Chapter 216

Jeok Ripae considered his elder brother's words for a moment, then gave a dismissive chuckle.

“Having fun making a fool of your little brother now that he's finally come out of seclusion? Enough already. Do you really think I'd fall for something like that?”

“I'm telling you, it's true!”

“That's enough. If you're going to trick someone, at least come up with a believable story. Who would fall for something that ridiculous? Isn't that right, Wisin?”

“Yes.”

“Argh! You're impossible! The whole reason I came out here to meet you was to talk about this. I'm serious! There's something unusual about that boy.”

“Enough. I should go pay my respects to Father.”

“When you get there, the boy will probably be sitting right beside him. Take a good look for yourself.”

With his elder brother insisting so vehemently, Ripae began to wonder if he might actually be telling the truth.

“Are you serious?”

“How many times do I have to tell you? We aren't getting anywhere talking about it here. Go see for yourself, and we'll discuss it again this evening.”

******

“You've made considerable progress yourself.”

“I still have a long way to go, Father.”

“Unlike your elder brother, you're as modest as ever.”

Jeok Mugun turned his attention to Jeok Wisin.

“Not bad at all. Well, well. There doesn't seem to be much difference between you and Wihwang.”

The remark brought a faint smile to Ripae's lips.

He hadn't seen Jeok Wihwang yet, and the uncertainty had been troubling him. But a single comment from Jeok Mugun was enough to put his worries to rest.

“By the way, why haven't I seen hide or hair of my third son? Is he in seclusion, too?”

“Huh? Now that you mention it, I haven't seen him at all lately.”

“What kind of elder brothers are you? Your younger brother goes missing, and neither of you even bothers to check on him?”

“I'm sorry, Father. I'll look into it.”

As Ripae answered, Jeok Wisin's gaze remained fixed on someone else.

“Who is that boy?”

“Rihyeon's eldest son. Say hello. And this is your second uncle,” Jeok Mugun added to Wigang.

“It's a pleasure to meet you. My name is Jeok Wigang.”

“Yes, good to meet you. From what I've heard, this boy is also a candidate for succession... Is that true?”

“Yes. Shouldn't all you brothers be given a fair opportunity?”

Wisin nodded at Jeok Mugun's words.

“That's good to hear. I'd been feeling rather sorry for the youngest. I'm sure he'd be pleased to know he's being given a chance, too.”

“Indeed.”

Wisin continued to study Jeok Wigang.

I don't see anything particularly unusual about him, just as Elder Brother said... But Father supposedly doesn't know what to do with himself around this boy?

Nothing about the atmosphere suggested that was the case.

Then something struck him as odd.

Wait a minute. Isn't this Father's room? Has Father ever allowed anyone to sit beside him like that in his own room?

Never.

Not even his children.

Not even his grandchildren.

Yet Jeok Wigang was an exception.

And on closer inspection...

Wigang was sitting perfectly at ease in front of Jeok Mugun.

How is that even possible?

Ripae himself was still so tense that his entire body felt stiff.

Once he became conscious of the difference and looked more closely, it was impossible to miss.

Was Elder Brother telling the truth?

It certainly didn't seem like a joke anymore.

There really is something unusual about that boy, just as he said.

Ripae decided he needed to meet with Rigeuk as soon as possible.

“Father, we'll take our leave now.”

“Very well. The succession trials will begin soon, so make sure you're properly prepared.”

“Yes, Father!”

******

The Heavenly Forge.

CLANG! CLANG! CLANG!

The sound of hammering iron rang through the forge.

“You rascal! I told you to hit it harder!”

“Yes, Master!”

An old man barked orders while a shirtless young man, his body drenched in sweat, hammered away at a piece of iron.

They were Master Smith Cheon and Yeomhwa.

“That's it! Now you're doing it properly. Ha ha!”

Master Smith Cheon smiled in satisfaction as he watched Yeomhwa swing the hammer.

Just then, a voice reached them.

“Looks like you're doing well.”

Both men turned toward the familiar, welcome voice.

“Huh? You...”

“My lord!”

Yeomhwa threw down the hammer, rushed over, and prostrated himself.

“Your servant Yeomhwa pays his respects, my lord!”

“Have you been well? Have your skills improved much?”

“I still have a long way to go.”

Jeok Wigang smiled and turned his attention to Master Smith Cheon.

“Have you been well, Master?”

“Ha ha ha! I've been having the time of my life teaching this rascal.”

“How is he? Does he have talent?”

“Does he ever! He's got what it takes to surpass even me.”

At Master Smith Cheon's confident declaration, Yeomhwa blushed and scratched his head in embarrassment.

Master Smith Cheon looked at Wigang.

“So, what brings you here?”

“I have some business at Heavenly Martial Castle.”

“Would that business happen to be the succession trials?”

“Yes.”

“Heh heh heh. I see. So you've finally given in and changed your mind?”

“Things just worked out that way.”

“Do you really need to go through the succession trials? It's obvious you're going to be the next Lord anyway. I'll support you, the Eight Stars of Heavenly Martial Castle will support you, and so will every department head. At this point, the whole thing is practically a formality.”

Wigang merely smiled.

“Do the others know you've arrived?”

Wigang shook his head.

“No. Nobody knows yet. I'm planning to keep a low profile until the trials begin.”

“Ha ha ha. But you came to see me?”

“Of course I did.”

“Ha ha ha ha!”

Wigang's matter-of-fact response put Master Smith Cheon in such a good mood that he burst into hearty laughter.

As they continued talking, another voice called out.

“Master Smith Cheon, are you here?”

There weren't many people in Heavenly Martial Castle who could visit Master Smith Cheon in person.

Wigang had already met every one of the people who had that privilege.

Yet he had never heard this voice before.

Master Smith Cheon smiled.

“That's your third uncle. You haven't met him yet, have you?”

“No.”

“Fancy that rascal coming to see me. How unusual.”

“I'll hide for now.”

“Why?”

“I'd rather not let anyone know we're acquainted.”

“Hmm. Well, go hide over there in the corner, then.”

“All right.”

Wigang's figure quietly vanished.

Master Smith Cheon opened the door.

“Well, what brings you here? It's not like you to come looking for me.”

“I'm sorry, Master. I should have visited more often, but I've been so busy looking after my only son...”

“Everyone in Heavenly Martial Castle knows how devoted you are to that son of yours. Let me guess. You've come to ask for a weapon to give W igun, haven't you?”

“Yes. He's going to participate in the succession trials, and there's little I can do for him as his father. I thought I might at least give him a fine sword.”

“A sword, you say... Giving him one wouldn't be difficult, but I don't hand out swords indiscriminately. If he wants a sword from me, Wigun will have to come here himself.”

At the mention of bringing his son in person, Jeok Riho's expression darkened.

“Something's wrong, isn't it?”

Riho nodded.

“I fear I've let my ambition get the better of me.”

“Why? Has he suffered a qi deviation?”

“He's lost his mind.”

“What? How?”

“I don't know. He's become a different person.”

“What exactly do you mean by a different person?”

“He acts as though something has possessed him. Sometimes he comes to his senses and behaves perfectly normally, only to start acting as though an evil spirit has taken hold of him again.”

“Then why do you need a sword from me?”

“Strangely enough... whenever he's holding the sword you gave him as a gift, his mind returns to normal.”

“Really? The swords I forge are filled with vital energy, so they can ward off malignant influences. Are you saying you need a sword with even stronger energy?”

Riho nodded.

“The sword you gave him... was thrown into the lake. I'm sorry.”

“Hmm. From the sound of it, a sword isn't going to solve your problem. We need to find someone who can help you.”

Riho gave a bitter smile at Master Smith Cheon's words.

“There's no one who can help. I've tried everything myself, but nothing has worked. And I can't ask Father for help, either. He would undoubtedly say that Wigun's mind is too weak and disqualify him from the succession trials...”

“Do you want the position of Lord of Heavenly Martial Castle that badly?”

Riho shook his head.

“No. I don't want it. The reason I've pushed so hard is... it's Wigun's dream. I know perfectly well that it's a dream he can never achieve. But I couldn't bring myself to tell him to give up without even trying.”

“Hmm.”

“I trained him as far away from prying eyes as possible, hoping he wouldn't become discouraged by seeing Wihwang and Wisin. But... this is entirely my fault.”

“I understand your circumstances now.”

Master Smith Cheon nodded, then suddenly called toward the wall.

“You heard all that, didn't you? Come on out.”

Riho looked puzzled as Master Smith Cheon addressed an apparently empty wall.

Just then, the wall began to ripple. A human shape emerged from its surface, gradually taking form until a person stood there in full.

Riho might not be as powerful as his elder brothers or the Eight Stars of Heavenly Martial Castle, but he had still reached the early Profound Realm.

Yet he hadn't sensed this person's presence in the slightest.

“I hadn't intended to introduce myself like this... It's a pleasure to meet you. My name is Jeok Wigang.”

“Jeok Wigang?”

Master Smith Cheon explained.

“He's Jeok Rihyeon's eldest son.”

Riho's eyes widened in surprise.

“O-oh! I see. It's good to meet you. I'm Jeok Riho, the third son. But... why were you hiding?”

Master Smith Cheon answered in Wigang's place.

“I told him to hide. It wouldn't look very good if people found out we were close during the succession trials, would it?”

“You two are close?”

“Of course. That rascal is even better at working iron than I am.”

“Pardon?”

What was that supposed to mean?

Was there really someone in the entire Central Plains who could work iron better than Master Smith Cheon?

“That boy is also quite good at treating people. I'm sure he'll be able to help you.”

“He practices medicine, too?”

“That rascal can do just about anything. Medicine, blacksmithing, sorcery, formations. You name it.”

Riho could hardly believe what he was hearing.

“For now, take him with you. Whatever the problem is, I'm certain he'll find a way to solve it. You have my word.”

Riho looked at Wigang.

“Is what he says true?”

“I'll have to examine your son before I can tell you anything.”

Riho hesitated, but there was really only one answer.

He was desperate enough to try anything that might offer even the slightest hope.

“Very well... Follow me.”

“Yes.”

******

After running for quite some time, they arrived halfway up a mountain overlooking an enormous lake.

“Come inside.”

Wigang entered a shabby hut and found a young man lying on a bed.

They had made a fair amount of noise coming in, yet the young man showed no sign of waking.

“Once he falls asleep, there's simply no waking him.”

“Let me examine him first.”

Wigang approached slowly and took the young man's hand.

“Hmm... His pulse is normal.”

He examined him from head to toe.

He couldn't find anything wrong.

“There doesn't seem to be anything unusual.”

Riho nodded at Wigang's assessment.

“That's what everyone said. That there was nothing wrong with him. That they couldn't treat him because there was nothing physically wrong with him.”

“Then the problem must lie elsewhere. Shall we try waking him up first?”

“He won't wake up.”

“I'll use a little force, then.”

“Huh?”

SMACK!

Before Riho could stop him, Wigang slapped the young man hard across the face.

There was still no reaction.

“He's not waking up.”

Jeok Wigun's face immediately began to swell.

“W-what do you think you're doing?!”

“I'm sorry. I'll treat the swelling separately.”

“You little...”

Seeing his son's swollen face, Riho felt anger surge through him.

“Get away from my son this instant...”

WHOOSH!

Before Riho could finish speaking, Wigun suddenly shot upright in bed.

“Wigun! You're awake?”

Had the slap really woken him?

But something was wrong. His eyes were completely unfocused.

Wigang waved a finger back and forth in front of his face, but his pupils didn't move.

“It looks like someone has completely sealed off his consciousness.”

“W-what do you mean? Sealed off his consciousness? Is that even possible?”

“It is, if someone uses witchcraft or sorcery.”