Ice and Fire (1)
I nodded calmly and asked,
"Has the Young Palace Lord of the North Sea Ice Palace arrived?"
"……How did you know?"
"There are ways to know everything. Let's go."
"Ah, yes."
As we entered the reception room, there sat Young Palace Lord Bing Hae-rin, crunching away at some snacks.
She usually came off like an old soul trapped in a young body, but seeing her like this revealed the fresh innocence of her age.
That sight stirred up a fresh surge of anger toward the unknown force responsible.
Because of them, the Snow Wind Palace had crumbled, leaving her to lose her family and forcing her to grow up overnight.
Wonder what brings her here?
I cleared my throat.
"Ahem."
She jumped in surprise and quickly popped the snack into her mouth.
"Cough! Cough!"
She started choking, as if it had gotten stuck in her throat.
"Goodness! You need to be more careful."
I infused some energy into a teacup to cool the tea and handed it to her. She gulped it down immediately.
"Hoo……."
"Are you all right?"
"Yes."
"Looks like you enjoyed our merchant group's refreshments. The pastry chef will be thrilled. I'll have some sent to wherever you're staying later."
"Thank you."
She made an embarrassed cupped-fist salute.
"So, what brings you here? The snowstorms haven't exactly calmed down yet, have they?"
"That's why I came alone. I'm past the point of being scared off by a little snowstorm now."
Come to think of it, she'd reached the Super First-rate realm.
She must've trained like mad.
"Congratulations on your achievement."
"It's nothing."
She tucked a strand of hair behind her ear with a haughty air.
"I worked hard because I heard you were Super First-rate, Young Division Head."
"Is that so?"
"Yes."
She nodded.
"The Palace Lord told me that the Snow Wind Palace Lord and the North Sea Ice Palace Lord had been close friends for ages. The kind who'd give their lives for each other."
A bosom friend who'd bare their neck for one another.
Suddenly, I recalled the items from the previous Snow Wind Palace Lord's belongings that Seo-hyang's Ice Spirit Eye had helped uncover during my last visit to the North Sea Ice Palace.
The blue jade ring and letter in the box.
Her mother's keepsakes.
Without the previous Snow Wind Palace Lord, they would've been lost forever.
They were close enough that he'd risk his life to safeguard his friend's treasures.
"I didn't want to be a lesser friend than you, at least—not to someone like you. I'd rather stand as equals, looking each other in the eye."
Her bold words drew a chuckle from me.
I felt the same way.
"Then we're friends who sharpen each other through honest rivalry."
"Exactly."
Now for the main point.
"So, what brings you all this way?"
"Ah, I have a favor to ask the Young Palace Lord of Snow Wind Palace."
"……?"
"Please come with me to the Ice-Fire Conference."
"Ice-Fire Conference? What's that?"
"Oh, I should've explained better. Do you know about Zhu Rong Palace?"
"I've heard of it, but just what others know."
"Then you know that our North Sea Ice Palace and Zhu Rong Palace are sworn enemies?"
"Yes."
Just as cold and heat can't coexist, their enmity was infamous.
"They've been at odds forever, but both sides realized it was just pointless attrition with no winners. So they're negotiating a truce."
"And this conference is for that truce?"
"Yes. It's held every five years, and the decision on the truce is made there. It's a big deal, so tradition calls for the young palace lords from each palace and the heirs of the guardian clans to attend."
That's why she came to me.
I'm the Young Palace Lord of Snow Wind Palace, and it's a guardian force for North Sea Ice Palace, after all.
"Last time, I went alone, and they mocked me endlessly for it……."
"Did you cause a scene by any chance?"
With her temperament, it wouldn't surprise me.
"Looks can be deceiving—I'm pretty patient."
Didn't expect that.
"Anyway, that's why I came to ask you to join me this time."
I reviewed my schedule briefly.
"So we head to North Sea Ice Palace?"
"Yes. We'll gather the delegation there and set out. The Palace Lord also hopes the Divine Maiden will come."
"The Divine Maiden?"
"That's what we call the one who possesses the Ice Spirit Eye."
Ah, got it.
Seo-hyang would need to come along this time.
"She seemed uncomfortable with the title, so I didn't use it back then."
"Understood. Rest up for now. When's the conference?"
"End of the fourth month."
About a month left, but factoring in travel, it wasn't much wiggle room.
I had Palgap escort Young Palace Lord Bing Hae-rin to her quarters, then called for Gold Spirit.
"Gold Spirit."
"Kui?"
"I've got an errand for you."
Gold Spirit, who'd only poked its head out from my sleeve, hopped out and perched on the desk.
Its eyes sparkled eagerly—almost too much.
I ignored it and tied a letter to its tail.
"This is for Master. It's urgent, so hurry back."
"Kui? Kui!"
"Hm? You want two silver taels?"
"Kuu! Kui!"
Since when does it haggle?
Eh, no big deal.
It brings back more value than it costs anyway.
"Fine. Hurry back."
"Kui!"
Gold Spirit shot out the office window like an arrow. Seo-hyang, standing nearby, remarked,
"Gold Spirit's fur has such a healthy sheen these days. Must be all that silver it's eating."
"Money is its food, after all."
She laughed at my words.
"I wouldn't even know where to start raising one."
"It knows that, too. Says it follows whoever has the most cash."
"Smart little thing."
With that, she sorted some documents and handed them over.
"Please approve these first."
"Pardon?"
"They absolutely need your signature, Young Division Head. And before dinner tonight, if possible. Any later, and you'll regret it big time."
"……You saw?"
"Yes."
I tilted my head.
A reply by tonight? And immediate departure?
Or else regret it?
No way…….
"His Imperial Majesty?"
"Yes."
"Whew, then I'd better get to work."
But first, one more thing.
I called in Seo-u Warrior, who was guarding outside.
"Seo-u Warrior!"
"Yes! You called?"
He stepped in from the door, and I instructed him,
"Tell everyone to prepare to depart. Destination's North Sea Ice Palace. We leave before dinner."
"Understood."
"And inform Young Palace Lord Bing Hae-rin as well."
"Yes."
Ice-Fire Conference, eh! It's been ages since I last heard that name. Truth be told, I attended back in my youth. As you know, Zhu Rong Palace is one of the prime suspects in the Snow Wind Palace massacre.
The two silver taels worked wonders.
Gold Spirit returned with a reply far faster than usual.
I gave it the two taels, then unfolded the letter.
I agree we need to uncover the culprit swiftly. But it troubles me that you'd bear all the risk, Young Palace Lord. Still, I can't very well stop you.
If they're not the culprits, there's little to fear. They're opposed to North Sea Ice Palace, but personally trustworthy. Leave it to you.
Truth be told, I'd been a bit worried about this conference.
Me showing up would announce that Snow Wind Palace still stood.
In other words, it might tip off the ones who destroyed it that we're alive and kicking.
They might try something again.
But we couldn't hide forever, skulking in the shadows.
To prepare our next moves, we had to identify the culprits.
That's why I'd asked Master for his thoughts.
I smiled.
I could feel his paternal concern for his disciple.
At the same time, his duty as one who must rebuild Snow Wind Palace weighed on him.
No need to hold back those feelings.
I burned the letter and stood.
"Let's go."
"Yes."
Thanks to Seo-hyang, we departed before dinner.
I'd left the liquor bottle production to Grand Division Head Go—he'd handle it fine.
Other tasks remained, but my capable staff in Present Wind Country would manage.
Suddenly, I understood the Emperor's longing for competent retainers…… not slaves.
And so, we set off for North Sea Ice Palace.
The next morning.
An imperial eunuch visited the Eunhae Merchant Group Beijing branch.
"Welcome."
The Beijing branch manager, Eun, greeted him.
The eunuch exchanged familiar courtesies.
"Good to see you. Where's Young Division Head Eun Seo-ho? Why are you receiving me?"
"Hahaha. Actually, he left for the North Sea yesterday."
"……Pardon?"
"It was quite urgent—he departed last evening."
"……."
The eunuch looked skyward with a sigh. Inwardly: 'Your Majesty, we're too late.'
We rode hard, day and night.
Two days of relentless galloping.
"This should do it."
I slowed the group.
Even if the Emperor came looking, they wouldn't catch us now.
We had Zhu Jiang horses, and Young Palace Lord Bing Hae-rin's lightness skill was top-notch.
"An inn should be coming up soon. Let's rest there for the day."
She nodded at my suggestion.
We relaxed at the inn, then pressed north.
Most folks never set foot in the North Sea their whole lives, yet here I was, visiting again.
Speaking of which, I should stop by Gwangjun Merchant Group while I'm at it.
Young Division Head Bok Yun had been miffed I skipped the Hundred Great Merchant Groups gathering last fall.
A few days later.
With Young Palace Lord Bing Hae-rin's permission, I detoured to Gwangjun Merchant Group.
"Welcome."
I must visit often—they recognized me right away.
They didn't spot her, though, thanks to her veiled hat.
If they had, it'd be chaos.
That's why she wore it.
"Is Young Division Head Bok inside?"
"Yes, he is. Please come in."
We headed to the reception room and waited briefly. I sensed his energy approaching.
The door opened, and in walked Young Division Head Bok Yun.
"Young Division Head Eun!"
I rose and approached him.
"Young Division Head Bok!"
"You have no idea how bummed I was not seeing you at the gathering."
"I'm truly sorry. I was tied up in Yun-nam with urgent business."
"Ah, Yun-nam? Can't be helped, then."
He glanced at my group, then flinched and whispered,
"That lady…… she wouldn't be……?"
"Yes. Exactly."
He immediately gave Young Palace Lord Bing Hae-rin a proper salute.
"Gwangjun Merchant Group Young Division Head Bok Yun greets the Young Mistress of the Ice Castle."
"I'm not here officially, so stand at ease."
"Thank you."
Then he turned to us.
"Allow me to show you to your quarters. And please join the banquet this evening."
……
……
That evening.
Young Division Head Bok Yun hosted a feast in our honor.
Delicious food abounded, and it was a merry time.
As the others retired, I lingered alone with him for a chat.
We clicked so well, time flew by unnoticed.
"Off to North Sea Ice Palace again?"
"Yes."
"What's your connection? You go there more than anyone."
I just smiled.
I couldn't reveal I was Snow Wind Palace's Young Palace Lord yet.
We'd known each other long enough, and he was trustworthy…… but secrets are safer with fewer knowing.
Zhu Rong Palace was as insular as North Sea Ice Palace, so rumors wouldn't spread elsewhere, but still…….
Young Division Head Bok Yun eyed me.
"Father once mentioned a Snow Wind Palace that guarded North Sea Ice Palace. It's gone now, wiped out."
"……!"
I hadn't expected him to bring up Snow Wind Palace—shock hit me hard.
I kept my composure, of course.
He fetched brush and ink from the corner, wrote something, and passed it over.
Are you…… from Snow Wind Palace, Young Division Head Eun?
I bit my lip, then sighed.
I spread my qi to check for listeners, then formed a barrier to contain sound.
No hiding it now, with him going to written words.
And from what I'd seen of him, he'd keep the secret.
"Forgive me. I can't confirm it myself."
"No need. I understand your position."
He knew. Plenty suspicious about Snow Wind Palace's fall.
"What kind of friend would I be if I couldn't grasp that?"
His words warmed me deeply.
He took back the paper, wrote more, and handed it over.
That means you are from Snow Wind Palace, right?
Then he wrote again.
Then pay a visit to my father. He has words for you.