Childhood Friend of the Zenith -
Chapter 373: Gathering of the Orthodox Faction (14)
“It’s been a while.”
Gu Ryoon’s expression darkened as he met the Dark King’s gaze.
“You disappear for decades, and now you decide to show up.”
“Seems like you’ve been doing well, Gu Ryoon.”
“Do I look like someone who’s been doing well to you?”
Gu Ryoon tugged at his outfit, pulling it aside to reveal his chest.
A deep, jagged scar came into view.
It was the scar he got during his fight against the Lord of the Black Palace.
The sight of the scar brought an uneasy silence to the cave for a brief moment…
Pfft.
The silence was shattered as the Dishonored Venerable burst into raucous laughter.
“Hahaha! Haha!”
“How can you laugh at a friend’s injury?”
“Ahaha…!”
The Dishonored Venerable laughed so hard that tears welled up in his eyes.
“The almighty Gu Ryoon got himself a hole in his chest. What a joke.”
“I just… let my guard down for a moment.”
“Didn’t you once say that letting down one’s guard is the excuse of the defeated?”
“…”
Gu Ryoon wondered if he really said those words himself, but he had to keep his mouth shut as he knew that he would say such a thing.
After his laughter finally subsided, the Dishonored Venerable spoke.
“Who was your opponent?”
“Why? Are you planning to avenge me if I tell you?”
“Are you crazy? Why would I bother going through such a hassle?”
“Such a wonderful friendship we have.”
The Dishonored Venerable took a sip of his drink, unfazed by Gu Ryoon’s exasperated tone.
After quenching his thirst, the Dishonored Venerable asked another question.
“How badly were you injured?”
“…”
The question caught Gu Ryoon off guard.
Dribble-
Gu Ryoon remained silent, pouring himself a drink instead.
“I’m fine. Better than ever.”
“I’m sure that’s the case, for someone who got a hole in his chest.”
“…”
“You’ve aged huh, Gu Ryoon.”
“That much is clear just by looking at me.”
“That’s not necessarily true.”
The Dishonored Venerable chuckled softly, while Gu Ryoon sighed in exasperation.
“If you want, I can reach out to the Immortal Healer.”
“I’ve already met him.”
“Hmm? You have?”
The Dishonored Venerable raised an eyebrow in surprise; the Immortal Healer was not someone just anyone could meet.
“Who do you think fixed up the hole in my chest?”
“…Hah, so it was that old man’s doing?”
Noticing the Dark King’s empty cup, the Dishonored Venerable poured him another drink.
As he poured, he continued the conversation with Gu Ryoon.
“What did the Immortal Healer say about this?”
“Nothing much. Just told me I’m getting old and frail.”
“Does anyone else in your clan know about what happened to you?”
“The Lord does.”
Gu Ryoon let out a dry chuckle, brushing it off as if it were nothing.
“It’s not a big deal. As long as I’m eating and living just fine, who cares?”
“What a joke you’ve become. Where did the old almighty Gu Ryoon go?”
“That was long ago in the past.”
The Dishonored Venerable smiled as Gu Ryoon clicked his tongue in irritation, signaling him to stop.
“Time really is the only thing that can bring down a mighty mountain, isn’t it?”
“Cut the nonsense and pour me another drink.”
Obliging, the Dishonored Venerable refilled Gu Ryoon’s cup.
After drinking a full cup, Gu Ryoon asked a question.
“Any success yet?”
“About what?”
“In finding yourself a disciple or whatever it is you’re after.”
“Oh, that.”
“Sigh… You should’ve just lived your life in peace. Why put yourself through all this hassle?”
Every time they met, they seemed to frustrate each other endlessly.
Gu Ryoon could never understand the Dishonored Venerable’s choices. He was convinced his friend could have lived a much easier life if he’d just stayed on a normal path.
Why had his friend opted for Eternal Youth just to chase the unattainable end of his martial art?
And yet, even with Eternal Youth, he still hadn’t found an answer. Why not give up already?
Instead, he brushed it aside like it was nothing and said that he would look for a disciple that would achieve his goal for him.
“Bijuu, do you even realize how impossible it is for someone else to learn your martial art?”
The Mind Art alone inflicted immense pain on anyone who tried to learn it.
Gu Ryoon couldn’t even imagine what kind of madness had gone into creating it.
Pain inevitably leads to hesitation.
Even if there was meaning to be found in enduring pain, understanding that meaning while persevering through it was an entirely different challenge.
“What maniac would endure through that kind of pain to learn your martial arts?”
“Tsk. How could anyone hope to succeed if they can’t endure a little pain?”
“You could search every corner of the Central Plains, and you still wouldn’t find anyone as insane as you.”
Gu Ryoon was certain.
He could admit that the Dishonored Venerable and his martial art were remarkable, but finding someone with both the talent and patience to master it was nearly impossible.
The Heaven Destruction Art was not only excruciatingly painful to learn, but it was so difficult to master that even the Dishonored Venerable couldn’t see the end of it.
Someone with the talent and patience required to master such an impossibly demanding martial art?
How can there possibly be someone like that in the world?
Gu Ryoon had already made up his mind about it.
That was also the reason why he wanted his precious Gu Yangcheon to learn under the Dishonored Venerable, but not actually become his disciple.
How could I let such a precious child endure that kind of torment?
Gu Yangcheon had already learned the Destructive Flame Arts which was his clan’s art, but Bijuu was a crazy enough bastard who would strip that away of him and shove his own martial art into the child’s body.
“How about you give up and look for a different- “
“Actually, I’ve already taken someone in as my disciple.”
“…What?”
Gu Ryoon’s eyes went wide at the Dishonored Venerable’s words.
He took in a disciple?
“You took in a disciple?”
“Hmm? Why do you look so surprised?”
“What kind of a crazy bastard would learn under you?”
“…Gu Ryoon, I think you’re mistaken. I’m an entirely reasonable person.”
He was one of the Three Venerables, a master who had reached the pinnacle of close-combat martial arts.
That was the value that Dishonored Venerable held, but to Gu Ryoon, it simply looked like he had chosen to walk a path straight into hell.
The Dishonored Venerable was momentarily speechless, staring at Gu Ryoon’s incredulous expression.
“Didn’t you do this expecting this whole thing in the first place?”
“What are you talking about? What did I do?”
The Dishonored Venerable couldn’t understand Gu Ryoon.
It was starting to feel like they were both misunderstanding something.
“Well, that’s obviously the fact that- “
“Wait.”
Just as the Dishonored Venerable was about to bring up Gu Yangcheon, Gu Ryoon raised a hand to stop him.
“What’s the matter?”
The Dishonored Venerable asked, wondering what was going on, as Gu Ryoon had a very serious expression on his face.
Gu Ryoon looked utterly shocked, as though he couldn’t believe what he was seeing.
“…Hey, where did all the side dishes go?”
“…!”
At Gu Ryoon’s words, the Dishonored Venerable quickly turned to the spot where the side dishes had been placed.
He found that nearly all the food Gu Ryoon had brought was already gone.
“Hmm?”
The Dark King glanced over, looking genuinely confused.
“What’s wrong?”
“What do you mean what’s wrong, did you seriously eat all of this yourself? Do you have any shame?”
“Then you should’ve all joined in.”
Both Gu Ryoon and the Dishonored Venerable were left speechless by the Dark King’s response.
“I don’t understand how that old bastard still has such an appetite at his age.” “…Ugh, my head. I dragged all of that here with my old, frail body, and I don’t even get a bite.”
Unbothered by their complaints, the Dark King calmly helped himself to another dish.
“…Whatever, it’s not like this is the first time that bastard’s pulled something like this.”
After sighing and finishing another drink, Gu Ryoon turned to the Dark King with a question.
“Any progress on your end?”
The Dark King slowly lifted his head.
“I mean, have you found what you’ve been searching for all these decades?”
All three of them had their own desires.
Their goals were different, and naturally, their paths had diverged because of it.
After a brief silence, the Dark King responded in a calm, measured tone.
“I haven’t fully found it yet, but I may have discovered a path to it.”
“I’m glad to hear that.”
The Dishonored Venerable briefly knew about what the Dark King dreamt of.
“What are you going to do about the bastard who ambushed Henan?”
He was, of course, referring to the Black Dragon’s fate.
“That bastard. Is he associated with you in any way?”
“I’m not sure yet.” “Not sure my ass. You only got involved because you saw something special in him.”
The Dark King didn’t respond.
However, his expression spoke volumes, and the other two quickly pieced it together.
“Are you planning to take him to your main base?”
“If I need to.”
By “main base,” the Dishonored Venerable was referring to the Dark King’s stronghold, the headquarters of the Night Reapers.
“Do you think torture will work on him?”
“I don’t know. I can only find out by trying.”
The Dishonored Venerable gave a small nod at the straightforward response.
The Dark King wasn’t wrong. Given enough of a beating, most people would eventually start talking.
They would either spill their secrets or die before they had the chance to.
“I heard he is locked up in the Alliance’s jail.”
“He is being taken to Sichuan first.”
“Sichuan…?”
The mention of Sichuan jogged the Dishonored Venerable’s memory.
There was only one reason for the prisoner to be sent to Sichuan.
“Are they planning on using the Tang Clan?”
The Dishonored Venerable suspected this had everything to do with Sichuan’s rulers, the Tang Clan.
Tang Clan might currently be one of the Four Noble Clans of the Orthodox Faction, but those who knew their history were well aware of their dark and brutal past.
“It’ll take a long time to get him to Sichuan. I’m surprised you’re not employing any special tactics.”
“Special tactics?”
“I expected that you would bring him to your own base because you don’t want to wait that long.”
The Dishonored Venerable believed that the Dark King would do such a thing.
After all, sneaking prisoners out without anyone noticing was the Dark King’s specialty.
The Dark King nodded in acknowledgment of the Dishonored Venerable’s words.
“I originally planned on doing that.”
As the Dishonored Venerable expected, the Dark King was originally planning such a thing.
“But there’s no need for that anymore. I have business in Sichuan, so I’ll take him there myself.”
“A business? You have a business in Sichuan?”
“Yes.”
“…You too?”
The Dark King tilted his head, intrigued by the Dishonored Venerable’s awkward tone.
You too? meant that the Dishonored Venerable was also headed to Sichuan.
“You’re going as well?”
“I have some business there too.”
The matter was more specifically related to Gu Yangcheon, but the Dishonored Venerable didn’t feel the need to elaborate.
“Will the Lord of Bi Clan approve?”
“And what’s he going to do if he doesn’t?”
“That is true.”
The Dark King nodded after hearing the Dishonored Venerable’s response as he wasn’t wrong.
While the Lord of the Bi Clan acted as Bi Eejin’s father, Bijuu’s word ultimately held more weight.
So, the Dark King is heading to Sichuan too, huh.
I doubt this bastard will willingly accompany me, but it would be nice if he did.
I’ve also got something to tell that kid.
The Dishonored Venerable indeed had something he needed to discuss with Gu Yangcheon.
He planned to bring it up with the Dark King.
Of course, he doubted Gu Yangcheon would be happy about it.
Gu Ryoon, stuffing the last morsel into his mouth, suddenly spoke up.
“Everything is fine and all,”
At his words, the Dark King and the Dishonored Venerable turned their gazes toward him.
“…But why are you two just chatting with each other when I’m the one you called here?”
He spoke in a very sad tone.
******************
When I entered the Alliance building and stepped into the meeting room, it was already packed with people.
At the sight, Cheol Jiseon began trembling uncontrollably, as though caught in an earthquake.
It was understandable. This building was filled with key figures of the Central Plains.
Where can I sit?
I scanned the room, searching for a seat.
Seats were arranged for the Heads of merchant associations, Lords of clans and Sects, but I needed to find one for myself.
Should I just sit anywhere?
I didn’t feel like going too far in, so I considered just pulling up a chair and sitting here.
- Third child.
Suddenly, a familiar voice echoed in my ears.
I turned toward the source of the telepathic voice, my expression startled, and saw a pair of bright red eyes gazing at me from afar.
It was my father.
- Come here.
“…”
I was confused.
He had my father ended up in that seat?
How did father end up in that seat?
Normally, he would steer clear of those seats.
“Yangcheon?”
Noticing the shock in my eyes, Cheol Jiseon called my name.
Unsure of what else to do, I reluctantly grabbed Cheol Jiseon and headed toward the seats.
As I made my way toward him, I spotted another familiar face.
Among them was Namgung Jin, the Lord of the Namgung Clan.
“It has been a while Mas- …Son-in law.”
“…Have you been well?”
“Fine as always. It seems like you’ve been well, son-in-law. I’m sure you’ve had tons of compliments poured onto you.”
“…Indeed.”
I couldn’t believe that Namgung Jin called me a son-in-law.
My ears felt very ticklish because of it, but I had to endure it as I couldn’t afford to scratch them right now.
What was more troubling was the reaction of a few others nearby upon hearing “son-in-law.”
One of them was…
Fuck.
It was the White Heavenly Sword.
His gaze was just as sharp as ever, and it seemed he still hadn’t forgiven me.
To be fair, it was understandable.
Another person was the Poison King I saw earlier in the day.
He seemed as if he felt uncomfortable.
Had I done something to offend him? I couldn’t think of anything I’d done to this man.
Well, I am a professional at making everyone hate me even if I didn’t do anything to them.
I didn’t think too deeply into it as I was already used to it.
The last person is…
…So he came too huh.
The father of Peng Woojin and Peng Ah-hee. It was the Dao King, Peng Jeowoo.
I could understand the White Heavenly Sword’s glare, but I couldn’t fathom why Peng Jeowoo looked at me like that.
Then again, it wasn’t surprising he wasn’t fond of me, given the history between our clans.
I insulted his daughter and even broke off our engagement, so he would be crazy to like someone like me.
Apart from these four, there were plenty of other Lords representing various clans.
From the bunch, there were a few I knew of.
It appeared that all the Lords of the noble clans had gathered here.
After scanning the room, I began greeting them respectfully.
“…I would like to greet you all as a blood relative of the Gu Clan.”
“I-I offer my greetings as a blood relative of the Cheol Clan…”
Cheol Jiseon greeted them respectfully following me.
Afterward, we carefully pulled our seats and sat down.
I expected all the Lords around me to gather up and speak to me as soon as I sat down, but they all had their mouth shut for some reason.
What’s up with them?
Is it because the meeting is about to start?
That was a possibility, but it didn’t seem like that was the reason. It felt more like…
They looked scared?
For some inexplicable reason, that’s the impression I got from them.
I must be mistaken. How could these men be scared of anything?
“…!”
A jolt of shock ran through me as I sat there.
It was because my father was staring at me.
Huh? Did I do something wrong?
I started thinking about all the potential troubles I may have caused after noticing Father’s gaze,
But how can I even guess, considering the countless things I’ve done?
I think I might actually get sick if this keeps up.
Right as I was about to say something to him,
“Lor- “
“Good work.”
“Huh?”
After saying that, he turned his head away.
I stared at him, wondering if I had misheard, but he didn’t look back at me.
The only thought running through my mind after hearing his sudden compliment was,
…Is he perhaps sick?
I wondered if my father was fatally ill.
That probably wasn’t the case.
After all, I never saw him fall ill in my past life.
Though of course, I didn’t have the balls to ask him why he complimented me, so all I was able to do was turn my head away as well.
During all of this,
‘…How annoying.
I was annoyed at myself for feeling strangely happy.
I didn’t even know why he was complimenting me, yet I was feeling happy about it.
I calmed down my heart and stabilized my breath.
I was far too old to let one compliment affect me like this.
“Yangcheon, what’s wrong?”
“What.”
“Well… You were suddenly smiling all of- “
“Be Quiet.”
“Got it.”
After shutting down Cheol Jiseon, who clearly couldn’t read the room, I sat quietly and waited.
I could feel that the meeting was about to begin.
I wasn’t the only one that felt this.
The once-rowdy room, buzzing with conversation, had fallen silent.
Step.
I then heard footsteps.
Someone who had been waiting stepped up to the podium.
I didn’t even need to see his face to recognize him. It was the man presiding over the meeting.
It was the current Leader of the Murim Alliance, Jang Cheon the Harmonic Sword.
As he ascended the podium, he took a deep breath and began speaking slowly.
- First.
His voice boomed across the room, amplified by his Qi.
—As the leader of the Murim Alliance, I want to offer my apologies for the incident that occurred in Henan.
With those words, Jang Cheon bowed his head.
Even just by looking at the paper in his hand, he seemed to have a ton of things to say.
I watched the entire process calmly.
It may have been quiet now, but it will soon become a battlefield later.
Arguments about blame, praise, and everything in between would inevitably erupt.
Everyone would air their grievances, sparking endless debate.
I despised situations like this, which was exactly why I hadn’t wanted to come.
Why was I even summoned here?
I couldn’t understand why the Alliance asked me to come.
As these thoughts swirled in my mind,
…Huh.
I felt a piercing gaze directed at me from somewhere.
It was hard not to notice because of how strong the gaze felt.
There was no doubt; someone was staring directly at me.
It didn’t take long to pinpoint the source of the gaze.
It would’ve been strange if I didn’t notice this strong gaze.
It came from behind the Alliance Leader.
The gaze originated from among the Murim Alliance soldiers standing behind the Leader.
As I sharpened my senses to identify the source,
“…!”
I was able to get an answer right away.
When I realized who it was, my heart sank.
That bastard…
The one glaring at me.
Jang Seonyeon…?
It was definitely Jang Seonyeon. The bastard I killed in the Abyss using flames, and the bastard I’ve been looking for ever since returning to the normal realm.
I’d thought something had happened to him since I couldn’t find any trace of him, yet there he was, standing behind the Alliance Leader, grinning at me with an unsettling smile.
But there was something off about his smile.
It wasn’t the same as the smile I remembered from the Jang Seonyeon I knew.
I focused on his Qi, sensing that something about him was amiss.
I’d encountered plenty of people who could disguise themselves as others, so I initially assumed this was one of those cases.
…But it’s not.
Surprisingly, I couldn’t detect the distinct Qi that usually accompanied such disguises.
So what was this strange sensation I was feeling?
Then.
Tschh-!
“…Ugh…?”
My right arm started feeling extremely hot.
Pain radiated from the spot where my skin had begun to change.
Instinctively, I clutched my arm, overwhelmed by the sudden pain.
What the? What’s going on?
I endured the pain and looked back at Jang Seonyeon.
What I saw shocked me all over again.
Jang Seonyeon’s gaze met mine, his expression a mix of amusement and surprise, but what truly unsettled me were his eyes, glowing an unnatural red.
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