‘This place has always been a sect tied to the Divine Mountain Sage… no, to the Martial Venerable, hasn’t it?’
What exactly was the relationship between Snow Blossom Sect and the Martial Venerable?
Why did the Martial Venerable send him to this place?
Even now, nothing has been clearly revealed.
‘Perhaps the Ice Crystal Jade isn’t the real goal. Maybe he wants me to leave behind the highest level of martial arts I can display, engraved here.’
The power of Harmony was Bu Eunseol’s final and greatest card.
If he used it here, someone might witness it.
And if he failed… an unnecessary scar would be left on this enormous ice wall.
‘Besides, Harmony is still a form of martial arts after all.’
According to the words of the Snow Blossom Sect Leader, no martial arts could affect this ice wall and the Harmony that Bu Eunseol created was ultimately nothing more than arranging and releasing the power inherited within his body.
In other words, it belonged to the category of martial arts.
Therefore, it might ultimately be impossible to destroy the ice wall with it.
‘Even if the power of Harmony works properly, that would be a problem in itself.’
It was said that inside the Heavenly Yin Ice Wall grew a spirit herb called the Snow Antler. If Harmony were fully unleashed and erased the entire ice wall at once?
From the Snow Blossom Sect’s perspective, they would lose the eternal spirit herb passed down through generations.
Ssssk.
Bu Eunseol placed his hand on the ice wall and pondered for a moment.
Then, suddenly, a single realization flashed through his mind.
‘The Martial Venerable is one of the absolute peak existences in the martial world, comparable to the Heavenly Emperor.’
There was no way he would assign such a mission merely to peek at Bu Eunseol’s martial arts secrets.
‘And he already knows that I have learned the Heavenly Glacial Secret.’
As the Martial Soul Command Lord, Bu Eunseol had used the Heavenly Glacial Secret several times in public.
Because of that, the Three Realms and various other factions had likely noticed that he had mastered the Heavenly Glacial Secret.
Then, wouldn’t the Divine Mountain Sage also know that he had learned the Heavenly Glacial Secret—and that was precisely why he sent him here?
‘The roots of North Sea Ice Palace and Snow Blossom Sect are the same.’
When that thought reached him, one word rose clearly in Bu Eunseol’s mind.
‘Origin.’
According to the Snow Blossom Sect Leader, Snow Blossom Sect and North Sea Ice Palace shared the same martial origin.
Perhaps the way to break this ice wall was not ordinary martial arts… but the Heavenly Glacial Secret itself.
‘There’s a possibility.’
The Martial Venerable orchestrated this entire affair and knew that Bu Eunseol had learned the Heavenly Glacial Secret. Perhaps he had guessed that Snow Blossom Sect’s prohibition was related to the Heavenly Glacial Secret and sent him here to resolve it.
“I’ll give it a try.”
Ziiing—
First, Bu Eunseol raised his Void Heart Command and carefully observed the ice wall. He could feel something countless embedded within this gigantic ice wall.
Most likely, it was the spirit herb Snow Antler—the source of the Ice Essence Snow Blossom Qi.
“But there’s no way mere spirit herbs could emit this kind of aura.”
After continuously sensing the energy inside the ice wall for a long time, Bu Eunseol finally detected something buried deep within.
“That must be the cause.”
No matter how sturdy the ice wall was, it couldn’t possibly be completely unbreakable.
Yet they said martial arts were ineffective against it—which meant something inside the wall annihilated the power of martial arts.
Oooong…
Bu Eunseol closed his eyes and raised his ice arts.
Heavenly Glacial Secret.
The strongest extreme yin technique in the world.
A transcendent art capable of freezing one’s own body to block enemy attacks, absorbing pouring cold energy, and much more.
Bu Eunseol tried to absorb the power of Snow Antler within using the Heavenly Glacial Secret, thereby weakening the ice wall itself.
But suddenly, a strange thought crossed his mind.
‘Lovers.’
It was said that the two founders of North Sea Ice Palace and Snow Blossom Sect were lovers. Since the story had been passed down to later generations, it seemed they hadn’t parted on bad terms.
Perhaps… until the day they drew their last breath, they never forgot each other and continued to yearn.
If so, wouldn’t the two founders have wished for the descendants of North Sea Ice Palace and Snow Blossom Sect to reconcile… or even become connected?
“From the Snow Blossom Sect’s perspective, they would never welcome an outsider absorbing their sacred treasure.”
If he absorbed all the energy within the ice wall using the Heavenly Glacial Secret… it would cause enormous damage to the Snow Blossom Sect. Their disciples would face great difficulty cultivating Ice Essence Snow Blossom Qi in the future.
“Martial arts can’t break it… isn’t that so.”
After thinking deeply for a long while, Bu Eunseol raised the Heavenly Glacial Secret once again. This time, he began pouring it endlessly into the ice wall.
Not to shatter it but rather… to leave behind the power of his Heavenly Glacial Secret within the wall.
Ooooong…
As he continuously injected the Heavenly Glacial Secret, a low vibration suddenly began to emanate from the massive ice wall.
At the same time, a mysterious light started sparkling inside it.
But Bu Eunseol kept his eyes closed and simply kept pouring the Heavenly Glacial Secret without pause.
Oooong! Oooong!
The power flowing from within the ice wall grew fiercer and fiercer, until finally—
Crack… Craaack…
Cracks began to spread across the ice wall.
Tap.
Sensing that the wall was about to collapse, Bu Eunseol quickly stepped back.
Rumble rumble rumble…
At last, part of the enormous ice wall began to crumble.
“This is…”
Watching the scene, Bu Eunseol’s eyes widened in shock.
The gigantic ice wall that seemed as though it would collapse completely… had transformed into an ice statue engraved with the figures of a gallant young man and woman.
“They left a statue inside the ice wall?”
Bu Eunseol carefully examined the grand statue.
Most likely, the founder of the Snow Blossom Sect could not forget their lover from their youth. They carved their happiest days together into ice and hid it within this massive ice wall—as if hoping that when a descendant of North Sea Ice Palace someday arrived here, the painful parting they experienced would not be passed down any further.
“This is…”
And beneath the statue, mysterious martial arts principles were engraved.
Snow Blossom Ice Cascade.
Snow Blossom Sect’s supreme sword art—a technique that could instantly freeze enemies using Ice Essence Snow Blossom Qi.
Even though Bu Eunseol had merely glanced at the principles once, the characters began searing themselves into his mind like a brand.
‘Empty yet never exhausted, when moved—it produces even more…’
Wasn’t this the very technique that perfectly compensated for the range limitation and cold emission method—the weaknesses of the Heavenly Glacial Secret?
Szzzzt!
Unconsciously, Bu Eunseol flicked a finger sword toward the opposite stone wall.
In an instant, ice powder formed on the spot the finger sword grazed.
Szzzt! Szzzzt!
In a trance-like state, Bu Eunseol unfolded the sword art.
Unlike the Heavenly Glacial Secret which directly emitted cold, this technique carried cold along as though coating the attack.
With this method, there was no need to expend vast amounts of internal energy to launch powerful cold blasts.
He could freeze enemies instantly with fist or sword techniques, or selectively freeze only certain parts of the body.
‘I ended up comprehending Snow Blossom Sect’s secret art without realizing it.’
Feeling a twinge of embarrassment, Bu Eunseol respectfully bowed deeply before the statue.
“Please consider that I did this to lift the prohibition of the Snow Blossom Sect and forgive me.”
Rumble rumble…
The beautiful pair of statues began to slowly crumble.
At the same time, an indescribably beautiful garden appeared—filled with countless ice-like flowers blooming everywhere.
Those flowers were undoubtedly the Snow Antler needed to cultivate Ice Essence Snow Blossom Qi.
‘So the founder wished for a descendant of North Sea Ice Palace to lift Snow Blossom Sect’s prohibition.’
Bu Eunseol had simply poured the Heavenly Glacial Secret endlessly into the Heavenly Yin Ice Wall—just in case.
And in this way, the prohibition was easily lifted.
The founder of Snow Blossom Sect had probably hoped that someday, North Sea Ice Palace and Snow Blossom Sect could enjoy a good relationship.
“I will make sure the martial arts you left behind are passed on to both the North Sea and Snow Blossom factions.”
As Bu Eunseol respectfully clasped his hands once more,
Sssssaaaa…
The statues slowly melted and evaporated, as though they had understood his words and were ascending to the heavens without regret.
“May you meet again in the afterlife.”
Watching the gradually disappearing statues, Bu Eunseol once again gave a deep, respectful bow.
Snow Blossom Sect, Heavenly Snow Pavilion.
This was the residence of the Snow Blossom Sect Leader—a place where, for hundreds of years, no outsider had ever set foot.
Yet now, Bu Eunseol was sitting side by side with the Snow Blossom Sect Leader in the guest hall of the Heavenly Snow Pavilion, calmly drinking tea.
“Thanks to you, the restriction on our sect has been lifted. And we’ve even perfectly recovered the supreme technique left by our founder, along with the complete Snow Antler.” So Yeonghwa wore an expression of deep satisfaction.
“Thank you.”
“I only did what needed to be done.”
“Hohoho.” She gave a low chuckle, then pushed a small, dark wooden box toward Bu Eunseol. “Here is the promised Ice Crystal Jade.”
When he opened the box, an overwhelming wave of cold energy surged outward in all directions—and inside lay a single white orb.
The Ice Crystal Jade itself.
Click.
The moment the lid closed again, the cold air vanished as if it had never existed.
It seemed the mysterious power of the box was suppressing the chill emanating from the jade.
“As expected of the greatest sage of the martial world. Just as the prophecy foretold, everything has come to pass.”
Bu Eunseol’s eyes sparkled.
In the end, all of this—finding the person capable of breaking the restriction on the Snow Blossom Sect through outstanding foresight and wisdom—had become the achievement of the Divine Mountain Sage.
‘This way, she will follow the Divine Mountain Sage for the rest of her life.’
From now on, no matter what the Divine Mountain Sage said, the Snow Blossom Sect Leader would believe and obey even if the sky itself came crashing down. Ultimately, this entire affair had been the Divine Mountain Sage’s arrangement to bring Snow Blossom Sect under his control.
“Then I shall take my leave.”
As Bu Eunseol rose, placing the box inside his robes, So Yeonghwa smiled gently.
“What’s the rush? Why not rest a little longer before you go?”
The tone of her voice and the look in her eyes were the way one might look at a son-in-law.
A chill ran down Bu Eunseol’s spine. He quickly stood and respectfully clasped his hands.
“My apologies. I have many matters to attend to, so I must depart now.”
“Is that so? Then it can’t be helped.” The Snow Blossom Sect Leader smiled and grasped both of Bu Eunseol’s hands. “The winds and waves of the martial world are fierce—be careful out there.”
“Thank you. Farewell.”
Bu Eunseol immediately left Heavenly Snow Pavilion.
Outside, a large number of disciples stood solemnly in formation, and at their head stood So Eunhyang.
“Young Sect Leader So.”
“I will escort you all the way to Cheonseol Peak.” So Eunhyang immediately approached and affectionately linked arms with him.
Her demeanor was that of a loving wife toward her husband.
‘Once I leave this place, it’ll be over anyway.’
So Eunhyang possessed a personality where innocence and wickedness coexisted. Because of that, rather than pulling his arm away or making an uncomfortable expression that might provoke her, he simply walked beside her with a calm face.
After walking for a long time down the lengthy corridor, they reached an old iron gate.
When it opened, they finally emerged at the location of Cheonseol Peak.
Bu Eunseol gently disentangled his arm and bowed respectfully toward So Eunhyang.
“Then I’ll be going.”
“Husband.”
At that moment, So Eunhyang stepped closer and spoke.
“May I come find you at the Martial Alliance later?”
Cold sweat trickled down Bu Eunseol’s back, but he replied calmly.
“What do you mean all of a sudden?”
“Isn’t it natural for a wife to follow her husband?”
“Didn’t you recover your True Yin through the Snow Antler that came out of the ice wall?”
Thanks to him, she had not only regained her lost True Yin but had also instantly raised her Ice Essence Snow Blossom Qi to the tenth level of mastery.
So why was she suddenly talking about being his wife?
“I’ve already decided to marry you, Husband.”
So Eunhyang drew very close and lifted her face toward his.
“Don’t you like me?”
Bu Eunseol was at a loss for words.
Beauty is subjective, and one cannot definitively say who is more beautiful than another…
But So Eunhyang possessed a more dazzling and explosive beauty than even Yeon Soha or Gongsun Dana, who were counted among the Three Great Beauties of the World.
If the Snow Blossom Sect had remained active in the martial world, and if word of her appearance had spread across the Central Plains…
Her overwhelming splendor would surely have earned her a place not among the Three Great Beauties, but the Four Great Beauties.
“It’s not a matter of liking or disliking… I still have many responsibilities ahead.”
“Don’t worry. I won’t get in your way.” So Eunhyang spoke softly. “Waiting for a very long time is a specialty of our sect, you know.”
Then she stared straight into his eyes.
“If you truly dislike it, you can refuse.”
“Is that so? Then—”
Just as Bu Eunseol hurriedly tried to decline, So Eunhyang spoke faster.
“I’ll simply go to the Martial Alliance where my husband is and end my own life.”
For an instant, the focus disappeared from Bu Eunseol’s pupils.
Regardless, So Eunhyang curved her large eyes into crescents.
“And after that, I’ll become a virgin ghost and follow my husband around for the rest of eternity.”
A shiver ran through him.
If any other woman had said such words, he would have taken it as a joke.
But when So Eunhyang said them, they did not sound like a joke at all.
‘She’s the type who really would do it if she said she would.’
If he rejected her coldly here…
She might actually head straight to the Martial Alliance and take her own life.
Clench.
Bu Eunseol tightly gripped his fist.
‘Whether she dies or not isn’t my concern.’
He was about to turn away coldly.
But at that moment, he caught sight of the rippling waves in So Eunhyang’s eyes.
She was just as pure as she was wicked—and like a child, she was terrified of rejection.
‘If I refuse, Snow Blossom Sect will fall completely into the Divine Mountain Sage’s grasp.’
In the end, Bu Eunseol found an excuse.
No matter which path he chose, he didn’t want to see So Eunhyang kill herself because of him.
‘No matter what kind of future awaits…’
Having organized his thoughts, Bu Eunseol finally took a step back.
“Could you wait just a little while?”
He rubbed his nose, looking awkward as he spoke.
“I don’t know yet how things will unfold in the future.”
Whoosh—
So Eunhyang threw herself into his arms with all her strength.
An indescribably sweet fragrance spread in all directions.
“I’ve been waiting for those words.”
“Young Lady So.”
“I’ll wait until I become a bent old grandmother.” With her face buried in his chest, So Eunhyang whispered. “Now, because of my husband, our sect can finally move freely in the martial world again. If you ever need help, I’ll come to you immediately.”
For a moment, Bu Eunseol thought of the Martial Soul Society.
In the future, the Martial Soul Society must grow into a coalition capable of standing against Majeon and the Martial Alliance.
When that time comes, the Snow Blossom Sect would become a tremendous force.
‘That would be no different from using Young Lady So’s sincere feelings.’
Bu Eunseol swallowed a bitter inner sigh.
‘But I cannot simply leave things as they are.’
If a major power like the Snow Blossom Sect appeared in the Central Plains martial world, even if other factions remained silent, at the very least the Martial Venerable would roll up both sleeves and try to exploit them.
‘My personal issues are small. The bigger picture matters more.’
In any case, the Martial Soul Society was created to escape the power struggles between righteous and demonic factions—to protect subordinates and innocent people, and to do what is right.
If he could guide Snow Blossom Sect onto the proper path, there could be no better outcome.
“Understood.”
After finishing his thoughts, Bu Eunseol spoke.
“However, the Martial Alliance is only a temporary stop. When I truly need help, I will definitely call for you.”
“Then that’s what we’ll do.”
Slipping out of his embrace, So Eunhyang smiled faintly.
“But next time, please show me your true appearance.”
“How did you…?”
“Because you took my True Yin, when I just hugged you, I could sense your qi circulation.”
Bu Eunseol was shocked.
Sensing another person’s qi flow was only possible after mastering the Heavenly Mirror Heart Sutra.
Yet she had read his qi circulation just by holding him?
Could it be that her True Yin had some special effect?
“You have to promise.”
“Understood. And…”
“And…?”
After a brief hesitation, Bu Eunseol spoke in a low voice.
“The Divine Mountain Sage is not someone to be trusted.”
“The Divine Mountain Sage?”
“Yes. The Sect Leader probably won’t listen to me, so you must stay sharp and keep your wits about you.”
So Eunhyang’s large eyes sparkled.
After gazing into Bu Eunseol’s eyes for a long time, she nodded.
“I understand.”
“Then—”
As Bu Eunseol clasped his hands,
“Don’t make me wait too long.”
So Eunhyang smiled beautifully, eyes twinkling.
“My love.”
Perhaps embarrassed by her own words, her face flushed red as she unfolded a movement technique like mist and vanished in an instant.
Recalling the smile So Eunhyang left behind, Bu Eunseol wore a dazed expression for a moment.
Then, unleashing a windstorm-like movement technique, he swiftly descended Okryong Mountain.
Martial Alliance, Silver Moon Pavilion. Gongsun Dankyung’s office.
Gongsun Dankyung let out a sigh as she stared at the wooden box placed on the table.
It was the Ice Crystal Jade that Bu Eunseol had obtained from Snow Blossom Sect.
He had left word that he would deliver it directly to the Martial Venerable.
Gongsun Dankyung had judged it to be impossible…
―The Martial Venerable will definitely accept it.
Bu Eunseol had spoken with such certainty and asked her to contact the Martial Venerable.
In the end, after much deliberation, she had sent a message through a trusted intermediary and was now waiting together with Bu Eunseol.
“Don’t get your hopes up too much.” Gongsun Dankyung shook her head faintly. “He’s the kind of person who has never let his guard down around even me, the Chief Instructor, and has always concealed his movements.”
Even while serving as the Alliance Leader, the Martial Venerable rarely appeared in public, using closed-door training as an excuse.
Moreover, he did not fully trust even Gongsun Dankyung, who secretly assisted him, and carried out many confidential operations independently.
“I’m not getting my hopes up.” Bu Eunseol replied calmly. “The Martial Venerable is already preparing to meet me.”
“What did you say?”
Knock knock.
At that moment, a knock came from outside, followed by the low voice of an adjutant.
“The Lord has sent a trusted person separately. He says to summon Captain Seon within one hour.”
Astoundingly, a reply had come immediately.
Just as Bu Eunseol had confidently declared—the Martial Venerable himself would seek out Seon Woojin.
‘It’s done.’
A fierce light, never seen before, blazed from Bu Eunseol’s eyes.
The greatest sage of the martial world, the current supreme master of the righteous faction, the one who held all the secrets concerning the Heavenly Emperor—he was finally going to have a private audience with the Martial Venerable.
