Chapter 168
—North Sea Ice Palace...
"Kehkehkeh! I'm telling you, my eye for people is really amazing! As expected, I knew our Jin-seobang would do something big!"
The Lord of the North Sea Ice Palace, Wang Bang-tae, who had received a letter and was reading it.
His daughter, Wang So-yeong, tilted her head at his loud laughter and then, as if a thought had come to her, she asked her father as if scolding him.
"Father! What do you mean, Jin-seobang? Are you perhaps talking about So-ah?!"
"Ah... So-yeong-ah."
"Why do you keep doing that? What if people hear you?"
Although Wang So-yeong was a filial daughter who thought the world of her father, she always set her teeth on edge when it came to matters related to So-ah.
Because the sight of her father, who would call So-ah his son-in-law and burst into loud laughter whenever he had a chance, was truly unsightly.
Moreover, when her father and So-ah first met.
Hadn't So-ah already made a firm statement!
That he would not even think about marriage until the Moyong family had conquered the world.
Also, that Wang So-yeong was just his good friend...
At that time, her pride was honestly hurt.
Wang So-yeong's beauty was acknowledged by even So-ah as the best in the world, and she had received courtship from men at every turn, not only in the North Sea but also when she roamed the Central Plains.
Therefore, she had never even imagined that someone would reject her...
Since So-ah had cut off her father's suggestion to become his son-in-law with a single stroke, a strange feeling of disappointment had shaken Wang So-yeong's heart.
But!
Nevertheless, her father kept mentioning So-ah and calling him son-in-law, son-in-law, and even referring to the Moyong family as his in-laws!
This was like beating the drum and the janggu by himself when the person who was supposed to give the rice cake wasn't even thinking about it, so sometimes Wang So-yeong even felt that her father was pathetic.
"Father. Please stop it now. I don't like So-ah either! Stop trying to pair us up!"
At that, Wang Bang-tae looked at his daughter's intentions.
"Why are you staring at me like that?"
"Do you really not like Young Hero Jin?"
"I said so! So-ah's head is only filled with the Moyong family and money. You wouldn't know, father. How much of a money-grubber So-ah is. I don't want to live like that."
"Really?"
"Yes."
"Really?"
"I said so?!"
"Even like this?"
In an instant.
Wang Bang-tae handed over the letter he was reading.
Since it was clearly a letter sent by So-ah, Wang So-yeong also read the letter with curious eyes.
Soon...
"Wow..."
A cry of admiration flowed from Wang So-yeong's mouth.
Although the content was simple, many things were abbreviated in it.
The matter related to the White Lotus Cult.
The matter of leading the cooperation between the Martial Alliance and the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult.
The matter of the ice spirit stones mined in the North Sea being processed and produced by the Lee family of Shandong, one of the three great chaebols of the Central Plains.
Furthermore, even the matter of asking the North Sea to lend its strength for the subjugation of the White Lotus Cult.
How could she not click her tongue after seeing the letter, which described a track record that was unbelievable for a young man who was only twenty-two years old?
"Kekeke. Look. Do you think there is another young man like Young Hero Jin in the current martial world? To be the son-in-law of this Wang Bang-tae and the husband of the world's most beautiful woman, Wang So-yeong, one must be at least at the level of Young Hero Jin. If you bring a hero's talent who is better than Young Hero Jin, I won't do this either."
"Phew! Father, you're still making such trivial jokes in this situation? The content of this letter is a request for reinforcements from the North Sea Ice Palace, isn't it?"
"That's right. I have already made a promise with Young Hero Jin."
"Then, for us, this is the first time we are directly intervening in the affairs of the Central Plains, but aren't you nervous, father?"
That's right.
The North Sea Ice Palace had closed its eyes and ears to the affairs of the Central Plains and had only existed as a foreign force.
Although they had helped So-ah at the Martial Alliance Hero Tournament before, strictly speaking, that could not be called an official expedition, so this Gansu subjugation would be the first time for the North Sea to exert its influence on the Central Plains.
But.
"Kehkeh! So-yeong-ah... what is there to be nervous about? It is a matter of annihilating the evil of the world with a righteous purpose. There is nothing to be nervous about, and nothing to be afraid of. Besides, I am not supporting the reinforcements to show off the power of the North Sea in the Central Plains. I have decided on this matter solely based on the person named Jin So-ah."
"Father..."
Wang So-yeong was inwardly surprised.
Because she had clearly realized how serious her father's feelings for So-ah were.
"At a glance, it will seem as if the North Sea is unilaterally helping Young Hero Jin. But the reality is different. Young Hero Jin subdued the Gwangpungsa of the Great Desert single-handedly and obtained the Ten Thousand Year Ice Jade Essence, and even obtained the inner core of the Sun Fire Lizard with his own hands. As a result, I have overcome my internal injuries and have been able to live as a martial artist again. Is that all? Thanks to Young Hero Jin's handling of the Snow Mountain Giant, weren't we able to ingest the inner core of the Snow Mountain Giant? Also, through the ice spirit stone distribution business, the North Sea has been able to rake in a fortune. He has bestowed a lot on us."
"Father..."
"I am a person who values trust more than my life. So, I plan to help the Martial Alliance. Of course, this is not a problem that can be seen only with an altruistic mind. If the White Lotus Cult swallows the Central Plains, the next prey will be the North Sea. Perhaps this expedition is a problem that is directly related to the existence of the North Sea, So-yeong-ah."
Wang So-yeong also nodded her head as if she sympathized with her father's words.
Soon.
"Kuhaha! And after this journey, Young Hero Jin and we will become even closer. There is no tree that does not fall after ten strikes. Young Hero Jin will also open his heart and become your husband, So-yeong..."
"Dad-a-a-a!"
Why is the story going in that direction again when it was going so well!
At the anger of his daughter, who was very angry, the Lord of the North Sea Ice Palace, Wang Bang-tae, was reduced to a man with his head bowed today as well.
'Aww! This girl! The more she goes, the more her temper resembles her mother's.'
While he couldn't even say it in front of her.
***
"Wow! Does this really fly in the sky?"
So-ah's group, who had set out on the road to Sichuan.
After moving on the main road for about one shichen, the three entered a deserted mountain path.
Soon, Myo-seon, seeing the carpet that Jeon Woo-chi had pulled out from his bag, burst into admiration with unbelievable eyes.
"Hahaha! That's right, Lady Myo-seon. This carpet flies in the sky. And it's so fast. Recently, it has become able to surpass So-ah's lightness skill, so in fact, no one in the martial world will be able to catch up with the carpet with human power."
Jeon Woo-chi shrugged his shoulders and showed off the carpet as if he were boasting.
Myo-seon still had a dumbfounded look in her eyes.
Just then.
"Brother Woo-chi. Show her quickly. Make our Myo-seon's eyes widen."
As So-ah curled the corners of his lips and urged Jeon Woo-chi,
Jeon Woo-chi unfolded the rolled-up carpet and threw it into the air.
At that.
"Wow!"
Myo-seon's eyes sparkled as she saw the carpet, which was floating in the air by itself as if it had been given life.
But soon, Myo-seon was even more surprised.
"[email protected]#$$%^^&*..."
As a strange murmur that was indistinguishable from language or strange words flowed from Jeon Woo-chi's mouth, wasn't the carpet sinking under the feet of the three people?
Simultaneously.
Jeon Woo-chi and So-ah immediately sat down on the carpet.
And then,
"Myo-seon. What are you doing?"
So-ah said, gesturing with his head.
"Huh?"
"Get on quickly."
"A-Am I supposed to ride that?"
"Then are you not going to ride it? I told you that mobility is important for this operation. It's impossible with lightness skill. We have to go by carpet."
"O-Okay."
At So-ah's words, Myo-seon had no choice but to get on the carpet.
At that, Jeon Woo-chi immediately chanted a spell and lifted the carpet high into the sky.
"Uh... uh-uh?!"
As expected, Myo-seon was surprised by the divine ki and looked around.
At that sight, Jeon Woo-chi and So-ah let out a faint laugh.
"Um... Sir Jeon Woo-chi! This thing, it's not going to fly fast and then fall in the middle, right? Right?"
As it was, the carpet felt full with the three of them sitting on it.
Myo-seon, gently grasping So-ah's side, asked with an anxious voice.
But Jeon Woo-chi shook his head and reassured her as if to say not to worry.
"Lady Myo-seon. The essence of this carpet flying skill is the activation of a spell that defies gravity. You don't have to worry about that. Don't worry. Hahaha!"
"Ah... yes..."
"Now! Then we're off."
"Yes!"
"So-ah, are you ready too?"
"Of course! Let's go, Brother Woo-chi!"
And...
The carpet flew in the sky with a speed that was enough to scatter afterimages.
It was a moment when Myo-seon's eyes widened even more like a lantern at the feeling of passing through space-time.
***
"Eunuch Han... the Embroidered Uniform Guard has been gone for a long time to arrest the Moyong family and Jinmo. But why is there no news?"
Eunuch Han's residence.
The high and low officials of the court, who had boarded the same boat as Eunuch Han and had deceived the emperor, had gathered.
They felt anxious that there had been no results even after a long time since the Embroidered Uniform Guard had set out.
It was the same for Eunuch Han who was engulfed in that anxiety.
No.
Perhaps the most anxious person right now was Eunuch Han...
His low, slightly trembling voice represented his current feelings.
"I don't know what's going on either..."
At that.
"Eunuch Han! What do you mean there's no news? Are you saying that things might have gone wrong! You don't know what's going on. What an irresponsible statement."
Someone raised their voice as if to reprimand Eunuch Han.
Eunuch Han also showed a clear look of discomfort.
"First, let's wait. What else can I do?"
"Tsk! Eunuch Han. What about those White Lotus Cult brats who were supposed to be your helpers, why aren't they giving any help? Aren't they trying to get rid of you as soon as you become a cripple? In my opinion, your scheme has completely failed."
Even at the direct and straightforward one-sentence killing of the middle-aged man, Eunuch Han could not argue.
As he said, after losing the Eastern Depot, having his Sunflower Manual and all his assets stolen, and becoming a cripple, Go Eung of the Gansu cult branch had cut off all contact.
'Did... did the dregs of the Blood Cult really just use me and throw me away!'
It was a miserable feeling.
The life of a powerful person who could even make a flying bird fall had been brutally shattered by a person named Jin So-ah...
'Jin So-ah... you son of a bitch that I can't even chew enough!'
Eunuch Han ground his teeth with anger and resentment towards So-ah.
In that moment.
The outside of the residence was noisy.
"Huh?"
"What is it?"
"Something..."
Therefore, the high-ranking officials who were staying in the room looked at each other and expressed their doubts.
But it didn't take long for that doubt to be resolved.
Soon, a group of figures kicked open the door of the residence and entered.
"Y-You are?"
Eunuch Han's eyes, who had witnessed the faces of the intruders, widened with shock and astonishment.
"Eunuch Han. And everyone here!"
The person who opened his mouth to the people in the room was,
'B-Bao Qingtian, why!'
'Is he with the head of the Embroidered Uniform Guard!'
'Something... is not right.'
...none other than the magistrate of Kaifeng, Bao Qingtian, and on both his sides stood his trusted subordinate, Jeon Ho, and the head of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, Jin Won-tak.
"You have conspired with the heretical cult that practices human sacrifice and have plotted an internal rebellion and treason, and have deceived the ignorant people, and for that crime, you will all be escorted. You have the right to defend yourselves during the national interrogation, and if you have evidence to defend yourselves, you can present it. I will conduct the entire process of the national interrogation solely on the basis of the national law."
At that.
"W-What are you talking about! Bao Zheng!"
"Bao Zheng. I am strictly your superior!"
"Internal rebellion, treason, and a heretical religion! I know nothing of it!"
The people shouted at Bao Qingtian with a convulsive attitude.
At that, the head of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, Jin Won-tak, who had been silent, opened his mouth in a low voice.
"All of this is by the imperial command of His Majesty the Emperor. Also, our Embroidered Uniform Guard has the right to carry out summary executions of anyone except His Majesty in an emergency. If you submit to the command."
Jin Won-tak drew his sword.
The officials trembled their shoulders as they saw his sword, which was sharp and menacing.
"I will slaughter you all in this place.”
(End of Chapter)