After returning to the Murim Alliance with the martial artists of the North Sea Ice Palace, Baek Suryong had a private conversation with Eun Hwiryong.
"It is nothing compared to the grace the Grand Warden has shown my palace," Eun Hwiryong said, smiling faintly.
"Thank you for coordinating your schedule with mine, Empress."
He had asked the entire North Sea Ice Palace to corroborate his alibi, attesting that he was with them while Maeng Ryonghwi was active in Hubei. To ensure their timing aligned, Eun Hwiryong even adjusted her group's travel speed by exchanging letters with Baek Suryong en route to Hubei.
This way, even those who suspected me won't be able to do anything openly.
Although the Empress of the North Sea Ice Palace hailed from the Outer Regions, she was regarded as equal to the Sect Leaders of the Nine Sects One Gang. To doubt her word would be to insult a guest they had personally invited—an unthinkable act for the orthodox sects, who prized face and justification.
Because of this, Baek Suryong escaped some of the suspicious gazes. Everything had gone according to plan.
Her smile was so chilling that it sent shivers down one's spine, but by North Sea standards, this was a warm gesture of goodwill. Eun Hwiryong added, "But to think the Unorthodox Alliance Chairman is named Maeng Ryonghwi! The martial artists under me couldn't help but chuckle at that. What a coincidence, isn't it, Seol Ryonghwi?"
Due to the North Sea's characteristic lack of emotional expression, it was difficult to tell if they were smiling, but Baek Suryong grinned and brought a finger to his lips anyway. "I ask for your discretion once more."
"You needn't worry. My subordinates' lips are as solid as North Sea ice."
Baek Suryong was the sole disciple of the Ice Moon Goddess, Eun Yerin, and the benefactor who saved the North Sea Ice Palace from the Blood Cult. They would never reveal the name Seol Ryonghwi.
Since the matter had already been settled, Baek Suryong wasn't worried. He turned to another topic. "By the way, have you made your decision? The Azure Dragon Academy arrives tomorrow. If you'd like, I can arrange a meeting for you to meet your niece right away."
Eun Hwiryong fell silent for a moment, then slowly shook her head. "...I don't want to burden her by approaching her first."
Yeo Min was her youngest sister Eun Haryeong's daughter. She had believed Eun Haryeong dead for the longest time, so after learning that she had a niece, she eagerly awaited the day they would meet. But one thing made her hesitate.
"I will give her the chance to choose for herself."
Eun Hwiyeong was the Empress of the North Sea Ice Palace. Yeo Min, on the other hand, was born in the Central Plains and had lived there for nineteen years. For the orphaned girl, learning she had blood relatives was shocking enough. How would she feel if she discovered that they were from the North Sea Ice Palace, a sect from the Outer Regions, and that her aunt was its ruler? Eun Hwiryong worried her young niece might see her as a liability.
"So please tell her I will wait. Not as the ruler of the North Sea Ice Palace, but as family. Tell her she can come find me whenever she feels ready."
Baek Suryong smiled helplessly. "Like aunt, like niece. That girl Yeo Min is stubborn in strange ways too."
"That's only natural. Blood ties can't be so easily wiped away," Eun Hwiryong said proudly and affectionately.
Chuckling, Baek Suryong nodded. "I understand. I'll tell Min exactly that, though I can guess what her answer will be."
Yeo Min would definitely insist on meeting Eun Hwiryong only after she won the movement arts tournament.
Suddenly, Eun Hwiryong lowered her voice. "Last I heard, my niece likes money, so I brought her some pocket money. Do you think this will be enough?"
She pulled out a heavy-looking wallet from her pocket.
Baek Suryong's eyes widened in shock. "This much?"
"Unlike the North Sea, things are pricey in the Central Plains, so it was hard to estimate how much to bring. Still, it's her first allowance, so I want to be generous..."
"Haha..." Baek Suryong laughed awkwardly. It seemed that when it came to her niece, the dignified ruler of the North Sea Ice Palace transformed into a doting aunt seeking advice.
KNOCK, KNOCK!
Han Songbaek, the Head Elder of the North Sea Ice Palace, opened the door and entered. "Your Majesty, it's almost time for your private meeting with the Murim Alliance Chairman."
Eun Hwiryong hastily hid the wallet. "Ahem! Tell him I will be there shortly."
"I believe you must leave immediately. You can spare a few more days to reconsider your niece's allowance, can't you?"
"...Okay."
After Eun Hwiryong left to meet with the Murim Alliance Chairman, Baek Suryong returned to his quarters.
Namgung Su was waiting for him there with his arms folded and eyebrows twitching. "You're here. You really pulled a fast one on us," he said in a voice as cold as the North Sea Ice Palace chambers Baek Suryong had just come from.
Regardless, Baek Suryong grinned as if it were nothing. "Did you really think I'd start something without a trick like this up my sleeve?"
"Don't delude yourself into thinking you're completely free of suspicion. There are still those who doubt you."
"You mean the Heavenly Martial Principal?"
"Yes."
Baek Suryong knew it, too. The Heavenly Martial Principal had been observing him intently, his gaze so obvious that Baek Suryong couldn't ignore it. Recalling Cheon Mugyeol's warning, though, he stayed calm.
"Be careful of the Heavenly Martial Principal. That old man is different from me."
"There's no evidence anyway. Once the Heavenly Martial Festival starts, they won't have the luxury to spare me any attention."
Namgung Su's frown remained deeply etched on his brow. Staring intently into Baek Suryong's eyes, he asked, "Did you visit the North Sea Ice Palace during summer break?"
"Yes, I went there after parting ways with you at the Murim Alliance."
Namgung Su jerked his chin toward the Unorthodox Alliance's lodgings. "Then the ones you went to meet under the pretext of a home visit must be them."
Baek Suryong chuckled and nodded. "Were you waiting here to interrogate me?"
"Are you Baek Suryong?"
Baek Suryong flinched at the unexpected question, but soon nodded and answered seriously. "Yes."
The two stared at each other for a while in silence.
"...I will continue watching you." Namgung Su unfolded his arms and turned to leave.
As Namgung Su strode past, Baek Suryong blurted out, "You told me not to expect your help, but I heard you defended me in the Murim Alliance meeting."
"If you're referring to the duel between the Unorthodox Alliance Chairman and the Azure Dragon Hero, I deemed it irrelevant to the establishment of an alliance." Glancing back at Baek Suryong, Namgung Su continued icily, "The Heavenly Martial Festival begins tomorrow. You should at least conduct yourself with restraint until then."
"Don't worry, I won't even need to step in, because..."
A giant bird made of flames soared into the sky, trailed by a long tail. Following the scattering of flames across the night sky, the Vermilion Phoenix Academy students entered the city.
SLAM!
After saying his piece, Namgung Su turned around without hesitation, went into his room, and slammed the door shut.
Baek Suryong scratched his head. "Wow, look at this bastard. He looks seriously pissed off."