Chapter 651: Back to the Central Plains.

As I spoke up, the room instantly fell silent.

The already cold space, with the added silence, made me feel quite queasy.

Fortunately, that silence didn’t last too long.

“Young Master Gu.”

“Yes.”

“Do you know what you just said?”

“I know half, and I don’t know the other half.”

To the Palace Lord, who said he could offer a reward, I requested information regarding sorcery, and then demanded the handover of the idiot imprisoned in the underground prison.

I didn’t know how important the former was, but I certainly knew the importance of the latter.

“You are currently asking for the ringleader who instigated the rebellion to be handed over.”

The idiot starving in the underground prison.

That guy is Woo Hyuk.

Naturally, if that guy suddenly came here, the situation he’d face was imprisonment.

In any case, he was still one of the figures who led the rebellion.

‘Stupid bastard.’

I told him to come later, but I didn’t expect him to show up so openly.

‘No, it was Namgung Myung who came in that state, so isn’t it that guy’s fault?’

I briefly considered that, but if it were Woo Hyuk, I knew he would have crawled here on his own.

In any case, they’re incomprehensible guys.

‘He could have just run away or come quietly.’

Why do they live like such suckers? It’s just frustrating.

Seeing that frustration right in front of me makes it even more infuriating.

‘What choice do I have? It’s the price of making bad friends.’

I can overlook it a couple more times.

Since I received a lot in my past life.

That’s about all I could do.

“Ha.”

I heard a sigh.

It wasn’t the Palace Lord, but someone behind him.

It wasn’t Black Lion either. It was someone I hadn’t seen before.

‘Another Great General.’

An old man with a bald head and a white beard.

He looked at me, his expression contorted.

“Even though you helped save the Northern Sea, how dare you speak like that in front of the Palace Lord-!”

As if displeased, his voice grew louder.

Seeing that, Black Lion tried to raise his hand to stop him, but…

Tuk.

My hand had already moved.

Kuwung–!!

“Gkeok!?”

I struck the air with my intent, sending the bald man flying and smashing into the wall.

“Oh.”

Seeing that, I couldn’t help but admire it.

Even though I adjusted the strength moderately, is this the level of power?

It was another realization that my cultivation level had increased,

‘I’ll need to spend more time adjusting.’

The bald Great General, who had fallen for a moment, got back up.

At the same time, he drew the long spear from his back.

Cheolgyeok-!

Not only that, but most of the others drew their weapons, preparing to confront me.

“Stop….”

With the Palace Lord’s low voice, he mediated the situation.

“We are still conversing with our guest.”

“Palace Lord-nim-! But, that guy…!”

“White Eagle. Do you intend to disobey my command?”

“…!”

The bald old man’s name seemed to be White Eagle.

‘Is he called Eagle because he’s bald?’

As I thought of such a trivial thing, I almost burst out laughing.

“Young Master, too. Please restrain yourself.”

“Yes, I apologize. I did it unintentionally.”

Actually, I could have held back, but I decided to try it.

‘Because I thought it would set the stage better.’

And, as expected, the stage I wanted was set.

Actually, I had hoped the Palace Lord wouldn’t intervene in this state, but that would have been asking too much.

“…I apologize for not managing my subordinates during our conversation.”

The Palace Lord spoke, looking at me with a stern expression.

“However, do you know how heavy the words you just uttered, Young Master, truly are?”

“As I said earlier. I know half of it.”

“Which half do you mean?”

“Naturally, Woo Hyuk… no, Biwoegun.”

“…”

Saaah.

I felt the room’s temperature drop.

‘Hmm.’

Clearly, I had taken all the aura of ice crystals that the Palace Lord possessed.

Moreover, even though his physical condition shouldn’t be good, to exert this much pressure.

‘…This is more than I thought.’

The Palace Lord’s cultivation level seemed to be higher than I expected.

Now that I’ve regained my past life’s level, it’s clearer.

The Palace Lord was a strong individual.

Much stronger, even.

‘Even after having his energy drained, he’s in that state?’

It was a strange thing.

Even though he should be in a weakened state now, to feel so strong.

‘This is probably more accurate to say that the curse was holding him back.’

The Dragon-Human Transformation was released, and the curse was lifted.

It was good that the curse was lifted, but as the Dragon-Human Transformation was undone, he should be in a weakened state.

The Palace Lord’s presence had become stronger than when I first saw him.

Of course.

‘Even so, he’s probably weaker than me now.’

If he were in perfect condition, maybe not, but the weakened Palace Lord, I could defeat him in my current state.

That was all that mattered to me.

“I know Biwoegun is your friend, but he is a figure who led the rebellion and is currently imprisoned as a criminal.”

“I know.”

“Are you asking for him to be handed over?”

“Yes. That is correct.”

“…Young Master Gu.”

A chilling aura emanated.

Feeling this, I frowned.

“As much as we were saved by you in the Northern Sea, we wish to offer the best reward we can, but this is crossing the line.”

“I know that too, but since you said you could offer a reward, I simply stated what I needed most.”

“Regarding sorcery… it is something granted only to blood relatives, but with the Palace Lord’s authority, I can permit access to the information.”

That’s not bad news.

Because at least I can obtain the sorcery-related information.

“However. Anything related to Biwoegun exceeds the permissible scope.”

“Yes, I suppose so.”

That’s natural.

I said it knowing they wouldn’t agree.

What kind of crazy person would agree to this?

However.

“Palace Lord-nim. But you see.”

“Speak.”

“If you don’t agree, I have no choice but to become your enemy.”

“…!”

Without beating around the bush even a tiny bit, I drove the point home directly.

Perhaps the impact of my words was significant, as not only the Palace Lord but also the Great Generals stiffened.

Seeing the Palace Lord like that, I continued speaking.

“I know that idiot screwed up. I figure he had his reasons, but I don’t care about that; the result is that he caused trouble, and that’s true.”

I don’t know what intentions Woo Hyuk had when he caused trouble, or that he sided with Yuseon to prepare this.

I didn’t have time to listen.

Moreover, even if I heard all his circumstances, it wouldn’t erase the fact that Woo Hyuk was wrong.

“But.”

“That doesn’t really concern me.”

“Young Master Gu…!”

At my words, the Palace Lord’s expression finally crumpled.

“I tried to speak nicely, but this seemed like the fastest way. I understand your situation, Palace Lord-nim, but if you don’t hand him over, I will forcibly take him.”

It was a clear threat.

It was also a firm declaration that I wouldn’t accept any negotiation.

Hand him over. If you don’t, I’ll take him by force.

I could say this because I have the strength, and because the entire Ice Palace, including the Palace Lord, was in a weakened state.

In fact, even if everyone here attacked me, I could break through and leave without much difficulty.

‘Three experts at the Hua Realm, and a few peak martial artists stationed outside.’

I can’t quite gauge the Palace Lord’s level, but in his current state, he could be included among the Hua Realm experts. Four?

It might be a bit difficult alone, but Seong Yul is also here.

The only variable here would be.

‘Excluding the possibility of the Sword Master blocking me.’

The possibility of that is slim, so I’m opting for the easier, somewhat reckless approach.

‘Because I can’t be bothered to think too hard.’

No matter how much I thought about it, this would have been the method anyway.

‘Besides.’

I stared intently at the Palace Lord’s contorted expression.

From the moment I first mentioned Woo Hyuk, I could sense a subtle anomaly in his light blue eyes.

‘This old man.’

The Palace Lord lacked energy, but he also had a cunning side.

I thought his politics were a mess, but it seems that’s not entirely the case.

Seureung.

I heard the sound of a sword being drawn.

No need to look.

It was Seong Yul drawing his sword.

However, he didn’t draw it first.

Seu-eu–!!

At the sensation of being pierced in the back, I smirked.

Killing intent.

Since killing intent was subtly emanating from the Great General’s side, Seong Yul reacted.

Sensing this, I also focused my strength in my heart.

At that moment.

Kuwuwuwu-!!!

“Gkeok…!”

“Heop-!”

The pressure emanating from my toes began to fill the room.

‘It’s been a while since I’ve done this, and it feels quite refreshing, which isn’t a bad feeling.’

I unleashed my energy forcefully, preventing anyone from moving rashly.

Meanwhile, I had to adjust it so Seong Yul and the Palace Lord could move aside.

That way, it would be easier for the Palace Lord to act.

Seuk.

The Palace Lord rose from his throne and met my gaze.

The distance wasn’t that far.

At most, about five paces.

Looking at him, I spoke first.

“I understand. That’s why I don’t really want to use much force either.”

My daughter, who instigated the rebellion, met her death.

The duty of the bloodline that protected the Ice Crystals for centuries has now been lifted,

which also meant that the Palace Lord’s lineage no longer needed to sit on the throne by sacrificing themselves.

In other words, it meant there was more justification to continue the war.

“Given that, please let this pass amicably.”

I said with a smile.

It was a truly selfish statement.

It was a method of exploiting the opponent’s situation and ruthlessly taking advantage.

Even I thought it was quite something, but this was the role I had to play right now.

“If not, the only one who loses is you, Palace Lord-nim. You know, don’t you? That you can’t stop me right now.”

“…”

I exerted pressure on the Palace Lord by emitting killing intent.

No, I pretended to exert pressure.

Doing this would allow the Palace Lord to maintain his own justification.

“Gkeuk…!”

One of the Great Generals enduring the pressure let out a groan.

They couldn’t move rashly.

It wasn’t just Seong Yul blocking them; if things went wrong, I might even take the Palace Lord’s head.

The pressure I was emitting was meant to make them realize that.

Thus, a few seconds.

Or tens of seconds passed, but since there was still no answer, I subtly said to the Palace Lord.

“Or should I deal with the Great Generals behind you first?”

“…Hooouuu….”

Hearing that, the Palace Lord let out a low sigh.

“…I accept.”

With those words, barely spoken, I immediately released my energy.

Hwaahwak-!!

“Keuk!”

As the energy released, the Great Generals who had been enduring it staggered and regained their stance.

Their gazes towards me held shock, but I pretended not to notice.

The Palace Lord’s expression was filled with complexity.

It clearly conveyed his desperate feelings about whether he should let the criminal go like this.

‘He’s a good actor.’

If I hadn’t known, I would have easily been fooled and felt even a shred of guilt.

‘The guy who set the stage so smoothly the moment I spoke up.’

Seeing that, I thought with a wry laugh.

This stage wasn’t just set by me; the Palace Lord had set it up together with me.

Someone who didn’t know might wonder what I meant, but even if the intention was mine, the Palace Lord created the flow of the situation.

A situation where Woo Hyuk had to be handed over inevitably.

What’s important here is ‘inevitably’.

To be more precise.

‘To solidify the Palace Lord’s position and ensure there were no political issues.’

That’s what needed to be created.

And that’s what the current situation was.

A powerful figure the weakened Palace Lord couldn’t stop.

Who unleashes killing intent, threatening to kill everyone if they don’t hand him over.

Even amidst that, the Palace Lord stood his ground against the killing intent, but ultimately accepted it by taking his subordinates hostage.

Thanks to that.

“…Since there must be no further casualties, I understand that I have no choice but to accept.”

“An excellent choice.”

“Palace Lord-nim…! How…!! Because of us-!!”

“Gkeuk…!”

I had gone from being treated as the savior of the Northern Sea to a villain who threatened the Palace Lord.

‘It doesn’t really matter, but it feels a bit unsettling.’

Perhaps because I was subjected to it so much in my past life, being treated as a villain here too felt rather unpleasant.

‘If I can get what I want by doing so, then it doesn’t matter.’

I figured this was about enough.

As it seemed to be roughly settled, I looked at the Palace Lord, waiting for his next words.

“However… there is a condition.”

The Palace Lord added his follow-up words.

He said there was a condition for taking Woo Hyuk.

An explanation followed regarding this.

After hearing it all, I lightly nodded.

“That much… I suppose it won’t matter.”

Fortunately, it wasn’t a particularly difficult condition.

---

After leaving the audience chamber, the place I headed was the prison.

The meeting with the Palace Lord was over, so it was time to do the most important thing I had to do today.

Perhaps because the chill hadn’t completely dissipated, the path leading underground was strangely cold.

As I descended the stairs, which seemed both far and not far, I finally saw the iron bars guarded by several people.

And among the guards, I could see a familiar figure.

“What are you doing there?”

As I called out with a puzzled expression, someone flinched.

This princess of the Northern Sea.

No, it was Yuri, who had now become the First Princess, who was here.

“Ah… I greet my benefactor.”

At my sudden appearance, Yuri widened her eyes and paid her respects to me.

‘Looking at her, I thought, ‘Did she come to see that guy?”

Beyond the iron bars sat a handsome young man, calmly.

Woo Hyuk sat there with a composed expression.

Seeing that, I asked Yuri.

“Should I come back a bit later?”

“No… I will step aside first.”

I thought I should come back later if she wanted, but Yuri gave me a slight bow and walked backward, disappearing.

So, looking at Woo Hyuk, I asked.

“Were you in the middle of an important conversation?”

“…It wasn’t a particularly important conversation.”

“Right, sorry if I interrupted.”

Bullshit.

His expression alone is suspicious.

‘Where is he trying to lie?’

I could tell the relationship between the two was strange the moment I saw them.

I’m quite perceptive when it comes to things like this.

Though I won’t show it.

Hiding my laughter inwardly, I looked at Woo Hyuk and said.

“You look ridiculous. Are you comfortable?”

“Haha….”

“So proud, aren’t we? You should have just stayed hidden quietly. Why did you crawl in here and get caught?”

“…”

Ignoring the silent Woo Hyuk, I reached out to the iron bars.

“Hut! Wait…!”

Seeing this, a guard hastily tried to stop me, but Chi-i-ik-! The iron bars, already in my hand, melted from the heat and were torn apart.

As I did it so casually, the guard wore a dumbfounded expression.

Seeing that, I added an explanation.

“I got permission from the Palace Lord, so you can just stay put.”

“Yes…?”

Ignoring the guard, I walked into the cell.

Entering the cell, I said to Woo Hyuk.

“I’m returning to the Central Plains tomorrow. That’s how the conversation ended.”

“…You….”

At my words, Woo Hyuk looked surprised, bit his lip, and shook his head.

“…I’m not going.”

Even after hearing him, my expression remained the same.

I knew he would answer like that anyway.

Still, I asked out of courtesy.

“Why?”

“…Because I committed unforgivable sins. I must receive my punishment.”

That was a typical Woo Hyuk answer.

“Right, you did cause quite a big incident.”

I didn’t deny it either.

You have to cause a truly big incident for people to offer comfort or sympathy, and this time it was hard to do that.

“…So, I won’t be going to the Central Plains.”

Woo Hyuk said firmly, as if he wouldn’t change his mind.

Seeing that, I nodded.

“That’s understandable.”

“You understand….”

“Before that, though, there are two things I want to ask first.”

Putting Woo Hyuk’s thoughts aside.

I had to finish the main reason I came first.

I endured three days without being able to ask this.

At my words, Woo Hyuk’s expression stiffened with tension.

He probably thought I was going to ask why he did it, or what his reasons were.

But.

“Was it you?”

“…Huh?”

Woo Hyuk was flustered by the meaningless question.

“I asked, ‘Was it you?'”

“What? What are you suddenly talking about….”

Seeing his clueless expression, I spat out the definitive words to Woo Hyuk.

“Red feathers.”

“Ah?”

“The rumors about red feathers and whatnot. Was it you, you bastard?”

Hearing that, Woo Hyuk paused.

It was a moment.

Woo Hyuk, after pausing for a moment, added as if nothing had happened.

“Haha. Red feathers? I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

He spoke belatedly, but it was too late.

“It was you.”

“It wasn’t.”

“I knew it was you.”

“I’m hearing this for the first time. What is it?”

“You’d be hearing it for the first time, because you only spoke it.”

Seeing his reaction, I silently moved my hands.

I carefully fitted the piece of iron bar I had melted and torn off into the hole.

Then, I touched the edge with my finger and melted it back into place.

Chi-i-i-k-!!

“…Why are you putting that back….”

Seeing the iron bars being sealed again, Woo Hyuk spoke with a look of unease, but I cut him off again and asked.

“And. You.”

Red feathers or whatever.

This was the most important thing.

“You stabbed Namgung Bi-ah, right? Is it true?”

“…”

“Friend. Answer me.”

“…Sorry-“

Pang-!

Woo Hyuk’s head snapped back as his body was slammed into the wall.

Kung–!!

“Gkeok!”

From the impact, Woo Hyuk coughed up blood and collapsed.

As his body trembled, I saw him immediately heal.

It meant the power of regeneration was activating properly.

Seeing that, I thought it was fortunate.

“First, I need to ask why you caused trouble, but before that.”

I figured he wouldn’t die easily from getting beaten up.

“Let’s start with a beating. I have a lot pent up, so as my friend, you should understand.”

Wudeudeuk.

Approaching Woo Hyuk, I clenched my fist.

I had a lot of ‘stories’ to tell Woo Hyuk.