Survival Guide for the Reincarnated - Chapter 435

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Chapter 435
“Travel safely.”
“Yes, Father.”
“And remember this.”
“Remember what, sir?”
“You are not alone.”
Seol Jung-cheon’s voice was warm.
“The Eternal Snow Palace stands with you, your family stands with you, and there are those who believe in you.”
“….”
“They are your strength.”
Seol Woon-hwi lowered his head.
“I will remember it well.”
Seol Jung-cheon withdrew his hand.
“Go now.”
“Yes.”
Seol Woon-hwi turned his body.
He walked toward the door.
He opened it.
As he was about to leave.
Behind him, Seol Jung-cheon’s voice called out.
“Woon-hwi.”
Seol Woon-hwi stopped.
He turned his head.
Seol Jung-cheon was gazing out the window.
“You will forever remain my pride. My son.”
Heat flooded through Seol Woon-hwi’s chest.
“…Thank you, Father.”
He closed the door.
He walked down the corridor.
* * *
Inside the study.
Seol Jung-cheon gazed out the window.
Snow was falling.
His eyes glistened with moisture.
“…How well you have grown.”
He murmured softly.
“Truly.”
He looked at the Go board.
Stones still scattered across it—uncleared.
Black and white.
tangled together.
The defeat was clear, and I did not deny it. Seol Woon-hwi’s mastery of Go had no equal in all the world.
No, perhaps there was one.
Seol Woon-hwi spoke.
He apologized.
But in Seol Jung-cheon’s mind, it was he who should have apologized.
Had he not squandered his efforts, he could have preserved the value that Seol Woon-hwi’s excellence had brought to their lives.
Had that been the case, Seol Woon-hwi would never have needed to leave Snow Mountain.
The solution was simple enough.
Just as Seol Woon-hwi had done in his previous life, I could create a position in Snow Palace similar to the Blood Heaven Middle Commander.
Call it the Ice Heaven Middle Commander—with such a position, the Palace Lord, the Young Palace Lord, and the Ice Heaven Middle Commander would become the three absolute powers that would guide Snow Palace forward.
But this arrangement would create new problems.
It would ultimately become a struggle of power, and the balance would need to be maintained. Even if Seol Ho-ryeong was certainly classified as a genius, he had not yet reached the Heaven-Human Unity that Seol Woon-hwi had ascended to.
Moreover, the distribution of martial strength in the Murim was overwhelmingly disparate.
That meant Seol Ho-ryeong would become a mere puppet for the time being, and if that happened, Snow Palace would be shaken.
“…He must have anticipated this.”
Such an exceptional Seol Woon-hwi could not be unaware of it.
In the end.
There was no way to hold Seol Woon-hwi back.
I could see Seol Woon-hwi’s retreating figure.
It was growing distant.
The gratitude I had received as a father was immeasurable.
Though my words were clumsy and I could not express it properly, it was certain that my appreciation was greater than even Snow Mountain itself.
I wished for his safety.
My son.
Snow continued to fall.
White.
Covering the world.
* * *
Outside Snow Palace.
The snow-covered path.
Seol Woon-hwi walked out.
Then he stopped at the Main Gate of the Main Palace.
Four people stood there.
Seol Ho-ryeong.
Seol Mu-ryun.
Seol Yeon-hwa.
And Seol Woon-hae.
The four Polar Descendants.
Seol Woon-hwi regarded them quietly.
Seol Ho-ryeong spoke first.
“I’ve been waiting.”
“Elder Brother.”
“You’re really leaving?”
“Yes.”
Seol Ho-ryeong scratched his head.
He was no fool. He understood what had happened and what Seol Woon-hwi was thinking.
There was no way he wouldn’t know.
“Youngest.”
“Yes.”
“I’m sorry.”
Seol Woon-hwi shook his head.
“Elder Brother, there’s nothing for you to apologize for.”
“How can you say that? You’re leaving because I’m incompetent, aren’t you?”
“No, that’s not it.”
Seol Woon-hwi could hardly fail to understand Seol Ho-ryeong’s heart.
Of course, that didn’t mean he was lying to ease his brother’s feelings.
Because Seol Ho-ryeong truly wasn’t incompetent, nor was that the reason for his departure.
“I have something I must do.”
“Something you must do.”
“Yes. Truths I must uncover and matters I must confront.”
“….”
“As all of you know well, in the Murim, debts of gratitude and grudges follow you until your dying breath—no, even beyond death itself.”
Everyone’s eyes widened at Seol Woon-hwi’s somewhat abrupt words.
“There exists a grand tapestry that describes this world. I have seen only a fragment of it.”
“A fragment? You mean the Snow Palace?”
“To be precise, the entire Murim.”
“….”
“I intend to see the whole picture.”
There were far too many untold stories.
Whether it was the Martial Alliance, the Four Heaven Alliance, the Heavenly Righteousness Alliance, or even the Snow Palace itself.
Many events had occurred, but as Seol Woon-hwi said, these were merely fragments of something greater.
The Gate Master of Heaven Gate, Immortal Maitreya, Cheon Oe Cheon.
And at the center of it all, Cheon Do-ja.
And Yu Cheong, who could be called a clear ‘enemy’.
Seol Woon-hwi said nothing more.
Truly.
He felt this was sufficient.
Seol Ho-ryeong and Seol Mu-ryun nodded in understanding.
But Seol Yeon-hwa and Seol Woon-hae did not. They tilted their heads in confusion but refrained from asking further.
Seol Ho-ryeong asked.
“When are you planning to return?”
“To be honest, I’m not entirely sure myself.”
“Hmm?”
Seol Ho-ryeong laughed.
“So our genius younger brother doesn’t know everything after all?”
“I haven’t come to understand all things in this world.”
“Then… you’re saying you might not return at all?”
Seol Woon-hwi wore a subtle smile.
Only Seol Ho-ryeong caught the weight behind his words.
Throughout his life, there had never been a moment without danger, but this task was truly perilous.
There was no denying that.
The probability of death was high.
Yet I had to go regardless. I could not turn away from the truth, and there remained unresolved matters between myself and Cheon Do-ja.
“Youngest.”
“Yes, Elder Brother.”
“Remember. This is your home.”
“….”
“You can always return.”
Seol Mu-ryun stepped forward.
“Youngest.”
“Yes, Second Elder Brother.”
“Thank you.”
Seol Woon-hwi gazed at Seol Mu-ryun in silence.
“For everything you’ve done for me.”
Seol Mu-ryun’s voice was grave.
“Without you, the Snow Palace would still be festering in illness.”
“….”
“Vermin would have gnawed at us, factions would have warred, and Father would have remained isolated. But you changed all of that.”
Seol Mu-ryun placed a hand on Seol Woon-hwi’s shoulder.
“I’m truly grateful.”
Seol Woon-hwi shook his head.
“I merely did what was necessary.”
“Doing what is necessary is the hardest thing of all.”
Seol Yeon-hwa approached.
“Youngest.”
“Elder Sister.”
“Write to us.”
“…Yes?”
“Even occasionally. You should at least let us know you’re alive, shouldn’t you?”
Seol Yeon-hwa laughed.
“Otherwise, I won’t be able to sleep from worry.”
“…I understand.”
“And.”
Seol Yeon-hwa embraced Seol Woon-hwi tightly.
“Be careful. Promise me.”
“Yes.”
“You promised.”
“…Yes.”
Seol Yeon-hwa stepped back.
Her eyes were reddened.
Seol Woon-hae approached last.
Unlike those before him, he gazed at Seol Woon-hwi in silence for a moment.
“Should I say something lengthy?”
“There is no need.”
Yet Seol Woon-hae’s expression appeared conflicted.
He was different from before.
More precisely, his depth had grown.
Seol Woon-hae.
He did something he seemed he would never do.
He knelt in that very spot.
At that action, not only Seol Woon-hwi but all the Polar Descendants were greatly shocked.
“…What are you doing?”
“I am apologizing.”
“…”
“Your childhood—I made it difficult. I will not make excuses about your maternal sect or anything like that. I will not make excuses about having ambitions for the position of Young Palace Lord. For tormenting you during your childhood, I ask for your forgiveness.”
At least it was not servile. Rather, it was dignified.
That bearing was all the more impressive.
Had it been before, he might have apologized while kneeling, weeping, and pleading. What meaning would an apology from someone who was not a proper person hold?
The Seol Woon-hae he had seen long ago at the Wind Wall maintained a similar demeanor, but it had grown deeper.
He who had sworn never to apologize had now apologized.
Seol Woon-hwi quietly extended his hand and helped Seol Woon-hae to his feet.
“You have become a proper martial artist to some degree.”
“…Is that praise?”
“It is praise. And I forgive you.”
“…”
“Even if my memories of childhood are not pleasant, even if they caused me great suffering, they have made me who I am now.”
“…”
“I will not harbor resentment, nor will I hold anger. And your arm, brother.”
Seol Woon-hwi quietly brushed across Seol Woon-hae’s empty arm.
“For ordinary martial artists, once the four limbs are severed, recovery is impossible. However, that does not mean there is no way to restore them.”
“…What?”
“Either my fourth elder brother reaches the level of Primordial Sole Existence, or I ascend beyond that and create the means to restore them.”
The proposition was so unrealistic that Seol Woon-hae found himself speechless, his eyes blinking rapidly.
“I cannot promise with certainty, but I will do my utmost.”
“…Thank you… Thank you.”
Seol Woon-hwi gently patted Woon-hae’s shoulder.
Gratitude and grudges are endless. Because they are endless, they continue without ceasing.
Seol Woon-hwi took a step backward.
Four family members came into view.
He spoke with reverent courtesy, performing the cupped fist salute.
“During the time I lived on Snow Mountain, there were painful memories I could only endure through tears, but there were also many moments of joy.”
“….”
“Gratitude and grudges are an absolute value in the Murim world that cannot be severed, but I cherish destiny more than that.”
“….”
“Thanks to my elder brothers and sisters, I have been happy. And this happiness can only continue if my elder brothers and sisters remain safe and at peace. Therefore, this youngest member dares to make a request here.”
“Speak.”
“Please, may you all remain safe and at peace. Only then can I find true happiness.”
At Seol Woon-hwi’s sincere words, all of the Polar Descendants closed their eyes tightly. Some even felt tears welling up.
Seol Ho-ryeong spoke briefly.
“We will.”
“Thank you.”
Seol Woon-hwi lowered his hands from the salute.
“Now I will take my leave.”
Everyone nodded.
Seol Woon-hwi walked.
Toward the snow-covered path.
He did not look back.
He walked forward, eyes ahead.
Four figures watched his departing silhouette.
Growing smaller.
Fading into the distance.
At some point.
Seol Ho-ryeong performed the cupped fist salute toward Seol Woon-hwi.
Seol Mu-ryun and Seol Yeon-hwa also performed the salute.
Seol Woon-hae performed the salute as well.
All of the Polar Descendants sent their farewell to Seol Woon-hwi.
His figure vanished into the swirling snow.
The four remained standing.
In that place.
For a long time.
* * *
Yang-ryeong.
Commander’s Office.
Seol Woon-hwi arrived four days after departing the Ten Thousand Year Snow Mountain.
A familiar place.
But no longer one where I would linger.
I opened the door and stepped inside.
Han Seok-hyeon was waiting.
“Ah, Supreme Commander. You’ve arrived.”
Han Seok-hyeon immediately rose from his seat and performed the Embracing Fist salute.
“Were there any problems?”
“No, there were none.”
Seol Woon-hwi entered and sat across from Han Seok-hyeon’s desk.
“No problems at all…? Then you would be suitable to become Supreme Commander.”
At those words, Han Seok-hyeon blinked for a moment.
Had he misheard something?
“…Pardon?”
“Become Supreme Commander. You.”
“…Me… You mean me?”
“You are more than capable of it.”
I felt it the first time I saw Han Seok-hyeon at Seol-ap.
He was a man of ambition.

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