Chapter 12
Sixfold Harmony Art was, as the name suggested, about the harmony between two forces: internal energy and external energy. It was a qi technique aimed at synchronizing both to absorb the energy of nature through the six harmonies and strengthen both body and spirit.
“In short, the more you strain your body, the more qi you accumulate. So don’t slack off—bend lower, So,” said Yang-hwi.
Baek Heon-So, shaking and dripping with sweat, barely managed to respond.
“But, Hyung-nim... it’s too hard... I feel like I’m going to die...”
Right beside him, also holding the same posture, Yang-hwi answered in a calm but slightly trembling voice.
“Physically, you’re more trained than I am. At the very least, you should be able to last longer than me.”
“Uugh... y-yes, Hyung-nim...!”
Though he was a child of a martial family, Baek Heon-So was only seven years old. Still, as long as Yang-hwi endured, he refused to give up.
Like a fledgling mimicking its parent, he did his best to imitate Yang-hwi.
However, even he had a complaint.
“Hyung-nim, ngh... why doesn’t Yeon train like us...?”
Unlike the two brothers who were practicing the Yi-hwa Sixfold Art in the most strenuous posture possible, Baek Yeon-Yeon was moving gracefully as if she were dancing.
“Don’t be jealous. Yeon is a girl—what she’s doing suits her more.”
The Three Heavens Sword Techniques of the Baek clan sought both speed and stability.
In other words, they embraced two divergent paths.
“Yeon has limits in developing a strong physique because she’s a girl.”
Sure, once someone reached a certain realm and could overcome physical limits with internal energy, that distinction wouldn’t matter anymore.
But until reaching that point, the training methods had to differ.
“We, however, are different. To wield a sword sturdier than anyone else’s, we first need bodies sturdier than anyone else’s.”
“But... ngh... Father didn’t teach it like this...”
“He saw this method and agreed it was better, remember?”
“Ughh... It’s just... too hard...”
Finally, Baek Heon-So collapsed.
His body less trained, Yang-hwi also reached his limit, falling flat on the floor of the training ground.
But there was a satisfied smile on his face.
‘Still, that kid’s got a spine to him.’
For a seven-year-old to hit his physical limit through training was no easy feat.
Even most adults wouldn’t get close without innate grit and tenacity.
Sure, in his past life, Baek Heon-So had used that tenacity for envy and resentment, but still—
“Well done, So. Rest up a bit, then we’ll go again.”
“Huff... huff... yes, Hyung-nim...”
Despite looking like he might keel over any moment, not once did Baek Heon-So say he wanted to quit.
It was grueling, but he knew what his older brother said was right. If Hyung-nim said it could be done, then it could.
At some point, he had come to truly believe that.
Just then—
“Young Master Hwi, you have a guest.”
“Ah, Chief Steward.”
A visitor had come to see Yang-hwi.
Not an unwelcome one, per se—just an inconvenient one.
“Junior Brother, didn’t we have unfinished business? You’ve been silent for over a month, so I had to come in person.”
“Oh, right. That’s true.”
Of course, Yang-hwi remembered.
He’d baited Gu-Ak with a promise to make a woman he loved his concubine after helping with a robbery of the Cheongsa Sect.
He just hadn’t acted on it immediately, needing time to prepare.
‘By now, he should be desperate enough.’
Unable to wait any longer, Gu-Ak had shown up at the Baek household himself—a sure sign he was growing impatient.
“Gu-Hyung!”
Concealing his thoughts, Yang-hwi ran toward him with a bright smile, still covered in sweat and dirt.
Naturally, Gu-Ak recoiled in horror.
“Junior Brother, what on earth?!”
“I was just so happy to see you.”
That was a lie. He just saw the man wearing fancy silk martial robes and felt like dirtying them a little.
“Were you training?”
“Yes, I was.”
“Hmph…”
Gu-Ak knew exactly how limited the Baek clan’s martial arts were.
Still, he wasn’t tactless enough to say it out loud.
Yet Yang-hwi read his hesitation instantly.
“You probably want to say it’s pointless to work hard with techniques that have limits, don’t you, Gu-Hyung?”
And to be fair, it was understandable. After all, Gu-Ak had reached the rank of First-Class at a young age—proof that he had not only talent but also access to strong martial arts and the determination to master them.
“...Ahem. No, no. The Baek clan’s techniques have solid fundamentals. It’s not bad to build upon them.”
Yet even now, he couldn’t bring himself to say someone could reach true mastery with them—and he wasn’t wrong.
Even Baek Mu-ryang, the head of the clan, hadn’t surpassed the Second-Class rank, despite constant effort and never neglecting his training.
‘Still, it is a good foundation, no doubt about that.’
Otherwise, he’d have passed on his more radical creations—Heavenly Harmony Art and the Heaven-Shrouding 108 Sword—to the clan head long ago.
“Let’s go to my quarters, Gu-Hyung.”
“Very well.”
Inside his room, Yang-hwi called a servant and asked for tea.
“Please wait a moment. The tea will be out shortly.”
“Hmph.”
Gu-Ak looked displeased, glancing nervously around the room.
Yang-hwi immediately picked up on his unease.
‘Ah. He doesn’t want to discuss sensitive topics in a room where someone might be listening.’
The Dark Path types were always paranoid, never truly at ease.
“Junior Brother, why don’t you come with me instead? I’ll treat you and show you somewhere nice.”
What he really meant was: “Let’s go somewhere I can control and talk freely.”
Yang-hwi didn’t care where the conversation happened, so he readily agreed.
“Sounds good. But I’ll need permission to go out—and I should get cleaned up too.”
Leaving Gu-Ak behind, Yang-hwi washed off the grime and sweat, then changed into clean clothes and headed toward the steward’s quarters.
“Oppa!”
At the sound of Baek Yeon-Yeon’s voice, he looked toward the training hall.
“Why’d you wash up already? Training’s not done. Where are you going?”
Her face was full of curiosity. Baek Heon-So stood next to her, silently wondering the same.
“I have to step out to talk with Gu-Hyung, Yeon-ah.”
“Tch, you’re just sneaking out to have fun.”
Puffing her cheeks like a dumpling, Baek Yeon-Yeon made him smile without even trying.
“I’ll bring back lots of sweet treats. And I’ll get grilled chicken skewers just for you and So.”
“Really? You promise?”
“M-Me too! It’s a promise, Hyung-nim!”
Smiling at his adorable siblings, Yang-hwi raised a pinky finger, sealing the promise before pausing outside the steward’s quarters.
“Chief Steward, it’s Yang-hwi.”
“Come in.”
The room was old and worn, but clean. Piles of documents and books were stacked on the desk.
Yang-hwi took a quick glance around before getting straight to the point.
“I’d like to request permission to step out for a while.”
“Oh ho? How much is it worth this time?”
“Excuse me? Chief Steward, isn’t that a bit much—linking every move I make to money?”
“Then is it not something profitable?”
“...Well, no, it is.”
“Exactly. That’s why I always believe in you, Young Master Hwi.”
The kind of trust he placed might’ve been a bit skewed—but still, it felt good to be trusted.
‘Even if there’s no profit in it, I’ll make sure there is. For the Chief Steward’s sake.’
After leaving the steward’s quarters and returning to his room, Yang-hwi gestured toward Gu-Ak.
“Permission granted. Let’s go, Gu-Hyung.”
“Excellent.”
The moment they stepped out the main gate of the Baek household, Gu-Ak suddenly scooped Yang-hwi up over his shoulder.
“We’re flying now? And where exactly are we going?”
Even while dangling midair, Yang-hwi remained completely unshaken, prompting a click of the tongue from Gu-Ak.
“There’s only one place someone like the son of the Honggyo Master would go. It’s a bit early, but…”
Their destination: Hoyoungru—the largest pleasure house under the Honggyo Sect.
“‘Ho’ as in lake, ‘Young’ as in shadow.”
True to its name, the building offered the best view of the famed Yuhang Lake and was always bustling with travelers and local dandies alike.
“Welcome, Young Lord!”
“Everyone! The Young Lord has arrived—come out and greet him!”
‘Wow... a “Young Lord” title, from a den of Dark Path thugs? How flattering.’
Yang-hwi cringed a little at the overly enthusiastic greeting, but Gu-Ak handled it with complete ease.
“Bring out drinks in the most lavish room. And as for the courtesans…”
Turning to Yang-hwi, Gu-Ak grinned suggestively.
“They say boys and girls shouldn’t sit together past the age of seven. Meaning, once you’re past seven, you’re man enough. So, what do you say, Junior Brother?”
“I’d rather not get scolded by Father. No courtesans. No alcohol, either.”
“Tsk. Well, if you insist.”
But not long after, the table was set—and it was a drink table. Complete with wine bottles.
“See that teapot over there? You can sip on that. I, on the other hand, will be drinking.”
“......”
‘That’s just cruel. You’re going to drink right in front of me and tell me to settle for tea?’
He could ask to try a little, but after making such a bold statement, it would be embarrassing to backtrack now.
Setting aside the fact that Father would flip if he found out, drinking at such a young age wasn’t good for the body either.
‘…Better to stay away from it entirely until I’ve built a proper foundation. Yeah… That’s definitely the right call…’
He knew that. He really did.
But—
In his past life, Yang-hwi had spent over a decade as a Wanderer.
And if there was one thing a vagabond couldn’t separate from their life—it was alcohol.
Gulp.
Gu-Ak chuckled when he saw Yang-hwi swallow nervously.
The idea that a child might actually understand the taste of alcohol was ridiculous—and yet, hilarious.
“Wanna try it?”
“...I’ll pass.”
“Your tone’s gotten prickly. Seems like you do want to.”
Along with his tone, Yang-hwi’s expression twisted into something less-than-innocent.
“I’m leaving now, okay?”
“Leave if you must, but keep this in mind—you still haven’t paid the price you promised over a month ago. Don’t forget it was you who made the deal.”
“Come on, people forget sometimes. Don’t be so—oh no, did I just say that out loud?”
Gu-Ak’s brow twitched.
“You forgot a deal you made with me? Even after dragging in Rang-rang’s name?”
Rangrang. So that was the name of Gu-Ak’s beloved—the woman he defied even his father to pursue.
In his past life, Yang-hwi hadn’t cared enough to remember her name.
“Well, you came looking for me, didn’t you? In the end, the one who’s desperate always loses.”
“You’re really starting to make me want to make you feel desperate.”
“I might just go tell Sister Rang that you’re bullying a poor, young, innocent boy like me.”
Gu-Ak blinked, stunned.
“Sister? Why the hell would Rangrang be your sister?”
Yang-hwi offered a sly smile.
“If she’s your beloved, wouldn’t that make her like a sister to me too?”
“......”
For the longest time, Gu-Ak had to grit his teeth while his family casually insulted Rang-rang with every breath.
But now, hearing someone—anyone—refer to her respectfully as “Sister” made his heart loosen just a bit.
Whether Yang-hwi had said it knowingly or not, the kid was sharper than he looked.
“Alright, enough. Just tell me—how do I get Father to accept Rang-rang? He wants me to marry into another sect for political reasons.”
“I know. The woman he’s chosen for you is a direct daughter of a martial sect, which means… no concubines allowed.”
In short, if things continued this way, Rang-rang wouldn’t even be allowed to be a concubine, let alone a wife.
‘Eventually, the Honggyo Master will have Rang-rang killed. That leads to a bloodbath within the Honggyo Sect.’
Rang-rang might believe herself to be an orphan with no ties, but the truth was far more complicated.
Her biological father was still searching for her—and he wasn’t just anyone.
He was a man powerful enough to unleash a massacre upon the Honggyo Sect—a major force among the Dark Path sects of Akan-hyeon.
‘If I play this right, maybe I can bring him over to the Baek clan as an ally.’
After a brief moment of thought, Yang-hwi finally spoke.
“Gu-Hyung, the problem comes down to this—Sister Rang has no backing. So then…”
---The End Of The Chapter---
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