Internal Problems
The air grew thick with scorching heat.
The Ju Family's martial arts manifested as Yang Gang Qi—destructive and somewhat linear in form.
Seung-gyeong's stance embodied that perfectly.
Beyond her breathing, the shimmering heat revealed its true nature.
Mastery of the Ju-wall Divine Art.
I realized at once that my sister had pushed her inner energy to its peak.
The qi she radiated was potent enough to heat the surrounding air.
But it's still immature.
It was undeniably an impressive achievement. Compared to her peers, aside from our eldest brother, few could match her. Yet to me, armed with memories of my past life, it posed no real threat.
Chwaak! Ssweaek!
Sharp sword strikes pierced through the gaps with blinding speed. Each movement carried a fierce, writhing power.
One problem—her movements are far too large.
Based on the Ju-wall Divine Art, I instantly recognized the sword technique she employed.
Flying Heaven Responding Flame Sword Art.
One of the Ju Family's foundational sword methods, it served as the root for many of the family's advanced techniques. While the art itself approached perfection, Seung-gyeong failed to draw out its full might.
Pat!
I twisted my body lightly, slipping away from the incoming thrust. Half a step faster.
The moment she withdrew her sword, I tapped her wrist.
"……!"
Her startled expression flashed before my eyes.
Yet this was still a spar. Seung-gyeong immediately corrected her grip and swung upward from below.
It was a remarkable display of adaptability.
Ascending Slash.
But I had already read it.
I pivoted my upper body to deflect the strike and stepped forward, closing the distance straight into her guard.
"E-Eek……!"
Her breath grew ragged with panic. As our bodies nearly touched, her flustered face filled my vision.
Sorry.
After a silent apology, I slammed my back into her, sending her flying.
Thud!
I hadn't infused the blow with inner energy, yet she tumbled farther than expected.
"……."
She stared at me with a hollow expression.
"What the hell are you? This doesn't make any sense."
It made perfect sense. I had survived well past the age of forty in my previous life. Crawling through humiliation, traveling the world to hunt the Heavenly Demon, I had mastered countless techniques. Even without using inner energy, I could evade the Ju Family's basic sword arts with my eyes closed.
"I know better than anyone how hard you've trained."
"……."
"If you want to beat me, train even harder."
I knew my sister's personality well. Offering empty comfort now would only backfire. It was better to provoke her straightforward, hot-tempered nature.
Leaving her standing there dazed, I walked away. With her fierce competitive spirit, she would never accept defeat easily and would push herself even further.
One by one, she'll grow stronger. Stronger than before. Stronger than now.
That way, she would face a different fate than in our previous life. In the destiny that was about to change, my sister was only at the beginning.
* * *
Three days passed.
I spent them slowly bringing my body to its optimal condition. Raw power alone did not make one strong.
Mind, Qi, Body.
These three absolute conditions had to harmonize perfectly to become a true master. What I lacked was, of course, the Body.
Having neglected martial arts and indulged in women, my physique was far from its former state. I needed to push it mercilessly until I recovered at least half of my previous level.
Thus, I had no choice but to drive my body relentlessly. For the past three days, I circled the training grounds without rest, honing my physical techniques and rebuilding my strength.
"Young Master."
I was taking a brief rest when Muyoung approached.
"What is it?"
"I have something to report."
Muyoung had followed my instructions and reported nothing to his superiors. The events at the rear courtyard remained a secret between us alone.
"Speak."
"As you ordered, I observed the villa for three days straight. There were no notable irregularities."
"Is that so?"
I reached into my robes and examined the personnel list Muyoung had first written for me. It contained the names and backgrounds of my mother's personal guards and the servants.
"Nothing changed from this list?"
"Correct. And… are you certain you sensed poison energy? The Madam's condition seems improved compared to before…"
"I'm certain."
I rose to my feet.
"If no suspicious outsiders have come and gone… then the culprit must be inside."
"……."
Muyoung's expression hardened at my words. Depending on interpretation, the statement carried dangerous implications.
Everything was unfolding exactly as I had anticipated. Sending Muyoung to the rear courtyard had only been to confirm my suspicions. I had already been certain that a traitor existed within the Ju Family.
"What do you intend to do?"
"Catch them."
I could not leave things as they were. I needed to uncover the identity of the bastard trying to kill my mother.
"Follow me, Muyoung."
"Yes, Young Master."
I left the training grounds and headed toward Insujeon on the western side of the estate.
* * *
The Ju Family was divided into the Outer Hall and the Inner Hall. The Outer Hall housed the outer guards who protected the estate's borders and escorted the merchant caravans. The Inner Hall was where the direct and collateral bloodlines, along with the inner guards, resided. All truly important items and production facilities were concentrated there.
Insujeon lay on the western side of the Inner Hall—a medical hall where medicines were prepared and acupuncture performed.
The moment I stepped through its doors, the scent of herbs assaulted my nose.
"Hm? Isn't that the youngest young master?"
Someone recognized me from afar and hurried over. It was Heo Su-gyeong, the hall master of Insujeon.
"……."
I didn't recall her immediately and stared for a long moment.
"W-What brings you here, Young Master?"
Heo Su-gyeong asked cautiously, reading my expression. I was infamous as a troublemaker—constantly picking fights and committing all manner of misdeeds. Naturally, she trembled slightly, visibly uneasy.
Though she held the rank of hall master, she could not challenge the authority of the direct bloodline. Especially not the master of Insujeon.
"It's been a while, Hall Master."
"……!"
Her eyes widened at my greeting. Flustered, she bowed her head.
"Y-Yes. What brings you here…?"
"Is there medicine prepared for my mother today?"
"Ah, you've come for the Madam's medicine? Of course. It's already ready."
I nodded at her words.
"Could you bring it to me?"
"To you, Young Master? You wish to deliver it yourself?"
Heo Su-gyeong finally smiled faintly and scurried inside. Moments later, she emerged carrying a bundle of medicine.
"This is for one day. After breakfast, brew one dose. For lunch, this one, and before bed, brew it like this."
She possessed a meticulous personality. She personally inspected and verified every ingredient for my mother's medicine.
"I have one question."
"Yes, Young Master."
"Would it be all right if I opened one of these right here?"
"The medicine? There's no problem, but… why do you ask?"
She blinked in surprise. Ignoring her, I pulled out one bundle and tore it open. The contents spilled out, releasing the aroma of dried herbs.
I sorted through the ingredients, separating those with different appearances, and laid them before her.
"Do you know what each of these herbs is?"
"O-Of course."
She nodded stiffly, sensing the shift in atmosphere. I gestured for her to explain. She knelt before me and pointed at each herb in turn.
"This is angelica. I adjust the dosage whenever the pain worsens…"
"This is ligusticum… and this is cinnamon…"
Once she finished explaining every ingredient, I examined them closely.
As expected, I sense no poison energy.
I had come just in case. I already knew Heo Su-gyeong was not the type to poison my mother. If anything happened to her, the hall master of Insujeon would be the first suspect. A timid woman like her committing such a bold act? Impossible.
Still, I intended to leave no stone unturned.
While lost in thought, Heo Su-gyeong spoke up hesitantly.
"Y-Young Master?"
"W-Why are you doing this? Could you at least tell me the reason…?"
"……."
When I remained silent, she looked terrified.
Of course.
I had appeared without warning and overturned my mother's medicine. Standing there with a grim expression, I must have seemed terrifying.
"……I came merely to confirm something."
I stood up. Muyoung quickly gathered the herbs.
"Hall Master."
"Yes, Young Master."
She bowed her head at my call, sensing my dangerous mood.
"Forget that I was here today."
"……."
She glanced up, confused, then quickly lowered her head again upon realizing I was serious.
"Of course. The youngest young master never visited Insujeon today."
"Good."
Only then did I offer a slight smile before leaving. Muyoung followed closely behind, carrying the medicine bundle.
"Is the hall master of Insujeon the culprit?"
"……I don't know."
"Pardon?"
"I still don't know."
There was no poison energy in the medicine. That much was certain. While some toxic herbs were present, in pharmacology, certain toxic plants could become potent medicine when combined under specific conditions. None of them carried enough toxicity to be detected as poison energy.
"Then what should we do now?"
I grinned at his question.
"What I sensed was definitely poison energy. But my mother is under the complete protection of her guards."
"……."
"No one capable of injecting poison from outside has entered? That's only natural. The Ju Family isn't some ragtag group."
The Ju Family was the foremost clan of Jiangxi Province. Unlike the relatively orthodox northern martial world, this region was a battlefield and border between the unorthodox and orthodox factions. Naturally, they maintained far stricter security than other clans or sects. Attempting to inject poison energy here so carelessly?
Impossible. This was merely a confirmation.
In my previous life, I wouldn't have known. But while hunting the Heavenly Demon, I had explored every possible method—including knowledge of poisons.
"Let's go to my mother."
I needed to be more certain. When we arrived at the rear courtyard—
"……?"
Something felt wrong. Servants were running about inside, and guards who were never usually present had appeared, blocking the villa entrance.
"Please return, Young Master."
The moment the guard saw me, he blocked my path and shouted. Muyoung stepped forward, but I raised a hand to stop him.
"What's going on?"
"You cannot see the Madam right now."
"Why?"
"Her usual seizure symptoms have manifested. For the Madam's stability and treatment, I must ask you to return another time…"
Seizures? Suddenly? Right after I visited Insujeon?
"……."
"……."
Muyoung and I exchanged complicated glances. In that instant, it seemed we read each other's thoughts.
"Move."
I spoke quietly, anger simmering beneath the surface. This was my mother. How dare a mere guard stand in my way when I wished to see her?
"I cannot."
The villa guard curled his lips into a smirk and boldly blocked the path. He even released a subtle wave of energy, attempting to intimidate me.
"……."
I let the killing intent directed at me wash over me and slowly gathered my own qi.
At that moment, Muyoung's figure shot forward like lightning and seized the guard by the throat.
"Even a guard dares to disregard the Young Master now. Do you wish to die?"
"……!"
Overwhelming the guard's energy completely, Muyoung snarled viciously.