Childhood Friend of the Zenith

A faint vibration rumbled across the area, growing steadily stronger.

Amid the rising commotion within Wudang, Yu Baek sat across from the Sword Queen.

The weather was clear, with warm sunlight shining down on a table set with tea.

Yet, the atmosphere between them was colder than the harshest winter.

"What an unfortunate turn of events.

"After a brief silence, Yu Baek finally spoke, and the Sword Queen raised her gaze.

Her eyes, typically warm and kind, were now sharp and glinting with frost.

"Did you just call this unfortunate?

"Her voice carried barely suppressed anger.

"This mess was caused by Wudang.

And yet, you speak so confidently.

""It seems there’s been some misunderstanding," Yu Baek replied calmly.

"We acted based on the evidence and took appropriate measures.

""You call imprisoning a guest who came here in good faith an appropriate measure?

""Sword Queen," Yu Baek began, his tone placating, as he pulled something from his sleeve—a bracelet carved from jade.

The object was none other than the Jade Dawn, an artifact stolen in the early morning, only to be discovered later in Gu Yangcheon’s quarters.

"Can you still say the same after seeing this?

"The Sword Queen said nothing, her silence as sharp as her blade.

"We took every precaution to safeguard this," Yu Baek continued.

"The Jade Dawn is not just an artifact.

It was once a symbol of Wudang’s greatest martial figure, the Wudang Absolute Sword.

It holds immense value to us.

"The Jade Dawn—an artifact once belonging to a legendary Wudang master.

"When Mount Hua proposed exchanging their own artifact for the Jade Dawn, we were overjoyed.

That’s why we prepared so thoroughly for this.

"The Sword Queen listened, unmoving and silent, as Yu Baek continued.

"And yet, the artifact was stolen.

Worse, we found it in the quarters of one of our most trusted guests.

Under these circumstances, we had no choice but to act as we did.

"Though his tone remained calm, the Sword Queen couldn’t help but let out a bitter laugh.

"What a ridiculous excuse.

""Excuse?

" Yu Baek frowned.

"You think this is an excuse?

""You call them trusted guests, but you never trusted them in the first place, did you?

"From the moment Wudang forced their guests to wear Enyi Lines for surveillance, it was clear that trust had no place in their dealings.

Every action Wudang took since then had only confirmed this.

Yu Baek chuckled faintly.

"And yet, no harm came from our precautions.

""Elder Yu!

"The Sword Queen’s voice rose in anger for the first time.

"You imprisoned them without even hearing them out.

Is this how Wudang treats its allies?

""If it were just about the artifact, perhaps not.

However…"Creak.

Yu Baek’s expression darkened as his brow furrowed.

"One of our disciples died.

""That…"The Sword Queen hesitated, wanting to point out that it had been a suicide.

But she held her tongue—this was not something to be said lightly in the face of a grieving elder.

And Yu Baek knew her well enough to recognize her hesitation.

"A man has died," he continued.

"A young talent who was to lead Wudang’s future lost his life overnight.

While it appears to be suicide, I refuse to believe that.

""So what are you implying?

" The Sword Queen’s voice softened slightly, though it still carried tension.

"Are you suggesting that my people were responsible for this?

""I’m saying I cannot rule it out.

"The circumstances were damning.

On the very day their guests arrived, the artifact was stolen, and a Wudang disciple was found dead.

And now, the stolen artifact had turned up in the guest’s quarters.

"With such clear evidence, what exactly do you find so unacceptable, Sword Queen?

"Yu Baek’s gaze turned icy.

"Surely, you’re not asking for special treatment just because you’re from Mount Hua?

""That’s not it.

I’m simply asking if it’s right to imprison someone based solely on suspicion.

""With evidence this clear, you want us to extend every courtesy?

Would you be so accommodating if the roles were reversed and this happened in Mount Hua?

"A headache began to creep up on the Sword Queen.

Yu Baek’s words weren’t wrong, yet the entire situation felt deeply unsettling to her.

She couldn’t shake the feeling that something larger was at play.

"What are you scheming, Yu Baek?

"The Sword Queen had long suspected that Wudang was planning something.

Yu Baek’s calculated actions, his acute sense of timing—it all pointed to deliberate maneuvering.

She had even allowed herself to play along, stepping away briefly during her watch of the artifact to see where their schemes would lead.

And now, this had happened.

"The timing was too perfect.

"While she had been absent, the incident had unfolded.

It wasn’t certain that the theft occurred during her absence, but she couldn’t ignore the coincidence.

The faint presence she had felt lingering while on watch had vanished the moment she stepped away.

Something had indeed happened, but what exactly, she didn’t know.

Hiding her frustration, the Sword Queen spoke again.

"You were the one who acted improperly first, Elder Yu.

Have you forgotten?

""Improperly?

What do you mean?

""You forced the Enyi Lines on them for surveillance.

And yet…"The Sword Queen’s calm facade cracked slightly, her delicate brows furrowing as she continued.

"Didn’t you also fail to detect any movement from the accused?

"Yu Baek fell silent.

The artifact had been found in Gu Yangcheon’s quarters.

The circumstantial evidence seemed damning, and imprisoning him might have been justified to some extent.

But there was a glaring flaw in Wudang’s handling of the situation—the Enyi Lines.

The lines were meant to monitor the guests’ movements, and according to the reports, Gu Yangcheon hadn’t left his quarters all night.

"You confirmed it yourself, did you not?

"Gu Yangcheon had remained in his quarters the entire night.

Yet, shortly after the incident, the stolen artifact was found in his drawer.

The Sword Queen’s voice carried a biting edge.

"You took such thorough precautions, yet you ignore the evidence when it doesn’t suit your narrative?

""Sword Queen, I repeat—there is clear circumstantial evidence.

""An artifact turning up in a drawer makes him the culprit?

Are you suggesting that child is the Ghost Thief?

""It’s not impossible.

""Ha…"The Sword Queen exhaled in disbelief.

It was clear neither of them intended to yield.

What now?

She couldn’t back down, but pressing further would be futile.

As they argued, her thoughts drifted to a young man.

A boy who had grown over the years into someone resembling his father.

"What are you thinking, Gu Yangcheon?

"Even as she continued her verbal sparring with Yu Baek, her mind kept returning to him.

Why?

She had barely exchanged greetings with him, yet his presence lingered in her thoughts.

It always seemed to be the case.

Whenever major events unfolded, Gu Yangcheon was always at the center of it.

And now, once again, he stood at the heart of this tangled web.

The Sword Queen couldn’t help but wonder—just as she had many times before—"Is Gu Yangcheon the key to unraveling this mess?

""Does this mean that even this incident is part of that boy's intentions?

"‘I don’t know.

’What exactly was that boy aiming for?

Or perhaps this was all just the Sword Queen’s baseless speculation.

Normally, she would never have entertained such thoughts.

‘Was it a mistake to have seen him in person?

’The moment she saw Gu Yangcheon, something had struck her.

A sense that something had fundamentally changed about him.

His gaze now seemed fixed on something far beyond.

The aura surrounding him was unmistakable, as if it were deliberately being shown.

It wasn’t hidden—on the contrary, it felt intentionally displayed, as though he was saying, "This is my level.

Precisely this much.

"‘I don’t think he’s hiding his power.

’Even the strength he revealed was far too extraordinary.

A body and energy that had clearly surpassed Hwagyeong.

How could someone of his age reach such a level?

Even seeing it with her own eyes, it felt almost impossible.

And so, she couldn’t help but wonder.

That boy had always been looking far ahead, further than anyone else.

Would this time be any different?

Was there some hidden intention here too?

The thought merely brushed through her mind.

"Sword Queen.

"Yu Baek’s voice brought her back to reality, reminding her that now was not the time to dwell on Gu Yangcheon.

"Regardless of your opinion, this matter will be handled according to protocol.

"Yu Baek’s stance remained firm.

"Moreover, the Lord of the Alliance will arrive shortly.

The matter will proceed after…"A low vibration interrupted him.

Woom--!

"…!

" "…!?

"Both Yu Baek and the Sword Queen simultaneously turned their heads, their instincts sharpening as they bolted out of the hall.

Stepping outside, they found numerous Wudang disciples already staring up into the sky.

"What… what is that?

" "Why are you standing still?

Notify the Alliance immediately…!

" "Assemble the sword formations!

"Amid the chaos, Yu Baek followed their gazes upward, narrowing his eyes at the sight.

"What… is that…?

"Suspended in the air was an enormous entity coiled upon itself, looking down at them.

Its massive size was enough to cast a sprawling shadow across the ground.

"What on earth…?

"The sheer scale of the creature left Yu Baek momentarily stunned.

Groooowl--!

Even though its growl was low, it was enough to shake the air.

"A demonic beast…?

" "But we’ve received no reports of a gate from Magyeong opening nearby…?

" "Stay alert!

We don’t know what’s about to happen!

"Judging by its scales, it seemed to be a Blue-ranked beast.

But its presence was far beyond what one would expect from such a ranking.

The sheer pressure radiating from it was unnatural.

Beads of sweat began to form on Yu Baek’s wrinkled brow.

"What in the world is…?

"It was clear this was no ordinary demonic beast.

But beyond its mere presence, there was an even greater problem:"How did it even get into Wudang?

"A beast of that size should have been detected long before it reached the sect.

And if a Magyeong Gate had opened, the Wudang’s Ma-Seon Division would have immediately raised the alarm.

Yet…‘No one noticed its approach.

’Until it made its presence known, no one had been aware of its arrival.

Yu Baek’s instincts screamed of its danger.

Still…"Stand firm!

It’s just a beast!

"Yu Baek shouted, rallying the disciples.

Yes, it was merely a beast.

Whatever it was, this was the heart of Wudang.

Their forces, assembled to counter the Ghost Thief, were concentrated here.

There was no way they couldn’t handle a single beast…"Elder!

Something is descending!

""What did you say?

"At the disciple’s words, Yu Baek focused his gaze.

He saw it then—something descending from the massive creature above.

Its speed increased as it fell, its silhouette becoming clearer.

It was a person.

Boom--!

The figure landed heavily on the ground, creating a shockwave.

The wind howled as Yu Baek narrowed his eyes, trying to make out the figure amidst the dissipating dust.

When the dust cleared, the figure straightened.

It was a giant.

A towering man wielding a spear as large as his massive frame.

And then…Whoooosh--!

"Ugh…!

" "Ack…!

"A violent aura erupted from the giant, suffocating the surrounding disciples.

Yu Baek clenched his teeth as he raised his hand, releasing his energy to shield the disciples from the suffocating presence.

"This…!

"But even as his energy clashed with the giant’s aura, it was overpowered—devoured.

"What kind of monster is this?

"The situation was spiraling rapidly out of control.

At that moment, the giant spoke.

"Silence.

"His deep voice echoed like a thunderclap.

"The Master has yet to arrive.

None of you are permitted to so much as breathe without permission.

""What are you…!

" Yu Baek tried to push back, unleashing more energy to prepare for an attack.

But then…Woom--!

Darkness descended.

What had been a clear day was swallowed by a veil of shadows.

The surroundings were enveloped in an eerie black mist.

In the midst of this suffocating darkness, the giant fell to one knee, bowing.

Yu Baek lifted his gaze instinctively.

He could feel it.

Something was descending from the distant heavens.

Flutter--!

A dark robe billowed in the wind.

Unlike the giant, this figure descended slowly, almost lazily, as if unbothered by time.

And with their descent…Shhhh--!

The shadows around them began to condense into light.

"What… is this…?

"Yu Baek exhaled sharply.

A sun.

The light formed into a sun, radiating a faint, almost black hue.

Though it wasn’t bright, it still pierced through the darkness, illuminating the area.

Everyone fell silent, their eyes fixed on the descending figure.

When they finally touched the ground, their feet barely made a sound.

Tap.

The figure stood tall, dressed in jet-black robes.

They exuded an overpowering presence, their face obscured by a mask.

From behind the mask, a pair of brilliant blue eyes shone vividly.

Yu Baek, his voice rough, demanded,"Who are you?

What is your purpose here?

"The figure did not answer immediately.

Instead, they took slow, deliberate steps forward.

Yu Baek unsheathed his sword, and the surrounding disciples followed suit, their energy combining to create a protective barrier.

Yet the figure paid no mind, continuing forward as though none of it mattered.

Stopping after a few paces, the figure tilted their head slightly, scanning the crowd.

"So many heads held high.

I dislike being looked down upon.

""What did you say?

" Yu Baek growled.

The figure’s voice was calm yet commanding.

"Bow.

"Boom--!

"Ack!

" "Ugh!

"At that single word, the disciples collapsed to their knees.

Those who resisted trembled as they struggled to stay upright, using their swords for support.

Even Yu Baek, though still standing, felt his shoulders shake under the pressure.

Sweat dripped from his brow as he gritted his teeth, forcing himself to stay upright.

"What… are you…?

" he managed to ask.

The figure chuckled softly, their blue eyes gleaming.

"It’s a pleasure to meet you.

"They took another step forward, their presence suffocating.

"I am…"The figure’s voice rang with authority, silencing the area entirely.

"Cheonma.

"