Chapter 491: Shin-ui searches for the White Horse Stone.
The branch manager definitely said so.
‘The White Horse Stone.’
Centuries ago, during a time when hundred-ranked monsters roamed, it was said that nothing remained except what the martial artists had dealt with.
In terms of rarity, it was far more valuable than the Night Pearl and existed in minute quantities.
What’s worse is the bigger issue.
‘There’s no use for it.’
The magic stones that come from a monster’s body are, in the first place, utterly useless.
While they might look beautiful and tempting to be used as jewels, the magic stone extracted from a monster would lose its color and turn into an ordinary rock after just a few days—so it couldn’t be used that way.
That’s why I took the trouble to hunt monsters myself and gather magic stones.
‘Lost color means lost energy.’
There’s no need to pay attention to a magic stone that has no energy left to absorb.
Moreover, since I possess the Magic Heavenly Absorption skill, I can actually use the magic stones.
For everyone else, they are simply another useless trinket.
When you think about it, it’s quite unusual that the White Horse Stone still retains its color and energy.
It’s rather strange that God needs this.
‘Why?’
What on earth?
Is Shin-ui looking for the White Horse Stone?
Is it related to why Shin-ui came to Sichuan?
Besides, even if God is indeed searching for the White Horse Stone…
‘Is there a way to use that?’
It’s simply remarkable that an ordinary human could even do something with a magic stone.
‘Hmm.’
As I pondered this, I naturally couldn’t help but recall the White Horse Stone I possessed.
The White Horse Stone I obtained from the note on the Tangjemun. Fortunately, I had brought it with me, just like the Night Pearl, and kept it stored separately.
It hadn’t been absorbed yet.
‘I didn’t mean to put it off; it’s just…’
I simply didn’t have the time for that.
After remaking my vessel, I was freed from a body that felt like it could drop dead at any moment.
At the same time, having completely stabilized myself in an imperfect state, I found that I didn’t really need to consume the White Horse Stone after all.
‘It’s not urgent right now.’
While having more energy is great, when it increases too rapidly, it naturally takes longer to stabilize.
If rushed, some energy might even be wasted; I planned to consume it when things settled, but now…
‘… this situation happens to be when God is in need…’
If a person called Shin-ui went all the way to the upper ranks to ask, it suggested that there was some urgency.
‘Hmm.’
As I figured this out, something flickered through my mind.
A conversation I had with Wi Seol-ah long ago—vague memories resurfaced.
The incident where Wi Seol-ah forcefully blocked the Sword Venerable’s power with the help of divine energy and the Sealing Stone.
Thinking about how she made such a decision, I found it quite puzzling.
‘Well, this is perfect timing.’
A person suddenly appeared who could provide the answers I sought, making the situation all the more convenient.
Moreover…
‘… they even brought up my weakness. And I have the key to shake it?’
It couldn’t have been a more opportune moment.
Although I generally think favorably of God, my circumstances were far too tight for me to indulge in such shallow feelings.
Just as I began to sort out what to do next, I heard a voice.
“It seems like there’s something urgent going on.”
“…”
I had to snap back to reality upon hearing the voice before me.
Because there was a person standing right in front of me.
At that moment, while the moon had just risen.
Right after finishing the business at Baekhwasangdan, I had taken a little stroll with my kids, casually stopped at a guesthouse for a quick meal, and was just now returning.
With only a single schedule left to go.
“You called me here, and now you’re daydreaming in front of my face? Tsk, tsk.”
It was none other than facing the one and only Pajeon.
As soon as I arrived at the Tang Gate, I bumped into him.
Pajeon clicked his tongue briefly and looked at me sideways.
“… sorry.”
I must have been swamped with tasks because I momentarily lost focus. To have called him over only to space out like this was extremely rude.
Thankfully, Pajeon didn’t seem to mind too much.
“Forget about it.”
I glanced at Pajeon as he waved his hands dismissively while talking.
He seemed to have been training right up until now, as his body radiated heat and was slick with sweat.
Perhaps due to heightened senses, but it was almost impossible to find a moment when Pajeon’s body didn’t carry the scent of sweat.
As always, he appeared to be perpetually training, something that I and indeed no one else could observe.
In that moment of studying Pajeon, Shin Noya’s voice echoed in my mind.
[That’s impressive.]
‘Are you speaking of Pajeon?’
[Yes, this is something I’ve wanted to mention every time I see him, but something seems off this time. There’s a different vibe.]
‘Is that so?’
Back when I first met Pajeon, Shin Noya had been dormant—so that part of the conversation had been skipped.
It sparked my curiosity about how Pajeon appeared to Shin Noya now.
Suddenly wondering how exactly is he different.
Pajeon must have gone through a great deal during the process of transformation, causing his body’s condition to decline. So how is he appearing different now?
[His body is exceptionally well-kept.]
‘What?’
Shin Noya’s words immediately raised questions in my mind.
Could that even be possible after experiencing a half-life transformation?
As soon as I voiced my confusion, Shin Noya elaborated as if to clarify.
[That’s usually the norm. Bodies and meridians destroyed through half-life transformation can never fully return to their previous state.]
Those who experienced that transformation can never be fully restored—even if they absorb numerous opportunities and gain profound insights.
Even if their realm improves, their physical vessels have already collapsed irreparably.
But what was Noya referring to?
[The fact that his body is well-kept means that the assimilation rate between his energy and physical form is high. Unlike a broken vessel, he’s maintaining a splendid union of energy and flesh, which is nothing short of remarkable.]
‘…hmm.’
I had to ponder deeply to grasp Shin Noya’s words more clearly.
When an unmanned martial artist reaches their peak, the energy within the Dantian slowly merges into their body.
This transformative point not only affects their strength but also their senses, which is why martial artists often call it a moment of change when witnessing the peak.
I suspected whether this is what Noya meant earlier.
‘But a high assimilation rate, huh?’
Revisiting those words, I carefully examined Pajeon’s body.
Having not observed it closely before, I still saw no visible changes.
Noticing my gaze, Pajeon tilted his head slightly.
“What’s got your eyes all wide like that?”
“… Just a second. I thought I saw you practicing hard, so I just glanced.”
“Hmm.”
Pajeon’s gaze slid over my body after hearing my words.
Is he checking if I’ve been training or not?
‘… I’m not confident about that though.’
Having rolled around here and there for a while without any solid training, I felt insecure about this aspect.
With that lingering worry under Pajeon’s scrutiny, I suddenly detected something unusual in his eyes.
Lurk.
“…!”
In an instant, he seized my arm and pulled me closer.
It occurred so swiftly that I couldn’t even muster a reaction.
“Elder…?”
With bewilderment filling my expression, I called out to him, but he fixed his intense gaze on me while clutching my arm.
“What is it?”
“Huh?”
“What in the world happened? What body is this?”
“…!”
I desperately attempted to free myself from his grasp, but his grip was unyielding.
‘Wait, did he notice?’
The effects of the gas transformation technique that even the Poison King couldn’t scent out—Pajeon, it seemed, recognized the change in me the instant he set eyes on me.
‘… I can scarcely see it myself. How could he tell?’
It was so minute a difference that I couldn’t notice it myself; how could Pajeon spot such subtle variations?
“What trouble did you stir up this time?”
“…”
Pajeon’s penetrating gaze felt intense.
It was as if he would never loosen his grip until I provided a satisfactory answer.
Damn it.
This certainly wasn’t the reason I sought him out.
‘What should I do…?’
I contemplated delivering an excuse, but one look at Pajeon’s eyes told me I couldn’t just waltz away with flimsy justifications.
‘Tsk.’
All I wanted was to discuss how I would learn and train in martial arts moving forward.
I couldn’t believe I’d been exposed so easily right at the start.
Perhaps I overly underestimated Pajeon.
After contemplating and struggling with my held arm for some time, I finally made my choice.
I knew I wouldn’t escape anyway. Plus, I had to eventually share these details with Pajeon.
From the standpoint of learning martial arts, I couldn’t hide this indefinitely.
Swish.
I shifted the energy in my heart.
Following the phrases implanted by the Tang Dynasty, I felt an immediate change course through my body.
Crack, crack, crack.
“…!”
As my joints shifted and my muscles adjusted, I could see Pajeon’s eyes widening in shock.
My vision felt vibrant, the muscles began to swell, and my frame grew.
Almost half a span taller now.
I could feel considerable growth in both height and build.
This was my true physique at present.
Given the gas transformation technique, I originally thought it required minimal feedback when executed in such outrageous transformations.
But now, returning to my original state from a reduced form revealed a difference far greater than I expected.
I sensed the energy that burst forth from my heart had surged significantly.
Gradually activated warmth flooded back as I slowly opened my eyes.
The first thing that came into focus was Pajeon’s eyes, still looking at me.
The most fervent gaze I’d seen from him yet.
Did he appear so flustered because of my current state?
After all, anyone would be taken aback if their disciple showed up looking like this after just a few days of absence.
So where do I even begin to explain?
Even if I couldn’t articulate the scaly covering on my left arm, I had to address the changes in my body.
Because I was aware of the expectations Pajeon held for me.
He wanted me to continue with his martial arts. Also, to reach the pinnacle that lies beyond.
Understanding this weighed heavily on me.
‘I’m not human anymore.’
As a human, pursuing the breaking of one’s limits to reach greater heights is natural.
But with Pajeon hoping I would achieve that through his martial wisdom…
It was far too late for me to follow through on that.
‘I never anticipated it would go this way…’
Unfairness was something I couldn’t do anything about.
Regardless of my intentions, the outcome was this; for someone like Pajeon, who might have held expectations for faith from me, it would be troubling.
Knowing this only made the prospect of opening my mouth to Pajeon all the more daunting.
“… regarding that.”
As I looked into the trembling eyes of Pajeon, I hesitated, trying to find the words to express what I had to share.
Crunch.
Pajeon quickly grabbed my other shoulder as well, in addition to my arm.
“What’s the deal?”
He rapidly examined my body all over.
“How did you do this?”
At that moment, I believed he was asking me to elaborate on the true essence of martial arts.
“What is this martial art? I’ve never seen anything like it! It clearly goes beyond merely transforming the body. What’s the underlying principle? How does the energy flow? Where’s the Dantian gone? Do we start from the heart when moving the energy? Can you perform martial arts while in this body transformation? If so, you can shorten the distance just by extending your limbs. That flexibility adds surprise to your tactics!”
“…”
I was left momentarily speechless as the barrage of questions rushed forth.
How many words did he cram into that brief interval…?
His rapid-fire questions left me dazed.
“Why aren’t you responding?”
“… Uh, well…”
I was utterly clueless on how to answer.
I was overwhelmed with the flurry of questions—my head was starting to throb.
Contrary to my expectations that Pajeon would berate me for my transformation, he appeared far more intrigued by the gas transformation technique than my altered state.
That was an unexpected element of his response…
As I struggled to formulate a response, merely rolling my eyes about,
[I see.]
Noya chirped in, almost as if he had pieced something together.
[So, similar souls attract, eh? You’re quite the pervert yourself, and so is this author. It makes sense—there can’t be any normal individuals around you, you mischievous brat. Naturally!]
“…”
While I prided myself on being relieved, I couldn’t shake off how infuriating that comment was.
Even more frustrating was the summary that I couldn’t find in myself to refute such ridiculousness.
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