Not long ago, Unwi had witnessed the remains of those massacred by the Snow Mountain Black Bear.
It had been during his time with Sim Munryong—not that long ago.
At the time, he had to rush to Yangnyeong, so he’d buried the matter temporarily. But now that he had come all the way to Binghaeju, he couldn’t simply ignore it.
Unwi still remembered it clearly.
“Yaksu... Isn’t that the small city on the outskirts of Binghaeju?”
“Yes. The same Yaksu governed by the Yeop Clan, where the clan head serves as a sub-branch lord.”
Seol Yeonhwa was genuinely curious.
“What business do you have there?”
“There’s something I need to take care of.”
“Something to take care of... Should I help?”
“Cheonpung and I will be more than enough.”
“...Still, do you have to leave this quickly? The Seolhwa Mountain Villa will surely reward you greatly... At least wait to receive your honors first.”
The Seolhwa Mountain Villa was the martial sect of Seol Yeonhwa and Seol Muryeon’s maternal family.
Famous for their unique martial art, the Art of Seolhwa (Snow Blossom), the sect had historically produced numerous masters of the Martial God Five Scriptures—including one practitioner of the Grand Void Formless stage, albeit 300 years ago. Since then, the strongest martial artist they’d produced had only reached the Union of Heaven and Man, but the sect’s latent potential was still immense.
Its current head, Man Seokcheong, a Union of Heaven and Man realm master, oversaw the northern territory of the Snow Palace known as Windwall (Pungbyeok).
What set the sect apart was its sheer military power—he commanded over forty warriors in the Four Views of Heaven and Earth realm, and hundreds more beneath them.
It was worth noting: although these maternal sects were technically independent, they operated no differently from branches of the Snow Palace—except that their connection was one of bloodline.
Unwi shook his head again.
“I only did what had to be done. And if it’s a reward you speak of—I’ve already received one.”
“I got to see Second Brother’s heart. What more could I possibly desire?”
“...You know you’ve become weird, right?”
Seol Yeonhwa couldn’t stop him as he turned and walked away.
It wasn’t just that he’d become mature—he had grown immensely in what felt like an instant.
Had his shoulders always been that broad?
The road to Yaksu was not especially difficult.
Unlike the urgent trip to Binghaeju, there was no need to rush. Unwi and Cheonpung traveled at a relaxed pace.
Unwi used the time to replenish his depleted internal energy and review martial arts techniques in his mind.
Exactly two days later, they entered the city of Yaksu.
“Seolhwa Mountain Villa... It’s a famous sect, isn’t it?”
“Isn’t it a shame to turn it down? I heard the Windwall region gets intense cold, so rare herbs and elixirs form there... I’m sure they would’ve given you something incredible...”
Unwi lifted his gaze.
“Elixirs are not something to be consumed recklessly.”
“Elixirs are congealed forms of heaven and earth's essence. To consume them without need is to defy nature. A true master knows the exact moment when an elixir is necessary—and never takes it before then.”
Unwi’s cold, clear gaze pierced into Cheonpung.
“Why should one not desire it prematurely? It’s simple: imbalance. The very reason we have cultivation resources is to serve as an alternative to elixirs. More importantly, they temper the body so that it can absorb elixirs properly later on.”
“I’ll ensure you get the elixirs you do need. For now, focus on taking in the mid-grade cultivation resources being delivered to the medicine hall we set up inside the sub-branch. Start with those.”
Cheonpung nodded firmly, his expression serious.
“I will engrave your guidance deeply into my heart.”
Soon after, the carriage came to a stop.
“Lord Hyeon Seollin, we’ve arrived at the Yang Household.”
At Yang Cheol’s words, Unwi and Cheonpung stepped out of the carriage.
They were now in front of the main gate of the Yang household.
At the same time, the captain of the guards rushed out to meet them.
“Is it true?! Lord Hyeon Seollin has come in person!!”
His voice, as well as the obvious panic on his face, were enough for anyone to notice.
No one would’ve expected a Polar Descendant to show up unannounced.
Even Seol Muryeon, the second son and commander of Binghaeju, would send word ahead of time when visiting a place. But for the youngest son to arrive out of nowhere in Yaksu?
This was beyond unexpected—it was almost incomprehensible.
“Inform your clan head. I’ll need a moment of his time.”
Unwi’s calm voice made the guard captain swallow hard.
“Y-Yes, I’ll do so at once...”
Just as the guard captain—Yang Juganggeom (Yang Ju-strong-sword), known as Yeoncheol—turned to head inside,
Someone bolted out in a panic.
It was Yang Jongmyeong, the head of the Yang clan—rushing out barefoot at the news of a Polar Descendant’s visit.
A line of retainers followed him from behind, forming a strangely ceremonial scene.
Yang Jongmyeong immediately bowed in respect.
“That the great Lord Hyeon Seollin would grace us with a visit... it is our greatest honor.”
Unwi looked at him calmly and spoke briefly.
“Let’s speak inside.”
“Y-Yes... Allow me to escort you to Cheongpunggak.”
Yang Jongmyeong personally led Unwi and Cheonpung toward the Pavilion of Clear Wind.
But during that short walk, one of the retainers at the very rear quietly summoned a servant.
He moved with extreme caution—like someone with something to hide.
In a hushed voice, he said:
“Go now. Inform Lord Yeop of what’s happening.”
The servant immediately turned and ran, while the retainer followed the clan head into Cheongpunggak.