NOVEL NEXT Chapter 4: Chapter 4:
Chapter 4: A Genius
Jin Baek assigned guards to watch over his youngest son throughout the journey. So he was fully aware of how incredible his son was.
He was elated! He was truly happy that finally a genius landed on their doorstep! After two mediocre child a shining star was finally born.
He was thoroughly impressed. He thought his son would just survive off on fruits and grass but he exceeded his expectations. He learned how to hunt and how to craft his hunting tool.
He not only survived but he also proved that he is the shining beacon that will bring prosperity to this clan.
On the day the month ended he headed first before everyone to personally talk to his son. There he saw him, just one years old, still a baby having a small rabbit hung around his shoulder, a bow in his hands, and a fire nearby.
It was such a ridiculous scene. A baby who at his age should even be barely able to walk survived a month on his own, hunted his own food and created his own tools.
He sat on the opposite side of his son, the fire between them giving a warm feel.
"You have survived impressively well." No words can describe what he is feeling right now but as a dignified leader he suppressed his thoughts and spoke normally.
"I am perfectly sure that you know fully well what is happening." The young baby in front of him nodded innocently.
"After a long line of failed sons, you wanted to test me to see if I was the same as my brothers," Yucheon said, his sentences were slightly disjointed and childlike, even squeaky but it was clear enough to convey his point.
For him to accurately understand what he's going through right now was an outstanding show of acute intellect. It shows how much of a genius he is.
A child analyzing the patterns around him and making accurate conclusions was amazing, if fact it was unbelievable.
Jin Baek allowed himself the faintest of smirks. "You're correct. And you've exceeded my expectations. Tell me, how did you manage it?"
The young boy tilted his head, his small hand resting on the bow he had crafted. "First, I studied the forest. I watched the trails and found where the animals moved. Then I used sticks and vines to make traps. When I caught my first rabbit, I used its bones to make better tools. After that, I hunted, fished, and learned how to gather food from the forest."
Jin Baek was silent for a moment.
"You didn't just survive. You thrived." He said, with a hidden proudness in his voice.
Yucheon met his father's gaze without hesitation, his voice steady despite its squeaky tone. "Because I have to. Weakness leads to death."
Yucheon may have been from the 21st Century but he knew his mind would need to adapt. In this world its dog eat dog.
Its cruel world where only the strongest and those who have the will can survive. If you are weak then you can only be swayed by the wave.
Helpless and weak. Such a combination would not bode well in such a cruel environment, especially in the Sky Demon Order where strength is basically worshipped.
The response brought a rare flicker of approval to Jin Baek's face.
"Indeed. Your brothers never understood that simple truth. Weakness is a disease that spreads through a clan and destroys it from within."
Yucheon tilted his head. "Is that why you've already given up on them?"
Jin Baek's expression turned cold, though not toward his youngest. "They have given up on themselves. One refuses to rise above complacency, and the other cannot rise at all. I will not let their failures ruin what generations of Jin have built."
If any of those two sits upon his seat ghen he is sure his clan would crumble. It would fall upon the attacks of his rivals, it would fall upon their mediocrity, it would fall upon their incompetence.
Maybe their clan would even be demoted to a small-size clan. Such thought was horrifying for a Clan Leader. Generations and generations of Clan Leader built up and sacrificed many things for the clan just to crumble with one weak link.
This cannot be allowed. No he will not allow it.
"I cannot let your brother take over the Clan. They are too weak, if one of them sits upon my seat then our clan would crumble, maybe we would even become a Small-sized Clan."
Jin Beak then slid his hands over his sleeves and took out a book. Then he handed it over to his son.
"Take it."
"What is it?" Yucheon asked.
"It's a foundational martial art unique to our clan. If you can gain mastery over it by your fifth birthday, I shall declare you my heir," Jin Baek said, his voice as cold and commanding as ever.
"This is a gift of opportunity, Yucheon. You will have my full assistance. Just ask the Main Manor for anything that you need and they will provide. But understand this: if you fail to meet my expectations, everything I have given you will be taken back. I will leave you with nothing."
Yucheon held the book tightly, his small hands trembling slightly, not from fear but from excitement. "I won't fail."
Jin Baek stood, towering over his son, the firelight casting his shadow over the boy. "Good. By morning, the manor will return to its normal state. You will have every resource at your disposal. Use it wisely."
He turned to leave, but Yucheon called out. "Father."
Jin Baek paused, glancing back over his shoulder.
"Was it difficult to make the choice to leave me here alone?" Yucheon asked, his innocent voice carrying a depth that caught his father off guard.
Jin Baek's expression softened, just for a moment. "It was necessary. Difficult decisions are the burden of leadership. You will understand one day when this clan is yours to guide."
Then he used the Lightning Step to demonstrate its power to his son and disappeared in his position.
His movements were fast. Truly it was befitting the name of Lightning Step. Jin Yucheon watched in amazement of his father's amazing feat, he didn't care about his threat he was more interested in his performance.
'One day. One day I'll reach that level and beyond!'
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