ML Chapter 17

Energy circulation.

The method of controlling energy by regulating breath. The act of accepting, circulating, and accumulating external energy internally.

Right now, I was performing energy circulation using the Jin Family’s Cultivation Arts.

This never stops being amazing.

I had no idea. That so many meridian points existed in my body.

I’d overheard that the human body has about 360 meridian points, but based on my direct experience using the inner art, there are even more.

Is it because I’m a virtual character in a game?

Whatever.

The 10-year internal energy drawn from my danjeon circulates through my body. If internal energy is a car, meridian points are highways. I just sit at the wheel and press the accelerator.

The internal energy runs through the body’s meridian points, alternating between straight lines and curves, before returning to the danjeon.

And here’s where the real problem starts.

I took a deep breath. And felt it.

Another internal energy occupying my danjeon like a massive boulder, unmovable by my will.

What the hell are you?

It’s been a question since my first energy circulation. This unidentified energy sitting there like a house spirit.

I don’t know where it came from, how it formed, or why I can’t use it, but one thing’s certain. This mysterious energy contains more power than my 10 years of internal energy.

Until now I didn’t dare touch it.

More precisely, I hadn’t even thought of touching it. Until a few days ago, I was just trying to stay alive while secretly hoping for rescue.

But now it’s different.

I need internal energy.

The situation has changed. To escape on my own, I need to fulfill the logout quest conditions, and those conditions include reaching [First-rate] realm.

And I’ve learned that becoming first-rate requires internal energy on par with Lee Sogun.

I’ll make it mine.

I carefully began moving my internal energy.

With a mind half anxious, half expectant, the moment I let my internal energy flow toward the mysterious force, I realized.

Not even close.

Internal energy is, strictly speaking, formless qi itself. Yet merely touching it brings strong rejection and repulsion.

No, it even pulls back. At this rate, it looks like I’ll be the one getting devoured.

Whoa, whoa, whoa! Hold up!

I hastily withdrew my internal energy. Shook off the mysterious force that kept trying to latch on. Simultaneously, the system notification chimed.

Ding.

• Trained [Jin Family’s Cultivation Arts]. Internal energy increases slightly
• Due to repeated training, tendons and bones each increase by 1

“Since when was that a thing?”

Calming my startled mind, I opened the status window.

[Lv.17 Jin Tae-kyung] 

• Class: Second-rate Martial Artist 
• Fame: 70 
• Titles: 4 (Title effects active)
• Strength: 65 
• Stamina: 65 
• Agility: 75 
• Intelligence: 10 
• Charisma: 10 
• Inner Force: 10 years 

Remaining Points: 0

• Scion of a Noble House (All abilities +5, Fame +50)
• Family Disgrace (All abilities -5, Fame -50)
• Novice Practitioner (Training speed +10%)
• Duelist (Combat-related abilities +10% in one-on-one fights)

A status window now showing quite impressive numbers. I gained 3 levels at once through the duel quest, and evenly distributed 30 points among strength, stamina, and agility.

But looking at the status window stings.

Sigh, internal energy’s still at a standstill.

This cursed system says internal energy increased, but the actual number shown stays the same.

Maybe I need to eat some spiritual pills or elixirs or something.

I thought of Jin Wi-gyeong. If I just closed my eyes and said “Brother, please give me one spiritual pill,” he probably wouldn’t refuse outright.

I should ask next time I see him. About this mysterious energy in my danjeon too.

Thoom

Just then, the training hall entrance opened and two people entered.

“Um, Young Master Jin?”

It’s Han Yeop. Behind him stood a warrior I’d never seen before. The warrior spoke with a manner as blunt as his appearance:

“The Lesser Family Head requests your presence at the family meeting.”

“The Lesser Family Head?”

Perfect timing. Had something to ask him anyway.

“Absolutely certain. There were some fractures and minor internal injuries, but that level couldn’t possibly…”

“Are you sure? You’ll stake your reputation as Medicine King Sect Leader?”

“I’m telling you, I examined him myself!”

“That’s enough then. Why are you getting informal? Huh? Just because I’m treating you like an equal sect leader, you think you can look down on me?”

“White Tiger Sect Leader, YOU started talking informally!”

I stared blankly at the meeting hall ceiling. My ears stung from the shouts and curses flying from all directions.

What the hell is this.

This wasn’t the family meeting I imagined. I expected a quiet, orderly atmosphere where people exchange opinions and find common ground, something like that…

“You think all sect leaders are the same? You’re just some quack doctor!”

“Listen to this little shit talk. I’ll stick an acupuncture needle right up your perineum.”

Watching two guys in their 40s-50s with M-pattern baldness grabbing each other’s collars makes my head hurt.

The problem is, scenes like this are happening everywhere.

Maybe because of this, most people didn’t even notice when I opened the door and took my seat.

• You’ve come?

A voice that seemed to reach my brain rather than my ears. Voice transmission.

When I turned my head, my eyes met Jin Wi-gyeong’s in the highest seat. He showed a tired smile.

• Quite a mess, isn’t it?

Yeah. Why’d you call me to this shit show, old man?

When I shot him an accusing look, Jin Wi-gyeong sent voice transmission with what seemed like a guilty expression.

• I had no choice. The Elder Council demanded your attendance. Either way… you are actually involved in this matter, Tae-kyung.

Elder Council? I’m involved in this matter?

What matter am I involved in… Ah. Hengshan Sword Sect?

I quickly pieced together the puzzle amid people’s shouting.

First, if it’s about recent events involving me, it can only be about Hengshan Sword Sect, and this Elder Council or whatever summoned me because of it. So…

Come to think of it, there are some old men I’ve never seen before.

Four of them. All with faces full of age spots and white hair.

They were watching the balding men’s collar-grabbing with cold eyes. Anyone could see they were from a retirement home—no, the Elder Council.

• And… the Grand Elder is here.

I instinctively turned toward Jin Wi-gyeong and flinched.

What the… that old man.

How long has he been there? Only now did I notice there were two seats at the head position today. The old man sitting to Jin Wi-gyeong’s right was staring at me, making my face sting.

That old man’s the Grand Elder?

White hair, white beard, white eyebrows. Looks like an immortal who stepped out of an ancient painting.

His straight back, broad shoulders, and taut skin seemed to defy his age.

But why’s he staring so intently?

I tried to glare back at the Grand Elder with force… then quietly averted my gaze. Not because I’d lose if we clashed, but out of respect for elders. Respect for elders. Really.

…Better stay hunched down.

Meanwhile, Jin Wi-gyeong’s voice transmission kept coming.

• You may not remember due to your memory loss, but the Grand Elder is your granduncle and the family’s highest elder. Be extremely careful with your words and actions.

Haven’t even seen my father’s face and now there’s talk of granduncles.

For all I know, there might be in-laws and distant cousins here too.

I gave Jin Wi-gyeong a slight nod.

• And… you must not be shocked by what’s about to unfold. Stay calm and speak only the truth. Understand?

Though I don’t know exactly what’s going on, it was clear Jin Wi-gyeong was on my side. I gave another small nod, and Jin Wi-gyeong stood with a faint smile.

“Everyone, silence.”

His voice, charged with internal energy, swept through the meeting hall.

“This is the Jin Family council meeting, and we’ve gathered for a grave matter. Now that our witness has arrived, we shall begin the interrogation.”

In the center of the now-quiet meeting hall.

With everyone’s attention focused, Jin Wi-gyeong opened his mouth.

“By my authority as Lesser Family Head and Acting Family Head, I begin the interrogation. Third Young Master Jin Tae-kyung, step forward.”

I walked forward feeling people’s gazes. I’d expected this much.

They wouldn’t have called me for nothing. But…

“I ask you. Did you poison Lee Sogun of the Hengshan Sword Sect to death?”

I didn’t expect this.

“No, I did not.”

I barely managed to speak. My mind’s a mess from the sudden question.

Lee Sogun died? By poison?

“Speak the truth. If you’re found to be lying…”

“The poisoning of Lee Sogun has absolutely nothing to do with me.”

At my sharp answer, Jin Wi-gyeong let out a relieved sigh.

• Keep going just like that.

The interrogation proceeded quickly. They asked, I answered.

Questions poured in one after another, starting with Jin Wi-gyeong.

Half the questions were about whether I was involved in Lee Sogun’s poisoning, and I kept denying it.

Because it’s true.

I secretly checked my system window just in case, but it was clear. None of my martial arts or abilities have anything to do with poison. No such items either.

That’s why I could answer without hesitation.

“No.”

The problem was that at some point, the meeting hall’s atmosphere started taking a strange turn.

“Do you have any evidence to prove it?”

“Evidence?”

The White Tiger Sect Leader, or whatever his name was, stared at me with an unfriendly gaze.

“Yes, evidence. Evidence that would prove the Third Young Master’s innocence.”

What the fuck is this asshole saying?

“Why do I need to prove anything?”

“What?”

“Watch your tone with me.”

“Look here, Third Young Master!”

“You can suspect me all you want, but shouldn’t you be the ones finding evidence? Right? Am I wrong?”

These fuckers really trying me, treating me like some damn dish rag. Just as I was glaring at the White Tiger Sect Leader who sat down grumbling, I noticed something odd.

Heh. Would you look at that.

The way he glanced at the Elder Council.

Interestingly, everyone who asked pressuring and aggressive questions showed similar behavior, and with their numbers approaching half the attendees, it was too obvious to ignore.

It’s about factions, huh.

Jin Wi-gyeong versus the Elder Council.

A power struggle between family elders and the lesser family head who could be their grandson was playing out even at this moment.

Family’s in great shape.

Only a few remained. The problem was who they were. Faces spotted with age marks. Shrewd gazes. The old men of the Elder Council.

The oldest and fattest among them opened his mouth.

“Let’s put aside this pointless questioning. This old one wants to ask just one thing. Where did this problem originate?”

The officials supporting the Elder Council answered as if they’d been waiting.

“From the Third Young Master.”

“Who tarnished the main family’s reputation with depraved conduct?”

“That too was the Third Young Master.”

The same answer popped up from here and there.

“Then, who touched the Hengshan Sword Sect’s precious pearl and brought about this situation?”

Just fucking kill me already, you bastards.