Chapter 517
Chapter 517
Chapter 517. Ice and Fire (5)
Only after colliding with my sword did he seem to recognize my existence.
“What? Who is this pretty-boy-looking bastard?” (Meng Hyeon)
For a moment, I almost flared up at those words, but I maintained a calm appearance on the outside.
I was not someone whose expression would crumble over something of this level.
“I am the Young Palace Head of Snowstorm Palace, guardian of the Northern Sea Ice Palace. And who might you be?” (Eun Seoho)
“Who are you to dare ask about me?” (Meng Hyeon)
“As I just said, I am the Young Palace Head of Snowstorm Palace, guardian of the Northern Sea Ice Palace.” (Eun Seoho)
“So what? Are you Young Palace Head Bing Haerin’s husband or something?” (Meng Hyeon)
“......” (Eun Seoho)
I looked at Young Palace Head Bing Haerin, and she let out a sigh and said,
“He is the Young Palace Head of Zhurong Palace.” (Bing Haerin)
“Ah......” (Eun Seoho)
I felt I understood why Young Palace Head Bing Haerin had cursed the Young Palace Head of Zhurong Palace.
I would have cursed him too.
To think he would be this much of a lunatic.
Whack!
At that moment, something flew over and struck the Young Palace Head of Zhurong Palace on the head.
“Keuk!” (Meng Hyeon)
Hm? This is... a shoe?
I looked toward where the shoe had flown from.
Ah... so the Palace Head of Zhurong Palace threw it.
“You bastard! In whose presence do you think you are committing such rudeness! Are you in your right mind right now?” (Zhurong Palace Head)
“F-Father......” (Meng Hyeon)
“Apologize at once!” (Zhurong Palace Head)
“......” (Meng Hyeon)
But at him frowning instead, the other shoe flew toward him and struck his head.
Thwack!
“Kuk!” (Meng Hyeon)
Oof, that must hurt.
He rubbed the head that had been hit by the shoe, then bit his lip.
Then, reluctantly, he apologized to us.
“I, Meng Hyeon, Young Palace Head of Zhurong Palace, apologize for the rudeness I committed against all of you.” (Meng Hyeon)
“I accept that apology. I hope such rudeness never happens again.” (Bing Haerin)
Young Palace Head Bing Haerin’s gaze was still cold.
She looked as though she had no expectations whatsoever.
Probably because she knew it was not a sincere apology, and that he would surely do this again later.
I, too, accepted his apology while sheathing my sword.
“Get out at once!” (Zhurong Palace Head)
“......” (Meng Hyeon)
At the Palace Head of Zhurong Palace’s order to leave, Young Palace Head Meng Hyeon glared at me, then left the room.
The Palace Head sighed and apologized to us.
“I am sorry. It is because I raised my son too indulgently.” (Zhurong Palace Head)
“He seems worse than he was five years ago.” (Bing Haerin)
“......Is that so?” (Zhurong Palace Head)
“Yes. At least back then, he knew when to choose the place.” (Bing Haerin)
“After going to the Northern Sea Ice Palace five years ago, he suddenly devoted himself to training. I wondered why... and now I see there was a reason.” (Zhurong Palace Head)
The Palace Head continued with a bitter smile.
“Even I would have fallen for you if I had been young.” (Zhurong Palace Head)
“I thank you for the compliment, but I am the Young Palace Head of the Northern Sea Ice Palace. Marriage is impossible.” (Bing Haerin)
At her firm words, the Palace Head of Zhurong Palace shook his head and said,
“I know. That is why I warned my son. Though I do not know if that warning will stop him.” (Zhurong Palace Head)
Suddenly, I thought I should receive one definite answer here.
“There is one thing I would like to ask you, Palace Head.” (Eun Seoho)
“What is it?” (Zhurong Palace Head)
“As the Young Palace Head of Snowstorm Palace, guardian of the Northern Sea Ice Palace, I have a duty to protect Young Palace Head Bing Haerin.” (Eun Seoho)
“I know.” (Zhurong Palace Head)
“If the Young Palace Head of Zhurong Palace commits rudeness again, I would like to ask whether, as a guest, I must merely endure it.” (Eun Seoho)
“You do not have to do that.” (Zhurong Palace Head)
“I am concerned that if he is injured in the process due to a somewhat rough response, it may affect this conference.” (Eun Seoho)
“You need not worry about that. I will not mix personal feelings into that matter.” (Zhurong Palace Head)
“Then there will be no punishment either?” (Eun Seoho)
“If my son is the one who commits rudeness first, that is.” (Zhurong Palace Head)
“Understood. Surely one called the Ruler of Fire would not say two different things.” (Eun Seoho)
“Of course not.” (Zhurong Palace Head)
Good.
With this, if that person called Meng Hyeon tried to commit rudeness, I would be able to take proper action.
“First, you must be tired from coming from far away, so go and rest for now.” (Zhurong Palace Head)
“Thank you for your consideration.” (Eun Seoho)
.
.
.
Our party was guided to our quarters.
“You may use this place.” (Zhurong Palace Disciple)
The quarters we were given were a large annex, and it seemed the entire place was being used as a guest hall.
And we heard an explanation about the place from the disciple who guided us.
“If there is anything you need, please pull the bell cord.” (Zhurong Palace Disciple)
“Thank you for looking after us so attentively.” (Eun Seoho)
“Not at all. Thanks to you, I am glad to have work to do.” (Zhurong Palace Disciple)
“?” (Eun Seoho)
He answered our question.
“I am in charge of the guest hall, but guests almost never come to Zhurong Palace.” (Zhurong Palace Disciple)
“Ah, I suppose that is so.” (Eun Seoho)
“Then please have a comfortable night.” (Zhurong Palace Disciple)
The disciple in charge of the guest hall bowed politely and left the annex.
Then Young Palace Head Bing Haerin flopped into a chair and let out a sigh.
I sat across from her and said,
“I think I understand why you acted that way when explaining the Ice-Fire Conference.” (Eun Seoho)
“Thank you for understanding. But that definite answer you received from the Palace Head of Zhurong Palace. Was it perhaps for my sake?” (Bing Haerin)
“That is correct.” (Eun Seoho)
At my words, she smiled faintly.
“So if he commits rudeness again, you may act without mercy.” (Eun Seoho)
“I will make sure to do that.” (Bing Haerin)
We rose from the reception room in the center of the annex and entered our respective rooms.
I decided to share a room with Palgap, and Miss Seohyang decided to share a room with Young Palace Head Bing Haerin.
It was because the others were too cautious around Miss Seohyang, and that was burdensome from Miss Seohyang’s perspective.
It seemed Young Palace Head Bing Haerin was at least better.
“Are you going to sleep now?” (Palgap)
“Yeah.” (Eun Seoho)
“I will check the bed for you.” (Palgap)
And so I lay down on the bed early.
Because I was tired from moving busily, and because of what happened earlier.
---
In the dead of night, when the surroundings were so dark they could not be seen.
There was a figure stealthily approaching the guest hall where the people of the Northern Sea Ice Palace were staying.
He was none other than Meng Hyeon.
The eldest son of the Palace Head of Zhurong Palace and the Young Palace Head.
Since marriage was free in Zhurong Palace, the position of Palace Head had been inherited by blood relatives generation after generation.
“Hoo......” (Meng Hyeon)
He calmly took a deep breath.
Because even he himself knew that what he was doing right now was not honorable.
Despite that, the reason he headed to the guest hall.
It was to take revenge on Eun Seoho, who had disgraced him in front of Bing Haerin today.
Like a person of Zhurong Palace, Meng Hyeon was quite tenacious when it came to revenge.
Someone who had followed him whispered to him.
“Hey, is this really right? A cowardly trick like this! If the Palace Head finds out, we are truly dead!” (Hae Hong)
“We will be beaten until just before we die. But I absolutely cannot back down like this. I suffered that kind of humiliation in front of her, of all people!” (Meng Hyeon)
At those words, the one who had followed him let out a sigh.
His name was Hae Hong.
He was the eldest son of the Hae family, the family that had guarded Zhurong Palace for generations.
Looking at Meng Hyeon, who was his close friend and would become the next Palace Head, he grumbled inwardly.
“Hey, you bastard. Don’t you know this is even more embarrassing?” (Hae Hong)
He sighed and recalled what had happened five years ago.
At the time, Meng Hyeon had visited the Northern Sea Ice Palace for the Fire-Ice Conference and had fallen for Bing Haerin on the spot.
Bing Haerin’s beauty, which had matured over those five years, shook his heart.
Even to Hae Hong, she was truly beautiful and impressive.
And so Meng Hyeon applied to Bing Haerin for a marriage duel, but she coldly refused.
“I am the Young Palace Head of the Northern Sea Ice Palace. Marriage is impossible.” (Bing Haerin)
After clinging persistently, he was able to hold a marriage duel.
But the result was utter defeat.
It was an utter defeat with no room for any excuse.
However, Meng Hyeon did not give up, and after returning to Zhurong Palace, he sharpened his martial arts while looking forward only to today.
That was how he had ended up barging into his father’s office today.
Hae Hong, who had heard about what Meng Hyeon did today through a servant of his family, quietly let out a sigh.
“I knew he was the kind of guy who rushes in without regard for fire or water, but......” (Hae Hong)
However, since he had come all the way here with him, there was no path to retreat.
If he backed out here, Meng Hyeon would certainly sulk.
“If this bastard sulks, it becomes troublesome. By the way, how did Young Palace Head Eun end up getting marked by a guy like this......” (Hae Hong)
He felt sorry for Eun Seoho, but there was nothing he could do.
“So what are you thinking of doing? Surely you are not trying to harm him, are you?” (Hae Hong)
“Not that much.” (Meng Hyeon)
Meng Hyeon continued as if telling him not to worry.
“I am going to stab this flying dagger into Young Palace Head Eun Seoho’s pillow. When he wakes up in the morning and sees it, he will be startled out of his wits.” (Meng Hyeon)
“So you are saying you will warn him not to interfere?” (Hae Hong)
“That is it. In my heart, I want to half-kill him, but in any case, he is a guest who came for the conference.” (Meng Hyeon)
In his own mind, he was going to act only to an extent that would not cause a problem.
“That alone seems like it will be more than enough of a problem......” (Hae Hong)
Hae Hong sighed inwardly again and asked,
“So do you even know which room Young Trading Company Head Eun Seoho is staying in?” (Hae Hong)
“Of course.” (Meng Hyeon)
The guest hall where Eun Seoho was staying was swarming with martial artists of the Northern Sea Ice Palace, and he also knew there was a guard before his door.
So the method they chose was infiltration through the window.
Because Zhurong Palace had extremely large windows due to the climate.
They placed a ladder, climbed up, and lifted the curtain.
Because instead of a window door, a loosely woven thin curtain had been hung so that the wind could pass through well.
It was then.
“......!” (Meng Hyeon)
“......!” (Hae Hong)
Their bodies stiffened rigidly for an instant.
Because of the killing intent shooting toward them the moment they lifted the window curtain.
That killing intent was something they felt for the first time in their lives.
Then a cold chill seeped into their bodies.
Their bodies trembled with fear intense enough to freeze their blood vessels and organs.
It was as though their insides were being sliced by an ice blade.
“Uh, uh, uh......” (Meng Hyeon)
Creeeak.
The ladder tipped backward just like that.
Thud!
Having fallen to the ground like that, they had no choice but to flee in panic.
---
Aigo, their butts must hurt.
I clicked my tongue as I watched Meng Hyeon and his companion run away.
Then I called Geumryeong, who was sitting on the window frame.
“Geumryeong. Come here.” (Eun Seoho)
“Kui?” (Geumryeong)
“You chased away those annoying bugs comfortably, so I’ll give you one silver coin.” (Eun Seoho)
At my words, Geumryeong wagged his tail and quickly ran to me, then hugged the silver coin I gave him and rolled around on the bed.
A little while ago, I had woken up from sleep after sensing killing intent.
It was a bit weak to call it killing intent, but still, I could clearly feel hostility directed at me.
So I focused my internal power into my ears and listened to the sounds outside, and I had no choice but to let out a sigh.
It was a situation where taking action was awkward and troublesome.
Perhaps realizing my situation, Geumryeong came out from inside my sleeve and went kui.
Saying he would chase them away for me.
So I told him to do as he pleased, and he drove them away so easily like that.
“I do not understand what is so scary about Geumryeong that they act like that.” (Palgap)
Palgap, who had already woken up, said that.
“I know, right.” (Eun Seoho)
I laughed it off faintly, but I knew.
To his master and his master’s people, he was a cute little thing, but he was a creature capable of suppressing even spiritual beasts tainted by blood with his qi.
It would be fortunate if they did not wet themselves tonight.
“Let’s get back to sleep.” (Eun Seoho)
“Yes.” (Palgap)
I covered myself with the blanket again, and Geumryeong rolled around on top of my stomach while hugging the silver coin.
Does he like money that much?
Well, seeing Geumryeong like it makes me feel good too.
.
.
.
Day broke.
After rising from bed, I trained briefly.
Then, after I washed and even changed clothes, the disciple of Zhurong Palace in charge of the guest hall came to see us.
“We will prepare breakfast for you.” (Zhurong Palace Disciple)
“Thank you.” (Eun Seoho)
After eating breakfast and drinking tea, we organized the matters concerning this conference once more.
The conference was the day after tomorrow.
Until then, our time was relatively free.
But at the same time, until then was also the time we had to confirm whether Zhurong Palace was the culprit that had caused the calamity of Snowstorm Palace.
I said to the disciple in charge of the guest hall.
“I have often heard of Zhurong Palace’s renown. It is very rare for me to have the chance to come here, so I would like to take this opportunity to look around the historic buildings.” (Eun Seoho)
“That matter is not within my authority. I will speak to the Palace Head and return.” (Zhurong Palace Disciple)
While the disciple went to receive permission, Young Palace Head Bing Haerin said to me,
“I am sorry about last night.” (Bing Haerin)
“Pardon?” (Eun Seoho)
“I saw it through the window.” (Bing Haerin)
Ah... she means that.
I gave a faint laugh.
“It is all right. By the way, their butts must be hurting quite a lot, so I wonder if they are walking around well.” (Eun Seoho)
At my words, she also smiled faintly.
Meanwhile, Miss Seohyang had a relaxed smile, and she had probably seen that matter beforehand as well.
Soon, the disciple returned.
“Permission has been granted. However, it has been permitted only for the two of you, and you must follow the guidance of the disciple who will come to escort you.” (Zhurong Palace Disciple)
“Understood.” (Eun Seoho)
I nodded and felt puzzled inwardly.
Only for me and Young Palace Head Bing Haerin?
Is there something the others must not see?
Or does it mean they cannot trust the others?
Of course, I likewise still could not trust this place either.
A short while later.
The disciple who would guide us arrived.
Young Palace Head Bing Haerin and I began looking around various places in Zhurong Palace under that disciple’s guidance.
Zhurong Palace was different from the Northern Sea Ice Palace, and it also looked completely different from other sects or clans of the Central Plains.
Overall, the roofs were long, and the windows were large.
“The reason the roofs are shaped like that is because it rains a great deal. And the windows are also large so that the wind can pass through well.” (Zhurong Palace Disciple)
“I see.” (Eun Seoho)
Usually, the first floor seemed to be used as a different space, while people mainly lived on the second floor.
“Because there are many pests and snakes and the like, the houses came to be built in this structure.” (Zhurong Palace Disciple)
“I do not think people of Zhurong Palace would be afraid of such things.” (Eun Seoho)
“Of course not. But we cannot help that they are bothersome.” (Zhurong Palace Disciple)
“Mm, I see.” (Eun Seoho)
It was then.
Grrowl?
A large beast moved beside a building. At that sight, I blinked in surprise.
A t-tiger?
Why is there a tiger here?
Unlike me, who was flustered, the disciple calmly bowed his head toward it.
“We greet the divine beast.” (Zhurong Palace Disciple)
Then he spoke to us in a small voice.
“Quickly lower your heads. It is the guardian divine beast that protects our Zhurong Palace.” (Zhurong Palace Disciple)
Seeing Bing Haerin lower her head, it did not seem to be a lie.
I, too, quickly bowed my head before it.
But that tiger circled me a few times and examined me.
And then...
Flop.
It lay down before me, exposing its belly.
Wh-what is this?