Chapter 38
Chapter 38
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 38
Chapter Title: Frostwhite Soul-Severing Palm
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At the center of the Heavenly Martial Hall.
Before Hyeok Mulin, seated in the place of honor, lay two martial arts manuals.
On the left was the Ice Stone Palm he had won at the auction house, and on the right was the Cold Soul Palm retrieved from the Heavenly Demon Secret Vault.
The Frostwhite Soul-Severing Palm, once split into two, was finally reunited in one place.
"Who would have thought I'd master this."
In the past, Hyeok Mulin had given up on acquiring the Frostwhite Soul-Severing Palm for two reasons.
The first was obvious: without the Ice Stone Palm, he couldn't fully unleash the Frostwhite Soul-Severing Palm.
As Seol Un-gang had intended, the two arts individually held unremarkable power before being combined.
The Ice Stone Palm merely hardened objects, and the Cold Soul Palm could only infuse chill into one's palm.
'But what if these two are merged?'
The gaping holes would fit perfectly, complementing each other as cold transformed into ice.
In that instant of imperfection becoming perfection.
The Frostwhite Soul-Severing Palm could bloom in full splendor.
And the second reason was.
'Practicing ice arts meant abandoning all other martial arts.'
The Frostwhite Soul-Severing Palm was undoubtedly an ice art.
Once one accepted a specialized art like ice, water, or fire, the power of arts with different attributes would diminish.
Of course, it didn't mean other types couldn't be used at all, but the flaw of not achieving full power was deterrent enough.
Thus, those who learned ice arts stuck to ice for life, and water arts practitioners to water alone.
"But now, there's no need for that."
The Pure Soul Divine Demon Art that Hyeok Mulin practiced was unaffected by attributes, allowing him to use ice arts without hesitation.
Chin-
Hyeok Mulin first read the Cold Soul Palm, then the Ice Stone Palm.
He had already grasped the principles of the Cold Soul Palm in his previous life, so mastering it didn't take long.
The Ice Stone Palm was also simple on its own, making it easy to comprehend the foundations and quickly achieve mastery.
Closing his eyes, Hyeok Mulin sat motionless, contemplating the mysteries of the unified Frostwhite Soul-Severing Palm.
In perfect stillness, he remained utterly still for a full hour.
And finally.
"......"
Having fully comprehended the essence of the Frostwhite Soul-Severing Palm, Hyeok Mulin opened his eyes.
He rose and approached a straw training dummy positioned at the rear.
Swipe-
Placing his hand on it, he immediately unleashed the Frostwhite Soul-Severing Palm.
Kwaduduk!
In an instant, transparent ice surged forth, completely freezing the straw dummy.
A slight touch conveyed an overwhelming chill.
"Is this the power of the Pure Soul Divine Demon Art?"
The Frostwhite Soul-Severing Palm Hyeok Mulin demonstrated already possessed five-star level might.
This was thanks to his past life's experience researching various arts combined with the Pure Soul Divine Demon Art.
"At this level, most martial artists wouldn't have a way to counter it."
Hyeok Mulin nodded, stroking the solid ice.
Then, a sudden thought struck him.
'This could have other applications as well.'
Hyeok Mulin gazed at the frozen straw dummy and grinned.
A grand gate boasting elegant curves.
A man stepped forward beneath the plaque inscribed with "Yagul Clan" in flowing script.
Wearing a bamboo hat pulled low, Hyeok Mulin approached the gate with a wooden box slung diagonally across his back.
As he neared the entrance, the guards blocked him and said,
"Please state your name and purpose."
Though mere gatekeepers, their aura suggested they could easily overpower average martial artists.
"I am a nameless wanderer, here to fulfill my promise to the young clan leader."
"A nameless wanderer, I see. Please wait a moment."
At his introduction, they seemed pre-informed, stepping aside as one guard entered.
Soon after, a woman peeked out, opening the gate slightly.
Yagul Sohwa's face, visible through the gap, brimmed with delight.
But moments later, she masked her joy and spoke in a pouty tone.
"Why are you so late?"
Her puffed cheeks made her look just like a squirrel.
Hyeok Mulin chuckled and replied nonchalantly.
"I had a place to stop by, and a few days passed. Sorry if you were waiting."
"Hmmm......"
She eyed him with narrowed gaze before opening the gate with a sulky voice.
"If you were busy, that's understandable. Come in."
"Thank you for understanding."
Entering, Hyeok Mulin followed Yagul Sohwa through the grounds.
She continued introducing the estate by his side.
"Most buildings in the main compound are several hundred years old. Rather than demolish and rebuild, we preserve and repair them to retain their original feel. Even the residence of our founding patriarch remains intact."
The estate featured elegant, antique halls in a pristine style.
Adorned with subtle motifs, they evoked nostalgia without seeming worn, instead exuding refined elegance.
"That's the guest quarters for visitors, and over there is the pavilion for servants. That building houses our guest artists, most of whom were personally invited from Yeonju because of their renown..."
Yagul Sohwa chattered excitedly about the clan and estate as they strolled.
Meanwhile, spotting them, a stir erupted among the clan members.
"The young clan leader brought a guest?!"
"And it's a man!"
"Why is our icy young leader smiling so brightly? What are they talking about?"
The shocked onlookers gathered, faces flushed with surprise.
This was unprecedented; Yagul Sohwa had never invited, let alone brought, a guest in her life.
And a man, at that?
Curiosity boiled over about his identity.
"The guards said she pre-authorized his entry days ago?"
"Nameless wanderer? Never heard of him."
"Isn't he the one who made waves at the Yin Flower Pavilion lately? Rumors say his music is extraordinary."
"No way I'd keep this bombshell to myself."
"Agreed. Never imagined she'd bring a man here."
The clan buzzed with talk of the young leader and her guest, eventually dispersing to spread the news.
As the clan stirred, Hyeok Mulin toured her private music studio and the workshop where Yagul Clan instruments were crafted.
And finally.
Kkiiik-
"This is the Yagul Serak Hall, where our clan's history is preserved."
Yagul Sohwa opened the hall's entrance and gestured with an open palm.
The Yagul Serak Hall was the heart of the Yagul Clan, a place Hyeok Mulin knew well.
It housed the personal instruments of successive Yagul Clan patriarchs, arranged in rows.
A variety of instruments, especially rare ones now nearly impossible to find, were displayed with the patriarch's generation, title, and name inscribed before them.
'That one has only five holes. With so few, I wonder how vast the sound range is.'
Interested in instruments himself, Hyeok Mulin observed with keen eyes as he walked.
At the far end, his breath caught for a moment.
Facing the instrument at the very front.
Yagul Clan founding patriarch, Yagul Jingyeong.
His lifelong companion and divine treasure bestowed by the first Heavenly Demon—the Golden Lian Pipa—stood enshrined in a glass case, gracing the hall.
'Aura emanating from an object like this.'
Though seeing it for the first time, Hyeok Mulin felt its majestic presence without even touching or playing it.
So entranced he forgot to breathe, he was utterly captivated by its otherworldly allure.
As Hyeok Mulin marveled, Yagul Sohwa spoke from beside him.
"Impressive, right? They say even the exalted Cult Leader was enthralled, listening for three days and nights straight."
"...Is it alright to show me this?"
Though formally invited by Yagul Sohwa, he was still just a guest.
To her question implying what if he harbored ill intent, she smirked.
"It's fine. You couldn't steal it even if you wanted to. It's sealed with a formation only the clan patriarch can dismantle."
"That's reassuring, then."
Yagul Sohwa turned to the rear and continued.
"Not just the founder—all our successive patriarchs were renowned masters."
"And you'll soon join their ranks. Might as well decide now which instrument to display."
"Sigh, I'm nowhere near their level yet. And I haven't found one that truly calls to me."
Shaking her head ruefully, Yagul Sohwa turned away.
They exited the Yagul Serak Hall and headed to the courtyard.
The courtyard was artfully landscaped like a simple woodland path.
She led him past it to a gazebo over a pond.
With a glance at a passing servant, tea and light refreshments soon arrived.
Seated in the gazebo, they chatted casually.
"Did you enjoy touring the main compound?"
"Hard to find a more fascinating day lately. Especially watching master craftsmen fuss over a single instrument—something you won't see anywhere else."
Hyeok Mulin lavished praise on the Yagul Clan.
Mid-conversation in the warm atmosphere, Hyeok Mulin abruptly paused.
"Ah. Wait a moment, please."
As Yagul Sohwa tilted her head, he opened the wooden box at his side.
Her eyes widened at the contents.
"Isn't that the Soyagum, the final masterpiece of the master craftsman Unsoya?!"
Worthily of Yagul Clan blood.
She recognized it at once.
"Indeed."
At his confirmation, she clapped in admiration.
"As expected of the nameless wanderer! I knew you possessed a personal instrument of note!"
Yagul Sohwa had suspected as much when he arrived with the box.
Musicians often carried instruments thus.
But Hyeok Mulin shook his head.
"This isn't mine."
"Pardon? What do you..."
Hyeok Mulin extended the Soyagum toward her.
"It's yours now."
"......!"
She fell speechless at his words.
Stunned by the unexpected gift, Yagul Sohwa stared blankly at him.
"Didn't you play the seven-string zither before? I chose this as a fitting gift, which delayed me."
Though different from the seven-string zither, their tones were similar enough.
'Even so, the Soyagum won't become her lifelong instrument.'
Countless exquisite instruments would flock to her in the Yagul Clan.
Rarer treasures than the Soyagum surely awaited her.
Hyeok Mulin would be content if she used it occasionally without forgetting.
Yagul Sohwa stared at the Soyagum in her hands before slowly speaking.
"I've never received a gift this priceless."
Ahem, it did cost four hundred gold taels, though.
Embarrassed by her profound reaction, Hyeok Mulin cleared his throat awkwardly.
She bowed politely.
"I vow to play it until it wears through."
Instruments were made to be played.
Her promise to play it resonated far stronger than mere possession.
Chuckling at her solemn oath, Hyeok Mulin replied.
"Use it well. If I see cobwebs next time, I'll take it back."
"Hehe, come check anytime."
Yagul Sohwa covered her mouth, beaming with smiling eyes.
In this harmonious moment.
A middle-aged man suddenly appeared from afar, radiating an ominous aura.
He approached the gazebo with terrifying momentum.
"Father? How did you..."
Spotting Yagul Hyeon, Yagul Sohwa asked in confusion.
But Yagul Hyeon offered no reply, stepping into the gazebo.
He fixed his gaze on the young man opposite his daughter, then slowly parted his lips.
"......Cult Leader."