Chapter 82

As the nobleman of the North Sea Ice Palace steps forward, the crowd parts, creating a path.

“Sitting like a peony, standing like a peony—there’s a reason for that saying.”

The peony is the king of flowers, the peony is the prime minister of flowers. In other words, no matter how you look at it, it’s beautiful.

The gazes focus, and the compliments on his appearance never cease.

“Binglong, you… what are you scheming?”

Displeased by the sudden appearance, Jeon Jong, who already disliked Seol Mo-dan, bared his teeth and grimaced.

“I should be the one asking. What are you scheming, causing trouble for my cute sister and guests?”

“What…? Guests?”

In response to the counter-question, Jeon Jong looked around at the faces of Mantian and Sososo standing nearby.

“Being rude to the guests I invited is an insult to me, don’t you think?”

Seol Mo-dan smiled coldly, and Jeon Jong reached for the sword at his waist. Unable to stand it any longer, Mantian intervened.

“Hey—what’s with causing a scene in a public inn? Let’s keep it civil~ civil~.”

I just came here to grab lunch. I don’t know why this is such a hassle. I just want to eat quickly. I’m hungry.

“Psst… Young Master, I’m hungry… Jang Sam-i’s stomach is sticking to his back…”

See? Even Jang Sam-i, who’s been quiet until now, can’t hold back anymore and whispers to do something about it.

Well, to be honest…

I quietly turn my head, leaving the fight to Jeon Jong, and glance at Tang Mirang, who’s checking out Sososo while setting the mood from the back.

I want to say something cool too, but since Sososo is my fiancée and it’s a family matter, it’s sensitive.

“Hey, Jeon Jong, since Brother Sima said so, let’s leave it at that.”

Dojun, who’s been standing by cautiously, takes advantage of the flow Mantian created and tries to settle the situation.

“Anyway, the Dragon and Phoenix Association is coming up soon. We can settle it there.”

Jeon Jong’s face calms down. Indeed, with the big competition just around the corner, he couldn’t afford to cause trouble.

“I showed a disgraceful side in front of my benefactor. I apologize.”

“I’m fine. But the person you should apologize to isn’t me.”

I stop Jeon Jong, who was about to bow to me, by holding out my palm.

“…Understood.”

Jeon Jong bowed towards the two dragons he had to defeat at the Dragon and Phoenix Association: the Sword Dragon and the Ice Dragon.

“Don’t misunderstand. The sword of Zhongnan is the best in the world. I didn’t yield to the Ice Dragon’s petty threats or the Namgung Family’s authority.”

“This is out of respect for Brother Sima.”

And with that, he bowed to Sososo in apology.

“Namgung Sohyeop, I was rude. I apologize for meddling in family matters.”

It was a somewhat half-hearted apology, but…

“I accept your apology.”

Sososo, who didn’t want to escalate things further, nodded lightly and accepted the apology.

…And so, the series of events came to a peaceful end.

Well, it seemed to end well.

“You’re amazing, Oppa!”

Seol Mo-dan, who had just reunited with his sister, gently patted Wolhwa’s head as she acted spoiled. His golden eyes subtly glanced only at me.

“So, you’re Sima Mantian? I’ve heard a lot about you.”

‘…Heard a lot about me?’

I don’t have much fame in the martial world, so it’s hard to understand, but…

I decided to let it go, thinking Wolhwa or Sososo must have sent someone to talk about me.

***

“Lord Sima, did you enjoy the food?”

“Yes, it was really delicious. No wonder Namgung Hyung said the food here was good.”

Maybe it tasted better because I was hungry, but the food was indeed good.

It was worth coming all the way here.

“Hoho~ Be grateful to Oppa for generously inviting you! Sima Mantian!!”

‘Grateful…’

At Wolhwa’s words, I turned my head and looked at Seol Mo-dan, who had been sipping tea and observing me.

His gaze wasn’t exactly friendly, more like sizing up an opponent before a fight.

‘He doesn’t seem to have any good feelings towards me. Why did he invite me?’

Across the table, wolf-like amber eyes and sharp golden eyes observed each other.

…And suddenly, Seol Mo-dan’s brow relaxed, and he smiled amiably.

“I’m glad the meal suited your taste. But if you don’t mind, could you have dessert with Wolhwa downstairs?”

“As the young lord of the North Sea Ice Palace, I have something to discuss with the young master of the Namgung Family.”

By mentioning his family and position, he was subtly saying it was a political matter and to leave them alone.

But that was the North Sea Ice Palace’s business.

It had nothing to do with me.

I came here following Sososo, so her opinion mattered most.

If Sososo said she didn’t want to deal with family matters anymore, I’d take her and leave.

So, I turned to Sososo to ask her thoughts.

“…It’s nothing serious. Please wait downstairs for a while.”

Sososo smiled softly at me and nodded.

If we just came for lunch, we could have enjoyed the food and left. But she’s really responsible, even when it’s unnecessary.

…Well, that’s one of her charms, along with her small chest.

Her maternal embrace, her nurturing aura—it’s a contradiction that her chest is small.

That extreme contrast is what makes her attractive.

Anyway, since Sososo said that, it would be awkward to stay.

“Hoho~ Sima Mantian, I’ll make you a special shaved ice!”

“Hey—Miss, just to be safe, shaved ice isn’t frozen medicine.”

As I followed Wolhwa and Jang Sam-i, who were leading the way out, a cold voice from behind stopped me in my tracks.

“By any chance, when you were young…

Seol Mo-dan’s low, cold voice made me freeze.

“Didn’t you almost get killed by a dog when you were around ten?”

“Lord Sima, is that true?”

Sososo tilted her head as if hearing this for the first time.

Of course, she would.

I never told anyone, not even Guhae.

The incident where I fought with a puppy at ten, got beaten, and cried for help like a champ.

It’s not something I’m too ashamed of, but it’s not something I’d proudly share either. So, I never talked about it.

‘…But how does he know?’

When I was about to ask, Seol Mo-dan brushed it off as if it was nothing.

“Hmm… I must have mistaken you for someone else. Don’t mind it.”

That attitude confirmed it.

He didn’t just hear it from Wolhwa or Sososo. He knew me from the start.

And in quite some detail.

A sense of unease crept up from within.

This feeling is similar to when I was obsessed with Jiegal Yang over Go.

In other words, I might have gotten involved with someone incredibly troublesome.

***

Only Sososo and Mo-dan remained in the luxurious inn room.

“Let me ask you directly. Is your participation in the Dragon and Phoenix Association your will or the family’s?”

“…What do you mean?”

Caught off guard by the unexpected question, Sososo asked back.

“Do you want to earn the title of True Dragon yourself, or are you just following your grandfather’s orders?”

Bringing up the family was just an excuse to dismiss other troublemakers. This was the main point.

“Sigh…”

A quiet sigh escaped Sososo’s small lips.

Why does everyone chase after the empty title of True Dragon? Sososo never cared for such titles.

Originally, she wouldn’t have even come to the Martial Alliance for the Dragon and Phoenix Association. But…

“…It’s Grandfather’s order. My will doesn’t matter.”

“I see.”

Seol Mo-dan’s eyes closed briefly upon hearing her answer.

“You’ve become quite the obedient puppet, Namgung Sososo.”

Contempt swirled in his ambitious golden eyes.

“You haven’t changed since the old days. A helpless child who can’t do anything on her own. Just like when your parents died.”

“…What?”

Completely unprepared for the sudden barrage of insults, Sososo’s eyes widened. Her mind couldn’t process it.

“You should have died fighting back then, even if you knew you couldn’t win.”

Her vision blurred, overlapping with the image of her parents being brutally killed by the invincible villain.

An invincible evil, a fate she couldn’t escape from birth.

People who flatter and expect things from her, people who leave disappointed.

The sword that chooses the king, Zhanlu, and the disgusting jealousy and twisted ambitions of Namgung Cheon that followed.

What can I even do in this situation…?

Everything feels heavy. I want to run away, but I can’t.

“Don’t… say it so easily…!”

For the first time, Sososo’s eyes narrowed sharply, filled with anger.

“No, I will say it. You’re just a loser scared of fate.”

…But Seol Mo-dan’s mouth didn’t stop.

Unable to listen any longer, Sososo tried to stand up, but.

“…?!”

Her legs gave out, and she collapsed.

“The medicine in the tea must be starting to take effect.”

At the calm, absurd statement, Sososo looked up in disbelief, but Seol Mo-dan watched her condition without changing his expression.

“…Did you poison me?”

“Hanbing Medicine. It cools the body and replenishes yin energy.”

Seol Mo-dan casually poured and drank the tea in front of Sososo.

“Well, for someone born with the Nine Yin Divine Pulse, which fills the body with yin energy and drains vitality, it could be considered poison.”

“But it won’t affect your life. You just won’t be able to do anything until the Dragon and Phoenix Association ends.”

The cold but principled relative Sososo knew no longer existed there.

“After all that talk… this is the dirty trick you resort to… Mo-dan!”

“Dirty, you say… I won’t deny it. I’m disgusted with myself for resorting to such methods to defeat you.”

Only a madman driven by arrogant and shameless ambition remained.

“But—I, Seol Mo-dan, have a dream.”

He stood up, kneeling on one knee, looking down at Sososo, who was struggling pitifully.

“Rather than being a noble loser, I’ll be a dirty winner. A loser can’t change anything.”

His golden eyes glowed like a predator stalking its prey at night.

“Even if it’s just an empty honor, it’s still honor. I’ll use the title of True Dragon as a stepping stone to become the first foreigner to rise to the position of Martial Alliance Leader.”

“If it’s revealed that you poisoned me…”

“Today’s events will be an ‘unfortunate accident’ where my medicine was ‘accidentally’ mixed with the tea. But clearly, this alone isn’t enough.”

He placed his cold hand on the sword at his waist.

“…So, I’ll give you a reason to stay still. If you cause trouble, the man you brought.”

Seol Mo-dan’s pale face hardened, quietly revealing his killing intent.

“Sima Mantian, I’ll kill him.”

The last thread of Sososo’s rationality snapped.

Kwaaaaang-!!

The Emperor’s sword was drawn, creating a loud noise.

***

Crunch— Crunch—

“Sima Mantian, let’s play dice when we get back!”

As I chewed on the ice dessert, Wolhwa suddenly pulled out a beautiful jade dice and challenged me with a bright smile.

“I don’t mind, but why suddenly?”

“Hehe~ I bought a Seunggyeongdo from a Goryeo merchant! Let’s play together!”

Seunggyeongdo is a traditional Korean folk game where you roll dice and, depending on the result, you can rise to a high position or be exiled by the king.

But given the era it was made, if you roll the dice wrong, you could end up drinking poison or having a swordsman dance and end the game abruptly.

In other words, it’s incredibly fun.

“Hoho~ Daring to challenge the genius of deception, Sima Mantian? You’ve got guts.”

“Hoho~ Be prepared! I’ll crush that arrogant nose of yours!”

“Alright~ Alright~ Let’s include Sososo too. These games are more fun with more people…”

Kwaaaaang-!!

Unable to withstand the shock, the door shattered as two dragons clashed swords in mid-air.

As gravity took over, Sososo pushed her sword with all her might to finish the fight, but.

“…!”

Her body, stiffened by the cold, created an opening, and she lost the high ground.

And Mo-dan didn’t miss that opportunity.

He stopped the power struggle and looked down at the falling Sososo, preparing his stance.

The scent of plum blossoms mixed with snowflakes filled the inn.

Snowflake Sword Technique

Tang-!!

Dog Chasing Stick Technique – Flipping the Dog Skyward

Fortunately, my body reacted before my mind could think.

I immediately kicked off the ground with my left foot, using the Dog Chasing Stick Technique to deflect the phantom sword solidified by the cold.

With one arm, I grabbed Sososo and shielded her. I took the hits I couldn’t block with my body.

“Young Master! Are you okay?!”

Though I got cut here and there, I landed safely. Jang Sam-i rushed over in a panic, but I carefully handed Sososo over and then…

“…Where did you learn that swordsmanship?”

I asked Mo-dan, who had just landed, in an unusually calm voice.

The sword technique he just showed was mixed with the Ice Palace’s techniques, but the plum blossom scent indicated it was influenced by the Huashan Sect.

Logically, that’s the only conclusion.

But I saw it.

The way he executed the technique, how he learned it from his master—I sensed it.

The unique fingerprint-like feeling.

“Tell me. Who taught you?”

The faint scent of plum blossoms that filled the inn was the same as the one I smelled when I brought chicken porridge to my master at ten.

Mo-dan smiled faintly at my question and stared straight at me.

“Curious? I was lucky enough to learn from an old master of the Huashan Sect.”

[Of course, I learned it from a passing commoner, Senior Brother.]

A completely different message came through the sound transmission.

‘Where do you plan to go?’

‘I’m not sure. Far, I guess. Maybe I’ll go to the North Sea Ice Palace and learn from the famous Ice God General. Or maybe take a ship to the Western Regions.’

The conversation I had with my master before we parted came to mind.