As soon as I simply drew my sword, my eldest brother's aura changed in an instant.
He didn't even take a stance—just letting his sword hang loosely—yet all the gaps I had seen moments ago disappeared completely.
My eldest brother spoke.
"After completing cadet training, direct descendants are assessed for their potential before being taught the basic techniques. However, these basic techniques are not a fixed set of forms or stances."
"Yes, I learned about that in the naming ceremony's group education."
All bloodlines of the Soongmuiga family awaken their sixth sense.
This sixth sense is not about form but rather a concept of limits, making it impossible to define through techniques or stances.
Thus, the basic techniques are, strictly speaking, closer to a method of combat.
It is about pushing a hardened body to its limits.
"Even so, there is still a framework within the basic techniques. While there may be no absolute answers in martial arts, there are correct methods."
Facing my eldest brother, I drew my sword, Black Night.
"And as always, our family finds its path through real combat."
And with that—
My eldest brother's sword swung.
***
Training in basic techniques with my eldest brother was simple.
A spar that was endlessly close to real combat.
There was hardly any time spent teaching stances or theories, and rest was nothing more than catching a few breaths just before hyperventilation set in.
And for days now, the same pattern had repeated.
Bang! Clang!
Each time our swords clashed, it rang like shattering glass.
"Huff, huff—"
I exhaled roughly, staring at my eldest brother.
"I believe engraving lessons onto the body is far more meaningful than explaining them in words."
This was pure Sparta.
He pushed me to my absolute limit, but never beyond what I could handle.
Bang! Swish!
In just a single breath, twelve sword strikes rained down upon me.
'He swings his sword like a madman, yet his expression is so calm…!'
Lee Myung-jung didn't even lose a single breath despite his relentless attacks.
I clenched my teeth and channeled my mana.
Since this was training to grasp the basic techniques rather than actual combat, I refrained from using aura.
"Aren't you watching with your Mystic Eye? Move properly."
"Tch…!"
Clang!
The clash of our swords erupted with a powerful sound.
Each strike was overwhelming to block.
Even though I was reading the flow with my Mystic Eye, my body couldn't keep up.
'These strikes come from angles that shouldn't be possible. Swinging a sword like that should strain the muscles and joints beyond their limits… How is he even doing this?'
The strikes came at bizarre angles.
Movements that should have put a burden on the body, yet my eldest brother executed them effortlessly.
As if reading my thoughts, he spoke.
"You think these movements are excessive? You're wrong. The bodies of the Soongmuiga are far sturdier than you imagine. From the beginning, we were born with bodies different from ordinary people."
Bang!
The family's basic techniques begin with an understanding of that unique body.
Swish!
At that moment, a sword strike slipped past my defense.
I inhaled sharply and widened my eyes.
'Blocking attacks isn't enough. I have to learn from my eldest brother.'
While focusing on defense, I tried to analyze and replicate his unorthodox movements.
Meanwhile, Lee Myung-jung watched his younger brother with admiration.
'He's already catching on.'
At first, he had planned to push him to his limits to see how long he could last. But not only was he enduring, he was keeping up at an alarming pace.
'His movements are excellent. His foundation is strong, which makes his learning fast. He never even had a proper teacher to guide him from the start, yet his fundamentals are solid…'
Perfect form.
A foundation so well-built, it was astonishing.
He had never received formal basic training, yet his movements were precise—
As if he were a warrior who had spent years mastering a single sword technique.
"He was not a child who would make such movements. Is this the enlightenment he gained from Cheonwisan?"
Even if that were the case, could anyone truly change this drastically after gaining enlightenment and wield that change as if it had always been their own?
Hwaak!
At that moment—
His younger brother's sword came slashing toward him from the front.
"Hup."
Jjeong!
In the brief moment he was lost in thought, his young brother did not miss the opening.
There was a clear difference in skill, so he managed to block it, but had he been even slightly careless, he might have been struck.
More importantly, though he had let his guard down, this sword strike was different from before.
It didn't follow a standard trajectory but instead struck from an unconventional angle.
Which meant—
'Has he already grasped it?'
Lee Myeong-jeong's eyes widened in surprise. Then, a meaningful smile spread across his lips.
'Heh… Alright then. I'll raise the difficulty even more. Let's see if you can keep up with this too.'
Lee Myeong-jeong's sword began to move with even greater sharpness.
'Damn it!'
Clenching his teeth, he faced his eldest brother's dizzying sword strikes.
***
Training for the day had come to an end.
My training uniform was little more than tattered rags, and my body was covered in scrapes and bruises.
My eldest brother scratched the back of his head.
"My apologies. Haha. I may have gone a bit overboard."
"Huff, huff… Not at all. This is what training should be like. Thank you."
I bowed my head, steadying my heavy breaths.
"That aside, it seemed like you were getting the hang of it. Was I seeing things?"
"Yes, Eldest Brother. I understood what you meant. You told me to understand my body, didn't you?"
I looked down at my hand, still gripping the training sword.
The body of the Soongmuiga clan is strong.
Tendons as tough as steel wires, muscles as flexible and elastic as rubber balls.
And this resilient body only grows stronger the more it is trained.
In ancient records, there was even a story of an ancestor whose skin deflected an incoming arrow, leaving only a slight scratch.
"So even if I perform movements that would put a strain on my body, it should be fine. Since I have the body of a Soongmuiga warrior, it won't be an issue."
The stronger the body, the greater its durability.
Movements that would be impossible for an ordinary warrior— the body of a Soongmuiga warrior can withstand them.
That understanding was the foundation of the basic techniques.
"Exactly. You've grasped it well. And you're already applying it to your movements."
"I spent an entire week struggling just to get a feel for it. I still have a long way to go."
Lee Myeong-jeong chuckled dryly.
A long way to go?
For most, mastering the basic techniques took months.
Some even spent over a year, yet he had grasped it in just a week— and still spoke like that?
"You're a remarkable one. Make sure to stop by the medical ward to treat your injuries. I'll see you at the same time tomorrow."
"Yes, Brother. I'll spend some time reviewing today's training before that."
"Alright. Don't push yourself too hard."
"Thank you."
After escorting my eldest brother to the entrance of the training ground, I returned inside.
Taking my stance, I recalled his movements and started practicing again.
Fatigue weighed down my muscles, and my stamina was nearly depleted, but I did not stop.
"Huff, huff…"
After completing another sequence, I reflected on how I moved my body.
A strange sense of familiarity washed over me.
'It really is similar to Manbyeon.'
Manbyeon—the fundamental technique of Mujin, developed through the theory of fluid motion.
The Soongmuiga clan's basic techniques— designed to maximize physical efficiency based purely on the essence of the body.
The structures of the two were remarkably alike.
'The difference is that Mujin is centered around weapons, while the basic techniques focus on the body itself.'
Though the distinctions were clear, I instinctively felt that both martial arts had originated from the same root.
'That must be why I grasped the basics so quickly.'
Perhaps Manbyeon and the clan's basic techniques were simply different branches from the same tree.
Looking at Mujin, still wrapped around my finger, my thoughts grew complicated.
'I knew it— Mujin is deeply connected to our clan. The man I saw in Mujin's memories clearly showed the traits of our lineage.'
It felt as though I had stumbled upon an unexpected secret.
I clenched my fist tightly.
Not much time remained before I set out on my warrior's journey.
Perhaps the condition my father set— mastering the basic techniques— could be fulfilled sooner than expected.
'Time is going to fly by.'
There was not a single moment to waste.
I swung my sword once more.
***
The elders of the Soongmuiga clan held regular gatherings.
Not for administrative matters, but to align their collective will and determine the clan's greater direction.
Within the meeting hall, an uncomfortable atmosphere lingered.
The elders gathered in their usual small groups, muttering irritably amongst themselves.
Not because there was an issue to discuss.
The Youngest Young Lord Lee Cheol Returned to the Family—this was the topic of discussion conveyed through the Family Head.
Screech—
Soon, the door to the conference hall opened, and a man entered.
It was Lee Cheol-jung, the head of the Elder Council.
"Apologies for being late. I was on my way back from meeting with the Family Head."
With his usual enigmatic smile, Lee Cheol-jung took his seat at the head of the table. As he scanned the elders present, his gaze suddenly stopped at one particular spot.
"My, my. What a rare sight! The head administrator of the main family has graced us with his presence. How long has it been?"
"I've simply decided to attend now, having used my busy schedule as an excuse for far too long. But the way you say it makes my face burn with embarrassment."
"Oh, I meant no such thing. Please, come in. Haha."
Lee Tae-hong let out a low cough, shifting in his seat as if uncomfortable.
Lee Cheol-jung took a sip from the teacup prepared for him and then slowly opened his mouth.
"Judging by the looks on your faces, I assume you've already heard the news?"
As soon as he steered the conversation, the elders raised their voices as if they had been waiting for the moment.
"Of course, Elder Council Leader! This is outrageous! A mere child attempting the Warrior's Trial?"
"Indeed! A concubine's son should know his place and remain quiet! Even Lady Baek has pressured us regarding this matter."
The elders were enraged for a simple reason.
The three trials required of the direct descendants of the Soongmu Family—
The Iron Selection, the Naming Ceremony, and the Warrior's Trial.
Those who passed all three were granted key positions within the family, wielding significant authority and privileges.
Among those privileges was the right to attend meetings and voice opinions on critical matters.
Effectively, it meant being treated as a quasi-elder, which naturally made the elders wary.
Even if he was a direct descendant, the Warrior's Trial was a test undergone only after years of rigorous training. And yet, of all people, an illegitimate son—a mere child with no precedent—was attempting it.
It was nothing short of defying tradition and challenging the family's structure.
"That arrogant bastard personally demanded it from the Family Head, saying he had returned from Cheonwi Mountain and should be allowed to proceed."
"This is unacceptable! We had no choice but to let him go to Cheonwi Mountain, but the Warrior's Trial? What is the point of our training and procedures if anyone can just skip them?"
The elders all expressed their discontent.
"...."
Lee Tae-hong remained silent, his half-lowered eyes staring into the void.
Bang!
At that moment, one of the elders slammed the table and spoke up.
"Elder Council Leader, do you intend to just stand by and watch? This is not a trivial matter! If that bastard were a proper direct descendant, it might be different, but he is a filthy illegitimate child! If we allow this, even the lower-ranking members will start disrespecting the main family!"
The one speaking was one of the most staunch conservatives among the elders.
Despite the sharp words directed at him, Lee Cheol-jung merely smiled, his expression unreadable.
"It seems there has been some misunderstanding. The Family Head has not made a final decision on this matter."
"What do you mean…?"
"As always, the decision has been left to the Elder Council."
One elder raised a hand and asked,
"Are you saying that the final decision on whether the illegitimate child can undergo the Warrior's Trial is in our hands?"
Lee Cheol-jung nodded.
"Nothing has changed. The Family Head wants the Elder Council to settle the matter, just as before."
Only then did the elders' expressions ease.
"Of course! I knew it! In that case, all we have to do is reject it outright. A fifteen-year-old taking the Warrior's Trial? The boy hasn't even completed the cadet training."
"Haha, if only it were that simple."
With an ominous smile, the Elder Council Leader clasped his hands together and placed them on the table.
"The Elder Council's decision must be justified. The boy has met all the necessary conditions for the trial, meaning we cannot simply oppose it without reason."
"He's met the conditions? But he hasn't even graduated from the cadet program!"
"The Family Head stated that the boy possesses the strength equivalent to a Fifth-Rank Warrior. I trust you all understand what that implies."
"...!"
The elders' faces twisted in shock.
A Fifth-Rank Warrior was far beyond the level of a mere cadet.
If that were true, proving his rank and graduating early would be a trivial matter.
"Is… is that true?"
"The Family Head confirmed it personally, so it must be."
"T-Then we could object based on his lack of formal family training. A child who bears the Lee name yet has not learned the foundational martial arts of the main family—"
"The First Young Lord is personally teaching him. He has already completed the Cheonwi Mountain ordeal, had his abilities verified, and even passed the Bloodless Dream test. We have no valid reason to refuse."
The elders' expressions darkened further.
Lee Cheol-jung, appearing unconcerned, continued speaking.
"Therefore, we must find a suitable justification to reject this illegitimate troublemaker's rebellion against tradition. Now, elders, what alternatives do you propose?"
At his words, an elder who had remained silent until now finally spoke.
"I have something to say."
It was Lee Tae-hong, the head administrator of the Soongmu Family.
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