Chapter 9
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 9
Chapter Title: The Divine Fist's Inheritance
-----------------------------------------------------------------
The Ice Family Head asked with a peculiar glint in his eyes.
“What do you mean?”
“The fourth form, Whirling Wind Fist. It feels a bit awkward as a follow-up to Fist Enveloping the Ridge.”
“Why is that?”
“Fist Enveloping the Ridge is a technique that crushes a dazed opponent with a powerful strike after drawing them in with Flowing Light Fist. But following up with something like Whirling Wind Fist for another heavy blow……”
Seol Hwa-un shrugged.
“It might work for other martial arts, but for the same fist technique, the connection is tricky.”
The Ice Family Head’s pupils trembled.
‘I executed it as naturally as possible…… and he noticed.’
“So, in my opinion……”
Seol Hwa-un assumed a stance and unleashed Broad Cold Fist.
“Cold Wind Three Strikes.”
His fist shot out. It seemed lighter than the Ice Family Head’s, but it retained its sharpness.
Whoosh!
“Whirling Wind Fist.”
Whirl!
Seol Hwa-un’s body spun immediately, thrusting his fist forward. It wasn’t overwhelmingly powerful, but it flowed naturally.
If the opponent had blocked Cold Wind Three Strikes, they would have been flustered by this follow-up.
“This connects the forms much more smoothly.”
Though mere shapes, the two forms Seol Hwa-un demonstrated were refined enough for immediate real combat.
‘He saw it once and…… Hah, what a monster!’
The Ice Family Head, who had been momentarily dazed, slowly nodded.
“…You saw it perfectly. This is the correct Whirling Wind Fist.”
Seol Hwa-un smiled faintly.
‘I know you deliberately altered it to test me, Ice Family Head.’
“Let me ask one thing, Little Palace Lord.”
“Please speak.”
The Ice Family Head’s eyes sharpened.
“Yesterday’s spar. That final technique that felled the Ice Martial Vice Leader—wasn’t it Fist Cannon One Split from Ice River Nine Splits Divine Fist?”
Seol Hwa-un flinched involuntarily.
‘He noticed after all?’
To end it in one go, he had used the strongest North Sea Ice Palace technique he knew, only realizing his mistake too late.
‘Ice River Nine Splits Divine Fist is an ultimate art that only direct Ice Family descendants or the Palace Lord can learn.’
Of course, the Palace Lord was an exception.
He couldn’t deny it now by claiming it wasn’t Fist Cannon One Split. Fortunately, Seol Hwa-un had prepared an excuse.
“I’ve seen you demonstrate it a few times. I practiced it clumsily, but without the incantation, I only memorized the form.”
As the Ice Family Head frowned, he quickly added,
“You’ve always spoken highly of Ice River Nine Splits Divine Fist. You invested a lot of training time in it, which allowed me to learn it over your shoulder.”
“…Is that so.”
The Ice Family Head felt inwardly pleased at the mention of Seol Wi-myeong valuing Ice River Nine Splits Divine Fist.
Of course, Seol Hwa-un’s words were calculated for that effect.
‘He replicated Broad Cold Fist on the spot, so it doesn’t sound like a lie……’
Normally, he wouldn’t buy such an excuse easily, but having witnessed Seol Hwa-un’s talent firsthand, the Ice Family Head was already inclined to believe.
‘Such talent. Was the genius that hadn’t manifested until now finally ignited after overcoming the heavenly punishment?’
In his lifetime, he had met countless martial artists, but none possessed talent as extraordinary as Seol Hwa-un’s.
‘Even the Palace Lord wasn’t this level.’
In the past, the Ice Family Head had eagerly passed Ice River Nine Splits Divine Fist to Seol Wi-myeong.
Afterward, Seol Wi-myeong had displayed talent befitting a Palace Lord and proven his worth by being named one of the Three Venerables of the Outer Realm.
The Ice Family folks, including the Ice Martial Brigade Leader, might think otherwise, but the Ice Family Head had supported Eom Mu-hwi solely hoping he would become an excellent Palace Lord and bring greater glory to the North Sea Ice Palace—no other ambitions.
‘I’m certain now. If the Little Palace Lord becomes Palace Lord, he will make this palace even stronger and greater.’
Having organized his thoughts, the Ice Family Head clasped his hands in a formal salute.
“I apologize for looking down on you all this time, Little Palace Lord.”
“No need. I’ve already forgotten, so please don’t worry.”
“In truth, you were only the Little Palace Lord in name; I thought you unfit for the position.”
Seol Hwa-un gave a faint smile.
“That’s changed now, you mean?”
The Ice Family Head nodded readily.
“Indeed.”
“Honest, I see.”
“Will you accept my apology?”
“Of course.”
The Ice Family Head smiled in satisfaction.
“Thank you.”
Feeling relieved, his eyes gleamed.
“Then shall we begin, Little Palace Lord?”
“Yes.”
“Your Cold Wind Three Strikes just now was excellent overall. Just the stride width is a bit……”
And so, fist technique training with the Ice Family Head began.
* * *
The Little Palace Lord is learning fist techniques from the Ice Family!
Rumors began to circulate in the North Sea Ice Palace. Seol Hwa-un had been visiting the Ice Family Head for half a month already—it was impossible to keep quiet.
When he learned from Seol Wi-myeong, people thought it was just a father looking after his son, the Little Palace Lord, and teaching him basics, so few paid attention.
But the Ice Family, one of the Five Great Families, was different.
It was already public knowledge that the Ice Family was allied with the Yan Family in supporting Eom Mu-hwi.
For them to teach martial arts to the Little Palace Lord—even at the Palace Lord’s request—was undeniably strange.
Naturally, the other three great families took interest.
The Yan Family and Winter Family reacted most sensitively.
The Yan Family had their prodigy Eom Mu-hwi, and the Winter Family their outstanding talent Dong Ho-won.
In fact, Eom Mu-hwi and Dong Ho-won were the most frequently mentioned as next Palace Lord candidates.
The Yan Family took this seriously, even sending someone to probe the Ice Family Head.
He replied thus:
“There was the Palace Lord’s request, and…… I found the Little Palace Lord’s enthusiasm for fist techniques commendable, so I’m teaching him a few moves.”
Indeed, the Ice Martial Vice Leader was still guiding Eom Mu-hwi’s training, making it hard to complain.
But the Yan Family didn’t naively believe it. Instead, they moved swiftly to uncover any ulterior motives.
Thus, Seol Hwa-un became a ripple amid the fierce competition for Palace Lord among the Five Great Families.
But for now, it was merely awareness of his presence—not yet serious enough to warrant full vigilance.
* * *
In the Ice Family Head’s training chamber.
Seol Hwa-un and the Ice Family Head stood apart, both in Broad Cold Fist starting stances.
The Ice Family Head said,
“Come.”
“Then……”
Seol Hwa-un kicked off the ground.
Bang!
In the blink of an eye, his form was before the Ice Family Head.
The Ice Family Head’s pupils shook.
‘A bit faster than yesterday!’
Swish!
Contrary to expectations of a fist strike, Seol Hwa-un’s knee flew toward the Ice Family Head’s chest.
Thud!
But even this surprise attack failed to breach his defense. His right forearm blocked the knee precisely.
‘Fox-like.’
Seol Hwa-un hadn’t expected the first strike to land. He followed with his left fist chopping down like an axe.
Whoosh!
It was the Immortal Pointing the Way form from basic Three Talents Sword. Yet to the Ice Family Head, it felt more threatening than any ultimate technique.
The Ice Family Head quickly leaned back, raising his left foot high to stomp down.
Swoosh!
It was Left Heel Stamp from True Form Taiji Fist. Seol Hwa-un suddenly faced a crisis of his head being crushed.
His eyes darkened deeply. At the same time, his hands moved swiftly.
Crack!
The Ice Family Head’s foot bounced harmlessly away. This too was Double Lotus Swing, one of Taiji Fist’s Hand Deflecting Methods.
Amusingly, after several exchanges, not a single proper fist technique from Broad Cold Fist had emerged—let alone any punches.
As the attacking foot was repelled, the Ice Family Head’s body lifted a chi into the air.
‘Opening!’
Seol Hwa-un’s form darted in swiftly.
Martial arts rarely featured leg techniques or kicks. Those that existed were mostly basics, and experts rarely relied on them.
The reason legs were seldom used: though powerful, they risked collapsing one’s stance and exposing openings, as now.
Seol Hwa-un aimed a fist at his chest but suddenly felt a chill.
“……!”
Without thinking, he ducked his head.
Paat!
The Ice Family Head’s left foot grazed past Seol Hwa-un’s occiput.
It was the ultimate form of Full Snow Flow Fist: Full Snow Return Fist.
‘That was close!’
He knew Full Snow Return Fist, but never imagined it could be executed mid-air—with a foot instead of a fist.
‘Worthy of the Ice Family Head.’
But having dodged, the attack initiative passed to Seol Hwa-un.
He closed in again, thrusting his fist.
Whoosh!
Cold Wind Three Strikes, now far swifter and heavier than before.
“……!”
The Ice Family Head’s form hesitated momentarily. Seol Hwa-un’s strike was that sharp.
Whirl!
The Ice Family Head’s body spun once more. Simultaneously, his fist thrust sharply.
‘Whirling Wind Fist?’
Seol Hwa-un countered with Jade Formation Falling Powder from Full Snow Flow Fist.
‘Not bad!’
Seeing this, the Ice Family Head’s fist technique changed again.
Papapapak!
Their fists tangled chaotically. Bizarre variations and forms flew, shifting the tide each time.
Whoosh!
Basic fist strikes poured out, along with ultimate forms from Broad Cold Fist and Full Snow Flow Fist. Before long, they had exchanged hundreds of moves.
Swish!
Their fists crossed in mid-air and halted almost simultaneously.
“……!”
Seol Hwa-un’s fist stopped at the Ice Family Head’s lower abdomen; the Ice Family Head’s at Seol Hwa-un’s forehead.
Their gazes met, and they withdrew their fists in unison without precedence.
Steam rose hotly from their sweat-soaked bodies.
Seol Hwa-un saluted first.
“Thank you for the instruction.”
The Ice Family Head shook his head.
“To already match me evenly. How much more will you astonish me?”
“Evenly? I know you held back.”
“No. I gave my all.”
Of course, the Ice Family Head hadn’t truly given his all. He had limited his inner energy to ten percent and refrained from Ice River Nine Splits Divine Fist.
“At this point, Broad Cold Fist and Full Snow Flow Fist are essentially mastered.”
“Thanks to you, Ice Family Head. Truly grateful.”
“……”
After a brief silence, the Ice Family Head asked seriously.
“Are you satisfied with this?”
“What do you……?”
“Ice River Nine Splits Divine Fist.”
Seol Hwa-un flinched again.
“You mean……”
“If the Little Palace Lord desires, I intend to pass it on.”
“I couldn’t ask for more—my deepest wish granted. But isn’t Ice River Nine Splits Divine Fist reserved for Ice Family direct descendants or the Palace Lord?”
The Ice Family Head smiled faintly.
“As Family Head, I can specially transmit it to one designated individual.”
Seol Hwa-un saluted, bowing his head.
“If you grant this, I want for nothing more. Thank you, Ice Family Head.”
“Starting tomorrow, I’ll teach you Ice River Nine Splits Divine Fist.”
After repeated thanks, Seol Hwa-un departed, leaving the Ice Family Head alone in the training chamber.
He gave a wry smile.
“Hahaha, in just two months……”
That was how long it had taken Seol Hwa-un to master Broad Cold Fist and Full Snow Flow Fist.