Chapter 607: Curse of the Ice Crystal.

Upon hearing the words, I had to tilt my head slightly in confusion.

‘What the heck is a Supreme Being?’

For a moment, I even forgot how cold it was.

That’s how baffling the statement was.

Did they just call someone the Supreme Being of the Central Plains right now?

‘What even is that?’

Hearing that, I was dumbfounded for quite a while.

‘A Supreme Being (至尊)…?’

The Supreme Being of the Central Plains.

Hearing the words, no particular face came to mind.

A Supreme Being is supposed to mean the number one person under heaven.

‘There’s no one like that in the Central Plains right now.’

Currently, there was no martial artist in the Central Plains holding such a position.

The Three Venerables, said to be at the edge of the Outer Heaven, were still only three people, and the Alliance Leader, the Wudang Sword Sage, was in a lower position than them.

The heads of the Four Great Clans… no, the Three Great Clans, were merely at an age where they were in their physical prime as martial artists.

It would be far from enough to call them the strongest.

Then, who could the Supreme Being the person is talking about be?

‘Could it be the Sword Venerable (劍尊)?’

The Alliance Leader from two generations ago, and one of the Three Venerables who led the Alliance to its golden age.

Even if not the number one person under heaven.

A person called the Number One Sword Under Heaven (天下第一劍). Could they possibly mean the Sword Venerable?

It wouldn’t be strange.

With the Demonic Master not having appeared, he was the most frequently mentioned person when picking the number one under heaven.

Furthermore.

‘If it’s that person, they might have a connection with the Sword Venerable.’

If it’s the person right before my eyes, they might have a connection with the Sword Venerable.

They might have met him directly.

Or they might have heard of him.

I didn’t know for sure.

So, I decided to just ask.

“Are you talking about the Sword Venerable?”

[Hmm…?]

Upon mentioning the Sword Venerable, the person’s eyes flickered.

Seeing that, my brow furrowed slightly.

Those were bothersome eyes.

The breath he exhaled too.

The way he looked at me. Everything was bothersome.

[…The Sword Venerable, yes, there was someone like that.]

Hearing those words, it seemed it wasn’t the Sword Venerable after all.

Then who is it?

‘I don’t know. It’s not the time to worry about things like that right now.’

What does it matter if it’s the Supreme Being or whatever.

What’s important is.

“…Are you the Ice Master?”

Who the person in front of me is.

Actually, there was no need to even ponder it.

I had already heard who had summoned me.

Just from the sensation I felt from the person before me, I could guess who they were.

Tremble, tremble.

My fingertips were trembling.

The coldness was trying to pierce through the heat and dig into my skin.

The aura emanating from the person kept pressing down on my shoulders.

Strong.

Much stronger than that old man who was guarding the door, whether he was Black Snake or White Snake.

‘So that’s the master of the Northern Sea.’

The Outer Martial World beyond the Central Plains.

The master of the harsh land where snow falls from the sky in all four seasons.

The Northern Sea Ice Palace Master.

That was the man.

The person answered immediately to my question.

[Although my current state is far from presentable, I did fulfill that role.]

“That’s past tense?”

[Heh heh….]

At my words, the Palace Master chuckled.

Every time he let out a slight sound, cold air flowed out.

[In such a fallen state, how could I say otherwise?]

“Hmm.”

Listening to the Palace Master, I slowly took him in.

Starting from his right jawline, lumps of ice had grown and covered half his body along his shoulder line.

Seeing this, I slightly moved my toes.

The ice extending from there not only filled the floor but also covered the surrounding walls.

‘What is this?’

What had happened?

Was the ice from the Palace Master?

Or was the ice from the walls binding the Palace Master?

As I stared at the ice with curiosity.

[I shall ask again, but are you truly unrelated to the Supreme Being?]

The Palace Master asked me the question.

It was the same question as before.

“What is this Supreme Being?”

My reply was tinged with some annoyance.

I felt my time was being wasted answering such a bothersome thing.

Just suppressing the hostility I felt whenever I looked at the Palace Master was quite distracting.

I glared at the Palace Master, my expression hardening.

[Gu Ga’s Cheol-un.]

Huh?

[The Supreme Being’s name was indeed that.]

“…Huh…?”

At the familiar name that came from the Palace Master, I almost lost my strength involuntarily.

Why was my father’s name coming up from there?

I had just woken up from a dream featuring my father, no less.

To think my father’s name would suddenly come out of the Palace Master’s mouth.

Moreover.

‘…Supreme Being?’

What was this terrifying nickname?

All the discomfort I had been feeling vanished.

Only bewilderment remained in its place.

And the Palace Master, seeing me, continued speaking as if he had realized something.

[Judging by your reaction, it seems you are related. Perhaps….]

Oh dear, did he realize I was the son?

After all, if he had heard the general situation, he couldn’t possibly not know–.

[A nephew or perhaps a relative from the maternal side? You don’t seem like a direct descendant….]

“I am his son.”

[I thought you looked quite alike.]

Don’t lie.

“You didn’t seem to think I was his son at all? Didn’t you think I didn’t resemble him?”

[No. It’s just….]

The Palace Master paused, choosing his words.

[I just thought you resembled him… rather unfortunately….]

“Just don’t say it.”

[Hmm.]

It only made me feel worse.

[Anyway.]

The Palace Master seemed to want to move on.

It was a subtly stinging remark, but I decided not to dwell on it for now.

[So, you are indeed the son of the Supreme Being.]

“Why on earth do you keep calling him the Supreme Being?”

I asked, full of questions.

It was a truly awkward title.

To such a question, the Palace Master instead looked at me with a question.

[If he’s the Supreme Being, shouldn’t I call him that? What else should I call him?]

“…”

No matter how many times I heard it, I couldn’t get used to it.

It seemed like praise for my father, but.

Only a strange feeling brushed past me.

[How curious.]

The Palace Master let out a short laugh.

Kkkl.

[In my entire life, I never thought I’d meet the day I’d meet his son.]

“…What is your relationship with my Family Head, Palace Master?”

I asked, quite nervously.

Because if he had a bad relationship with my father, it would become rather troublesome.

As I asked with such worries.

[A friend.]

The Palace Master gave a short reply. Hearing it, my eyes widened slightly without me realizing it.

A friend? A friend….

As soon as I heard that, I asked the Palace Master with surprised eyes.

“Did my father have any friends?”

After blurting it out, I froze.

This felt like I had said something quite wrong.

[Ho ho.]

Hearing my words, the Palace Master laughed.

Tuk.

As a tremor occurred, something fell from his cheek.

Was it scales? I had that kind of feeling.

[At least, that’s how I think of it. Though I don’t know how he thinks of me.]

“What does that mean…”

[If not a friend, you can consider me a benefactor.]

“A benefactor?”

The Ice Palace Master not only called my father a friend but also a benefactor.

Hearing that, I thought.

‘What on earth was he doing?’

What was he doing in his youth that everyone who knew him reacted like this?

Some feared him.

Others expressed admiration and gratitude.

It seemed he was quite successful back in the day.

There was no one who truly knew what my father had been up to.

No, it would be more accurate to say they wouldn’t answer even if asked.

Just then.

[So the one called Red Feather was his son…. But he doesn’t resemble him much-]

“Huh?”

[No.]

At the Palace Master’s words, I scowled.

No, he definitely said something more? As I glared at him, the Palace Master just smiled as before.

‘What is this guy?’

It was strangely different from what I had imagined. Very different, in fact.

[Isn’t this a rather curious fate?]

He’s even changing the subject. And skillfully, too. He changed the subject brilliantly.

‘I heard from Yuri that he’s quite a fearsome person.’

Taciturn and what else was it.

I heard a lot of gossip, but I don’t really remember.

Anyway, seeing him now, he seemed completely different from the stories.

[My father received help from your father. And I am to receive help from you.]

“…”

Hmm.

The Palace Master said this nonchalantly, chuckling.

But.

‘I feel like I just heard something incredible?’

Didn’t the Palace Master’s father just say… meaning, the former Palace Master, received some help from my father?

Now I was curious.

I also roam around causing trouble in unusual ways.

What was my father doing in his prime?

‘No wonder they let my troubles slide relatively easily.’

Of course, in my past life, I was even called the disgrace of the Gu family. But not in this life.

Could this be because my father caused just as much trouble as I did when he was young?

Such a thought suddenly occurred to me.

[Kekekek.]

The Palace Master’s laughter deepened.

Woowooong-!

Whether by coincidence, as his laughter deepened, the cave trembled.

[…Ah, my apologies. It’s been a while since old memories surfaced, making me laugh involuntarily.]

The coldness also intensified.

Perhaps because of that, it was rather cold.

‘Ha, cold.’

A hollow laugh escaped me.

How long has it been since I felt this sensation?

It was a sensation I hadn’t felt since the time I first regressed.

As I lightly brushed my arm, feeling the sensation.

[Since the most pressing question is over, shall we move on to the main topic? Would that be alright?]

At the Palace Master’s words, I immediately adjusted my posture.

“Yes.”

Is it finally the main topic?

[First, um… What should I call you?]

“Call me whatever. It’s not particularly important–“

[Then, as usual, Red Fea–.]

“My name is Gu Yangcheon, Palace Master.”

[In that case, I shall call you Young Master Gu.]

“Yes.”

Those damned feathers.

I really need to pluck them all out.

Who the hell spread that? If I catch them, I’ll really kill them.

As I was grinding my teeth furiously in my mind.

[Then, Young Master Gu.]

At the Palace Master’s words, my body stiffened for a moment.

Because the atmosphere had changed drastically.

The coldness turned sharp, touching the base of my neck.

That’s how it felt.

[Can you truly lift this curse?]

Curse.

At that word, I examined the Palace Master more closely.

A body covered in ice.

Scaly skin.

Even vertically split pupils.

Not only was it far from ordinary, but it was a form difficult to even call ‘human’.

Grasping this, I asked the Palace Master.

“When you say curse, are you referring to your current appearance?”

[That’s right.]

The coldness emanating from the Palace Master’s body was intense.

That’s why I was questioning it.

‘If that is a curse.’

Does it mean it’s the same as what Moyong Hi-ah experienced in my past life?

‘But it wasn’t at this level.’

Compared to the illness Moyong Hi-ah had, the difference was too immense.

Although she too was slowly freezing due to being unable to withstand the coldness within her body.

‘That…’

The Palace Master’s current state was such that the coldness not only escaped but also created lumps of ice on its own.

Moreover, wasn’t his body transforming?

Then Moyong Hi-ah too.

‘Did she meet her death looking like that in her past life?’

It was a thought I’d rather not recall.

I don’t know about her final moments.

Snow Phoenix disappeared one day.

How she died.

In what state she died, was completely unknown.

The Moyong Family had only announced that she had met her death.

As such, the Palace Master’s words made me think a lot.

‘The Curse of the Ice Crystal.’

Why ‘curse’ of all words? The word used was quite bothersome.

‘The Dark King said the same thing’

The Curse of the Dragon’s Blood.

The Dark King referred to his own body as such, and said that only I, having become a dragon, could break this curse.

The Palace Master’s current condition is similar to that.

Could this be purely a coincidence?

‘No.’

I thought it wasn’t.

‘The Curse of the Ice Crystal, like the Dark King’s…’

Isn’t it related to the ‘Dragon’?

Such a thought crossed my mind. Everything pointed towards it.

If that were truly the case.

‘…Then, the fact that I could cure Moyong Hi-ah’s illness…’

Wasn’t it possible because it was related to me being a dragon?

Not simply a change caused by the mixture of the Demonic Heaven Absorption technique and the Nine Flames Wheel technique in my body.

An anomaly caused by the very existence of ‘me’ changing.

Could that have been the key to curing Moyong Hi-ah’s illness?

If so, the story fits.

The pieces of things I had found strange were gradually fitting together.

The problem was, the more they fit, the worse I felt.

‘This ultimately means I wasn’t meant to be human in the first place.’

From where did the change begin?

Being able to cure Moyong Hi-ah’s illness in this life, which I couldn’t in my past life, means something anomalous must have happened in this life.

The anomaly that occurred involving me….

‘…There are too many?’

There were countless ones.

There were so many I couldn’t count them one by one, but if I had to pick just one.

‘Regression.’

It was regression.

Traveling back in time to arrive here again.

Could that possibly be the issue?

It was something I couldn’t know. It was just the highest possibility.

‘What I can be sure of right now…’

Is that the Curse of the Ice Crystal the Palace Master is talking about is related to the ‘Dragon’.

If that’s truly the case.

‘Does the Palace Master know about this Dragon?’

If so, how much are the people of the Ice Palace related to the ‘Dragon’?

Also, if related, do they view it with hostility?

Or how else do they think about it. I had to watch this carefully.

As the things to figure out suddenly increased.

[You seem to have a lot on your mind.]

“…!”

The Palace Master spoke to me.

[I can wait, so ponder at ease.]

Right.

It was the point where I was asked a question.

‘What did he ask?’

Did he ask if I could lift the curse?

If I were to give an answer to that.

“I don’t know.”

For now, I had to give an ambiguous answer.

[You don’t know?]

Naturally, the Palace Master expressed doubt at my words.

I immediately followed up with an explanation.

“I have treated someone predicted to be afflicted by the ‘curse’ you mentioned, Palace Master. But whether it’s the same as the ‘curse’ you have is uncertain. Furthermore.”

My words were long, so I took a breath.

“Even if it were the same. I cannot guarantee that I can heal your body.”

[Hmm.]

This was the best I could say.

Just looking at it, the level was different from Moyong Hi-ah’s illness.

If I immediately said yes and a problem arose, I would be the only one at a disadvantage.

Therefore, I stated that I couldn’t be sure.

[Is that so? I understand.]

The Palace Master nodded, giving his affirmation.

[You mean confirmation is needed.]

“Yes.”

I couldn’t know just by looking.

Could I really heal such a condition?

As such doubt crossed my mind.

“Now, may I ask my questions?”

I also had questions for the Palace Master.

[Go ahead.]

Permission was granted.

“How did things end up like this?”

[…]

So, as soon as I heard, I blurted it out.

“Both your body, Palace Master, and the current situation are quite a mess.”

I didn’t mince my words.

The situation where I cared about whether he was the Palace Master or not had long passed. Now was not the time for that.

[You must have heard the explanation from the Palace Maiden. Are you asking me for a more detailed explanation?]

“I heard it. But…”

It wasn’t just that, so shouldn’t I hear more?

“Seeing how things are unfolding, it seems worse than what I was told.”

The situation where the Palace Master’s health worsened, and the clan responsible for its forces rebelled.

So, they asked me to treat the Palace Master before it was too late. That’s what I heard.

“No matter how I look at it, it seemed worse than that.”

It wasn’t a typical rebellion.

This was a rebellion of the clans (亂).

It wasn’t just a rebellion by a clan, but a clan betraying and aiming for the throne.

“Did you truly not know about this, Palace Master?”

[…]

The Palace Master fell silent at my question.

But seeing his expression, I understood.

The Palace Master knew too. Of course, he would know. Unless he was an idiot, he couldn’t possibly not know.

“After this, I’ll hear more outside, but I need an explanation regarding this matter.”

I looked at the Palace Master without avoiding his gaze.

A rebellion instigated by the clans to kill the Palace Master; I knew it would be difficult to recall, but.

I had to hear it.

I had to gather information. Only then.

‘I’ll go find them.’

I’ll go find them and kill them.

My current physical condition? Who cares.

Even if my body were to break, I would go.

With that resolve, I was about to keep asking.

[That’s correct.]

The Palace Master nodded first.

[This is indeed a rebellion involving the clans.]

I wasn’t surprised to hear the answer.

It was an obvious prediction, so there was no need to be surprised.

The problem was….

[However. I do not know who initiated it.]

“What?”

I had to be surprised by the Palace Master’s subsequent words.

It was true that the clans had rebelled, but the Palace Master himself didn’t know who did it?

‘What is this now?’

It was an absurd statement.

Did it mean someone among the clans staged the rebellion while hiding their identity?

As I wore a strange expression out of incomprehension, the Palace Master continued.

[According to information recently discovered, the Blue Wolf who instigated the rebellion. His master’s child, Bi-oegun. The story was that he rebelled with the clans backing him.]

[I still haven’t figured out which clan provided the justification.]

The Ice Palace, and furthermore, the clan responsible for its forces.

It wasn’t the head of that clan who rebelled.

‘The head’s child instigated it?’

It was a rather strange context.

Was their clan management also a mess?

It was no different from someone in the position of a junior clan head rebelling against the Alliance in the Central Plains…

‘Oh, this…’

It seems somewhat similar to my story?

Such a trivial thought crossed my mind.

Though it’s difficult to compare since it’s different from my situation.

Just as I was trying to focus on the conversation, clearing away useless thoughts.

[Therefore, if there’s anything regarding Bi-oegun, it’s rather that I have questions for you.]

Strange words came from the Palace Master.

“…What do you mean by that?”

The rebel named Bi-oegun.

Why would he want to ask me about that guy’s affairs?

Just then.

[I heard that….]

[Bi-oegun was a friend of yours.]

“…”

The Palace Master said this, looking at me.

I thought, what kind of bullshit is this? A friend, that was absurd.

“A friend? I don’t know anyone like that.”

[You truly don’t know?]

“Yes, how would I know people from the Northern Sea…”

[Bi-oegun, the youngest son of the Blue Wolf. Perhaps, by the name used in the Central Plains.]

The Palace Master uttered his final words, looking at my denial.

[Sleeping Dragon, Woo Hyuk.]

The moment I heard that.

[He was apparently called that.]

My mind went completely blank.