Chapter 522
Chapter 522
Chapter 522. Facing Again (3)
Ding-a-ling, ding-a-ling.
I heard a bell.
It was the signal to eat lunch.
When I rose from my seat and went outside the library, a simple meal had been set on the table I had seen earlier.
The Zhurong Palace disciple bowed his head politely and said.
“As this is the kind of place it is, the meal is simple. Please understand.” (Disciple)
Well, it would be a bit much to bring something like soup or noodles to a place like this.
What had been laid out on the table was tea and dumplings.
I had not come here to enjoy fine food anyway, so this was enough.
I smiled and said.
“I do not want to lay out a full meal and eat in a place where books are stored either. This is enough.” (MC)
“Thank you very much for understanding.” (Disciple)
And dumplings were commonly eaten for lunch.
Most people could not eat lunch. Just being able to eat lunch meant one was wealthy.
“Ah, have my guards outside eaten?” (MC)
“I understand that they have not eaten.” (Disciple)
“Please prepare some food for them as well.” (MC)
“Understood.” (Disciple)
“And they will likely keep standing, so please bring some chairs and tell them to sit.” (MC)
“Yes.” (Disciple)
I quickly finished the dumplings and went back into the library.
Because there were still many books to read.
.
.
.
Only after the sun had set was I finally able to finish reading the books Young Master Maeng Cheon had picked out for me.
Whew, that was hard.
I stretched and rose from my seat.
I should head back now.
The talks are tomorrow, so I cannot stay up all night.
Before that, I should put the books I read back where they were.
I wondered if I could get help from Young Master Maeng Cheon, but he had already left.
It cannot be helped.
Fortunately, I remember the original positions of all the books.
It sounds like bragging, but my memory is fairly good.
Like that, I pulled the cart around and returned the books to their places one by one.
It was then.
“Hm?” (MC)
There was a book that caught my eye.
[Nine Ways to Screw Over Zhurong Palace]
Hm? Why is this kind of book in the library?
It was such a blatant title that if the people of Zhurong Palace had seen it, they would have discarded it immediately.
But as someone from a side deeply connected to the Northern Sea Ice Palace, I could not possibly avoid reading this book.
I looked left and right, then pulled out the book.
And I opened it.
“Ugh!” (MC)
But then the book suddenly began forcibly absorbing my qi.
Is it a demonic book?
It must be a demonic book.
Otherwise, there is no way it would forcibly absorb someone’s qi!
So I immediately tried to pull my hand away from the book…….
[It has been a long time, successor.]
Words appeared in the book.
At the same time, my field of vision changed.
.
.
.
“It has been a long time.” (Founder)
At the familiar voice, I lifted my head. The Founder was looking down at me.
“Founder?” (MC)
“Yes. It is me.” (Founder)
I scratched my head and rose from my seat.
“I was definitely in Zhurong Palace’s library. Did you set up an arrangement there as well?” (MC)
“I thought that a successor who inherited my will would surely go there too.” (Founder)
“Even so, ‘Nine Ways to Screw Over Zhurong Palace’! If someone else had seen that, it would have been discarded immediately.” (MC)
“Still, it grabbed your curiosity at once, did it not?” (Founder)
“Th-That is true.” (MC)
I could not deny that.
“And there is no need to worry. To others, it appears as different writing.” (Founder)
“Pardon?” (MC)
“It was surely something like, For the Development of Zhurong Palace’s History and Traditions Through the Study of the Ancient Language…… What was it again?” (Founder)
“That is a title for a book no one would ever touch.” (MC)
“Hehehe. Right?” (Founder)
There was a reason it had remained until now.
I said to the Founder.
“Still, I was startled because the book suddenly absorbed my qi.” (MC)
“As you know, those Zhurong Palace fellows are quite sensitive.” (Founder)
Well, that was why they had sensed the scent of blood from Doyeonmun and Hyeolcheonmun.
“That is why I could not place my qi inside that book. If cold qi had been contained in the book, they would have found it suspicious.” (Founder)
“So you activated this arrangement by absorbing my inner arts?” (MC)
“That is how it is.” (Founder)
I nodded. I understood that much.
“But why did you call me this time?” (MC)
Through the Founder’s arrangement, I had learned the true meaning of the Twelve Forms of the True Snow Sword Art, and I had also properly learned the Ice Sea Assimilation Heart Method and the Ice Sea Water Severing Art.
And I also learned the Extreme Yin Soul-Freezing Dagger.
Honestly, I feel like I have learned everything at this point…… Is there still something left to learn?
“Did I not say it through the title of the book?” (Founder)
“Pardon?” (MC)
“I called you to teach you a way to screw over Zhurong Palace.” (Founder)
The emotion in the Founder’s voice was clearly something like hostility.
But for hostility, it was a little weak…… Wariness, perhaps?
“Um…… Founder, were there no Ice-Flame Talks in your time?” (MC)
“There were. That is why I left an arrangement here.” (Founder)
“Th-That is true.” (MC)
“To begin with, I was the one who created those Ice-Flame Talks.” (Founder)
I had not known that. Young Palace Head Bing Haerin had not told me about that either.
“The Zhurong Palace Head bastard kept acting up, so I beat him once and forced him into talks.” (Founder)
Did he really only hit him once?
He probably beat him to a pulp.
That must be why people who were so opposed in nature and hated each other had made a ceasefire.
“It is annoying when you are trying to deal with something nearby that keeps pestering you, is it not?” (Founder)
“……Yes. That would make me angry.” (MC)
“But even if you make such a ceasefire and hold regular talks, you never know when the relationship may sour. That is why I prepared this arrangement.” (Founder)
“Are you saying I should keep Zhurong Palace from harboring ulterior motives?” (MC)
“Would it only be Zhurong Palace?” (Founder)
“Pardon?” (MC)
“The Ice Palace could also harbor ulterior motives. I will say it only now, but the Palace Head of the Ice Palace also did not want to cease hostilities with them, so it was difficult to placate that one.” (Founder)
“You placated the Ice Palace Head kindly and gently.” (MC)
Since they were friends, I thought he had soothed them, and that he was a rather affectionate person in his own way.
But that thought of mine was shattered by the Founder’s words.
“As if. I said I would kill them if they did not listen.” (Founder)
“…….” (MC)
At those words, I was left speechless.
“Ahem, ahem. In any case, that is why Seolpung Palace’s role is important.” (Founder)
In other words, he meant that I had to keep both forces from harboring ulterior motives and causing pointless disputes.
“And so, what I will teach you this time is a martial art called the Extreme Ice Sword.” (Founder)
“Pardon? This is my first time hearing of something called the Extreme Ice Sword.” (MC)
“Is that so? As expected! It is fortunate I left this arrangement! The secret art among secret arts of Seolpung Palace nearly disappeared.” (Founder)
“Is that so?” (MC)
I tilted my head.
“Isn’t the secret art among secret arts the Snow Soul Sword Art?” (MC)
“The Snow Soul Sword Art?” (Founder)
At the Founder’s question, I explained carefully.
“Yes. As far as I know, the Snow Soul Sword Art is a sword art that only the Young Palace Head and the Palace Head learn…….” (MC)
I explained what I knew about the Snow Soul Sword Art.
That it was a sword art that allowed one to display one’s best skill and unfold swordsmanship in any environment, and that it showed tremendous power especially when it snowed.
At my explanation, the Founder nodded.
“Ah, if it is that, then I know of it as well. Though it was not a sword art learned only by the Palace Head and Young Palace Head.” (Founder)
I thought so.
“It is outstanding enough that they would make only the Palace Head and Young Palace Head learn it, but honestly, it is also abstruse. Therefore, to use it properly, training alone is not enough.” (Founder)
“Is that so?” (MC)
I spoke about the training I had done so far.
I explained the training I had gone through.
Training in the rain when it rained, training inside a barrel made like a swamp…….
After hearing my tearful account of training, the Founder grinned.
“You have been training properly.” (Founder)
“Pardon?” (MC)
Th-That was really the proper training method!
“But even if you train like that and use the Snow Soul Sword, it is nothing more than half complete. And though you may think this strange when I say it…….” (Founder)
The Founder continued.
“In truth, the Snow Soul Sword Art is not a sword art.” (Founder)
“Pardon?” (MC)
It is not a sword art? What does that mean?
“Because it is not a sword confined by forms and techniques. You will probably come to realize that in the distant future.” (Founder)
Ah, is that why there was only one technique?
“Mm, I have prepared an arrangement regarding this as well, so you will face it someday.” (Founder)
The Founder’s words continued.
“Also, if you learn the Extreme Ice Sword I will teach you now, you will be able to take one step closer to it.” (Founder)
Does that mean there is an order to the arrangements?
“Understood. I will listen closely to your teaching.” (MC)
“That is a good attitude.” (Founder)
The Founder spoke to me with serious eyes.
“Child, what do you think you must do in order to suppress Zhurong Palace?” (Founder)
Hm?
Did he just call me child?
The way he addressed me changed…….
“Your answer is slow.” (Founder)
“Ah! My apologies. I was late because I was thinking a little. I think one needs an even stronger cold qi.” (MC)
“Wrong.” (Founder)
“Is that not it?” (MC)
“Yes, it is not. The best way to suppress fire is an even stronger fire.” (Founder)
I could not help but feel puzzled.
An even stronger fire?
“But Founder. The martial arts of our Seolpung Palace are based on cold qi. Yet a powerful fire? Would that not mean one has to learn fire arts?” (MC)
“No. Even with Seolpung Palace’s martial arts, you can use fire arts sufficiently.” (Founder)
The Founder stretched out his hand.
The Silver Mist Sword at my waist was somehow in the Founder’s hand.
As the Founder gathered genuine qi, ripples of qi arose around him.
And the Silver Mist Sword gave off light.
However, the white light gradually turned blue.
“Touch the blade.” (Founder)
At that, I carefully tapped my hand against the blade.
“Ah! Hot!” (MC)
I quickly pulled my hand away and shouted. Then I blinked.
Huh? Did I just say it was hot……?
“It is hot, is it not?” (Founder)
“Yes. It was hot.” (MC)
“When you add cold qi to cold qi, and then add more still, drawing it all the way down to extreme yin, you instead come to feel heat. To be exact, it is frostbite, but because the frostbite becomes severe, you feel it as a burn.” (Founder)
“I see.” (MC)
“And the nature of fire is also heat. In other words, it is to contest heat with heat.” (Founder)
“In other words, it is an image of the mind?” (MC)
“That is it!” (Founder)
At my words, the Founder looked satisfied.
“But because this is an ice sword, it also becomes a countermeasure against Zhurong Palace’s fire arts in and of itself.” (Founder)
“So it means striking from the front while stabbing from behind.” (MC)
At my summary, the Founder nodded.
“And this will be a great help when dealing with people of the Ice Palace as well.” (Founder)
Certainly…… it would.
From what I had seen, although Seolpung Palace’s martial arts were outstanding, they were not on the level of the Northern Sea Ice Palace.
I had wondered why the two palaces’ relationship was equal…… There was a reason.
“There is no time. Raise your sword.” (Founder)
Somehow, the Silver Mist Sword had returned to me.
Shrrng.
I drew my sword.
By the way, how long is it going to take this time?
The reason I already feel bleak…… is probably because I expect this training to be long and arduous as well.
Ah, why are tears coming to my eyes?
.
.
.
I opened my eyes.
What came into view was a shelf densely packed with books.
I came back.
I looked down at my hand.
The book from earlier had disappeared.
The places that had been burned countless times to learn the Extreme Ice Sword…… though saying I was burned by ice is strange.
In any case, the places that had been burned countless times were perfectly fine.
My torn clothes were also fine.
Well…… it is not my body that goes to the place of the arrangement, but my soul.
I had expected it, but this time was truly hard as well.
It felt like almost three years had passed, didn’t it?
When I grumbled about the long and difficult training, the Founder had snapped at me, “Then did you think you could learn this secret art in a mere six hours?”
Hoo…….
I let out a light sigh and sank to the floor.
By the way, whenever I learn something through the Founder’s arrangements, I always end up needing to use it…….
No way?
No, calm down. Nothing will happen.
After calming myself like that, I organized the books and left the library.
As I came out, dragging my tired body, Martial Artist Yeo Eungam and Martial Artist Changun, who had been sitting in chairs, quickly rose and greeted me.
I was very glad to see their faces after three years.
Though the two martial artists would not know that feeling.
“Have you come out?” (Yeo Eungam)
“Yes. Let us return now.” (MC)
I returned to my quarters and had a simple dinner.
“Did you have some results today?” (Bing Haerin)
At Young Palace Head Bing Haerin’s words, I nodded.
“Yes. It was a meaningful day in its own way.” (MC)
I continued speaking.
“The talks are tomorrow, yet I apologize for being absent because of personal circumstances.” (MC)
“Personal matters, you say.” (Bing Haerin)
Young Palace Head Bing Haerin gently shook her head.
“If it were truly a personal matter, Young Palace Head Eun would not have been away all day. Am I wrong?” (Bing Haerin)
“…….” (MC)
She is needlessly sharp.
I chuckled and changed the subject.
“Then shall we now talk about the talks?” (MC)
“Yes.” (Bing Haerin)
At that moment, Miss Seohyang’s eyes, as she was eating dinner, became vacant.
Is that?
After waiting a moment, her eyes returned to normal, and she looked at me and said.
“Um…… there is something I need to tell you.” (Seohyang)
.
.
.
The next morning.
After eating, I put on ceremonial robes for the talks.
They were clothes the Northern Sea Ice Palace had prepared for me, made of white silk with gorgeous embroidery in silver thread.
It was partly to clearly show that I belonged to the Northern Sea Ice Palace, and also to maintain the dignity appropriate for the talks.
When I came out in ceremonial robes, Palgap exclaimed in admiration.
“Wow! As expected of our young master! Since your appearance is so radiant, even the clothes shine.” (Palgap)
“I am rather handsome.” (MC)
At my words, Palgap looked serious.
“Young master, when I praise you, you are supposed to just stay still.” (Palgap)
Why am I being scolded?
I scratched my cheek and left the quarters.
After waiting in the courtyard for about half a quarter hour, Young Palace Head Bing Haerin came out.
She, too, was beautiful in white ceremonial robes.
“Let us go.” (Bing Haerin)
“Yes.” (MC)
We followed behind those who had come to receive us and headed to the conference hall.
Then we sat in the prepared chairs.
A moment later, the door opened and the Zhurong Palace Head entered.
“I apologize. In truth, something happened to this palace’s Young Palace Head, so he cannot attend this occasion. Therefore, I will attend in his stead.” (Zhurong Palace Head)
However, Young Palace Head Bing Haerin and I were not flustered.
Because last night, Miss Seohyang had told us about this beforehand. And there was one more thing Miss Seohyang had told us.
That was…….
Ah…… They are coming now.