****
A strange gleam appeared in Cheon Seon-hak’s two eyes.
A sky that could not be specified as anything was felt.
“It is surprising.”
Cheon Seon-hak was also a person who obtained enlightenment in the Cheonryong Library.
Countless skies existed there, and Cheon Seon-hak decided his path there.
Since he could not contain everything, he had to give up all others to obtain one.
“To think all skies are felt from you.”
However, Cheon Muryang was different.
Greed to embrace all skies was felt.
“I am worried about excessive greed.”
“Although it is excessive greed yet…….”
Hoo-ung!
Cheon Muryang was the sky above the sky.
He intended to contain Cheon-oe-cheon (Sky beyond the Sky).
“Someday I will surpass even the sky.”
Cheon Seon-hak laughed.
What a bold aspiration this is.
“Right. If it is the Eldest Gongja of the Cheon Family, you should be so.”
Two skies.
Clearly, their sizes were distinct.
Cheon Seon-hak’s sky was big, and Cheon Muryang’s sky was small.
‘However, a small sky intends to embrace a big sky.’
At this profound attraction, Cheon Seon-hak dared not even imagine.
Cheon Seon-hak wanted to see the end of Cheon Muryang’s sky, which intended to embrace even his own sky.
‘If only this sky can be unfolded fully…….’
He will be able to embrace the world.
At that moment, Cheon Seon-hak realized what Cheon Muryang intended to embrace.
“Don't tell me…….”
Cheon Muryang’s lips went up.
He was certain.
“Do you intend to embrace the world?”
“Someday.”
“Your sky is damn big.”
“What can I do? Since I am greedy.”
“You will have to become strong.”
“Yes. I will become stronger than anyone else.”
“Right. That is enough.”
Swi-i-ik!
Two swords moved.
Although they were the same energy, two completely different skies collided.
At that contact point, a horizon of a new sky was opening.
Pa-a-at!
Along with a huge light.
The two people split each other’s sky.
It was a sword of Dan-cheon (Severing Sky).
Kwa-a-ang!
A roar rang out.
Then, Cheon Muryang was gasping for breath while kneeling.
“…….”
However, the expression of Cheon Seon-hak looking down at such Cheon Muryang was profound.
“In ten days, did you achieve another progress?”
“Yes. I achieved the progress of Cheon Yang Divine Art. So, I think I can melt the energy of spiritual elixirs in my body soon.”
“Is that true?”
“Yes.”
Cheon Muryang’s excessive energy of spiritual elixirs was a chronic problem.
Why did Cheon Wi-gang bring in the Sichuan Tang Clan?
To that extent, Cheon Muryang’s body was in a state no different from harboring a bomb that didn't know when it would explode.
“Uncle, I have something to tell you.”
“What is that?”
“Not here.”
Meaning there are ears listening.
Cheon Seon-hak nodded his head and told him to follow him.
“Right, what is the matter?”
“Uncle.”
“Try speaking.”
“It seems there are rats gnawing at the family’s storehouse.”
“Rats, you say…….”
Cheon Seon-hak’s complexion changed.
Seeing this, Cheon Muryang was certain.
‘As expected, Uncle knew.’
However, why was he silent until now?
“So, I intend to drive those rats out of the family.”
“If it is a tiger, not a rat, what do you intend to do?”
“Whether it is a rat or a tiger, isn't it enough if I cut it?”
“…….”
“It is Uncle who told me to cut the sky. However, fearing what, can I not cut it?”
Ku-ung!
Cheon Seon-hak’s heart rang at Cheon Muryang’s spirited remark.
“Would it be possible alone?”
“It is impossible yet. So, Uncle must help me.”
Ssi-ik.
Cheon Seon-hak laughed.
‘You have truly changed.’
When was it?
When Cheon Muryang was born.
He secretly harbored expectations.
‘I thought if it were you, you could change the family.’
However, that expectation rather acted as poison.
The spiritual elixirs he made him take unreasonably hoping he would become strong rather gnawed at Cheon Muryang’s body from the inside.
Is it because of that?
Cheon Muryang’s eccentric behavior, which began to go astray, became severe as days went by.
‘Finally, you returned.’
Such Cheon Muryang came to his senses.
Through the infinite sky of the Cheon Family he must have seen in the Cheonryong Library, he must have achieved enlightenment.
‘Even filling the insufficient parts.’
If one intends to become the Gaju leading the Cheon Family, one needed fortitude.
That fortitude and spirit were felt.
“Did you forget already? My sword is already yours. How you swing it is your share.”
“Then, please become my shield.”
“Shield, huh.”
He understood what that meant.
Cheon Seon-hak drew his sword.
He stuck the sword into the ground immediately.
“As long as I am alive, I will make it so no one can touch you.”
“Thank you.”
“So, what do you intend to do now?”
“I threw a bait to the Cheon-geum-gak-ju. Probably, he will move in some way.”
“Did you say Cheon-geum-gak-ju?”
“Yes.”
Cheon Muryang showed the old paper Geum-san gave him from his bosom.
Then, he told him what happened in Hangzhou.
“Eu-eum…….”
Cheon Seon-hak’s expression was not good.
Because he was a martial artist far from politics.
‘So, even in the previous life…… the Grand Master (Dae-ju) only was loyal for the sake of the family until the end.’
It must be because he worried that the family would be divided in two if he stepped forward.
However, now it should not be so.
“Uncle.”
“……?”
“Sometimes sacrifice is needed. Even if it is the blood of the same bloodline.”
“I know.”
Knowing and executing were completely different separate issues.
“Giving my sword to you…… is also my decision.”
Cheon Seon-hak of the previous life must have waited.
For Cheon Muryang to come to his senses.
Believing he would do so someday, he must have been supporting the family.
“I will not disappoint you.”
“…….”
Cheon Seon-hak was silent.
Because although he made a decision, he was the one who did not want to see the family split in two as much as that.
“This must be the natural order. I am ashamed to entrust to you the work that should have been finished in our generation.”
It should have been done long ago.
They should have united around Cheon Wi-gang.
However, they couldn't do so.
It was because of the so-called legitimacy issue.
“What should I do?”
“Please investigate the Inspection Corp Leader (Gam-chal-dan-ju).”
“Inspection Corp Leader?”
“Yes. Isn't the best way for embezzlement and breach of trust to draw in even those who inspect it?”
Cheon-geum-gak was in charge of almost all funds of the Cheon Family.
So, a system was established where they received inspection every year and the detailed report about it was received directly by the Gaju.
‘However, if he didn't realize…….’
It was one of two.
“Whether incompetent or in cahoots with them. It means the current Inspection Corp Leader is a person who should not be in that position.”
“The Inspection Corp Leader is a person of the Council of Elders.”
“……I thought so.”
Cheon Wi-gang was the Gaju of the Cheon Family.
Among the three pillars supporting the Cheon Family, he was the one standing at the center.
Although everyone respected and admired Cheon Wi-gang and did not doubt his qualities as a Gaju, the Gaju’s power was actually limited.
‘That representative case would be the existence called me.’
Although Cheon Muryang was called a mangnani, he was the eldest legitimate son of the Cheon Family.
However, until Cheon Muryang ascended to the Gaju, Mumyeong was all of his escort warriors.
That was also a matter five years later.
‘Was the situation not good to that extent?’
Mumyeong of the past was also far from politics just like Cheon Seon-hak.
So, Mumyeong, who was merely an escort warrior of a mangnani Eldest Gongja, had no way of knowing the internal circumstances of the family.
“I will change the tide.”
“Good. I will do as you wish.”
“I ask of you.”
Cheon Seon-hak nodded his head.
With this as the end, Cheon Muryang headed to the training hall again.
“Gongja-nim!”
There, as always.
Wolyeong wearing a bright smile was waiting.
U-ttuk.
Cheon Muryang stopped.
“…….”
Suddenly he thought.
That he must protect Wolyeong.
However, he couldn't protect her always.
“Gongja-nim? What is wrong?”
Wolyeong approached.
Looking at such Wolyeong, Cheon Muryang asked indirectly.
“Wolyeong.”
“Yes.”
“Won't you try learning martial arts?”
Wolyeong’s two eyes opened wide.
Since they were big eyes anyway, it could be guessed just by the expression how surprised she was.
“M, martial arts? M, me?”
“Right, Wolyeong. You.”
“H, how do I learn martial arts, when I am merely a maidservant.”
Cheon Muryang shook his head.
“You are not merely a maidservant. You are my person, and I do not want my person to be in danger.”
“Yes? Am I in danger?”
“Right. You will become in danger in the future.”
Cheon Muryang’s worry was one.
If they cannot shake him, it was clear they would shake the people around him.
How could they touch Cheon Seon-hak?
‘Probably they will touch Wolyeong.’
The card to shake Cheon Muryang was nonexistent except for Wolyeong.
“W, why do I become in danger?”
“Because they will try to shake me.”
“Are you saying that I might hold Gongja-nim back?”
“Right.”
“Then I will do it. I will learn, martial arts.”
“Thank you.”
“No. You said it thinking of me, didn't you?”
“Probably, it will be incredibly hard.”
Kkul-kkeok!
Wolyeong became tense.
Looking at such Wolyeong, Cheon Muryang said to Cheon Seon-hak who returned to the training hall with him.
“Uncle, please teach Wolyeong the sword.”
“……Do you think this child can learn the sword?”
“Yes. She is a child who penetrated the true meaning of my sword at a glance.”
“What?”
“You will not be disappointed.”
Cheon Muryang was certain.
Because Wolyeong’s talent might surpass his imagination.
“Eu-eum…….”
“Since you are doing it, I want you to do it diligently.”
“If I become strong.”
Wolyeong’s eyes shined.
“……?”
“I will be helpful to Gongja-nim to that extent, right?”
Enthusiasm was felt in those eyes.
So, Cheon Muryang said while laughing.
“Yeah.”
“I will do it diligently.”
“Right. You don't need to take care of me from now on. Immerse yourself only in training. Understand?”
“Yes. I will do so.”
“Then, go change your clothes first.”
“Yes. Please take care of me.”
Wolyeong hurriedly left the training hall.
Looking at that retreating figure, Cheon Seon-hak asked indirectly.
“Are you that worried about that child?”
“Yes. Because she is my first person.”
“Good.”
“Try teaching her once. There won't be another talent like that.”
“Well, I will know if I watch.”
“Would you like to make a bet?”
“Bet?”
Lee Seok-gi, who was immersing in training half-heartedly, was seen at the corner of Cheon Muryang’s eyes.
“One year.”
“…….”
“Within one year from now, she will defeat that head trainee.”
Cheon Seon-hak also took an interest.
“O-ho-ra. Did you say one year?”
“Yes.”
“Good. I will accept that bet.”
“I guarantee that one year is also set generously. Perhaps it might not even take three months?”
“I will know if I watch.”
“Ah, instead you cannot teach the sword intentionally poorly!”
“Who do you take me for?”
“Then, what will Uncle bet?”
“Mm……. Is there anything you want?”
“Yes.”
Hil-kkit.
Cheon Muryang’s gaze headed somewhere.
Neung Ryeo-un and Cha Myeong-hak, who were immersing in training in this training hall again from a while ago, were seen.
“Please give me people.”
Cheon Seon-hak, who read Cheon Muryang’s gaze, made a subtle smile.
“People, huh……. That is not a share I can give.”
“Of course, that is so, but. Still, wouldn't I need to receive Uncle’s permission?”
“Good. It wouldn't be bad to make your own sword squad. Try doing it. Then, what will you bet?”
Ssi-ik.
Cheon Muryang laughed.
“I will give Uncle a united family.”
“…….”
Cheon Seon-hak couldn't say anything.