Only I Am A Reader

"Are you sure you want to have our Heavenly Strength Society as enemies?"

The already icy atmosphere turned completely frigid as Cheon Jeong released her full pressure with the Society's token in her hand. Although she didn't expect to be warmly welcomed, the disregard she received was simply outrageous.

'Though that does make things easier…'

Despite appearing to be nonchalant about the whole ordeal, the Heavenly Demon didn't really let them go there on a whim. He had an objective that he wanted them to achieve, assessment and reaction! Partnering up with the Northern Ice Palace was possible if they were friendly, but…

"The Demon Cult?!"

The old woman's face distorted as she blatantly stated her direct view. Everyone in the throne room similarly had a change of expression as soon as they found out the identity of their visitors, it seemed like they had stumbled upon a hard rock for the first time in a while.

"Ah, it's good to see our visitors from the Heavenly Strength Society! Please excuse the Third Elder for acting out of place, it looks like age is catching up to her…"

The man sitting directly on the Ice King's right appeared calm on the surface, but he was boiling with the intent to tear the old woman apart deep inside! The 'intruders' were obviously not some ragtag group that could be found anywhere just by judging from their strength. Naturally, insulting them would be no different from offending the background that raised such mighty figures!

'This retarded hag!'

He was planning to carefully probe about to find out their origin, but the old woman that had grown arrogant under the intoxication of power didn't give him the chance, getting them off on the wrong foot with her poisonous mouth.

"Wha-"

The Third Elder looked like she wanted to protest, but the look in the Grand Elder's eyes was like a slap on the face that kept her shut.

"The Society Leader had personally instructed us to come to some form of beneficial relationship between our forces, but it seems like you are reluctant to do so…"

Cheon Jeong reflected the old woman's disregard back at her, directly playing out her card. Although the Heavenly Strength Society wasn't really in dire need of allies, the Heavenly Demon saw beyond the present situation.

Once murim took care of the tumor-like monsters, their united attention might shift at a certain target before going back to individuality. The strength of the Northern Ice Palace wasn't enough for the Heavenly Strength Society to effectively seek them, but since they were coming around anyway, it was better to take care of future problems!

While the Heavenly Demon didn't desire military support, he wanted to impose a non-aggression pact upon these potential allies!

'As expected, it's not that simple.'

Leo had all of that in mind when he thought of coming here, but even without providing any advice from his side, the adults already knew what they had to do. All he had to provide was a reason to come over!

Considering that this trip was supposed to happen but with Geochin as its center, the Northern Ice Palace would eventually accept the hands of the Murim Alliance, allying with them to strike at the Heavenly Strength Society when the time was right, greedy for a bite from the countless resources they had accumulated over the years…

"I'm sure we can agree on something, but… Can you give us some time to consider it between us first?"

The Grand Elder maintained his friendly facade as he tried to push them away. Although he didn't want to offend anyone, it wasn't like he enjoyed acting in a servile manner. To begin with, the reclusive state of the Northern Ice Palace was because everyone preferred their small closed circle.

They simply preferred acting like kings on a limited island like this rather than being part of the endless conflict in murim! Regardless of how the current evolved situation would be dealt with, the old man wanted to deal with the one who forced this undesirable situation upon them, Bing Baek!

"We weren't expecting an immediate answer anyway. However, do note that this kid is currently under our protection. After all, we came to help according to her request."

Easily reading the geezer's intent, Cheon Jeong patted Bing Baek on the shoulder. No matter what, she was still their excuse for interference.

"Help?"

"Yes, Grand Elder. Among the tasks that you bestowed upon us, you asked that we find materials or people that can be used to deal with the unwanted Phoenix. I only did as I was told."

'Really?'

The Grand Elder looked at Leo and the other three who were also surprising on their own before turning back to Bing Baek. They always threw all kinds of impossible tasks at the two 'heirs' so that they could blame them for their incompetence for not completing them, but he didn't think that their practice would lead to such a situation!

In reality, they already had a few options in mind in regards to how to deal with the flaming pest and they were simply waiting for the right timing, but things had somehow already gotten out of hand.

'You better be thankful.'

Leo could tell that the Grand Elder felt like he shot himself in the foot, but their arrival was actually just as beneficial to the Northern Ice Palace just as it was to them. Their little pest problem wasn't as small as they believed it to be!

"Understood, we will make sure to reward the princess for bringing back such great help. Now if you don't mind… Little Baek, do guide our guests to their rooms."

The mistake had been already committed, so the Grand Elder could only do his best to remedy the situation. Let alone driving the tiger back, he couldn't even scold the source of the problem. If he knew things would turn out like this, he would have just kept their next puppet under their direct watch instead…