“This is the raw extract of the Ten Thousand Serpents Wandering-Soul Powder.”

No matter how skilled Jang Seok was, even as a martial artist of the Jucheon Stage, at this distance, not even someone from the Three Flowers Gathering Purity stage could evade it.

The Ten Thousand Serpents Wandering-Soul Powder engulfed the two martial artists without hesitation. At the same moment, Jang Seok drew the Tagubong from his waist and brought it down squarely on the head of the medicine vendor, who had just tried to wipe his face. Then, without pausing, he swung it toward the side of Beom Gaeseok’s face.

Crunch! Crack!

The medicine vendor died on the spot, his forehead crushed. Beom Gaeseok, at least worthy of being called a martial artist of the Five Dragon Blooming Star level, took the blow to the side of the face and collapsed sideways.

“W-What are you... doing...!”

Once again, he couldn’t even finish his sentence.

Jang Seok struck down with all the internal energy he could muster.

Smash!!

“Guh-heuk...!”

His skull caved in.

Even so, he was still alive.

Jang Seok swung again. Thud—Beom Gaeseok grabbed the weapon.

“This bastard—he dares grab it?”

Jang Seok kicked. His target: Beom Gaeseok’s groin.

Whump!

“G-Guhhhkk...!”

It hit where it shouldn’t, and something ruptured with a very bad sound.

Finally, Beom Gaeseok let go of the Tagubong he had been clutching.

“You rotten bastards. Poisoning the well? How fucking vile can you get.”

“You... You lunatic... What the hell are you doing...”

“What do you mean, ‘what the hell’? You still haven’t figured it out?”

Jang Seok had never—not even for a moment—considered betraying Unwi.

To be blunt, whether Lee Jagyeom could fly through the sky or was some unparalleled supreme master, Jang Seok couldn’t care less.

From Jang Seok’s perspective, Unwi was something beyond that kind of classification.

He was just fear itself.

If he became your enemy, he would squeeze you dry until not a single drop of blood remained.

Only a madman would turn against him.

All of this was part of Unwi’s scheme to make Lee Jagyeom lower his guard. Jang Seok was merely following orders.

Loyalty?

To put it plainly, he was more loyal to Unwi than to the very leader of the Beggars’ Union.

Hadn’t he been at Unwi’s side longer than anyone else?

Since Seolap itself, no less.

To become Unwi’s enemy would be the most insane decision of his entire life.

“Come on, you idiot. Sure, Lord Seol took the long route around the mountain, but you really think it’s going to take six whole si-jin? Huh?”

“...What... are you saying...”

Jang Seok grinned as he grabbed Beom Gaeseok’s hair.

“There’s a thing called an underground tunnel through Hyeongusan. If you pass through there, you can get there in three si-jin, not six.”

“...W-What...?”

“Want to hear something funny? You know why no letters ever arrived from Jeokan?”

“...”

“Because they were all intercepted midway! Geumgwangchon, and Unbojin right before it. You morons. Why do you think Lord Seol personally went to the transport route? Why do you think he personally slaughtered Jeokan’s warriors there? Because, from that point—and no, even from before that—he had already begun preparing for this very moment. You clueless, dumb bastards.”

Jang Seok spat on his hand and smeared it all over the Tagubong.

“The fight’s already over. The only place left for you to go is the underworld. Lee Jagyeom? That dumbass is headed there too. And everyone around him is coming along for the ride. Someone’s probably already on their way to greet you down there. You see ‘em? Can’t see?”

He brought the Tagubong down again.

Wham!

“Take a good look. You’ll see ‘em, right?”

“P...Please... stop...”

“Stop? Stop, my ass.”

He struck once more.

Smash!!

***

Amidst the still night air, black shadows gathered before the main gate of Jeokan.

At the forefront was Seol Unwi.

His gaze glinted coldly. Around him stood the martial artists of Yangryeong and Bongrae in dense formation.

Over two hundred elite martial artists.

Their combined presence blanketed the night sky.

As Unwi took a slow step forward, everyone followed. The gates of Jeokan were clumsily shut. Though the massive iron doors were sturdy, the soldiers guarding them were paralyzed by fear.

Why were these people here?

It made no sense.

Unwi came to a halt. A moment of heavy silence passed.

Then, he spoke quietly.

“Open it.”

The soldiers looked at one another, unsure what to do—until Unwi added a single phrase:

“If you don’t, I’ll kill you.”

They had all witnessed what became of the former prefect who ruled Yangryeong.

There was no other choice.

The soldiers opened the gates, and just like that, Unwi entered Jeokan.

Civilians in the streets reeled back in horror as they saw the long procession of martial artists.

Unwi spoke softly.

“Ju Soa.”

A woman in a black robe stepped forward at his call. A faint smile curved her lips, but her eyes were ice cold.

“Take Han Murin and Cheonpung. Capture the military commander of Jeokan alive.”

Ju Soa [N O V E L I G H T] bowed her head lightly and asked:

“What about the others?”

Unwi’s voice was like winter frost.

“Give every person one chance.”

“A chance?”

“If they surrender, spare them. If they resist, kill them all.”

A smile spread across Ju Soa’s lips.

“As you command.”

She vanished toward the government office with Han Murin and Cheonpung in tow.

Unwi stopped again.

“Song Euigyeong.”

“Yes, my lord.”

“Take the martial artists of Bongrae. Exterminate the Sam Clan and bring me ten of their key heads.”

“As you command.”

Thunderblade Sword Song Euigyeong veered off with the Bongrae martial artists.

They numbered a full hundred.

“Shin Janghu.”

A sharp-eyed middle-aged man stepped up beside Unwi at the call.

“Take the warriors of Yangryeong. Wipe out the Yi Clan. Leave not a single bloodline. Bring back ten key heads.”

“As you command.”

The martial artists of Yangryeong peeled away. They numbered a hundred and twenty—leaving only around twenty at Unwi’s side.

“Wonyang. Yangso.”

As if waiting for the call, Wonyang and Yangso stepped up beside him.

“You’re the same. Erase the Hwar yeong Sword Sect from this world. Bring back the heads of key figures.”

“As you command.”

With everyone dispatched, only Unwi and Chief Seong remained.

From all over Jeokan came screams and the sound of weeping.

Unwi lifted his gaze and looked around.

Near the front gate stood a chair used for official processions. Painted red and ornate, likely used when the local governor traveled.

Chief Seong, ever perceptive, immediately understood what Unwi wanted just from his gaze.

He rushed to fetch the chair and placed it before him.

Unwi slowly sat.

He looked like a sovereign who had claimed his throne.

“I’d like some tea.”

Chief Seong blinked, then ran to the nearest tavern.

He returned shortly with tea tools and hot water.

Unwi calmly began brewing tea.

His hand movements were like a Taoist sage holding a serene tea ceremony in a peaceful garden.

Chaos reigned around him, but Unwi alone exuded unshakable calm.

His presence was so alien to the scene that even the fleeing civilians froze and stared.

In the distance, flames burst into the sky.

It was in the direction of the Sam Clan.

The firelight flickered across Unwi’s face as he calmly lifted the teacup to his lips and sipped.

“Blood Plum Tea... not bad.”

Blood Plum Tea was made from the petals of the blood plum tree native to Jeokan.

It was a kind of local specialty—its fragrance similar to plum blossom, tinged with a metallic note, sweet but also a little bitter.

Most of all, it promoted circulation and relieved fatigue, making it popular in many regions.

“Would you care for a cup?”

Chief Seong shook his head.

“I’m fine, young master.”

Unwi nodded silently and took another sip.

All across the city, screams and roaring flames rang out.

Not long after, another fire rose.

This time from the Yi Clan.

It turned the night sky red.

Unwi closed his eyes.

And listened.

Screams. Crumbling buildings. Weeping.

Unwi’s face remained still as he took it all in.

This was Murim.

Killing and being killed was everyday life. The victor took everything.

If you couldn’t take, then you were weak—and for the weak, only death awaited.

People ran through the streets in terror.

Men, women, children—they were all consumed by fear.

Some of them passed before Unwi, and froze the moment they saw him.

That overwhelming presence. The face of the man responsible for all this, sitting there without a hint of guilt or regret—utterly composed.

It was more than alien. It was bizarre. Incomprehensible.

It was only natural they feared him.

Unwi opened his eyes.

“Those not affiliated with the Ilmun, Sam Clan, or Yi Clan may pass.”

“Th-Thank you...!”

The frozen people began to flee once more.

Unwi remained still. So did Chief Seong.

Then, a man fell to his knees before Unwi.

“S-Seol Un... Lord Hyunseol...! Please spare me... I beg you...”

Unwi looked down at the man.

His outfit, the sword at his waist, his disheveled appearance.

The way he breathed. The way he moved.

“You’re from the Hwar yeong Sword Sect?”

“Y-Yes... but I’ve only been a member for three years... please...”

Unwi’s reply was brief.

“Kill him.”

“As you command.”

Chief Seong unsheathed his sword in a flash and severed the man’s neck.

Slice—!

The head soared into the air.

Unwi calmly took another sip of tea.

“Chief Seong.”

“Yes, young master.”

“Have you grown used to it now?”

Ordinarily, Chief Seong would have tried to stop him.

Said something like, “Why are you doing this,” or, “Let’s stop here.”

But not this time.

“I’ve learned some things at your side, young master.”

“Have you?”

“Yes. I may be a martial artist, but I failed to protect what I set out to protect.”

Unwi wasn’t a fool. He immediately understood what Chief Seong meant.

“You’re talking about what fell.”

“Yes.”

“You need not dwell on it.”

Chief Seong shook his head.

“I will protect you, young master. But I collapsed so completely, I couldn’t even move my body.”

“Haven’t I been through the same many times?”

At that, Chief Seong turned to look at Unwi. He continued:

“As much as you care for me, I also care for you.”

“Young master...”

“I meant what I said. Don’t keep it in your heart. When I struggle, you help me. When you struggle, I’ll help you. There’s no reason to blame yourself just because you couldn’t help once.”

Chief Seong scratched his head.

“Be ready. If you don’t finish this tonight, it’s only going to get more exhausting.”

“Why must you pressure me?”

“Lacking confidence?”

Chief Seong let out a dry laugh.

“Of course not.”

“Then it’s fine.”

And just then, Unwi closed his eyes again.