Chapter 60

“That's right. I told you to take care of the sect... and then I left to travel.” “Not long after you left, a faction dissatisfied with the sect's leadership attacked my wife.” “...What?” “They saw your absence as their opportunity.” Enemies were inevitable in the life of a sect leader. And once the leadership changed and the sect was in a vulnerable state, with Gong Ya-ja, its strongest warrior, gone... someone clearly thought it was time to strike. “During the attack... Cheon was caught in the middle...” “...And?” “His body was left unable to draw in inner energy.” Thud. Gong Ya-ja collapsed into a sitting position, stunned by the revelation. It felt like everything was his fault. If only [N O V E L I G H T] he hadn’t handed down the position so hastily. If only he’d stayed to protect Gong Ya-cheon until he was grown. But regrets changed nothing now. And yet... how could he possibly tell his son to name Gong Ya-myeong the successor instead? Still, he couldn’t let a man who couldn’t wield martial arts become the Gate Master. If that happened, the sect’s ranking would plummet. And within the Martial God Sect, rankings were as absolute as titles. Even if Cheon had the mind to lead them with brilliant tactics, there would always be limits. Above all, how many would follow a leader who held no power? His very presence here was proof. The inner council had already turned against Gong Ya-cheon. And if the elders had abandoned him, the rest of the sect surely had too. If Gong Ya-cheon became Gate Master now, the sect would split in two. Gong Ya-ja exhaled a deep, heavy sigh. Then Gong Ya-son spoke. “So... did you come here just to say that Cheon shouldn’t be the successor?” Gong Ya-ja’s eyes widened. “...How did you know?” “You pick up a sense for things after running a sect. The first thing you asked was whether Cheon could train in martial arts. That told me everything.” Gong Ya-ja averted his eyes. “The ones who told you must’ve been the elders and family heads trying to install Myeong as the next master.” “...Correct. They came together and pleaded with me in tears. Said the sect’s survival was at stake.” “I had a feeling they weren’t pleased with Cheon.” “And you just let things get this bad?” “In truth... I’ve been struggling with it too.” “...What?” “I’ve been agonizing over it, Father. Whether the tradition of primogeniture is really right. Whether, for the future of the sect, Myeong might be the better choice.” Looking at Gong Ya-son, one could see the weight of his torment. “...And?” “But... I couldn’t bring myself to give up. I watched Cheon struggle day after day, fighting to prove himself. How could I look him in the eye and say he didn’t deserve to inherit the sect?” Gong Ya-ja let out a quiet sigh, shaking his head. “At first, Cheon knew he wasn’t qualified and flatly rejected the position of successor. So... I was about to choose Myeong. But then, just recently, Cheon came to me. And he said—he wanted to be the successor.” “...He said that? Cheon came to you and asked?” “Yes. And instead of feeling disappointment... I felt joy. That’s when I realized—I truly wanted him to inherit the sect.” “...So you've already announced it, then?” “Not yet. But seeing how things are now... I need to, and soon.” “I understand your heart. But if you name him... the sect will fall into chaos. The inner council is already rallying around Myeong. Are you ready to persuade them?” “...I’m not sure.” “What do you mean you’re not sure?” “Cheon said... he’ll do the convincing. That if he can’t win their approval himself, he’ll give up the position.” “...Huh.” Was it confidence? Or recklessness? How could he possibly win them back, when they'd already turned away? Unless some miracle had occurred—unless he’d somehow healed and mastered the Six Yang Divine Art completely—there was no way. Words alone wouldn’t work. They’d dismiss anything he said as empty bravado. Still... Gong Ya-ja couldn’t help but feel curious. How did he plan to persuade them? “...Alright. Let him try. I’d like to see how Cheon intends to win them over.” At Gong Ya-ja’s nod of approval, Gong Ya-son smiled and bowed slightly. “Understood. Then I’ll make the announcement at first light tomorrow.” **** Late at night. Gong Ya-son walked quietly to the residence where his son was staying. “Are you inside?” “Yes, Father.” Click. The door slid open, and Gong Ya-cheon stepped out. “...You’ve changed.” Gong Ya-son blinked, surprised at what he saw. Gong Ya-cheon gave a small smile. “Please, come in.” “O-oh, right. Sure.” He was no longer the fragile son from before. Gong Ya-son had heard that Cheon returned earlier today after being gone for a month. He’d planned to announce the succession the next morning... ...but his son was not the same. With a flicker of hope in his voice, he asked, “Your body... You’ve learned martial arts, haven’t you? Could it be...?” “Yes. I’ve trained.” “...You have? But how? You... you weren’t supposed to be able to...” “You’re right. I was born unable to cultivate.” “...Exactly.” The wound was still raw, and Gong Ya-son struggled to speak it aloud. But Gong Ya-cheon said it for him. “I encountered a... fortuitous opportunity. It healed me.” “...What?” Gong Ya-son’s entire body trembled. “Y-you’re serious? Truly?” “Yes, Father.” Drip... Tears began to stream from Gong Ya-son’s eyes. “...Father?” He rushed forward and pulled his son into a tight embrace. “Oh, thank the heavens! Thank you, truly! Thank you for returning my son to me!” Gong Ya-son clutched his son with shaking arms, lifting his eyes to the heavens in gratitude. It was a long while before he could let go. When he finally stepped back, his eyes were red and swollen with tears. “Tell me everything. What happened to you? Could you tell your father the whole story?” “Yes. But... it’s a long one. Are you sure you’re ready?” “I’d stay up all night to hear it! Ah—this is perfect timing.” “...Sir?” “I just realized something. My son’s finally old enough to drink.” “...Father?” “Come on, my boy! Let’s sit down and share a proper drink, just the two of us! Hahahaha!” With his father so overjoyed, Gong Ya-cheon didn’t have the heart to stop him. **** Gong Ya-cheon spoke with his father through the night. He left out everything about Yeon Woo Jin. All he said was that he had met a mysterious master, who had healed him—and that this was why he hadn’t returned home for a month. Gong Ya-son became visibly excited, insisting they had to find that master immediately. But Gong Ya-cheon calmed him down. “He said we’ll meet again when the time is right.” Only then did Gong Ya-son take a seat, breathing easier. That calm didn’t last long. “What?! You’ve mastered most of the Six Yang Divine Art? In that short time?” “I already understood the essence of the technique. I just didn’t have the body to wield it before. Once that was fixed, progress came quickly.” His son, who had always been brilliant in mind, now possessed a body to match. He felt like dancing. With this, he could silence every voice of dissent in the sect. Gong Ya-son turned to his son. “Tomorrow, I will formally declare you the successor.” “I’ll stand beside you.” “You’ll need to show them.” “I will. I’ll show them everything.” Gong Ya-son grinned so wide it nearly split his face. He wanted to run outside and brag to the entire world—but he held back. Now, all he could do was count the hours until sunrise. **** The Next Day. The Gate Master summoned an emergency general assembly. All the sect’s key figures gathered. They already suspected what this meeting was about. That the Gate Master would name his eldest son, Gong Ya-cheon, as the heir—despite all opposition. Each entered the hall with grim, determined faces. Their minds were aligned on one thing: No. Absolutely not. For the future of the Ten Thousand Auspices Gate, the successor had to be the second son, Gong Ya-myeong. A few voices supported Gong Ya-cheon, but their number was so small, they didn’t dare speak out. And as they expected, the Gate Master rose and announced: “I hereby name Gong Ya-cheon, my eldest son, as the heir and next successor of the Ten Thousand Auspices Gate!” The room erupted in protest. “Gate Master! What are you saying?!” “You can’t make such a decision without a council vote!” “You’re choosing a successor without consulting any of us? This is madness!” As the shouting grew louder, Gong Ya-son pulled something from his robes and held it high. It was the Sect Command Seal—the Jangmunryeong. “This is an order by the Sect Seal! All disciples are to obey!” Even so, the opposition didn’t back down. “We refuse to recognize this! Gate Master, are you trying to destroy the sect?!” “This is unacceptable!” Gong Ya-son was about to explode in anger when— “You worthless bastards... Not only do you lift your heads in defiance before the Jangmunryeong, you have the gall to protest it?” WHOOSH— From behind, Gong Ya-ja, the Retired Grandmaster, stepped forward with fury in his eyes. Only then did the gathered elders realize how far they’d gone. One by one, they dropped to their knees in alarm. But Gong Ya-ja’s rage wasn’t so easily calmed. “Calling yourselves disciples of the Ten Thousand Auspices Gate, while mocking the authority of the Jangmunryeong? I’ll have none of it today!” Fwoooosh— A searing wave of heat burst out as massive flames erupted from both his hands. Gong Ya-son, startled, tried to stop him—but it was too late. Consumed by wrath, Gong Ya-ja hurled the fire straight at the crowd of elders. “Aaaaagh!” They screamed and scrambled, but they were too slow. Many were about to suffer serious injury—or worse. But then— Someone leapt between them and the flames. The attack was blocked—neutralized—before it could touch anyone. Everyone assumed it was the Gate Master. But it wasn’t. “...Grandfather, I think you need to calm down.” That voice—calm, familiar. Every head turned at once. “No way... Is that... the First Young Master?” “The First Young Master?!” “It... it can’t be!” There stood Gong Ya-cheon—the very one they’d all opposed. Had he just intercepted Gong Ya-ja’s attack? Was it even possible... with a body supposedly incapable of martial arts? Not only the crowd, but Gong Ya-myeong too, stared in disbelief. “H-he used a technique I haven’t even mastered yet...” He was shocked to see his older brother performing a secret move from the Six Yang Divine Art that he himself had never succeeded in learning. Even Gong Ya-ja stood frozen. “...Was that... just now... the Six Yang Divine Art?” “Yes. I used the Blazing Sun Qi Absorption (열양흡기) technique.” “Blazing Sun Qi Absorption... That’s the very heart of the Six Yang Divine Art... If you used it...” “It means I’ve mastered the Six Yang Divine Art.” At Gong Ya-cheon’s words, silence fell over the hall. No one knew what to say. Then, a small group—those few who had quietly supported him—leapt to their feet, cheering with joy. “Long live the First Young Master! He has mastered the Six Yang Divine Art!” “Hahaha! I knew it! Gate Master! Congratulations! This is a blessing for the entire sect!” “Hahaha! Thank you.” Only then did the others finally grasp the situation. They had opposed Gong Ya-cheon because he was thought incapable of martial arts. But now he had perfected the sect’s highest technique? There was no reason left to object. Then, Gong Ya-cheon spoke clearly. “As you can see, I can train in martial arts. I’ve completed the Six Yang Divine Art. I believe that satisfies the basic condition you all expected.” “...Yes. It does.” They answered, stunned, their faces blank with disbelief. Gong Ya-cheon gave a martial salute and addressed them once more. “If I’m lacking, I’ll improve. If you doubt me, I’ll prove myself. All I ask... is that you trust me, just once.” There was quiet in the hall. Then one by one, they began to kneel. And soon, like a wave, all followed. They bowed their heads as one and shouted: “We pay our respects to the Heir of the Ten Thousand Auspices Gate!” It was the day Gong Ya-cheon rose as the official successor of the Ten Thousand Auspices Gate.