Chapter 335
Chapter 335
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 335
Chapter Title: The North Sea Ice Palace
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“Are you joking right now?”
At Gang Yang-cheon’s question, Bu Eun-seol smiled coldly.
“Do I look like I’m joking?”
“So you’re serious.”
“The Baek-ma-sa, one of the Ten Demonic Sects, is being weakened by an outside faction. How could I not be serious?”
Despite the biting sarcasm, Gang Yang-cheon barely managed to suppress a burst of laughter.
‘Even a clever bastard like you makes mistakes eventually.’
Young men who have never known failure sometimes make absurd mistakes or misjudgments.
Gang Yang-cheon believed that Bu Eun-seol, having never experienced failure, had become overconfident and made a hasty decision.
“In that case, excellent.”
Gang Yang-cheon said in a pleased tone.
“If you can form an alliance with the North Sea Ice Palace, this matter can be smoothly resolved.”
“However, after I return from bringing the North Sea Ice Palace into our fold…”
Bu Eun-seol’s eyes, fixed on the Silver Demon Flying Pavilion where Gang Yang-cheon was, flickered like a lit lamp.
“I will have to begin another inspection of the sects that are eating away at the Cult’s power. There are far too many of them causing unnecessary trouble.”
A silence fell over the hall at Bu Eun-seol’s words.
An inspection.
Bu Eun-seol had just declared, to Gang Yang-cheon’s face, that he would tear the Baek-ma-sa apart.
Although he was the Lord of the Martial Soul Command, the masters of the Ten Demonic Sects held a supreme position, second only to the Demonic Emperor himself.
In effect, Bu Eun-seol had transcended rank and status to hold a knife to Gang Yang-cheon’s throat.
“Hoo hoo hoo. Hahahaha!”
But Gang Yang-cheon, as if struck by a thought, burst into loud laughter instead.
*Stop.*
His laughter ceased, and he spoke calmly.
“I wish the Lord good fortune in his endeavors.”
To ensure the success of his plan, he had thoroughly investigated the situations of all the factions scattered across the Outlands.
At the same time, he had predicted when Bu Eun-seol would return to the Demonic Cult.
While he couldn’t track the movements of the Lord of the Martial Soul Command—who was protected by all manner of intelligence organizations—as if reading his own palm, he could at least find out when he entered Hunan.
And when the news finally came that he had entered Hunan, he had urgently convened the Demonic Council to match his arrival.
Bu Eun-seol’s strategic genius was already well-established.
Therefore, he had devised a scheme to prevent him from predicting or preparing for the proposal he would make at the council.
After all, even the most brilliant mind could make a mistake when forced to react on the spot.
And now, his scheme to shatter the arrogant brat’s reputation in one fell swoop… had finally succeeded.
‘I bruised his pride, and just as I expected, he made an impulsive decision.’
Inside the Silver Demon Flying Pavilion, Gang Yang-cheon wore a sinister smile.
The current state of the North Sea Ice Palace… was one where talk of an alliance was utterly impossible.
This time, he would finally be able to inflict failure and despair upon that insolent brat who didn’t know his place.
***
Word that Bu Eun-seol was heading to the North Sea Ice Palace spread like wildfire throughout the Demonic Cult.
—It seems the Lord of the Martial Soul Command is finally making a mistake.
The members of the Demonic Cult were unanimously skeptical of Bu Eun-seol's decision.
The North Sea Ice Palace had long maintained a neutral position between the Orthodox and Unorthodox Factions.
Moreover, while it was called a palace, it was a gathering of six families, each possessing the martial strength of a clan, that dominated the North Sea.
In other words, it possessed a power akin to a coalition, a force that even the Demonic Cult could not easily swallow.
As proof, the North Sea Ice Palace had never once permitted an outside force to approach it.
And there was an even greater problem.
The current situation in the North Sea Ice Palace was so dire that it could be considered to be in a state of civil war.
—Aside from the Bing Clan, the other five families in the North Sea Ice Palace are completely fractured. And I heard the Palace Lord is ill and has confined himself to his quarters.
In such a situation, they needed to get their own house in order before even considering an alliance.
So what if an outsider came and proposed one?
The person who approved it could be framed for treason, accused of bringing in an external force.
Alternatively, the other families, feeling threatened, might each bring in their own outside forces, further accelerating the division.
That was why they predicted that this time, no matter how brilliant a strategist Bu Eun-seol was… he would be utterly helpless.
Inside a meeting room in the Subduing Demon Pavilion.
Bu Eun-seol, Yu Un-ryong, Myo Cheon-u, and So Ok-rim were seated.
“Why did you make such a decision without consulting us?”
Yu Un-ryong asked in a regretful tone.
“I looked into it, and all the rumors were true. The five families of the North Sea, excluding the Bing Clan, are in conflict, and the Palace Lord is unable to resolve the situation.”
The information gathered through intelligence networks painted a picture of a silent civil war within the North Sea Ice Palace. It was a situation where forming an alliance with an outside force was simply impossible.
“Even if the Palace Lord agreed to an alliance, it wouldn't be accepted. He can’t even mend the rifts between the fractured families.”
As he spoke, Yu Un-ryong’s eyes widened as if he’d realized something.
“Wait, don’t tell me. Are you planning to persuade the Palace Lord to bring in our Cult’s power to seal the cracks and forge an alliance?”
Without waiting for Bu Eun-seol’s answer, he shook his head firmly.
“If we bring our forces in to resolve this, the five families will immediately rebel.”
He then added in a strong voice.
“Bringing in an outside force to solve an internal problem would mean undermining the very legitimacy of the North Sea Ice Palace.”
In short, if any faction were to use external forces to resolve its internal conflicts?
It would instantly lose all justification and face a severe backlash.
“Tell them you’ve changed your mind. There are plenty of other…”
“It doesn’t matter.”
Bu Eun-seol, who had been listening silently to Yu Un-ryong’s long speech, cut him off.
“Before I went to the Cloud Sea Azure Spirit Palace, I had already grasped the situations of not only the Western Regions but all factions in the Outlands.”
Instantly, Yu Un-ryong and Myo Cheon-u exchanged glances, their eyes wide.
That meant Bu Eun-seol had known about the North Sea Ice Palace’s situation for a long time. So why did he make such a rash decision?
“It certainly won’t be easy, but it’s not impossible to form an alliance with the North Sea Ice Palace.”
“How? Our Cult’s forces can’t even enter the place.”
“I’m not taking our forces. Only three people are going, including myself.”
“Huh? Three people?”
At that, Myo Cheon-u, who had been listening quietly, quickly interjected as if he had grasped Bu Eun-seol’s thoughts.
“You’re going to enter the Ice Palace with only a small group to resolve the conflict among the five families, right? Since you can’t bring an army.”
“Correct.”
Myo Cheon-u narrowed his eyes and shook his head.
“The plan sounds good. The problem is, how do you even get in? The North Sea Ice Palace won’t even open its gates for you.”
“Ah, I’ll handle that.”
So Ok-rim, who had been standing behind the Grand Masters, raised her hand and spoke up.
“I’m pretty close with the Ice Palace Lord. If I tell them I’m here, they’ll open the gates.”
Myo Cheon-u’s expression instantly darkened.
So Ok-rim, the Heaven-Sundering Fist.
Her martial arts were formidable, but she had a fiery temper and a tendency to be abrasive.
And he wanted to take *her* along on this important mission?
But Yu Un-ryong thought differently.
Seeing the glint in Bu Eun-seol’s eyes, he guessed that a meticulous plan was already in place.
“So you went ahead and made all sorts of plans again without consulting us, didn’t you?”
Yu Un-ryong said confidently.
Bu Eun-seol was not only a brilliant strategist; he never made impulsive decisions.
Trust.
The reason the Four Shadows Hall was so strong was that every subordinate under Bu Eun-seol trusted him unconditionally.
“That’s right.”
“Alright. Then let’s say that problem is solved.”
Yu Un-ryong crossed his arms and asked.
“How on earth do you plan to form an alliance? With a place that can’t even manage its own house?”
Yu Un-ryong said with a serious expression.
“The North Sea Ice Palace is one of the most powerful factions in the Outlands. Plus, it maintains a neutral stance. Even if the Demonic Emperor himself went, it would be a difficult situation to resolve.”
Bu Eun-seol, arms crossed, stated calmly.
“Think of it like breaking a massive dam.”
“A dam?”
“You only need to create a small, fine crack. Once you do that, the powerful current trapped inside will create a larger rupture on its own.”
Bu Eun-seol’s eyes, gazing out the window for a moment, held a brilliant gleam.
“The North Sea Ice Palace is the same. It possesses immense power and scale, but the cracks started from very minor things.”
He continued speaking calmly.
“And repairing such cracks doesn’t require great strength. A small number of people can delicately mend the fractured parts.”
Yu Un-ryong, who had been listening quietly, shook his head.
“But we don’t know if those cracks are small, or if the levee has already broken and the situation is beyond control, do we?”
“No, we can know.”
“How?”
Glancing at So Ok-rim, Bu Eun-seol said calmly.
“The division of the North Sea Ice Palace was caused by one of the descendants of the Eight Emperors and Three Stars infiltrating and instigating discord.”
“The Eight Emperors and Three Stars?”
“Correct. From the moment I heard that the North Sea families were divided long ago, I thought something was strange.”
Bu Eun-seol looked at So Ok-rim and said.
“But it was only after hearing her story that I understood the full picture. That one of the six families had made contact with a descendant of the Eight Emperors and Three Stars.”
He then recounted in detail what he had heard from So Ok-rim.
That the descendants of the Eight Emperors and Three Stars had been positioned throughout Jianghu for four hundred years, and that they had even infiltrated the North Sea Ice Palace.
And that one of them might be the mastermind who had been shaking Jianghu all this time.
“I see.”
After hearing the whole story, Yu Un-ryong and the other Grand Masters took a deep breath in unison.
The Eight Emperors and Three Stars were masters who had shaken the martial world four hundred years ago.
But not only had they been producing descendants and continuing their lineage, but one of them was the ringleader who was dominating Jianghu and committing atrocities?
“But can we trust this?”
Myo Cheon-u, who had been listening silently, voiced his doubt.
“No matter how much of a peerless diviner and sage Shin San-ja is, I don’t think he can surpass our Cult’s intelligence network.”
The source of So Ok-rim’s information was a man named Shin San-ja.
No matter how mysterious he was known to be, no one could guarantee the accuracy of his information.
“Hmph, don’t believe it if you don’t want to.”
So Ok-rim said with a displeased expression.
“If you think you can find out, then go ahead and try.”
Myo Cheon-u nodded as if it were obvious.
“Of course. We will investigate its authenticity on our end.”
Yu Un-ryong then nodded.
“From now on, we will mobilize our Cult’s intelligence network to its fullest. I’ll also pass on the details of this meeting to Grand Master So of the Nine Kills Squad…”
“Leave that to Myo Cheon-u.”
“Huh?”
“You’re coming too.”
At Bu Eun-seol’s words, Yu Un-ryong’s face turned ashen.
“Me, not Myo Cheon-u?”
When Bu Eun-seol had said three people including himself, Yu Un-ryong had naturally assumed he meant So Ok-rim and Myo Cheon-u.
So Ok-rim had to go because of her connection to the North Sea Ice Palace, and Myo Cheon-u was the strongest martial artist in the Four Shadows Hall.
“To resolve this matter, we don’t need martial strength, but keen insight.”
Bu Eun-seol, who had been looking out the window, turned to face Yu Un-ryong.
“We need to find the traitorous family among the five that has colluded with an outside force—the descendant of the Eight Emperors and Three Stars.”
“I see.”
Yu Un-ryong lowered his head dejectedly.
He was currently writing a very important part of the *Commentary on the Ten Severing Staff Arts* and hadn’t even been stepping outside for anything other than his duties.
Resolving the affairs of the North Sea Ice Palace, tucked away in a remote corner of the world, would take at least a month or two.
That meant he would have to give up his personal pleasure for that long.
“Alright. I’ll go with you.”
Nodding with a disappointed look, Yu Un-ryong said to Myo Cheon-u.
“You can leave my duties to Mu-gwang. Just focus on managing your subordinates well.”
“Understood. Don’t worry and have a safe trip.”
“Then let’s depart.”
At Bu Eun-seol’s words, Yu Un-ryong and So Ok-rim turned to leave.
The three of them would now head to the North Sea Ice Palace to find the family that had colluded with the descendant of the Eight Emperors and Three Stars and caused the division of the five families.
***
The massive palace, built upon a frozen white lake, came into view.
Spanning over fifty thousand *pyeong*, the North Sea Ice Palace looked from a distance as if a massive mountain had been carved whole.
But upon entering the fortress, it looked no different from any other capital city.
The six families that dominated the North Sea all lived together, with one of them becoming the Palace Lord to rule the North Sea Ice Palace.
Upon arriving, Bu Eun-seol’s party, thanks to So Ok-rim’s connections, was immediately able to enter the Ice Crystal Pavilion, where the Palace Lord resided.
Normally, they would have been guided to the Ice River Palace, the grand hall for receiving outside guests.
But because the Palace Lord, Bing Han-pung, was ill, they were guided directly to his convalescent quarters.
*Creeak.*
Following the guard into the Ice Crystal Pavilion, the group blinked in surprise.
Despite its name, the interior was not made of ice, but was bright and gentle, filled with a warm energy.
“*Cough.*”
A cough sounded from within.
Upon reaching the reception hall, they saw a middle-aged man dressed in snow-white martial robes, gazing out the window.
It was the current Lord of the North Sea Ice Palace, Bing Han-pung.
He was the head of the Bing Clan, one of the six North Sea families, and had led the Ice Palace for fifty years.
When one becomes the Lord of the North Sea Ice Palace, they absorb the Ten-Thousand-Year Ice Crystal that has been passed down for generations. This allows them to use powerful ice techniques, but storing it in the body for a long time causes the blood vessels to slowly freeze over due to its immense energy.
He should have passed on the position of Palace Lord ten years ago. But due to a certain incident, he had been unable to pass on both the position and the Ten-Thousand-Year Ice Crystal.
He had also developed an illness of the heart, which sapped his energy and worsened his physical condition.
In the end, he had all but stepped away from his duties, merely holding onto the title of Palace Lord.
“And who might this be?”
Seeing So Ok-rim, Bing Han-pung offered a faint but elegant smile.
“What wind has blown the successor of the Silver River all the way to this barren land?”
“What? You’re still not feeling well?”
So Ok-rim seemed to be on truly special terms with the Lord of the North Sea Ice Palace, speaking as casually as if she were talking to a neighborhood uncle.
“At this age, there’s hardly a part that works properly.”
As Bing Han-pung smiled faintly, Bu Eun-seol and Yu Un-ryong stepped forward.
“Bu Eun-seol, Lord of the Martial Soul Command of the Demonic Cult, greets the Palace Lord.”
“Yu Un-ryong, Grand Master of Scholarly Arts, greets the Palace Lord.”
“The Demonic Cult.”
Bing Han-pung looked at So Ok-rim with a strange smile.
“You can’t be unaware of my palace’s situation. Has the successor of the Silver River come to plunge the final dagger into this old lord?”
Bringing an outside force to the North Sea Ice Palace while it was fractured…
was tantamount to dealing him a fatal blow.
“As if!”
But So Ok-rim spoke with a confident expression.
“I looked into it, and it turns out a descendant of the Eight Emperors and Three Stars has been involved in the division of the North Sea families all this time.”
“I am already aware of that.”
“Huh?”
“Even so, this is a matter in which an outside force must never intervene.”
At that moment, Bu Eun-seol spoke.
“We are not here to intervene in the affairs of the North Sea Ice Palace, but merely to find the one who has divided the six North Sea families and colluded with an outside force.”
“A traitor?”
“That is correct.”
Bu Eun-seol said with confidence.
“By simply finding the traitor, the North Sea Ice Palace will once again become so solid that no outside force will dare to touch it.”
Instantly, the smile vanished from Bing Han-pung’s lips.
It was a statement that accurately grasped the internal situation of the North Sea Ice Palace.
“With just the three of you?”
“Yes.”
“Interesting.”
Bing Han-pung nodded and said.
“You wouldn’t be doing this for free. What is it that you want?”
“Form an alliance with our Cult.”
“An alliance with the Demonic Cult.”
Bing Han-pung said with a bitter expression.
“Is that not just another word for unilateral subjugation?”
“It is not.”
Bu Eun-seol said with a serious expression.
“The North Sea Ice Palace has come to this state because it pursued an unconditional policy of rejecting peace with outside forces.”
“Hmm.”
“Even if you find the traitor, if you maintain such a closed-off policy, this kind of incident will eventually happen again.”
Bu Eun-seol said forcefully.
“But if you form an alliance, things will change. Outside forces with impure intentions will not be able to approach so easily. And through exchange with our Cult, you will not only expand your influence but also learn the essence of various Central Plains martial arts.”
“But doesn’t the Demonic Cult demand unilateral tribute?”
Bu Eun-seol stated firmly.
“The purpose of this alliance is to show that there is no conflict between our Cult and the factions of the Outlands. There will be absolutely no unilateral tribute.”
He then calmly explained the background for why he was seeking such an alliance.
“You are honest.”
Bing Han-pung smiled faintly and said.
“But you must know that showing all your cards puts you at a disadvantage in a negotiation.”
“I have come here to dare open the gates of the North Sea Ice Palace, which have never been opened for generations.”
Bu Eun-seol also smiled.
“A disadvantage of this degree is nothing.”
“Hahahaha.”
Bing Han-pung let out a refreshing laugh.
He realized that Bu Eun-seol was not only brutally honest but also sincerely wished to form an alliance.
‘He seems like a man who would keep his promise.’
What he liked even more was that Bu Eun-seol’s gaze was righteous, and he lacked the typical domineering or intimidating aura of a demonic practitioner.
“However, this is not a matter I can decide on my own. There is public opinion to consider.”
Bing Han-pung’s expression darkened.
He currently did not possess the proper authority of a Palace Lord.
So if he were to unilaterally decide on an alliance? It would only serve to accelerate the division among the five families of the North Sea Ice Palace.
“There will be no one who opposes it.”
“How?”
“Because I will make it so.”
Bu Eun-seol said calmly.
“If the Palace Lord simply grants his permission, I will change the public opinion within the North Sea Ice Palace as well.”
“Hohoho.”
At Bu Eun-seol’s repeated assurances, Bing Han-pung let out a hollow laugh.
Did this young man see everything in the world as so simple?
Changing the public opinion of an entire faction was not something that could be easily done with martial force or immense wealth.
And yet he was making such a promise with a nonchalant expression.
“It would be a bit difficult for our palace, which has maintained a neutral stance, to be incorporated into the Demonic Cult.”
As Bing Han-pung gently began to steer toward refusal, Bu Eun-seol spoke firmly.
“From now on, our Cult will not walk an unconditionally tyrannical path.”
“Why is that?”
“Because I am here.”
Bu Eun-seol said, his eyes filled with conviction.
“The roots and martial arts of the North Sea Ice Palace are demonic. It would not be so strange to form an alliance with our Cult.”
Pausing for a moment, he offered a faint smile.
“And I will guarantee the rights concerning the alliance in a written document, so that there will be no disadvantages.”
“Hoo hoo hoo…”
Bing Han-pung chuckled lowly.
“This isn’t just generous; it’s a downright disadvantageous treaty for you. Hahahaha.”
There was no harm in accepting Bu Eun-seol’s proposal, and if successful, it would allow him to restore the broken internal situation in one fell swoop.
At this point, Bing Han-pung had no reason not to accept the offer.
“Very well.”
Bing Han-pung nodded and said briskly.
“I accept your proposal. If the three of you can achieve this on your own, I will gladly form an alliance with the Demonic Cult.”
“Thank you.”
“But by what method do you intend to find the traitor who caused the rift?”
“For now, please leave it to us.”
Bu Eun-seol said calmly.
“We will absolutely not cause any trouble for you, Palace Lord, and we intend to find them in a way that everyone can accept.”
“Explain at least your general method.”
“First, we must step back and observe the bigger picture. That was what was not done before.”
“Nonsense. If that were possible, I would have done it ten years ago.”
“It will be different if we do it.”
Gazing into Bu Eun-seol’s firm eyes, Bing Han-pung furrowed his brow.
“You mean you will observe them yourselves?”
“Yes.”
After a moment of thought, Bing Han-pung let out a sigh.
“But unfortunately, all I can arrange for you are three visits.”
“Three visits, you say?”
“Since there are three of you, you will only be able to meet the heads of three families. That is the extent of my authority as Palace Lord.”
His words revealed that his power as Palace Lord was merely nominal.
“That’s…”
As Yu Un-ryong made a troubled face, Bu Eun-seol nodded.
“That is more than enough help. Thank you.”
He then said in a voice full of conviction.
“Then we shall begin at once.”