A Tale Of A Scribe Who Retires To The Countryside [EN]: Chapter 124

124. A Chilly Reunion

Following the two women, Sa Soo-yeon headed towards the Northern Sea Ice Palace. They identified themselves as maids of the Ice Palace, and judging by the presence of attendants and carriages, they appeared to be of considerable rank.

“Would you like to ride in the carriage?”

“No, I’ll ride my own horse.”

Sa Soo-yeon declined the young woman’s offer. To her surprise, the women’s faces brightened. The middle-aged woman spoke, and the carriage turned back. It seemed they had hastily procured it for Sa Soo-yeon.

“Shall we go then?”

With those words, the young woman mounted her horse with practiced ease. The middle-aged woman also lightly mounted.

Beneath their skirt-like attire, they wore pants, and a slack bow and several short swords hung on the horses’ flanks.

“Haa!”

At the young woman’s signal, the large, sturdy horses of the Northern Sea galloped powerfully across the plains.

The two women were highly skilled riders. The horsemanship of the attendants following with the luggage was also exceptional.

“Where is the Ice Palace?”

Sa Soo-yeon asked loudly. The young woman quickly understood and smiled.

“It’s just a little further north.”

Sa Soo-yeon nodded and spurred her horse onward. However, it was almost half a day later that something finally came into view.

“I see it.”

The young woman said suddenly. Sa Soo-yeon raised her eyes. Beyond a low hill on the horizon, something was shimmering.

“Heeheeing.”

The horse powerfully climbed the hill. And at that moment, the wind blew towards Sa Soo-yeon.

Swaaah.

A cool, damp wind tousled Sa Soo-yeon’s hair. And an unbelievable sight unfolded before her eyes.

Swaaaah.

Waves sparkling in the sunlight and the distant horizon. There was no salty sea smell, but what lay before Sa Soo-yeon was clearly the ocean.

A vast sea encountered in the middle of a desolate plain. It was as surreal as it was beautiful.

“It’s the Northern Sea.”

The young woman rode up beside Sa Soo-yeon, who had slowed down. She said,

“Three hundred and thirty-six rivers flow into the vast Northern Sea, and only one flows out. That’s why the Northern Sea is called a mother with three hundred and thirty-six sons and only one daughter.”

The young woman said with a smile.

“And that is the guardian of the Northern Sea, the Northern Sea Ice Palace.”

Her voice was full of pride. A massive structure stood before the beautiful Northern Sea. Even from a distance, it was large and tall, more like a fortress than a palace.

‘Northern Sea Ice Palace.’

In the martial world, the Northern Sea Ice Palace is often considered a reclusive sect from beyond the borders. But from what Sa Soo-yeon had seen so far, it was practically a tribal nation.

To think that her mother was one of the Seven Palace Lords of this Northern Sea Ice Palace… Sa Soo-yeon still couldn’t quite believe it.

“Shall we go?”

The young woman said. They rode towards the Ice Palace.

“Why is it called the Ice Palace?”

Sa Soo-yeon asked, slowing her horse.

As they approached the Ice Palace, they slowed down. It seemed to be a sign of respect for the Ice Palace. Thanks to this, Sa Soo-yeon was able to observe the exterior of the Ice Palace in detail.

The massive stone walls of the Ice Palace, curving slightly upwards towards the sky, were simple yet imposing. It was completely different from the plain architecture of the Northern Sea she had seen so far.

“The Ice Palace is, in itself, a palace built on a giant piece of ice.”

The young woman said in a respectful tone.

“The foundation and center of the massive Ice Palace are also made of ice.”

“If it’s ice, doesn’t it melt?”

It wasn’t just about melting. Originally, ice didn’t have the strength to be the foundation of a massive building.

“It’s not just any ice.”

The young woman said with a smile.

“It’s Northern Sea Ice Crystal, born in the ancient times of the gods.”

Sa Soo-yeon wore a slight sneer. Anything unknown tends to become the realm of mythology.

The young woman continued.

“Spring comes here, and flowers bloom. But beneath this land lies a land of ice that never melts throughout the year.”

Ttagak, ttagak.

The young woman said with a quiet smile.

“Even the heat of the burning sun merely passes by; nothing in this world can melt the Ice Crystal. So, we are all just breaths that bloom briefly under the mercy of the Northern Sea.”

Her voice even contained reverence. After thinking for a moment, Sa Soo-yeon suddenly remembered the word ‘breath’ she had used in the marketplace.

“Come to think of it, earlier…”

Sa Soo-yeon’s question was cut short. Two giant stone pillars appeared before her eyes.

“This is, uh, the gate. The Ice Palace starts from here.”

Her explanation was vague, but Sa Soo-yeon understood. These two old stone pillars, built without a gate, signboard, or even a wall, were probably boundary markers or a warning.

‘It’s like Young Master Son’s academy.’

Strangely, Sa Soo-yeon thought of Son Bin’s academy. Always open, with no gate or signboard, a place anyone could enter.

‘Heh.’

Sa Soo-yeon smiled slightly. A warmth welled up in her heart.

The group slowly passed between the stone pillars on horseback. The sense of oppression from the old stone pillars towering overhead was greater than expected. It was at that moment.

Thump.

Sa Soo-yeon immediately raised her head at the sharp sensation that pierced her heart. But there was nothing to be seen. Only the silently standing stone pillars and the distant Ice Palace.

‘What was that?’

Sa Soo-yeon slowly looked around with sharp eyes. There was no sign of hidden people. She concentrated her senses, but the strange feeling from before had vanished without a trace.

“What’s wrong?”

The young woman asked.

“No, it’s nothing.”

Sa Soo-yeon said. And she followed the two women again.

‘Am I nervous?’

Perhaps she was nervous about meeting her mother’s family and being at the Northern Sea Ice Palace.

Sa Soo-yeon slowly rode her horse between the stone pillars. The old stone pillars, engraved with incomprehensible patterns, seemed to be looking down on Sa Soo-yeon.

Ttagak, ttagak.

Passing between the stone pillars, ancient wooden buildings appeared, surrounding the Ice Palace. Among the people occasionally passing by, a huge stone staircase leading to the Ice Palace could be seen.

The three rode their horses to the bottom of the giant staircase. One might expect them to be stopped from riding horses right in front of the Ice Palace, but no one said anything.

Ttak.

The three dismounted. As Sa Soo-yeon stroked her horse’s neck, attendants approached and took the reins.

“Let’s go.”

The young woman said. Sa Soo-yeon slowly climbed the stone steps.

“Are there no guards here?”

There were no sturdy warriors blocking the entrance and glaring. The young woman tilted her head at Sa Soo-yeon’s question.

“We’re here, aren’t we?”

Sa Soo-yeon frowned slightly. She didn’t sense any special energy from the woman in front of her. The young woman smiled at her expression.

“I’m good at archery. Southern women are different from here, aren’t they?”

Sa Soo-yeon remembered the slack bow and sword hanging on her horse.

“The women of the Northern Sea are strong.”

She said in a confident tone. Sa Soo-yeon turned to the middle-aged woman. When her eyes met Sa Soo-yeon’s, she smiled brightly.

“And this one is good with a pair of daggers.”

The young woman said softly. And the three entered the Ice Palace.

“Ah.”

With a light exclamation, Sa Soo-yeon’s eyes widened.

The interior of the Ice Palace was larger and wider than she had expected. The high ceilings and lack of pillars gave it an open feeling. The windows were small, but lamps were lit everywhere, making it as bright as day.

“Amazing.”

Sa Soo-yeon said. The ornate and imposing decorations explained why this place was known as a ‘palace.’

‘My mother was here…’

The mother who remained in young Sa Soo-yeon’s memory was a beautiful and delicate woman.

A woman who would be more suited to a hill full of wildflowers than a splendid palace.

What kind of time did she spend here? How did young mother laugh and run around here?

Sabak, sabak.

The three walked quietly along the wide, large corridor. Several maids who passed by bowed to the middle-aged woman.

“The Ice Lord is here.”

How long had they walked? The young woman said with a nervous face in front of a large door with curtains. The middle-aged woman went inside first, and Sa Soo-yeon waited with the young woman.

‘My mother’s parents.’

She thought she would be fine, but her heart was pounding. It was the first time Sa Soo-yeon was meeting her relatives.

‘Should I call him grandfather…?’

But the news she had to deliver to her grandfather was not good. Sa Soo-yeon’s heart grew heavy again.

“Come in.”

After waiting for a while, the young woman pulled back the curtain. She could hear voices from inside, talking about something.

Sabak.

The moment Sa Soo-yeon stepped in, silence fell.

The first person Sa Soo-yeon saw was an old man with a grand physique sitting in a large chair.

White beard flowing to the floor, a scar across his face, and terribly intense deep eyes.

With a body so large that even the wide chair felt narrow, he was exuding tremendous pressure.

“Hmm…”

The old man, the Ice Lord, frowned and let out a low groan. His wide-open eyes seemed unable to believe the existence of Sa Soo-yeon standing before him.

The old woman in splendid attire standing next to the Ice Lord, the Ice Queen, was the same. Her sharp-looking face also couldn’t hide her surprise.

Both of them were showing expressions they would never normally show, but Sa Soo-yeon had no way of knowing that.

Sabak, sabak.

Sa Soo-yeon walked straight towards the Ice Lord. Not even the sound of breathing could be heard. Only Sa Soo-yeon’s footsteps echoed quietly.

Sabak.

Sa Soo-yeon stopped walking.

“She is the daughter of the Seventh Palace Lord.”

The middle-aged woman knelt and said to the old man. Her eyes were full of tears.

“Her bloodline, the young lady, has finally returned to the Northern Sea.”

“How can you prove that this child is the daughter of the Seventh Palace Lord?”

The Ice Queen asked in a sharp voice. The large, ornate ornaments hanging from her head shook nervously.

“That’s…”

“Proof is unnecessary.”

A heavy voice stopped the middle-aged woman’s words.

“This child is definitely Ga-ryeo’s daughter.”

Since the Ice Lord had asserted it, no one could object. The Ice Queen didn’t dare to speak.

Seureuk.

The Ice Lord slowly rose from his seat. It seemed difficult, as if he were moving an old body, but his momentum alone was terrifying.

“Where is your mother?”

It was a cold voice, like a judge’s verdict.

“He is asking where your mother is.”

The young woman, kneeling behind her, told her.

“My mother…”

Sa Soo-yeon answered. Also in a dry, calm voice.

“Passed away.”

The young woman’s eyes widened. She barely conveyed Sa Soo-yeon’s words in a stammering voice.

“Ah!”

The single moan was from the middle-aged woman. She looked at Sa Soo-yeon as if she couldn’t believe it.

“Wh…when?”

The Ice Lord asked. His eyes were also shaking violently.

“It’s been more than ten years.”

Sa Soo-yeon replied. Tears flowed from the eyes of the young woman conveying the words, and the middle-aged woman covered her mouth with both hands, trying to hold back her sobs. But a sneer hung on the Ice Queen’s lips next to her.

The Ice Lord closed his eyes. The Ice Lord’s clenched hand trembled uncontrollably. Only Sa Soo-yeon remained calm.

“Hoo.”

A deep sigh flowed from the Ice Lord. Countless meanings that could not be expressed in words were contained within it.

Seuk.

The Ice Lord opened his eyes.

“What is your name?”

The Ice Lord’s eyes were trembling slightly as he asked. In that gaze, Sa Soo-yeon felt something like regret mixed with affection and hatred.

“He is asking your name.”

The young woman said in a trembling voice.

“Sa Soo-yeon.”

Sa Soo-yeon replied. The Ice Lord’s large white eyebrows twitched.

“Sa, Soo, Yeon.”

The Ice Lord said, repeating each character.

“Hmph. Even her name is not of the Northern Sea.”

The old woman said in a sharp voice. But Sa Soo-yeon was staring straight into the Ice Lord’s fearsome eyes, which were pouring down on her. The two people’s gazes, like flames, were tensely opposed.

“She resembles her.”

The Ice Lord said.

“Even that impertinent look in her eyes.”

Sa Soo-yeon didn’t understand. The Ice Lord sat back down.

Tteolseok.

His splendid clothes sparkled like waves. The Ice Lord said with a look of complete exhaustion.

“I will announce this child’s return at the grand banquet in five days.”

“That is unacceptable!”

The Ice Queen said reflexively.

“She is the daughter of a child who betrayed the Northern Sea and left! How can we accept her now? Besides, a grand banquet! Do you not know what it means for the Ice Lord to announce this child’s return?”

The Ice Lord didn’t even look at the Ice Queen.

“That is why I am going to do it.”

“It is impossible! It is impossible!”

The Ice Lord chuckled.

“The power to strip a successor of their position and restore it rests solely with the Ice Lord.”

Seureuk.

Slowly raising his head, the Ice Lord looked up at the Ice Queen.

“Or, would you like to be the Ice Lord?”

The Ice Queen realized that there was nothing more she could do. It was something she couldn’t accept, but the Ice Lord’s decision was firm.

‘Iik.’

She bit her lip. With a venomous look, the Ice Queen glared at Sa Soo-yeon.

But Sa Soo-yeon didn’t turn to look at the Ice Queen until the end. Her face didn’t resemble her mother in Sa Soo-yeon’s memory at all. She was a complete stranger.

“Step back.”

The Ice Lord said.

“Is it over?”

Sa Soo-yeon turned her head and asked the young woman. All that had been conveyed to Sa Soo-yeon was the announcement at the grand banquet. But she could tell well enough that the conversation that followed was not in a friendly atmosphere.

“Ah, yes. He said to step back…”

With the young woman’s words, Sa Soo-yeon turned around. And she walked out of there without hesitation.

Sabak, sabak.

Neither the Ice Lord nor the Ice Queen said anything. Amidst the middle-aged woman’s sobs that she couldn’t hide, Sa Soo-yeon walked out of the curtain.

There was no warmth of blood that she had expected, even for a moment. A cold wind blew in Sa Soo-yeon’s heart.

*

*

*

In a chamber of the Ice Palace, Sa Soo-yeon was sitting under a splendid lamp. The person who was grooming her hair next to her was the middle-aged woman.

She said she didn’t need any attendants, but Sa Soo-yeon couldn’t refuse the middle-aged woman’s earnest request to help.

“What is your name?”

Sa Soo-yeon asked. The middle-aged woman, who was arranging Sa Soo-yeon’s hair, smiled.

“Just call me Head Maid.”

The young woman answered instead. She was there to help with communication.

“I can’t do that.”

Sa Soo-yeon said, looking at the middle-aged woman.

“Please tell me your name.”

The middle-aged woman’s eyes widened. Then she soon teared up.

“Young lady, you really look just like your mother.”

The middle-aged woman, who had been tearing up, said. And she put her hands together on her chest and bowed her head.

“Please call me Sar-nae.”

“And you?”

Sa Soo-yeon said, turning to the young woman. She also put her hands together on her chest, bowed her head, and paid her respects.

“I am Na-mi-ra.”

“Sar-nae, Na-mi-ra.”

Sa Soo-yeon quietly repeated the two people’s names. The middle-aged woman, Sar-nae, teared up again.

“The Little Palace Lord did the same. She always asked for names and then repeated them like that. Even though they weren’t real names, she cherished them so much…”

“Not real names?”

“Sar-nae and Na-mi-ra are just names we were called when we were young.”

Sar-nae slowly continued in a quiet voice.

“On the day the sons and daughters of the Northern Sea come of age, they spend seven days and nights alone in the Great Plains. When they return, each of them carries a special name in their heart.”

Her explanation was something she had never heard anywhere. Perhaps the content of this coming-of-age ceremony itself was kept secret from outsiders.

“When they carry that name and immerse themselves in the Northern Sea for a night, all of their past flows away, and a new life permitted by the Mother of the Northern Sea begins. That is the meaning of a true name.”

“Then my mother’s true name is…”

“The only people who reveal that name are lifelong adversaries who will decide life and death, or partners who will spend their lives together. So maybe…”

The middle-aged woman, Sar-nae, trailed off. It meant that only Sa Ja-hyeok would know. She seemed to be intentionally avoiding mentioning him. The Ice Lord also didn’t ask about Sa Ja-hyeok.

‘I… didn’t even know my mother’s name.’

The name Ga-ryeo was probably borrowed from a similar sound. In fact, Sa Soo-yeon rarely called her mother’s name. To her, Mom was just Mom.

“Where is my grandmother?”

“The previous Ice Queen passed away when the Little Palace Lord was very young.”

Sar-nae said in a low voice.

“She was a beautiful and strong person.”

“Is that so.”

A wind blew in Sa Soo-yeon’s heart. She had been guessing since there was a complete stranger at the meeting with the Ice Lord. And that guess became a fact.

“What kind of person was my mother?”

Sa Soo-yeon’s voice trembled slightly as she asked.

“The Little Palace Lord was…”

Sar-nae’s voice was also trembling.

“She resembled the previous Ice Queen, beautiful and warm, but too fragile. But that’s exactly why she was stronger than anyone else in the Northern Sea.”

Sar-nae’s large eyes looked at Sa Soo-yeon. Her gaze was full of warm warmth.

“Everyone loved her, and everyone received her love. The only one who showed warmth in the Northern Sea, where the law of power dominates. So we called her this.”

Sar-nae waited for Na-mi-ra to convey her words. And the two said at the same time. One in the language of the Northern Sea, and one in the language of the South.

“Like a white breath rising under the dawn sky. Even if the night is cold and lonely, her light will be with you.”

Their voices were like singing.

Sarak.

Sar-nae and Na-mi-ra rose from their seats. They put their hands together on their chests, knelt on one knee, and said.

“Welcome back to the Northern Sea, young lady.”

Their voices were full of warmth. A warmth that she hadn’t felt even from the Ice Lord, who was said to be of her bloodline.

But Sa Soo-yeon had no choice but to bite her lip. She had a place to return to.