Ice and Fire (5)
Only after clashing with my sword did he seem to notice my presence.
"What the hell? Who's this pretty boy parasite?"
His words nearly made my blood boil for a moment, but I kept a calm expression on the surface.
I'm not the type to let something like this rattle me.
"I am the Little Palace Lord of Snow Wind Palace, guardian of the North Sea Ice Palace. And who might you be?"
"Who the hell are you to ask about me?"
"As I just said, I am the Little Palace Lord of Snow Wind Palace, guardian of the North Sea Ice Palace."
"So what? You her husband or something?"
"……."
I glanced at Bing Hae-rin, the Little Palace Lord, who sighed and spoke up.
"He's the Little Palace Lord of Zhu Rong Palace."
"Ah……."
I could suddenly understand why Bing Hae-rin had badmouthed the Little Palace Lord of Zhu Rong Palace.
I'd have done the same.
To think he's this insane.
Thwack-!
Something flew through the air and smacked the Little Palace Lord of Zhu Rong Palace right on the head.
"Kugh!"
Huh? That's…… a shoe?
I looked toward where the shoe had come from.
Ah…… It was thrown by the Palace Lord of Zhu Rong Palace.
"You little shit! Do you have any idea how precarious our situation is right now? Are you out of your mind?!"
"D-Dad……."
"Apologize to them right now!"
"……."
But instead of complying, he scowled, and another shoe came flying from the other side, hitting him square on the head.
Thud!
"Gah!"
Oof, that’s gotta hurt.
He rubbed his head where the shoe had struck and bit his lip.
Then, reluctantly, he apologized to us.
"I apologize for the rudeness committed by Meng Hyun, Little Palace Lord of Zhu Rong Palace."
"I accept your apology. I hope there won't be a repeat of this rudeness."
Bing Hae-rin's gaze remained icy cold.
She showed no sign of expecting anything from it.
She knew it wasn't sincere and that he'd pull something like this again later.
I sheathed my sword and accepted his apology as well.
"Get out of here now!"
"……."
At the Palace Lord's order to leave, Little Palace Lord Meng Hyun glared at me before exiting the room.
The Palace Lord sighed and apologized to us.
"I'm sorry. It's my fault for raising my son too softly."
"He seems even worse than five years ago."
"……Is that so?"
"Yes. Back then, at least he knew to pick his spots."
"Five years ago, he came back from the North Sea Ice Palace and suddenly threw himself into training. I wondered why…… but now I see there was a reason."
The Palace Lord gave a wry smile and continued.
"Even I might have fallen for her back in my youth."
"I appreciate the compliment, but I am the Little Palace Lord of the North Sea Ice Palace. Marriage is not possible."
At her firm words, the Palace Lord of Zhu Rong Palace shook his head.
"I know. That's why I warned my son. Not sure if this will stop him, though."
Suddenly, I felt the need to get one firm assurance right here.
"Palace Lord, I have one question for you."
"What is it?"
"As the Little Palace Lord of Snow Wind Palace, guardian of the North Sea Ice Palace, I have a duty to protect Little Palace Lord Bing Hae-rin."
"I know that."
"If the Little Palace Lord of Zhu Rong Palace is rude again, must I, as a guest, simply endure it?"
"No need for that."
"And if my somewhat rough response in handling it causes injury, will that affect these talks?"
"No need to worry about that. I won't let personal feelings interfere."
"Then there will be no punishment either?"
"If my son is the one who starts the rudeness first."
"Understood. The Lord of Fire, renowned for keeping his word, wouldn't go back on it."
"Of course not."
Perfect.
Now, if that Meng Hyun tries anything rude again, I can act without holding back.
"You must be tired from the long journey. Go rest now."
"Thank you for your consideration."
.
.
.
Our group was escorted to our quarters.
"Please use this place."
The assigned quarters were a large pavilion, apparently used entirely as guest lodgings.
The disciple who guided us explained the place.
"If you need anything, just pull this bell cord."
"Thanks for looking after us so well."
"No need to thank me. I'm glad to have something to do, thanks to you."
"?"
To our puzzled looks, he replied.
"I'm in charge of the guest pavilion, but visitors to Zhu Rong Palace are extremely rare."
"Ah, I see."
"Then, have a pleasant night."
The disciple in charge of the guest pavilion bowed politely and left the pavilion.
Bing Hae-rin, the Little Palace Lord, plopped down into a chair with a sigh.
I sat across from her and said,
"I think I understand now why you hesitated to explain the Ice-Fire Summit."
"Thank you for understanding. But that firm assurance you got from the Zhu Rong Palace Lord…… was it for my sake?"
"Exactly."
She smirked at my words.
"So if he pulls any more rudeness, you can strike without mercy."
"You bet I will."
We rose from the reception room in the center of the annex and headed to our respective rooms.
I was sharing a room with Palgap, while Seo-hyang Sojeo was rooming with Bing Hae-rin, the Little Palace Lord.
The others were too wary around Seo-hyang Sojeo, and it made her uncomfortable.
Bing Hae-rin seemed the better option, at least.
"Are you turning in now?"
"Yeah."
"I'll prepare the bedding for you."
With that, I turned in early.
Between all the rushing around and the earlier incident, I was exhausted.
The dead of night, so dark you couldn't see your hand in front of your face.
A shadowy figure crept toward the guest pavilion where the North Sea Ice Palace group was staying.
It was Meng Hyun.
The Palace Lord's eldest son and Little Palace Lord of Zhu Rong Palace.
Zhu Rong Palace allowed free marriages, so the Palace Lord position had always passed down through bloodlines.
'Hoo…….'
He took a steadying breath.
He knew full well that what he was doing wasn't honorable.
Yet the reason he headed for the guest pavilion anyway.
Revenge against Eun Seo-ho, who had humiliated him in front of Bing Hae-rin today.
True to Zhu Rong Palace blood, Meng Hyun was tenacious about grudges.
Someone following him whispered,
"Hey, is this really okay? This is such a cowardly move! If the Palace Lord finds out, we're dead!"
"We'll get beaten half to death first. But I can't back down like this. To suffer that humiliation in front of her, of all people!"
His companion sighed at that.
His name was Hae Hong.
Eldest son of the Hae family, generational guardians of Zhu Rong Palace.
Looking at his close friend and future Palace Lord, he grumbled inwardly.
Hey, you idiot. Don't you realize this is even more embarrassing?
He sighed, recalling the events of five years ago.
Back then, Meng Hyun had visited the North Sea Ice Palace for the Ice Alliance Summit and fallen for Bing Hae-rin on the spot.
Her beauty, matured over those five years, had shaken him to the core.
Even Hae Hong had to admit she was stunning and captivating.
Meng Hyun had proposed a marriage duel right there, but she rejected him outright.
"I am the Little Palace Lord of the North Sea Ice Palace. Marriage is not possible."
He persisted until she finally agreed to the duel.
But the result was a total defeat.
A utter, indefensible loss.
Yet Meng Hyun didn't give up. He returned to Zhu Rong Palace, honing his martial arts while awaiting this day.
Which led to him barging into his father's office today.
Hae Hong, having heard of Meng Hyun's antics that day from the family servants, sighed quietly.
I know he's always been reckless, but…….
But now that they were here, there was no turning back.
If he backed out, Meng Hyun would sulk for sure.
And when this guy sulks, it's a headache. Poor Little Palace Lord Eun…… how'd he end up on this guy's shitlist.
He felt sorry for Eun Seo-ho but was powerless to help.
"So what're you planning? You're not actually gonna hurt him, right?"
"Not that far."
Meng Hyun continued, as if to say not to worry.
"I'll stick this dagger into Eun Seo-ho's pillow. When he wakes up and sees it, he'll freak out."
"So, you're warning him not to interfere?"
"Exactly. I'd love to beat him half to death, but he's a guest here for the summit."
In his mind, this was measured enough not to cause real trouble.
That alone seems plenty problematic…….
Hae Hong sighed inwardly again and asked,
"You know which room Little Palace Lord Eun Seo-ho is in?"
"Of course."
He knew the guest pavilion was crawling with North Sea Ice Palace warriors, and guards stood before Eun Seo-ho's door.
So their chosen method: infiltration through the window.
Zhu Rong Palace's climate meant the windows were huge.
They set up a ladder and parted the thin curtain.
It was loosely woven to let the breeze through, replacing solid doors.
That was when it happened.
"……!"
"……!"
Their bodies froze stiff.
The moment they parted the curtain, killing intent shot toward them.
It was killing intent unlike any they'd felt before.
A chilling cold burrowed into their bodies next.
Terror so intense it felt like their blood and organs were freezing made them tremble.
Like ice blades shredding their guts.
"Wh-wh-what……."
Creeeak.
The ladder toppled backward.
Thud!
They hit the ground and scrambled away in panic.
Aigoo, their asses must be sore.
I clicked my tongue as I watched Meng Hyun and his crew flee.
I called out to Geum-ryeong, who was perched on the window frame.
"Geum-ryeong. Come here."
"Kui?"
"You chased off those annoying pests for me, so here's a silver coin."
Geum-ryeong wagged its tail, darted over, clutched the silver, and rolled around on the bed happily.
A moment ago, I'd sensed the killing intent and woken up.
It was weak for true killing intent, but the hostility toward me was clear.
I focused my energy in my ears to listen outside and could only sigh.
Handling it myself felt iffy and annoying.
As if sensing my dilemma, Geum-ryeong poked out from my sleeve with a "kui," offering to chase them off.
I told it to go ahead, and it handled them effortlessly.
"I can't imagine what about Geum-ryeong scared them so much."
Palgap, already awake, said that.
"Yeah, really."
I smirked and brushed it off, but I knew.
To its owner and his people, it was adorable—but it was a spirit beast that could crush ghosts with its aura.
They were lucky not to have pissed themselves tonight.
"Let's get back to sleep."
"Yes."
I pulled the covers over me again, and Geum-ryeong rolled around on my stomach, hugging the silver.
Does it love money that much?
Well, seeing it so happy made me feel good too.
.
.
.
Dawn broke.
After rising, I did some light training.
Once washed and changed, a disciple from Zhu Rong Palace in charge of the guest pavilion arrived.
"I'll prepare breakfast for you."
"Thank you."
After eating and sipping tea, we reviewed the upcoming summit again.
The talks were the day after tomorrow.
We had some free time until then.
But that was also our window to confirm if Zhu Rong Palace was the evil force behind Snow Wind Palace's troubles.
I said to the disciple in charge,
"I've heard much of Zhu Rong Palace's prestige. Visitors are rare, so I'd love to tour your historic buildings while I'm here."
"That's beyond my authority. I'll ask the Palace Lord."
While the disciple went for permission, Bing Hae-rin said to me,
"Sorry about last night."
"Pardon?"
"I saw from the window."
Ah…… she meant that.
I smirked.
"No problem. Their asses must be sore, though—hope they can walk straight."
She smirked back.
Meanwhile, Seo-hyang Sojeo wore a relaxed smile, as if she'd foreseen it.
The disciple soon returned.
"Permission granted. But only for the two of you, and you must follow the guiding disciple."
"Understood."
I nodded, puzzled inwardly.
Just me and Bing Hae-rin?
Was there something the others couldn't see?
Or did they not trust the rest of us?
I didn't fully trust this place yet either.
A short while later.
The guiding disciple arrived.
Bing Hae-rin and I followed him, touring Zhu Rong Palace.
Unlike the North Sea Ice Palace or the Central Plains sects and clans, it was entirely different.
The roofs were elongated, and the windows huge.
"The roofs are shaped that way because of heavy rains. And the large windows let the wind through."
"I see."
The ground floors seemed for other uses, with living quarters mainly on the upper levels.
"With all the insects and snakes, that's how the houses evolved."
"Zhu Rong Palace folk probably aren't scared of such things."
"Of course. But they're still a hassle."
"Hmm, fair enough."
That was when.
Grrrowl?
Something huge stirred beside the building. I blinked in shock.
A…… tiger?
Why was there a tiger here?
While I panicked, the disciple calmly bowed to it.
"I pay respects to the divine beast."
Then, in a low voice to us,
"Bow your heads quickly. It's our Zhu Rong Palace's guardian divine beast."
Seeing Bing Hae-rin bow confirmed it wasn't a lie.
I bowed my head hastily too.
But the tiger circled me a few times, sniffing.
And then…….
Flop.
It rolled onto its back in front of me, belly up.
What the……?