Chapter 515
Chapter 515
Chapter 515. Ice and Fire (3)
Master had said it.
If one became the Young Palace Head of Snowstorm Palace, one could create a path even within the snowstorm.
That was precisely the phenomenon unfolding before my eyes.
If one could stop the snowstorm, moving around became easier.
But the same was true for the spiritual beasts living in the North Sea.
That was why, if only a passage formed like this while the surrounding snowstorm remained as it was, one could come and go safely and quickly without being attacked by spiritual beasts.
In truth, if we used the Mystic Path Chart, we could go safely.
The problem was that it did not guarantee fast movement as well.
I said to the group.
“Then, let’s go.” (Eun Seoho)
“Yes.” (The Group)
And so we moved at high speed, and soon we were able to arrive at the Ice Palace Inn at the entrance to the Northern Sea Ice Palace.
“We greet the Young Palace Head and the guests.” (Twin Waiter)
“Welcome.” (Twin Waiter)
“Please leave your horses to us.” (Twin Waiter)
“Will you be staying for a day?” (Twin Waiter)
They were still the twin waiters who spoke in turns.
That might feel somewhat dizzying, but in its own way, it was also a symbol of this Ice Palace Inn.
I said to them.
“The others will rest here, and only I, Vice Officer Gwak here, and the Young Palace Head will go in now.” (Eun Seoho)
Because the others could not enter the Northern Sea Ice Palace.
“Understood.” (Twin Waiter)
“We will prepare a place for you to rest.” (Twin Waiter)
They were to stay here and join us when we headed to Zhurong Palace.
“So please rest well at this inn. We do not know what will happen from here on.” (Eun Seoho)
I continued speaking.
“And do not push yourselves unnecessarily saying you are going to train.” (Eun Seoho)
“We will keep that in mind.” (The Group)
After asking the group to do that, I took only Young Palace Head Bing Haerin and Miss Seohyang with me and headed to the Northern Sea Ice Palace through the gate of mist.
When we left the gate of mist, a building with white roof tiles rising splendidly came into view.
It was the Northern Sea Ice Palace.
As we approached, the disciples guarding the gate quickly lowered their heads and gave clasped hands greetings.
“We greet the Young Palace Head.” (Disciples)
“I brought guests with me.” (Bing Haerin)
At that, they showed courtesy to me and Miss Seohyang with clasped hands greetings.
“Welcome.” (Disciple)
“We welcome you to the Northern Sea Ice Palace.” (Disciple)
Young Palace Head Bing Haerin said to us.
“Then let’s go inside.” (Bing Haerin)
And so, all of us entered the Northern Sea Ice Palace together.
Since I had come here often, I had become quite familiar with the layout of this place now.
Enough that I would not get lost even if I walked around alone.
We headed straight for the Palace Head of the Northern Sea Ice Palace’s quarters.
“Welcome.” (Palace Head)
The Palace Head, who had been lying languidly on her side, straightened herself and greeted us.
“Merchant Eun Seoho greets the Palace Head.” (Eun Seoho)
“Gwak Seohyang greets the Palace Head.” (Gwak Seohyang)
The Palace Head accepted our greetings and said,
“Thank you for granting our request.” (Palace Head)
“Master was also pleased that I would attend the Ice-Fire Conference.” (Eun Seoho)
“Is that so?” (Palace Head)
In truth, there was a purpose to this Ice-Fire Conference.
They were the ones presumed to have annihilated Snowstorm Palace. And the whetstone, the evidence handed over to me by Trading Company Head Bok of the Gwangjun Trading Company, also pointed to them.
In other words, we were trying to confirm whether they truly had annihilated Snowstorm Palace.
“We plan to depart in about three days. Before that, you will need some education on various things.” (Palace Head)
“When you say education?” (Eun Seoho)
“You must also know what you should not do at the Ice-Fire Conference and the history of the Ice-Fire Conference. The Young Palace Head will instruct you on that.” (Palace Head)
“Understood.” (Eun Seoho)
I nodded and continued speaking.
“Is the security here safe?” (Eun Seoho)
At my question, the Palace Head asked in return.
“Why do you ask?” (Palace Head)
“There is something I must tell you in confidence.” (Eun Seoho)
At that, the Palace Head spoke toward the empty air.
“Withdraw for a moment.” (Palace Head)
Shushuk!
Immediately, the presences of those around us vanished.
“So, what is it you intend to speak about?” (Palace Head)
I took the whetstone Trading Company Head Bok had given me from my robes and held it out to her.
“Would you look at this?” (Eun Seoho)
“Is this not a whetstone?” (Palace Head)
“It is evidence that may reveal the secret behind Snowstorm Palace’s annihilation.” (Eun Seoho)
“...!” (Palace Head)
At my words, her eyes widened.
“This... you mean?” (Palace Head)
“Yes.” (Eun Seoho)
After examining the whetstone for a moment, the Palace Head nodded.
“Then again, neither Snowstorm Palace nor our Ice Palace uses whetstones. Even if we did use one, there would be no whetstone worn down and split open this much.” (Palace Head)
The Palace Head asked me.
“How did you obtain this?” (Palace Head)
I told her the whole story.
At those words, Young Palace Head Bing Haerin sighed.
“How many times have I gone to the Gwangjun Trading Company all this time! Why did he not tell me?” (Bing Haerin)
As the sole survivor of Snowstorm Palace, she seemed unable to hide her hurt.
“Perhaps... I think he may not have been able to trust anyone.” (Eun Seoho)
“...” (Bing Haerin)
Even I had suspected the Northern Sea Ice Palace when I had not been told why they had been unable to help at the time Snowstorm Palace was annihilated.
“That could be.” (Bing Haerin)
Young Palace Head Bing Haerin nodded as if she understood.
“But did you not see this whetstone when you brought the Young Palace Head back, Palace Head?” (Eun Seoho)
“At the time, saving the Young Palace Head was more urgent, so I had no time to examine the surroundings.” (Palace Head)
“I see.” (Eun Seoho)
Then it seemed the Palace Head had come right after that incident befell Snowstorm Palace, and former Trading Company Head Bok had come shortly after that.
I explained what I had found out about the whetstone. More precisely, the things Warrior Seowoo had told me.
“There is certainly the energy of fire arts in this whetstone.” (Palace Head)
“You can sense that?” (Eun Seoho)
“I can. Because I am the master of this Northern Sea Ice Palace.” (Palace Head)
Ah...
I think I understand what she meant.
Since the Northern Sea Ice Palace and Zhurong Palace had been enemies for a long time, they were sensitive to one another’s energy.
“You intend to confirm at this conference whether they are the culprits who annihilated Snowstorm Palace.” (Palace Head)
“That is correct.” (Eun Seoho)
I asked her.
“If Zhurong Palace is the culprit that annihilated Snowstorm Palace, what do you intend to do?” (Eun Seoho)
At my question, the Palace Head smiled and said,
“Naturally, the ceasefire will fall apart.” (Palace Head)
“Pardon?” (Eun Seoho)
“Snowstorm Palace is the place that protects our Northern Sea Ice Palace. If they annihilated that place, it means that, in the end, they are aiming for our Northern Sea Ice Palace. Our Northern Sea Ice Palace is not so weak as to stand by and watch that.” (Palace Head)
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.
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After withdrawing from before the Palace Head, we were guided to our quarters.
Miss Seohyang’s quarters were prepared in the room right next to mine, because she had requested it.
When I came out after washing, I heard Miss Seohyang’s voice from outside.
“Young Trading Company Head, may I come in?” (Gwak Seohyang)
“Ah, of course.” (Eun Seoho)
The door opened, and Miss Seohyang came in.
“But what brings you here? You should rest a little before dinner.” (Eun Seoho)
“It is... a bit burdensome.” (Gwak Seohyang)
“Pardon?” (Eun Seoho)
“They keep calling me Divine Maiden and taking care of this and that for me... should I say they are overly kind?” (Gwak Seohyang)
She let out a sigh.
“I’m sorry. I am even complaining about them treating me well.” (Gwak Seohyang)
“Not at all.” (Eun Seoho)
I shook my head.
“It is entirely possible that you would feel that way.” (Eun Seoho)
Just from seeing the Young Palace Head refer to her as Divine Maiden, one could tell how devotedly she was being treated.
But excessive kindness and consideration could become violence as well.
“They are worse than my older brothers.” (Gwak Seohyang)
“Hahahaha.” (Eun Seoho)
At those words, I could not help but laugh too.
Because her older brothers were people who would go through fire and water for Miss Seohyang.
“When I look at the Palace Head and the Young Palace Head, sometimes I even feel as though they might devour me.” (Gwak Seohyang)
Meaning, she felt as though they might keep her here.
“So that is why you asked for your quarters to be next to mine?” (Eun Seoho)
“Yes.” (Gwak Seohyang)
At those words, I gave a faint laugh.
“You do not need to worry.” (Eun Seoho)
The reason the Palace Head and the Young Palace Head wanted Miss Seohyang so much and yet could not reach out to her was probably because of my existence.
Because they knew all too well that if they truly did that, I would not stand by.
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The next day.
Miss Seohyang and I began studying about the Ice-Fire Conference.
Young Palace Head Bing Haerin conducted the lesson herself, and she was a fairly decent instructor in her own way.
“We call it the Ice-Fire Conference, but on their side, they call it the Fire-Ice Conference.” (Bing Haerin)
“I can feel the power struggle even in what the conference is called.” (Eun Seoho)
“That’s how it is. In truth, it has an official name, the Ceasefire Conference, but frankly, that has no style. And Ice-Fire Conference is more intuitive.” (Bing Haerin)
“That is true.” (Eun Seoho)
Young Palace Head Bing Haerin explained to us the history of the conference, information about those attending, and the order of proceedings.
“There is a Young Palace Head of Zhurong Palace, and that bastard is an extremely irritating bastard.” (Bing Haerin)
“Is that so?” (Eun Seoho)
Though half of it was cursing Zhurong Palace.
“At the Ice-Fire Conference, each side takes turns providing the venue. This time, it is our turn to go to Zhurong Palace.” (Bing Haerin)
“That means Snowstorm Palace’s role is important.” (Eun Seoho)
“Yes. That’s right.” (Bing Haerin)
She nodded.
“To be honest, it is also a kind of display. It shows the confidence that since I am with my protector, no matter what cowardly tricks you use, I can break through you and escape.” (Bing Haerin)
She continued.
“So I do feel a little sorry.” (Bing Haerin)
“Not at all.” (Eun Seoho)
I waved my hand and said,
“Is that not the role of Snowstorm Palace? I am the Young Palace Head of Snowstorm Palace, so I must be faithful to that role.” (Eun Seoho)
“Thank you for saying that.” (Bing Haerin)
Preparations proceeded step by step like that, and at last, the day of departure came.
The group moving for the conference alone numbered one hundred.
Moreover, their momentum was so sharp and keen that they seemed as if they would pierce through any enemy before them.
Since one hundred carefully selected elites had been chosen, I could tell how important the Northern Sea Ice Palace considered this conference.
“Young Palace Head, Bing Haerin. I will be off.” (Bing Haerin)
“Have a safe trip, Young Palace Head.” (Palace Head)
“Yes.” (Bing Haerin)
“I will be off as well, Palace Head.” (Eun Seoho)
“Young Palace Head Eun Seoho and Divine Maiden, please return safely as well. Then I entrust this to you.” (Palace Head)
And so we departed from the Northern Sea Ice Palace.
A short while later, we arrived in front of the Ice Palace Inn, where the group, already prepared to depart, was waiting.
Because I had told them through Geumryeong to prepare in advance.
“Young Master!” (Palgap)
“Let’s depart!” (Eun Seoho)
“Yes!” (The Group)
They immediately mounted their horses and joined the party.
Zhurong Palace was in Yunnan.
To be exact, it was on the border between Yunnan and Tibet.
Yunnan...
The incident in Chunjing City last time had been in autumn...
Then was I going there again after almost half a year?
I wonder if the Castellan of Chunjing City and Mister Yeon Yumun are doing well.
If there is time, it might be all right to visit them once.
I am a merchant, and for a merchant, connections are an invisible asset, so the more abundant they are, the better.
Still, I am the benefactor of Chunjing City, so surely they would not pretend not to know me.
When the gates of the Northern Sea Ice Palace open, it has two meanings.
Either they accept people in, or people come out.
Of course, that refers to a large group.
One would not say the gates have opened for one or two people coming and going.
In the murim, people grow tense even if only fifty people from the Northern Sea Ice Palace come out. Much more so if it is one hundred elites.
As such, the Northern Sea Ice Palace also chose a route with as few people as possible in order to avoid pointless clashes.
A route where we would deliberately pass through the northern grasslands, reach the foot of the Qilian Mountains, then come straight down, turn slightly, and take a boat from the upper reaches of the Yangtze River to Yunnan.
For an ordinary person, simply passing through the grasslands would mean taking a considerable loss.
But for the people of the Northern Sea Ice Palace, it was an entirely different story.
Because the tribesmen of the grasslands prudently kept their distance on their own.
“Aren’t the Qilian Mountains in Gansu?” (Palgap)
Palgap asked me while we were traveling.
“That’s right.” (Eun Seoho)
And it was at the Sword Tomb of Mount Yanzhi in Gansu Province that I had discovered the holy body of Blood Kun Sage.
Thinking about it like this, there were hardly any places in the empire I had not traveled to.
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After riding for days on end, we arrived at the Qilian Mountains.
By the way, this was impressive.
We had ridden quite fast, so they should have been exhausted, but there was no sign of that at all.
“Why are you looking at us like that?” (Bing Haerin)
“Ah. Young Palace Head.” (Eun Seoho)
I told Young Palace Head Bing Haerin what I had felt, and at that, she smiled and said,
“It is probably easier to breathe here than in the North Sea. Since the North Sea is cold, breathing there is difficult.” (Bing Haerin)
“Ah, I see.” (Eun Seoho)
“And since most of the people of the Northern Sea Ice Palace spent their childhoods outside, they are likely excited by the world they have come out to see after so long.” (Bing Haerin)
“That would make sense.” (Eun Seoho)
From there, we turned downward and arrived at the upper reaches of the Yangtze River in Qinghai.
There, we boarded a boat.
Now it was time to leave the travel to the boat and rest.
“My butt nearly hurt me to death.” (Palgap)
At Palgap’s words, I gave a faint laugh.
“It’s fortunate that we can rest a bit from now on. If your butt hurts a lot, should I touch it coldly for you?” (Eun Seoho)
I gathered cold energy in my hand and asked.
“Hueek!” (Palgap)
Palgap was horrified by my words.
“What kind of perverted thing is that to say?” (Palgap)
“Why?” (Eun Seoho)
“Tsk! You should not say things like that with a face like that!” (Palgap)
No, why am I getting scolded?
After spending such a comfortable time, we arrived in the Yunnan region before I knew it.
“Then let us look for an empty lot nearby.” (Eun Seoho)
“Understood.” (The Group)
The reason we were looking for an empty lot was that it would be difficult to find an inn where over a hundred people could stay at once.
Then someone approached us.
Huh? That person is?
“It has been a long time! Are you not Master Immortal Knight Beauty?” (Yeon Yumun)
“Mister Yeon Yumun?” (Eun Seoho)
It was Mister Yeon Yumun, the eldest son of Chunjing City’s Castellan.
“Yes! You remember me!” (Yeon Yumun)
He was extremely pleased and asked,
“But what brings you here?” (Yeon Yumun)
Instead of answering right away, I sent a telepathic message to Young Palace Head Bing Haerin, and she nodded.
Having received her permission, I briefly explained the whole story to Mister Yeon Yumun.
Then Mister Yeon Yumun smiled and nodded.
“So that was the situation. Then please follow me. I will guide you to a place where you can stay for the day.” (Yeon Yumun)
As expected, a person should live kindly.
We will be able to sleep comfortably today.