—have any idea how suffocating these moments were? It had been like this since she was a child. Her mother believed that one had to find their own answers to grow strong, as if that were the only absolute truth.
Mother, that answer is wrong.
She had hoped for a mother’s embrace to rest in, away from the world’s demanding eyes. She had hoped that at the end of this path, her mother would be waiting with open arms.
But now, even that lingering longing had vanished from Han Seol’s heart.
“I will find a way.”
She bowed politely and prepared to turn away, then spoke as if she had just remembered something.
“Ah, the reason the Young Cult Leader came with the Drunken Demon was because of the deceased Master of White Liquor Snowy Plains.”
“How did the Drunken Demon react to her death?”
“He seemed unable to believe that she committed suicide.”
“Then the Drunken Demon will not leave easily.”
The Palace Master was well aware of the relationship between the Drunken Demon and the Master of White Liquor Snowy Plains.
“I shall take my leave then.”
Han Seol bowed politely once more and turned around. Though she was the daughter, her report was no different from that of any other subordinate. One might have expected some regret over this, but neither woman showed even a hint of it.
From behind her, the Palace Master called out.
“Young Palace Master.”
Han Seol turned back.
“The Young Cult Leader is the man who brought about the Orthodox-Unorthodox-Demonic Summit. Do not underestimate him.”
When her mother spoke with such formality, it was to emphasize that the matter was of the utmost importance. Han Seol had yet to feel that Geom Mu-geuk was such a formidable figure, but she bowed her head respectfully.
“I will keep that in mind.”
Through the transparent ice floor, the Palace Master watched the faint silhouette of Han Seol descending the tower stairs.
*
Geom Mu-geuk and the Drunken Demon stood on the snow-covered plains.
After standing in silence for a long time, the Drunken Demon spoke abruptly.
“It’s here. The place where the Master first told me she liked me.”
That was back in their youth, long before he had become a Demon Lord.
“Why didn't you accept her feelings?”
The Drunken Demon turned his head to look at Geom Mu-geuk. “Back then, my life was already overwhelmed just by alcohol.”
“What do you mean?”
“The rivals competing to become the Drunken Demon were all mad for booze. On the other hand, I…”
“You didn’t like alcohol as much as they did.”
The Drunken Demon nodded simply.
It was a new revelation. Geom Mu-geuk had assumed the Drunken Demon had loved alcohol more than anyone from the very beginning.
Indeed, life sometimes pushes us in unexpected directions. A person who couldn't kill an ant becomes an assassin, and someone who shudders at the sight of a blade becomes a famous swordsman. And then, as if they had always been that way, they adapt perfectly.
“But you like alcohol now, don’t you?”
The Drunken Demon let out a short laugh. “Just like it? It’s my entire life.”
Geom Mu-geuk laughed with him.
“She played a huge part in me coming to love alcohol this much. We were awkward at first, but gradually, we began to exchange letters purely about wine. We talked about the stories behind the spirits she sent me, and about all the different liquors in the Central Plains.”
Geom Mu-geuk could feel it. She had been the Drunken Demon’s soulmate, bound by their shared love of wine.
“Looking back, her help was a major reason I reached this position and achieved such heights in my martial arts. Even though I knew how much I owed her, I’ve only just now come to visit. I’m a selfish bastard.”
This was the source of the Drunken Demon’s rage—the sorrow of losing a soulmate and the fury at the irreversible reality.
That’s just how life is.
Geom Mu-geuk almost said it, but stopped himself. That wasn't what the Drunken Demon needed to hear right now.
“You really are a bad guy!”
The Drunken Demon nodded. “Yeah, a real bad guy.”
As if waiting for that confession, the snow began to flutter down. While flower petals were falling like rain in the Central Plains, it was snowing here.
The Drunken Demon looked up at the sky. “I’m a bad guy!”
His shout echoed across the plains. Geom Mu-geuk looked up at the snowy sky with him.
“Where in the world is there such a thing as a 'good' Demon Lord? They’re all bad guys. She’ll understand you, Hyung. She was probably happy just sending you wine. Maybe it was better that you interacted without meeting in person. If you’d met, you would have just been a drunken mess. You did well. It was probably better for her that way.”
The Drunken Demon stared at Geom Mu-geuk. The boy probably didn't realize how much comfort those words provided.
Seeing that trembling gaze, Geom Mu-geuk gave a silent nod and moved to the next step.
“Still, we have to catch the bastard responsible, right?”
Since the Drunken Demon was certain it wasn't suicide, someone must have driven her to her death.
“To investigate that incident, we’d have to enter the Ice Palace…”
Geom Mu-geuk had already formed a plan to address the Drunken Demon’s concern.
“The fact that the North Sea Ice Palace stepped in for the North Blood Sect means there’s a reason they have to grant their request.”
“Likely so.”
“Then if we resolve that matter for them, they’ll have to let us investigate this incident in return.”
The Drunken Demon understood Geom Mu-geuk’s intent. He planned to trade the return of the North Blood Sect Leader’s second son for permission to investigate.
“What if she’s already killed him?”
“If she wanted him dead, she would have killed him from the start instead of kidnapping him. The fact that she took him means she’s trying to save someone.”
“Do you know where they are?”
The answer came without a moment's hesitation.
“If she pulled off something this significant, she would have informed Go Wol of her whereabouts through Eun-wol, even if no one else knew. The fact that she hasn't been discovered despite the search by the North Blood Sect and the Ice Palace proves it. She’s likely at one of Eun-wol’s North Sea safe houses.”
Geom Mu-geuk knew better than anyone how meticulous Go Wol was. Go Wol’s safe houses were true sanctuaries.
“Don’t you know your subordinates a little too well?”
“Would they be my 'Heart' otherwise? Let’s go.”
Geom Mu-geuk and the Drunken Demon began to walk slowly through the intensifying snowfall.
*
“The deadline has passed, and there’s been no word from the North Blood Sect.”
Lee An hadn't expected the North Blood Sect Leader to actually abandon his own child.
They say the Jianghu is heartless, but this is truly too much.
If it were her, she would have laid down her life for her child. Is this really how he’s going to play it?
Yang Jung’s heart sank as the reality he had feared set in. His father had traded his son’s life for the honor of the North Blood Sect.
Just kill me!
He wanted to shout it bravely, but the words wouldn't come. He wanted to live.
“If you kill me, my sect will surely take revenge.”
He was still pleading for his life in all the wrong ways.
On the other hand, Ju Gyu and Hwang Chu didn't bother with useless pride.
“Please, spare us!”
The two of them still had their eyes squeezed shut. Their desire to live was intense.
“Alright, you two, open your eyes. It’s time for us all to put our heads together.”
Eventually, Ju Gyu and Hwang Chu opened their eyes. Since Lee An had lit a lamp in the dark room, they could finally see her face.
The two were stunned. They had never dreamed that the woman who had captured them would be so beautiful.
You crazy bitch! Who are you?
The words almost burst out of Ju Gyu’s mouth; he truly couldn't understand it. With looks like that, she could be living a wonderful life instead of kidnapping blood relatives of the North Blood Sect.
“The threat didn't work. What should we do now?”
Lee An stepped closer to them. Up close, she was even more beautiful.
“Should I cut off a hand and send it?”
Ju Gyu, staring blankly at her, nodded reflexively before flinching in shock. “Whose hand are you talking about?”
Yang Jung glared at him. Whose hand did he think? It would be his own! How could he ask such a thing?
“It won’t work! He’s already given up on my life, so do you think sending a hand will make a difference?”
Before he knew it, Yang Jung was hiding both hands behind his back. Lee An taunted him.
“Maybe he thinks it’s a bluff? Like, 'Surely she won't actually kill him,' or something.”
Lee An whispered suggestively to Yang Jung. “I’ll cut off your left hand—the one you don't use for a sword.”
When she gripped her sword hilt as if to strike immediately, Yang Jung shrieked in terror. “I told you it won’t work!”
Lee An let go of the hilt. “Right? Then what? Should I just cut off your head and send that?”
The words coming from her pleasant, soft voice were all terrifying.
“So? What do you gain from that?”
“At least I’ll feel a bit better.”
As Yang Jung trembled in fear, unable to speak, Ju Gyu spoke up instead. “Then they’ll kill everyone you’re trying to save.”
Lee An stared at him intently. “There’s nothing I can do about that, is there? What? Do you really think I’ll feel guilty for that reason? Even if it’s not because of me, you were going to kill those people miserably anyway, weren't you? No? Did you really bring them here to help them make money?”
Naturally, they had nothing to say to that.
“Well, I’ve given my answer, so now you give yours. Otherwise, I’ll just kill you all, send you to the North Blood Sect, and vanish like smoke.”
Lee An had a reason for threatening them. She hoped that by forcing them to provide answers, a solution might emerge. Even a small clue would do.
What would the Young Master have done?
She pondered it, but only felt that she still had a long way to go. Surely there was a solution to this problem. Surely there was a clear, correct answer that would make her cringe at the memory years later, thinking, I should have done it that way.
But right now, she didn't know what to do. She felt stifled, as if a heavy blanket were covering her face.
“Please, let me go! I’ll go and persuade the Sect Leader myself.”
Ju Gyu was trying his best to survive on his own. Since it was a plan that wouldn't work even if they tried to persuade him together, Yang Jung blocked his path.
“Do you think that would work?”
He dismissed Ju Gyu’s opinion and proposed a new plan. “Kidnap my older brother. Then my father will surrender.”
Lee An was speechless. From the father to the sons, these people were unbelievable! Half of that was likely sincere. The other half was probably for this reason:
“Your brother must be surrounded by experts right now. You’re telling me to go get caught, aren't you?”
Struck at his core, Yang Jung flinched. “I was just stating my thoughts.”
“Wrong answer. Next?”
The three captives racked their brains.
In truth, Lee An’s next move was already decided.
I’ll have to try to win them over with a different proposal.
She had people to save, after all.
But the moment she made a new proposal, she would lose the initiative to them. These were people who didn't even blink at the thought of their own child dying.
It was better back when I was just mindlessly guarding the Young Master.
It was just as she was searching for an answer.
Someone knocked on the door from outside.
Not only Lee An, but all three captives were startled. Yang Jung looked at the other two and flashed a triumphant smile. Ju Gyu and Hwang Chu’s expressions also brightened.
Finally! They’ve come to save us!
You’re dead now!
They laughed coldly. Ju Gyu signaled with his eyes, telling them not to act rashly and to keep their mouths shut. She might kill them all before facing the rescue party outside.
But it was an unnecessary warning. Yang Jung wanted to live just as much as Ju Gyu did. He didn't even dare to breathe.
Lee An drew her sword and asked in a low voice, “Who is it?”
Then, a wonderfully familiar voice drifted in from beyond the door.
“The answer.”