Chapter 391: The Snow Wind Palace Did Not Perish (3)
A short while later.
We dragged the half-dead bastard back by his collar.
Thud.
We tossed him down in front of Bing Hae-rin, who had come running in surprise.
"Who is this?"
"He's the mastermind behind the attempt to destroy the North Sea Ice Palace."
"What?"
Young Palace Lord Bing Hae-rin blinked in shock at my words.
"Is he the one who supplied those fake elixirs to that guy Choseok you're transporting right now?"
"Seems like it. We caught him lurking around by chance."
"Hoo."
At that, Young Palace Lord Bing Hae-rin regained her composure and spoke.
"First off, thank you. But why is he in such a mess?"
Jin-ho hyung scratched the back of his neck at her question.
"Ah, sorry about that. Things got a bit rough. How could I hold back against the ones who tormented my mother-in-law, grandmother-in-law, and my wife's aunts?"
"...I understand. Still, impressive. He's still breathing after all that."
Jin-ho hyung rubbed his nose with a grin.
"Thanks to Seo-ho's advice."
I gave a wry smile.
That wasn't exactly the advice I had in mind...
"Bring the one called Choseok."
At her order, the disciples dragged him over.
He looked badly beaten, his face a swollen mess.
"Is this the man you were talking about?"
At Bing Hae-rin's question, Choseok peered intently at the crumpled figure on the ground.
His face was so battered it was hard to recognize at a glance.
Still, he seemed to spot matching features, nodding vigorously.
"Y-Yes! That's him! It's definitely him! He's the one who egged me on and supplied me!"
"I see."
Bing Hae-rin's voice was calm, but it couldn't hide her underlying fury.
"You should've left some for me."
"Sorry."
Tsking her tongue, she turned to her disciples.
"Treat him well. He can't die before facing the North Sea Ice Palace's judgment."
"Understood."
.
.
.
Night had deepened.
I sat by the campfire, watching Palgap poke at the flames.
"Palgap."
"You called, young master?"
"You've been learning a lot from Jin Yu Warrior lately?"
Palgap chuckled at my question.
"I've been getting compliments left and right these days."
I already knew that—Jin Yu Warrior had praised him to me as well.
"Haven't my skills at serving you improved a ton lately?"
"Hmm, have they?"
Thinking about it, Palgap really was elusive, appearing and vanishing like a ghost.
Always by my side, yet somehow not—until he was.
I chuckled.
Learning the King of Assassins' techniques, and he's thrilled about getting better at serving me.
Palgap was Palgap, through and through.
With a pleased smile, I pulled the Dark Blood Needle from my bosom.
This would suit him perfectly.
The auction manager at the Ghostly Tomb Pavilion had given it to me as thanks for keeping a secret.
"Here, take this."
"Huh? What's a dagger doing here?"
"A gift. They say it hides killing intent completely."
"Really?"
For someone like Palgap, who could vanish his presence at will, it was a perfect match.
I'd thought of him the moment I got it.
"Use it well."
"Thank you, young master! You're the best lord ever."
"Took you this long to figure it out?"
"I've known all along. But this looks crazy expensive."
"It is."
"Then why aren't you using it...?"
"Because it'll shine brighter in your hands."
Besides, I already had two: one from my brothers, one from Grandfather.
A few days later, a familiar building came into view.
The Ice Palace Inn, the North Sea Ice Palace's guesthouse.
As we approached, the twin brothers Jeomsoi came out to greet us.
"Welcome."
"To the Ice Palace Inn."
They gawked at the food supplies we were hauling.
"Is that food?"
"Whoa! So much!"
The brothers were still as close as ever.
I grinned and nodded at their words.
"We rushed here when we heard you were short on food. Take care of the rest."
We had to hurry into the North Sea Ice Palace.
Of our group, only I and Adjutant Seo-hyang could enter.
I was the owner of the Silver Mist Sword, and she was a woman.
Last time, Jin-ho hyung had gotten in because Bing Hae-rin, caught in my scheme, explained to the Palace Lord and got permission.
But bending rules too often wasn't wise, especially for future contingencies.
"Come back safe. Say hi for me."
"Got it."
Jin-ho hyung saw me off with a wistful look.
Young Palace Lord Bing Hae-rin watched us and asked,
"What are you doing?"
"Huh?"
"Isn't Deputy Leader Eun Jin-ho coming in?"
Jin-ho hyung pointed at himself in surprise.
"Me too?"
"Yes. I told you before, didn't I? Deputy Leader Eun Seo-ho is a benefactor of our palace, and his family is treated the same."
Oh, right—the Palace Lord had said that.
"Any benefactor of the North Sea Ice Palace may enter regardless of gender."
With that, she handed him a necklace.
"Wear this around your neck."
"Thank you."
Jin-ho hyung eagerly slipped it on.
He looked thrilled.
We passed through the misty gate and soon arrived at the North Sea Ice Palace.
Those white tiles were as mystical as ever.
Last time, I'd asked if they were painted white—they were pure ice, frosted over.
Ice tiles...
Only the North Sea Ice Palace could pull that off.
I headed straight to see the Palace Lord with Young Palace Lord Bing Hae-rin.
"Palace Lord."
Before she could report in detail, the Palace Lord's voice came from inside.
"Come in."
"Yes."
We entered and paid our respects.
"Young Palace Lord Bing Hae-rin, returning from my mission."
"Merchant Eun Seo-ho, greeting the Palace Lord of the North Sea Ice Palace."
Truth be told, I wanted to grandly introduce myself as Young Palace Lord of the Snow Wind Palace, but Jin-ho hyung was right there.
It was still a secret from him.
"Merchant Eun Jin-ho, greeting the Palace Lord of the North Sea Ice Palace."
Finally, I introduced Adjutant Seo-hyang.
"My newly hired adjutant."
"Pleased to meet you. Gwak Seo-hyang."
"I see."
The North Sea Ice Palace Lord glanced at her, then nodded.
Her face seemed a touch brighter—why was that?
Young Palace Lord Bing Hae-rin spoke.
"First, there's something I must report. We've captured those who tried to destroy our palace."
The Palace Lord's eyes widened; she rose to her feet.
"Is that true?"
"Yes."
She glanced at me and added,
"Deputy Leader Eun Seo-ho's help was crucial."
She explained everything—skipping the Ghostly Tomb Pavilion part, per my request, since Jin-ho hyung was there.
"...That's how it happened."
"I see! I don't even know how to thank you. Delivering food was gracious enough, but catching the vermin too!"
I clasped my hands in a fist and said,
"It was only right."
I continued,
"The food we brought this time is rice, wheat, and dried vegetables."
In the North Sea Ice Palace's harsh weather, fresh greens were precious, but essential for health.
They mostly ate dried veggies and herbs.
Given the timing, I'd brought mostly dried radish greens.
The Palace Lord smiled.
"Thanks to you, our crisis is resolved much sooner."
It's not that big a deal.
I pressed on,
"That said, forgive my impertinence, but with the famine, the empire is struggling, as you know."
"I know."
"Acquiring and transporting large quantities was no small feat. We fought off bandits countless times on the way."
Jin-ho hyung nodded in agreement.
"And as you know, I'm a merchant. Merchants move for profit."
"So, it's not free?"
"Something like that."
"My gratitude's cooling fast."
"Can't be helped. That's how the world works, right? Gratitude fills hearts, not bellies."
The Palace Lord burst out laughing.
"True enough. Fine, I like it."
She thought for a moment, then said,
"For the profit from this—fifteen thousand nyang in silver, plus elixirs."
"Thank you. May the North Sea Ice Palace prosper forever. We'll take our leave."
"Go ahead."
We withdrew from her presence. On the way out, I asked Adjutant Seo-hyang,
"Got it all noted?"
"Yes."
Reliable as ever.
Hearing that, Jin-ho hyung grumbled,
"Seo-ho, isn't this a bit much? It's your sister-in-law's mother and grandmother's home..."
"I know. That's why I got it cheap."
"Huh? Cheap?"
"Obviously. Without your in-laws, it'd be two or three times more. Think I couldn't?"
He tucked tail quick at my question.
"N-No... thanks."
.
.
.
Dinner was warm porridge.
A soft treat for the disciples who'd gone hungry.
I ate it without refusal.
Couldn't eat differently when everyone else was having the same.
Stepping out of my quarters for a stroll, I felt it.
Eh? This presence...
Turning, I saw a white-haired beauty.
"Greetings, Palace Lord."
"Fancy meeting you here."
She spoke casually, like coincidence, but approached straight—something to say.
"Eaten yet?"
"Stuffed myself for the first time in ages. Thanks again."
"No need. Like I said, not free."
"Fair point."
She continued,
"First, congratulations on your achievement."
As expected, the Palace Lord had noticed my realm breakthrough. With her unfathomable cultivation, how could she not?
Conveniently alone—perfect time to greet her properly.
I clasped fists and bowed.
"Allow me to greet you again. Young Palace Lord Eun Seo-ho of the Snow Wind Palace, paying respects to the master of the Ice Extreme, Palace Lord of the North Sea Ice Palace."
She smiled at my words.
"At last, the Snow Wind Palace has its Young Palace Lord."
"Thanks to Master's decision."
She shook her head.
"You're overselling that kid. That soft-hearted one couldn't have decided. If there was a decision, it'd be from the Young Palace Lord."
She knew too well.
I grinned sheepishly.
"Congratulations on becoming Young Palace Lord."
"Thank you."
"There's a tradition: when the Snow Wind Palace formally appoints a Young Palace Lord, the North Sea Ice Palace Lord gives a gift. Anything you want?"
I shook my head.
"What if it's something I don't need? I'll gratefully accept whatever the wise Palace Lord chooses."
She chuckled.
"You're definitely different from that kid."
Meaning Master, no doubt.
"Enjoyed our talk today. Oh, but you're not going there?"
"...?"
I tilted my head; she clarified.
"Where the Snow Wind Palace members are enshrined."
Ah!
As new Young Palace Lord, I should pay respects—but I'd forgotten.
"Thank you for reminding me."
I headed west at once. That's where the fallen Snow Wind Palace members' remains were kept.
Having been before, it wasn't hard to find.
Soon, a monument modeled after the Snow Wind Palace appeared.
I approached and bowed deeply, fists clasped.
"Nice to see you again. I'm here to report that I've become the Snow Wind Palace's Young Palace Lord."
Then, calmly,
"Honestly, I can't promise to do well. Not sure what 'well' even means. But I promise to give it my all."
"......"
No reply. Of course not.
The dead don't speak.
But it didn't matter.
This wasn't for an answer—it was my resolve to myself.
"I'll look after the disciples. And make sure they never go hungry."
Whoosh.
Wind blew in. Strangely, it whispered in my ear—not wind, but words.
You've had it rough.
I chuckled.
Bowing again, fists clasped,
"Anyway, don't worry too much. Now that a formal Young Palace Lord stands. So... whew."
I sighed, saying what I truly wanted.
"The Snow Wind Palace has not yet perished."
Yes.
The Snow Wind Palace had not perished.
It still lived and breathed, proven by splendidly defending the North Sea Ice Palace this time.
But a sudden doubt struck.
Was that really why the Palace Lord sought me out—just to congratulate my breakthrough?
Felt like there was more she wanted to say...
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