Heavenly Martial God - H.M.G Chapter 11 (Part 2):

***

Huff… Huff…

Namgoong Hyuk regulated his breathing as he ran laps around the courtyard.

True to the Namgoong Family’s stature, the courtyard was impressively spacious—large enough to serve as a decent training ground.

“Gotta… build… my… stamina!”

After three laps, his throat burned, and his lungs ached as if they’d shriveled up.

He resisted the urge to collapse right then and there.

He needed to improve his basic stamina before he could refine his body with the Muscle-Bone Internal Refinement Technique.

His current physique lacked even the minimal strength required to properly train in martial arts, so building muscle was essential.

Even if it wasn’t for martial arts, increasing his strength would make daily life much easier.

*Crack! Clunk!*

His shoulders twitched, and his knees creaked.

“Damn it, this is exhilarating.”

Compared to when he first woke up in this body, the progress was remarkable.

Back then, even walking left him breathless—now he was running.

Sure, his joints were popping like firecrackers, but still.

Sweat poured down his face as he kept running, pushing himself until his body radiated heat.

*Pant… Wheeze… Huff!*

Not long after he started, servants began trickling out of the estate.

Their eyes widened at the sight of Namgoong Hyuk sprinting around the courtyard.

“Y-Young Master?!”

“First strength training, now running?!”

“But if he gets hurt again…”

“What do we do?”

The servants fidgeted helplessly, too intimidated to intervene.

This was the same Namgoong Hyuk whose bones would snap if he so much as tripped over a pebble—yet here he was, running laps.

Their gazes naturally shifted to Geum Cheom Sang, who was lounging on a bench, chewing on a rice cake.

“Shouldn’t… someone stop him?”

Geum Cheom Sang idly flicked dust off his towel, his eyes tracking Namgoong Hyuk’s movements.

“If even the Family Head couldn’t stop him, what can I do? I’d just get scolded.”

“But if he gets seriously injured—”

“The Head of the Medical Hall said he’s fine. Stop worrying and get back to work.”

The servants were at a loss for words at his nonchalance.

Unfazed, Geum Cheom Sang called out to Namgoong Hyuk as he ran past.

“Ten laps left! Need water?”

“Hooo! Hooo! No… need!”

Namgoong Hyuk dashed by, sweat dripping like rain.

The servants stared blankly.

“Hoh… He’s running better than I expected.”

“To think the day would come when the Young Master runs like this… It’s like watching a baby take its first steps.”

“How many laps is he doing?”

“Is he really getting better?”

“Well, he is running, isn’t he? Look at him go!”

The servants marveled, their voices filled with awe.

But their admiration was short-lived.

*Crrk—*

*Snap!*

A horrifying bone-cracking sound echoed across the courtyard.

The cheering servants shrieked, their pupils dilating in shock.

“……!”

“……?!”

Namgoong Hyuk, who had been running diligently, suddenly faltered. His pace slowed drastically.

*Thud-thud-thud.*

Like a broken wheel, his steps became uneven and wobbly.

The servants’ eyes followed him in horror.

“Y-Young Master!”

“His foot—!”

“Eeeek!”

They screamed when they saw Namgoong Hyuk’s ankle pop out of place, dangling loosely.

But Namgoong Hyuk simply popped it back in without a second thought.

“Held up longer than I expected.”

*Crunch!*

And then he kept running.

“Uh… wha…”

“……What.”

Their jaws dropped at his nonchalance.

‘His ankle just dislocated, and he’s acting like nothing happened?!’

Whether the servants were stunned speechless or not, Geum Cheom Sang’s booming voice continued to ring out.

“Three laps left! Need water?”

***

Namgoong Hyuk circulated the Changcheon Dark King Technique.

In just a few days, breathing in sync with the technique had become second nature.

A tiny, bean-sized energy pulsed in his dantian.

The energy of the Changcheon Dark King Technique swiftly completed a full cycle through his body.

For most, a lifetime of training wouldn’t even allow them to sense internal energy—yet Namgoong Hyuk had already condensed a minuscule amount in his dantian after just a few sessions.

Considering he had only begun practicing this new internal energy method less than a month ago, his progress was monstrous.

‘Still too slow.’

Of course, compared to his past self, it was incomparably sluggish.

During his reign as ‘The Supreme One’, a single breath could cycle energy twelve times. Now, he couldn’t even dream of matching that speed or volume.

But Namgoong Hyuk wasn’t dissatisfied.

He was laying deeper roots, carefully selecting the purest nutrients to absorb.

This wasn’t something that could be rushed.

A tree with deep, sturdy roots could withstand a thousand years.

‘Let’s not be hasty.’

Overreaching now would only lead to collapse.

‘This isn’t exactly greed, is it?’

He was just doing what he’d always done.

The only difference was the ticking clock—his four-month lifespan—that made every second feel urgent.

‘If I can just unlock one of the energies hidden behind the blocked meridians…’

Behind the eight obstructed meridians lay unprecedented power.

Unlocking even one would allow him to skip multiple stages.

The problem? Each meridian required an immense amount of internal energy to unseal.

Naturally, for now, elixirs were the easiest and safest path.

‘Ordinary ones won’t cut it. I should bring it up soon.’

Only a fool would dig with bare hands when there was fertilizer available.

If you have resources, use them. If you don’t, ask for them.

This time, he wouldn’t recklessly consume them like before. He’d take his time and savor the process.

As he circulated his energy, he continuously monitored his body’s condition.

‘Heh, good… Very good.’

Namgoong Hyuk smiled inwardly before opening his eyes.

He had started his energy circulation in broad daylight, but now the room was pitch black, dusk having fallen.

“Phew… I’ve worked hard. Just a little more.”

That’s right—suffer while you’re young… Wait, no, he’d already suffered plenty in his past life.

But for this new life, he could endure a bit more.

Namgoong Hyuk grinned contentedly as he rose from the bed.

He was about to do some push-ups before dinner when Geum Cheom Sang’s voice called out.

“Young Master!”

“Hm? Is it already mealtime?”

“The First Young Master has arrived.”

“First Young Master? What’s that?”

“Your elder brother is here.”

“Ah, right.”

‘Oh yeah, I have an older brother.’

Namgoong Hyuk belatedly recalled his place as the second son and stood up.

His gaze slowly shifted to the tall, imposing figure standing beside Geum Cheom Sang.

A handsome young man with a sharp jawline, broad shoulders, and long, sturdy limbs.

Namgoong Hyuk stared at him, then glanced at his own reflection in the mirror.

His eyes trailed downward.

‘Why is there such a difference in length?’

‘Did I just see a halo around that guy’s head?’

“Wow, damn it.”

If they were going to give him a new life, they should have put him in that guy’s body.

‘Does he even have any illnesses?’

As Namgoong Hyuk stewed in his thoughts, Geum Cheom Sang spoke up.

“The First Young Master wishes to dine with you.”

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