Chapter 135
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 135
Chapter Title: Heaven-Splitting Army Leader
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Crack!
The floor caved in around the spot where Seol Hwa-un stood.
“…….”
Despite the tremendous pressure pouring down, Seol Hwa-un remained utterly calm. He even had some leisure to spare.
‘As expected, the Ice Heaven Silent Scale Armor is handy at times like this.’
Just by channeling a bit of the Ice White Divine Art into it, he could generate powerful body-protecting true qi.
But even so, the awkward situation hadn’t changed.
‘Fighting the Heaven-Splitting Army Leader here wouldn’t be wise.’
Win or lose, it could turn the Dark King Sect and North Sea Ice Palace into mortal enemies.
‘Hmm, the strategist asked me to avoid any friction if possible. No helping it, I suppose?’
From Seol Hwa-un’s perspective, he couldn’t just stand there idly.
‘With so many opponents, it’ll have to be a swift resolution.’
Seol Hwa-un quietly concentrated his inner energy into both fists.
Sss!
At that moment, Yi Jeong-myeong, the iron-masked Iron Face Tiger behind the Heaven-Splitting Army Leader, sent a transmission.
[Sect Leader.]
[Don’t worry. This seat is well aware that this is Righteous Heaven Alliance territory.]
[I apologize.]
If the Heaven-Splitting Army Leader were to kill Seol Hwa-un here, the Dark King Sect wouldn’t escape unscathed.
After all, Seol Hwa-un was an officially invited guest of the Righteous Heaven Alliance, and they couldn’t just let the Dark King Sect harm him without consequence.
In other words, there was no need to strain themselves to take down just one Seol Hwa-un right here.
[More importantly, the North Heaven Dragon truly is something special. To withstand this seat’s aura so well. It’s no fluke that he humbled the Iron Face Tiger of the world.]
“…….”
Yi Jeong-myeong ground his teeth.
He had gone all the way to the North Sea to kill Seol Hwa-un but barely escaped with his life, yet the Heaven-Splitting Army Leader said nothing about it.
Not even the usual reprimand. Instead, he’d occasionally bring it up like this, drying up Yi Jeong-myeong’s blood.
Withdrawing his energy, the Heaven-Splitting Army Leader stared at Seol Hwa-un and spoke.
“Impressive, North Heaven Dragon. …We shall meet again soon.”
Seol Hwa-un, settling his own inner energy, smiled and replied.
“Cryptic words. Safe travels.”
As the Heaven-Splitting Army Leader headed out, the beauty and Yi Jeong-myeong followed after him.
The reception hall, now reduced to ruins, finally regained its peace.
“Young Palace Lord, are you alright?”
Eom Mu-hwi and Dong Ho-won rushed over and asked.
Seol Hwa-un shook his head.
“Not a scratch.”
“Phew. That’s a relief.”
“As expected of the Young Palace Lord. To shrug off the Heaven-Splitting Army Leader’s presence so effortlessly!”
As Seol Hwa-un was about to respond, a glint flashed in his eyes.
“…….”
“Young Palace Lord?”
“Looks like another guest has arrived.”
“Pardon?”
Sure enough, soon after, a group of martial artists entered the reception hall.
Leading them was Jegal Mun, family head of the Jegal Family and the central figure of the Righteous Heaven Alliance.
“……!”
Spotting Seol Hwa-un, he hurried over with quick steps.
“Young Palace Lord. Did the Dark King Sect Leader perhaps…?”
Then, noticing the deeply cratered floor, he gave a wry smile.
“Seems he’s already come and gone.”
“That’s right.”
Jegal Mun frowned and muttered.
“Damaging the reception hall furnishings like this. I’ll have to bill them for repairs.”
It sounded casual, but Seol Hwa-un had a feeling he’d extract payment from the Dark King Sect no matter what.
“Still, glad nothing serious happened.”
From the looks of it, Jegal Mun had rushed over upon hearing the Heaven-Splitting Army Leader was headed here.
Seol Hwa-un cupped his fists.
“Long time no see, Jegal Family Head.”
“Ah, I was so flustered I forgot greetings. Long time no see, Young Palace Lord.”
“You must be busy, yet you made the difficult trip.”
Jegal Mun burst into laughter.
“Ha ha, worrying about me now?”
In truth, holding a key position in the Righteous Heaven Alliance, he was swamped with inauguration preparations.
“No matter how busy, I can’t let an esteemed guest like the Young Palace Lord suffer harm in our alliance headquarters, can I?”
The martial artists he’d brought along had extraordinary presences, likely as a precaution.
“I heard you’ve become the Righteous Heaven Alliance’s Chief Inspector. Congratulations.”
Jegal Mun had temporarily held the Chief Strategist position before; now, with the alliance fully launching, he’d taken on the new role of Chief Inspector.
“Thank you. I should be the one congratulating you. Taking down two of the Evil Path Four Armies—no, calling you a junior expert is stretching it now.”
His words were polite, but he was genuinely astonished by Seol Hwa-un.
He’d already confirmed Seol Hwa-un’s insight at the grand assembly and knew his martial arts were top among juniors.
But the Evil Path Four Armies were on another level.
Not even the heads of the Eight Great Families could guarantee victory against them, yet two had fallen to Seol Hwa-un.
‘Knew he was no ordinary genius, but… he’s grown way too big, way too fast.’
At an age not yet twenty, Seol Hwa-un had achieved the unbelievable.
“Since it’s come to this, care for some tea before you go? Spare me a moment?”
“Certainly.”
And so, Seol Hwa-un ended up speaking with Jegal Mun alone.
Jegal Mun opened his mouth.
“With things as they are, I’ll ask a bit early, Young Palace Lord.”
“About the alliance?”
“Indeed. West Gate Hall Leader passed it along well.”
“Hall Leader?”
“Ah, the West Gate Young Family Head has also taken a position here. He’s the Gold Flower Hall Leader handling finances.”
“I see. The West Gate Young Family Head wouldn’t have agreed easily.”
Jegal Mun shook his head.
“You know his temperament well, Young Palace Lord. Don’t remind me. How he guarded himself… We had to offer a hefty salary to finally get his agreement.”
Seol Hwa-un nodded. That sounded just like West Gate Patriarch.
“Anyway… I’d like your answer on the alliance matter.”
Seol Hwa-un slowly spoke.
“It’s certainly a hard offer to refuse. But what’s the real intent?”
“Ha ha ha, you’re asking despite knowing?”
“Our palace is, after all, an Outer Realm force. And no matter how strong our forces, we’re not on par with the Righteous Heaven Alliance.”
Jegal Mun nodded readily.
“Fair point. …However, you’re undervaluing yourself, Young Palace Lord.”
“What do you mean?”
“You’ve slain two of the Evil Path Four Armies. Ever thought what that means from our orthodox faction’s view?”
“……!”
Only then did Seol Hwa-un grasp Jegal Mun’s point.
Regardless of the reasons, he’d defeated the top evils opposing the righteous faction—two of them.
It was only natural his fame would soar among the righteous, who constantly clashed with them.
“The Blood Sound Evil Army was impressive enough, but then you took down even the Light Blood Sword Army, Young Palace Lord. Who among the countless righteous heroes of this era can match your feats?”
“…….”
“Embarrassing to admit, but our alliance competes with the Martial Alliance. An alliance with you would mean a great deal to righteous martial artists.”
* * *
Returning to his lodging, the Heaven-Splitting Army Leader smirked coldly.
“Letting the North Heaven Dragon off like that isn’t very courteous, is it, Strategist?”
Yi Jeong-myeong bowed his head and replied.
“Of course, Sect Leader. It’s difficult for now, but we’ll target him on the way back after the inauguration.”
The Heaven-Splitting Army Leader’s gaze turned icy.
“I trust you won’t miss this time.”
Yi Jeong-myeong flinched involuntarily at the chilling killing intent.
“Don’t worry. We have five hundred Dark King Troops waiting outside the Righteous Heaven Alliance, plus fifty Hidden Dark Unit members.”
The Dark King Troops were the Dark King Sect’s famed elites.
The Hidden Dark Unit, evaluated as their secret force, consisted of peak-level masters each.
“In contrast, the North Heaven Dragon only brought the North Sea Twin Heroes. He won’t escape.”
“Good.”
Then, the beauty who had faced Seol Hwa-un alongside him spoke up abruptly.
“Not really to my liking.”
With large eyes, her porcelain skin contrasted alluringly with her red lips and white teeth, making her a captivating woman.
Had she not been with the Heaven-Splitting Army Leader, she’d have drawn countless gazes—an absolute beauty.
“Father.”
“Hm?”
Surprisingly, the beauty called him Father, and at her call, his stern face softened instantly as if it had never been.
“Are you that afraid of the North Heaven Dragon?”
“Hm? What do you mean?”
“We’re still in a truce with the North Sea Ice Palace, aren’t we? Is it okay to break it so easily?”
“Hye-ryeong, that’s…”
Gu Hye-ryeong, the Heaven-Splitting Army Leader’s pampered jewel, was a natural beauty already hailed as the Supreme Beauty of the Demonic Path for several years.
As he moved to respond, he glanced at Yi Jeong-myeong and said.
“Strategist, handle that matter yourself… and leave us.”
“Yes, Sect Leader.”
Yi Jeong-myeong’s expression was bitter as he exited.
‘Sigh. The Sect Leader’s great in every way, but… he gets too soft in front of his daughter.’
Once he was gone, the Heaven-Splitting Army Leader’s face lit up.
Uncharacteristically gentle, he said.
“Hye-ryeong. Think of the damage the North Heaven Dragon has done to our Evil Path Union. He’s the one we could tear apart and it still wouldn’t sate us.”
“Well. Is it really that simple? From what I know, the Four Evils Heavenly Gate picked the fight first.”
“That’s…”
“And after that, they just charged to kill the North Heaven Dragon and got themselves done in.”
Unable to refute her accurate words, the Heaven-Splitting Army Leader faltered.
“…All that matters is the result! Reasons aside, countless Evil Path Union masters died by his hand. We can’t let it slide!”
Instead of arguing, Gu Hye-ryeong changed the subject.
“By the way, Father.”
“…Yes?”
“What’s that North Heaven Dragon’s name?”
For a moment, the Heaven-Splitting Army Leader’s pupils shook.
‘Man? He said man?!’
He felt an ominous premonition.
“You don’t know his name?”
At her repeated question, he said gravely.
“Hye-ryeong, don’t take interest in that guy. Not in other men, and especially not him.”
Gu Hye-ryeong’s expression hardened slightly.
“…So. You won’t tell me?”
Unable to withstand her sharp glare, the Heaven-Splitting Army Leader yielded.
“…His name is Seol Hwa-un.”
“Seol Hwa-un. Nice name.”
A faint smile played on Gu Hye-ryeong’s lips.
“He seemed cool, you know? Didn’t cower at all in front of you, spoke so confidently.”
“…….”
“Honestly, I was surprised. Every man I’ve seen before just bows his head in your presence.”
“Hye-ryeong… The North Heaven Dragon is our sect’s enemy.”
Gu Hye-ryeong’s eyes sparkled.
“Has that Seol Hwa-un guy married yet?”
The Heaven-Splitting Army Leader wanted to cry.
‘Hye-ryeong… He’s no good.’