Chapter 1 – Prologue
Mount Hua.
At the summit of one of the Five Great Mountains, three emperors from different nations gathered.
They had waged wars for decades to decide who would rule the Central Plains, yet today, they stood together for the sake of one man.
Whooosh!
A bitter wind howled through the mountains. The expressions of the emperors waiting for the man were not just dark—they seethed with indignation.
“Why is he so late?”
Emperor Zhao, Zhao Bi, raised his voice toward Emperor Yan, Lee Jeok.
Lee Jeok responded calmly.
“Seems the journey was rough. Let’s wait a little longer.”
Beside him, Emperor Jin, Yang Gwang-hyo, sighed with his eyes closed.
“How are we to bear this humiliation… Haa…”
Whooosh!
The wind grew stronger.
How much time passed?
“He has arrived.”
A general, stationed away from the pavilion, announced in a quiet voice.
All three emperors turned their eyes toward a single spot.
A man appeared on the path leading to the summit.
It was the emergence of Lee Hwan, the Martial Emperor and undisputed supreme being of the martial world. Even the fierce wind seemed to still in his presence.
The imperial guards instinctively reached for their swords. But none could draw them. Rather, they bowed slightly, unable to withstand the pressure of his presence.
Lee Hwan approached the pavilion at a calm pace. Though he neared the emperors themselves, no one dared to ask him to disarm.
Three others followed behind him. One carried a sword, another a great blade, and the last a ceremonial fan. They stopped before the guards, their mere presence enough to still the air.
These were the Three Kings, known as Lee Hwan’s shadows.
When they blocked the path, the imperial guards couldn’t even breathe properly.
A smirk.
“Relax.”
That smiling comment from the Sword King terrified the guards more than blades to their throats.
Lee Hwan stepped onto the pavilion and said calmly,
“The road was rough, so I’m a bit late.”
Arrogance.
Who else under the heavens would speak like this before emperors?
Even more surprising was the emperors’ reaction. As if it were expected, they simply gestured for him to sit—showing not even a hint of displeasure.
Even Zhao Bi, who had raged moments earlier, was no exception.
Lee Hwan slowly gazed at the three emperors.
“Have you made your decision?”
Surprisingly, Zhao Bi responded first.
“Our Zhao Nation has decided to accept your proposal.”
He pulled out a jade seal from his robes.
Yang Gwang-hyo looked astonished. Was this not the same man who had been furious earlier?
Lee Hwan turned to Yang Gwang-hyo.
“Our Jin Nation also agrees to your terms.”
Yang Gwang-hyo presented his jade seal.
The last was Lee Jeok.
Unlike the others, he met Lee Hwan’s gaze directly.
“And what proof do you offer us?”
“Do I look like I came to offer proof?”
“…!”
“I came only to confirm whether the three of you would accept my proposal. If you agree, peace is guaranteed. If not…”
Lee Hwan left the rest unsaid—it didn’t need to be.
His overwhelming arrogance made all three emperors flinch. But none opened their mouths.
Lee Hwan locked eyes with Lee Jeok. The emperor did not look away—but the moment didn’t last long.
Thud!
Lee Jeok set his jade seal on the table.
“…We accept your proposal.”
Soon after, the three emperors stamped four documents with their seals. Each kept one copy and handed one to Lee Hwan.
Lee Hwan held the paper in his hands.
The contents were brief, but shocking.
To summarize: the three nations would henceforth recognize the martial world as being outside their legal jurisdiction and would no longer interfere in its affairs. Likewise, the martial world would not meddle in the politics of the three kingdoms.
Non-Intervention Pact Between Government and Martial World.
For the royal families—who had always used martial sects as tools of war—this was an unprecedented and historic event.
Lee Hwan flicked his document lightly. Amazingly, despite the wind, it flew straight into the hands of one of the Three Kings.
“I thank the three of you on behalf of all martial artists. May today’s vow be passed down to future generations. Farewell.”
And Lee Hwan left.
The three emperors remained behind, trembling with humiliation.
The Huashan Gathering.
Later, the world would refer to this day by that name. A triumphant day for the martial world—but a day of unforgettable disgrace for the three kingdoms.
