Childhood Friend of the Zenith

The Tang Clan is shaking.

This was the rumor that began to quietly spread across Sichuan, gradually seeping into every corner of the Tang Clan itself.

The Tang Clan had done something unthinkable.

It was said that they pursued forbidden power, resorting to human experimentation.

The rumors claimed that the clan's elders were responsible for these experiments, which used demonic beasts as their subjects.

Countless lives were lost in these experiments, with whispers that all the victims had been secretly abducted by the Tang Clan.

As if human experimentation wasn’t horrific enough, they even resorted to kidnapping.

The actions attributed to the Tang Clan were more befitting of the deranged, blood-crazed outlaws of the periphery—outlaws, not the distinguished orthodox sect that the Tang Clan was reputed to be.

The rumors sent shockwaves throughout the martial world.

Of course, they were still just rumors.

Despite their rapid spread, not even half the listeners truly believed them.

But those within the Tang Clan knew the truth.

These were no mere rumors.

As night fell and the moon cast its light, a single lantern illuminated a chamber where Tang So-yeol was meeting her older brother, Tang Juyok.

“What do we do…?

” she asked softly.

“What are you talking about?

” Tang Juyok, the Young Lord of the Tang Clan, tilted his head, feigning ignorance.

His tone was calm, almost indifferent.

His reaction only made Tang So-yeol’s eyes redden with frustration.

“You already know… don’t you, Brother?

”“Hmm…” Tang Juyok sighed at her forlorn tone.

‘So, she found out.

’He had hoped to keep her unaware of the internal turmoil within the clan.

But someone must have spoken, or perhaps the rumors had grown too pervasive for her not to hear.

“Even if I denied it, you wouldn’t believe me, would you?

” he said.

“I would.

But later, when I found out it wasn’t true, I’d resent you for it.

”“Fair enough.

”Tang So-yeol spoke firmly, despite the tremor in her voice, and Tang Juyok’s gaze sharpened as he looked at her.

Once, she might have sulked childishly, demanding answers.

But now, Tang So-yeol wasn’t acting like her usual self.

‘She’s matured.

’If so, it was a shame.

Tang Juyok had liked his little sister’s youthful innocence.

‘If she’s grown up, then the reason must be…’A fleeting image of a young man with a fierce demeanor crossed Tang Juyok’s mind, and he chuckled.

“Brother?

”“Sorry, I was lost in thought.

”When he first saw him, he’d been just another scion of a martial family.

Perhaps the younger brother of a famed swordsman, nothing more, nothing less.

But the boy had grown immensely in a matter of years.

Not only had he started influencing Tang So-yeol, but his presence was rippling throughout the entire Tang Clan.

Tang Juyok was confident that in just a little more time, his influence would spread far beyond.

‘He’ll impact the entire martial world.

’It wasn’t just speculation—it was a certainty.

After all, his father, the Poison King, had warned him personally.

—Be cautious of Young Master Gu.

This wasn’t a warning to treat Gu Yangcheon as merely dangerous.

It carried a double meaning: to approach him with care and to recognize him as someone who couldn’t be treated recklessly.

The Poison King had declared Gu Yangcheon untouchable, even warning his own son, the Young Lord.

Of course, even without the warning, Tang Juyok would have approached him carefully.

‘How could anyone not notice?

’Gu Yangcheon’s presence was so immense it was almost absurd not to have noticed it earlier.

Soon, a storm centered around him would sweep through the world.

Tang Juyok had seen a few such figures before—those with extraordinary potential who drew storms around them wherever they went.

‘There was a time I wanted to be like that.

’But Tang Juyok knew better than anyone that he wasn’t meant to lead such storms.

Even those who once wielded such power often found themselves overwhelmed, swept aside by the very gales they created.

Most ended up that way.

Tang Juyok knew he didn’t have the capacity to endure such forces.

But Gu Yangcheon?

‘That man…’As Tang Juyok thought of Gu Yangcheon, his mind’s eye painted a vivid image.

Red.

The storm surrounding Gu Yangcheon burned bright red.

He didn’t just stand at the eye of the storm; he dyed the winds in his color.

Those crimson winds would grow larger and larger, eventually blanketing the entire martial world.

How long would it take?

Not long, Tang Juyok was sure.

‘In a way, that’s fortunate.

’It was fortunate, he thought, that such a man thought well of his sister.

While Tang Juyok mused, Tang So-yeol spoke hesitantly, her voice trembling.

“…Father… Is Father okay?

”Her concern wasn’t for the Tang Clan but for the Poison King.

He was likely the one suffering the most.

Tang Juyok responded with a light laugh.

“What could possibly trouble him?

”“That’s a careless answer…”“If anything, he seems more at ease.

”It was a confusing statement.

At the height of the Tang Clan’s power, he’d always carried a shadow, but now, with the clan in disarray, that shadow seemed to have vanished.

Tang Juyok understood the Poison King’s sentiments but couldn’t help feeling a tinge of regret.

“Brother…”“If that’s the family head’s decision, we must respect it.

”“…”“So-yeol, you saw his expression yourself, didn’t you?

”Bitter though his smile may have been, the Poison King had looked lighter, freer.

When had that change occurred?

No, it wasn’t something they could have noticed at the time.

‘I never realized how heavy Father’s smile had been.

’It was only after the change that they could see it clearly.

—Forgive me.

When the Poison King had spoken of his decision, he’d apologized.

To Tang Juyok, it was an unfamiliar sight.

He couldn’t question his father’s choice.

Nor could he deny its validity.

—Even if this decision changes everything…—Isn’t this what an orthodox sect should be?

The words could be dismissed as naive idealism, but Tang Juyok couldn’t refute them.

He’d forgotten something simple, something he’d taken for granted.

The Tang Clan was an orthodox sect.

Those words carried a weight that now felt almost crushing.

“It’ll be fine,” Tang Juyok said, smiling faintly.

“Brother…”“No matter how shaken the Tang Clan may be, it’s my job to steady it.

”He didn’t say “our” job.

Tang Juyok would become the clan head.

He’d decided to respect the Poison King’s choice and shoulder the burdens that came with it.

“So don’t worry about anything, So-yeol.

”“…”“The Tang Clan won’t fall.

”And if it did, they’d rebuild it.

“So stop agonizing over it.

”“…!

” Tang So-yeol flinched at her brother’s words.

She realized he knew exactly what was troubling her.

“You’re thinking about Young Master Gu, aren’t you?

”“…”She hesitated.

The truth was, she was agonizing over whether to follow Gu Yangcheon to Shanxi, where he planned to return the next day.

Normally, she wouldn’t have thought twice about following him.

But with the clan in turmoil, she couldn’t act so freely as a direct descendant.

Even if Tang Juyok told her it was okay, she couldn’t convince herself.

“Go with him.

”“But…”“It’s better for you to be by his side.

You’ll benefit more there than here.

”“…”“And while you’re at it, try to win him over.

My little sister isn’t exactly lacking in looks, is she?

”“Brother…!

” Tang So-yeol’s cheeks flushed as she let out a squeal of protest.

Compared to the women around Gu Yangcheon, she might not seem as mature, but she was certainly cute and charming in her own way.

And, of course…‘If things worked out, it would be perfect.

’No matter how far the Tang Clan fell, having a brother-in-law destined to become the greatest under heaven wouldn’t hurt their reputation.

In Tang Juyok’s mind, Gu Yangcheon was already fated to claim that title.

Tang So-yeol could only stare at her brother in disbelief.

“How can you joke at a time like this?

”“Why not?

”“Seriously…”“Anyway, don’t overthink it.

”With that, Tang Juyok rose to his feet.

“There’s nothing more to say, and it’s late.

I’ll take my leave.

”“…Thank you, Brother.

”She was grateful that he had taken the time to visit her, despite the late hour.

She thought he must be the most exhausted of them all.

While the Tang Clan belonged to the Poison King now, it would fall to Tang Juyok to manage its future.

He had to bear the sight of the clan’s current turmoil and prepare for what lay ahead.

Tang Juyok simply smiled at her gratitude.

“Of course.

”It seemed certain now—his little sister had grown up.

And that, more than anything, was bittersweet.

Thud.

As the door closed behind him, Tang So-yeol lay down on her bedding.

“…Haa…” A deep sigh escaped her lips.

The future frightened her.

But more than that, her brother’s parting words left her conflicted.

‘Young Master Gu…’At lunch earlier, Gu Yangcheon had announced his intention to return to Shanxi the next day.

It was only natural.

He had only been a guest of the Tang Clan, and with all the chaos, it wasn’t a place he could stay for long.

The other companions had reacted calmly, as if they’d expected it.

They seemed ready to follow him wherever he went.

But what about her?

‘What should I do?

’Tang So-yeol hadn’t found her answer yet.

Under normal circumstances, she would have said without hesitation that she would follow him.

But with the clan in its current state, she couldn’t make such a decision lightly.

Even with Tang Juyok’s permission, her heart remained heavy.

That was why her night was so restless.

As her thoughts swirled, Gu Yangcheon’s voice echoed faintly in her memory.

—I think I could die for you.

“…”His voice, still carrying the slight roughness of youth, had been calm yet strangely tender.

Her ears burned at the recollection.

“…Ugh…” she groaned softly.

What a cruel person.

He stirred her heart so effortlessly, yet offered her no resolution.

Not that she had any right to complain, given that she’d chosen to follow him of her own accord.

‘…If only he didn’t always look so far away.

’If Tang So-yeol had one complaint about Gu Yangcheon, it was that he never looked at her—or anyone else—directly.

Instead, his gaze was always fixed on some distant point, as if he was already beyond their reach.

She hated that about him.

‘He always…’Always, his eyes looked elsewhere.

Even when he stood here, his gaze seemed to say he didn’t belong, that he might leave at any moment.

That terrified her.

Recently, he seemed to have started looking at her—or at least, at those around him.

But sometimes, when his eyes wandered to distant horizons, she felt uneasy.

His gaze, so cold and unreachable, left her trembling.

That was why she didn’t want to let him go.

‘If I’m not here…’She feared he might disappear.

Surely, she wasn’t the only one who felt this way.

The others must have been just as afraid.

They simply didn’t voice it.

They didn’t want Gu Yangcheon to know how much they depended on him.

Because they knew he already bore a heavy burden, they didn’t want to add to it.

“…It’s hard…”Feeling helpless, Tang So-yeol despised herself.

She needed to be stronger.

If Gu Yangcheon looked to the horizon, seeking distant heights, she had to be strong enough to follow him.

That’s what she needed to do.

But…‘…What should I do?

’Now that the Tang Clan was on the verge of collapse, what value did she have left?

She’d thought her worth as a daughter of the Tang Clan still meant something, but even that was fading.

“…Ugh…”Wiping her eyes, she realized tears had begun to fall.

She felt pathetic and disgusting.

‘…Even in this situation, I’m thinking about myself?

’With her father and brother in such turmoil, all she could think about was her own worth?

It was revolting.

“Haa…”Should she have taken his hand that day?

The hand he’d offered, promising to make her stronger?

If she had, would she still feel this helpless?

Regret welled up inside her.

She was angry at herself for being so useless.

She wanted to sink into the darkness and never come out.

But just as her emotions threatened to spiral out of control—Fwoosh.

“…!

”Tang So-yeol abruptly sat up, throwing off her blanket and pressing her back against the wall.

“…”The air hummed faintly as she unleashed her qi, scanning the room.

“…Haa…”She forced her breathing to steady, but her spine tingled with unease.

‘What is this?

’The room was silent.

At this hour, silence was expected, but…‘…It’s too quiet.

’The stillness was suffocating, and her instincts screamed of danger.

Tang So-yeol’s fingers tightened around a dagger she always kept on her person.

Sweat trickled down her temple.

She prayed her senses were wrong, but she knew they weren’t.

“…Who’s there?

”She spoke to the empty air.

The moment her words left her lips—Fwoosh!

The lantern on the table went out.

“One shichen.

”“…!

”The voice came from her left, not directly in front of her.

She whipped her dagger toward the sound.

Thwack!

But before she could complete the motion, her wrist was caught.

And then—Clasp!

“Mmmph!

”A hand clamped over her mouth.

“Mmph… Mmmph!

”She struggled with all her strength, but the grip didn’t budge.

She could barely make out the figure before her—a man wearing a half-mask, his features obscured.

“It took you one shichen to notice my presence,” he said calmly.

“Mmmph…”“That’s better than I expected.

I thought it would take at least two.

”What was he talking about?

Tang So-yeol couldn’t understand his words.

Was he an assassin?

If so, who had sent him?

“If there’s one flaw, it’s that you should have fled toward the entrance, not the dead end,” he continued, loosening his grip on her mouth just enough for her to speak.

“…Who are you?

” she asked, her voice trembling.

Her room was surrounded by Tang Clan guards, yet this man had entered effortlessly.

That alone told her how hopelessly outmatched she was.

She had no chance of winning.

The man observed her silently, then spoke again.

“Even as you ask questions, your eyes haven’t lost their fire.

That’s another passing mark.

”What did he mean by "passing mark"?

Tang So-yeol’s eyes darted around the room, searching for a way to escape.

But there was no opening.

She had no options.

Or so it seemed.

Was it a coincidence?

Her grip on the dagger loosened slightly, as if by chance.

Should she use this opportunity to counterattack?

No.

Something about the man’s presence made her hesitate.

She decided to wait, masking her intent as she spoke to buy time.

“…What do you want from me?

”“I want…”As the man began to speak, Tang So-yeol made her move.

Her hand slipped free.

Good.

She had her chance.

But where should she strike?

The neck?

The hand covering her mouth?

She hesitated for a fraction of a second, and that was enough.

Fwoosh!

“…!

”Her own hand, holding the dagger, moved against her will.

The blade’s tip pressed against her throat.

“When you act, act decisively.

Your hesitation just cost you your life.

”“Hic… Hic…”The man’s calm yet chilling words left her gasping for breath.

She had to survive.

She couldn’t die here.

Her thoughts raced, searching desperately for another way.

The man’s eyes narrowed as he watched her struggle.

“Not bad.

”With those words, he released her and stepped back.

Thud.

Tang So-yeol collapsed, clutching the ground as she gasped for air.

“Huff… Huff…”She lifted her head, barely able to see the man perched casually on the table, looking down at her.

“Who… Who are you?

”Her voice quivered as she forced the words out.

Who was this man, and why had he pushed her to the brink?

Her mind couldn’t process the sudden and overwhelming situation.

The man’s voice was steady as he replied.

“I am the darkness.

”A bead of sweat rolled down her temple.

“And you must also become the darkness.

”“…What does that mean?

”Tang So-yeol’s eyes wavered, trying to grasp the meaning of his words.

The darkness?

Before she could ask again, she froze.

The man’s expression had changed.

A faint smile curled his lips, but his eyes were cold, devoid of warmth.

“Three years.

”Tang So-yeol couldn’t have known.

“In three years, I will make you a monster.

”That this encounter would one day lead to her being known as the Poison Queen.

******************Another day passed, and as the sun began to rise, the morning mist receded, and sunlight gradually illuminated the Tang Clan.

It was still early, too soon for most people to be awake.

Yet, even at this hour, many were bustling about.

“Where should this go?

” “Ask Lady Moyong about that!

”Several wagons of various colors were lined up, with numerous people loading goods into them.

The reason for all this commotion?

Preparations had begun at dawn for the departure from the Tang Clan.

If they started getting ready now, they would be able to leave by noon.

Though they didn’t have too much luggage, the distance to their destination made it necessary to move quickly.

And so, in the midst of all this chaos and hurry—“…What did you just say?

”I frowned deeply at the words I had just heard.

“What did you say… just now?

”Standing in front of me was the Divine Doctor.

The Divine Doctor wasn’t the problem here.

The real issue was the old man standing beside him.

Dressed in neatly arranged blue martial robes, with his snow-white hair tied back, the old man carried himself with an air of dignity.

He had a tall, imposing figure, his deeply lined face showing traces of age, while his piercing blue eyes gave him a striking appearance.

From his features, one could imagine he had been exceptionally handsome in his youth.

I knew this old man very well.

Of course, I did.

This was the same old man who, just a few days ago, had been thoroughly beaten into a bloody pulp by my father.

The identity of this elder was none other than one of the legendary Three Lords of Zhongyuan, revered as the Celestial Master (Cheonjin).

He was also recognized as the true head of the Namgung family.

Namgung Jeolcheon.

And now, only days after being unceremoniously thrashed, he appeared here before me and said:“I’d like to entrust myself to the Gu family.

”“…”Hearing those words, I could only pinch the bridge of my nose.

It seemed this year was destined to be filled with bad omens.