Chapter 24
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 24
Chapter Title: Wise Counsel
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Seol Hwa-un rose from his seat and looked around at the gathered elders.
“Before that, there’s one thing we need to make clear.”
“What’s that?”
“We need to think about why the Righteous Heaven Alliance is being formed in the first place. Isn’t it a backlash against the Nine Great Sects monopolizing everything and making unilateral decisions?”
The elders nodded in agreement.
“But right now, you’re all repeating the exact same thing. On the surface, it looks like the Eight Great Families are monopolizing it, but in reality, the other sects here have all received some small positions.”
“Ahem, ahem.”
Several elders coughed awkwardly.
“Then what about the mid- and small-sized sects that can’t even enter this place or participate in the grand assembly?”
“……!”
“I ask that you take a longer view. If things continue like this, we’ll end up just like the Martial Alliance. Yield a little to each other.”
“Yield? That’s easier said than…….”
Ignoring the objection, Seol Hwa-un continued.
“What we’re deciding now is just the initial structure of the Righteous Heaven Alliance. In the end, positions will be determined by ability. When that happens, even sects that get left out will have to accept it.”
The elders’ expressions shifted several times.
“Think of the greater good over immediate greed, and show consideration for the mid- and small-sized sects. Then, naturally, the world will place the Righteous Heaven Alliance ahead of the Martial Alliance.”
Seol Hwa-un’s words echoed powerfully through the hall.
“…….”
A heavy silence fell over the room as Jegal Mun muttered unwittingly.
“Excellent. Every word rings true.”
He had been about to say something similar himself. But as a member of the Eight Great Families, his words as a party involved carried less weight than those from a third party like Seol Hwa-un.
From the Eight Great Families’ perspective, there was no real loss. Even if they yielded some positions now, their influence would grow as things shifted toward merit.
The mid- and small-sized sects would welcome the immediate opportunities as well.
“Good idea.”
“Excellent.”
“The Young Palace Lord’s insight is remarkable.”
As praise erupted from all sides, the Ak Family Head’s face twisted in frustration.
‘Damn it.’
Even he had to admit Seol Hwa-un’s opinion was highly reasonable. He had tried to humiliate him, but it had only elevated the young man instead.
“Ak Family Head, your idea to seek the Young Palace Lord’s advice was brilliant.”
“Hahaha, the Ak Family Head has great foresight.”
Surrounded by praise, the Ak Family Head forced an awkward smile.
“Haha, the meeting was at a standstill, so I sought his opinion. I didn’t expect such excellent ideas from him.”
He said that, but it left a bitter taste in his mouth.
‘Tch, just you wait.’
They had cleared one hurdle, but forming a new alliance wouldn’t be that simple.
The meeting dragged on late into the night and finally adjourned with plans to continue tomorrow.
Seol Hwa-un slowly made his way outside.
‘Tiring.’
After offering his opinion once, he had spoken sparingly. After all, he wasn’t directly involved.
Still, he felt fatigued. Not physical, but mental exhaustion. It reminded him of his days as Martial Alliance Leader, drawing him in emotionally.
‘At least back then, there was some romance to it…….’
It was definitely different now. They pretended to be dignified, but their eyes burned with desire to steer things toward benefiting their own sects, even if just a little.
The righteousness that should have been paramount for righteous factions had been pushed aside.
‘Well, that’s probably why the Martial Alliance is splitting in two.’
Was it because peace had lasted too long? Or was there another reason?
‘Either way, I don’t like it.’
Even during his time as Martial Alliance Leader, there had been martial artists with such tendencies. But they were a minority and couldn’t go against the mainstream.
‘Now they’ve become the mainstream…….’
Seol Hwa-un shook his head.
‘Enough. I’m no longer the Martial Alliance Leader or even a Central Plains man. They need to solve their own problems.’
If they couldn’t resolve it, and innocent people suffered as a result…
Seol Hwa-un’s eyes grew cold.
‘Then…….’
“You’re here!”
A hearty voice called out from somewhere. Turning his head, he saw the burly Hwangbo Tae-ryeong standing there.
“Hwangbo Family Head.”
Seol Hwa-un clasped his hands in greeting, but Hwangbo waved it off.
“Hahaha! Skip the useless formalities.”
Facing him directly, his heavy presence was unmistakable.
‘As expected of one of the Eight Great Families’ heads. This aura… And yet he’s not even ranked among the Ten Great Experts?’
It was surprising. But it was undeniable that Hwangbo Tae-ryeong was close to that level.
“Your opinion today was very impressive. It was a refreshing blow to those nitpicking scholars.”
“I just said what I thought.”
“That’s what matters. Speaking of which, how many young juniors could stand so confidently before the heads of prestigious families and voice their thoughts?”
“…….”
“I’m not saying this to pry. I just have a question for you.”
“……?”
Hwangbo Tae-ryeong smiled oddly.
“I know your father, the Ice Emperor, uses a sword.”
“That’s right.”
“But you’re not wearing one. Just wondering— what’s your primary martial art?”
“Fist arts.”
Hwangbo Tae-ryeong’s face lit up.
“I knew it! I heard in Shaanxi Province you took down two bandit leaders from the Green Forest Eighteen Bandits with fist arts, and I suspected as much.”
The Hwangbo Family was renowned throughout the world as a fist arts clan. Hwangbo Tae-ryeong himself was a master famous for his fists.
“I heard all previous Ice Palace Lords used swords. Why did you learn fist arts?”
“No special reason. I was just more drawn to them.”
Hwangbo Tae-ryeong burst into loud laughter, clearly pleased with the answer.
“Hahaha! A real man uses his fists! Long metal sticks are for women!”
He unabashedly disparaged swords, but he had the qualifications. His fist arts placed him among the top five in the world.
“Hwangbo Family Head, say that after you defeat the Heavenly Outer Sword Venerable.”
“Hm?”
Turning his head, he saw Jegal Mun and Namgung Seong standing side by side.
“What’s this? Tin-head scholars?”
Namgung Seong exuded a sharp aura.
“Watch yourself. Or would you like to face my sword?”
Hwangbo Tae-ryeong flinched involuntarily.
“Tch! Fine. I don’t want to provoke you and have the Heavenly Outer Sword Venerable step in… I’m not ready for that yet.”
“Hmph.”
Jegal Mun smiled faintly and said.
“We also have urgent business with the Young Palace Lord. If you’re just making small talk, mind stepping aside?”
Even the seemingly easygoing Hwangbo Tae-ryeong couldn’t ignore their serious demeanor.
“No choice then. Got it.”
He looked at Seol Hwa-un and said.
“Let’s have a drink later. The Namgung Family isn’t ideal, so visiting my family would be better.”
There was no reason to refuse forming ties with a head of the Eight Great Families. But agreeing too readily didn’t sit well either.
“……If circumstances allow.”
“Haha, you must come.”
Hwangbo Tae-ryeong patted Seol Hwa-un’s shoulder and left.
[Those two have sharp tongues, so be careful.]
“…….”
Before Seol Hwa-un could respond to the transmission, Jegal Mun spoke up.
“Young Palace Lord, could we have a word?”
“Speak.”
His tone was curt, even cold, but they paid it no mind.
“Others have probably mentioned it, but your words today were truly impressive. If you weren’t the North Sea Ice Palace’s Young Palace Lord, I’d want to take you as my successor.”
Naturally, he meant the Righteous Heaven Alliance’s Chief Strategist position he was about to assume, not the Jegal Family headship.
“I just voiced what anyone else could have thought. Isn’t that right, Jegal Family Head?”
“I won’t deny it. But whether the same words can persuade others is another matter.”
“…….”
Namgung Seong continued.
“I agree with the Jegal Family Head. So, with that in mind, would you join us for tomorrow’s meeting as well?”
Seol Hwa-un frowned.
“That’s…….”
“You planned to stop attending starting tomorrow.”
“I won’t deny it.”
The first day had piqued his curiosity—what they discussed, the atmosphere—so he had attended.
But he had grasped everything there was to grasp. He saw no point in continuing.
Jegal Mun smiled gently.
“Your expression gave it away. I’d do the same. It’s not your business, just observing others’ meetings. Especially after seeing how those people acted today—enough to kill any interest.”
Namgung Seong added.
“That’s why I’m asking this favor. No pressure—just be honest with your opinions when we seek them, like today.”
“…….”
Even as family heads’ requests, it didn’t appeal. As he moved to refuse, Jegal Mun cut in.
“The meeting will likely last another three days. If you just attend during that time, the soon-to-be-formed Righteous Heaven Alliance will look after the North Sea Ice Palace’s interests.”
“……!”
‘Look after our interests.’ It sounded minor at first, but coming from the Righteous Heaven Alliance, it carried significant weight.
Seol Hwa-un’s eyes changed.
‘That changes things.’
“Understood. I’ll attend.”
Jegal Mun smiled in satisfaction.
“Thank you.”
“I’ll trust the words of our future Chief Strategist. Then…….”
Seol Hwa-un left, leaving only Namgung Seong and Jegal Mun.
“……Remarkable talent. His martial arts are one thing, but that insight… Hard to believe he’s just past twenty.”
To Jegal Mun’s question, Namgung Seong replied with a cool expression.
“Indeed. Unbelievable that he’s been holed up in the North Sea Ice Palace and this is his first foray into the martial world.”
“Exactly. That kind of insight requires vast experience to back it up…….”
“A monster beyond common sense?”
“That’s one way to put it. Didn’t he break the Heavenly Dragon’s blade in just three exchanges?”
“That was because the Heavenly Dragon let his guard down. Blocking the North Sea Ice Palace’s yin cold arts repeatedly lets the yin energy seep in, freezing any weapon. Breaking it then isn’t hard.”
“Ho? You know quite a bit about the North Sea Ice Palace. Been keeping tabs?”
“Don’t be ridiculous. More importantly, wasn’t that condition too generous?”
Jegal Mun shook his head.
“No. As I’ve said repeatedly, the initial setup is crucial. Handling it cleanly without discord is best. That gives the Righteous Heaven Alliance strength. It’s a fair trade for his contribution.”
“True enough.”
“Still, it’s a shame he’s not a Central Plains man.”
“What do you mean?”
“He has the makings of a great hero.”
“How can you tell? You just met him today.”
Jegal Mun stated firmly.
“A few actions and words are enough to gauge a person. Combining the Shanxi Sword Sect incident, his conduct at the small gathering, and today’s speech—the Young Palace Lord is perfectly suited to the righteous factions.”
“…….”
“If he’d been born in the Central Plains, he might have been your eldest son’s strongest rival.”
Namgung Seong murmured softly.
“……He might already be.”
* * *
Seol Hwa-un returned to his lodgings just before midnight. A North Wind Brigade member on night watch spotted him and bowed.
“You’re back, Young Palace Lord.”
“Good work.”
“By the way…….”
“Hm?”
“A guest arrived.”
Seol Hwa-un looked puzzled.
“A guest? At this hour?”
“Precisely, they’ve been waiting since the Hour of the Cock.”
“Two full hours?”
“Yes. Even when I said it was late and to leave, they insisted… They must see you tonight.”
“Who is it?”
“The Seomun Family’s Young Family Head.”