668 - Childhood Friend of the Zenith

Title: The World's Greatest Martial Artist's Childhood Friend - Chapter 668: The Northern Hare The atmosphere around me had quieted once more as I resumed the test. Having already established dominance, the remainder of the test didn’t take too long. In truth, it wasn’t much of a test to begin with. “Didn’t I say to pick just seven?” At my words, the group tensed up, their expressions shifting from discontent and anger to one of anxiety. How amusing. Just a small display, and they changed so quickly. ‘This is why I find the martial world so damned irritating.’ Starting and ending things through sheer force. It’s convenient, yet appears so primitive. Although, it’s not like I’m in a position to criticize, considering how well I exploit this system. “We’ve got too many people here. But I don’t want to waste time on this.” I waved my hand lazily. “Sort it out amongst yourselves.” “Pardon?” “What do you mean…?” The crowd reacted to my words in surprise. Was it so strange to tell them to sort it out themselves? I meant it exactly as I had said it. “Whether you choose through voting or conversation... or.” I glanced at someone watching from a distance, Tianma, and added, “Or settle it by brawling it out. Do as you please.” It was the most reasonable method. What a comfortable way to handle things. It was the fastest method for everyone to comprehend. “As for time… I’ll give you about half a shichen. Make your decision by then.” I waved my hand dismissively and turned to walk away without hesitation. Even as I moved away, my senses remained focused on Tianma, ensuring no change in their expression. I glanced at Moyong Hui-ah, who was watching me with a bewildered look. “…Will that be alright?” “You told me to handle it. If I’m not satisfied, I can always change it back.” “No, I mean picking the people.” Oh, wasn’t that what she was talking about? Then what? Moyong Hui-ah glanced behind me. It was where I had thrown the man earlier. “You said he was from the Murim Alliance.” “Yes. I did.” “How did you know?” Moyong Hui-ah asked with a hint of curiosity. It wasn’t some grand feat. “Most people stepping up to become guards usually don’t belong to an affiliation.” I wasn’t sure what rare conditions the White Blossom Trading Company offered to attract such individuals. Regardless of how enticing the conditions, those with affiliations wouldn’t typically take such roles. Especially those who have achieved a high level like mastery; they’d be better off working as bodyguards or in sword corps for esteemed families. ‘It's fascinating they gathered such individuals nonetheless.’ First-rates, and those refined to the pinnacle at that. For people aiming to make a name for themselves to be willing to become guards, it raised curiosity over what terms Lady Mi could have offered. From an initial glance, it seemed plausible someone strong but unaffiliated had been lured by the offer. “Their breathing was too disciplined for that.” Despite the situation, a clear issue was apparent. “Do you know what a characteristic of notable families and schools is? It’s their composure.” Their breathing was even, and their movements carried precision. An inherent grace stemming from a deliberate effort to maintain dignity in their actions. This isn’t something that can be easily hidden. “They probably wanted to disguise themselves as a wandering martial artist or an ordinary warrior.... but it’s a bit obvious.” “You could see that?” “Yes.” Moyong Hui-ah seemed surprised, but it wasn’t truly astounding. It was merely that Moyong Hui-ah’s own level wasn’t refined enough to see it. “A person born into a notable family reaching such a level wouldn’t involve themselves in guarding without purpose.” His demeanor was too refined to be a nomad. His skill too high to be a mere guard. A person like that would have nothing to gain here. Yet, still, he chose to come here. “There must have been a reason.” While it’s possible an outlawed master, with nowhere else to go, came here after causing trouble, I dismissed it. ‘It didn’t feel that way.’ Thus, only one option remained. “They must have come here to gather information.... Which is obvious.” There are few places where a master from a prestigious background could pose as a guard to gather intelligence. The White Blossom Trading Company wasn’t a part of the demonic path, but they weren’t friendly with the Murim Alliance either. ‘Especially since this is Henan.’ These points were enough to reach a conclusion. After explaining this, Moyong Hui-ah tilted her head, as something seemed to bother her. “But it’s not enough to be certain.” I nodded at her remark. “That’s true.” It wasn’t enough for certainty. It was merely circumstantial evidence, insufficient to act upon with certainty. “Then, does that mean there was something to give you certainty?” A definitive reason, perhaps. Moyong Hui-ah asked, contemplating the situation. “No? I simply acted because it seemed so.” “…Excuse me?” She paused in shock at my candid response. “Young Master, what do you mean by that?” “It just seemed like that was the case. So I acted first; what’s there more?” Moyong Hui-ah was startled by my brazen admission. Her personality, which preferred acting on certainty, was undoubtedly taken aback by my impulsiveness. ‘Yet in hitting him, I found certainty.’ As I subdued the man, I had intentionally spoken. The reaction he displayed was enough to confirm my suspicions. He indeed was a man sent by the Alliance. It was a certainty. The real question was, ‘What was his objective?’ Why had the Alliance’s man come here? Frankly, the reason wasn’t all that important. The crucial aspect here was, ‘What is their target?’ Was it me? The trading company itself? Or perhaps, ‘Was it Moyong Hui-ah?’ These were the three main possibilities to consider. To discern this, I needed to capture and interrogate him, but the timing wasn’t favorable. ‘I need to keep a watch on Tianma.’ Effort was required to maintain a keen sense on Tianma, who remained blank-faced. That was why I had exerted extra force to render the man unconscious. It would take a while for him to awaken, and he wouldn’t be able to escape. Upon reflecting on this, I glanced somewhere nearby. Amidst the thick foliage of the forest, I muttered softly to myself. - Tie him up and keep him contained. We'll have business with him later. There was a startled rustling. Someone sensed movement within the bushes, likely a martial artist stationed by the trading company. Startled by my abrupt transmission of orders. I had known from the start that there were martial artists present. Even in such a remote place, it was unlikely for only dozens of martial artists and Moyong Hui-ah to be here. In any case, I had passed on the message. ‘Now, we just have to watch.’ I stood silently, observing Tianma. It wasn’t long before— “Yaaah!” As expected, a fight broke out among the martial artists. ****************** Exactly half a shichen later. I was looking at seven individuals standing on the field. Exactly seven. As ordered earlier, seven martial artists stood there. Half a shichen. It wasn’t necessarily a short amount of time for a fight, but no intense bloodbaths had occurred. After all, this was part of an assessment. With varying levels of skill, only those who seemed most suitable remained. From the matured pinnacle martial artists who initially passed the assessment, To those at the pinnacle and first-rate level. It was apparent the group was quite evenly distributed. The unexpected detail here was— ‘So they didn’t make it?’ Some pinnacle martial artists I thought would pass were eliminated, And a few first-rate ones, whom I assumed wouldn’t make it, did. It wasn’t simply that they fought hard; instead, they managed to endure through tenacity. My gaze fell on one side. It was on the strongest man among them. The first-rate martial artists had held their ground while he dealt with the others. That’s why they were standing. Some might call this a sly strategy. Eyes filled with resentment glared at him. Discontent over their own elimination while someone like him advanced. The group resented it. ‘I find it acceptable.’ For me, this was a satisfactory outcome. ‘A guard doesn’t merely need physical prowess.’ Keen instincts and political savvy matter too. How else could that strong man have ignored weaker ones to defeat the others? He must’ve set the groundwork from the start. ‘Recognized the strength and played along.’ When I picked the successful and unsuccessful candidates earlier, The individuals who advanced interjected when the Murim Alliance man protested against me. They were aligned with those who are now disqualified. ‘In other words, they chose their faction poorly.’ During the brief waiting time, they aligned themselves with one side, and one side crumbled while the other held firm. That was all there was to it. While qualifications were gained by aligning well with factions instead of pure strength, there could be issues. ‘Moyong Hui-ah will handle it.’ That part wasn’t my concern. If unsatisfactory, a new selection would be made. While these unexpected events didn’t bother me much, the issue was— '...That she failed the test.' I furrowed my brow, gazing behind the martial artists. Among the panting martial artists, there was one calmly observing from a distance. It was Tianma. She stood there with the same expression she had earlier, perfectly fine. Had she won her battle and emerged victorious? No. She hadn’t even participated. When the fighting began, she merely declared, [I’m out.] Thus, she stood back and watched. Was she too scared to join the battle? Absolutely not. ‘Then what is she up to?’ I couldn’t comprehend her actions. I had ensured her selection intentionally, and yet she merely observed without participating. ‘What’s her agenda?’ Understanding why Myong Hui-ah had brought her along was perplexing enough. And now, even her intentions eluded me. As I continued to look at Tianma with a creased brow, she, having sensed it, met my gaze with hers. A brief exchange of eye contact ensued. This time, I didn’t avert my eyes, maintaining my stare on her. After a while, Tianma finally responded. She lightly waved as she did when I first saw her. Then… “…!!” She made a short leap and vanished immediately. It all happened in a fleeting moment. Just then, Moyong Hui-ah cautiously addressed me. “Young Master, it seems everything is settled….” Without fully registering, I replied, “Then I’ll be on my way.” “Are you heading to take a rest now? I've found a nice inn for us… What?” “I’ll see you soon. It won’t take long.” Only hearing the end of her statement, I kicked off the ground and took to the air. “…This crazy—!” I heard Moyong Hui-ah curse from behind, but it wasn’t the time to be bothered by it. I couldn’t afford to lose this moment. For some reason, that was my only thought. As I hovered, the sun was beginning its descent. ‘Where did she go?’ I turned my head, surveying my surroundings from above the trees. Tianma was nowhere to be seen. Had she already disappeared into the distance? Thinking of her, I immediately expanded my senses in all directions. Hwaaah—! My overwhelming inner energy infused my senses, engulfing the surroundings. Spreading through the forest and reaching towards the city beyond. I searched. Determined to find her by any means. As my senses meticulously scoured the area, overturning every corner— Woom. A familiar energy pierced through my heart. The energy of darkness. There was no mistaking it. ‘She’s over there.’ To the northwest. In an area closer to the forest than the city from Henan. Sensing Tianma’s swift movement, I accelerated in pursuit. Fwoosh-! Whoosh-!! Flames enveloped me as I harnessed the heat to create an explosive surge, following the trail. I descended from the sky and plunged into the forest, racing without losing her trail. Tension rose within me. Amusingly, as I pursued, a part of me considered fleeing. What did I intend to do upon catching up? Fight, perhaps? I didn’t know. I wasn’t even certain that I could win or if I had the confidence to battle. Nevertheless, I had to give chase. I couldn’t let this opportunity slip away. Instincts were urging so. Swoooosh—!! As I passed through the forest, the wind swept by. I came to a halt, scanning my surroundings. The reason was simple. ‘I lost her.’ The presence I had sensed just moments ago had disappeared. It wasn't as if it had been faint, nor was it something easily missed. Yet Tianma’s presence had vanished without a trace. Saaaah…. Only the sound of the wind remained. The profound silence only served to heighten the tension. ‘Where did she go?’ It wasn’t reasonable for a presence to vanish so suddenly. Which meant— ‘She hid her presence.’ This suggested Tianma realized I was following her and concealed herself. ‘That can’t be.’ I found it hard to believe. ‘Is Tianma evading me?’ She isn't one to flee. No matter what situation arises, retreating isn’t part of her character. Tianma is such an existence. Without releasing the tension in my brows, I surveyed the area. Had I really lost her? Questioning this, I was about to intensify the spread of my senses when— Rustle. A faint presence was once again detectable. Upon sensing it, I immediately gathered flames into my hand. There was no hesitation. Whoosh---!!! The rapidly concentrated flames took shape. I overlaid my intent upon it. Swww-! The ephemeral Flame Jade Spear was completed, and as I turned to launch it— “Huh?” I halted, unable to throw the spear upon hearing the unexpected voice. It wasn’t Tianma standing behind me. I stared, eyes widening, at the figure before me. A woman with sharp features and black hair. She mirrored my surprise as she spoke. “Brother?” “…Sister.” To my astonishment, the woman was my sister, Gu Huibi. Tianma, whom I had been chasing, was peeking at me from behind her.