Return of the Mount Hua Sect [EN]: Chapter 481

Whooooosh! A fierce blizzard raged.

Thick darkness had fallen, and it was impossible to see, even with eyes wide open.

Scritch.

In that harsh darkness, where even beasts feared to go, a figure in a night-robe darker than the night moved like a ghost along the Ice Palace’s pure white walls.

Thud.

He hid on a corner of the castle. He wrapped his arms tightly around himself, trying to get warm.

“Krrr… I’m freezing to death!”

He had remembered to bring the night-robe but forgot how cold it would be.

Beneath his mask, Chung Myung’s teeth chattered without stopping.

“Why am I doing this again…?”

He’d trembled with cold even when covered in bear fur. How much worse was it to be outside on this night, wearing only thin clothes?

“Kiee!”

“Quiet, you!”

Baek Ah, who was inside the thin robe, couldn’t stand the cold. He peeked his head out from under Chung Myung’s chin and shivered.

“Kiek! Kiek!”

He looked at Chung Myung with a resentful expression, as if asking why he was dressed this way.

“What’s with all the fuss from someone who originally lives in a cold place?”

A martial artist shouldn’t complain about the cold, but Chung Myung always made excuses for himself and was tough on others.

Chung Myung pushed Baek Ah’s head back inside and carefully adjusted the robe.

“Krr. I need to hurry and get this done.”

He decided to fill the night-robe with cotton as soon as he returned, and then Chung Myung moved.

Tap tap tap.

His feet pushed off the smooth castle wall, and he climbed up. The castle wall was frozen and slippery. But this was no problem for Chung Myung. He climbed the steep cliffs of Mount Hua like they were flat ground.

Whump!

Uh… maybe it is a problem?

Chung Myung’s foot slipped, making a small noise. Inside, a guard who was walking around frowned and opened a window a little.

Whooooosh!

The blizzard swept in through the window, making him quickly shut it again.

“What a blizzard…”

The snow hit the sturdy wooden window again and again. He clicked his tongue at the rattling sound and frowned slightly.

“This winter feels particularly cold.”

He didn’t think much of it and continued his walk.

Meanwhile, Chung Myung, who had been watching the situation inside, stuck to the wall and carefully climbed again.

“Krr.”

Normally, climbing a castle like this would be nothing, but the blizzard hitting him from behind was the problem. This wasn’t snow; it was practically hail.

‘If I ever come back to the Northern Sea, I’m not human!’

After nimbly climbing the wall, Chung Myung finally reached the highest point of the castle. He stayed on the side where the blizzard was less strong and pressed his ear against the wall.

Then, he heard a voice from inside that he had heard before.

‘Oh?’

“Wow, found it on the first try?”

He had planned to search from top to bottom, but it seemed the Ice Palace Lord liked high places. Fortunately for Chung Myung.

“Kie…”

“Shh.”

Chung Myung pushed Baek Ah’s head in with his finger, grinned, tried not to make any noise, and listened carefully.

A clear voice began to be heard from inside.

Two people.

The voice was, as expected, that of the Ice Palace Lord.

“And the others?”

At Seolcheon Sang’s question, the Ice Palace’s First Elder, Naengbyeokwi, immediately answered.

“They are in their rooms.”

“Hmm.”

Seolcheon Sang’s eyes darkened slightly.

“They are interesting people. Especially that one called the Divine Dragon of Mount Hua.”

Naengbyeokwi frowned. He thought the Palace Lord was being too nice.

“Isn’t he being too cheeky? Acting so stiff in front of you, Palace Lord. Seems like this ‘Divine Dragon’ thinks he’s too good for everyone now he’s got a bit of fame.”

Naengbyeokwi’s voice was filled with anger, but Seolcheon Sang just smiled slightly.

“Hmm, is that what you think?”

“…But… you don’t see it that way, Palace Lord?”

He touched his chin and said quietly.

“Being rude when you’re not good is just being arrogant. But being rude when you *are* good? That’s confidence. He doesn’t strike me as arrogant.”

“…He is only at the level of a Late Stage Ascetic.”

“Would the Beast Palace Lord introduce someone who is only at the level of a Late Stage Ascetic?”

“That is…”

Naengbyeokwi couldn’t answer.

Beast Palace Lord Maeng So.

The Outer Five Palaces had kept in contact with each other to fight against the Central Plains and to survive in that difficult place. So, Seolcheon Sang knew a lot about Maeng So.

“Maeng So is not someone to be ignored.”

Seolcheon Sang said firmly.

The fact that the Beast Palace Lord had introduced the Divine Dragon of Mount Hua to the Northern Sea meant that he was no ordinary person.

However…

‘A new era…’

Seolcheon Sang looked thoughtful.

“He was talking nonsense.”

The Beast Palace, living in the warm south, could not understand the situation in the Northern Sea. Although they had to work together as the Outer Five Palaces, the Beast Palace of Yunnan and the Ice Palace of the Northern Sea were very different in everything from their situations to their cultures.

“Just deal with them. Don’t cause any problems.”

“Yes, Palace Lord.”

Meanwhile, Chung Myung, who was stuck to the outer wall of the building, pressed down on his chattering jaw and frowned as much as possible.

‘Instead of useless talk, say something helpful.’

In any case, those at the top were geniuses at wasting time with useless talk.

Fortunately, before Chung Myung froze to death, Seolcheon Sang brought up a story that interested him.

“What is their condition?”

The atmosphere in the room changed a lot when he mentioned ‘them.’ Chung Myung, stuck to the outer wall, could feel it clearly.

“They also aren’t doing anything special.”

“Hmm.”

“However…”

“However?”

Naengbyeokwi spoke with a stiff face.

“Recently, I feel that they are very nervous. They were always unhappy people, but now they seem really dangerous and angry.”

“Dangerous and angry.”

Seolcheon Sang frowned.

“Those devilish things…”

Naengbyeokwi carefully watched Seolcheon Sang’s face and spoke.

“Palace Lord, I still don’t know if it was a good idea to bring them in. They are too dangerous.”

“Enough.”

“But…”

“Did I not say enough?”

Seolcheon Sang suddenly became cold, making Naengbyeokwi quickly lower his head.

“I went too far.”

Even though Naengbyeokwi apologized a lot, Seolcheon Sang’s face did not soften.

“There are two kinds of things in the world.”

“…”

“One is something you can choose, and the other is something you cannot.”

“…I am sorry.”

Even Naengbyeokwi thought that ‘that matter’ was not something Seolcheon Sang could choose. It must have been unavoidable for him. Naengbyeokwi knew he shouldn’t talk about something so painful for the Palace Lord…

“There is no need to be sorry.”

Then, Seolcheon Sang sighed and covered his face with his hand. His eyes, seen between his white fingers, shone strangely.

“Because it was entirely my choice.”

“…”

Seolcheon Sang’s lips twisted. The kind smile he had shown in front of the Mount Hua disciples was gone.

It was a twisted and distorted smile that would make anyone feel chills.

“My brother was a great Palace Lord.”

“This is all there is.” Seolcheon’s voice was like ice, each word sharp and cold. A dangerous feeling filled the room. “In this frozen wasteland, even a powerful palace lord is helpless. The people of the Northern Sea will soon understand this.”

“Yes, Palace Lord!” Nang knelt low, bowing his head. He felt a shiver run down his spine just being near Seolcheon when he was this angry.

Seolcheon continued, his voice still icy. “I can do anything to get what I want. Even work with those Demonic Path vermin.”

Nang shuddered at the Palace Lord’s cold words.

“However, Palace Lord,” Nang said cautiously.

“?” Seolcheon waited, his gaze like ice.

“They’re getting too bold. People in the Northern Sea are scared to go outside because of them. And a strange sickness is spreading in the villages. I’m worried the people will become very angry.” Nang hesitated. He knew things had been bad for a while, but he didn’t dare tell Seolcheon just how bad.

“You mean the disappearances?” Seolcheon’s face twisted in anger.

‘Those blasted bastards,’ he thought. He didn’t know exactly what they were planning. They wanted land to settle on in exchange for their help, and…

“Leave them alone for now,” Seolcheon commanded.

“But…”

“I will warn them. But if we pressure them without solid evidence, we could create unnecessary problems.”

“…”

Nang looked a little unhappy, but Seolcheon ignored it.

“How is the ice crystal production going?” Seolcheon asked, changing the subject.

“We are making as many as we can. But their demands are too much…”

“Hmm.”

Seolcheon looked down for a moment, thinking. Then he said firmly, “Get more ice crystals. Push harder, even if it’s difficult.”

“Yes,” Nang replied, though he knew there were problems. He didn’t dare argue. Seolcheon knew the problems too, but he didn’t care.

“Vermin-like bastards,” Seolcheon muttered, his eyes cold.

“It won’t be long. The day my martial arts are complete, not only those bastards but also those arrogant Central Plains fools will kneel before me.” He clenched his fist. “I will wait for that day.”

“Hmph.”

Seolcheon stood up suddenly.

“If the Central Plains people make problems here in the Ice Palace, it will cause trouble. For now, distract them. Stop them from moving around too much.”

“I understand.”

“Insignificant…”

At that moment, Seolcheon stopped and turned his head. Nang watched, confused.

“Palace Lord?”

Suddenly, Seolcheon punched the wall with his palm.

WHAM!

The wall cracked open, and pieces flew out.

“P, Palace Lord?” Blizzard wind rushed in through the hole. Seolcheon stared at the hole for a moment, then shook his head slightly.

“Maybe I was just imagining things.”

“…”

“Have someone fix the wall.”

“Yes, sir!”

He glared at the wall again and then walked quickly out of the room.

Nang was left alone, sighing deeply as he looked at the hole.

‘The Palace Lord is getting more and more suspicious,’ he thought. ‘I understand, but…’

“Hoo.” He sighed again and left the room.

‘Whoa, that was close.’

Chung Myung, leaning against the wall next to the hole, stroked his chest.

‘That old man is quite sensitive.’

To think he would detect his presence amidst the blowing wind and blizzard.

This meant that Seolcheon’s martial prowess was beyond what he had expected.

“Ugh! It’s cold!”

First of all, martial prowess or whatever, he was freezing to death.

Chung Myung crawled to the hole and peeked inside. He looked closely and saw papers on a desk.

“Hey. Come out.”

“Kieek?”

He reached into his chest and grabbed Baek Ah, pulling him out. Baek Ah grabbed Chung Myung’s clothes with his paws, clearly not wanting to go outside.

“Ah, my neck is a bit chilly these days, I need a scarf.”

Baek Ah flinched at the threat.

Then, with a determined face, he finally nodded.

Baek Ah jumped out of Chung Myung’s hand and shot into the hole like lightning.

Thud.

And in an instant, he bit the documents and came out, handing them to Chung Myung before quickly burrowing back into his clothes.

“Hmm.”

Chung Myung carefully tucked away the documents and smiled slyly.

‘So, the relationship with the Demonic Sect isn’t that good, huh?’

He learned a lot.

And among them, there was one thing that excited Chung Myung the most.

– If the Central Plains people make problems here in the Ice Palace, it will cause trouble. For now, distract them. Stop them from moving around too much.

“Ah, so you don’t want us to stir things up?”

Heh heh.

If you tell me this much, how can I not stir things up?

“Don’t you think so, Sahyung? Hee hee.”

– Aren’t you cold?

“Wow, damn it! I’m freezing to death.”

Chung Myung’s body began to descend like a ghost, lower and lower.

Thud!

A moment later, just as he landed on the floor and was about to turn around.

“Who’s there?”

Huh? He’s been caught…!

Wham!

“Aaaargh!”

Chung Myung stared blankly, alternating between his outstretched leg and the Ice Palace warrior flying away while screaming.

Ah…

He should have thought before hitting, but his foot went out first.

This is a really bad habit.

“Who is it!”

“It’s an intruder!”

Loud shouts began to be heard from within the blizzard.

A little surprised, Chung Myung looked around, then looked up.

‘So, our lodging is…’

Oh! There it is.

As if startled by the commotion, Baek Cheon’s figure, leaning out of the window, caught his eye.

Although the blizzard was raging, Chung Myung’s eyes and Baek Cheon’s eyes met precisely.

‘Good. For now, let’s go there…’

At that moment.

Baek Cheon, who was looking at Chung Myung, smiled and reached out to grab the window.

And then.

Thwack.

He closed it without hesitation.

“…”

The corners of Chung Myung’s eyes twitched as he stared at the firmly closed wooden window of the lodging.

“Wow…”

Look at that bastard?