The boy carrying the weight of his family's destruction sat down and stood up repeatedly, a massive log strapped to his back.
His muscles were clearly defined, and occasionally, he would sit and assume the posture of a horse stance.
This was Jeong Yeon-shin, the third son of the Jeong family in Henan, now fifteen years old.
"Young master, it's time for dinner!" a servant called from the entrance of the training ground.
The boy with thick eyebrows didn’t respond. 'I need to finish this,' he thought.
After ten more repetitions, he finally set the log down and casually picked up the shirt he had discarded earlier.
His frame wasn’t large, but the muscles covering his body were so dense that they resembled diamonds even without exertion.
His physique was far from ordinary, not only making him look older than his peers but also setting him apart from common folk.
Even he himself thought so.
'Jeong Family Movement Technique...
It’s fully established now.' His martial arts were different from the typical practice of sitting cross-legged and absorbing the energy of nature.
He had abandoned the family’s internal cultivation method, which required sitting still and breathing aimlessly.
He had deconstructed the techniques and recreated them into a movement-based practice, accumulating energy through motion.
From a young age, he had been able to manipulate energy with ease, and the durability and elasticity of his meridians, through which his internal energy flowed, were far beyond that of ordinary people.
He had once believed there was affection among his half-brothers and had even tried to teach them his methods.
But the responses he received were brutally dismissive.
"You created a martial art? What if you go mad from cultivation? Will you take responsibility if I die? Do you think you have the talent of a grandmaster?"
Faced with such mockery, he gave up.
He stopped creating martial techniques.
That day, he was hurt not only by his indifferent family head but also by his brothers.
Their words stung because they were right.
'A grandmaster...' In the martial world, the term "grandmaster" didn’t carry its usual meaning.
It referred to someone who could found a new school of martial arts, like Zhang Sanfeng of Wudang or Bodhidharma of Shaolin.
Apart from those who were grandmasters in both religion and martial arts, there were also the founders of the orthodox martial arts of the nine great sects.
It was a lofty title.
Jeong Yeon-shin had never even considered becoming a grandmaster.
He didn’t place much importance on creating martial arts.
He just wanted everyone to be healthy together.
He had diligently practiced the Jeong Family Movement Technique alone, perhaps with a hint of wanting to prove something.
The results were clear.
When practicing sword techniques or body training, the stimulated areas became stronger.
His internal energy bolstered and compressed his muscles, resulting in his current physique.
'It’s complete.
Now.' He was certain.
The effectiveness of the martial art he had casually named the Jeong Family Movement Technique had reached its limit.
Through his training, he realized his body couldn’t grow any stronger.
Unless he was a frog in a well, unaware of the vastness of the world, his physique was already rare even in Henan.
"Young master!" "I’m coming."
Jeong Yeon-shin casually replied to the servant’s urgent call.
He knew why the servant was in such a hurry.
The Jeong family head was a strict and patriarchal figure, and his mother, the third wife, had died in childbirth.
In this superstitious era, especially in such a rural area, a child born from a difficult labor that killed the mother was seen as ill-omened.
No one in the family looked kindly upon him, not even the family head.
'As long as the food keeps coming, it’s fine.' Jeong Yeon-shin thought indifferently as he walked.
Since he had no blood relatives here, he naturally devoted himself entirely to martial arts.
He had no grand ambitions like making a name for himself in the martial world.
He simply found joy in delving into martial studies.
As he passed the quarters of the family’s guests, he overheard the children reciting texts.
"Recite Chapter 1, Section 4 of the Great Ming Code."
"From the heavenly gate, the long-eared and short-statured kin returned, vanquished the evil Yuan, and established the Great Ming with the founding emperor."
"Chapter 1, Section 8."
"A great demon pursued the kin, but they closed the gates in time and annihilated it."
These were familiar passages to Jeong Yeon-shin.
He chuckled softly as he passed by.
"You’re late, you fool."
When he arrived at the dining hall, his eldest half-brother greeted him warmly, though his narrow eyes betrayed his disdain.
Jeong Yeon-shin’s chest tightened.
"It’s been a while, brother."
"If you’re late, sit down quickly."
Jeong Nam-san, the eldest son of the Jeong family, snorted as he spoke.
Jeong Yeon-shin nodded slightly and took a seat at the far end of the long table, glancing around.
At the head of the table sat the family head, flanked by the first and second wives.
Below them sat Jeong Nam-san and his wife, their daughter, and Jeong Yeon-shin’s fifth sister.
It was unusual for a younger sibling to sit at the far end, but due to the family head’s indifference and the first and second wives’ influence, he had long been relegated to a nominal position.
'It’s better this way.' Without the responsibilities of the family’s core, he had no obligations.
At least the meals were good, allowing him to focus on his training.
'He’ll be happy to see you go.' The family head’s smiling gaze was directed at his second son, who had a square jaw.
This was a farewell dinner for the second son, who was about to leave to study martial arts under the Zhongnan Sect.
The Zhongnan Sect was one of the top sects in Shaanxi, rivaling even the Huashan Sect.
Being accepted as a disciple of one of the nine great sects was a great honor.
Even in these times of famine, this dinner was lavish.
As the family head raised his cup, the rest of the family followed suit.
"Since my late father, a disciple of the Zhongnan Sect’s sword master, founded our family, I have devoted my life to reviving our lineage. If I had wished to make a name for myself in the world, I too would have inherited the Zhongnan techniques! But how could I abandon the family business? I am overjoyed that my son will follow in my father’s footsteps and ascend Zhongnan Mountain."
"What a joyous occasion."
"Congratulations, brother."
The family head spoke as if he could have become a Zhongnan disciple if he had wished.
The family members fawned over him and the second son.
In the martial world, it was better to be the head of a snake than the tail of a dragon.
The Jeong family was the de facto authority in the county, a major landowner.
In Xinye County, they were as influential as the local magistrate.
The nearby sects were nothing to envy.
'Even if he joins the Zhongnan Sect, he’ll start by cleaning the ancestral tablets.' Jeong Yeon-shin focused on eating.
"Recently, the Zhongnan Sect has surpassed the Huashan Sect, hasn’t it?"
"Some outstanding young talents have descended the mountain."
"Looking at the Shaanxi Grand Tournament, it certainly seems so. The Cloud Dragon of Zhongnan slew the leader of the heretical sects that had been wreaking havoc in Guanzhong. The Plum Blossom Swordsmen are strong, but they’re no match for the Cloud Dragon, the senior disciple."
The second son spoke as if he were already a Zhongnan disciple, referring to the senior disciple as "elder brother."
Jeong Yeon-shin chuckled softly but paused as he reached for a pancake.
The family head was looking at him with displeasure.
'Should I have joined in the flattery?' The family head slowly spoke.
"I heard the third son spends all day in the training ground. How is your progress with the Jeong Family Divine Sword?"
"The principles of the family’s martial arts are too profound for me. I’m ashamed to say I haven’t made much progress."
Jeong Yeon-shin replied politely, sitting up straight.
The Jeong Family Divine Sword was the family’s unique martial art.
Like many such arts, its name was grand, but in reality, it was a simplified version of the first half of the Zhongnan Sect’s Thirty-Six Swords.
This was common among secular disciples of sects like Zhongnan and Huashan.
Strictly speaking, it was a grave offense, but in reality, as long as the family regularly paid tribute to the main sect, they turned a blind eye.
The main sect received wealth and provisions, while the secular branches enjoyed the sect’s protection.
It was a mutually beneficial arrangement.
'I focused more on the movement technique because of the Jeong Family Divine Sword.' There were too many flaws to fix.
Even at a glance, the sword techniques were riddled with inconsistencies.
If he were to formally join a sect, he would have to revise the techniques to endure.
Childhood scars often shape one’s behavior.
Jeong Yeon-shin was no exception.
His brothers’ mockery had driven him irrationally to focus solely on the Jeong Family Movement Technique.
The family head clicked his tongue.
"The first and second sons are already on the path to greatness. I won’t ask more of you, but you should reflect on whether you’re truly putting in effort at the training ground."
"I will heed your advice."
Jeong Yeon-shin clasped his hands and bowed, waiting until the family head’s gaze shifted away.
He didn’t care how his siblings viewed him.
'Caring only leads to more hurt.' Jeong Yeon-shin turned his attention back to the meal.
As he ate the well-fried chicken, he half-listened to the conversations around him.
"The situation in Guanzhong with the heretical sects is concerning, family head."
"Yes, family head."
"Are the intelligence networks being established? I don’t expect to reach the level of the major sects, but we should at least keep up with their movements."
"In Xinye, we should manage."
"Good, good."
At that moment, a voice called from the gate.
"Eminent masters from the Zhongnan Sect have arrived!"
The dining hall erupted into chaos.
They had expected the Zhongnan Sect to come for the second son, but not so soon.
"Quickly, quickly, bring them in! No, I’ll go myself!" The family head, who had been sitting with dignity, hurriedly stood up to prepare for the guests.
Everyone else followed suit.
'I’m curious.' Jeong Yeon-shin usually disliked such commotion and would have slipped away to the training ground.
But this was different.
These were masters from one of the nine great sects.
When would he ever get another chance to see such renowned martial artists?
"Who do you think is coming?"
"Could it be the Cloud Dragon? Or maybe a senior elder?"
The siblings, filled with anticipation, looked almost childlike.
Jeong Yeon-shin blended into the crowd as they headed to the main gate.
The family head, who had rushed ahead using qinggong, bowed deeply to three figures.
"I am Jeong Dae-myeong, the family head. I am at a loss for words at your gracious visit to our humble family."
The three returned the bow.
The woman at the front was extraordinary, with golden hair like molten gold and long, leaf-like ears.
Her ethereal beauty was otherworldly.
"A celestial..."
Jeong Nam-san muttered, staring openly.
Jeong Yeon-shin inwardly clicked his tongue.
'So this is what a celestial looks like.
Fascinating.'
Xinye County was a trade and transportation hub, but after the strange battles during the late Yuan dynasty, it had become a small village.
It was rare for villagers to encounter celestials.
These "kin from the heavens," who had descended to help found the Ming dynasty, were usually seen in Beijing, military gates, the nine sects, or prestigious families.
'I heard a celestial doctor visited when I was born.' He didn’t know the details.
He couldn’t ask the family head, and the servants who might know avoided him.
"We are deeply moved by your hospitality. I am Yeo Il-shin, an elder of the Zhongnan Sect."
The Zhongnan elder smiled, a smile so beautiful it felt refreshing.
But no one in the room dared to smile back.
'An elder of the nine sects and a celestial?' That meant she was a founding hero of the Ming dynasty.
Celestials didn’t age.
She must have played a significant role in driving out the Yuan dynasty alongside the Zhongnan Sect’s founder.
"We... we didn’t recognize your divinity!" Not just the family head, but the entire family and even the guests who had come to watch bowed deeply, some even prostrating.
'Isn’t that excessive?' Jeong Yeon-shin bowed slightly, then raised his head.
His eyes met Yeo Il-shin’s, who was looking at him strangely.