The Daoist Yin-Yang Manual had an effect during my relations with Seol-hee.
However, it was more minimal than I had expected.
‘I should find a martial art for Seol-hee.’
Her pure essence was good, but I could ultimately feel the limits of an ordinary person.
For the serious training described in the manual, I needed the essence of a woman who had mastered a martial art.
I looked at Seol-hee lying on the bed.
She was still drenched in the afterglow of her climax, her breathing ragged.
The semen flowing from between her legs soaked the sheets.
But a greater ambition was stirring within me.
I now needed a partner beyond Seol-hee, someone with whom I could test the true secrets of the Daoist Yin-Yang Manual.
I straightened Seol-hee’s body on the bed, then quietly opened the door and slipped out.
“You piece of trash.”
A voice came from the side.
I saw Jin So-hee leaning against the wall in front of my room.
She was looking at me as if I were filth.
Her eyes told me she knew what I had been doing with Seol-hee.
“Does it feel good, stealing the woman Myeong-woo likes?”
Her cold voice was laced with contempt.
I could feel the protective affection of a sister for her younger brother, but there was a deeper animosity beneath it.
Her face, already flushed from her morning training, grew redder with anger.
Her sweat-soaked martial arts uniform clung to her body, accentuating her full chest and slender waist.
‘This isn’t a bad look either.’
Even her expression, twisted with rage, had a certain allure.
Her hair, tied back with black silk, was disheveled, and the beads of sweat trickling down her neck were strangely provocative.
Her gaze turned colder as I simply raked my eyes over her body without answering.
“Tsk.
Get those filthy eyes off me before I gouge them out.”
Jin So-hee’s icy voice echoed in the hallway.
Killing intent flickered in her eyes as she watched me like a dangerous beast.
Dressed in her uniform, she looked ready to draw her sword at any moment.
This wasn’t the usual aloof young lady, but a martial artist radiating bloodlust.
“So, what brings you here so early in the morning?”
“Hand over the bitch in your room… that girl, Seol-hee.”
“And why should I do that?”
“Hand her over while I’m asking nicely.”
Her hand moved to the sword at her waist.
Her fingers, still warm from her morning training, gripped the hilt tightly.
Her eyes, filled with killing intent, sharpened.
What’s the reason?”
My calm voice only made Jin So-hee’s glare more intense.
Her lips trembled slightly.
“Because that bitch dared to mock Myeong-woo.”
“Getting so angry over something so trivial.
Your devotion to your brother is truly something else.”
At my sarcastic remark, Jin So-hee’s hand tightened on her sword hilt.
Her expression contorted for a moment.
“Shut up and give me that bitch.
Otherwise, I’ll go into your room right now and slit her throat.”
Her voice was laced with killing intent.
Tense muscles were visible through her uniform.
She was on the verge of drawing her sword.
“Jin So-hee.
Don’t cross the line.”
A chill entered my own voice.
This was no longer a joke, but a sincere warning.
A taut tension filled the hallway.
In the quiet space, illuminated by the morning sun, only the sound of our breathing could be heard.
Our standoff continued for some time.
The silence felt as if time had stopped.
Then, Jin So-hee was the first to back down.
She turned away sharply and spoke in a low voice.
“Keep that bitch on a tight leash… If I see her, I’ll cut her head off on the spot.”
“If you touch Seol-hee, Jin Myeong-woo won’t be safe either.”
“Hmph, you think you can?”
Jin So-hee let out a derisive laugh and left.
I watched her retreating back for a moment before continuing on my way.
The training ground, where the morning sun was just beginning to rise, was quiet.
The cold dawn air seeped into my lungs.
I slowly drew my sword from its sheath.
The polished blade glinted coldly in the morning light.
I executed the first sword form.
The blade cut through the air, making a whooshing sound.
As I swung the sword, I circulated the energy in my dantian.
The faint energy I had cultivated through the Daoist Yin-Yang Manual began to flow through my meridians.
It was sluggish at first, but as I continued through the forms, the flow became smoother.
With each swing, my sleeves fluttered.
It was still imperfect, but it was a distinctly different feeling than before.
I swung the sword, lost in a state of selflessness.
Perhaps because of the significant increase in my stats, I didn’t feel tired at all.
Again and again, the sword sliced through the air.
I was completely absorbed in the sensation of energy flowing through my meridians and the flash of my blade cutting through the void.
I had lost all track of time when I heard footsteps.
It was the steward who worked for the Jin family.
“Young Master, the Family Head has requested you join him for breakfast today.”
“I understand.”
I swung my sword a few more times before stopping.
A summons from the Family Head so early in the morning meant something was up.
I slowly sheathed my sword and wiped the sweat from my brow.
The morning air cooled my heated body.
I followed the steward.
Before long, we arrived at the Family Head’s quarters.
I opened the door the steward held for me and went inside.
Besides the Family Head, others were gathered inside as well.
Jang Seo-young, Jin So-hee, and Jin Myeong-woo were already seated.
For the entire family to be gathered in the morning, something out of the ordinary was bound to happen.
“You’re late.”
“My apologies.
I was delayed by my morning training.”
“Hmph.
Very well.
Sit.”
I took my seat.
Jin So-hee watched me with a cold gaze.
And so, a very quiet meal began.
The only sound that filled the room was the clinking of utensils against bowls.
‘I feel like I’m going to get indigestion.’
It was an uncomfortable meal.
The sound of utensils was the only thing that echoed in the suffocating silence.
Just then, the Family Head put down his chopsticks and finally spoke.
“In a fortnight, it will be the birthday of the Jangbaek Sect’s Leader.
So-hee, Myeong-woo, and I will be going to the Jangbaek Sect.”
Jin Myeong-woo interjected at his father’s words.