Chapter 491: Do You Need It? (3)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 491: Do You Need It? (3)
The Immortal Healer was searching for a White Demonic Stone.
That was what the branch manager had told me.
A White Demonic Stone…
Such a thing no longer existed in the present day. The martial artists of centuries past had eradicated the White Demons, and with them, their stones. It was far rarer than even a Luminous Pearl.
But there was an even bigger issue.
It’s utterly useless.
Demonic Stones had no practical application to begin with. Their appearance was pleasing, leading some to consider them as jewelry, but within days of being separated from a demon's body, they would fade, becoming mere ordinary rocks.
That very trait was the reason I hunted demons to acquire them.
The loss of color signifies the dissipation of the Qi within.
A stone from which I could absorb no energy held no interest for me. Their only utility came from my Demonic Absorption Art. To anyone else, they were worthless souvenirs.
Given that, the fact that a White Demonic Stone didn't lose its color over time was a special case. It was profoundly strange that the Immortal Healer would need such an item.
Why?
The question nagged at me. Why was the Immortal Healer seeking a White Demonic Stone? Was that his reason for coming to Sichuan?
Furthermore, even if he managed to acquire one…
Could he even make use of it?
I was shocked that an ordinary man like him would have a purpose for such a thing.
Hmm.
Naturally, this line of thought brought to mind the White Demonic Stone currently in my possession. I had obtained it from Tang Jaemoon’s secret vault. Like the Luminous Pearls, I had kept it safe, but I hadn't absorbed it yet.
Not for any particular reason…
I simply hadn't found the time. After my vessel shattered and I narrowly escaped death, my focus had been on survival. And since I’d been fortunate enough to achieve a perfected Fusion Realm in the process, there was no need to rush the absorption.
I don't need it right now.
More Qi was never a bad thing, but absorbing too much at once would require a long period of adjustment. Rushing would only lead to waste, so I decided to bide my time and find the right moment.
…But the Immortal Healer needs it, huh?
The fact that he had personally visited a merchant association suggested he was in a hurry.
Hmm.
This reminded me of something else—a conversation I’d had with Wi Seol-Ah. The Sword Emperor had decided to seal her power with the help of the Immortal Healer and a Demonic Stone of Seal. I never understood the reasoning behind that decision.
But the timing is good.
The person involved was here himself. It was perfect.
Moreover…
…He’s arrived with a weakness, and I hold the key.
This was an excellent situation. I appreciated my relationship with the Immortal Healer, but I didn't have time to spare.
Just as I was organizing my plans after reaching this conclusion, a voice cut through my thoughts.
“You seem to be in a hurry.”
“…”
The sound snapped me back to the present. I was in the middle of a meeting.
The moon had just risen. After concluding my business at the White Flower Merchant Association merchant association and spending some time with my party, I had eaten at an inn and come here. I had one last matter to attend to.
“I came here because you called for me, yet you dare to be lost in thought right in front of me. Tsk, tsk.”
It was my meeting with the Dishonored Venerable. I had arranged to speak with him as soon as I returned to the Tang Clan.
As he clicked his tongue, I lowered my head in apology. “…My apologies.”
I had been distracted by everything that had happened. Since I was the one who had summoned him, my inattention was extremely rude.
Fortunately, the Dishonored Venerable didn't seem to mind too much. “It’s fine,” he said, waving a hand.
He radiated heat, and a sheen of sweat covered his body. It seemed he had been training right up until our meeting. My sense of smell had sharpened, but I had always noticed this scent about him. He was constantly training, though he, like me, never let others see it.
As I watched him, Elder Shin’s voice echoed in my mind.
[It’s impressive.]
The Dishonored Venerable?
[Yes. I’ve been meaning to say this every time I see him. That man is special. There’s something different about him.]
Is that so?
Elder Shin had been dormant during my initial encounters with the Dishonored Venerable, so we’d never discussed him. I was curious how Elder Shin perceived him.
The Dishonored Venerable’s body had been greatly weakened by his use of the Eternal Youth technique. What could Elder Shin possibly see?
[His body is extremely well-maintained.]
Huh?
His words confused me. Well-maintained? That shouldn’t be possible after the ravages of Eternal Youth.
Elder Shin explained, sensing my puzzlement. [That is indeed the normal outcome. A body and meridians shattered by Eternal Youth can never return to their original state.]
It was impossible for a martial artist to regain their pre-technique physique. No amount of enlightenment or Qi could heal the fundamental damage done to the body and vessels.
So what was he getting at?
[What I mean is, the compatibility between his body and his Qi is exceptionally high. For a broken vessel to harmonize so perfectly with the Qi it contains… that is rather impressive.]
…Hmm.
I pondered Elder Shin’s words. When a martial artist reaches the Peak Realm, the Qi in their Dantian begins to suffuse their entire body. This enhances their strength and senses, which is why the Peak Realm is considered a life-changing threshold. Was this what Elder Shin was hinting at?
High compatibility, huh.
I observed the Dishonored Venerable’s body with this new perspective. I’d never scrutinized him closely, and I couldn't detect anything outwardly special.
My stare did not go unnoticed. “What are you looking at?” the Dishonored Venerable asked, tilting his head.
“…Nothing. I just noticed you’ve been training hard.”
“Hmm.”
In response, his own gaze swept over me, as if assessing my condition.
Wait, is he checking if I’ve been training?
…I’m not very confident about that.
My recent activities had involved more travel than training. I felt a twinge of nervousness under his scrutiny.
Suddenly, his eyes widened slightly.
Grasp.
“…!”
In an instant, his hand shot out and seized my arm. I was too slow to react.
“Elder…?” I called out, surprised.
But he only tightened his grip, his gaze intensifying. “What is this?”
“Huh?”
“What happened to you while I was away? What’s with this body?”
“…!”
I tried to pull my arm back, but his hold was like iron.
He noticed? Even the Poison King didn't detect anything because of my Qi Body Transformation Technique… and yet he noticed immediately.
…I can barely perceive the difference myself. How did he?
The change was so minute that even I, in my own body, could hardly tell. Yet the Dishonored Venerable had spotted the tiny alteration instantly.
“What trouble did you cause this time?”
“…”
His gaze was sharper than I had ever seen it. It was clear he wouldn't release me without an answer.
Damn. This wasn't why I had come here.
What do I do…?
I considered making an excuse, but one look into his eyes told me it would be futile. He wouldn't be fooled.
Tsk.
I had only wanted to discuss our future training and techniques. I hadn't expected to be found out so quickly. Had I underestimated him?
With my arm still trapped, I thought for a moment and came to a decision. It was too late to run. Besides, I needed to tell him eventually. Hiding this from my martial arts teacher was unsustainable.
Swish.
I guided my Qi inward, activating the Qi Body Transformation Technique that Tang Jaemoon had planted within me. An immediate change followed.
Crack.
“…!”
I saw the Dishonored Venerable’s eyes widen as my bones and muscles shifted audibly. My perspective rose as I grew taller, my muscles expanding. I increased in height by half a palm's length, my entire frame becoming larger and more robust.
This was my true, normal body.
The Qi Body Transformation Technique used surprisingly little Qi to maintain the altered form, but returning to my original body made the difference starkly apparent. I felt a much greater flow of Qi emanating from my heart.
As I felt the enhanced warmth spread through me, I slowly opened my eyes.
The Dishonored Venerable was still staring. His expression was the most bewildered I had ever seen on him. Was he wondering how this was even possible? To be fair, I would be equally shocked if my disciple returned after a few days so fundamentally changed.
What should I explain first? Even if I couldn't go into detail, I had to mention my left arm, now covered in scales.
I knew what the Dishonored Venerable desired for me. He wanted me to inherit his martial arts and reach their pinnacle. Knowing that made the pressure even greater.
I’m not even human anymore.
His goal was for me to break past human limits and attain a higher realm using his techniques. But now, it was too late for that.
I never expected something like this to happen to me…
As frustrating as it was, there was nothing I could do. Whether intended or not, this transformation would surely conflict with his beliefs. Knowing that made the truth difficult to voice.
“…About that,” I began hesitantly, meeting his shaken gaze.
Grasp.
But before I could continue, he grabbed my other shoulder as well.
“How?” he demanded, his eyes rapidly scanning my body. “How did you do this?”
I had expected a question about the meaning of martial arts, or a reprimand.
“What is this technique? I’ve never seen anything like it in my life. It’s not a simple disguise. What’s the principle behind it? How does the Qi need to flow to achieve this? And where is your Dantian? Wait, does your Qi now generate from your heart? I assume you can fight in this form? Perhaps you could use this to alter your limb length for combat advantage. You could practice with an extended reach for ambushes…”
“…”
I was rendered speechless by the torrent of words. How many questions was that in such a short time? My mind reeled from the bombardment.
“Where is your response?”
“…Uh… um…”
I had no idea how to answer. My head throbbed from the sheer number of queries. Instead of the scolding I anticipated over my changed body, he seemed intensely fascinated by the Qi Body Transformation Technique itself.
This was not what I expected…
As I floundered, unsure of what to say, Elder Shin spoke up, sounding enlightened.
[I see.]
[Birds of a feather flock together. Just like you, that man is an extreme eccentric. Of course, no one normal would surround a brat like you. It makes sense.]
“…”
His smug conclusion was infuriating, but what annoyed me more was the fact that I couldn't argue against it.