Chapter 286: Facing the Ice Palace Master
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 286: Facing the Ice Palace Master
"I don't want to ask you to do something you despise!"
"What does that matter when your life is on the line!"
"It matters to me!"
Neung So-hwa shouted at Sun-woo, her face flushed with emotion.
"You are the first friend I have ever truly made! To you, I might just be a passing acquaintance, but to me, you are a precious friend beyond measure! I do not wish to trouble you! I do not want you to hate me! Why can you not understand my heart!"
"I told you, I’m not troubled."
"Do not lie to me. I saw it all—how you scowled and made it so obvious that you didn't want to do this!" she cried, her voice rising. "I would have faced her alone if I hadn't met you anyway. So, do not concern yourself!"
"How can I not concern myself?"
"Do not! This has nothing to do with you!"
"How does it have nothing to do with me? It has everything to do with me!"
"What exactly do you have to do with me? Are you family? A relative? A subordinate? You are none of those things, so why are you meddling!"
"Because we're friends!" Sun-woo shouted back, his voice thick with anger.
"............"
At his words, Neung So-hwa fell silent, her eyes trembling as she stared at him.
"You’re a precious friend to me, too. Not just some 'passing acquaintance,' but a real friend. How can I just stand by and watch when a friend’s life is in danger?" Sun-woo continued, his gaze steady and clear.
"..........."
Listening to him, Neung So-hwa slowly lowered her head.
".........Is that... true?" she whispered, her voice barely audible, like a crawling ant.
"Is what true?" Sun-woo snapped, still sounding grumpy as his anger hadn't quite dissipated.
".......That you truly... think of me as a friend."
As she asked, Neung So-hwa fidgeted, her voice small.
"Of course I do," Sun-woo replied with absolute certainty.
He truly did consider her a friend. To begin with, she was the first person he’d met since falling into the Murim who was the same age as him. While he felt a strong bond with Tang Seo-yoon, she was older and mentally mature, giving her more of a 'close older sister' vibe.
Neung So-hwa, however, despite being a bit stiff and old-fashioned, felt like a true peer to him.
"Then..... am I... precious to you?"
"You are."
Sun-woo answered immediately, without a moment's hesitation. Though they hadn't known each other long, they had shared countless conversations, insights, and a deep mental connection. There was no way she wasn't precious to him.
"............You make me feel so embarrassed."
Neung So-hwa lowered her head even further.
"So don't refuse me. I'm doing this for my friend."
Sun-woo’s expression remained firm as he spoke.
"You might die."
"I won't."
"And if you do?"
"Then I'll make sure to resent you even from beyond the grave," Sun-woo said with a mock-playful expression, trying to ease her anxiety.
Neung So-hwa slowly lifted her head. Her face was as red as a ripe persimmon.
".........Thank you."
She fidgeted, her face still flushed, clearly overwhelmed by shyness.
"Don't forget," Sun-woo said, changing the subject out of his own sudden embarrassment.
"Forget what?"
"That you promised to grant me any wish."
"I promise. Whatever you desire, if it is within my power, I shall grant it."
Neung So-hwa replied with a look of firm conviction.
"Anything?"
"Of course."
"Don't forget that promise."
"I am a Commandery Princess. I do not go back on my word."
She spoke with a dignified air, and seeing her regain her spirit, Sun-woo let out a small smile. It seemed she had finally shaken off the gloom that had been hanging over her.
"When do you plan to go?" Sun-woo asked.
"They say you should strike while the iron is hot. I intend to go tomorrow morning."
Neung So-hwa’s eyes sparkled as she spoke.
"Just in case... if she starts emitting murderous aura, run away without looking back."
"Do not worry. I have no intention of being a burden to you. If things seem strange, I shall flee immediately."
Only after hearing her reassurance did Sun-woo nod, looking relieved. Internally, he prayed that the negotiations with Bukgung Yeon would go well.
Thump, thump.
Sun-woo could feel his heart pounding. Just yesterday, he had gallantly reassured Neung So-hwa, telling her not to worry and that he wouldn't die.
But now that the moment to face Bukgung Yeon had arrived, his heart was racing like crazy.
'Where the hell did that senior go!'
Sun-woo cursed the Sword Man in his mind. Despite the brave front he’d put up for Neung So-hwa, he was actually riddled with anxiety. He had planned to ask the Sword Man for help. He figured that with someone as strong as Bukgung Yeon on his side, he could at least keep his life.
But his hopes were dashed. He had searched everywhere from the Ice Palace to the village, but the Sword Man was nowhere to be found. Eventually, he heard from Un-jeok-ja that the man had left through the city gates.
The news hit Sun-woo like a bolt from the blue. How could he disappear at such a perfect—or rather, imperfect—moment?
When Sun-woo asked why he had left, Un-jeok-ja simply replied that he had gone for a walk.
Sun-woo wanted to scream. Why on earth would he go for a walk on a day as important as today? And what kind of madman goes for a walk outside the city gates?
Despair washed over him. He was now forced to meet Bukgung Yeon without his insurance policy. Even though it wasn't technically the Sword Man's fault, resentment bubbled up inside him.
"Are you nervous?"
Neung So-hwa’s beautiful voice drifted from beside him. She seemed worried by his grim expression.
"To be honest, a little," Sun-woo admitted. He was about to meet a human being who was essentially a walking natural disaster. How could he not be nervous?
Step.
Suddenly, he felt a warm sensation on his right palm. Startled, Sun-woo looked down. Neung So-hwa had gently taken his hand in hers.
"This should make it a little better."
She looked at him, her gesture a clear attempt to soothe his nerves. A warm breeze seemed to blow through Sun-woo’s heart. What a kind woman, he thought. He could feel the warmth of her heart flowing directly through her palm.
"Thanks."
"No, I am the one who should be saying thank you. So, keep those words to yourself."
Hearing her, the tension in Sun-woo’s heart began to melt away. Holding her hand, he walked forward slowly.
After a while, the entrance to the Great Hall came into view. Sun-woo slowly let go of her warm hand. A wave of regret washed over him, but he couldn't keep holding it forever.
Grip.
Sun-woo grabbed the handles of the Great Hall doors.
Creeeeeak.
As he pushed the doors open, the interior was revealed. At the far end stood a massive throne. And upon that throne sat a woman of peerless beauty, looking like an ancient goddess from myth, an arrogant expression fixed on her face.
Gulp.
Sun-woo swallowed hard. He was finally facing her. Bukgung Yeon, the Master of the North Sea Ice Palace.
"What is the meaning of this?"
Bukgung Yeon’s voice rang out, cold as frost. Whether it was her natural way of speaking or her displeasure at the sudden visit, her tone was biting and frigid, like the snow winds of the North Sea.
"I have a proposal for you," Neung So-hwa said, her expression calm as she stepped forward.
"Hmm, a proposal."
Bukgung Yeon looked as if she were considering it for a moment.
"I refuse. Leave at once."
She issued an immediate expulsion order.
"........!?"
Neung So-hwa’s eyes widened in shock. She knew her opponent would be difficult, but she hadn't expected to be rejected before even being heard.
"Can you not at least listen to what I have to say?" Neung So-hwa urged.
"I don't know. I simply don't feel like it," Bukgung Yeon replied coldly.
"And why is that?"
"Why is what?"
"Why will you not listen to me?"
"Because I do not like your tone."
Bukgung Yeon let out a cold smile.
"I am the Master of the North Sea Ice Palace, the one who stands Above Ten Thousand People in the North Sea. Your way of speaking is incredibly grating. Go back and learn some manners before you return."
Bukgung Yeon’s criticism was sharp and biting. She despised Neung So-hwa’s tone—the tone of someone used to ruling from above. She was the most noble and greatest ruler of the North Sea. How could someone speak to her with such a condescending air? It was a complete reversal of the proper order.
Clench.
"............"
Neung So-hwa bit her lip. She never imagined she would be called out for her manner of speech.
"What are you doing? Did I not tell you to leave?"
Bukgung Yeon’s attitude grew even colder as she repeated her order.
"I... I ask of you... please, listen to my proposal..."
Neung So-hwa forced the words out, her voice strained. Her tone had changed. She had switched from her commanding style to the more humble Hao-che style. It was her way of compromising in the face of Bukgung Yeon’s stubbornness. Of course, for someone who had spent her entire life giving orders, the change felt incredibly awkward.
"I don't know. It still seems you lack proper etiquette," Bukgung Yeon said, a mischievous glint in her eyes as if she found this entertaining. "Say, 'I beg of you.' Say, 'Please, I beg you to listen to my proposal.'"
"............"
Neung So-hwa’s face turned beet red. An unbearable sense of humiliation surged within her. While she wasn't naturally an authoritarian person, she was well aware of her status.
Who was she? She was Commandery Princess Gyeonghwa, the granddaughter of the Emperor who ruled the vast continent, and the daughter of Prince Yeon, his third son. Furthermore, she was the Guardian of the Imperial Court who had single-handedly suppressed the rebellion led by Prince Jin eight years ago.
And now, Bukgung Yeon was demanding she show subservience. And she was doing it mockingly. How could she not feel humiliated?
Humiliation turned to anger, and anger turned to rage.
Grind.
Neung So-hwa ground her teeth. It was something she would never normally do, but Bukgung Yeon’s arrogant and disrespectful attitude had shattered her immovable mind.
She was furious. Beyond furious. She wanted to scream at this insolent woman right now.
But she couldn't. She needed the Ice Essence. If she lashed out now, everything would be for naught. Neung So-hwa suppressed her boiling emotions as best she could and slowly opened her mouth.
"I... beg... of... you..."
Her face was flushed with shame.
"What was that? I can't hear you."
Bukgung Yeon taunted her further, a malicious smile playing on her lips.
"I! Beg! Of! You!"
Neung So-hwa shouted, her face contorted. Despite the overwhelming sense of shame and insult rising from deep within her, she forced herself to raise her voice. She had to, just to get a chance to make her proposal.
Boom!
Suddenly, the ground shook, and a thunderous sound echoed through the hall. Startled by the strange noise, Neung So-hwa stopped speaking. She turned her head toward the source of the sound.
The source was Sun-woo’s foot, which was now embedded in the floor of the hall. He had stomped so hard he broke the stone.
"I'll take it from here."
A low, chilling voice resonated through the Great Hall. Hearing it, Neung So-hwa knew instantly—Sun-woo was furious.
"What do you think you're doing?"
Bukgung Yeon frowned, clearly displeased by Sun-woo’s actions.
"There was a fly," Sun-woo said, a cold smile spreading across his face.
Bukgung Yeon looked down at him, her eyes filled with irritation.