“You’re absolutely right. In fact, I agree completely.

Open Gate beggars only receive martial arts because they’ve earned the right to do so.

If someone without that qualification dares to take in martial arts… that isn’t just a violation of natural order—it’s treason against the heavens.”

“So you killed him for that.”

“Exactly. He soiled the name of Open Gate.

Not just him—I’ll be heading to Yangnyeong next to clean house there as well.”

Seol Unwi watched him in silence for a moment, then accepted the ledger Cheon Sugang handed back.

“I plan to use this to lessen the burden of responsibility on Open Gate’s side. Are you alright with that?”

“Yes. That’s more than acceptable.”

“And as for some of those numbers listed in the ledger… I can tell a few were probably exaggerated for effect.

But it’s fine. I’ll send the appropriate compensation to Seolap soon enough.

Is that agreeable as well?”

A faint smile tugged at the corners of Unwi’s mouth.

“I have no reason to refuse.

But rather than immediate compensation, I’d prefer something symbolic—‘a favor in the future.’”

“A favor, in the future… and symbolic at that? Hoho… Fine. Fine by me.

Just be careful who you hand things like this to [N O V E L I G H T] in the future.”

“I gave it to you because you’re someone worth giving it to.”

Cheon Sugang smiled too—strangely, faintly.

“And here I thought we’d just met.”

“We did.

But oddly enough… it feels like I’ve known you a very long time.”

“Hah… So it’s not just me who feels that way.”

It was strange.

Unexplainable, even.

The way Seol Unwi and Cheon Sugang looked at each other—it wasn’t something you could describe with reason or logic.

It felt more like fate.

“Senior. I may be the junior here, but… would it be alright if I offered you a piece of advice?”

“If it’s from you, I’d like to hear it.”

“A brilliant blade is always envied by its sheath.

And the sharper it grows with time, the more that envy turns to jealousy.”

Cheon Sugang’s eyes deepened.

“You know what comes of jealousy.

A dagger in the pocket will eventually poke its way out…

And when it does—”

“It gets pulled out and discarded.”

Silence followed.

Cheon Sugang understood exactly what Seol Unwi was trying to say.

And it unsettled him.

At first, he’d assumed this boy was hiding behind the name of the Everlasting Snow Palace—letting that reputation do the talking for him.

But the more they spoke, the clearer it became.

There was no one standing behind Seol Unwi.

Not the Palace. Not his family.

Only himself.

Unshakable belief in his own path.

A confidence so absolute, it might be called arrogance.

Yet his words carried weight. His presence, command.

“…Then let me ask something in return. Will you answer me honestly?”

“Of course.”

“You… were you really that ‘idiot Branch Lord’ everyone talked about?”

Seol Unwi smiled again.

“Even a foolish tree will eventually blossom.”

“Hah…”

“The wind’s getting cold. Please travel safely, Senior.”

****

– A tree that survived the winter has now met the spring.

That’s what Cheon Sugang said before he burst out laughing—and left.

Under the eaves of the building, Seol Unwi sat quietly, deep in thought, when Commander Seong approached him.

“It was fortune itself that someone like Cheon Sugang backed down so easily.”

Unwi chuckled lightly at that.

“Fortune, huh…”

“Was I wrong?”

“Commander Seong.”

“Yes, Young Master?”

“It seems you don’t quite understand.

I’m not someone who puts their faith in fortune.”

“…What do you mean?”

“There’s a phrase—‘Cheonmyeong Soeung.’

That the heavens respond brightly to the will of man.

But to me, that sounds more like a given than a blessing.”

“Isn’t it true, though?”

“Then let me ask you—where exactly is this ‘heaven-sent fortune’ you’re talking about?

If you just sit and wait, does the sky reach down and save you?”

“Young Master… isn’t that a bit harsh?”

Unwi laughed softly again.

“There’s also ‘Soonrijayeon’—the idea that things flow naturally when aligned with reason.

But even ‘reason’ is just a word created by man.

True reason belongs to those who move.

Not to those who sit idle and pray for heaven’s grace.”

“Then… what do you think of destiny?”

“Destiny? That’s even simpler.

It lives in the footsteps of those who move.

Sitting still, hoping for fate or fortune—that’s nothing more than an excuse.”

“……”

“I don’t wait for fate or fortune.

I take one more step forward—and create my own.”

He smiled faintly.

“The heavens help those who help themselves. Don’t you think?”

“…It’s just hard to process, that’s all.”

“What is?”

“You speak like someone who’s already reached the Martial God Realm…

But you’re still only in the Refined Qi Realm.

The disconnect is… intense.”

Unwi said nothing.

He just smiled.

Cheon Sugang had made the right call.

True, Unwi’s sword still couldn’t reach someone like Cheon Sugang.

And Cheon Sugang’s heart was still made of flesh and blood—no divine barrier shielded it.

But even he sensed it.

Unwi’s spirit was unreachable.

Just like Unwi had sensed his strength…

Cheon Sugang now knew—

Seol Unwi’s neck wouldn’t break easily.

Even if you tried to twist it like a chicken’s.

In truth, whatever became of the Open Gate Sect’s affairs, Cheon Sugang was a man who focused solely on what stood before him.

The reason Seol Unwi had shown him the ledger was simple: because he was someone worth showing it to.

Now, in the campaign to take Yangnyeong, there would be no interference from Open Gate.

And if there was?

It would be on Seol Unwi’s side.

It bears repeating: for an organization to endure, retribution is not optional—it’s a necessity.

A faction that turns its back when its own are struck down has no right to exist.

“The letter we sent to Yangnyeong?”

“Delivered to one of Open Gate’s beggars. It should arrive sometime today.”

****

To the north of Yangnyeong County stood a place called Cheongun Mountain (Blue Cloud Mountain).

At the heart of that mountain sat the stronghold of Juryeong Sword Sect—and at this very moment, four men were gathered before the gates of the Sect Master’s manor.

Who held true dominion over Yangnyeong?

Ask any ten people living in the region, and five of them would answer: Juryeong Sword Sect.

The other five would be divided among the remaining contenders.

There were four factions in total:

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep