Childhood Friend of the Zenith

"Where have you been?

"The question was directed at Cheonma, who showed up late, just as morning was transitioning to noon.

"Taking a walk.

"The simple answer made me purse my lips.

"Are you saying you spent the entire day walking?

""Yes.

""Where exactly did you go?

""Around.

""Your answers are truly spectacular.

"It would have been better if they just refused to answer altogether.

A sigh almost escaped me, but I managed to hold it in.

‘Not like it matters anyway.

’Wherever they went, or even if they disappeared entirely, it had nothing to do with me.

In fact, it would probably be better if they vanished.

Worrying about it was just foolish.

"Tsk.

"Clicking my tongue, I began to move.

As I did, Cheonma silently followed behind.

I considered telling them to get lost but decided to ignore them instead.

Walking, I looked up at the sky.

The crimson sky still felt alien.

And yet...

‘Hmm…’Judging by the position of the sun, I figured it was noon.

But something felt off.

‘Time feels strange.

’It seemed like noon had already passed, and the sun should have been setting by now, yet it still shone brightly in the sky.

‘Am I imagining things?

’Maybe it just felt like time was moving slowly.

But no, that didn’t seem right.

‘The days here are different from Zhongyuan.

’That was the only logical conclusion.

If so, how was that even possible?

Then again...

‘Time itself is already out of sync, so what's the point of dwelling on it?

’I had more pressing concerns than questioning every anomaly around me.

"Haap!

""Haap, haap!

"The sounds of training shouts, echoing since morning, continued unabated.

Their intensity hadn’t waned, even as time passed.

Glancing briefly in their direction, I kept walking.

‘Martial artists, huh.

’They wielded wooden swords with impressive vigor.

Their appearances varied, but their demeanor was unmistakably that of warriors.

Beings from another world.

Yet they practiced martial arts from Zhongyuan.

The peculiar dissonance was hard to put into words.

Was it just a matter of preconceptions?

Or perhaps…‘Is it something I just can’t accept?

’I scratched my neck, brushing aside a fleeting sense of unease.

I tried to quicken my pace to leave the thoughts behind.

"Greetings.

"Someone appeared before me, blocking my path.

It didn’t startle me—I’d been aware of their presence all along.

"Yes.

"My curt reply didn’t erase the smile from the woman’s face.

My gaze naturally shifted to her ears.

Like Gubong, she had the ears and tail of a beast.

The difference was that she resembled a feline, while Gubong was more wolf-like.

Observing her closely, I asked, "Who are you?

""I am Seol Yeong, a First Disciple currently responsible for the education of the Third Disciples.

"Another First Disciple, huh?

My eyes narrowed instinctively.

My previous encounter with Gubong, where I’d beaten him senseless, had left an impression.

Noticing my reaction, Seol Yeong hurriedly waved her hands.

"Oh, don’t worry.

I’m nothing like that idiot Gubong.

"As if she’d heard about the incident, she quickly offered an explanation.

"My fellow disciple is naturally jealous and clueless.

I knew he’d cause trouble.

"Her constant nodding, as if empathizing, almost made me laugh despite myself.

Her demeanor suggested she’d dealt with Gubong’s antics one too many times.

"He’s got no sense of limits.

When he ends up bedridden, guess who has to clean up the mess?

Me.

""Should I apologize?

""Oh, no, no!

I’m not blaming you.

It’s just… he’s so frustrating.

Does he really have to live like that?

"Her expression, filled with genuine exasperation, convinced me she wasn’t here to pick a fight.

"So, if you’re not here to cause trouble, what do you want from me?

"If she wasn’t here to complain about Gubong, then there had to be a reason for her appearance.

Getting straight to the point, I prompted her to explain.

Her eyes widened slightly.

"I’d heard about you, but now I see it’s true.

""Heard what?

""Do Dong said you resemble the head of the sect.

""…What lunatic said that?

"Who the hell had the audacity to say something so absurd?

I wanted to drag them here and break every bone in their body.

"Uh… the gatekeeper.

Don’t you remember?

""Oh.

"The description matched that tiny old man.

I vaguely remembered his face but not his name.

So, he was Do Dong?

‘Let’s see what happens if I see him again.

’I made a mental note not to let it slide.

"Ha ha…"Seol Yeong chuckled awkwardly, sensing my displeasure.

Watching her, I scowled.

There was no way I could smile after hearing such nonsense.

"So, what do you want?

"My tone grew sharp.

It wasn’t polite to begin with, but now, any trace of courtesy had vanished.

"Well, it’s just… I heard you easily defeated Gubong.

""Yes, so what?

Do you want to fight me too?

""What?

No!

I hate getting hit.

""…"What’s with that phrasing?

Did that mean Gubong actually enjoyed it?

That was something I didn’t need to know.

"Then what…?

""Ah, right.

Actually…"Seol Yeong hesitated before cautiously continuing.

"I was just thinking it might be refreshing for my disciples to have a new experience.

You know, a different kind of training…""So?

""They’ve only trained here and haven’t had many diverse experiences.

I thought perhaps you could show them something new…"I understood what she was getting at.

"So you want me to be a spectacle for your disciples?

""Not a spectacle, more like… a demonstration of martial arts.

""No.

"I walked past her immediately.

I was already busy enough without wasting time on something like that.

"Ah—!

Wait a moment!

"Seol Yeong followed after me.

"Couldn’t you reconsider, for the sake of nurturing the next generation?

""No.

Not even once.

""But perhaps, with your broad generosity, you might…""My generosity isn’t broad.

It’s narrow.

Very narrow.

""Oh, come on!

That’s just a matter of perspective.

Generosity can always be expanded.

""…"I stopped walking and turned to look at her.

"Ugh.

"Seeing my expression, Seol Yeong flinched.

I must’ve looked visibly irritated.

"Why do you keep pestering me?

I already said no.

""Ha ha ha…""Do I look like someone easy to deal with?

No one’s ever called me kind or agreeable.

""Yes, you certainly don’t look it.

""What?

""Uh, just kidding!

Ha ha ha…"What’s wrong with this woman?

I’d rarely encountered such a persistent personality.

Should I just beat her up?

"I don’t like getting hit," she said, almost reading my thoughts.

"…Can you read minds?

""No, I just had a hunch.

Was I right?

""You’re surprisingly perceptive.

""Thank you.

I get that a lot.

""Then you should know what I’ll do if you keep this up, right?

""…"Seol Yeong took a cautious step back.

She seemed to have a decent sense of self-preservation.

Still, it didn’t look like she’d leave easily.

And I couldn’t actually beat her up, so I sighed and opted for another approach.

"Even if it’s a request, I can’t just agree to anything.

Get permission first.

""Permission?

""Yes.

If your sect leader approves, then I might consider…""Oh, I already got permission.

""…What?

"I frowned.

"You got permission?

""Yes, I asked the sect leader beforehand.

""And that crazy old man said what?

""He said to do as I please.

""…"I instinctively pressed my fingers to my temples.

That old man had completely lost it.

"Even though he acted all busy earlier, saying he’d only be gone for a short while, when did he even approve this?

" Suspicious, I asked Seol Yeong, "…Are you lying?

"I wondered if she was just making something up to convince me.

But her answer was quick.

"Ah, the sect leader did say that you might say something like that.

""…""And he told me to respond like this.

""…What did he say?

""‘He’s just a useless brat who eats, sleeps, and craps all day anyway.

Quit whining and get to work, you rotten kid.

’""…""‘Tell him that,’ is what he said… I think.

"Even Seol Yeong seemed to realize how harsh it sounded, as she wore an awkward expression.

‘…Damn it.

’It was unmistakably something Shin Noya would say.

"Sigh…"A sigh escaped me naturally.

I already had a mountain of things to deal with.

I was busy enough trying to figure out how to return to Zhongyuan, and now, what?

Help train disciples?

‘Is he insane?

’He tells me to stay put, not go anywhere, while he conveniently disappears and dumps this on me?

"…That old man is unbelievable.

"Frustration boiled over.

I felt tempted to just storm off.

But as the thought crossed my mind—"Ah.

"A sudden idea struck me.

"Honored guest?

""Let’s go.

""What?

""Let’s go.

I’ll do it.

""Uh, suddenly?

""Yes.

"After all my refusals, my abrupt agreement left Seol Yeong flustered.

But I was completely serious.

I even let a faint smile cross my face, which made her eyes twitch slightly in confusion.

"This should be fun.

Let’s give it a try.

""…Uh, what?

"Her reaction grew increasingly puzzled, but I meant it.

‘He’s dead.

’Daring to dump this kind of task on me?

A fiery determination began to simmer within me.

As I had told Seol Yeong earlier: ‘I’ll make him regret it.

’ My generosity was incredibly narrow—and exceptionally petty.

*************I followed Seol Yeong to the training grounds where the shouts of effort echoed from morning to evening.

"Teacher!

"As soon as Seol Yeong appeared, the trainees who had been wielding their wooden swords stopped and turned toward her with bright expressions.

"Have you all had lunch?

""Yes!

"Their voices boomed in unison.

The trainees’ ages varied—some looked to be in their early teens, while others seemed just past twenty.

Seol Yeong smiled warmly at them before turning her gaze to me.

"Everyone, show your respect.

This is an honored guest brought by the sect leader.

""Greetings!

"Their attire resembled the martial uniforms I'd seen in Zhongyuan's Mount Hua Sect.

‘Was it modeled after those?

’It seemed likely that Shin Noya, with his retained memories, had crafted them.

How he managed to replicate such details was a mystery.

‘He must’ve made good use of those hundred-plus years.

’I had been slightly worried before, but it seemed unnecessary now.

As I observed the third-generation disciples, I turned to Seol Yeong.

"So, Seol… Miss Seol?

"Unsure of how to address her, I hesitated, which made her chuckle lightly.

"Just call me Seol Yeong.

The sect leader did call you an honored guest, after all.

""Alright, Seol Yeong.

""Wait, I didn’t mean you should drop all formalities…"Ignoring her protest, I stepped forward.

"Your instructor here asked me to demonstrate something that might help with your training.

"I glanced back as I spoke, looking for Cheonma.

She was already crouched in the shade of a nearby tree, watching silently.

Confirming her location, I turned my attention back to the disciples.

And then—Fwoosh.

Blue flames ignited around my hand.

"Whoa…""Wow…"The fire spread steadily across my body, its glow reflected in their widening eyes.

"Whoa…"Even Seol Yeong was mesmerized, staring at my flames as though she’d never seen anything like them before.

To me, their unique appearances were far more fascinating.

But judging by their reactions, this was a novelty to them.

Smiling faintly, I spoke.

"This is the kind of thing I can show you.

"I could make it far more impressive, but there was no need to mention that.

Poof.

The flames vanished in an instant.

Disappointment flashed in their eyes; they clearly wanted to see more.

But internally, I thought to myself:‘Don’t worry.

I’ll give you all a proper show soon enough.

’Dusting my hands off theatrically, I used the pause to shift their attention.

"Instead of something flashy, I think it would be more effective to try something practical.

""Practical?

"Seol Yeong tilted her head, curious.

"Yes.

If it’s training, wouldn’t it be better to experience it firsthand rather than just watching?

""Experience it firsthand?

What do you mean…?

""Why not try some sparring?

"Seol Yeong’s reaction was immediate and flustered.

"Sparring, honored guest, that’s…""Hah…"A scoff came from somewhere.

Turning my head, I saw a large figure among the group.

He stood out with his massive build and an expression that clearly didn’t sit well with him.

Good.

‘Of course.

’No matter where you go, there’s always someone like that.

I’d been hoping for one.

Looking at him, I asked, "What’s so funny?

"Caught off guard by my direct question, he hesitated for a moment before stepping forward.

As he drew closer, his sheer size became even more apparent.

He was taller than my father or even Elder Il.

He was practically a bear—or perhaps…‘Wait, those ears…’They resembled a bear’s.

"Senior brother, not again!

""There he goes starting trouble!

"Sighs of frustration rose from the other disciples.

It seemed this one was known for his temper.

However—"My apologies.

"The large man offered an unexpected bow.

For a moment, I thought he might disappoint me.

"I just found your suggestion curious, honored guest.

"Not a disappointment, after all.

"Curious?

In what way?

""I don’t see how you could have the qualifications to lead such sparring.

""Oh.

"I couldn’t help but let out a small exclamation.

This guy really had the nerve to say that outright.

"Do-ung, you—!

"Seol Yeong tried to intervene, but I held up a hand to stop her.

Judging by the reactions around me—‘They don’t all know I beat that Gubong guy to a pulp.

’It seemed likely.

If they knew, they wouldn’t react like this.

Smiling broadly, I asked, "Qualifications?

Do I look unqualified to you?

""From what I see…"He gave me a once-over, his gaze critical.

"You don’t inspire much confidence.

""Mm.

"Though my face could look a bit stern, I was often mistaken for being younger than I was.

It wasn’t entirely unjustified—I was still young, after all.

This kind of treatment wasn’t new, and I found it both refreshing and amusing.

‘Though it helps that I’m intentionally concealing my energy.

’But that wasn’t something he needed to know.

"So, you think I look too weak to teach?

""Not exactly, but…""In other words, you think I should just stick to making flashy flames and stay quiet?

""I didn’t mean it like that…""Good.

I like this talk of qualifications.

"I casually stretched my wrist, the resulting crack unnervingly loud.

"Honored guest, wait…"Seol Yeong stepped in, clearly uneasy with how things were escalating.

I glanced at her and said,"The sect leader told me to earn my keep.

That’s what I’m doing, so let me handle this.

""But—""Don’t worry.

Nothing’s going to happen.

""…"After a moment’s hesitation, Seol Yeong stepped back.

"Now, as for qualifications… how about a wager?

""A wager?

""If you can land so much as a touch on me, I’ll petition the sect leader to grant you a favor of your choosing.

""…!

"Do-ung’s eyes widened at my proposition.

Mentioning Shin Noya had visibly shifted the atmosphere.

That old man apparently carried more weight than I’d anticipated.

"Well?

What do you say?

""Are you saying you’ll make this possible?

""Why think that far ahead?

" I waved my hand nonchalantly.

"You should only worry about that once you’ve managed to touch me—which won’t happen.

""…!

"His pride visibly stung, and his expression twisted.

"So, are you in?

"Instead of answering, Do-ung clasped his fists in a formal salute.

"I am Do-ung, a third-generation disciple of Mount Hua.

"His earlier nonchalance disappeared, replaced with proper decorum.

His stance carried a faint echo of Shin Noya’s teachings.

"Gu Yangcheon of Shanxi.

"I matched his formality.

As our introductions concluded, Do-ung reached for his sword.

"Don’t regret this.

"His movements prompted the other disciples to scatter, creating distance.

I remained still, observing his body.

Solid muscle.

The moment he assumed his stance, his muscles responded with precision.

His lower body, in particular, seemed exceptionally sturdy—comparable to Tang Deok’s.

‘The standard of these third-generation disciples is absurdly high.

’In Zhongyuan, third-generation disciples were, at best, second-rate—or first-rate if they were exceptional.

Even when I first encountered the elite, excluding Yeongpung, they weren’t this capable.

‘The gap is too wide.

’Between Gubong yesterday and now Do-ung, it was clear that this world was stronger than Zhongyuan.

Was it Shin Noya’s teaching?

Or…‘Is it because they’re not entirely human?

’Mulling over the thought, I loosened my fingers.

"Take a proper stance," Do-ung said, eyeing me critically.

I smiled.

"If it’s necessary.

""…"His thick eyebrows twitched at my retort.

Before he could act, I spoke again,"Oh, just in case… let me say something first.

"Do-ung hesitated briefly.

"There was someone yesterday who underestimated me and got their ass handed to them.

So, I suggest you take this seriously.

Assess the situation properly.

""…"He frowned at my words but didn’t reply.

Instead, his grip on the hilt of his sword tightened.

Watching him, I glanced over at Seol Yeong.

Noticing what I was hinting at, she hurriedly raised her voice.

"Ah…!

Uh, sparring!

"Her hand rose before pointing downward.

"Begin!

"With that—Clink.

The moment Do-ung began unsheathing his sword—Thunk.

"…Huh?

"For some reason, the blade refused to leave its scabbard.

It felt as though something was obstructing its movement.

"What’s this?

"Do-ung’s confusion was evident, but before he could process it further—"I told you," I said.

"…!

"He quickly lifted his head, startled.

I was already standing right in front of him.

I pressed my hand firmly on the pommel of his sword, preventing it from being drawn.

"There's no need to worry.

"Thud!

"Ugh!?

"I struck his knee joint, forcing his body to collapse forward.

"And no reason to hold back!

"Before he could recover, I drove my fist into his face.

BAM!

"Guh…"With a dull groan, his massive frame crashed to the ground.

Thud.

As his body hit the floor with a heavy sound, I stepped aside to avoid the cloud of dust rising around him.

Just like that, the sparring session was over.

"…""…Huh?

"The onlookers stared blankly, their expressions frozen.

It seemed they hadn’t fully processed what had just happened.

An uncomfortable silence settled over the area.

Amidst the quiet—"…"Seol Yeong, her face filled with shock, spoke as if muttering to herself.

"You said nothing was going to happen.

"Her wide eyes screamed, What the hell was that?!

Catching her expression, I replied with one of my own.

"Did you actually believe that?

""Unbelievable!

"Ignoring Seol Yeong’s impending outburst, I turned to address the rest of the third-generation disciples.

"Next.

"Unsurprisingly, no one stepped forward.

Of course, I had no intention of letting them off so easily.