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Chapter 4
He was Jin Hyunjin of Kunlun.
He was currently holding the position of elder, a position he inherited after the execution of Jang Munin.
Originally, he should have taken Jang Munin’s seat, but his qualities for leading others were considered more important than his martial skill, so his disciple was promoted to head of the sect instead.
“It’s been a long time, yet you remain the same.”
“Thank you, Daoist. You, too, still carry such grace.”
After greeting So-wol, Jin Hyun met Cheongun’s gaze.
“Nice to meet you. I am Jin Hyun.”
“Greetings, Daoist. I am Cheongun.”
He was a very polite child.
And just by looking into his eyes, one could tell:
‘This is no ordinary child.’
His posture was unwavering. His eyes, almost emotionless, left a deep impression.
So stable that it made him stand out even more.
“Exchange greetings, Joya.”
“…Hello, I am Joo Hyukjo.”
“Nice to meet you, I am Cheongun.”
Cheongun’s greeting was just as formal—stiff, with no emotion conveyed.
His earlier impression shifted from notable to unforgettable.
He must have grown up among conflict and knew exactly how to behave in situations where he shouldn’t.
‘He has a dantian.’
Joo Hyukjo, also five years old, had cultivated a dantian about a year ago.
However, since he knew what the Cheonui Simgong technique entailed, the meaning behind it would be completely different.
“All right, finish your greetings.”
Jin Hyun then moved to converse with Cheongjin and So-wol, while Cheongun turned and left the hall.
“Hey, where are you going?”
“Out.”
Joo Hyukjo flinched at the tone—different from before.
Though still emotionless, his politeness had vanished.
The place they headed to with Joo Hyukjo was the training grounds.
“What is this? Sparring?”
The one who had declared he wouldn’t take disciples, Jin Hyun had made an exception—choosing Joo Hyukjo.
By talent alone, he believed Joo Hyukjo was ahead of anyone else.
Pathetic.
Those who only know how to handle money dare to challenge?
“Why? Not impressed by a money grub?”
Joo Hyukjo smiled at that remark.
“Grubs are fun to crush.”
“Blasphemous words for a Daoist.”
“So what? Besides the master, no one else is here anyway.”
Cheongun had memories of the past, but that audacious little boy was only five.
‘The future of Kunlun looks bleak.’
The master didn’t seem to think so.
Jin Hyun had been a renowned Daoist, one whose very name was synonymous with the Dao.
Perhaps he accepted this little boy as a disciple precisely because his talent was exceptional.
Even knowing the child’s tendencies, taking him on meant he intended to guide and correct him through teaching.
Unfortunately, people don’t change easily.
Step, step.
Cheongun approached the area with wooden swords and tossed one to Joo Hyukjo.
The sword hit the floor with a clatter but landed exactly at Joo Hyukjo’s feet. Cheongun then returned to stand before him.
“…You start first.”
“Take it.”
He seemed to have forgotten being called a money grub.
Having a dantian didn’t mean immediate ability.
Especially at such a young age, all he could do was learn how to hold and swing the sword; cultivating internal power would take time.
Seeing the grumpy expression of the five-year-old made him seem oddly cute—but sprouts must be pruned early.
“I’ll let you take the first move.”
“You dare… for a money grub?!”
His stance was commendable. Jin Hyun had accepted him as a disciple despite previous doubts.
Yet, he still had a long way to go.
He couldn’t properly balance his strength.
Especially in such an emotional state.
Thud.
One strike was enough.
“Uh…?”
The wooden sword, held tightly, fell flat to the floor.
His opponent hadn’t moved too fast, and his stance seemed as if he’d only practiced a few times.
Yet the outcome was completely unexpected.
“Argh…!”
Angrily reaching for the sword, it slammed down on Joo Hyukjo’s hand.
“Ah!”
“Do you want to pick it up?”
“What?”
“If you want to pick up the sword, say so.”
“Nonsense…”
Thud.
This time, the tip of the sword hit his neck.
Strange. It wasn’t fast, but impossible to dodge.
“Gah! Ugh…”
“Seems you have no intention.”
Hmm.
His gaze was still irreverent. Clearly, he still viewed him as a grub.
“The thoughts in your head were irreverent.”
Thud!
“The mouth that spoke such words.”
Thud!
“The feet that stepped forward with such a mindset.”
Tap!
“The hand that tried to hold the sword without permission.”
The continuous thuds of the wooden sword rang out as Joo Hyukjo sat down, whimpering in pain.
He was still just a child. Cheongun adjusted his strength accordingly.
Only enough to slightly crack the bones of his hands.
“Waaah!!”
The child’s strong-willed nature made his cries loud and fierce.
Cheongun didn’t move but quietly observed him.
No one was around. Well, only the guards of Cheongun’s father were present.
Jin Hyunjin, Cheongjin, and So-wol could probably hear the crying, but no one would intervene.
Cheongun had also heard him being called a money grub.
Neither the owner of the place nor his wife could have missed it, and Jin Hyun, standing nearby, surely hadn’t either.
If it became an issue, the reason behind this incident would have to be explained as well.
“Ma-master!! Waaah!!”
Joo Hyukjo cried out for his master, but no one came.
Only Cheongun’s emotionless gaze met his eyes.
At first, it was the pain. Then the frustration and injustice of being called a money grub.
Next, he thought that if he cried loudly, his master would come.
But when no one came, the tears slowly subsided.
Step, step.
Cheongun approached him.
“G-go away!”
Thud.
It wasn’t over yet. The wooden sword hit the crown of his head again, and tears welled up once more.
“I still don’t like your gaze.”
“Ugh…!”
Thud.
“Again.”
“How dare you…!”
The thuds continued irregularly but steadily across the training ground.
“…Daoist.”
“Sigh… I apologize. He is still very young and lacks mental cultivation.”
“No, children grow through these experiences.”
“Exactly. They grow while fighting.”
“We appreciate your understanding.”
The thuds paused briefly during the conversation, but each got what they intended.
The thuds continued even as they exchanged greetings, so they eventually finished and left together.
In the distance, Cheongun and Joo Hyukjo stood on the training grounds.
“Hmm?”
“Yeah?”
“Ah?”
The three of them spoke in unison, bewildered.
The situation before them was completely different from what they had expected.
“This… the conversation went in reverse.”
Cheongjin commented, and Jin Hyun smiled wryly.
“This is how children grow. In fact, we should be thankful.”
Even in the Kunlun sect, this boy caused trouble. Yet because his master was Jin Hyun, other disciples couldn’t intervene.
So moments like this were a welcome, sharp stimulus.
‘This will be a new incentive.’
Frustration, anger, or whatever—it all could become a force for growth.
Jin Hyun’s job was to prevent this frustration from turning into revenge.
“Ma-master!”
Joo Hyukjo spotted Jin Hyun.
Had Cheongun not turned his gaze, he might still have been unaware.
The three of them quickly approached their respective disciple and son.
“Are you hurt?”
“No.”
“Why did you do that?”
Cheongun looked at his father as if to say, “You know why, why ask?”
Jin Hyun read the gaze.
“I will instruct the disciple’s words and actions more carefully from now on.”
“No, he’s still young.”
“Exactly. Because he’s young.”
If he weren’t young, he wouldn’t have let it slide, so Jin Hyun could only bow his head.
“Ma-master… my hand…”
“Quiet.”
“But…”
“I said be silent!!”
Hearing this scolding from his master for the first time, Joo Hyukjo widened his eyes, then lowered his head.
“I’m sorry for showing such incompetence. I am too ashamed to stay longer.”
“I understand. Take care on your way.”
“I have to check on my son too, so I won’t escort you.”
So-wol’s gentle smile left Jin Hyun with no choice but gratitude.
“You are greatly disappointed.”
“Ma-master…”
“Could you have entered the demon cult and uttered ‘demon cult disciple’?”
“B-but isn’t it different?”
“No. Even if the strength differs slightly, it’s the same. We too could focus only on cultivation thanks to Cheonggeumjang’s help…”
There was still a long way to go. Yet Jin Hyun breathed a sigh of relief.
A powerful stimulus had emerged. If it was felt as incentive rather than jealousy, that was enough.
“The road ahead is long.”
“…Yes, Master.”
Once the Kunlun sect guests left, Cheongjin separately questioned his son with So-wol.
“My son.”
“Yes.”
“Have you ever swung a sword?”
“Yes.”
An unexpected answer. He had made a sword for him but never seen him swing a wooden one.
“Didn’t you just swing one a moment ago?”
“Ha…”
He seemed at a loss for words—rare for him. And also the first time not in front of his father, Cheongin.
“All right. Let’s eat.”
“Yes, Father.”
After Cheongun left, So-wol spoke.
“Our son always trains at dawn.”
“Really?”
“Yes. Cheongun probably noticed too. He saw the ebony medicine in the study.”
“…I understand. Father will likely give further instructions after today’s events.”
“If it’s Father… he’ll be very pleased, won’t he?”
“Of course. That’s the kind of man he is.”
As expected, Cheongin, preparing for a rare outing, burst into laughter.
“Hahaha!!”
His laughter was so boisterous that even beyond the hall it could be heard.
He set out at dawn with two bodyguards, determined to collect only the finest elixirs.
“A rare outing indeed.”
“Yes.”
“Until now, I only enjoyed the rooftop breeze.”
Just as they were about to leave:
“Grandfather.”
“Hm?”
Sensing a presence, Cheongun had come to see them off.
“Ha, how did our grandson know?”
“He came to the training grounds at this hour.”
He remembered being told this.
“It won’t take long.”
“Yes. Please be careful.”
Seeing the concern from a family member brought a small smile.
Now there was one more reason to acquire every possible elixir.
The Taechungdan? Jahashin Dan? Daehwan Dan?
Even at great cost, they must be obtained.
