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Chapter 492 – Do You Need It?

“What kind of principle is this? It looks like a transformation technique, but I’ve never seen such an intricate spell before.”

It had been about half a moment since I showed my appearance to the Pejon, bracing for a reprimand, but the Pejon still had his focus solely on the Body Transformation Technique, completely disregarding my current state.

His eyes sparkled with fascination.

“Remarkable. Is it possible to shrink and extend arms and legs too?”

“I haven’t tried it, but… it should work.”

Using the Body Transformation Technique didn’t require a huge gamble, but it demanded extremely detailed and meticulous operation.

In a real fight, I surely wouldn’t be able to use it as the Pejon desired.

Would it be possible once I got used to it? I wasn’t so sure about this part.

[Perhaps it’s possible.]

“Huh?”

I was slightly taken aback by Shin Noya’s interjection amidst my thoughts.

Possible? Just as the Pejon said, to stretch limbs during combat to create confusion?

[In fact, that was what Tang Je-mun used during his battles, so it’s not impossible.]

‘…’

Noya’s nonchalant remark fueled my imagination.

I envisioned Tang Je-mun applying this technique in battle.

But limbs extending like dough? Regardless of efficiency, I felt it would look quite absurd.

[… Appearance aside, the crucial point is that this martial art shouldn’t be carelessly showcased.]

Seeing Noya brush off the appearance aspect, it seemed even he didn’t think it would look good in combat.

After hearing that, I decided to change the topic and asked something else.

‘Are you saying I shouldn’t reveal my martial arts?’

The statement that I shouldn’t carelessly show the Body Transformation Technique was indeed a concern.

[It’s not so much about showing it to others. To be exact, it’s a warning to be cautious around the Tang Clan members.]

‘Why is that?’

[You poor thing, you already have an inkling, but the Body Transformation Technique is one of the Tang Clan’s secrets.]

I nodded slightly. Just as Noya said, I had been expecting this.

With such a refined and remarkable transformation technique, it certainly deserved to be called a secret.

[… Considering the current situation, it seems the Body Transformation Technique has been lost.]

That was equally plausible.

Given that this level of transformation technique remained unknown, it stood to reason that it must have been lost a long time ago.

‘So, if the Tang members find out about this, they’ll be on high alert, right?’

[Exactly. Even if it’s lost, the clan leader or elders are surely aware of its record.]

‘I understand, but… Noya.’

[Say it.]

‘Are you okay with me having it?’

[…]

Noya seemed to contemplate my question for a moment.

The meaning of my question was clear.

If it was an ancient secret of the Tang Clan that Tang Je-mun had given me,

Could I keep it without returning it to the Tang Clan?

Given that it was handed directly to me by none other than Tang Je-mun, it felt a bit wrong to just consume it without giving it back.

‘Usually, I’d have just swallowed it down.’

But thinking about the relationship between Noya and Tang Je-mun made me hesitant to do that.

If Noya wanted me to return the martial art’s verses to the Tang Clan at this point, he would have hesitated… no, he would have hesitated a lot before doing so.

[There’s no need for that.]

Noya refused.

Still, I asked once more to be sure.

This time, the answer remained the same.

[Since Je-mun didn’t say much to you, there’s no need to worry about it.]

‘… One more thing.’

[Given his character, had he wanted you to do that, he would have spoken up first. The fact that he didn’t means it’s not necessary, and furthermore—]

After a brief pause, a moment of silence flowed.

[It’s clear that he doesn’t want to give it to the current Tang Clan.]

A rare chilly voice came from Noya.

After hearing that, I had nothing more to say and halted the conversation.

Honestly, it wasn’t an appropriate moment for further discussion.

“Hmm.”

The Pejon, seemingly enchanted by the Body Transformation Technique, was now feeling my physical form here and there.

“This isn’t due to martial arts.”

The Pejon must have seen through it immediately; interest flickered in his eyes.

“… Yes, that’s correct.”

Fundamentally, this was the main point.

It was strange that the Pejon didn’t care about my altered form and was losing himself solely in thought about martial arts.

If there was a slight issue—

“The body feels dense. Astonishingly so.”

“Elder…?”

I knew he meant no ill intentions, but being prodded and poked everywhere felt quite uncomfortable.

Was he assessing the condition of my muscles?

The Pejon finished feeling around for a moment, then removed his hands from me and asked a question.

“It seems there was an opportunity.”

‘…’

“It resembles the Transformation of the Body technique, but… it differs in some way. Is the energy collected in the Lower Dantian because of that?”

Had he grasped that just by looking and touching a few times?

His observations were too precise for it to seem casual.

The Pejon’s gaze turned toward my eyes.

I saw his distinctively clear yet unfathomable pupils.

“The realm has also stabilized.”

“… Correct.”

“I’ve always known you were a child of many secrets. But it seems they’re denser than I expected.”

“…”

Each word resonated heavily.

The Pejon was always like this. He appeared to have no interest in anything other than martial arts.

‘But he feels like he’s seeing so much more.’

That peculiar sense of alienation weighed heavily on me.

“Indeed.”

The Pejon asked me.

“Can you divulge what you know?”

I couldn’t casually answer that question.

Could I explain what had happened?

Not a chance. Even though I had become his disciple and established this master-student relationship,

I still hadn’t earned that level of trust from the Pejon yet.

This was likely the same for him too.

In such a situation, explaining this matter was quite a burdensome task.

Could he read my emotions? The Pejon gently turned his head away and spoke to me.

“If you cannot tell me, it’s fine. What’s important to me isn’t that.”

I was momentarily startled to see him retreating so easily.

I thought he’d persistently dig to learn about the situation.

Just like last time, did the Pejon really only care about martial arts and nothing else?

As I pondered this, I realized, of course.

“The important thing is whether you can inherit my martial arts or not. Is there a problem with that?”

The Pejon asked if my transformed body could learn the Tua Pacheonmu.

Regarding this point, I answered.

“No problems.”

Fortunately, there was no issue. Even though I had become something not quite human and the location of my Dantian had changed,

It didn’t seem likely to obstruct me from learning martial arts.

Hearing my response, the Pejon nodded slightly.

“Then that’s good.”

As long as I could learn martial arts, that’s all that mattered.

That thought gave me an odd shiver.

It truly hit me that martial arts were everything to the Pejon.

[At this rate, it’s obsession.]

The fixation and yearning for martial arts. The more I stayed by the Pejon, the more palpable it became.

In a way, one could say he was the most qualified to be called a martial artist.

“The body has evolved, but it seems you’re not used to moving it yet.”

“…!”

I widened my eyes at the Pejon’s words.

That hit the nail on the head.

Having maintained my previous form through the Body Transformation Technique upon arriving, I lacked the time to adapt to this enlarged physique.

Moreover, I had been moving quite hurriedly, so I hadn’t accurately assessed how strong I had become right after reaching this new realm.

“Hmm.”

The Pejon pondered for a moment before saying.

“Well, this works out perfectly.”

He seemed to have thought of something and smiled slightly.

I found that smile rather frightening.

“What do you mean… it works out perfectly?”

“Since your body feels unfamiliar and your realm isn’t quite accustomed yet, there’s a perfect method to help you.”

“What…?”

I was about to ask what he meant when the Pejon loosened his body and smiled at me.

“Come at me.”

Huh?

What?

“Elder?”

“I was just curious to see how much you’ve changed. This is a great opportunity.”

“Wait a moment. What’s this great opportunity about?”

Is he saying it’s a good chance to hit me?

As I looked at the Pejon, half wondering if he was serious.

“You’ll see it in my eyes.”

“…?”

“The eyes are filled with eagerness to see for yourself. Wouldn’t that be beneficial for you too?”

“…!”

I gulped at the Pejon’s words.

My transformed body and strengthened power. I hadn’t had the chance to gauge just how much I had changed.

This… you mean to check it this way?

As needed, it was definitely something I had to do, but I didn’t want to do it by fighting the Pejon.

I wasn’t someone who enjoyed getting beaten up, after all.

‘Or maybe not. It might not be one-sided anymore?’

Given my improved realm, I might not be the same as before.

As I thought that, a heat of anticipation began rising within me.

“There’s also a need to suppress the arrogance of the pampered disciple.”

“…”

Did the Pejon pick up on those feelings too? He smiled as he spoke.

Caught red-handed; what a pain!

How is it that everyone I encounter can read my expressions? It’s ridiculous!

After a slight sigh, I raised my arm.

Looking at the Pejon’s aura, it felt like no matter what I said, he wasn’t going to let this slide.

Moreover, as he said earlier, there was a need to check it out once.

How long had it been since I fought with the Pejon?

I had engaged in one-sided sparring to train the Tua Pacheonmu multiple times, but this would be the first serious fight since Shinryong Temple.

“This time, it’s alright to use something other than Tua Pacheonmu. Use whatever you can.”

“… Are you sure that’s okay?”

“Sure. Are you worried about me?”

The Pejon chuckled at my words, seemingly enjoying himself.

“Don’t worry; I’m not weak enough to be hit by a little kid.”

Even if he said that, the concern still lingered in my mind.

There was a clear difference in our realms.

“I can see what you’re thinking, so how about we make a bet?”

“A bet?”

“Yes. If I take even one hit from you in this fight, for the next seven nights, I’ll call you brother.”

“…”

“What do you think? If you don’t like it, I could make another bet…”

Hooowoo!

While he was talking, I threw a punch.

The Pejon tilted his head and deftly dodged my outstretched fist.

Oh no, I missed!

“Hah.”

The Pejon looked at me as if he found me amusing.

He clearly hadn’t expected me to throw a punch during his speech.

“Doesn’t work, huh?”

“Haha… How did I end up with such a disciple?”

I thought it was the perfect moment to surprise attack, but it failed unfortunately.

Such a shame.

CRACK! The sound of bones cracking came from the Pejon’s body.

“It looks like… I need to teach you a lesson.”

I felt cold sweat break out at the slight hint of anger in his words.

That felt a bit too much.

[Hey, kid! What’s up with you always being the first to throw a punch?]

Shin Noya’s exasperated voice echoed in my mind just as—

I poured all my strength and charged at the Pejon.

As night passed and the sun began to rise,

Shin Yi frowned at the unwelcome visitor who had arrived early in the morning.

It was surprising that someone would seek him out at such an hour.

However, seeing the visitor, instead of getting angry, he felt compelled to ask something else.

“… I’m sorry for coming so early.”

“I heard you had some questions for me…”

“Yes, it’s just that…”

“No, first of all.”

Shin Yi cut in.

It was a question he couldn’t possibly avoid asking the other party.

“What’s with that face?”

“…”

In response to Shin Yi’s question, Gu Yangcheong fell silent.

The reason he asked was simple.

When they had fortuitously met yesterday, Gu Yangcheong had appeared perfectly fine, but now, after just one day, his face looked as if he had gotten beaten up seriously, swollen and bruised.

“… Did you get into a fight or something?”

While he couldn’t muster the courage to ask if he’d lost, anyone could tell he undoubtedly looked like he had.

And yet—

“Hehe.”

“Uh?”

Upon hearing this, Gu Yangcheong chuckled out loud.

Had he taken too many hits to the head…?

Shin Yi squinted, feeling a bit of distance from him.

“But still… I won the bet.”

Gu Yangcheong continued to laugh, saying things that made no sense.

However, with that battered face of his, it looked exceedingly ridiculous.

 

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