It could be thought of in simple terms.

Yi-gang was granted the title of instructor.

The five representatives of the orthodox sects and the five representatives of the unorthodox sects faced off, and Yi-gang took the position of leading the orthodox faction.

Undeniably, Yi-gang gained authority.

However, authority did not simply arise from a title.

Authority was granted when the subject acknowledged that the person was undoubtedly superior to them.

Yi-gang made the successors recognize the difference between himself and them.

Martial arts, knowledge and insight, resource allocation, and recognition from the masters.

The successors accepted Yi-gang’s authority and quietly followed his commands.

“I can’t take this anymore!”

In that regard, Na Hee-yeon’s actions and words were a challenge—a rebellion.

She hurled the breakfast that Yi-gang had personally planned and prepared straight off the plate.

Boiled eggs and green vegetables scattered across the air.

“Enough!”

A cold silence filled the room.

The other successors held their breath, either watching the situation silently or pretending to focus on their meals to avoid trouble.

“Na Hee-yeon.”

Yi-gang called out Na Hee-yeon’s name quietly.

Na Hee-yeon flinched for a moment but did not back down and stared at Yi-gang directly.

The alpha wolf was often challenged by other wolves.

The alpha firmly established its dominance by thoroughly subduing them, leaving no doubt about its strength.

“Pick it up. Put it back on the plate and start eating again,” commanded Yi-gang.

Na Hee-yeon’s hands and feet trembled slightly.

She knew too well. Defying Yi-gang here was not an option.

The masters and parents of the successors had recognized Yi-gang as their leader.

The gap in skill and strength between her and Yi-gang was insurmountable.

Yet, how could she submit here?

“What if I refuse?”

Na Hee-yeon clung to her pride.

After all, the worst that could happen was a beating.

To Na Hee-yeon, that was not the worst outcome.

If Yi-gang were to openly beat her, it would also undermine his authority.

“Hmm.”

Yi-gang did not reply.

He simply showed through action.

He picked up the plate that had fallen to the floor…

“…!”

Na Hee-yeon’s eyes widened.

The boiled eggs and green vegetables that had rolled on the floor began to float.

They slowly rose onto the plate Yi-gang was holding.

The precise and nonlinear movement was clearly not Qi Kinesis.

What Yi-gang demonstrated was unmistakably the telekinesis spell.

To Na Hee-yeon, who was a martial artist, it brought an indescribable feeling.

It was as if witnessing something that shouldn’t exist.

Like seeing someone use their tail freely as if it were another limb.

“Force-feeding you could also be an option…”

With that low remark, Na Hee-yeon’s bravado completely withered.

Yi-gang dominated the atmosphere with just his telekinesis and words.

“Or perhaps…”

Na Hee-yeon couldn’t help but imagine it: Yi-gang stuffing the dirt-covered food into her mouth.

If that were to happen, her pride and self-esteem would be completely shattered.

Naturally, fear arose within her.

“However, it’s also my fault for failing to make you all properly understand.”

Yet Yi-gang simply set the plate of food down with a light thud.

“I didn’t expect your resolve to be so fragile. Na Hee-yeon, you’re banned from eating for the rest of the day. Perhaps hunger will teach you the value of food.” 𝑅àΝȯ𝐁Εȿ

“…”

Na Hee-yeon bit her lips but quietly held her tongue without further protest.

“And the rest of you will meet with me one by one. Baek Ha-jun, you’re first.”

Ha-jun quickly responded with a sharp, “Yes!”

Ha-jun was nervous.

Of course, he didn’t dare think of disobeying Yi-gang’s instructions or resisting.

However, it was true that he had stayed silent during Na Hee-yeon’s outburst earlier.

Wasn’t it Ha-jun’s responsibility to step in and stop her before Yi-gang had to handle it himself?

As he walked toward the meeting, he thought about it and realized that he should have.

Yi-gang might sternly reprimand him for it.

What kind of actions can be expected from someone who’s supposed to be a younger brother?

But the first thing Yi-gang said wasn’t that.

“How do you find it, staying here?”

“Uh, it’s very good… No, it’s great.”

“Speak comfortably. It’s just the two of us here, isn’t it?”

“…C-can I really?”

Yi-gang nodded and opened a small wooden box.

He then took something out of it and handed it to Ha-jun.

“This is…?”

“It’s a preserved chestnut confection. Have one. I’m sure the meals weren’t very enjoyable today.”

Though he didn’t have much of an appetite, Ha-jun obediently accepted the chestnut confection and placed it in his mouth.

The intense and thrilling sweetness made his eyes widen.

“Is it good? Of course it is. They’re high-quality chestnuts soaked in honey. Bland chicken breasts don’t exactly have much flavor, do they?”

Yi-gang was right.

Throughout the day, Ha-jun had been forced to endure four meals of high-protein, low-sodium healthy food.

Naturally, Ha-jun began to relax.

“The fate of the martial world rests on your victory.”

“…”

It came to Ha-jun’s mind that Yi-gang wasn’t someone particularly interested in things like the fate of the martial world.

However, Yi-gang’s expression was more serious than ever.

“And I came here with a sense of duty to lead you all to victory.”

And yet, Yi-gang wasn’t someone who normally displayed a strong sense of duty.

Those doubts were completely forgotten with Yi-gang’s next words.

“Do you think I’m doing something wrong?”

“No? Not at all!”

It seemed that Yi-gang was still bothered by Na Hee-yeon’s defiance.

Ha-jun hurriedly added an explanation, “Every day, I can feel myself improving by leaps and bounds. The meals might not be very tasty, but I suppose that’s part of the process.”

“Ah, I see… That’s right. It was an effort to shed body fat and replenish energy for movement.”

“As expected, that’s what it was.”

Yi-gang gave a bitter smile.

Ha-jun felt a pang of guilt. It seemed his older brother was under extreme pressure.

As his younger brother, he regretted not thinking or acting more proactively.

“If there’s anything I can do to help…”

“Ah.”

Yi-gang looked at Ha-jun with a surprised expression.

Then, with a slightly moved expression, Yi-gang spoke, “Will you do something for me?”

“Of course!”

“After all, among the five, you’re the one I trust the most, Ha-jun.”

Ha-jun felt both joy and a sense of responsibility from those words.

“I want to appoint a team leader among the five. Someone to assist me and lead the other successors in my absence.”

“…You don’t mean me, do you?”

“If you’re willing, I’d like to entrust it to you.”

“Leave it to me.”

“You…” Yi-gang said with a face full of trust, “Alright, but this isn’t something to announce officially yet, so just keep it in mind for now.”

“Understood.”

Ha-jun realized he was in the most trusted position.

With that trust, he was unofficially appointed as the team leader.

Ha-jun made a firm vow not to betray Yi-gang’s trust.

“But if others hear about it, they might think it’s unfair for siblings to exchange positions like this. Keep it to yourself.”

It was a reasonable and fair warning.

Ha-jun nodded with a determined expression.

Yi-gang patted him lightly on the shoulder.

“I trust you. Go and call So Woon next.”

“Yes!”

Ha-jun performed a martial salute and left.

In the meantime, Yi-gang quietly tidied up the room.

He placed the wooden box back under the desk and waited.

After some time, So Woon announced his presence, “May I come in?”

Yi-gang greeted him in a calm voice and asked the same question as before, “How do you find it, staying here?”

“I-It’s fine.”

“Speak comfortably. It’s just the two of us here, isn’t it?”

Then he took out the wooden box and handed So Woon a chestnut confection.

To the delighted So Woon, Yi-gang spoke in a low voice…

“As a sworn brother, I trust you as much as I trust Ha-jun.”

“…Brother!”

So Woon, overwhelmed with emotion, looked as if he might burst into tears at any moment.

Within his seemingly weak chest beat a passionate heart, no less intense than those of the martial artists of the Peng Clan.

“Leave the team leader position to me!”

“Alright. However, I’m concerned others might see it as unfair to appoint you as team leader simply because of our sworn brotherhood. Keep this to yourself.”

“Yes, Brother!”

Yi-gang then instructed So Woon to call Jeong Myung.

This time, there was no need to offer chestnut confections or mention brotherly bonds.

Yi-gang clasped both of Jeong Myung’s hands and spoke earnestly, “Monk, you understand my feelings, don’t you?”

“Benefactor… No, Instructor.”

“The kids aren’t listening to me. Monk Jeong Myung, please help me.”

“Amitabha… What would you like me to do?”

Jeong Myung quickly relented in the face of Yi-gang’s heartfelt plea.

“Help them train hard together as a team. Act as their eldest brother and guide them, if you can.”

“I will do everything I can…”

“Then I’ll trust you completely, Monk.”

“…Amitabha.”

Jeong Myung seemed to feel a profound sense of responsibility from Yi-gang’s request.

Yi-gang instructed him to call Noh Shik, and finally, a satisfied smile spread across his face.

“Indeed, this method works well anywhere.”

This was a technique from Yi-gang’s previous life.

During his time as a student, it was a method used by his school teacher.

‘The teacher would say they trusted certain students the most.’

Such simple words would instill immense responsibility and pride in the students.

If Zhang Sanfeng had witnessed this, he might have shaken his head in disapproval, while Dam Hyun might have nodded in satisfaction.

“Uh, this is Noh Shik.”

“Ahem, come in.”

Yi-gang quickly cleared his throat.

That night, the successors met with Yi-gang one by one for individual discussions.

What was surprising was that every one of them came out with a resolute expression after their talk.

Even Na Hee-yeon, who had caused trouble that morning, waited nervously for her turn.

She tried to ask the others who had already finished what was discussed inside, but they all kept their mouths tightly shut.

Leaving Na Hee-yeon in frustration, even Noh Shik completed his meeting and returned.

She quickly rushed to Noh Shik and asked him directly, “What on earth were you all talking about?”

“I can’t say,” replied Noh Shik as he picked his nose.

“Heh, it’s fine! It’s my turn now, right? Let’s see what he has to say!”

Na Hee-yeon, feeling a bit anxious, headed toward Yi-gang’s quarters.

But Noh Shik stopped her.

“There’s no need for you to go. He’s not calling you.”

“…What did you just say?”

“The interviews are over. You should just go to bed.”

“That… that can’t be.”

Yet, Yi-gang ultimately didn’t call for Na Hee-yeon.

That night, she couldn’t sleep properly.

She was consumed with curiosity about why she was the only one not summoned and what was discussed during the interviews.

And, she was extremely hungry.

The next morning, Na Hee-yeon didn’t leave a single bite of her low-sodium breakfast.

From that day forward, none of the successors defied Yi-gang’s orders.

On the contrary, they participated in training with far more enthusiasm than before.

Yi-gang tied a rope to a tall tree and ordered them to climb it using only one hand.

Immediately afterward, he instructed them to take turns sparring against one another.

The sparring matches held after their arm muscles were thoroughly exhausted provided a completely new experience for them.

The successors followed without a single complaint.

“Hup!”

“Hachaa!”

The successors climbed the rope, shouting spirited cries.

Beside Yi-gang, who was observing them, stood someone who usually wasn’t there.

“…I’m envious.”

“Pardon?”

“No, no, it’s nothing…”

It was the Wandering Crescent Blade Byeok Gi.

A few days ago, he had struck up a conversation with Yi-gang at the inner courtyard.

As a wanderer, he harbored an inferiority complex toward those of high status.

Yi-gang, the eldest son of the Baek Noble Clan, was no exception.

However, Yi-gang was unexpectedly friendly and courteous, which led the Wandering Crescent Blade to develop a certain fondness for him.

“You’ve managed to gain complete control over the successors? That’s impressive. Those prideful brats… no, people, obeying your commands so readily.”

The successors under his charge from the unorthodox faction didn’t respect or follow him at all.

In contrast, Yi-gang seemed to have completely won over the successors.

“Did you bring me here just to boast about this?” the Wandering Crescent Blade grumbled as he spoke.

Even though he had exchanged words with Yi-gang, they weren’t close enough to invite each other for idle chatter.

“That’s hardly the case.”

“Then…”

“I’ve been thinking about something,” Yi-gang spoke in a voice quiet enough that the successors couldn’t hear, “Whoever wins, the fight needs to be a proper one, don’t you think? Otherwise, it’ll reflect poorly on us.”

“…What do you mean?”

“I’m saying that if the sparring ends with just one or two simple moves, who would enjoy watching that?”

The Wandering Crescent Blade felt both agreement and curiosity.

He wondered if Yi-gang was actually thinking along the same lines as himself.

“…Are you suggesting we have the successors spar in advance to match their moves?”

The idea intrigued the Wandering Crescent Blade, and he unconsciously slipped into a more respectful tone.

Yi-gang shook his head.

“That would be a blatant violation of the rules, so that’s not an option. Instead…”

“Instead…?”

Hearing Yi-gang’s plan, the Wandering Crescent Blade’s eyes widened in surprise.

Then, the Wandering Crescent Blade slowly nodded.

“Indeed, that’s not a bad idea.”

“It seems fair, doesn’t it?”

“Quite fair, I’d say.”

The Wandering Crescent Blade smiled.

“A day should be enough, right?”

“I’ll spend a day at the right wing, and sir Wandering Crescent Blade will spend a day at the left wing.”

The suggestion was to share the opportunity to observe the opposing side’s forces.

The Wandering Crescent Blade accepted Yi-gang’s proposal.

‘…These righteous sects’ youngsters, they always overestimate themselves.’

He could guess what Yi-gang was thinking.

Yi-gang likely believed that his superior judgment would give him an advantage if he had a chance to analyze the other side’s forces.

But from the Wandering Crescent Blade’s perspective, that wasn’t the case.

‘I’ve been surviving in the martial world for years. And do you really think you can handle those five troublemakers?’

While Yi-gang might have managed to control the successors of the orthodox sects, the Wandering Crescent Blade doubted he could deal with the unorthodox successors.

Hiding his thoughts, the Wandering Crescent Blade smiled gently.

“Then, I’ll be counting on you.”

Yi-gang smiled as well.

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep