Chapter 164

The move Unhwi had just played—

It sliced directly through the Celestial Daoist’s territory.

No matter how the Celestial Daoist responded, in five moves, two of his black houses would be destroyed, along with four of Unhwi’s white houses—but ten moves later, five black houses would collapse, and only one white house would fall. After twenty more moves, yet another five black houses would be destroyed.

From the very beginning, this entire board had been laid out for that single move.

Every white stone placed thus far had been for this moment.

It was a move calculated from the start, one that pierced the Celestial Daoist’s blind spot—a flawless strike.

“...Seol Gongja, it seems you’re already reading a hundred moves ahead.”

“I’m not. I merely predicted what moves Elder Cheon might make.”

“Predicted, is it...? If you created the board, then you must also be able to defend it. Are you confident?”

“Of course.”

Hrrhrr...

After thinking deeply for a moment, the Celestial Daoist placed a black stone on the center-left.

It was a defensive move—meant to protect his house.

Unhwi, without so much as a smile, immediately placed a white stone at the top center. Tuk. With that sound, three of the Celestial Daoist’s black stones fell into jeopardy.

Just as he had expected, the first black house began to crumble. Somewhat anxiously, the Celestial Daoist placed a black stone at center-right.

He was trying to save his stones. But Unhwi, as though waiting for it, placed a white stone in the upper-left.

Tap. With that move, two of the Celestial Daoist’s black stones were completely cut off.

“The first black house has fallen.”

At Unhwi’s quiet voice, the Celestial Daoist narrowed his eyes and stared at the board.

Without a word, he placed another black stone at center-right.

This was an offensive move—aimed at Unhwi’s white house. But again, Unhwi responded instantly, placing a white stone in the lower center.

This move not only neutralized the Celestial Daoist’s attack but also threatened another black house.

“Five moves in. The second black house is already endangered.”

Hrrhrr...

The Celestial Daoist placed a black stone in the upper-right to defend, but Unhwi countered by placing a white stone in the center-left.

Tap. With that move, the Celestial Daoist’s second black house was completely surrounded.

“The second black house has fallen too.”

The Celestial Daoist drew in a deep breath.

Tap, tap.

He played more moves.

“The third black house has fallen.”

The Celestial Daoist’s gaze began to tremble.

“Seol Gongja... You truly are extraordinary. How did you conceive of such a sequence?”

Unhwi was silent for a moment.

“When I see people, I see stones. And when I see stones, I see people.”

The Celestial Daoist flinched.

That was his phrase—something he always said.

And yet it came from Unhwi’s lips.

Over the next ten moves, five of the Celestial Daoist’s black houses collapsed one after another.

Unhwi lost only one white house.

Hrrhrrhrr... “There’s no point in continuing this any further.”

Truly, there wasn’t.

The board Unhwi had laid out completely isolated the Celestial Daoist. At first, the Celestial Daoist had wondered if it was mere luck.

But it wasn’t.

Every part of it was calculated. From one white stone, the entire board had tilted.

It was an inescapable hell of inevitability.

“Seol Gongja, I concede.”

As Unhwi quietly lowered his head, the Celestial Daoist asked him,

“I truly am curious now. Who exactly is this ‘other father’ of yours?”

Unhwi paused.

“As I said—someone who exists in this world, yet does not.”

The Celestial Daoist’s eyes sharpened.

Hrrhrr... “How intriguing.”

“May I say one thing to you, Elder Cheon?”

“Go ahead.”

“Each of your moves is flawless. However—”

“However?”

“You place too much meaning on each individual stone.”

The Celestial Daoist’s eyes gleamed.

“Meaning, you say...?”

“Yes. Go is not won with a single stone. What matters is the flow of the whole.”

At those words, the Celestial Daoist fell briefly silent. In his entire life, no one had ever offered him advice on Go.

And yet, at this moment, he felt Unhwi was correct.

Silently, he gazed at Unhwi.

Quietly.

Then he spoke.

“...Seol Gongja. There’s something I wish to ask.”

“If it’s something «N.o.v.e.l.i.g.h.t» I can answer, I will.”

“Why do you play Go?”

“To win.”

“That’s all?”

Unhwi thought for a moment, then replied.

“No. Also... to understand my opponent.”

The Celestial Daoist’s eyes softened with understanding.

“To understand, hm... So, you wanted to understand me.”

Silence settled over the room. The Celestial Daoist looked between the board and Unhwi as if seeing a vision.

In his eyes were astonishment, reverence, and a strange sense of joy.

“For the first time in over a hundred years... I’ve tasted true defeat.”

He looked at Unhwi. In his gaze now was a respect he had never shown before.

“You... who exactly are you?”

“I am Seol Unhwi, descendant of the Extreme North under Everlasting Snow Palace.”

“...”

“There’s nothing more I can say. I believe you understand why, Elder Cheon.”

“I do. No matter how much of a wager it is, Go is a battle between people. And if there is a winner, the result must be accepted... I’ll resolve this curiosity of mine some other time.”

The Celestial Daoist straightened his posture.

“Now then—tell me the two things you want from me.”

As if anticipating something enjoyable, a faint smile played at his lips.

“Of the many things soon to unfold... I ask that Elder Cheon not involve himself. That is my first request.”

“Involvement, is it... The stone I tossed in jest must have bothered you more than I thought.”

“It’s not the stone that bothers me—it’s the one who placed it.”

“Even after beating me at Go, you still flatter me.”

“It’s the truth.”

Hrrhrr... “You have a real knack for saying things that please people. Very well. I’ll grant your first request. But—”

“But.”

This next part was important.

“I won’t be the only one who won’t intervene. And you must specify the period.”

A period...

“Ten years.”

“Ten years? Will that be enough?”

“Yes. It will suffice. Now for the second request.”

“Go on.”

“This is more of a question than a request.”

“A question, is it...? Ask.”

Unhwi’s gaze sharpened.

“Elder Cheon—are you truly the Supreme of the Martial World?”

“...Hm?”

“Are you truly the being above the heavens, unmatched in all creation—Tian Shang Tian Xia, You Are Alone—with no one above you?”

Once again, the Celestial Daoist’s eyes arced.

“I am someone who wishes to see flowers like Seol Gongja bloom... First with Go, now with a question—you continue to surprise me.”

“...”

“I will answer you. I am the Supreme of the Martial World. The one who stands alone above all. None in the central plains or beyond surpass me.”

Excessive humility borders on deceit.

Unhwi quietly looked at him.

There were things he hadn’t said.

In his past life, Unhwi had been abandoned by the Celestial Daoist.

And he had learned there existed an organization higher than even the Blood Sect.

“...You seem unsatisfied.”

“I am.”

“And what is it that dissatisfies you?”

“Does Elder Cheon truly claim to be the supreme being—the one who can overturn all laws of the martial world and nature itself?”

“...It sounds as if you believe there is someone above me. Am I right?”

“It’s a hypothesis.”

“A hypothesis, is it... Then I’ll stake everything I have on this: There is no one above me.”

The Celestial Daoist—at least when it comes to Go and wagers—does not lie.

That is the kind of man he is.

And with those words, Unhwi understood many things.

In his past life, the one who killed him—was the Celestial Daoist.

And the Celestial Daoist belongs to an organization:

Heaven Beyond Heaven (Cheonoecheon).

Unhwi now pictured their roster in his mind.

If the Celestial Daoist was part of Cheonoecheon, then what rank would he hold?

He’d certainly be at the top.

But for such an organization to exist, it must also have a purpose.

What is that purpose?

Is the Celestial Daoist the leader? Or... does Cheonoecheon even have a leader?

If it’s like a Go board—where everyone holds their place, like stones...

Then their “purpose” must be the hand that moves them—the player.

There is something.

Something inevitable—and something sacred.

And for now, that’s as far as the thought would go.

There’s a time for everything. And now is not the time to dwell on it.

He had no intention of facing the Original Blood Sect just yet.

Unhwi spoke quietly.

“Thank you.”

Hrrhrr... “I think I understand why you asked that question.”

“You do?”

“It felt like an extension of that earlier talk—when you mentioned a change in the player’s personality, am I right?”

It wasn’t, but the Celestial Daoist would think so—and Unhwi had asked the question expecting exactly that.

Unhwi answered smoothly.

“Yes, that’s right.”

“Then... do you feel more at ease now?”

“Yes.”

The Celestial Daoist rose from his seat.

Unhwi rose as well.

“Seol Gongja.”

“Yes, Elder Cheon.”

“As I said before—I am someone who wishes to see flowers like you bloom.”

Unhwi’s eyes shifted strangely.

That phrase—

It was something he had heard long ago.

“I’ll be watching the path you walk.”

“That’s a bit burdensome.”

Hrrhrr... “Burden, you say... is that so?”

“When the Supreme of the Martial World says he’s watching... who wouldn’t be burdened?”

“Hmm...”

“But... I’ll try to cast off that burden and show you.”

“Show me your path, is that it?”

“Yes.”

Hrrhrrhrr... “Good. I’ll be looking forward to it.”

And once again, the Celestial Daoist’s body vanished like smoke.

I slowly rose from my seat.

It had been a day of significant gains.

***

There was once a grand ambition.

And a plan to make it real.

That plan was being executed—step by step—without mistake.

Bringing in those who were needed. Cutting out those who were not.

Drafting lists. And then drafting them again.

Endlessly reviewing the plan’s steps in his mind, adjusting for variables, and refining accordingly.

Indeed—

Yang Seoljin’s plot to usurp the position of Palace Lord was proceeding without issue.

But at some point—

A minor variable had begun to show a presence large enough to become a threat.

Hyun Seolrin, Seol Unhwi.

Could he have stopped him, if he’d acted sooner?

No.

Unclear.

‘...Should I have just killed him?’

The palace lord had changed. The atmosphere of the palace had changed.

He thought carefully.

Something—

A new picture was forming.

And if he were to blend that picture into his original plans...

His mind began to spin furiously.

After a long while, he opened his eyes.

And picked up the letter lying beside him.