Chapter 5
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 5
Chapter Title: Path of the Fist
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Seol Wi-myeong stared at Seol Hwa-un with a stern face. It was a grave expression Seol Hwa-un had never seen before.
“Why?”
“I’m more drawn to fist techniques.”
“Fist techniques? And you’ve only learned the Six Harmonies Fist?”
‘There are dozens of fist techniques I’ve mastered, Palace Lord.’
Seol Hwa-un hid his inner thoughts and replied calmly.
“Yes.”
“The Snow Flower Heavenly Flow Sword is unequivocally the greatest martial art of our palace. Countless ancestors of the Ice Palace ascended to the ranks of the era’s supreme masters with this sword art, and I myself earned the title of Ice Emperor through it.”
“…….”
“Moreover, you have long limbs, a physique ideally suited for the sword. Your fists are small, your knuckles slender—hardly suitable for fist techniques.”
Seol Hwa-un responded impassively.
“I don’t believe physique matters. What matters more is how thoroughly one masters any given martial art, don’t you think?”
“You’re right about that. And that ‘any given martial art’ is the key. We do have supreme arts like the Ice River Nine Splits Divine Fist, but they fall short of the Snow Flower Heavenly Flow Sword. Our palace’s history proves it.”
“But didn’t all the previous Palace Lords primarily cultivate sword arts?”
“That’s true, but…….”
“I believe any supreme art of our palace can become the greatest.”
Seol Wi-myeong couldn’t bring himself to deny it. To do so might imply disdain for the North Sea Ice Palace’s martial arts beyond the Snow Flower Heavenly Flow Sword.
‘This kid.’
He had sensed it while observing his training lately, but his son had truly changed a great deal from before.
The old Seol Hwa-un had been timid, overly intimidated by his father, unable to even meet his eyes properly.
But ever since returning alive from the forbidden area, he spoke his mind without the slightest hesitation.
Even now, he was locking eyes directly and refuting him.
‘Having crossed the brink of life and death has matured him mentally as well.’
Of course, that didn’t mean Seol Wi-myeong would yield easily.
“It’s not just our palace. Look at the Central Plains’ martial history—far more have claimed the title of supreme under heaven with the sword. The current supreme master is the Heavenly Outer Sword Venerable of the Namgung Family, isn’t he?”
Heavenly Outer Sword Venerable.
The peerless master produced by the Namgung Family, one of the Five Great Families. A glint sparked in Seol Hwa-un’s eyes as he heard his father’s words.
‘Namgung. So the Namgung Family has grown that much?’
Back when the Heavenly Collapse Fist Emperor was Alliance Leader of the Martial Alliance, the Five Great Families, including the Namgung, couldn’t compare to the Nine Great Sects and Eight Great Families.
The Ten Supreme Masters of that era had mostly been from the Nine Great Sects and Eight Great Families, excluding the Heavenly Collapse Fist Emperor.
Which made it all the more significant that the current supreme master hailed from one of the Five Great Families.
‘The Central Plains’ landscape has shifted greatly.’
But that wasn’t the point right now. Seol Hwa-un spoke again.
“I hate to bring this up, but two hundred years ago, the Heavenly Collapse Fist Emperor who pushed our palace to the brink cultivated fists, not the sword. From what I’ve heard, he was an unrivaled powerhouse at the time.”
Seol Wi-myeong’s face hardened at his words.
“That’s enough.”
Seol Hwa-un inwardly cursed his slip.
“I’m sorry.”
He had learned during his time here that the North Sea Ice Palace’s grudge against the Heavenly Collapse Fist Emperor ran deeper than expected.
From the Palace Lord down to the lowliest servant, they all gnashed their teeth at the mention.
The old Seol Hwa-un had been no different. And Seol Wi-myeong knew that too.
‘He’s so eager to learn fist techniques he’d even mention the Heavenly Collapse Fist Emperor?’
The Little Palace Lord was the one meant to succeed him as Palace Lord.
Seol Hwa-un hadn’t even considered it before, but now he did.
Still, he couldn’t imagine his successor cultivating anything but the sword. That was why he had tried to persuade him.
‘He seems dead set on it…… Words won’t sway him.’
“Very well. I understand your will. I’ll teach you fist techniques.”
Joy lit up Seol Hwa-un’s face.
“Thank you!”
“But if I deem your mastery unsatisfactory, you’ll learn the sword. Do you agree?”
“Yes.”
No matter what achievements he attained, Seol Wi-myeong might still object, but Seol Hwa-un was confident.
‘Once he sees it, he’ll have no choice but to accept.’
Seol Wi-myeong shrugged off his large robe, standing before Seol Hwa-un in simple training garb.
“The technique I’ll demonstrate now is the highest-level fist art of our palace, the Ice River Nine Splits Divine Fist.”
In truth, the Ice River Nine Splits Divine Fist, like the Snow Flower Heavenly Flow Sword, required mastering lower forms step by step.
But Seol Wi-myeong intended to teach the highest form directly to discourage him.
“Watch closely.”
“Yes, Father.”
Seol Wi-myeong’s demeanor shifted.
Thud!
As he took a heavy step forward, the surrounding air instantly grew oppressively heavy. Even from a distance, Seol Hwa-un felt immense pressure.
‘Definitely no ordinary technique.’
But it was only for a moment. Seol Hwa-un widened his eyes, concentrating intently to miss nothing.
Seol Wi-myeong thrust his fist like lightning. A heavy fist wind erupted simultaneously.
Boom!
A thunderous roar echoed as the wooden dummy three zhang away shattered to pieces.
Crash!
Splintered wood scattered everywhere.
“This is the first stance of the Ice River Nine Splits Divine Fist: Fist Cannon One Split.”
“……!”
Admiration was plain on Seol Hwa-un’s face.
‘As expected of the Ice Palace’s art. It resembles the Shaolin’s One Hundred Paces Divine Fist at a glance, but the range isn’t that long. Seems like a heavy fist style, yet its power rivals the Thunderbolt Three Fists from my main text.’
Seol Wi-myeong then recited the incantation for Fist Cannon One Split.
“I’ll show it slowly this time. Watch while recalling the incantation.”
“Yes.”
The first demonstration had been too fast for Seol Hwa-un’s current visual acuity to fully grasp.
But as Seol Wi-myeong extended his fist slowly this time, the flow of qi and movements became crystal clear.
Boom!
The wooden dummy shattered again. Seol Wi-myeong retracted his fist slowly and asked.
“How was it? Can you do it?”
Seol Hwa-un gave an unexpected answer instead of asking for another demonstration.
“Let me try once.”
Seol Wi-myeong’s eyes flickered.
“……Very well. Ask if you have any questions.”
“Yes.”
Seol Wi-myeong stepped aside, and Seol Hwa-un took position in the center of the training hall.
“…….”
He assumed his stance, reviewing the incantation with eyes closed.
‘Fist Cannon One Split…….’
He visualized Seol Wi-myeong’s demonstration in his mind.
‘No need to rush. Slowly is fine.’
Clenching his fist, Seol Hwa-un extended it even slower than the second demonstration.
Sss.
A pure white energy began gathering on his fist. Beads of sweat formed on his forehead from the intense focus.
It was agonizingly slow, but shock dawned on Seol Wi-myeong’s watching face.
‘No way?’
Bang!
A sharp whoosh rang from Seol Hwa-un’s fully extended fist, white energy bursting forth.
Swoosh!
The energy shot out about a chi before dissipating.
“…….”
Seol Wi-myeong stared blankly at his son, speechless, but Seol Hwa-un shook his head, dissatisfied.
“That’s not it. Too hasty at the end.”
Resuming his stance, he extended his fist even slower than before.
Pah!
Chilling energy burst from his fist again, this time reaching a full zhang.
Seol Wi-myeong muttered unwittingly.
“Monstrous kid…….”
“Hoo.”
Seol Hwa-un’s face was pale, his body drenched in sweat. Just two attempts had drained his stamina and mental energy immensely.
‘Tougher than I thought.’
His head spun suddenly.
‘……Huh?’
As he staggered, on the verge of collapse—
Whoosh!
Seol Wi-myeong appeared instantly, steadying him by the shoulder.
“Are you alright?”
Meeting his father’s eyes, Seol Hwa-un felt an unexpected pang in his chest.
“……!”
Seol Wi-myeong’s gaze brimmed with worry and concern.
‘Uh…….’
It was a unfamiliar emotion for him.
“I-I’m fine.”
He pulled away from his father’s embrace with an awkward expression.
‘I overlooked this body’s condition.’
It had only been a month of training. Far from perfected as a martial artist, the excessive mental exertion had caused momentary exhaustion.
‘Fist Cannon One Split isn’t complete yet.’
But to Seol Wi-myeong, it was impressive enough.
“Splendid.”
He meant it sincerely, and it showed.
‘Such prodigious talent. If he can execute Fist Cannon One Split to this degree already…… The sword would be the same.’
The Ice River Nine Splits Divine Fist was as demanding as the Snow Flower Heavenly Flow Sword.
To perform it this well without prior steps shattered Seol Wi-myeong’s expectations.
The slowness was no flaw—just a matter of proficiency.
Seol Wi-myeong spoke gravely.
“I have no choice but to acknowledge it. Very well, since you desire it so, I permit you to cultivate fist techniques.”
Seol Hwa-un bowed calmly.
“Thank you.”
“That tone suggests you expected my permission.”
“Misunderstanding.”
“Hwa-un.”
“……!”
It was the first time Seol Wi-myeong had called him by that affectionate name since his rebirth as Seol Hwa-un. Another strange emotion welled up.
“After learning of your condition, I treated you coldly. I feared you’d harbor vain hopes and be disappointed.”
‘Vain hopes?’
Seol Hwa-un didn’t grasp it at first, but the rest of Seol Wi-myeong’s words made it clear.
“As a mere father, I dreaded my heart wavering. I couldn’t let sentiment lead me to name an unworthy son as next Palace Lord.”
“……!”
“So I planned to depose you from Little Palace Lord when the time came. Yet here you are, proving the position is yours.”
His expression hardened resolutely.
“My mind is set now. No matter what anyone says, you will be the next Palace Lord.”
Seol Hwa-un felt a twinge of unease.
‘No, you don’t have to…….’
“But you’re still only fifteen. No need to act so mature.”
Seol Hwa-un felt his father’s sincerity deeply.
Silence fell briefly, then Seol Wi-myeong’s face grew serious.
“A Palace Lord of our house must master all supreme martial arts. Focus on fist techniques, but train in the others as well.”
“Understood.”
“As you know, I specialized in sword arts, so I never delved deeply into others. Besides, sword and fist paths diverge, don’t they?”
As Seol Wi-myeong said, fist masters and sword masters pursued different natures in their supreme arts.
Low-level arts were one thing, but mastering both supreme arts was nearly impossible.
More precisely, it was possible but far less efficient than specializing in one.
“To be frank, I haven’t perfectly mastered any stances beyond the Fist Cannon One Split I just showed.”
“…….”
“If you insist on fist techniques, you must go to another family that specializes in the Ice River Nine Splits Divine Fist.”
Excluding the Ice White Divine Palm and Ice Ring Finger, the other supreme arts were inherited primarily by the Five Great Families.
“To learn the Ice River Nine Splits Divine Fist properly, go to the Ice Family. Will you?”
Seol Hwa-un, having gathered bits of information on the North Sea Ice Palace over the past month, knew the basics.
He had anticipated Seol Wi-myeong would say this if he chose fists.
“Yes, I will.”
“Very well. I’ll send word to the Ice Family.”
Seol Wi-myeong hesitated briefly before continuing reluctantly.
“As Palace Lord, I can request the Bing Family Head to teach you, but if he refuses, even I can’t force it.”
“…….”
“You could compel it as Palace Lord, but you’re only Little Palace Lord for now. If you truly want to master fist techniques, convince the Bing Family Head yourself.”
Seol Hwa-un sensed his father’s deep paternal affection and worry in the hesitation, but he felt no concern.
He had lived as the supreme under heaven and Martial Alliance Leader in his previous life.
This was no issue at all.