Encountering Once More (1)
In response to my question, the Blazing Sulfur Palace Lord countered.
"Doyeonmun?"
"Yes."
"Why do you ask about that place?"
"My apologies. I read the records from that time inside the hall."
"I see..."
The Lord pondered for a moment before speaking.
"If you want to know about it, bring me the Silver Mist Sword first."
"Pardon?"
"Seeing that Wu Chulmu-san is gone, it seems someone took that sword... Retrieve it for me."
The Lord continued.
"The Silver Mist Sword is the sacred treasure of the Seolpung Palace Lord! Without it, even if you seek revenge, it would only be personal vengeance, not the Seolpung Palace's."
Was the Silver Mist Sword that important a treasure?
I asked the Lord.
"Must I bring the Silver Mist Sword specifically?"
"I'm worried you might get into danger while digging into it after I tell you about Doyeonmun. Of course, I know your skills roughly. But something feels off—dangerous. With the Silver Mist Sword, you could at least avoid the worst outcomes, so that's why I'm asking for it."
So it was out of concern for me.
"In that case, you can tell me now."
"Hah, didn't you hear me?"
"The Silver Mist Sword is right here."
I untied the sword from my waist and held it out.
"This is... the Silver Mist Sword?"
Shing.
I drew it halfway, revealing the name Silver Mist Sword engraved on the blade.
"Right, now that you mention it, the Silver Mist Sword doesn't have a fixed form."
The Lord nodded.
"I didn't realize when you drew it to stop my son's intrusion, but seeing it like this, I understand."
The Lord merely looked at it without attempting to take it.
He seemed to know that recklessly grasping a sword with an owner could drive one mad.
"Indeed, that aura... it's the energy of the Silver Mist Sword."
His voice was thick with emotion.
He must have been seeing something cherished through this Silver Mist Sword.
"That's enough. You can sheathe it now."
Shing, click.
I sheathed it and said to the Lord.
"Then, can you tell me about Doyeonmun now?"
He sighed at my question.
"I've already let the words slip from my mouth—how could I not tell you?"
I kept my focus sharp, concentrating on his words.
"Doyeonmun was a sect in Yunnan Province."
"...'Was'?"
"Yes, it was wiped out about a dozen years ago. It was originally affiliated with our palace but declared independence some twenty years back."
I couldn't help but question this unexpected history.
"Can they just declare independence like that?"
"It's their freedom. They affiliated with our palace for protection, but if they have the power to defend themselves, they can leave."
"I see..."
"But they didn't last even ten years."
The Lord's expression soured as he said it.
To confirm, I asked.
"Was the sect leader of Doyeonmun a Yu?"
"How did you know? Was it in the records?"
"No, it wasn't there."
"Then how?"
"I learned it when I obtained the Silver Mist Sword. The mad warrior in those records was named Yu Deok-jin. I subdued him and found the token in his possession."
"I see."
But I said no more than that.
It felt like something my master should explain himself.
When those two met, pent-up longing and resentment might lead to fists flying first...
In any case, it was clear why Yu Deok-jin had come to Yunnan with the Silver Mist Sword.
His father had belonged to the Doyeonmun in Yunnan Province.
"Then... was Doyeonmun's martial art also the Blazing Flower Technique?"
"Correct. It was influenced by our palace's arts."
That explained it.
I could guess why his father hadn't acknowledged or accepted him.
During my fight with Warrior Yu Deok-jin back then, something felt familiar.
I later realized it was the technique taught to Seolpung Palace's regular warriors.
Though his father was from Doyeonmun, his inner energy was the opposite—yin-based—so he couldn't be recognized there.
And with a mother who either couldn't or wouldn't give him love, it made sense he'd crave his father's affection so desperately.
Thinking about it, he seemed pitiful.
Doyeonmun, who exploited such a man, was utter trash.
"You said Doyeonmun was exterminated a dozen years ago?"
"Yes. They didn't leave a single dog or chicken alive—wiped them all out."
"Do you know who did it?"
"Since they once served our Blazing Sulfur Palace, we investigated. We identified the culprits: a black path group called the Blood Heaven Sect from Yunnan."
Blood Heaven Sect? I'd never heard of it.
I asked again.
"Where is the Blood Heaven Sect?"
"No one's left there now."
"Pardon?"
"They vanished overnight."
"What? Did someone wipe them out too?"
"No, they just pulled out completely."
What did that mean?
Establishing a base in martial world territory took time and effort.
Yet they abandoned it so easily?
"That's why I said it smells dangerous. It means there's a force behind them that can make a whole sect pack up on a word."
I returned to my quarters.
Thud.
I sank into the chair by the table, gazing at the moon filtering through the thin curtain over the window.
Just as the moon was faintly visible to my eyes, the culprits who destroyed Seolpung Palace seemed within reach yet elusive.
Still, it was far better than before, when I had no clues at all.
I pulled a token from my sleeve.
The Blazing Sulfur Palace Lord had just given it to me—permission to freely access their library here.
He said it'd be better if I looked it up myself rather than him explaining.
To uncover everything before the conference ended, I'd have to move quickly.
"You just got back, young master?"
Then Palgap entered, asking.
He'd been awake when I left to meet Young Palace Lord Maeng earlier, but gone when I returned—I wondered where he'd been.
"Where'd you go?"
Palgap grinned at my question.
"There's a good show going on."
Curious, I tilted my head and followed him out, soon chuckling despite myself.
In the backyard stood Geumryeong, puffed up with pride.
And in front of it, Hwasik with tail tucked, unable to even look straight ahead.
Geumryeong had won.
I asked Palgap.
"What happened?"
"When that tiger came around, Geumryeong charged like lightning, and they tussled."
"Yeah?"
"Geumryeong dominated from the start. One grrrowl! and the tiger just whimpered without fighting back."
Of course.
Considering what I'd fed Geumryeong so far, this was the least it could do.
A little later.
As I lay on the bed, Geumryeong climbed onto my stomach.
It recited its heroic tale with a smug expression.
"Kkwi! Kkwi!"
"Yeah, yeah, I told you—you're strong."
"Kkwiit!"
"By the way, why was Hwasik trying to butter me up?"
Geumryeong explained to my question.
"Kkwi. Kkwiit! Kkwi!"
"Hm? It sensed some inexplicable pressure from me? So it figured it had to get on my good side?"
Why?
I asked Geumryeong.
"Do you feel like you need to butter me up too?"
"Kkwi? Kkwi. Kkwi."
"Oh? 'It's only natural to stay on your water-giver's good side'?"
Ah...
Nothing to say to that.
"Kkwi. Kkwi!"
I chuckled at Geumryeong's words.
It claimed to be so magnanimous it wouldn't get jealous if Hwasik got close to me.
Sure, say that now—too late for credibility.
The next day.
I rose early and headed to the library.
After the conference, I'd return to the North Sea Ice Palace. With it tomorrow, today was my only chance.
"This is the library."
The disciple guiding me was exceedingly polite.
The one who'd shown me around the palace sights must have gotten in big trouble.
Hence the fearful deference.
"Thank you for the guidance."
"No trouble at all."
"I'd like to eat lunch here today—is that possible?"
"Yes. There's a table over there; you can eat there."
His finger pointed to a table and chairs.
"Then I'll have lunch here."
"Understood. I'll bring it later."
"Thank you. But I heard this was the library—where are the books?"
The disciple explained.
"The main library is beyond that door. Insert the key you have into the slot, and it will open."
"Key?"
"The token from the Lord is the key."
"I see. Why stop here, then?"
"I can't enter that library."
"Pardon? What do you mean?"
"Didn't you know? This leads to the top-grade library, accessible only to the Lord's blood kin or important guests. For an outsider like you to get permission is extraordinary in itself."
"I see."
The Lord trusted me that much.
A bit burdensome.
"When it's mealtime, pull the bell cord. Come out when you hear the bell."
"Will do."
I approached the library door and inserted the token from the Blazing Sulfur Palace Lord into the slot.
Click.
The lock released, and the door opened.
"Whoa..."
I couldn't help but gasp at the sight inside.
The antique shelves were filled with bamboo slips and books.
But no time to gawk.
I quickly searched for records on Doyeonmun.
* * *
At that moment.
Blazing Sulfur Palace Lord Maeng Jin was receiving a report.
"The Seolpung Palace Young Lord has entered the library."
"Good."
"But why let the Seolpung Palace Young Lord in there?"
"I owe him personally."
"I see."
The outer steward standing before him nodded slightly. A personal debt wasn't something to pry into.
Maeng Jin chuckled, recalling Eun Seo-ho's boldness.
'That guy's the Young Lord? Makes my Hyun jealous.'
He said to the steward.
"Is that all you have to say?"
"...!"
The steward Haedalmang flinched at the question, then bowed his head.
"I've heard about my son's rudeness to Eun Seo-ho, the branch leader. My apologies."
"I'm not after an apology."
He shook his head with a sigh.
"Hah... I've failed in raising my son too."
The steward cautiously asked.
"What worries you?"
"Our palace's future."
"Pardon?"
"I'm concerned about our palace's future. Let me ask you something."
"What is it?"
"Do you think the Young Lord has what it takes to be Palace Lord?"
"...!"
"Be honest, no holding back."
The steward froze.
He never expected such a direct question.
Was it a test? His mind raced.
Noticing, Lord Maeng Jin continued.
"This isn't a test, my whim, or to torment you. Speak from the heart."
"..."
After a moment's thought, he sighed.
Then prostrated himself.
"This humble servant answers your query."
"I'm listening."
"The Young Lord is too obsessed. A ruler's obsession can achieve goals, but if excessive, it exhausts followers."
"True."
"He's hasty and imprudent. Better a weaker but cautious lord than a strong reckless one."
"I agree."
"And narrow-minded. Grudges should be set aside for the greater good. If not, it'll bring great harm later."
"...I see."
"Forgive this servant's disloyalty in pointing out the Young Lord's flaws."
"No."
Lord Maeng Jin shook his head.
"I asked for it. And thanks to you, I've made up my mind."
He summoned a warrior from outside.
"Summon the Young Lord immediately."
"Yes."
A moment later.
Young Lord Maeng Hyun entered the office.
"You called, Father?"
Maeng Jin gazed at his son.
"Hyun-ah."
"Yes, Father."
"Feeling better?"
"Ah... yes."
His answer said one thing, his face another. He was far from fine.
Indeed, Maeng Hyun's body throbbed agonizingly.
He remembered getting beaten by Eun Seo-ho last night, but nothing after.
Waking to full-body pain, he'd nearly screamed and realized his defeat.
Yet he still refused to accept it.
'All because I fell off that ladder the night before! If I'd been fine...'
As he grumbled inwardly and cursed Eun Seo-ho, thunder struck.
"No need to attend tomorrow's conference."
"Pardon? What do you mean?"
"From this moment, you are no longer the Young Lord of our palace."
"...Pardon?"