Chapter 37 : Older Brother
Just as there are Five Great Clans in the Ice Palace.
Five outstanding families also exist in the Demonic Cult.
The Thunderbolt Demon Clan of the Thunderbolt Exploding Demon, who attacked me before I left the Ice Palace.
The Hyeokryeon Demon Clan of the Heavenly Demon Hyeokryeon Hwi, which has produced the Heavenly Demon for generations.
The Dokgo Demon Clan of the Ten Thousand Red Sword Demon.
The Hyonwon Demon Clan of the Heaven Shaking Saber Demon.
The Yayul Demon Clan of the Hell Poison Demon.
Besides these, various other families existed in the Demonic Cult.
Each family possessed demonic arts they practiced independently.
Like the White Hand Demonic Art, for instance.
‘Surely the White Hand Demonic Art is the unique martial art of the White Hand Demon Queen?’
The unique martial art of the White Hand Demon Clan, which had risen to become one of the Five Great Demon Clans in the generation before I was born.
Why was Han Seol-bi displaying that?
“How do you know that martial art?”
“What is wrong with the White Hand Ice Art!”
White Hand Ice Art?
It was a martial art different from the name I knew.
However.
‘That demonic qi.’
Others might be fooled by that demonic qi disguised as cold energy, but I, who inherited the blood of the Heavenly Demon, could not fail to recognize it.
“…What is the relationship between the Cold Blood Han Family and the White Hand Demon Clan?”
“White Hand Demon Clan? Stop saying strange things and lift your sword quickly!”
Seeing this, it seemed Han Seol-bi truly believed the White Hand Demonic Art was the White Hand Ice Art.
‘I will have to dig into the Cold Blood Han Family once.’
I had to find out why a martial art of the Demonic Cult was being passed down like a family specialty of the Ice Palace.
‘The more I learn information the past me did not know.’
I would be able to draw the future ahead anew.
Anyway.
‘What do I do with this reckless girl?’
At this time when I had to check Moyong Geum’s safety as soon as possible, Han Seol-bi was a very burdensome existence.
But I could not kill her either.
“If I draw my sword, it will not end without shedding blood. Are you still telling me to draw my sword?”
-Since she learned the White Hand Demonic Art, why don’t you make her hands unusable?
-Master, isn’t that remark a bit too harsh?
-You don’t know, but White Hand is a monster. That girl who learned that demonic art will surely become a witch…….
Wooooong-
Just as the Sword Venerable and the Demon Queen began to chatter.
Extreme Flame spat out a sword cry.
And Extreme Flame’s sword cry was heard by Han Seol-bi as well.
Tssst-
Soon, flames bloomed from me.
‘Butterfly?’
Butterflies made of flame began to fill the surroundings of Han Seol-bi.
“Oho, it seems I have found an interesting spectacle!”
It was then.
At the appearance of a familiar voice, I looked back at the source of the voice.
“Young Master Moyong.”
Jang Baek-rim and Moyong Geum were watching the two of us.
Flinch-
Noticing the appearance of outsiders who were not me, Han Seol-bi’s hands returned to their original color.
“Hmm? Were you not intending to fight?”
“We were just having a conversation. Is that not so, Lady Han?”
“T-That is correct.”
Seeing Han Seol-bi hurriedly hiding her hands as she spoke.
I intuitively felt there were some circumstances.
“I thought Young Master Moyong would be resting in the accommodation, so what brings you out here?”
“Because my sleep was restless, you see. A walk is best when clearing one’s head.”
Rustle-
I sensed the presence of the Black Shadow Unit warriors following Moyong Geum nearby.
‘Bold.’
Moyong Geum looks like an Orthodox Sect person to anyone’s eyes.
If he encountered a demonic practitioner while roaming around the sect like this, a troublesome situation could have occurred.
“If your business is finished, Lady Han may return.”
I thought it would be best to send Han Seol-bi back since I confirmed Moyong Geum was safe for now.
However.
“I, I haven’t finished talking yet…….”
“Have the remaining talk with the Young Palace Head.”
“Now, now, since it has come to this, I am feeling a bit peckish, so how about Lady Han also joins us for dinner?”
Twinkle, twinkle!
I sighed at the sight of Moyong Geum’s eyes twinkling.
Because if it was a request from Moyong Geum, who would circulate the Ice Palace’s funds, I had no choice but to grant it.
***
A dinner gathering decided suddenly like that.
“How did you know the fact that there is an inn within the Palace?”
“Well… I used to come often in the past, you see.”
Listening to his story, he said he frequented the Ice Palace like his own home following the Moyong Clan Merchant Guild Leader.
Jingle-
Somehow, it ended up being Han Seol-bi, myself, Jang Baek-rim, and Moyong Geum.
The four of us came to eat dinner like this.
“Welcome!”
As we opened the door of the inn and entered.
A familiar face welcomed me.
“Ji-yeong…….”
-Shh!
Wi Ji-yeong, disguised as a waiter, revealed herself in front of me.
“How many in your party?”
“It is four, but…….”
-Young Master, I am sorry I could not tell you in advance!
“I will guide you to this seat!”
-I also received contact half an hour ago and came in a hurry. Don’t be surprised and listen, the Demonic Cult’s envoy sent by the First Young Master is currently staying in this inn!
What in the…….
Hearing Wi Ji-yeong’s telepathy, I quickly scanned the surroundings.
I did not feel any demonic qi.
-What happened?
“What will the Captain plan to eat?”
I stopped conversing via telepathy.
Because Moyong Geum, who sat down, spoke to me.
“Ah. Wheat noodles will be fine for me.”
“Then please give us two dumplings and two wheat noodles.”
“Yes! Understood!”
As I watched the back of Wi Ji-yeong hurriedly entering the kitchen.
‘……Tae Un-seo?’
The face of the man cooking in the kitchen was familiar.
‘Come to think of it…….’
“Check, please.”
“Yes.”
I did not know when we entered, but the person calculating the bill was Baek Mu-yong.
His appearance acting as the inn owner was quite natural.
If even Baek Mu-yong was here, that meant…….
“Slurp. Tastes bad.”
The customer sitting at a corner table was Eun Bin.
-Vice Captain. It was your work. I did not know you would mobilize the squad members and take on a mission without the Captain’s knowledge.
-I am sorry. Since it was an order from higher up…….
-Higher up?
The Captain of the Small Snow Squad is me.
However, just one person.
There was one more person who could give orders to the Small Snow Squad.
‘The Young Palace Head?’
Seol Ye-rin is not in this space right now.
I could be certain of that because the Extreme Yang Qi, which naturally reacts when I get close to Seol Ye-rin, had no reaction.
Then that meant Seol Ye-rin sent the Small Snow Squad instead of coming herself.
‘Just who is the envoy that…….’
“Captain?”
Flinch-
“Ah, I apologize.”
“Your expression is not good. Is there something wrong?”
“No. It seems it is because I am hungry.”
I felt I misspoke for a moment.
If the chef cooking inside is Tae Un-seo…….
‘This, I should get out quickly.’
It seemed I had to escape the inn before the food came out.
Otherwise, I might have to eat Tae Un-seo’s cooking.
Pour-
At that moment, Moyong Geum handed the water that was on the table to Han Seol-bi and asked.
“How is it, has Lady Han’s mood improved a little?”
“…Thank you. If not for Moyong Orabeoni(older brother), I would not have come to a place like this together.”
Today is a continuous series of surprises.
“…Did you know each other?”
“There were this and that many events in our childhood.”
They say you have to build many connections far and wide to be a merchant.
It seems Moyong Geum had exceptional talent since childhood.
“I see.”
“May I also ask one question, Captain?”
Pour-
This time, he asked while giving water to me.
“Yes. Please ask.”
As I held the water Moyong Geum handed me and was about to drink.
“Since when did you become that kind of relationship with the Young Palace Head?”
“Pfft!”
“Young Master! You fellow!”
In an instant, I sprayed out the water I was drinking.
At that sight, Jang Baek-rim placed his hand on his sword hilt.
“It is fine.”
Moyong Geum found a handkerchief and began to wipe his face.
“I apologize.”
“No, one can make mistakes.”
It is hard to concentrate at all.
I had to figure out who the Demonic Cult’s envoy in the inn was.
I also had to think about why the Young Palace Head deployed the Small Snow Squad to this inn.
On top of that, thinking that I had to leave before Tae Un-seo’s cooking came out, cold sweat was flowing.
In such a situation, at the question that came in out of nowhere, I had no choice but to spray water.
“It seems to be the first time seeing you flustered.”
If it was obvious, it was a problem.
I circulated Extreme Yang Qi to clear my mind.
Then.
Whoosh-
A warm wind spread out starting from me.
“Oho.”
Now my head seems to be working a little.
‘First, getting out of here comes first.’
Thinking about it, the situation is that Moyong Geum does not know the fact that I am the third son of the Demonic Cult Leader yet.
If by any chance we encounter the Demonic Cult’s envoy, it was clear everything would be exposed.
‘I have to draw their attention somehow and take them outside.’
What method is there?
A method to naturally draw the two people outside…….
“Why are you curious about that?”
“Yes?”
“I mean, why is Young Master Moyong curious that the Young Palace Head and I are that kind of relationship.”
My attitude changed in an instant.
A feeling as if only this space was heating up to the point that the surrounding energy felt sweltering.
Moyong Geum realized he made a mistake only then.
Jealous that he was the spouse chosen by the Ice Palace’s precious gem, he failed to be considerate of me.
The opponent was the man who would become the Young Palace Head’s spouse.
The man who would become the live-in son-in-law of the North Sea Ice Palace.
From Moyong Geum’s position, to avoid problems in future transactions with the Ice Palace, he was actually an existence he had to revere.
Moyong Geum, having quickly finished calculations in his head, opened his mouth.
“If by any chance you were offended…….”
Just as he was about to say he was sorry.
Thud, thud.
I saw someone walking down from the second floor of the inn.
As if each of the man’s steps encroached upon the space, the surrounding air settled heavily.
As soon as he recognized the man was walking down,
Moyong Geum forgot what he was saying and ended up staring at the man.
A feeling as if everyone in this space was watching only the man’s footsteps.
‘What in the…….’
Silvery-white long hair rippled along the stairs.
At the figure of the man who showed this immense absorptive power just by appearing.
“I came down because I smelled a familiar scent, and you were really here?”
He is a handsome man.
A high nose and sharp jawline, deep purple eyes shine in the shadows.
His skin is pale but full of vitality, and alluring wrinkles are etched when he smiles at the corners of his mouth.
The man’s voice rang out softly and vibrated the entire inn.
Gulp-
The sound of Han Seol-bi swallowing dry saliva was heard vividly.
The man was looking exactly at the Small Snow Squad Captain, me, as he spoke.
Seeing that appearance, I seemed to let out a sigh.
Suddenly, Moyong Geum’s brow furrowed naturally.
‘Another handsome guy next to a handsome guy?’
The fact that another human who crushed the space with looks, not martial arts, appeared was quite displeasing to Moyong Geum.
“This may be presumptuous, but who are you, Young Hero?”
Since I did not acknowledge him, Moyong Geum asked straightforwardly.
Then the man approached closer and said.
“I am called Hyeokryeon Mu. The second son of the Cult Leader who rules the proud Heavenly Demon Divine Cult and the person who is this guy’s older brother. Although our mothers are different.”
“Hyeokryeon Captain’s… older brother?”
No, more than that.
Just now… what did he say?
Heavenly Demon Divine Cult?
The Demonic Cult fellows used to call the Demonic Cult by the title Heavenly Demon Divine Cult.
That means.
“The Heavenly Demon’s… youngest son?!”
At the unexpected situation and realization, Moyong Geum’s sly expression crumbled in an instant.