Chapter 494: Give it to me just once.

The lustrous white demon stone placed upon the desk.

To the eye, no energy could be felt, and it seemed like just an ordinary gem.

This was the demonic scripture of the strongest-ranked demonic creature currently recorded in the Central Plains.

It was the trace left by the highest-ranked demonic creature that emerged from it.

The so-called White Demon Stone.

Compared to the demon stones left by blue demonic creatures, or the red demonic creatures that had begun to crawl out sluggishly, this was a stone imbued with energy beyond comparison.

Judging purely by its energy, including the Poison Heaven Pills I possess.

It contained immense energy, not falling short even when compared to the Great Restoration Pills of the Shaolin Temple.

Currently, in the Central Plains.

Furthermore, since white-grade demonic creatures would not appear in the future, it was safe to say there was absolutely no way to obtain a White Demon Stone.

This thing before my eyes.

I believed this was the only White Demon Stone remaining.

Originally, I had planned to consume it immediately after obtaining it.

‘I was too busy to have the time.’

As soon as I returned, I had been running around everywhere, so I didn’t have the time.

It was originally needed to stabilize my incomplete realm, so in the current situation, there was no urgency.

I had saved it, thinking I would use it someday, even if not now.

‘I never thought I’d end up using it like this.’

To think it would be used for such a purpose.

Shin-ui was staring almost intently at the White Demon Stone placed on the desk.

His face showed disbelief, as if wondering if this thing before him was truly what he thought it was.

“…This is…”

“Yes, it’s the White Demon Stone.”

“…!”

As I spoke to assure him, Shin-ui’s eyes widened like saucers.

“If you can’t believe me, well, there’s nothing I can do. This is indeed the White Demon Stone.”

If it were anyone else, maybe. But there’s no way I could mistake a demon stone.

My Demonic Heaven Absorption technique was telling me so.

“…How… How do you have this?”

“Someone gave it to me. Told me to use it.”

“What?”

Shin-ui glared at my words, looking utterly bewildered.

It’s the truth.

Tang Jemun had given it to me, so it was indeed a gift, but Shin-ui didn’t seem to believe it.

Whether he believes it or not doesn’t matter.

What’s important is that I have the White Demon Stone.

“Let me ask again. You said you needed this, Shin-ui. Do you need it?”

“…”

Hearing my words, Shin-ui’s eyes trembled.

I waited calmly, without rushing him for an answer.

I couldn’t rush him here.

That would be like revealing I was desperate, and I couldn’t let that happen.

I waited quietly for his reply.

As a few seconds passed.

“…Yes.”

Shin-ui finally answered with difficulty.

Good.

It seemed I had passed the first hurdle easily.

Hiding my true feelings, I opened my mouth with a faint smile.

“If you need it, I can give it to you.”

I can give you the White Demon Stone I possess.

Shin-ui should have been overjoyed upon hearing that, but he wasn’t.

Instead, his slightly furrowed brow conveyed a sense of discomfort.

Seeing this, Shin-ui must have known too.

‘That I’m not just giving away the White Demon Stone I have…’

‘Means I expect something else from Shin-ui himself.’

“What… what do you want from me?”

As expected, Shin-ui asked me.

There were two things I could infer from this.

He asked what I wanted, rather than what my purpose was.

He asked what I wanted, implying he was willing to accept even without knowing my needs.

Seeing these two implications.

‘Shin-ui is determined to take the White Demon Stone.’

I could tell he absolutely couldn’t give up the White Demon Stone before him.

Why, though?

As long as someone like me, who can’t absorb the energy of demon stones with the Demonic Heaven Absorption technique…

The White Demon Stone is nothing more than a rolling white rock.

So why is Shin-ui so desperate for the White Demon Stone?

‘It doesn’t matter.’

I don’t know the reason, but that also doesn’t matter.

I can find out starting now.

“I have a few things I’d like to ask you, Shin-ui. If you answer them well, I can give you this White Demon Stone. It’s not something I particularly need.”

Saying it wasn’t something I needed was, of course, a lie.

It was only because I had dozens of Poison Heaven Pills that I could afford to let it go. Normally, I wouldn’t have been able to.

“Answers?”

“Yes.”

“…”

Shin-ui gave no response to my words.

Silence here must mean affirmation.

Sensing that, I took a breath and uttered my first question.

“First, I want to know why you need the White Demon Stone, Shin-ui.”

“…”

“Strictly speaking, it might be rare, but in terms of efficacy, it’s just a useless rock. Why do you need it?”

Why did Shin-ui need the White Demon Stone?

Despite his renowned reputation in the Central Plains, he didn’t seem greedy for wealth; he appeared to be a man solely dedicated to medicine.

Why would he need a White Demon Stone? I was curious.

“What happens if you don’t answer regarding this?”

“It doesn’t particularly matter, but wouldn’t the White Demon Stone I intended to gift you disappear?”

It was a clear threat.

A threat saying he wouldn’t give it if I didn’t answer.

“Ha, you’re cunning.”

“I apologize. I have my own circumstances.”

If it were up to me, I’d gladly give Shin-ui more.

But my situation doesn’t allow for it.

It’s not a matter of trusting someone or not.

It means I have too many people I want to protect, and I’m too busy just thinking about them.

“…”

Shin-ui, seemingly deep in thought, stared intently at the White Demon Stone.

Then, biting his lip slightly, he slowly began to speak.

“…I intend to use it on my grandson.”

“Your grandson? You mean Hyuk?”

“Yes.”

He plans to use the White Demon Stone on Zhuge Hyuk?

I had to tilt my head at Shin-ui’s words.

It’s not some medicinal herb or elixir; it’s just a rock to ordinary people. How does he plan to use it on Zhuge Hyuk?

“What do you plan to do with it?”

“I intend to open his throat.”

“What?”

He wants to make mute Zhuge Hyuk speak?

“…I don’t quite understand.”

How exactly does he plan to do that with the White Demon Stone? No matter how much I thought about it, I couldn’t understand.

“…Must I answer this as well?”

“Yes. I just can’t understand it if we gloss over it.”

“What if I were lying?”

“I doubt you would… but if you did, then there’s nothing I can do.”

“…”

I didn’t intend to do anything even if Shin-ui lied.

This time, it was merely a flimsy belief that Shin-ui wouldn’t lie.

“…”

Perhaps my answer was unexpected, as Shin-ui’s expression grew more uncomfortable.

“If it’s too much trouble, I’ll just ask something else….”

“The reason my grandson cannot speak is not a physical issue.”

“Hmm?”

His throat not working isn’t a physical problem?

“If not, what do you mean?”

“To be precise, it’s part of a ‘curse.'”

“A curse?”

A curse.

It was a word I’d heard vaguely.

I heard it was a technique used by pseudo-Taoist cultists from the unorthodox sects.

They said the efficiency was terrible? A technique that greedily consumed vital energy and didn’t even work on those who reached the first-class level, so only a handful used it.

‘A curse…? Then.’

I recalled Cheon Yu-rang-a from my previous life.

He was a madman who wore a half-mask and hid his smile behind a fan.

But he wasn’t mute like Zhuge Hyuk is now.

I had thought the Heavenly Demon had somehow helped him regain his voice.

Could that ‘somehow’ have been breaking the curse Shin-ui mentioned?

“So, you need the White Demon Stone to break that curse?”

“…Yes.”

“Why?”

“I cannot say beyond that.”

“Hmm.”

I nodded at Shin-ui’s answer.

It didn’t mean I understood.

I just felt I had to give up on this part for sure.

‘Something is involved.’

Aside from Shin-ui’s prickly personality, he was someone who extremely disliked seeing those around him get hurt or suffer.

Judging by his answer now, it seemed like answering would cause problems.

Then, someone’s face flashed through my mind.

Cheol Ji-seon, his relationship with Shin-ui suddenly came to mind, but…

‘This isn’t something I should ask.’

This wasn’t something to ask about.

Not to Shin-ui.

‘Because I need to hear it from Cheol Ji-seon.’

The person I needed to hear it from was decided.

Thinking that far, I spoke to Shin-ui.

“Understood. I’ll let this part slide.”

“…”

Shin-ui let out a faint sigh of relief at my words.

“The next thing I want to ask about concerns my physical condition.”

“Your condition? Last time…”

“Yes, you said my vessel was close to shattering, right? Well, I recently broke my vessel and remade it?”

“…Yes… No, what did you say? Wait, what did you just say?”

Shin-ui reacted intensely to my nonchalantly spoken words.

“You broke your vessel and remade it?”

“Yes, somehow it just happened.”

“What exactly does ‘somehow it just happened’ mean?”

“I know, right? It’s quite amazing, even to me.”

It was unexpected even for me, so I had nothing else to say.

From Shin-ui’s perspective, it must have been shocking to hear someone diagnosed with only ten years to live suddenly claim they died and came back to life within just a few days.

“No, what in the…? First, give me your hand. I need to see it myself.”

“I’ll give you that later… but I need you to make a promise regarding this part.”

“What?”

“A promise that whatever you see in my body, you will keep silent about it.”

“…!”

Sensing something unusual, Shin-ui’s expression stiffened slightly.

“Will you promise?”

Even if he sensed something, Shin-ui wouldn’t have any other answer.

“…Alright.”

As long as the White Demon Stone was there, Shin-ui was in the weaker position.

“Thank you.”

Of course, I couldn’t help but feel bothered by Shin-ui’s demeanor.

Honestly, I held no ill will towards Shin-ui; quite the opposite, I had only good feelings.

Making him act so pathetically was a truly unpleasant feeling for me too.

Petty and sordid.

I knew that all too well myself, but…

I still had to do it.

“Now… for my final question.”

The questions I asked earlier were things that didn’t significantly matter whether they were answered or not.

The important thing was the question I was about to ask.

“I have something to ask about Wi Seol-ah.”

“…”

As if Shin-ui had anticipated this, the corner of his eye twitched.

“I heard that the Sword Master elder and you used the Demon Sealing Stone on that child.”

The Demon Sealing Stone that was in Cheon Yu-rang-a’s room in my past life.

And Wi Seol-ah, who had regained her presence.

I judged that there must be a connection to this matter.

Recalling what Wi Seol-ah had told me, I wanted to ask Shin-ui.

Why the Sword Master made such a choice.

What Wi Seol-ah’s current condition was.

I intended to find out, no matter what it took.

“…”

Upon hearing my question, Shin-ui seemed lost in thought, his face clouded with worry.

After a long while.

Shin-ui’s lips parted with difficulty.

“Does that child still resent the Alliance Leader?”

It was a rather abrupt question.

Alliance Leader… does that refer to the Sword Master?

The previous… no, the previous-previous Alliance Leader, but it must mean the Sword Master.

And asking if Wi Seol-ah currently resents the Sword Master.

“Yes.”

I knew.

I remembered the uncomfortable expression Wi Seol-ah wore whenever her grandfather was mentioned.

Hearing my answer, Shin-ui sighed and said to me.

“I don’t particularly like the Alliance Leader. I acknowledge his abilities, but he prioritized other things over his convictions, making many wrong choices as Alliance Leader.”

In terms of position, excluding the first Alliance Leader, Yeon Il-cheon, he was the most influential figure among all past Alliance Leaders of the Martial Alliance.

Shin-ui didn’t seem to think so.

“However, separately from that, I understand. Because I know he’s only human.”

“What you mean is…?”

“As Alliance Leader, he shouldn’t have, but as a father and a grandfather, I can understand.”

His voice held a mixture of emotions.

I could feel resentment, just as Shin-ui implied, and beneath it, a sense of pity and shared experience.

“There was only one reason the Alliance Leader had to do that to the child. It was the only reason, so even though I didn’t approve, I helped.”

“And that reason….”

The moment I asked, hiding an unknown anxiety.

Shin-ui replied in a calm voice.

“If the child’s potential hadn’t been sealed…”

The fact that I had been breathing fine until now…

“That child would surely have died not long after.”

Hearing Shin-ui’s words, I felt a sudden blockage in my throat.

---

Shanxi District.

Specifically, the path leading to the Patriarch’s chamber, lined with a garden.

Under the bright weather, amidst the brilliantly blooming white flowers, a woman took light steps.

Judging by her unwavering posture and the gracefully upright torso with each step, one could tell the woman was highly educated.

For some reason, her steps were marked by a rare, bright demeanor.

As she walked, the steward tending the flowerbeds noticed her and immediately paid his respects.

“Greetings, Madam.”

The woman’s identity was none other than the mistress of the Gu family, Mi Hyoran, the head of the Baihua Trading Company, one of the so-called Three Great Trading Companies of the Central Plains.

She paused her steps and gave a slight bow to the steward.

“Is he inside?”

“Yes.”

“May I enter now?”

At Mi Hyoran’s words, the steward shifted slightly.

It was a sign of permission.

There were only three people who could enter the Gu family’s Patriarch’s chamber without permission.

Starting with the current First Elder, Gu Ryun, then the Gu family’s steward, and the mistress, Mi Hyoran.

She always asked the steward for permission before going to the Patriarch’s chamber.

Even though she had been told there was no need to do so.

Watching her, the steward asked.

“Madam.”

“Yes.”

“You seem to be in a good mood.”

“Ah.”

Mi Hyoran smiled slightly at the steward’s words.

“No. It’s nothing like that.”

She said that as she headed towards the Patriarch’s chamber, but…

Anyone could see she was in a good mood. It made sense, as Mi Hyoran rarely smiled so brightly.

Seeing that, the steward also smiled faintly and resumed tidying the flowerbeds.

Tok-tok.

There was definitely a lightness in Mi Hyoran’s steps as she headed to the Patriarch’s chamber.

Although she told the steward otherwise, she was indeed feeling good.

The reason was the letter she held in her hand.

It was a letter sent by Gu Yangcheon.

It was probably the first time.

For Gu Yangcheon to send a separate letter to Mi Hyoran.

The letter that arrived that morning bore the seal of the Baihua Trading Company.

It seemed to have been sent through a branch, but what was truly important was the content written inside.

-I apologize for contacting you like this. Have you been well?

It started with a casual greeting, but the content that followed was rather interesting.

The fact that she had obtained a fortuitous encounter and sold items through the trading company.

And the story about using Mi Hyoran’s name in the process.

That was precisely the issue.

-While speaking with the branch manager, there was a situation where I unavoidably had to refer to Madam Mi as my mother.

How long did she pause at that part?

She probably paused for quite a while.

-I offer my apologies in advance, in case you feel displeased upon learning of this later.

An apology? Mi Hyoran couldn’t understand why Gu Yangcheon was apologizing to her.

Gathering her slightly dazed thoughts, Mi Hyoran read on, unfortunately reaching the last line very quickly.

The letter wasn’t very long.

-Ah, and also. The branch manager of the Sichuan branch seems to be doing a good job.

-Well then, I’ll see you next time.

After reading the entire brief letter, Mi Hyoran took a few breaths.

‘The Sichuan branch manager…?’

The content written at the end of the letter Gu Yangcheon sent.

The Sichuan branch manager was someone Mi Hyoran knew.

‘He had a great eye for people, but he was also quite ambitious and greedy.’

His name was Dae… something? I couldn’t recall that far.

He wasn’t a particularly important person anyway. I had planned to deal with him soon.

However.

‘If that child saw him favorably, there must be a reason.’

Gu Yangcheon saw him favorably.

That single statement changed the treatment of the Sichuan branch manager.

Immediately after, Mi Hyoran wrote a dispatch to be sent throughout the entire company and stamped it with the head’s seal.

The content was to halt all other tasks and prioritize the work Gu Yangcheon had entrusted.

After sending the dispatch, which contained rather unconventional instructions, via a servant.

She carefully folded the received letter, tucked it into her bosom, and resumed walking.

Her destination was the Patriarch’s chamber where Gu Cheol-un was.

Mi Hyoran was trying to suppress her feelings, but it was clearly out of a desire to show off.

She couldn’t wait to present the letter she received before Gu Cheol-un.

Soon, she reached the chamber door.

Mi Hyoran reached for and opened the Patriarch’s chamber door.

“That child sent a letter….”

Normally, she would have greeted him first, but Mi Hyoran, in her haste, tried to blurt out the main point.

However, unfortunately, she couldn’t.

“…You?”

It was because the atmosphere inside the chamber was unusual.

Gu Cheol-un was sitting at his desk with his usual expression.

But the aura emanating from him was strange.

Anger.

The emotion felt from Gu Cheol-un was clearly anger.

And it was considerable anger, the likes of which Mi Hyoran hadn’t felt in over a decade.

Mi Hyoran remained silent and first observed Gu Cheol-un.

He was stroking his beard with one hand while looking at a letter with the other.

The seal was from an organization Mi Hyoran also recognized.

‘Tang Clan?’

It was the seal of the Sichuan Tang Clan.

The Tang Clan was Gu Yangcheon’s destination, and considering the timing, he should have arrived around now.

The fact that a letter came from there…

‘Did something happen?’

As she thought that, Mi Hyoran’s expression hardened slightly.

Deureureuk.

Gu Cheol-un stood up.

Whooosh–!!

At that moment, heat surged through the room, palpable even to Mi Hyoran.

“…Gk!”

Mi Hyoran was a martial artist before being a merchant, but her level was merely between second-class and first-class.

This was because her martial power was built merely for self-defense, hence not very high.

Because of this, Mi Hyoran found it overwhelming to withstand the aura Gu Cheol-un was emitting.

Which made it even more surprising.

Usually, Gu Cheol-un kept his power sealed to avoid harming those around him.

What could have happened to cause such a violent reaction?

“What on earth happened….”

“Four days.”

Gu Cheol-un’s eyes, filled with force, turned towards Mi Hyoran.

“I will return within four days.”

“What do you mean…? You have schedules with the company afterwards…!”

Mi Hyoran tried to hastily add, but…

Pah-!

Gu Cheol-un turned into an ember before her eyes and vanished in an instant.

Watching that, Mi Hyoran immediately turned and ran out of the Patriarch’s chamber.

To catch Gu Cheol-un? Impossible. Mi Hyoran couldn’t stop him.

This was none other than to inform the steward and simultaneously alert the company.

She needed to warn them to prepare, as it seemed trouble was brewing.

It made sense, because back when Mi Hyoran was young.

After Gu Cheol-un disappeared with such a violent reaction, unbelievable events always followed.

One day, the victor of an unorthodox sect would burn to death and disappear.

Or an entire sect aiming to form an army would be wiped off the map.

Having experienced all those events, Mi Hyoran had to act quickly.

Her husband, enraged like that.

She had no idea what he would do this time.