Return of the Mount Hua Sect [EN]: Chapter 1125

“Did you ask if there was a problem?”

The disciples from the Beast Palace, a place known for its respect for animals, flinched at Seol So-baek’s cold voice. His voice was like ice, each word sharp and cutting.

The Beast Palace disciples were not stupid. They knew what was happening. They knew that this young man was the leader of the Northern Sea Ice Palace. The Beast Palace and Ice Palace are allied groups.

However, the Beast Palace disciples still looked unhappy as they glanced at the cart piled high with animal skins. Even if the other person was the leader of the Northern Sea Ice Palace, they felt they had to speak up.

His voice was quiet at first, like he was holding back. But then it became stronger.

“Is there really a need to kill innocent animals like that?”

Seol So-baek cut him off, acting like he wasn’t worth talking to.

“It’s pointless to argue about whether an animal is guilty or not. And even if it mattered, do I need your permission to do what I do?”

“Oh…”

Cheong-myeong stared at Seol So-baek in amazement. The Five Swords, who remembered Seol So-baek, also spoke at the same time.

‘Is that So-baek?’

‘Senior Brother? I don’t think that’s him?’

‘Is that the So-baek I know?’

‘Goodness, he used to be so small and cute.’

Cheong-myeong stared at Seol So-baek, blinking in surprise. This wasn’t the small, shy boy he remembered.

This Seol So-baek stood tall, his gaze firm and cold, like the winter winds of his Northern Sea home. He was no longer recognizable.

In Cheong-myeong’s mind, Seol So-baek was still a child, the rightful heir to the Northern Sea Ice Palace, but someone who never received proper treatment.

But the Seol So-baek he was seeing now was very different from the innocent child who lived in the cabin.

The Seol So-baek glaring at the Beast Palace disciples with cold eyes seemed every bit the leader of the Northern Sea Ice Palace.

‘How strange?’

Four years can change a child into a strong young man. But could it really make a kind child so serious and commanding?

Does becoming a leader change a person? Or was the Seol family blood of the Northern Sea stronger than Cheong-myeong thought?

“Then are you saying it’s okay to kill innocent animals?”

Even with Seol So-baek’s strong presence, the Beast Palace disciples did not back down easily.

Everyone has something they believe in strongly. The Beast Palace disciples, who treated animals like friends, could not accept the Ice Palace bringing back a pile of animal skins as a gift.

“Aren’t you wearing animal skins?”

“These weren’t taken by killing. They were taken from animals that died naturally. At least we don’t kill healthy animals just to get their skins.”

“Haha.”

Seol So-baek laughed, as if he couldn’t believe what he was hearing.

“You train to fight and even kill people, and you’re telling *me* not to kill animals? That makes no sense.”

“Humans commit sins, but animals do not.”

Seol So-baek’s eyes turned dark.

“It sounds like you are saying foolish things because you are too comfortable.”

“Yes?”

“The Northern Sea is covered in snow and ice. You have to do anything to survive. I don’t have the luxury to worry about animals.”

Seol So-baek’s voice was terribly cold.

The Ice Palace is actually quite wealthy in the Northern Sea, but Seol So-baek is not like other Ice Palace disciples. Before he took his position, he lived a life outside the Ice Palace and saw how the people of the Northern Sea really lived.

He knew how hard it was to live in that cold land where nothing grows.

How foolish would the Beast Palace’s words about not killing innocent animals sound to someone like Seol So-baek?

“Are you saying that we are wrong?”

“Well, I don’t think so. But…”

Seol So-baek turned his head slightly. He could see the shapes of large animals through the cracks in the warehouse door.

“Did you bring those here?”

“Yes, but why?”

“How amusing.”

Seol So-baek smirked.

“It must take a lot of effort to raise such large animals. I know that Yunnan hasn’t been doing well recently.”

“What do you mean?”

“If you have food to feed those animals, you should share it with the starving people. You’ve been taking care of animals even when times are hard. Does that mean animals are more important than people to you?”

“Have you said everything you want to say…”

“What if I have?”

The air seemed to chill, and even the sounds of the Beast Palace seemed to quiet down. Seol So-baek continued in a chilly voice.

“I thought the Beast Palace was known for being free, but this seems more like being out of control. Even if something is wrong, do you really think it’s okay for you, just disciples, to question me, the Lord of the Ice Palace?”

“Th, that’s…”

“The word ‘rude’ is used for times like these. Thanks to you, I know what kind of place the Beast Palace is.”

“Th, that’s too much!”

“Too much?”

Seol So-baek showed his teeth. At the same time, a cold chill flowed from his body. He showed a cold and dangerous anger.

“It’s okay for you to ignore the Northern Sea Ice Palace, but it’s too much for me to speak carelessly about the Beast Palace? I didn’t realize the Beast Palace was such a great place. I’m curious. How much more can you ignore the Ice Palace?”

“…”

“At this point, I think I need to prove that the Ice Palace isn’t a place to be ignored.”

Seol So-baek’s eyes were as hard as the ice walls of the Northern Sea. He dropped his hands and took a step forward, but just then…

“Hey, why are you fighting as soon as you see each other? Get along.”

“Fighting, you say!”

The moment Cheong-myeong’s words were heard from behind, the chill that Seol So-baek was giving off disappeared. Seol So-baek, who quickly changed his attitude, turned to Cheong-myeong and gave an awkward smile.

“W, we were just having a little chat. How could I do that when Master is here!”

“…”

“Eii, no way. Hee hee.”

The Ice Palace disciples, who had been moved by seeing their young leader so grown up, suddenly felt weak. Their shoulders slumped, they lowered their heads, and their eyes were wet.

‘The Mount Hua disease has started again.’

‘Why does this only happen when Mount Hua is involved?’

‘Why is he doing that!’

Who could understand the feelings of the Ice Palace disciples?

Seol So-baek had really grown up well in their eyes. At first, some were unhappy that a child who hadn’t really experienced the Ice Palace was becoming the leader just because he had the blood of the previous leader.

But now, no one in the Northern Sea doubted that Seol So-baek would become a great leader. He had shown them such wonderful things that they couldn’t doubt it.

Unlike the previous leaders who grew up in the comfortable Northern Sea Ice Palace and didn’t understand the lives of those who lived in the Northern Sea, Seol So-baek understood the hardships of the Northern Sea people better than anyone else. That’s why he cared for them more than any previous leader.

He was growing from someone they had to protect to someone who protected them.

He might not be perfect now, but people thought Seol So-baek, the current leader of the Ice Palace, could become more perfect than anyone else someday.

Except for one thing.

‘Except for Mount Hua, that is.’

They couldn’t understand why such a cold, smart, and kind person would go crazy when the words Mount Hua were mentioned.

The animal skins were a perfect example.

– Lo, Lord. Those Mount Hua people live in the warm Central Plains, would they need the…se skins?

– Hmm. So?

– Ah, no. It’s hard to catch them, and everyone is tired… They are so rare…

– So?

– Th… It’s not that I don’t want to do it, but is this something we really have to do…

– So?

– ⋯⋯.

– So?

– ⋯⋯I will do it.

You couldn’t just ignore the word ‘rare.’

How many sleepless nights did the Northern Sea Ice Palace disciples spend to get those skins! The animals with such skins are mostly awake at night, so they can’t be seen during the day!

Can you imagine how crazy it is to hunt animals in the snowy, blizzard-swept nights in the already cold Northern Sea?

The person who usually tried to take care of the Ice Palace disciples, making sure they were comfortable and well-fed, turned into a crazy person who sent them out to hunt on freezing nights when blizzards were raging, all because of Mount Hua.

“And th… Even so, I think your words were too harsh.”

“Ah, is that so?”

Seol So-baek smiled when he heard Cheong-myeong’s words, as if he was gently scolding him. Cheong-myeong tilted his head, confused by his reaction.

“Why are you laughing?”

“Because I think I did well.”

“Huh?”

“I tried. A martial artist should be kind usually, but shouldn’t show any kindness to the enemy or those who disagree with him.”

“Eung?”

That’s true, but… The Beast Palace isn’t the enemy, are they?

But Seol So-baek smiled even brighter, whether he knew what Cheong-myeong was thinking or not.

“It was hard work, but I did it! You always say that hard work pays off, Master, and you were right!”

“Wh, what effort?”

“Of course, it’s Master.”

“Huh? What does that mean…”

“I tried to be like the Master I saw. Master was exactly like this when he fought. Back then, he stopped those Demonic Sect guys like this! Like this!”

“…”

“I’m still not good enough, but if I try harder, I’ll be able to become like Master someday, right?”

Cheong-myeong looked at Seol So-baek, who was smiling brightly, with confused eyes.

He looked to the side and saw the Ice Palace disciples bowing their heads as if they wanted to disappear. Their red faces and pure white uniforms were very noticeable.

“Me?”

“Yes!”

“I was like this?”

Cheong-myeong turned to look at the Five Swords standing behind him. But the Five Swords looked away, pretending not to notice, as if it was hard to explain.

“Well, it’s not exactly the same.”

“A little… Uh, a little similar.”

“What he was trying to be like… Yeah, I know what he was trying to be like.”

“Why of all people…”

Cheong-myeong stared blankly at the Five Swords before looking back at Seol So-baek. Seeing him blinking his big eyes and smiling, he couldn’t help but think of a large dog wagging its tail.

Cheong-myeong said in a hollow voice.

“Really?”

– Now it’s even up to the Northern Sea….

No, you old man. I’ve never been like that!

Wow….

Waaa… I’m going crazy, really…