‘What was that?’

He quickly lowered his head again. It was an inexplicable gaze, but he didn’t put much meaning into it. 

‘It’s not like the Zhongnan Sect masters will demonstrate their martial arts here.’

It was enough to feel their energy while directly seeing them.

The spiritual energy of Mount Zhongnan, the birthplace of Taoism, was indeed different from the martial artists of the Jeong family who were tainted by the secular world.

The skin could feel the refreshing sensation, making one wonder how profound the internal energy cultivation method must be.

“Raise your head. We didn’t come to show off our bellies.”

Yeo Il-sin spoke, still with a hint of laughter. People rose up and corrected their postures.

Clan Leader Jeong Dae-myeong, who quickly wiped the cold sweat from his forehead, opened his mouth.

“It was discourteous of us to have the Zhongnan swordsmen standing while you visited. I will guide you.”

The Zhongnan Sect masters followed the clan leader’s steps.

As Yeo Il-sin passed by the family members, she looked at Jeong Yeon-shin strangely once again.

“I think she looked at me.”

“It must be me, not you.”

The bickering from behind was annoying.

What did it matter how that renowned Zhongnan Sect elder looked at anyone? It’s not like they would accept him as a disciple anyway.

Jeong Yeon-shin turned around. He headed straight to the training ground, pondering deeply.

‘There’s nowhere higher to go with the Jeong Family Dynamic Technique.’

What should he train now?

Mastering one martial art and facing the momentum of the Zhongnan Sect masters seemed to change his perspective.

His desire for achievement began to overcome his repulsion.

‘Swordsmanship… Should I try practicing the sword now?’

How would it feel to taste the realm of mastery with proper swordsmanship?

Jeong Yeon-shin headed to the training ground while dissecting the Jeong Family Divine Sword techniques he had seen as a child. His steps were light.

* * *

While the clan was noisy, the training ground where a boy was located was extremely quiet.

In a middle-level stance with the sword raised to the torso. His breathing was calm.

The breath deepened by the Jeong Family Dynamic Technique filled his chest like clouds with just one inhalation.

And with the exhalation, the breath washed away distracting thoughts like rainwater sweeping the earth.

Jeong Yeon-shin reached a state of no-self. With a single breath, he fully immersed himself in the sword.

Jeong Family Divine Sword, Splendor Overflowing Qi Feather Style.

The sword moved.

The Jeong Family Divine Sword, consisting of three sword intents and twenty-one techniques, was solemn.

It incorporated the Zhongnan Sword Arts to a shallow depth, imbued with the unique feeling of the Hyeonmun Jeong Sect of Taoism.

If it were the martial art of the main sect, it would be majestic and profound. The Jeong Family Divine Sword was only majestic.

Unnaturalness. It was like a secular swordsman imitating a Taoist priest.

Jeong Yeon-shin instinctively felt that way before even thinking.

What does a secular swordsman who descended from a Taoist sect pursue? Wealth and fame.

It is enough to kill anyone who stands in the way with a single stroke.

What does a swordsman lacking depth need? Speed. The sword must be swift.

Whoosh!

The sword energy changed. The heavy swinging blade became lighter.

The energy was racing through the meridians of the whole body, following a new intention.

The genuine energy of the Jeong Family Dynamic Technique squirmed intensely, contracting the muscles throughout the body.

The sword art incorporated swift sword techniques, and naturally, a new sword path opened up.

Swish!

The night air scattered with bird sounds, startled by the iron sword tearing through the atmosphere.

It was a strike not found anywhere in the Jeong Family Divine Sword. It was a completely new sword move.

“Haa.”

He let out a long breath, overwhelmed by a sense of fulfillment.

Jeong Yeon-shin looked down at his own hand gripping the sword handle.

When starting the sword technique, he firmly grasped with all five fingers according to the Jeong Family Divine Sword’s grip method, but now the strength of the thumb and index finger was slightly relaxed.

So this is how it’s done.

“This is swiftness.”

The boy who comprehended the swift sword technique on his own and created a new sword move was extremely excited.

It was different from the Jeong Family Dynamic Technique, an internal energy cultivation method completed with patience like sewing thread stitch by stitch.

With a single thought that came to mind after seeing the Zhongnan Sect masters, he directly created a new toy.

“It’s fun. Really.”

Jeong Yeon-shin, who demonstrated the newly acquired swift sword move a few more times, suddenly raised his head.

The sky was pitch-black as if covered with ink-colored silk.

There were no stars or moon visible, as if clouds covered the entire world.

‘I should sleep now if I want to practice internal energy cultivation at dawn.’

With a satisfied smile, he headed straight to his bedroom.

His body, refined by the Jeong Family Dynamic Technique, did not shed a single drop of sweat.

The boy, who did not feel the need to wash, fell asleep immediately.

* * *

Jeong Yeon-shin, who woke up early and finished his morning practice, headed straight to the breakfast hall.

Usually, he would have a servant bring him breakfast to eat alone, but the situation was different now.

The clan leader would surely have a meal with the Zhongnan Sect masters, whose length of stay was unknown.

‘Being shameless is not a big deal.’

Just seeing their righteous energy was enough to gain inspiration.

The boy, who had tasted a great achievement, attended the family breakfast with a thick skin on his face.

He had no interest in the shocked eyes of the family members glancing at him.

Jeong Yeon-shin focused his gaze on the Zhongnan Sect figures seated at the head of the table.

“Ahem. Since you’re here, sit down.”

Clan Leader Jeong Dae-myeong spoke after clearing his throat.

It must have been difficult for him to show himself scolding his son in front of the renowned martial artists.

That was what Jeong Yeon-shin aimed for.

The meal began.

The boy tried not to be obvious as he glanced at the Zhongnan Sect members, including Yeo Il-sin.

He was curious about what kind of training he needed to possess the leisurely energy they exuded.

Since a person’s energy has different qualities depending on their emotions, he found it fascinating that they brought the clear energy of Mount Zhongnan as it was.

Then his eyes met Elder Yeo Il-sin’s. She smiled faintly.

“The clan leader’s young son has remarkably clear eyes. He seems truly intelligent.”

“Hmm…! I am really sorry. My third son’s cultivation is very lacking…”

Jeong Dae-myeong, startled, slightly leaned back and glared at Jeong Yeon-shin.

The boy slightly lowered his head and picked up some vegetables to eat.

Strangely, Yeo Il-sin’s subtle smile felt more burdensome than Jeong Dae-myeong’s overt frown.

Something was different.

‘Clarity isn’t everything. It’s dense. Is this what they call the ultimate level of inner energy?’

It was the first time he had seen the stage where the genuine energy condensed within the body naturally emanated outward.

It was a powerful presence that could be clearly felt even if not seen.

He had the feeling that his limits of knowledge about how strong internal energy could become were shattered.

‘The Jeong Family Dynamic Technique isn’t the end. It can be further developed.’

The vegetables entering his mouth stopped.

He glimpsed the beginning of a new martial art.

Come to think of it, what Jeong Yeon-shin had been tempering with the Jeong Family Dynamic Technique until now was his own body.

Dully, he didn’t know there was more to it.

Because no one told him amidst everyone’s indifference and subtle hostility.

‘The body is a vessel. To possess such energy, I need to cultivate energy.’

What he had been doing was not wrong.

Thanks to that, he completely laid the foundation where genuine energy circulates by focusing solely on training.

First essence, then energy. Polish the vessel first, then fill it with water.

Now he just needed to pour in the energy.

Jeong Yeon-shin had completely awakened to the most basic yet ultimate principle.

The Jeong Family Dynamic Technique could go further.

It would evolve once more and transform into a new martial art.

‘This time, it’s a real internal energy cultivation method.’

He hummed inwardly.

All kinds of inspirational thoughts were striking his mind like lightning.

Countless methods of accepting the energy between heaven and earth through breathing techniques were entangled, forming a framework.

‘What should I call the next stage of the Jeong Family Dynamic Technique?’

For a moment, the boy’s eyes shone sky-blue, but the only one who witnessed it was Yeo Il-sin of the Zhongnan Sect.

Doubt bloomed on her uniquely beautiful face.

* * *

“This place has better energy than expected.”

“Indeed. If the energy of the land is this good, the Tyrant Sword Sect will covet it.”

They were two Zhongnan Sect disciples who accompanied the elders to attend to them.

The three martial artists, including Yeo Il-sin, were drinking tea in the guest room provided by the Jeong family’s clan leader.

The room was neatly decorated, and the subtle fragrance of tea flowed with a sense of elegance, as if conscious of them being disciples of the Nine Sects.

“It’s certain that they will arrive. The plan to counterattack is good, but… The sacrifice of this family is still regrettable.”

Yeo Il-sin spoke.

“We always keep our senses open.”

“Can’t we step out and defeat them before they cross the wall?”

Confidence flowed on the faces of the disciples who were over thirty years old.

Yeo Il-sin didn’t say anything more, feeling the fighting spirit emanating from the sect’s disciples.

They were the elites of the Zhongnan Sect, one of the Nine Sects of the world.

It was not something that could be called arrogance.

She changed the subject.

“Do you like the child who will be accepted as a disciple?”

“I’m not sure.”

“Me neither…”

The two showed a plain response.

When you live for over two hundred years, even if it’s the first meeting, you can guess a person’s character and qualities based on their demeanor and words. In Yeo Il-sin’s view, there was nothing extraordinary about the Jeong family’s second son.

“Rather, the third son’s eyes were determined.”

“I also saw it that way.”

“Even at a glance, he doesn’t seem to be an ordinary vessel. He may gain fame as the sword representing this family in the future. Since he can’t inherit the family if he becomes a named disciple of the main sect, perhaps the clan leader is deliberately sending the second son.”

Yeo Il-sin’s words were a guess, but her tone was close to certainty. Surprise was evident on the faces of the two disciples.

“To that extent?”

“Oh my. Then should we really bring the third son to the main sect…?”

“It goes against the rules. The sect has already decided on a named disciple. Even if we reverse it now, the clan leader won’t accept it, and the event of the Great Zhongnan can’t be taken lightly.”

The disciples lowered their heads at the elder’s quiet rebuke, reflecting that their words and actions were careless.

Leaving them be, Yeo Il-sin tapped the table with her long fingers.

‘He is indeed a strange child.’

He consistently showed a peculiar temperament.

It wasn’t the kind of quality called “being loved by nature” among the noble clans.

If that were the case, things that only Yeo Il-sin could see would have enveloped the child.

It was different from that.

‘That child seemed uniquely distinct between heaven and earth.’

Supreme internal energy masters like her communicate with the heavens.

The genuine energy that penetrated the Baihui acupoint on the top of the head was truly mysterious, often granting a premonition-like ability through the upper dantian.

Yeo Il-sin felt this much discomfort? The child must be extraordinary.

However, it was not a matter to be concerned about now.

“The Tryant Sword Sect is a great enemy. Don’t let your guard down and sharpen your sword energy.”

* * *

Jeong Yeon-shin received a visit from the steward after finishing breakfast. He could guess the purpose.

The polite face looked awkward, gazing at him.

“Steward.”

“Third Young Master.”

“I don’t know if I did anything wrong these days. I’ve been thinking that a lot lately.”

“Third Young Master.”

“When I was born, my mother’s energy was exhausted? Is that the reason I can’t even show my face to the clan’s distinguished guests?”

“…It is the clan leader’s will.”

The steward answered. Seeing his face that looked strained, Jeong Yeon-shin closed his mouth.

The steward was a good person.

He was the hands and feet who oversaw the clan’s affairs, large and small, according to the will of Jeong Dae-myeong, the clan leader, regardless of his own intentions.

At times like this, he often missed his maternal family, whom he had never seen.

But the Jeong family didn’t send him.

Jeong Yeon-shin’s maternal family was a place that had ties to a very powerful force.

After his birth mother closed her eyes, they never sought their maternal grandson, but the family members who treated Jeong Yeon-shin coldly were always wary and uncomfortable.

“I’m sorry.”

The boy said. A momentary look of pity crossed the steward’s face.

“…I heard that the training ground lacks training materials, Young Master. I will procure new ones.”

“Thank you. I’ll wait.”

As Jeong Yeon-shin turned around, he reproached himself.

Thanks to gaining enlightenment whenever