678 - Childhood Friend of the Zenith

The tea dripped from the table onto the floor. Amidst the darkness of the room, only harsh breaths and an occasional groan could be heard. “Ugh… kuu…” The groans belonged to Beom Dong, the leader of the Biryong group. Beom Dong lay collapsed on the floor, blood oozing from his hands and mouth. His eyes were filled with terror and disbelief. Suddenly, someone kneeled before the trembling Beom Dong. The owner of the piercing blue eyes. Gu Yangcheon’s blue gaze gleamed as he locked eyes with Beom Dong in the darkness. Though the shadows obscured his face, Beom Dong could tell. Gu Yangcheon was smiling at him. Snap. “Urgh-!” Gu Yangcheon yanked Beom Dong’s hair, forcing him to look up. “The thing about being falsely accused… You’d never know ’til it happens to you. It’s infuriating.” “Huff… huff…” Beom Dong wanted to say something, but his mouth was too torn to form words properly. “They say I did something I didn’t. They refuse to believe me when I deny it. Worse, they want me to prove it.” His smile widened. Simultaneously, Beom Dong found it hard to breathe. Hisssss---!!! An overwhelming aura of killing intent began to engulf the room. “You bastard.” Gu Yangcheon’s pupils narrowed vertically. “Why should I have to prove it?” “Keuh… that… that’s...” “I didn’t do it. Why do I have to prove something I didn’t do? Why?” Beom Dong struggled to respond through his agony, trying to convey a defense. Woosh-! Bang-! “Cough!” Gu Yangcheon didn’t listen; instead, he slammed Beom Dong’s head into the floor. “Why must I do that, you bastard?” “Guhhhh.” “Investigation rights? What a joke. Bring them if you can.” The investigation rights granted by the coalition. Even with them, would anything change? “Those are useless against the Nine Great Sects or the Four Families, aren’t they?” The power of investigation rights varies depending on one’s status. If a direct member of the Namgung or Moyong clan had caused trouble, the rights would have been of no use. Such was the nature of the coalition’s power. Protecting justice often meant selectively wielding influence. A frustrating futility. “Do you think those rights matter to me?” Perhaps. The value of the Goo family didn’t measure up to the Great Nine Sects or the Four Families in society’s view. However. “Bring it. Then I’ll show you.” Whatever it was, it would be meaningless. “Go ahead, bring it.” His snarling voice roared with energy. Vroooom. The energy surged through the room, causing the furniture to vibrate. “Guh… guh…” Under the oppressive force, Beom Dong’s mind began to crumble. “Please… stop…” He clung to Gu Yangcheon’s pant leg, pleading. It was a pitiful gesture, but he had no choice. Death was imminent. Beom Dong instinctively recognized this. ‘What kind of monster….’ Last time they met, he realized Gu Yangcheon was formidable, but now it seemed much more intense. There were rumors that Seoyumla had reached the Hua state before the age of 40. But no one believed them. More accurately, they refused to believe. How could they? Such genius had never existed in history. The youngest Hua state warrior officially recognized was the mythical dragon of Shaolin. Yet, seeing Seoyumla now... ‘Was he concealing his strength…?’ Even amidst the pressure, Beom Dong’s mind whirred. Why had Seoyumla concealed his power when he possessed such strength? Information about the Shenyong reaching the Hua state emerged about a year ago. If Seoyumla had advanced as rumored, he should have appeared long ago. But until now… Even now, he didn’t bother to reveal himself. Why? As Beom Dong pondered this question. “Amazing?” “…!” Seoyumla’s voice made Beom Dong flinch. “Even in this state, you’re scheming. Are you that leisurely?” “That is…!” Crunch-! “Aaaargh!” Beom Dong’s left pinky twisted in an unnatural direction. “Urgh…” As Beom Dong writhed in pain, Seoyumla continued calmly. “You were always like this, weren’t you?” His voice was so serene, it was even more terrifying. “Even when others were dying, you schemed like this. Back then, I thought you were just trying to survive.” Seoyumla’s hand left Beom Dong’s pinky and moved to his ring finger. “But that wasn’t it. What was it, I wonder? Do you have any idea?” “What are you…” Snap. His ring finger snapped. “Gah!” As Beom Dong was about to scream again. Smack-! Seoyumla clamped his mouth shut. “This isn’t important, so let’s skip it. Keep quiet, or the next thing won’t be a finger, but your neck.” His hand hovered over Beom Dong’s throat, underscoring the reality of his words. “If you understand, nod your head.” “...” Nod. Beom Dong nodded shakily. Only then did Seoyumla release his grip on Beom Dong’s mouth. Slap-! “…!!” And struck Beom Dong sharply across the cheek. His head whipped to the side, and his cheek turned red. Still, Beom Dong didn’t scream. He just bore the blood trickling down his face, all while staring at Seoyumla. Seeing this, Seoyumla nodded with a smile. “You’re obedient.” “...” “I’ll overlook what you said earlier because of this.” Slowly, Seoyumla straightened up. “Originally, I was going to play with you until you were torn apart, leaving no trace. Unfortunately, it seems you still have some usefulness.” His words were chilling, even more so in his dry voice. Beom Dong could tell he meant it. His icy, murderous blue eyes were evidence enough. ‘Is this… even….’ Could those eyes belong to a young man who had only just come of age? Could they really belong to a scion of a righteous sect? ‘He’s a monster.’ Beom Dong internally affirmed. ‘The author is a monster.’ Seoyum Ra was indeed a monster. A monster endowed with power. Otherwise, how could he have done this to the leader of the Biryong in the heart of Hanam? Even with immense power, such a feat wasn’t easily achieved. Creak. Seoyum Ra retrieved a chair lying on the floor and placed it before Beom Dong, sitting down. He crossed his legs and looked down at Beom Dong. His gaze was sharp and clear. Within the darkness, his blue eyes shone, slit pupils visible within. Facing them, one might instinctively avert their gaze. Seoyum Ra's chuckle interrupted Beom Dong’s fearful reverie. “So, let’s put aside any hard feelings and have a pleasant conversation. I have a proposal for you, Captain.” His tone shifted. Beom Dong swallowed dryly at the unexpected change in demeanor. ‘...Put aside hard feelings?’ It was impossible to trust such words. Seoyum Ra’s eyes were clear—he still intended to kill him. “Since it must hurt to speak, keep your mouth shut. I’ll only ask questions you can answer easily.” “...” “If you understand, nod.” ...Nod. “Good. Let’s get to the first proposal.” With a wide grin, Seoyum Ra continued. “First. Don’t speak of what transpired today.” “...” “I don’t care if you tell someone you fell or whatever happened; just don’t talk. You’ve always been discreet, haven’t you, Captain?” Despite his mouth being torn, his hands thrashed, and two fingers broken. Claiming he fell down the stairs—especially for an expert like Beom Dong—was laughable. Yet, Beom Dong could not point this out. “The second thing: Stop sending your lackeys to snoop around. Do I have to start sending their heads back before you take a hint?” “…!” Beom Dong’s eyes widened at this. He had already sent scouts to gather information on Seoyum Ra and his associates. Was he aware of even this? “I won’t demand you stop keeping tabs on me. That would be petty. Let’s just agree to this much, alright?” “...” What exactly did he mean by “this much”? Seoyum Ra’s words were perplexing. There was no turning back now. Knowing that Seoyum Ra was vigilant and exceptionally powerful meant he could no longer stand by idly. “If you disagree, feel free to shake your head. However,” Seoyum Ra warned, watching the struggling Beom Dong. “I’ll kill you and your men outside. Don’t worry about leaving traces; I hate leaving things like that messy.” Only then did Beom Dong realize. He had been waiting for support from the Biryong Division, yet none had arrived. By now, his support should’ve come. ‘...No way.’ Something had happened to them. Beom Dong’s eyes trembled, filled with anxiety and uncertainty. What exactly was going on outside? As if reading his thoughts, Seoyum Ra added. “If you’re still undecided, what if I include your daughter in Honam in the deal?” “…!!” The mention of Honam stole Beom Dong’s breath. The fact that his daughter was in Honam was a secret known to only a few within the coalition’s upper echelon. He had taken precautions to guard personal information through the intelligence bureau. Yet Seoyum Ra nonchalantly disclosed such critical information. “What…” Before Beom Dong could feign ignorance, Seoyum Ra interrupted. “Sending her to school in Honam must be costly. Wouldn't it be better not to waste time here? Your daughter turned seven this year, didn’t she?” “...” The information was eerily precise and thorough. Overwhelmed, Beom Dong clenched his fists. “How… how did….” “How I found out isn’t important. What matters now is you, Captain.” “How… could a righteous sect’s disciple… threaten my family…!!” Snap. Seoyum Ra dismissed Beom Dong’s accusations with a flick of his fingers, filling the room with blue flames. The darkness lifted, revealing the room in bright relief. “The righteous sects are nonsense.” As if irritated by the thought, Seoyum Ra scratched his ear with a pinky. “When dealing with rotten scum, you can’t just be decent; sometimes you must become worse than them.” He watched Beom Dong, and despite the brightened room, his blue eyes seemed even darker. “Let’s keep this simple. Nod if you agree. Shake your head if you don’t.” “...” His smile was clearer now. “I’ll count from one to five. If you don’t answer by then, I’ll take it as a no.” Raising his hand, Seoyum Ra began to fold his fingers one by one. “One... Five.” “I-I will!!” Quickly realizing the shift, Beom Dong nodded vigorously. What nerve—he only counted one and five. At this response, Seoyum Ra smiled, seemingly satisfied. “Wise choice. You save yourself, your subordinates, and your daughter. Very wise indeed.” “...” He rose from his chair, heading towards the door, leaving Beom Dong and his confusion behind. Was this truly the end? Leaving only a warning and no apparent restrictions? Unable to believe it, Beom Dong stared at Seoyum Ra. “No farewell needed. Show yourself out.” He casually opened the door. Creak. As the door swung open, the stark reality outside was revealed. “…!!” Beom Dong’s eyes widened in shock upon seeing the scene beyond. Nearly a dozen figures lay collapsed across the field outside the dwelling. They wore white martial arts uniforms, adorned with a crimson dragon emblem. They were members of the Biryong Division. “…W-what is this.” Those who should have been stealthily surrounding the area—why were they sprawled out there? As Beom Dong groaned over the bizarre scene, he noticed someone standing before the fallen figures. A petite woman with short hair that, from afar, might make her gender ambiguous. Upon closer observation, her features and form marked her as undeniably feminine. She wielded a stick taller than herself and seemed preoccupied by a fluttering butterfly. But soon, sensing presence, her gaze shifted towards Seoyum Ra. “Oh!” Upon spotting Seoyum Ra, she broke into a bright smile and dashed towards him. “I did everything you told me!” She leapt towards him with the enthusiasm of a puppy reuniting with its owner. Seoyum Ra asked, “Did you kill them all?” His question resembled a casual greeting, yet it was much too chilling. The woman’s response was even more astonishing. “No! I wanted to, but I didn’t because the Master said not to!” “Good job.” “I did well, right? I did, huh? I should get a reward if I did. What should I ask for? What do I want!?” The woman rambled in delight, musing loudly over her reward. “Yes!” “Hm?” “Now you really have to mate with me—” Before she could finish her sentence, Seoyum Ra’s fist landed squarely on her head. Bang-! “Yelp!” The blow was swift and unyielding. Her small head wobbled with the harsh impact. Thud! She crumpled to the ground, seemingly unconscious. Was she dead? Observing this, Beom Dong momentarily wondered. But seeing her body twitch, it appeared she was still alive. “Damn, I knew I shouldn’t have called her. She irritates me just by being here.” Seoyum Ra waved a hand in exasperation. “Nahi.” “Yes, Master.” “Get her out of here. Gag her and tie her up. Keep her tucked away until I leave.” “Understood.” Following Seoyum Ra’s orders, another woman stepped forward, lifting the fallen figure and carrying her away. With a sigh, Seoyum Ra turned, his gaze meeting a startled Beom Dong. “What are you doing?” “…?” “Are you just going to stand there?” Puzzled, Beom Dong watched as Seoyum Ra gestured to the grounded members of the Biryong Division. “I mean, take them and get out of here. I need to eat.” Stunned, Beom Dong glanced at the bodies, counting no fewer than nine. Did he intend for him to take them all away? Seeing Beom Dong’s bewildered expression, Seoyum Ra added casually, “Or would you prefer to leave this life in the present?” “...” “That would be easier, actually.” Seoyum Ra’s face twisted into a scowl as he spoke. Realizing the grim humor, Beom Dong hastily began tending to his fallen subordinates, even with his injuries.