Night settled quietly over the Blade Clan's compound. The moon hung pale above the rooftops, casting long shadows across the courtyard. Most disciples were asleep after a long day of drills.
Jin Mu wasn't.
He crouched behind a half-open door, peeking toward the east wing where the clan's archives sat — a small building of faded wood and dusty tiles. A paper lantern flickered beside the entrance.
> [Quest: Investigate the Clan Archives.]
[Warning: Stealth recommended. Discovery will result in 'sibling judgment' penalty.]
"I already get that daily," he whispered back.
> [Then it's familiar territory.]
He sighed. "Fine. Let's see what's so special in there."
---
The archive smelled of old parchment and stale ink. Scrolls lined the shelves, stacked in uneven piles. Dust floated lazily through the air like forgotten memories.
Jin Mu moved carefully, lighting a small candle. The flame cast soft light over dozens of faded titles — "Iron Palm Notes," "Tiger's Shadow Steps," "Rising Phoenix Breathing."
He unrolled one at random. The brushwork was elegant, though half the page had rotted away.
> [ Analyzing 'Tiger's Shadow Steps.' Copy progress: 35%.]
"Oh?" Jin Mu raised a brow. "That easy, huh?"
> [Host's observation capability exceeds expectations. Or everyone else is just blind.]
"I'll take the compliment."
He skimmed another scroll — a basic internal technique used by outer disciples.
Then another.
> [ Analyzing 'Rising Phoenix Breathing.' Copy progress: 41%. Compatibility: 73%.]
He paused. "Phoenix? That's… my mother's specialty."
> [Correlation detected. Family bloodline resonance increases comprehension rate.]
Jin Mu frowned thoughtfully. "So I can use it better than average."
> [Possibly. Or you'll explode. Fifty-fifty.]
"...I'll take my chances."
---
Hours passed quietly as he studied scroll after scroll. The System hummed softly in his mind, copying fragments of techniques he barely understood. Some resonated, others didn't.
But one stood out — an incomplete scroll wrapped in red silk, tucked behind a broken shelf.
Its title had faded, but a single character remained clear: Dragon.
The parchment was brittle, ink smudged by time. He unrolled it carefully, and the first stroke of the ancient script flared faintly — almost alive.
> [ Analyzing 'Dragon Fang Blade Art – Incomplete.' Copy progress: 18%.]
Jin Mu's breath caught. "The clan's blade technique…"
He smiled slowly. "Then we'll rebuild it."
> [Correction: You'll rebuild it.]
"Of course."
---
He stood, stretching his sore legs. The candle flickered dangerously low.
Just as he turned toward the door, a quiet voice broke the silence.
"You always did like sneaking into places you shouldn't."
Jin Mu froze. His heart dropped like a stone.
His elder brother, Jin Hae, leaned against the doorframe — calm, elegant, and entirely awake. He wore simple robes, his long hair tied neatly. Even his expression looked tired of being responsible.
Jin Mu tried to grin. "Eldest Brother. Lovely night for research, isn't it?"
Hae's gaze moved from the candle to the scroll in Jin Mu's hand. "Research, is it?"
"Purely academic."
"Of course." Hae stepped inside, closing the door behind him. "If Father catches you, he'll skin you alive."
"I'd prefer to avoid that particular outcome."
"Then you shouldn't be here."
Jin Mu sighed, lowering his voice. "The system— I mean— I think I can… understand parts of our old technique. Maybe even repair it."
Hae studied him for a long moment, then smiled faintly. "You? Repairing the Dragon Fang?"
"Hey, I'm not that useless."
"Mm. You were sleeping under the willow tree yesterday."
"Spiritual meditation."
"Drooling meditation, then."
Jin Mu grinned. "Progress is progress."
---
For a moment, silence settled between them — heavy but not hostile. Then Hae's tone softened.
"Little brother," he said quietly, "do you know why our clan declined?"
Jin Mu shook his head.
"Because everyone chased power. No one sought understanding. Father stopped growing because the heart of the Dragon Fang Blade Art was lost — its true meaning forgotten."
He reached out, gently brushing the edge of the old scroll. "If you're going to wake that dragon again, make sure you can tame it. Otherwise, it'll burn you too."
Jin Mu met his brother's calm eyes, something unspoken passing between them. Then he nodded slowly.
"I'll keep that in mind."
Hae smiled faintly, patting his shoulder. "Good. Now go before Seolhwa finds you missing again."
Jin Mu blinked. "Wait, you're not going to tell Father?"
"I'm not suicidal."
He slipped past the door, leaving Jin Mu standing amid the dust and silence.
---
> [Quest Complete: Investigate the Clan Archives.]
[Reward: +3 Martial Points. New Technique Access: 'Tiger's Shadow Steps' (Partial).]
[Bonus Condition Unlocked: 'Reconstruct Dragon Fang Blade Art.']
Jin Mu smirked. "Looks like things are finally getting interesting."
> [Agreed. Try not to die before they do.]
"Your confidence in me is inspiring as always."
> [That's my charm.]
Jin Mu chuckled, rolling the scroll gently before slipping it into his robe.
As he stepped out into the moonlight, he couldn't help but feel something strange stir inside him — not just ambition, but curiosity.
Maybe, just maybe, the lazy son of the Blade Clan was finally starting to move.