Chapter 42. Calling Each Other Brother
Chairman Seol Un-gang was killed by the Captain of the Small Snow Squad.
It was essentially no different from an Elder being killed by a demonic practitioner, but no one who had witnessed the sequence of events could speak of it in that way.
Baek Il-sang, the Head of the Ice Wolf Baek Clan; Gwak Un-cheol of the Snow Tiger Gwak Clan; Han Myeong-gwang of the Cold Blood Han Clan; and Jang Un-seong of the Guardian Jang Clan were gathered together.
“It feels like a rotten tooth has finally been pulled out.”
The Clan Heads actually seemed to welcome Chairman Seol Un-gang’s death.
“Now that the Chairman is dead, the Elders’ dominance will finally come to an end.”
“If only the Palace Lord hadn’t told us to leave it be, we would have dealt with it long ago.”
“I never expected the North Wind Seol Clan’s nuisance to be sent off like this.”
The Heads of the Five Great Clans, excluding the Palace Lord Seol Baek-ho, had convened.
“We must acknowledge his decisiveness, at least.”
“I agree. To sever Chairman Seol Un-gang’s head right there… that was no ordinary boldness.”
“He realized it was already a detriment.”
“His declaration that he would kill his brothers immediately if he became the Young Cult Leader was also a bit concerning.”
Han Myeong-gwang of the Cold Blood Han Clan replied to the story from Baek Il-sang, the Head of the Ice Wolf Baek Clan.
“In any case, rumors about the Small Snow Squad Captain have started spreading throughout the entire Ice Palace because of this incident.”
“What kind of rumors?”
“That he executed an Elder of the Ice Palace. That he blocked the invasion of the Demonic Cult. Or that he has a certain relationship with the Young Palace Head.”
“Those don’t seem like just rumors, do they?”
“Rumors tend to be a mix of some truth and some falsehoods, don’t they?”
“That isn't what’s important. Doesn't the fact that interest in the Small Snow Squad Captain is growing mean his influence could become stronger?”
That was correct.
Although both the Ice Palace and the Demonic Cult adhered to the principles of the strong reigning supreme and the survival of the fittest, there was a principle even more important than that.
It was the culture of respecting the opinion of the majority.
Many people say that the North Sea Ice Palace is led by the Ice Palace Lord and the Heads of the Five Great Clans.
But in reality, that was not the case.
The Five Clan Heads, including the Palace Lord, respected the opinions of the Ice Palace citizens living within the palace as much as possible.
It was truly good that they had established such a fine system and culture.
‘Things started to go awry when cases of abuse arose.’
The representative example was the Ice Council.
The Ice Council, a gathering formed by retired Elders, was a group that deliberated on the major and minor affairs of the Ice Palace through meetings and made suggestions to the Ice Palace Lord.
Although they claimed it was the result of meetings, in reality, they were enticing the Ice Palace citizens to lead the Ice Palace in the direction they desired.
There was no one who didn't know that.
However, since he was essentially the second-in-command of the North Wind Seol Clan and under the protection of the Palace Lord, no one could touch Chairman Seol Un-gang.
“It might be bitter to swallow, but it is true that we will no longer be dragged around by the Elders.”
“Is it true that Seol Un-gang placed the request with Blood Tears? With the horse bandits and all, the attacks feel frequent.”
“Seol Un-gang might have been involved, or he might not have been.”
They had blocked the attacks of the horse bandits and the assassins of Blood Tears.
They considered it proof that the Ice Palace was still standing strong.
“Let us stop talking about Seol Un-gang. More importantly, you must be aware that once trade with the Moyong Clan Merchant Guild reopens, the Central Plains might start watching us again.”
“With the Palace Lord’s changed attitude, we might be able to regain our past glory.”
“The fact that we are about to form a blood alliance with the Demonic Cult might actually work as a blessing in disguise.”
At the words of Jang Un-seong, the Head of the Guardian Jang Clan, all the Clan Heads thought of one person.
The Small Snow Squad Captain, Hyeokryeon Yeom.
Because the starting point of all these changes began when he came to the Ice Palace.
***
“Rest well before you go, brother.”
I came out to the front gate of the Ice Palace to see off Hyeokryeon Mu and his entourage.
I was with the Small Snow Squad and the Young Palace Head, Seol Ye-rin.
“It doesn’t feel like I rested, though.”
“No, this brother is very pleased to see his younger brother grown enough to effortlessly kill an Elder of the Ice Palace.”
“…Please take care of yourself.”
“I will tell Hyeokryeon Geuk that you are doing well.”
At Hyeokryeon Mu’s words, my expression stiffened.
Because I thought I shouldn't meet Hyeokryeon Geuk just yet.
“Please give my regards to the Cult Leader, brother. And… absolutely avoid anything even slightly related to the Ten Emperors.”
“Hmm? Ten Emperors?”
Hyeokryeon Mu made a strange face at the sudden, out-of-the-blue remark.
But for me, I had no choice but to say this.
‘Hyeokryeon Mu… gets killed by the Blade Emperor, one of the Ten Emperors, due to Hyeokryeon Geuk’s scheme.’
Since I couldn't tell him this directly, telling him to be careful was all I could do.
This amount of advice was the best I could do as Hyeokryeon Yeom for someone whom I could no longer share joys and sorrows with in the Demonic Cult.
“I spoke because I had a dream.”
“How bland. It seems I won’t see you at the engagement ceremony. Let’s see each other if you happen to hold a wedding.”
Hyeokryeon Mu’s gaze turned to Seol Ye-rin.
“I hope my unlucky sister-in-law stays well too.”
“…I hope you trip on your way and smash your nose on a rock.”
“Kuhahaha! My, she’s a sister-in-law I like. See you next time. Let’s go.”
“Yes!”
Whoosh—
I stared at Hyeokryeon Mu’s back as he and his entourage departed.
“It feels somewhat wistful.”
“Hmm?”
“He appeared as a threatening brother to me, but it seems he isn't to the Third Young Master.”
Certainly, the sight of Hyeokryeon Mu trying to tear off Han Seol-bi’s arms must have looked violent.
However, that had to be seen as his appearance when he was an enemy.
When he was an ally, Hyeokryeon Mu was a more dependable brother than anyone else in my opinion.
“Well, let’s just say that’s the case.”
For now, it was all just a memory I alone cherished.
“More importantly, I think we’ll have to be apart for a while since I need to escort Young Master Moyong back to Liaoning Province.”
Seol Ye-rin was wearing black mourning clothes.
The North Wind Seol Clan was holding a funeral.
“Please go safely.”
I held out my hand.
“I think it wouldn't be bad to replenish some Yang Qi before you go.”
“…Thanks to the Third Young Master, it feels like the balance is gradually being restored.”
Seol Ye-rin grasped my hand.
Zzzzt—
Along with a tingling sensation, true qi began to transfer through our clasped hands as the Extreme Yang Qi and Extreme Yin Qi met.
It was warm.
It was cold.
The two of us started walking, sharing the energy we couldn't feel from ourselves.
“Captain, please consider the eyes of the squad members too.”
“Squad Leader Baek! What are we going to do if you say something that spoils the mood!”
“We can eat before we leave, right?”
“…….”
At our appearance, Baek Mu-yong, Wi Ji-yeong, Tae Un-seo, and Eun Bin voiced their complaints.
“I wish you would care about my eyes too.”
Moyong Geum and his escort, Jang Baek-rim, were waiting for us at the main gate of the Ice Palace.
“Looks like I won’t be able to eat.”
At my words, Tae Un-seo made a glum face.
“Then, you should go in.”
“Yes, I will see you next time too, Young Master Moyong. Thank you for your help this time.”
“Please invite me when you have the engagement ceremony. I will run there in a single breath.”
“Yes, I understand.”
After exchanging farewells with Seol Ye-rin, Moyong Geum turned back to look at me.
“I am envious.”
“Of what?”
“There is something like that. More importantly, there is something I would like to tell you separately on the way, Captain…….”
At Moyong Geum’s words, I tilted my head.
***
Liaoning Province, Moyong Clan.
“Is it true that Moyong Geum went to the North Sea to open trade with the Ice Palace?”
“Yes, Young Clan Head.”
Moyong Cheong, the Young Clan Head of the Moyong Clan, was asking his subordinate about news regarding Moyong Geum.
“The result?”
“They say the Merchant Guild Leader received a message stating that the Cold Iron piled up in the Ice Palace is enormous. If the deal goes through, it seems the Moyong Clan Merchant Guild might be sitting on a cushion of money.”
“Instead, our Moyong Clan might be framed for colluding with the Ice Palace.”
“The possibility… seems sufficient.”
“The Clan Head’s opinion?”
“It seems he thinks money comes first.”
If the Moyong Clan Merchant Guild hit the jackpot, the prestige of the Moyong Clan would naturally rise as well.
After all, the Moyong Clan, one of the Five Great Clans, and the Moyong Clan Merchant Guild were in a relationship of mutual aid.
“Even if money is needed.”
Isn’t the Ice Palace a bit much?
The Outer Region Murim, which covets the Central Plains Murim, was the number one target for exclusion.
Among them, the Ice Palace, along with the Heavenly Demon of Xinjiang, had harassed the Murim whenever the so-called Martial Gods of the Outer Regions appeared.
There were still plenty of sects and clans that hadn't recovered their past glory due to that damage.
Still, he had heard that the Ice Palace’s expansion of influence had stalled recently, perhaps thanks to the horse bandits.
“Moyong Geum, that guy was always the problem.”
Moyong Cheong, the Young Clan Head of the Moyong Clan, had always lived a life compared to Moyong Geum.
Although they were from the same clan, one walked the path of a martial artist, and the other began to walk the path of a merchant.
The problem was that the achievements of Moyong Geum, who chose the path of a merchant, were overwhelming compared to Moyong Cheong, who began to walk the path of a martial artist.
It was understandable since achievements in martial arts improvement cannot be shown immediately to the eye.
However, achievements as a merchant could be shown through a visible indicator called money.
With this growth trend, the reputation that the Moyong Clan Merchant Guild would not find it difficult to become the continent's best merchant guild was widespread.
“What will you do, Young Clan Head?”
“Thinking of the public's perception of the Moyong Clan, my judgment is that the deal with the Ice Palace must not go through.”
But money must be earned.
“Gather the wanderers.”
“If you say wanderers…….”
“Wouldn't it be fine if we intercept the Cold Iron and sell it?”
Reduce Moyong Geum’s achievements, and make the deal with the Ice Palace fail.
If things worked out properly, a plan to kill three birds with one stone, which could even elevate Moyong Cheong’s position, was being formed in the depths of the Moyong Clan.
***
“I dare to judge that the North Sea Ice Palace will revolve around you, Captain, in the future.”
On the way to Liaoning Province.
Moyong Geum had even left his escort behind and was conversing with me alone.
Naturally, we had also distanced ourselves from the Small Snow Squad.
“I am curious why you came to think that.”
“Action, judgment, drive. You seem to excel in all of them.”
“Thank you for the compliment, but I don't understand why you, Young Master Moyong, are suddenly saying this to me.”
“The fact that your place of origin is the Demonic Cult does bother me quite a bit. But I believe a merchant should not care about such things to earn money.”
I looked at Moyong Geum.
Situationally, I had recognized that Moyong Geum was the one who would become the Merchant King in the not-too-distant future.
“So?”
“I am saying that I hope we can become a relationship of mutual aid. If you ever need anything, please contact me anytime. I promise full support.”
Such a person was secretly making a proposal to me unbeknownst to others.
“Conversely, what is the work I must do for you?”
“Due to the nature of the merchant guild's work, many situations involving danger arise. I hope you will give me help when I ask for it someday, just once.”
Ultimately, the point was one thing.
“You mean let’s become sworn brothers (calling each other brother).”
A member of the Five Great Clans trying to build a friendship with the son of the Demonic Cult Leader.
“That sounds very good!”
“Then, become the younger brother from now on.”
“Excuse me?”
Judging only by appearance, Moyong Geum looked older no matter who saw us.
And in reality, he was.
But,
‘Counting the years I’ve eaten while living through my previous lives, how many are they?’
I couldn't call a much younger kid 'older brother'.
“All right, Older Brother.”
Moyong Geum readily called me Older Brother, as if such things didn't matter at all.
Originally, the stronger one was the older brother, and the weaker one was the younger brother.