Ice Island Palace Chapter 33

"We are carrying out the punishment under the orders of our superior; this is correct and legitimate! Why do you dare speak of the law of the jungle?"

Ong Ki Bu roared angrily.

"Be patient, Ong-ciangkun. I have heard everything, and I know that the commanders here are brave and mighty men like Khu-ciangkun, loyal to their duty and carrying out superior orders without hesitation. However, for the sake of justice, you must show me which superior ordered you to hang Khu-ciangkun? Know that I, too, come as an envoy from the capital city!"

Everyone was shocked, their faces red with indignation because people did not believe him. Ong Ki Bu took out the scroll of command and opened it before the crowd, shouting loudly.

"The one who issued the order is Grand Commander Suma Kiat! Is that still not believed?"

"Hmm, hmm.... a letter can be forged. From whom did you receive this order, Ong-ciangkun?"

Han Ki asked. Ong-ciangkun glared at Han Ki and snapped.

"Young man, I have been a commander for decades! Do you think I am so careless as not to verify if an order is genuine or fake? This letter is genuine, especially since the one who brought it here was a disciple and aide of Suma-goanswe himself!"

"Where is he? Please be kind enough to summon him!"

Han Ki pressed. The commander ordered his men, but after searching, Suma Kiat's envoy was gone.

"Ah, he.... he left without saying goodbye. How strange!"

Ong-ciangkun said in surprise. Kam Han Ki then said,

"Ong-ciangkun, Khu-ciangkun, and all brothers present here. Listen. I am the cousin brother of Minister Kam Liong, and know that Khu-ciangkun is a disciple of my Elder Brother Kam Liong. Now I bring an order from Minister Kam Liong, who holds a higher position than Commander Suma. I hope you will heed his command!"

Han Ki produced another scroll. Ong Ki Bu hastily received and read the order, which stated:

Minister Kam Liong sends officer Kam Han Ki to fetch and summon Commander Khu Tek San back to the capital city. The tall, large commander's face brightened, and he burst into hearty laughter.

"Ha-ha-ha! My heart is relieved now! Of course, I obey Minister Kam Liong's command more readily! Who dares contradict his order? And with Minister Kam Liong's command, I am forced to cancel Commander Suma's order; no one will blame me. Ha-ha-ha, my colleague Khu Tek San, truly good people are always protected by Thian! This mighty young man came to return your life, ha-ha-ha! You must know how unhappy we all were carrying out that previous order, but he holds a position higher than ours; how could we object?"

"I understand, Friend Ong, and thank you,"

Said Khu Tek San, and after his and Maya's shackles were removed, Khu Tek San immediately knelt before Kam Han Ki, saying,

"Teecu Khu Tek San expresses gratitude for Susiok (Martial Uncle's) assistance!"

Kam Han Ki quickly helped the older man stand, who, being the disciple of his cousin brother, was also his martial nephew.

"Khu-ciangkun, please do not be so reserved. Let me escort you to the capital city along with the child you saved. Maya is her name, correct?"

Maya looked at Kam Han Ki with full attention, then addressed Khu Tek San.

"Uncle Khu, he is still so young, why are you kneeling to honor him? It is truly improper; it will only make him conceited and arrogant!"

"Hush, Maya, don't speak like that! He is my martial uncle!"

Khu Tek San said quickly.

"Hmm, I dare bet his skill is not that great. How could he possibly match Uncle?"

Khu Tek San felt extremely awkward, and Kam Han Ki looked at Maya with furrowed brows and angry eyes, but he said nothing, only his face turned red, and his eyes seemed to scold,

"You noisy, naughty brat!"

However, of course, in front of Khu Tek San and the other commanders, he did not want to argue with a young girl! So, to cover his annoyance, he said,

"Khu-ciangkun, please change out of your Yucen Commander uniform into ordinary civilian clothes so as not to cause any unpleasantness during the long journey to the capital city."

Khu Tek San agreed with this suggestion, and his colleagues happily prepared civilian clothes for Khu Tek San, even providing three good horses for them. After saying goodbye and expressing thanks, Khu Tek San, Kam Han Ki, and Maya set off, riding three horses south. Along this southern journey, in response to Khu Tek San's questions, Han Ki recounted that he had been sent by Minister Kam Liong to investigate his situation because there had been no news for a long time. After investigating in Yucen, Han Ki was too late because Khu Tek San had already left with Maya.

"I heard the story about Ciangkun and Maya being helped by Mutiara Hitam and her husband. Hmm, my elder sister is truly formidable!"

Han Ki said.

"Hearing that you had gone south, I quickly followed, and luckily Kam-taijin was vigilant and equipped me with a scroll of command. Otherwise, I might have been forced to imitate my Elder Sister Mutiara Hitam and compel them to release you!"

"Indeed, very strange things have happened."

Said Khu Tek San, who recounted his experience: how his courier was killed by a man named Siangkoan Lee, as witnessed by Maya, and how his secret in Yucen was exposed, nearly causing his demise had Mutiara Hitam not helped him.

"The frightening thing is that the man named Siangkoan Lee seems to be continuing his efforts to harm me! But.... hmmm, it is no longer strange now that we know he is a disciple and aide of Suma-goanswe...."

Khu Tek San concluded his story, nodding repeatedly.

"Why is that, Khu-ciangkun? Is Suma-goanswe your enemy?"

Han Ki asked. Tek San shook his head.

"Actually, it is not me they oppose. They strike at me to wound my Suhu."

"Ah, is that so? Does General Suma oppose Minister Kam? Why?"

Tek San again shook his head and sighed deeply.

"That is a family matter; I have no right to interfere. Susiok can certainly ask Suhu."

"The Suma family is a family of Devils! Of course, they always oppose good people like you, Uncle Khu!"

Maya who had been listening to their conversation, suddenly said exasperatedly. Kam Han Ki, still angry at the little girl, looked at her and said in a cold voice,

"Hmph, what does a brat like you know?"

Maya returned Han Ki's gaze with wide, glaring eyes, her voice no less cold,

"If I am a brat, are you an old man? How arrogant, thinking yourself the oldest and wisest!"

"Eh, Maya, don't be so rude!"

Khu Tek San quickly scolded the former Khitan princess.

"This Kam-susiok is the younger brother of your Master, which means he is also a cousin of your late father, the Khitan King. He is your own uncle! Quick, pay your respects and apologize."

Maya sat on her horse's back, turned toward Han Ki, and curled her lip! However, knowing that Khu Tek San was watching her with wide, angry eyes, she then said,

"He is not my uncle! I see he is not old enough to be an uncle; he just acts like an old man!" "Maya! How dare you behave so disrespectfully?"

Khu Tek San snapped, his face red.

"Uncle Khu, I am not accustomed to flattering, especially toward someone as arrogant as him,"

"Maya!"

Khu Tek San snapped again, his eyes glancing worriedly toward Han Ki.

"It's alright, Khu-ciangkun. A brat like this is usually difficult to manage! She is spoiled because she has been pampered too much,"

Han Ki said with a calm demeanor, though in reality, the young man felt his stomach burning and desperately wanted to slap the head of the exasperating little girl. Maya's cheeks turned red with anger, and she puffed out her chest, holding her head high as she looked at Han Ki and said,

"I am spoiled because I was pampered, yes? And you are rotten because you are arrogant!"

"Maya!"

Khu Tek San roared angrily.

"Why has your attitude suddenly changed like this? You are very polite and respectful toward me, so why toward Kam-susiok...."

"Because you are a good and brave person, Uncle Khu. And he is.... hmph...."

"He is your own uncle!"

Khu Tek San warned.

"What uncle? I don't have an uncle like him!"

"If you are the daughter of the Khitan King, then he is your own uncle!"

Maya curled her lip.

"I am not the daughter of the Khitan King...."

"What....?"

Khu Tek San exclaimed in surprise; even Han Ki turned, looking at the girl with furrowed brows. Indeed, the young man was astonished by Maya. A girl who was "too" beautiful, too brave, and now also proved to be too fierce! She was fit to be the daughter of a Demon Queen!

"Truly, Uncle Khu. I didn't want to reveal this secret earlier, but to prove that I am not his niece, I must say that I am actually not the Princess of the Khitan King and Queen! I am only an outside niece who was adopted as a child. I am only an adopted daughter!"