Childhood Friend of the Zenith

[Have you been well, Myung?

]At Shin Noya's call, the vibration in the hand of the Hermit of Wudang intensified.

Perhaps it was because of the unexpected situation, but the expression on the Hermit's face was quite a sight.

[Shin-cheol.

]A cold voice echoed in my ear.

Could this voice really be Namgung Myung's?

'Wow.

'To put it simply, it felt like this voice alone could kill a person.

Was it true that he had this kind of tone and voice, along with a face like the Hermit's?

'Women must have swooned over him.

'Setting aside that piercing voice—if he looked like that, it was game over.

"Hmm.

"Perhaps due to the unexpected situation, the Hermit tilted his head slightly.

"You can hear it too, can't you?

"He asked me.

Was he asking if I could hear Namgung Myung’s voice?

Which meant…'The Hermit can hear it too.

'I glanced at Woo-hyuk beside me, but he seemed to hear nothing, only frowning slightly.

"Master, what is it that we’re supposed to be hearing...?

""Disciple.

""Yes.

"Watching the bewildered Woo-hyuk, the Hermit spoke.

"Step aside for a moment.

I have something to discuss with your friend.

"Woo-hyuk’s eyes widened briefly at the Hermit's words, looking back and forth between me and the Hermit, clearly unable to grasp the situation.

But…"Understood.

"Without further questions, Woo-hyuk stood and took his leave.

Perhaps he thought that his master's words took precedence.

With a faint look of regret, Woo-hyuk leaped away, disappearing into the distance, leaving me alone with the Hermit, locking eyes with him.

An intense awkwardness began to settle in.

"It's the first time I've experienced something like this, so it's quite fascinating," the Hermit said, breaking the silence.

"What is going on?

"The Thunder Fang continued to hum in his grasp.

I needed a moment to gather my thoughts in response to the Hermit's question.

'What should I say?

'It was a somewhat delicate situation.

I had suspected for some time that Namgung Myung might be within the Thunder Fang.

Back when I visited the Namgung family about the engagement, I had heard a voice I assumed was Namgung Myung's, instructing me to find the Thunder Fang.

‘That message was left for Shin Noya, too.

’Knowing their traces were already left on relics and artifacts, I’d anticipated that Namgung Myung’s will would linger in the Thunder Fang as well.

‘Though, it feels… different.

’The presence of Namgung Myung felt distinctly different from any of the remnants of past wills I’d encountered before.

Carefully, I ventured to ask.

"The person within… Are you, by chance, Senior Namgung Myung?

""Huh?

"The Hermit reacted first, clearly surprised to hear Namgung Myung's name come from my mouth.

"How… how do you know that?

"Just as the Hermit was about to continue, furrowing his brow, Namgung Myung's voice resonated again.

[I assumed there would be trouble, as expected of an incompetent one like you, but this is just pathetic.

][Myung, that might not be something you should say.

]While Shin Noya’s voice was full of laughter, Namgung Myung’s was cold as ever.

Was he always like this?

[Why have you ended up like this, Shin-cheol?

][There were many complications involved.

][And who’s that one over there?

]By "that one," did he mean me?

[He’s my successor… or something close to it.

]I clicked my tongue internally at Shin Noya’s words.

What does "something close" mean?

Namgung Myung seemed equally puzzled and questioned Noya.

[You took someone as a successor who’s not even a sword master?

Shin-cheol, have you truly gone mad?

][Not a disciple; just someone who carries on my will, that’s all.

][What a nonsensical answer.

You truly have gone senile.

]While Namgung Myung’s sharp words continued, the most confused expression was on the Hermit's face.

"Old man, just who are you talking to?

"'…!

'I held back my surprise.

It seemed that the Hermit couldn’t hear Shin Noya’s voice.

'So, the Hermit can only hear Namgung Myung’s voice.

'Unlike me, who could hear both Namgung Myung and Shin Noya, the Hermit seemed able to hear only one of them.

With that useful piece of information, I kept my reaction concealed and spoke to Namgung Myung again.

"When I visited the Namgung family, I heard your voice, Senior.

"[What did you say?

]Namgung Myung reacted to my words, as though he understood the implication.

"You told me to find the Thunder Fang.

That was definitely your message, wasn’t it?

"Though it was a message meant for Shin Noya, I had come with Noya, so it hardly mattered.

There was too much on my plate to be concerned with such details.

[Are you ignoring details because you’re simply too lazy to care?

]'Please, keep quiet for a moment….

'Even in this situation, he had to chime in.

"So then….

"[I don't remember that.

]"...

Pardon?

"Just as I was about to start explaining why I had come, Namgung Myung interrupted me.

He didn’t remember?

"Senior?

"[I have no such memory.

I have nothing further to discuss, so be on your way.

]This turn of events was unexpected.

I had assumed Namgung Myung would explain the situation once I brought it up.

But he was telling me to leave, claiming he didn’t remember?

'What is this…?

'This nonsense situation left me bewildered.

If I couldn’t give the Thunder Fang to Namgung Bi-ah, what was I supposed to do?

Just as my mind began to feel blank, the Hermit spoke with a disgruntled look on his face.

"Old man, aren’t you going to explain what’s going on?

I can’t make sense of any of this….

"[Send him away.

]"What?

"[I said, send him away.

]"What nonsense are you talking about?

"[If he doesn’t go, then use force to make him.

]"Ha, are you acting up again?

I always tell you, if you’re going to explain, do it right….

"Suddenly, the Thunder Fang, which had been vibrating, came to a halt.

The Hermit’s face twisted instantly as he took this in.

"Damn it.

That old man’s filthy temper hasn’t changed one bit.

Why don’t the spirits come and take away that foul-mouthed geezer?

"[That descendant of Myung’s has quite the refreshing way with words.

I like him a lot.

]"...

"I sighed, looking at Noya’s chuckling form.

'Now isn’t the time to laugh.

'[Well, it’s not time to cry, either, is it?

]'No, I mean, we have questions to ask him.

Isn’t it wrong for things to end like this?

'Why had Namgung Myung left a trace in the Thunder Fang, or in the Namgung family?

Shouldn’t I be questioning him about these things?

Noya snickered at my words, as if he found them absurd.

[Since when did the guy who came to snatch the Thunder Fang away start caring about conversation?

]"...

"Ahem.

He wasn’t wrong, so I couldn’t refute him.

'…But you said you’d help.

'[Didn’t I help?

I called him, but if he won’t talk, what can I do?

]What on earth was going on?

Why was Noya so unfazed by all this?

It didn’t fit his character.

'Noya.

'[Yes?

]'Do you… have something in mind?

’[Heh heh.

]Otherwise, I couldn’t make sense of Noya’s behavior.

For all his roughness and unorthodox ways, I had to acknowledge his abilities.

[You’re always so perceptive.

]'...

'[All we needed to do today was check.

Let’s head back, as Myung suggested.

Staying here will only aggravate that man.

]'But….

'[It’s something you’ll have to accept.

]His voice, usually brimming with laughter, now held a soft solemnity.

[I might have felt the same way in his place.

]'…What do you mean by that?

'[I’m not entirely sure yet.

I’ll explain later, so let’s leave, as Myung suggested.

]'...

'[Besides, there’s much I need to discuss with you.

]Just as Tang Jemoon had mentioned last time, there were many stories Shin Noya had yet to tell me.

'This is frustrating.

'Feeling that something was amiss, I had no choice but to accept it.

'Being told to go back… what is going on?

'I couldn’t understand Namgung Myung’s attitude or actions, but if he refused to talk, there was nothing I could do.

"Hmm.

"Likewise, the Hermit looked at me with a face full of questions, but he seemed inclined to follow Namgung Myung’s words.

In other words…'If I refuse to go, I might be forced out.

'I had no interest in having such an unfavorable encounter from the start.

Especially when I would need to eventually claim—no, receive—the Thunder Fang.

[…Have you never considered just leaving it behind?

]'That is not an option.

'Having recently seen the Demon Sword Queen wield the Thunder Fang, and knowing how much its presence would mean to Namgung Bi-ah, I could never abandon it.

'It’s time to start preparing for them one by one.

'As much as I wanted to handle it all myself, I knew I wasn’t at that level.

At the very least, I wanted to help them prepare to defend themselves.

'Not just Namgung Bi-ah.

'I also needed to find what I had planned for Wi Seol-ah and provide something for Moyong Hee-ah and Tang So-yeol as well.

[You certainly look like someone who wouldn’t do such things, yet here you are, so diligent.

]'What do you mean I look like I wouldn’t?

What kind of comment is that?

'As if he was the epitome of gentleness.

He looked more like an angry wildcat.

[What did you say, you little…?

]“…I apologize for coming unannounced when you were busy.

”Ignoring Noya’s reaction, I bowed politely to the Hermit.

“It seems now is not the time, so I’ll take my leave.

”“…Hmm… very well.

”“I will return soon.

”I’d marked my presence and had no intention of giving up, so I planned to return.

The Hermit, seeming equally curious about the current discussion, didn’t utter a word against my promise to come back.

I turned and left the forest with some lingering regret.

I could feel the Hermit’s gaze even as I leaped away, but I didn’t turn back.

'The hidden dragon should find his way here.

'Although it was worrying that he had a poor sense of direction, I trusted he’d find his way eventually.

I had no idea at the time that Woo-hyuk, not knowing his way back, would take two days to cover a distance that should have taken one hour.

******************Returning straight to the Tang Clan, the next day arrived.

Perhaps because of my encounter with the Hermit of Wudang, I hadn’t slept well.

I felt as though I’d dreamed, but couldn’t quite remember it.

It left a lingering, uncomfortable feeling that morning.

I was waiting in the guest hall for breakfast.

Not only myself but most of the other guests visiting the Tang Clan had gathered as well.

Paejon and Amwang were nowhere to be seen, so excluding them… oh, and Woo-hyuk was also missing.

Aside from those three, everyone seemed to be here.

“Did you sleep well, Young Master?

”As I waited at the table, someone approached me.

It was Tang So-yeol.

Seeing her, I couldn’t help but make a puzzled expression.

“Why are you here?

”“What?

”“Don’t you usually eat somewhere else?

”Since Tang So-yeol was a direct descendant of the Tang Clan, she didn’t necessarily have to eat here.

Though, as a guest, I could’ve had food brought to my quarters too, but by habit, I’d come here to eat with the others.

“…Well, since you’re here, Young Master, it’s nicer to eat together.

”Tang So-yeol seemed a little offended by my words, making a slightly pouty expression.

Her face reminded me of someone.

‘Do they look alike?

’I thought of Tang Jemoon, whom I’d met in the archive.

There was something about Tang So-yeol that felt similar to her.

Maybe that was the issue with my thoughts.

[They don’t look alike at all, don’t you think?

]Shin Noya suddenly spoke up, sounding indignant.

‘Why are you getting upset?

This is unexpected.

’I had only thought they looked a bit alike.

It wasn’t so far-fetched for blood relatives to resemble each other.

‘After all, they say Namgung Myung and the Hermit of Wudang look identical.

’So why couldn’t Tang Jemoon and Tang So-yeol look alike?

With that thought, I observed Tang So-yeol more closely.

‘If her hair were longer, maybe she’d resemble her a bit more.

’Tang So-yeol had short hair, but if it grew out and her body matured a bit more, she might look more like Tang Jemoon.

Of course…‘Although she likely won’t grow any taller….

’Not in her upper body, anyway.

Based on her previous life, she wasn’t likely to grow much more.

Not that it was a bad thing.

In fact, her staying the same would probably be easier for me.

“Young Master?

”“Oh, sorry.

”Noticing I was staring, Tang So-yeol looked at me questioningly.

I’d been staring too much—a mistake.

As I showed a slightly embarrassed expression, Tang So-yeol waved her hand dismissively.

“It’s fine.

You can look all you want.

”“…What are you talking about?

”“Hehe.

”Tang So-yeol giggled, as if joking.

“Oh, by the way, Young Master.

”“Yeah?

”“What are you planning to do after breakfast?

”“After breakfast?

”After eating, I planned to head out to town and visit the Baekhwa Merchant Guild’s branch in Sichuan.

‘I have a few things to drop off there.

’I meant the items clinking around in my pouch.

‘…I was fortunate to get them this time.

’Thinking about it, I couldn’t help but smile.

These were the luminous pearls I had brought back from the archive.

The items I couldn’t retrieve last time from the Golden Lotus Archive, I managed to secure this time.

To sell them at their proper price, my best option was the Baekhwa Merchant Guild.

Dropping Lady Mi’s name would make it easy.

‘Though, if I wanted more money, I could go elsewhere.

But that’s too much trouble.

’Negotiating with regular merchants to get a higher price wasn’t a big deal for me, but it was more hassle than it was worth.

‘Besides, I feel a bit guilty for dropping Lady Mi’s name.

’I remembered using the Baekhwa Merchant Guild as an excuse when talking to the Poison King about the Dokcheon Pill.

After considering all this, I finally answered Tang So-yeol.

“I’m going to town.

I’ll probably stop by the market.

”“The market?

Really!?

”“Yeah.

”“Young Master, may I come along too?

”“Hm?

Sure.

”It wasn’t anything difficult.

I nodded casually, and Tang So-yeol broke into a broad smile.

Was she that happy?

Well, if she was, that was a good thing.

“Then I’ll get ready and wait with the others.

”“Yes!

I’ll get ready and wait with—wait, the others?

”“Hm?

”Tang So-yeol gave me a questioning look.

“Am I… not going alone with you?

”“What?

No.

Everyone said they wanted to come, so I figured we’d go together.

Convenient timing.

You should join us.

”“…Alright.

”I’d heard that Namgung Bi-ah, Wi Seol-ah, and Moyong Hee-ah were planning to come along as well.

After I mentioned the group, Tang So-yeol’s cheerful expression turned slightly gloomy.

Just as I was about to ask what was wrong…“Breakfast is ready.

”A servant announced from outside.

At his words, the empty table was suddenly filled with dishes.

Just like the last time I’d come to Sichuan, the Tang Clan seemed quite serious about their food.

Though I could do without the spiciness.

After the servants set the table and left, everyone started their meal.

Tang So-yeol, beside me, seemed to have no appetite, only picking at her food.

Noticing this, I picked up a dumpling with my chopsticks.

‘It’s been a while.

’It felt nostalgic, as though I hadn’t had a proper meal in a long time.

I took a bite of the steaming dumpling.

And then—I stopped.

The sensation I felt as soon as I bit into it made me pause.

I couldn’t help but smirk to myself.

“…Those bastards have a short fuse.

”“Young Master?

”Hearing my murmured curse, Tang So-yeol looked at me, puzzled.

I swallowed the dumpling in one gulp.

Gulp.

Immediately, I felt something strange spreading through my body—a murky, unpleasant sensation.

After taking a breath, I forced out my words with all my might.

“P… poison!

”And then—Thud!

I collapsed onto the table as if I’d passed out.

“…”As I fell, the room fell silent.

I took in the silence, thinking to myself.

‘…Why is no one reacting?

’I’d expected screams and chaos, but it was strangely quiet.

As I tried to go over things in my mind, wondering if I’d made a mistake…[…Seriously, kid.

]‘What?

’Noya explained the reason to me.

[You really shouldn’t try acting.

It’s unbearable to watch.

Tsk tsk… How embarrassing.

]“…”Despite the sting of his words, I stayed down.

This was one of those times to stick to my performance, no matter what.