Chapter 183
Four days after Baek Mu-Gun and Beigong Xue left for the Ice Sword Peak, the Beihai Four Shadows began to feel nervous. Did something bad happen to the two? Should they climb the Ice Sword Peak and check on them? Despite their worries, the Beihai Four Shadows decided to wait one more day. If the two still hadnt returned by then, they would climb the peak.
However, unexpected gueststhe Beihai Ice Palaces membersappeared on Beiming Island. As soon as they arrived, they began searching for Mu-Gun and Beigong Xue. Their search net gradually moved inward, eventually leading them into the Ice Sword Peak.
There are people hiding over there!
The Beihai Four Shadows tried to hide on one side of the Ice Sword Peak but were inevitably discovered by the massive search team. With the Beihai Ice Palaces members surrounding them, Neng In-Ho, one of the executives of the Neng Family, stepped forward.
What do we have here? The Beihai Four Shadows, famously known as the shadows of Beigong Xue? Why are you the only ones here? Wheres Beigong Xue? Neng In-Ho prodded, immediately recognizing the four.
How disrespectful! You dare run your mouth and call the Young Matriarch by her name? Dong Ga-Kyung, the oldest of the Beihai Four Shadows, yelled at In-Ho.
Young Matriarch? In-Ho snorted. Beigong Xue no longer holds that position. Now, she is nothing but an insurgent who came to steal the treasures of Beiming Island after eloping with a man from the Central Plains.
Stop spouting nonsense! You bastards are the insurgents here! You conspired with the Nine Celestial Demons Sect and rebelled!
This is preposterous. Did you really just accuse us of conspiring with the Nine Celestial Demons Sect? All we did was punish the traitors who secretly communicated with the enemy to repeatedly delay the invasion on the Central Plains.
Do you really think we would not notice? We already know that you bastards are demonic practitioners from the Nine Celestial Demons Sect. You disguised yourselves as the clans executives to take control of the Beihai Ice Palace and use us as tools for conquering murim!
In-Ho frowned. You have a way with lies. Quit your false accusations and just tell us where Beigong Xue and the man from the Central Plains are.
Listen up, everyone. I witnessed the leaders of the nine rebel clans use demonic arts to kill the patriarch firsthand. The clan leaders standing before you are merely demonic practitioners from the Nine Celestial Demons Sect. Do not fall for their tricks! Ga-Kyung pleaded to the Beihai Ice Palaces members standing behind In-Ho.
The Beihai Ice Palaces members looked baffled, finding Ga-Kyungs claim nonsensical. All things aside, the martial arts the nine leaders used were undoubtedly Beihais. Even if they could perfectly imitate faces, voices, and behaviors, they couldnt do the same with martial arts. Moreover, the nine leaders had reached the Absolute Realm. No matter how great the Nine Celestial Demons Sects demonic practitioners were, it would be impossible for them to copy martial arts of such level.
This is absurd. Did you really think that such baseless accusations would work? In-Ho said with a relaxed expression, having confirmed that the Beihai Ice Palaces members did not believe in Ga-Kyung.
Lets see how long you can hide your true colors. Ga-Kyung pounced on In-Ho, wanting to corner him and force him to show his real identity. Immediately realizing what she was trying to do, the other Beihai Shadows attacked In-Ho as well.
In-Ho smiled, finding their actions foolish. Executing a technique of the Beihai Ice Palm, one of the Neng Familys martial arts, he extended his hands toward the Beihai Four Shadows and fired ice energy blasts akin to the northern wind.
The Beihai Four Shadows swords clashed head-on with the technique but ultimately failed to break through it, pushing them back greatly.
If I really am just a demonic practitioner from the Nine Celestial Demons Sect, then how can I use the Beihai Ice Palm? Dont tell me you will still insist that I am merely imitating it. If so, wouldnt that just serve as proof of your insignificance? In-Ho mocked.
Dont be so conceited. Were just getting started! The Beihai Four Shadows shouted in anger and attacked In-Ho again.
Unfazed, In-Ho used the Beihai Ice Palm again. The Beihai Four Shadows attacked him with all their might, but he proved too powerful for them.
In-Ho was not just the Neng Familys second-in-command and younger brother of Neng Geuk-Ho, the Neng Family Head. He had also reached the Upper Peak Realm. It was almost impossible for the Beihai Four Shadows, who were only at the Peak Realm, to gain the upper hand against him.
Witnessing In-Hos martial arts overwhelm the Beihai Four Shadows convinced the Beihai Ice Palaces members that Ga-Kyungs accusations were false. In-Hos Beihai Ice Palm had to be the real deal. As In-Ho said, if he really was just a demonic practitioner, he shouldnt be able to use the Beihai Ice Palm.
In-Ho, who instilled confidence in the Beihai Ice Palaces members, gained more ground against the Beihai Four Shadows. Not having the time to leisurely play with them, he unleashed even more internal energy, preventing the Beihai Four Shadows from blocking his next attack.
Arghh! Hit by In-Hos palm force, the Beihai Four Shadows screamed as they fell to the cold ice floor.
Subdue them all! In-Ho ordered while the Beihai Four Shadows were still in so much pain that they couldnt easily get back up. However, as the Beihai Ice Palaces members approached the four, they heard something being cut off.
What is this sound? In-Ho listened to it in an attempt to search for its source, easily figuring out that it came from the top of the Ice Sword Peak. Looking up, he saw twelve figures quickly sliding down the steep ice walls.
His eyes widened at the incomprehensible sight. The twelve figures soared up into the air and, with a loud rumble, landed around the Beihai Four Shadows.
Stunned by the unexpected turn of events, the Beihai Ice Palaces members looked at In-Ho for answers, but he was also dumbfounded. One thing was clear to him, though. These new arrivals definitely werent on their side, which meant there was only one thing for them to do.
Attack! In-Ho ordered. His subordinates immediately carried out his command.
Instead of retaliating, the twelve figures, known as the Beihai Glacier Zombies, focused on defending themselves. They deflected every attack that came for them, preventing any from piercing through their defenses.
In-Hos expression hardened, having noticed that the Beihai Glacier Zombies were using extraordinary martial arts. The other clan leaders watching the situation from afar also noticed peculiarities about their opponents. The Beihai Glacier Zombies did not just have strong martial arts. They also didnt show any signs of life.
They are definitely jiangshis[1]. Geuk-Ho commented, immediately identifying the Beihai Glacier Zombies.
It seems that bitch Beigong Xue came to Beiming Island to wake those jiangshis up. Han Gwi-Jong, the Han Family Head, said.
They are at the Absolute Realm, at the very least. The battle seems to have spiraled against our favor. Geuk-Ho frowned.
If we just have to deal with the twelve jiangshis, then we have a good chance of defeating them with the Divine Demons help. The problem is the man who came with Beigong Xue. If he really is the Thunder Gods successor, then even if the Divine Demon and the entire Spindle Sect join forces against him, our defeat will still be certain.
Geuk-Ho, Gwi-Jong, and the heads of the other six clans were demonic monarchs of the Spindle Sect. Its Higher Demons were also disguised as executives of the eight clans, and In-Ho, who was fighting the Beihai Four Shadows, was one of them.
Are you suggesting we retreat now?
We have to make a decision before Beigong Xue and the Central Plains man appear. Once they reach this place, it will be too late to change plans Gwi-Jong replied.
However, it was already too late. Riding the Flying Golden Shield, Mu-Gun and Beigong Xue descended the Ice Sword Peak and landed in front of the Beihai Glacier Zombies. Beigong Xue, who was still on Mu-Guns back, quickly got off him when the Flying Golden Shield landed on the ground. She then looked at the Four Beihai Shadows, who were being protected by the Beihai Glacier Zombies.
Are you all okay?
Yes, were fine. What about you, Young Matriarch?
Im fine. However, I have to apologize for being late. Something came up. Ill tell you about it in detail after dealing with this situation.
After making sure that the Beihai Four Shadows were safe, Beigong Xue stepped forward and shouted at the Beihai Ice Palaces members, Listen up, members of the Beihai Ice Palace! The clan leaders you are following now are all demonic practitioners of the Nine Celestial Demons Sect. I understand if you do not believe me, but at least allow me to show you the truth! As the Young Matriarch of the Beihai Ice Palace, I do not wish to hurt any of you, so please stay away from the battle until I have revealed their true colors. If you ignore my warning, know that I cannot guarantee your life.
Beihai Ice Palaces Young Matriarch? You are nothing but a traitor! You conspired with the Central Plains man to steal the treasures of the Beihai Ice Palace! Geuk-Ho exclaimed, stepping forward from the group of clan leaders who could no longer retreat.
What treasure was I trying to steal, pray tell?
Well, we are going to have to check it out for ourselves to find out. To begin with, I think it would do you good to explain the jiangshis you brought over. From the looks of it, it seems you used evil spells from the Central Plains to reanimate the corpsesresting on Beiming Island. How can you still call yourself the Beihai Ice Palaces Young Matriarch after doing something so atrocious? Geuk-Ho replied, causing the Beihai Ice Palace members to grumble and look at Beigong Xue with suspicion.
That is correct. The people behind me are jiangshis, not living beings, but I did not awaken them with an evil spell from the Central Plains. The arrangements that the Beihai Ice Palace made awakened them, Beigong Xue explained.
How ridiculous. Do not try to deceive our warriors with such groundless nonsense.
Youre the ones deceiving them, not me. I would like to inform you all that the people behind me are the former patriarchs of the Beihai Ice Palace. They turned themselves into jiangshis as a countermeasure against any disturbance within our organization. As the Young Matriarch of the Beihai Ice Palace, I woke them up from their slumber at the Ice Sword Peak to save us from the NIne Celestial Demons Sect, Beigong Xue countered, causing the Beihai Ice Palace members to waver.
They couldnt help but consider the chances that she was telling the truth. Beihai had a legend about its heroes returning and saving the Beihai Ice Palace if it was ever in extreme danger. However, if she was right, then the clan leaders really were demonic practitioners all along.
I have no idea why you accuse us of being demonic practitioners of the Nine Celestial Demons Sect. We know you have a deep grudge against us for killing your father, but it is still troublesome for us if you keep slandering and ridiculing us. Still feigning ignorance, Gwi-Jong continued criticizing Beigong Xue.
If you really are not demonic practitioners, why not have a duel with me?
You want me to have a duel with you? Gwi-Jong confirmed, unable to believe his ears.
If you can keep your identity hidden until the end of our duel, I will tell everyone that everything I just said are lies and accept any punishment you have for me.
Young Matriarch! Do you really have to go that far? The former patriarchs can easily reveal their identities, Mu-Gun dissuaded Beigong Xue from the side.
As the Beihai Ice Palaces Young Matriarch, it is better for me to personally make them show their true colors, Beigong Xue insisted.
Fine, then. Tell me who you want to have a duel with.
The Dong Family Head. Of course, I know he is merely an impostor.
I must have looked the easiest to you. Dong Cheon-Bang, the Dong Family Head, gritted his teeth, unable to handle the thought of Beigong Xue looking down on him.
The person disguised as Dong Cheon-Bang was the Spindle Palm Monarch Wang Wook, one of the Eight Spindle Monarchs. As the one with the biggest pride among them, Beigong Xue seeing him as the weakest of the eight made it hard for him to hold back.
Wang Wook stepped forward, determined to give Beigong Xue a painful death for daring to insult him.
1. A jingsh, also known as a Chinese hopping vampire, is a type of reanimated corpse in Chinese legends and folklore. However, the Beihai Glacier Zombies do not hop and are more like zombies.
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