Chapter 20
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 20
Chapter Title: Minor Gathering
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The next morning.
A letter arrived before Seol Hwa-un. A glint appeared in his eyes as he read it.
“Minor Gathering?”
The sender was the second young master of the Namgung Family. It invited him to a gathering of the younger disciples from the assembled sects ahead of the major conference, to foster camaraderie.
Seol Hwa-un let out a scoff.
‘They want to sort out the pecking order and confirm it.’
It could genuinely be a spot for building friendships.
But in the end, it would become a place to gauge positions in the martial world and whose skills ranked above or below one’s own.
‘Fine. Let’s see just how capable the top young experts of this generation are.’
Seol Hwa-un immediately summoned Dong Ho-won and Eom Mu-hwi.
“You called for us, Young Palace Lord.”
“The Central Plains’ young experts want to get a look at each other’s faces. Come along with me.”
The two men’s eyes sparkled as they grasped his meaning.
“That sounds fun.”
“I’ve actually been a bit curious myself. Perfect timing.”
Still in their mid-twenties and brimming with youthful vigor, it was only natural for their competitive spirits to surge.
Setting aside Seol Hwa-un, who was in a league of his own, there were no other young men in the North Sea Ice Palace comparable to them among their peers, except for Seol Eun-ji.
They had to be curious about the strength of the top young talents from the vast Central Plains, far broader than the North.
“We move out tonight.”
“Yes, Young Palace Lord.”
Time flew by, and the hour of the rooster arrived. As Seol Hwa-un led the two out of the Namgung Family estate, the North Wind Brigade Leader followed.
It was for protection, but Seol Hwa-un politely declined.
“We’ll go just the three of us today.”
“But...”
“As I said, it’s a gathering of young experts. Showing up with escorts will just make us look like cowards. Besides, this is Namgung Family territory. Who would dare harm us?”
“There’s always an ‘if,’ Young Palace Lord.”
“True. But even if that slim chance comes to pass and we’re attacked, do you think I’d go down?”
The North Wind Brigade Leader had already witnessed Seol Hwa-un’s prowess in Shanxi Province. He couldn’t argue.
“...Understood. Eom Mu-hwi, Dong Ho-won!”
The two bowed their heads at his call.
“Yes, North Wind Brigade Leader.”
“Anything can happen in the martial world. If any danger befalls the Young Palace Lord, you must protect him with your lives!”
“Of course.”
“We’ll keep it in mind!”
The three left the Namgung Family estate and headed toward the Emperor’s Pavilion, the site of the Minor Gathering.
After walking a short while.
Seol Hwa-un ran into a familiar face at a crossroads.
“...!”
The other’s eyes widened in surprise as well. It was the instructor he had met the night before.
The instructor held a young man’s hand, and he wore green martial robes.
Seol Hwa-un instantly recognized the youth’s affiliation.
‘Sichuan Tang Family.’
The Sichuan Tang Family had been counted among the top families before the Namgung Family’s meteoric rise, specializing in poison arts and hidden weapons.
“Ah!”
The green-robed youth spotted Seol Hwa-un’s group and quickly realized who they were. He offered a faint smile and spoke first.
“You must be from the North Sea Ice Palace?”
Seol Hwa-un, who stood ahead, nodded.
“That’s right.”
“Pleased to meet you. I am Dang Cheong.”
A light sparked in Seol Hwa-un’s eyes.
“So you’re the famed Poison Dragon. Pleased to meet you.”
He was a prodigy who had placed in the top four at the previous Dragon-Phoenix Tournament.
“I’m Seol Hwa-un.”
“You’re the Young Palace Lord. Pleased to meet you.”
Dang Cheong already knew Seol Hwa-un’s name. Word of the Shanxi Sword Sect incident must have spread already.
Seol Hwa-un introduced Eom Mu-hwi and Dong Ho-won as well. The two responded with clasped-hand salutes.
“By the way...”
Seol Hwa-un’s gaze turned to the instructor. She looked flustered and pressed a finger to her lips.
‘We didn’t see each other yesterday!’
Reading her lip movements, Seol Hwa-un sent a faint smile and a transmission.
[I know.]
Just then, Dang Cheong glanced at the instructor and said.
“This is my younger sister, Dang So-gyo.”
Seol Hwa-un gave a faint smile.
‘Tang Family, huh.’
“What are you doing? Greet them properly.”
Dang So-gyo bowed her head with a prim expression.
“Pleased to meet you. I’m Dang So-gyo of the Tang Family.”
Seol Hwa-un couldn’t help but chuckle softly.
‘Hm?’
Dang Cheong, with his sharp senses, picked up on the subtle atmosphere between Seol Hwa-un and Dang So-gyo.
‘Do they know each other? But So-gyo just came to the Central Plains for the first time and barely knows anyone...’
Still, he wasn’t so tactless as to point it out right away.
‘I’ll ask her later.’
After exchanging greetings, Dang Cheong looked at Seol Hwa-un.
“Are you headed to the Minor Gathering too, Young Palace Lord?”
“That’s right.”
“Haha, perfect. We’re going there ourselves. Mind if we join you?”
Seol Hwa-un nodded.
“Let’s go together.”
Dang So-gyo held Dang Cheong’s hand and walked demurely alongside them.
‘A complete one-eighty from yesterday.’
But it wasn’t off-putting at all—quite endearing, in fact.
‘She might stir up a storm in the martial world once she steps out...’
With her extraordinary talent, Tang Family background, and vibrant personality, it was entirely plausible.
They soon arrived at the Emperor’s Pavilion.
Dong Ho-won’s eyes widened at the sight.
“Wow! I heard it’s the biggest pavilion in Hefei, but this scale is insane!”
Dang Cheong chimed in.
“Indeed. Even looking across the entire Central Plains, pavilions of this size are rare.”
It seemed to symbolize the Namgung Family’s current prestige.
The Emperor’s Pavilion was usually packed, but it was quiet now.
“They must have closed it to the public for the Minor Gathering.”
Namgung Family warriors guarded the entrance.
As Seol Hwa-un’s group approached, a warrior stepped forward. He scanned them cautiously.
“Are you here to attend the Minor Gathering?”
Dang Cheong nodded.
“Yes.”
The warrior bowed slightly.
“Please show your invitations.”
After checking the one Eom Mu-hwi presented, he gestured toward a spot. A young server hurried over.
“These are from the Tang Family and Ice Palace. Guide them in.”
“Yes!”
The five-story Emperor’s Pavilion was widest on the first floor.
Dozens of tables that usually filled the space had been replaced by small tables and plush chairs spaced generously apart.
At the head seats, eight tables symbolizing the Eight Great Families stood prominently spaced out, six of them already occupied.
“This way, please.”
The server led Seol Hwa-un’s group to a table in the corner. As Dang Cheong tried to follow, another server stopped him.
“The Tang Family has a separate seat. This way, please.”
Dang Cheong frowned in displeasure but held his tongue.
‘What fault do the servers have? No helping it.’
With an uncomfortable expression, he said.
“Young Palace Lord, see you later.”
“Got it.”
Dang So-gyo glanced between Dang Cheong and Seol Hwa-un with a conflicted look but followed her brother to the head seats.
Seol Hwa-un sat nonchalantly at the assigned spot.
Young experts from mid- and small sects were already seated nearby.
“Those guys...?”
“North Sea Ice Palace folks.”
“What?”
“Didn’t you know? The Eight Great Families invited them.”
“Why?”
“Well...”
He ignored the whispers. Dong Ho-won scowled in annoyance.
“Young Palace Lord, isn’t this too much? Discriminating on seating from the start!”
Eom Mu-hwi reined him in.
“Calm down. The Eight Great Families are at the center of this major conference anyway. They just want to flaunt their status.”
“Tch!”
Dong Ho-won glared at the young experts at the head seats, greeting each other.
“Those the Eight Great Families? Don’t look like much.”
“What can you tell from this distance?”
“You can tell just by looking. Hm? One seat’s empty?”
Eom Mu-hwi scanned sharply.
“Peng Family, Moyong Family, Huangbo... Hm, no young expert from the Simeon Family.”
“Huh? How’d you know?”
“Clothing colors give away origins if you look closely.”
“Haha, as expected of Mu-hwi. Stick by my side forever.”
“Sigh.”
Amid the growing buzz, Namgung Seo-ok, the Namgung Family’s second young master, stood from his seat.
All eyes turned to him. He clasped his hands politely.
“Thank you all for attending the Minor Gathering. As you know, this is to build camaraderie among the young disciples of the gathered sects. Time to start.”
He glanced at the empty Eight Great Families seats and continued.
“Looks like the Simeon Family’s fatty is running late—heavy body and all.”
Hahaha!
“Very well.”
Snap!
At the flick of his fingers, servers streamed in carrying trays laden with food.
The tables soon overflowed with dishes.
The spread was lavish: Peking Roast Duck and White Cut Pork from the north, Eight Treasure Rice from Jiangnan, Jiangsu’s Eight Treasure Radish, and even Huo Yang’s Burst Black Flower.
It was clear they’d put real effort into gathering delicacies from everywhere.
“Modest fare—please eat your fill.”
“Thanks, Namgung young master!”
“Looks great!”
Dong Ho-won’s eyes gleamed at the exotic dishes he’d never seen.
“Ooh! No idea what they are, but top-shelf stuff!”
He began sampling them one by one.
“Nom nom, this one’s got a unique flavor... And this? Ooh!”
Eom Mu-hwi frowned at his constant exclamations.
“Lower your voice. People are staring.”
“Yeah, got it.”
Then, a sneering voice rang out.
“Tch, stinking northern barbarians.”
Northern barbarians—a slur for the northern Outer Realm folk.
Strangely, Seol Hwa-un’s group heard it crystal clear.
“...!”
The speaker was Ak Su-jeon, young master of the Shandong Ak Family. Dong Ho-won and Eom Mu-hwi’s faces hardened.
“What did you just say...?”
Dong Ho-won rose with a stiff expression, but Seol Hwa-un spoke.
“Ho-won, sit.”
“Young Palace Lord, you want me to take this?”
“Do you need to react every time a dog barks?”
“...!”
Dong Ho-won smiled and sat back down.
“You’re right.”
Ak Su-jeon, on edge toward Seol Hwa-un’s group, couldn’t miss it.
‘What? Dog??’
He bristled but held back. He’d provoked first, and Seol Hwa-un could shake it off, leaving him nothing to say.
‘Hmph! Got some pride, huh?’
He decided to provoke harder.
Ak Su-jeon stood.
“Greetings. I’m Ak Su-jeon of Shandong Ak Family.”
Eyes focused on him.
“As you know, this gathering’s purpose is to unite sects and families against the Nine Great Sects’ growing outrages and discuss countermeasures.”
Most nodded.
“To spread word of our cause, we sent invitations to the Outer Realm too... but only one accepted. The North Sea Ice Palace.”
Gazes turned to Seol Hwa-un’s group.
“Allow me to thank you again on this occasion. Applause!”
Clap, clap, clap!
The mood soured; the crowd looked bewildered.
“Two hundred years after that humiliation, your courage in coming here deserves great praise.”
“...!”
Jegal Hyeon, seated beside him, frowned.
‘This guy...’
He’d sensed trouble from the start, and now he’d done it.
‘Idiot.’
Glancing at Namgung Seo-ok, he wasn’t stopping it—instead, he looked amused.
‘...Pathetic.’
Then, Seol Hwa-un’s low voice echoed.
“Amusing words.”
The inner energy in his voice was no joke. Several faces stiffened.
“Humiliation, you say. Not wrong. But isn’t that ancient history?”
Seol Hwa-un rose slowly. He locked eyes with Ak Su-jeon.
“I know of a proper humiliation much more recent.”
“What?”
“Compared to two hundred years ago, it’s fresh. Fifteen years back.”
Ak Su-jeon’s face hardened as something clicked.
‘No way...’
“Mad Demon Blood History. As an Ak Family man, you must remember.”
Mad Demon Blood History.
A deep scar for the Shandong Ak Family—and the event that made Ice Emperor Seol Wi-myeong famous as one of the Three Venerables of the Outer Realm.