Chapter 173

Dongwoo’s eyes flew open.

“...L-Lord Seol Horyeong...”

“Dong Daeju, I may not have trusted the others much, but ~Nоvеl𝕚ght~ I truly did place a great deal of faith in you.”

“...I’m sorry... I let my greed... get the better of me.”

“I know.”

Seol Horyeong was a man of free spirit, but paradoxically, that also meant he was an exceptionally cold man.

Squelch.

Seol Horyeong’s sword pierced straight through Dongwoo’s heart.

Holding Dongwoo silently in his arms, Seol Horyeong whispered softly,

“They call it anguish. But at least, in this brief moment, let all of it go.”

“...Khulgh...”

Dongwoo slumped forward, head hanging.

Now, only one remained—Yeon Chuha, Vice Pavilion Master of Baekryeongak.

At this moment, he felt relief.

Because he’d survived.

No, because he was going to be spared.

Once they left this place, they would surely need his testimony.

That’s what he believed.

If not for Unhwi’s next words.

“Seo Hyo.”

“Yes, Young Lord.”

“Now that I think of it, hasn’t there been friction between Cheonlim and Baekryeongak in the past?”

“...Sorry?”

“When was it again... I’m sure something happened. Or maybe not?”

Seo Hyo was an exceptionally perceptive man.

A peculiar smile curved at the corners of his lips.

“Ah... come to think of it, was it a year ago? Cheonlim’s merchant caravan entered the interior of Snow Mountain... and I believe it was Yeon Chuha who ruined our trade operation.”

Yeon Chuha’s eyes went wide, and Seo Hyo, still smiling, turned to him and continued.

“You killed some of our people from Cheonlim back then. I think it’s time to settle that debt.”

“What are you... What are you talking about...?!”

Seo Hyo’s blade shot forward.

Squelch—!

He withdrew it cleanly from Yeon Chuha’s heart, then stepped back.

Yeon Chuha staggered backward.

“Why... why...?”

“Oh? Weren’t you the one?”

“...What?”

“My apologies. Seems I was mistaken.”

In that short instant, Yeon Chuha’s gaze turned to Unhwi.

“You... you said... you promised...”

“I did. But it’s not my place to take responsibility for all the grudges you’ve amassed elsewhere, is it?”

Unhwi slid the Heavenshaking Spiritblade back into its sheath and spoke flatly.

“Still, what a pity. A death caused by a misunderstanding... though that sort of thing is rather common in Murim.”

He turned toward Seo Hyo.

“Isn’t that right?”

“It is. In Murim, it happens all the time.”

Seo Hyo looked back at Yeon Chuha with a smile.

“I truly am sorry. I simply mistook you for someone else.”

“...You... bastards...!”

Thud—Yeon Chuha’s corpse collapsed to the ground.

Unhwi approached Seol Horyeong, who wore a troubled expression.

“Are you alright?”

“I suppose I should be. But this is... quite the shock. And not a small one either.”

Unhwi had taken the list from Yeon Chuha.

He did intend to show it to Seol Horyeong—but not yet.

That list was meant for the one who would become So-Gungju.

He spoke slowly.

“There’s something I want to ask.”

“What is it?”

“Will you become So-Gungju?”

“...That’s quite the heavy question out of nowhere. Do I need to answer now?”

“I imagine you’ve at least thought about it. And I think... now is the time I’d be able to hear your honest answer.”

“...Our youngest has gone beyond just changing. He’s almost scary now.”

Seol Horyeong let out a deep sigh and turned to look at the corpse of Yang Geon.

For Unhwi to bring up the topic of So-Gungju at a moment like this—this was something the old Unhwi would never have done.

But watching him recently, Seol Horyeong had become sure of one thing: there was always a reason behind everything Unhwi did.

He had the insight to recognize why Unhwi had brought this up now.

“So... you don’t want me to become So-Gungju, do you?”

Unhwi’s eyes glinted faintly, but he didn’t respond.

“Let me ask you something. Why do you think Muryeon should become So-Gungju?”

Unhwi briefly recalled Seol Muryeon, suffering from the Thousand-Year Serpent’s poison. Every conversation they had came vividly to mind.

“Not necessarily that he must. But Second Brother... he’s already prepared to shoulder the weight of that title. Right now, this very moment.”

“The weight of So-Gungju, huh... I see.”

Seol Horyeong gave a small chuckle.

“Muryeon is exceptional. He’d do very well if he took on the position.”

He paused before continuing.

“Unhwi, I think you’re right. That guy’s always lived for Seolgung. Even now, he’s ready to give up everything for it. As if I wouldn’t know that.”

His eyes darkened.

“It’s a blessing, really. I know my own talents, and Muryeon knows his. If we hadn’t kept each other in check, we never would have shone as brightly as we did. I love Seolgung, too. But...”

His tone grew more serious as he trailed off.

“If you asked whether I’m ready to give it everything like Muryeon is... then the answer would be: not yet.”

Suddenly, Seol Horyeong burst into laughter—not a light laugh, but one born of deep insight.

“When I was young, I thought of the So-Gungju position as a given. I was the eldest, I was the most skilled. But Muryeon was different. He’s trained himself for that seat, reflected on it, thought constantly about what kind of responsibility it demands.”

His voice grew heavier.

“But Unhwi, Seolgung isn’t just a martial sect. It’s a whole world—a nation in all but name. Countless people’s lives depend on it.”

He clenched his fist tightly.

“What So-Gungju needs isn’t just loyalty or a spirit of sacrifice. What’s needed is power.”

A cold gleam flashed in his eyes.

“Even if Muryeon is loyal and ready to give everything for Seolgung... if he refuses the seat, if he sees himself as someone in opposition to me—then what’s the point?”

Unhwi’s eyes widened. He could clearly sense where his elder brother’s words were headed. And he realized Seol Horyeong had seen through Muryeon’s heart perfectly.

“Yes. Muryeon is ready to give everything. But that alone isn’t enough. On this desolate Snow Mountain, against all the threats that surround us, what we need to protect Seolgung is overwhelming strength. Like you said, Muryeon is fit to be So-Gungju. But not yet fit to be Gungju.”

Seol Horyeong slowly approached him.

“Muryeon’s heart is truly for Seolgung. But sacrifice alone won’t be enough to protect it. We need the strength of the strong.”

He suddenly looked at Unhwi, sharp and piercing.

“And Unhwi... that strength could be mine—or it could be yours.”

“...”

“Even if they call me a genius, it doesn’t mean I can’t recognize a real one. From the way you moved earlier, I’d say you’re ready to break into Ogijo Level right now.”

Unhwi’s eyes twitched slightly.

“...Is that what you think?”

“When I saw you move, it wasn’t the movement of someone in the Three Flowers state. Why haven’t you advanced yet?”

“...You could tell?”

“Couldn’t not see it. In fact... I think you’re already brushing against the Heaven-Earth Apex. Am I right?”

In his past life, Unhwi had never shared a deep conversation with Seol Horyeong. He’d barely even seen him up close.

So when he first met him again, he wasn’t sure what kind of man his brother was.

But now, he was certain.

Seol Horyeong was a true genius.

The same kind as the Celestial Daoist, the Lord of Cheonmun, or the Patriarch of the Maitreya Sect.

Unhwi could decipher others’ martial arts through his past life and mastery of Mixed-Origin Solitude.

But Seol Horyeong needed none of that.

He could see straight through to the truth of Unhwi’s realization in a single glance.

That was pure talent.

Unhwi’s gaze deepened. So did Seol Horyeong’s.

“Father knows too. He knows Muryeon’s heart. He knows mine. But he’s delaying his decision. Do you know why?”

Unhwi met his brother’s eyes in silence.

“Because I told him I wasn’t ready yet. That I wasn’t planning to take the seat.”

“...”

“After I reached the Ipshin Realm, I made up my mind. Unhwi, I will become So-Gungju.”

There was unmistakable conviction in his voice. All three of them—Muryeon, Yeonhwa, and Horyeong—cherished Seolgung.

What set them apart was the certainty they held within.

“Did you feel the weight of responsibility upon reaching Ipshin?”

“I did.”

“I see.”

Seol Horyeong gave a sincere smile.

“But what about you? Do you still think Muryeon should be So-Gungju?”

As Unhwi stood silently in thought, Seol Horyeong placed a hand on his shoulder.

“It’s alright. You don’t have to answer now. But this is how I see it: Seolgung cannot be protected by good intentions alone. Especially for a sect like Everlasting Snow Palace, which also plays the role of a nation—power is what matters most. It’s important to have rivals who keep you sharp, and guardians who make you wary, but above all, to carry the weight of it all, you need strength.”

A cold, resolute light gleamed in Seol Horyeong’s eyes. And seeing it, a sense of certainty welled up in Unhwi.

This was no petty ambition for So-Gungju.

It was the absolute will to protect Seolgung.

This conversation wasn’t just enough—it overflowed with meaning.

“If we make it out of this secret realm...”

Unhwi paused, then quietly extended the list he had been holding to Seol Horyeong.

“Cut down every last one of them. And take the seat of So-Gungju.”

Seol Horyeong gave a faint smile.

“Is that your wish?”

“Yes.”

To Unhwi’s eyes, Seol Muryeon lacked nothing to be So-Gungju—but he was not enough to be Gungju.

Seol Horyeong lacked nothing on either front.

They were both exceptional men. But the directions they pursued were different.

Seol Horyeong possessed a spirit of sacrifice—but more than anything, he valued strength.

Seol Muryeon also valued strength, but prioritized self-sacrifice above it.

To lead a single sect, perhaps Seol Muryeon was more suited—he was flexible and never hesitated to give of himself.

But to govern a federation of sects, it had to be Seol Horyeong.

His genius and power would become the foundation that such a group could depend on.

“Thank you. That our youngest brother acknowledges me.”

Unhwi shook his head.

“Eldest Brother is a man beyond anything I can presume to judge. How could I speak of acknowledgment?”

“That’s a bit too humble, no?”

“I only stated the truth.”

“...Wow. You really aren’t ordinary. Honestly... maybe you should be So-Gungju, not me?”

Unhwi burst into laughter, and Seol Horyeong tilted his head.

He was being completely serious.