The elders' perception of Lee Tae-hong was as follows:
A gray area, pretending to be clean while standing on neither side.
Quite literally, Lee Tae-hong never takes a side in political matters.
He does not particularly support any of Lee Tae-shin's children and simply goes about his own business.
Some might see this as noble and virtuous.
But to those seated in the same position, he appeared to be nothing more than a hypocrite pretending to be the only clean one.
Thus, the elders all shared similar thoughts when they saw that Lee Tae-hong had attended the meeting despite knowing full well what agenda would be discussed.
—So, he's here to support someone just because they're of the same illegitimate birth? Did he think his status as an elder would give him any real influence?
And Lee Tae-hong was well aware of this.
'I can see right through them. These old, cunning snakes.'
He sighed as he listened to the narrow-minded, conservative discussions filling the meeting hall and felt the weight of the stares directed at him.
'Having such an extraordinary nephew means I have to attend these unpleasant gatherings. Come to think of it, did that brat bring the elixir just so he could ask for this favor?'
In truth, Lee Tae-hong was not here to support Lee Chul.
Rather, he was here for the opposite reason.
And it was his young nephew who had asked him to do so.
"Well then, why don't the elders present a suitable alternative?"
Elder Council Head Lee Chul-jung calmly redirected the conversation to the elders.
Lee Tae-hong hesitated for a brief moment.
'Sigh… Chul-ah, I really don't know if this is the right thing to do.'
But he had been asked, and now that he was here, he couldn't back out.
It was a difficult path, but if that child managed to overcome it, the rewards would be great.
"I would like to say a few words."
As Lee Tae-hong raised his hand, the elders' gazes immediately focused on him.
"Hmm, you, Total Administrator?"
Lee Chul-jung narrowed his eyes at him.
"I hear you are quite close to the youngest illegitimate child."
The Elder Council Head smiled with eyes full of wrinkles. His tone was warm, yet his words were laced with thorns.
Lee Tae-hong shut his eyes for a moment and began his act.
"Yes, that's true. Seeing how hard he works, how could I dislike him? However, I do believe he has gone a bit too far this time."
"Too far, you say…"
Lee Chul-jung repeated those words with a low chuckle.
Lee Tae-hong continued.
"The boy may have secured justification, but tradition and procedure cannot be ignored. Before he takes another step forward, I believe he needs to learn that he cannot always act as he pleases."
"Haha, I thought the Total Administrator rather disliked this family's traditions and procedures?"
What a tough old man.
Lee Tae-hong forced a slight smile.
"I am not young anymore. Do you think I fail to recognize their importance? But as someone working in administration, I tend to avoid rigid methods, fearing they would hinder practical affairs."
The elders smirked at his words.
—So, after all his pretense of being a scholar, he's finally tucking his tail?
They had assumed he was here to support the illegitimate child, yet he was instead strengthening the Elder Council Head's stance.
Had he suddenly developed an appetite for power?
That's what the elders thought.
"Hm, I see. And what solution do you propose, then?"
"When the Elder Council lacks a reason to oppose something, it simply needs to create one. Frankly, this issue is not as complicated as it seems."
"Oh?"
Lee Chul-jung looked quite pleased.
Lee Tae-hong felt like sighing on the spot but forced himself to continue.
"In the end, the strongest justification is this: The youngest left the family, and there is no guarantee he won't bring disgrace upon our name. Moreover, he has yet to prove his abilities."
"I'll remind you again that the family head has acknowledged him as a fifth-rank warrior."
"Would the family head be willing to officially certify that?"
Lee Chul-jung's eyes curved into a crescent shape.
Of course not.
And even if he did, it had never been publicly proven.
"So, in that case… hmm."
Lee Tae-hong hesitated at the final words, his lips parting but freezing mid-sentence.
Once he said this, there would be no turning back.
'Damn it. You wily little brat. Do as you please!'
And finally, he spoke.
"Total Administrator?"
"Ahem! My apologies. So… you mean to set the stage for proof, correct?"
"Set the stage? Surely, you mean a duel?"
"Yes, that is correct. Considering the youngest's track record so far, they will not refuse."
"Not a bad idea. If framed that way, even the head of the family will be convinced. Then, who should be the opponent?"
"It would be best to entrust it to someone who has recently returned from a warrior's journey."
"The seventh?"
"The seventh wouldn't be a bad choice, but given their personality, they wouldn't accept a fight that brings them no benefit."
"Then… the sixth?"
"Yes, wouldn't Seol-ah be a suitable choice? If the difference in skill level is a concern, we can impose some reasonable restrictions on Seol-ah."
Lee Tae-shin's sixth child, Lee Seol-ah.
And the youngest illegitimate child, Lee Cheol.
A duel between the two.
'Not a bad method.'
Lee Cheol-jung leaned back into his chair, lost in thought for a moment.
'Besides, I heard from Lady Baek that the sixth harbors hostility toward the illegitimate child.'
Through this event, the illegitimate child would experience failure.
If that happens, their arrogance will be humbled, and their reckless behavior can be reined in.
'But… to hear such a suggestion from the mouth of the steward, of all people.'
Lee Cheol-jung turned his gaze and scanned the room.
"I find this method quite reasonable. What do the other elders think?"
"I also believe it is not a bad idea."
"If the Elder Council Chairman thinks so, then it must be fine."
There was no need for a formal vote.
Lee Cheol-jung nodded.
***
Afterward, a few minor matters were discussed, with the elders exchanging opinions.
However, the only topic that truly captured their full attention was the matter concerning Lee Cheol. The meeting soon concluded.
"I hadn't expected this from you. Have you finally come to your senses?"
The senior members of the family, all of higher rank than Lee Tae-hong, made their remarks.
Lee Tae-hong responded with a bitter smile.
"You've worked hard today, Steward."
"Elder Council Chairman."
At the sound of the voice from behind, Lee Tae-hong composed his expression and turned his head.
"Have I misunderstood you all this time? What kind of wind has blown for you to offer such an insightful plan? Haha."
"I simply spoke as I did earlier."
"Ah, of course. I am well aware of your loyalty to the family, Steward."
Lee Cheol-jung walked alongside Lee Tae-hong, his pace slow and deliberate, as befitted his age.
As they engaged in light conversation, Lee Cheol-jung suddenly stopped walking, prompting Lee Tae-hong to halt as well.
Still smiling, Lee Cheol-jung spoke in a very low voice.
"But you see, Steward… when acting, the smallest details matter—your gaze, your tone…"
Lee Tae-hong hesitated for a moment.
"Acting? I don't understand what you mean."
Lee Cheol-jung smirked.
His smile resembled a snake opening its jaws—endlessly unsettling and repulsive.
"While everyone else refers to the illegitimate child as such, you alone insist on calling him 'youngest.' Heh."
Lee Cheol-jung resumed his slow walk.
Lee Tae-hong remained still, watching his retreating figure.
***
The First Training Ground, Seungmujang, reserved for direct lineage members.
I stood before my eldest brother and spoke.
"I think today will be the last."
My eldest brother smiled intriguingly.
"Saying that after being beaten so badly yesterday?"
"Didn't you feel it too, eldest brother?"
I slowly drew my sword, and my eldest brother did the same.
"Then, show me."
Whoosh! Boom!
I swung my sword in a wide arc.
My flexible yet powerful muscles contracted and relaxed in rapid succession.
Had it been an ordinary body, my joints and muscles would have been torn apart by such a movement.
My eldest brother, seemingly excited, met my blade with his own.
"Good!"
Boom! Boom! Boom!
A series of physically demanding movements unfolded in succession.
"Haaap!"
The eldest brother looked like he was enjoying himself, as if playing a fun game with his younger sibling.
Unlike him, I clenched my teeth and gave it my all.
Dozens of sword strikes extended toward me, each aiming at angles that were difficult to block.
'I can block them all!'
Wooong—
Demonic Eye and Sixth Sense.
The two transcendent senses that had awakened through training at Cheonwisan detected every sword path, and my strong body endured the attacks.
But stopping there would mean standing still.
I pushed my body's tension even further.
Clang! Chaejaejaejaeng!
The eldest brother's beloved sword, Byeokcheon.
The ancestor's sword, Heukya.
Every time the two blades clashed, a fierce roar erupted.
Kwaaang—!
Byeokcheon, reflecting sunlight and emitting a blue glow, and Heukya, as black as if it had swallowed the light itself, collided violently for an instant.
The eldest brother was pushed back, scraping across the ground, while I rolled across it, almost thrown away.
But I quickly regained my stance and faced him once more.
And then—
"Hahahaha!"
The eldest brother burst into hearty laughter.
"Congratulations. You've mastered the basic technique! This is insane! Insane! Mastering it in just a month?!"
It had been exactly 33 days since I started training under my eldest brother.
And on that 33rd day, I had mastered the basic technique.
"Incredible. It took me three full months to completely learn it, but you did it in just one! You're truly a genius!"
"It's all thanks to your guidance, big brother."
I steadied my ragged breathing and continued speaking.
Lee Myung-jung smirked as he looked at his younger brother.
'It took him a week to grasp the concept, two weeks to internalize it, and only a month to apply it to his magic circuits…!'
The basic technique is difficult to master due to two main challenges.
First, complete control over one's body.
One must fully understand their own physique and move in accordance with it.
Second, the ability to integrate a sturdy magic circuit with a solid physical foundation.
The martial foundation of the Soongmu Clan doesn't only apply to joints, muscles, and tendons.
It also extends to the magic circuits, which are far more durable than those of ordinary people.
Thus, one must be capable of utilizing magic in an extreme manner.
Yet, Lee Cheol had accomplished both in just a month.
'Most people struggle with the magic aspect…'
But this boy had already developed a deep understanding of his body through rigorous training, and his talent for magic manipulation was beyond question.
"I'll officially acknowledge it. You have completely mastered the basic technique."
"Thank you, big brother."
I sheathed Heukya and smiled broadly.
'One month. That was faster than expected.'
The similarities with Manbyeon had helped, and I was already proficient in magic manipulation.
I clenched and unclenched my fist, my eyes gleaming.
'If I can combine Manbyeon with the basic technique…'
I realized that I had taken a step toward a higher level.
And along with that step, new ideas regarding what I already possessed surfaced.
My eldest brother sensed the shift in my demeanor.
"You didn't just grasp the basic technique—you've gained something more from it."
Technically, what I gained was the basic technique, while what I originally had was Manbyeon, so it was a little different.
But my eldest brother had caught on and phrased it that way.
"Yes, I'm considering developing a movement style of my own."
"Do you need my help?"
At his offer, I grinned.
"If you're willing, I'd be truly grateful."
After all, the Soongmu Clan's twin prodigies were helping me.
I had no reason to refuse such generosity.
Time passed once again.
And then, news arrived from the Elder Council.
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