Unwi shook his head.

"It’s not a problem, exactly. I was simply impressed."

"Impressed?"

"Even though he’s not a martial artist, a man who’s lived over ninety years still shows unwavering loyalty to his country."

Unwi leaned deeply back into his seat.

"About a year from now, Songhak will die."

"...Really...?"

"A common man living into his nineties means he could die at any time. And yet, to remain that active in his position... it means his nature is something far beyond imagination."

Unwi let out a quiet laugh.

"After his death, the plan was to reduce all the proposals made today and renegotiate with his successor. That was the original plan. But his loyalty... it actually made me feel ashamed."

Songhak clearly knew.

Exactly how much time he had left.

Whether one should call it foresight or instinct—

There are many words to describe it, but the important thing is: he knew.

He intends to burn the last of his life’s flame—and with that flame, he plans to shield Unwi.

For someone like Unwi, who built his plans on the assumption of such a man’s death, it was only right to feel ashamed.

"The world is vast."

"......"

"I thought I understood it, but every time I look again, it grows even wider. That’s what makes it interesting, isn’t it? Or do you disagree?"

Chief Seong and Wonyang silently watched Unwi.

"I’m thinking of giving Songhak a gift."

"...A gift?"

"No matter how experienced or powerful he is, for matters of this scale, the pressure coming down on him from within the court must be considerable. I won’t deny I was impressed by him—so shouldn’t I at least ease that pressure for him?"

Seong and Wonyang didn’t understand. They had no idea what Unwi meant.

But they understood everything the moment he continued.

"Before we stop by Yangryeong, we’ll head to Shinsam Valley first."

"Y... Young Lord...?"

"Do you object?"

"It’s not that I like or dislike it, it’s just... Shinsam Valley... perhaps it would be better to go later...? We really shouldn’t go now. That monster of Paemun... absolutely not."

Chief Seong tried to stop him firmly—but he was right.

Truthfully, even Chief Seong had considered that Unwi might target Shinsam Valley eventually. He just hadn’t expected that now would be the time.

He’d assumed they would go only after stabilizing things.

But now?

Suddenly?

"Chief Seong."

"...Yes, Young Lord."

"Have I ever disappointed you?"

"...No, never..."

"Wonyang."

"Yes, Lord."

"Am I not reliable?"

Wonyang waved her hands vigorously.

"No, not at all... not in the slightest. Absolutely not."

Then it’s settled.

"Let’s go to Shinsam Valley."

There was nothing more to say.

***

The old man, holed up in a cramped room deep in thought, let out a sigh and turned his head.

A young man stood outside the door.

"Why are you still standing there? It’s irritating."

"Apologies. But, Master—"

"What is it?"

"Kang Cheolsan of Saryang and Jang Yunhong have come to see you. They’re waiting outside."

Saryang was a region divided between the Martial Alliance and Sichuan Alliance.

The ruling powers were known as One Hall, Three Gates (일당삼문).

The One Hall referred to the Sichuan Alliance, and the Three Gates to the Martial Alliance.

When they said ruling powers, it meant the sects that held sway in Saryang. And since Saryang was larger than one might expect, the number of sects belonging to it was about sixteen.

Evenly split.

Eight belonged to the Sichuan Alliance. Eight to the Martial Alliance.

Kang Cheolsan, the Hall Lord of Iron Ridge Hall (철령당)—part of the One Hall—was the Sichuan Alliance’s regional head in Saryang. Jang Yunhong, Sect Master of Red Flame Blade Sect (적화도문)—one of the Three Gates—was the Martial Alliance’s regional representative.

What stood out was that Kang Cheolsan was a master at the Harmonization Stage, while Jang Yunhong was of the Ogijo Level.

In any case, those two men had come looking for this old man.

The old man furrowed his brow deeply.

"Those bastards still haven’t died?"

At that, the young man chuckled lightly.

"Master, they’re the ones who come here every month for the Shinsam Flower of Shinsam Valley. Not quite alive, not quite dead—halfway beings, really."

His tone was gentle, but the sarcasm in it was sharp as a blade.

The old man—No Cheonmyeong, Lord of Paemun—narrowed his eyes at his disciple.

"Paewoon."

"Yes, Master."

"As you know, they constantly grate on my ears. Like a boil on my side."

Paewoon stepped inside and began preparing tea.

His movements were light as wind, smooth as water.

"They’ve probably brought a new contract this time."

"A contract?"

"Yes. The incident in Jeokan hit both the Martial Alliance and Sichuan Alliance hard. They’ll surely use that as a pretext to try and involve you."

No Cheonmyeong’s brows twitched faintly.

"Try to involve me, huh... well, fine. But Jeokan? Isn’t that where that sly bastard Lee Jagyeom was?"

"Correct. The One Hall–Three Gates he led was wiped out overnight. By someone named Seol Unwi."

Paewoon spoke as casually as if discussing the weather, but what he said was a massive event that had rocked the martial world.

No Cheonmyeong fell silent for a moment. His gaze dulled as if lost in distant memories, then refocused.

"And the main factions of the Martial and Sichuan Alliances? They just sat still?"

"They got played quite thoroughly, I hear."

"...Hoooh...? Is that really so?"

"Yes. And it seems the court of the Yang Empire has also been sweet-talked."

"The court?"

"More precisely, it was a secret deal with Songhak, the City Lord of Geongonseong. I don’t know the exact terms, but it’s clearly progressing just as he intended."

Interesting. However—

"That bastard son of the Everlasting Snow Palace?"

Paewoon smiled as he poured tea. That smile held understanding of things few would grasp.

"The man I just mentioned—Seol Unwi—is that bastard son."

Now that surprised No Cheonmyeong.

"Ah! That crazy bastard was him?"

"Yes. You really don’t remember names, do you."

"It’s not like the Seol clan only exists in the Everlasting Snow Palace. I only bother to remember names that are worth it."

That, Paewoon already knew.

In truth, No Cheonmyeong didn’t even know who Kang Cheolsan or Jang Yunhong were. He just assumed they were those two fools who showed up every month.

Paewoon continued.

"Since Master hasn’t shown any interest in the cultivation of Shinsam Valley, he must know that. He’ll be here in a month at most. Possibly within half a month. I imagine you’ll see his face then."

No Cheonmyeong shot Paewoon a sharp look.

"You speak as if you’re certain he’ll come."

"As surely as water flows downhill, I consider it inevitable."

Paewoon placed the tea in front of No Cheonmyeong and added,

"Looking at Seol Unwi’s movements so far, he’s already devoured Bongrae and Jeokan. Saryang is next."

"Huh... Didn’t think the Everlasting Snow Palace had a brat who liked territorial conquest."

"It’s what people do. Whether they can bear the consequences is up to the heavens. He’ll simply have to await fate."

No Cheonmyeong burst into a hearty laugh.

"Now I’m curious. Just what kind of man can humiliate both alliances and manipulate the imperial court?"

For just a moment, Paewoon /N_o_v_e_l_i_g_h_t/ considered correcting him—it wasn’t the imperial court but Songhak specifically. But he simply stepped back in silence and watched his master sip his tea.

After taking a sip, No Cheonmyeong muttered briefly.

"Send those two away. No point sitting down with men who’ll be corpses soon anyway."

"Yes. I’ll do that."

"But... there’s one thing I’m curious about."

"What is it?"

"What do you think of this Seol Unwi?"

Something flickered in Paewoon’s eyes.

It was unexpected. His master had never shown curiosity about anyone before.

Paewoon quickly composed his thoughts and answered.

"Even martial artists who claim to understand everything can’t grasp him. Outwardly, he’s the bastard son of Everlasting Snow Palace, and Lord of Yangryeong’s branch..."

He paused, gazing out the window.

"I believe he’s the kind of man who might appear once in a thousand years."

No Cheonmyeong’s eyes lit up.

"Your insight never ceases to amaze, Paewoon."

"It’s not much. I’m merely..."

Paewoon glanced toward the villa’s front entrance.

"Listening to the sound of the great tides of the world changing."

***

Three figures—two men and a woman—were hiking up a mountain trail, weaving through the mist drifting along the valley.

Unwi, Chief Seong, and Wonyang.

The scene of clouds embracing the peaks was truly breathtaking—this was Shinsam Valley.

The strange rock formations glimpsed between the thick forest looked like divine carvings, and the radiant blue plants growing here and there seemed to glow with spiritual energy.

"Is that the Shinsam Flower?"

At Wonyang’s question, Chief Seong nodded.

"This entire mountain is practically the cultivation bed for the Shinsam Flower. Do you want some?"

Wonyang shook her head. Shinsam Flower had already piled up endlessly in the branch’s medicine stores.

There was no need to covet it here.

As the group continued walking, the narrow mountain path came to an end.

There, a small waterfall flowed quietly down the rocks—so silent it felt almost sacred. Even beautiful.

Then—

The three stopped in place.

To the side of the waterfall, a high stone stairway came into view—and down those steps, two men were descending.

They had just noticed Unwi’s group. They froze where they stood—and then their eyes widened.

At first, they thought, Surely not...

But looking closely, it was Seol Unwi.

Kang Cheolsan and Jang Yunhong glanced at one another.

‘...Why him, here, of all places...’

‘...He wouldn’t launch an ambush here, would he...?’

Their expressions were complex, their thoughts different—but their root was the same.

He was a man they absolutely did not want to see. A man they should never have encountered.

Unwi approached them.

"I greet you both. I am Seol Unwi of Yangryeong, and I pay my respects to the Lord of Iron Ridge Hall and the Sect Master of Red Flame Blade Sect."

"Ahem... I accept your greetings. But... what brings you here?"

To Kang Cheolsan’s question, Unwi answered curtly.

"I’ve come to speak with the master of Shinsam Valley."

"...Unfortunately, it seems you’ve made the trip in vain."

"What do you mean?"

"Senior No Cheonmyeong is quite busy. He refused to meet even with us."

Unwi smiled faintly.

"I see. Still, since we’ve come this far, I think we’ll climb up anyway."