Jin Horin, Sect Leader of Okho Sect, who had spoken earlier, met eyes with Yeong Ungok, head of the Yeong Clan, across the hall.

Yeong Ungok gave a slight nod, and after briefly locking eyes with several other sect leaders, Jin Horin opened his mouth to speak.

“This is truly unacceptable. Lord Seol promised to protect us, yet when we were actually in danger, where was he?”

That statement was picked up by Yeong Ungok.

“He's right. Lord Seol was absent, and during that time, Yangryeong nearly became a scorched ruin. This is entirely Lord Seol’s fault. It is only proper that we demand an apology from him today.”

The few sect leaders who had met Jin Horin’s gaze earlier jumped in to agree, fanning the flames of discontent.

Strangely, within the gathering that Unwi himself had convened, a laughable situation had unfolded where he was being openly condemned.

But it didn’t last long.

Dozens of men and women surged into the annex hall where the sect leaders were gathered and immediately surrounded them.

The sect leaders of Yangryeong looked around in alarm—then all eyes fell on one man.

He was walking slowly.

Step by step.

And somehow, those steps echoed like thunder.

Seol Unwi.

The master of Yangryeong.

Jin Horin swallowed hard and spoke.

“...Lord Seol... was this gathering meant for you to offer an apology...”

Unwi didn’t respond with words.

The moment he saw Jin Horin, he drove his foot straight into the man’s solar plexus.

Thwack—!

With the sound of impact, Jin Horin was sent sprawling backward.

He was too stunned to do anything. Before he could even reach for a weapon, Unwi’s silent, chilling gaze pierced straight through his heart.

A flash of movement streaked through the air.

Slice—!

Jin Horin’s neck was split clean in two.

***

The list had already been acquired. Cross-verification was complete.

Unwi’s gaze shifted. There stood Yeong Ungok of the Yeong Clan.

“What did Ijagyeom of Jeogan promise you?”

“...That... well...”

“You had a path to survival.”

He began approaching.

The closer he got, the more Yeong Ungok backed away—but it was meaningless.

“I’ve been in Yangryeong for four full shijin now. You didn’t bother to make a single excuse.”

“...L-Lord Seol...”

“You thought I wouldn’t know?”

“...P-Please spare me!”

“It’s too late.”

Before he even finished speaking, Yeong Ungok drew his sword.

And ★ 𝐍𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐥𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭 ★ in that instant, the world before him turned to white.

Cheonseoljise.

Crystals of frost materialized midair, freezing over Yeong Ungok’s sword.

While he stood frozen in panic—

Thunk—!

Unwi drove his blade into the man’s chest.

“Did the Sacheon Alliance’s backing look that solid to you?”

“Khak... Th-that’s...”

“Become a ghost and watch. See for yourself who’s truly stronger.”

He yanked the sword out.

Blood spurted high.

He swung.

Slice—!

Yeong Ungok’s head shot skyward.

Unwi shifted his gaze again.

He saw the terrified faces of the remaining sect leaders.

Staring at them, he spoke in a steady, solemn tone.

“Other than the Tanghwa Sect, the Yi Clan, the Han Clan, and the Im Family Stronghold—no one is to move from their spot. The moment you twitch, your head will roll with them.”

No sooner had he finished speaking than the heads of the four named factions dropped to their knees.

“Please... please spare me! I swear I had no intention of betraying you!”

“I only hesitated...! I was going to refuse! I was planning to report it to you right away...!”

“I’m Im Sang from the Im Family Stronghold! No—this is a misunderstanding. They did approach me, but I was just about to tell you! Today—yes, I was going to report it today. That’s the truth!”

“In the name of the Han Clan, I say the same. They did reach out, yes, but I haven’t done anything yet...! Those two who died stirred everything up—I just...”

A small laugh escaped Unwi’s lips.

“So what comes after ‘just’?”

“...That...”

“You went along with them, stirred the crowd, denounced your Branch Lord... sowed division... and then what?”

“......”

“Pathetic. I already intend to kill all of you, and all you can offer are excuses?”

Before Im Sang could do anything, Unwi’s left hand shot out like lightning and seized him by the throat.

“Disappear.”

“P-please—sp—”

He squeezed without mercy.

Crunch—!

He tossed the dead body aside and looked toward the Tanghwa Sect’s leader.

His name was Ju Junhyeon.

Unwi’s eyes flared.

Absolute Ice Ghost Void Sword.

A flash of a blade severed Ju Junhyeon’s neck.

Slice.

His head flew upward.

Before it could even hit the ground, Unwi charged toward Han Okryeong, head of the Han Clan.

She panicked and raised her sword—but—

Chaaang—!

Her blade flew into the air, and Unwi brought his sword down on her empty, exposed head.

Slice—!

With a wet crack of flesh and bone, her body split cleanly in two.

He turned his head.

The last remaining leader, Yi Jeok of the Yi Clan, was collapsed in terror, begging for his life.

Unwi wordlessly stepped forward and swung.

Slice—!

Yi Jeok’s head thudded to the floor.

In the silence that followed, Unwi stabbed his sword into the ground.

“Yang So.”

“Yes, Branch Lord.”

“Did you memorize the factions those men belonged to?”

“Of course. Okho Sect, Yeong Clan, Tanghwa Sect, Yi Clan, Han Clan, Im Stronghold. Six in total.”

“There should be about fifty warriors waiting outside. Their leader is a man named Han Seokhyeon. Work with him and wipe those six factions off the face of the earth.”

Yang So asked,

“Is there anyone who should be spared?”

Unwi glanced at the kneeling sect leaders and gave a curt reply.

“No. Kill them all. Not just the bloodline—leave not even a single ant alive.”

Yang So raised his voice with pride.

“Understood!”

***

After Yang So left, silence returned to the Yangryeong Hall annex.

No one could have imagined it.

That Unwi would respond like this.

They had honestly expected an apology—not as a joke, but because it simply made sense.

At least in the world they lived in, that’s how things were supposed to work.

Only one man had thought otherwise.

That’s why he was still alive now.

Even if he had hesitated, even if he had slithered about like a snake from place to place, he had the brain to realize where true benefit lay.

Still trembling, Cheon Eojin grasped the situation correctly once again.

And so he immediately prostrated himself in a full kowtow.

Unwi looked at him and spoke quietly.

“How unfortunate.”

“......”

“Okho Sect and the Yeong Clan... they were factions I trusted enough to grant them mining rights. Now they’re traitors, doomed to be erased. How truly unfortunate.”

Somewhere, someone audibly swallowed.

“They said something amusing. That I owe them an apology... Judging from your expressions, you all must have thought the same as those foolish bastards.”

Unwi didn’t smile.

He didn’t even feel like smiling.

“One month ago, all of you signed the Life Contract I offered. And yet, it seems you don’t understand what it means. Let me explain it for you.”

So he decided to be generous. To explain clearly.

“I am the one protecting you. And if I fall, Everlasting Snow Palace will protect you. But shouldn’t you also consider the reverse?”

“...Reverse...?”

Someone muttered faintly, but Unwi didn’t bother to reply.

“If—and it’s a big if—Everlasting Snow Palace is destroyed, then all of you who signed that contract will also be destroyed.”

“...Gasp...”

“To share fate until the end—that’s the meaning of the Life Contract. Just as I, the owner of the contract, have gained both rights and obligations, so too have all of you who signed it.”

He looked back to Cheon Eojin.

“Branch Lord Cheon at least understood that. Though belated, he made the right decision. That’s why he’s still alive.”

“I am simply overwhelmed by your mercy, Daein!”

It was true that Cheon Eojin had wavered.

He had wondered whether to side with the Sacheon Alliance or with Unwi.

He chose the latter.

Because he genuinely didn’t want to become Unwi’s enemy.

Even if he allied with the Sacheon Alliance, Unwi would surely exact revenge.

That’s what he feared. In his entire life, he had never met anyone as cold and terrifying as this man.

“A short while ago, there were fools who dared to challenge my authority. Members of the Iron Name Pavilion’s third squad from the Sacheon Alliance. Their heads now hang at the main gate.”

“......”

“Soon, dozens more heads will hang beside them. Fortunately, it seems none of those will belong to anyone in this room.”

Everyone looked up at Unwi.

“Mark this well. If I die, you die. If Everlasting Snow Palace collapses, you collapse. You must decide for yourselves what is right.”

“......”

“And now—Shin Janghu.”

A middle-aged man sitting quietly in a corner raised his head.

“Your Shin Clan reportedly helped defend Yangryeong against the Jeogan invaders. Is that true?”

“...It’s exaggerated. I merely stood beside them and raised my sword.”

“Humble.”

“Thank you.”

“As the master of Yangryeong, I intend to reward you.”

Shin Janghu blinked, caught off guard.

“You know Okho Sect and the Yeong Clan were involved in the mining operations. I’m thinking of giving your clan a chance. What do you say?”

His eyes sparkled.

“If you entrust it to me, I will give it everything I have.”

“Then fill their places.”

“...Excuse me?”

“Six factions were wiped out today. Their wealth, influence, trade—all of it will go to you.”

Shin Janghu shot to his feet in shock.

It wasn’t a joke. That much was enough to immediately propel his clan to prominence in Yangryeong.

In an instant, he had become the head of a great faction under Unwi’s protection. Dozens of warriors looked at him with envy—but it meant nothing.

Unlike them, Shin Janghu had acted.

That’s what mattered.

“Absorb it all within four days.”

“...I will, no matter what.”

“And make time tomorrow to visit the branch headquarters. I’ll grant you martial arts befitting your new station.”

Shin Janghu was practically overcome with joy.

As a martial artist—and as someone who understood the suffering of Yangryeong’s enforcers—he had made his choice.

He had never imagined it would be repaid like this.

“Anyone else have something to say?”

“...No, Daein!”