Childhood Friend of the Zenith

A child of the Eulryeong Sword Queen.

Muk Yeon’s eyes wavered as he read those words on the scroll.

Watching his reaction, I lowered my gaze.

I was curious.

Just how would Muk Yeon, once a core figure in the Murim Alliance, react to anything related to the Eulryeong Sword Queen?

Did he know what happened during the so-called ‘war’?

And more importantly— ‘Were you involved?

’ I wanted to know Muk Yeon’s connection to that incident.

That was why I had included something I could have easily left out.

Show me.

If he knew something, even just a fragment of what he witnessed back then— Show me a glimpse of that world you saw.

As I studied Muk Yeon’s expression, “...

The Eulryeong Sword Queen...

she...

” “...

” Muk Yeon’s voice trembled faintly.

And seeing that, I thought to myself— ‘Hold.

’ His reaction was...

subtle.

Not quite shock, but not nostalgia either.

What could he possibly feel nostalgic about?

It wasn’t enough to suggest a clear memory.

And that was disappointing.

‘There’s no way you didn’t know.

’ The possibility that Muk Yeon was unaware of the Eulryeong Sword Queen?

Slim to none.

This man had been at the heart of the Murim Alliance during its golden age.

Even now, he was leading efforts to rebuild and reorganize the Alliance just weeks after his return.

Restoring public trust, purging corruption, and repairing broken systems—all at a pace that left me speechless.

A man who had been resting for only a short time was already doing this much.

‘I can only imagine what he was like back then.

’ There was no way this man didn’t know.

So there were only two possibilities.

Either he had been complicit in what happened— Or— ‘He knew and turned a blind eye.

’ I wanted to know which it was.

Though, in the end— ‘It doesn’t change the outcome.

’ Whether he was involved or not, my decision wouldn’t change.

Only the process of getting there might shift.

Based on his reaction now— ‘I need to probe further.

’ With that thought, I stared at Muk Yeon as he spoke again.

“How did you come to know this woman, Commander?

” He asked about my connection to Bong Soon, the daughter of the Eulryeong Sword Queen.

I adjusted my expression and replied, “Do I really need to explain that?

I don’t recall that being part of our contract.

” “...

” No matter the circumstances, the five people I selected were guaranteed positions in the unit.

That was clearly written in our agreement.

Muk Yeon couldn’t question my choices.

And he knew that.

“Commander.

” “Yes.

” “...

Are you aware of who the Eulryeong Sword Queen is?

” “Of course.

Naturally.

” I answered like it was obvious.

“She was the criminal who prepared the War of Righteousness and Demonic Conflict, wasn’t she?

” “...

” Muk Yeon’s eyebrows twitched ever so slightly at my blunt response.

That’s right.

The Eulryeong Sword Queen was branded as a traitor and criminal.

That was the history written by the Murim Alliance.

“And you still brought this woman here, knowing that?

” His tone carried an undercurrent of disapproval.

Hearing it, I couldn’t help but smile.

“Haha.

Why are you acting like this, Advisor Muk?

” “...

What?

” “Doesn’t a parent’s crimes have nothing to do with their child?

And besides, we’re talking about an illegitimate child, aren’t we?

” “...

” “Moreover—” I pointed at a specific line in the scroll.

“Look at this.

The Emei Sect is vouching for her.

What’s there to be concerned about?

” Pi Yeon-yeon.

Daughter of the Pi Family, supported by the Emei Sect.

Not just any supporter, but Moon-Splitting Fist Immortal, their sect leader.

With that kind of backing, the justification was airtight.

Of course— ‘The Emei Sect is the problem.

’ Out of all sects, it had to be them.

I had a feeling the Eulryeong Sword Queen, the Emei Sect, and the Murim Alliance were tangled in some way.

And because of that, Muk Yeon was likely battling his own doubts, regardless of the official guarantee.

“So it doesn’t seem like there’s a problem.

Or...

is there something else bothering you?

” “...

No matter how you justify it, public perception exists.

” “Well, sure.

” “This could cause issues within the Alliance itself, regardless of the conditions you’ve outlined.

” “An issue...

You mean bringing a traitor’s child into the Murim Alliance?

” And not just any child— “The daughter of a woman who nearly ignited the War of Righteousness and Demonic Conflict?

” “...

Exactly.

” I nodded as if I completely understood.

“Hm.

” Of course, it was all an act.

“Advisor Muk, what should we do, then?

Should I remove her and pick someone else?

It doesn’t really matter to me.

” I spoke casually, as if I didn’t care.

“I only ❖ Nоvеl?ght ❖ (Exclusive on Nоvеl?ght) recently found out about this myself.

I knew it might cause trouble, so I included her just in case.

But if it’s an issue, I’ll remove her.

” “...

That’s...

” “Like you said, it might cause problems.

” “...

” As I spoke, I reached for the scroll, intending to pull out Bong Soon’s profile.

Grip.

“Hm?

” The scroll didn’t budge.

Muk Yeon was holding it firmly.

“Advisor Muk?

” “You mentioned conditions earlier.

I wasn’t suggesting removing her outright.

” I narrowed my eyes.

“Then?

” “I’ll remove the last line.

As long as you handle that part, it should be fine.

” The last line— ‘Descendant of the Eulryeong Sword Queen.

’ Muk Yeon wanted that detail erased.

In other words— ‘He’s willing to overlook it and let her in.

’ Muk Yeon’s reaction confirmed it.

‘This old man’s definitely connected.

’ He had some ties to the Eulryeong Sword Queen.

‘And this is risky.

’ Not for me.

For Muk Yeon.

He was already wary of me— Using me to clean out corruption within the Alliance, but also watching me closely.

And yet, despite his suspicions, he wanted to bury this detail and let Bong Soon in.

‘Why is he so concerned about her?

’ Whatever it was, Muk Yeon was willing to keep her identity a secret, even at the risk of exposing his own connections.

I understood it.

Muk Yeon was fully aware of what this decision entailed.

‘And yet, you’re still going through with this?

’ I found it surprising.

I had fully expected him to tell me to remove her.

I had even prepared my next moves under the assumption that he’d reject her outright.

‘Looks like I’ll have to go with the third option.

’ The first and second approaches were now scrapped.

I needed to switch to the third plan immediately.

“Would keeping it a secret even change anything when you already know, Advisor Muk?

” “I’ll handle it.

I’ll speak with the Emei Sect separately.

” “Hmm.

” So he wasn’t even trying to hide how much it bothered him.

At this point, I had no choice but to ask.

“Why?

” Muk Yeon frowned at my question.

“...

” “Is it the Eulryeong Sword Queen herself that’s the problem?

Or is it the fact that she’s her daughter?

I just don’t get why you’re reacting like this, Advisor Muk.

” Thinking of his slip, I decided to be blunt.

And Muk Yeon’s gaze sharpened.

“I’ll answer your question the same way you answered mine earlier.

” “...

” I shut my mouth.

He had created a situation where I couldn’t question him further.

And now, he was telling me to return the favor.

‘Tch.

’ It was frustrating, but he was right—pressing him any further wouldn’t get me anything new.

This was already enough of a gain.

‘Muk Yeon’s overreaction confirmed he’s deeply concerned about this—and that he knows something.

’ The rest was just a matter of figuring it out.

“Fine.

I’ll take that as confirmation, then.

I’ll be on my way.

” “...

I won’t be seeing you out.

” I turned my back immediately after hearing his words.

As I walked away, I wiped a faint drop of sweat from my cheek.

I’d gotten plenty out of the conversation, but there was one thing that left a bitter taste.

‘He probably noticed.

’ Just as I had learned more about Muk Yeon— Muk Yeon had probably realized something about me too.

‘He must suspect that I know something about the Eulryeong Sword Queen.

’ Whether he had figured it out entirely or just sensed something off, I couldn’t say.

But he definitely caught a whiff of something.

I wanted to turn around and check Muk Yeon’s face.

I wanted to see what kind of expression he was wearing right now—but...

‘...

That would be a trap.

’ Looking back now might give him certainty.

So I held myself back.

Creak.

I gripped the door handle, suppressing the urge to turn around, and swallowed dryly.

I recalled the words I’d taken away from this conversation.

Muk Yeon had said to hide the fact that Bong Soon was the daughter of the Eulryeong Sword Queen.

That was his condition.

‘I’ll honor that.

’ I decided to comply with it.

It didn’t bother me.

After all— ‘I just have to keep my mouth shut, right?

’ It wasn’t like mine was the only mouth in this world.

****************** I left Muk Yeon’s quarters and headed back toward the Star Dragon Unit.

I didn’t go straight there, though.

On the way, I made a brief stop at the Iron Dragon Unit to ask Silver Wolf Sword a few questions.

Unfortunately, he wasn’t there.

So I ended up leaving after getting nothing but sour looks from the Iron Dragon members.

‘Brats...

I wasn’t the one who beat up Silver Wolf Sword, so why are they glaring at me like that?

’ I considered knocking them all down a peg but decided to let it slide.

‘I’ll let it go for Silver Wolf’s sake.

’ Despite my expectations, Silver Wolf Sword had turned out to be surprisingly reasonable.

I figured I could let this one slide for his sake.

If it had been Twin Crescent Swords, none of them would still be walking.

‘Tch.

’ Anyway— Clicking my tongue, I made my way toward the Star Dragon Unit.

There was still some time left before the one shichen deadline I had set, but I figured I could check in early and see how things were going.

‘I wonder how it turned out.

’ I had left them to sort things out on their own.

I had no way of knowing how it would have unfolded.

For all I knew, they might have talked it out peacefully instead of fighting.

‘The Alliance side probably caused a mess, but the volunteers should’ve kept things relatively calm.

’ Not a single one of them was below peak-level martial artist.

They were an absurdly strong group.

Because of that, they might not have needed to fight at all.

The difference in power could’ve been clear just by looking.

So I expected the Alliance recruits to cause chaos while the others maintained order.

With that thought in mind, I continued toward the unit— Whoosh—!

“Hmm?

” I stopped mid-step.

A heavy, dense wind of aura swept through the air.

‘Wait...

this...

’ I frowned as I felt it.

It was too familiar.

And it wasn’t just me who noticed.

Other martial artists nearby were also turning their heads toward the source.

The direction was unmistakable— The Star Dragon Unit.

As soon as I realized it, I quickened my pace.

Rumble—!

Boom—!!

Screech—!!

The closer I got, the stronger the energy and the louder the sounds.

“...

” I pressed my toes into the ground and leapt forward.

I had a bad feeling—something had gone wrong.

Whoosh—!

I arrived inside the unit’s grounds in an instant.

And what I saw— “What the hell?!

” The words slipped out of my mouth.

Screech—!!

Boom—!!

“Ahhh!

” “Move!

Get out of the way!

” An overwhelming storm of sword aura was tearing through the area.

A murderous whirlwind of blades.

A wild torrent of aura that was as violent as it was uncontrollable.

I scanned the surroundings.

“Don’t get close!

” “You’ll die if you get caught in that!

” Even the Alliance recruits and the volunteers were scrambling to avoid the sword aura.

Some were blocking the energy bursts head-on.

Others were deflecting them as best they could.

At that moment— Whoosh—!!

A blade of aura came flying toward me.

I swung my hand instinctively and shattered it.

Crack—!!

The burst of energy scattered into fragments.

My fingertips tingled.

The power behind it wasn’t just strong— ‘This aura...

’ I recognized it immediately.

It was far too familiar.

“C-Commander!

Are you all right?!

” I turned at the sound of a voice.

Someone was approaching me— It was Blazing Sword, one of the volunteers who had assisted me during the selection process.

The moment I saw him, I asked— “Explain.

” “W-What?

” He seemed startled by my suddenly informal tone.

But I didn’t care.

“Explain this.

Right now.

” I gestured toward the chaos as I demanded an answer.

Because the owner of that storm of golden sword energy and crackling thunderous gales— The overwhelming aura that made even me uneasy— “Why the hell are they fighting like that?

” —was none other than Namgung Bi-ah and Wi Seol-ah.

The two of them were fighting as if they were trying to kill each other.