Chapter 240
The Youngest Son of the Silver Sea Trading Company Chapter 240
Chapter 240. It Was Here (5)
The Palace Head's suggestion was welcome news to me.
I had been thinking about it anyway.
I still didn't know who destroyed Seolpung Palace, but it couldn't hurt to be careful.
“I will do as you say.”
I accepted the Palace Head's proposal.
Huh?
Come to think of it, the Palace Head said that he conducted his own investigation after the Seolpung Palace was destroyed.
He said that he found the emergency signal broken and collected the remains that were left after the fire.
“Palace Head.”
“Yes, I'm listening.”
“Do you happen to know who destroyed Seolpung Palace?”
“...”
The Palace Head's face darkened.
“Are you thinking of revenge?”
“No, I just want to know who I need to avoid. I'm still too weak to take revenge. Isn't survival the priority?”
“That's wise.”
The Palace Head nodded.
“The most widespread rumor is that the Demonic Cult is responsible...”
“That's nonsense.”
“What?”
“I can't go into details, but you should consider that to be nonsense.”
“Yes...”
The Palace Head's assertion.
If he said so, then it was certain that the Demonic Cult was not the culprit.
They came all the way to the North Sea, where cold winds blow year-round, and destroyed the Snow Wind Palace in an instant.
Having learned the Extreme Yin-Yang Sword Technique from my master, I knew that
regardless of whether the Snow Wind Palace Head had the Silver Sword or not, he was a very powerful person.
I unconsciously touched the silver sword.
If Yoo Deok-jin hadn't stolen this sword, would the situation have been different?
In any case, those who destroyed Seolpung Palace must have been able to plan for a long time, and they were strong enough to secretly approach the North Sea and take over Seolpung Palace in an instant. That means they are a force with a long history.
There are few such forces in the martial arts world today.
First of all, although not part of the martial arts world, the Imperial Palace can be considered the strongest force with influence over the martial arts world.
Led by the Royal Guards and Dongchang, it has many hidden masters.
No one except the emperor knew their exact number.
Then there is the Martial Alliance, a coalition of orthodox sects, and the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult, which can be considered the strongest single martial arts force.
Other than that, there are the Northern Sea Ice Palace, the Potala Palce in the west, and the Chukyung Palace in the south.
Off the top of my head, I can think of about six places.
Sects and clans such as Shaolin, Wudang, and Namgung Clan also have a long history and are skilled in martial arts, but it is difficult to see them as a single force that can overwhelm Seolpung Palace.
There was also a place called the Blood Cult, but it was destroyed by the Martial Alliance.
It is safe to say that the twelve warriors known as the Yangtze River Twelve also disappeared due to the emperor's campaign to subdue the Yangtze River.
Looking at it this way, there are quite a few.
Actually, the place I suspect the most is Chukyung Palace. They are a sect that specializes in fire magic.
They were so hostile toward those who practiced ice magic that they were considered to be polar opposites.
But if they made it this far, there's no way the Northern Sea Ice Palace wouldn't have noticed, right?
Since they are polar opposites, they would be wary and watch each other closely.
Then who could it be?
“Even if you're curious, can you hold off a little longer?”
“Huh?”
Perhaps I was lost in thought, because the Palace Head spoke to me.
“I'll tell you when the time comes.”
I knew what he meant. He couldn't tell me now.
Someone of his stature must have his reasons.
I nodded.
“I understand.”
The Palace Head picked up a book from the table and handed it to me.
“...?”
The title of the book was “Senryu Hyōken” (Thousand Streams of Ice Sword).
“This is the martial arts I want to teach you. It is the martial arts of a sect that existed in the past, but it has been lost because there are no descendants.”
Why does the Northern Sea Ice Palace have a martial arts book from such a place?
“The last descendant came and asked us to pass it on to someone with a connection to the sect, so there is no problem with you learning it.”
“However, I understand that there will be problems if the mental techniques and martial arts do not match.”
“Of course. But this martial art will not be a problem. This is because anyone who has mastered the inner arts of Yin energy can learn it without restriction.”
“I see.”
After all, someone of the rank of Northern Sea Ice Palace Head would not recommend martial arts to me without considering such things.
But Chen Liu Bing Gong...
I remember hearing that somewhere before. Where was it?
“First, familiarize yourself with this secret manual. Then, come to my private training hall after breakfast tomorrow morning.”
.
.
.
The next day.
After eating breakfast, I changed into the training clothes brought to me by my attendant disciple.
The training uniform was white and did not restrict my movement at all.
“Kui...”
Unlike the clothes I usually wore, the training uniform I received here did not have wide sleeves, so there was no place to put my gold bell.
The gold bell looked at me with a gloomy expression, then quickly climbed onto my shoulder.
I understood why she was a guardian spiritual beast.
She didn't want to leave my side.
“I'll take you there.”
“Yes.”
I followed the disciple to the Palace Head's private training ground.
The private training ground was located in the basement of the Ice Hall.
“You're here.”
At her words, the crystal door slid open.
“Please come in.”
“Yes.”
However, I was the only one who entered the training ground. She remained standing at the door.
“...?”
“Did you enjoy your breakfast?”
When I looked up at the voice, I saw the Palace Head standing there.
The Palace Head's private training ground looked as if it were made of crystal. The floor and ceiling were so smooth that I could see my reflection.
Could the entire training ground be made of crystal?
Putting my admiration aside, I answered her question.
“Yes. It was delicious.”
“Have you memorized all the techniques?”
“Yes.”
I nodded confidently and replied.
“I memorized everything.”
The Palace Head was slightly surprised by my answer and asked, “You memorized everything?”
“You memorized all of that? I only asked you to learn it well...”
“Isn't learning well the same as memorizing?”
“...”
Ah... I guess not.
“I didn't think you could memorize all of that in just one night. Anyway, that's good. Then I'll teach you the first technique.”
The Palace Head taught me the techniques step by step in detail.
Overall, it was very thorough instruction on how to move my inner arts and how to move efficiently when using a sword.
It was so different from when the investigator taught me the Extreme Yin and Yang Sword Technique that I was deeply impressed.
“When you master the Tenryu-Hokuto, your enhanced qi will spread out like a thousand streams of water and attack your opponent.”
“Yes, I understand.”
“Then, what do you think is the most important thing to keep in mind when learning the Tenryu-Hokuto?”
“It is to handle your enhanced qi properly so that you don't hurt yourself or your allies.”
She looked satisfied with my answer.
“That's right. How did you know that?”
“You said it was like a stream of water, so I thought it was similar to a whip or a renken. And I happened to see someone practicing renken once.”
My mother uses a renken.
And my mother once told me that renken is very difficult to handle and must be handled with great care.
“I see. But knowing and actually doing are two different things... You're quite good at it.”
“I just predicted your movements.”
“...”
The Palace Head looked at me for a moment.
“Why?”
“I was wondering if you would teach me the art of dual swords. Being able to predict those movements means you are skilled in dual swords.”
I scratched my ear at his compliment.
Did I inherit my mother's talent for martial arts?
“However, your weapon is not dual swords, but a regular longsword, so the Thousand River Sword would be more suitable for you.”
So I spent the whole day practicing the Heavenly Sword Technique, and two days passed.
.
.
.
“You don't need any more instruction.”
I bowed my head in response to the Palace Head's words.
“Thank you for your instruction.”
I had mastered the Heavenly Sword Technique in just two days.
“By the way, you are truly talented. Even so, to master it in just two days...”
“It is all thanks to your guidance, Palace Head.”
“Your Master must enjoy teaching you. I envy you. If you were a girl, I would have taken you as my disciple.”
“You are still my Master.”
She burst out laughing at my answer.
“That's true. It's not officially recognized, but I am still your master.”
She continued.
“I hope these martial arts will be useful to you. When you have to go out in public, try to use the Heavenly Sword as much as possible.”
“I will keep that in mind.”
“Now that Master Jin-ho is much better, we can leave tomorrow.”
When I saw Jin-ho this morning, he was much better.
And now that the Palace Head has ordered us to descend the mountain, it is time to leave.
I clasped my hands together again and bowed my head.
“Thank you for your kindness, Palace Head. Please take care of yourself.”
“I will. Now, please go.”
“Yes.”
*
Bing Gong looked at Eun Seo-ho's back as he left the private training room.
Actually, she had only intended to tell Eun Seo-ho the basics of the Cheonryu Binggeom.
She thought that would be enough time.
But she was wrong.
“I think I understand why Heaven granted Master Eun the Silver Sword and Hanho Lake.”
He was a genius.
Not just flattery, but a true genius.
If he had seriously devoted himself to martial arts, he would have had enough genius to pull up even a declining sect.
She was truly envious of Eun Seo-ho's master, Kwak Myeong-hyun.
Bing Hae-rin was also a genius, but there was someone even more talented than him.
“He is indeed someone born with the body of a dragon. It's strange that a man has the body of a dragon.”
Suddenly, she wondered if her master felt the same way she did when she looked at Eun Seo-ho.
That was why she felt even more sorry that the martial arts that only Seolpung Palace Head could learn had been lost.
“But... when I was learning the Heavenly Sword, it seemed like I could see the movements of the Extreme Yin Sword...”
Thinking so, she smiled and shook her head.
“That can't be. How could I learn that without anyone to teach me?”
Suddenly, she felt excited about the hero's sword that would be recreated from Eun Seo-ho's sword.
“He will be satisfied.”
* *
The next morning.
Jin-ho, his wife, and I prepared to leave the Northern Sea Ice Palace.
The senior officials of the Northern Sea Ice Palace came out to see us off.
“Take care.”
“Yes.”
“See you again next time.”
“Yes.”
“And remember what I told you, son-in-law.”
“Yes! I will remember!”
While Jin-ho struggled with the bottle of alcohol, his mother-in-law, Seol Seo-yoon, and his grandmother, Elder Sang-ho, seemed to have grown closer.
I was glad.
Next, the Palace Head approached us.
“Thank you for everything.”
We bowed our heads to her with clasped hands.
“Please return safely.”
“Yes.”
“And Princess.”
The Princess Binghaerin, who was standing next to her, answered her call.
“Yes, Palace Head.”
“Please take everyone safely to their destination.”
“Yes, I will.”
With everyone seeing us off, we left the Northern Sea Ice Palace with the young palace head, Bing Haerin, through the foggy gate.
When I first saw the palace head, I was surprised by her strength, but as that surprise subsided, I felt a strange sense of familiarity.
Perhaps that was why I felt a little sad to part ways.
But we would meet again someday.
.
.
.
“Oh! Young master, you're back?”
As soon as we entered the Binggung Inn, Pal-gap rushed toward me.
“Yes. I'm back.”
“Did you get into any trouble? You were later than expected, so I was worried.”
“Ah, that...”
I glanced at Jin-ho.
I couldn't tell him that Jin-ho was drunk, so I just wrote that something came up.
Yeah... I have to protect Jin-ho's reputation.
“Jin-ho's in-laws wouldn't let him leave.”
Seo-woo nodded in understanding.
“I see. They say that a mother-in-law loves her son-in-law the most.”
Then Bing Hae-rin said,
“I heard you are leaving today. It looks like a snowstorm will hit in a day or two. You must hurry or you will be stuck here.”
“Ah! Yes, I understand.”
We quickly got ready to leave and left the Binggung Inn.
While passing through the North Sea, several spiritual beasts attacked us, but thanks to that, I was able to completely master the Heavenly Ice Sword technique I learned from the Palace Head.
While traveling, a thought suddenly crossed my mind.
Considering that the Palace Head took the time to teach me the Heavenly Ice Sword technique, even though I was an outsider, does that mean that the murderers who destroyed Seolpung Palace are people I will often encounter during my journey?
If so, should we exclude the forces of the Outer Regions?
No, we must not jump to conclusions.
We passed through the North Sea and arrived safely at the North Sea branch of the Eunhae Trading Company, where we decided to rest.
That evening.
“Liege.”
Seo Woo, who was standing alone in the courtyard, called out to me.
“Yes.”
“May I ask you something?”
“Go ahead.”
“It seems like you are using different martial arts than before.”
“Ah! That's right. Actually, I learned martial arts at the Northern Sea Ice Palace. It's called the Heavenly Ice Sword.”
As my bodyguard, I thought he should know, so I told him.
“What? Did you just say Cheonryu Byeonggeom?”
But his reaction was unusual.
“Why is that?”
“Cheonryu Byeonggeom is the name of the legendary sword of a martial artist who lived about 200 years ago.”
Ah... I remember now.