Childhood Friend of the Zenith

I couldn’t utter a single word.

The wind brushed past Shin Noya and reached me, carrying the faint scent of plum blossoms.

Though the fragrance was sweet, there was an undeniable hint of sadness woven into it.

The atmosphere felt hollow and cold.

I stood silently, my gaze fixed on Shin Noya, trying to process the words I had just heard.

"The creatures emerging from the Magyeong Gate…"They were remnants of worlds that had perished when new masters took over?

The sheer weight of the revelation left my mind reeling.

When a world loses its master and gains a new one, the lifeforms within it are erased.

This had always been a known law of the world—a simple fact I had accepted as truth.

But now—"This is connected to the Magyeong Gate?

"The lifeforms weren’t simply erased.

They re-emerged as monsters through the Magyeong Gate.

And then—"We hunt them.

"The Magyeong Gate that appeared in Zhongyuan, and the monsters that poured from it, had always been hunted and exterminated.

Never once had I questioned what the Magyeong Gate truly was, or what these monsters represented.

The reason was simple.

"There was no need to.

"It wasn’t something that required deep thought.

It was just common sense.

Sometimes, the Martial Alliance or other sects would attempt to delve deeper into the process.

But even then, the most they could glean was a slightly better understanding of the monsters themselves.

In such circumstances—"Just how far does this connection go?

"How much of this was tied together?

Why did these erased lifeforms manifest as monsters?

And—"If Noya’s words are true…"What did he mean by creatures that almost became monsters?

What was this place where we now stood?

Overwhelmed by a flood of information and questions, I furrowed my brow.

As my mind churned, Shin Noya’s voice broke the silence.

"Snap out of it and move.

This isn’t the time to stop.

"I looked up, startled.

Shin Noya was already walking ahead.

Hastily, I followed and asked,"If what you said is true, then what were those creatures earlier?

""I already told you.

They’re beings that almost became monsters.

""That’s not exactly an explanation I can understand.

"If he was going to leave it at that, what was I supposed to make of it?

"If lifeforms are erased or turned into monsters, then what’s the deal with that leader?

Something feels off.

""Off?

"At my words, Shin Noya glanced at me.

"You’re wrong.

""Excuse me?

""It’s not that something is off.

That’s simply how it is.

""What…?

""When I say it almost became a monster, I mean it isn’t one.

That form you saw is likely the creature’s original state.

""…!

"His explanation made my eyes widen.

If that’s true—"…You’re saying those creatures are lifeforms from other worlds that didn’t turn into monsters?

""Exactly.

""But didn’t you say lifeforms without a master become monsters?

""Normally, yes.

""Then how—"I was about to ask why those creatures hadn’t become monsters when Shin Noya interrupted me.

"We’ve arrived.

"He turned his head, intentionally cutting me off.

His deliberate dismissal made me frown, but—"…What?

"The sight before me stole my words.

"A tree?

"A massive tree loomed ahead, its size so great that it seemed as though it might touch the clouds.

Its leaves, however—"Are those… plum blossoms?

"The distinct hue surrounding the tree left no doubt—it was a plum tree.

But why was there such a tree here of all places?

And beneath the tree, something else stood out.

"A barrier?

"Was that… a wall?

The absurdity of the situation made me chuckle bitterly.

"Let’s go.

"Shin Noya headed toward it as if it were the most natural thing in the world.

"Excuse me?

""What?

You’re not coming?

""…Is that our destination?

""What else?

We can’t exactly talk sitting on the ground, can we?

"“…”Not that sitting on the ground would bother me, but that wasn’t the issue.

I wanted to ask why something like that was here in the first place, but—"If you’re curious, I’ll explain once we’re inside.

"I clenched my mouth shut at his words and followed him silently.

Still, I couldn’t help but ask at least one thing.

"Noya.

""Hmm?

""So, what exactly is that place?

"I pointed to the tree and the barrier beneath it.

Shin Noya chuckled, then replied.

"It’s Mount Hua.

""…What?

"Hearing his answer, my face twisted in confusion.

********Following Shin Noya, I approached the barrier.

It was a massive wall constructed of stone.

I examined it with a curious expression.

"…Hmm.

"It really was just a wall.

I had wondered if there might be something hidden, like before, but there was nothing—just a simple, solid wall.

Would it break if I hit it?

The thought crossed my mind briefly.

"You look like you’re up to something.

Let me warn you—don’t do anything unnecessary.

""I wasn’t planning anything!

Don’t accuse me unfairly.

"I had been caught.

"Tsk, tsk.

"Shin Noya clicked his tongue and looked up at the barrier.

"Open it.

"Who was he talking to?

I was about to extend my senses to check when—"Oh!

"A voice responded from above.

Someone peeked their head over the wall.

Their gaze briefly flicked to Shin Noya before landing on me and Cheonma behind him.

"What’s this?

Bringing another disciple, are we?

"At that, Shin Noya’s face twisted into a deep frown.

"Disciple, my ass.

This brat is nowhere near worthy to be my disciple.

""I never asked to be your disciple!

Why are you insulting me out of nowhere?

"What was his problem?

Who said I wanted that?

As I scowled, vibrations began to rumble from the barrier.

Rumble—!!!

The massive gate in the wall began to open.

It took a while, given its thickness, but eventually, the iron doors swung open, revealing someone walking out.

"Hmm?

"I squinted, observing the figure.

They were remarkably small—barely reaching my waist.

They had a beard, so they weren’t a child, but still…Trying not to let my curiosity show, I watched as the small elderly man addressed Shin Noya.

"You’re later than expected, Master.

"Master?

The unexpected title made my brows furrow.

That wasn’t what I’d expected to hear.

Shin Noya snorted at the old man’s words.

"I was delayed because I had to drag along this fool.

""Are you talking about me?

""Who else would I be talking about?

""I was hoping it wasn’t me.

""You’ve got some misplaced hope there.

""Your insults are getting worse.

"As we began to bicker again, the small man tilted his head and asked,"Excuse me, but are you two family?

You look awfully—""You want to die?

""...

Don’t say such irritating things to someone you’ve just met.

""I mean, if you’re not, then fine.

No need to get so angry….

"It was genuinely offensive.

What part of me looked anything like that short-tempered old man?

"Comparing me to that ill-tempered brat, of all things….

""…At least I keep my insults to myself.

See?

I’m already better.

"Bang!

"Gah!

"Damn it.

He hit me again.

"You crazy old man….

""What was that, kid?

""…Aren’t you going inside?

"Before we could escalate further, the small man intervened to mediate.

"At this rate, the sun will rise before you’re done.

Don’t you agree, miss?

"He gestured to Cheonma, who nodded silently, her expression as calm as ever.

"See?

Let’s head inside.

""I’ll deal with you later.

""I won’t be there.

Why would I stick around to see your scary face?

""What was that?

""…Nothing.

Please, let’s just go.

"Practically begging, I managed to stop him, and we entered the barrier.

The space inside was surprisingly vast.

There were people everywhere, and the atmosphere was lively.

Laughter could be heard here and there, creating a cheerful vibe.

"This feels… strange.

"I narrowed my eyes as I observed the surroundings.

The atmosphere felt oddly familiar, though I couldn’t place why.

Then it clicked.

"Ah, that’s it.

"This was just like Shanxi.

When I’d arrived in the county there, the bustling energy had been similar, with a cheerful vibe.

"It’s the same.

"The resemblance was uncanny.

And that was the problem.

"Why am I feeling this here?

"Why did this place, which wasn’t even in Zhongyuan, remind me of Shaanxi?

What was going on?

Even stranger—"Why are they all so small…?

"Most of the people moving around were as small as the old man from earlier.

There were exceptions, but even then, they weren’t human.

Not in the sense I was familiar with.

No, to be precise—"Strictly speaking… Noya’s the only human here.

"Realistically, Shin Noya seemed to be the sole human in this place.

Neither I nor Cheonma seemed fully human either.

"Wait.

"As the thought crossed my mind, I glanced around.

"Where is she?

"Cheonma, who had been following behind me, was nowhere to be seen.

"Did she run off?

"If so, that would be a relief.

At least I wouldn’t have to deal with her.

But unfortunately, that wasn’t the case.

In the middle of the street, I spotted a woman with black hair.

It was Cheonma.

"What’s she doing?

"I walked closer and saw her holding something in her hand.

"A skewer?

"It looked like food.

"Hey.

What are you doing?

""This.

"Cheonma held up the skewer as if that explained everything.

"What about it?

""Eat it.

""What?

""It’s good.

""How would you know?

"I had no idea what kind of food it was.

It looked ordinary, but this was clearly not an ordinary world.

Before I could respond, the stall owner, another diminutive figure, spoke up.

"She was staring so much, I figured I’d let her try one.

Go ahead, give it a taste.

It’s good.

""Uh… okay.

""See?

They said it’s good.

""You haven’t even tried it.

How do you know?

"From the look of it, this was the first one they’d handed out.

Why was she offering it to me first?

"It’s good.

You eat it first.

"“…”What was this supposed to mean?

Was she testing it for poison, or did she genuinely want me to eat it first because it was good?

Before I could decide, Shin Noya suddenly appeared behind us.

"What’s taking so long?

"The stall owner brightened at the sight of him.

"Ah, Master!

It’s been a while!

"They seemed to know each other.

Shin Noya asked casually,"How’s business?

""Thanks to you, it’s always good.

Would you like one?

It’s on the house.

""Sure.

"Without hesitation, Shin Noya took a skewer and bit into it.

Chewing a few times, he grinned and said,"Not bad.

Go ahead and try it.

It’s as good as they say.

""Aren’t you eating?

"Cheonma kept pressing the skewer toward me.

Sighing, I took a bite.

It was a flavor I’d never experienced before, but it wasn’t bad.

Only after seeing me eat did Cheonma finally take a bite herself.

"…Was she waiting to see if it was safe?

"Her immediate action suggested that was the case, but—"Not that it matters.

"I wasn’t worried.

Thanks to my immunity to poison (Mandokbulchim), no food could harm me.

And Cheonma had never been affected by toxins in her past life, either.

"It's delicious," Cheonma remarked, nodding her head.

Her expression remained stoic, but her reaction hinted at satisfaction.

Watching her enjoy the food, I instinctively lowered the corners of my mouth.

The way she looked when she enjoyed her meal reminded me of Wi Seol-ah, and I nearly let out a laugh.

Once the skewer was finished, we moved on.

Shin Noya walked at a noticeably slower pace than before, his gait unhurried as he traversed the street.

"Master!

" "Oh!

Master!

How have you been?

" "Well, look who it is!

"People turned to him with familiarity at every step.

Despite the flood of greetings, Shin Noya wore an indifferent expression, occasionally raising a hand in acknowledgment, but that was the extent of his engagement.

"What the hell is this?

"I couldn’t help but feel confused.

This… this was like—"It feels like I’m in Mount Hua.

"The atmosphere, the people, even the overall layout—all of it screamed Mount Hua.

If martial artists were here, it would complete the image—"Hahp!

" "Huuk!

" "Fix your stance!

"…There are martial artists here, too.

As soon as we went further in, I found them.

To my surprise, this place even had martial artists.

Like in Zhongyuan, individuals of all shapes and forms were practicing with wooden swords, their movements sharp and purposeful.

And then—"This is insane…"Their sword techniques were disturbingly familiar.

It was unmistakable.

"That’s the Plum Blossom Sword Art.

"Seeing it left me in disbelief.

Turning to Shin Noya, I asked,"What is this?

""What do you mean?

""What is going on here?

Why… why is this here?

""You’re asking why there’s a Mount Hua here?

""…Yes.

"At my response, Shin Noya chuckled softly.

"Heh.

Judging by your reaction, you recognize it well enough.

That’s a relief.

""This isn’t just a resemblance…"It wasn’t just like Mount Hua.

Everything, down to the smallest detail, mirrored what I had seen when I visited it myself.

But what puzzled me most was why such a place existed in this world.

Could it be—"Did you create this, Noya?

"I posed the question, though I already had a suspicion.

"That’s right.

"Shin Noya answered plainly.

I let out a dry laugh.

Honestly, I had already expected as much.

"Who else could have done this?

"Another Mount Hua in a different world?

The only person capable of such a feat was the old man before me.

But still—"How… how did you build this in just a few months?

"The scale of it was staggering.

It looked like something that would take decades, if not centuries, to accomplish.

Yet, he’d done it in what felt like no time.

My disbelief was evident as I reacted, but Shin Noya laughed even louder this time.

"A few months?

""What’s so funny, Noya?

""Kid, do you really think something like this could be made in such a short time?

""Then what?

Are you saying this was always here?

""Not at all.

Do you have any idea how much effort I put into creating all this?

""So you’re saying it didn’t take long…?

""It took no less than a hundred years.

""…What?

"I froze in place.

"What did you just say?

"Surely, I misheard.

"I said it’s been over a century since I started building this.

From an empty land to this thriving place, it’s been a long journey.

"A hundred years?

The sheer absurdity of his claim left me speechless.

"That’s impossible.

Noya, you disappeared only a few months ago…""Didn’t you say it was just a few months for you?

"Shin Noya looked at me, his gaze filled with an oddly layered sense of relief.

"Thankfully, not much time has passed for you.

""…Noya?

""For you, it may have been only a few months.

But for me, it was not.

What I mean is this—"He extended his hand toward the sky, plucking a single plum blossom petal as it drifted down.

The petals had been steadily falling from the massive tree above us.

It was clear they came from the enormous plum tree at the heart of this place.

Holding the petal, Shin Noya looked at me and said,"It means that for me, it has been over a hundred years since I arrived in this place.

"