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In the end, they had to step down because they could not ignore the authority of North Sea Ice Palace Gungju, but looking at it objectively, they couldn’t feel good about being pushed around by someone who was essentially their son’s age.

Moreover, the vastly different attitude the young gungju showed towards them compared to his attitude towards the disciples of Mount Hua was something that deeply irritated them.

Depending on the perspective, all these actions could easily be seen as acts of disrespect towards Southern Beast Palace.

Just because they were linked together under the name of Five Outer Palace, how strong could the bond between Ice Palace and Beast Palace really be? The only factor that tied them together was the discriminatory treatment they received from the people of Jungwon.

However, as Heavenly Comrade Alliance began to resolve these issues to some extent, cultural differences between the two that had not been revealed until now began to surface.

“No matter what, wasn’t that a bit too harsh?”

“Didn’t he refer to us as enemies just a moment ago?”

“Can those who kill innocent beasts for unnecessary hides be considered good people? They’re the worst.”

“Absolutely awful.”

The Beast Palace warriors exchanged opinions among themselves. Their hostility towards Ice Palace continued to grow.

“He’s still so young, yet he’s incredibly arrogant.”

“What’s with Ice Palace Gungju. If it were Beast Palace, he wouldn’t even be able to become Sogungju at that age.”

“He doesn’t seem to have much ability either.”

“I don’t like him.”

What they found particularly annoying was that no matter how they looked at it, Ice Palace gungju did not seem that strong.

Of course, they can’t deny that the momentum he’s showing is impressive for his age. However, anyone can see that the people standing behind him are stronger than Ice Palace gungju.

It is a natural law of nature that the strong become leaders. It is incomprehensible to their common sense that someone who has not yet acquired the experience or power can occupy a high position simply based on status.

“Just because he’s wearing a fancy hat, he thinks he owns the sky.”

At that moment, a sharp voice rang in their ears.

“What did you just say?”

“Hm?”

Unlike Mount Hua that was chattering away, Ice Palace warriors who were quietly watching the situation from behind seemed to have heard their conversation. Some of Ice Palace warriors in the lead approached Beast Palace warriors with cold stares.

“I asked what you just said.”

“…These punks, do you think we’re a joke?”

“You barbarians can’t even dress properly but dare run your mouths. What? Lacking ability?”

And naturally, the attitude of Beast Palace was also something that Ice Palace could not accept.

If Beast Palace follows the law of the jungle, Ice Palace fights against the forces of nature. They believe that it’s not the strongest but the wisest who survive.

And Seol So-baek is their gungju recognized even by the elders of Ice Palace. Denying Seol So-baek, Gungju of Ice Palace, is no different from completely denying Ice Palace people’s way of life.

“…Did you just call us barbarians?”

Tensions were running high between the two groups.

Up until the founding ceremony of Heavenly Comrade Alliance back then, the two sects were not on bad terms with each other… No, rather, they were on the good side, but now they were baring their teeth at each other.

Just as the tension between the two groups reached a boiling point,

“That’s enough.”

Beast Palace Gungju Maeng So, who had been quietly observing the situation until now, intervened with a booming voice to diffuse the situation.

As soon as Beast Palace gungju stepped forward, Beast Palace warriors lowered their heads and stepped back.

Although Ice Palace warriors didn’t look pleased, they also had no choice but to retreat. They knew that if they ignored Maeng So’s words now, it would be tantamount to indulging the actions of Beast Palace warriors, who had previously pressured Seol So-baek.

“Hmph.”

Maeng So frowned at his subordinates.

“This time, you were wrong. Apologize to Ice Palace Gungju.”

“G- Gungju-nim! We….”

“Enough.”

Maeng So waved his hand dismissively.

“What do Jungwon people say about us?”

“….”

“Didn’t they call us barbarians who didn’t know manners or the proper way to live? And what did you say every time they did?”

“….”

“Answer me.”

One of Beast Palace warriors bowed his head and answered.

“We said that if they lived at the edge of Yunnan or in the southern reaches, they would have no choice but to live like us.”

“That’s right. A person’s life is bound to be different depending on where they live. But… You, who were so offended by that gaze, are doing the same thing to Ice Palace. You criticize them without trying to understand, based only on your own standards.”

“….”

“If you had been a bit more disrespectful, I would have broken your backs myself.”

“I… I’m sorry.”

“I’m not the one you should apologize to.”

At those words, Beast Palace warriors bowed their heads toward Seol So-baek.

“We’re sorry, Ice Palace Gungju-nim.”

“We were disrespectful.”

Seol So-baek glanced at Beast Palace warriors. In the past, Seol So-baek would have accepted the apology right away, but this time he remained silent. The issue wasn’t just his hurt feelings; it was about North Sea being disrespected.

“I apologize too, Ice Palace Gungju-nim. Please understand.”

“N- No, Gungju-nim. Of course, I understand.”

However, such feelings melted away like snow when Maeng So himself bowed his head slightly. Seol So-baek knew very well how difficult it was for someone of Beast Palace Gungju’s stature to bow his head to another person.

Seol So-baek scratched his nose as if embarrassed.

“Well, to begin with, um… I was a little sensitive too.”

“I understand. You’ve probably heard similar things to what we have.”

A sigh escaped Seol So-baek’s mouth. Just like Beast Palace, they had been looked down upon for living differently from the people of Jungwon. That was why they could not help but be sensitive to such remarks.

“If you think about it, the people of Jungwon are the problem.”

“That’s true.”

“There’s no reason for us to fight among ourselves.”

“Yes, Gungju-nim, what you said is correct.”

Chung Myung, who was listening to that, picked his ears with a sullen expression.

“I don’t think that’s something you should be saying in front of someone from Jungwon.”

“Hahaha. You’re an exception. You are not the type of person who differentiate between Jungwon and outers.”

“Yes, that’s right. I completely agree.”

“…That was an insult, wasn’t it?”

“Ahahahaha. How could that be? If someone knew how precious their life was, they wouldn’t dare to insult the world’s greatest swordsman, Mount Hua Chivalrous Sword.”

“That’s right! Who dares to insult Dojang-nim? I’d personally bury them at the bottom of the North Sea.”

Cheong Mun Sahyung.

I don’t like these people… They make me uncomfortable…

Chung Myung let out a deep sigh that seemed to sink the ground. What can he do? Embracing all these yangban was the path he had chosen with his own hands.

“So, what shall we do now?”

“Hm?”

“Give the order! We are ready.”

Chung Myung, who felt burdened by the eager Seol So-baek, took a step back while sweating profusely.

“Well… enthusiasm is good, but since you’ve had a long journey, why not rest first? Should you meet Sect Leader first?”

“Yes! I will do that!”

Seol So-baek nodded his head so vigorously that it seemed burdensome. Then he quickly began to lead Ice Palace warriors into the manor.

“Be careful not to damage the gift carts!”

“Yes!”

Chung Myung wiped the sweat from his forehead. Maeng So, who was standing next to him, spoke softly.

“…It seems like he grew in a strange direction.”

“R- Right?”

“It’s not necessarily bad, but…. quite uncanny.”

Maeng So smiled bitterly. A deep sigh escaped Chung Myung’s mouth.

Even though the situation was somehow resolved, Ice Palace warriors and Beast Palace warriors still had a grudge against each other until the moment they retreated, and continued to look at each other with hostile eyes.

Chung Myung, who was watching the scene, clicked his tongue slightly. Then, he spoke in a serious tone.

“Thank you.”

“For what?”

“For handling things, even though Gungju-nim must not have been pleased.”

Maeng So chuckled.

“Why would I be displeased?”

Despite his words, it was clear that he wasn’t entirely pleased. In the first place, the mindset of Beast Palace warriors and Maeng So couldn’t have been that different. If the warriors are upset, it means that Maeng So can’t help but be upset as well.

No, maybe he felt even worse than the regular warriors. After all, Maeng So was none other than Gungju of Beast Palace.

However, he suppressed those feelings and reprimanded his warriors first.

Although they are the same gungju of the same Five Outer Palace, Seol So-baek still couldn’t compare to Maeng So. If Maeng So had wanted to use his strength and authority to suppress Seol So-baek, it wouldn’t have been difficult. Instead, he chose to apologize and bow first. That’s why Chung Myung also expresses his rare gratitude.

“What I did is nothing compared to what you do.”

“…Yes?”

“Even someone as explosive as you restrained your temper, isn’t that right?”

“No…. My temper isn’t as bad as you think….”

“If it were you in the past, the moment the warriors faced each other, you would have beaten both sides without a second thought.”

Uh? Now that he mentioned it…

“But wouldn’t it be ridiculous for me to get angry then?”

“….”

“Moreover… this seems harder than I thought.”

“Yes?”

Maeng So stared at Chung Myung as if asking why he was pretending not to know.

“I or Seol Gungju cannot run and mediate every time whenever things happen. If that were possible, I wouldn’t have asked for your help when you came to Yunnan.”

“…True.”

“Our palace’s warriors respect and admire the strong, but they don’t understand that sometimes you have to hold back. They especially find it difficult to hold back in situations where they are not convinced.”

“Because they are so free-spirited.”

Maeng So made a bitter expression.

He also never expected that such a problem would arise as soon as they met. He felt bad for no reason because he had come to help but ended up giving Chung Myung nothing but trouble.

“Problems might arise; will you be okay with that?”

“Ei, what problem?”

“Huh?”

When Chung Myung’s reaction was so nonchalant, Maeng So asked with a puzzled look.

“What do you mean?”

“Well, you’ll find out soon enough.”

Instead of answering, Chung Myung smiled with the corners of his lips curled up.

“By the way, you left Beast Palace in good order, right?”

“I took measures so that I wouldn’t have to go back for a few years, just as you suggested. That’s why it took so long.”

“Good.”

Chung Myung nodded.

With this, the entire force of Heavenly Comrade Alliance is gathered here.

‘When put together, it really is no joke.’

Mount Hua, Tang Family, Namgung Family, Nokrim, Ice Palace, and Beast Palace.

Of the sects that rule the world, as much as six sects are gathered here. Considering that Ten Great Sects was treated as the ruler of Kangho with only ten sects, this is by no means a small force.

‘It’s still not enough, but….’

Udeuk. Udeuk.

Chung Myung cracked his neck from side to side.

“Well, that’s something we can build up from now on.”

It’s not that difficult. Just like with Mount Hua, doesn’t he just need to raise the other sects? Of course, since there’s no time to raise them leisurely, it might be a bit extreme, and it’ll be painful for them…

“They’ll just have to understand it’s for their own good. And even if they don’t, what can they do about it?”

“Hm?”

“No, it’s nothing.”

Chung Myung chuckled as if he was already having fun just thinking about it.

The sight of him looking like a child who had obtained an interesting toy made Maeng So feel uneasy for no reason.