Star Instructor, Master Baek

TL: FoodieMonster007

[Everyone is sneaking glances at you.]

[It would be weirder if they weren't. The rumors must have spread by now.]

Baek Suryong trailed behind Seol Suryeon, casually observing his surroundings. Beside him, the bruised and battered Seol Mugeol trudged along, his head hung low.

Many pairs of eyes furtively glanced between the humiliated Seol Mugeol and the composed Seol Ryonghwi, whispering amongst themselves.

"Do you want to die? What are you looking at!" Suddenly, Seol Mugeol lifted his head and snarled fiercely, causing the onlookers to hastily avert their eyes.

Seol Suryeon turned around and glared coldly at Seol Mugeol. "What right do you have to raise your voice at them?"

"Grandaunt…"

"Shut your trap before I rip it apart with my own hands."

He had suffered immense humiliation in front of so many people. No matter how much Seol Suryeon doted on him, if he pushed her any further, she might actually rip his mouth open.

Even amidst this charged atmosphere, Baek Suryong ambled along indifferently, as if the tense exchange had nothing to do with him. Despite being in unfamiliar territory, he carried himself with effortless grace and dignity.

So it's true that most of the Blood Cult's funds flowed into the Seol Clan. They've certainly been living the high life.

The district where the Seol Clan's blood relatives lived was opulent, as if to represent the clan's paramount influence in the North Sea. Most of the buildings appeared to have been constructed recently and were generally taller than those in other areas. Central Plains architectural styles were noticeably intermixed, and the construction materials were clearly of superior quality compared to those in other parts of the Palace.

[Hey, I sense a sinister energy!]

[Yes, I noticed traces of demonic arts too.]

Seol Ryonghwi's expression remained impassive, but his mind raced as he gathered and analyzed information about his surroundings.

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This goes well beyond merely dealing with the Blood Cult… I'd even believe it if someone told me this was one of their branches.

Quite a few individuals passing by had clearly learned the Blood Cult's martial arts. Although they had subtly blended it with the Ice Palace's techniques to avoid detection, they couldn't deceive Baek Suryong's discerning eyes. He could tell just by their gait.

Shortly thereafter, the three entered the heart of the Seol Clan's estate, a massive structure akin to a palace within the North Sea Ice Palace.

"Mugeol," Seol Suryeon began, glaring sharply at her grandnephew. "You are to go to your room and stay there for ten days. If you leave without permission one more time, be prepared to face the consequences."

"…Yes." Seol Mugeol didn't argue and bowed meekly, but secretly, he shot a venomous glare at Seol Ryonghwi.

Seol Ryonghwi clicked his tongue. "Still so rude to your elders. Not only are your martial arts skills lacking, it seems you also lack manners. Should I take it upon myself to instill some discipline in you?"

"You bastard…!"

"Enough! Stop it, the two of you!" Seol Suryeon commanded.

Both men immediately fell silent, but it was clear that Seol Mugeol was the one who had taken more emotional damage.

Gritting his teeth, he spun sharply on his heel and stormed back to his room.

Baek Suryong inwardly smacked his lips in regret.

What a pity. I have a feeling that Seol Mugeol has learned demonic arts, so I wanted to push him to the point of breaking. If I can confirm it, I will gain a significant advantage.

Fortunately, today wasn't his only chance. As long as he was still acknowledged as Seol Ryonghwi, he would have many opportunities to uncover the relationship between the Seol Clan and the Blood Cult.

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"Follow me to my chambers," Seol Suryeon ordered.

"Yes, Your Highness."

A short while later, Baek Suryong sat opposite Seol Suryeon, teacups with steam gently rising from its surface placed before each of them.

An odd tension hung in the air as both martial artists closely scrutinized the other.

Baek Suryong fought to suppress his resentment from showing and assess the woman before him calmly.

Seol Suryeon, the bitch who betrayed Master Eun to the Blood Cult. Despite being over eighty, she doesn't have a single wrinkle on her face. Her profound mastery of martial arts seems to have arrested the passage of time itself.

Finally, Seol Suryeon remarked, "The North Sea is cold, even for us martial artists. Here, drink this. This will warm you up nicely."

"Thank you." Baek Suryong accepted the tea she offered.

I mustn't act rashly. Even if I launched a surprise attack on Seol Suryeon here, the chances of me beheading her in a single strike are slim. Contrary to her relaxed demeanor, she's paying close attention to my every move.

Most importantly, if my surprise attack failed, the Seol Clan's martial artists would immediately swarm me. No matter how favorably things might turn out after that, the North Sea Ice Palace would inevitably be plunged into a civil war.

Sipping her tea elegantly, Seol Suryeon asked, "Tell me about your father. How did he fare after leaving home?"

Another attempt at verifying my identity, I see.

Baek Suryong set down his half-empty teacup and replied, "Until three months ago, I had no idea that I was descended from the noblest family in the North Sea…"

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Baek Suryong recounted the fabricated story he had prepared before his arrival as tonelessly as possible, maintaining the cold, stern expression characteristic of a North Sea native. He clearly and concisely summarized the life of Seol Sinwoo, the man who had fled from home.

Since he had already reviewed the details with Seol Sinwoo, there was no chance of any discrepancies in the facts.

Gradually, the suspicion in Seol Suryeon's eyes softened, taking on a wistful look.

"Before my father passed away, he left me his last words."

"What were they?"

"Return to the North Sea Ice Palace. Plead for forgiveness in my stead. And from then on, live as a man of the Seol Clan."

A heavy silence followed as Seol Suryeon fiddled with her teacup.

Finally, she muttered, "Your face resembles that child's greatly. Even to a North Sea native, your cool eyes, intelligent appearance, and manner of speech bear a striking resemblance to his."

That's because I studied him thoroughly, paying close attention to everything from his appearance, the way he speaks, his actions, to even his habitual quirks. Even if Seol Sinwoo had a real son, he wouldn't resemble him more than Seol Ryonghwi does.

Baek Suryong said shyly, "Since I was young, people have often said that I resemble my father."

[You're truly shameless beyond compare…] the Divine Azure Dragon Sword lamented.

Baek Suryong let the remark slide and offered a faint smile reminiscent of Seol Sinwoo's. To his relief, Seol Suryeon's expression had noticeably softened.

"By the way, call me Grandaunt," she said.

"Yes, Grandaunt."

"My aunt cherishes her blood relatives dearly."

He recalled what Seol Sinwoo had told him about the woman who willingly joined forces with the Blood Cult to become the ruler of the North Sea Ice Palace. The ambitious matriarch whose ultimate goal was to cement the Seol Clan's status as the North Sea Ice Palace's eternal royal family.

"This is truly a joyous day," Seol Suryeon declared. "We must hold a banquet to welcome you. I will introduce you to our family members today."

"Yes, Grandaunt."

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Seol Suryeon smiled. Not only was she pleased that her estranged nephew's son had returned home, she was also impressed by his noble demeanor and martial prowess.

She had to address certain matters, however.

"Mugeol is your blood relative. Even if he acted rudely first, your actions just now were excessive. Apologize when you meet him again."

Seol Ryonghwi shook his head. "No, I merely did what I should have done as his elder. If he doesn't apologize first, I won't forgive him."

"Even though that child is our Palace's Prince? If he becomes Emperor, your position will become awkward, won't it?" Seol Suryeon smiled mischievously.

Baek Suryong gloated inwardly. This was precisely the question he had been waiting for. He had even steered the conversation toward it.

"My aunt likes ambitious people, but I'm kind of easygoing. That was the aspect of my character that she found most wanting."

If what Seol Sinwoo told me is true, then the way to win Seol Suryeon's heart is simple—I only have to show my ambition.

"I heard from my father that in the North Sea, the most outstanding prodigy becomes the successor."

"…So?"

"I am more skilled in martial arts than Seol Mugeol. In fact, I would say that I am superior in all other aspects as well."

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"Heh…" Seol Suryeon chuckled. Though Seol Ryonghwi spoke flatly, it didn't come across as bragging.

He had indeed overpowered Seol Mugeol in martial arts, and his cool, icy temperament was more akin to that of North Sea nobility. Naturally, he was bound to be compared with Seol Mugeol, who acted arrogantly and relied on his family's influence to bail him out of trouble.

"Do you know what you're saying right now?" she prodded.

"Does Grandaunt think I am unfit to be Prince?"

"Hahahaha! You're truly bold! You only arrived in the North Sea today, yet already you dare covet the throne?

"……"

"Hah! Looking at your eyes, it seems you're not joking."

The prince position had already been decided, and coveting it was a complete disregard of the Ice Palace's long-standing tradition, enough to even be seen as rebellion.

"If you weren't of the Seol Clan bloodline, you would have been severely punished."

"Oh? Is it truly impossible?"

"It's already too late. The heir has already been chosen…" Seol Suryeon's voice trailed off. She couldn't easily bring herself to tell him to give up. After all, there was already a precedent.

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I was like that too.

The long-standing tradition of the North Sea Ice Palace had already been broken once in her generation due to the disappearance of the Ice Moon Goddess, Eun Yerin. After the bloody succession struggle that followed, Seol Suryeon herself was the one who ascended the jade throne.

Once a tradition has been broken once, it can be broken again. Damn it, why did such a hidden dragon appear only now?

Seol Suryeon was a woman who would do anything to ensure that the Seol Clan would forever own the North Sea Ice Palace. If possible, it was only natural for her to want to build her throne on a firmer foundation.

She looked at Seol Ryonghwi with a peculiar expression. "It seems we have much to discuss, but that's not a discussion for today."

"Yes, Grandaunt."

Seol Suryeon smiled with satisfaction. "Your disposition pleases me greatly. Sinwoo was such a mild-mannered child."

"It seems I take after my mother."

"Is that so? Tell me about her."

The two talked late into the night, deepening their understanding of each other.

Suddenly, Seol Suryeon remarked, "Since one can never truly know what's inside a person, I am going to place a simple restriction on you for a while. Please bear with me."

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Ah, so that's why she believed me so easily. Well, refusing her leash would only increase her suspicion of me.

Baek Suryong frowned slightly and asked, "What kind of restriction?"

"It has already been administered."

"…What do you mean?"

Seol Suryeon gestured towards the teacup on the table. "The tea you drank. It contains poison."

"Poison, you say…" Seol Ryonghwi's brows twitched subtly.

Seeing what constituted for panic on her grandnephew's face, Seol Suryeon cackled. "Why? Did you never imagine that I would do something like this?"

"……" Seol Ryonghwi bit his lip hard.

Seol Suryeon's smile deepened. Although his reactions were almost imperceptible, she could tell that he was holding back his emotions. "You must be so confused and scared. It's no ordinary poison. It's soundless, tasteless, and odorless. And it's an extremely potent poison that's almost impossible to neutralize.

"What poison is it?"

Seol Suryeon smiled triumphantly. "It's the most vicious poison from the Blood Cult, created by the Poison Demon himself."

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SPURT!

The moment he heard the words 'Poison Demon,' Seol Ryonghwi bit his lip so hard that it bled.

Seol Suryeon's eyes widened. "You seem quite shocked, but don't worry too much. The poison won't harm you if you take the antidote periodically."

"The Poison Demon's poison… Kuk!"

Seol Suryeon took an antidote pill from her robes and handed it to Baek Suryong. "It seems I went too far with my joke. Take this before the poison takes effect."

"Thank you." Barely managing to compose himself, Baek Suryong accepted the antidote and swallowed it. In truth, he had indeed lost control of his facial expression in shock, but not for the reason Seol Suryeon thought.

No wonder my stomach felt a bit squeamy. Still, to feed me the Poison Demon's poison!

At that moment, his ability to maintain a poker face was at its worst since coming to the North Sea.

Damn, I had to bite my lip in order to stop myself from laughing out loud.

Of all things, it just had to be the Poison Demon's poison, which he was totally immune to.

Translator's Note: There will only be 1 chapter tomorrow as I am busy with household errands.