Seol Young-gwi

Seol Young-gwi is the First Elder of the North Sea Ice Palace and a senior supporter of deputy king Dan Jucheon.

Biography

First Elder and the Palace Succession

Seol Young-gwi serves as First Elder of the North Sea Ice Palace and supports deputy king Dan Jucheon, whom most officials already call king. He argues that the former ruler created the crisis by promoting a less talented prince in a merit-based institution. Beneath the advice is a deliberate effort to sharpen Dan's hostility toward that nephew and encourage removal of the rival. (Chapters 411–414)

When outside forces arrive, Seol organizes accommodation and helps manage the palace's unprecedented number of guests. His institutional role joins factional politics with real responsibility for the site's operation. (Chapters 413–415)

Dragon Turtle Crisis

As the palace collapses, Seol stops using cold qi on the structure and rushes to evacuate the high VIP building. He later recognizes that the Dragon Turtle's path may open into the lake and warns against driving an injured beast outward without controlling the consequences. (Chapters 415, 422)

Seol also advises ending an energy procedure after two subjects die, proposing that the group freeze the blood and disperse qi first. The intervention shows technical caution, though it occurs within Dan's factional effort to exploit the crisis. (Chapter 420)

Attempt on the Core and Loss of His Arm

After the Dragon Turtle falls, Seol accompanies Dan's group to the body and claims they came only to confirm the death. His quick explanation wins Dan's private praise, but Yeowun recognizes the attempt to obtain the core. He kills Oh Mubang and severs Seol's right arm before the elder can finish protesting. (Chapter 423)

Seol then fights Ko Wanghur with one arm. His detailed martial technique still makes him dangerous, but the missing limb destroys the balance on which his style was built. The palace authorities later seal his blood points and confine him as an instigator rather than immediately executing him. (Chapters 424, 429–432)

Following Dan Jucheon

When Dan enters the reorganized Sky Demon Order as Third Great Elder, Seol and two other Ice Palace elders choose to follow him. The decision preserves his personal allegiance while removing the faction from direct control of the palace it divided. (Chapter 438)

Appearance and personality

Seol is an elderly man with white hair and gray robes patterned with ornate designs. He is observant, politically manipulative, and quick with plausible explanations. His caution can protect lives during an experiment or evacuation, but it remains subordinate to his belief that Dan should rule.

Martial arts and abilities

Superior Master Cold Qi

Seol is identified among the Ice Palace's Superior Masters and can apply cold qi to structures, bodies, and combat. During the collapse he is actively using cold energy before being redirected to evacuation, showing that the palace art can reinforce or freeze a threatened area. (Chapters 415, 423)

His rank does not protect him from Yeowun, who severs the right arm before Seol can answer. The source does not name Seol's individual cold formation or show him controlling the Dragon Turtle's much larger elemental output. (Chapters 423–424)

Detailed One-Armed Combat

Even after amputation, Seol executes techniques precise enough to pressure Ko Wanghur. His remaining hand preserves timing and form, demonstrating that the art is learned rather than dependent only on raw cold energy. (Chapter 424)

The missing arm creates a decisive balance problem. Ko Wanghur recognizes that a two-armed Seol would have been dangerous, but the damaged stance leaves openings and reduces the force with which Seol can transition between movements. (Chapter 424)

Energy and Medical Judgment

Seol understands that continuing a failed procedure will kill more subjects and recommends freezing blood before dispersing accumulated qi. This combines Ice Palace energy control with practical awareness of circulation. (Chapter 420)

The recommendation is technical advice, not proof that Seol can cure every deviation himself. It is offered as a safer alternative after two deaths and remains part of a group procedure under Dan's authority. (Chapter 420)

Relationships

• Dan Jucheon: The deputy king whom Seol advises, supports, and follows after defeat.
• Ko Wanghur: His opponent during the Ice Palace fighting.
• Chun Yeowun: The conquering Lord who determines the faction's fate.

Items

The supplied chapters do not consistently identify a named signature item for Seol Young-gwi.