Chapter 154
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 154
Chapter Title: Bingcheon Unit's Arrival
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Three days later, the Bingcheon Unit finally arrived at the North Heaven Stronghold.
In the presence of the leadership, twenty-seven elite warriors lined up before Seol Hwa-un.
The man exuding the sharpest aura among them stepped forward and offered a respectful cupped-fist salute.
“Bingcheon Unit Leader Mok In-ho, at your service, Fortress Lord.”
Seol Hwa-un nodded.
“It's been a while, Mok Unit Leader.”
“My apologies for the delay.”
He meant it sincerely, not as mere courtesy. Indeed, had they been present during the Shanxi conflict, things would have been far easier.
But Seol Hwa-un shook his head.
“Didn't I already give permission? It looks like you've achieved results. Congratulations.”
A faint smile graced the bearded man's lips.
“You noticed right away, as expected.”
Seol Hwa-un could sense not just him, but the entire Bingcheon Unit had grown stronger than before.
‘Beyond expectations.’
Seol Hwa-un recalled his first encounter with the Bingcheon Unit.
Right after winning the bet with the Elder Council, he had met them all.
Most Bingcheon Unit members were commoners unaffiliated with the North Sea Ice Palace.
The Elder Council had scouted the North Sea region, taking in anyone with exceptional talent regardless of background.
Surprisingly, they were all peak-level masters. It was clear the elders of Bingju Valley had invested tremendous effort.
But that was it. Most had half-dead looks in their eyes. Seol Hwa-un's guess about the reason was spot on.
‘Eyes of birds trapped in cages.’
With a single sentence, Seol Hwa-un brought them back to life.
“Everyone, come with me to the Central Plains.”
It didn't take long for the Bingcheon Unit to realize the meaning and regard Seol Hwa-un as their benefactor.
Just as Seol Hwa-un marveled at their skills, they were awestruck by his realm.
Shocked, the Bingcheon Unit resolved to grow stronger to aid the man who saved them. Thus, they finally rejoined at the North Heaven Stronghold now.
As he observed them, one who particularly caught Seol Hwa-un's eye was Mok Unit Leader's prowess.
‘The Formless Realm.’
Mok Unit Leader harbored strong competitive spirit, especially toward the North Sea Twin Heroes.
‘Especially stung by how much younger they were.’
Of course, he had been stronger than them back then, but apparently that wasn't enough.
After grinding his teeth in determination, he broke through the wall in less than three years.
‘Mok Unit Leader is a fine talent indeed.’
“You've all worked hard coming here. Rest from your journey today, and we'll talk tomorrow.”
“Yes, Fortress Lord!”
* * *
Two days later, as Seol Hwa-un prepared to depart for the Martial Alliance, an unexpected guest arrived.
It was Jin Pyo, Vice Sect Leader of the Shanxi Sword Sect.
“What brings the Vice Sect Leader here?”
“Haha, how have you been, Little Palace Lord... no, I suppose it's North Heaven Fortress Lord now.”
Jin Pyo, who had surprisingly quickly mastered martial arts at the North Heaven Stronghold, had already returned to the Shanxi Sword Sect by the time Seol Hwa-un came back.
Seol Hwa-un smiled.
“The title doesn't matter.”
“Fortress Lord, are you heading to the Yongbong Assembly at the Martial Alliance this time?”
“How did you know? It hasn't been announced yet.”
“As expected. I guessed so seeing the North Heaven Stronghold in such a bustle on my way here. Were you invited as a martial world figure?”
Seol Hwa-un shook his head.
“No.”
Tension flickered across Jin Pyo's face at the answer.
“Surely you're not competing in the Yongbong Assembly...”
It wasn't an unreasonable assumption. Given Seol Hwa-un's age, it was perfectly plausible.
“No, that's not it either. Actually, the Martial Alliance asked me to serve as a judge.”
Jin Pyo's face visibly brightened.
“Ah! I see!”
He nodded vigorously.
“A judge, yes. No one would judge more fairly than you, Fortress Lord!”
Seol Hwa-un gazed steadily at Jin Pyo.
“You seem awfully pleased.”
“Haha, do I?”
“Vice Sect Leader, are you planning to compete in the Yongbong Assembly?”
At the question, Jin Pyo flinched and blushed.
“You're as sharp as ever. Yes. I'll turn twenty-nine next year, right at the age limit.”
The Yongbong Assembly was open to any righteous sect warrior under thirty. But few competed right at the cutoff like Jin Pyo.
“It's a bit embarrassing, but nothing beats it for testing my achievements so far. I figured I'd give it a shot.”
Seol Hwa-un nodded.
“Good thinking. You'll do well, Vice Sect Leader.”
“So, I stopped by to pay my respects on the way.”
“Perfect timing. I was just about to head to the Martial Alliance. How about traveling together?”
Jin Pyo's eyes widened.
“Really? Haha, I'd be honored!”
Seol Hwa-un introduced him to the North Dragon Brigade, who would escort them.
North Dragon Brigade.
Upon officially becoming the North Heaven Stronghold's armed force, the Bingcheon Unit had been renamed the North Dragon Brigade.
Faced with them, Jin Pyo was speechless.
“Th-these are your escorts, Fortress Lord?”
“Yes.”
The North Dragon Brigade Leader cupped his fists toward him.
“North Dragon Brigade Leader, Mok In-ho.”
“Pleased to meet you. Jin Pyo of the Shanxi Sword Sect.”
“Oh, so you're the Shanxi Sword Hero, Vice Palace Lord of the Shanxi Sword Sect. Pleased to meet you.”
“Haha, you know me. It's an honor.”
Even as he spoke, Jin Pyo could hardly believe it. Though not precisely, he could gauge their auras.
‘Every single one is an incredible master! And they're all one unit?!’
A truly formidable force.
‘Amazing. The North Sea Ice Palace's reserves are bottomless.’
Yu Gong-seon, standing nearby, also greeted Jin Pyo.
“Long time no see, Vice Sect Leader.”
“Chief Strategist Yu! Or should I say Chief Officer now?”
“Haha, either works.”
“You're going too, Chief Strategist?”
Yu Gong-seon nodded at the question.
“Yes. I wanted to see the Martial Alliance myself.”
“Hahaha.”
Jin Pyo knew someone of Yu Gong-seon's caliber wasn't going just to sightsee.
‘Small numbers, but overwhelming.’
“Then let's depart, Mok Brigade Leader.”
“Yes.”
Seol Hwa-un's group set off for Shaanxi Province and the Martial Alliance amid the North Heaven Stronghold's enthusiastic send-off.
Seol Hwa-un politely declined, but at Yu Gong-seon's insistence that he must consider his status in the martial world now, he reluctantly boarded a carriage.
The four-horse carriage he rode bore the North Heaven Stronghold's banner, with the North Dragon Brigade Leader personally acting as coachman.
Inside were Seol Hwa-un, Yu Gong-seon, and Jin Pyo, while the rest of the North Dragon Brigade shadowed discreetly as escorts.
Jin Pyo initially felt awkward in the carriage but soon adapted, peppering Seol Hwa-un with questions about martial arts.
“Fortress Lord, as you know, our sect's swordsmanship lacks variety. I've learned the Ice White Sword Formula, but I still feel deficient.”
After the Shanxi conflict, Jin Pyo had personally asked Seol Hwa-un to teach him the Ice White Sword Formula.
“Hmm.”
“I hear top sword masters master at least dozens of sword styles. Is that true?”
Seol Hwa-un nodded.
“It's true some masters learn diverse sword styles. But not all.”
“I see.”
“Even those sword masters mainly rely on three or four fixed styles.”
Jin Pyo tilted his head.
“So learning many sword styles is pointless?”
“No. It broadens your vision and gives you an edge in prolonged fights.”
“......”
“Knowing diverse techniques means multiple counters for any situation. That's the advantage.”
“Ah!”
“But there's a downside. An unmastered technique is worse than none.”
“Hmm. So what should I do?”
“Learning too many low-level sword styles isn't worthwhile. Besides, it's a bit early for you to worry about this, Vice Sect Leader.”
“Pardon?”
“As I said before, the Shanxi Sword Sect's swordsmanship is excellent. Master them fully first, then worry.”
Jin Pyo scratched the back of his head sheepishly.
“Ah... of course. The Yongbong Assembly has me rushing. Sorry.”
Seol Hwa-un shook his head.
“No need to apologize to me. If you feel your techniques are lacking, I recommend refining your variations.”
“Ah, there's that method!”
Their discussion on swordsmanship continued afterward.
Jin Pyo was full of admiration.
“As expected of the Fortress Lord. Such deep knowledge of swordsmanship. Who'd think you're a fist master?”
Seol Hwa-un smiled.
“But I'm the Ice Emperor's son. I have to know this much, right?”
“Hahaha.”
In truth, the Heavenly Collapse Fist Emperor of his previous life hadn't known swordsmanship this well.
But the Ice Emperor Seol Wi-myeong was a top sword master. Everything Seol Hwa-un knew now came from him.
‘Thanks to that, my martial perspective has broadened greatly.’
He'd learned saber arts from the North Wind Brigade Leader too, but nothing compared to Seol Wi-myeong.
Chatting away, the four-horse carriage traveled all day and headed to a nearby inn as dusk fell.
Mok Brigade Leader, who scouted ahead, reported.
“Fortress Lord, how about resting here tonight?”
“Did you secure rooms for the whole North Dragon Brigade?”
“Yes. We rented out the entire annex in the inn's rear garden.”
“Good.”
Seol Hwa-un dismounted and headed to the inn, followed by Mok Unit Leader, Yu Gong-seon, and Jin Pyo.
Glancing around the inn, Yu Gong-seon looked troubled.
“Rooms secured, but... no table big enough for everyone.”
Mok Unit Leader nodded.
“No helping it. Best to eat in shifts as seats open up...”
Then came a dull thud.
Thwack!
“......!”
Turning, they saw someone flung out the inn's entrance.
Crash!
The figure rolled on the ground, groaning.
“Urk!”
Soon, a youth who had just shed boyhood stepped out.
“How dare you挑衅 the senior disciple of the Foothill Sect! Want to die?”
The fallen figure sprang up. Also a late teen youth, he seemed less hurt than expected.
“Hmph! Think I'd fear trash like the Foothill Sect!”
He drew his sword from his waist.
Shing!
“Come on! I'll show you how fearsome the Plainsword Sect's swordsmanship is!”
The two youths soon clashed fiercely outside the inn.
Jin Pyo watched in a daze.
‘What the hell?'
Soon, numerous youths poured out of the inn to watch.
‘Huh? Come to think of it, they're all later-generation disciples?’