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Chapter 491 – Need Anything?

Shin Yi is searching for the White Horse Stone.

The branch leader clearly mentioned that.

‘The White Horse Stone, huh.’

Centuries ago, during the times when white-ranked demon beasts appeared. It was an item that supposedly only existed after martial artists dealt with it all.

In terms of rarity, it’s far more precious than Night Bright Wine—an item that’s extremely scarce.

Let alone the bigger problem.

‘There’s no use for it.’

The demon stones harvested from demon beasts serve no practical purpose from the get-go.

Although it appears to have a lovely color, making one wonder if it could be crafted like a gem.

However, the stone that seeps from the demon beast loses its color after a few days and turns into an ordinary rock, making it unusable that way.

The reason I bother hunting demon beasts for the stones is quite simple.

‘If it has lost its color, it means it has lost its energy.’

There’s no need to pay attention to a stone that has no energy to absorb.

Especially since I possess the Demonic Absorption Technique, I could actually use the stones.

For the rest, it was simply one of those useless accessories.

In light of this, it’s peculiar that the White Horse Stone still retains its color and energy.

The fact that Shin Yi needs it is rather strange.

‘Why?’

Why is Shin Yi looking for the White Horse Stone?

Is this perhaps related to why Shin Yi came to Sichuan?

Moreover, even if Shin Yi wants the White Horse Stone…

‘Is there a way to use it?’

It’s a wonder that an ordinary human could do something with a demon stone.

‘Hmm.’

As I pondered this, I couldn’t help but remember the White Horse Stone I had.

Obtained from Tang Je-mun’s notes, thankfully, like the Night Bright Wine, I had also taken out the White Horse Stone and kept it separately.

It was still in a state of not being absorbed.

‘It’s not that I intended to leave it aside, but…’

I simply hadn’t had the time.

I had just escaped the feeling of dying as I reconstructed the vessel, and at the same time, I managed to solidify my previously incomplete realm, which is why I hadn’t consumed the White Horse Stone yet.

‘It’s not urgently needed.’

While it’s always good to have more energy, consuming too much all at once can take a long time to manage.

If I rushed things, I’d lose some energy, so I planned to consume it once things settled down.

‘…And now Shin Yi needs it…?’

If Shin Yi is going this far to find me, it seems to indicate some degree of urgency.

‘Hmm.’

With that realization, something flickered past my mind.

A conversation I had with Wi Seol-Ah long ago. It vaguely came back to me.

Using the Wind of the Sword Sovereign, Wi Seol-Ah had forcibly sealed Shin Yi’s power and the effects of the Demon Sealing Stone.

I still don’t quite understand why that choice was made.

‘Well, isn’t this convenient?’

Now there was someone before me who could clarify this, making the situation rather fitting.

Moreover.

‘…And you even brought a weakness with you. You mean to say I have the key to shake that up?’

It couldn’t get any better than this.

I might have a favorable view of Shin Yi, but focusing on such petty emotions wasn’t in my current situation.

Just as I was sorting out what to do next, I suddenly heard a voice nearby.

“Seems like you have something urgent on your mind.”

“…”

I had to snap to attention at the voice coming from in front of me.

Because someone was standing right there.

The moon had just begun to rise.

Right after finishing the Baekhwa Sect’s schedule, I had taken a short stroll with the kids and Hyun, stopped by an inn to grab a quick meal, and returned.

Now, there was only one remaining agenda.

“After summoning me like this, I see you’re lost in thought right in front of me; tsk tsk.”

I was face-to-face with Pejon.

As soon as I arrived at the Tang Clan, I met with Pejon.

He clicked his tongue and said this, and I slightly bowed my head in response.

“…I apologize.”

With so much on my plate, I completely let my mind drift elsewhere for a moment. I was the one who called him here, and this was terribly disrespectful.

The good thing is, Pejon didn’t seem to mind this much.

“All good.”

As I looked at Pejon, who waved his hand dismissively, he was clearly still sweating and radiating heat from his earlier training.

Due to my heightened sense of smell, it felt like there was hardly a moment when Pejon’s body wasn’t exuding the scent of sweat.

As always, he seemed to be in a constant state of training. It was only I, and perhaps others, who couldn’t see it.

As I continued watching Pejon, my mind was interrupted by Shin Noya’s voice.

[Impressive.]

‘Is that Pejon speaking?’

[Indeed, each time I see him, I want to mention it, but the author is a bit off. The vibe is different.]

‘Really?’

When I first met Pejon, Shin Noya had been asleep, so I couldn’t converse about it then.

Now, I couldn’t help but wonder how Pejon appeared in Shin Noya’s eyes.

It suddenly piqued my curiosity.

Surely, Pejon must have gone through a lot with the Rejuvenation Technique, and his physical condition must be considerably affected. How is it different now?

[His body is remarkably well-balanced.]

‘Huh?’

I raised an eyebrow at Shin Noya’s remark.

His body is well-balanced? After undergoing the Rejuvenation Technique, that shouldn’t be the case.

As soon as I questioned it, Shin Noya continued explaining as if to clear things up.

[Typically, that’s the norm. The blood qi and body damaged by the Rejuvenation Technique can never return to their original state.]

A martial artist’s physique, enhanced before undergoing the Rejuvenation Technique, could never restore itself to that state afterward.

No matter how many opportunities one absorbs and enlightenment one gains.

Though realms may increase, the vessel of the body would have already crumbled and would not recover.

But what was it that Noya just said?

[Having a well-balanced body means the blending rate of energy and body is high. Unlike a damaged body, to merge energy and body so well—it’s truly remarkable.]

‘…Hmm.’

I had to think harder to understand Shin Noya’s words.

In the moment a martial artist reaches the peak, the energy from the bet in the lower dantian gradually seeps into the body.

Thanks to that, both grip strength and senses change, so martial artists refer to this period as a moment of transformation.

Could what Noya was speaking about mean something like that?

‘But a high blending rate…’

As I reconsidered that phrase, I observed Pejon’s physique.

This was the first time I scrutinized this body closely, and I still saw nothing noteworthy.

As if sensing my gaze, Pejon slightly tilted his head.

“What are you staring at?”

“…It’s nothing. I just thought you seemed to be training earnestly, so I looked for a moment.”

“Hmm.”

As Pejon scanned my body after hearing my words, I couldn’t help but wonder if he was judging whether I had been training or not.

‘…If that’s the case, I’m not very confident.’

I hadn’t done much training and had been rolling around here and there. This was an area I was particularly unsure about.

While I held up under Pejon’s probing gaze, I suddenly noticed a glint in his eyes.

Crunch.

“…!”

As soon as I registered that, he abruptly grabbed my arm and pulled me close.

The situation unfolded so quickly that I couldn’t react properly.

“Sir…?”

I called out to Pejon, my surprise evident, but he kept holding onto my arm and stared at me intensely.

“What’s going on?”

“Yes?”

“What on earth happened to you? What is this body?”

“…!”

When Pejon spoke, I desperately tried to wriggle free from his grip, but his hand was locked tight.

‘Could it be that he noticed?’

Even the Poison King had never caught on to the effects of the Body Transformation Technique. Yet Pejon seemed to have realized it the moment he saw me.

‘…I can’t even notice myself. How did he figure that out?’

The changes were so subtle that I wouldn’t even sense them myself.

Did Pejon pick up on this change without a second thought?

“What other calamity have you wrought?”

“…”

Pejon’s gaze was piercing.

It seemed he wouldn’t let go unless I provided a proper answer.

Damn it.

This wasn’t why I wanted to meet him.

‘What should I do…?’

I considered making an excuse, but just from looking at Pejon’s eyes, it was clear that this was not a matter that could be solved with a few feeble excuses.

‘Tsk.’

I only wanted to hear about training or martial arts, and now I was caught right off the bat.

Had I underestimated Pejon too much?

While my arm was clutched tightly, I went through another bout of distress.

Finally, I made a decision.

I had realized I couldn’t dodge this. Besides, it was something I would eventually have to tell Pejon.

As someone learning martial arts, I couldn’t hide it forever.

Suuuu.

I started to channel the energy from my heart.

Following the lines instilled by Tang Je-mun, the energy immediately began to feel different within my body.

Crackle.

“…!”

As my bones shifted and muscle movements became visible, I could see Pejon’s eyes widening.

My height increased noticeably, and my physique swelled in size.

A good half-inch growth, indeed.

This was my original body at present.

The Body Transformation Technique was supposed to be ridiculously transformative, yet strangely, it didn’t require excessive energy to realize.

I felt an overwhelming rush of energy pouring forth from my heart.

As the intense heat began to activate within me, I slowly opened my eyes.

The first thing I saw was still Pejon’s gaze.

It was the most fervent look I had ever seen in Pejon’s eyes.

Just how bewildered was he at this sudden occurrence?

I couldn’t blame him; if I were in his shoes and my disciple showed up looking like this after just a few days, I’d be shocked too.

So, where should I start my explanation?

The scaly left arm might be hard to explain, but I had to discuss my physique.

This was because Pejon understood the direction he hoped I would take with my martial arts.

He wanted me to carry on his martial arts techniques and aimed for me to achieve the pinnacle with them.

Since I was well aware of Pejon’s expectations, I now felt a heavier burden.

‘I’m no longer human.’

My goal was to break through the limits of humanity and ascend to a higher level.

That was Pejon’s desire for me to achieve with his martial arts.

But I had already missed the mark for that.

‘I never thought it would turn out like this…’

Though I felt wronged, it wasn’t something I could change.

No matter what my intentions were, the situation had become this way, and it would be troubling for Pejon who wished for my beliefs.

Knowing this made it all the more difficult to speak to Pejon.

“…What is it?”

As I looked at Pejon’s trembling eyes, I hesitated, parted my lips to say something, but—

Crunch!

Pejon had gripped my other shoulder tightly.

“What the hell.”

He quickly scanned my body back and forth.

“What did you do?”

The moment I thought he was inquiring about the true essence of my martial arts.

“What in the world is this martial art? I’ve never seen anything like it! It’s not just a simple body transformation, is it? What kind of principle is behind this? How does the energy flow? Where did the lower dantian go? If this is the case, does that mean the energy starts from the heart when I channel it? Can I fight in a state of body transformation? Then I could close the distance by just extending my limbs! It could be excellent for surprise attacks by altering distance like that!”

“…”

Caught off guard by the barrage of questions, I was at a loss for words.

How many sentences did he just spout out in that brief moment…?

I was struggling to keep up with his rapid-fire diatribe.

“Why the silence?”

“…Um, it’s just that…”

I wasn’t even sure how to respond.

He threw questions at me so fast my head started to spin.

Rather than scolding me for what had happened, Pejon seemed more intrigued by my transformed physique and the Body Transformation Technique.

This was a completely unexpected reaction….

As I rolled my eyes, unsure of how to respond.

[Oh, I see.]

Noya seemed to have realized something and spoke to me.

[You know how they say birds of a feather flock together? You too are quite the strange one. After all, there’s no way a normal person would be around such a brat like you. Tsk.]

“…”

Though it sounded like a compliment, it was filled with irritation.

What irritated me more was that I couldn’t even muster a rebuttal to that ridiculous remark.

 

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