Chapter 003 : North Sea Ice Palace
Rumble.
I woke up to the sound that sounded like a door opening.
“Have we arrived?”
“Yes, we have arrived.”
The road from Xinjiang to the North Sea was extremely far.
There were largely two ways to go to the North Sea.
First was the method of going through Qinghai from Xinjiang.
However, this method required passing through the Central Plains.
Since the Kunlun Sect would be keeping their eyes wide open, difficulties existed.
So we chose the second method, which was to go up to the North Sea via Inner Mongolia.
We came out to the edge of Xinjiang and entered Inner Mongolia through the desolate desert.
Hyeokryeon Yeom, who had imagined an open green pasture as we gradually entered the vast grassland, was disappointed by the desolate appearance of Inner Mongolia.
On top of that.
Baek Mu-yong moved only through places where human traces were as rare as possible, saying we must not meet the mounted bandits of Inner Mongolia on the way to the North Sea.
Taking short rests at river streams we occasionally encountered during the long and exhausting journey, we went north toward the North Sea.
And,
Whoosh.
When I opened the carriage door, I saw pure white snowflakes.
“Ughhh.”
Wi Ji-yeong, who was sitting on the coachman's seat, was seen shivering from the cold.
She seemed to be wearing Baek Mu-yong's outer coat, but she still looked cold.
“Come inside the carriage.”
“I, I am fine.”
“Come in since it is fine. It will be much warmer than outside.”
Thinking that refusing twice was not good manners, Wi Ji-yeong hurriedly entered inside and soon,
“Wow, Young Master. It is very warm here!”
“It has no choice but to be warm due to my constitution.”
“Ah… I see.”
She exclaimed in admiration at the warmth of the warm carriage interior.
Seeing the satisfied Wi Ji-yeong, Hyeokryeon Yeom climbed up onto the coachman's seat.
“It is troublesome if you come out as you please like this.”
“Why is that?”
Glance.
A brilliant ice wall emitting light was seen in front of the Eternal Snow Mountain covered with a massive glacier.
Beyond that ice wall, which was like a massive fortress, buildings made of ice caught the eye.
‘It looks like a crystal palace.’
Admiration naturally popped out.
Anyhow.
As soon as we entered the Ice Palace, the gazes of countless people bore into the carriage.
“It is an unusual event for an outsider to enter the Ice Palace.”
Especially if that target was the person who would become the spouse of the Young Palace Head, people's gazes were bound to be focused.
“Who is that handsome man?”
“The one on the coachman's seat looks like Squad Leader Baek of the Ice Wolf Squad?”
“Wait, if it is an outsider brought by Squad Leader Baek…….”
“Is it the live-in son-in-law of the Young Palace Head?”
“Tsk tsk, another ice statue is going to be made.”
The path going to the Palace Head's Hall.
I looked back at Baek Mu-yong at the sounds coming from all directions.
“What do you mean by ice statue?”
“Do not mind it.”
To say that, the frozen ice statues visible on every path going to the Palace Head's Hall were much too realistic.
Ice statues frozen in a state where everyone was holding up one hand.
Wait.
This is the Ice Palace, and the masters of the Ice Palace use Ice Arts.
‘Surely, all of them are…….’
Does that mean they were originally people?
Hyeokryeon Yeom, who frowned, reached out his hand to Baek Mu-yong.
“Are you asking for the reins?”
“Yes.”
“You cannot.”
“Then run.”
“Pardon?”
“Hurry!”
“Giddy up!”
When Baek Mu-yong urged the horse, the carriage began to pick up speed.
“Kyaaak!”
Killing intent is felt.
‘It seems there are guys who find my entering the North Sea annoying.’
I heard that the martial artists of the North Sea are incredibly ignorant.
The words that one becomes the spouse of the Young Palace Head are no different from saying one can become the next master of the North Sea Ice Palace.
The forces of the Outer Regions usually have similar dispositions.
‘They do not look at a person's character but look at strength as the top priority.’
That means not just anyone can become a live-in son-in-law.
This place called the North Sea is where stupid guys who try to snatch the position of the North Sea Ice Palace Young Palace Head's spouse by defeating Hyeokryeon Yeom also exist.
“It is that way.”
Baek Mu-yong drove the carriage following Hyeokryeon Yeom's hand gesture.
Kaboom!
The place we arrived at like that was a spacious training ground with no obstacles around.
Neigh!
When we stopped the carriage, the horses driving the carriage snorted roughly.
“Did you know that this was a training ground?”
“No, just. It seemed there were guests who did not welcome me.”
Martial artists of the North Sea wearing pure white martial arts uniforms revealed themselves in a swarm.
“Do you know who they are?”
“…It seems to be a hazing ceremony.”
“Hazing ceremony?”
“They are followers who follow the Young Palace Head.”
Hmm. Is that so?
Hyeokryeon Yeom touched his sword.
If I become the live-in son-in-law of the Ice Palace, I must be active in the North Sea Ice Palace from now on.
If so, before annoying things happen, “Looking at it, it seems you came to meet me.”
Flare.
As internal energy was infused into the sword, flames began to burn from the sword.
The flames that rose up in the achingly cold North Sea brightly illuminated the surroundings.
“I am Hyeokryeon Yeom.”
“A man who raises flames this time, I wonder what the Palace Head is thinking.”
Muscular martial artists lined up in front of the training ground.
“I am the Captain of the Snow Tiger Squad, Danmok Ho. Before meeting the Young Palace Head, we will first judge whether you bastard is a person suitable for the Young Palace Head's spouse.”
“Captain Danmok. If the Palace Head comes to know of this…….”
“Isn't it something that has always happened? Squad Leader Baek, you stay out of it.”
Baek Mu-yong hardened his expression at the martial artists' remarks.
Baek Mu-yong came to pick up Hyeokryeon Yeom by the Palace Head's order.
But those subordinates do not welcome Hyeokryeon Yeom?
“It is a mess.”
Well, doing this probably means telling me to survive in the North Sea.
“Oh my, just what is this situation right now?”
Wi Ji-yeong, who got off from inside the carriage belatedly, made a fuss at the sight of Hyeokryeon Yeom confronting the martial artists of the North Sea Ice Palace.
“Just watch quietly from behind.”
“As the Young Master's maid, I do not think I can just leave alone those who torment the Young Master?”
Wi Ji-yeong stood next to Hyeokryeon Yeom.
“Miss Wiji?”
Baek Mu-yong looked at Wi Ji-yeong with a flustered expression.
The martial artists of the North Sea raised their two eyes upon seeing Wi Ji-yeong.
Now, a touch-and-go situation just before a battle breaks out if the bastards draw their swords.
“Stop.”
A profound voice overwhelmed the people gathered at the training ground.
“Head Manager.”
A middle-aged man with a profound impression who revealed himself in the hall.
“Head Manager?”
“I am the Head Manager of the North Sea Ice Palace, Seol Su-hyeok. I was waiting.”
“Elder, we have not held the hazing ceremony yet!”
When Danmok Ho rebelled even though the Head Manager appeared, Hyeokryeon Yeom quietly approached the jerk.
“Is a hazing ceremony something like this?”
Tap.
The moment I touched Danmok Ho's shoulder, Blaze!
“Kuaaak!”
Danmok Ho's body caught fire.
Watching the appearance of Danmok Ho quickly rolling on the snow-covered floor and extinguishing the fire, Hyeokryeon Yeom laughed and muttered.
“Oh my, I thought the martial artists of the North Sea would not burn. You burn very well.”
***
The Head Manager of the Ice Palace, Seol Su-hyeok, looked at the Snow Tiger Squad Captain rolling on the floor and requested Hyeokryeon Yeom.
“Although the Snow Tiger Squad Captain committed rudeness, isn't there no need to even set fire? Stop now.”
“I understand.”
“Let us go see the Palace Head first.”
“You mean let us see my father-in-law first, good.”
At Hyeokryeon Yeom's words, Seol Su-hyeok frowned.
“It will be better not to act out in front of the Palace Head.”
“I will keep that in reference.”
As he approached near Hyeokryeon Yeom, he felt a strangely warm feeling.
“I heard you have a lot of Yang energy, and it seems it is true.”
“Yes, since my body is like this, I do not know if the Young Palace Head will like it. Ah, did you say she is in critical condition?”
Seol Su-hyeok looked back at Baek Mu-yong following those words.
It seemed Baek Mu-yong had conveyed the contents of the letter to Hyeokryeon Yeom.
That means Hyeokryeon Yeom has dominated Baek Mu-yong.
On top of that.
This heat felt right next to him.
“Perhaps there might be a possibility.”
“……?”
As Hyeokryeon Yeom looked back at Seol Su-hyeok at Seol Su-hyeok's muttering.
With a serious face, Seol Su-hyeok requested Hyeokryeon Yeom.
“I will ask you like this, please save the Young Palace Head.”
***
The person called the Head Manager of the Ice Palace was also talking to Hyeokryeon Yeom asking to save the Young Palace Head.
Knowing the fact that she dies young, I became worried.
First, I will have to meet her in person to know.
“I will try my best.”
However, in this serious atmosphere, this was all Hyeokryeon Yeom could say.
As we moved while talking with the Head Manager like that, we were able to arrive at the Ice Palace Head's office before we knew it.
The door of the office was extremely huge.
Guards were standing and guarding in front of the office door.
“Wow, it is incredibly big.”
“If you go inside, the Palace Head will be there. Since it is the first face-to-face meeting, watch your words.”
At Seol Su-hyeok's plea, Hyeokryeon Yeom nodded his head.
He seemed to think I would be nervous since it is the first face-to-face meeting with my father-in-law.
But I did not particularly feel nervous or anything.
‘It must be because I have faced the Demon Tower Master dozens, hundreds of times.’
Hyeokryeon Yeom was not nervous at all, but.
“Young Master, think of him as the Cult Leader. You converse well with the Cult Leader too.”
Wi Ji-yeong sent eyes full of worry.
Actually, since I was on the side of doing that in the past, she won't believe me even if I tell her not to worry.
“Head Manager?”
At that time, the guards standing and blocking the front of the door recognized Head Manager Seol Su-hyeok.
“Open the door.”
“Yes.”
Along with Seol Su-hyeok's instruction, the guards began to open the door.
“Head Manager Seol Su-hyeok is entering with the people who came from the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult!”
Rummmmble!
The massive door opened and Seol Su-hyeok entered inside first.
Hyeokryeon Yeom also followed inside together with Baek Mu-yong and Wi Ji-yeong.
“You have come.”
As we entered inside,
A man of tremendous bulk sitting on a chair frozen pure white was seen.
Behind him, the troops of the Ice Palace guarding the Ice Palace Head were lined up.
Perhaps because of the Ice Palace's troops, an immense chill seemed to spew out from the North Sea Ice Palace Head, Ice King Seol Baek-ho, located in the center.
Of course, it could not cause any harm to Hyeokryeon Yeom.
Anyhow, It was the first face-to-face meeting, but it was strangely familiar.
‘He resembles the Tower Master.’
Those eyes that looked as if they were looking at a treasure were strangely annoying.
Our eyes met with the middle-aged man with an impression looking cold like ice.
Hyeokryeon Yeom offered a greeting to the Ice Palace's Palace Head first.
“Nice to meet you, I am called Hyeokryeon Yeom.”
The Ice King, Seol Baek-ho, stared at Hyeokryeon Yeom with cold eyes.
It was a bit burdensome.
“You are warm.”
As I approached close, the heat flared up.
“It is due to the characteristics of my constitution.”
“It is an enviable constitution. If it is you, you might be able to cure my daughter.”
“Since the person who will become my wife says her body is not good, I should try to cure her.”
Curing the Extreme Yin Body?
I honestly do not know if that is possible.
But one thing is certain,
It was worth attempting.
“You must not only try. Fix her. That is why we are forming a Blood Alliance with the Demonic Cult.”
“Yes, Father-in-law.”
Twitch.
At the word Father-in-law, Seol Baek-ho's eyebrow twitched.
Although he decided to accept me as a live-in son-in-law, it was also the first time for the Ice Palace Head to meet me face-to-face.
Probably as expected, I would be the first person to treat Seol Baek-ho in this way.
‘If it was originally, my neck would have flown off long ago, but.’
He would not be able to kill the one remaining hope brought with difficulty.
Since I stamped the first impression that I have a personality where I say everything I have to say, I thought he would understand even if I slack off a bit in the future.
Perhaps because of Hyeokryeon Yeom's father-in-law's remark, the Ice Palace Head shut his mouth for a moment and then called Seol Su-hyeok.
“Head Manager. Guide him to the Young Palace Head's Hall immediately.”
“Yes. We will move.”
Hyeokryeon Yeom, who had a short and intense meeting with the Ice Palace Head like that, began to move to the Young Palace Head's Hall together with the Ice Palace Head.
“Here too, ice statues are…….”
Several ice statues I saw on the way to the Ice Palace were standing here too.
At that time, I could not predict what kind of traces they were, but now I seemed to know.
Traces of people who came to meet the Ice Palace's Young Palace Head, Seol Ye-rin, and froze.
That was the identity of those ice statues.
The Young Palace Head's Hall was quite close to the Palace Head's Hall.
‘Did they place it in a close place because the only person who can withstand the cold energy spewing out from the Young Palace Head is the Palace Head?’
While repeating thoughts,
“Ye-rin.”
We arrived in front of the massive door entering into the Young Palace Head's Hall.
“I brought the Third Young Master.”
At the Ice King Seol Baek-ho's glance, Hyeokryeon Yeom stepped forward.
“Are you inside? Nice to meet you. Miss Seol. I am called Hyeokryeon Yeom.”
“……If you do not want to die, go back.”
It seemed the Young Palace Head was concluding that I would die if we met, even though she had not even seen my face yet.
“Starting today, I am scheduled to become an Ice Palace person, so that seems a bit difficult.”
Saying this, Hyeokryeon Yeom signaled the Ice Palace Head with his eyes to open the door.
A gaze asking if it is really okay.
Since he looked like he had no intention of opening the door, I reached out my hand directly.
Sizzle-
As my hand touched the door, steam rose up.
“…I clearly warned you. You could freeze.”
“It is fine. Let us first face each other and talk. I will let you know how hot I am.”
“That is…….”
“Ye-rin, I will let the Third Young Master inside.”
“Palace Head.”
“It is the work the fellow chose. Do you not know, just in case?”
“…….”
No answer returned.
Silence means affirmation.
Realizing that I had obtained the Young Palace Head's permission, I opened the door heading to the Young Palace Head's Hall.