Here is the complete English translation of:
Chapter 2 – Setting a Resolve (1)
Seok Jin-ho muttered as he sat diagonally in the chair by the window.
The soul had mostly departed, leaving behind only a faint spirit.
But he knew.
Even this faint remnant would completely disperse before two days passed.
“Hmm.”
Accepting the fading will of the spirit, Seok Jin-ho stroked his chin.
As was typical of his timid nature, the original Seok Jin-ho’s desire was simple.
To prove himself.
To prove to the family that he was a person of worth, a useful being.
“A reasonable desire. Though a bit small in scale.”
The saying “everyone has their limits” is surprisingly grounded in reality.
He had come to understand this after experiencing hundreds of reincarnations.
But that didn’t mean it was absolute.
One’s limit could change depending on one’s mindset and determination.
“Even fate, no—destiny itself, is no different.”
As he uttered the word destiny, Seok Jin-ho curled his lips.
He still hadn’t figured out the reason he had reincarnated again.
One possibility did come to mind, but it felt too vague to be the real reason.
“Prove myself, huh…”
From what he had gathered so far, Seok Jin-ho could be summed up in two syllables:
Average.
Neither particularly exceptional nor incompetent.
If there was a pinnacle of mediocrity, it would be Seok Jin-ho.
He wasn’t talentless, but neither was he outstanding.
“He’s tried a lot of things, though.”
It wasn’t as if he fell into depression and self-pity for no reason.
He had tried everything he possibly could.
Though he was born of a concubine, he still had the blood of the Seok family’s patriarch.
He had the status to attempt most things he desired, so he had tried a variety of pursuits.
The problem was simply that none of them produced good results.
Knock knock knock.
As he was lost in thoughts of the past, there was a knock at the door.
At the same time, the door opened and his old nanny entered with a tray in hand.
“Opening the window again? You’ll catch a cold.”
“I’m fine. You know I’ve gotten a lot better. I’ve even put on some weight.”
“It’s still not enough. You’ll need to gain at least double that before people stop calling you skinny.”
“If I gain that much, I’ll be a pig.”
“Men should have a strong build. Think of the Lord and the First Young Master.”
Seok Jin-ho made a disbelieving face.
They weren’t exactly “sturdy” as much as they were simply fat.
“I don’t want to end up like that.”
“Then what do you want to be?”
Setting the tray of dishes down on the table, the nanny’s eyes sparkled with interest.
She had been wondering what Seok Jin-ho was thinking about lately.
Though she was glad he wasn’t sulking anymore, she had no idea what was on his mind. So she asked in a gentle tone.
“What do you want to be?”
“You seem deep in thought these days.”
The nanny quietly placed the spoon in front of him, watching his expression.
After narrowly surviving a near-death experience, Seok Jin-ho had changed.
But she didn’t dislike the change.
‘They say many people change after brushing with death.’
Others might have dismissed him for being weak, but her thoughts were different.
He was a gentle and humble boy, more than anyone.
That’s why he was always watching others’ reactions.
‘Being cautious isn’t bad. There are plenty of bastards among illegitimate children.’
The Lord of the Seok family had many children.
Just the ones born of his wives and concubines numbered over ten.
But among them, only four were truly considered competent.
The rest had caused one scandal after another, exploiting their Seok family lineage.
“There’s a reason I have to think deeply. I’ve got barely a year left now.”
“Whatever you choose, I’ll be on your side, young master. Always.”
“Even if I leave the Seok family?”
“Yes.”
The nanny answered firmly.
This place was practically her hometown, but if Seok Jin-ho left, there was no reason for her to remain.
If her late mistress had given birth to Jin-ho, it was she who had raised him.
They weren’t connected by blood, but to her, he was as good as a son.
“Isn’t that a hasty decision? Don’t you know life outside is hard?”
“If I’m with you, young master, anywhere is fine. Besides, the late mistress asked me to take care of you.”
“Hmm…”
At the mention of his mother, Seok Jin-ho could no longer make jokes.
Not that he could have anyway, given the determined look on the nanny’s face.
“Please tell me when your thoughts are sorted out. Even the little things.”
“What kind of person do you want me to become?”
“I don’t expect anything grand. I just want you to grow up upright and healthy.”
“You’re not hoping I’ll become someone great or take over the Seok family?”
He asked while picking up his spoon, probing with a hint of amusement.
“I wouldn’t mind that either. But what matters is that you find what you want to do—and achieve it.”
“What I want to do, huh…”
He mumbled as he took a spoonful of the warm egg soup—clearly handmade by the nanny.
It was a small thing, but it touched his heart deeply.
Also, given that the household motto was “He who does not work, shall not eat,” it was time for Seok Jin-ho to start making a choice.
“Don’t rush. You still have time.”
“Got it.”
Smiling gently, he reached for the stir-fried vegetables.
And at that ordinary gesture, the nanny smiled with motherly pride.
At the break of dawn, with darkness still lingering, Seok Jin-ho got out of bed.
And for the first time since reincarnating, he sat cross-legged in meditation.
‘Maybe living this life alongside others wouldn’t be so bad.’
In his previous lives, he had only lived for himself.
Rather than looking around, he had chased only one goal—becoming the strongest under heaven.
That obsession had, in fact, allowed him to fulfill his ambition.
But maybe this time, he could live differently.
‘Power is never a bad thing to have. Even if the Seok family controls over half of the martial world’s upper circles, none of it belongs to me.’
The Seok family was a towering golden fortress.
But it belonged to his father.
And Seok Jin-ho had less than a 5% chance of inheriting it.
There were three legitimate heirs before him, and the odds of all of them dying were slim.
“Even if they do die, would anyone acknowledge me? Not unless I prove myself to be exceptional.”
He shrugged and stood up.
The contemplation was over.
Now that his decision was made, it was time to act.
“Ugh, can’t believe I have to go through this again…”
Seok Jin-ho shut his eyes tightly.
Just because it was familiar didn’t make it any less painful.
In fact, familiarity often made it worse.
But to transform his average body, he needed Taeguk Reverse Heaven Dance (太極飜天舞).
It was a unique martial art he had developed through countless trials and errors to reshape the body from the ground up.
“Ugh… Hell again…”
To properly use his perfected secret techniques, his body had to be transformed through this dance.
Sure, if he just wanted to coast through life, he could pick a few decent martial arts and be fine.
But that wasn’t in Seok Jin-ho’s nature.
If he was going to start, he had to do it properly.
“Let’s do this again, Taeguk Reverse Heaven Dance! Nnngh!”
He knew all too well the pain that would follow.
He had practiced it hundreds—no, millions of times across lifetimes.
But nothing in this world came without pain.
Better to suffer and be strong than live as a weakling.
Click.
He quietly opened the door, careful not to wake the two others sleeping.
In the still-dark backyard, he began with light stretching.
Then, slowly and deliberately, he started the movements of the Taeguk Reverse Heaven Dance.
As his body moved, joints cracked and twisted unnaturally.
“Nnngh…!”
His face flushed red within half a cycle.
The pain was excruciating, and syncing the breathing method to a new body wasn’t easy.
But if he was going to live as a protector, care for the nanny and Tak-yoon, and fulfill the late Jin-ho’s final wishes, he had to master it.
To learn his ultimate techniques, he first had to forge a heavenly-grade body using this dance.
“Huff, huff…”
Gradually, his breathing stabilized.
Though the body was a blank slate, that made adapting even easier.
And the one performing it was none other than Seok Jin-ho.
The body may be new to the Taeguk Reverse Heaven Dance, but he wasn’t.
Swish—
He had reincarnated countless times and trained this art millions of times.
Naturally, he was quickly immersed in it.
Whoooosh—
Energy from the air slowly drew into him.
The dance not only improved physical condition and bodily coordination, but also included elements of moving qi cultivation.
Though less efficient than seated meditation, it still accumulated internal energy bit by bit.
With a new purpose in life, Seok Jin-ho’s daily routine changed completely.
It was hard to believe he had once spent his days in idleness.
Aside from sleeping and basic necessities, every second went into training.
And so, his appearance changed by the day.
“Fufufu…”
The nanny, So Hajung, couldn’t help but smile as she watched.
The boy who once withered like a fading flower was now brimming with drive.
She was slightly concerned about him learning martial arts, but it was better than being weak and frail.
Especially since the results were immediate—it was hard to argue against that.
“Well, it’s a good thing. Better to be healthy than sick. Not just anyone becomes a master.”
At first, even she was worried.
She knew martial arts mastery wasn’t for everyone.
If it were that easy, the Seok family wouldn’t be confined to just the upper martial world—and wouldn’t struggle to recruit experts.
“Still, if he does become one…”
She grinned.
It was a slim chance, but if by some miracle he shook the martial world, it would be amazing.
He wouldn’t be scorned by the family anymore—if anything, they’d cling to him.
“The Lord really loves talented people. It’s just that his standards are too high.”
“What are you mumbling about?”
“Eek!”
“Wow, you were really lost in thought, huh? You jumped.”
So Hajung jumped and raised her ladle in surprise, making Seok Jin-ho chuckle.
Such moments were rare even in his memories.
“Y-young master! What brings you to the kitchen?”
“You didn’t answer when I called. But I could sense someone moving. So I came myself.”
“You should’ve just called louder.”
“It’s not that far. And it’s you I was calling, after all.”
He placed his hands gently on her shoulders.
Then, naturally, he gave them a little squeeze.
“Ah!”
Establishing a Resolve (Part 2):
The moment the refreshing sensation began at her shoulders, So Hajung let out a sigh of relief.
The massage was so expert, it felt like something divine. Her face melted in pure bliss.
“How is it? Feels good, right?”
“It—It seriously feels like I’m melting.”
“It’s only because I usually don’t do this. But when I do something, I do it right.”
“I know. I’ve always trusted you, young master. Aah!”
As the hands pressed and kneaded along her back, So Hajung couldn’t help but moan unconsciously.
The cool yet tingling sensation naturally brought it out.
Realizing that a moment later, her face flushed and she ducked her head.
“It’s okay. That’s a natural reaction. I’ll massage you often from now on. Seems your muscles are really stiff—probably because I’ve made you work so hard.”
“You don’t have to do that. You seem quite busy these days.”
“I am busy, but I still have plenty of time to massage my nanny.”
“You’re also sleeping way less than usual lately. Are you really okay?”
So Hajung asked, concern evident in her eyes, her previously flushed face now cooled.
She had noticed his sleep time gradually decreasing.
“How’d you know that?”
“I saw you training when I went to the outhouse in the middle of the night.”
“Ah, I see.”
“You’re still growing. You need proper sleep.”
She grabbed his hand as she spoke.
It was good he enjoyed martial arts training, but overdoing it was never better than not doing it at all.
So she chose her words carefully, not wanting to offend him.
“I know when the body grows best. I make sure to sleep during that window. So don’t worry.”
“Still…”
“Do I look tired to you?”
So Hajung looked closely at Seok Jin-ho.
Far from looking tired, his face practically glowed.
Even the pimples that used to be visible on his face were now gone.
“Your skin’s really improved.”
“I’ve been cleansing my body of all impurities. Want me to teach you too?”
“Oh come on, me learning martial arts? I’m satisfied with my life now. You’re healthy, and Yoon is doing well.”
“Then at least accept regular massages. I’m not bragging, but my massages are on another level.”
So Hajung smiled warmly.
The way he boasted was just too adorable.
Still, she nodded. It was her first time receiving one, but his skill was undeniably real.
“Just do it occasionally when you have time. No need to do it too often.”
“That won’t do. I promised someone I’d take good care of you.”
“Someone asked you to?”
Her eyes widened in surprise.
In this remote outer estate, the only people Jin-ho met were her and Tak Yoon.
Servants occasionally dropped off food, but never exchanged more than a word or two.
“Yes. So don’t say no. It’s for my own good, too. If you’re healthy, you can keep making my meals.”
“Well, when you put it that way, you’re not wrong. Hoho!”
“You’ve got to keep cooking for me until I get married, so stay healthy.”
“You could get married next year, you know.”
So Hajung said teasingly.
At eighteen, he was of age to marry.
Even if he was born of a concubine, he still carried the blood of the Seok family head.
If he gained recognition, a political marriage wasn’t out of the question.
“That won’t happen. I have no plans to marry anytime soon.”
“Hehe, do things really go as you plan?”
“They do. At least for me.”
“You… really look good these days. I mean it.”
“Not strange?”
Jin-ho joked.
Though he nearly died once, his personality was completely different from before.
Only those close like Hajung and Tak Yoon let it slide. Anyone else would have questioned it.
“At first, I did think it was strange. But you’re still the same young master.”
“You’re making my heart warm all of a sudden.”
“Then give me a hug. Do you know you haven’t hugged me even once since I turned fifteen?”
“A hug, huh?”
Now a full head taller than her, Jin-ho embraced her affectionately.
So Hajung smiled softly in his arms.
“You’re warm.”
“Let’s hang in there a bit longer. Everything will change next year.”
“I already love how things are now.”
“Well, I’m not satisfied. You and Tak Yoon deserve better. I’m off to talk to him now.”
With a grin, Jin-ho left the kitchen.
Just as he had appeared like a breeze, he disappeared the same way.
Still, So Hajung kept staring at the kitchen entrance long after he was gone.
“Tak Yoon.”
“Yes, Young Master!”
Tak Yoon, who had been sweeping the entrance, answered loudly and ran over.
The ground trembled with each step he took—befitting his massive size.
But despite his frame, his face was gentle and innocent.
“Sit here.”
“Yes, sir.”
The house was small, reflecting Jin-ho’s current status.
But even the small courtyard had everything it needed. Jin-ho sat on a bench in the corner and patted the spot beside him.
“Tak Yoon, would you like to learn martial arts?”
“Martial arts?”
Tak Yoon blinked his big cow-like eyes in confusion.
It was so sudden, he didn’t know how to respond.
“Yeah, martial arts. I know a style perfect for you. It’s an external energy art—not age-restricted. It’s tough, but with your patience, you’ll pick it up quickly. It suits you perfectly.”
“Uh… would it help you, Young Master?”
His innocent eyes blinked again as he asked hesitantly.
Instead of asking if Jin-ho really knew martial arts, he asked if it would help him.
That alone made Jin-ho smile.
“Of course, it’ll help. But more than that, it’ll benefit you—you’ll be healthier, and you won’t get injured easily.”
“If it helps you, I’ll do it.”
“Just so you know—it’s going to be really painful. The art I’m teaching is high-level, and it’s not easy to learn. You can refuse. I won’t hold it against you.”
“I’ll do it. You said it would help you.”
“Aren’t you deciding too quickly? I mean, I know I’m your young master, but still.”
Jin-ho smirked playfully.
He had expected this but was still surprised by Tak Yoon’s blind trust.
“I know you’d never do anything to harm me. Hehe!”
Tak Yoon scratched his head, embarrassed by his own words.
But Jin-ho felt reassured.
The former Seok Jin-ho might have believed he had nothing.
But that wasn’t true.
‘He just didn’t realize what he had.’
If you give up because you think you have no talent, nothing will ever change.
If you lack something, you find another way.
Had he given up on his dream because of that, the current him wouldn’t exist.
“Shall we start right away?”
“Uh… Young Master, I have chores right now…”
“Oh, okay. Then after dinner. Before bed, and early in the morning. We’ll do stamina training together too.”
“Understood!”
Tak Yoon smiled brightly.
Martial arts aside, he looked genuinely happy just to train with Jin-ho.
Time passed like flowing water.
Winter snow melted, and flowers began to bloom.
Though it was still chilly in the mornings and evenings, spring had clearly arrived.
“Hurry up, move it!”
“We have guests arriving tomorrow, don’t you know?!”
The estate had been in a frenzy for days, and Seok Jin-ho quietly watched the bustling scene.
While the servants rushed about, his own quarters remained calm and idle.
His grandfather, the former patriarch and now the Retired Head, was turning seventy in a week.
But it didn’t feel significant to Jin-ho.
“Things are chaotic.”
“Will you be alright?”
“Why?”
“You’ll be seeing your siblings.”
Even though his personality had changed, core traits don’t shift easily.
Jin-ho had always shrunk back in front of his siblings.
Though some illegitimate children lived boldly, Jin-ho had always stayed quietly in the shadows.
So So Hajung asked in concern.
“They should be the ones worried.”
“R-Really?”
“It’s so noisy, I can’t focus. What’s with all the fuss?”
“It might be the Retired Head’s last birthday, you know. He’s getting old.”
It wasn’t uncommon for people to die before sixty.
So maybe, as Hajung said, this could be his last birthday.
“He’s eaten all kinds of health food since his youth. He’ll last another ten years easily.”
“You never know. The elderly can collapse without warning.”
“True.”
“You’ll go greet him, right?”
“I have to. I wasn’t invited, but I’m still family. If they stop me, so be it.”
Jin-ho shrugged.
Based on past experience, being barred from the hall wouldn’t be surprising.
“But you should still go. He’s your grandfather.”
“I will. Even just for appearances. He probably won’t even remember me—he’s got so many grandkids.”
Jin-ho recalled the memories—technically, those of the former Jin-ho.
“I’ll prepare a gift.”
“Do we even have money for that?”
Jin-ho raised an eyebrow.
Feeding the three of them was already tough—especially with his increased appetite from martial arts training.
“You don’t have to buy it with money.”
Hajung raised her arms confidently, adding a proud smile.
“You’re going to make it yourself?”
“Yes. The clothes you’re wearing now? I made them.”
“I know your sewing skills well. But the materials might cost something.”
“Don’t worry about that. I have my ways. Just focus on giving your greetings properly.”
“I feel like I’m leaving everything to you.”
Jin-ho looked apologetic.
But honestly, he still wasn’t used to this.
He had never received such one-sided, unconditional love from anyone before.
“That’s what we’re here for. Tak Yoon and I are practically one with you.”
“That’s true. We may not share blood, but we’re family.”
“Oh my…”
So Hajung looked touched.
She’d known it in her heart, but he had never said it aloud like that.
But Jin-ho looked unbothered after saying it.
“So don’t worry anymore. I’ll take care of both of you.”
“Just hearing that makes me feel reassured. Hoho! But you’re making me feel a bit sad—you still look like a boy to me.”
“A boy? I’m over six feet tall now.”
He snorted.
His face and body were far from boyish now.
“Oh! I heard that some masters from the Nine Great Schools will attend the Retired Head’s birthday. If you catch their eye, maybe they’ll accept you as a disciple? You’ve been training hard since last winter.”
“The Nine Schools? Hmph. They’re nothing special.”
