Chapter 11
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 11
Chapter Title: Qualifying Spar
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After the Five Peaks Conference concluded, the family heads all returned to their respective homes.
Only Seol Wi-myeong, Seol Eun-ji, and Seol Hwa-un remained in the conference hall.
“…….”
In the flowing silence, Seol Wi-myeong finally spoke.
“Do you have confidence?”
Before Seol Hwa-un could respond, Seol Eun-ji stepped forward.
“How can you be so reckless…… What on earth were you thinking, accepting the spar?”
“Don’t worry too much.”
“Do I look like I shouldn’t be worried right now?”
Instead of answering, Seol Hwa-un offered a relaxed smile. She was inwardly a bit surprised.
‘This guy…… Who knew he could make such a reliable expression?’
“Do you have any guess on who it’ll be?”
“Probably Eom Mu-hwi.”
The sparring opponent was to be decided by the five family heads in consultation.
There was Dong Ho-won of the Winter Family, but his evaluation fell short of Eom Mu-hwi’s. Unless some major upset occurred, Eom Mu-hwi was the most likely choice.
Seol Wi-myeong quietly spoke up.
“Excluding the Yan Family and Winter Family, the other families lack talents like Eom Mu-hwi or Dong Ho-won. Conversely, it’s because they possess such prodigies that those two families, despite minimal prior exchange, joined hands.”
His gaze turned to Seol Hwa-un.
“Either way, they need to pull you down to give their own family’s talent a chance.”
“…….”
“The Cold Family is your maternal relatives, and the Snow Family is blood kin, so they sided with you. The surprise is the Ice Family Head. I knew he was already backing the Yan Family…… But from his attitude today, it doesn’t seem he’s fully committed to them.”
Seol Hwa-un gave a faint smile without a word.
“It seems you’ve won the Ice Family Head’s favor while learning fist techniques.”
“I don’t know the depths of the Ice Family Head’s true feelings, but he’s certainly favorable toward me.”
Seol Eun-ji felt a twinge of doubt.
“But he’s the one who proposed the spar?”
A glint appeared in Seol Wi-myeong’s eyes.
‘No way, this kid…….’
“Hwa-un, how far have you learned in fist techniques?”
“Up to the Ice River Nine Splits Divine Fist.”
Seol Eun-ji jumped in surprise.
“What?”
“The entire Ice River Nine Splits Divine Fist?”
“Yes. Ah, I haven’t fully mastered the final stance yet.”
Seol Hwa-un was referring to the fifth stance, but Seol Wi-myeong interpreted it differently.
‘That means he’s nearly perfected the first three stances, then…….’
The strict Ice Family Head in martial cultivation wouldn’t teach later stances if the early ones were lacking.
“Impressive.”
“It’s thanks to the Ice Family Head thinking well of me.”
Seol Eun-ji now looked at her younger brother with newfound respect.
‘He said he was learning fist techniques…… He really had confidence.’
Of course, that didn’t erase all worry.
“Still, that’s enough to have confidence. But you must be truly cautious of Eom Mu-hwi.”
Seol Hwa-un had never seen Eom Mu-hwi before.
“His skill surpasses the late-stage prodigy level.”
Hearing Seol Eun-ji emphasize it so much sparked his curiosity.
“How does he compare to you, sister?”
“We sparred three years ago. He was still shy of thirty then, yet he lasted a hundred exchanges against me.”
‘Ho.’
Seol Hwa-un knew Seol Eun-ji’s realm well. And how diligently she trained daily.
“I can’t predict how much he’s grown this year. That’s why the Yan Family is pushing him as family head, and even the Ice Family tacitly agreed.”
Seol Hwa-un smiled instead.
‘Perfect.’
“Then he’s just the right opponent to show what I can do.”
* * *
The next day arrived—the day of the spar where the Little Palace Lord would prove his worth.
In the North Sea Ice Palace’s rear garden stood a sparring platform used occasionally by the martial brigade members to sort ranks or select leaders.
There gathered Palace Lord Seol Wi-myeong, the heads of the Five Great Families, and the two combatants.
The Yan Family and Winter Family, eager to make a spectacle, had wanted to summon all palace retainers and hold it in the grand drill hall.
Seol Hwa-un didn’t particularly care, but the Cold Family and Snow Family vehemently opposed it.
The conditions were already sufficiently unfavorable; even if the Little Palace Lord lost, they aimed to minimize the shock. In the end, it was decided to hold the spar here.
Seol Hwa-un eyed the handsome young man facing him.
‘So this is Eom Mu-hwi.’
Twenty-one years old this year. Tall stature, well-proportioned build. Distinct features and sharp eyes gave him a striking, handsome appearance.
Reading his energy, Seol Hwa-un nodded.
‘Indeed, worthy of being the strongest candidate for Little Palace Lord.’
In his past life, he too had once been called the leader of the Five Great Righteous Dragons, the top late-stage prodigy.
‘On par with the Five Dragons back then. No, perhaps a touch superior?’
Seol Hwa-un’s opponent had been decided rather anticlimactically. Dong Ho-won forfeited the spar, automatically settling on Eom Mu-hwi.
The Winter Family Head raged and berated Dong Ho-won, but to no avail. There was no forcing someone without the will.
The Winter Family Head glared at the platform with a displeased expression.
‘Tch! Such a golden opportunity…… No helping it. If Eom Mu-hwi pulls down the Little Palace Lord first, we can discuss then.’
This spar was to prove the current Little Palace Lord’s qualification, not to decide who would take the position next.
In contrast, the Yan Family Head’s face shone brighter than ever.
‘Heh heh heh, beating a weak Little Palace Lord who’s barely trained proper martial arts for a year will be too easy. Get ready to be shocked, everyone.’
He made only one demand of Eom Mu-hwi.
“Make the Little Palace Lord feel the overwhelming gap. Let him sense his inadequacy and step down on his own.”
Even if Eom Mu-hwi won, the Yan Family Head thought dislodging Seol Hwa-un from the Little Palace Lord seat wouldn’t be easy.
‘If the Little Palace Lord shows even a modicum of potential, the other heads will defend him.’
Thus, Seol Hwa-un stepping down voluntarily was the ideal scenario. Imprinting Eom Mu-hwi’s prowess would be the cherry on top.
Amid the tense atmosphere, the Ice Family Head, proposer of the spar, glanced at the Palace Lord.
“…….”
With the Palace Lord’s nod, the Ice Family Head spoke.
“I, Bing Jin-won, will officiate. Everyone knows the significance of this spar, so I’ll skip needless explanation.”
“…….”
“Then let the spar begin. You two, prepare yourselves.”
Seol Hwa-un and Eom Mu-hwi faced off at three zhang—about nine meters—apart.
Eom Mu-hwi cupped his fists first.
“Little Palace Lord, no personal grudges here. Don’t resent me for my sharp hands.”
Seol Hwa-un smiled faintly.
“Give it your all. Leave no regrets.”
His tone, like an expert addressing an inferior, made Eom Mu-hwi frown unwittingly.
‘Just a year of martial training, and such overconfidence?’
As he thought that, he suddenly noticed his opponent was empty-handed and felt puzzled.
“You won’t use a sword?”
“As you see.”
Eom Mu-hwi knew Seol Hwa-un had learned fist techniques from the Ice Family. But he hadn’t placed much weight on it. The Snow Family’s main art was swordsmanship, after all.
‘He plans to face me with fists?’
It was hard to fathom. He himself had trained in Ice Family fist techniques.
He hadn’t learned the Ice River Nine Splits Divine Fist, but he knew most common ones.
Meaning Eom Mu-hwi knew every fist technique Seol Hwa-un might use.
‘This is too much in my favor…….’
That wasn’t all. He was five years older, making him a full head taller.
‘Uncomfortable in every way.’
Frankly, he harbored ambition to become Little Palace Lord. But he wanted it honorably.
That said, he didn’t underestimate Seol Hwa-un entirely. The Palace Lord must have permitted the spar because of some hidden card.
‘But martial arts aren’t gained overnight.’
Eom Mu-hwi was a born prodigy and tireless worker. Since encountering martial arts at four, he hadn’t skipped a single day of training.
Seventeen full years devoted to it.
‘Even if the Little Palace Lord was born with unmatched talent, one year can’t bridge that gap.’
Not just Eom Mu-hwi—most onlookers thought the same.
Their faint hope was merely how much the year’s training had yielded.
The Cold Family Head and Snow Family Head prayed in unison.
‘Little Palace Lord, just show some potential.’
‘Show even half of Eom Mu-hwi’s skill. We’ll secure your position no matter what!’
As all watched the platform with varied expectations, the Ice Family Head gave the start signal.
“…….”
Yet neither moved rashly.
Seol Hwa-un stood with his fist raised at an angle, while Eom Mu-hwi assumed the White Wolf Hand stance.
The White Wolf Hand fell short of the Yan Family Soul-Hooking Hand but was swift and potent.
‘Unbelievable.’
Though the spar had begun and stances taken, Eom Mu-hwi couldn’t move easily.
‘No openings visible.’
It was the Broad Cold Fist stance he knew all too well.
‘Amazing. They said the Ice Family Head taught him personally, and he’s truly mastered it.’
He had to admit it. The stance was more perfect than his own.
“…….”
But Eom Mu-hwi wasn’t one to falter at that. He quickly regained composure.
‘No openings? I’ll create one. But White Wolf Hand won’t cut it.’
His stance shifted. As if clenching fists, he then bent three fingers on each hand.
Resembling an eagle’s talons.
The onlookers recognized the art he was about to use.
‘Snow Eagle Claw!’
‘Eom Mu-hwi’s mastered the Snow Eagle Claw too!’
The North Sea Ice Palace’s sole claw technique.
No sooner had his stance changed than Eom Mu-hwi kicked off the ground.
Thud!
His form shot toward Seol Hwa-un at terrifying speed.
The claw strike, wreathed in pale blue energy, plunged like lightning.
Swoosh!
The Snow Eagle Claw’s destructive power was top-tier; ordinary defenses couldn’t fully block it.
“…….”
Watching, Seol Hwa-un quietly clenched his fist. Simultaneously, pure white energy gathered.
Boom!
A massive explosion rang out as Eom Mu-hwi’s hands rebounded.
Stumbling back, Eom Mu-hwi’s eyes filled with shock.
‘Fist energy!’
It was low-level, barely coating the impact area, but unmistakable fist energy.
Had the internal energy been weaker, his claw strike would have shattered instead.
‘Incredible!’
Eom Mu-hwi inwardly admired. Yet he didn’t think Seol Hwa-un had precisely calibrated to counter the Snow Eagle Claw exactly.
“Your trajectory is simple.”
“……!”
Grinding his teeth at Seol Hwa-un’s words, Eom Mu-hwi unleashed the Snow Eagle Claw again. This time, both hands attacked from either side.
Faster and infused with far stronger energy than before.
Seol Hwa-un slightly retreated while deploying Full Snow Flow Fist.
His fists bore even clearer fist energy.
Boom boom boom boom!
Claw and fist clashed repeatedly, explosions echoing. As time passed, Eom Mu-hwi’s claw technique accelerated.
Swoosh swoosh swoosh swoosh!
The odd part was Seol Hwa-un.
His punching speed hadn’t changed much, yet he precisely blocked every claw strike.
The onlookers’ eyes widened.
‘That’s…….’
‘Impossible without seeing through the opponent’s trajectories!’
‘The Little Palace Lord was at this level?’
The watching Yan Family Head furrowed his brow.
‘What are you doing, Mu-hwi! Struggling against mere Full Snow Flow Fist?’
Eom Mu-hwi quickly grasped the situation.
‘Fine, then…….’
His hand shape changed.
‘Hm?’
White Wolf Hand and Broad Cold Fist stances blended from his hands.
Seol Hwa-un swiftly retreated to evade, but Eom Mu-hwi pursued relentlessly.
‘Won’t let you escape.’
He poured out far more varied and tricky attacks than before.
“Ohh!”
“Such exquisite combinations!”
“We knew White Wolf Hand and Broad Cold Fist paired well, but…….”
“Eom Mu-hwi’s demonstrating the orthodox mastery!”
No matter how masterful the stance usage, countering Eom Mu-hwi’s diverse assaults solely with Full Snow Flow Fist was impossible.
Yet Seol Hwa-un managed it—with apt defenses and ingenious footwork.
A glint lit the Ice Family Head’s eyes as he watched.
‘Remarkable. He’s aptly mixing Broad Cold Fist steps with Full Snow Flow Fist footwork.’
It looked like only Full Snow Flow Fist, but it equated to using both arts together.
Anxiety flickered on Eom Mu-hwi’s face.
‘Blocking this thoroughly?!’
Then, Seol Hwa-un’s form suddenly spun rapidly.
A perfectly timed Broad Cold Fist spinning strike.
‘Miss!’
Startled by the sharp counter, Eom Mu-hwi retracted his assault and urgently retreated.
‘Too late to dodge.’
Judging swiftly, he thrust both palms forward.
Excluding Ice White Divine Palm, it was the Ice Palace’s most powerful: Ice Yin Track Palm.
Baaang!
Unable to fully dissipate the shock, Eom Mu-hwi staggered back five steps, while Seol Hwa-un retreated three.
Clearly Seol Hwa-un’s advantage.
Eom Mu-hwi said with a stiff, hardened face.
“I misjudged you.”
“About what?”
“I thought I wouldn’t underestimate you, but deep down I did. I apologize.”
“No need.”
Eom Mu-hwi’s eyes changed.
“From now on, I’ll treat you as an expert on my level. You should be careful.”
Seol Hwa-un smiled as he replied.
“One piece of advice.”
“Advice?”
“Come at me with true full effort.”
His smile deepened.
“I haven’t even started yet.”