Childhood Friend of the Zenith

The Divine Doctor is searching for the White Demon Stone.

That’s what the branch manager had clearly said.

‘The White Demon Stone, huh.

’This stone had been left behind from white-ranked demonic beasts that roamed centuries ago.

Other than the remnants from when martial artists dealt with them in the past, there were no known sources of it.

In terms of rarity, it was far more precious and scarcer than Night Pearls.

The bigger issue, however, was that…‘It’s essentially useless.

’Magic stones that come from demonic beasts have no real use.

Their lovely colors might make them seem fit for jewelry, but…Magic stones extracted from demonic beasts lose their color after a few days, turning into ordinary rocks, rendering them useless even for that purpose.

That’s the reason I bother hunting these demonic beasts myself to harvest their stones.

‘Losing their color means they’ve lost their energy.

’There’s no reason to be interested in magic stones that contain no energy.

In my case, I can make use of magic stones only because I possess the Heavenly Demonic Absorption Art.

For others, these stones are merely worthless artifacts.

Considering all this, it’s unusual that a White Demon Stone with preserved color and energy exists.

And it’s quite strange that the Divine Doctor needs it.

‘Why?

’Why on earth…Why would the Divine Doctor be searching for the White Demon Stone?

Could it be tied to the reason he came to Sichuan?

Furthermore, even if he does acquire the White Demon Stone…‘Would he actually be able to use it?

’The idea of a regular human finding a practical use for a magic stone is strange.

‘Hmm.

’As I thought about it, I naturally recalled the White Demon Stone in my possession.

The White Demon Stone I acquired from Tang Jemoon’s secret stash—I’d managed to bring it out along with the Night Pearls and had kept it in storage.

I hadn’t absorbed it yet.

‘Not because I have any specific reason…’I simply hadn’t had the opportunity.

Not long after I’d reconstructed my vessel, I escaped a body that felt on the verge of death.

Around that same time, I succeeded in firmly stabilizing my previously incomplete state, so I hadn’t felt the need to absorb the White Demon Stone.

‘I don’t need it urgently.

’Though more energy is always beneficial, taking in too much at once can lead to issues with control.

Some energy is bound to be lost in a rushed attempt to absorb it, so I intended to wait until things were calm.

‘And now it turns out the Divine Doctor needs it…’For him to go as far as to visit the trading company himself, it must mean he’s in a bit of a hurry.

‘Hmm.

’Once I grasped that much, a vague memory came to mind.

A conversation I once had with Wi Seol-ah—it slowly resurfaced.

At the Sword Master’s request, Wi Seol-ah had borrowed the power of the Divine Doctor and the efficacy of a binding stone to forcibly suppress her abilities.

At the time, I hadn’t fully understood why she made such a choice.

‘Well, this is convenient.

’Now that someone who could answer my questions had appeared, the timing couldn’t have been better.

And even more so…‘…I even have a card to play, and the key to shaking it lies with me?

’This couldn’t be a better situation.

While I do think well of the Divine Doctor, my circumstances don’t allow for the luxury of relying on thin sentimentality.

As I was reflecting on this, mentally organizing my plan of action—"It seems you’re preoccupied with something urgent.

""…"The voice in front of me snapped me to attention.

I remembered that someone was right here in front of me.

The moon had just risen.

After finishing my business at the Baekhwa Trading Company, I’d taken a short walk around the prefecture with the kids, wandered a bit, then stopped by the inn to grab a quick meal before returning.

My remaining schedule contained just one item.

"You called me here, and yet here you are, lost in thought right in front of me.

Tsk, tsk.

"It was finally time to meet with Paejon.

As soon as I arrived at the Tang Clan, I met him.

At his sharp reprimand and the slight click of his tongue, I bowed slightly.

"…I apologize.

"There’d been so much going on that I’d momentarily let my mind wander.

Since I was the one who’d called for him, it was quite rude of me.

Fortunately, Paejon didn’t seem too bothered by it.

"It’s fine.

"He waved his hand dismissively, and I looked over at him.

Judging from his heated body and the scent of sweat, he seemed to have just finished training.

My heightened sense of smell only made it clearer—rarely did Paejon ever not smell like sweat.

It was always like this.

He constantly appeared to be training, even though I and others rarely saw him at it.

As I continued watching Paejon, Noya’s voice echoed in my mind.

[He’s remarkable.

]‘You mean Paejon?

’[Yes, I’ve thought so every time I see him.

He’s exceptional.

There’s something different about him.

]‘Really?

’When I first met Paejon, Noya had been asleep, so he hadn’t been able to comment on him.

I was curious about how Noya now viewed Paejon.

Though Paejon’s body should have deteriorated significantly after experiencing a regression to his youth, Noya seemed to see something different.

[His body is exceptionally well-composed.

]‘What?

’Noya’s words left me puzzled.

His body is well-composed?

That shouldn’t be possible, given the toll of his regression.

Seeing my confusion, Noya elaborated.

[Normally, that’s true.

The energy pathways and body of a martial artist who undergoes regression are permanently damaged—they can never fully recover.

]The body of a martial artist honed to its peak before experiencing regression.

For those who undergo it, returning to their former condition is impossible.

No matter how much enlightenment or fortuitous energy they absorb.

Their martial level may increase, but the body itself can never fully recover.

Yet what Noya was suggesting was different.

[To say his body is well-composed means his energy and physical form are highly synchronized.

Despite the damage, he’s maintained an extraordinary harmony between his energy and body.

Quite impressive.

]‘…Hmm.

’I had to think carefully to fully understand Noya’s words.

At the moment a martial artist reaches their peak, the inner energy in their dantian gradually permeates their body.

That’s why this stage is often called the “moment of transformation”—their strength and senses heighten dramatically.

I wondered if this was what Noya was referring to.

‘But to say his synchronization is that high…’I examined Paejon’s body, though I’d never taken a detailed look at it before, and even now, nothing was obvious to me.

Sensing my gaze, Paejon cocked his head slightly.

"What are you staring at so intently?

""…Nothing.

I was just noticing how dedicated you seem to be with your training.

""Hmm.

"At my response, Paejon’s gaze briefly scanned my body.

Is he perhaps checking to see if I’ve been training or not?

‘…If he is, then I’m not very confident.

’I hadn’t been able to do much training lately, having been dragged all over the place.

As I withstood Paejon’s inspection, a sudden gleam appeared in his eyes.

Grip.

"…!

"Before I knew it, he grabbed my arm and pulled me forward.

The situation unfolded so quickly that I didn’t even have time to react.

"Sir…?

"Startled, I called out to Paejon, but he held my arm firmly, his eyes burning as he examined me.

"What is this?

""Pardon?

""What on earth happened to you?

What’s with this body?

""…!

"Hearing Paejon’s words, I tried to pull my arm free, but his grip was unyielding.

‘Could he have noticed?

’Not even the Poison King had detected the effects of the Body Transformation Art, yet Paejon seemed to have figured it out as soon as he saw me.

‘…Even I can’t tell just by looking.

How did he notice?

’The changes were so subtle that even I couldn’t perceive them directly.

Yet Paejon had somehow recognized them instantly.

"What kind of trouble have you gotten into this time?

""…"His gaze was intense.

I could tell that he wouldn’t let go unless I gave him a proper explanation.

Damn it.

This wasn’t how I intended this meeting to go.

‘What do I do…?

’I thought of making an excuse, but one look at Paejon’s eyes told me that wouldn’t work.

This wasn’t something that could be dismissed with a few words.

‘Tsk.

’I’d called him here to discuss training and martial arts, but I’d been exposed before I could even begin.

Maybe I had underestimated Paejon too much.

As I stood there, arm still in his grasp, deliberating my options, I finally came to a decision.

There was no point in trying to escape, and this was something Paejon would need to know eventually.

Since I was learning martial arts from him, I couldn’t keep hiding it forever.

With a soft exhale, I activated the energy in my heart.

Following the techniques embedded by Tang Jemoon, I directed my inner energy, feeling the changes begin to spread through my body.

Crack-crack.

"…!

"As my bones shifted and my muscles expanded, Paejon’s eyes widened.

My height rose by nearly a full handspan, and my build became significantly bulkier.

This is my true form.

I’d always thought it strange that the Body Transformation Art required so little energy, considering it could transform my entire body so dramatically.

Now that I returned to my natural form, I could feel a much greater surge of energy from my heart.

Gradually adjusting to the heat radiating through me, I opened my eyes.

What greeted me was Paejon’s unyielding gaze.

This was the most intense I’d ever seen him look.

Was he just as stunned by this transformation?

Then again, I’d be shocked too if a disciple showed up like this after only a few days apart.

So, where should I begin explaining?

Even if I couldn’t explain the scales wrapped around my left arm, I’d at least have to address my physical transformation.

I knew what Paejon expected from me.

He wanted me to inherit his martial arts, to surpass its limits.

Knowing Paejon’s expectations only made it harder for me to face him.

‘I’m no longer human.

’He wanted to break human limits and ascend even higher.

Paejon wanted to achieve that with his martial arts.

But for me, it was already too late.

‘It’s not like I chose to end up this way…’No matter how I felt, the result was already decided.

For someone who likely held high hopes for me, it must have been disappointing.

Understanding this only made it harder for me to start explaining.

"…Well, the thing is…"Seeing Paejon’s trembling gaze, I opened my mouth, struggling to find the right words.

Grip.

Paejon grabbed my other shoulder as well, then—"What is this?

"He began examining my body quickly, asking one question after another.

"What exactly did you do?

"I thought he was asking about the essence of the martial arts technique when he continued.

"What kind of martial art is this?

I’ve never seen anything like it.

It doesn’t just transform the body, does it?

What’s the principle behind it?

How does the inner energy flow?

Where did the dantian go?

If it’s like this, does the energy flow start from the heart?

Can you actually fight in this transformed state?

If so, could you extend only your arms to close the distance?

Altering the reach this way would be ideal for ambushing.

""…"The barrage of questions left me stunned, my expression blank.

How many questions did he just throw at me in that short moment…?

His rapid-fire questioning left my head spinning.

"Why aren’t you answering?

""…It’s… just…"I have no idea how to answer.

There were so many questions, I felt like my brain might explode.

Contrary to my expectation that he’d scold me for ending up in this state, Paejon seemed more intrigued by my transformation and the Body Transformation Art than anything else.

This reaction was unexpected…As I hesitated, not knowing what to say, Noya’s voice echoed in my mind.

[Ah, I see.

]It sounded as if he’d realized something.

[Birds of a feather truly do flock together.

Not only are you twisted, but he’s quite the eccentric too.

Of course, it makes sense that no one around a brat like you would be normal.

]"…"Though his words were full of veiled insults, the most irritating part was…I couldn’t exactly argue with him.