Chapter 77
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 77
Chapter Title: Martial Alliance Headquarters
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Martial Alliance headquarters.
Two hundred years ago, the Heavenly Collapse Fist Emperor had personally chosen this site, building the structures and walls with the support of countless sects scattered across the land.
Back then, every martial artist's dream was to become a warrior of the Martial Alliance. Its prestige was immense, truly the supreme power under heaven.
Even the imperial palace had grown wary of their growing influence. And it was the Heavenly Collapse Fist Emperor himself who stepped forward to negotiate with the palace.
The result was the decision to subjugate the Outer Realm Evil Forces.
The palace welcomed it with open arms. After all, it meant the Martial Alliance would eliminate the otherworldly threats menacing the Central Plains, while inevitably weakening their own power in the process.
Gazing upon the Martial Alliance headquarters steeped in such history, Seol Hwa-un felt a fresh wave of emotion.
……To think that I, of all people, would end up as an outsider visiting the Martial Alliance.
A group of people awaited them at the main entrance. It was the Martial Alliance's Gatekeeper, Sima Won, and his subordinates.
For the Gatekeeper—one of the Alliance's highest-ranking officials—to come out personally to greet them was proof of how highly they valued Seol Hwa-un's group.
"Welcome. The Martial Alliance bids you greetings."
"Pleasure's ours."
Seol Hwa-un's group exchanged greetings with him. In that brief moment, probing glances passed between them.
Though Sima Won's martial prowess wasn't exceptional, his ability to read people was outstanding.
He was inwardly amazed.
'The North Heaven Dragon, eh. What astonishing presence and composure. His age is truly hard to believe.'
No matter how closely he examined him, he couldn't discern the man's thoughts or gauge the depth of his vessel.
'This could mean one of two things: either he truly thinks of nothing, or he's so superior that no limits are visible. ……Obviously the latter.'
A flurry of thoughts raced through his mind in that short instant.
"……."
But unlike the complexity in his head, Sima Won wore a faint smile as he bowed toward Jo Jin-hong, who had escorted them.
"You've worked hard, Hero Jo."
"No need for that. Just doing what was expected."
"I heard there was a minor incident on the way……."
Jo Jin-hong's eyebrow twitched.
'He already knows about that?'
"Regardless, thank you for your efforts."
"Yes, Gatekeeper. I'll take my leave then."
After a light farewell to Seol Hwa-un's group, Jo Jin-hong departed.
Rumble!
The massive gates of the Martial Alliance headquarters swung open.
"Come, this way."
With Seol Hwa-un at the lead, the North Sea Ice Palace group entered the headquarters.
Sima Won guided them personally.
"I've heard you had quite a journey getting here. You must be exhausted. Rest in the guesthouse for today."
"Much appreciated."
Though he responded, Seol Hwa-un's distant gaze wandered over the surroundings without pause.
'No major changes in two hundred years. A few signs of maintenance and fresh paint, but that's it. Makes sense—they built it to last a thousand years.'
When constructing the headquarters, the Heavenly Collapse Fist Emperor had even personally hauled stones, sand, and timber.
No matter how much his aides protested that it was beneath the Alliance Leader's dignity, he wouldn't hear it.
In the end, he even grew friendly with the laborers, sharing drinks with them often.
A headquarters built with such devotion was bound to hold deep affection.
As they reached the central plaza, they came upon a massive statue.
A middle-aged man with piercing eyes and a sturdy physique struck a dynamic pose, fist thrust forward.
"Ah!"
It was so masterful that it stirred heroism in anyone who beheld it.
"This is……."
"Ah, it's our founding Alliance Leader, the Heavenly Collapse Fist Emperor. It was crafted by the master artisan Seb So-yang of that era, in his honor."
Seol Hwa-un's expression showed a hint of surprise.
'That old grump Seb? ……Even after all his grumbling, he must've missed me quite a bit.'
The artisan Seb So-yang had been older than him, but one of his few close friends.
'……I do miss him.'
Two hundred years had passed; they were people he could no longer see even if he wanted to.
As Seol Hwa-un quietly admired the statue, a frown creased his brow.
'Hold on. Why's the face like that? Not a shred of manliness.'
It was certainly too refined and handsome compared to the real Heavenly Collapse Fist Emperor.
'……Not to my liking.'
Though his own current face was far more handsome.
"Quite the masterpiece, isn't it? Plenty of time to take it in later, since you'll be here a while."
Sima Won turned right.
'This direction…….'
Seol Hwa-un knew what lay at the end of this path.
The Martial Alliance had two guesthouses: one for ordinary visitors and a special one for distinguished guests.
Even the ordinary one was reserved for those of considerable status.
Yet Sima Won was heading straight for the special one.
'They truly value the Ice Palace.'
Soon, they arrived at an elegant yet pristine building bearing a plaque that read "Noble Guests Pavilion."
'As expected, the Noble Guests Pavilion.'
A portly, affable-looking middle-aged man stood waiting out front.
"Welcome!"
The kindly man offered a respectful fist salute to the group.
"Noble Guests Pavilion Master, we leave them in your care."
Sima Won's guidance ended there. After a brief exchange with the Pavilion Master, he departed.
The beaming Pavilion Master spoke.
"Feel free to use the entire building. If you need anything or have any discomfort, just pull the red cord inside. Someone from the pavilion will come right away."
He escorted them inside before leaving—a gesture of consideration for their comfort.
"Oh!"
Those entering the Noble Guests Pavilion couldn't hold back their admiration. It was equipped with every amenity imaginable.
Luxurious furnishings adorned the space, with private rooms for each, all outfitted with high-end furniture.
The North Wind Brigade Leader nodded approvingly.
"Worthily the Martial Alliance. Can't even compare to the Namgung Family or the Sichuan Tang Family."
In the past, the Heavenly Collapse Fist Emperor had grumbled about this pavilion, but every guest who stayed there had left praising the Alliance.
"Wow! The bed's so fluffy!"
That was Dong Ho-won's exclamation.
"Th-this! Isn't this a Song Dynasty celadon? To think I'd see such a treasure here!"
Eom Mu-hwi's gasp of awe.
'Looks like the others are pleased too.'
Seol Hwa-un's group rested without the slightest discomfort.
Pulling the red cord summoned maids who fulfilled every request.
They provided hot bathwater and rare Dragon Well tea, and the on-site kitchen staff whipped up meals on demand.
The food was, of course, exquisite.
The rear garden featured a practice ground stocked with all manner of weapons. It was the perfect lodging.
Seol Hwa-un gave his group complete freedom, allowing them to relax fully.
Watching them, he smiled.
"Everyone seems to like the accommodations."
The North Wind Brigade Leader beside him replied.
"Indeed. Thanks to you, Little Palace Lord, we're enjoying quite the luxury."
"This is hardly luxury. After such a prolonged stay in the Central Plains escorting me, this is the least the North Wind Brigade deserves."
The Brigade Leader smiled warmly.
"We're grateful you see it that way, Little Palace Lord."
"I mean it."
The Brigade Leader suddenly gazed at Seol Hwa-un with an odd expression.
"……? Why are you looking at me like that?"
"You were impressive earlier today."
"Pardon?"
"Your swordsmanship. I thought little of it against that young upstart from Mount Hua, but against the Sword Demon…… You'd mastered the Snow Flower Heavenly Flow Sword."
"Just a superficial imitation—like glimpsing mountains from horseback."
"No need for modesty. Even among the Snow Family in our palace, few have grasped it to that degree."
"Haha, you're overestimating me."
The Brigade Leader's face turned serious.
"That's why I wanted to ask……."
"……?"
"Little Palace Lord, would you learn the Cold Ice Sword Method?"
The Cold Ice Sword Method was the signature technique of the Cold Family, one of the North Sea Ice Palace's Five Great Families.
"……Pardon?"
"With your talent, you'd undoubtedly achieve great mastery in swordsmanship too."
Seol Hwa-un looked troubled.
"I'm sorry. I have no intention of learning sword methods……."
As if anticipating it, the Brigade Leader cut him off ruthlessly.
"Train under me, and I won't tell your sister about how you snapped that linked sword she gave you."
Seol Hwa-un's face twisted.
"Th-that's blackmail……."
One corner of the Brigade Leader's mouth curled up. A victor's smile.
"There were some fine blades in the rear garden. Let's go now."
* * *
Just past the Hour of the Goat, around 1 to 3 a.m.
Though most were asleep, the Martial Alliance headquarters crawled with patrolling warriors.
Yet a shadowy figure slipped through their vigilant guards, racing across the grounds—Seol Hwa-un himself.
He blended the Universe Shadowless Dance with the North Sea Ice Palace's lightness skill, Ice Surface Floating Cloud Drift, rendering him stealthier than any concealment art.
Right now, he was heading to a secret chamber from his previous life.
A few had known of it, but by the time the Heavenly Collapse Fist Emperor last left the Alliance, none of them remained alive.
Thus, its location was known only to him now.
While building the headquarters, he'd secretly created it as a private retreat, and it had served him well.
'Now that I'm here at the Alliance, no reason not to visit.'
The chamber held relics of his former sect, the Primordial Unity Sect, and weapons worthy of the name.
'Somewhere around here…….'
He stopped in the plaza where his own statue stood.
A clever feint of sorts.
He'd hidden it in a place anyone in the Alliance could access.
'No one would ever suspect a secret spot here.'
The rest was mostly unchanged, but the plaza had undergone major renovations for the statue, differing greatly from two hundred years ago.
'Surely they didn't uncover it during construction?'
It was so well concealed, but he couldn't be certain.
After thoroughly scanning the plaza, Seol Hwa-un halted behind the statue.
'Ah, here it is!'
No doubt about it. Fortunately, no signs of disturbance.
'No, can't assume that. Two hundred years have passed; they might've found and sealed it long ago.'
Crouching, he brushed the ground lightly. Soon, he found what he sought.
'This is it!'
A faint depression differing from the surroundings. He pressed it hard.
Click.
"……."
Time passed with no reaction. His expression darkened.
'Has the mechanism failed after all these years?'
At that moment.
Clank, clank!
Rumble!
With mechanical whirs, the ground before him sank, revealing a black void.
Joy lit his face.
"It's still working!"
Without hesitation, Seol Hwa-un leaped into the hole.
Whoosh!
His body vanished into the darkness.
Rumble.
Thud!
The ground restored itself seamlessly, as if nothing had happened.
But soon, another figure appeared there. A slender woman, by her silhouette.
"Hm? I'm sure I heard something……."
She searched diligently but found no trace.
"Hmm, just my imagination?"
After lingering a while, she finally left.