Chapter 40

When Cheon Ho-seong came to his senses, he was overwhelmed with satisfaction at how much his body had improved—far beyond his expectations. His internal energy had increased, and the flow of qi surged more powerfully than ever before. Every technique he used came out stronger than it had before. But the process itself? He didn’t even want to remember it. If someone told him to go through that again? His whole body trembled. Cheon Ho-seong made up his mind. This is good enough. That was when Yeon Woo Jin spoke with a sugary voice. “How is it? Don’t you want to recommend it to others?” Who else could others mean? Ma Ryang and Jeokseong. Cheon Ho-seong quickly nodded. “Absolutely recommended! Shall I go lure them over?” “Would you?” “Hahaha! That won’t be hard at all. Just seeing how I’ve changed, they’ll come running without looking back.” He didn’t care if they got stronger too. After all, under Yeon Woo Jin, all martial artists were equal. He wanted them to experience it as well. This electrifying pain. As Cheon Ho-seong dashed outside, his face twisted into something almost demonic. **** BOOM— CRASHHHH— Ma Ryang and Jeokseong stared wide-eyed at Cheon Ho-seong, shocked by how much stronger his martial arts had become. “Wh-What the hell?! You’re stronger than before!” “H-How is this possible?!” As the two stood dumbfounded, Cheon Ho-seong smiled and began to speak. “It’s the power the young master gave me.” “Young Master Woo Jin?” “That’s right.” “Wh-What the hell did he do to you to cause a change like this?” “Now that you mention it... you look younger too.” At Jeokseong’s words, Ma Ryang took another look. “Oh? You’re right. Your wrinkles are gone. Did the young master do that too?” “Yes. It’s a side effect that comes naturally if you go through the process he does.” “Even your body shape looks different. Did you go through bone-shedding and rebirth?” “Not quite that, but something similar.” “What does that even mean? Either it’s bone-shedding rebirth or it’s not.” “You’ll understand once you go through it yourselves.” “Will the young master do it if we ask him?” “Of course. Honestly, even if you don’t ask, he might offer it himself. He takes good care of his people.” Ma Ryang and Jeokseong’s faces lit up. They had thought Cheon Ho-seong was being treated with special favoritism, but it turned out that wasn’t the case. “Oh! One thing I should mention—it’s a bit painful.” “Hahaha! If it makes us stronger, what’s a little pain?” Ma Ryang laughed heartily, and Jeokseong nodded beside him. “I’ve trained to withstand torture. I’m used to pain.” Cheon Ho-seong smirked to himself. Let’s see if you can still talk like that after you’ve experienced it. “Let’s go right now! Where is the young master?” “Follow me. I know where he is.” **** Inside a cave. Yeon Woo Jin welcomed Ma Ryang and Jeokseong. “Did you find any traces of the attacker?” “We’re sorry. No, we didn’t.” “They’re clearly skilled at fleeing. They wiped their tracks clean and disappeared.” “That’s what worries me. I’m afraid someone on our side might get hurt by those monsters.” At Woo Jin’s words, Ma Ryang and Jeokseong beat their chests and declared: “Do you know who I am? I’m Ma Ryang, second only to the Sect Leader in the Martial God Sect!” “Really? You beat everyone except Grandpa?” At Woo Jin’s teasing question, Ma Ryang hesitated a bit. “Well... there are about two people who are neck and neck with me.” Woo Jin chuckled. “You heard from Uncle Ho-seong, right?” “We did. Is it really true? That it can change our body shape?” “Yes. For masters like Ma Ryang and Jeokseong, the change won’t be that dramatic.” “We confirmed it through Ho-seong. That’s more than enough.” “Same for me. That’s enough.” Their eyes burned with determination. “You heard about the side effects, right?” “Side effects?” “It hurts.” “Oh, that. Yes, we heard about that.” “We can handle any amount of pain.” “Good. Then let’s get started right away.” “Right now?” “Yes. No need to delay. Everything’s ready.” Woo Jin pointed toward a drawn formation. “Take off your clothes completely and step inside.” “A-Alright.” Ma Ryang and Jeokseong stripped without hesitation and stepped into the formation, showing off their massive builds. Even the slightest movement made their muscles ripple. “Now, copy exactly the posture I’m about to do.” They focused intently on Woo Jin’s movements. A few minutes later. “Y-Young master! I-Is this right?” Groaning and straining, the two men contorted themselves into bizarre postures. Smiling, Woo Jin slowly walked over and pushed their arms and legs deeper into place. Crack. With the sound of joints snapping, groans burst out. “Ghk!” “Hrgh!” Their faces turned red from the pain. “Good. Keep that posture.” “Y-Yes, sir...” As they answered, they felt their bodies twisting further and further. At the same time, they could feel the energy within the formation being absorbed into their bodies. Crack. Riiip. “Uuugh!” “Ghhhrgh!” Just like with Cheon Ho-seong, the sounds of joints and muscles twisting echoed from their bodies. Cheon Ho-seong, watching from the side, turned away. It brought back too many memories. “Now, we begin.” At Woo Jin’s words, Cheon Ho-seong covered his ears and tightly shut his eyes. **** After the procedure ended, Ma Ryang and Jeokseong felt light and invigorated. Their entire bodies were brimming with vitality, and they could feel their qi flowing in perfect sync with their physical movements. Even their skin had tightened, their wrinkles vanishing—making them look younger. Now they understood what Cheon Ho-seong meant by “almost bone-shedding rebirth” and “reversing age.” Of course, the pain they had felt during the process... was something they never wanted to think about again. Jeokseong shook his head and said, “If I had to go through that pain again, I’d spill every secret I know. No hesitation.” “Same here.” “It’s like a whole new level of torture. Sure, your body gets stronger, but the pain is unreal.” Then Jeokseong asked something that had been on his mind. “Young master, this pain... is it adjustable?” “Of course. I actually did it as gently as possible for you two.” That... was gentle?! Then what if it wasn’t gentle? “Later, if someone disobedient comes along, you could make them go through this. I think once someone’s been through it, they’d never dare defy you again for the rest of their life.” At Jeokseong’s suggestion, Woo Jin’s face lit up with interest. “Really?” At that moment, Jeokseong got the sudden sense that he’d said something he shouldn’t have. Wait... there’s no guarantee I won’t be made to go through it again, is there? “That’s a good idea. It’s painful, sure, but it strengthens the body. It won’t harm anyone permanently.” “W-Well, yes...” “If I just tweak the energy suppressor and separate the transformation into multiple stages, I can adjust the formation as you suggested. It’ll be quite useful for punishing someone.” “Y-You think so?” “Yes. Thank you. That’s an idea I hadn’t considered.” “I-I’m glad you like it, young master...” “Alright, now... who should we test it on?” At Woo Jin’s words, the three men flinched. Ma Ryang hurriedly sent a voice transmission to Jeokseong. —You idiot! Why did you open your damn mouth?! If he needs someone for testing, you better volunteer! —Shit! It just slipped out! —Because of you, now he wants to use that monstrous thing for punishment! —No way he’d use it on us, right? —You never know! Jeokseong wore a glum expression. “Don’t worry. I won’t use it on the three of you.” At Yeon Woo Jin’s words, the three men jumped in surprise. “Y-You didn’t... hear the voice transmission, did you?” “I did.” “H-How?” “I can see the air’s vibrations. You know—my ability.” “Ah...” Wasn’t Yeon Woo Jin the very definition of omnipotent? “I would never use something like that on the ones I care about. To me, the three of you are like family. So please, don’t worry.” When he said they were like family, the three of them were moved to the point of trembling. “Sir! Ma Ryang! I shall devote my body and soul to the young master!” “Sir! Cheon Ho-seong! I will be crushed to dust and broken to pieces for you, young master!” “Sir! Jeokseong! I will be your loyal hound and steed!” Their sworn lord was not Yeon Cheon-baek, but Yeon Woo Jin, because Yeon Cheon-baek himself had instructed them to serve Woo Jin as their master. And truthfully, all three already felt devoted to Woo Jin, so it was natural and easy for them to offer their allegiance. Seeing how deeply they were moved by something so small, Woo Jin smiled. “I’ll be counting on you from now on.” “Yes, sir!” **** Having completed all experiments, Yeon Woo Jin called for Jang Un and Seon Woo Baek. Jang Un was the first to arrive. Woo Jin handed him something. “What’s this?” “It’s not from me. It’s from my grandfather. Give it to your father.” “But...” “It’s a reward for a job well done. Don’t overthink it—just use it.” Woo Jin shoved the envelope into Jang Un’s chest. Jang ❖ Nоvеlight ❖ (Exclusive on Nоvеlight) Un chuckled and said, “Ever since I met you, it feels like my life turned around. Money just keeps rolling in.” There was still a good amount left from what Jincheon Sect had given him before, and now he was receiving another large sum. At the very least, his family would never struggle financially again. As Jang Un tucked the envelope away, Seon Woo Baek came running. “I’m here. What’s going on?” To his question, Woo Jin replied with a wide grin. “Something good for you both.” “Something good for us?” Seon Woo Baek looked at Jang Un. His expression asked, Do you know what he’s talking about? Jang Un shrugged. I have no idea, his body language said. Jang Un asked, “What kind of something?” “If there were a way to get stronger—would you do it?” At Woo Jin’s question, the two of them flinched. Their current training was already incredibly intense—would this mean even harder training? Still, they’d gotten somewhat used to it. It was bearable now. “I’ll do it!” said Jang Un. “I realized this time just how weak I really am. If I can get stronger, I’ll do whatever it takes.” Hearing that, Seon Woo Baek was reminded of how Jang Un had almost died recently. The rumors had been spreading. That the Blood Cult, long believed wiped out, was active again. Seon Woo Baek clenched his fists. “I—I want to get stronger too!” Yeon Woo Jin smiled at their answers. Shiver— That smile sent chills down their spines. Both of them felt like they had just made a terrible mistake—but it was too late. The words were out, and whether it turned to death or salvation, they were ready to face it head-on. **** Jang Un and Seon Woo Baek lay on the floor, completely naked. Then, as if sharing the same nightmare, both of them suddenly jolted upright, drenched in cold sweat. “Hah... Hah...!” “Huff... Huff...!” Startled, they looked at each other—then their gazes dropped downward. Realizing they were naked, they both shouted at once: “W-Was it not a dream?!” But the answer came from elsewhere. “It wasn’t a dream. Are you two finally back to your senses?” At those words, both of them felt a cold shiver run through their entire bodies. Was this what it felt like to reincarnate after dying and escaping hell? If one were punished in hell for their sins, surely this would be the kind of suffering involved. It was a kind of pain they never wanted to experience again. “I thought you said you could endure any kind of pain?” At Woo Jin’s remark, Jang Un and Seon Woo Baek shook their heads violently. “T-That wasn’t pain a human can endure!” “He’s right! That was torture!” “And to think I actually reduced the pain using a suppressing energy. Can you believe that?” “...What?” “You reduced the pain?” “Yup.” The two of them gaped. If that was the reduced version...? They didn’t even want to imagine the full one. “Enough—pull yourselves together and check your physical condition.” Only then did they begin to focus and examine their bodies. “Huh?” “W-Whoa?” As they looked themselves over, surprise spread across their faces. Then, without a word, they crossed their legs and closed their eyes. They were already slipping into a deep state of meditative breathing. **** Moments later— “Whoaaah... What is this?” “M-My body’s completely changed!” “Hey... Your physique is perfectly balanced now!” “Yours too!” “Even my internal energy... it’s gotten stronger.” “Same here.”