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Chapter 7
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After gathering the frozen bodies in one place and assigning them for investigation, Wi Jin-gyeol assembled the elders of the Wi Clan.
The elders of the Wi Clan, gathered in Wi Jin-gyeol’s office, wore uniformly grave expressions.
Sitting among them, Wi Yeon-cheon felt as if he could barely breathe.
Starting with his father, Wi Jin-gyeol, and followed by his uncles, granduncles, and cousins, all had assembled.
In this gathering of the pillars of the Wi Clan, he held the lowest rank.
“Well, Yeon-cheon, tell us everything you saw and heard.”
Although they had already heard the story from Wi Jin-gyeol, the elders of the family asked Wi Yeon-cheon to speak once again.
“When I was engaging him, he called himself Blood Blade Demon.”
“Is that all?”
Since he hadn’t exchanged many words with him, there wasn’t much he could recount.
However, Wi Yeon-cheon’s eyes had witnessed far more than anyone else’s.
“He emitted a blade aura brimming with Yang energy.”
“A blade aura filled with Yang energy…!”
“Could it really be the Red Blood Flame Technique…?”
At the mention of the Yang-infused blade aura, the elders of the clan became unsettled.
A wave of concerns and anxieties spread through the room.
“Everyone, please remain calm.”
But the disturbance was quelled with a single word from the Family Head, Wi Jin-gyeol.
“Even if he was truly Blood Blade Demon and had mastered the Red Blood Flame Technique, he has already departed for the Nine Heavens at Yeon-cheon’s hands.”
This was an undeniable fact.
It was also enough to quell the anxieties and worries that had befallen the Wi Clan.
“Yes, it appears that the Wi Clan’s prodigy has accomplished yet another feat.”
“Who could have foreseen a martial genius emerging from the Wi Clan?”
In an attempt to break the tense silence, awkward words were murmured.
However, Wi Yeon-cheon could still see the tremors in the qi of the elders of the Wi Clan.
‘They’re all deeply troubled.’
He had devoured the Innate Energy of the Blood Blade Demon, enough to shake even the pillars of the clan.
Wi Yeon-cheon touched the area near his Dantian, where the Blood Blade Demon’s Innate Energy was stored.
‘What exactly did the Yin-Yang Radiance absorb?’
At the reactions of the elders, Wi Yeon-cheon, who was at the Age of Fifteen, felt his mind grow even more complex.
Even though he possessed a perfect physique due to the Nine Heavens Divine Qi, his mind could not surpass his age of Jihak.
After all, the Nine Heavens Divine Qi was merely a natural gift from the heavens.
“Everyone, do not be overly concerned. Yeon-cheon and I will head to Jeongju immediately.”
“Are you going to see the Alliance Leader?”
Wi Jin-gyeol nodded at those who still showed traces of worry in their eyes.
“I am the head of the Wi Clan. To protect our family, I am prepared to use any wisdom, power, or connections without hesitation.”
Wi Jin-gyeol had connections that could even invite the Divine Healer to save his son.
His words were enough to suppress any murmurings within the Wi Clan.
“I assume everyone understands, so ensure that this matter does not leak to the outside.”
Wi Jin-gyeol’s resolution, as the former Chief Military Officer of the Martial Alliance, was impeccably thorough.
Before worries could fester into fear, he had managed the situation and cut off any ensuing rumours.
Even if he had spent years consumed by concern for his son, he remained the strategist of the martial world and the head of the Wi Clan.
Wi Yeon-cheon had to recount everything he saw and heard to the elders.
The energy the Blood Blade Demon exuded, the blade technique he displayed, even the sound of his voice.
Only after relaying everything could the brief yet intense meeting finally come to an end.
“Well done.”
As soon as the elders departed, Wi Jin-gyeol addressed Wi Yeon-cheon.
“What do you mean?”
“I mean, you killed them without hesitation.”
It was an unexpected remark.
Seeing Wi Yeon-cheon’s bewildered gaze, Wi Jin-gyeol continued.
“I worried that you might tread the demonic path because of the Yin-Yang Divine Art, that Demonic Art.”
This was a question Wi Yeon-cheon had often pondered and asked Wi Jin-gyeol before.
But until now, he had never received a response.
“That is why I taught you so many teachings.”
“I had suspected as much.”
“I figured you might. Given your extraordinary nature from a young age, you likely sensed it already.”
Wi Jin-gyeol, gazing quietly at the sea of stars in the deep night sky, nodded slowly.
“But had you hesitated to kill the Blood Blade Demon because of the teachings of the old scholars, if you had lost your life at his hands…”
Wi Yeon-cheon remained silent, shifting his gaze to the starry sky, unable to comprehend the myriad emotions in Wi Jin-gyeol’s eyes.
“If that had happened, I don’t think I could have stood up again.”
Listening to his father’s quiet musings, Wi Yeon-cheon silently gazed at the twinkling stars.
“Thank you for staying alive.”
Though he waited for more, Wi Jin-gyeol said nothing further.
Only the faint light of dawn illuminated the two of them under the night sky.
After a long time of staring at the stars, Wi Yeon-cheon hesitated before speaking.
“It’s all thanks to you, Father.”
Wi Jin-gyeol hadn’t expected such words from his son.
Perhaps because it was so unexpected.
A gentle smile appeared on Wi Jin-gyeol’s face.
“Do you remember when you wanted to go to Jeongju as a child?”
“Yes, I remember.”
“Let’s take this opportunity to enjoy the trip together.”
***
Preparations to depart for Jeongju, where the Martial Alliance is located, were completed swiftly.
Those traveling to Jeongju included Wi Yeon-cheon, Wi Jin-gyeol, and the leader of the Wi Clan’s Dragon Guard, along with two other members of the Dragon Guard.
The members of the Wi Clan’s Dragon Guard, responsible for the clan’s defense, were all peak-level masters.
And the one who led them, Dragon Guard Leader Jeong Myeo-yeon, was a master of the Initial Supreme Boundary.
The elders of the Wi Clan, who primarily focused on strategy and formations, often set martial arts aside once they reached the peak.
Thus, Jeong Myeo-yeon, a master of the Initial Supreme Boundary, was a rare existence within the Wi Clan.
‘A master of the Initial Supreme Boundary…’
Moreover, as Jeong Myeo-yeon mainly oversaw the Dragon Guard, opportunities to see him were rare.
Thus, Wi Yeon-cheon had not had a chance to see Jeong Myeo-yeon after reaching the peak.
Wi Yeon-cheon, with heightened senses from reaching the peak, wanted to observe his aura.
“Grand Prince! When did you grow this much? Your accomplishments are extraordinary.”
This was a very different Jeong Myeo-yeon from the one Wi Yeon-cheon remembered.
In Wi Yeon-cheon’s childhood memories, Jeong Myeo-yeon had appeared as a high-ranking, dignified master.
“…It’s been a while.”
The impression of a master filled with solemn aura from his memories had long vanished, and now Jeong Myeo-yeon seemed like a carefree martial artist.
“It’s a pleasure to accompany both the Family Head and the Grand Prince together!”
Of course, his aura was still that of a master of the Initial Supreme Boundary.
The energy radiating from Jeong Myeo-yeon was distinctly different from that of other peak-level martial artists.
The true qi flowing from his Dantian was like the natural cycle of the great outdoors, and his focus constantly pointed toward the sword.
‘He’s always ready to draw his sword.’
It was as if the sword itself was part of Jeong Myeo-yeon’s body, constantly channeling his energy to its very tip.
‘So that’s a master of the Initial Supreme Boundary.’
Based on the aura he exuded, there was no doubt that he was a master worth learning from.
“Leader Jeong, it’s like we’re carrying the clan’s treasures with us.”
“My apologies. It’s just… it’s the first time I’ve seen the Grand Prince since he was a child… Haha…”
Yet, despite his formidable aura, he had an incredibly light-hearted personality.
“It seems Leader Jeong has changed quite a bit…”
“Have I? I’ve merely aged, gaining wrinkles. Rather, it’s the Grand Prince who has changed tremendously.”
Wi Yeon-cheon offered an awkward smile at Jeong Myeo-yeon’s long-winded reply and then fell silent.
Normally, he would have wanted to discuss martial arts, but he wasn’t confident he could handle Jeong Myeo-yeon’s long speeches.
‘I can’t believe there’s a day I would avoid talking about martial arts.’
Martial arts were something he had never shied away from, but for now, merely observing the aura of a Supreme Boundary master was enough.
“At this rate, it will take about five days.”
“Yes, that’s correct.”
Wi Jin-gyeol shook his head slightly and boarded the carriage.
Wi Yeon-cheon quickly followed his father into the carriage.
“Father, was Leader Jeong always this way?”
Wi Jin-gyeol chuckled and replied to his son’s question.
“He’s been that way since he joined the Wi Clan. But he always maintained his composure in front of you as a child.”
Wi Yeon-cheon realized that his memories weren’t distorted by his father’s words.
In the end, his memory of Jeong Myeo-yeon as a dignified master was just another scheme by the younger Jeong Myeo-yeon.
“Well, I’m glad the journey is long.”
“Why is that?”
When Wi Yeon-cheon tilted his head in confusion, Wi Jin-gyeol smiled faintly.
“I saw the look in your eyes when you observed Jeong Myeo-yeon’s aura. You need time to reflect on your Insight, don’t you?”
Wi Yeon-cheon was slightly surprised by his father’s words.
“Yes, you’re right. How did you know?”
Wi Jin-gyeol smiled softly at his son’s wide-eyed expression.
“A parent’s gaze is always on their child.”
Wi Yeon-cheon could only give an awkward smile at his father’s words.
‘When did he learn to say such sentimental things?’
Then, Wi Jin-gyeol closed his eyes slightly, giving his son the time to organize his Insight.
Wi Yeon-cheon also closed his eyes, appreciating his father’s consideration.
Various insights arose as he recalled the true qi of the Initial Supreme Boundary.
These were challenges he would need to resolve during the five-day journey to Jeongju.
The first of these challenges he began to address was, naturally, the operation of true Qi.
Jeong Myeo-yeon’s Qi flowed like the natural energy of the great outdoors.
It was vastly different from simple circulation and breathing techniques.
It was almost as if it suggested that humans, too, were part of the great natural order.
‘It flows constantly, with neither beginning nor end.’
Perhaps it was due to the internal energy becoming as calm as a lake upon reaching the Initial Supreme Boundary.
Recalling Jeong Myeo-yeon’s circulation, Wi Yeon-cheon slowly initiated the grand circulation of the Yin-Yang Divine Art.
After reaching the Third Level, his Dantian had been empty, making even attempts impossible for a while.
Had he not converted the assassins’ Innate Energy into internal energy and stored it in his Dantian, he still would not have been able to attempt it now.
‘Perhaps this is a stroke of fate.’
The fact that assassins had infiltrated the clan was disgraceful, yet if this led to a great accomplishment, one might call it a stroke of fortune.
Slowly, he began circulating the internal energy he had stored in his Dantian throughout his body’s meridians.
He started the circulation from his Dantian, encompassing every delicate pathway in his body.
It was the grand circulation of the Yin-Yang Divine Art, modeled after Jeong Myeo-yeon’s flow.
The more he continued, the more he could feel the energy of Yin and Yang.
More precisely, as the true qi circulated repeatedly through every part of his body, the presence of the Yin-Yang Radiance became palpable.
He had thought that the Yin-Yang Radiance would consume the internal energy, but the sensation was distinctly different from when it devoured true qi.
‘The Yin-Yang Radiance is dividing the true qi in my Dantian into Yin and Yang.’
The true qi in his Dantian, similar to Innate Energy in its nature, gradually split into Yin and Yang as it encountered the Yin-Yang Radiance throughout his body.
‘This has the same properties as the true qi in my Dantian before the Yin-Yang Radiance formed.’
The true qi, now fully transformed into Yin and Yang, rotated throughout his body before settling in his Dantian.
As he slowly opened his eyes, he found that the carriage had come to a halt.
“Grand Prince, it seems you’ve achieved a new breakthrough.”
He met eyes with Jeong Myeo-yeon, who was standing guard outside the carriage.
Wi Yeon-cheon offered a broad smile and replied.
“Thank you for enlightening me with a new method of circulation.”
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