Childhood Friend of the Zenith

"The sky seems particularly clear today.

"That thought crossed my mind as I looked up at the sky.

The sunset was gradually falling, and the sight of the colors spreading without a single cloud in the sky was truly beautiful.

Utterly, frustratingly beautiful.

“Hey, big bro.

How long are you planning to lie there?

”I turned my head slightly at the voice calling out to me.

Sitting on a rock with his legs crossed, staring at me, was Paejon.

I asked him, looking his way, “What’s with that weird way of speaking…?

”What the hell kind of mix-and-match phrasing was that?

“What do you mean, big bro?

” “...

”Even when I pointed it out, Paejon stubbornly refused to change his tone.

That guy—does he think he can just stick “big bro” at the end of anything, and it’ll make sense?

I was dumbfounded, but I had no words left to argue.

“Ughhh…”I’d just gotten beaten senseless.

That’s why I was lying down, staring at the sky—because I couldn’t get up.

When I tried to force myself to sit up, every joint in my body screamed in protest.

Finally, after mustering all my strength, I managed to prop myself up, looking at Paejon with resentful eyes as I spoke.

“I told you I’m an injured man…” “Didn’t seem like it with the way you were talking earlier, big bro.

” “…You’re really planning to keep that up, huh?

” “What do you mean, big bro?

” “...

”This old man was pettier than I’d thought.

‘I really overdid it this time.

’Knowing he’d been hiding from me for days to avoid facing me, I’d teased him a little too much.

I’d agreed to call him “big bro,” but I’d forgotten that didn’t mean he wouldn’t retaliate.

I overstepped, and under the guise of a sparring match, he’d beaten me black and blue.

“Ugh…”It hurt worse than last time.

There was definitely some emotion behind those hits.

But still, I couldn’t complain.

“…Doesn’t it tire you out?

” “What do you mean, big bro?

” “Could you cut it out with that?

”It felt like groveling, so I told him to stop.

Only then did Paejon smirk, casually spinning his wrist.

The reason I asked if he was tired wasn’t without cause.

‘I doubt my body’s that soft.

’Though it hurt after being pummeled, I felt strangely refreshed, as if blocked parts of my body had been cleared.

This was proof enough.

Paejon hadn’t just been hitting me for the sake of it.

This was undoubtedly…‘Pushing Meridians and Passing Acupoints (추궁과혈).

’Like last time, Paejon’s strikes had ultimately helped my body.

He had this uncanny ability to target uncomfortable spots and relieve blockages.

That was what amazed me.

‘How does he do that?

’Paejon was currently at the peak of absolute mastery.

He could’ve reached the Haegyeong stage long ago, but for some reason, he remained at his current level.

Yet, with that level of skill, he completely overpowered me, someone already at Haegyeong.

‘And he managed to perform Pushing Meridians and Passing Acupoints in the middle of a fight.

’Not just while I stood still, but while I desperately struggled to land a hit.

‘…Even as I flailed for my life.

’I charged with everything I had, hoping to land even one hit, but ridiculously, I couldn’t even brush the hem of his clothes.

‘What am I missing?

’The difference in skill should be heavily in my favor.

My speed was superior, my strength unmatched, and my internal energy far greater.

By all measures, I should’ve been overwhelming in every aspect.

‘Yet, I couldn’t touch him.

How does that make sense?

’It was absurd.

As I dwelled on the issue, Paejon, as if reading my thoughts, answered a question I hadn’t even asked.

“Your eyes aren’t developed enough.

”“My eyes?

” “Yes.

With such poor sight, how can you hope to see and avoid anything?

”He was saying my “eyes” weren’t good enough?

“…Are you saying the reason I can’t touch you is also because of my eyes?

” “It’s no different.

How can you hit something you cannot see?

”When one’s internal energy merges with the body, reaction speed increases.

With that, vision becomes wider and sharper.

For someone at the Haegyeong stage like me, having poor sight didn’t make sense.

However…‘Paejon must mean something else.

’It wasn’t something to be taken literally.

Even now, Paejon was looking at me with eyes full of intrigue after throwing out his cryptic words.

That guy was testing me.

‘So annoying.

Couldn’t he just tell me?

’Instead, he’d deliberately phrase it vaguely and wait for me to figure it out.

That must’ve been his intention.

‘Tch.

’Was this another form of training?

As much as I disliked it, there was no room to argue.

Paejon’s training was invaluable.

In fact, my physical abilities had improved beyond recognition, so I had no reason to resist.

‘My sight is poor, huh?

’The difference between Paejon and me.

What could it be?

‘…He intercepts me before I even act.

No, he shuts me down before I even start.

’It wasn’t about seeing or not seeing.

Before I could even begin a movement, Paejon had already moved to block it.

If I thought about kicking, he’d already kicked my thigh to stop me.

Countless feints were rendered useless, and any genuine attempts were completely shut down.

To overcome this, I’d need to move so quickly that Paejon couldn’t react in time.

‘Conversely, for Paejon to predict all this…’Not only did he read my every move, but he also seemed to predict my follow-up actions.

If that were the case, setting aside whether it was humanly possible…“…Rather than having poor sight, isn’t it more like you’re fighting with your head, not your eyes?

” “Haha.

”Paejon burst into laughter at my answer.

“What a simple response.

” “Well, I tried my best.

” “Simple, but not bad… You’re correct.

Then, why haven’t you done it yet, even though you know the answer?

”I frowned at his words.

If knowing something meant I could do it, I’d already be Paejon myself, wouldn’t I?

I held back the urge to say that out loud.

It still hurt where I’d been struck earlier.

“Judging by your expression, I can tell what you’re thinking.

” “I was just admiring your wisdom, elder.

” “What nonsense are you spouting now?

” “...

”Tsk.

Didn’t work?

Disappointed, I turned my head, and Paejon clicked his tongue.

“I won’t be disappointed if you can’t do it.

It’s only natural.

” “…Are you saying you trained to achieve this too, elder?

” “No?

I was capable of it from the start.

” “…What?

” “If I couldn’t do even this, how could I go around calling myself a master?

Tsk, tsk.

”The way he shamelessly acknowledged his greatness was incredibly infuriating.

“What I mean is, it’s not a problem if you can’t do it yet.

Because even if you can’t…”A smile tugged at his lips.

Whenever Paejon smiled like that, it gave me the chills.

“I’ll make sure you can.

”Those were the scariest words in the world.

To be forced into something until it was done.

While it mirrored my own relentless determination, having someone else impose it on me was terrifying.

I asked, trying to hide my fear, “…What, you’re going to make me smarter?

” “What nonsense.

How could I do that?

” “Pardon?

”The man who just claimed he’d make it happen was now contradicting himself.

“If you don’t understand this, trying to learn it with your mind is a waste of time.

” “Then… what should I do?

” “It’s simple.

If your mind can’t grasp it…”Swoosh–!

“…!

”His fist suddenly lashed out.

I twisted my body to avoid it, but—Thunk!

As I stepped back with my left foot, Paejon tripped me, and my stance collapsed.

I fell flat on my back, stunned, staring up at Paejon in bewilderment.

He looked down at me and said,“Learn with your body.

”I wanted to ask what the hell he meant by that, but the words stuck in my throat.

‘What was that?

’That move just now felt… odd.

What was strange, I couldn’t say.

Was it the ease with which I was floored?

Or my inability to comprehend Paejon’s movements?

It was an indescribable feeling—an elusive sense of frustration.

[Hmm…]Shin Noya’s voice chimed in, as if he, too, was impressed.

It seemed Paejon had indeed done something remarkable.

“You continue to misunderstand yourself,” Paejon said.

“I find it intolerable how you belittle yourself despite having such a body and vessel.

Why do you see yourself as so lacking?

” “What are you talking about out of nowhere?

”At first glance, his words seemed random, but they struck deep into my chest.

How could they not?

This body I gained through regression, shaped in the harshest conditions, was undoubtedly extraordinary.

To others, it was surely a physique to be envied.

Even Paejon had chosen me as his disciple because of it.

However…‘That doesn’t mean I’m a genius.

’It wasn’t strange for Paejon to misunderstand, but I knew better.

I wasn’t someone who could be called a genius.

Even now, it was clear.

I couldn’t fully comprehend what Paejon had said earlier.

That alone proved his words weren’t simple to grasp.

“Judging by the way your face has gotten uglier, you must be thinking something stupid again.

”That personal jab was a bit much.

His words made me laugh dryly.

“Boy.

”Paejon called me.

“No matter how you judge yourself, it’s of no concern to me.

Whatever happens, there’s only one thing you’ll realize in the end.

” “And what’s that?

” “It’s that, in the end, you will be my sole successor, the singular masterpiece of my life, Paejon Bijoo.

” “...

”How could someone say something like that without batting an eye?

Paejon’s unshakable confidence was remarkable.

“If you lack confidence, fill that void and build arrogance on top of it.

Then, surround it with the ability to back it up.

Even if you can’t manage that, it doesn’t matter.

”Crack.

As Paejon spoke, I noticed him stretching his body.

A chill ran down my spine.

I immediately got to my feet and stepped back a few paces.

“If you’re lacking, I’ll fill the gap.

If you don’t know, I’ll teach you.

If you can’t build your strength, I’ll help you achieve it.

As your teacher, that’s my duty.

No, it’s my obligation.

” “…Why are you suddenly so… intense?

”He seemed far more passionate than usual.

Had something happened during the days I hadn’t seen him?

The old man seemed unusually energetic—and not in a good way.

Feeling a cold, creeping unease, I darted my eyes around, searching for an escape route.

My instincts screamed at me: Run.

Now.

Whether he noticed or not, Paejon kept speaking.

I was just about to start running when—“It seems your body is ready.

I thought it was time to move on to the next stage.

” “…!

”His words froze me in place.

The next stage…‘Could it be… the second phase of Tua Pacheonmu?

’After barely learning the first phase, I hadn’t received any further instruction on Tua Pacheonmu.

Now he was suggesting continuing the training.

The problem was—“…Right now?

”When I asked, flustered, Paejon shook his head.

“Not immediately.

While your body seems prepared, the most important part isn’t ready yet.

That needs to be addressed first.

” “And what’s the most important part?

” “I already told you—your poor sight needs to be corrected.

” “Oh.

”The reason I couldn’t touch him earlier.

And the strange sensation I’d just felt.

Was this what he meant?

Paejon had said that if I couldn’t understand, he’d make sure I did, one way or another.

“If you master this, at least you’ll look like a martial artist, unlike now.

” “…Are you saying I’m not a martial artist right now?

” “Well, you’re about at the level of a neighborhood brawler.

” “A brawler…” [Hahaha, he’s echoing my exact thoughts.

]It felt like both this cursed old man and Shin Noya were ganging up on me.

I was annoyed in multiple ways.

“When you reach that level, you’ll stop being easily beaten.

And when that happens, I’ll allow it.

” “Allow what?

” “To call yourself my disciple.

I’ll permit it.

”Paejon smiled with satisfaction as he spoke.

That meant he’d officially acknowledge me as his successor.

The successor of Paejon Bijoo.

It was practically a promise to take on the title of Fist King in the future.

“…I don’t really need that, though.

” “…?

”It wasn’t a particularly appealing idea to me.

Even if he told me to go around announcing it, I had no intention of doing so.

‘It’s not embarrassing… but bragging about it would feel a bit shameful.

’That was the vibe I got.

Imagine going around shouting, “I’m the great Paejon’s disciple!

”Just the thought made me cringe.

The sheer embarrassment sent shivers down my arms.

Trying to hide it, I glanced at Paejon.

His eyebrows twitched slightly.

Was he angry?

I hurriedly offered an excuse.

“Well… It’s not that I don’t appreciate it.

It’s just, you know…” “Hmm.

I suppose it’s possible not to care.

I wasn’t insisting you go around saying it.

”Wasn’t angry?

Good.

That was a relief.

“Oh, well, thank you for understa—”Crack.

“Hmm?

”Hearing a violent sound from his arm, I turned to look.

Paejon was flexing his fists and stretching his body.

“Elder?

” “I think I forgot to explain a bit about the training method.

Let me elaborate.

” “Wait.

Please don’t come closer.

Let’s talk from here, okay?

” “If your mind can’t grasp it, your body will have to learn.

Do you know the fastest way to achieve that?

” “No, and I don’t want to—!

”Swoosh—!

Ignoring my protests, Paejon’s fist shot out.

It was even faster than before.

I barely dodged—Bam!

“Urgh…!

”Or so I thought.

Somehow, his fist still landed squarely in my solar plexus.

Was it a feint?

I hadn’t seen it.

My upper body doubled over reflexively.

His strike carried the core essence of Tua Pacheonmu.

His energy broke through mine and tore into my body.

Even though I’d been maintaining a strong defensive aura, it wasn’t enough.

‘…He found the weakest point.

’Somehow, he’d located the spot where my aura was thinnest and shattered it.

But it didn’t end there.

As my upper body crumpled, Paejon’s kick sent me flying.

Bang!

I crashed into a tree.

“Guh… ugh…”I couldn’t even cough properly.

His attack had twisted the flow of my internal energy.

Just as my meridians were starting to recover, they were disrupted again.

Glaring at Paejon in frustration, I saw him looking at me with a faint smile in his eyes.

“Learning by taking direct hits is the fastest method.

” “…You bastard…”He was sulking.

This old man was definitely sulking.

Why were old guys like him always so petty?

As sweat dripped from the pain, Paejon calmly approached and spoke to me.

“Your intuition is sharp.

That’s the part of you I value most, after your body.

”Forcing my battered body to stand, I was desperate.

His voice sounded much closer than his actual distance.

As I tried to escape, I moved my body accordingly—But—Thud.

Blocked.

Damn it…!

Paejon had already cut off my retreat.

My shoulder moved involuntarily, pressed by his strength.

Even though I wasn’t weak, Paejon easily overpowered me.

“However, I’ve always hated how much you rely on that intuition.

This time, I’ll fix it.

”I tried releasing energy to push him away, but—Boom!

“Gah…!

”Paejon disrupted my energy flow, scattering it with the destructive power of Tua Pacheonmu.

Thrown backward, I barely managed to land safely.

My vision was still spinning when I heard him speak.

“The condition to complete your training is simple, you damned disciple.

”Once again, his voice seemed to come from right in front of me.

“Block one of my attacks.

Just once.

Succeed, and this training is over.

” “What the hell—!

”I tried to shout back, but his knee was already hurtling toward my face.

I raised my hand to block—Bang!

But I couldn’t fully deflect it.

The impact rattled my head.

‘This goddamned…!

’Blows rained down from all sides.

Blocking or dodging was all I could manage, barely hanging on.

Amidst the chaos, Paejon’s voice rang clear:“It’s not about blocking or dodging.

It’s about stopping my attacks.

Keep that in mind.

”His words rang vividly in my ears.

‘Damn it.

’I clenched my teeth.

This training was abrupt, insane, and infuriating.

As I got pummeled, that was all I could think.

******************“...

”While Gu Yangcheon was repeatedly getting pummeled by Paejon, Gu Cheolwoon was watching from a distance.

His son, rolling on the ground after being hit again and again.

Even as he observed this, Gu Cheolwoon’s eyes remained calm and unwavering.

He simply watched in silence.

At that moment—“You’re not intervening.

Why not?

”Someone approached Gu Cheolwoon and asked the question.

Gu Cheolwoon turned to look at the speaker.

He wasn’t surprised, having known the person was coming all along.

The one speaking was a man with white hair and a handsome face, his expression devoid of emotion.

Gu Cheolwoon responded in a low voice as he gazed at him.

“There’s no reason for me to interfere.

” “Even though your only son is being beaten like that?

”Gu Yangcheon was destined to inherit the position of head of the Gu family and lead it in the future.

And yet, despite his son’s current state, Gu Cheolwoon saw no reason to act?

It was a strange thing to say.

“You’re hardly one to talk, considering you came all this way out of concern for your child.

” “...

”At those words, Gu Cheolwoon’s brow furrowed slightly, but he quickly regained his usual composure, as if nothing had happened.

The reason he wasn’t stepping in while his son was being beaten was simple.

“I’ve already entrusted this matter to Paejon.

I’m not foolish enough to interfere in training.

” “I see.

”The man nodded at Gu Cheolwoon’s response.

It wasn’t because he understood; he just had nothing further to say, as Gu Cheolwoon’s reasoning left no room for argument.

After a brief silence, the man decided to shift the conversation.

“So, why did you call me here?

”The reason the man had come to this place was because Gu Cheolwoon had summoned the Shadow King.

Hearing the question, Gu Cheolwoon got to the heart of why he had called the Shadow King.

“There is something I wish to ask you, elder.

”At those words, the white-haired man—the Shadow King—turned to look at Gu Cheolwoon.

Gu Cheolwoon’s red eyes began to glow more vividly as he stared at the Shadow King.

“Why did you do it?

” “What are you talking about?

”The Shadow King tilted his head slightly at the question, as though he didn’t know what Gu Cheolwoon meant.

In response, Gu Cheolwoon firmly replied.

“The letter from the Tang Clan head that was sent to the Gu family.

It was your doing, was it not?

” “...

”The letter from the Poison King that had arrived at the Gu family a few days ago—the one that informed them of the attempted poisoning of Gu Yangcheon.

Gu Cheolwoon was saying that this incident was connected to the Shadow King.

Hearing this, the Shadow King—“Hmm.

”—let out a rare smile and answered.

“You’re still as sharp as ever.

”As he spoke, the sky seemed to grow a little darker.