Characters[]
Synopsis[]
Novel[]
The story follows a protagonist who finds himself immersed in the memories of So Ik-heon, the head of his family. The protagonist, through a mysterious ability activated by the third blue dot on his hand, called Cheon-gi, begins to access these memories. Through these visions, he witnesses important moments in Ik-heon's life and his relationship with his mother.
One of the first memories shows So Ik-heon holding the protagonist's mother's hand, smiling sincerely and happily. The Cheongryonggeom, a sentient sword, confirms that this memory dates back to the time when the protagonist's mother entered the family as a second wife. The mother asks if she should trust Ik-heon, and he answers brightly and confidently. This suggests that, at some point, there was a relationship of trust between them.
The vision shifts to another moment, where So Ik-heon holds a baby in his arms – the newborn protagonist. His face reflects a mix of emotions, but in the end, he promises to care for the child as if it were his own. However, the protagonist realizes that, despite Ik-heon's words, his subsequent treatment did not reflect true love. The coldness he felt throughout his life was justified by the sword as a way to avoid conflict with his first wife, Mrs. Yang, who would not accept the presence of her illegitimate son well.
The narrative continues to show the impact of this troubled relationship. The protagonist begins to understand that his mother eventually fell in love with Ik-heon, because if she had not happened, his younger sister, Yeong-yeong, would never have been born. This leads him to the painful conclusion that he is the only one in that house without direct blood ties to the family.
The Cheongryonggeom explains that Ik-heon tried to act fairly with all his children, but Mrs. Yang's influence made it very difficult for him to do so. Out of fear of what might happen to the protagonist if he remained in the house, Ik-heon decided to send him away, just as he did with Yeong-yeong, sending her to the Hyeongsanpa sect. The decision, however, did not prevent the protagonist from suffering, and the revelation only increases his conflicting feelings towards the head of the family.
With his mind filled with doubts and resentments, he approaches So Ik-heon's unconscious body. The Cheongryonggeom tries to convince him to see the situation with different eyes, arguing that Ik-heon, despite his flaws, never shied away from his responsibilities. However, to the protagonist, these responsibilities seem more like an attempt to ease his own conscience than a true act of love or fatherly duty.
New memories emerge, revealing that, in secret, Ik-heon tried to ensure the protagonist's safety. One night, he discreetly gives a silver medal to Asong, a trusted servant, instructing him to use it in case something inevitable happened. Later, when the protagonist becomes a prisoner of the Blood Cult, Ik-heon desperately searches for information about his whereabouts. He tries to negotiate with Hao-mun, one of the three major intelligence organizations, but is informed that there is no way to rescue those taken by the Cult. Devastated, he abandons the search.
With these discoveries, the protagonist feels a storm of emotions. He realizes that Ik-heon, even without openly expressing his feelings, tried to protect him behind the scenes. However, this realization is not enough to erase years of resentment. For him, Ik-heon's responsibility was not only to his deceased mother, but to him and his sister. If he really wanted to protect them, he should have stood up to Mrs. Yang and ensured a safe environment for them within his own home, instead of pushing them away.
Faced with this new understanding, the protagonist decides to take action. He knows that he needs to obtain the position of head of the family, and the Cheongryonggeom suggests a way to achieve this goal. So Ik-heon never fully learned the last part of Sodongpaegeom, a swordsmanship passed down orally within the family. If the protagonist shares this knowledge with him, he can use it as a bargaining chip to reclaim his position.
This revelation ignites a new flame within the protagonist. Even though he carries the bitterness of his past, he now sees an opportunity to use everything he has learned to change his future. The story ends with him determined to take what he believes is rightfully his.
Manhwa[]
