Chapter 47

“Of course, Acting Administrator Seong and everyone else who acted alongside me knows the truth—that I did it all alone. The others here in Yangnyeong may have heard the rumors, but do you think they’ll really believe it?”

Logically speaking, this wasn’t something a lone martial artist from a minor noble house could pull off.

Han Janggwang, a sect leader of the Four Great Sects, was a warrior at the peak of the Fifth Qi Ascension Realm. Beneath him stood countless elites, each one a master in their own right.

And yet, the outcome was clear—Everlasting Snow Palace had taken Yangnyeong.

From an outsider’s perspective, it could only mean one thing: Everlasting Snow Palace had intervened directly.

As I said before, common sense exists for a reason.

That’s why the nickname was born—as mockery.

A bastard son who couldn’t achieve anything on his own, who needed the backing of the palace to accomplish anything at all.

Thus: Demon Lord of the Snow Mountain.

“Right now, not just those three commanderies we mentioned—but even the Imperial Court of the Yang Empire—they all believe Everlasting Snow Palace intervened. I have no plans to lean on the power of any faction going forward. But they don’t know that.”

“......”

“In that kind of climate, they’d have to be insane to make a move on Yangnyeong. Don’t you agree?”

“...Well, yes, that makes sense. But... aren’t you even a little worried?”

“Should I be?”

“Gods... You said you don’t want to rely on a faction’s strength, didn’t you? But what if they do go insane and come charging in?”

“What else is there to do? I’ll kill them all.”

Seong stared at me, mouth agape.

“I don’t enjoy killing people, you know.”

“...You don’t?”

“Of course not. For now, I intend to focus solely on absorbing Yangnyeong fully. During that time, Bongrae, Saryang, and Jeokan won’t dare get involved. At most, they’ll try some minor interference.”

“Such as?”

“Blocking trade routes, wiping out merchant convoys... Nothing else really comes to mind.”

“...And that qualifies as minor? That sounds more like picking a fight.”

I looked at Seong in silence.

“Forgive me if I’m a little unclear—but isn’t there a gold mine in Bongrae Commandery?”

He flinched. And gave no answer.

“I asked you a question. Is there, or isn’t there?”

“...There is. A massive one.”

“And where is it located?”

“...Between Yangnyeong and Bongrae. Though it’s definitely closer to Bongrae.”

“I see. Good to know.”

“Why are you saying things like that...? You’re making me nervous.”

“No need. I need to build up strength for a while anyway.”

That said—

“Has there been no communication from the Yang Empire yet? By now, they should’ve sent at least a messenger, if not a detachment.”

“...Well, you know how they say, ‘speak of the devil’...”

I turned my head.

They were here.

Five riders, bearing the banner of the Yang Empire.

Yes—only five.

But the horses they rode weren’t ordinary. I could tell from the sound of their hooves alone.

They came to a halt in front of the county office courtyard. The man leading them dismounted and shouted:

“An imperial decree from the Yang Empire!”

I snorted.

Seong moved as if to bow, but I raised a hand to stop him.

He had no reason to show courtesy to the so-called emperor of the Yang Empire.

Seong was to bow to the Palace Lord of Everlasting Snow Palace—and no one else.

That went for anyone under my command.

I glanced toward the Snow Compression Branch members nearby and gave a subtle signal: if anyone bowed, I’d sever their head on the spot.

I turned to face the imperial envoys.

Their uniforms were ornate. Each one bore the imperial crest on their chest. The flag was the same.

“For the unforgivable crime of savagely killing Magistrate Jeong Mugi and wiping out the county’s officers—Everlasting Snow Palace is hereby condemned! By the decree of the emperor—!”

“That’s enough. I’ve heard all I care to.”

“...What did you say?”

“Do I look like a subject of the Yang Empire to you?”

The envoy fell silent, stunned.

“Yang Noryong is your emperor. He is not mine.”

I rose from my seat.

“You sent envoys instead of soldiers—that suggests you’re open to negotiation. But based on what I’ve just heard, you have no idea what’s actually happening.”

“...Explain yourself.”

“If my ears aren’t failing me, you just said your magistrate was innocent, didn’t you?”

“That’s correct.”

“Then the Yang Empire truly is filled with idiots.”

“...You bastard! What did you just say?!”

The soldier beside the envoy bristled with rage, but the envoy grabbed him by the shoulder and pulled him back.

He turned to me.

“If you have a point to make, speak clearly.”

I ignored him and held out a hand to the side.

“Wonyang. Come here.”

At my call, Wonyang—who had been waiting at a distance—ran toward me.

I handed her the ledger and the declaration I’d been holding.

“Give these to those fools.”

Wonyang flinched.

She glanced at me as if to ask, Are you sure? These are the originals.

I smiled.

Of course I was sure.

If they had even half a brain, they wouldn’t dare destroy them. And if they did, it would only strengthen our side’s justification.

After a brief pause, Wonyang stepped forward and handed the documents to the envoy.

His brow furrowed as he read through them—and soon his face turned ashen.

I gave him time to read them both—twice.

Then I spoke.

“The declaration is from three days ago, signed by the magistrate and leaders of the Four Great Sects, pledging to assassinate me. The ledger contains a detailed list of bribes your ‘innocent’ magistrate has accepted over time. It also proves he violated the peace between court and martial world from the start, and actively conspired with the sects.”

“......”

“Do you have anything to say now?”

****

Envoy Mak Sohong found himself speechless for the first time in a long while.

He had to be sure of one thing.

To his eyes, the ledger and the declaration weren't copies.

He wasn’t an expert, so he couldn’t say for certain, but there was no way a forgery could be crafted this flawlessly—or so Mak Sohong believed.

In short, they had the justification on their side.

“...But you still massacred everyone, didn’t you? That is clearly a crime.”

Unwi gave a short, humorless laugh and asked quietly,

“Do you not understand what it means to violate the pact between the imperial court and the martial world?”

“......”

“All that talk of tradition and decades of peace—forget it. When the court steps into the martial world, it’s an unspoken agreement to resolve matters by martial world standards.”

“And the reverse applies as well, I assume.”

“I won’t deny it. You’re right. If the tables were turned, it would’ve been fine for them to handle it by imperial law. But did Magistrate Jeong Mugi ever have that choice?”

“......”

“The martial world does not argue with words. He paid with his life. I have no regrets about that. But can the same be said of you?”

Unwi stood.

Mak Sohong silently watched him approach, each step deliberate as he closed the distance between them.

“There’s no point in dragging this out—you’re just a messenger. So let’s keep it simple. I will give you two demands. If either is rejected, the Yang Empire’s ruling family will be replaced.”

His hand clenched slightly.

This bastard...

“...Do you understand the weight of what you’re saying right now?”

“Of course. Why? You think I won’t follow through?”

He couldn’t answer right away.

If it were just Seol Unwi alone, of course he wouldn’t be able to.

The Yang Empire was vast. It was home to countless masters who had reached the Five Divine Peaks of Martial God Path.

But Seol Unwi’s backing wasn’t just anyone.

He came from Everlasting Snow Palace.

Mak Sohong swallowed hard.

Unwi continued in a calm voice.

“Listen closely. First: from this moment on, Yangnyeong belongs to Everlasting Snow Palace. It is no longer Yang Empire territory. Withdraw all military camps in the surrounding areas. Second: reparations. Every coin you’ve stolen from me, every injury my people have suffered—myself included—must be accounted for. The man responsible is dead, but the damage remains. That must be settled.”

“......”

“The compensation I demand is exactly ten thousand nyang of gold.”

The numbers he’d thrown at the Four Great Sects before were exaggerated and unrealistic. But this—this wasn’t.

This was a demand made to a nation. It was entirely reasonable... and payable.

But to the envoy standing there, it was anything but. He stared at Unwi in disbelief.

“...Are you saying that seriously?”

A cold smile twisted across Unwi’s lips.

“It seems you don’t quite grasp reality. Shall I clarify it for you? Would nailing your severed head to the imperial banner in the capital help get my message across?”

Mak Sohong swallowed again, this time visibly, as Unwi gripped his shoulder tightly.

“I don’t know who you’ll deliver my words to, but if you could—please give them to someone who actually understands.”

“......”

“I consider Yangnyeong to be sufficient. But if even one of my demands is ignored, I will destroy and tear apart every inch of Yang Empire territory surrounding this region.”

“...Are you serious?”

“Do I look like I’m joking?”

“......”

“If you don’t want everything razed to the ground, then accept my terms. And if you won’t—then I’ll make you.”

“...Very well. I’ll report it as such.”

“Please do.”

And with that, the envoy left.

****

Mak Sohong headed for the Ministry of Heaven and Earth.

He had no other choice.

Only the Provincial Governor of the Ministry of Heaven and Earth had the authority to respond swiftly to a crisis of this scale—like the assassination of a magistrate.

Song Hak, the Provincial Governor of the Ministry of Heaven and Earth.

He held [N O V E L I G H T] all the power now.

Song Hak carefully reviewed the documents Mak Sohong had brought with him.

Two demands: ten thousand nyang in reparations, and the withdrawal of all military camps surrounding Yangnyeong.

“Well, well... It’s been a long time since I’ve seen someone this competent.”

Mak Sohong blinked in confusion. Competent? That madman?

“Lord Governor, the documents are clearly authentic. But after insulting the Yang Empire to its face, wouldn’t it be better if we just... burned them here and now?”

“And after we burn them... then what?”

“...Pardon?”

Song Hak gently stroked his beard and spoke in a composed, deliberate tone.

“Whether they’re originals or copies doesn’t matter. This is the will of Everlasting Snow Palace. If we tear this up, that alone will make it real—no matter what it was to begin with.”

To be precise—

“This move was three steps ahead. First: the magistrate struck first, so the justification is already theirs. Second: by handing this to an official envoy like you, they’ve formalized the incident—cornering us. Third: the demands are calculated. Ten thousand nyang? That’s far cheaper than a war.”

A faint smile curled his lips.

“The current imperial court has neither the funds nor the political will to wage a war. Especially not against Everlasting Snow Palace. They’ve been trying to avoid even friction, let alone conflict. And you think Everlasting Snow Palace doesn’t know that? These ‘humiliating’ terms may look like a provocation... but in truth, they’re favorable for us too.”