ONE UNITED FAMILY
A strange light settled in Cheon Seonhak's eyes.
He felt a sky that could not be defined by anything.
"Remarkable."
Cheon Seonhak, too, was one who had attained enlightenment in the Heavenly Dragon Library.
Countless skies existed there, and Cheon Seonhak had chosen his path within it.
One could not contain everything; to obtain one, one had to abandon all the rest.
"And yet, you feel all the skies."
But Cheon Muyang was different.
He felt a greed that sought to embrace every sky.
"Such excess is worrying."
"It may be excess for now, but…."
Hwoong!
Cheon Muyang sought to contain the sky above the sky—
The Heaven Beyond Heaven .
"One day, I will surpass even the sky itself."
Cheon Seonhak smiled.
What audacious ambition this was.
"Indeed. If you are the eldest son of the Cheon Clan, that is how you should be."
Two skies.
Their scale was unmistakably clear.
Cheon Seonhak's sky was vast, while Cheon Muyang's sky was small.
'Yet that small sky seeks to contain the great one.'
Before this subtle pull, Cheon Seonhak could not even dare to imagine the outcome.
He wished to see the end of the sky that sought to contain even his own.
'If only this sky could be fully unfolded….'
It would be more than capable of embracing the world.
At that moment, Cheon Seonhak realized what Cheon Muyang truly sought to contain.
"Surely not…."
The corner of Cheon Muyang's lips lifted.
Cheon Seonhak was certain.
"You seek to contain the world itself?"
"One day."
"Your sky is obscenely vast."
"What can I do? I desire it."
"You must grow strong."
"Yes. I will become stronger than anyone."
"Good. That is enough."
Shiiik!
Two swords moved.
Though they carried the same aura, two entirely different skies collided.
At their point of contact, the horizon of a new sky was opening.
Paaaat!
With a massive burst of light,
The two split each other's skies.
It was the sword of Severing Heaven .
Kwaaang!
A thunderous roar resounded.
Then, Cheon Muyang was left kneeling, gasping for breath.
"..."
Yet Cheon Seonhak's expression as he looked down at him was subtle and complex.
"In just ten days, you achieved another advancement?"
"Yes. I have progressed in the Cheonyang Divine Art. Because of that, I believe I will soon be able to dissolve the energies of the spirit medicines within my body."
"Is that truly so?"
"Yes."
The excessive energy of spirit medicines within Cheon Muyang had long been a chronic problem.
Why else would Cheon Wigang have drawn in the Sichuan Tang Clan?
Cheon Muyang's body was no different from a bomb that could explode at any moment.
"Uncle, there is something I must tell you."
"And what might that be?"
"Not here."
It meant there were ears listening.
Cheon Seonhak nodded and told him to follow.
"Very well. What is it?"
"Uncle."
"Speak."
"It seems there are rats gnawing away at the clan's granary."
"Rats, you say…."
Cheon Seonhak's complexion changed.
Seeing this, Cheon Muyang became certain.
'As expected, Uncle already knew.'
Then why had he remained silent until now?
"Therefore, we must drive those rats out of the clan."
"And what if they are not rats, but tigers?"
"Whether rats or tigers, is it not enough to simply cut them down?"
"...."
"You were the one who told me to cut down the sky. So what is there to fear, that I cannot cut it?"
Kooong!
At Cheon Muyang's words, brimming with fighting spirit, Cheon Seonhak's heart thundered.
"Can you do it alone?"
"Not yet. That is why I will need your help, Uncle."
Ssiik.
Cheon Seonhak smiled.
'You have truly changed.'
When was it?
When Cheon Muyang was born.
He had quietly harbored expectations.
'I thought you might be able to change the clan.'
Yet those expectations instead became poison.
The spirit medicines he had been forced to take, in hopes of making him strong, instead gnawed away at Cheon Muyang's body from within.
Was it because of that?
The erratic behavior of Cheon Muyang, which had begun to go astray, grew more severe with each passing day.
'At last, he has returned.'
That Cheon Muyang came to his senses.
Through the infinite sky of the Cheon Clan he had seen in the Heavenly Dragon Library, he must have opened his eyes to a higher truth.
'And even filled in what was lacking.'
For one to become the clan head who would lead the Cheon Clan, decisiveness was essential.
That decisiveness and bold spirit could be felt.
"Have you already forgotten? My sword is already yours. How you wield it is up to you."
"Then please become my shield."
"A shield, you say."
He understood what that meant.
Cheon Seonhak drew his sword.
He immediately thrust it into the ground.
"As long as I live, I will make sure no one can lay a hand on you."
"Thank you."
"So then, what do you intend to do now?"
"I have already thrown out some bait to the Lord of Cheongeum Pavilion. He will likely make a move one way or another."
"The Lord of Cheongeum Pavilion, you say?"
"Yes."
Cheon Muyang took out and showed him the old piece of paper Geumsan had given him.
He then explained what had happened in Hangzhou.
"Hm…."
Cheon Seonhak's expression darkened.
That was only natural, as he was a martial artist far removed from politics.
'That is why, even in my previous life… the Lord ultimately remained loyal only to the clan.'
It must have been because he feared that stepping forward himself would split the clan in two.
But now, that could no longer be the case.
"Uncle."
"…?"
"At times, sacrifices are necessary. Even if that sacrifice is the blood of the same lineage."
"I know."
Knowing and acting were entirely separate matters.
"Giving you my sword… was also my resolve."
In his previous life, Cheon Seonhak must have waited.
Waiting for Cheon Muyang to come to his senses.
Believing that one day he would, and holding the clan together all the while.
"I will not disappoint you."
"...."
Cheon Seonhak fell silent.
Though he had made his resolve, he still did not wish to see the clan split in two.
"This must be the natural course. Entrusting you with what should have been resolved in our generation—I am ashamed."
It should have been done long ago.
They should have united around Cheon Wigang.
But they could not.
All because of the so-called issue of legitimacy.
"What should I do?"
"Please investigate the Head of the Inspection Unit."
"The Head of the Inspection Unit?"
"Yes. Is there a better way to commit embezzlement and breach of trust than to pull in even those who are meant to inspect such matters?"
Cheongeum Pavilion handled nearly all of the Cheon Clan's funds.
As such, an annual inspection was conducted, and a detailed report was directly submitted to the clan head.
'Yet if it went unnoticed….'
There were only two possibilities.
"Either incompetent, or in league with them. In either case, the current Head of the Inspection Unit is not someone who should hold that position."
"The Head of the Inspection Unit is an appointment of the Council of Elders."
"…I thought as much."
Cheon Wigang was the clan head of the Cheon Clan.
Among the three pillars supporting the clan, he stood at the very center.
Everyone respected and admired Cheon Wigang and never doubted his qualifications as clan head, yet his actual authority was limited.
'The prime example of that would be me.'
Though Cheon Muyang was known as a scoundrel, he was still the legitimate eldest son of the Cheon Clan.
Yet until Cheon Muyang ascended to the position of clan head, all of his escort warriors were nameless.
And that would only happen five years later.
'Was the situation really that dire?'
Even in the past, those nameless warriors, like Cheon Seonhak, were far removed from politics.
Naturally, a mere escort to a scoundrel young master would have no way of knowing the clan's internal affairs.
"I will change the balance of power."
"Very well. I will do as you wish."
"I ask this of you."
Cheon Seonhak nodded.
With that, Cheon Muyang once again headed toward the training grounds.
"Young Master!"
As always, there—
Wolyeong was waiting with a bright smile.
Step.
Cheon Muyang came to a halt.
"...."
Suddenly, a thought crossed his mind.
That he had to protect Wolyeong.
But he could not protect her forever.
"Young Master? What's wrong?"
Wolyeong approached him.
Looking at her, Cheon Muyang asked casually.
"Wolyeong."
"Yes."
"Would you like to learn martial arts?"
Wolyeong's eyes widened.
They were already large, making it easy to tell just how shocked she was.
"M-martial arts? Me?"
"Yes, Wolyeong. You."
"H-how could I learn martial arts? I'm just a mere maid."
Cheon Muyang shook his head.
"You are not a mere maid. You are my person, and I do not want my people to be put in danger."
"What? Am I in danger?"
"Yes. You will be."
Cheon Muyang's concern was singular.
If they could not shake him, they would surely try to shake those around him.
How could they dare lay a hand on Cheon Seonhak?
'They will likely target Wolyeong.'
Other than Wolyeong, there was no one who could be used to shake Cheon Muyang.
"W-why would I be in danger?"
"Because they will try to use you to shake me."
"Are you saying I might hold you back, Young Master?"
"Yes."
"Then I'll do it. I'll learn martial arts."
"Thank you."
"No, it's fine. You said it all for my sake, didn't you?"
"Probably… it's going to be brutally hard."
Gulp!
Wolyeong swallowed nervously.
Watching her, Cheon Muyang spoke to Cheon Seonhak, who had returned to the training grounds with him.
"Uncle, please teach Wolyeong the sword."
"...Do you truly think this child can learn the sword?"
"Yes. She saw through the true intent of my sword at a glance."
"What?"
"You won't be disappointed."
Cheon Muyang was certain.
Wolyeong's talent might far exceed even his imagination.
"Hmm…."
"Since we're doing this, I hope you give it your all."
"If I become strong."
Wolyeong's eyes sparkled.
"...?"
"That means I'll be that much more helpful to you, Young Master, right?"
There was fervor in her gaze.
So Cheon Muyang smiled and answered.
"Yeah."
"I'll work really hard."
"Good. From now on, you don't need to look after me. Focus only on your training. Understood?"
"Yes. I will."
"Then go change your clothes first."
"Yes. I'll be in your care."
Wolyeong hurriedly left the training grounds.
Watching her retreating figure, Cheon Seonhak asked casually.
"Are you that worried about the child?"
"Yes. She's my first person."
"Good."
"Try teaching her. You won't find another talent like her."
"That, we'll see in time."
"Care to make a bet?"
"A bet?"
At the edge of Cheon Muyang's vision, he saw lee seokgi halfheartedly immersed in training.
"One year."
"...."
"Within one year, she'll defeat that top trainee."
Cheon Seonhak, too, grew intrigued.
"Oh? One year, you say?"
"Yes."
"Very well. I'll accept that wager."
"I assure you, one year is being generous. It might not even take three months."
"We'll see."
"Ah, but you can't deliberately hold back and not teach her the sword!"
"What do you take me for?"
"Then what will you stake in this bet, Uncle?"
"Hm… is there something you want?"
"Yes."
Glance.
Cheon Muyang's gaze shifted somewhere else.
He saw Neung Ryeoun and Cha Myeonghak, who had recently returned to immersing themselves in training at these grounds.
"Give me people."
Reading Cheon Muyang's gaze, Cheon Seonhak smiled faintly.
"People, you say… That isn't something I alone can give."
"Of course. But even so, wouldn't I need your permission?"
"Very well. Forming your own sword unit wouldn't be a bad idea. Go ahead and try. Then what will you stake?"
Ssiik.
Cheon Muyang smiled.
"I will give you a united family."
"...."
Cheon Seonhak was left speechless.