“Why, So-ryong?”

Just as I halted mid-step, I caught a glimpse of Hwa-eun's silhouette—bathed in hues of yellow and crimson—tilting her head at me with concern.

‘Whoa... So that wasn’t just surface-level after all!?’

But in that instant, the infrared vision vanished.

I had likely cut off the Qi flow to my eyes just moments ago when I deactivated Cat’s Eye in the Night Technique. Before Hwa-eun could say anything, the elder ahead—Mandok Shingun—turned around and asked,

“Why did you stop?”

“I thought I saw... something different, just for a moment.”

“Different?”

“Something else?”

Both of them stepped closer, inspecting my eyes curiously as I tried to explain.

“Yes, Grandfather. I think I saw the heat given off by living things.”

“Heat?”

“Snakes can sense heat through the pits beneath their eyes—it’s how they detect their surroundings. I believe I experienced something similar, thanks to the Cat’s Eye in the Night Technique...”

“Is that true?”

“Yes, but it disappeared quickly. I assume it’s because I cut off my Qi when I deactivated the technique. Let me try again.”

“Very well. Give it another try.”

Under Mandok Shingun’s hopeful gaze, I immediately activated Cat’s Eye in the Night Technique again.

As I focused Qi into my eyes, the world gradually grew brighter.

A brief flash—and just like before, the infrared vision reappeared.

‘Nice!’

But it didn’t last. The vision reverted to the standard enhanced sight the technique provided—one better suited for seeing in darkness. Not infrared.

It was late autumn, and the early dusk had already cloaked our surroundings in shadows. The technique merely made the darkness seem a bit less oppressive.

‘Wait... what?’

I had assumed the technique had completely evolved into infrared vision, but something was off.

I furrowed my brow at the odd sensation, and Mandok Shingun noticed.

“What is it?”

“It definitely worked a moment ago. I even glimpsed some heat, I’m sure of it. But now... it’s just normal enhanced sight. I’m still feeding Qi into my eyes, but...”

Despite the fancy name, Cat’s Eye in the Night was essentially a minor technique that focused Qi into the eyes to improve vision in the dark.

It wasn’t some high-tier secret art. Anyone who had trained in martial arts could perform it. It just worked a little better than basic Qi focusing and let you see a bit more clearly at night.

So when I said it didn’t feel much different from ordinary visual enhancement, that’s what I meant.

Hearing that, Mandok Shingun approached and pressed both hands to his temples thoughtfully.

“It only appeared briefly?”

“Yes, Grandfather.”

“And you didn’t do anything else when you sensed the heat?”

His question made me mentally replay the moment.

I hadn’t done much—nothing out of the ordinary.

‘Did I do anything else when I saw the infrared heat? Hwa-eun held my hand... wait. Could that be it!?’

“Ah!”

“You remembered something?”

“Yes. Hwa-eun and I were secretly holding hands!”

“Hm?”

Mandok Shingun slowly turned his head to glance at Hwa-eun.

She was staring into the distant, darkened mountains—face burning red—and flapping her hands in a panic.

Then, her voice came to me through sound transmission.

[So-ryong! You weren’t supposed to say that out loud!]

[But... it’s literally the only thing I did!]

I scratched my head awkwardly, trying to defend myself.

That’s when Grandfather pointed at our hands and said,

“Then try holding hands again.”

“Yes, Grandfather.”

“Ugh...”

Reluctantly—clearly embarrassed—Hwa-eun extended her hand again. She had been so bold earlier, but now, she was completely flustered.

Guess she’s not the type who performs well under a spotlight.

To help her out, I gently took the lead this time and laced our fingers together for better “efficiency.”

But the enhanced vision remained unchanged. Just slightly brighter than normal—no reaction whatsoever.

“Anything?”

“No. Still the same.”

“Then that’s not it.”

As I pondered what the trigger might be, I let go of Hwa-eun’s hand—and flash! The infrared vision returned, just for a moment.

It vanished again quickly, but it had definitely returned.

“Hm?”

“What now?”

“I saw it again. Just for a moment.”

“There must be some condition.”

Mandok Shingun’s remark made sense. I began mentally retracing the moment once more, trying to identify anything I’d missed.

That’s when it hit me.

“Ah!”

“You figured it out?”

“Yes! I blinked—I forgot about that part.”

I had originally assumed that holding hands had triggered the effect, but it was actually what came after—the blink.

The flash of infrared earlier had also followed a blink. Most likely, the vision I saw was an afterimage triggered by that action.

To confirm my theory, I closed my eyes.

And just like that, the infrared field of vision lit up with clarity.

Hwa-eun radiated a brighter warmth—likely due to her flustered state—while Grandfather, being a seasoned martial artist, maintained a steady, controlled temperature across his entire body.

‘So it’s like how snakes work, huh.’

In other words, to access infrared vision: activate Cat’s Eye in the Night Technique and then close your eyes.

Snakes use special pit organs located below their eyes—housing TRP ion channels—to detect infrared. It doesn’t involve the eyes themselves so much as a separate heat-sensing system.

This felt the same. Less like seeing, more like sensing.

Just as I was marveling at the sharpness of the vision again, Mandok Shingun asked,

“Can you see?”

“Yes, Grandfather. I can see the silhouettes of people, clearly radiating heat, even through their clothing.”

Hwa-eun and Grandfather’s glowing forms came into view.

At my words, Hwa-eun yelped and ducked behind me.

“You can see... bodies? Like, actual bodies!?”

“No, no! Just the outline! The silhouette!”

She seemed horrified by the idea, but before she could spiral further, Grandfather burst out joyfully.

“Excellent! This ability will be a tremendous asset. Finding enemies in darkness... or fighting in the shadows—this could be invaluable.”

As expected of someone who had spent his life as the head of an assassination clan, he instantly grasped the value of such a skill.

Even back in my previous life, infrared vision was standard equipment for special forces.

Now it was a passive ability. That alone saved the cost of a high-end thermal scope. Huge win.

“For now, your body doesn’t seem to be experiencing any side effects. Let’s take our time figuring out how to apply this. For now—your father and mother-in-law-to-be are likely waiting. Let’s get going.”

“Understood, Grandfather.”

“Okay.”

Infrared vision unlocked. Plenty of time to explore its full potential.

But for now—food. Even Mount Geumgang is better after a meal.

As I followed Grandfather and Hwa-eun, he spoke again, voice laced with a chuckle.

“Oh, and Hwa-eun.”

“Yes?”

“From now on, don’t sneak around holding hands. Just do it openly. You’re going to be wed soon anyway—who’s going to say anything?”

Crimson-faced, Hwa-eun slapped my arm in protest—but somehow, her fingers were still entwined with mine.

‘Damn. Today’s a win all around.’

Infrared vision unlocked. Stealth-handholding upgraded to public handholding clearance.

Today was pure profit.

***

That morning, after training in Scorpion Tail Quick Kick, I headed to the riverside with Cho.

I had a few things to take care of—an errand for Grandfather, and also to check in on the kids.

“Geumdo! Heukjeom!”

—Buuurrr.

—Tzzzzrr.

As soon as I called out, Geumdo turned toward me with a rumble, and Heukjeom surfaced from the water, swimming toward me eagerly.

Geumdo’s golden scales gleamed in the sun, his belly exposed as always. The moment I arrived, several Tang Clan warriors who had been standing guard around the area rushed over and bowed with clasped fists.

“You’ve arrived, Master So-ryong.”

These were warriors assigned by the Tang Clan specifically to protect Geumdo and Heukjeom—spiritual beasts of immense value, after all, and they had fortified the area thoroughly.

“Anything happen while I was gone?”

“Of course not, sir. We’ve maintained full security. Not a drop of water could sneak past us.”

Just as I finished exchanging greetings with the warriors, a slightly annoyed voice growled in my head.

『—Grrrr. (Why ask them when I’m right here?)』

“It was just out of courtesy. You’ve been doing well too, Cheongwol?”

—Grrr. (Obviously.)

Cheongwol, the Ten-Thousand-Year Stone Armored Scorpion stationed here to protect them, had spoken to me through our shared mind-link.

He could send out group transmissions in case of danger, buying time until I or my companions arrived. He was the perfect guardian for the job.

As I glanced around, I noticed a massive claw protruding from a rock near the riverbank, slowly making its way toward me.

“Thanks for keeping an eye on the kids.”

—Grrr. 『They’re not really kids... You should pet Heukjeom instead.』

I reached out to pat ❀ Nоvеlігht ❀ (Don’t copy, read here) Cheongwol’s head in thanks, and he muttered shyly.

Still, I figured leaving too quickly might sulk him, so I gave him a few more gentle pats for good measure.

Then I crouched by the water’s edge, where Heukjeom, clearly waiting with anticipation, blinked up at me eagerly. I stroked his head.

“You’ve been good? No trouble?”

—Tzzzzrr.

Heukjeom closed his eyes and fluttered his fins, clearly enjoying the attention.

—Tzzrt. 『He says everything’s been fine, Dad.』

“You must’ve been bored. Things were hectic, but now it’s settled. I’ll come visit every morning from now on. The clan’s going to connect the waterway directly to the Tang compound, so hang in there just a bit longer, okay?”

—Tzzrt.

Between introducing the kids to the elders and settling into our new residence, I hadn’t been able to visit for the past three days.

I apologized and explained the plan.

Technically, we weren’t even that far from the compound, but the clan elders had still decided to dig a new waterway all the way from here to the front of the Tang estate.

When we first arrived, the elders gathered in droves to get a glimpse of Geumdo and Heukjeom.

The result?

A unanimous decision: the kids must be moved closer to home.

Even if it wasn’t far, they didn’t feel safe leaving such precious spiritual beasts outside the family grounds. Thus, the waterway project.

They were particularly enraptured by Geumdo’s brilliant golden glow.

When I expressed concern about the sheer labor of widening and deepening the river—after all, this wasn’t my past life with machines and equipment—I was quickly corrected.

“This is the Central Plains, my boy. The Sui Dynasty carved canals with bare hands. What’s ten li of river? We just throw more people at it.”

That’s right. This was the Central Plains.

Where manpower was cheaper than machines.

In any case, I shared this with Heukjeom so he’d know what to expect.

Just then, Geumdo tilted his head at me, then waddled over toward a shallow part of the river.

—Krrrrk.

He began pushing aside pebbles with his front claws.

After several digging motions, he turned around and rumbled.

—Buugrr?

—Tzzrt. 『Dad, Geumdo says he’ll take it easy and help dig too. He’s got nothing better to do anyway.』

“...What the hell...”

With his massive bulk, Geumdo was basically a living bulldozer. I stared in disbelief.

Then Heukjeom swam over and whispered something to him, after which he suddenly began swimming in circles.

The water stirred.

—Chaaaah.

A swirling vortex began to form. Apparently, Heukjeom wanted to contribute too—trying to demonstrate how useful he could be.

I was about to wonder if a whirlpool could actually dig a trench when—

The vortex stretched upward.

What the—!?

It started from the surface but rose higher and higher, spinning into the air—a small, spiraling water funnel.

“Th-that’s a Water Dragon Whirl!”

One of the warriors cried out in shock.

Apparently, Water Dragon Whirl was the Central Plains term for a waterspout.

It wasn’t huge, but this little vortex was moving forward—carving out a water channel as it went.

“Aaagh!”

Heukjeom’s usual whirlpools had been harmless scare tactics back at Lake Dongting, meant to startle—not injure—people.

But this was serious business.

He was putting everything into this one.