Childhood Friend of the Zenith
Chapter 299: Zhuge Jihee (4)

It felt like everyone was rolling their eyes.

What’s going on? What’s happening?

Cheol Jiseon.

No, Zhuge Jinseon rolled his eyes, trying to grasp the situation.

Just what happened here?

Where did things go wrong?

Why was he here right now?

He had no answer.

His head felt as heavy as a stone.

“Would you like to try this?”

“Hey, Young Master, do you know what happened earlier?”

“…”

He couldn’t believe his eyes.

Snow Phoenix on the left, the Poison Phoenix on the right…

Zhuge Jinseon recognized all of them.

As a young prodigy of the Central Plains, it was impossible not to know them.

They hadn’t introduced themselves, but Zhuge Jinseon realized who they were immediately.

And… I’m not sure about the last person…

An unbelievably beautiful woman, beautiful enough to make anyone lose their mind.

“…!”

That woman was staring.

Her cold blue eyes locked onto Zhuge Jinseon, forcing him to turn away.

…What is going on right now.

If he had to pinpoint where things went wrong, it was likely when he got greedy.

The person who was forcing down food exhaustedly between a bunch of girls.

Approaching him had been his biggest mistake.

…I should’ve just hunted Demons instead.

It was his mistake to choose an easy path because he saw some crazy bastard lying down on the ground in the middle of an exam.

He should have realized he was special, lying there in the middle of the exam, but his greed blinded him.

For him to be the True Dragon of all people.

He only thought that he looked scary and didn’t expect him to be a magnate.

The True Dragon, Gu Yangcheon.

The youngest martial artist to reach Peak Realm, and the younger brother of the greatest prodigy, the Sword Phoenix.

Dragons and Phoenixes were chosen from numerous stars, and he was a Young Prodigy that was given a grand title that meant that he was a true dragon out of the Dragons.

His incredible strength at such a young age was already well known across the Central Plains.

On top of that, he possessed the strength to overpower both the Sword Dragon and the Water Dragon simultaneously.

It was said that he was a person who enjoyed many colors.

…A philanderer surrounded by beautiful women, they say? And every one of them supposedly stunning.

The Central Plains were always awash with rumors and exaggerations, making it hard to believe everything said about him.

Especially the last part.

I wondered how he would have a bunch of girls when he looked like that.

Yet, despite my doubts, it seemed the rumors weren’t exaggerated—everything appeared true.

He appeared to be the very definition of a philanderer, surrounded by women feeding him.

Of all people, to be captured by a bastard like him.

Moreover, it was said that he didn’t really have a good personality, considering he was the little brother of the Sword Phoenix.

…Though it was worse than the rumors.

He had the look of a predator eyeing its prey.

He had asked him to be his friend or something like that, but all Zhuge Jinseon could feel was,

You dared to mess with me, so I’ll make you suffer until your last breath…!

Or something along those lines.

It made him shiver.

He honestly almost pissed his pants when Gu Yangcheon offered such a thing with such a scary face like his.

The problem is…

Zhuge Jinseon secretly clenched his fist.

He couldn’t fathom why the True Dragon had dragged him here, but the important part was,

-Do you have a sister?

Was what the True Dragon asked Zhuge Jinseon.

He doesn’t know, does he?

He was confused.

His meeting with the True Dragon was an unfortunate coincidence caused by his mistake, but he couldn’t help but wonder about all that happened since.

-What’s your name?

When he answered that question,

-Add your surname.

The True Dragon had insisted on knowing his surname.

He wasn’t bluffing when he grabbed his neck and threatened to break his arm if he didn’t answer.

Was he really a martial artist from the Orthodox Sect?

Gu Yangcheon was nothing like he had expected.

…Surely he doesn’t know, right?

Zhuge Jinseon wondered if the True Dragon knew about his true identity.

He had to swallow the nervousness rising within him.

Surely, he wasn’t caught.

The True Dragon shouldn’t have any information about his identity or his goals.

Even if he somehow did know, Zhuge Jinseon at least had to keep his sister hidden.

No matter what the cost was.

It-It’s fine, I was bound to run into him eventually.

Whether it was the Snow Phoenix, the Poison Phoenix, or the True Dragon, if they all passed the entrance exam, they were bound to run into each other.

Zhuge Jinseon wondered if that was really the case.,

But maybe this is actually fortunate.

He’s been half forced to come here, but it honestly worked out in his favor since the situation turned out this way.

Moreover, the True Dragon had even helped him pass the exam by getting bands for him too.

So it’s beneficial… right?

“…Ough.”

Then, his eyes locked with someone.

He made direct eye contact with the True Dragon who had dragged him here.

The moment their eyes met, Zhuge Jinseon felt like he couldn’t breathe anymore.

…He’s too scary.

He was so frightening that Zhuge Jinseon felt like his knees would give up just by looking at him.

“Friend.”

“…Y-Yes!”

His voice trembled every time Gu Yangcheon called him a friend.

Why does he keep calling me like that?

Was this just another way of saying ‘slave’ to him?

It had to be.

I’m certain I became a slave after being captured by the True Dragon.

“Are you not going to eat?”

The True Dragon picked up a piece of food with his chopsticks and asked Zhuge Jinseon while showing it to him.

“I-I don’t really have the appetite right now…”

“Really? You should eat well. You are still so young, tsk tsk.”

After hearing Zhuge Jinseon’s response, the True Dragon simply shrugged and went back to shoving food into his mouth, seemingly unconcerned.

Because of that, the side dishes in front of him were quickly being swapped out.

The ones swapping the dishes were none other than the hands of the Snow Phoenix and the white-haired lady.

They were busily switching out side dishes for the True Dragon.

…They are going that far?

Just who is the True Dragon to them?

It felt as if Zhuge Jinseon was hallucinating and none of it seemed real.

“Young Master, are you not thirsty?”

“I a- …Wait, what did you put in there?”

“Nothing special. Just a leaf that’s good for digestion?”

“…What’s the name of that leaf?”

“Heeryung Leaf.”

“That’s… a poisonous herb that paralyzes your insides.”

“How silly! Young Master, do you really think a person would be paralyzed just by drinking this? I felt better whenever I drank this when I felt sick.”

“You know, they call it a poisonous herb for a reason…”

The person who cheerfully offered a poisonous tea was none other than the Poison Phoenix.

The situation was rather strange.

It was said that the True Dragon was engaged with the Sword Dancer from Namgung Clan.

Then, is the beautiful lady over there…

Was the white-haired lady, Namgung Bi-ah, who had the Sword Dancer title?

That was highly likely.

She was said to be the greatest beauty of Anhui.

Her beauty lived up to those words.

It was the first time Zhuge Jinseon had seen someone more beautiful than his sister.

“Oh, right. Friend.”

“Yes…”

“No need to talk so formally, we are friends, right?”

“…”

“Answer.”

“M-Mhm!”

Friend my ass.

How could he call this a friendship?

Zhuge Jinseon didn’t know much about friendship, having no friends of his own, but he was certain this wasn’t it.

…Save me, sis.

He thought of his sister in his mind and grinded his teeth.

He had to endure it.

-You will run into danger.

His sister had warned him before he set off to the Central Plains.

-I don’t want you to go, but if you insist, I wish you good luck, little brother.

…

His sister was always right, and it seemed like she was right once again.

I shouldn’t have gone.

Zhuge Jinseon regretted his decision, a wave of sadness washing over him.

“Oh by the way, I moved your accommodations.”

“…Pard- I mean what? What do you mean by that…?”

“You told me you sleep in some run down place. How could you afford to sleep in a place like that? I moved all your belongings, so sleep here.”

As the True Dragon speak with a smile,

“…”

Zhuge Jinseon was now certain that his future was fucked.

That devil of a bastard really is going to use me as a slave for the rest of time.

He had messed with the wrong guy.

Should I run away?

No…

Now wasn't the time.

Zhuge Jinseon prioritized his goal over everything else.

I have to let myself be known in the Heavenly Dragon Academy.

I have to meet many people, build connections, and gain many things.

And I must revive my sister.

Additionally, he intented to reveal his surname one day and reclaim his destroyed clan.

That was why he set off to the Central Plains.

Zhuge Jinseon thought about what his sister asked of him.

-Jinseon.

His sister gently touched his cheek with her pale, withered hand and earnestly pleaded with him.

-No matter what happens, you must’nt use that power. Promise with your sister.

He made a pinky promise with her, feeling her powerless shaky pinky finger.

He steeled himself with determination.

You can do it, Jinseon.

He decided to forget about the name, Zhuge Jinseon.

For now, he was Cheol Jinseon of Eulpyung Cheol Clan.

Meanwhile, Gu Yangcheon watched Zhuge Jinseon intently, his eyes glowing with curiosity.

******************I thought to myself while observing Cheol Jiseon who wore a stiff expression.

That bastard, he keeps rolling his eyes around.

It was clear he had a lot on his mind, as the bastard continued to work his brain.

For now, it looked like he had resolved something within himself,

But it’s for certain that he’s hiding something.

I could tell from his reactions.

It seemed like he wasn’t used to hiding things.

He was utterly predictable.

It works out in my favor.

It made things easier for me.

It was simpler to keep an eye on him if he was close.

I’ll keep him around me for now.

Since I found him so quickly, I needed to keep him close and win him over.

The best approach was to become close to him,

But I’m not too fond of that, so I’ll keep it brief.

I wasn’t good at getting close to people, so I’d give it a shot for now, but honestly, who knew what would happen?

So far, the start wasn’t bad.

We became friends, and I even moved him from that shithole he was staying in—so he should be happy, right?

It already feels like I’ve gotten closer to him.

I nodded my head.

I was doing well, considering it was me.

You’ve really grown, Gu Yangcheon.

For you to make friends.

He flinches whenever he sees me, but I’m sure that’ll change with time.

Probably.

I briefly filled my stomach and took a sip of tea.

“…?”

My tongue tingled.

What was this strange sensation?

Then, Tang Soyeol slightly averted her eyes.

“…Hey you.”

“Teehee.”

“Teehee you say…?”

“Please… this is really good for digestion Young Master. Please drink it.”

“An ordinary person would die if they drink this…”

I told her I wasn’t going to drink it, but Tang Soyeol insisted that I drink this poisonous tea.

“Nah… They won’t die… I think?”

Why is she hesitating? She’s only making it scarier.

“…Why do you keep trying to make me drink poisonous tea?”

“I-It’s not bad to build up your immunity to poison, you know. Plus, it tastes good.”

“…”

I didn’t think that Tang Soyeol made me drink poisonous tea because she wanted to kill me.

“But even if I drink this, it wouldn’t boost my immunity, and it doesn’t even taste good.”

Unless I drank a bucket or bathed in poison, my immunity wasn’t going to increase with such a small amount.

Besides, most people would die before they could build up any immunity if they drank or bathed in poison.

If it wasn’t for Tang Clan’s Mind Art.

The Tang Clan’s Mind Art enabled one to use Poisonous Arts and become a skilled assassin working behind the scenes.

It also made it possible for Tang Soyeol to consume and even enjoy poisonous herbs.

Ten Thousand Poisons Immunity huh…

It was self-explanatory. She had immunity to almost all types of poisons.

It was a peak state that the Tang Clan had long dreamed of.

One of Tang Soyeol’s eyes was turning a bright green as she neared that state.

In my past life, the Poison Queen was known to have reached the Ten Thousand Poisons Immunity state.

If I thought about that, it was right to call Tang Soyeol the greatest when it came to poison in the Central Plains, though I didn’t know about her martial arts.

It’s also still too early to say.

Tang Soyeol was mediocre as a martial artist, but she put effort into her training, so her level would naturally rise over time.

One day, I’d have to assume she will become the Poison Queen.

But of course,

The future will be different this time.

I will change the Poison Queen’s fate.

I won’t let her meet such a miserable end.

How ironic that I’m now trying to save the person I once killed.

I reflected to myself.

I secretly felt guilty every time I saw Tang Soyeol, so I will try my best to save her.

“…Anyway, I’m good, so you can drink it instead.”

“Uh… Young Master.”

“What.”

“Can I drink from the cup you drank from?”

“…?”

“I-It was a joke. Hehe…”

When I made a somewhat disgusted expression, Tang Soyeol played it off as a joke.

It was a joke, right?

As I rubbed my shoulders to shake off the chills, Namgung Bi-ah, who was pouring water for me, spoke.

-Hey.

It was through a telepathic voice.

-Hmm?

I responded right away, but this was bad.

Even speaking telepathically made my Dantian ache.

-That person… who is he?

Namgung Bi-ah asked, glancing at him.

She was asking about Cheol Jiseon.

-What do you mean, who? I told you he’s a friend, didn’t I?

I responded, puzzled by her question, but Namgung Bi-ah fixed me with a strong gaze.

It was as if she knew that that wasn’t the case.

How sharp of her.

She usually spaced out, but she was sharp when it came to things like this.

Perhaps she’s just pretending to be dumb and she is actually sharp all the time.

I even considered that possibility.

Staring into Namgung Bi-ah’s eyes, I gave in and answered her.

-A dagger.

-Dagger?

-Yes, a dagger.

A dagger I wanted.

A dagger that could kill Jang Seonyeon and perhaps cut through every obstacle in my path.

The power that bastard possessed was that valuable, and that’s what Cheol Jiseon meant to me.

Because of that, I couldn’t let him go and had to keep him around.

My eyes locked with Cheol Jiseon’s.

I smiled at him, though he still seemed nervous.

The smile was meant to put him at ease,

“Ughh…!”

But the bastard curled up in fear as soon as he saw my smile.

It was as if he had seen something he shouldn’t have.

…That bastard?

I could give him some love taps as a friend, right?

I’m sure of it.

That’s how all my friends were like in my past life too.

Though back then, I was the one getting beaten up

But this time, it felt like things were going to be different.

******************Four days had passed since that day.

The entrance exam was finally over, and the day to attend the Academy had arrived.

Thankfully, no one from my crew failed the exam.

It was somewhat obvious though.

I was a bit concerned about Gu Yeonseo, but it she managed to pull through

After climbing up on the opposite side of the hill I took the exam in, I saw a mountain in the shape of a snake appear.

It had a proper name, but everyone simply called it Snake Mountain.

How do I say this, I actually preferred it this way because of how simple it was.

I continued up the path until I reached the top, where the enormous structure of the Heavenly Dragon Academy came into view.

It was disgustingly massive.

The buildings of the Namgung Clan and Tang Clan were impressive in size, but the Heavenly Dragon Academy dwarfed them, owing to its purpose.

It was as if they built a whole fortress.

They are just wasting money.

I’m sure that merchants and people didn’t donate for this.

Why did they need to make it so big?

That was my only impression of the building.

As I walked inside, guided by an escort, I arrived in a room where everyone had already gathered.

Each and every one of these people had sharp Qi.

Noble clans and noble Sects.

Only bastards from such places had gathered here, so it was no surprise it felt this way.

Though of course, they are still little children in my eyes.

I felt a few sharp Qi poking me here and there.

Bastards with this kind of Qi were certainly going to become big one day.

And in the distance, I spotted an old man standing on a platform.

Qinghai Sword.

He was the current head of the Kunlun Sect and one of the top five swordsmen in the Central Plains.

It seemed like the martial artists who set up formations also were from Kunlun Sect.

They feel pretty different.

I hadn’t expected to see that man in a place like this.

I had some history with that man in my past life.

Though it wasn’t a pleasant one.

After some time, all the Young Prodigies gathered, and when the moment arrived,

-We welcome all of you stars that made it to the Heavenly Dragon Academy.

Qinghai Sword spoke.

In summary, it was a long and tedious speech.

Welcome. Congratulations. Work hard. You are our future!

Something along those lines.

To be honest, I didn’t remember most of it since I tuned out halfway through.

It didn’t seem all that important anyway.

-Lastly, we will introduce the stars who had the highest scores in the entrance exams.

-Firstly, the first group’s Jang Seonyeon.

I looked up as soon as I heard the familiar name.

At that moment, the room filled with murmurs.

-Jang Seonyeon is the Meteor Sword, right? As expected, he really is talented.

-Isn’t it impressive considering his age?

-He has a good nature, but he’s even handsome. He has everything, huh?

-I happened to be near him during the exam… and the way he cut the stone…

Their words only grazed my ears.

Everyone’s eyes were on Jang Seonyeon as he walked forward, called by the Qinghai Sword.

-However, being called first means that he ranked the third highest… Does this mean that there are two others who scored higher?

-Then it’s obviously the Water Dragon or the Sword Dragon.

Qinghai Sword patted Jang Seonyeon’s shoulder and congratulated him.

-Congratulations.

-Thank you…

Jang Seonyeon responded respectfully, but he didn’t look particularly pleased.

The bastard is failing in keeping his expression.

Was his pride wounded by coming in third?

He doesn’t know how to appreciate anything.

Then, the Qinghai Sword called another person’s name.

-Next… the first group’s Wi Seol-Ah.

I froze as soon as I heard it.

…Why is her name being called?

Wi Seol-Ah?

It was rather out of the blue.

It seemed like no one else had heard the name before either, as the crowd started buzzing again..

-Who’s Wi Seol-Ah? What household is she from? Is she from a Sect?

-She scored higher than the Meteor Sword, yet it’s the first time we heard this name.

Step.

Through that crowd, someone stepped forward.

She immediately drew everyone’s attention.

It was because Wi Seol-Ah wasn’t wearing the face cover she usually did.

Woah.

Someone gasped aloud without even realizing it.

With her golden wavy hair and striking eyes, Wi Seol-Ah’s beauty had fully bloomed.

-…Oh, the Sword Emperor…! The Sword Emperor’s descendant…!

-What?

-That Young Lady is the descendant of the Sword Emperor…!

Rumors of the Sword Emperor’s descendant had already been circulating.

It was such a peculiar martial art, so there was no way she could hide it if she had to use it.

…Is that fine?

The presence of the Sword Emperor’s descendant was so overwhelming that it made everyone forget about Jang Seonyeon.

Though it was problematic how impactful it was.

-Congratulations.

-…Thank you.

Wi Seol-Ah also showed respect and took her place next to Jang Seonyeon.

For a moment, it felt like her eyes met with mine.

When our eyes met, Wi Seol-Ah gave me a light smile.

It was as if she was telling me that she was fine.

What a mess.

I didn’t plan any of this.

As the crowd grew rowdy after Wi Seol-Ah’s appearance,

-If the Sword Emperor’s descendant scored the second highest, then just who is the last person?

Just as everyone began to wonder, the Qinghai Sword announced the final name.

-Lastly, the person who scored the top score.

The last person who was going to stand on that stage.

Due to how two unexpected people were called up on the stage, the last person was the most important.

That person would attract everyone’s attention after all.

For some reason, I felt cold sweat dripping my back..

By now, I knew what was coming.

No matter how much I thought about it, it was obvious.

But still, there is a chance that…

That it’s not me, right?

-Second group’s Gu Yangcheon.

A chance, my ass.

My hope was shattered in an instant.

The world only seemed straightforward with me only when it came to things like this.

To be fair, it would’ve been stranger if I didn’t score the highest after having done all of what I did.

I began to walk forward.

However, for some reason, it felt eerily quiet compared to when Jang Seonyeon and Wi Seol-Ah were called.

When I slightly sharpened my senses wondering what was going on,

-…Jeez… Look at how he looks.

-Gu Yangcheon is the True Dragon, right? The little brother of the Sword Phoenix…

-His sister is famous for her personality, and the True Dragon is just like her, right?

-He might look this way, shut your mouth. We have to be quiet if we don’t want to get on his bad side.

“…”

It seems bad rumors have already spread about me.

This was all because of Gu Huibi.

I’m sure I wasn’t to blame..

I thought to myself as I walked towards the stage.

What a way to start.

It was a dogshit beginning.

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