Chapter 219

Whoosh-whoosh-whoosh!

Existence follows the name, they say. Even amidst the fierce wind shaking the bamboo forest, Jang Gun-i stood firm. Truly, the spirit only a general could possess. Look at him now, his whiskers folding under the wind pressure, his snout flapping, yet he struggles to keep his eyes open.

Squeak.

Though he was just napping and now caught up in this dog’s hardship, Jang Gun-i planted his front paws firmly on the ground, enduring the strong wind. Perhaps, seeing Jin Hyuk struggling, he’s also putting in all his effort to protect him. Even now, his gaze is fixed solely on Jin Hyuk.

Whoooooosh!

Not even a typhoon could bring wind this fierce.

Fortunately, no bamboo trees were broken or fallen, but finding one standing straight was difficult.

‘Too strong, huh?’

It was neither intended nor expected.

The bamboo forest was chosen as a perfect spot for sneaking around and doing bizarre things.

But now, it’s like a storm has swept through flat land.

Just trying to exhale slowly and release tension, the energy that started to escape surged violently like groundwater meeting a spring. Like a dam with holes collapsing all at once, the power released from the seven apertures, beyond the five senses, seeped through pores and began to penetrate the skin.

Invisible, yet distinctly felt in every cell.

At first, it was frightening.

The power, once considered trivial as it didn’t disrupt daily life, exploded as if it had been waiting. But seeing Jang Gun-i’s bristled fur and alert stance gradually relax brought relief. It meant safety.

Thanks to successful control of the power.

Anyway, seeing Cheon Gil-ryong’s face, who had asked to drop by occasionally, it would be troublesome if the place turned to ruins.

‘Now, it seems like I can control it as intended.’

The storm felt on the skin gradually subsided, and not even a breeze blew around Jin Hyuk. However, a counterclockwise typhoon continued to rage just an arm’s length away. Like sitting in the eye of the storm.

Now, the connection between the typhoon and Jin Hyuk was not the mouth but the crown of the head.

A new realization. The upper dantian, which once trembled in response to moonlight while sharing watermelon with Hong Soo-jung, could become a pathway for power.

“Jang Gun, come here.”

If left alone, that flapping whisker might not survive.

Squeeeeak!

Just then, Jang Gun-i floated up.

“Come here, I said.”

Reaching out, Jin Hyuk grabbed Jang Gun-i and placed him on his lap.

It’s a relief to be able to speak and move freely.

By the way, it’s been a while since I last had a flea transfer.

*

Whoosh. Rustle.

As the wind ceased, bamboo leaves that had been swirling like daggers above the forest fluttered down.

No particular abnormalities were found in the body.

No particular feeling of fatigue, no decline in vision or stamina.

And the bamboo forest remained intact.

Well, the surrounding bamboos leaned as if caught in a whirlwind, but this much is understandable.

Even if seen directly, who would know who caused this?

“Hmm. Seems like I managed to control the power well.”

A satisfied smile naturally appeared.

Not only was the effect of pressing down on the heart to protect the bamboo forest evident, but also the mindset of worrying whether the forest would break or if Cheon Gil-ryong would be surprised showed how much I’ve changed.

“Let’s go, Jang Gun.”

Hehehe.

As if waiting for those words, Jang Gun-i took the lead and started walking downhill.

Rustle.

Without a single breeze, as Jin Hyuk left, the bamboo forest stretched as if waking up.

“Huh?”

A bizarre event.

The eerie commotion that had been bustling quieted down as Jin Hyuk looked back.

Though it’s funny to comment so casually after causing such a bizarre event, it’s only natural to find it strange for a bamboo forest to stir in a windless world.

“A mysterious forest. There must be something here.”

Is that why you asked me to visit often?

Descending the hill and scanning the forest again, it was quiet without any movement.

But then.

“Oh my. The bamboo grove is twisted like a pretzel.”

From inside, only parts seemed twisted, but from the outside, the whole thing was warped.

Seeing that, something comes to mind.

“I want a pretzel.”

Mom’s homemade pretzels, fried in a cauldron and coated with sugar, are the best. I should ask mom to make some. Unbothered by the heat, Jin Hyuk started running lightly, step by step.

As the troublemaker disappeared, a chilly wind began to blow through the bamboo forest again.

It looked as if a snake shedding its skin was shuddering.

***

Having already met and interacted on various occasions, Yoo Se-ra and Hong Ki-jun didn’t find Cheon Gil-ryong uncomfortable. Rather, they welcomed him as a pleasant guest. Since Yoo Myung-sun had already sought consent and was closely attending to him, there was nothing else to worry about.

Cheon Gil-ryong, being a free spirit, disliked interference.

“Old man, what are you doing?”

“No, I just thought there might be some riddles or something.”

Despite being a free soul, with the chef interfering, Cheon Gil-ryong couldn’t comfortably rummage through the fridge.

With over ten workers, it’s hard to neglect guest hospitality.

The staff managing household affairs seemed to welcome Cheon Gil-ryong.

Cheon Gil-ryong, upon arrival, took the pulse from the chef to the bodyguard, and they all had astonishing experiences.

Some, after receiving acupuncture, had their cold sweats disappear and their faces become unrecognizably better; others saw their under-eye circles vanish and their complexion brighten; some had their aching wrists healed.

“How long will the old man stay?”

“About four days, I heard. Shouldn’t you be curious about how long Chairman Yoo will stay?”

Cheon Gil-ryong was the topic of the workers’ whispers.

Seeing Hong Soo-jung, who had returned from a trip with friends, Cheon Gil-ryong’s eyes widened.

She had matured even more since last year, which was only natural.

“Ho-ho, the princess has become even more of a princess.”

Hong Soo-jung lightly bowed her head and went up to her room.

Her face wasn’t particularly displeased, but it wasn’t bright either.

“No, how rude-.”

“Haha, just let it be. It seems like that time.”

“Still, he’s a guest, grandfather. Shouldn’t she at least hold his hand or something… Sorry, old man. She must be tired from a three-day trip to the amusement park.”

“No, no. No need to take my pulse. She looks healthier than her father in this house.”

“Really?”

Yoo Se-ra, caught off guard, stammered.

“At a glance, her body is full of energy. Youth is indeed the best medicine.”

“She’s only twelve, it’s a bit much to call her young. Hoho.”

“Hahaha, indeed.”

Seeing Yoo Se-ra’s mischievously curved eyes, Cheon Gil-ryong took a step back.

Though calling her young might not be inappropriate, he knew the term had different connotations in today’s world. It originally referred to the vigorous prime of youth, but words change faces with people, so the old man had to concede.

*

Three days had passed since Cheon Gil-ryong stayed in Seoul.

“Will Chairman Hong be late again today?”

“Yes. He works until steam comes out of his head, I’m worried he might collapse.”

“He’s someone with a naturally long lifespan and peak, so don’t worry.”

“Just hearing that puts my mind at ease.”

Yoo Se-ra went up to Hong Soo-jung’s room, and Cheon Gil-ryong looked out at the garden alone.

Reflecting on the conversations he had heard between Yoo Myung-sun and Hong Ki-jun during his stay.

‘The world is becoming chaotic…’

Even if one understands the workings of the world, it’s impossible to know everything in detail. Especially if it’s specialized content. Cheon Gil-ryong could only sense the atmosphere.

In the quietly exchanged conversations, ignoring Cheon Gil-ryong, there were countless bones and blades. It was only clear that they weren’t directed at each other.

It was ambiguous whether the world was becoming chaotic or if Chairman Hong intended to make the world chaotic. Only the certainty that he was someone who wouldn’t be swayed by worldly affairs was reaffirmed, seeing his particularly sparkling eyes.

‘By the way, will President Son’s business be safe?’

Though a recluse, Cheon Gil-ryong was also a villager.

As the saying goes, arms bend inward, so he’s worried about neighbor Son Kwang-yeon’s business taking a hit.

‘They say leaving home brings all sorts of worries. I’m exactly like that.’

It’s the first time he’s left his place since settling down, so he’s also concerned about the bamboo forest.

The other day, his temples were throbbing, making him anxious that those troublesome spirits might have caused some accident, preventing him from sleeping peacefully. It’s a relief there’s no particular sign now.

‘Oh my. I should worry about myself first. Need to use the restroom…’

Having been generously treated and filled up during his stay, his stomach felt too heavy.

***

How important it is to empty.

Whether it’s the body or the mind.

Jin Hyuk truly felt the saying of filling by emptying.

Even if it came from somewhere else.

Huff-puff.

Under the watch of Yoo Jin and Jeong Won, he carried the load.

The training repeated for days now, surpassing the dead point, was unexpectedly enjoyable.

“Grrrgh.”

Could it be described as agony?

This torment, as if the heart is being sliced by a dull knife.

Breathing, yet it can hardly be called respiration. If not for the heart and lungs mechanically working for survival, he would have collapsed from oxygen deprivation long ago. Returning to an ordinary human body after releasing unknown power, Jin Hyuk experienced this process several times. The brain, deprived of oxygen, even brought the fear of death.

The lesson Jin Hyuk learned at the threshold of death during the first dead point was about the brain.

Huff-huff.

‘Breathe in strongly and long through the nose.’

Supplying oxygen to the brain quickly was the method Jin Hyuk found.

Breathing in strongly through the nose, like ink spreading in clear water, fills the hot and stuffy head with cool air. Then, the brain naturally gives commands. The lungs will filter oxygen more purely, and the heart will expand more.

Even with a face about to burst while running, Jin Hyuk guessed the reason behind the name ‘dead point.’ Perhaps it doesn’t mean a point of death but a moment of change and growth.

A moment set by the human brain, comparable to the universe. If you’re afraid, don’t dare to cross it. Hey, if you want to grow more, give it all you’ve got!

Crossing the dead point brought a sense of relief, not as much as what Kim Yo-han had said, but enough to feel past the crisis. Probably because the intensity of exercise differs from Kim Yo-han’s.

Yoo Jin, seeing her brother in the distance, cupped her hands to her mouth like a trumpet.

“Brother-! Can Jeong Won go swimming?”

Jin Hyuk, running far on the track, made a circle with his thumb and another finger.

She said she’d watch her brother exercise, but she’s already changed into a swimsuit.

Baby Jeong Won, being a baby, was naturally jumping beside his sister, eager to get into the water.

‘Should I stop exercising for today?’

Exercise is good, but ensuring the safety of my siblings comes first.

Though there are quite a few villagers enjoying leisure at the bear den, with SSS agents stationed as safety officers, it’s uneasy unless I do it myself. Family matters, as usual, require my own hands to feel at ease.

Wiping sweat with a towel, he first went to Min Yong-rak.

Min Yong-rak was alternately watching the measuring equipment and the analysis monitor with narrowed eyes.

“How is it?”

“Looking at the results of the last kilometer run now. Top speed was 37 km/h, average speed 29 km/h. Hmm, see here?”

Min Yong-rak pointed at the screen.

It was the intersection of an irregularly curved line and an upward straight line.

“35 km/h. There might be some error. It’s not easy to keep running at that speed, not even on a bicycle. This seems to be around the 200-meter mark, maintaining this level is necessary. Data suggests that maintaining this speed for 300 meters steadily should allow investing all energy within ten seconds. Think you can do it?”

“Yes. Once I get the feel, it should be possible.”

Jin Hyuk was already excited by the new challenge.

The thrill of running purely with his body’s strength and eventually achieving the desired record. It was an incomparable joy, unlike the satisfaction of knowing all the answers on a test.

‘Just keep doing it until it works.’

After showering, he gestured to call Yoo Jin.

Yoo Jin had wrapped a towel around baby Jeong Won to protect his privacy. But why did she drape it over her shoulders like a robe? His little pepper is all visible.

“I’ll shower and come back, wait.”

“Okay-. Hehe.”

There’s another reason to spend more time with the siblings.

Tomorrow, I have to go to school for supplementary classes.

Though supplementary classes end early in the afternoon, it’s inevitably more regrettable than staying home all day.

After a quick shower and changing into a swimsuit, I jumped into the pool first.

Splash!

Swam to the center of the pool with a breaststroke and returned to where the siblings were.

“Come to brother, baby-.”

“Brother-! Jump-!”

Jeong Won has no fear.

Shouting ‘dive,’ he fearlessly jumped into the water in his natural, primal body.

It must mean he trusts his brother that much.