The Patriarch's Test
A surge of irritation hit Kim Jun the moment he wondered why the hell am I getting this treatment? He couldn't provoke them outright, but a little prank? That should be fine.
Kim Jun casually rested his hand on the hilt of the Thunder Brain Sword.
Killing intent exploded in an instant. The martial artists thought he was about to draw his blade. A few even yanked daggers from their sheaths and took a step forward.
Kim Jun smirked.
The air-freezing hostility vanished just as quickly. They'd realized it was a joke.
The second gate came into view.
It was the Do-nam Gate.
True to its name—aiming straight south—it symbolized flying off toward the southern seas.
The aura radiating from the people glaring at Kim Jun grew even fiercer.
His body itched with anticipation. It felt like such a waste to slip quietly through a crowd primed for battle. If there'd been just one or two, he might've picked a fight with some snide remark. But the numbers were hopelessly lopsided.
It was almost funny.
No matter how much they hated it, he was alone. Could they not go one-on-one, so they swarmed instead?
He reached the third gate.
The Bae-pung Gate—meaning to ride the winds and soar.
As he passed through, a single hulking man stood blocking the way. Beyond him, the path was empty.
Kim Jun stopped in front of him.
"Long time no see, Yeon O-su."
"...Yeon Sa-su."
A gruff tone.
"You've been promoted. Congratulations."
"Save it. Follow me."
The bearish man strode ahead with heavy steps.
Last time he'd come here with Choi Min-su, Kim Jun had clashed with Yeon Yuk-su and Yeon O-su among the Yeonmu Chil-su. No matter how good the disguise, once bodies collided in combat, you learned exactly who you were dealing with.
Yeon O-su—no, now Yeon Sa-su—was a true man of few words.
Kim Jun felt a pang of greed. How great would it be if Yeon Sa-su joined Uramata Guild? Lately, every decent person he met sparked the thought.
Probably because he'd become a team leader.
The final fourth gate was the Pang-jo Gate. Pang-jo hailed from Chinese myth—a sage said to have lived for a staggering 800 years. Kim Jun wondered if this was truly what the head of the Yeon family craved: longevity that shattered all limits.
"Why'd you come?"
"For a tanking skill."
"Choi Min-su senior?"
Lee Hwan held the top overall rank right now, but among pure tankers, Choi Min-su reigned undisputed.
"He told me to come here."
To shore up Pink Team's weak tanking power, he'd naturally sought out Choi Min-su first. After hearing Kim Jun's troubles, the man had reached a swift conclusion—and that was the reason he'd come to the Yeon family estate.
No more questions followed.
They arrived at the Da-chun-jae. Yeon Sa-su stepped aside, signaling he couldn't enter.
Before stepping into the study, Kim Jun glanced at him.
Yeon Sa-su met his gaze, the corner of his mouth twitching upward—just a subtle lift, barely noticeable unless you were looking for it.
It was that man's signature smile, a quiet welcome.
Kim Jun grinned back and entered.
In the center of the vast, quiet study sat a massive log table, and before it, Yeon Un-jae.
"My greetings to you, Patriarch."
Kim Jun bowed at the waist, head lowered, just as Choi Muhyun had taught him.
"Sit."
As Kim Jun settled onto the cushion opposite, Yeon Un-jae tilted the teapot and poured steaming tea.
"You're not here just to sightsee. What is it?"
"I want to learn a tanking skill."
"Hm."
Yeon Un-jae crossed his arms.
Kim Jun tensed slightly.
Clients could request skills to learn, but the final say rested with the patron.
Some refused without reason; most only relented after a fat payment. Kim Jun didn't peg Yeon Un-jae as that type.
Yeon Un-jae extended his hand.
Kim Jun caught on and reached out.
Grasping his wrist, Yeon Un-jae closed his eyes gently. A soft energy flowed through the pulse gate into Kim Jun's meridians.
"Remarkable. How did I not see it before?"
Kim Jun stayed still.
Yeon Un-jae opened his eyes and fixed him with a stare that felt like it pierced straight to his soul.
Kim Jun's heart skipped—afraid his secrets might spill.
He'd learned Moomyeonggong from his master on Yeongun Island, and it had gotten him through Bone Transformation. That could never come out. Nam Eung-ryeol had been expelled from the Association; exposure would revoke his hard-won Raider license and boot him too.
"You want to show me the Po-noe Strike."
Yeon Un-jae said.
Kim Jun rose, took a deep breath, then thrust his hand toward empty air. Like clutching a baseball, a white flash erupted from his palm's center.
Crack. Zzzap.
After training on Yeongun Island, the Po-noe Strike came naturally now. No more burn scars.
He glanced sideways at the patriarch.
A flicker of surprise in the eyes, but his face betrayed little change—hard to read if it was genuine.
After a brief silence, Yeon Un-jae spoke.
"Yeon Yeop as well."
"Yes."
Kim Jun drew the Thunder Brain Sword. He'd brought it to the Yeon estate precisely for this.
He recalled the image of a young Yeon Chung-jae executing the first stance of the Yeon Ga Shipil Geom: Yeon Yeop.
As he lightly raised the sword, his right foot slid forward. Thunder Brain Heart Technique surged from his dantian, racing through shoulder, arm, hand, to the blade in a blink.
Flash.
Lightning about 30 centimeters long crackled from the tip.
Less flashy than the Po-noe Strike, but Yeon Yeop packed far deadlier power.
"Hm."
A faint groan escaped the patriarch.
Kim Jun sheathed the sword and stood before Yeon Un-jae.
"You've chosen to be a tanker?"
"Yes, Patriarch."
"Call me Master."
The meaning was clear. He'd decided to pass on the skill.
"Thank you, Master."
"Follow me."
Yeon Un-jae left the Da-chun-jae.
Kim Jun trailed behind.