"What's this?" He quickly lowered his head again.
Though the gaze was inexplicable, he didn’t pay much attention to it.
"It’s not like the masters of the Zhongnan Sect are going to demonstrate their martial arts here."
Having personally witnessed their aura and felt their energy, that was enough for him.
The spiritual energy of Zhongnan Mountain, the birthplace of Taoism, was indeed different from the martial artists of the secular world, tainted by worldly impurities.
He wondered just how profound their internal cultivation techniques were, as the refreshing sensation seemed to seep into his very skin.
"Raise your head. I didn’t come here to show off my status," said Yeo Il-shin, her voice still tinged with amusement.
The people quickly stood up and straightened their postures.
The family head, Jeong Dae-myeong, wiped the cold sweat from his forehead and spoke.
"You’ve come from afar, yet we’ve been discourteous. To have the sword immortals of Zhongnan standing here like this... I will guide you personally."
Following the family head, the masters of the Zhongnan Sect began to move.
As Yeo Il-shin passed by the family members, she glanced strangely at Jeong Yeon-shin once more.
"It seems she’s looking at me."
"No, it must be me."
The bickering voices from behind were irritating.
What did it matter who that renowned Zhongnan elder was looking at? It wasn’t like she was going to take anyone as a disciple.
Jeong Yeon-shin turned away.
As he headed straight for the training grounds, he pondered deeply.
"The Jeong Family’s internal energy technique has reached its limit. What should I train next?" Having mastered one martial art and faced the imposing aura of the Zhongnan masters, his perspective had shifted.
His desire for achievement was beginning to outweigh his aversion.
"The sword... Should I train the sword now?" What kind of feeling would it be to taste the realm of mastery with a proper sword technique? As Jeong Yeon-shin walked toward the training grounds, he meticulously dissected the sword techniques he had seen as a child.
His steps were light.
The family compound was bustling, but the training grounds where the young boy stood were utterly silent.
He raised his sword to mid-level stance, his breathing calm.
The deep breaths cultivated through the Jeong Family’s internal energy technique filled him with a cloud-like fullness with each inhalation.
And with each exhalation, his breath swept away distractions like rainwater washing over the earth.
Jeong Yeon-shin entered a state of selflessness.
With a single breath, he poured his entire being into the sword.
Jeong Family’s Divine Sword Technique, the "Qi Overflowing Feather Style."
The sword moved.
The Jeong Family’s Divine Sword Technique, composed of three sword intents and twenty-one forms, was dignified.
It carried the unique flavor of the Taoist sect’s orthodox lineage, though it was only a shallow imitation of the Zhongnan sword techniques.
If it were a true mountain sect’s martial art, it would be both solemn and profound.
The Jeong Family’s Divine Sword Technique was only solemn.
It felt unnatural—like a secular swordsman trying to mimic a Taoist priest.
Jeong Yeon-shin instinctively felt this before he could even think it.
What does a swordsman descended from the Taoist sect seek in the secular world? Wealth and fame.
Those who stand in his way need only be cut down with a single stroke.
What does a swordsman without depth need? Speed.
The sword must be swift.
Swish!
The sword’s momentum changed.
The heavy swing of the blade became lighter.
Energy surged through his meridians, following a new intent.
The Jeong Family’s internal energy fiercely writhed, contracting every muscle in his body.
The sword technique now carried the essence of swiftness, and naturally, a new path of the sword opened.
Swoosh!
The iron sword tore through the air, scattering the night breeze with a startling sound.
This was a strike that didn’t exist in the Jeong Family’s Divine Sword Technique.
It was a completely new sword principle.
"Haah."
He exhaled a long breath, overwhelmed by a sense of fulfillment.
Jeong Yeon-shin looked down at the hand gripping the sword.
When he began the sword stance, he had firmly gripped the sword with all five fingers, following the Jeong Family’s sword-holding method.
But now, the grip of his thumb and index finger had loosened slightly.
So this is how it’s done.
"This is swiftness," he realized.
The boy, having grasped the principle of swiftness and created a new sword technique, was exhilarated.
Unlike the Jeong Family’s internal energy technique, which he had painstakingly perfected stitch by stitch with patience, this was something he had created on the spot after a single insight from watching the Zhongnan masters.
"This is fun. Really."
After practicing the newly acquired swift sword technique a few more times, Jeong Yeon-shin suddenly looked up.
The sky was as black as ink, with no stars or moon visible.
"If I want to train my internal energy at dawn, I should sleep now."
With a satisfied smile, he headed straight to his quarters.
His body, honed by the Jeong Family’s internal energy technique, hadn’t shed a single drop of sweat.
Feeling no need to wash, the boy fell asleep immediately.
After waking up early and completing his dawn training, Jeong Yeon-shin headed straight to the breakfast hall.
Normally, he would have a servant bring him breakfast alone, but today was different.
The family head would undoubtedly be having breakfast with the Zhongnan masters, whose stay was indefinite.
"Being shameless isn’t a big deal," he thought.
Hadn’t he already gained inspiration just from witnessing their profound energy? Having tasted a great achievement, the boy brazenly joined the family breakfast, ignoring the surprised glances from the family members.
His attention was fixed on the Zhongnan figures seated at the head of the table.
"Ahem. Since you’re here, sit down," said the family head, Jeong Dae-myeong, clearing his throat.
It must have been difficult for him to scold his son in front of such esteemed martial artists.
This was exactly what Jeong Yeon-shin had anticipated.
The meal began.
The boy subtly observed Yeo Il-shin and the other Zhongnan disciples, wondering what kind of training one needed to possess such a pure and profound energy.
The energy of a person varies with their emotions, but the clear and serene aura of the Zhongnan Mountain’s spiritual energy was fascinating.
Then, his eyes met those of Yeo Il-shin, the renowned elder.
She smiled faintly.
"The third young master’s gaze is remarkably clear. He seems truly intelligent."
"Hmm...! I’m truly sorry. My third son’s cultivation is still lacking..."
Jeong Dae-myeong, flustered, leaned back slightly and glared at Jeong Yeon-shin.
The boy lowered his head slightly and picked up some vegetables.
Strangely, Yeo Il-shin’s subtle smile was more unsettling than Jeong Dae-myeong’s obvious displeasure.
Something was different.
"Clarity isn’t everything. It’s depth. Is that what they call peak internal strength?" He had never seen such a natural outward manifestation of internal energy before.
It was a powerful presence that could be felt even if not seen.
It felt like he had just broken through a limit in his understanding of how strong internal energy could become.
"The Jeong Family’s internal energy technique isn’t the end. There’s more to develop."
The vegetables he was about to eat paused mid-air.
He had caught a glimpse of a new martial path.
Looking back, Jeong Yeon-shin had only been cultivating his body with the Jeong Family’s internal energy technique.
Foolishly, he hadn’t realized there was more to it.
No one had told him, surrounded as he was by indifference and subtle hostility.
"The body is a vessel. To possess such energy, one must cultivate the energy itself."
What he had done wasn’t wrong.
Thanks to that, he had fully focused on refining his body, solidifying the pathways for his energy to flow.
"Refine the vessel first, then fill it with water."
Now, all he needed to do was cultivate the energy.
Jeong Yeon-shin had fully grasped the most fundamental yet profound principle.
The Jeong Family’s internal energy technique could advance further.
It would evolve once more, transforming into a new martial art.
"This time, it’s truly internal cultivation," he hummed inwardly.
Countless insights struck his mind like lightning.
The myriad methods of absorbing the energy of heaven and earth through breathing techniques intertwined, forming a new framework.
"What should I call the next stage after the Jeong Family’s internal energy technique?" For a moment, the boy’s eyes glowed with a sky-blue light, but the only one who noticed was Yeo Il-shin from Zhongnan.
A strange beauty appeared on her face, and doubt began to bloom.
"This place has better energy than I expected."
"Indeed. With such strong earth energy, it’s no wonder the Paegum Sect would covet it."
The two Zhongnan disciples who had accompanied the elder to attend to her needs were speaking.
Yeo Il-shin and the other two martial artists were drinking tea in the guest room provided by the Jeong Family’s head.
The room, meticulously prepared with a subtle tea fragrance, exuded a certain charm, as if they were aware of their status as disciples of the nine sects.
"It’s certain they will arrive. The plan to counterattack is good, but... I still feel uneasy about the sacrifices this family will have to make," said Yeo Il-shin.
"Our senses are always alert."
"Can’t we strike them down before they cross the wall?" Confidence radiated from the faces of the two disciples, both over thirty years old.
Feeling the fighting spirit emanating from the sect’s disciples, Yeo Il-shin said nothing more.
They were the elite of Zhongnan, one of the nine great sects of the world.
It wasn’t mere bravado.
She changed the subject.
"Did the child we’re considering as a disciple catch your eye?"
"I’m not sure."
"Neither am I."
The two disciples responded indifferently.
Having lived for over two hundred years, Yeo Il-shin could gauge a person’s character and potential from their demeanor and speech, even at first meeting.
To her, the second son of the Jeong Family didn’t seem particularly exceptional.
"Rather, the third child’s eyes were sharp."
"I thought so too."
"At a glance, he doesn’t seem ordinary. He might one day become a renowned sword representing this family. If he becomes a named disciple of our mountain sect, he won’t be able to inherit the family business, so perhaps the family head is deliberately sending the second son."
Yeo Il-shin’s words were speculative, but her tone was confident.
The two disciples looked surprised.
"To that extent?"
"Hmm. Then perhaps we should take the third son into the sect..."
"That would go against the rules. The main sect has already chosen its named disciples. Even if we reversed the decision now, the family head wouldn’t accept it, and such a move would trivialize the grand affairs of Zhongnan."
The elder’s low rebuke made the disciples bow their heads.
Reflecting on their careless words, Yeo Il-shin tapped the table with her long fingers.
"He’s a peculiar child."
There had been something strange about him all along.
It wasn’t the kind of talent that was said to be "loved by nature," as some among the noble clans were.
If it were, Yeo Il-shin would have seen the aura surrounding the child.
But this was different.
"It seemed as if the child stood out distinctly in the world."
Those with peak internal strength, like her, could communicate with heaven.
The energy that flowed through the Baihui point at the crown of the head was truly mysterious, occasionally granting abilities akin to foresight.
For Yeo Il-shin to feel such a strong sense of peculiarity, the child was undoubtedly extraordinary.
But now wasn’t the time to dwell on it.
"The Paegum Sect is a formidable enemy. Stay vigilant and sharpen your sword intent."
After finishing breakfast, Jeong Yeon-shin was visited by the steward.
The purpose of the visit was predictable.
The steward’s polite face wore an awkward expression as he looked at the boy.
"Steward."
"Young Master."
"I’m not sure if I’ve done something wrong. Lately, I’ve been feeling that way."
"Young Master."
"Did my mother’s energy run out when I was born? Is that why I can’t show my face to the family’s esteemed guests?"
"... It’s the family head’s decision," the steward replied.
Seeing the pained expression on the steward’s face, Jeong Yeon-shin fell silent.
The steward was a good man.
Regardless of his own feelings, he carried out the orders of the family head, Jeong Dae-myeong, managing the family’s affairs.
At times like this, Jeong Yeon-shin missed the maternal family he had never met.
But the Jeong Family had never allowed him to visit.
His maternal family was a powerful force, but after his mother’s passing, they had never sought him out.
The family members who treated him coldly were always wary and uneasy around him.
"I’m sorry," the boy said.
A fleeting look of pity crossed the steward’s face.
"... Young Master, I’ve noticed that the training materials in the martial grounds are lacking. I’ll arrange for new supplies."
"Thank you. I’ll be waiting."
Jeong Yeon-shin turned away, blaming himself.
Every time he saw the Zhongnan masters, he gained new insights, but it also made him impatient in a childish way.
It wasn’t like him.
"Let’s focus on internal cultivation."
He regulated his breathing and calmed his mind, following the principles of the Jeong Family’s internal energy technique.