Chapter 105 - Mu Geuk Cheon Hwa Expedition Force
......Insane.
I nearly shouted without thinking but clamped it down.
A jade that manipulates time?
Even the Blink Jade alone was incredible. Its essence wasn't mere 'movement' but 'traversing space' itself.
And now, I'd gained something tied to time.
A jade handling time and space, paired with the Intent Blade's grasp of gravity.
'Time, space, gravity... doesn't that explain relativity or something?'
I lamented not being a science major. If it weren't for that physics teacher in high school, I could've strutted around as a proper STEM kid.
Of course, jade powers couldn't be explained by science. This Murim Return world had no room for 'rationality' anyway.
'So, what exactly does it do?'
Within a ten-jang radius centered on my initial position, it can slow time's flow. You and I, bound by soul, are exempt. Words are cheap—let me show you.
'Show me? When?'
I'm already doing it. Look ahead.
I peered forward as Pa Cheon instructed.
Doesn't something look different?
Straining my eyes at his words, I spotted changes from before.
Cheol Mu Geuk's eyes were opening. Incredibly, agonizingly slowly. Like someone had slapped slow-motion on him.
I turned to him. His massive upper body swelled ever so faintly with each breath. Cho Ryang's pupils crawled like a frame-by-frame video.
'So this is time manipulation.'
Interfering with time's flow to slow it. That was the Time Wheel Jade's power.
I took a few steps.
In this sluggish world, I moved at normal speed. No drag, no strain.
That famous comic had a gimmick where stopping time halted air flow, making breathing impossible. Fittingly distant from science, this world had no such issues.
After a dozen steps or so, Pa Cheon spoke.
This is the limit.
Ten jang from the activation point.
Step out, and the effect ends.
'What then?'
Time snaps back to normal. From outside, we'll look like we're inexplicably moving in slo-mo as a group.
Then I'd have to be cautious with the range. No one could notice time slowing.
'Just range as the limit?'
Stop channeling inner energy, and it ends. It devours a massive amount. Inside this zone, not even a chun-gak has passed, yet over half my stored energy's gone.
Roughly figuring a chun-gak as one second, and about ten seconds elapsed... Not bad for stretching time tenfold.
'Anything else?'
More inner energy slows it further. Full charge, dump it all at once? Might freeze time for a split second.
'This is ridiculous.'
Ten-jang radius: just over thirty meters. Nearly matched Pa Cheon's qi sense range.
Meaning near-total immunity to ambushes.
My biggest flaw was this body's reaction speed.
Heavenly Demon Divine Art let me spot fast movers by channeling qi to my eyes. But dodging? Impossible.
Until now, in crises, I'd gambled on instinct—blinking away or shielding with the guardian jade.
Luck held so far, but a drawn-out fight or true surprise attack? I'd be done.
'If I trigger the Time Wheel Jade in that instant...'
Finally, spot and evade.
Can't push further. One unit of energy left.
Ten-to-one ratio: about twenty seconds real-time. Two inside. Choice enough to explode options.
I deactivated the Time Wheel Jade.
Now I get why Cheol Mu Geuk called it cursed. As a sword, I'm fine, but a human? Drains everything in seconds. Probably sucked his innate essence dry without him knowing.
That explained instant aging to death. Innate essence sustained life itself.
When did you get that far?
Cheol Mu Geuk tilted his head. Cheol So Pyeong's face darkened. His expression screamed, 'Missed movement at that range?!'
Testing the jade's power.
You truly withstood it?
Can't you tell?
S-so... what is this jade? Truly cursed?
I pondered.
Reveal the Time Wheel Jade as-is? Or not?
No real dilemma. Answer was set.
'...Guess I like Cheol Mu Geuk more than I thought.'
Of course not the truth. It patched my weakness.
So.
Safe to call it cursed. Devours energy.
Then shouldn't we seal it?
It lightens the body in trade. Otherwise, young master Cheol wouldn't miss my moves, right?
Pulling a two-birds-one-stone even now. Fits both their views. Clever as ever.
Pa Cheon's words drew a bitter internal smile. I'd killed to survive, yet fretted over this.
Hmm... if so.
Instead of sealing a 'cursed' item, why not take it as treasure for this mission?
If you say so. But really okay?
No need to worry.
I'm worried. Should I not?
His words stirred needless guilt, but I swallowed it. No time for guilt—figure how to own this, not borrow.
My goal: survive this world. Not forge bonds.
'...Wanna sleep.'
A bit weary.
Strike while the iron's hot—depart now?
You're young and spry. I'm not. Need prep.
After rejuvenation, playing the elder?
Think I've time like you? Clan affairs take two days minimum. Not going solo—So Pyeong too.
...Father? Me too?
Obviously. Taming a divine beast—should I toss the Golden Gate Chain?
Not that, but so sudden.
Tsk. Backtalk?
Didn't you say speak freely earlier?
That was then.
Cho Ryang, watching, spoke up.
Family head.
Yes?
You've got us. Division Deputy Sa Wol, Squad Leader Tak Horak. Hehe.
What nonsense. Sa Wol's leader now.
Right, forgot. Hehe.
I ruffled his hair.
Hearing this from a kid? Yeah, mental strain lately.
Might need Ma Ui after all. If a child noticed, true experts would spot it easy.
Three days?
Good. My place, three days.
Three days later.
The Mu Geuk Cheon Hwa expedition was dazzling.
Me, Sa Wol, Cho Ryang, Cheol Mu Geuk, Cheol So Pyeong.
Five souls, but enough to wipe a mid-tier sect overnight. Even with me spectating.
This powerhouse was—
Cho Ryang, try this? Tanghulu, trending with kids.
Ah, thanks. Wow, delicious.
Father. Too much sweets rots teeth.
Pupil of Poison Demon—teeth rotting?
Still, bad habits from young.
He's nearly twenty.
Exactly—don't baby him.
Argh, shut it!
Didn't Father say speak up?
Retracted.
Too carefree. Cho Ryang's young, fine—but Cheol duo now a comedy act.
Think it's a picnic.
Pa Cheon sighed. Agreed.
I shook my head. Only Sa Wol reliable...
Cheol family head sent clothes...
Sa Wol blushed.
No black mission garb—vibrant robes instead.
Stunningly perfect. Seeing her usual drab black swapped for bright? Awkward yet gorgeous.
Looks good, eh? Tougher than most martial robes. No circuits, but treasure-grade function.
A little tension? Mu Geuk Cheon Hwa downed even Hyeok Clan.
You'll catch it anyway—what worry?
Wanted to sigh openly. Tak Horak might've been better—but he was rumor-hunting. Nosy guy fished useful intel, so free rein. Wonder what he'd bring.
Maybe that's how he joined assassin-tracker Black Shadow Corps—info-gathering charm.
Me daydreaming? Tension low. After facing Heavenly Demon's gaze, yeah.
Still cautious. Not just beast—Hyeok Clan might target us.
...Ah.
Cheol Mu Geuk's blank face: intelligence nerfed.
Mu Geuk Cheon Hwa rampaged in Red Dragon territory. Hyeok Mun would block entry or sabotage capture.
Cheol So Pyeong thumped his chest.
No big worry. Hyeok Mun babies himself. Won't dare.
This combo... trustworthy?
Pretending to Be the Heavenly Demon