Chapter 36: Bare Hand Demon Art
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 36: Bare Hand Demon Art
“A matrilocal son-in-law? The youngest son of the Demonic Cult’s Leader?! What is the meaning of this, Sister?!”
Han Seol-bi’s scream echoed through the hall.
Hearing that voice, Seol Yerin wore a troubled expression. The Family Heads of the Five Great Families of the Ice Palace were all watching.
In the past, Seol Yerin wouldn’t have cared whether they were looking or not; she would have simply said whatever she wanted. But things were different now. Every word she uttered would draw a reaction, so she had to be as careful as possible.
“That’s how it turned out, Seol-bi.”
“So… it’s true.”
Swish!
Han Seol-bi’s gaze shifted, scrutinizing Hyeok Ryeon-yeom. It was frustrating, but he did look remarkably well-suited for Seol Yerin.
“But, Sister!”
Just as she was about to raise her voice again—
“Han Seol-bi.”
Flinch.
At the sound of that heavy, dignified voice, Han Seol-bi slowly turned around. It was Han Myeong-gwang, the Family Head of the Cold Blood Han Family, who had called her.
Gulp.
“F-Family Head.”
“This is not your place to interfere.”
“Yes, sir.”
Han Seol-bi quickly retreated.
“Palace Lord. I understand putting him in charge of the Little Snow Unit because the Captain saved the Young Palace Lord’s life. But a matrilocal son-in-law? This sounds as if you intend to form an alliance with our arch-enemy, the Demonic Cult,” said Baek Il-sang, the Family Head of the Ice Wolf Baek Family.
Seol Baek-ho replied simply, “That is correct.”
“...?”
“...Are you saying you intend to form an alliance? With the Demonic Cult?”
Vroooom—
The Palace Lord’s Hall began to vibrate.
“I believe I have already given my answer.”
A massive wave of cold energy erupted from Seol Baek-ho’s entire body. A bone-chilling aura began to consume the hall.
That is the true form of the Ice King, Seol Baek-ho.
The Ice Palace Lord, who had neglected the palace’s affairs to save Seol Yerin, was finally moving again.
“Palace Lord. No matter if it is you, proceeding with such matters without any consultation with us is...”
Just as Gwak Un-cheol, the Family Head of the Snow Tiger Gwak Family, began to speak—
“Could you tell me exactly what the problem with the Demonic Cult is, Family Heads?”
Hyeok Ryeon-yeom stepped forward.
“You brat! This is not a place for you to butt in!”
Gwak Un-cheol exploded with his internal energy. It was clearly intended to crush the young man’s spirit upon their first meeting, but—
Whoosh!
A small flame flickered, and the energy touching Hyeok Ryeon-yeom was instantly neutralized. He had burned the energy itself.
“What in the...”
“If I, the party involved, cannot speak, then who can? I am well aware that the perception of the Sacred Cult is not good. However, I ask that you look at me as a person first, rather than focusing on my origins.”
The moment Hyeok Ryeon-yeom finished speaking—
“Shouldn’t you listen to my opinion as well?”
As the Young Palace Lord, Seol Yerin, stepped forward, the Family Heads turned to her with burning intensity.
“Yes, exactly! We must hear from the person herself!”
“Indeed! There’s no way the Young Palace Lord would agree to an engagement with a Demonic Cult bastard.”
Only Jang Un-seong, the Family Head of the Guardian Jang Family, remained silent.
“I’m going to do it.”
“...?”
“What?”
“Since it hasn’t been long since we met, I intend to proceed with the engagement ceremony first. Whether we actually marry after meeting is something we will figure out in time. The Captain of the Little Snow Unit—no, the Third Young Master—is the benefactor who allowed me to step out into the world again.”
This time, it was Hyeok Ryeon-yeom who looked flustered.
First, she had called him ‘Gaga’ in front of Seol Baek-ho, and now this. Seol Yerin usually couldn’t say such things, yet she was speaking quite fluently in front of others. She was making sure Hyeok Ryeon-yeom’s dignity was upheld.
“...”
“Since the Young Palace Lord has spoken so firmly, I hope the Family Heads will reconsider. I called you here today to discuss this.”
It was a declaration that things would change now that the Young Palace Lord had recovered. The Family Heads of the Five Great Families stared at Hyeok Ryeon-yeom in silence. All these changes had begun the moment he arrived at the Ice Palace.
The Family Heads departed.
Remaining in the Palace Lord’s Hall were Seol Baek-ho, Seol Su-hyeok, Seol Yerin, Hyeok Ryeon-yeom, and Han Seol-bi. Normally, Han Seol-bi should have followed Family Head Han Myeong-gwang, but Seol Yerin had kept her behind. She knew all too well what would happen to Han Seol-bi if she followed him now.
“I didn’t expect you to make such a declaration in front of everyone,” Seol Baek-ho said, looking at Seol Yerin.
“I thought it would be best to hold the engagement ceremony. Since I’m not fully cured yet, we should at least have an engagement to keep the Third Young Master tied to the Ice Palace, shouldn’t we?”
I don’t have any intention of leaving even if you don’t tie me down.
“An engagement, then. I’ll have to send a carrier pigeon to the Demonic Cult.”
“Palace Lord, I heard the Demonic Cult has sent an envoy to return the favor for the gift you sent previously. Couldn’t we just send the message back with them?”
Wait.
He thought he had just heard something strange.
“An envoy?”
“I sent a gift to the Heavenly Demon as a reward for treating the Young Palace Lord. It seems they are sending a return envoy in response.”
...The great Ice Palace Lord sent a gift to the Cult Leader?
Hyeok Ryeon-yeom imagined the Cult Leader and the Strategist must have been quite shocked to receive it.
Anyway, an envoy is coming.
He was very curious about who would come. If the information the envoy gathered was passed on to Hyeok Ryeon-geuk...
That might be a bit problematic.
What Hyeok Ryeon-yeom was doing at the Ice Palace was essentially preparation for dealing with the Demonic Cult in the future. He had to prevent information about himself from reaching Hyeok Ryeon-geuk at all costs.
“You don’t seem particularly pleased that people from your hometown are visiting the Ice Palace.”
“Well, an illegitimate son has his circumstances.”
At those words, Seol Baek-ho’s eyes narrowed.
“Is there something you wish to request of this Palace Lord?”
After sharing that bottle of Baijiu, his father-in-law’s attitude toward him seemed to have changed subtly. After a moment of thought, Hyeok Ryeon-yeom spoke.
“Could you allow me to handle things as I wish, at least while the envoy is visiting?”
“If that is what you want.”
“Thank you.”
Such boldness—to agree without even asking what he would request. He was truly the Lord of the Ice Palace.
“How did the deal with the Moyong Merchant Group go?”
“They decided to take everything. Young Master Moyong Geum is currently resting at the guest quarters due to travel fatigue.”
“Ensure he is strictly protected so that the son of the Merchant Group Leader comes to no harm.”
Ah.
With that one sentence from his father-in-law, Hyeok Ryeon-yeom realized he had been too lax with Moyong Geum. The boy was from a prestigious Orthodox family, one of the Five Great Clans of the Central Plains. The leader of the Moyong Merchant Group was the younger brother of the Moyong Family Head, and Moyong Geum was his son. If such a person were harmed at the Ice Palace, the Moyong Family might march on them immediately.
If there really is a spy within the Ice Palace...
Moyong Geum would look like very sweet bait.
“I believe I should go check on him.”
“Why? Do you think something might happen?”
“The possibility... is not zero.”
His father-in-law had listened when he mentioned the possibility of a spy last time.
“Then, Captain of the Little Snow Unit, you may go.”
“Yes, Palace Lord.”
“I’ll go too...!”
“I think you and I need to have a little chat,” Seol Yerin interrupted Han Seol-bi.
“Sister...?”
“...Go help the Captain, Seol-bi.”
“Yes, I understand!”
Hyeok Ryeon-yeom, after glancing briefly at Seol Yerin, stepped outside. Just as he was about to move quickly toward Moyong Geum—
“Excuse me.”
Han Seol-bi spoke to him.
“What is it?”
“...Your speech is a bit informal, isn’t it?”
“Didn’t you call Lady Seol your sister?”
“I did, but...”
“Then I shall speak down to you.”
In terms of hierarchy, Hyeok Ryeon-yeom was her sister’s husband.
“...That’s somehow frustrating.”
“Then you can speak informally to me too.”
As they moved toward the guest quarters, Hyeok Ryeon-yeom observed Han Seol-bi. She was the daughter of the Cold Blood Han Family Head. Based on her background alone, she was practically on par with Seol Yerin.
I suppose that’s why they can call each other sisters.
“That’s not a bad idea.”
He didn’t expect her to drop the formalities so immediately.
“So, why did you call me?”
“Oh, I was curious. Do you really intend to marry my sister? I heard her opinion, but I don’t think I’ve heard yours.”
“Why are you curious about that?”
Sssss—
He had only said one sentence, but a chill began to settle around them. It wasn’t quite Extreme Yin Qi, but—
Crackle—
It was enough to stop Hyeok Ryeon-yeom in his tracks.
“...What are you doing?”
“That’s what I want to say. If you’re just playing with my sister...”
Frost began to form at his toes. But it only lasted for a moment.
Whoosh!
“I’m sorry, did you say your name was Han Seol-bi?”
Flames erupted.
“W-What...?”
“I don’t intend to tolerate someone radiating killing intent at me, even if they are Lady Seol’s sister.”
Flutter—
Just like the frost that had touched his shoes moments ago, a butterfly with flickering wings of flame landed on the tip of Han Seol-bi’s foot.
“Kyaaa!”
The flame popped, singeing the ends of Han Seol-bi’s hair.
“Gasp!”
“Playing with her? I plan to protect the Young Palace Lord for the rest of my life, so you’d better worry about yourself.”
He wondered if he had gone too far, but Hyeok Ryeon-yeom hated being restrained because of the memories of his past life. His business with Seol Yerin was something to be discussed with her directly. He didn’t need third-party interference.
Grit—
Then, touching her slightly singed hair, Han Seol-bi seemed to grit her teeth.
“My sister... she never told anyone, but she was always trembling with fear. Fear that her constitution would one day consume her. From the moment she became an adult and the Extreme Yin Qi grew to a terrifying level, she lost her voice, and I couldn’t even see her anymore.”
Hyeok Ryeon-yeom stopped walking and looked back at her.
“To save her, I looked into everything I could, and the Palace Lord brought in the Divine Physician and tried countless methods, but her constitution couldn’t be cured.”
And then, Hyeok Ryeon-yeom appeared. After his arrival, Seol Yerin recovered and was able to walk outside. Han Seol-bi was happy about that, but she also lamented that it wasn’t her who had saved her sister. So she wanted to see him, to meet him. She wanted to know what kind of person had saved Seol Yerin.
But then.
A matrilocal son-in-law?
The man who would marry her sister? And he was from the Demonic Cult, of all places.
It’s frustrating.
Furthermore, after a brief exchange of moves, he seemed to be incredibly strong.
—Seol-bi, listen well. The Captain of the Little Snow Unit is the youngest son of the Demonic Cult’s Leader. The moment the Young Palace Lord marries him, the Ice Palace might fall into the hands of the Demonic Cult. You must stop it at all costs.
Han Seol-bi had heard the secret voice transmission from Han Myeong-gwang, the Family Head of the Cold Blood Han Family.
So—
Protect her for the rest of your life?
It had to be a lie.
“Who do you think you are, suddenly appearing and taking my sister away from me?!”
Her blood began to run cold. A blue energy surged forth, beginning to dye Han Seol-bi’s hands a ghostly white.
“That martial art...”
Seeing that bluish energy, Hyeok Ryeon-yeom immediately recognized what kind of technique she was trying to use. The problem was—
“How... how do you know that martial art...?”
The technique Han Seol-bi was practicing was not a martial art of the Ice Palace; it was a demonic art.
The Bare Hand Demon Art.
A technique of the Demonic Cult had revealed itself within the Ice Palace.