“......”

“Of course, if I give you something, you must also give something back to me.”

At some point, Bae Jinhu found himself unable to open his mouth.

That was only natural.

The warriors of Cheonrakbu who had followed Unhwi, along with the fighters of Heukcheon Masugung who managed Amsugun, had completely surrounded the bandits.

The bandits could not move.

The warriors of Heukcheon Masugung were formidable on their own, but what was even more overwhelming was the presence of the twenty-odd demonic beasts standing at their side, each radiating an aura of absolute dominance.

It was not something mere Green Forest bandits could ever dare to contend with.

Unhwi spoke.

“What will you do?”

“...Anything... I’ll do anything.”

“Good. Then tell me where Im Hwabaek, Chief of Silver Moon Stronghold, and Jeong Gwangseok, Chief of White Tiger Stronghold, are hiding.”

“...An outer annex of the governor’s office... they’re there.”

“I see.”

Unhwi turned his head.

“Pung Muhwi.”

“Yes, Cheonsusa.”

“Help clean this place up, then join me in half a ke.”

“...You mean to go alone?”

Unhwi shook his head.

“I’ll go with Commander Seong. I’m leaving it in your hands, so settle this properly.”

“Understood.”

With that, Unhwi turned his head again.

His eyes met those of Heukmyeong, the Cheonrang Macheom of Heukcheon Masugung, who had been standing with his arms folded.

Heukmyeong smiled and asked,

“So you’ll sweep away the chiefs... seize their ledgers... and put Amsugun’s management in your grasp...? You said you’d give me a gift, and this is it?”

“Does it not please you?”

“That’s not it. But may I ask for one more thing?”

Unhwi was silent for a moment.

Granting the life of the military governor was already a tremendous gift.

Anything else aside, at least this had to be made clear.

Frankly speaking, whether the Green Forest bandits crawled in and disguised themselves as government troops or whatever else, none of that responsibility lay with Unhwi.

From the start, Cheonsusa, warriors, government troops ✧ NоvеIight ✧ (Original source) — all of them had kept silent about the rot, had ignored the tumors that should have been excised. Who among them now dared to demand accountability?

When Heukmyeong had sent his letter, Unhwi could have simply ignored it. But he hadn’t. Heukcheon Masugung were among the most reasonable of the Demonic Outer Lineage; despite the name, in truth they stood somewhere between the orthodox and the demonic. There was no reason to reject them, no reason to turn them into enemies. But if their demands grew too great—

That alone would be reason enough to make them enemies.

So for now, he intended to hear him out.

When Unhwi gave a slight nod, Heukmyeong continued.

Hearing his words, Unhwi curved his lips in a subtle smile.

It was worth smiling at.

“You mean... would we be allowed to take down those two chiefs ourselves?”

That kind of statement—how could one not smile?

“It seems you’re tempted.”

“Of course I am. How could I not be? It’s the perfect way to show the difference from the old Heavenly Righteous Alliance, and to justify our occupation with righteous cause. Truthfully, wasn’t that your own intention in purging the Green Forest strongholds?”

The significance of purging the Green Forest was greater than one might think.

First, it would leave a strong impression on the common folk of the surrounding lands, earning their support.

The old Heavenly Righteous Alliance had spurned the common people, worshiping only martial strength. But the new Heavenly Righteous Alliance, reborn, would show it no longer cast aside the people, that it would walk together with them — and at the same time, it would demonstrate its power.

Unexpectedly, Heukmyeong was rather quick-witted.

“Heukcheon Masugung sweeping away the Green Forest strongholds that tormented the people... I like the sound of that very much.”

“You misspoke slightly.”

“Hm?”

“It wasn’t Heukcheon Masugung that purged the Green Forest strongholds. It was Seol Unhwi — whom you aided.”

At those words, Heukmyeong’s eyes flew wide.

“...Ha... hahahaha!”

He burst into wild laughter.

“Of course. Since you began it first... yes, I can’t deny it. Very well then — let me make a formal request here and now. May we assist you in purging the Green Forest?”

“If it’s Senior’s help, I will gladly accept.”

“Haha... excellent. Truly excellent. Then may we take those two chiefs in the governor’s annex and kill them ourselves?”

“Of course. But one condition must be made certain.”

“And that is?”

“Not just them. You must slaughter every Green Forest bandit lurking in disguise around this area.”

“Hm?”

“I will erase the Green Forest from this world. Since I began this work, it must follow my will.”

“...Very well. We shall do so. Every last one will die.”

“Thank you, Senior.”

Unhwi turned his head.

“Pung Muhwi.”

“Yes.”

“The plan has changed. Leave this place as it is — we head straight for Gangbuk Province.”

“...Understood.”

Unhwi left Amsugun with Cheonrakbu.

***

The governor’s office of Gangbuk Province was imposing.

Crimson pillars seemed to hold up the heavens, while the blue-gray tiled roof spread with solemn majesty.

A pair of stone lions stood proudly before the main gate, and beyond them stretched a wide central courtyard.

Red lanterns hung throughout the compound, so that even in the dimming evening light, the grounds glowed bright.

“Remember this well.”

Unhwi’s calm voice rang out as he drew the Heavenshaking Spiritblade.

“For everything that happens here today, I alone will bear responsibility. None of you will suffer the slightest consequence — I swear it upon my neck.”

Unhwi kicked the main gate.

KWAANG—!!

The doors shattered, fragments flying inward.

“From this moment, you are blades. Strike down whomever I bid you strike, and cease only when I command you to stop.”

Noise and confusion rose within.

Unhwi’s tone was unyielding.

“Kill everyone you see. Until I say otherwise.”

At that command, the men of Cheonrakbu surged into the compound.

“...An... attack...!”

The cry of a constable was drowned out by the thunder of Pung Muhwi’s charge.

The overwhelming aura of a Mythic Realm master swept across the governor’s office.

Several of the constables facing them had faces far too vicious for mere constables, but those expressions were instantly filled with despair.

KWA-AANG—!!

The sword-qi unleashed from Pung Muhwi’s blade turned six constables to pulp in an instant. The warriors of Cheonrakbu each threw their full strength into butchering the enemy.

Constables raised spears, raised swords.

All of them were powerless.

“Call the troops!”

“Where are the troops!”

“Summon the chief!”

Screams and shouts burst from every direction.

To cry for government soldiers while themselves government soldiers — such absurd words weren’t worth a thought.

One constable swung his sabre, but a Cheonrakbu warrior blocked it with ease and countered.

The sword pierced the constable’s belly, and he vomited blood in agony.

The stone-paved courtyard floor was dyed red in moments.

Another constable tried to flee out the back, but a Cheonrakbu warrior caught him, and without a moment’s hesitation, sliced his neck through. The man fell forward, lifeless.

“Sp... spare me...”

One pleaded, but the Cheonrakbu warrior crushed his skull underfoot without mercy.

CRUNCH—! Blood spattered in all directions.

Another constable lunged with a spear, but the warrior seized it and rammed the point through his throat. The man died on the spot.

Even more gruesome scenes unfolded in the corridors. An official hid behind a pillar, but a Cheonrakbu warrior found him.

The blade hacked into his shoulder, severing his entire arm.

The official screamed as blood fountained from the stump, but a second stroke cleaved his skull in half.

Moans of the dying echoed everywhere.

The governor’s beautiful garden was strewn with corpses; the once-clear pond ran red with blood.

The glow of the red lanterns made the bloodstained scene even more ghastly.

At the center of it all, Unhwi walked forward.

Startled by the commotion, Wang Jinmyeong, Governor of Gangbuk Province, rushed out — only to freeze in horror at the sight of Unhwi.

Why was that man here?

And why was he butchering officials?

Did he perhaps know about that affair planned with Nokwang Im Cheongsan, chief of the Green Forest?

Had information leaked?

He shook his head. Impossible.

He roared,

“Have you no fear of what will come after! What madness is this!”

His voice was loud, but his official robes were drenched in cold sweat, his face deathly pale.

Unhwi strode toward him silently.

Two officials at his sides moved to block him.

Unhwi’s eyes flashed.

SLASH—!

One man’s head flew skyward.

STAB—!

The other’s heart was pierced.

When the blade slid free, both bodies crumpled to the ground.

Unhwi, holding the blood-soaked sword, approached Wang Jinmyeong. Blood dripped from the blade with each step.

“Before asking whether this is madness or not... allow me to introduce myself. Greetings, Elder Wang. I am Seol Unhwi, Cheonsusa of Seongjak Province.”

Wang Jinmyeong’s face grew even paler.

This lunatic — making introductions in a moment like this?

Such abnormal words only heightened the terror.

“And among all the people we cut down... were there truly any real officials?”

“...What...?”

“Perhaps a handful. But the rest were Green Forest bandits in disguise, were they not?”

“...Slander... slander!”

Unhwi chuckled faintly.

“Don’t be absurd. If this is slander, then how do you explain those Green Forest techniques — the Nokdu Cheonang Sword — they were using?”

From the name, it sounded like some lofty martial art, but in truth Nokdu Cheonang Sword was nothing more than the basic sword style taught to all Green Forest bandits.

It was so crude that it could be used with a blade, a spear, or anything else with no issue.

“And Elder Wang — wasn’t this precisely the sort of action you desired of me?”

“......”

“Do you take me for some fool who knows nothing?”

At that, Wang Jinmyeong could say nothing. And Unhwi found that silence displeasing.

He reached out and seized Wang Jinmyeong’s throat.

“I asked you — do I look like a fool to you?”

“Th... that is...”

“As a governor, not some petty magistrate or county head, you surely knew you had a choice to make.”

“......”

“To side with me... or with Jang Icheong. You chose the latter. Am I wrong?”