"Oh my! Jin-ho~!"
Seol Hwa-rin's bright voice echoed through the gates of the Ice Soul Palace. She looked even more beautiful than before. Wearing a white dress with a silver tiara, she was elegantly surrounded by about ten attendants.
"You really came!"
Seol Hwa-rin made a gesture as if to run toward him, but when Jin-ho stepped back, she stopped awkwardly.
Jin-ho looked at her with complex emotions. She appeared the same as before on the surface, but something felt fundamentally different.
『That woman's scent has changed』
The Thunder Demon King warned immediately.
『Much colder and more calculating than before』
『She's putting on an act』
The Blood Heaven Great Emperor agreed.
"Huh? Why are you treating me so coldly?"
Seol Hwa-rin's voice carried a tremor as if she were hurt. But to Jin-ho, it now sounded fake.
"Could it be... you're still upset about that incident?"
😢 Fake Apologies and False Tears
"I was really sorry about that time... ㅠㅠ"
Tears welled up in Seol Hwa-rin's eyes. They were perfectly controlled tears.
"I had no choice. Eum Mu-geuk threatened my family..."
"Your family?"
Jin-ho questioned. He recalled the information Blood Guard had whispered to him after investigating Seol Hwa-rin's background.
"Yes... my younger brother in the Ice Soul Palace... He said he'd kill him if I didn't betray you..."
Seol Hwa-rin took out a handkerchief and wiped her tears. The gesture was so natural that if Jin-ho hadn't received prior information, he would have been completely fooled.
But according to Blood Guard's investigation, Seol Hwa-rin had no siblings.
"That's a lie."
Blood Guard whispered in Jin-ho's ear.
"Seol Hwa-rin has no brothers or sisters. She's an only child through and through."
Jin-ho was surprised but managed his expression.
"I see... that must have been difficult for you."
"Thank you. For understanding..."
Seol Hwa-rin smiled with relief.
『Perfect acting. Admirable』
The Blood Heaven Great Emperor said sarcastically.
『To tell such lies so casually』
The Thunder Demon King clicked his tongue.
🏰 Guidance to the Ice Soul Palace
"Fortunately, I've gained quite a bit of power in the Ice Soul Palace now!"
Seol Hwa-rin smiled brightly. For a moment, ambition flashed in her eyes, but it quickly disappeared.
"Power?"
"Yes! I've come to lead the reform faction."
Seol Hwa-rin said proudly.
"I think the Ice Soul Palace needs change now too. We need to abandon old customs..."
Her voice carried conviction. But Jin-ho could guess what her 'reform' really meant.
"If you need any information, I can help you~"
"That's really... kind of you."
Jin-ho answered vaguely.
Blood Flower warned Jin-ho in a whisper.
"She's offering too easily. Be careful."
"Then let's go inside! I'll show you everything about the Ice Soul Palace!"
Seol Hwa-rin took the lead. Confidence overflowed from her stride.
🏛️ Inside the Ice Soul Palace Tour
The interior of the Ice Soul Palace was even more magnificent than the exterior. Ice sculptures and crystal chandeliers decorated every corner. But beneath that beauty flowed a cold energy.
"This is the main palace. It's where the Palace Lord resides."
Seol Hwa-rin acted as guide.
"Over there is the conference room, and this is the reception hall..."
"Is the Palace Lord... not here?"
Jin-ho asked.
"Ah, the Palace Lord hasn't been feeling well lately and rarely comes out."
Seol Hwa-rin said regretfully. But her expression showed no real regret.
『She means she drove out the Palace Lord』
The Blood Heaven Great Emperor muttered.
『The power takeover is almost complete』
"And here is the library!"
Seol Hwa-rin pointed to massive ice doors.
"The library?"
Jin-ho's eyes sparkled. This was exactly what they were looking for.
"Yes, all the records of the Ice Soul Palace are stored here. But..."
Seol Hwa-rin made a disinterested expression.
"It's just full of boring old books. Who reads stuff like that these days? LOL"
Jin-ho was secretly pleased. This meant Seol Hwa-rin didn't understand the value of the ancient documents.
"I'd still like to take a look."
"Huh? Really? It'll just be dusty..."
"That's okay. I've always enjoyed reading books."
Seol Hwa-rin shrugged.
"Then look around as you like~ I'm not really interested."
🎪 Calculations Hidden Behind Acting
As Seol Hwa-rin paused in front of the library, rapid calculations were running through her mind.
'Jin-ho is showing interest in the ancient documents. Good. They're things I can't read anyway.'
'But if there's important information... I'll just watch for now.'
'If Jin-ho discovers something, I can take it from him then.'
Her smile remained bright, but her eyes were cold.
"Oh, would you like some tea if you're thirsty?"
"No, I'm fine."
"Then I'll go take care of some other business for a while. Feel free to explore the library!"
Seol Hwa-rin waved and disappeared.
After she left, Blood Flower approached Jin-ho.
"This is strange. She allowed it too easily."
"I think so too."
Jin-ho nodded.
"Could there be some kind of trap?"
"Or maybe she really doesn't know the value."
Blood Guard said while keeping watch of the surroundings.
"Let's be careful while we explore."
『Either way, it's an opportunity. Let's make the most of it』
The Thunder Demon King advised.
『But don't let your guard down. We don't know when that woman might stab us in the back』
The Blood Heaven Great Emperor warned.
Jin-ho looked at the library doors and took a deep breath. It seemed like he could finally take another step closer to the secrets of the Four-Way Split Divine Art.
But at the same time, seeing Seol Hwa-rin's perfect acting made him feel bitter.
'She seemed really pure before... can someone change this much?'