661 - Childhood Friend of the Zenith

Title: *The World's Greatest Swordsman's Childhood Friend* - Chapter 661: The Villain and the Hero --- As I emerged from the streets of Hanam and made my way back to the inn, the sun was gradually setting. Finding the way to the inn wasn't particularly difficult since I remembered the path, though buying various snacks along the way consumed some time. "She said she wouldn't eat, but she's devouring everything I buy." It was baffling that someone who initially refused food would eat so much when offered. Still, it was better than her not eating at all. The sun dipped below the horizon. The twilight gave way to approaching night. My hands were full. I ended up buying so many things that my hands were bulging. Truthfully, I was tempted to use air manipulation to carry everything, but that would be too conspicuous, so I refrained. To top it off. "She's carrying more than I am..." Walking beside me, Wi Seol-Ah carried more than I did. Judging by her beaming expression, she seemed quite pleased. Seeing her like that, it didn't really matter. "More importantly right now..." Walking along, I recalled recent events. It concerned Bihyeonhwa. "I was so surprised, I completely forgot." Wi Seol-Ah's sudden appearance made me forget to infuse demonic energy into Bihyeonhwa. "Such a waste." Although embedding it in Beomdong was part of the plan, I couldn't help but feel it was a missed opportunity. And moreover. "That wretched girl left without paying for tea?" She must have been in such a hurry; she left without paying, forcing me to cover her share. "Just wait until I see her next time." I plan to charge her tenfold; even now, it still irritates me. "Why on earth are tea prices so exorbitant?" It's not even alcohol, just tea, yet it was stupidly expensive. And there are people who relish it? Moyong Hee-Ah must have anticipated all of this when she created it, though I never expected it to actually work. I thought, who would pay such a high price just to have tea and snacks at a tavern? Yet, they were devouring it eagerly. The taste was quite remarkable too. So much so that, despite knowing I was being overcharged, I bought a pile and left. "Will they like it?" Wi Seol-Ah ate with relish, but then again, that's how she usually is. I wondered if the others would enjoy it too. Of course. "If they don't eat, Wi Seol-Ah will finish it all." There's no worry about leftover food. Isn't that a relief? As we leisurely walked on. Crunch. Approaching a forest path lit by lanterns, I sensed someone's presence. Turning my gaze in that direction. "Oh!" Tang So-Yul suddenly burst out of the brush. Judging by the leaves caught in her hair, she hadn't arrived by the usual path. Her sudden appearance didn't surprise me. I had sensed her presence long before. "Young Master!" Tang So-Yul beamed as soon as she spotted me. Unable to use my hands, I used energy to remove the leaves from her hair before addressing her. "Where have you been?" Up to the guesthouse, I could sense Tang So-Yul's presence, but at some point, it vanished. I assumed she had some personal business and let it go. But apparently, she had been wandering instead of heading to the inn. "Oh, I just had some errands to run." She answered with a smile. I nodded, but internally. "Errands, you say?" My heart wasn't entirely at ease. "I can smell blood." A faint but undeniable scent of blood clung to Tang So-Yul. She must have tried to erase it. Having reached a higher realm, my senses were exceedingly sharp. Such a faint scent was easily detectable. Though I didn't know what she had been up to, it was clear she hadn't been involved in anything peaceful. She simply chose not to show it. "If she's not mentioning it, there must be a reason." Considering this, I asked her. "Have you eaten?" "No, I haven't." "Why? It's this late and you haven't eaten?" "I waited to eat with you, Young Master." "What a ridiculous excuse. Are you going to skip all three meals if I'm not around?" "Possibly... Ow!" I gently rapped her head with energy for such nonsense. "Stop talking nonsense." "Ouch..." Tang So-Yul feigned pain, but I ignored it. Seeing me remain indifferent, she scrunched her nose and moved towards Wi Seol-Ah, helping her with some of the luggage. Her natural demeanor made me tilt my head quizzically. "When did you two meet?" "Hmm?" "Huh?" My question seemed to surprise both Tang So-Yul and Wi Seol-Ah as they widened their eyes. There hadn't been any "How have you been?" or "Nice to meet you." Their seamless interaction seemed peculiar. As far as I knew, there hadn't been a situation where they could have been introduced. Wondering what this was, I glanced over. "Well, uh..." Tang So-Yul seemed inexplicably flustered. Why such a reaction? "We greeted each other earlier." In contrast, Wi Seol-Ah replied calmly. "When?" "Before you entered the tavern, Young Master." "...What?" If she meant the guesthouse where I met Bihyeonhwa. When did they have time to exchange greetings? The more I thought about it, the less it made sense. "We greeted then." Wi Seol-Ah smiled widely. It was a smile full of hints not to ask any further. "Ah, well. Alright, that can happen." Instinctively, I felt probing further was unwise. So, I decided to let it go. There must have been no issues... Surely. --- Later, upon returning to the inn, I promptly changed and hastily finished my meal. I had been warily anticipating running into Paejun, but amusingly enough, he was absent from the inn. Apparently, he mentioned having some affairs to attend to and would return later. It felt like my life expectancy had just extended. After Wi Seol-Ah unexpectedly joined us, I noticed a few surprised faces. However, since they weren't entirely unfamiliar with her presence, they accepted it without much fuss. Moreover, the trading group seemed to have anticipated her arrival and had already prepared additional accommodations. With some people from the Northern Sea present, it made sense to distribute the group a bit. However, within the accommodations, the sickly Namgung Bi-Ah and Gwae Seon needed to be placed under the care of Shin Yi. "It's been just a month and you're already working this old man to the bone. Are you in your right mind?" Shin Yi grumbled, clearly annoyed at suddenly being tasked with more work. "Well, you’ve been feeling a bit lonely lately, haven't you? It's good to stay busy," I teased. "That's what you call enjoying one's leisure...!" he retorted. "I heard you usually just play Go, so staying active might do you good in your twilight years." "This insolent brat...!" Despite his irritation, I knew Shin Yi was diligently providing treatment, true to his dependable nature. "So, how are they?" "How should they be?" Shin Yi replied while grinding herbs. "Both are martial artists with impressive regenerative abilities, so there's no major issue. They might scar, but I've treated them well enough that I won't have to worry." "I see." On our way, I used that gift to assist in their healing, and given the preparations made before setting out, it seemed there were no complications. "They might need about three months to fully recover... but they’ll be able to move without much trouble after just a month." "Thank you." Three months, is it? It felt like both a short and long duration. For martial artists, needing that time implies their injuries were severe. '...Sigh.' I should have beaten him more thoroughly, perhaps? Reflecting on Uhyeok, I clenched my fist. "By the way, young man," Shin Yi called out to me. "What happened to you?" "Pardon?" "Your body, that is." "Oh." I recalled my poor condition before setting out. I expected that recovering fully before the martial arts tournament would be tight... and yet I ended up not only healed but in better health, leaving Shin Yi justifiably puzzled. "I just had a stroke of luck." "Getting healed and almost miraculously better with every whim... tch, this is why physicians are going out of business." Even if the world were ending, physicians aren't likely to go under... Especially when this man, who works sporadically, says such things—it sounded absurd. "Such fortuitous encounters aren't exactly common." These rare occurrences in a lifetime were unusual for me to encounter so frequently. "Anyway... nothing happened, right?" "It's a strange question coming from someone who vanished to the Northern Sea." "..." I sheepishly scratched my cheek. Although I had promised to help Shin Yi, matters escalated, forcing my sudden departure to the Northern Sea. His dissatisfaction with the circumstances was entirely understandable. "Still, I did put things in order before leaving, didn't I?" "..." Following this, Shin Yi didn't press further. "...So what I'm curious about is how you managed it." "Oh, just kind of blocked things my own way." "Ha," he sighed. Shin Yi had asked me to stop the rebellion planned by descendants of the Jegal family. I merely did him the favor. At least, outwardly, it seemed that way. “You needn't worry. I'll ensure what you're concerned about doesn't happen.” As I spoke, I rose to my feet. “I’ll leave Namgung Bi-Ah in your capable hands.” Brushing off my clothes, Shin Yi asked as I prepared to leave. “Are you going?” “Yes. It's time to get to work.” “Work?” It was about time. ‘Honestly, I’d love to rest a bit longer.’ I had barely returned a day ago and desired a leisurely break, to shake off the fatigue and embrace some laziness. ‘But I must move.’ Resting idly wasn't viable. I knew my circumstances well enough. In order to protect what mattered, I had to act. That thought alone was enough to get me going. “So, I’ll take my leave.” Respectfully bowing to Shin Yi, I started walking away. Less than a month remained before the martial arts tournament. ‘Within that time.’ I had to prepare everything. --- The receding sunset gave way to nightfall. The crescent moon illuminated the dark sky, and its reflection glittered on the lake. Crunch. I followed the path I walked before. It was a short distance from Hanam's border, a still-undeveloped area. The chirping of insects tickled my ears. The atmosphere was calm and tranquil yet carried a sense of freedom. The forest always exuded such an aura. However. 'They crafted this well.' I was aware that all this serenity was deliberately constructed. Step by step, I altered my path slightly. Behind me, Seong Yul followed. I brought him along just in case. But. 'I could come here alone next time.' There was likely no need to bring Seong Yul in the future. I now knew the way. Or rather, I could finally see the path. In the artificially twisted space, the road became clear. I navigated my steps along that path. Things unseen were now visible. Things unfelt were now perceived. Was it purely the difference in realm advancement? No, it wasn't just that. Intuitively, I realized. 'If it's not an array...' Gently sweeping my hand through the air, I felt something. ‘Sorcery, perhaps.’ The alien power discerned in the Northern Sea. I suspected this space and distortion to be sorcery, though I wasn't entirely certain yet. As I gradually discovered the path and advanced, someone emerged ahead and knelt before me. "...To see you, master." A woman with light green hair, similar to Tang So-Yul, and purple eyes. Nahida, now a demon. Seeing her, a smile played on my lips. "It's been a while. Have you been well?" Though, likely not very well. Given the sheer number of tasks I had assigned, Nahida must have been quite busy. Without waiting for her reply, I continued walking past her. Nahida, accustomed to this routine, obediently rose and followed behind me. "You did well with the tasks. Not bad at all," I acknowledged. "Thank you," she responded. "For now, just sort out the situation and deliver it to me later." As I walked, I pulled out a cracked mask from my robes. Simultaneously. Creak—! I utilized *Gichebyeonhyeokseul* to gradually enlarge my physique. Within seconds, my body transformed into one just short of eight feet tall. I had purposefully worn slightly bigger clothing, which now fit snugly over the expanded form. Click. I placed the mask over my altered face and body. Wearing the mask, I was reminded that it was time to get back to work. [Nahida.] I spoke to her in a deepened voice. "Yes, Master." [Go and inform the Celestial Demon Lord.] Inform the leader of the previous life’s demonic cult hiding in the refuge. Tell Pil-Duma. [The Sovereign has arrived, so prepare to welcome me.] "By your command." With that, Nahida vanished into mist. [...] I halted my steps and lifted my gaze toward the crescent moon. And inadvertently, I caught myself thinking. ‘...That was quite impressive.’ It seemed I had found my display somewhat cool. Nodding in satisfaction, I allowed the feeling to wash over me.