Childhood Friend of the Zenith

After Meeting Ubong ChwigyeAfter we met Ubong Chwigye, we returned to our quarters and began packing almost immediately.

The matter had been resolved far faster than we had anticipated.

“Since Ubong Chwigye has confirmed everything, there’s no need for further discussion.

”This was the message conveyed to us by the Wudang Sword Saint, who hadn’t even shown his face since our arrival at Wudang.

While it was a simple statement—that the leader of the Beggars’ Sect had completed the interrogation and no further interaction was necessary—it felt utterly absurd from our perspective.

“So, they’ve decided we’re no longer needed after they’ve gotten what they wanted?

”We had come as guests, and yet, after a single, brief acknowledgment, we were dismissed.

Of course, the Sword Queen was expected to handle the rest of the discussions on behalf of our group.

Still, it felt as though the Wudang Sword Saint had no interest in engaging with us—the younger generation.

I wanted to believe this was just my insecurity speaking.

But this wasn’t the only thing that felt wrong.

“Even so, isn’t it strange that he didn’t meet with me at all?

”This wasn’t arrogance—it was an objective observation.

Considering my presence, alongside Gu Ryeonghwa, who was recognized as the Sword Queen’s disciple and a potential future Sword King, how could the Wudang Sword Saint not see us even once?

This wasn’t just a minor oversight; it was deliberate.

It sent a message: he had no intention of leaving a favorable impression on those who might one day dominate Zhongyuan.

“For someone so obsessed with reputation and standing...

”Why had he gone to the trouble of bringing along Ubong Chwigye, the Ghost Thief?

Perhaps to clarify the events involving the Ghost Thief or investigate the attack.

But I suspected there was more to it than that.

To be honest, I had anticipated such behavior from the Wudang Sword Saint.

I had even hoped for it.

What I hadn’t anticipated was Ubong Chwigye himself showing up.

I had expected representatives from the Beggars’ Sect, but not their leader.

Still, this development wasn’t entirely unforeseen.

The First Reason: The Ghost ThiefAs I had mentioned before, even if the Mount Hua Sect wasn’t directly involved, Wudang needed to draw attention.

They likely intended to use the Beggars’ Sect to spread rumors, such as:“Wudang, chosen by the Ghost Thief.

”The problem arose when the Wudang Sword Saint’s mention of the Ghost Thief prompted Ubong Chwigye’s involvement.

From my perspective, this was problematic.

I knew little about Ubong Chwigye, and there was always the risk he might pick up on something.

While I felt uneasy, the situation surprisingly resolved itself without issue.

An Unexpectedly Favorable TurnWhile this wasn’t what I had hoped for, it turned out to be advantageous.

Here’s why:The fact that Wudang was attacked and required Ubong Chwigye’s verification would generate significant rumors.

More importantly:The Wudang Sword Saint clearly wants these rumors to spread.

Furthermore, the narrative would elevate the Heavenly Demon as a formidable figure.

This narrative was essential for preserving Wudang’s reputation.

The story would portray the Heavenly Demon as so powerful that even Wudang, without the Sword Saint present, couldn’t withstand the attack.

Moreover, it would frame the Heavenly Demon as an enemy of the Martial Alliance—a villain that had to be confronted.

This framing was vital for Wudang’s image and for mobilizing the Martial Alliance against the Heavenly Demon.

It was far better for Wudang to be seen as having fallen to an unstoppable force than to some nameless rabble.

“It’s not a bad move.

”From that perspective, the situation even benefitted me.

A Gaze Toward WudangI turned my gaze toward the heart of Wudang, where the trees swayed in the wind.

With cold, calculating eyes, I stared at the place where they gathered.

“I should’ve killed a few more of them.

”I had already killed Ubaek.

Ji Cheol had succumbed to demonic corruption and taken his own life.

Two of Wudang’s brightest representatives of the present and future were gone.

But it still wasn’t enough.

“How regretful.

”I should have killed more.

But given the constraints of the plan, this was the best I could do.

Still, the dissatisfaction lingered.

My original goal had been to wipe out all of Wudang’s elders.

That was the only way...

“To give that idiot some peace.

”A bitter smile crept across my face as memories of the past resurfaced—a friend who used to follow me incessantly, always getting on my nerves.

No matter how much I cursed or berated him, he never left.

Until the very end, when he did.

His last words echoed in my mind:“Go on ahead.

Thank you.

”He had said this, bloodied and broken, as he held back countless demonic beasts.

“You idiot.

What were you even thankful for?

”His inexplicable gratitude remained deeply etched in my heart.

That fool had thrown away his life for what?

If he had at least survived, I might have understood.

But the Hidden Dragon had died.

On that day, Wudang’s brightest star lost its light.

The Cruel IronyDo you know what’s truly laughable?

The Hidden Dragon had given his life for me, but the ones who orchestrated his death were none other than Wudang.

By the time I learned this truth, it was already too late.

I had wanted nothing more than to burn them all to the ground.

But the Heavenly Demon forbade me from laying a hand on Wudang.

I still don’t know why the Heavenly Demon issued such an order.

But that doesn’t matter.

What matters is this:Wudang drove the Hidden Dragon to his death.

Why?

Why would Wudang sacrifice their brightest star?

I don’t know.

I don’t care.

All I see is that they killed the Hidden Dragon.

That fact is all I need to focus on.

And the culprits behind this betrayal...

“They’re among the elders.

”The Wudang Sword Saint might have been involved, but at least one elder certainly was.

I didn’t know exactly who or how many were involved.

But that didn’t matter.

If I couldn’t identify the exact culprits, there was a simple solution.

“I’ll just kill them all.

”Kill all the suspects.

That would resolve the matter.

“Tsk.

”It’s disappointing.

I need to stop here for fear that my plans might go astray.

I had no choice.

"I’ve decided, so I must abide by it.

"When I resolved to leave after completing my training, I made a rule.

Even if I sought revenge, it would be secondary, not something to hinder what must be done.

Trying to push things further here would undoubtedly be an interference.

So, I endured.

"For now, at least.

"Hold back for now.

I’ve prepared for the moment; I can endure a little longer.

I had to keep repeating that to myself.

“Hmm.

”I exhaled briefly, trying to regain focus.

I circulated my qi to cool my emotions.

A faint hum—woong—resonated within me.

As my qi flowed, I felt a chilling calm spread through my mind.

However—Zzzt!

“…Ugh…”When I tried to circulate my qi, a sharp pain surged from my heart.

It must be due to the internal injury.

The pain was stronger than expected, forcing me to furrow my brow and endure it.

"…Looks like I’ll have to visit the Divine Doctor.

"I had initially planned to head straight to Hanam according to my schedule, but it seemed like I’d need to see the Divine Doctor first.

Considering how things had accelerated recently, I would also need to gather "them" and have a discussion.

"Ji-seon must have gone to the Hwangbo family by now.

I’ll tell him to meet me in Hanam.

"As for the others— I was contemplating this while adjusting my robes.

Sarak.

“…!

”A sense of unease brushed past me.

I turned my head at the sound.

What I saw made my breath catch.

Someone was sitting atop the table in a place that should have been empty.

“Hoh, hoh.

”It was none other than the Beggar’s Sect Leader, Ubong Chwigye, known as Ghost Thief.

He was perched casually on my table, with tea prepared and steaming as if he’d been waiting.

Sweat trickled coldly down my back.

"When…?

How did he get here?

"I hadn’t sensed a thing—not when he entered, nor when he prepared the tea.

Not even when he sat there like it was the most natural thing in the world.

"Is it because of my internal injuries?

"My disrupted qi perception might have failed to detect his presence.

If not—"Did I not sense him at all?

"It was possible.

Considering who he was, it wouldn’t be surprising.

"…Ghost Thief.

"The legendary thief no one could catch.

Recalling his past, it was entirely plausible.

But this wasn’t the time to dwell on such thoughts.

Before it was too late, I raised my hand in a gesture of respect.

“…I greet the Leader of the Beggar’s Sect.

”“Hoh, hoh.

No need for that.

I dropped in suddenly; there’s no need for such formality.

If anything, I should apologize for intruding.

”Ubong Chwigye waved his hand, stopping me mid-gesture.

“You seem surprised.

My apologies.

”“…It’s nothing.

”Of course, I was surprised.

How could I not be?

I swallowed the words that threatened to escape.

"Why is he here?

"Wasn’t his business concluded?

Tension began to build within me.

Uncertain of his intent, I kept my expression neutral as Ubong Chwigye addressed me.

“I came because I had something to ask you, and it couldn’t wait.

”What could he possibly want to ask?

“How’s your body holding up?

”“…What?

”For a moment, his question made me freeze.

“You don’t look well.

”“…”His words made my eyes narrow.

At the same time, a chilling sensation spread through my chest.

Countless thoughts raced through my mind in an instant, but I worked hard to keep my expression unchanged.

“What do you mean by that… all of a sudden?

”“Hoh, hoh.

”Ubong Chwigye chuckled at my strained response.

It might have seemed lighthearted, but to me, his laughter cut like a blade.

Cold and sharp, that’s how it felt.

“The child of the Gu family,” he said.

“You’re skilled at masking your condition with qi, but there are gaps in your facade.

”Slurp.

The sound of him sipping tea echoed loudly.

“No matter how much you hide internally, subtle signs on the outside betray you.

For instance, the way you walk.

”“…!

”“Even the slightest pain in your fingertips leaves traces.

Unfortunately, you don’t seem adept at concealing such details.

”So, even though I had cloaked my internal injury with qi, he deduced it from my external actions?

"That’s impossible.

"I had been doing everything in my power to conceal it.

Yet he saw through it in an instant?

“I’m not sure what you mean.

”Despite the turmoil inside, my words came out steady.

“Hoh, hoh.

”His smile widened, as if he found my denial amusing.

“No need to be so tense.

I’m merely concerned.

If you wish to keep it hidden, so be it.

”“I’m truly fine, Leader.

”“Hmm.

”It seemed like he was willing to let it go, but— I couldn’t afford to confirm anything.

I had to feign ignorance until the end.

Even if he had seen through me.

“Very well.

If you say so, it must be true.

”With those words, he nodded.

“Then, may I ask you another question?

”“…”Before I could even grant permission, he continued.

“Child, if there’s one trace that cannot be erased entirely, do you know what it is?

”As he spoke, he placed something lightly on the table.

“…!

”I frowned as I looked at it.

The Yeomyeong, a relic of the Mount Hua Sect.

It was the very relic I had planned to steal.

Why was Ubong Chwigye holding it?

Before I could process my confusion, he spoke again, his gaze fixed on me.

“Scent.

No matter how thoroughly one tries to erase a trace, scent lingers.

And so, I must ask you…”I wracked my brain as his words continued.

“How is it that your scent lingers on this relic, child?

Do you perhaps know the reason why?

”At that moment, I had to think of a way— A way to kill Ubong Chwigye here and now.