Chapter 96

Tsk.

Unwi clicked his tongue and swept his gaze over those still gathered in the great hall.

“I’m sorry, but I won’t be able to play Go for a while. An urgent matter has come up at the main palace—I’ll have to leave this for another time.”

Sighs of disappointment erupted here and there.

But they were martial artists too. And Unwi was a successor of the Everlasting Snow Palace.

Call him a bastard son or whatever else—but he was still of the main bloodline.

If the matter concerned the palace itself, then from Unwi’s perspective, it was the highest priority. Anyone who couldn’t understand that might as well go die.

“...We pray that it is good news.”

Someone offered a martial salute as they spoke.

Following that, the others began saluting one by one. Unwi also returned their salutes in kind.

Many were left with lingering emotions.

But it couldn’t be helped.

Before long, the great hall had emptied completely.

Only Jang Mujin—still seated in meditation—and Unwi’s people remained.

“Ju Soa.”

“...Yes?”

“Inform the Tianxia Trade Group. Tell them to see to these guests with the utmost hospitality.”

“What happened?”

“It’s urgent.”

“...Understood.”

“And Chief Steward Seong.”

“Yes, Young Master.”

“Stay here to guard Senior Jang.”

“...Am I being left out again?”

It was natural for him to feel a bit slighted—but this was unavoidable.

“If I’m leaving my post, then the one with the greatest strength in Yangnyeong is none other than you.”

“...That’s true.”

“That also means there’s no one else who can manage Yangnyeong but you.”

“...Also true.”

“If you don’t like it, then raise the branch members here to at least the Spirit Ascension Stage.”

Seong chuckled in disbelief.

Unwi, smiling faintly, turned to Cheonpung.

“Cheonpung.”

“Yes, sir.”

“You’re coming with me. Prepare a carriage and horses.”

Cheonpung lit up with joy and bowed.

“At your command.”

Unwi turned away.

As always, his steps were composed—but there was a faint tension in his movements.

Seol Muryeon.

They weren’t particularly close, but Unwi knew that Muryeon was someone who cared for the Everlasting Snow Palace.

And someone their father treasured deeply.

He intended to save him.

A thousand-year serpent—Unwi had a few guesses.

Their destination: the Frozen Sea Province, where Muryeon served as Commander-in-Chief.

***

The wheels of the carriage stirred up clouds of dust as it rolled forward.

Inside, space was tight.

Or more accurately—it was plenty spacious, but with Cheonpung’s massive frame inside, it felt cramped.

“Cheonpung.”

Cheonpung, grinning like a fool, quickly responded.

“Yes, my Lord!”

“How’s life at the branch treating you?”

“Wonderful! Truly, I couldn’t be more satisfied!”

Cheonpung, despite his intimidating size, was simpler than most. And Unwi found that simplicity deeply endearing.

You could call it purity.

Even so, Unwi had seen him shoulder responsibility more than once.

If Cheonpung’s realm had reached Three Flowers Gathering Purity, Unwi might have handed over the Branch Lord’s title to him by now.

He asked,

“What was it you said brought you to the Snow Mountains again?”

“Ah, my parents used to run a trading company in the Intae region of Frozen Sea Province. But it collapsed under bad circumstances, and we wandered for a time... I think it was around fourteen years ago. We were attacked by mountain bandits near the Snow Mountains, and my parents died. I fled and ended up in Seolap. Became a porter for the Cheongun Trading Group, and practiced the martial arts my parents left me when I could. Eventually...”

“You became a branch member?”

“Yes. About eight years before I met you, sir.”

Among Unwi’s people in Yangnyeong—excluding Ju Soa—all were from Seolap.

Cheonpung was the longest-serving branch member among them.

“It’s rare to get time alone like this. If there’s anything you’ve been curious about, ask away.”

Cheonpung didn’t hesitate.

“How... how are you so good at Go, sir?”

“Hmm... there was someone I knew who played. I admired them and wanted to be like them. So I sought out their teachings. And with time, I became skilled.”

Cheonpung tilted his head.

As mentioned earlier, Cheonpung had been in Seolap the longest. He knew Unwi rarely, if ever, left the place.

But he’d sought someone out for instruction?

It didn’t quite add up—but # Nоvеlight # he accepted it anyway.

Unwi’s word was law.

If Unwi pointed at the clouds and said they were the droppings of immortals, Cheonpung would believe it without question.

Then—

“Did you... win against that person?”

It was a purely innocent question.

Whoever Unwi learned from must have been an excellent player.

Cheonpung was thinking of Seol Jungcheon—the palace lord.

After all, no one else in the Snow Palace was known for their Go skill.

But Unwi was thinking of Cheondoja.

He fell silent a moment.

“Did I win... I did. If you consider my record after gaining enlightenment... I’d say we were about even.”

“Haha... As incredible as you are, I guess that makes the palace lord incredible too.”

Unwi chuckled softly.

“Yes. The palace lord is incredible.”

Then he asked Cheonpung, who was still grinning,

“What’s the name of the coachman again?”

“Yang Cheol. He’s a driver sent by Han Seokhyeon of the Tianxia Trade Group. His skill with horses is impressive, so we’ve been hiring him now and then.”

“Yang Cheol, huh...”

From Unwi’s seat, he couldn’t see the coachman’s perch—there was a curtain drawn.

But Unwi could see beyond that.

Yang Cheol.

He mouthed the name and let out a short laugh.

Then the carriage came to a slow halt.

The curtain was drawn aside, and a bald, round-faced man turned back toward Unwi.

“Uh... someone’s blocking the road.”

Unwi was about to respond when—

“Lord Unwi!! I have something to say!!”

A voice so loud it seemed to tear the air made both Unwi and Cheonpung frown.

Unwi rose and stepped out with Cheonpung.

Two men stood there, swords at their hips.

“What seems to be the matter?”

“I am Wang Soyun, the Blue-Tuned Sword, and beside me is Jang Maenggang, the Blood-Fated Blade.”

“I’m in a hurry. What would two members of the Sacheon Alliance possibly...”

“A game of Go, if you would.”

Being interrupted was already irritating—but hearing exactly the words he expected was even more so.

“As I said, I’m in a hurry. There’s an urgent matter at the palace and—”

“We don’t care. We’ve come seeking enlightenment. Please, just one game.”

Unwi’s eyes darkened. Before he could speak, Cheonpung stepped forward.

“Did you not hear our lord say he’s busy? And how dare you interrupt him—twice?! Move aside at once!”

“We cannot. And you—just a lowly branch member—don’t interrupt.”

Their tone shifted entirely from what they used with Unwi. A thinly veiled coercion, disguised as a request.

Unwi stared silently at the two men—then scoffed.

There is no such thing as a phenomenon without cause.

Even these two, acting this brazenly, must have their reasons.

“I’ll say it one last time. Move aside and go on your way.”

“We cannot. Please grant us a game. You must.”

Unwi slowly looked back and forth between their eyes.

They appeared fine on the surface—but behind their pupils, something murky swirled like mist. Their tone and behavior were also unnaturally stilted.

One technique came to mind.

Soul-Entrancing Hypnosis Art (Honryeong Seopshimbeop).

A forbidden technique said to enthrall even ghosts—classified as sorcery by some, but regardless, a form of demonic art.

There were ten banned martial techniques in the world. This was one of them.

A terrifying skill that used “heaven and earth’s energy” to dominate the mind. Once ensnared, there was no escape unless the caster released it themselves.

How ridiculous.

“...Three likely suspects come to mind, and one uncertain. As for the rest, I don’t know.”

“...What are you talking about? Please, let us just—”

“Yang Cheol, was it?”

Unwi cut off Wang Soyun’s words and looked to the coachman.

Yang Cheol flinched, clearly not expecting to be addressed.

“Y-yes... that is my name...”

“This won’t take long. Fight Jang Maenggang together with Cheonpung.”

Cheonpung blinked in confusion. But Unwi wasn’t interested in long explanations.

“If Cheonpung ends up injured, it’s fine. But if he loses a limb—you die by my hand. Understood?”

“...I’m not sure what you mean...”

“If the one behind this has anything to say, use my name. Got it?”

Yang Cheol’s eyes changed.

It was the gaze of a Harmonization Stage martial artist—of the White Snow Spirit Guard.

“...So it’s true. They said even your gait and tone could give you away. And it’s true.”

Unwi regarded him a moment longer, then drew the sword at his hip and stepped forward.

“Cheonpung.”

“Yes, Lord.”

“Jang Maenggang’s cultivation is Five Banners Form. As someone at Dual Light Manifestation, you likely can’t match him—but think of it as training. Move with all your might. Understood?”

“At your command!”

Unwi walked until he stood before Wang Soyun.

“You said you wanted a game?”

“Yes! So please stop with the riddles and put that dreadful thing away! All we want is a match—!”

“Unfortunately, I don’t play games with stones.”

“...Pardon?”

“Five Banners Form—quite an impressive realm. But a shame that you’re just a puppet.”

Unwi’s blade came crashing down.

BOOM!

Wang Soyun had already drawn his sword and blocked the strike.

“No time to waste. Come at me.”

“Aha...! I see now! The great Seol Unwi wishes to grant enlightenment not with Go—but through combat! Truly fitting of a martial hero! And so—I shall claim your head today! Hahahahaha!”

His laughter and demeanor were clearly unhinged—but Unwi remained calm.

He took a step back. Wang Soyun immediately lunged, sword raised.

Iron-Tuned Swordplay.

A technique taught only within Sacheon Alliance’s Iron Radiance Pavilion.

Wang Soyun’s sword moved like a living creature, descending ruthlessly like an iron hawk. The killing intent was palpable, and the sword glimmered with sharp, blue sword qi.

But Unwi’s feet traced chaos into the earth.

In a blink, his body shifted two inches right—and two inches back.

KRAAAANG—!!

Wang Soyun’s sword slammed into the ground, obliterating it.

“Hahaha! As expected! Splendid! Now it’s time for you to die!”