Chapter 188
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 188
Chapter Title: A Precious Letter
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In a small training ground deep within the Ice Family Manor.
This training ground was a restricted area—no one could enter without the Bing Family Head's permission.
Yet a lone figure was there, unleashing a flurry of brilliant sword techniques.
Shuu shuu shuu shuu!
Even though the sky had already darkened, the figure had lit torches around the training ground and showed no signs of stopping their sword practice.
It was the dazzlingly beautiful sword art of the North Sea Ice Palace: Snow Spirit Divine Sword.
The figure's swordsmanship had reached a profound realm, displaying a level of skill rare even among the sword experts of the Snow Family.
Paaaat!
A sharp burst of air accompanied the end of the figure's movements. Only then could their appearance be fully seen.
“…….”
Flower Moon Beauty, a phrase that paled in comparison—she was a woman of breathtaking allure.
This peerless beauty of the world was none other than the North Sea's top beauty and Seol Hwa-un's fiancée, Bing Su-hye.
In the span of a year, she had fully matured into a woman, exuding a ripened charm that turned heads.
“Haa, haa, haa.”
She had trained so intensely that beads of sweat dotted her forehead, even in the cold weather.
After catching her breath for a moment, Bing Su-hye turned her head to gaze in a certain direction.
“…….”
By coincidence or not, she was looking south.
‘He must be giving his all every single day as well.’
A wistful light flickered in her clear eyes.
‘I won’t fall behind. I’ll definitely…….’
After a brief rest, Bing Su-hye raised her sword and assumed her stance once more. Just as she was about to move, her delicate brows furrowed.
“Who’s there?”
A figure then emerged from the shadows.
“Well, well. Su-hye’s senses are growing sharper by the day.”
Upon recognizing his face, Bing Su-hye’s expression softened.
“Uncle.”
He was Bing Cho-hyeon, the Ice Martial Vice Leader of the Ice Family Manor’s armed forces and Bing Su-hye’s uncle.
“Still, that’s a bit too vigilant. Do you really think enemies could infiltrate this place?”
Bing Su-hye replied with a blank expression.
“I was taught that a martial artist must never lower their guard, no matter the time or place.”
“Tch. Can’t argue with that.”
“What brings you here?”
“Isn’t this your personal training ground? Of course I came to see you.”
Bing Su-hye tilted her head.
“What business could you have with me…….”
“Now that hurts my feelings. Do I need a reason to visit my niece?”
“That’s not it, but you’ve always had one until now.”
Bing Cho-hyeon gave a wry smile.
“I was joking, but you hit me where it hurts.”
He had often visited and played with Bing Su-hye when she was young, but duties and his focus on martial arts training had naturally driven them apart.
“You know I care for you deeply, right?”
Bing Su-hye responded flatly.
“Do you?”
“Ugh. You’re no pushover. Fine, take a look at this, and you’ll know how much I think of my niece.”
With that, Bing Cho-hyeon pulled a letter from his bosom.
“What’s that?”
At Bing Su-hye’s question, he flashed a sly smile.
“Guess. What do you think it is?”
She tilted her head, then realization dawned as her eyes gradually widened.
“No way……?”
“Haha, sharp as ever. It’s a letter from the Central Plains. Guess who it’s from?”
“……!”
“I snuck it out before your father could see it. If my brother finds out, it’ll be chaos…….”
In the blink of an eye, Bing Su-hye closed the distance and snatched the letter. Bing Cho-hyeon’s eyes widened.
‘F-Fast!’
Bing Su-hye quickly tore open the letter. It contained disarmingly simple words.
[I’m doing well. I wonder if my wise little sister is as well.]
“……!”
She froze as if struck.
‘What’s with her?’
Sensing something off, Bing Cho-hyeon peeked at the letter.
‘Huh?’
He hadn’t caught the full content, but he noted the length.
‘Just one line? No contact for nearly a year, and that’s all he sends?’
Bing Cho-hyeon looked at Bing Su-hye with pity.
‘She’s shocked by how sparse it is. Sigh. I knew the young palace lord was curt, but this is…….’
Yet as he watched, Bing Su-hye’s expression seemed oddly different.
“……?”
Her eyes had grown misty before he knew it, and a faint smile graced her lips for the first time in a while.
Bing Cho-hyeon tilted his head in confusion.
‘What? It’s like she’s…… moved…….’
Bing Su-hye gently clutched the letter to her chest.
‘He called me…… his wise little sister.’
Her eyes sparkled brighter than ever.
‘Just wait a little longer. I’ll come see you soon. ……my Cloud Lord.’
* * *
Over fifty men surrounded one person.
They glared at their opponent, radiating fierce killing intent.
“…….”
But the massive man at the center stood unfazed, arms hanging loosely at his sides.
A gray-haired man spoke lowly.
“……Come.”
At his words, the men around him charged all at once.
“Attack!”
“Hyap!”
“Haaa!”
Their momentum was astonishing, shouting battle cries as they rushed in.
It wouldn’t have been surprising if the giant man had been crushed outright.
The moment their forms obscured him completely, he quietly extended both hands to the sides.
Kwaaaang!!
An enormous explosion rang out, and the charging men flew off like cannonballs in all directions.
It was an unbelievable result from a single technique.
“Kuuk!”
“Ugh!”
The men who scattered and fell groaned as they forced themselves back up.
Despite the heavy impact, they gritted their teeth and resumed their stances.
“…….”
For a moment, a glint appeared in the giant man’s eyes. He raised a palm toward the men about to charge again.
“Enough.”
“……!”
Only then did they collapse to the ground.
“Ow ow ow!”
“Why does the sect leader’s fists keep getting fiercer?”
“Did he secretly take some spirit medicine?”
“What’re you saying? He’s always been strong.”
“True. If he hadn’t held back, a few of us would’ve been done for.”
“Get it together. You think the sect leader pulls punches?”
The grumbling men were disciples of the Heaven-Subduing Sect.
And the giant man was none other than its sect leader, Kwon Ma—one of the Four Demon Lords.
“Still got energy to chatter, huh? Cheongsung Mountain.”
At Kwon Ma’s words, the Heaven-Subduing Sect disciples paled.
“N-No way……?”
“First five get there first. The rest, Ami Mountain.”
“Uwaaa!”
“That’s why I told you to shut up!”
The Heaven-Subduing Sect disciples dragged themselves up and bolted outside. In the blink of an eye, only Kwon Ma remained in the training ground.
“…….”
He glanced to one side.
“How long do you plan to hide and watch?”
At that instant, a black shadow burst forth, lunging straight at Kwon Ma.
Paa!
“……!”
Even Kwon Ma flinched at the terrifying speed.
The shadow closed in right before him in an instant, a silver flash gleaming from it.
Shuaak!
He had swung his sword.
The momentum was so overwhelming that even the iron-tower-like Kwon Ma stepped back.
But he didn’t just retreat. At the same time, he thrust out his fist.
Kwaaaang!
A massive explosion left a huge crater in the center of the training ground.
“…….”
The two, who had glared at each other with immense auras, withdrew their energy as if nothing had happened.
“Impressive. Your fist strikes have grown much stronger since before.”
At the shadow’s words, Kwon Ma replied.
“Skip the flattery and pay for the training ground repairs.”
The shadow frowned.
“Can’t even afford that much?”
“Hmph. Don’t lump my sect in with that Demon Sword Pavilion of yours.”
The shadow was none other than the pavilion master of the Demon Sword Pavilion, Geom Ma. He belonged to the same Four Demon Lords as Kwon Ma.
“Fair enough. I’ve heard it’s hardly worthy of being called a sect.”
Kwon Ma scowled.
“You come here just to provoke me?”
“As if. I’m not that idle.”
Kwon Ma and Geom Ma had known each other for years through their long careers in the martial world.
Though Kwon Ma was about ten years older.
Kwon Ma’s eyes narrowed.
“Then you must’ve heard about the duel and come.”
“Quick on the uptake. Yes.”
“Interesting. The great Geom Ma, interested in a fist fighters’ showdown.”
After a brief silence, Geom Ma asked.
“Why would someone like you send a challenge letter to a brat?”
“Brat?”
Kwon Ma burst into laughter.
“Hahaha, you’re probably the only one still calling the North Heaven Dragon a brat.”
“…….”
“Hmm. I’ve heard rumors you’re connected to the North Heaven Dragon. But to come see me? Unexpected.”
Geom Ma’s face hardened.
“That’s personal, none of your business. More importantly, do you really think this duel is appropriate?”
“…….”
“The North Heaven Dragon is half your age, a young man. Crushing him before he blooms? Not very becoming of a martial world senior.”
Kwon Ma’s expression turned serious.
“It was promised three years ago. Mind your own business.”
“What, a prior promise makes it all fine? Considering his age, you should’ve set it for at least ten years!”
Kwon Ma shook his head.
“Three years was already me holding back. I can’t wait longer.”
“What’s the reason?”
Kwon Ma grinned slyly.
“Heh heh, I’m just too eager. Even three years ago, it was hard to hold off.”
“……?”
Geom Ma couldn’t make sense of it.
“Don’t worry. The North Heaven Dragon’s plenty strong. I might even lose.”
“Hmph! Sure, he’s strong, but you’re stronger, aren’t you?”
“Doesn’t matter. I have to fight the North Heaven Dragon. Stay out of it.”
Geom Ma narrowed his eyes.
‘He’s got some reason he absolutely must face the North Heaven Dragon…….’
He couldn’t guess what it was.
‘Snow Family brat, what did you do to rile him up this much?’
He wanted to force his will through sheer power, but even that wouldn’t be easy.
‘I thought I’d gotten pretty strong myself……as expected of Kwon Ma.’
Vaguely sensing Kwon Ma’s realm only heightened his worry.
‘Can that kid handle Kwon Ma?’
In his view, no matter how prodigious Seol Hwa-un was, he wasn’t Kwon Ma’s match yet.
‘Tch, what a worrywart he makes me.’
Realizing persuasion was futile, Geom Ma vanished.
“…….”
Watching the spot where he disappeared, Kwon Ma muttered.
“Unexpectedly sentimental for how he looks. Interesting guy.”
Kwon Ma himself planned a deathmatch with Geom Ma someday.
‘But first, I need to prove the world’s greatest fist art belongs to the Heaven-Subduing Sect. Hurry up and fight me, North Heaven Dragon.’
“Another spar…….”
Then Kwon Ma realized he had sent all his disciples away.
“Oops. Got carried away because of that Geom Ma.”
He said as much, but didn’t mind. He sat cross-legged and sank into meditation.