Chapter 93

“Yes. If a single move is placed incorrectly, it disrupts the entire flow. And if a group heads in the wrong direction, everything collapses. That’s why, at times, it’s necessary to give up a house.”

Wang Muha’s gaze deepened.

He placed a black stone slowly as he spoke.

“So you’re saying that Sugwangho’s death was for the sake of the greater flow?”

“That’s correct. What matters is who is placing the stones. Though you and I are the ones playing right now, the situation that led to this game was undoubtedly orchestrated by the Vice Lord of the Martial Alliance, Jegal Yeonghyeon.”

“...”

“Jegal Yeonghyeon’s moves are excellent. I’m sure he was drawing up a grand strategy, like this very board before us. But...”

Unwi lifted a white stone.

“There was one thing he overlooked.”

“What do you mean?”

“The most important thing in Go is reading your opponent’s heart. Jegal Yeonghyeon was so focused on his grand design that he failed to read the hearts of others—Sugwangho’s, Bongnae’s... and—”

Unwi placed the white stone down.

“—even yours, senior.”

Wang Muha’s gaze trembled. Unwi’s words struck deep.

He placed a black stone with trembling hands, but it was little more than a desperate move.

“How can someone who cannot read another’s heart presume to speak of ruling the world? That, I believe, is the true meaning of benevolence. And the origin of the Dao.”

Unwi picked up another white stone.

Blood from his shoulder dripped down and stained the stone.

He placed it on the board.

Tap.

With that sound, a droplet of blood splashed onto the surface.

And then, Wang Muha no longer picked up a stone.

No—he couldn’t.

“...Ten moves—no, twelve more, and I will lose.”

Unwi shook his head.

“Seven moves. Even accounting for variables, the game will end within nine.”

On the board, the black and white stones were almost evenly distributed—but that was only how it appeared on the surface.

Once Unwi began to move, two houses would collapse within two moves, and four more within the next seven.

“...I’ve lost.”

“Yes. You have. By nine and a half points.”

Wang Muha stared at Unwi with dazed eyes.

“...Who... are you?”

“I am Seol Unwi.”

“...Is that so?”

“Yes. What more would you need?”

“...Someone who plays like this... Hah... Remarkable. Truly remarkable.”

Wang Muha looked as if he could scarcely believe it.

His eyes turned back to the board. Slowly, he began to trace back through the game.

What had they said to each other? What topics had they exchanged?

What positions had they each taken?

He decided to shift his perspective.

Wang Muha’s mind began to race.

He started to trace the flow Unwi had created.

And then—

Suddenly, he understood.

What is the Union of Heaven and Man?

It is becoming one with the spiritual essence of Heaven and Earth.

But... is that truly the end? As Unwi had said, Go is a battle between people.

And within that battle lies the Dao.

“The Dao... So that’s what it was.”

Unwi’s white stones weren’t merely crushing the black.

They were shaping the flow, reading his opponent’s heart through it—just as the spirit of Heaven and Earth flows naturally.

If Union of Heaven and Man means becoming one with the cosmos, then what lies beyond?

Becoming one with another person.

Perhaps that is the beginning of Transcendent Manifestation.

“Ah... No way...”

At that moment, something stirred within Wang Muha.

A door that had been sealed shut for decades now began to creak open.

Just as he’d once glimpsed the logic of the world through the small world of Go, he had now glimpsed the Dao of people through this one match.

Was this what Unwi had meant by “the flow”?

Wang Muha had been about to settle into meditation, but stopped.

It wasn’t enough.

It was close—so close—but not quite there.

“You’ve grasped an insight, haven’t you?”

“...I have. But... it seems I still lack something.”

“If you continue moving forward, you’ll reach it.”

He had no words.

What had just happened?

What kind of man was this?

His heart began to pound wildly.

Earlier, Wang Muha had thought highly of Seol Unwi.

But now he realized—even that had been an understatement.

In this moment, Wang Muha reevaluated Unwi’s worth.

As the revelation washed over him, Unwi no longer appeared simply as a brilliant young martial artist.

He appeared as a shadow—a towering giant capable of shaking the world.

“Are you all right, Senior?”

“...Yes... I’m fine.”

He brushed back his hair.

Though he was already advanced in age, he looked as if he had aged further in just this brief moment.

He felt as if he had gazed upon a wall.

“...The Martial Alliance has gravely underestimated your worth.”

“Thank you.”

“...That’s no empty courtesy. I mean it. The Martial Alliance has entrusted me with full authority. And though I serve its cause, I am also a martial artist. I will uphold the Dao of the martial path.”

Wang Muha rose and offered a respectful clasp of his fists.

“Today, I have received grace from you. I will repay it. It was truly an excellent match.”

Unwi returned the gesture.

“The feeling is mutual.”

“And... if you have anything you wish to request, say it. I will grant it.”

“There was something I wanted to ask.”

“Go ahead.”

“But things did not proceed as I had hoped. So I believe it’s still too early.”

Wang Muha tilted his head.

And then—his eyes widened.

“Don’t tell me...”

“Yes. I had considered having you transfer your allegiance.”

“...Hah...”

“But unfortunately, I believe the time isn’t right.”

“...No. It’s not too early. I am a martial man. I keep my word.”

“I know. If I asked you to swear yourself to the Snow Palace now, you would do it. But would that be the right thing?”

“What do you mean?”

“I have not yet won your heart.”

“...”

“Even if I used a game to have you change sides, what would that mean? As I said earlier, true benevolence lies in understanding the human heart.”

“...Hah...”

“To be honest, through my narrow view, I feel I have not yet earned your heart. Have I?”

“...But you have shaken it.”

“Then I won’t demand anything until you’ve fully tilted.”

Unwi held Wang Muha in the highest regard.

To speak plainly—if the Snow Palace had Hyeon Sim, then the Martial Alliance had Wang Muha.

The difference was, Hyeon Sim served Seol Jungcheon. Wang Muha, on the other hand, didn’t serve Gun Mugyeol—the Alliance Lord—but rather the ideals of the Martial Alliance.

Above all—

Wang Muha hadn’t come here by chance. He had come because he was that kind of man.

“...Truly... a bold and mighty figure.”

“You praise me too much. I’m but a flickering candle. Senior.”

“If the world had candles like you, it would go up in flames overnight.”

For a time, Wang Muha was silent. So was Unwi.

They simply stared at each other.

Wang Muha didn’t know what Unwi was thinking, but he couldn’t shake the feeling that Unwi was reading his every thought.

Truly a terrifying man.

He had reached Three Flowers Gathering Purity before even turning twenty—a feat already astonishing—but his mind was even more fearsome.

Then it struck him.

A genius.

“...The Palace Lord of Everlasting Snow Palace is truly blessed.”

How could anyone raise a child like this?

There were no words.

“...Shall we continue this conversation another time?”

“I’d like that. And next time, I’ll try to win your heart.”

“...I don’t know when that will be, but very well. I’ll look forward to it. For now, I’ll take my leave.”

Wang Muha’s voice took on a deeper tone.

“I cannot stop the entire Martial Alliance—but I can stop the Vice Lord’s schemes at my level.”

At that, Unwi shook his head.

“There’s no need to go that far.”

“...Are you serious?”

“Yes. The game between Jegal Yeonghyeon and me isn’t over yet. Just your withdrawal is enough.”

“...Very well. I’ll do just that.”

As Wang Muha rose to his feet, Unwi spoke as if he had just remembered something.

“May I preserve today’s game record?”

Wang Muha looked at him for a moment. He already knew—this wasn’t just a record.

“...You want to pass on the meaning of this match to the world?”

“Yes. I hope the insight you gained here can be passed down to future generations.”

Wang Muha’s gaze deepened.

“Very well. Do as you will. This match is worth preserving. And...”

Wang Muha was no fool.

He immediately saw through Unwi’s true intent.

“...You truly are frightening. Just how many moves ahead are you playing?”

“To that, I can only say this: ‘As far as I can see.’ I can only perceive as far as my sight reaches, Senior.”

“Then your sight must encompass all under heaven.”

At this point, in Wang Muha’s mind, /N_o_v_e_l_i_g_h_t/ Seol Unwi’s worth had already pierced the heavens.

If he dared say so—Vice Lord Jegal Yeonghyeon? If Unwi were to take that seat instead, the Martial Alliance would surely rule the world.

It was beyond astonishing.

Wang Muha turned away and began to walk.

His staggering steps, heavy with shock, left a vivid impression.

Then, as if remembering something, he turned back to Unwi.

“...Next time we play, things will be different.”

A smile curled on Unwi’s lips.

“I hope so, truly.”

And with that, Wang Muha left.

The first to rush to the hall where Unwi remained alone was Chief Steward Seong.

“Young Master...!”

He immediately grabbed Unwi’s arm to stop the bleeding, but to his surprise, Unwi was smiling.

“Wha... You’re laughing? And how in the world do you play Go so hard that your wound bursts open?”

“Same as always. He’s certainly skilled.”

“Who? That old man?”

Unwi nodded.

“And Chief Steward Seong.”

“Yes, Young Master?”

“Bring me brush and paper.”

“...Unbelievable. Again? Can’t you rest a bit?”

Unwi shook his head.

He would say it again—the match wasn’t over yet.

He had merely responded to one of Jegal Yeonghyeon’s moves.

Now, it was Unwi’s turn to play his own.

He was certain.

This would be the divine move.

***

There were precisely two cities in the Yang Empire bearing the name Seong.

Geongonseong and Geomapseong.

Each city housed a General Division of the Beggars’ Union that oversaw various regional branches. Long ago, when Unwi had spoken directly with Cheonsugang of the Six-Knot Faction, it had been in Geomapseong—where Cheonsugang served as Chief of the General Division.

Back then, he had been Deputy Chief. But having recently broken through to the Mythic Realm, he had naturally assumed the Chief’s seat.

Now, in his quarters, he exhaled in astonishment.

“Huhh... Is this... the real thing?”

His hand trembled. And for good reason.

A single game record had arrived from the Yangnyeong branch of the Beggars’ Union.

And it was that record that had left him shaken like this.

“Chief, they say the Golden Path Chess Hero personally verified it.”

“Yes... I suppose he did. A record like this... couldn’t possibly be faked...”