Hwa Muryeong glanced sideways.

There, behind one of the pillars supporting Celestial Dragon Hall, Commander Seong was releasing every ounce of aura he could muster.

But Hwa Muryeong knew.

Before he even moved, before the man behind that pillar could do anything—

the boy before her would.

And whatever he did would be fatal.

“...Fine. I came here, so I might as well play along. Go on, talk.”

***

He began quietly.

“There was once a man. For over fifty years, he served as Vice Palace Master of the Soulflame Demonic Palace. About twenty years ago, he washed his hands of the martial world.”

Hwa Muryeong’s brow furrowed sharply, but Unhwi continued.

“He trusted exactly three people. One—Shin Jooeon, the current Palace Master, known as the Blazing Flame Sword Sovereign. Two—his only daughter, a martial artist of the Mythic Realm: Hwa Muryeong, the Crimson Flame Lord.”

And the third—

“Bloodshade Lord Dong Yuseong.”

“...”

“When he retired, he passed his vice-master seat to his disciple, Dong Yuseong. Shin Jooeon trusted him enough not to oppose the succession. Ten years passed like that.”

“...”

“Then came the report: Dong Yuseong was plotting rebellion. And Shin Jooeon—almost as if he’d been waiting for it—moved instantly. He slaughtered everyone who followed Dong Yuseong. Killed his entire family.”

Unhwi poured himself a cup of wine in silence.

“Yes. Every last one of Dong Yuseong’s followers died on the same day. I don’t know the exact details, but I can guess. To Shin Jooeon, Dong Yuseong had become a threat—a rival to be eliminated in order to preserve the system. The Shin Jooeon I know would have done exactly that. He’s a man who prefers fists to brains; whenever he does use his head, it’s so obvious you can’t miss it. Just like now.”

Hwa Muryeong stared at him wordlessly.

“But there was one survivor. Someone Dong Yuseong trusted deeply—someone he personally nominated for an Elder’s seat. Yes. You, Senior Hwa.”

Her hand twitched.

“You must have watched Dong Yuseong’s death up close. Unable to do anything. Yet I doubt you aided Shin Jooeon’s scheme either. You were clearly one of Dong Yuseong’s people. So how did you survive?”

The answer was simple.

“Shin Jooeon may be a fool, but he’s not without sentiment. He owed much to the man who’d been Vice Master before Dong Yuseong—he couldn’t bring himself to kill you. But sparing you was all he did. He never trusted you again.”

Hwa Muryeong wordlessly emptied her cup.

“Even after reaching the Mythic Realm, you were stripped of your Elder seat and spent years rotting in some corner of the palace, teaching as a mere instructor. Only after the death of Urin the Blackflame Beast, the former head of the Hwasung Division, were you finally reinstated. Your recent participation in the Martial Alliance’s reformation means Shin Jooeon has finally acknowledged your long ‘loyalty’ to the palace.”

Before she could reply, Unhwi added evenly,

“That’s how it’s known to the world.”

“...”

“But the most important person in everything I’ve said so far is one man.”

“One man?”

“The one to whom Shin Jooeon owed countless favors—whom he could not kill no matter what. Your father, and the one who recommended Dong Yuseong as Vice Master.”

“...”

“Flame King Hwa Munyeom.”

Her brows drew together.

“...You’ve done your homework. Some of that isn’t even known to the Gaebang.”

“I have people who handle information. Don’t assume the Gaebang holds every secret.”

“...So what’s your point? My father left the martial world ages ago. I’m still Soulflame Demonic Palace through and through. What does any of this have to do with Dong Yuseong’s son—”

“You want revenge.”

Hwa Muryeong stiffened.

“I respect the resolve it took you to bide your time all these years, waiting for the chance.”

“You’re talking nonsense. Why would I want revenge? I’m loyal to the Soulflame Demonic Palace—”

“There are three things in this world that must never be underestimated. The highest among them is human emotion.”

“...”

“You loved Dong Yuseong.”

Hwa Muryeong shot to her feet.

Her face flushed red, blue, then red again—pure murderous intent in her eyes—but Unhwi didn’t flinch.

“They say when a woman harbors resentment, frost falls even in midsummer.”

“Don’t spout nonsense. Why would I love Dong Yuseong? The man’s a dead traitor. The only one I want is his youngest son. If Dong Murin is alive, I’ll find him, kill him, and offer his head to the Palace Master as proof of loyalty—so I can earn better techniques and stronger elixirs. They called you the prodigy of Snowfall Palace, and this is all you’ve got?”

Unhwi listened without interruption, then smiled faintly.

“Are you aware that Flame King Hwa Munyeom is still active from the shadows?”

“...What?”

“You haven’t contacted him yet, I see. He’s still moving, and you’ll meet him soon enough. You can ask him yourself then. For now, just listen.”

“...Then what’s your conclusion?”

“Han Murin is alive.”

“...Han?”

“He’s been using his mother’s surname as cover. I’ll put it plainly: Han Murin intends to annihilate the Soulflame Demonic Palace. And I—will annihilate it for my own.”

His gaze met hers, unwavering.

“Join us, Senior Hwa.”

For a long time, Hwa Muryeong said nothing.

At last, she broke the silence.

“...Tonight, I didn’t hear any of this.”

“I see.”

“For your little plan to work, I’ll have to see him myself.”

Unhwi looked at her silently.

“If I don’t confirm it with my own eyes, there’s no ‘joining’ or anything else. Got it?”

“I understand perfectly.”

As she turned to leave, he spoke casually behind her.

“I’ll send you a letter soon.”

Hwa Muryeong stopped and looked back.

“I’ll take your answer through your actions.”

“...You’re dangerous. And weird.”

“I won’t see you out. My body isn’t what it used to be.”

She stared at him for a moment longer, then turned and left the chamber.

Only then did Commander Seong step out.

“Wow... Was that true?”

“What part?”

“That she... had feelings for him? But from what I recall, Hwa Muryeong’s—”

“Forty-two this year.”

“So the Flame King had her late, huh? But then... Dong Yuseong died ten years ago, so...”

“Thirty-two at the time. Han Murin was eight.”

“The ages don’t really match up.”

Unhwi shook his head.

“The bond between Dong Yuseong, Hwa Munyeom, and Hwa Muryeong didn’t start twenty years ago. It goes back much further.”

“...”

“To Dong Yuseong, Hwa Muryeong was just a younger sister. He married, had children, taught them, served the palace faithfully—and she watched him from behind all that time.”

The secret report Seo Hyo had sent him contained an abundance of details—

things even the Gaebang didn’t know.

“Hwa Muryeong never once left Dong Yuseong’s side.”

There was even more.

He hadn’t planned to say it aloud, but about eleven years ago, their relationship had broken once.

It was simple. One night, Hwa Muryeong had gone to him—and Dong Yuseong had rejected her.

After that, they avoided each other for a year.

No one outside ever learned of it.

According to Seo Hyo, the record was buried deep in Cheonrim’s highest-class archives. That detail revealed much.

That the Palace Master spared Hwa Muryeong not just out of deference to her father, but because he’d personally witnessed how strained she and Dong Yuseong had become.

And that somewhere within Cheonrim, someone knew of Muksehoe’s existence—

and had been concealing their information.

Cheonrim and Muksehoe were not the same.

Even if they shared a goal, they were distinct entities.

There was only one explanation.

Each organization had a confidant of Yu Cheong’s, coordinating both sides’ actions and future moves.

Bound together—twice, three times over.

It was the only way to exert influence over the Central Plains from deep within the Origin Blood Sect.

That confidant couldn’t be ✧ NоvеIight ✧ (Original source) Jang Icheong.

Within the Ihwa Sword Heaven Sect, it had to be someone on the level of Sect Master or Vice Master.

Within Muksehoe, someone at least Vice President—or the President himself.

It likely wasn’t the Flame King.

Which left only one possibility.

The unseen President, orchestrating things from the shadows to prevent Muksehoe and Cheonrim from ever clashing.

And if he were removed...

What then? Could the Muksehoe be taken whole?

In any case—

His talk with Hwa Muryeong had confirmed one thing.

She had loved Dong Yuseong.

And from the moment she witnessed his death, she had sworn vengeance.

Regret. Resentment.

Commander Seong scratched his head.

“...Will you have Han Murin meet her in person?”

Unhwi fell silent for a moment, then spoke.

“They’ll have to meet. For preparation—and to destroy the Soulflame Demonic Palace, there are many factors to consider.”

He looked at Commander Seong steadily.

“The more pieces we can use, the less we lose—and the better the outcome we can craft.”

“...Doesn’t your head hurt, keeping track of all that?”

Unhwi chuckled faintly.

There was much to think about, yes—but it was fine.

This was for his people. And for himself.

The Flame King Hwa Munyeom’s origins in the Soulflame Demonic Palace,

and his only daughter being Hwa Muryeong—

It was a card worth playing.

He slowly rose to his feet.

“I’m beginning the final stage of the Threefold Frozen Convergence. Tighten security—no one comes near my quarters.”

Commander Seong jolted.

“What, just like that? Shouldn’t you rest a bit more first...?”

“I’ve rested enough.”

Commander Seong let out a long sigh.

Tonight—

Unhwi would complete the Threefold Frozen Convergence.