The residence of Bing Hanpung, the Palace Lord of the North Sea Ice Palace.
He lay on his bed, breathing heavily.
No one must realize that his injury was a ruse. Thus, he had willingly taken the full force of Bu Eunseol’s palm strike without hesitation. As a result, the area around his chest acupoint was torn to shreds, leaving him with severe external wounds and deep internal injuries.
“What incredible insight.” Recalling the cold energy of the Heavenly Glacial Secret gathered in Bu Eunseol’s palm, Bing Hanpung murmured softly. “To create an ice crystal with the Heavenly Glacial Secret after only four days of training.”
Though the injury was severe, it was limited to physical wounds.
The internal damage could be healed instantly if he chose to.
This was because Bu Eunseol had used the Heavenly Glacial Secret to create an ice crystal, the essence of extreme yin energy, and embedded it near his chest acupoint.
Since an ice crystal was embedded in a master of ice techniques, it caused no real harm.
However, by enduring without absorbing the ice crystal’s cold energy through circulation, he was feigning deep internal injuries. This method was so cunning that even the Divine Healer, renowned for his medical expertise, believed Bing Hanpung had suffered a fatal internal injury.
“This was the first trap, wasn’t it…?” No matter how closely the traitor examined him, they would never detect this.
They would be convinced that Bing Hanpung had sustained irreparable, severe injuries.
“Time is fleeting.” A quiet stillness settled in Bing Hanpung’s eyes as he lay on the bed.
Once, he had dreamed of rising to the top of the martial world.
The power of the thousand-year ice crystal was boundless, and when combined with the palace’s martial arts, it could freeze any formidable foe in an instant. In the past, he had secretly traveled to the Central Plains for sparring and defeated numerous masters.
That is, until he was defeated by a legendary figure of the demonic path.
Bu Zhanyang, the Seven-Finger Demon Blade.
This fearsome demonic swordsman shattered Bing Hanpung’s Frost Spirit Technique in just three moves. Fortunately, he stopped his attack after breaking the ice technique. Had he chosen otherwise, Bing Hanpung’s head would have been severed within ten moves.
‘Unlike the rumors, he was a swordsman with a merciful hand.’ Bing Hanpung’s eyes narrowed as he recalled the past.
“I intended to make you swear not to encroach on the Central Plains’ martial world while I’m alive…” The Seven-Finger Demon Blade, Bu Zhanyang, looked down at the fallen Bing Hanpung, revealing a flash of white teeth. “But it seems that won’t be necessary.”
The Seven-Finger Demon Blade had seen through not only Bing Hanpung’s generous and upright character but also his failure to master the Glacial Great Emperor’s supreme techniques.
“Master the Heavenly Glacial Secret first. If that’s impossible, find a disciple who can.” Then, he left behind cryptic words before departing. “Otherwise… the North Sea Ice Palace will not survive the great blood calamity in the future.”
In truth, Bing Hanpung had never even considered encroaching on the Central Plains’ martial world.
Moreover, after witnessing Bu Zhanyang’s terrifying skill, he developed a reverence for the martial arts of the Central Plains and a burning martial spirit. Thereafter, he studied the Glacial Great Emperor’s martial arts and sought a disciple capable of mastering them… but all efforts failed.
Of course, this was a personal matter for Bing Hanpung, a secret he never shared with anyone.
“But he disappeared long ago.”
A deep, dark light flickered in Bing Hanpung’s eyes.
“To think the one I sought for so long, capable of mastering the Heavenly Glacial Secret, is the successor of Majeon he belonged to… Is this fate?”
Knock, knock.
At that moment, a knock on the door was followed by the soft voice of a servant.
“The head of the Eom family requests an audience with the palace lord.”
‘He’s here.’ Bing Hanpung narrowed his eyes.
As news of his critical condition spread, the five family heads grew anxious. The thousand-year ice crystal stored in the dantian could lose its mystical power if its owner died.
This was precisely why the North Sea Ice Palace selected the next palace lord earlier than other sects.
“The palace lord’s condition has stabilized.”
The Divine Healer, who treated Bing Hanpung’s wounds, announced that he had passed the critical stage.
But the family heads’ hearts were likely burning with urgency. As expected, excluding Han Woosang, the family heads began visiting one by one under the pretext of checking on his health.
“Let him in.” At Bing Hanpung’s command, the door opened, and Eom Woojung, the head of the Eom family, cautiously entered.
“Palace lord, how is your condition?”
“Thanks to you, I’m managing to survive.”
He placed a wooden box containing a spirit pill on the table beside the bed.
“This is a Blue Cloud Pill obtained from Xinjiang in the past. Taking one should help you recover your vitality, palace lord.”
“Thank you.” Bing Hanpung gave a faint smile. “It’s been a while since I’ve received such kindness.”
Eom Woojung’s cheeks flushed.
Memories of the years spent refusing to acknowledge the palace lord’s authority flashed through his mind.
“That’s because you, palace lord, didn’t handle things decisively.” Letting out a long sigh, Eom Woojung blamed Bing Hanpung’s lenient nature. “If you had harshly punished that Han Woosang from the start, this wouldn’t have happened.”
“Perhaps so.” As Bing Hanpung smiled calmly, Eom Woojung got to the point.
“And we can no longer delay selecting the next palace lord, can we?”
“Of course.” Bing Hanpung said calmly, “As soon as I recover, I’ll select the next palace lord.”
“Thank you. And if possible… please do your best.”
Eom Woojung was an ambitious man who had pulled many strings to ensure his son could become the next palace lord.
Even now, he hadn’t abandoned that ambition.
“Understood.” At Bing Hanpung’s brief reply, Eom Woojung clasped his hands and cautiously left.
As he departed, Bing Hanpung lay back on the bed, closing his eyes.
But soon after, the servant’s voice came again.
“The head of the Seol family requests an audience with the palace lord.”
“Let him in.”
Seol Segeuk, the head of the Seol family, also arrived with a spirit pill beneficial to health.
With an unprecedentedly furious expression, he spoke. “Who dared to ambush the palace lord? Was it that successor of Majeon?”
“I don’t know. But… the head of the Law Enforcement Hall said they’re investigating all possibilities.”
“They must have panicked when the palace lord’s injustice was cleared and resorted to this.”
For a long time, Bing Hanpung had lost his authority as palace lord.
But after the truth of Han Jawook’s ambush was revealed, the sentiment within the North Sea Ice Palace completely changed. Not only the disciples but also the family heads came to respect Bing Hanpung for silently upholding his position without excuses.
Seol Segeuk was no exception.
“If the head of the Law Enforcement Hall can’t find them, I’ll track down the culprit myself.” He continued venting his anger toward the culprit before leaving.
The next visitor was Baek Jinyu, the head of the Baek family.
After formally expressing concern for Bing Hanpung’s health, he got to the point.
“Whoever framed the palace lord and brought our palace to this state… it must be one of the five family heads.”
This wasn’t just Baek Jinyu’s thought.
Though no one in the North Sea Ice Palace spoke it aloud, they were certain that the one who ambushed Han Jawook and undermined Bing Hanpung’s authority was one of the five family heads, excluding the Bing family.
“That’s uncertain.”
As Bing Hanpung shook his head bitterly, Baek Jinyu said, “At any rate, it seems the trend of our palace opening to the outside is unstoppable.”
Bing Hanpung showed a slightly surprised expression.
Baek Jinyu had long advocated for the North Sea Ice Palace to maintain its isolationist stance. Hadn’t he even desired the five families’ division to maintain power equal to the palace lord’s?
So why was he suddenly speaking positively about an alliance?
“However, Majeon of the Central Plains cannot be trusted.”
“Hmm.”
“I suggest considering an alliance elsewhere. Historically, alliances with external sects were formed out of necessity.” He repeatedly emphasized the need for an alliance with other external sects.
Only then did Bing Hanpung grasp Baek Jinyu’s intentions.
‘Unable to stop the tide of alliance, he’s trying to align it to his advantage.’ Realizing he couldn’t block the trend toward an alliance, Baek Jinyu sought to create an external sect alliance that would preserve his power.
“If such an alliance is formed, you should naturally lead it.” When Bing Hanpung spoke bluntly, Baek Jinyu’s face flushed.
“How could I dare harbor such ambitions? I merely…” As he tried to deflect, Bing Hanpung nodded, cutting him off. “I’ll consider it.”
The final visitor was Dong Yugak, the head of the Dong family.
He expressed great concern for Bing Hanpung’s health and brought the Frost Harmony Pill, a spirit pill passed down through the Dong family.
“Palace lord, are you alright?”
“I’m managing.”
“You’ve endured much hardship.” Dong Yugak lowered his head with an embarrassed expression.
Holding Bing Hanpung’s hand gently as he lay on the bed, he said with a pained look, “All this time, the family heads lived only for their own interests, heedless of the palace’s fate.”
“It’s fine.” Bing Hanpung gave a generous smile. “Unlike the others, you never criticized me or disobeyed my orders, did you?”
Dong Yugak had always remained neutral regarding Bing Hanpung’s affairs.
Unlike the other family heads, he never disrespected him and always treated him with respect as the palace lord.
“I’m grateful for your generosity, palace lord. But I’m ashamed and sorry that the truth behind the rumors that plagued you was revealed only now, by someone from another sect.”
“Hahaha, you’re making a fuss. Don’t worry about it.”
“Please recover quickly and rise to create a united palace once more. That’s the shared wish of the family heads.”
“Understood. Thank you.”
Finally, all the family heads had visited Bing Hanpung.
Of course, Han Woosang, the head of the Han family, was an exception. He had been the first to pledge loyalty to Bing Hanpung and stayed by his side, keeping vigil while he was treated by the Divine Healer.
Only when Bing Hanpung’s condition improved did he return to his family, which is why he didn’t visit.
Creak.
Having overheard everything, Bu Eunseol emerged from the secret passage.
Bing Hanpung looked at him, his eyes gleaming.
“Well? Do you know who the traitor is?” At Bing Hanpung’s question, Bu Eunseol nodded.
“Yes.”
“How?”
“Traitors try their utmost not to reveal their true intentions.”
“I don’t understand.” Bing Hanpung tilted his head.
The head of the Eom family expressed ambition for the palace lord position.
The head of the Dong family voiced a desire for a united North Sea Ice Palace.
The head of the Seol family showed anger toward the culprit who ambushed the palace lord.
And the head of the Baek family emphasized an alliance with other external sects.
Their opinions aligned with the stances they had long held, so Bing Hanpung couldn’t detect anything unusual.
“Moreover, only the traitor would know one thing: the high likelihood that your ambush was a staged act.”
Bing Hanpung nodded.
Within the North Sea Ice Palace, the only one who would ambush him was the traitor responsible for the division among the family heads.
“Thus, to him, the severity of your injury isn’t important. His goal was to probe whether you were truly severely injured and what schemes you might be hiding.”
“Hmm.” Intrigued by Bu Eunseol’s deduction, Bing Hanpung asked, “Explain in more detail.”
“The families of the North Sea have sworn loyalty to you, but deep down, they wish for their own families to prosper.”
“That’s true.”
“Though the palace’s sentiment has shifted and you’ve regained your authority, only that person didn’t reveal their true intentions. They only checked on your condition and left. Because they confirmed you were truly injured.”
At that moment, Bing Hanpung’s eyes trembled.
He finally realized who Bu Eunseol was referring to as the traitor.
The other three family heads had clear motives beyond visiting. But he came without any apparent purpose.
Because his primary goal was to confirm whether Bing Hanpung was genuinely injured or feigning it.
“He was the traitor.”
“Yes.”
Bing Hanpung’s expression turned pained.
The one who never criticized him, nor voiced any opinions, and remained silent all this time.
The one who, to closely examine his internal injuries, held his hands and approached…
Dong Yugak, the head of the Dong family, was the traitor behind it all.
“But there’s no evidence.” Swallowing his pain, Bing Hanpung sighed. “The reason we couldn’t catch the culprit until now was the lack of evidence. No matter what scheme we use, he won’t reveal himself as the traitor.”
“Don’t worry.” Bu Eunseol said calmly. “If we use the final method in the plan I showed you, we’ll obtain evidence.”
“Plan? What plan?” Yoo Unryong blinked.
Instead of answering, Bu Eunseol pulled something from his robes and handed it to him.
It was the scroll detailing the entire plan he had previously shown Bing Hanpung. Having grasped the situation, Yoo Unryong’s eyes widened.
“This is too dangerous a plan.”
“The palace lord went so far as to harm himself. Why can’t I do the same?”
Yoo Unryong shook his head firmly. “This plan has too many flaws. The chances of them seeing through the trap are too high.”
“You’re right.” Yet a smile lingered on Bu Eunseol’s lips. “But they’ll have no choice but to come.”
“What do you mean?” A sharp glint flashed in Bu Eunseol’s eyes. “Because I’ve dangled something they’ve long desired.”
So Okrim, who had been listening silently, crossed her arms.
“Well, human desire is hard to control.” She smiled, looking down at Yoo Unryong. “After carefully planning for ten years, they won’t just stand by and watch it collapse.”
Yoo Unryong’s expression turned to one of surprise.
So Okrim, like Bu Eunseol, seemed to have a deep understanding of human affairs and emotions.
“Hmm.” Yoo Unryong nodded with a low groan.
“That could be true.”
Bu Eunseol said confidently, “They’ll definitely reveal themselves. Maybe not entirely, but at least partially.”
Bu Eunseol’s final plan.
It was to use something irresistible as bait… to make the descendant of the Eight Emperors and Three Stars and the head of the Dong family reveal themselves in one fell swoop.
The North Sea Ice Palace was in an uproar.
“While being investigated for ambushing the palace lord, the successor of Majeon escaped the palace!”
It was said that Bu Eunseol, while detained in the underground prison for interrogation, suddenly attempted to escape.
It turned out that he was also the one who ambushed Bing Hanpung.
And rather than seeking an alliance, he was after the martial arts secrets possessed by the palace lord.
“Is this even possible?”
All the disciples of the North Sea Ice Palace couldn’t hide their confusion.
For the successor of Majeon, the alliance of the Central Plains’ demonic forces, to come to the palace just to steal secrets?
“Majeon wanted an alliance with the Yeolha Holy Palace. They demanded our palace’s secrets as a condition for the alliance!”
Shockingly, the successor of Majeon sought an alliance with the Yeolha Holy Palace and came to steal the North Sea Ice Palace’s secrets for that purpose.
“Our palace was too naive!” As this plausible reason spread as a rumor, half the disciples of the North Sea Ice Palace were filled with anger, and the other half with resignation. “The family that captures the fugitive Martial Soul Command Lord will select the next palace lord! And I’ll immediately pass down the thousand-year ice crystal!”
Bing Hanpung, in apparent fury, issued this command to all the families of the North Sea Ice Palace.
Having regained his authority as palace lord, no one would oppose him even if he named his son as the next palace lord. Moreover, the thousand-year ice crystal is most effective when passed down while the owner is alive.
The unity of the six families of the North Sea and the inability to forcibly seize the palace lord position were due to this unique treasure of the North Sea Ice Palace, the thousand-year ice crystal.
Yet, to select the next palace lord from the family that captures the fugitive Martial Soul Command Lord, Bu Eunseol?
Excluding the Bing family, all the other families were frantic.
“Capture him!”
The five families, excluding the Bing family, immediately began pursuing the fugitive Bu Eunseol.
Escaping alone without leaving a trace in the endless snowy expanse of the North Sea was nearly impossible. Moreover, Bu Eunseol had forcibly destroyed the palace’s mechanisms to escape, sustaining significant injuries.
If they could capture him, the North Sea Ice Palace would finally welcome a new master.
In the snow-covered expanse.
Five groups of pursuers raced in different directions.
As Bu Eunseol’s traces split into multiple paths, the five families had no choice but to divide their pursuit.
“Stop!” Dong Yugak, leading the pursuit team, halted his movement technique and stared at the ground for a while.
There, a faint trace remained.
“His injuries must be severe, preventing him from using traceless snow steps.”
Recognizing the faint footprints left by light movement techniques, Dong Yugak gave a faint smile.
The fleeing Bu Eunseol, due to his severe injuries, could no longer perform stable light movement techniques.
As proof, clear blood from his arteries marked the path he had taken.
“If I capture him, no one will object.” Dong Yugak trembled lightly.
For a long time, he had been plotting with external forces to swallow the North Sea Ice Palace.
Originally, he planned to frame Bing Hanpung for Han Jawook’s ambush, provoking Han Woosang to force him to step down as palace lord.
But Han Woosang only harbored intense hatred without taking decisive action.
Moreover, Bing Hanpung silently held his position, indefinitely postponing the selection of the next palace lord until the culprit was caught. As Bing Hanpung stubbornly held onto the thousand-year ice crystal until his blood vessels nearly froze, Dong Yugak was driven to the brink of madness.
‘Heaven’s help!’ Yet suddenly, the successor of Majeon arrived at the North Sea Ice Palace, investigating Han Jawook’s ambush and stirring up the palace.
From Dong Yugak’s perspective, this was another opportunity.
Just as he was preparing his scheme step by step, the successor of Majeon had self-destructed.
‘Perhaps this is another scheme orchestrated with the palace lord.’ Dong Yugak already knew that Bing Hanpung and Bu Eunseol were hiding something.
Though his allied forces advised caution, Dong Yugak saw this as an opportunity.
“If I capture him, the North Sea Ice Palace will fall into my hands.”
Bing Hanpung had publicly declared that the next palace lord would come from the family that captures him. No matter what schemes were at play, capturing Bu Eunseol would ensure the Dong family produced the palace lord, and no one could retract that.
Growing impatient, Dong Yugak shouted to his subordinates, “Quickly follow your family head!”
He immediately unleashed a gale-like movement technique, following the blood trail. After running for about the time it takes to burn an incense stick, he spotted a figure in a pitiful state, crouched before a small cliff.
It was none other than Bu Eunseol, the successor of Majeon, who had escaped from the North Sea Ice Palace’s underground prison.
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