It Was Here (5)
The Palace Lord's proposal was welcome news to me.
I had been pondering it myself, after all.
I still didn't know who had wiped out the Snow Wind Palace, but it never hurt to be cautious.
"Very well."
I accepted the Palace Lord's offer.
Hm?
Come to think of it, the Palace Lord had mentioned conducting her own investigation after the Snow Wind Palace's destruction.
She'd discovered the emergency signal was broken and gathered the charred remains of the bones from the fire.
"P-Palace Lord."
"Yes, speak."
"Do you... happen to know who destroyed the Snow Wind Palace?"
"......"
The Palace Lord's face darkened in an instant.
"Planning revenge?"
"Not quite... I just want to know exactly who to avoid. I'm not strong enough for revenge yet. Survival comes first, don't you think?"
"Wise words."
The Palace Lord nodded.
"The rumor that the Demonic Cult is behind it has spread the widest..."
"Nonsense."
"Pardon?"
"I can't go into details, but consider it baseless rumor."
"Ah, I see..."
The Palace Lord's firm declaration.
If she said it that definitively, then the Demonic Cult was definitely not the culprit.
To come all the way to this frozen North Sea, battered year-round by blizzards, and annihilate the Snow Wind Palace in an instant.
Having learned the Extreme Yin Soul Ice Throw from Master, I could tell.
The Snow Wind Palace Lord was immensely powerful in her own right, Silver Mist Sword or no.
Unconsciously, my hand drifted to the hilt of the Silver Mist Sword.
If that bastard Yu Deok-jin hadn't stolen this Silver Mist Sword, would things have turned out differently?
In any case, the culprits were a force with a long history, capable of meticulous long-term planning, stealthy infiltration to the North Sea, and devouring the Snow Wind Palace in a flash.
There weren't many such powers in the current martial world.
First... not exactly jianghu, but the Imperial Palace, which could influence it and boasted the strongest might.
Leading with the Gold Guards and Embroidered Uniform, they hid countless unseen masters.
No one but the Emperor knew their exact numbers.
Then the righteous alliance, the Murim Alliance, and as a single force, the supreme Heavenly Demon Divine Cult.
Among the unorthodox, the North Sea Ice Palace, the western Potala Palace, and the southern Blaze Flame Palace.
Those six came to mind immediately.
Sect like Shaolin, Wudang, or families like Nangong had long histories and strong martial arts too, but as single entities, they couldn't overwhelm the Snow Wind Palace.
There was the Blood Cult, but the Murim Alliance had eradicated it.
The Twelve Jiang Gangs were effectively gone thanks to the Emperor's Yangtze subjugation.
Quite a list.
Truth be told, the Blaze Flame Palace was my top suspect. They specialized in Flame Flower Arts.
They were polar opposites to ice arts practitioners, on notoriously bad terms.
But if they'd come this far, the North Sea Ice Palace would've noticed.
As natural enemies, they'd be watching each other closely.
Then who...?
"Could you hold off on the curiosity just a bit longer?"
"Pardon?"
Apparently lost too deep in thought, the Palace Lord addressed me.
"I'll tell you when the time is right."
She knew, but couldn't say yet.
A figure of her stature must have her reasons.
I nodded.
"Understood."
The Palace Lord picked up a book from the desk and handed it to me.
"......?"
Thousand Stream Ice Sword
"This is the martial art I'll teach you, young hero. It belonged to a sect that once existed, but with no heirs, its lineage died out."
Why would the North Sea Ice Palace have a manual from such a place?
"The last descendant entrusted it here, asking us to pass it to someone with ties. No issue if you learn it."
"But I understand mismatched heart methods and arts can cause problems."
"Of course. But this one has no such issue. Anyone with a yin-attuned inner art can learn it freely."
"I see."
A Palace Lord of her caliber wouldn't recommend it lightly.
Thousand Stream Ice Sword, though...
I'd heard the name somewhere. Where was it?
"Memorize this manual first. Then come to my private training hall after breakfast tomorrow."
.
.
.
The next day.
After breakfast, I changed into training robes brought by my attendant disciple.
They were white and perfectly comfortable for movement.
"Kkwi..."
Unlike my usual robes, these had narrow sleeves, no room for Golden Spirit.
Golden Spirit gave a dejected look before scampering onto my shoulder.
Now I understood why it was a guardian spirit beast.
It hated leaving my side.
"Then, if you'll follow me."
"Yes."
I followed the disciple to the Palace Lord's private training hall.
It was underground in the Ice Pavilion.
"You've arrived."
At her words, the crystal door slid open smoothly.
"Please enter."
"Yes."
But only I went in. She stayed by the door.
"......?"
"Did you enjoy breakfast?"
I looked up at the voice. The Palace Lord stood there.
Her private hall looked carved from crystal. The smooth floor and ceiling reflected my image.
Was the entire Ice Pavilion crystal?
Setting aside my awe, I answered.
"Ah, yes. It was delicious."
"Memorized the manual?"
"Yes."
I nodded confidently.
"I've committed it all to memory."
She looked slightly surprised at my reply.
"You memorized it all? I just said to familiarize yourself..."
"Isn't familiarizing the same as memorizing?"
"......"
Ah... Guess not.
"Never dreamed you'd memorize it overnight. Anyway, all the better. Let's start with the first form."
The Palace Lord taught the forms meticulously, step by step.
Guidance on inner energy flow and efficient swordplay—impeccably detailed.
Worlds apart from Master's Extreme Yin Soul Ice Throw lesson. I was impressed.
"Thousand Stream Ice Sword lives up to its name: at mastery, sword aura streams out like a thousand water currents, assaulting the foe."
"Yes, I've noted that."
"What do you think is the key caution when learning Thousand Stream Ice Sword?"
"Failing to control the aura properly, harming yourself or allies."
She looked pleased with my answer.
"Exactly. How did you know?"
"Water-like currents, but their nature resembles whips or flexible swords. I've seen flexible swordplay by chance."
Mother's sword was a flexible blade.
She'd once said they were devilishly hard to control, demanding utmost precision.
"I see. Knowing and wielding are different, but you're handling it well."
"Just predicting the motion."
"......"
The Palace Lord gazed at me a moment.
"Something wrong?"
"Makes me regret not teaching flexible sword arts. Predicting the motion implies proficiency there too."
I scratched behind my ear at the praise.
Had I inherited Mother's martial talent too?
"But your main weapon is a straight sword, so Thousand Stream Ice Sword suits you."
Thus, I devoted the day to Thousand Stream Ice Sword. Two days passed that way.
.
.
.
"No more guidance needed."
At the Palace Lord's words, I cupped my fists and bowed.
"My thanks for your instruction."
I'd mastered Thousand Stream Ice Sword in two days.
"Such prodigious talent. Even so, fully in two days..."
"Thanks to your guidance, Palace Lord."
"That disciple of yours must love teaching you. I'm envious. If you were a girl, I'd take you as my own."
"You are my master now."
She burst out laughing.
"True enough. Not official, but a master is a master."
She continued.
"I hope this art serves you well. Use Thousand Stream Ice Sword whenever you step out publicly."
"I'll remember."
"Young hero Jin-ho's improved greatly, so you can depart tomorrow."
Jin-ho hyung's condition had vastly improved that morning.
With the order to descend, it was time to go.
I cupped my fists and bowed again.
"My deepest gratitude for your grace, Palace Lord. May you live long and prosper."
"I will. Off you go."
"Yes."
* * *
The Ice Palace Lord watched Eun Seo-ho's retreating figure from the private hall.
Truthfully, she'd planned only to outline Thousand Stream Ice Sword for him.
Even that would've taken time.
But she'd underestimated him.
I see why Heaven granted the young hero of Eun the Silver Mist Sword and Lake Han-ho.
A genius.
Not flattery—true genius.
Had he devoted himself to martial arts, he could've yanked even a declining sect back from the brink.
Her envy of his master, Kwak Myeong-hyeon, was sincere.
Binghae-rin was a genius, but this was beyond.
Fitting for one born with the Present Dragon Star Physique. A man having it is rare, though.
She wondered if her own master had felt the same watching her.
That made the loss of the Snow Wind Palace Lord's unique art all the more tragic.
And during Thousand Stream Ice Sword... it almost looked like Extreme Yin Soul Ice Throw motions...
She chuckled and shook her head.
"Impossible. No teacher—how could he learn it?"
She suddenly anticipated seeing the hero's sword reborn in Eun Seo-ho's hand.
He'd be satisfied.
* * *
The next morning.
Jin-ho hyung and his wife, and I, prepared to leave the North Sea Ice Palace.
Senior members saw us off.
"Safe travels."
"Yes."
"See you again."
"Yes."
"And my son-in-law, remember what I said."
"Yes! I will!"
While Jin-ho hyung suffered his hangover, he'd grown closer to his mother-in-law, Snow Seo-yun Protector, and grandmother-in-law, Sang Ho-ran Elder.
Good.
Next approached the Palace Lord.
"Our thanks for everything."
We cupped fists and bowed.
"Return safely."
"Yes."
"And Little Palace Lord."
Binghae-rin Little Palace Lord, at her side, replied.
"Yes, Palace Lord."
"Escort them safely to their destination."
"Understood."
With everyone's farewells behind us, we exited the North Sea Ice Palace through the Gate of Mists with Little Palace Lord Binghae-rin.
When I first saw the Palace Lord, her strength stunned me. Now, that awe had softened into inexplicable familiarity.
This parting felt a touch regrettable.
But we'd meet again.
.
.
.
"Aigoo! Young master, you're back?"
As we entered the Ice Palace Inn, Palgap rushed over.
"Yeah. We're back."
"No incidents, I hope? Worried since you were later than expected."
"Ah, that was..."
I glanced at Jin-ho hyung.
Couldn't say his hangover held us— I'd just sent word of circumstances.
Yes... protect hyung's honor.
"Jin-ho hyung's in-laws held us up."
Seo-u Warrior nodded.
"That makes sense. They say mother-in-law love runs deepest."
Then Binghae-rin spoke.
"Heard you're leaving today. Looks like snow in a day or two. Best hurry to avoid getting stuck."
"Ah! Yes, got it."
We prepared swiftly and departed the Ice Palace Inn.
En route through the North Sea, spirit beasts attacked, letting me fully embody the Palace Lord's Thousand Stream Ice Sword.
A sudden thought mid-journey.
Taking time to teach an outsider like me meant the Snow Wind Palace culprits were ones I'd likely encounter on merchant routes?
Exclude unorthodox then?
No, best not assume yet.
We crossed the North Sea safely, arriving at the Eunhae Merchant Group's North Sea Branch to rest.
That evening.
"My lord."
Seo-u Warrior called me as I stood alone in the courtyard.
"Yes."
"May I ask something?"
"Go ahead."
"Your martial arts seem different now."
"Ah, yes. Learned one at the North Sea Ice Palace. Thousand Stream Ice Sword."
As my guard, he should know.
"Pardon? Thousand Stream Ice Sword?"
His reaction was intense.
"What's wrong?"
"Thousand Stream Ice Sword is the signature ultimate technique of Geukcheon Sword, the martial hero from about two hundred years ago."
Ah... Now I remembered.