Childhood Friend of the Zenith

The table was free of alcohol despite being surrounded by men.

It was truly a strange and curious sight.

Perhaps that’s why it stood out?

I could feel people around us glancing over at this spot.

Ignoring their stares, I took a sip of the tea in front of me.

‘It probably isn’t just because of that.

’ The absence of alcohol wasn’t the reason we were drawing attention.

“Isn’t that the Bisungdo?

” “I heard a rumor recently that Bisungdo was spotted at the Alliance.

So it was true.

” “He really is ridiculously handsome.

” It was partly because of Peng Woojin, sitting across from me, calmly eating with his chopsticks.

“And the one next to him...

is that So Yeomra?

” “So Yeomra?

Why would you suddenly bring him up?

” It was also because of me, sitting here eating dumplings with him.

“From what I heard, there was a young man Bisungdo seemed to know.

Turns out, it was none other than So Yeomra.

” “So that person next to him is So Yeomra?

I can’t quite see his face clearly....

” “No, not that one.

The one beside him.

” “Beside him?

That would mean...

gasp!

” “They say So Yeomra is a ferocious-looking youth.

I thought that couldn’t be true, but...

well, it really is.

” What exactly was so true?

What were they even talking about?

I wanted to get up and confront them immediately, but I held back.

I was used to this kind of treatment by now.

The fact that I’d grown used to it was pathetic and sad in its own way.

“Yes, that young man was once called the youngest Hwagyeong in history...

though, of course, eventually...

” The rest of their words didn’t reach me, but it wasn’t hard to guess what they were saying.

It was probably something like how it was a lie or just baseless gossip.

It didn’t particularly bother me.

I had never denied or confirmed the rumors in the first place, and I actually preferred the current situation where the rumors had begun to fade away.

The problem was...

“Hey, your chopsticks are trembling.

” “...!

” ...

the reaction of the person sitting next to me.

It was far more intense than my own.

“What’s wrong?

” “...

It’s nothing....

” He pulled his hood down even further, as if trying to make sure his face wouldn’t be seen.

“If you’re going to cower like that, why did you even come out to eat?

” “Now, now, don’t be too harsh,” Peng Woojin interjected, lightly moving his hand to slide a plate of dumplings closer to the trembling monk.

“Young Master Gu, this gentleman must have really wanted these dumplings if he came all the way here.

I completely understand.

” “Thank you...

” “To think that they’d be so delicious that someone would go against reason to come for them.

It just proves how incredible this place’s dumplings are, doesn’t it?

” “...

” “...

” I see.

That was a backhanded insult.

It was a high-level insult disguised as a compliment, something I’d never even thought to try.

‘...

This guy.

’ There was something to learn here.

This was definitely worth taking note of.

I couldn’t tell if he was being genuine or sarcastic because Peng Woojin’s expression was utterly sincere.

Watching the monk’s trembling hands, Peng Woojin tilted his head slightly in curiosity.

“Why aren’t you eating?

You can go ahead and eat as much as you’d like.

” “Th-thank you....

Thank you.

” Despite trembling, the monk managed to pick up a dumpling with his chopsticks and put it in his mouth.

The moment I saw that, I spoke up.

“You’re actually eating?

Even in this situation, you still have the appetite for that?

” “Gulp....

” He nearly spat it out but forced himself to swallow it down before continuing to eat.

Watching him like this, I could immediately tell what was going on with him.

‘He’s decided to just go ahead and eat since he’s already been exposed.

’ He had clearly resolved to enjoy the meal now that his presence was known.

Was he really that desperate to eat these dumplings?

‘Not that I’m one to talk.

’ As I watched the monk—no, Shinryong—devour his dumplings, I reached for one myself.

Clack.

“Huh?

” “...

Hm?

” Our chopsticks collided.

It turned out there was only one dumpling left on the plate.

Realizing this, I looked at Shinryong and said, “Put it down.

I’ve let you have plenty so far.

” In response, Shinryong said, “...

Benefactor, as this is something Bisungdo has offered, it wouldn’t make sense for you to claim it yourself.

” “Oh, really?

” This brat, huh?

“You’ve already eaten plenty.

Shouldn’t a monk like you show some restraint?

Isn’t it against your principles to indulge in greed?

” “Out of the nine dumplings, three were eaten by Bisungdo, three by you, so the remaining three are naturally mine.

” “You seriously counted them?

” When had he even been keeping track of that?

Looking at him in disbelief, I noticed the faintest hint of a smirk on his lips.

Did he seriously think he’d won?

Letting out a small sigh, I said, “Is it even appropriate for a monk to be eating dumplings filled with meat?

” “...!

” When I raised this fundamental question, Shinryong flinched.

It seemed even he felt a pang of guilt about that.

This was my chance.

Whoosh!

“Hah!

” Taking advantage of his hesitation, I quickly grabbed the last dumpling and popped it into my mouth.

Shinryong’s expression looked as if the sky had just fallen.

No matter how I looked at it, that wasn’t the kind of face a monk should be making.

‘What is it about these dumplings?

’ Or rather, what is it about meat that even monks and ascetics were making such a fuss over it?

‘Well, Woo Hyuk is one thing.

’ That guy was strange from the start.

‘But what about him?

’ The person sitting in front of me made no sense.

Who was he, and what was he doing here?

And why did it have to be here of all places?

Just like the first time we met, our second meeting was over dumplings.

Both times, it was dumplings.

‘A monk who appreciates the taste of meat....

’ It seemed Peng Woojin was right—this place’s dumplings must truly be amazing.

“One more plate of dumplings, please,” Peng Woojin called out.

“Right away!

” The waiter took away the empty plate, and Shinryong’s expression brightened visibly.

“You starving?

” “...

No.

” “Doesn’t look like it.

” When I teased him, Shinryong stopped replying altogether, clearly choosing to ignore me and focus on his food instead.

Seeing that, I let out a small laugh, took a sip of tea, and observed him quietly.

Then, the nearby murmurs drifted over to me again.

“So, you’re saying that young man is So Yeomra?

” “They called him the Divine Dragon once, didn’t they?

But why is he so quiet these days...?

” The man paused before continuing.

“They also said he was the youngest Hwagyeong in history.

” Shinryong flinched, his hand trembling as he picked up another dumpling.

“Come on, you can’t seriously believe that nonsense.

” “No, I’m just saying that’s what the rumors were.

It’s strange for someone so famous to be this quiet, isn’t it?

” Their hushed voices were clearly audible to me.

They probably thought they were being discreet, but there was no hiding from my heightened senses.

“Well, maybe it’s because he hasn’t been active...

” “Still, something about it seems...

off.

” Just as I began to eavesdrop more carefully— Buzz.

“Hm?

” A sudden surge of Qi enveloped the area.

It was a Qi Barrier, and the energy contained within it was anything but ordinary.

Clean, pure, and meticulously refined—it was unmistakable.

‘This kind of energy....

’ I turned my gaze to the side.

“What are you doing?

” “...

” The Qi Barrier had been cast by Shinryong.

It seemed he wanted to block the outside conversations from reaching us.

“What’s the point of this?

” I waved my hand in the air and questioned him.

Peng Woojin and I could hear the same whispers, so why go out of his way to cast the barrier on me?

“Are you trying to be considerate?

” “That is not the case....

” Shinryong avoided my gaze and didn’t elaborate further.

I had no idea what he was thinking as I tilted my head, watching him closely.

That’s when Peng Woojin broke the silence.

“So, Young Master Gu,” he said suddenly.

“Why haven’t you visited the main family yet?

” “...

What?

” The abrupt question made me frown.

“I even gave you a token, asking you to visit.

Surely you haven’t forgotten?

” “Oh.

” Now that he mentioned it, I vaguely remembered receiving something like that.

‘A black Mokpae, wasn’t it?

’ It was supposed to ensure a warm welcome at the Peng family manor.

But years had passed since I’d received it, and I’d never once visited.

“I haven’t had any reason to go.

I’ve been busy.

” Between all the chaos and struggles to survive, I’d barely had time to take care of myself, let alone pay a casual visit.

Even if I had the time, I probably wouldn’t have gone.

“I’ll go if I ever find the time,” I replied dismissively.

“Hmph.

I’ll hold you to that.

” “Don’t hold your breath....

” The weight of his persistence was overwhelming.

Why was he so fixated on me?

“...

So, Peng Gongja, are you really ❖ Nоvеl?ght ❖ (Exclusive on Nоvеl?ght) planning to participate in the Bi-mu-je?

” Trying to change the subject, I asked.

“Of course.

I’ve already registered,” Peng Woojin replied, holding up his Mokpae as proof.

It was identical to mine, confirming his participation.

“Why bother?

” “Why wouldn’t I?

A martial artist participating in the Alliance’s Bi-mu-je is perfectly normal.

” I couldn’t argue with that logic.

“And they’re calling it the most spectacular one yet.

How could I not be excited?

” The most spectacular Bi-mu-je ever.

That’s what the Martial Alliance had promised.

And it wasn’t an exaggeration.

Judging by the scale of the event and the rewards prepared for it, it truly lived up to the hype.

There was the Grand Pill crafted by Shaolin...

...

and one of the Five Legendary Swords of Zhongyuan, the Golden Heaven Dragon Sword, which the Alliance had kept in its possession.

Then there were rare silk martial robes from the Moyong family and three years of financial sponsorship from the Alliance’s own trading company.

Just hearing about the rewards was enough to make anyone’s eyes widen.

But for most martial artists, the most significant draw was likely something else entirely.

‘The reestablishment of the Shinryong Corps.

’ The Corps had been a symbol of justice within the Martial Alliance, where only the best of the best had served.

Though its glory had faded, the Alliance was using this Bi-mu-je as a platform to announce its return.

The rewards even included the promise of a place in the new Shinryong Corps for the most outstanding participants.

In other words, this Bi-mu-je was ultimately a recruitment drive for the Corps.

The Shinryong Corps had been synonymous with the Martial Alliance’s strength and honor.

For martial artists obsessed with fame and recognition, it was an opportunity too good to pass up.

And there was another reason the Corps held such allure.

‘Its commanders were often hailed as the greatest martial artists of their era.

’ Though this was a fact from the distant past, it still carried weight.

“When the Sword Master was still the leader of the Martial Alliance, right?

” The Sword Master had once commanded the Shinryong Corps.

Though he later rose to the position of Alliance Leader, he was known as the greatest swordsman, not the greatest martial artist.

In the end, the Shinryong Corps was dismantled.

Stories of its glory eventually faded into obscurity.

However— ‘Martial artists won’t care about that.

’ The leader of the Shinryong Corps is destined to become the greatest martial artist under heaven.

Chasing after the legacy of that story, martial artists would flock to it like moths to a flame.

That’s simply the nature of the martial artists of Zhongyuan today.

“So, Peng Gongja, does this mean you’re interested in that story as well?

” I asked Peng Woojin as I idly toyed with my teacup.

He smiled and replied.

“Of course.

Wasn’t that also why you, Young Master Gu, applied to participate in the Bi-mu-je?

” “Hmm.

” I let out a low hum in response to his question.

Frankly, I wasn’t particularly interested in things like the Grand Pill or the legendary sword.

The Grand Pill?

I already had more Qi than I could ever need, and I still possessed a Dokcheon Pill.

In fact, I had the original recipe for the Grand Pill itself, so what use would it be to me?

Not to mention, I was already digesting the energy of the Ice Crystal.

In terms of Qi, I lacked for nothing anymore.

While it’s true that having more is always better, at this point, even I wasn’t sure what would happen if I added more.

‘Fine, let’s say I don’t need the Grand Pill.

Then what about the legendary sword?

’ That was equally meaningless.

I already had a sword of that caliber hanging from my left arm.

Besides, I wasn’t even a sword fanatic, so I had no interest in it.

Even if a rare gauntlet were to be offered instead, it would be the same story.

I simply wasn’t interested in the treasures themselves.

Whether it was silk clothing or trading company sponsorships, those didn’t matter to me either.

So that left only one thing.

‘The Shinryong Corps.

’ As I thought of this, a faint smile crept onto my lips, and I spoke to Peng Woojin.

“Yes, I wouldn’t say I’m entirely uninterested.

” That was the only thing I needed.

It was the sole reason I bothered to participate in the Bi-mu-je.

‘Yes.

’ The Shinryong Corps.

To be precise— ‘I need a position.

’ Not just any position, but one that was massive, heavy, and expansive enough to completely obscure my identity.

Thinking along those lines, I spoke, and Peng Woojin’s expression shifted into something ambiguous.

“Hmm, I see.

” Even as he answered, his face remained unreadable, making it impossible to discern what he was thinking.

From the first time I met Peng Woojin, his eyes had always been like that— Playful and light on the surface, but completely opaque beneath.

It was a stark contrast to Peng Ahui, who seemed straightforward and cheerful.

Even his father, the head of the Peng family, had a sort of transparent bluntness to him, albeit in a negative way.

‘Maybe that’s why I can’t help but be wary of him.

’ That kind of demeanor naturally drew a line between us.

That’s what Peng Woojin was to me.

“...

” “...

” With the conversation having run its course, an uncomfortable silence lingered.

It was a silence where neither of us felt inclined to speak.

Should I say something to break it?

I briefly debated before opening my mouth— “Your food is here!

” The waiter arrived with the dumplings we’d ordered earlier, breaking the awkward atmosphere.

“Oh!

” Peng Woojin’s face lit up with his characteristic grin at the sight of the dumplings.

“They look delicious.

Let’s dig in.

” Prompted by Peng Woojin, everyone reached for their chopsticks.

For a moment, the earlier tension was forgotten as we resumed eating.

As I enjoyed a bite of the food, I felt an uncomfortable gaze on me.

Thinking it might be Peng Woojin, I glanced his way, but it wasn’t him.

It was Shinryong.

He was glancing at me repeatedly, his expression distinctly uneasy.

For some reason, that gaze lingered until the meal was finished.

****************** The meal concluded, and we stepped outside, all looking fairly satisfied.

It was just past noon, and the bright sunlight of midday illuminated the streets.

I glanced up at the sun high in the sky and nodded to myself.

‘Looks like I’ll have time to train this afternoon.

’ The timing wasn’t bad.

I felt like I could focus on today’s training without distractions.

I’d been feeling a lack of practice recently, so this was a fortunate opportunity.

“That was an excellent meal.

As expected, this place is the best in Hanam,” Peng Woojin said as he emerged behind me.

It seemed he had taken care of the bill.

Shinryong followed him out, and Peng Woojin addressed him.

“Hey, I said I’d treat you.

Why did you insist on paying?

” “...

It was only proper that I pay for my share.

” From what he said, it seemed Shinryong had insisted on covering his portion of the bill.

He could’ve just accepted the treat, but he’d gone out of his way to pay.

‘Well, I guess it doesn’t matter.

Shaolin probably has plenty of money.

’ A place like that wouldn’t be shaken by the price of a few dumplings.

As one of their most promising disciples, he probably received allowances from various sources too.

‘For a group that preaches detachment from worldly desires, Shaolin is one of the greediest places around.

’ Not only did they run countless businesses, but they also had their base of operations firmly planted in Hanam.

There was no place quite as contradictory as Shaolin.

“Was it good?

” When I asked Shinryong as he descended the steps, he gave a faint cough in response.

His eyes, however, betrayed satisfaction.

It seemed he had enjoyed the food.

“I’m glad everyone was satisfied,” Peng Woojin said, casually picking at his teeth with a toothpick he’d found somewhere.

“Now that we’ve eaten, what’s your plan, Young Master Gu?

If you’re free, we could take a walk somewhere....

” “I’ll head back to train.

” “...

I see.

I wouldn’t want to interrupt your training.

” I had expected him to press me further, but surprisingly, he nodded in understanding when I mentioned training.

“It was a wonderful time.

I hope we can do this again sometime.

” “...

Sure, we’ll see.

” “Haha!

What a cold response!

But that’s what I like about you!

” His words made my skin crawl.

Was he doing this on purpose?

“Peng Gongja.

” “Yes, what is it?

Speak freely.

” “Just to reiterate, I like women.

And I’m engaged, too.

” “Hm?

I already know that.

” His expression was one of genuine confusion, as though wondering why I would state the obvious.

That expression reassured me somewhat.

“That’s a relief....

You’re the same, right, Peng Gongja?

” “Ah, well, the next time we meet, it’ll likely be at the Bi-mu-je.

I’m really looking forward to it....

” “Answer me.

” Damn it.

Why did he always dodge the question at the worst possible time?

Annoyed, I took a step back, and he burst into laughter.

“Hahaha!

I’m only joking.

” “Haha!

Of course, right?

” “Maybe.

” “...

Shit.

” “Well then, since everyone’s busy, I’ll be on my way.

I have a lot to attend to myself.

Haha!

” Just moments ago, he’d been suggesting a walk, but now he claimed to be busy.

What was I supposed to make of that?

Feeling drained, I had to press a hand to my forehead.

“Young Master Gu, and you as well, it was a pleasure meeting you,” Peng Woojin said, almost calling Shinryong a monk before catching himself.

Perhaps it was because there were people around.

He bowed slightly, and Shinryong awkwardly returned the gesture.

Following Shaolin etiquette seemed too much for him, so he settled for a simple bow.

‘What a spectacle.

’ Watching them, I couldn’t help but wonder what this scene even was.

“Well then, I’ll truly be off.

It was a pleasure.

Truly, truly.

” “Yes, take care.

” As his somewhat clingy demeanor finally eased, I waved him off, and he disappeared into the crowd.

To my surprise, he didn’t hesitate as he left.

With Peng Woojin gone, it was just Shinryong and me.

I turned to him and spoke.

“I’m leaving.

” “...

” I gave a curt farewell and started walking.

There wasn’t much to talk about with him anyway.

As I thought about my training schedule and walked toward my destination— “...

Why didn’t you say anything?

” I heard Shinryong’s voice behind me.

I turned to look at him.

“Were you talking to me?

” “...

” He didn’t answer, but he was definitely looking at me.

I asked again.

“Say what?

” “About what they said earlier.

” “Hmm?

” What was he referring to?

Tilting my head in confusion, something flashed through my mind.

Was he talking about what the other patrons had been saying earlier?

[So that young man is So Yeomra, then.

] [They say he was the youngest Hwagyeong in history.

] [Maybe it’s because he hasn’t been active lately.

] Those were the words they had spoken.

I asked Shinryong, “What was I supposed to say to that?

” Was I supposed to overturn the table or something?

Should I have made a scene just because they were talking about me?

‘Why bother?

’ They hadn’t even said anything particularly offensive.

At least, not by my standards.

But maybe Shinryong thought differently.

I doubted someone who revered the Buddha would get upset over something like that.

‘Maybe it did bother him, though, considering he even put up that Qi Barrier.

’ Perhaps he had been annoyed and was still thinking about it now.

“Let it go.

It wasn’t a big deal....

The food was good, so let’s just forget about it and move on.

” With that, I turned my gaze away and resumed walking toward my destination.

“...

That’s not it.

” His voice made me frown.

Annoyance began to bubble up.

Why was he being so persistent?

He’d already enjoyed the dumplings; couldn’t he just let it go?

Without turning back, I let out my irritation.

“Alright, then what is it—” “They said the youngest Hwagyeong was a baseless rumor.

” I froze.

“...

Why didn’t you refute that?

” I turned back to look at him.

“Wow.

” The annoyance I’d felt moments ago melted away, replaced by a hollow laugh.

The thoughts I’d had about Shinryong earlier were wiped clean.

“You.

” I looked at him and spoke.

“You’re not as much of an idiot as I thought.

” “...

” Hearing this, his gaze sharpened dangerously.