Chapter 31: Moyong
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 31: Moyong
The Heavenly Demon, Hyeok Ryeon-hwi, recalled how Hyeok Ryeon-yeom had readily agreed to leave for the Ice Palace without raising a single objection.
“Was it truly a betrothal gift?”
“I mentioned it because I thought it would be nice if it were. It doesn't seem they’ve reached that stage quite yet.”
“I shall deduct the cost of the teacup from the Strategist’s monthly stipend.”
Sima Yi flashed a bitter smile at those words. He had made the comment to lighten the heavy atmosphere, but it had backfired on him.
“So, did they say how Yeom is faring?”
“Yes. It seems the Ice Palace Lord trusts him quite a bit. I heard he was put in charge of the unit guarding the Young Palace Lord.”
“That wastrel of a third son is leading a unit?”
“I had many concerns, but it seems they were unfounded.”
“What do you think, Strategist?”
“About what, specifically?”
“What do you think about the fact that Yeom, who lived his life as a scoundrel, began living a normal life the moment he arrived at the Ice Palace?”
“Wouldn't it be one of two things?”
Either his behavior at the Cult had been an entire act, or some catalyst at the Ice Palace had allowed him to finally spread his wings. That was the opinion of the Strategist, Sima Yi.
“Which of the two do you think is more likely?”
“Well… the former, I suppose.”
Hyeok Ryeon-yeom was never supposed to stand out within the Heavenly Demon Cult. Sima Yi was well aware of the reason why.
Knock, knock, knock—
“Cult Leader. Young Master Hyeok Ryeon-geuk has arrived.”
‘…Geuk?’
The light in the Heavenly Demon’s eyes sank coldly.
“Enter.”
The doors to the Cult Leader’s Hall swung open, and in an instant, a heavy Demonic Qi flooded the corridor. At the center of that energy, a man with a physique like a mountain slowly stepped inside.
It was the Heavenly Demon’s eldest son, Hyeok Ryeon-geuk.
“It has been a long time, Cult Leader.”
Befitting a man touted as the next leader of the Heavenly Demon Cult, Demonic Qi rippled with every step he took. There was not a hint of warmth in his cold, piercing gaze.
As he watched him, the Heavenly Demon’s eyes gradually grew colder. The image of his third son, Hyeok Ryeon-yeom—who was the polar opposite of this man—flickered in his mind. That contrast made Hyeok Ryeon-hwi’s heart turn cold.
‘Has he been deceiving the world all this time… just to survive?’
Hyeok Ryeon-geuk was a man of great ambition. If the second or third son had shown any talent since childhood, Geuk would have tried to crush them before they could even sprout.
“It has been a while. What brings you here?”
“I heard that a gift arrived from the Ice Palace, so I stopped by. I was also curious about how Yeom is doing since he left. Is he faring well there?”
On the surface, he looked like a proper older brother caring for his sibling. However, Hyeok Ryeon-hwi saw right through his intentions.
‘Does Geuk not have any spies planted in the Ice Palace?’
To Hyeok Ryeon-hwi’s eyes, it seemed the only reason Geuk had visited the hall was to gather information on Hyeok Ryeon-yeom. Currently, there was only one thing Hyeok Ryeon-geuk wanted.
‘Geuk likely wants me to officially appoint him as the Young Cult Leader.’
But the Cult Leader knew all too well that such a moment would be the beginning of ruin.
Sizzle—
The Demonic Qi enveloping Hyeok Ryeon-geuk’s body surged like a wave. It was the Heavenly Demon Divine Art. The Demonic Qi emitted by this art preyed upon all other energies. It was proof that he had already mastered the eighth stage of the technique, which was passed down only to the Cult Leader’s legitimate heirs.
It was a martial art that could not be taught to the second son, Hyeok Ryeon-mu, or the third, Hyeok Ryeon-yeom. Thus, neither of them had learned it.
‘If things continue like this….’
It was certain that Hyeok Ryeon-geuk would reach the twelfth stage of the Heavenly Demon Divine Art and become the strongest Heavenly Demon in history. And if that happened…
‘He will try to erase the second and third sons from this world.’
Hyeok Ryeon-geuk was more than capable of doing so.
“I am not sure. This gift was merely a formal exchange, so I cannot say for certain.”
Thus, the father spoke a lie.
“Is that so? I only hope he stays quiet while he is at the Ice Palace.”
“Once he marries the Young Palace Lord, Yeom will no longer be a member of this Cult anyway.”
If that happened, perhaps Geuk would let Yeom live.
“Has a wedding date been set?”
“Not yet.”
“Oh, that is a relief. I haven't even been able to give my brother a gift before his wedding.”
“A gift?”
At Hyeok Ryeon-hwi’s question, Hyeok Ryeon-geuk replied with a smile.
“Yes. Shouldn't I fulfill my duty as the eldest brother? Don't you agree, Strategist?”
Sima Yi glanced at Hyeok Ryeon-hwi before speaking.
“Yes, there shouldn't be any problem with fulfilling one's duty, but….”
“The Strategist agrees. I wonder what the Cult Leader thinks?”
Hyeok Ryeon-hwi’s brow twitched at the sight of the smiling Hyeok Ryeon-geuk. He had been displeased with the way the Cult had been running lately, as a significant portion of its power was gradually shifting into Geuk’s hands.
Even so… the attitude Geuk was displaying right now…
“…Geuk, your behavior has been insolent for some time now.”
It was not the attitude one should show to the Cult Leader. Hyeok Ryeon-hwi released his aura and began to press down on Hyeok Ryeon-geuk.
Rumble—
Geuk flinched. His knees shook for a moment, but he soon endured it, forcing himself to maintain his smile. Seeing this, Hyeok Ryeon-hwi’s expression hardened.
‘Has he already grown this much?’
Though he could no longer exert the same power as before due to past injuries, he hadn't expected Geuk to withstand his pressure. Reaching a level where he could endure this momentum meant his growth was faster than Hyeok Ryeon-hwi had anticipated.
Eventually, the Cult Leader withdrew his aura.
“Fine. Do as you wish.”
As if he had been waiting for those words, Hyeok Ryeon-geuk maintained his smile, gave a fist salute, and continued.
“Yes. Then I suppose I should relay the Cult Leader’s wishes to Yeom and the Ice Palace Lord?”
“What do you mean…?”
“I wish to send a return gift. I would be grateful for your permission.”
Hyeok Ryeon-hwi’s eyes flashed at the response. This had been his goal from the start. He could find no excuse to refuse Geuk’s proposal.
*
Days of training with Seol Yerin continued as they searched for clues regarding her Extreme Yin Body. Hyeok Ryeon-yeom focused on the Sword Venerable’s Snow Wind Sword, while Seol Yerin practiced the Demon Empress’s Cold Snow Secret Realm.
Time began to flow like water while the two were immersed in mastering their martial arts. To root out the traitors, the task of monitoring the elders' movements had been left to the Little Snow Unit. However, after Hyeok Ryeon-yeom’s visit to the Council of Elders, the elders remained secluded and did not move.
Then, one day.
“Go to Liaoning Province.”
News had arrived that a merchant group was visiting the North Sea for the Cold Iron trade they had discussed previously. Although most of the mounted bandits had been wiped out, remnants likely remained. Their mission was to evade their eyes and safely escort the merchants to the Ice Palace.
That was the order from the Ice Palace Lord, Seol Baek-ho.
“I want to go too.”
Upon hearing that Hyeok Ryeon-yeom was heading to Liaoning, the Young Palace Lord, Seol Yerin, declared she would also leave the palace.
“Very well, go ahead.”
“Even if Father objects… wait, what?”
She had expected Seol Baek-ho to refuse her request. The permission came so easily that Seol Yerin tilted her head in confusion.
“Is it… really okay for me to go?”
“Of course. The Captain of the Little Snow Unit will take responsibility, won't he?”
Grin.
The smile on Seol Baek-ho’s face clearly implied that if Seol Yerin so much as got a scratch, he would break Hyeok Ryeon-yeom’s legs.
“I shall return safely.”
“Yes. Go now.”
After securing firm permission, Hyeok Ryeon-yeom headed for Liaoning Province with the Little Snow Unit. Since it was a rare outing beyond the Ice Palace—and even closer to the Central Plains this time—Seol Yerin seemed quite excited, though she didn't show it outwardly.
“Have you heard who we are supposed to bring back?”
“I received the sketches and personal information from the Chief Officer.”
It was quickly becoming clear who Chief Officer Seol Su-hyeok trusted most in the Little Snow Unit. As they moved, Weizhi Young began to explain.
“First, we need to bring back two people: the son of the Moyong Merchant Group’s leader and his bodyguard.”
“Only two?”
“The second task is to persuade them and sell the Cold Iron at the highest possible price.”
“We’re supposed to… handle the sale too?”
“Yes, Young Master. And there is one more thing.”
“What is it?”
“The Moyong Merchant Group is operated by the Moyong Family. They are one of the Five Great Clans of the Orthodox Faction. The Chief Officer said it would be good to let them know that the Ice Palace is still going strong.”
The moment he thought about why they needed to show the Ice Palace’s strength to the Moyong Family…
‘Certainly….’
Memories of his past life began to resurface.
‘The Five Great Clans.’
Among them, the Moyong Family was a martial clan that had become more famous for its merchant group than its martial arts. This was because the Moyong Family had produced the man who came to be known as the Merchant King.
‘When did the Merchant King of the Moyong Family start being called that?’
He couldn't remember the details. Regardless, everyone knew that the Ice Palace’s long-standing desire was to establish a foundation in a warmer region. In other words, the place the Ice Palace wanted to settle was the Central Plains. And to migrate to the Central Plains…
‘They would need massive amounts of money, influence, and power.’
However, the current martial world of the Central Plains likely didn't view the Ice Palace in such a light. The isolation caused by the mounted bandits was the biggest factor, and it had been a long time since the warriors of the Ice Palace had roamed the Central Plains.
- Tsk, tsk. To think the Ice Palace has fallen to this state.
- Why do you say that?
- In my day, the people of the Jianghu trembled whenever I made an appearance.
- Oh my, that sounds just like me.
- Then it seems the problems started when the Ice Crystal began acting up.
Listening to the conversation between the Martial Gods, it seemed the Ice Palace did indeed have a glorious past. Now, Hyeok Ryeon-yeom had to recreate that glory.
“Everyone confirmed the three objectives?”
“We have, but… are we really leaving right now?”
When Hyeok Ryeon-yeom nodded with an indifferent expression, Baek Mu-yong muttered, “I was just wondering how long it would take to get all the way to Liaoning.”
The distance was certainly great.
“How long would it take if we used lightness techniques?”
- Heh, you should be able to cover it in two days.
- With this many people? Maybe three?
Synthesizing the words of the Sword Venerable and the Demon Empress, it would take two to three days of running to reach Liaoning.
“I’ll go pack some ingredients!”
Hyeok Ryeon-yeom watched Weizhi Young rush off with Tae Un-seo, then turned to his side.
“Surely, you aren't taking the Young Palace Lord as well?”
“I have to.”
The moment they were delayed, they would be away for seven days round-trip. Considering Seol Yerin’s current health, her Extreme Yin Qi could flare up again if Hyeok Ryeon-yeom wasn't around. When he explained this to Eun-bin…
“…I suppose there’s no choice. I’ll bring her.”
And so, with Seol Yerin in tow, they ran for two days and nights straight until they reached the border of Liaoning Province.
“Here.”
“Thank you.”
Seol Yerin handed ice-cold water to everyone. Her ice arts made her practically a walking refrigerator. The two days spent traveling to Liaoning were very peaceful. Why? Because they did nothing but run like mad using lightness techniques.
‘Thanks to that, my control over my energy has improved significantly.’
They ran until late at night, consuming their internal energy to the limit, and only rested when one of them collapsed from exhaustion. The Little Snow Unit kept up with this forced march. The person he had been most worried about was Weizhi Young, but…
‘I underestimated a maid from the Demonic Cult.’
Despite the constant running, Weizhi Young didn't give up and even encouraged Tae Un-seo as they ran.
- I didn't know running could be this wonderful.
Surprisingly, Seol Yerin truly enjoyed using lightness techniques. Perhaps because it was her first time running like this, a faint smile occasionally appeared on her usually expressionless face. Seeing that, Hyeok Ryeon-yeom thought:
‘She’s a monster.’
To be able to smile while running like that. She had great stamina and was beautiful to boot. In the modern world, she would have been a prized recruit for any running crew.
Baek Mu-yong ran quite comfortably, saying he had often run with White Night. Unexpectedly, the one who struggled the most was Eun-bin.
“Th-this is a disgrace… pant, pant.”
Hyeok Ryeon-yeom chuckled at the fact that even Eun-bin, who would later become a Saint of Killing, was bad at running.
“You don't seem very tired, Young Master?”
“Yeah, not really.”
He had always had good stamina since his first life. With martial arts added to that foundation, Hyeok Ryeon-yeom had developed iron-like endurance that rarely faltered.
“Sometimes, I think you’re truly amazing.”
Seol Yerin suddenly threw a compliment his way. It seemed she had done a lot of thinking while running. But the amazing one was Seol Yerin. It took immense courage for someone who had always been confined to her home to step outside and travel. Right now, Seol Yerin was doing her best to live life to the fullest.
“The one who is actually amazing is—”
Just as he was about to say it was her…
- I see them over there.
The Sword Venerable’s voice rang out.
“I think those are the people.”
Flutter—
In the distance outside Liaoning, people holding flags bearing the symbol of the Moyong Family came into view.