Ep437 - I Became a Drunkard in a Martial Arts Novel.

An unexpected word emerged. "Sacrifice." After her visit last night. Baek Woo-jin had gathered information regarding the former palace master in his own way. There was no need to incessantly ask people for information. Geum Yeoul. Starting several years ago, she had steadily established trade with the villagers near Bukhaebing Palace, amassing quite a bit of information about the previous palace master. The information he got from her could be summarized with just one word. "A sage ruler." A benevolent leader. She possessed the wisdom to embrace all living within the territory of Bukhaebing Palace. And she was strong enough to ensure they all remained in peace. What then had she sacrificed her life for? Finding the answer was not particularly difficult. “Is it related to the Myriad Year Ice Crystal?” Assuming that everything she said was true. She had mentioned that purifying the tainted Myriad Year Ice Crystal required pure Yin energy. The former palace master was said to be one of the strongest warriors, with very few equals in the entirety of the martial world. Perhaps she had attempted to purify the Myriad Year Ice Crystal, sacrificing herself in the process. Yong Seolan nodded slightly at his question. "You are correct, Daehyup. My mother expended her energy to purify the tainted Myriad Year Ice Crystal." Once she discovered that only pure Yin energy could purify the crystal, she poured every ounce of her energy into it without hesitation. But it wasn't enough. The blackened portion of the crystal that had been corroding was significantly reduced but not completely gone. And that corrupted part turned its fangs on the exhausted former palace master. An overwhelming chill swept over her, who no longer had a trace of internal energy left. No matter how skilled one was in ice techniques, without internal power, there was no surviving the chill of the Myriad Year Ice Crystal. "My mother, weakened from expending her energy, froze on the spot." A frozen body’s sole fate is a cold death. “After my mother, the previous palace master, passed away, I had to ascend to the throne unprepared to stabilize the chaos in the palace, and as you can see, since then…” She spoke with a forlorn smile. "Unlike my mother, I am not strong enough to cleanse the Myriad Year Ice Crystal’s corruption. Even if I was, I lack the nobility to lay my life for it. So I resort to taking Yin energy from village maidens under pretense and impose unreasonable requests on guests who brave the harsh cold." She lowered her gaze slightly, as if experiencing shame. In the shadow of the former palace master, her actions seemed pitiful. Her inadequate skill, the weight on her heart, and even her meager means. Judging from the surface, one might see it as she did—unsophisticated and inferior. Yet. “Doesn’t it mean you’ve managed remarkably well despite the difficulties?” “…?” That notion only holds when comparing superficial facts. “Were you not trying to boast that you’ve effectively utilized what you have to lead the household admirably through challenging times?” Whether her words were true or not, it was unclear. As neither’s true intentions were revealed, deciding whose side to take was impossible. Nonetheless, one couldn’t let her words go unaddressed. He needed to offer some form of consolation, however trivial. So he could see her reaction to his words of comfort. After hearing Baek Woo-jin, she laughed. “Hoho…! You really have a way with words, Daehyup.” Words do hold power. Some words repay a thousand-dollar debt, while others might incur one. Baek Woo-jin was exceedingly skilled at using words to affect others. Paradoxically, it was this understanding that allowed him to ensure others received his words pleasantly. Perhaps that’s why so many men sought his end, and why many women couldn’t help but admire him. “…Yes, I am indeed making full use of what I have to navigate difficult situations.” Nodding in agreement, she met Baek Woo-jin’s calm gaze as she continued. “Do you think I could consider you as one of the things I’ve been given?” At her earnest inquiry, Baek Woo-jin nodded. “If it’s something I can do, I will help.” “…Thank you truly, Daehyup.” “Think nothing of it.” Baek Woo-jin inclined his head with a smile. She wouldn’t know. That his unseen eyes were as cold as ice. * * * After trudging silently across the snow-covered expanse for days. The vast plains came to an end, revealing a forest comprised of bare, leafless trees in the distance. After another half day of treading through the snow that lightly carpeted the spaces between the trees, they arrived at their destination. "There it is." She, walking ahead, pointed to a large cave entrance. Before entering, the martial artists from Bukhaebing Palace began setting up camp. She had mentioned that the inside of the cave was unimaginably colder than it was outside. Therefore, most of the accompanying warriors had to stay behind to tend to the camp, serving as a rest stop for those who couldn't enter the cave. While the camp was being set up, Baek Woo-jin stood facing the inky darkness beyond the cave entrance. "Indeed, it must be cold in there." He could feel it. The formidable chill seeping from within. If it was this palpable from a distance, he dreaded to think what it would be like inside. As a shiver crept over him, despite not yet experiencing it firsthand, he felt a presence. “Daehyup.” Yeon-hui approached him quietly from behind, her voice low. "What is it?" he inquired. She responded, "Inside the cave lies the answer you seek." The answer he desired. Baek Woo-jin had but one question on his mind. Between Yong Seol-ran and Yeon-hui, who was genuine, and who was pretending? "Will it be evident at a glance?" “To be specific, please scrutinize the frozen body of the palace master closely.” The frozen body of the palace master. Could the answer he sought be resting alongside it? “Understood.” While they shared their brief conversation, the camp had been completed. Which meant it was time to enter the cave. As he moved toward the entrance, he saw Yong Seol-ran along with a few others gathered. He also spotted Yeon-hui, with whom he had spoken just moments ago. As he drew closer, Yong Seol-ran greeted him with a light smile. "Ah, Daehyup. We were about to set off... Are you ready?" "I am." "Great. Then let us proceed." One by one, they followed her lead into the cave. And what followed was a dramatic transformation. Hoowooong—! Even the slightest breeze felt like sharp blades on their skin. More astonishing was the fact that even his advanced physique could sense the cold. As Baek Woo-jin's face reflected the unexpected chill he hadn't felt in ages, he thought, 'This is no joke.' Sensing his body dulling, he quickly channeled his internal energy, and the stinging cold vanished as if snow melting under the sun. While it drained his reserves faster than usual, it was a necessary measure. In this uncertain setting, clarity of senses was indispensable. After traversing the frozen path for about half an hour, a faint light emerged in the distance. "That's the exit." Finally, they reached the other end of the cave. Following Yong Seol-ran, they stepped outside to witness— "...Oh." A world of pristine white, as far as the eye could see. Though the scene appeared beautiful, disrupting this whiteness were ominous signs scattered throughout. It was none other than that of people. Figures frozen in place by the biting, harsh cold. Pointing to the perfectly preserved bodies that appeared ready to spring to life should the ice thaw, Baek Woo-jin asked, "How did they end up like this?" With a bittersweet smile, Yong Seol-ran replied, "They were... the former palace masters." "The former palace masters...?" He recalled the words she spoke days ago. Some past palace masters attempted to obtain the Myriad Year Ice Crystal and faced dire consequences. “They rashly tried to seize the Myriad Year Ice Crystal and met their demise.” "...I see." Each frozen figure seemed to face the same direction. Baek Woo-jin moved towards what they collectively indicated, alongside Yong Seol-ran. With every step, the chill intensified. Consequently, his internal energy consumption grew burdensome. Finally, Baek Woo-jin saw it. Bathed in beautiful light and exuding intense cold, nestled within this pristine world was a brilliant white orb. “That must be the Myriad Year Ice Crystal…” No, that was incorrect. The moment he laid eyes upon it, he knew. Its true name was Suhaengshinju, the Divine Cultivation Pearl. The outpouring chill was vast and magnificent. Beyond comprehension, as if graced by divine power. And closest to the radiant orb stood another frozen corpse, seemingly watching over eternity. A face twisted in agony, a body contorted from an unexpected attack. The woman, frozen in the throes of suffering, was encased in ice with her white hair cascading down. With great effort, Yong Seol-ran managed to speak. “That woman... she is the former palace master, my mother.” Through the thick ice, her face bore a striking resemblance to Yong Seol-ran. One might imagine that in a few years, Yong Seol-ran would look exactly the same. “The answer lies hidden within her frozen body.” Recalling Yeon-hui’s words, Baek Woo-jin carefully began examining the frozen figure of the former palace master. And then, he noticed it. A unique feature present only on her body and none of the others. He moved closer to verify his discovery. With each step forward, the chill intensified. It felt as if the surrounding air was warning him to turn back. Ignoring the silent admonitions, he stood before her frozen body, and his hunch was confirmed. “It wasn’t the Myriad Year Ice Crystal.” Her death hadn’t resulted from the Myriad Year Ice Crystal. No, there was a more fundamental mistake in the initial assumption. Yong Seol-ah, the former palace master and Yong Seol-ran’s mother— “…is still alive.” She was alive, encased entirely in ice. --- Author's Note I'll see you in the next chapter. Thank you for reading. Have a comfortable night. (_ _)