Chapter 115
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 115
Chapter Title: Warning at the Black Refinement Sect
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Seol Hwa-un cupped his hands in a calm salute.
“It's a pleasure to meet you like this. I am Seol Hwa-un, Young Lord of the North Sea Ice Palace.”
The Black Refinement Sect Leader returned the gesture with a smile spreading across his face.
“Ha ha ha, at last I get to meet the famed North Heaven Dragon. A pleasure. I am Yeo Mo-il, Sect Leader of the Black Refinement Sect.”
“I am the Chief Steward of the Black Refinement Sect, Sang Chong.”
Bok Yeo-wol also offered his greetings.
“It's been a while, Young Lord.”
The Black Refinement Sect Leader immediately ushered Seol Hwa-un into his own Palace Lord's Hall. That was how he came face-to-face with these three men.
“For the North Heaven Dragon himself to grace our sect with a visit—I'm truly honored. Come, have a seat.”
The Black Refinement Sect Leader offered him a place, but Seol Hwa-un remained standing and shook his head.
“I'm not here to sit and chat amiably. I've only come to relay a few words.”
“……!”
The atmosphere in the hall turned icy in an instant.
Bok Yeo-wol forced a smile as he spoke.
“Young Lord, why not sit down first and talk it over…….”
Seol Hwa-un cut him off.
“To get straight to the point: cease all actions against our palace effective immediately.”
A chilling aura radiated from him in all directions.
As the Black Refinement Sect Leader's face visibly hardened, Sang Chong chuckled and said,
“Young Lord, it seems there's been some misunderstanding…….”
Seol Hwa-un's words showed no hesitation.
“If you do not, we'll consider the Black Refinement Sect as having declared open hostility against our palace—and respond accordingly.”
The Black Refinement Sect Leader replied in a low,沉 voice.
“Respond?”
A cold smile crept across Seol Hwa-un's face.
“I believe you already know what that means.”
“……!”
The Black Refinement Sect Leader's already dark complexion grew even blacker with rage.
“Insolent whelp!”
He started to rise from his seat in fury, but he couldn't.
Wooong!
The terrifying energy pouring from Seol Hwa-un's body was completely suppressing them.
‘Kuh!’
‘To think the North Heaven Dragon's martial arts are this formidable!’
As those present grimaced under the pressure, Seol Hwa-un spoke nonchalantly.
“Listen to the end. I haven't finished yet.”
“……!”
“Recall what became of the Four Evil Heavenly Gates and the Green Forest Eighteen Bandits, who dared to underestimate our palace. Surely you don't wish to end up the same.”
“You dare threaten this sect leader?”
“It's not a threat—merely stating facts. The choice is yours, Sect Leader.”
“North Heaven Dragon!”
“I've said all I came to say. I expect a wise decision.”
With a slight nod, Seol Hwa-un turned and walked out.
The moment he vanished, the Black Refinement Sect Leader slammed the table.
Boom!
Crack!
The table collapsed in a single blow.
“Have you ever seen such an arrogant bastard? A bit of fame's gone straight to his head!”
Sang Chong chimed in.
“Indeed! We can't tolerate this insult, Sect Leader. We must strike him down at once!”
“…….”
But the Black Refinement Sect Leader said nothing more.
Watching him, Bok Yeo-wol inwardly breathed a sigh of relief.
‘Phew. At least he hasn't lost his cool-headedness.’
“Well done, Sect Leader. The North Heaven Dragon may be exceedingly arrogant, but now is not the time for a direct clash with the North Sea Ice Palace.”
“What nonsense is that, Black Killer Brigade Leader? No matter how strong he is, if our sect's elites swarm him…….”
“Sang Chong. Of course, I don't think the North Heaven Dragon could defeat our entire sect. But the casualties would be severe.”
It was two years ago that Seol Hwa-un had triumphed over the Blood Sound Four Armies. No one could imagine how much stronger he had grown since.
“And after that? We'd face the full might of the North Sea Ice Palace at Tae-gok. Considering their forces, it wouldn't be easy.”
“Mm.”
Calming his excitement, the Black Refinement Sect Leader slowly spoke.
“Black Killer Brigade Leader, what do you suggest?”
“In my view, we should follow the North Heaven Dragon's words for now.”
The Sect Leader's eyes flashed.
“Bend the knee just like that?”
“Of course not. It'll take the North Sea Ice Palace quite some time to establish roots in Shanxi Province anyway.”
“…….”
“In the meantime, if we build our strength and rally Shanxi's evil sects, the tide will eventually turn in our favor.”
The evil sects of Shanxi had spread rumors in unison at Yi Jeong-myeong's subtle prompting, but they hadn't truly banded together against the North Sea Ice Palace.
They had been pondering a long-term strategy when Seol Hwa-un had just made it crystal clear.
“……Is that so?”
The Black Refinement Sect Leader's gaze deepened.
* * *
When Seol Hwa-un returned to the Tae-gok branch hall, Yu Gong-seon greeted him.
“Young Lord, did you perhaps visit the Black Refinement Sect?”
Seol Hwa-un was startled.
“I didn't tell a soul…… How did you know?”
Yu Gong-seon smiled faintly.
“I saw the intelligence from Hall Leader Jo. When you headed out right away, I had a feeling.”
“As expected of Strategist Yu.”
“No need for such praise. You went to warn them, I take it?”
“Something like that.”
“Any friction with them?”
“None.”
Yu Gong-seon pondered briefly before asking,
“In your view, Young Lord, how will they respond?”
“Fifty-fifty. They might sharpen their claws against our palace even more—or hold their breath.”
Yu Gong-seon nodded in agreement.
“You wouldn't have minced words with your temperament. The fact they showed no immediate reaction means…….”
His eyes sparkled.
“The Black Refinement Sect Leader is more cautious than expected. Of course, that doesn't guarantee they'll heed your words.”
“What would Strategist Yu do?”
“A strategist must always prepare for the worst. Now that the enemies are clear, we should send word to the palace for reinforcements.”
“Hmm.”
They could have dispatched more warriors from the start, but had held back out of concern that Shanxi's people might grow wary or restless at the sight of so many North Sea Ice Palace experts.
“Well, that's moot now anyway. I'll request the Ice Sword Unit and the Five Great Families' combat squads.”
“I'll send the message at once.”
“By the way, those ronin who passed the final selection as palace warriors should have arrived. What of them?”
“As instructed, I divided them into two groups: sixty immediate combat-ready warriors to the Shanxi Martial Squad, and forty with high potential to the Hidden Cloud Squad.”
“Mm.”
“For now, I've issued palace uniforms and explained branch hall life.”
“No issues?”
At Seol Hwa-un's question, Yu Gong-seon grinned.
“Issues? They're clamoring about when they'll learn martial arts.”
“That figures.”
After organizing his thoughts, Seol Hwa-un continued.
“For now, designate Dong Ho-won as spear arts instructor, and Eom Mu-hwi for hand and fist techniques.”
The reason for assigning these two was that teaching others offered as much enlightenment as personal cultivation.
‘It'll be a good experience for them.’
“And the rest……?”
“Have the Yi Geom Brigade Leader recommend someone for swordsmanship. For saber arts…….”
After a moment's thought, Seol Hwa-un glanced at Yu Gong-seon.
‘Perfect. That'll do.’
“How about you, Strategist Yu?”
Yu Gong-seon's primary art was saber technique.
Yu Gong-seon's eyes widened round.
“M-Me?”
“Yes. You've trained diligently these past two years, haven't you? I hear you've nearly mastered the Silver Star Saber Form.”
“True, but…… there are other warriors who…….”
“No worries. You'll do splendidly, Strategist Yu. And you'll gain much from it.”
Yu Gong-seon bowed with a dazed expression.
“Mm. Understood.”
“You'll be run ragged for a while, but bear with it.”
Yu Gong-seon smiled.
“What are you saying? This is the happiest time of my life.”
“Ha ha ha.”
Ending the conversation, Seol Hwa-un headed to the private training ground in the branch hall's rear garden.
“…….”
Jeok Rang-do stood there blankly. Spotting Seol Hwa-un, he quickly cupped his hands.
“Greetings, Young Lord.”
“What are you doing standing around dazed? Have you memorized the Silver Star Saber Form formula?”
“W-Well…….”
In his hand was the formula Seol Hwa-un had personally written out—even annotated helpfully.
“Some problem?”
Hesitating, Jeok Rang-do gave a wry smile.
“I can't read.”
“……I see. My mistake.”
Seol Hwa-un took the formula and read it to him line by line.
Jeok Rang-do's focus was impressively sharp; he memorized it swiftly.
“Your aptitude's fine—why can't you read yet?”
“……My apologies.”
“I'm not scolding you. Just curious.”
“As a child, I had no chance…… After meeting my master, learning martial arts, and becoming a ronin, I was too ashamed of my illiteracy…… so I faked it by feel.”
“I see.”
“I know some simple characters.”
Seol Hwa-un regarded Jeok Rang-do quietly before speaking.
“As Young Lord of the palace, I give you your first command.”
He bowed at once.
“Command me, Young Lord.”
“In the next three months, learn to read. Enough to comprehend official documents and martial manuals, at minimum.”
Jeok Rang-do nodded with a resolute expression.
“Understood.”
“This doesn't mean neglect your duties as a palace warrior for study. Use your personal time.”
Jeok Rang-do's confident face stiffened.
“H-How can I……!”
Mornings and afternoons were filled with personal training and group drills. It meant using evenings after meals.
Seol Hwa-un's expression was firm.
“Figure it out. In three months, if it's insufficient, you're out.”
“Ah…….”
Jeok Rang-do dropped his head in despair.
Smiling, Seol Hwa-un said,
“That's that. Now that you've memorized the Silver Star Saber Form formula, show me what you've got.”
In an instant, Jeok Rang-do's eyes gleamed as if the setback had never happened.
“Yes, Young Lord!”
He knew full well what a rare opportunity this personal guidance was. He had to give it everything.
Jeok Rang-do diligently demonstrated the Silver Star Saber Form, with Seol Hwa-un offering pointers from the side.
‘You have to manage at least that much. Only then will I entrust you with leading the Shanxi Martial Squad.’
Surprisingly, Seol Hwa-un intended to promote Jeok Rang-do.
Meanwhile.
At the same time, the Blood Radiance Sword Lord was entering the Black Refinement Sect.