Chapter 9 

The qi condensed inside the ginseng was cleaner, purer, and more balanced than that of ordinary herbs.

There were exceptions like snow ginseng, but unless you lived in a land covered in snow year-round, finding one was nearly impossible.

After letting the qi of the human-shaped ginseng wash through my body, I carefully guided it into my inner core.

Because this ginseng’s qi was so strong, I focused hard, making sure the inner core wouldn’t be damaged as I absorbed it.

Slowly, gently—
The qi seeped into my inner core like rain falling over dry earth.
My starved, depleted body finally began to feel stable again.

“Grrrng.”

When I opened my eyes, the fox noticed the changes immediately.

“Sa– San-gun is…”

[That should be good enough, right?]

[I think so too. So… is it finally time to teach me?]

The fox shot a quick glance toward Sehwa.
I followed his gaze and spoke through spiritual transmission.

[You can reveal it to her.]

[Are you sure?]

You assigned her to stay beside me for a reason. I’ll need at least one human who knows what I am—otherwise I’ll be too restricted.

If I were at full power, this wouldn’t matter.

But right now, in this fragile state, I needed a human ally.
Someone who could explain human customs and help disguise my nature as a spirit beast.

With time short and tasks many, I needed a reliable assistant.

Sehwa seems trustworthy. So—fox. What now? What’s the plan?

The fox responded casually, exactly as expected.

[First priority is restoring my inner core and regaining strength. At least enough to move freely in the martial world.]

The Blood Cult was a martial arts organization made of human warriors.
If I was going to infiltrate their world, I had to become strong enough to blend in—not some tiny cub relying on human arms.

[After that, I plan to watch Sichuan Tang Clan.]

[Why them?]

[They manufacture the pills used as ingredients for the drug that controls spirit beasts.]

My teeth ground together just thinking about it.

That cursed drug—
the reason I suffered, the reason the fox and Jimjo and so many spirits died.

The Blood Cult never showed themselves openly…
until they perfected the drug strong enough to control me.

So I would stop it at the source.
Before more spirit beasts were enslaved ever again.

The fox turned toward Sehwa.

She stared back at him, eyes wide—clearly shocked at how much I had abruptly grown.

“Sehwa.”

“Y—Yes, Pavilion Master.”

“Follow me.”

Still looking stunned, Sehwa obeyed.

The fox lifted me—now more like a lively young cub rather than a tiny newborn—and walked deeper into Cheonwolru, avoiding populated areas on purpose.

He wants privacy, I realized.

Soon we reached a secluded room.

“Here, San-gun.”

He set me down.

[I’ll teach you how to use transformation arts now. But with your current strength, even if you disguise yourself as a human, it will only be as a child.]

[How old?]

[Around ten years old, probably.]

[Annoying… but acceptable. And an adult form?]

[Not impossible, but…]

Just teach me. I’ll try it first and judge later.]

The fox explained the transformation technique in detail.

Spirit beasts rarely bother transforming into humans—
The human world was messy, troublesome, and full of dangers.

But the technique itself wasn’t difficult.

[I’ll try it now. Let’s see…]

As soon as the fox set me down, I activated the transformation arts.

The moment my vision shifted higher, I knew it worked.

“H–Huh…!”

Sehwa gasped sharply, but I didn’t care.

“A—Ah! Yes! Success!”

I clenched my tiny fist—still small, but undeniably human.

My heart thumped with excitement.

My body felt light.
Strange, but pleasant.

I stomped my feet experimentally, stretched my arms, and spun in place—
completely absorbed in the sensation of moving with two legs again.

Apparently the fox’s technique included basic clothing too, because flowing pale-blue garments fluttered around me.

“I did it! Human form! The view from up here is taller than I expected!”

“Um, wait—San—”

Why had I never tried this in a thousand years?
This was invigorating!

And the fastest way to adapt to a new body was to move.

“Hey!! Stop!”

“San-gun-nim!”

Ignoring the fox shouting behind me, I flung open the door and dashed out.

My strides were longer now—vastly more satisfying than when I was a tiny cub.

Not as good as my original body, but still…

After being stuck as a cub for so long, having this child-sized human body felt amazing.

I grinned widely—
only after confirming no humans were nearby, of course.

I was still San-gun. I had standards.

But—

“Ugh!”

I tripped.

My new clothes tangled around my legs, and I fell forward—
face-first into the floor.

My nose rang painfully.

“Urgh…”

I reflexively reached up to rub it—
and froze.

My hand wasn’t a hand anymore.

Short, furry legs.
Round black paw pads.

Soft cub fur.

I blinked. Once. Twice.

Then—

“KYAAAAANG!!”

Why was I a cub again?!

If stealing food is the worst sin,
Then transforming into a human only to immediately revert after one fall is a close second.

My fury exploded.

“KYAAAAAAAH!”

I slammed my paw on the ground—
but not even a satisfying bang came out.

Rage doubled.

“San-gun!”

“Kyak!”

I bolted away from the approaching fox, humiliated beyond belief.

Losing the transformation so soon?
It shredded my pride.

I gathered qi into my legs and sprinted.
Anywhere—just far from here.

But then, as I ran, something odd entered my vision…

***

Meanwhile—at the Entrance of Cheonwolru

Cheonwolru wasn’t a place just anyone could enter.

Only those who could prove they had sufficient martial skill were permitted inside.

Which naturally meant many people came here hoping to prove themselves.

“Ahem! Excuse me, good sir. I wish to visit Cheonwolru…”

One of the gate guards looked at the young man in front of him.

Dressed in fine silk, wearing a neat topknot, early twenties—
And at his waist hung an overly decorative sword.

“Are you a martial artist?”

“I’ve trained a bit.”

“Then prove it.”

The guard spoke stiffly, expression blank.
But the young man seemed delighted, placing a hand on his sword hilt.

“You intend to fight here?”

“We do not allow entry without proof. If you refuse to duel, then leave.”

“Ha! Did I say I refused?”

The guard sighed.

Cheonwolru always attracted these types—
rich brats who learned a little martial arts and thought they were hot stuff.

Weak stance, poor internal energy, flashy sword…
The guard clicked his tongue.

“Looks like I win this round.”

“Bah. Fine. I’ll buy drinks later.”

“I’ll buy the snacks.”

“Even better.”

Losing the bet didn’t bother the guard at all.
People like this were common, and betting on whose turn it was was practically tradition.

The challenger’s face reddened as he realized they were treating him like entertainment.