The Reformed Genius of the Sichuan Tang Clan - Chapter 25

—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————

Chapter 25
Two days earlier.
Seon Woo Yoon expressed his trust to Dang Yoo-hyeon.
“I understand, sir.”
“Good. That’s all I need.”
Dang Yoo-hyeon refilled his cup and continued.
“Tell Weol Ran Yo-hui exactly that.”
“Sir? You mean……”
“This isn’t a war. Why would we drag things out?”
Let’s be clear: striking Gwol-weol-ru is nothing more than part of the Dokak Academy curriculum.
No matter how ruthless the Dang Family might be in nurturing their heirs, they wouldn’t throw a candidate for leadership into mortal danger.
Setting aside the fairness of succession contests, each heir was a precious resource—destroying them with their own hands would be wasteful.
‘If the successors hated each other, perhaps. But they seem to get along well enough, and no one would volunteer to take on unnecessary hardship.’
No one would accept deliberately difficult tasks, and no one would swap in a harder assignment out of spite.
This meant that no matter how much Gwol-weol-ru’s influence had expanded, it still fell far short of the Dang Family’s reach.
Sending the Heuk Gang Force alone would settle everything in less than two hours—that much was obvious.
With the Wooden Token Dang Roe had given him besides, ending the task immediately would be simple enough.
Yet Dang Yoo-hyeon had deliberately prolonged things for one reason alone: Weol Yeong Sword and Seon Woo Yoon.
To prevent Gwak Hwa-ran from spiriting Weol Yeong Sword away elsewhere before the Dang Family’s strike.
And to safely extract the victims, including Seon Woo Yoon.
But if he waited any longer, he’d lose the latter.
So now was the time to move.
“Fourteen days is more than enough time for caution to turn to complacency.”
The longer time stretched on, the more a person’s vigilance dulled and baseless confidence bloomed.
Gwak Hwa-ran was arrogant with an iron pride—she wouldn’t immediately mobilize her forces.
Not if she could convince them that the Dang Family was beneath their concern.
“So we strike Gwol-weol-ru in two days’ time.”
“Understood, sir. Is there anything else I should do?”
Seon Woo Yoon asked, his eyes bright.
There was a youthful determination visible in him—the weight of a life-changing cause.
“Survive.”
“Sir?”
Seon Woo Yoon questioned the cryptic instruction.
“No matter what happens, no matter what unreasonable trials you face, no matter what they hold over your head to coerce you—just survive. That’s enough.”
“Even if I’m injured or imprisoned, sir?”
“I’d prefer you weren’t hurt if possible, but yes.”
Dang Yoo-hyeon didn’t raise his cup to his lips; instead, he rolled it thoughtfully between his palms.
“As long as you’re alive, wherever you are, I’ll come find you.”
“I’ll… do my best, sir.”
He wouldn’t make promises he couldn’t guarantee.
Dang Yoo-hyeon glimpsed Seon Woo Yoon’s character in that simple answer and let out a soft laugh.
“That’s all I need.”
When his smile faded, Jeom So-i stepped forward saying, “I’ll withdraw now,” and presented an appetizing array of dishes.
Before they could leave, Dang Yoo-hyeon placed two gold coins on the table.
“I’d like to enjoy a quiet meal with an old friend.”
“Of course, sir! No one will set foot on this floor!”
Jeom So-i pocketed the gold coins, grinning ear to ear.
Dang Yoo-hyeon released his aura and waited until all presence faded.
“Then shall we get down to work?”
“Is there more to do, sir?”
“Much more.”
Dang Yoo-hyeon drew a Martial Scripture and five Spirit Pills from his sleeve.
Seon Woo Yoon stared blankly at what was placed before him.
These were clearly meant for him, yet they didn’t feel like they belonged to him.
“I think it’s better if you finish it yourself rather than me doing it.”
His eyes wavered with disbelief.
For me? Truly?
That’s what his gaze seemed to ask.
Instead of answering in words, Dang Yoo-hyeon simply smiled.
It would be easier for Dang Yoo-hyeon to raise Seon Woo Yoon to the Peak Realm within two days and face Gwak Hwa-ran himself than for Seon Woo Yoon to fight her alone.
But Gwol-weol-ru cannot be brought down by her hand alone.
Gwol-weol-ru is already the organization that controls Sacheon’s underworld.
The moment Dang Yoo-hyeon seizes it, the Dang Family will absorb Gwol-weol-ru entirely.
Then those who feared the Dang Family growing stronger—who dreaded its restoration to past glory—would scrutinize every move, hunting for weakness.
‘I cannot allow it to crumble again before we’ve even reclaimed what we lost.’
Far better to entrust Gwol-weol-ru to someone trustworthy and maintain a cordial alliance.
‘Seon Woo Yoon as he is now—I can trust him with this.’
He is skilled in the art of living, capable of surviving anywhere; he will not turn away from injustice when it stands before his eyes.
That was enough.
“You’ve trained in Fist Technique before, haven’t you?”
“Yes, well… I never had a proper master, but.”
“Long ago, a Fist King who perfected both Fist Technique and Fire Technique left behind a martial scripture, and here is a sacred elixir that will aid in amplifying your vital energy.”
Both were treasures beyond price.
Seon Woo Yoon hesitated before accepting them.
“Can I truly accept something so precious? What of me warrants your trust? This seems far too much.”
“It is not too much.”
Dang Yoo-hyeon spoke with finality.
One can see a person’s true nature by looking into their eyes.
Through those eyes, Dang Yoo-hyeon had seen Seon Woo Yoon, and he believed in what he saw.
Eight decades of cultivated judgment had made him adept at distinguishing those worth keeping close from those who were not.
He despised those who crumbled at the slightest hardship.
But those who sought to leap forward, using trials as a stepping stone—he did not despise them.
More than that: he valued them.
For such people, one must push them forward, beyond where they wished to go.
This was not merely for the benefit of the Dang Family, but the wish of the ancestors—that the world might become better.
“You deserve to have this.”
Gwak Hwa-ran learned Fire Technique? That was laughable by comparison to how strong you must become.
Dang Yoo-hyeon slid the Spirit Pill, glowing with crimson radiance, toward Seon Woo Yoon.
“I want you to grow stronger. And if I’m being selfish, I’d like to see you land a blow on Weol Ran Yo-hui.”
Dang Yoo-hyeon smiled brightly, as one does toward an old friend.
“Someone who thinks only they are worthy deserves to be repaid equally—or better yet, far more severely. Don’t you think that would be amusing?”
Honestly, it did sound amusing.
The problem was only that Dang Yoo-hyeon’s proposal seemed too advantageous, which bred suspicion.
Seon Woo Yoon’s eyes darted about, calculating.
Did he want revenge? Yes.
Did he want to kill Gwak Hwa-ran with his own hands to feel satisfaction? Yes.
Would he be a fool to refuse this? Yes.
Did Dang Yoo-hyeon seem likely to harm him? …No.
There was no certainty, but after dealing with so many people, Seon Woo Yoon’s instinct told him that whatever Dang Yoo-hyeon’s intentions, he did not appear to be someone who would bring him harm.
“That’s true.”
“Mm-hmm. Isn’t it?”
Dang Yoo-hyeon found it endearing how Seon Woo Yoon had taken a moment before answering, and laughed softly.
In that brief silence, Dang Yoo-hyeon had seen clearly what was turning over in the younger man’s mind.
‘Clever little thing.’
Yet he doesn’t skimp on his calculations either.
Dang Yoo-hyeon moved fluidly behind Seon Woo Yoon and placed a hand on his shoulder.
“I will help you. Once we leave this place, there’s no telling what troubles may arise—so let us build your Internal Energy as much as we can before we go.”
“I beg your pardon?”
“What are you waiting for? Consume it.”
Dang Yoo-hyeon gestured toward the Spirit Pill with a tilt of his chin.
The subtle coercion sparked a flash of resistance, yet Seon Woo Yoon’s hand steadily reached out and grasped the Spirit Pill.
“You know how to cultivate Inner Energy, yes?”
“More or less.”
“More or less will not suffice.”
“I understand.”
“Are you certain?”
“Yes.”
Dang Yoo-hyeon’s gaze was thick with doubt.
‘Well, I’ll be here to guide you anyway, so it should be fine.’
Dang Yoo-hyeon drew Seon Woo Yoon down and settled him onto a cushioned mat.
“All right. Let’s focus and begin.”
“Yes!”
Seon Woo Yoon nodded and popped the Spirit Pill into his mouth.
A faint warmth bloomed.
The Spirit Pill dissolved on his tongue, and heat flooded through him.
Like swallowing scalding water, he felt the pill descend clearly down his throat.
Seon Woo Yoon closed his eyes and settled into position.
At the same moment, Dang Yoo-hyeon placed a hand on his shoulder.
“Don’t rush. Go slowly.”
A gentle current of energy spiraled through Seon Woo Yoon’s entire body.
It flowed through his blood vessels and seeped softly into his frame.
If he could just guide it all the way to his Dantian…….
‘What—?!’
Seon Woo Yoon’s body lurched.
Near his Dantian, it felt as though sparks had suddenly erupted.
The energy he’d thought was only a small flame grew larger and larger, as if mocking him.
Where a moment before the Turbid Qi in his body had simply been purifying, now it felt like it was burning away all impurities at once.
His body felt as though it would rupture in that tremendous inferno.
“Breathe. Stay focused.”
Hearing the quiet voice, Seon Woo Yoon gathered his scattered mind.
If growing stronger meant enduring this much pain, then surely he could bear it?
Seon Woo Yoon exhaled slowly and refocused on gathering his energy.
Sweat poured from him like rain as he fought against the heat.
‘How am I supposed to refine something like this!’
Seon Woo Yoon clenched his teeth.
Just keeping the energy from scattering was nearly killing him—he had no breath left to think about absorption or the Small Heavenly Circulation.
As if reading his struggle, Dang Yoo-hyeon’s voice cut through.
“You don’t need to refine it deliberately. A burning flame is pure by its very nature. You just need to accept it.”
Following Dang Yoo-hyeon’s words, Seon Woo Yoon accepted the roiling energy near his Dantian as it was.
A soft whisper of warmth.
Energy shaped like flame coiled around his Dantian, threatening yet encompassing.
‘Accept it as it is.’
Could Inner Energy Cultivation truly be affected by the mind?
As urgency drained from his heart, the wildly churning energy began to flow into his Dantian with serene grace.
He neither forced absorption nor artificial restraint.
When Turbid Qi surged out, it surged out; when the energy roiled seeking a path to follow, it roiled.
He simply accepted.
“That’s it. Do it just like that.”
Dang Yoo-hyeon guided the leaping energy by continuously channeling his own power into Seon Woo Yoon.
“Picture the form of fire as you imagine it.”
Seon Woo Yoon suddenly recalled passing by a blacksmith’s forge.
Molten metal heated in flame flowing along the path the craftsman had carved.
‘That’s it. That was what I needed.’
The energy flowing through his body resembled molten metal.
It pooled in one place, then scattered in all directions like a bursting firework.
A surge of heat.
His Lower Dantian shattered open.
Not long after, his Middle Dantian broke through as well.
Even after demolishing two such walls, the energy showed no sign of weakening as it pounded against his Upper Dantian.
Crash. Crash.
‘Argh!’
It felt like being struck by a red-hot iron rod.
No matter how hard he tried to hold on, his consciousness kept slipping further away.
As Seon Woo Yoon’s body began to convulse, Dang Yoo-hyeon poured more energy into him to steady his condition.
“Stay with me! If you force it open like this, your body won’t survive!”
‘Then what do you want me to do!’
“Melt it.”
Dang Yoo-hyeon spoke as though he knew Seon Woo Yoon’s innermost thoughts.
“Does fire only burn? Or does it only explode like gunpowder or fireworks? Not at all. A torch illuminates darkness, and white heat melts steel.”
“…….”
“Don’t lock yourself into a framework of your own making. Think for yourself. Fire can change in countless ways. You simply haven’t learned them yet.”
Right. No forcing it.
Melt it.
Even as Dang Yoo-hyeon guided him, the Qi still felt rough, but the moment Seon Woo Yoon shifted his perspective, it was like watching calm water’s surface.
That Qi could not cross the great wall beyond.
“Now that both the Lower Dantian and Middle Dantian are open, only one remains.”
Seon Woo Yoon channeled his Qi toward the Upper Dantian, following Dang Yoo-hyeon’s voice.
Warm as sunlight descending, yet forceful.
Gentleness wasn’t necessary.
The sturdier the wall, the easier it falls to softness.
Tap.
He gathered his Qi in one place, as though resting his hand upon a door.
Then he pushed—gently, the way wind topples wild grass.
‘It feels less like a wall and more like a door.’
And so he opened that door.
His five senses sharpened beyond any previous measure.
The chirping of crickets, the voices of people chattering floors below—all crystalline, as if heard from just beside him.
He felt the cooling tea’s fragrance drifting through empty air.
A world both familiar and strange welcomed him.
‘So this is the world of the Peak Realm…!’
His entire body trembled with a pleasure beyond words.
The Qi that had passed through the Upper Dantian returned to his Dantian without losing its warmth.
Whooooom.
Blending with his original Internal Energy, a profoundly gentle Qi settled into place.
It was as though he held a small star within his Dantian.
“Hah.”
Seon Woo Yoon opened his eyes slowly.
His vision twisted as though he were caught in vertigo.
His mind, having absorbed so much information, throbbed with headache—yet it wasn’t unpleasant.
‘I’ve grown.’
He felt that truth distinctly.
“Well done.”
Dang Yoo-hyeon patted Seon Woo Yoon’s shoulder.
“Remember this: you are the sun. Unlike mere fireballs that only blaze and consume, you are different.”
The sun—another name for the star that never sets.
It never extinguishes easily, and it wraps others in its warm light.
That was what Seon Woo Yoon must pursue.
“Well then, we’ve still got plenty of Spirit Pills left. Shall we try four more times?”
Dang Yoo-hyeon thrust a Spirit Pill before Seon Woo Yoon’s eyes.
Seon Woo Yoon reluctantly accepted it and pushed it into his mouth.
All the while thinking, with perfect sincerity, that his smile was nothing short of a demon’s.
Sacheon Dang Family Prodigy’s Reformation into a Genius
Author |
Yi Il-yeong
Publisher |
(Co.) Samyang C&C
Editor-in-Chief |
Editorial Department
Published by |
(Co.) Samyang C&C – Dream Books
Address |
7F, Gwangseong Building, 28 Bongeunsaro 114-gil, Gangnam-gu, Seoul
UCI |
G720:N+A063-20260615052
Blog |
blog.naver.com/dreambookss
Twitter (X) |
@dreambookss
Submissions |
[email protected]
(주) Samyang C&C – Dreambooks. All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any form or by any means without written permission from the publisher.

—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————