Chapter 244: Young Palace Master Baek Seo-jun (2)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 244: Young Palace Master Baek Seo-jun (2)
The massive bombshell Seo-jun had casually tossed out landed squarely on the head of Namgung Baek, the Chief of the Heavenly Martial Pavilion.
"So... you're saying this can screen for those with talent?"
Namgung Su-ah, who had delivered the manual for the so-called 'Namgung Discriminator' to Namgung Baek on Seo-jun’s behalf, nodded.
"Yes. According to the Grand Master, it is a martial art capable of identifying individuals perfectly suited for the Namgung Lineage he recently founded."
"Hmm..."
Namgung Baek stared at the manual with a profound expression.
A martial art that can find talent compatible with the Namgung Lineage...
It wasn't a difficult concept to grasp.
In the Murim, it was common knowledge that certain physical constitutions were naturally suited for specific martial arts.
The Extreme Yang Body was a prime example. Someone born with extreme Yang energy naturally residing in their body would inevitably achieve greatness if they practiced scorching Yang-type arts.
Of course, such constitutions were exceedingly rare. But even setting aside those extreme examples, there were plenty of similar cases.
Didn't everyone know that having long limbs gave a martial artist an inherent advantage with a spear?
The world was filled with countless unique constitutions. The martial arts best suited for an individual varied wildly depending on their innate bone structure and the condition of their meridians.
The idea that certain body types were advantageous for specific arts was widely accepted. Naturally, it served as a crucial criterion when accepting disciples.
But identifying such talent is no easy feat.
Only a master deeply versed in a specific field could recognize it at a glance; an ordinary martial artist wouldn't notice even if a once-in-a-generation genius stood right in front of them.
Unless it was a glaringly obvious constitution like the Extreme Yang Body, unearthing such talent was incredibly difficult.
Did having long limbs automatically mean someone had a talent for martial arts? If one intended to remain a second-rate martial artist for life, they might think so. But to reach the true peaks of martial arts, one had to see much deeper than the surface.
"Could I ask for a more detailed explanation?"
"Of course. Though I’m only relaying what I was told, so I might not be of much help..."
According to Namgung Su-ah’s subsequent explanation, the Namgung Discriminator worked like this:
When a martial artist learned the Namgung Discriminator, they simply had to circulate the technique while in physical contact with an ordinary person who had never learned martial arts.
If that individual possessed a talent suitable for the Namgung Lineage, the martial artist's eyes would glow blue.
That was it.
It was simple. No, it was too simple.
It was so straightforward that one couldn't even begin to guess the underlying principles of how the martial art operated.
"However, the Grand Master mentioned it can only identify those with very distinct talent."
"Well, that’s only natural..."
Namgung Baek’s mind raced. What if he dispatched martial artists who had learned this Namgung Discriminator across all of Anhui Province? They could sweep through the commoners and scrape up every hidden gem in the region.
Naturally, they couldn't be brought into the Namgung Clan based on talent alone. Their numbers would inevitably dwindle through various screening processes and character checks.
But there were countless people in Anhui. What if they found even one genius in a thousand?
"Ugh..."
Namgung Baek squeezed his eyes shut, his entire body trembling with sheer thrill.
"...Never have I felt more joy in serving as the Chief of the Heavenly Martial Pavilion for this generation than I do right now."
"Fufu, it is a great blessing for the Namgung. I don't know how we shall ever repay this..."
"But of course! The Namgung never forgets a debt of gratitude."
Namgung Baek’s legs practically shook with excitement.
There were quite a few branch sects in Anhui that had splintered off from the main Namgung Clan. If he first sought their cooperation and then dispatched the main family’s martial artists to cover the remaining areas...
No. It would be better to leave the logistics to the Chief Steward.
That fellow Jin Ga-wi would probably faint from joy when he heard the news.
Namgung Baek grinned broadly.
"I shall proceed with this work immediately, exactly as the Young... no, as the Grand Master intends."
A future where countless unpolished gems would grow into powerhouses while practicing the Namgung Lineage. Picturing that brilliant blueprint, Namgung Baek dashed out of the Heavenly Martial Pavilion without another word.
"Oh, wait! The name of the martial art is—"
Namgung Su-ah reached out, but Namgung Baek was already gone.
Was the Chief of the Heavenly Martial Pavilion’s martial level always this high? Namgung Su-ah laughed awkwardly.
Seo-jun asked me to give the martial art a cooler name, though...
Shaking her head, Namgung Su-ah hurried her steps and followed after Namgung Baek.
* * *
The Young Palace Master of the North Sea Ice Palace has returned!
Despite the grand announcement, Seo-jun fully expected a cold shoulder rather than a warm welcome.
"Welcome, Young Palace Master."
However, their attitude completely defied his expectations. Upon stepping into the North Sea Ice Palace, Seo-jun secretly assessed his surroundings, wary of the unexpected hospitality.
They don’t seem to be plotting anything...
If one were to retrace Baek Seo-jun’s recent tracks, the list of his exploits was quite alarming:
He had annihilated the Blood Crow Sect, a faction belonging to the Black Lotus Union (though there was no hard proof, most assumed it was his doing), and he had run completely wild against the Demonic Cult at Mount Kunlun.
When the Demonic Cult’s Divine Priestess, Sword Demon, and Greed Demon invaded the Ice Palace, he had fought alongside the Ice Palace’s martial artists to repel them. After that, his whereabouts had remained completely unknown—until he casually strolled back into the Ice Palace today.
Has the Ice Palace Master still not regained consciousness?
In truth, if one only looked at these isolated incidents, they might consider Baek Seo-jun a hero of the Ice Palace. After all, hadn't he played a major role in stopping the Sword Demon?
But applying even a shred of common sense, Baek Seo-jun was nothing more than 'Suspicious Person A.' He had caused a myriad of troubles that constantly placed the Ice Palace in a highly precarious position.
Especially from the Ice Palace Master’s perspective—a Young Palace Master she never even knew existed had suddenly dropped out of the sky.
Reasonably speaking, it was only right to judge Baek Seo-jun as a complete madman impersonating the Young Palace Master.
"The Palace Master is waiting for you."
"The Palace Master?"
"Yes. Upon hearing the news of your return, she said she would receive the Young Palace Master immediately."
Or maybe not?
Come to think of it, since he had mastered both the Ice Soul Divine Art and the Beiming Divine Art, perhaps they truly believed he was the Young Palace Master.
Hmm...
Seo-jun followed the elder’s guidance toward the inner depths of the Ice Palace.
Although the main palace had been utterly destroyed during the recent clash with the Demonic Cult, they had somehow managed to restore it. Now, a strangely flimsy-looking building stood in its place.
Well, once you reach the Super Peak Realm, you can probably build a house in no time.
Whether they could build it well was another matter entirely. But the construction process itself would certainly be fast.
Though he wondered if this might be a trap, Seo-jun didn't particularly care.
These guys use Qi.
He was fully confident he could easily overpower someone at the level of the Ice Palace Master he had seen before. Now that he had reached the Transcendent Realm, he wouldn't even need to bring out Cheon Seo-jun to handle her.
Armed with justified confidence, Seo-jun walked boldly. Along the way, he encountered several martial artists of the Ice Palace.
"Young Palace Master...! You’ve returned?"
"Yes, but I’m a bit busy right now, so let’s talk later."
"As you wish."
Surprisingly, Baek Seo-jun’s reputation within the Ice Palace seemed rather decent.
What on earth are they thinking?
Seo-jun finally stopped his steps, refusing to let down his guard against the Ice Palace Master.
A massive door stood before him. Beyond it was the Palace Master.
"Enter."
The heavy doors swung open simultaneously with the Palace Master’s voice. It was her Void Object Grasping technique.
As Seo-jun stepped into the room, the Palace Master waved her hand dismissively.
"The rest of you may leave."
"Yes, Ma'am."
The elders who had guided Seo-jun bowed and retreated, leaving only Seo-jun and the Palace Master alone in the spacious chamber.
The Ice Palace Master, Baek Seol-hyang, sat leaning crookedly on a massive chair, her gaze fixed on Seo-jun.
"So, you have come, Young Palace Master."
Baek Seol-hyang’s complexion was deathly pale. It was painfully clear that the lingering aftereffects of her Qi Deviation still plagued her.
And yet she was meeting him completely alone? Even though he wasn't even bothering to hide the fact that he had stepped into the Transcendent Realm?
Seo-jun narrowed his eyes. "You’re acting quite boldly, Palace Master."
"Why wouldn't I? The Young Palace Master of the Ice Palace has returned in absolute glory after reaching the Transcendent Realm. It is only right to welcome him."
Baek Seol-hyang’s expression was freezing cold as she spoke. Resting her chin on her hand, she stared at him for a long moment before slowly standing up.
"So..."
Staggering closer, Baek Seol-hyang stopped right in front of Seo-jun. A bitter, self-deprecating smile played on her lips as she looked up at him.
"What is it you want? The Ice Palace? The Ice Crystals? Or perhaps the status within the Seven Evil Black Sect?"
"I don’t know what you’re talking about. Isn't it only natural for the Young Palace Master to return to his home?"
"Ha..."
Baek Seol-hyang let out a hollow laugh. Then, furrowing her brows, she reached out to poke Seo-jun’s chest with her index finger.
However, her finger never actually touched him. As if an invisible wall existed between them, her finger merely tapped against the empty air.
Her expression violently contorted, and she spat out her words.
"Don’t even think about hiding your intentions now. You can just take it all. The Ice Palace, the Ice Crystals—no, I’ll just hand over the position of Palace Master to you entirely."
"I don’t particularly need that."
Baek Seol-hyang froze. Slowly, her bloodshot eyes met Seo-jun’s. Reflected in her trembling pupils, Baek Seo-jun was staring back at her without a single change in expression.
The corners of Baek Seol-hyang’s mouth twitched.
"...You don’t need it? Then why did you even come back to the Ice Palace?"
"A Young Palace Master doesn't need a special reason to visit his hometown. I simply stopped by because I was worried about the Ice Palace."
"Heh, worried...?"
Baek Seol-hyang’s eyes gleamed coldly. The soft light illuminating the inner chamber suddenly caught the glint of moisture flowing down her cheeks.
Which was to say, tears were freely streaming down her face.
...What?
Seo-jun’s eyes wavered in shock.
Why is she suddenly crying?
He was completely flustered. Even he hadn't imagined a scenario like this.
A martial artist standing at the peak, the leader of a massive powerhouse like the North Sea Ice Palace, was suddenly breaking down in tears right in front of him?
While Seo-jun stood frozen stiff, Baek Seol-hyang’s shoulders trembled as she suddenly began to scream.
"You... You of all people shouldn't be the one saying that...!"
"No, wait a moment..."
"Do you have any idea how much I’ve suffered because of you?! Everything went right down the drain! And those damn Demonic Cult bastards...!"
Baek Seol-hyang slumped to the floor and began to openly wail.
"Ugh... The Union didn't give me a single shred of support, let alone a word of encouragement! And now they’re being pushed back by the Murim Alliance without even putting up a proper fight...!"
"Hey, just calm down a bit..."
"Shut up! Do you know how much I had to walk on eggshells because of you?! Every time something happened, it was 'Ice Palace this, Ice Palace that!' I didn't even know what was going on, so what was I supposed to do?!"
Baek Seol-hyang felt truly, deeply aggrieved. A martial artist of the Ice Palace causing trouble? She hadn't even known such a guy existed!
At the site of the annihilated Blood Crow Sect, traces of the Ice Soul Divine Art and Demonic Qi had been found simultaneously. The Demonic Cult bastards kept hounding her day and night, claiming the Ice Palace had intentionally interfered with their grand plan.
The Black Lotus Union, which should have taken her side, had instead mercilessly pressured the Ice Palace under the leadership of Sa-ma.
Despite all of that, Baek Seol-hyang had steadfastly protected the Ice Palace. Was it not the great sect she had inherited from her predecessors? She had poured her blood, sweat, and tears into the Ice Palace.
"The Divine Priestess...! I will curse that harlot and those Seven Demon bastards even in death...! Do you know how hard I worked every single day to clean and maintain the palace...?!"
But all that effort had vanished in an instant. No matter how strong Baek Seol-hyang was, she couldn't protect the palace while four martial artists at the Extreme Demon level were running completely wild.
In the end, the main palace had collapsed into rubble along with its grand history, and the heavily damaged Ice Palace was forced to declare a state of closed-door cultivation.
"I don’t care anymore! You take responsibility! Give me back my Ice Palace...!"
In that moment, Baek Seol-hyang simply hated the entire world.