Return of the Mount Hua Sect [EN]: Chapter 545

Seol So-baek returned to her palace chamber after the banquet, looking quite pleased.

“I’m glad the discussion went well.”

However, Han I-myeong looked as if his soul had departed. “Your Highness, are you sure about this monopoly? It’s a big risk! To profit from trade, various merchant groups must compete. Giving a monopoly means they can set prices as they please.”

“That’s right,” Seol So-baek replied.

“This is too great a loss.”

Even after hearing Han I-myeong’s words, Seol So-baek shook her head. “I know, Chief.”

“But why do you seem so at ease? The Ice Palace is about to be exploited by the sects of the Central Plains.”

A light smile touched her lips. “If they were the kind to only seek their own gain to the point of exploiting the Northern Sea, they would have fled the moment they learned the Demonic Sect was plotting. Even if they were caught up in it, they wouldn’t have fought so desperately.”

“…”

“Though their words and actions are rough, I’ve never seen them act against what they’ve agreed upon.”

Han I-myeong thought, ‘What she says makes sense… but is it safe?’

“But, Your Highness…!”

“Chief.”

Seol So-baek, cutting off Han I-myeong’s words, asked with sparkling eyes, “Chief, how much stronger do you think the Mount Hua Sect will become?”

“Well…” Han I-myeong paused, contemplating. “Until recently, Mount Hua’s reputation hadn’t reached the Northern Sea, but soon it will be the most famous sect here. And perhaps elsewhere as well.”

“That’s right. That’s certain.”

Seol So-baek and Han I-myeong nodded together, remembering their shockingly high martial prowess.

‘At least they’ll be one of the strongest sects in the Central Plains,’ Han I-myeong thought.

Above all, Chung Myung’s existence made that fact certain. Baek Cheon, Yu I-seol, and the other disciples of Mount Hua were all talented enough to become sect leaders or the best disciples of any sect. But even among them, Chung Myung was clearly on a different level.

It wasn’t just about his martial prowess. His analytical skills, his wisdom, his execution, and his boldness were all remarkable. Above all, he led the strong-willed Mount Hua disciples effortlessly.

Even if those supporting Chung Myung were not as good as Baek Cheon, Mount Hua would have been sufficient to aim for the greatest sect under the heavens. But since he had such talented people supporting him, what would Chung Myung have to fear?

‘And even the thoroughness to steal the Ice Palace’s undergarments,’ Han I-myeong thought, wiping his eyes so Seol So-baek wouldn’t see. They didn’t even leave anything behind!

Not only did they take the ice veins mined from the mine, but they also took all the Ice Essence that Seol Cheon-sang had stashed away, and swept away all the treasures the Demonic Sect had gathered! Even though Seol Cheon-sang’s Ice Essence was used in the Demonic Sect’s strange great magic, and less than half of its essence remained, Ice Essence was still Ice Essence. Even that alone would be of considerable value…

‘Too good, too good,’ Han I-myeong mused. The problem is that he’s excessively good!

Seol So-baek smiled gently as she looked at Han I-myeong, who was lost in thought. “Forming ties with Mount Hua will not be a loss for the Ice Palace.”

“…”

“Of course, we may have a little difficulty right now. But will forming a friendly relationship with that Mount Hua Sect truly harm the Northern Ice Palace?”

Han I-myeong couldn’t answer right away. He simply looked at Seol So-baek with new eyes. He realized he didn’t understand her as well anymore.

She was no longer simply following his opinions, but thinking for herself and contemplating the direction the Ice Palace should take. This meant that Seol So-baek was becoming the true mistress of the Northern Ice Palace, and it was proof that she was leaving his embrace and standing alone as a martial artist.

The fact that Chung Myung’s shadow, not his, was visible behind that growth was a little bitter…

‘It’s not bad,’ he thought. Chung Myung was definitely not a bad person to serve as her master. From the perspective of dealing with him, it was frustrating, but if he thought of him as his superior, there could be no one more reliable.

So, he should think of it as a good change…

“Besides, wasn’t this proposed by Instructor Chung Myung!”

“……Yes?”

“How could anything Instructor Chung Myung does go wrong! I trust Instructor Chung Myung. I’ve seen how he acts. He is honest and strong. I believe he will keep his word.”

“……”

No… Something seems to be going very wrong?

Han I-myeong sighed, confused. He couldn’t tell whether Seol So-baek had really grown up, or if she had just been caught up in Chung Myung’s schemes.

“Isn’t the monopoly too much?” Jo Gul asked Chung Myung.

“What is?” Chung Myung asked back.

“No… the Northern Sea is…” Jo Gul looked at Chung Myung, unsure what to say.

As a merchant, he knew very well how much profit a monopoly could bring. How much money had Mount Hua earned after obtaining exclusive trading rights with Yunnan?

Moreover, this was a different case. Trade with Yunnan was a contract made between Mount Hua and the Beast Palace in an equal state, so they adjusted the profits to a reasonable level. But if Chung Myung could trade exclusively with the Ice Palace in a state where he completely controlled it, it was hard to imagine how much profit would be generated.

Of course, it wouldn’t be a lot of money right away, but as the years passed, the profits would grow exponentially.

“Chief Han is definitely not a fool. But would he really accept this?” Jo Gul asked, looking worried.

“You’re talking nonsense, Senior Brother,” Chung Myung said with a clever smile.

“Huh?”

“It’s not that he’s not a fool, so he won’t accept it, but because he’s not a fool, he’ll accept it.”

“……”

Chung Myung smiled. “Chief Han… No, the Ice Palace can’t refuse this. And this is definitely not a loss for the Ice Palace either.”

“What are you talking about again?”

“The Ice Palace saw it with their own eyes. How terrifying the Demonic Sect is.”

“……”

“But there are still Demonic Sect bastards left in the world. And the fact that one division caused trouble means that other divisions can cause trouble at any time.”

“T-That’s true.”

“But the Ice Palace doesn’t have the power to stop them.”

“Ah…”

Cheongmyung shrugged.

“This fight took too much from us,” he said. “And Seol Sobaek, the new Ice Palace Lord… she’s just a girl, really.”

One of the others nodded slowly. “That’s true.”

Cheongmyung went on, “She needs time to become strong. Time to train new fighters like the old ones. If trouble comes now… the Ice Palace could fall apart completely. They’d be helpless.”

“So, what I’m saying is…”

Baek Cheon, who had been silently listening, finally spoke.

“The Ice Palace needs someone to protect them, then.”

“Exactly! You understand well.”

Baek Cheon, looking annoyed, sighed deeply. Veins were popping out on his forehead.

“It’s true. Having special rights is a problem. But the Ice Palace is weak now. Other groups in the Central Plains might attack them like wolves.”

“That’s also true.” Jo Gul nodded, finally understanding.

Merchants are greedy, and those who trade with the Ice Palace often have powerful sects behind them.

The Ice Palace, not as strong as before, would struggle with these arrogant people.

“They need time to get stronger and for the young Palace Lord to grow up. They also need protection from the Demonic Sect, who might attack again. So, they need a strong sect to protect them.”

“Accurate!” Cheongmyung nodded, satisfied.

He used to explain everything, but now they understand on their own.

Their martial arts and insight were both improving.

“I understand, but something feels strange.”

“What is it?”

“The Ice Palace sees Mount Hua as protection from other Central Plains sects or the Demonic Sect, right?”

“Right. Why?”

Baek Cheon smiled awkwardly.

Only a few years ago, Mount Hua was almost bankrupt. Now, the Ice Palace, one of the Saeoe Sagung, relies on them. It was both proud and strange.

“They might not realize it now, but they’ll eventually reach one conclusion.”

“Heh.” Baek Cheon chuckled at Cheongmyung’s confidence.

He wasn’t greedy for wealth, but he was planning something big.

“This will help Mount Hua, right?”

“Of course.” Cheongmyung nodded.

“The Northern Ice Palace is declining, but it’s still one of the Saeoe Sagung, with history and potential. If the Palace Lord is smart, they’ll regain their strength.”

“Hmm.”

“Then we’ll have a strong friend.”

“And do some business deals.”

“Helping each other. Mutually.”

Baek Cheon smiled. ‘It doesn’t seem mutual.’

“But what I don’t understand is…”

“What now?”

“If so, we have to fight off other sects trying to take the Ice Palace, right?”

“Right.”

“Can we do that? Mount Hua is strong, but can we handle the Nine Great Sects’ anger?”

“Sasuk.”

“Huh?”

“I thought you were getting smarter, but you’re talking nonsense.”

“Why would we do that? Others are supposed to watch the Ice Palace and deal with the problems.”

“We helped them a lot. Now *they* should deal with the problems that come after. Do they even care? They should!”

Everyone looked at Hae Yeon, whose face turned red.

Cheongmyung snorted.

“Of course, the Abbot of Shaolin should help, unless he wants his beard pulled out. And the Southern Beast Palace will help too. If we pressure them as the Saeoe Sagung, there won’t be problems.”

“Ah… the Beast Palace.” Everyone remembered Beast Palace Lord Maeng So.

Cheongmyung added firmly, “If the Ice Palace joins the Cheonwu Alliance, it’s over. Mount Hua can’t handle the Nine Great Sects alone, but the Cheonwu Alliance can.”

“Certainly…” Everyone looked brighter.

“When the Cheonwu Alliance starts, we’ll say the Ice Palace is joining too. Then it’ll be hard to criticize our trade within the alliance.”

“Good idea.” Baek Cheon understood Cheongmyung’s plan.

“You’re passing all responsibility to Shaolin and the Cheonwu Alliance, and only taking the benefits for Mount Hua? Completely monopolizing the Ice Jade and Hancheol that Mount Hua needs most right now?”

“Even the devil would cry.”

“Who’s worse, him or the Demonic Sect?”

“I vote for Cheongmyung.”

“I vote for Sajeong too!”

Baek Cheon shook his head. ‘He’s amazing.’

What started with the Beast Palace Lord grew, and even the Ice Palace was connected to Mount Hua. He didn’t know where the plan started, but the result was the best.

“So, is it all arranged now?”

“Only the Ice Palace’s choice remains. Then it’s complete. All that’s left is cleanup.” Cheongmyung tapped Baek Ah’s chin.

“It was like hell.”

“I’m not going back to the North Sea.”

“Don’t celebrate yet, Sahyung. We still have to get back to Mount Hua.” Tang Soso grumbled, but the others smiled.

“We have to go home now.”

“Yes, Sasuk.”

Mount Hua, their home that they missed.