Chapter 423: I’ll Need Stronger Liquor Now
Chapter 423: I’ll Need Stronger Liquor Now
Yang-seok stared blankly at Ha Gyeol’s head as it rolled across the dirt.
He couldn’t believe that the man had been such a formidable master. Geom Mu-geuk’s prowess, which allowed him to treat such a powerful expert like a mere practice partner before ending him, went beyond impressive—it inspired pure awe.
In truth, Yang-seok hadn’t been able to properly follow the clash between the two. There were flashes of light, thunderous roars, and then the fight was simply over.
The only thing he had seen clearly was Geom Mu-geuk’s final move.
‘What kind of demon was that?’
He knew the martial arts of the Demonic Cult were terrifying, but he never expected a literal demon to manifest. When it appeared, he had been so paralyzed by shock and terror that he couldn't even scream.
Yang-seok stole a glance at Geom Mu-geuk. The man who had suggested they drink together all night and the man who had just fought were two completely different people. Even now, as Geom Mu-geuk looked up at the sky in silence, he felt like a total stranger.
That silent figure seemed to be contemplating whether or not to kill him, and Yang-seok was consumed by dread.
‘Even if I have to get on my knees and beg, I have to survive.’
Attempting to smuggle the Extreme Cold Body away for himself without informing Geom Mu-geuk was an offense punishable by death.
‘If I had succeeded, the Extreme Cold Body would have been my trump card.’
Yang-seok felt a deep sense of regret. He had lost the ultimate bargaining chip he could have used against both his father and Geom Mu-geuk. He had essentially thrown away an extra life.
“Young Master Yang.”
“Yes, Young Cult Leader.”
Yang-seok’s voice trembled as he answered. He prayed that the next words wouldn't be, “I’m sorry, but you have to die too.”
“Uncovering the mastermind now rests on your shoulders, Young Master Yang.”
Yang-seok let out a sharp sigh of relief. However, the realization that he was safe only made his body shake more.
“Do you know anything about the mastermind?”
“No, I don’t.”
No, now was not the time to lie.
“Actually, my father—the Sect Leader—is involved. I only found out this time as well.”
He pointedly used the title "Sect Leader" instead of "Father."
Geom Mu-geuk could tell that Yang-seok was misunderstanding the situation. He could also see something else: the man wanted to kill his own father. That was why he could speak those words so unhesitatingly.
“The one pulling the strings isn't your father.”
“He’s not?”
Geom Mu-geuk shook his head firmly. “However, your father likely knows who Ha Gyeol’s true master is.”
It made sense. Thinking back on the terrifying Blood Arts Ha Gyeol had displayed, the man had seemed stronger than his father, not weaker.
Only now did Yang-seok understand the relationship between his father and Ha Gyeol. He realized why his father had been so wary of the man. It wasn't just because Ha Gyeol’s martial arts were high; it was because there was an even greater master standing behind him.
‘So that’s why he tried to make Ha Gyeol the successor. He couldn't withstand their threats.’
Yang-seok misinterpreted the situation in that way. Logically, this should have led to the thought that his father had no choice, but instead, he felt only resentment.
‘To cast aside his own children just because he buckled under external pressure!’
He was already a man who had decided to use Geom Mu-geuk as a blade to clear everyone out so he could become the Sect Leader himself. He interpreted every situation in a way that justified his betrayal of his own blood.
Furthermore, earlier, at Ha Gyeol’s gesture, his blood vessels had bulged as if they were about to burst. He had only realized today that something cursed had been planted inside his body.
Fury surged within Yang-seok. It was a fierce murderous intent—a desire to kill every single person involved in this affair.
Geom Mu-geuk, seeing through his heart, fanned the flames of the conflict between father and son.
“Your father will soon learn that Ha Gyeol died because of you. Do you think he will forgive you?”
He knew that Yang-seok’s desperate desire to survive would create another opportunity.
“He will not forgive me.”
Yang-seok wanted to protest, “Why is it because of me?” but he didn't dare. Now was not the time to argue, but to stay in Geom Mu-geuk’s good graces.
“I must find out who the mastermind is as quickly as possible.”
“As I said, you are the only one who can find that out.”
Now that things had come to this, Yang-seok did not hesitate. “What must I do?”
“Meet your father and find out who is behind Ha Gyeol.”
“He won’t tell me.”
“Normally, he wouldn't. But the situation has changed with Ha Gyeol’s death. If you approach him the right way, you will surely be able to find information that will be useful to us.”
“What is that way?”
An unexpected answer followed.
“Try approaching him with honesty.”
Since he had lived a life far removed from honesty, Geom Mu-geuk’s words sounded incredibly foreign to him.
“The result will depend on how honest you are.”
Yang-seok was skeptical. No, he was certain it wouldn't work. He had never been honest, and his father was someone who could spot a lie better than anyone. Approaching him with honesty was, in itself, a lie.
Nevertheless, Yang-seok did not voice these inner thoughts. He was, after all, a man far from honesty.
“I will give it a try!”
At this moment, Yang-seok had only one wish.
‘Fine, I’ll find out no matter what. Just kill my father and that mastermind and leave! Please, just get out of my North Sea!’
*
When Geom Mu-geuk returned to his quarters in the Ice Palace, the Drunken Demon was sitting at a table by the window, drinking alone. As if he had expected Geom Mu-geuk’s return, there were two cups on the table.
Seeing the prepared cup made Geom Mu-geuk feel good. That cup represented the Drunken Demon’s trust in him.
The Drunken Demon filled the cup to the brim. “Did you find the mastermind?”
“No.”
They were people who used Self-Destruction Arts without hesitation. They were the type to guard their secrets to the end. Of course, he did have one strong hunch.
“I suspect the bastard is in the North Blood Sect.”
The only reason to seek out an Extreme Cold Body was to perform a Great Regression Art. In such a situation, if his subordinate Ha Gyeol was in the North Blood Sect, wouldn't the Blood King also be hiding somewhere within its walls?
“Whether he’s there or not, I’m going to clean out the North Blood Sect anyway.”
Under the guise of developing medicine, they had conducted constitutional exams and lured people with the promise of large sums of money. Since most people did not possess an Extreme Cold Body, they had all met their deaths. For this alone, the North Blood Sect Leader and Yang-seok had committed an unforgivable sin.
“By the way, what about the person we rescued?”
The Drunken Demon had used his fantastic skills to rescue the person who had been in the carriage.
“I’ve hidden him in the Cult’s safe house for now.”
“What kind of person was he?”
“A father who volunteered to get money for his child’s medical expenses.”
The Drunken Demon had already taken care of everything Geom Mu-geuk would have done.
“I sent word to the branch in the area where he lives. Told them to treat the kid before it’s too late.”
“You’re the best, Brother.”
“Hardly.”
To be honest, he had done it to look good in Geom Mu-geuk’s eyes. The Drunken Demon knew exactly what kind of person he was. He wasn't the type to save someone and then contact their family for the sake of their child. He was the type who didn't care whether others lived or died. He had lived a life of drinking alone, never worrying about anyone else.
Yet here he was, acting for the sake of others—all to earn Geom Mu-geuk’s approval. When he had first jumped into the succession struggle, he never imagined he would form such a relationship with Geom Mu-geuk.
“If it weren't for you, would I have even bothered to save him, let alone send word?”
“It’s the same for me. If Lee An hadn't come to save the husband of the woman who gave her water, would I have even cared about the Extreme Cold Body?”
The Drunken Demon was about to ask, “And whose fault is it that Lee An went out into the Murim to do that?” but he held his tongue. He knew well that Geom Mu-geuk was surprisingly shy about taking credit or being praised.
“What do you plan to do now?”
“The bastard has lost both his Extreme Cold Body and his right-hand man.”
“He’ll come out for revenge. Or he’ll crawl into a hole forever.”
It was impossible to know which path the Blood King would choose. But the Blood King he knew was a man who always repaid a slight.
“He will definitely seek blood.”
The Drunken Demon’s gaze intensified as he looked down at his cup.
“I’ll need stronger liquor now.”
*
The North Blood Sect Leader was feeling slightly elated.
‘Finally, it’s today.’
It was the day the Extreme Cold Body was scheduled to arrive. Once the Great Regression Art was completed using the Extreme Cold Body, he would reveal himself to the world.
He recalled what Ha Gyeol had said to him before.
— Once we find the Extreme Cold Body and finish the ritual, the North Sea Ice Palace is finished. The Ice Palace Master’s martial arts will be neutralized, and we will be able to enter the Ice Palace Treasury, which is so cold that only the Palace Master can set foot inside.
The disappearance of the Ice Palace from the North Sea martial world meant that the North Blood Sect would become the number one sect in the North Sea. That had been his lifelong ambition.
‘I cannot live my whole life suppressed by a woman.’
Surprisingly, he had harbored such feelings since his youth. He had lived his life feeling a deep sense of inferiority toward the Ice Palace Master. Perhaps that was why he had so easily accepted their proposal.
‘Today, the snake’s head finally becomes the dragon’s tail.’
He didn't care if he was just the tail. He wouldn't stay a tail forever. One day, what looked like a tail would open its maw and swallow everything from the head to the torso.
Regardless, his primary goal for now was to use them to strike down the North Sea Ice Palace. Like father, like son; both were dreaming of "borrowing a knife to kill."
Just then, Yang-seok entered the room.
“I greet the Sect Leader.”
“What brings you here at this hour?”
“I haven't seen Ha Gyeol all day, so I came to see you. I thought he might be here.”
Naturally, the North Blood Sect Leader knew where Ha Gyeol had gone. He would have gone to take delivery of the Extreme Cold Body.
“I sent him away on an errand.”
Yang-seok struggled to maintain his expression. Once trust was broken, every single word grated on his nerves.
‘He won’t even be honest with me once.’
And he was supposed to be honest with a man like this?
‘I wonder what kind of face he’ll make when he finds out the bastard is dead.’
Once news of Ha Gyeol’s death arrived, he might fall under suspicion. It was public knowledge that the two of them didn't get along. But his father wouldn't suspect him blindly. Ha Gyeol’s martial arts were far superior to his own. You know that much, don't you, Sect Leader?
“I have one thing to ask.”
“What is it?”
“Why are you looking for the Extreme Cold Body?”
Since it was an unexpected question, the North Blood Sect Leader looked at his son with surprise.
“Why do you ask all of a sudden?”
“I thought it was time I knew. Hasn't the sect invested a lot of time and money into this?”
The North Blood Sect Leader stared at his son in silence. He felt that something was different about him today.
“I will tell you when the time is right.”
Just then, a subordinate rushed in to deliver news.
“An urgent report, sir!”
“What is it?”
The subordinate glanced at Yang-seok before reporting quickly. “Ha Gyeol, the Young Sect Master’s guard, is dead.”
The North Blood Sect Leader’s eyes widened. Yang-seok had never seen his father so shocked. He hadn't even made such a face when his other son died.
Conversely, Yang-seok put on an act of surprise. “What on earth do you mean by that?”
He had to give the performance of a lifetime. If he slipped up here, his involvement would be discovered.
“I said, report in detail!”
Unlike the raging Yang-seok, the North Blood Sect Leader said nothing. He didn't show his emotions outwardly, but two conflicting feelings were clashing violently in his heart.
First, he was glad. The man who could kill him by making his blood vessels burst was dead. At the same time, worry flooded in. Ha Gyeol was a master even he couldn't handle.
‘Who could have possibly killed him?’
Wouldn't his death mean a crisis for the one who had partnered with him?
‘Is it the Ice Palace Master?’
The first person who came to mind was the Ice Palace Master.
“Where and how did he die?”
“He was found beheaded on the road leading to the sect. A carriage and about a dozen other corpses were found nearby.”
At the mention of the carriage, the North Blood Sect Leader knew.
‘The transport was hit!’
He instinctively realized that someone had stolen the Extreme Cold Body.
‘Whoever it is, they knew the Extreme Cold Body was being transported to us today.’
The North Blood Sect Leader gritted his teeth. He had spent so much time, money, and effort to obtain the Extreme Cold Body. It was a disaster. Something that should never have happened had occurred.
Meanwhile, Yang-seok commanded the subordinate. “Track down the culprit! Examine the dead and find the cause of death immediately!”
“Yes, sir!”
Once the subordinate withdrew, Yang-seok asked, “Just what kind of task did you give him?”
The North Blood Sect Leader did not answer.
‘What should I do now?’
He had two choices. First, inform the man in the secret room. He knew that the person Ha Gyeol served was in a secret room within a secret room. The problem was that he had never seen the man. He had barely been able to handle Ha Gyeol. To meet him after losing the Extreme Cold Body? There was no telling how he would react.
The second way was to find the Extreme Cold Body himself. Ha Gyeol was dead, but if he had the Extreme Cold Body, the figure in the secret room might be satisfied. It might even turn a misfortune into a blessing if he could take over Ha Gyeol’s role.
Yang-seok, sensing his moment, decided to make his move.
“Father.”
He called him "Father" instead of "Sect Leader," as he had been doing. The North Blood Sect Leader looked at Yang-seok blankly.
“I know that you were planning something with Ha Gyeol behind my back.”
Yang-seok followed Geom Mu-geuk’s advice and approached with honesty. Or rather, he pretended to be open and sincere.
“Please tell me what it is. Let me help you, Father.”
It was at that very moment, while the North Blood Sect Leader was hesitating over how to respond.
Grrrr.
The secret door behind the Grand Tutor’s Chair began to open. It was the door to the very secret room where he used to have private talks with Ha Gyeol. It was the room that held yet another secret chamber within it.
The North Blood Sect Leader stared at the opening door with a look of even greater horror than when he had heard of Ha Gyeol’s death. The door that should not have been opened was opening.
“Ugh!”
Yang-seok grimaced and covered his mouth and nose with his hand.
A stench of blood, more foul than anything he had ever smelled in his life, was wafting out from between the doors.