Chapter 127
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 127
Chapter Title: One Sword Unit Arrives
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In front of the main gate of the Taegok Branch Hall.
A stern-faced middle-aged man knelt on one knee.
“Ice Sword Unit’s One Sword Leader Seol Woo-young pays respects to the Young Palace Lord!”
Behind him stood one hundred One Sword Unit members in formation.
Feeling their sharp auras, Seol Hwa-un nodded with a faint smile.
‘As expected of the One Sword Unit.’
Only the absolute elite among the Ice Sword Unit warriors could become One Sword Unit members. Their auras were correspondingly exceptional.
‘I did request reinforcements, but I didn’t expect they’d send the One Sword Unit.’
It was proof of how much attention the North Sea Ice Palace headquarters was paying to the Taegok Branch Hall, enough to dispatch core forces even from the main palace.
It was only natural, as this would be the bridgehead for advancing into the Central Plains.
“Please rise, One Sword Leader.”
“Yes, Young Palace Lord.”
One Sword Leader Seol Woo-young was a collateral branch member of the Seol Family, making him Seol Hwa-un’s uncle by rank. Yet his demeanor toward Seol Hwa-un was impeccably polite.
It was one glimpse into Seol Hwa-un’s position within the North Sea Ice Palace.
“You must have had a hard journey coming here.”
The risen One Sword Leader continued.
“No need for such words. Beyond my unit, the North Wind Brigade is also en route to the Taegok Branch Hall.”
Seol Hwa-un’s eyes widened slightly for once.
“The entire North Wind Brigade?”
“That’s right, Young Palace Lord.”
“That’s welcome news indeed.”
One hundred One Sword Unit members, plus two hundred from the North Wind Brigade.
‘And the North Wind Brigade Leader will come too...’
This would double—no, triple—the Taegok Branch Hall’s forces.
‘With this, we could win even if every sect in Shanxi Province came at us.’
Seol Hwa-un smiled in satisfaction.
‘I was uneasy about leaving the post vacant, but this works out perfectly.’
“Let’s go inside. Everyone’s waiting.”
“Yes.”
After ordering the One Sword Unit members to rest, the two headed straight to the meeting hall.
Yu Gong-seon greeted the One Sword Leader with a bright face.
“Please come in, One Sword Leader.”
“Oh. Long time no see, Strategist Yu.”
The Taegok Branch Hall’s leadership was all gathered there.
After brief greetings, they began the meeting.
Bing Cho-pung spoke first.
“I apologize to the One Sword Leader who just arrived, but the schedule is tight, so we’ve had no choice but to include you.”
The One Sword Leader waved it off.
“It’s fine. It seems there’s some urgent matter...”
Yu Gong-seon continued.
“In truth, the Righteous Heaven Alliance has sent an invitation to the Young Palace Lord.”
“Oh!”
“We just won the war against the Shanxi unorthodox sects, so it was a tricky situation. But the headquarters’ reinforcements arrived just in time—truly fortunate.”
The One Sword Leader nodded.
“I see. Worth hurrying ahead of the North Wind Brigade, then.”
“Hahaha.”
“Ah, on the way here, I heard the rumors about the Young Palace Lord. Truly astonishing. You defeated the Blood Sound Death Army and then the Mad Blood Sword Army?”
The rumors had spread like wildfire across Shanxi Province—everyone knew.
Thanks to that, the number of applicants to the Taegok Branch Hall had skyrocketed.
The Shanxi Martial Brigade had not only filled its vacancies in short order but now neared one hundred thirty members.
The 잠운대, which had seen almost no losses from not participating in the war, had also surpassed one hundred.
And that was after careful selection.
“Truly impressive, Young Palace Lord.”
“No need for such words. If it elevates the palace’s prestige, that’s satisfaction enough.”
Knowing his words were sincere, they all nodded.
“Back to the main topic... I plan to depart for the Righteous Heaven Alliance immediately.”
“How many will you take?”
At Bing Cho-pung’s question, Seol Hwa-un smiled.
“The aftermath of the Shanxi conflict has greatly unsettled the populace here.”
The North Sea Ice Palace’s fame had risen, but many commoners still felt anxious.
“The Taegok Branch Hall must focus on that, so I can’t take many. Just Dong Ho-won and Eom Mu-hwi.”
“That’s...!”
As some showed uneasy expressions, Seol Hwa-un offered a relaxed smile.
“No need to worry. What could possibly happen at the Righteous Heaven Alliance?”
Yu Gong-seon said.
“You shouldn’t let your guard down, Young Palace Lord. Consider the journey there and back. With hostile forces now clear, we must prepare for contingencies.”
“That’s why just the three of us. Easier to retreat if needed. I’d love to bring you too, Strategist Yu, but you’re needed here.”
The One Sword Leader smiled as he spoke.
“As expected of a strategist—always worrying. It’ll be fine! Don’t you know how strong the Young Palace Lord is?”
“The enemies know that too. They’ll prepare traps or forces beyond that.”
Seol Hwa-un said.
“I promise. I’ll move cautiously. Trust my judgment.”
“If that’s the Young Palace Lord’s will... Understood.”
“Don’t worry so much, Strategist Yu. The Young Palace Lord will return with even greater fame this time.”
“That would be fortunate.”
With consensus reached, Seol Hwa-un looked around and declared.
“Very well, to summarize. I’ll appoint the North Wind Brigade Leader as acting Branch Lord. Relay that upon arrival.”
“Yes, Young Palace Lord.”
“I can’t wait any longer, so I’ll depart tomorrow.”
“Understood.”
The meeting ended, and most of the leadership left.
“......”
The only ones remaining in the meeting hall were Seol Hwa-un and Yu Gong-seon.
“Shame. It’d be useful to have you along, Strategist Yu.”
At Seol Hwa-un’s words, Yu Gong-seon smiled.
“I feel the same. A chance to visit one of the Three Great Powers of the World—such a pity to miss.”
“No helping it. The Taegok Branch Hall needs a strategist now more than ever.”
“......”
“Now, then, let’s hear your advice as strategist.”
“Hmm.”
Yu Gong-seon pondered briefly before speaking.
“Truthfully, with only fragments of information, it’s hard to judge accurately. I asked the Beggar’s Sect, but the Righteous Heaven Alliance headquarters is like a dragon’s lair or tiger’s den—limits to what they could learn.”
“That figures.”
“At any rate, the Young Palace Lord’s safety is paramount.”
“Haha, message received loud and clear.”
Yu Gong-seon’s face was grave.
“No such thing as overemphasizing it. From the scant info we have, the Evil Path Union will attend the inauguration ceremony.”
Seol Hwa-un’s eyes widened a bit.
“That’s... unexpected.”
“It’s still just rumors, not confirmed. But in my view, it’s almost certain.”
“What’s your basis?”
“The Evil Path Union suffered heavy losses from clashing with our palace and has lost much ground in the martial world.”
“......”
“They probably sent a courtesy invitation from the Righteous Heaven Alliance, but for the Evil Path Union, it’s a prime chance to assert their presence. No reason not to go.”
“Hmm.”
“The truce with them has a year left, but unorthodox paths break promises whenever they please. Don’t lower your guard.”
Seol Hwa-un nodded.
“I understand. But I doubt you’re just telling me to be careful.”
Yu Gong-seon smiled.
“Correct. Our palace and the Evil Path Union remain enemies. It’s not advantageous for us if that persists.”
Yu Gong-seon’s eyes gleamed.
“I trust the Young Palace Lord will handle the alliance wisely. The issue is the Evil Path Union.”
Seol Hwa-un grasped his intent.
“...You mean pursue reconciliation.”
“Yes. We’re just establishing ourselves in the Central Plains. Sorry to the fallen North Wind Brigade members, but the palace needs time to take root here.”
No matter the distance, if the Evil Path Union wanted to exert influence like the Shanxi unorthodox forces, they could.
Seol Hwa-un nodded readily.
“I understand your concerns, Strategist. But it won’t be easy.”
“Of course. They’re grinding their teeth over us too. But as the saying goes, no eternal enemies or allies—situations can change anytime.”
“......”
“I’m not saying bow to them. Just don’t ignore any opportunity that arises.”
“I get it. I’ll keep that in mind.”
Yu Gong-seon smiled.
“If you remember my words, that’s enough.”
* * *
Seol Hwa-un, Eom Mu-hwi, and Dong Ho-won set out at dawn and reached Anyang at the Henan Province border in just two days.
They had traveled by lightness skill without even camping, as the Righteous Heaven Alliance Lord inauguration was imminent.
Walking through Anyang city, Seol Hwa-un said.
“At this pace, we’ll arrive before the ceremony. Let’s rest at an inn tonight.”
“Yes, Young Palace Lord.”
“Finally, a soft bed after so long.”
Eom Mu-hwi chided Dong Ho-won.
“Two nights roughing it and you’re already whining?”
“What? Camping’s uncomfortable, fact.”
As the two bickered, Seol Hwa-un sensed an odd presence.
“......?”
Turning, he saw a young monk in red robes staring intently.
Confirming the yellow monastic robes, Seol Hwa-un immediately identified his affiliation.
‘Shaolin Temple?’
The monk was nearly seven feet tall with a majestic build like a Huangbo family warrior, carrying a long iron staff on his back.
‘Come to think of it, he resembles the Shaolin Rod Dragon in appearance.’
Shaolin Rod Dragon Hong Gwang.
He was a late-generation talent Shaolin had produced after a long time, uniquely selected for the Dragon-Phoenix Tournament with Shaolin staff arts.
‘Around Heavenly Dragon’s age.’
The more he recalled about Hong Gwang, the more convinced he was that the watching monk was him.
He seemed to have been waiting for Seol Hwa-un’s group.
“......!”
Locking eyes with Seol Hwa-un, the monk flinched momentarily before approaching slowly. Only then did Eom Mu-hwi and Dong Ho-won notice him, looking puzzled.
Reaching Seol Hwa-un, the monk clasped his hands in greeting and bowed his head.
“Amitabha. Pleased to meet you.”
“......”
“This little monk is Hong Gwang, second-generation disciple of Shaolin. Are you the benefactors from the North Sea Ice Palace?”
As Seol Hwa-un expected, he was the Shaolin Rod Dragon. Eom Mu-hwi recognized him too, his eyes lighting up.
“Shaolin Rod Dragon?”
Seol Hwa-un returned a calm salute.
“Pleased, Monk Hong Gwang. I am Seol Hwa-un, Young Palace Lord of the North Sea Ice Palace.”
Hong Gwang’s eyes widened slightly.
“Heavens! You’re the famous North Heaven Dragon. Then those two must be the North Sea Twin Heroes.”
“Eom Mu-hwi.”
“Dong Ho-won.”
Hong Gwang burst into hearty laughter.
“Hahaha, no wonder their auras are extraordinary. Heaven has blessed the North Sea Ice Palace with such young talents.”
It felt odd hearing someone barely in his early thirties speak like a grizzled veteran over fifty.
“Your plain attire had me unsure.”
Seol Hwa-un’s group wore ordinary martial robes, not North Sea Ice Palace uniforms, so Hong Gwang hadn’t been certain.
“Amitabha, worth the wait.”
Hong Gwang’s eyes sparkled oddly.