Chapter 17

Circulating qi.

It was a method of regulating one’s energy by steadying one’s breathing—drawing qi from outside the body, circulating it within, and accumulating it.

Right now, I was circulating qi using the Jin Family’s Cultivation Technique.

This still feels incredible every time.

I had never realized there were so many acupoints in my body.

I had once heard that the human body contained more than three hundred and sixty acupoints, but based on what I could feel while using the cultivation technique, there were even more than that.

Is it because I’m a virtual game character?

Whatever.

The ten years of internal energy I drew up from my dantian circulated through my body. If internal energy was a car, then the meridians were a highway. All I had to do was sit behind the wheel and press the accelerator.

The internal energy raced along the straight and curving meridians throughout my body before returning to my dantian.

And this is where the real problem starts.

I took a long, deep breath. Then I felt it.

Another internal energy occupied my dantian like an enormous boulder that refused to budge, no matter how hard I willed it to.

What the hell are you?

It had been a mystery ever since I first circulated my qi—an unidentified energy entrenched there as if it owned the place.

I didn’t know where it had come from, how it had formed, or why I couldn’t use it, but one thing was certain. This unidentified energy contained even more power than my ten years of internal energy.

Until now, I hadn’t even dared touch it.

To be more precise, I hadn’t intended to. Until a few days ago, I had been waiting for rescue while doing just enough to stay alive.

But things were different now.

I need more internal energy.

The situation had changed. If I wanted to escape on my own, I had to fulfill the Logout Quest’s condition: reaching the First Rate realm.

I also knew that I needed internal energy on the level of Lee Seogeun’s to become First Rate.

I’ll make it mine.

I cautiously began moving my internal energy.

The moment I sent it toward the unidentified energy, half anxious and half hopeful, I realized something.

Not even close.

Internal energy was, strictly speaking, qi itself—something without physical form. Yet the instant the two energies touched, I felt a powerful rejection and resistance.

No. It was even pulling my internal energy toward it. At this rate, my energy would be devoured instead.

Hey, hey, hey! Wait a second!

I hurriedly pulled my internal energy back and shook off the unidentified energy as it clung on to the bitter end. At the same time, a System notification rang out.

Ding.

System

• You have trained the Jin Family’s Cultivation Technique. Internal energy has risen slightly.

• As a result of repeated training, Sinews and Bones have each increased by 1.

“What the hell was that?”

I calmed my pounding heart and opened my Status Window.

Status Window

Lv. 17 Jin Taekyung

Class: Second Rate martial artist
Fame: 70
Titles: 4 (Title effects active)

• Scion of a Prestigious Family — All stats +5, Fame +50
• Family’s Shame — All stats –5, Fame –50
• Novice Trainee — Training speed +10%
• Gambler — Combat-related stats +10% in one-on-one matches

Strength: 65  Stamina: 65
Agility: 75  Intelligence: 10
Charm: 10  Internal Energy: 10 years

Remaining Points: 0

The numbers in my Status Window were fairly impressive by now.

I had gained three levels all at once through the Duel Quest, then distributed the thirty points equally among Strength, Stamina, and Agility.

But looking at the Status Window still left a bitter taste in my mouth.

My internal energy is the only thing that hasn’t changed.

This damn System kept saying that my internal energy had risen, but the amount displayed in the Status Window remained exactly the same.

Do I need to take a spirit pill or an elixir or something?

I thought of Jin Wikyung. If I screwed up my courage and said, Big brother, just give me one spirit pill, I didn’t think he would refuse me outright.

I’d ask him the next time I saw him. I would also ask about the unidentified energy inside my dantian.

Krrrummble.

At that moment, the entrance to the training hall opened, and two people stepped inside.

“Um, Young Master Jin?”

It was Han Yeop. Behind him stood a martial artist I had never seen before. The man spoke in a blunt tone that matched his appearance.

“The Lesser Family Head commands you to attend the family council.”

“The Lesser Family Head?”

Perfect timing. There was something I wanted to ask him.

“It is beyond doubt. A few bones were broken, and there was some minor internal damage, but injuries like that could never…”

“Are you sure? Will you swear on your name as the Medicine King Hall Leader?”

“I said it’s true! I examined him myself!”

“Then that settles it. Why are you talking down to me? Huh? I treat you with respect because you’re another Hall Leader, and now you think I’m a joke?”

“You were the one who started talking down to me, White Tiger Hall Leader!”

I stared blankly at the ceiling of the meeting room. The shouts and curses flying from every direction made my ears ring.

What the hell is this?

This wasn’t what I had imagined a family council would be like. I had pictured a quiet, orderly atmosphere where everyone exchanged opinions and searched for common ground…

“You think all Hall Leaders are equal? You’re nothing but a mere physician!”

“Listen to this young bastard. I ought to ram a great big needle into your perineal acupoint.”

Two men in their forties or fifties, both with receding M-shaped hairlines, were grabbing each other by the collars and shaking one another. Just watching them made my head hurt.

The problem was that scenes like this were unfolding all over the room.

Maybe that was why most of the people there didn’t seem to notice me open the door and take my seat.

—You’re here?

The voice seemed to enter through my head rather than my ears.

Sound Transmission.

I turned and met Jin Wikyung’s gaze from the seat of honor. He gave me a weary smile.

—It’s a madhouse, isn’t it?

Exactly. So why did you call me into this madhouse?

I shot him a reproachful look. Looking sheepish, Jin Wikyung sent another Sound Transmission.

—I had no choice. The Elder Council demanded your attendance. In any case… you are involved in this matter.

The Elder Council? I’m involved in this matter?

What matter am I involved in…? Oh. The Mount Heng Sword Sect?

I quickly pieced things together amid the shouting and cursing.

The only recent incident involving me was the one with the Mount Heng Sword Sect. And because of that incident, the Elder Council or whatever had summoned me.

That had to be it.

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

There were four of them. Every one had a face covered in age spots and hair that had gone completely white.

They watched the men with the M-shaped hairlines grab each other by the collars with cold eyes. Anyone could see it was a nursing home—or rather, the Elder Council.

—And… the Head Elder is here.

I turned toward Jin Wikyung without thinking, then flinched.

What the hell? That old man… How long had he been sitting there?

I had only just noticed that there were two seats of honor today. An old man was sitting to Jin Wikyung’s right, staring at me. His gaze made my face prickle.

Is that old man the Head Elder?

White hair, a white beard, and white eyebrows. He looked like an immortal who had stepped out of an old painting. His straight back, broad shoulders, and taut skin seemed to defy his age.

But why is he staring at me so intently?

I put some force into my gaze and tried to glare back at the Head Elder…

Then I quietly looked away.

Not because I thought I would lose if we fought. It was respect for my elders. Respect for my elders. Really.

I’ll just keep my head down.

Jin Wikyung’s Sound Transmission continued in the meantime.

—You may not know this because you lost your memory, but the Head Elder is your great-uncle and the most senior elder in the family. Be especially careful with your words and actions.

I hadn’t even seen my father’s face, and now I had a great-uncle.

Maybe there were in-laws, eighth-degree relatives, and even one of my father’s cousins somewhere in this room.

I gave Jin Wikyung a small nod.

—And… you must not be flustered by what happens from this point onward. Calmly tell them only the truth. Do you understand?

I didn’t know exactly what was going on, but one thing was certain: Jin Wikyung was on my side.

I nodded again, and Jin Wikyung rose with a faint smile.

“Silence, everyone.”

His voice, infused with internal energy, swept across the meeting hall.

“This is a family council of the Jin Family of Taiyuan, and we have gathered to discuss a grave matter. Since the witness has arrived, I intend to begin the interrogation.”

The meeting hall had fallen silent before I knew it. With everyone’s attention fixed on him, Jin Wikyung spoke.

“By the authority of the Lesser Family Head and current acting Family Head, I begin this interrogation. Third Young Master Jin Taekyung, step forward.”

I felt everyone’s eyes on me as I walked forward. I had expected this much. They hadn’t summoned me for no reason.

But…

“I ask you this. Did you poison Lee Seogeun of the Mount Heng Sword Sect?”

That was something I hadn’t expected.

“No.”

I barely managed to get the word out. My thoughts were a mess from the sudden question.

Lee Seogeun was dead? Poisoned, at that?

“Tell us the truth. If your words are proven false…”

“I had nothing to do with poisoning Lee Seogeun.”

My answer was as sharp as a blade. Jin Wikyung let out a sigh tinged with relief.

—Keep doing exactly this.

The interrogation proceeded quickly. They asked questions, and I answered.

Starting with Jin Wikyung, they fired one question after another at me.

About half of the questions concerned whether I had been involved in poisoning Lee Seogeun, and I continued to deny it.

Because it was true.

Just in case, I secretly opened my System Window and checked. I was certain. None of my martial arts or abilities had anything to do with poison. I didn’t have any such Items, either.

That was why I could answer without hesitation.

“No.”

The problem was that, at some point, the atmosphere in the meeting hall began to take a strange turn.

“Do you have any evidence to prove it?”

“Evidence?”

White Tiger Hall Leader, was it? The man whose name I didn’t even know stared at me with obvious displeasure.

“That is correct. Evidence. I mean evidence that would prove the Third Young Master’s innocence.”

What the hell is this bastard talking about?

“Why do I have to prove it?”

“What?”

“Don’t ‘what’ me.”

“Listen here, Third Young Master!”

“You’re free to suspect me, but shouldn’t you be the ones looking for evidence? Am I wrong?”

I’d let this go on long enough. Did these bastards think I was some damn wrapping cloth?¹

Fuming, I glared at the White Tiger Hall Leader as he sat down, then noticed something strange.

Well, well. Look at this.

The White Tiger Hall Leader kept stealing glances at the old men of the Elder Council.

The strange thing was that everyone who had been pressing and interrogating me was doing something similar.

Nearly half the people in attendance were acting this way. It was getting difficult to pretend I hadn’t noticed.

So this is a factional struggle.

Jin Wikyung and the Elder Council.

Even now, a power struggle was taking place between the senior members of the family and the Lesser Family Head who was young enough to be their grandson.

What a family.

Only a few people remained to question me. The problem was who those people were.

Faces covered in age spots. Canny, experienced eyes.

The old men of the Elder Council.

The oldest and fattest of them opened his mouth.

“Enough of this empty questioning. There is only one thing this old man wishes to ask. Where did this matter begin?”

The senior members allied with the Elder Council answered as if they had been waiting for the question.

“The Third Young Master.”

“Who was it that dragged our family’s reputation through the mud with disorderly words and conduct?”

“The Third Young Master.”

The same answer came from several places around the room.

“Then who was it that laid hands on the Mount Heng Sword Sect’s treasured jewel and brought about the present crisis?”

“…”

Just kill me already, you bastards.