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Chapter 494 – Just Give It to Me Once.

On the table lay the lustrous white Demon Stone.

At first glance, it seemed devoid of any energy, resembling an ordinary gem.

However, this was the strongest grade of Demon Gate known in the Central Plains.

It was a remnant left by the top-tier demon beast that emerged from there.

So-called White Horse Stone.

Now, it harbored an energy incomparable to the blue and red demon beasts that were just starting to wriggle out.

In terms of energy alone, combined with the Poison Heavenly Pill I possessed.

It contained an overwhelming power that even rivaled Shaolin’s Daehwan Pill.

Yet in the Central Plains at this time.

And in the future, it could be said that White Grade Demon Beasts would never appear again, thus finding a way to obtain the White Horse Stone seems utterly impossible.

This here.

I thought this was the only remaining White Horse Stone.

Originally, I had planned to consume it upon obtaining it, but—

“I was too busy to find the time.”

Having been busily roaming around right after returning, I hadn’t found the time.

Honestly, it was something I needed to stabilize my incomplete realm, and there was no need to hurry in the current situation.

I thought I would use it someday instead of now, but—

“I never imagined it would be used this way.”

I never thought I would be using it like this.

Shin Yi was glaring at the White Horse Stone on the table as if he was scrutinizing it closely.

Could it be that he was starting to wonder if this was really what he thought?

“… This is.”

“Yes, it’s the White Horse Stone.”

“…!”

When I spoke with certainty, Shin Yi’s eyes widened like lanterns.

“If you don’t believe me, there’s really nothing I can do. It is indeed the White Horse Stone.”

I wouldn’t mistake the Demon Stone; it’s not something one would confuse, especially not me.

I could feel the Demonic Absorption Technique in my body confirming it.

“… Why do you have this?”

“Someone gave it to me. To use.”

“What?”

Shin Yi looked at me incredulously, as if he couldn’t believe it.

I mean it’s true.

It was a gift from Lady Mi, so it was accurate enough, but Shin Yi didn’t seem to believe it.

Whether he believed me or not, I couldn’t care less.

What mattered was that I held the White Horse Stone.

“I’ll ask again. You said you needed this, right? Do you really need it?”

“…”

Shin Yi’s eyes trembled upon hearing my words.

I kept my gaze fixed on him, urging no response. I shouldn’t rush him.

That would only reveal my urgency.

I waited quietly for his answer.

After a few seconds had passed.

“… Fine.”

Shin Yi finally replied with great effort.

Alright.

It felt like I had smoothly crossed the first hurdle.

Hiding my inner thoughts, I smiled weakly.

“If you need it, I can give it to you.”

I could part with the White Horse Stone I possessed.

When I said that, I expected Shin Yi to look elated, but instead, he wore a slightly furrowed brow full of discomfort.

From that glance, it was evident that Shin Yi understood.

‘When I say I’m just giving this White Horse Stone away.’

It implied I had other expectations from him.

“What do you want from me…?”

Just as I thought, Shin Yi questioned me.

This made two things clear.

He didn’t simply ask what my purpose was, but rather what I wanted.

It was as if he was considering fulfilling my needs without knowing what I required.

In looking at those two meanings.

‘Shin Yi is determined to take the White Horse Stone at all costs.’

I understood that he wouldn’t easily give up on the White Horse Stone before him.

But why?

For someone like me, who couldn’t harness the energy of the stone due to the Demonic Absorption Technique.

The White Horse Stone was just another white rock rolling around.

Yet why was Shin Yi so fixated on it?

‘It doesn’t matter.’

I wasn’t particularly interested in his reasons right now. I could learn about it later.

“I have a question for you, Shin Yi. If you answer it well, I can give you this White Horse Stone. I don’t really need it.”

Of course, saying I didn’t need it was a blatant lie.

With dozens of Poison Heavenly Pills in my possession, I could afford to part with it. Otherwise, I wouldn’t have been able to let it go.

“Answer?”

“Yes.”

“…”

Shin Yi offered no response.

In this silence, I took it as a positive sign.

I took a moment to breathe, then said my first words.

“Firstly, I’d like to know why you need the White Horse Stone.”

“…”

“I understand it’s rare, but by its efficacy, it’s merely a useless rock. So why do you need it?”

Why did Shin Yi need the White Horse Stone?

Despite the reputation he had established in the Central Plains, he appeared to have no greed for wealth; he seemed solely devoted to medicine.

So why did he need the White Horse Stone? That was what I wanted to know.

“And if I don’t answer… what happens?”

“That wouldn’t matter much. But if you don’t, I guess the gift of the White Horse Stone is bound to disappear.”

That was a clear threat.

If I didn’t answer, he would refuse to give it to me.

“Hah, you’re crafty.”

“I’m sorry; I have my own circumstances.”

Honestly, I would have liked to share some benefits with Shin Yi, but my situation wasn’t that good.

It wasn’t about trust.

There were simply too many people I wanted to protect, and I didn’t have the luxury to think about anyone else.

“…”

Shin Yi, who appeared to be lost in contemplation, was quietly staring at the White Horse Stone.

After a moment, he bit his lip gently and began to speak.

“… I’ll use it for my grandchild.”

“Grandchild? You mean Hyeok?”

“Yes.”

He was going to use the White Horse Stone for Jiegal Hyeok?

I had to tilt my head at Shin Yi’s words.

What did he mean by using it on a normal person, when it was not an herb or an elixir, but just a rock?

“What do you intend to do with it?”

“I’m going to open his throat.”

“Excuse me?”

You’re going to open Jiegal Hyeok’s throat, who is mute?

“… I don’t understand.”

How would he even do that with the White Horse Stone? No matter how much I thought about it, it made no sense.

“… Is this something I must also answer?”

“Yes. I just can’t understand how this is supposed to work.”

“What if I’m lying?”

“Come on, I wouldn’t expect that from you. If you do, well, there’s nothing I can do.”

“…”

I didn’t intend to confront Shin Yi for lying.

This was simply a foolish belief that he wouldn’t do that.

“…”

My unexpected response made Shin Yi’s expression more uneasy.

“If it can’t be done, I guess I’ll just ask something else…”

“It’s not a physical problem that prevents my grandchild from speaking.”

“Huh?”

So not being able to speak is not a physical problem?

“That can’t be, what do you mean by that?”

“To clarify, it’s part of a ‘curse.'”

“A curse?”

That was a term I had barely heard of.

I had heard it was a technique used by cultists from the demonic faction.

They said its efficiency was terrible. It consumed an awful amount while yielding no results, making its users few and far between.

‘A curse…? Then—’

I remembered the Heavenly Demon from my previous life.

He was a madman who wore a mask and hid his smile with a fan.

Yet he wasn’t mute like Jiegal Hyeok.

I had thought the Heavenly Demon had some means of returning his voice to him, but was it possible that it was about breaking the curse Shin Yi mentioned?

“Then, you mean you need the White Horse Stone to lift that curse?”

“… Yes.”

“Why?”

“I can’t disclose that.”

“Hmmm.”

I nodded at Shin Yi’s response.

That didn’t mean I understood.

I merely accepted that this was one subject I should let go of.

‘Something is entangled here.’

Despite Shin Yi’s prickly personality, he detested harm coming to those around him, and judging by his answer, it seemed this would create problems if he answered.

Suddenly, a face flashed through my mind.

Cheol Jiseon; thoughts of his relationship with Shin Yi suddenly surfaced.

‘That’s a topic I shouldn’t delve into.’

This wasn’t something to ask Shin Yi.

‘I need to inquire with Cheol Jiseon instead.’

It became clear whom I should ask.

Having thought this far, I spoke to Shin Yi.

“Alright. I’ll let this part go.”

“…”

Upon hearing that, Shin Yi let out a small sigh of relief.

“The next thing I want to ask is about my physical condition.”

“Your health? From last time…”

“Yes, you mentioned I was on the verge of shattering my vessel. However, I accidentally broke it, and I had to rebuild it.”

“… What? Wait, what did you just say?”

Shin Yi’s reaction was intense at my nonchalant remark.

“You broke and rebuilt your vessel?”

“Yes, it just happened that way.”

“What on earth happened to lead to that?”

“Good question. I find it quite fascinating myself.”

I had no words since it was unexpected for me either.

To Shin Yi, it must have sounded like I was supposed to die within ten years just to suddenly return after a few days. So it was genuinely surprising.

“No, what do you mean…? Just show me your hand. I need to see it for myself.”

“I’ll give it to you later. But I’d like you to make a pact on this matter.”

“What?”

“Whatever you see within my body, you will vow to remain silent about it.”

“…!”

Perhaps feeling something unusual, Shin Yi’s expression began to stiffen.

“Will you do it?”

Even if he sensed something, I knew there was only one outcome he could offer.

“… Alright.”

With the White Horse Stone before him, Shin Yi had positioned himself as the subordinate.

“Thank you.”

Of course, I couldn’t help but feel anxious watching Shin Yi in such a state.

Honestly, I harbored no ill will towards Shin Yi. If anything, I held a favorable opinion of him.

Making someone like that look so bad was something I felt embarrassed about too.

Small-minded and petty.

I knew all too well how ridiculous that was.

But still, it had to be done.

“Now… for the last question.”

The previous conversations had not been particularly important.

The real point was this upcoming inquiry.

“I want to ask about Wi Seol-Ah.”

“…”

Shin Yi seemed to have anticipated this, as one corner of his eye twitched.

“I heard that the Sword Sovereign elder and you used the Demon Sealing Stone to do something for that child.”

The Demon Sealing Stone that had been in the room of the reincarnated Heavenly Demon.

And Wi Seol-Ah, who had regained her presence.

I believed these two events must have some correlation.

Recalling the words I had heard from Wi Seol-Ah, I wanted to ask Shin Yi why the Sword Sovereign made such a choice.

What state was Wi Seol-Ah in now?

I intended to dig for answers at any cost.

“…”

After hearing my question, Shin Yi appeared stuck in deep thought, his face now clouded.

Time passed slowly.

Finally, he spoke in a labored voice.

“Does that child still harbor resentment towards the clan leader?”

That was somewhat unexpected.

The clan leader must refer to the Sword Sovereign.

Though it’s not the former… rather the former clan leader, it presumably refers to the Sword Sovereign.

Furthermore, if he’s asking whether Wi Seol-Ah resents the Sword Sovereign, well…

“Yes.”

I knew it.

I could see the uncomfortable expression she made whenever she mentioned her grandfather.

At my answer, Shin Yi let out a sigh and spoke.

“I’m not fond of the clan leader. I acknowledge his abilities, but he often prioritized something else over his beliefs, making many choices that were wrong for a clan leader.”

Having the highest influence among the clan leaders throughout history, second only to the very first clan leader, Yeon Ilcheon.

But Shin Yi didn’t seem to think that way.

“However, apart from that, I do understand. After all, he’s only human.”

“What do you mean by that…?”

“It’s something he ought not to have done as the clan leader, but as a father and a grandfather, it’s understandable.”

There were many emotions tangled in his voice.

Resentment, and within that, I sensed a hint of sympathy and kinship.

“The reason the clan leader had to treat that child in such a way was solely one thing. Only that one thing, and even if I found it distasteful, I assisted.”

“The reason for that is…?”

At that moment, I asked without hiding my unease.

Shin Yi responded with a calm voice.

“If he hadn’t sealed the child’s potential.”

Until this moment, the child had been living without any issues.

“The child would have surely perished soon enough.”

The instant I heard Shin Yi’s words, my breath caught in my throat.

 

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