Bachelor Swordsmanship Remastered [EN]: Chapter 184

184. Chaos

Palace Lord Oh sighed inwardly.

To wish for First Palace Lord and Third Palace Lord to fight fiercely was not something to say aloud, no matter how sincere the sentiment.

Boastful Eighth Palace Lord and Seventh Palace Lord, who couldn’t hide his animosity.

Normally, there would be no reason to join hands with such individuals.

But there was no choice.

Because there was no other option besides them.

“Yes. So never provoke or antagonize them recklessly. There’s no point in getting caught up in Third Palace Lord’s schemes.”

Seventh Palace Lord and Eighth Palace Lord didn’t respond.

They merely glared at Dokgo-rang with eyes full of jealousy and hostility.

“Hoo.”

Palace Lord Oh sighed quietly and turned his head.

First Palace Lord stood in the center of the banquet hall.

With his handsome appearance and intense eyes, First Palace Lord was smiling among his followers.

But his eyes were not smiling at all.

First Palace Lord, who was said to be the closest to the next Ice Emperor’s seat, was watching the banquet hall with cold eyes.

Even though he should have been most interested, his cold gaze never turned towards the delegation from the South.

‘Hmm.’

Palace Lord Oh shuddered slightly.

Just looking at First Palace Lord’s cold eyes made him shrink back.

The ruthless and merciless First Palace Lord, and Third Palace Lord, who dared to challenge him, were beings he couldn’t handle.

Palace Lord Oh quietly raised his glass.

Hoping that this banquet would pass quietly.

***

“Ah, it seems like it’s about to begin.”

At Je Geul-giho’s words, Woon-hyun raised his head.

People were all looking at the entrance of the banquet hall.

“I guess the host is finally coming out, who will it be?”

Like Je Geul-giho, Woon-hyun was curious about that.

Originally, the Ice Emperor should be the one to appear, but he is currently unable to move.

Then who will replace the Ice Emperor?

Who is the current de facto second-in-command of the Northern Sea?

Woon-hyun, as well as Je Geul-giho, couldn’t hide their interest.

Rustle.

The door opened and two people appeared.

And both of them were people Woon-hyun knew.

‘Huh?’

“Ooh.”

As Woon-hyun heard Je Geul-giho’s exclamation next to him, he couldn’t hide his surprised expression.

A charmingly beautiful noblewoman wearing a splendid dress embroidered with gold thread – she was the very woman who had entered Woon-hyun’s room earlier.

Rustle, rustle.

The middle-aged noblewoman confidently entered the banquet hall, dragging her long skirt.

People bowed their heads all at once to pay their respects, and the noblewoman gave a soft smile and lightly greeted them.

The daring attire that revealed her shoulders further revealed her confidence.

“Wow, I heard there are many beauties in the Northern Sea, but this is really no joke?”

Je Geul-giho clicked his tongue with his mouth wide open.

Step.

The person who came in with the noblewoman behind her was none other than Third Palace Lord.

Third Palace Lord was still beautiful and cold.

And as the two stood side by side, there was something that could be clearly seen.

“They look so alike. Are they related by blood, by any chance?”

Woon-hyun gave a bitter smile at Je Geul-giho’s words.

“I suppose so. I think that noblewoman is the Ice Empress of the Northern Sea.”

“Yes?”

The words of the two women, that he would soon find out, were correct.

The person who replaced the Ice Emperor’s seat was the Northern Sea’s Number One Beauty and Third Palace Lord’s mother, the Ice Empress.

She was showing off her dazzling beauty as she crossed the banquet hall.

Together with her daughter, Third Palace Lord.

“Hehe.”

The Ice Empress, who was gently raising her hand to greet, suddenly smiled.

“The gazes welcoming us are very hot.”

“Is that so?”

Despite the sharp gazes of the young palace lords and tribal chiefs flying towards her, Third Palace Lord was not at all intimidated.

“I think it’s mostly thanks to Mother.”

“Oh my, thank you.”

The Ice Empress smiled lightly and moved her steps.

Step.

The two stood at the front of the banquet hall, where a large curtain was draped.

There were only two seats there.

It was for the Ice Emperor and the Ice Empress.

Swish.

Third Palace Lord paid her respects to the Ice Empress and stepped back.

But the Ice Empress was staring blankly at the Ice Emperor’s empty seat.

And then she turned her body.

Rustle.

Silence fell over the banquet hall.

As if savoring the countless gazes directed at her, the Ice Empress slowly opened her mouth.

“Unfortunately, the Ice Emperor could not be with us today.”

A smile hung on her red lips.

“As some of you may already know, it is because the Ice Emperor was ambushed.”

Thud.

Shock fell into the banquet hall.

People who thought that only a ceremonial reason would be given could not hide their shock and embarrassment at the word ambush.

“What? The Ice Emperor?”

“An ambush! What in the world…….”

“Good heavens! Who on earth!”

The reaction was explosive.

The quiet banquet hall was plunged into chaos in an instant, and some of the young palace lords and tribal chiefs frowned.

Third Palace Lord was the same.

It was because she never thought that the Ice Empress would reveal that fact here.

But the Ice Empress continued to speak, unconcerned.

“The Ice Emperor is safe and sound.”

The banquet hall became quiet at once.

People waited for the Ice Empress’s words in silence.

The Ice Empress smiled slightly and said.

“Although he needs very little treatment.”

People’s expressions were serious.

The Ice Empress said very little, but no one believed it.

If the Ice Emperor was healthy, there was no way he wouldn’t be at this seat.

As people began to buzz, the Ice Empress spoke again.

“The Northern Sea Twelve Bi [elite warriors of the Northern Sea] and…”

The banquet hall became quiet again.

The Ice Empress continued to speak with a smile still on her face.

“Third Palace Lord here will help the Ice Emperor recover. I would like to express my gratitude to Third Palace Lord for running a long way.”

“Third Palace Lord?”

People began to buzz.

It is natural for the Northern Sea Twelve Bi to step forward.

But why Third Palace Lord of all people?

“Why Third Palace Lord?”

People’s gazes all turned to the owner of the voice.

It was Eighth Palace Lord, who liked to step forward.

Inwardly pleased with the attention of the people focused on him, Eighth Palace Lord spoke quite arrogantly.

“I cannot accept it. Who on earth, with what authority, would do this important thing…….”

“It’s me.”

The Ice Empress cut off Eighth Palace Lord’s words.

“I decided it. Is there a problem?”

The Ice Empress said with a face that was almost innocent.

Eighth Palace Lord flared up.

“Why isn’t there? Why is the safety of the Ice Emperor at stake…….”

“Because I’m the Ice Empress.”

The Ice Empress said in a firm voice.

“I am the Ice Empress of the Northern Sea. If anything happens to the Ice Emperor, I will take all the responsibility.”

There was even a chill in the Ice Empress’s gaze as she looked down at Eighth Palace Lord.

“Or, will you take responsibility?”

“Heh.”

Eighth Palace Lord flinched at the Ice Empress’s gaze.

To take responsibility for the Ice Emperor’s life, he couldn’t do such a thing.

Above all, she is the Ice Empress.

As Eighth Palace Lord, he lacked the justification to protest her actions.

But a helping hand reached out from a completely unexpected place.

“Did you say you would take responsibility?”

The person who spoke was none other than First Palace Lord.

The young and strong First Palace Lord looked straight at the Ice Empress and said.

“The Ice Emperor’s life cannot be replaced by anything. How on earth, with what, will the Ice Empress take responsibility?”

Even if it was the Ice Empress’s life, it could not be compared to the Ice Emperor.

First Palace Lord’s words were absolutely correct.

But the Ice Empress did not back down easily either.

“Yes. The Ice Emperor’s life cannot be replaced by anyone or anything.”

The Ice Empress replied with a smile that was almost seductive.

“So, if First Palace Lord is willing to take over the situation instead of me, I would gladly welcome it.”

It was inevitable that First Palace Lord’s eyes would flash.

Because holding all the power in this situation is very meaningful.

But that expectation disappeared in an instant.

“But it’s a pity. Because there is no guarantee that First Palace Lord is not behind the beast.”

First Palace Lord’s handsome face contorted.

“How dare you!”

The elderly tribal chief standing next to him immediately shouted.

“Are you saying that the Ice Empress is suspecting First Palace Lord?”

“I didn’t say that.”

The Ice Empress said with a smile.

“But it is also true that there is no evidence of innocence. Isn’t that right?”

The elderly tribal chief flinched.

It wasn’t because he had no words to counter.

The Ice Empress’s icy gaze made even the tribal chief, who had gone through countless battles, hesitate for a moment.

Rustle.

The Ice Empress raised her head and looked at the banquet hall.

Staring coldly at the countless gazes directed at herself, the Ice Empress said.

“No one here can escape suspicion. Not even me.”

The Ice Empress’s clear voice echoed in the quiet banquet hall.

“Therefore, all the rights and wrongs will be discussed after the Ice Emperor returns. Right now, the top priority is to treat the Ice Emperor.”

That was an extremely obvious statement.

And at the same time, it was a declaration that clearly stated that the person who held all the power right now was the Ice Empress.

Because right now, the only person who can claim innocence is the Ice Empress.

Of course, it may be revealed later that even this is a scheme.

“The Ice Emperor’s recovery, as I said, will be overseen by the Northern Sea Twelve Bi and Third Palace Lord. All responsibility for this, of course, lies with me. So…….”

Swish.

Turning to look at First Palace Lord, the Ice Empress smiled seductively.

“If things go wrong, you can do whatever you want with me and Third Palace Lord.”

That was a fatal temptation.

Even the older tribal chiefs could not hide the fact that their eyes were shaking.

But First Palace Lord said with a calm expression.

“Things must not go wrong. But in any case, responsibility must be taken.”

“Hehe.”

The Ice Empress laughed.

“Gladly.”

First Palace Lord closed his mouth with a stiff expression.

Third Palace Lord, who was watching, bit her lip hard, but the Ice Empress pretended not to see it.

Swish.

The Ice Empress turned her head and looked around the banquet hall.

No one else was saying anything different.

Because they realized that there was no justification to overturn the Ice Empress’s decision right now, and that no matter how things turned out, it would not be a loss for them.

“Ah, come to think of it.”

The Ice Empress said as if she had suddenly remembered.

“I haven’t introduced the guests who came from afar yet.”

The Ice Empress turned her head towards the place where Woon-hyun, Je Geul-giho, and Dokgo-rang were standing.

People who had regained their composure all looked at Woon-hyun.

Je Geul-giho, who met the gazes of the people, said to Woon-hyun.

“It seems like they’re going to introduce us.”

It was as Je Geul-giho guessed.

In the meantime, Third Palace Lord parted the gazes of the people and approached Woon-hyun.

Perhaps she was going to translate.

Rustle.

The Ice Empress raised her white hand and said towards Je Geul-giho.

“First, this is Young Master Je Geul, the envoy of the Murim Alliance [a martial arts alliance].”

Third Palace Lord translated the Ice Empress’s words, and Je Geul-giho politely bowed his head to pay his respects.

But the reaction was cold.

It couldn’t be good.

The Northern Sea and the Murim Alliance are basically in a hostile relationship, and the atmosphere is already at its worst due to the Ice Emperor’s ambush.

It was fortunate that they were not kicked out.

“This is Great Warrior Dokgo, who came as a bodyguard. I heard he is a considerable master in the South.”

People’s gazes turned to Dokgo-rang.

Some warriors and tribal chiefs sent challenging gazes, but Dokgo-rang did not budge.

All he did was nod his head, barely noticeably.

“And.”

The Ice Empress smiled as she looked at Woon-hyun.

It was a soft and gentle smile that was quite different from before.