Chapter 103
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 103
Chapter Title: Confrontation with the Elders
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The ones who appeared were all elderly men of advanced age.
The elder among them with the most imposing aura opened his mouth upon seeing Seol Hwa-un.
“You were here after all….”
Seol Hwa-un clasped his hands in a polite bow.
“I greet the esteemed elders.”
The elder gazed at Seol Hwa-un with a peculiar expression.
“It’s been a long time, Little Palace Lord. I am the Elder Council Leader.”
A gleam appeared in Seol Hwa-un’s eyes. Five years ago, the person who had sent the letter on behalf of the Elder Council, instructing them to reconsider the Little Palace Lord position, had been none other than Elder Council Leader Seol Mun-gyeong.
“It’s been a long time.”
At a glance, the Elder Council Leader seemed like the head of the Elder Council, but that was not the case.
He lacked the power to control the Elder Council.
In fact, it was the position that bore the most responsibilities of the Elder Council.
Thus, it was typically assigned to the most recently retired member.
The current Elder Council Leader was the former head of the Snow Family who had retired most recently, and Seol Hwa-un’s paternal uncle by blood.
“Was it when you were five? It’s our first meeting since then. Do you recognize me?”
Seol Hwa-un shook his head.
“I’m sorry. I don’t quite remember….”
There was no need to rack his brains. It was natural not to recall something from when he was five.
“Well, you were very young. Back then, your body was frail, and we worried a great deal… Seeing you grown into such a formidable expert fills me with emotion.”
His gaze was complicated. Though Seol Hwa-un was from his own family, he had once led efforts to pull him down.
Another silent elder urged him on.
“Leader, get to the point….”
Those who had come with him were all former experts who had retired alongside the Elder Council Leader.
“Understood.”
The Elder Council Leader, with a wry smile, continued looking at Seol Hwa-un.
“I heard that the Little Palace Lord persuaded the Five Great Protectors.”
“It wasn’t persuasion so much as they acknowledged and supported me.”
“Either way, the result is the same. You’ve come looking for that child Yu Gong-seon now for the sake of advancing into the Central Plains, I presume.”
“That’s correct.”
“Let me be clear. Even though the Five Great Protectors have approved, that does not represent the stance of the entire Elder Council. We still oppose the main palace’s advance into the Central Plains.”
Before Seol Hwa-un had sought out Yu Gong-seon, the Five Great Protectors had said much the same.
They would support him, but the former experts would surely disagree, and he would need to persuade them directly.
Since it was as expected, Seol Hwa-un replied calmly.
“Is that so.”
“You returned from the Central Plains trip with some achievements, so you must be brimming with confidence. However, there is a vast difference between simply wandering the Central Plains like a tourist and a full-scale advance.”
“…….”
“Advancing into the Central Plains is that difficult a matter. Do you wish to stain the main palace with blood once more?”
Seol Hwa-un shook his head.
“No. It is entirely feasible….”
The Elder Council Leader cut him off, raising his voice in frustration.
“The Palace Lord and you as well! Why can’t you see reality? No matter how strong the main palace is, how can it compare to the Central Plains’ forces?!”
Seol Hwa-un gave a faint smile.
“You seem to be under a misunderstanding.”
The Elder Council Leader’s white eyebrows twitched.
“…What?”
“The main palace seeks to advance into the Central Plains, not invade it. There is no reason to make enemies of them.”
“Have you been to the Central Plains and still not know how they view the main palace—no, us North Sea folk? They will see the advance itself as an invasion!”
“I know well. I know the atmosphere where they call us Northern barbarians and seek to exclude us. But not everyone is like that. That’s why I went to the Central Plains—to shatter that perception.”
The Elder Council Leader flinched.
“Wasn’t it to attend the Righteous Alliance event?”
“If that were the only purpose, I wouldn’t have stayed in the Central Plains for four whole months.”
The Elder Council Leader’s expression turned strange.
“Then, wandering the Central Plains, you unluckily got into a quarrel with that young master of the Sa family….”
For the first time in a while, Seol Hwa-un furrowed his brow.
“Surely… you don’t think the reason I returned late was simply because I was sightseeing?”
Embarrassment appeared on the Elder Council Leader’s face.
“T-That’s….”
It seemed they had no idea what Seol Hwa-un had been up to in the Central Plains.
“Ahem! We just thought a young man might do such things.”
Another elder asked.
“…Then what exactly did the Little Palace Lord accomplish during that not-insignificant time in the Central Plains?”
At that moment, Yu Gong-seon’s voice rang out.
“I’ll explain that.”
“Hm?”
Having finished his meditation, he strode over. His complexion indeed looked much improved compared to when they first saw him.
“It’s been a long time.”
“…….”
Yu Gong-seon, scanning the elders with eyes full of complex emotions, continued.
“The Little Palace Lord has already told me quite a long story. I know the gist, so I’ll speak on his behalf.”
“Ahem!”
Perhaps due to a guilty conscience, the elders felt uneasy around Yu Gong-seon. But soon, they turned their ears to his words.
Yu Gong-seon’s account was concise yet captured all the essentials. Even so, it vividly conveyed Seol Hwa-un’s deeds and feats without fading.
The elders’ eyes widened involuntarily as they listened.
“Heavens!”
“No way!”
“The Little Palace Lord accomplished all that?”
“Even with the North Wind Brigade’s help…!”
Unable to hide their astonishment, they stared at Seol Hwa-un.
‘He’s just past his early twenties, and he achieved such unbelievable feats?’
“Little Palace Lord, this isn’t fabricated, is it?”
At one elder’s question, Seol Hwa-un nodded.
“Why would I speak a lie that could be exposed with a little investigation?”
“Hmm….”
Yu Gong-seon spoke again.
“What do you think? The Little Palace Lord of our main palace has returned after laying such a foundation. Doesn’t this suggest it’s possible?”
“…….”
The six elders exchanged glances. Soon, they conversed in low voices.
“Truly astonishing….”
“It might just be possible….”
“We can’t rush….”
Seol Hwa-un’s feats were indeed remarkable enough to stir their closed hearts.
About an incense stick’s worth of time passed. Having finished their discussion, the elders turned back to Seol Hwa-un and Yu Gong-seon.
The Elder Council Leader spoke calmly.
“If those tales are all true… we acknowledge the Little Palace Lord’s merits. However, advancing into the Central Plains won’t be simple. Do you have a plan?”
Yu Gong-seon smiled faintly.
‘They’re half convinced.’
“Fortunately, we discussed that very matter before you arrived, elders.”
“Speak.”
Yu Gong-seon’s eyes gleamed sharply.
“Advancing into the Central Plains isn’t just about entering it. In plain terms, the true goal is to settle in a livable place where North Sea folk can live without worry.”
“…….”
“To that end, we ultimately target the Huanan region along the Yangtze River.”
“The Yangtze? Isn’t that too far?”
“Indeed. But few places are as livable. Its human and material resources far surpass those of the Huabei region. And most importantly, it’s a place dominated by unorthodox sects.”
“Why is that important?”
“When viewing the entire Central Plains, there is virtually no land without an owner. Most areas are claimed by martial sects.”
“That’s true.”
“Especially in places with high productivity and abundant human resources. They compete fiercely. Clashes with other Central Plains sects are inevitable. Such a situation is disadvantageous for us outsiders.”
“…….”
“But with unorthodox sects, the main palace has room to maneuver. Well, the Little Palace Lord has already made some inroads.”
“Room to maneuver.”
“Precisely—the hearts of the people.”
“……!”
Orthodox sects generally value face and righteousness, so they rarely engage in overt villainy or excessive demands.
Unorthodox sects are different. Though the common folk may submit to their power, resentment is far greater in unorthodox territories.
“If the main palace drives out those unorthodox sects and takes root, we can gain their support.”
“Hmm.”
“Of course, it’s no easy task. But it’s far better than clashing with the Central Plains’ orthodox sects.”
The Elder Council Leader said.
“That makes sense. But Huanan is too far from the main palace.”
“Correct. That’s why we must first establish a bridgehead near the main palace—still within the Central Plains, of course.”
“A bridgehead. Where do you have in mind?”
“Shanxi Province.”
“Shanxi Province!”
“Liaoning and Gansu are too remote, and Shaanxi is held by the Martial Alliance. Hebei has the imperial palace, making it difficult.”
Yu Gong-seon’s eyes flashed.
“After excluding those, Shanxi remains. Conveniently, there are no major sects there, and the Shanxi Sword Sect, which the Little Palace Lord aided, is located precisely there. It will greatly help in securing a foothold.”
“Indeed… that sounds plausible.”
The nodding Elder Council Leader spoke.
“However, executing this plan faces two problems.”
“What are they?”
“First, funds. Establishing a bridgehead is one thing, but settling in Huanan ultimately will require vast sums.”
Yu Gong-seon replied as if he had anticipated it.
“Fortunately, the Little Palace Lord has already prepared some measures for that.”
Something occurred to the Elder Council Leader.
“…The Ximen family?”
“Correct. Partnering with the Ximen family, renowned for the world’s finest finances, will resolve much of it. Any shortfall can be addressed once in the Central Plains.”
The Elder Council Leader nodded.
“A reasonable point. But one final problem remains.”
“Please speak.”
“Martial arts.”
“……!”
Yu Gong-seon’s previously relaxed face stiffened.
“Even in the Huabei region where Shanxi lies, the main palace warriors’ internal energy will weaken. The final target of Huanan needs no mention.”
“…….”
“With weakened forces, can we truly fight the Central Plains’ unorthodox sects properly?”
This was a problem even Yu Gong-seon could not answer.
At that moment, Seol Hwa-un spoke.
“I will handle that.”