Childhood Friend of the Zenith

Crack.

The sound of something fracturing echoed from somewhere.

A visible ripple formed in the space, as if cracks were spreading, and the pressure in the room grew palpable.

An overwhelming energy.

This was nothing like the oppressive aura Yuri had felt earlier; her body began to tremble uncontrollably.

“Haa… haa…”Even breathing became a struggle.

It was the most intense killing intent she had ever experienced.

“Princess…!

”Ubeom moved as if to intervene, reacting to Yuri’s state.

“Stop.

”A voice spoke up from the front.

It was one of the Crimson Feather’s escorts.

“If you move, you’ll be cut down.

”The voice carried no trace of exaggeration—it was pure sincerity.

Ubeom felt the weight of it and hesitated to act.

The warning wasn’t directed at him specifically.

Ubeom could see it.

The gaze of the speaker was fixed entirely on the princess.

Could he stop this?

Ubeom bit his lip as he assessed the situation.

“I can’t stop him.

”At least, not as he was now.

Even the slightest movement sent shocks of pain through his arm.

The opponent was far stronger than expected.

It wasn’t just that he couldn’t defend Yuri in this oppressive atmosphere—he couldn’t even muster the confidence to try.

“To think a warrior from Zhongyuan could be this powerful…”He clenched his teeth, acknowledging the harsh reality.

The strength of the opponent far exceeded his expectations.

The swordsman in front of him, as well as the woman who had effortlessly intercepted him—“I noticed it before as well.

”Her sudden, precise movements to target his neck, her calm, expressionless demeanor, and her lethal precision.

She was a master of her craft, a seasoned assassin.

Even if Ubeom hadn’t been injured…No.

“Even if I were at my full strength…”It wasn’t just the swordsman in front of him.

Could he have defended Yuri from that woman’s fingertips?

He had no confidence.

Swallowing his frustration, Ubeom came to an unsettling realization.

“It’s not just White Fox.

”He had heard tales of Zhongyuan warriors rivaling the strength of those from the Northern Sea, but he had never imagined they would be this formidable.

And at their age?

How had they reached such heights of power?

“Even more terrifying…”Ubeom’s gaze shifted to the far end of the table.

The source of the oppressive energy that filled the room.

The young man sitting there, his lips curved into a faint smile, watched the situation unfold.

Propping his chin on one hand, his expression was eerily calm despite the suffocating killing intent radiating from him.

“What is this…”Ubeom felt the hair on his body stand on end.

This wasn’t just about strength.

This wasn’t a contest of victory or defeat.

It was a matter of life and death.

The Ice Palace Lord, who ruled over the Northern Sea.

The ten grand generals who guarded the palace.

Ubeom was certain.

This man’s presence rivaled, if not surpassed, that of those generals.

The sheer pressure made it clear.

“The Crimson Feather of Zhongyuan…”The figure that White Fox and the distant Northern Sea dignitaries had so highly praised.

Now Ubeom understood why.

A presence that could make one’s knees tremble simply by existing.

A gaze that seemed capable of forcing submission.

This was someone born with the qualities of a ruler and the talent to support it.

While the room technically belonged to the Baekhwa Merchant Leader, It was obvious, even with a cursory glance, that the true master of this space was the Crimson Feather.

“This is dangerous.

”This was far more dangerous than any peril Ubeom had faced during their escape from the Northern Sea.

Just one look at his eyes made it clear.

This man—“He wouldn’t hesitate to kill the princess.

”Her status as a noble from the Northern Sea or her connection to the Ice Palace bloodline— None of it mattered to him.

That was the unmistakable sense Ubeom got.

“Haa…”Yuri let out a pained groan.

Her distorted expression and the cold sweat running down her face showed just how much she was suffering.

Ubeom bit his lip, scanning the room.

The only ones visibly affected were himself, Ubeom, and Yuri.

The others showed faint traces of discomfort but no real signs of pain.

Which could only mean one thing—“He’s controlling his energy.

”He had carefully focused his overwhelming pressure solely on a select few, sparing the others in the room.

Even while exerting such suffocating force.

How was that possible?

The disparity in power was overwhelming.

“Hey.

”The icy voice pierced through the tension, directed at Yuri.

“Answer me.

”“…”Yuri’s pupils quivered at the command.

To her, this was clearly an opportunity.

This was the moment to understand what the Crimson Feather wanted.

It wasn’t hard to figure out.

He wasn’t just hinting at it—he was practically telling her.

If she used this right, there was a chance to sway him, to turn him to her side.

“…Haa… haa…”But the Crimson Feather’s aura and gaze conveyed a clear warning:“If you play games, you die.

”The message was unmistakable.

What should she do?

She had to choose.

Take a step forward and attempt to persuade him, Or retreat and succumb to the pressure.

The Crimson Feather watched her silently, his eyes practically forcing her to decide.

The deliberation didn’t take long.

Yuri was perceptive.

“…White Fox…”If she went any further, she would die.

Her instincts screamed it.

“She was… my escort.

”The moment Yuri spoke—Whoosh!

The Crimson Feather’s oppressive aura dissipated.

At last, Yuri could breathe again.

“Haa… haa… haa…”“White Fox?

”The Crimson Feather tilted his head, his curiosity evident.

Yuri, still catching her breath, took note of his reaction.

“…That’s what we called her.

”“Feels fitting, yet not at the same time.

”He chuckled softly.

It was a completely different kind of laughter from what he had shown earlier.

This one was slightly brighter, even faintly genuine.

Seeing it, Yuri realized that White Fox and the Crimson Feather were close.

“An escort, huh… So she was your bodyguard?

”“Yes.

”“And how did that come about?

”“…It was a task assigned by the palace lord.

I don’t know the details.

”That was simply how it was.

Escort duties were often reassigned.

Initially, Yuri had been suspicious of having an outsider as her escort.

But since White Fox had been brought by a friend and approved by the palace lord, she hadn’t questioned it further.

“An escort… I wondered what she was up to…”The Crimson Feather seemed to contemplate something briefly before looking back at Yuri.

“So, what’s your answer to my earlier question?

”“…”His earlier question.

Was it the lingering effects of his energy?

Yuri struggled to think clearly.

Her hazy mind irritated her.

Without hesitation, Yuri raised her hand—Smack!

“!!

”“Princess—!!!

”Everyone except the Crimson Feather stared at Yuri in shock.

She had slapped herself across the face with all her strength.

Drip.

She had hit herself so hard that blood trickled from the corner of her mouth.

Yuri wiped it away with her sleeve immediately.

At last, her thoughts felt clearer.

“My apologies.

I was feeling a bit lightheaded.

”“Hmm.

”While everyone else looked at Yuri in stunned silence, The Crimson Feather’s gaze held a glint of amusement.

“You were asking if White Fox is connected to the events in the Ice Palace, correct?

”“That’s right.

”“I don’t know.

”At Yuri’s answer, the Crimson Feather stroked his lips with his hand.

He didn’t say anything further.

It seemed like a signal to continue.

Yuri interpreted the gesture that way.

“Before I left for Zhongyuan, White Fox remained at the palace.

”“She was your escort.

Why?

”“It was her choice.

”“She made that choice?

”“Yes.

The letter I delivered was given to me at that time.

She instructed me to deliver it to you should I meet you in Zhongyuan.

”“…”The Crimson Feather’s brow furrowed slightly at Yuri’s words.

There was no falsehood in her statement.

Yuri relayed the information truthfully.

After all, as he had warned, attempting to play games with the truth could have unpredictable consequences.

That said—While she didn’t lie, she also hadn’t revealed everything.

“After that, I fled directly to Zhongyuan.

What happened to White Fox afterward… I don’t know.

”“What’s the current state of the Ice Palace?

You mentioned a rebellion—explain more clearly.

”“….

”Yuri took a moment to steady her breath, her mind racing.

“…The Ice Palace is guarded by ten elite warriors.

Shortly after the rebellion broke out, three of them were killed.

”“And more might have died since then.

It’s a dire situation, isn’t it?

”“Yes.

”Clink.

As Yuri answered, the glass beside the Crimson Feather cracked in half.

Rumble.

A faint tremor rippled through the room.

It wasn’t the same overwhelming killing intent or aura as before, but—It was clear that the source of this energy was still the Crimson Feather.

“So, it’s an absolutely shitty situation, huh?

”The Crimson Feather laughed as he spoke.

Yuri found his smile more terrifying than his earlier blank expression.

“And in such a dangerous mess, you wanted to drag me along?

”“That’s not…”“Ah, don’t worry about it.

It’s not an important comment, so just forget it.

”It was anything but forgettable, yet the Crimson Feather waved it off as if it truly didn’t matter.

Then he continued.

“What was the request again?

To go with you to the Northern Sea?

”Hearing his words, Yuri’s eyes widened.

Surely not—“I didn’t say I’d go, so don’t get your hopes up.

It’s annoying.

”“….

”At his icy response, Yuri immediately nodded.

“Tch.

”The Crimson Feather clicked his tongue, visibly irritated by her reaction.

“One day.

I’ll give you an answer within a day.

Just wait quietly.

”“…!

”Yuri’s expression shifted rapidly, as though she was moving between heaven and hell at his words.

Before she could respond, the Crimson Feather stood up.

Turning to the Baekhwa Merchant Leader, he spoke.

“I’ll excuse myself.

There are some things I need to check on.

”At the leader’s nod, the Crimson Feather vanished.

Seong Yul and Tang So-yeol, who had been blocking Ubeom and Wooseok, withdrew their swords and followed him out.

The storm dissipated, leaving the room in sudden silence.

About ten seconds passed.

“…Urgh…!

”Yuri clapped a hand over her mouth, gagging.

Her escorts rushed to her side, supporting her.

It was the aftermath of her struggle to maintain composure against the overwhelming energy.

“I’m… I’m fine.

”Yuri stopped them, forcing a smile.

Her hands were still trembling, but she smiled nonetheless.

For some reason, she had a feeling things might finally turn in a favorable direction.

******************Upon leaving the merchant’s premises, I headed straight for my quarters.

My steps quickened, reflecting my growing urgency.

[She… was my escort.

]Yuri’s words echoed relentlessly in my mind.

Escort.

Namgung Bi-ah, who had supposedly gone to the Northern Sea for training, had become the princess’s escort.

Why had things suddenly turned out like this?

“She said she was just going for training.

”She had stubbornly insisted on going despite my protests, heading off to a place that didn’t seem to make sense.

And now, she was escorting a girl who didn’t know the first thing about her?

Frustration surged within me.

Perhaps…“Perhaps, I thought I might see her.

”When I heard people from the Northern Sea were coming, a part of me had hoped.

It was about the right time for her to return, and the timing of the Northern Sea delegation’s arrival seemed to align perfectly.

Could she have returned?

I allowed myself to hope.

But now—“And yet, it’s come to this.

”A storm of blood was raging in the Northern Sea, and somehow Namgung Bi-ah was caught up in it.

Grit.

The thought alone made my anger boil.

I wanted to dash to the Northern Sea immediately and grasp the situation firsthand.

But—“The timing is all wrong.

”It couldn’t have been worse timing.

Meeting Cheonma in Hanam had already thrown things off, and now, I couldn’t leave for the Northern Sea.

Not with the plans I had in place, nor the current circumstances.

“In two months, the Martial Arts Tournament will be held.

”There were only two months, perhaps slightly more, until the grand tournament would begin in Hanam.

I had to participate in it.

Moreover—“The attack on Hanam coincides with it.

”There were gains I needed to secure after the tournament concluded, as part of my plans to assault Hanam.

This was a critical piece in my long-term strategy, something I absolutely could not abandon.

And yet, leaving for the Northern Sea now?

“How far is the Northern Sea?

”I hadn’t even considered going before, so I hadn’t calculated the distance.

My mind was in turmoil.

Could I wait until after the tournament?

“That would be at least two months away.

”If I delayed until after the tournament, would it even be possible to go to the Northern Sea?

From what I’d heard, this wasn’t just a minor rebellion.

It was a movement to overthrow the palace lord and instigate a complete reform.

If Namgung Bi-ah was entangled in that mess, And if I delayed two months before heading to the Northern Sea—“What if something happens to her?

”The very thought suffocated me.

It was an outcome I couldn’t allow.

I had to find a way.

I needed a solution, and I needed it quickly.

One day—that’s all I had to come up with a plan.

If I couldn’t find one—“I’ll ignore everything and head to the Northern Sea.

”Plans, priorities—none of it mattered if Namgung Bi-ah’s life was at stake.

If it came down to choosing, there was only one answer.

Grinding my teeth, I finally reached my quarters.

First, I needed to contact Amwang…“Ah, you’ve arrived.

”“…!

”Just as I was about to enter, I froze at the sound of a voice.

I’d been so lost in thought I hadn’t even noticed the presence nearby.

And it wasn’t even a martial artist—it was an ordinary person.

Looking toward the source, I spoke.

“…Elder?

”“You’re late.

”Standing at the entrance to my room was none other than Divine Doctor.

What was he doing here?

I opened my mouth to question him, but Divine Doctor spoke first.

“Your face doesn’t look good.

Is something troubling you?

”“…It’s nothing.

Just a few matters to handle.

”This wasn’t the time for a long conversation.

I needed to finalize my plans as quickly as possible.

At my response, Divine Doctor nodded slightly and said,“So, things aren’t going well.

”There was an unmistakable weariness in his voice, not unlike my own.

“…What brings you here?

”I asked, curiosity creeping into my tone.

Divine Doctor hesitated before speaking.

“I have a favor to ask of you.

”“….

”Hearing that, I couldn’t help but frown.

Why now of all times?

Forcing my expression into something more neutral, I replied,“I apologize, Elder, but this isn’t the best time for me—”“…Soon, a significant event will unfold in Hanam.

”I froze.

The words I had been about to speak were cut short.

A significant event in Hanam?

“I understand that your situation isn’t ideal, but… I must ask this favor of you.

There are those with ill intentions toward Hanam—”“That.

”I interrupted, grabbing Divine Doctor’s wrist.

He looked startled.

Meeting his gaze, I said firmly,“Tell me more.

In detail.

”