Chapter 205: Negotiation (1)
After arriving at the palace, we received a warm and respectful welcome.
The reason was simple. Unlike the outside, the palace was teeming with martial artists of a higher level, and just like the envoy delegation, these people also recognized Seol Lihyang at a glance.
And well, the martial prowess of our group, myself included, probably played a role as well.
The average martial strength of the North Sea Ice Palace was one of the top even in the Central Plains. There were numerous Peak Stage and Sub-Perfection masters here.
However, there were no Flowering Stage martial artists. So when two absolute masters showed up, it was only natural that they would be tense and give their utmost in hospitality.
“It makes me uncomfortable how much they're watching us.”
“Well, if you told them to stop paying attention, it’d make things even more awkward, Seorin.”
“This One is aware of that much,” Seorin said with a shrug of her shoulders.
I slid my hand behind her neck in one smooth motion.
“Hiick?!” Just as we entered the room, Seorin jumped in surprise at the touch of my still ice-cold hand.
Even if one achieves Cold Immune Body, the sensation of cold doesn’t disappear. A cold wind can still chill the body. It’s just that the cold no longer affects it.
“H-How could you do such a cruel thing to This One...!”
Clutching the back of her neck with both hands, Seorin glared at me in resentment.
No, it wasn’t just a glare. She stretched out her arm toward the back of my neck, as if intent on retaliating in kind. But she couldn’t quite reach—she was too short.
“Hng! Take this!”
She jumped up and down, trying to get to my neck, but all she could manage was to brush it lightly. She couldn’t mimic what I’d done and slip her hand under my collar.
Whether it was because of her youthful appearance or not, the scene was quite pleasant to look at, enough to ease some of the tension in the air.
“Where do you think you’re running?!”
When her hand couldn’t reach, she took a step into the air using Empty Air Steps to match my height.
Then she shoved her cold hand into the back of my neck, finally nodding in satisfaction.
“Fufu. How does it feel to have it returned to you? If you tease This One again... hmm? Why is everyone lowering their heads?”
“Well, you did use Empty Air Steps just to mess around, Seorin. Of course they’re avoiding eye contact to avoid getting in trouble.”
“What?! You started it, yet why are they afraid of This One?!”
“I just playfully teased you, but you immediately resorted to high-level techniques, Seorin.”
“This One is so adorable, though...!”
...?
She's not wrong, but saying it herself makes it sound weird.
Anyway, the silliness didn’t last long. As we neared the audience chamber, we straightened up and adjusted our clothing.
Even if the Ice Palace Lord wasn’t stronger than me, he was still the ruler of this domain. Since the North Sea was beyond the influence of the imperial family, his role was closer to that of a king than just a sect master.
That meant basic courtesy was required.
As we were tidying up, the doors opened as if on cue.
Inside, everything was blanketed in white as though snow had fallen. At the far end stood a raised platform and a luxurious chair.
“Welcome!”
But the Ice Palace Lord wasn’t seated. Instead, he stepped down from the platform and walked directly toward us.
“I received word in advance and have been waiting! I am Seol Dancheon, the Palace Lord of North Sea Ice Palace. I also go by the title White Fist of Ice Soul, but feel free to call me whatever is comfortable.”
Like Bing Yerin, his hair was a whitish-blue. He looked older, but had a clean-shaven and well-kept face. Though tall, his muscles weren’t prominent, so he seemed slightly lean.
But that didn’t mean he looked weak. His impression was gentle, but he was unmistakably a Sub-Perfection master, and his internal energy was incredibly deep—possibly even greater in volume than mine.
Of course, since I use Willpowe in my techniques, that makes comparison meaningless, but still.
Another unusual feature was his green eyes, unlike the blue eyes most North Sea people had.
Perhaps it was because of his gaze—it felt transparent, as if it could see right through you.
It wasn’t oppressive in a martial way. Rather, it was a kind of subtle pressure that came from the man himself, not his strength. Not unpleasant—just weighty.
It’s too early to be sure, but even with other Sub-Perfection masters around, no one objected to him becoming the Ice Palace Lord. I think I now understand why.
While I paused, examining him, Tang Sowol stepped forward and, in a voice reminiscent of a noble lady, greeted him.
“Thank you for the warm welcome. I am Tang Sowol of the Sichuan Tang Clan.”
“I’ve heard of you. Said to be unrivaled in poison and concealed weapons in the Central Plains.”
“I’m honored you know of us even in such a remote place. This is my fiancé—”
She smoothly introduced the rest of us one by one.
Though the Ice Palace Lord maintained a generally friendly demeanor, I felt a subtle tension when he exchanged greetings with Seorin and me.
It was a bit much to say it was just the natural nervousness in front of someone stronger than oneself...
Most likely, Bing Yerin had mentioned us in her letter, along with the stories she’d heard in the Central Plains.
After all, it's standard for the Tang Clan to do some background checks to avoid any missteps with guests.
The issue, however, is that Seorin and I don’t have very... pleasant reputations.
Seorin may be enjoying life now, but in the past, she lived a notoriously bloody one.
And as for me... didn’t I recently annihilate the entire Thousand Poison Gate by myself?
So it’s natural for the Ice Palace Lord to be tense. On the other hand, his eyes sparkled with amazement when it was Seol Lihyang’s turn.
“My name is Seol Lihyang...”
“Oh! So you’re that one!”
“Eh? Uh, I’m not sure what you’ve heard, but if it’s about someone who learned Glacial True Qi, then yes, that’s me.”
“I received a letter from the Divine Maiden in advance! It said you had trained in the Glacial True Qi that was stolen a few years ago? Don’t worry about that. We didn’t expect the original to be stolen, but there are several copies in circulation.”
“Oh, thank you?”
“I heard you combine sound arts and yin-based techniques in a unique way. If it’s not too much to ask, could you show a little?”
“You’ve invited me here... I suppose a small demonstration is fine.”
With a reluctant nod, Seol Lihyang opened her mouth slightly. A clear voice flowed out—not loud, not flashy, just a pure tone.
The moment it resonated, frigid energy began to swirl around her.
It didn’t end there. Maybe it was the unique environment of the North Sea—local cold energy responded to her qi and voice, resonating and amplifying it.
Just like a snowball growing larger as it rolls, the chill around her intensified.
“Uhugh...!”
The Ice Palace Lord, now shocked beyond simple admiration, stood stunned. Once Seol Lihyang closed her mouth and gathered her qi, he spoke again, voice quickened.
“Incredible. Truly... beyond imagination!”
“Heheh. That’s a little embarrassing.”
Praise always feels good. As Seol Lihyang fought back a smile, the Ice Palace Lord exhaled in relief, face full of satisfaction.
“Amazing! Seol Lihyang, was it? What a coincidence. This One also shares the same surname. Perhaps... in the distant past, one of your ancestors came from the North Sea.”
“I-I doubt it. Our family didn’t know a thing about martial arts. Even my grandfather was a lifelong local.”
“I see? Well, it’s not that important. If you decide to remain here and become the Young Palace Mistress, I’ll adopt you myself. It’s easy enough to make the story fit.”
“Pardon?”
“I’ll give you everything you’ve seen since arriving. Including our martial arts.”
He raised his fist, gathering internal energy. White cold flame-like energy danced on it—not a result of massive power output, but rather an extremely concentrated chill in a normal punch.
Like how a hot object gives off heat distortion, but instead cold... and it was happening here in the North Sea.
Even Seol Lihyang, who would understand better than anyone how unbelievable this was, focused intently on his hand.
“This is Ice Divine Art. It can be used for fists or palms, and though a bit less efficient, even weapons.”
“To have such cold energy...”
As Seol Lihyang stared blankly, the Ice Palace Lord gently coaxed her further.
“Ice Divine Art is the highest-tier martial art of the North Sea Ice Palace. It’s said that no matter what other art you learn, you must eventually master this one to reach the pinnacle.”
“In other words, no matter what you’ve trained in—so long as it’s from the Ice Palace—you can switch to Ice Divine Art without issue. That includes Glacial True Qi.”
“Oh.”
Seol Lihyang flinched, clearly tempted. The Ice Palace Lord smiled in satisfaction.
“Just to be clear, I’m not asking you to decide now. For now, just explore this place and learn all you can. Everything is ready for that.”
“O-Okay.”
“And if you do choose to become the Young Palace Mistress... it’s simple. I’ll let you pick any one of my sons to marry. Then everything in the Ice Palace will be yours.”
...Wait. What did he just say?
Marriage between his son and Seol Lihyang...
Well, I already knew. Bing Yerin mentioned adoption and making her the candidate for Young Palace Mistress.
And Seol Lihyang didn’t say she wasn’t interested—she was just momentarily distracted by Ice Divine Art.
But I didn’t like how he said that while she was captivated.
So I decided to speak up. I had the perfect excuse.
“Palace Lord.”
“Yes?”
“I heard you've been troubled by snakes lately.”
“How did you...?!”
The Ice Palace Lord looked shocked. Bing Yerin, too, looked betrayed.
Ignoring both of them, I firmly pulled Seol Lihyang by the shoulders to my side and spoke confidently.
“I can’t solve it completely, but I can buy you time. In return, hand over all your elixirs and martial arts.”
“Hey! Cheon Hwi! That sounds like extortion!”
“Ah.”
I may have been too blunt in my assertiveness.
But I had no regrets. This needed to be addressed properly.
“Sorry to mislead you, but Seol Lihyang has no intention of becoming your Young Palace Mistress. And I have no intention of letting her go. Isn’t that right?”
“Wha—Well... yeah, that’s true.”
Though surprised by my sudden declaration, Seol Lihyang nodded obediently.
The Ice Palace Lord, however, seemed to have anticipated this and calmly continued.
“As I said, it was merely a suggestion, not coercion. But Blood Flame Sword Demon, you speak like a guest trying to pressure his host.”
“That came off a bit sharp. I apologize for that.”
“Apology accepted. But now, I must ask—how do you plan to buy time against all those Azure Cold Serpents?”
“You’re not going to ask how I found out?”
“No need. It must’ve been the Divine Maiden. I already guessed what she was thinking.”
“...Huh.”
I didn’t expect him to know.
When I glanced at Bing Yerin, her face had gone pale. She hadn’t realized she was found out.
I shrugged and turned back to the Ice Palace Lord.
“From the way you’re talking, it sounds like if it’s possible, you’ll go along with it?”
“Correct. I’m willing to give you as many elixirs and martial arts as needed—so long as it’s possible.”
Despite still being wary of my strength, he held his ground.
So I decided to give him a sincere answer.
“There is indeed a method. Though not with me—”
“...What?”
I gestured toward the person next to me.
Tang Sowol blinked, then cleared her throat.
“Ahem! I haven’t personally encountered the Azure Cold Serpent, so unlike Cheon Hwi, I can’t say for certain. However, among the poisons used by the Thousand Poison Gate to subdue snakes in Yunnan Province...”
It was a complicated explanation, hard to grasp in full, but as she spoke, the logic became clear and convincing.
Yes, leaving it to the expert was the right call.