A Modern Man Who Got Transmigrated Into the Murim World

Namgoong Jangho was undergoing a profound transformation.

The immense power of the *Changcheon Daeyeon Sin Gong* (Great Heavenly Spirit Technique), which had previously been concentrated in his Qi Sea, had vanished. Instead, the energy from the technique was now circulating throughout his body, continuously flowing through his veins and spreading through every part of his limbs.

The immense flow of Qi within his body was rotating in a circular pattern, forming a phenomenon known as “Gongdan” (the complete integration of Qi). His body was now in a state where the dantian was no longer the center of focus, as it had been replaced by this new level of Qi mastery.

It was hard to believe.

His five senses, including his vision, had expanded to an unprecedented level.

Could the human body even harbor such vitality and exhilaration?

It felt as though he had donned an entirely different body altogether.

Whoosh!

Blue flames, like shimmering heat waves, surged out of his pores, creating a beautiful and dazzling sight.

*This is Huagyeong (True Martial Bloom)…*

The state he had dreamt of for so long, a level of mastery he had once thought unreachable, had finally been achieved. He had entered the state of *Zao Hua Jing* (Creation Realm).

As the first cycle of Gongdan ended, an intense feeling of pleasure surged within him.

Ahhhhhh—

Namgoong Jangho’s powerful *Changlonghu* (Blue Dragon’s Roar) echoed across the area, engulfing the entire *Jogadae Sanghoe* (High Council).

This was the sign of a new *Huagyeong* (True Martial Bloom) practitioner emerging in the martial world.

At the same time, Wi Jiak, the *Ma Yeomrang*, observed Namgoong Jangho from a distance.

When Namgoong Jangho suddenly underwent a breakthrough, Wi Jiak couldn’t help but laugh in disbelief.

He strapped his twin ghost-headed swords to his back and slowly walked towards Namgoong Jangho.

“Hey, Namgoong.”

Namgoong Jangho, with a calm expression, sheathed his sword.

“Speak.”

Wi Jiak approached and tapped Namgoong Jangho on the shoulder.

“Dammit, with a conscience, shouldn’t you at least buy me a drink? Looking at things, it feels like I’m becoming your benefactor.”

“…”

Namgoong Jangho paused for a moment, then a smile slowly spread across his face.

“I can’t deny that.”

“Heh, exactly.”

Namgoong Jangho suddenly turned and started walking away.

“What? Are you running away?”

“Jogak Gakjjan (the tavern).”

“Oh!”

Namgoong Jangho glanced back over his shoulder.

“…What’s your name?”

“Ma Yeomrang Wi Jiak.”

Namgoong Jangho thought the name sounded fitting.

His continuous twin-sword technique was like a wave of flames.

“Heh.”

“I’ll treat you to *Han Bing Ju* (Cold Liquor).”

At these words, Wi Jiak and the *Pae Yeom Gwi* (Red Flame Ghost) chuckled with excitement.

“Dammit, as expected from the prestigious orthodox sect! It seems like there are a lot of hermits in your sect!”

“Hey! I’ll pay for the *Ohyang Jang Yuk* (Five-Spice Roast Pork)! Don’t ever disregard *Cheonsal Wolbong* (Heaven’s Kill Moon Peak)!”

“Can we not mention those damn things?”

Suddenly, Namgoong Jangho thought to himself that it had truly been a great decision to leave his family and venture into the martial world.

The wind blew, causing his martial robes to flap wildly, and with a renewed sense of exhilaration, Namgoong Jangho moved forward with vigor.

* * *

Zho Hui was admiring the bird’s-eye view of the *Poyangho* (Poyang Lake) transformation project, a ten-story complex designed by Jeogal Un, and couldn’t help but express his amazement.

“Wow…!”

It was a bird’s-eye view unlike any of modern apartment complexes.

The first impression it gave was of harmony with nature.

The complex included gardens, artificial waterfalls nestled between massive rocks, countless unique rocks, and irregularly shaped buildings that blended seamlessly with their surroundings. The arrangement was not rigidly vertical or horizontal but flowed naturally, creating a harmonious atmosphere that strongly evoked Eastern aesthetics.

“And this is the solution presented by the craftsmen. The insight of these technicians is truly extraordinary.”

The technicians brought in by Yeom Sangrok—woodworkers, stoneworkers, and potters—had initially rejected the plan when they first heard about it from Jeogal Un. The idea of building a complex made of steel was completely unrealistic in their eyes.

Building a structure from steel?

It was a concept that had never before appeared in Zhongyuan (Central Plains).

Not even the magnificent palace walls were made of steel.

If the emperor didn’t use steel, it was because it was too inefficient in terms of cost.

The idea of using steel for such a large construction was questionable at best.

However, the steel from Sichuan started to flow in abundantly.

Moreover, the *Jogadae Sanghoe* had created a giant furnace, which used coal instead of charcoal to produce steel ingots by the thousands each day.

The technicians, initially skeptical, began to realize that the plan was no joke when they were offered five times their usual wages.

Clearly, the H-beam steel columns could withstand far more weight and tension than wooden beams.

However, could a building really be completed with just the columns?

The exterior materials for the building, the main construction material to be attached to the H-beams, sparked a heated debate.

Among the technicians, the woodworkers were the most numerous.

They were the first to suggest using *gangsong* (strong pine) as the primary material to Jeogal Un.

Their argument was that a building made of *gangsong* could withstand hundreds of years of wear and tear.

Of course, this wasn’t entirely wrong, but such buildings had never been designed to be ten stories high.

On the other hand, the stoneworkers argued that *gangsong* wouldn’t suffice.

They insisted that the most durable material against the ravages of time was stone, and even if it was more costly, granite should be used as the primary material.

However, Jeogal Un found himself in a dilemma because using granite would make it impossible to stack the material on the H-beams due to the structure’s nature. Granite would need to be molded into large plates, which would make the building stronger but come with the significant issue of additional cost.

While the woodworkers and stoneworkers argued over their preferred materials, the potters unexpectedly introduced a strange new type of clay.

After countless experiments, the potters had created a unique sand mixture they called *gyeolhabto* (binding clay).

It was similar to lime mortar, the earliest form of cement in human history.

But the key difference was that *gyeolhabto* was much stronger once it hardened.

This strength came from its mix with *gangheukto* (strong black soil), a peculiar material found in the lower reaches of Poyang Lake, from a relatively deep depth. It had long been used by potters in the area for their ceramic works.

*Gangheukto* was a soil from a deep sedimentary layer, which meant it was only available in limited quantities. However, with the help of the *Cheolkwonwang* (Iron Fist King)’s underlings, who were adept in waterworks, the amount of *gangheukto* that could be gathered increased dramatically, surpassing the usual limits by dozens of times.

The potters then suggested using molds to construct the building.

Although molds were used in the construction of earthworks in Zhongyuan, using them with H-beams was a novel and intriguing concept for the technicians.

While the technicians discussed, Zho Hui, who had been silently observing, spoke up again.

“So the woodworkers are advocating for *gangsong*, the stoneworkers for granite plates, and the potters for *gyeolhabto*, right?”

“Yes. There are pros and cons in terms of structure, cost, and time. Using granite plates on steel beams would be the most durable, but it would take the most time and cost the most. Additionally, it would be difficult to replace parts if damaged by a disaster.”

“And *gangsong*?”

“It’s the fastest to build with and the cheapest, but due to the nature of wood, it’s not durable. If some parts are infested with insects or decay, it could cause structural issues. It’s especially vulnerable to water damage.”

Zho Hui thought *gangsong* was not a practical choice.

It might be suitable for simple wooden structures, but it certainly wasn’t appropriate for a ten-story building.

“I believe the *gyeolhabto* proposed by the potters is the most ideal. Using molds is the most time-efficient method, and while it’s not as strong as stone, it’s still quite strong. Most importantly, it’s a maintenance-friendly method. It allows for partial repairs. The final decision is up to the Chairman, of course.”

Building ten-story structures using these materials was a huge gamble for Zho Hui, though.

In the modern world, even building a doghouse would be outside his experience. Like most ordinary people, he only vaguely understood the concept of building.

After a moment of careful thought, Zho Hui spoke.

“Let’s start by testing different materials using a scale model of the building at one-hundredth the size. We’ll finalize the blueprint afterward. And also!”

Zho Hui’s eyes brightened as if he had just remembered something.

“Do you remember the concept of an elevator I mentioned before?”

Jeogal Un sighed softly.

“Ah… That issue is quite difficult for me to solve as well.”

Even with the exceptional civil engineering skills of the Jeogal family, constructing a modern elevator was beyond their capabilities.

If a trap was triggered, a stone would fall.

If touched, blades would spring from the floor.

Most of the ingenious mechanisms were one-time-use only.

The back end of these devices often involved tightly coiled wires, ropes, or gears that only worked when subjected to certain shocks.

But the concept of an elevator Zho Hui spoke of required continuous power to move up and down a ten-story building without interruption.

As far as Jeogal Un knew, such infinite power didn’t exist.

“Well…”

Zho Hui had always wanted to implement an elevator system in Zhongyuan, but the current technology level couldn’t support it, and his own knowledge wasn’t advanced enough to create such a high-tech device.

A steam engine might be possible, but electricity was an entirely different level of problem.

Wait, hold on?

Suddenly, an idea flashed through Zho Hui’s mind.

“Why not use manpower?”

“Excuse me?”

Jeogal Un’s eyes widened in surprise.

“It’s simple—using pulleys for an elevator would be enough, right? We have more than enough manpower in our *Jogadae Sanghoe* to operate the pulleys.”

“Are you suggesting the remnants of the *Heukcheollyeon* (Black Heaven’s Lotus)?”

Zho Hui nodded with a sly smile.

“Well, they have no other work, right? If we offer them an appropriate wage, they’ll be happy to do the job. The cost can be covered by the maintenance fees of the building’s residents.”

“You devil!”

It was as if the expression on Je Gal-un’s face was filled with a shiver of horror.

“How can you think of hiring martial artists to work as pulley operators, even if they are from the outlaw faction?”

“I’m not a demon! I’m simply offering to hire surplus laborers and pay them more!”

The most common resource in this era was human labor.

“But they are martial artists!” Je Gal-un protested.

“Why does it matter if they’ve learned martial arts? Just because someone is skilled in fighting doesn’t mean they have to swing swords every day. They can do regular work like anyone else!”

“…”

Strangely, his argument was somewhat convincing. Je Gal-un sighed, then looked at Jo Hwi as though stunned.

“Fine, I’ll work on a draft for the pulley lift system. Since it’s a simple structure, I should be able to present a design in about two days.”

Suddenly, Jo Hwi sprang to his feet, excitement in his voice.

“Wait a second! If human labor can solve that, can’t we solve the problem of filling the water tanks on the roof too?”

“Excuse me?”

“We can hire experts with great lightness skills to carry the water!”

Jo Hwi’s face shone with delight as he looked at the conceptual drawing.

“The rocks! With just three of the top martial artists from Hwa-gyeong, we could have them lift all the rocks in three days! Why would we need cranes? They could just fly and place them!”

Je Gal-un was left stunned, seeing Jo Hwi as a brilliant, albeit mischievous, mastermind.

—

When Jo Hwi was deep in thought, planning the systematic division of labor for mass production of Han Bingju, the door suddenly opened, and Jang Il-ryong burst in.

“Brother! I have good news!”

“…Good news?”

Jang Il-ryong’s face was lit up with a big smile.

“Yes! The Chief Commander has returned!”

“What!?”

Jo Hwi had almost given up after hearing no news of the Commander for more than a month, so he was overjoyed to suddenly hear that the Commander had returned.

Jang Il-ryong quickly added, “But there’s a bit of a problem.”

“A problem?”

For Jo Hwi, the mere fact that the Commander was alive was cause for celebration, so he couldn’t imagine any problem.

“The Chief Commander… came back with a bump.”

“A bump? Who is it?”

“You’ll see when you go outside, brother. It’s amazing to see someone bigger than me—aside from our Master.”

“Bigger?”

Curious, Jo Hwi hurried out of his study and through the training yard, where he saw two elderly figures approaching. One of them looked exactly like the Chief Commander, so Jo Hwi ran toward him with a joyful face.

“Chief Commander!”

“Ahh, Chairman!”

There was no one Jo Hwi trusted more with important tasks than the Chief Commander, Lee Yeong-song. Losing such a person would have been a great loss, especially considering his past contributions and the bond they shared.

So, Jo Hwi was overjoyed to see him return safe and sound. However, there was no sign of any hardship on his face. He looked perfectly fine, well-dressed, and unscathed.

As Jo Hwi relaxed with the reassurance that the Chief Commander was unharmed, he noticed a large elderly man standing next to him.

‘Hmm?’

The man was taller than Jang Il-ryong, and there was an intense, fiery aura surrounding him, unlike typical experts who kept their energy contained. His energy surged outward like a blazing fire, a unique characteristic of a martial artist.

Jo Hwi immediately sensed that this man was no ordinary person.

“Commander, who is this gentleman?” he asked.

The Chief Commander, still wiping away tears, quickly composed himself.

“Ah, this is Pang Yul-cheon, a great hero.”

‘Pang Yul-cheon?’

Jo Hwi recognized the name.

Pang Yul-cheon was the leader of the Pang family in Hebei, also known as the “Northern Sky Immortal,” and a martial artist famed for his unparalleled swordsmanship as the “Unmatched Sword King.” He was a legendary figure whose name was known alongside that of Namgung Soo, the master of the Changcheon Sword School.

“Ah, you are one of the greats of the martial world. My name is Jo Hwi, from the Jo-gadae Sanghoe.”

Pang Yul-cheon was a man whose presence burned like an ever-raging fire. If Namgung Soo was like the majestic bamboo or the vast sky, Pang Yul-cheon was more like a volcano continuously spitting out flames—forceful, relentless, and fiery.

“You’re Jo Hwi, are you?” Pang Yul-cheon said bluntly.

Jo Hwi was taken aback by the sudden change in tone.

“Yes, that’s me.”

In the blink of an eye, Pang Yul-cheon performed a lightning-fast martial move, grabbing Jo Hwi by the collar.

“What have you done to my son?!”

“What are you talking about?”

Pang Yul-cheon pointed back at his son, who was walking toward them with his shoulders slumped.

“Is this what happened to the child who used to boast such a mighty build? What happened to him?!”

Jo Hwi quickly began to explain.

“Well, sir, the thing is…”

He almost blurted out the truth—that the boy had been drained of his strength due to an intense infatuation with a woman—but Jo Hwi hesitated. Telling the truth could cause a storm of trouble, especially considering the tone of the situation. It could result in Pang Yul-cheon punishing his son out of shame for the family.

Pang Yul-cheon, however, looked like he wasn’t going to be satisfied until Jo Hwi explained everything. The mood was tense. Jo Hwi had to think fast to calm things down.

“Your son is breaking through the wall,” Jo Hwi said quickly.

“What? Breaking through the wall? What do you mean?”

“Look at his sharp eyes! That’s a clear sign of a powerful will to overcome the barrier. When the body is pushed to its limits, the mind becomes clearer! This kind of self-discipline is what defines a true martial artist!”

Though it was a bit of a stretch, Jo Hwi’s words did carry some truth..

However, what about the sharp eyes? No matter how much I look, his eyes seem more like rotten fish eyes…

Soon, a voice like a thunderclap erupted from Pang Yulcheon.

“Come over here right now!”

At his father’s command, Pang Gak quickly rushed over.

Pang Yulcheon’s fierce gaze immediately locked onto his son.

“Is it true that you’ve stopped eating and have been undergoing extreme training?”

Pang Gak glanced at Jo Hwi with a shocked expression, and he saw him with a twisted face, his fist clenched as if ready to punch.

If Jo Hwi didn’t say anything, it seemed like he might just kill him!

“Y-Yes, Father. Isn’t it what every man must do? Extreme training!”

“Hmm…”

Pang Yulcheon tilted his head, still unsure, as he repeatedly looked at his son.

Suddenly, Jo Hwi grabbed Pang Gak’s two fists and thrust them toward Pang Yulcheon.

“Look at these tremendous marks of training! How much dedication to martial arts must one have to get such injured hands?”

Pang Gak looked at Jo Hwi with an incredulous expression. These wounds were from digging up the ground and breaking rocks every day!

“Hoh?”

Only when he saw his son’s hands covered in scars did Pang Yulcheon’s face shift to one of curiosity.

“By the way, senior, how did you come to bring our esteemed total manager back?”

In response to Jo Hwi’s question, Lee Yeosong answered directly.

“I was in danger due to the claws of the Black Sky Alliance, and it was the Grand Master who saved me.”

To capture his son, who hadn’t returned to the family for months, Pang Yulcheon personally went to the western city.

When he arrived at Poyang Lake, the Black Sky Alliance’s strongmen were already attacking the Jo family.

“I was seriously injured. But now, I have recovered significantly.”

“I had stab wounds so deep they almost pierced my organs. If the Grand Master hadn’t called a doctor to treat me, I would have lost my life.”

Jo Hwi respectfully bowed to Pang Yulcheon.

“I sincerely thank you for saving our total manager.”

“Hmm…”

At last, Pang Yulcheon’s mood softened.

There was something slick about Jo Hwi, but seeing him properly follow the formalities, he started to think he was a decent young man in the martial world.

But something about him was still puzzling.

“What’s your relationship with my son?”

Jo Hwi suddenly put his arm around Pang Gak’s shoulders.

“We’re friends, of course. We’ve been like childhood friends.”

Pang Gak felt a chill run down his spine but knew he needed Jo Hwi to help him avoid the current crisis.

“Y-Yes, Father! He’s a good friend!”

But Pang Yulcheon frowned, clearly not understanding.

Pang Yulcheon glanced at Jo Hwi’s sword and then spoke again.

“Are you saying you’ve become friends with a sword wielder?”

He was extremely proud of being a swordsman, and here his son was suddenly hanging out with someone who wielded a sword?

“Although the sword and the saber aim at different paths, aren’t they both part of the same martial way in the end?”

Jo Hwi was laughing broadly while having his arm around Pang Gak’s shoulders, but it gave Pang Yulcheon chills.

“Where is the master of the Namgung clan?”

Suddenly, Pang Yulcheon mentioned Elder Namgung Su, which caused Jo Hwi to feel a headache again.

If everything was settled, Elder Namgung Su should have returned to Heifei by now, but he showed no signs of leaving.

If he were quietly spending time in some remote garden, it wouldn’t matter, but he kept popping up everywhere, complaining about every little thing.

“This isn’t the way of the righteous.”

“Isn’t this thing overpriced?”

“Seems like you’ve been buying too much iron ore from Sichuan. If you’re going to be the benefactor of the Namgung clan, shouldn’t you buy more iron ore from Anhui?”

“Even though the Black Sky Alliance’s remnants have surrendered to you, remember, their true nature is still that of a band of rogues. Giving them too much power is dangerous.”

With all the constant nagging, Jo Hwi was starting to hear hallucinations even when trying to sleep.

If Elder Namgung Su wanted to do whatever he pleased, why didn’t he just start his own sect?

He had even reluctantly handed over the land around Poyang Lake, and now he was causing trouble!

Jo Hwi clenched his chest in frustration as anger bubbled up inside him.

“Well… he’s probably somewhere.”

As Jo Hwi looked at the distant mountains with a bitter expression, just as he had been thinking about Elder Namgung, he appeared.

“Heh heh! I could feel the energy of the Thunderbolt Divine Art even in the courtyard, and sure enough, it’s you, Yulcheon!”

“Hoh, it seems your qi has grown clear!”

Seeing his old friend, with whom he had once traveled the martial world, Namgung Su and Pang Yulcheon greeted each other warmly.

Jo Hwi observed them for a moment before subtly pulling Lee Yeosong’s sleeve.

“…Let’s go.”

Lee Yeosong, sensing Jo Hwi’s mood, nodded and followed him out.

“Yes.”

Jo Hwi and Lee Yeosong slowly exited the room, with Pang Gak following them quietly, sensing the tension.

“Jo Bonggong, where are you going all of a sudden?”

That guy! He couldn’t be more oblivious!

Ah, Jo Hwi really wanted to punch him.

He saluted Namgung Su, saying,

“I didn’t want to interrupt your reunion.”

“Heh heh, it’s fine.”

Namgung Su chuckled kindly, while Pang Yulcheon’s curiosity was piqued again.

“Just what is going on in the western regions? Why is the Namgung clan attacking the Black Sky Alliance with the Celestial Dragon Guard? Are they really losing their power?”

The Namgung clan’s entire military force was barely over 500 men, and even with the help of the Celestial Dragon Guard, they didn’t even have 1,000 troops.

The Black Sky Alliance, with its 10,000 strong army, was no easy foe.

And yet, the rumors seemed to confirm the Black Sky Alliance’s defeat.

Namgung Su smiled wryly.

“Heh… yes, your thoughts aren’t unfounded.”

Until he saw it with his own eyes, he couldn’t believe it either.

Pang Yulcheon added another question.

“I went to check the Black Sky Alliance’s stronghold personally. But I still can’t quite understand…”

His face was filled with deep suspicion.

“I know asking this question might sound foolish, but I ask just in case… that enormous rectangular pit… could it possibly be a trace of martial arts?”

The deep, bottomless pit at the heart of the Black Sky Alliance’s stronghold could not have been created by human hands.

If workers had been involved, there should have been traces of tools like pickaxes or shovels, but there was no sign of any such thing.

The surface was too pristine.

The only explanation for such perfection was *qi*, the energy of martial arts.

But even that explanation didn’t make sense—how could a human’s martial arts leave such a gigantic mark?

“That… I’ve only heard about it, but I haven’t seen it myself, so I can’t say much.”

What does that mean?

The fact that the Southern Palace family had joined forces with the Heavenly Dragon Vanguard to defeat the Black Sky Alliance was a rumor that had already spread throughout the martial world.

If the head of the Southern family didn’t know about the pit at the Black Sky Alliance, then who did?

At that moment, the deep eyes of Namgung-su, the head of the Southern family, turned towards Jo Hwi.

“Stop making a fool of yourself and just release the aura of intention, Jo Bong-gong.”

Pyeong Yul-cheon’s eyes widened in shock.

He had heard rumors about Jo Hwi, the president of the Great Society, who was known as the ‘Small Sword God’ and was rumored to possess great martial prowess.

However, the rumors of his divine power were so outlandish, with claims of him riding a sword and splitting mountains—how could such things be possible?

But the “aura of intention”?

Could it be that this young man was hiding his martial arts beneath an invisible veil of intention?

If so, that meant his level was on par with the *Absolute Realm*.

“The mark of that one sword strike… ask this young man about it.”

“What’s that supposed to mean?”

Namgung-su smiled warmly.

“Isn’t the one who left that mark standing right in front of you?”

“What, what did you say?”

Pyeong Yul-cheon froze in disbelief.

That enormous rectangular pit, more than two hundred feet wide—could it really be the result of a human martial artist’s power?

And the person who left that mark—was it really this young man standing before them?

“You… have you gone mad…?”

It seemed impossible.

Although he had never experienced the *Natural Realm* firsthand, even if the legendary *Three Gods* of the martial world returned from their graves, they still couldn’t possibly exhibit such power.

Namgung-su smiled as he saw Pyeong Yul-cheon’s stunned reaction.

“Ha ha… I don’t want to look like a foolish old man anymore.”

Jo Hwi sighed, a bit exhausted.

He reluctantly began to release the veil of intention that had been hiding his martial energy.

Pyeong Yul-cheon’s mouth hung open as a vast and immense martial aura, like the sea itself, flooded from Jo Hwi’s body.

It was the *Martial Soul*!

The pressure was so intense that it felt like suffocation simply standing in its presence.

Even the smallest movement would cause that overwhelming force to engulf him in an instant.

Sweat drenched his body.

Pyeong Yul-cheon was struggling to maintain his focus with his own mental energy, but he was on the verge of losing control.

It was as if he was facing a *Martial Emperor* or the *Sword Saint of Purple Mist*.

At that moment, Namgung-su, with a pale face, turned to Jo Hwi.

“Alright, Jo Bong-gong! Enough, enough already!”

Pyeong Yul-cheon was just as shocked as Namgung-su.

While he had seen Jo Hwi’s martial skills firsthand, he had never imagined the true depth of his martial energy.

Now, Jo Hwi’s *Martial Soul* was fully exposed, and it was far beyond anything he had expected.

He could now understand why Jo Hwi had to hide his power beneath the veil of intention.

As Jo Hwi sealed his energy once again, Pyeong Yul-cheon wiped the sweat from his forehead.

That had been a close call—he almost had to draw his sword to defend himself.

“Ha…”

To think that this young man’s martial power was on the same level as the *Martial Emperor* and the *Sword Saint of Purple Mist*… How had such a person suddenly appeared in the martial world?

Now, Namgung-su’s way of addressing him as “Bong-gong” was also intriguing…

“Bong-gong? Does this young man belong to the Southern family?” Pyeong Yul-cheon asked, his curiosity piqued.

The title of *Bong-gong* in a family like the Southern family was equivalent to that of an elder, a position not easily attained. Moreover, it signified a permanent allegiance to the family, unlike the temporary status of a guest.

“Yes,” Namgung-su said, his smile deepening as if he were speaking of his own son.

Pyeong Yul-cheon’s brow furrowed.

“Didn’t you say you had no daughters?”

Typically, the position of *Bong-gong* required a marriage into the family, but Pyeong Yul-cheon had never heard of such a marriage happening within the Southern family.

Namgung-su’s smile grew even more satisfied.

“We’ve changed the family rules.”

“What?” Pyeong Yul-cheon was taken aback.

The Southern family had altered their family laws just to make Jo Hwi their *Bong-gong*? But after seeing Jo Hwi’s martial prowess, it made sense.

Frustration welled up within Pyeong Yul-cheon.

The Southern family was already boasting about being one of the Five Great Families and now they had added such a master to their ranks. How much more arrogant would they become now?

“Good luck,” Namgung-su chuckled as he stroked his beard.

“Ha ha! Indeed, it’s truly our good fortune. I believe it’s the merit of our ancestors that brought this *Sword God* successor to our family.”

“*Sword God*?” Pyeong Yul-cheon was even more shocked than before.

“Yes. Jo Bong-gong is the successor of the *Sword God*.”

“…” Pyeong Yul-cheon was frozen in disbelief.

Suddenly, he began to feel how insignificant his own son, standing beside him, seemed.

Frustrated, Pyeong Yul-cheon turned abruptly and began to walk away.

“Where are you going all of a sudden?”

“To Hebei!”

When Pyeong Yul-cheon suddenly declared he was returning to the family, his son Pang Gak became alarmed.

Pang Gak was terrified of facing his father’s anger, but he also wanted to return to the family.

For Pang Gak, the Great Society had become a hellish place.

“Ah, Father!”

Pyeong Yul-cheon glanced at Pang Gak as he walked away.

“What’s this?”

Pang Gak scratched the back of his head.

“Hehe, I will also return to the family.”

At that moment, fierce flames of fury erupted from Pyeong Yul-cheon’s eyes.

“Are you saying the one who vowed to overcome his own limits has suddenly given up and decided to return to the family?”

“No, no, Father. I can still practice even if I return to the family.”

Pang Gak glanced at Jo Hwi as if asking for help with his eyes.

“Please, take me with you, Father!”

“Enough!”

Pyeong Yul-cheon roared, as if preparing to strike.

“Do you think the Pang family is just a random inn where anyone can come and go? Until you cross the wall, don’t even think about stepping foot back into the family! You left the path without consulting the family, and now you’re back?!”

But Pyeong Yul-cheon’s true feelings were different.

—He’s the one who will dominate the world soon! Since we’re already brothers, let’s stay connected!

The father’s voice echoed in Pang Gak’s ears like thunder.

Ah, Father.

If you knew how I’m living now…

At that moment, Jo Hwi approached and draped his arm around Pang Gak’s shoulder again.

“If my friend is foregoing food and drink to overcome his limits, how could I just stand by? I will do my best to help, so don’t worry and return to the family.”

What!

This is all an act, Father!

This guy is pure evil!

Take me with you! Please!

“Hmm, if you’re so concerned, then I can rest easy. I understand now.”

“Take care!”

Pyeong Yul-cheon nodded silently in response to Jo Hwi’s polite gesture and walked away.

‘Another parent sent away like that.’

Jo Hwi smiled meaningfully and then shot a sharp look at Pang Gak.

“You want to return to the family before your contract period is up?”

“Wh-what? What’s that supposed to mean?”

Jo Hwi turned with a cold face.

“Increase daily production by one thousand pounds!”

Pang Gak froze in pale horror.

“Wha-what? That’s insane! I’m barely surviving as it is! How could that possibly be possible?”

But Jo Hwi, unmoved, was already walking far ahead.

Namgung-su patted Pang Gak on the shoulder and followed Jo Hwi.

“Good luck.”

Left alone, Pang Gak shouted out to the sky, his voice full of frustration.

“AAAH!”