Bachelor Swordsmanship Remastered [EN]: Chapter 193

193. Specter of the Past

Everyone in the First Palace Hall stiffened at Overlord Bayantu’s words.

After his defeat by the Sword Saint, Overlord Bayantu’s sole purpose in life was to surpass the Sword Saint.

Therefore, his words about testing the Azure Wolf meant he would risk his life in a duel against the Sword Saint’s successor.

“I understand your intention, Overlord Bayantu,” the First Palace Lord said quietly.

“I cannot afford such a risk. He is the one who defeated the Ice and Snow of the Northern Sea Twelve Disciples [elite warriors known for their mastery of ice-based martial arts].”

Overlord Bayantu’s thick eyebrows furrowed. “Do you not trust me?”

“It is not that.” Looking at Bayantu, the First Palace Lord said earnestly, “It means I cannot risk losing Overlord Bayantu. Our grand plan for a century is impossible without you.”

The First Palace Lord’s eyes were sincere.

Overlord sighed softly. The First Palace Lord was his lord but also his grandson. He could not ignore that bond.

“Then what do you want me to do?”

The First Palace Lord turned to Kabul. Kabul nodded and began to speak. “As Overlord said, the problem is the Azure Wolf. The laws of the Northern Sea command us to respect the Azure Wolf, but they do not forbid challenging him.”

The Azure Wolf was the guardian of the Northern Sea.

Therefore, he must not lose to anyone, nor can he afford to lose. The moment he was defeated, he would no longer be the Azure Wolf.

The reason Overlord Bayantu said he would test the Azure Wolf was precisely for that reason.

“So, we will test him first.”

“That’s what I wanted!” Kutulla shouted, jumping to his feet. However, Kabul calmly continued, looking at Overlord. “If we all lose, then you may do as you wish, Overlord.”

“There’s no need for Overlord to step in!” Kutulla could not hide his excitement. “I, Kutulla, will crush the Sword Saint’s successor! Hahaha.”

Essen frowned at the outburst. However, Essen could not help but feel his heart pounding as well. How could he not be excited to face the Sword Saint’s successor, the master of the Setting Sun [a powerful sword technique], the one who defeated the Ice and Snow of the Northern Sea Twelve Disciples, and the one who held the title of Azure Wolf?

“Hmm.” Overlord Bayantu let out a soft groan. However, he understood the First Palace Lord’s concern and Kabul’s consideration. There was no use in insisting in this situation.

“I understand.” Overlord nodded. “But one thing.” Looking straight at Kabul, Overlord said, “He is the one who bears the name of the Azure Wolf. So, do not be disrespectful.”

At those words, Kabul smiled wryly. Overlord Bayantu was still bound by the laws of the Northern Sea. But he understood the sentiment. To the elders, the Azure Wolf was truly the reincarnation of a legend.

“I will keep that in mind.” Kabul bowed, and with that, the meeting ended.

Kutulla, full of vigor, immediately rushed out to prepare for the duel, and Essen and Overlord Bayantu also left.

The only ones left were the First Palace Lord and Kabul.

“Kabul.” The First Palace Lord called out to Kabul, who was about to rise from his seat.

“Yes.”

“This matter must not fail.” The First Palace Lord said, looking intently at Kabul. “If it does, the Jeongnam Order [a rising power in the Northern Sea], which has gained power thanks to the Iltae Merchant [a powerful trading guild] and the Dark Heaven Demon Emperor [a mysterious and influential figure], will also fade away, and our century-long plan for the Northern Sea will fail.”

Shocking names were mentioned, but Kabul was not surprised. From the beginning, the reason the Jeongnam Order gained momentum in the Northern Sea was because the Iltae Merchant and the Dark Heaven Demon Emperor had extended their support.

The Ice Emperor also knew this, and now those from the Murim Alliance [a coalition of martial arts clans] probably knew as well.

“So, no matter what happens, you must not let grandfather draw his sword. Even if he becomes angry later.” The First Palace Lord’s words were meaningful. His grandfather, Overlord Bayantu, was a typical Northern Sea warrior. He only became angry when unfair methods were used.

“Of course.” With a faint smile, Kabul said, “The Azure Wolf will surely fall before Overlord draws his sword.”

The First Palace Lord was satisfied with that answer.

“Good. You may leave.”

Kabul bowed and withdrew. The only one left in the vast First Palace Hall was the First Palace Lord.

However, the image of a woman smiling at another man was vividly in the First Palace Lord’s mind.

“……See how long you can ignore me.” Blankly, the First Palace Lord gritted his teeth, looking at the empty air. “We’ll see.”

His face was devoid of its usual dignified and handsome appearance. Only a distorted smile full of twisted desire and jealousy filled his face. He was the First Palace Lord, the one closest to becoming the next Ice Emperor, and a key figure leading the Jeongnam Order.

***

Sarak [sound of footsteps].

The Third Palace Lord turned her head at the sound of someone approaching from behind. No, in fact, she knew without even turning around. There was only one person who would enter her Third Palace Hall without her permission.

“Can I have a moment?” The Ice Queen said with an elegant smile.

“Even if I’m not available,” the Third Palace Lord bowed respectfully, “you wouldn’t care anyway, Ice Queen.” The Third Palace Lord raised her head, a cold smile on her lips.

But the Ice Queen only smiled. “Huhu. If you show hostility so openly, the other person will be wary. You should smile more. Elegantly, charmingly.”

“It doesn’t matter.” The Third Palace Lord also said with a cold sneer, “It’s not like you’d let your guard down, Mother.”

The Ice Queen shrugged. Her exposed pale shoulders sparkled under the light.

“That’s true.”

Sabeok, Sabeok [sound of footsteps].

The Ice Queen walked past the Third Palace Lord and stood in front of a large window. The wind blowing from the endless Northern Sea shook the Ice Queen’s luscious hair.

“……What is it?” The Third Palace Lord asked the silent Ice Queen.

The Ice Queen turned around. “Actually, I have something to tell your *jeongin* [a term that can mean lover or beloved person].”

Depending on how one heard it, it could have a suggestive meaning, so it was natural for the Third Palace Lord to be shaken.

“He is not my *jeongin*.”

“Oh my, I haven’t said who it is yet?” The Ice Queen smiled meaningfully, leaning against the window. “I wonder who my daughter was thinking of?”

“If you came to tease me,” the Third Palace Lord said firmly, “please leave.”

“Huhu.” The Ice Queen laughed. The Third Palace Lord frowned at the sight. It was the first time the Ice Queen had shown such a reaction. Normally, a sharp response would have come back.

“Did you tell him about the merchant and the demon emperor?” The Third Palace Lord was wary but shook her head at the Ice Queen’s question. “Not yet.”

“Is that so? I thought you would have already. Then please tell him this as well.” The Ice Queen said, moving her red lips, “If you enter the training chamber of the past Ice Emperors, you may be able to solve the secret of the Setting Sun.”

The Third Palace Lord’s eyes lit up.

“The training chamber of the past Ice Emperors…….”

“Yes.” The Ice Queen looked at the Third Palace Lord and gave a slender smile. “It’s where the Myriad Year Ice Crystal is located. Only the Ice Emperor is allowed there, but even this is an exception for the Azure Wolf.”

The Third Palace Lord was confused. She had no idea why the Ice Queen was suddenly talking about the Myriad Year Ice Crystal.

However, the intelligent woman soon deduced the answer. “Are you saying that the Sword Divinity of the Setting Sun is related to the Myriad Year Ice Crystal?”

“Who knows?” The Ice Queen tilted her head and said, “I don’t know anymore. But if it’s him, the one who made the Sword Divinity of the Setting Sun disappear into the light…”

The Ice Queen turned her head and looked out the window. “Wouldn’t he be able to find something out?”

The Third Palace Lord bit her lip.

‘The training chamber of the past Ice Emperors.’

It was said to be the place where the Myriad Year Ice Crystal was located. But no one other than the Ice Emperor had ever seen it directly. Located deep within this land, it was a place that only the Ice Emperor could enter.

“How is it? Isn’t this enough to pique his interest? Depending on how you do it, he will have no choice but to grant you even unreasonable requests, right?” The Ice Queen’s eyes held a subtle heat, as if trying to seduce her.

The Third Palace Lord bit her lip. It was frustrating, but the Ice Queen was right. The image of Unhyun’s eyes shining upon hearing these words was already vivid.

“Why don’t you do it yourself?”

“Would you like me to do it?”

Absolutely not. The thought of the Ice Queen asking something of Unhyun and him granting it made her blood boil.

“Don’t worry.” The Ice Queen said in a somewhat subtle voice, “This is a gift from me to the Sword Saint’s successor. As the Ice Queen, I should do this much for the Azure Wolf, right?”

The Ice Queen continued with a soft smile. “And even the Ice Emperor, whom you love, has personally ordered me not to do anything that would incur his wrath. Huhu, like a foolish person.” The Ice Queen laughed as if she was amused.

Sarak [sound of footsteps].

And the Ice Queen moved her steps as she was, passing by the Third Palace Lord. No, she was about to pass by.

“Mother.”

Jabeok [sound of stopping].

The Ice Queen stopped walking. The Third Palace Lord’s gaze was fixed on the Ice Queen.

“You swore, didn’t you? That you would be by the Ice Emperor’s side as the Ice Queen of the Northern Sea, at any time.”

“Yes. So?” The Ice Queen frowned slightly.

“That oath,” the Third Palace Lord asked in a low voice, “when and to whom did you make it?”

Silence flowed. The Ice Queen did not answer. Instead, she laughed. Extremely elegant and charmingly.

“Even though you’re my daughter,” the Ice Queen said in a soft voice, “I really hate children who are as quick-witted as you.”

It was not an answer, but it was enough of an answer for the Third Palace Lord. The Ice Queen had only told half the truth. Even in that urgent moment back then.

Sarak [sound of footsteps].

The Ice Queen turned her body and left the Third Palace Hall with an elegant posture.

Sabeok, Sabeok [sound of footsteps].

There was no answer until the end. The Third Palace Lord, left alone after the Ice Queen left, sighed softly.

“Hoo.” The Third Palace Lord murmured with sad eyes, “How long will you be trapped in the specter of the past, Mother?”

It was her heartfelt soliloquy.

But the Ice Queen, who would listen to those words, was no longer there.

***

That evening, Unhyun received an unexpected invitation.

“The Little Palace Lord? Now?” Unhyun, who was reading the letter, asked the maid.

However, the maid who brought the letter did not understand Unhyun’s words. She simply bowed politely, as if urging him.

“Do you have to go now?” Dogo-rang, who was standing next to him, asked.

Unhyun frowned as he looked at the letter. “It seems so, since she told me to follow this maid.”

“Shall I accompany you?”

Unhyun shook his head at Dogo-rang’s words. “She said she has something important to say, so it would be better to go alone. Dogo-je [term of respect], please wait in the room.”

“……I understand.” Although he looked a little dissatisfied, Dogo-rang nodded obediently.

Unhyun said to the maid, “Please wait a moment.” He didn’t know if she understood, but the maid was just waiting politely.

Unhyun lightly tidied his clothes and turned his head towards Dogo-rang.

“Here it is, Master.” Unhyun received the Northern Sea sword, Myeong, from Dogo-rang.

“Thank you.” Unhyun said with a smile, but Dogo-rang nodded silently.

Since the day he healed the Ice Emperor, Unhyun had been carrying Myeong more often than his wooden sword. It was thanks to this sword that he had saved the lives of the Ice Emperor and many others, and for some reason, the more he looked at it, the more he felt a vague sense of familiarity.

Sarak [sound of footsteps].

Unhyun sheathed Myeong and said to Dogo-rang, “I’ll be back, Dogo-je.”

“Please come back safely.” Dogo-rang said with his usual blunt expression.