It had been a long time since something had truly surprised him.

Who exactly was the master of Tianlin?

There were those referred to as the Rim Lord—but their true identity had remained unknown to him, even at the moment of his death.

In truth, he’d never really tried to find out.

Tianlin was led by four individuals, two men and two women, collectively known as the Four Sovereign Lords. Each of them was, in a practical sense, the true master of Tianlin.

Even as the Blood Heaven Middle Patriarch, he had only met two of them.

After the Central Blood Sect had unified the central plains, Tianlin had disbanded.

That was why he hadn’t bothered digging deeper.

But apparently, even among the Four Sovereign Lords, there was one figure all of them trusted and followed.

Seo Hyo—the name of the man now sitting right before him.

It was a strange feeling.

“Seo Hyo... ‘Western Dawn’... It’s a fine name.”

“...Now I find myself afraid.”

“Afraid of what?”

“Of everything you say, Young Lord. It all keeps aligning with the thoughts I’ve kept to myself. Even though I keep telling myself it can’t be true... I can’t help but think—what if it is? That thought... is terrifying.”

It was simple.

He could explain it in just a few words.

What lies in the west?

Ask a hundred travelers, and you’d likely get a hundred different answers—but at least half would say “Tianshan.”

Tianshan.

And what once stood there?

The Thousand-Year Demonic Sect, sovereign of the primordial era.

Which meant that Seo Hyo had likely been born—created, even—for the sole purpose of restoring the Thousand-Year Demonic Sect.

Unwi gave a faint smile.

“Seo Hyo.”

“Yes.”

“How do you see me?”

“...If you are an enemy, one who must be eliminated. If an ally, one who must be kept close at all costs.”

“And are we enemies?”

“I’ve rarely met anyone with whom I could speak this freely. If you ask me... I think we could be friends.”

“Do you need my answer?”

“I do.”

“Don’t interfere in what I’m trying to do. Don’t get in my way.”

“...”

“If you do that, I’ll be your friend. If you don’t... one of us will have to die.”

“...I understand.”

“And the gold mine near Bongnae—we’ll be taking that.”

Seo Hyo let out a big, boisterous laugh.

“Ah... hahaha... wow... So you even intend to take that?”

“Wasn’t it already on the table?”

“It was. We were saving it as a bargaining chip, but... I see you’ve decided to take it anyway.”

“If you were going to give it, you should give it properly. Don’t you think?”

“Haah...”

“And you may reopen the black market in Cheongsu Village.”

Seo Hyo’s eyes widened.

“You’re merchants, aren’t you?”

“...”

“At least, that’s how I understand it. That’s why you had that basement, right? I’m sure there’s a hidden warehouse or two tucked away somewhere—probably massive ones.”

“...”

“We’ll only use it to store goods. As long as you properly distribute the profits to Yangnyeong, I see no reason not to approve.”

A faint smile curved Seo Hyo’s lips.

“You’re right. Whenever we operate a black market, we worry about possible raids, so we set up basements like that. If anything happens, people can retreat there. Of course, now that we’ve got such a reliable Young Lord, we don’t expect any raids—but we’ll keep using the space as storage. That’s all. Nothing else.”

“Then we understand each other.”

“Indeed. And we’ll return twenty percent of all profits.”

“There’s no need for a written contract.”

“Same here.”

Seo Hyo silently looked at him. Unwi returned the gaze.

To speak frankly—

Seo Hyo was dangerous.

Not just because he was intelligent, but because he had courage and composure in equal measure.

Someone like that, as an enemy, would be exhausting.

But as an ally—he would be invaluable.

It was obvious.

Seo Hyo was likely thinking the same thing.

“Have you made up your mind?”

“Yes. I have.”

“You seem to have reached the same conclusion I have.”

“I have.”

“Still... even if we’re on the same side, there’s something we’re both overlooking.”

“What would that be?”

A strange smile appeared at Unwi’s lips.

“Your confidence... and mine... come from entirely different sources.”

Seo Hyo’s brow twitched.

It wasn’t confusion. He was thinking about what Unwi meant.

“In a true friendship, there should be no deception.”

“...”

“Can someone with a leash around their neck really be called a friend?”

Seo Hyo’s eyes gleamed.

“I understand exactly what you mean.”

“Do you really?”

“Yes.”

“Then I’m glad.”

He was sure Seo Hyo understood.

There were few people in the world with that level of insight.

“Do you need someone to see you out?”

“There’s no need. Truly... this was an enlightening conversation.”

“Likewise.”

With that, Seo Hyo departed. Alone now, Unwi silently rested his chin on his hand.

It had been a while since he’d had to use his brain like this—and it wasn’t so bad.

“...Wow. Young Lord, you’re amazing.”

He turned his head.

It was Steward Seong.

“You’re not just good with swords—you’re great with words too.”

“You mean me?”

“You talked your way into a twenty percent cut of the black market and took the gold mine.”

Unwi gave Seong the steward a quiet look. Perhaps pricked by guilt, Seong flinched.

“W-why are you looking at me like that?”

“Do you really think it was a gain?”

“...Wasn’t it?”

“In terms of material wealth, yes. But underneath it, it’s anything but.”

Unwi turned to gaze in the direction Seo Hyo had departed.

“I’m conflicted.”

“About what?”

“Whether I should annihilate Tianlin... or not.”

Seong showed a crooked smile.

“You really are... different.”

“Me?”

“Yes. Most would think to ally with them, or bring them under their command. But the first thing you consider is annihilation. That’s... quite the imposing mindset.”

Unwi didn’t know exactly how Seong saw him, but the world Unwi was looking at was certainly not the same one seen by ordinary people.

The questions were: Is this a threat? Can it be contained? If it can, what about now—and what about later?

If the answers crossed the line at any point, then removal was the right call. Not for profit—but for efficiency.

Efficiency.

What would Seo Hyo choose?

And was the true Rim Lord of Tianlin really Yu Cheong, the Vice Lord of the Central Blood Sect?

From what Unwi could see, Yu Cheong was not the Rim Lord.

Though he hadn’t tracked Yu Cheong’s every movement during his time in the sect, of that one fact, he was certain.

Then how much authority did Seo Hyo actually hold?

Tianlin was clearly linked to the Thousand-Year Demonic Sect—but were they acting under Yu Cheong’s orders, or independently?

Several unanswered questions swirled in his head—but none that needed solving now.

In time, the answers would reveal themselves.

Then—

“What’s that letter in your hand?”

“Oh, this? It just arrived from the main palace.”

Seong passed him the letter.

Inside, it read:

—What was promised has arrived. Come to the palace.

It was a letter from his father.

And the only thing he had been promised... was the Ten-Thousand-Year Flame Pearls.

A smile tugged at his lips.

***

All the branch members were assembled, called by Unwi.

Standing before them, he spoke:

“I’m going to the main palace. Wonyang.”

At his call, Wonyang raised her head.

“You’re coming with me. The rest of you will remain and guard the branch.”

She glanced briefly at Ju Soa, then gave a radiant smile and bowed with a martial salute.

Then she naturally stepped to Unwi’s side, and Ju Soa gave a faint chuckle at the sight.

The image of Wonyang, still bruised from the last spar, was just too amusing. Though Wonyang herself seemed blissfully unaware.

“And as of today, the gold mine between Yangnyeong and Bongnae is now mine.”

Everyone looked surprised—but one person in particular looked especially stunned.

Ju Soa.

“...Tianlin gave it to you?”

“They did.”

“When did that happen?”

“While your eyes were open.”

She blinked. She hadn’t even heard Tianlin had visited—and now the mine was theirs?

“And Tianlin will be reopening the black market in Cheongsu Village. Just so you all know. And...”

Unwi trailed off, pulling out a large sheet of paper from his robe.

“The reason I’ve gathered all of you today is because of this gold mine I just mentioned.”

There were now people he could entrust with real tasks.

Seong the steward of the Spirit Ascension Stage, warriors of Five Banners Form, and excluding Wonyang, two others at Dual Light Manifestation.

“The mine may be in our hands now, but I have no intention of managing it personally. I’ll be delegating. However... as you know, most of the sects in Yangnyeong have signed an oath.”

An oath pledging themselves to the Everlasting Snow Palace, tying their fates to its rise or fall. That oath was both a leash and a proof of loyalty.

That meant he couldn’t show favoritism.

“I’ve ◈ Nоvеlіgһт ◈ (Continue reading) been told the mine produces about 1,000 geun of ore a month. After refinement, that results in around 10 geun of pure gold.”

One geun of pure gold equals 100 gold coins.

One gold coin equals 10 silver taels, and one silver tael equals 100 copper coins.

That’s the base currency system. So, 10 geun of pure gold translates to 1,000 gold coins, or 10,000 silver taels monthly.

It wasn’t an absurdly massive mine, but for something located on the outskirts of the central plains, it was significant.

Naturally, the output could be increased.

According to a survey by the Open Blade Pavilion’s Jang Seok, the mine could produce up to 2,000 geun of ore per month if pushed. That would mean 20,000 silver taels in revenue.

“I won’t show favoritism. So I’ll be issuing a public notice.”

“A notice?”

“It’s all written here, but I’ll explain it in advance. I’ll be selecting sects to operate the mine. First, they must be able to supply their own mining manpower. Second, they must have the financial means to handle tools and labor. Third, they must pay a regular tribute to the Yangnyeong branch—20 percent of the yield. A maximum of four sects will be chosen.”

Why say all this now?

“While I’m away, Steward Seong will act as the branch lord. All of you will follow his orders. Whether or not mining begins after choosing the sects—that will be his decision.”

From behind, Seong stepped forward and gave a respectful bow.

“Thank you for entrusting me with this great responsibility. I will do everything I can to live up to your expectations.”

Unwi stood from his seat.

“Then I’ll leave it to you.”

And so, Unwi departed for the palace—with Wonyang at his side.

***

The distance from Yangnyeong to the main palace was considerable.

If traveling on foot, it would take about four days.

That is, assuming they took their time and rested well along the way.