His hair was white, yet it shimmered in the breeze, and his eyes were far too clear for a man of his age.

The instant they saw the nine sashes tied at his waist—

Commander Seong realized something was terribly wrong, and Unhwi’s brow furrowed slightly.

“...Unbelievable... Let’s be honest. You didn’t see this coming, did you?”

“I didn’t.”

“What do we do? Run?”

Unhwi, tense for only a moment, let out a small laugh.

Running had to depend on the opponent.

The Sect Leader of Gaebang, the Nine Desolate Divine Beggar Hyejeongsan, was a master of the Supreme Void of Non-Being.

Even if they ran till the soles of their feet sweated, he would catch them in four or five steps. Running? Nothing in this world was more meaningless.

“Even if I stake my life to block him, I’d be seeing the afterlife in the blink of an eye.”

Commander Seong’s voice trembled.

Hyejeongsan’s renown was known throughout the central plains. Especially those nine sashes at his waist—they were a symbol of the highest authority.

“Rest easy.”

“...Young Master, are you at ease?”

“Unexpected, yes. But in a way, it makes things simpler.”

“...Doesn’t seem like it.”

Unhwi remained unruffled.

“He’s someone I would have had to meet sooner or later anyway.”

He walked forward calmly, Commander Seong trailing behind, drenched in cold sweat.

Soon, Unhwi and Hyejeongsan stood face-to-face.

Unhwi was the first to speak.

“I am Seol Unhwi of Everlasting Snow Palace. It is an honor to meet the Sect Leader of Gaebang, whom I have only heard of in rumor.”

Even in greeting first, his demeanor was steady.

Hyejeongsan studied him closely.

He had heard the rumors of the boy, but in person it was different.

At seventeen, he was astonishingly composed—and more than that, there was no fear at all in the eyes that met his.

“I am Hyejeongsan, Sect Leader of Gaebang.”

Hyejeongsan’s voice was weighty, resonant.

“I’ve come to speak with you.”

“The honor is mine, to receive a visit from the Nine Desolate Divine Beggar.”

Unhwi dipped his head slightly.

“Rather than inside, why not that pavilion over there? The interior is under reconstruction and quite unfit to receive a guest.”

“Very well.”

Unhwi turned his gaze briefly to Commander Seong.

“Bring out a table, will you.”

“...Understood.”

Commander Seong went off toward the building, and Unhwi and Hyejeongsan headed to the pavilion.

Already, from his first impression, {N•o•v•e•l•i•g•h•t} Hyejeongsan sensed much. This youth was no ordinary boy.

No—in fact, he could no longer be called a boy at all.

By now, he was a master worthy of standing among the foremost of the martial world.

Such was the aura he gave off.

The two men sat across from each other in the pavilion.

The breeze stirred, bringing calm.

Neither opened his mouth.

Commander Seong returned, laying out a table with two cups and two bottles of Bamboo Leaf Green.

There was finer wine inside, but Bamboo Leaf Green was the Sect Leader’s favorite. A small moment where his White Snow Ghost Unit’s information network had proven useful.

Commander Seong quietly withdrew.

At last, Hyejeongsan spoke.

“Why did you kill our Gaebang disciples?”

Unhwi seemed to ponder for a moment.

“A reason... I didn’t think you’d be unaware, but to put it simply—they were an eyesore.”

Hyejeongsan’s gaze chilled.

“An eyesore?”

“Yes. If there’s one thing I cannot abide, it is betrayal. Ham Jangsik betrayed me, led me into a trap. Was that not reason enough to kill him?”

“I’ve heard as much, but that is guilt only he should bear. Why visit his sins upon other Gaebang disciples who were blameless?”

“You mean to ask why I didn’t bother sorting who was who.”

“Precisely.”

“Then I will answer. I simply had no desire to.”

“...Hm?”

“I wanted the world to see what becomes of those who betray me. Ham Jangsik betrayed me, and many beggars followed his command. Rather than pick and choose, it seemed better to kill every one I saw. That was my judgment.”

“...Such is the way of a demonic heretic.”

“It is a matter of perspective. If my actions are those of a demon, then when sects wage war and the victor exterminates the vanquished, is that too not demonic?”

“......”

“I believe I acted as a martial man should. Senior.”

“...Hmph...”

“And another thing. Those men bore the name of Gaebang, yet did nothing that befit Gaebang.”

Hyejeongsan frowned.

“What do you mean by ‘befit Gaebang’?”

“I was taught Gaebang is a sect that embraces all beggars of the world, that protects the weak and upholds justice. But what of the Gaebang disciples of Seongjak Province?”

Hyejeongsan could not answer.

He was not ignorant of the problems in the branches.

“They only used Gaebang’s name for their own gain. They even tormented common folk without hesitation.”

“But even so, did that warrant annihilation?”

“I’m not trying to justify myself. Nor am I making excuses. I’ve not regretted killing them for even a moment.”

“......”

“If I could turn back time, I’d do the same. If I could have killed more, I would have, without hesitation.”

Hyejeongsan was left speechless.

What kind of monster is this?

“Are you not afraid of Gaebang?”

Not a flicker of hesitation.

“No. I’m not.”

“Not afraid?”

“No. More than that, I don’t even find it threatening.”

“Arrogance and confidence are but a hair apart.”

“I have a very clear sense of myself, Senior.”

“Then tell me—why does Everlasting Snow Palace’s prodigy hate Gaebang so?”

Hyejeongsan had taken Unhwi’s assessment as hostility toward Gaebang. Not entirely wrong, but not wholly true either.

“I don’t hate Gaebang.”

“Then why such words? To my ears they ring with open hostility.”

“Because Gaebang today is half a sect.”

“Half a sect...”

“When the Sect Leader and the Vice Leader split into factions and fight, it cannot be called a whole.”

Hyejeongsan’s eyes grew sharp.

Even so, that division wasn’t the worst problem at present.

“But should Everlasting Snow Palace rise as an enemy, we might unite. If Gaebang stood as one to threaten your palace, could you still speak so?”

“Yes. I could, Senior.”

“......”

“Unite? History is full of such cases, but it always depends on the circumstances. Gaebang as it stands could never unite, no matter what enemy appeared.”

Watching Hyejeongsan’s face stiffen, Unhwi went on.

“And I think you, above all, know why.”

“...Me?”

“Yes. If you did not, you would have no reason to endure in your seat, no reason to still be alive.”

Hyejeongsan’s face grew suddenly grave.

“...Just who are you?”

“I told you. Seol Unhwi of Everlasting Snow Palace.”

“Who stands behind you?”

Once more, Unhwi chuckled.

“Does it look as though anyone does?”

“At your age, such insight is impossible. More than that, this goes beyond insight—it is physically impossible.”

“And why do you think that?”

“Because you know not only Gaebang’s internal situation, but even which hand my direct disciple, the Vice Leader Jin Muhyeok, has shaken.”

Unhwi did not flinch. Because it was true.

“Then think of it another way.”

“Another way?”

“Set aside my age, and look at what’s unfolded. I’ve moved between the martial world and the outer martial world, and now here to Cheonrimeng. What do you suppose has transpired?”

“......”

“There are things even Gaebang’s information network cannot fully uncover. So I’ll ask you, Sect Leader. Even now, this very moment, I am playing a ‘great game’ with someone. Do you know who?”

Hyejeongsan’s brow tightened.

“...So you are a vessel fit to hold the heavens.”

“Is that how I appear?”

“Otherwise, you could not be facing the one who already holds the heavens. Not once, but twice.”

Unhwi smiled.

“As expected of Gaebang’s Sect Leader.”

“And now praise?”

“You’ve misunderstood me, I think.”

“...Hm?”

“I look down on Gaebang as an organization. But I do not look down on its leadership. Gaebang’s numbers are vast—so vast they’re nothing more than a rabble. But its leaders are warriors of the Heavenly-Earthly Four Realms or even the Divine Martial Five Realms—men who are threats. You especially, Sect Leader, are a grave threat to me.”

“And Muhyeok?”

“If you mean the Vice Leader—I haven’t met him in person. But even if he were a master of the Sovereign Alone Realm, I would dismiss him utterly.”

“And why?”

“Why...? I might ask you instead. Why should one respect a man who sells out his own sect to another?”

“...A sword that cuts to the bone.”

Hyejeongsan exhaled a deep sigh, as if weighed by regret.

Unhwi spoke again, curtly.

“May I offer a word of advice?”

“Speak.”

“I looked down on you as well, Senior.”

His brow knotted sharply.

“Well now... I can’t tell if that’s insolence or not. But I’ll trust you have some reason.”

“Why won’t you decide?”

“......”

“Is it because he’s your only disciple? Because you cherish him?”

Hyejeongsan gazed off into the distance.

“Your complacency is what splits Gaebang in two. If the Vice Leader, already consorting with the Blood Sect and training in their martial arts, should surpass you and claim nine sashes—do you truly not see what would happen then?”

“......”

“Then I will tell you.”

Unhwi’s voice sank, cold.

“Gaebang will be split in half. It will become a new branch of the Blood Sect. The number of Gaebang disciples I’ve killed will seem laughable compared to what’s to come. And among the dead will be many of the very core talents meant to lead Gaebang in the future.”