Chapter 61
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 61
Chapter Title: Secrets of the Ice Palace
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Quiet your breathing and press yourselves against the wall.
Gangseok was briefly impressed by the strange ability displayed by the man called Black Tiger. He hadn't even sensed a presence, yet the man whispered that someone was approaching, then melted into the cold air and knocked out the lords.
Ive only knocked them out for a moment. Lets pick up the pace.
...Yes, sir.
The word sir, a term he usually reserved for the lords, came naturally to his lips when addressing this man from the Central Plains with his marvelous abilities.
You two, stay focused. We dont have much time.
As Black Tiger said, Chunsik and Gangseok had to heighten their tension. The two of them had come this far as representatives of their village because
Yes! Dont you worry, sir. Chunsik, is this the right place?
...Father, you know my memory is impeccable. I saw the lords moving in large numbers toward the ice cave when I came here before.
They were among those who had run the most errands for the lords. Gangseok, a renowned hunter in the North Sea, and his son Chunsik were known for the fine game they offered as tribute. Thanks to this, they were able to come and go from the Ice Palaces fortress more often than others, giving them a relatively good sense of the layout.
They were brought along with the judgment that they could help save time by ruling out unnecessary locations. As they began walking again, Gangseok cautiously spoke up.
...By the way, that young man from before I mean, who is he, exactly?
Black Tiger turned his head at Gangseok's words. Seeing his questioning expression, Gangseok cleared his throat and continued.
Why would he show such kindness to us, people hes never met before
They have a right to know. This directly affects their lives. We can just get what we want and leave, but they can't. Thats why they need to know whats happening, whats going on. It wont be too late to find what were looking for after weve helped them.
It was a reasonable argument. The ones whose lives were being directly and profoundly affected were not the traveling party who had come all this way for a hundred-year ginseng, but the entire population of the North Sea. The Great Young Lord had insisted that since people had been taken and a conspiracy was brewing among those they trusted as their lords, they must witness it for themselves and spread the word to the people of the North Sea.
How can he offer such help with no reward or compensation? And he seemed to be a man of very high status
Having said his piece, Gangseok looked at Black Tiger.
He is a man who knows how to offer kindness for kindnesss sake and cannot ignore injustice. He is generous to the weak and feels no need to compete with the strong. He is someone who knows how to see through what he believes is right. I dont know what your lords are like, but the man I serve is such a person.
...
At those words, a sense of shame slowly began to envelop Gangseok. Chunsik couldnt even lift his head.
So, as he said, see it with your own two eyes. If what is happening here is nothing, then all is well But if it isnt, you must tell them. The people of the North Sea.
...I will keep that in mind.
After their conversation, they walked on endlessly. Whenever a presence was detected, Black Tiger would expertly erase their own, holding his breath.
Not long after, Chunsik stopped.
This is it.
Where ice crystals bloomed to form a breathtaking vista was a cave with no visible end. An ice cave.
After being momentarily captivated by the stunning scenery, Black Tiger looked at Chunsik and Gangseok.
Are you sure this is the place?
...Yes, sir. I may not know much else, but I pride myself on my memory. Ive been to many places delivering tribute to the lords, but Ive never been allowed here. I heard in passing that its been less than two years since this cave was discovered.
Was that so? As an assassin, Black Tiger was sensitive to his surroundings. The first suspicious thing he had noticed on his way here was the scarcity of people. In a fortress of this scale, which could easily house and accommodate hundreds, there were only a few dozen to be seen.
Moreover, hearing from them that the crowds had dwindled compared to before only fueled his suspicion.
Wooooooosh.
But what if the reason
What if the cause was the discovery of this ice cave right before them?
...Lets move quickly.
The intricate carvings of the Ice Palace were, by anyones standards, spectacular and magnificent. The way the massive ice had been sculpted and infused with frigid qi to prevent collapse showed signs of careful consideration.
Putting aside the eerie atmosphere, it was strange that one could hardly feel the warmth of human presence while looking around this vast fortress.
Even for the Outlands, how can there be so few people staying in a fortress like this?
...It seems something has indeed happened.
The atmosphere was thick with the tension of impending war. The few people they did see from time to time seemed to have their senses on high alert, not at all like people in their own fortress.
Just then.
Shh.
Nodding at my uncles warning, I hid behind a pillar that radiated a cold aura, a blend of white and blue, and held my breath.
Clank, clank.
Im sick of doing this every time.
If youre sick of this, what kind of work do you expect to do?
...Do you have any idea how my heart sinks every time I have to face that old monster in the Ice Prison?
Hes just a man who became like that because hes drunk on past glories, not realizing the times have changed. Besides, arent his limbs sealed with ten-thousand-year cold iron? Dont worry.
The chatting men paused their steps and looked around, forcing me to quickly hold my breath. Did they stop because they sensed something?
But my uncle, watching me from the other side, shook his head.
Their blades are as cold as ice, but their steps are monotonous and their head movements are irregular. We haven't been discovered yet. It's just a suspicious glance. Let's hold our breath and watch.
Hearing the telepathic message, I nodded. It was always best to act cautiously here and not reveal our intrusion, making it easier to escape if needed.
But I dont know why the guys for the next shift arent here yet.
Theyre a lazy bunch, arent they? Taking everyone away for labor just makes it harder for us.
Its so different from before. Were lucky the Vice Palace Lord is handling things well.
...Indeed. We can only hope to get through this without any trouble.
After exchanging a few more words, they passed in front of the pillar, and I held my breath again. I was so careful with my breathing that I erased my presence, and they, seemingly unaware, simply walked on.
As they passed, I looked at my uncle, who was watching me.
Nod.
The Ten-Thousand-Year Ginseng.
With a sharp impression and eyes as cold as ice crystals, the man looking at the handcuffed old man spoke.
Where is it?
Did I not say I do not know?
You dont know? Youre still going to feign ignorance even after we found the ice cave you all tried so hard to hide?
His emotionless voice, combined with the purplish hue of the old mans skin, showed just how much torture he had endured. Despite it all, the old man simply shook his head, showing no intention of answering.
You are truly stubborn.
Vice Palace Lord.
The man frowned at the name that came from the old mans lips.
Who is the Vice Palace Lord? I am the Palace Lord of this North Sea Ice Palace.
Were you that greedy? Greedy enough to sell out the Ice Palace?
At the old mans calm words, the mans eyebrow twitched. What made him so serene when he was at deaths door?
What will be left after youve harmed the people of the North Sea and sold all the members of the Ice Palace to those fiends?
Do you think Im here to listen to your pathetic sermons?
...Ilsang.
The man exhaled sharply and stared into the old mans eyes.
Do not call me that.
Your father is sorry.
Father? What father?
Han Ilsang, now the acting Palace Lord of the North Sea Ice Palace, gestured as if to say it was too late. He then glanced at the unconscious man handcuffed next to the old man.
I was just his replacement, wasnt I?
Replacement? Thats absurd.
Han Taemun, the Palace Lord of the North Sea Ice Palaceno, the now-demoted former Palace Lordendured his uncomfortable position and continued to speak.
I dont know what nonsense those who approached you have filled your head with, but its not too late. Lets go back. If we go back, we can drive them out and restore the skies of the North Sea.
...Huhu. Nonsense. The skies of the North Sea. Not too late.
Han Ilsang picked apart Han Taemuns words one by one, then scoffed and clicked his tongue.
You hid the matter of the ice cave from me and only discussed it with him. In the end, you were planning to give him the Ten-Thousand-Year Ginseng as well. Even though you know what that ginseng means.
...Its a misunderstanding.
Clap, clap clap.
The sound of applause silenced Han Taemun just as he was about to explain, and his serene expression instantly crumpled.
He could tell just from the approaching footsteps. The source of all this.
The one who had tempted the Vice Palace Lord, Han Ilsang, committed atrocities against the people of the North Sea, and pushed the North Sea Ice Palace into a desperate crisis.
As expected, the new Palace Lord is wise. You have a sense of reality and a keen eye. You did well to trust my words and not be deceived. Otherwise, you would surely have been cast out of the North Sea or locked up in this Ice Prison.
It was a figure with a smile playing on his lips. His steps were so light they made no sound on the snow-covered ground. However, the style of his clothing was something one would expect to see in a Taoist sect.
To think that the one you believed to be your father was actually your adoptive father, and the one you believed to be your brother was secretly plotting to usurp you, the Vice Palace Lord, and become the next Palace Lord. Its a good thing you found out beforehand. Its chilling. Isnt that so, Palace Lord?
Contrary to his attire, the backs of his hands and wrists visible between his outstretched sleeves were pitch black. Seeing this, Han Taemun spat out his words one by one, as if vomiting blood.
And you fiends dare to call yourselves a righteous faction?
Righteous faction... Hearing that in the North Sea sounds novel.
How could you...!
The Taoist shook his head and took a step, then another, before tapping the iron bars with his blackened, dead-skinned arm.
That is a relic of a bygone era. Righteous faction, Unorthodox Faction. Who even bothers with such black-and-white logic anymore? Moreover, I hope you wont bring up such rigid ideas here in the Outlands. I simply
A smirk curled the Taoists lips as he looked down at his own two arms with blazing, greedy eyes.
...need to complete this.