Moyong Namcheon nodded.

"Then, I’ll make contact with Song Hak."

And there was someone else thinking along the same lines as Kang Cheonwoo.

It was Gun Mugyeol of the Martial Alliance.

They could no longer take direct action.

Any further step forward would force a full-scale war with the Everlasting Snow Palace.

Justification?

All lost.

Gun Mugyeol’s expression was grim.

Seol Unwi.

He was undoubtedly a genius.

Killing him now was the right move. Even now he was this dangerous—if he grew any further, he would become uncontrollable.

Gun Mugyeol turned his head and looked at Jegal Yeonghyeon, who was kneeling.

"I’ve heard unpleasant rumors."

"...I’m sorry... I have no excuse."

When Seol Unwi devoured Jeokan—who was by his side?

Including Thunderblade Sword Song Euigyeong, the elite martial artists of Bongrae’s Four Great Sects were with him.

What did that imply?

It meant Song Euigyeong had left the Martial Alliance.

Why had he left?

The reason was now circulating widely.

The rumor said that Jegal Yeonghyeon had used Bongrae as a sacrificial pawn in order to pressure the Everlasting Snow Palace.

That story had reached even Gun Mugyeol’s ears.

By undermining the very values of the Martial Alliance—protecting peace and order in the martial world—Jegal Yeonghyeon now knelt in disgrace.

Now the Martial Alliance could no longer act directly.

Pushing any further would lead to war with the Everlasting Snow Palace. And that war wouldn’t go smoothly.

Voices within the Martial Alliance itself were already rising in support of Seol Unwi—how could they go to war?

It would be insane.

So they would have to move behind the scenes.

Right now, Seol Unwi was likely stabilizing the interior of Jeokan.

There was a high chance he would summon people from the main palace, and he also had to consider Bongrae and Yangryeong. His mind had to be swamped with complications.

They had to act first.

"Song Hak, Prefect of Geongonseong—get in touch with him."

The Vice Lord of the Martial Alliance, Jegal Yeonghyeon, offered a formal salute.

"Yes, Alliance Lord. This time, I’ll do my utmost to surpass him."

***

There is no end to martial arts in the world. Even if one reaches the realm of Soaring Dragon Ascending to Heaven, above the clouds flies the phoenix, and when the phoenix believes it has touched the ends of the sky, beyond that, the divine dragon leisurely swims.

A very famous maxim in the martial world.

Gun Mugyeol and Kang Cheonwoo both possessed extraordinary minds.

But unfortunately, just when the two of them began to plan their next moves—

Someone had already gotten ahead of their thoughts.

Unwi.

The garden of Geongonseong, adorned with green jade, held a serenity as though isolated from the world.

At the marble pavilion at the center of the garden, two men sat face-to-face.

Song Hak and Unwi.

Between them sat a Go board, delicately engraved with the pattern of soaring clouds and cranes. No stones had yet been placed. The conversation, too, had yet to begin.

"Hahaha... astonishing. That you arrived in Geongonseong this quickly... it means you must’ve set out the moment you took Jeokan. Am I right?"

"Yes. That’s correct."

Song Hak couldn’t suppress a smile. Though he tried to keep his expression composed, satisfaction gleamed clearly in his eyes.

"Do you remember Mak Sohong?"

"Yes, I do. The envoy who came to Yangryeong, correct?"

"He told me this—you asked him to deliver your message to someone who could understand."

"I did."

"Back then, we spoke not just of the present—but also of the future. Do you remember?"

"Of course."

That was why Unwi had come here.

No exaggeration—Unwi had come straight here.

More important than cleaning up Jeokan’s mess was this.

"By now, the Martial Alliance and the Sichuan Alliance must be dispatching envoys here."

"Most likely. But they’re too late."

"Hahaha, more than a step late, I’d say. Honestly, even I didn’t expect our Young Lord Seol to arrive in Geongonseong today."

Logically, it made sense. Normally, one would take care of internal matters first, but Unwi had come here before doing any of that.

It meant Unwi had predicted every one of their moves.

"Impressive. Truly impressive. Are you really just seventeen?"

Unwi smiled gently.

"You’re seeing clearly, Lord Prefect. I simply look younger than I am."

"Hahaha. You jest well. But..."

Song Hak’s face turned solemn in an instant.

"Simply showing up isn’t enough. You must offer me something. You understand?"

"Of course. That’s why I brought a gift first."

"Haha... is that gift perhaps... the military governors of Bongrae and Jeokan?"

"Yes."

"My, my... remarkable. We haven’t even begun the main conversation, and you’ve already shaken my heart. Do you see? I’m already leaning your way."

Unwi was colder than ever.

In response to Song Hak’s words, he acted.

He handed over the bowl filled with black stones.

"Black, is it... Very well. I’ll play first."

Song Hak picked up a black stone and placed it on the board.

His opening move was a standard corner placement.

Unwi responded with a white stone. Placing it in the opposite corner, Song Hak’s eyes sparkled.

"You know well—this is different from the case of Yangryeong. No matter what deals we made back then, the court has already caught wind of this matter. They say it’s absolute chaos. Have you heard?"

"I haven’t heard, but I anticipated as much."

"Anticipated... then what’s the meaning of your gift? Surely you’re not implying that, because you spared the governors, you want me to cede the land...?"

"Of course not. Those two governors are nothing but burdens to me. But to you, Lord Prefect, they are not. As for the two cities—they will become territory of the Everlasting Snow Palace."

Song Hak’s brow twitched.

He silently placed a second black stone in another corner and spoke again.

"You are quite the fascinating man, Young Lord. The bluntness suggests you’re in a hurry. Am I right?"

"I’m not in a hurry. I simply know what you want, and I can give it to you. And while there are two governors now, there will soon be a third. Three governors—do you not understand their value?"

"Value...? They’re nothing but hollow puppets."

"Perhaps. But they’re also corrupt officials—an obstacle to you, Lord Prefect."

"An obstacle indeed. Not only did they collude with martial sects, they were extorting the people. And of course, behind them—"

"—is the imperial court."

Song Hak looked up and stared at Unwi.

"You think it’s rotten?"

"I believe it depends on perspective."

"Perspective, is it... The non-aggression pact between court and martial world exists, yes—but that pact is only sustained by what lies beneath it."

Unwi placed a white stone on the board.

"That’s correct. There’s always something beneath. Like this game between you and me."

Nothing in the world happens without a reason.

Everything happens for a reason.

"A curious opening move. And not a conventional one."

Song Hak smiled slightly and asked,

"What are your thoughts on Shinsam Valley?"

The question was simple, but its meaning was not.

Shinsam Valley lies between four cities. It produces the rare medicinal herb Shinsam Flower.

"Shinsam Valley..."

Unwi paused briefly before placing a stone at the center of the board and spoke with resolve.

"I will take it."

Song Hak’s eyes gleamed.

He’d expected that—but the directness still impressed him.

"I like your honesty. But the court is highly invested in that region. As am I. The taxes generated by Shinsam Flower are enormous. The court won’t relinquish it easily. Nor will I."

He placed a stone near the center and continued.

"If you were to govern that region, what if you paid a portion of those taxes? With a formal structure in place, the court would be more inclined to accept the situation. If that happens, we can hand over Jeokan, Bongrae, and even Saryang without issue. Not a bad deal, is it?"

"Taxes..."

At this point, Song Hak was certain—Unwi would seize Shinsam Valley.

And rightly so.

Unwi had already proven his worth. He was a man who kept his word.

Whether in letters from Yangryeong or now in this face-to-face meeting—it was the same.

These two men were talking not just about the present—but about the future.

In response to Song Hak’s offer, Unwi thought for a moment—then placed a stone in an unexpected spot.

It was a sharp move that pierced into Song Hak’s territory.

Song Hak flinched slightly.

"The Everlasting Snow Palace is not a vassal of the Yang Empire, Lord Prefect."

At Unwi’s following words, Song Hak’s brows furrowed.

The air turned cold.

Though Song Hak kept his expression steady, his hand trembled briefly.

Unwi had shown this time and again. If someone is deemed an enemy, he retaliates—no matter who they are, and in whatever way is necessary.

There’s no need to look far. Think of how he seized Yangryeong.

He killed the magistrate and every constable there.

Right now, they were speaking because there was something to be gained on both sides. But if that wasn’t the case—

Unwi’s blade would point toward the Yang Empire.

"Of course, that’s not what I meant."

Song Hak stepped back slightly, and Unwi spoke gently.

"I have a more suitable proposal."

"A more suitable proposal?"

"Yes. I will grant the Yang Empire exclusive trade rights to Shinsam Flower."

"Trade rights...?"

"Fifty percent of the total yield. Thirty percent of production will be supplied at thirty percent below market price. The remaining twenty percent will be provided at twenty percent below market. The rest will be freely distributed by the Snow Palace."

Song Hak’s eyes widened.

He began calculating.

Exclusive trade rights for Shinsam Flower held immense value.

Especially if it could be supplied stably and at low cost—that alone would generate enormous profit.

Buy °• N 𝑜 v 𝑒 l i g h t •° cheap, sell high—profit guaranteed.

"And..."

Unwi placed another stone and continued.

"I propose a political alliance."

"A... political alliance..."

Why had Unwi captured the governors alive?

They were all corrupt officials who siphoned off taxes. Then who was backing them?

Where would that backing have come from?

A proper justification was necessary—and Unwi had provided one.

Now he’d even introduced the term "political alliance" into the conversation.

"...Young Lord, I’ve lived many years, and still I cannot gauge the depth of your thinking. But... I’d say your terms are still a bit lacking."