Chapter 413: Worry for the Drunken Demon Who Only Drinks Tea!
Chapter 413: Worry for the Drunken Demon Who Only Drinks Tea!
To put it simply, Han Seol could not refuse.
Persuasion from Geom Mu-geuk alone was difficult enough to handle, but today he had an ally: Lee An.
"Looking at that man’s body earlier, a thought occurred to me," Lee An said. "If we hadn't gone to find him, would he still be alive?"
Han Seol could feel the grief and anger radiating from her. To be honest, until Lee An spoke, Han Seol hadn't given the dead man a second thought. In fact, she had forgotten him entirely. To her, he was just a stranger she had glimpsed briefly. Did Lee An truly care that much?
If this was an act, then their entire journey was a farce—starting from the claim that they had traveled all the way to the North Sea just to save the husband of a woman who had given them a single cup of water.
"Do you think he died because of us?" Han Seol asked.
"No, he died because of the bastard who killed him," Lee An replied firmly.
Lee An did not indulge in useless self-reproach. Having learned so much from Geom Mu-geuk, she had gained at least that much wisdom.
"However, I don't want his death to be meaningless."
At times like this, Lee An’s belief that kind people survived the longest tended to waver. That man had died precisely because he had shown kindness by sharing information. She looked at Geom Mu-geuk, exercising another bit of wisdom.
"Please avenge him."
She knew the opponent was not someone she could handle. In moments like these, the best course of action was to follow Geom Mu-geuk’s lead.
"I shall," he answered readily, before turning his attention to Lee An’s state of mind. "Events like this always leave a wound on the heart. Because it was the death of someone you barely knew, it feels like a shallow scratch, but it is a wound that remains forever. You will likely keep thinking of it. You’ll remember him even if you just happen to pass by a brewery."
Geom Mu-geuk knew. Sometimes, these kinds of wounds lasted longer and tormented a person more than the great injuries they suffered personally.
"Do not try to force yourself to forget. That will only make the wound deeper."
"Then what should I do?"
"Let it be carved, and carved again. Another wound forms over that one, and then another. Eventually, you just accept it, thinking, 'Ah, so my heart was meant to have this kind of pattern.' Congratulations on the new pattern engraved on your heart."
A bright smile spread across Lee An’s lips. Who else in the world would offer congratulations for pain?
"My heart is only like this, so I can't even imagine what yours must be like, Young Master," Lee An mused.
She tried to imagine Geom Mu-geuk’s heart. Was it an intense landscape engraved with hundreds of scars, capable of overcoming any trial? Or was it a pristine core made of Ten-Thousand-Year Cold Iron, utterly unmarkable?
"You know well enough what my heart is like, don't you?"
"Pardon? How would I—ah!"
Lee An lowered her head deeply, her face flushing. She had momentarily forgotten that Geom Mu-geuk had previously referred to her as his heart.
Watching this, Han Seol felt a strange sensation. A leader who felt guilt over the death of a stranger, and a master who comforted her with such strange grace. Before, it had seemed like a facade, a deceptive display of virtue. But now, her perception of them had shifted. Surprisingly, she felt a tiny prickle of envy.
Han Seol’s gaze turned toward the Drunken Demon. Come to think of it, hadn't they said he was covered in blood because he had tried to save those people?
‘Am I being too cold-hearted?’ she wondered.
Because of these three from the Demonic Cult, she was entertaining thoughts she had never considered in her life. To feel such emotions because of Demonic Cultists, of all people.
Geom Mu-geuk spoke to her. "Please help us."
"I told you, I refuse."
"There is a reason you cannot refuse."
"And what reason is that?"
After a brief pause, Geom Mu-geuk spoke. "I believe their ultimate target is either you or the Palace Master."
Han Seol was not surprised. If it was true that Elder Seo was involved in a conspiracy, it was obvious where the blade would be pointed. Yet, it was still hard to believe. He was someone she had known like family since childhood. Was he truly targeting her and her mother?
"Do you have definitive proof?"
"It became certain when they tried to frame the Drunken Demon," Geom Mu-geuk answered firmly. "Seo Nak is in league with them."
Han Seol was speechless. The expressions of the Drunken Demon and Lee An suggested they trusted Geom Mu-geuk’s words implicitly.
"A person’s heart can be like a diamond one moment, only to melt away like sugar candy the next," Geom Mu-geuk added. "He likely didn't harbor such intentions from the beginning."
Whether the Blood King had wormed his way in and corrupted him, or whether the Blood King had found him after his heart had already turned, the result was the same: he had changed.
Though she had shouted her refusal earlier, Han Seol knew she had to act. A person of the Ice Palace had died, and the enemy was targeting her family. But could she truly trust these Demonic Cultists? As her distrust faded, her anxiety grew. She couldn't afford to let her guard down.
"There is something I would like you to do out there," Geom Mu-geuk said.
"What is it?"
"Meet the eldest son of the North Blood Sect. I believe they are also involved in this."
Elder Seo, whom she regarded as an uncle, was working with a mysterious mastermind, and now the North Blood Sect was an accomplice? Han Seol’s chest tightened. If this was true, the Ice Palace was in grave danger.
"The North Blood Sect Leader and Elder Seo are still too much for you to handle alone," Geom Mu-geuk advised. "Therefore, you must target the eldest son. He surely knows something. Whatever it is, find out."
Han Seol hesitated no longer. "Fine. I will meet him."
"Show him a taste of cold so bitter it freezes his very blood."
"I will."
As she turned to leave, Geom Mu-geuk spoke one last time. "Before you go, make sure to meet your mother first."
Han Seol paused, then left the room without a word.
Once she was gone, Lee An asked worriedly, "Is it alright to send the Young Palace Master out alone?"
"Are you worried?"
"The enemies aren't easy to deal with."
"Don't worry. Why are you worrying about the Young Palace Master of the Ice Palace while we're in the North Sea? You should worry about our Drunken Demon over there, who’s doing nothing but drinking tea!"
The Drunken Demon spoke up abruptly. "You're planning on going out too, aren't you?" He fixed his gaze on Geom Mu-geuk. "You're going to have her draw their attention while you handle things from the shadows?"
Geom Mu-geuk laughed. "You're becoming a genius now that you've quit drinking! Let's stay sober from now on. It's a waste of such a good brain."
"It's a brain already soaked in booze," the demon grumbled.
Lee An reproached herself inwardly. ‘And I have a brain that’s worse than a soaked one.’ She hadn't even suspected that Geom Mu-geuk intended to sneak out.
"What do you plan to do once you're out?" she asked.
"As you saw earlier, the mastermind behind this is a vulgar, merciless bastard." They had tried to frame the Drunken Demon and killed innocent commoners. "If they're going to act like that, I have to respond in kind. I'm going to use your method."
"My method? What method?"
"I'm going to kidnap them all—Elder Seo and the North Blood Sect Leader. If I cut off both arms, the torso will have to show itself."
"Really?"
"Of course it's a joke."
He did feel like doing exactly that—not just kidnapping them, but erasing them from existence. But he couldn't. If he did, the Blood King would never reveal himself. Furthermore, that monster would kill countless people in retaliation. He was the type to kill two hundred people if two of his own were touched.
"I'm dying for a drink," the Drunken Demon muttered. "Hurry up and bring that bastard to me!"
"Right," Geom Mu-geuk replied. "Once we've wiped them all out, let's drink until we're senseless. We'll turn into dogs that day."
Lee An raised her hand high. "Add one more dog to the pack!"
Geom Mu-geuk placed pillows and clothes under the bedcovers to make it look like he was sleeping. It was unlikely anyone would dare enter without permission, but he prepared just in case.
"You have to do a good job of pretending I'm here. Well then, I'm off."
"How are you going to get past the guards?" Lee An asked.
"You're asking that a bit late."
There were far too many experts guarding the perimeter for a stealthy exit. These weren't ordinary warriors; they were elite disciples of the Ice Palace.
As he prepared to leave, Geom Mu-geuk looked at the Drunken Demon. "Oh, and Brother. I couldn't say this earlier."
Their gazes met—one filled with curiosity, the other with genuine respect.
"It was cool of you to get covered in blood trying to save those people."
With those words, Geom Mu-geuk vanished. A smile naturally formed on the Drunken Demon’s lips. Geom Mu-geuk likely knew better than anyone how much effort he was putting into his restraint. To have someone recognize that hard work—and say it out loud—meant everything.
‘I really want a drink,’ the demon thought.
Lee An and the Drunken Demon watched through the window as Geom Mu-geuk slipped away, utilizing the Dark Shadow Step of the Wind God Four Steps.
The Dark Shadow Step was a footwork technique designed for infiltration. Initially, it was only enough to evade a single pair of eyes, but as one's realm increased, so did its potency. Having achieved Great Achievement in the technique, Geom Mu-geuk slipped past the experts as if he were a ghost.
"What did we just see?" Lee An whispered in awe.
The Drunken Demon took a sip of his tea. "Ice Palace experts getting their noses sliced off with their eyes wide open."
*
Han Seol entered the Palace Master’s hall.
"Palace Master."
At Han Seol’s visit, the Ice Palace Master recalled Geom Mu-geuk’s words: It is time you looked back at your daughter. Fortunately, it seems she is still standing behind you.
This was the first time they were meeting alone since hearing those words.
"What brings you here?"
"I came to see you because I have something to say."
"Speak."
Han Seol realized anew that she didn't even offer a light greeting when visiting her mother. She always jumped straight to the point. She recalled another of Geom Mu-geuk’s observations: The relationship between you two isn't a matter of being far or near, cold or warm. The problem is that it has frozen solid.
Now that she was here, she realized that wasn't the only problem. ‘Do I even want to thaw this?’ It was a matter of will. Her mother might not even want a warmer relationship.
Seeing the conflict in her daughter’s eyes, the Ice Palace Master sensed she was different from usual.
"I intend to meet the eldest son of the North Blood Sect," Han Seol said.
"Why him?"
"The Young Cult Leader believes the North Blood Sect is involved in this matter. I intend to verify if that is true."
It was an unfamiliar yet encouraging development. It was the first time her daughter had stepped forward to investigate something on her own initiative.
"Is this something you want to do?" the Ice Palace Master asked. She immediately regretted the phrasing. It sounded like she was asking, 'Are you only doing this because the Young Cult Leader told you to?'
"It is because I want to," Han Seol replied.
A brief silence followed.
‘Don't misunderstand, I only asked because you're doing something you don't usually do,’ the mother wanted to say.
‘It's alright. I suppose I can't help but be influenced by him,’ the daughter might have answered.
If only such a candid conversation could take place.
‘You will do a fine job.’
‘Thank you for believing in me.’
If only such encouragement and gratitude could be exchanged. But the reality was this:
"If you provoke the North Blood Sect the wrong way, it could cause problems," the Palace Master said coldly.
"Yes, I suppose so."
Silence fell again. Normally, the Ice Palace Master would have said, "It is still premature." But when her daughter had come directly to say she would try, the words of refusal did not come easily.
"Will you still try?"
"Yes."
Neither of them had known until now. Because they had always conversed this way, they had lived without thinking it was strange. But now that they were conscious of each other, the silence was incredibly awkward.
"I shall take my leave now." Han Seol bowed and turned around.
As she walked slowly toward the stairs, the Ice Palace Master spoke from behind her. "Stay for a cup of tea."
The one who took the first step of courage was the mother. Even if they both turned their heads, she should be the first to do so.
Han Seol was inwardly shocked. When was the last time she had sat for tea with her mother? She couldn't even remember.
"I will drink it after I return," she replied, refusing out of flustered surprise.
The Ice Palace Master did not press further. There was no need to feel hurt. Geom Mu-geuk had said that even if you look back again and again, seven or eight times out of ten, the other person won't even notice.
But the attempt had an effect. As she walked down the stairs, Han Seol felt a pang of regret. Should I have stayed?
*
Slap!
Yang-seok, the eldest son of the North Blood Sect, slapped a maidservant across the face without mercy.
"I'm sorry, Young Master!"
Yang-seok, who had been walking hurriedly, had almost collided with her. Water she was carrying had spilled, and a few drops had splashed onto his clothes.
"Because of you, I'm keeping the Young Palace Master waiting? Am I supposed to meet her in these wet clothes?"
The splash was barely noticeable. He was simply in a foul mood and took it out on the person blocking his path.
"I'm sorry, I'm so sorry!"
Slap! Crack!
Despite her apologies, Yang-seok struck her repeatedly. The maidservant’s lip split, and red handprints bloomed on her cheeks.
"We don't have time for this," his subordinate urged.
Yang-seok spat a curse and hurried away. The only saving grace was that he hadn't used internal energy; he didn't want the "bad luck" of killing someone right before meeting the Young Palace Master.
A short while after Yang-seok departed, someone returned to the spot. It was Ha Gyeol, Yang-seok’s escort warrior. He was the one who had urged the Young Master to stop.
"Let's see." Ha Gyeol helped the fallen woman up and examined her injuries. Blood trickled from her mouth. He wiped it away with his hand.
"I-I'm fine," she stammered. His touch was uncomfortably hot, but she didn't dare pull away.
"Fortunately, it doesn't look like your teeth were damaged."
The maidservant felt a strange heat radiating from his palm. She did not notice the subtle change in her own eyes as he touched her.
"It'll be trouble if you catch the Young Master’s eye again, so stay in your room today."
"Thank you."
Returning to her room, the maidservant looked at her face in a bronze mirror. She had thought she was bleeding heavily, but the blood on her face had vanished completely. Not even a trace remained.
‘He only wiped it roughly with his hand... how can this be?’
She was so busy examining her reflection that she failed to see it—a faint red circle being drawn on her neck before vanishing into her skin. She never realized that her life was no longer her own, and that she had given up something far too great in exchange for a small kindness.