"Brother," Woon-seok replied, his voice eerily calm. "To what do I owe this... visit?"
Woon-jin's eyebrows rose slightly. The seventh brother had never spoken with such composure before. Usually, he'd be stammering apologies or cowering.
"Father wants to see you in the Hall of Shadows. Something about your 'future within the cult.'" Woon-jin stepped closer, his qi beginning to circulate subtly. A predator testing its prey. "He's finally decided what to do with our family's embarrassment."
Hall of Shadows. Where the Heavenly Demon pronounces judgment on failures.
Woon-seok felt the pressure of his brother's qi. Mid-level Qi Condensation realm, roughly equivalent to a third-circle mage in his old world. Respectable for someone barely twenty, but nothing compared to what he'd once commanded.
Yet in this weak body, it might as well be divine power.
"I see," Woon-seok said, making no move to defend himself against the qi pressure. "And you volunteered to escort me personally?"
"Someone needs to make sure you don't run away again," Woon-jin sneered. "Remember last time? When you hid in the library for three days rather than face Father's summons?"
The original Woon-seok's memories provided context. A previous 'evaluation' that had ended with him being assigned to tend the herb gardens like a common servant. The humiliation had driven him deeper into his shell of books and isolation.
But I'm not that weak child anymore.
"I won't run," Woon-seok said, walking past his brother toward the door. As he moved, he let his hand brush against Woon-jin's arm. A casual contact that his brother didn't even notice.
Interesting. His qi circulation follows the Heavenly Demon Scripture's basic patterns, but there are inefficiencies. Wasted energy in the third and seventh meridians.
It was information he filed away for later use. In his experience, knowledge of an enemy's weaknesses was worth more than raw power.
The walk through the cult's corridors was a lesson in hierarchy. Senior disciples and elders they passed acknowledged Woon-jin with respectful nods while barely glancing at Woon-seok. A few younger disciples openly sneered.
"The cripple's being summoned again," one whispered to his companion.
"Maybe the Heavenly Demon will finally disown him," another replied. "The bloodline is wasted on someone who can't even circulate qi properly."
Let them whisper. Their contempt will be useful when the time comes.
Woon-seok's expression remained impassive, but internally, he was cataloging everything. Guard positions, patrol routes, the cultivation levels of various disciples. Information was ammunition, and he was stockpiling an arsenal.
The Hall of Shadows lived up to its name. Massive pillars carved with demonic visages supported a vaulted ceiling that seemed to absorb light. At the far end, on a throne of black jade, sat Cheon Ma-ryong. The Heavenly Demon.
Even at rest, the man radiated an aura that made the air thick as honey. Peak Heavenly Ascension realm, possibly touching the legendary Martial God level. In terms of raw power, he dwarfed even the demon lord Eldric had died fighting.
But power without wisdom is just destruction waiting to happen.
"Approach," the Heavenly Demon commanded, his voice echoing in the vast chamber.
Woon-seok walked forward, his steps measured and confident. Behind him, Woon-jin took position with the other brothers who had gathered. Six young men whose combined cultivation could flatten a small city.
The family that could rule the world, if not for their fraternal hatred.
"Seventh son," the Heavenly Demon began, his crimson eyes boring into Woon-seok's. "Your recent performance has been... disappointing."
"I apologize for my weakness, Father."
"Weakness." The word carried enough killing intent to make lesser men collapse. "In our bloodline. In our cult. It is unacceptable."
Here it comes. The ultimatum.
"You have one month," the Heavenly Demon continued. "Reach Qi Condensation realm, or be stripped of your name and cast out of the cult."
The gathered brothers exchanged glances. Even for a normal person, advancing from initial Qi Gathering to Qi Condensation in a month was nearly impossible. For someone with Woon-seok's damaged meridians, it was a death sentence.
Unless...
"I understand, Father," Woon-seok said, bowing deeply. "May I make a request?"
The Heavenly Demon's eyes narrowed. "Speak."
"Grant me access to the Scripture Vault. If I'm to overcome my limitations, I need to study our cult's complete martial arts collection."
Murmurs rippled through the hall. The Scripture Vault contained techniques that even inner disciples weren't allowed to see. It was an audacious request from someone who'd shown no martial talent whatsoever.
"You think knowledge will substitute for ability?" the Heavenly Demon asked, a hint of amusement in his voice.
"I think understanding my limitations is the first step to overcoming them."
True enough, though not in the way you imagine.
The Heavenly Demon studied him for a long moment, then nodded. "Very well. You have access to the Vault. One month to prove you deserve the Cheon name."
As the gathered disciples began to disperse, Woon-seok caught his eldest brother's eye. Cheon Woon-hyeok was watching him with calculating interest. The look of someone reassessing a potential threat.
Smart. He realizes something has changed.
"Brother," Woon-hyeok approached as they left the hall. "Care to join me for tea? I'm curious about this new... determination of yours."
"Of course," Woon-seok replied, matching his brother's pleasant tone. "I'd welcome the opportunity to learn from your experience."
But as they walked, both brothers were thinking the same thing: The game has changed.