Chapter 16
stones bounced up and down.
A blue aura began to leak from his tightly clenched fist.
It was both rage and a killing intent.
Rage at those who had hurt his mother.
And remorse for not being able to save her sooner.
“I wanted to kill them all.”
Namgung Jin didn’t seem to realize just how fierce the energy emanating from him was.
His voice, brimming with intent to kill, was nothing but cold.
“But Mother asked me to restrain myself. She said to quietly return after ensuring my uncle’s safety…”
“Ah…”
“At that moment, I felt unbearable helplessness. I was angry at myself for being unable to do anything.”
Soso listened to Seollin’s story with sympathy, but her legs were trembling as if she might collapse.
If Namgung Jin’s aura became even more intense, she felt she might faint right there.
This won’t do. She had to do something.
Soso wrapped both her hands around Namgung Jin’s tightly clenched fist.
“…Soso?”
The violent energy that had been pouring out of him disappeared the moment their hands touched.
Completely. Astonishingly quickly.
“It’s not your fault, Eun-gong.”
“…”
“And in this world, there are things even one cannot control. No matter how strong, no matter how wealthy, not everyone leads a smooth life.”
Even the Emperor, who rules the vast lands of the Central Plains, cannot live forever.
Sometimes, the death of an emperor is more meaningless and miserable than the death of a commoner.
“The Old Master said, Jip-go-ji-do i-eo-geum-ji-yu (執古之道 以御今之有). Reflect on the past and use it to guide your present. By understanding the past, observing the present, and planning for the future, one can live wisely.”
“Soso…”
“While we cannot change the past, today and the time ahead are yours to shape, Eun-gong. Nothing bad will happen in the future.”
Jip-go-ji-do i-eo-geum-ji-yu (執古之道 以御今之有)
This was a phrase often spoken by Master Eonwoo.
He would reflect on past events and pledge to live more diligently in the present and future.
“Baek Soso, those are very wise words. I will keep them in my heart.”
Namgung Jin’s expression seemed somewhat touched.
Soso smiled softly and nodded, signaling that everything would be alright.
Even as Namgung Jin’s face, comforted by her words, looked wistful, his eyes were brighter than before.
“Then, may I take it that Baek Soso will help my mother? With your help, I think she and I can escape the grip of our past.”
Ah. Comforting a furious man was fine, but helping him…
Soso decided she first needed to understand what kind of help he meant.
“If there’s something I can do, I want to help. How should I help Lady Seollin?”
“When we were expelled from the Ice Palace, Mother suffered internal injuries. She was struck by the Ice White Divine Palm (Bing Baek Shin Jang 氷白神掌), a secret martial technique of the Northern Sea Ice Palace. Though the external wounds healed immediately, the chilling energy from that strike still penetrates her heart, causing her occasional pain.”
“Internal injuries…”
“Can you heal that internal injury?”
Soso was at a loss, stammering.
It made sense; she had used her mysterious power before, but it had been unintentional, and she had no idea how to control it.
“Eun-gong, I want to help, but to be honest, that was the first time I ever used that power.”
“Huh?”
“And I don’t even know how to use it, or if I can use it again.”
“Ah…”
Would he give up?
Soso glanced at Namgung Jin.
Surprisingly, he was smiling.
Smiling? What did it mean?
“If you don’t know, then learn.”
“Huh?”
A strange intensity flickered in Namgung Jin’s eyes as he looked straight at Soso.
It wasn’t anger, but it was a strong determination.
“I will first help you, Baek Soso. So you can fully utilize your ability.”
“Huh?”
…Master Eonwoo, is it alright for me to be caught up with Namgung Jin like this?
There was something almost feral in him, like a predator that never lets go of captured prey.
Yet strangely, under the moonlight, Namgung Jin’s face looked incredibly handsome.
Seeing that face, hearing Seollin’s story, Soso could not bring herself to refuse.
“…Is that really possible?”
Namgung Jin affirmed without hesitation.
“It is. I’ve seen you heal Jegal Haesu before.”
“…”
“And I will make it happen.”
Believe me—.
His words left no room for doubt, only unwavering certainty.
Meanwhile, in the reception hall, silence hung between Namgung Seonyul and Jegal Haesu.
Namgung Seonyul subtly radiated his energy to create pressure while watching Jegal Haesu.
Jegal Haesu seemed aware of the heavy aura and occasionally frowned but continued to eat silently.
Slurp.
He ate the noodles with relish,
Chomp, chomp!
and even finished the rest of the food Soso hadn’t eaten.
Namgung Seonyul, seeing his ease in front of a top-tier master, began to reassess Jegal Haesu.
‘I thought he was just a playboy, but he actually has some backbone. If not for his illness, he might have become a great martial artist.’
It was regrettable that Jegal Haesu’s congenital illness prevented him from mastering martial arts properly.
Namgung Seonyul withdrew the pressure he had been exerting.
The experiment of observing Jegal Haesu’s reaction ended here.
“I heard you were weak in martial arts, yet you handled Soma’s energy skillfully.”
Namgung Seonyul said mockingly, though it was true. A mere novice had dared to provoke a tiger.
If his son hadn’t been watching Jegal Haesu, he might have died in that forest.
Namgung Seonyul did not wish for Namgung Jin to grow close to such a foolish person.
But as a direct descendant of the Jegal family, one of the five major clans, with some guts, perhaps he could be useful to his son.
Jegal Haesu ignored Namgung Seonyul’s sarcasm and replied calmly.
“Even a worm will wriggle when stepped on.”
“So the Martial Cult provoked you?”
“Yes. The Jegal family lost a valuable talent.”
‘He means Jegal Sagun.’
Namgung Seonyul’s expression became complicated.
Though he had no special ties to the Jegal family, he felt sympathy for the posthumously abducted members of the Martial Cult.
“Jegal, I will ask directly without beating around the bush.”
Jegal Haesu tensed, knowing he had many secrets he couldn’t reveal to Namgung Seonyul.
If mishandled, he might be forced to reveal information about the Martial Cult and the Manseon Snow Three.
Yet Namgung Seonyul posed an unexpected question.
“What is your relationship with Baek Soso?”
…Huh?
Not the Martial Cult, but Soso?
Jegal Haesu looked dumbfounded for the first time.
“And why were you with Baek Soso?”
Namgung Seonyul, perhaps embarrassed by his own question, cleared his throat.
“Don’t misunderstand. I’m not trying to marry off our Jin.”
…Ah, so the one-eyed dragon was known for showing no interest in women.
Namgung Seonyul seemed worried about Namgung Jin getting married.
Jegal Haesu smiled wryly.
“Soso is… a companion.”
“A companion?”
“Yes. Our goals aligned, so we traveled the same path together.”
“Could it be related to the Martial Cult?”
“I cannot speak carelessly about Soso, not even to the head of the family.”
“Haha, my question was perhaps too forward. I will ask Baek Soso directly.”
“Yes.”
“But tell me this.”
“Yes?”
“What was in that cave? I heard that after you visited the cave, Jegal, you fought with members of the Martial Cult.”
“…!”
Finally, the question that should have been asked long ago arrived.
