Childhood Friend of the Zenith

TL Notes: I've been itching to do that to this guy for ages.

From now on, I'll use Jegal Hyuk instead of the illogical Je Gal-hyuk.

The guy's from the Jegal clan, so it seems right to me.

________________________________“It’s been a while.

”I greeted him lightly.

The young man eating his meal—Je Gal-hyuk—looked up at me.

“It has been a while….

”“Are you eating now?

”“Yes.

Would you like some?

”“No, I’ve lost my appetite.

”I wasn’t here to eat in the first place.

“What about the elder?

”“Grandfather stepped out for a moment.

”“That’s perfect.

”I sat down across from him at the table.

Je Gal-hyuk was currently staying at the Divine Doctor’s residence.

I had considered arranging separate accommodations for him, but decided against it for the Divine Doctor’s sake.

Although it made discussions slightly more cumbersome, it wasn’t unbearable.

“By the way, hyung.

”“Yeah?

”“How is it that someone who’s supposed to be in Sichuan is here?

”It was the third time today I’d been asked that question.

“Something came up, so I came quickly.

”“Oh, that.

”Je Gal-hyuk nodded, as if he already knew.

“You’ve confirmed it already?

”“I was observing the circumstances, but I didn’t think it was the right time to send a letter, so I’ve been holding back.

”“Holding back, huh…”It seemed even to Je Gal-hyuk that something was off.

Hearing my murmur, Je Gal-hyuk placed his chopsticks down with a sharp thud and asked:“So, whose letter brought you here?

”I smirked at his question.

As expected, he was sharp.

“It seemed to be from Lady Mi, but it wasn’t her.

”“Does that mean someone interfered?

”“Exactly.

But I have no idea who.

”“When did it arrive?

”“Two days ago.

Lady Mi says she sent one too, but it wouldn’t arrive until today at the earliest.

”“Really?

”Je Gal-hyuk rolled his eyes thoughtfully.

After a few seconds, he spoke again.

“It seems like someone anticipated Patriarch Gu’s capture and made a move.

”He gave his answer without hesitation.

“The most plausible suspect is the Martial Alliance itself.

If not, it’s one of two or three others.

”“Are you certain?

”“No.

I’ll need to think more to be sure, so I can’t give a definitive answer yet….

Will you still be here tomorrow?

”“I’ll be back after visiting the Martial Alliance, so you can see me in the evening.

”“Then I’ll give you my thoughts by then.

”“Alright, thank you.

”From that brief conversation, he had already drawn a conclusion.

It never ceased to amaze me.

I’d have to deliberate much longer to arrive at such answers.

‘Though it’s not as if his conclusions are always spot on.

’A single day.

That’s all it took for him to piece things together.

And that was good enough.

Of course, Je Gal-hyuk’s words weren’t absolute truths, but—‘I can trust at least seventy percent of what he says.

’In the past, I would’ve rated him closer to ninety percent, but seventy percent was still reliable.

‘For now, I’ll move based on what he said.

’With Je Gal-hyuk’s input as my starting point, I began charting my course.

Taking a sip of water, I prepared to ask the next question.

There was something I needed to confirm first.

“So, was this letter really sent by you?

”Given what had happened earlier, I had to ask.

Je Gal-hyuk pulled out a letter, which I examined carefully.

“Yes, I sent it.

”Relief washed over me.

If even this had turned out to be false, it would’ve been a disaster.

I wouldn’t have had any idea where to begin.

This letter was also the main reason I had come to see Je Gal-hyuk today.

“What’s going on?

”The letter contained information about Tang Deok’s location being discovered and the Divine Dragon Division’s movements to capture him.

“Why has this happened all of a sudden?

”“I don’t have enough information to say for sure….

But judging by recent trends, it seemed likely.

”“Trends?

”“Yes.

Didn’t Uncle Tang tell you anything?

”“No.

”I didn’t usually talk much with Tang Deok.

I only gave orders when necessary.

“I heard there’ve been a lot of suspicious people showing up nearby.

”“Are they Martial Alliance men?

”“Most likely.

”“So, you’re not certain.

”“No.

”I rubbed my chin in thought.

Tang Deok’s current location… Hubei.

He wasn’t exactly hiding; I had sent him there on an assignment.

But now there were unusual movements in the area?

‘This is going to get annoying.

’I hadn’t even finished tying the Celestial Stream Sect to the Demonic Cult yet.

If something strange intervened here, it’d be troublesome.

Then—“What do you think?

” Je Gal-hyuk asked.

“About what?

”“From my perspective, it seems connected to why you went to Sichuan.

What do you think?

”His question made me tilt my head.

A faint unease flickered in Je Gal-hyuk’s eyes.

Seeing that, I thought to myself.

‘This is definitely different from my past life.

’Je Gal-hyuk used to frequently seek my confirmation.

As if I would know.

I was just as clueless, which is why I sought someone smarter than me.

His questions always felt peculiar.

In my previous life, Je Gal-hyuk wouldn’t have shown even a hint of insecurity.

He always believed he was right, that his deductions were infallible, and that anyone claiming otherwise was wrong.

That was the mindset of a Cheon Yura.

And the frustrating part was that he was often correct.

Only someone like Cheonma could challenge his assertions.

‘Though I think even high-ranking figures like Division Leaders would listen to him.

’Then again, he never treated people like Ghost Thief or the Green King as humans, so maybe not.

Anyway—‘This isn’t bad.

’Looking at the current Je Gal-hyuk, I couldn’t help but compare him to the past.

It wasn’t that I found him unreliable.

‘It just reinforces that he’s a different person from back then.

’The sense that the Cheon Yura I knew and the present Je Gal-hyuk were vastly different people was oddly reassuring.

“Why do you keep asking me?

If you don’t know, what makes you think I would?

”“You might know.

”“I’ve told you, you’re smarter than me.

”At my response, Je Gal-hyuk scratched his cheek.

“…I don’t think so.

”“Of course, you are.

Otherwise, why would I ask you anything?

”“Maybe because you need someone to talk to?

”“Don’t be ridiculous.

”I couldn’t believe it.

He genuinely seemed to think I was smarter than him.

What nonsense.

‘Yeah, right.

’This was the same guy who outsmarted countless experts on the battlefield, using only his wits to kill high-ranking martial artists.

‘Could I have done that?

’I imagined it briefly, but the answer was obvious.

No way.

If I could, I would’ve been a strategist instead of resorting to fists.

“Stop spouting nonsense.

Your thoughts are usually right, so don’t overthink it.

”“…Alright.

”My trip to the Sichuan Branch, the people targeting Tang Deok, and the Divine Dragon Division’s planned movements—The connections were too intricate to be mere coincidence.

‘So that means…’Did Muk Yeon foresee this and send me to Sichuan?

‘That’s uncertain.

’The Celestial Stream Sect had been stirring trouble for five years.

Their recent prominence was significant, but the timing seemed off.

‘If that were possible…’Muk Yeon would’ve had to be involved with the Celestial Stream Sect from the beginning or had this plan in motion before I joined the Divine Dragon Division.

But—‘I’m the one who brought Muk Yeon back.

’Muk Yeon’s return to the Martial Alliance was expedited by the ambush incident in Hunan, which was my doing.

‘So unless Muk Yeon can see the future, it’s impossible.

’“It’s been a while.

”I greeted him casually.

The young man eating his meal—Jegal Hyuk—looked up at me.

“It has been a while...

”“You’re eating?

”“Yes.

Would you like some?

”“No, I’m not hungry.

”I hadn’t come here to eat in the first place.

“How about the elder?

”“Grandfather stepped out for a bit.

”“Perfect timing.

”I sat down across from him at the table.

Jegal Hyuk was currently staying at the Divine Doctor’s residence.

I had considered arranging separate quarters for him, but staying here had seemed like the better option considering the Divine Doctor’s situation.

It made conversations slightly more inconvenient, but it wasn’t anything I couldn’t handle.

“By the way, hyung.

”“What?

”“How did someone who’s supposed to be in Sichuan end up here?

”It was the third time I’d been asked this question today.

“Something came up, so I had to come quickly.

”“Ah, that.

”Jegal Hyuk nodded as if he already knew.

“You’ve confirmed it?

”“I was monitoring the situation, but it didn’t seem like the right time to send a letter yet, so I was waiting.

”“Waiting, huh...

”Even Jegal Hyuk seemed to think something was off.

Hearing me mutter to myself, Jegal Hyuk set down his chopsticks with a sharp tap and asked, “So, who sent you the letter that brought you here?

”I raised the corner of my mouth at his question.

This guy was sharp, as expected.

“It looked like it was from Madam Mi, but it wasn’t her.

”“Does that mean someone else intervened?

”“Exactly.

But I have no idea who.

”“When did it arrive?

”“I got it the day before yesterday.

Madam Mi said she sent her letter too, but even if it was rushed, it wouldn’t have arrived before today.

”“Is that so?

”Jegal Hyuk’s eyes flickered with thought, and after a few seconds, he spoke.

“Seems like someone anticipated that Gu Family Head would be caught and made their move.

”He delivered his conclusion straight away.

“The most likely suspect is the Martial Alliance itself, given they directly captured him.

If it’s not them, then it’s one of two or three other possibilities.

”“Are you sure?

”“No, I’d need more time to think it through before I could be certain.

I can’t give you a definitive answer yet.

Will you still be here tomorrow?

”“I’ll be back in the evening after visiting the Martial Alliance.

”“Then I’ll give you my thoughts by then.

”“Alright, thank you.

”In just that brief exchange, we’d reached a conclusion.

No matter how often I saw it, his quick thinking amazed me.

While I’d have to mull it over for ages to reach the same outcome...

‘It’s not definitive yet.

’But even just a day...

That should be enough to come up with a general answer.

And that was good enough for now.

Of course, not everything Jegal Hyuk said was always correct.

‘But I can trust at least seventy percent of it.

’In my past life, I’d have said ninety percent.

Even now, seventy percent was reliable.

‘I’ll act based on that.

’I’d start mapping out a course of action from Jegal Hyuk’s insights.

With that thought, I sipped the water in front of me.

After moistening my lips, I brought up another question.

There was something I needed to confirm first.

“So, did you send this letter?

”Given what had already happened, I had to ask.

Jegal Hyuk grabbed the letter I handed him and examined it.

“Yes, I sent it.

”That was a relief.

If even this hadn’t been legitimate, things would’ve turned into a real mess.

I wouldn’t even know where to begin untangling it.

Besides, this letter was the main reason I’d come to see Jegal Hyuk today.

“What’s going on?

”The letter detailed two key points: Tang Deok’s location had been discovered, and the Divine Dragon Division was mobilizing to capture him.

“Why did this happen so suddenly?

”“There’s not enough information to say for sure, but that’s what the movements suggested.

”“Movements?

”“Yes.

Did Uncle Tang mention anything to you?

”“No.

”I didn’t communicate much with Tang Deok.

If there were orders to give, I simply relayed them.

“I heard there’ve been a lot of suspicious people showing up nearby.

”“Martial Alliance people?

”“That’s what it seems like.

”“So you’re not certain.

”“No.

”I rested my chin on my hand, deep in thought.

Tang Deok’s current location...

‘Hubei.

’I hadn’t sent him there to hide; it was part of another task.

But now suspicious individuals were gathering there?

‘This is going to be a headache.

’The plan to link Celestial Stream Sect with the Demonic Cult was still incomplete.

If something strange interfered at this stage, it’d be a problem.

Just then.

“What do you think?

”Jegal Hyuk asked me.

“About what?

”“From what I can tell, this seems connected to why you went to Sichuan.

What do you think?

”I tilted my head slightly at his question.

There was a hint of unease in Jegal Hyuk’s eyes.

Seeing that, I thought to myself, ‘He’s definitely different from his past life.

’Jegal Hyuk often sought my opinion.

But how would I know just because he asked?

I was clueless too, which is why I’d come to him in the first place.

It was oddly disconcerting when he asked me like this.

In his past life, Jegal Hyuk wouldn’t have shown any sign of uncertainty.

He believed he was always right, that everything he deduced was correct, and anyone who claimed otherwise was wrong.

That was the mindset of Chun Yurangha.

And the frustrating thing was, most of the time, he was right.

The only person who could challenge his words was likely Cheonma.

‘Though it seemed like the Division Leaders were willing to listen...

’Or not—Sword Demon and Green King hadn’t even treated them as human, so maybe not.

Anyway.

‘It’s fine.

’Looking at the current Jegal Hyuk, I felt many things.

Not that he was unreliable, but rather...

‘There’s a definite sense that he’s a different person now.

’The Jegal Hyuk before me and Chun Yurangha from my past life were clearly not the same person.

And I found that oddly comforting.

“Why do you keep asking me?

How would I know what you don’t?

”“You might know.

”“I always tell you—you’re smarter than me.

”At my words, Jegal Hyuk scratched his cheek.

“...

I’m not, though.

”“If you weren’t, why would I come to you for answers?

”“Because you need someone to talk to?

”“Bullshit.

”I was speechless.

He genuinely seemed to think I was the smarter one.

How ridiculous.

‘Yeah, right.

’This guy had outwitted countless martial artists with nothing but his mind.

He’d solved problems on the battlefield that I couldn’t even imagine handling.

‘Could I have done the same?

’I briefly entertained the thought, but the answer was obvious.

No chance.

If I could’ve, I’d have been a strategist instead of throwing punches.

“Don’t spout nonsense.

Your thoughts seem accurate, so don’t worry.

”“...

Alright.

”The connection between my trip to Sichuan, the people shadowing Tang Deok, and the Divine Dragon Division’s mobilization...

It was too closely linked to be mere coincidence.

‘So that means...

’Could Muk Yeon have foreseen this and sent me to Sichuan?

‘It’s unclear.

’Celestial Stream Sect’s activities had started five years ago.

It was intriguing that they were becoming prominent now, but the timing seemed off.

‘If that were possible...

’Muk Yeon would’ve had to be involved with Celestial Stream Sect five years ago or orchestrating this from before I joined the Star Dragon Division.

But.

‘I was the one who brought Muk Yeon in.

’Muk Yeon’s return to the Martial Alliance had been expedited by the attack incident in Hanam.

That was something I’d caused.

‘So unless Muk Yeon can see the future, it’s impossible.

’I dismissed the idea that Muk Yeon had been part of the plan from the beginning.

The real issue was...

‘It wasn’t the first time.

’Even if it hadn’t started back then, there was a chance he’d intervened more recently.

For instance...

‘When he figured out Celestial Stream Sect’s activities.

’If he’d used that as a pretext to send me to Sichuan, it would change everything.

It wouldn’t have been a random move; it would’ve been perfectly timed with justifications in place.

‘Muk Yeon’s already been suspicious of me.

’Even if it didn’t seem like it, I’d been a major suspect in his eyes.

He likely regarded me as a strong candidate for suspicion.

If he’d sent me to Sichuan, then immediately tracked down Tang Deok’s location and mobilized forces?

‘It’s not impossible.

’It was a plausible scenario.

‘But...

’If that were true, it raised another issue.

"It’s my father’s doing.

"It was indeed about my father.

Of all times, trouble had to arise while I was in Sichuan.

Should I call this a coincidence?

No, it couldn’t be.

‘If it were a coincidence, no one would’ve played games with the letter.

’I’d figured out that Madam Mi’s letter was a forgery.

What did that signify?

‘…Someone wanted to use my father’s situation to entangle me.

’If not that, it meant that the whole ordeal involving my father had been fabricated to draw me in.

I narrowed my eyes.

‘It shouldn’t be.

’I wished it weren’t true, but at this point, I couldn’t help but think about it.

‘Could it be?

’Could it all be connected?

My journey to Sichuan, the Celestial Stream Sect’s situation, the Divine Dragon Division’s movements, and my father’s affairs— Could they all stem from the same thread?

The chilling thought sent shivers down my spine.

If that were the case, then what was the endgame of all this?

What was the purpose behind weaving everything together?

Tap.

Tap-tap.

I drummed my fingers on the table, lost in thought.

‘Is it me?

’If there was an end to this thread, it felt like it would be me.

Sending me to Sichuan to buy time, sending the letter to provoke me—‘To bring me back?

’Could it all be about getting me to return to Hanam as quickly as possible?

‘It’s all conjecture, piecing things together.

’But if someone wanted to connect it all, wouldn’t that be the intention?

It was just a wild guess, but...

‘…Shit.

’For some reason, I felt like I wasn’t wrong.

“Hyung?

”“Hoo.

”I let out a deep sigh and looked at Jegal Hyuk.

“…You said you’d have an answer by tomorrow?

”“Yes.

I’ll do my best to figure it out before noon.

”His response made me chuckle dryly.

Do my best, he said.

He must’ve read my expression to say that.

My face must’ve looked like a complete mess.

“You don’t have to push yourself.

It’s fine if you don’t come up with anything—just do what you can.

”“But...

”“For now, I have somewhere to be.

I’ll see you tomorrow, and pass my regards to the elder.

”I stood up.

I’d finished asking and delegating what I needed from Jegal Hyuk; it was time to move.

“Where are you going?

”At his sudden question, I avoided his gaze and replied.

“…Somewhere.

”There was someone I had to see.

More accurately, someone my mind wouldn’t stop wanting to see.

*******************The sun hadn’t set yet, though the sky had begun to take on the colors of dusk.

Under that changing sky, I arrived at a forest.

“...

”I landed lightly and scanned my surroundings.

The trees were lush, their leaves painted in vivid autumn hues, signaling the season’s end.

It wouldn’t be long before all the leaves fell, but for now, the sight was striking.

I began walking, taking in the scenery.

Even as I walked, my eyes wandered as though trying to capture every detail, as if to remember something.

‘…As I thought.

’It felt familiar.

The scenery, the view, even the scent carried on the wind—it was all familiar.

I’d only been here a couple of times, but it felt as though I’d spent ages in this place.

‘Strange.

’The last time I’d come here, I hadn’t felt this way.

Why did it feel so different now?

I couldn’t figure it out.

Ssssshhhhh—A breeze blew through the forest, scattering the autumn leaves.

The atmosphere was tranquil, serene.

After walking a bit further—“...

”My steps came to an abrupt halt.

There was nothing in sight, just a field.

Above, the sun was setting, painting the sky in hues of gold and crimson.

The grass swayed gently in the breeze.

It was an ordinary scene.

But for some reason, that empty spot stirred something within me.

‘No matter how much I look, there’s nothing here.

’Why did it feel like there should be something there?

I frowned and started to shake my head, when—“You’ve come?

”“...

”A voice called out from ahead.

I opened my eyes wide and looked straight ahead.

There, amidst the strange and unsettling space, was a single rock.

And on that rock sat someone.

“Hello...

”A black-haired woman waved weakly at me.

Seeing her, I frowned.

There were questions I’d wanted to ask if I ever saw her again.

I was sure of it.

“Autumn...

I told you it’d be beautiful, didn’t I?

”Her rambling momentarily shut me up.

For some reason, I couldn’t bring myself to speak.

What was she talking about?

As I pondered, the memory surfaced.

She had told me to come before autumn passed.

She’d said it would be beautiful.

“...

”Back then, I’d scoffed, wondering why I would ever come here.

Yet here I was, before autumn ended.

I ran a hand over my chest.

It felt like my insides were boiling over with emotion.

This wasn’t good.

This feeling, at the very least, was not something I should direct toward her.

“You, listen—”Just as I was about to speak, filled with irritation—“I missed you.

”“...

”Cheonma spoke with a smile.

“Truly.

”And just like that, her words silenced me again.

Damn it.