Chapter 338
Until now, Bing Han-pung could hardly be said to have held the proper authority of a palace lord.
Due to the ambush on Han Ja-uk, Han U-sang—who should have been loyal—had turned his back on him, and the remaining clans, as if they had been waiting for this moment, refused to acknowledge the palace lord's authority.
Faced with this situation, Bing Han-pung entrusted most of the palace's affairs to Baek Jin-yu, the Family Head of the Baek Clan, who had close ties with the other five clans.
But when Bu Eun-seol revealed that the ambush on Han Ja-uk—the Young Clan Head of the Han Clan—was not the palace lord's doing, the situation changed entirely.
"The palace lord knew everything, yet he didn't even make excuses on behalf of the Han Family Head."
Bing Han-pung had endured misunderstandings and accusations in silence, out of loyalty to his friend and a sense of responsibility as the palace lord.
All the disciples were moved and filled with respect for his magnanimity and integrity.
Moreover, it had been revealed that the one who attacked Han Ja-uk was a high-ranking figure within the North Sea Ice Palace.
And shockingly, they had mastered an Internal Energy Method that did not even exist within the palace.
"They say the Internal Power was capable of wielding both Yin-Yang Dual Qi."
"What's more, there's a high probability it was someone from the High Command. After all, they could predict the Dharma Gate Secret Formula of the Cold Ice Five Thunder Palm."
Normally, such revelations should have sparked rampant speculation about the culprit.
But instead of dwelling on the shocking truth, the disciples of the North Sea Ice Palace were preoccupied with another thought entirely.
"Haven't we been too closed-off all this time?"
The North Sea Ice Palace housed countless martial arts texts and exceptional Masters.
But they had only ever immersed themselves in the martial arts manuals passed down through generations.
As a result, the Divine Arts and Supreme Techniques within the Ice Palace had stagnated, remaining stuck in place.
Yet when they learned that the traitor within the North Sea Ice Palace had used the Cold Ice Five Thunder Palm—forged from Yin-Yang Dual Qi—they were deeply shaken.
"I've heard that sects in the Central Plains frequently exchange knowledge and even research martial arts together. Shouldn't we do the same?"
"Besides, the Lord from the Demon Hall proposed peace and even suggested exchanging martial arts knowledge."
Public opinion within the North Sea Ice Palace, which had long clung to its isolation, was shifting.
This was something that could not be achieved through martial prowess or force alone.
Bu Eun-seol had not only resolved the ambush case in one stroke but also transformed the insular perspective of the North Sea Ice Palace's warriors.
Frozen Ice Pavilion, Meeting Hall.
Yu Un-ryong and So Ok-rim were deep in discussion.
With the North Sea Ice Palace's stance on the peace proposal turning favorable, all that remained was to coordinate with the descendant of the Eight Emperors and Three Stars and uncover the traitor who had sought to divide the palace.
Rustle—
Just then, a clamor erupted outside, accompanied by the sound of numerous footsteps.
Bang!
The door burst open, and a group of heavily armed warriors from the North Sea Ice Palace stormed in.
They were none other than the Hall Leader of the Law Enforcement Hall and his warriors.
"What is the meaning of this?" Yu Un-ryong demanded.
The Hall Leader at the front widened his eyes and spoke.
"The palace lord has been ambushed."
"What?" Yu Un-ryong shot up from his seat.
Just when everything had been progressing smoothly—how could the palace lord have been ambushed now?
"Then why have you barged in here?"
The Hall Leader replied, "Because the martial arts used by the culprit are not from our palace."
Yu Un-ryong's body stiffened.
'Damn it. I didn't anticipate this.'
Now that he thought about it, this was an obvious move.
There was no way the traitor lurking in the shadows would sit idly by while the five clans united.
Using the fact that Bu Eun-seol's group were outsiders, they had crafted an inescapable trap.
"We came here as the palace lord's guests. Why would we harm him?"
"You must come with us for questioning."
Yu Un-ryong glanced at So Ok-rim.
What if they had laid a trap from which there was no escape?
If they had devised an interrogation process that made it impossible to break free, then—
At worst, even if Bu Eun-seol could escape, the other two might not.
'I'll have to eliminate them in one strike and secure an escape route.'
Yu Un-ryong gathered his Internal Power, gripping the Ten-Section Staff hidden within his sleeve.
But then, So Ok-rim nodded nonchalantly.
"Let's go."
"Go? Where?"
"It wasn't us, was it?"
Her face was so utterly composed that even Yu Un-ryong's panicked mind began to settle.
'If she doesn't cooperate, I can't escape alone.'
Having missed his chance to flee, Yu Un-ryong sighed and gradually loosened his grip on the staff.
The place they were taken to was a prison deep underground—a place meant for interrogating sinners.
'Surely they don't mean to torture us.'
Yu Un-ryong's eyes widened.
Underground prisons were typically designed for torture—sound didn't carry outside, after all.
Yet So Ok-rim's demeanor was as relaxed as if she were out for a stroll.
'She must have some plan... right?'
Yu Un-ryong shook his head.
So Ok-rim might act recklessly on the surface, but in reality, she's quite sharp.
After all, mastering Superior Martial Arts required exceptional intellect.
Given that she had reached a level where she could reduce Won Se-mun to pulp with one hand, it was certain that her wisdom was equally extraordinary.
Krrrung—
Just then, the Chief of the Law Enforcement Hall opened the massive iron door and spoke to Yu Un-ryong.
"Place your weapon on that table and enter here."
"Tch."
Reluctantly, Yu Un-ryong unwound his Ten-Joint Staff and placed it on the iron table.
"I don't have a weapon."
When she thrust her large hands forward, the Chief gestured helplessly toward the prison cell.
"Go inside."
"Together?"
Yu Un-ryong made a baffled expression.
"Men and women should be segregated—are you seriously locking us in the same cell?"
The Chief frowned.
"This is the only prison cell in the palace."
"Even so, this is ridiculous!"
"It's only temporary confinement before the investigation. Endure it."
Then, glancing at So Ok-rim, he added,
"Nothing has been proven yet, so we won't suppress your Internal Energy. Just enter quietly."
"Hmph."
So Ok-rim snorted and strode boldly into the cell.
Seeing this, Yu Un-ryong had no choice but to follow.
Kung—
As the iron door clanged shut, So Ok-rim sprawled out on the floor as if the prison were her own bedroom.
'This is strange.'
Yu Un-ryong stroked his chin.
If they were truly detaining them, they should have not only confiscated weapons but also sealed the Qi Sea Acupoint to prevent the use of Internal Power.
Moreover, the prison warden should have personally searched their bodies to confiscate any hidden weapons or concealed tools.
But the North Sea Ice Palace, not some backwater martial hall, was detaining people this sloppily?
'Ah, I see.'
A faint smile touched Yu Un-ryong's lips.
Only now did he understand why they had brought him here instead of Myo Cheon-u or another leader.
'If it were Myo Cheon-u or another leader, they would've immediately used force to escape.'
Being imprisoned without reason would have driven them into a frenzy.
But Yu Un-ryong was the only one who could recognize this laxity and remain docile.
'She must be counting on me to keep things under control.'
If So Ok-rim flew into a rage and caused chaos, the entire plan would collapse.
Having reached this conclusion, Yu Un-ryong gazed at the reclining So Ok-rim with the gentlest eyes imaginable.
"What? Why are you staring like that?"
"Ah, no. I was just wondering if you're uncomfortable."
Fully aware of her explosive temper, Yu Un-ryong asked softly.
After all, she might be pretending to sleep while plotting to smash the prison and escape.
"Of course I'm uncomfortable. Who'd be comfortable in a prison?"
Yu Un-ryong tilted his head at her relaxed demeanor.
'She's mastered Superior Martial Arts, so she can't be stupid. Does she have some other plan in mind?'
Clearing his throat, he cautiously probed,
"Do you... have some kind of plan?"
"Plan?"
"I mean, do you have any countermeasures or strategies for what comes next?"
"Nope."
"So you just obediently let yourself get captured?"
As Yu Un-ryong's eyes widened, So Ok-rim scratched her cheek lazily.
"I'm innocent, so they'll let me go soon."
Yu Un-ryong's jaw dropped.
It seemed So Ok-rim wasn't actually smart—she must have brute-forced her way through martial arts with sheer strength.
Zzzzz...
Exhausted, she soon began snoring.
Looking closely, her face was completely slack, as if she had fallen into a deep sleep.
Relieved that she wasn't throwing a fit, Yu Un-ryong let out a sigh.
'I'll have to coax her carefully so she doesn't lose her temper later.'
The meticulously laid plan was now reaching its climax.
Shaking his head, he sat cross-legged in the lotus position and sank into deep meditation, contemplating what lay ahead.
Inside the Glacier Thousand Streams Pavilion.
Splash—splash—
The pond of Cold Spirit Divine Water within the Ice Cave trembled incessantly.
After four days of storing cold energy in his dantian using the Glacier Thousand Streams Art, Bu Eun-seol's qi circulation caused the divine water to ripple endlessly.
'Ugh...'
The cold energy stored in his dantian surged violently, like a rampaging Evil Dragon, racing up and down the Governing Vessel to the Hundred Meetings Acupoint in a relentless cycle.
If he failed to stabilize it, his meridians would either freeze or tear apart.
'Is it impossible?'
Eventually, a layer of thin ice began forming near Bu Eun-seol's dantian.
His blood vessels were freezing because he could not control the cold energy.
'I won't give up.'
Throb—throb—throb—
Thick veins bulged on his forehead.
Though he felt agony as if every blood vessel in his body were tearing, Bu Eun-seol continued circulating the Glacier Thousand Streams Art without surrender.
—Reverse Polarity True Qi embodies the power of nature itself. Great Nature is an endless cycle of change, like the boundless transition of the Four Seasons.
Suddenly, the words of Blood Vajra—who had imparted the Counter-Polar Internal Art to him—flashed through Bu Eun-seol's mind.
—Spring gives birth, summer nurtures, autumn reaps, and winter rests to prepare for new life. And just like that, Reverse Polarity True Qi creates all things and transforms them into qi.
'Seasons... circulation.'
Until now, Bu Eun-seol had only tried to store cold energy in his dantian using the Glacier Thousand Streams Art.
But the foundational internal art within his body was the Counter-Polar Internal Art, which embraced all the energies of Great Nature.
Just as the four seasons cycled naturally, he needed to accept the cold energy into his body in the same way.
'The Glacier Thousand Streams Art is merely one part of the Counter-Polar Internal Art.'
Crack.
The moment this realization struck, a sound like something shattering echoed from Bu Eun-seol's body.
Simultaneously, an immense surge of Cold Ice True Qi erupted from his dantian, pooling along the Governing Vessel on his spine. Then, it naturally flowed past the Jade Pillow Pass and cascaded like a waterfall down the front through the Conception Vessel.
Sssss—
Meanwhile, the boiling water in the pond gradually cooled, becoming completely devoid of cold energy before slowly evaporating.
Every last trace of the Cold Spirit Divine Water's frigid qi had been absorbed into Bu Eun-seol's dantian.
Huuuum!
A white energy current surged from his entire body, and even his hair began to turn as white as snow blossoms.
The Glacier Great Emperor.
Bu Eun-seol had transformed into a figure that seemed like the reincarnation of the North Sea Ice Palace's founder—the Glacier Great Emperor himself.
"Haa..."
Finally, Bu Eun-seol opened his eyes, concluding his qi circulation.
For a brief moment, a color deeper than the ocean lingered in his gaze before his hair—once bleached white by the cold energy—returned to its original shade.
At the same time, a blue light flickered in his left hand.
"So it worked."
Gazing at his left hand, Bu Eun-seol unleashed Cold Ice True Qi into the pond using the Glacier Thousand Streams Art.
Crrrrackle—
In an instant, the entire pond froze solid. The surface turned so hard and crystalline that it gleamed an icy blue.
"Success."
Bu Eun-seol looked down at his left hand with satisfaction.
Having mastered the Counter-Polar Internal Art, he had originally been able to freely manipulate Yin-Yang Dual Qi.
But now, after learning the Glacier Thousand Streams Art, he could emit not just ordinary Yin Cold Qi, but Extreme Yin Qi—cold enough to freeze an entire sea.
"H-how is this possible?"
Just then, Bing Han-pung entered the Ice Cave, his mouth falling open in shock.
Four days had passed, and he had come to check on Bu Eun-seol's progress.
If Bu Eun-seol had failed to properly learn the Ice Art, he had planned to share some of his own Cold Ice True Qi.
But now, Bu Eun-seol's entire body radiated a cold energy so dense it was as if he had absorbed dozens of Ten-Thousand-Year Ice Crystals.
And worse—the Cold Spirit Divine Water, one of the North Sea Ice Palace's greatest treasures, had completely dried up?
"My apologies."
Bu Eun-seol gestured awkwardly toward the pond.
"It seems that after absorbing the Extreme Yin Qi from there, it turned into ordinary water."
"You... absorbed all the Extreme Yin Qi from the Cold Spirit Divine Water's pond?"
Bing Han-pung's jaw dropped.
Had he not seen the pond frozen solid with his own eyes, he would have thought Bu Eun-seol was lying.
'If what he says is true, then he's absorbed Extreme Yin Qi dozens of times more potent than a Ten-Thousand-Year Ice Crystal.'
Meanwhile, Bu Eun-seol swiftly dried himself off and dressed.
"Has it already been four days?"
"Indeed."
Finally snapping out of his daze, Bing Han-pung spoke.
"As you requested, I've kept your companions detained. But I can't hold off the Family Heads' visits much longer."
"Of course."
Taking a deep breath, Bu Eun-seol's eyes flashed.
Huuuuum.
As he raised his internal power, a faint light shimmered around his right fist.
Staring down at his clenched hand, Bu Eun-seol spoke with utmost seriousness.
"Are you prepared, Palace Lord?"
"Absolutely."
"Understood."
BOOOOM!
In that instant, with a thunderous roar, Bu Eun-seol's fist energy tore through the air and mercilessly slammed into Bing Han-pung's body.
Rumble...
The heavy iron door of the prison creaked open.
Inside, Yu Un-ryong was deep in qi circulation, while So Ok-rim—who had just woken up—was yawning sleepily.
"You may come out now."
At the Law Enforcement Hall Chief's words, Yu Un-ryong's eyes snapped open.
They had been locked in this prison without any interrogation.
Moreover, they had been served fine meals and wine at every interval, and the Hall Chief himself had visited multiple times to ask if they were uncomfortable.
But the most surprising thing was So Ok-rim.
She hadn't had a single episode—instead, she had spent the past three days sleeping like a sick puppy.
'He must have spoken to her beforehand.'
Yu Un-ryong smirked bitterly.
There was no way someone like So Ok-rim—with her temperament—would stay quietly imprisoned for three days without a word. Clearly, Bu Eun-seol had given her prior instructions.
'Wait... then why didn't he tell me?'
A strange thought struck him.
If this entire situation had been prearranged by Bu Eun-seol... there was no way he wouldn't have informed him. Unless—
'This was clearly an improvised plan.'
Yu Un-ryong stared down at So Ok-rim, who was still fast asleep.
'Did he really expect her to grasp the entire situation like I did?'
But that couldn't be—So Ok-rim had done nothing but sleep without a single thought in her head.
No matter how much she trusted him, shouldn't she have at least been practicing Inner Training like he had, preparing for any sudden turn of events?
"You may come out now."
At the Law Enforcement Hall Chief's call,
"Mmmnn..."
So Ok-rim stretched lazily and rose to her feet, her eyes still bleary with sleep.
"Follow me."
But instead of retracing their steps, the Hall Chief walked toward the innermost wall of the Underground Prison and pressed his hand against it repeatedly.
Creak—
With the sound of a mechanism, a hidden secret passage was revealed.
'What the hell is this now?'
Yu Un-ryong's eyes widened in shock, but So Ok-rim slipped inside without a second thought.
After walking through the winding passage for a long while, they finally arrived—at none other than the pavilion where Bing Han-pung was staying.
"Then."
The Law Enforcement Hall Chief clasped his hands toward Yu Un-ryong and So Ok-rim before turning away.
"What the—? What the hell is going on here?"
When they stepped inside, they found Bu Eun-seol sitting perfectly unharmed in a secluded chamber.
"What exactly have you been doing for the past four days?"
At Yu Un-ryong's question, Bu Eun-seol replied flatly,
"Just making the first move."
"Huh?"
"If we really did reconcile the Five Clans, they'd be in trouble. They were bound to come up with some scheme."
Bu Eun-seol spoke calmly.
"I made a prior arrangement with the Ice Palace Lord. Under the pretense of investigating the assassination attempt, we staged an interrogation."
"Then you should've told me in advance."
Yu Un-ryong's face twisted with indignation, but Bu Eun-seol only said,
"There were circumstances. I didn't expect it to take this long... I only just got out myself after four days."
He then revealed that, during that time, he had secretly been learning Ice Art from Bing Han-pung.
"I see. But why keep it a secret from just me?"
Yu Un-ryong jabbed a finger toward So Ok-rim and whispered sharply,
"You told her."
"I didn't."
"What? What do you mean?"
"I never told her."
"That can't be."
Yu Un-ryong's eyes bulged. Noticing his reaction, So Ok-rim snorted with a razor-sharp smirk.
"What, did you take me for a complete fool?"
"That's not it."
"Oh, come off it. It's written all over your face."
'She was deliberately acting rash.'
Yu Un-ryong had always sensed something off about So Ok-rim's demeanor.
He had known that being imprisoned was part of Bu Eun-seol's plan and had waited calmly, trusting him completely.
But for her—someone known for being simple and hot-tempered—to see through Bu Eun-seol's scheme and wait so composedly?
'In the end, she was hiding her true self too.'
If Bu Eun-seol had concealed his brilliant mind behind cold indifference on Hell Island, then So Ok-rim had been masking her cunning beneath a facade of reckless simplicity.
'I really need to sharpen my judgment of people.'
Yu Un-ryong sighed inwardly before speaking.
"But will they really fall for such a shallow trick?"
Then, So Ok-rim frowned and said,
"What if they weren't actually injured? Even if the Five Clans with their wide-open eyes buy it, the descendant of the Eight Emperors and Three Stars who infiltrated the Ice Palace wouldn't be fooled so easily."
"They were really attacked."
"What?"
Bu Eun-seol replied impassively.
"And that traitor will come to confirm it himself—whether the Ice Palace Lord is truly injured."
"You think just the traitor will come?"
So Ok-rim furrowed her brow.
"If the Ice Palace Lord is wounded, they'll all come at once. Isn't that obvious?"
At her sharp observation, Bu Eun-seol smiled.
"That's why we're here."
He pointed to the wall of the chamber.
"On the other side of this is where the Ice Palace Lord is recuperating. We'll observe their conversations and attitudes to determine which one is the traitor."
"You can tell just from their conversations and attitudes? How?"
"I'll handle that part."
Even So Ok-rim, despite her own keen intellect, wore a blank expression at Bu Eun-seol's explanation.
She couldn't begin to guess what kind of plan he had in mind—or what he was thinking.
"But even if we go along with this, why would the Ice Palace Lord go this far?"
Yu Un-ryong asked, as if he couldn't comprehend it.
Why would someone of Bing Han-pung's stature harm his own body just for this scheme?
There had to have been plenty of other ways.
"Because this is the fastest method."
"Fastest...?"
"If the Five Clans of the North Sea Ice Palace had united their strength, the current state of the Murim would've been drastically different."
Bu Eun-seol's gaze deepened.
"The Ice Palace Lord wants to reunite the North Sea Ice Palace as quickly as possible—to restore its past glory."
Bing Han-pung needed to mend the rift between the Five Clans swiftly so the North Sea Ice Palace could regain its tranquility as soon as possible.
That was why he willingly risked injury to take part in this plan.
And beneath it all was his trust in Bu Eun-seol.
Now, Bu Eun-seol had to live up to that trust.
Just by listening to the conversations between the Ice Palace Lord and the Clan Leaders from this chamber...
He had to identify the one who had torn the North Sea Ice Palace apart.