Episode 5
Yes… that was stupid and pathetic. But if I responded in kind, it would’ve been the end. One of the men behind me, especially that small-statured one with the sharp, unflinching eyes—he wouldn’t have hesitated to cut Cheongmyeong down where he stood.
Han Moo-rin, I think that’s his name. A man from one of the branches… and definitely no ordinary fighter.
“Cheongdanju.”
I snapped back to reality at the sound of the voice.
“…Yes?”
“How could I not know what’s on your mind?”
“……”
“I understand everything. That insurance contract in your hand… You were coerced into signing it. Those three men were responsible, but if we’re being honest, I can’t claim complete innocence either.”
“But…”
“I was lax. That’s on me. And I’ll take responsibility for that. But giving up my life won’t solve anything—so I’ll take responsibility in my own way. Would you like to hear what that is?”
I was stunned.
Instead of rebuking me, he was… apologizing?
Seriously… are you insane?
I swallowed hard.
“Fine… I’ll listen.”
“Good answer. It’s simple. From this point on, I plan to entrust over 70% of the Snow-Pressure Transport to you.”
It was a short sentence. But Cheongmyeong, as the master of a merchant guild, instantly understood the weight behind it.
“Y-Your Majesty… Even though our guild holds a decent position in Seol-ap, taking on over 70% of its transport is too much for us.”
“Why do you think that?”
Cheongmyeong blinked.
“You’re quick to grasp things, but your ambition seems… small.”
“…No way…”
“If you’re going to bear the weight of this responsibility, you’ll need to grow. Hire people. Absorb the surrounding trading houses.”
I stood speechless. Seol Woon-hwi continued, his gaze unwavering.
“Powerless people usually have three options. First: resist and die a glorious death. Second: submit, no matter how humiliating. Third: stand beside the strong.”
Cheongmyeong’s face turned grim. Mine did too.
“Believe it or not, right now—I’m the strongest force in Seol-ap. If someone stronger shows up later, that’ll be your decision to make. But for now—choose me. I’ll give you a proper chance.”
“…Why… Why give us such an opportunity?”
“Honestly, I’m not even sure if you’re fit to run your current operation, let alone something bigger. But this is how I take responsibility.”
Seol Woon-hwi, still staring at Cheongmyeong, spoke in a quiet, serious tone.
“You remember the three choices of the powerless?”
“Yes… I remember.”
“Then what about those with power? What choices do they have?”
“…That…”
“They can continue using someone. Discard them once they’ve outlived their usefulness. Or… they can offer a chance to prove their worth. There are so many more paths available.”
“……”
“I’ll make my choices. You make yours.”
I rose from my seat.
“Do you need time to prepare?”
“…Yes. Please allow me two days.”
“Two days. Fine. And from now on, you’ll handle transportation.”
“Thank you… truly!”
“And before that, come to the Bunta Branch with a proper insurance contract. I’ll tolerate reasonable coverage—but if you try something shady, like Yaun Sang did, all offers will be off the table. The Cheongun Trading Company will be expelled from Seol-ap that very day. And a lot of blood will be shed.”
“D-Don’t worry…!”
Seol Woon-hwi nodded and turned away.
That takes care of today’s business.
Now, it was time to focus on my martial cultivation.
As Seol Woon-hwi stepped out, he saw Cheonpung rushing toward him, drenched in sweat but grinning ear to ear.
“Did you find it?”
“Yes! I did!”
I took the ledger he handed over and began flipping through it.
My eyes scanned every page rapidly, sharp as blades, not missing a single line.
At one point, I stopped.
And laughed.
“They really tried all kinds of tricks.”
Several people flinched at my words, but I pretended not to notice and continued reading.
I stopped again. Laughed. Read. Then stopped once more—three times in total.
I was deep in thought before I finally closed the ledger.
“How much money did we recover from their hideout?”
“Ten gold coins and about five hundred silver.”
That was shockingly low, considering what was recorded in the ledger.
Six years of embezzlement… and this is all they had?
Still, it made sense.
They must’ve been sending the stolen money elsewhere regularly.
“What about the goods?”
“I found some spiritual pills, high-grade training resources, and weapons. Everything’s been brought to the branch for inspection.”
I thought for a moment, recalling a few specific entries from the ledger.
“Did you find Bingsim Cheongnyeonghwan, Baekho Sunjeongdan, Gangchehwan, or Baekokyangsindan?”
Cheonpung furrowed his brow.
“We didn’t find Gangchehwan or Baekokyangsindan, but there was one Bingsim Cheongnyeonghwan and two Baekho Sunjeongdan.”
“And the high-grade resources?”
“Yes. We found Patterned Grass and the Manhwa Spirit Fruit.”
Weapons are essential for any warrior—but spiritual resources are rarer and often more valuable.
They’re hard to come by and expensive, but their effects are lasting.
More accessible, though, are training resources.
They’re cheaper, with temporary effects, and often have no side effects. Most martial artists rely on them.
But high-grade training resources? They’re on another level.
They’re effective even for warriors preparing to enter the Heaven and Earth Realm—or those already within it.
“A lowly Yang Guang Yi Hyeon got his hands on these kinds of resources? Remind me again—what sect does the Ice and Snow Sword Mark belong to?”
“That would be the Samhwachwijeong Sect.”
“And their head?”
“They fall under Ogijowon.”
“They’ve gone into seclusion, right?”
“Yes.”
It all started coming together.
“Cheonpung.”
“Yes, Your Majesty?”
“Bring the elixirs and high-grade resources I mentioned earlier to my quarters. Then summon the Holy General to sort the rest.”
“Yes, understood.”
I turned my gaze to the gathered soldiers.
Some avoided my eyes like they were being burned. Others had the look of people who had made up their minds.
It was an odd atmosphere.
I smiled.
“Everyone, return to your posts.”
“Your Majesty, what about you?”
“I’ve got a stop to make.”
“…….”
“Let’s go.”
“Jeonmyeong!”
I turned and began walking at a relaxed pace.
The world of martial arts is cruel.
In this world, strength is law, and the will of the strong becomes reality.
There’s a clear standard that governs everything.
The Realm.
There are the Three Body Realms—foundational stages for martial arts. Then the Four Energy Cultivation Realms—where you begin mastering inner energy. After that, the Four Realms of Heaven and Earth—where you learn to draw on nature itself.
And finally, the Five Martial God Realms—where you master the energy of heaven and earth.
Anyone who reaches even the first level of the Martial God Realms, known as Unity of Heaven and Man, is already considered a mighty warrior. Those who reach Infinite Manifestation of the God, Dao Transformation into Truth, or Great Void and Formlessness become living legends.
And beyond all that…
The pinnacle: Honwondokjon (混元獨尊)—the “Supreme Unity of Origin.”
Only about a hundred people in all of Central Plains’ history are known to have reached it.
Even that number might be exaggerated.
They say there are three Pre-Heaven Realms beyond that, but they’re the stuff of myths.
I’ve never reached it. I’ve never even seen someone who has.
But I’ve brushed up against it once.
Because I angered them.
I burned their peach garden. I shattered the Bloodstone they offered to the heavens. I annihilated the Brain Magic Cult that once propped them up.
I always wanted to see their faces. But no matter what I did—they never came.
They weren’t unwilling. They were unable to come.
That’s all I know.
I only followed their orders like a madman. I probably still am one.
I don’t regret what I’ve done—not by my standards. Though I’m sure others wouldn’t understand.
And I don’t plan to explain myself.
Just like now.
I see a man in front of me.
There’s a belt around his waist.
A symbol of initiation.
New disciples start as Baek-ui-gae—no belt. One belt: Ilgyeol-gae. Two belts: Igyeol-gae.
Third ranks run small branches. Fourth, large ones. Fifth manage entire regions. Sixth are the heads of major sectors. Seventh are elders of the main sect. Eighth, successors to the Ark. Ninth—the Ark himself.
Yes, that’s right.
The Open Sect.
Those beggars who gather information throughout the land—even Mount Mannyeonseol is no exception to their reach.
The Ilgyeol-gae looked at me with bright eyes and asked,
“How did you end up here?”
“Is the branch manager in?”
“The branch manager? Hmm… I don’t think so.”
“He’s not here?”
“Yeah. Don’t think so.”
“Do you know who I am?”
The Ilgyeol-gae looked at me strangely—and then smiled.
