Chapter 691: Please Deal with the Ice Palace Master
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 691: Please Deal with the Ice Palace Master
"There is something I need you to do."
Tang Jin-seol continued, her eyes sparkling with a venomous glint. She looked exactly like a poisonous snake biding its time.
"I am not your subordinate, Tang Jin-seol."
Eon Jung-gi spoke up, his expression sour. While he was cooperating out of necessity, he had no recollection of ever entering her service. The way she spoke to him—as if issuing an order—was profoundly unpleasant.
"It won't be a bad deal for you either," Tang Jin-seol said, looking at him with absolute confidence.
"I'll listen first. Whether I do it or not will be decided after."
"Please deal with the Ice Palace Master."
Tang Jin-seol’s eyes shimmered as she made her request.
"The Ice Palace Master... You want me to kill her?"
"No. Rather than killing her, I’d prefer it if you stopped at breaking a limb or two."
Eon Jung-gi asked back, looking puzzled. Her words were entirely unexpected. Given the circumstances, he had assumed she would ask him to handle the Head of the Jaegyeong Pavilion, who had recently humiliated and insulted her.
But to suddenly target the Master of the North Sea Ice Palace? He couldn't help but feel suspicious.
"...That is unexpected."
Eon Jung-gi maintained a calm facade as he continued.
"Wasn't it the Head of the Jaegyeong Pavilion who assaulted you? Why are you asking me to deal with the Ice Palace Master instead?"
"Because I have no intention of starting a war right now," Tang Jin-seol replied flatly.
"No intention of starting a war?"
"In my heart, I want to ask you to tear the Head of the Jaegyeong Pavilion limb from limb. But if we do that, the Tang Clan and the Cheonmu Alliance will cross a point of no return."
The Head of the Jaegyeong Pavilion was the beloved wife the Tang Clan Head had taken late in life. To touch her would inevitably trigger a war between the Tang Clan and the Cheonmu Alliance. No matter how furious she was, war had to be avoided. With the Great War of Righteousness and Demons looming, internal strife would only benefit the Demonic Cult.
"That’s a contradiction. If you don't want a war, isn't it best not to provoke the Tang Clan at all? There should be no need to touch the Ice Palace Master," Eon Jung-gi pointed out, his curiosity piqued.
While the prospect of a duel with the Master of the North Sea Ice Palace was highly enticing, he was genuinely curious about her reasoning. Currently, the Tang Clan was closer to the North Sea Ice Palace than to the Cheonmu Alliance. In such a situation, harming the Ice Palace Master would surely draw the Tang Clan's wrath. So why was she essentially soliciting an assault? It made no sense.
"Even if the Ice Palace Master is injured, there is nothing the Tang Clan can do," Tang Jin-seol said, her eyes flashing with certainty.
"The Cheonmu Alliance and the Ice Palace Master have already clashed once before. How did the Tang Clan respond then? Didn't they just brush it off as a minor squabble between allies? The Tang Clan has already lost their justification to intervene. Even if you strike the Ice Palace Master, they won't step in."
"How can you be so sure? Isn't the Tang Clan currently on more friendly terms with the North Sea Ice Palace?"
"Because if the Tang Clan intervenes in a power struggle between the Cheonmu Alliance and the North Sea Ice Palace, it will lead to war with the Alliance."
"And you think they wouldn't risk that?"
"The Tang Clan absolutely does not want war," Tang Jin-seol said calmly.
"With the declaration of the Great War of Righteousness and Demons, the Cheonmu Alliance enjoys the support of the masses throughout the Central Plains. Turning the Alliance into an enemy under these circumstances would be a devastating blow in many ways."
Currently, the Cheonmu Alliance held the moral high ground, claiming the grand cause of subjugating the Demonic Cult for the peace and safety of the Murim. If the Tang Clan opposed them now, they risked facing the public's fury. They would be branded as a wicked clan that ignored the Alliance's noble efforts to cause internal division for their own selfish interests.
Such a stigma would likely erode trust not only in the Tang Clan but in the entire Sichuan Alliance. Ultimately, a Great Clan’s operating funds came from the pockets of the people who purchased their goods and services. Furthermore, if they weakened themselves through internal strife, the only winner would be the Demonic Cult.
There was no way Tang Jin-cheol was unaware of this. Just as the Cheonmu Alliance did not want war with the Tang Clan, the Tang Clan did not want war with the Alliance.
"My brother prioritizes practical interests above all else. There's no way he doesn't know this," Tang Jin-seol said, looking at Eon Jung-gi.
"I see."
Eon Jung-gi nodded, finding her logic sound. It made sense. The sects and clans of the Murim gained trust through their reputation, and they used that trust to conduct business and generate profit. Therefore, most were extremely careful to avoid gaining a bad reputation, as infamy led to distrust.
The Tang Clan was no different. While their weapon-forging techniques and herbal medicine were so peerless that they had no real substitutes, their other businesses would undoubtedly suffer. He doubted the Tang Clan Head would be willing to accept such losses.
"War will not happen. That is why I am asking this of you. Injure the Ice Palace Master and provoke the Tang Clan Head's temper."
"Well, it's something I was going to do anyway, so I don't mind... but why urge me to do it now?"
"It seems my brother has been influenced by the Ice Palace Master in the worst way," Tang Jin-seol said, her eyes turning cold.
"Influenced?"
"During our conversation, he said it wouldn't matter if he turned the Cheonmu Alliance into an enemy. How could he say something so reckless unless he'd been led astray?"
Tang Jin-seol’s cold eyes shimmered.
"He says that because he thinks he has someone to lean on. Otherwise, how could he even dream of opposing the Cheonmu Alliance?"
"So you're saying the 'backing' the Tang Clan is relying on is the North Sea Ice Palace?" Eon Jung-gi asked.
"Yes. Why else would they be acting so cozy?"
The reason the Tang Clan was acting so bold was likely because of their ally. Therefore, she had to show them. She had to prove that the ally they trusted so much was actually nothing special—that opposing the Cheonmu Alliance was an exercise in futility.
"I intend to show him. That the Ice Palace Master he trusts so much is nothing."
"And you think the Tang Clan Head will change his mind because of that?"
"If he feels the difference in power, he will change his attitude. That's the kind of man my brother is."
The Tang Clan Head prioritized practical gain. If he realized the North Sea Ice Palace was less impressive than he thought, he would surely change his tune.
"It could have the opposite effect, you know."
"That's a risk I'll have to take. If they continue to be uncooperative like this, a disaster will happen eventually anyway."
"You truly are a water snake of a woman."
Eon Jung-gi shook his head from side to side. Her determination to drag the Tang Clan under the influence of the Cheonmu Alliance reminded him of a water snake dragging its prey into the depths. Whether she liked it or not, it was her family home, yet she cared only for her own ambitions. To think she would plot to destroy an alliance just because she feared the Tang Clan's independence.
"So, do you dislike the idea?" Tang Jin-seol asked with a snake-like smile.
"I don't like acting according to your whims."
"Are you going to refuse?"
"I came to the Tang Clan specifically to face the Ice Palace Master. There is no way I would refuse, is there?"
Eon Jung-gi replied with a thick smile. He didn't like being a pawn in her plan, but the prospect of fighting a strong opponent was pure joy. He couldn't possibly turn it down.
"When is the execution date?"
"Tomorrow."
"You're in a hurry."
"I have no intention of delaying."
Tang Jin-seol spoke with a firm expression. Her mind was made up. There was no reason to drag her feet.
"Fine. Let it be so."
A deep smile spread across Eon Jung-gi's face.
Vrooooooom.
At the same time, a massive wave of fighting spirit began to radiate from him. His heart pounded at the thought of facing a powerful master after so long.
The cunning vixen and the sly raccoon looked at each other and smiled.
*
"Abuuu! Abaaa!"
Yeon-woo babbled happily, a bright smile on his face.
"Wow... He looks so alive."
Yorang spoke in admiration as she watched him.
"Lady Bukgung, please never leave Yeon-woo in Yorang's care," Geum Jeok-hwa said from the side, her expression dead serious.
"It was a joke! A joke! Hehehehe."
Yorang burst into playful laughter.
"Kyahaaaaa!"
Perhaps finding Yorang's laughter pleasant, Yeon-woo also began to laugh along with her.
"Gung-yeon! Look at this! It seems Yeon-woo likes me!"
Yorang turned to Bukgung Yeon, who was sitting at the table.
"Yes, it does seem like he likes you, Lady Yorang," Bukgung Yeon replied with a soft smile.
"Really? Our Yeon-woo, do you like me?"
Yorang asked Yeon-woo again, a happy smile on her face.
"Abubuuu... Abuu!"
Yeon-woo began to babble once more.
"He said he likes me! He just said it! I heard it!"
Yorang made a fuss over Yeon-woo's babbling. Though it was just baby talk, to her ears, it sounded like he was agreeing with her.
"Our Yeon-woo!"
Yorang lifted Yeon-woo high into the air.
"Kyarkyarkyar!"
Yeon-woo burst into giggles, clearly enjoying the game. It was a heartwarming scene. Bukgung Yeon watched the two of them with a satisfied gaze. What parent wouldn't be happy to see their child being loved? She simply watched with a sense of pride.
After some time had passed...
"Ah!"
Bukgung Yeon let out a small exclamation as something occurred to her.
"Lady Yorang."
"Yeeees?" Yorang asked, turning her head slightly.
"My surname is Bukgung... not Buk..."
"Got it! Gung-yeon."
Yorang replied brightly.
"............"
Hearing Yorang's response, Bukgung Yeon realized something. Yorang was simply going to call her whatever she felt like.
Knock, knock, knock.
Just as she was contemplating Yorang's eccentricities, the sound of knocking echoed in the room.
"Who is it?"
Bukgung Yeon regained her composure and asked in a calm tone.
"I am Eon Jung-gi."
A deep, dignified voice drifted in from outside.
"Eon Jung-gi?"
Bukgung Yeon looked puzzled. It was a name she had never heard in her life.
"Eon Jung-gi?!"
Beside her, Geum Jeok-hwa jumped in surprise, her voice rising.
"Who is that?"
Seeing her reaction, Bukgung Yeon asked Geum Jeok-hwa, curious as to why she was so startled.
"Eon Jung-gi is... the Head of the Jinju Eon Clan... Lady Bukgung."
Geum Jeok-hwa’s face turned pale as she spoke.
"The Head of the Jinju Eon Clan?"
"Yes..."
Geum Jeok-hwa’s expression remained grim. Bukgung Yeon tilted her head. She couldn't understand why a man she had never met would suddenly come looking for her.
"May I enter?"
Eon Jung-gi's voice rang out again from the other side of the door. Geum Jeok-hwa crossed her arms in an 'X' shape, signaling that they should not let him in.
"Please, come in."
However, Bukgung Yeon ignored Geum Jeok-hwa's warning and gave her permission.
Creeeeeak.
As soon as she spoke, the door slowly opened. A man appeared who was so massive he could be compared to a bear. He was a giant, standing seven feet tall, his body packed with muscles as hard as stone. It was an intimidating sight.
This was Eon Jung-gi.
"Thank you for allowing me in. I am Eon Jung-gi, Head of the Eon Clan."
Entering the room, Eon Jung-gi offered a very polite greeting.
"It is a pleasure. I am Bukgung Yeon, Master of the North Sea Ice Palace."
Bukgung Yeon returned the greeting, her eyes cold as she observed him.
"What brings you here?"
She immediately asked for his business, wanting to know why he had sought her out.
"You are quite direct. Hahaha."
Eon Jung-gi let out a small chuckle at her words.
"I don't believe we are close enough for long-winded pleasantries."
"That is true. Hahahaha!"
Eon Jung-gi burst into hearty laughter. He seemed to quite like Bukgung Yeon's bold and direct attitude. It was a thousand times better than a certain vixen who acted hypocritically while only looking out for her own interests.
"The reason I have come to see you is simple."
Stopping his laughter, Eon Jung-gi looked at Bukgung Yeon and spoke.
"I am here to formally challenge the Master of the North Sea Ice Palace to a duel."
Eon Jung-gi’s eyes burned with a fierce competitive spirit as he stared at her.
Vrooooooom.
Furthermore, a massive battle aura began to ripple from his body.