Kwak Yeon recalled the image of Danmok Cheong parading around with Danmok Clan’s martial escorts, behaving recklessly.
Though now subdued under his granduncle’s authority, there was no telling when he might revert to his former ways.
Danmok Seong, who knew his grandnephew better than anyone, had clearly devised this as a desperate measure to correct him.
‘If it’s merely to offer guidance when he strays onto the wrong path, there’s no reason to refuse...’
Just as Danmok Seong had said, seen in the broader sense, it was still an act of righteousness befitting one who follows the martial code.
Having firmly made up his mind, Kwak Yeon spoke.
“I wonder what the current Clan Head and Young Lord of the Danmok Clan think of this arrangement.”
Danmok Seong’s face brightened.
“The Clan Head is entirely in favor.”
With that, he conveniently glossed over the Young Lord’s opinion and turned to Danmok Cheong.
“Young Lord, greet your Uncle properly.”
Danmok Cheong’s expression was laced with hesitation and bewilderment, but before he could stall further, his granduncle’s thunderous roar—transforming instantly into the Danmok Clan’s Flame Dragon—came crashing down.
“Foolish brat! This is the first thing in your life that this granduncle has ever asked of you. What are you waiting for?! Greet him this instant!”
Only then, with a pale face, did Danmok Cheong bow stiffly.
“...I greet Uncle Kwak.”
Danmok Seong shot a displeased glare at his grandnephew and spoke sternly.
“Though this bond was formed in an informal and limited fashion, its meaning is clear—you shall treat Kwak Daoist as your sworn uncle and honor him as you would a guiding teacher. Swear it.”
Only then did Danmok Seong’s expression return to its previously warm state.
“Daoist Kwak, I am truly grateful. The Danmok Clan has been relieved of a great burden thanks to you. Now, about my personal request...”
But Kwak Yeon firmly shook his head, cutting him off.
“If it’s a proposal for a sparring match, I must decline.”
Danmok Seong’s face soured as though he had bitten into something rotten.
“My, my. I can’t understand it. You’re newly arrived to the martial world—shouldn’t you be the one seeking out duels to prove your mettle? Do you think me unworthy as your opponent?”
“It’s not that, Senior. You are far beyond worthy—more than I could hope for.”
“This junior has urgent matters that must be attended to immediately.”
“Hoh! You said that last time, too. Are you always so busy, I wonder?”
“I find it equally curious myself, how fate keeps me constantly occupied.”
Danmok Seong clicked his tongue audibly and muttered.
“I left the Clan hoping for a bit of excitement, but it seems I’ll return empty-handed. Such a shame.”
It appeared that a warrior’s competitive spirit truly never fades with age. Unable to abandon his lingering regrets, Danmok Seong pressed on.
“Kwak Daoist, what if I help you with that urgent matter? Then we can have our sparring match afterward.”
Kwak Yeon had been prepared to decline, but a thought halted him.
He remembered that Danmok Seong was the Grand Elder of the Danmok Clan and a master among the Twenty-Eight Martial Giants of the martial world.
“If Senior Danmok offers his assistance, how could this junior possibly refuse?”
“Having such a distinguished figure appear here at precisely this moment—it almost feels fated.”
Danmok Seong’s face lit up.
“To think I’ve arrived where I’m most needed—how delightful! So, what exactly is this matter?”
Sanggwan Jin-ho, Lord of Cheongwoo Manor, was immersed in paperwork inside his study.
Preparations for tomorrow were in full swing.
His father-in-law, the Clan Head of the Sanggwan Family, was arriving by evening, so there wasn’t much time left.
Sanggwan Jin-ho reviewed the flawless contracts and documents, feeling satisfied with Gonyomgak, the chief of Yeomwangsa, and their meticulous handling of the affair.
Above all, he was pleased that the Yeomwangsa operatives had completed their work without harming anyone.
His father-in-law always emphasized that no business should tarnish the reputation of the Sanggwan Family’s ancestral plaque.
“Our family has made this Jeongeum region its foundation for generations since our founder. Jeongeum is the Sanggwan Family itself—therefore, losing the people’s trust is unforgivable.”
The Clan Head never failed to reiterate this at every assembly of the senior members.
“A prestigious family of ancient lineage.”
It was the Sanggwan Family’s constant refrain, distinguishing themselves from the lesser martial clans.
Ironically, their moldy pride was precisely why such complicated schemes were necessary.
In any case, everything was progressing smoothly.
The Yeomwangsa had likely dispersed by now, leaving no traceable involvement.
‘Aside from the heavens, no one knows I colluded with the Yeomwangsa.’
A slow, satisfied grin spread across Sanggwan Jin-ho’s lips as he carefully organized the documents.
They were assets that would solidify his status as the future head of the family branch—how could he not treasure them?
Just as he meticulously sorted the papers, footsteps sounded outside.
“Lord Jin-ho, a guest has arrived.”
Sanggwan Jin-ho frowned.
“Did I not say I would see no one today?”
With such important matters at hand, he’d practically barred the doors to keep away unwanted guests—how unwelcome this intrusion was.
“Send them away, no exceptions.”
“My Lord, it’s an esteemed guest. I had no choice but to inform you.”
“An esteemed guest? Who?”
“It is the Danmok Clan’s Grand Elder, accompanied by the Young Lord.”
Sanggwan Jin-ho slammed the documents down in shock.
Danmok Inryong, Danmok Seong!
The Grand Elder of the Danmok Clan—alongside the Sanggwan Family, one of Hunan’s two major clans.
His status alone demanded that Sanggwan Jin-ho run barefoot to greet him, and more than that, the man was among the Twenty-Eight Martial Giants.
Even the slightest neglect in hospitality could lead to severe consequences.
“Escort them to the main hall. I’ll be there shortly.”
Hurriedly gathering the documents, Sanggwan Jin-ho opened the safe and locked them inside.
After securing the safe, he paused for a moment.
‘I wasn’t planning to leave my study for even a moment today...’
Though in truth, there was little to worry about.
The operation had been carried out without a trace.
Moreover, the documents were hidden inside the safe, within his study.
‘Hah, being overly meticulous is an illness in itself.’
Tucking the key at his waist, Sanggwan Jin-ho exited the study and addressed the two guards stationed outside.
“Not even a rat is to sneak past you. Understand?”
“Rest assured, My Lord.”
“We won’t leave our posts for a second.”
Nodding, Sanggwan Jin-ho headed toward the outer residence where the main hall stood.
Passing through the Moonlit Gate to the outer courtyard, he suddenly realized he had neither shut the study’s lattice windows nor secured the latch.
In his rush to meet the unexpected visitor from the Danmok Clan, he’d completely forgotten.
He turned to head back but was interrupted by someone calling him.
“Are you Lord Sanggwan Jin-ho?”
Turning around, he saw an elderly man with flowing white hair and a straw-hatted young man standing by the main hall.
“Ah, Grand Elder Danmok. What brings you outside?”
Danmok Seong chuckled.
“I felt awkward waiting in your hall unattended, so I stepped out. Is the Lord preoccupied with something urgent?”
“What could possibly be more urgent than receiving you, Grand Elder?”
Sanggwan Jin-ho quickly approached and performed a formal bow.
“I am Sanggwan Jin-ho, Lord of Cheongwoo Manor, branch of the Sanggwan Family.”
“Thank you for the warm welcome.”
Sanggwan Jin-ho also greeted the straw-hatted figure.
“Greetings, Young Lord Danmok.”
“Pleasure to meet you.”
Danmok Cheong’s half-hearted reply prompted Sanggwan Jin-ho to cautiously inquire of ❀ Nоvеlігht ❀ (Don’t copy, read here) the elder.
“Grand Elder, may I ask what brings you to my humble manor?”
“On my way to the seventieth birthday of Seol Daejehak of Sangjeon Village, I thought I’d stop by and introduce the Young Lord. But if the Lord is so busy, I’ll be on my way.”
Frantically waving his hands, Sanggwan Jin-ho spoke hurriedly.
“When else would I have the honor of hosting the famed Flame Dragon of the Danmok Clan and the Young Dragon? It is my greatest honor.”
“No need for such praise. I’ve heard Cheongwoo Manor’s recent reputation rivals even direct branches.”
Those words from Danmok Seong, Grand Elder of the Danmok Clan, brought subtle satisfaction to Sanggwan Jin-ho.
The mere presence of such a master elevated Cheongwoo Manor’s standing.
“Please, come inside. I’d be scolded if the Clan Head learned I left such esteemed guests standing outside.”
“The courtyard is cool and pleasant. No need to rush indoors.”
“Even so, Grand Elder...”
“Ah, how is your Clan Head these days?”
“He remains strong and healthy as always.”
“Come to think of it, it’s been ages since I’ve seen him. The last time was when your Clan Head had just debuted in the martial world.”
With the elder insisting on the courtyard, Sanggwan Jin-ho couldn’t press the matter.
As he reflected on the elder’s stubbornness and peculiar tastes, Danmok Seong’s booming voice filled the space.
‘Why is his voice so loud? Has his hearing gone?’
It was common for elderly folks to raise their voices as their hearing declined, even masters of the martial world were not immune to time.
“Back then, your Clan Head had quite the fiery temperament. Let me tell you how fierce he was...”
But Danmok Seong’s loud voice wasn’t heard only by Sanggwan Jin-ho and Danmok Cheong.
Kwak Yeon, hidden in the shadowed ridge of the inner residence’s rooftop, listened as the elder’s voice drifted over the courtyard wall.
Despite it being broad daylight, none of Cheongwoo Manor’s residents noticed Kwak Yeon concealed on the roof.
His concealment technique was near perfection.
Though he had never formally studied stealth, he owed this skill to his training under Daoist Cheongmu.
Cheongmu, with his eyes wide open, could stroll up to wild hares or deer and capture them barehanded.
When asked how, his answer was always the same: “I don’t know.” Read complete versıon only at novelꞁire.net
Even so, he had painstakingly taught Kwak Yeon how to circulate the subtle, tickling energy through specific meridian paths.
Thus, Kwak Yeon learned that this was a form of Still Energy cultivation.
What made Cheongmu’s method unique was dispersing inner qi into the surrounding environment.
Typically, Still Energy involved withdrawing one’s qi entirely inward so that the opponent couldn’t sense their presence.
“People perceive objects unconsciously before they consciously recognize them. What the eyes see is not always real—your perception deceives you.”
Kwak Yeon recalled those words from Master Hyeonmun at Yeongmudang, spoken during the fundamental training in discerning illusions.
Through this, he understood that Cheongmu’s guidance elevated Still Energy to an exceptional hidden art.
By spreading inner qi evenly into the environment, one escaped people’s perception entirely.
Even so, visual distractions had to be avoided.
Wearing dark clothing and concealing oneself in shaded areas, as he did now, was sufficient.
This hidden Still Energy harmonized seamlessly with the Primordial Harmonious Art.
With his cultivation refined to the Flower Realm, the effect was astounding.
For short periods, he could render himself invisible even beneath someone’s nose.
However, there remained one significant obstacle—