Chapter 44
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 44
Chapter Title: Council and Impending Crisis
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Huangbo Family's small meeting room.
The Great Elder, Hwangbo Tae-seong, Seol Hwa-un, and the North Wind Brigade Leader were seated.
Great Elder Hwangbo Woon-kyeong.
He was the older brother of the previous family head and the uncle of brothers Hwangbo Tae-neung and Hwangbo Tae-seong.
From a young age, he had shown exceptional martial talent and received great expectations, but he chose the sword over fist techniques.
The Huangbo Family's sword arts were respectable enough, but they inevitably fell short compared to their fist techniques. Despite the elders' dissuasion, he was as stubborn as any scion of the Huangbo Family.
In the end, he yielded even the family head position to his younger brother and remained a swordsman. Thanks to that, he was now known as Hunan Province's Number One Swordsman.
With the family head currently absent, Great Elder Hwangbo Woon-kyeong was temporarily overseeing all major and minor affairs of the family.
Seated at the head position, Hwangbo Woon-kyeong spoke with a displeased expression.
“What were you thinking, engaging in such an overheated spar that could have injured one of you? Neither of you is in a position to act only for yourselves, are you?”
Hwangbo Tae-seong lowered his head.
“I'm sorry, Uncle. I got carried away in the heat of the moment...”
“And you, at your age, what kind of behavior is that against a young man?”
“I'm sorry.”
Seol Hwa-un spoke with an awkward expression.
“I'm at fault for going along with it as well.”
It was a situation that could have escalated into fatal injuries or, worse, conflict between the Huangbo Family and the North Sea Ice Palace.
“Fortunately, nothing happened in time.”
As if to change the subject, Hwangbo Woon-kyeong paused briefly before continuing.
“By the way, the Little Palace Lord's martial arts were truly impressive. It's hard to believe he's a youth in his early twenties. There's good reason the family head praised him so highly.”
“It's thanks to the family head's discerning eye.”
Hwangbo Woon-kyeong smiled.
“Come to think of it, I've been remiss in my greetings. Thank you for safely escorting our young master home. I spoke with him briefly, and in that short time, I could sense his mental maturity had grown. Surely due to the Little Palace Lord's influence?”
“I didn't do anything special.”
“Modest, aren't you? I hear you gave him various pieces of advice here and there.”
“It was truly just minor advice. The fact that he pondered and accepted it is entirely to your young master's credit.”
“Hahaha.”
Hwangbo Woon-kyeong gazed steadily at Seol Hwa-un.
‘His martial arts are one thing, but as rumored, his speech and actions are prudent, and his thoughts profound. What a pity—if only such a man belonged to the righteous faction...’
Hwangbo Woon-kyeong harbored considerable dissatisfaction with the current state of the righteous faction.
‘In this situation, if someone like the Little Palace Lord stepped forward with bold actions, he could exert a positive influence.’
Seol Hwa-un, observing Hwangbo Woon-kyeong, had his own realizations.
‘The Huangbo Family's swordsman. To think such a master emerged from the Huangbo Family's sword arts—impressive. There must have been the Great Elder's personal efforts, but the sword arts themselves seem to have advanced considerably.’
In fact, Hwangbo Woon-kyeong had established his own school with the Thunder Sword Twelve Forms, which he inherited and further developed from the Huangbo Family's Thunder Shock Sword Art.
Glancing cautiously at Hwangbo Woon-kyeong's expression, Hwangbo Tae-seong carefully opened his mouth.
“North Heaven Dragon. No, Little Palace Lord.”
“Speak.”
“I can't contain my curiosity. That fist technique you used at the end—what was it? You haven't mastered it perfectly yet, but to block the Heavenly King Three Fists...”
Hwangbo Woon-kyeong chimed in.
“I'm curious as well. Does the North Sea Ice Palace possess such a domineering fist technique?”
“It's called the Ice River Nine Splits Divine Fist. It can be said to be the pinnacle among our palace's fist techniques.”
Hwangbo Woon-kyeong's eyes sparkled.
“Ice River Nine Splits Divine Fist... remarkable. I knew the Ice Emperor's sword arts were unparalleled, but to think the North Sea Ice Palace also has such a supreme fist technique.”
“There are a few other ultimate arts as well. The Winter Family's spear arts, the Yan Family's hand techniques, and the Cold Family's sword methods are no less impressive.”
They couldn't help but be astonished.
‘Are the North Sea Ice Palace's martial arts truly at such a high level?’
Hwangbo Tae-seong glanced at the North Wind Brigade Leader and nodded.
‘Well, considering such peerless experts emerge from there.’
When Hwangbo Tae-seong first encountered the North Wind Brigade Leader, he had been shocked. The man's intense presence was in no way inferior to his own.
‘Not called the Three Venerables of the Outer Realm for nothing.’
Hwangbo Woon-kyeong's gaze sharpened.
“You mean those two young men who attended the Little Palace Lord—the Yan Family and Winter Family?”
“Yes.”
A subtle smile played on his lips.
“Little Palace Lord, how long do you plan to stay at our family?”
After a moment's thought, Seol Hwa-un replied to Hwangbo Woon-kyeong's question.
“I'm thinking two or three days.”
“So soon? A shame. How about sparring with our family's warriors during that time?”
Seol Hwa-un gave a faint smile.
“We nearly had an incident just now—sure that would be fine?”
“Hahaha, as long as it doesn't get overheated, it's no problem. And judging by the Little Palace Lord's character, you won't use excessive force, or am I mistaken, old man that I am?”
“......”
“The Heavenly King Brigade Leader is so aggressive that it boiled over together. The North Wind Brigade that came with you is the same. In short, it's an exchange of martial arts between our Huangbo Family and the North Sea Ice Palace.”
Seol Hwa-un's eyes gleamed.
‘Not a bad idea. It would be good experience for Mu-hwi and Ho-won, who haven't been at the peak long.’
They were already superior to most of the Central Plains' later-generation disciples.
But broadening their perspectives on martial arts through this opportunity would greatly aid their ascent to higher realms.
The two were already excited from watching Seol Hwa-un's spar and couldn't calm down, borrowing one of the Huangbo Family's training grounds to spar against each other.
Seol Hwa-un looked to the North Wind Brigade Leader and asked.
“What do you think, North Wind Brigade Leader?”
The North Wind Brigade Leader nodded.
“A fine proposal. A good chance to experience the Huangbo Family's martial arts.”
Since each school's techniques had different characteristics, one often gained more from exchanges with other sects than internal spars.
In fact, many sects conducted such martial arts exchanges.
“Good. Why not stay longer at our family while you're at it...”
At that moment, an urgent voice came from outside the meeting room.
“Great Elder, urgent dispatch!”
Hwangbo Woon-kyeong's face hardened with a foreboding feeling.
“Come in.”
The door opened, and a warrior rushed in, cupping his fists.
“I greet the Great Elder!”
“Enough formalities. What is it?”
“The warriors dispatched to Prospect Tower have returned gravely injured.”
“No...”
“Yes, it's the Private Evil Heavenly Gate again.”
Hwangbo Tae-seong, listening beside, scowled.
“Those bastards... What gang did they pick a fight with this time?”
“Yes, the Blood Rain Gang. Witnesses say they started the quarrel...”
Bang!
Hwangbo Tae-seong slammed the table.
“Absurd nonsense! The likes of the Blood Rain Gang picking a fight with the Private Evil Heavenly Gate?”
The Blood Rain Gang was merely a small-scale evil faction, but the Private Evil Heavenly Gate was entirely different.
It was one of the Eight Gates of the Evil Path, the eight pillars forming the Evil Path Alliance.
Though ranked low among them, in Hunan Province, it was a massive force threatening even the Huangbo Family.
The Private Evil Heavenly Gate had long clashed incessantly with the righteous Huangbo Family. Recently, their actions had become overtly aggressive.
“Uncle, I'll dispatch the Heavenly King Brigade immediately.”
Hwangbo Woon-kyeong nodded gravely.
“...Do so.”
Hwangbo Tae-seong left the room.
Seol Hwa-un, who had been silent beside him, asked.
“May I inquire what this is about?”
“Sigh.”
Though reluctant to discuss internal matters with an outsider, Hwangbo Woon-kyeong, feeling stifled, spoke with a sigh.
“It's no particular secret, so I'll tell you. Actually...”
The Private Evil Heavenly Gate had long eyed their territory. Then, an unexpected opportunity arose.
For the founding of the Righteous Heavenly Alliance, Hwangbo Tae-neung and the Fist Tiger Brigade—one of the three major armed forces—had left.
Even so, a direct confrontation would be problematic in many ways.
Mobilizing over a dozen subordinate evil factions might secure victory, but at enormous cost.
Thus, the Private Evil Heavenly Gate opted for a gradual approach. They planned to slowly erode the Huangbo Family's forces and encroach on their territory bit by bit.
Afterward, experts from the Private Evil Heavenly Gate frequently appeared in Huangbo territory, causing damage under the pretext of quarrels with other evil factions.
“You just watched that happen?”
“Of course not. The problem was their attitude. They apologized, claiming no ill intent, and even sent compensation.”
Thus, there was no clear justification to punish the Private Evil Heavenly Gate.
“It's been repeating like this for a month now.”
The populace's sentiment toward the family had already soured considerably. With ongoing damage to businesses and the family seemingly idle, perceptions worsened.
“The Private Evil Heavenly Gate played smart. And right when the family head is away.”
“Indeed. They know opportunities will dwindle once the Righteous Heavenly Alliance forms.”
They couldn't hastily recall Hwangbo Tae-neung either. It was already too late, and he couldn't miss meetings critical to the family's standing in the alliance.
‘Hmm...’
At that moment, the North Wind Brigade Leader's transmission reached Seol Hwa-un, who was watching their expressions.
[Little Palace Lord, not this time.]
[What do you mean?]
[You know well enough. This is a conflict between the Central Plains' righteous and evil factions. You absolutely must not get involved.]
Seol Hwa-un gave a faint smile.
[Don't worry. I know that much.]
[I trust you. No—if you change your mind, please tell me first.]
[Yes. But it won't come to that.]
Finishing the transmission, Seol Hwa-un looked at Hwangbo Woon-kyeong and said.
“The next month will be crucial.”
The somewhat abrupt remark left Hwangbo Woon-kyeong clicking his tongue in admiration.
“Sharp as ever. That's our judgment as well.”
In a month, the Righteous Heavenly Alliance would formally launch, becoming a solid backing for the Huangbo Family.
It seemed obvious, but Seol Hwa-un's insight—deducing the one-month timeline from the conversation alone—was truly remarkable.
‘Truly insight beyond his years. The rumors even fall short.’
Hwangbo Woon-kyeong now understood why tales of the North Heaven Dragon spread so rapidly.
‘Private Evil Heavenly Gate.’
As Seol Hwa-un's expression hardened, Hwangbo Woon-kyeong burst into laughter upon noticing.
“Hahaha, worried for our family? Don't fret. As you said, if we hold out a month, we can recover afterward.”
In the current situation, the Huangbo Family couldn't rashly strike first at the Private Evil Heavenly Gate. The absence of the family head and Fist Tiger Brigade was too great.
Unwittingly, Seol Hwa-un furrowed his brow.
‘But the Private Evil Heavenly Gate surely knows that well. Will they really stay quiet?’
* * *
That afternoon, Hwangbo Tae-seong returned covered in blood, accompanied by two squads of the Heavenly King Brigade.
For some reason, his expression upon return was rigidly tense.
The reason soon became clear. The corpses of three Heavenly King Brigade members were brought in afterward.