Childhood Friend of the Zenith

The Thunder Blade of Murim, Namgung Myung.

One of the Five Heroes who thwarted the Blood Demon and the most powerful martial artist in the history of the Namgung family.

It’s said that with a mere gesture, he could fill the sky with dark clouds, and a slight reprimand would cause thunder to resound.

Another title for him was…"Thunder God.

"The information we have on him is merely a record, and since it wasn’t something I actively pursued, I don’t know the details.

Of course, as soon as I discovered that they were somehow tied to my current affairs, I looked into it a bit.

Based on the remaining records…"They couldn’t have all been human, could they?

"The tales are more akin to legendary myths than actual history.

Like the poison Tang Jemoon emitted, which could reportedly envelop an entire region.

Or how Cheol Young, despite his merciful nature, could flatten a mountain with a single punch.

And how Thunder God’s wrath supposedly shook the heavens.

The tales of Shin Noya and Yeon Ilcheon were no less exaggerated.

All of them were monsters, to put it mildly.

At some point, I got so annoyed that I couldn’t continue reading the records.

Did I think it was all nonsense?

It would have been easier on my mind if it were.

The reason was simple.

"With five such people gathered, all they managed to accomplish was sealing the Blood Demon?

"The bloody traces left by the Blood Demon War…People think the heroes held him back, but in reality, they barely managed to seal him.

And even now, the Blood Demon is still very much alive.

It’s already hard enough dealing with Cheonma, and now there’s a Blood Demon that even those five couldn’t fully suppress.

Reading about the myths of these heroes only infuriated me, thinking I might have to clean up the mess they left behind.

Anyway…Setting that aside for now, I focused on the statement Shin Noya just made.

"Namgung Myung?

"I looked straight ahead.

Disheveled white hair thick with dust.

His bangs, covering his face, lifted slightly to reveal a pair of clear, piercing blue eyes.

An exceptionally handsome middle-aged man, even among the people I’ve met.

In terms of appearance alone, he surpassed even Namgung Jin, the Blue Sky Sword King, who was already in a high class of his own.

Looking at this man, I thought,“…The Hermit of Wudang… is actually from the Namgung family?

”Only one place in the Central Plains produces people with such distinctive looks.

The Namgung family.

It was obvious.

The Hermit of Wudang bore all the features that defined the Namgung lineage.

In fact, his bloodline seemed even more prominent than Namgung Bi-ah, the acknowledged heir.

Perplexed, I turned to Shin Noya and asked,“Noya… what do you mean by that?

”[What do I mean?

I mean exactly what I said.

]“The Hermit of Wudang… looks exactly like the Thunder Blade?

”[Yes, they look chillingly alike.

Although his appearance is far more disheveled.

]Hearing that, I examined the Hermit once more.

A well-kept appearance, albeit with an expression that looked weary and devoid of luck.

I now understood why Shin Noya had such disdain every time he brought up Namgung Myung’s face.

After a brief moment of contemplation, I decided to gather my hands and perform a formal greeting.

At the very least, it was only right to show some courtesy.

“…I am a member of the Gu family, greeting the senior of Wudang.

”“Gu family?

”Upon hearing my introduction, the Hermit of Wudang’s eyes flickered with interest.

“So, you’re that one who’s been causing quite a stir lately.

”“…Yes, I am Gu Yangcheon.

”I wasn’t sure in what sense he meant “causing a stir,” but I assumed he was referring to me, given all the rumors the Martial Alliance keeps circulating.

“Hmm.

”The Hermit’s gaze swept over my body, and there was unmistakable curiosity in his eyes.

After staring at me for a while, he chuckled and said,“When I first heard the rumors… I thought it was just another trick from the Martial Alliance lunatics.

”“…!

”The sharpness of his words caught me off guard.

I didn’t expect anyone other than myself in this era to call the Martial Alliance lunatics.

[So you’re aware you’re not quite sane yourself, then.

]…I was equally surprised that the Hermit of Wudang had also seen through the Alliance’s schemes.

As much as I was taken aback by him, it seemed he was equally surprised by me.

“I didn’t expect the rumors to be so underwhelming.

”“I appreciate the compliment…”Although I had been hiding my true abilities, it seemed he had gauged some of them during my display of martial skill earlier.

The Hermit stroked his chin a few times with his hand and then muttered to Paeh Woo-cheol,“This one is a lost cause.

”“What do you mean by that?

”Paeh Woo-cheol, seemingly accustomed to the Hermit’s odd behavior, asked, to which the Hermit laughed and replied,“I thought you’d dominate this era.

”“Me?

Dominate?

”Paeh Woo-cheol looked genuinely shocked at his master’s words.

“With this one around, that seems unlikely.

Give it up.

”“Ha ha, why would I bother with something so troublesome?

I’d rather spend that time sleeping.

”“…You’re still as lazy as ever.

Show some persistence for your teacher’s sake.

”“You’re no different, master.

Why are you telling me this?

”“That’s true.

”Ha ha ha ha—!

They chatted with such ease, then suddenly burst into laughter.

Watching them, I couldn’t help but smirk.

So this is where Paeh Woo-cheol’s peculiar personality came from—his master.

[Hmm.

]Shin Noya also seemed bewildered, sighing in a weary tone.

[Their faces are the same, but their personalities are vastly different.

]“Are they very different from the Thunder Blade?

”He did say they looked identical.

[If it were him, he wouldn’t speak like that, nor would he carry himself in such a sloppy manner.

]Shin Noya’s voice was filled with unyielding resolve.

[He hated even a speck of dust on himself so much that he’d throw a fit.

I threw him into a mud pit once because his fastidiousness was so annoying.

]“What?

”[Do you know how terrifying he was when he came at me, swearing he’d kill me?

He was the pettiest person I knew.

Martial artists should accept a bit of dirt, tsk tsk.

]…Hearing all this, it seemed less like he was petty and more like Shin Noya was a troublemaker.

One thing was clear, though: they hadn’t been on good terms.

“Just hearing about his personality, I can tell he’s nothing like the Hermit.

”But at least they looked exactly alike.

After a long bout of laughter, I waited until they settled down before speaking to the Hermit.

“Uh… Senior.

”“Hmm?

”“Forgive me, but could it be that Namgung…”“Oh.

”Before I could finish my question, the Hermit waved his hand as if he knew what I was about to ask.

“That was the case in the past, but not anymore, so don’t worry about it.

”It used to be the case, but it isn’t anymore…It seemed there had been an incident of some kind.

“So he is from the Namgung family, after all.

”Oh.

“So that’s why he has Thunder Fang…”With that revelation, it finally made sense why the Hermit of Wudang possessed Thunder Fang.

The Thunder Fang, the Namgung family’s symbol, a treasured artifact.

I had wondered how it ended up in someone else’s hands.

“So the Hermit was originally from the Namgung family.

”It’s rare, but not unheard of, for someone from a prestigious family to leave and join another sect.

There had been bloodlines from the Moyong family and the Peng family who joined Daoist sects and became renowned.

However…“Why hasn’t his name become known?

”If he was a martial artist from Wudang with Namgung lineage, surely his name would have circulated.

If anything, it would be even more talked about in the martial world.

But the Hermit of Wudang was only known by his nickname, with no mention of his connection to the Namgung family.

Despite his unmistakable appearance.

And he possessed Thunder Fang.

Why hasn’t the Namgung family reclaimed it?

That was the biggest mystery.

The rumor that the Hermit of Wudang held Thunder Fang was not widespread but had certainly circulated.

Thunder Fang, the Namgung family’s symbol, should have been retrieved, especially given that he had joined Wudang and was considered an outsider.

Yet, for some reason, the Namgung family hadn’t acted.

"Why…?

"Considering both the head of the family and his son are as dense as they come, one would think they’d have some sense, given their prestigious status.

As I pondered over these various issues,“Oh, even if I said not to worry…”The Hermit seemed to have realized something and turned back to speak to me.

“You might have some trouble dealing with it.

”“What?

”“I heard you’re engaged, aren’t you?

”“Ah…”It seemed he was referring to Namgung Bi-ah.

“It might be hard not to think about it, but I truly have no….

”“No, I’m really not concerned about it.

It’s fine.

”“Hmm?

”I cut him off before he could elaborate.

“It sounds like a bothersome subject, so I’ll respect your wish and not think about it.

”“Oh, really?

”It was obviously a nuisance.

I already had too much on my mind, so the last thing I wanted was to hear more about the Namgung family’s internal affairs.

Maybe my response was a bit too blunt, as the Hermit made a curious expression before glancing at Paeh Woo-cheol.

“Is it because he’s your friend that he’s so odd as well?

”“What?

Even if he’s not normal, I am.

”“It’s comforting to know that even after all these years, you’re still just as strange, my disciple.

”It was already annoying enough to be called strange out of the blue, but Paeh Woo-cheol had the audacity to claim he was normal.

Since there were people watching, I couldn’t hit him right there, but I made a mental note to take care of him on the way back.

“Master, he seems to be planning to hit me.

”Paeh Woo-cheol caught on immediately and reported it to his master.

That bastard…?

“Growing up involves fighting now and then.

”“Haha, damn it.

Am I truly friendless?

”[…Madmen.

They’re definitely madmen.

]For once, I agreed with Noya.

These people were definitely unhinged.

Although, if anyone was calling others madmen, it wasn’t exactly Noya’s place to say.

[What was that…?

]“Can you stop reading my private thoughts?

Could you respect my privacy?

”[Hah, now you’re just doing it openly.

]Since he was going to eavesdrop anyway, I figured I might as well speak my mind.

[Enough of that.

Think about what you’re going to do now.

]“Oh, right.

That.

”[...

]Although Noya was silent, I had a feeling he was looking at me with disappointment.

"So, I do have a reason for being here.

What should I do about it?

"The purpose of meeting the Hermit was to acquire Thunder Fang.

I had come with the intention of obtaining Thunder Fang and giving it to Namgung Bi-ah.

"But I can’t exactly take it by force.

"Taking it by force was out of the question, and using the Namgung family’s name to demand Thunder Fang was now impossible.

"Since he’s part of the family by blood and the Namgung family hasn’t acted, I lack a valid reason to take it.

"Although I hadn’t planned to take it outright during our first meeting, I needed to come up with a plan.

As I continued to deliberate,[Want some help?

]Noya asked in a calm tone.

“…You, Noya?

”[If not me, then who else?

]“How would you help?

”Being an incorporeal spirit attached to my body, there was little he could physically do.

Even though I didn’t fully trust him, any help was better than none.

“Do you actually have a plan?

”[Nothing grand.

It’s quickest to simply call upon the person himself and talk it over, wouldn’t you agree?

]“Call upon him?

”I tilted my head, puzzled by what he meant.

[You know, back when Myung came at me, determined to kill me.

]“Uh… yeah.

”Noya suddenly began recounting an old story.

[Not just then, either.

We fought like that countless times, since we never got along.

]I didn’t understand why he was bringing this up, but I held back from interrupting, sensing there was a point to it.

[We must have fought at least a hundred times… Do you know what’s important about that?

]His voice grew unusually serious, and the pressure it carried made me instinctively swallow dryly before responding.

Gulp.

“…What is it?

”[Forty-nine to fifty-one.

]“What does that…?

”[That’s the result of our matches.

Naturally, I was victorious in fifty-o—][Talking nonsense again, are we?

]“…!

”Someone cut off Noya’s words mid-sentence.

I turned to the direction of the voice.

Uuuuuuuuung—!

“…Huh?

”The Hermit, who was nearby, seemed surprised as he glanced down at his chest, where the voice seemed to come from.

Then, he reached into his robe and pulled something out.

Zzzz-zzz-!

The object he drew out was vibrating intensely—a stick, of all things.

"Thunder Fang?

"It was Thunder Fang, one of the Five Great Swords of the Central Plains.

It looked just like the sword I’d seen the Demon Sword Queen wielding, so I was sure of it.

[Heh.

]Seeing this, Noya chuckled.

Could it be…?

“Is the voice I’m hearing now…?

”As I looked at Thunder Fang with a mix of surprise and curiosity,[It seems the passage of time has finally dulled your senses.

]A frigid voice came from Thunder Fang, cold enough to make one question how a voice could carry such chill.

[It was forty-nine for you, and fifty-one for me.

How dare you distort such a significant record?

]Despite the icy tone, the content of the words was surprisingly petty.

I just continued staring at Thunder Fang, astonished.

[It’s been a while, hasn’t it?

]Despite the voice, Noya sounded oddly cheerful.

This confirmed it for me.

The owner of this cold voice was undoubtedly…[Have you been well, Myung?

]It was Namgung Myung, the Thunder Blade of Murim, himself.

******************rip...

In a dark, damp space, a small sound echoed.

Drip...

drip...

The sound of water droplets falling resonated, filling the entire room.

It was a space with an unknown purpose.

Inside, Nahi knelt with her head bowed, far more respectful than she had been before the Poison King.

The one receiving her deference was examining a piece of paper in their hands, thin fingers that seemed almost skeletal visible in the shadows.

Rustle.

As the elder slowly turned the pages, he frowned, having apparently found something of interest.

"So, the Poison King knows… Is this true?

""...

Yes...

it is, Elder.

""Hmm...

how troublesome.

"With that blunt statement, the elder sighed.

Crackle...

The letter in his hand began to decay, disintegrating almost instantly.

"It's not...

time yet...

"The elder seemed regretful.

The opportunity had been drawing near, and he had been preparing for that moment, but it appeared this would interfere with his plans.

"Gu Yangcheon, is it?

""Yes...

that’s correct.

"Tsk.

The elder clicked his tongue in irritation.

"True to his Gu family blood, he’s stirring up trouble… he would’ve done well to just stay put, like the whelp he is.

"The one who had passed unnecessary information to the Poison King.

A prodigy, apparently, who had been causing quite a stir in the Central Plains recently.

"Fetching the Dokcheon Pill was well enough, but this reckless arrogance of his is an irritating sight to behold.

"Especially here, in the land of the Tang Clan.

The elder found it particularly bothersome.

"Before he becomes more of a nuisance… we should dispose of him.

"With a slight smile, the elder spoke.

If it were anywhere else, things might be different, but this was Tang Clan territory.

No matter his opponent’s strength or background, this was a place with countless ways to dispose of someone without anyone knowing.

"Inform the others as well.

Tell them we need to prepare a suitable gift.

"In matters like this, the elder was unrivaled in confidence.

Receiving his orders, Nahi bowed even deeper and replied,"I...

understand.

"There was no way to refuse such an order.

If things had been as before, the "curse" binding her would have forced her compliance.

"...

"But now, that was no longer the case.

Nahi glanced up at the elder.

The curse that had once shackled her was gone; she now had the opportunity to escape if she wished.

And it was all because…"This… this is all his doing.

"It was because Gu Yangcheon had infused her with a certain energy.

The curse she had wished to escape for over a decade had vanished in an instant.

In that moment, she wanted nothing more than to raise a dagger and drive it into the throat of this wretched elder.

She wanted to sever his neck, tear out his heart, and mutilate him, but…Nahi didn’t act.

She couldn’t.

The curse on her body had disappeared, only to be replaced by an even stronger one.

– If anything happens, just do whatever they tell you to.

It doesn’t matter.

The command she’d heard recently resurfaced in her mind.

Perhaps because of those words, Nahi felt unable to do anything else.

She despised herself for continuing to live like a slave, but she bit her lip and endured.

At least… one thing was different.

– I’ll let you have your revenge.

So, just follow orders.

Those words.

It was that single, casual promise that allowed Nahi to endure.

Of course, even if she couldn’t endure, she had no other options.

"Oh, and one more thing.

""...

Yes.

"As Nahi struggled to suppress her emotions, the elder addressed her again.

"Find the Princess’s location.

It’s time I paid her a visit.

""Understood.

"With that, Nahi disappeared.

Left alone, the elder chuckled as he looked toward a certain spot.

Heh-heh.

Where he looked, corpses lay, slaughtered beyond recognition.

Blood from the bodies seeped across the floor, staining it.

The elder smiled, undisturbed by the gruesome sight.

"All is as the head desires.

"No matter the disturbance, it didn’t matter.

Anyone who opposed this will could simply be dissolved and erased.

It had always been this way.

The Poison King.

Anyone who defied his will, the elder would ensure they were removed.

____________________TL Notes: Hi guys, the next 2 chapters will definitely be released today, but a little later.