Chapter 38 : Return Gift
The Cult Leader's second son, Hyeokryeon Mu, wore an expression of intrigue as he looked at the youngest son, who had an expression like he was chewing shit.
‘I did this much, yet he is enduring it?’
If it were normal times, a fist would have flown as soon as he saw Hyeokryeon Mu.
When he first heard the news that the youngest was sent to the Ice Palace.
Honestly, he was a little bitter.
Although he was a guy whose scoundrel-like temper appeared sporadically, they had struggled in their own way together to escape from Hyeokryeon Geuk's hands.
‘To think he would run away alone like this without even a single goodbye.’
He felt resentful.
So he accepted Hyeokryeon Geuk’s proposal.
-Go to the Ice Palace, deliver the gift, check if the youngest is doing well, and return.
If it weren't for Hyeokryeon Yeom, he would not have accepted something like being an envoy to the Ice Palace.
‘Originally, I intended to visit tomorrow.’
He did not know he would come to find him directly like this.
By the way,
“The Heavenly Demon’s… youngest son?!”
“Hmm?”
Hyeokryeon Mu’s gaze, which had been directed only at Hyeokryeon Yeom at first, turned to the surroundings.
‘One woman, and one guy who does not look like an Ice Palace person at all… giving off a strong scent of the Orthodox Sect.’
Looking at it, he seemed like a guy who didn't even know Hyeokryeon Yeom was from the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult.
“Tsk tsk. To think you are dining at the same table with these kinds of guys. Where did the scoundrel Hyeokryeon Yeom I knew go?”
“Are you going to sit, or not?”
Oho?
He scratched him one more time, but instead of a fist or a sword flying, ‘words’ flew.
Thud.
Hyeokryeon Mu sat in the seat next to Hyeokryeon Yeom.
“This is extremely interesting. Just what happened in the Ice Palace for you to become so docile?”
“Let’s talk separately later.”
“Hmm, really? Then introduce me. Is this side your spouse?”
Hyeokryeon Mu’s gaze scanned Han Seol-bi.
“That mouth…….”
Just as Han Seol-bi was about to explode at that gaze.
“The food is here.”
Tae Un-seo came out with the food.
“…….”
“Oh, I was just feeling peckish, so this worked out well.”
As Tae Un-seo began to place the dumplings and wheat noodles on the table, Hyeokryeon Yeom asked Moyong Geum.
“Young Master. If the meal is uncomfortable, you may leave first.”
“It is fine. I will eat.”
Roll.
Moyong Geum, who relaxed his stiffened expression with a strange look, turned his gaze for a moment and soon returned to his original expression.
‘Did he only realize just now?’
Although his complicated inner thoughts were revealed, Moyong Geum succeeded in hiding his expression.
Just the fact that he could stay like this with two important figures of the Demonic Cult as an Orthodox Sect person meant he was no ordinary person.
It seemed clear he quickly judged how to respond in the current situation, leaving aside Orthodox principles.
Hyeokryeon Mu’s martial prowess is by no means low.
And there must be attendants who came over from the Demonic Cult with Hyeokryeon Mu.
In a situation where he came out on a business trip, it seemed he decided to try to blend into the current situation well rather than escalating matters.
Moyong Geum had a more cautious personality than expected.
Well, since he is a merchant, perhaps it is natural.
“Right, do the introductions slowly later and let’s eat first.”
At Hyeokryeon Mu’s one word, my gaze turned to Tae Un-seo.
That gaze contained a silent worry asking if it was food that was okay to eat.
“Please enjoy your meal.”
Seeing me like that, Tae Un-seo smiled and tried to withdraw.
At that moment.
“Chef.”
Pause.
Tae Un-seo, who was trying to withdraw, stopped at Hyeokryeon Mu’s call.
“Yes?”
“The portion is insufficient. Bring out one more wheat noodles and dumplings.”
“Yes, understood.”
“Hmm, it seems even the chefs in the Ice Palace are martial arts experts. What are you doing? Let’s eat.”
“You eat first, Hyung-nim.”
“Ha, Hyung-nim, you say… sure. Since there are many watching eyes here. Hyung-nim will eat first!”
Watching Hyeokryeon Mu pick up the dish Tae Un-seo made, Hyeokryeon Yeom smiled wickedly.
***
Munch munch.
Hyeokryeon Mu put a dumpling in his mouth and began to chew.
If it was a dish made by Tae Un-seo alone without Wi Ji-yeong’s supervision, a dish close to poison would surely have been completed.
I looked at Hyeokryeon Mu with a very tense expression,
“Oho! It is delicious!”
I felt regret that Tae Un-seo did not make the dumplings and wheat noodles alone.
Slurp.
At the sight of Hyeokryeon Mu eating the wheat noodles as if drinking them following the dumplings.
Gulp-
“Please go ahead and eat first. Since I ordered one more, I will eat when it comes out next.”
“Will you be okay?”
“Yes, it will come out soon.”
“Then, though it is shameless, I will eat first.”
Han Seol-bi, who missed the timing to get angry, also picked up a dumpling.
Slurrrp! Nom.
The moment Moyong Geum and Han Seol-bi inhaled the wheat noodles and dumplings.
Thud- Thud-
The two people slammed their heads onto the table just like that.
“Young Master!!”
“Hmm? Why are they being like this?”
Hyeokryeon Mu was perfectly fine.
“…Did you perhaps put poison in it?”
I could not answer.
Because Tae Un-seo’s food is like poison.
-I put in sleeping powder to prepare for any eventuality.
At that moment, Wi Ji-yeong’s telepathy was conveyed.
“Jang Baek-rim. Take care of Moyong Geum.”
“…Yes.”
Since the escort was not poisoned by the sleeping powder, I had him protect Moyong Geum using Jang Baek-rim.
At that moment.
Thud, thud.
As Moyong Geum and Han Seol-bi collapsed.
Wi Ji-yeong and Tae Un-seo from the kitchen.
Eun Bin from the corner table.
Baek Mu-yong from the inn entrance approached the table where they were.
“…What is this doing right now?”
“Since you are an envoy of the Demonic Cult, surveillance is essential.”
“Oho…….”
Hyeokryeon Mu looked around at the personnel who approached with an intrigued expression.
“It has been a long time, Yeong-ah.”
“It has been a long time, Second Young Master.”
A person who calls Wi Ji-yeong’s name correctly.
“No wonder it tasted somewhat nostalgic, the cooking was done by you too.”
“I am glad if it suited your taste.”
“Anyway, for a chef to play pranks on the food.”
Grind-
At Hyeokryeon Mu’s one word, strength went into Tae Un-seo’s hand holding the kitchen knife.
“Calm down, Tae Un-seo. Ignore Hyeokryeon Mu’s words. Because he is an expert at scratching people’s nerves.”
“Only now does an appearance like you come out.”
“Hyung-nim. I hope you realize that I am no longer Hyung-nim’s younger brother now.”
“If you are not my younger brother, then who are you?”
“The Captain of the Small Snow Squad, the unit protecting the Young Palace Head of the Ice Palace, Hyeokryeon Yeom. This is my identity in the Ice Palace.”
“Is that so?”
Glance-
Hyeokryeon Mu’s gaze turned to Han Seol-bi.
Again, he seemed to have made some strange misunderstanding.
“Then, you must have to protect the Young Palace Head of the Ice Palace with your own hands?”
“Hyung-nim!”
Whoosh!
Hyeokryeon Mu reached out his hand toward Han Seol-bi.
Bang!
The one who blocked that hand was Eun Bin.
The problem was that although the hand and sword collided, not even a scratch was made on the hand.
“Oho, you are quite good!”
Hyeokryeon Mu’s excitement rose.
When I quickly stepped back and drew Extreme Flame, already,
“Vice Captain! It is not the front but the back!”
Smack-
Hyeokryeon Mu, who had gone behind Eun Bin, was in a state where he had planted his fist into Eun Bin’s back.
“Keuheuk-”
Whoosh!
The one who saved Eun Bin, who was about to be slammed into the wall while vomiting a groan, was Baek Mu-yong.
“Hup!”
He barely managed to stop him from hitting the wall directly, but.
“That hand… won’t you put it down?”
In that interval, Hyeokryeon Mu had taken Han Seol-bi hostage.
“Tsk tsk, for the Young Palace Head of the Ice Palace to be this defenseless.”
“There seems to be some misunderstanding. That child is not the Young Palace Head.”
“Ah, she is not your spouse?”
I saw Hyeokryeon Mu’s interest cool down sharply.
“Then it doesn’t matter if she dies.”
As he was about to throw Han Seol-bi just like that.
“Hyung-nim. You, what business brings you to the Ice Palace? Did you not come as an envoy?”
Pause.
I stopped him with a few words.
“That was close to being a big trouble.”
“I do not know who ordered you to come, but since you came to the Ice Palace, I hope you follow the Ice Palace’s rules.”
At my words, Hyeokryeon Mu made an incredulous expression.
Following that, Hyeokryeon Mu put his index finger to his head and began to twirl it.
“Youngest, did the shock of being sold to the Ice Palace happen to be too great that you went crazy? You do not seem like the Hyeokryeon Yeom I knew?”
It would be so.
Unlike the scoundrel, Hyeokryeon Yeom.
The Hyeokryeon Yeom in front of Hyeokryeon Mu.
Was a regressor who experienced a past life and returned for revenge.
“If you came looking for the Cult Leader’s youngest son, you have found the wrong address.”
“Shall we ambush him?”
Tae Un-seo muttered from behind.
Whether he was extremely angry at the words from a moment ago, killing intent was swirling in his eyes.
“Groan. I am disappointed, Youngest. I don't think the old you was a guy this weak to affection.”
‘Weak to affection?’
My mind flashed at that one word.
I realized I was thinking I had to protect Han Seol-bi unconsciously.
Even though Han Seol-bi of the Cold Blood Han Family died or got hurt, it had nothing to do with me.
As my thoughts reached this point.
Naturally, Seol Ye-rin’s face began to shimmer.
-He is a dangerous fellow.
At that time, the Sword Venerable spoke to me.
-If the Ice Palace made you like that, since I came to give a gift, I will make you come to your senses a little. I heard you are having an engagement ceremony soon. Yet if you carry a woman by your side like this, what would the Young Palace Head think?
Squeeze-
I saw Hyeokryeon Mu gripping Han Seol-bi’s arms.
I knew too well what kind of event would occur if left like that.
-The Han family child looks in danger! Yeom-ah, you must stop him!
The Demon Queen’s worried shout was also heard.
But I did not seem to have any intention of moving.
“Right, that is like the scoundrel Hyeokryeon Yeom.”
Grin-
Hyeokryeon Mu tried to apply force to tear off the arms of the unconscious Han Seol-bi.
Crackle-
Clearly, it was so until a moment ago.
“W-What…….”
Thud, thud.
The air turns cold.
As the sound of footsteps coming from behind got closer and closer.
“C-Cold.”
Hyeokryeon Mu could feel his whole body beginning to freeze.
No, it is not just Hyeokryeon Mu.
The entire inn was freezing over.
“How dare you… touch Seol-bi and the Third Young Master?”
Gulp-
Only then could Hyeokryeon Mu realize the identity of the woman standing behind him.
“Ice… Flower.”
The Ice Flower that freezes the world bloomed fully.
***
The Young Palace Head of the Ice Palace, Seol Ye-rin, could realize that the Demonic Cult’s envoy visited the Ice Palace through a conversation with her father, Seol Baek-ho.
‘The representative of the Demonic Cult envoy is Young Master Hyeokryeon’s older brother?’
If Seol Ye-rin and Hyeokryeon Yeom were to hold a wedding later, the older brother, Second Young Master Hyeokryeon Mu, would become Seol Ye-rin’s brother-in-law.
Seol Ye-rin knew too well that the relationship with the Demonic Cult was not just bad for generations but that they were enemies.
Nevertheless, at the thought that she might meet the family of the person who would become her spouse for the first time, she kept it a secret even from Hyeokryeon Yeom and called in the Small Snow Squad.
-Serve Young Master Hyeokryeon Mu at the Ice Palace Inn?
Recruiting even Wi Ji-yeong was a stroke of genius.
Wi Ji-yeong, who had already met Hyeokryeon Mu in the Demonic Cult, knew what Hyeokryeon Mu liked and disliked.
While the Small Snow Squad members including Wi Ji-yeong were treating the envoy with utmost sincerity like that, the plan was to go meet the Second Young Master, Hyeokryeon Mu, together with Hyeokryeon Yeom later.
However.
‘To think the plan would go awry!’
It took too long to prepare.
On top of that, she heard the news later that the Small Snow Squad Captain went to meet Young Master Moyong Geum.
The sight she saw as soon as she moved urgently, chased after Hyeokryeon Yeom, and arrived at the inn was,
‘If I were a little late, it would have been a big trouble.’
Of course, she thought that if she hadn't stepped in, Hyeokryeon Yeom would have stepped in and saved Han Seol-bi.
Crackle-
Seol Ye-rin, who was looking with a cold gaze at Hyeokryeon Mu who was freezing more and more, approached Hyeokryeon Yeom.
“Baek Mu-yong, Eun Bin. Take Lady Han and Young Master Moyong and return.”
“Yes, Captain.”
Watching the two people leaving, Seol Ye-rin looked back at me.
“…I am sorry.”
Hyeokryeon Yeom seemed very angry.
It was clearly a fault to have moved the Small Snow Squad without the Captain’s permission.
When she meekly admitted her fault and apologized to Hyeokryeon Yeom.
“Lady Seol did nothing wrong. Rather, thank you for appearing at the appropriate moment.”
Was Hyeokryeon Yeom not saying thank you instead?
“Third Young Master…….”
“If you were a little late, I almost burned the older brother who came as an envoy.”
It was a vicious remark, but Seol Ye-rin somehow empathized with my feelings.
“I didn't realize he was such a violent older brother.”
“You don’t need to know in the future either.”
Hyeokryeon Yeom approached the front of Hyeokryeon Mu who was freezing over.
Hyeokryeon Mu, who was becoming an ice statue unable to budge, was still smiling.
“Is… that… woman… the woman… who will become… your spouse?”
“Yeah, that’s right. Rather than that, until when are you going to be like that?”
Everything was Hyeokryeon Mu’s act.
Sizzle-
Black demonic smoke began to melt the ice.
“Luck has rolled in on its own.”
“That is what I want to say. So who sent you here?”
Hyeokryeon Mu, who melted all the ice and became neat, muttered quietly.
“Hyeokryeon Geuk.”
Flare-
Hearing that name, rage soared.
The moment flames were about to surge.
“Now, calm down and take this. Since a return gift is a return gift.”
Hyeokryeon Mu took something out of his bosom and held it out to me.
“This is…….”
Receiving what Hyeokryeon Mu handed over, Hyeokryeon Yeom could realize that the Demonic Cult had paid quite a lot of attention to the return gift.