Star Instructor, Master Baek

TL: FoodieMonster007

Seol Ryonghwi wasn't shown to his room until dawn.

"You may use this room," a servant said.

The room was large enough for dozens of people, and everything in it looked expensive. Everything spoke volumes about how highly his host regarded him.

"If you need anything, you may ring this bell at any time."

"I understand."

"Should you require assistance with bathing…"

"That's not necessary. You may leave."

The servant bowed respectfully and withdrew.

"Hoo… I'm completely drained."

He had just come from a family banquet where he had to meet the Seol Clan elders one by one and make a good impression as Seol Ryonghwi.

Even the slightest mistake could have terrible consequences. He couldn't let his guard down, not even for a moment.

"Still, it was quite informative."

Baek Suryong rolled his stiff neck from side to side. A light smile formed on his lips, which had been set in a cold, hard line. The change in expression alone altered his demeanor.

The Divine Azure Dragon Sword, placed on one side of the bed, trembled. […You're really good at acting. I was on edge so many times!]

Baek Suryong smirked. "Oh, that? There's a method to it."

One's innate nature and upbringing heavily influenced their disposition, making it hard to put on a convincing act.

Furthermore, Baek Suryong's snarky yet cautious personality differed greatly from Seol Ryonghwi's indifferent and brazen one. Nevertheless, he was able to impersonate Seol Ryonghwi without issue.

There was a secret to this.

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"I just happen to know someone with a personality just like Seol Ryonghwi's. I just acted while thinking about how that guy would speak and behave."

He was a man who was cold and indifferent. He spoke only when necessary, and his expression barely changed except the occasional narrowing of his eyes.

Naturally, that could only be the Third Young Master of the Namgung Clan.

Since Baek Suryong had always kept a close eye on Namgung Su, imitating him was a piece of cake.

…I hope that dumbass isn't doing something strange again, like trying to avenge his family all alone.

Baek Suryong thought of Namgung Su for a moment before shaking his head to clear his mind.

"Anyway, from what I saw today, Seol Suryeon's grip over the Seol Clan is absolute."

[I agree.]

Despite the late hour, all the key figures of the Seol Clan had attended Seol Suryeon's banquet to welcome Seol Ryonghwi.

"He is Sinwoo's son. From now on, treat him as you would Mugeol."

Seol Ryonghwi's status in the clan was decided by that one single statement. No one objected. Even the elders of the Seol Clan who belonged to the same generation as Seol Suryeon treated him warmly.

In fact, they appeared more concerned about Seol Suryeon's reaction.

"Some among them have learned demonic arts."

Baek Suryong had sensed traces of demonic arts in some of the Seol Clan's leaders. Though they tried their best to hide it, it was impossible to deceive him.

[How foolish! Was allying with the Blood Cult not enough for them…!?] the Divine Azure Dragon Sword muttered in a sorrowful voice.

She couldn't fathom the stupidity of the North Sea's martial artists. Not only had they turned the Prince into a puppet to seize power, they had also learned forbidden demonic arts.

"There is no end to human greed," Baek Suryong mused.

In his past life, he had seen countless demonic martial artists. Even those with strong mental fortitude often succumbed to the temptation of demonic arts.

Their ends were almost always miserable.

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Looking around the luxuriously decorated room, he muttered, "To my eyes, this place already seems no different from the Blood Cult."

Seol Suryeon may have joined forces with the Blood Cult to become the master of the North Sea Ice Palace, but if things continued as they were, the Blood Cult would eventually devour the Palace whole.

[What do you intend to do now?]

"I must cut out all the rotten parts, such as Seol Suryeon, Seol Mugeol, the Seol Clan masters who learned demonic arts, and everyone else associated with the Blood Cult. I don't know how many will remain after removing the tumor, but it must be done."

Baek Suryong's eyes hardened. Revenge was not his sole motivation. If he didn't stop the Blood Cult in its tracks, his family, friends, students and acquaintances in this life would suffer too.

"You recorded everything that happened at the banquet earlier, right?"

[Of course. Close your eyes.]

FWOOSH!

The Divine Azure Dragon Sword cast a spell, recreating the scene from the earlier banquet.

[You should be able to adjust the viewpoint with your will. The method is…]

I know.

Having dealt with dream realms several times before, Baek Suryong was familiar with manipulating such illusions. He crossed through the sorcery-induced banquet and approached Seol Suryeon, who was conversing with an anxious-looking, horse-faced middle-aged man.

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"Our Cult's delegation will arrive soon. Have you prepared your response?"

"Be patient, I am still pressuring the Empress."

"If the Ice Palace decides not to join our Cult…"

"Didn't I say there's no chance of that? Do you not trust me?"

"No, it's not that. It's just that Eun Hwiryong is so stubborn…"

"That's not something for you to worry about. The martial artists of the North Sea will advance into the Central Plains alongside the Cult. I will lead them personally."

"…I will take your word for it, Empress Dowager."

During the banquet, Baek Suryong was busy greeting people, so he inevitably lost sight of Seol Suryeon. As such, he asked the Divine Azure Dragon Sword to record everything that happened at the banquet using sorcery.

"Forgive my impertinence, but are you certain that the man named Seol Ryonghwi is of Seol Clan blood?"

"Yes, I am certain. He is my blood relative."

"Do you think he'll cause problems after learning about the relationship between the Ice Palace and our Cult?"

Seol Suryeon smiled brightly. "Don't worry, I already had him drink the precious tea I received from your cult."

"…If that's the case, I'm relieved."

"Your problem is that you worry too much. Who do you think I am? I know what I'm doing."

"Haha…"

Baek Suryong carefully committed the face of the horse-faced man who had conversed with Seol Suryeon to memory.

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He's a spy planted by the Blood Cult.

He had expected that there would be at least one spy in the Seol Clan. There was no way the Blood Cult would provide that much funding and supplies without getting some kind of return.

"How is the atmosphere in the Cult these days? I've been hearing some bad news of late."

"It's just some minor hiccups. Our Grand Scheme is proceeding as planned."

There was nothing more to be gained from the pair's conversation. If they had anything important to discuss, they would do so via telepathy or after changing locations.

Baek Suryong turned his attention to the other banquet attendees to see if there was anything he had overlooked while he was at the banquet.

A short while later, he opened his eyes.

…Good. This should be enough.

Glancing at her partner, the Divine Azure Dragon Sword shuddered in horror. [Y-Your eyes… they are shining with wickedness!]

Baek Suryong grinned evilly. "I've decided what to do from now on."

A concrete plan to topple the Seol Clan, which had ruled the North Sea for decades, took shape in his mind.

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Five days passed since Seol Ryonghwi arrived at the North Sea Ice Palace. During that time, he met various people and formed friendships, winning over even those who were initially wary of him.

"Isn't Seol Ryonghwi really well-mannered?"

"I talked to him yesterday, too. He was very impressive."

"He's a blessing for our family."

"It's a pity he showed up a little too late…"

"With such profound martial arts and noble bearing. … He is worthy of becoming the Prince."

Everyone glared at the guy who said that last line.

"Shh! What will you do if that reaches the Prince's ears?"

"I-I misspoke. Please pretend you didn't hear anything."

"There's a rumor that the imprisoned Prince is grinding his teeth in chagrin."

"Hmph…!"

Public opinion increasingly swung in Seol Ryonghwi's favor. In particular, young martial artists who had been oppressed by Seol Mugeol openly voiced their support for Seol Ryonghwi.

"It would be better if Seol Ryonghwi-hyung was the Prince."

"This is unreasonable. Shouldn't the two of them duel for the position?"

"As if Seol Mugeol would accept that. The result is obvious…"

Unlike with Seol Suryeon, Seol Ryonghwi did not openly express his ambition for the position of Prince. Nevertheless, the more perceptive individuals quickly noticed an unusual shift in the Seol Clan's hierarchy.

There's a precedent, so it's not impossible.

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If the Empress Dowager makes up her mind…

Just like that, the appearance of an unexpected hidden dragon caused a great stir in the Seol Clan.

Naturally, the rumors also reached the ears of Seol Mugeol, who was grounded in his room, but he couldn't recklessly go outside and refute them.

"How dare that bastard…!"

If he could, he wanted to run out immediately and kill Seol Ryonghwi, but due to Seol Suryeon's strict order that she would by no means let it slide if he violated his confinement again, he could only stay put and sulk.

"Such rumors are circulating in the family, yet the Empress Dowager is just watching?"

"Yeah, she hasn't said anything in particular. Do you think there's a chance that maybe…?"

Seol Suryeon smiled. She had stood quietly by on purpose, knowing it would further fuel the rumors.

It would be good if Mugeol comes to his senses through this ordeal. And even if he doesn't… I can simply choose another.

She could never have imagined that Seol Ryonghwi, whom she had considered a blessing to the family, would bring calamity upon the Seol Clan.

Seol Ryonghwi sought out the horse-faced man who had conversed privately with Seol Suryeon at the banquet and introduced himself, "It is an honor to meet you. I am Seol Ryonghwi."

Ma Jungcheon regarded Seol Ryonghwi with a puzzled expression. At the young man's request, the two were having a secret meeting outside the Seol Clan's domain.

Why would this extraordinary young man, who suddenly appeared in the Seol Clan and threatened the succession structure, secretly call me out?

"…I am Ma Jungcheon. I heard that you wished to meet me?" he asked.

Seol Ryonghwi nodded indifferently. "Yes. I wanted to have private chat with you."

"May I ask why?"

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"I have always been very interested in the Blood Cult."

"Oho…" Ma Jungcheon's eyes lit up with interest.

Did he already notice the relationship between me and Seol Suryeon? He's only been here for a few days. Just how resourceful is this man? Well, there's no harm in forming a good relationship with him. He's someone who could become the next Prince if Seol Mugeol gets discarded.

Of course, the North Sea Ice Palace would eventually be absorbed by the Blood Cult, but until then, Seol Ryonghwi seemed like a fine pawn to use.

"Which aspect of our Cult are you most interested in?

"Pest extermination, of course."

"…Pardon?"

Seol Ryonghwi seized Ma Jungcheon's throat with lightning speed.

"G-Guh! What is the meaning of this…?!" Ma Jungcheon choked, glaring angrily at Seol Ryonghwi even as his face turned blue and his eyes bulged.

"Don't you understand the situation?" Seol Ryonghwi's lips curled into a sinister grin.

Ma Jungcheon panicked. Wasn't he supposed to be a cool, expressionless man?

"Y-You'll regret touching me. I don't know what your purpose is, but to dare rebel against our Cult…"

SSSSHHH…

Suddenly, Seol Ryonghwi's white hair began turning red, starting at the tips and spreading until it was all the color of blood. With gem-like crimson eyes, he stared intently at Ma Jungcheon.

"Y-Y-You, Heaven Defying… Divine…!"

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Ma Jungcheon's eyes widened with horror as a primal fear settled in. His teeth chattered uncontrollably and his entire body shook violently.

"Who do you think I am?" Baek Suryong teased, releasing his grip on Ma Jungcheon's throat.

Falling to the ground, Ma Jungcheon quickly scrambled into a kneeling position and slammed his head against the ground so loudly that if Baek Suryong hadn't put up a sound barrier, the entire Ice Palace would have heard it.

Then, with blood streaming from his forehead, he exclaimed, "Honored One! Please forgive my rudeness!"

Baek Suryong smirked. Man, I can't believe how well this method works on Blood Cultists.

Translator's Note: Baek Suryong uses Heaven Defying Divine Art. It was super effective! Ma Jungcheon is confused! Ma Jungcheon hurt himself in his confusion!