Chapter 696
Chapter 696
Chapter 696. The Ice Palace Marriage (1)
We headed for the Northern Sea Ice Palace.
It was called the North Sea branch, but it was still quite a distance from the Northern Sea Ice Palace.
As we were moving like that.
“Waaah!”
A child’s cry came from somewhere.
“Isn’t that the sound of a child crying?” (Someone)
“Could there be another Agok Seongjo?” (Someone)
They say a heart startled by a terrapin startles at a pot lid.
Because we had suffered quite a bit because of the Agok Seongjo, wariness came first.
“Let us go see.” (Young Captain)
“Yes.” (Someone)
I was about to tell Miss Seohyang to wait here for a while with the other guards.
But she opened her mouth first.
“I want to go with you, too.” (Miss Seohyang)
Usually, when she says that, there is a reason for it.
And even if she were put in danger, I could deal with an Agok Seongjo and save her, so I nodded.
“Please do.” (Young Captain)
Like that, we headed toward the place where the crying could be heard.
“Waaaaah! Waaah!”
The crying sounded again.
And soon, all of us had no choice but to stop in our tracks.
“Oh no!” (Someone)
“Is that not a hallucination? Is it real?” (Palgap)
I nodded.
“It seems real.” (Young Captain)
Miss Seohyang also nodded with pitying eyes.
Before us were three people in thick clothes, holding on to one another.
A great deal of snow was piled on top of them.
Warrior Jin Yu and Warrior Yeo Eung-am approached them, brushed off the snow, examined them, then shook their heads.
“It is no use.” (Jin Yu)
“They have all already breathed their last.” (Yeo Eung-am)
“Waaaaah!”
The crying sounded again.
“It seems there is a child here.” (Someone)
Ordinarily, once children start crying, they keep crying without stopping. But if they cry intermittently like this, it means the child’s condition is not good.
Warrior Yeo Eung-am pointed to one place with an awkward expression.
“Here, there seems to be a child inside this woman’s arms.” (Yeo Eung-am)
It seemed they had done so in order to pass as much body heat as possible to the child.
Even though the woman was dead, he seemed somewhat reluctant to loosen her clothes and look at her bare skin.
At that, Miss Seohyang stepped forward.
“I will take the child out.” (Miss Seohyang)
At that, the other warriors stepped back, and Miss Seohyang searched the woman’s arms and took out the child.
So, this was why she said she would come with us.
It was a little girl who looked about two years old.
But her face had turned blue, and her fingers and toes were beginning to necrotize from frostbite.
“Oh no…….” (Miss Seohyang)
Miss Seohyang sat down and held the child.
At that moment, Geumryeong slipped out from inside my sleeve.
“Kkui?”
Then it approached the child and licked her fingers and toes. Then the child’s fingers and toes, which had been necrotizing, slowly began to recover.
But it is too cold here.
Then Palgap said.
“Young Master, I think it would do to put this on the child for a while.” (Palgap)
What Palgap was talking about was the Hwaseobyeok necklace I had previously received from the Emperor.
Every time Palgap goes to the North Sea, he makes sure to wear that necklace.
That is why he can come and go without feeling the cold, no less than me or the other escort warriors.
“Will you be all right?” (Young Captain)
“Hoot! This much is all right. I went to the Northern Sea Ice Palace even without this before.” (Palgap)
That is true.
Palgap’s martial arts have also improved a lot compared to before now.
“Saving the child comes first right now, does it not?” (Palgap)
“Thank you.” (Young Captain)
As Palgap placed the Hwaseobyeok necklace on the child, the issue of the child’s body temperature was resolved.
But there was still a problem left.
“The child must have been starving for a long time, so I think we need to feed her something.” (Someone)
“Then, since it is getting dark anyway, let us camp here for the night.” (Young Captain)
We prepared to camp out.
First, I took out the firewood I had placed in my storage. It is not easy to obtain firewood in the North Sea.
After Palgap lit the fire, he hung a cauldron over it.
Tak, tatak, tadadak.
The firewood began to blaze, and he put snow and rice flour into the hanging cauldron and boiled it.
Today, we made thin rice gruel for the child.
Palgap ladled the thin rice gruel into a bowl, and Miss Seohyang blew on the gruel while feeding it to the child little by little.
Munch, munch.
Fortunately, the child moved her lips and swallowed the thin rice gruel.
She is alive!
Only then did all of us feel relieved.
Warrior Seo Woo rose from his seat and said.
“We must take care of the bodies first.” (Seo Woo)
If we leave them as they are, it is only a matter of time before they are eaten by blood-stained spiritual beasts.
First, we set firewood separately to the side.
Then we collected the things that could identify them.
Come to think of it, I remembered those I had discovered before, who had frozen to death while going to enter the Northern Sea Ice Palace.
Warrior Yeo Eung-am seemed to have found something.
“There is an identity plaque here!” (Yeo Eung-am)
I took the identity plaque and examined it.
It was engraved with Master Gang Hu, Sect Leader of Myeonggong Gangmun.
Seeing this, Warrior Seo Woo said.
“I have heard of Myeonggong Gangmun. It was a sect in Shanxi Province, and I remember that they were defeated and wiped out in a power struggle with the black path.” (Seo Woo)
“Then they must have fled from there and reached this place.” (Young Captain)
Usually, the purpose of martial artists who flee here is often the spiritual medicine said to be in the North Sea.
Their purpose must have been to grow stronger through that spiritual medicine, then take revenge and rebuild their sect.
Looking at the composition of the group, there were two men, one woman, and one child.
Then it must have been the young Sect Leader and his wife, their child, and an escort warrior.
But the dreams of revenge and rebuilding the sect that they had held vanished like this.
Leaving behind only one young daughter.
Since they were martial artists as well, they must have chosen to go to the North Sea because they had a certain confidence in themselves, but that choice brought about an unfortunate result.
The North Sea was a land far more heartless and cruel than they had imagined.
Still, since we saved the daughter like this, should I say it is fortunate?
After gathering their belongings, we placed their bodies on top of the firewood. Then we poured oil over them and set them on fire.
“Waaaaah!”
As though instinctively realizing that this was the moment of parting from her family, the child began to cry.
Miss Seohyang patted the child and said.
“Yes, I know how you feel, too. But you have only just recovered your strength, and you must not waste it here, so bear with it today even if you are sad. This is the life your parents saved for you.” (Miss Seohyang)
At that sight, my mouth tasted bitter without my realizing it.
Because if I were to set even one foot wrong, I, too, would end up in the same position as them.
So even if it is slow, I must move forward carefully, one step at a time.
Day broke, and we moved toward the Northern Sea Ice Palace again.
Palgap decided to carry the child.
“Is it not hard?” (Young Captain)
“It is all right. And thanks to the Hwaseobyeok necklace around the child’s neck, it is warm as well.” (Palgap)
The child also seemed comfortable with Palgap, as she stayed pressed tightly to his chest.
As we traveled like that, a familiar building came into view.
“It is the Ice Palace inn.” (Someone)
“Indeed. Now it even feels welcome.” (Young Captain)
If we have come as far as the Ice Palace inn, then it is fair to say we have arrived at the Northern Sea Ice Palace now.
When we arrived at the inn like that, the twin brothers who were the waiters there came out and greeted us.
“Welcome.” (Twin Brother)
“We meet again.” (Twin Brother)
“Please come inside. This place is.” (Twin Brother)
“The safest place in the North Sea.” (Twin Brother)
Their timing matched so perfectly it made one wonder whether they had coordinated it in advance, and it was fascinating every time I saw it.
“It is good to see you. Is the Northern Sea Ice Palace peaceful?” (Young Captain)
At my question, one of the twins answered.
“It seems so.” (Twin Brother)
“That is a relief.” (Young Captain)
They greeted Miss Seohyang beside me with an even more respectful attitude than they showed me.
“We greet the Divine Maiden.” (Twin Brother)
“Please come inside.” (Twin Brother)
“…….”
When we entered, the gazes of the palace warriors inside the inn focused on us.
They were about to greet me, but when they saw Miss Seohyang, they all prostrated themselves before her at once.
“We greet the Divine Maiden.” (Palace Warriors)
Miss Seohyang possesses the Ice Crystal Eyes, and so she is called the Divine Maiden here in the Northern Sea Ice Palace.
In other words, in the Northern Sea Ice Palace, it would not be wrong to say that her position was almost directly below the Palace Head.
But Miss Seohyang spoke, embarrassed.
“I understand all of your feelings, but if you do this, I feel far too embarrassed. So please just treat me comfortably.” (Miss Seohyang)
“We cannot do that.” (Palace Warrior)
“Then at the very least, please stop prostrating yourselves every time you see me. If you neglect your duties because you are paying respects to me, it would bring shame to the name of the Northern Sea Ice Palace, and would that not be absurd?” (Miss Seohyang)
At Miss Seohyang’s words, they nodded.
“Understood.” (Palace Warrior)
“Then we will do so.” (Palace Warrior)
I said to them.
“We have come to see the Palace Head. So please send a message to the Ice Palace and show us to our rooms.” (Young Captain)
“Understood.” (Palace Warrior)
“And, by any chance, is there someone who can take care of a child?” (Young Captain)
“Pardon?” (Palace Warrior)
“A child?” (Palace Warrior)
At that, I pointed to the little girl being held in Palgap’s arms and explained the circumstances from beginning to end.
Then they smiled bitterly and said.
“She is a child of ch몽ja.” (Palace Warrior)
Chumongja, meaning one who chases dreams.
“It is not as though there are no cases of people discovering spiritual medicine here and obtaining peerless martial arts. That is probably why the chumongja who seek this place never cease.” (Palace Warrior)
The disciple who said that took the child from Palgap and held her.
“By any chance, may our Ice Palace take this child in?” (Palace Warrior)
“I have no objection, but is there a reason?” (Young Captain)
“Yes.” (Palace Warrior)
She nodded.
“A girl discovered in this North Sea is raised by us and admitted as a disciple of the Northern Sea Ice Palace. That is a kind of law. It also carries the meaning that the lives lost in this North Sea must not be in vain.” (Palace Warrior)
“I see.” (Young Captain)
“And if one grows up in this North Sea from childhood, it is also somewhat more advantageous.” (Palace Warrior)
We were the ones who found this child, but if one thinks fundamentally, it was this North Sea that saved the child.
So this child’s fate should be entrusted to the Northern Sea Ice Palace.
“For our part, we would be grateful if you did so. Please take good care of her.” (Young Captain)
“What is this child’s name?” (Palace Warrior)
“We do not know her name. We did collect belongings from those presumed to be the child’s parents, but there was nothing among them that indicated the child’s name.” (Young Captain)
“Then please give the child a name.” (Palace Warrior)
“You mean I should?” (Young Captain)
“Yes. When a surviving child of a chumongja is found, it is the law that the first discoverer gives the child her name.” (Palace Warrior)
If that is the case, I must give her a name, but…….
* Kkui?
Will it be all right, you ask?
Geumryeong. Even if you do not say that, I know I have no talent for naming things.
Then there is nothing to be done.
“Officer Gwak.” (Young Captain)
“Yes.” (Miss Seohyang)
“Please give this child her name. If I give her a strange name, the child may resent me for the rest of her life.” (Young Captain)
At my words, Palgap nodded.
Palgap. What was that nod?
Miss Seohyang smiled and said.
“Understood. As a wife, it is only natural to ease my husband’s burden.” (Miss Seohyang)
“Thank you.” (Young Captain)
At that moment, the disciple who had heard our words widened her eyes.
“Pardon? B, by any chance, have you two married?” (Palace Warrior)
“To be precise, we are engaged. We have decided to marry this autumn, and one reason we came here like this is to inform the Palace Head of that.” (Young Captain)
“I see.” (Palace Warrior)
“Congratulations on your marriage.” (Palace Warrior)
“Thank you.” (Young Captain)
“But I do feel a little bewildered. In the history of our Ice Palace, there has never been a married Divine Maiden…….” (Palace Warrior)
I smiled faintly.
“Just because there has been no precedent does not mean there will be none from now on. So just get used to it.” (Young Captain)
“Yes. I suppose we must.” (Palace Warrior)
“Then, returning to what we were talking about, what would be good for the child’s name?” (Young Captain)
Miss Seohyang thought for a moment before speaking.
“How about Ijin? The i of earring, and the jin meaning true. The character i also has the meaning of shining and precious. So it means truly shining and precious.” (Miss Seohyang)
“Ijin. It is a good name.” (Young Captain)
As expected, Miss Seohyang is far better at naming than I am.
The Ice Palace disciple said.
“It is a good name. Then this child’s name shall be Ijin.” (Palace Warrior)
I wanted to attach her father’s surname, Gang, to her name, but once she became a disciple of the Northern Sea Ice Palace, she would be given a surname according to the laws of the Northern Sea Ice Palace, so there would likely be little meaning in it.
The next day.
Someone I was glad to see came from the Northern Sea Ice Palace to meet us.
“It has been a long time.” (Bing Hae-rin)
“Ah, Young Palace Head.” (Young Captain)
Young Palace Head Bing Hae-rin said.
“Since we are both Young Palace Heads now, please drop that honorific.” (Bing Hae-rin)
“Then I will do so.” (Young Captain)
The Young Palace Head turned her head from me to look at Officer Gwak, then respectfully paid her respects.
“I greet the Divine Maiden.” (Bing Hae-rin)
“It is good to see you.” (Miss Seohyang)
“Then let us go. The Palace Head is waiting.” (Bing Hae-rin)
After leaving Palgap and the escort warriors at the Ice Palace inn, I headed to the Northern Sea Ice Palace with Miss Seohyang through the Gate of Mist.
“Have you been well in the meantime?” (Young Captain)
At my question, Young Palace Head Bing Hae-rin nodded.
“I have been well.” (Bing Hae-rin)
But her face furrowed slightly.
“However, it seems several Agok Seongjo have gone down toward the lower side, so I have been somewhat troubled over how to deal with them.” (Bing Hae-rin)
Agok Seongjo?
“Ah…… you mean those?” (Young Captain)
I smiled awkwardly and said.
“I caught them all on my way here this time.” (Young Captain)
“Pardon?” (Bing Hae-rin)
“There were five in total.” (Young Captain)
She stopped walking and blinked as she looked at me.
“How did you catch those? They are fairly troublesome spiritual beasts.” (Bing Hae-rin)
“I just…… well, somehow they ended up being caught.” (Young Captain)
It was awkward to explain in detail, so I gave a vague answer.
Fortunately, she readily accepted my words.
“Then again, with the martial arts of the Snowstorm Palace, it would not have been that difficult.” (Bing Hae-rin)
Soon, we arrived at the Northern Sea Ice Palace.
The palace made of ice is mysterious no matter how many times I see it.
As soon as we arrived at the Ice Palace, we were guided to the Palace Head’s residence.
“The Young Palace Head of the Snowstorm Palace greets the master of the Northern Sea Ice Palace.” (Young Captain)
“This girl greets the master of the Northern Sea Ice Palace.” (Miss Seohyang)
At our greetings, the Palace Head, lying languidly, took the long bamboo pipe from her mouth and spoke.
“It is good to see you. So what brings you here?” (Palace Head)
“I came because there is something I must inform you of, Palace Head. Officer Gwak and I are getting married.” (Young Captain)
“I see. Well, I expected as much.” (Palace Head)
She nodded as she spoke.
“If you had not informed me, I would have been very disappointed.” (Palace Head)
I smiled calmly and let out a sigh of relief inside.
Just as Master said, if I had not informed her, she would have sulked.
Hoo, I am breaking out in a cold sweat.