Episode 281
Two days after leaving Soju.

Sun Woo-jin and his group finally arrived at Taiju, located in the heart of Jiangsu Province.

This was the very place where the headquarters of the Sa Wang Lian was situated.

Originally, Taiju was a modest-sized fortress city, but when the predecessor of Sa Wang Lian, Tongcheonbang, relocated its main base here, the entire city effectively became the Sa Wang Lian’s stronghold.

As a result, everyone living in Taiju was affiliated with Sa Wang Lian.

Not just the people wandering the streets, but also the small shop owners and even the street vendors—all were connected to the organization.

So, when the group reached the city gates of Taiju, they saw not ordinary soldiers but elite Sa Wang Lian warriors guarding the entrance.

Among them, a warrior who appeared to be the leader—likely someone with at least eighty years of internal cultivation—approached them politely and asked,

“What business brings you to Sa Wang Lian?”

Sun Woo-jin glanced subtly at Seol Poong.

Up until now, Sun Woo-jin had been the guide leading the group.

But from this point forward, that role had to shift.

From here on, Seol Poong was the one who needed to take charge.

Yet, Seol Poong remained silent, lost in thought since yesterday, not uttering a single word.

The others, sensing the complexity of his inner turmoil, had refrained from speaking to him.

Even now, with all eyes on him, Seol Poong maintained his silence.

Gradually, the group began to look at him with growing unease.

Then, Seol Poong let out a deep sigh.

“Huuuu…”

Finally, he stepped forward slowly and spoke with a heavy voice.

“It has only been a day. I am Seol Poong, descendant of the Seol family, son of Seol Cheonhu…”

Those words carried great weight.

This was the moment Seol Poong, the rightful heir of the Seol family, declared to Sa Wang Lian—his roots—that he was alive.

The leader warrior’s initially puzzled expression widened in shock.

It seemed the names Seol family and Seol Cheonhu had finally registered in his mind.

Seol Poong continued.

“I come as the legitimate heir of the Gwe Seol family, to challenge for the next Sa Wang.”

The Gwe Seol family—the term referred to the descendants of the first Sa Wang, Gwe Jaun, encompassing both the Gwe and Seol clans.

Hearing this, the leader warrior was completely flustered and replied,

“P-please wait a moment. I will report this to the higher-ups.”

He then hurried not inside the gate, but upward.

Soon, a pigeon flapped its wings and took off from atop the gate.

Just like the Baek family in Soju, Sa Wang Lian also used carrier pigeons within the fortress to relay messages.

Since the entire Taiju fortress was Sa Wang Lian’s domain, this was only natural.

While waiting for a reply from the headquarters, Seol Poong looked at his companions and spoke.

“This may not go smoothly. In the worst case, the Sa Wang might order my death, and I could be attacked by Sa Wang Lian forces right inside enemy territory. So if anyone wants to back out, now’s the time.”

He was giving them a chance to leave before it was too late.

At this, Yeon Tae-jin frowned deeply and said,

“What’s that supposed to mean? You think I’d abandon you and run away? Don’t even dream it! I’ll never take a single step away from your side for as long as I live!”

Seol Poong’s expression wavered—unsure whether to feel touched or awkward by her fierce loyalty.

Then, Jeung Chil boldly added,

“You’re not talking about me, right, Poong? I’m Jeung Chil! Never once have I turned my back when my brothers were in danger!”

Granted, Jeung Chil had only had brothers for a few months, but no one dared to point that out and spoil his bravado.

Seol Poong smiled gently and then turned to Jin So-eun.

“Miss Jin, you are the cherished jewel of the Jin family, a righteous clan. Wouldn’t it be troublesome for you to get involved with Sa Wang Lian affairs?”

Jin So-eun smiled awkwardly and shook her head.

“Cherished jewel? I’m nothing like that. And… the warriors of the Jin family never abandon their friends. Surely, Lord Seol wouldn’t want to make me out to be a shameful person?”

Seol Poong met her determined gaze and smiled warmly.

Then he looked toward Sun Woo-jin.

Sun Woo-jin grinned and asked,

“Why look at me? Are you going to ask if I’m going to leave too?”

Seol Poong chuckled softly and shook his head.

“This time, I’m counting on you, Jin.”

Sun Woo-jin smiled broadly and clasped Seol Poong’s hand firmly.

Their handshake seemed to symbolize an unbreakable trust between them.

“I’ll handle it, brother. I’ll make sure you become the next Sa Wang.”

Seol Poong let out a dry laugh.

While he worried about the possibility of being killed by the current Sa Wang, Sun Woo-jin was already thinking about making him the successor.

If anyone else had said that, it might have sounded like empty flattery, but coming from this wise younger brother, it felt genuine.

Seol Poong finally smiled and replied,

“Alright, I’ll trust only you.”

Nearby, Yeon Tae-jin grumbled,

“Ah, my pride’s hurt. Yeon Tae-jin, the great Hawon Dalki, feeling jealous of a man? Fine, I’ll let it slide because he’s a man.”

At that moment, Jeung Chil quietly stepped forward and placed his hand over theirs.

“I’m the youngest too. I trust you as well.”

Jin So-eun watched this heartwarming scene with a fond smile.

A moment later, the city gates opened, and a young man stepped out.

He wore golden silk robes and had a kindly, plump face.

With a broad smile and respectful demeanor, he bowed to Seol Poong.

“Pleased to meet you. I am Man Ji-sung, working in the inner court. The Lian Lord wishes to meet you. Shall we go inside?”

He also greeted the gate leader politely before leading the group to the carriage he had arrived in.

Yeon Tae-jin frowned slightly and asked,

“Do we really have to ride in a carriage?”

Man Ji-sung bowed his head and replied,

“Since the entire Taiju belongs to Sa Wang Lian, it’s better to take a carriage to reach the Lian Lord’s residence. Walking would take too long, and using lightness skills might attract unnecessary attention. Please rest assured; we will make your journey comfortable.”

True to his word, the carriage was very comfortable.

Made of ebony wood and looking like something only wealthy nobles would ride, the interior was spacious enough to fit all six of them plus Man Ji-sung, with room to spare.

From the window, they could comfortably observe the surroundings as they traveled.

Through the window, the streets of Taiju bustled as vibrantly as Soju had, filled with countless lively people.

Jin So-eun admired the scene.

“Wow, it’s as bustling as Soju! The streets are clean, and there are so many people!”

But Sun Woo-jin’s expression soon turned serious.

He let out a low groan.

“They’re all warriors.”

Jin So-eun blinked in surprise.

“Huh?”

Sun Woo-jin scanned the streets sharply and said again,

“All these people filling the streets are warriors. Most of them are first-class or higher. It’s actually harder to find warriors below second-class.”

“Whaaat?!”

The others stared at the streets in shock.

Then they realized Sun Woo-jin was right.

Every single person filling the streets was a warrior.

It was astonishing.

Sun Woo-jin glanced at Man Ji-sung, who sat across from them, smiling gently.

If the entire city was like this, it might be even more of a dragon’s den than the front lines filled with demons. That was Sa Wang Lian for you.

And judging by the man sitting opposite them, Man Ji-sung seemed no less formidable.

He smiled like a seasoned merchant, answering their questions politely.

From a rough estimate, his skill level was at the early peak stage.

“Being in his thirties and at the early peak stage is no small feat, but here in Sa Wang Lian, it’s as common as seeing gate warriors. However…”

Sun Woo-jin’s attention was caught by his surname—‘Man.’

It was the same as Man Seong-guk, the current Supreme King and head of Sa Wang Lian.

Man Seong-guk, head of the Jin Gang Man family—one of the twenty-three Sa Wang clans—was known as the greatest merchant in the land, wielding far more influence as a trader than as a warrior.

He was also the one who pushed out the Yang Ju-dong family, who had traditionally held the role of Sa Wang Lian’s chief overseer, allowing the Jin Gang Man family to become the second most powerful faction.

If Man Ji-sung was indeed from the Jin Gang Man family, it would explain why he held a status beyond what his early peak skill level suggested.

Moreover…

The Jin Gang Man family’s rise to power coincided almost exactly with the time, about twenty years ago, when the current Sa Wang, Gwe Gal-hyeon, killed Seol Poong’s father, Seol Cheonhu, and took the throne.

So it was likely that the Jin Gang Man family was somehow involved in that incident.

And if that was true, it made sense why the way they looked at Seol Poong was far from friendly.

Their shared history was probably weighted heavily with resentment.

Such relationships were not unique to Jingangman alone.

Most of those close to the current Four Kings’ Lord, Gwae Galhyeon, were likely the very ones who had killed Seol Cheonhu back then and elevated Gwae Galhyeon to his current position.

In other words, from now on, Seol Pung had to establish himself among these people as a candidate for the next Four Kings’ Lord.

This explained why, in his past life, although Seol Pung had succeeded in becoming a candidate, his trail went cold afterward.

A short while later, the carriage came to a halt before the main hall of the Four Kings’ Manor.

Stepping down, Sun Woojin and his companions found themselves gazing upon colossal buildings unlike anything they had ever seen before.

“Wow…”

“Is this… the imperial palace?”

The largest estate Sun Woojin had ever seen was the Sacheondang Manor.

Even then, he had been impressed by its vastness, comparing it to the Sunwoo family estate.

But standing here before the Four Kings’ Manor, even Sacheondang seemed like a third-rate sect.

Jeungchil muttered with a weary expression, “Every single building looks like a fortress. And why isn’t there a wall around the place?”

Indeed.

Rows of grand buildings with red tiled roofs stretched out in perfect order, rivaling the main halls of other great sects.

Between them lay enormous training grounds and gardens so vast they resembled forests, alternating in a harmonious pattern.

A wide canal ran straight through the center.

What was most striking was how natural it all felt.

There were no walls enclosing the buildings.

Only warriors on guard stood watch, marking the boundary of the Four Kings’ Manor’s domain, which seamlessly connected to the surrounding structures.

Man Ji-sung, their guide, smiled gently and explained, “The walls of Taiju city serve as the walls of the Four Kings’ Manor. And all the warriors who reside in Taiju are its guardians. That’s why the first Four Kings’ Lord decreed there was no need for additional fortifications here.”

Walls of Taiju city and all its warriors as the manor’s defenses…

The words stirred a strange sense of awe.

Images of countless warriors they had seen earlier on the streets suddenly flashed through their minds.

It was clear why this was one of the three greatest powers in the world.

Following Man Ji-sung’s lead, the group walked along the central canal for some time.

At last, they beheld the majestic main hall of the Four Kings’ Manor.

Beneath a massive red-tiled roof hung a plaque inscribed with the words “Four Kings Hall” in bold, commanding calligraphy.

Jeungchil stared at the immense structure, momentarily dumbfounded, then asked Man Ji-sung, “Is this bigger than the imperial palace? I’ve never been to my own palace, so I can’t compare.”

Man Ji-sung smiled faintly and replied, “I’ve never been to the imperial palace either, so I can’t say for sure. But isn’t it more important who resides inside than the size of the building?”

His calm answer left the group speechless.

They knew he wasn’t elevating a powerless emperor above the Four Kings’ Lord.

No, Man Ji-sung was speaking of someone more noble than the emperor.

They were then led inside the Four Kings Hall.

Standing before the massive doors of the grand hall within, Sun Woojin felt a sudden, overwhelming presence.

He swallowed hard without realizing it.

Instinctively, he sensed a monster lurking behind those doors.

An immense aura radiated so strongly that it sent tingles down his spine.

Man Ji-sung called out toward the doors, “Man Ji-sung, Third Lord of the Inner Hall, has brought Seol Pung Gongja and his party!”

Moments later, the enormous doors groaned as they slowly swung open.

Sun Woojin and his companions stepped inside.

Passing through, they noticed no one stood near the doors.

It seemed the doors had opened on their own, not pushed by anyone.

Yeon Taejin whispered in surprise, “Then… what kind of door is that?”

Sun Woojin swallowed again and answered, “It must be a void-sealing door.”

“What?!”

Yeon Taejin looked at him incredulously, as if it made no sense.

But Sun Woojin, Jeungchil, and Jin So-eun, having recently witnessed the void-sealing door of the Southern Sea Sage, knew it was entirely possible.

Inside the grand hall, they saw a middle-aged man sitting with his chin resting on his hand, his expression bored.

Just sharing the same space with him was like facing the demon king of hell—his presence was utterly overwhelming.

This was none other than Gwae Galhyeon, the Four Kings’ Lord.

He slowly spoke, “You claim to be a descendant of Seolga?”

His eyes, sharp and intense, belied his otherwise indifferent expression as they fixed on Seol Pung.

Seol Pung answered, “Yes. I am Seol Pung, son of Seol Cheonhu and Dong A-yeon.”

At those words, a fierce light flashed in the Four Kings’ Lord’s eyes.