Chapter 241
Chapter 241
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 241
Chapter Title: The Path (4)
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After I scattered the will-o'-wisps, the Eon brothers, who had been holding their breath, approached me.
Among them, Yin Ha-seong was the first to speak.
"Brother Yong-un? What was that just now?"
"I listened to the grudge spirit once."
"Oh. You can do that too? Why couldn't I see it?"
I continued speaking to the guy tilting his head.
"Most grudge spirits only say things like 'I don't want to die.' They're not worth the internal energy drain, so I don't usually bother... But this one prioritized its mission over its own life even while burning in agony, so I gave it a listen."
At my words, Dang Ok-gi nodded.
"Makes sense. Medical texts say burning pain is the most excruciating. People sometimes die not from the burns themselves, but because their internals give out trying to endure it."
Wu So-rung shuddered at the mere thought, rubbing her arms.
Yin Xia Lian glanced at her sideways and asked,
"So, did it say anything useful as a clue?"
"It said the plains must remain in chaos. This matches the parchment fragment So-rung found—put together, it reads that the plains must stay chaotic until somewhere is seized."
"...Until the North Sea Ice Palace is seized, the plains must remain in chaos. That fits the current situation perfectly."
She nodded, and Zhuge Seol-ji beside her did the same.
"This feels like they've extended their demonic claws to both the plains and the Ice Palace. Their main base is probably at the North Sea Ice Palace. The sub-pavilion wasn't the real target from the start. The attack on the sub-pavilion master was just a ploy to stir up trouble in the plains."
"That's my thinking too. They originally planned to control the mountains and strangle both the plains and the Ice Palace, but when that fell through... they switched to methodically advancing south from the Ice Palace."
That was when Jeong-hyeon let out a long sigh.
"Terrifying bunch."
"What do you have to be afraid of?"
"I'm not talking about their demonic arts or the fiends themselves."
"Then?"
"It's their mindset—inducing chaos and war without a second thought to open the demonic path to rule the world."
At those words, the Eon brothers all wore heavy expressions.
This wasn't something to take lightly, but did it need to get this grim?
These were the same bastards we had to crush either way.
To lighten the mood a bit, I turned to Cheon Jang-ho and Peng So-cheon, who were pulling equally serious faces.
"Brother So-cheon, and Jang-ho. You two are taking this way too seriously. Did you even hear what I said before making those faces?"
Hearing me, Peng So-cheon grumbled at Cheon Jang-ho.
"...Jang-ho. They say if you're quiet, you're at least average, but you're not even that."
"If you hadn't said that just now, I would've been exactly average!"
Cheon Jang-ho, feeling unfairly lumped with Peng So-cheon, pointed at someone else who had been quiet and complained.
"And Brother Yong-un! Yong-myeong and Brother Yun were serious too—why pick on us?!"
"...?"
Eon Yong-myeong rarely looked utterly baffled.
Namgung Yun furrowed his brow like he genuinely hated being dragged in.
"Don't rope me in."
The tension broke at their unusual reactions, and the Eon brothers finally started laughing.
"Pfft."
"Kh."
"Kkh."
In the now-relaxed atmosphere, I spoke up.
"Being too serious won't get anything done. We've found a lead, at least. Like we saw at the Righteous Assembly, the Alliance Leader is working hard too. For now, let's keep this just among us. There might be spies. No need to let them know we've got a clue."
Everyone nodded, but Peng So-jin spoke up, perhaps wanting confirmation.
"Yong-un, hold on! Keeping it just among us means... not telling Uncle Jae-hyeok or Master either?"
"Yes. If we tell Uncle Jae-hyeok, he'll want us to head back to the academy, right? The Alliance Leader will take action, but if that reaches the demonic cult's ears, we lose our edge of knowing their scheme."
"True."
"I'm not saying never tell them. Just not now—the right time will come."
With that, we aligned our stories and left the scene.
Just then, the sub-pavilion master Yalu Wei came running up.
"Brother Yong-un! I heard you helped put out the fire?"
"Yes. Brother Yalu, you'd barely left on business when thick black smoke started rising, so we came over."
"Thanks."
At Yalu Wei's appearance, my master grumbled inwardly.
- Why is that bastard so late? His own house is on fire, and he's moving like a snail.
Not because he heard my master's criticism, but perhaps aware of his own tardiness, Yalu Wei made an awkward cupped-fist salute.
"Sorry. I should've rushed earlier. Father had me watch the grounds for anyone who might've started the fire and then tried something else."
My master was annoyed, but the pavilion master's orders were appropriate.
Panicking and fixating on the fire was exactly what the demonic cult wanted.
I returned the salute and replied,
"It's fine. Any suspicious people on the grounds?"
"None."
"I see. What about Professor Peng and the North Sea Ice Palace folks?"
"I sent subordinates to guide them to the guest quarters. You all join them too—you're covered in soot from helping. I told them to prepare bathwater, so wash up nice and come out. Father will treat you all."
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ At the guest quarters, I gave Uncle Jae-hyeok a brief report.
Then I bathed and changed into clean clothes.
Yalu Wei soon came to fetch us.
"Everyone's back looking refreshed. Father is waiting."
Following Yalu Wei to one of the yurts in the pavilion,
Pavilion Master Yalu Su, whom I'd met at the Righteous Assembly, welcomed us with a broad smile.
"Come in!"
Yalu Su rose from his seat.
He gave us a deep, respectful cupped-fist salute.
"Saving my Wei, helping extinguish the fire... I owe you all greatly. This Yalu Su is in your debt!"
Uncle Jae-hyeok returned the salute but deflected slightly.
"Helping the sub-pavilion master was only right. The fire-fighting was these youngsters taking the lead; I just guarded the rear."
I stepped forward and said,
"You're exaggerating our meager efforts, but refusing the pavilion master's kind intentions wouldn't be proper, so we'll gratefully accept."
"Hahaha."
Yalu Su laughed heartily and nodded.
He then saluted the North Sea Ice Palace group.
"We plains folk pride ourselves on lavish hospitality, but demonic schemes brought all sorts of troubles, delaying me. My apologies."
Dam Yong-ju stepped forward from the Ice Palace side.
"Not at all. We wanted to help the pavilion but stayed put to avoid misunderstandings in these turbulent times. Our regrets."
"No, that was wise. Enough greetings—sit. The invitation was late, but I've prepared plenty of food and drink."
True to Yalu Su's word, the spread was far from modest.
We ate and drank freely, easing the fatigue from our journey somewhat.
After filling our bellies and the drinks making a few rounds,
Yalu Su, seated at the head, stroked his beard and spoke.
"This is the Central Plains juniors' first time at the pavilion, right? What do you think? Does the food suit your tastes?"
I grinned at Yalu Su's question and replied,
"Beautiful. The plains and Central Plains customs blend exquisitely into a rare sight. Truly the jewel of the steppe. For the food, just look at this guy."
I pointed to Cheon Jang-ho, who patted his bulging belly.
"The lamb melts in your mouth! The mare's milk liquor has a tangy kick that whets the appetite!"
"Hahaha."
Yalu Su burst into boisterous laughter,
"Wahaha!"
And the warriors at the feast, the other Eon brothers, and the Ice Palace folks all joined in.
Seizing the lively moment, Yalu Su called me over.
"Little Dragon."
"Yes."
"I'm thinking of giving you a gift of friendship."
"A gift?"
I asked what it might be, but Yalu Su just smiled.
He addressed the Ice Palace guests instead.
"Don't feel slighted, North Sea Ice Palace guests. It's the same gift I sent early with the delegation to your palace."
"How could we? Think nothing of it."
"Good to hear. Then, Little Dragon... follow me for a bit."
He left the feast hall.
Following Yalu Su to a yurt surrounded by bird cages of varying sizes,
Inside were eagles and hawks of all kinds.
Hoorurururuk!!!
As Yalu Su entered, they flapped wildly, thinking it was feeding time.
Approaching the central cage, he removed the cloth cover.
Whoosh—
The noise stopped abruptly.
Yalu Su offered the uncovered cage to me.
"Chagan Sung-hol. White Pine Falcon in Central Plains tongue."
Inside was a white pine falcon.
Yalu Su grinned.
"I mentioned sending one to the Ice Palace earlier, but this one's no ordinary ceremonial bird. Heard the tale of the falcon that saved Genghis Khan's life?"
I knew the story.
I thought it was a white eagle, but a falcon?
"The one where the falcon wouldn't let him drink, and it turned out there was a viper in the water?"
"Exactly. This is a descendant. A true spirit beast. See that man-sized eagle over there? It can't even meet this one's eyes."
I took the cage and locked eyes with the white pine falcon.
"You sure about giving such a spirit beast to me?"
"Not given yet."
"Pardon? You show it to me but won't give it?"
We Central Plains folk call that bait-and-switch.
"No, this one chooses its master. We have an older one like it upstairs, but no warrior here has won its heart."
"Ah."
"Temperamental thing—pecks and claws at everyone. If you're brave, stick your hand in the cage..."
Before Yalu Su finished, I opened the door and reached in.
The white pine falcon tilted its head, then hopped obediently onto my hand.
Huluk.
"Looks clever."
Hululuk?
"What? Not 'looks' but actually clever? She's picky?"
"...Hm. From the reaction, she likes you. You're her master now."
I had some experience raising things, anyway.
Mostly just bony skeletons, but still.
"I'll raise her well."
Yalu Su nodded satisfied, then turned serious and broached a new topic.
"Plenty have coveted our pavilion over the years. But today's attack on Wei, and rumors of late about selling our steppe brothers to Central Plains folk... That's not our way. Smacks of the demonic cult's methods that stirred up the Central Plains. Am I wrong?"
"No hard proof yet—just inference from my limited experience and suspicions. Can't say for sure yes or no."
Other outer forces have 'palace' in their names.
Signifying solid status and central authority.
But the pavilion is just a fortress.
It has to coax and appease surrounding tribes.
Leading it must be why Yalu Su was more than bold—he was coldly perceptive.
"Doesn't matter. I know the White Path Martial World, and especially the Demon Defense Alliance, holds the most intel and experience on the cult. I'll judge. Speak freely, no holding back."
And if needed, he'd even ask a lowly junior like me for help.
Emboldened, I spoke.
"If it's not rude, may I bring one more person here?"
"Who?"
"Ice Palace's Dam Yong-ju. Please call him."
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ Soon after, Dam Yong-ju entered the tent.
"I wanted your thoughts on something, and Little Dragon suggested your second young master hear it too, so I called you."
Yalu Su and Dam Yong-ju.
If Uncle Jae-hyeok and Master Gong Son-mu-geol didn't need to know the clue I'd found,
These two did.
Especially Dam Yong-ju.
His help was needed to scout the Ice Palace.
But first, one thing to confirm with Dam Yong-ju.
He needs the will.
From the original tale's purge and what I'd seen, he was a good man.
But mere goodness wasn't enough for this talk.
To test that, I spoke.
"Brother Dam. Answer my question honestly. I can roughly discern truth from lies by eyes, expression, heartbeat. Lie, and our ties end here."
"Just relaying what I said at the academy would doom me at the palace. I don't know what you'll say, but no lies from me."
"Straight to it. Have you ever harbored ambition to claim the Ice Palace throne?"
"...Less ambition, more a wish. I'm Yong-hyeol too. How could I not worry about feeding the palace folk?"
...A wish.
Weaker than hoped, but enough.
A spark could be fanned into flame in moments.
With my check done, I got to the point.
"The demonic cult has extended its claws to both the plains and the North Sea Ice Palace."
I shared what could be public: their strategy and current situation.
Much new info, hard to grasp, but Dam Yong-ju's sharp mind took it in quickly.
He even offered insights based on it.
"...Fearsome scheme. If Little Dragon's right, when the plains are in chaos, the cult swallows the Ice Palace. By digestion's end, steppe tribes will be at each other's throats... and the plains fall into their hands naturally."
Yalu Su narrowed his eyes at me.
"Any countermeasures?"
"Sorry, but we can't assist directly right now."
"Fair. Rumors say we're handing steppe folk to you Central folk—if you step in, backlash. I get it."
"With you holding the center, if we resolve the Ice Palace side, won't the plains' chaos settle naturally?"
Yalu Su nodded slowly.
"Logical."
He stroked the white pine falcon on my hand.
"If we can help in that, contact via this one anytime."
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ The next day.
We packed supplies and left the pavilion.
"We'll await word."
"Yes, Pavilion Master."
Bringing the gifted white pine falcon to the carriage,
Hululuk!!
The other messenger birds we'd brought for Alliance and academy contact cowered.
Dang Ok-gi chuckled dryly.
"...Wow. Look at her dominate the other birds. Like a reborn Eon Yong-un."
"Yeah. Yong-un of the raptors... Application Yun? Brother, named her yet?"
"...Got a tombstone ready, Ha-seong?"
The carriage departed as if nothing happened, crossing the plains northward.
Where snow covered the ground, we switched to reindeer sleds and continued.
After days northbound,
"Little Dragon. That's the North Sea Ice Palace."
We faced villages large and small by a sea-like lake, and a white fortress on the central island.
"Brief inspection!"
But someone blocked us, despite the Ice Palace group.
"Central Plains guests. What's this inspection? We sent word ahead... Where are your brother and the ministers?"
"Vice Minister, sir. Sorry, but orders are full inspections, no exceptions. We'll notify the palace now."
The oddly cold inspection proceeded.
Long after renting a boat in the village and landing on the palace island,
The young palace lord with hands behind back and ministers sauntered over to greet us.
"Long journey, well done. Deputy Minister Dam."
Hm, this punk...
His eyes already had that dried pollack look.