Chapter 202

He shook his head.

“I’m simply keeping the promise I made. As a martial artist.”

“As a martial artist... good.”

As they talked, a sudden curiosity surfaced.

“What did you do with Yang Seoljin?”

“I placed him in the prison beneath the main palace.”

“Did you destroy his dantian?”

“I did.”

He spoke quietly.

“You must also crush his meridians.”

“...His meridians?”

“Yes. There’s still a great deal of information to extract from Yang Seoljin. Once I depart for Cheonyeomeng, I won’t be returning for at least a year. Would you consider discussing it with Seo Hyo of Cheonrim?”

“Seo Hyo... You trust him?”

“For now, I believe he is trustworthy enough. The real problem is the Original Blood Vital Qi.”

“Original Blood Vital Qi...”

“It’s similar to Ice-Snow Inner Qi, but closer to innate primal energy. It’s a life force so powerful that even a crippled man, ruined by deviation, can return to life as a martial artist. Unless all the pathways for that energy are torn apart, he won’t be truly ruined.”

“You suspect someone may attempt to approach Yang Seoljin in secret?”

“I’m not certain—but the possibility exists.”

“Very well. I’ll do as you say.”

“And he must ◆ Nоvеlіgһt ◆ (Only on Nоvеlіgһt) not be killed under any circumstances. If we use him properly, we can extract a list of those in Yu Cheong’s faction who’ve yet to reveal themselves.”

After a moment of contemplation, his father spoke briefly.

“The Kill Ledger, then.”

“Yes. And may I request two additional things?”

“Speak.”

“I know you plan not to invite outside guests to the succession ceremony.”

His father nodded.

“I also ask that you do not summon the Elders’ Hall.”

At those words, his father flinched.

“...You mean the Elders’ Hall?”

“Yes. They are ones who ‘washed their hands in golden basins’ and left the martial world. If they appear at the succession ceremony, then it is no longer a true withdrawal, is it?”

“Hm...”

“And please exclude the Elders’ Hall from all major and minor affairs of Seolgung from now on.”

“...It seems they trouble you.”

“It’s not that they trouble me. They disrupt things.”

“To that extent?”

“Yes. The Elders’ Hall is not the shadow of Seolgung. They have already chosen their path—they should not cast shadows on ours.”

“...A shadow, you say...”

“We may extend them courtesy, but we must not give them decision-making power. If they claim to have washed their hands and departed the martial world, then the proper course is to never look back until that river runs dry. Besides—one foot inside, one foot outside... such people belong nowhere in truth.”

“...You’re entirely right. It will be done.”

“Thank you.”

After that, silence settled.

His father looked up at the sky and spoke slowly.

“I... was too weak.”

He shook his head.

“You were always strong, Father. There were simply too many who tried to exploit that strength—filling their own greed, seeking cracks, and challenging your authority.”

“You always speak well of this father.”

“Because it’s true. That’s not to say you were without fault. But not everything was your fault.”

It was sincere.

Yes, his father bore some of the responsibility. To deny that would be inhuman.

But the greater fault lay with those who betrayed Seolgung and tried to drag him down. Whether it was greed for ancient relics or a hunger for more power, those who turned their backs on the Palace Lord of Seolgung bore the greatest blame.

They ruined everything. And now, in the process of restoring it, both he and his father had no choice but to reflect—and move forward.

“Is there something on your mind?”

“...I wonder if Juche feels the same.”

He quietly asked,

“Does it pain you?”

“It hurts. It feels like I’m being torn apart.”

One could scold him—how could the supreme lord of Seolgung possess such a fragile heart? But he didn’t want to say such things.

Why had his father come to see him now?

He likely wouldn’t have shown this side even to Hyeonsim.

Even one who stands at the peak of the heavens is still a man with a beating heart.

“How is he now?”

“...He blames himself for his incompetence.”

“Did he say he wants to die?”

“He said he wishes to die in a way that benefits Seolgung.”

If a man you’ve known for decades desires death because he blames himself... even he would feel that pain.

“I won’t offer you some trite line about staying strong. But, Father... do you consider Juche to be a true martial artist?”

At that question, his father answered without hesitation.

“I do.”

“Then... may I prepare the stage for his death?”

“A stage for death...?”

“Yes. I promise you—it will satisfy both you and him.”

“Your judgment has never been wrong. Very well. Do as you see fit.”

He looked into his father’s eyes.

And in them, he saw a depth of trust and affection no words could describe.

The bond between father and son—sometimes, it speaks louder than any voice.

“After the upcoming succession ceremony, I’ll stop by Bingbaek Gorge before heading straight to Cheonyeomeng.”

“So it shall be.”

“I likely won’t have the chance to meet with you again soon... so I want to ask now.”

“What is it?”

“Since I’ll be traveling abroad to the Central Plains, I don’t think it’s right to return empty-handed. Is there anything you want me to bring back?”

At that, his father shook his head.

“I already have everything.”

He gently stroked Unhwi’s face with his hand.

“You have always been everything to me—and the greatest treasure of my life.”

His father smiled brightly.

“What more could I possibly desire?”

***

At the heart of the Everlasting Snow Palace stands the Thousand-Year Ice Hall.

This colossal hall, built of ice that has withstood a thousand winters, rests in the very center of Seolsan. Its walls shimmer in a blue crystalline hue, and thousands of ice fragments embedded in the ceiling shine like radiant soulstones.

Today was the day of the succession ceremony to fill the Lesser Palace Lord seat that had remained vacant for over a decade.

Nearly every figure who had pledged loyalty to Seolgung had gathered—excluding only the Elders’ Hall.

They all turned their gaze to the front of the hall.

Seated upon the grand, ice-carved throne was Seolgung’s supreme lord, Seol Jungcheon—his presence more majestic than ever before.

Now that he had attained the Union of Origin and Sovereignty, a subtle yet powerful aura swirled around him—like a living being, it sometimes took the shape of faint snowflakes that flickered into form and then vanished.

As everyone waited for the ceremony to begin, all eyes turned toward the massive doors of the Thousand-Year Ice Hall.

And finally, those doors opened.

Seol Horyeong entered.

He was dressed in ceremonial white robes—Seolgung’s traditional formalwear, permitted only to the Lesser Palace Lord.

His white hair and matching garments exuded a striking presence. The mischief usually in his eyes had vanished, replaced with a deep and solemn resolve.

Behind him came the senior officers of Cheonseolju, along with twelve warriors he had handpicked. They were the elite of Seolgung’s elite.

Seol Horyeong walked forward slowly, each step echoing through the hall—like the heartbeat of Seolsan itself.

He stopped before Seol Jungcheon, then knelt and bowed respectfully.

Seol Jungcheon finally spoke.

“Today, I, Seol Jungcheon, Ninth Palace Lord of the Everlasting Snow Palace, hereby appoint my son, Seol Horyeong, as the Lesser Palace Lord of Seolgung.”

His voice rang out like thunder.

The moment he finished, light cascaded down from the ceiling of the Thousand-Year Ice Hall—like heaven itself had answered the proclamation.

“I entrust to you all the traditions and duties of the Everlasting Snow Palace. Standing in this position means bearing the responsibility of all Seolsan’s people—engrave that in your heart.”

Seol Jungcheon raised a hand.

In it was an object wrapped in pristine white silk. As the silk was drawn away, a bluish jade token was revealed.

“This is one of the two jade tokens created by the founding Palace Lord, Seolheon. It is the symbol of authority for the Lesser Palace Lord. From this day forward, you are its rightful bearer.”

Seol Jungcheon handed the token to Seol Horyeong, who accepted it with reverence.

“Now rise—and swear your oath.”

Seol Horyeong rose slowly. The jade token in his hand shimmered with blue light.

“I, Seol Horyeong, as the Lesser Palace Lord of the Everlasting Snow Palace, swear to protect all of Seolsan’s people and uphold the traditions and dignity of Seolgung. I will punish the enemies of Seolsan, protect its friends, and dedicate all that I am to Seolsan’s future.”

His voice grew stronger.

“The enemies of the Everlasting Snow Palace have already been dealt with. But many tasks still lie ahead. To reclaim Seolsan’s glory, and for its future, I will give everything I have.”

When he finished speaking, Seol Jungcheon raised his hand.

“Seol Horyeong, Lesser Palace Lord of the Everlasting Snow Palace!”

In that moment, every person in the Thousand-Year Ice Hall shouted in unison:

“Long live the Lesser Palace Lord!”

Their cries reverberated through the hall. Seol Horyeong looked upon them all with solemn eyes. His gaze had transformed completely—it was now the gaze of one who had accepted responsibility.

Seol Jungcheon spoke again.

“A new era now begins before us. Seolsan shall once again unite and reclaim its former glory.”

His gaze turned to Unhwi, who stood quietly behind Seol Horyeong. His expression was unreadable—but his eyes gleamed with deep satisfaction.

“Hyeon Seollin.”

At his name, Unhwi stepped forward. All eyes turned to him.

He bowed respectfully.

“The unification of Seolgung was made possible in great part thanks to the Lesser Palace Lord—but your contributions were no less significant.”

Unhwi said nothing.

“However, as everyone knows, you have also committed a serious offense. Do you deny it?”

“I do not.”

“Good. Though I do not wish to weigh your merits and faults on the same scale, I also cannot ignore your offense on this celebratory day when Seolgung has united as one. Do you deny this?”

“I do not.”

“Very well. You are no stranger to the state of the central plains. Right now, all of Jungwon is stirred by the effort to revive Cheonyeomeng. Go to Cheonyeomeng—and become the bridge between Jungwon and Seolsan. Can you do this?”