DEB 61

In an instant, a chill ran down his spine, and his mouth went dry. 

Nameless’ long black hair fell, tickling Huiyun’s cheek, but he couldn’t move; he was only able to replay Nameless’ words in his mind.

“Why are you deliberately not using your full power?”

The sudden question was clear in its meaning despite its abruptness.

He was asking why Huiyun hadn’t awakened yet.

As he held his breath, confronted with a question tied to his reasons for denying being Yasha, Nameless leaned closer, almost straddling him. 

When his knees landed on the bed, the mattress, already strained by the slimes, groaned under the additional weight.

And Huiyun felt a similar groan rising from within him. 

Those unreadable black eyes bore into him, creeping him out more than any horror movie ever could. 

Instinctively, he grabbed the blanket and avoided Nameless’s gaze, only to hear his soft laughter in his ear.

His eyes darted around as his mind raced. 

Damn it. I didn’t expect him to figure this out so quickly.

Although Huiyun hasn’t awaken, he could see the system screen and communicate with the system, allowing him to use the powers of the Awakened. 

He met all the basic conditions of an Awakened.

Therefore, he didn’t think anyone would doubt that he wasn’t an Awakened. But unfortunately, he had been caught by the disciple who drank his blood and had been thoroughly exposed. 

Pondering, Huiyun chose the most familiar option: shameless denial.

“I don’t understand what you’re suddenly talking about. What do you mean by not using my full power?”

“Oh dear. Yasha, if you were going to deny it, you should have done so faster. You’ve already shown all your agitation and are now pretending to be calm—who would believe that?”

“…”

“You clearly possess more powerful abilities than what you’re showing now, like you did at your peak.”

As Nameless spoke, he pressed a finger firmly on Huiyun’s chest, right where his heart was.

“I can still faintly feel that energy now.” 

Why do you have to sense such things so carelessly?

Suppressing the urge to retort, Huiyun remained silent as Nameless tilted his head.

“I was curious why someone with such immense power is displaying so little. If you’re not forcibly restraining it, is it because of your body? Is your body too weak to handle all that power?”

His black eyes scanned Huiyun’s entire body as he spoke, his cold, somewhat dry tone making it feel like a thorough examination.

The feeling of being penetrated to his core was unsettling, and Huiyun held his breath as Nameless leaned closer.

Rustle.

The pressure on his chest increased. 

“Should I change it for you?”

“…What?”

“Your body. With a bit of research, I could probably reincarnate you into a different body or transfer your soul into a corpse.”

“What kind of nonsense is that?”

Startled, Huiyun scooted back, eyeing Nameless warily. 

Nameless seemed genuinely puzzled by Huiyun’s reaction, tilting his head.

“Why are you so alarmed? It’s just a suggestion. Except for your face, that body seems… quite useless.”

His blatant gaze roamed over Huiyun’s entire body before his eyes curved into a smile. 

It was a beautiful smile, yet devoid of any warmth.

“Let’s switch you to a healthy and strong body. That way, you won’t have to spit blood or restrain your power. Although it might take some time to research, if Yasha permits, I’ll start looking into it immediately. It shouldn’t take too long. Maybe 20 or 30 years…. Just help me until then.”

Does he think 20 or 30 years is short?!

He had said it wouldn’t take long, but the amount of time he mentioned was immense. Even if Huiyun had considered it, the time was too daunting to entertain seriously, and he had no intention of changing his body.

“I don’t want to change my body, so please move.”

“Why not? It would be much more convenient. Considering the peace Yasha will enjoy in the future, 20 or 30 years is a worthwhile investment. Once we know how, I could even assist you in your next life.”

There seemed to be extra weight in those words. Feeling like he was indirectly experiencing the madness attributed to Black Dragons, Huiyun rubbed his temples and pushed Nameless away.

Fearing the real danger of having his body switched, he sent a pleading look to Juan. 

The man, who had been quietly listening to their conversation, finally approached, looking as if he had been caught eavesdropping. 

Despite acting swiftly when Huiyun had coughed up blood, he was now leisurely moving, which Huiyun found irritating.

“It’s a reasonable suggestion. Why refuse? Yasha, you’re struggling with your current body.”

“I’m Huiyun. Besides, changing bodies is unnatural. Defying the natural order will bring consequences.”

Whether it was Huiyun or Nameless, someone would suffer significant repercussions. 

Pointing out this obvious fact, Nameless responded calmly, saying they would just have to bear the cost. 

Huiyun, exasperated, pushed him away and sat upright.

“Do you even know what the cost might be? If the punishment leads to your soul being destroyed, could you bear it?”

“…”

“Only attempt it if you’re ready to face the worst possible outcome.”

Snapping, he glared at Nameless. 

Seeing the slimes approach, trying to soothe him, he hugged the squishy creatures for comfort. 

Vita, who had been watching the argument like a spectator, joined the conversation.

“He’s right. If you switch bodies and lose Yasha’s soul, it would be dangerous. Let him live in his current body, even if it’s weak. That’s better for Yasha, right?”

“…Please call me Huiyun.”

He sighed deeply. While Vita was siding with him now, the fact that he had mimicked Huigang still made him uneasy.

Still, the fortunate part was that their conversation about switching bodies had distracted from the topic of him not awakening.

“So, are you planning to live your entire life without using your full power?”

Guess not. It wasn’t forgotten.

Nameless was more persistent and tenacious than he had anticipated. Huiyun thought he was giving him time to recover, but he had underestimated him.

Meeting the curious gazes of the four disciples, Huiyun clenched his fists.

“…I won’t unleash it.” 

“Why?”

“Why engage in such inefficiency?”

“To rescue Zenith, we’ll need to go to the demon realm, Yasha. We’ll need your power.”

This is why I didn’t want to bring it up.

Asserting that he would continue to live suppressing his power, all the disciples surrounded his bed, pressuring him. 

They resembled a pack of hyenas, and the stress was giving him a headache.

He had been vaguely aware, but now it was certain. 

His condition was deteriorating.

“It’s my power. Whether I unleash it or not is my choice. If I don’t want to, I don’t have to. I’m Huiyun, not Yasha. My life is different now!”

“…Yasha.”

“Please, stop calling me that…”

He trailed off, holding his face in his hands. 

The rapid decline in his condition made his words sharp and irritable.

Despite denying he was Yasha, he spoke as if separating his past and present lives, causing the disciples to frown.

These were people who had wandered for millennia searching for Yasha. 

Telling them that the past and present were separate, that they shouldn’t be so attached, likely felt like a betrayal.

This is going to make things worse. I should have been more careful with my words.

Huiyun guessed the emotions his disciples must be feeling and sighed deeply. 

He should have been more tactful, even if he was on edge.

But they had been rude to him, too.

If he had already lived one life as Yasha, shouldn’t he be allowed some indulgence in this life? 

Why did they keep tying him to Yasha’s name…

Oh, my head is spinning.

Juan broke the tense silence. 

“What if another war breaks out?”

“…”

“When war breaks out, will you still hide?”

It was a piercing question about his future actions.

He had told Juan he wanted to erase the name Yasha. Having been by Yasha’s side for a long time, Juan likely understood the implications of that statement.

As he gazed quietly, Juan’s eyes widened in realization.

“Don’t tell me, you really…”

His voice trailed off as he guessed Huiyun’s thoughts, but Huiyun didn’t respond. He had realized that silence was better than giving a definite answer.

As he turned his head away, Siho climbed onto his shoulder and let out a small cry.

– Pyau.

With that short cry, his heart felt like it was about to explode.

“Yasha!”

It was the beginning of a seizure.