Chapter 335
"Are you joking right now?"
Bu Eun-seol laughed coldly at Gang Yang-cheon's words.
"Do I seem like I'm joking?"
"So you're serious."
"One of the Demonic Path Ten Gates, the White Horse Monastery, is weakening because of a sect from Beyond the Frontier. How could I not be serious?"
Even after hearing the biting sarcasm, Gang Yang-cheon barely managed to suppress his bursting laughter.
'Even a clever bastard like you can make mistakes in the end.'
Young men who have never tasted failure sometimes make absurd mistakes or misjudgments.
Gang Yang-cheon believed that Bu Eun-seol, who had never experienced failure until now, had grown overly confident in himself and made a hasty decision.
"Then that's good."
Gang Yang-cheon spoke in a pleased tone.
"If we form a peace alliance with the North Sea Ice Palace, this matter can be neatly resolved."
"However, only after we bring the North Sea Ice Palace under our influence..."
Bu Eun-seol's eyes, fixed on the Hidden Demon Partition where Gang Yang-cheon sat, flickered like a lit lantern.
"...we'll have to resume inspections on sects that gnaw at the Demon Hall's power. There are far too many factions pointlessly stirring up trouble."
Silence filled the hall at Bu Eun-seol's words.
Inspections.
Bu Eun-seol had just declared, right to Gang Yang-cheon's face, that he would thoroughly audit the White Horse Monastery.
No matter how high his status as the Martial Soul Lord, the leaders of the Demonic Path Ten Gates stood at the pinnacle of authority, second only to the Demonic Heavenly Emperor.
In essence, Bu Eun-seol had just pointed a blade at Gang Yang-cheon's throat, disregarding rank and status entirely.
"Hohoho. Hahahaha!"
But Gang Yang-cheon, as if struck by some thought, burst into loud laughter instead.
Snap.
His laughter cut off abruptly, and he spoke flatly.
"I wish the Lord success in his endeavors."
To ensure the success of this plan, he had meticulously investigated the state of sects spread across Beyond the Frontier.
At the same time, he had predicted the timing of Bu Eun-seol's return to the Demon Hall.
Though tracking the movements of the Martial Soul Lord, protected by countless intelligence networks, couldn't be done as easily as reading one's palm, detecting his entry into Hunan was still possible.
And when news finally arrived that he had entered Hunan, Gang Yang-cheon immediately called an emergency meeting of the Demonic Governance Council.
It was already well-known that Bu Eun-seol possessed extraordinary foresight.
Thus, he had devised a scheme to prevent him from anticipating or preparing for the proposal he would raise in the council.
No matter how brilliant someone was, acting on impulse could lead to mistakes.
And now, the plan to shatter that arrogant bastard's reputation in one stroke... had finally succeeded.
'Poke at his pride, and he reacts impulsively after all.'
Behind the Hidden Demon Partition, Gang Yang-cheon wore a sinister smile.
The current state of the North Sea Ice Palace... was absolutely not one where talk of a peace alliance could be entertained.
This time, he would finally make that insolent brat taste failure and despair.
The news that Bu Eun-seol intended to strike at the North Sea Ice Palace spread like wildfire through the Demon Hall.
—So the Martial Soul Lord has finally made a blunder, it seems.
The palace's personnel unanimously reacted with skepticism toward Bu Eun-seol's decision.
The North Sea Ice Palace had long maintained its position between the orthodox and heterodox factions.
Moreover, though it was called a "palace," it was a coalition of six clans that dominated the North Sea, each wielding martial power on par with the highest echelons.
In other words, it possessed a united martial force so formidable that not even the Demon Hall could easily subdue it.
As if to prove this, the North Sea Ice Palace had never once permitted external forces to approach.
And there was an even greater problem.
The current state of the Ice Palace was so unstable that it could be considered in the midst of a civil war.
—Right now, the five clans of the North Sea Ice Palace, excluding the Bing Clan, are in complete disarray. On top of that, the palace lord is in poor health and has withdrawn from public affairs.
Given these circumstances, forget a peace alliance—they couldn't even properly manage their own internal affairs.
So what would happen if an outsider came proposing an alliance?
Anyone who approved it could be accused of treason for inviting external forces in.
Or worse, the clans, sensing danger, might rush to bring in outside powers themselves, accelerating the division even further.
That was why, no matter how brilliant Bu Eun-seol's foresight was... this time, he would be utterly helpless.
Inside the meeting chamber of the Hidden Demon Pavilion.
Bu Eun-seol, Yu Un-ryong, Myo Cheon-u, and So Ok-rim had gathered.
"Why did you make such a decision without consulting us?"
Yu Un-ryong spoke in a frustrated tone.
"After investigating, I found all the rumors were true. The five clans of the North Sea, excluding the Bing Clan, are in open conflict, and the palace lord is unable to control the situation."
The intelligence they had gathered painted a picture of the North Sea Ice Palace as a silent civil war—utterly incapable of forming any alliance with external forces.
"Even if the palace lord agreed to a peace alliance, the situation wouldn't allow it. The divided clans haven't even been brought back under control yet."
As he continued, Yu Un-ryong's eyes suddenly widened as if struck by a thought.
"Wait—don't tell me you're planning to persuade the palace lord to use the Demon Hall's strength to mend the rift and then form the alliance?"
He didn't even wait for Bu Eun-seol's answer, shaking his head decisively.
"If we mobilize the Demon Hall's forces to resolve this matter, the five clans will immediately revolt."
Then, in a firm voice, he continued,
"Bringing in external forces to settle internal affairs of the palace would undermine the North Sea Ice Palace's legitimacy."
In other words, if any sect were to rely on outside forces to resolve internal strife—
At that very moment, they would lose all justification and instead face a fierce backlash.
"Even now, you can still change your decision. There's plenty of time to consider other—"
"It doesn't matter."
Bu Eun-seol, who had been silently listening to Yu Un-ryong's lengthy explanation, cut him off sharply.
"Before heading to the Cloud Sea Azure Spirit Palace, I've already gathered intelligence not just on Tibet, but on every sect beyond the frontier."
In an instant, Yu Un-ryong and Myo Cheon-u exchanged wide-eyed glances.
So, Bu Eun-seol had known about the North Sea Ice Palace's situation for a long time. Then why had he made such a hasty decision?
"Of course, it won't be easy, but that doesn't mean forming a peace alliance with the North Sea Ice Palace is impossible."
"How? It's a situation where even the Demon Hall's forces can't set foot inside."
"I won't be leading the battalion's forces. Only three of us will go—including me."
"Huh? Three?"
At that, Myo Cheon-u, who had been silently listening, quickly interjected as if grasping Bu Eun-seol's plan.
"You're saying a small group will infiltrate the Ice Palace and resolve the rift between the five clans? Since we can't bring in troops."
"Correct."
Myo Cheon-u narrowed his eyes and shook his head.
"The plan itself is fine. The real problem is—how the hell do we even get inside? The North Sea Ice Palace won't even open their gates for us."
"Ah, I'll handle that."
So Ok-rim, who had been standing behind the group leaders all this time, waved her hand and spoke up.
"I'm kinda close with the Ice Palace Lord. If I say I'm coming, they'll open the gates."
Instantly, Myo Cheon-u's expression darkened.
Heaven-Crashing Hand, So Ok-rim.
Her martial prowess was extraordinary, but her personality was impulsive and her words and actions tended to be extreme.
And now, for such a critical mission, he planned to take her along?
But Yu Un-ryong's thoughts were different.
Looking into Bu Eun-seol's gleaming eyes, he could already guess that every detail of the plan had been meticulously prepared.
"So, once again, you've already laid out all kinds of plans without consulting us. Right?"
Yu Un-ryong spoke confidently.
Bu Eun-seol wasn't just brilliant—he never made impulsive decisions.
Trust.
The reason the Death Shadow War Unit was so formidable was because every subordinate under Bu Eun-seol trusted him unconditionally.
"That's right."
"Fine. Then let's consider that problem solved."
Yu Un-ryong crossed his arms and asked,
"But how exactly do you plan to secure a peace alliance? With a place that can't even manage its own household?"
His expression turned grave.
"The North Sea Ice Palace is one of the most powerful major sects among the forces beyond the frontier. Not to mention, they firmly maintain their stance between the orthodox and heterodox factions. Even if the Demonic Heavenly Emperor himself were to go, it would be difficult to succeed."
Bu Eun-seol, still with his arms crossed, replied indifferently,
"Think of how to collapse a massive embankment."
"An embankment?"
"You only need to create small, fine cracks. Once that's done, the raging waters trapped behind will naturally widen those cracks on their own."
For a moment, a brilliant light flickered in Bu Eun-seol's eyes as he gazed out the window.
"The North Sea Ice Palace is the same. Though they possess immense power and scale, their rifts began from the tiniest of fissures."
He continued calmly,
"And repairing such rifts doesn't require great force. A small group can meticulously mend the fractured parts."
Yu Un-ryong, who had been silently listening, shook his head.
"But how can we know whether those rifts are still minor, or if the dam has already burst beyond control?"
"No, we can know."
"How?"
Bu Eun-seol glanced at So Ok-rim before answering composedly,
"The North Sea Ice Palace's fragmentation was instigated by one of the descendants of the Eight Emperors and Three Stars infiltrating their ranks."
"The Eight Emperors and Three Stars?"
"Yes. Ever since I heard the Northern Sea clans had split, I suspected something was off."
Bu Eun-seol looked at So Ok-rim as he spoke.
"But it was only after hearing her account that I pieced everything together. One of the six clans had made contact with a descendant of the Eight Emperors and Three Stars."
He then elaborated on what So Ok-rim had told him.
For four hundred years, descendants of the Eight Emperors and Three Stars had been embedded throughout the martial world—including within the North Sea Ice Palace.
And among them, one might very well be the hidden mastermind who had been shaking the martial world all this time.
"I see."
After hearing everything, Yu Un-ryong and the group leaders inhaled deeply in unison.
The Eight Emperors and Three Stars were masters who had once shaken the murim four centuries ago.
And not only had their descendants continued their lineage, but one of them was now the ringleader dominating the martial world and wreaking havoc?
"But can we trust this?"
Myo Cheon-u, who had been listening quietly, voiced his doubt.
"No matter how much the Divine Calculator is revered as the Foremost Diviner of the Murim and a sage, I find it hard to believe his intelligence surpasses that of our battalion."
All the information So Ok-rim provided originated from the Divine Calculator.
No matter how renowned he was as a mysterious figure, no one could guarantee the accuracy of his intelligence.
"Hmph, don't believe it if you don't want to."
So Ok-rim's expression darkened as she spoke.
"If you think you can figure it out yourselves, then go ahead and try."
Myo Cheon-u nodded as if it were obvious.
"Of course. We'll verify the authenticity ourselves."
Yu Un-ryong also nodded in agreement.
"From now on, I'll mobilize our hall's intelligence network to its fullest. I'll also relay the meeting's contents to Commander So of the Kill-Seeking Unit—"
"Leave that to Myo Cheon-u."
"Huh?"
"You're coming too."
At Bu Eun-seol's words, Yu Un-ryong's face darkened.
"Me, not Myo Cheon-u?"
When Bu Eun-seol had mentioned three people, Yu Un-ryong had naturally assumed he meant So Ok-rim and Myo Cheon-u.
So Ok-rim had connections to the North Sea Ice Palace, so of course she had to go, and Myo Cheon-u was the strongest martial artist in the Death Shadow War Unit.
"To resolve this matter, we don't need brute force—we need sharp insight."
Bu Eun-seol, who had been gazing out the window, fixed his eyes on Yu Un-ryong.
"We must identify the traitorous clan among the five families—the one colluding with the descendants of the Eight Emperors and Three Stars."
"I see."
Yu Un-ryong lowered his head sullenly.
He had recently been working on a critical section of the Ten-Section Staff Diagram, to the point where he barely stepped outside except for official duties.
Resolving matters at the distant North Sea Ice Palace would take at least a month or two.
Which meant he would have to give up his personal pursuits during that time.
"Understood. I'll go with you."
With a reluctant nod, Yu Un-ryong turned to Myo Cheon-u.
"Delegate my current duties to Mu-gwang. You just focus on managing the subordinates."
"Got it. Don't worry and come back safely."
"Then let's depart."
At Bu Eun-seol's words, Yu Un-ryong and So Ok-rim turned to leave.
From now on, the three of them would head to the North Sea Ice Palace to uncover the clan that had colluded with the descendants of the Eight Emperors and Three Stars, fracturing the five families.
A massive palace stood atop a frozen lake, its surface gleaming white.
The North Sea Ice Palace, built across a vast expanse of land, looked from afar as if an entire mountain had been carved into its shape.
But once inside, it resembled any other grand city.
The six ruling clans of the North Sea lived together here, with one among them serving as the palace lord to govern the Ice Palace.
Upon arrival, Bu Eun-seol's group was immediately granted access to the Ice Crystal Pavilion, where the palace lord resided—thanks to So Ok-rim's connections.
Normally, outsiders would have been received at the Glacier Palace, the grand hall designated for guests.
But since the current palace lord, Bing Han-pung, was bedridden, they were taken directly to his private quarters.
Creak.
Following the guards' guidance, the group blinked in surprise as they entered the Ice Crystal Pavilion.
Though one might expect the entire North Sea Ice Palace to be made of ice, the interior was warm and bright, filled with a gentle, comforting heat.
Cough.
A weak cough echoed as they stepped inside.
In the guest chamber, a middle-aged man in snow-white robes stood gazing out the window.
This was the current lord of the North Sea Ice Palace—Bing Han-pung.
As the head of the Bing Clan, one of the six ruling families, he had led the Ice Palace for fifty years.
The palace lord of the North Sea Ice Palace traditionally absorbed the Ten-Thousand-Year Ice Crystal into their dantian, granting them mastery over formidable Ice Arts. However, storing such immense energy within the body for too long caused the blood vessels to gradually freeze.
By rights, he should have abdicated his position a decade ago. But due to certain events, he had been unable to pass on the lordship—or the Ice Crystal.
Now, afflicted by both illness and despair, his vitality waned, and his condition worsened.
In the end, he had withdrawn from most duties, clinging only to his title.
"Who do we have here?"
Bing Han-pung's lips curled into a faint, refined smile as he recognized So Ok-rim.
"What wind has brought the successor of the Silver River to this desolate place?"
"What's this? Still not well?"
So Ok-rim spoke with the casual ease of someone addressing a neighborhood uncle, suggesting an unusually close relationship with the palace lord.
"At my age, there's little left that's in perfect condition."
As Bing Han-pung smiled weakly, Bu Eun-seol and Yu Un-ryong stepped forward.
"Bu Eun-seol, Martial Soul Lord of the Demon Hall, greets the Palace Lord."
"Yu Un-ryong, Sanghak Unit Commander, greets the Palace Lord."
"The Demon Hall, is it?"
Bing Han-pung's lips twisted into a cryptic smile as he looked at So Ok-rim.
"You, of all people, should know the state of this palace. Have you come to drive the final dagger into this lord's heart?"
Bringing outsiders into the North Sea Ice Palace during its internal strife—
It was no different from delivering a fatal blow to him.
"Why would I do that?"
But So Ok-rim grinned confidently.
"I've learned that the descendants of the Eight Emperors and Three Stars are behind the division of the North Sea clans."
"I already knew that."
"Hm?"
"Even so, this is not a matter for outsiders to interfere with."
At that moment, Bu Eun-seol spoke.
"We have no intention of interfering in the North Sea Ice Palace's affairs. We merely seek to identify those who have divided the six families of the North Sea and colluded with external forces."
"Traitors?"
"Correct."
Bu Eun-seol spoke with quiet confidence.
"By rooting out the traitors alone, the North Sea Ice Palace will regain such unshakable stability that no external force could ever threaten it again."
Bing Han-pung's faint smile vanished in an instant.
Because these words precisely grasped the internal circumstances of the North Sea Ice Palace.
"Just the three of you?"
"That's right."
"How amusing."
Bing Han-pung nodded slowly as he spoke.
"You wouldn't be doing this out of pure goodwill. What do you want in return?"
"Enter into a peace agreement with the Demon Hall."
"A peace agreement with the Demon Hall..."
Bing Han-pung's expression turned bitter.
"Wouldn't that be tantamount to unilateral subjugation?"
"Not at all."
Bu Eun-seol's expression grew solemn.
"The North Sea Ice Palace has reached this state precisely because of its rigid policy of unconditionally rejecting all external forces."
"Hmm."
"Even if we expose the traitors, maintaining such isolationist policies will only lead to history repeating itself."
Bu Eun-seol's voice carried conviction.
"But a peaceful alliance would change everything. External forces with ill intentions wouldn't dare approach recklessly. Moreover, through exchanges with our Hall, you could expand your influence and even learn the essence of various Central Plains martial arts."
"Yet wouldn't the Demon Hall demand unilateral tribute?"
Bu Eun-seol responded firmly.
"The purpose of this alliance is solely to demonstrate that no conflict exists between our Hall and forces beyond the frontier. There will absolutely be no unilateral tribute."
He then calmly explained the background behind proposing this alliance.
"How straightforward."
Bing Han-pung chuckled dryly.
"But surely you know that revealing all your cards leaves you at a disadvantage in negotiations."
"We dared to open the gates of the North Sea Ice Palace—a sect that has never lowered its barriers for anyone."
Bu Eun-seol also allowed a faint smile.
"A slight disadvantage means nothing to us."
"Hahahaha!"
Bing Han-pung burst into bright laughter.
He had realized that Bu Eun-seol was not only remarkably candid but also genuinely desired this alliance.
'He's someone who keeps his promises.'
What pleased him even more was that Bu Eun-seol's gaze held righteousness, devoid of the domineering arrogance or oppressive aura typical of the Demonic Path.
"However, this isn't something I can decide unilaterally as Palace Lord. There's also public opinion to consider."
Bing Han-pung's expression darkened.
At present, he lacked proper authority as Palace Lord.
If he pushed for this alliance on his own, wouldn't it only hasten the fragmentation of the Ice Palace's five families?
"There will be no opposition."
"How so?"
"Because I will ensure it."
Bu Eun-seol spoke matter-of-factly.
"If Your Lordship grants permission, I will reshape public opinion within the North Sea Ice Palace."
"Ho ho ho..."
Bing Han-pung couldn't help but laugh hollowly at Bu Eun-seol's bold claims.
Did this young man truly believe everything in the world was so easily achieved?
Shifting the opinion of an entire sect was no simple feat—not even with brute force or vast wealth.
Yet here he was, making such declarations with utter nonchalance.
"It would be somewhat problematic for our Palace, which maintains neutrality between orthodoxy and heterodoxy, to be incorporated into the Demon Hall."
As Bing Han-pung subtly hinted at refusal, Bu Eun-seol responded decisively.
"Our Hall will no longer pursue an unyielding path of domination."
"Why is that?"
"Because I am its Lord."
Bu Eun-seol's eyes burned with certainty.
"The foundation and martial arts of the North Sea Ice Palace are already aligned with the Demonic Path. Forming an alliance with our Hall wouldn't be so strange."
Pausing briefly, he allowed a faint smile.
"Moreover, we will formalize and guarantee the terms of this alliance in writing. To ensure no disadvantages for you."
"Hohoho..."
Bing Han-pung chuckled lowly.
"Generous to the point of being an outright unfavorable treaty. Hahahaha!"
Bu Eun-seol's proposal carried no risks if accepted, and if successful, it could instantly restore the Palace's shattered internal affairs.
At this point, Bing Han-pung had no choice but to agree.
"Very well."
Nodding, Bing Han-pung spoke crisply.
"I accept your proposal. If the three of you alone can accomplish this, I shall gladly form an alliance with the Demon Hall."
"My gratitude."
"But how exactly do you plan to uncover the traitors who caused this rift?"
"Leave that to us for now."
Bu Eun-seol replied calmly.
"We will absolutely not inconvenience Your Lordship and intend to expose them in a manner that satisfies all."
"At least explain your general approach."
"First, we must step back to survey the larger picture. That much hasn't been possible until now."
"Nonsense. If that were feasible, this Palace Lord would have done so a decade ago."
"It will be different with us."
Bing Han-pung furrowed his brow as he studied Bu Eun-seol's resolute gaze.
"You intend to investigate personally?"
"Correct."
After a moment's contemplation, Bing Han-pung sighed.
"Unfortunately, all this Palace Lord can offer is three visits."
"Three visits, you say?"
"With three of you, that means meeting only three Family Heads. That's the extent of my authority."
His words laid bare the hollow nature of Bing Han-pung's power as Palace Lord.
"That's..."
Yu Un-ryong frowned in concern, but Bu Eun-seol nodded.
"That is assistance enough. We are grateful."
Then, with unwavering conviction, he declared:
"Then let us begin immediately."