650 - Childhood Friend of the Zenith

**Chapter 650: Back to Central Plains** Three days had passed since the fierce battle against Mang and the white beast. Although it was a short period, noticeable changes were happening in the Northern Seas. "Charge!" Waaah---!!! The war had not ended. Despite Yuseon setting things ablaze under Mang's orchestration, their participation in the rebellion remained unchanged. The remaining warriors continued their fight to reclaim the palace. Ultimately, it didn’t take long to regain the palace. 'From the start, the full forces weren't concentrated in the palace.' A general who participated in the rebellion was positioned under the Blue Wolf, whose main base was in a remote area. Hearing this, I wondered why they hadn't stationed more forces in what must have been a symbolically significant palace. How should I put it? 'It felt like a formation assuming defeat.' Had they never intended to win from the beginning? Then, what was the war for? I couldn’t understand. 'If it were me...' I would have swiftly executed the captured kin to boost morale among the troops. Knowing the enemy leader was weakened and their hideout discovered, I wouldn’t have hesitated to destroy it. Yet, Yuseon did none of that. Despite having the power and forces, she refrained from doing anything significant. Why was that? 'Now that she's dead, I can't ask her.' We reclaimed the palace with not many forces. I accompanied the Black Lion simply out of boredom and surprisingly, it was uncomplicated. There, I saw her. The lifeless body of Yuseon. I burned it as soon as I saw it. The Black Lion questioned why I would set it on fire. [Because I couldn’t stand the sight.] I shrugged it off with a casual remark. Her withered body seemed oddly peaceful. A disgraceful end for a woman once so beautiful, and a pathetic finale for someone I once clashed with. So, I burned it. Rather than taking that miserable sight to her father, it seemed better to claim I disposed of it out of sheer disdain. I walked down a corridor that seemed cracked and worn. There was no one to guide me. If anyone, only Seongyul led the way, ahead of me. "Hey." "Yes." "What happened to the other kin?" In the underground of the palace—not the ice well, but the prison for criminals—other kin from the Ice Palace were imprisoned. It was Ilgongja and Igongja we found. Ilgongja appeared fine, albeit with dehydration. However, Igongja had lost his right leg. Without turning his head, Seongyul responded to my inquiry. "Ilgongja is resting, and Igongja hasn’t regained consciousness yet." "Hmm, so they're alive." Why were they kept alive? This was the biggest question. The kin. Especially the men. Keeping them alive would only be a hindrance if one intended to become the lord of the palace someday. 'Was there perhaps some affection?' That seemed unlikely. I couldn’t say. ‘It bothers me that they left Ilgongja be, but dismembered Igongja.’ How should I put it? 'It feels like there was a separate reason for doing that only to Igongja.' I heard from Yuri before that Igongja, being more talented, couldn’t accept Ilgongja becoming the palace's young lord. 'Could it be because of that?' Perhaps they cut his leg to ensure he couldn’t overstep. I suddenly thought it might be for that reason. 'But why go to such lengths?' I still couldn’t understand Yuseon’s actions. "You know." I posed another question to Seongyul, who was walking ahead. "Yes." "Is there something like a villain with a reason?" A pause. Seongyul halted briefly upon hearing the question. He then looked at me and answered. "I believe there could be. No one is without a story." Everyone has a story and narrative. While there are naturally bad people, there are also those who became bad by circumstance. In that case... "Does having a story justify forgiving them?" "…" Without changing his expression, Seongyul continued. "What do you think, sir?" "Not sure." Though I feigned ignorance, I knew full well. 'I'm not interested.' I held no interest in their backstories or tales. I didn’t care whether they were virtuous or villainous. The only difference to me was whether they obstructed my path or not. ‘Though if they’re somewhat good, I might spare them.’ It would depend on the situation. It may seem selfish and indecisive, but that’s probably how I’d act. "…" After hearing my response, Seongyul stared at me briefly before nodding slightly. "Yes, I feel the same." "You cheeky, copying me because you've nothing else to say?" "…" I smirked at Seongyul’s demeanor and continued walking down the corridor. This small talk wasn’t solely about Yuseon. It was similar to the Dark Flame Demon in my past life, and the Sword Demon too. A villain is a villain. No matter the stories they had, those who died by my hand needn’t understand them. It would be the same with Yuseon. Regardless of what thoughts she held or choices she made during her life. It was irrelevant to me. That was all there was to it. Screeeech-! Following Seongyul’s lead, I approached a large door, which naturally opened as I drew near. Cold air, distinct from the outside, brushed against my body. I felt the chill and lifted my gaze. ‘It looked like it absorbed all the energy. Seems there's some left.’ On the throne directly ahead—where Yuseon once sat—another figure was seated. "I apologize for summoning you." "Your body must still be recovering. Is it wise to be seated there?" It was the Ice Palace Master, a half-dragon and the rightful owner of the Ice Palace. He gave a faint smile as he replied. "I can’t leave this seat vacant for too long, you see." "Hmm." The Lord’s treatment was not yet complete. The constant fracturing had left severe internal and external injuries. Surviving was fortunate enough. ‘Despite how he looks, he appears fine.’ After absorbing the frost, the Lord received treatment and thankfully survived. Moreover. ‘His dragon transformation reverted too.’ After absorbing all the frost, his scale-ridden skin returned to normal, and his frozen body reverted as well. Also. ‘The cold temperature in the Northern Seas is gradually rising due to the disappearance of the frost energy.’ Thanks to absorbing all of the Ice Essence’s energy, the Northern Seas were now under clear blue skies. The persistent cold remained, but everyone could feel the subtle change in the climate. Had the curse of the Ice Essence been lifted? It seemed that way to me. ‘Whatever it is, it's different from the curse of the Dark King.’ Step by step, I approached the palace master. I felt their gazes on me. A few men, including the Black Lion, were positioned around. ‘All martial artists of the Huakyung level.’ Two of them were on par with the Black Lion. ‘Are they the generals of the army?’ I nodded. This meant the martial warriors were those who remained loyal and didn’t betray. “In usual circumstances...I would have personally sought you out. But as I'm still in poor health, I apologize for calling you here.” “That doesn’t matter much. My legs aren’t that heavy after all.” “Thank you for understanding.” The Ice Palace Master gave a slight smile at my words. Observing this, I inquired. “May I ask why you summoned me?” For the past three days, I hadn’t been able to meet with the palace master. Their treatment took priority, and I had matters of my own to attend to. “I called you, naturally, to express my gratitude.” Gently, the palace master rose from the throne and knelt down right on the floor. “Palace Master--!” “How could--!” The guards and generals rushed to stop him, but the palace master raised a hand to halt them. “How could I not kneel to my benefactor? I am willing to do much more, so don't stop me.” In the end, the palace master knelt, and I stood there, quietly watching him. “Thank you.” “…I only helped because I had some spare time. There’s no need for thanks.” “For saving the Northern Seas, I am truly thankful.” “…” Hearing his words, I held my tongue and clicked my tongue internally. I thought he was thanking us for aiding in reclaiming the Ice Palace, but apparently, he knew more. ‘He knows I absorbed all the Ice Essence’s energy.' I had subtly pretended otherwise, but it seemed the palace master was aware all along. “Surely, you won’t reprimand me for this?” “Hm? What do you mean?” “I mean, it’d be troublesome if you demanded the return of all that energy.” Having absorbed all of the abundant Ice Essence energy, it would have been a hassle if the palace claimed ownership. Of course, I had already planned what to do if I got caught, so it was alright. But then... “…?” The palace master’s face shifted awkwardly. “How could I dare reprimand my benefactor?” “Huh? You won’t reprimand me? Why?” “…?” “…?” An odd silence hung in the air. If it were me, I'd have probably grabbed someone's hair and made a scene, asking why they consumed something that wasn't theirs. But he wasn’t making any fuss. ‘Regardless, it's a relief.’ I let out a sigh of relief that the palace master was letting it go. After expressing his gratitude, the palace master carefully stood and resumed his seat. I noticed his hands trembling as he sat down. “Along with my gratitude… I have a question for you.” “Go ahead.” “I heard from the Black Lion that your father came and went. Is this true?” “…Ah.” He did visit, didn’t he? He came, pummeled and tormented the palace master, and then left. “Yes, he came briefly and left quickly.” “…I see...It was him.” When I mentioned my father, the palace master gave a bitter smile. “I didn’t wish to reunite in such a manner. It’s somewhat regrettable. Did he leave any message for me?” “He probably didn’t even realize it was you, palace master.” Seeing a monster, he would have just attacked without discerning if it was the palace master or not. “I see.” Hearing the reply, the palace master nodded. “Perhaps I should be thankful for this?” “I’ve always maintained that good things should be appreciated.” “…Ha.” He didn’t seem comforted in the least. What could my father have done back in the day for the palace master to react like this? ‘Judging from his attitude, it doesn’t seem like he beat him up on sight.’ One wouldn’t call someone they beat up a friend, after all. I recalled a few whom I considered friends in my mind. ‘Hmm.’ Maybe not. Some people surprisingly enjoy being bullied. “Master Gu.” “Yes.” “If you wish, we could hold a banquet for you, or provide you with the gold and treasures accumulated in the main palace.” Hearing the palace master's proposal, I couldn’t help but wear an incredulous expression. “There's still a war going on. How do you propose holding a banquet or distributing treasures?” “If that is your desire, I would naturally fulfill it.” “None of that is necessary.” I waved my hand dismissively. I didn’t enjoy banquets, nor did I need gold or treasures. Previously, I might have, but now I had more than enough wealth. ‘With the luminous pearls and ten-thousand-year cold iron. I’ve liquidated quite a bit.’ There were still countless ways to earn money if I ever wished to. “Then, may I inquire about your future plans?” “There’s not much to discuss. I'll soon be returning.” To be precise, I would return to the Central Plains as soon as Namgung Bia's treatment was sufficiently complete. At my words, the Black Lion behind me spoke out in surprise. “You mean now?” I answered with a puzzled look. “Is there a reason I can’t?” “…No.” “If it’s about the war, I have no intention of involving myself further.” “...” I knew the reason why. He must want to keep me around longer. The Northern Seas were still engulfed in conflict, and a powerful warrior like me was rare. However. “I believe you’ll refrain from making such demands.” I stated firmly, looking at the palace master, who nodded in agreement. “Of course, Master Gu. Asking for more at this point would be unreasonable.” It made sense to leave them to clean up the mess themselves. Having received the palace master’s reply, I reverted my expression. And then. “One last thing, Master Gu.” The palace master addressed me. “Yes?” “No matter how much you say you don't want anything, I cannot send my benefactor away empty-handed. Is there truly nothing you desire?” “Hmm.” A reward, he said. ‘I didn’t really suffer any losses here, but…’ In fact, I had gained much more than I had lost. I had rapidly ascended to a level I thought I would only reach in a few years. I had also gathered a substantial amount of information, so I wasn’t particularly yearning for any reward... ‘Ah.’ Just as I was thinking that, one thing came to mind, as if I'd been waiting for it. “There is something I need, actually.” “Oh.” The palace master’s face began to brighten at the prospect of making arrangements. “I need information about something called 'sorcery' that exists in the Northern Seas. And, return the one who is currently rotting away in prison to me.” “…!” As soon as I added this, the palace master’s expression stiffened instantly.