Chapter 161
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 161
Chapter Title: A Wind from the North Sea (1)
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A residence situated deep within the inner sanctum of the Divine Cult.
The scenery, packed with bamboo stalks thicker and longer than logs, was nothing short of breathtaking. The purple bamboo seemed strange at first glance, but on another look, they exuded a mysterious charm.
The largest restricted area in the Divine Cult, save for the Two Palaces. A place that could be called the very foundation of the Cult.
The cultists called this place, filled with mystical winds and the breath of death, the Solitary Bamboo Forest.
*Whooosh.*
Even the sweltering southern wind turned cool the moment it passed through the dense bamboo forest.
The wind carried the crisp scent of bamboo. It was a refreshing aroma that seemed capable of washing away any worry.
A place with beautiful scenery, a pleasant climate, and a lovely scent.
But to the young man here, even the cool breeze from the bamboo forest felt like a scorching gale.
“It's hotter than I expected.”
A slightly low, but clear and resonant voice.
His snow-white skin was flawless, and his nose stood tall like a mountain peak. His distinct black-and-white eyes were of a moderate size, and his sharp jawline and red lips would draw admiration from anyone, regardless of age or gender.
His features were truly deserving of the word "beautiful." His appearance, more feminine and lovely than a woman's, was nothing short of perfect.
In particular, his white hair, as pale as his skin, added to his mysterious aura. If not for his slightly prominent Adam's apple, his beauty was such that a hundred out of a hundred people would mistake him for a woman.
“How do the people here endure the heat?”
The young man reached out his hand over the wooden bench.
*Sssssk.*
A translucent white mist spread from his slender fingertips, causing the surrounding temperature to plummet. A light frost had already settled on the ground around the bench.
“Phew, that's better.”
Just then, a voice rang in his ears.
“It seems you haven't adjusted yet.”
“You've arrived.”
The man who appeared was an old man, seemingly well past his sixtieth birthday.
He had a massive, un-elderly physique, and was incredibly muscular. He was also a handspan taller than the young man.
*Ssss.*
The young man furrowed his fine brows as he looked at the strange creature held in the old man's hand.
“It seems there was another one nearby.”
“These things are everywhere.”
*Thud.*
The old man tossed down the giant chicken-like creature and dusted off his hands.
“Still, it's nothing compared to the old days. At least they don't gather in clusters anymore.”
“I heard that you also lived here for a long time, senior.”
“Not lived, just stood guard. For about seven or eight years.”
“That's incredible. I heard even skilled masters can't last more than a few months.”
“That's only if you go deep into the bamboo forest. It's relatively safe if you stay a little ways out, like here.”
The young man stared down at the creature. His gaze seemed to ask, *Then what about this thing?*
The old man grinned.
“I caught it just in case. Besides, this thing is absolutely delicious when you boil it.”
“...Ah?”
“The other squads probably don't know. The former members of Squad One couldn't forget this taste; they'd crane their necks waiting for this assignment. Despite its looks, it's a delicacy of the world.”
“A taste worth risking one's life for... that's amazing.”
“Would you like to try some, Young Palace Lord?”
The words "I absolutely refuse" almost came out reflexively.
The young man, staring at the creature, cleared his throat.
“I can't refuse a challenge. I'll give it a try.”
“Hah hah! Calling eating boiled chicken a challenge. You have a rather humorous side, Young Palace Lord.”
The old man, holding the creature's broken neck, spoke with a cheerful air.
“If you shred the breast meat and mix it with seasoning, that's quite a delicacy too. It's even better served cold. You'll have to help me with it later, Young Palace Lord.”
“Ah, yes.”
It seemed he had attempted a variety of dishes, going beyond simply boiling it.
It wasn't easy to think of such things during a life-or-death mission. The young man thought that this old man was someone who truly knew how to enjoy life.
A moment later.
On the bench, a spread of six different meat dishes was laid out.
The amount on a single plate was enough that it would take two strong men to finish it. And there were six such plates.
The young man's face grew hesitant.
“There's... a lot of food.”
“What are you talking about? Think of your age, Young Palace Lord. When I was your age, I could easily polish off ten plates of this size.”
*He's a monster.*
It felt like his stomach wouldn't handle even one plate, so he couldn't imagine how the man had finished ten. The rumor that only monsters lived in the Divine Cult of the Heavenly Demon didn't seem to be an exaggeration.
And so, the two began their meal.
“How is it?”
Genuine surprise showed on the young man's face.
“It's completely different from how it looks. It's delicious.”
“Gahaha. I told you, didn't I? I said you wouldn't be disappointed.”
The old man spoke as he slurped the finely shredded meat as if it were noodles.
“To be honest, I was hoping for something else, too. The Solitary Bamboo Forest has the densest spiritual energy in the Cult, no, in the entire world. A monster that lives in a place like this must be good for the body if you eat it, right?”
“That makes sense.”
“Haha, eat up. You must still be tired from your journey.”
The two men heartily devoured the food.
After chewing for a while, the young man, Yeo Ganghui, spoke.
“About what I mentioned before.”
“Hm?”
“The Third Young Master of the Divine Cult.”
“Ah, the Third Young Master.”
“Yes. Has there been no reply from him yet?”
The old man, Yang Jeong, a peerless master who had served as both the former leader of Squad One of the Hall of Protectors and one of the former 108 Demonic Marshals, spoke.
“Not yet. I heard he only recently returned to the Cult, so things must be quite hectic for him. Just wait a little longer.”
“I have no choice. I understand.”
Yang Jeong was puzzled.
“I haven't asked until now, but why are you so eager to meet our Cult's Third Young Master?”
Yeo Ganghui gave an awkward smile.
“No particular reason. I simply heard he fought the Sword Palace and was intrigued, so I thought we could have a chat.”
“Hmm.”
“It would be nice if I could go out myself, but since I can't, the situation has become quite awkward.”
Yang Jeong shook his head.
“It's not like you made an unreasonable demand. You just casually asked if you could meet him. What's there to be awkward about?”
“If that's the case, I'm relieved.”
“It's getting cold. Let's finish eating.”
“Yes.”
Yeo Ganghui stuffed his mouth full of meat.
His eyes twinkled like starlight.
*The most prominent candidate for the next Cult Leader in the current generation of the Divine Cult...*
He had heard many stories from the Protectors on his way here. They were unbelievably strong for masters belonging to a single organization, and they seemed strangely free.
Free enough to casually chatter about rumors circulating within the Divine Cult in front of the person they were escorting from the outside.
*If he's really the person the rumors say he is, it might be worth placing my hopes on him.*
Originally, he wanted a private audience with the Cult Leader, but his thoughts changed on the way here.
A private meeting with the Cult Leader was a significant burden for him in the first place. Then he heard about the Third Young Master's actions and changed his mind.
“...Well, if he doesn't live up to my expectations, I can always change my approach then.”
“Hm? What did you just say?”
“Huh? Ah, it's nothing. Please, eat. This seasoned breast meat is quite a delicacy, isn't it?”
“Gahaha. You have good taste.”
* * *
“The Young Palace Lord of the North Sea Ice Palace?”
“Yes.”
Surprise filled Seo Ryang's face.
“I can't believe the guy who was the 'special escort subject' or whatever was actually the young master of the Ice Palace.”
Then again, if he weren't someone of that stature, the Hall of Protectors wouldn't have mobilized masters from the inner circle to bring him here.
“And he came alone, so boldly?”
“Of course, he had an entourage. But they're currently staying in Hubei. No one is allowed to enter the Cult without permission.”
“Hah.”
The North Sea Ice Palace.
One of the Four Palaces Beyond the Borders, it was an ancient power that governed the northern regions.
Martial artists from beyond the borders rarely entered the Central Plains. The Ice Palace, in particular, was so reclusive that even among the warriors of the other Four Palaces, some considered it a mere legend.
The interesting thing was that the North Sea Ice Palace, which had rarely ever shown itself, was always called the head of the Four Palaces.
No one knew the extent of its power or who its lord was, but everyone agreed on that fact. Whether it was just an exaggerated rumor or if they were truly that strong, nobody knew.
“The young master of the Ice Palace has entered our Cult... this is interesting.”
“It is. No one would have expected the young master of such a reclusive group to come to our Cult.”
“No, that's part of it, but.”
“Yes?”
Seo Ryang's eyes deepened.
*Look at this.*
When he left the Cult with the transport unit, he clashed with the forces of the Beast Palace.
At the time, he thought little of it, but later he clashed with the Sword Palace as well. He had fought with two of the Four Palaces Beyond the Borders.
And now, the young master of the Ice Palace had come to the Divine Cult.
“Have relations between the Four Palaces Beyond the Borders soured?”
“They aren't cohesive enough to talk about their relations being good or bad.”
“Huh? Weren't they all friendly with each other?”
So Yeonsim shook her head.
“Not a chance. They only banded together formally because the Central Plains factions are so dominant. I heard they don't get along well. Just looking at the nature of each group, it's hard to imagine them being friendly.”
“That's true.”
Even just the Beast Palace and the Sword Palace had completely different characters.
He didn't know about the Ice Palace, but the remaining one, the Heavenly Dragon Palace, was notorious for its arrogance. Being so far apart, it would be difficult for them to have good relations.
*Even though they don't get along, they still acknowledge the power of the Ice Palace... which must mean it's a very strong faction.*
Seo Ryang scratched his head.
“So why does the young master of that great Ice Palace want to see me?”
“I don't know that either. However...”
“However?”
“I think it would be a good idea for you to go.”
“Why do you think so?”
“It's not the Cult Leader, nor the elders. Not the First Young Master, nor the heads of the various organizations. The Young Palace Lord passed over all those people and asked to see you.”
“What's that got to do with anything?”
“What do you mean? Unless he has a clear objective, there's no reason for him to bypass everyone else and ask for you, right? This is an opportunity to find out what the Young Palace Lord is thinking.”
Seo Ryang blinked.
His expression clearly conveyed, *What in the world does that have to do with me?* So Yeonsim wanted to beat her chest in frustration.
“His title is Young Palace Lord, but he came here acting on behalf of the Palace Lord. Isn't it obviously important to find out what he's thinking?”
“No, I get that, but.”
“But?”
“Isn't it the job of the Hall of Protectors who brought him here, or the Cult Leader, to figure out what he's thinking? He must have had a reason for coming here in the first place, right?”
“And I'm saying you need to find out that reason.”
“What I mean is, the Young Palace Lord must have stated his reason for wanting to enter the Cult before he was allowed in. And the person who should have a detailed conversation about that reason is the Cult Leader, not me.”
“...”
“Am I wrong?”
“Yes.”
“W-Wrong? Why? No, forget all that, why did that guy even come to the Cult in the first place?”
So Yeonsim said with a serious face.
“To sightsee.”
“...?”
“...”
“Did I just mishear you? He came to sightsee?”
“Yes.”
Wondering what kind of ridiculous joke this was, Seo Ryang stared blankly at So Yeonsim.
“...Really?”
“I'm telling you.”
“What, did we build a flower path for pleasant strolls in the Cult? For him to come visit just to look around?”
“That's what I'm saying.”
“The Cult Leader approved that ridiculous request to enter?”
“That's how he was able to enter the Cult. At first, even the Office of the Grand Marshal didn't know about the special escort subject.”
Seo Ryang frowned.
“If he was allowed in for sightseeing, why was he shoved into the Solitary Bamboo Forest?”
“I don't know that either.”
“Hmm... something about that guy smells fishy.”
“I think the Cult Leader let him in precisely because it's fishy.”
“Can't we just grab him by the hair and shake the truth out of him? He dared to spew that nonsense about sightseeing. The Cult Leader must be furious enough that even slapping him silly wouldn't be enough.”
“Of course, we could do that. If you want to start an all-out war with the Ice Palace.”
“I don't think the Cult Leader would care about the likes of the Ice Palace.”
“You're right. But he'd probably find it a bit troublesome, don't you think?”
“...”
“Why not just think of it as a short outing and go see him?”
Seo Ryang sank back into his chair.
“...Exchanging a few words isn't difficult, but.”
Annoyance was written all over his face.
“Shit, I feel another strange atmosphere brewing.”
My sixth sense isn't tingling, but I've got a bad feeling about this.