Chapter 494: Just Let Me Hold It Once.
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 494: Just Let Me Hold It Once.
A lustrous white demonic stone sat upon the table.
At a glance, it seemed to emanate no energy, appearing as nothing more than an ordinary gem.
But this was a remnant left behind by the highest-grade demon from the most powerful Gate of Demons ever recorded in the Central Plains. A trace of the supreme demon that had emerged from that place.
The so-called White Demonic Stone.
It contained an energy incomparable to the stones left by Blue Demons, or even the newly emerging Red Demons. In terms of pure power, it held a tremendous amount, not inferior to the Heavenly Poison Orbs I possessed or Shaolin's Great Return Pill.
However, since White-Grade Demons did not appear in the current Central Plains—nor would they in the future—there was essentially no way to obtain such a stone.
The one before my eyes… I believed it to be the only White Demonic Stone left in existence.
My original plan had been to consume it immediately, but…
I’d been too busy to find the time.
Since my return, I hadn't had a spare moment, constantly running around. Besides, I had needed it to stabilize my unstable cultivation base, but my current situation was no longer urgent. I had saved it, thinking I would use it someday.
I never imagined I’d use it like this.
To think it would be employed for such a purpose.
The Immortal Healer was staring at the White Demonic Stone on the table, his gaze intense enough to be a glare. His face was a mask of disbelief, as if he couldn't believe the object before him was truly what he thought.
“…This is…”
“Yes. It’s a White Demonic Stone.”
“…!”
My confirmation caused the Immortal Healer’s eyes to widen dramatically.
“If you don’t believe me, there’s little I can do. But I assure you, this is genuine.”
Others might be mistaken, but there was no chance I could misidentify a demonic stone. The Demonic Absorption technique within my body confirmed it beyond doubt.
“…Why… Why do you possess this?”
“Someone gave it to me. Told me to use it.”
“What?”
The Immortal Healer’s eyes blazed with incredulity. It was the truth—Tang Jaemoon had given it to me, so it was indeed a gift—but he clearly didn't believe it. Whether he did or not was irrelevant. The important fact was that I had the stone.
“I’ll ask again. You said you needed this. Do you need it?”
“…”
The Immortal Healer’s eyes trembled. I didn’t press him, simply waiting in silence. To rush him would be to reveal my own urgency, and I couldn't allow that. I waited quietly for his response.
After a few seconds passed.
“…Yes.”
The Immortal Healer forced the word out.
Good.
It seemed I had cleared the first hurdle with ease. Masking my inner thoughts, I spoke with a faint smile.
“If you need it, I can give it to you.”
I could part with the White Demonic Stone. One might expect the Immortal Healer to be overjoyed, but he wasn't. Instead, his brow furrowed slightly, his expression filled with discomfort. He understood. My offer to simply give him the stone… meant that I desired something else in return.
“What… do you want from me?”
Just as I expected. I could deduce two things from his question. First, he asked what I wanted, rather than inquiring about my purpose. Second, he asked as if he was already prepared to accept, without even knowing what I might demand. From this, I knew one thing for certain: The Immortal Healer is determined to obtain this White Demonic Stone, no matter the cost.
I could see that he would be unable to give up on the stone before him. But why? Unless one possessed a technique like my Demonic Absorption to harness its energy, the White Demonic Stone was little more than a smooth white rock. So why was he so desperate?
It doesn’t matter.
I didn't know the reason, and frankly, it wasn't important. I could uncover that starting now.
“I have a few questions for you, Immortal Healer. If you answer them satisfactorily, I will give you this stone. It’s not something I particularly need.”
Of course, that was a lie. I could only afford to part with it because I possessed dozens of Heavenly Poison Orbs. Under normal circumstances, I would never have considered it.
“Questions?”
“Yes.”
“…”
The Immortal Healer offered no reply. In this context, silence meant consent. Sensing this, I took a short breath and posed my first question.
“First, I’d like to know why you need the White Demonic Stone.”
“…”
“It may be rare, but in terms of practical use, it should be nothing more than a useless rock to most. Why do you need it?”
Why did the Immortal Healer, a man renowned throughout the Central Plains who seemed to have no greed for wealth—a man devoted solely to the medical arts—desire this stone? I was curious.
“And if… I refuse to answer?”
“It doesn’t matter overly much. But I suppose the White Demonic Stone I was prepared to gift you would then disappear, wouldn’t it?”
It was a clear threat. If he didn't answer, I wouldn't hand it over.
“Hah. You’re a cunning one.”
“My apologies. I have my own circumstances.”
If possible, I would have liked to give the Immortal Healer a few things freely. But my situation wasn't nearly good enough for that. It wasn't a matter of trust. It meant I had so many people I wanted to protect that I was overwhelmed merely thinking about them.
“…”
The Immortal Healer, lost in thought, stared intently at the White Demonic Stone. Finally, he bit his lip slightly and began to speak slowly.
“…I will use it on my grandson.”
“Your grandson? You mean Hyuk?”
“Yes.”
He was going to use the White Demonic Stone on Zhuge Hyuk? I tilted my head in confusion. This wasn't some medicinal herb or elixir. How could he use what was essentially a rock on Zhuge Hyuk?
“What do you intend to do with it?”
“I will restore his voice.”
“Pardon?”
He was going to make the mute Zhuge Hyuk speak?
“…I don’t quite understand.”
How on earth could he accomplish that with a White Demonic Stone? No matter how I thought about it, it made no sense.
“…Must I answer this as well?”
“Yes. I can’t simply let it go; I don’t understand.”
“What if I were to tell you a lie?”
“I doubt you would… but if you did, there’s nothing I could do about it.”
“…”
I had no intention of acting if the Immortal Healer lied. This was based on nothing more than a foolish belief that he wouldn't stoop to such a thing.
“…”
My answer seemed to surprise him, as his expression grew even more uncomfortable.
“If you truly cannot answer, I’ll simply ask something else…”
“The reason my grandson cannot speak is not a physical problem.”
“Hm?”
Not a physical problem?
“What do you mean, if not that?”
“To be precise, it is a form of ‘curse.’”
“A curse.”
A curse. It was a term I had heard vaguely before. I understood it was a technique used by pseudo-Taoists of the Unorthodox Faction. Wasn't it notoriously inefficient? It devoured a ridiculous amount of qi, yet was useless against anyone who had reached the first-rate level, so only a handful of practitioners used it.
A curse…? Then.
I recalled the Zhuge Hyuk from my past life. He was a madman who wore a half-mask and hid his smile behind a fan. But he hadn't been mute like the current Zhuge Hyuk. I had assumed the Heavenly Demon had used some method to restore his voice. Could that method have been to break the curse the Immortal Healer mentioned?
“So, you need the White Demonic Stone to break that curse.”
“…Yes.”
“Why?”
“I cannot speak of that.”
“Hm.”
I nodded at his response. It wasn't a nod of understanding, but rather an acknowledgment that I would have to give up on this line of questioning for now.
Something is connected to this.
Apart from his prickly personality, the Immortal Healer was someone who hated to see those around him suffer. Judging by his refusal to answer, it seemed that revealing the truth would cause problems. Then, a face flashed through my mind—the connection between that bastard, Cheol Jiseon, and the Immortal Healer. But…
This isn't something I should ask him.
This wasn't a question for the Immortal Healer. It wasn't his place to tell me.
Because I have to hear it from Cheol Jiseon himself.
The person I needed to hear it from was already decided. With that thought, I addressed the Immortal Healer.
“I understand. I will move on from this.”
“…”
A shallow sigh of relief escaped the Immortal Healer’s lips.
“My next question is about the state of my body.”
“Your body’s state? Last time…”
“Yes, you said my dantian was on the verge of shattering. Well, I recently broke it and remade it.”
“…Right… No, wait, what did you just say?”
The Immortal Healer’s reaction to my casually spoken words was intense.
“You shattered your dantian and remade it?”
“Yes. It just… sort of happened.”
“What on earth do you mean, ‘it just sort of happened’?”
“I know, right? I find it quite strange myself.”
It was something I hadn't expected either, so I had no explanation. From the Immortal Healer’s perspective, a patient he had given a terminal diagnosis—a death sentence within ten years—had suddenly shown up a few days later saying, "I died and came back to life." His shock was only natural.
“No, what in the world…? First, give me your hand. I need to see for myself.”
“I’ll allow that later… but first, I’d like a promise regarding this.”
“What?”
“That whatever you perceive within my body, you will keep it to yourself.”
“…!”
Did he sense something unusual? The Immortal Healer’s expression hardened slightly.
“Will you do it?”
Even if he did sense something, he had no other choice.
“…I understand.”
As long as the White Demonic Stone was in front of him, the Immortal Healer was in the weaker position.
“Thank you.”
Of course, seeing him like this bothered me as well. To be honest, I held no ill will toward him. In fact, I only had favorable impressions. To make such a man act so wretchedly made me feel petty and vile. I was acutely aware of it.
But I had to do it.
“Now… for the final thing I’ll ask.”
The previous questions were matters I could live without knowing. The important one was what I was about to ask now.
“I have a question regarding Wi Seol-Ah.”
“…”
As if he had anticipated this, I saw one of his eyes twitch.
“I heard that you and the Sword Venerable did something to that child using a Sealing Stone.”
The Sealing Stone in Zhuge Hyuk’s room from my past life, and Wi Seol-Ah, who had regained her presence… I judged these two things were connected. Recalling what Wi Seol-Ah had told me, I wanted to ask the Immortal Healer. Why did the Sword Venerable make such a choice? What was Wi Seol-Ah’s current state? I intended to hear the answers, no matter what.
“…”
Hearing my question, the Immortal Healer’s face clouded with worry as he sank deep into thought. A long moment passed before his lips parted with difficulty.
“Does that child… still resent the Alliance Leader?”
It was a rather unexpected question. Alliance Leader? He must mean the Sword Venerable. The former… no, the former-former Alliance Leader by now. Was he asking if Wi Seol-Ah still resented her grandfather?
“Yes.”
I knew. I knew the uncomfortable expression Wi Seol-Ah made whenever her grandfather was mentioned.
Hearing my answer, the Immortal Healer spoke, his words laced with a sigh.
“I don’t particularly like the Alliance Leader. I acknowledge his abilities, but he often made choices unbecoming of an Alliance Leader, prioritizing other matters over his convictions.”
In terms of status, he was a man who held the greatest influence among all Murim Alliance leaders, second only to the founder, Yeon Il-Cheon. But it seemed the Immortal Healer held a different opinion.
“However, apart from that, I do understand him. Because I know that he, too, is human.”
“What do you mean…?”
“As the Alliance Leader, he shouldn't have done it. But as a father and a grandfather to a child, I can understand.”
His voice carried a mix of emotions—resentment, pity, and a strange sense of camaraderie.
“There was only one reason the Alliance Leader had to do that to the child. It was only for that one reason that I, despite my reluctance, assisted him.”
“That reason is…”
The moment I asked, hiding an unidentifiable anxiety…
The Immortal Healer answered in a calm, measured voice.
“If he had not sealed the child’s potential.”
I had been breathing easily until that moment.
“That child would have surely died not long after.”
The instant I heard those words, I felt my breath catch in my throat.
* * *
The Gu Clan of Shanxi.
A woman walked with light steps along the garden path leading to the Lord’s room. Amidst the brilliantly blooming white flowers under the bright sky, her unwavering posture and gracefully straight back revealed a woman of noble upbringing. But for some reason, her steps carried a rare and evident brightness.
The Chief Steward, tending to the flowerbeds, noticed her and immediately bowed in respect.
“Greetings, my lady.”
The woman was none other than the matriarch of the Gu Clan and the head of the White Flower Merchant Association, one of the three great merchant associations of the Central Plains—Mi Hyoran.
She stopped and inclined her head slightly. “Is he inside?”
“Yes.”
“May I enter?”
At her words, the Chief Steward stepped slightly aside, a silent gesture of permission. There were only three people who could enter the Gu Clan Lord’s room without explicit consent: the First Elder, Gu Ryoon; the Chief Steward himself; and the matriarch, Mi Hyoran. Yet, she always asked the Chief Steward for permission before entering, even though she had been told it was unnecessary.
“My lady.”
“Yes.”
“It seems something pleasant has occurred.”
“Ah.” Mi Hyoran offered a slight smile. “No, it’s nothing like that.”
She continued toward the Lord’s room, but anyone could see her mood was lifted. It was a rare sight to see Mi Hyoran smiling so vividly. Watching her, the Chief Steward smiled faintly himself and returned to his gardening.
Tap.
Mi Hyoran’s steps toward the Lord’s room were distinctly light. She had denied it to the Chief Steward, but she was indeed in high spirits. The reason was the letter she held in her hand.
It was a letter sent by none other than Gu Yangcheon.
This was probably a first—the first time Gu Yangcheon had sent a letter directly to Mi Hyoran. The letter, which had arrived that morning, bore the seal of the White Flower Merchant Association. It seemed he had sent it through a branch office, but the contents were what mattered.
I apologize for contacting you like this. I hope you have been well.
It began with a light greeting, but the following content was rather interesting. It detailed how he had obtained a fortunate encounter and sold some items through the merchant association. Notably, it mentioned that he had used Mi Hyoran’s name in the process.
That was the issue.
While speaking with the branch manager, a situation arose where I had no choice but to refer to Lady Mi as my mother.
How long had she paused at that part? She must have been stuck there for a considerable time.
I am writing to apologize in advance, in case you find out later and are offended.
An apology. She couldn't fathom why Gu Yangcheon was apologizing to her. Briefly collecting her dazed thoughts, Mi Hyoran read on, but unfortunately, she quickly reached the end. The letter wasn't long.
Ah, and also. The branch manager in Sichuan seems to be doing a good job.
Well then, I will see you next time.
After reading the short letter, Mi Hyoran took a few deep breaths to compose herself.
The branch manager in Sichuan…?
The final line of Gu Yangcheon’s letter. Mi Hyoran knew the Sichuan branch manager. He had a good eye for talent, but he was a man of great ambition and greed. His name was Dae… something? She couldn't recall precisely. He wasn't a particularly important figure anyway; she had been planning to deal with him in the near future.
However.
If that child sees him in a positive light, there must be a reason.
Gu Yangcheon had spoken well of him. That single sentence was enough to alter the fate of the Sichuan branch manager. Immediately, Mi Hyoran wrote a directive to be disseminated throughout the merchant association, stamped it with the association head’s seal, and sent it off. The order was to halt all other work and prioritize the task entrusted by Gu Yangcheon.
After dispatching a servant with the rather radical directive… she very carefully and neatly folded the letter she had received, tucked it into her bosom, and resumed walking.
Her destination was the Lord’s room, where Gu Cheolun resided. Mi Hyoran might have been ignoring her own feelings, but her actions were clearly a form of showing off. She couldn't wait to flaunt the letter she had received from Gu Yangcheon in front of Gu Cheolun.
Soon, she reached the door. Mi Hyoran grasped the handle and opened it.
“That child sent a letter…”
Normally, she would have begun with a greeting, but Mi Hyoran was in such a hurry that she went straight to the point. Unfortunately, she did not succeed.
“…You?”
The atmosphere inside the Lord’s room was far from ordinary. Gu Cheolun sat at the table with his usual expression, but… the aura emanating from him was strange. Fury. The emotion radiating from him was unmistakably rage, and it was a degree of fury Mi Hyoran had not felt in over a decade.
Saying nothing, Mi Hyoran first observed Gu Cheolun. He was stroking his beard with one hand while looking at a letter held in the other. She recognized the seal.
The Tang Clan?
It was the seal of the Tang Clan of Sichuan. The Tang Clan was Gu Yangcheon’s destination, and considering the timing, he should have arrived around now. For a letter to have come from there meant…
Did something happen?
The moment Mi Hyoran’s expression hardened with that thought…
Screech.
Gu Cheolun stood up.
Fwoooosh—!!
In that instant, a wave of heat so intense that even Mi Hyoran could feel it swept through the room.
“…Ugh!”
Mi Hyoran was a martial artist before she was a merchant, but her level was only between second-rate and first-rate. The martial power she had built was primarily for self-defense and thus not exceptionally high. Because of this, she found it difficult to withstand the energy Gu Cheolun was emitting. That made it all the more shocking. Normally, Gu Cheolun would seal his power to avoid harming those around him. What could have happened to provoke such an intense reaction?
“What on earth is going on…”
“Four days.”
Gu Cheolun’s intense eyes turned to Mi Hyoran.
“I will return within four days.”
“What do you mean…? You have commitments with the merchant association after this…!”
Mi Hyoran tried to hastily add more, but…
Poof-!
Gu Cheolun vanished before her eyes, transforming into a spark of flame.
Seeing this, Mi Hyoran immediately turned and ran out of the Lord’s room. To catch Gu Cheolun? Impossible. She couldn't hope to catch him. This was to inform the Chief Steward and, simultaneously, to alert the merchant association. She had to warn them to prepare, as it seemed a significant problem was about to erupt.
It was only natural, for in Mi Hyoran’s youth… whenever Gu Cheolun disappeared with such violent intensity, unbelievable events always followed.
One day, a hegemon of the Unorthodox Faction would be burned to ashes and vanish. Another time, an entire sect that had been amassing power would be wiped from the map. Having witnessed such events, Mi Hyoran had to act quickly. She had no idea what kind of incident her enraged husband would cause this time.