Chapter 25: Treasure
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 25: Treasure
“…Hyeok Ryeon-yeom helped with the finances?”
At the Chief Officer’s report, the brow of the Ice Palace Lord, Seol Baek-ho, twitched.
“Where would a fellow like him get that kind of money?”
“I suppose I should have asked him that.”
The jars themselves had looked incredibly ancient.
“At any rate, thanks to him, we can finally breathe a sigh of relief.”
“We’ve ended up in his debt.”
“Yes, My Lord.”
“And how do we repay it?”
“It seems we must engage in trade. Since Young Master Hyeok Ryeon has cleared out the bandits to the south, the trade route to the Central Plains should be open now.”
“Can we finally sell Cold Iron to the Central Plains?”
“Even a single shipment would yield a significant profit.”
The Cold Iron produced by the Ice Palace was highly sought after by the martial artists of the Central Plains for forging swords. Because it was durable and resistant to breaking, swords made of Cold Iron were both popular and expensive.
Until now, the presence of bandits had made it impossible to even consider transporting Cold Iron in bulk to the Central Plains, but the situation had changed. The problem had always been that the merchant groups from the Central Plains couldn't reach the Ice Palace because of those bandits.
“Now that the bandits have been suppressed, the trade route is open. Why not contact the merchant groups and tell them to come for the Cold Iron?”
“And perhaps assign an escort to the merchant group, just in case?”
“Is there anyone other than the Ice Wolf Unit or the Snow Tiger Unit capable of performing such an escort mission?”
The two men locked eyes.
There was someone. Someone they could trust with the task.
“I suspect the Young Lady might want to tag along.”
“It would just be a matter of escorting the merchant group leader. It wouldn't be a bad idea for Yerin to experience the world outside the Ice Palace for once.”
He cherished his daughter, but he had no intention of overprotecting her. He had only been worried that she might die young due to her unique constitution, the Extreme Yin Body. But now that there was a possibility of her recovery through Hyeok Ryeon-yeom, Seol Baek-ho wanted Seol Yerin to gain as much experience as possible.
“If he suppresses the bandits, provides financial aid, and even helps sell our Cold Iron… the Heavenly Demon will feel like he’s lost a precious son.”
“It is strange. He is nothing like the rumors.”
A sudden thought occurred to him. Did the Heavenly Demon really not know about this?
The political marriage had been proposed for the sake of a blood alliance, but for all intents and purposes, Hyeok Ryeon-yeom was a hostage. Initially, Seol Baek-ho hadn't even intended to give him Seol Yerin. However, looking at Hyeok Ryeon-yeom’s recent actions…
‘He is worthy of being a matrilocal son-in-law.’
Even if he was the youngest of the Heavenly Demon’s children, he still carried that bloodline. Even if he hadn't become the Young Cult Leader.
‘In fact, this is a better situation.’
It wouldn't be an exaggeration to call him a talent who could make the Ice Palace great once again.
“What is Hyeok Ryeon-yeom doing now?”
“Yesterday, there was a friction between the Captain of the Ice Wolf Unit and the Captain of the Little Snow Unit.”
“Friction? Over what?”
“It seems to involve Squad Leader Baek of the Little Snow Unit. The Captain of the Little Snow Unit stated he would report back after resolving the matter according to the regulations.”
“Picking a fight with the Captain of the Ice Wolf Unit… he’s certainly becoming a celebrity.”
“He already became a celebrity within the palace the moment he saved the Young Lady.”
The current Ice Palace Lord, Seol Baek-ho, had no children other than his daughter. Furthermore, when rumors spread that the Young Lady, Seol Yerin, might die young due to her constitution, those coveting the position of the next Palace Lord began to emerge from the shadows.
The Council of Elders, in particular, gave off that impression strongly. It felt as if they were all just waiting for Seol Baek-ho to step down and for Seol Yerin to die.
‘Now that Yerin has recovered, the situation has changed.’
Though he had designated Hyeok Ryeon-yeom as the matrilocal son-in-law, there might be sons of the Elders moving to win Seol Yerin’s favor to claim the throne.
“Chief Officer, keep a close eye on anyone attempting to approach Yerin.”
“Yes, My Lord. I understand.”
The Ice Palace Lord had not even begun to think about the next successor. A matrilocal son-in-law? Of course, he had brought Hyeok Ryeon-yeom here under the pretext of a blood alliance, but in truth, Seol Baek-ho believed that Seol Yerin’s own will was the most important factor.
The Young Lady of the Ice Palace, Seol Yerin, woke up from a deep sleep after practicing the secret techniques of Han Seol the Demon Empress. When she asked her maid, she was told she had been asleep for twelve hours.
“To think I slept for twelve hours.”
It was likely because she had completely exhausted her Extreme Yin Qi.
“Emptying it out is what’s important.”
When was the last time she had slept this soundly? Her skin felt moist and refreshed.
“The Third Young Master is…”
Since she had slept for twelve hours, the sun was high in the sky by the time she opened her eyes.
“I believe he is currently at the Ice Wolf Unit’s training hall.”
“The Ice Wolf Unit’s training hall? What business does he have there?”
“While you were sleeping, Young Master Hyeok Ryeon-yeom reportedly had a conflict with the Ice Wolf Unit.”
“What?”
She felt she had to move immediately. That man truly was a magnet for trouble and incidents.
After dismissing her maid, Seol Yerin made her way to the Ice Wolf Unit’s training hall. A short while later, upon arriving, she witnessed a strange sight.
Whimper— Whimper—
A number of Snow Wolves were whimpering in front of Hyeok Ryeon-yeom.
“What… are you doing?”
“Gasp! The Young Lady!”
When she questioned one of the Ice Wolf Unit members who was guarding the perimeter around the wolves, a startled exclamation escaped him.
“Lady Seol?”
At the sudden appearance of the Young Lady, Hyeok Ryeon-yeom turned to look at Seol Yerin.
Step, step.
As Seol Yerin slowly approached, crack, crackle— the ground began to freeze beneath her feet.
“Eek!”
The Ice Wolf Unit members who saw this scrambled back.
“Are you alright?”
“Yes. More importantly, I hope I didn't interrupt your conversation.”
He nodded. Seeing that Seol Yerin was curious about what he was doing, Eun-bin answered for him.
“Currently, the Captain of the Little Snow Unit is choosing a Snow Wolf to take with him.”
“Aren't Snow Wolves only for the Ice Wolf Unit?”
“That is correct. However, because the Ice Wolf Captain and his members committed a wrong against our Captain, they have offered a Snow Wolf pup as an apology.”
“An apology?”
As Seol Yerin looked puzzled, Eun-bin began to explain the whole story.
Hyeok Ryeon-yeom turned back to Baek Mu-yong, leaving Seol Yerin behind him.
“Are you alright with ending it like this, Squad Leader Baek?”
“Of course. I have been granted the right to raise a Snow Wolf even though I am no longer part of the Ice Wolf Unit. Furthermore, Seol Jin-ho has been exiled, so that is enough for me.”
Attempting to kill a comrade was an unforgivable act, even for a branch member of the Seol family and the Captain of the Ice Wolf Unit.
—We will return White Night to Squad Leader Baek and grant the Captain the right to raise one Snow Wolf pup.
Hyeok Ryeon-yeom had wanted a harsher punishment, believing that exile only breeds resentment, but he couldn't get his way. This was because the Deputy Leader of the Ice Wolf Unit—now the Captain—Seol Un-cheol, had pleaded with them.
“I am under no obligation to grant the Deputy Leader’s request.”
“I beg of you. If you ever need help, I will move for the Captain’s sake, no matter when it may be.”
It was a fairly attractive offer. There would surely come a time when he could use the strength of the Ice Wolf Unit.
Hyeok Ryeon-yeom gazed at the Great Snow Wolf, who was sitting in a corner with a dejected expression.
“I also ask this of you.”
Baek Mu-yong seemed to want to give him one more chance. It felt as if he wanted to trust his childhood friend one last time. Hyeok Ryeon-yeom nodded. This was a matter for Baek Mu-yong to decide rather than himself.
More importantly, Hyeok Ryeon-yeom began to examine the Snow Wolf pups. If he traveled with a Snow Wolf, it would likely help erase the feeling that he was a complete outsider.
—Whimper, whimper.
But besides that…
—Ho-oh.
—It seems there is one among them who has truly inherited the bloodline.
The Sword Venerable and the Demon Empress were admiring one of the pups.
“How about this one?”
“That one eats the least and is the least active among the litter. You’d be better off picking another,” Elder Baek Seol-pung advised.
—Hmph, he’d eat if they gave him food he actually likes.
—The problem is they’re trying to raise a pup with a completely different lineage the same way as the others.
It seemed even Elder Baek Seol-pung was unaware of this wolf’s true nature. In that case…
“I’ll take this one.”
With that, he decided to settle the matter with the Ice Wolf Unit. He had worried that Seol Jin-ho might try some other trickery, but…
‘That won't be happening.’
Seol Jin-ho couldn't even meet Hyeok Ryeon-yeom’s eyes. He was merely walking on eggshells beside the Great Snow Wolf. It was a mystery how such a man had ever become the Captain of the Ice Wolf Unit.
—Whimper.
Picking up the pup that the Sword Venerable and the Demon Empress had pointed out, Hyeok Ryeon-yeom left the training hall with the Little Snow Unit and Seol Yerin.
“He’s a cute little thing. What are you planning to name him?”
Sparkle!
The moment Seol Yerin approached the pup, the wolf in Hyeok Ryeon-yeom’s arms leaped toward her.
Plop.
The pup, having jumped into Seol Yerin’s embrace, immediately—
Whooooosh—
It began to suck in Seol Yerin’s Extreme Yin Qi. Only then did Hyeok Ryeon-yeom realize what the pup lived on.
“I’ll have to call him Yin Wolf.”
A wolf that eats Yin Qi. He couldn't just call it "Food," so he took the first part of its nature.
“This little one… the Yin Qi…”
“It seems he might be of help to you, Lady Seol.”
“…Just what on earth happened while I was asleep?”
Quite a lot had happened. He had rescued Baek Mu-yong and White Night, and he had found Han Seol the Demon Empress’s secret vault and obtained a treasure chest. It was more than enough to help the Ice Palace, which was suffering from a severe financial crisis.
“Ah, I have something to show you.”
Originally, he had planned to leave the Ice Palace immediately after settling things with the Ice Wolf Unit. But seeing Seol Yerin, he felt the urge to share what had come out of the Demon Empress’s vault with her.
“We’ll go prepare some light snacks!”
Weizhi Young took Tae Un-seo with her to prepare food. Eun-bin and Baek Mu-yong, as if they had no intention of disturbing them, began to guard the quarters strictly from the outside.
In the end, only Seol Yerin and Hyeok Ryeon-yeom remained.
—Whimper, whimper.
The Yin Wolf, having consumed all of Seol Yerin’s Yin Qi, showed that he wanted to leave her arms.
Hop, hop.
The Yin Wolf then leaped into Hyeok Ryeon-yeom’s arms.
“Hmm?”
Then, pssssssh— steam began to rise from the Yin Wolf’s body.
“This fellow.”
It seemed he was also consuming a bit of Extreme Yang Qi. It felt as if he was warming himself up after eating something too cold. Soon, the fur of the Yin Wolf, which had looked withered and dry, began to take on a healthy sheen.
At that change, Seol Yerin’s eyelids began to tremble.
“…Third Young Master, what is it that you want to show me?”
Seol Yerin, looking as if she were barely restraining something, asked him.
“It’s this.”
Setting the Yin Wolf down to one side, Hyeok Ryeon-yeom held out another treasure he had obtained from the Demon Empress’s vault to Seol Yerin.