Chapter 22
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 22
Chapter Title: Interrupted Duel
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When Ak Su-jeon rashly launched the first attack and was quickly pushed back, Namgung Seo-ok's heart sank for a moment.
'No!'
Fortunately, Ak Su-jeon didn't fall right away. Realizing Dong Ho-won was no pushover, he immediately went all out against him.
'Whew, a breather.'
Up to that point, Namgung Seo-ok hadn't entertained the slightest thought that Ak Su-jeon would lose.
Ak Su-jeon's martial arts were exceptional enough that even he would need at least a hundred exchanges to subdue him.
'Little Palace Lord, I don't know how much you trust your subordinate, but he's in for a proper humiliation.'
But the situation wasn't so favorable. Amid the fierce clash, he noticed Ak Su-jeon starting to waver bit by bit.
'Tch! Is he injured? Is this Dong Ho-won guy really that strong?'
Namgung Seo-ok turned his head to look at Seol Hwa-un. He was watching the spar with a relaxed expression.
'He doesn't look worried at all about his subordinate losing. So he was that confident.'
As his expression hardened more and more, Jegal Hyeon's sound transmission reached him.
[Namgung hyung, you just gonna watch like this?]
[...What do you mean?]
[You really don't know? At this rate, Ak hyung's chances of losing are high.]
[Urgh!]
[If Ak hyung loses to the Ice Palace here, it'll be trouble in all sorts of ways. It could even affect the conference.]
"……!"
After all, Namgung Seo-ok was the one leading this gathering. If something went wrong, he couldn't escape responsibility.
[I told you to call it off. The North Sea Ice Palace is no pushover—don't mess with them.]
[Haa. So what do you suggest?]
[You asking 'cause you don't know? Let's stop the spar before things get worse.]
[Urgh!]
[You know about the Shanxi Sword Sect incident, Namgung hyung! The Ice Palace's reputation is gonna spread anyway. Stopping here won't tarnish the Eight Great Families' honor.]
The Shanxi Sword Sect matter hadn't fully spread as rumor yet, but a few quick-eared ones among the Eight Great Families already knew.
They'd triumphed over two of the Green Forest Eighteen Bandits and shaken off the negotiations. Their skills were already proven beyond doubt. A draw wouldn't be much of a stain compared to a loss.
[...Alright.]
[Good call. I'll stop Ak hyung, you block that Ice Palace expert. Move when I signal.]
At that moment, Ak Su-jeon threw out his desperate move.
'Oh no!'
Startled, Jegal Hyeon forgot to signal and leaped straight onto the sparring platform.
Fortunately, Namgung Seo-ok swiftly followed suit.
Creeeang!
Chaaang!
As agreed, Jegal Hyeon's sword blocked Ak Su-jeon's spear, while Namgung Seo-ok's sword blocked Dong Ho-won's.
Namgung Seo-ok couldn't hide his shock at the heavy impact transmitted through his blade.
'This much power?'
Interrupted so suddenly, Dong Ho-won furrowed his brow.
"What is this? Barging into someone else's spar like that!"
Having seized the advantage, his anger burned even hotter.
Namgung Seo-ok sheathed his sword and said,
"Sorry about that. It was unavoidable."
"……Unavoidable?"
He immediately raised his voice.
"I sincerely apologize for interrupting your spar so abruptly."
Following Dong Ho-won, he cupped his fists one by one toward Ak Su-jeon and the spectators, seeking understanding.
"The match grew fiercer than expected, and I worried someone might get hurt, so Jegal hyung and I stepped in."
"……."
Even with his polite apology, the spectators didn't look convinced. Injuries in spars weren't exactly rare.
Jegal Hyeon continued.
"Besides, the conference hosted by the Namgung Family is right around the corner. With such a grand event ahead, we can't have blood spilled, right? Moreover, these two fighters are evenly matched—truly top-tier. I judged it wasn't necessary to see it through to the bitter end."
With Jegal Hyeon chiming in, the spectators finally nodded in understanding.
Indeed, up until the interruption, Dong Ho-won and Ak Su-jeon had seemed dead even.
And with the spar intensifying, the risk of serious injury had been high.
Watching from the side, Seol Hwa-un gave a faint smile.
'Not bad. Perfect timing to jump in.'
A little later, and everyone would've noticed Dong Ho-won's edge. It wasn't a full win, but this was still a meaningful achievement.
Now, everyone would look at the Ice Palace differently.
'Guess this is enough satisfaction for today.'
"Let's give a round of applause to these two for the brilliant match!"
Clap clap clap clap!
The spectators nodded.
"What an amazing clash."
"Yeah. Especially the North Sea Ice Palace's martial arts—shocking. Who'd have thought their spearwork could rival the Ak Family's!"
"How incredible must their famed Ice White Divine Palm or sword arts be?"
Chatting about the spar they'd just witnessed, the spectators filed back into the Emperor's Pavilion.
Dong Ho-won descended the platform and bowed toward Seol Hwa-un.
"I'm sorry, Little Palace Lord. I could have won..."
Seol Hwa-un patted his shoulder encouragingly.
"You did great aside from that initial slip-up. Just don't repeat it."
"Yes."
"See? Thanks to your performance, they're looking at us differently now. We didn't decide a winner, but isn't this as good as a victory?"
"Haha, you think so?"
As soon as they sat, Dang Cheong approached.
"Little Palace Lord, mind if I join you for a bit?"
"Of course."
Dang Cheong sat and immediately turned to Dong Ho-won.
"I watched your spar closely, Brother Dong. Truly astonishing spearwork. Haven't felt my blood pump like that in ages."
"Haha, you're too kind."
Starting with Dang Cheong, young experts from various mid- and small sects came to make acquaintances. Even the young heir of the North Hebei Peng Family showed up.
"Peng Ga-ho."
Unlike typical Peng Family stock, he was on the small side, but the sword on his back was no toy.
A late-generation expert dubbed Blade Dragon at the last Dragon-Phoenix Tournament, he'd clashed most fiercely with Namgung Seo-ok.
For the usually taciturn man to approach first showed just how much interest the North Sea Ice Palace had sparked.
Seol Hwa-un's table grew so crowded they had to pull over three more.
"Brother Dong, what was the name of that spear technique from the spar?"
"Ah, it's the Dong Family Soul-Falling Spear..."
"I see!"
"Blood Lion of the Mad Demon, was it? Care to tell me more?"
Most questions targeted Dong Ho-won for his strong showing, but interest in Seol Hwa-un and Eom Mu-hwi wasn't negligible.
No—interest in Seol Hwa-un, who commanded such a skilled subordinate as Dong Ho-won, was the highest.
Yet no one but Dang Cheong or Peng Ga-ho dared easily speak to Seol Hwa-un, who sat quietly exuding a natural presence.
Eventually, someone mustered the courage.
"Brother Dong, just how skilled is the Little Palace Lord?"
The moment the question dropped, all eyes shifted from Dong Ho-won to Seol Hwa-un.
"……."
They were unconsciously gauging Seol Hwa-un's reaction.
Dong Ho-won answered nonchalantly.
"Well, Mu-hwi and I went all out together against him, but we've never drawn the Little Palace Lord's full power."
"……!"
The spectators gasped.
'Brother Dong is already top among the late-generation...'
From what they'd seen, Eom Mu-hwi was no slouch either. To handle them both at once with room to spare...
'That strong?'
Dang Cheong stared at Seol Hwa-un anew.
'I knew he was no ordinary guy from first glance.'
As they half-doubted, Jegal Hyeon muttered from the head seat as if to himself.
"Oh dear. This little gathering's turned into a total North Sea Ice Palace showcase."
"……."
He turned his head.
"Frankly, it's a relief it ended like this."
"......You knew."
The seats for the Eight Great Families, meant to be the gathering's core, were desolate. Over half the spots sat empty.
Dejected, Ak Su-jeon soon excused himself, claiming illness.
Namgung Seo-ok stood shortly after.
"I'll head out first. Handle the rest."
Jegal Hyeon started to stop him but nodded.
"...Got it."
"Oh, brother?"
Namgung Hye-yeon, sitting with him, called out in surprise, but he ignored her.
The little gathering, planned to broadcast his authority and fame as the Second Young Master of the World's Greatest Clan, had failed utterly.
As Namgung Seo-ok left the Emperor's Pavilion, his fists trembled.
'Just you wait, North Sea Ice Palace.'
Namgung Hye-yeon had no choice but to follow, tilting her head.
'Hmm, because of those Ice Palace folks?'
She glanced back. Seol Hwa-un sat quietly, wrapped in an odd aura.
'I felt it from the first sight... he's so handsome.'
Her brother Namgung Seo-ok was no slouch looks-wise, but next to Seol Hwa-un, he seemed ordinary.
'Oh! What am I thinking...'
Blushing, she hurried after Namgung Seo-ok.
Paradoxically, once the hosts from the Namgung Family left, the mood softened considerably.
It proved just how much pressure the Namgung Family's presence had exerted.
'Anyway, gotta achieve the original goal.'
Jegal Hyeon called a server and downed some drinks. With alcohol flowing, the talk grew casual.
"Can't hold back anymore. Brother Dong, could I see that spearwork again? I'd love a humble spar if you're game!"
Dong Ho-won glanced at Seol Hwa-un.
[Do as you like.]
[Yes, Little Palace Lord!]
Grinning, he stood.
"Sure! Let's do it!"
Sparring resumed. Unable to resist curiosity, a late-generation expert even challenged Eom Mu-hwi.
The courtyard sparring platform buzzed with matches among the young experts.
"Who knew they had hand techniques like that! North Sea Ice Palace martial arts are so diverse and profound!"
"Brother Eom's skills are impressive too! You said he matches Brother Dong? Totally true!"
Seol Hwa-un watched the spars quietly.
'The average skill among late-generation is about the same as ever. Well, most are from mid- and small sects...'
Talented ones all got scooped up by major sects, leaving mid- and small ones struggling to nurture talent.
Occasionally, a overlooked prodigy would join like rain in drought and shine for the sect, but that was the limit.
Mid- and small sects could barely maintain their martial arts, let alone advance them.
'The Eight Great Families are probably different.'
He trusted Dong Ho-won to win, but Ak Su-jeon's skills exceeded expectations.
'The Ak Family, hit by the Mad Demon Blood Lion, was still that strong. So what about the Namgung Family?'
He wanted to witness the Namgung Family's sword arts if possible, but Namgung Seo-ok had already left.
'Another chance will come.'
Then, someone approached Seol Hwa-un.
"Little Palace Lord, may I request a spar?"
It was Blade Dragon Peng Ga-ho. He'd been eyeing Seol Hwa-un closely since joining the table.
'Can't read him at all.'
With unusually sharp senses, he could gauge most peers' levels. Even Namgung Seo-ok, seen as a bit ahead, was readable.
But not Seol Hwa-un. He felt like Seol Hwa-un had reached some realm akin to his father or grandfather—impossible to fathom.
'Only one way: test him myself.'
Seol Hwa-un looked at Peng Ga-ho with an odd expression.
'The Peng Family.'
Not quite Namgung level, but the North Hebei Peng Family ranked among the top three of the Eight Great Families.
Home to Blade King Peng Yeom, no less.
'A fitting opponent.'
"Sure."
"Thank you."
'Well, he won't die.'
That day, Peng Ga-ho lost the beloved sword he'd wielded for over a decade.