Surviving as the Terminally Ill Young Lady of the North Sea Ice Palace - Chapter 55

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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 55
I listened to Gwak Do Cheon’s explanation of the Demonic Blade Technique with a deliberately serious expression.
It was true that I’d asked the question only because I couldn’t recall the technique’s name.
But thanks to Gwak Do Cheon’s thorough instruction, it seemed it would prove quite helpful for tomorrow’s match.
“If I may ask, Master—how did you learn of my match?”
Of course, since Jin Young Hu had stormed into the classroom and shouted loudly enough, nearly half the new cadets knew about it.
But it hadn’t even been a full hour yet.
Had one of the cadets run to Gwak Do Cheon and told him?
“Young Hu filed for use of the Martial Hall, didn’t he? Wasn’t that a request for a formal match under the Academy’s sanction?”
“The Academy’s sanction?”
I blinked, uncertain what he meant.
I’d known there was a system for wagering points through formal duels.
But wasn’t the Martial Hall simply the name of a training ground?
The Academy had more than one training ground, and I hadn’t bothered to memorize their names.
I’d thought I could just check the map tomorrow and find my way.
“Hmm? You didn’t know? The space outside, between the Black Stone Gate and White Stone Gate—the place where you took your entrance examination—that’s the Martial Hall. Whenever a dispute arises between martial artists, including students, anyone can petition for a formal match.”
Wait, that place between the outer and inner gates?
Ah… that must be the place Eun Hyun mentioned—in Luoyang, if you cause trouble, you’re forced into a formal match with the Director.
“I was unaware, Master.”
Wait, so outsiders can come watch, then?
The match is scheduled before classes begin, so it will be very early in the morning.
But there were surely one or two earnest enthusiasts in Luoyang who rose early.
I hadn’t thought much of it, but if it’s like this, doesn’t it become a matter of honor between the Ice Palace’s teachings and the United Sect’s disciples?
“You wagered all your points, they said—will you be all right? I’m sure Young Hu provoked you without cause?”
“Ha—yes. He picked a fight over something completely absurd.”
“That boy really is…… the system wasn’t designed for abuse like that. He’d been quiet for a while, but the moment Ho Jin graduated, he’s back to his tricks.”
From the circumstances, it seemed Jin Young Hu had a history of issuing formal challenges like this and plundering points in the past.
Personally, I thought the Director probably did intend for the system to be used this way.
But I didn’t press the matter.
Still, it seemed opening the Martial Hall wasn’t particularly rare.
“When Maeng Ho Jin served as cadet leader, was he quiet about his behavior?”
“They wounded each other badly, he lost quite a few points, and then things settled down for a while.”
I shrugged.
“I see. This time, I’ll set an example for him.”
“You seem confident, so you’ve accepted for good reason—but Young Hu is also a talented child, so be cautious.”
“In your assessment, Master, is Jin Young Hu stronger than me?”
“That’s difficult to say…… Young Hu’s technique execution is quite refined. The problem is he lacks adaptability and often struggles with unexpected variables. In that sense, your Ice Technique might well have the advantage.”
Seeing Gwak Do Cheon—who rarely spoke negatively of his students—say this much meant the boy was truly unsophisticated.
His manner of picking fights over absurd reasons suggested as much from the start.
“What if I avoid using the Ice Technique? I’m trying to save it for one decisive move.”
If possible, I wanted to avoid using it altogether.
But if defeat seemed certain, I wanted to conserve it carefully and end things with a single strike at the very last moment.
“Hmm?”
Gwak Do Cheon looked startled.
“Ah, I see—you’re trying not to reveal the Ice Technique. Hmm, I understand the impulse, but…… Young Hu isn’t an opponent of that caliber.”
The Buk Hae Ice Palace had always maintained a strong mystique as a sect.
So he didn’t press to know why I wanted to avoid using it.
He simply smiled, his expression grown somewhat troubled.
“Though this isn’t a matter of life and death, the boy does fight with excessive brutality—take care. All things considered, I hope this becomes a good learning experience for both you and Young Hu.”
A short while later.
It came time for class to begin.
All the cadets taking the Swift Blade lecture gathered.
“Welcome, all. I am Gwak Do Cheon of the Spear Thrust Sect. I am honored to also carry the aliases of the Five Spear Thrusts and the Radiant Blade.”
Many had applied to take the course, but only five cadets, including myself and So Un, had passed.
“Do you all know each other already? I would appreciate it if you’d introduce yourselves, even briefly.”
As Gwak Do Cheon looked between the students and asked, I spoke first.
“I am Seol, a disciple of the Buk Hae Ice Palace.”
“So Un of the Spear Thrust Sect.”
“I’m Seok Il Am of the Cold Stone Blade School.”
“My name is Kang Ha Rin of the Bodhi Sect.”
Oh, so there’s a student of Jeom Chang as well.
I’ve never heard of Hyun Am Sword School before—and it’s not Inbon Hall either?
It seems he must be a minor sect under a major school, having entered with an admission token from the larger organization.
“I’m So Un. As for my sect… I don’t have one.”
“I see. If So Un ever needs to introduce herself outside the Academy, tell people you’re So Un of the Thousand Martial Academy, a student of Neng Guang Sword.”
Gwak Do Cheon noticed So Un’s discomfort and smoothly eased the moment.
“Unless it’s a very special circumstance, you’ll be living as martial siblings until graduation, so I’d like you all to get along well. Even if there are large gaps in martial prowess now, who knows what three or four years will bring? There’s value in teaching others while learning yourself, so even if someone falls behind, help each other generously.”
This too seemed to be spoken with So Un in mind.
“Today I’ll observe your swordplay lightly. I’ll teach Un the fundamentals, so don’t worry—and Un Hak already knows the basics, so let me examine Seol, Il Am, and Ha Rin’s technique a bit.”
Today, Gwak Do Cheon would personally face three of them one at a time, while the remaining students who weren’t sparring would have time to observe and learn.
Afterward, he would advise each on their training direction.
And whenever he taught something directly in the future, even his remarks toward other students would become their own study.
He’d asked them to pause their usual training and watch.
“Seol, come first. You didn’t have a chance to show your swordplay last time, did you?”
That was true.
Gwak Do Cheon had been so shocked when he saw the inscription on Excalibur
that he’d never even looked at my sword technique, going on about the Demon Sect or whatever.
“Yes, Master. I’ll show you my inadequate swordplay for the first time. I’ll do my very best.”
“Your father’s honor is at stake—excessive modesty won’t serve you well.”
“My father is an expert unrivaled by any master under heaven, yet before him I am eternally insufficient. The same before you, Master.”
At my words, Gwak Do Cheon smiled faintly.
“Ha, you’re smooth as flowing water. I won’t win with words.”
It seemed my eloquence improved whenever I stood before Gwak Do Cheon.
Really, a person should live looking at beautiful things.
I knew the Demon-Subduing Sword Technique originally, certainly, but it just didn’t come to mind when I was talking to Jin Young Hu earlier.
Could it be that my brain cells went on strike rather than remember, all because I’d been looking at something ugly?
Whoosh.
In any case, this was a precious opportunity to receive instruction from Gwak Do Cheon, so I drew my sword.
“Will you attack with that blade?”
“Yes. I’m more accustomed to this one.”
This time, not Excalibur, but the sword I’d brought from Buk Hae.
“Good. Attack however you’re comfortable. Feel free to come at me boldly as you wish.”
“Thank you. I’m in your care.”
I bowed slightly and adjusted my grip on the sword.
Whoosh!
Then I rushed forward quickly and swung my blade at Gwak Do Cheon.
An expert of Gwak Do Cheon’s caliber would understand without being told that there was an overwhelming gap in martial prowess between us.
Clang! Ching! Ching! Ring! Ching!
Just as when I sparred with Father.
Since he was an opponent I’d never be hurt by, I unleashed my full technique without restraint.
I kept the Yin Cold Energy and the Mixed Yang Energy anchored at my dantian, using them only to sustain myself.
But I wrapped the blade in the pure force I’d accumulated through regular practice of Zheng Qi Gong,
and worked hard to press through Gwak Do Cheon’s defense as I swung.
“You’re cultivating this much Internal Energy without Ice Palace training?”
After our blades met several times,
Gwak Do Cheon spoke in surprise.
“Did the Polar Star Sage accept Zheng Qi Gong for you? I recall he firmly refused because it didn’t suit Buk Hae’s martial techniques…”
“Father didn’t teach me this.”
“Then? When did you start learning Zheng Qi Gong?”
“Well, after entering the Academy, I learned it from Heo Gong, didn’t I?”
“…?”
Gwak Do Cheon’s mouth fell open in shock.
Hmm, that is rather fast, isn’t it?
Pure Zheng Qi Gong naturally accumulates force slowly—both Heo Gong and Jegal In had said so repeatedly.
But truthfully, even I found my Internal Energy rising quickly enough to seem strange.
“Your talent is… exactly…”
His pupils trembled.
Perhaps it had something to do with learning Ice Jade Divine Energy and picking up some shortcuts along the way?
Or maybe it was connected to the Nine Yin Meridians.
Sensing Gwak Do Cheon’s gaze drifting toward Excalibur, I subtly shifted my body.
No, the demonic arts have nothing to do with it.
Zheng Qi Gong works differently — it’s the opposite of demonic cultivation, after all.
“You’re right, studying orthodox martial techniques separately is a sound approach. If you’ve already accumulated this much Internal Energy, hiding your ice arts won’t cause problems in Academy life.”
Gwak Do Cheon seemed to share the thought; he recovered from his initial surprise without dwelling on it.
He even advised me to purchase a Heavenly Spirit Pill openly from the public stores if I meant to continue training in Zheng Qi Gong.
He also said that once trust deepened, I could reveal the ice arts to him alone if I wished.
And yet Gwak Do Cheon still could not hide his astonishment.
“Perhaps… defeating Yeong-uh without the ice arts wouldn’t be impossible after all. Would you like to try sparring?”
He extended his hand toward me, uncertain.
Until just moments before, he had expressed reluctance at the idea of facing Yeong-uh without using the ice arts.
But after crossing blades, his mind had changed.
“Are you offering to teach me?”
I nodded eagerly.
Surviving as the Ill-Fated Young Lady of the Buk Hae Ice Palace (Serialized)
Author │ Musk Deer
Publisher │ Kim Ju-hyung
Published by │ J-Plus Media Co., Ltd.
Marketing │ Han Jae-hyuk
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Email │ [email protected]
Website │ www.jayplemedia.com
ⓒ Musk Deer 2026
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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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