389. The Snow Wind Palace Did Not Perish (1)
Seeing the figures charging toward them amid swirling clouds of dust, my brother Jin-ho said to me,
"Seo-ho, that flag they're carrying—it looks like the emblem of the North Sea Ice Palace, doesn't it?"
"Yeah, spot on."
I nodded.
"A bit late to mention it, but that's Protector Yeol Seol-su-yun."
"What?"
At my words, Brother Jin-ho's eyes widened as far as they could go. I thought they might pop right out.
"Y-you mean, your mother-in-law?"
Ha Cheol, the head of the escort bureau, looked stunned too. And who could blame him? Though not officially married, she was in a relationship with his daughter, complete with a grown kid.
"W-we should... at least fix your clothes or something..."
"Nah, you're plenty handsome as is—no primping needed."
By then, they had arrived.
Vice Palace Lord Bing Hae-rin stepped forward to greet them.
"You've had a hard journey coming here."
"We're grateful for such a warm welcome."
They exchanged greetings with the rest of us next.
"Greetings, Mother-in-law."
"My son-in-law. You've grown even more dashing since last we met."
"Th-thank you."
"And... it's been a while."
"Indeed. Quite... a while."
The looks Ha Cheol and Protector Yeol Seol-su-yun exchanged brimmed with affection.
I gave them a moment before cupping my hands in salute.
"Greetings, Protector."
"Good to see you. I hear you did us a great service this time."
"Brother Jin-ho did the heavy lifting, not me."
I subtly hyped him up as I continued,
"More importantly, we should hurry."
"Quite right."
Protector Yeol Seol-su-yun looked far thinner than I'd expected—much worse off than those from Yeonnyeong.
She'd probably led by example, cutting her own rations.
Or more likely, from what I could tell, she'd yielded her share to others.
With her profound inner energy, she could last longer without eating, sure.
But even that had limits.
If humans could survive indefinitely without food, why bother with Wall-Gazing Pills during closed-door training?
In my previous life, as time dragged on like this, countless would have starved.
And in seeking vengeance for them, rivers of blood would have flowed.
I've averted that tragedy.
Feels pretty damn good.
After a short rest, we finished our preparations and set off again.
Leaving Yeonnyeong and passing through Gilim brought us to vast grasslands.
The nomadic tribes' territory.
Crossing here with so much grain was far from advisable.
But we had Vice Palace Lord Bing Hae-rin.
As soon as we entered the plains, she manipulated the bracelet on her wrist.
Whoosh—!
A massive blue character for "ice" (氷)—the North Sea Ice Palace's symbol—appeared in the air.
Wow, what a sight. Still breathtaking every time.
Now, no tribe—friendly or hostile—would dare approach us.
We couldn't expect resupply aid, but that was fine. We'd packed plenty of water and supplies in anticipation.
We sped through the grasslands and soon entered the fringes of the North Sea.
I sought Vice Palace Lord Bing Hae-rin's permission.
"Mind if we stop by the branch office in North Sea for a bit?"
"Go ahead."
We made a brief detour to the North Sea branch.
The cold so far had been child's play; true harshness awaited.
The Changin Escort Bureau's escorts, trained in Snow Wind Palace techniques, would manage.
But for the ordinary porters, it would be brutal.
I didn't want to put them through that.
I spoke to Ha Cheol and the lead wagon-hand overseeing the porters.
"From here on, it'll be too grueling for the porters. Best to let them rest here and rejoin us on the way back."
"I was thinking the same."
The wagon-hand nodded at Ha Cheol's words.
"We're deeply grateful for your consideration. I'd love to stick it out to the end, but our limits make it impossible. We'll do as you say."
I asked the branch manager to house the porters and handed over extra supplies.
"Of course, young master! Happy to."
"Thanks for looking after them."
The next morning, we pressed on toward the North Sea Ice Palace.
From here, we ditched the wagons for horses—too many carts as it was for full carriages.
I'd gotten permission from Seo-hyang Sojeo too, and luckily, she rode better than expected.
"Truth be told, my brothers taught me. It'd been so long, I worried I'd forgotten, but nope."
Snow was now falling thick and fast.
For wind, water, and warmth resistance, we donned windbreakers: fur-lined inside, oiled paper outside.
Even this was barely enough for the North Sea.
"Not too cold?"
"No, I'm fine."
"Good."
The others had fretted over Seo-hyang Sojeo joining us to the North Sea Ice Palace.
Vice Palace Lord Bing Hae-rin had scoffed.
"Adjutant Gwak handles cold better than those worrywarts, and they fuss over nothing."
Meaning she'd already noticed Seo-hyang Sojeo's ice arts cultivation.
As she'd said, thanks to the Heavenly Flow Technique—the core method of the Heavenly Flow Ice Sword, which she'd started learning recently—Seo-hyang Sojeo wasn't shivering much.
Palgap, meanwhile, shrugged off the chill thanks to the fire-repelling necklace I'd given him.
Gazing at the falling snow, Protector Yeol Seol-su-yun remarked,
"This snow means an easy road ahead."
"How can you tell?"
Seo-hyang Sojeo showed curiosity, and the protector kindly explained.
"It's moist. Dry, crunchy snow signals incoming wind. Wind plus snow makes the path to the Ice Palace treacherous."
"I see."
"But smooth sailing brings other dangers."
Just then, Seo-hyang Sojeo flinched and spurred her horse toward me.
"Something wrong?"
"There's... a monster."
"A spirit beast, huh. Red eyes, by chance?"
"...Yes."
"The North Sea has bloodthirsty spirit beasts. They're another hazard blocking the way to the Ice Palace."
She nodded slowly.
"Your calm tells me you've faced them before. Sorting records, I saw you'd ventured north multiple times—not just that once you brought me snow."
"Correct."
To deduce that from records? Truly capable.
"Guess I need to train harder. Can't hold back the vice unit leader."
I scratched my cheek.
"Most folks would say 'impressive' or 'that must've been tough.'"
She chuckled softly at my question.
"I already know you're impressive. And 'tough' offers no real comfort—you knew what you were getting into."
"..."
True enough; nothing to say.
"I'll teach you diligently. Oh, but why call it a monster?"
"...A duck."
Night fell.
Reaching the North Sea Ice Palace required several overnight camps midway.
We set up, boiled hot porridge for dinner.
For the Ice Palace folk starved of proper meals for so long.
As we finished, Protector Yeol Seol-su-yun said, moved,
"A real meal after ages. Thank you."
Brother Jin-ho, bashful, replied,
"We should hurry so you can serve some warm porridge to Grandmother-in-law too."
"Appreciate the thought. But no rushing—this place throws surprises anywhere, anytime."
"Got it. I'll keep that in mind."
Overhearing, I casually asked,
"Among the bloodthirsty spirit beasts here, any duck-shaped ones?"
"...!"
Protector Yeol Seol-su-yun and Vice Palace Lord Bing Hae-rin's faces hardened instantly.
"Why ask that?"
Vice Palace Lord Bing Hae-rin snapped sharply.
"Just curious."
Seo-hyang Sojeo's ability was secret, so I brushed it off—but their reaction was off.
Was my question that sensitive?
Or some other reason?
Protector Yeol Seol-su-yun sighed and answered.
"We call the duck-like bloodthirsters Whiteblood Ducks (白血鴨鳧). They hide in snow, then lunge with razor beaks tearing flesh. About five cheok tall."
Five cheok (150 cm)—big for ducks?
Still, a single slash ends them. Why the faces?
The explanation that followed cleared it up.
"The issue? They swarm. Fifty at minimum, hundreds at worst."
"..."
Old saying: nothing beats a group beating. A horde of those terrors...
I got their expressions now.
"Truly fearsome."
"No need to worry much. Whiteblood Ducks stay far from the Ice Palace. Sightings near it? Once every few decades, if that. They rarely leave their territory."
Phew, sorry.
That rare event? It's happening now.
Seo-hyang Sojeo sensed it; can't be wrong.
"If we encounter Whiteblood Ducks, what then?"
"Hold out till dark. Poor night vision—they retreat to hides at night, even mid-attack."
"Lucky break. Night assaults from them? Pure nightmare."
I glanced at Vice Palace Lord Bing Hae-rin.
"With Goldie around... wouldn't that be fine?"
"Even after chasing off those wolves, it's still too much."
......
The next day, we departed again.
Near lunchtime, I let out a hollow laugh.
"Ha... haha."
They'd come for real.
Ducks charging from ahead.
Hell, actual ducks.
Beaks with fangs.
Clawed feet. Nearly five cheok tall.
Whiteblood Ducks.
Over a hundred, easy.
The Ice Palace disciples' faces darkened.
"Heavens..."
"How could this..."
I drew my sword and bellowed,
"No time to gawk! Battle formation, everyone!"
Brother Jin-ho snapped to and shouted,
"Battle formation!"
"Yes!"
The others hurried into position. I told Palgap to guard Seo-hyang Sojeo, then took the front.
"Kieeeek!"
"Kee-eeeek!"
Ugh, gonna develop a duck phobia at this rate.
Then—
"...!"
A presence from the snow-covered hill beside us.
Demonic cult energy.
Exactly like that from the guy called Chu-seok.
He's the mastermind!
Last night's words flashed back.
"No need to worry much. Whiteblood Ducks stay far from the Ice Palace... They rarely leave their territory."
What if someone forced that rare breach?
Highly plausible.
Either way, to wrap this up, we need him captured.
But if we tangle with these ducks, he'll flee in the meantime.
Can't leave my group shorthanded either.
That's when—
Hop.
Goldie popped from my sleeve.
Ah, right—Goldie!
"Goldie, memorize that guy's scent over there."
"Kwi!"
Goldie bolted that way.
Battle erupted. We wielded weapons against the Whiteblood Ducks.
Ducks that couldn't fly? Small mercy.
Flying ones would've been a headache.
Oh, Brother Jin-ho's holding up well.
Training paid off. Unlike before, he fought smart now.
Shouldn't be too drained after.
I deliberately herded the fight toward the demonic energy's source.
To let the guy bolt.
No eyes on me meant freer display of skill.
Meanwhile, the demonic presence receded.
Perfect. Time to show my stuff.
I poured energy into my Silver Mist Sword.
Seventh form of the True Snow Twelve Styles: Snow Burst.
Needed an AoE for this many.
That's when—
"Kwiit!"
Goldie dashed back before me. Why's it sound like "wait!" in my ear?
And...
"Kwiieeeit!"
At Goldie's cry, the Whiteblood Ducks froze instantly.
"Kwiik!"
Another screech.
Flutter flutter!
Whoosh whoosh!
They fled in panic, like chased by some ultimate terror.
I shot Vice Palace Lord Bing Hae-rin a look.
Too much, you said?
She turned away, sheepish.
Goldie never misses a chance for silver fruits, huh.