After arriving at the Northern Sea Ice Palace, the gazes we received were filled with curiosity—and expectation.

In response, Bing Yerin gave an awkward smile and opened her mouth.

“Haha, please don’t pay it too much mind. They probably didn’t expect us to return this early.”

“That’s not something to worry about. It’s perfectly understandable… It’s just a little surprising.”

Suppressing a sigh of admiration that almost slipped out, I looked around.

The architecture was completely different from anything in the Central Plains. With snow piled high on every building, it felt as if we’d stepped into a deep winter forest.

Of course, this was still a place where people lived. Though the buildings were packed somewhat tightly together, it wasn’t an actual forest, and here and there, people could be seen.

Clothing made of unfamiliar materials and in unfamiliar styles. All of it seemed crafted using thick animal fur and leather, and all of it looked exceptionally warm.

And appearances that differed vastly from those of the Central Plains. Skin so pale it was nearly white, with lightly colored eyes and hair.

Though I thought I had grown accustomed to the appearance of Northern Sea Ice Palace residents after seeing Bing Yerin and her group, seeing so many people all at once gave me a different feeling.

No, to be exact, it’s probably the realization that this is their land, and I am the unusual outsider—that’s what makes it feel strange.

Even in the vast Central Plains, there are foreigners—merchants from the Western Regions, monks from Tianzhu—but the people of the Central Plains always made up the majority.

Now that I find myself in the minority, I understand it clearly.

“We’ve really arrived at the Northern Sea Ice Palace… at the Foreign Martial World.”

“Well, technically, we’ve been in the North Sea for a while already.”

Perhaps understanding the sentiment behind my words, Tang Sowol added her own remark. That’s right. In the end, it’s not the land itself, but the people living on it who define it.

In that sense, it’s not the cold weather or the swirling snow, but seeing the people who live here that truly made me realize we’d arrived at the Northern Sea Ice Palace.

Children stared at us from afar with eyes full of curiosity.

Watching them fondly, Tang Sowol spoke up.

“By the way, it really looks like everyone here practices martial arts. There’s no distinction between martial artists and commoners anymore, only differences in cultivation.”

“In that case, those cultivation levels would essentially define the line between commoners and martial artists.”

“Well, yes. If everyone practices martial arts, it’s only natural.”

As I watched Tang Sowol nodding, something suddenly came to mind.

“Come to think of it, though we’re still in the Foreign Martial World, the people of Yunnan didn’t look that different from those in the Central Plains… But the people here in the North Sea are very different in appearance.”

“Well, it’s probably due to their environment and the martial arts they’ve trained in.”

“That may be true, but isn’t it fascinating how many different reasons can lead to such differences?”

“Pardon?”

“Think about it. Farmers working under the sun tend to have darker skin. Likewise, people living in hot regions tend to have darker complexions.”

“Well, yes. The martial artists I saw from Yunnan during our time in the Thousand Poison Sect did look like that.”

“On the other hand, people in the cold North Sea tend to have pale skin, and their hair colors are all unusual.”

Some martial arts visibly alter the body as a sign of mastery.

Even Tang Sowol’s green-tinted hair is a result of her advanced mastery of poison arts.

Perhaps the martial arts of the Northern Sea Ice Palace have similar properties. Those who have trained to a certain level seem to show changes in hair and body color.

But even among those without such high mastery, many appear to be born with unusual traits.

Like how most of the people peeking at us from afar have blonde hair and blue or green eyes.

A land where people have faint coloring. That was my first impression upon arriving at the Northern Sea Ice Palace.

“Wherever you go, I suppose it’s similar. The people of the Western Regions evolved to fit their environment, just as the people of the Central Plains did.”

“True enough.”

“Then doesn’t that make you curious?”

“About what?”

“If your appearance changes based on where you live, and then changes again depending on the martial arts you train… And in some cases, like the Peng Clan of Hebei, those traits are passed down genetically… Then—”

I paused for a moment before continuing.

“What would the most natural form of a person look like—one untouched by environmental or martial influences?”

“Cheon Hwi-da.”

“Hmm?”

“Have you perhaps become a little tense under all these gazes?”

“…Maybe a little?”

More precisely, it wasn’t the number of gazes, but the weight of the expectations behind them.

Being the center of attention was something I had experienced many times before my regression. But receiving such hopeful, expectant looks—this was a first.

Though I had grown somewhat used to it while staying with the Tang Clan, it couldn’t compare to now.

Every person we passed whispered, asking if I was the new palace lord candidate, wondering if they could finally feel at ease… Honestly, it was overwhelming.

Seo Mun-Hwarin, on the other hand, was clearly enjoying it.

She lifted her chin, puffed up her shoulders, and let out little snorts of pride that made her look utterly pleased.

After all, this was the life she had dreamed of—a righteous martial artist, not feared, but welcomed. Of course she would be elated.

It just felt like I was the one suffering from embarrassment in her place.

Clearing my throat awkwardly, I changed the subject.

“Ahem. The Northern Sea Ice Palace is larger than I expected.”

“Huhu. That’s only natural, since everyone living nearby ends up gathering here. Of course, it’s still nothing compared to the Central Plains…”

Bing Yerin nodded confidently, only to trail off at the end.

As she said, the Northern Sea Ice Palace was an impressive place, hard to believe it was built on this icy, snowy land. But after seeing the Murim Alliance buildings, it was understandable if her confidence faltered a little.

Noticing this, Seol Lihyang smoothly changed the subject.

“Anyway, we’ve walked quite a bit since arriving in a populated area. Shouldn’t we be seeing something soon? I mean, it’s called a palace, right?”

“Ah, we’re almost there. We just have to cross that lake.”

“Lake?”

Seol Lihyang tilted her head, as if she had heard something incomprehensible. Before us stretched nothing but a snow-covered frozen plain—where was the lake?

Seeing our confusion, Bing Yerin chuckled and swept away the snow at her feet.

Beneath the white layer was perfectly clear, impurity-free ice.

“What the…?”

“It’s frozen solid now, but in the summer, it melts into water. It’s as wide as a sea, but it’s a lake, not the actual ocean.”

“Aha, so that’s where the name ‘North Sea’ comes from? Then the people living there… live on top of the ice??”

“No. Like I said earlier, it melts in summer. That area’s just regular land.”

“Hmm? Then where exactly is the Northern Sea Ice Palace?”

“It’s everywhere. The first settlement of our ancestors was that small patch of land in the middle of the lake. But as the palace’s influence grew, and its name became known, many others gathered from the surrounding regions…”

“So eventually, people began living on the land beyond the lake too, huh?”

“Exactly.”

“I bet the people living in the actual palace receive better treatment.”

“That’s true as well. Those with outstanding martial skill, intellect, or lineage live inside the palace, while everyone else lives outside.”

“Now it makes sense. When you said the palace had opened its martial arts, it meant they started teaching techniques that used to be limited to palace residents to the outer inhabitants too, right?”

“As expected of the future palace lord. You’re sharp. Originally, they could only learn the bare minimum for survival, but now, if they want, they can even learn advanced martial arts… Though the problem is, wanting to doesn’t mean they can.”

As Bing Yerin said this, she looked at Seol Lihyang with burning eyes.

If possible, she’d rather take the Ice Crystal herself and challenge for the palace lord position—but it seemed her best option was still making Seol Lihyang the palace lord.

Avoiding her intense gaze, Seol Lihyang subtly moved closer to me.

“Hey. Cheon Hwi…”

“What is it?”

“I have something I want to ask you.”

“Here you go.”

“…??”

When I extended my arm, Seol Lihyang blinked in confusion. I chuckled and continued.

“Didn’t you say you wanted to ask something?”

“…Eiit!”

Realizing what I meant, she bit down on my arm in mock annoyance. Not enough to hurt, just enough to tickle a little.

After nibbling for a while, she finally let go, wiped the faint bite mark and her drool with her sleeve, then opened her mouth again.

“So, here’s my question.”

“Go ahead.”

“You and Sister Tang… are you two plotting something behind my back?”

“Oh?”

“I don’t know what it is, but I can tell. So just tell me straight—what are you up to?”

“First of all, it’s not just you we’re keeping it from. Seo Mun-Hwarin doesn’t know either, nor does Bing Yerin.”

“Seriously, what is it?!”

“That’s…”

Seol Lihyang swallowed hard, focusing on the shape of my mouth.

Smirking, I spoke.

“Of course it’s a secret.”

“Hey!?”

“If I could tell you, it wouldn’t be a secret in the first place.”

“Then why even say anything and get on my nerves!?”

“Well, obviously…”

I watched her scowl deepen in frustration before answering.

“To tease you, of course.”

“You!”

Slap!

In the end, Seol Lihyang couldn’t hold back and started smacking my back.

But after constant external martial arts training—and having undergone a full-body transformation—her palm didn’t hurt much without any inner strength behind it.

She knew this too, which is probably why she kept hitting me with just raw strength.

Once she’d vented a little, I gave her a shrug.

“You’ll find out soon enough. That’s why I didn’t say anything.”

“It’s not something weird, right?”

“Have I ever done anything harmful to you?”

“Well… when you put it that way, I guess not.”

Letting out a deep sigh, Seol Lihyang shook her head.

“Hoo… Why do I feel so uneasy?”

We crossed the frozen lake and arrived inside the palace.

Unlike before, Seol Lihyang was now surrounded by people who were clearly martial artists—and they were welcoming her.

Watching her and the visibly relieved palace lord, I spoke.

“Palace Lord.”

“What is it?”

“I heard you’ve been troubled by snakes lately.”

“How did you know…?”

The Northern Sea Ice Palace Lord’s eyes widened as she glared at Bing Yerin.

Apparently, she didn’t expect me to suddenly bring up something she had told Bing Yerin. The betrayal on her face said it all.

But it’s not like I ever promised to keep it a secret, and I only said I’d think about it—I never agreed to help with her plan.

I stepped behind Seol Lihyang, grabbed her by both shoulders, and pulled her toward me.

Then, speaking in an utterly straightforward tone, I said,

“I can’t solve the problem completely, but I can buy you time. So hand over all your elixirs and martial arts techniques.”

“Hey! Cheon Hwi! That totally sounds like a threat!”

“Oh.”

Guess I got a little too blunt with that one.

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep