Chapter 503: Give it to me just once.

A curse was laid upon humans.

I mulled over those words from Shin Noyanim.

‘A curse.’

What kind of curse did they lay?

‘Did they say the power martial artists gain has decreased?’

The power of martial artists building their realms has generally lowered.

This statement raised several questions for me.

‘Has the limit been lowered?’

‘Or has the power gained itself decreased?’

I don’t know. But if what Shin Noyanim said is true.

‘I’m screwed.’

No matter how I looked at it, I could tell the future was incredibly arduous.

Powers that were nothing special in Noyanim’s era have now reached a point where they can no longer be wielded.

That means…

‘We couldn’t even stop the Blood Demon with that.’

It was a truly dog-shitty situation.

‘Well, the Blood Demon is sealed, but…’

I tried to think that way, but.

Judging by the Blood Demon’s reactions and the way it directly revealed itself, I had a feeling that wasn’t the case either.

The Blood Demon looked like it could break the seal and emerge at any time.

Yet, seeing as it maintained its state, somehow…

‘It’s waiting for something.’

It seemed like it was just waiting for a certain situation.

What could that possibly be?

Also.

‘What about the Heavenly Demon?’

It wasn’t just the Blood Demon; the Heavenly Demon was also a problem.

Hooook-!

Feeling the ground beneath my feet, I twisted my waist.

Uddeuk-! The ground caved in under the pressure.

The internal energy of Tua Pa Cheon Mu was writhing within my body.

Pain surged.

Even after shedding my skin, the pain remained.

It was still painful and agonizing, but.

Now, I could face this level without batting an eye.

I stretched out my arm.

Pang-! A sonic boom erupted above the space my fist grazed. Along with that.

Hwaruk-! Along with the sound, azure flames burst forth slightly.

“Tsk.”

Seeing that, I clicked my tongue.

Because those flames weren’t something I intended to unleash.

‘It’s hard to control…?’

Is it because my blood energy and body have merged?

Flames permeated every martial art I performed.

It’s not a bad thing.

Compared to the crimson flames I originally used, the azure flames possessed overwhelmingly greater power.

Since the delayed backlash that used to come with using blood energy disappeared, I could tell the side effects were gone too.

As the flames of Gu-yeom Hwa-ryun Gong permeated my martial arts, adding power…

I knew it was situationally quite helpful in combat, but…

‘…It hinders my training.’

It was subtly hindering my training of Tua Pa Cheon Mu.

Flames mixed with every movement, making it impossible to concentrate properly.

Tuk tuk.

I flicked my fingertips, then redirected the energy of Tua Pa Cheon Mu circulating in my body back to my heart.

‘Hmm.’

I surveyed my surroundings. I had now released the Body Transformation Technique and returned my physique to its original state.

It was to check my physical condition.

Although the heightened vision was still dizzying, I had become somewhat accustomed to it from the previous battle with the Pae-jon.

I could discern various things even when getting beaten up, but.

When checking by myself, I could notice other things too.

‘Definitely. Using the Body Transformation Technique feels a bit difficult.’

This is referring to the time I fought with Goe-seon.

Since I couldn’t reveal my true form, I had fought using my old body by force.

At first, I thought it wouldn’t matter since the Body Transformation Technique itself didn’t consume much energy.

But.

‘It’s much more bothersome than I thought.’

The Body Transformation Technique’s impact on my body was greater than expected.

‘Setting aside the energy consumption, maintaining it is annoying.’

Normally, it’s not noticeable, but the problem was maintaining the transformed physique via the Body Transformation Technique.

Even if it was a small amount of energy, I had to constantly use it to maintain balance.

It was just bothersome to maintain this even during combat.

‘…Should I just release it completely?’

Should I just release it and live like this? Such a thought flashed through my mind, but.

‘It’s impossible…’

There are various problems with doing that.

First and foremost, the biggest problem is that it’s too conspicuous.

I touched my cheek with my hand. As my fingertips brushed against my skin, I felt a strange sensation.

‘…Tsk.’

From afar, it looked no different from a normal person, but if you looked closely, you could see it.

The slightly altered skin, that is.

‘It’s not like my arm, but…’

Although it wasn’t like my left arm, which had changed color and was covered in scales.

My skin had also undergone some changes.

‘My hair color and pupils are also a problem.’

Perhaps it’s because of the changes in the Gu-yeom Hwa-ryun Gong itself that I harbored within my body.

What was gradually dyeing itself crimson had turned blue.

How am I supposed to explain this to my family?

‘My father is here of all people.’

Even my father, the one person I least wanted to explain this to, was here.

‘Should I run?’

Should I really run? Isn’t this the perfect opportunity for the runaway I’ve always wanted?

I genuinely thought that.

I felt like I could just bolt right now.

However.

‘[…Is that the best you can think of?]’

As expected, Shin Noyanim chimed in, along with…

The common-sense thought that it was far too late now also occurred to me.

‘…If things have gotten this bad, shouldn’t I be allowed to run?’

[…]

I said it jokingly, but Noyanim didn’t say anything in response.

It seemed even that old geezer had nothing to say.

‘You just need to try harder.’

That’s what Shin Noyanim used to say, but if Heaven itself blocked the effort itself, there’s no path forward for me.

No matter how I thought about it, wasn’t that incredibly cheap?

‘To throw a tantrum just because something failed a little.’

They blocked off my entire path just because things didn’t go according to their fucking whim. It’s truly shitty and cheap.

Even amidst this, a question arose.

‘Noyanim.’

‘[…Yes.]’

‘You said Madam Tang called it a curse.’

‘[She’s not a Madam!]’

‘Anyway.’

That shouldn’t be the important thing right now, but you’re still nitpicking.

Seriously, you’re so quick to pick up on things.

‘If that’s the case, then so be it. But I do have a slight question.’

‘[What is it?]’

‘No. It’s just…’

“‘The world laid a curse to lower the quality of martial artists.'”

That’s what Noyanim said after hearing Tang Je-mun’s words, but.

‘…Something.’

Unlike that, there’s something else that’s bothering me.

“‘-What do you think will happen to a world where its master has disappeared?'”

Both Yeon Il-cheon and the Blood Demon said that.

A world whose master should have resided on this land has vanished.

That is the current world.

And some crazy world wanted to turn such a world upside down.

Judging by their actions, it wouldn’t be strange if they did messed-up things with curses or whatnot, but.

‘A world without its master. Is that really not a problem?’

Such a question arose.

If the world’s master is the connection point for all life.

I wondered if this world, which disappeared for karma, was truly alright.

‘Perhaps, instead of a curse… could it be the influence of that?’

I held the fact that human limits had lowered as certain.

Suddenly, I thought maybe that was the reason, but.

‘…Neither matters anyway.’

Now was the time to consider something else.

‘Noyanim.’

‘[Yes…]’

I called out to Noyanim and clenched my fist.

Then, the Gui-jeong (晷正) tied to my left arm reacted.

Kkumeul.

The sensation changed.

The Gui-jeong began to move according to my will.

It slowly slid down.

I guided the Gui-jeong tied around my forearm to my fingertips and untied it.

Applying Noyanim’s words about using it as a sword, I tied it around my hand, changing it into the form of gauntlets (拳鉀).

It absolutely wouldn’t break or shatter.

If I utilized the power the Gui-jeong possessed, it would become quite a good weapon.

Moreover.

‘With this kind of feel, it’s not very uncomfortable.’

In reality, it felt similar to bandages, so for me, a martial artist who disliked gauntlets, it was the perfect weapon.

Therefore, I had to put in more effort to get used to the Gui-jeong.

I tried using it once last time, and it seemed okay.

“You said the world laid a curse upon humans, didn’t you?”

‘[And?]’

“Then I’m curious. What happens to me?”

‘[…What? What happens, what do you mean what happens?]’

“I’m not human anymore, am I?”

[…!]

Why was I so calm after hearing such shocking news?

I pondered it throughout my training, but I still don’t know.

It’s just…

It felt less significant than I expected.

“If it’s a curse laid upon humans… then I shouldn’t be affected anymore, right?”

[…Huh?]

Noyanim reacted as if asking what I meant upon hearing my words.

That was actually the case.

If it was called a curse upon humans, I thought I might not be related to it.

‘I’m not even human anymore.’

Even though I hated admitting it myself, it felt shitty.

If I’m no longer human, maybe this part won’t apply.

Ah, of course.

‘[It doesn’t seem like something you can view so simply.]’

As Noyanim said, it certainly wasn’t something that would be resolved so simply.

Nevertheless, I was hoping it would be.

‘[You brat.]’

“Yes.”

‘[I can’t understand. Why are you rejoicing?]’

“I’m rejoicing?”

‘[Yes… Why on earth is that?]’

“…”

I’m rejoicing?

At Noyanim’s words, I touched my mouth with my hand.

My lips were indeed slightly turned up.

It was hardly a situation to be smiling, so why was I?

As I thought deeply about it.

“…Ah.”

After thinking for a bit, I think I understood.

Why I was happy about this fact.

Perhaps it’s because I thought it was fortunate.

The hope that, since I wasn’t human, I wouldn’t be related to the curse.

That might be the reason.

‘Because I could become stronger alone?’

That could be it. Being able to advance alone when everyone else has reached their limit and stopped must have its appeal.

But.

That wasn’t the reason I was smiling now.

If it meant I could become stronger alone.

‘It feels like I’ve gained a justification to handle it alone.’

A justification to handle it alone, without dragging those around me into it.

It pisses me off that I have to roll alone, but the fact that the people who come to mind might be relatively okay because of it…

It was ironically fortunate.

‘[…You brat.]’

Noyanim uttered a tone that sounded pitying towards me.

‘Don’t look at me like that. It’s genuinely not bad.’

‘[…Who said I was looking at you like anything?]’

‘Isn’t it because you feel sorry that I have to clean up the shit you guys left behind?’

[…]

Noyanim didn’t answer my words this time either.

It’s obvious.

Even if that old geezer has a dirty and cheap temper, he wasn’t an evil person.

‘Don’t worry about it. Since I’m doing it anyway, I’m just cleaning up your shit too, Noyanim.’

‘[…Hey, stop calling it shit all the time. It makes me feel dirty.]’

‘Shit is shit, what else is it?’

It was obvious that this was also the reason Noyanim’s demeanor had been slightly subdued and downcast lately.

He sealed the Blood Demon, but he couldn’t handle it properly.

And because of that, it affected future generations.

He’s acting like this because of that guilt.

‘Why?’

Naturally, it’s an emotion I can’t comprehend.

After all that struggle to at least seal it, shouldn’t they be confident enough to say, ‘You guys handle the rest’? Why are they feeling sorry?

Although I jokingly called it shit, that was my actual thought.

The problem was that I ended up handling the remaining task, but.

As I said earlier.

‘If I intend to stop the Blood Calamity, it’s bound to overlap anyway.’

I knew the Heavenly Demon was connected to the Blood Demon.

And seeing things in other worlds, I even realized that perhaps the Divine Sword of my past life was also connected to the Blood Demon.

Furthermore.

‘The Murim Alliance itself is entangled with the Blood Demon.’

Based on the blood energy, it was an obvious conclusion.

If I wanted to do anything, I’d get involved anyway.

Therefore, there was no need for Noyanim to feel so sorry.

I’m doing it because it needs to be done. Just like from the beginning, the meaning is the same now.

Isn’t it rather fortunate?

‘It’s me, not the kids.’

That it’s me who has to roll on the ground, not them who should be happy and comfortable.

That much, at least, was fortunate.

‘[…Speaking of which, you brat.]’

“Yes.”

‘[Is it okay to just leave that guy as he is?]’

“That guy…?”

“Ah!”

I stopped midway through stretching at Noyanim’s words.

I remembered who Noyanim was referring to.

The Brain Eater. The entity contained within, presumed not to be Namgung Myung…

I had shoved it into a drawer and come outside.

It was making so much noise that I shoved it in a drawer.

Ironically, the sound disappeared when I moved away.

“Isn’t it fortunate? If it had permeated my energy like yours, Noyanim, my ears would have been ringing.”

Since Goe-seon had dumped it on me anyway, I thought leaving it shoved away would be fine.

Besides, it’s awkward to hand it over to Namgung Bi-ah right now.

‘…How did it end up like this.’

My head started to ache slightly as I tried to recall the Brain Eater.

The bloodline of the Namgung family. And yet, it was said that the Brain Eater couldn’t be held by anyone not chosen by it.

Why could I grasp it?

It was incredibly complicated in many ways.

I tried to find out about it, but Namgung Myung was making such a racket that I just shoved it away.

‘[…You really are something else.]’

Noyanim expressed surprise, asking if I really shoved it away, but.

‘It’s not like it’s going to get along with me anyway.’

Honestly, it’s a rather indifferent matter.

It’s not a weapon I’ll use.

Moreover.

‘I want some quiet right now.’

I was already feeling unsettled, and one grumpy old geezer was enough.

‘[…Ho ho. This punk…?]’

Even setting aside the complicated situation.

‘…The problem is this evening.’

There was also the issue with my father. How surprised I was to see my father suddenly appear in Sichuan.

I had even been told to prepare myself because he was going to discipline me that evening.

‘I really want to run.’

It was truly a situation filled with distress.

If it were up to me, I’d just get scolded and be done with it, but.

My father just dropped a word about having business to attend to and disappeared, so that wasn’t possible either.

‘Where on earth did he go?’

It was strange enough that he appeared suddenly.

I wondered what business he had in Sichuan that made him disappear.

I was a little curious about that.

---

The prefecture of Sichuan.

The Baekhwa Trading Company’s Sichuan branch, built in its center.

That was the most conspicuously splendid building in Sichuan.

From the entrance, the brilliantly decorated surroundings.

It was filled with well-trained staff.

It couldn’t be helped. The Company Head, Mi Hyoran, was someone who didn’t allow even the slightest slack, so the management of her subordinates was thorough.

And the Branch Manager responsible for this Sichuan branch.

Dae-meok-ri had been harboring lofty dreams lately.

The reason being.

Dae-meok-ri was feeling increasingly obsolete as he aged.

Moreover, as his lack of performance grew, signs of Dae-meok-ri attempting something shady reached the higher-ups, and rumors even began circulating about selecting a new branch manager for the Sichuan branch.

As anxiety sprouted day by day.

“‘-…What did you say?'”

“‘-The First Young Master of the Gu family has arrived.'”

“‘-Why would someone like that come here?'”

The First Young Master of the Gu family.

He had arrived.

He wasn’t the Company Head’s legitimate child, but rather a bastard son.

He was the sole male heir of the Gu family, and a figure whose position as family head was virtually assured.

Furthermore, he had recently earned the moniker ‘So-yeom-ra’ based on his outstanding talent.

And wasn’t he the youngest to reach Hwa-gyeong?

Of course, even Dae-meok-ri dismissed this part as a joke.

A martial artist not even twenty years old reaching Hwa-gyeong.

It was an unbelievable rumor.

In any case.

The important thing was that he had arrived.

It was around the time rumors were subtly circulating within the company that the Company Head favored him.

For Dae-meok-ri, it was impossible to refuse such a meeting.

‘Let’s use this chance to gain at least a few points towards keeping my position.’

It was a casual meeting he thought like that, but.

“‘-My mother would be pleased.'”

Recalling Gu Yangcheon saying that with a bright smile, Dae-meok-ri shuddered.

The aura he exuded.

The words and gaze that effortlessly pressured the other person.

He had heard that Gu Yangcheon shared no blood with the Company Head, yet Dae-meok-ri couldn’t understand why he felt a similar aura from Gu Yangcheon.

What he could understand was.

“‘…This is an opportunity.'”

That this might be a chance for the First Young Master to approach him.

His principles as a merchant? The pride he’d built over his life?

Dae-meok-ri knew none of that was worthwhile.

It might have been a chance to gain a major client like Sin-ui, but.

The problem was that he couldn’t provide the goods the client wanted.

Faced with the aura emanating from Gu Yangcheon right in front of him, Dae-meok-ri had no choice but to make a decision.

‘Let’s side with the First Young Master.’

Dae-meok-ri chose that path.

When he heard the news that Gu Yangcheon had sent a letter to the Baekhwa Company Head as promised, Dae-meok-ri was convinced his choice wasn’t wrong.

And that was just a few days ago.

“I heard the child made some transaction here.”

Dae-meok-ri had to regret that choice.

“M-Master Gu… th-that is…”

If only he had known that choice would lead to this situation, he would never have made it.

“It’s fine if you don’t answer.”

Dae-meok-ri was regretting it belatedly, but.

“However, I’d prefer if you did.”

“….”

“Because I don’t think I can control my strength right now.”

It was already too late.