Chapter: 955
After finishing my conversation with Shin Noya, I made my way back down to the castle.
It was still not even noon yet.
The place was crowded with people, and the energy was just as lively as ever.
I had felt it at the Night Moon Palace too, but there’s something particularly bright about the atmosphere here.
Although the Central Plains are bustling, they feel somewhat impatient and heated. In contrast, this place has a more comfortable vibe.
What could be different?
What sets this place apart from the Central Plains?
It feels like there must be some distinction other than just being a different world.
Suddenly curious about this, I started to stroll around, looking here and there.
Hmm…
Of course, it wasn’t something you could simply figure out at a glance.
No, honestly speaking, I wasn’t really trying to find out.
It’s just comforting to watch.
I’m drawn to that cozy atmosphere that it exudes.
You really worked hard, huh?
What did Noya say? Wasn’t it something about this place being created over a hundred years ago?
For just a little over a century, it’s impressively made.
While silently appreciating it…
“Huh?”
I felt eyes on me from somewhere.
People staring at me wasn’t unusual, but this time, it felt… different.
I squinted, following the line of sight.
Normally, I’d just brush it off, but…
What?
This time, there was emotion behind it.
Specifically, a rather negative emotion.
Finding the source by looking around, I realized:
Those people…
I identified the cause in the direction I was gazing.
They were the dwarves I had encountered at the blacksmith shop last time, all unusually small compared to the others of unique appearances in the Volcano Sect.
They gazed at me, filled with anxiety and fear, mingled with a watchful resentment.
Ah…
That was when it clicked why they were beholding me in that manner.
Ah, it’s because of that incident.
The happenings at the blacksmith shop from before.
The entire fiasco involving the person in charge there had likely reached them.
When I had touched the gloves he wore, my hands melted! And then there were those accusational looks from when I revealed I was a dragon.
It seemed like that had rippled through to them.
Have the rumors spread to them?
The children looked unfazed, but the older ones protecting them were the concerning factor.
There was a steadfast determination in their expressions, signaling they wouldn’t let anyone near.
What did I recall? Hadn’t they said they were persecuted by dragons and forced to live as slaves?
…
Remembering this, I pretended to take a step toward them.
“Eek-!”
“Ugh…!”
They instinctively shoved the children back, glaring at me.
Noting their reaction, I awkwardly scratched my head. With such a response, trying anything right now felt a little complicated.
Not now…
According to the plan, we’d need those—specifically, the blacksmiths’ abilities.
Currently, my approach was a bit hazy, and considering my schedule, I decided to turn away for the time being.
Being glared at for having done nothing felt a bit disheartening, though.
But I’m used to it.
I was so accustomed to being looked down upon that I quickly brushed it off.
Moreover…
Anyway…
Whether they liked it or not.
I needed to make use of them. In reality, it didn’t matter if they viewed me negatively.
If they insisted on holding me in a bad light…
I could just reflect a similar attitude back.
So, all’s well that ends well.
With that thought, I strolled toward the tea house where the turtle was located.
—
After wandering around a bit, I unexpectedly arrived at the Turtle Tea House.
But—
…What is this?
I found myself staring blankly at the sight before me.
“It must be gone, right?”
The tea house that you’d expect to find here had vanished without a trace.
Even the remnants were missing.
It was utterly empty, as if nothing had ever existed there.
…Ugh.
This was ridiculous.
What in the world was going on? I made a face at this unbelievable situation.
Does it even make sense to just disappear without a word? Where did all the signs go?
This is kind of infuriating…
…Am I losing my mind?
It did seem plausible; it was the sort of thing that could only happen if you were crazy.
But…
That’s not it.
Unfortunately, it didn’t appear that I was losing it just yet.
There were still too many tasks ahead before I’d reach that point.
So, I quietly gazed at where the tea house should have been.
Feels like someone is pulling a prank here…
The turtle must have done something.
Steeling my focus with that thought in mind, I started to gather my energy.
Whoooom—!!
With a surge of confidence, my heart thrummed, and a warm glow rose to my eyes.
I activated my mind’s eye.
As soon as I did, ripples flickered across my field of vision.
The more I utilized this technique and grew accustomed to it, the more one truth solidified in my mind:
Every object possesses energy.
It’s evident that any given item carries its unique energy.
The heart technique isn’t merely about predicting energy movements and finding vulnerabilities in your opponent.
It encompasses observing the energy itself and absorbing it faster.
I believed that might just be the core of the mind technique devised by Paejon.
…The more I dwell on it, the more I marvel at him.
How on earth did he ever come up with such absurd strength?
Both the Paecheon and the mind technique were constantly puzzling me.
Anyway…
All those who taught me were genuinely monstrous beings.
From Shin Noya to Paejon—every last one of them.
Considering that I wouldn’t become arrogant even if I exerted all my efforts, maybe it was something to be grateful for?
Is it really a good thing, though…
But that’s secondary.
I kept my mind’s eye open and meticulously scanned my surroundings.
The trees, the rocks, even the drifting plum blossom petals from the sky—
Each little item was imbued with energy.
The intensity of their energy differed based on their size, but the serrated outlines of the energy wavered unmistakably.
I continued to gaze forward.
There!
I spotted it!
In the area that appeared to be empty air, energy shimmered.
From its shape, it obviously resembled a house.
Hmm…
I shut my eyes as I pondered.
Whoooom—!!
The energy unfurled, and my mind’s eye flickered away.
Then—
Whooosh!!
I channeled the energy from my eyes into my fists.
Zzt!
In an instant, the powerful impact coursed through me.
The ring of the Gu Flame Wheel technique expanded wildly, swirling chaotically while intertwining with the ferocity of the Paecheon.
I shrouded them to prevent any untimely detonation, wrapping my spatial senses in a protective spell.
With the compressed explosive power emerging from the friction, I contained it within my fist.
Grroooowwwwl.
Violent vibrations jolted through my bones.
I forcibly restrained my blood-tinged body and steadied myself.
My posture remained chaotic, yet poised as if ready to unleash a series of strikes.
And just then—
“Stop—!”
Something dashed out from the air.
It was the turtle!
“You crazy fool! What are you trying to do right now?!”
Startled, the turtle’s hidden eyes glinted with urgency.
His pupils, partially obscured by his brows, seemed no bigger than game pieces.
“Whoa.”
I exhaled, dispelling the energy I had built up.
At that moment—
Whooooosh—!!!
An immense gust of wind blasted from my body.
As I hesitated to release the surging energy, the shockwave enveloped the area.
“Ugh!”
The turtle stumbled backward, leaning heavily on his staff for support.
As the wind subsided, he shouted at me in an irate tone.
“Just what were you trying to do?!”
I cocked my head, responding earnestly.
“I thought you weren’t coming out, so I was just trying to create some noise to coax you out.”
“Noise…? That’s the noise you call it?!”
He looked utterly flabbergasted, scrunching his face in disbelief.
“Which fool in this world makes noise like that?!”
“Well… you did come out.”
I mean, who asked you to hide away?
Reluctantly, I felt a bit slighted.
Looking closely, it seemed he was hiding for some hidden purpose. Discovering how to untangle that mess felt like a hassle.
So I was just going to blow it all away.
I wanted to try using the Heavenly Demon’s Demonic Arts to practice a little, but just before I could, the turtle dashed out hurriedly.
If he’d reacted differently, this could have been a complete disaster.
Knowing he burst out before I launched anything, they hadn’t likely prepped for anything survivable.
“Seriously, what a madman you are. Just what were you intending to use?”
“Just practicing a little.”
“…Practicing?”
“Yes. It feels somewhat usable. Not that I can use it often; I’m just trying to familiarize myself with it.”
“Are you really trying to get accustomed to such nonsense? Do you even grasp what you were trying to do just now?”
“Um… something along the lines of spectacular?”
“You’re out of your mind.”
The turtle shook his head in exasperation.
His voice was filled with palpable frustration.
What’s with the fuss?
“Is there a problem?”
“A problem? Absolutely. What you were aiming for just now strays far from logic.”
“Oh…”
Is it really that chaotic?
“Just one would be unreasonable, but attempting to fuse four? Have you lost it?”
“No, but if I don’t do it this way, I won’t get what I desire.”
In order to build up power, I had to create friction.
And I had to endure until it was time to unleash before layering the techniques.
Oh, and it had to be tied again with a spell to ensure it didn’t break apart.
The turtle seemed ready to speak, but then—
“If you proceed in that way, not just your body but your very soul…”
He trailed off, closing his mouth. It was clear he wanted to say more but refrained.
“…Right. Just come in for a moment.”
“Is it alright for me to enter now?”
“If I say you can’t, would you keep barging in anyways? Isn’t there only one choice left?”
“Then, allow me to intrude.”
I confidently stepped into the turtle’s space. He still gazed at me, somewhat displeased, but I casually brushed it off.
As I passed him, suddenly the turtle’s tea house materialized before me.
Just as I suspected; it had to be part of some enchantment.
Nodding at the familiar sight, I addressed the turtle.
“You don’t have to bring me tea.”
“I never intended to you this brat.”
Tsk tsk. The turtle clicked his tongue, striding ahead.
As he dragged a chair to sit, I took the opposite seat.
“…What brings you here this time?”
“Do you remember what you told me last time?”
“Last time?”
“Yes. When you said to come find you once I truly needed something.”
…
His own words seemed to echo in his mind, as the turtle raised an eyebrow.
“That time… it can’t already be upon us, can it?”
“I don’t know when that time is, but I currently need the Elder. I find myself in need of some grooming.”
“Grooming?”
What a strange thing to say; the turtle looked at me incredulously.
Meeting his gaze, I replied nonchalantly.
“Yes. Grooming. I need to go visit my mother. I can’t do that in this state.”
“Mother? Are you going to see your mother in this place?”
“Yes.”
“Where exactly is your mother suddenly? And why the need for this grooming all of a sudden?”
“They say my mother is the ruler of this world.”
…What?
At my words, the turtle’s eyes widened as if resembling lanterns.
Ah, technically speaking, they were only a tad larger than the usual game pieces.
“No way…”
The turtle stuttered for a moment, falling silent.
After pondering for a bit, his mind seemed to shift.
“…I see.”
In due time, he nodded as if to signal he understood.
However, his expression carried a noticeably forlorn and dried-out demeanor.
“So… so that’s what it was.”
“…Elder?”
“You are the offspring of the Yao Fox.”
At that moment—
Kurururrr…!!
The space tremored violently.
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