Childhood Friend of the Zenith-Chapter 650: Back to the Central Plains (2)

It had been three days since the battle with Mang and the white-ranked beast.

Although a short time had passed, the Northern Sea was already undergoing changes.

“Advance!”

Waaaaaah—!!!

The war wasn’t over.

Even though Yuseon had sparked the flames of rebellion under Mang’s orchestration, the fact that they participated in the uprising remained unchanged.

The remaining warriors continued their struggle to seize the palace.

Ultimately, reclaiming the palace didn’t take long.

“The palace never held the full force of their strength to begin with.”

The generals who had joined the rebellion had their bases positioned far from the palace, beneath the command of the Blue Wolf.

It was curious that the palace, which held symbolic significance, had been left so vulnerable.

It felt as though—

“They were prepared to lose from the start.”

Perhaps they never intended to win.

If that were the case, what was the purpose of starting the war?

I couldn’t say.

“If it had been me...”

I would have executed the captured bloodline members in front of the troops to bolster morale.

I would have eliminated the enemy leaders without hesitation, knowing their hideouts.

But Yuseon did none of that.

Despite having the power and resources, she achieved nothing remarkable.

Why?

“Well, she’s dead now. I’ll never get an answer.”

The palace was reclaimed with only a small number of forces.

I followed out of boredom after sending the Black Lion ahead, only to find it surprisingly easy.

And there I saw it.

Yuseon’s lifeless body.

The moment I saw it, I burned it.

The Black Lion questioned why I would do such a thing.

“Because I couldn’t stand to look at it,” I said dismissively.

Her withered corpse bore an oddly peaceful expression.

For someone once hailed for her beauty, it was a pitiful end. For someone who had once stood as my adversary, it was even more unimpressive.

So I burned her.

Rather than drag that sight back to show her father, it felt better to claim I had burned it out of spite.

I walked down a cracked and weathered corridor.

There was no one to guide me, except Seong Yul, walking ahead.

“Hey,” I called out.

“Yes?”

“What about the rest of the bloodline?”

Beneath the palace, in the prison where criminals were kept—separate from where the Ice Essence had been—other members of the Palace of Ice Clan’s bloodline were imprisoned.

We found the First and Second Young Masters there.

The First Young Master, aside from being dehydrated, was unharmed.

The Second Young Master, however, had lost his right leg.

Seong Yul responded without turning his head.

“The First Young Master is resting, but the Second has yet to regain consciousness.”

“So, they’re alive.”

Why had they been spared?

This was the biggest mystery.

They were bloodline members, and men at that.

Keeping them alive was asking for trouble when the time came to establish a new Palace Lord.

“Was it sentiment?”

It didn’t seem likely.

I couldn’t make sense of it.

“Letting the First live in peace while taking the Second’s leg...”

It felt deliberate.

“There must be a specific reason why only the Second was treated this way.”

From what Yuri had told me, the Second Young Master was more talented and had never accepted the First becoming the heir.

“Could it really be because of that?”

Perhaps his leg was severed to ensure he could no longer compete.

The thought crossed my mind, but—

“Why go that far?”

When it came to Yuseon’s intentions, I still couldn’t understand.

“Hey.”

I asked another question to Seong Yul, walking ahead.

“Yes?”

“Do you think there’s such a thing as a villain with a reason?”

Seong Yul paused momentarily at my words before turning to look at me.

“I believe so. Everyone has their story.”

People have their circumstances and narratives.

While some are inherently wicked, others are shaped by their situations.

Then—

“Does having a story justify forgiveness?”

“...”

Seong Yul maintained his calm expression as he replied.

“What do you think, Young Master?”

“Who knows.”

The source of this c𝓸ntent is frёeweɓηovel.coɱ.

Feigning indifference, I replied, but I knew the answer.

“I don’t care.”

I had no interest in their stories or circumstances.

I didn’t care if they were virtuous or wicked.

All that mattered was whether they stood in my way.

“If they’re decent enough, maybe I’ll let them live.”

It depended on the situation. Selfish and capricious, perhaps, but that’s how I would act.

“...”

After hearing my response, Seong Yul stared at me for a moment before nodding slightly.

“Yes, I think the same.”

“You’re just parroting me because you don’t know what else to say, aren’t you?”

“...”

I smirked at Seong Yul’s reserved attitude and resumed walking down the corridor.

This idle conversation wasn’t just about Yuseon.

In my previous life, the Black Flame Demon Emperor and the Sword Demon had been the same.

A villain is a villain.

No matter their story, the dead need not accept their excuses.

The same applied to Yuseon.

No matter her thoughts or choices, they had nothing to do with me.

That was all.

Creeeak—!

As we approached the large doors, Seong Yul led me forward, and the doors opened naturally.

A chill different from the air outside brushed past my skin.

Feeling the chill in the air, I raised my gaze.

"I thought I consumed all the energy, but it seems some remains."

On the throne where Yuseon once sat, another figure was now seated.

“Apologies for calling you here.”

“Your body hasn’t fully healed yet. Are you sure you should already be sitting there?”

The speaker was the Palace Lord of Ice, a half-dragon and the master of the Northern Sea Palace.

He gave a faint smile as he replied, “This is not a seat that can be left empty for long.”

“I see.”

The Palace Lord hadn’t fully recovered yet.

The internal and external injuries I had inflicted on him were severe.

It was a miracle he wasn’t dead.

"He looks fine on the surface, though."

After absorbing the cold energy and receiving treatment, the Palace Lord had managed to survive.

More notably—

"His dragonification has reversed."

Once the cold energy was drained, his scaly skin returned to normal, and his frozen body was restored.

Additionally—

"The Northern Sea is beginning to warm up."

With the energy of the Ice Essence gone, the sky had cleared, revealing a bright blue.

While it was still cold, everyone could tell the weather had changed.

Perhaps the curse of the Ice Essence had finally lifted.

"Whatever it was, it’s clearly different from the Shadow King’s curse."

Thud.

I slowly stepped toward the Palace Lord.

I could feel the gazes of several men stationed around the hall, including the Black Lion.

"All of them are Hwagyeong-level warriors."

There were two more besides the Black Lion—likely high-ranking generals.

"So these are the loyal ones who didn’t betray him."

I nodded to myself. These were probably the last remnants of the Palace Lord's direct forces.

“Originally, I should have come {N•o•v•e•l•i•g•h•t} to you myself,” the Palace Lord said. “But my condition makes it difficult, so I had to summon you instead. My apologies.”

“That’s no issue. My legs aren’t exactly heavy, after all.”

“Thank you for understanding.”

The Palace Lord smiled faintly. I took the opportunity to ask my question.

“May I know why you called for me?”

For three days, I hadn’t seen him.

His treatment had taken priority, and I had my own matters to attend to.

“The reason I summoned you is simple: to express my gratitude.”

Ssshhh.

The Palace Lord rose from the throne, then suddenly knelt on the ground.

“Palace Lord—!”

“How could—!”

The guards and generals rushed forward, alarmed, but the Palace Lord raised a hand to stop them.

“How could I not kneel before my savior? I would do far more than this, so do not stop me.”

In the end, he knelt completely. I stared at him silently.

“Thank you.”

“...I only helped because I had some spare time. There’s no need for gratitude.”

“You saved the Northern Sea. That is no small thing. Truly, thank you.”

“...”

I remained silent, though inwardly I clicked my tongue.

So, he knew.

He wasn’t just thanking me for helping retake the palace. He knew I had consumed the energy of the Ice Essence.

"I thought I hid it well, but he figured it out."

I had been pretending not to know, but the Palace Lord clearly understood.

“...You’re not going to hold me accountable, are you?”

“Hmm? What do you mean?”

“I mean for consuming all that energy. It would be troublesome if you decided to take issue with it.”

I had absorbed all the Ice Essence’s energy. If the Palace of Ice claimed ownership, it could complicate things.

Of course, I had a plan to return it if I were caught, so it wasn’t too concerning.

But—

“...?”

The Palace Lord looked at me as though I were saying something absurd.

“How could I possibly hold my savior accountable?”

“Huh? You’re not? Why not?”

“...?”

“...?”

An awkward silence followed.

"If it were me, I’d definitely complain," I thought.

I might have even grabbed someone by the hair and caused a scene.

"But if he’s not going to make a fuss, that’s fine by me."

Relieved, I let out a quiet sigh. The Palace Lord, having finished his thanks, carefully stood up and returned to his seat.

As he sat, I noticed his hands trembling slightly.

“Along with my gratitude, there is something I’d like to ask you, Young Master.”

“Go ahead.”

“I heard from the Black Lion that your father was here. Is that true?”

“...Ah.”

He was.

He came, torched the Palace Lord, beat him senseless, and left.

“Yes. He stopped by briefly before leaving.”

“...I see. So it was him.”

Hearing this, the Palace Lord let out a bitter laugh.

“I didn’t want our reunion to happen like that. It’s a shame. Did he leave any message for me?”

“I doubt he even realized you were the Palace Lord.”

He probably just saw a monster and attacked. I was certain he hadn’t known.

“I see.”

The Palace Lord nodded.

“I’m not sure whether to call that fortunate or not.”

“They say it’s better to let things be.”

“...Hah.”

His expression didn’t look comforted at all.

I wondered what kind of history my father had with the Palace Lord to make him react this way.

"Considering he calls him a friend, I doubt he beat him up completely."

You don’t call someone you’ve thoroughly thrashed a friend.

Or do you?

Thinking about my own relationships, I wasn’t so sure.

“Gu Young Master.”

“Yes?”

“If you wish, I can host a banquet in your honor or offer the treasures of this palace.”

I couldn’t help but raise an eyebrow.

“How do you plan to host a banquet or give away treasures while still at war?”

“If you desire it, I’ll make it happen.”

“I don’t need anything.”

I waved my hand dismissively.

I had no interest in banquets, nor did I need treasures.

Maybe in the past, but now I had more money than I could use.

"With the fortune I made selling Night Pearls and perennial herbs, I don’t lack for funds."

If I needed more, I had plenty of ways to earn it.

“Then may I ask about your plans?”

“I have none. I’ll be leaving soon.”

Specifically, I would return to Zhongyuan once Namgung Bi-ah’s treatment was complete.

At this, the Black Lion spoke up in surprise.

“...Already?”

“Is there a reason I shouldn’t?”

“...No.”

“If it’s about the war, I have no intention of getting involved further.”

“...”

I knew their reasoning.

They wanted me to stay. With the Northern Sea still at war, someone of my strength was invaluable.

But—

“I trust you won’t ask me to stay,” I said firmly, looking at the Palace Lord.

The Palace Lord nodded in agreement.

“Of course. It would be unreasonable to demand anything more from you.”

The remaining mess was theirs to clean up.

Satisfied with his answer, I softened my expression.

Just then—

“One more thing, Young Master.”

“Yes?”

“No matter how much you refuse, I cannot let you leave empty-handed. Is there truly nothing you desire?”

“Hmm.”

A reward.

"I didn’t really suffer any losses, though."

If anything, I had gained a lot. I had advanced years ahead in cultivation and acquired valuable information.

But—

"Ah."

A thought came to mind.

“There is something I need.”

“Oh?”

The Palace Lord’s face brightened, but only briefly, as I continued.

“I need information on any sorcery that might exist in the Northern Sea, and I’d like you to release the prisoner rotting in your dungeon.”

“...!”

At my words, the Palace Lord’s expression stiffened instantly.