658 - Childhood Friend of the Zenith

Title: The World's Most Skilled Fighter's Childhood Friend - Chapter 658 > "Northern Rabbit" - Web Novel Archive 〈Chapter 658〉: Hands Off. The initial discussion wasn’t about these matters; it was more commercial in nature. I recounted the events we encountered in the Northern Sea. I abstained from mentioning matters that shouldn't be said and conveyed what I could to Moyong Hee-a. Of course, it was Yuri's responsibility to handle this task, not mine. Rustle. Moyong Hee-a reads the compiled letter several times. Inside the room, the only sound was her fingers gently brushing against the letter. After perusing the letter for some time, Moyong Hee-a finally spoke. "I've heard your story well." Even as she spoke, her eyes remained fixed on the letter. "First of all, I express my condolences regarding the events that occurred in the Northern Sea." "Thank you for your words…." Yuri replied, but the tension in her voice was palpable. There was no helping it. When dealing with someone like Moyong Hee-a, she was more challenging to handle than anyone else. Thunk. Moyong Hee-a placed the letter down and looked at Yuri. "Yet, aside from expressing my regrets, there is much I wish to ask about on behalf of the Acting Palace Master. May I begin?" "…Yes." This was just the beginning. "Thank you for understanding. Now, regarding the contract we discussed before proceeding with the work." Her voice dropped another notch. At her peak, her presence was intimidating. "You mentioned in the contract that upon completion of the task, we would secure exclusive contract rights with the Northern Sea. Is that contract still valid?" "…It is valid." Moyong Hee-a nodded at Yuri's response. "If so, the claim to proceed with the trade within three months after closure, is that still feasible?" ‘Hmm?’ I widened my eyes at Moyong Hee-a's question. ‘Did they actually set such a timeline?’ I was aware we had secured exclusive trading rights, but it seemed they had even set a strict timeline. The manner in which they proceeded was efficient, to say the least. Yuri's expression darkened upon hearing that. “…That part seems problematic, and it may prove difficult.” To distribute trade within three months, despite the terms set in the contract, was currently impossible. ‘Naturally.’ Indeed, it was a natural conclusion. The war wasn’t over yet; it was still ongoing. Judging by the state of affairs, it wouldn't take much longer to secure victory and wrap things up. But that would take at least another three months, and further, rebuilding the Ice Palace, staffing it, and stabilizing could take years. To ignore all of that and begin trading within three months? A ludicrous idea. “I see.” Moyong Hee-a nodded lightly. It was likely news already heard through the letter; she had expected it well in advance. “Then, according to the Acting Palace Master, when do you foresee the potential to begin trade?” “By this time next year, at the very least….” "Please be accurate. Those were the words you used when sealing the contract." "..." They looked similar in every way except their hair, yet there was a different aura. It was clear Yuri was overwhelmed by Moyong Hee-a’s vigor. Yuri possessed intelligence, but she seemed quite lacking compared to Moyong Hee-a. "By next fall, it would be possible." The timeline shifted from summer to fall. A reasonable alteration. However. “It sounds as though a few more months have been added.” It wasn’t necessary for this side to understand that nuance. “While I regret the Northern circumstances, the contract was ultimately breached. Rather than termination, we should adjust the terms. Do you agree?” Before Yuri could respond, the letter was already laid out on the table. When did she prepare that? Or rather. ‘When did she prepare all of this?’ Clearly, this wasn’t something crafted on a whim. The letter’s state, the settled ink—it had been prepared days in advance. This implied. ‘…She anticipated this outcome from the start.’ There was no way they could manage within three months—Moyong Hee-a had rightly anticipated this and was prepared to alter the contract. ‘A formidable individual.’ One must never allow Moyong Hee-a among others to find fault with them. This scene only reinforced that conviction. Of course, altering a contract isn’t a simple task, and as the discussion unfolded, it became evident that Yuri sought ways to negotiate. However. "Thank you. Let us close this matter here." "…Yes, yes…." By the end of the conversation, Yuri appeared utterly drained and colorless. Moyong Hee-a remained as composed and pristine as she was at the start. Even as a bystander, beads of cold sweat trickled down my spine. Overwhelming her opponent with words was impressive enough to make me click my tongue in awe. “Accommodations for the Lady have been arranged. The escort who arrived with her will accompany her there.” ‘Oh right, those fellows.’ Now that I think about it, the guards brought along with Yuri seemed to have been left behind. I had left them here out of convenience, but it appeared Moyong Hee-a had taken good care of them. ‘…Then, it seems Yuri will be here until next fall at least.’ While intended as refuge by the Acting Palace Master, in reality, it served like capture until the contract was fulfilled. The premise to hold her until proper execution of the agreement was established. Thus, the Acting Palace Master had a reason to start negotiations with the merchant group as soon as the war concluded. Yuri had effectively become a bargaining chip. Moyong Hee-a said as much with a smile. “…Thank you.” Having nothing left to say, Yuri simply nodded in exhaustion. Afterward, Yuri rose first, following the guide. I nudged Woo-hyuk, signaling for him to follow. Without complaint, Woo-hyuk went after Yuri. “Excuse me, then.” Moyong Hee-a seemed to deliberately ignore Woo-hyuk’s respectful bow. There was a particular severity to her demeanor that prevented even a scolding. Once the two exited, silence enveloped the room once more. Seconds stretched indefinitely until finally— “Phew….” With a soft sigh, Moyong Hee-a subtly relaxed, easing the tension in the air. She loosened her tight expression slightly and asked me, "Did you have a good trip?" "…In a way?" As I stood there, it felt as though the light-hearted banter had suddenly taken a severe turn. Moyong Hee-a scrutinized me with amusement. "Judging solely from this, it doesn't seem like your journey went smoothly." What on earth was penned in that letter from the Palace Master that would make her think so? I could sense my forehead beginning to perspire. Noticing my expression, Moyong Hee-a laughed lightly. "It's fine. We all know that Young Master doesn't just 'leave and return' to any place without causing a ruckus." "…That sounds somewhat insulting." "Yes. It wasn't meant as a compliment." "Ah, right… sure." I could only awkwardly chuckle at her words. "Where's Mrs. Mi gone off to?" "The Headmistress has been occupied with some engagements. She should be back by tomorrow, at the latest." An engagement, is it? Considering the timing, it was expected for Mrs. Mi to be busy. ‘The Martial Arts Festival is drawing near, after all.’ The merchant group is busiest not during the festival itself, but in the lead-up to it. It's crucial to secure agreements and preparations in advance to benefit from the festival, so it’s no surprise the Headmistress is taking assertive action. “Furthermore… she might be more occupied these days because of some rumors.” "Rumors?" I asked, intrigued by her cryptic remark. I had caught wind of similar murmurs earlier when conversing with Beomdong about some ‘rumor.’ “Even the Meng’s Great Leader visited regarding this matter. It seems to have troubled them, but could you enlighten me with more details?” “Oh…” Moyong Hee-a paused briefly, gathering her thoughts before elaborating on what I had overheard. “Recently, there's been a group called the Demonic Sect (마교) causing quite the stir throughout the Central Plains.” Hearing this news, I couldn't help but smile inwardly. ‘Looks like they’re doing a good job.’ This indicated things were progressing well—perhaps even quicker than expected, but not bad at all. “It’s spoken of as a sect established by a mysterious expert known as the Heavenly Demon (천마), who spares neither the righteous nor the wicked.” This much was anticipated. I had, in fact, suggested they spread such rumors by causing widespread chaos, so the slower-than-expected dissemination was actually surprising. That was within expectations. However— “There’s rumors that the true identity of this Heavenly Demon is none other than one of the Three Eminent Ones, Bejoon (敗尊).” ‘…What?’ I hadn’t foreseen that. It certainly wasn’t part of my plan. Where did such a rumor emerge from? Before I could even begin pondering this— “Huh?” A voice filled with curiosity came from behind me. "…" I felt a gaze stabbing into me, forcing me to swallow nervously. ‘…I've really messed up, haven't I?’ Undoubtedly. That man had already begun to suspect me, immediately and without a shred of hesitation. Isn't that a bit too much? Even if I’m involved, shouldn’t there be at least some consideration before pointing fingers? ‘Damn, who could it be?’ Where did this rumor originate? It was a rumor that shouldn't have spread ‘yet.’ Who could it be? ‘Could it be Pildu Ma?’ Though Pildu Ma seemed the likeliest, I doubted he would make such a foolish move. So who was it? ‘I really have no idea.’ At this moment, there was no time to ponder further. "Young Master?" "Bejoon, huh… That doesn't seem likely, does it?" For now, the best strategy was to feign ignorance. This response resonated with Moyong Hee-a, who nodded in agreement. "Yes, I share that sentiment." Her gaze shifted elsewhere. Specifically, towards Bejoon, seated behind me. Could it be that she recognized Bejoon’s presence here? That seemed unlikely. ‘She must have simply noticed the presence of the Bi-family’s descendant.’ As a descendant of the Bi-family, part of Bejoon’s lineage, daring to utter any disparaging remarks was inconceivable. “…Moreover, it’s unlikely that any of the Three Eminent Ones, especially from the righteous sect, would act in such a manner.” “Right, that would never happen.” Bejoon chuckled, the first sound he made since arriving. “They clearly wouldn’t do such a thing…” He had the audacity to call himself “great.” I could just barely suppress my grimacing expression. “Do you have any insight into why such rumors have spread?” Bejoon directed this question toward Moyong Hee-a. "As for the information, there’s speculation that someone has disseminated it… Or so it seems." Her tone suggested she doubted this theory. Does this mean no one actually spread this information? If not, then what? As I sought to resolve my curiosity, Moyong Hee-a revealed more. “…There are accounts that the technique employed when he assassinated a Taoist Elder belonged to Bejoon’s exclusive repertoire.” "…" “Though not confirmed, investigations are ongoing since the Heavenly Demon exhibited a pressure level akin to one of the Three Eminent Ones.” I nodded in understanding as she explained. Ah, I see. ‘It’s because of me. Haha, damn it.’ It seemed I had caused problems with my overly chaotic actions. Unbelievable now that I couldn't curse about it from where I stood. I assumed they wouldn’t recognize the Two Falkon Blade, perceived as a somewhat indistinct martial art. ‘Someone must have witnessed it.’ If they had noticed this much, perhaps another Elder had been nearby or— ‘They may have discovered some evidence…’ Some trace had certainly been found. ‘I blew it.’ Concealing my cold sweat, I pondered over this. Was the problem merely regarding information dissemination? Not exactly. ‘Who cares?’ Ultimately, I didn’t care if my identity was exposed. The real issue was— ‘That man cannot know.’ At the very least, the perpetrator must remain unknown to him. ‘His gaze is intimidating.’ Already, Bejoon’s eyes were boring into me. I couldn’t afford to turn my head. Turning now would doom me. What could be done? After a brief internal struggle, a plan unfolded in my mind. ‘I have no other choice.’ In times like these, employing the last resort was inevitable. ‘Escape.’ Yes, running was the solution. With that thought, I stood up. "Young Master?" “Urgent matter. We’ll talk later.” “What? All of a sudden? Young Ma—!” Although Moyong Hee-a urgently called out to me. I had already vanished. “…Huh?” Moyong Hee-a was left bewildered by the abrupt development. Could it be I actually left? After we reunited for the first time in ages? "This guy, seriously...!" Moyong Hee-a clenched her fists tightly, grinding her teeth in frustration. The conversation hadn’t even finished—there were important topics, like those concerning the Sword Peak, that hadn’t yet been addressed. What could have made him leave in such a rush? Just as Moyong Hee-a attempted to calm her simmering thoughts, another voice chimed in. "Then I'll take my leave too. See you later!" Dang Soyul, who had been lurking behind, swiftly bid her farewell and exited the room. That only added to Moyong Hee-a’s exasperation. "...I'll make sure both of you pay the next time we meet." Determined to teach them a lesson when the moment was right, Moyong Hee-a managed to steady her breathing. It was then she realized she was left alone in the room with someone rather discomforting. "..." Moyong Hee-a shifted awkwardly, aware of the unbecoming outburst she had just displayed. Across from her sat a serene-looking young man with black hair and eyes—a face that could incite peace, if not for the palpable tension it also harbored. 'Turyong.' A member of the Bejoon lineage. Turyong Bi Jin. Both were part of the Six Clan Three Peaks alliance, yet Moyong Hee-a had never engaged in a personal conversation with him. She only assumed a camaraderie between him and Go Yangcheon through casual observation. Additionally, Moyong Hee-a found him subtly unsettling. ‘…An eerie man indeed.’ Despite not entirely barricading himself from others, he appeared indifferent, disengaged from interests or pleasures. Moyong Hee-a's instincts whispered that it would be unwise to treat him lightly. A confounding discomfort gripped her as she observed Turyong. ‘Why isn’t he leaving?’ Interestingly, Turyong remained seated, not exiting the room despite the departure of his companions. Pondering his reluctance, Moyong Hee-a felt compelled to inquire. "Excuse me." Turyong addressed Moyong Hee-a first. "You are Seolbong, correct?" "...Yes, that's right, Lord Turyong." At her confirmation, Turyong smiled—a gentle smile carrying an inexplicable disquiet. Within that unease, Turyong voiced an unexpected proposition. "It seems you have a preference for dealing in negotiations. Would you partake in a trade with me? The rewards will not disappoint you." "...What sort of trade, suddenly? If this is about our prior discussion…." "Oh no, it's not about that. It's a trivial matter which I can uncover myself." "Excuse me?" So, this wasn’t an inquiry about Bejoon? Then what exactly was he proposing to trade? "I find you a trustworthy individual, thus I have a request. Could you procure some information for me?" "What kind of information?" "It's nothing significant." As he spoke, Turyong's expression shifted slightly. "I seek information regarding the Flame King." Though his lips curved into a smile, Moyong Hee-a could not suppress a shiver at the unsettling aura that enveloped him. ******************** I practically dashed out of the headquarters. Increasing my pace, I created some distance, glancing back nervously more than once. ‘…Why isn’t he following me?’ I had presumed he would be hot on my trail, ready to seize me by the collar, yet, contrary to my fears, Bejoon hadn’t emerged in pursuit. If anything, that was more terrifying. It felt like a tacit promise that we'd meet later. ‘Damn it.’ Who would have guessed such rumors were circulating? It was becoming a bit of a headache. “…Tsk.” I clicked my tongue and shook my head in annoyance. Forget it. If the truth does come out, I'll just have to play dumb. What else can I do? ‘What's the big deal if I deny it?’ I resolved to adopt a straightforward demeanor, as if daring them to do their worst. Alternatively, perpetual evasion for a few days seemed a plausible tactic. Dealing with it later would be troublesome, but what choice did I have? With a flick of my wrist, I dusted off the debris from my hurried escape. “Hmmm.” As I dusted off, I noticed an influx of people around me. With the festival drawing near, it made sense that more people had arrived. In fact, the proportion of martial artists in the crowd had noticeably increased. ‘The martial artists are of significant rank.’ Not only top-tier, but occasionally I even spotted high-level martial artists amidst the crowd. These were likely arrivals for the martial tournament. ‘There seems to be much interest in this tournament.’ That was understandable given the circumstances. Not only is it the first tournament in several years, but the prizes at stake are also extraordinary. ‘Beyond just mythical swords or rare elixirs…’ The most intriguing aspect is none other than— ‘The resurrection of the Shinryongdae.’ A direct squad of the Leader, once the pride of the Martial Alliance—a group renowned for its elite fighters. The Shinryongdae had vanished due to certain events but was now returning alongside the tournament. Reviving the legendary force signifies rebuilding its symbolic essence and offers the honor of joining its ranks anew. Those who live and die by reputation would naturally be tempted by the opportunity. For me as well, it represented a significant element for the ‘plan’ moving forward. In some way, I needed to leverage the Shinryongdae. ‘With less than a month until the martial tournament, I suppose it's time to commence preparations.’ It was irksome to dive into action immediately upon arrival, but there was no time for hesitation. Thus, planning to first verify entrusted tasks, I considered visiting Pildu Ma again when suddenly— Thud-! "Kyah!" Someone collided with me, falling to the ground. Turning my gaze, I saw it was a young woman. Instinctively, I did not extend a hand to help her up, simply staring instead. The woman clambered to her feet, hurriedly bowing to me. "I'm sorry. I wasn't paying attention to where I was going. Are you hurt?" As she bowed, a powerful scent wafted my way, wrinkling my nose. The fragrance was intense—a smell I particularly disliked, though few others seemed to notice. Simultaneously, I caught a glimpse of the woman's face through her veiled hat. My eyebrows twitched slightly. ‘Haha.’ I recognized the face with a wry smile. She was someone I knew. The woman possessed remarkable beauty. Although not quite to the degree of Wiesel Oh or Namgoong Bia, who would turn every head, she was undeniably attractive, capturing the eyes of ninety out of a hundred people. Her mature aura and intriguing gaze were striking, and her ample figure and feminine silhouette made her an object of desire for many men. ‘Well, what do you know?’ Surrounded by women of extraordinary beauty as I was, her level of beauty wasn’t particularly exceptional to me. The surprise lay elsewhere. ‘Her actions are as swift as ever. Sending her right away.’ The woman’s alias was Bihyeonhwa (悲炫華). She was part of the Martial Alliance's investigative team, renowned for extracting information using her beguiling charms. This meant one thing: She was sent by the Martial Alliance, more specifically, by Beomdong.