"What kind of existence are you referring to?" Cheongang tried to avoid overly direct expressions. "If Irkin were to step down, is there anyone to succeed him?" That was the part Cheongang had thought about during his time at the Ice Palace. Irkin, the one who guards the Ice Crystal. He was someone with strong mental fortitude and matching physical capabilities. Even without the power of the Ice Crystal, he would have been an outstanding warrior. But among the other people of the Ice Palace, there wasn't anyone to be called a warrior. As Karaot had said, if something were to happen to Irkin, there would be no successor. Karaot answered with a dark expression. "There isn't anyone. A warrior like Irkin is not something you choose, it’s something that is determined from birth, like the Ice Palace Lord." "Then wouldn't it be wrong to proceed with the ritual?" "That’s right. But Irkin believes it's the last option. The Ice Palace Lord, oh... I apologize. The Ice Palace Lord within the Ice Crystal is the last of the bloodline, just as the warrior’s bloodline has been severed." The bloodline was severed? Cheongang couldn't understand all the complexities of the situation, but one thing was clear. Contrary to Myoeun’s wishes, the fate of the Ice Palace was already heading towards its end. "Irkin is of the nomadic bloodline from the steppes. They entered the early Ice Palace and settled here. But as the Ice Crystal became unstable, the descendants of the nomads all returned to the steppes. Irkin alone stayed behind to guard the Ice Palace." "So, in the end, there will be no next generation of Ice Palace Lords or warriors?" "Yes. And without those two beings..." "There will be no Ice Palace." Cheongang’s remark was met with a silent confirmation from Karaot. The two paused, acknowledging the harsh reality. Their conversation was not one that required constant words, and Karaot quickly resumed speaking. "Curious, aren't you? Why would we continue the ritual if the Ice Palace is already ending?" "That’s exactly what I’m wondering." "It’s because the people of the Ice Palace have nowhere else to go. They are pitiful. So Irkin is trying to buy as much time as possible, so they can decide their future." "It wasn’t supposed to be this urgent. Even if the Ice Wall was unstable, they’ve managed to endure so far. But after the recent incident, Irkin became desperate." The incident likely referred to the injury of Urumai, a person from the Ice Palace. Irkin clearly wanted to make the Ice Palace more secure before it was too late, before the Ice Crystal became even more unstable, or before something happened to him. "No matter how much I oppose it, Irkin will push forward with the ritual. That’s why I ask—will you be able to protect the Ice Palace while the ritual is ongoing?" "That’s not a matter of will, but of ability, I think." "It’s a matter of will, I believe." Karaot’s gaze had a peculiar certainty to it. "I know you’re strong. Even if you don’t know martial arts, it’s something that can be sensed. You wouldn’t be outmatched by anyone outside. Am I wrong?" Cheongang hesitated for a moment before considering it carefully, apart from his confidence. The strength of the Baehwa Cultists outside the Ice Wall wasn’t so overwhelming that it ❖ Nоvеl𝚒ght ❖ (Exclusive on Nоvеl𝚒ght) would be impossible to face. If they united their forces, they could make it work. But what if the Baehwa Cult Lord himself came? After some thought, Cheongang shook his head. "He won’t come himself. If he could, he would have come by now." That thought led Cheongang to hypothesize. Wasn’t the Baehwa Cult Lord still recovering from internal injuries, just like his father? What if Myoeun’s strike had caused more serious damage than expected? If that was the case, it made sense why he would send his subordinates. He probably gave them orders to retrieve the Ice Crystal or something of that sort, hoping to heal his injuries using that. Or maybe it was just one of many attempts. If the Baehwa Cult Lord truly couldn’t come, then they had avoided the worst case scenario. High-level experts, like the one they’d seen from the Chihwa Clan, were not that common. Moreover, Cheongang and his companions were improving every day, in contrast to the past. "Myoeun might not be the case, but especially Tang Soso... Her attitude toward martial arts has changed, I feel." Cheongang thought about Tang Soso, who had been diligently training in martial arts lately. Clearly, Tang Jeonghu, the head of the Tang Clan, had influenced her, showing a level of resolve that was affecting her as well. "Your expression tells me I’m right." Karaot’s faint smile made Cheongang finally answer. "I’ll do my best. I’ll discuss it with my companions, but I don’t think they’ll refuse." "That’s enough for me to understand. I’ll relay this to Irkin as well. He will be very pleased." Karaot, lowering his head in thanks with his white hood, turned to leave. Before he descended the stairs, he suddenly looked back. "I’ve always been curious. None of you, except one, seem to follow any religion, but you all seem to share something like a belief." "Even now, it’s the same. Though you considered the possibilities, there was no hesitation. It means you believe it will work, somehow. How can that be?" The belief that somehow it would work... After hearing Karaot’s words, Cheongang realized that it might be true. He reflected on why he could believe that. The answer came quickly. "Maybe it’s because of Yeon Soso." As soon as he answered, Cheongang felt the weight of his worries lift from his shoulders. He had always valued his true martial strength. He didn’t want to be swayed by others’ opinions or the false title of the strongest. "I must become stronger, no matter what. I must never lose to anyone until I meet my enemies." That was the mindset that had kept him focused—because he was alone. But now, Cheongang was no longer alone. He had forgotten such a simple fact. No matter what kind of expert the Baehwa Cult Lord was, or what adversities lay ahead, he didn’t have to bear it alone anymore. Now, he had companions he could trust and rely on, especially Yeon. Even if the martial arts of his group weren’t the strongest, what did it matter? If he wasn’t the best, then so be it. To obsess over being the strongest was no different from clinging to mere words. In fact, insisting on being alone could accomplish nothing. That was the greatest lesson Cheongang had learned from traveling with Yeon. Suddenly inspired, Cheongang felt the urge to perform some martial arts breathing techniques. However, he held himself back and offered his thanks to Karaot in the martial artist way. "Thank you. Thanks to you, I’ve gained a key insight." Karaot looked confused, then quickly smiled awkwardly. "I didn’t do anything... but it seems that Hwangbo Yeon has a big influence on all of you. Just bringing her up has changed your expression." "That’s undeniable. Without Yeon Soso, we wouldn’t have made it to the Ice Palace." Karaot’s face seemed to show envy at Cheongang’s firm response. With that, Karaot left the tower. Yeon listened to Cheongang’s recount of the conversation with Karaot. Of course, Soso and Gongye were also present. "So, in the end, we're going to have to fight the Baehwa Cultists," Yeon said. In fact, there was no real reason for Yeon and her group to clash with the Baehwa Cult here. The Baehwa Cult had not shown any overt ambition towards Zhongyuan. Perhaps they were simply provoking them for no reason. Yet, despite this, Yeon felt the fire of battle rising within her. Even Soso, who would not usually welcome a fight, showed her determination. Soso was genuinely angry at the atrocities committed by the Baehwa Cult Lord. Could it be that even the timid Soso was beginning to develop some resolve? Yeon couldn’t help but feel a sense of pride as her gaze shifted to Gongye, whose eyes were still clouded. ‘Gongye is the real problem, not Soso.’ Since seeing Myoeun’s memories, Gongye had often been spaced out. The real reason behind his master’s death must have been deeply shocking. Yeon called out again, and only then did Gongye turn his head. His response was half-hearted, at best. In his current state, Yeon doubted he could stand guard, let alone fight. In fact, he had even been late for his shift with Cheongang. Cheongang had thought Gongye was asleep when he went to check, only to find him sitting there in a daze. When they had traveled towards the Chihwa Clan in the past, Gongye had not been particularly proactive, but things were different now. Yeon no longer thought of him as merely pathetic. Now, she felt more sympathy than disdain. "Master Gongye, please check the inside of the Ice Palace. We don’t know what might happen." Though her words sounded like a request, they were more akin to telling him to rest. The objective of this upcoming battle was to keep the Baehwa Cultists from entering the Ice Palace. The interior of the Ice Palace would likely remain peaceful. It had to remain so. "No, I must fight too..." Gongye’s reluctant reply made Yeon sigh softly. If he went out in that state, he would be no help. It was clear the Baehwa Cultists would focus on him. Unable to watch any longer, Yeon spoke to Myoeun. ‘Would you like to talk to him directly?’ [Well... I’m not sure...] Myoeun responded half-heartedly. Yeon had tried to suggest talking to Gongye before. Even though they were master and disciple, neither Myoeun nor Gongye had ever asked her for the prayer beads. [Honestly, I don’t have much to say. I feel bad, but...] [Well, I abandoned my disciple and died without saying anything. I don’t know what Gongye thinks of me, but he must have been quite disappointed.] ‘There were circumstances.’ [True. But not speaking before I died was my mistake. At the time, Gongye was too young, but still...] Yeon continued to watch Gongye, who was still dazed, as Myoeun continued. [He was never a child who fit in with the Shaolin. Just like me. That’s why his thoughts must be complicated. I’m worried that if I interfere, he might leave Shaolin.] ‘Leave Shaolin? Could that happen?’ [If the price is right, yes. I feel bad for Gongye, but I can’t take that risk. He’s a valuable asset to Shaolin. Even now, I couldn’t do that to the abbot, Master Damdeok.] As Master Damdeok’s name came up, Yeon stopped urging Myoeun. Even if he scolded Gongye, he still cared for him deeply. Beyond that, she didn’t want to disappoint someone like Master Damdeok. "Master Gongye, do as you wish for now. The ritual is still being prepared." Yeon turned her gaze away from him and focused on Cheongang and Soso. "Then we need a plan. During the ritual, the Ice Wall will weaken, right? Is that correct, Cheongang?" "That’s correct. They say at least two places could be breached at once. If it’s just that, we can manage somehow, but if there’s more..." "If multiple spots are breached at once, it will certainly be dangerous." If there are only two breaches, Yeon and Cheongang can split up. If it’s three, sending Gongye and Soso together might work. But as Cheongang said, what if it’s more than that? "I think it’s best to prepare for the worst-case scenario. Is there any good way to handle it?" Yeon asked her group, but their expressions were grim. She, too, had no ideas that came to mind. As the mood started to sink again, Myoeun spoke up. [What about using the necklace?]