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Chapter 584: Nice to Meet You.

North Sea.

A place where snow falls year-round, and the blade-like cold sweeps through.

I’ve heard that the chill was always strong, but it turned into a calamity after the death of the White Grade Demon Beast, the Snow Dragon.

I had never been there in my previous life.

It wasn’t quite right to call it the Central Plains.

‘The New Outer Martial World.’

Yeah, that’s it—the New Outer Martial World.

Even though the Central Plains is already a vast land, this world stretches even farther.

In the name of managing the current Central Plains, the Martial Alliance’s influence does not reach there, and the factions live in mutual vigilance.

Originally, they weren’t on bad terms, but also not particularly friendly.

However, over twenty years ago, the ruler of the North Sea, the Ice Palace Lord, caused a stir by visiting the Central Plains.

“They said he clashed with the Sword Sovereign.”

The reason remains unknown, but the Ice Palace Lord fought with the then-clan leader, the Sword Sovereign.

The aftermath of the battle reportedly devastated the surrounding mountains and vast terrain.

After that.

The Martial Alliance blocked all routes going to the North Sea.

“Thanks to that, all the upper houses trading with the Ice Palace back then were rocked.”

Honestly, I have no recollection of those events.

Only records mention them.

As time has passed, here we are now.

The relationship between the Martial Alliance and Ice Palace is still not good.

They are not classified as hostile forces, nor are they adopting an aggressive stance.

People from the Central Plains are effectively forbidden from going to the North Sea.

Ah, of course, you can go if you have the Martial Alliance’s permission.

However, since the law was announced, no one has received permission to travel to the North Sea.

This means that the Martial Alliance is merely giving lip service without any intention to grant actual permission.

‘This situation is so peculiar…’

And suddenly, they mention the young princess of the North Sea Ice Palace?

‘What’s going on?’

I couldn’t easily react to Lady Mi’s words.

It always happened that when unexpected events occurred, they had never happened in my previous life.

Sure enough, this was something that hadn’t happened before.

Back when the Heavenly Demon caused the Blood Calamity, the North Sea showed no movement.

‘Not even a member of their bloodline came to the Central Plains.’

I don’t know how many records exist on this, but at least I only know of one person.

Moyong Hi-ah’s mother.

I had heard that she was of the Ice Palace’s bloodline, but that was before the Ice Palace Lord stirred up trouble.

But now, the young princess shows up?

And not just any faction, but the Baekhwa Sect?

There were so many confusing things.

If this statement is true…

‘The Martial Alliance couldn’t have allowed this.’

It would mean that the Martial Alliance permitted a member of the North Sea bloodline to step into the Central Plains.

Moreover, it means they handed off responsibilities to another faction without doing any work themselves.

That wasn’t a possibility in any way you looked at it.

‘What on earth are they up to?’

I didn’t think the Martial Alliance and the Baekhwa Sect could have collaborated on something.

Judging by the current circumstances, the problem lay with the Ice Palace.

The Martial Alliance had accepted such humiliation, meaning the Ice Palace offered some condition.

What could that be?

What did they offer, and how would it affect the situation?

It was quite bothersome.

Damn it.

‘As if I didn’t have enough to worry about already.’

I didn’t want to get entangled in anything further here.

But….

‘Isn’t it already too late for that?’

The fact that I might be involved in this matter.

The request Lady Mi seemed to want to make.

Considering the current situation, it must relate to the Ice Palace.

Am I in any position to get involved with the Ice Palace?

I wasn’t sure.

Thus, I quietly studied Lady Mi.

First, I had to hear the explanation.

As I waited for her to speak, she continued.

“I heard that the fourth child of the Ice Palace Lord has already arrived in Hanam today.”

“…”

I widened my eyes at her words.

They weren’t just coming—they were already here.

“Soon, they should reach the upper house…”

As she spoke, I noticed a change in Lady Mi’s gaze toward me.

What kind of look is that?

“I’m sure you’ve caught on already, but I have a request regarding this matter.”

“…Yes.”

Just as I expected. It was indeed a request concerning the Ice Palace.

The situation was becoming increasingly burdensome, and I couldn’t help but frown.

What kind of request could it possibly be?

Could I refuse? If so, I’d want to reject it outright without even listening.

Of course, that wouldn’t be possible.

Damn it.

“What do you mean by a request…?”

I cautiously inquired.

“Actually, regarding this young princess…”

Just as Lady Mi was about to elaborate, a frantic presence was felt from the direction of the door.

Bang-!

Immediately, the door burst open, and a man entered. By his clothing, he seemed to be from the upper house.

His abrupt entrance made Lady Mi furrow her brow for once.

“D-Danju!”

The tense atmosphere shifted dramatically at his agitated tone.

Seeing that, I thought to myself.

It was evident.

It always was.

“There’s a problem…”

“A problem?”

“Yes… The young princess…”

For reasons unknown, if it involved me, things never transpired smoothly, and that was the case here.

“…has attempted to escape.”

And here we go again.

The street sprawled wide.

The blazing sun.

The unmistakable heat and the throngs of people filled the street.

Noon in Hanam was always like this.

Especially now, as we were heading into summer. There were already crowds.

Furthermore, with the martial arts tournament being organized by the Alliance soon, the crowd was beginning to swell.

“It’s unusually hot this year.”

“Isn’t that something you say every year?”

“That’s true.”

People gathered under a shaded tent to avoid the heat.

While fanning themselves, they spent their time idly.

“Oh, did you hear about Granny Jin this time…? Huh?”

As they started to converse, they suddenly noticed that everyone’s gaze fixed somewhere.

The man turned his head, and it became immediately clear.

Amidst the crowd, someone stood out in an unusual way.

“What on earth is that?”

“Isn’t it hot?”

“Who would wear that in this heat…?”

There was reason for their curiosity.

It was the season where if one stood still, sweat began to bead.

It was tough even with just a fan.

Yet there, a figure garbed in fur was visible.

The clothing was piled on so thickly that their face was barely visible.

From a glance, it looked like someone was dressed for a frigid winter, not just any winter but a cold snap.

No matter how you looked at it, that was not suitable attire for summer.

That’s why surrounding eyes were drawn toward them.

However, the person in question seemed entirely unfazed by it.

What occupied her mind was singular:

‘There are so many people.’

The packed crowd.

While she could sense the eyes subtly observing her, she preferred the situation as it was.

She could feel the heat.

It was different from the sharp cold of her hometown.

Unlike the empty streets, feared by the cold, this place was filled with the sounds of people.

Just as she had seen in a book long ago.

The woman was utterly enchanted by it all.

‘Yes… this is what I wanted to see.’

It was the scene she had longed to witness.

The backdrop that matched her imagination was astonishingly pleasing.

The woman brushed her shoulder gently.

A slight pain pierced her.

‘Did I hurt myself?’

It probably wasn’t an injury. It didn’t hurt that much.

Moments ago, she had bumped into a hurried man while wandering the streets.

The anxious-looking man had pushed past her forcefully before disappearing.

That must have caused that momentary jolt.

‘Hmm….’

It wasn’t so bad that it required treatment, so she decided to let it slide.

Perhaps since it was a situation unfamiliar to her hometown, it felt otherworldly.

The Central Plains—a truly mystical place.

“Where shall I go next?”

She mused while shifting her steps.

Time was of the essence.

Though she had managed to escape by good fortune, she realized she would be caught soon enough.

Otherwise, she would surely face her father’s wrath.

That would be a big deal.

In reality, she could have avoided this mess altogether if she hadn’t run away in the first place.

‘But, what can I do? I want to see.’

It was a spectacle she wished to witness.

If she missed this chance, she might never see it again. Thus, the woman determined she must take in the moment now.

‘Now, where to go next?’

She had seen enough of the current place.

Ah, not enough, but she needed to see other locations, so it was time to move.

The woman turned her gaze.

Her light blue eyes, visible through the gaps in her clothing, settled on a certain direction.

‘That’s….’

The alley where the man who had pushed her disappeared.

That was it.

‘What will I find if I go there?’

There were many things she wished to see.

She wanted to visit the famed Shaolin, and if she had her way, she would like to visit the Martial Alliance as well.

Before leaving her hometown, her father gave her his stern warning.

[Don’t go to the Martial Alliance.]

She had certainly heard those words, but they had long since been wiped from her mind.

Had she taken that to heart, she probably wouldn’t have run away in the first place.

Her footsteps began to move.

The woman was already entering the alley.

As she slipped in, the clamor of the crowd quickly dwindled away.

It was a quiet alley far removed from the bustling Hanam.

The narrow path looked somewhat neglected, as though it hadn’t been maintained at all.

Through that space, the woman took slow strides.

So much was new to her.

Everything that was not covered in snow was a new experience.

The faint smell of smoke.

The dusty alley.

She ingrained every visible detail in her memory.

As she continued on her way, she suddenly halted.

“Hmm?”

The woman paused and fixed her gaze on something.

At first glance, there seemed to be nothing there.

Just cracked pavement and a layer of dust to be seen.

Undoubtedly so, but for some reason, that spot caught her attention.

What could it be?

Why did she feel that way?

With curiosity swirling in her mind, she took a step closer.

Then she reached out, as if something lay hidden there, but—

Nothing could be felt.

“Just an illusion?”

That seemed to be the case.

The woman chuckled lightly.

It was evident there was nothing, so why had she tried to touch it?

She was aware of the innocence within her excitement.

There couldn’t possibly be anything there.

Just as she resolved to move on—

She froze!

Something caught her eye.

Before her stood someone.

A young man gazing at her with curious eyes.

Pale skin with yellow irises.

His long black hair was loosely worn, giving off a somewhat eerie and enclosing aura.

Where did he suddenly come from? Just as she was about to question it—

“I found you.”

The young man stated.

“You match the description I was given.”

“…!”

Upon hearing that, the woman swiftly turned around.

This was bad. It seemed she had been found out.

As she promptly prepared to flee, she pushed off the ground—

“Ah!”

But there was already someone standing behind her.

It was a woman, small in stature, wearing a veil.

Though her face was obscured, her flowing green hair was quite striking.

She was trapped, front and back.

…What to do?

It didn’t seem easy to break through either direction.

As the woman gulped nervously, lost in thought.

“Ugh.”

From somewhere, a sigh was audible.

It seemed to come from behind the veiled woman.

“Damn it, to be playing tag at this age… what a ridiculous sight…”

The frustration was palpable in that voice.

Hearing it made the woman subtly tilt her head.

And then she saw it.

The young man casually walking up behind the veiled woman.

With thick hair and black eyes.

He was draped in an unremarkable black martial robe.

Visually, he appeared less distinctive compared to the other two she had met.

Yet somehow, there was something about him that drew the eye.

Was it those fiercely sharp eyes? Or the apparent annoyance etched on his face?

Whatever it was, the woman felt a strange sensation looking at the young man.

The young man, Gu Yangcheong, did not hide his emotions and furrowed his brow as he spoke to the woman.

“You don’t seem very young, so why are you here playing alone chasing after something childish?”

“…”

It was a tone she had never heard before.

In her life, she had never encountered such an attitude.

“Lady Mi needs to send someone after you. Of all times to get lost….”

It seemed he believed she was lost.

Though she couldn’t catch the ending of his sentence, it contained clear implications.

The woman silently observed him.

Then, she raised her hand to adjust her fur hat.

Her vision that had been obscured could finally be cleared.

“Anyway, that’s enough….”

Gu Yangcheong tried to continue speaking, but he quickly closed his mouth.

The moment the young woman moved her cloak, revealing her face.

In the brief moment of exposure, her bright light blue eyes appeared.

The color resembled someone he knew all too well.

How could that be?

It was said that this eye color was symbolic of the North Sea bloodline.

Unlike her, this woman bore pure blood, so it was not surprising.

But…. the problem wasn’t the eye color.

“…Oh no. I wanted to enjoy this a bit longer.”

Her voice made Gu Yangcheong’s eyes widen.

With an unmistakable tone of mischief.

The white hair visible beneath the fur cloak made her exactly match the description he was given.

But—

‘What the hell?’

Why?

(Illustration)

“Looks like I’ve already been discovered.”

The woman spoke with a smile that bore a striking resemblance to Moyong Hi-ah.

 

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