Childhood Friend of the Zenith -
Chapter 369: Gathering of the Orthodox Faction (10)
Moyong Tae, the White Heavenly Sword.
In the past, he had contended for the title of Sword King against the Azure Heavenly Sword, Namgung Jin.
Of course, others also fought for the throne, but Moyong Tae was the most impressive competitor.
Nowadays, he was considered the weakest Lord of the Four Noble Clans, largely because he prioritized his daughter and merchant associations over martial prowess.
He was a Lord and father first, and a martial artist second.
That was the White Heavenly Sword I knew of.
Up to this point, everything was fine.
Why would it matter to me if the White Heavenly Sword chose a different path in life?
The problem, however, was that this very man was standing right here in front of me.
Clench.
The White Heavenly Sword’s grip on my shoulder tightened gradually.
“…”
I glanced up at his face, and his eyes were rather horrifying.
If he had reached the level of the Mind Sword, then he would most likely be able to cut my head off right here.
This is problematic…
I wondered how to handle this situation, but the answer was already clear.
What do I mean how, I’m just fucked.
No answer could be clearer.
“My… Lord?”
Moyong Hi-ah spoke to the White Heavenly Sword with shocked eyes.
The White Heavenly Sword shifted his piercing gaze from me to Moyong Hi-ah.
In an instant, his expression transformed.
The cold, deathly glare he’d given me melted into the kindest, softest expression the moment he turned to Moyong Hi-ah.
“Have you been well?”
“How… did you come here…”
“Are you feeling unwell in any way?”
Though Moyong Hi-ah spoke in a panicked tone, the White Heavenly Sword ignored her and began inspecting her condition.
“Have you eaten? No, of course, you’d have made sure to eat on time.”
“…”
Clench.
Even as they spoke, his grip on my shoulder grew tighter.
This is starting to hurt now.
Then, Moyong Hi-ah asked the White Heavenly Sword a question.
“…T-There is still an entire week until the meeting. Why are you here so early?”
“How could a father wait when he doesn’t even know how his daughter is doing?”
This was fascinating in a completely unexpected way.
A normal father might do the same, but for someone of his status, it was extraordinary.
Moyong Hi-ah’s eyes widened in shock as she seemed to realize something and asked,
“Then… did you come here alone?”
“The Elders and the army will be a little late.”
So he’d come here alone. A Lord of the clan, traveling without his escorts.
No wonder his appearance seemed so shabby despite his status as a Lord.
So he came here all by himself without caring about his image, huh? In some ways, he was a very impressive man.
However, Moyong Hi-ah frowned deeply, clearly shocked by his actions.
“How could you do something like this? People will notice you! You should at least care about the clan’s image!”
When Moyong Hi-ah spoke in a reproachful tone, the White Heavenly Sword replied with an unusual expression.
“That clan’s image isn’t more important than my child.”
Moyong Hi-ah froze, falling silent at his response.
Oh, so she’s weak in things like this.
Seeing Moyong Hi-ah’s reaction, the White Heavenly Sword shifted his gaze back to me and continued,
“Moreover…”
“My precious daughter might’ve been entangled by some good-for-nothing scoundrel… so why would I care about my image?”
“…”
A bead of sweat slid down my face.
This man definitely knew my identity now.
Honestly, it was surprising he hadn’t recognized me the moment we met.
Fragments of our earlier conversation replayed in my mind.
-He’s already engaged to another girl.
-My daughter said he’d leave his fiancée to be with her.
-I even heard rumors that bastard is seeing other women besides my daughter.
“…”
Hearing that story, I’d thought the guy was a complete bastard.
But that bastard… was me.
It had been about me all along.
…So this was my story, huh?
The terrifying words of the White Heavenly Sword that he had said earlier echoed in my mind.
Didn’t he say he’d crush that bastard’s arms and legs?
And I even had the audacity to tell him I hoped he’d achieve his goal.
Hmm…
I nodded grimly to myself, trying to think.
What a crazy fucker I am.
I’ve truly dug my own grave.
Is my life flashing before my eyes right now?
It certainly felt possible.
My life hadn’t flashed before my eyes when I died in my past life, so why was it happening now?
“So, Young Expert. I believe I haven’t gotten your answer yet.”
“Uh…”
“What is your name, Young Expert?”
He seemed certain of my identity already, but was he asking just to confirm it?
What an immaculate personality he has.
What should I do? There’s no way I can avoid giving him an answer.
…Should I use Gu Jeolyub?
It was the first thought that crossed my mind.
I’d always used his name in situations like this. It worked when I met Namgung Bi-ah and Tang Soyeol for the first time.
It had always been a reliable name to fall back on,
But I doubt he’ll believe me even if I say his name.
Gu Jeolyub’s name was somewhat well-known now, so it was hard to use it now.
In the end, I had no choice but to reveal my real name.
“…I am.”
The thought of him unsheathing his sword the moment I said my name sent chills down my spine.
The killing intent I felt pressing against my back was no illusion.
This wasn’t about whether I could win against him or not.
The issue was whether the White Heavenly Sword, Moyong Hi-ah’s father, would draw his blade against me.
Fighting him was the last thing I wanted to do unless absolutely necessary.
Barely managing to steady my panicked breathing, I gulped nervously and spoke.
“I greet the Lord of Moyong Clan… I am Gu Clan’s… “
“Father.”
Just as I was about to say my name, Moyong Hi-ah darted forward and wrapped her arms around the White Heavenly Sword.
Wait… why did she call him that? Father?
“L-Let’s not do this here… We should first find a place for you to stay in. You are tired, right?”
“Daughter. I’m sorry, but I’m not finished dealing with this rotting piece of…”
The White Heavenly Sword’s finger pointed towards me. I also clearly heard him calling me a rotting piece of shit instead of a Young Expert.
I’m really in a dangerous situation right n-
“Eeengh!”
…What?
My eyes widened at the sharp, unexpected noise piercing my ears.
Did I mishear that? It sounded like it came from Moyong Hi-ah.
As if to confirm that I hadn’t imagined it, Moyong Hi-ah spoke again.
“Eeengh… Daddy… Hi-ah wants something to eat…! Can we just leave for now?”
Pfft.
I saw Peng Ah-hee spit out her water, unable to hold back her laughter.
Did I just get goosebumps all over my arms and neck? I definitely did.
What on earth was that overly sweet, ticklish voice of hers?
…
My brain completely short-circuited.
It was shocking enough that such a voice came from the Moyong Hi-ah, but why she spoke like that was beyond comprehension.
Was this some hallucination before death? Had I stepped into some illusionary state?
If not, then I had no way of making sense of this situation.
After Moyong Hi-ah spoke, twisting awkwardly, the atmosphere turned ice cold in an instant.
It was surprising how quickly the heated tension dissipated.
A quick glance at Moyong Hi-ah revealed her ears had turned so red, they looked ready to burst.
She looked utterly mortified by her own actions.
Understandable. If I ever did something like that to my father, I’d bite my tongue and end it right there.
I understood why Moyong Hi-ah did it, but I doubted someone like the White Heavenly Sword would be swayed just because she—
“Haha, should we go eat then? What can be more important than my sweet daughter being hungry?”
Never mind.
The fierce, sharp man who’d been ready to tear me apart was gone, replaced by a doting father with a bright smile.
Seeing his reaction, Moyong Hi-ah quickly grabbed his arm and tried to lead him away.
He seemed ready to leave without any resistance, but just as they exited the inn, I heard a voice in my head.
-I’ll see you later.
“…”
The White Heavenly Sword spoke to me telepathically. He wasn’t going to let me go no matter what.
It felt like he was warning me to prepare my neck for our next meeting.
Surely, I’m just imagining things, right?
…Yeah, right. Imagination my ass.
Of course, it wasn’t my imagination. Moyong Hi-ah had clearly done everything she could to save me.
Otherwise, the cold and composed Moyong Hi-ah would never have uttered something like ‘Eeengh…’ in that tone.
She must have steeled herself considerably to say it.
But what now? Moyong Hi-ah might have managed to drag the White Heavenly Sword away for now, but he’d definitely be back.
Should I seriously run away?
No, that’s not going to work.
Where could I even go? I still had to attend the upcoming meeting.
As I racked my brain for a solution, I heard,
“…Hey, Soyeol.”
The girls began talking among themselves.
“Hmm?”
Tang Soyeol responded to Peng Ah-hee, though she still seemed dazed from what she’d just witnessed.
With a serious expression, Peng Ah-hee fixed her gaze on Tang Soyeol and asked a question.
“…Do you think I’ll get in trouble if I called Young Lady Moyong…”
“Yes?”
“Young Lady Eeengh…?”
“…”
The room’s atmosphere turned icy the moment Peng Ah-hee spoke.
Would she get in trouble if she made fun of Moyong Hi-ah for it?
She’ll die before I do.
That much was certain.
Peng Ah-hee would be reduced to dust if she mocked Moyong Hi-ah for what she’d done.
And seriously, Young Lady Eeengh? That’s a bit much—
Pfft.
I whipped my head around the moment I heard that stifled laugh.
Someone had clearly failed to hold back their laughter.
Strangely, when I looked at the girls, their expressions were perfectly neutral.
But I noticed all of them were staring at one person with peculiar expressions.
It was Namgung Bi-ah, her head turned away as if she was entirely uninvolved.
******************
A few days had passed since the chaotic storm at the inn.
I’d spent every night since then on high alert, worried that assassins might come to kill me.
One may think that I was being ridiculous for thinking that, but the expression I saw in the White Heavenly Sword’s face that day was more than enough to make me think that way.
Funnily enough though, nothing of the sort had happened.
Since the day the White Heavenly Sword left with Moyong Hi-ah, he hadn’t shown himself again.
It was the same for Moyong Hi-ah as well.
Perhaps…
Is Moyong Hi-ah actually keeping him in check… using that eeengh eeengh act?
If that’s the case, it must be very hard on her.
That thought made me nod instinctively. I even felt a rare flicker of gratitude toward Moyong Hi-ah.
Still, I couldn’t help but think.
Could it be that Moyong Hi-ah actually speaks like that at home?
The idea had been nagging at me lately.
I wondered if she spoke like that at home because she sounded as if she was already used to speaking in such a way.
No way.
I dismissed the thought immediately.
There was absolutely no way someone like the great Moyong Hi-ah would act like that.
“Are you done with your thinking?”
“…Yes.”
As I caught my breath, someone spoke to me.
It was the Dishonored Venerable. He appeared from time to time during my training.
I had no idea how he spent his time, but I was, as usual, busy training with my fists in the cave.
The Dishonored Venerable smirked as he assessed my condition and posed a question.
“Well? Is it easy for you?”
“Not even close. I feel like I’m dying.”
Easy, my ass.
Even today, I fainted more than five times due to the pain.
Despite my complaints, the Dishonored Venerable smiled, clearly pleased with my answer.
“…I’m just striking with my fist. Am I really doing this correctly?”
This was the question weighing most heavily on my mind.
I knew how impressive the Heaven Destruction Art was.
The fact that its power amazed me even at my current level showed just how incredibly effective this Mind Art was.
But I couldn’t figure out why he had me digging a cave with it.
What was his intention?
The Dishonored Venerable fixed me with an odd look after I asked my question.
“From your question, it’s clear you don’t realize just how remarkable your training is.”
“Huh?”
“You said it yourself that it’s painful.”
“Well, that is indeed how I feel…”
“Do you think an ordinary person could endure this level of pain and keep training the way you are right now?”
“…”
“I became certain after the first day. You definitely need to become my disciple.”
He had been impressed that I managed to start digging through a cave with just my fists on the very first day.
“Just because of that?”
“Lasting one day is impressive enough. But the second day is even harder, and from then on, only someone with an unshakable mentality could endure this training.”
It was somewhat understandable.
The Heaven Destruction Art’s Mind Art.
The pain it inflicted was far worse than I had imagined.
Still, I could feel myself growing stronger, as long as I endured the agony.
I’d take pain over the helplessness and shame of weakness any day.
Seeing the confusion still etched on my face, the Dishonored Venerable simply smiled.
“While I’m worried about your twisted path, you’re truly reassuring as a student.”
“Twisted path… isn’t that a bit cruel…?”
“It means I’m looking forward to what you’ll become. Now hurry up and finish this training. Only then can I teach you the One Fist technique.”
His words completely drained my enthusiasm.
“All of this… just to learn a single fist technique?”
“Indeed. That’s what this training is for.”
Ridiculous. But even as I thought that I kept striking with my fist.
“Child.”
I paused mid-strike and turned my head toward the Dishonored Venerable as he called out.
“Isn’t it time for you to go soon?”
“…”
I had to frown after hearing him.
I was already considering running away, pretending that I had forgotten, but the Dishonored Venerable made sure to remind me.
“…I do indeed have to go.”
With a sigh of resignation, I began changing into a clean set of clothes.
The reason was simple.
Today was the first day of the gathering of the Orthodox Faction.
I’d been all but forced to attend the meeting.
The White Heavenly Sword would be there, along with all the other Lords of the Four Noble Clans.
With that thought, I suppressed my nervousness.
No matter how I looked at it, I could already tell the meeting would devolve into chaos.
I turned to the Dishonored Venerable with a question.
“Are you going too?”
Given his noble clan background, I thought he might, but he only smiled in response.
“Why would I?”
“…”
That smug expression was easily the most annoying thing I’d ever seen.
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