645 - Childhood Friend of the Zenith

Title: My Childhood Friend, the Greatest Under the Heavens - Chapter 645: Cold Aura It felt as though my mind had frozen solid. I was at a loss for where to start my thoughts. Such was the sensation that engulfed me. 'What on earth is this guy talking about?' No matter how hard I tried, I couldn't wrap my mind around it. The complexity of it all was overwhelming. "You're saying I'm the reincarnation of the Volcanic Arcane Sword?" Me, the reincarnation of Shin Noya? Or more precisely, the body that was supposed to host the remaining essence? Upon hearing this, I couldn’t help but think: ‘What kind of nonsense is this?’ It was a staggering claim. How could events have unfolded to lead to such a conclusion? With visible bewilderment, I addressed Namgoong Myeong. "This doesn’t make any sense." "Why doesn’t it?" I had to let out a hollow laugh at Namgoong Myeong’s question. "I am not a disciple of the Mount Hua Sect." There were dozens of reasons I could list to prove it. This was the simplest among them. The only proofs of my association with the Mount Hua Sect were: ‘The aura Noya once carried and the honorary disciple tablet they handed me.’ Just the aura absorbed from that spiritual artifact and the tablet signifying honorary membership at Mount Hua Sect. And yet, they claim I'm the reincarnation of Shin Noya? ‘It makes more sense to say Yeongpung is Noya’s reincarnation.’ That sounded more believable. If the claim was Yeongpung was Noya's reincarnation, it would be easier to accept. ‘There are several similarities.’ Yeongpung is also a disciple of the Mount Hua Sect. He possesses the same martial skills, shares the same core techniques, and is heralded as the foremost talent of Mount Hua. If Noya’s essence had to be reborn, it should have been in someone like Yeongpung, not me. ‘Even if it isn’t Yeongpung.’ There could be many fitting candidates, but I wouldn’t be among them. I was certain of that. “What’s the problem with that?” Namgoong Myeong asked, as if my words bore no weight. This prompted me to furrow my brows. “Excuse me?” “I knew just by looking at you that you’re not a member of the Mount Hua Sect. I’m not blind.” “Then why are you so adamant that it has to be me?” “Because it’s meaningless.” “Meaningless?” “Let me ask you, must his reincarnation necessarily be someone from the Mount Hua Sect?” “Isn’t that only natural?” Shin Noya lived his entire life as part of the Mount Hua Sect. Reincarnation to someone of that sect would be convenient, rather than it being someone who uses martial techniques like Kwon Gak or spears, which he never practiced. ‘Noya wielded a sword.’ Not that it absolutely must be that way, but isn’t it significantly more plausible? “Hmm.” Namgoong Myeong nodded slightly. “That is a reasonable argument.” The acknowledgment came faster than expected. I anticipated more of a debate, and it felt underwhelming when it ended so quickly. “However, that is not a definitive reason.” Namgoong Myeong’s eyes passed over me, his gaze seemed probing. “Martial skills and affiliations don’t define him.” His words commanded my attention. There was a distinctive firmness to them that made me listen. “He was called the Volcanic Arcane Sword simply because he grew up in Mount Hua and wielded a sword.” Despite the evident displeasure, his words held clear recognition. A subtle distinction. This nuance, however, only heightened my focus. “Do you know by what other name Shin Cheol was known aside from the Volcanic Arcane Sword?” “…I do not.” An alternate epithet. I couldn’t recall any historical records indicating a different one. Could there really have been another title? If there was one, perhaps something akin to the Volcanic Mad Dog or the Volcanic Maniac would fit. Given that even Na Cheon Il-swordsman had once been called Na [Thunder] God, I assumed it was something along those lines. “The Greatest Sword under the Heavens.” “…!” That designation, as spoken by Namgoong Myeong, weighed heavily on me. It was inevitable. The term “greatest” was already daunting, and hearing it from someone like Namgoong Myeong intensified its gravity. He was an individual who would surely stand as a candidate for the Greatest Swordsman of that era and might have been its closest contender. For Namgoong Myeong to declare Shin Noya as the greatest without hesitation was disconcerting in its peculiar familiarity. I had no words to respond with and lingered for a moment, sensing Namgoong Myeong wasn’t finished speaking. “If he had wielded a spear from an unknown clan, he would have been the Greatest Spear under the Heavens.” His every word made my eyes widen. With his continuing dialogue, I began to understand what Namgoong Myeong was implying. “If he had used a bow, he would have been celebrated as a divine archer. Had he walked the path of stealth, no one would know his face or name.” Regardless of what he wielded or practiced, he would reach the pinnacle. These were words of near adoration. “Though mastering Kwon Gak might have been difficult... nevertheless, that’s the kind of person he was.” The comment about Kwon Gak, I surmise, accounted for the presence of Na Cheon. Even without that consideration, what I had heard thus far sparked deep contemplation. A figure who would reach the pinnacle in whatever he pursued. The image of Shin Noya I knew and this depiction did not seamlessly align, but beyond that: ‘This has nothing to do with me.’ Such notions were far removed from me. The pinnacle and the greatest under the heavens. These were terms irrelevant to my life. Furthermore, when I heard Shin Noya supposedly lived for the world and drew his sword for that cause, my thoughts crystallized: ‘I cannot be like that.’ Living for the world, neither for myself nor loved ones—this kind of life? ‘What insane talk is this? Out of sheer obligation, I could never.’ I neither could nor wanted to be someone like that. That is who I am. Therefore, I hoped it wasn’t true. Though I could perhaps accept his legacy and continue as his successor, I could not live with his mindset nor walk his path. Of that, I was profoundly certain. I felt like I simultaneously resembled and differed from Noya, as if fitting together perfectly yet somehow misaligned. Thus, it had to be this way. ‘I shouldn’t be the reincarnation of Noya.’ Surely, Namgoong Myeong had misunderstood. That was the only logical explanation. "Why are you so certain it's me? From what you've said, he was an extraordinary person, but I am nothing like him." "Successor, how old are you?" "Twenty." If I counted my past life, it'd be significantly more, but I didn't delve into those specifics. "I see. At your age, neither Shin Cheol nor I had reached this level. In terms of potential, you don’t seem lacking at all." "..." Namgoong Myeong's words made me frown. “No, it’s just…” I've reached this stage thanks to a series of fortunate encounters due to my return in time, not purely because of talent. Truth be told, if we were to talk about innate ability, I was nowhere near that level. This was something difficult to explain, leaving me somewhat perplexed. To him, reaching such a stage at my age must seem like the work of an unprecedented monster, yet it wasn't achieved purely through my own talents. Therefore, it didn’t impress me much. Watching me, Namgoong Myeong spoke with a curious expression. "Successor, it appears you wish more that you’re not involved with this matter rather than wanting to uncover the truth." "…" I couldn't deny it. "Why is that?" "Do I have to explain that too?" My patience wore thin, a hint of anger seeping into my tone. "It doesn’t matter. Whatever your reaction is, it won’t hide the truth." Namgoong Myeong responded calmly, unperturbed by my demeanor. I couldn’t decide if this was comforting or if it incensed me further. "Successor." I looked at him as he called me. "Why are you so sure it’s you, you asked?" "…Yes." The idea that I was Shin Noya's reincarnation was a concept no spirit I'd encountered mentioned to me before. So how can he be so sure it’s me? Namgoong Myeong pointed to a part of my body. His eyes guided mine to my left arm. "The Guijeong tethered to your left arm." The sword that had lost its original hue, now glowing a blue light, was Noya's cherished blade. "That is your evidence." "…!" Namgoong Myeong's words made my eyes widen in shock. "What do you mean by that all of a sudden?" This is evidence? ‘How can that thing be evidence?’ I acquired Guijeong from the secret chamber of the Divine Dragon Temple. It was something Noya found and which clung to my arm without releasing, existing long before I knew what it was. While I’ve been using it to much advantage, knowing its heritage and operation, claiming it as evidence? "How does Guijeong serve as evidence?" "Guijeong follows you. What greater proof do you need?" Ah, he must see it that way because I use Guijeong. In that case, I had an explanation. "In the past, I used another blade from a senior of yours." "A blade?" "Yes, the Paired Lightning Blades." "…" The Paired Lightning Blades used by Namgoong Myeong himself, I had wielded them back in Sichuan. Although they were said to only adhere to those of the Namgoong bloodline, oddly enough, I managed to use them. Namgoong Myeong’s lingering spirit even had exclaimed, questioning how this came to be—likely due to some peculiarity in my constitution. Given that, perhaps I'm similarly able to use Guijeong. "It’s different." Namgoong Myeong refuted once more, this time with resolute firmness. "Different?" "Forcing something and it following you are two different principles." "What does that mean…?" "Do you truly believe Paired Lightning followed you?" Briefly reflecting on the situation, I pondered. Did the Paired Lightning really follow me? ‘…Hmm.’ I had indeed wielded them, but the aftermath was severe. I forced them to my will; following is something else entirely—ambiguous in this context. "I’m not sure if it followed me or not, but it's true that I used the Paired Lightning." "True indeed. Every spiritual artifact bows its head to you." "What?" "You’re a dragon, are you not?" "…!" His blunt statement pierced like a blade. Momentarily, I failed to maintain my composure. ‘Did he know?’ It wasn’t something I intentionally hid, but nor had I prominently disclosed it. With Namgoong Myeong not mentioning it, I thought he might not be aware. Yet it seemed he knew all along. "Are you saying my ability to use the Paired Lightning is related to being a dragon?" I didn’t deny the matter of the dragon. To do so would be a waste of time. Hoping to conclude the dialogue quickly; "Naturally. Spiritual artifacts originate from dragons." "What?" His continuation took me by surprise, making me pause. I’d heard that, Spiritual artifacts were goods derived from mythical creatures classified as Bai-grade beasts. And those beings were now known as dragons. But to say this had a direct correlation with my situation? "Dragons are the true masters of spiritual artifacts. Even if they accept a human master, they irresistibly gravitate toward a dragon." "So what you’re saying is…" Because I was a dragon, I could use the Paired Lightning. Going further, that meant I could use any spiritual artifact if I so chose. Then, "My use of Guijeong could be for the same reason, could it not?" Just as I wielded the Paired Lightning, can't it be that this was how I could use Guijeong? "As I mentioned, there's a difference between something following you and using it by force. Guijeong follows you." I didn’t completely grasp the distinction, but I seemed to understand the latter part. Guijeong follows me. Unlike the harsh backlash from using the Paired Lightning, Guijeong had none. I could use it whenever I wanted, without recoil. Until now, I assumed it was due to possessing a remnant of Noya’s aura, or his lingering spirit allowing it. ‘So it wasn’t that…?’ As I recalled this, old memories resurfaced automatically. From when I first saw Guijeong at Mount Wudang, the day it came swooping toward me. ‘…’ There were too many pieces of evidence to dismiss it. Reality was closing in, leaving little room for denial. "Senior…." "Enough." Just as I was about to ask him one last question, Namgoong Myeong raised his hand to halt me. "I only came to confirm the situation and make a request. I didn't intend for a lengthy conversation." "But—" "Moreover, there is no time." Crack—! Before he could even finish speaking, a sound echoed through the space. My gaze shifted. I saw a crack forming in mid-air. The sight was familiar. It indicated that our conversation was forcibly coming to an end. I gritted my teeth as I watched. ‘Damn it, I still have so much to ask.’ While I had learned much, my questions had only multiplied. If Noya had succeeded in reincarnating and I was supposed to be the vessel, where had the essence meant for me gone? Moreover, what was Namgoong Myeong's purpose here? I hadn't yet discovered why he was headed to the North Sea, and now it seemed it was all over? It was unacceptable. As my eyes darted around in agitation, trying to find a solution. "The next dialogue won’t be far off. For now, I hope Shin Cheol can accompany me then." "By next time... you mean you're not disappearing for good?" That was a relief to hear. "I'm not granting you much time. However, this too is my responsibility." Tap. Namgoong Myeong extended his hand and effortlessly tapped my forehead with his fingertip. I didn’t dodge. No, I couldn’t. His movement was so natural that I couldn't react in time. At that moment, Zap—! A faint electric current skimmed through my body. It felt like a thread of lightning seeping within me. "What is this...?" "The order is set. Now go seek out Shingang." "Pardon?" "Though not part of our initial arrangement, if Shin Cheol has chosen you, that itself is destiny. It doesn't matter what you are. Thus, head there next." “…!” His curt words carried profound implications. "And." As he spoke, Namgoong Myeong gestured in another direction. Towards where the Black Lion and the Palace Lord were. "If possible, I ask you to save the bloodline of the Ice Palace." "You mean the Palace Lord…?" It was a rather abrupt request. Why suddenly ask me to save the Palace Lord in this situation? I looked at him with skepticism, to which he added more. "A personal debt is owed. They’ve given much to us, so consider this a small favor you can fulfill." "Hah." I let out a slight laugh at Namgoong Myeong’s words. So there was a request hidden behind everything he had revealed thus far. Why did he need the Palace Lord saved? That piqued my curiosity as well, but there was no time to inquire further. "If you wish for another meeting, I trust you will do at least that much." It was a request in tone, yet it felt more like an ultimatum. As I stared at him, confounded. Crack-crash—!! The fractured backdrop began to crumble further. It signaled the impending conclusion. As the falling debris expanded and the burgeoning hum of vibrations filled the space, Namgoong Myeong looked at me. “Oh, and successor.” I had no chance to respond. "Be wary of Yeon Il-cheon." "What…?" I desperately tried to ask anew at his words. Rumble—!! But the ensuing tremor impeded my voice. As the vibrations erupted, my eyes instinctively shut. When I forced them open again. “Bi O-gun—!!” Everything had already reverted to normal.