Chapter 106
Overwhelmed by the barrage of questions and regrets, Yerin finally grimaced.
“Is this person really planning to spread around what happened last night?”
Doyul, looking dejected, drooped his shoulders.
“You never know. It might be worth seeing a doctor for a checkup….”
“It’s fine! It’s really fine, so just leave!”
Meanwhile, there was one person who felt completely left out as the two bickered.
“You two really have such great chemistry.”
Hyuk Min-woo felt a bit sad for no reason.
As the first disciple of the Northern Sea Ice Palace, he had been so busy day and night that he hadn’t even thought about marriage until now, which made him feel all the more miserable.
“Cough, cough.”
As if to comfort Hyuk Min-woo, who was feeling a needless sense of deprivation, the Millennium Ice Crystal rubbed its head against his leg.
* * *
When they first went outside, Yerin and Doyul intended to directly observe the workers.
The reason they changed their minds was due to Hyuk Min-woo’s explanation.
“This is the busiest time of the year. We need to finish the rice planting before it gets too hot.”
“We need to finish planting early? Why is that?”
“If we finish planting too late, it negatively affects the growth of the rice. It could even impact the harvest yield.”
“I see. Then we should be careful not to disturb their work.”
So, the group kept their distance and watched the workers.
It was a bright and sunny day.
Under the clear blue sky, the green rice seedlings, soaked with water, looked lush and vibrant.
Yerin had a satisfied smile on her lips the entire time she observed everything.
“This is truly wonderful.”
Although she wasn’t an expert in farming, she could see that things were progressing smoothly.
The workers were engrossed in planting the rice, while the martial artists vigilantly guarded the surroundings.
“It must have been really hard to get things to this point….”
“You’ve all worked so hard.”
Yerin and Doyul praised them generously.
“It’s all thanks to the two of you for your concern.”
“What did we do? It’s because of you that things are progressing so well.”
“Since the Northern Sea Ice Palace entrusted me with this mission, I thought it was only right to give it my best effort.”
Although Hyuk Min-woo answered as if it were nothing, it was clear that his shoulders were subtly tensed with pride.
“How admirable.”
For the first time in a while, Yerin felt like a proud ancestor.
This feeling, what could it be called? Perhaps the pride of seeing one’s child grow up and take care of themselves?
They thought the day would end without incident, but on their way back to the pavilion, the group encountered an unexpected scene.
“No, I told you that Hyuk Min-woo left early in the morning!”
“There’s no point in hanging around here; you won’t be able to meet him!”
In the distance, a group of people were arguing. It was the guards in front of the pavilion and a poorly dressed woman.
“But I must see Hyuk Min-woo!”
“Come back another time… Ah.”
Noticing Yerin’s group, the guards turned to them with troubled expressions.
At the same time, the woman’s eyes widened.
“Is that… Hyuk Min-woo?!”
The woman hurriedly ran towards them.
Judging by her round, swollen belly, it seemed she was close to her due date. She moved with great difficulty.
Startled, Yerin reached out to her.
“No, it’s dangerous for a pregnant woman to run like that…”
But the woman’s desperate actions didn’t stop there. As she ran, her face twisted in distress.
“Please, Hyuk Min-woo…!”
The woman burst into tears and knelt in front of the group.
“Please help me find my husband!”
Her cry was sudden and desperate.
“My husband was working here… sniff.”
“Please, calm down…”
“How can I be calm?”
She shouted as if she were spitting blood.
“My husband hasn’t come home for over a week!”
Yerin froze for a moment.
Why now? Why did the weary voice of the leader of the Martial Alliance come to mind?
‘There have already been numerous disappearances, and there were so many that even the Blood Sect couldn’t hide them properly.’
‘I realized the possibility… too late.’
Yerin’s eyes turned cold.
* * *
The three of them brought the woman into the pavilion.
She was crying so pitifully that she was nearly on the verge of fainting.
Yerin sat the woman down and handed her a warm cup of tea.
Afterward.
“Do you feel a bit better now?”
“Yes…”
The slightly calmer woman sniffled.
“Take a deep breath and tell us slowly.”
Yerin patted the woman’s shoulder gently.
“You said your husband is missing?”
“Yes, well…”
The woman began to speak in a tearful voice.
She was an orphan, relying only on her husband. One day, her husband came home with a joyful expression and hugged her.
‘Honey, I found a great job!’
The job he had found was as a farm laborer.
Every year, the Northern Sea Ice Palace hired workers to help with farming, a position highly sought after in Sichuan Province.
The pay was generous, and the workers were well taken care of, with ample rest and meals provided.
‘That’s wonderful news!’
‘Isn’t it? Now you can rest easy. I’ll take care of you and our baby!’
At first, they were just happy. Her husband brought home his wages regularly, and she managed their household with care. She believed they could continue living peacefully like this.
Then one day, her husband didn’t come home, even until late at night.
‘Why is he so late?’
The meal she had prepared while waiting had long gone cold. After a sleepless night, she began searching the village for him. But he was nowhere to be found. No one had seen him.
“I kept waiting, but he never returned…”
She explained that she had come here as a last resort, clinging to hope.
Yerin nodded.
“We will help you find your husband. Could you tell us his name, what he was wearing, and any distinguishing features?”
“Thank you, thank you so much!”
Tears welled up in the woman’s eyes again.
“He has a large mole on his chin… Oh, right! One of his sleeves was torn, so I patched it with a piece of muslin.”
“Which sleeve?”
“The left one. The color of the cloth is different, so it’s noticeable.”
“I understand.”
After sending the woman on her way, Doyul spoke up with concern.
“Madam. If it’s a disappearance…”
What was the reason they had come to the Central Plains in the first place? It was because of the disappearance of Baek Seol-ryeon’s body and the related Blood Sect disappearances.
“Hyuk Min-woo, my disciple.”
“Yes, Grandmaster.”
Sensing the gravity of the situation, Hyuk Min-woo straightened his posture.
Yerin made a heartfelt request.
“I want you to find that person with all your might.”
“I will carry out your orders.”
Hyuk Min-woo nodded confidently.
However.
‘…I have a bad feeling about this.’
Yerin’s stern expression showed no sign of easing.
* * *
After that.
Noticing the serious expressions on Yerin and Doyul’s faces, Hyuk Min-woo spoke up.
“By the way, neither of you has been inside the city yet, have you?”
“Well, that’s true,” Doyul nodded.
Hyuk Min-woo suggested as if it was a good opportunity.
“In that case, since it’s about time for lunch, why don’t you go inside and have a meal?”
“Inside the city?”
“Yes. There’s an inn inside the city that serves delicious tofu dishes.”
Hyuk Min-woo gave a friendly smile.
“Worrying is important, but you shouldn’t skip your meals.”
“…I suppose so.”
“Exactly. Filling your stomach might even help clear your mind.”
“You’re right.”
With a small smile, Doyul turned to Yerin.
“What do you think? I believe Hyuk Min-woo’s suggestion is a good one.”
“I agree.”
Yerin stood up and added mischievously.
“Then shall we visit the inn Hyuk Min-woo recommended so highly?”
Thus, the group made an unplanned visit to the city.
‘Well… it doesn’t look bad on the surface.’
The streets were bustling, and the shops were neatly arranged and filled with goods.
The clothes of the people passing by were clean.
It was a peaceful and prosperous scene befitting the name of the capital city of Sichuan Province.
“The inn is this way.”
Hyuk Min-woo walked ahead of them.
As Yerin followed, her eyes narrowed momentarily.
‘What is it?’
She felt an uncomfortable atmosphere from the gazes directed at them and the people quickly avoiding eye contact and moving away.
