Childhood Friend of the Zenith

The murmuring around us vanished.

There had been scattered whispers, but they were swallowed by a sudden silence.

The only sound remaining was the faint crackling of the torches mounted on the walls.

After a long stretch of this oppressive stillness— "Did the Star Dragon Captain just say that?

" One of the Azure Dragon soldiers, standing at a distance, whispered cautiously.

That broke the dam.

Murmurs rose again, but this time they were centered around Ilcheon Sword.

"The captain...

used poison?

" "No, forget the poison.

What did he mean by the Celestial Stream Sect?

" The whispers, though hushed, carried clearly in the still air.

The reactions were as expected—shock, disbelief, and confusion.

"The captain was involved with the Celestial Stream Sect?

What the hell does that mean?

" "From the sound of it, it’s like the captain was working with someone from the unorthodox factions!

" "What kind of nonsense—!

" It didn’t take long for their bewilderment to turn into anger.

Was it because of their faith in Ilcheon Sword?

I wasn’t sure, and frankly, I didn’t care.

The important part wasn’t their reaction—it was Ilcheon Sword’s reaction.

“Good.

” A smile tugged at my lips as I glanced at Ilcheon Sword.

It was impossible not to laugh.

The man was a spectacle.

His trembling eyes, the beads of sweat forming on his brow, the faint quiver in his energy—all of it betrayed the deep anxiety boiling within him.

And yet— "What nonsense are you spouting now?

" This man had been active in Zhongyuan’s martial world for decades.

The moment of doubt on his face vanished in mere seconds.

"Are you so desperate that you’d resort to outrageous lies to humiliate me?

" The fleeting unease gave way to simmering anger.

His ability to quickly regain composure was impressive.

“If I didn’t know better, I might’ve doubted myself, too.

” I thought to myself.

Perhaps it takes this level of skill to hide your true nature in this ruthless world.

What a tiresome way to live.

"Lies?

That’s an unfair accusation, senior.

" "If it’s not lies, then what?

I admit I’m not pleased about the matter with the deputy, but we came here to support you.

Not to endure this mockery!

" His raised voice carried genuine indignation, as though he truly felt insulted.

How admirable.

Truly.

“Is he masking his unease with anger?

” If there’s one thing people say about me, it’s that I’m a terrible liar.

Watching Ilcheon Sword, I almost wanted to learn how he did it.

But...

"If you feel insulted, I apologize.

However, I assure you, I’m merely speaking based on information I’ve received.

" "Information?

" His eyebrow twitched ever so slightly.

"What information?

" "Nothing much...

I just happened to hear that you, Ilcheon Sword, used poison to target me.

" "Ridiculous!

Who would spread such lies—" He was about to retort when his eyes followed the direction of my pointing finger.

I was pointing at Mun Do-hyuk, who stiffened immediately under Ilcheon Sword’s scrutiny.

Ilcheon Sword frowned, his expression darkening.

He seemed to grasp the situation.

Mun Do-hyuk, meanwhile, stood rigid, his gaze darting away.

The fear in his eyes spoke volumes.

I nodded inwardly.

"This should suffice.

" His reaction confirmed my suspicion.

Betrayal had a way of leaving traces, even if subtle ones.

While it could be an act, my instincts told me otherwise.

"Does this answer your question about my source?

" It was a clear message: I know what you did.

Ilcheon Sword’s frown deepened.

He looked troubled, as though he understood the implications.

"What are you implying about that subordinate?

" "Oh?

" I couldn’t help but be impressed by his response.

"So, you’re going to play dumb?

" Not a bad move.

After all, there was no concrete evidence.

Denying everything for now was a sensible strategy.

"Are you saying you’ve never attempted anything underhanded against me?

" "As I’ve said before, I am a captain of the righteous Martial Alliance, a protector of justice and honor.

" His grip on his sword tightened.

"It’s true that I don’t particularly like you, but I would never stoop so low as to tarnish my honor with such schemes.

" "Wow.

" I almost clapped.

How could someone be so shameless?

“Justice and honor?

” I wanted to laugh out loud, but I held it in.

Barely.

Truly...

"You people never change.

" The more you peel back their layers, the more filth you find.

It was almost admirable how deep it went.

Given how much he’d shown me, it felt fair to give something in return.

"Well, since there’s no solid evidence, I apologize for doubting you first.

" I took a step back.

"As for the matter with the Celestial Stream Sect, I only heard it as a rumor.

I take it that’s untrue as well?

" Without hesitation, Ilcheon Sword interrupted.

"I won’t tolerate any more baseless accusations.

I don’t know where you heard such nonsense, but I’d sooner lay down my life than collude with the unorthodox.

" "Exactly!

Our captain would never stoop to such deeds!

" "Working with the unorthodox...

How absurd!

" His subordinates echoed their agreement.

Their faith in him was almost moving.

Watching their reactions, I whispered quietly to myself.

"Lay down your life, huh?

" Just loud enough for Ilcheon Sword to hear.

"If that’s the case, I suppose there’s no problem.

In any case, I originally came to ask about the poison, but things escalated.

" I stepped closer to Ilcheon Sword, keeping my tone calm.

"I regret the state of your deputy, but I believe I’ve explained my reasoning sufficiently.

" "That feeble excuse is your explanation?

" "Yes.

If you’re dissatisfied, feel free to report me to the main Alliance or seek justice.

But if you’re going to do that, we’ll also need to address the suspicions I have about you.

" "...

" "Even if you feign ignorance now, what will you do when we return?

" Ilcheon Sword smirked slightly, his lips curling up at my words.

"As much as you want.

I have no reason to be afraid—I’ve done nothing wrong.

But what if everything the Star Dragon Captain suspects turns out to be false?

" If what I claimed was all lies?

An impossible scenario, but if it were to happen...

"Then what?

I’ll kneel, apologize, and admit I was wrong.

That I made baseless accusations and acted out of turn.

" "Hah...

That’s quite the tempting thought," Ilcheon Sword remarked, his tone laced with amusement.

The exchange revealed much.

He doesn’t care either way.

Whether the matter was investigated or not, it wouldn’t change the outcome—for either of us.

“Because neither of us will be returning from here.

” That thought must have crossed Ilcheon Sword’s mind as well.

"Anyway...

" By this point, I had walked closer, closing the distance between us.

Close enough that, if he wanted, he could have swung his sword.

But he didn’t.

He simply stood there, glaring at me, his energy simmering with tension.

Meeting his lethal gaze, I spoke.

"If you’re not planning to deal with this now, I’ve delivered my message and shown you everything I needed to.

Can I leave now?

" I had effectively shattered his deputy and ◆ Nоvеlіgһt ◆ (Only on Nоvеlіgһt) declared my intent to leave.

Under normal circumstances, Ilcheon Sword wouldn’t have let me go.

After all, his reputation was on the line.

He should have tried to stop me, no matter the cost.

And yet— “As expected.

” Ilcheon Sword glared at me, but did nothing.

For a moment, I considered provoking him further, but instead, I simply walked past him.

"I’ll come back after discussing the ‘context’ you’ve been so eager to explain with my subordinates.

I’m sure that’s what you want as well, isn’t it?

" "...

" There was no response.

Silence, as always, meant consent.

It wasn’t hard to figure out why—he needed time.

Whether it was to prepare an excuse or plan a more insidious move.

"Or perhaps...

" “To set the stage for something far worse.

” That was likely his intent.

"As I said, I won’t let this go so easily," Ilcheon Sword growled, his tone filled with barely restrained hostility.

Though his words dripped with venom, it was clear he wasn’t planning to act now.

He was letting me go, for the moment.

I smirked and replied casually.

"Of course.

Do as you wish.

" "Tch.

" I walked past him completely.

His gaze stayed locked on my back, and the other Azure Dragon soldiers glared at me with barely concealed rage.

Feeling their hostility, I muttered under my breath.

"What are you staring at?

Look down, you bastards.

" Whoosh!

"Guh!

" "Ack!

" A brief wave of pressure rippled outward, forcing them to avert their gazes.

At the same time, I suppressed a rising surge of killing intent from within.

"That was close.

" The brief release of energy had nearly stirred the killing intent festering inside me.

I had momentarily forgotten about my precarious condition.

I needed to be more careful.

"Hooo...

" I steadied my breathing, calming myself as I scanned my surroundings.

Not far away, I spotted who I was looking for.

"Hey.

" "Y-Yes, sir!

" The man quickly responded to my call.

It was Song Hojung, the deputy of the Star Dragon Division.

"Come here for a moment.

" "...

" His face twisted into a grimace as I spoke, and he swallowed hard.

Clicking my tongue, I walked forward, motioning for him to follow.

Behind me, the other soldiers trailed nervously.

****************** Once Gu Yangcheon had left, the atmosphere in the Azure Dragon Division’s quarters grew deathly quiet.

No one dared to speak.

The soldiers stole glances at Ilcheon Sword, trying to gauge his reaction, and waited to be sure that Gu Yangcheon had truly departed.

After some time, when they were certain he was gone, the tension finally broke.

"Damn it...

What does that brat know?!

" One of the soldiers spoke up, as though he had been holding the words back.

"He dared to accuse our captain?

Poison?

What nonsense!

" "Exactly!

How dare he spout such slander!

" "It’s because he’s young.

He’s immature and only sees what he wants to see.

" "No matter how talented he is, with a temperament like that, how can he possibly run a division properly?

" The complaints centered around Gu Yangcheon, their voices filled with disdain.

"He might be strong, but strength alone doesn’t make a leader in the Martial Alliance.

" "That’s right.

He may have accomplished a lot in the recent attacks, but this time, he’s crossed the line.

" The complaints came one after another, each soldier seemingly in agreement.

It felt as if they could have gone on forever.

As the floodgates opened and pent-up frustrations spilled out— "For our captain’s sake, we must report this to the higher-ups in Hanam—" "Enough.

" The sharp, weighted voice cut through the chatter, silencing the room.

It was Ilcheon Sword, speaking with a tone laced with energy.

The gravity of his voice made everyone immediately fall silent.

In the renewed quiet, Ilcheon Sword spoke again.

"Enough pointless chatter.

Focus on cleaning up this situation first.

Take the deputy to the physician.

" "Y-Yes, sir!

" The soldiers scrambled to obey, belatedly realizing the condition of their deputy.

In their focus on Gu Yangcheon, they had nearly forgotten their fallen comrade.

Several soldiers approached the deputy, who had been quietly groaning in pain, and carefully supported him.

"Ugh...

Ngh...

" "Deputy, are you alright?

" "Move quickly!

" They moved to carry the battered deputy out.

As they passed Ilcheon Sword, one of the soldiers momentarily froze.

It was no wonder.

Ilcheon Sword’s expression was twisted with rage, his eyes blazing with killing intent.

It was the face of a man who seemed ready to kill at any moment.