Chapter 51

"This is outrageous. No matter if you're an illegitimate son, you still carry the rightful bloodline of the Palace Lord. How could they conspire to have you killed? By some second-rate clan like that?!"

That was the correct reaction.

That was how any sane person would respond—but those drunk on power never think that way. And worse, they’re often more cunning than expected.

"Chief Steward Seong, you're good at investigations, but do you really not understand people?"

“...Excuse me?”

"If Han Janggwang had killed me, do you really think the Hanbing Sect would’ve cleaned up the mess?"

“...What are you saying...?”

"The Hanbing Sect never intended to clean up anything. Han Janggwang was nothing but a disposable knife to them—used and discarded. If I had died, the Hanbing Sect would’ve been the first to destroy Juryung Sword Gate themselves."

"...Wipe out the accomplices... and then..."

"A classic case of discarding the hound once the hunt is over."

Unwi cracked his neck as he spoke.

The picture had already come together in his mind.

"Chief Steward Seong."

"Yes, Young Master."

"Can you prepare five horses, one wagon, some cultivation supplies, and spiritual pills?"

"...Right now?"

"Not immediately. But I’d like it ready within one handa-gyeong—fifteen minutes at most."

"...I’m going too?"

"You don’t seem too fond of hiding your identity as a member of the White Snow Phantom Corps. Don’t you think it’s time to stop pretending?"

"...Young Master, you don’t need to go that far. I’m fine just living out my life as the Chief Steward."

"You didn’t look that fine earlier."

Unwi reached out and gently patted Seong’s shoulder.

"Whether you remain Chief Steward or something else, I’ll always treat you with the utmost respect. But the Phantom Corps... that title is nothing more than a shackle on you. It’s not giving you anything in return. Just yesterday, weren’t you trembling in fear, thinking you’d be reprimanded by the Commander? Am I wrong?"

"...You are."

"I am?"

"Yes. I wasn’t trembling."

Unwi gave a small laugh.

"If you say so. Either way, I plan to break your shackles. And once they’re broken, I know you’ll still stay by my side. So why say more?"

Seong scratched his head again.

"I’ll be there in one handa-gyeong. Have everything ready."

"Understood."

"And before we leave, I plan to conduct Baek Myeonggaek’s funeral. Could you gather some firewood for the pyre?"

"...The to-do list just keeps growing, huh?"

"You should’ve recruited more men when I told you to."

"..."

"That too—within a handa-gyeong."

"...Understood."

With that, Unwi set out with three of his subordinates.

Their destination: Yangnyeong Hall.

****

Inside Yangnyeong Hall, the leaders of the region’s factions had gathered.

Jin Horin, Master of the Jade Tiger Gate.

Cheong Myeongja, Master of the Azure Cloud Gate.

Yeong Ungok, Patriarch of the Yeong Clan.

Shin Janghu, Patriarch of the Shin Clan.

And among them—Cheon Eojin, Head of the World Commerce Association.

They were all here—and all visibly uneasy.

The reason for their gathering was simple.

Seol Unwi, the new ruler of Yangnyeong, had summoned them.

And what kind of man was Seol Unwi?

A terrifying man.

Whatever the world called him—the Demon of the Snowy Mountain or some other such name—these people had seen him with their own eyes.

They had witnessed his cruelty firsthand.

In a single night, hundreds were slaughtered.

More than anything, they had seen him carrying the severed head of Han Janggwang—an arrogant master of Five Banners Form—and laying waste to Yangnyeong without mercy.

Only a madman would refuse such a summons.

Before long, Unwi entered the hall.

He stood over six feet tall with a solid, muscular build.

His hair hung loose, his eyes sharp and piercing.

A high-bridged nose, firmly shut lips.

His face was handsome overall, yet wore an expression carved in absolute stubbornness.

Behind him walked three figures—two men and a woman.

The massive Cheonpung.

Though technically only at the Root Heaven Stage, his monstrous strength was such that he could go toe-to-toe with masters of Dual Light Manifestation or even Five Dragon Blooming Star. A man whose might defied reason.

Next to him walked a beautiful woman—Namgung Wonyang.

Her cultivation: Dual Light Manifestation.

When Unwi reduced Yangnyeong to ashes, she had been at his side the entire time. Always the first to draw blood, her ruthless swordplay was legendary. But no less legendary was her beauty—flawless to the point she had already earned the title of Yangnyeong’s most beautiful woman.

And finally—Han Murin.

Also at the Root Heaven Stage, but every person present stared at him with dread.

That man... was insane.

He smiled when he killed. The aura of bloodlust constantly radiated from him.

He didn’t seem interested in anything other than murder. In many ways, he was more dangerous than Seol Unwi himself.

Unwi came to a stop.

The three subordinates behind him halted as well.

The gathered powers waited for Unwi to speak—but what followed left them speechless.

Without a moment’s hesitation, the three drew their swords.

All at once, the atmosphere turned suffocating.

Time itself seemed to slow.

Unwi, unfazed, took out a large scroll from his sleeve and unfurled it on the floor.

Then, with his hands behind his back, he spoke in a calm, level tone.

"I don’t think I need to introduce myself—you all know who I am. So I’ll get straight to the point. From this moment until I finish speaking, no one is permitted to ask questions. If you interrupt me, I will cut off your head without hesitation. So open your ears—and listen carefully."

Somewhere in the hall, someone audibly swallowed.

Unwi resumed speaking, slowly and clearly.

"Now that I am the rightful master of Yangnyeong, no one may oppose my will."

His voice was cold as frost.

"If anyone dares oppose me, I will execute them on the spot—without question."

He began to walk, measured and calm.

"But demanding only rights without accepting duty—that's no way for a man of honor to live. So I’ll make this promise here and now: anyone who signs their name on this scroll before me will be protected, without fail, by me—Seol Unwi—until the day they die."

Jin Horin’s eyes widened. Cheong Myeongja, Yeong Ungok, and Shin Janghu all looked equally shaken.

"If I am ever unable to protect them, then the Everlasting Snow Palace will. That is a vow I make in both my name and the name of Seolgung. You have no reason to doubt it."

At the mention of the Snow Palace, Yeong Ungok inhaled sharply. The room’s atmosphere grew even heavier.

"Now, what happens to those who don’t sign? Listen carefully—because this part matters most."

He came to a stop.

"Whatever happens in Yangnyeong... I will turn a blind eye."

Cheong Myeongja looked up, startled.

"W-what...? Turn a blind eye...?"

"That’s right. I will ignore it. If those who refuse to sign are annihilated, if their entire families are slaughtered—I will not lift a finger."

Jin Horin and Shin Janghu glanced at each other, their mouths slightly agape.

Seeing it in person, there was no doubt now—this man was completely insane.

"Now, for those who do sign—if anyone lays a hand on them without my permission, even a single hair, they will become my enemy in that moment. And I will hold them accountable with everything I have. If one of mine dies, I will kill two. If two die, I’ll kill four."

Cheong Myeongja’s face had gone pale.

No one present misunderstood his meaning.

He was making it clear: those he took under his protection—he would protect completely.

And everyone here was smart enough to understand just how serious he was.

But there was one more thing that had to be said.

"And one more thing. Even if someone signs... there is one crime I will never overlook."

Unwi’s gaze slid over to Cheon Eojin.

"For example—if someone like the World Commerce Association tried, heaven forbid, to seize control of all of Yangnyeong for themselves... then regardless of whether they signed the scroll or not, I would wipe them out completely. When a servant tries to play master in the master’s house... what can be done? You cut off their head."

He stepped forward until he stood right in front of Cheon Eojin. The merchant instinctively swallowed.

"Head Merchant Cheon."

"Y-yes... yes, Master Hyeon Seollin..."

"I heard you built pavilions on the estate grounds of Hyuncheon Palace and Janggumun. Is that true? I'd like you to answer here and now—why did you build them?"

"Th-that is..."

"Choose your words carefully. I suggest you think very hard."

Sweat beaded on Cheon Eojin’s brow. Every word from Unwi now felt like a blade resting against his throat.

With a trembling voice, Cheon Eojin answered,

"I... I was planning to build a tavern... and maybe an inn..."

"A tavern?"

"Yes. You see, Hyuncheon Palace and Janggumun’s estates are famous for being in the best locations in all of Yangnyeong. Of course, the best location of all is now the government office—your future residence. But leaving those two plots idle seemed like a waste, wouldn’t you agree?"

Now that he was speaking, the words began to flow. This was his moment—his instincts as a merchant took over.

"And so, by building large taverns and inns there, we can generate consistent profit. With Yangnyeong now a critical stronghold of the Everlasting Snow Palace, many travelers will pass through. Other regions are caught in vicious territorial struggles over the Divine Ginseng Valley, but at least here, things are relatively calm."

"I see. And what did you plan to do with that profit?"

His throat bobbed.

This was the crucial moment.

From here on out, every word mattered.

"Naturally... I planned to give it to you, Master Hyeon Seollin. The share would be... perhaps fifty... no, sixty percent of net profit..."

A soft smile formed at Unwi’s lips. He reached out and lightly brushed Cheon Eojin’s shoulder.

"As expected of the World Commerce Association."

"..."

"Still, you're doing all that work—you should keep something for yourself."

"E-excuse me...?"

"If you give me sixty percent of the net profit and still pay your taxes to the Snow Palace, there won’t be much left for you. That seems excessive. I think twenty percent would be more reasonable."

"Ah... th-thank you!"

"And no matter how grand your taverns end up being... don’t you think those who sign the scroll deserve some perks?"

"...Of course...?"

"Whether it’s discounts or special services, I trust you to figure that out on your own. I leave that entirely in your hands."

"...Understood."

Unwi stood upright and spoke curtly.

"I’ve said all I needed to say. If anyone still doesn’t understand, raise your hand now."

Thankfully, no one raised their hand.

"Then sign the scroll."

Without needing to be told twice, everyone present rushed to the document and scribbled their names.