Chapter 357: A Flower Blooming in the Snow

When a common enemy appears, psychological distances tend to shrink.

Since the arrival of Gwang Yeom-ra and Jwa Ho-beop, the gap between Dang Mu-jin’s group and Baek Hyang-a had noticeably narrowed.

Previously, they had kept a distance where they couldn’t even see each other. Now, they were close enough to walk and talk together.

Except for the slightly awkward atmosphere between Hyeon-gong and Baek Hyang-a, they seemed like an ordinary group of travelers.

Baek Hyang-a stretched and spoke up.

“Feels like all my worries have finally disappeared.”

“What worries?”

“Well, those demonic cult guys won’t be coming after us again, right?”

Dang Mu-jin replied, his voice lacking confidence.

“That would be nice.”

“Why? Is something bothering you?”

“A little.”

From his experience, the martial artists of the demonic cult never retreated cleanly. They might flee when things got complicated, but they never gave up easily, always lurking around for another chance.

Baek Hyang-a commented, “I was surprised, honestly. I didn’t expect them to run away without hesitation when things looked bad. That’s not how I imagined top-tier masters to be…”

In truth, it was only natural for the demonic cult members to flee easily. Most of them had caused trouble in the central plains and then escaped to the cult.

On the other hand, orthodox martial artists often clung to their pride, even in life-threatening situations, and ended up dying.

“I used to think the same way. But in my experience, the higher the martial artist’s skill, the more cautious they become.”

“Why is that?”

“Because those who aren’t cautious die early and never become top-tier masters. Plus, the higher they climb, the more they have to lose, so they hate dying even more. They’d rather swallow their pride and stay alive.”

Except for rare individuals like Yoo Jin-gwang, there were hardly any exceptions.

In the past, Sam-an Buldo had fled as soon as he encountered Namgung Jin-cheon and Geol-seon.

Jwa Ho-beop had bowed his head immediately upon meeting Hwa Yeon-sin-ni.

And Gwang Yeom-ra? There was no need to even mention him. He had fled so many times that he was starting to feel oddly familiar.

Namgung Myung, who had been listening quietly, interjected with a smirk.

“It’s amusing to hear someone who’s not even a top-tier master pretend to understand their mindset. It makes me chuckle.”

“Well, it’s just a rough idea.”

Though not a top-tier master, Dang Mu-jin found himself in a similar situation. In his past as a second or first-rate martial artist, he had often fought recklessly, but now he unconsciously took more care.

Having achieved much, he didn’t want to leave it all behind and die.

Dang Mu-jin pondered silently. Was he stuck at the peak level, unable to reach the top, because he had too many attachments?

Perhaps, but he felt that wasn’t the whole reason.

Now a group of six, they hurried northward, using their light-footed martial arts.

Baek Hyang-a, having overexerted her energy in the last battle, didn’t look well. Yet, as they moved north, her expression brightened. Traveling with the group seemed to ease her mental burden.

The sudden cold weather also worked in her favor. While the cold was unbearable for Dang Mu-jin’s group, it was different for Baek Hyang-a, who thrived on yin energy.

The weather had turned unexpectedly cold. Just three days ago, it was merely chilly, with visible breath. But by the evening before last, their breath was a frosty white, and since yesterday, a snowstorm had been raging.

Namgung Myung, born in a warm region, was particularly miserable. Even with a fire, he shivered pitifully as he slept, a sight to behold.

Of course, Dang Mu-jin, Hyeon-gong, and Hong Geol-gae also shivered as they watched him.

Yet, none of the four men dared to ask Seol-hwa or Baek Hyang-a when the weather might improve. Their pride wouldn’t allow it. Asking first would feel like admitting defeat.

After enduring another day of cold, Namgung Myung finally couldn’t resist and asked Seol-hwa.

“Seol-hwa.”

“Yes?”

“When will it get warmer?”

The other three men’s lips curled into wide smiles. They had a chance to tease Namgung Myung.

But the thought vanished quickly. Seol-hwa’s answer was too shocking.

“Why would it get warmer?”

Her response was loaded with meaning, leaving everyone stunned.

“Does that mean it’ll stay this cold?”

“Not exactly.”

“Then when will it…?”

“It’ll get colder. It’s still warm now.”

Namgung Myung was overwhelmed with the urge to return south.

The northern cold wasn’t just uncomfortable; it was a matter of survival.

Seeing Namgung Myung’s face twist in dismay, Seol-hwa spoke cheerfully.

“Let’s go a bit further. It’ll get better.”

“You said it would get colder, so how can it get better…?”

“Trust me.”

Namgung Myung grumbled as he walked, finding solace in the fact that his friends looked equally miserable. At least he wouldn’t freeze to death alone.

After trudging through the snow for half a day, they spotted something moving in the distance.

It was a herd of reindeer, large and shaggy. Dang Mu-jin’s eyes were drawn to the antlers, which were impressively large compared to typical ones. As he was about to approach, he noticed people accompanying the herd.

Namgung Myung’s eyes lit up at the sight of the people’s warm-looking clothes.

Their garments were made from reindeer hides, with the fur still attached.

Even the children wore similar clothes, waddling around in thick fur coats that reached their ankles, looking like little cones with arms—adorably so.

Namgung Myung’s eyes glinted dangerously as he eyed the northern people’s fur clothes, on the verge of turning from a thief to a robber.

But before he could act, Seol-hwa intervened.

“Wait a moment.”

Seol-hwa approached the people. As soon as they saw her face, they were startled and bowed, bringing a small sled pulled by reindeer to the group.

The sled was loaded with thick fur clothes and boots.

“Wow!”

Dang Mu-jin’s group eagerly picked out fur clothes to wear.

Though they smelled a bit musty and were cumbersome, they were far better than suffering in the northern cold.

The people with the reindeer bowed to Seol-hwa and left with the herd, without waiting for thanks.

Dang Mu-jin asked belatedly, “Did you buy them?”

“No, they just gave them to us.”

”…How?”

“My father is the Lord of the Northern Ice Palace.”

Dang Mu-jin recalled the people’s demeanor.

It wasn’t the reaction of those being robbed by someone of high status.

It was more like a neighbor giving a child a treat, expecting nothing in return—a gesture of pure goodwill.

Seol-hwa explained, “Everyone in the north respects and follows the Lord of the Northern Ice Palace. I just benefit from my father’s reputation.”

She spoke as if it were the most natural thing.

But from what Dang Mu-jin knew, it was rare for people of high status to earn the genuine respect of ordinary folks. Why would common people admire those living in luxury, detached from their world?

Seol-hwa continued, “Not many covet the position of the Northern Ice Palace Lord. It comes with some wealth and honor, but the duties and responsibilities far outweigh them. Many die fighting off invaders or from overwork. I doubt many Northern Ice Palace Lords have died of old age. It’s not just the Lord, either. The whole family shares the duties.”

Dang Mu-jin had suspected as much.

The mission to find Baek Hyang-a in a distant land and retrieve the elixirs and secret manuals was a daunting and dangerous task, especially for the daughter of the palace lord.

In the central plains, it would be like the emperor sending his eldest son on a solo mission to the western regions.

“The position of Northern Ice Palace Lord can be held by a woman. I thought it was normal until I went to the central plains and realized it was a bit unusual. I think the culture developed to prepare for times when there were no sons willing to take the position.”

“I see.”

The group left footprints in the pristine snow as they walked.

It was a picturesque scene, but the tracks worried Dang Mu-jin. They couldn’t hide their trail in the snow.

He was concerned. He had a feeling they would encounter the demonic cult’s martial artists again before reaching the Northern Ice Palace.

Ominous premonitions never fail.

The next day, Dang Mu-jin’s fears came true. A group appeared from the south, following them.

There were about a dozen or so, but their faces were hidden by the thick fur clothes similar to those worn by Dang Mu-jin’s group.

Hong Geol-gae spoke up.

“Could they be from the demonic cult?”

“Nine times out of ten… No, I’m sure of it.”

A dozen pursuers were closing in, each with a weapon strapped to their waist. These weren’t the crude swords of northern nomads, but finely crafted blades suited for the martial arts of the Central Plains.

The fact that the martial artists of the Demonic Cult were on their trail was bad news for Tang Mujin and his companions.

The cult’s fighters had a near-perfect understanding of their group’s capabilities.

The fact that they continued to pursue them meant they believed they had the strength to overpower them.

Even at a conservative estimate, they were a formidable match for Tang Mujin’s group.

“Seolhwa, how much longer until we reach the Northern Ice Palace?”

“At least another day.”

A fight seemed inevitable.

The distance between the two groups was closing. The blizzard intensified.

Namgung Myung turned to Tang Mujin. “Since we’re going to fight anyway, why not strike first?”

“That’s not going to work.”

The fierce blizzard was one problem, and their opponents’ thick fur coats were another.

A flying disc would struggle to pierce through the greasy fur in this weather.

In such a situation, relying on poison techniques and the sword seemed wiser. Tang Mujin’s hand found the hilt of his sword, its touch unfamiliar after so long.

Finally, Tang Mujin’s group stopped and turned to face their pursuers.

As they drew closer, the faces of the pursuers became clear. As expected, Guangyeomra and Left Guardian Yeon Sa-wook were among them.

Curiously, they all had their ears stuffed with fur. It wasn’t just to keep warm, it seemed.

Tang Mujin and his friends spoke in hushed tones.

Tang Mujin was the first to speak. “How many do you think there are? I can’t tell. Three?”

“I see three too.”

“Three or four, maybe. No, that one with the spear looks dangerous. We should prepare for as many as five.”

They weren’t counting the number of cultists, but rather how many of them were top-tier masters.

It was a staggering number.

Years had passed since they escaped the Demonic Cult.

They had expected the cult to produce more top-tier masters. After all, three of their own had reached such heights in that time.

And with the cult leader actively teaching, it was no surprise that many of their fighters had advanced.

But they hadn’t expected so many top-tier masters to appear here. It was enough to make them consider fleeing instead of fighting.

“This might be a good thing.”

Baek Hyang-a stepped forward. Unlike the others, Seolhwa wasn’t wearing a reindeer fur coat from the start.

Baek Hyang-a’s lips were a deep blue, as if suffering from the cold for too long.

But it wasn’t just the northern chill.

“I’ve gone too long without absorbing yang energy. I feel like I’m dying.”

Baek Hyang-a needed to absorb yang energy to sustain her life. Even now, with her life force dwindling, it was the same.

But recently, she hadn’t taken a life. Not only because Tang Mujin’s group wouldn’t allow it, but because she herself didn’t want to.

She had no intention of taking an innocent life just to delay her death by a few days.

The only exception would be these cultists.

Baek Hyang-a took a deep breath, the biting cold of the blizzard swirling around her. Her long hair whipped wildly in the wind, a strangely fitting sight.

She spoke, “None of you will be hurt today.”

“And you?”

“If I’m unlucky, I’ll die. I’m ready to use every last bit of my life force if I have to.”

Death loomed near, yet Baek Hyang-a seemed to relish the situation.

No one had ordered or asked her to do this. She chose to face her end on her own terms, and that was enough for her.

“If I die, you’ll take care of my body, right?”

”…Don’t worry about that. But let’s try to walk out of here together.”

That was the end of their conversation. The only sound was the howling blizzard.

They had no intention of letting Baek Hyang-a face them alone. Hong Geolgae, the most chivalrous among them, stepped forward.

Then something unexpected happened. The cultists began to retreat, not just a step, but three, five, ten steps back.

Hong Geolgae shouted excitedly, “See that? That’s my reputation reaching all the way to Tianshan!”

Of course, no one paid attention to his boast.

Tang Mujin thought, ‘Is it because of Baek Hyang-a?’

No, it couldn’t be. Baek Hyang-a was within their expectations. So what was the reason?

Everyone except Hong Geolgae turned to look behind them.

They saw three figures approaching from the north, cutting through the blizzard.

The one leading wore a coat made entirely of white reindeer fur and, unlike the others, was hatless.

He was middle-aged, his hair a mix of gold and white, blowing in the wind.

A stranger, yet Tang Mujin recognized him immediately.

Seolhwa lowered her stance and spoke to the middle-aged man.

“I’m back, Father.”

It wasn’t in the language of the Central Plains.

But everyone in Tang Mujin’s group understood those few words.