novelraw Chapter 221 : Heavenly Heat Ice Palace
Chapter 221 : Heavenly Heat Ice Palace
Chapter 221: Heavenly Heat Ice Palace
“Is this the North Sea Ice Palace I’ve only heard about in stories?”
Unlike its majestic outer walls, the interior of the North Sea Ice Palace was surprisingly modest.
Between the solemn stone walls, ice sculptures were sparsely placed, giving off a strange atmosphere, but there were hardly any flashy or luxurious items in sight.
Rather, judging by the traces of repairs needed here and there, it seemed the rumor was true—that they had sold off much of their household belongings to save their youngest daughter.
Still, even after entering indoors and escaping the biting cold, it was a severe chill where white breath still formed with every exhale.
I circulated my Internal Energy and drew the Yang Energy within my body to its extreme limit. Along with the rising core temperature, a flame-like energy coursed through the meridians of my entire body.
Warm blood finally flowed back into my previously cold hands and feet, restoring color to them.
“Living in a place like this wouldn’t be easy.”
I muttered, clicking my tongue at the terrifying rate of Internal Energy Consumption, as if I were unleashing Samadhi True Fire.
If it were an ordinary martial artist, their Internal Energy would have run dry in no time, leaving them shivering helplessly in the cold.
“……That’s true.”
Ilhong, who had wrapped herself around me like a human blanket to avoid the creeping cold, answered in a small voice.
Why was she speaking so faintly? She was usually bold—hardly the type to shrink back just because of a massive palace or harsh cold.
“Hey, um, Mujin.”
“Harang, what is it?”
I turned my head at Jo Harang’s hand tapping my arm. She, with her Great Saber strapped to her back, was lightly clutching the hem of my clothes.
“I-I’m cold too…….”
It was hard to describe—like a ferocious beast lost in a snowy mountain, desperately searching for warmth. I couldn’t just ignore that look.
“Fine, you can hold my hand too.”
I drew up even more Internal Energy and let it gush toward my fingertips. For some reason, she looked delighted, her expression gradually loosening into a grin.
So as we headed toward the main hall where the Palace Head of the North Sea Ice Palace was waiting, we walked hand in hand, sharing warmth.
Then suddenly, a large door appeared, and the Seol siblings abruptly flung it open with a ‘bang,’ saying this was the place.
The elders of the North Sea Ice Palace, who had gathered inside with the Palace Head to greet us, widened their eyes at the sight of us clinging together.
“What on earth is that behavior?”
“Hmph, how indecent.”
“As rumored, people from Beijing are quite… open-minded…….”
Whispers pierced my ears. We immediately broke apart and scattered.
We were just sharing warmth around me because I had excess Internal Energy.
Yet it felt like we had been misunderstood in a rather strange way.
“Ahem.”
Ilhong stepped away from me with a regretful expression and cleared her throat, suddenly pretending to admire a painting on the wall.
Jo Harang fiddled with her sword sheath and stared intently at the ceiling.
Seeing our awkward state, Seol Sak-hwa stepped forward and cleared up the misunderstanding before the confused elders of the North Sea Ice Palace.
“They haven’t learned Ice Arts, so the cold seeps into their bodies. They raised their Yang Energy and shared it to endure.”
Her tone suggested that, unlike themselves, people from Beijing were more sensitive to the cold, asking for their understanding.
Only then did the aged elders nod, as if saying, ‘Ah, I see.’
“Ahem, Dog-Beating Dragon Dan Mujin. In any case, please come inside. Father is waiting for you.”
Seol Cheonsang gestured with an awkward smile.
I really embarrassed myself over nothing.
Anyway, after a small commotion, we came face to face with the Palace Head of the North Sea Ice Palace.
Seated at the head of the hall was a middle-aged man with dazzling golden hair and an imposing aura.
His eyes showed signs of fatigue from his daughter’s terminal illness.
But upon seeing us who had come all the way from Beijing, he stood up abruptly and warmly welcomed us.
“Dog-Beating Dragon Dan Mujin, you have come from afar. Despite the difficult circumstances of our palace, I thank you for showing your chivalrous heart and coming here.”
It seemed the Seol siblings had already explained how they hired me as a troubleshooter.
After praising my righteous actions several times, Palace Head Seol Jindo soon brought his youngest daughter, who was suffering from Nine Yin Severed Meridians, and introduced her to me.
“You should greet him as well. He is the one who has come all this way to save you.”
Responding to her father’s voice, a small girl shyly stepped forward and bowed her head deeply before this unfamiliar man from the Central Plains.
“……My name is Seol Soyoung. I heard you will help with the Heavenly Heat Ice Palace expedition. Thank you very much.”
Her voice was small but clear. Though she had a Western-like appearance, her hair had turned silver-white, likely due to the strong Yin Energy.
“It’s fine. I’m getting paid for it anyway.”
I waved my hand dismissively.
The Salseongi wriggled as if disgusted by my act of kindness, but I suppressed it with the Starfall Heart Cultivation Method.
To be honest, the pay was a bit underwhelming for the work—but as an adult, I couldn’t show that in front of a dying child.
“Um, and this…….”
Seol Soyoung took something out from her clothes and carefully held it out to me with both hands.
On her small palm lay a crystal-like object glowing with white mist, like a transparent gem.
“What is this?”
“Hmm, Boss. This looks like the Ice Essence we’ve only heard about in rumors… could it be that Thousand-Year Ice Essence……?”
At Ilhong’s words, Seol Soyoung nodded vigorously, surprised that she recognized it.
The moment I held it, I felt the immense Yin Energy accumulated by nature over a thousand years. A chilling cold crept up my body the instant it touched my hand.
Yeah… if I swallowed this as-is, like Ilhong warned, it would definitely cause serious problems.
“It is the advance payment my children failed to give you in Beijing. Since it melts gradually once taken out of the north, it is difficult to transport.”
Seol Jindo explained in a deep voice.
Moreover, unless one possessed immense Yang Energy or practiced Ice Arts, it was a Spiritual Medicine that was difficult to even sell.
“I see. Thanks, kid. I’ll make good use of it.”
Still, I wasn’t one to refuse something given to me. I stored the Thousand-Year Ice Essence in my clothes as rightful compensation, feeling a cool chill spread.
“Um… I’m not ‘kid,’ I’m Seol Soyoung.”
Her curious blue eyes stared at me.
“Alright, Soyoung.”
I met her gaze without looking away. Even though her Yin Energy was clogging her blood meridians, causing great pain and the looming threat of death—
Her eyes were filled with a will to live and a strong heart.
Just as the Seol siblings said, she was a remarkably sharp child. It would be such a waste for someone like her to fall to illness.
“Dog-Beating Dragon Dan Mujin… you have eyes similar to mine.”
Eyes of someone who wanted to live, no matter the adversity.
Too heavy an emotion for a child her age.
What was I like in the past? Murong Cheongjin, in my childhood?
I think I spent my days trembling in fear, anxious that I would lose myself, cause a Blood Calamity, and die as a public enemy of the Murim.
“I don’t know your circumstances, but let’s both try our best. For the sake of those who will be left behind.”
She was more worried about her family than her own pain.
Perhaps she was trying to live because she had family who supported her and fought to keep her alive.
Just by looking at how the people of the North Sea Ice Palace gazed at her, I could tell what kind of presence she was here.
‘Wasn’t the North Sea Ice Palace supposed to be cold? This place feels… warm.’
The temperature was freezing, but the people were anything but.
Thinking about it made me feel a bit bitter, recalling Murong Cheongjin’s harsh and cruel past.
‘You… were actually quite lucky…….’
The Red Aura snickered as if mocking me, like it would win in a contest of misfortune.
Seeing that sneer, I steadied my mind and looked back at Seol Soyoung.
“Don’t worry too much. There’s no such thing as a fate decided by heaven. You’ll live on too.”
“……Ah, yes.”
She nodded, slightly confused.
And those words were also a promise to myself.
I walked toward Seol Jindo, who sat at the head seat. He wore martial attire with a belt and sword sheath at his waist.
“Dan Mujin, you must be tired from the long journey, but Soyoung’s condition isn’t good. After one day of rest, we must head to the cave tomorrow.”
His face was filled with apology for only being able to give us one day.
Looking at his attire, I asked curiously,
“I and Harang recover quickly, so one day is enough… but are you also going with us, Palace Head?”
“Indeed.”
Seol Jindo nodded solemnly.
“But I heard you suffered severe internal injuries when you went to the cave before…….”
He was said to have once possessed the most brilliant talent among past Palace Heads, but after being injured by a spiritual beast, his Blood Meridians were severed, leaving him only at First Rate.
“Heh, no need to worry.”
He smiled faintly.
“I was once called the Ice God by the people of the Jianghu. Even if I’ve lost some of my martial arts, I can still protect myself.”
“…….”
Ice God Seol Jindo, showing firm resolve.
I barely suppressed what almost slipped out of my mouth.
Well… if a master of the sword becomes Sword God and a master of the blade becomes Blade God…
Then a master of Ice Arts being called Ice God wasn’t strange.
“Boss, what’s with your expression? You look like you’re holding in poop.”
“……It’s nothing.”
I shook my head and composed myself before turning back to Seol Jindo.
“Then, Palace Head. Let’s meet at the cave tomorrow morning after making preparations.”
“Very well.”
He smiled.
“And since you’ve come to help us, you may call me Ice God Seol Jindo rather than such a stiff title.”
There was a hint of pride in his old title.
“……That’s a bit much for me. I’ll consider it.”
“Haha, as you wish.”
He smiled lightly, unaware of my inner struggle.
A battle only I would ever know.
Thus, after spending a night at the North Sea Ice Palace, we set out toward the cave where the spiritual beast resided.
The next morning.
We advanced through the crunching snow toward the Heavenly Heat Ice Palace.
Our group was quite large—myself, Jo Harang, Ilhong, Seol Jindo, the Seol siblings, and the martial artists of the North Sea Ice Palace. At the very back, Seol Soyoung followed with small steps.
As for the Ten-Thousand-Year Fire Carp, if exposed to cold during transport, its energy could be damaged—so it had to be consumed on the spot.
That was why, despite the danger, they had to bring her here.
“But I heard she’s frail. Is she really okay in this harsh winter?”
At my concerned question, Seol Jindo smiled faintly.
“Cold and chill are not a problem for my daughter. Her body is already filled with something far worse.”
Right… that was exactly why we were heading here.
His words made me feel a slight sorrow.
“Father! The Heavenly Heat Ice Palace is just ahead!”
Seol Cheonsang shouted, pointing forward.
As if exploring the unknown, we stepped into the long-rumored cave.
“Oh… I can feel the heat.”
The ice-covered cave entrance resembled the maw of a giant beast. But once inside, the cold air quickly turned into intense heat.
“Wow.”
Seol Soyoung’s voice echoed through the transparent cave walls.
The rumors were true. In the middle of the frozen land, hot spring water bubbled up, releasing heat.
Ice and droplets intertwined along the cave walls, sparkling, while steam rose from the ground as if geothermal heat surged below.
Walking carefully, tense about when the White-Furred Lion King might appear, I began to sweat slightly.
“What kind of place is this? A place like this in the middle of a snowfield?”
Hearing about it was one thing—but seeing it defied all logic.
“It feels like a place that defies the laws of nature.”
Jo Harang muttered honestly, and I nodded in agreement.
The cave should have melted from the heat, yet the external cold prevented it from freezing or melting—a bizarre balance.
“Is there another mysterious spiritual beast here? Or is this just a natural phenomenon?”
We continued deeper, unable to take our eyes off the surroundings.
Then Ilhong suddenly pointed at something.
“This… looks like something someone cultivated?”
There was a fence, and inside it, plants were growing evenly like a small garden.
At my confusion, everyone scanned the surroundings in shock.
“Boss… could someone be living here?”
At Ilhong’s question, Seol Jindo immediately denied it.
“That’s impossible. This cave belongs to the White-Furred Lion King. How could a human live here?”
His tone showed he knew the beast’s danger well.
If it wasn’t a beast… and not natural…
Then what?
As that unresolved question lingered—
“Ah! B-Boss! There—there it is in the pond!”
Ilhong suddenly grabbed my arm and shouted excitedly.
“What is it?”
I looked where she pointed.
Within the bubbling hot spring, something glowing crimson swam through the water.
Beautiful scales scattering light. A large, majestic presence filled with spiritual energy.
“T-The Ten-Thousand-Year Fire Carp…!”
Someone’s shocked cry echoed through the cave.