As I sat down, the others awkwardly followed suit.
The meal continued, but not a single word was exchanged. For me, enjoying the food in silence was actually more comfortable.
When the meal ended, Geumwolsang didn’t seem inclined to argue further; he didn’t even look at me and left the dining hall. Geumsurin took the hint and left as well. Geumwolsang appeared as if he wanted to say something to me but simply walked outside.
“Gongja-nim.”
As soon as I stepped out of the dining hall, Jichul, who seemed to have been waiting, stuck close beside me. Loud voices came from inside, and with Elders and Chonggwan present, it was understandable that things felt tense.
Jichul clinging to me was as pitiful and lowly as a puppy following its master.
People were indeed tricky to handle. In my past life, Jichul had sold out my information and did all sorts of things, but not yet this time. I intended to see just how far his loyalty would extend.
“Jichul.”
“Yes?”
Jichul was clearly still afraid of me. I spoke to him in as commanding a tone as I could muster.
“Go to Sangmudang and bring back some small stakes.”
“Stakes?”
I just looked at Jichul silently. He hesitated briefly, then bowed his head.
“How many would you like?”
“As many as you can carry. The more, the better.”
Jichul’s mouth almost opened but quickly shut again. It seemed fear had won over curiosity.
Soon, he nodded deeply and dashed off toward the northwest where Sangmudang stood, kicking up clouds of sand as he ran.
I also had a lot to prepare back at Okmyogak.
***
I opened Sangdanjeon as wide as possible. It was a bit shocking, and I even heard cicadas chirping in my ears.
I walked slowly. Even though my heels didn’t touch the ground, every step sounded like thunder.
When I ran my hand along the wall, I could feel the small unevenness that looked uniform but wasn’t.
The energy sensation was the same. Beneath the earth flowed water in some places, tree roots in others, scorching flames in some, and pockets where animals burrowed allowing wind to pass through. There were even spots with buried iron.
With each step, I sensed the strength of the Qi at my feet.
A Jinbeop constructed merely on impulse was like walking on thin ice, soon overwhelmed and broken by the natural energy. To build a proper Jin, such detailed preliminary investigation was essential.
“Looks like the Youngest Master has really lost his mind this time.”
Just don’t stand out. It doesn’t seem like there’s anything visible right now.”
Some servants watched me pacing restlessly outside Okmyogak, but after exchanging a few whispered words, they disappeared.
Already, I was mentally slicing through the building blocked by walls, designing various Jinbeop structures both inside and out.
Though not completely sure, it felt like my mind was working much faster than when I was bound.
In the past, when designing a single Jinbeop, one angle was used; now I could compose three. I suspected this was another benefit of Sangdanjeon.
“I’m running a bit short on time.”
That was the thought crossing my mind after finishing the design.
Gwak Jindo mumbled as he left the dining hall. Those inside probably didn’t hear, but I caught his words clearly.
It was the fabled Jeoneumim Mil.
—I’ll come to pick it up at midnight, so be ready.
I didn’t know how he planned to come at midnight under such surveillance, but that wasn’t my concern. Gwak Jindo was the kind of man who did what he said.
At that moment, I heard the distant sound of a wooden cart rolling. I turned to see Jichul kicking up dust as he dragged the cart.
“Oh.”
I was slightly surprised. I expected him to carry a handful but didn’t expect him to use a cart.
Soon, Jichul came panting toward me.
“I’ve arrived, Gongja-nim.”
“You’ve brought quite a lot.”
I said, looking into the cart filled to the brim with small cylindrical wooden stakes.
I didn’t need this many, but they would come in handy later.
“Did you say anything when asking for the stakes at Sangmudang?”
“I just said there were many places in Okmyogak’s fence needing repairs.”
“I see. Good job. Go in and rest.”
It didn’t matter if they knew I wanted stakes. No one would think a twelve-year-old could use Jinbeop.
“Are you sure you don’t want an escort?”
“No.”
Jichul took seven backward steps before disappearing from my sight.
It was time to begin the main work of welcoming the honored guest.
This was the official start. There was only half a day left until midnight. It was far too little time to properly design Jinbeop capable of handling a master like Gwak Jindo.
But there was no other choice. I hoarded the stakes on my left hip and resumed tracing the Qi flow.
***
Midnight. There was no one near Okmyogak. The servants had retreated to their quarters at the first hour.
Exactly on time, a heavy Qi sensation enveloped the area. From afar, it approached slowly but with the oppressive presence of a giant.
In my past life, I didn’t know exactly how formidable Gwak Jindo was, but it was the same now.
At least in my experience, he was the strongest.
I emerged from the room and descended the stairs. As I reached the center of the entrance, the door was knocked.
“It’s open.”
Backlit by the night, Gwak Jindo looked more threatening than he had during the day.
His sharp eyes, short cropped hair, and large frame did not feel bulky but rather exuded an overwhelming presence.
“You’ve lost your manners since we last met. If an elder came, you’d open the door even if the bolt was locked.”
“Don’t you dislike that kind of courtesy?”
At my words, Gwak Jindo flinched slightly but then scrutinized me. His eyes resembled those of the people in our family — a look of sudden incomprehension.
“You’ve become quite reckless. So, you really submitted a disciplinary petition against Elder Lee Cheongmyeong all by yourself?”
“Who else would do it?”
“I thought Geumwolsang ordered you. The you I know wouldn’t do such a thing. You’re a coward and a timid man at that.”
Gwak Jindo spoke deliberately, emphasizing ‘coward’ and ‘timid’ harshly.
“I was like that in the past.”
“Are you different now?”
“Yes.”
My firm answer unsettled Gwak Jindo’s gaze.
“Alright. Well, the present matters more than the past. Then, can you tell me why you petitioned to discipline Elder Lee Cheongmyeong, knowing it wouldn’t be accepted?”
“I wanted to see the Chonggwan.”
Gwak Jindo seemed surprised by my answer and was momentarily at a loss for words. Then his voice turned cold.
“What nonsense is that?”
“I couldn’t send the summons directly to the Chonggwan, so I did it this way. If you read the content of my disciplinary petition, I’m certain he would come.”
A heavy silence filled the entrance of Okmyogak. Confusion flickered in Gwak Jindo’s pupils.
Naturally so. There was almost no closeness between us, and he could never have imagined I came from the future, altering his personality and thoughts.
“So you’re the one who called me?”
“Yes.”
“Unbelievable. What made you so sure I’d come?”
“Who else but someone who wishes to reform the family? If our direct line isn’t afraid and changes, I thought you would surely help.”
At my words, Gwak Jindo’s gaze shifted. From his standpoint, it was difficult to understand. Before he could reply, I continued.
“I will change the family. Please help me.”
My words landed firmly like a seal. Gwak Jindo’s mouth, which had been muttering, snapped shut. Instead of speaking, he glared at my eyes.
After a brief silence, Gwak Jindo spoke in a low, serious tone.
“Do you truly understand what that means?”
“I do.”
Gwak Jindo’s eyes trembled fiercely. I knew how much he wanted to change the Hwanggeum Family, how far he was willing to go.
I also knew he was someone who would give his life for that cause.
“Then you must realize how ridiculous that sounds.”
“If the Chonggwan helps, it’s possible.”
“You’re hopeless. What confidence do you have to say such reckless things?”
“Shall I show you?”
I spoke as I moved slowly. Gwak Jindo’s eyes followed me deliberately. His gaze was still filled with distrust and confusion. But in that space, I saw a newly born, tiny emotion: hope.
“Alright.”
Gwak Jindo spoke as I stopped in place.
Kuu-gung.
Suddenly, a fierce wind blew, followed by a heavy rainstorm. The sound of shaking maple leaves and rattling windows filled the air.
This was no ordinary breeze.
“Crack, crack.”
One by one, the glass windows of Okmyogak shattered, and the pillars slowly uprooted themselves from the ground. Soon, the entire building vanished into the sky like a kite with its strings cut.
Only then did Gwak Jindo realize what was happening.
“…Jinbeop?”
“Yes.”
Despite the strong wind, the building flew away while the person remained standing. It was an illusion.
Gwak Jindo probably hadn’t realized it until the rain and wind outside hit.
I had put my utmost effort into creating a Jinbeop that wouldn’t distort the flow of Qi.
At the same time, I had to embed actual sensory feedback and functional intent, making it a difficult task.
Still, thanks to Sangdanjeon, the work finished more comfortably than expected.
“Do you know anyone capable of creating a Jinbeop like this?”
“Yes. I made it.”
Between us, the Jinbeop produced a fake storm. Just as I felt it, Gwak Jindo too would feel the rain soaking his clothes.
As he said, there were few who could implement Jinbeop of this level, so it was natural he couldn’t believe it.
Gwak Jindo slowly circled the rain and approached, tilting his head sharply.
“Are you lying to me right now?”
“No.”
Suddenly, a knife-like sensation pressed against my throat. A belt tightened on my back, and my body trembled. He must have intended to force an answer through fear.
I immediately moved the Qi of Sangdanjeon. The Qi, like unraveling threads freed from Baekhyehyeol, spread naturally through my body. The more the Qi circulated, the calmer I became.
Soft Taeeul Heonwon Sinbeop energy radiated from me. Having trained for about two weeks, it had become a condensed Qi that others could feel.
But more important than the amount of Qi was the purity of my skill. Gwak Jindo recognized this energy and was stunned.
“What kind of bastard are you?”
“That’s not important. I just want to properly restore the family.”
“What do you want from me?”
Gwak Jindo asked. His gaze had completely changed, as if he was looking at a non-human, mystical creature.
It had taken a long time, but I finally revealed my purpose.
“Teach me martial arts.”