Chapter 176
Chapter 176. Reconciliation
The darkest hour before dawn.
Outside the pavilion, the Ice Palace disciples and members of the Four Directions Hall stood waiting.
So-hwa shut the window, blocking out the uneasy sight.
There were plenty of empty houses—they could have gone inside to rest. Yet they stood at attention before the pavilion, worried for their superiors.
Tak.
So-hwa returned to the desk, where silence hung heavy.
"The sun is about to rise. You must reach a conclusion soon."
It had already been an entire watch since the Four Directions Hall Lord and the Second Leader of the North Sea Ice Palace had last spoken.
"No matter how far this pavilion is from the harbor, with that many people standing outside, someone on the island will surely notice."
So-hwa gave a subtle look of warning, but still, Peng Sihyeon and the Second Leader remained silent.
Namgung Jin cleared his throat awkwardly and tried to interject.
"Even if they see us from the island, it should be fine. Didn't Young Lady Tang already say so? They won't dare provoke unnecessary conflict with the Murim Alliance. From afar, they won't even be able to tell which faction we belong to—if discovered, we can simply say we're all Alliance members."
So-hwa's cold gaze slid toward him.
Feeling the pressure in her eyes, Namgung Jin turned his head away.
It wasn't as if he enjoyed wasting time either. He simply dreaded hearing the conversation between Peng Sihyeon and Bai Woon-Hyun—for that matter was tied to his own father. His heart wasn't ready for it.
Finally, Tang So-hwa frowned, unable to bear the stillness any longer.
"I understand there is ill fate between you two. But now is no time to be bound by the past."
The Four Directions Hall Lord's gaze shifted to Tang So-hwa. It wasn't a friendly look—but before she could speak, So-hwa continued firmly.
"Hall Lord, the North Sea has already fallen under the control of the Blood Sect."
Wrinkles formed between Peng Sihyeon's brows.
"The Blood Sect has occupied the North Sea?"
So-hwa unconsciously scratched at her arm.
Peng Sihyeon's reaction was too intense to be mere surprise—there was a tremor in her energy.
So-hwa observed the killing intent that flashed across her eyes and spoke cautiously.
"There was never a true North Sea branch to begin with. The Blood Sect used that name to lure Central Plains envoys to the palace for information—and once they had what they wanted, they eliminated them."
"But every year, letters from the North Sea branch arrived at the headquarters, requesting an exchange. Once, someone even came in person—I met him myself. He was clearly a man of the Central Plains."
"They likely sent him to maintain appearances. And forgive my boldness, Hall Lord, but you would not have been able to tell a Blood Sect agent from a true Central Plains man."
At Tang So-hwa's words, Peng Sihyeon frowned deeply.
So-hwa wasn't sure whether she should have said that. It seemed Peng Sihyeon didn't know there were Blood Sect infiltrators within the Murim Alliance itself.
If that was the case, revealing it outright would be reckless.
Peng Sihyeon had worked in the Alliance headquarters for years—she would hardly doubt them over the word of someone she'd only met once. More likely, she would begin to doubt So-hwa instead.
So-hwa decided not to mention the infiltrators directly. Instead, she presented another piece of proof.
"The man beside you right now is also of Ice Palace bloodline—and once, he too was part of the Blood Sect."
Peng Sihyeon turned to look at Bai Woon-Hyun in disbelief. Before she could ask, he gave a slow nod.
So-hwa spoke in a calm tone.
"That was a long time ago. Now, Great Warrior Bai has gathered the surviving bloodline of the Ice Palace and fled, hiding from the Blood Sect's pursuit ever since."
The fury that had filled Peng Sihyeon's eyes faded, replaced by confusion. Her gaze turned to So-hwa, as if to ask—what in the world are you talking about?
So-hwa gently brought up a subject meant to touch the Hall Lord's heart.
"Young Lord Namgung and I met the bloodline of the Ice Palace only a few days ago. Many of them were starving, their bodies frail. The children, especially, were in grave danger. If we don't drive out the Blood Sect soon, there will be many more deaths."
The Four Seasons Hall Lord and the Four Directions Hall Lord were both inspectors of the Murim Alliance's fifteen affiliated sects, and yet not a single Alliance member dared to slander them. It wasn't merely because the Alliance Leader valued them—it was because their actions, in the end, were always rooted in justice.
If one tried to question their decisions, one would only seem small-minded.
The difference between them was this: the Four Seasons Hall Lord hid his thoughts, while the Four Directions Hall Lord never did.
Peng Sihyeon was gentle toward the weak, yet unyielding toward the strong. Even when she acted ruthlessly, people assumed there must have been a reason.
And now, So-hwa deliberately spoke of something that would test that very reason.
Something cruel enough to drive Peng Sihyeon to destroy the island herself if she wished.
"The Blood Sect has carried out forbidden experiments up until now."
When So-hwa revealed the Blood Demon's horrifying experiments, Peng Sihyeon's face twisted in anguish.
When she spoke of the war in the North Sea, as told by the Fourth Seat, Peng Sihyeon's expression vanished entirely.
Taking advantage of the moment, So-hwa finally unveiled her plan.
"The Blood Demon used the name of the Murim Alliance to manipulate the Outer Region Branch, just as we can now use the Murim Alliance's authority to weaken the island and minimize bloodshed."
At her words, Peng Sihyeon frowned in thought.
"But that passage you mentioned—it seems to be some form of formation, is it not?"
"Yes. It's dark arts in nature, but its principle is similar to a formation."
Peng Sihyeon gave a faint, disbelieving laugh.
"A formation that connects space itself? I've never heard of such a thing. To think a spatial passage exists is already absurd, but to claim you can break it... Impossible. I should go investigate the island myself. If the Blood Sect truly has taken over, I'll request reinforcements from the headquarters—"
So-hwa silently reached into her sleeve and drew out a passage.
She handed it to Namgung Jin, who placed his hand upon the inscription.
As his internal energy flowed through the markings, light burst forth.
Saaaaa.
When the glow faded, a massive hole had appeared before them.
Peng Sihyeon's lips parted slightly in shock.
"What in the world...?"
"This is a passage connecting the Central Plains and Hubei. Because of the distance, it's difficult to anchor it to the same point every time, so we can't know exactly where it will open. Still, it shouldn't lead outside Hubei."
So-hwa gestured calmly toward the passage.
"They say seeing is believing—please, see it for yourself."
The Four Directions Hall Lord was fearless.
Even though she had every reason to doubt, Peng Sihyeon stepped straight into the torn space without hesitation.
So-hwa thought to remind her that the passage would close after half a turn—but stopped herself when Peng Sihyeon reappeared almost instantly.
Her face had turned deathly pale, as though she'd seen a ghost.
"Did you... perhaps drug me? Am I hallucinating because I've been poisoned?"
Her reaction to the Blood Sect's dark arts was much like that of the Four Seasons Hall Lord.
"That would be understandable."
"This is absurd. Impossible."
"I think so as well. That's why I wanted you to see it with your own eyes."
When the passage faded, Namgung Jin handed the inscribed plate back to So-hwa. She took it with her usual calm and slipped it into her sleeve.
"The very fact that the Blood Sect possesses something like this is already a grave threat to the Central Plains."
So-hwa lifted her gaze toward Peng Sihyeon.
"There's a passage inside the island that connects directly to the Central Plains, and the Blood Sect now controls it. This isn't just a problem for the North Sea."
The Hall Lord said nothing, simply waiting for So-hwa to continue.
"Hall Lord, you came here to retrieve the Extreme Ice Grass, did you not? To find it, you'll have to go to the island anyway. Enter first—see the situation yourself. You may decide afterward whether to help us."
Peng Sihyeon pressed her temples, clearly pained, and asked,
"But why must he go with us? If the Ice Palace bloodline is being hunted, wouldn't it be dangerous for him to set foot on the island?"
"I agree, but it seems the layout of the island is complex. Maps are unreliable. They can help us locate the passage. And since we don't speak the North Sea tongue, they'll be able to assist if anything happens."
"But if they're recognized on the island, won't all of this become meaningless?"
Bai Woon-Hyun finally spoke up.
"We'll hide in crates. Hiding has been our way of life for years—once we're inside the island, we won't be discovered easily."
The Hall Lord exhaled a deep breath, clearly torn.
So-hwa knew she couldn't afford to give her time to think.
Dawn was fast approaching.
If the islanders realized the ship was missing, they might send another to break the ice, and So-hwa couldn't risk that variable.
She knew how to make Peng Sihyeon decide quickly.
The Hall Lord was fierce, yes—but she also had a deep compassion for commoners.
Using that kindness weighed on So-hwa's conscience, especially toward someone who had once shown her favor, but necessity outweighed hesitation.
"Furthermore, the North Sea civilians are in dire straits. To hunt down the Ice Palace bloodline, the Blood Sect has begun oppressing the locals. They've blocked all trade and even rationed their food supply."
"What? Martial artists terrorizing civilians? How can they be so barbaric...?"
As expected, Peng Sihyeon's eyes changed.
"Yes. Even the commoners who lived at this harbor were slaughtered by the Blood Sect's schemes."
At that, Peng Sihyeon's eyes darkened. Grief mingled with the fury on her face—as though she had witnessed it herself.
"If we turn our backs on the North Sea now, countless innocents will die at their hands. At the very least, if we retrieve food from the island and leave it on the shore, the civilians might survive a little longer."
"......"
"Hall Lord, please lend us the name of the Murim Alliance so we may enter the island. If things go awry, we'll make no disturbance—we'll only secure provisions and withdraw."
Of course, Tang So-hwa had no intention of abandoning the passage. Once she entered, she would find it—one way or another.
Even if she faltered, Namgung Jin's stubborn nature assured her he would not. That man would destroy the passage himself if he had to.
Her eyes slid toward the man sitting beside her—he wore a look of open displeasure, clearly disappointed in the Hall Lord's hesitation.
‘At times like this, his hardheadedness is reassuring.’
So-hwa turned her gaze forward again—and flinched slightly.
The Four Directions Hall Lord was staring at them strangely.
She looked back and forth between Namgung Jin and Tang So-hwa before asking quietly,
"Do you two truly understand how dangerous what you're doing is?"
Unable to understand why she was asking such an obvious question, So-hwa waited for her next words. Wasn't it more strange not to understand? They were entering enemy territory, after all.
But Peng Sihyeon fell silent, and it was Bai Woon-Hyun who spoke next.
“I didn't realize you were anticipating failure... Did you intend to go in knowing that?”
He hesitated.
"For food?"
Food wasn't the point.
Thanks to the supplies piled uselessly in Platinum Pavilion, they had more than enough. Even if they ran short, they could simply use Cold Iron's passage to travel to Hubei and return.
The two martial artists exchanged glances—and both gave wry smiles.
"So that's how it is. The passage was just an excuse."
"Indeed. The Central Plains has no personal vendetta against the Blood Demon. I found it strange that you'd risk your lives to destroy his passage. I must've forgotten, after years away, how Central Plains folk hide their intentions behind such tangled words."
"Well then. Do you think any Central Plains man could match your ability to hide his true heart?"
Bai Woon-Hyun let out a quiet laugh and shook his head.
"I didn't mean it as an insult. I once met someone who concealed goodwill behind ambition. You reminded me of that."
The Hall Lord fell silent.
The Second Leader of the Ice Palace spoke as if to no one.
"Even if we fail to destroy the passage, I will never give up. There will be a next time—your sacrifice will not be in vain."
"......"
"......"
In that instant, Tang So-hwa and Namgung Jin had somehow become people heading to die on the island.
They exchanged uneasy looks. Something in the conversation had gone strangely astray.
Hadn't they just seen the passage to Hubei? They could retreat to the Central Plains at any time—so why act as if this were their last journey?
At that moment, Bai Woon-Hyun rose to his feet.
"Since it's decided, let's depart at once."
"I don't recall agreeing to go."
The Second Leader gave a small laugh.
"Don't pretend, Peng Sihyeon. Judging by your face, you're dying to set out already."
"......"
"I'll bring one man with me. Lend me three sets of Murim Alliance robes—we'll need disguises in case something happens."
"Very well."
As soon as she answered, Bai Woon-Hyun left the pavilion, and Peng Sihyeon followed.
Silence settled once more.
Then Namgung Jin's voice echoed through the empty hall.
"Well, it seems they've made peace after all."
"Yes. For all their talk of grudges, reconciliation came faster than expected."
Namgung Jin tilted his head.
"But if they were going to reconcile that easily, why fight so fiercely in the first place?"
Tang So-hwa's dim gaze slid sideways.
"... You don't actually expect me to know that, do you?"
"Right. I'm not sure why I even asked that. Let's pretend I didn't."
Neither the heir of the Tang Clan nor that of the Namgung Clan—descendants of the Five Noble Clans—understood the workings of a man's and a woman's heart.
They tried to reason through their behavior... but in the end, comprehension escaped them both.