novelraw Chapter 218 : Guests from the North
Chapter 218 : Guests from the North
Chapter 218: Guests from the North
Winter passed, and spring arrived.
The land of the Central Plains sprouted new shoots and blossoming buds, gradually regaining vitality, yet the snow mountains of the north still retained their pure white, breathtaking scenery.
The frozen land of the North Sea Ice Palace, where cold Yin Energy blanketed the earth. In this place, called the end of the world, there stood a towering palace.
Despite the stone walls that blocked out the cold, within this palace that felt like a frozen tomb, the Palace Head—a large-framed man with exotic features—posed a question to his retainers and blood relatives.
“‘How is Seol Soyoung’s condition?’”
At the Palace Head’s question about his youngest daughter, the eldest daughter, Seol Sak-hwa, whose golden hair and blue eyes shimmered, stepped forward and answered.
“‘It is not good. It seems she just coughed up blood again.’”
At those words, the Palace Head’s thick brows furrowed once. A deep shadow fell across his face.
For the Seol Family of the North Sea, who could endure the brutal cold of the north, there existed an unavoidable heavenly affliction.
It was the Nine Yin Severed Meridians, where the harmony of Yin and Yang collapsed, causing Yin Energy to accumulate in the nine meridians.
Because Yin Energy flowed throughout the body, one would possess exceptional insight and beauty—but before that flower could fully bloom, one would die young. It was a terrifying condition of severed meridians.
To cure this, there were only two methods.
One was for a master filled with blazing Yang Energy to perform Meridian Stimulation and Acupoint Clearing with at least One Gapja worth of Internal Energy, forcefully opening the blocked meridians.
The other was to consume a spiritual creature or Spiritual Medicine imbued with extreme Yang Energy.
“‘Father, it seems we have no choice but to search for that cave recorded in our family history.’”
The eldest son, Seol Cheonsang, spoke with resignation.
As this was a deeply rooted heavenly affliction tied to the North Sea Ice Palace’s control over Yin Energy, the family records contained several methods to counter such generational abnormalities.
Among them was a certain mysterious cave said to lie far further north than here.
Though its exterior was covered in ice and freezing cold, inside it was said that mineral water surged from deep underground along with hot steam—a mysterious place.
Within that boiling mineral water lived the Ten-Thousand-Year Fire Carp, known to contain extreme Yang Energy.
However, just as predators gather around an oasis, there existed a dangerous spiritual beast guarding the cave like a gatekeeper.
It was a massive eight-chi-tall monkey—the White-Furred Lion King.
Originally golden-furred, it had turned white over time, likely influenced by Yin Energy.
It could wield tools, swinging a long staff like the Monkey King from legends.
“‘That damned beast… we must deal with it somehow…!’”
The Palace Head of the North Sea Ice Palace, Seol Jindo, ground his teeth as he recalled the hateful creature’s face.
In his youth, after realizing his youngest daughter had the Nine Yin Severed Meridians, he had personally ventured toward the Heavenly Heat Ice Palace with his body at the Transcendence level.
However, after confronting the White-Furred Lion King, he suffered severe internal injuries that ruined his body.
His meridians were shattered, and now he could only perform the Ice-White Asura Sword Technique at the level of a First Rate Martial Artist.
Yet he did not give up.
He raised his son and daughter rigorously, and both his eldest son and daughter reached the Peak Master Level at a young age.
The rest of the palace members had also achieved considerable mastery.
Though their strength was formidable even compared to Central Plains sects, it was still insufficient to deal with that cursed beast.
“‘Should we not call for outsiders, Father?!’”
Seol Cheonsang raised his voice again, unable to bear his youngest sister’s worsening condition.
But the Palace Head stroked his chin, deep in thought.
In matters involving Spiritual Medicines, spiritual creatures, and treasures, it was common sense not to involve greedy outsiders.
Even righteous martial artists would waver before such temptations.
Moreover, since the Nine Yin Severed Meridians meant Yin Energy filled the meridians, to certain demonic practitioners who cultivated special arts, she would be no different from a walking Spiritual Medicine—putting his youngest daughter in grave danger.
There was also a practical issue.
The North Sea Ice Palace had already spent much of its wealth trying to save her, secretly acquiring anything filled with Yang Energy.
Their remaining funds were insufficient to hire a master capable of facing the White-Furred Lion King.
Unlike the Central Plains sects, their harsh environment made wealth accumulation slow.
If they were to bring in an expensive martial artist from the Central Plains, even maintaining the palace would become difficult.
“‘Palace Head, I have something in mind.’”
At that moment, the eldest daughter, Seol Sak-hwa, raised her hand, drawing everyone’s attention.
Her tone was formal, unlike her brother’s.
The Palace Head gestured for her to continue.
“‘While seeking a solution, I met a Beggars’ Union Operative. He recommended a verified Troubleshooter who has never failed—not even once—and does not charge excessively.’”
At first, the mention of a Troubleshooter—something usually associated with unorthodox martial artists—caused confusion.
But upon hearing that he was at the Transcendence level, they understood.
And when they heard that there were two such masters in that office, they were astonished.
“‘Depending on the situation, he even lowers his price. He seems to be a trustworthy man who always completes his assignments.’”
Though Troubleshooters and wanderers were usually greedy, the one introduced by the Beggars’ Union seemed different.
To gather information about the Central Plains from such a distant land, even in the north, one had no choice but to rely on the Beggars’ Union.
“‘Sak-hwa, who is this person?’”
“‘Dog-Beating Dragon Dan Mujin. It is said that in Beijing, there is no one who does not know his name.’”
At last, Dan Mujin’s reputation had spread beyond the Central Plains into the outer regions.
“‘Hmm… for the Beggars’ Union to recommend him so strongly…’”
As an information organization of the righteous faction, they did not give careless recommendations.
Thus, this man called Dog-Beating Dragon was someone who, despite seeking money, possessed the qualities of a chivalrous hero.
And such a person would naturally be tight-lipped.
He was perfectly suited to their situation.
“Seol Cheonsang. Seol Sak-hwa.”
He called the names of his son and daughter—masters he had personally forged.
“‘Yes, Father!’”
“‘Please give the order.’”
They answered with determination.
“‘Go to the Central Plains and find Dan Mujin.’”
Their first journey to Beijing began because of a Troubleshooter.
“‘Yes! We will find Dan Mujin!’”
“‘And bring him here.’”
“‘As expected, Young Master Dan Mujin. I knew from the moment I showed you properties before that you would become someone great!’”
The woman who had previously introduced us to land and buildings through Eun Hwaran—
Madam Jang was now praising me endlessly with her usual real estate broker charm.
“‘Young Master, what do you think of this property? I showed it to you before, but you went to the outskirts due to lack of funds. This time… perhaps you should secure it?’”
That property.
Located at the intersection of a bustling commercial district, with high foot traffic, many nearby residential areas full of potential clients, and excellent visibility—it was a prime location in Beijing.
Back then, we had proudly presented all our savings.
And Madam Jang had responded with a look that clearly said, “That’s it?” before rejecting us outright.
So we had borrowed money from Eun Hwaran and bought a quiet property on the outskirts.
But this time was different.
“‘How much is it?’”
“‘As I mentioned before, this property includes a delay fee. Hoho.’”
As she flicked her abacus, she explained the price.
Just listening to it made my hands tremble.
It was an absurd amount.
“‘Boss, if we buy this, we won’t even have enough for a month’s food.’”
Given that our office had two monsters who devoured food and destroyed our Engel coefficient…
Ilhong spoke with concern.
I glanced at Madam Jang, who was smiling.
“‘Could you lower it just a bit…?’”
“‘Absolutely not, Young Master. It’s already heavily discounted.’”
Her smile stiffened.
A true broker—merciless in her domain.
“‘Ahem… Eun Hwaran is like an older sister to me.’”
I invoked guanxi.
“‘…In that case, I will remove the delay fee and match the original price.’”
Deal.
I placed a heavy chest of gold on the table.
She looked impressed.
“‘My, how impressive for someone so young… Perhaps you’d like a matchmaking with a noble lady of Beijing?’”
“‘Weren’t you just a broker?’”
Ilhong cut her off.
We almost got sold instead of the house.
The Central Plains remained full of discrimination.
Seol Cheonsang and Seol Sak-hwa, having arrived from the North Sea Ice Palace, could not hide their discomfort under the stares and whispers of Beijing’s people.
“‘Hmph, these Central Plains people.’”
“‘You should be more amicable,’” Seol Cheonsang said. “You represent the North Sea Ice Palace.”
“‘And you are not cold yourself?’”
“‘But I do not show it outwardly.’”
He laughed and pushed open the door to Dan Mujin’s Troubleshooter Office.
But inside—
It was empty.
Instead, only a group of thugs who had occupied the vacant space remained.
“‘Who the hell are you? Blue eyes, yellow hair…’”
“‘Ghosts! They’re ghosts!’”