I was sitting in the daru, sipping tea and watching the people passing by.

On the snow-covered road, people walked without slipping. Like those who lived under the sandstorms of Saewoe, the people of the North Sea here lived together with the snow.

The person I was to meet here was someone I was meeting for the first time today. So I didn’t know which passerby might suddenly step into the daru and sit across from me.

The reason I wore my hood low to avoid attracting attention wasn’t to hide myself, but because of the person I was about to meet. He was someone for whom secrecy was life itself.

How long had I been there?

A middle-aged man naturally took a seat in front of me.

“Ah, it’s cold.”

The plain man with a kindly appearance was the head of Eunwol’s North Sea branch.

All of Tongcheongak’s and Eunwol’s intelligence was currently focused on Bukhyeolmun and the North Sea Binggung, and Eunwol had urgently contacted to report something. Although it could have been conveyed by distant transmission, I wanted to meet the head in person.

“Have some warm tea first. You’ve been working hard.”

I poured tea into his cup. Though I couldn’t give my subordinates alcohol, I wanted to at least give them a warm cup of tea.

Alcohol would have been better, but the reason I chose the daru instead of an inn as the meeting place was because of Chwima. I told Hanseol I’d drink with her another time, but I intended not to drink until Chwima did.

As I poured the tea, the man quickly sent a transmission.

— Yangjung, the second son of Bukhyeolmun, is dead.

It was unexpected news. I expected Yangjung would be pushed out of succession due to this incident.

But dead? I recalled the courteous attitude of the Bukhyeolmun master who invited me.

‘He’s far more ruthless than he seems.’

What on earth is he scheming, killing even his own children?

There could be any number of reasons attached to the death. Since it was the death of the Bukhyeolmun master’s son, no one would voluntarily investigate the cause.

From this report, one fact could be clearly guessed:

Bukhyeolmun is connected to the Blood King.

If not, they wouldn’t have handled this matter so urgently, killing even their own children.

— From now on, pay attention to the movements of Bukhyeolmun’s eldest son.

— We will report immediately if any unusual movements are detected.

— Thank you.

The man left first.

I stayed a moment longer, finishing my tea, then left the daru.

As I opened the daru’s door and stepped out, a thought struck me.

The name Bukhyeolmun was fated.

The gate that would guide me to the Blood King.

Ah, Blood King, do you know? The northern gate is the gate to the afterlife.

When Geom Mugeuk returned, Chwima brought good news.

“We found out why they killed that person.”

Before Geom Mugeuk returned, I had not told Ian or Hanseol, planning to say it when everyone gathered.

“I knew our Master Gwonma would find out.”

Before Hanseol, Geom Mugeuk treated Chwima as Master, not as brother.

Now that everyone was gathered, Chwima revealed how she found out.

“First, with firm belief that it was related to alcohol, I examined the letters recently exchanged with her. Most of the conversations were about alcohol.”

Since these were letters collected by Wonju, naturally the ones she read were those she had sent. So it was very hard to find clues.

“Then I found this passage.”

Chwima showed a sentence.

—I want to try Hyangseol Bingju, too.

Hyangseol Bingju was a drink unfamiliar to Geom Mugeuk and Ian. But Hanseol knew it well.

“Hyangseol Bingju isn’t just ordinary alcohol; it has special effects.”

“What effects?”

“It’s a drink that helps endure cold. Normally, alcohol warms the body and lessens the feeling of cold, but this Hyangseol Bingju’s effect is extraordinary.”

Chwima also knew well about the effects of Hyangseol Bingju. And the moment she saw the name, one fact came to mind.

“Isn’t the constitution they were searching for this time ‘Extreme Cold Constitution’?”

Extreme Cold Constitution and Hyangseol Bingju both share the trait of enduring cold.

“Isn’t that a coincidence?”

Geom Mugeuk and Ian nodded.

Then Hanseol raised a question.

“Isn’t that reason alone insufficient to say Wonju died because of it?”

“That’s right.”

Chwima agreed and added another decisive reason.

“As far as I know, Hyangseol Bingju requires the palace’s permission to produce.”

“That’s right. Drinks with special effects need palace approval.”

“But earlier, when we investigated the past alcohol production at Baekjuseolwon, there was no record of Hyangseol Bingju.”

“No record? That can’t be.”

Then it was certainly suspicious.

“Someone must have secretly made it for someone else.”

Chwima agreed with Geom Mugeuk’s guess.

“The fact that she told me that means she never thought the drink would be used for evil. Probably someone she trusted asked her. Someone reliable.”

Because she knew that person well, she could ◈ Nоvеlіgһт ◈ (Continue reading) make that guess.

“Did she say who asked her to make it?”

Chwima shook her head, showing regret.

“She didn’t say that. She said it was the first time making Hyangseol Bingju and it was a really good experience. I said I wanted to try it.”

“To find the answer just from that passage… impressive.”

Geom Mugeuk sincerely praised Chwima. It wasn’t empty praise. Chwima was certainly smarter than he had thought.

“You don’t drink, so your mind is sharp!”

Smiling at Chwima’s joke, Geom Mugeuk looked at Hanseol.

Hanseol understood what Geom Mugeuk wanted.

“I’ll find out who asked for Hyangseol Bingju.”

Though she answered, doubt lingered whether she could really find out. If it was made without palace permission, the process would have been thoroughly hidden. Did Geom Mugeuk read her thoughts?

“Move with Ian.”

Hanseol refused Geom Mugeuk’s suggestion.

“I prefer investigating alone.”

Sleeping in the same room was burden enough. Having to move together even during the day? No thanks.

“I understand.”

“Then why are you like this?”

“Because I worry you might be in danger.”

It was an unexpected reason not only to Hanseol but also to Ian and Chwima.

“Does Binggung worry about the safety of its Little Pill Master?”

Then Geom Mugeuk conveyed the news he had just learned.

“Yangjung is dead.”

The most surprised person was Ian.

“He’s dead? Why?”

“Looks like he was a tail to the Bukhyeolmun master as well.”

That said everything.

He was one of the many deceived and brought in for experiments, so it was fitting he died. But it was surprising that the one who killed him was his own father.

Hanseol was shocked, but not because of Yangjung’s death. She was shocked because Geom Mugeuk knew about it before they did.

‘Better intelligence than us? Here in the North Sea of all places? Does Mother know this?’

Geom Mugeuk warned Hanseol, who was distracted.

“Never let your guard down. The death of the Bukhyeolmun master’s child inside Bukhyeolmun itself is the essence of this fight.”

Expanded, that meant the Binggung master’s own kin might die within Binggung.

“Therefore, move with Ian.”

Hanseol felt an authority in Geom Mugeuk’s gaze she could not disobey. It wasn’t oppressive; it was a genuine force born from true concern.

“Alright.”

Hanseol no longer refused. Living as the daughter of Binggung’s master, she had never felt such tension before.

Geom Mugeuk looked at Ian. No words, no transmission, no nods were needed. She would manage well on her own. One look was enough.

The two women left the room, leaving only Geom Mugeuk and Chwima.

“They’re trying to find a way to endure extreme cold. Why? Are they trying to master some unknown technique we don’t know? Or are they plotting a conspiracy related to North Sea Binggung?”

At Chwima’s question, Geom Mugeuk stood.

“I have somewhere to go. Brother, secretly protect Ian and the Little Pill Master.”

“Where are you suddenly going?”

Geom Mugeuk smiled enigmatically.

“I’m also preparing for the cold.”

Leaving the curious Chwima behind, Geom Mugeuk left the room.

“Answer me before you go! Hurry! I told you I’m sensitive because I don’t drink!”

Even if I wanted to answer, I couldn’t reveal it. It was something related to my life before regression.

The place that came by rapid transmission was the snow mountain.

Among the vast snow mountains, it was the coldest and fiercest wind-blowing place: Daepunggok (Great Wind Valley). Known as the place with the strongest winds in the world.

Whooooooooosh.

Terrifyingly strong winds blew through the valley. Even masters skilled in martial arts couldn’t pass through easily. It was a wind valley that tore human flesh and bones apart. On top of that, snow whipped in the wind, obscuring vision.

The North Sea people also called the wind here the “Mad Killing Wind.” It was literally a crazy, deadly wind. So cold and fierce that even raising inner strength to protect the body didn’t make passing through easy. Truly a natural wonder.

Hearing the theory that they were trying to prepare for the cold, I finally realized the moment had come for me to come here.

Before regression, when searching for Great Law materials, I traveled everywhere. When I found places like this, I stubbornly pushed myself in.

Because I had even come here before.

Ugh, I have no confidence in living that life again.

Whoooooooosh.

I walked further into the valley, breaking through the wind.

The deeper I went, the stronger the wind grew.

The wind howled so fiercely it seemed it would tear apart even the strongest inner strength, and I had to use my internal energy just to avoid being blown away. Going further inside was really not easy.

‘It should be around here.’

I slipped into a gap in the right wall. It was a space where I could briefly hide from the outside wind.

I also hid my body there once.

It must have been fate that I discovered a passage at the end of this gap leading somewhere else. I used to inspect every nook and cranny back then.

There was another gap invisible to the eye. It was a narrow crevice behind thick vines blocking the way.

It looked completely unwelcoming. I thought I’d get stuck and die if I went in.

I went inside. It was really just wide enough for one person to barely pass through.

After passing through, I found a somewhat wider space.

It was like entering another world — sunlight poured in, and grass and trees grew. Outside the valley, the wind blew like knives, but here a stream gurgled. It was a place full of primordial mystery.

“Long time no see.”

In the middle stood a single tree. White fruit hung from it like chunks of ice. This was the legendary elixir.

Mannyeonseolgwa (Ten-Thousand-Year Snow Fruit).

It granted much more inner strength than Mannyeonseolsam and had an amazing additional effect.

Not only did it strengthen resistance to cold, but it also allowed one to comfortably accept any cold-attribute energy. Moreover, it could block attacks infused with extremely cold inner energy.

For example, even if struck by a Cold Ice Palm, the cold wouldn’t damage the meridians. Conversely, it was also easier for the user to master Cold Ice Palm than anyone else.

I had obtained the Cheongidan from the Poison King, gaining a body immune to heat and cold, but Mannyeonseolgwa was a specialized elixir against cold. If these two elixirs overlapped, even the harshest cold could be overcome.

Before regression, I couldn’t take Mannyeonseolgwa.

Its extreme cold was too strong to take normally. If I greedily took it, my meridians would freeze instantly. Probably only Binggung masters who had perfected Binghan Divine Skill could take it.

I still remember.

The words I said as I left Mannyeonseolgwa behind.

“If fate allows, we’ll meet again.”

Back then, I believed I might return here after regression.

Now I could try. I had gained incomparable inner strength, my meridians were strong, and most importantly, I had perfected Cheonma Hoshingong. I believed this would protect me from the cold emitted by Mannyeonseolgwa.

If this belief were lacking even a little, I shouldn’t take Mannyeonseolgwa. I would surely suffer a serious internal injury.

But I thought all this was fate. I had discovered this place before regression, perfected Cheonma Hoshingong, and the enemy was trying to find and use Extreme Cold Constitution.

Fate was telling me.

Now is the time to take Mannyeonseolgwa. No, I must take it.

Instinctively, too, it spoke.

If you prepare for the extreme cold, so will I.

‘Cheonma Hoshingong, I trust only you.’

The moment I touched Mannyeonseolgwa, a coldness as if my entire body would freeze passed through me. Just touching it warned of its danger. If I drank it, I’d die.

I didn’t hesitate and took Mannyeonseolgwa. The moment it entered my mouth, I felt a coldness I’d never experienced. I thought it would be hard and slow to melt, but no. The moment it entered my mouth, it melted instantly and extreme cold spread through my body.

Cheonma Hoshingong was already activated, resisting the cold.

Ssssssssss.

It was a cold that would make me scream. I couldn’t believe something this cold existed in the world. Despite Cheonma Hoshingong activating, I felt pain as if my whole body was freezing. I wanted to expel this energy immediately. I was afraid I might die.

‘Endure it, endure it.’

While melting the cold from Mannyeonseolgwa, I recited the Nine Flames Martial Arts seals and thought of the evil spirits. I pictured north, south, east, and west, and the celestial horses I had seen in visions.

I thought of everything related to Nine Flames Martial Arts and Cheonma Hoshingong. When I thought I couldn’t endure it, I thought of my father. His mocking face.

It worked. Despite the pain, a smile appeared on my lips.

Endure, endure again.

And the result was a great success.

I succeeded in melting all the cold energy from Mannyeonseolgwa.

A large amount of inner strength was added to my dantian, and most importantly, I achieved what I wanted. The cold energy of Mannyeonseolgwa was permanently rooted in my meridians.

Now, unless a colder energy than Mannyeonseolgwa enters my body, no cold energy will harm me.

I was glad to have gained another weapon to fight them. I was getting stronger little by little.

“I will use this power only for good.”

After folding my hands in gratitude to the Mannyeonseolgwa tree, I left.

Passing through the narrow passage, I came back to the valley where the mad wind blew.

Whoooooooosh.

The tremendous wind assaulted me.

Even without activating my internal energy to protect myself, the biting wind didn’t feel cold at all. To exaggerate a bit, the mad killing wind had become a spring breeze to me.

Before regression, I would have turned back the way I came. I couldn’t go further into the valley.

But today, I was curious. What was at the end?

So I started walking deeper toward the source of the wind.