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Chapter 429: No Feeling

The last time I saw Shin Yi was probably just before Wi Seol-Ah left the Gu Clan. That would be around two years ago. According to Elder Lee, I heard that he went off to get married with the Sword Sovereign.

I had been out of the loop since then.

‘What’s Shin Yi doing here…?’

Out of nowhere, he popped up in the Tang Clan around the time I arrived in Sichuan.

“What are you doing? Hurry up and sit down.”

“…”

I approached and sat as he instructed. I was curious who could warrant such a fine reception, but it made sense when I realized it was Shin Yi.

While one may not be able to find the best martial artist currently in the Central Plains, when it came to physicians, he was undeniably the best. It’s not like you could just throw money at him and expect to see him either.

I sat properly in front of him and cautiously asked, “…Have you been well?”

Starting with a greeting. In response, Shin Yi slightly frowned.

“What’s there to be comfortable about at my age? I’m just getting by.”

“…”

Still the same senile old man who spouts nonsense.

“Since you’ve come, I thought I’d call you over to see your face.”

“Thank you for calling me.”

“Contrary to my words, your face looks exhausted. What is that expression saying?”

“…”

He was still sharp as a tack with his observations.

After sipping a cup of tea placed before him, Shin Yi looked at me with sharp eyes.

“I hear rumors about you every day these days.”

“…Mmm.”

“I knew this day would come eventually, but it’s earlier than I expected.”

It seems Shin Yi had also heard about me. Given how Meng and the Beggar Clan were cooperating to spread my exploits all over, it would have been strange if he hadn’t.

“I’m glad to see you’re doing well.”

“…Thank you.”

The Poison King behind us looked surprised listening to our conversation. It seemed quite interesting for him to see Shin Yi act so friendly.

Shin Yi noticed the Poison King’s reaction and spoke.

“Clan Leader Tang.”

“Yes, Elder.”

“I have something to discuss with this child, so step out briefly.”

“…!”

Telling the clan leader of the Tang Clan to take a hike is quite a bold move, in many ways. But then again, this is Shin Yi we’re talking about.

Hearing that, the Poison King appeared to hesitate for a moment but soon lowered his head and exited.

After confirming his departure, I turned my gaze back to Shin Yi.

Is he really going to talk to me about something important?

“I heard you were looking for me.”

“That’s right. I called you over because it turned out you were just coming.”

“What brings you to Sichuan?”

At my direct question, Shin Yi paused for a bit then replied with a hint of annoyance.

“I wasn’t planning to come, but…”

His tone carried a mix of exasperation and unsaid emotions.

“Past relationships aren’t that simple, are they?”

I raised my eyes at his words. That could only mean…

“Could it be… Is Elder Wi Noya also present?”

The reason Shin Yi went to get married was because the Sword Sovereign was headed there as well. This meant that there was some connection between the Sword Sovereign and Shin Yi, and coincidentally in Sichuan…

‘Wi Seol-Ah is here.’

With his granddaughter in this land, it wouldn’t be strange for the Sword Sovereign to appear.

If the Sword Sovereign suddenly shows up… Could it be to take Wi Seol-Ah away?

As those sharp emotions began to rise, Shin Yi gave me an incredulous look.

“Why are you bringing up that old man here?”

“Uh?”

“That gentleman didn’t come.”

“…Then who did…?”

“Would you even know if I told you?”

“…”

Well, he had a point there.

Feeling somewhat awkward, I scratched the back of my head.

“Of course, you could know.”

“Are you saying I should know the person well?”

“He has business to attend to now, but he’ll come and see you when he returns.”

“Wait? Out of the blue?”

“Anyway, that old man wanted to see you, so just show your face briefly.”

“…Ah, okay.”

I was already feeling uneasy.

Thinking of the fact that all the old men Shin Yi mentions are monsters, it’s highly likely that the person he’s talking about is also exceptional.

‘Well, it’s not like I’ll be surprised anymore at this point.’

After all, I’ve encountered the Sword Sovereign since my return.

Then, Pejon became my master, and the King of Demons, the number one in the underworld, is around.

I’ve seen all the clan leaders of the Four Great Clans.

I’ve witnessed the Sword Demoness as well as contenders for the title.

At this point, what other prominent martial artists could there be?

‘Unless it’s one of the Three Eminent Beings, there’s nothing to fear.’

Right, unless the Heavenly Lord is here in Sichuan unexpectedly, I doubt there’s anything left to surprise me.

“Well, if you call for me later, I’ll come find you.”

Upon hearing my reply, Shin Yi simply nodded. Just then, someone tugged at my clothes from the side.

Wondering what was going on, I looked to see it was Gu Ryeonghwa.

“What is it?”

“…”

Gu Ryeonghwa was writing something on the table with his finger. Glancing at it, it looked like it said, ‘Long time no see, hyung.’

I ruffled his hair lightly as I looked at it.

“Yeah, it has been a while. I can tell you’ve put on some weight, so you must’ve been eating well.”

Gu Ryeonghwa smiled brightly at my comment. Seeing that smile, I thought to myself.

‘…He’s smiling?’

I found myself slightly taken aback by Gu Ryeonghwa’s smile. It seemed more cheerful than before, correlating with an increase in emotional expression.

That must be a sign he’s been doing well.

“I heard that Seol-Ah is also here.”

“…Ah, yes. That’s right.”

“Is she doing well?”

When he said “that girl,” he was probably referring to Wi Seol-Ah.

If he was asking if Wi Seol-Ah was doing well, well, that was a bit of a tough question to answer.

Is she doing well?

I really hope so.

“I’m trying my best to make sure she is.”

“Not a bad answer compared to before.”

“…”

I was surprised coming from someone who told me I was useless in the past.

Not much seems to have changed, though.

As I was pondering about this, Shin Yi suddenly spoke up.

“You’ve changed quite a bit.”

“…In a good way, right?”

“In both ways.”

Indicating both good and bad.

“The thorns I saw back then seem to have died down a bit. But the tension within you is only greater.”

I couldn’t help but chuckle internally at his words, as they were indeed true.

“And…”

Shin Yi slightly extended his wrinkled hand toward me.

“Roll up your sleeve and show me your arm.”

“…Elder?”

“Quickly.”

There was something about Shin Yi’s gaze as he asked for my arm that was unusually serious. It wasn’t unusual for me to get examined by him but I cautiously held out my…

‘…Which arm should I offer?’

I hesitated, wondering what to do.

Both of my arms were in strange states.

My left arm was wrapped in fuchsia bandages, while my right arm was covered in scales.

After three seconds of contemplation, I decided to offer my left arm. It seemed better to show the bandages instead of the scales.

Shin Yi’s eyes became peculiar as he observed my arm.

“Did you get hurt? Your arm seems fine.”

“No, it’s just… this happened by chance…”

As I stammered, struggling to explain, Shin Yi seemed to catch on and nodded slightly.

What’s this?

“Right, your age is just at that stage.”

“Uh?”

“Wrapping up in bandages and wearing eye patches. Isn’t that what kids tend to do at this age?”

I felt like I had somehow sparked a strange misunderstanding.

That’s not it! It’s really not!

I needed to clear up this misunderstanding, so I nervously tried to speak, but Shin Yi pulled on my arm and began the examination.

‘…Damn it.’

Now’s not the time to start chatting.

If I spoke during the examination, he’d get furious, claiming I was disrupting his concentration.

Should I really just stand here as an embarrassed teenage boy who enjoys bandages and eye patches?

Oh, no, that’s definitely not it…

Even though I thought that, I couldn’t bring myself to say anything.

In the end, I had to sit there without saying a word, waiting for the examination to conclude.

That time felt unusually bitter and long.

The examination took longer than anticipated.

Was there some kind of problem? Normally, Shin Yi’s check-ups lasted no more than a few minutes, but now over an hour had passed.

Swoosh.

At last, the examination seemed to have finished, and Shin Yi’s eyes slowly opened again.

Only then could Gu Yangcheong finally ask what’s on his mind.

“Is there any issue with my body?”

It had taken so long, so naturally I had my doubts.

In response, Shin Yi’s expression turned somewhat grave as he addressed Gu Yangcheong.

“First, I’ll ask you.”

As I felt the tension rise with his serious voice, Shin Yi continued.

“Have you learned Bi Ju’s martial arts?”

“…!”

Gu Yangcheong’s eyes widened at Shin Yi’s words.

How did he know?

Seeing the surprise on Gu Yangcheong’s face, Shin Yi explained calmly.

“Only his martial arts could generate these muscle states and blood qi in an acquired manner.”

“…”

“Unless you’re undergoing a transformation, there wouldn’t be such a change without some marks left. That’s the only way, isn’t it?”

“…That’s correct.”

I never imagined he could discern it from my muscles.

Gu Yangcheong was flustered by being caught, but a hint of sorrow flickered in Shin Yi’s gaze.

“In the end, that guy found a successor, huh… And it had to be you.”

“Shin Yi…?”

“I hoped that others wouldn’t be swept up by the obsession he sought out. But it seems it turned out like this.”

“…”

It seems Shin Yi was aware of the issue with Tua Pacheonmu.

A martial art that inflicts excruciating pain to forcibly alter muscles and blood qi.

An artificial transformation that even forces you into a state of no-self is a transcendental martial art.

But Pejon has emphasized time and again that very few humans can endure the pain it inflicts.

This isn’t something good from the perspective of a physician like Shin Yi.

“Does your father or Gu Ryoon know about this?”

“…The Clan Leader knows, but Elder Lee does not.”

“Of all people, Gu Ryoon doesn’t know. He’s going to get a huge scolding when he eventually finds out.”

“…”

That seems likely.

If he finds out that he even sold me out, it’ll probably end with me getting beaten black and blue.

‘Well, now that I’m at the Transformation Realm, I can escape from Elder Lee if need be.’

That should be enough.

While Gu Yangcheong was plotting his escape, Shin Yi continued speaking.

“You must have used a lot of energy recently.”

“Oh, yes… A bit.”

The energy used to demonize Tang Deok and hatch the Red Water Clan.

He could see right through my physically exhausted state.

It seems like Shin Yi truly remains Shin Yi.

“You look quite fatigued. You must feel it as well.”

“Yes.”

“You should take a break sometime.”

At those words, Gu Yangcheong gave a wry smile.

I was just planning to do that when I got summoned here, so this remark seemed unnecessary.

I was fully aware of how precious Shin Yi’s examination is.

And it’s clear that he’s doing this purely out of goodwill.

“And.”

As Shin Yi continued speaking, Gu Yangcheong tried to focus once more, but this time something felt different.

It felt much heavier and weightier.

With the emotions weaving into Shin Yi’s voice, Gu Yangcheong sensed the gravity of the moment.

“Shin Yi…?”

“Do you remember when I called you a walking corpse?”

A few years back.

Specifically, when less than a year had passed since Gu Yangcheong’s return, and I went to Hwasan to take Gu Ryeonghwa away.

At that time, Shin Yi had examined him at the behest of Maehwa Seon and said that.

A walking corpse.

He had indeed said that.

“Yes. I remember.”

He had mentioned that it was unusual for one’s essence to be divided; it could burst at any time.

Such problems had been balanced out thanks to Shin Noya taming the Taoist Qi and the Demonic Absorption Technique aligning with the beast.

Because of that, Gu Yangcheong could learn Pejon’s Tua Pacheonmu.

I had forgotten that fact for a while as it seemed there were no apparent issues, but now Shin Yi is bringing it up again?

As Gu Yangcheong pondered, Shin Yi spoke with a serious expression.

“Back then, I was not completely sure, but this time I’m saying it with utmost certainty, so listen carefully.”

Shin Yi’s face twisted with pain as he looked at Gu Yangcheong.

“If it continues like this, you will die soon.”

The clear and resolute words caused Gu Yangcheong’s eyes to widen like lanterns.

 

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