After returning from the Imperial Palace, Seo-jun focused on finalizing Namgung Ilmaek before his departure to North Sea Ice Palace.
Days passed, and by the time he completed it, the structure had become much simpler than originally planned.
"A 10-star or 12-star system would’ve been neat."
That had been the initial idea. But after refining it, he had ended up with even fewer levels than before—only five manuals remained in total.
The first manual, representing the 1-star level, was Lightning Pierces the Heart Divine Art (Seomjeon Changroe Shimgong).
This was an auxiliary technique layered on top of the Seomjeon Shimgong foundation, designed to increase qi cultivation speed and allow for faster progress.
At the 2-star level, there was no new manual. Instead, disciples would master martial arts specific to their respective divisions.
Each division would train in different sword techniques, footwork, and inner energy cultivation methods. Once they reached a certain level of proficiency, they would advance.
Thus came 3-star, Thirteen Lightning Sword Strikes (Seomjeon Sibsam Geomroe).
At this stage, all they had to do was follow the training. This was the process of refining sword ki and getting accustomed to lightning-based techniques.
Once they succeeded in manifesting their own sword ki, they would move to the 4-star level.
And that was Celestial Thunder Qi (Cheonroe Sogi).
The new technique he had created was called Celestial Thunder Qi, so he simply named this stage after it.
As the name suggested, it served as the foundation for the Celestial Thunder Demon Art (Cheonroe Myeolmagong), which they would eventually learn. It contained advanced sword ki techniques and internal energy manipulation methods.
"This is where most people will struggle."
To reach the 5-star level, where they would be able to use Life and Death Qi Circulation (Saengsa Tatonggong), they would need to be fully prepared.
Most would spend a long time at the 4-star level. If they grew impatient and attempted Saengsa Tatonggong too early, disaster would be inevitable.
But this was the Namgung Clan—they wouldn’t be so reckless.
Seo-jun had no intention of revealing Saengsa Tatonggong to anyone who wasn’t ready.
And finally, after all the hard work, they would reach 6-star—the Celestial Thunder Demon Art (Cheonroe Myeolmagong).
Even if they didn’t fully master energy techniques, this would still be an exceptionally valuable martial art.
By the time they reached this stage, they would already be somewhat accustomed to Celestial Thunder Qi, making further progress much easier.
For those who made it this far…
"Congratulations, you’ve graduated~."
Seo-jun clapped his hands.
"This is the final version?"
At Chun-bong’s question, Seo-jun nodded.
"Yeah. I was planning to add more, but once I thought about it, it felt like too much. The branches kept multiplying."
Once a martial artist reached Supreme Grandmaster, even a master wouldn’t be able to guide them much further.
That level represented a fundamental transcendence—a point beyond human limits. From there, they would have to forge their own path.
"The Namgung Clan already has plenty of techniques. They can just pick whatever suits them best."
Soon, a new internal energy cultivation technique would be added to Heavenly Martial Pavilion (Cheonmu-gak).
Maybe one day, an entire subdivision dedicated solely to internal energy cultivation would emerge.
That was something to look forward to.
"Hahh... Hahhh...!"
Namgung Baek, the master of Heavenly Martial Pavilion, clenched his lips tightly as he received the Namgung Ilmaek manuals.
Flip, flip!
His hands turned the pages faster and faster.
His face flushed red as he read, until finally—SLAM! He shut the manual and let out a bright, ecstatic smile.
It was a smile so pure it was as if he had cast away all 108 earthly desires.
"Haha…"
Like an enlightened sage, Namgung Baek let out a quiet chuckle before immediately copying down all five manuals.
He classified Celestial Thunder Qi as a standard-issue energy technique and added the expanded versions of Lightning Pierces the Heart Divine Art, Thirteen Lightning Sword Strikes, and Celestial Thunder Demon Art.
Since Celestial Thunder Demon Art had already been classified as a standard-issue technique before, any disciple who completed Namgung Ilmaek would now have access to:
3 standard-issue techniques 2 high-level techniques But that wasn’t the most important part.
"Namgung Ilmaek isn’t just a collection of different techniques."
All of these martial arts followed a single path—meaning that, in reality, Namgung Ilmaek itself was a single, unified supreme technique.
As he traced the progression from 1-star to 6-star, Namgung Baek shivered as a powerful realization ran down his spine.
"Ugh…!"
He took a deep breath, eyes gleaming. Hugging the original Namgung Ilmaek manual to his chest, he strode forward.
He was heading toward a place within the Heavenly Martial Pavilion that even he had never stepped into before.
That in itself was an odd thing to say.
The pavilion was massive, sure—but Namgung Baek knew it better than anyone.
He had memorized the exact location of every single artifact and scroll inside. The idea that there was a place he hadn’t been before didn’t make sense.
But the truth was, no previous master of the Heavenly Martial Pavilion had ever walked this path with official purpose.
He could say with certainty—none of his predecessors had done so, nor had their predecessors before them.
For generations, the Namgung Clan’s Heavenly Martial Pavilion Masters had merely looked upon this place.
But now… that was about to change.
"Huuh…"
A strange exhilaration filled his chest. Namgung Baek’s steps quickened.
And soon, almost running, he arrived at the deepest part of the Heavenly Martial Pavilion.
"The Supreme-Class Martial Shelf…"
His trembling gaze fell upon an empty bookshelf.
"To think the day would come when this place would finally be filled."
This space had been reserved solely for Supreme-Class martial techniques.
With the utmost reverence, Namgung Baek placed the original Namgung Ilmaek manual onto the shelf.
"Ahh, finally…!"
With this, Namgung Ilmaek had become one of the only two Supreme-Class Martial Arts in the Namgung Clan, alongside Imperial Sword Form.
However, Imperial Sword Form was not stored in the Heavenly Martial Pavilion. As a technique passed down exclusively to the Clan Leader and the Successor, its manual was kept in the personal possession of the Clan Head.
That meant Namgung Ilmaek was the first Supreme-Class Martial Art to be officially placed in the Pavilion.
"Ehehe…."
Namgung Baek crouched in front of the bookshelf where the Namgung Ilmaek manual now rested. A goofy, blissful grin stretched across his face. Just looking at it made him want to laugh.
What kind of world must Young Master—no, Grand Preceptor—Seo-jun see, to be able to create such techniques so effortlessly?
He had never imagined that Seo-jun would go as far as to develop a Supreme-Class Martial Art.
"What kind of world must those eyes be witnessing…? I can’t even begin to fathom it."
But ultimately, did it matter?
Thanks to this one man, the entire martial system of the Namgung Clan was changing. To be alive at this moment—to be the Master of the Heavenly Martial Pavilion during this historic transformation—was an honor beyond words.
"Oh, just look at how beautiful it is…."
Namgung Baek was certain.
Once time passed and the warriors trained in Namgung Ilmaek reached their prime, the Namgung Clan would undisputedly become the greatest martial family in the world.
As he imagined a future filled with Supreme Grandmasters, Namgung Baek sat before the manual, closed his eyes, and smiled.
"Ehehe…."
And in his dreams, Namgung Baek became a Heavenly Martial Pavilion Master who oversaw dozens of Supreme-Class martial arts.
"You're going to North Sea Ice Palace?"
Namgung Sua asked, pouring tea.
Seo-jun, meanwhile, was using Hogongseobmul and Qi Manifestation to clean up the leftover dishes, neatly stacking them spotless in one place.
"Yeah. I figure I might find something there."
Seo-jun had already shared what he learned from the Emperor with Chun-bong and Namgung Sua.
Understanding the situation, Namgung Sua couldn’t stop him.
With Myeolshinhwe responsible for the Gold Family’s destruction, any misstep could strain the Namgung Clan's relationship with the Gold Clan.
Because of that, she carefully observed Chun-bong’s reaction.
Chun-bong sat silently, wearing an uncharacteristically serious expression as she stared at Seo-jun.
"You."
"Hm?"
"Why are you using Hogongseobmul so casually? That thing’s supposed to be ridiculously inefficient."
Namgung Sua blinked in surprise at the completely unexpected comment.
Seo-jun chuckled.
"It’s only inefficient because people suck at using it. It’s actually super convenient."
After reaching Transcendent Realm, Seo-jun had started using Hogongseobmul for just about everything.
It was stupidly useful.
Since he was already maintaining a subtle domain at all times, it was easier than doing things by hand.
"I’m jealous…."
Chun-bong stroked her chin seriously.
Seo-jun, smirking, suddenly lifted her into his arms.
"Why are you dodging the real topic?"
"...What? What are you talking about?"
"You don’t need to feel burdened. The Gold Family’s problem is my problem, too."
Chun-bong pressed her lips together. She hesitated, opening her mouth as if to say something, but then stopped.
Finally, she muttered,
"...That’s not it. I’m just worried it might be dangerous."
"It won’t be that dangerous."
Right now, the Black Lotus Union was severely weakened.
Even though North Sea Ice Palace was technically affiliated with them, it was located far to the northwest, closer to Demonic Cult territory than to the Black Lotus Union.
"The Qilian Sect was the closest power to them, but, well… it’s gone now."
Because Seo-jun had erased it.
On top of that, after the incident with the Divine Maiden, the Ice Palace Lord had fallen into Qi Deviation.
North Sea Ice Palace was completely isolated.
They were probably watching anxiously, trying to figure out how the Orthodox Sects and Demonic Cult would react.
"And right about now, the Young Lord of the Ice Palace makes his return. A newly ascended Transcendent, here to save the Ice Palace from its crisis."
Honestly, it sounded just like a novel. A perfect setup with a solid narrative arc.
"If I play my cards right, they might even cooperate on their own."
Of course, Seo-jun knew that was unlikely.
The Ice Palace Lord would probably fall back into Qi Deviation the moment he saw Seo-jun’s face.
But there was no need to mention that here.
"As long as I talk my way through, there shouldn’t be any fighting."
"Yeah, right."
Chun-bong pouted.
She knew Seo-jun too well.
He wasn’t stupid. But the problem was, he rarely bothered to use his brain.
If something in North Sea Ice Palace didn’t go his way, it wouldn’t be surprising if he just thought,
"Eh, let’s just beat them up and see what happens."
As a certified expert in Seo-jun Behavioral Studies, Chun-bong could guarantee it.
"Hey, the new Seo-jun is different, okay? You might need to rewrite that theory of yours."
"Then…"
Chun-bong started to say something—but stopped, shaking her head.
"...Never mind."
"What?"
There were two ways to piss someone off.
One was stopping mid-sentence—
"You little…!"
Enraged, Seo-jun mercilessly peppered Chun-bong’s cheek with a flurry of kisses.
But Chun-bong kept her mouth shut.
Instead, she bit her lip in self-disgust.
"I almost told him to have a child before leaving."
Maybe, if he had something to protect, he’d be more careful…
But that would mean using a child as a tether.
And that was wrong—both for the child and for Seo-jun.
If she had actually said it, it might have led to something terrible.
"Forget it. Just don’t forget our wedding in the spring, okay?"
"If I forget that, I’ll legally change my last name to Gold. I’m not that bad."
Besides, this trip wasn’t going to take that long.
"I’ll be back soon, so don’t get too bored without me, okay?"
Seo-jun squished Chun-bong’s cheeks as he used Hogongseobmul to pull a book from his robe.
Namgung Sua caught the book as it floated toward her.
The title was… strange.
"Namgung Aptitude Test."
"...What is this?"
"Oh, I forgot to give that last time. Could you pass it to Master Namgung Baek for me?"
It wasn’t anything major. In a way, it was just an extension of Namgung Ilmaek.
Now that the path had been established, they needed to identify the right people for it.
And the first test group would be in Anhui.
This martial art would be key in gathering the right talents for the Namgung Clan.
That night, Namgung Baek briefly caught a glimpse of enlightenment.
"Hhhhaaaaah…!"
For some reason, he felt like he had just seen the face of a past Clan Leader.
Seo-jun didn’t delay.
It wasn’t a long journey to North Sea Ice Palace.
After briefly explaining the situation to Namgung Myeong, he left immediately.
And thus, he arrived in the frozen white expanse of the North Sea.
A rightful heir had returned.
"Open the gates. I, Young Lord Baek Seo-jun, have returned."