Chapter 492: Do You Need It? (4)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 492: Do You Need It? (4)
“What is the underlying principle here? It resembles a transformation art, but I have never seen one so exquisitely detailed.”
Roughly an hour had passed since I’d revealed myself to the Dishonored Venerable, steeling myself for a reprimand. Yet, he paid no attention to my current state, his focus entirely consumed by the Qi Body Transformation Technique.
A spark of pure curiosity glittered in his eyes.
“Fascinating. Can you extend or retract your limbs as well?”
“I haven’t attempted it, but… I believe it should be possible.”
Using the Qi Body Transformation Technique didn’t demand a vast reservoir of internal energy, but it required an exceptionally delicate and precise control over it.
I certainly couldn’t employ it in actual combat the way the Dishonored Venerable seemed to be imagining.
Could I, with enough practice? I wasn’t sure.
[It should be possible.]
“Pardon?”
I was slightly startled by Elder Shin’s voice interjecting into my thoughts.
It’s possible? To disorient an opponent by elongating my limbs mid-battle, just as the Dishonored Venerable suggested?
[Tang Jaemoon actually utilized it in combat, so it is not impossible.]
…
Elder Shin’s calm statement conjured an image in my mind: Tang Jaemoon employing this very technique in a fight.
But the idea of stretching my arms and legs like dough… I couldn’t gauge its effectiveness, but it undoubtedly seemed like it would look bizarre.
[…Appearances aside. The true issue is that you should not reveal this martial art to just anyone.]
The fact that he told me to disregard appearances likely meant that even to Elder Shin’s eyes, fighting with this technique was far from elegant.
Hearing that, I moved on to my next question.
What do you mean, I shouldn’t show the martial art?
His warning to be cautious about revealing the Qi Body Transformation Technique was the core of the problem.
[To be precise, it is less about hiding it from everyone and more about being particularly wary of the Tang Clan.]
What is the reason?
[Kid, you have likely already surmised this, but the Qi Body Transformation Technique is one of the Tang Clan’s secret arts.]
I gave a slight nod. As Elder Shin said, I had suspected as much. A transformation art of this complexity and quality was undoubtedly worthy of being a secret heritage.
[…Judging by the current era, it appears the Qi Body Transformation Technique has been lost to them.]
This, too, was within my expectations. Given that a technique of this caliber was completely unknown, it was reasonable to assume it was a martial art lost to time.
So, if the Tang Clan discovers I possess it, their eyes will burn with greed. Is that what you mean?
[Correct. Even if it is lost, those titled as Family Head or Elders would surely have read about it in their ancient records.]
I understand… but, Elder Shin.
[Speak.]
Would it be alright with you if I kept it?
[…]
I sensed a flicker of hesitation from Elder Shin at my question.
The meaning behind it was simple: I knew this was a lost secret art of the Tang Clan. And if Tang Jaemoon herself had bestowed it upon me…
Was it truly acceptable for me to keep it without returning it to its rightful owners?
Under normal circumstances, I would have accepted such a treasure without a second thought.
But considering the deep relationship between Elder Shin and Tang Jaemoon, I felt a certain unease.
If Elder Shin had wished for me to return the martial art manual to the Tang Clan, I would have been prepared to do so—albeit with significant reluctance.
[There is no need for that.]
Elder Shin refused outright.
Still, I asked once more if it was really okay.
This time, the answer was the same.
[That fool Jaemoon said nothing to you about it, so there is no need to go out of your way.]
…But.
[Knowing his character, if he had wanted you to return it, he would have instructed you himself. His silence is permission enough. Furthermore.]
Elder Shin paused, and a brief silence hung between us.
[I have no desire to give anything to the Tang Clan of this age.]
A rare, icy chill tinged Elder Shin’s voice.
Hearing that, I had nothing more to say and let the matter drop. Honestly, it wasn’t a conducive moment for further conversation anyway.
“Hmm.”
The Dishonored Venerable, who had been inspecting the effects of the technique as if possessed, was now prodding various parts of my body.
“This… it seems the change in your physique is not caused by a martial art.”
The Dishonored Venerable had apparently realized this as well, and a new layer of interest dawned in his eyes.
“…Yes. That is correct.”
This was supposed to be the main topic from the start. It was strange that he had been so engrossed in the technique, seemingly indifferent to my transformed body.
The only slight problem was…
“Your body has solidified. Its density is astonishingly high.”
“Elder…?”
I knew he harbored no strange intentions, but the sensation of being kneaded like dough was hardly pleasant. Was he assessing the condition of my muscles?
After his thorough examination, the Dishonored Venerable finally withdrew his hands and posed a question.
“It seems you have had a fortuitous encounter.”
…
“It shares similarities with a full-body metamorphosis… and yet it is fundamentally different. Is the fact that your internal energy has coalesced in your middle dantian also a result of this?”
Had he deduced all of that from a mere glance and a few touches? For a casually delivered observation, it was alarmingly accurate.
The Dishonored Venerable’s gaze shifted to meet my eyes. I could see his characteristically clear, yet profoundly deep pupils.
“Your realm has stabilized as well.”
“…That is correct.”
“I knew you were a child with many secrets, but it seems they run far deeper than I anticipated.”
“…”
Each of his words carried a palpable weight. The Dishonored Venerable was always like this. He appeared to care for nothing but martial arts, and yet…
It feels as if he perceives everything.
That strange dissonance always exuded a heavy, unsettling aura.
“Well then.”
The Dishonored Venerable fixed his gaze on me. “Is it something you can speak to me about?”
I couldn’t answer his question lightly.
Could I explain what had truly happened? Not a chance. Even though I had become his disciple, I had not yet built that level of trust with him. The reverse was likely also true.
In such a situation, explaining this matter was fraught with complications.
Perhaps reading my hesitation, the Dishonored Venerable tilted his head slightly and said, “If you cannot speak of it, it is of no consequence. That is not what is important to me.”
I was momentarily taken aback by how readily he relented. I had expected him to press for details.
It was the same as last time. Was it true that nothing mattered more to the Dishonored Venerable than martial arts?
As this thought crossed my mind, he proved it once again.
“In the end, what is important is whether or not you can inherit my martial art. Does your changed body pose any obstacle to learning the Fist That Shatters Heaven?”
To answer that question…
“There is not.”
Fortunately, there was no issue. I was no longer entirely human, and the location of my dantian had shifted, but it didn’t seem to hinder my ability to learn the technique.
Hearing my answer, the Dishonored Venerable gave a slight nod. “Then that is all that matters.”
As long as I could learn his art, nothing else was important.
For some reason, those words sent a faint shiver down my spine. I felt the truth of them deeply—to the Dishonored Venerable, martial arts were everything.
[At his level, it is an obsession.]
An obsession, a craving for martial arts. The closer I got to him, the more intensely I could feel it. In a way, wasn’t he the one most deserving of the title ‘martial artist’?
“Your body has been strengthened, but observing your movements, you are not yet accustomed to the new sense of distance and proportion.”
“…!”
My eyes widened. He had hit the nail on the head.
Because I had immediately used the Qi Body Transformation Technique to revert to my familiar form upon arriving, I hadn’t had any time to adapt to my larger, stronger physique. Furthermore, being constantly on the move, I hadn’t even had a chance to properly gauge the extent of my increased power after my realm stabilized.
“Hmm.”
The Dishonored Venerable seemed to ponder for a moment. “This is perfect timing.”
A slight smile touched his lips, as if an idea had struck him. For some reason, I found that smile unsettling.
“What… do you mean by perfect timing?”
“If your body feels unfamiliar and your new realm has not yet become second nature, there is a perfect method to rectify both, is there not?”
“What…?”
I was about to ask what he meant when he suddenly loosened his posture, smiled at me, and said, “Come at me.”
Excuse me?
What?
“Elder?”
“I was curious to see how much you’ve changed. This is a good opportunity.”
“Wait a moment. What kind of opportunity?”
Did he mean an opportunity to pummel me? Wondering if that was truly it, I stared at him intently.
“I can see it in your eyes.”
“…?”
“They are the eyes of someone dying to test his limits for himself. Wouldn’t this be beneficial for you as well?”
“…!”
I swallowed hard. He was right. I had been feeling frustrated, unable to properly grasp the extent of the changes to my body and power.
He was suggesting I ascertain them… through a spar with him?
As the Dishonored Venerable said, it was necessary, but I hadn’t planned on using him as my measuring stick. It’s not as if I enjoyed being beaten senseless.
Or is it? Maybe it won’t be so one-sided this time?
Now that my realm had risen, perhaps things would be different.
As that thought arose and a spark of fighting spirit began to kindle within me…
“And it seems I need to crush the arrogance of my overconfident disciple.”
“…”
The Dishonored Venerable, as if he had read even this nascent thought, spoke with a knowing smile.
Damn it, he sees right through me. It was truly absurd how everyone I met could decipher my expressions so easily.
I let out a small sigh and raised my arms. Judging by the Dishonored Venerable’s mood, he wouldn’t let me off the hook even if I refused.
Besides, he was right. I needed to know.
How long had it been since I last fought the Dishonored Venerable? We had sparred one-sidedly a few times during my training in the Fist That Shatters Heaven. But this was the first proper fight since the incident at the Heavenly Dragon Academy.
“This time, you may use any technique at your disposal, not just my fist. Try everything you can.”
“…Will you be alright?”
“Oh? Are you worried about me?” The Dishonored Venerable chuckled, amused. “I am not so weak as to be beaten by my snot-nosed disciple, so do not trouble yourself.”
Even so, I couldn’t help but entertain the thought. After all, there was still a clear gap between our realms.
“I know what you’re thinking, so I’ll propose a wager.”
“A wager?”
“Yes. In this fight, if you manage to land a single blow on me, I will address you as ‘Brother’ for the next seven days and nights.”
“…”
“How about it? If the terms are not to your liking, we can choose something else…!”
Fwoosh-!
I threw a punch while he was still speaking.
The Dishonored Venerable tilted his head slightly, evading my extended fist.
Damn, it failed.
“Hah.”
He stared at me, utterly dumbfounded by my actions. His expression clearly said he never expected me to attack mid-sentence.
“Guess that didn’t work.”
“Haha… How did I end up with a disciple like this?”
I had thought it the most opportune moment for a surprise attack. But it failed. What a shame.
Crack, crack. The sound of knuckles popping echoed from the Dishonored Venerable’s body.
“It seems… I will have to discipline you a little.”
Feeling the subtle edge of anger in his words, I broke out in a cold sweat. I might have gone a step too far.
[Kid, how do you always manage to earn yourself a beating?]
Just as Elder Shin let out a sigh, as if despairing of my actions…
I gathered all my strength and launched myself at the Dishonored Venerable.
* * *
As night faded and the sun began to rise, the Immortal Healer frowned at the uninvited guest who had arrived at his doorstep at such an early hour.
It was surprising enough that someone would visit at the crack of dawn. But upon seeing who it was, he had a more pressing question than his irritation.
“…I apologize for visiting so early in the morning.”
“You… I heard you had something to ask me…”
“Yes, it’s regarding…”
“No, before that.”
The Immortal Healer cut him off. There was something he absolutely had to ask first.
“What in the world happened to your face?”
“…”
Gu Yangcheon fell silent at the question.
There was a reason for it. Gu Yangcheon’s face, which had been perfectly fine when they met by chance the previous day, was now bruised and swollen as if he had been thoroughly beaten for hours on end.
“…Did you get into a fight?”
He couldn’t bring himself to ask if he had lost, but anyone could see the sorry state he was in.
However.
“Hehe.”
“Hm?”
Hearing this, Gu Yangcheon suddenly started grinning.
Did the kid get hit so much he lost his mind…?
As the Immortal Healer felt a wave of pity and narrowed his eyes…
“Still… I won the bet.”
Gu Yangcheon uttered these incomprehensible words and simply continued to smile. With his face in such a state, the effect was utterly ridiculous.
