It felt like I had been in my father's office for over an hour, but when I stepped outside and checked the time, only about thirty minutes had passed.
As soon as Lee Seohyun moved away from the office, she let out a long breath, as if she had been holding it in for a long time.
"Phew…"
"You're overreacting. For someone who was nervous, you sure spoke well."
"I didn't make any mistakes, right? What did I even say? Was it something about fairness? Why did he say it wasn't bad? Does that mean it actually was bad?!"
Watching Lee Seohyun anxiously piece together her own words, I couldn't help but let out a small, amused sigh.
At that moment, Butler Choi approached us from behind, maintaining his usual impeccable posture.
"Did the conversation go well?"
"Oh, Butler Choi. Yes, it went fine."
I answered awkwardly, glancing at Seohyun, who was muttering to herself, lost in her own world.
"Young Master, may I say something?"
"…Yes. I will listen."
Typically, the direct descendants of the family did not use honorifics when addressing the staff or household members, but Butler Choi was an exception.
Although we called him a butler, he had served the Sungmu family for a long time, essentially acting as my father's secretary.
Feeling an inexplicable tension, I focused on Butler Choi's words.
"Do you enjoy mountain climbing?"
His sudden question made me shake my head.
"No. I don't think I've ever properly climbed a mountain."
The only time I had ever scaled anything remotely resembling a mountain was during quarterly evaluations.
"I happen to enjoy it quite a bit. When I was a bit younger, there wasn't a single famous or treacherous mountain in the country that I hadn't climbed."
I listened closely as Butler Choi chuckled while speaking.
He was trying to tell me something.
There was no way that mountain climbing simply meant mountain climbing.
"There was one time when I climbed an extremely rugged mountain. There were no paths, so I had to make my own as I went. If you were in that situation, how would you climb such a mountain?"
I thought for a moment before answering.
"I would keep my eyes fixed upward and continue climbing. That way, I'd reach the summit quickly and accurately."
"Haha, I see. That would indeed get you there quickly."
Suddenly, Butler Choi's voice lowered.
"But that's not the right way. Sometimes, you must look back or to the side to ensure you're on the correct path. You need to observe the terrain and find your way carefully. If you only look ahead, you might lose your way and end up taking a much longer route. The higher the mountain, the more important this becomes."
His gaze locked onto mine.
An enigmatic lesson.
I instinctively realized that this wasn't just about mountain climbing.
'Is he talking about martial arts?'
Lately, there had been moments when certain thoughts surfaced as I reflected on myself.
I had been constantly absorbing new skills without fully digesting what I had already learned.
It had been a long time since I properly reinforced my foundations or organized my strength.
Most of my recent training had focused on adapting to new powers and growing stronger as quickly as possible.
'But I never considered that to be a problem.'
There was still much power I needed to obtain, and everything I had experienced so far was merely the beginning of my plans. I didn't have time to look back.
I had assumed that as time passed and my training accumulated, everything would resolve itself.
But…
'Butler Choi is right. If I keep going like this, I'll just continue chasing new things without ever properly reflecting on what I already have.'
His words about getting lost if I only looked forward lingered in my mind.
Perhaps now, before I ventured too far ahead, was the perfect time to pause and ensure I was on the right path.
I bowed deeply.
"Thank you for your wise words, Butler Choi."
"Just think of it as the ramblings of an old man. I only said it because I see how hard you're pushing yourself and hoped it might help, even a little."
I studied Butler Choi.
Did he truly know something, or were these words nothing more than a result of his concern?
In the past, I would have immediately assumed the latter, but now, I wasn't so sure.
The gentle image I had of Butler Choi wavered ever so slightly.
"May I ask why you decided to share this with me?"
"Looking at you, young master, reminds me of someone I know."
"Who are you talking about?"
"There was someone special. Incredibly beautiful and incredibly strong. Someday, you will know as well."
He had an attitude that suggested he wouldn't answer even if I asked further.
I quietly observed Butler Choi, who was smiling calmly.
"No, but really, Butler Choi. What exactly are you talking about?"
Lee Seohyun, who had been mumbling for a while, finally came closer and tilted her head in confusion.
One moment, he was suddenly talking about hiking, then Lee Cheol bowed deeply in gratitude, and now he was calling this rough guy similar to a beautiful person?
"It's just an old man's rambling, miss. Hoho."
Butler Choi beamed, seemingly amused by Lee Seohyun's mischievous nature.
Before I knew it, we had exited my father's office building.
I gave a slight bow in farewell.
"I'll be on my way now."
"Yes, take care."
"Butler Choi! Goodbye!"
I turned around and walked away.
Then, on impulse, I glanced back at Butler Choi.
The last rays of the afternoon sun were settling behind him as he continued watching us.
Was it just an illusion?
The way he stood against the sunlight made him seem much larger than usual.
***
Lee Taeshin stood leaning against the window.
The figures of his son and daughter, walking down the long road leading away from the main house, soon became mere dots before disappearing from sight.
"The eighth child was talking about justice."
Lee Taeshin turned as he spoke.
Behind him stood Butler Choi, who had returned to the study.
Thinking of the eighth child, Lee Seohyun, Butler Choi smiled warmly.
"She was born with a pure spirit."
"What do you think the ninth child would have said?"
"I apologize, but I cannot predict that."
"The youngest called it pathetic."
Butler Choi let out a sigh.
It wasn't hard to guess what that sentiment was directed toward.
And if his guess was correct, then that was not something one should say lightly to the absolute authority standing by the window.
"If I hadn't shared the same sentiment, I wouldn't have forgiven him, even if he were my own child."
"I don't believe the young master intended to go against your will."
"If that weren't the case, he would have faced severe consequences, and he knows that well."
Butler Choi served the tea.
The gentle aroma of tea leaves filled the study.
Lee Taeshin lifted his teacup and spoke.
"Have Bygo prepare for the transfer of the Yongling Armor by today. Deliver it to the eighth child."
"Understood. I will see to it."
"And inform the mountain keeper to make preparations. The youngest has requested to enter the mountain."
"By entering the mountain… do you mean Cheonwi Mountain?"
"Yes."
Butler Choi's expression turned complex.
Within the domain of the Soongmu family, there were several sacred grounds. But Cheonwi Mountain was particularly special.
It was a secluded training ground reserved for direct descendants of the Soongmu family.
Not just any training ground—one said to have been personally established by the family's founder.
Because of this, it held not only immense value as a place of training but also symbolic significance as a testament of one's qualification.
"The duration is one year. Since it's not a place he would normally be allowed to enter, that should be the limit."
"Even if it is just a year, this is unprecedented. There won't be objections since it's your command, but…"
It was a rather extreme decision.
There would be no complaints against the family head, but there might be murmurs about Lee Cheol, an illegitimate son.
"A second-year cadet in the academy focuses on field experience and real combat. Have it processed as a special assignment."
"Understood."
Butler Choi stopped speaking there and reconsidered the implications of granting entry to Cheonwi Mountain.
Lee Cheol would have known—this was unprecedented, and it could stir controversy.
Rather than endure that, it would have been fine to simply ask for decent equipment or an elixir.
'But Young Master Lee Cheol specifically requested the right to enter the mountain…'
What kind of value could that hold?
Being acknowledged as having lived as a cadet without actually going through the cadet lifestyle.
Moreover, since his entry into the mountain was under the family head's orders, he would be able to avoid getting entangled in any external issues.
'I see. The young master…'
Lee Cheol had not simply gained permission to enter Cheonwi Mountain—he had secured an entire year's worth of time as an advantage.
"Heh."
Steward Choi let out a quiet chuckle.
"The youngest master certainly had something in mind. It seems I spoke out of turn."
"Spoke out of turn?"
"I mentioned an old proverb regarding climbing the mountain."
Hearing that, Lee Taeshin nodded.
He, too, had heard those words long ago from Steward Choi's predecessor.
"For you to share even such words… Have you taken a liking to the youngest?"
"I merely offered a bit of advice as one who serves the Soongmu family."
Lee Taeshin's expression turned subtle.
Steward Choi was not someone who easily gave advice to others.
Though he seemed to think little of it himself, Lee Taeshin recognized that this was quite a rare occurrence.
"What do you think of the youngest?"
"He is bold and upright, as befits the blood of the family head."
"Not such a conventional answer—tell me your true impression."
Steward Choi hesitated for a moment.
But soon, he carefully spoke.
"He reminded me a great deal of Yoo-jung."
Lee Taeshin's movements halted for an instant.
"In what way?"
"He observed me."
Steward Choi smiled faintly.
"He looked at me as if I were some kind of goblin, which caught me off guard."
"A goblin, you say."
Hearing that, Lee Taeshin felt an unusual sense of amusement.
Turning back toward the window, he gazed in the direction the youngest had walked.
A child who, despite sharing his blood, was remarkably exceptional.
Had he been born just ten years earlier, he might have been a strong rival to the eldest.
'He trained in Soongmu Hall, proved himself at the naming ceremony's first trial… And now, Cheonwi Mountain.'
A child who continually revealed new facets of himself and walked an unconventional path.
Yet, looking back at the steps he had taken, they seemed to form a symbolic pattern, as if guided by a plan.
Lee Cheol had never once strayed from the proper path.
He was not one to act rashly—every move he made was calculated.
What, then, was he aiming for this time?
***
As soon as I returned to my room, I slumped deep into my chair.
'Whew… It's only been a little over an hour, but it feels like I've been training for half a day.'
Speaking with my father had drained my mental energy, and Steward Choi's advice had only added to the exhaustion.
'Still, I got permission to enter Cheonwi Mountain. Now I can advance the date for the Martial Trial.'
The children of the Soongmu family must pass three trials before they are recognized as warriors who bear the Lee surname and the Soongmu name.
The Iron Selection is the first, and the Naming Ceremony is the second.
The final one is the Martial Trial.
Normally, the direct descendants of the Soongmu family undergo the Martial Trial only after finishing their cadet training and gaining real combat experience as junior warriors.
Unlike the Naming Ceremony, the Martial Trial has no set examination.
There is only one requirement: to return before adulthood with remarkable martial prowess.
Before departing for the Martial Trial, every direct descendant of the Soongmu family traditionally visits a certain place—Cheonwi Mountain.
'It is said that our ancestor created this space to test the descendants who would declare their ambitions.'
Under normal circumstances, only junior warriors who had completed cadet training could enter the tower.
But with my father's permission, I could now use the training tower to bypass the second-year cadet curriculum.
'Besides… Cheonwi Mountain was a place I needed to visit someday.'
Turning my head, I looked toward one corner of the room.
A weapon rack stood there.
Despite my lack of maintenance, a single sword gleamed with a dark luster.
The black blade I had chosen during the Iron Selection—Heukya—remained untouched since that day.
Knock, knock—
Just then, someone rapped on the door.
"Young Master, it's Nanny. There's… a message."
As she stepped inside, Nanny wore a curious expression.
"A message? From whom?"
"It's an invitation, but, well…"
"An invitation? From who?"
It wouldn't be from my aunt, and if it were my eldest brother, Nanny wouldn't look so troubled.
"Well, that is…"
Nanny hesitated, struggling to speak.
"It's… from the Seventh Young Master."
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