Chapter 65: A Request
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 65: A Request
“Yerin, your mother is back!”
Rumble!
The Young Palace Lord’s Hall shook.
“…….”
Seol Yerin jumped at the sound coming from outside.
She had been in the middle of transferring Extreme Yin Qi to Cheon Deung-jin through their joined hands. She worried for a moment that Cheon Deung-jin’s internal energy might have been disturbed.
‘It was a needless worry.’
He hadn't frozen. Though he seemed to feel a slight chill, Cheon Deung-jin appeared perfectly fine.
“What… was that noise?”
Cheon Deung-jin spoke, having already finished his breathing exercises.
“That voice… it sounds like my mother has returned.”
“Your mother… would that be the Ice Queen?”
“Yes, that’s right. But didn't we agree to be friends? You can speak comfortably with me!”
“…Is it really okay if I do?”
“Of course.”
“Yerinnnnn!”
Vroom—
Once again, a Lion’s Roar echoed through the hall.
“…She really hasn't changed a bit. I think I should head out quickly.”
“I agree.”
Seol Yerin led Cheon Deung-jin outside the hall.
She paused.
Upon stepping out, she saw that it wasn't just her mother, Hong Ye-hwa, waiting there. Her father was there, along with Chief Officer Seol Su-hyeok. Even Hyeok Ryeon-yeom and the Little Snow Unit were present. Everyone connected to Seol Yerin had gathered in one place.
“Oh my, it’s been a long time, Yerin. Are you so dazzling because you take after your mother?”
“…You’re the one who looks like you’ve stopped aging, Mother. Did you perhaps find a way to rejuvenate yourself?”
There was a sharp edge to her words.
“Greetings. I am Cheon Deung-jin, the Young Palace Lord of Potala Palace.”
Cheon Deung-jin hurriedly offered his greetings, but then he started in surprise upon seeing Seol Yerin’s mother, the Ice Queen, Hong Ye-hwa.
“…Wait, Elder Hong? You were the Ice Queen all along?”
“It’s been a while, Young Palace Lord Cheon.”
Seol Yerin looked back and forth between Cheon Deung-jin and Hong Ye-hwa.
“…I see you were busy playing Elder at Potala Palace while your daughter was hovering between life and death.”
“Are you angry?”
“…Me? Of course not.”
To anyone watching, she looked very angry.
“…What brings you back so suddenly?”
“I came after hearing the news. How could a mother stay away when her daughter is getting engaged?”
“…Since when were you so interested in me?”
“Seol Yerin.”
Flinch.
Seol Yerin flinched at the mention of her name.
“You’ve been talking back quite a bit, haven't you?”
The moment a chilly aura began to radiate from the Ice Queen’s body—
Step.
Hyeok Ryeon-yeom stepped between the two.
“I, too, am curious about the relationship between the Young Palace Lord and the Ice Queen.”
A strange light flickered in Hong Ye-hwa’s eyes at his intervention. Seol Yerin stared directly at Hyeok Ryeon-yeom’s back. The chill emanating from Hong Ye-hwa was completely blocked.
“Now, now, dear. I told you, you shouldn't be like this to Yerin right now….”
“You! Why have you been saying that since earlier? It’s not like a girl who hasn't even had her wedding yet could be pregnant. What is the problem?”
A heavy silence fell over the surroundings at Hong Ye-hwa’s words.
“……What? Is it true?”
Hyeok Ryeon-yeom cautiously looked back.
Seol Yerin let out a sigh and spoke.
“It’s not.”
“What?”
“What was that?”
“I said I’m not pregnant.”
“Th-then, the dry heaving….”
“I think it was just because it hasn't been long since I consumed a spiritual herb.”
“Then that quack physician really…….”
Seol Yerin shook her head as she watched her father clutch the back of his neck.
It was then.
“Son-in-law.”
“Yes, Mother-in-law.”
“Oh, I like that title very much. You must make sure to have at least two children, alright?”
“……I will do my best.”
“Why are you the one saying you'll do your best, Gaga?!”
“Gaga?”
Once again, the affectionate term 'Gaga' had slipped from Seol Yerin’s lips.
“…….”
In the end, everyone entered the Young Palace Lord’s Hall together.
Seol Yerin and Hyeok Ryeon-yeom sat side by side. Across from them sat Seol Baek-ho and Hong Ye-hwa, while Cheon Deung-jin and Seol Su-hyeok took separate seats at the head of the table.
‘I’ve never been in a situation like this before.’
An inexplicable sense of discomfort began to creep up on Hyeok Ryeon-yeom. There were too many things to keep track of.
First, Seol Yerin. Not only had it been a short time since their engagement ceremony, but she had also just come out of seclusion after locking herself in her room because people misunderstood her dry heaving for pregnancy. Judging by the atmosphere, she seemed to be in a much better mood now.
‘But how did she become so close with Lady Cheon?’
“Deung-jin, what do you want to eat?”
She was calling Cheon Deung-jin, who sat to her right, by his name quite familiarly. Regardless, it was a good thing they had become friends. It seemed she had already transferred the Extreme Yin Qi to him, as Cheon Deung-jin’s face was full of vitality. Thus, he didn't need to worry much about Cheon Deung-jin.
Next, his father-in-law. He was constantly walking on eggshells around his wife. This alone was enough to see who held the highest rank in this family. It was a completely different side of the Palace Lord. Since his father-in-law was busy being cautious, he didn't need to worry about him either.
Then, naturally, there was his mother-in-law. Since this was their first meeting, he thought it would be best to leave a good impression for the sake of his future peace.
“What does my son-in-law want to eat?”
“…I can eat anything.”
“Is that so? Then why don't we just order 'anything' right away?”
“…I can't exactly ask the cook for 'anything'.”
“Can you handle spicy food?”
“Yes.”
“Then let’s go with Sichuan cuisine.”
“That sounds good. Chef!”
Having decided on the menu, he called for the cook.
“Hmm?”
Tae Un-seo popped out. Hyeok Ryeon-yeom had forgotten for a moment that this was the Young Palace Lord’s Hall.
“I will do my best to prepare whatever dish…….”
“For today! Just for today, leave it to Weizhi Young.”
“Yes, Captain. I will assist her.”
After taking everyone’s orders, Tae Un-seo headed back.
Hyeok Ryeon-yeom was about to turn his gaze back to his mother-in-law when—
“Whew.”
“You’re going through a lot, son-in-law-to-be.”
Seol Su-hyeok addressed Hyeok Ryeon-yeom as his son-in-law-to-be.
“…Why are you suddenly acting like this, Chief Officer?”
“Now that the engagement ceremony is over, you may call me Uncle.”
“I will do so after the wedding.”
In a way, it sounded like an invitation to be like family. However, Hyeok Ryeon-yeom didn't want to deal with anyone else right now. After his sharp defense against Seol Su-hyeok, he focused on his mother-in-law again.
“So that’s how it happened.”
“Ah…….”
“So that’s how you two met.”
“It makes sense that Deung-jin would follow Mother.”
It seemed they had already finished explaining the relationship between Cheon Deung-jin and his mother-in-law.
…He was dying of curiosity.
‘What an interesting son-in-law.’
Just as everyone had someone they were focused on, the Ice Queen, Hong Ye-hwa, was most focused on Hyeok Ryeon-yeom. There was only one reason.
‘A woman’s life is easy if she meets the right man.’
She had heard the whole story. Hyeok Ryeon-yeom, who possessed the Extreme Yang Body, had entered the family as a matrilocal son-in-law and become involved with Seol Yerin. Thanks to that, her Extreme Yin Body had also been treated. The two were opposites, yet the possibility of them developing a relationship where they complemented each other seemed immense.
‘It looks like she met a good man.’
Appearance: Pass.
Origin: Demonic Cult, confirmed.
Strength: Looks strong, confirmed.
Wealth: Doesn't matter if he has a lot or a little. Why? Because I have plenty.
Now, all that remained was—
‘His character.’
In other words, his personality and integrity. This part needed to be checked one more time. As she continued to think, her throat felt dry.
“Here you go.”
But then—
“How did you know I was looking for water?”
“You looked thirsty.”
He was quick-witted, too.
“The food is here!”
Just as her list of reasons to like him was growing, the food arrived. It was a Sichuan specialty called Twice-Cooked Pork.
Slice, slice.
He began to cut the meat piece by piece and place them on Seol Yerin’s and Hong Ye-hwa’s plates. In the end, Hong Ye-hwa couldn't help but judge Hyeok Ryeon-yeom to be the best possible groom.
Just as she was thinking she should set a wedding date before he got away—
Knock, knock, knock.
“Come in.”
The Divine Physician, Seong Yi-han, entered.
“Excuse me.”
Seong Yi-han flinched, surprised by the faces gathered in the room. He hadn't expected Hong Ye-hwa to be there.
“You certainly have thick skin. How much more are you planning to squeeze out of the Ice Palace this time?”
“Dear. Let the Divine Physician check her pulse again. I need to confirm once more if your medical skills were truly correct.”
“Yes.”
Her useless husband had brought in the Divine Physician.
“You’re going to have her pulse checked while we’re eating?”
“Wouldn't it be most accurate to check it when she’s at her healthiest?”
The Divine Physician took Seol Yerin’s pulse and began his examination. Hong Ye-hwa watched him without any particular expectation or worry.
“Her mind and body seem stable. It appears the effect of the spiritual herb was indeed excellent.”
Hong Ye-hwa reacted to the mention of a spiritual herb.
“Spiritual herb? What did you give her?”
“I gave her the Dark Yin Myriad Woman Herb.”
“She’s been well-nourished, then. But that must have been difficult to find.”
“I have more here. I heard it’s also very effective for beauty.”
Hyeok Ryeon-yeom pulled a Dark Yin Myriad Woman Herb from his robe and handed it to Hong Ye-hwa. He was casually handing out a spiritual herb that couldn't be bought even for ten thousand gold pieces. There was nothing left to judge.
“Son-in-law, have a drink!”
Along with the Sichuan food, a wine called Jade Tiger Spring was served. He wondered where all this wine kept coming from, and was told it was received as an engagement gift.
It was unexpected to see that the Palace Lord was running the Ice Palace better than he thought. When Seol Yerin’s death seemed to be approaching day by day, a despairing Seol Baek-ho had tried everything to find a solution, but he had met with repeated failure.
Taking advantage of that, the Council of Elders had begun to pressure him. Thinking she might lose both her husband and her daughter at this rate, Hong Ye-hwa had left the Ice Palace. She had gone to save them both herself.
It hadn't been easy. She had wandered all over the Outlands in anxiety, but the results were poor. Feeling sorry for her daughter and unable to face the Palace Lord, she hadn't been able to return to the North Sea Ice Palace.
Then, she heard the news. That Seol Yerin had recovered and was planning to hold an engagement ceremony. So, she had returned.
‘It was all because of my son-in-law.’
Saving Yerin. And making it possible for the whole family to sit together and share a meal like this.
“Is there something on my face?”
As she stared intently at him, Hyeok Ryeon-yeom asked cautiously.
“No, it’s just that the more I look at you, the more I like you.”
Seol Yerin reacted to that single comment.
“Mother. Please, just eat.”
“I shall take my leave, then…….”
The Divine Physician, who had been standing awkwardly, tried to slip out.
“Does your granddaughter in Nanman know that you’re here?”
Flinch.
At the mention of a granddaughter, everyone’s eyes turned toward the Divine Physician. After a moment of hesitation, the Divine Physician offered a fist salute toward Hyeok Ryeon-yeom.
“Young hero, I know I am being shameless, but I have a request. Would it be possible for you to… visit Nanman just once?”
At the Divine Physician’s sudden request, everyone’s gaze shifted to Hyeok Ryeon-yeom.
“…Nanman is quite a distance away.”
“Why not? You’ve already had your engagement ceremony. How about taking a trip there with Yerin?”
At Hong Ye-hwa’s suggestion, a troubled expression appeared on Hyeok Ryeon-yeom’s face.