652 - Childhood Friend of the Zenith

Chapter 652: Returning to the Central Plains Ugh… Moans of pain reverberate. These sounds emanate from Woo-hyuk within the pitch-dark cell, lacking even a single torch for light. Barely half an hour had passed since Guhyangcheon began his "conversation" with Woo-hyuk. Yet, what transpired defied description. “Huff… huff…” The guard outside the cell had collapsed, unable to bear the brutality he witnessed earlier. The brutality seemed unfitting for a fight between acquaintances. The room was filled with the sound of bones breaking and the metallic scent of spilled blood. The lamp, once faintly flickering, had long since extinguished, leaving the scene submerged in darkness—a darkness so complete that even the dim figures were terrifying to the guard stationed there. Crunch. Amid the groans, a rough sound emerged—the grinding noise of bones realigning themselves. Curiosity gleamed in Guhyangcheon’s eyes as he witnessed this peculiar spectacle. He marveled at the bones setting on their own without any intervention. ‘I made it easy on purpose, but still, the performance is remarkable.’ His external wounds, as well as internal ones, healed swiftly. Regeneration—it truly was a power in its most literal sense. ‘If I were to sever an arm, would that regenerate too?’ Both Yuseon and Mang were capable of such feats. Could Woo-hyuk do the same? ‘It's intriguing, isn't it?’ Flinch! Woo-hyuk’s body trembled as if sensing Guhyangcheon’s fascinated gaze. “Ugh… cough.” Woo-hyuk violently spat out blood—not from a fresh injury, but as part of his internal recovery process. ‘It would be troublesome if he didn't heal, so perhaps I should refrain.’ Guhyangcheon was tempted but saw no reason to unnecessarily test the limits. ‘If it were my body, I’d have tried it.’ Since Woo-hyuk was the owner of the body, Guhyangcheon decided to show mercy, nodding slightly at his own thought. “...Huff… huff…” After a moment of trembling, Woo-hyuk finally managed to regain his composure, looking at Guhyangcheon with an exhausted expression. “…I'm sorry.” The first words Woo-hyuk uttered were an apology—unexpected from someone who had just been beaten senseless. Sighing heavily at the sight, Guhyangcheon pondered. ‘I thought venting would bring relief, but it only feels more suffocating and irritating.’ Still, his emotions had somewhat settled. Realizing the futility of his actions likely led to this realization. Guhyangcheon looked at Woo-hyuk and questioned him. “Why did you do it?” “…” “No matter how crazy you are, there must have been a reason. Explain it so I can understand.” It's more hope than certainty that there was a reason. Woo-hyuk needed to convince him. “A reason…” At the question, Woo-hyuk slowly closed his eyes. To recall the reasons, he’d have to delve into the depths of his past— “Ah, no need for flashbacks.” But at Guhyangcheon’s words, Woo-hyuk had to carefully open his eyes again. “Time's precious, summarize it in three sentences. I'm busy.” “…” Disregarding him, Woo-hyuk looked at Guhyangcheon, puzzled. Guhyangcheon frowned under his gaze. “What’s with you?” “Usually, at times like this, you’d wait and listen, no?” “Why should I care about your life's story? Just tell me what happened, briefly.” “…” It seemed logical, yet strangely irking. Even as he thought this, Woo-hyuk was resigned. Understanding that making sense to this guy was a futile endeavor was something Woo-hyuk had known for a long time. Perhaps, it was easier because of it. Woo-hyuk smiled sheepishly and spoke to Guhyangcheon. “Three sentences might be tough.” “Just do it short and sweet…” “When I was young, my father tried to kill me.” “Well, that's a start from hell. Alright, go on.” Glancing down with barely-contained irritation, Guhyangcheon adjusted his posture. He sat down, indifferent to the blood pooled on the ground, courtesy of Woo-hyuk’s bleeding. Beyond that… “My mother had an emotional affair with another due to my father’s eyes on her, and my brother… was gay.” “…” The words coming out of Woo-hyuk's mouth made Guhyangcheon feel even more uncomfortable. He cleared his throat awkwardly, unable to comprehend the information easily. “What am I even hearing?” “Moreover, my father was a man with dreams of rebellion. I was aware of these secrets.” “Seems you were pretty perceptive.” It wasn’t perception so much as overhearing things meant to remain unheard. Woo-hyuk saw no need to elaborate on this. “When I was a child, not knowing they were secrets I shouldn’t reveal, I carelessly talked about them, which led to trouble.” His mother’s affair. His brother’s secret. His father’s deep-seated ambitions. He blamed his younger self for speaking, for not knowing what needed to be suppressed. Woo-hyuk continued to harbor resentment. “The man my mother was emotionally involved with died at my father's hands. My brother was hidden away where no one could reach him.” It was a foregone conclusion. Had it not been disclosed, it might not have happened. But now that his father knew, such an outcome was inevitable. As his brother was dragged away by soldiers, he resented Woo-hyuk. Perhaps it would have remained an eternal secret. Watching it unfold taught Woo-hyuk the significance of silence, but it was already too late. “I, too, who revealed such secrets, was made to live in isolated quarters away from the family.” His father must have been terrified. Of the possibility that Woo-hyuk knew about even his own secrets. Despite knowing this truth long ago, Woo-hyuk had chosen to keep silent by then. An isolating life began. Days both quiet and cacophonous. Perhaps. [I’m Yoolie.] If not for having something to cling to, Woo-hyuk’s life might have ended back then. Because he had something to hold onto, he believed he could endure. He thought he could somehow keep breathing, but… “A problem arose.” “A problem?” “Yes, the last wall allowing me to barely endure within my confinement crumbled.” “What incomprehensible…” “It means that I wasn’t actually my father’s offspring.” “Damn it.” Unconsciously, a curse escaped Guhyangcheon’s lips. When he heard about Woo-hyuk’s mother having an emotional affair, he hadn’t expected it to lead to this. “When my father realized the truth, he immediately tried to kill me.” The wall crumbled. The restraint his father held, thinking of him as his own child, vanished, leaving no hesitation in eliminating him. That night was both unbearably cold and deafeningly loud. The relentless noise pierced Woo-hyuk's ears, and he took flight to escape it. But how fast could a child truly run? He couldn’t fully evade the trained warriors alone. That is, if he hadn’t received help. An arrow struck his shoulder, and bleeding, Woo-hyuk fell to the ground. A man with silver hair stood before the fallen warriors. Hair of a celestial blue, shining under the moonlight. Accompanied by blue eyes. “Oh… could it be?” “Yes, it was Master.” This was the first meeting between Namgung Hyung, known as the Weird Immortal of Wudang, and Woo-hyuk. And standing beside Namgung Hyung was— […It’s him.] A young girl with snow-white hair, even brighter than Namgung Hyung’s. “...” Guhyangcheon listened, nodding subtly. ‘Not only did someone from North Sea come to the Central Plains, but he even joined Wudang?’ It made sense if the Weird Immortal brought him from North Sea in the first place. ‘What was that old man doing in North Sea, though?’ A brief curiosity surfaced but the answer was already known. ‘Ah, because of Raiya.’ Recalling what the old man carried clarified everything. At the time, the Weird Immortal possessed Raiya. He had the ability to hear the voice of Namgung Myeong from inside Raiya. ‘…Namgung Myeong’s real body is said to be in North Sea.’ It made perfect sense if that was the reason for his visit there. And thanks to that, Woo-hyuk survived. The background details were roughly sorted. But. “After escaping there and living in Central Plains… why did you do all this?” The crucial part remained unspoken. As Guhyangcheon posed the question, Woo-hyuk responded with a bitter smile. “…For revenge, of course….” Upon hearing this explanation he termed a ‘reason’, Guhyangcheon slammed a fist into Woo-hyuk’s head. Bang-! “Ugh!” “Getting this far and spouting nonsense. Do you want to die?” Unable to tolerate more drivel after all this, he had to intervene. Revenge? Nonsense. He knew full well Woo-hyuk was not someone to be driven by such things. ‘I might be like that, but not this guy.’ While Guhyangcheon might be burdened with grudges, Woo-hyuk wasn’t. “You’re deliberately omitting something important in what you’re saying. Want to keep messing around?” Guhyangcheon gritted his teeth and confronted Woo-hyuk. “Yuri.” “…!” At the mention of the maiden, Woo-hyuk’s eyes flew wide open. Guhyangcheon was aware Woo-hyuk intentionally left out the part about her. He comprehended the misery and tragedy of Woo-hyuk’s life. While narrating so nonchalantly, Woo-hyuk hid the essence. To an outsider, it might seem well hidden. “But it doesn’t work on me, you bastard.” However, Guhyangcheon couldn't be fooled. The reason was simple. ‘I’ve done it most myself.’ It was an act he excelled at and did frequently. “Revenge? Stop bullshitting.” Hiding true intentions behind some feeble justification was something Guhyangcheon had perfected over a lifetime. And. He’d likely continue living that way. The fact Woo-hyuk, too, was enacting a similar pathetic routine infuriated him. Such idiocy was something Guhyangcheon wanted to reserve for himself alone. “You say three sentences aren’t enough for summary? Don’t kid me. You don’t even need three, you fool.” “You…” “Just lay bare the truth. I did something stupid because of a girl. I’m sorry. That’s all in one sentence.” “...” Woo-hyuk was left speechless by the blunt statement. It cut straight to the heart of everything. “How did you…” “How did I what? Woo-hyuk, do you really want me to hit you again?” Should he strike him again? Previously, it left a bad aftertaste. Now though, hitting him seemed like it would provide relief. How could he know? But know he did. ‘Your actions reminded me of myself.’ There was an eerily similar echo of his past life behavior in Woo-hyuk’s actions. “You had a fiancée, didn’t you? That, the maiden… It was the princess, wasn’t it?” “…!!” Woo-hyuk’s eyes widened to the size of saucers. Damn, if he was going to react like that, why even bother hiding it? “Yet the princess seemed unaware… Was it a one-sided affection?” “...” “Look at that grimace. So it’s true, huh?” Revolting to think of having a friend with a one-sided love. “It’s not like that.” “It’s not, huh? What kind of idiot wages war for someone he doesn’t like?” Retrospect didn’t help, it didn't become clear until now. Guys, by nature, are simple creatures. “To that extent, any reason is enough.” It wasn't about grand motivations or life tales. A simple and earnest reason sufficed. “So let me ask again, Woo-hyuk.” Guhyangcheon leaned forward to make eye contact with Woo-hyuk. There wouldn't be a third opportunity; Guhyangcheon conveyed with authority. “Why did you do it?” Though the question was the same, the intention was different. There would be no more room for deception. A formidable presence filled the space. Be honest. The unmistakable emotion in his words prompted Woo-hyuk into momentary silence before he finally admitted. “…On the day the First Princess went berserk, she told me. If I didn’t comply, she’d kill the Second Princess.” Finally, the belated truth emerged. “Kill?” “The bloodline of Binggung. She claimed she could trigger the disease they were afflicted with.” Guhyangcheon frowned at the words. ‘Sounds like she meant she could manipulate Bingjeong’s curse.’ It likely involved Mang’s influence over the princess. If that was the case— ‘Could it be, the sudden worsening of the curse on the palace lord?’ It seemed a plausible theory. The problem was understanding why Yuseon specifically targeted Woo-hyuk. ‘Seriously, why him of all people?’ Of the countless options, why Woo-hyuk? ‘Did she think threatening him using his sister would be effective?’ It seemed like a plausible plan, yet Woo-hyuk wasn’t the only option for a puppet. If a figurehead was needed, anyone other than Woo-hyuk would have been a better choice. ‘Moreover…’ The fact that the First and Second Young Lords were imprisoned was suspicious. The palace lord's condition worsened. Rebellion erupted while the whereabouts of the two sons became a mystery. Among them, the only one who remained accessible was Yuri, the Second Princess. So then… ‘As Yuri was the only one who could be sent to the Central Plains, it was inevitable she would be sent there.’ It felt as though there was a deliberate effort to push Yuri out of North Sea. Why would Yuseon have taken such measures? Contemplating this far, Guhyangcheon turned to Woo-hyuk. “Hey.” “Yeah?” “Did you know the First Princess as well?” Though it was odd to refer to her as the First Princess after her demise, Guhyangcheon asked about his connection to Yuseon, prompting Woo-hyuk to tilt his head briefly before responding. “I knew her a bit as a child.” “Be more specific.” “Well, there’s not much to it. I just met her a few times with the Second Princess.” “That’s all? No serious ties or events?” “…Not really?” Woo-hyuk seemed genuinely unsure. Observing this, Guhyangcheon nodded. If he didn’t know, there was no helping it. “So, you succumbed to her threats, sparked a rebellion, severed your master's arm, and stabbed that girl's belly?” “...” Guhyangcheon’s blunt words made Woo-hyuk’s eyes quiver. His pitiful state was evident. “Stop the pitiful act. Get a grip, will you?” No point in sugar-coating his actions. It was what it was. “…I’m sorry.” “Save your apologies. Explain why you did it.” That was the crucial question from the start. Pointless apologies meant nothing; understanding the reason was of greater importance. “…At the time, I thought it was the only viable option.” “And why’s that?” “Sifu intervened to block the First Princess and was caught in their combined attack. The First Princess then used my master's and the Second Princess's lives to leverage her demands.” At least Woo-hyuk hadn’t been the one who defeated the Weird Immortal. That was some consolation. “And so, you had no choice but to comply to save them?” “…An excuse, perhaps.” “Yes, an excuse.” It was the same with Namgung Bia's situation. Even if I hadn’t heard it, I knew the gist. He attempted to alter the escape plan to make it easier for Namgung Bia to flee. When failure seemed imminent, Woo-hyuk took matters into his own hands. However. “You know no great rationale will justify what you did.” “...” “That’s what’s infuriating. You say you’ll stay here to atone, that you won’t return to the Central Plains?” Guhyangcheon grabbed Woo-hyuk's collar, pulling him in with force. Woo-hyuk offered no resistance. “What penance? Are you haunted by North Sea’s dead?” “…Yangcheon.” “Woo-hyuk, stop this nonsense. Rotting away in prison doesn’t count as atonement. It’s just an escape, you idiot.” With a growl in his eyes, Guhyangcheon kept his gaze locked on Woo-hyuk. “For true repentance, you might as well cut your own throat now. Isn’t that the right course?” “...” “What’s wrong? Hesitant? Something holding you back from dying? I wonder what that could be. Oh, of course, it’s the princess, isn’t it?” Bringing up Yuri, the vitality returned to Woo-hyuk’s eyes. “So, if I kill that princess, does it end your hesitation?” “You—!” As Woo-hyuk’s energy surged, Guhyangcheon swung a fist into his solar plexus. Thud! “Ugh!” “A woman is precious to you? Enough to overlook your wrongs and flare up?” Witnessing Woo-hyuk’s attitude only darkened Guhyangcheon’s expression. “I was like that too, you piece of shit.” Guhyangcheon tossed Woo-hyuk against the wall. Crash! Woo-hyuk hit the wall and slid down. “Do you realize who you’ve messed with?” He tried to suppress his mounting emotions. “Of course, you don’t. Not yet. I once didn’t either. I wish I could make you realize, but I can’t, so I keep holding back.” The air around them began to simmer, a palpable heat filling the cell. Feeling it, Guhyangcheon steeled his heart. To restrain the energy threatening to escape. “I’m only holding back because you’re my friend, that lousy reason is why you’re still alive.” He slammed down the urge. “Then at least repentance and seeking forgiveness should start with me, not some anonymous people of North Sea.” “…” “Not willing to listen? Of course not, because you’re not as wretched as me.” He knew well. Woo-hyuk wasn’t that kind of person. So he needed a clear, direct path. “Then just live like that. But I’m going to ensure it happens that way.” “…What does that mean…?” “From the outset, if I intended to leave you because of your reluctance, I wouldn’t have bothered with the spectacle for the palace lord.” Step by step, Guhyangcheon approached Woo-hyuk. “Woo-hyuk, your opinion doesn’t matter to me at all. I’m too weary to try changing your mind. I’m opting for simplicity.” Kneeling down to meet his eyes, he continued. “You’re going to help me live this time. So just follow quietly.” “Yangcheon, I’ve already said…. I don't want to leave this place—” “If you don’t come, I’ll kill Yuri.” “What?” Woo-hyuk’s voice cooled at the words. His gaze sharpened instantly, but Guhyangcheon remained unfazed. “There was a condition attached to getting you out from the palace lord. Do you know what it was?” Claiming that all this was planned would be a lie. It simply fell into place. "I’m taking the princess to the Central Plains." “...!” "And given my promise, I absolutely intend to take her." Guhyangcheon had no interest in playing the game of sharing Woo-hyuk's guilt or engaging in acts of desperate friendship. It was easier to follow his own straightforward approach. "You can stay here if you really want, but keep in mind: if I take the princess to the Central Plains, I could have her do anything…" Or, he could simply get rid of her. As those words left his lips, a wave of self-loathing washed over him. The tactics he used on Woo-hyuk were too reminiscent of the Heavenly Demon’s manipulation he faced in his previous life. Still, he had to endure. Regardless of how low he sank, there was no further down to fall. Having said his piece, Guhyangcheon stood up once more. "You have until tomorrow to think about it. Make your choice." Concluding his statement, Guhyangcheon broke eye contact with Woo-hyuk and turned to exit the prison. As he walked away, a thought crossed Guhyangcheon's mind. 'Nothing is ever easy.' No matter what it concerns, matters like these never seem to simplify.