Chapter v20c2

## Two Visits

– The Ice White Phoenix Strikes Back

*Knock! Knock!*

“Yes, I’m coming.”

Lee Jin-Seol opened the door, her eyes widening in surprise.

“Ye-Rin unni! What brings you here?”

It was rare for Na Ye-Rin to visit her room. She usually went to Na Ye-Rin’s room.

“I need your help.”

“Y-you need my help? Did you just say that?!”

She trembled with excitement.

“Yes, I need your help. But… why are you crying?”

Na Ye-Rin didn’t understand her reaction. Or rather, she didn’t understand the process, even with her Dragon Eyes.

“But… But you’re asking me for help… This is the first time! You always handle everything yourself. I’m not saying you’re not capable, but I’ve been feeling left out. But now I have a chance…”

She clenched her fists, her eyes burning with determination.

“I’ll do my best!”

“Y-yes, thank you…”

She replied, but her enthusiasm was a bit overwhelming. Could she trust her? But she had no other choice. It was too dangerous to do this alone.

* * *

“Don’t put all your eggs in one basket. It’s best to diversify your risks. Just like investments.”

* * *

“He used to say that too…”

She muttered to herself, a smile flickering across her lips.

“Ye-Rin unni, did you say something?”

“No, I didn’t.”

“Did you just smile?”

Lee Jin-Seol asked, her suspicion growing.

“I don’t recall smiling.”

She shook her head.

“That’s strange… I thought I saw it…”

It had been a fleeting moment, but she was sure she had seen a smile, a rare sight on Na Ye-Rin’s face.

“Anyway, I’m counting on you.”

“Leave it to me. What should I do first?”

“I need one more person for this. Can you call him for me?”

“Who is it? Do I know him?”

“Of course you do. He’s…”

* * *

Heads turned. Eyes followed her every move.

“Whoa!”

“Huh?”

“Wow~”

Murmurs filled the air.

The male dormitory, Geomhon-gak, was in an uproar. A woman had dared to enter their domain. It was an unprecedented event, and the men were stunned. But Lee Jin-Seol ignored their stares as she walked down the hallway, climbed the stairs, and reached her destination.

*Knock! Knock!*

She didn’t wait for an answer. She flung the door open.

“Ptooey!”

Hyo-Ryong sprayed tea across the room.

“Gah!”

Yoon Jun-Ho, who had been drinking tea with him, jumped back, but it was too late. The tea splattered all over his clothes.

“M-Miss Lee?”

Hyo-Ryong stared at her, his eyes wide. He rubbed his eyes, but she didn’t disappear.

“H-how did you…?”

She grabbed his collar.

“Come with me, Ryong!”

Her eyes were filled with determination, and he couldn’t refuse. He meekly followed her.

*Whistle!*

One of the Geomhon-gak students, who had been watching the scene with bated breath, whistled.

“Lucky bastard!”

“I’m so jealous!”

“Awesome!”

“Good luck, Hyo-Ryong!”

Whistles and crude jokes filled the air. Some men couldn’t resist making a scene.

“Are you losing your virginity tonight?”

“Goodbye, virginity, Hyo-Ryong!”

“Be gentle with her!”

“Watch your back.”

Cheers and applause erupted, celebrating her boldness. Hyo-Ryong blushed and let himself be dragged away. He had no choice in the matter.

* * *

“Unni! I brought him.”

“Good. Thank you.”

Na Ye-Rin nodded.

“Huh? Jang hyung?”

Hyo-Ryong, dragged to an unknown location by Lee Jin-Seol, stared at the man standing next to Na Ye-Rin. He was surprised to see her, but he was even more surprised to see Jang-Hong.

“How did you…?”

“Oh, hey, Ryong-Ryong. You’re here too?”

Jang-Hong replied awkwardly, shifting his weight from one foot to the other.

“You were dragged here too, hyung?”

Hyo-Ryong asked via telepathy.

“Yes. I was practically kidnapped. How did they even find us…? It seems like you were too.”

“That’s what happened.”

“Stop whispering. My request is simple. I only have one question for Master Jang. There’s nothing else, so don’t worry.”

“Master…? You don’t have to be so formal…”

He realized, scratching the back of his head, that being called “Master” by a beautiful woman was quite pleasant.

“Where is he?”

Na Ye-Rin asked.

“Who?”

“Lee Si-Geon.”

“How would I know…?”

“Where is he?”

She asked again, her voice firm. He met her gaze. Her eyes were dark and deep, piercing through all lies. He knew he couldn’t lie to her.

‘I have no choice.’

He had to tell her the truth.

‘Is there no other option…?’

“His location! That’s all I want to know. Just tell me where he is, Master Jang. After that…”

She said, her voice filled with determination.

“I’ll handle everything myself.”

“I heard you can’t lie to Miss Na. It’s true. I have no choice but to tell you.”

He finally surrendered.

“He’s currently staying at the Central Plains Merchant Guild’s Nanchang branch.”

* * *

## The White Phoenix Soars Above an Empty Mountain

– Unclaimed Territory

“Is this the Central Plains Merchant Guild’s Nanchang branch?”

“Yes… Huh?!”

The two guards, about to answer, stared at her, their eyes wide with shock. They had never seen such a beautiful woman. She was dazzling.

“W-w-w-what brings you h-here?”

One of the guards stammered, his voice trembling.

“May I enter?”

She pointed at the main gate with a delicate finger.

“O-of course… I mean, no! We were ordered not to let anyone in today.”

He quickly corrected himself, realizing he had almost disobeyed his orders.

“You can’t open the gate?”

His heart ached. But he couldn’t disobey his orders.

“I’m sorry, Miss, but I can’t.”

“I understand.”

He apologized again.

“I’m truly sorry…”

But she wasn’t done yet.

“Then I’ll have to open it myself.”

“Huh?!”

He blurted out, his voice filled with disbelief.

‘How is she going to do that?’

The answer was surprisingly simple.

‘Whoa! Whoa!’

She ascended the stairs and stood in front of the gate, her movements graceful and effortless. She lightly touched the gate with her fingertips, then turned around.

He thought she was leaving.

*Whoosh!*

She spun around, her movements fluid like a dance. Her sword, ‘Ice Spirit,’ flashed, a streak of white light.

*Clang! Clang! Clang!*

She lowered her sword, and thin lines appeared on the massive iron gate. And then…

*Rumble! Crash!*

The gate shattered into a dozen pieces, collapsing with a thunderous roar.

“Then I’ll be going in.”

She said calmly, as if nothing had happened.

“S-sure.”

He was speechless.

She stepped over the rubble, her footsteps light and graceful, leaving the stunned guard behind.