Ice and Fire (2)
I tilted my head at the note.
The head of the Gwangjun Merchant Group had something to tell me about the Frostwind Palace?
What connection could he possibly have to the Frostwind Palace?
I'd have to hear him out first.
"May I visit you now?"
"Of course. He should be back by now."
I headed to the Gwangjun Merchant Group's leader's office with Bok Yun, the sub-leader.
"Father, it's Yun. Sub-leader Eun Seo-ho wants to pay his respects."
"Come in."
We entered the office.
Bok Sangdanju, who had been sitting at his desk, stood up to greet me.
"Welcome."
I'd heard he had business visiting nearby merchant groups and had just returned.
That explained why he hadn't attended the banquet.
He must have received a report about Little Palace Lord Bing Hae-rin's visit, but since it was late, he probably planned to exchange greetings tomorrow.
Yet here I was, showing up unannounced, and his expression mixed delight with puzzlement.
Even for close allies, it was quite late for a formal visit.
"You've been well."
"I know you're busier than ever—what's this about?"
He nodded with a smile.
"Heading to the North Sea, I see."
"Yes."
I glanced at Bok Yun.
Bok Yun nodded and said to his father,
"We came because I remembered what you told me before."
I picked up from there.
"The sub-leader mentioned you had something to say to me."
As I spoke, I pulled a plaque from my robes and showed it.
"Ah! Sorry, that's not it..."
I apologized and tucked it away.
It was the proof plaque that Grandmaster Bang Hyo-myeong had given me recently, marking me as the successor to the Carnage Lord.
The red jade was intricately carved, almost resembling raw meat from a distance.
Surely they hadn't shaped it that way just to evoke the Carnage Lord.
Still, since even Gold Spirit coveted it, it had to be quite valuable.
Anyway, I drew out the white identity plaque proving I was the Frostwind Palace's Little Palace Lord.
"Th-that...!"
Bok Sangdanju's eyes widened briefly before calming, and he asked me,
"How long?"
"A little while now."
"Heh... To think I didn't recognize you right in front of me! But your father clearly..."
Before he could finish, I sent a sound transmission.
- My master is the Palace Lord of Frostwind Palace.
"I see."
Bok Sangdanju nodded again and said,
"I'd entrust the next generation to someone as capable as you, too."
"My skills are modest."
"No need for false modesty."
He chuckled softly, then grew serious again.
"Follow me."
"Yes."
"Yun-ah, stay here."
I followed Bok Sangdanju.
But we kept walking without pause.
"Do we have farther to go?"
I asked cautiously, and he nodded.
Ah, even farther, then.
This place was still within the Gwangjun Merchant Group's compound, which struck me anew as how vast the grounds were.
Yeonyeong had plenty of land relative to its population, after all.
As a border region mostly wasteland, it specialized in animal husbandry.
That was why it weathered the ongoing famines better than most.
Rice had never been their staple.
How much farther did we go?
A pavilion appeared in the distance, and Bok Sangdanju finally stopped before it.
A pavilion in the middle of this barren plain!
It seemed out of place, but there had to be meaning behind it.
Especially since he'd brought me here, the Little Palace Lord of Frostwind Palace.
"The current Frostwind Palace Lord is Young Master Myeonghyeon, right?"
I flinched at the question but nodded after confirming no one was around.
This was open wasteland.
No place to hide.
Is that why he'd chosen this spot?
I turned the question back to him.
"Do you know my master?"
"I've seen him once."
"May I ask your connection to Frostwind Palace?"
"It's no secret. To do business long-term in Yeonyeong, you need ties to Frostwind Palace."
The palace's influence must have been immense back then.
"We received much help from them... My father even shared drinks with the previous Palace Lord right here."
As he spoke, Bok Sangdanju climbed the pavilion and fetched a staff.
Shing.
A sword slid out from within the staff. He began stabbing the ground around the pavilion.
Thud!
Something clanged.
He pointed there and said,
"Dig that up."
"Pardon?"
"You're young—do the digging. Aigoo, my back."
I chuckled at his playful back-rubbing.
Bok Sangdanju, maybe check a mirror before saying that.
A man who could subdue a wild horse with one hand!
By contrast, his wife was so graceful and refined.
No doubt Bok the sub-leader took after his mother's side.
"Got a shovel?"
He fetched one from a pavilion pillar, and I dug at the spot.
Out came a small iron box.
Gold Spirit showed no reaction, so it wasn't particularly valuable.
"What's this?"
"Something my father hid."
"Pardon?"
"Over twenty years ago now."
Come to think of it, it had been about twenty-one years since Frostwind Palace's destruction this year.
"Father returned from the North Sea back then with a grim expression."
"He saw the aftermath."
"Likely. He said he found it there, put it in this box. He never told me what it was, just swore me to secrecy—share it only with someone trustworthy from Frostwind Palace."
"So you've kept it secret all these years."
"Yes."
"Twenty years guarding that secret! Impressive."
"He said it was repaying the debts we owed Frostwind Palace. And Gwangjun Merchant Group repays its debts sincerely."
That explained the fine horses he'd sent before as "repaying a favor."
And all the other generosity.
"From your look, you're wondering why bother repaying so meticulously when you could've just ignored it."
"Plenty of people would."
"True enough. But not in Yeonyeong. You have to stick together to survive here. That's why we never forget favors and repay them fully."
"I understand."
"Take the box to your lodgings and check it there. Father told me not even to peek inside."
"Got it."
A moment later.
I returned to my quarters.
"Huh? What's this?"
Palgap tilted his head at the dirt-caked box.
But I didn't explain.
"If you don't want Datak getting filthy, better lay down a cloth quick."
"Gasp! Y-yes, sir."
Palgap hurriedly spread a cloth, and I set the box down.
Then sighed.
"What's wrong?"
At Seo-hyang the maid's question, I scratched my cheek.
"I'm not sure what this is either, so I'm confused."
It'd be nice if she could tell me before opening it, but her ice crystal eyes revealed hidden powers, not things sealed inside boxes.
Whew, fine. As Frostwind Palace's Little Palace Lord, I should check it.
Everyone in my room now knew I was Frostwind Palace's Little Palace Lord.
That's why I hadn't sent them out. They'd learn anyway, and explaining separately was a hassle.
I carefully opened the box.
Creeeak.
The rusted hinges groaned.
Inside was something wrapped in faded, worn white cloth.
I unwrapped it gingerly.
"...!"
What lay within was utterly unexpected.
"Huh? Isn't that a whetstone?"
Whetstones were essential for warriors.
Weapons dulled in battle or training, so they needed regular sharpening.
Interestingly, a whetstone retained traces of the user's weapon and habits.
But why had the previous Gwangjun leader hidden this one so carefully?
And why entrust it to a trustworthy Frostwind Palace member?
He'd probably found it amid the palace ruins—why deem it so important?
I'd seen plenty of whetstones, but rarely used one myself.
My internal energy from the Taiyin Frost Sea Divine Art was inherently sharp.
It enhanced blade cutting power, so dulling was rare.
Plus, constant exposure to the art's aura prevented rust.
Aha!
It hit me.
The previous Bok Sangdanju, with his long ties to Frostwind Palace, must have known that.
So he figured this wasn't from Frostwind Palace—but from the beast that attacked it.
Was this evidence to track the beast?
Master and the North Sea Ice Palace Lord had said no evidence remained in the ruins.
Remarkable that he'd found this.
And hiding it like this was wise.
They said the beast's side still monitored the area afterward.
Gwangjun could have been swept up too.
And this evidence lost.
I showed the whetstone to Seo-u Warrior.
"Seo-u Warrior."
"Yes."
"Any clues from this whetstone?"
Seo-u Warrior took it and examined it closely.
"Hmm, the owner used an ordinary longsword. The wear is heavy, but the technique suggests second-rate to first-rate skill."
"I see."
"And it's high quality."
That meant the owner was fairly wealthy.
Whetstones were essentials for sword-for-hire types but wore out fast.
Poor swordsmen had to ration them.
"From the traces, the owner is either a user of the Blazing Flame Art or lives in an extremely hot place."
Seo-u Warrior continued,
"See how this part is cracked? Heat exposure does that, but whether environmental or artificial heat makes a difference."
"Got it."
This confirmed it as the beast's evidence.
Hot regions or Blazing Flame Art had zero ties to the North Sea.
"That's my take."
I asked the other warriors,
"Any other thoughts?"
They shook their heads—no further input.
As expected of Seo-u Warrior.
His vast experience proved invaluable again.
First, I needed to meet the Volcano Palace folks.
One more goal for this journey.
.
.
.
The next day.
"Please take care."
"Yes. Will do."
We left Gwangjun Merchant Group under Bok the sub-leader's farewell. His generous supplies lightened our worries.
We raced across the plains.
Thanks to Little Palace Lord Bing Hae-rin, no tribes approached.
We reached the North Sea branch peacefully.
Heading to the North Sea anyway, we planned to deliver activity funds.
The branch chief, long absent, now looked the part of a local.
"Long time no see, Sub-leader!"
He boomed a laugh at me, fierce enough to fell a wolf pack.
Had he only trained his body here?
His arms rivaled Palgap's thighs.
"You've changed a lot. Like you've turned back the years."
"Don't tease this old body."
No, really.
Who'd guess he was nearing retirement?
"Here, take this."
I handed over a pouch of silver.
"Activity funds. Keep up the good work."
"My utmost loyalty."
"Oh, and..."
I told him,
"If you can source any spiritual herbs from the North Sea, please do."
"Spiritual herbs?"
"Yes. Especially ice lotuses—grab any you find."
With the eternal formation craftsman, we could brew White Dew Wine; ice lotuses would let us try Ice Lotus Wine.
"I'll also inspect the North Sea branch."
"Yes."
We toured the branch, noted shortcomings, and daybreak arrived.
With the Ice Frost Conference nearing, we headed to North Sea Ice Palace next day.
"Sub-leader, the blizzards might be rough."
I waved off the chief's concern.
"A journey with the Little Lord of the Ice Castle? Why fear a mere blizzard?"
"Fair point. Safe travels."
And so we pressed into the North Sea...
Whiiirrr—!
...and met the ferocious, whipping snowstorm.
"We gotta punch through that?"
"Yep."
"Eek..."
Palgap shuddered, awed. The others looked worried too.
But I wasn't concerned.
Master had taught me how to traverse the North Sea blizzards without beast attacks.
A secret technique only Frostwind Palace's Little Palace Lord could use.
I drew my Silver Mist Sword and thrust at the storm ahead, unleashing energy.
Whoosh!
A path opened before us.
Wow!
Truly awesome?