Childhood Friend of the Zenith – 490



490

**Chapter 491 – Do You Need It?**

Shin Yi is looking for the White Demon Stone.

The branch manager definitely said so.

‘White Demon Stone.’

In the past centuries ago during the time when white-grade demonic beasts roamed. It was an item that supposedly existed only after martial artists dealt with them.

In terms of rarity it is far more precious than the Night Shadow Wine and it is a scarce item.

Moreover the bigger problem is.

‘There’s no use for it.’

The magic stones (魔石) that come from the bodies of demonic beasts have no practical use to begin with.

Although they have a beautiful color one might wonder if they could be crafted and used like jewels.

However the magic stones that escape from the bodies of demonic beasts lose their color and turn into ordinary stones after a few days making them unusable in that way.

The reason I go through the trouble of hunting demonic beasts myself to collect magic stones is precisely that.

‘Losing color means losing energy.’

There’s no need to pay attention to a magic stone that has no energy to absorb.

Moreover since I possess the Martial Arts Heaven Absorbing Technique I would use magic stones if I had to.

For others they are just one of the useless accessories.

Looking at this the fact that the White Demon Stone still retains its color and energy is unusual.

The fact that Shin Yi needs this is quite strange.

‘Why?’

Why on earth is Shin Yi looking for the White Demon Stone?

Is this related to why Shin Yi came to Sichuan?

Furthermore even if Shin Yi is looking for the White Demon Stone.

‘Is there a way to use it?’

It’s astonishing that an ordinary human could do something with a magic stone.

‘Hmm.’

Get notified for updates: https://discord.gg/93rmBjgP6B

As I pondered this I naturally recalled the White Demon Stone I possessed.

The White Demon Stone I obtained from the notes of the Tang Clan fortunately I had brought it out and stored it separately just like the Night Shadow Wine.

It was still in a state of not being absorbed.

‘I didn’t have any particular intention to keep it aside but…’

I simply hadn’t had the time.

Having escaped from a body that felt like it would die any moment while reconstructing the vessel I had simultaneously succeeded in completely establishing my previously incomplete realm which is why I hadn’t consumed the White Demon Stone.

‘It’s not immediately necessary.’

While having more energy is always better if it increases too much at once it takes a long time to manage.

If I rushed it I would likely waste some energy so I planned to consume it once the situation calmed down.

‘… This just happens to be what Shin Yi needs…’

If Shin Yi went as far as to visit the Trading Company to inquire it seemed to indicate a certain level of urgency.

‘Hmm.’

Having grasped that much something flashed through my mind.

A conversation I had with Wi Seol Ah in the past. It vaguely came to mind.

The incident where Wi Seol Ah forcibly blocked Shin Yi’s power and the efficacy of the sealing stone with the Wind of the Sword Lord.

At that time I couldn’t quite understand why such a choice was made.

‘What a coincidence.’

Now that someone to ask about this has appeared the situation couldn’t be more fitting.

Moreover.

‘… They even brought a weakness. The key to shake that is with me?’

It couldn’t be a better situation.

I had a favorable view of Shin Yi but recalling such shallow feelings my situation was not relaxed.

Just as I was thinking that trying to organize what to do next.

“Looks like there’s something urgent going on.”

“…”

I had to snap back to attention at the voice that came from in front of me.

Because there was someone I was facing.

At the moment the moon had just risen.

Right after finishing the schedule at the Baekhwa Trading Company I had taken a short stroll with the children and Hyun casually enjoying some time and had just returned after grabbing a quick meal at the inn.

The only remaining schedule was one.

“After calling me here you’re lost in thought right in front of me tsk tsk.”

It was facing the Master of the Clan.

As soon as I arrived at the Tang Clan I had met the Master.

I slightly bowed my head at the Master’s short click of the tongue and said.

“… I’m sorry.”

I had so much on my mind that I momentarily lost focus. I had called him to meet and this was extremely rude.

Fortunately the Master didn’t seem to care much about this.

Join our discord and ping me to update more chapters. Discord: https://discord.gg/93rmBjgP6B

“It’s fine.”

I looked at the Master who waved his hand dismissively.

It seemed he had been training until just before as his body was filled with heat and sweat.

Thanks to his heightened sense of smell there was hardly a moment when the Master’s body didn’t emit the scent of sweat.

As always he seemed to be training constantly. It was just that neither I nor anyone else could see it.

As I continued to gaze at the Master a voice from Shin Noya echoed in my mind.

[Impressive.]

‘Is that what the Master is saying?’

[Yes it’s something I’ve wanted to say every time I see him but the author is unusual. The feeling is different.]

‘Is that so?’

When I met the Master Shin Noya was still dormant so I hadn’t been able to converse about this.

I wondered how the Master appeared to Shin Noya now.

It was a sudden curiosity.

Surely the Master must have experienced a significant decline in his physical state due to the Half-Reversal Cycle. How could he be different?

[His body is exceptionally well-maintained.]

‘What?’

I couldn’t help but question Shin Noya’s words.

His body is well-maintained? That shouldn’t be possible after experiencing the Half-Reversal Cycle.

As soon as I expressed my doubt Shin Noya continued to explain as if to clarify.

[Usually that’s the norm. The acupoints and body damaged by the Half-Reversal Cycle can never return to their original state.]

The body of a martial artist that was elevated before experiencing the Half-Reversal Cycle.

Those who have gone through it can never recover to that point.

No matter how many miraculous encounters they absorb and how much enlightenment they gain.

While their realm may rise the vessel of their body has already collapsed and cannot be restored.

But what did Noya mean?

[When I say the body is well-maintained it means the harmony between energy and body is high. Unlike a collapsed body he has managed to blend energy and body so well. It’s truly remarkable.]

‘… Hmm.’

I had to think a bit more to understand Shin Noya’s words.

When a martial artist reaches their peak the qi in the qi center gradually permeates the body.

Because of this both grip strength and senses change which is why martial artists often refer to it as a moment of transformation.

I wondered if what Noya was saying might mean something like this.

‘But a high degree of harmony.’

Reflecting on that I examined the Master’s body.

It was a body I hadn’t looked at in detail before and even now I couldn’t see anything.

As if sensing my gaze the Master tilted his head slightly.

“What are you looking at?”

“… It’s nothing. I just thought you seemed to be training hard so I looked for a moment.”

“Hmm.”

The Master’s gaze brushed over my body after hearing my words.

Could he be checking whether I had trained or not?

‘… If that’s the case I’m not very confident.’

I hadn’t trained at all for a while and had just been rolling around here and there. This was a part I was quite unsure about.

As I endured the Master’s gaze filled with concern I suddenly noticed a change in his expression.

Tight.

“…!”

As soon as I confirmed that he suddenly grabbed my arm and pulled me.

The situation unfolded so quickly that I couldn’t even react properly.

“Elder…?”

I called out to the Master filled with confusion but he held my arm and began to look at me with intense eyes.

“What is it?”

“Yes?”

“What on earth happened? What is this body?”

“…!”

As I tried to urgently pull my arm away from the Master’s grip his strong hold wouldn’t let go.

‘Could it be that he noticed?’

Even the Poison King hadn’t noticed the effects of the Body Transformation Technique. It seemed the Master had realized it the moment he saw me.

‘… I can’t even tell myself. How did he notice?’

The changes were so subtle that I couldn’t feel the difference even when examining my body.

Did the Master notice such a change without any hesitation?

“What kind of trouble have you caused again?”

“…”

The Master’s gaze was intensely piercing.

It felt like he wouldn’t let go unless I provided a proper answer.

Damn it.

This wasn’t what I intended when I came to meet him.

‘What should I do…?’

I thought about making an excuse but just looking at the Master’s eyes made it clear.

This wasn’t something that could be resolved with a few simple excuses.

‘Tsk.’

I had only wanted to hear how to train or learn martial arts but to be caught the moment I showed up.

Had I underestimated the Master too much?

While I was deep in thought still held by his arm.

I finally made a decision.

I knew I couldn’t escape anyway. Moreover it was something I had to tell the Master.

As someone learning martial arts I couldn’t hide it forever.

Suuuu.

I moved the energy in my heart.

Following the phrase implanted by the Tang Clan I operated the qi and I soon felt a change in my body.

Crack.

“…!”

As my joints moved and the movement of my muscles became visible I could see the Master’s eyes widen.

My vision gradually rose and I felt my muscles expand making my body grow larger.

At least half a foot.

My height had increased by that much and my build had also grown significantly.

This was my original body now.

I had thought that the Body Transformation Technique didn’t use much qi for such an outrageous transformation.

But as I reverted from a reduced state back to my original form the difference was greater than I expected.

I felt that the qi emanating from my heart had increased significantly.

Feeling the gradually activating heat I slowly opened my eyes.

The first thing I saw was the Master’s unchanged eyes.

Among all the gazes I had seen from the Master this was the most intense.

Was he bewildered by how such a situation had unfolded?

Indeed if I were in his shoes I wouldn’t be surprised if a disciple appeared in such a state after not seeing him for a few days.

So where should I start explaining?

Even if I couldn’t explain the scales wrapped around my left arm I had to say something about my body.

Because I knew the direction the Master hoped for me.

He wanted me to carry on his martial arts. He also hoped I would reach the end of that path.

I was more burdened because I knew what the Master wanted from me.

‘I’m no longer human.’

To break through the limits of being human and rise higher.

That was what the Master hoped I would achieve through his martial arts.

But I had already reached a point where it was too late for that.

‘Did I think it would turn out like this…?’

It wasn’t something I could complain about.

No matter what my will was the result had turned out this way and it would be a troubling matter for the Master who had hoped for my conviction.

Knowing that it was all the more difficult to bring it up to the Master.

“… That is…”

Looking at the Master’s trembling eyes I hesitated to open my lips to say anything.

Crack.

The Master not only held my arm but also grabbed my opposite shoulder.

“What is it?”

He quickly checked my body from side to side and spoke.

“What have you done?”

The moment I thought he was asking about the essence of martial arts.

“What is this martial arts? I’ve never seen anything like it before. It seems it’s not just about simply transforming the body. What on earth is the principle behind it?

How does qi move? Where has the qi center gone? Does this mean that when moving qi it starts from the heart? Can I fight in a transformed state? If so I could shorten the distance by just extending my limbs. Changing the distance by shrinking and extending would be great for ambushes.”

“…”

I couldn’t help but wear a blank expression at the rapid-fire questions.

How many words did he just spit out in that short time…?

I was at a loss with his rapid-fire speech.

“Why are you not answering?”

“… No… I…”

I didn’t know how to respond.

The questions were pouring in and my head was starting to hurt.

Contrary to my expectation that he would scold me for how I ended up like this the Master seemed more interested in my transformed body than the Body Transformation Technique.

This was an unexpected reaction…

As I rolled my eyes not knowing what to say.

[Ah I see.]

Noya spoke to me as if he had realized something.

[They say birds of a feather flock together; you’re not the only one but the author is quite a pervert too. Right. There can’t be any normal people around you you brat. Heh.]

“…”

Though his words seemed to express relief they were filled with quite a bit of irritation.

What was even more infuriating was that I couldn’t even refute that ridiculous statement.