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<Chapter 608: The Curse of the Ice Spirit>

What did I just hear?

My mind went blank, spinning in confusion.

‘Who said what?’

And who did what exactly?

The words I heard made it feel like the world had come to a standstill.

“What did you just say?”

I asked Gungju.

I had to ask.

And it had to be a misunderstanding.

There was no way I heard it correctly.

It absolutely couldn’t be true.

But no matter how much I wished and hoped—

[It is said that the one known as Sleeping Dragon Woo Hyeok is leading the rebellion.]

It seems I did not mishear it after all.

“….”

Countless thoughts raced through my mind, but nothing came out.

I had to sort it all out somehow.

It was incredibly complicated, but I needed to clarify it.

Yes, it was definitely time to sort things out.

‘What did Woo Hyeok say?’

My thoughts tangled up in confusion.

It was shocking news.

‘That little brat Woo Hyeok?’

What did he say again?

Did he mention Biwaegun?

I wasn’t sure if it was a name or a title.

Either way, it meant that this Biwaegun was the one who instigated the rebellion, supported by the Bloodline of the Ice Palace.

And that meant—

‘It’s Woo Hyeok?’

Even more so, being born from a well-known family from the North Sea meant he wasn’t a bloodline from the Central Plains, but from the North Sea.

How could a person born in the North Sea end up in Wudang?

Forget that for now.

“Is that really true?”

I needed to determine whether what Gungju said was the truth.

[Why? Do you think it’s a lie?]

“It’s not something you can believe so easily.”

[Ah, I see. That makes sense.]

This was something I didn’t expect.

The fact that this Woo Hyeok was suddenly born in the North Sea.

That he belonged to a famous family here.

Furthermore, that the man who seemed to harbor no greed would instigate a rebellion.

I couldn’t believe any of it.

With that thought, my bewildered gaze fixed on Gungju.

[I understand that not believing it is natural. It must be a shock.]

Gungju continued to speak to me.

The problem was—

A soft sound began to fill the air around us.

“…?”

The chill encompassing the surroundings grew thicker.

The cold was hazy like mist, but I could see it subtly changing shape.

What was once round was gradually becoming sharper.

Also, the pressure weighing down on my shoulders increased.

I had to frown at all this sensation.

“What’s going on right now?”

I glared at Gungju, asking. He looked at me and replied.

[As you say. It may be sudden, but the situation isn’t good.]

“Ha.”

I chuckled hollowly at those words.

Amidst the shifting atmosphere, I finally realized what this situation was.

I locked eyes with Gungju.

His gaze still felt intrusive. I spoke while looking at him.

“So, are you saying that I’m under suspicion too?”

[It’s just a simple confirmation.]

“Does this look simple to you? You’re clearly ready to devour me alive.”

Waking up to find Gungju looking for me, I thought there must be an urgent situation.

‘Was the interrogation the intention?’

My mood soured in an instant.

It was too rude to call this a simple greeting.

Yet, it felt too polite to label it an interrogation.

The chill, perhaps due to the cold, began to freeze my toes.

Whoooom-!

Suddenly, the ring of the Technique of the Flame Wheel began spinning uncontrollably within me.

As my instincts heated up to push away the chill.

What kind of situation is this?

‘Damn it.’

I could barely keep my sanity in check.

Insignificant matters kept piling up.

“Gungju.”

Ignoring the chill I felt, I addressed Gungju.

“Do you have any idea why I’m here right now?”

Emotion tangled itself within my voice.

[I know.]

That made me laugh again.

“You know?”

I was a noble person who came all the way from the Central Plains to save Gungju.

It was absurd to call myself a noble person, yet Gungju seemed to consider me one.

But—

“Then why are you treating me like this?”

The pressure tightened around me to the point where even breathing was a challenge.

The coldness now sharply curling around my neck.

“Is this how you treat your guest? Is this how it works in the North Sea?”

To treat someone who came to save their life like this?

It was practically an invitation to a fight.

[Gu Gongja.]

Gungju called me.

I didn’t respond.

[Do you truly believe you can break this curse?]

“I don’t know. I’ll only know if I try. How could I possibly know?”

Treating Moyong Hi-ah was one thing entirely.

Gungju’s current condition was a different matter altogether.

Like I said before, I couldn’t be certain.

[Indeed, it is not certainty.]

“Is that the problem?”

Whether I could treat him or not was the issue?

[No, that isn’t particularly the problem.]

With that statement, the coldness grew sharper.

[From the start, whether or not I can truly be treated is not what’s important.]

“What does that mean?”

[In circumstances suggesting suspicion, I am not foolish enough to hand myself over.]

Gungju’s sharp blue pupils absorbed the light.

[I have no intention of receiving treatment in the first place.]

“What?”

I blurted out without thinking, taken aback by what Gungju just said.

‘No intention of receiving treatment?’

What kind of absurdity was that?

If Gungju truly said he had no intention to seek treatment—

“Then why did you call for me?”

What was the reason I was here?

“Are you seriously looking to interrogate me?”

Was it just because of the connection to Woo Hyeok?

As the various questions flitted through my mind—

[The initial reason was curiosity.]

Gungju’s voice cut through the noise.

[I was curious about the person the lady mentioned, and the energy I felt from long ago.]

That familiar energy he mentioned meant—

‘Was it about the Technique of the Flame Wheel?’

He mentioned having met my father once.

So that must have been the reason.

[The second reason is related to the friendship with Biwaegun.]

“Are you saying this is an interrogation?”

[We must confirm that, yes.]

Gungju did not refute my statement.

This meant it indeed was an interrogation.

[Therefore, I hope you will answer well.]

Now, the coldness had thickened to the point where it began reacting directly with my skin.

The chill bit at me.

It was an uncomfortable and terrible sensation.

Like insects crawling on my skin.

It was just cold, but why was it so repulsive?

[I don’t wish to inflict harm on the child of a friend.]

“…”

That was hardly a subtle threat.

Gungju, in an attempt to convey that his words were more than idle threats, directed all the sharp energy at me.

Observing the situation, I asked.

“You said my father was a friend, yet you feel free to treat me like this?”

[Even if he declares my friend, that does not mean Gu Gongja is my friend.]

“What a truly cold response.”

Friend is friend, son is son.

That was how I read it—how chilling to draw the line like that.

[I will ask.]

[Are you indeed friends with Biwaegun?]

Hearing that made me nod slightly.

The question was somewhat peculiar.

If Woo Hyeok was indeed Biwaegun, then he would know I was friends with him.

Then, what Gungju was really asking was…if I ‘participated’ in the rebellion or not, huh?

But no, he was asking if we were still friends?

‘Look at this?’

I squinted at Gungju.

What was his real reason for asking that?

The conclusion quickly surfaced.

That question likely meant—

‘Do you still consider him a friend even knowing he has committed treason?’

Gungju’s inquiry was that.

To elaborate further, would I cut ties with Woo Hyeok, or would I choose to maintain that friendship.

That would indeed be the most fitting interpretation.

Hearing this, I directly questioned Gungju.

“If I say yes, that I am still friends with him, what will you do?”

[Hmm… ]

The ice creeping up from my toes grew even sturdier.

[Well, I hope you wouldn’t be curious about that.]

“Ha ha.”

I could almost predict the answer without needing him to say it.

If I agreed, it would mean he wouldn’t let me go easily.

I nodded.

Up to this point, that much was understandable.

Then—

“Gungju.”

[Speak.]

“Did you perhaps interrogate my companions in this same manner when they were called to your room?”

I asked, and Gungju’s gaze shifted slightly.

His expression seemed to say he hadn’t expected that question.

A brief silence followed.

During that time, I kept my eyes on Gungju’s, waiting.

After a few seconds, he seemed to contemplate seriously before finally speaking.

[If that were the case, what would you do…?]

Before Gungju could finish his sentence—

“Then you’ll die here.”

Heat burst forth from my body.

Fwoosh—!!

The ring of the Technique of the Flame Wheel rapidly rotated and expanded inside my heart.

Blue flames exploded down my shoulders.

Fwoosh-!

The blue flames widened, engulfing the cold that had been targeting me.

Crash-!

The ice that had bound my feet shattered, unable to restrain my stride.

Walking heavily, I addressed Gungju.

“Answer me clearly. I really might kill you.”

I couldn’t hold it any longer.

 

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