Chapter 52

Seol Unwi returned to the Everlasting Snow Palace.

As soon as he arrived, he held a brief funeral for Baek Myeonggaek and was preparing to depart when an unexpected visitor arrived.

It was Yangso.

"Oh... I guess I've come at a bad time," Yangso said, sounding uneasy.

Unwi shook his head.

There was something he wanted to discuss anyway. This was as good a time as any. But first, he had to ask.

"What brings you here?"

"Oh, it's nothing important. I just came to thank you," Yangso said with a slight smile.

Unwi chuckled softly.

"Yangso."

"Yes?"

"There's no need to thank me. Everything you've achieved, you've earned through your own efforts, haven’t you?"

"The opportunity was given to me by Lord Hyeon Seollin."

"That may be true, but there are countless people who receive opportunities and never take advantage of them."

Yangso scratched his head, embarrassed.

Unwi then asked, "Are you planning to keep maintaining the Cheolsan Sword Gate?"

"...Yes."

"That's your choice. I won’t say anything against it. Originally, I intended to replace the Juryung Sword Gate’s position with the Cheolsan Sword Gate. I was going to ask you about it anyway. Do you intend to move your base?"

Yangso thought for a moment before shaking his head.

"I’ll stay in Seolap. After all, Seolap is under Lord Hyeon Seollin’s jurisdiction, isn’t it?"

Unwi nodded. "That’s true."

"What about your training in the Heavenly Ultimate Sword Technique?"

"I'm nearly at the brink of mastery."

"Good. Once you've fully mastered it, come to me. I’ll give you the Heavenly Reversal Sword Technique as well."

Yangso's eyes widened. He hadn't expected to receive it so soon.

A subtle, enigmatic smile formed on his lips.

"This... You’re being far too generous. Is there something you want from me in return?"

Unwi shook his head.

"No."

"I find that hard to believe... This is the martial world, after all. The Heavenly Sword Emperor’s techniques are so valuable that their worth can’t even be calculated. And yet, you gave them to me. And now you're offering the Reversal Sword Technique so early... I can’t help but ask. In the martial world, there are no favors without a price."

"Isn’t it already clear?"

"..."

"Aren’t you already my man?"

"...Yes. I am Lord Hyeon Seollin’s man."

"Are you planning to betray me?"

"...I’d have to be out of my mind. I’ve never lived that shamelessly."

"Then what more is there to say?"

Yangso was momentarily speechless.

"Raise your power. And raise your forces. Understand?"

Yangso quietly cupped his fists in respect.

"As you command, Lord."

Unwi smirked slightly.

"Lord?"

"I thought it would be inappropriate to keep calling you 'Lord Hyeon Seollin'.”

"Why?"

"I am not grateful to the man who commands the Everlasting Snow Palace. I am grateful to the man named Seol Unwi."

"Is that so?"

"Therefore, from now on, I will call you 'Lord' instead."

"Suit yourself."

Without further words, Unwi turned away.

His companions for the upcoming journey had already been decided.

Han Murin and Chief Steward Seong.

Unwi’s destination was not the Everlasting Snow Palace but the Hanbing Sect.

****

It took three days to reach the Hanbing Sect, located deep within the frozen mountains.

Sheer cliffs, endless glaciers, and countless jagged rocks made the path to Hanbing Sect particularly treacherous.

"Young Master, this is the Hanbing Sect’s territory," Chief Steward Seong said, breaking the silence.

"The Hanbing Sect strictly restricts the entry of outsiders, but given that it's you, they won’t dare refuse."

Buildings began to appear amidst the snow. They looked as though they had grown out of the glaciers themselves, an architectural style unique to the Hanbing Sect.

They carved pillars out of the ice and built their structures atop them, creating the illusion that the buildings were floating atop the frozen ground.

While their martial strength was formidable, the Hanbing Sect was renowned not for sheer force but for the exceptional quality of their techniques and craftsmanship.

"As you know, the Hanbing Sect’s forging techniques are unparalleled in the Snow Mountain region. They can work with steel and medicinal ingredients even in such frigid conditions," Seong continued.

It was not without reason that they had been able to form a marriage alliance with Seol Jungcheon, the supreme leader of the Everlasting Snow Palace. There were valid reasons behind every alliance.

Unwi said nothing.

Before coming here, Unwi had thoroughly investigated the area where Jin Sohyeop and Baek Myeonggaek had fought.

If not for that, he would have arrived much sooner. But he had no regrets.

Unwi’s gaze fixed on the main gate of the Hanbing Sect.

The gatekeeper, upon noticing the insignia of Hyeon Seollin on the carriage, was startled. And when he met Unwi’s cold gaze, he shuddered a second time.

The gatekeeper hurried inside and returned in less than half an incense stick’s time.

"Well... There’s currently a meeting being held in the Council Hall. If you could wait inside for a moment..."

Unwi glanced at the visibly flustered gatekeeper, then nodded without a word and began to walk.

Why isn't he riding the carriage? And why is he heading... directly toward the Council Hall?

Sensing that something was amiss, the gatekeeper attempted to stop Unwi, but he was soon faced with Han Murin’s chilling glare.

It was a look that said, ‘If you interfere, I’ll rip out your throat.’

The gatekeeper swallowed his fear and retreated.

The three of them continued walking until they reached the Council Hall, where a meeting was in progress.

The middle-aged man seated in the highest seat frowned upon seeing the three of them enter.

That man was Jin Yangje.

One of the sect leaders within Unwi’s maternal family, and Unwi’s maternal uncle.

The meeting came to a sudden halt as the three of them entered.

"I thought I told you to wait. Seems you've taken the wrong path," Jin Yangje said coldly.

"No, Uncle," Unwi replied, his eyes serious.

"I don’t have time to waste."

"..."

"Those of you seated, you can remain where you are," Unwi said, his voice calm yet firm.

"Fine. Get to the point quickly," Jin Yangje said, his voice dripping with frost.

Unwi's gaze swept over the hall. This was the heart of the Hanbing Sect, a place steeped in centuries of history.

He spoke without a hint of hesitation.

"The forging techniques of the Hanbing Sect are the best in the Snow Mountain region. Your medicinal refinement techniques are second to none. These are invaluable assets to the Everlasting Snow Palace. And they will continue to be."

Jin Yangje’s eyes narrowed slightly.

"As you know, I care deeply about the Everlasting Snow Palace. I would do anything for its future. But, unfortunately, there is a grudge between me and the Hanbing Sect — a grudge that you yourself created, Uncle."

Jin Yangje let out a mocking laugh.

"A grudge, you say? Well said. Yes, you did shatter Unhae’s limbs and kill his guards, didn’t you?"

Unwi’s eyes darkened.

"Did you not hear why?"

"I did."

"Good. Those guards deserved ❀ Nоvеlігht ❀ (Don’t copy, read here) to die for what they did. And Fourth Brother deserved to be beaten for what he did. What more is there to say?"

Jin Yangje’s gaze turned icy.

"You’ve changed a lot, haven’t you?"

"The world is a tumultuous place. It’s only natural to change."

"Fine. I’ve heard what you had to say. Now, tell me the real reason you’re here."

Unwi took a deep breath. He was being as courteous as possible.

"There is one thing I must ask first."

"Speak."

"I place great importance on grudges."

"As do I."

"And if one gives something, one must also receive something in return. That is the way of the martial world, is it not?"

"And so?"

"Hand over Cho Sehui. I need to interrogate him."

Jin Yangje’s lips twisted into a smirk.

"For something so trivial?"

Something so trivial.

That single phrase struck Unwi’s heart like a hammer.

Unwi’s expression grew darker. The air in the Council Hall turned icy.

“That is trivial?”

That single word echoed in Unwi’s chest, reverberating like a heavy blow.

“Cho Sehui is the future of the Hanbing Sect, a prodigy who reached the Five Banners Form at such a young age. And you expect me to hand him over for such a trivial matter? What would that make of my reputation?”

The word "trivial" struck even deeper, but it was the word "reputation" that pierced the deepest.

“And...”

Jin Yangje sneered.

“You think that just because you seized that little patch of land in Seolap, everything has changed? Do you actually believe that taking over a remote, insignificant territory at the edge of the Snow Mountain makes you a central figure in the Everlasting Snow Palace?”

Jin Yangje’s eyes were cold, and his mind was sharp.

The very fact that Unwi stood here, demanding things from him, was a thorn in his side. If you want something, you must give something in return?

Yes, he agreed with that. But only to a point.

A lunatic who seized a minor territory and dared to march into the Hanbing Sect’s sacred hall as if he were now an equal?

“Just because fortune smiled on you once, you think you’re now qualified to speak as equals with us? Is taking over some insignificant backwater something to be so proud of? Was that such an outstanding achievement?”

Jin Yangje’s laughter echoed throughout the hall.

“Oh, I still remember it well. That day when Unhae whipped you — how you were crawling on the ground like a dog. Yes, to you, taking over that backwater must feel like a grand accomplishment. It will probably be the greatest achievement of your pitiful life.”

His hands moved in a dismissive gesture.

“And now, you have the audacity to demand one of Hanbing Sect’s most promising warriors — a man who reached the Five Banners Form?”

Unwi remained silent, staring at him without blinking.

Jin Yangje’s arrogance continued unabated.

“Yes, I hear you have a few sects under your thumb now. They say the Juryung Sword Gate has fallen. And that the Long Sword Sect and Cheongwoon Dao Sect have also crumbled. But what does that matter? They were just minor sects on the outskirts of the Snow Mountain. Do you think crushing a few ants makes you equal to the Hanbing Sect?”

Jin Yangje paused, looking down at Unwi as though he were nothing more than dirt beneath his shoes.

“I thought you would have some sense of propriety by now, but clearly, you haven’t changed at all. You’re still the same pitiful weed that grew up in the backyard. And now, you come here, to this sacred Council Hall, and dare to demand the future of the Hanbing Sect?”

Every word he spoke was a deliberate insult directed at Unwi.

But what Jin Yangje still didn’t realize was exactly whom he was mocking.

Nor did he understand why Unwi remained silent, standing there, enduring the barrage of insults without a single word of protest.

Unwi’s eyes changed, darkening.

He had given a step back, yet they demanded two, three, four more.

And Jin Yangje showed no intention of backing down even a fraction.

On the contrary, he openly ridiculed Unwi by dredging up old wounds, humiliating him before all present.

This needed to be clarified.

There were two grudges between Unwi and the Hanbing Sect.

One was personal — a matter between Unwi himself and the Hanbing Sect.

The other was not. It was about those who followed him.

The former was a grudge he could choose to bury.

After all, it was a matter from before his return to the past, and the value of the Hanbing Sect was far too significant.

Their forging techniques were the best in the Snow Mountain region. Their medicinal refinement techniques were equally unmatched.

Most of the doctors in the main palace’s medical ward were originally from the Hanbing Sect.

Whether those old grudges lingered or not, Unwi couldn’t care less.

As he had told Seol Jungcheon, Unwi was willing to do anything for the future of the Snow Mountain.

This was something he had failed to accomplish in his previous life. Now that he had been given a second chance, he was determined to see it through.

If handing over Cho Sehui was enough to settle everything, he was willing to bury the past.

But there was a line that could not be crossed.

This was a matter of hierarchy, of principles.

Unwi began to walk forward, one slow, deliberate step at a time.