Chapter 475: For You Who Was Forgotten by Oblivion.

“…Who are you?”

Shin Noy’s voice, asking with a frown, spread in all directions.

“What…?”

What is this old geezer saying?

At the completely unexpected remark, I unconsciously gaped.

Compared to the myriad things I had to argue with Tang Jemun just moments before.

This one sentence Noy spat out made me forget all those words.

“Noy…?”

“Hmm? Is she someone you know, you punk?”

Whether he knew my bewilderment or not, Noy instead frowned looking at me.

“Another woman…. Tsk tsk, your horny nature never changes, does it? Especially not that.”

Noy’s gaze turned towards Tang Jemun’s chest.

“Ahem ahem….”

“…Noy.”

Is he really crazy?

What is this old man doing right now?

Never mind not recognizing Tang Jemun.

For a supposed Taoist to blush while looking at a woman’s chest.

It was a situation that was absurd in many ways.

“…What are you doing, Noy?”

“Ahem… What do you mean?”

As if knowing he was embarrassed, he kept clearing his throat and avoided my gaze.

While his appearance was amusing, given the incomprehensible situation, I had to ask first.

“You don’t know who she is?”

“How would I know a woman like that?”

“No….”

Just as I wondered what was going on at Noy’s words.

Kyukkyuk....

From the direction where Tang Jemun was sitting far away, a laugh was heard.

Tang Jemun, for some reason very amused, was quietly laughing with her hand covering her mouth.

“Huh?”

Shin Noy, seeing that, widened his eyes as if realizing something.

Seeing that, I too could feel relieved inwardly.

Right, it didn’t make sense that he wouldn’t recognize her.

Just as I was about to nod, thinking that.

“You… aren’t you perhaps, Jehee?”

“Eh?”

An out-of-the-blue name popped out of Noy’s mouth.

Jehee? What Jehee?

Despite Noy’s words, Tang Jemun didn’t answer, merely smiling.

“Jemuni’s younger sister. Right? Seeing you here after all this time.”

“…”

Hmm.

Watching Noy speak excitedly, I thought.

Where should I even start questioning this?

‘…If it’s Jehee. Tang Jehee?’

If her older brother is Tang Jemun, then her younger sister is Tang Jehee… I wondered if they just made up names so carelessly.

‘No, that’s not the important part.’

Caught up in the situation, I briefly had a strange thought, but that wasn’t the important thing.

“Noy, what on earth are you talking about…? You’re saying she’s not Senior Tang Jemun?”

“Huh?”

When I pointed at Tang Jemun and asked. This time, Noy made a strange expression and spat out words at me.

“You’re the one talking nonsense. How does that woman look like Tang Jemun to you?”

“Huh? Well….”

“You were like this last time too, what nonsense are you spouting….”

At my words, Shin Noy scowled deeply and spoke again.

“Jemuni is a man, for starters. What filthy talk are you spewing….”

“…”

At Noy’s dumbfounded words, I frowned this time and looked at Tang Jemun.

…What is this now?

Tang Jemun is a man? I stared at Tang Jemun with wide, surprised eyes.

How on earth does that look like a man?

Even if she were cross-dressing, it was a body that absolutely couldn’t pass as male.

Despite our continuous words, the woman presumed to be Tang Jemun… just kept smiling.

Her smile somehow held a deep longing.

After a short while, the woman stood up from her seat.

Then, looking at Noy, she spoke thus.

“It’s been a while. Brother Cheol.”

Brother?

The title seems a bit different.

I made a subtle expression upon hearing the title, but Noy’s expression brightened instead.

“As expected…! You really are Jehee.”

His boisterous laughter seemed as if he had decided to remember Tang Jemun.

Did that mean this woman really wasn’t Tang Jemun? As I thought that, wondering why she was referred to as Tang Jemun…

“Jemuni’s younger sister, Jehee, is indeed….”

“You’re still not very perceptive.”

“Huh?”

‘Uh oh?’

Just as Tang Jemun was slowly walking towards Shin Noy. A drastic change occurred in her body.

Because Tang Jemun’s body, taking step by step, began to gradually grow larger.

Her height increased little by little, and her frame thickened.

“…Wha… What the…?”

Furthermore, Shin Noy’s voice, watching this, also showed increasing bewilderment.

Tang Jemun, gradually increasing in size, tied back her hair tightly.

She thrust her incomparably imposing body towards Shin Noy and said.

“Now you can recognize me, can’t you?”

Tang Jemun’s voice, not to mention her way of speaking, had changed.

‘Wow.’

My jaw dropped the moment I saw her.

Tang Jemun’s height was not only as tall as Shin Noy’s, but she also possessed a frame reminiscent of the warriors of the Hwangbo or Peng families.

And her voice was so deep. It was among the lowest I’d ever heard.

‘What is that.’

Where did the delicate and beautiful woman I saw just moments ago go?

A massive man stood there, looking intimidating enough to make one cower.

It wasn’t just me who was surprised; Noy, with his mouth agape, uttered in a trembling voice while looking at Tang Jemun.

“Jemun…?”

Seeing Shin Noy’s reaction, it seemed that this form was indeed Tang Jemun’s true appearance.

‘…Then what on earth is it?’

My mind became complicated.

When she was a woman, she was said to be Tang Jemun’s younger sister.

And now, if this is Tang Jemun’s own appearance.

‘…Who is it?’

Which one is the real one?

Was the woman called Tang Jehee the real one?

Or is Tang Jemun’s current appearance the real one?

As such strange thoughts raced through my mind.

“You….”

Shin Noy looked at Tang Jemun without relaxing his frown.

“Were you using the Body Transformation Art (氣體變易術)?”

Body Transformation Art? I listened closely to Noy’s words.

Because it was the name of a technique I’d never heard before.

Furthermore, Tang Jemun, hearing Noy’s words, chuckled and nodded slightly.

“So… you’ve been deceiving us all this time.”

“That’s incorrect.”

Tang Jemun stated firmly at Noy’s words.

“I only deceived you.”

“What…?”

Noy’s eyes widened at Tang Jemun’s words.

His eyes were full of questions as to why only he was deceived.

To that, Tang Jemun replied in a calm voice.

“Only you were deceived. The other friends knew long ago.”

“…Eh?”

“…”

I felt embarrassed just listening to this.

‘Body Transformation Art.’

Judging by the name alone, it seemed like a type of martial art that transforms the body. I had never heard of a martial art that could change someone so naturally.

After all, changing a woman’s delicate and feminine body into such a thick and sturdy male body wouldn’t be easily possible.

Perhaps if it were a martial artist who had extremely mastered transformation arts, but it’s unlikely that a master of the Tang family named Tang Jemun would have only trained in transformation arts.

‘What on earth is it?’

Just as I was feeling a bit intrigued by that unknown ability.

“Then… then….”

At Tang Jemun’s words, Noy asked in a trembling voice.

“…Where’s Jehee?”

He asked, recalling the appearance of the woman he thought was Tang Jemun’s younger sister until now.

Tang Jemun chuckled and said.

“I’m sorry, but I’m an only child, Shin Cheol.”

“Huuuuurk…!!”

At Tang Jemun’s words, Shin Noy collapsed as if receiving a huge shock.

Seeing that, I inwardly cleared my throat.

Well…

‘It’s understandable to react like that upon finding out your friend was actually a woman.’

If I were told that the ‘Sleeping Dragon’ guy was actually a woman, I’d probably have the same reaction.

‘The funniest part is that he was the only one who didn’t notice.’

The others had all noticed that Tang Jemun was a woman, but Shin Noy alone didn’t know Tang Jemun’s gender.

Even until the moment of death.

‘And besides.’

That old man didn’t even know the feelings Tang Jemun harbored for Noy.

Hearing that, I found it absurd.

‘And he has the nerve to call someone else unperceptive?’

Seeing the person who had been calling me unperceptive all this time acting like this was baffling in many ways.

Shin Noy remained in shock for quite a while. Watching him, Tang Jemun began to revert her body as if releasing the tension.

The muscles that threatened to burst her clothes subsided.

She returned to the previous stunning beauty.

‘…It’s still amazing to see.’

How could she change so drastically?

As I watched her with interest.

“You rascal!”

Shin Noy suddenly shouted at Tang Jemun.

“So… you’ve been deceiving me all this time!”

Seeing Shin Noy shouting indignantly, Tang Jemun bit her lip slightly.

“…I’m sorry….”

As her body changed, her way of speaking returned as well.

“I had my reasons…”

“You’re even looking at me like that now…! You damn bastard…!!”

“Huh?”

Just as Tang Jemun was about to speak defensively, I tilted my head upon hearing Shin Noy’s words.

Because the way he spoke felt different somehow.

“Are you trying to mock me even after death…!”

“Shin Cheol… what do you mean…?”

Tang Jemun looked at Shin Noy, wondering what he meant.

Noy pointed his finger at Tang Jemun and yelled.

“You created a non-existent Jehee and fooled me into thinking she was your sister…! And now you say it was all a joke after we’re all dead…! You wicked bastard!”

“…”

“…”

Ah.

So that’s how it is.

I realized, looking at Noy with a disgusted expression.

It seems that guy isn’t even considering the possibility that Tang Jemun was a woman.

No, even looking at her, the female and male forms were so distinct, it seemed hard not to notice… but maybe not.

‘Even so.’

Isn’t that a bit much?

Perhaps I wasn’t the only one thinking that, as Tang Jemun was pinching the bridge of her nose with her delicate fingers.

“…Hmm….”

Listening to her hum, I figured.

She seemed to be contemplating how to handle this situation. Tang Jemun also seemed unprepared for Shin Noy being this way.

Whether she knew it or not, Shin Noy just sputtered angrily at Tang Jemun.

“You damn bastard…! Of all things, you had to be so damn pretty. And your chest…”

“…Shin Cheol.”

“What is it!”

“Could you get lost… no, wait outside for a moment.”

“What is this bastard saying….”

Ttak.

The moment Tang Jemun spoke and lightly snapped her fingers.

Hwaaaahak-!

Suddenly, a translucent green barrier appeared from Tang Jemun’s toes, gradually increasing in volume.

The barrier rapidly expanded and then.

“What…?!”

It pushed Shin Noy, who was in front, away, widening the space.

What was strange was that only Shin Noy was pushed away, while Tang Jemun and I remained in place.

Kkwangkwang-!

As if hit by this, Shin Noy pounded the barrier with his fists and shouted something, but only his mouth movements were visible, no sound could be heard.

‘…A barrier? Is it something like that?’

It felt similar, but this too was an unknown power.

“Haa….”

I turned my head at the sigh I heard.

There, Tang Jemun was sighing repeatedly as if exhausted.

“That foolish human… why doesn’t he ever change.”

She said that with eyes full of dejection.

Watching her, I cautiously asked.

“…Excuse me… Senior?”

“I hope you, my junior, never become like that.”

“…Ah, yes.”

I tried to say something, but her expression was so chillingly fierce that I had to shut my mouth tightly.

For now, I need to ask something else.

“…How did you do that just now?”

“What are you referring to?”

“That. The gender changing….”

Deudeudeuk-!

“Ah, you don’t have to show me.”

As I said urgently, Tang Jemun stopped changing her body and reverted it.

“First, you are a woman, correct?”

“Yes.”

I felt relieved by her nonchalant answer. That’s a relief. If her male form was the real one, I think I would have been quite shocked too.

“Then why… go to such lengths for that appearance?”

As I asked with a question, Tang Jemun replied nonchalantly.

“Because the head of the family cannot be a woman.”

“…!”

My head nodded the moment I heard Tang Jemun’s words.

It was a much simpler reason than I thought.

Considering the position and prejudice against female heads of family, not only in the current era but also back then, it made sense.

However.

‘With a martial artist of that level, gender shouldn’t matter.’

I don’t know Tang Jemun’s level or strength, but judging by Shin Noy’s aura and presence, it wouldn’t be unreasonable to think of the Three Venerables.

If Tang Jemun was no different, she shouldn’t be at a level where she’d worry about the family head position just because of her gender….

Then, perhaps sensing my thoughts from my expression, Tang Jemun added a brief explanation.

“Initially. That was the intention…”

Tang Jemun’s expression held an inexplicable longing as she spoke.

“But while teasing that guy, I lost the right time to tell him.”

“…Yes?”

“Besides, since the other colleagues had all noticed anyway. I thought he’d eventually figure it out himself….”

Jjaeng-!

A teacup below suddenly made a jjaeng- sound and split in half.

Tang Jemun, trembling with clenched fists, came into view.

“I didn’t expect it to be like this even after death.”

“…”

Shin Noy was truly remarkable in many ways.

Kungkung-!

As if knowing they were talking about him, Shin Noy was diligently pounding the barrier from outside, but it remained completely unscathed.

“Haa… really….”

Tang Jemun, who had maintained her composure, broke character and just kept sighing.

It was indeed a strange thing.

That feminine body and appearance could transform into such a burly man.

Just as my gaze was involuntarily drawn to Tang Jemun’s chest.

“Junior.”

“Yes, yes!”

I answered, startled by Tang Jemun’s call.

Even though my gaze control was trained by Namgung Bi-ah, letting my guard down slightly led to this.

I swallowed dryly.

This won’t do.

I couldn’t become like that lecherous old man from Mount Hua.

Barely managing my gaze, I looked only at Tang Jemun’s eyes.

They were a much more brilliant light green than the eyes Dokbi had before losing his sight.

What that signifies.

‘Proof of poison immunity.’

I heard that’s what it means… but honestly, I couldn’t be sure.

It was the level Dokbi reached in his past life, and Tang Jemun probably did too.

As I looked into her eyes, Tang Jemun slowly continued speaking.

“Have you talked much with that ugly fellow?”

By some means, the title had changed from Shin Cheol to ‘ugly fellow’.

“Yes, I’ve talked with him quite a bit.”

If you count the time before Shin Noy disappeared, then yes.

Although, I didn’t hear much about Noy himself.

As I was recalling this, Tang Jemun looked at me and asked.

“Wasn’t there any mention of me?”

“Ah, yes. Not particularly about you, Senior… ah.”

As I recalled talk about Tang Jemun, I suddenly remembered a person Shin Noy occasionally mentioned.

Perhaps that’s why. I unintentionally blurted it out.

“I did hear about the Young Lady of the Moyong family.”

“Hah.”

The moment she heard that, Tang Jemun’s expression turned ice cold.

Seeing that, I inwardly nodded.

I’m fucked.

This seems like something I shouldn’t have brought up?

As expected. Tang Jemun looked at me with cold eyes and said.

“So you did talk about the Moyong Young Lady.”

Trying desperately to salvage the situation, I quickly added.

“No… well, I only mentioned that she was taken by the Nine Heavens Sword….”

“Taken? Namgung Myung took her?”

Tang Jemun’s eyes widened briefly upon hearing my words, then she let out a hollow laugh shortly after.

“It seems you still believe that.”

“Huh?”

“It’s better this way.”

Tang Jemun smiled, her eyes curving beautifully.

Seeing that, I couldn’t help but feel a chill.

“Originally, I was going to tell you this too….”

Because it felt filled with a chilling aura rather than a smile.

“I definitely won’t tell you.”

Kyukkyuk.

Leaving Tang Jemun chuckling quietly, in the space behind us.

Kkwangkwang-!

Only Shin Cheol’s continuous pounding, filled with anger from outside the barrier, echoed.