Chapter 492: Do you need it?

“What on earth is the principle behind this? It seems like a transformation technique, but I’ve never seen such an elaborate art before.”

It had been about half an hour since I showed myself to Paejon, bracing myself for a scolding. However, Paejon still wasn’t paying attention to my current state, focusing solely on the Body Transformation Technique.

His eyes were even sparkling brightly.

“It’s fascinating. Is it possible to shrink or lengthen limbs too?”

“I haven’t tried it… but I think the function would work.”

To use the Body Transformation Technique, it didn’t require a lot of internal energy, but it demanded very meticulous and precise operation.

In actual combat, I wouldn’t be able to use it the way Paejon desired.

Would it be possible if I got used to it? I wasn’t sure about this part.

[It’s probably possible.]

“Huh?”

I was slightly surprised by Shin Noy’s words, which interjected while I was thinking.

Possible? Like lengthening limbs during combat to cause confusion, as Paejon mentioned?

[Since Tang Jemun actually used it during combat, it wouldn’t be impossible.]

‘…’

Noy’s nonchalant words naturally conjured an image.

I imagined Tang Jemun applying this during combat.

But limbs stretching like dough? I couldn’t tell the efficiency, but I could sense it would look rather strange.

[…Never mind the appearance. The problem is that you shouldn’t carelessly display that martial art.]

Seeing that he dismissed the appearance, it seemed Noy also didn’t think the sight of fighting with it looked particularly good.

After hearing that much, I moved on and asked about something else.

‘You mean I shouldn’t show the martial art?’

The statement that the Body Transformation Technique shouldn’t be carelessly shown to others. That was the issue.

[Rather than saying you shouldn’t show it to others. To be precise, it means to be careful with the people of the Tang clan.]

‘What is the reason?’

[Kid, as you probably already expect, the Body Transformation Technique is one of the Tang clan’s secret arts.]

I nodded slightly. As Noy said, it was something I had expected.

With such an elaborate and outstanding transformation technique, it deserved to be called a secret art.

[…Looking at the current situation, it seems the Body Transformation Technique has likely been lost.]

This was also the case.

Given that such a transformation technique wasn’t known, it was understandable that it was a martial art lost long ago.

‘So, if the people of the Tang clan found out, they’d be furious. Is that what you mean?’

[Yes. Even if it’s lost, the clan leader or the elders would surely know the records.]

‘I understand what you’re saying… but Noy.’

[Speak.]

‘Would you be alright if I did that?’

[…]

Noy seemed to ponder for a moment in response to my question.

The meaning of this question was straightforward.

Knowing it was a lost secret art of the Tang clan. And if Tang Jemun gave it to me.

The question was whether it would be okay not to return it to the Tang clan.

Since Tang Jemun himself gave it to me, not someone else, just swallowing it whole without returning it to the Tang clan felt a bit… off.

‘Normally, I’d just gobble it right up.’

Thinking about Noy’s relationship with Tang Jemun, it felt awkward to just do that.

If Noy wanted me to return the martial art’s verses to the Tang clan, I would have returned it without hesitation… no, perhaps after a lot of hesitation.

[There’s no need.]

Noy refused.

Despite that, I asked once more if it was truly okay.

The answer was the same this time too.

[Since that Jemun fellow didn’t say much to you, there’s no need to go out of your way.]

‘…However.’

[Judging by his personality, if he had wanted that, he would have said so first. Since he didn’t, it means you don’t have to, and also.]

Noy paused for a moment, and a brief silence followed.

[I don’t want to give it to the current Tang clan.]

I heard a rare, cold voice from Noy.

Hearing that, I had nothing more to say and stopped the conversation.

Honestly, it wasn’t the situation to continue talking anyway.

“Hmm.”

Paejon, who had been examining various things as if possessed by the Body Transformation Technique, was soon touching various parts of my body.

“This doesn’t seem to be a change caused by martial arts.”

Paejon seemed to have recognized this immediately too, and interest sparked in his eyes.

“…Yes. That’s correct.”

Originally, this was the main point.

It was strange that Paejon seemed uninterested in my transformed body, being solely focused on martial arts.

There was a slight issue, though.

“The body has been refined. The density is surprisingly high.”

“Elder…?”

I knew there wasn’t any ill intent, but the feeling of being prodded and poked here and there wasn’t exactly pleasant.

Was he assessing the state of my muscles?

After touching various parts, Paejon took his hands off my body for a moment and asked.

“It seems you’ve had a fortuitous encounter.”

‘…’

“It seems similar to body and marrow cleansing… but it’s different somehow. Is the abundant internal energy gathered in the lower dantian also a result of that?”

Did he figure all that out just by glancing and touching a few times?

It was far too accurate for something said so casually.

Paejon’s gaze turned towards my eyes.

I saw his characteristic clear eyes, which seemed to hold unfathomable depths.

“Your cultivation level has also stabilized and changed.”

“…That’s correct.”

“I knew long ago that you were a child with many secrets. It seems they are deeper than I expected.”

“…”

Each word that came from him felt heavy.

Paejon was always like that. While he seemed uninterested in anything other than martial arts.

‘It felt like he was seeing much more than that.’

That subtle strangeness exuded a profound sense of otherness.

“Indeed.”

Paejon asked me.

“Is it something you can tell me?”

I couldn’t readily answer his question.

Can I explain what happened?

No way. Even if I became Paejon’s disciple and formed a master-disciple relationship.

I hadn’t yet built that level of trust with Paejon.

Paejon would surely feel the same.

In such a situation, explaining this matter was overwhelming in many ways.

Perhaps sensing my emotions, Paejon slightly turned his head and said to me.

“If you can’t tell me, it doesn’t matter. That’s not what’s important to me.”

I was momentarily surprised by how easily he backed down, much more than I expected.

I thought he would latch onto it and try to understand the situation.

Just like last time, does Paejon really have nothing important other than martial arts?

As I was thinking about this, sure enough.

“What’s ultimately important is whether or not you can inherit my martial arts. Is there a problem with that?”

Paejon asked whether my transformed body could learn the Tua Pachevmu.

Regarding this point.

“No.”

Fortunately, there was no problem. Although I was no longer human and the location of my dantian had changed.

It didn’t seem like it would be a problem for learning martial arts.

Hearing my answer, Paejon nodded slightly.

“Then that’s fine.”

As long as I could learn martial arts, it was fine.

For some reason, those words sent a slight shiver down my spine.

It was because I truly felt that martial arts were everything to Paejon.

[That’s obsession.]

The obsession and desire for martial arts. The closer I was to Paejon, the more intensely I could feel it.

If you think about it, perhaps he’s the one most qualified to be called a warrior?

“Your body has been strengthened, but seeing you move, you don’t seem accustomed to the sense of distance.”

“…!”

Paejon’s words made my eyes widen.

That hit the mark.

Since I had been maintaining my old body with the Body Transformation Technique right after arriving, I lacked time to adapt to my enlarged body.

Moreover, because I had been moving around busily, I hadn’t even properly confirmed how much stronger I had become right after my cultivation level increased.

“Hmm.”

Paejon seemed to fall into thought for a moment about this.

“It’s fortunate timing.”

As if an idea struck him, he smiled slightly.

I felt that smile was somehow frightening.

“What… is fortunate timing?”

“If the body feels unfamiliar and the cultivation level isn’t accustomed, isn’t there a perfect method?”

“What…?”

As I wondered what he was talking about, trying to ask.

Paejon casually stretched his body and said to me with a smile.

“Come at me.”

Huh?

What?

“Elder?”

“I was just wondering how much you’ve changed. This is a good opportunity.”

“Just a moment. What’s a good opportunity?”

Does he mean a good opportunity to hit me?

I looked at Paejon, wondering if that was really the case.

“I can tell by looking at your eyes.”

“…?”

“Your eyes are practically begging to confirm it yourself. Isn’t that a good thing for you too?”

“…!”

I swallowed a gasp at Paejon’s words.

My transformed body and increased strength. I was indeed frustrated by not being able to properly grasp how much I had changed.

Is he suggesting I confirm it… in this way?

While it was something I needed, as Paejon said, I hadn’t intended to confirm it by fighting him.

I don’t particularly enjoy being beaten one-sidedly.

‘Or maybe not. Maybe it won’t be one-sided anymore?’

As my cultivation level increased, things might be different from before.

As I thought that, feeling a slight heat rising.

“And I suppose I need to suppress the arrogance of a disciple who’s gotten too full of himself.”

“…”

Paejon seemed to have grasped even this thought, saying with a laugh.

Damn it, everything’s exposed.

It’s absurd how every person I meet can read my expression.

After that, I let out a small sigh and raised my arms.

Judging by Paejon’s demeanor, it didn’t seem like he would let it go even if I refused.

Besides, as he said, there was a need to check it out once.

How long has it been since I fought Paejon?

I had sparred one-sidedly several times to train the Tua Pachevmu, but.

This was the first time fighting seriously since the Dragon God Pavilion.

“This time, you can use things other than the Tua Pachevmu. Try using everything you can.”

“…Would that be alright?”

“Oh. Are you worried about me?”

Paejon chuckled as if finding my words amusing.

“I’m not so weak as to be hit by a snot-nosed young disciple, so don’t worry.”

Even so, I couldn’t help but have my thoughts.

After all, the difference in cultivation levels is quite significant.

“I can see exactly what you’re thinking, so I’ll make you a bet.”

“A bet?”

“Yes. If I get hit even once by you in this fight. For the next seven days and nights, I’ll call you ‘Hyung-nim’.”

“…”

“How about it? If you don’t like it, then another…!”

Whoosh-!

While speaking, I threw a punch.

Paejon turned his head, dodging the punch I threw.

Oops, failed.

“Hah.”

Paejon looked at me as if taken aback by my action.

His expression suggested he never expected me to throw a punch while I was still talking.

“It didn’t work.”

“Haha… How did I end up taking a guy like this as a disciple?”

I thought it was the perfect timing for a surprise attack.

It failed. What a shame.

Crackle, the sound of bones shifting came from Paejon’s body.

“It seems… I need to teach you a proper lesson.”

Feeling the slight anger contained in those words, I broke out in a cold sweat.

It was because I thought it was a bit much.

[You brat, how come you always pick a fight first?]

Shin Noy let out a sigh as if looking down on me, and at the same time.

I gathered all my strength and charged at Paejon.

---

As night passed and the sun began to rise.

Shin Eui had to frown upon seeing the uninvited guest who arrived early in the morning.

It was surprising enough that someone would seek him out at this early hour.

But seeing the guy who came, rather than getting angry, he had to ask something else.

“…I apologize for coming so early in the morning.”

“Well, I heard you had something to ask me…”

“Yes, it’s just…”

“No, before that, first.”

Shin Eui cut him off.

It was because he absolutely couldn’t not ask the other person.

“What on earth is wrong with your face?”

“…”

Gu Yangcheon fell silent at Shin Eui’s words.

The reason he asked this was simple.

Gu Yangcheon’s face, which had been fine when they met by chance yesterday, was bruised and swollen overnight, as if he had been beaten all day.

“…Did you get into a fight?”

He couldn’t bring himself to ask if he lost, but anyone could see he looked defeated.

However.

“Heh heh.”

“Hm?”

Hearing this, Gu Yangcheon suddenly started chuckling.

Has he gone crazy from getting beaten too much…?

Shin Eui frowned slightly, feeling a bit distant.

“Still… I won the bet.”

Gu Yangcheon just kept laughing, saying something incomprehensible.

However, his face was a mess, making the sight quite comical.