Chapter 205

Outer Courtyard of Bingseol Academy, Cheongjukdang.

Cheongjukdang was a place used by academy disciples to receive guests or hold conversations with outsiders.

There, Paewoon—No Cheonmyeong’s disciple and one of the two “professors” at Bingseol Academy—was waiting with a man for Unhwi.

When Unhwi arrived, Paewoon rose from his seat and bowed. The man with him, Im Chiwun, also stood and offered a bow.

Im Chiwun was the young master of the Im Family of Jeokan, and had formerly been known as one of the Three Tigers of Jeokan (Jeokan Samho).

Not long ago, Yangso of Jeokan had reported to Unhwi that this Im Chiwun seemed to have suspicious ties to the Samaa Foreign Lineage.

Now, Unhwi asked him directly.

“So you’re Im Chiwun.”

Unhwi’s voice was calm, but the authority contained within it was impossible to ignore.

“Yes, it is an honor to meet the Supreme Commander of Yangryeong Province.”

Im Chiwun bowed deeply. He was dressed in a white robe with a black sash, looking like any ordinary martial artist at first glance. Unhwi gave a small nod, then stared at Im Chiwun with sharp eyes and spoke quietly.

“I hear you’re connected to the Samaa Foreign Lineage. That would be the Heukcheon Masugung (Black Heaven Demonic Beast Palace), I presume.”

Im Chiwun flinched. A flicker of unease passed over his face and vanished.

“How... did you know?”

“Heukcheon Masugung breeds demonic beasts. More precisely, they use a special high-level technique known as the Heukcheon Masu Daebeop to transform ordinary livestock into spiritual monsters and raise them.”

Unhwi took a seat and continued.

“That technique proceeds in three stages. First: Heukhwaju-eon (Black Catastrophe Incantation). Second: Samhon Inbeop (Three Soul Imprint Method). And lastly, Hon'an Juip (Soul-Face Infusion). During the final stage, a unique Ju’an (Facial Mark) appears around the eyes of both the beast and its handler. Most people would never recognize it...”

Unhwi raised his hand and gestured toward the area around Im Chiwun’s eyes.

“But strangely enough, it’s incredibly clear to me today.”

The Heohyeon Jigi Unhwi used was a qi near the source of all things.

To wield it meant being able to perceive the unseen better than anyone else.

Im Chiwun couldn’t hide his shaken expression. The exposure of the Ju’an—a secret mark of Heukcheon Masugung—was shocking in itself. But what stunned him more was how intimately Unhwi knew the technique’s stages.

“You’re well aware of the great endeavor to revitalize Cheonimeng, aren’t you?”

“...Yes. It’s impossible not to be. I spend most of my time at the academy, but it’s the hottest issue in all of the Central Plains.”

Unhwi spoke evenly.

“I understand that Heukcheon Masugung is also participating.”

Im Chiwun was silent for a moment.

“...Were you unaware?”

“No. I knew.”

“Then let me ask you just one thing. I intend to make discreet contact with someone from Heukcheon Masugung. If I use your name, who’s the highest-ranking person I could bring in?”

Heukcheon Masugung’s hierarchy was relatively simple: at the top was the Palace Lord (Gungju), followed by the Four Beast Ancestors (Sadaesujo), the Twelve Demonic Fangs (Sibima-cheom), and then the Thirty-Six Beast Tamers (Samsibyuk Susa).

Im Chiwun paused in thought. His gaze deepened before he cautiously spoke.

“...Among the Twelve Demonic Fangs participating in the endeavor, I believe three are involved. Of those, I could likely bring in Seolhwa Macheom (Snowfire Demonic Fang).”

The Twelve Demonic Fangs, just below the Beast Ancestors, were specialists in unique demonic beasts. Seolhwa Macheom ranked around the middle tier.

“I’d like you to send a message proposing a meeting in about fifteen days at a detached villa on the outskirts of the Cheonimeng main sect. Can you arrange it?”

“Of course.”

Unhwi nodded and glanced at Paewoon beside him.

“Im ⊛ Nоvеlιght ⊛ (Read the full story) Chiwun’s growth is quite impressive.”

“...Excuse me?”

Paewoon’s eyes went wide.

Unhwi rummaged through his satchel and pulled out a handful of items.

Two Cheongseol Spirit Pills (Cheongseol Yeongdan), compounded from fifty-year-old Cheongseol Grass and Baekseol Flowers gathered near the Perennial Snow Mountain, and ten Shinsam Pills (Shinsam-hwan).

He handed them directly to Im Chiwun, who blinked in disbelief.

“...This is... far too generous a reward.”

“It’s not. Your growth within the academy is impressive, and you’re a martial artist whose name will certainly echo across the Central Plains in the future. If anything, this is not enough.”

So saying, Unhwi pulled out ten more top-grade Shinsam Pills. Im Chiwun was so stunned he was speechless, his mouth agape.

“Don’t forget. Fifteen days from now, the detached villa outside the Cheonimeng headquarters.”

“...Yes... I will convey it without fail.”

As Im Chiwun bowed deeply, eyes filled with reverence, Unhwi gently patted his shoulder and turned to Paewoon.

“How’s the teaching life treating you?”

“It’s busier than my time in Sinsamgok, but quite novel and enjoyable, Master.”

“Then that’s enough.”

Unhwi gave Paewoon’s shoulder a firm pat and walked away.

The two men watched him until he disappeared completely from sight—then finally let out the breath they’d been holding.

“...Hah... well, fine. But Professor, what about you?”

“...What do you think of the Dean?”

Paewoon’s question made Im Chiwun pause, then answer quietly.

“It feels like standing before a wall. Towering... solid... impenetrable.”

“That’s exactly how I feel about Sir Hyeonseolrin.”

Paewoon prided himself on being sharp—and from Unhwi’s eyes, his words, he could tell.

Unhwi was drawing a great design.

And no matter how that picture ended... Unhwi would deliver results.

That much was certain.

To Paewoon, Unhwi stood almost on equal ground with No Cheonmyeong.

More than a benefactor—almost something greater.

Paewoon scratched his head and turned toward the window.

Snow was falling outside Cheongjukdang.

***

After the incident at Seolgung, Commander Seong was still serving as Unhwi’s guardian, busier than ever. But something continued to weigh on his mind.

The last expression he saw on Juche’s face, the leader of the Baekseol Ghost Brigade.

Yeon Suon and Gok Jinbung had been executed before everyone’s eyes.

It was Seol Jungcheon himself who personally killed them, then declared he would entrust Juche once more with the Baekseol Ghost Brigade, and urged him not to repeat his mistake. Juche knelt, vowing to rebuild the unit with his very life.

Of course, Juche’s faults were not minor.

And while incompetence is not usually framed as a sin, it certainly is when one holds the position of commander.

Even if he hadn’t been directly involved, failing to detect the betrayal of two core members made him gravely responsible.

At the rank of Commander, incompetence was a sin.

That Seol Jungcheon entrusted him with the position again was surprising—but what was even more puzzling was that Unhwi simply let it pass.

With Unhwi’s personality, that shouldn’t have been possible.

‘...There must have been a separate conversation.’

That had to be it.

A long time ago, Commander Seong had received his basic training under Gok Jinbung before being deployed on missions. Once he reached the Harmonization Stage, he received direct instruction from Juche—and after attaining the Embodiment Realm, he was placed under Unhwi’s command.

He had entered the Baekseol Ghost Brigade in the first place thanks to Juche. And it was also Juche who introduced him to Unhwi.

So his heart ached.

Juche was undoubtedly a remarkable man—how had he made such a fatal mistake?

Haa.

“Seong Yangho.”

As he watched the falling snow, Commander Seong turned toward the voice calling his name.

Just like the first time he’d met him, just like those early days of guidance.

He was standing there, as though he’d always been part of the landscape.

“...You haven’t changed.”

It was Juche.

“It’s cold. You’re not going inside?”

“Come on now, you know I’ve always loved the snow.”

“Yes... you did.”

“What’s with the defeated look?”

Juche stared at him in silence for a while.

“Commander?”

“Yangho.”

“Yes?”

“I’m ashamed.”

The sudden apology startled Commander Seong.

“What do you have to be ashamed of?”

“You know.”

Commander Seong held his tongue. He respected Juche.

“I will pay for my incompetence with my life.”

“...Everyone makes mistakes.”

“Yes, they do. But I can’t forgive myself.”

Even Commander Seong didn’t know what was said between Unhwi and Juche.

If anyone did, it would be Seol Jungcheon.

“I’m making preparations.”

“What kind of preparations?”

Juche’s voice was heavy with guilt.

“For forty years, I led the Baekseol Ghost Brigade focused solely on discipline. I believed discipline was order, and order was life.”

Juche placed a hand on the snow-covered railing.

“I always demanded my subordinates uphold discipline. But I neglected it myself—spent all my time on cultivation instead. Seong Yangho.”

“Yes.”

“I’m talking about the collapse of balance.”

Commander Seong didn’t know what to say. He’d never seen Juche like this.

“So listen...”

Juche pulled something from his coat. Several martial arts manuals.

“I want to give these to you.”

“What are they?”

“All the martial arts I’ve ever mastered.”

Commander Seong’s eyes widened.

“Starting with Baekseol Muhunbo (Snowstep Without Trace), to Seolyeong Thirteen Blades—founded by Elder Hanam—and even Unmuyu Bo (Cloud Mist Flowing Step).”

Juche explained each manual.

“The secret arts of Cheongungak—be especially careful with those. They’re ranked at the upper Musin level.”

“Commander, this is far too...”

“Take it.”

His voice was firm.

“This is everything I’ve gathered in my life. The martial manuals of every past Baekseol Ghost Brigade commander—and my own original, personal techniques.”

There was sincerity in Juche’s eyes.

“In the future, someone will have to lead the Baekseol Ghost Brigade. That person will likely be you. No, must be you.”

“But...”

“I know it sounds strange. You’re forty this year. Even if you’ve reached the Embodiment Realm, there are plenty of martial artists across the Central Plains with similar achievements.”

“...Am I really qualified to lead the Baekseol Ghost Brigade?”

“You don’t even realize your own worth. Don’t underestimate yourself. Out of all the people I’ve taught, you were the best.”

“You’re giving me too much credit.”

Juche gave a small smile.

“If you just break through your blood channels once—just once—you’ll reach the Mythic Realm in an instant. Then the Heavenly-Man Realm. Then the Union of Heaven and Man. That’s why—it has to be you.”

Commander Seong stared down at the manuals in his hands. The entirety of the Baekseol Ghost Brigade’s martial techniques.

And even the original manuscript left behind by its founder, Hanam.

And then—

Juche extended the final scroll.