Chapter 655: Plan.

Night flowed by, and it became noon.

Before I knew it, the time had come to say I would go to the Central Plains.

I felt that the time had come and opened my eyes in the prepared sleeping quarters.

Hoo-ooo-.

As I exhaled the breath I had been holding, energy came out along with my breath.

The energy that had been circulating continuously gathered and seeped into my heart.

“Hmm.”

It’s a strange feeling.

It feels similar to internal energy, yet somehow different.

If I were to describe it as unpleasant, that wouldn’t be quite right, so ‘awkward’ seems like the correct expression.

‘Subtle.’

It truly is subtle.

The power to use the sorcery I obtained just a few hours ago after going underground with the Palace Lord.

The Palace Lord called it a ‘Ring,’ and I also thought that name was fitting.

A ring was truly bound around my heart.

Unlike the internal energy gathered in my lower dantian inside, the ring was bound outside my heart, rotating slowly.

I had created the ring using the cultivation method obtained from underground, and as I continued to grasp it, surprisingly, the number of rings also increased.

The single ring had become two.

‘What’s the difference?’

Why did it become two overnight?

I just breathed normally.

‘I really don’t get it.’

I tilted my head and sat up.

At the same time, I grabbed the book placed beside me.

It’s the book about sorcery that the Palace Lord gave me.

Ah, to be precise, it wasn’t the cultivation method I received first, but the book that came after, wasn’t it?

It was something they had adamantly refused to give, saying they couldn’t, but after I showed them I had formed a ring, they gave it to me as a gift.

‘What did they say when they gave it to me?’

I think they said it was an investment for my brilliant talent.

It was truly embarrassing words.

‘Brilliant talent, my ass.’

I burst out laughing at the absurd words.

‘What good is talent if it’s like this?’

Seeing the Palace Lord’s reaction, it seems I do have some talent in sorcery, but…

Even if I have talent, isn’t it a talent that seems utterly useless? I’m busy enough learning martial arts; I don’t have time to cling to sorcery now.

‘I just learned it thinking it might be somewhat useful.’

I didn’t think about how to use it afterward.

Even if I learned it deeply, it didn’t seem like it would help increase my level, so it became a bit of a bothersome point.

‘It’s not particularly difficult, so I’ll try learning it.’

I don’t think I’ll focus on using it much.

I didn’t have the time or leeway for that.

‘Who I learn it from is also a problem.’

As for martial arts, I’m being trained by the Martial Lord, and sometimes I receive guidance from my father, so that’s fine, but…

Regarding sorcery, it was extremely ambiguous.

If I were to stay at the Ice Palace a bit longer, things might have been different, but now it was time to return to the Central Plains.

‘Then, should I ask the Divine Doctor?’

If I really wanted to ask, that would be the only way for now.

Among the people I know, he was the only one who mentioned sorcery.

Thinking that far, I sat up.

‘To do that, first….’

I’ll have to go back and see.

Thinking so, I left the room.

---

The place I arrived at after walking slowly was the open space behind the palace.

Hoo-ooo-!

The wind brushed past, making my hair flutter.

The outside air was still cold, but a faint scent lingered in between.

The Palace Lord called this hope, and I inwardly thought, ‘What nonsense is this?’

It sounds like something emotional, but as always, it didn’t seem to suit me at all.

The only thing I could discern from those words was.

‘That the cold air is gradually decreasing.’

Because I’m accustomed to warmth, it’s a part that feels particularly clear.

The severe cold of the Northern Sea was gradually subsiding.

It couldn’t be helped that it was cold due to the region’s characteristics, but the severe cold caused by the curse had disappeared.

Perhaps, before long, we might even see seasons here.

Looking at the trees that had died from the cold, I thought.

‘Will the autumn leaves fall too?’

Strangely, whenever I thought of seasons, such thoughts would arise.

Did I like autumn?

I don’t think so.

Lately, I’ve been thinking of autumn often.

“Young Master-!”

As I walked, a familiar voice reached my ears.

Far away, Tang Xiaoye was waving enthusiastically.

Seeing that, my steps unconsciously quickened a bit.

By the time I arrived, most of the people who were supposed to gather had already done so.

“What’s this? You’re not late for once.”

As soon as he saw me, the Martial Lord gave me a scolding.

Hearing that, I let out a hollow laugh and said.

“Anyone who hears that would think I’m late every day.”

If nothing else, I’m not late because I have a quick temper, you know.

Or am I?

“Hmm.”

As I gave a vague answer, the Martial Lord examined me from head to toe.

Then, he nodded and said.

“Something’s changed again.”

“…”

“You seem past the age of rapid growth, yet you keep changing. Honestly.”

He’s annoyingly perceptive, as always.

‘Does forming the ring show too?’

The Martial Lord, having said that, averted his gaze as if it didn’t matter.

Three days ago, after the struggle with the Hundred-Level Monster, I confessed one fact to the Martial Lord.

It was about the Demonic Heaven Absorption Technique.

Keeping quiet about regression or the Heavenly Demon, I mentioned that I could absorb energy from things like magic stones, which is why my changes are rapid.

I thought that if I said at least this much, the Martial Lord’s curiosity might subside a little.

Fortunately, that was indeed the case.

Upon hearing this, the Martial Lord didn’t bother asking where I got such a thing.

Do you know what the first thing he said upon hearing this was?

[At least you won’t be struggling due to lack of energy.]

And the next thing he said was.

[So, by what principle does it work?]

‘Crazy bastard….’

He could have at least asked where I got it from once.

To ask about the principle first with sparkling eyes, it was truly absurd.

Although it was bewildering, in the end, it seemed he came to understand my sudden changes based on this.

“Young Master, have you eaten?”

Tang Xiaoye, who had scurried over, asked.

“Every time you see me, you start talking about food?”

“It’s because you don’t take care of yourself that much. Have you eaten?”

“…”

I hadn’t.

So I had nothing to say.

“See?”

“…I was planning to eat later.”

“You’re avoiding my gaze again. That’s a lie, isn’t it?”

“…”

Ugh.

It wasn’t easy nagging.

I need to escape.

I shifted my gaze to Namgung Bi-ah, who was standing blankly.

She looked like she hadn’t slept at all, yawning widely.

It’s a familiar sight.

As she yawned, she made eye contact with me and Namgung Bi-ah waved.

It was a very familiar sight, but seeing it somehow reassured me.

Hiding a sigh, I looked around.

I thought everyone had gathered, but there were still some who hadn’t arrived.

That was when it happened.

‘They’re here.’

No sooner had I thought it than I felt the presence of many people from behind.

I turned my head, and several people were coming from the entrance.

It was the group including the Palace Lord.

And.

Behind them, I saw a guy being dragged as if being apprehended by the warriors.

“Look at that pathetic state.”

No matter how many times I see it, I don’t like it.

“Even so, the places I hit have healed without a trace.”

I did hit him with some force, yet his face, and his body, were all perfectly healed.

That bothered me the most.

He should be limping or something, so my heart could relax a bit.

Tsk.

I clicked my tongue and adjusted my posture.

After all, I had to show some respect.

“Greetings, Palace Lord-nim.”

As the Palace Lord approached, I bowed my head slightly.

Unlike when I saw her last night, the Palace Lord’s expression didn’t look very bright.

“Yes, did you have a comfortable night?”

“Wouldn’t it be a bit strange to ask that after being together last night?”

“…Don’t you think the answer you just gave is stranger?”

Is that so? Thinking about it again, it was indeed strange.

I thought it wouldn’t matter since there was no one to misunderstand anyway.

“…Night?”

“Night…?”

Hearing two women whispering behind me, I quickly waved my hand.

“Haha. I mean helping me with training.”

Seeing my haste, the Palace Lord glanced behind me.

“It seems you’re more observant of social cues than I thought.”

“Social cues? When have I ever shown such a thing?”

“Hmm. I see.”

The Palace Lord nodded at my reply.

Unlike his words, I could tell from his face that he hadn’t understood at all.

-By the way.

A telepathic message was heard. It was the Palace Lord’s.

-About the book I gave you. It would be better to read it when the number of rings becomes two or more, if possible.

My eyes widened at the words that followed as if explaining.

Seeing my expression, the Palace Lord nodded as if in agreement and added.

-It must be surprising. The increase in the number of rings must have been unexpected. If you continue to cultivate this, the ring will eventually increase from one to two. Given your talent, Young Master, perhaps within half a year at the latest…

-I just made it two right before coming, so you’re saying it’s okay to look at it starting now, right?

-Bullshit.

-What?

Huh?

-Palace Lord-nim…? What did you just say….

-It’s nothing. I must have yawned without realizing it.

No, that didn’t sound like a yawn at all?

Did they just curse…?

‘…Did I mishear?’

I thought, ‘Surely the Palace Lord wouldn’t curse.’

Yes, I must have misheard.

That must be it.

‘I thought something felt off about reading it, was it the difference in rings?’

I wondered why such a condition would be needed just to read something, but for now, it’s best to believe the Palace Lord.

-Thank you for imparting your teachings. I will use them wisely.

-…I sincerely hope you do….

As we conversed, the Palace Lord’s expression seemed to worsen, but I ignored it.

I figured it was because they weren’t feeling well and had come out since morning.

The Palace Lord gestured behind them with a stern expression.

At that signal, the warriors moved and dragged the person they had brought over.

It was Woo Hyuk, his hands and feet bound by handcuffs.

My eyes met Woo Hyuk’s as he approached.

“…”

“…”

We didn’t exchange many words. It was a bit awkward since we had fought.

I averted my gaze and looked at the handcuffs.

It was clearly a showy restraint.

Since they weren’t even using a proper restraint, Woo Hyuk could probably break them with just a little force.

Moreover, my internal energy wasn’t even forbidden. It was practically left open for him to escape.

Seeing this, I glanced at the Palace Lord.

‘Did they want him to escape?’

I wondered if that was the case.

Perhaps the Palace Lord wanted Woo Hyuk to escape?

It would be better to let him escape than to save him.

‘Because it creates more justification to kill him.’

I thought that might be why.

‘If it were me, I would have done that.’

If there’s someone you want to kill, you create justification even if none exists.

I’m sure I would have used such a method.

Moreover, the Palace Lord’s gaze towards Woo Hyuk was exceedingly cold, so it was a plausible thought.

“…Accepting what the Young Master mentioned, I shall hand over the criminal according to our contract.”

Hearing the Palace Lord’s words, the warriors began to unlock Woo Hyuk’s handcuffs.

Clank-! Thump-!

They weren’t tied very tightly either, as it only took a few seconds to undo them.

While watching this, I focused on the Palace Lord’s words.

‘Contract.’

The Palace Lord referred to our conversation as a contract, lending weight to his words.

He called Woo Hyuk a criminal and said he was handing him over to me.

‘Justification born of necessity.’

Woo Hyuk’s roots are in the Northern Sea, but since he grew up in the Central Plains.

He will be sent back there to handle the criminal.

He must have said that with such intentions.

Whether this was to make the Palace’s high-ranking warriors, known as generals, understand, or perhaps for the Palace Lord to convince herself, I didn’t know, but I simply nodded.

“Thank you.”

My objective was achieved.

It was easier on my mind not to worry about anything else.

While the conversation continued, Woo Hyuk kept his head bowed, lowering his gaze.

It was a truly pathetic sight, but this was also something he had to endure.

“Therefore, I hope you will now fulfill the conditions I mentioned as well.”

Following the Palace Lord’s words, someone walked out.

It was a woman whose expression was as unpleasant as Woo Hyuk’s.

It was Yuri, who became the First Princess of the Ice Palace after Yuseon’s death.

Yuri slowly approached and offered me her customary greeting.

“…Greetings, benefactor.”

Her expression was not good as she spoke.

Although nominally she was leaving to study in the Central Plains, Yuri couldn’t possibly not know that it was actually an evacuation of a weak daughter to escape the aftermath of the war.

‘At least she’s a relative I can trust.’

It seemed like a choice the Palace Lord had made, but…

‘…But you know.’

I could detect a strange expression within Yuri’s subdued demeanor.

Excitement? For some reason, Yuri’s face seemed to hold such a thing.

‘…What is it?’

Why does she seem subtly pleased?

As I tried to find the reason, my eyes naturally drifted to Woo Hyuk.

‘No way?’

Is she pleased because she’s going with that guy?

That couldn’t be it.

If that were the case, her parenting would be a complete disaster.

I thought she wouldn’t look favorably upon someone who nearly ruined her family.

‘Isn’t that a bit much?’

Even so, I wondered what that was, but then…

‘Is it her face? Is it really about his face?’

Looking at Woo Hyuk’s handsome face, a damned irritation washed over me.

It was because I was unconsciously thinking, ‘Given that, it’s understandable.’

I suppressed the urge to curse and let out a sigh.

‘Anyway… seeing that guy staying quiet, it seems the threat worked.’

He had been spouting nonsense about not going even after being beaten, but when threatened using Yuri, Woo Hyuk at least stood there without a word.

So, there’s a lot I could say if I thought about it, but I decided to hold back for now.

‘It’s fine. Let’s just go first.’

As it seemed most of the people had arrived, just as I was thinking of preparing for departure.

“However, Young Master Gu.”

The Palace Lord asked me a question.

“Yes?”

“Is it alright to depart with this group?”

“What…. Ah.”

I wondered what they meant, but looking behind me, I understood.

There were too many injured people.

Namgung Bi-ah’s internal injuries hadn’t fully healed, and neither had Gwaiseon’s.

“If you wish, Young Master, it is possible to stay longer for treatment, but…”

“That’s alright.”

I refused the Palace Lord’s consideration.

As they said, I didn’t know about Gwaiseon, but I was worried about Namgung Bi-ah.

‘It’s better to go to the Central Plains and find a Divine Doctor. Besides….’

I looked at Woo Hyuk.

‘I have something to test.’

Since there’s something to confirm, this would be the best.

Hearing my answer, the Palace Lord nodded reluctantly.

“I see… Then, the carriage we prepared, first….”

“That’s not needed either.”

A carriage? I can’t stand such slow things anymore; it’s too frustrating.

I looked up at the sky.

“Come down now.”

As I spoke the words.

Whoooosh-!!

A vibration came from somewhere, and for a moment, the sky turned black.

Something blocked the sun, casting a vast shadow on the ground.

Seeing that, I laughed as if it were absurd.

‘That bastard is acting up again.’

The obvious trickery was amusing.

One.

“What the…?”

“What is this-!”

Whether this trickery was a crisis for others, a flustered atmosphere momentarily ensued.

At that moment.

Whoooosh—-!!!!

Kuuuuung—-!!!!

An enormous body fell to the ground.

Some people were pushed back by the air pressure, visible enough to be blown away.

I immediately channeled my internal energy to clear away the dust.

‘Damn it, can’t you just land quietly?’

I warned you before, but as you got bigger, you seem even less obedient.

I immediately glared at the one who created this embarrassing situation.

Grrrrrr….

Ddol-ddol-i, now twice as big as before, let out a rough growl.

“Hieeeek…!”

“M-Monster–!?”

Its body was much larger than the Crimson Monster, so the warriors hastily drew their weapons.

Seeing that, I swung my hand and smacked its head.

Kwahng-!

Hitting it with internal energy made the sound particularly loud.

Grrrrrrr!!!

The large head shook from the impact.

“I told you to appear quietly. Do you intend to get me killed out of embarrassment?”

Grrrrr….

“Wasn’t it cool? Do you really want to die?”

Who did you take after to keep acting like this?

What’s cool about it?

Moreover, with its massive size, it feels like my internal energy is being drained just by moving a little.

‘It’s unfair, why is my internal energy being drained when this guy moves?’

It eats food, talks back rudely, and even drains my energy.

‘I might just abandon it.’

Krrung….

As I grumbled in frustration, perhaps sensing my thoughts, that Ddol-ddol-i lowered its head obediently.

Unlike how frustrating it was, it was quick-witted in this regard.

“Hoho….”

The Palace Lord, looking at Ddol-ddol-i, let out a hearty laugh.

They seemed quite taken aback.

“…It seems you… raise monsters.”

That was the response they managed to utter.

“I don’t raise it. It just stuck to me.”

Grrrrrrr.

“Stay still. What are you so proud of to be puffing up again?”

Krrung….

Perhaps feeling intimidated, Ddol-ddol-i’s expression turned sullen.

Seeing that, Tang Xiaoye reached out and gently petted Ddol-ddol-i, while Gwaiseon observed it with curious eyes.

“You said there was no need to depart early…. So this is what you had.”

Yuri, also surprised by the situation, looked at Ddol-ddol-i with wide eyes and asked me.

“…Isn’t it… bigger than last time?”

“It’s in its growth phase.”

“That’s the…”

Still, isn’t it too big?

Yuri was about to say that but closed her mouth.

She seemed to realize asking would be pointless.

It seems I’ll just get tired if I stay any longer.

With a thoroughly tired expression, I waved my hand.

“…Everyone, get on. Let’s go home now.”

At my words, Ddol-ddol-i lowered its upper body.

Everyone hesitated before starting to climb onto its back.

Although the number of people increased, as I expected, Ddol-ddol-i, with its increased size and energy, didn’t seem to have much trouble carrying more people.

-Young Master Gu.

Afterward, as I was about to climb on last, the Palace Lord stopped me.

I stopped and looked at the Palace Lord.

Then.

-Thank you for saving the Northern Sea. I feel guilty that there is little I can do for you.

The Palace Lord spoke to me as if sincere.

Hearing that, I had to smile awkwardly.

The very word ‘saved’ feels awkward.

‘Because I never intended to save it.’

In the end, it doesn’t feel like I saved it well, and it’s a situation where I gained much more.

Having extracted Woo Hyuk through coercion in the process, what remains for me is guilt rather than pride.

The Palace Lord must know that.

He simply added words with clear eyes.

-Please, I hope your journey is safe….

-…Thank you.

-Also. Please take good care of the First Princess.

Perhaps that last statement was the entirety of his true feelings.

-Yes. I will try my best.

To go to the trouble of using telepathy when they could have just said it directly, fathers are all inscrutable.

‘Can’t they just say it?’

If they had said it aloud, Yuri probably wouldn’t have disliked it.

However, while thinking that, I knew I wasn’t much different myself.

Feeling that, I hid my uneasy feelings and said, looking straight ahead.

“…Let’s go now.”

Whoosh.

Energy drained from my heart as Ddol-ddol-i’s body gradually lifted.

Now, I guess we’re heading back.

Coming this far, it finally felt real.

Then. That Ddol-ddol-i fellow asked me.

Grrrrrrr.

“How fast do you want me to go?”

Krrung.

Look at this guy?

It has an air of confidence.

It seems like it’s showing off now that it’s gotten bigger.

With that, I let out a smile.

“Go as fast as you can. Let’s see how fast you really are…!”

Whoooosh—-!!!!

Before my words even finished, the air pressure surged, and my vision changed rapidly.

I had said it as if challenging it, but Ddol-ddol-i’s speed was faster than I expected.

I was able to return to Hanam in just a few days.