Childhood Friend of the Zenith

Two months had passed since the attack.

The season, which had been close to early spring, was now approaching summer.

Just like the season that seemed to pass so quickly, many things had transpired in Hanan, including at the Sinryong Hall.

Of all the things that had happened, the most significant was undoubtedly the closure of Sinryong Hall.

The news of Sinryong Hall, which was made up of people from the Unorthodox Faction, being attacked, had already spread widely across Zhongyuan.

Even if the League tried to contain the information, it was impossible to silence all the witnesses.

No matter how much the Opening Faction was said to be the eyes and ears of the Murim Alliance, they, too, could not completely prevent the news from leaking, given their ties to intelligence agencies and business interests.

As a result, Sinryong Hall had been shut down, with various issues being cited as the reasons for its closure.

The official reason was for building repairs and as a temporary measure due to the aftermath of the attack.

People, however, were well aware of the reality.

They expected that Sinryong Hall would remain closed for several years because of this incident.

In fact, it might never reopen.

Even the Dragon and Phoenix Festival and the Martial Arts Festival, both scheduled for this year, seemed unlikely to take place.

The incident was that severe.

The second issue concerned the actions the Murim Alliance began taking afterward.

The League had only dispatched support after the fact.

They had brought in doctors to treat the wounded immediately, while also gathering the bodies and storing them in the Alliance's underground chamber, where the air was cold.

The attackers were dragged to the torture chambers, and the survivors who endured the attack were provided lodging by the League.

Up to this point, it seemed the situation was being handled reasonably well.

The real problem came afterward.

No matter what measures were taken, they could not replace the lives that had been lost.

Moreover, most of those who died during the attack were at the later stages of martial arts cultivation but were of lower rank, belonging primarily to trading companies that had been major supporters of the Murim Alliance.

The death of so many people tied to these companies meant that the financial channels to the Alliance would be disrupted.

While there were certainly enough trading companies willing to continue their support, not all of them were so unconditionally supportive.

The League's influence was inevitably affected.

And it wasn't just the offspring of the trading companies who had died.

Members from the Nine Great Clans and prestigious families had also perished.

For the Murim Alliance, it was less about salvaging the situation and more like trying to contain an explosive crisis.

Thus, the Murim Alliance had canceled all upcoming festivals and events.

The outcry was already loud across Zhongyuan.

"What was the Murim Alliance doing while these young warriors tragically lost their lives?

""They took far too long to respond to an attack on Hanan, where their headquarters is located.

""What were the League Lord and the Murim Alliance's warriors doing to let things get so out of hand?

"The sentiment that had started spreading throughout Zhongyuan over the past two months was a belief in the Murim Alliance's incompetence.

In the past, the trading companies that supported the League would not have wanted such rumors to spread.

They would have worked hand-in-hand with the Opening Faction to suppress such stories.

That these rumors had spread so widely meant that even they had somewhat turned their backs.

Once, it was said that the existence of the Orthodox Faction justified the Murim Alliance's presence, and that the Murim Alliance's presence maintained the current peace.

But those shallow words had begun to crumble with the single attack launched by the Black Dragon Sword.

An attack that had ended in less than a day.

However, even though it was a swift attack, the entangled parties and the resulting chaos were by no means insignificant.

Now, two months after the attack...

“Who would have thought Cheonghae Ilgeom could be defeated...?

”The story of that day was still the talk of countless people.

Most were now spending their days in taverns, drinking and chatting idly.

And the only topic they were discussing lately was this incident.

"Didn't they say he had to protect the other disciples?

""Even so, how could he lose to a mere Unorthodox fighter?

Tsk tsk, it seems even Kunlun has seen better days.

""Hey, who are you to talk, when you're no better than a third-rate swordsman?

""Ah!

I was injured and had no choice, alright?

""Oh, right.

Tripping while running away from a wild boar is something to brag about?

And I saw you running just fine a few days later.

"“...

Ahem.

”The middle-aged man clicked his tongue as he swallowed his words in response to another's jab.

“Well.

Anyway...!

The Murim Alliance isn't what it used to be!

”“Oh no, he's at it again.

Bring some cold water!

”“Yes, sir!

”The server replied energetically, rushing to fetch some water.

“If the Murim Alliance was truly competent, they would've stopped the attack in the first place.

”“They’re the ones looking out for our lives, so why don’t you stop complaining?

”“Looking out for our lives?

Hah!

They couldn’t even protect their own, so now they’re holding funerals...!

”As the middle-aged man tried to cross a line, a younger man quickly reached out and covered his mouth.

“Are you insane?

What if a Murim Alliance warrior hears you?

”“Pfah!

What can they do?

Am I wrong?

”“Ugh…”The younger man covered his forehead with his hand.

The middle-aged man wasn't wrong.

The Alliance had indeed held funerals for the deceased.

"And besides, they’re aware of their own failures, which is why they announced this upcoming meeting.

”The middle-aged man spoke in an irritated tone.

The Murim Alliance had announced that there would be a gathering of the Orthodox Faction leaders in seven days.

And perhaps because of this, many unfamiliar faces had started appearing in Hanan.

Two months ago, upon receiving the Alliance's notice, people began arriving in anticipation of the meeting.

There were representatives from renowned trading companies, as well as people from prestigious families and one of the Nine Great Clans.

Although they hailed from different regions and practiced different martial arts, they all shared one common trait.

“All of them look like their faces are ready to crack.

”“Could you blame them?

They have every reason to feel that way.

”The reason was clear.

Their sons, disciples, or brothers had been killed in the sudden attack on Sinryong Hall.

The fact that they weren’t visibly furious showed a considerable amount of restraint on their part.

As the middle-aged man was drinking and reminiscing, he turned to the young man.

“So, who’s coming to the meeting this time?

”“I don't know.

I’m too busy trying to make a living to keep track of all that.

”The young man chuckled.

“Well, I heard the Wudang Sect is coming.

”Out of the Nine Great Clans, only a few had expressed their intent to attend.

Not many of the Nine Great Clans were particularly close to the Murim Alliance, and the only ones who had disciples in Sinryong Hall were Wudang and Mount Hua.

The Wudang Sect had always been close to the Murim Alliance and sent representatives every time a meeting was held.

The attendance of the Mount Hua Sect was rather unusual.

Rumor had it that the only reason they agreed was that the Hall Master was known as the Cheonghae Ilgeom of Kunlun.

“Then, Mount Hua isn’t coming?

”“I have no idea.

”For the Wudang Sect, it was understandable since one of their disciples was among the casualties and they were close allies of the Murim Alliance.

But for Mount Hua, it was uncertain.

“Anyway… This is a major event.

Let’s hope there won’t be any bloodshed or wailing for a while.

”“We don’t get to see stuff like this often, do we?

”“Well…”Soon, even the heads of the Four Great Families would make an appearance.

To ordinary people, not only the heads of the Four Great Families but even their relatives seemed like people living in the heavens.

They weren’t people you could casually encounter.

“It’s just unfortunate that this incident had to happen with all the important people from the Four Great Families around…”The current generation was deemed exceptional, known as the Generation of Shooting Stars.

There were numerous geniuses and prodigies, and many of them were in Sinryong Hall when the attack occurred.

“Ha...

Tsk tsk…”“But they didn’t come away empty-handed, did they?

”The young man's words revealed what the middle-aged man understood instantly.

“Are you bringing that up again?

”“You talk about the Murim Alliance every day, don’t you?

”“I mix it up a little.

You, on the other hand, only have one thing on your mind.

”“Well, I don’t get tired of it, do I?

”They didn’t come away empty-handed.

By that, he meant that amidst the later-stage cultivators and warriors who had perished defending Sinryong Hall, one figure had stood out and been recognized for his brilliance.

It’s said that heroes emerge in times of chaos, and this was a perfect example.

“Are you still going on about that Jinryong...?

”“It’s more interesting than listening to you rant about the Murim Alliance every day.

”“Bah!

You wretched fool.

”Jinryong, the True Dragon.

When the story of Sinryong Hall's attack started to spread, the tale of him began to circulate widely.

He was already a well-known figure.

The last of the Six Dragons Three Peaks, considered a symbol of the Generation of Shooting Stars.

He had achieved greatness at a young age and was famed for his overwhelming strength among the younger martial artists.

He was the hero of this tale.

“Isn’t it amazing?

They say he hasn’t even reached twenty yet.

”“…It’s impressive, I suppose.

”Rumor had it that he single-handedly held off half the Unorthodox attackers at Sinryong Hall and forced the Cheonghae Ilgeom's nemesis to his knees.

The middle-aged man clicked his tongue, incredulous, and addressed the younger man.

“Do you really believe such things at your age?

”“Are you going to say it’s just a rumor again?

”“Those tales have not a shred of realism to them, don’t you think?

”The middle-aged man took another swig of his drink and continued.

“If Cheonghae Ilgeom was defeated, that would mean his opponent was a warrior at the Flame level.

Are they saying that young Jinryong had reached the Flame level, too?

”“…”“Bah!

Even if he did bring him to his knees, it was probably just a final blow to someone already spent.

”A young martial artist, not yet twenty, at the Flame level?

That was as unlikely as the sun rising in the west.

“They even say he killed all the Unorthodox fighters single-handedly?

That’s some wild exaggeration.

”“Why do you always have to be so negative?

”“If they gave me a reason to believe it, I might.

But even Gu Ga wasn’t that extreme.

”Naturally, he thought that the stories about Jinryong were spread by the Jin family, the famous Mount Yan family.

While everyone acknowledged Jinryong's skills, few believed he was as extraordinary as the rumors claimed.

It was simply too far-fetched.

The younger man scowled, dissatisfied with the older man's comments.

“Look at that face, huh?

”“It’s just that Jinryong isn’t some distant legend.

”“Oh?

And now you’re nitpicking?

”“It’s only right to get things straight.

”The middle-aged man looked at him, incredulous.

“It hasn’t been that long since the title changed, has it?

”“Why are you the one getting all worked up?

You’re such a strange one.

”Indeed, after the incident, Jinryong had been given a new title.

The magnitude of his actions had been so great and intense that those who heard the story began referring to him by a new moniker.

It was as if they were declaring that Jinryong was no longer among the ranks of the young cultivators.

“What was that title again…?

I heard it recently.

”As the middle-aged man fumbled, the younger man spoke up, unable to hold back.

“Can’t you even remember that?

It’s obviously So…”Click.

Just as the younger man was about to speak, someone entered the tavern.

Everyone naturally turned toward the sound.

Normally, they wouldn’t have paid any attention, but this time, a cold draft accompanied the opening of the tavern door.

“Hah…”The younger man swallowed his words as he took in the person who had just entered.

It wasn’t just him.

Even those who had been noisily chatting moments before were suddenly silent, their eyes fixed on the woman who had just entered.

“…Tsk.

”She clicked her tongue, clearly aware of the attention she was drawing.

She had meant to wear a veil, but she had forgotten it this time.

As the woman revealed her discomfort, the tavern server quickly approached her.

“Welcome.

”“Can you bring out the order I placed?

”“Oh!

Yes, right away!

”The server hurried back to the kitchen and returned with something steaming hot for the woman.

It was a plate of dumplings.

The woman, after confirming her order, handed the server a silver coin and prepared to leave.

Dumplings for a silver coin?

What’s that all about…?

Puzzled, everyone watched her walk gracefully out of the tavern.

The moment she closed the door behind her...

Thunk.

As the door closed, everyone let out the breaths they’d been holding.

“Wow, she was incredibly beautiful.

How can there be a woman like that?

”“She clearly looked like she came from a noble family.

What business does she have here?

”The younger man, forgetting what he’d been saying, was filled with curiosity, so the server brought him some more snacks and shared a few words.

“Oh, she comes here often.

”“Hm?

I’ve never seen her.

And I’m here every day.

”“Well, sir, you’re only here during the day.

She comes at night.

”“At night?

”“Yes.

She just buys dumplings and leaves.

”“Dumplings?

”The young man tilted his head in confusion.

Was she just loose-lipped, or why would she come out for dumplings at night?

She could have sent a servant to fetch them instead of coming in person.

Perhaps noticing the young man’s curiosity, the server added some information.

“Her husband really likes our dumplings, so she comes to get them for him.

”At this, everyone around him let out a disappointed sigh.

“She’s already taken…”“Lucky guy…”As the men resumed their drinking, lamenting, the young man who had been talking so animatedly fell into contemplation.

“Hey, aren’t you drinking?

”“Something about that woman feels familiar.

”“Stop daydreaming and eat.

When would we have seen a woman like that?

”“It’s not her face… It’s the clothes that look familiar.

”The light blue martial outfit with its distinctive embroidery…Where had he seen that before…?

“…Ah?

”The young man suddenly remembered.

It was unmistakable.

“…The Moyong Family?

”It was the symbol of the Moyong Family’s trading company, which operated in Hanan.

Typically, only members of the family would wear such embroidered clothing.

‘So does that mean…?

’Was that stunning woman who had just bought dumplings a member of the Moyong Family?

The young man pondered this for a moment.

“Nah, that can’t be it.

”He shook his head, dismissing the thought.

After all, he couldn’t even believe the tales about Jinryong they’d just been discussing.

How could anyone believe that a member of the Moyong Family would be out buying dumplings for her husband in broad daylight?

With that thought, the young man resumed drinking.

Meanwhile, the woman who had just bought the dumplings had already reached her destination.

She was standing halfway up a mountain, before an entrance that looked artificially made.

A cave, as if someone had pounded and broken through the rock.

She stepped in naturally.

The cave wasn’t particularly deep, and the light came from torches planted here and there.

A few steps in, she caught a scent.

She didn’t need to think about it.

It was definitely the smell of sweat.

Recognizing it, she didn’t cover her nose but simply shook her head.

“I told him to rest, but he just couldn’t help himself.

”Despite her words, she knew he wouldn’t listen even if he died.

The woman resumed walking and soon reached the end.

Thump!

Thump thump!

Loud bangs echoed from within.

With each sound, the cave walls trembled, causing pebbles to fall from above.

She took in the sight and spoke.

“I brought food.

”Thump!

Thump!

Although her voice wasn’t quiet, it seemed he hadn’t heard.

She knew.

In this state, he wouldn’t hear her, no matter how loud she called.

The woman carefully placed the food bundle on the ground and brought her hands to her mouth, as if to amplify her voice.

There was only one way to get his attention in this situation.

“So-yeomra, you must eat.

”The rumbling and the loud noises stopped immediately.

Then, she saw someone approaching, breathing heavily.

At a remarkable speed, his ears flushed.

“Hey!

I told you not to call me that!

”With his dark hair and fierce eyes, it was none other than Gu Yangcheon.