Chapter 243
Chapter 243
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 243
Chapter Title: There's a Frog in This Cold Weather (2)
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A moment after my gaze locked with the White Bear Division Leader's.
The Little Palace Lord, seated at the head table, opened his mouth.
"That's enough from you, White Bear Division Leader."
He began as if scolding the man.
But the real arrow was aimed elsewhere.
"That said, as the White Bear Division Leader pointed out, you do seem drunk, Young Lord. With me and all these palace officials right here, how dare you raise your voice like that?"
"...Brother. That's not—"
"Go cool your head."
I couldn't help but chuckle at the sight.
'Brother Dam isn't the type to miss the bigger picture, but he must've been hasty out of guilt toward us.'
The Ice Palace's hierarchy ran 'Deputy—Division—Leader—Elder.'
A mere Division Leader wouldn't handle something like this alone.
The Little Palace Lord's influence must have been at play, but with the man already on thin ice, standing up to him like that...
'Well, in the big picture, it worked out fine.'
It might drain Dam Yong-ju mentally, but it drew attention our way, creating an opportunity to exploit.
'...What is Brother Dam really after with this display?'
It felt too polished to be mere bravado.
Was he testing how the Ice Palace's later-generation disciples stacked up against ours?
'There were warmer approaches he could've taken. Choosing this method makes it seem like he's looking for an excuse to drive us out of the Northern Sea territory.'
The atmosphere wasn't fully under Demonic Cult control yet, but suspicion hung in the air.
As I pondered this,
the Little Palace Lord turned to Uncle Peng Jae-hyeok.
"I apologize for the White Bear Division Leader's rudeness. Professor Peng, you know us a bit, but Northern Sea folk tend to speak bluntly. No malice intended."
"It happens when young martial artists gather. We won't take the White Bear Division Leader's actions as rude, so the Ice Palace should overlook Young Master Eon Yong-un's behavior as well."
"Separately, I'm curious about something."
"What would that be?"
"The road here is long, and we have much to handle in the Northern Sea, so we couldn't send our elite later-generation disciples to the Jeongjin Grand Assembly. We just sent enough to make a showing."
"...Hmm. Meaning?"
"I'd love to see our Ice Palace martial artists face off against the later-generation disciples who made a name at the Jeongjin Grand Assembly. Care to give it a go?"
"If you're offering... no reason to refuse."
And so, the sparring matches between the Ice Palace's later-generation disciples and ours were set.
While the training grounds and spectator seats were prepared, we needed to decide the order of fighters.
But whether irked by the Little Palace Lord's attitude, Uncle Jae-hyeok and my junior brothers all had eyes burning with fury.
'Hmm. Too fired up isn't good.'
To ease the mood, I turned to Uncle Jae-hyeok.
"Uncle, how can you agree to spar without even consulting us?"
"Those bastards were pissing me off... Wait. Weren't you the one who first stepped up saying we should if we're confident?"
"Tch. I was gonna blame you if Professor Chang-yang asked about today. You saw right through me."
Laughter leaked from my junior brothers at my jest.
Amid it all, Nangong Yun, still stone-faced, spoke up.
"I'll go."
"Taking the vanguard?"
"Yes. Time to teach those fools some humility."
Humility from Gong Yun himself...?
A fleeting thought that he should learn it first, but his spirit was admirable.
Still, I already had someone in mind for the lead.
I shook my head.
Nangong Yun furrowed his brow slightly.
"Sending Jeong-hyeon?"
"No."
"...Then?"
"So-rung's going."
Wu So-rung looked utterly shocked.
"Me?! I-I'm not confident!"
Yin Ha-seong, beside him, jumped in surprise and smacked his back.
"Little Bro So-rung! Want extra training from Big Bro Yong-un? Don't you dare say you're not confident! That's the kind of talk that could drag us all down with collective punishment!"
"Ah! Slipped out."
Wu So-rung paled.
I slung an arm around his shoulder.
"Nah. Normally I'd smack you for that, but today? Perfect mindset. Go out there, lose easy, and come back relaxed."
"Huh?"
"And... do me one favor."
* * *
Dam Yong-ju arrived at the Finance Bureau with a heavy heart.
"Hm? Isn't that Deputy Finance Elder? Isn't the banquet in full swing?"
"Ah, the Little Palace Lord told me to cool my head for a bit."
"...I see."
"I'll be up in the Finance Bureau. Let me know if anyone's looking."
"Yes, sir."
Once in the Finance Bureau, flipping through files in cabinets and drawers,
he couldn't help but admire Eon Yong-un anew.
'Whew. Brother's words pierce the heart like that, yet how does the Dragon stay so calm?'
The White Bear Division Leader's words were humiliating enough to burn his face.
'Talking like that about his title. He wouldn't even have grounds to complain if I challenged him to a deathmatch.'
The Northern Sea Ice Palace and Central Plains were tangled in complex interests, so it wouldn't escalate that far.
Still, it wasn't a decision to make lightly.
'Telling me to investigate while seizing the moment?'
Not a call just anyone cold-blooded could make.
'I'm the one who trains in ice arts. Do I have cold blood running through me? Makes sense how he could embrace the scoundrel label...'
Enemies like Eon Yong-un were the toughest to face.
'What is Brother thinking, treating that dragon so poorly?'
His thoughts naturally turned to Little Palace Lord Dam Kyung-ju.
'...Did he really join hands with the Demonic Cult?'
It linked back to the question he'd thrown at Eon Yong-un that morning.
He wanted to confront the Little Palace Lord right then.
If true, tell him to cut ties now.
But he couldn't.
'If Brother really allied with the Demonic Cult.'
Such actions would dig graves not just for himself, but for Eon Yong-un and the others who'd come to help.
'He'd charge me with doubting the Little Palace Lord.'
So, he needed proof.
Proof it was true or false—to move forward.
Sarahk—
Dam Yong-ju began swiftly scanning the Finance Bureau files.
As Deputy Finance Elder, he knew where documents were stored, which were latest.
It didn't take long.
'Nothing.'
The problem: key records were missing.
While he'd been at the Jeongjin Grand Assembly, three new organizations had formed.
No way there were no records of resources or funds—no sense.
"Maybe in the Finance Bureau Elder's office?"
Like possessed, Dam Yong-ju headed to the office.
Nothing notable there either.
Except a millennia-iron safe caught his eye.
"Something's probably in there. Can't cut or carry it. Damn, no way to—"
Then.
As he sighed,
a window on one side slid open with a sleek.
Someone addressed him.
"Need a hand?"
"!"
"?"
"W-Wu... Young Hero, how'd you get here?"
"Ah, Brother Eon had Eung-yong keep tabs on where Brother Dam was headed. She showed me the way."
Gulp!
"...Not that. This is the fifth floor? Guards too?"
Wu So-rung grinned.
* * *
Wu So-rung's lightness skill was exceptional.
At full strength, he could've dodged and stalled for ages.
But I ordered him to unleash a decisive strike first clash.
Result: he flew back to our side in one exchange.
I gave him a secret mission to check on Dam Yong-ju, then sent him to the stands with Dang Ok-gi under pretense of rest.
Then I took the training ground myself.
Shweeeeeek!
Up there, I avoided the White Bear Division Leader's attacks without fully engaging.
Whoosh! Whoosh!
Shoo-shoo-shook!!
At my display,
the Ice Palace's young disciples jeered and mocked.
"That's the world's top later-generation disciple? Central Plains folk sure love their boasts."
"Right? After Wu So-rung flew off, he jumps in all pumped... Nothing but footwork."
Master tsked at the surrounding noise.
—Those frog-eyed fools. Can't even tell that's elite footwork, hiding his true power. Babbling from gaping mouths.
'Frogs in a well are all like that.'
As I chimed in mentally, I pictured Dam Yong-ju and Wu So-rung.
'Not searching the whole palace, just Finance Bureau... Should be done by now?'
Frustrated at dodging my steps repeatedly, the White Bear Division Leader spread chill over the ground to pin me.
Frost expanded, footing growing scarce.
'Dodging limit approaching.'
Gulp—
Right on cue, returning Eung-yong circled overhead.
'Mission accomplished.'
I smiled in relief, slowing my steps deliberately.
Did it look like I was cornered?
The White Bear Division Leader smirked.
"It's over. Change that title to Central Plains Best."
He swung a frost-wrapped decisive strike, pouring all his chill.
Shweeeeeek!
His blade froze its path.
'Sent So-rung flying, frosted the whole ground, and still musters that much? Deep inner energy, sure.'
Northern Sea Ice Palace arts were elite.
Like famed sects, but theirs extreme.
Needed innate frost physique and sturdy frame.
Once qualified,
abundant spirit herbs and special frost-accumulation sites.
Thus, their inner energy rivaled Shaolin's novices.
'But even those Shaolin monks looked dumbfounded before me.'
I surged Heaven-Splitting energy, stomping True Step.
Kwajajak!!
The frost shattered.
Planting my foot, I unleashed Heaven-Splitting Severing Strike at his sword.
Shweeeeeek!!!
Finally, clashing blades.
Kaang!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
The White Bear Division Leader flew back.
He blocked with all his might, but his sword spun into the air, body tumbling.
Of course, I didn't let him exit cleanly.
Thud!
Shadowless Heaven-Splitting Step caught him.
Grabbed his collar, slammed him deep into the ground.
Bam!!!
Followed by rapid slaps.
Slap! Slap! Smack!! Slap!!!!!
Turning one Northern Sea Ice Palace frog into frog jerky, I scanned the other martial artists.
"Whew, pretending to be weak is harder than it looks."
They looked flustered.
No doubt—they never imagined someone hiding strength in a pride-staked bout.
Riding the momentum, I pressed.
"Earlier, someone next to the White Bear Division Leader chimed in loud. What was your rank? Frost Leopard Division Leader?"
As I called the next,
Seol Woo-hyeong, External Affairs Elder tied to Uncle Jae-hyeok, stood.
"External Affairs Elder Seol Woo-hyeong."
He cupped fists toward the Little Palace Lord, Uncle Jae-hyeok, and me in turn.
Then continued.
"May this old man presume to speak for the Little Palace Lord, Professor Peng, Dragon, and our Ice Palace later-generation disciples?"
We nodded back.
Seol Woo-hyeong stepped onto the training ground, drew his sword.
Sring—
With it, he carved words into the frost.
Scratch. Scraaatch.
Scraaatch.
"Rash, sharp words have overheated tensions between Ice Palace and Righteous Martial Academy later-generation disciples. This gathering for guests and fellowship has turned too hostile."
The character on the ground: (word).
"This old man wrote one character meaning 'be cautious ahead to avoid this.' How about we end the spars here?"
Uncle Jae-hyeok eyed me at his words.
What now?
'Hmm. I'd love to beat them all, but haven't checked Ice White Hall, nor scoped the Demonic Cult's numbers and hideout...'
Best call it here today.
But couldn't just walk off.
I stared at the then spoke.
"Wise words, and fine calligraphy with a sword. Daresay I glimpse your martial depth, External Affairs Elder."
"Hoho, nothing special."
"Mind if I add a few strokes?"
"...Hm? If you have characters in mind."
Scraaatch.
Scraaatch.
I added two strokes to his turning it to (trust).
Then three more before it.
Scraaatch.
Scraaatch scraaatch.
Four characters complete:
(Friends must have trust).
"……."
"……."
I stared piercingly at the Little Palace Lord as I stepped down.
Even frog eyes should get this much.