Chapter 11

Eyes widened even more than before.

For the first time since serving Yeon Cheon-baek, Chun Ho-seong dared to question him.

“Why do you look so surprised? Is it really that shocking for me to have a grandson?”

“Are you saying that person is truly your grandson?”

“That’s right. And not just any grandson—he is as precious to me as my own life. So, you must protect him.”

For Yeon Cheon-baek, known as the Iron Blood, to treasure someone as much as his own life...

That meant it was absolutely true.

As Chun Ho-seong stood there dumbfounded, Yeon Woo-jin approached him.

“I’ll be counting on you from now on.”

Only then did Chun Ho-seong snap out of it and quickly bow his waist.

“I—I will be counting on you as well, Young Master.”

“Young Master?”

“Since you are the grandson of my lord, you are naturally my young master. It is only fitting to address you that way.”

Hearing Chun Ho-seong’s words, Yeon Woo-jin shook his head.

“‘Young Master’ sounds too stiff. Just call me the same way Jeok Seong does—Young Lord.”

Chun Ho-seong immediately corrected himself at Yeon Woo-jin’s request.

“Understood, Young Lord.”

He truly was a man brimming with loyalty and sincerity.

After exchanging greetings with Chun Ho-seong, Yeon Woo-jin turned to Yeon Cheon-baek.

“Then, does that mean I have to part ways with Jeok Seong? I don’t want that.”

Yeon Woo-jin spoke with a sullen expression, and Jeok Seong was deeply touched.

“How could I ever leave you, Young Lord? I will always be by your side.”

“Of course. Jeok Seong will stay by your side.”

“Then both of you are staying with me?”

“That’s right. I’ve assigned someone quite strong to you... but even so, I can’t feel at ease.”

“You’re being too overprotective, Grandpa.”

“Hahaha! Then hurry up and grow stronger so you can ease your old grandpa’s worries.”

“Yes! I’ll definitely get stronger so you won’t have to worry.”

“Hahaha! How can you speak so sweetly?”

Yeon Cheon-baek’s eyes practically overflowed with affection as he gazed at Yeon Woo-jin.

Witnessing this unfamiliar sight, Chun Ho-seong could only remain astonished.

One thing was certain—

Yeon Cheon-baek cherished Yeon Woo-jin more than anything in the world.

“For now, could you step outside for a moment? I have something important to discuss with this one.”

“Yes!”

After Yeon Woo-jin cheerfully answered and left with Jeok Seong, Yeon Cheon-baek turned to Chun Ho-seong.

“Were you surprised?”

“N-no, not at all!”

“No? Your expression says otherwise.”

“I apologize.”

“It’s fine. You must have had your suspicions. After all, the Heavenly Martial Corps has been tasked with protecting something for a while now.”

“Yes, sir.”

“That ‘something’ is that child. He is more precious to me than anything else in this world.”

For such words to come from Yeon Cheon-baek’s mouth...

Chun Ho-seong listened silently as Yeon Cheon-baek continued.

“I hereby command you, leader of the Heavenly Martial Corps.”

Chun Ho-seong knelt immediately.

“From this moment on, the mission of the Heavenly Martial Corps is to protect my grandson, Yeon Woo-jin.”

“Yes, sir!”

“Especially you—you will guard Woo-jin alongside Jeok Seong. Never leave his side, not even for a moment. Also, pass along my orders to secure the Boundless Library. Not even a single rat is to approach that place without permission.”

“Yes, sir!”

“Remember this well. If anything happens to that child... I may very well become the demon that destroys this world. Do you understand?”

“I will protect him with my life!”

“I trust you.”

“Yes, sir!”

Overcome with emotion after being trusted so deeply, Chun Ho-seong shouted his response with conviction, his earlier surprise completely overshadowed by his determination.

*****

Boundless Library

Its name comes from the idea that it holds an uncountable number of books.

The library is divided into three main sections.

The First Hall contains lower-grade and beginner-level books.

The Second Hall houses intermediate and advanced texts.

The Third Hall displays the most superior and high-level manuscripts.

Each hall is further divided into martial arts manuals and general texts.

Above these, there is the Heavenly Hall, accessible only with the permission of the Heavenly Lord. It contains world-shaking supreme techniques and rare books that can cause a stir just by their titles.

Most of the books in the Boundless Library have copies stored separately in the Manifold Library.

The Manifold Library is similarly divided into First, Second, and Third Halls.

First Hall is accessible to all members of Mushincheon.

Second Hall is restricted to commanders and above.

Third Hall is only available to lords.

However, the Manifold Library does not have a Heavenly Hall.

That doesn’t mean there are no copies of the books from the Heavenly Hall.

All copies of the Heavenly Hall’s texts are kept in the Heavenly Lord’s Chamber.

So, are the books in the Boundless Library only for storage and not for reading?

Not exactly.

The librarians of the Boundless Library can access them since they need to check the condition of the books.

However, they cannot read through them in detail.

The Boundless Library’s collection is so vast that even flipping through the pages quickly every day wouldn’t be enough to check them all.

If someone tried to sit down and read, they’d probably be kicked by their supervisor or colleagues.

There’s one more group who can read these books.

Anyone ranked lord or higher can access and read the originals up to the Third Hall.

But this almost never happens.

Why would anyone go through the trouble of coming to the Boundless Library when the Manifold Library, clean, well-organized, and conveniently located within Mushincheon, is available?

Getting into the Boundless Library itself requires passing through a formation barrier—and it’s notoriously difficult.

The formation, designed by Military Strategist Wan Baek Shin-gun Sama-cheon, the greatest genius of Mushincheon, was crafted with meticulous care.

Entering requires guidance from someone who knows the formation well.

A single misstep can trap you in the Thousand Variations Hell Formation, forcing you to experience torment like falling into hell.

Even after passing through the formation, there’s still the guards’ inspection to clear.

Naturally, most people opt for the Manifold Library instead of facing these obstacles.

The librarians of the Boundless Library spend almost their entire lives within its walls.

When they leave, they must be accompanied by guards.

And when they retire?

They take the Oblivion Pill to erase all memories of their time there.@@novelbin@@

Thus, the Boundless Library remained a silent, unchanging place, tended only by its devoted librarians.

But then, one day—

Chun Ho-seong, the leader of the Heavenly Martial Corps, entered the library carrying the Divine Badge of the Heavenly Lord.

He brought someone with him.

Gathering the heads of each hall’s librarians, Chun Ho-seong made an announcement.

“This is an order from the Heavenly Lord. From this moment forward, this person has unrestricted access to the Boundless Library. You are to treat him as you would the Heavenly Lord himself. Furthermore, you are forbidden to speak of this matter until your dying breath.”

The chilling killing intent radiating from Chun Ho-seong caused every librarian present to shrink back.

This person was granted absolute authority.

Not just the First, Second, and Third Halls—but even the Heavenly Hall.

He was free to touch any book, pull them out, read them at will, or even make noise if he pleased.

And the one protecting him? Chun Ho-seong himself.

The librarians couldn’t help but wonder.

Who exactly was this person, that the leader of the Heavenly Martial Corps would act as his escort?

More than that, his treatment was excessive.

“Young Lord, are you hungry?”

“Young Lord, allow me to handle that for you.”

“Young Lord, is this the book you were looking for?”

“Young Lord, I’m concerned about your health. Shouldn’t you get some rest?”

The mighty Chun Ho-seong followed the boy around, catering to his every need with utmost care and respect.

The same Chun Ho-seong who treated the librarians with the icy chill of the North Sea was now as gentle as a spring breeze.

And the boy took it all as if it were perfectly natural.

The librarians were curious but dared not ask.

The way they addressed him as “Young Lord” hinted that he had an intimate connection to the Heavenly Lord.

And the martial artist beside Chun Ho-seong, who seemed just as powerful, also called him “Young Lord” and treated him with reverence.

The Heavenly Lord’s order forbade anyone from speaking of what happened within the library.

Anyone who disobeyed would die without even realizing how it happened.

So the librarians simply shut their mouths and focused on their work.

At least, that was what they intended to do—

"Here, please try this."

If there was anything delicious, the Young Lord would quietly offer to share it.

"What’s this?"

Whenever he was curious about something, he asked.

"That looks hard. Should I help you?"

If anyone needed help, he stepped in without hesitation.

"I’ll handle that over there!"

Yeon Woo-jin moved around the library, assisting the librarians wherever he could.

The librarians were human too.

Naturally, they began to like Yeon Woo-jin.

Then, one day—

Yeon Woo-jin invited the heads of each hall to join him for tea.

The hall masters had been in charge of the Boundless Library for a long time, and every one of them was elderly.

"Now that I think about it, we don’t even know each other’s names. Ho-seong, is it okay if we introduce ourselves?"

"Whatever you wish, Young Lord."

Chun Ho-seong replied with a gentle expression, but the librarians still couldn’t get used to it.

Chun Ho-seong was one of the most feared figures in Mushincheon.

People only saw him when they had committed a crime or offended the Heavenly Lord.

He was a man who cared for nothing else.

His only concerns revolved around the Heavenly Lord.

So the librarians could only guess that the boy in front of them was somehow connected to the Heavenly Lord.

That guess was confirmed the moment they heard his name.

"My name is Yeon Woo-jin."

He shared the same family name as the Heavenly Lord—Yeon.

It was immediately clear that they were related.

The librarians stared at Yeon Woo-jin in shock, but Chun Ho-seong spoke calmly.

"The Young Lord is waiting. Introduce yourselves."

At his words, the librarians quickly bowed and introduced themselves.

"I—I am Baek Ga-hu, head of the First Hall."

"I am Im Yeon-seok, head of the Second Hall."

"I am Yeom Ho-rang, head of the Third Hall."

"So you’re Grandpa Baek, Grandpa Im, and Grandpa Yeom." Yeon Woo-jin smiled brightly. "But isn’t there a head for the Heavenly Hall?"

Yeon Woo-jin’s question prompted Chun Ho-seong to answer.

"The Heavenly Hall belongs to the Heavenly Lord. Only someone with his Divine Badge can enter."

"Oh! I see. Now that you mention it, I haven’t been there yet."

"You may go whenever you wish."

"I’ll start by reading the books here first."

Yeon Woo-jin’s response brought a faint smile to Chun Ho-seong’s face.

The hall masters, however, still couldn’t get used to his demeanor.

What unsettled them even more was how casually Yeon Woo-jin spoke about entering the Heavenly Hall—and how naturally Chun Ho-seong accepted it.

Their curiosity grew until one of them finally couldn’t hold back any longer.

"Uh… Young Lord. May I ask you something?"

Baek Ga-hu cautiously asked. Yeon Woo-jin nodded.

"Yes, feel free to ask."

Receiving permission, Baek Ga-hu glanced nervously at Chun Ho-seong before asking carefully:

"What is your relationship with the Heavenly Lord?"

"He’s my grandfather."

"Huh?!"

"Wha—?!"

"Excuse me?!"

The three hall masters were stunned.

They had assumed Yeon Woo-jin was a distant relative since he shared the same surname, but his answer confirmed he was a direct descendant.

It all made sense now—why Chun Ho-seong guarded him, why the Heavenly Martial Corps protected the Boundless Library so fiercely, and why someone who wasn’t even part of Mushincheon could enter this sacred place.

If this information spread through Mushincheon, it would create chaos.

But a new question arose.

Currently, Mushincheon was in turmoil over selecting the next Heavenly Lord.

If Yeon Woo-jin was the Heavenly Lord’s grandson, why wasn’t he being prepared for the position?

Why wasn’t he being named as the heir?

The answer became clear when they considered Yeon Cheon-baek’s personality.

Even if Yeon Woo-jin was his grandson, Yeon Cheon-baek wouldn’t place him in the position without proving his worth.

He likely wanted his grandson to rise to the top by defeating the competition.

That sounded exactly like something Yeon Cheon-baek would do.

Still, he had assigned Chun Ho-seong as a bodyguard and allowed Yeon Woo-jin to study in the Boundless Library.

Even the Iron-Blooded Martial God seemed to treasure his family.

The reason for assigning guards also became apparent.

Yeon Woo-jin looked fragile.

While the librarians weren’t particularly skilled in martial arts, even they thought he seemed weaker than themselves.