Chapter 650: Back to the Central Plains.

Three days have passed since I fought with Mang and engaged in a bloody battle with the white monsters.

Although it was a short time, changes were occurring in the Northern Sea in their own way.

“Charge!”

Waaaaaah—!!!

The war had not ended.

Under Mang’s coordination, Yuseon stepped forward and ignited the conflict, but their participation in the rebellion was no different. The remaining warriors continued the battle to usurp the Palace. As a result, it didn’t take long to reclaim the Palace.

‘In the first place, the Palace wasn’t where all the forces were gathered.’

The Grand General who joined the rebellion, whose main residence was in a remote location, was positioned under the Blue Wolf. Hearing this, it became a question why forces weren’t stationed at the Palace, which must have had symbolic meaning.

How should I put it.

‘It feels like a formation designed anticipating defeat.’

Perhaps they didn’t intend to win in the first place. If so, what was the war fought for? I couldn’t know.

‘If it were me…’

First, I would have slit the throat of the captured blood relative and shown it to the troops to boost morale. Knowing the enemy leader was weakened and having pinpointed their hiding place, I would have destroyed it without hesitation. However, Yuseon did none of that. Despite having such power and forces, she didn’t do anything significant. Why did she do that?

‘Since she’s already dead, I can’t ask her.’

Even with not many troops, the Palace was reclaimed. On the pretext of sending Black Lion, I tagged along out of boredom, and it was surprisingly simple. I could see it there. Yuseon’s dead body, that is. As soon as I saw it, I burned it. Black Lion saw this and asked why I was burning it, but

[I couldn’t stand the sight of it.]

I had to dismiss it with a casual remark. On the withered body, a seemingly peaceful expression. It was too shabby to be the end of a beautiful woman, and too pathetic to be the final moments of someone who fought me. So, I burned it. Rather than taking that sight to show her father, it seemed better to say I burned it because I hated seeing the scoundrel.

I walked down a hallway that looked cracked and old. There was no one guiding me. If there was anyone, it was only Seong-yul walking ahead.

“Hey.”

“Yes.”

“What happened to the other blood relatives?”

Underground in the Palace. That is, not where Bing-jeong was, but in the prison where criminals were held, other blood relatives of the Ice Palace were imprisoned. I found First Young Master and Second Young Master, but First Young Master was fine, except for symptoms of dehydration, while Second Young Master had his right leg severed.

To my question, Seong-yul replied without turning his head.

“First Young Master is resting, and Second Young Master has not yet woken up.”

“Hmm, so they’re alive.”

Why were they kept alive? This was the biggest question. Blood relatives. And male ones at that. If they were kept alive, they would obviously become obstacles when they eventually became Palace Lord.

‘Did they have any affection?’

I don’t think so. I don’t know.

‘It bothers me that First Young Master was left alive comfortably, while Second Young Master had his leg cut off.’

How should I put it.

‘It seems there’s a specific reason why only Second Young Master was treated that way.’

I heard from Yuri before that Second Young Master was more talented, and First Young Master couldn’t accept him becoming the Junior Palace Lord. ‘Could it be because of that?’ Perhaps they cut off his leg so he couldn’t covet the position. Is that what they did? The thought suddenly occurred to me.

‘Why bother?’

As for why Yuseon acted that way, it remained a mystery.

“Hey.”

I posed another question to Seong-yul, who was walking ahead.

“Yes.”

“Are there any villains with a reason?”

He paused. Hearing my words, Seong-yul stopped walking for a moment. Then, he looked at me and replied.

“I believe so. Everyone has a story.”

Everyone has a story and a narrative. In the world, there are those who are inherently bad, but also those who had no choice but to become bad. Then.

“Does having a story give them a reason to be forgiven?”

“…”

Seong-yul, hearing the question, continued without changing his expression.

“What do you think, Young Master-nim?”

“Well.”

I answered as if I didn’t know, but I knew.

‘I don’t care.’

I have no interest in their narratives or stories. Furthermore, it didn’t matter if they were good or evil. It was simply a matter of whether they blocked my path or not.

‘Still, if they were a bit good, maybe I’d let them live.’

It would depend on the situation. It might seem selfish and lacking principles, but if it were me, I certainly would be like that.

“…”

Seong-yul, hearing that answer, stared at me for a moment before nodding soon after.

“Yes, I am the same.”

“Bastard, you’re just echoing me because you have nothing else to say?”

“…”

At Seong-yul’s attitude, I let out a chuckle. And then, we walked down the hallway again. This chatter wasn’t just about Yuseon. It was like the Black Flame Emperor of my previous life. And like the Sword Demon of my previous life. Villains are villains. Even if they had stories, those who died by my hand didn’t need to accept it. It would be the same when dealing with Yuseon. Whatever thoughts she had, whatever choices she made in life, it had nothing to do with me. That was all.

Screeeech-!

Following Seong-yul’s guidance, as I approached the main gate, the door opened naturally. A coldness different from the outside brushed past my body. Feeling the cold, I raised my gaze.

‘It seems like all the energy was consumed. This must be what was left.’

The throne ahead. In the place where Yuseon used to sit, someone else was seated.

“I apologize for summoning you here.”

“You’re not even fully recovered. Is it alright to be sitting there already?”

The owner of the Ice Palace, and the half-dragon, the Ice Palace Lord. He said to me with a slight smile.

“I cannot leave this seat vacant for long. That’s why.”

“Hmm.”

The Palace Lord’s treatment was not yet finished. Due to being beaten relentlessly, he had severe internal and external injuries. It was fortunate he was even alive, one might say.

‘He looks fine enough, though.’

Right after absorbing the cold energy. The Palace Lord, after receiving treatment, fortunately survived. Moreover.

‘His dragon transformation has been reversed.’

After absorbing all the cold energy, his scaly skin returned, and his frozen body recovered. Also.

‘The cold energy in the Northern Sea has disappeared, and the temperature is gradually rising.’

Perhaps thanks to consuming all of Bing-jeong’s energy, a blue sky stretched over the Northern Sea. Although the cold remained, everyone knew the weather had somehow changed. Has Bing-jeong’s curse disappeared? It seemed so to me.

‘Whatever it is, it means it’s different in nature from the Dark King’s curse.’

Thump.

I slowly walked towards the Palace Lord. I felt gazes. Including Black Lion, several men were positioned around.

‘They’re all martial artists of the Hwagyeong realm.’

Two more, who were no less than Black Lion.

‘Are they Grand General level?’

I nodded. Roughly speaking, it meant they were skilled enough to kill the leader of the direct subordinate unit. They were likely all those who hadn’t betrayed.

“Originally… I should have sought out Young Master-nim myself. But since my condition is still not good, I apologize for summoning you here.”

“That doesn’t matter much. My legs aren’t that heavy anyway.”

“Thank you for your understanding.”

At my words, the Ice Palace Lord gave a slight smile. Seeing that, I asked.

“May I ask why you summoned me?”

For three days, I hadn’t met the Palace Lord. The Palace Lord’s treatment was a priority, and I was also quite busy.

“The reason I summoned you, Young Master-nim, is, naturally, to express my gratitude.”

Swish.

The Palace Lord rose from the throne. And then, he suddenly knelt on the floor.

“Palace Lord-nim–!?”

“How…!”

Seeing that, the guards and generals tried to intervene, but the Palace Lord raised his hand to stop them.

“How could I not kneel once before my benefactor? I can do even more than this, so do not stop me.”

In the end, the Palace Lord knelt, and I calmly watched him.

“Thank you.”

“…I just helped because I had some time to spare. Gratitude is too much.”

“For saving the Northern Sea. I am truly grateful.”

“…”

At the Palace Lord’s words, I closed my mouth and inwardly clicked my tongue. I thought he was thanking me for helping with the operation to reclaim the Ice Palace, but unfortunately, it seemed the Palace Lord knew.

‘Does he know I consumed all of Bing-jeong’s energy?’

I was trying to play dumb. But it seems the Palace Lord knew.

“…You won’t blame me for my transgression, will you?”

“Hm? What do you mean?”

“If you count that I consumed all the energy, it would be troublesome.”

As much as I had absorbed all of Bing-jeong’s energy, if the Ice Palace claimed ownership, it would become a bit troublesome. Of course, I had planned to hand it over if I was caught while playing dumb, so it was fine. However.

“…?”

The Palace Lord’s expression turned strange upon hearing my words.

“How could I possibly question my benefactor about such a thing?”

“Huh? You won’t? Why?”

“…?”

“…?”

An awkward silence flowed between us. If it were me, I would have questioned it? I might have grabbed them by the hair, yelling about why they ate what was mine, and caused a scene. But he’s not questioning it.

‘Well, it’s a relief that he’s not questioning it.’

As the saying goes, ‘good is good,’ I could breathe a sigh of relief. After expressing his gratitude like that, the Palace Lord carefully rose and sat back down in his chair. As he sat down, I noticed his hand trembling.

“Along with my gratitude… I have something I wish to ask Young Master-nim.”

“Go ahead.”

“I heard from Black Lion that your father has been coming and going. Is that true?”

“…Ah.”

He did come. He came, scorched the Palace Lord, beat him up, and left.

“Yes… He came for a moment and left quickly.”

“…Is that so… Was it him.”

Mentioning my father, the Palace Lord let out a bitter smile.

“If we were to meet again, I didn’t want it to be like that. It’s somewhat regrettable. Did he perhaps leave any message for me?”

“He probably didn’t even know you were the Palace Lord in the first place. Seeing a monster in front of him, he just beat it up. He probably didn’t know if it was the Palace Lord or what.”

“I see.”

Hearing that, the Palace Lord nodded.

“I don’t know if I should consider this fortunate.”

“As they say, ‘good is good.'”

“…Hmph.”

His expression was not comforting at all. What on earth did my father do in his youth that the Palace Lord is acting like this?

‘Seeing as he’s treating him like a friend, it doesn’t seem like he just beat him up.’

Saying that, I thought of people who were somewhat like friends in my head.

‘Hmm.’

Maybe not. Surprisingly, there are guys who enjoy being bullied.

“Young Master Gu.”

“Yes.”

“If my benefactor wishes, I will host a banquet. And if you desire, I can offer the gold and treasures of my domain.”

Hearing the Palace Lord’s words, I had to make a dumbfounded expression.

“We’re still in the middle of a war, so how can you offer banquets and treasures?”

“If you desire it, I must naturally provide it.”

“I don’t need them.”

I said, waving my hand. I don’t enjoy banquets, and I didn’t need gold or treasures. Maybe in the past. But now, I have more than enough money.

‘Night-shining pearls and ten-thousand-year-old winter herbs. I’ve sold so much of them.’

Besides that, there were many ways I could earn money if I wanted to.

“Then, may I ask about future plans?”

“There are no particular plans. I’ll be heading back soon.”

To be precise, as soon as Namgung Bi-ah’s treatment is sufficiently complete, I will return straight to the Central Plains. At those words, Black Lion, who was behind me, spoke in surprise.

“…You mean now?”

Hearing him, I replied with a puzzled expression.

“Is there any reason why I shouldn’t leave now?”

“…No.”

“If it’s about the war, I have no intention of getting involved anymore.”

“…”

I know the reason. They must want to keep me here somehow. The Northern Sea is still in the midst of war, and strong individuals like me are rare. However.

“I trust you won’t make such a request.”

I stated firmly, looking at the Palace Lord, and he nodded upon hearing this.

“That’s only natural. I know it’s unreasonable to ask anything more of you.”

It’s right to leave the remaining mess for them to clean up themselves. After hearing the Palace Lord’s response, I returned to my usual expression. Just then.

“However, Young Master Gu.”

The Palace Lord spoke to me.

“Yes.”

“Even if you desire nothing, I cannot possibly send my benefactor away empty-handed. Do you truly want nothing?”

“Hmm.”

Compensation.

‘I didn’t exactly suffer losses here.’

Rather, I gained a lot. I reached a realm I thought would take at least two or three more years, all at once. And I obtained a lot of information, so I wasn’t really expecting any compensation…

‘Ah.’

Just as I was thinking that, as if waiting, one thing came to mind.

“There is something I need. I happen to have it.”

“Oh?”

At the mention of needing something, just as the Palace Lord’s face lit up,

“Information regarding the ‘Sorcery’ that exists in the Northern Sea, and the guy rotting in prison right now. Please hand him over.”

“…!”

At my words that followed, the Palace Lord’s expression instantly stiffened.