Chapter 107
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 107
Chapter Title: Father's Pride
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Three days earlier.
Seol Hwa-un and Seol Wi-myeong stepped into the Palace Lord's training chamber.
“I’ll limit your internal energy to this level. No matter how sturdy the training chamber is built, there’s no guarantee it won’t collapse if you go all out.”
“Yes.”
Seol Wi-myeong drew his sword and asked,
“By the way, I heard you learned swordsmanship from the North Wind Brigade Leader?”
“Well... yes.”
“You’ve already mastered both sword and fist, so picking up various martial arts isn’t a bad idea. However.”
“...?”
Seol Wi-myeong put on a stern expression, as if extracting a promise.
“After fist techniques, it’s swordsmanship. You understand what I mean, right?”
Seol Hwa-un nodded with a helpless smile.
“Of course, Father.”
“Good. Then shall we have a go with swords after all this time?”
“Yes.”
Seol Hwa-un picked up a sword from one side of the training chamber.
“...Don’t you have your own sword?”
“Ah, well...”
Seol Wi-myeong smiled, guessing the situation as Seol Hwa-un hemmed and hawed without giving a straight answer.
“It broke, didn’t it.”
“...Yes.”
Seol Hwa-un explained the whole story, thinking there was no helping it, and Seol Wi-myeong nodded.
“I suppose not. It couldn’t have been easy against the Sword Demon.”
“Please keep it a secret from Mother.”
“How long do you plan to hide it? I’ll tell the smith in my Iron Workshop, so get it repaired right away.”
“Yes.”
“I’ll have to tell him to use eternal cold iron from now on so it doesn’t happen again.”
Seol Hwa-un shook his head.
“Eternal cold iron for a sword made for someone who’s not even a sword expert like me—that’s too much.”
But Seol Wi-myeong was firm.
“Have you forgotten? You’re the Young Palace Lord of this palace. And you’ve mastered the Snow Flower Heavenly Flow Sword, our palace’s supreme sword art. You’re more than qualified.”
“...Understood.”
“Now, shall we begin?”
Seol Hwa-un and Seol Wi-myeong faced each other, swords in hand.
Even before departing for the Central Plains, the two had often sparred.
Each time, Seol Wi-myeong had been amazed at Seol Hwa-un’s daily improvements while inwardly feeling a sense of pressure.
‘He must never surpass me before I pass on the Palace Lord position.’
It was the pride of a father and a Palace Lord.
Though there was still a significant gap, Seol Hwa-un’s terrifying growth rate meant he could catch up anytime.
That was why Seol Wi-myeong squeezed every spare moment to diligently train his own martial arts.
He didn’t know how much his son would change upon returning from the Central Plains.
And now, facing him again after just a few months, Seol Hwa-un was undoubtedly different from before his departure.
Even though he wielded not his true martial art but a sword, the subtle aura emanating from him allowed Seol Wi-myeong to gauge his realm.
‘He’s fully assimilated the Martial Unification Realm. No wonder he defeated the Blood Sound Evil Army.’
It was an astonishing achievement far beyond expectations. Yet the emotion dominating him wasn’t tension, but pride.
‘Well done, my son.’
Meanwhile, Seol Hwa-un was inwardly surprised as well.
‘Just as I thought. You’ve definitely changed.’
Seol Wi-myeong’s signature sharp and steadfast aura had grown even heavier.
‘Are you really aiming for the Martial God Realm?’
At this growth rate, he might truly stand shoulder-to-shoulder with the Nine Heavens Martial Emperor before long.
‘You always set an example for me, Father.’
He had the advantage of past-life experience, but Seol Wi-myeong was pioneering his realm entirely on his own, without any guidance.
Seol Wi-myeong said in a low voice.
“Come.”
“I won’t hold back.”
Ta-at!
Seol Hwa-un’s form swiftly closed the distance. At the same time, his sword, which had been in a low stance, shot out like a spring.
Shuwaak!
A glint appeared in Seol Wi-myeong’s eyes.
‘Snow Ridge Divine Sword?’
It was the supreme technique right below the Snow Flower Heavenly Flow Sword in the North Sea Ice Palace’s sword arts.
Depending on one’s mastery, it could rival the Snow Flower Heavenly Flow Sword.
When facing the Sword Demon, Seol Hwa-un had no choice but to use the more powerful Snow Flower Heavenly Flow Sword to counter his heavy sword, but since he hadn’t trained it long, it was still rough around the edges. In truth, the Snow Ridge Divine Sword suited him better.
A satisfied smile formed on Seol Wi-myeong’s lips as he watched.
‘Much sharper and more natural than before. He hasn’t neglected his sword training.’
But he couldn’t just admire forever. He thrust his sword toward Seol Hwa-un’s blade.
Shuk!
He extended it lightly, intending to parry, but suddenly Seol Hwa-un’s sword path changed.
Just as the defensive sword sliced through empty air.
‘Not so fast.’
Seol Wi-myeong’s sword path shifted as well.
Cclang!
A sharp metallic clash echoed everywhere. That was the beginning.
Chaeng! Chaeng! Chaeng! Chaeng!
Their swords clashed countless times.
It wasn’t mere blade-to-blade contact. The feints and killing strikes hidden within were so vicious they’d send chills down any onlooker’s spine.
Though their internal energy was restricted, both swung with the intent to kill.
Chaeng! Chaeng! Chaeng!
As Seol Wi-myeong unleashed flashy sword forms, his eyes changed. At the same time, his sword emitted a pure white sword light.
Shuwaak!
It was a thrust incomparably sharper and fiercer than before.
Seol Hwa-un felt a stinging sensation across his body from the sudden intangible sword energy.
“...!”
But the immediate concern was Seol Wi-myeong’s incoming sword.
‘Ice Flower Bee Swarm?’
It was the second form of the Snow Flower Heavenly Flow Sword. Seol Wi-myeong had finally unleashed it.
Seol Hwa-un’s eyes deepened. Even with restricted internal energy, Seol Wi-myeong’s Snow Flower Heavenly Flow Sword was immensely threatening.
‘The same Snow Flower Heavenly Flow Sword won’t block it.’
Seol Hwa-un’s sword shot out like lightning.
‘Snow Ridge One Point.’
Ddaang!
Incredibly, it struck the tip of Seol Wi-myeong’s sword precisely.
“...!”
It was a technique impossible without perfectly reading the opponent’s sword path.
But unable to withstand the force behind it, Seol Hwa-un staggered back.
Seol Wi-myeong gazed at him with satisfaction.
“...Your swordsmanship has truly reached a new realm.”
“It’s still lacking.”
“How about it? Isn’t swordsmanship enjoyable?”
“...”
“Don’t fool yourself. You clearly enjoy swordsmanship.”
Seol Hwa-un gave a wry smile.
‘You still won’t give up.’
He nodded readily.
“I won’t deny it. ...But I am a fist master.”
“...”
Seol Hwa-un tossed his sword aside.
Hwiric!
It landed perfectly on the rack.
“Now I’ll show you my true martial art.”
Tzutzutzu!
Vivid fist aura formed on both his fists.
“Even against you, Father, you’d better stay on your toes.”
Paak!
Seol Hwa-un powerfully kicked off the floor.
Shuwaa!
Kwang!
The spar continued for a full hour. Despite the restricted internal energy, the training chamber lay in ruins.
“Haa, haa, haa.”
Seol Hwa-un panted heavily, and Seol Wi-myeong watched him quietly.
“...”
Once he caught his breath, Seol Hwa-un spoke.
“As expected of you, Father. I couldn’t win at all.”
“...”
“How was my fist art?”
“...Splendid. Beyond reproach.”
Shock was evident in Seol Wi-myeong’s eyes.
‘To achieve this much with our palace’s fist arts.’
He had felt genuinely threatened several times during the spar. Impossible, given the gap in their realms.
Seol Hwa-un smiled faintly.
“You acknowledge it now, right?”
“Acknowledge what?”
“That I’m a fist master.”
“...!”
“I know you still want me to focus on swordsmanship. Is that still your wish?”
“Hut.”
Seol Wi-myeong chuckled softly, then grew serious.
“I believe your sword talent is unmatched by anyone.”
“...”
But soon, the corner of his mouth lifted slightly.
“But your fist art seems even better.”
Seol Hwa-un bowed his head.
“Thank you.”
Seol Wi-myeong averted his gaze slyly and waved it off.
“Enough. There’s no rule saying the Palace Lord must specialize in the Snow Family’s sword arts. Just don’t neglect swordsmanship—train it in your spare time.”
“Understood.”
* * *
Three days later, Seol Hwa-un left the North Sea Ice Palace. He seemed headed straight for Ice Lord Valley, but suddenly veered west.
His destination was the Ice Family Manor. Using lightness skill, Seol Hwa-un arrived shortly.
“...!”
The two gate guards spotted him and dropped to one knee simultaneously.
“We greet the Young Palace Lord!”
“Rise.”
“Yes.”
The guards’ eyes sparkled as they looked at Seol Hwa-un.
After he was recognized as Young Palace Lord, the Ice Family’s prestige had unexpectedly soared.
It wasn’t just because Bing Su-hye was his fiancée.
It was because Seol Hwa-un had earned the Young Palace Lord title and become a master using the Ice Family’s fist arts.
As a result, the Ice Family warriors’ pride pierced the heavens, and they held boundless respect for him.
Seol Hwa-un calmly stated his business.
“I’m here to see the Family Head. Could you inform him?”
“Yes, Young Palace Lord.”
One guard hurried inside to deliver the message.
“He’ll come out to escort you shortly.”
Seol Hwa-un shook his head.
“I know the way—no need. I’ll head to the Family Head’s quarters myself.”
“Understood.”
The two guards opened the gate and bowed their heads.
“Please enter.”
“Thank you.”
As Seol Hwa-un disappeared inside, one guard said excitedly,
“I heard he went to the Central Plains, but his presence is even more radiant!”
“They say he achieved great feats there too—with our family’s martial arts, no less.”
“Of course. I’m proud all over again to be a warrior of the Ice Family Manor.”
“Exactly. Even warriors from other families are jealous.”
“Hahaha.”
Moments later, urgent footsteps approached, and a man appeared.
“...!”
The guards bowed immediately.
“Chief Steward.”
It was Bing Cho-pung, the chief steward of the Ice Family Manor.
“I heard the Young Palace Lord has arrived.”
“Ah, we told him to wait, but he went in alone.”
Bing Cho-pung looked regretful.
“Oh no, I’m late.”
He turned to peer into the manor.
‘But what brings him here? He hasn’t visited once since finishing his training.’
Suddenly, a good idea struck him.
“Perfect. This is a good chance to settle it for sure.”
Bing Cho-pung hurried off. His footsteps led toward Bing Su-hye’s quarters.