Watching the Cheonsan Yeomje Closely
I closely observed the Cheonsan Yeomje.
Come to think of it, why hasn't my internal energy increased at all?
It hadn't grown a bit. That meant he hadn't consumed the Pure Azure Spirit Oil he'd taken from me.
I'd been suspicious ever since I first spotted him here. I'd assumed I wouldn't see him for a while after that. Absorbing the Pure Azure Spirit Oil would require months or even years of secluded training.
If he wasn't going to consume it, why did he take it in the first place?
Is there some reason he can't eat it?
But the Pure Azure Spirit Oil shouldn't clash with anyone's internal energy.
The Mount Hua Sect's Purple Spirit Pill was comparable to it. However, if someone who hadn't mastered the Violet Haze Divine Art took the Purple Spirit Pill, its internal energy boosting effect would drop to less than half. Gaining the equivalent of a full cycle's worth—sixty years—of internal energy might shrink to thirty years or less.
In truth, most spirit medicines worked like the Purple Spirit Pill. Unless they matched one's internal energy, fully absorbing the energy within was extremely difficult.
For example, a millennium spirit plant's inner core carried fire energy, while Heavenly Snow Ginseng held cold energy. Even common ingredients like Hwasu-o that had aged over a century possessed earth and wood energies.
Earth and wood energies harmonized most stably with other internal energies. But for an Extreme Yang Body—a constitution overflowing with yang and fire energy—ingesting a wood-energy core would be like tossing firewood into an already blazing furnace.
On the other hand, swallowing cold-energy Heavenly Snow Ginseng would pit fire against ice inside the body, tearing it apart in the clash.
The Pure Azure Spirit Oil was different. It harmonized with any internal energy. That was why it ranked at the top among all spirit medicines.
In that moment, a hypothesis struck me.
The Cheonsan Yeomje was nearing seventy. At that age, without a single disciple, he'd be desperate. Even if he found an Extreme Yang Body to take as a disciple, he'd need to raise their realm quickly to pass on more knowledge—and nothing accelerated realm advancement like spirit medicines.
So if the Cheonsan Yeomje wanted the Pure Azure Spirit Oil not for himself, but for his disciple from the start...?
Of course, this was just a hunch with no evidence.
And since he was right here, I could just ask.
"Are you planning to give the Pure Azure Spirit Oil to Yahul?"
The ends of the Cheonsan Yeomje's white eyebrows shot up. I knew I'd hit the mark again.
Amazing.
Things had turned out this way. The life saved by the Pure Azure Spirit Oil now truly belonged to Yahul.
Either way, it was good. The Cheonsan Yeomje's divine art wouldn't be lost, Yahul lived, his demonic art was purged, and a strengthened Yahul would join our side.
He would join our side... right?
Becoming the Cheonsan Yeomje's disciple meant years apart. For a child, a few years was enough time to forget even months of close memories.
I need to check in often to keep the bond strong.
I felt a twinge of worry.
"Ha."
The Cheonsan Yeomje let out an exasperated breath.
"To be toyed with by a mere child like this."
In one breath, he closed over ten paces and appeared before me. I saw his hand lash out and reflexively dodged.
Oh...
I regretted not dodging immediately. His expression darkened fiercely.
"You dodged that?"
"Haha, well..."
This time, an unavoidable hand seized my chin.
"Not a fluke, then."
"Hey, let go! I'm talking to you, old man."
"I sensed it last time too... sharp eyes you've got."
He placed a hand on my dantian. A scorching surge flooded in—his internal energy, unmistakably.
"Your meridians are crippled, yet you seem to wield internal energy somehow."
Now it was my turn to be shocked.
"Kehhehe. You look surprised I figured it out."
The Cheonsan Yeomje chuckled and continued.
"You weren't even trying to hide it much. Catching Namgung Ryu-cheong's sword qi-infused wooden sword barehanded without internal energy? Your palm would've been shredded, not just scorched."
"I get it, so let go already!"
"You won't learn the Nine Flames Inferno Art, but for someone like you... not bad. I might change my mind watching you train. Hmm. Yeah. You'll do as a pastime."
What was he muttering to himself about all of a sudden?
He finally released my chin. I pouted, rubbing my jaw and working my mouth open and shut.
Felt like it was gonna shatter.
Suddenly, he scooped me up under his arm like a sack.
"...?"
Then he strode toward his quarters.
"Where are you going?"
"......"
Silent, he kicked open the door to the room where Father and Yahul were talking. Father stood as if expecting him, while Yahul's face lit up in surprise at the sight of me.
"Your daughter wants to learn my Golden Claw Hand."
"Pardon?"
"What?"
* * *
The next day.
Father returned early in the morning after stepping out. With eager anticipation, I offered him the Pure Azure Spirit Oil. I'd forgotten to give it amid yesterday's chaos.
His reaction was lukewarm. No great surprise, no overwhelming joy—just mild curiosity.
"How do you have this? Didn't the Cheonsan Yeomje take it?"
"Why aren't you shocked?"
"Namgung Wan already told me. Said you found it in the Manshin-ui's pill refinery and gave it to him?"
No way! My grand plan to startle Father...
Thinking back, he'd waited a week outside Changgung Pavilion for me—he'd have heard all about the Pure Azure Spirit Oil from Uncle Namgung Wan.
"Tch."
"...?"
"I wanted to surprise you, Father."
Father smiled faintly.
"I was plenty surprised. But how is one left? I heard there were two."
I puffed out my chest proudly.
"All thanks to my smarts."
Father tilted his head, incredulous.
"You don't mean you lied about there only being two at first?"
I nodded. He shook his head.
"I'll hold onto this for now. I can't consume it yet. I'll cherish the thought."
Smooth as if rehearsed. Something nagged at me faintly, but his next words erased it entirely.
"We're moving quarters."
"Why?"
"It's hard for me to stay here too long... and I told Wan about your special ability."
"Ah..."
I tensed slightly.
"What did he say?"
"That it's a good thing."
I clasped my hands over my chest and sighed in relief.
We soon relocated deeper into the Namgung family estate—a secluded spot where few approached, perfect for undisturbed training. Their thoughtfulness was clear.
Comparing it to the Baek family... it made my mood a bit...
More comfortable in someone else's home than our own.
I could see why Father had wandered the jianghu instead of returning to the clan.
After settling into the ideal training spot, I spent about half a gak each day learning the Golden Claw Hand from the Cheonsan Yeomje.
The Golden Claw Hand was a barehanded art focused on grabs and joint locks.
I barely evaded a hand snatching my elbow when another suddenly thrust toward my face.
"Ack!"
My forehead burned, stars exploding before my eyes. Seeing the attack path didn't help—his hands weren't something you dodged just because you saw them.
At first, stars burst every time he started. Now, I could dodge. Though he was going easy on me.
"That's enough for today."
"...Thank you."
"Hmph."
My forehead throbbed hotly. From all the hits, I half-suspected he was just pounding me to vent his anger under the guise of teaching.
The Cheonsan Yeomje favored fist and palm techniques, tied to his Nine Flames Inferno Art internal energy. Most weapons couldn't withstand its heat.
His bare hands had crippled or killed so many that counting them was impossible. He'd rampaged indiscriminately until suddenly going quiet.
If not for his sworn brotherhood with the Namgung family head, he'd have been a righteous faction villain.
His fist arts were extraordinary, and the Golden Claw Hand was on another level entirely. That was why Father had strongly recommended I learn the Cheonsan Yeomaje's Golden Claw Hand.
"You've improved a lot."
Father had been watching unnoticed. Seeing him cup his hands in respect to the Cheonsan Yeomje, I followed suit.
As the Cheonsan Yeomje walked away, Father approached and rubbed my forehead. A cool sensation soothed it.
"Let's head in."