Chapter: 268
When Namgung Jin opened his eyes, it was increasingly getting dark outside.
Reflecting back on when he arrived in the morning, he could truly feel how much time had passed.
This crazy person had devoured all my time and sat around all day, forcing me to waste my time as well.
Ah, I really should have just left him behind.
‘Why did he have to come at this time?’
Namgung Bi-ah was crouched next to Namgung Jin, gazing at him.
Just when I thought about abandoning it, he showed up.
Now I couldn’t leave the place at all.
To be precise, it would have been fine if I hadn’t made a fuss about enforcing the law.
It’s always that guy’s mouth that causes trouble.
As the sunset continued its descent,
“Hah….”
Lost in enlightenment, Namgung Jin finally snapped back to reality.
The energy subtly visible in his eyes was faint yet clear.
‘It has deepened.’
Being a martial artist of the enlightenment stage, he must have long passed the level where one could just shatter everything with a single moment of realization.
What Namgung Jin is feeling now,
Is probably just a sense of comfort.
I don’t know how significant that feeling is to him.
Watching Namgung Jin, who was lost in thought with a blank expression,
He eventually shut his eyes and bowed to me.
“…Thank you….”
Those were words filled with genuine sincerity.
Doesn’t he even mind that Namgung Bi-ah is right next to him?
If not, he might be so deep in enlightenment that he couldn’t focus on anything else.
“… Yes, well. Congratulations.”
That was all I could come up with to say.
To be honest, I just got lucky.
I merely used what I learned from the Demon Sword Queen in my previous life.
In the end, I had achieved what I desired.
Thanks to that, I had a reason to escape,
But, ‘Is this enough?’
I knew it wasn’t completely resolved.
The blade of the Namgung family, which had suffered through countless years and lost its value,
It doesn’t mean that Namgung Jin would just gain enlightenment again from a few words from me or from Elder Shin.
It wouldn’t make sense for the truth of swordsmanship, lost for centuries, to be recovered so effortlessly.
‘…Of course.’
A glance.
If I look at Namgung Bi-ah beside me, it wasn’t entirely impossible either.
I don’t know what methods or events led to it,
But the sword of the Demon Sword Queen I saw resembled the sword that reached the truth Namgung Jin was searching for.
I looked at her and said to Namgung Jin,
“…Just please don’t forget your promise.”
Hearing this,
Namgung Jin finally seemed to realize that Namgung Bi-ah was beside him, widening his eyes in surprise.
He then nodded.
A promise.
At the very least, he was to convey what he realized to Namgung Bi-ah.
It was one of the conditions I had set for Namgung Jin.
“Understood.”
Only after hearing Namgung Jin’s response did I turn around.
Regardless, it seemed things had resolved well, and I felt relieved.
Crack.
‘Tsk.’
I internally clicked my tongue, feeling a sharp pain in my lower abdomen from time to time.
It appeared to take longer than expected to replenish the vacant energy.
‘To be precise.’
Would it be more accurate to refer to it as lost energy?
That was because I had spent too much trying to turn Namgung Cheonjun into a demon.
I looked back and asked Namgung Jin,
“You plan to swing your sword more, right?”
“… I guess so.”
Namgung Jin affirmed my question.
That makes sense.
Considering he has only just grasped his enlightenment now,
He would want to swing his sword immediately to see the differences.
“Well, I’ll take my leave first.”
And just like that, I stepped outside.
Sure enough, the sky was already painted with the colors of dusk.
That meant a lot of time had been consumed.
‘Oh, right.’
Now that I think of it, before being dragged out by Namgung Jin,
I belatedly recalled that I had mentioned something to Namgung Cheonjun.
‘Does it matter?’
It’s not significant, so it should be fine.
As I took my steps,
Namgung Bi-ah seemed to still be following me out of the training ground.
Yet her gaze remained directed behind her.
Observing this, I asked,
“What’s going on?”
I suppose it must be concerning her father’s realization.
‘Come to think of it, she hasn’t asked anything.’
Given the context, she should have been aware that Namgung Jin reached enlightenment with my help.
However, Namgung Bi-ah didn’t bother to inquire why matters unfolded this way.
She appeared to think it wasn’t particularly important.
Shaking her head in response to my question, Namgung Bi-ah said,
“No… It’s nothing….”
With that, she resumed walking alongside me,
But her attention was still focused on Namgung Jin’s direction.
Later, we returned to our quarters.
Namgung Bi-ah turned back halfway after I told her to.
Usually, I should have done some training at least,
But since I hadn’t fully restored my energy yet, practicing felt a bit overwhelming.
‘How long will it take?’
I didn’t think it would take too long to recharge.
Even so, the exhaustion of energy was a significant issue for a martial artist.
If something were to happen, it would mean I couldn’t move properly.
Given that we were in the Namgung family’s territory,
I doubt anything serious would occur.
[…creak… groan.]
The problem was the whiny little creature inside me.
He seemed to be mumbling about being hungry.
‘As if things weren’t complicated enough, don’t rush me.’
Even so, there was little I could do at the moment.
There was nowhere to procure magic stones,
And I certainly couldn’t just sneak out and hunt monsters.
With the Namgung clan keeping watch over this place,
Despite everything going downhill, it still held prestige. The number and quality of the deployed martial artists were impressive, ensuring Anhui had considerable safety.
At the very least, there weren’t even monster hairs to be seen around, so hunting them would require quite a journey.
‘So just hang in there for a few days. I’ll feed you quickly as soon as I can get out.’
[Grrr…]
Ignoring the creature who seemed to whine about the hardships,
I stepped into the residence.
As soon as I entered, Hongwa approached and asked if I wanted to eat.
I told her I’d eat later.
“Did you stay out of the room?”
“Oh, yes. I didn’t go in as you instructed.”
“Good.”
After confirming that, I sent Hongwa away and entered the room.
Whoosh.
As soon as I stepped inside, a shock wave rippled around the room.
Trying to utilize the little power I had made my danjeon scream again.
There was no other choice.
“Ugh… Ugh.”
Upon entering the room, a peculiar sight met my eyes as a strange figure groaned.
He was sweating profusely, with his head planted firmly against the ground in a punishment-like position.
The identity of that strange figure was none other than Namgung Cheonjun.
Seeing this made me smile awkwardly.
“Sorry, I completely forgot about you.”
“…Ugh… You… monster….”
Clap.
When I clapped my hands lightly, Namgung Cheonjun finally relaxed his posture and collapsed.
Approaching the exhausted being sprawled out on the ground, I said,
“Did I know that your father would suddenly pop up and drag me away?”
“Phew… Phew.”
Because Namgung Jin showed up that morning,
Namgung Cheonjun was forcibly tossed out of the residence.
Just before leaving, I had given him an instruction.
‘Don’t go anywhere. Just go to my room and bury your head in the ground.’
Because I had said that, Namgung Cheonjun was really doing just that in my room.
‘Something feels off?’
Even though I had ordered it, the thought of him lying in someone else’s room, sweating profusely with his head down,
Made me feel uneasy without realizing it.
Smack!
I kicked Namgung Cheonjun’s calf with my foot.
“Ugh!”
“Sorry, I felt a bit uncomfortable.”
“…You… little brat…”
“Your tone still hasn’t changed. Want to try hitting me one more time?”
“…”
Namgung Cheonjun’s mouth tightened at my words.
I couldn’t help but chuckle at that.
“If you’ve had enough rest, start getting up.”
“…Ah, it hasn’t even been half an hour yet. Ugh!”
Although he said that, Namgung Cheonjun’s weary body began to rise involuntarily.
Looking at him, I smirked and suggested,
“Let’s try out some experiments while we’re at it.”
“…”
Even as I spoke with a hint of excitement,
Namgung Cheonjun’s face began to panic.
Although this was called an experiment, I didn’t do much.
I just wanted to find out if Namgung Cheonjun had really become a demon.
What kind of consequences would arise from it?
What level of control do I have, and so forth.
I conducted a light experiment,
‘His physical capabilities have increased.’
Namgung Cheonjun’s physical abilities were slightly higher than they originally were.
It could be attributed to the original bloodlust that had soaked his body,
But at this moment, it would be more accurate to view it as the effects of magic.
‘I also need to observe the side effects of the energy.’
The side effect of magic is madness.
While gaining powers that surpass one’s own levels,
The individual gradually succumbs to madness.
Of course, there comes a point where one can break free,
But at least that’s a level that has to be passed.
What about Blood Energy?
What side effects could it possibly have?
Every ability comes with a trade-off.
The climb in skill is due to effort and time; if magic is the spirit,
Then what’s blood energy?
‘The fatigue and excruciating pain that follows its use.’
When I noticed the recoil as if my danjeon and physical body were cracking,
The side effects of blood energy seemed to be.
‘The consumption of innate energy.’
I believe that’s what it is.
If it’s not a mental issue, it would’ve taken something far more fundamental.
The innate energy that forms the foundation of humanity,
It’s an energy that can’t be increased in quantity or altered through mere effort.
‘Using it doesn’t mean it’ll diminish forever….’
Though it’ll also restore when used wisely,
Since it’s the essence of life, it can’t be squandered without care.
Not to mention, an unskilled martial artist wouldn’t even have the freedom to use it or not in the first place.
‘If blood energy uses it as a side effect of force,’
It would indeed be accurate to say that one risks their life.
Thus, blood energy can potentially possess even greater powers.
“Is this what this crazy guy has in his body?”
I poked Namgung Cheonjun, who was unconscious on the floor, with my toe.
It was Namgung Cheonjun.
“Tsk.”
After rolling him around for a few minor experiments, he eventually lost consciousness and collapsed.
Thanks to that ordeal, I could learn quite a bit.
First off, Namgung Cheonjun was able to wield magic.
‘It directly affects the brain.’
I noticed the magical light slowly beginning to change.
Its intensity increased, and the range expanded, while the colors became more pronounced.
To anyone observing, it no longer looked like normal energy.
The good news is that he could opt not to use it.
This means that.
‘It means he can exercise self-control.’
Namgung Cheonjun, upon witnessing the magic based on my instructions,
Wore an expression of amazement.
It appeared he understood just how much stronger the brain energy he was using had become.
Of course,
I had firmly instructed him not to use it anymore.
It was not a power to be casually employed.
This reckless child, however, seemed oblivious to that fact.
‘The coercive force is….’
It’s about obeying commands and wishes.
I was also curious how far this could be extended.
When I commanded Namgung Cheonjun to die, he without hesitation attempted to take his own life.
Of course, judging by his expression, it did not seem to be his own will.
‘So he does listen, huh?’
Knowing this much was adequate for me.
Had I not stopped him at that moment, he would’ve likely died for real.
The coercion was undeniably powerful.
And the clear reason this was all possible,
Was the consumption of magic energy.
It was my magical energy drawn into Namgung Cheonjun’s body that made things happen.
Making him follow orders.
Strengthening Namgung Cheonjun’s powers.
All of it was because I secured my own power.
‘When I instructed him to die, I saw his magic drain away swiftly. It seems it varies with intensity.’
At the moment he fulfilled a command, his magic is consumed.
The same went for Namgung Cheonjun when he tried to use magic independently.
“It stinks.”
That was the thought crossing my mind as I verified various details.
It’s truly frustrating.
I didn’t wish to learn this.
I never anticipated finding out.
I continually clicked my tongue while observing the fainted Namgung Cheonjun.
Though he seemed a fool, Namgung Cheonjun was also a high-level expert.
I had exhausted a fair amount of energy inserting magic through the gaps in his relatively robust danjeon, corrupting him into a demon.
Looking at this, it felt like corrupting someone who had a higher level than me might not be plausible.
Could it be that the side effects of succumbing to madness, as seen in my previous life, would be similar?
That much was still uncertain.
The significant takeaway here is,
Ultimately, no matter how you look at it, Namgung Cheonjun has become a demon. Moreover, he is in the process of becoming one.
I’ve managed to create this situation.
‘…’
Which made me very curious.
Was that Heavenly Horse in my previous life not different from this?
And,
What is it that you want from me?
What is the purpose of granting me these powers?
I felt the urge to ask someone.
‘To find out.’
If I were to ask that little beast, it would probably just mutter without providing a proper answer.
If I wanted to look for Cheonma, would I even know where to begin?
Therefore,
I needed to find someone I could ask right away.
Thankfully,
A certain someone came to mind.
Someone I believe would at least have a fragment of insight into this situation.
I had met him in my previous life.
An encounter that kept me alive but also brought my life to the brink of ruination.
A massive tree that called itself the World Tree.
I now had to find that tree, likely still trapped in a false magic realm, waiting for someone.
I think he knows.
‘To do that,’
I first needed to head there.
I had to find a way to open a magic gate leading there as quickly as possible.
Fortunately,
I was familiar with someone who could achieve this.
‘I might not know where he is right now.’
But I’ll meet him.
If my predictions are correct, he will likely be admitted to the Shinryongwon.
Once I go there, I should be able to meet him.
This means,
It adds another reason for me to enter Shinryongwon.
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