Childhood Friend of the Zenith

I left the trading company as if I were fleeing.

Though I quickened my pace and created some distance, I kept glancing over my shoulder.

‘...

Why isn’t he following me?

’ I thought he’d chase after me and grab me by the neck any moment now, but Paejon didn’t appear.

That made it worse.

It felt as if he was silently saying, We’ll deal with this later.

‘Damn it.

’ Who would’ve guessed such rumors would spread?

Things were getting complicated.

“...

Tsk.

” Clicking my tongue, I shook my head.

Whatever.

If I’m confronted, I’ll just deny it.

What else could I do?

‘If I say it’s not true, what can they do about it?

’ I decided to approach this simply, with an air of indifference.

Or I could just avoid him entirely for a few days.

Sure, that might make it worse when we inevitably crossed paths again, but it was worth a shot.

Pat, pat.

Dusting off the dirt from my hurried escape, I noticed the crowded streets around me.

“Hm.

” The streets were bustling with people, likely due to the approaching festival.

Even among the throng of commoners, I could see a growing number of martial artists.

‘And they’re strong.

’ Not only first-rate warriors, but occasionally even those at peak levels.

They were here for the martial tournament.

‘There’s a lot of interest in this year’s tournament.

’ And why wouldn’t there be?

It was the first tournament in years, and the prizes on the line were extraordinary.

‘Rare swords, miraculous elixirs...

but most importantly...

’ ‘The revival of the Divine Dragon Corps.

’ The elite unit under the direct command of the Martial Alliance Leader, a symbol of its might.

The Divine Dragon Corps, disbanded after a significant incident, was making its return, with the tournament marking their reestablishment.

Not only would they restore their symbolic value, but participating in their revival was an unparalleled honor.

For those who lived and died by reputation, the allure was undeniable.

And for me, this was crucial.

The Divine Dragon Corps was essential to my upcoming plans.

One way or another, I needed to make use of them.

‘There’s less than a month until the tournament.

Time to start preparing.

’ While it annoyed me to get started the moment I arrived, there was no time to waste.

I decided to check on the task I had assigned to Pil-Duma when— Thunk!

“Ah!

” Someone collided with me and fell to the ground.

I looked down to see a woman sprawled on the ground.

Naturally, I didn’t extend a hand to help her.

Instead, I just stared.

The woman scrambled to her feet and bowed deeply.

“I’m so sorry.

I wasn’t watching where I was going.

Are you hurt?

” The faint scent of her perfume reached my nose as she bowed, and I instinctively grimaced.

The fragrance was far too strong—nauseatingly so.

Looking closer, I caught a glimpse of her face through the thin veil.

My eyebrow twitched.

‘Well, well.

’ A smile crept onto my lips as I recognized her.

She was certainly beautiful.

If Wi Seol-ah and Namgung Bi-ah were women who could turn heads in a crowd of a hundred, she’d attract at least ninety.

With her mature aura, seductive eyes, and strikingly curvaceous figure, she could set most men’s hearts ablaze.

But...

‘What a nuisance.

’ Considering the extraordinary women around me, her level of beauty wasn’t enough to impress me.

What caught my attention wasn’t her looks.

‘As quick as ever.

He sent her immediately.

’ Her name was Bihyeonhwa (Tragic Radiance).

A member of the Martial Alliance’s investigative unit, she was infamous for using her beauty to extract information.

In other words, she was an operative sent by the Martial Alliance—specifically, Bumdong.

‘So predictable.

’ As I watched her, I reflected on what had happened.

I’d sensed her approaching from a distance and even knew she deliberately bumped into me.

I’d allowed it to see what she was planning, but— ‘So she resorted to this.

’ Bihyeonhwa’s allure was said to captivate anyone who caught her scent.

At least, that’s what the rumors said.

‘Tch.

’ Her scent wasn’t alluring—it was revolting.

The excessive perfume was so overpowering it made me feel queasy.

But I had to keep my composure and not let it show.

“Oh, how can I ever make it up to you...?

” Bihyeonhwa cooed, her voice dripping with sweetness as she leaned closer.

Her chest subtly brushed against me.

I glanced down at her.

She was undeniably alluring, her beauty living up to her reputation as the “Hidden Flower of the Martial Alliance.

” But all I thought was— ‘What a manipulative woman.

’ Knowing her true nature, I regarded her as nothing more than a pebble—neither more nor less.

‘You filthy bug, how dare you look at me like that?

’ Her words from the past flashed through my mind.

This crazy woman used to pick fights with me constantly.

‘Do you really think someone like you could ever reach my level?

Know your place.

Don’t even breathe the same air as me.

’ I’d never tried to approach her.

Sure, I’d glanced at her a few times because she was pretty, but that was it.

Back then, her reputation as the Martial Alliance’s Flower was a hollow title at best.

‘Because she was there.

’ Wi Seol-ah, the Little Sword Star.

After she joined the Martial Alliance, the title of “Flower” rightfully belonged to her.

Bihyeonhwa was a fading flower, wilting under her own envy.

She couldn’t accept her place and began to harbor venom.

I doubted that anything had changed.

I stared silently at Bihyeonhwa.

Her seductive eyes met mine as she subtly flaunted her figure.

‘Should I kill her?

’ The thought briefly crossed my mind.

Dealing with her would be a hassle.

Perhaps I should just kill her now.

But...

‘Not yet.

’ I decided to hold back—for now.

I smiled faintly and spoke.

“I’m fine.

Are you hurt, my lady?

” “Oh, no, not at all...!

” Bihyeonhwa smiled seductively.

Usually, my smile made people flinch, but she was unfazed—proof of her expertise.

It was amusing to see her so unfazed.

‘I must’ve made quite the impression.

’ Bihyeonhwa wasn’t someone who moved easily.

She only took on critical assignments, so her presence here meant...

‘Bumdong has his eye on me.

’ If she was dispatched so quickly, it meant he had sent her the moment he returned.

She had likely been waiting nearby.

‘His preparations are thorough.

’ I thought about expanding my senses to check the area but decided against it.

‘If he’s nearby and notices, it could be trouble.

’ The likelihood of someone detecting my senses was slim, but I couldn’t be too cautious.

‘Bumdong might’ve set an ambush.

’ If anyone could notice even the faintest fluctuation, it’d be him.

Better to err on the side of caution.

‘Now then.

’ I locked eyes with Bihyeonhwa and thought to myself— ‘How should I play with her?

’ How best to use her?

I stepped back slightly, putting some distance between us.

“If we’re both unharmed, I’ll take my leave.

I wish you peace, my lady.

” I deliberately increased the distance, noticing her eyes widen in surprise.

Even that seemed like an act.

Though I didn’t know her in detail, I’d heard enough about her methods to guess her game.

I turned to leave without hesitation.

Rustle!

A hand grabbed my sleeve.

“W-wait!

” I turned to see her flushed ears and reddened face, as if she were embarrassed to the point of madness.

An illusion carefully crafted using her inner energy.

Anyone unaccustomed to such beauty might have felt their heart skip a beat.

“I...

I’m so sorry...

but perhaps I could treat you to some tea...

as an apology?

” Suppressing a smirk, I steadied my expression.

How fortunate.

Her approach hadn’t changed at all.

“Very well.

Let’s do that.

” It seemed a perfect bait had just walked right into my hands.

****************** A new guesthouse had recently gained fame in Hanam.

Not just for its food or drinks, but for the atmosphere itself—a place of elegance where dishes were crafted beautifully, and the environment radiated refinement.

The guesthouse had become a favorite among noble ladies and wealthy patrons, drawn in by its charm.

Gone was the rough, traditional aesthetic typical of guesthouses.

Here, flowers adorned the grounds, the interiors were meticulously decorated, and the air carried a subtle, pleasant fragrance.

Rumor had it that the Baekhwa Trading Company owned the establishment.

Despite predictions that such an atmosphere wouldn't succeed, the allure of its reputation had drawn women from afar, filling the guesthouse to capacity.

In one corner of the guesthouse, at a table by a window offering a scenic view, sat a man and a woman.

Other patrons occasionally stole glances at the pair.

The woman was stunningly beautiful and alluring.

The young man sitting across from her, however, drew a different reaction.

“He’s...

scary.

” “His face looks so intimidating.

” “How does a woman like her end up with someone like him?

” His sharp, intimidating appearance seemed entirely mismatched with the exquisite beauty of the woman before him.

Yet the woman didn’t seem to care.

“Oh my, is that true?

” The woman, Bihyeonhwa, smiled warmly as she spoke to the man.

“So, you’re inheriting your sect, then?

” “More or less.

” “That’s incredible!

” The man replied in a dry tone, sipping his tea, while Bihyeonhwa maintained an attentive demeanor.

But inside, her thoughts were far less complimentary.

‘Who is this guy, really?

’ Though she smiled and continued the conversation, the unease she felt only grew.

“He’s not falling for it, is he?

” As she flashed a charming smile, she studied the man further.

From head to toe, he was dressed in black.

His hair was loosely tied back, and his dark martial robes contrasted with his pale skin.

His sharp eyes left a lasting impression.

He appeared to be in his early twenties, just as the information she’d received indicated.

‘What kind of man is he?

’ Most men his age would’ve been enchanted by now, unable to resist her charms.

It wasn’t just younger men—nearly all men were helpless before her.

‘But something feels...

off.

’ Suppressing her irritation, Bihyeonhwa maintained her composed facade.

“What brings you to Hanam?

” “I heard about the martial tournament and thought I’d check it out.

” “Ah, I see.

” The conversation continued, albeit unevenly.

Mostly, she initiated while he offered curt responses.

“So, you’re planning to participate in the tournament to revive your sect?

” “Something like that.

” “Oh my, how impressive.

” Though she kept the conversation flowing, that was all.

Even as she locked eyes with him, smiled, or subtly emphasized her figure, his gaze remained unmoved.

He didn’t avert his eyes or avoid speaking, but it was clear—he wasn’t interested.

Anyone could see it.

‘Could he...

be impotent?

’ The thought crossed her mind, absurd as it sounded.

Otherwise, how could this situation make sense?

‘A man not interested in me?

Impossible.

’ Under the table, her hands curled into tight fists.

‘No way.

’ She refused to believe it.

Who was she?

‘I am the most beautiful woman in Hanam.

’ The flower of the Martial Alliance and, perhaps, the most beautiful woman in Zhongyuan.

Even now, glances from men outside the window confirmed it.

Their eyes glimmered with desire, a desire Bihyeonhwa understood all too well.

She welcomed it.

That yearning was what allowed her to manipulate them at will.

But the man before her was different.

‘The Dragon Captain warned me to be cautious, but is this why?

’ With the martial tournament approaching, Bihyeonhwa had been on standby, thinking she’d use the time to relax and toy with a few promising men.

Then, that morning— [You have a mission.

] The message arrived from the Dragon Captain himself, instructing her to approach an unknown master who had appeared in Hanam and extract information from him.

Initially, she considered refusing, but the details of the target piqued her interest.

‘He’s said to be in his early twenties, yet his cultivation level is absurdly high.

’ Not suspected to be wearing a disguise, he was a young master of astonishing skill.

The mission even came with a warning to exercise utmost caution.

A young prodigy.

How could she not be intrigued?

‘It’s not just about the mission—winning him over could be life-changing.

’ No matter how strong, he was still a man.

She expected him to be utterly helpless before her charms.

Using the mission as a pretext, she figured she’d seduce him if he seemed promising.

But the reality was...

‘What a frustrating man.

’ Contrary to her expectations, the man was peculiar.

‘A master, they said?

I feel nothing from him.

’ Despite the warning, there was no sense of the aura typical of highly skilled masters.

Nothing.

Not even a faint trace of qi.

‘Did they make a mistake?

’ Even the youngest prodigies of renowned families had distinct energy signatures.

This man had none.

He was an enigma.

The captain’s warning seemed almost ridiculous.

‘And he’s not even from a reputable sect—just some heir to a no-name faction.

’ A descendant of the obscure Pacheon Sect, he claimed to be using the tournament to make a name for himself.

He’d introduced himself as Pa Jeol-yeop.

She’d never heard of him before.

If he were as strong as the Dragon Captain suggested, she would’ve known his name.

The absence of such recognition could only lead to one conclusion.

‘He’s lying.

’ She was certain of it.

In their brief exchange, she could tell the man was hiding something.

‘Well, keep up your act.

Let’s see how long you can hold out.

’ Whether or not she succeeded, the investigative unit would likely uncover his secrets within a day.

Until then, her task was simple: ‘Find out what he’s hiding and, if possible, seduce him.

’ This was Bihyeonhwa’s specialty.

She'd had to deal with proud men like him before, and they'd all fallen for her tricks eventually.

This time would be no different.

Bihyeonhwa was sure of that.

Bihyeonhwa called out gently.

“Excuse me...

Sir.

” The man flicked his gaze towards her, his expression as insolent as ever.

That kind of attitude toward her—it nearly twisted her insides in irritation.

But Bihyeonhwa forced herself to remain composed, invoking her professional discipline.

“You know...

we’ve talked quite a lot already, haven’t we?

” “I doubt we’ve exchanged even ten sentences.

How does that count as a lot?

” ‘Because you talk like an arrogant brat, you bastard.

’ She barely managed to swallow the words bubbling up inside her.

Patience.

She reminded herself over and over again.

‘Soon enough, he’ll drop the act and start grinning like every other man.

’ No matter how much he pretended to be tough, all men were the same in the end.

A little physical contact, and they'd melt, losing all composure.

Ordinarily, her missions didn’t require such direct methods.

‘But if the Dragon Captain is right about him being extraordinary...

’ A young master of incredible skill—just the thought intrigued her.

‘The Dragon of Wudang is off-limits because he’s a monk, but this one...

he’s fair game.

’ The future “Greatest Under Heaven,” a paragon destined to lead Zhongyuan, was protected by Shaolin’s blessings and thus untouchable.

But this man wasn’t bound by any such restrictions.

Even if nothing else came of this, leaving her mark on him wouldn’t be a bad idea.

With that, Bihyeonhwa made her move.

She slid over and settled beside Pa Jeol-yeop.

“Sir Pa...

” Her voice dripped with honey, her fingertips brushing close to his arm, almost but not quite touching.

Then she leaned in, pressing her chest against his arm.

His eyebrow twitched.

Seeing that reaction emboldened her further.

“Why don’t we go somewhere quieter?

This isn’t the best place for a conversation, don’t you think?

” “Quieter?

Where do you suggest?

” Her hand drifted upward, her fingers trailing toward his chest.

Just as her touch was about to linger with deliberate intimacy— Clamp.

Pa Jeol-yeop grabbed her wrist, his grip firm and unyielding.

The abruptness of it startled her.

But as she processed it, a smile spread across her lips.

‘Got him.

’ She thought he was caught in her web now.

And true to her assumptions, the man murmured in a half-distracted tone.

“...

You’re making it hard for me to hold back.

” Had he already fallen?

Perhaps he’d been hers from the start.

‘Men really are all the same.

’ Confident in her triumph, Bihyeonhwa smiled victoriously.

But what she failed to notice was the coldness creeping into his eyes.

The moment he moved toward her, she felt an icy sensation crawl down her spine.

“Huh?

” Pa Jeol-yeop froze mid-motion, his expression changing sharply.

His eyes widened as he stared past her, out the window.

“Sir Pa...?

” She was about to inquire when— Ssssshhh— “...!!

” Bihyeonhwa’s body went rigid, her breath catching in her throat.

She couldn’t even scream.

It wasn’t a case of being struck or restrained.

It was something far more terrifying.

A bead of sweat trickled down her forehead.

‘This...

this isn’t possible....

’ Her trembling eyes darted around.

She saw nothing unusual, yet her instincts screamed that something was there.

Shling.

She could feel it—a blade against her neck.

She couldn’t see it, but it was there.

It was impossible, contradictory even, but undeniably real.

Not just her neck; every direction around her was suffused with the sharp presence of blades.

The scent of death hung heavy in the air.

Just as Bihyeonhwa was suppressing a shuddering gulp, the door to the guesthouse creaked open.

Someone entered.

Pa Jeol-yeop’s gaze shifted toward the entrance.

“Welcome—oh...!

” The clerk, poised to greet the newcomer, froze mid-sentence.

The figure stepping through the doorway was a woman.

Her long hair cascaded behind her as she scanned the room.

Her gemstone-like eyes swept across the space, and the murmuring chatter around them ❖ Nоvеl?ght ❖ (Exclusive on Nоvеl?ght) fell silent.

The air itself seemed to shift, carrying a faint floral scent that hadn’t been there before.

“Oh my...

” “Who is she...?

” The woman drew audible gasps of admiration.

It was as if a fully bloomed flower had entered the room.

If ever there were a human embodiment of a flower, it would be her.

Her presence captivated not just the patrons but even passersby outside the window.

She effortlessly stole all the attention that had been fixated on Bihyeonhwa.

And all she had done was walk in.

As if slicing through the awestruck silence, the woman’s gaze shifted deliberately.

Her eyes locked onto Bihyeonhwa.

Bihyeonhwa, who was leaning intimately against a young man.

Her brow furrowed delicately, her expression cooling.

The woman took a step forward.

The floral scent intensified.

Her stride was graceful, almost floating, yet steady and purposeful.

She approached Bihyeonhwa.

‘Who...

is she?

’ Bihyeonhwa was already unnerved, but this newcomer only compounded her unease.

‘How can someone be so beautiful...?

’ It was a thought she had never allowed herself to entertain before.

Her insides churned, her pride wounded as she instinctively recognized the truth.

Finally, the woman stopped in front of her.

With elegant, piercing eyes, she looked Bihyeonhwa up and down before speaking softly.

“Let go.

” “...

What?

” Bihyeonhwa stammered, confusion evident in her voice.

The woman’s gaze grew even colder.

Whoosh!

The sudden weight of killing intent bore down on Bihyeonhwa, making her entire body tremble uncontrollably.

“Ah...!

” A stifled whimper escaped her lips, but the woman paid no heed.

“I’ll say it again.

” Her golden hair shimmered as her sharp, golden eyes bore into Bihyeonhwa’s soul.

The weight of her presence consumed Bihyeonhwa.

Finally, the woman spoke again.

“Let go.

” Her tone left no room for argument.

Before I kill you.

Her eyes conveyed that final, unspoken warning.