Chapter 606: Curse of the Ice Crystal.

As I’d assessed at first, this place was a cave.

It seemed quite long and deep.

I mean, even after walking for several minutes following Baekryeon-geom, the path still didn’t end.

‘As expected, there’s no problem with walking.’

I calmly walked, continuously observing my body.

It seemed there were no major issues with my muscles or skeleton either.

From the tips of my toes to the top of my head. I carefully assessed each part while also listening to Baekryeon-geom’s words.

“Your companions are resting above. Until recently, the child from the Tang Clan was looking after you. Just when I swapped shifts with them, you woke up.”

Baekryeon-geom was talkative as always.

“That kid must have been really disappointed. They were anxiously worrying about whether you’d wake up. And then, just when I stepped away for a moment. You woke up, didn’t you?”

It seemed Tang Soyeol was very worried.

‘I should apologize later when I see them.’

Another task popped up.

Ignoring Baekryeon-geom, who was chattering away with small talk for a moment.

I organized the information I’d heard on the way.

First, it was the route that led me here.

‘Right after I lost consciousness, while assessing the situation, a reconnaissance team appeared, wasn’t that it?’

I heard a soldier from the Palace Lord’s side, who was patrolling the area, discovered them.

No, to be precise.

‘It was Pae-jon who caught them while they were trying to scout the surroundings.’

Before the soldier who arrived nearby could reach their destination, Pae-jon found and captured the soldier to verify the facts.

Perhaps judging they weren’t enemies. They ended up arriving here with the Palace Lady.

At first, I wondered if it was okay to just barge in like that, but seeing Baekryeon-geom here, it seemed correct.

Although, it would be another story if Baekryeon-geom were someone from the enemy forces.

‘Well then.’

It would become troublesome.

Though I didn’t think she would be like that.

For reference, they said the enemy soldier captured at that time was stuck in the interrogation room.

“Oh, right. That child of the Bi-ga. They were amazing?”

“…Yes?”

The child of the Bi-ga? Baekryeon-geom’s sudden words made me pause.

‘Ah,’

After thinking for a moment, I immediately realized.

Come to think of it, Pae-jon’s family was the Bi-ga.

But calling them a child?

‘That’s a title I can’t get used to.’

Baekryeon-geom probably doesn’t know Pae-jon’s identity, which is why, but…

From my perspective, knowing the truth, I had nothing to say.

“Their aura, too. Was it called Tu-ryong (Fighting Dragon)? I didn’t know much, but seeing them in person, I understood. You really only have amazing kids around you.”

Did something happen during the few days I was unconscious?

Baekryeon-geom’s attitude towards Pae-jon felt strange.

“Yes… well…”

They are indeed amazing.

They’re someone who even achieved returning to youth to perfect their martial arts.

Setting aside their martial prowess, they were truly an amazing person in many ways.

“…So, you’re saying this is the Palace Lord’s hideout.”

Wondering if Baekryeon-geom would say more, I cut them off and asked about the main point.

“That’s right.”

Hearing the answer, I nodded slightly.

I reacted calmly, but my insides were anything but.

‘What a crappy situation.’

Just hearing that told me it was a damn situation.

The Ice Lord’s hideout.

What could that phrase mean?

‘It means the Ice Lord has already been pushed out of the palace.’

The Ice Palace, which should have been their sanctuary.

Being pushed out from there and holed up in a cave like this…

It meant the enemy forces had already seized the main palace long ago.

‘If Baekryeon-geom is telling the truth, heading straight for the Ice Palace would have meant I was truly fucked.’

It was just as I expected.

The premonition that the Ice Palace might not be safe.

It meant that premonition was correct.

While it was fortunate that the Ice Lord was here and I got to meet them sooner than planned…

The fact that the situation was extremely bad wasn’t exactly good news.

‘This means the situation is much worse than I anticipated.’

I want to run.

No, this was a situation where I should have run away long ago.

Even though I knew that clearly, I couldn’t do so now.

If only for Namgung Bi-ah.

“Senior-nim.”

“Yeah.”

“So, why are you here doing this, Senior-nim?”

There was still much I hadn’t heard.

“…”

Baekryeon-geom, Mu-dang Gwae-seon, not to mention Namgung Bi-ah, and even Woo Hyuk.

I don’t know how involved they are, but…

None of them needed to get involved in this matter unnecessarily.

If the blood calamity had erupted, they should have just avoided getting involved and run away.

Why are they here doing this?

“…”

This time too.

Just like before, Baekryeon-geom didn’t answer the question.

Irritation welled up.

Just as I was about to lash out at Baekryeon-geom with emotion…

“Sen…”

“Because I received a favor.”

At that moment, Baekryeon-geom spoke up.

A favor?

“It’s a favor I received long ago. I haven’t been able to repay it fully yet. That’s why.”

“…”

A favor. If it’s because they received some favor from the Palace Lord, I have nothing to say, but…

That…

‘What does that have to do with Namgung Bi-ah?’

That doesn’t give a reason for that child to be involved in this.

I wanted to blurt this out to Baekryeon-geom, but I held back.

Not only might it not be Baekryeon-geom’s fault…

If Namgung Bi-ah became involved in this, there must surely be a reason.

So, I endured.

Now was the time to assess the situation.

I walked, suppressing my tired body and emotions.

Baekryeon-geom and I had somehow arrived in front of a massive gate.

How could such a huge gate be located deep inside a cave like this?

As I stared at the gate, filled with questions…

Sreuk.

A figure standing before the gate moved upon seeing us.

“Ae-ryeong (Sorrowful Spirit).”

“Hello.”

Baekryeon-geom greeted the man.

‘Ae-ryeong?’

Was that a name called out to Baekryeon-geom?

‘Why are all the names called out here so strange?’

White Fox, Red Wolf…

All the titles were bizarre.

It seemed to be something unique to the Northern Sea.

While I was pondering this. Baekryeon-geom spoke to the man.

“Is the Palace Lord awake?”

“Yes.”

The man nodded at Baekryeon-geom’s question.

Looking at the man, I had to swallow a small surprise inwardly.

‘Strong.’

If not the Grandmaster realm, then at least the Hwa-gyeong realm.

Judging by how I couldn’t quite grasp it. I could tell his realm was unusual.

As I was looking at the man…

The man’s gaze turned towards me as well.

He was a man with a strong impression, his neat beard catching my eye.

“I see.”

“Hm?”

“Are you the famous Red Feather?”

It was that damn title I hadn’t heard in a long time.

“…”

“You’re somewhat different from the rumors.”

He even seemed slightly disappointed upon seeing me.

What on earth could it be?

Just what kind of rumors were spreading for everyone to know that embarrassing name?

I wanted to grab him and ask how and why such rumors spread, but…

“I am the Palace’s Great General. Mu-kyeong the Black Lion.”

The man suddenly grabbed the doorknob and spoke to me. Because of that, I couldn’t ask anything.

“By the Palace Lord’s command. I permit your entry.”

Kkeugeugeugeuk-!

The strong iron gate began to open slowly.

Hwa-ah-!

“…!”

Immense cold air burst forth from the narrowly opened gap.

It was incomparable to the cold I felt when I first arrived in the Northern Sea.

‘What is this?’

It’s piercingly cold.

It was so cold, just feeling the energy felt like I would freeze solid.

U-ung-!

My energy reacted on its own.

As if repelling the intense cold, heat enveloped my body.

Looking inside the gate, I thought.

‘The Palace Lord is inside this?’

Are they planning to freeze someone to death?

How could a person be in a place like this?

As I couldn’t enter and only questions arose…

[Enter.]

“…!”

The voice pierced directly into my mind.

It was the sound that came from the front of the gate.

Someone is there.

Confirming that, I immediately stepped forward as if entranced.

“Oh, wait…!”

Baekryeon-geom reacted as if they had something more to say, but I was already inside the gate.

I don’t know the reason.

It felt like my feet were compelled to move that way.

Hwa-ak-!

The cold air brushed against my cheek.

Even while defending with heat, it was still cold.

Right after my steps fully entered the room…

Kung-!

The open gate closed, completely sealing the entrance.

“Where is this?”

I looked around, widening my eyes.

The not-so-narrow cave interior was frozen cold.

The rushing cold was sharp, as if swallowing blades.

It was evident that even a brush against it felt like being sliced.

It was so intense that I couldn’t help but let out a hollow laugh.

‘Why is it so harsh.’

Hwa-gyeong.

Even with the realm achieved by mastering Hwa-gong, this level of cold is difficult to endure for long.

What kind of damn space is this?

As I examined it, harboring questions…

[Welcome.]

The same voice as before was heard.

Instinctively, I turned my head towards the direction the voice came from.

And then.

“…!”

I had to widen my eyes in astonishment at the sight before me.

[Allow me to offer an apology first.]

I couldn’t help it.

[Instead of visiting a valued guest, I meet you in such a shabby state.]

The center of the interior.

Someone was sitting there.

But the reason I couldn’t notice them…

‘…What is that?’

It was because the state of the person sitting there was similar to the surrounding cave.

With snow-white hair, half of their body was no different from ice.

Only then could I understand.

The cold air filling this cave interior.

Now I realized it wasn’t the cave’s inherent coldness.

‘All of this…’

It wasn’t the cave, but the cold emanating from that person.

Immense cold was pouring out from the person, filling the space.

Furthermore.

‘Something.’

The cold filling the interior, or…

The strange presence felt from that person was somehow irritating.

I realized this as well, not long after.

This discomfort.

It resembled the subtle discomfort I had felt since first arriving in the Northern Sea.

Something that made me feel irritated and stifled even when just standing still.

That same thing was being felt from that person.

Just as I frowned at the strange feeling…

[Moreover, originally, I had intended to converse outside the gate, but…]

The person continued speaking to me.

[Upon seeing you, an uncontrollable curiosity surged, leading me to show such rudeness.]

U-ung-!

It grew stronger gradually.

The more I looked at the person, a distinct emotion boiled up inside me.

It was hostility.

I felt hostility looking at that person.

Why am I suddenly like this?

Kung-kung-!

I placed my hand on my chest, beating wildly, trying to calm myself down.

[Therefore, before we converse. I shall ask first.]

The person slowly lifted their head and looked at me.

“Huh.”

The moment our gazes met, I felt my body stiffen.

[You…]

The person had scales growing on their cheeks.

And beneath that skin, pieces of ice were falling off bit by bit.

Furthermore.

Their pupils were vertically slit, closely resembling a reptile’s eyes.

Yes…

It was just like…

[What is your relationship with the Supreme Being of the Central Plains?]

It was a similar appearance to when the Dark King revealed their curse before me.