TOTMO 14

Chapter 14

It was a continuous series of surprises.

The way the head of the sect had been approached couldn’t simply be judged as right or wrong.

However, what followed next were matters that, if not for the words of the loyal subordinate Heukjeon, would have seemed like exaggerations.

“So… our grandson obtained the Cheongsong Elixir from the Kunlun Sect. Is that it?”

“Precisely, he is said to have taken it.”

“Hm? That must not have been easy.”

“The head of the Kunlun Sect personally assisted him.”

“Hahaha! That fiery old master himself, you say?”

“Yes. He even came to the inn to help.”

Huh, well.

Even when Cheongin set out personally, he naturally visited the Kunlun Sect.

He knew the Cheongsong Elixir existed, but at that time, the head of Kunlun had flatly refused.

No matter what conditions were offered, he maintained that this particular thing was impossible.

“How on earth did he manage to get it?”

Cheongin, who had earned half the wealth of the continent and established the current Cheongumjang, was in fact the one who had obtained it.

Even Cheongin, unable to acquire it, had originally obtained the Taeil Preservation Pill (Taiyi Baoning Pill) instead.

This was something that even prized direct disciples rarely saw given to outsiders.

“You probably don’t know the details.”

“…Yes. My apologies.”

“No, I’ll ask personally. And was there anything else?”

Somehow, it was starting to feel like he was being urged to report, but Cheongin didn’t even realize that about himself.

“And… it happened when he stopped by the inn.”

“I see. Go on, tell me.”

“The young master dealt with a lowly ruffian.”

“Huh?”

What was that supposed to mean?

Cheongun’s face, which had been smiling with curiosity, instantly filled with bewilderment.

He had killed someone?

Since he referred to the person as a ruffian, it implied someone deserving of death.

“Did he simply display his power?”

If so, that wasn’t good.

How could he have allowed rumors to spread like that?

Inside Cheongumjang, it seemed as if Cheongun was not restricted, but that depended entirely on his own conduct.

He had shown remarkable talent, which was why this trip had been permitted, and he was demonstrating his qualities as a future successor of Cheongumjang.

Every lesson he received, he absorbed as if he had known it all along, displaying dazzling intelligence.

“So he is still just a child…”

Perhaps he hadn’t considered it that far.

After all, at his age, he was at the peak.

And having gone beyond the initial stages of cultivation, he may have wanted to flaunt his power.

“That… is not something I can explain.”

“You cannot explain it?”

“Yes. I think it’s better if you confirm it personally.”

“Hm… very well.”

After Heukjeon left, Cheongin’s curiosity could no longer be contained.

Still, he hadn’t called him here just for the long journey. He had come personally.

“Is my grandson inside?”

“Yes, grandfather.”

“May I come in for a moment?”

“Of course. Please do.”

It had been a long time since he last visited Cheongun’s quarters.

Most of the time, he had observed from outside or from the previous sect head’s residence.

There was nothing remarkable, which made it feel unusual.

The head of Cheongumjang’s quarters looked like this?

“You must still be fatigued from the journey, but this old man has a curiosity.”

“Yes. Please speak.”

“I heard from the deputy head. That you killed someone.”

“Yes. I did.”

It was an ambiguous expression.

He did not seem guilty, nor did he seem to enjoy it.

Exactly, it was the expression of someone who had killed a small creature in the mountains.

“I cannot resist curiosity. At this age, curiosity is rarely stirred.”

“It’s simple.”

Cheongun demonstrated exactly what had happened to his grandfather.

By lightly brushing his fingers over the wooden floor, something incredibly thin appeared.

“Hah, such delicate handling…”

The result pleased him greatly.

“Ho… it’s like Hanji paper.”

“And this is how you do it.”

He infused his internal energy into the paper-thin wood.

By controlling the amount with exquisite precision, a needle-thin wooden spike was formed, almost invisible to the naked eye.

“The way you throw it is crucial. If thrown recklessly, it will be detected.”

“Then how do you throw it? Surely it isn’t the Void-Grasp Technique?”

“That too depends on how the internal energy is employed.”

Cheongin concentrated on the small wooden spike.

The energy gathered at one end, then condensed and simultaneously shot forward.

“…Hah.”

It was astonishing.

Nothing like this had ever been seen before.

In all his years, he had never seen or even heard of it.

“Ho, how did you do that?”

“I condensed the internal energy and then artificially…”

“No. Where did you learn this?”

“I didn’t learn it.”

“Then you made it yourself?”

“Yes.”

“How long did it take?”

“Hmm…”

Should he base it on his previous life or his current one?

“Of course, the current one.”

“It took about one shi-jin (roughly an hour).”

Technically, that was the time needed to reacquaint himself with delicate manipulation of internal energy.

“…So, what happened to the person who was struck?”

“It pierced the exact Amu Point (Mute Gate). When the spike is launched, it generates heat, which completely closes the pierced point.”

“Nothing remains?”

“Yes.”

As Cheongun answered, his gaze moved to where the spike had flown.

Cheongin also looked, but there was only a mark where it had landed; nothing else remained.

“The spike disappeared?”

“Yes. More precisely, it turned to ash.”

“Ha… haha!”

Perhaps he had worried unnecessarily.

No evidence remained.

“Well, at least he didn’t kill someone from Kunlun Sect.”

Cheongun flinched at those words.

“Guest from the Jegal Clan.”

At that moment, a voice announced the visitor.

“Hmm? From the Jegal Clan?”

“Yes. He brought a letter from the clan head.”

“A letter from the head of the Jegal Clan…”

Cheongin’s expression darkened.

Although there were no issues between them, the head of the Jegal Clan was notoriously difficult to deal with.

“Very well. The sect head will handle it. Will you also attend?”

“I’m fine.”

“Good. Ah, let me know once the elixir is fully absorbed. There is much I can offer. You took something too potent initially, so you might not need more for a while.”

“Understood.”

With that, Cheongin left, and Cheongun resumed his training.

Meanwhile, the guest from the Jegal Clan was none other than Jegal Yun.

“Pleasure to meet you. So this is the head of Cheongumjang.”

“Thank you for your hospitality. I am the head of Cheongumjang. This is my younger sister.”

“Hello. I am Jegal Hye.”

“Haha, it seems the Jegal Clan is blossoming. Please come inside.”

She was the designated future head of the clan.

Jegal Yun was already a well-known figure in martial circles.

“Thank you for allowing such a sudden visit.”

“Nonsense. Aren’t you the future pillar of the Jegal Clan? I only apologize for the lack of proper preparation.”

“Apology is unnecessary. It’s not an issue.”

As they walked and conversed, they arrived at the training ground.

A vast training ground.

For a merchant family, it was surprisingly expansive.

‘Clever people.’

Incredibly shrewd. Behind that smile were countless swords.

If they mobilized all their wealth, their power would be immense.

Cheongumjang was skilled in worldly matters.

A little attention is fine, but stepping in directly is too risky.

The training ground was precisely scaled for that level.

“By the way, coming here so suddenly, it must be urgent.”

“Not exactly urgent. With time short, I wanted to inform you directly while I was in Cheonghae.”

“Oh, you were in Cheonghae?”

“Yes. Indeed.”

Upon hearing this, Cheongjin immediately guessed that perhaps he had met his son.

Accompanied by fragrant tea, Jegal Yun began.

“The final ranking competition of the Martial Alliance is approaching.”

“Ah, so the time has come.”

“Yes. And… I understand the head of Cheongumjang is ten years old this year.”

A blunt statement, but Cheongjin’s expression remained unchanged.

“Indeed. Time seems endless when you’re eagerly waiting, but now, it passes almost indifferently.”

“Haha, not exactly the same, but my daughter Hye is also ten. Time has flown since her birth.”

“Oh my, it seems you already feel a father’s heart, despite no wedding yet.”

With the conversation ending, they raised their teacups, signaling the start of business.

“I saw the young master in Kunlun.”

“So you did.”

“And we would like to invite him to the final ranking competition.”

“My son is quite firm in his opinions.”

“You mean we should ask him directly?”

“Yes. Since it’s an invitation, the participant must accept.”

“Understood.”

After a short while, Cheongun appeared.

Upon seeing him, both Jegal Yun and Jegal Hye flinched.

‘…He’s already at his peak.’

In such a short time, he had changed so dramatically.

Incredible to witness firsthand.

“You called for me?”

“Yes. The guest wishes to speak with you.”

“I understand.”

“Then, you may converse freely.”

Cheongjin left, leaving a ten-year-old child alone before the future head of the Jegal Clan.

Perhaps other gains could be obtained in this way.

“Good to meet you. I am Jegal Yun, future head of the Jegal Clan.”

“Yes. I am Cheongun, head of Cheongumjang.”

After formal greetings, Cheongun looked at Jegal Hye beside him.

Startled, she returned his polite bow.

“Do you have business with me?”

“Yes.”

“What is it?”

“In just over two weeks, we wish to grant you the right to participate in the final ranking competition.”

With Cheongjin gone, the invitation was now framed as granting authority.

Cheongun, unaware, disliked the sound of “authority.”

“Authority… hmm.”

He tapped the table thoughtfully, feeling as if a plan was being reviewed.

It was not unpleasant, but no longer comfortable.