The RoFan Novel Fan Has Reincarnated Into A Martial Arts Novel-Chapter 61: I’ll Show You

“...No.”

The answer came without hesitation.

Of course it did. It was the only sensible thing to say.

And yet, somewhere deep in Yeon’s heart, there lingered a trace of regret. She had come all the way to the Ice Palace—and left empty-handed. No matter how gently Cheongang tried to reassure her, the fact remained: she had gained nothing.

Even if it wasn’t the Ice Crystal itself—if she could just obtain a fragment, a shard...

That was her real desire. Just from how her Lightning Energy had reacted earlier, it was clear the Yin force of the Ice Crystal was something she needed. It might even be enough to resolve the disharmony of Yin and Yang within her.

And so, unable to fully suppress that feeling, Yeon muttered under her breath:

“Not that it matters, right? Even if I wanted it... there’s no way to get it.”

At that, both Karaot and Irkin exchanged glances of disbelief—as if they couldn’t believe she’d say that after seeing the Ice Crystal with her own eyes. Karaot let out a soft, awkward chuckle.

“Well... technically, there is a way.”

“Really?”

“Yes. The first method would be for Irkin to smash this place to pieces with his flail.”

The mention of his weapon made Irkin roar in protest.

“No!”

“I know, Irkin. I’m not saying we should. I’m just listing the options. It’s possible, isn’t it? Of course, the whole palace would collapse, but still.”

Irkin scowled like someone forced to listen to sacrilege. Karaot nodded at him, as if to say he understood, and went on.

“The second method involves that necklace of yours.”

His eyes landed on the Blue Gem Necklace around Yeon’s throat. She touched it lightly, feigning indifference.

“This thing?”

“Yes. But it would have to be activated by the Ice Palace Lord. There’s a particular power in their bloodline—something passed down only to them.”

Yeon, disappointed, ran her fingers over the necklace, wondering if it would react the way it had with the Ice Wall. But nothing happened.

Her face betrayed a hint of embarrassment. Karaot noticed, and gently steered the conversation.

“I imagine there’s only one question left on your mind now. Where is the Ice Palace Lord?”

“Exactly.”

At her reply, Karaot’s expression dimmed. And then—unexpectedly—Yeon felt something stir from the prayer beads on her wrist. Myoeun’s presence. A flicker of unease crossed her thoughts.

What is it, Master?

[Nothing.]

“The Ice Palace Lord,” Karaot said, raising his hand, “is right there.”

He pointed toward the Ice Crystal.

“...What do you mean?”

“Just what I said. She’s inside the Ice Crystal.”

Myoeun’s voice rang out, sharp and furious.

[Tell him to explain himself properly.]

“Could you... clarify that a bit?”

“Ah, apologies. Was that too vague? I suppose it was. I only know what Irkin has told me, but I’ll try to explain as best I can.”

“Please.”

“Then I’ll start from the beginning.”

Karaot glanced briefly at Irkin before continuing.

“You’re aware, I assume, that the Ice Palace Lord once journeyed to Zhongyuan?”

“Yes. I heard about it.”

“Then this will be easier. At the time, the Ice Crystal had become dangerously unstable. She believed the solution might be found in Zhongyuan.”

“So the melting of the Ice Wall... started back then?”

“That’s what I’ve been told. There were no invaders like there are now, back then.”

Yeon nodded. If the Flame Cult had been attacking then, the Ice Palace Lord would never have made it out.

“In any case, her journey to Zhongyuan failed. I don’t know why. Do you...?”

Yeon did. But she said no. With Myoeun listening, she didn’t want to go into it.

“I see. After she returned to the Ice Palace—hmm. I think Irkin should explain this part. I wasn’t here at the time.”

Yeon turned to Irkin.

“Irkin... can you tell me what happened? Just as much as you’re comfortable sharing.”

He nodded once, then said simply:

“The Ice Palace Lord came back. Alone.”

“Yes.”

“She said... she was sorry. That she failed.”

“I see...”

Yeon waited, giving him time, as if coaxing a child to continue a story.

“She said... the Ice Crystal... the Ice Crystal...”

Irkin turned to Karaot, as if searching for the right word. Then he went on.

“Yes. Stabilize. She had to stabilize it. The Ice Crystal. So... she entered it. Herself.”

[No...]

Myoeun’s voice trembled.

“What do you mean, she entered it?”

Irkin fumbled again, and Karaot stepped in.

“I believe... the correct word would be ‘absorbed.’ She sacrificed herself to stabilize the Ice Crystal.”

[What? What the hell are you talking about—]

Yeon could feel Myoeun’s emotions boiling over. She pressed forward.

“Is that even possible? If that’s true... does that mean she’s still alive?”

“She is!”

“...Karaot. Is that true?”

Yeon didn’t look at Irkin—she looked straight at Karaot. His expression hardened.

“Irkin believes it. But if you ask me... I’m not so sure. It’s been over a decade. Maybe a piece of her consciousness still lingers, but...”

“She’s alive!”

Yeon didn’t hear Irkin’s shout.

Because Myoeun’s scream had erupted in her mind.

[What are you saying!?]

The logical, wise Myoeun was gone. His emotions flared like wildfire, uncontrolled and consuming, and it tore through Yeon’s thoughts like a storm.

Master—please, calm down!

[Hwangbo Yeon. Listen to me. I want you to say exactly what I tell you. No—better yet. Let me take over. Just for a moment. Hurry!]

What? What are you talking about—

[Let me speak directly through you!]

His voice was so loud, it physically hurt. Yeon ripped the prayer beads from her wrist. They quivered violently in her hand, like something alive. Nothing like this had ever happened before.

Frightened, she shoved the beads into her robes.

Karaot, who had been trying to calm Irkin down, noticed something strange in her face and turned to her.

“Are you alright?”

“It’s nothing. Just...”

She couldn’t continue.

“Let’s talk more later. I’m... a bit tired.”

****

When Yeon left the chamber of the Ice Crystal, she summoned the others.

Gongye, who had been standing watch, Soso, still busy preparing her medicinal powders, and Cheongang, who had just finished his night patrol—all gathered.

Yeon told them what she had seen. About the Ice Crystal. About the history Karaot had shared.

“It’s not some miracle elixir after all... I’d heard rumors, but I never imagined it would be something like that,” Soso murmured.

Cheongang, who knew more of Yeon’s condition than the others, seemed even more disappointed than she was. Yeon gave him a gentle smile, silently reassuring him. Then she looked around at her companions.

“Cheongang. Monk Gongye. You two look exhausted.”

“We’re fine.”

“I’m fine too, haha,” said Gongye.

They both insisted they were alright—but the fatigue showed. Martial artists or not, the disrupted sleep cycles were wearing on them.

“Soso, it’s tough for you too, isn’t it? Making medicine from nothing.”

“A-ah, no, it’s fine, unni. Most of the powdered herbs are almost gone anyway...”

That settled it. Yeon knew it was time to decide.

Truthfully, she wasn’t in great shape either. Every day, she gathered Yin energy, only to spend it repairing the Ice Wall. The four of them were working nonstop for the Ice Palace—for free.

“...We should probably start getting ready to leave. We can’t stay here forever.”

“The Ice Wall’s been stable lately, hasn’t it?”

“Right. And if worst comes to worst, I can teach someone the method. It’s not too difficult—Irkin could probably handle it himself. He’d pick up a basic internal cultivation technique in no time.”

At her words, Gongye simply replied with a neutral “So be it.” A sign he would follow her lead. The others felt the same. And yet, Yeon hesitated.

Because there was still one major problem.

“Is it because of the Flame Cultists outside?”

Cheongang asked quietly, and Yeon nodded.

“Yeah. What’s your sense of things?”

“They’ve been quiet.”

“That’s good. If the wall holds, they can’t get in. Not that they could defeat Irkin anyway.”

“But, Lady Yeon—are you certain no one can defeat Irkin?”

It wasn’t a challenge, but a request for clarification. Yeon nodded, firm.

“If what Karaot said is true, then yes—I’d go so far as to say no one stands a chance. Not against Irkin while he’s channeling the Ice Crystal’s power.”

“In that case, it doesn’t seem there’s much reason to stay.”

The others seemed to agree. Yeon reached into her robes and pulled out the prayer beads. Unlike before, they were still and silent.

Master? Are you calm now?

No response. She slipped the beads back onto her wrist and tried again.

Master Myoeun?

[...What.]

His reply was curt, his voice still heavy—but the edge of rage had dulled.

Feeling better? What even was that back there?

[...]

Well... we’ve talked it over. And I figured I should tell you too. We’re thinking of leaving the Ice Palace soon...

[Don’t.]

Yeon blinked. The unexpected reply made her elaborate quickly—about the stable condition of the Ice Wall, her willingness to hand the necklace to Irkin, how the method could be passed on. But Myoeun wasn’t convinced.

[You know what kind of situation this is. And you still think it’s okay to just walk away?]

We can’t stay here forever, either.

[You’re a martial artist, aren’t you? Don’t you have a sense of justice?]

Sense of justice?

That was something Cheongang had said once too. Still, it wasn’t enough to sway her. She wasn’t going to drag her companions through hell for the sake of a lofty ideal.

Master. Maybe I could stay. But what about the others? What did they do to deserve this?

[That’s a lie.]

...What?

[Don’t lie. You came here for the Ice Crystal. But now that it’s not working out, you’re just giving up.]

The words were sharp, pointed like a blade. Yeon felt a surge of anger rise in her throat. She clenched her jaw, biting it back. Cheongang noticed.

“Lady Yeon?”

“I’m fine. Just... give me a moment, will you?”

“Yes.”

She turned back to the voice inside her mind.

You’re not completely wrong. But saying it like that—was that really necessary?

Wasn’t this whole thing a deal from the start? We both had something to gain, so we worked together. And yet now he talked like she’d broken some sacred vow.

And what about him? When had he ever been honest?

She had so much to say—so much she wanted to throw back at him.

But Yeon said none of it. She knew better than to argue with someone already emotional. No good could come of it. Fortunately, Myoeun wasn’t the type to stay irrational for long.

[...Damn it. Fine. I said too much.]

“Damn it”, huh? Since when did monks swear?

Then again, maybe that didn’t really count.

[Still... can’t you stay just a little longer?]

Why? Is it about the Ice Palace Lord?

He didn’t answer.

You heard them. She walked into the Ice Crystal on her own. That’s not something we can undo.

The silence stretched again. Yeon softened her tone.

Tell me the truth, Master. Why did you want me to bring you here? I came for the Ice Crystal. But what about you? What was your goal?

She had wondered about it before. There were times she’d feared he might even want to hurt the Ice Palace Lord. After all, he was the sole survivor of the disaster.

But now... she didn’t believe that anymore.

So she waited. Hoping he would finally speak honestly.

But the answer, when it came, was not what she expected.

[...I don’t know.]

The disappointment hit harder than it should have.

Yeon had thought—naively, perhaps—that some bond had formed between them. That they were beginning to trust each other.

But here he was, still withholding everything, even as he piggybacked on her sight and mind.

Master. You always say you can’t lie. That was a lie, wasn’t it?

[It’s not. I swear. I really... don’t know.]

You really expect me to believe that? You came here with no reason at all? Just bored in your little cave? Do I look stupid to you?

The irritation she’d been suppressing finally snapped. Yeon clenched the beads in her fist and spoke coldly.

Do whatever you want. We’re leaving. If you’ve got something to say, say it now.

[Hwangbo Yeon.]

If you want to stay, then stay. I’ll leave the beads with Karaot or Irkin. If they’re willing to take you, that is.

[Wait. No, that’s not it—]

So you’ve got nothing to say?

Yeon had made up her mind. She began pulling the prayer beads from her wrist.

[W-wait!]

Then speak. I’m not making the others wait any longer. Three. Two. One—

[Hey!]

Just before the deep ➤ NоvеⅠight ➤ (Read more on our source) brown beads slipped from her wrist—

[I’ll show you!]

...What?

[I said I’ll show you. Directly.]