Childhood Friend of the Zenith

A heavy pressure filled the air.

Feeling the shift in the atmosphere, I rolled my eyes.

‘It’s time.

’The Hermit’s aura made my hair stand on end.

Despite the unsettling sensation, my mind felt sharp and focused.

[This lunatic.

]Noya’s voice rang out in my head, filled with disbelief.

[You’re really going to go through with this?

Have you lost your mind?

] ‘You helped me get this far.

Are you backing out now?

’ [Helped you?

What nonsense are you talking about?

]Of course, he’d helped—by revealing Namgung Myung’s nature to me.

Or rather, more accurately—‘The personality of someone who might be Namgung Myung.

’Before arriving here with Woo-hyuk, I had been deep in thought, wondering how to secure Thunder Fang.

The reason was simple: I had to abandon all my initial plans.

The strategies I had crafted were made useless when I learned that the Hermit of Wudang was connected to the Namgung family and that the family was ignoring this connection.

Using any of the ideas I’d prepared was now out of the question.

So, should I give up on Thunder Fang?

‘No.

’That was impossible.

‘Thunder Fang has to go to Namgung Bi-ah.

’For the sake of what lay ahead—and to help Namgung Bi-ah reach greater heights with ease—Thunder Fang was essential.

‘Namgung Myung’s abrasive personality is a bit much, though.

’No surprise, since he was supposedly a friend of Noya.

The old man’s temper was downright nasty.

[What’s that, brat?

]I could hear Noya snapping at me, perfectly aware that I was talking about him.

But it was true.

Then again…‘It’s also a problem if he isn’t Namgung Myung.

’One issue was the odd statement Noya had made as we were heading here.

Just as I was stepping forward to meet the Hermit, Noya had thrown out an unexpected comment.

—Maybe that one isn’t Myung after all.

I asked him what he meant by that, feeling a bit thrown off, but Noya had told me to just remember it without making too much of it, as he wasn’t sure.

‘If it isn’t Namgung Myung, then who is it?

’I didn’t know, but Noya had said it, so I believed it could be true.

Regardless…‘Whether it’s Namgung Myung or not doesn’t matter right now.

’Even if the old man inside Thunder Fang wasn’t Namgung Myung, that didn’t change the fact that I needed Thunder Fang.

So, I continued to strategize.

How could I get my hands on Thunder Fang?

As I mulled it over, a solution came to mind.

Fortunately, there were options—quite a few, in fact.

I’d experienced all sorts of complications in my past life, and this was not new territory for me.

The only downside was that none of the options were entirely respectable.

[Well, I guess that’s a talent in its own right.

] ‘Thank you for the compliment.

’ [You call that a compliment?

] ‘If I take it as one, it is.

’Ignoring Noya’s frustrated muttering, I pressed on.

The old man was already dead, so I didn’t know what he was so upset about.

Anyway.

Among all the unsavory and unpleasant methods, I decided to go with the least objectionable one.

The approach I chose was…[Picking a fight to snatch it….

] ‘Couldn’t you name it something less crude?

’ [What would you call it, then?

]Even if the term fit, there was no need to make it sound so shabby.

“You plan on giving me a scolding?

” I asked.

“I guess our deranged old man wants that.

He may have aged poorly, but maybe you can forgive him.

”“It seems I’m about to get beaten to a pulp by my friend’s master.

How can I possibly understand that?

”The Hermit chuckled at my sarcasm.

“For someone in such a situation, your expression is remarkably calm,” he noted.

At his words, I quickly composed myself.

Thinking everything was going according to plan had apparently made me a bit too relaxed.

‘I've grown soft.

’Perhaps I’d let myself become too at ease, allowing mistakes to creep in.

I needed to remind myself—there was no room for error here.

As I steadied my breathing and set my expression, a sharp voice reached my ears.

[I don’t understand.

]It was Namgung Myung’s voice.

[Why don’t you stop him, Shen-cheol?

]Hearing his baffled tone, I thought to myself.

‘Just as I thought.

’It was as I suspected.

I could hear their conversation, but our own exchange, between me and Noya, seemed inaudible unless we wanted it to be.

‘Interesting.

’Though I wasn’t certain, it seemed that they could likely shield their conversation if they wanted to.

But for now, I put those doubts aside and chose a direction.

It was better than hesitating in uncertainty.

Noya responded to Namgung Myung with a sigh.

[Do you think this one would listen if I tried?

] [You call him a successor and can’t even handle him?

] [That’s not something you should be saying, Myung, and besides…]Slowly, Noya released his energy into his body.

[I don’t think the boy’s wrong.

][What?

]Namgung Myung’s voice grew cold at Noya’s words.

[His words may have been harsh, but do you think he was wrong?

] [You—] [Hmph.

Times sure have changed if you’re this talkative, Myung.

]Noya, who had given me a hard time for provoking Namgung Myung, now seemed to be egging him on as well.

So, this sharp-tongued sword master had quite a way with words, too.

[You know I can hear you, so shut up.

Didn’t you ask me for help?

] ‘Sorry…’This ghost had sharp hearing.

With Namgung Myung’s anger palpable, even the Hermit couldn’t help but add,“Ah… Old man, you’re just embarrassing yourself.

Stay quiet.

”[You too…!

]“I don’t know what you’re discussing, but don’t spoil the mood.

And also…”The Hermit turned his gaze to me.

“I didn’t intend it, but I apologize for my actions just now.

”“…”“Still, I’d like you to realize that your words crossed a line.

”I knew that I had been a bit too confrontational.

It was clear that I’d given the Hermit, or Namgung Myung, justification for engaging me.

I had left them with no reason to hold back, making sure that—“If you have any requests, I’d advise that you keep that in mind.

”‘Damn.

’The Hermit had noticed my intent as well.

“I am curious about what someone like you wants,” he continued.

“I live like a vagabond, so I don’t have much money…”“I don’t intend to take your money, Hermit.

”I’m wealthy enough myself, after all.

I didn’t really need more money.

The Hermit chuckled at my response.

“So, what is it that you want?

”Would he understand if I said I wanted Thunder Fang?

Judging by his attitude, he might.

But…“Well, you see…”I hesitated to reveal it just yet.

The reason was simple.

“I think I’d rather ask after the scolding is over.

”The thought amused me.

My appetite had stirred.

I wanted to fight the Hermit.

My body was practically trembling with anticipation.

[Well, well… You used to go out of your way to avoid fights.

Has the sun started rising in the west?

] ‘Apparently so.

’Was it my changed body?

Or had restoring my level awakened some dormant fighting spirit?

Or maybe I just wanted to see how strong I’d become.

Whatever the reason, it didn’t matter.

Crack.

I loosened my joints and raised my energy.

Now was the time to focus on my opponent.

“Phew…”As I accumulated energy in my body, I heard the Hermit’s voice.

“There’s something I want to ask you first.

”“What is it?

”“Well… I’ve been wanting to ask for a while…”The Hermit hesitated, as if the question was difficult to voice.

What could he possibly want to ask?

As I tilted my head in curiosity,“Why is your face in such a state?

”“…Ah.

”The Hermit’s question reminded me of something I’d forgotten: My face was still bruised and swollen from my beating at Paejon’s hands.

******************In the silent space, the air shifted in an instant.

The pressure from the Hermit’s aura alone had been overwhelming, but—Hoo-oooh!

With the sudden release of an intense heat from Gu Yangcheon’s body, the tension doubled.

‘It’s hot.

’The heat brushing against his cheek was different, intense.

The Hermit had to resist the urge to let a grin slip at the sheer strength radiating from him.

‘Impressive.

’Standing there was the making of history.

The Hermit was convinced.

He was witnessing a figure who would be marked in the annals of history, someone who would leave an indelible mark.

The Hermit couldn’t help but wonder—if he was already like this, how far would he rise in the future?

He was the foundation of a pillar that would rise to unseen heights.

Watching the beginning of such a journey was a bittersweet experience.

Was he envious of such talent?

No.

The Hermit wasn’t one to feel envy.

‘When the gap is this wide, even jealousy doesn’t arise.

’Jealousy is only felt when you sense you could reach someone if you tried.

But when faced with something so far beyond, respect replaced envy.

And that’s exactly what Gu Yangcheon inspired.

It wasn’t a talent one could covet.

It was a gift from the heavens.

Nothing else made sense.

Then what was the twinge of regret the Hermit felt?

‘My poor disciple.

’It was disappointment—disappointment for Woo-hyuk.

The thought of Woo-hyuk standing next to a monster like Gu Yangcheon troubled the Hermit.

‘Ha, to think I’d worry about something like this.

’The Hermit was bemused by his own thoughts.

Of all things, to worry that his disciple might be overshadowed by a peer.

Though, his disciple didn’t seem particularly bothered.

The Hermit glanced over at Woo-hyuk’s face.

‘…Why does he look excited?

’Woo-hyuk was watching intently, his face alight with rare enthusiasm.

Although his master was about to fight his friend, he looked more like he was eager for them to start already.

Unbelievable.

‘…Do I lack the luck of a good disciple?

’He’d never considered it before.

In fact, he’d always felt he had more than his fair share.

But perhaps Woo-hyuk’s friend had changed him a little.

If that was the case, was the fault with that boy?

The Hermit turned his gaze back to Gu Yangcheon.

Annoying.

Those eyes were intensely annoying.

Not only had he accepted the fight, but he didn’t show an ounce of fear.

Instead, there was a glint of excitement in his eyes.

This could only mean one thing—he was looking forward to this fight.

‘What a guy.

’What kind of person would welcome a fight like this?

The Hermit couldn’t understand the motive.

He vaguely knew that this boy wanted something from him.

The Hermit’s instincts were rarely wrong.

Still, he couldn’t tell what it was.

‘Besides…’While Gu Yangcheon was indeed a problem, there was an even bigger one.

‘I’m the one looking forward to it.

’The real issue was that he himself was eager for this fight.

His senses were awakening.

A surge of fighting spirit rose without his will, and his body began to respond instinctively.

Perhaps it wasn’t just his temperament; as a martial artist, the instinct to crush a worthy opponent had emerged.

He recalled Namgung Myung’s order to put this boy in his place.

How had he felt about it back then?

Outwardly, he’d cursed Namgung Myung for demanding it, but—‘It was an excuse.

’In truth, he’d welcomed the pretext.

The Hermit saw right through his own contradictions.

He wanted this fight.

The sight of such immense potential was too tempting.

Just how bright was this radiance?

And—‘How far will it shine?

’He wanted to experience it for himself.

Swish.

He drew his sword.

At that moment—Hooooosh!

A fierce wave of pressure emanated from the Hermit, engulfing the area around him.

Woom-wooom!

Despite the weight of the pressure, the sound of the Hermit’s sword was crystal clear—a testament to the height of his skill.

“Wow…”Watching intently, Woo-hyuk murmured in awe, realizing his master was fully serious.

‘Will this be alright?

’While observing with interest, he couldn’t help but worry.

Although his master’s strange behavior often attracted criticism, no one ever questioned his skill with a sword.

Elders and the head of Wudang had said that, were it not for his difficult nature, he would have been the next leader without question.

Of course… it seemed unlikely the Wudang Sword Saint would ever give him that role.

But then, his master didn’t seem to want it either, so perhaps it didn’t matter.

As the atmosphere grew more charged, Woo-hyuk observed Gu Yangcheon.

His back was straight.

There was a new intensity in him, as if he’d changed in just a few days.

His fierce, chaotic aura was now mixed with a strange, silent composure.

Even though he was a head shorter than Woo-hyuk, his presence was anything but small.

Although his face was bruised and battered as if he’d been beaten recently, Woo-hyuk could tell that something about Gu Yangcheon had changed.

‘What happened to him?

’He wanted to know.

He was keeping quiet because Gu Yangcheon hadn’t said anything, but he was curious about what had caused such a dramatic change.

Still, he kept his silence, respecting Gu Yangcheon’s apparent desire not to discuss it.

Wooooom—!!

The sword’s hum grew louder, and the heat around them intensified.

Woo-hyuk stretched out his hand, brushing his fingertips against something in the air.

It was a barrier.

A barrier had been set up to keep the energy from reaching Namgung Bi-ah and Woo-hyuk.

It was subtle, but Woo-hyuk’s sharp senses could tell that Gu Yangcheon had cast it.

Sensing this, he glanced at Gu Yangcheon.

‘He’ll lose.

’If the two of them fought, Gu Yangcheon would be defeated.

No matter how exceptional he was, he couldn’t beat his master.

Did Gu Yangcheon know that?

Yes, he likely did—and he was still choosing to fight.

Why?

Woo-hyuk couldn’t understand.

Gu Yangcheon seemed to speak his mind freely, yet he kept the important things to himself.

With a sigh, Woo-hyuk turned his gaze to his side.

There was Namgung Bi-ah, staring intently at the Hermit.

“…Are you alright with this?

”She didn’t respond, barely acknowledging him.

Woo-hyuk smirked at her cold indifference.

“Future sister-in-law.

”“Hmm?

”“Ha.

”At the casual title, Namgung Bi-ah finally turned her head.

Her straightforward, decisive reaction made Woo-hyuk chuckle.

“Are you alright with this?

”“…With what?

”“That hot-headed guy going up against him.

Aren’t you worried?

”As Gu Yangcheon stood ready to fight the Hermit, Woo-hyuk couldn’t forget the look in Namgung Bi-ah’s eyes when Gu Yangcheon had shown up bruised and beaten.

‘…She looked ready to cut down anyone in her path.

’He hadn’t forgotten the subtle tremor in her hand as she gripped her sword.

If they had fought then, he would have lost to her without a doubt.

Her spirit had been chillingly sharp.

Now that Gu Yangcheon was about to face the Hermit, how did Namgung Bi-ah feel?

That was the reason for his question.

“I’m fine.

”“Hmm?

”Unexpectedly, Namgung Bi-ah replied calmly.

“Why?

”Woo-hyuk was startled by her response, but she continued.

“He has a reason.

”“…”There was a sense of unwavering faith in her tone.

And then—“But… I hope it’s not for me… or us.

”There was a hint of sadness in her voice, enough to silence Woo-hyuk.

‘This is enviable.

’A twinge of envy stirred within him.

Gu Yangcheon’s greatest blessing wasn’t just his talent—it was his fortune in love.

That thought crossed Woo-hyuk’s mind.

Turning back, he watched Gu Yangcheon clenching and unclenching his small fist.

The tension had reached its peak.

Any moment now, it would explode.

The instant he focused his gaze—Flash!

In the blink of an eye, the Hermit and Gu Yangcheon vanished.

KABOOOM!

Suddenly, a deafening roar erupted.