Chapter 21: Worsening
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 21: Worsening
“It has been a long time since I’ve sat down to share a drink like this, just the two of us.”
Everyone else had been sent away.
At the Ice Palace Lord’s—no, my father-in-law’s—suggestion that we drink man-to-man, even Seol Yerin had pouted and retreated.
Trickle.
I held out my cup as my father-in-law poured.
I had expected him to test me by infusing the liquor with internal energy, but there was none of that.
After receiving my drink, I quickly took the bottle of baijiu and filled his cup in return.
“Can you hold your liquor?”
“I drink in moderation.”
I thought back on my three past lives.
In my first life, I hadn't touched a drop. As an athlete, I stayed far away from alcohol.
In my second life, I lived as a profligate, determined to do everything I couldn't do in my first. I spent most of that life intoxicated.
In my third life, I lived like a graduate student, so I had no time to enjoy the finer things like singing or drinking.
In other words, this was the first drink I was having since being granted this new chance at life.
“A man must know the Way of Wine.”
My father-in-law downed his baijiu with gusto.
Hyeok Ryeon-yeom followed suit, emptying his cup in one go.
A burning sensation surged down his throat. He nodded as the liquid slid down his esophagus and into his stomach.
“Kaaah—now that’s the stuff.”
“It’s quite good.”
“Ho? Your face hasn't even changed color.”
Before they started, Hyeok Ryeon-yeom and his father-in-law had agreed to drink without utilizing their internal energy. It was a contest to see who had the higher natural tolerance.
‘You’re going to regret this.’
In truth, Hyeok Ryeon-yeom could drink alcohol like it was water.
The Extreme Yang Qi flowing through his body didn't even consider this level of baijiu to be alcohol; it was burned away instantly.
His father-in-law seemed completely unaware of this fact.
“Have another.”
Trickle—
Hyeok Ryeon-yeom’s cup was filled once more, and he returned the favor.
As they drank the straight baijiu without a single side dish, Ryeon-yeom wondered what topic he should bring up.
“Thank you.”
His father-in-law was the first to break the silence.
What was he thanking him for?
For stopping the Extreme Yin Qi from spreading through Seol Yerin?
For wiping out the bandits?
Or… for finding the legacy of the Martial Gods?
Whatever it was.
“I only did what was expected of me.”
It was a reasonable answer.
“Nothing in this world is expected. We were the ones who summoned you to the Ice Palace, and though the Heavenly Demon had no choice but to send you, you could have refused to come if you truly didn't want to.”
He was right.
If I hadn't lived through my previous lives, I probably would have thought about running away.
“I’ve brought some snacks.”
Just as he was about to reply, Tae Un-seo entered carrying food.
Hyeok Ryeon-yeom’s eyebrows twitched at the sight.
“…Who made this?”
“I prepared it together with Lady Weizhi.”
“That’s a relief.”
Only then did he feel safe enough to eat.
The snacks Tae Un-seo brought were icefish sashimi and soup.
“You know how to prepare sashimi?”
“I’m confident in anything involving a blade.”
“I’ll enjoy it, then.”
“Yes, Palace Lord.”
Even though a man who was once a member of the Snow Tiger Unit was now working like a cook, his father-in-law didn't bat an eye.
“Now that the food is here, have another drink.”
Trickle—
The pace of their drinking accelerated significantly.
Gulp. Gulp. Gulp.
Hyeok Ryeon-yeom continuously accepted every drink his father-in-law offered.
Sssss—
The alcohol passing through his esophagus couldn't withstand the heat of his Extreme Yang Qi.
“This is tastier than I expected.”
The icefish sashimi Tae Un-seo had sliced was exquisite. As expected, Weizhi Young’s skills were exceptional.
And so, Hyeok Ryeon-yeom continued to share drinks with his father-in-law, remaining perfectly sober.
Endlessly.
*
‘This brat, why isn't he getting drunk?’
They had clearly promised not to use internal energy.
The number of empty bottles between them had already surpassed twenty.
Seol Baek-ho usually drank quite a bit, but this was the first time he had consumed more than ten bottles in a single sitting.
The problem was that he was starting to feel like he might lose this drinking bout—a contest he had been certain he would win.
“I think we’ve had enough to drink for now, so speak plainly.”
“About what, sir?”
“What is it that you want?”
He asked point-blank.
Seol Baek-ho was no fool.
As soon as the boy arrived at the Ice Palace, he treated the Young Palace Lord, Seol Yerin.
He became the captain of a combat unit and earned the recognition of the North Sea people by subjugating bandits.
On top of that, he even recovered the legacy of the North Sea Martial Gods that no one else could find.
If he married the Young Palace Lord now, he might truly be recognized as the matrilocal son-in-law of the North Sea Ice Palace.
‘If that happens, I’ll become the first Ice Palace Lord in history to take a son-in-law from the Demonic Cult.’
Historically, the relationship between the Heavenly Demon Cult and the North Sea Ice Palace was closer to that of mortal enemies.
Though the exact moment their relations soured had been forgotten by the public, the mere fact that the two entities were entering a political marriage carried immense weight in the martial world.
That was why the Ice Palace Lord was curious about Hyeok Ryeon-yeom’s intentions.
If this was all part of the boy’s strategy, then the Palace Lord had been completely played.
He wanted to know.
What did the boy want?
“There is exactly one thing I want.”
“What is it?”
“Your daughter.”
Pause.
Seol Baek-ho’s hand froze as he was about to take another sip.
“…You want my daughter?”
His burning gaze pierced through Hyeok Ryeon-yeom.
“Yes, that’s correct.”
“I’d like to hear the reason.”
This was a political marriage based on a blood alliance.
He had assumed there would be no genuine affection between the two.
But it seemed this brat had other ideas.
“That is a strange thing to ask. I, too, possess a constitution that makes it impossible to find a normal partner for life. However, I felt that if I were with Lady Seol, I could lead a happy married life.”
The Extreme Yang Body and the Extreme Yin Body had met.
Where else could one find a better match?
“So, you’re saying you actually like Yerin.”
“Yes. If it were up to me, I’d take responsibility for her right this moment.”
“……And yet?”
“I am still lacking in many ways.”
As Hyeok Ryeon-yeom humbled himself, Seol Baek-ho’s expression shifted strangely.
“Who would dare say you are lacking?”
Along with the change in his form of address, Seol Baek-ho’s aura shifted.
Hyeok Ryeon-yeom smirked as he watched his father-in-law’s eyes flare with intensity.
“Father-in-law, I believe you just used your internal energy.”
Seol Baek-ho flinched.
He realized he had subconsciously circulated his qi.
“No!”
“It seems I’ve won today’s drinking bout.”
“Nonsense! There is still so much liquor left…!”
His pride as the Ice Palace Lord was at stake; Seol Baek-ho was about to insist they keep drinking when—
SLAM!
“Father! Just how long do you plan on drinking?!”
A cold-faced Seol Yerin marched in.
“Ye-Yerin.”
“How much are you going to make a man drink when he just returned from a mission today…?”
How long had it been since his daughter had raised her voice like this?
“Gaga, get up.”
“Huh? Oh, alright.”
In a tone colder than usual, Seol Yerin pulled Hyeok Ryeon-yeom to his feet.
“We are going to sleep now. You should rest too, Father.”
“Go-Going to sleep? Are you saying you’re going to share a room…?”
“Palace Lord.”
Cr-crack—
They say a woman’s grudge can bring frost in midsummer, but she was going beyond that—she was practically freezing her own father solid.
Sensing that staying any longer would be dangerous, Hyeok Ryeon-yeom stood up and gave a fist salute, pretending to be dragged away.
“Let’s finish our match next time, Father-in-law.”
The Ice Palace Lord, Seol Baek-ho, couldn't respond.
He was frozen.
After Seol Yerin and Hyeok Ryeon-yeom left the room.
Crack—
The ice covering Seol Baek-ho fell away.
“Her ice arts have become quite fierce.”
Regardless.
“What an audacious brat.”
Calling him 'father-in-law' at every turn until the very end.
Seol Baek-ho really didn't like the feeling that he was actually starting to treat Hyeok Ryeon-yeom like a real son-in-law.
*
“Why were you still awake?”
“Ahem, I was so worried about what the Palace Lord might say that I couldn't sleep.”
Seol Yerin sighed and stole a glance at Hyeok Ryeon-yeom.
“He didn't say anything strange, did he?”
“Nothing particularly strange.”
“Then what did you talk about…?”
Seeing her genuine curiosity, Hyeok Ryeon-yeom gave her a mischievous grin.
“It’s a secret between men.”
“H-Hmph. I’m not even curious!”
She looked very curious.
Hyeok Ryeon-yeom laughed as he headed toward his quarters.
In any case, it was true that he had escaped his father-in-law’s clutches thanks to Seol Yerin.
“Let’s get some sleep. We have to start moving again tomorrow.”
“…Are you really planning to find all the legacies of the Martial Gods?”
“Of course.”
Hyeok Ryeon-yeom looked to his side.
—Hehe, what are you looking at?
—What lovely children.
As long as Hyeok Ryeon-yeom carried the Snow Wind Sword and the Han Seol Secret Mirror, the Sword Venerable and the Demon Empress were always with him.
The common thread was that all the Martial Gods possessed the same Extreme Yin Qi that Seol Yerin had.
“See you tomorrow, then.”
“Wait a moment.”
“What is it?”
“…I want to see the Han Seol Secret Mirror.”
At Seol Yerin’s request, Hyeok Ryeon-yeom turned to the Demon Empress.
—I was wondering when we’d finally get to talk. Won't you introduce us?
Han Seol the Demon Empress wore a gentle smile.
And so, the two women met.
Holding the Han Seol Secret Mirror, Seol Yerin stared at the Demon Empress before her with eyes full of tension.
—It’s a pleasure. My name is Jang So-ryeong.
“It’s… a pleasure to meet you.”
Seeing Seol Yerin’s nerves, Jang So-ryeong smiled brightly.
—There’s no need to be so tense. Just think of me as your grandmother and speak comfortably.
“G-Grandmother?”
—I may not look it, but I’m quite a bit older than you, Young Lady.
Jang So-ryeong’s face, which usually maintained its youthful beauty, began to fill with wrinkles.
Seeing her look so kind and grandmotherly, Seol Yerin finally seemed to relax.
“I look forward to working with you!”
Watching them, Hyeok Ryeon-yeom prepared to leave.
Since serious training on how to handle Extreme Yin Qi was about to begin, he figured he should step out.
At that moment.
—And where do you think you’re going?
The Demon Empress’s voice struck his ears.
“Pardon?”
—She needs a partner to practice with.
“You need an opponent?”
—Of course. And you’re the only one who can truly act as an opponent for the Young Lady.
“I wouldn't say the only one…”
—Young Lady, you want to learn how to control your rampaging Extreme Yin Qi, right?
“Yes… that’s right!”
—Then right now, pour every ounce of your Extreme Yin Qi into Hyeok Ryeon-yeom.
“What?”
—I mean blast him with enough force to turn him into an ice statue, just like you did to the others.
Wait.
“Elder Demon Empress?”
—You don't need to worry. Hyeok Ryeon-yeom is a mass of Extreme Yang Qi with an Extreme Yang Body! No matter how much Extreme Yin Qi you release, he won't freeze.
“Yes, I understand!”
Following the Demon Empress’s instructions, Seol Yerin turned to Hyeok Ryeon-yeom with sparkling eyes.
“Third Young Master, please take care of me.”
“Wa-Wait a minute…!”
Flash! Crackle!
Before Hyeok Ryeon-yeom could say another word, the Extreme Yin Qi fired by Seol Yerin froze the space right next to him.
“As I thought… it’s hard to control. I’ll definitely hit you this time.”
—At maximum power!
“Yes!”
Wooooom—
As Seol Yerin gathered her Extreme Yin Qi, Hyeok Ryeon-yeom was forced to summon his Extreme Yang Qi.
If he just stood there, he really would be frozen solid.
“Stay right there!”
“Hey, this is training! Why are you actually trying to freeze me?!”
“Lady Demon Empress told me to!”
Watching the two of them bicker, the Sword Venerable muttered to himself.
—Hehe, to be young again.
—They’re in the prime of their lives.
The Demon Empress, having ordered Seol Yerin to unleash her energy, sat down next to the Sword Venerable.
—By the way, seeing you like this, you’ve aged quite gracefully.
—Come to think of it, this is the first time you’ve seen me like this, Master.
—Indeed.
—Hoho, it’ll be troublesome if you fall for me.
—Hehe, you’re as wicked as ever.
—And who do you think taught me?
The night deepened under the faint light of the full moon.
*
At that same hour.
“Bring more wine.”
The Ice King, Seol Baek-ho, gave an order to Chief Officer Seol Su-hyeok, who had visited the Palace Lord’s Hall.
Looking at Seol Baek-ho, Seol Su-hyeok spoke with a stiff expression.
“Palace Lord, I apologize, but I cannot bring any more.”
“…And why is that?”
“There is no more wine in the storehouse.”
Seol Baek-ho’s eyebrows twitched.
“Then go buy some.”
“We have… no funds, Palace Lord. You know this.”
Seol Baek-ho’s face hardened at Seol Su-hyeok’s words.
Seol Su-hyeok continued.
“We have nothing left to sell. The astronomical sums spent trying to save the Young Lady have left us with no reserves.”
As Seol Su-hyeok said, Seol Baek-ho had exhausted every possible means to save Seol Yerin.
He had been so desperate that he had even sold off the inner cores and treasures that were once the pride of the Ice Palace.
The reason they had been forced to leave the bandit groups unchecked was also due to these internal circumstances.
This had led to a vicious cycle where even trade with the Central Plains was cut off.
When an organization runs out of money, problems erupt from all sides.
Such was the current reality of the North Sea Ice Palace, riddled with mounting issues.
Thinking of it that way, Seol Baek-ho secretly felt immensely grateful for Hyeok Ryeon-yeom’s contributions.
“…I suppose it really is time to find a way out.”
Seol Baek-ho fell into thought, fingering the empty wine cup in his hand.