The World’s Greatest Martial Arts Instructor - Chapter 317

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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 317. So What Does That Mean…

 

 

Bing So-seol.

The one and only younger sister of Bing Chwi-seol, who is both the Palace Lord of Ice Heaven Palace and the Family Head of the Ice Family.

Since last year.

She had been taking care of the Ice Family under the orders of her older sister, no, the Palace Lord.

The reason was that at the age of thirty, she now had sufficient capability.

Having risen to the position of Vice Family Head and acting on behalf of the Family Head’s duties, what she realized was…

‘How did my sister manage to handle all this work…’

If just the Ice Family’s affairs were this overwhelming, Bing Chwi-seol was also overseeing the Palace’s matters.

The ability of Bing Chwi-seol, who had been handling both all this time.

Was simply unimaginable.

No, it wasn’t just that there was a lot of work.

There was something more important than the enormous amount of tasks.

The moments of choice and decision.

As someone in a position to choose and make decisions, there was responsibility for the consequences.

She had no idea how much anguish one fell into at each of those moments.

After making decisions, there were also times of self-blame and regret, wondering whether she had made the right decision and if there were other alternatives.

Bing So-seol had lived this way for a year, doing her best and living intensely.

Recently, an enormous situation had arisen that she had no idea how to handle.

The Tak Family’s movements.

The blockade of the Palace Lord’s Hall.

In this situation, she had no idea what stance the Ice Family should take or how they should respond.

That’s why she could only raise their alert status to the maximum while watching the Tak Family’s movements.

In such circumstances, Na Hong-ryeon came to find Bing So-seol.

The General Manager of the Han Family, who had provided the justification for this crisis.

Though she seemed to have moved somewhat secretly, it was an action that couldn’t escape the Tak Family’s attention.

How much worse was she trying to make the situation?

Bing So-seol, who reluctantly granted a private audience, couldn’t have looked kindly upon Na Hong-ryeon.

“First, I would like to apologize for providing the justification that caused this crisis.”

Na Hong-ryeon politely bowed her waist.

Even so, Bing So-seol’s expression did not soften.

“What business brings you to seek me out? Are you trying to make the Tak Family’s swords turn toward the Ice Family as well?”

An aggressive tone.

Na Hong-ryeon, seated, calmly answered those words.

“After the Han Family falls, their swords will be directed toward the Ice Family anyway.”

Bing So-seol bit her lips.

Because she knew those words weren’t wrong.

“I’ve brought Young Lady Han Seol-bing’s strategy.”

At Na Hong-ryeon’s words, Bing So-seol’s expression became complex.

She was a close friend who could be called her kindred spirit within Ice Heaven Palace.

It had been a return after several years.

However.

That same person had provided the justification for this crisis.

That’s why her return couldn’t be purely joyful.

And she felt no interest in what was called her strategy.

Na Hong-ryeon simply continued her words calmly, as if she understood all these circumstances.

As the story continued, Bing So-seol’s expression changed in various ways.

At first, she wondered what kind of crazy talk this was.

But when she heard about breaking through the blockade of the Palace Lord’s Hall.

She brightened slightly.

Considering the supplies remaining in the Palace Lord’s Hall, it was a situation where they needed to act as quickly as possible.

However.

All the forces of the Ice Family and Han Family entering the Palace Lord’s Hall?

Accommodation would be possible.

It was the largest hall at the center of Ice Heaven Palace.

No, originally the Palace Lord’s Hall was there first, and Ice Heaven Palace was built around it.

But if all forces gathered in one place like that, it would only make it easier for the Tak Family to attack.

They would truly be rats trapped in a jar.

“Are you saying you’ll enter the jar yourselves?”

Bing So-seol could only say this while frowning.

Since her older sister was currently in such a predicament.

Na Hong-ryeon smiled slightly.

“Even the Vice Family Head cannot think of it. Then the Tak Family certainly won’t be able to think of it either, so that’s fortunate.”

Bing So-seol frowned even more.

“Don’t you know why the Palace Lord’s Hall is located there in the first place?”

“Well, because the Ten Thousand Year Ice Crystal is there…”

The crystalline formation created by the cold energy, freezing energy, and ice energy of the North Sea gathering and concentrating in one place for ten thousand years.

The Ten Thousand Year Ice Crystal, possessing absolute cold energy, was truly the essence of the North Sea.

The founder of Ice Heaven Palace discovered it underground and built a massive hall above it.

This was the beginning of Ice Heaven Palace.

“The Palace Lord is there too. And Young Lady Han Seol-bing has also returned.”

“So what does that mean…”

Bing So-seol, who was about to burst out in irritated rebuke, stopped speaking.

The three conditions Na Hong-ryeon mentioned.

If those were fulfilled.

“Ah…!”

Bing So-seol let out a low exclamation.

With those three things.

There was a possibility.

Though few knew of it.

Han Seol-bing had already achieved that accomplishment at eighteen.

Hadn’t Bing So-seol heard that story directly from Han Seol-bing?

Moreover, after achieving that accomplishment, Bing So-seol was the first person Han Seol-bing had told.

However.

She had never actually performed it.

“Did she say it was possible?”

A much softer question.

Na Hong-ryeon nodded and answered.

“Yes. She said it was definitely possible. Without any variables. The only variable would be the Tak Family’s interference.”

If she said so, then it was so.

Then there was hope.

Bing So-seol’s face, which had just begun to brighten, hardened.

“But… even so, that’s only defending. How do you plan to attack the Tak Family’s forces…”

Actually, this part was questionable for Na Hong-ryeon as well.

Before finding Bing So-seol, when Na Hong-ryeon was having a private conversation with Han Seol-bing, Na Hong-ryeon had asked Han Seol-bing the same question.

At that time.

She had smiled brightly and answered.

“Just endure for a few days. Then the most powerful monster in Gangho will arrive. Definitely.”

It was a statement filled with conviction.

Na Hong-ryeon believed in Han Seol-bing’s certainty.

“Young Lady Seol-bing says she has a method. She has requested reinforcements.”

Though it seemed doubtful.

Na Hong-ryeon’s confident eyes.

And the Han Seol-bing that Bing So-seol knew.

She decided to trust in that.

Since there was no other way anyway.

Whether this decision would lead them to starve to death, or become a desperate reversal move.

There was no way to know.

“I wonder if there’s really a place that will come to help us at the right time. Especially since this is an internal conflict.”

Just as Na Hong-ryeon was about to say something else in response to Bing So-seol’s words.

“But there doesn’t seem to be any better method among the things we can do. I understand. Let’s follow Seol-bing’s plan.”

Bing So-seol made her decision.

“Thank you, Vice Family Head. However, the fewer people who know about this matter, the better.”

Na Hong-ryeon left her final words of caution and departed.

 

The Han Family and Ice Family became busy.

With little time remaining.

They prepared with all their might.

Within limits that wouldn’t hinder movement, they packed the maximum amount of luggage each person could carry.

Even children, as long as they were old enough to run.

Meanwhile, Han Seol-bing went to the building where the orphan workers stayed and took care of them as well.

If left behind, they might end up being sacrificed as arrow fodder.

 

All these movements were being watched by the Tak Family.

“Even the orphan workers? Ha. Are they planning to use them as shields? Not a bad idea. We should have made our move first.”

This was Tak Yo-beom’s reaction upon receiving the report.

He considered sending people even now, but the workers had already all moved to the Han Family estate.

It was too late.

Well, even if they joined the Han Family, it wouldn’t be enough to influence the overall situation.

There was only the regret of not obtaining decent shields.

 

***

 

“Hurry, hurry! There’s no time!”

“Food and necessities! Only pack those two things. Leave behind all treasures and valuables! You can’t eat those worthless gold trinkets!”

The martial artists moved among the servants, shouting loudly.

It was almost the hour of the Goat.

The Ice Family’s people arrived at the Han Family estate one by one.

Their faces were filled with anxiety.

Soon the Ice Family’s servants came crowding in.

Perhaps sensing something unusual from their appearance, the Han Family servants quickened their pace.

Bing So-seol also arrived.

“I’m terribly sorry about this, Vice Family Head.”

Han Go-jeok offered words of apology to Bing So-seol.

Her expression had softened considerably.

“The Tak Family is making unreasonable demands.”

In fact, she knew this truth as well.

In the current situation, she too needed someone to blame, which was why she had received Na Hong-ryeon so coldly.

“It’s been a long time.”

Han Seol-bing greeted Bing So-seol.

“Yes. It’s been a long time. I hardly recognize you.”

“That’s what I should say.”

Ten years of time and their respective positions.

Had changed them beyond recognition.

Nevertheless, gentle smiles appeared on both their faces.

Bing So-seol soon asked Han Seol-bing.

“Are you certain?”

Han Seol-bing nodded with a face full of confidence.

As if that was enough, Bing So-seol asked no more questions.

Most of the Han Family’s core members present were still anxious.

This meant that Han Seol-bing hadn’t given detailed explanations even to her own family members.

Only Han Go-jeok and Na Hong-ryeon seemed to properly know the plan.

The same was true for the Ice Family’s people.

They were only told that they would join forces with the Han Family to battle the Tak Family.

 

The hour of the Monkey.

All preparations were complete.

The Han Family’s main gate opened.

The martial artists of the Han Family and Ice Family came rushing out.

This was a movement the Tak Family hadn’t anticipated.

Who would have thought they would make the first move.

With just that level of fighting power?

“Haha. Even better. Before we sweep them away tomorrow, we should first show them a taste of how strong we are.”

Tak Yo-beom let out a laugh.

However, his expression soon changed.

Because of the news that followed.

Those who had rushed out of the Han Family estate were charging not toward the Tak Family, but toward the Palace Lord’s Hall.

And it wasn’t just the martial artists, but also the servants who hadn’t learned martial arts, running together while carrying heavy loads.

When the Ice Family’s people had moved to the Han Family estate, he had thought they were gathering strength for battle.

But now they’re doing this?

Why on earth?

Yang Jeok-san also made a puzzled face.

As if he couldn’t understand.

At that moment.

Someone urgently sought the Family Head’s room.

It was Tak Pung-geon.

“Pung-geon. What’s the matter?”

Seeing his face pale with panic, Tak Yo-beom asked.

“We, we must stop them! We must prevent the Han Family and Ice Family from entering the Palace Lord’s Hall!”

Tak Pung-geon spoke urgently.

“Why should we stop them when they’re willingly entering the trap?”

Though he was flustered by the unexpected movement and couldn’t understand their intention, the result would still be a mouse trapped in poison.

With that thought, Tak Yo-beom asked.

“The, the Palace Lord’s Hall! The Palace Lord’s Hall! And Han Seol-bing has returned!”

“Why is that?”

“If, if that woman enters the Palace Lord’s Hall, she can use the power of the Ten Thousand Year Snow Ice to unleash it!”

“It?”

Tak Yo-beom muttered with a face that still showed he didn’t understand.

Yang Jeok-san’s face also turned pale.

“Su, su, surely… are you speaking of the Ten Thousand Shatter Formation? Family Head Tak?”

Tak Pung-geon, who was in charge of the Tak Family’s Formation Hall.

At Yang Jeok-san’s question, that same Tak Pung-geon nodded vigorously.

“Ten Thousand Shatter Formation? Ten Thousand Shatter Formation?”

Disbelief appeared on Tak Yo-beom’s face as he muttered this.

A face that said it was nonsense.

“Surely, you don’t mean the Ice Heaven Ten Thousand Forms Ten Thousand Shatter Formation?”

He was filled with a flustered expression.

“Yes. It’s Han Seol-bing. She’s definitely heading to the Palace Lord’s Hall because of that.”

“That’s nonsense. That woman can unleash such a thing?”

The absolute formation technique created by the founder of Ice Heaven Palace.

He had thought it was a formation that only existed in legends.

“It seems possible. There are traces in the palace library of someone having seen the structure diagram and secret manual of the Ten Thousand Shatter Formation.”

Tak Pung-geon answered.

“How do you know that?”

“I’m currently studying it, trying to learn it myself. But there are traces of someone who saw it before me.”

“Not old traces?”

“At least traces from within twenty years. Looking at the amount of dust accumulated around the bookshelf… If so, there’s only one person who could have seen it.”

He was referring to Han Seol-bing.

A genius of formations acknowledged by all, and the foremost expert in Ice Heaven Palace formations.

“Just because she saw it doesn’t mean she can unleash it…”

Tak Pung-geon shook his head.

Following someone’s traces, Tak Pung-geon had examined all twenty-some volumes of the Ten Thousand Shatter Formation’s secret manuals.

There were traces of having read everything from beginning to end.

Though no annotations had been left behind.

From those traces alone, Tak Pung-geon could guess.

‘She mastered it.’

He didn’t know when it was.

Tak Pung-geon was thirty-five years old this year.

He had mastered all formations of Ice Heaven Palace.

It had been six months since he began challenging the Ice Heaven Ten Thousand Forms Ten Thousand Shatter Formation, thinking he only needed to learn this last one.

Even so, he was barely able to grasp just a fragment of its essence.

He was engulfed in doubt about whether he could master this before his death.

He faced a wall of despair from his deep sense of defeat regarding Han Seol-bing.

Then he heard news that the Tak Family had sealed off the Palace Lord’s Hall.

Even the justification that was nothing short of forced.

Just when he felt the time had come, Han Seol-bing returned, and at the thought that they were charging toward the Palace Lord’s Hall, he hurriedly sought out Tak Yo-beom.

“Fa, Family Head Tak’s words make sense. If by any chance Han Seol-bing has mastered the Ten Thousand Shatter Formation and unleashes it in the Palace Lord’s Hall… we, we must stop her. We must prevent at least Han Seol-bing herself from entering the Palace Lord’s Hall!”

Yang Jeok-san spoke urgently.

“Send the Tak Family Cold Wind Corps! Quickly!”

Tak Yo-beom urgently gave the order.

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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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