Chapter 97
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 97
Chapter Title: Recovery and the Grand Hall Report
-----------------------------------------------------------------
The energy of the Glacier Divine Pill rapidly spread throughout his entire body.
‘First, heal the internal injuries.’
Seol Hwa-un channeled the medicinal efficacy of the Glacier Divine Pill toward his injured areas through his qi meridians.
‘……!’
Along with a refreshing energy, he felt his internal injuries rapidly recovering. Since it possessed properties similar to his inner power, the effect was exceptional.
‘As expected of the Glacier Divine Pill.’
How much time had passed?
Seol Hwa-un sensed that his internal injuries had completely healed. Even so, more than seventy percent of the Glacier Divine Pill’s energy still remained.
‘Good, I won’t let a drop go to waste.’
Seol Hwa-un swiftly circulated the Ice White Divine Art.
Normally, fully absorbing one hundred percent of a spirit pill’s energy was nearly impossible.
Even when Seol Hwa-un had previously taken the Jaso Pill, he had focused on strengthening his yang attributes, resulting in some loss of the overall energy.
Of course, achieving harmony between yin and yang made it worthwhile, but even he—who had reached a profound realm in inner power circulation—had failed to absorb it completely.
But the Glacier Divine Pill was different. It had been created specifically for the North Sea Ice Palace’s warriors and contained extremely pure, dense yin energy.
‘Which means it pairs perfectly with the Ice White Divine Art.’
Of course, that didn’t mean any Ice Palace warrior could absorb the Glacier Divine Pill’s effects without the slightest loss.
‘But I can.’
Seol Hwa-un gently enveloped the remaining energy of the Glacier Divine Pill with his own inner power. Then, he began slowly absorbing it into the Ice White Divine Art.
‘Slowly, carefully.’
His inner power gradually grew in magnitude.
‘Good.’
It was an extremely slow and tedious process. But Seol Hwa-un continued circulating without the slightest disruption.
“…….”
In his mind, memories of the Eight Demonic Gates and the battle with the Green Forest bandits naturally surfaced.
‘It had been so long since I danced on the edge of life and death. No, this was the first time in this body.’
There had been crises and moments teetering on the brink of despair. Seol Hwa-un had overcome them all with the experience from his past life and the martial arts he had built in this one.
‘It was a valuable experience pushing my martial arts to the limit.’
Seol Hwa-un began replaying that battle in his mind. It all flowed through his head as if it were happening in real time.
“……!”
And without him realizing it, the Immortal Divine Victory fist technique surfaced. All those insights slowly merged into one.
Seol Hwa-un, immersed in a samadhi trance, floated in midair. It was the Void Levitation Samadhi.
At some point, a heavy aura erupted from Seol Hwa-un’s body.
Boom!
It was so intense that the entire training chamber shook.
“…….”
Seol Hwa-un slowly opened his eyes. A pure white flash gleamed in them.
“Ptoo!”
He spat out dark red blood. It was the stagnant qi that remained, along with the congealed blood from his internal injuries.
“…….”
A satisfied smile formed on Seol Hwa-un’s lips.
‘The Ice White Divine Art has deepened further.’
It had already been at a considerably high level, making further advancement difficult, but he had succeeded by borrowing the power of the Glacier Divine Pill.
And that wasn’t all.
‘I’m one step closer to the Martial God Realm.’
The realm he had reached in his past life—the ultimate state attained by the Immortal Divine Victory and the Nine Thousand Martial Emperor.
‘Well, the road is still long... but at this level, I could take on the Fist Demon.’
Of course, it wasn’t a level where he could guarantee victory. If he had been at eight-tenths before, now he was perhaps at six-tenths.
In high spirits, Seol Hwa-un immediately began unleashing the Ice River Nine Splits Divine Fist.
Boom!
Boom!
Boooom!
The training chamber shook violently once more under his heavy fist strikes.
* * *
Ten days had passed since Seol Hwa-un returned to the North Sea Ice Palace.
He stepped out of the training chamber. Strong sunlight illuminated his face.
“Hmm.”
He had secluded himself to consolidate his elevated realm during that time. Now, having received a message, he had finally emerged.
‘They must have been waiting impatiently.’
As he headed to the grand hall, Seol Hwa-un encountered the North Wind Brigade Leader coming from the opposite direction.
“North Wind Brigade Leader.”
“Ah, Young Palace Lord.”
The two exchanged formal clasped-hand salutes.
“Are you feeling well enough to move now?”
The North Wind Brigade Leader gave an awkward smile.
“My apologies. It’s thanks to the Medical Hall Leader’s care.”
On the second day, when Seol Hwa-un appeared fully healed from his internal injuries, Han Su-yeon was startled.
To her, Seol Hwa-un had requested that she pay more attention to the North Wind Brigade Leader now that he himself was recovered.
In truth, the North Wind Brigade Leader had suffered even more severe internal injuries than Seol Hwa-un.
His injuries were the most serious among everyone, and a single day’s delay in recovery could have led to severe aftereffects.
Though fully recovered, Seol Hwa-un had deliberately stayed in the training chamber to accompany him on the report to the Central Plains.
The North Wind Brigade Leader’s complexion was still slightly pale, but he looked far better than before.
“Judging by your complexion, your injuries haven’t fully healed.”
The North Wind Brigade Leader nodded.
“That’s true. But it’s also a fact that I’ve recovered considerably, and keeping the Palace Lord and Family Heads waiting any longer would be disrespectful.”
“Haha, it seems you’ve felt their gazes too.”
Indeed, the Five Great Families’ Family Heads had been loitering around the Medical Hall every other day.
They hadn’t dared approach openly out of regard for Seol Wi-myeong’s watchful eyes.
The North Wind Brigade Leader shrugged.
“Even in the Medical Hall, it felt like sitting on pins and needles. Better to report quickly and recover in peace.”
Seol Hwa-un smiled and nodded.
“You’re not wrong.”
He seemed well enough to exchange leisurely jokes.
“Then, shall we go?”
“Yes, Young Palace Lord.”
The two headed toward the grand hall, where the North Sea Ice Palace’s leadership awaited with bated breath.
* * *
Inside the grand hall were gathered Palace Lord Seol Wi-myeong and Palace Administrator Han Su-yeon, along with the Five Great Families’ Family Heads, the Ice Sword Brigade Leader, and the Ice White Cavalry Brigade Leader.
“…….”
Creak.
Finally, the eagerly awaited Seol Hwa-un and North Wind Brigade Leader entered the grand hall.
The attendants’ expectant gazes poured onto Seol Hwa-un.
‘It’s almost burdensome.’
Seol Hwa-un stepped forward and gave a formal clasped-hand salute.
“Young Palace Lord Seol Hwa-un, here to report on the Central Plains expedition, though belatedly.”
Han Su-yeon spoke first.
“Young Palace Lord, have your injuries fully recovered?”
It was an official occasion, so she spoke as the head of the Administrative Division rather than as a mother. Her tone was thus somewhat stiff and dry.
“Yes. All internal injuries have healed, and while some external wounds remain, they pose no hindrance to movement.”
Han Su-yeon nodded. Yet her eyes held a mother’s worry.
She had already checked him thoroughly upon reunion, but a lingering doubt remained—whether he might be hiding anything to spare her concern.
Finally, Seol Wi-myeong spoke.
“Young Palace Lord, interest in the results of this Central Plains trip is extremely high within the palace. Even the rumors we’ve heard are hard to believe.”
“…….”
“But rumors are often exaggerated or distorted. Could you tell us the details directly?”
“Yes, of course. Then, where should I begin...”
Seol Wi-myeong gave a faint smile.
“From the day you first set foot in the Central Plains.”
“......Understood. Then, I’ll start with how we aided the Shanxi Sword Sect.”
Seol Hwa-un’s long tale began. He calmly recounted from annihilating the Green Forest’s two mountain strongholds at the Shanxi Sword Sect to the rest of their journey.
The North Wind Brigade Leader chimed in appropriately from the side to ensure the story flowed without gaps.
Especially whenever Seol Hwa-un glossed over his own feats too briefly, the North Wind Brigade Leader interjected to properly explain them.
“……!”
The attendants were immersed in Seol Hwa-un’s story. With the North Wind Brigade Leader’s objective testimony, they truly realized how extraordinary his feats had been.
The peak, as expected, was the part where he defeated the Blood Yin Four Lords.
“Did the Young Palace Lord truly defeat the Blood Yin Four Lords single-handedly?”
At the Winter Family Head’s wide-eyed question, the North Wind Brigade Leader replied.
“Yes. He received no one’s help. And by felling the Blood Yin Four Lords, the battle concluded. No matter what anyone says, the one who contributed most to the annihilation of the Sasa Heavenly Gate was the Young Palace Lord.”
“……!”
The attendants gazed at Seol Hwa-un with renewed awe.
“Truly astonishing. For the Young Palace Lord’s martial arts to fell the leader of the Eight Demonic Gates...”
“And that duel took place in the Central Plains? There must have been restrictions on inner power too. Haha, incredible.”
Seol Hwa-un wore a subtle expression.
‘There were no such restrictions.’
His story continued. When he mentioned consecutively encountering the Fist Demon and Sword Demon, the attendants couldn’t hide their shock.
“What! You faced two of the Four Great Demonic Lords?”
“What an extraordinary journey!”
At the Sword Demon part, a glint appeared in Seol Wi-myeong’s eyes. He asked directly.
“You clashed with the Sword Demon using swords?”
The North Wind Brigade Leader answered.
“Yes. He held his own to some extent, but ultimately resorted to fists. ...In my view, if the Young Palace Lord had delved deeper into swordsmanship, the outcome might have differed.”
Seol Hwa-un frowned.
“North Wind Brigade Leader, no need for unnecessary remarks...”
The North Wind Brigade Leader smiled faintly.
“Just my personal opinion.”
Hearing this, Seol Wi-myeong’s eyes sparkled unusually.
“Is that so......”
Seol Hwa-un guessed the implication and looked troubled.
‘Oh no...’
Letting out a faint sigh, he continued his tale. When he reached the part about receiving the Martial Alliance’s invitation and securing the Kunlun Sect’s support, applause even erupted.
Clap clap clap!
“Truly splendid, Young Palace Lord.”
“To turn their ill will to our advantage like that. Amazing!”
However, he omitted mention of the Immortal Divine Victory, as his status as a regular Martial Alliance warrior was a secret.
In the midst of his recounting, Seol Hwa-un’s expression darkened slightly.
“After leaving the Martial Alliance and exiting Shaanxi Province, we were ambushed by the Eight Demonic Gates and Green Forest bandits.”
The tense battle made listeners grip their seats.
“What, you shattered the Eighteen Battle Ghosts amid all that?”
“Even the Rakshasa Witch...!”
“Incredible, how with those numbers...!”
No matter how skilled Seol Hwa-un and the North Wind Brigade Leader were, facing such forces should have led to annihilation long before.
“......In that way, we lost fifteen North Wind Brigade members. It is my fault as their commander. I apologize.”
The North Wind Brigade Leader immediately spoke.
“No. Losing the brigade members is my responsibility as leader. Without the Young Palace Lord, we couldn’t have saved even this many.”
“…….”
A subtle silence filled the grand hall. Then, the hitherto silent Ice Sword Brigade Leader spoke.
“May I say a word?”
Ice Sword Brigade Leader Eom Seong-hwa.
The sister of Yan Family Head Eom Seong-han, she led the Ice Sword Brigade—one of the North Sea Ice Palace’s main combat forces alongside the North Wind Brigade and Ice White Cavalry Brigade.
Seol Hwa-un’s sister, Seol Eun-ji, was one of the Ice Sword Brigade’s five division leaders.
In terms of numbers and power, the Ice Sword Brigade surpassed the North Wind Brigade and Ice White Cavalry Brigade.
Thus, the Ice Sword Brigade Leader’s influence ranked just below the Five Great Families’ Family Heads.
Naturally, all eyes turned to her.
She continued slowly.
“Indeed, losing fifteen elites of the North Wind Brigade is a great loss to our palace. Naturally, the responsibility lies with the Young Palace Lord.”
“…….”
“However, we must also acknowledge the Young Palace Lord’s merits. He didn’t merely attend the conference but toured the Central Plains, imprinting our palace’s name far and wide.”
A smile formed on her lips.
“I see this as elevating our palace’s prestige once more, following the Palace Lord’s slaying of the Mad Demon who invaded the North Sea fifteen years ago. Isn’t that right?”
“Quite so.”
“The Ice Sword Brigade Leader is correct.”
The attendants nodded.
“I feel for the fallen North Wind Brigade members, but what matters more is that the Young Palace Lord did his utmost in that situation to bring the survivors back.”
The Ice Sword Brigade Leader gazed steadily at Seol Hwa-un.
“To duel the Sword Demon with swords. Truly impressive, Young Palace Lord. I’d love to cross blades with you sometime.”
Even among those who primarily practiced swordsmanship, including the Snow Family, she was one of the North Sea Ice Palace’s top five sword experts.
She had even received the Snow Family’s secret Snow Flower Heavenly Flow Sword as a privilege.
In any case, her words warmed the atmosphere. Naturally, no one objected.
Seol Wi-myeong spoke again.
“Young Palace Lord, listen well.”
“Yes, Palace Lord.”
“I’ve heard your account. With the North Wind Brigade Leader’s testimony, there are no falsehoods. Truly... you’ve accomplished something remarkable.”
His words carried undeniable pride.
“North Wind Brigade Leader.”
“Yes, Palace Lord.”
“Honor the souls of the North Wind Brigade members who met untimely ends on this trip, and provide ample compensation to their families. I shall see to it personally.”
“I shall obey.”
As the Central Plains expedition report was wrapping up, a warrior entered the grand hall.
“……?”
He seemed to bring a message, yet his level was far higher than that of an ordinary warrior.
He immediately knelt on one knee before Seol Wi-myeong and bowed his head.
“I see the Palace Lord.”
Seol Wi-myeong’s expression hardened slightly. He knew the warrior’s affiliation.
“......From the Elder Council?”
“Yes, Palace Lord.”
“From the Elder Council?”
Amid the attendants’ questions, the warrior continued.
“The message is to bring the Young Palace Lord to the Elder Council.”
“……!”