wjnovel Chapter 232 : Drawn by Fate
Chapter 232 : Drawn by Fate
Chapter 232: Drawn by Fate
Under the blazing midsummer sun, the trading company estate was being scorched with heat.
Scrape. Scrape.
I was thinly shaving ice that I had frozen solid using the Ten-Thousand-Year Ice Crystal.
Each slice was cleanly cut by the faint, pale blade energy clinging to the edge, piling up simply in a bowl as fine, white, translucent ice flakes.
The people gathered in the Trading Lord’s Office stared at the unbelievable sight in a daze.
Eun Hwaran, who had been fanning herself nonstop in the heat, my subordinates from the Troubleshooter Office, and even Chief Steward Jin.
In particular, Ilhong—who truly understood the value of this Spiritual Elixir that had crossed rivers and snowy mountains to reach here—looked utterly speechless at the way I was using the Ten-Thousand-Year Ice Crystal.
“Boss, are you really using that precious Northern Spiritual Elixir… to make Ice Confection…?”
She had been training with Hwang Geolgae under the scorching sun when she was suddenly called over, only to witness a cold dessert being made before her eyes. She looked a bit dumbfounded.
“Then don’t eat it.”
I answered indifferently as I drizzled thick honey over the snow-like shaved ice.
Then I added red beans, soybean powder, and chewy white rice cake pieces like the finishing touch of a masterpiece. Finally, I poured a spoonful of apple-flavored juice, and in an instant, the entire Trading Lord’s Office filled with a sweet aroma.
“I never said I wouldn’t eat it……”
Ilhong swallowed hard, her gaze already locked onto the completed Ice Confection.
She had just made a remark because it felt like I was wasting a Spiritual Elixir and blade energy.
“My little brother, may this sister have a taste?”
“Yes, of course. Please try it.”
Eun Hwaran and the others in the Trading Lord’s Office carefully scooped into the mound of shaved ice.
The moment they took a bite, their expressions slowly changed. First came cold surprise, then melting delight, and finally, pure ecstasy spread across their faces.
“Ahh, this is truly…….”
“Exquisite,”
“To think Ice Confection in midsummer could be this good.”
Did those high-ranking figures of the Imperial Palace who built ice storage houses enjoy such luxury even in the height of summer?
Jealousy and envy briefly passed among them.
Chief Steward Jin also looked extremely satisfied. Even the newly arrived cook seemed to be embracing this new culinary concept.
In this sweltering midsummer heat, did ice need any further justification? As expected, the response was overwhelmingly positive.
“Harang, aren’t you eating?”
Holding my spoon, I looked at Jo Harang, who was quietly lost in thought.
That glutton, who loved food more than anything, was ignoring a luxurious shaved ice dessert topped with red beans, rice cake, honey, and fruit juice? Something was definitely off.
“Huh? Ah, right. Thanks. I’ll eat.”
Jo Harang snapped back to her senses in surprise.
Since returning from the North Sea Ice Palace, she had often stared into the distance like this, lost in deep thought. Sometimes, she even cast complicated glances at me.
‘What’s with her?’
Could it be that collapsing twice from Red Sun’s finger flicks in the Ice Cave had left a lingering shock?
The opponent had been a Being Beyond Heaven to begin with—something no one could easily face—so it wasn’t something she needed to dwell on.
“Young Master Dan, what is the name of this Ice Confection that melts in the mouth like this?”
Chief Steward Jin asked with eyes gleaming with the scent of profit.
“It’s called Patbingsu.”
In ancient times, crushed ice mixed with honey and fruit juice had been called “honey ice,” but it seemed that tradition had completely vanished over time.
“Mujin, but is it really okay to use a Northern treasure like this…?”
Having regained her senses, Jo Harang asked the same question as Ilhong.
As she brushed her glossy black hair behind her ear—annoyed that it was getting in the way while eating—I replied,
“So what? It’s not like it gets used up. What’s the point of leaving it buried deep in storage?”
It didn’t melt anyway. Something like this wasn’t meant to be worshipped like a sacred relic—it had to be used.
I held the special Northern Sea Ice Palace wooden box against my neck as I explained.
The Ten-Thousand-Year Ice Crystal, once carefully enshrined in the North Sea, had now been reduced to a portable air conditioner and freezer the moment it arrived in Beijing.
The chill touched my skin, sending Cold Energy through my entire body.
“Ahh, that’s refreshing.”
With this, summer would be no problem at all.
Until I sold it back to the North Sea Ice Palace, I planned to make full use of it—cooling off and making money along the way.
“My little brother has truly become a merchant now.”
Eun Hwaran smiled warmly, clearly pleased.
She was still trying to lure me into becoming the next Head Escort of the trading company whenever she had the chance.
“Still, while the demand is obvious, there seem to be a few issues if we want to commercialize it……”
In the Central Plains, only the extremely rare imperial family of Beijing could enjoy ice during midsummer.
It was said that until early summer, they could retrieve ice from specially designed ice storage facilities.
“So even in a city overflowing with wealth like Beijing, only a handful could enjoy such luxury. If ice like this starts being supplied, its value will skyrocket.”
At my suggestion—clearly aimed at making money for the North Sea Ice Palace—the Trading Lord of Eunseong Trading Company nodded in agreement.
“They would gladly pay enormous sums. Until now, even with money, it was impossible… However, for a full-scale business, the supply might be insufficient……”
As expected of a Trading Lord, she carefully considered both demand and supply.
Eunseong Trading Company didn’t have ice storage facilities, nor did it have imperial permission.
“No need. Just bring in a few people from the North Sea Ice Palace.”
I mentioned the existence of experts who emitted extreme Cold Energy through the Ice White Divine Art.
And how they were currently struggling financially, trying to restore the palace’s funds.
Eun Hwaran listened with interest, clearly sensing a new business opportunity.
“It’s not Ten-Thousand-Year Ice Crystal, but there are Five-Hundred-Year Ice Crystals and Thousand-Year Ice Crystals. Those carry extreme Yin Energy, and if their users stay in the Central Plains, they can keep the ice from melting.”
If done right, it would be a mutually beneficial business.
The North Sea Ice Palace needed to earn money quickly so they could buy back my Ten-Thousand-Year Ice Crystal at a high price.
And Seol Soyoung, who shared a deep connection through her limited lifespan, could regain her Yin-based Spiritual Elixir and achieve an incredible breakthrough.
If this deal succeeded, people from the North Sea Ice Palace would be coming and going from Beijing for a while.
“Should I send some shaved ice to Juwol as well?”
When I muttered that, Ilhong pouted.
“Why her of all people?”
“She’s our neighbor now. When you get something delicious, you share it with your neighbors.”
Eun Hwaran nodded in agreement.
“That’s a good idea. Cheonhwa Pavilion is a place where high-ranking figures constantly come and go. News spreads the fastest there.”
See? My sister really understood business.
As the two of us agreed, Ilhong sulked and continued eating her shaved ice.
“Harang, your shaved ice is melting.”
“Ah!”
I looked at Jo Harang with surprise.
Even after being given a sweet dessert that any woman would love, her mind was clearly elsewhere.
Something was definitely going on. I’d have to ask her later.
And just like that, I successfully completed the business demonstration.
At the Beggars’ Union branch in Beijing, a heavy silence hung in the air.
Under the flickering lamplight, gaunt-faced men sat in a circle.
The news of the Crown Prince’s recovery from the Imperial Palace was important—but as members of the Murim, they were dealing with something even more critical.
“Another Beggars’ Union member has died…?”
The voice of Elder Ilhogae, currently acting as the Dragon Head Sect Leader, trembled.
Across from him, Pak Chil, a Five-Knot disciple, nodded grimly.
The Beggars’ Union operatives planted as spies were dying one after another.
Especially those monitoring the Demonic Cult and Blood Cult—the enemies of the Murim—their intelligence network was collapsing in real time.
The reports brought by Pak Chil made it clear.
The forces of the Demonic Path, which had remained silent until now, had begun cutting off the surveillance branches ahead of their move.
“The Beggars’ Union operatives monitoring the Demonic Cult have almost completely lost contact, Elder.”
They had believed their disguises were perfect.
But the Demonic Cult had likely noticed them from the start and merely let them be.
Now, all at once, they had been eliminated, completely blinding the Beggars’ Union.
“Damn it… they weren’t the kind to die so easily……”
Ilhogae bit his dry lips.
They were noble Beggars’ Union heroes who had thrown themselves into the den of the Demonic Cult—a place as good as certain death—for the sake of the Murim’s peace.
They were not meant to vanish like this.
“A painful loss.”
Ilhogae sighed heavily.
How much time and sacrifice would it take to rebuild such talent and networks?
Just as they had forgotten the Blood Cult and paid dearly in Shaanxi…
If they forgot the Demonic Cult again, an irreversible disaster might strike.
And the Beggars’ Union seemed to be paying the price first.
“Elder Ilhogae, what should we do now?”
Pak Chil, whose influence had grown significantly, asked.
Ilhogae looked at him with a grave expression.
“If the Demonic Cult has truly begun to move… this is no longer something I can decide alone.”
This could become a matter that determined the fate of the entire Murim.
“Then who must step forward…?”
“Our leader. The Dragon Head Sect Leader must guide us.”
Pak Chil hesitated.
“But… doesn’t he ignore everything we say…?”
No matter how much they tried to bring him back, their leader—who called himself the Divine Wind Daoist—refused to listen.
They had waited, thinking his condition was due to Qi Deviation.
But now, there was no time left.
“There is still one way.”
“What way, Elder?”
“Fortunately, we have Young Master Dan Mujin, who is close to him.”
Pak Chil’s eyes lit up.
Unlike the others who revered and feared the Dragon Head Sect Leader, Dan Mujin stood firm, spoke his mind, and even endured beatings without backing down.
“Pak Chil, deliver the message through him. At the very least, he will listen.”
And if not—
Dan Mujin would make sure he listened.
After all, he had a remarkable talent for getting under people’s skin—especially the Dragon Head Sect Leader’s.
“Yes, I will go at once.”
Understanding the severity of the situation, Pak Chil bowed deeply and rushed out of the Beijing branch.
Cicadas chirped endlessly, reciting the verses of summer.
After a few days, the heat in central Beijing became even more unbearable.
Crowds filled the streets like a living furnace, with no sign of the heat dissipating.
“Ahh, so cool.”
And in the midst of it, I alone enjoyed luxurious coolness.
Holding the Ten-Thousand-Year Ice Crystal against my body, I wore an expression of pure bliss.
“This is better than any air conditioner.”
“…What’s that supposed to be, Boss?”
Ilong asked with dull eyes, now used to seeing me casually handle priceless Spiritual Elixirs.
“It’s something kids wouldn’t understand.”
“Seriously, we’re only a year apart!”
She snapped, offended at being treated like a child.
A short distance away, Jo Harang silently watched us with her purple eyes.
Sensing her gaze, I spoke to her.
“What, do you want to try it too? I can lend it to you.”
I casually offered the wooden box that had been pressed against my bare skin.
“…No, I’m fine.”
But that wasn’t what she had been looking at.
When she shook her head, I awkwardly put it back inside my clothes.
“Really? But you’ve been acting strange since the North Sea Ice Palace.”
“I just… have something to think about.”
She answered quietly.
“Yeah? If something’s bothering you, just tell me anytime.”
“Okay.”
She had always lived simply—eating good food, beating villains, and earning money.
But recently, a serious concern had taken root in her heart.
“Boss, you handed her something that was touching your bare skin. Of course she’d feel weird.”
Ilong misunderstood and commented.
“Oh, really? But between me and Jo Harang, it’s not like that……”
“Not like what exactly?”
She frowned slightly.
“We’re comrades who’ve crossed countless life-and-death battles together.”
I replied.
“Then I’ve crossed countless life-and-death battles with you too!”
“Really? Then I’ll grant you this instead.”
“Wait—ahh!”
As the cold object suddenly touched Ilhong’s neck, she let out a strange cry.
To Jo Harang, that scene somehow felt distant.
Twisting her long hair around her fingers, she sank into deep thought again.
Dan Mujin assumed she was still shaken from being defeated twice so easily by an overwhelming expert.
But that wasn’t it at all.
‘When I fainted the second time… I was barely conscious, but I heard it……’
Jo Harang was the Purple Tenuity Star—someone who grew stronger rapidly through life-and-death battles.
When the intangible sword struck again, she resisted with everything she had.
Even as she collapsed like a puppet with cut strings, she managed to preserve a sliver of consciousness.
And because of that—
She had unintentionally overheard part of the conversation between Dan Mujin and Red Sun.
‘Mujin… could it be that you carry something similar to me?’
It was about Dan Mujin harboring an unknown Evil Star.