If they pressed on without rest and took the shortcut, they could reach their destination within two days.

Even when riding on horseback with minimal breaks, it would still take two days.

Two days.

Unwi was traveling by carriage, and at the moment, he was resting in a small valley between the Main Palace and Yangnyeong.

Before him, warming herself by the campfire, was Wonyang.

Unwi spoke.

“Are you uncomfortable?”

“...About what?”

“Ju Soa.”

At that name, Wonyang flinched.

Unwi quietly watched her, then drew a jar of Golden Soothing Ointment from his sleeve and began gently applying it near her eye.

Wonyang froze from surprise—and embarrassment.

Her face flushed red.

She gathered her senses a moment later.

“...I can do it myself.”

“No need. Just sit still.”

If it had been anyone else, she might’ve insisted. But when it came to Unwi, Wonyang accepted his words like a divine mandate.

As he continued spreading the ointment, Unwi spoke.

“Do you remember why you must become stronger?”

“...Yes. For revenge.”

“Right. It’s revenge. Not to compete with anyone. That’s not what this is about.”

At his words, Wonyang lowered her head. The flickering firelight slipped through the strands of her long hair.

“I told you to stay still. You really don't listen, do you?”

She hurriedly lifted her head, startled—but all she saw was Unwi’s face, smiling gently at her.

And he was quite close.

“The path of training isn’t about defeating others. It’s about overcoming yourself.”

Unwi’s voice was deep—and disarmingly sweet.

“Don’t let Ju Soa’s presence shake your heart. If it does, you’ll only be shaking yourself.”

“...I’ll keep that in mind.”

The wounds near Wonyang’s eye weren’t the only ones. There were cuts on her shoulder, thigh, and calf as well.

The area around her eye was just bruised and lightly scraped, but her shoulder had a long sword gash, and the same went for her thigh and calf.

Unwi began applying ointment again. At his gentle touch, Wonyang let him treat her without the slightest resistance.

“The path you must walk is already set. On that path, Ju Soa is neither an enemy nor a rival. She’s simply someone whose direction happened to align with yours for a while.”

“...And what about you, Lord?”

“Well. Technically, I’m a companion. But do you really want to define our relationship with something so meager?”

She didn’t hesitate.

“No.”

“Then let’s say you and I walk in the same direction, toward the same end. Ju Soa just happens to be traveling the same path for a while.”

“Yeah. That sounds right.”

Wonyang smiled brightly.

Unwi rolled up the leg of her trousers.

Wonyang twitched in surprise.

“Your talent is exceptional.”

Unwi’s voice was quiet as he applied ointment to the long cut on her thigh, but to Wonyang, it rang out like thunder. It was hard to tell whether the sound she heard was his voice or the pounding of her own heart.

“Don’t let that talent be stained by jealousy or envy. That’s not a burden your blade should carry.”

“...Understood.”

Having finished applying the ointment, Unwi placed the jar back in his satchel and took out something else.

It was a book.

“Take this.”

“...What is it?”

“I haven’t yet refined the Namgung clan’s internal art.”

Wonyang gave a small smile.

“That’s fine. You said you’d teach me once I reached the Five Banners Form, remember?”

“I did. No need to worry ⊛ Nоvеlιght ⊛ (Read the full story) about that.”

“I’m not worried.”

And she truly wasn’t.

“No matter what path you walk, Lord, I’ll remain by your side.”

“Even if it’s a road soaked in blood?”

“I don’t care.”

Unwi gave a quiet chuckle.

“You have the right mindset. So, aren’t you going to open it?”

“Can I open it now?”

Unwi nodded, and Wonyang flipped the book open.

The moment she read the first page, her eyes widened as she looked at Unwi.

“...This...?”

“It’s the Namgung clan’s sword art and movement technique.”

Wonyang swallowed hard.

“The Bluefeather Sword Art is composed of three forms—Skyfeather Turns Heaven, Wings Pierce Frost, and Twin Swallows in Flight. It’s the Namgung clan’s foundational sword art, and also its core. Fast, agile swordplay designed to strike at openings. You must master it to carry on their true legacy.”

“...Lord...”

“While Hancheol’s martial art is excellent, it was designed for the male physique. You’re a woman. There are undeniable physical differences.”

“I don’t deny that.”

“Good. But learning the Skywolf Killing Star Art wasn’t in vain. Its essence lies in sharpness and explosive force. The early part of that book contains the original form of the Bluefeather Sword Art. The middle includes a version infused with the Skywolf Killing Star’s principles. I haven’t named it—take some time and come up with something fitting.”

Wonyang’s eyes shimmered gently.

“The final section describes the Namgung Phantom Steps. Remember three key mysteries—Phantom Becoming Real, Vanishing Without Trace, and Step Shift Shadow Seize. Appear as illusion but exist in truth. Leave no shadow. Take your opponent’s position as if stealing their shadow. That’s the essence of Namgung’s footwork.”

Unwi had spent a great deal of time in his quarters.

In the carriage, in his room—wherever he was.

Always with a brush in hand, always with blank books nearby.

What had he done with them?

He sketched out the martial arts engraved in memory. Again and again.

If something was lacking, he refined it. If it was still insufficient, he filled in the gaps.

As for the Namgung techniques—he’d encountered them often in his previous life. He knew them inside and out.

Especially the Namgung Phantom Steps and Bluefeather Sword Art, which he had obtained himself in a hidden realm.

It would’ve been strange not to remember them.

“...You’ve been thinking of me all this time.”

“Of course.”

Unwi smiled softly.

“You’re mine.”

“Yes. I belong to you, Lord.”

With that, she clutched the book to her chest.

As though it were a treasure she could never lose.

Unwi laid back and stretched out.

“I’m going to sleep. No need to keep watch—read a little, then rest.”

“...Okay.”

Wonyang gazed quietly at Unwi, whose eyes were already closed, then asked in a small voice,

“...Lord. May I ask you something?”

“Is it urgent?”

“...Yes. It’s very urgent.”

He couldn’t help but open his eyes.

“Speak.”

“...May I call you ‘my liege’?”

Unwi quietly looked at Wonyang for a moment, then gave a small smile.

“Now that I think of it... this is the first time.”

“...Pardon?”

“Since my return, not a single person has called me their lord.”

“...”

“You’ll be the first.”

Wonyang’s face lit up.

“Then from now on, address me that way.”

As she nodded, Unwi issued his first command.

“I’m going to sleep. See that I’m not disturbed.”

“...Yes, my liege.”

He didn’t make it to his dream.

With his eyes still closed, Unwi furrowed his brow and opened them.

A guest had arrived.

***

He rose to his feet. Wonyang closed the book and stood up as well.

Unwi quietly turned his gaze toward the brush, shrouded in darkness across the way.

He spoke in a soft voice.

“Are you lost?”

A man stepped out from the foliage and answered.

“Do I look it?”

“Yes. It’s common for newcomers to lose their way in these snowy mountains.”

The man who emerged was a middle-aged figure with cropped hair, draped in a light traveling cloak.

The moment Unwi saw his face, a faint scoff escaped him.

A familiar face.

Staring at him, Unwi continued calmly.

“Given the weather, especially for someone coming from a hot region like the Great Desert, losing one’s way shouldn’t be shameful. Senior.”

“...So you know who I am.”

“Yes. You’re the Gate Master of the Soul-Slaying Sect, are you not?”

He clasped his fists in greeting.

“Seol Unwi, of Everlasting Snow Palace, greets Senior Eun Yunsaeng, the Soul-Destroying Sword Lord.”

“...I see. But I must say, I’m curious. Have we met before?”

“No, we haven’t.”

“And yet you recognized me immediately.”

“You’re far too renowned, Senior.”

Eun Yunsaeng, the Soul-Destroying Sword Lord.

Who was he?

A concise answer would suffice.

He was the sovereign of the Great Desert—a top-tier master among top-tier masters, known to have reached the Realm of Peach Blossom Reversal.

“...Then the rumors are all wrong.”

“Is that so?”

“They say you’re a feeble puppet, a fool who doesn’t even understand the weapon he holds... but you’re more than that.”

“Thank you for the compliment.”

Once again, Eun Yunsaeng gazed silently at Unwi.

He looked like he had something to say, so Unwi simply waited.

Soon, the man spoke.

“I just returned from delivering the Ten-Thousand-Year Flame Pearls to the Palace Lord.”

“Then I take it you got what you wanted.”

“I did. And I received ten thousand gold taels along with them.”

He smiled as he said it.

“As you know, the value of an item isn’t set by the buyer.”

“It’s set by the seller.”

“Exactly. You’ve come a long way—if you need more travel funds, just say the word.”

Eun Yunsaeng burst into laughter.

“To be honest, the Palace Lord told me that you’re the one who brought the Heavenly Soul Annihilation Art to their attention.”

“I won’t deny it.”

“And she told me to give you the art... along with ten thousand gold taels.”

“That’s also correct.”

Originally, Eun Yunsaeng had asked for a hundred thousand taels for the Flame Pearls.

That was an impossible price for most martial factions, but not for powers like Everlasting Snow Palace—or even a nation.

Especially in a resource-scarce region like the Great Desert, gold could accomplish a great deal.

You could import water. Stockpile food.

Feed tens of thousands of people.

He didn’t receive the full hundred thousand, but even ten thousand was more than enough.

Truly.

“...I didn’t believe it. But now that I see you in person—I understand. You really are dangerous.”

Unwi gave a faint smile.

“You have a rather violent way of offering praise.”

“Well, this is the martial world, isn’t it?”

“True. And in the martial world, I’ll take that violence as courtesy.”

“You’re as sly as a serpent. I have high hopes for your future.”

Unexpectedly, Eun Yunsaeng didn’t ask.

How did Unwi know the Heavenly Soul Annihilation Art?

“Aren’t you curious?”

“About what?”

“Why I haven’t asked how you came to know the Heavenly Soul Annihilation Art.”

“...I suppose I’m a little curious.”

“I made a promise. With the Palace Lord.”

“...”

“She told me not to ask. So I won’t.”

As if the absurdity was only dawning on him now, Eun Yunsaeng let out a bitter chuckle.

“She said I’d understand once I met you. That woman really had a monster hidden away.”

Unwi said nothing in response.

Eun Yunsaeng, holding his hat in his right hand, placed it back on his head and said quietly:

“The Heavenly Soul Annihilation Art—lost since the primordial era—was the final secret art of the Soul-Slaying Sect. A long-cherished wish of ours.”