Two men were walking toward them.

If you couldn’t tell who those two were, you had no right to call yourself a martial artist—you ought to die.

One was Seong Yangho.

The other was Unhwi.

But—

...Has he suffered qi deviation or something?

That was Hwa Muryeong’s thought, but it was the same one that crossed everyone’s mind at the scene.

Pung Muhwi was no exception.

It had been ten days since the traitors of Seongjak Province were purged.

During that time, most orders had been issued through Commander Seong, while Unhwi had remained completely secluded. Even Pung Muhwi was seeing him for the first time in ten days.

But his condition was appalling.

He was severely emaciated, and strange smoke-like vapors were seeping from his body.

No one could guess what it was.

As Unhwi approached and stopped beside Pung Muhwi, he spoke in a calm voice.

“It seems this is the first time since the main Martial Alliance headquarters. It’s been a while. I am Seol Unhwi of Seongjak Province.”

His voice was far too clear for the state he was in—almost pleasant to hear.

Unhwi greeted them one by one, meeting each gaze in turn.

“Senior Jin of the Celestial Sound Sword Sect, you’re as robust as ever. And Senior Hang of the Azure Cloud Sword Sect—seeing that you look more at ease than before, it seems whatever plan you had in mind has been going well of late.”

Neither of the two replied.

It was strange.

They’d heard he’d just reached the Great Harmony Realm, and yet this atmosphere...

It felt like they were looking at something closer to the Union of Man and Heaven.

At last, Unhwi turned his gaze to the red-haired woman.

“Senior Hwa of the Soulflame Demonic Palace, I’ve heard you’re exceptionally skilled in matters of practicality.”

“Do I really seem that way to you?”

“After all, when Senior Urin—the Blackflame Beast who once led Hwasung Division—went missing, you immediately seized that seat, did you not?”

Hwa Muryeong gave a short laugh.

“That’s right. Red-Eye Valley, was it? He vanished on his way there. That bastard Urin.”

“I don’t know the reason myself, but I heard that after taking charge of Hwasung Division, you personally requested to be dispatched here to the Martial Alliance of Heaven. Is that true?”

“Probably.”

“That’s not a decision one can make without both a sharp mind and vast ambition.”

“And why’s that?”

“Because it’s plain as day you’re not satisfied merely being head of the Hwasung Division.”

“...”

“If you lacked ambition, the Outer Demonic Faction wouldn’t have joined forces with the Five Sword Sects, much less entered the Ihwa Union founded by the Ihwa Sword Heaven Sect. More than anything, it seems to me...”

“Why don’t we stop there?”

There was something uncanny in Unhwi’s words—like he could see straight through her.

Hwa Muryeong tried to cut him off, but Unhwi didn’t stop.

“Your true allegiance doesn’t seem to lie with the Soulflame Demonic Palace, but rather somewhere outside it.”

“...Didn’t I just tell you to stop? You don’t sound like you’re talking sense.”

“That’s not it. I understood perfectly well. I simply saw no reason to stop.”

“...You really are a strange bastard, aren’t you? Coming here in that wreck of a body and still trying to provoke me—it’s like you’re begging to be killed. Am I wrong?”

Unhwi smiled faintly and shook his head.

“I think our greetings have gone far enough. May we move on to the main point?”

“There’s a main point?”

“Yes. There is.”

Unhwi looked at Hwa Muryeong, Jin Socheon, and Hang Ryeo one after another with those dead, fish-like eyes of his, and spoke quietly.

“Ten days from now, either Jang Icheong or I will die.”

“...”

“According to highly confidential information, a secret realm will open. Jang Icheong and I will both enter it. Of course, some of you may follow us in, but let me be clear: whoever that is, they’ll die. Only one person will walk out of that place alive.”

“...”

“I’ll give you ten days to decide.”

Unhwi looked out beyond the cliff, where the Celestial Sea spread endlessly before them.

“Seongjak Province is vast, and so is this sea—but unfortunately, I am the one who governs it. If I fall, Jang Icheong will swallow both Seongjak and the Celestial Sea whole. But if I win...”

His eyes began to gleam with killing intent.

“Everyone who stood with Jang Icheong will die—without a single exception.”

“...”

“You have ten days. Decide by then.”

Hwa Muryeong let out a quiet chuckle.

“That’s all?”

“Yes. That’s my main point.”

“For a main point, that’s awfully bland. Since you came all this way, shouldn’t we at least cross blades once? They say you even subdued that Pung Muhwi over there—and cut down experts at the Mythic Realm, too. I didn’t see it myself, but it’s true enough, isn’t it? I was dying to find out.”

Unhwi didn’t draw his sword. He simply stepped one foot back and angled his body slightly.

“Then come.”

Why didn’t he draw his sword? What could he possibly do in that broken body of his?

The question rose to Hwa Muryeong’s throat—but she couldn’t speak it aloud.

It was an indescribable feeling.

...What is this?

Was this what it meant to be overwhelmed?

That careless stance of his revealed not a single opening.

No matter where she imagined attacking, all she could see was herself being countered.

The absurdity of it made her swallow hard.

As the meaningless standoff dragged on, Unhwi ◈ Nоvеlіgһт ◈ (Continue reading) straightened his posture again.

“It seems today isn’t the right day.”

“...”

“Senior Hwa, how about we exchange hands another time, when the chance arises?”

“...Maybe... so?”

Just then, a whisper of transmitted voice brushed her ear.

The moment she heard it, Hwa Muryeong’s eyes flew wide, and her hand began to tremble.

“...You... just now...?”

Unhwi didn’t bother to answer.

“I’ll be taking my leave. Remember this, seniors—ten days. Decide within ten days.”

Unhwi turned and walked away. Commander Seong and Pung Muhwi followed behind him.

Those of the Ihwa Union also began leaving one by one, but not Hwa Muryeong.

She stood there blankly for a long time.

As Unhwi turned his back for the last time, another whispered message reached her ears.

—If you wish for a deeper conversation, come secretly to Celestial Dragon Hall.

And before that—

The first whisper Unhwi had thrown her way was still tearing through her mind.

He’s... alive? That child?

***

The path down the cliff was treacherous.

Between rock and rock, a narrow trail wound downward where three figures descended in silence.

Below their feet, the Celestial Sea stretched endlessly, and far in the distance the outlines of Yongrin Island and the Wolyeong Peninsula blurred against the horizon.

Commander Seong led the way, with Unhwi and Pung Muhwi following side by side.

Only after a long stretch did Pung Muhwi finally speak.

“About what just happened back there... thank you.”

“Thank me? For what?”

“You personally stepped in to resolve what we couldn’t as branch heads. You even saved my life and that of Sub-branch Master Yeom Cheol here.”

Yeom Cheol of the Cheonrak Division bowed in gratitude, but Unhwi waved a hand dismissively.

“There’s nothing to thank me for. If anything, I should be the one thanking you.”

“...Sir?”

“For not betraying me.”

“Ah...”

Pung Muhwi’s steps faltered. Unhwi stopped as well and looked at him.

“Hwa Muryeong’s offer wasn’t a bad one. She promised to keep the Seongjak Alliance intact and even guarantee profits. For someone of your position, that would’ve been a tempting proposal—especially when, as you can see, my condition is far from sound. Yet you held to your loyalty all the same.”

“There was no reason to consider otherwise.”

“No reason?”

Pung Muhwi lifted his head and met Unhwi’s gaze.

“Because Lord Cheonsusa Seol is a man worth following. That alone was enough. If you call that loyalty, then I can only be grateful for the honor.”

A faint smile touched Unhwi’s lips.

“I value your loyalty, Branch Master Pung.”

The two resumed walking. The wind rose, fluttering Unhwi’s robes. Watching that frail silhouette, Pung Muhwi asked carefully,

“You said your body isn’t sound... are you truly all right?”

“Do I look that bad?”

“...Yes. It’s like you’ve fallen into qi deviation. Your inner flow feels unstable, your complexion is off—and most of all, I can’t read your realm.”

Unhwi stayed silent for a long moment.

Only the crash of waves below filled the pause.

To speak honestly—

“I’m not fine.”

“...It doesn’t seem related to the Gaebang Lord. Am I right?”

“You’re right. It has nothing to do with him. It’s the result of my own greed.”

“...Greed, sir?”

“It’s natural that you can’t read my realm. I can’t explain in detail, but no one there could read it—none of them. The same will apply to Jang Icheong when we meet.”

“...I don’t know the details, but if you say you’re fine, I’ll believe you.”

Unhwi nodded once.

“Ten days may sound short—but it’s a very long time.”

“...”

“So, prepare.”

Prepare...?

“What should we prepare for?”

Unhwi stopped walking and turned to him. Those dead-fish eyes flashed sharply for an instant.

“Branch Master Pung. Answer this sincerely.”

“I’m listening.”

“Do you think I’ll lose to Jang Icheong?”

Pung Muhwi hesitated briefly, then shook his head firmly.

“No. Lord Cheonsusa will not be defeated.”

“Then the matter’s simple.”

Unhwi paused, his voice turning cold.

“The moment I enter that secret realm, slaughter every martial artist belonging to the Ihwa Union.”

Pung Muhwi’s eyes widened.

“S-Sir, is that... really acceptable? It’s not only the Five Sword Sects and the Outer Demonic Faction—there are sects established throughout the region. Even the local government’s entangled in this... and beyond that, the imperial court itself. How could we possibly—”

“Branch Master Pung.”

At the brief call, Pung Muhwi shut his mouth.

“This isn’t a matter of whether we can or not. It’s a matter of whether we will or not.”

“...Understood.”

“Leave the court and the officials to me. What matters is ripping out the Ihwa Union’s roots completely—those roots Jang Icheong planted.”

Pung Muhwi fell deep into thought. Unhwi was right.

If they missed this chance, the Ihwa Union would take firmer hold than ever, and soon it would grow beyond control.

And “beyond control” meant they would become the Martial Alliance of Heaven itself.

Still, one major issue remained.

“With the Cheonrak Division alone... it’ll be difficult.”

“I never said you’d only use the Cheonrak Division.”

Unhwi smiled.

“We have the Seongjak Alliance, and remnants of the Gangcheon School Gate as well. And above all...”

He looked out over the Celestial Sea.

“Hwa Muryeong will come.”

“Hwa Muryeong?”

“The head of Hwasung Division in the Soulflame Demonic Palace will side with us.”