Chapter 364. North Sea Ice Palace (2)

It was snowing heavily. The snow quickly turned into a whirlwind, making it impossible to see even an inch ahead.

It felt as though the Eight Cold

Narakas

of Buddhism had descended upon the world.

Moreover, the cold swept in with frightening speed, and as time passed, the temperature dropped lower and lower.

The sky was covered in thick clouds, so dark it was impossible to tell whether it was day or night.

"How amazing," Luo Xiaoyue exclaimed as she drew her coat tighter.

It was so cold that if one moistened their lips with saliva, their mouth would freeze.

If they hadn’t been generating heat through the qi flowing from the dantian beneath their navel, they would have frozen long ago.

"It will take about a week to get to the palace."

The North Sea was truly far. Zhou Xuchuan's sense of burden had not been unfounded.

To reach the Heilong River, the northeastern tip of the Central Plains, one had to travel through Henan, Hebei, the Capital, Liaoning, and Jilin.

Normally, it would have taken at least half a month, but the three travelers from the Central Plains were masters of lightness arts and could afford to expend large amounts of qi.

In addition, since they had enough money, they occasionally rode horses as well.

Thanks to all this, they had accomplished the feat of reaching the Heilong River in just a few days.

"As you can see, visibility is very poor due to the storm. It will take time for us to find the path, so I ask for your understanding."

While Zhou Xuchuan wanted to arrive as soon as possible, it couldn't be helped as he didn't know the way and they couldn't see ahead.

Even attempting to enhance his vision with an eye art was useless, since the snow was blocking his vision.[1]

It was frustrating, but there was no other choice. Zhou Xuchuan chose to stay calm and instead began gathering information.

"If you don't mind, could you tell me about the North Sea or the Ice Palace? I studied before leaving the Central Plains, but I worry I might make a mistake based on old or outdated information."

"Of course."

Hawar, a female warrior and their guide from their North Sea Ice Palace, readily agreed.[2]

"Long ago, the Palace Founder led their people from a land where three hundred rivers flowed in and only one flowed out, toward the far reaches. There, they stepped onto the Inland Sea we now call the North Sea."

Hawar’s name was Mongolian because the ancestors of the Ice Palace and the North Sea people had once been immigrants.

Though they shared ancestry with the Mongolians and the Tatars, they were no longer closely related.

Long ago, they had migrated north, and over time, they assimilated with both the native peoples of the North Sea and the people of the Central Plains.

"However, settling in the North Sea was not easy. Most of the difficulty came from friction with the natives and immigrants from other regions. At one time, that tension even escalated into war, but thanks to the Palace Founder’s efforts, peace was restored and a palace made of ice was built."

Since ancient times, the North Sea had attracted many immigrants.

The reason so many immigrants came to the North Sea despite the cold weather and barren land was

because

it wasn't a good place to live. Its inhospitable nature meant that there were few invasions from foreign powers, and it was relatively peaceful. It was perfect for people who were tired of the long wars in the nearby Central Plains and Mongolia.

In terms of food, there was the largest freshwater lake in the world, so large that it was called the Inland Sea, meaning that sustenance wasn’t a problem.

"The history after that is not much different from the Central Plains. There were fights between various factions over resources and territory. The only exception would be the position between men and women."

"Oh, the North Sea is a matriarchal society," Luo Xiaoyue responded in Zhou Xuchuan’s place, as though she already knew.

"Are you knowledgeable about the North Sea's society?"

Hawar looked at Luo Xiaoyue curiously.

"Somewhat, but not extensively."

The North Sea was a uniquely female-dominated society, partly because the region naturally made it difficult for men to be born. Furthermore, male bodies were not suited for the martial arts most compatible with the environment, ice arts.

"I heard that the North Sea's main martial art, the Ice Desolation Art, was classified as a yin art and wasn't suitable for men. Because of this... I also heard that it causes problems in conceiving children."

Luo Xiaoyue blushed slightly, perhaps embarrassed by the last part.

"That's right."

Hawar nodded.

"The North Sea is cold. Periodically, it gets so cold that it's impossible to survive. In order to survive, both men and women must learn the Ice Desolation Art."

"Ha, so everyone in the North Sea is a martial artist?" Zhou Xuchuan asked in surprise.

"Except for unfortunate cases like disabilities, most are."

From their perspective, it was fortunate that the people of the North Sea couldn't adapt to the Central Plains' climate.

Most people in the North Sea were martial artists. The idea of them all invading was terrifying.

It was not for nothing that both Yun Guang and Zhuge Xiang had praised the strength of the North Sea people.

"However, as you said, Plum Blossom Sword Phoenix... while the Desolate Cold Art allowed our people to endure the cold, it has a fatal weakness."

"There's an imbalance of yin and yang."

Zhou Xuchuan understood immediately after hearing Hawar's words.

"The coldness of Yin was meant for a woman. The warmth of Yang was meant for a man."

It was the basis of the Yin Yang Twin Qi.

"If a man learns the Desolate Ice Art, which is rooted in extreme yin, he will experience side effects. He will not only fail to reach high levels in cultivation, but may also have issues with fertility. Even if his seed leads to conception, there is more than a seventy percent chance the child will be a girl. If he is especially unlucky, he may be unable to father a child for the rest of his life."

It was a place where the sex ratio couldn't be balanced.

This was also the reason why the population of the North Sea was small.

"Therefore, I will tell you in advance. When we arrive at the palace, you may find the customs very different from those in the Central Plains. I ask for your understanding."

"Understood."

***

In the central part of the North Sea, there was a lake that connected to the sea once one followed it downstream. The lake was so vast that one could easily understand why it was called the Inland Sea. What was even more unusual was that the lake and river did not freeze, despite the extreme cold.

"The river connected to the Inland Sea is strong and does not freeze easily, and the ‘unfreezing river’ that flows in from the north is warm because it originates from a hot spring, meaning the water is not as cold as one might think. In the summers, people flock to the river to catch fish and play in the water all season long."

Hawar kindly answered Zhou Xuchuan's questions.

In addition, she taught them many things about the North Sea. Thanks to her, the group was not bored during the week-long journey.

When they finally arrived at the North Sea, the Central Plainers could not hide their amazement upon seeing the palace they had only heard about.

"Wow..."

"Oh..."

Luo Xiaoyue and Zhou Xuchuan looked at the magnificent view before them.

With the lake, or rather the North Sea, behind it, a palace that exuded a majestic feeling stood on the extremely cold ground.

However, unlike what they had been told, the palace was not made of ice. Instead, it was constructed from pure white marble that resembled snow. Because it was covered in snow and so brilliantly white, the sunlight reflecting off it made it look like transparent ice.

The only regret was that they could not take in the full view. The snowstorm made it difficult to see far ahead.

However, perhaps because the view was obscured, it somehow had a mysterious feel to it, as if it were from another world.

Zhou Xuchuan, Luo Xiaoyue, and Little Ghost followed Hawar's guidance and opened the door and went inside.

The interior of the Ice Palace was just as unique. From the entrance hall onward, it had a foreign, almost exotic atmosphere that was clearly different from anything in the Central Plains.

But as they continued to observe their surroundings, they soon felt a sharp gaze and stopped in place.

"It seems the atmosphere is not very welcoming."

"The rations have been reduced recently, so everyone is on edge. Also, it has been decades since anyone from the Central Plains has visited the Ice Palace, so..."

"So it's a warning. I understa—"

Zhou Xuchuan suddenly stopped speaking.

The smell of blood?

A faint, metallic tang prickled the tip of his nose.

𝘧𝓇𝑒𝑒𝑤ℯ𝑏𝓃𝘰𝑣ℯ𝘭.𝘤ℴ𝘮

As a warrior and an Absolute Master with senses beyond normal human limits, he was extremely sensitive to changes in his surroundings.

He looked around cautiously, but all he saw were women watching them with wary eyes.

Little Ghost, who normally kept her eyes covered to heighten her other senses, seemed to have noticed it too. The sleeves of her winter uniform trembled faintly.

Zhou Xuchuan gave Little Ghost a subtle glance, signaling her to wait, and then calmed his mind.

Something is going on.

And whatever it was, it wasn’t going smoothly.

The North Sea was known for its many beauties, renowned not only in the Central Plains but also throughout the Frontier. Among them, the most beautiful was said to be the Palace Master of the North Sea Ice Palace, who had been famous for decades.

"It's nice to meet you. I am the Palace Master of the North Sea Ice Palace, Leng Yuefei."

Zhou Xuchuan could not help but admire her face.

The dense facial features on her snow-white skin were flawless, as if carved by an ancient god. Her hair, parted to reveal just a sliver of her forehead, flowed down like a waterfall, its color a pale blue-white like a glacier.

Beneath her snowflake-like eyelashes, her eyes were as deep and pure as the North Sea itself, but completely devoid of emotion.

Rather than feeling mysterious, she gave the impression of being frozen, cut off from the world, untouchable.

Her clothing stood out as well.

Even among the people of the North Sea, Hawar and the others still wore thick fur coats. But the Palace Master wore a simple white outfit.

It was surprising, but not strange.

It would have been even stranger if a Coruscant Realm Master, especially one who had reached the Coruscant Realm through the Ice Desolation Art, felt cold.

She's younger than I thought.

Based on her appearance, she looked like she was in her late twenties or early thirties. Of course, that could not be her actual age.

North Sea Ice Palace Master, Leng Yuefei...

As the leader and matriarch of the North Sea

murim

, the North Sea Ice Palace Master was a powerful master whose name had always been listed among the Absolute Masters of every generation, like the Heavenly Demon.

Leng Yuefei was no exception.

Based on what I’ve heard, she has to be at least over sixty... Even if Absolute Masters age slowly, she still looks too young. Could she be a special case, like the Juvenile Fist Emperor?

Zhou Xuchuan returned her greeting while these thoughts ran through his mind.

"It’s an honor to meet the Empyrean Overlord of the North Sea. I’m Sword God Zhou Xuchuan, a fourth-generation disciple of the Mount Hua Sect and one of the Six Empyrean Overlords."

"You should show your respect in front of the Palace Master."

Leng Yuefei had not come alone to greet Zhou Xuchuan. This was an official occasion in the Palace Master’s audience chamber.

Several old women who served her frowned in disapproval, perhaps unhappy with Zhou Xuchuan’s tone.

"Enough."

Leng Yuefei raised her long, white fingers to stop them.

"As one of the Six Empyrean Overlords, the Sword God is my equal. It makes no sense for me to be the only one shown respect."

The women who had expressed displeasure bowed. Their reactions revealed how much authority Leng Yuefei held within the Ice Palace.

"Sword God, I appreciate your help."

"This is a deal that benefits us both. There’s no need to thank me."

Zhou Xuchuan kept himself composed, while mentally preparing for whatever might come next.

If anything seemed off, he would turn around without hesitation.

"Don't worry. If you destroy the artifact, I will personally lead the elites of the Ice Palace and fight the Dark Heavens Association."

"Understood. Then let's immediately set off to destroy the artifact..."

"Of course, that is... if you first defeat the North Sea tribes surrounding the artifact."

Zhou Xuchuan fell silent before speaking again.

"The deal is over, North Sea Ice Palace Master."

His face twisted with frustration.

Zhou Xuchuan had come here after much deliberation because of how far away the North Sea was.

Zhuge Xiang had warned him that if the task would take too long, the battle situation could change drastically. In that case, he had been instructed to abandon it and return at once.

It was unfortunate to come so far only to turn back, but it was unavoidable.

If they tried to stop him, he would force his way out of the North Sea.

So, he signaled to Luo Xiaoyue and Little Ghost to draw their weapons at any time.

A single moment passed.

"In the past... martial arts flowed in during invasions of the Central Plains."

Zhou Xuchuan's footsteps stopped.

"Are you not interested in any treasures beyond that?"

The North Sea Ice Palace Master, Leng Yuefei's eyes shone as cold as ice.

1. Funnily enough, Snow (눈) and eye (눈) are the same word. ☜

2. I can't type in Cyrillic, but Hawar is the phoneticized form of the Mongolian word for spring. ☜