The Human Giant

Like fine wine, the young man had become more handsome and perfect as time went on. With flawless skin, a strong body filled with muscles yet perfectly portioned, an elegant aura, and short black hair, the young man seemed to be the definition of a perfect scholar.

What made this young man even more utterly beautiful were his eyes, which had colorful sparkles that faintly faded in and out. However, even though the young man before him had undergone a drastic transformation, Evi could still instantly recognize him.

"Yoze, is this really you?" 

"Of course, why are you stunned by how cool I had become after our last meeting? This is merely an after-effect of practicing martial arts."

"As I told you before, martial arts changes the human body, so after practicing it for years, I had naturally changed quite a bit," Yoze said with a wide smile.

"Bullshit! I have seen other martial artists who have also trained for years, but none of them look even remotely as good as you."

"Plus, how does martial arts explain why you suddenly became nearly nine feet tall!?" Evi frowned as he began to feel that the world truly wasn\'t fair.

He had been trying his hardest for the last three years to make it up the ranks of government and become a better scholar. He had made so much progress that he had become very well-known in Jade City.

There were even some newspapers that called him one of the best-looking scholars in the City. After working so hard, he planned to settle down and find a partner he could marry.

Unfortunately, he accidentally pissed off a scholar with higher status and seniority than him, so not only did all his progress suddenly come to a halt, but he began to lose his rank. To protect himself, he could only leave the Jade City and try his luck in a smaller city.

One thing led to another, and he found himself leaving the entire Jade Mountain region. Lady Luck truly wasn\'t on his side these last few years, but he managed to get by. 

After risking his life, he was able to become a scholar of White Crimson City and even gain the favor of the government. Though his status wasn\'t as high as when he was in Jade City, he was given the honor of delivering some documents to the City of New Swampscott.

With everything he had experienced throughout the years, Evi was quite proud that he had not become a weathered, wrinkly old man. Yet, when he saw how Yoze became better looking after the years, he almost doubted whether he should have also practiced martial arts on the side.

"I told you before, the Big Golem body cultivation method is fantastic. Not only does it shred off fat and build muscle, but it even allows you to become taller."

"If you are interested, I can teach you. I don\'t want to boast, but I think I am very talented in teaching." Yoze said casually while flexing his muscles.

He wasn\'t lying; most of his growth was due to his Big Golem body cultivation method. He just conveniently didn\'t say that practicing just the normal version of the Big Golem body cultivation method would never lead to anyone becoming as handsome or tall as him.

Of course, as a scholar who had traveled across three regions, Evi wasn\'t as inexperienced as he was when he was a poor farmer. He had read about some history of martial arts and knew that most martial artists were normal people who didn\'t have much talent or resources.

Unless one joined a martial arts sect, the military, or was part of a large and powerful family, most people would never be able to make much progress in their martial arts. However, seeing how easily Yoze had disposed of a group of bandits that had more than twenty members that practiced martial arts, it wasn\'t hard to see that he had reached a high realm.

"By the time I reach the stage where I can become as handsome as you, I will be a skeleton half-buried in my casket. So I think I will have to take a pass." Evi shook his head to dismiss Yoze\'s proposal.

"Yoze, it has been nearly five years since we had both become scholars. How much progress have you made?"

"My journey has been very bumpy and hard, so I can understand if you don\'t want to tell me." 

"My progress as a scholar?" Yoze slightly chuckled as he forgot he was a scholar half of the time.

"I haven\'t made much progress. I am currently working as one of the scholars for the Martial Courtyard in New Swampscott City. But the pay is very good since I am currently getting a large house built for myself, my father, and his kids." 

"Stop lying. You are getting another house. I don\'t even have a permanent place to stay, yet you have two houses. I need to pick up the pace." Evi sighed after realizing he was further behind than he initially thought. Still, he felt good that his best friend was doing great for himself.

"That is enough about me. I heard that you came over from White Crimson City to deliver a message to New Swampscott City. What is that about?" Yoze asked.

"Oh, that? I was just trying to make myself sound more important and valuable to White Crimson City, hoping those bandits would spare me."

"In reality, I am just delivering some documents to New Swampscott City so that the two cities\' databases are up to date with one another. This happens every other month or so." Evi blushed with embarrassment when he saw the curious look in Yoze\'s beautiful eyes.