Chapter 68
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 68
Chapter Title: Martial Alliance Meeting and Ice Spring Darkscale Armor
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Shanxi Province, Xi'an.
Here stood the main headquarters of the Martial Alliance, once the greatest power in the martial world, boasting a history of two hundred years.
Though factions like the Eight Demonic Gates and some orthodox sects including the Eight Great Families had broken away, the Martial Alliance was still regarded as one of the top powers in the martial world.
However, with the Eight Great Families recently declaring independence and forming the Righteous Heaven Alliance, voices of caution and self-reflection were rising within the Martial Alliance.
In response, movements led by the Wudang Sect and others to reform the Martial Alliance were gaining momentum.
The Martial Alliance's grand conference hall.
A meeting of the alliance's top leaders was in full swing here.
"...So you're saying we should recognize the Righteous Heaven Alliance?"
In response to the words of Son Ha-gun, elder of the Kunlun Sect and Chief Inspector Pavilion Master known as Little Pure Sword, Im Yeon-ho, elder of the Zhongnan Sect known as Flowing Cloud Flying Sword, spoke up.
"The formation of the Righteous Heaven Alliance is already a done deal. We can't just deny them because we don't like it, can we?"
"This is clearly a rejection of our own alliance! If we let the Righteous Heaven Alliance stand as is, we'll only be ridiculed by the martial artists of the world!"
Gyo Byeok, elder of the Dian Cang Sect, said in a low voice.
"We already lost face when the Eight Great Families were working behind the scenes to form the Righteous Heaven Alliance, didn't we?"
"Ahem!"
The Chief Inspector Pavilion Master cleared his throat in displeasure. But since Gyo Byeok spoke the truth, he had no real retort.
"......"
Presiding over the meeting from the head seat like a chairman was Myeong Hyeon-ja, the youngest elder of the Wudang Sect and a master revered as the Divine Sword.
When the Heavenly Outer Sword Venerable of the Namgung Family claimed the title of world's greatest swordsman, the Wudang Sect had poured all their efforts into cultivating this talent in response.
At just over forty years old, Myeong Hyeon-ja had already earned the title of Wudang's foremost swordsman, a testament to his extraordinary skill.
His refined features, pure gaze, and the subtle aura of nobility emanating from him clearly showed why he held that title.
This time, he had taken on a new position called 'Martial Superior.'
Though the rank itself wasn't particularly high, its authority was immense, making him in effect the third most powerful figure after the alliance leader and the Elder Council.
With the alliance leader in seclusion and the Elder Council yielding to reform demands, it was no exaggeration to say Myeong Hyeon-ja was now leading the Martial Alliance.
His clear voice resonated through the hall.
"Amitabha. The defection of the Eight Great Families is undoubtedly our alliance's greatest failure. But with the Demonic Alliance watching us intently, picking a fight with the Righteous Heaven Alliance now would be unwise."
"......"
"What's done is done. In the current situation, maintaining good relations with the Righteous Heaven Alliance is our best option."
"Mmm."
With the discussion already leaning that way, no opposing voices rose.
"We will dispatch congratulatory envoys to the Righteous Heaven Alliance. I would like Nun Un Hye of the Emei Sect to take charge of that."
Nun Un Hye, the Emei Sect elder who had been sitting quietly to one side, nodded.
"Amitabha. So be it."
"Thank you."
She was the perfect choice for conducting polite, cordial exchanges without offending anyone.
The attendees nodded in agreement silently.
Myeong Hyeon-ja turned to the scholarly-looking middle-aged man seated beside him.
" Literary Superior, is there another item on the agenda?"
The man called Literary Superior was none other than Sima Won, head of the Sima Family.
Among the great martial families, the Sima Family was one of the very few that had chosen not to leave the Martial Alliance.
Loyalty to the alliance played a part, but their rivalry with the Zhuge Family had an even greater influence.
The Righteous Heaven Alliance was centered around the Namgung and Zhuge Families. It was obvious the Sima Family would have no place to shine there.
Staying in the Martial Alliance and claiming the vacant military advisor position—namely, 'Literary Superior'—was far more advantageous for them.
Of course, enduring the fierce scrutiny of the Nine Great Sects and holding onto that seat required proving their worth.
"The main items are all settled, but I have one final proposal."
Though Sima Won was fifteen years his senior, this was an official gathering, so he addressed Chairman Myeong Hyeon-ja respectfully.
"What is it?"
"I heard some interesting news recently."
"......?"
"It's about the North Sea Ice Palace."
At his words, several attendees reacted. They had already heard the rumors about Seol Hwa-un and his group.
Sima Won briefly recounted Seol Hwa-un and his party's exploits for those not yet in the know.
"Amazing!"
"Is the North Sea Ice Palace's young lord really that exceptional?"
Sima Won's eyes gleamed.
"And there's more recent news. The Fourth Evil Heavenly Gate has been wiped out."
"What?"
"Is that true?"
Most of the attendees were stunned.
What was the Fourth Evil Heavenly Gate? It was one of the Eight Demonic Gates under the Demonic Alliance!
Sima Won succinctly explained the events between the Huangbo Family and the Fourth Evil Heavenly Gate.
"You're surprising too soon. The North Heavenly Dragon played a major role in the destruction of this Fourth Evil Heavenly Gate as well."
"......!"
"No matter what, he's just a junior, isn't he? Is that really true, Literary Superior?"
"It's said the North Heavenly Dragon personally took down the Blood Sound Evil General."
At that point, most of the attendees frowned.
"A junior took down one of the Four Demonic Generals? Impossible."
"Is the intelligence wrong?"
Sima Won spoke calmly.
"The probability it's true is over seventy percent. He may not have done it entirely alone, but his major contribution to killing the Blood Sound Evil General seems confirmed."
"Hah!"
"And here's the key point: the power of the North Sea Ice Palace. They're from the outer realms, but we absolutely cannot ignore them."
"......"
"As you know, the North Heavenly Dragon and his group entered the Central Plains to attend the Namgung Family's grand assembly. They've already built considerable ties with the Eight Great Families."
"Hmm, the North Sea Ice Palace."
"I also heard they recently visited the Sichuan Tang Family. If—god forbid—the North Sea Ice Palace sides with the Righteous Heaven Alliance amid tensions between our alliance and them, what then?"
"They're outer realm folk at best, aren't they? Can the North Sea Ice Palace alone sway the greater tide?"
"Even with the Huangbo Family's help, these outer realmers toppled one of the Eight Demonic Gates that our alliance couldn't touch. They're no force to sit idly by."
"Mmm."
Sima Won looked around as he spoke.
"So I propose this: Why not invite the North Sea Ice Palace contingent and forge good ties with our alliance as well?"
"......!"
* * *
Seol Hwa-un's wounds healed quickly.
It was thanks to the physician sent by the Sichuan Tang Family. Their medical skills were advanced, but they spared no elixirs or herbs, ensuring a swift recovery.
Seol Hwa-un now sat in his room, lost in thought.
'I stayed at the Tang Family longer than expected.'
It was time to prepare to leave.
'It's been over three months since we entered the Central Plains. We should head back to the palace now.'
They had already exceeded the goals set for this trip. It was truly time to return in glory.
'Dragging our feet might provoke the Demonic Alliance again.'
He wasn't afraid of the Demonic Alliance. But even the mighty North Wind Brigade would suffer casualties if they launched a full assault.
'I won't tolerate even a single loss.'
However, one matter still remained.
'...Is it finished yet? Well, Millennial Cold Iron is tricky enough, and this Dark Flame Cold Iron is far more difficult.'
He was waiting for the protective armor Tang Cheol-yeong was forging. But he couldn't just sit around forever.
'Should I ask them to send it to the palace once it's done?'
As he pondered, a Tang Family warrior came to see him just in time.
"Elder Iron requests the young lord."
"......!"
Sensing the protective armor was complete, Seol Hwa-un hurried straight to the Tang Family's forge.
When he arrived, Tang Cheol-yeong was already waiting in front of the smithy.
Seeing Seol Hwa-un arrive so soon after sending the message, he chuckled.
"You must have been in quite a hurry."
"I was just wondering when Elder Supreme Patriarch would finish the protective armor."
"I see."
"Honestly, I was a bit surprised. I didn't expect it so soon."
"In truth, I worked on it day and night without rest."
Tang Cheol-yeong indeed looked exhausted. It was unexpected for someone of his cultivation.
But his face was bright. Confidence in his creation shone through.
"Where is it?"
At Seol Hwa-un's question, a peculiar smile curved Tang Cheol-yeong's lips.
"I'll show you. Follow me."
The forge was still sweltering hot from recent work.
With no other projects in sight, it was clear he had sent for Seol Hwa-un the moment the armor was done.
Tang Cheol-yeong pointed to a shelf.
"That's it."
"......!"
Atop it lay what looked like a piece of black cloth. But up close, it gleamed with metallic luster, faintly emanating a pure white chill.
'It's smaller than I thought.'
It would barely cover the chest of a child.
"You just thought it was too small, didn't you?"
Seol Hwa-un flinched involuntarily.
"Yes."
"You probably think I made it small to save on the Dark Flame Cold Iron."
That thought had indeed crossed his mind.
"Yes."
"I stake my smith's pride I wouldn't do something so petty. Try it on yourself."
'It looks too small......'
Seol Hwa-un did as instructed, removing his outer robe and trying to don the armor over his undergarments.
'Huh?'
But as he pulled it on, the armor stretched smoothly.
Tang Cheol-yeong smiled faintly.
"It could fit someone twice your size."
"Such elasticity. Hard to believe it's metal."
"That's the property of Dark Flame Cold Iron. Parts that don't need to stretch are layered with Millennial Cold Iron. For pure defense, it's slightly superior to Dark Flame Cold Iron."
Seol Hwa-un moved around in the armor.
"Impressive. No restriction in movement at all."
"That should confirm the fit. Won't you test the defense?"
"That's exactly what I had in mind."
"I'll wear it."
"Pardon?"
"The surest test is taking a hit yourself. But I can't strike a guest like you."
In the end, Tang Cheol-yeong donned the armor and stood before Seol Hwa-un.
"You're a fist expert, right? Strike with your fist wrapped in fist qi."
Seol Hwa-un hesitated. Tang Cheol-yeong was the Tang Family's Supreme Patriarch. Harming him would be disastrous.
"Don't worry. Even if the armor fails, do you think I'd go down that easily?"
"......Understood."
As Seol Hwa-un raised his fist, pure white fist qi enveloped it.
Seeing this, Tang Cheol-yeong shook his head.
"Too weak. Make it stronger."
The fist qi sharpened.
"Good. Strike."
"Then, pardon me."
Seol Hwa-un's qi-wrapped fist slammed into Tang Cheol-yeong's chest.
Boom!
With the explosive sound, Tang Cheol-yeong's form was pushed back.
"......!"
Seol Hwa-un couldn't help but be shocked. Not only was Tang Cheol-yeong unharmed, but at the moment of impact, he had felt a powerful rebound force.
"You didn't use any internal energy?"
A smile played on Tang Cheol-yeong's lips.
"Correct."
"What was that rebound...?"
"A property of this armor. Likely from the interaction between Dark Flame Cold Iron and Millennial Cold Iron."
He removed the armor, revealing his body.
"The armor's intact, and as you see, no injuries."
Even famed swords or blades struggle against qi. For it to be unscratched meant the armor's defense exceeded imagination.
Seol Hwa-un was full of admiration.
"Truly remarkable."
"I guarantee it's superior to any protective armor ever made."
Gazing at the armor, Tang Cheol-yeong murmured.
"Now, one thing left."
"......?"
"We need to name it."
Seol Hwa-un smiled.
"Will the Supreme Patriarch who forged it name it himself?"
"Would that be alright?"
"Of course."
After much deliberation, Tang Cheol-yeong finally spoke.
"Ice Spring Darkscale Armor."
Thus, the new treasure of the North Sea Ice Palace, the Ice Spring Darkscale Armor, was born.