In the North Sea (2)
The snowstorm had finally died down, and we emerged from our snow shelter.
"……."
I could see now why they called it a snowstorm. The landscape had completely transformed from what we'd seen the day before.
The fourth form of the Jinseol Twelve Style Swordsmanship, Snowstorm, was a swift blade technique—but evidently not just any swift strike.
After yesterday's revelation that these forms were rooted in the natural phenomena of this place, something tugged at the edge of my mind, elusive yet insistent. But it wouldn't quite crystallize, so I let it go for now.
Fortunately, the horses had survived unscathed.
"Thank you for your help."
We cupped our fists in gratitude to the hunters.
"We don't know why you're heading into the North Sea, but safe travels to you."
"Yes, sir."
I considered offering them some monetary reward but decided against it.
If money changed hands, it might taint the goodwill between us.
Besides, there were plenty of ways to show our appreciation without coin—and those could wait until we returned.
"Oh, and watch out for those harmful spirit beasts stirring up trouble lately."
"Understood. Thank you for the warning."
We took their various bits of advice to heart, donned our fur hats and coats, and pressed into the North Sea.
The vast white snow reflected the sunlight so brilliantly it was almost blinding—a breathtaking sight.
This must be what they call snow light, I thought, spurring my horse forward as I recalled the ninth form of the Jinseol Twelve Style Swordsmanship, Snow Light.
As my master had said, it should take about two more days from here.
"Whoa, it's freezing out here, sir."
Palgap sniffled, rubbing his nose.
"If summer's this bad, winter must be a nightmare."
Jin Yu Warrior chimed in.
"Still, winter has its own charm. The snow falls endlessly, after all."
Charm?
"Honestly, it's a brutal place for anyone to live."
"But you're doing fine, young master?"
I nodded at Palgap's question.
"Yeah, I'm good."
The North Sea's chill truly had no effect on me. If anything, it invigorated me.
Probably thanks to my Present Dragon Star Physique and my training in ice arts.
That's why Master sent me here, I figured, glancing sidelong at Jin Yu Warrior. I'd overlooked it before, but his inner energy carried a yin attribute too.
Still, it was nice not to feel the cold.
With that thought, I pulled a box from my pouch.
It was a gift from the Emperor, delivered through Jin Yeong Daehyeop of the Gold Guard. His words echoed in my mind:
'This will prove useful to you. Every time you use it, remember that you serve a loyal subject of mine.'
Well, it wasn't like I had to use it, and not using it didn't make me any less his subject.
Since it was in my hands now, though, I might as well make good use of it.
"Palgap, come here."
I called him over and took a necklace from the box, handing it to him.
"Put this around your neck."
"What's this, sir?"
"Hwasi Byeok."
"……Pardon?"
Palgap's eyes went wide.
"You mean the one that keeps off bugs, stays warm in winter, and cool in summer?"
"Right. But this isn't the real Hwasi Byeok—it's an imitation."
I sighed and continued.
"It's from the Emperor. A 'safe travels' gift."
Palgap practically leaped back.
"You can just give something this precious to me, sir?"
"I don't need it much. But I can't very well refuse it either."
It might irk the Emperor needlessly, and either way, I didn't want to reveal my martial prowess to him.
"We're peak experts and first-rate warriors. We can handle this cold. You can't."
"E-even as an imitation, it's still a priceless treasure of the world."
"I know. But you're more precious to me."
Palgap gazed at me, deeply moved.
"Sniff—best decision of my life was becoming your servant, young master."
"……."
Those words hit hard, dragging up a memory from my previous life—Palgap's dying words to me:
"Young master, the best thing I ever did was become your servant."
My fist clenched involuntarily.
Not this time. I'll make sure you live out your days feasting at my side.
I shot back lightly, "Took you long enough to realize."
"Knew it from the start, sir."
Palgap hung the Hwasi Byeok necklace around his neck. Thanks to it, the air around him felt a touch warmer within a zhang or so.
The Emperor sure knew how to pick 'em.
About an hour later, Yi Pil Warrior asked,
"Speaking of, where's the North Sea Ice Palace from here?"
"Two days' ride. Conveniently, it's in the same direction we're headed."
Jin Yu Warrior's words caught me off guard.
So Master's destination wasn't far from the North Sea Ice Palace?
The North Sea's most famous sect was the all-female North Sea Ice Palace, its members fearsome masters every one.
Even the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult—what folks called the Demonic Cult—had failed to conquer it in my past life.
"So those young girls you mentioned are braving this cold to join the North Sea Ice Palace?"
"Exactly."
Jin Yu Warrior nodded.
"It takes that kind of iron resolve to even choose the path."
Fair enough. If my guards weren't up to snuff, they wouldn't have made it here either.
Well, Palgap was basically a bear anyway.
Rumor had it some bears lived off nothing but snow around here.
Either way, the North Sea was no place for half-baked skills. This harsh environment itself served as the first gateway to the Ice Palace.
"Hey, people up ahead, sir."
A group appeared before us, but something was off.
They weren't moving at all.
As we approached, I couldn't help frowning.
"Frozen solid."
"Couldn't weather yesterday's snowstorm, looks like."
They must have hunkered down here, figuring the storm made travel impossible, waiting for it to pass.
But snowstorms weren't to be trifled with—even seasoned hunters feared them.
In the end, they'd endured until they couldn't, and frozen.
Without those hunters' help yesterday, we'd have pushed on and ended up the same if we'd been careless.
Our high-level arts would have spared us death by frost, but we'd have suffered for it.
Gratitude welled up again.
Judging by their fine fabrics, they'd come from decent stock. A shame to die like this.
"Heading to the North Sea Ice Palace, I'd wager."
Seo-u Warrior pointed to one—a girl who looked about twelve.
I couldn't guess their story, but it was heartbreaking.
I searched the robes of the best-dressed among them, hoping to identify them and perhaps inform their clan later.
Luckily, there was an identity token: "Guak of the Baekjin Hong Clan of Guiju Province."
From Guiju Province all the way here?
Guiju lay even farther south than Sichuan, infamous for its scorching heat.
Crossing the Central Plains to the North Sea from there? Baffling.
I tucked the token back. Their clan might come looking someday.
"Let's go."
"Yes, sir."
Pity, but the dead were dead.
We had our own journey.
We'd marched all day and, as dusk fell, chose a spot to rest.
Jin Yu Warrior laid out prepared wooden planks and kindled a fire atop them.
Starting a fire in these conditions wasn't easy, but he managed without fuss.
"Impressive."
Seo-u Warrior, a former caravan leader, knew the difficulty—and his genuine surprise showed it.
"Picked it up from my seniors."
Thanks to him, we enjoyed hot tea despite the freeze.
Then, figures approached from afar.
Three of them: two men and a youth.
Ah, not a youth—a girl in boy's clothes.
Traveling the North Sea like that? Had to be.
The eldest-looking one, in his forties, cupped his fists politely.
"Forgive us, but might we borrow some warmth from your fire?"
We exchanged glances, and I nodded.
Seo-u Warrior replied,
"Please, do."
"Our thanks."
We cleared space, and they settled in.
"Care for some hot tea?"
"If you're offering, we'd be grateful."
"Palgap."
"Yes, young master."
Palgap poured for them.
"One for me too."
"Right away."
He filled my cup, and I sipped first—to show it was safe.
The message landed; they drank readily and broke out their rations.
"Cold one today, huh?"
The polite one gave a wry smile.
"It's the North Sea. Still, the weather's milder today—made for easier going."
Meaning he'd been here before.
He ventured cautiously,
"If I may ask, where are you from?"
"Hubei Province."
"I see. We're from Zhejiang."
"Zhejiang—home of Lake Tai? They say the scenery there is sublime."
"Not just bias as a local—the views are truly spectacular."
We chatted amiably.
The presumed girl in disguise stayed silent throughout.
But her expression said it wasn't shyness.
Probably avoiding speaking lest her voice give her away.
There was a saying in the martial world: Beware women, elders, and children you meet there.
Survivors among the weak were the strong ones.
Pitying her guarded look, I addressed her.
"Are you headed to the North Sea Ice Palace, young miss?"
"Pardon?"
She blurted in surprise.
Her voice confirmed it.
Instantly, her two escorts bristled with killing intent. I pressed on undeterred.
"My guard mentioned the palace gates are opening after ten years."
"……."
Silence hung briefly, then she asked warily,
"How did you know?"
"Even in disguise, we'd be a disgrace to the Hundred Great Merchant Groups if we couldn't spot it."
Subtly revealing my affiliation eased their tension.
"And how many from Zhejiang would trek here this season?"
She nodded, as if it clicked.
"Yes, exactly. We're bound for the North Sea Ice Palace."
"I see."
She tilted her head curiously.
"You didn't ask why."
"Isn't it to become a disciple there?"
"Usually people pry into the story once they know you're going."
"You must have your reasons. And traveling with your father? I'd say it's improper to pry when he's escorting you himself."
The middle-aged man gaped in shock.
"How'd you know? The way he looks at you gives it away."
"……I see."
Night wore on.
.
.
.
The next morning, we packed up to depart.
The middle-aged man from last night approached politely.
"I hate to impose, but may we travel together?"
Our goal was near the Ice Palace, but not exactly there.
"Ours isn't the Ice Palace—we might part ways midway. But if that's fine, you're welcome."
"Thank you. We'll join you."
And so we continued.
"The wind's so calm today. Unusual for here."
"Is it?"
His words struck me as odd.
Calm? With gusts like these?
"Feels like walking with a disciple of the Snowstorm Palace."
Snowstorm Palace?
I asked,
"You know of the Snowstorm Palace? I heard the Demonic Cult wiped them out."
Regret shadowed his face as he nodded.
"I do. A dear friend was a disciple there... and died with them when the cult razed it."
"My condolences."
"No need. Which brings me to ask... any connection to the Snowstorm Palace?"