Survival Guide for the Reincarnated - Chapter 202

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Chapter 202

I shook my head.

“I am simply keeping a promise I made to myself. As a warrior.”

“As a warrior… Very good.”

As we conversed, something suddenly made me curious.

“What did you do with Yang Seol-jin?”

“I put him in the underground prison of the Main Palace.”

“Did you destroy his dantian?”

“I did.”

I spoke quietly.

“You must also crush all his blood vessels.”

“…His blood vessels too?”

“Yes. There is much information that needs to be extracted from Yang Seol-jin. Since I will be going to the Heavenly Righteousness Alliance and won’t return for at least a year, how about bringing Seo Hyo from Cheon Rim to discuss this together?”

“Seo Hyo… Do you trust him?”

“I think he’s sufficiently trustworthy at present. The problem is the Original Blood Energy.”

“Original Blood Energy…”

“It’s similar to Ice Snow Energy but closer to Innate True Energy, and it’s a life force that can revive someone who became a cripple through Qi Deviation back into a warrior. You must tear apart all the pathways through which that energy can flow to truly make him a cripple.”

“Are you certain someone will secretly approach Yang Seol-jin?”

“Not certain, but the possibility isn’t zero.”

“Very well, I’ll do as you say.”

“And you absolutely must not kill him. If we use him, we can compile a list of Yu Cheong’s forces who haven’t been revealed.”

Father thought for a moment, then spoke briefly.

“A death list.”

“Yes. And may I request two more things?”

“Speak.”

“I understand that no outside guests are invited to the succession ceremony.”

Father nodded.

“I would also prefer if you don’t call the Weon-ro-jeon.”

At these words, Father flinched.

“…The Weon-ro-jeon as well?”

“Yes. They are those who washed their hands in the golden basin and left Murim. If they show their faces at the succession ceremony, wouldn’t that no longer be washing their hands in the golden basin?”

“Hmm…”

“And please exclude the Weon-ro-jeon from all major and minor affairs of the Snow Palace.”

The Weon-ro-jeon… Father muttered quietly, then opened his mouth.

“They seem to concern you.”

“Rather than concern, they irritate me.”

“…To that extent?”

“Yes. The Weon-ro-jeon is not the shadow of the Snow Palace. They have already chosen their path, so we shouldn’t let them cast shadows on our path.”

“Shadows…”

“We should show them courtesy, but not give them decision-making power. If they said they would wash their hands in the river and leave Murim, they shouldn’t look back until that water dries up. Above all, isn’t it true that those who keep one foot outside and one foot inside cannot stand firmly in either place?”

“…Your words are entirely correct. I’ll do that.”

“Thank you.”

After that, silence settled.

Father looked up at the sky and slowly opened his mouth.

“I was too weak.”

I shook my head.

“Father has always been strong. There were just many who tried to use that strength to fill their own greed, exploit weaknesses, and covet authority.”

“You always speak well of this father.”

“Because it’s the truth. Of course, I can’t say Father has no fault, but that doesn’t mean everything is Father’s fault.”

I was sincere.

Of course, I couldn’t deny that Father bore responsibility. Denying that would make me inhuman.

But the greatest responsibility lies with those who tried to bring Father down. Whether they coveted the treasures of the primordial era or wanted to add more flesh to their existing power, the greatest responsibility ultimately lies with those who turned their backs on Father, the Palace Lord of the Snow Palace.

They made the mess, and in the current process of cleaning it up, what Father and I must do is reflect and move forward.

“Is there something troubling you?”

“…Would Juche think the same?”

I gazed at Father for a moment, then asked quietly.

“Does your heart ache?”

“It aches and feels like it’s being torn apart.”

I could have scolded him, asking how the supreme being of the Snow Palace could have such a weak heart, but I didn’t want to.

Why did Father come to see me now?

He probably wouldn’t show such a side to Hyeon Sim either.

No matter how high someone stands in the heavens, they’re still a person with a beating heart.

“How is he now?”

“…He’s blaming himself for his incompetence.”

“Does he say he wants to die?”

“He says he wants to die in a way that helps the Snow Palace.”

If someone you’ve spent decades with blames themselves for their incompetence and wants to die, even I would feel heartbroken.

“I don’t want to wrap this up with the clichéd words of ‘steel your heart.’ Do you think the man called Juche is a ‘warrior’?”

To this question, Father answered without the slightest hesitation.

“I think he is a warrior.”

“Then, may I arrange a ‘stage for death’ for him?”

“A stage for death…?”

“Yes. I can say with certainty that both you and he will be satisfied with it.”

“Your judgment has never been wrong, so yes, do that.”

I looked into Father’s eyes.

In those eyes was deep trust and affection that couldn’t be expressed in words.

The bond between father and son—sometimes it touches the heart more powerfully than words.

“After the upcoming succession ceremony ends, I will stop by Ice White Gorge and then go directly to the Heavenly Righteousness Alliance.”

“That’s how it will be.”

“Since it doesn’t seem like there will be another opportunity to see you privately, I want to ask you now.”

“What is it?”

“I went on a journey to the Central Plains, and I think it would be impolite to return empty-handed. Is there anything you would like to have?”

To my question, Father shook his head and said.

“I already have everything.”

Father’s hand gently brushed across my face.

“You were already my everything, the greatest treasure of my life.”

Father smiled brightly.

“What more could I wish for?”

* * *

In the Main Palace of the Eternal Snow Palace, there is a hall called Cheon Nyeon Bing Jeon.

This massive hall built from ice that has endured a thousand years was located in the heart of Snow Mountain, with walls made of blue-tinted ice and thousands of ice crystals on the ceiling that glowed like Demon Eye Stones.

Today was the day the succession ceremony would be held to fill the position of Young Palace Lord that had been vacant for over ten years.

At least all the key figures who had sworn loyalty to the Snow Palace, except for the ‘Weon-ro-jeon,’ had gathered.

They all looked toward the front of the hall.

At the very front of the hall, Seol Jung-cheon, the supreme being of the Snow Palace, sat on a magnificent throne made of ice, and his appearance was more dignified than ever.

Around him, having reached the realm of Primordial Sole Existence, invisible energy swirled, moving like a living creature and sometimes materializing in the faint form of snowflakes.

The gazes of everyone waiting for the ceremony to begin turned in one direction—toward where the massive doors of Cheon Nyeon Bing Jeon stood.

Finally, that door opened.

Seol Ho-ryeong entered.

He was wearing pure white clothing. It was the traditional ceremonial robes of the Snow Palace, garments that only the Young Palace Lord could wear.

His white hair and pure white clothes created an intensely powerful atmosphere by themselves, and Seol Ho-ryeong’s eyes were also filled with deep resolve instead of his usual playfulness.

Behind him followed high-ranking officials of Cheon Seol Ju and twelve warriors he had personally selected. They were all the elite among the elite of the Snow Palace.

Seol Ho-ryeong slowly moved forward. Each of his footsteps echoed throughout the hall. It was like the heartbeat of Snow Mountain itself.

Seol Ho-ryeong came to a stop before Seol Jung-cheon. He respectfully knelt and paid his respects.

Seol Jung-cheon slowly opened his mouth.

“Today, I, Seol Jung-cheon, as the 9th Palace Lord of the Ten Thousand Year Snow Palace, hereby appoint my son Seol Ho-ryeong as the Young Palace Lord of the Ten Thousand Year Snow Palace.”

Seol Jung-cheon’s voice was like thunder.

As soon as those words ended, light poured down from the ceiling of Cheon Nyeon Bing Jeon. It was as if the heavens themselves were responding.

“I pass on to you all the traditions and duties of the Ten Thousand Year Snow Palace. Your standing in this position means taking responsibility for all the people of Snow Mountain, so engrave this in your heart.”

Seol Jung-cheon raised his hand.

In his hand was an object wrapped in pure white silk. When the silk was removed, a jade pendant with a blue glow revealed itself.

“This is one of two jade pendants created by the founding Palace Lord Seol Heun who established the Ten Thousand Year Snow Palace. It is the symbol of the Young Palace Lord and an emblem of authority. From today, you are the owner of this jade pendant.”

Seol Jung-cheon handed the jade pendant to Seol Ho-ryeong. Seol Ho-ryeong respectfully accepted it.

“Now rise and make your oath.”

Seol Ho-ryeong slowly stood up. The jade pendant in his hand emitted a blue light.

“I, Seol Ho-ryeong, as the Young Palace Lord of the Ten Thousand Year Snow Palace, swear to protect all the people of Snow Mountain and uphold the traditions and dignity of the Snow Palace. I will punish the enemies of Snow Mountain, protect the friends of Snow Mountain, and dedicate my everything for the future of Snow Mountain.”

Seol Ho-ryeong’s voice grew stronger.

“The enemies of the Ten Thousand Year Snow Palace have already been dealt with. However, many challenges still remain before us. To restore the glory of Snow Mountain and for the future of Snow Mountain, I will give my all.”

When his words ended, Seol Jung-cheon raised his hand.

“Young Palace Lord Seol Ho-ryeong of the Ten Thousand Year Snow Palace!”

At that moment, everyone gathered in Cheon Nyeon Bing Jeon shouted in unison.

“Long live the Young Palace Lord!”

Their cheers shook the hall. Seol Ho-ryeong looked at everyone with a solemn expression. His eyes had now completely changed. They were the eyes of one who had accepted responsibility.

Seol Jung-cheon opened his mouth again.

“Now a new era will open before us. Snow Mountain will unite as one again and reclaim its glory.”

His gaze turned toward Woon-hwi. Woon-hwi was standing quietly behind Seol Ho-ryeong. His expression was difficult to read, but deep satisfaction lingered in his eyes.

“Hyeon Seol-rin.”

At Seol Jung-cheon’s call, Woon-hwi stepped forward, and the gazes of everyone in the hall turned toward Woon-hwi. Woon-hwi bowed his head in respect.

“While the Young Palace Lord’s contribution was great in allowing the Snow Palace to unite as one, yours was also not small.”

Woon-hwi said nothing.

“However, as everyone well knows, you have one great transgression. Do you deny this?”

“I do not deny it.”

“Good. Though I do not wish to place your merits and transgressions on the same level, on this joyous day when the Snow Palace has united as one, I cannot simply overlook your transgression. Do you deny this?”

“I do not deny that either.”

“Good. You should not be ignorant of news from the Central Plains. Currently, the Central Plains are in a very turbulent situation due to the matter of reviving the Heavenly Righteousness Alliance. Go to the Heavenly Righteousness Alliance and become a bridge between the Central Plains and Snow Mountain. Can you do this?”

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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