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The Beast Palace warriors flinched at the cold voice of Seol So-baek.

They are not so foolish as to not understand the situation they are in. They cannot help but know that this young man is the Gungju of North Sea Ice Palace, who belongs to Outer Palace along with Beast Palace.

But… The faces of Beast Palace warriors who glanced at the cart covered in layers of beast hides were still dark. Even if the opponent was North Sea Ice Palace Gungju, shouldn’t they say what they want to say?

“Is it really necessary…”

The voice, which had been somewhat suppressed, began to regain its full tone.

“Is it necessary to kill innocent animals like that?”

“I don’t understand what you’re talking about.”

Seol So-baek responded, cutting him off as if the conversation was beneath him.

“It is meaningless to discuss whether animals are innocent or malignant, and even if it had meaning, why should I accept an evaluation of my actions from you?”

“Wow….”

Chung Myung looked at Seol So-baek with amazement, and Five Swords, who remembered Seol So-baek, also opened their mouths wide.

‘He is So-baek?’

‘Sasuk. I don’t think he is.’

‘Is that really the So-baek I know?’

‘Goodness, back in the old days, the small guy was really cute.’

Chung Myung looked at Seol So-baek with newfound curiosity.

Although the child has grown up to the point of being unrecognizable on the outside, in Chung Myung’s mind, Seol So-baek is still a child. A child who is the direct descendant of the North Sea Ice Palace but has never been treated as such.

But the image Seol So-baek was showing now was clearly different from the innocent child he remembered living in the cabin.

Seol So-baek, who was glaring at Beast Palace warriors with cold eyes, had the majesty of a North Sea Ice Palace Gungju leading North Sea.

‘How interesting?’

Four years is enough time for a child to grow into a robust young man. However, it is not enough time for a child who was once so innocent to show proper dignity.

Does the position make the person? Or was the blood of the North Sea Seol Family thicker than Chung Myung thought?

“So, are you saying that killing innocent beasts was a good thing?”

However, Beast Palace warriors did not back down easily despite the momentum of Seol So-baek.

There is something that everyone can never back down from. Beast Palace, who treats beasts like friends, seemed unable to tolerate the actions of Ice Palace, which took off the hides of beasts and brought them as gifts.

“Aren’t those things you are wearing made of beast hides?”

“These hides were not obtained by killing. It is something that was taken from dead beasts that died naturally. At least we do not kill healthy beasts just to get their skins.”

“Haha.”

At that moment, Seol So-baek laughed as if it was absurd.

“Martial artists who have mastered the art of killing are saying that you shouldn’t kill beasts indiscriminately? Ridiculous.”

“Humans commit sins, but animals do not.”

At that moment, Seol So-baek’s eyes grew cold.

“It seems like the place you live is quite affluent.”

“…Yes?”

“Judging by how you’re making such complacent remarks, it seems you must be quite comfortable. But what can I say? In the North Sea, which is covered in ice and snow, we have to do whatever it takes to survive. I don’t have the luxury of considering the circumstances of a mere beast.”

Seol So-baek’s voice was terribly cold.

In fact, Ice Palace is a place in North Sea where fairly wealthy people live, but Seol So-baek is not an ordinary person of Ice Palace. Furthermore, he lived unrelated to Ice Palace until he was old enough to understand things, experiencing firsthand how the people of the North Sea struggle to survive.

Therefore, he knows all too well how difficult it is to live and take root in the harsh land where crops can’t grow properly.

For Seol So-baek, Beast Palace’s words about not killing innocent beasts must have sounded like the luxury of the well-fed.

“Are you saying we are wrong?”

“Well, not necessarily. But…”

Seol So-baek turned his head slightly. Through the crack in the warehouse door, the figures of large beasts could be seen.

“Did you bring those?”

“Yes, and?”

“Interesting.”

Seol So-baek sneered.

“It must take a lot of effort to raise such large beasts. As far as I know, Yunnan also wasn’t in such a good situation until recently.”

“…What do you mean?”

“If you had food to feed those beasts, you would have given it to the starving. Even in those tough times, you made sure to take care of your beasts. It seems that to you, animals are more important than people.”

“Did you just-…..”

“What if I did?”

The atmosphere grew tense. Seol So-baek continued in a chilling tone.

“I’ve heard that Beast Palace is a free-spirited place, but this isn’t free-spirited; it’s indulgent. Even if there’s an issue with us, is it right for you, a mere disciple, to directly question me, the Ice Palace Gungju?”

“Tha- That’s….”

“I guess this is when the word ‘presumptuous’ (????/傍若無人) is used. Thanks to you, I now understand what kind of place the Beast Palace is.”

“Th- That’s too much!”

“Too much?”

Seol So-baek bared his teeth. At the same time, a cold aura flowed out from his body.

“So it’s okay for you to disregard North Ice Palace, but it’s too much for me to speak ill of Beast Palace? I didn’t realize the Beast Palace was such a grand place. I’m curious. Just how much more can you disrespect the Ice Palace?”

“….”

“At this point, I have no other choice but to prove that Ice Palace isn’t a place to be disrespected, I guess?”

A chilling murderous intent filled the air. At that very moment when Seol So-baek, whose eyes were as cold as the ice walls of North Sea, took one step forward with his hands hanging down.

“No, why start fighting as soon as you meet? Let’s get along.”

“…What do you mean fighting!”

The moment Chung Myung’s words were heard from behind, the cold air Seol So-baek had been emitting disappeared as if it had been washed away. Seol So-baek, who had changed his momentum in an instant, turned around to look at Chung Myung and smiled bashfully.

“I, I was just having a little chat. How could I do that when Dojang-nim is right in front of me!”

“….”

“Eiii, no way. Hehe.”

The strength drained from the bodies of Ice Palace warriors who had been so moved by the sight of the young gungju who had grown up so much. Their shoulders drooped, and their heads hung low as their eyes moistened.

‘Mount Hua disease strikes again.’

‘No, why is it that whenever something related to Mount Hua happens….’

‘Why is he being like that, just why!’

Who could understand the feelings of Ice Palace warriors?

Seol So-baek had grown up really well, even in their eyes. At first, there were certainly those who were not happy with the fact that a child who had never experienced Ice Palace properly ascended to the position of gungju simply because he was the blood of the previous gungju.

But now, no one in the North Sea doubts that Seol So-baek will be a great gungju. He had shown such excellent qualities that doubting him was no longer an option.

Unlike the previous gungju who grew up in the comfortable place of North Sea Ice Palace and did not understand the lives of the people living in North Sea, Seol So-baek understood the struggle of the people better than anyone else. Hence, he was becoming a person who cared for the North Sea people more than any previous gungju.

He was growing from someone they needed to protect into someone who would protect them.

Although he cannot be said to be perfect right now, Seol So-baek, the current gungju of Ice Palace, is the person who is evaluated as someone who may one day become a gungju more perfect than anyone else.

Except for one thing.

‘Except for Mount Hua Sect related thing, that is.’

They could never understand why such a cold and rational, yet warm-hearted person would go crazy for anything related to the two words “Mount Hua.”

Even with those animal hides.

– Gu- Gungju-nim, those people of Mount Hua Sect live in the warm Jungwon, would… they need these kinds of leather?

– Hm. So?

– N- No. It’s just that this one is hard to catch, and everyone is tired…. They are so rare…

– So?

– That… It’s not that we don’t want to, but is this really necessary…

– So?

– …

– So?

– …We’ll do it.

Just the word valuable is not enough to do those things justice.

How many sleepless nights had Ice Palace warriors endured to gather those hides! In the first place, a beast with those hides are mostly nocturnal and cannot be seen during the day!

Can you imagine how insane it is to go hunting in the frigid North Sea, in the middle of a blizzard, at night?

The person who usually tries to take care of the Ice Palace warriors by making sure that their sleeping places are comfortable and that their food is not bad, just because the two word “Mount Hua” got involved, becomes a crazy man who sends the warriors out to hunt on a bitterly cold night with a blizzard blowing.

“And that… No matter what, I think your words are a bit too harsh.”

“Oh, right?”

Seol So-baek, who heard Chung Myung’s words that seemed to be a subtle admonition, let out a pleasant laugh. Chung Myung tilted his head at this incomprehensible reaction.

“Why are you laughing?”

“Because I think I did well.”

“Huh?”

“I’ve tried my best. Normally, one should be warm-hearted, but to enemies or those we face, isn’t it the way of the warrior to show not the slightest warmth?”

“…Hng?”

Uh…. That’s correct, but… isn’t Beast Palace not an enemy?

However, Seol So-baek smiled even brighter, whether he knew Chung Myung’s feelings or not.

“It wasn’t easy, but with consistent effort, I’ve finally reached the day where you say such things to me, Dojang-nim. Dojang-nim’s words that effort never betrays were right.”

“Wha- what effort?”

“Of course, to be like you, Dojang-nim.”

“… Huh? What do you mean by that…?”

“I worked hard to resemble the impression you showed me. When you fought, you were exactly just like this. At that time, you would just treat those demonic cultist bastards like this! Just like this!”

“….”

“I’m still lacking in many ways, but if I keep trying, one day, I’ll be able to be like you, Dojang-nim, right?”

Chung Myung looked at Seol So-baek, who was smiling brightly with dazed eyes.

When he shifted his gaze slightly, he saw Ice Palace warriors who, unable to bear the sight, had their heads lowered as if they were ready to bury them in the ground. Their faces, flushed red, stood out starkly against their white robes.

“Me?”

“Yes!”

“…..I did this?”

Chung Myung looked back at Five Swords, who was standing behind him. But the Five Swords avoided his gaze, looking around as if trying to dodge the question.

“Well, that, it’s not exactly the same, but…”

“It’s a little… Uh, it’s a little bit similar.”

“What he was trying to resemble…. Yes, I can see what he was trying to resemble.”

“Why of all things….”

Chung Myung stared blankly at Five Swords before turning his gaze back to Seol So-baek. Seeing him smile with his big eyes blinking made Chung Myung think of a big puppy wagging its tail furiously.

A soulless voice leaked out from Chung Myung’s mouth.

“…Really?”

– Now, even the North Sea….

… No, this yangban. I’m telling you I’ve never acted anything like that.

Wow….

Wow…. This is driving me crazy, really.….