“Seol Chief Heavenly Commander…”

Mae Wuidong’s eyes were trembling strongly.

Was that sincerity?

Even now, Unhwi’s gaze did not waver as he stared straight into Mae Wuidong’s eyes.

He was trying to sense something within them—but gained nothing.

“…Your sincerity stirs my heart. Very well. For the revival of the Heavenly Alliance, I will fill the Alliance Lord’s seat that has remained vacant until now. And…”

Mae Wuidong fell silent for a long moment.

The position of Heavenly Arbiter effectively signified the second-greatest authority within the Heavenly Alliance. No—depending on circumstances, it could wield more practical power than the Alliance Lord.

Mae Wuidong’s gaze traveled slowly across Unhwi’s face.

Most would have rejected this proposal outright.

To speak bluntly, it would have been simpler to simply grant the Vice Alliance Lord’s position.

But the creation of the Heavenly Arbiter position meant taking on the entire fate of the Heavenly Alliance. If such a role existed, the significance of the Alliance Lord’s position would inevitably diminish.

No sane man would accept that.

But Mae Wuidong was not of the usual kind.

He nodded.

“For the Heavenly Alliance to truly seize supremacy, it needs a foundation of equal strength. I will establish the position of Heavenly Arbiter.”

A faint light flickered through Unhwi’s eyes.

It was a light containing both suspicion and certainty.

Unhwi rose.

“Then let us return and make the announcement.”

“Announcement?”

“The new beginning of the Heavenly Alliance.”

Unhwi extended his hand, and Mae Wuidong rose as well and took it.

The two men looked into each other’s eyes.

The atmosphere was truly strange.

To some, it might have looked like sincerity.

To others, a sincerity whose intent had to be questioned.

***

The Origin Blood Cult had numerous hidden lodgings established throughout the Central Plains.

Among them, in a village named Bonghyeon-gun near the Martial Alliance, there was an inn called Nameless Tower. This was the private refuge of Great Elder Yeong Unseong of the Origin Blood Cult.

Yeong Unseong, bald-headed and clad in red, sat before a table. Before him lay a cup of bamboo-leaf liquor and a scattered pile of crimson powder—Man-Snake Wandering Soul Powder, which Unhwi had once tasted.

A poison among poisons.

A single drop would kill an ordinary person instantly, and even typical martial artists could not withstand it. Yet now the powder slowly floated upward and drew itself into the liquor.

Yeong Unseong drank it.

“Keh-heh…”

The expression of satisfaction on his face was anything but normal.

“The taste is still good. I like the way it tingles at the tip of the tongue.”

Even his words were abnormal.

Across from him sat a shabby-looking man.

Jin Muhyeok.

Once the Vice Branch Leader of the Gaebang, he was now a fallen martial artist who had lost everything.

“Elder Yeong…”

Jin Muhyeok’s voice shook.

“What… what did I do wrong?”

Yeong Unseong chuckled.

“Wrong? You did nothing wrong.”

“Then why…?”

“You were simply unlucky.”

He drank again.

“Because of that genius who has been stirring up the martial world recently, the entire board has changed.”

“…Seol Unhwi… That dog bastard who deserves to be torn apart.”

It was excessive speech, but Yeong Unseong merely smiled. It was not incorrect.

Why was Jin Muhyeok here?

Jin Muhyeok and Hyejeongsan had been at odds over factional control of the Gaebang.

But let one thing be clear:

Jin Muhyeok did not oppose Hyejeongsan.

Yeong Unseong had used Jin Muhyeok to oppose him.

When Seol Unhwi once slaughtered Gaebang disciples, Hyejeongsan had personally gone to meet him and spoken at length.

From then on, Hyejeongsan began purging Jin Muhyeok’s faction with intent.

And the one positioned between the two—

Was only one man.

“Yes. The one they now call the Snow Mountain Army Lord. He said something to Hyejeongsan, and Hyejeongsan hardened his resolve. And now, here you are.”

Yeong Unseong’s gaze sharpened.

“He is undoubtedly something extraordinary. Have you heard? They say he created a new realm called the Triple Profound Realm. Even I found myself impressed.”

“……”

“But because of him, both your plan and mine have been shattered. That much cannot be denied.”

Yeong Unseong tapped the table.

“Twenty years of planning. Twenty years spent preparing to swallow the Gaebang whole—ruined completely.”

Jin Muhyeok’s face turned pale.

“Th-then… what will… happen to me?”

“You have lost your usefulness.”

The declaration was cold.

“But that does not mean I intend to simply discard you.”

Yeong Unseong smiled a meaningful smile.

“Because the old fox Hyejeongsan has created a very interesting situation.”

“…I-I don’t understand…”

“Think. How did you survive?”

Jin Muhyeok looked bewildered.

“I… ran…”

Yeong Unseong laughed.

“The Gaebang purged itself. Two Martial Divinity Stage beggars died, and over thirty Heaven-Earth Apex level beggars died. Yet you—the key figure—survived. How could that be?”

Yeong Unseong swirled the liquor.

“Because Hyejeongsan is soft-hearted? No. That old man is not that type.”

“Then…”

“It is intention. A message—to me.”

Yeong Unseong’s eyes gleamed.

“He has returned my piece to me. ‘Use it one last time, and let us settle everything.’ That is the meaning.”

Jin Muhyeok looked lost, but Yeong Unseong did not care.

Someone like him could never confront that old monster.

He had merely been Yeong Unseong’s shadow in name; Yeong Unseong had been the one truly facing Hyejeongsan all along.

“Not an easy old man. To propose a trade in such a way. As expected of the Gaebang’s leader.”

“A trade…?”

“He is giving you one final chance as a martial artist.”

Yeong Unseong stood.

“And if you help me just that much, he will overlook the Origin Blood Cult’s interference in the Gaebang.”

“That’s…”

“At our level, conversations occur like this.”

Yeong Unseong looked out the window.

“Even without words, ✧ NоvеIight ✧ (Original source) one can see another’s intent from the situation alone.”

Jin Muhyeok asked in a trembling voice:

“Then… what must I do?”

“I will give you an opportunity.”

Yeong Unseong turned back.

“An opportunity to restore your lost reputation.”

“What…?”

“In ten days.”

His voice lowered.

“The Heavenly Alliance will hold a grand event.”

“An event…?”

“Mae Wuidong will become Alliance Lord, and Seol Unhwi will be appointed to a new position—Heavenly Arbiter.”

“…Heavenly… Arbiter…”

“The shield that guards the Heavenly Alliance and the blade that cuts its enemies. One who corrects righteousness. The title is lofty—but in essence, it means Seol Unhwi has become the sky above the Heavenly Alliance.”

Yeong Unseong’s eyes glimmered.

“On that day, the notable figures of the martial world will all gather.”

Jin Muhyeok’s eyes widened.

“You don’t mean…”

“Do you feel like ruining the celebration?”

Yeong Unseong’s smile turned wicked.

“What must I do?”

Yeong Unseong spoke without hesitation.

“On that day, at that place—kill Seol Unhwi.”

Jin Muhyeok’s eyes flashed.

“If you succeed, your fame will return.”

It was easy to say. But success or failure was not the only issue. There was the aftermath.

“But I… have no justification. Without justification, how could I reclaim my name—”

“Hahaha!”

Yeong Unseong burst out laughing.

“You idiot. You truly don’t understand.”

“…I… don’t? Understand what…?”

“In the martial world, the one who wins is the one who holds justification.”

Yeong Unseong spoke with certainty.

“Just kill him first. Justification will follow on its own.”

“That’s…”

“Haah… A man who once led a faction of the Gaebang doesn’t understand such a basic principle?”

Once, perhaps it could have worked. But now, Jin Muhyeok had no power.

Without influence or networks, how could he shape public opinion?

It was a fair doubt—but there was an answer.

“How many enemies has Seol Unhwi made?”

“…Ah… Ah!”

“That’s right. Even the Martial Alliance, the Five Great Sword Sects, and the outer demonic branches are denouncing him. The Heavenly Alliance says nothing—but think carefully. If you kill Seol Unhwi now, how many will take your side?”

“Elder… Elder Yeong…”

“The one who fells the rising genius of the martial world—your fame will spread everywhere. Many martial artists will stand with you. Of course, some will oppose you. But if I step out then—what do you think will happen?”

Jin Muhyeok’s eyes flew open.

“I never said this before—but I, too, have a debt to settle with him.”

Yeong Unseong drank the rest of the liquor.

“Anyway.”

“The dead do not speak. The living write the history.”

“But Seol Unhwi is strong. They say he killed Jang Icheong—”

“And?”

“……”

“Are you afraid?”

“……”

“You pathetic fool. Whether he killed the Sword Emperor of Myriad Transformations or not—he ruined your life. And you would tuck your tail without drawing your blade even once? Is that truly your heart?”

Yeong Unseong’s sudden shout made Jin Muhyeok swallow hard.

When he thought again, Yeong Unseong was right.

There was no retreat. He was trapped already.

If he could not withdraw, he could only clash.

As Jin Muhyeok’s eyes changed, Yeong Unseong smiled in satisfaction.

Such rapid shifts of emotion did not feel strange. That was who Jin Muhyeok had always been.

“If you kill Seol Unhwi—the man who slew the Sword Emperor—your name will pierce the heavens.”

“Then…”

Yeong Unseong finished his cup and spoke.

“You will no longer be a fallen martial artist expelled from the Gaebang, but the hero who slew the Snow Mountain Army Lord. At the very least, there will be many in the Central Plains willing to stand on your side.”

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep