Chapter 590: The Young Princess of the North Sea Ice Palace.

Before my fingertips could reach Woobeom’s neck.

In that fleeting moment, I thought of countless methods.

‘Should I rip out his Adam’s apple first?’

So he couldn’t make any loud noises, should I rip that out first?

Or, Woobeom the bodyguard is right-handed.

Should I break it so he couldn’t dare draw his sword?

Or maybe, does it even matter?

‘He’s going to die anyway.’

If he’s a being destined to crumble into ashes.

Then anything should be fine.

Thinking that, I went to grab Woobeom’s neck.

“Stop–.”

Abruptly.

I stopped my hand at the voice that pierced my ears.

“Stop right there.”

It was Madam Mi’s voice.

I turned my head and looked at her. Looking at her, I asked.

“You want me to stop?”

Why should I stop?

Is there really a need to?

I even had the justification secured.

That guy insulted us with his disgusting rhetoric.

And tried to draw his sword first as an outsider.

Although we aren’t direct personnel of the Martial Alliance.

Through Madam Mi’s words, I could tell we were carrying out a task ‘entrusted’ by the Martial Alliance.

Meaning,

‘Touching us is no different than rebelling against the entire Alliance.’

Seen more broadly, it could even escalate into a war between nations.

And yet,

‘We’re letting it slide just for this bodyguard’s neck.’

All my actions held that meaning.

Therefore, killing this shitty bastard wouldn’t cause any problems.

Madam Mi would know better than me about such matters.

And yet,

“Why should I?”

I asked for the reason first.

If Madam Mi stopped me.

I judged that there must be a reasonable explanation.

Because Madam Mi is that kind of person.

Like, it would be a problem if I killed a bodyguard in front of a Young Lady,

Or that offending someone from the Outer Regions’ martial arts world could cause issues.

I expected her to give a rational explanation.

That’s what I thought, but.

“The flower you gave me still holds its fragrance.”

That wasn’t what came out of Madam Mi’s mouth.

“Huh?”

“I’d rather not see an unpleasant sight in a situation like this.”

It was an unexpected statement.

I couldn’t understand it.

What does the flower’s fragrance have to do with this moment?

I couldn’t understand it at all, but.

“…”

I had no choice but to retract the hand I had extended towards Woobeom.

Regardless of whatever reason she might have given.

Since Madam Mi had spoken, I wouldn’t have gone any further anyway.

I returned my hand to its original position.

Then, I signaled Tang Xiaoye with my eyes.

Sssu.

As I sent my gaze his way, Tang Xiaoye immediately retrieved his dagger and moved his feet.

Watching that, I chuckled inwardly.

‘Fast.’

It doesn’t mean Tang Xiaoye’s reaction was faster than mine.

I was originally going to rip out Woobeom’s Adam’s apple without hesitation.

But I had to stop when I sensed Tang Xiaoye making a move.

‘Perhaps.’

Did he move first because he thought I would kill him?

For some reason, I felt that way.

I thought it wasn’t the case, but you never know.

“Hhhuu… hh….”

I heard ragged breaths.

It was the sound Woobeom the man was making.

He must know too.

That it was a very dangerous moment just now.

What’s strange is.

‘His eyes aren’t dead yet?’

Woobeom still had life in his eyes.

“You… savage bastard…!”

His mouth was still alive too.

“How dare you ignore the Northern Sea…!”

Kwahng-!

“Keok!”

I drove my fist into his face.

He staggered from the impact and fell.

Koong-!

Perhaps because of his large build, the sound of him falling was particularly loud.

Jureureuk.

Blood flowed from Woobeom’s nose and mouth.

He looked at the blood on his hand with disbelief.

Seeing that, I said.

“Shut up for a moment. We’re talking right now.”

“Th-this… right now…”

“Should I just rip out your tongue to make you quiet?”

Kkadeudeuk.

I heard the sound of him clenching his teeth. But that was it. He didn’t take any further action and avoided my gaze.

It meant he wouldn’t push it further.

What a shame.

If he had said one more thing, I could have ripped out his actual tongue, even if I didn’t kill him.

I had controlled my strength.

It would have been easier if I’d knocked out all his teeth.

But I felt I shouldn’t go that far.

“Wow…”

As I dusted off my hands, I heard an exclamation. It was Yuri who spoke.

“I didn’t know Woobeom would end up like this. How fascinating….”

Such a reaction while her own bodyguard was bleeding.

Seeing that, my eyes narrowed.

‘Annoying.’

Something is bothering me.

It kept bothering me.

At first, it was because she was a person from an unfamiliar place called the Northern Sea.

Next, it was because her appearance was identical to Moyong Hi-ah.

And now.

‘Something… is bothering me.’

Her very existence felt foreign and bothersome.

Yuri looks at me.

I saw the same eyes as Moyong Hi-ah.

“You’re amazing. Are you also from the merchant guild?”

“Similar.”

“Oh…!! That’s great!”

What exactly is so great?

I let out a low sigh and asked her.

“What was that earlier?”

“Huh?”

“I’m talking about the marriage proposal.”

I was a bit curious as to why such a conversation came up so randomly.

No matter how I thought about it, there was no room for such a topic to arise.

“Ah. That.”

Yuri laughs at my question.

“Um… Isn’t that how it usually goes?”

“…What do you mean by that?”

What do you mean, ‘usually’?

What is this? Is there some kind of culture in the Northern Sea where you propose to the person who hit you?

No, could such a crazy culture exist?

Just as I was about to think ill of the Ice Palace.

“It definitely said so in the book.”

Yuri spoke up.

‘A book…?’

What book?

As doubt began to form upon the sudden mention of a book.

“You are the first woman to ever hit me… Will you not marry me?”

“…?”

“The book clearly said that’s what you should say to a person from the Central Plains who hits you.”

“What the…”

What kind of bullshit is that?

What book could she possibly have read to come up with such a stupid plot?

Seeing my disgusted expression, Yuri looked surprised instead.

“Huh? You really don’t know? This is a masterpiece!”

“So, you’re saying you just recited some random line from a book you don’t even know? Is that it?”

“I didn’t expect the reaction to be so lukewarm, though.”

So what kind of reaction was I supposed to show?

I couldn’t figure it out no matter how much I thought about it.

Should I have hit her? Yeah, that seems right.

I should have hit her. I’m the idiot for not doing so.

“Especially when someone as pretty as me is saying it. How could you react like that?”

No. Let’s hit her now.

As I thought that and moved to act.

“Cough… cough. Khm…”

I heard a cough from behind.

It was Moyong Hi-ah’s cough.

When I looked, Moyong Hi-ah had her head bowed low, hiding her bright red ears.

I wondered why she was acting like that, but I quickly understood the reason.

Seeing someone who looked exactly like her spout such nonsense must have embarrassed her even more.

Suppressing a sigh that threatened to escape, I looked towards Madam Mi.

“…Madam Mi.”

“Speak.”

“So, what should I do?”

Everything became bothersome.

I wanted to just flip everything over and leave, but I hadn’t even heard the main point yet.

So.

‘What am I supposed to do?’

What connection could I possibly have with this ridiculous airhead?

As I voiced my question.

“Huh? What else do you have to do with me?”

Yuri asks me.

Right, I was wondering about that too.

‘Why is this girl so cheerful?’

Her own bodyguard is currently slumped behind her, covered in blood.

So why is she acting like this?

It was starting to get a little scary.

“Oh right, Guild Master.”

“Go ahead.”

“So, when will the Red Feather arrive?”

“…Ah.”

“We can’t talk until that person arrives, right?”

Red Feather.

It was a title mentioned earlier.

It obviously wasn’t a name, it felt more like a nickname.

‘Even as a nickname… it’s a bit….’

It felt quite bizarre.

Moreover.

‘Who else is coming?’

It seemed like everyone had gathered, so who could she be talking about?

“Is someone else coming?”

I asked Madam Mi.

She would know best about the numbers.

“She mentioned the Red Feather. Do you know this person?”

“That… hm.”

However, Madam Mi’s reaction to my question was quite strange.

I wondered why she was making that face, and then.

“What? Someone from the Central Plains doesn’t know the Red Feather?”

Yuri suddenly gets defensive.

I wondered why this chick was acting up again.

“…Do I have to know?”

“Of course! Even if you don’t know anything else, you were supposed to know about the Red Feather…!”

What is this Red Feather?

Is it a chicken? A monster with red feathers?

Are there any monsters like that among the red-colored ones?

As I was thinking all sorts of things.

“They use flames that reach the heavens.”

Flames? Right. There are monsters that breathe fire.

“They value righteousness and chivalry, and cannot stand injustice.”

…It’s not a monster? Hearing that, it seems to be a person, surprisingly.

A person using such a lame nickname? They must be crazy.

Furthermore, valuing righteousness and chivalry, and using flames means they’re a pyromancer.

Was there a martial artist in Henan skilled in pyromancy?

‘I don’t know.’

Besides, martial artists who use pyromancy aren’t common in the first place.

There’s the Flame King (炎王) among the Ten Great Masters, but that guy didn’t even show up when the Blood Calamity occurred.

He’s someone who might already be dead, so let’s move past that.

Just who could this Red Feather be?

“I heard their appearance is outstanding, setting the hearts of many women ablaze.”

“The Red Feather?”

“Yes…! I came here specifically to see that person!”

I was speechless at her confident declaration.

It seemed I really needed to go home. I didn’t want to get involved anymore.

I should just bolt.

Just as I thought that.

“The Central Plains’ Red Feather. Gu Yangcheon…!”

“Huh…?”

“I want to see that person soon.”

“…?”

At Yuri’s words, I quickly turned my head.

Our eyes met.

Yuri, meeting my gaze, tilted her head.

“Why? Did you fall for me now? It’s too late though….”

“What did you just say?”

“Huh?”

What did she just say?

“…Who? Who did you say?”

“Ahaha~!”

Seeing my reaction, Yuri said excitedly.

“See? You knew him too, didn’t you? The Red Feather, Gu Yangcheon.”

“…”

“Why are you acting like this?”

Silence fell.

I thought I misheard, but that wasn’t the case.

Wow….

How should I react to this?

I thought for a moment.

Could there be another Gu Yangcheon besides me?

There probably are. If it were the Gu clan of Shanxi, maybe not, but other Gu clans must exist somewhere.

So maybe there’s a Gu Yangcheon among them.

But.

‘Could there be another Gu Yangcheon who uses pyromancy besides me?’

There’s a minuscule chance that could be possible too.

However.

‘…This.’

No matter how I looked at it, it didn’t seem like she was referring to anyone other than me.

Perhaps the others noticed this too, which is why silence filled the small room.

“Huh? What’s wrong, everyone?”

Yuri wore a strange expression at the change in atmosphere.

I could feel the people around me looking at me with equally unreadable expressions.

Yuri’s gaze changed upon confirming this.

Specifically, the way she looked at me changed.

Unfortunately, it seems Yuri isn’t completely clueless.

“Aww.”

Yuri smiled and gestured.

“It’s not you, right?”

Her smiling voice was tinged with desperation.

As if begging me to say no, but.

Not a single person denied it.

“…It’s not you, right? Why, why aren’t you answering?”

Her pupils wavered.

Her eyes were narrow and alluring, yet I realized they could widen like that.

“N-no way….”

Yuri’s expression, devoid of desperation, was now filled with despair.

“Could it be… you?”

“What are you talking about?”

“You’re the Red Feather!?”

“…What’s that?”

“It can’t be. It definitely shouldn’t be?”

Could it be that shocking?

Her fair skin turned deathly pale.

“Th-the person… couldn’t possibly look like this.”

Shit?

Am I suddenly being personally attacked?

I didn’t do anything, so why is she attacking me all of a sudden?

I stared at Yuri with a dumbfounded expression.

At that moment.

“Like the rumors say, you don’t seem to have much righteousness or chivalry…!”

Yuri, unable to calm down, started speaking her mind.

“You’re not even handsome…! You even look scary! Baekyeou definitely said you were a cool person….”

“No…. Calm down for a second.”

“But how can you be the Red Feather!? This is absurd–!!”

Koong-!

“Kkiyak!”

Yuri’s head shook.

It was because I punched the top of her head.

Yuri let out a short scream and clutched the top of her head.

“You’re really noisy.”

“Eueu…?”

“Can’t you be quiet?”

“…Ow… it hurts….”

“Damn it. I’m already annoyed to death. Why do you keep whining?”

I had controlled my strength even more than before.

Woobeom was at a somewhat higher level, so he was fine,

but if I couldn’t hold back and hit this small head, it would obviously burst.

However, perhaps that was still a bit too strong.

“Eeu… eeu.”

It must have hurt quite a bit, as tears gradually welled up in Yuri’s eyes.

Soon after.

“Ow… owie….”

She started crying like a child.

She looked like someone who wouldn’t bleed even if stabbed with a knife, yet tears were dripping from her eyes.

Would Moyong Hi-ah cry like this? Ironically, I briefly felt such curiosity.

I pondered for a moment.

What should I do?

To think she’d cry just from getting hit a little.

Moreover, she was crying so pitifully that it was becoming troublesome.

Her tears looked like they would burst any second, so I moved my hand first.

Ppak-!!

“Eugeuk!?”

Yuri slumped over with a ‘pik!’

Just like when I first met her, I hit the back of her neck to knock her out.

Seeing this, the bodyguards waiting behind her reacted with wide eyes,

but I calmly spoke while looking at the collapsed Yuri.

“Why are you bothering me by suddenly crying like a bitch?”

I hate pointless crying the most.

It might be a bit extreme, but this was the fastest method.

Saying I wasn’t handsome at all.

And that I looked scary. It wasn’t because of things like that.

Really.