He had experienced so much in his past life.

As the Blood Heaven Middle Patriarch, he had swept across the central plains, and no matter where he went, people scrambled to offer him anything and everything.

The quality of the information he received naturally rose with his status—yet Unwi had never once learned that Tianlin was connected to the Thousand-Year Demonic Sect until now.

There’s a world of difference between a suspicion and a revelation.

Yu Cheong, Vice Lord of the Central Blood Sect.

Just how deep did his schemes go?

Was he truly capable of grasping this entire martial world in the palm of his hand?

‘...Seems the Heavenly Way Seer wasn’t being overly cautious after all.’

There were many questions—but that was fine.

If one failed to recognize a threat for what it was, that would be the real problem. But now that he saw it clearly as a threat...

All that remained was to find a solution.

He paused to retrace the past.

The time Unwi had left the Central Blood Sect and the time Yu Cheong left were different.

Strictly speaking, Unwi left first.

He had fought against the sect’s pursuers, elders, offshoots, and the martial world at large.

Everyone hunted him. And by the time he reached the Everlasting Snow Palace, he heard the news that Yu Cheong had departed the sect to rebuild the Thousand-Year Demonic Sect.

That was the day Unwi died.

He had no idea what happened afterward, but chances were, the true reign of the Demonic Path had begun.

A faint laugh escaped him.

Now, Unwi’s gaze rested on a go board.

Someone had placed a stone, and so had he.

Now—

It was the opponent’s move.

***

Two days had passed since they razed the Tianlin branch to the ground.

In those two days, the goods they’d brought back were stored in the division warehouse, the usable weapons were distributed among the branch members, and all pills and cultivation resources were consumed.

And as the saying goes—good things come in waves.

In one corner of the training grounds, Cheonpung and Han Murin opened their eyes at the same moment while seated in lotus position.

Energy surged around them like a storm.

It could mean only one thing.

Both had finally broken through into the Flame-Screen Realm.

And that wasn’t the end.

The woman seated cross-legged beside Unwi also opened her eyes.

Energy coiled around her as well.

Wonyang.

She had ascended to Five Dragon Blooming Star.

Unwi began congratulating the branch members, and the three newly advanced martial artists bowed in gratitude, overwhelmed.

Watching this unfold, Ju Soa found it impossible to conceal her astonishment.

‘...Is it really possible to grow this fast?’

Cheonpung and Han Murin had said they reached Root Heaven Stage two years ago, so by timing, their progress now was right on track—even exemplary.

But Wonyang was different.

She had reached Dual Light Manifestation just a month ago.

And now, she had already broken through to Five Dragon Blooming Star.

She wiped her face with one hand.

What is most important to a martial artist?

Some might say martial techniques—but that’s not the first priority.

The most important thing is experience.

And experience isn’t just what one goes through as a martial artist. It includes who you have around you.

Ju Soa’s gaze turned toward Seol Unwi, who stood behind them with his hands folded, smiling quietly.

It was him.

He was the one pushing their latent talents to the absolute limit.

Now she understood why a teacher had been necessary.

Unwi was undoubtedly imparting a cultivation method of ascension.

She still didn’t fully understand it, but a martial artist at Five Dragon Blooming Star was teaching techniques comparable to those of Heaven-and-Earth and even Martial God level—and the Spirit Ascension stage steward, Seong Yangho, was refining those teachings.

They were unknowingly absorbing the very teachings Unwi had meant to transmit.

And with Ju Soa, who was also at the Flame-Screen Realm, helping to train them—

They’d learn to discern what worked and what didn’t, to feel the difference between levels of instruction.

What more could she say?

The results were right before her eyes.

‘...He’s really... a monster.’

Ju Soa scratched her head and looked away.

Wonyang was glaring at her.

A smile crept across Ju Soa’s face.

Up until now, she’d seen her as a cute little sister, but now... it felt like she might be overtaken.

Time to start proper instruction.

“Wonyang.”

“...What?”

“How about a sparring match?”

“Sure. Let’s spar.”

Wonyang answered without hesitation, and Ju Soa was about to say something more—when a man entered the branch.

Im Munam, the chief arbitrator of the Three Valleys Trade Alliance.

“Hahahaha! Branch Lord, I trust you’ve been well.”

Behind Im Munam were five wagons being brought in.

It was the 600 geun of Shinsamhwa he had promised.

As she looked at him, Unwi gave a meaningful smile.

And for some reason, that smile sent a chill down Ju Soa’s spine. She turned to Wonyang beside her and muttered,

“...Don’t mind it. Let’s go.”

“Yes. Let’s go.”

“...Do you have something against me?”

“Nope.”

Wonyang answered without even thinking, and Ju Soa was left speechless.

In the central hall of the division, Unwi was in private conversation with Im Munam.

After steadying his breath, Im Munam offered a bright smile.

“This time, we were especially lucky. A whole 150 geun of high-grade Shinsamhwa. Hahaha.”

Unwi silently watched him as he chuckled.

That gaze was... strange. Far too blatant. Im Munam’s smile quickly turned awkward, and eventually, he scratched his head and dropped the expression.

“...Why are you looking at me like that? Did I do something wrong?”

“If we’re talking wrongs... then yes, you did.”

“And what might that be?”

“Making me wait until you got to the point. That’s your mistake.”

Im Munam’s lips twitched faintly.

“...I had a feeling you weren’t ordinary, but I didn’t expect you to be this sharp. Did you deduce it just now? Or had you already suspected it?”

“Neither.”

“Then what was it?”

“From the very beginning.”

“...Pardon?”

“I # Nоvеlight # thought it was strange from the very beginning.”

“I don’t believe I made a mistake... so how could you have known?”

“Consciousness and subconsciousness are strictly distinct. That’s the most basic principle of martial arts. No matter how unified the mind and body may seem—no matter how high the cultivation—be it even someone who’s reached Absolute Oneness—the two can never fully become one.”

“...”

“A martial artist of Heavenly Man Realm playing mediator? That alone was odd. But the way you tried to hide your identity... it was almost cute.”

Im Munam let out a soft laugh.

“...There’s a specialized great art I used. Even martial artists above my level couldn’t perceive it. And yet you, a Flame-Screen stage Branch Lord, saw through it.”

“You’re not even denying it.”

“I’m acknowledging your brilliance, Branch Lord. In such a situation, there’s no point in denying it, is there?”

“Brilliance, huh... That’s your judgment?”

“You spoke of Go the first time we met. Then and now, I’ve been nothing but sincerely impressed. Truly a mysterious existence—you are.”

Im Munam straightened his posture.

“Very well. Your poise, your boldness—Hyeon Seollin-nim—it’s unforgettable. You can even read the board. I dare say there’s no one in all of Yangnyeong who could match you in a game of Go. So let me ask—just how far are you seeing...?”

“Before that—let’s settle on a proper title.”

Still smiling, Im Munam responded,

“Then from this moment forward, I shall refer to you as Young Lord.”

“Fine. Go on.”

“How far ahead are you looking?”

“Then let me ask you this—how far do you think I’m seeing?”

Im Munam had been about to answer but stopped himself cold.

“...Incredible. I almost slipped there. Haven’t made a verbal misstep like that in ages.”

“I have a question. Who laid out this game?”

“That... I can’t tell you.”

“Then did you give your input?”

“I did. But I didn’t foresee all the results.”

“Then how far did you expect it to go?”

“You want to see my hand.”

“Normally, I wouldn’t bother. But this time, I’m a little curious.”

Im Munam offered a slight grin.

“I’ll tell you, since I wish to build a cooperative relationship with you, Young Lord.”

He took a deep breath, then spoke quietly.

“I won’t deny it. Tianlin’s establishment of a branch in Cheongsu Village had nothing to do with the gold mine.”

Unwi chuckled.

“You’re not saying it was for ‘experiments,’ I see.”

“...You continue to astonish me. Fine. I won’t hide it any longer. Yes—it was for experiments. Whether you uncovered it alone, or used the power of Everlasting Snow Palace, that’s not important. What matters is this—Everlasting Snow Palace’s reach has now extended to the outer fringes of the Central Plains.”

Unwi gestured for him to continue.

“We placed our branch in Cheongsu because we were certain Everlasting Snow Palace wouldn’t extend that far.”

“Is that so.”

“Yes. Lord Seol Jungcheon, the sovereign of the palace, has no interest in expanding territory. The more enemies one gathers, the more there is to protect.”

Unwi remained silent.

“But the moment Everlasting Snow Palace absorbed Yangnyeong, the truth of what we were doing in our branch was bound to surface. Especially since Tianlin helped subjugate Seolap, which you had been managing... naturally, we had no choice but to concede and apologize.”

“So the choice of Shinsamhwa was your apology?”

“Yes. It was our peace offering. Of course, if you’d rather not accept it, we’ll simply prepare a different form of compensation.”

“Whatever it is, the more we want from each other, the more exhausting it becomes.”

“Exactly. I can’t recall the last time conversation flowed so well.”

Im Munam smiled again.

“Let me ask again—how far ahead are you looking?”

“To the end.”

With Unwi’s words, the air seemed to freeze. It wasn’t merely an answer—it was a declaration that he had seen through everything.

“I’m looking to the end as well.”

“Do you think the ‘end’ I see is the same as yours?”

“I don’t believe they differ. But if we acknowledge each other’s domains and accept different methods, there’s no reason for conflict.”

“That’s a valid point. So valid, in fact, it almost sounds completely wrong.”

“...Does it now.”

To sum it up: this was Tianlin’s scheme.

The moment Unwi seized control of Yangnyeong, Tianlin had made their move. Through the Chief Mediator of the Three Valleys Trade Alliance, they approached Everlasting Snow Palace. On the surface, it was a trade negotiation—but in truth, Tianlin had prepared a gift.

Unwi had waited.

Even two days after reducing the Tianlin branch to rubble, no one from Tianlin showed themselves. But the moment Im Munam appeared, everything clicked into place.

Unwi asked,

“What’s your name?”

Im Munam tilted his head.

“I told you—it’s Im Munam...”

“Not that one. I’m asking for your real name.”

“...”

“Is it difficult to answer?”

“Do you believe Im Munam is a false name?”

“Did I guess wrong?”

“...No. You didn’t.”

Im Munam gave a martial salute.

“Allow me to introduce myself again. I am Seo Hyo, the Bright Lord of Tianlin.”