Chapter 188

Hyunsim’s expression was deadly serious.

“Let’s step back a bit farther.”

At Unhwi’s suggestion, he retreated five more steps.

He silently glanced over at Unhwi, who stood beside him.

He couldn’t help it—his eyes kept drifting toward him.

Right now, Seol Jungcheon was in the midst of breaking through a wall. A decades-long obsession was being fulfilled. And, well... sure, the cave was overflowing with treasures, and all of that was shocking enough—but the real shock lay elsewhere.

A past life... He had said so clearly.

“Is there something on my face?”

“No... you’re glowing.”

Unhwi chuckled.

“You can ask.”

“...I’m not sure if it’s a question I should be asking. But based on my experience in the martial world... the ability to distinguish between what must be known and what mustn’t...”

Unhwi cut him off.

“I’d like you to think the opposite.”

“...The opposite?”

“I never once tried to keep you from entering this place.”

“...”

“I already consider you someone who deserves to know the truth, General Director. And my father knows that too—that’s why he spoke openly.”

Hyunsim’s eyes turned red at the rims.

Unhwi smiled faintly.

“I told you, didn’t I? You’re someone who understands loyalty. I simply offered you the respect that loyalty deserves.”

Was it only Unhwi who gave him that respect?

No.

Seol Jungcheon had, too.

That’s what had moved Hyunsim.

How many years had he stood by Seol Jungcheon’s side?

The man had always been blunt. He didn’t express such things directly—but his actions had spoken loud enough.

But this—this was different.

This couldn’t be compared to anything else.

Not only had he entered the cave containing the greatest secret of Everlasting Snow Palace, but it was also the very place where the will of the First Palace Lord, Seolheon, was passed down.

This was trust.

Revealing all secrets.

It was tantamount to declaring that he was indispensable—like placing a seal upon it.

Hyunsim placed a hand over his chest.

“I have so many questions I want to ask Lady Hyeon Seollin.”

“I understand.”

“...But there’s one I want to ask before anything else.”

“I’m listening.”

Hyunsim—

—posed the same question that Commander Seong had once asked Unhwi.

“What will become of Everlasting Snow Palace?”

“It will be annihilated.”

“...I see.”

“Aren’t you going to ask whose hands it will fall to?”

“...The Original Blood Sect, I suppose.”

It wasn’t the exact answer—but it was close enough.

Hyunsim shifted the subject.

“Lady Hyeon Seollin.”

“Yes, General Director.”

“I almost forgot—Yang Seoljin said something.”

“What was it?”

“He said they held a meeting about reviving the Five Grand Martial Schools and the Celestial Righteous Alliance... and that he suggested Everlasting Snow Palace should cooperate.”

“Cooperate... meaning, someone would be sent. Who?”

“Lady Cha Seollin.”

A strange smile rose on Unhwi’s lips.

Cha Seollin... and the Celestial Righteous Alliance.

To be honest, this had never happened in the previous life.

The Celestial Righteous Alliance would be disbanded about half a year from now.

Even now, it was already rotting from internal corruption. Not long ago, its Lord was found dead in the mountains, along with the elite unit. Currently, the Vice Lord was running things in his place, but to be blunt—so-called ‘neutral’ factions like this were little more than bats flitting between sides.

Neither the righteous nor the heretical paths welcomed them. The demonic path didn’t either.

And now they wanted to revive that?

“Does it interest you?”

“Yes. I’m interested.”

In the previous life, the Celestial Righteous Alliance had collapsed without doing anything. No one had even tried to save it.

“Lady Hyeon Seollin.”

At Hyunsim’s voice, Unhwi lifted his head and replied.

“Yes, General Director.”

“Is there anything I can do to help?”

Unhwi smiled softly.

“There is not.”

In that brief instant, memories from the past flickered in Hyunsim’s mind.

Become my disciple. Join the White Lotus Guard. He had made several offers, and Unhwi had refused each time.

There had been a reason.

Unhwi didn’t need a teacher.

Because he had been his own teacher.

“I’ll be going now. Father will remain here for quite some time, so please watch over him carefully.”

“You don’t need to worry about that.”

Just as Seol Jungcheon trusted Hyunsim—so did Unhwi.

“And when Father awakens, please deliver a message.”

Unhwi told him everything that had happened.

That it was time to fill the vacant position of Minor Palace Lord.

That the center of the Snow Palace would shift to Seol Horyeong.

That it would be Unhwi himself, not Cha Seollin, who would take part in rebuilding the Celestial Righteous Alliance.

He said many other things as well—and Hyunsim nodded, understanding.

With that, Unhwi left the cave.

The blizzard on Mount Seol was bitterly cold.

Ascending to Unity of Chaos and Origin—

—was easy to say, but far from easy to achieve. At the very least, it would require over ten days of energy circulation.

Unhwi paused in thought.

From this location, going west would lead to Yangryeong Province. North-east, to the Main Palace.

Slowly—

Unhwi began to walk.

Toward the northeast.

***

Outside the Main Palace of Everlasting Snow Palace, several small buildings stood.

They were guest lodges—individual cabins prepared for external visitors. In one of them, a man was sitting up.

It was Seol Unhae, the fourth of the Polar Successors.

His shattered limbs had finally begun to heal. Walking was no longer an issue, though training in martial arts remained out of reach.

He thought to himself.

Seol Unhwi.

That fucking bastard.

The idiot he used to play with as a child—he’d never imagined he would grow this much. He hadn’t even considered the possibility.

What he had heard while bedridden here was this:

Seol Unhwi’s achievements.

How he had turned Yangryeong into Yangryeong Province, made himself General Lord, swallowed up the city...

He’d even taken over Shin Samgok, and after helping the washed-up old man named No Cheonmyeong ascend to Union of Heaven and Man, established an academy in Yangryeong and made him headmaster...

Just hearing about it was torment.

That worm-brained fool—he’d really grown that much?

It felt like a dream, but it was clearly reality.

That bastard.

But it was fine.

After all, that guy had to be dead by now.

A smile crept up his face. Seol Unhae opened the door with that same face—and instantly froze in place.

He had no choice.

Because the very man he had been cursing moments ago was standing right there.

“You... What are you doing here...?”

Unhwi didn’t answer with words.

WHAM—!!

He swung his foot and kicked Seol Unhae straight on.

The flying Seol Unhae tumbled across the floor and crashed into the bed.

“Gghk...!”

His arms and legs screamed in pain.

“Why... why are you doing this...?!”

Unhwi walked straight up and grabbed him by the hair.

“Do you really not know?”

“W-What... What are you talking about...”

“Did you meet secretly with the Hall Master of White Lotus Pavilion?”

“W-What...?”

“Vice Hall Master Yeon Chuha confessed everything.”

With that, Unhwi slammed Seol Unhae’s face into the floor.

KA-BANG—!

“Fourth Brother, did you think I was joking when I said what I did back then?”

“W-Wait...”

“No need to hear the reason. You couldn’t take the Minor Palace Lord seat anyway, so you tried to push Eldest Brother out, place Second Brother in the position, and wield power from behind him. Am I wrong?”

“That’s...”

“Or was it worse? Did you plan to kill Second Brother too? /N_o_v_e_l_i_g_h_t/ And Third Sister?”

Seol Unhae’s eyes went wide.

Unhwi grabbed his hair again and flung him into the wall.

CRASH—!!

He flew right through it and landed outside with a thud, groaning in agony.

Two questions rose in Seol Unhae’s mind.

Why the hell was this guy still alive—and why the hell did Yeon Chuha confess everything?

Unhwi walked toward him slowly.

“Eldest Brother doesn’t know. Neither do the others.”

“W-Wait... please, just listen...”

Seol Unhae tried to crawl back, but Unhwi stomped on his solar plexus.

He had no intention of listening.

“When I saw your name on that list, two thoughts crossed my mind.”

“...”

“How much it would break Father’s heart. And how much pain it would bring the other Polar Successors, especially Eldest Brother.”

“Un... Unhwi...”

“Even though I really don’t want to do this today—I always keep my promises. I told you I’d give you five chances.”

As he wordlessly drew the Heavenshaking Spiritblade, Seol Unhae felt his heart squeeze tight.

This guy was serious.

If he said he’d do it, he’d do it.

“Unhwi... please...”

Unhwi looked down at him and spoke.

“For now, only Father and I know. But soon, everyone else will.”

“Th-That’s...”

“I can’t even begin to imagine what Eldest Brother will feel when he finds out.”

“Can... Can you give me a chance...?”

“A chance, you say?”

“...It was a mistake. I truly regret it. I’m sorry. I’ll repent.”

“Empty apologies mean nothing.”

Unhwi brought the sword down.

SHLK—!

Seol Unhae’s right arm dropped to the floor.

“Guh—AAAAHH—!”

“Does it hurt?”

“Ugh... urgh...”

“I’m not finished speaking.”

Seol Unhae raised his head in agony.

“Would you give me a justification to keep my promise?”

“...What?”

“If you give me one, this can end with your right arm.”

“...What...?”

If you don’t have intuition, your body will pay for it.

“I gave the list I obtained to Eldest Brother, but cross-verification is standard procedure, is it not?”

“W-What... does that mean...?”

“Write down the names of the traitors you know—in blood—and hand them to me.”

“If I do that... will I live...?”

“I don’t know. Whether you live or die—”

“W-What?”

“That will be Father’s decision.”

Unhwi remembered. The promise he’d made with Father.

Seol Unhae clung to Unhwi’s trouser hem with his remaining left hand.

“Unhwi... please... please let me live...”

Unhwi shook his head.

“This isn’t something I can decide. You’ve crossed too many lines.”

“Please...”

“The only advice I can give you is what I’ve already said. Write down their names and hand them to me. If luck is on your side, it might save the Third Madam’s life—and the future of Hanbing Gate.”

Unhwi pulled out a sheet of paper and laid it in front of him. Trembling, Seol Unhae dipped his left hand in blood and began scrawling names.

The Hall Master of White Lotus Pavilion. His personal guards.

But unfortunately—none from the Baekseol Wailing Brigade.