608 - Childhood Friend of the Zenith

Chapter 608: The Curse of the Ice Palace. What did I just hear? My mind turned blank, unable to process what had just been said. 'Who is who?' And even more, who did what? The words I heard struck me so deeply that it felt as if time had stopped. "What did you just say?" I asked the palace master again. I needed to ask again. And it had to be a mistake. I must have misheard. It absolutely had to be wrong. Despite fervently hoping and looking for a different answer. [You heard correctly. It was said that someone called Wuhyuk led a rebellion.] Unfortunately, it seemed I hadn’t misheard. “....” Countless words formed in my mind, but none came out of my mouth. I struggled to organize my thoughts. They were impossibly tangled, but now was the time to unravel them. Yes, it was definitely the time to sort them out. 'That Wuhyuk guy, did what?' I couldn’t wrap my head around it. The news was that shocking. ‘What did that bastard do?’ What did it say? Was it referenced as some Bi-Og-Wun? Whether it was a name or a title, I'm not sure. Anyway, the words claimed that this so-called Bi-Og-Wun backed by the Ice Palace’s bloodline initiated a rebellion. And that… 'That bastard was Wuhyuk?' Even more, it said he was born into a renowned family from the North Sea, meaning his lineage wasn’t from Central Plains but from the North Sea. A person born in the North Sea ended up in Central Plains and became associated with Wudang. How is that possible? No, let’s set that aside for now. "Is what you said really true?" I needed to determine whether the palace master’s words were true. [Why? Does it sound like a lie?] “It’s not something I can easily believe.” [I see. It’s understandable.] For me, it was completely unexpected. Finding out that Wuhyuk was suddenly from the North Sea, or that he was of a renowned family’s bloodline here. And especially, believing that someone who seemed to have no desires or greed initiated a rebellion. None of it was something I could easily accept. As I expressed my bewilderment with my eyes at the palace master. [I understand why you might find it hard to believe. It must be quite sudden.] The palace master continued to speak. The problem was. There was a subtle noise around us. “…?” And the cold surrounding us seemed to intensify. The cold appeared like a mist but you could see its shape subtly changing. What once was round started to grow sharp. Besides, the pressure weighing down on my shoulders increased. I frowned at the oncoming sensation. “What exactly are you doing here?” I stared at the palace master as I asked, and he spoke while watching me. [As you said. It may be sudden, but the situation isn’t exactly ideal.] “Ha.” Hearing those words, I let out a hollow laugh. In a rapidly shifting atmosphere, I finally realized what this situation was about. I locked eyes with the palace master. That persistent gaze was irritating. I spoke while looking at it. “So, are you saying you suspect me too?” [It is simply a matter of confirmation.] “Does this seem simple to you? Looks like you’re just intending to devour someone.” Considering that the palace master sought me out immediately upon waking, I thought it was a rather urgent matter. ‘Was this intended to be an interrogation?’ My mood soured instantly. It was too rude to be considered a simple greeting. And it was too courteous to be considered an interrogation. Creak. Due to the cold, the feeling of my feet freezing advanced little by little. Rummmm-! Inside my body, the circular movements of the Nine Suns Ring Technique began to rotate on their own. Naturally, the heat circulated to ward off the cold. What on earth was happening right now? ‘I'm already hanging on by a thread.’ Keeping my sanity intact is tough enough as it is. And now, this pointless nonsense keeps popping up. “Palace master.” Ignoring the cold I felt, I addressed the palace master. “Don’t you know why I’m here right now?” My voice carried all its emotions. [I am aware.] I let out another laugh at those words. “You're aware?” I came from Central Plains to save the palace master’s life. It sounds quite absurd to refer to myself as a benefactor, but— From the palace master's perspective, I indeed seem like a benefactor. But. “You’re aware, yet you treat me like this?” The pressure that made breathing difficult tightened. The sharp cold air circled around my neck. “Is this how you treat a guest? Is this how things are done in the North Sea?” Treating someone who came to save your life like this. It was as good as picking a fight. [Mr. Gu.] The palace master called out to me. I didn’t respond aloud. [Do you truly believe you can break this curse?] “I don’t know. I’ll only know once I try. How could I know before?” Treating Moorong He-ya and the current condition of the palace master were worlds apart. I said it before, but I can’t be certain. [Indeed, certainty is not what this is about.] “Is that the problem?” Whether I could treat him or not, couldn’t tell yet. Was that the issue, I wondered? [No, that’s not really the issue here.] With those words, the chill thickened a bit more. [In the first place, whether you could truly treat me or not wasn’t really important.] “What now?” [In a situation where suspicions arise, I wouldn’t be so foolish as to entrust my body to someone under suspicion.] The palace master’s pale blue vertically slit pupils glimmered with light. [Apart from all that, I never intended to receive treatment from the start.] "What?" Instinctively, I questioned the palace master’s statement. What did he just say? ‘He never intended to receive treatment?’ What kind of nonsense is this, I wondered. It didn’t make sense. If the palace master never intended to receive treatment. “Then why did you seek me out?” The reason I was here in the first place. “Did you really call me just for an interrogation?” Had he intended to examine me merely because of my connection to Wuhyuk? Multiple doubts circled my mind when. [At first, it was out of curiosity.] I heard the palace master say. [I was curious about you, as described by the second lady. And intrigued by the familiar energy I sensed from long ago.] That familiar energy; does he mean— ‘He’s referring to Nine Suns Ring Technique.’ So he indeed had met my father before. It seemed to be precisely because of that. [The second reason is because you were said to be close friends with Bi-Og-Wun.] “Are you saying this is indeed an interrogation?” [I must verify if that is the truth.] The palace master did not deny my words. This indeed seemed to be an interrogation. [Therefore, I hope you answer truthfully.] The cold became so intense it was beginning to affect my skin directly. Creak. Frost was forming. The sensation was uncomfortable and unpleasant. It felt like bugs crawling on my skin. It was just the cold, yet it felt so repulsive. [I have no desire to harm the son of a dear friend.] “...” It was nothing short of a deadly threat. The palace master seemed intent on demonstrating that his words were no mere warning; the sharp energy was entirely aimed at me. I glanced at him and asked. “You mentioned being friends with my father, yet you can treat me like this?” [Even if he is my friend, you, Mr. Gu, are not.] “Truly, a rather cold reply.” A friend is a friend, and a son is just a son, it seems. As expected from the master of ice, he drew clear lines coldly. [Let me ask you.] [Are you truly friends with Bi-Og-Wun?] I nodded slightly at the question. The inquiry was somewhat peculiar. If it's true that Wuhyuk is Bi-Og-Wun, then naturally, it’s known that I’m friends with him. So the question really is…did I ‘participate’ in Bi-Og-Wun’s rebellion or not? But the question wasn't about that. It was merely asking if we were friends? ‘What's this about?’ I squinted my eyes as I stared at the palace master. Why would he frame the question like that? The conclusion came to mind swiftly. The question was likely, ‘Are you still friends even now?’ Are you still friends with him despite knowing he committed rebellion? That seemed to be the essence of the palace master’s question. Examining it in more detail, Will you sever ties with Wuhyuk and stand on this side? Or will you maintain your friendship with him? That would be the correct interpretation. With that, I asked the palace master directly. “If I say, yes, I am still friends with him, what will you do?” [Hmm….] Creep-! The ice climbing up from my feet became a bit more solid. [Well. I would prefer you didn’t find out.] “Ha ha.” I had a feeling, even without him saying it outright. If I agree here, they have no intention of letting me leave peacefully. I nodded. That much was acceptable. Then. “Palace master.” [Speak.] “Did you also summon my companions to your chambers and interrogate them in this manner?” As I posed my question, the palace master's gaze shifted ever so slightly. It seemed he hadn’t anticipated such a question. A brief silence settled in. During that time, I continued to look directly at the palace master. After waiting a few seconds, He seemed to deliberate for a moment before finally speaking. [If I did, what would you...] Before the palace master could finish his sentence, “Then you, you'll die here by my hands.” Heat erupted from within me. Whoosh---!! Inside my heart, the circle of the Nine Suns Ring Technique spun rapidly and expanded. Blue flames erupted across my shoulders. Whoosh-! The flames spread, swallowing the cold aimed at me. Creak-! The ice once binding my feet shattered, unable to impede my steps. As I stepped forward aggressively, I spoke to the palace master. “Answer properly. Or else I might really kill you.” My patience was wearing thin.