Chapter 137
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 137
Chapter Title: The Ak Family's Overture
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A subtle tension flowed between them. Dong Ho-won and Eom Mu-hwi remained on high alert, ready to strike at any moment.
Yet even as they did, Eom Mu-hwi felt something off.
‘I’m not sensing any particular hostility….’
Seol Hwa-un cupped his fists toward the Ak Family Head.
“Long time no see, Ak Family Head.”
The Ak Family Head eyed Seol Hwa-un up and down.
“It hasn’t even been three years… and you’ve already reached such a level. Impressive indeed.”
“But what brings you here? It looks like you’ve come to see us.”
“No particular purpose. I just wanted to exchange greetings with the Little Palace Lord after so long.”
A glint appeared in Seol Hwa-un’s eyes.
“Greetings?”
“I heard about the Shanxi Province branch matter. Truly befitting the North Heaven Dragon… What a flashy debut.”
“Is that so?”
“You know our main house is right next door in Shandong Province, yes?”
“Of course.”
The Ak Family Head smiled plainly.
“It’s just a gesture to stay on friendly terms with a neighboring sect.”
Seol Hwa-un nodded.
“If that’s your intent, you’re welcome anytime, Ak Family Head.”
Seol Hwa-un’s immediate reply made the Ak Family Head’s eyes widen slightly.
“Glad to hear it. You’re not misinterpreting my intentions. Let’s meet soon, whether in Shanxi or Shandong.”
“Agreed. I’ll send an envoy as soon as I return to the branch.”
“I didn’t expect such a straightforward answer… You’re bolder than I thought.”
Seol Hwa-un gave a faint smile.
“It’d be rude to refuse when the Ak Family Head has extended his hand like this.”
The Ak Family Head burst into relaxed laughter.
“Ha ha ha. Then until next time.”
He turned to leave.
Seol Hwa-un met eyes with Ak Ja-hwa and nodded in greeting.
“…….”
Once they were gone, Dong Ho-won and Eom Mu-hwi couldn’t hide their bewilderment.
“What just happened? The Ak Family Head came all the way to find the Little Palace Lord? And to suggest getting close?”
Just during their last Central Plains trip, the Shandong Ak Family had shown strong hostility. This sudden shift was truly unexpected.
Seol Hwa-un smiled faintly.
“You two haven’t noticed either, have you?”
“Pardon?”
“It means our palace’s standing has risen so high that even the proud Ak Family Head wants to build good relations.”
“Ah!”
In truth, Seol Hwa-un had found it a bit odd at first too.
‘Jegal Family Head’s words didn’t feel real back then… but seeing the Ak Family Head like this confirms it.’
From the Shandong Ak Family’s perspective, the North Sea Ice Palace branch—now firmly established after the Shanxi conflict—was a concern.
‘And it’s so close, too.’
Of course, they wouldn’t fear a mere branch over the main palace.
The issue was perceptions among the righteous sects.
If Seol Hwa-un, who had defeated two of the Four Demon Envoys, clashed with the Shandong Ak Family, everyone knew who they’d root for.
‘Probably Chain Soul Spear convinced them.’
The Ak Family’s prestige had already recovered somewhat from their prior exchange with Seol Hwa-un.
In such a situation, there was no reason to keep antagonizing him.
‘It’s good for our palace. Fewer enemies.’
The dream of Seol Wi-myeong and Yu Gong-seon—to plant roots in the Central Plains—was gradually coming true.
* * *
The next day.
Seol Hwa-un received a messenger early in the morning.
“What is it?”
“A message from the Alliance Lord’s Hall. The Alliance Lord wishes to meet the Little Palace Lord.”
It was the news Seol Hwa-un had been waiting for.
“Understood. When should I go?”
“If the Little Palace Lord is agreeable, right now.”
“Very well.”
Seol Hwa-un told Dong Ho-won and Eom Mu-hwi to wait at the reception hall and headed straight for the Alliance Lord’s Hall.
“…….”
The Jeongcheon Alliance’s Alliance Lord’s Hall had a structure similar to the Martial Alliance’s. Only the scale was slightly larger.
Seol Hwa-un couldn’t help but chuckle inwardly.
‘Aren’t they being overly conscious of it?’
As he arrived at the hall with that thought, Jegal Mun was waiting for him.
“Little Palace Lord, welcome.”
“The Chief Inspector came to greet me personally?”
“Ha ha, take it as a sign of how highly we regard you. Come on in.”
Seol Hwa-un followed Jegal Mun into the Alliance Lord’s Hall.
After passing a long corridor, they reached the Alliance Lord’s office. Jegal Mun raised his voice at the door.
“Alliance Lord, the North Sea Ice Palace’s Little Palace Lord has arrived.”
An aged voice replied immediately.
“Come in.”
Inside, the Blade King from the inauguration ceremony sat at a round table. He gave a faint smile.
“Welcome, Little Palace Lord.”
Seol Hwa-un cupped his fists politely.
“I greet the Alliance Lord.”
The Blade King was a near-century-old monster; even Seol Hwa-un had to show proper respect.
“Old age makes my hips heavy. Forgive me for receiving you seated.”
“No need for such words.”
“Sit.”
“Yes.”
Seol Hwa-un and Jegal Mun took their seats, and tea was served shortly after.
“I hope I’m not disturbing you by calling a young man so early. Old age has robbed me of morning sleep.”
Seol Hwa-un shook his head at the Blade King’s banter.
“Not at all. I’d just finished breakfast.”
“As expected, you’re diligent too. That’s how you’ve attained such prowess.”
“…….”
The Blade King’s first impression from the inauguration was quite different. His dignity remained, but he now gave off a kindly grandfatherly vibe.
After sipping tea, the Blade King asked Jegal Mun.
“Chief Inspector, what’s the Martial Alliance’s reaction?”
“Yes, Alliance Lord. They’re trying to act calm, but their anxiety is obvious.”
“As expected. They never thought we’d respond this way. What do you think they’ll do next?”
“They’ll probably send another envoy to persuade us, or if we refuse cooperation outright, they’ll cancel it.”
The Blade King’s eyes sharpened.
“Fools. They’re determined to erode their own prestige.”
At that moment, Seol Hwa-un—who had been silent until then—spoke up abruptly.
“Refusing to the end isn’t good for the Jeongcheon Alliance either.”
“……!”
Both men turned to him.
“Interesting. Little Palace Lord, do you know what we’re discussing?”
Seol Hwa-un replied calmly.
“You’re talking about the Dragon-Phoenix Assembly, aren’t you?”
“……!”
The Blade King’s eyes widened at his unhesitating answer.
“Hah, did the Chief Inspector tell you?”
Jegal Mun shook his head.
“Of course not. Would I leak the Alliance’s secrets?”
The Blade King looked back at Seol Hwa-un.
“Then you deduced it just from what you’ve heard?”
“Yes.”
“Truly astounding. No wonder they call you the North Heaven Dragon.”
Jegal Mun smiled faintly.
“What did I tell you? He’s in a different league.”
“Since it’s come up, let’s hear your insight, Little Palace Lord. Why would it harm our Alliance too?”
Seol Hwa-un said.
“I hear the Jeongcheon Alliance has decided not to participate in the Dragon-Phoenix Assembly. Is that correct?”
“That’s right.”
“The decision itself isn’t bad. Holding a half-baked assembly would damage the Martial Alliance’s prestige.”
“What if they just cancel it outright?”
“That’s the same. It’d still hurt their face. But as I said earlier, in the long term, it’d harm the Jeongcheon Alliance too.”
“Go on.”
“The Dragon-Phoenix Assembly’s authority would decline as a result.”
“Hm.”
“Lately, the Eight Great Families have produced more Dragon-Phoenixes than the Nine Schools, haven’t they? I expect that’ll continue.”
“……!”
“Compromise by securing some concessions from the Martial Alliance. That’d be far more beneficial.”
Hearing that, the Blade King suddenly burst into loud laughter.
“Ha ha ha ha!”
“…….”
“Indeed! Truly impressive. Your insight matches your prowess!”
Jegal Mun laughed too.
“That’s why I like this fellow.”
The Blade King looked at Seol Hwa-un.
“I’ll admit it now, but I was pessimistic about allying with the North Sea Ice Palace.”
“Is that so?”
“Listen. No matter your achievements, on paper, an alliance between our Alliance and a single sect seems excessive.”
“…….”
“But now I understand why the Chief Envoys and Chief Inspector pushed so hard. …A divine being has emerged from the North Sea.”
“You flatter me.”
“Chief Inspector.”
At the Blade King’s call, Jegal Mun replied.
“Yes, Alliance Lord.”
“What do you think of handling the Dragon-Phoenix Assembly as the North Heaven Dragon suggests?”
“I agree that’s best.”
“Then so be it.”
The Blade King’s gaze returned to Seol Hwa-un.
“Now, let’s discuss the alliance seriously.”
“I’ve been waiting.”
In truth, there wasn’t much to say about the alliance. It was purely nominal, after all.
The discussion wrapped up quickly.
[Publicly declare an alliance between the Jeongcheon Alliance and the North Sea Ice Palace.]
That was it.
No specifics on cooperation or anything. But even that single line carried immense weight.
The Jeongcheon Alliance gained the prestige of allying with the renowned North Heaven Dragon, while the North Sea Ice Palace acquired a solid backing in the Jeongcheon Alliance.
Their enemies could no longer ignore the allied Jeongcheon Alliance.
‘This will greatly reduce threats to our palace.’
Seol Hwa-un was satisfied.
“Then I’ll take my leave.”
As Seol Hwa-un rose to go, the Blade King said.
“One moment.”
“……?”
“Do you happen to practice saber arts as well?”
Seol Hwa-un was inwardly startled.
‘How did he…!’
The Blade King smiled.
“Nothing much. I noticed your palms while you drank tea. Quite a few decent calluses.”
Seol Hwa-un couldn’t help but wonder.
“Just from that?”
“I practice swordsmanship too.”
“Ha ha ha. Sword calluses and saber ones differ slightly in shape. Yours are mixed since you do both.”
Sword and saber.
Their forms aren’t vastly different, but their usages are distinct.
Sabers focus on slashing, swords on thrusting. This creates different callus patterns on the palms.
Incredibly, the Blade King had discerned it from a mere glance. Remarkable observation.
‘As expected of the Blade King.’
“I haven’t mastered it deeply.”
The Blade King nodded.
“That much is clear.”
“But is it important?”
“Not really. I just wanted to give you something in return for your insight, but had nothing fitting.”
“……!”
“I’ve spent my life on the blade alone. All I can show is saber arts, but I worried it’d be useless to a swordsman.”
“Ah.”
“Fortunately, you’ve trained in sabers to some degree, so it should help a bit.”
The Blade King’s smile deepened. His right hand had already formed a hand blade.
“Just once, so watch closely.”
The Blade King lightly drew his hand blade from left to right.
Paaaat!
“……!”
In that instant, Seol Hwa-un felt a fleeting illusion that the world itself was bisected top to bottom.