Chapter 81
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 81
Chapter Title: Tidings from the Central Plains
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A morning so peaceful it bordered on silence at the North Sea Ice Palace.
In the grand conference hall, Palace Lord Seol Wi-myeong was chatting with the heads of the Five Great Families.
“Hahahaha.”
Most of their faces were bright. It was thanks to the rumors coming from the Central Plains about Seol Hwa-un and his group.
They had annihilated two of the Green Forest Eighteen Bandits, defeated the Island Dragon at Hefei, and demonstrated exceptional insight at the grand assembly, earning the moniker North Heavenly Dragon.
It was welcome news beyond compare for them.
Having placed their faith in Seol Hwa-un and the North Wind Brigade Leader, they hadn’t even bothered preparing a special liaison.
The tidings filtering in from the Central Plains were satisfaction enough.
The Yan Family Head spoke up.
“Truly, our palace’s Little Palace Lord has exceeded all expectations.”
The Winter Family Head immediately chimed in.
“Indeed. One can’t help but wonder what feat he’s accomplished by now.”
Palace Lord Seol Wi-myeong remained silent, but he couldn’t stop the corners of his mouth from twitching upward.
‘Good lad.’
He had long harbored a dream in his heart. No, it was the goal of the entire North Sea Ice Palace.
Advancing into the Central Plains. And now, Seol Hwa-un was forging achievements there that could hasten it.
‘No praise is enough, my son.’
Having surpassed even his initial goals, he now eagerly awaited Seol Hwa-un’s return.
“The Ice Family Head must be pleased. To have such a grandson-in-law.”
At the Yan Family Head’s words, the Ice Family Head waved it off with a pleased expression.
“Hohoho, the wedding hasn’t even happened yet—what are you saying?”
“His granddaughter’s martial prowess and beauty are already renowned, aren’t they? Who else but the Ice Family Head’s granddaughter could claim the seat beside the Little Palace Lord? Isn’t that right?”
“Hahaha. The Yan Family Head speaks truly.”
Bing Su-hye, hailed as the North Sea’s top beauty, grew more stunning by the day, a fact acknowledged by all.
Nor had she neglected her martial training. Lately, she had been learning swordsmanship from Seol Hwa-un’s sister, Seol Eun-ji, with astonishing progress.
The Cold Family Head looked at Seol Wi-myeong with a subtle expression.
“Palace Lord, when the Little Palace Lord returns this time, you should hold the wedding right away.”
Creak!
As Seol Wi-myeong opened his mouth to reply, the conference hall doors suddenly burst open, and a warrior rushed in.
“……?”
His face was flushed with urgency, as if he had run all the way.
“My apologies—I’ve been rude due to urgent news from the Central Plains.”
“……!”
At the mention of the Central Plains, everyone’s expressions hardened.
Seol Wi-myeong asked calmly.
“What is it?”
The warrior immediately pulled a letter from his bosom and handed it to Seol Wi-myeong.
“It’s faster if you see for yourself.”
Seol Wi-myeong unfolded and read the letter at once.
“……?!”
His expression shifted moment by moment as he read. The others watched tensely, waiting for him to speak.
“Hah!”
Seol Wi-myeong let out a sigh—or perhaps an exclamation—of admiration or disbelief.
Unable to wait any longer, the Winter Family Head asked.
“What in the world happened?”
“The Little Palace Lord……”
All eyes focused on his mouth.
“……has slain the Blood Sound Death General.”
The room fell into stunned silence.
“……Pardon?”
“You mean the Blood Sound Death General, one of the Demonic Path’s Four Death Generals?”
“Why would the Little Palace Lord even cross paths with the Blood Sound Death General……?”
Seol Wi-myeong continued.
“There was a conflict in Hunan Province between the Hwangbo Family and the Four Evils Heavenly Gates, and the Little Palace Lord’s group got caught up in it. Amid the chaos, the Little Palace Lord took down the Blood Sound Death General.”
The family heads looked dumbfounded.
“Ah, even if the Little Palace Lord’s skills are exceptional…….”
“That doesn’t make any sense.”
“Anyone but the Blood Sound Death General…… And it wasn’t even the North Wind Brigade Leader, but the Little Palace Lord?”
Seol Wi-myeong shook his head.
“They confirmed it multiple times. The report says the rumors are at least nine parts true.”
“Hohoho!”
“Unbelievable!”
“His feats far surpass our wildest expectations!”
“As expected of the Little Palace Lord.”
Everyone marveled and rejoiced, but Seol Wi-myeong’s expression remained grave.
“This isn’t something to simply celebrate.”
“……?”
“As you all know, the Four Evils Heavenly Gates are one of the Demonic Alliance’s Eight Demonic Gates. Do you think they’ll let this slide?”
“……!”
The room’s mood sobered.
“The Little Palace Lord has achieved something remarkable, that’s true. But he’s now a target of the Demonic Alliance. Whether he can return safely……”
They were in the heart of the Central Plains, the enemy’s home turf. He could face concentrated attacks there.
“Hah, but hasn’t the Little Palace Lord forged friendly ties with various sects? Won’t they help?”
“The opponent is the Demonic Alliance. We can’t be sure they’ll risk antagonizing them to aid him.”
“Mm!”
The Cold Family Head spoke urgently.
“We must dispatch a relief force immediately!”
The other family heads grasped the gravity and agreed.
“Indeed, Palace Lord!”
“Every moment counts!”
Seol Wi-myeong scanned the family heads slowly. They all stared back with serious expressions. He could feel their genuine worry for Seol Hwa-un.
“……Thank you all. Then we’ll dispatch a support unit at once.”
The Snow Family Head muttered worriedly.
“Considering the delay in news from the Central Plains, he might already be in danger…….”
Even departing now from the North Sea Ice Palace to the Central Plains would take considerable time.
“Mm!”
In the heavy atmosphere, the Ice Family Head spoke up for the first time in a while.
“As you all know, the Little Palace Lord isn’t one to falter easily. I believe he’ll overcome any crisis alongside the North Wind Brigade.”
The Winter Family Head nodded.
“Exactly. With Ho-won and Eom Mu-hwi there too, they’ll hold out somehow.”
“Well said. Let’s focus on what we can do.”
The family heads quickly discussed which forces to dispatch.
Seol Wi-myeong’s gaze deepened.
‘I believe in you, son. That you’ll return safe and sound.’
* * *
When Seol Hwa-un returned, the Precious Guest Pavilion was bustling with visitors.
“Hm?”
Seol Hwa-un instinctively hid himself.
“What’s going on here?”
He soon learned the reason.
Rumors had spread that Seol Hwa-un’s group was staying at the Martial Alliance’s Precious Guest Pavilion.
Seol Hwa-un, in particular, had become the talk of the Central Plains martial world, especially after the Four Evils Heavenly Gates incident went public. Many now sought to meet him and forge connections.
The North Wind Brigade Leader asked with a troubled look.
“What shall we do, Little Palace Lord?”
Having sneaked back into the pavilion, Seol Hwa-un pondered briefly before replying.
“We can spare a cup of tea. I’ll meet them in groups of five or six.”
“Are you sure?”
Seol Hwa-un smiled faintly.
“Isn’t this another way to spread our palace’s fame far and wide?”
“Understood.”
Most were from mid- or small-sized sects affiliated with the Martial Alliance. There were a few from the Nine Great Sects, but pride kept their numbers low.
The guests showered him with flattery and praise without end—it could have grown tiresome—but Seol Hwa-un handled them with calm composure.
After receiving several such groups,
Seol Hwa-un met a young monk.
“Amitabha. Pleased to meet you, Layman Seol. This monk is Nameless of Shaolin.”
‘Nameless with the character for brightness? A third-generation disciple.’
He appeared to be in his early twenties, with a scholarly air from Hunan. His companions were all young warriors as well.
They were warriors from the Martial Alliance’s Scripture Pavilion.
The conversation was ordinary, but Seol Hwa-un felt an inexplicable sense of unease.
‘What is it?’
He couldn’t pinpoint it exactly. It was faint enough to dismiss as imagination. Yet his instincts insisted it was no mere fancy.
‘What could it be?’
After about an incense stick’s worth of time, as the tea neared empty, Seol Hwa-un pinpointed the source.
It was the Shaolin monk called Nameless. Seol Hwa-un focused on him more closely.
His presence felt similar to the other young warriors. No—slightly lesser, even.
For an ordinary third-generation Shaolin disciple, it was perfectly understandable.
He was cheerful and quick to laugh.
He spoke plenty, even leading the mood at times. Just an affable late-generation talent with a gift for gab—nothing more, nothing less.
‘Was it my imagination?’
But his instincts spoke clearly: This Nameless monk from Shaolin was anything but ordinary.
“…….”
As the meeting ended and Nameless turned to leave, Seol Hwa-un sent him a transmission.
[Who in the world are you?]
Nameless turned his head.
“Layman Seol, did you just send a transmission to this monk?”
Seol Hwa-un hadn’t expected him to call it out so openly and felt a touch flustered.
“……Yes.”
“My apologies—I lack the inner strength to receive transmissions yet.”
Nameless smiled brightly and continued.
“I introduced myself earlier, but with so many people, you must have forgotten.”
“…….”
Nameless grinned openly, as if oblivious.
“Haha, for a famous figure like Layman Seol to take notice of this monk—it’s an honor. I’m from the Scripture Pavilion, Nameless of Shaolin.”
“I see. Pleased to meet you, Master Nameless.”
“Master? You flatter me. Hahaha.”
With that, Nameless and his group exited the Precious Guest Pavilion. One of them spoke up.
“Whew, incredible! A jade-like visage radiating subtle elegance. He didn’t reveal his presence, but even half the rumors true make him a supreme master, right?”
“Totally. Worthy of the North Heavenly Dragon title. Enviable—he has it all.”
“I thought seeing his face would be lucky enough, but we got to talk with him.”
“Yeah. Unlike some late-generation disciples from the Nine Great Sects, he’s not arrogant. Yet so poised.”
Excluding Nameless, they were all from mid- or small sects. The one who’d just spoken flinched and apologized to Nameless.
“Ah, sorry. I just badmouthed the Nine Great Sects.”
“Amitabha. This monk doesn’t mind—don’t worry. It’s true, after all.”
“Haha, that’s Nameless for you. Hard to believe you’re from one of the Nine Great Sects.”
Another teased with a mischievous grin.
“Yeah. Did you maybe get on Shaolin’s bad side and end up assigned with us?”
Of course, it was a joke. Nameless laughed heartily.
“Hahaha, who knows? Maybe.”
“But why’d you suddenly decide to come? You refused when we asked you to join.”
“Amitabha, I just changed my mind on a whim.”
“Hm, if that’s the case.”
With that, they departed the pavilion.
“…….”
Nameless, lingering last, stared at the Precious Guest Pavilion with an odd glint in his eyes before following the others.