Chapter 46
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 46
Chapter Title: Three Days' Grace
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The Hwangbo Clan's guest hall.
With Seol Hwa-un and the North Wind Brigade Leader watching, the Hwangbo Clan's Medical Hall Leader was examining the patient on the bed.
He soon straightened up and addressed the gathered people.
"Fortunately, the wound isn't deep. A few days of rest, and he'll recover fully without any lingering effects."
The North Wind Brigade Leader said with a stern expression.
"Understood. If there's nothing more to treat, you may go."
"Ah, yes."
The Medical Hall Leader left with an awkward look.
"......"
The North Wind Brigade Leader asked the man lying on the bed.
"How are you feeling?"
"I'm fine."
He was the North Wind Brigade member who had been ambushed by a Tiger Roar Brigade warrior. His upper body was bare, his chest tightly wrapped in bandages.
A bit of blood had seeped through the bandages, and his face was somewhat pale, but he didn't seem to be in serious condition.
"It's truly fortunate it was no worse."
"Haha... Urk! Thanks to the Young Palace Lord, I saved my life. I am truly grateful."
Seol Hwa-un, standing nearby, shook his head.
"It was only natural. Rest easy and don't move for the time being."
"Yes, Young Palace Lord."
Seol Hwa-un and the North Wind Brigade Leader left the room. Outside, the other North Wind Brigade members, along with Eom Mu-hwi and Dong Ho-won, waited with heavy expressions.
Seol Hwa-un turned to them and said.
"Bing Sang-chun is safe. He'll recover after a few days of rest."
Bing Sang-chun was the name of the injured North Wind Brigade member.
"Whew!"
"Ah, what a relief."
The men finally showed signs of relief.
The North Wind Brigade Leader asked.
"Young Palace Lord, what do you plan to do?"
"......"
"This is clearly the Hwangbo Clan's fault. We absolutely cannot let it slide."
The others didn't speak, but their expressions showed they felt the same.
"......"
After looking at them for a moment, Seol Hwa-un nodded.
"The North Wind Brigade Leader is right."
"......Pardon?"
Having expected the Young Palace Lord to say otherwise, the North Wind Brigade Leader looked surprised.
"However, you all know there are suspicious aspects to this as well."
The men nodded silently.
"For now, we'll ascertain the truth first, then hold the Hwangbo Clan strictly accountable for their wrongdoing."
Seol Hwa-un's eyes flashed.
"This involves one of our own from the palace getting hurt. I have no intention of handling it leniently."
"......!"
"For now, since the Hwangbo Clan's Grand Elder took the culprit away, we'll wait."
Time passed like that, and late in the afternoon, Hwangbo Un-gyeong and Tiger Roar Brigade Leader Hwangbo Un-jong visited the guest hall.
The Tiger Roar Brigade Leader was from the Hwangbo Clan's collateral branch and in his mid-thirties, young compared to the other brigade leaders. Yet his martial prowess had earned him his current position.
Hwangbo Un-gyeong cupped his fists with a grave expression.
"Young Palace Lord."
Seol Hwa-un greeted him calmly.
"Please, come in."
"How is the injured North Wind Brigade member's condition? The Medical Hall Leader reported, but..."
"He's safe."
"That's truly a relief."
He cautiously offered a small wooden box.
"What is this?"
"It's our clan's Five Elements Pill. It should aid in his recovery."
Seol Hwa-un's eyes widened slightly.
"This is that famous Five Elements Pill."
The Hwangbo Clan's Five Elements Pill was renowned for its remarkable effects on both internal and external injuries, able to keep even the most critically wounded alive.
Possessing it was akin to having a spare life. But it was so precious that even the Hwangbo Clan had only a limited supply.
It was excessive for an ordinary North Wind Brigade member's wound, but it showed how seriously the Hwangbo Clan was taking the incident and their remorse.
Seol Hwa-un didn't refuse. Doing so would only ease the burden on their hearts, even if just a little.
"I'll put it to good use."
"Hahaha, thank you for accepting it."
Hwangbo Un-gyeong's expression brightened. The Tiger Roar Brigade Leader standing beside him bowed his head.
"I am truly sorry, Young Palace Lord. This is my responsibility as brigade leader for failing to properly manage my men!"
"I know that well."
"......!"
Seol Hwa-un looked at Hwangbo Un-gyeong and said.
"Have you found out why he attacked one of our palace warriors?"
Hwangbo Un-gyeong's pupils trembled.
"......I'm sorry. We interrogated him harshly, even resorting to torture, but he kept repeating the same thing."
"What did he say?"
"Th-that..."
He looked troubled.
"It's fine. Tell me."
Hwangbo Un-gyeong hesitated to continue and glanced at the helpless Tiger Roar Brigade Leader, who sighed and spoke upon receiving the look.
"The Northern barbarians must all be killed..."
Seol Hwa-un let out a scoff.
"You believe that?"
"Of course not."
"What do you think, Grand Elder?"
Hwangbo Un-gyeong made a bitter face.
"You've probably guessed already. Who would draw a blade against the North Sea Ice Palace at a time like this, unless they're a fool? Anyone could see the intent to sow discord between our clan and the palace. It couldn't be better for them."
"You suspect the Four Evils Celestial Gate is behind it?"
He nodded, but his expression was troubled.
"It's a strong hunch. But there's no proof they ordered it. Jang Song-il is an orphan who joined our clan over ten years ago."
Jang Song-il was the name of the Tiger Roar Brigade member who ambushed the North Wind Brigade warrior.
"He's the most likely spy, but there's absolutely no evidence."
Deep down, he wanted to declare him a Four Evils Celestial Gate spy without doubt, but he couldn't.
Seol Hwa-un narrowed his eyes.
'The Four Evils Celestial Gate aren't fools; they wouldn't use someone easily traceable to them. If the Hwangbo Clan can't find proof like this, the palace can't just let it be.'
He had accepted the Five Elements Pill, but that didn't mean he could quietly overlook it.
Had Seol Hwa-un not noticed, the North Wind Brigade member would surely be dead, and no elixir could revive the deceased.
Seol Hwa-un said.
"Of course, I don't think the Hwangbo Clan orchestrated this. There's no reason for it."
"Exactly."
"But that's just speculation. Nothing is certain. No one from our palace would accept mere guesses."
At Seol Hwa-un's words, the two men's faces darkened.
"......You're right."
"I'll give you three days."
"......?!"
"Find proof that he's connected to the Four Evils Celestial Gate or is a spy by then. It would actually help the Hwangbo Clan."
Hwangbo Un-gyeong had to ask.
"And if you don't find it by then?"
Seol Hwa-un's expression turned icy.
"The North Sea Ice Palace never forgets favors or grudges, no matter the circumstances."
* * *
Leaving the guest hall with Hwangbo Un-gyeong, the Tiger Roar Brigade Leader couldn't hide his discomfort.
"Grand Elder, even if it is our clan's fault, isn't the Young Palace Lord's attitude too arrogant? We offered our precious Five Elements Pill and apologized..."
Hwangbo Un-gyeong smiled faintly.
"Did it seem that way?"
"......Pardon?"
"Even from his position, he had no choice."
"What do you mean?"
"Didn't you sense it? The North Wind Brigade's mood was off. If the Young Palace Lord had spoken favorably toward our clan, he would have faced fierce backlash immediately, no matter his trust."
"Ah."
"It's a given that the Young Palace Lord favors our clan. His words were harsh, but his eyes said otherwise. But to satisfy the North Wind Brigade, he had to say it at minimum."
The Tiger Roar Brigade Leader nodded as if understanding.
"......I see."
"In any case, we've bought three days. We must find evidence convincing enough for the North Sea Ice Palace in that time. Otherwise, the Young Palace Lord's position will become awkward."
Hwangbo Un-gyeong's expression grew more serious.
"It won't be easy. The Four Evils Celestial Gate wouldn't handle things sloppily."
"Probably not."
"For now, we should visit the Beggar Clan and the Hao Gate. See if we can dig up anything."
The Tiger Roar Brigade Leader was skeptical.
"Do you think we'll find anything? The Beggar Clan's activity in Hunan Province is minimal, and the Hao Gate has no reason to cooperate with our clan..."
Though the Beggar Clan, with its hundred thousand members, had an intelligence network across the Central Plains, Hunan Province was nearly an exception.
The unorthodox factions dominated everywhere except commerce, making operations difficult.
Moreover, the Hao Gate itself leaned unorthodox, with rumors of close ties to Hunan's unorthodox groups.
Hwangbo Un-gyeong was well aware.
"No choice. Our clan's network has limits. We have to try something."
* * *
The North Wind Brigade Leader asked.
"Do you think the Hwangbo Clan can find evidence in three days?"
Seol Hwa-un shook his head.
"It won't be easy. They'll probably... fail far more likely."
"Then what will you do?"
Seol Hwa-un smiled.
"What else? Hold the Hwangbo Clan accountable. It might even lead to war with our palace."
The North Wind Brigade Leader looked flustered.
"Pardon? That far..."
"Don't worry too much. It won't come to that. ......I won't let it."
His final words were so soft they were barely audible.
Soon after, the Four Evils Celestial Gate's provocations continued. The Hwangbo Clan spent hectic days investigating the mastermind and responding to the provocations.
Two days passed like that.
After finishing breakfast, Seol Hwa-un quietly left the Hwangbo Clan. As he walked, he paused and looked back.
"No need for escorts."
No sooner had he spoken than the North Wind Brigade Leader appeared.
"As expected, it's hard to evade the Young Palace Lord's eyes. Where are you headed?"
"I'm bored staying inside. Thought I'd take a stroll while I'm at it."
The North Wind Brigade Leader nodded.
"I see. Take care. Don't be too late."
Seol Hwa-un looked surprised.
"Aren't you following to stop me?"
The North Wind Brigade Leader looked puzzled.
"Me? Why would I stop the Young Palace Lord's stroll?"
Seol Hwa-un couldn't help but chuckle.
"I see."
Their eyes met. Seol Hwa-un could sense deep trust in the North Wind Brigade Leader's gaze.
'Thank you, North Wind Brigade Leader.'
"Then I'll be back without delay."
Cupping his fists, he unleashed his lightness skill and vanished.
Left alone, the North Wind Brigade Leader gazed endlessly at Seol Hwa-un's receding figure.
"......"
Having spent months together, he understood Seol Hwa-un's temperament well. He knew exactly what Seol Hwa-un intended now.
'Please, avert the worst outcome.'