Episode 4. It’s Time to Confront Him
The place where Sirius stayed was the Regal family’s annex.
A three-story building with a small garden, it was a study and villa built by the former head of the family who loved reading.
Since the former head had passed away, it had been gathering dust, but Yustia, who loved books, had inherited it and taken care of it.
Yustia often lived in this annex, so even after getting married, she used it as her honeymoon house.
“It’s nice to have some peace.”
There was nothing around the annex except mountains and forests.
So, it was quiet.
There were only about six people working in the annex.
If there was a need for manpower, someone would come from the main building a little further away.
“If you want to train, a quiet place is definitely better.”
With that thought in mind, Sirius climbed the mountain near the annex.
He regulated the flow of qi throughout his body to generate vitality, but that alone was not enough.
He needed to increase his activity level and build basic stamina.
As he climbed the mountain, his whole body was soaked in sweat.
In his prime, during the days of Cheonlangmuje and Baekmulang, he wouldn’t have shed a single drop of sweat, but Sirius’s body was still fragile.
Nevertheless, by using his inner strength to support his body, Sirius could do things that would be impossible with his original stamina.
“Hmm.”
He leaped up the steep slope.
He saw something like a cave above.
With his current abilities, he couldn’t perform proper qinggong, but he could climb this kind of slope.
“Not bad.”
Reaching his intended spot, he peered inside.
The cave was quite deep and cozy.
It was a suitable space for practicing qigong.
“Indeed, qigong practice should be done in a deep mountain cave like this for the best experience…”
Feeling the abundant natural energy, he sat on the ground.
Then, he adjusted his posture and began his qigong practice.
—
“Sirius has headed to the back mountain again.”
“…”
Hearing the voice of Maria, the chief maid, Yustia paused with her pen.
Yustia was currently in the second-floor study room, checking accounting documents.
“He sneaks off to the back mountain whenever he can, then when he comes home, he locks himself in the lab… I don’t know what he’s up to. And why does he eat so much…?”
“Maria.”
Looking at Maria, who was criticizing Sirius, Yustia spoke up.
“I’m not causing harm to anyone, just leave me alone.”
“Miss, but that person is your husband…”
“It’s actually better for me this way.”
She was sincere.
Sirius was so absorbed in his work that Yustia could focus solely on her duties, just like before they got married.
“Stop the unnecessary chatter and deliver these documents to the main office.”
“Oh, okay.”
Yustia was examining the Regal family’s financial documents.
Although she lacked magical abilities, Yustia had always been quick-witted since childhood.
Hence, despite her young age, she was in charge of some practical matters for the family.
“What seems to be the issue?”
“The expenses going to the Security Division are too high. We need to check it once.”
Saying this, Yustia frowned.
“As the income decreases and the expenses increase… I worry about the future of the Regal family.”
The Regal family was declining rapidly.
They only maintained the name of one of the five major families on the continent, now even appearing inferior to mid-level families.
Unable to sustain the family with their own strength, they had to borrow troops from other families.
“A youngest who can’t even use magic worrying about this won’t change anything, but…”
“Miss…”
Yustia looked out of the window.
Her husband would probably spend another peaceful day without any concern for these matters.
***
Sirius wasn’t simply training his physical strength.
Physical training was a process of engraving footwork, body movements, and light skills into his body.
Due to the significant difference in physique between Sirius and the Heavenly Wolf Clan, he had to find movements that suited his body perfectly.
If he could move agilely using his internal energy, he would have an advantage when facing others.
‘It seems this world lacks such power.’
There was no martial arts in this world.
It was said that even using magic couldn’t enhance a person’s physical abilities.
At least, according to Sirius’s memory.
‘Today should be enough.’
After sweating profusely, Sirius started descending the mountain.
He would now head to the annex to wash up and rest in the study.
Originally provided by the Regal family for his academic research, Sirius was now using the place for accommodation as well.
‘The maids have brought the bedding… and they also provide three meals a day, so there’s no need to wander elsewhere.’
However, today he planned to explore the inside of the annex a bit.
He needed a sword.
‘Even a wooden sword will do, I just need a sword to practice.’
As he walked down the corridor inside the annex, a passing maid greeted him.
“Sir Sirius, are you going to wash up?”
“Sure, please prepare the clothes for me to change into.”
“Yes, understood.”
“Oh, and…”
With a hint of curiosity, a question was thrown out.
“Is there a sword in this annex?”
“A sword?”
The maid seemed puzzled.
“Why a sword…?”
“I just want to train my physical strength.”
“Ah…”
“Even a wooden sword would do.”
Upon hearing Sirius’ words, the maid cautiously spoke up.
“There is a decorative sword in the storage.”
“A decorative sword?”
“It’s the sword that the former head of the family had displayed in the reception room. Miss Yustia asked to have it put away, so we stored it in the warehouse…”
“Do I need Yustia’s permission to use it?”
“It should be fine. It’s just a decorative sword, and it’s not being used for anything important.”
Even though it was a decorative sword, with enough skill, it could serve as a weapon.
At least, Sirius thought, he should make use of that.
“Shall I bring it to you?”
“Yes, I’d appreciate that.”
After making the request, he headed to the bathroom.
After cleaning himself up and returning to the laboratory, he found a sword lying there.
“Here it is.”
He drew the sword from its scabbard.
It was quite sturdy and well-balanced.
“So, it’s not just a decorative sword.”
Clearly, it was a functional sword.
It seemed to have been treated for decorative purposes, but with proper sharpening, it could become a threatening weapon.
Of course, even with a blade this blunt, with enough skill, it could still be deadly.
“I should get a whetstone next time.”
Muttering to himself, Sirius adjusted his posture in the laboratory.
With his current physique, he needed to figure out how to distribute his weight when wielding such a sword.
“…”
And the sword sliced through the air.
Though swung with a still feeble body, the traces left in the air bore the essence of swordsmanship.
“…”
Sirius did not stop.
Continuing his forms, he unfolded a dance in the laboratory.
The sound of the sword cutting through the air repeatedly stimulated the ears.
And the moment approaching the final stage of herbivory.
“…!”
Wuuung!
A black energy spread on the blade.
It was the first stage of the Cheonrang Divine Art, ‘Bukmyeong (北溟)’.
“Haap!”
Paaahng!
The sound of the strike echoed.
The bookshelves lining the research lab wall shook, and the books stuck in them fell with a rustling sound.
However, Sirius grimaced.
“As expected, still far from enough.”
He adjusted his posture while biting his tongue.
Although he had entered the stage of Bukmyeong, Sirius had not yet achieved perfect harmony with his body.
If he had properly controlled the power of Bukmyeong, such shockwaves would not have occurred.
“More practice is needed.”
He was still trapped in the habits of the Cheonrang Divine Art’s White Martial Era.
It was essential to accurately assess the level of strength he currently possessed and unfold martial arts in the most suitable way.
He must not forget that he was no longer a Cheonrang Divine Art’s White Martial, but Sirius Canisroot.
“….”
He closed his eyes and focused his mind.
Then, he recalled memories from the past.
He remembered when he was not the strong one known as Cheonrang Divine but a young nameless swordsman.
What did he pursue back then?
He pondered what a martial artist lacking basic skills should prioritize to defeat an opponent.
The answer was speed. He needed a swift sword, Kaegyeom, to swiftly pierce the opponent’s defenses.
It was still the same now.
From the memories of the Cheonrang Divine Art’s White Martial Era, the sword technique most suitable for his current body came to mind.
‘Heukyeong Talmyeong Sword Technique (黑影奪命劍法) First Form, Nanggyoin (狼咬刃).’
Originally a sword technique used by assassins.
A swift sword technique that swiftly moves like a predator attacking its prey to take lives. For this, Jin-gi flows through the twelve meridians and eight vessels, readjusting the whole body.
As Sirius’s body moved naturally, he unfolded the swift sword technique.
“….”
Jjaeok!
A loud sound broke the silence.
It was the sound of one bookshelf splitting in half.
Despite not being a sharpened blade, it had split a large bookshelf into two pieces.
This was possible because the energy unfolded on the blade by Bukmyeong had exhibited such cutting force.
Reaching the level where one could harm others with the sword energy.
In other words… it was the realm of ‘Sword Qi Wounding People’ (劍氣傷人).
“This should suffice without any issues.”
I extracted memories of Sirius from my mind.
It was just a few days ago, at the wedding banquet.
There was a middle-aged man who forcefully offered alcohol to Sirius, who was showing signs of discomfort.
He wasn’t from the Rigel family but was dispatched from a nearby prominent family to support the Rigel family.
“He was called the Commander of the Security Forces.”
The culprit who fed Sirius a cold substance to kill him.
It’s time to catch that guy.