Chapter 508: Give it to me just once.

“Show me the process and results of you using the White Horse Stone on Zhuge Hyuk.”

This was what I had requested from the God.

Honestly, I was curious. The item known as the White Horse Stone is no different from an immense medicinal elixir to me, but…

That’s only because I possess the divine ability called ‘Mana Absorption Sky Technique’, you see.

To other ordinary people, it was merely a lump of white rock.

But then.

‘Using this to do something.’

The fact that there were other uses for Mana Stones was a matter of considerable interest to me.

Of course, that doesn’t mean…

‘I wasn’t exactly trying to find out this way.’

It wasn’t that I wanted to know through force like this.

As I said earlier, this was more the will of Old Man God than my own.

‘What did he say again?’

Before I went to see the God, Old Man had directly told me to make this request.

It’s strange. Even though Old Man found my actions absurd, he had never directly instructed me like this before.

He had mentioned feeling uncomfortable about a dead person intervening with the living.

‘It must mean it’s an important matter.’

If even Old Man is acting like this, it must be that important.

I decided to comply without any further argument.

If I were to speak only of the results afterward…

‘Was it half-success?’

Half success. I could say it was exactly that much.

The reason I call it half success is because, first and foremost, the God had refused my request.

His reason was that even if I obtained the White Horse Stone, it would be difficult to put it into practice immediately.

Even so, I could feel that he couldn’t fully trust me, and that he was reluctant to demonstrate the act.

I considered accepting it and moving on, but remembering that Old Man had stepped in, I pushed a little harder.

When I stumbled slightly while putting the White Horse Stone on the line, the God fell into thought with a deep sigh.

The thinking time wasn’t that long.

About the time it took for me to take a sip of tea.

Just as that much time passed, the God presented me with conditions.

The first condition was that he wished for it to be done in a safe place, and the second was that it would take time to procure the remaining materials after the White Horse Stone.

The third was.

‘A restriction.’

A restriction that forced silence regarding this matter. The God said he would implant it directly into my body.

A restriction imposed by a physician.

Would it be different somehow? A small curiosity stirred.

The problem was, when it came down to that point, Old Man God actually tried to stop me.

‘There’s no need for more than this. It’s not something you need to know by going as far as imposing restrictions.’

Old Man told me to stop, but having come this far, I had no intention of backing down.

“I will do it.”

I answered the God, ignoring Old Man’s words.

Then, as if finally giving up, the God nodded wearily at me.

That was the end of the conversation.

If we’re talking about a safe place, I could choose the Imperial City. Though my own home doesn’t look particularly safe either.

Relatively speaking, it was better.

As soon as the conversation ended, I handed the White Horse Stone over to the God.

It might have been risky to give him the White Horse Stone since the conditions hadn’t been met yet, but I trusted that the God wasn’t the type to just snatch it and run, unlike me.

Perhaps because it was the White Horse Stone he’d barely managed to obtain. The God stared at the White Horse Stone with eyes that seemed finally relieved.

Could it have been that important? Important enough to obtain even after enduring this kind of treatment from me.

‘Will Zhuge Hyuk’s voice really be awakened by that?’

What would happen if it really did? Thinking of Cheon Yu-rang-a from my past life brought up a bitter feeling inside.

Truly.

‘Should I not have killed him?’

Zhuge Hyuk was a sort of crossroads.

He was a milestone in shedding the memories of my past life, and acknowledging and accepting that this place was a different time.

He was also the starting point for my desire to live a different life from back then, and to accept the people around me.

Not killing Zhuge Hyuk meant that much to me.

And yet.

‘Will it really be okay?’

I just find myself worrying.

Whether it’s truly alright, whether Zhuge Hyuk might not become a future danger.

If there’s even a small probability, wouldn’t it be better to kill him now?

As I recalled it, my insides gradually grew cold.

“…You…”

The God’s voice was heard quietly.

“…You show no particular promise, and your temper seems nasty and foul, but…”

“…Why are you suddenly cursing at me?”

My expression contorted at the words that pierced me as if stabbing deep with a blade.

Is he trying to lord his power over me now with the White Horse Stone? Just as I was about to wrinkle my nose in thought, thinking that might be the case,

“I do not see you as a bad person.”

“…”

My body stiffened slightly at the firm yet calm words.

Because they were completely different words from the insults he had just uttered.

“A guy who can’t even hold himself upright. Yet, you desperately try to take care of the children nearby.”

That’s not true. Rather, I was keeping them in line.

Because that’s how they’ll be able to survive later.

“And even while acting poorly towards others, harboring foolish guilt and hesitation within.”

I’ve never been like that. I hit those who deserved it and dropped those who needed dropping.

Given my foul temper, I have no memory of holding back; what could he possibly be seeing to say such a thing?

I wanted to retort immediately, but the words wouldn’t easily come out of my mouth.

Why?

“Because I know those things, I believe there must be a reason for you acting like this.”

The foolish things I did to the God with the White Horse Stone.

The God’s words implied he thought there was a reason for that too.

Perhaps hearing that. The thorns that had sprouted in my hand felt particularly sharp. Swallowing the surging pain, I said to the God,

“…You have quite the delusion. It’s simply because I’m a nasty person. You’re attaching strange reasons.”

No matter the reason I acted towards the God, I shouldn’t attach reasons to it.

Whatever the reason, the responsibility for my actions lies with me.

I shouldn’t act hoping the God would understand that.

I will handle everything.

That was the right way.

At least, for me.

In the God’s eyes looking at me, I somehow felt pity.

The thorns lodged in my heart grew larger.

I ignored them and swallowed.

A few seconds. That’s how long our gazes met.

As soon as that short time passed, the God turned his head and spoke to me.

“If you say so, then so be it. If our talk is finished, you may leave.”

At those words, I carefully got up. We had nothing more to say for now, and whether I would take the God to the Imperial City was a matter to discuss later.

The sun had set and evening had arrived, so I needed to return to my room quickly.

‘…Father must be waiting.’

Ah, I don’t want to go. Such a thought suddenly crossed my mind.

As I was about to leave the God’s residence with a deathly grimace,

“This is a warning directed at your wicked self.”

Just before I left, the God let slip a word to me.

“…Huh? A warning?”

“Heavenly Venerate. That old man is here. Be careful.”

“…”

Heavenly Venerate is here?

For a moment, I inwardly expressed a bit of surprise at his rather abrupt appearance.

After that, I barely managed to suppress a burst of laughter at the God’s words.

“Aren’t things like that usually called concern, not warnings, God?”

“Get lost already!”

“Yes.”

With a snort, I chuckled wryly and opened the door.

Before leaving, I gave a slight bow to the God as a sign of respect and exited.

Creeeak, thud.

Immediately after the door closed, I set off on the path back to my quarters.

The sun had set, and lamps were lit in various places along the path.

Was the conversation we had at the end the problem?

I felt like I had a stone sitting in my stomach.

‘…Tsk.’

Should I say that the God forcibly dragged out emotions that tended to sink easily?

The feelings I had back when I was agonizing over whether to kill Zhuge Hyuk.

The aftermath remained, leaving me feeling uneasy and heavy.

Slap-!

I slapped my own cheek hard. It must have been a bit too strong, because I tasted blood, so I roughly wiped it with the back of my hand.

“Snap out of it, you idiot.”

Ever since my body was swapped, I had been feeling something change mentally.

I suspect this might be the biggest influence.

The more so, the more I needed to regain my focus.

I couldn’t let my mind be consumed.

‘Think about who you are.’

It’s not some philosophical concept or some trivial thought about finding the meaning of existence.

The Imperial City’s rogue.

Don’t forget that simple and clear nickname. I recalled only that.

‘[…Kid.]’

‘Please don’t call me that. I’m perfectly fine.’

I could feel worry laced within Old Man God’s voice.

I asked him not to.

Because I wouldn’t crumble from things like this.

It’s not because I’m strong.

It’s simply that I won’t collapse because I mustn’t.

I walked along the path. I turned my expression away and even used internal energy to stabilize my mind and body.

‘This should be enough.’

Around the time I thought that, I had arrived at the quarters where I was staying.

“…”

Halt.

The moment I entered my quarters, I stopped in my tracks.

I can feel it.

‘It’s hot.’

Somehow, I could feel the temperature rising only in my quarters.

Feeling that intense energy, I entered cautiously.

The attendants outside bowed to me upon seeing me, but their expressions were filled with tension.

Where had the Tang Clan’s guards who protected the quarters gone? I couldn’t know.

It wasn’t the time to worry about such things.

Climbing the creaking stairs, I grabbed the doorknob and opened it.

The room was certainly dark, but somehow I had the illusion that it appeared distinctly bright.

I see teacups. Two teacups placed on the table.

And someone sitting still in a neat posture.

Even just from the red eyes visible amidst the dim shadows, I could tell it was Father.

“…”

Sensing that, I slowly took a step forward.

Then.

Whoosh-!

The room suddenly brightened. A small flame lit up in the air.

It was small in size, but considerably bright.

Bright enough to make my eyes squint slightly.

Enduring that, I looked towards Father.

Father didn’t direct his gaze towards me; instead, he suddenly took something out from his embrace.

“…!”

Seeing that, I had to gasp. The item Father took out was none other than a Night-Illuminating Pearl.

Why does Father have that…? My eyes trembled as if experiencing an earthquake from the bewildering appearance.

Just then, Father turned his head and looked at me.

Meeting his blood-red eyes, my body instinctively stiffened.

As my forcibly silenced lips swallowed dryly,

Father spoke to me.

“Sit.”

“…”

At those words, my stiffened body moved on its own and slid into a seat before the table.

My knees knelt without me realizing it, and my hands were clasped demurely.

Even Father, having lightly sipped his tea, set the cup down and said,

“Explain.”

“…”

Listening to that, I thought.

No matter how I looked at it, I should have bolted much earlier.

---

“Explain.”

In response to Father’s words, the things I laid out weren’t that many.

I spoke as slowly as possible.

It was because I had to mix various words in my mind while speaking.

I had prepared excuses beforehand, but I had to ensure there were no mistakes when uttering them.

‘Though they’re just excuses anyway.’

Damn it.

I hadn’t expected him to bring the Night-Illuminating Pearl I had handed over to the Baekhwa Merchant Guild.

When on earth did he go?

Because of that, I had to rearrange my words even as I was speaking.

So, the explanation (excuse) I gave Father was:

First, I accidentally fell into a lake and discovered the Tang Clan’s secret records there.

From there, I obtained quite a lot of Night-Illuminating Pearls and Poison Heaven Pills, and by consuming the Poison Heaven Pills I got there, I underwent a complete transformation.

I even brought the Night-Illuminating Pearls out and handed them over to the Baekhwa Merchant Guild for sale.

A problem occurred.

From the secret records, I obtained information that the Tang Clan was up to something strange.

It seemed like a comrade was at risk of getting involved, so I told the Poison King to stop the matter.

“…”

Even as I uttered each word and continued the story.

Inside, I realized I was screwed.

There were many contradictions and loopholes in the story.

The fact that consuming Poison Heaven Pills doesn’t easily lead to a complete transformation. And why I went all the way to the Poison Heaven Lake just to fall into it.

Also, how did I discover the secret records after falling into the lake?

How did I find out about the Tang Clan’s activities from records that seemed to have appeared out of nowhere?

The more I spoke, the more I felt screwed.

If I were in Father’s position, I might have hit this guy thinking, ‘What kind of bullshit is he spewing now?’

Moreover, selling the Night-Illuminating Pearls obtained from the Tang Clan’s secret records to the merchant guild…

…was tantamount to admitting I had outright stolen their goods.

‘…Damn it all.’

I hadn’t expected Father to come when I started this mess; if I had known it would turn out like this, I would have found another way, even if it took time.

‘What should I do?’

After barely finishing my words, I glanced at Father.

Throughout the story, Father listened silently without interrupting me once.

Only when the story was completely finished did he take a sip of tea.

Father, having moistened his lips, looked at me with slightly narrowed eyes and moved his lips.

In that moment, my body tensed up completely.

I’ll get scolded, won’t I? I haven’t been hit by Father since the last sparring match, but I wonder if another memory will be added this life. As I looked around shiftily,

“How is your body?”

“…Huh?”

The words that came from Father’s mouth were rather unexpected.

How is my body?

“I heard you underwent a complete transformation. How is your condition?”

“…Well.”

It was a completely unexpected question, so I was momentarily flustered.

“…The God… examined me and said my condition is good…”

It wasn’t a lie. I had actually just received an examination from the God right before this.

“I see.”

Perhaps satisfied with my answer, Father nodded, opening his narrowed eyes.

The problem was that it was only for a moment.

Grip.

I felt a tightening sensation around my heart. The air changed.

As I widened my eyes at the unknown sensation.

“So it’s true that someone administered poison to you.”

Father said.

“Third.”

“Ugh… Yes.”

“It was well done to handle the matter differently by giving the Poison King justification, but…”

Grrrk.

My shoulder was pressed down.

The pressure emanating from Father was crushing my body.

‘…Damn.’

I thought I had become much stronger, yet I still couldn’t withstand a single pressure, forcing me to bite my lip.

“However, attempting to swallow poison yourself for that purpose is something I must reprimand you for.”

“…I… apologize.”

Ah, so I am getting scolded after all.

The moment I thought that and swallowed hard.

Swish.

Father suddenly stood up. Wondering if he was getting up to hit me, I followed him with my gaze.

“One.”

Father’s gaze was directed not at me, but towards the outside of the door.

“Before that, it seems there is someone else who must give punishment first.”

“…Patriarch…?”

Calling out to Father at the strange sign, but Father didn’t answer and quietly stepped towards the door.

Whoosh-! The door, untouched by hand, opened on its own.

Creeeak.

The moment Father took a step outside the door.

Whoooosh-!

“…What?”

Light poured down. I could clearly see.

The dark sky where the moon had risen momentarily transforming into a blue sky.

The sun.

That which should naturally have been asleep at this hour. It had somehow appeared in the void.

Unable to say anything at the sight of that absurdity.

“Wait here.”

Father looked at me with his usual expressionless face and said.

Whoosh.

Father’s black hair slowly began to change color. To red, the same color as his eyes.

It was Father’s combat stance, something I had never seen before, not even in my past life.

“I’ll be back before the tea gets cold.”