Chapter 035 : Introduction
The sparkling eyes of Han Seol-bi of the Cold Blood Han Family turned towards me.
It is a man she is seeing for the first time.
‘If it’s the Small Snow Squad… it’s the squad protecting Sister, right?’
Was the Captain of that squad this handsome?
A peculiar point was the fact that I was wearing black martial arts robes with a red tint, not blue martial arts robes.
Just as she was about to open her mouth at the appearance of wearing martial arts robes that Demonic Cult bastards would likely wear.
“Seol-bi.”
The Young Palace Head, Seol Ye-rin, called Han Seol-bi.
“Oh my, this clear voice. Do you know how much I missed it!”
“I understand you are happy to meet after a long time, but people are watching.”
It's an informal speech.
I saw Seol Ye-rin using informal speech for the first time.
The relationship between the two looked extremely intimate.
Given the characteristics of the Extreme Yin Body, there must have been many people who would freeze just by approaching close.
‘Han Seol-bi, from the Cold Blood Han Family.’
It seems like a name I have heard somewhere.
“Ah, yes yes. By the way, Sister. Where did you find this handsome Captain? With a face like this, there is no way I would have passed by without seeing him!”
Twinkle twinkle.
As Han Seol-bi tried to approach close to me,
Swish-
“Huh?!”
Seol Ye-rin pulled Han Seol-bi’s collar.
“Father brought him.”
“…The Palace Lord?”
At the words that the Ice Palace Lord, Seol Baek-ho, brought me personally, Han Seol-bi’s curiosity about me grew more and more.
As Han Seol-bi continued to glance at me from Seol Ye-rin’s side,
“By the way, what brings you all the way into the main palace?”
“Ah, I came together with Dad.”
“The Family Head… entered the palace?”
“Didn't you hear? A summoning order for the Five Families has been issued right now.”
At the word summoning order, Seol Ye-rin’s expression hardened.
It was because it was the first time the Five Families were summoned since the day the fact that Seol Ye-rin has the Extreme Yin Body was announced.
“I am sorry, Captain. I think I have to go to the Palace Lord’s Hall, not the Young Palace Head’s Hall.”
“Ah, that is a method I don't really recommend.”
“Why?”
“Because everyone doesn't seem to be in a very good mood…….”
“Then I must go even more.”
Seol Ye-rin thought.
If Father Seol Baek-ho hadn't tried to save her, the Ice Palace might have been much more developed than it is now.
Therefore,
‘I have to bear a certain part of the responsibility.’
“Small Snow Squad Captain.”
“Yes, Young Palace Head.”
“Take the lead.”
“Understood.”
Surrounding Seol Ye-rin and Han Seol-bi together with the Small Snow Squad, I advanced towards the Palace Lord’s Hall.
The Sword Venerable and the Demon Queen who were watching that scene shouted respectively.
-She is a filial daughter, a filial daughter!
-Yeom, you help a bit! Your partner looks quite distressed right now!
I was planning to go anyway.
Since if I intend to become the live-in son-in-law of the Ice Palace, I also have to make my presence known to the heads of the Five Families.
***
North Sea Ice Palace, Palace Lord’s Hall.
Four Family Heads were gathered in a large conference room.
“Just when in the world is the Palace Lord coming?”
Gwak Un-cheol, the head of the Snow Tiger Gwak Clan who was wearing tiger fur all over his body, blew out steam from his nose.
“Calm down. Your impatient personality is always the problem.”
As Baek Il-sang, the head of the Ice Wolf Baek Clan, scolded such Baek Un-cheol,
“What!”
“Since even the head of the Jang Clan showed his face after a long time, I am asking if you have to cause a commotion like this.”
Jang Un-seong, the head of the Guardian Jang Clan who participated in this place with the most simple attire, frowned.
“If it were usual times, I wouldn't have associated with you guys.”
“Everyone is the same as always.”
Han Myeong-gwang, the head of the Cold Blood Han Family, let out a sigh.
All four Family Heads did not look to be on such good terms.
At that time,
“Being noisy is also the same as always.”
Seol Baek-ho, the head of the North Wind Seol Clan and the Palace Lord of the North Sea Ice Palace, revealed his figure in the hall.
“Greetings to the Palace Lord.”
Although it is formal courtesy, the Family Heads offered greetings.
“Sorry I am late. I needed some preparation.”
Flutter-
Unlike usual, Seol Baek-ho entered the hall wearing clothes symbolizing the Ice Palace Lord.
At his appearance, even wearing a sword, the expressions of the Family Heads hardened.
“…I wondered for what matter you called us, it seems it was a serious matter.”
Even Gwak Un-cheol, whose usual temper is fiery, became quiet upon seeing Seol Baek-ho’s appearance.
“It seems the Young Palace Head has certainly recovered. It seems you have returned to the Palace Lord of the past.”
At Jang Un-seong’s admiration, Baek Il-sang asked.
“It seems you are going to wage war somewhere, Palace Lord.”
“It is correct that I am going to wage war.”
“Pardon?”
“It is intelligence that there is a traitor within the Palace.”
Flinch.
The expressions of the Family Heads changed.
“By traitor, you mean…….”
“There are guys trying to kill Ye-rin. Not only that, they even tried to kill the official of the Merchant Guild brought from the Central Plains to sell Cold Iron, the main product of the Ice Palace. Hiring assassins of Blood Tears, no less.”
“Did the Young Palace Head go outside the Ice Palace?”
“You mean they hired assassins of Blood Tears?”
“So, what happened?”
As the story about the Young Palace Head came out, the attitudes of the Family Heads changed.
“The Small Snow Squad disposed of all the assassins of Blood Tears.”
At Seol Baek-ho’s one word, the Family Heads looked back at each other.
Because they noticed who brought up the story that they have to ferret out the traitor.
“So, you mean the reason the Palace Lord gathered us like this is because the Young Palace Head’s spouse brought this time, the Demonic Cult bastard. Is that what you mean?”
At Han Myeong-gwang’s summary, Seol Baek-ho’s gaze headed towards Han Myeong-gwang.
“Head Han. Do you think this Palace Lord is being swayed by the Demonic Cult?”
Pause.
His attitude is completely different from the Palace Lord until now.
Although stories like this came up often even during the Family Head meetings.
The Palace Lord, who had never singled out one Family Head to speak… had changed.
“Gulp.”
The fighting spirit emitting from Seol Baek-ho was no longer the fighting spirit emitted by the Palace Lord of the past.
“Palace Lord. Head Han also did so because he was worried, he probably didn't have other intentions. Isn't that so?”
“Th, that is correct.”
The one who helped Han Myeong-gwang escape the crisis situation was none other than Jang Un-seong.
“By the way, Palace Lord. You seem a bit different today.”
Gwak Un-cheol spoke with sunken eyes.
“I have changed. First, I have a story to tell the Five Families.”
The atmosphere in the hall settled heavily.
It was a situation where the Family Heads could not predict at all what story Seol Baek-ho would tell.
“I acknowledge that I neglected the operation of the Ice Palace as the Palace Lord all this while. So I called you to apologize to everyone like this. I am sorry.”
“……?”
“Palace Lord? Are you… really the Palace Lord?”
To think of an apology.
As the head of the North Wind Seol Clan and the Palace Lord of the North Sea Ice Palace.
The Palace Lord who had moved self-righteously to recover Seol Ye-rin had completely changed.
“Did you recognize the situation of the Ice Palace only now?”
While there were gazes looking at Seol Baek-ho with surprise, there also existed sharp reactions filled with coldness.
Because Seol Baek-ho had thrown aside all other work for Seol Ye-rin’s treatment all this while, the Ice Palace was in a situation driven to the edge of a cliff.
“I recognize it. So from now on, I intend to show a changed appearance.”
“If you say a changed appearance…….”
“Before that, I should ferret out the traitor first.”
Many things have changed.
“…Surely you don't think that traitor is among us, right?”
The gazes of the Family Heads reached Seol Baek-ho.
“I do not know. So find them. Ferreting out the traitor will be the first step to make the Ice Palace great again.”
“Kuhaha! Only now you seem to show an appearance befitting Seol Baek-ho of the North Wind Seol Clan. You mean a purge of blood, right?”
“That is so.”
“Then… Do you mean it doesn't matter even if we raid the Council of Elders?”
At Baek Il-sang’s question, Seol Baek-ho nodded.
At those words, the Family Heads’ eyes flashed.
Because war was soon an opportunity to reorganize the power structure of the Five Families.
“If it is for the sake of ferreting out the traitor.”
“We understand the Palace Lord’s will well.”
The four Family Heads realized that Seol Baek-ho had drawn his sword.
What was slightly doubtful was.
‘Such a decision wouldn't have been easy.’
How he came to make such a decision.
The moment they just had such a thought.
“Palace Lord, the Young Palace Head and the Small Snow Squad have arrived.”
The guard’s voice was heard.
“Young Palace Head?”
“You mean the recovered Young Palace Head came to visit?”
“Tell them to come in.”
Everyone’s gaze headed to the door.
***
“Will you really be okay?”
“Yes, according to the Small Snow Squad Captain’s words, it means in the current situation, there is a need to face the heads of the Five Families inside here.”
“That is true, but…….”
“Sister, I think it would be better for you not to go in right now.”
“If you don't want to come in, you don't have to follow.”
Han Seol-bi guessed she couldn't break Seol Ye-rin’s stubbornness.
“I will assist you.”
Rather than that, her gaze kept going to the Small Snow Squad Captain guarding Seol Ye-rin’s side.
Inside, the Family Heads of the Ice Palace and even the Ice Palace Lord would be waiting.
The moment they enter.
Even though I had to receive their gazes head-on, my eyes did not change a single bit.
‘How can he be like that?’
Han Seol-bi, who had not a single interest in the Demonic Cult, did not notice that I was the Cult Leader’s youngest son even after hearing the name Hyeokryeon Yeom.
She thought I was just an ordinary martial artist who rolled around in the Demonic Cult.
So she was wondering how I happened to become the Small Snow Squad Captain protecting Seol Ye-rin.
“We are entering.”
“Yes.”
“L, let’s go together!”
Step, step.
Han Seol-bi and I followed behind the Young Palace Head who took the lead with a confident gait.
As we entered the Palace Lord’s Hall conference room.
Numerous gazes began to fix on us.
“Is it really… the Young Palace Head?”
“She has completely… recovered.”
“Then the man behind is…….”
“S, Seol-bi.”
Except for the Palace Lord, Seol Baek-ho, the four Family Heads each burst out exclamations.
Clap.
The sound of wrapping hands called everyone’s attention.
I spoke while taking a clasped hands greeting.
“Greetings to the Palace Lord. I have returned safely to the Ice Palace bringing the merchant of the Moyong Merchant Guild.”
“Right, you worked hard coming all this way.”
Swish-
Seol Baek-ho’s gaze reached me.
“Thank you for protecting the Young Palace Head from the assassins of Blood Tears, Small Snow Squad Captain.”
“No, Palace Lord. I only did what I had to do.”
At the appearance that looked like I received the Palace Lord’s recognition to anyone who saw, the Family Heads began to open their mouths.
“Palace Lord, I heard you seated the Demonic Cult Leader’s youngest son in the Small Snow Squad Captain’s seat. I am curious if it is true.”
Flinch-
At Baek Il-sang’s one word, Han Seol-bi’s two eyes opened roundly.
Although she knew I was from the Demonic Cult, it was because she didn't know I was the Demonic Cult Leader’s son.
“If it is true… What do you intend to do, Head Baek?”
A clear voice like a nightingale rang through the conference hall.
At the same time,
Whoosh- Crackle-
A cold chill began to encroach on the surroundings.
Cynical eyes like frost glared at Baek Il-sang.
“Haha, Young Palace Head, there seems to be some misunderstanding.”
Due to the tremendous Extreme Yin Qi, Baek Il-sang’s complexion became noticeably bad.
“Young Palace Head.”
At that time, I called Seol Ye-rin.
Whoosh!
In an instant, the Extreme Yin Qi was withdrawn.
‘She is a monster.’
‘She seems… stronger than before.’
‘He restrained the Young Palace Head.’
‘Seol-bi……!’
While the Family Heads were each thinking different thoughts inwardly at Seol Ye-rin’s appearance of handling energy.
“Why did you call?”
“I intend to formally present an introduction to the Family Heads, would you permit me?”
Since it was a place where others were watching, I treated Seol Ye-rin politely with honorifics.
Seeing such an appearance of mine, Seol Ye-rin’s eyes narrowed.
‘……?’
Although I was puzzled by that gaze.
“Do as you wish.”
Seeing Seol Ye-rin stepping back one step for now, I stepped forward.
“I offer greetings to the distinguished Family Heads of the Ice Palace. Known as the youngest son of the Demonic Cult Leader until a while ago. I am Hyeokryeon Yeom, currently serving as the Small Snow Squad Captain. And.”
Fwoosh!
Flames began to soar from my whole body.
The moment hot heat contrasting with a little while ago covered the hall,
“I am the live-in son-in-law scheduled to hold a wedding ceremony with the Young Palace Head.”
“……!”
“L, live-in son-in-law?!”
Han Seol-bi, who was listening to my story from the very back, burst out a scream of astonishment.