Translator: FenrirTL
Editor/Quality Checker/Notes : Saphartlantis
========================
Chapter 399: I came to meet you after such a long time
It was a provocative first greeting.
The suggestion to drink Ice Liquor should originally have been made after formally greeting Geom Mugeuk and also greeting Song Sa-hyuk.
However, she said it as her very first words. She must have calculated that the Great Drunken Demon would not consider it rude. After all, it was an invitation related to liquor. In other words, it meant she knew the person accompanying her was Song Sa-hyuk.
It was also a moment that demonstrated just how outstanding the intelligence network of the Northern Sea Ice Palace was in this region.
If they knew about them, there was a possibility they also knew about Lee Ahn’s movements. Geom Mugeuk understood that such knowledge would never work in Lee Ahn’s favor.
The Northern Sea Ice Palace was certainly not an enemy of the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult, but it was not a friend either.
Geom Mugeuk quietly stared at Han Seol. How different would she be from the rumors?
"Do you like liquor?"
At Geom Mugeuk’s question, Han Seol showed a slightly surprised expression before calmly replying.
"I like drinking alone."
At her honest answer, a slight smile formed on the lips of the Great Drunken Demon. For he loved drinking alone more than anyone else.
"Offer your greetings. This is the Demon Supreme of our cult, the Great Drunken Demon."
Han Seol respectfully clasped her fists and bowed to Song Sa-hyuk.
"I am honored to meet such a distinguished person."
"The rumors about the heavenly maiden of the Ice Palace being truly beautiful were true."
"You flatter me."
Contrary to the rumors of her being heartless and cold, Han Seol did not appear much different from other women of her age. However, Geom Mugeuk knew.
Coldness and heartlessness were not shown through appearance but revealed through decisions and choices.
Thus, he should not hold any preconceived notions about her yet. He still did not know what kind of person she was.
Han Seol’s gaze turned again toward Geom Mugeuk.
"You still have not answered my question."
Geom Mugeuk left the decision to his brother.
"Shall we have a drink?"
For a moment, Han Seol felt puzzled. If the Young Cult Leader and the Demon Supreme were present, it was natural that the Young Cult Leader should make the decision. Not the masters standing outside, but the one making all the decisions here.
Yet, this Young Cult Leader was asking the Great Drunken Demon to decide instead of deciding himself.
This time, Song Sa-hyuk looked at Han Seol.
Geom Mugeuk felt it. The Great Drunken Demon at this moment was not the pathetic elder brother who was once scolded by him.
He, who reached the ultimate essence of martial arts and life through liquor, had his own view of the world and life. How would she appear to him now?
"If it's Ice Liquor, I cannot refuse."
At Song Sa-hyuk’s answer, Han Seol signaled to the martial artists standing outside. Then her attendant, Chan, entered carrying a pure white liquor bottle and handed it to her.
"This is Ice Liquor brewed in our palace."
As the stopper of the liquor bottle was opened, a captivating fragrance spread around. The drinkers holding their breath inside the tavern showed expressions of deep emotion.
There were various types of Ice Liquor in the Northern Sea, but the Ice Liquor brewed by the Northern Sea Ice Palace was considered the best. This fragrant and alluring scent was precisely the main aroma of the Northern Sea Ice Palace’s Ice Liquor.
Glugluglug.
Han Seol first poured a glass for Geom Mugeuk.
While pouring the liquor, she recalled the words spoken by her mother, the Master of the Northern Sea Ice Palace.
―The Young Cult Leader is not an ordinary person.
Han Seol had heard about Geom Mugeuk many times as well. That he was changing the landscape of the martial world.
―You must deal with him carefully. If you do not wish to be devoured by him.
Her mother had never said such things to her when assigning her any other task. She felt that her mother evaluated the Young Cult Leader higher than herself.
'Is this man really that great?'
The way he was foolishly smiling, saying how good the liquor smelled, made him seem rather lighthearted. No matter how she looked, he did not exude any authority that could overwhelm even the Demon Supreme.[a]
Next, Han Seol poured liquor for the Great Drunken Demon.
Finally, it was Song Sa-hyuk who filled her glass.
"I also usually drink alone."
Thus, the three toasted and drank the Ice Liquor.
"Ah, it really tastes wonderful."
Geom Mugeuk sincerely admired it. He had drunk Ice Liquor even before his regression, but it had not tasted this good back then. As expected, even the same liquor could taste entirely different depending on who you drank it with and the situation.
"Why do you not suspect that it might be poisoned?"
At Han Seol’s question, Geom Mugeuk looked at the Great Drunken Demon. Well, it made sense for him since he had Complete Poison Immunity, but what about his brother? Was it really fine for him to drink so recklessly?
Song Sa-hyuk seriously answered Han Seol.
"If you were to poison food or water, I might not notice. But even if it is a formless poison added to liquor, I can tell. I can even smell it."
"Indeed, your reputation was not in vain."
This time, Geom Mugeuk filled Han Seol’s glass.
"It is a pleasure to meet you."
He did not know much about this woman. But from his previous life before regression, he knew what kind of life she had led. Or more precisely, what kind of death she had met.
Geom Mugeuk asked Han Seol.
"There must be a reason you came to find us."
"Yes, there is."
Han Seol revealed the reason for her visit.
"I believe you must know of the Northern Blood Gate, a very famous sect. The second son of the Northern Blood Gate Master has been kidnapped. Have you heard about it?"
"I heard people speaking of it earlier."
"I believe the person who committed this act is a martial artist of the Divine Cult."
Naturally, the atmosphere grew colder and heavier.
"Why do you think so?"
"The kidnapper was so elusive that the martial artists of the Northern Blood Gate have not been able to find any trace. Even our palace has moved to search, but we have not easily found anything. It is either someone very clever or someone professionally trained."
Was I worrying because it was like a child left near the water’s edge? That child was building a dam and fishing by the water. Lee Ahn, how admirable.[b]
"Even so, it does not mean that it was an act committed by our cult, does it?"
"There is decisive evidence."
Han Seol stared straight at Geom Mugeuk and added.
"Young Cult Leader, you are the evidence."
Even at this provocative statement, Geom Mugeuk remained calm.
"Why am I the evidence?"
"Because you appeared in the Northern Sea at such a coincidental time."
"So it is circumstantial evidence."
"That’s right. If the Young Cult Leader denies it, there is no way to confirm it."
Geom Mugeuk understood. Why Han Seol was evaluated as cold and heartless. While speaking, she only conveyed facts, without embedding any emotion.
Even while saying she found it suspicious, she did not once show a suspicious expression or gaze.
It was not a matter of talking too much or too little. Rather, because she fully said what she needed to say yet without any emotion, she felt even colder.
"That’s right, I also think it was done by one of my subordinates."
Geom Mugeuk admitted it without resistance.
"Then it will be easier to say. This is clearly the domain of our palace. Have your subordinate release the Northern Blood Gate Master's child and hand your subordinate over to us. If the kidnapped child returns safely, we will properly mediate and then return your subordinate as well."
Geom Mugeuk’s expression remained gentle, but his refusal was firm.
"That is not possible."
"What do you mean?"
"If my subordinate kidnapped the Northern Blood Gate Master's child, there must be a good reason."
"That’s right. There must be a reason. But the martial world values an organization’s cause over an individual’s reason."
"Would you say the same if you were the one who had to be sacrificed for your organization’s cause?"
Han Seol looked at Geom Mugeuk and spoke calmly.
"Of course. I would willingly abandon myself."
He felt her words were sincere.
However, the emotion sensed from her words was not a sense of sacrifice or loyalty to her organization. It was emptiness. A gaping black hole felt even more intensely because she was young and beautiful.
This woman had no attachment to life.[c]
* * *
Yang Joong could not understand the situation.
"When were you captured?"
An astonishing answer flowed from Hwang Chu’s mouth.
"Two days ago."
"Then does that mean you were captured before us?"
"It seems that way."
For a moment, a chill ran down the spines of Yang Joong and Joo Gyu, who were listening.
If so, it meant that Hwang Chu, a master of pursuit techniques, had been captured first and that this entire incident had been plotted with him restrained from the beginning. It was something they had not even considered.
"This matter was planned meticulously in advance."
"Who on earth could it be? Who would dare to target the great Northern Blood Gate!"[d]
It was at that moment.
Someone spoke from within the darkness.
"Isn’t the important thing not 'who' but 'why'?"
It was a woman’s voice. It was truly the most pleasant voice they had ever heard.
Yang Joong shouted furiously.
"Who are you?"
Even though they were in the same space, they had not sensed her presence at all.
Before Yang Joong could start cursing, Joo Gyu quickly spoke.
"If you release us even now, we will act as if none of this happened. Let’s just go our separate ways."
The sound of a woman’s laughter echoed. The laughter grew louder and louder, and finally, a woman walked out from the darkness, revealing herself. Wearing a bamboo hat and a veil, it was none other than Lee Ahn.
"Who might the young heroine be?"
Joo Gyu asked respectfully, and Lee Ahn replied.
"I am someone who came at the request of a woman, to rescue her husband. I really came from far away. I never thought I would end up coming all the way to the Northern Sea."
"Who on earth did you come to rescue?"
"Why? Even if I told you the name, would you even know?"
Joo Gyu could not say anything in response. After all, there were surely more than a few people captured because of them.
"You tricked people all over the Central Plains, promising them great wealth, and brought them here."
Lee Ahn had conducted a thorough investigation into the matter. This incident was not just a simple case of tricking and kidnapping people. They had selectively gathered only certain individuals.
"All those people had unique constitutions, right? What were you planning to use them for? As ingredients for some great technique? Or were you preparing some sorcery?"
Yang Joong and Joo Gyu said nothing.
"I have sent a message to the Northern Blood Gate. If they release all the people you brought here, then you will also be released."[e]
Yang Joong’s expression hardened. This matter had been conducted in utmost secrecy. His father might refuse to release the people in order to keep the secret. His father valued the family more than his own blood.
Feeling the fear that they might not be released, Yang Joong burst out as if struggling.
"Shall I tell you what will happen if you kill us? In the end, our sect will find you and kill you. Not just you—your entire family will be killed. Everyone connected to you, even distant relatives, will all die because of you. And that’s not all. Even your neighbors will be killed. Anyone who even spoke a word to you will be hunted down and killed. Only then will this kind of thing never happen again. So go ahead and kill us!"
Lee Ahn quietly stared at Yang Joong. For a moment, he thought his threat might have worked, but it was merely his illusion.
Lee Ahn took off her bamboo hat and removed her veil.
"Don’t take it off!"
Joo Gyu shouted, tightly shutting his eyes.
He was afraid that seeing her face would bring extermination upon him and his family. Hwang Chu also closed his eyes tightly.
But Yang Joong kept his eyes wide open and glared fiercely at Lee Ahn.
He had opened his mouth to curse but could not say a word.
The damned woman who had kidnapped him was simply too beautiful.
From her lips came words that the three of them could not understand.
"I am truly grateful to you, young master, and to those around you. For being the kind of people who can endure such threats without a second thought."
Several scenes surfaced vividly in her mind.
―You’re said to be closest to Lee Ahn? Who are you?
―I am the Young Cult Leader of the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult.
―You!
―I am the Pavilion Master of the Underworld Pavilion.
―You? I heard you even had a drinking party together?
―I am the Commander of the Demonic Army.
―You!
―I am the granddaughter of the Martial Alliance Leader. What do you wish to do to my friend?
―As her new stepfather, it is my duty to intervene if you threaten my daughter.
―…….[f]
At the ridiculous images, she laughed quietly to herself.
"And I’m so thankful for being able to say these words."
The smile disappeared from Lee Ahn’s face.
She coldly stared at Yang Joong and spoke.
"Be sure to tell them to come kill me. Make sure to leave a will, begging for revenge."
* * *
"I am someone who values my subordinate’s reasons more than the organization."
Han Seol did not believe him.
That the Young Cult Leader would say such a thing—did he really think she was foolish enough to believe it?
Even if he said it so convincingly, in the end, the organization would come first.
"My subordinate is not someone who would do something like this just because she suffered an insult. She must have been asked for help or witnessed some injustice."
Han Seol could not understand it.
Neither the Geom Mugeuk who defended his subordinate, nor the subordinate who would cause such trouble to help someone else.
Why did they live with such hypocrisy?[g]
"So you are saying you cannot comply because you believe your subordinate is right."
"That’s right."
Geom Mugeuk remained calm as ever.
"My subordinate has lived a hard and tiring life serving the Young Cult Leader of the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult. At least in times like this, she should find some reward in serving."
Han Seol spoke calmly.
"The Northern Blood Gate has requested help from our palace. We have our own position to consider."
"Then help them."
"But your beloved subordinate might die. Are you really fine with that?"
Geom Mugeuk stared intently at Han Seol.
"If my subordinate is right and the Northern Blood Gate's child is wrong, would you still kill my subordinate?"
Han Seol, keeping a blank expression, asked back instead.
"Then if your subordinate is wrong and the Northern Blood Gate's child is right, would it be fine to kill your subordinate?"
Geom Mugeuk smiled faintly and said,
"In that case, I would save my subordinate and escape from here."
Han Seol showed a slightly dumbfounded expression.
"I believe I have said everything I needed to say. Then, please continue your conversation."
Han Seol stood up from her seat.
Just finding out that the culprit was from the Demonic Cult made this meeting worthwhile.
At that moment, Geom Mugeuk spoke.
"In truth, we have another reason for coming to the Northern Sea. There is someone we must meet."
"Who?"
"It is the Master of the Hundred Liquors Snow Courtyard. The Great Drunken Demon spoke of her many times as an extraordinary person, so I had always wished to meet her."
Because it was the reason for Song Sa-hyuk's visit, Geom Mugeuk wanted to explain it beforehand.
At those words, Han Seol’s expression hardened.
"What’s wrong?"[h]
Han Seol looked at Geom Mugeuk and the Great Drunken Demon with a peculiar expression before delivering shocking news.
"The Master of the Hundred Liquors Snow Courtyard has passed away."[i]
For a moment, Song Sa-hyuk flinched.
Soon after, sadness spread across his hardened face.
He had come to see her after such a long time, only to find her dead?
When was the last time he had met her? Or even talked to her?
"When and how did she die?"
At Geom Mugeuk’s question, Han Seol did not answer immediately and instead stared intently at the two men.
In her cold gaze, a trace of suspicion flickered.
"Why did you two come looking for the Master now of all times?"
If they said anything wrong, it was certain to cause a misunderstanding.
Since the Great Drunken Demon remained silent, lost in this sudden grief, Geom Mugeuk answered in his place.
"Every year, the Master sent liquor to brother Sa-hyuk. This year, it did not come. We thought something might have happened, so we came to find out."
After a brief pause, Han Seol spoke softly.
"The Master took her own life not long ago."
Clang.
The cup in Song Sa-hyuk's hand shattered, and liquor spilled over the table.
Han Seol spoke to Geom Mugeuk.
"Please tell your subordinate to return the Northern Blood Gate’s child."
Leaving only those words, Han Seol departed.
Silence filled the place where only the two remained.
The liquor that had spilled over the table dripped down to the floor.
Eventually, after silently watching it for a while, the Great Drunken Demon broke the silence.
"She would never have committed suicide."
There was a reason he could be so sure.
"She took more pride in brewing liquor than anyone and was satisfied with that work. She was someone who knew how much happiness her liquor brought to others. It’s impossible for her to have chosen an early death."
Song Sa-hyuk knew the Master better than anyone.
If so, it was not suicide—it was murder.[j]
Geom Mugeuk nodded and emptied the remaining liquor from his cup.
"To think we will never taste such fine liquor again."
Placing the empty cup down, Geom Mugeuk joined his hands in mourning.
The Great Drunken Demon emptied the liquor from his Blood Calabash at his waist and carefully filled it with the remaining Ice Liquor, making sure not to spill even a single drop.
Through the flowing transparent Ice Liquor, Song Sa-hyuk’s face shimmered and wavered.
The sorrow and anger in his eyes were being poured into the Blood Calabash along with the liquor.[k]
[a]Don't worry, you'll see his greatness very soon ^^
[b]Lol, it almost reminds me of Senku's progressively dangerous experiments when he was a kid XDXDXD (Dr Stone, great manga, a celebration of the wonders of science ^^ Oh, and the Rei arc of Byakuya reboot is definitely cannon. No way it isn't.)
[c]Hmmm, deep depression ? Maybe she let herself die last time.
Let Mugeuk do his mojo, you'll find the will to live soon ^^
[d]The most beautiful heart in the world, of course ^^
[e]I'm proud of you Lee Ahn, your first solo operation and you're doing everything perfectly ^^
[f]To be clear, Lee Ahn is imagining how everyone around her would react if the Northern Blood Gate came at her relationships for revenge.
Took me a moment to understand, maybe because I slept less than 6 hours these last 3 days. God damn headache.... XDXDXD
[g]It's not just the will to live, she's also missing important emotions.
Sure, she's not convinced, but she also doesn't seem able to understand the feelings behind their actions.
[h]Mugeuk speaking
[i]Oh no.... At least Lyu Bin won't have competition, but still.
F to her.
[j]I'm not sure if Mugeuk should be categorized as lucky or unlucky.
On one hand he have the jinx, for sure.
On the other, he end up destroying most of his enemies schemes mostly by accident.
[k]Apart from their personal feelings, maybe this kind of mourning is the best between a master brewer and the greatest drinker.
Don't worry, we'll avenge you.