Han Seokhyeon had felt it even when he first brought him here.
Above all else, the man possessed ability, and now there were even people who followed him.
Compared to Commander General Ma at Windwall, he was not lacking by much. If there was any difference, it was merely experience gained through time.
And that could be compensated for with experience itself.
Han Seokhyeon’s eyes gleamed.
His resolve had already been made.
“It is burdensome, but if you say so, Commander General... then yes. I will do it.”
“Good. I have already spoken with the Palace Lord, and before long the Seolcheon Guard and the Baekryeong Guard will send lists of people who will protect and assist you. They will differ from the previous ones, so choose according to your preference.”
“Thank you.”
The formal discussion ended there.
Han Seokhyeon poured tea into Unhwi’s cup.
Then into his own.
Han Seokhyeon spoke first.
“I heard the news.”
“News?”
“That the Chaotic Heaven Gate has disappeared... and that you are now leaving the Snow Palace.”
“That is what happened.”
“......It is incredible. And...... deeply regrettable as well.”
“You overpraise me.”
Unhwi drank his tea.
One sip.
“Han Seokhyeon.”
“Yes, Commander General.”
“I will not return for quite some time. And even if I do return, by then I will no longer be the master of Yangryeong Province.”
Han Seokhyeon’s eyes widened.
A brief silence followed.
Then he spoke.
“......Where are you going?”
“To the Central Plains.”
“For what purpose?”
“There is something I must do.”
Unhwi looked out the window.
“It is personal.”
“......”
“A personal matter, and a task I must resolve. Though it is also a matter upon which the fate of the entire martial world rests.”
“......”
“I was concerned about what would remain behind, but the main palace will be fine, and you will take charge of Yangryeong Province...... so I believe I may finally set down my worries.”
“But I......”
“You lack confidence now, after all this time?”
Han Seokhyeon shook his head.
“Absolutely not. I do have confidence. But.”
“But?”
“I am still uncertain whether I can manage this place as steadily as you did without your presence here.”
Unhwi looked directly at Han Seokhyeon.
“I observed you. Your ability. Your diligence. Your loyalty.”
“......”
“And do you think the people of Yangryeong Province have failed to notice those things?”
Han Seokhyeon swallowed hard.
“There is no one more suitable than you. So have confidence.”
Han Seokhyeon bit his lip.
“......Thank you.”
“There is nothing to thank me for. It is simply the truth.”
Unhwi rose from his seat and walked toward the window.
Yangryeong Province stretched before him.
Snow-covered land.
A peaceful sight.
“This is the second place I governed.”
Unhwi spoke quietly.
“When I first became Commander General, it was far more daunting than I expected.”
“......”
“There were internal problems, friction with the Yang Empire...... there was truly much to do.”
“......”
“But I resolved everything one by one.”
Unhwi turned back toward Han Seokhyeon.
“You are more prepared than I was.”
“......”
“And you will do even better than I did.”
“......You honor me too greatly.”
“It is not excessive.”
Unhwi smiled faintly.
“I trust you.”
Han Seokhyeon rose from his seat.
Then formed a deep fist salute.
“......I will obey your command.”
As Unhwi nodded, Han Seokhyeon spoke again.
“And. Every martial artist affiliated with Yangryeong Province is currently gathered inside the residence.”
“All of them?”
“Yes.”
By martial artists affiliated with Yangryeong Province, he meant people such as the Red-Eyed Lee Jagyeom, Song Uigyeong of Penglai, and the sect masters of Saryang.
“They heard you were leaving and arrived two days ago to wait for you.”
Unhwi was not particularly fond of troublesome formalities, but neither did he intend to treat the bonds he had formed carelessly.
Han Seokhyeon stood.
“When you return, Commander General... I will show you a Yangryeong Province greater than before.”
Unhwi nodded.
“I shall look forward to it.”
The two looked at one another quietly for a moment.
Then—
Han Seokhyeon opened the door and spoke.
“I shall escort you to the room where the ‘masters’ of Yangryeong await.”
Han Seokhyeon knew with certainty that after making them wait for two days, Unhwi’s personality would never allow him to summon them instead of going personally himself.
And seeing that attitude, Unhwi became convinced once more.
Yangryeong Province would become even more secure.
***
Ice-Snow Academy.
Headmaster’s office.
Noh Cheonmyeong was gazing out the window.
Students were training outside.
Diligently.
The door opened.
Noh Cheonmyeong turned his head.
Unhwi was entering.
Noh Cheonmyeong smirked.
“Oh, you’re here.”
“Yes. I’ve arrived.”
“I heard the news. They say you destroyed the Chaotic Heaven Gate and are now leaving Yangryeong.”
“That is correct.”
“You’re really going through with it?”
“Yes.”
Noh Cheonmyeong looked at Unhwi with strange eyes.
Noh Cheonmyeong was one of the few people who knew Unhwi had regressed.
If this was the choice Unhwi had made, then it was certainly the correct one.
And indeed, up until now, every choice he made had been right. The results themselves proved it.
“But you came rather late. I’m a little disappointed.”
“The sect leaders and masters of Yangryeong came.”
“Hm?”
“I spent roughly one shichen speaking with them before coming here.”
“Ah, I see.”
“Yes. And because Senior Noh is someone important to me, and someone I personally wish to remain close to, I believed it only proper to come to you last of all.”
“Mm......? Is that how it works?”
“That way, you become even more important.”
Noh Cheonmyeong let out a hollow laugh.
“You sly brat. Planning to keep acting like this even after you go to the Blood Heaven Sect?”
“So you already know where I’m going.”
“It’s obvious. Where else could you possibly go?”
That was true enough.
“If you returned to the Heaven’s Will Alliance, the position of that fellow Hwa Munyeom, who became Alliance Leader, would become awkward. And if you joined the Sichuan Alliance, the ones who followed the previous Vice Leader would never welcome you. As for the Murim Alliance, there’s even less chance of that. So what’s left besides one option?”
Noh Cheonmyeong turned his chair.
“Sit.”
“Yes.”
Unhwi sat down.
Noh Cheonmyeong pulled out a bottle of liquor.
“Want a drink?”
“I’ll have just one cup.”
Noh Cheonmyeong poured liquor into both their cups.
Then they drank at the same time.
One sip.
“Puhh. Good stuff.”
Noh Cheonmyeong set down his cup with a small grin.
“So then, let’s get to the main point. It doesn’t seem like you came merely to say farewell.”
“As expected of Senior Noh. You are correct. There is something I wished to discuss.”
Noh Cheonmyeong toyed with his cup.
His expression became serious.
“What is it?”
“If I go to the Blood Heaven Sect, I will become involved in many things there.”
“That much is obvious.”
“I have unresolved grudges with Yu Cheong.”
“I’ve heard enough to know that much.”
“These grudges can only end when one of us dies. And I have no intention of dying.”
“That bastard Yu Cheong probably thinks the same thing.”
“He is intelligent.”
Noh Cheonmyeong smiled faintly.
“More intelligent than you?”
“Likely similar.”
“Then that bastard’s a monster too.”
Unhwi let out a hollow chuckle.
“Are you going to keep ruining the atmosphere?”
Noh Cheonmyeong grinned mischievously.
“Enough of that. Get to the point quickly. Have I ever refused one of your requests?”
That was true.
Beyond simply repaying the debt he owed as a benefactor, Noh Cheonmyeong was unquestionably one of Unhwi’s people.
Outwardly it might not appear so, but if Unhwi gave an order, Noh Cheonmyeong would follow it.
That was the level of trust between them.
“Yu Cheong will make his move.”
“For example?”
“He already attempted something at Windwall under the name Northern Wind Merchant Group.”
“So he’ll approach in a similar manner?”
“Or perhaps differently. If it is Han Seokhyeon, who uncovered the Hwanmyeong Sect, he will definitely notice abnormal signs, and he will seek your assistance.”
“So you want me to help him?”
“Yes. And there are undoubtedly spies of Yu Cheong within the academy itself.”
Noh Cheonmyeong sighed deeply.
“To that extent? That bastard?”
“Yes. No matter what form it takes, he is the type of person who prepares many things in advance for the ‘moment’ he desires. Even if one or two schemes are exposed, he ensures the overall plan continues unaffected. You must observe carefully.”
“......Sounds exhausting.”
“It will be. That is why I ask this of you.”
Noh Cheonmyeong scratched his head.
“Fine then. I’ll do it.”
The answer came readily, and Unhwi smiled.
“More importantly, the Blood Heaven Sect...... well, if there are things you must do, then you should go. If not while you’re young, then when?”
“......”
“When I was young, I wandered all over the place too.”
Noh Cheonmyeong spoke as though reminiscing.
“I traveled throughout the martial world, met many people, fought many battles. It was all quite enjoyable.”
Noh Cheonmyeong looked out the window.
“Thanks to you, I fulfilled a long-cherished wish and found new purpose...... Yu Cheong, hm...... he’s not someone at my level, but even so, I’ll do my utmost.”
“Thank you.”
“No need for thanks.”
Unhwi nodded.
“Senior Noh is a truly impressive person.”
“That came out of nowhere.”
“You are also someone worthy of admiration.”
At the sudden praise, Noh Cheonmyeong let out another hollow laugh.
“What’s gotten into you all of a sudden, brat?”
“I am merely speaking sincerely.”
“Really? Fine then, let’s go with that.”
Noh Cheonmyeong poured more liquor into Unhwi’s cup.
“One last drink.”
“I only intended to have one cup.”
“Have another.”
“Yes.”
Unhwi lifted the cup.
And drank.
The taste was bitter.
Yet as it slid down his throat, warmth spread through him.
“And Senior Noh.”
“Mm?”
“If you ever grow tired of being Headmaster, please tell me then.”
“......Hm?”
“I will find someone else for the position.”
Noh Cheonmyeong blinked blankly.
“What nonsense are you suddenly talking about? Do I look like someone who would quit because I got bored?”
“No. But.”
“But?”
“You are a martial artist, Senior Noh.”
Unhwi spoke seriously.
“A martial artist should be free.”
“......”
“There is no need for you to remain bound here.”
Noh Cheonmyeong stared at Unhwi.
For a long time.
Then eventually—
He smirked.
“......You kind-hearted brat.”
“......”
“Do not worry. I am very satisfied with this place.”
Noh Cheonmyeong drank his liquor.
“This is my own choice. Remaining here, teaching students—I do all of it because I wish to.”
His voice became serious.
“To be free means being able to choose what you desire.”
“......”
“I chose this. You will choose something else. So doesn’t that make things fine between us?”
Unhwi nodded.
“You are correct.”
Noh Cheonmyeong lifted the liquor bottle.
“One more cup?”
“Yes.”
The two drank together.
Silently.
A comfortable silence.
After some time—
Unhwi stood.
“I should go now.”
“Right.”
Noh Cheonmyeong rose as well.
“Return safely.”
“Yes.”
“And.”
Noh Cheonmyeong lightly punched Unhwi’s shoulder.
“Come back alive.”
“......”
“If you die, I’ll personally go there and beat up your spirit myself.”
Unhwi laughed.
“I shall make sure that does not happen.”
“Good answer.”
Noh Cheonmyeong opened the door for him.
“Take care.”
“Thank you for everything, Senior Noh.”
Unhwi formed a fist salute.
