Ep429 - I Became a Drunkard in a Martial Arts Novel.

Baek Woo-jin and his companions spent a night at an inn in the outskirts of a village under the domain of the Northern Sea Ice Palace. From early dawn, they diligently set their steps towards the palace. As they passed through several villages, they couldn't help but notice something unsettling. "Everywhere we go, the situation seems similar," remarked Jegal Yeon-ji. "Indeed," another replied. In each village they visited, they saw the same pattern: young women had been taken away by warriors of the Northern Sea Ice Palace without explanation. When families asked why, the response was always the same. "What kind of disaster requires young maidens?" someone pondered aloud. "I'm not sure," Baek Woo-jin responded evasively, with an ambiguous tone. There's little choice but to hold back words for now, as neither the nature of the disaster nor the operations of the Northern Sea Ice Palace were known. However, one worry nagged at him. 'I hope it's not something primitive like a sacrifice.' Based on Baek Woo-jin's past experiences, when young maidens were involved, it often led to inhumane and abnormal acts, like sacrificial offerings or experiments. He desperately hoped his assumptions would be proven wrong this time. If not, it would lead to the same inevitable outcome—a fall into the annals of forgotten history, a fate not unlike what had befallen those who engaged in such acts before. Baek Woo-jin had never shown mercy to those who orchestrated or aided in these inhuman deeds, even if they served in battles against the Demon King or the survival of humanity. "Young master Baek, what are you thinking about?" Jegal Yeon-ji interjected at an opportune moment, noticing the gravity that settled on his expression amid his thoughts. Baek Woo-jin broke free from his reverie, shaking his head with a smile. "Nothing," he replied. And once more, they pressed onward. As they neared the Northern Sea Ice Palace, the villages they encountered were larger and more bustling. It was there they noticed something peculiar. "There's a young woman here...?" Though not many, some young women had not been taken to the palace. The team spread out to gather information, discovering a pattern among these women. "All of them have already had their first night." The woman Baek Woo-jin spoke to held a newborn. The women Yu Hwa-yeon and Shin Ye-hwa encountered were courtesans from the Red House. Though the circumstances varied slightly, the core fact was consistent. Which meant— "The true target was young maidens who hadn't yet had their first night." With each village passed, they uncovered a new piece of truth. Yet, how the Northern Sea Ice Palace intended to avert the disaster using these young maidens remained a mystery. Even with elusive hints, Baek Woo-jin calmed his turbulent mind, avoiding haste. "We'll find out once we get there," he reassured himself, knowing that less than a day's journey remained to the palace. Foregoing rest, they departed the village, treading the freshly fallen snow. Whoooosh—! "Ugh, how does anyone live here?" "I hear all women residing in the Northern Sea Ice Palace have mastered ice arts." "I-I see." Half a day passed as they persevered through the plummeting temperatures and relentless blizzards. Amid the blinding snowstorm, a colossal figure began to emerge. A palace of such immense size, incomparable even to the greatest sects. As they moved closer, the storm subsided. Or rather, the blizzard swirled around, sparing only the vicinity of the Northern Sea Ice Palace. 'This doesn't seem like a natural occurrence.' It appeared they had implemented a special method to restrict the blizzard around the area. With the obstructive snowstorm vanished, the grandeur of the Northern Sea Ice Palace became vividly clear to their eyes. A massive wall of ice. Beyond it lay structures resembling the architectural style of the central plains, yet distinct in their own unique way. The team collectively expressed their awe. "Wow, isn't it beautiful?" "To raise walls of ice... they look so strong, yet so elegant." "It looks like a place where a queen or princess would live!" The majestic harmony of ice walls and structures conjured an aura of grandeur and beauty. As Seol Su-yeon mentioned, it felt fitting for someone of noble grace like a queen or princess to reside there. 'Well, she's not entirely wrong.' It wasn’t entirely inaccurate. The position of the Northern Sea Ice Palace's mistress had always been a woman's. Given the vast palace and numerous villages under her domain, calling her a queen wouldn't be much of a stretch. Baek Woo-jin clapped his hands a couple of times to refocus the group. "Let's admire it more once we're inside. Let's head in for now." As soon as he finished speaking, the group quickly restructured their formation. Geum Yeo-ul took the lead, with the others lined up behind her. When Geum Yeo-ul approached the massive gate, women standing guard blocked her path. "Halt. State your identity." She pulled out a token from the fold of her robe, revealing it to them—a gold plaque engraved with the word "Baekgeum" (White Gold). "I'm Geum Yeo-ul, the head of the Baekgeum Trading Company." Upon hearing her name, the expressions of the guards shifted with interest. "If it's the Baekgeum Trading Company... are you the ones ensuring a stable supply of tea leaves for Sohanchawu recently?" "Yes, that's correct," Geum Yeo-ul nodded. With her affirmative response, the guards’ hardened demeanors softened noticeably. "What brings you here? We weren't aware of Baekgeum Trading Company visiting the palace." Their gaze and tone had shifted to one of friendliness, indirectly reflecting the significance of the Baekgeum Trading Company within the Northern Sea Ice Palace's domain. The need for tea leaves from Sohanchawu had grown increasingly pressing as winters became harsher each year. It was Geum Yeo-ul's company that eased this burden, potentially saving many from freezing to death. Understandingly, the warriors of the Northern Sea Ice Palace welcomed them with open arms. "I didn’t arrange a prior appointment. However, I came unannounced because I have a valuable proposal and wish to discuss it with the palace mistress. Would it be possible?" The guard hesitated for a moment, chewing on Geum Yeo-ul's words. "Ordinarily, one would need an appointment to meet the palace mistress." Her tone was doubtful yet continued optimistically, "However, if it's the head of the Baekgeum Trading Company, who is practically a benefactor to our palace, that might be a different matter." "Are you saying...?" "I’ll go in and relay your message to the palace mistress. It is up to her to decide if she will meet with you." Geum Yeo-ul responded with a bright smile, bowing her head in gratitude. "That's more than enough. Thank you for your help." Her actions brought a vibrant smile to the guard's face. 'Bowing to a mere gatekeeper... What a peculiar merchant.' She was unlike any other trader who sought an audience with the palace mistress, who were often lofty and overbearing. It made the guard inclined to offer a special favor. "Please wait a moment. I’ll personally go and deliver the message." "Yes, thank you." And with that, the guard went to deliver the message herself. Although her position, being merely a leader among the gate guards, wasn't significantly high within the palace, personally delivering the message carried more weight than sending a subordinate. While she was away, Geum Yeo-ul turned to Baek Woo-jin. "Did I do well?" "Yes, you did well." "Ah, don't just say it with words!" "Hmm... How should I then?" "Could you pat my head?" Once showing such a mature demeanor, she now clung to Baek Woo-jin's side, pleading for head pats. It nearly threw Baek Woo-jin and the entire group into a state of cognitive dissonance. 'Is this really the same person as before...?’ The contrast from her earlier demeanor was overwhelming, truly befitting a daughter of the Golden Trading Company. Baek Woo-jin offered a wry smile as he gently placed his hand on her head and stroked her hair. "Hehe." Well, if such a small gesture could make her so happy, it was a thankful matter on his side, too. Amid envious glances from the other women, they shared this lighthearted moment until the guard returned, having delivered the message inside. "The palace mistress has agreed to meet with the head of Baekgeum Trading Company." "Oh...! Thank you so much." "Thank the palace mistress. I merely delivered the message." "Yes, I will make sure to convey my thanks to her." And so, Geum Yeo-ul and the rest of the group crossed the massive gate into the Northern Sea Ice Palace. "Wow... It feels different from what it seemed outside." "I thought it would be barren due to the cold, but it's not at all, is it?" "Indeed. The ice sculptures are truly beautiful." As they marveled at the sculptures arranged between buildings, they walked deeper into the palace grounds, eventually arriving at the largest building inside. This was the residence of the palace mistress. As they attempted to enter directly, another woman stepped to block their path. "The palace mistress will only see the head of Baekgeum Trading Company and... you." The person she pointed to was none other than Baek Woo-jin. "Me?" he asked, perplexed. "Yes. Are you not Young Master Baek Woo-jin, known in the central plains as the Sword God of Celestial Light?" "That is correct, but..." Being swiftly recognized, Baek Woo-jin smiled wryly. 'So, they already knew about me.' Baek Woo-jin had two reasons for refraining from revealing his identity and instead hiding under the reputation of the Baekgeum Trading Company. Firstly, he wasn't certain if the title of "Sword God of Celestial Light" had reached this far, all the way to the remote Northern Sea Ice Palace. Secondly, by concealing his identity, he could reduce the number of eyes focused on him. ‘It seems it's all in vain now.’ The fact that they immediately recognized him upon arrival indicated they had been aware of his presence for quite some time. At this moment, Geum Yeo-ul stepped forward to inquire. "What about the others...?" "Do not worry about that. We will arrange separate rooms for them to rest." As soon as she finished speaking, women in palace gowns approached to lead his companions away. The team looked at Baek Woo-jin with unsure expressions, but after he nodded reassuringly, they followed with more ease. Now, only Geum Yeo-ul and Baek Woo-jin remained at the scene. Only then did the woman step aside, allowing them to proceed. "The palace mistress awaits you inside." The two of them entered the building, led by another elegant woman in palace attire, guiding their path. After traversing a wide corridor, they eventually arrived at a modestly sized reception room. As they stepped inside the room opened by the attendant: "Oh, do come in." An enchanting woman, whose beauty was hard to look away from, greeted them with refined elegance. "It is a great honor to meet a benefactor of our palace and someone so famous in the central plains." With those words, she offered a gentle nod. "I am Yong Seol-ran, the mistress of the Northern Sea Ice Palace." Her eyes, filled with an alluring allure beneath her lavish makeup, were fixed precisely on Baek Woo-jin. --- Author's Note: I will see you in the next chapter. Thank you all for reading. Have a peaceful night. (_ _)