Ice and Fire (4)
Yeon Yu-mun the young master led us to an unexpected place: an academy.
The plaque hanging there read Namgwang Academy.
"Isn't this an academy?"
He nodded at my question.
"It is. But we haven't taken in students yet, and it's quite spacious, so everyone can rest comfortably."
"I see. But why an academy? And it's impressively large."
"Sigh..."
Yeon Yu-mun let out a deep breath.
"Do you remember the great trouble our Chunggyeong City faced not long ago?"
"Of course."
"The biggest reason we struggled was our isolation."
He's facing reality objectively.
"To prevent such incidents in the future, we've built this academy. If its graduates serve in the court, we can avoid injustices."
"A wise idea. His Majesty will keep an eye on things for now, and so will I, but decades from now? Who knows."
"That's why we're opening next month. We've furnished it and finished cleaning, so you can stay without issue."
Bing Hae-rin, the young palace lord, replied.
"That'll do nicely. We're just grateful for shelter from the dew."
With that, we entered the academy.
It was splendidly built.
As we unpacked, Yeon Yu-mun said to me,
"As a boarding academy, it has ample bathhouses and a dining hall."
"Then we can buy ingredients and cook ourselves."
"I'll provide the foodstuffs."
I waved it off.
"No need. You've already given us shelter from the night dew; we can't impose further."
I continued,
"Besides, with our large group, the cost wouldn't be trivial."
"That's fine. If not for Daehyeop..."
He trailed off, recalling those events.
"Please accept my sincerity."
How could I refuse now?
"Very well. We gratefully accept."
I explained to Bing Hae-rin, who smiled at me.
"Why the look?"
"I've thought it since first seeing you, but Seonhyeopmirang suits you perfectly."
Her unexpected praise made me scratch my neck sheepishly.
"We're sharing in the young palace lord's past benevolence. Thank you."
"No need for thanks. Any foods you can't eat?"
"None. Our disciples eat anything."
Soon, Yeon Yu-mun arrived with a cart of ingredients.
But as we prepared to cook, a problem arose.
"Uh, how do you handle this fish?"
"Just grill it?"
The North Sea Ice Palace warriors, clueless about cooking, fumbled about.
I sighed and asked Bing Hae-rin,
"No one knows how to cook?"
"We travel light with elites, no chefs. And we rarely venture far, so we don't have many."
Fair enough—the North Sea Ice Palace was insular, rarely leaving.
"I see. But as women, I figured some had cooking experience."
"We'd need the chance to learn."
"Ah..."
I understood.
They entered young, too young for such lessons.
Afterward, it was all martial training...
"My apologies for the rude assumption."
Prejudices are frightening.
Then Palgap spoke.
"Young master, may I step in?"
Ah, right!
We had Palgap!
I clasped my hands to him.
"Palgap, please. I don't want those fine ingredients ruined."
He rolled up his sleeves with a resolute face.
"No worries."
Thus began Palgap's performance.
Chop chop chop chop!
His divine knife skills flew,
Whoosh!
Masterfully handling the stove, moving everywhere seamlessly.
Yet he never bumped anyone, flowing like water.
With precise directions too.
I marveled anew.
With the King of Killing talent and training under Jin Yu Warrior, his skills grew.
But he felt less assassin, more bear.
Palgap was just a bear.
Were bears always so nimble and flexible?
Soon, the table overflowed.
"Today's meal is by Palgap. Everyone, give thanks."
At Bing Hae-rin's words, applause rang out.
Clap clap clap!
Palgap blushed deeply.
"Thanks. I'll dig in."
I thanked him and took a spoonful.
First, a refreshing, spicy fish soup.
Oh! Oh!
The fish thrashed in the broth before my eyes.
"Delicious! Tastes like Beijing's Chunmeng House haeseon-tang?"
"Yes. You liked it, so I learned from the chef."
"Ah, that's why you slipped out often."
Thus, we enjoyed a hearty meal after so long.
The next day, Yeon Yu-mun visited.
"I hope you rested well."
"Thanks to your kindness. Truly grateful."
"The North Sea Ice Palace won't forget your hospitality."
Bing Hae-rin and I bowed in thanks.
"Until we meet again on a joyous occasion."
"I look forward to it."
We departed for Zhurong Palace, with him seeing us off.
Well-fed and rested, all looked bright.
Bing Hae-rin noted,
"Phew, at least they won't mock our state this time."
"Pardon?"
"They sneered at us during the talks ten years ago. Grr!"
She ground her teeth at the memory.
"I see."
"Ten years ago? But you're my age..."
"Master took me as future young palace lord, for experience."
"Ah."
We sped toward Zhurong Palace.
Hot, humid, jungle surroundings, but the elites handled it.
No bugs neared either.
Without elites, the path would've been grueling.
Zhurong Palace was new to me, past and present lives.
More insular than North Sea Ice Palace.
Wrong approach meant instant death by darts or arrows.
En route to Yunnan, I briefed my group.
Unlike the marriage-less North Sea, they wed freely—but uniquely.
Duel marriage: Challenge a desired partner; win, and wed.
Fitting for murim.
They claimed descent from Zhurong, fire and south god.
Hence the name.
Main weapons: longswords, adept with flying blades too.
Myeongjong Warrior asked,
"No poison arts? As Yunnan folk, they'd excel there."
Seo-u Warrior answered,
"Zhurong doesn't use poison. Not like the poison sects."
He explained,
"Nanman Beast Sect uses live poisons controlled."
"I see."
"Heard Zhurong can't use poison effectively—their fire arts weaken it. So poison sects and beasts avoid them."
"Perfect counters."
Bing Hae-rin nodded.
"You know your stuff."
"Handled this area as escort boss."
"Impressive. Reassuring."
"Glad to help."
Mid-talk, Bing Hae-rin raised a hand, halting us.
"Yeojin."
A disciple named Yeojin stepped forward—her guard too.
"Fire the signal arrow."
"Yes."
She drew from her quiver and shot skyward.
Screee!
Sharp whistle followed.
Soon,
Thud thud thud!
Hooves shook the ground.
Red-armored riders appeared.
Light armor for heat, covering vitals—head, neck.
Ornate helmets.
One dismounted, approached, and bowed.
"Zhurong Palace Outer Steward Hae Dal-man greets North Sea Ice Palace Young Palace Lord."
"Thanks for the welcome."
"Safe travels?"
More courteous than expected.
He eyed me, tilting his head—we were the men.
"And him?"
Bing Hae-rin replied,
"Guardian of North Sea Ice Palace: Seolpung Palace Young Palace Lord and retinue."
"Pardon?"
Startled tilt.
"Heard Seolpung had calamity ages ago."
"No calamity ends Seolpung."
"...I see."
Perplexed.
Survivors from presumed-wiped Seolpung? Or failure to wipe them?
Truth soon.
If beasts, alert master fast.
Not to hide—but prepare countermeasures.
Unknown foes terrify; known ones? Freedom expands.
Just watch them.
I breathed deep inwardly.
Time to judge if Zhurong beasts who razed Seolpung.
They guided us inside.
Traps everywhere.
Some held withered corpses.
Seo-hyang paled.
"Don't fear."
I whispered,
"No need. Left as warning. We're guests—no fear required."
"Ah."
I soothed her; soon, Zhurong heart.
"Palace lord and great lady await."
"Lead on."
Hae Dal-man guided promptly.
At massive stone door.
"Palace lord, North Sea Ice Young Palace Lord and Seolpung Young Palace Lord here."
"Enter."
"Yes."
Rumble rumble.
Giants turned handles, opening it.
We entered.
Man and woman on throne, feathered helm, tanned bronze skin, muscled—southern vigor.
We bowed deeply.
"North Sea Ice Palace Young Palace Lord Bing Hae-rin greets Fire Ruler and Great Lady."
"Seolpung Palace Young Palace Lord Eun Seo-ho greets Fire Ruler and Great Lady."
Palace lord spoke,
"Glad to meet. Rise."
"Thank you."
"But..."
He eyed me.
"You're Seolpung Young Palace Lord."
"Yes."
"Heard Seolpung fell to mystery foes?"
"True, but not annihilation."
"Surprising."
He nodded.
"Eunhae Merchant youngest, Seonhyeopmirang, as Seolpung lord."
"...!"
I was shocked.
Insular, yet recognized me instantly?
"Didn't expect you to know me."
"You've shone in Yunnan. With Gold Guard before, now Ice Palace lord."
I glanced at Bing Hae-rin.
Zhurong ignores outside?
Her eyes wavered—unexpected too.
I smiled inwardly, calm.
"Hard work brings connections."
"Indeed."
He nodded placidly.
Then,
Rumble.
Door opened; someone shouted entering,
"Bing Hae-rin! Marry me this time!"
Sword thrust at her.
I drew, blocking.
Clang!
What the—? This fool?