Dudududu.

Short legs swiftly glided across the snow. After sprinting with all their might, they stopped and looked around before sprinting once more.

Baek Ah, who was scanning the area quickly, moved her legs again

Ahoh!

Wooong.

Chung Myung kicked Baek Ah. Soaring into the air, Baek Ah quickly turned around and landed without panic, assuming a defensive stance.

What the hell, weve been running for three days! Are we ever going to leave already?

As Chung Myung attempted to run with his eyes wide open, the disciples of Mount Hua quickly rushed towards him and pulled him down.

Please wait, Chung Myung! Please be patient!

Why are you angry at a creature!

Its not just a beast or any ordinary animal!

Baek Ahs forehead broke out in cold sweat as she knew that turning back would result in her death.

Are you absolutely certain that youre headed in the right direction? Were not going somewhere else, are we?

Kiik

How dare you go wherever you want to.

Chung Myungs eyes were filled with murderous intent.

If you cannot find them, a marten scarf will be added to Mount Huas list of belongings.

Baek Cheon shook his head as he watched Baek Ah sweat profusely.

Now, now, Chung Myung. How can you locate a person just by their scent in this vast North Sea?

Why cant we?

Of course, you cant.

Doing what cannot be done is the nature of the spirit beast. Why waste food on it otherwise?

.

Chung Myung turned to Baek Ah and yelled.

If that thing wasnt a spirit animal, it wouldve been a scarf! I fed you and provided you a place to sleep. As a spirit beast, you should at least repay me. If you cant, go back to where you came from.

Where is that place?

What did you hear? In the treasury!

.

Ultimately, Baek Cheon, who gave up, simply chuckled.

This isnt a concern for a Taoist to get involved in.

Ordinary individuals wouldnt engage in such behavior. He was not the epitome of perfection, so how could humanity exhibit such peculiarities without undergoing any transformation?

No, I believed in you because Meng So mentioned that you are competent, but is this a fraud? What sort of spirit beast are you? All you do is quiver and devour!

it managed to catch a lot of fish.

Yeah, right! It certainly excelled at that!

Observing the disciples of Mount Hua, Yo Sa-Heon cleared his throat.

Taoist disciple. Perhaps it is time to alter the approach now

The subordinates of the former Palace Lord, who had tossed the troops and guards off the cliff, then sought refuge in one of the Ice Palaces old hideouts. They had to restore it on their own.

Nevertheless, Yo Sa-Heon declined to accompany them and joined the party from Mount Hua.

It was important to lead them, but finding Seol So-Baek and determining his whereabouts was even more important. Since this was true, the disciples of Mount Hua had no choice but to allow him to join them.

First, finding Seol So-Baek, convincing him, and then bringing him back to the palace with Han Yi-Myung were separate matters. Having Yo Sa-Heon could be useful.

I agree, but

Baek Cheon thought for a bit while scratching his head.

Wouldnt this way be better?

Yo Sa-Heon sighed.

Taoist disciple, please do not misunderstand me.

Yes, go ahead.

Han Yi-Myung is highly skilled.

Upon hearing this, Baek Cheon tilted his head in confusion.

If he attempted to conceal his presence, even the disciples would not be able to find him.

Yes, we also believe so.

There seemed to be an intention from the current palace to find them. This had already been discussed among the disciples of Mount Hua.

Currently, he is hiding, trying to avoid being found by the Ice Palace. If he doesnt reveal himself, tracking him down will be challenging

Kiiiii!

.

All attention shifted to Baek Ah. She was tapping the ground with her short legs and pointing in one direction with her paw.

what?

Yo Sa-Heon was speechless.

Why would a marten indicate a location with its paw instead of its mouth?

The disciples of Mount Hua murmured in disbelief.

It doesnt seem like a normal marten at all.

Because its a spirit beast.

No, even if its a spirit beast.

Even a spirit beast was still a beast

But Chung Myung ignored their words, his eyes gleaming.

You found them?

Kii!

Really?

Kii!

Chung Myung smiled at that confident nod and gently stroked Baek Ahs head.

If its a lie, Ill really make you into a scarf.

Despite the warning, Baek Ah nodded confidently.

Lets go!

Kiii!

Baek Ah started rushing ahead.

Follow!

Even without those orders, the disciples of Mount Hua rushed ahead after Baek Ah. Yo Sa-Heon was left alone, looking even more confused as he ran after them.

And he wondered,

Are they even sane?

He knew that the marten was strange.

But this was the North Sea. It would have been quicker to find a grain of sand than sniff out people here. And honestly, it was evident that even if they searched for three full months like this, they wouldnt even find a trace of Seol So-Baeks urine.

Did I trust them too much?

Their skills certainly fooled him. The sword techniques they displayed were powerful and confident, leaving no doubt about their potential assistance.

However, skill remained as skill. Experience remained experience.

I didnt realize that these young people have so little experience.

Theres something up ahead.

Dont kid around!

Suddenly, Yo Sa-Heon screamed. The disciples of Mount Hua all turned around with confused expressions, causing the old man to avert his eyes.

This doesnt make any sense.

It was a marten, not a dog. How could it track a person by smell?

There was a limit to being unreasonable!

Ah, not now! Not yet!

Even if someone found something, there was no evidence that it was Seol So-Baek. Could it be that they found just someone passing by?

There was no reason to be so shocked.

His thinking appeared to have become narrow after spending so long in the valley.

Feeling relieved at this thought, he cleared his throat.

And

There, a man!

Oh! It is a person! A real one! And it looks like a home?

The eyes of Yo Sa-Heon twitched.

He noticed a figure in the distance, which appeared to be human.

No, it couldnt possibly be Han Yi-Myung

Although he stared intently, his red eyes couldnt discern the other persons identity. How could you recognize someone when theyre bundled up in thick fur coats?

This cant be

Suddenly, they drew nearer.

No, oh god! The disciples of Mount Hua? What a strange turn of events!

The man who saw them jumped up and approached them with arms wide open. And then he removed the fur coat that covered the face.

It was Han Yi-Myung who greeted them.

Ehh! We have met again!

I am so glad we met again! Warrior Han!

Hahaha. It is nice to see

An emotional reunion.

But there were also people who couldnt appreciate the beauty of it.

Yo Sa-Heon looked at Han Yi-Myung with an expression that seemed to have lost all hope. Despite his hardships, Yo Sa-Heon was certain that the person before him was Han Yi-Myung.

what

Was he really seeing Han Yi-Myung, whom the marten had discovered, in this vast North Sea?

How was this even possible! How!

Baek Ah, who had also recognized Han Yi-Myung, seemed satisfied and puffed out her stomach, almost falling backward.

Kuak! Truly a remarkable spirit beast!

I envy you for taking such good care of the marten!

Wow! Incredible!

The followers of Mount Hua applauded and admired her. Han Yi-Myung scowled at the presence of the stranger, while Yo Sa-Heon looked confused. The formers eyes then widened.

First Elder! Youre the First Elder!

And he approached to speak.

W-why are you here huh? Whats with that look? First Elder?

As he stared at Han Yi-Myung with bewildered eyes, Yo Sa-Heon raised his voice.

Simply

Huh?

I was reflecting on the ridiculousness of this world.

.

Han Yi-Myung squinted his eyes, questioning if he was witnessing a new form of senility he was unfamiliar with.

Yo Sa-Heon discreetly brushed away the tears from his eyes.

something along those lines.

The disciples of Mount Hua held steaming cups of liquid in their hands.

Although it was just plain boiled water, hardly passable as tea, the warmth of the drink helped dispel the coldness.

Han Yi-Myung maintained a rigid expression as he observed Yo Sa-Heon.

I am sorry, Elder. I knew the elders and many of our comrades were going through tough times, but I couldnt do anything to help.

What are you trying to say?

He shook his head.

We were merely existing, not taking any action. If the person who protected the only child that mattered in the North Sea is speaking like this, how can we ever hold our heads up high?

Elder.

You did a great job. I truly mean it.

At that, Han Yi-Myung clutched his thigh, tears streaming down his face as if all the hardships in life had washed over him.

After a long time

Ah, we can deal with that later.

But the emotional moment they had hoped for meant nothing to Chung Myung.

Were in a tight spot. Cut to the chase. Where is that kid?

Han Yi-Myung appeared perplexed for a moment. However, upon recalling the kind of person Chung Myung was, he finally spoke.

Young Lord Seol is here.

Then you arent the only one here? Everyone seems to be fulfilling their roles.

The place Han Yi-Myung had chosen to live in was a valley nestled between the vast, snow-covered mountains. Regardless of the skill of Mount Huas disciples, they wouldnt have been able to find him had he ventured further into the valley.

Several strong individuals had made it their hiding place within this inhabitable valley.

This is one of the sanctuaries for those who fled during the rebellion in the Ice Palace.

What?

Yes. Its not just here. There are many more places like this.

Chung Myungs eyes lit up.

Your number seems greater than I thought.

If he could gather all the people who escaped and those scattered around, fighting for the Ice Palace wouldnt be impossible.

Mister.

Yes.

Did you hear everything?

Han Yi-Myung nodded.

What do you want to do?

Disciple.

In response to Chung Myungs question, Han Yi-Myung spoke softly.

We are fugitives.

Although we previously held titles within the Ice Palace, we are now old and weak. Constantly pursued and burdened with survival, we couldnt dedicate ourselves fully to practicing or learning martial arts. Seol Chun-Sang is both wicked and skilled. Perhaps the current power in the North Sea is formidable, but we wouldnt emerge victorious even then.

Chung Myung was taken aback.

It was a natural reaction since the world the man knew was filled with defeat, but Han Yi-Myung continued just as Chung Myung was about to speak.

But!

Unlike a moment ago, he stood up with a determined look.

There is such a thing as luck in the world. If we miss this chance, the North Sea will fall into their hands forever. And we will have to continue watching those wicked ones ravage the North Sea!

Han Yi-Myungs eyes shone.

I will fight. And all who agree with me will fight.

Chung Myung smiled and snapped his fingers.

Then everything is fine.

And he then spoke sympathetically.

Whether its a strategy or not, were fighting against time. Gather the like-minded people immediately. Well attack the Ice Palace all at once and reclaim the position of the Lord!

Will that be effective?

If the Lord falls now, what else can we do? If they resist, well keep hitting until we push them aside, and if they refuse to listen, well keep hitting until they do! And then from now on!

While Chung Myung explained the future plans with eyes wide open, Yoon Jong whispered to Baek Cheon as he looked a bit flustered.

Sasuk.

Uh?

after all, isnt this a plot for treason?

right?

No matter how I see it, the fact that we are making plans to usurp the position of the Palace Lord for someone elses land, with our sects name.

Yoon Jong.

Uh?

Havent we come too far to be talking about it now?

Baek Cheon smiled and looked at an empty spot in the distance with a satisfied expression.

This is the way to be damned, damn it.

.

Sasuk.

Dont laugh when you say that.