She is not an ordinary woman
Seolbaek is a major character in Absolute Sword Sense Novel and Webtoon. She is a part of the new generation of Eight Great Warriors recognised across the Murim after the Inyo War as one of the top three strongest.
Background[]
As one of the three original henchmen of the Golden-Eyed Man and the last surviving heir of the North Sea Ice Palace, Seolbaek harbored a singular obsession: to rebuild her fallen sect.
I am the last survivor of the North Sea Ice Palace. If I don’t rebuild it, it will vanish from history forever.—Seolbaek, to Jin Woon-Hwi
There was no other way to restore the North Sea Ice Palace except through an heir of her own blood. Only a descendant of the Seol lineage could fully unlock the potential of the Ice Arts and secure the future of both the martial clan and its faction.
If the blood of the Seol family does not continue, it cannot be called a proper reconstruction.—Seolbaek, to Jin Woon-Hwi
Yet her Extreme Yin Constitution made this impossible without a compatible partner - until she met Jin Woon-Hwi three centuries before the main story. This unshakable truth bound Seolbaek to her quest, transforming her desire for rebirth into an obsession that spanned centuries.
Crucially, her apparent service to Ju Yang-seon was never about loyalty. She remained by his side solely because she calculated that staying close to the most powerful figure in the martial world gave her the best chance of eventually reuniting with the only man who could fulfill her ambition and perhaps finally receive the long-sought love she desired.
You have no idea how long I’ve been waiting for this moment. Why do you think I, a virgin, spent nearly 300 years in a lonely workshop? “I thought that if I stayed by his side, I would definitely be able to meet you, the descendant of Sword Immortal.—Seolbaek, to Jin Woon-Hwi
Personality and history[]
Seolbaek’s nature mirrors Baek Hye-Hyang’s a similarity that fuels their fierce, relentless rivalry. When she claims something as hers, she will move heaven and earth to possess it. Her encounter with Jin Woon-Hwi ignited an obsession that burned for 300 years. Without knowing if fate would ever reunite them, she waited, searched, and clung to hope with glacial patience, a testament to her terrifying resolve.
Even that person with great martial arts skills couldn’t even lay a hand on me, but you were different. “I couldn’t forget that feeling I felt for the first time, even after more than 300 years.—Seolbaek, to Jin Woon-Hwi
When she finally reunited with him after centuries of isolation - starved for even the slightest human warmth - her obsession reached its breaking point. In that moment, she betrayed Ju Yang-seon without hesitation, willing even to die just for a single taste of Woon-Hwi.
Snow-white lips immediately aimed at mine. The moment our lips touched, I felt a tremendous chill. Even though she was controlling it herself, it was nothing compared to when she kissed back then. I instantly switched to Seol Eumji’s fortune telling technique. Then, a chill rose within her body, and her lips no longer felt cold.“ha.” Seolbaek also seemed to have noticed this, and the corners of her mouth went up. Then, with our lips touching, she stuck her tongue out. Now I am in the form of Baek Ryeon-Ha, but she doesn't seem to mind this at all. -It is a sight of a white-haired beauty and a red-haired beauty locking lips. What a rare and interesting sight. The Blood Demon Sword guy's grumpy voice rang in my head. However, as her tongue became intertwined with mine, I could not help but focus more on the sensation of the tongue than on the sound. Seolbaek released her desire as if she had been holding it in for a long time. The saliva flowing from her tongue was enough to wet my lips. “Haa...haa....” The Seolbaek hand, whose face was bright red, boldly grabbed my chest. It felt strange because I had a woman's body through physical transformation technique. Seolbaek muttered while holding my chest. “It’s big. “Do you have this kind of taste?” I can't believe I like this. It is just an embodiment of Baek Ryeon-Ha. Seolbaek brought her lips to my ear and spoke to me in an excited voice. “Haa... It’s not that bad as a woman, but I want to see your real self.” Why does this sound so dirty? As she pulled her body closer and writhed, I could clearly feel that her clothes were being torn by the blade and my skin was touching her. “Huh.” A dirty sound came out of her mouth. Her excited hand slowly moved down without hesitation.
“haha. Or should I do it like this first? I do not care.”—Seolbaek erotic moments with Jin Woon-Hwi
Like Baek Hye-Hyang, Seolbaek openly declared to Woon-Hwi her intent to claim his seed and conceive his child, a chillingly direct demand that laid bare her singular obsession.
You are as smart as Muwi. “I want to have your seed, the descendant of Sword Immortal, even more.—Seolbaek, to Jin Woon-Hwi
When Jin Woon-Hwi's true form stood revealed before her, it merely confirmed what she'd always known - he alone would sire the North Sea Ice Palace's rebirth. No hesitation existed to burn away, only glacial certainty hardening across three centuries of waiting. Every action henceforth served this single purpose: to claim her destined consort and forge their dynasty in ice.
I thought you might be hiding your true self because you are ugly. My child will look pretty even if I give birth to a daughter, and he will look handsome even if I give birth to a son.—Seolbaek, to Jin Woon-Hwi
Yet what truly sets Seolbaek apart from Baek Hye-Hyang is her chilling self-control. She shifts personalities and moods like a master actress, adapting flawlessly to any situation. Shame is foreign to her; she weaponizes even fake tears without hesitation. Three centuries of manipulation have honed her into a virtuoso of emotional play. She once orchestrated a moment so profound it left even the unshakable Sima Chak speechless, a testament to her terrifying skill.
This... I will leave it up to my daughter to decide.—Sima Chak, to Seolbaek
Seolbaek wore Jin Woon-Hwi down until, at last, he could no longer refuse her - especially after Sima Young's approval. Swallowing her pride, she began addressing the younger woman as "older sister" despite being centuries her senior. And thus, through sheer persistence and cunning, the ancient ice queen secured her place as Jin Woon-Hwi's newest official wife.
If you want to be Young Lord's wife, I am your older sister. If you can't accept it, just die right here.—Sima Young, to Seolbaek
Seolbaek also made deliberate efforts to win So Yong-Yong’s favor, fully aware of how much Woon-Hwi cherished his younger sister. She treated her with exaggerated respect and care, yet beneath the courtesy, a quiet envy festered.
Following the war, Seolbaek began reconstructing the fallen North Sea Ice Palace - a fact we learn through So Yong-Yong's poignant reflections about her "new sisters." This restoration symbolizes not just physical rebuilding, but the rebirth of an entire legacy frozen in time.
If it were known that one person was the new leader of the Blood Cult and the other was the Ice Palace Lord of the newly rebuilt North Sea Ice Palace, the martial arts community would be shocked once again.—So Yong-Yong inner thoughts
Following the events of Absolute Sword Sense, Seolbaek completely restored the North Sea Ice Palace to its former power and stabilized its political standing. After decades of successful rule, she passed leadership to her descendants and left together with Woon-Hwi and his other wives to make their permanent home in Dohwaseon.
Despite her deferential demeanor toward So Yong-Yong and Sima Young, Seolbaek's dominant nature erupts when in control. The moment she learned Cheol Su-ryun, her longtime nemesis, had become Jin Woon-Hwi's servant, she reveled in mercilessly tormenting her. This cruel dynamic persisted for centuries, continuing unabated even during Heavenly Demon's era as she pursued her rival across the upper realms.
Aligned with Baek Hye-Hyang's ruthlessness, Seolbaek annihilates enemies without hesitation. When one of Mok Gan's mightiest avatars dared threaten her "beloved" target of ridicule, she reduced it to nothing instantly, a pathetic insect crushed mid-motion.
She was not a tyrant for everyone that she considered rival. Seolbaek’s relationship with Baek Hye-Hyang was uniquely complex. Though locked in a perpetual battle for status as the "second wife," Seolbaek never leveraged her superior strength to dominate their clashes. Instead, she deliberately matched her rival’s level, transforming each duel into a crucible that forged Baek Hye-Hyang’s growth. Over time, their animosity evolved into an unbreakable bond of sisterhood, united by their shared husband. Centuries later in Dohwaseon, their sparring remains a cherished ritual, their blades still singing the same old song of rivalry and mutual respect.
At the red-haired woman’s shout, the silver-haired woman sneered and then unleashed a palm strike that turned white and emitted extreme cold. This was the ultimate move of the Icy White Palm Technique. The red sword energy and the white palm strike collided, creating an enormous sound of air breaking. It was as if a war was breaking out, with everything around being destroyed and in chaos. Yet, there was a beautiful woman calmly watching them while drinking tea.—Sima Young watching her sisters duel in Dohwaseon
Martial Arts[]
- Cold qi that freeze everything
- Palm techniques
- Icy White Palm Technique
- Golden lasso technique (Myst, Might, Mayhem)
- art of changing the blood system
Despite these traits, Seolbaek possesses terrifying regenerative abilities. Her body does not age, and only complete decapitation can truly kill her - any other wound heals instantly. Her physique is likely the most potent Extreme Yin Body in history. The yin energy within her is so dense that even her tears crystallize into falling snowflakes. Mere proximity to her is lethal; most beings begin freezing alive the instant her skin lightly grazes theirs.
We, the people of the North Sea Ice Palace, have mastered martial arts steeped in eternal cold and cultivated the Heavenly Yin Frostbound Constitution — yet all of it became our shackles. ‘Because of this accursed body, as you see, even my flowing tears turn to ice. No one can touch me... not without freezing.—Seolbaek, to Sima Chak
After suffering her first-ever defeat at Jin Woon-Hwi’s hands - left completely helpless when he sealed her qi points - her immediate response was to master the Art of Shifting Blood Meridians, swearing never to know such vulnerability again. This art now allows her to dynamically relocate both her qi points and entire circulatory system at will, rendering traditional paralysis techniques useless. In this regard, she mirrors Mok Gyeong-woon’s immunity - granted by his Death-Energy Qi Core - though her solution is one of constant biological flux, not because of nature of inner energy.
The first thing I learned after you subdued me for the first time in my life was the Art of Shifting Blood Meridians.—Seolbaek, to Jin Woon-Hwi
Her terrifying might is best demonstrated by how martial artists who've Crossed the Wall of Walls perceive her. When Hyuk Cheon-Man stood mere steps away from her, he sensed no energy whatsoever - to his perception, she appeared as nothing more than an ordinary mortal devoid of martial arts. Only when she deliberately revealed her power did his instincts scream in alarm: either she was a peerless master of energy concealment, or she existed far beyond his own martial realm.
The pattern repeated with Sima Chak, another master who'd transcended the Wall of Walls. Seolbaek detected his approach to the Murim Alliance's headquarters almost instantly - her reaction time matching even Jin Woon-Hwi standing beside her. Yet Sima Chak remained completely unable to sense her energy. Only after sharing the same room did he gradually perceive something amiss, ultimately reaching the same terrifying conclusion as Hyuk Cheon-Man.
Her power has earned such recognition that she was not only welcomed as the newest member of the Eight Great Warriors, but is now widely considered among the top three strongest martial artists in the entire Central Plains. Considering Jin Woon-Hwi holds the title of The Best Sword in the World, and Sima Chak The Wicked Moon Sword is likely ranked third, her position speaks volumes about her terrifying capabilities.
If you think back to the Inyo War, it is no exaggeration to say that she is one of the three most powerful warriors in the current martial arts world.—Jin Song-Baek inner thoughts
Myst, Might, Mayhem[]
Her tremendous power is shown when A whirlwind of frost engulfed the Mok Gan avatar’s entire body, and an immense cold qi arose, causing the arm holding the Invisible Sword to freeze at an incredible speed. Feeling the sensation in its arm disappear in an instant, avatar hurriedly cut off its freezing arm like a lizard shedding its tail. Cold spread its body anyway killing him.
When did such monstrous beings appear?
Mokgan failed to sense Seolbaek's presence - even as she descended right beside him. The mere aura of her existence, coupled with a casual wisp of her extreme yin qi, instantly began flash-freezing his Life and Death Realm avatar alive. Within moments, he was dead - obliterated without even a chance to react. His final act was a fleeting glimpse of Seolbaek's face alongside Baek Hye-Hyang, his dying mind unable to process the sudden appearance of such terrifying beings.
+800 years after events of ''Myst,Might,Mayhem'' (end of the side story), Seolbaek became even more powerful. Especially considering words of Jin Woon-Hwi.
You and the wives will be able to transcend the natural order before long.—Jin Woon-Hwi, to Sima Young
He said this in context of entering ''Beyond the border'' realm. This means one of two possible things:
- Seolbaek and other wives are close to reaching Willful Master realm.
- Seolbaek and other wives are close to reaching complete mastery of Taoist Magic at level of Eight Taoists.
There is much higher possibility for the second option. Especially considering her affiliation to Dohwaseon. It doesn't matter which option is true, in both cases Seolbaek became one of the strongest characters in entire universe.
Trivia[]
- Her biggest rival is Baek Hye-Hyang, both of them fight for the position of 2nd wife.
- Cheol Su-ryun is also her rival, their bad blood started in the far past when both of them served under Ju Yang-seon.
- Sima Young accepted Seolbaek as a new wife with one condition, that she has to call her Older Sister.
- So Yong-Yong's friend Namgung Gahui tried to recruit Seolbaek to Phoenix Troops when she was under disguise.
- She had a naughty moments with Woon-Hwi when he was in the form of Baek Ryeon-Ha.
- First thing that she did after being subdued was learning art of changing the blood system.
- After hundreds of years she became master of cooking, no one could believe how delicious taste of her dishes is. Even Jin Song-Baek who's called Heartless because lack of his expressions was stunned at the taste of her dishes.