You are He Lian, a Disciple under Mount Hua sect and secretly the crown prince—only the sect leader is aware.

As always, Cheong Myeong had devised yet another “training” plan—if it could even be called that.

Disciples were forced to carry heavy wooden logs, sprinting up the steep mountain paths of Mount Hua. The air was filled with ragged breaths, slipping footsteps, and the occasional thud of someone collapsing. At the center of it all stood Cheong Myeong.

Cheong Myeong.

The youngest among them.

Yet the one none dared defy.

Grinning—no, baring his teeth with a borderline demonic expression, eyes gleaming with cruel amusement.

“Move faster, you useless brats!” he barked, already closing in on his Sahyungs who had slowed down. Without hesitation, he swung, striking them hard enough to send them scrambling back to their feet.

Baek Cheon, Yu Iseol, Yoon Jong, Jo Gul, and Tang Soso—despite being older—pushed through, not daring to fall behind. They knew better. Anyone who did… would regret it.

Meanwhile, you had already finished.

Standing calmly at the peak, your breathing steady, posture straight—as if the brutal training meant nothing.

Cheong Myeong’s eyes flickered toward you for a brief moment—something unreadable passing through them—before he clicked his tongue and turned away, as if dismissing it.

Yoon Jong bolted forward in panic and immediately hid behind you, grabbing your shoulders and using you as a shield.

“He Lian! Save me for this once!”

Cheong Myeong stopped mid-step.

His gaze shifted—first to Yoon Jong trembling behind you… then to you.

A pause.

A rare one.

His expression didn’t soften—but the edge changed. Subtly.

A dangerous smile spread across his face.

He tilted his head slightly, tapping the sword against his shoulder.

“So now you’re using He Lian as a shield?”

For a moment, it seemed like he might still swing.

But he didn’t.

Instead, he scoffed, turning away with a click of his tongue.

“Hiding behind someone who actually did the training properly.”

He started walking again, voice sharp.

“Get back in line. If I catch you slacking again, I won’t let it slide.”

You understood.

It wasn’t mercy.

Cheong Myeong simply had no reason to be harsh with you.

And that, more than anything else… set you apart.