The morning sun slipped through the gaps in the willow branches, scattering light across Jin Mu's still form.
He sat cross-legged on the grass, eyes closed, his hands resting loosely on his knees.
For once, he wasn't asleep.
> [Quest: Strengthen Internal Qi Pathways.]
[Condition: Cultivate for one hour using Rising Phoenix Breathing.]
[Time Elapsed: 0 minutes.]
Jin Mu cracked one eye open. "An hour, huh… can I break it into smaller, healthier parts?"
> [Cultivation does not support 'snack portions.']
"Everything should." He sighed, straightened his back, and exhaled slowly.
The air in the courtyard was crisp and cool. He drew it in through his nose, then guided it downward — chest, abdomen, dantian.
The Rising Phoenix Breathing was a fire-based method, meant to awaken heat and vitality through controlled rhythm.
For someone like Jin Mu, whose main training had been avoiding training, it was like trying to ignite wet wood.
Minutes passed. His shoulders ached. His thoughts wandered.
> [Focus drifting detected.]
"I'm focusing!" he hissed.
> [You are mentally composing an apology letter to breakfast.]
"Maybe."
He tried again, forcing himself to concentrate. In… out… in… out… until something inside him began to stir — a faint warmth in his lower abdomen, then a slow, pulsing rhythm.
It wasn't much, but it was real.
> [Qi Circulation Initiated.]
[Early-Stage Second-Rate Martial Artist → Mid-Stage Achieved.]
[Reward: +3 Martial Points.]
Jin Mu opened his eyes in surprise. "That's it? Just breathing properly?"
> [You are technically alive. That helps.]
He chuckled softly. "Guess I'll take the win."
---
He stayed seated for a while longer, just feeling the quiet hum in his veins.
For the first time since he'd arrived in this body, he could feel the martial path — not through flashy sword moves or System pop-ups, but through something simple and steady.
It felt… right.
> [Observation: Host shows 18% improvement in mental stability.]
"Wow, emotional support and stats. You're really branching out."
> [Don't get sentimental.]
He smiled faintly and stood, brushing the dust off his robe. Just then, a familiar voice drifted from behind.
"You've been up since dawn?"
Jin Mu turned. His father stood a few paces away — Jin Taekryeon, patriarch of the Jin Clan.
The man's hair had streaks of silver now, his posture still upright but faintly rigid, as if old pain clung to his back. His presence wasn't overwhelming, but it carried quiet weight — the kind that made others instinctively straighten their spines.
"Morning, Father." Jin Mu bowed politely.
Taekryeon's gaze flicked to the grass, where faint scorch marks had appeared from his breathing technique. "Rising Phoenix Breathing? I haven't seen that practiced in years."
"Thought I'd try something new."
"It's not new," Taekryeon said quietly. "It's your mother's technique."
Jin Mu blinked. "Oh."
"She gave up cultivation after you were born. I didn't expect any of you to use her path."
There was no accusation in his tone — just something heavier.
Jin Mu scratched his neck. "Well, I'm… bad at sitting still, apparently."
"That's new."
"Yeah. Surprised me too."
The silence that followed wasn't awkward — just thoughtful. The kind that sits between two people who don't quite know how to speak but still want to.
Finally, Taekryeon said, "Your movements yesterday. You've been training?"
"A little."
"You've grown."
Jin Mu looked up, startled. His father rarely said things like that.
"Still lazy," Taekryeon continued, "still reckless… but maybe that's not entirely bad."
He turned toward the willow, eyes distant. "This clan grew complacent. We guarded an incomplete technique for generations and called it pride. Now, we're paying the price."
Jin Mu hesitated. "Because the Dragon fang blade technique was lost?"
Taekryeon nodded. "The original dragon fang blade art had twelve movements. We only have seven left. Without the full cycle, the qi stagnates. I reached my limit years ago."
The words carried no bitterness — just a quiet acceptance that felt worse.
Jin Mu wanted to say something, but the man's expression stopped him.
Then his father turned, meeting his gaze. "Mu. You don't need to chase power for the clan. Just don't run from it anymore."
Jin Mu blinked. "…That's oddly encouraging."
A faint smile touched Taekryeon's lips. "Don't make me regret it."
> [Quest Unlocked: Rediscover the Lost Movements of the dragon fang blade art.]
Reward: ???
Jin Mu's heart thumped once. "System, that sounds… important."
> [Analysis: It is.]
"Great. No pressure."
> [You thrive under minimal effort and maximum risk.]
"That's disturbingly accurate."
Taekryeon began to walk away. "Keep training. If you're going to breathe like a phoenix, do it properly."
Jin Mu watched him go, then turned toward the willow again.
He looked down at his hands, faint traces of qi still flickering between his fingers.
"Crimson Dragon Flow, huh?" he murmured. "Guess I'll need to start looking."
> [Good. I was worried you'd suggest a nap.]
Jin Mu smirked. "Don't be ridiculous. I'll definitely nap first."
> [Of course.]
He sat back down, sunlight warm on his face, the hum of qi steady beneath his skin — lazy grin, steady heart, and a spark of purpose beginning to grow.