The Eldest Daughter of the Tang Clan of Sichuan Protects the Family Chapter 171

Chapter 171. The Internal Passage

The sound of bowls being emptied was noisy.

Even though they had eaten their fill during the day, the appetites of the martial artists of the North Sea showed no sign of waning.

"May I have one more bowl, please?"

The patient's eyes sparkled as he held out his bowl.

So-hwa smiled and filled it to the brim with porridge.

"Eat slowly. There's still plenty left."

"Thank you!"

"Physician, too—just one more bowl..."

Ashad of his subordinates' behavior, the Leader covered his eyes with his large hand.

The martial artists of the North Sea recovered quickly.

Moreover, after five of them cleared away twenty servings of porridge and even took a dicinal tonic as dessert, it almost looked as though they'd gained weight.

Their bellies were visibly swollen—at least four catties heavier, judging by sight—and their faces glistened with oil.

Watching the patients eat with terrifying speed, So-hwa turned her gaze toward the doorway.

The martial artists sitting near the door were looking up at their comrades with eyes full of envy.

Judging by their weak postures and pale faces, they were the ones who looked like true patients.

Instead of offering them food directly, So-hwa quietly walked over to the brazier.

She poured more water into the pot and took out a slab of at from the storeroom. She intended to make broth to share—it was the least she could do. She, too, knew the agony of hunger, and she couldn't ignore martial artists who looked on the verge of starvation.

But the mont she dropped the at into the pot, a thud ca from the doorway.

One of the martial artists had collapsed to the floor.

"Mu-eul!"

The nearby comrades panicked, and even the patients who had been lying on the sickbeds jumped down to check on him.

"Physician! Soone's collapsed here!"

One of the recovering martial artists lifted his comrade and laid him on the bed.

... At this point, it was truly hard to tell who was the patient and who was the caretaker.

So-hwa approached the bed and took the fallen man's pulse.

"..."

Her gaze slowly lifted.

The corner of the man's eye twitched awkwardly.

When So-hwa stayed silent for a long while, the Leader ca closer.

"Is it serious?"

How should she even explain this?

Looking at his furrowed brow, she couldn't bring herself to speak easily.

If she said he was only pretending to be sick because he wanted food, she feared he'd really end up a patient afterward.

She wanted to go along with the pitiful man's act out of sympathy, but posing as a physician from the Yeonju Group, she couldn't afford to arouse suspicion.

"Great Warrior, I was just about to make so broth to share, but shall I make it into porridge instead?"

At her words, the martial artist cautiously opened his eyes.

"It'll take a bit longer, but broth doesn't keep you full for long. Porridge will be better for you."

"... I apologize."

The man's face flushed with sha.

Sha was better than what ca next.

A chill swept in from behind.

"What in the world do you think you're doing?"

The Leader's angry voice rebuked the martial artist. The frightened man squeezed his eyes shut, and So-hwa stepped in.

"Even if they aren't patients, everyone's in poor condition. I'd prefer they eat properly now... but of course, I'll follow your judgnt, Great Warrior."

"... Is it very dangerous?"

"For now, eating well and getting enough sleep will restore their strength. But if their internal organs have been damaged, it will take ti to recover."

Then, in a quieter voice, So-hwa added:

"Of course, this is my clinic—so even if there's organ damage, I can treat them. You needn't worry about the cost of dicine."

The Leader closed his eyes, as if making up his mind.

"... Forgive our shalessness, but please prepare als for the others as well."

"Don't worry. It's no trouble at all."

So-hwa spoke to the Leader gently, then turned her gaze aside.

Namgung Jin, who was already standing beside the pot, nodded once and began chopping vegetables on his own.

Having soone quick-witted and capable by her side made things easier in every way.

So-hwa looked toward the martial artists by the door and spoke softly to calm them.

"Please wait just a little longer."

The martial artists of the North Sea looked at the two Central Plains people with teary eyes, as though beholding saints.

So-hwa understood that look — they must have been starving, and hunger could drive anyone to that dazed, desperate gaze.

When So-hwa picked up the empty bowls, Namgung Jin stepped forward to take them from her.

As the two walked toward the brazier together, the martial artists at the doorway grinned.

"I heard the two of you are husband and wife. You seem so close. I'm envious."

At that, Tang So-hwa and Namgung Jin's stiff gazes turned toward the door at the sa ti.

For a mont, both nearly reacted with ‘What in the world are you talking about?’ — until they realized those n were rely playing along with their act. Their eyes curved faintly.

The young martial artists' eyes sparkled, their looks full of curiosity and admiration — the kind of gaze that longed for the Central Plains.

So-hwa suddenly realized that these people had never once set foot in the Central Plains.

Their eyes were the sa as that young girl's, the one who had been with the physician — eyes that had learned of the Central Plains only from books, filled with nothing but distant yearning.

But still... why do they smile like that just because of a husband and wife? What kind of books have they been reading...?

It was at that mont, when she found the situation odd, that So-hwa's gaze shifted toward the window — and Namgung Jin reacted at the sa instant.

The air inside the room suddenly felt saturated with cold.

It wasn't just a feeling.

The black walls gradually turned pale gray.

Frost blood across the wooden panels like white snowflowers spreading over ice.

So-hwa looked toward the Leader. He had already turned his body toward the door.

No sound could be heard — yet the presence of sothing approaching was unmistakable.

It felt as though invisible footprints were pressing down upon their skin.

The Leader, almost unconsciously, started toward the door — then turned back to So-hwa and Namgung Jin.

"It seems my comrades have arrived. May I open the door for them?"

Though his face was tense with caution, he still clung to his sense of reason and asked the hoowner's permission first.

Tang So-hwa nodded, doing her best not to show her own unease.

"Thank you."

The Leader straightened his clothes, then reached for the door.

Clack.

The chill pooled at the threshold stirred at that small sound. The white frost clinging to the wooden walls lted away like a receding tide.

Inside, the brazier's red glow shimred faintly — yet a cold that didn't belong there seeped through its warmth.

Creeeak.

Standing there were a snow-white old man and the girl from the gorge.

So-hwa tensed at the sight of the elder. Even against the dark backdrop, he seed to reflect light like moonlight on snow.

It was the second ti she had felt qi that could be seen with the eyes.

A faint blue radiance wrapped around the old man's outline.

Unlike Min Haerak's aura, this one was serene and cold — like a halo of frost circling the moon.

Every martial artist of the North Sea inside the clinic dropped to their knees, lowering their heads to the floor.

"We pay our respects to the Fourth Seat."

The one they called Fourth Seat did not so much as glance at the blood kin bowing to him.

His pale gray eyes were fixed solely on the two Central Plains people standing in the middle of the room.

So-hwa tried to gauge the identity of this strange being.

Fourth Seat... In the hierarchy of the North Sea Ice Palace, that would an the fourth rank among the Seven Seats of the North Sea.

Like a man sculpted from ice, the Fourth Seat exuded a biting chill as he opened his lips.

"May I co in?"

So-hwa gathered her hands respectfully.

"It is an honor to et the Fourth Seat. Please, co inside."

It was only for an instant, but Namgung Jin shot her a glance — his eyes full of warning.

He had sensed the killing intent emanating from the man.

But before such a monster, there was no real choice to make.

Still, as long as that murderous will hadn't yet turned to violence, there was room for words.

Click.

As the Fourth Seat entered, the girl who had been standing beside him closed the door behind them.

So-hwa's eyes narrowed slightly.

‘Did she dye her hair before?’

Unlike before, the girl's hair was now pure white.

"You said you wanted to know how to remove the Blood Demon's blood?"

At that chilling voice, So-hwa's gaze, which had been resting on the child, rose slowly.

The Fourth Seat spoke to her while glaring down.

Ignoring his bloodline, crouched on the floor, he fixed his piercing stare on the Central Plains young lady who dared et his eyes.

Tang So-hwa t that gaze and answered with a small nod.

“Yes. I was told that this is the Bai Clan master’s token.”

The corners of the Fourth Seat's mouth curved slightly.

"There's no reason I can't tell you. There exists a divine artifact that contains the Blood Demon's blood — we call it the Will of the Blood Demon."

The Leader's back twitched noticeably.

Unlike his flustered subordinate, the Fourth Seat continued speaking with an even expression.

"Those who possess the Blood Demon's artifact can command his blood — even cleanse it away. We obtained that artifact and used it to purge the Blood Demon's blood from our bodies."

So-hwa's eyes narrowed.

"You an... You used the Blood Demon's blood to remove the Blood Demon's blood?"

"That's right."

"Then... is it still possible now to drive out the Blood Demon's blood with that artifact?"

"No. Not anymore."

The Fourth Seat's tone was faintly bitter.

"Once the Blood Demon realized we'd fled using his artifact, he changed his will. Since then, that artifact can no longer be used to remove the Blood Demon's blood."

The Leader's shoulders flinched again. Though he couldn't bring himself to interrupt, his face betrayed his shock.

Watching the North Sea martial artist's reaction, So-hwa realized the Fourth Seat was telling the truth.

Her dark eyes, which had been lowered for a mont, lifted again.

"Then, does that an there is now no way to remove the Blood Demon's Gu poison?"

"That's right."

So-hwa's expression fell.

That was not the answer she had hoped for.

But the Fourth Seat showed no concern for her disappointnt.

His voice turned cold once more.

"Since I have proven myself as the Bai Clan’s master. Now, hand over the remaining lineage records."

A promise was a promise, after all.

So-hwa opened the drawers of dicinal herbs one by one and took out the hidden records.

Stacking dozens of sheets in proper order, she handed the complete lineage to the Fourth Seat.

He examined the records carefully, turning each page with care — then suddenly gave a quiet, humorless laugh.

"The Leader asked whether it was all right to tell you how to remove the Blood Demon's Gu poison."

Then, in a strangely gentle tone, the old man said,

"But really, there was nothing to ponder. I could tell you the thod, take the lineage — and then kill you afterward."

The ashen eyes of Bai Gwi lifted to et hers.

"You must have realized that risk yourself. Yet, you staked your life to speak with the Bai Clan's master. It seems you have another plan in mind."

He smiled faintly, intrigued.

"Handing over the lineage without hesitation... You must be certain that I won't kill you. Is that it?"

"I'm not certain you won't kill ."

The Central Plains young lady's smile vanished as she calmly continued,

"I rely thought — if the North Sea is foolish enough not to see that killing would bring them loss, then I might as well give up on the North Sea altogether and return ho."

The Fourth Seat chuckled darkly.

"Ha... risking your life for such a gamble — how very amusing, Central Plain young lady. Fine. You've piqued my curiosity, so speak."

His voice was full of amusent, yet within that brief laugh lay thick killing intent — a warning that he could cut her throat at any mont.

"The lineage is a weapon ant for use after the North Sea Ice Palace is reclaid. Since you've handed it over before the war, you must believe the war is inevitable... Tell , then. Do you have so sort of gift for us before the war begins?"

In response, Tang So-hwa answered with another question.

"There's a passage beneath the island that connects to the Central Plains, isn't there?"

The Fourth Seat gave no answer — yet So-hwa continued on her own.

“Seeing how they’re tirelessly breaking the ice to keep anyone from crossing the sea, they must be monopolizing supplies from the island to control the North Sea.”

“You’re slightly mistaken on one thing—but it’s true the island controls the mainland through its hold on resources.”

Tang So-hwa couldn't tell which part she had missed, but the Fourth Seat didn't give her ti to think.

"So then, child — when do you plan to tell why I can't kill you?"

"Frankly."

So-hwa said calmly, "I didn't realize the North Sea was in such dire straits. I may not have seen the entirety of the Ice Palace's forces, but if even your Leaders and subordinates are starving, then there's no need to look further."

Despite the oppressive aura of the Fourth Seat, Tang So-hwa did not stop speaking.

"The island, with its passage, must be receiving endless supplies and reinforcents. No matter how powerful the Ice Palace may be, how long can it endure without proper support? You've been driven to the edge even while hiding quietly."

So-hwa raised her steady gaze to et the Fourth Seat's icy eyes.

"And if word spreads that the bloodline of the Ice Palace has returned... the Blood Demon himself might cross through that passage to reclaim his vessels. Would you be able to face him then?"

Even she thought her words sounded arrogant — yet strangely, the Fourth Seat remained calm.

Instead of rage, the suffocating killing intent vanished completely, leaving no trace of pressure behind.

While he allowed her to speak, So-hwa wasted no ti — she said, straight to the point, what she had to offer.

"To face the Blood Sect, the first priority is to seal the passage inside the island. The Blood Sect mber will be forced to bring supplies by land, so we can seize their logistics en route; and if, at the proper mont, we close the land route as well, we can stop the Blood Demon from crossing over."

So-hwa said with an even face.

“Fourth Seat, please have the boat moored. When the lake freezes, I’ll enter the island and seal the inner passage. I have a way to close it without being detected.”