Chapter 7
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 7
Chapter Title: Clash of Fists
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The Ice Family Head's face grew colder than ever.
"You're completely dismissing my family. You plan to face me with fists instead of a sword?"
"Do you lack confidence?"
"Hmph. Enough with the provocations."
"......"
"Very well. Follow me."
The Ice Family Head shot up from his seat and moved, with Seol Hwa-un following behind.
Having already left the family head's quarters, he observed the Ice Family Head as he trailed after him.
'His strides are even, and his balance is nearly perfect. Even as family head, he hasn't neglected his training.'
His evaluation of the Ice Family Head rose a notch higher.
The two soon arrived at the massive training ground in the center of the Ice Family compound.
"Hup! Hup! Hup!"
"Tah! Tah!"
There, numerous warriors in matching uniforms sweated through their training, exuding an aura far beyond the ordinary.
'These are......'
At the front of the training ground, a man who appeared to be the leader watched the proceedings with sharp eyes.
He looked to be in his mid-thirties, over six feet tall with solid muscles.
"Hm?"
Spotting the two, the man hurried over and cupped his fists in salute.
"Family Head, you've arrived."
"Yes. Good work."
This man was the Ice Family Head's eldest son and the Ice Martial Brigade Leader, Bing Cho-yun.
"Gather everyone."
"Yes."
The Ice Martial Brigade Leader bellowed toward the training ground.
"Ice Martial Brigade, all members, line up!"
"Yes, sir!"
The warriors, who had been scattered and training, swiftly rushed forward and formed ranks before the Ice Family Head.
A glint of interest flashed in Seol Hwa-un's eyes.
'As expected, these are the Ice Martial Brigade.'
Excluding the Snow Family, all four great families maintained their own private forces, and the Ice Martial Brigade was the Ice Family's.
The Ice Family Head pointed at Seol Hwa-un and raised his voice.
"Pay your respects. This is the Young Palace Lord of the palace!"
"......!"
The Ice Martial Brigade, completely unaware that the Young Palace Lord would visit the Ice Family, was stunned.
'That boy is......'
'The Young Palace Lord?'
Seol Hwa-un had rarely appeared in public, so few knew his face.
The Ice Martial Brigade Leader quickly cupped his fists and shouted.
"We greet the Young Palace Lord!"
The Ice Martial Brigade followed suit, bowing their heads.
"We greet the Young Palace Lord!"
Their shout echoed across the training ground as if it might shake the earth. It was an intimidating presence that would make most warriors' legs give out.
The Ice Family Head raised his voice again.
"I'll explain why the Young Palace Lord has visited our family today! The Young Palace Lord has taken a great interest in our family's fist techniques."
"......"
"So he requested instruction from me, the family head. But I humbly declined, deeming myself unworthy to teach the Young Palace Lord. Then the Young Palace Lord made an intriguing proposal."
Questioning looks appeared on the faces of the Ice Martial Brigade members. The Ice Family Head continued.
"He suggested we compete using only fist technique forms, without internal energy, and let the victor decide. I couldn't refuse even that, so I accepted."
"......!"
"However, for me to step forward against the Young Palace Lord, who has only just begun learning martial arts, would be unfair. So I plan to send someone else in my place."
He turned to Seol Hwa-un and asked.
"Is that acceptable?"
"As long as you honor the bet's outcome, it doesn't matter to me."
"Understood."
The Ice Family Head's sharp gaze turned back to the Ice Martial Brigade.
"Vice Leader."
"......!"
One of the brigade members flinched.
"Step forward."
"......!"
A man promptly stepped out.
He appeared to be a handsome youth in his late twenties, with a lean build but unusually large fists.
"You called for me."
"You'll spar with the Young Palace Lord."
He showed a brief startled expression but replied as if resigned.
"......Understood."
Seol Hwa-un instantly recognized him as an exceptional master.
'A master on par with the Ice Martial Brigade Leader.'
The perceptive Ice Martial Brigade Leader quickly ordered the brigade to fall back, clearing space for the spar.
The Ice Family Head stepped back to stand beside the Ice Martial Brigade Leader.
The Ice Martial Brigade Leader asked in a low voice.
"Father. Sending the second brother? Isn't that too much?"
The Ice Martial Vice Leader was none other than the Ice Family Head's second son, Bing Cho-hyeon.
"If he dares say it doesn't matter even if it's me, he must pay the price for his arrogance. Or do you want to step up?"
The Ice Martial Brigade Leader waved his hands frantically.
"Oh, come on, that's too much. Me, against the Young Palace Lord who's still wet behind the ears......"
He faltered mid-sentence and quickly changed his words.
"Ah, no, I mean, how could I lay hands on the young Young Palace Lord."
"Then shut up and watch."
The Ice Martial Vice Leader and Seol Hwa-un stood about three張 apart.
The Ice Martial Vice Leader shrugged his shoulders.
"Since it's the family head's order...... I might get carried away. Forgive me in advance."
Seol Hwa-un smiled faintly.
"The same goes for me."
The Ice Martial Vice Leader tilted his head.
'Does he really have that much confidence? With that slender build?'
Though hidden by thick training robes, the Ice Martial Vice Leader could clearly see his physique.
Much improved over the past month, but still far too frail in his eyes.
'I'll have to go easy. Can't risk incurring the Palace Lord's wrath.'
At that moment, the Ice Family Head's signal came.
"Sparring begins!"
Seol Hwa-un fixed his gaze on the Ice Martial Vice Leader and slowly assumed his stance.
The watching Ice Martial Vice Leader's eyes gleamed.
'Six Harmonies Fist. His form is flawless. Well, he must have some confidence to propose such a bet.'
Just youthful recklessness from a minor accomplishment. The Palace Lord was at fault for not stopping him.
'I'll make him realize he's a frog in a well soon enough.'
The Ice Martial Vice Leader waited for his opponent to attack first, but Seol Hwa-un held his stance without moving.
'Ceding the first move too? Fine. No regrets.'
In the end, the Ice Martial Vice Leader lightly pushed off the ground.
Even without internal energy, he closed the distance to Seol Hwa-un's nose in an instant.
'A light strike......'
As he was about to thrust his fist, he involuntarily hesitated.
'Huh?!'
Seol Hwa-un's form was closer than expected. At this rate, his fist wouldn't fully extend before connecting. It wouldn't land properly, of course.
'Tch!'
Deeming it a miscalculation, the Ice Martial Vice Leader quickly retreated. Then, once he'd created some distance, he shot out his leg.
Shuuuk!
With a sharp whoosh, his kick aimed at Seol Hwa-un's chin. A concise, swift technique befitting a master.
Buwoong!
But his foot sliced only empty air.
'Unbelievable!'
Seol Hwa-un maintained the exact same stance. Only then did the Ice Martial Vice Leader realize what had happened, his face twisting slightly.
'......Not a fluke.'
The Ice Martial Brigade Leader's eyes widened as he called to the Ice Family Head.
"F-Father! Did you see that?"
"Don't make a fuss."
"Even if the second brother was careless, how could the Young Palace Lord......!"
The Ice Martial Vice Leader hadn't seen it, but those watching from a distance had clearly observed.
The first fist strike was nullified by closing the distance, and the follow-up kick was effortlessly evaded by widening it.
All so subtly that the opponent hadn't noticed.
"Impressive!"
The Ice Martial Brigade Leader couldn't help but exclaim. His opponent was none other than the Ice Martial Vice Leader.
"That fool would've noticed immediately if he hadn't let his guard down."
The Ice Family Head said as much, but he was inwardly shocked.
'To move like that requires at least first-rate level in fist arts...... And he's already doing it so naturally?'
Distance control is crucial in fist techniques above all else.
Fist wind and fist strength exist, but ultimately, fists unleash their greatest power at close range.
'It almost seems like he's showing off.'
Meanwhile, the Ice Martial Vice Leader said with a hardened expression.
"I've underestimated you, Young Palace Lord. Now I'll go for real."
"Feel free."
Taat!
No sooner had he spoken than the Ice Martial Vice Leader closed in again.
Seol Hwa-un watched him with cool eyes.
'Left hand......?'
Shu-yuk!
As expected, the Ice Martial Vice Leader's left fist shot toward his head.
Seol Hwa-un shifted back half a step while holding his stance. But this time, the Ice Martial Vice Leader didn't miss the movement.
'Think you'll slip away again?'
Papat!
From the fist-thrusting posture, the Ice Martial Vice Leader's form followed Seol Hwa-un's retreat.
Seol Hwa-un gave a wry smile.
'As expected, not an opponent I can handle at this level.'
He quickly tilted his head back and extended his forearm.
Pukeok!
Jiiiiiik!
He blocked the attack, but the impact sent Seol Hwa-un's form sliding back.
'Hm?'
For a split second, the Ice Martial Vice Leader sensed something off.
But there was no time for deep thought. Pressing the advantage, he unleashed a barrage.
Shushushushu!
His fists flew in a chaotic flurry.
"......!"
Seol Hwa-un's eyes flashed. Countless battles from his past life instantly read the fist paths.
'Dodge what I can, block the rest.'
Papapapak!
He was pushed back again, but none landed solidly.
'He's blocking all that?'
A surge of pride overtook the Ice Martial Vice Leader, and he began attacking in earnest.
Papapapapa!
Not just basic fist arts like Seven Stars Fist, Six Harmonies Fist, and Three Realms Fist Methods, but even Broad Cold Fist and Full Snow Flow Fist.
The diverse forms flowed from his hands like water—an astonishing feat impossible without profound understanding.
Peopeopeopeok!
Yet.
As time passed, whispers spread through the Ice Martial Brigade.
"Isn't that too harsh?"
"It is, but......"
"The Young Palace Lord is blocking that onslaught!"
"Even blocking, the impacts must be tremendous. How is he so unscathed?"
"......Something's off."
The most perplexed was the Ice Martial Vice Leader himself.
'......It's like fighting a roly-poly doll.'
No matter how fiercely he attacked, Seol Hwa-un, who seemed on the verge of taking hits, stood right back up unfazed.
Dodging aside, the blocked impacts should have affected him, yet he appeared utterly fine.
'No way......'
Having closely observed Seol Hwa-un's blocks, the Ice Martial Vice Leader soon confirmed his suspicion.
'Incredible!'
At the moment of impact, Seol Hwa-un subtly twisted his entire body. This dispersed the force, resulting in virtually no real damage.
The Ice Martial Vice Leader's skills were excellent, but not beyond what Seol Hwa-un could endure.
'Ice Family Head, watch closely. This is my true skill.'
To clearly demonstrate his level, he was dragging out the spar.
Meanwhile, the Ice Martial Vice Leader realized ordinary forms wouldn't fell Seol Hwa-un.
'Amazing skill, but no helping it. Young Palace Lord, don't blame me if you get hurt.'
No matter the exquisite technique, overwhelming it with greater power ends it.
As Seol Hwa-un deflected a left fist, the Ice Martial Vice Leader spun his body and swung his right fist wide, as if waiting.
It was the sharpest and most powerful form of Broad Cold Fist: Whirling Wind Fist.
'Let's see you endure this!'
But this was precisely the moment Seol Hwa-un had awaited.
The perfect chance to fell the formidable Ice Martial Vice Leader in one strike.
His demeanor changed in an instant.
'Now!'
Before the Ice Martial Vice Leader could complete his spin, Seol Hwa-un shot forward like a spring.
Pang!
Far more agile than before.
Shuuk!
His fist traced a bizarre arc and solidly struck the right side.
Puuuuuuk!
Excruciating pain as if his side were tearing made the Ice Martial Vice Leader's eyes bulge.
"Urk!"
He rolled once and hastily stood, but immediately collapsed. The impact was that severe.
"Kuhk."
The Ice Family Head's pupils trembled violently.
'T-That fist strike......!'
Though altered slightly without internal energy, it was unmistakably Fist Cannon One Split of the Ice River Nine Splits Divine Fist.