Chapter 172

Seol Horyeong spoke.

“I don’t think my little brother would try to kill me.”

“...Excuse me?”

“I may be called a genius, but I know the truth. The real genius is my younger brother right here.”

“...”

“And I don’t believe a genius like that would turn against the Snow Palace or our father. If he was going to do it, he would’ve done it long ago.”

That was true.

Just look at the list of those who had come seeking Seol Unhwi.

Kang Cheonwoo, Lord of the Sichuan Alliance, gave him one of the Ten Great Swords. Even the Celestial Daoist, the leader of the Original Blood Sect, had met with him personally to play Go.

If Unhwi had chosen to side with the Original Blood Sect, the Celestial Daoist would’ve welcomed him with open arms. Kang Cheonwoo might have created an heir’s position on the spot just to draw him in.

But Unhwi had stayed.

What more proof did one need?

Seol Horyeong turned to Dongwoo.

“And I don’t believe my brother is doing all this for no reason. So if there’s anything you need to confess, now’s the time. You’ll need something to say to Grandfather and Father.”

At that calm suggestion, Dongwoo’s face went pale. This wasn’t the reaction he had expected.

Unhwi didn’t even smile.

He simply looked at the three in turn with icy eyes and spoke a single sentence.

“The Lord of the Snow Palace already knows about the three names on the list.”

At that, Yeon Chuha’s fingertips trembled. Even that subtle movement didn’t escape Unhwi’s eyes.

“And even now, the names of their collaborators are being compiled.”

“...”

“Do you know why the Lord remains silent?”

All three swallowed hard.

“He’s been gathering evidence. Clearer, fuller evidence—to strike down as many at once as possible.”

“...”

“He intends to identify not just internal traitors, but outside enemies as well. And even the names already revealed are enough to rip the Snow Palace in half. That’s why he’s even considering planting counter-spies himself... Are you still not grasping the situation?”

Unhwi began walking in a slow circle around the three.

“One person. Only one.”

Sweat formed on Yeon Chuha’s brow. Unhwi didn’t miss it.

“Yeon Chuha, your fingers are trembling.”

Yeon Chuha flinched and looked down at his hand. Then, realizing his mistake, he stiffened his expression.

“...This is ridiculous slander.”

But the certainty in his voice was already gone.

Unhwi stepped closer. There was only one pace between them now.

“Think carefully. Even if you complete your mission here, you’ll die. I don’t know what you hoped to gain, but if it’s worth more to you than your life and your dignity, feel free to ignore me.”

“...”

“Time is ticking. Your wounds will worsen, and you’ll miss the window for treatment. I already know the truth. If you want to dispute it, go ahead and argue. Though it’ll be pointless.”

“...”

“Until one person confesses, I won’t proceed to the next gate. None of you will be allowed to move. After two hours, your physical senses will start to blur. After four... well, since you’ve all reached the Heaven-Earth Apex, I’m sure you know. Take your time.”

Unhwi turned to leave.

“Wait!!”

Yeon Chuha suddenly shouted. His body was soaked with sweat.

“I... I’ll talk.”

Dongwoo and Hyeonjin stared at him in shock.

“Vice Pavilion Master! What are you saying!!”

“You’ve lost your mind... What nonsense are you trying to say?!”

Yeon Chuha looked at the two of them and said quietly,

“We’re finished. There’s only one way to survive now.”

He took a deep breath, then looked straight at Unhwi.

“You’re right. We were given a mission in this secret realm—to assassinate the Daeseollin.”

Hyeonjin’s face twisted in rage.

“Vice Pavilion Master! Are you insane?! What the hell are you talking ab—!”

But he couldn’t finish.

At the flick of Unhwi’s finger, Seo Hyo’s sword grazed Hyeonjin’s throat.

A thin line of blood trickled down.

Hyeonjin froze.

Dongwoo, seated beside him, did not.

He suddenly rushed forward and knelt before Seol Horyeong.

“Please... please spare me...”

Seol Horyeong looked down at him without a word. His face was so rigid it was unlike anything anyone had seen from him before.

To be honest, he’d felt something was strange when Unhwi began speaking this way.

But he hadn’t been sure.

Maybe Unhwi had something else in mind. Maybe there was another goal.

He’d never imagined there’d actually be traitors among them.

And least of all—that one of them would be Dongwoo, one of the thirteen pillars that supported Cheonseolmun.

“...Unhwi was telling the truth.”

“...We really had no choice... Daeseollin, you know I was loyal to Cheonseolmun... Please, I beg you...”

Seol Horyeong pressed a hand to his forehead.

A shadow crossed Dongwoo’s face.

WHAM—!

Unhwi’s foot slammed into Dongwoo’s face.

He flew backward, rolled twice on the ground, and slammed into the wall, vomiting blood.

“Brother.”

“...Yes?”

“May I finish this?”

“...Go ahead.”

Unhwi turned to Yeon Chuha.

“Who gave you the order?”

“...The Pavilion Master of the White Lotus Pavilion. Ma Cheongwon.”

“He ordered you to kill the Daeseollin?”

“...Yes.”

“And you three heard that order directly?”

“...Yes. Hyeonjin, Dongwoo, and I.”

“What about Yang Geon?”

“...He must’ve heard it from someone in the Baekseol Ghost Brigade, but I don’t know who. I only heard it secondhand.”

“Tell me what you heard.”

“...They said the Daeseollin was a genius, so his senses would be exceptional. Don’t attack first—let the one closest to him strike by surprise. Then kill him.”

A plan, of sorts.

Thoroughly crafted to leave no trace. Designed so that even the ice-qi wouldn’t linger afterward.

It was all meaningless in this secret realm—but it was still a credible plan.

Unhwi spoke.

“You’re the vice pavilion master of the White Lotus Pavilion—one of ➤ NоvеⅠight ➤ (Read more on our source) the three pillars supporting the Snow Palace. Can you give me the list of everyone who took part in planning this internal rebellion?”

“...Of course. I’ll give you everything I have. Just please, let me live. I was blinded for a moment. Ma Cheongwon promised me the Pavilion Master seat. I regret it—I regret it deeply.”

Unhwi nodded and tore off a long strip from his sleeve, laying it before Yeon Chuha.

“Write down everything.”

“...Yes.”

“But if any discrepancies are found in later investigations—then you’ll pay. And you’ll regret this moment.”

“...I understand.”

Seol Horyeong already knew.

Seol Jungcheon knew, too.

Any deception now would only mean throwing away this second chance with his own hands.

Yeon Chuha began writing. One by one, names filled the cloth.

There were ten of them.

Then.

Unhwi’s eyes twitched when he saw one of the names.

“...This one was involved too?”

“...Yes. I’m certain. I was there when he met with Ma Cheongwon.”

Unhwi let out a sigh.

“...So, what about your promise...?”

“I’ll keep it.”

Holding the strip of cloth, Unhwi seemed to fall into thought.

His brow furrowed, and he exhaled quietly.

Eventually, he crossed out two names on the list, rolled it up, and tucked it inside his chest.

At that moment, Hyeonjin suddenly sprang up.

“You bastard! I’ll kill you myse—!”

He never finished.

Unhwi’s sword flashed like lightning.

The chill of the Heavenshaking Spiritblade lit the air within the hall.

Shk—!

Hyeonjin’s right arm dropped to the floor in one clean cut.

“Urgh...”

He stumbled back, eyes locked on Unhwi.

“I warned you.”

Unhwi’s voice was cold as ice.

“One person. That’s all.”

“...You... How much do you know...”

“Normally, if someone asks a question, I answer—if there’s meaning to it. But in your case, I don’t feel inclined.”

Unhwi lunged.

Hyeonjin responded.

Though gravely wounded and missing an arm, he was still a martial artist of the Heaven-Earth Apex. His eyes were clear.

He drew his sword with his remaining arm and slashed at Unhwi.

Whoosh—!

It grazed past Unhwi’s head.

Unhwi instantly sidestepped. Space opened between them.

Enough distance for the long Heavenshaking Spiritblade to swing or strike downward.

And Unhwi did not hesitate.

Shk—!

The golden thunder-etched blade sliced across Hyeonjin’s waist.

He turned his head—too late.

His world tilted.

Thud.

His upper body collapsed away from his legs.

Unhwi didn’t even look back.

He walked straight toward Dongwoo, who lay where he had landed earlier.

Dongwoo was coughing up blood.

Unhwi looked down at him.

“Just to confirm... Was Sa Cheonuk involved?”

“...And if I say yes, will you believe me?”

“I might consider it. But your answer will decide whether you die as a warrior—or as less than a street rat.”

Blood mixed with tears flowed from Dongwoo’s eyes.

“...You really are... terrifying.”

“Is that your answer?”

“...The Lord of Cheonseolmun... wasn’t involved. In fact, I intended to kill him.”

“So the deputy promised you something good, I assume.”

“...He promised me command of the Thirteen Heavens.”

That was enough.

Unhwi remembered how in his past life, Cheonseolmun had served Yang Seoljin.

But the Lord then hadn’t been Sa Cheonuk—it had been the current deputy.

Everyone connected to Seol Horyeong had been killed.

“So you choose to die as a warrior, at least.”

“...Kill me.”

Unhwi had every intention of doing just that—but to everyone’s surprise, he sheathed his sword.

Then he stepped aside.