Chapter 39 : Misunderstanding
As I checked the identity of the return gift delivered by Hyeokryeon Mu.
-…The current Heavenly Demon is a guy with big generosity.
-With this much, it seems even the Palace Lord would be satisfied.
The Sword Venerable and Demon Queen also admired it.
“Is this a gift for the Palace Lord?”
“Since it is food. Wouldn’t he have sent it for everyone to eat together?”
The return gift Hyeokryeon Mu delivered was indeed food.
And it was an item containing energy that would be especially good for the people of the Ice Palace to eat.
“To think it is a Ten Thousand Year Fire Carp.”
The Ten Thousand Year Fire Carp is a fish that harbors Extreme Yang Qi.
As much as the Young Palace Head was suffering from Extreme Yin Body, the Ten Thousand Year Fire Carp, rich in Extreme Yang Qi, was no different from restorative medicine.
“I wish you would tell us exactly who sent it.”
“Hmm?”
“Hyeokryeon Geuk? Or the Cult Leader? Who the sender of the gift is, is an important matter.”
Hyeokryeon Mu’s expression stiffened.
“What is certain is that I came because Hyeokryeon Geuk sent me. As for the gift, you will have to check through the Strategist.”
Hyeokryeon Mu was not a person who would go just because Hyeokryeon Geuk told him to.
It could be that he really came simply to check if I was doing well.
‘In this life, I probably won’t be able to make many memories with Hyeokryeon Mu.’
In the past life, as I chose to remain in the Demonic Cult instead of leaving for the Ice Palace, I learned martial arts from the Elders of the Five Great Demon Clans.
Naturally, my competitors became Hyeokryeon Mu and Hyeokryeon Geuk.
Because the one who becomes the Young Cult Leader is only one person.
The three of us pledged to fight fair and square for the position of Young Cult Leader.
‘The problem was that I realized too late that it was a smokescreen.’
Fair and square, my ass.
Hyeokryeon Geuk thoroughly used his influence to try to kill us.
Whether thanks to that or not, I had to struggle to survive together with Hyeokryeon Mu.
“Hmm, then there is a need to be suspicious, but.”
“Are you afraid he injected poison into the Ten Thousand Year Fire Carp?”
“If it is Hyeokryeon Geuk, it is a possible matter.”
Hyeokryeon Mu could not refute.
Instead.
“When are you going to introduce us?”
Hyeokryeon Mu signaled behind him with his eyes.
I saw Seol Ye-rin looking this way with a fierce gaze.
It is reaping what one sows.
Even though she was an opponent who froze him outright without even having a proper conversation, Hyeokryeon Mu seemed unconcerned.
‘Well, he was originally this kind of guy.’
He had a violent side, but he was the only guy I could open my heart to and talk with while staying in the Demonic Cult.
“Hyung-nim came all the way to this distant Ice Palace in person, yet are you ignoring me?”
I mean, that was in the past.
“Are those words coming out after being beaten while trying to tear off the arm of the Young Palace Head’s acquaintance just now?”
“That is because your reaction was lukewarm…….”
“Apologize.”
Twitch-
Hyeokryeon Mu’s eyebrow twitched.
“To tell someone to do this and that right now…….”
“If you get frozen once more, you won’t be able to melt easily.”
At my words, Hyeokryeon Mu pondered for a moment and slowly approached Seol Ye-rin.
“I am Hyeokryeon Mu. I was rude. If I knew she was the Young Palace Head’s acquaintance, I would not have touched her.”
Calling that an apology.
“…If you were not an envoy from the Demonic Cult, if you were not the Small Snow Squad Captain’s brother, I would have truly frozen you away.”
It means she made allowances.
If this were the Demonic Cult, he would have rampaged asking to compete properly, but.
Hyeokryeon Mu also had tact.
If he had to face me, who had completely changed from when I was in the Demonic Cult, and the Young Palace Head, who handles Extreme Yin Qi freely, at the same time.
‘Interesting.’
The story in the history passed down that the Demonic Cult’s nemesis is the Ice Palace was not a lie.
“Since this is also fate, how about a meal together…….”
“It is fine. I will take Seol-bi and return first.”
A chill was emanating from Seol Ye-rin.
“Then I will also take my leave.”
“No, at least a meal…….”
“Please eat a lot by yourself.”
At the appearance of the two people radiating cold air, Hyeokryeon Mu picked up one more dumpling.
Munch munch.
“Cough-”
This one was filthily tasteless.
***
The next day.
On the way to the Palace Lord’s Hall.
“Captain, are you still sulking?”
“……I am not doing that.”
Wi Ji-yeong began to chatter continuously from the side.
It was because the squad members who followed the Young Palace Head’s order without my permission were walking on eggshells.
‘It really doesn’t matter at all, though.’
Thanks to that, I could gain the upper hand in the meeting with Hyeokryeon Mu.
If Tae Un-seo wasn’t together, I wouldn’t have been able to put Han Seol-bi and Moyong Geum to sleep either.
If Seol Ye-rin hadn’t appeared, I might have really had to have a huge brawl with Hyeokryeon Mu.
“Act first, report later, I apologize once again.”
Whether absolute obedience was normalized, Eun Bin also seemed to show a very apologetic appearance this time.
“How many times do I say it’s fine. Next time too, if the Young Palace Head commands, you may follow.”
“Yes, I will do so!”
Baek Mu-yong answered loudly.
“Squad Leader Baek…….”
Seeing that appearance, Wi Ji-yeong shook her head side to side.
“Why, is this not it?”
“It is Mount Jun Silver Needle Tea.”
Tae Un-seo handed over tea.
“Thanks.”
Since tea just requires pouring hot water, I drank it without suspicion.
A feeling of the mind stabilizing.
“You mean everyone is gathered inside again, right?”
“Yes, that is correct.”
“What about Moyong Geum?”
“After sending back the envoy, we decided to escort him back to Heilongjiang Province.”
An opportunity to go outside the Palace arose.
‘I should try expanding the search range a bit more this time.’
In a situation where I don’t know how long the Ice Crystal will last, I had to search for the Ice Emperor quickly.
“We have arrived.”
First, for now.
‘I should deal with the troublesome Hyeokryeon Mu first.’
“I will announce it inside.”
“Yes.”
As I nodded at the guard’s words.
“Small Snow Squad Captain and Small Snow Squad entering!”
Rumble.
The door of the Palace Lord’s Hall opened.
“You have come.”
As we entered inside.
I saw the Ice Palace Lord, Seol Baek-ho, along with the Heads of the Five Families and Young Palace Head Seol Ye-rin sitting in the main hall.
“Seeing you again.”
And next to them.
I saw Hyeokryeon Mu smiling broadly.
“I did not anticipate that he would send the Cult Leader’s second son as an envoy.”
The atmosphere does not seem that heavy.
I could easily guess it was because of the Ten Thousand Year Fire Carp placed conspicuously in front.
“I called you to share a reunion between brothers, Small Snow Squad Captain.”
Seol Baek-ho specified my title.
The meaning of those words was just one.
Here, he made Hyeokryeon Mu recognize that I am not the Demonic Cult Leader’s youngest son, but the Captain of the Small Snow Squad, the unit protecting the Young Palace Head.
“I thank the Palace Lord for his grace. However, since I already shared a reunion with Hyung-nim yesterday, I felt it would be fine not to talk further.”
I cut ties quickly.
More than that, checking if there were no issues with that Ten Thousand Year Fire Carp came first.
“Is this the return gift brought from the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult?”
“Yes, it is a gift signifying the reconciliation between the Demonic Cult and the Ice Palace.”
At Seol Baek-ho’s one word, the Family Heads frowned.
‘That, I don’t think it is. Father-in-law.’
Seol Baek-ho seemed to want to resolve the grudge with the Demonic Cult in his generation somehow, but.
The resentment accumulated through history would not be easily resolved.
Unless there is some kind of trigger.
“Yesterday? Do you mean the two people held a secret meeting separately?”
The Head of the Cold Blood Han Family, Han Myeong-gwang, made a thorny remark.
I glanced to see if perhaps Han Seol-bi reported yesterday’s events, but.
He did not particularly mention Han Seol-bi.
“A secret meeting, you say. I met him when I visited the inn to treat Young Master Moyong Geum to a meal.”
“What is that if not a meeting!”
At the appearance of Han Myeong-gwang shouting loudly, I sent telepathy toward Seol Ye-rin.
-Is it okay to mention that I met Hyung-nim at the inn?
-Of course.
Since I received permission too.
“The Young Palace Head also met him together, though.”
“Keuk.”
If he insisted on calling it a secret meeting here continuously, it would be the same as claiming the Young Palace Head is also in cahoots with the Demonic Cult, so Han Myeong-gwang had no choice but to stop talking.
“It is done. Tell the Heavenly Demon we will eat the Ten Thousand Year Fire Carp well.”
“Yes, Palace Lord. It is truly a relief that the youngest seems to be doing well.”
“Ah, and since we plan to hold the engagement ceremony soon, I wish you would ask the Heavenly Demon when his time is free and reply via letter.”
Flinch-
Talk of the engagement ceremony came out.
“Are you requesting the Cult Leader to visit the Ice Palace?”
“That is so.”
“Palace Lord!”
“Are you saying such words while knowing what kind of incident occurred every time the Demonic Cult Leader set foot in the North Sea Ice Palace!”
Bang!
Seol Baek-ho struck the table.
“Do not live captured by the past anymore!”
Wooooong-
The chill blooming from Seol Baek-ho begins to cover the Palace Lord’s Hall.
Hyeokryeon Mu wore an intrigued expression with that immense spirit.
“I will convey it well.”
If it just wraps up like this, the envoy visit ends without any incident.
I was welcoming the situation ending better than I thought.
Bang!
“P-Palace Lord! It is a big trouble.”
“What is the matter!”
“Whose presence do you think this is that you run in so urgently!”
While I was shaking my head at the appearance of the Family Heads venting their innocent annoyance on the guard.
“It is a raid by the Demonic Cult!!”
Words that should not have popped out of the guard’s mouth popped out.
“What does that…….”
“I knew it would be like that!”
“Demonic Cult fellows, as expected!”
“Palace Lord, I knew it from the moment the Demonic Cult Leader sent his second son as an envoy. That fellow is clearly the one who came to raid the Ice Palace right now!”
That cannot be.
No matter if Hyeokryeon Mu is a crazy guy, there is no way he would raid the Ice Palace single-handedly.
‘Someone staged an incident.’
Since the Demonic Cult’s envoy is arriving just in time.
It was clearly a self-made drama staged to drive a wedge between the Demonic Cult and the Ice Palace.
The problem is,
‘Who is leading this?’
Someone who knows this situation well must be involved.
Then the possibility that a traitor is inside is high.
“Young Palace Head.”
“Go out quickly and check.”
“Thank you.”
“Small Snow Squad.”
“Yes, Captain.”
“Let’s move.”
Just as I was about to move.
“Where are you trying to go! Small Snow Squad Captain, are you not also a demonic practitioner!”
The Chairman of the Ice Council, the Council of Elders, Seol Un-gang, who had been watching this quietly, tried to restrain me.
“Palace Lord, please give the order quickly! Those abominable Demonic Cult fellows…….”
Smack-!
“Keuheuk!”
Thud, Bang!
“Really noisy beyond measure.”
Dust, dust.
I saw Hyeokryeon Mu speaking while dusting off his hands.
He had flown to Chairman Seol Un-gang in an instant and blown his face away with a fist.
“That's crazy…….”
I think we are f*cked, really.
If Hyeokryeon Mu had stayed still, we might have been able to prevent misunderstandings like a Demonic Cult raid or whatever.
However, if he threw the first punch like now…….
“If you think I am a devil who really raided the Ice Palace, you just have to attack, right?”
Grin.
In this situation, Hyeokryeon Mu was smiling.
“You felloooow!”
Wooooong!
At the appearance of the Ice Palace’s Five Family Heads raising their internal energy, I bit my lip.
This is an irreversible situation.
If I took Hyeokryeon Mu’s side here, it would cause another misunderstanding.
“Captain.”
Wi Ji-yeong, Eun Bin, Baek Mu-yong, and Tae Un-seo were waiting for my order.
Now whether the force raiding the Ice Palace is the Demonic Cult’s force or not was not important.
“Go.”
At that moment.
It seemed a celestial maiden descended from the sky.
A woman passed by me while fluttering the blue martial arts uniform that is the symbol of the Ice Palace.
“I will take charge of that lunatic.”
The celestial maiden, Seol Ye-rin, lowered a to me.