Chapter 1125: If A Friend Calls, Of Course You Should Come (Part 5)

Unlike the friendly(?) relationship between the Mount Hua Sect and the Ice Palace, the atmosphere among the Beast Palace members was not so pleasant.

Although they eventually had to step back due to the authority of the North Ice Palace Lord, it wasn't a satisfying experience for them to be overshadowed by someone who seemed to be the age of their sons.

Furthermore, the attitude of the young man towards them and his attitude towards the Mount Hua Sect were significantly different, adding to their dissatisfaction.

Judging by appearances alone, all his actions seemed sufficient to be interpreted as disrespectful behavior towards the Nanman Beast Palace.

Despite being named the Five Outer Palaces, how much connection could there be between the Ice Palace and the Beast Palace? The only connecting factor between them was the discriminatory treatment they received from the Central Plains people.

However, after the Heavenly Comrade Alliance resolved some of these issues, the cultural differences that had not been revealed until now began to surface.

"Isn't this a bit too much?"

"Didn't they call us enemies just a while ago?"

"Can those who kill innocent animals for unnecessary skin be considered good people? They are unreasonable people."

"This is the worst."

The members of the Beast Palace exchanged opinions quietly among themselves, and their hostility towards the Ice Palace continued to escalate.

"He's too arrogant for his age."

"Calling himself the Ice Palace Lord. If he were from the Beast Palace, he wouldn't even be the successor."

"Seems lacking in ability."

"I don't like his attitude."

Particularly, the aspect they found most disagreeable was that, no matter how you looked at it, the Ice Palace Lord didn't seem that strong. Of course, it was undeniable that the momentum he displayed was excellent compared to his age. However, to anyone's eyes, those behind him seemed stronger.

It was only natural in nature for the strong to lead. It was incomprehensible to them that someone who hadn't yet gained experience or strength could occupy a higher position based solely on status.

"Just because he wears a battle robe, he doesn't know how high the sky is."

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

"What did you just mutter?"

"Huh?"

Unlike the noisy Mount Hua disciples, the conversation between the Beast Palace members was heard by the Ice Palace members who had been quietly observing the situation from behind. Some of the leading Ice Palace members approached the Beast Palace members with cold glares.

"What did you just say?"

"Aren't these guys underestimating us?"

"These barbarians who don't even know how to properly wear clothes have the audacity to criticize us. What? Is it because of a lack of ability?"

And naturally, the gazes of the Beast Palace weren't something the Ice Palace could just accept either. If the Beast Palace followed the law of the jungle, the Ice Palace was a place that fought against nature. They considered it natural for the wise to survive, not just the strong.

Moreover, Seol So Baek was recognized even by the elders of the Ice Palace. Denying Seol So Baek was equivalent to denying the entire way of life of the Ice Palace members.

"...Did you just call us barbarians?"

Tension rose between the two factions. Since the opening ceremony of the Heavenly Comrade Alliance, their relationship wasn't bad, or rather, it was on the positive side. But now, both sects were revealing their true colors.

"That's enough."

Just as the tension between the two groups reached its peak, the Beast Palace Lord Meng So, who had been quietly observing the situation, spoke up in a rumbling voice.

As soon as Meng So stepped forward, the Beast Palace members bowed their heads and stepped back. The Ice Palace members, though not pleased, had no choice but to retreat. Ignoring Meng So's words now would be equivalent to condoning the actions of the Beast Palace members who had pressured Seol So Baek just moments ago.

"Hmm."

Meng So frowned as he looked at his subordinates.

"This time, you were wrong. Apologize to the Ice Palace Lord."

"Pa, Palance Lord! We..."

"Enough."

Meng So waved his hand.

"What do the Central Plains people say about us?"

"..."

"Do they not say we are uncivilized, ignorant beings who don't know how to live? What did you say in response each time?"

"..."

"Answer."

One of the Beast Palace members bowed his head and replied.

"We said that even they, when they come to the end of Yunnan or enter Namman, would have no choice but to live like us."

"Right. A person's life can vary depending on where they live. However... you, who so despised those gazes, are now doing the same thing against the Ice Palace. Without understanding, just blaming others according to your standards."

                                         [Bro, finally an adult at the scene...]

"..."

"If you had been a little more disrespectful, I would have personally broken your backs."

"We... apologize."

"The one you should apologize to is not me, right?" 

At those words, the Beast Palace members bowed their heads towards Seol So Baek.

"We apologize, Ice Palace Lord."

"We were rude."

Seol So Baek glanced at the Beast Palace disciples. In the past, he would have readily accepted their apologies, but this time, he did not utter a single word in response. The problem was not that he was in a bad mood, but rather that the North Sea was being disregarded.

"I also apologize, Ice Palace Lord. Please understand."

However, as soon as Meng So directly lowered his head, the tension seemed to melt away like thawing ice. This was because Seol So Baek also knew how difficult it was for someone of the level of the Beast Palace Lord to bow his head to others.

Seol So Baek scratched his nose awkwardly.

"Actually, um... I was a bit sensitive."

"I understand. You, too, must have heard similar words, coming from a place like ours."

A sigh escaped from Seol So Baek's lips. Just because they lived differently from the Central Plains did not make them any less prone to being ignored. That was why they had to be sensitive to such remarks.

"In the end, those people from the Central Plains are the problem."

"That's true."

"There's no reason for us to fight each other."

"Yes, your words are correct, Lord."

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

"You probably shouldn't say that in front of people from the Central Plains."

"Hahaha. You're different. You're not a person who distinguishes between the Central Plains and the new territories like we do."

"Yes. That's right. I completely agree."

"...Isn't that an insult?"

"Ahaha! How could it be? If someone who knows the value of life, they wouldn't dare insult the renown Mount Hua's Chivalrous Sword."

"That's right! Who would dare to insult our Dojang-nim! I'll personally throw them to the bottom of North Sea Lake."

Sect Leader Sahyung. I don't like these guys... It's uncomfortable...

Chung Myung sighed deeply as if he wished the ground would swallow him up. What could he do? Embracing all these gentlemen was a path he himself had chosen.

"Now, what should we do?"

"Hmm?"

"Please give us your orders! We are ready."

Feeling increasingly uncomfortable with the approaching Seol So Baek, a sweating Chung Myung took a step back.

"Uh... the enthusiasm is great, but after such a long journey, wouldn't it be better to relieve fatigue first? We should meet the Sect Leader first, shouldn't we?"

"Yes! That's what we'll do!"

Seol So Baek nodded so vigorously that it seemed overly burdensome. Then, quickly, he began to command the Ice Palace disciples within the courtyard.

"Be careful not to damage the gift carts!"

"Yes!"

Chung Myung wiped away the sweat on his forehead. Beside him, Meng So muttered.

"...It seems like he grew up in a strange way."

"T-That's right."

"It doesn't seem bad... but it's a bit strange."

Meng So smiled bitterly. A deep sigh escaped from Chung Myung's lips.

Although the situation had been sorted out somehow, the Ice Palace and Beast Palace members, until the moment they retreated, continued to exchange unfriendly glances.

Observing this scene, Chung Myung smirked quietly. Then, in a serious tone, he spoke.

"Thank you."

"What do you mean?"

"You probably didn't feel great either, Lord."

Meng So smirked.

"What's there to feel bad about?"

Of course, he said that, but there was no way he felt good. Originally, the thought processes of the Beast Palace disciples and Meng So weren't significantly different. So, what the members found offensive, Meng So couldn't help but find annoying as well.

No, perhaps he felt worse than the ordinary members. After all, Meng So was none other than the Lord of the Beast Palace.

However, he restrained those feelings and first reprimanded his own members.

While he was also a Lord an Outer Palace, Seol So Baek was someone who couldn't even be compared to him. If Meng So had tried to dominate him with power and authority, it wouldn't have been difficult, but he chose to apologize and bow first. That's why Chung Myung, uncharacteristically, expressed his thanks.

"Compared to what you're doing, it's nothing."

"...Yes?"

"Even someone as impatient as you is holding back, enduring your temperament, aren't you?"

"No... My personality isn't as... dirty as you think..."

"If it were the you from before, when the members were facing off, you would have beaten them both without a second thought."

Huh? Now that you mention it...

"But isn't it a bit ridiculous for me to get angry first?"

"...."

"Rather than that...It wouldn't be as easy as you think."

"What do you mean?"

Meng So looked at Chung Myung as if asking why.

"When things go wrong, I can't intervene every time, you know. If that were possible, I wouldn't have asked for your help when I went to Yunnan in the past."

"...True."

"The Palace members respect and worship strength, but because of that, they find it difficult to just endure situations. Especially when they can't understand the situation themselves."

"Well, they are quite free-spirited."

Meng So wore a bitter expression. He hadn't expected such problems to arise as soon as they met. He had come to help, but it felt burdensome to have handed over only troublesome matters.

"There might be a bit of trouble, are you okay with that?"

"Oh, what trouble?"

"Huh?"

When Chung Myung's reaction seemed somewhat subdued, Meng So asked with a puzzled expression.

"What do you mean?"

"Well, you'll find out soon."

Instead of answering, Chung Myung grinned, curling up the corners of his mouth.

"Anyway, did you tidy up the Beast Palace neatly?"

"I took measures so that we 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 complete power of the Heavenly Comrade Alliance had gathered here.

'Now that I've gathered them, this really isn't a joke.'

From Mount Hua to the Tang Family, Namgung to Nokrim, Ice Palace to Beast Palace.

Six of the dominant martial arts factions of the world had gathered here. Considering that the Ten Great Sects had received the treatment of rulers with just ten sects, it was an absolutely formidable force.

'But it's still not enough...'

Woodeuk. Woodeuk.

Chung Myung cracked his neck from side to side.

"Well, we can fill that from now on."

It wasn't that difficult. Shouldn't we just grow them like how Mount Hua grew? Of course, since there was no time to grow leisurely, it might be a bit forceful, a bit painful for those who receive it...

"Everyone is telling me to do well, so I have to understand. Even if I don't understand, what can they do?"

"Huh?"

"No, it's nothing."

Chung Myung giggled as if he felt happy just thinking about it.

Seeing him somewhat resemble a child who had just acquired a fun toy, Meng So felt uneasy.