686 - Childhood Friend of the Zenith

The Best in the World’s Childhood Friend, Chapter 686 > Northern Rabbit - Web Novel Archive "Ughhhh!" Yutan Geom clutched his crotch and stumbled around, his actions looking rather pathetic. Yet, no one seemed eager to comment on it—particularly none of the men. "You heard it, didn’t you?" "It definitely broke. That was definitely the sound of it breaking." Who would’ve thought the sound would be so clear? Everyone could only watch Yutan Geom with expressions of sympathy. "Uh... urrghh..." Finally, he ceased his thrashing and tried to steady himself, but his face remained clouded with darkness, beads of sweat streaming down. "You... you!!" Seeing this, Guyangcheon remarked, "Oh, my apologies. I meant to kick your thigh. My mistake, senior." His face showed no hint of genuine regret. The flush in Yutan Geom's eyes deepened to a fiery red. "You devilish bastard!!" "Well, perhaps you shouldn’t flaunt the wrong thing in such a way, ending up in an embarrassing situation." Despite Yutan Geom's shouting, Guyangcheon merely shook his head, expressing disdain rather than reacting. Yutan Geom couldn’t hold back any longer and unsheathed his sword. Srrrring-!! The thin blade glinted as it emerged. Instantly, something clear and vivid enshrouded it. Ki energy. A subtle blue aura whirled around the tip of Yutan Geom's sword. The sight of his sword aura, released while clutching his nether regions, was somewhat bizarre, yet those who witnessed it revealed expressions of admiration. "...Such beautiful sword energy...." "That's the legendary 'Yushen Yixian Technique' of the Lu Clan...! It's as beautiful as the rumors say." The Yushen Yixian Technique, a direct martial art of the Lu Clan, was known for its flowing energy, likened to the drifting stars, often cited among the most beautiful martial arts. Whirr-! The tip of the sword began to oscillate, dispersing energy gradually. Despite the unbearable pain he must feel, his grip on the sword was stable and poised. He may be a bastard, but he was indeed a master at his craft. "You dare use... witchcraft!?" "Witchcraft?" Guyangcheon tilted his head, puzzled at Yutan Geom’s words. Witchcraft? The murmurs spread quickly amongst the crowd at Yutan Geom’s accusation. "Witchcraft, huh?" "Did Yutan Geom just accuse him of using witchcraft?" "So, does that mean what happened just now was the result of witchcraft?" Despite being spoken out of heated emotion, the accusation had a significant impact, which corresponded with Yutan Geom's significant reputation. "Well, it is strange that such a young man could reduce Yutan Geom to this state...." "However, nothing seemed particularly unusual just now, did it...? In fact, we could barely perceive any movement." To general spectators, even to second-rate fighters, the speed was so fast that they couldn't see it clearly. Those who might barely witness the scene were fighters above first-rate level. They should have seen the previous situation clearly, yet their faces were filled with uncertainty and doubt. It was understandable. Who was Yutan Geom? One among the top one hundred masters in the Central Plains, a renowned expert disregarding his serious womanizing issues, his standing as a swordsman was secure. Such a master from the Central Plains... "Defeated by one so young?" It was unbelievable even when seen. How could it be believed? Such a thing could only be possible through witchcraft. "In Henan, moreover within the Martial Arts Alliance, to dare use witchcraft...! It’s unthinkable, madness!" Yutan Geom bellowed, pointing his sword at Guyangcheon. The vibrant energy didn’t intimidate Guyangcheon, who chuckled softly. "It's been a while since I heard that term." Witchcraft, huh. It used to be a common accusation in the past, but he hadn’t been out causing a stir lately, making the fresh accusation somewhat nostalgic. Indeed— 'Lately, I would finish them off before they could accuse me.' Repeating the cycle of eliminating them before they could sprout such nonsensical claims meant he heard such words less frequently. Guyangcheon, with his characteristic gaze, looked at Yutan Geom. "Go ahead, continue. So? Where is the witchcraft in this situation?" "You’re still trying to mock me, eh!" "No, it’s not mockery... Ah...." He let out a long sigh as he started to respond. Why was it that whenever it came to this point, normal conversation never seemed to occur? "Enough. What kind of dialogue is this? Let’s just settle this." With a step forward, Guyangcheon cast his glance around. All eyes were on him. The gazes piled up over his head. The sensation was heavy, and bothersome. "...Come to think of it, that young man...! So he’s the notorious Guyangcheon?" "What? Did you say Guyangcheon?" The nickname slipping out caused a ripple among the gathered crowd. "I saw it yesterday too! I saw Bei Xiangdo acting familiar with that young man." "They said Young Lord Pang caused quite a commotion yesterday... So the rumors were true?" As conversations deepened, gazes grew more intense and focused. Guyangcheon, although accustomed to such attention, found it distasteful as ever. A nauseating wave coursed through. But he had to endure. At the same time, a shallow regret passed through his mind. 'I should've stayed out of it.' He originally had no intention to step into the fray, nor to draw such attention. The martial arts tournament hadn’t even begun, and already there was this much commotion, foreboding potential trouble later. Thus, he intended to handle it moderately and pass by. 'That bastard.’ If Yutan Geom—or was it Yutan Jian—hadn’t overstepped the boundary, none of this would’ve happened. He might have let it slide when the martial alliance officer intervened, but running his mouth recklessly sealed his fate. 'And his appearance just rubbed me the wrong way.' For all his loathsome character, his looks were infuriatingly handsome. Even appearing to be over forty, his looks were enough to draw women—just another annoying trait. Thinking that made everything harder to put aside. Having made up his mind, as Guyangcheon took a step forward— "You wretch—! You think it’ll work twice!?" Yutan Geom emanated a ferocious energy as he performed his technique. The blue sword aura sliced through the air, forming a path. Swish-!! The sword path, indicative of his level, was smooth and refreshing. Guyangcheon moved slightly, observing the sword path. Then, he slightly raised a corner of his mouth. The reason being— 'This guy is scared.' He detected a faint hesitation within Yutan Geom's sword path as he struck. 'He isn't completely clueless. He knows the score.' When Yutan Geom accused him of using witchcraft, it made one wonder if he’d let his instincts override his reason, yet it seemed he maintained a sliver of sanity. Yutan Geom must have realized that what just transpired wasn't pure witchcraft. That likely explained the hesitation in the tip of his sword. Watching this, Guyangcheon moved lightly. He softly brushed against Yutan Geom's sword path, gradually closing the distance. "You scoundrel!" As his attacks continued to miss, Yutan Geom's sword aura grew fiercer. Soon enough— Swish! A shimmering aura began to spread and linger in the air, almost like stars appearing in the broad daylight. Seeing this, Guyangcheon’s eyes sparked with interest. 'Is this similar to the Plum Blossom Sword Technique?' At first glance, it appeared to be the case, but probing deeper might reveal otherwise. Mmm— Opening his heart's eye, Guyangcheon observed Yutan Geom's martial arts skill. 'Considering the level, it should hold considerable destructive power.' Though the technique might seem somewhat weak, the energy within it was clean and sharp. If unleashed in its entirety, it would likely sweep through the area. Judging Yutan Geom's level... 'He's above Tang Soyeol if they clashed head-on.' Tang Soyeol, an assassin, would lose in a direct confrontation with Yutan Geom. But at nighttime... 'That, I’m not sure.' Not fully knowing Tang Soyeol's capabilities, that part remained unclear. Nevertheless, one thing was certain—Yutan Geom's reputation wasn’t unfounded. 'So, should I crush him preemptively?' If he unleashed his power now, he could easily suppress him. Would it be wise then to leave Yutan Geom half-dead? As he pondered this, Guyangcheon shook his head inwardly. 'Revealing that much would be a waste.' Though stepping forward, he had drawn a distinct line for himself, and there was no need to unleash everything. Besides— 'Someone was already meant to step in.' The person meant to end this charade was already prepared to intervene. Remembering this, Guyangcheon glanced somewhere specific. Through the crowd, his perceptive gaze led him to sense something. As expected, he was beginning to feel it subtly. 'Since it’s gone this far, I should gain something from it.' If he’d caused a ruckus, it wasn’t wise to leave with nothing. Whatever the outcome, he intended to leave with his advantage secured. Making this judgment, Guyangcheon looked at Yutan Geom. Swish-!! In the moment he was lost in thought, Yutan Geom's sword path began to accelerate. Guyangcheon retreated, prompting the sword tip to follow like a specter. In addition, the energy diffused by Yutan Geom lunged towards Guyangcheon. It poured forth. Numerous partitioned energy streams descended upon Guyangcheon. Thud—!!! The ground was swept by the energy. "Aaah!" "Eek!" Those nearby shrieked at the unexpected onslaught. Fortunately, the response differed little in terms of damage, suggesting Yutan Geom had moderated his power. 'He must be nervous.' Fighting so aggressively, he likely knew it wouldn't bode well for him to stir chaos within the Martial Arts Alliance. Swish-! A sword whooshed past the tip of his head. Amidst dodging the aura, Yutan Geom persistently chased and continued slashing his sword. It's a hassle of a martial art to counter. Simply overwhelming it with one's force would be straightforward, yet not possible here, which was problematic. But it didn't matter. "You’re merely scampering around like a rat!" Because it wouldn’t be long now. Slam! Believing he was cornering Guyangcheon, Yutan Geom pressed his advance with heightened momentum. Thud! His foot slammed the ground as he launched his body forward. The distance between them closed rapidly. Or rather, it was more accurate to say the opportunity was allowed for it to close. "It's over!" Yutan Geom thrust his sword forward. The aura-infused blade zeroed in on Guyangcheon’s torso, as Guyangcheon leisurely reached out his hand. His movement was marginally slower than the flying sword, ensuring the sword point would strike first. Just before Yutan Geom's sword reached Guyangcheon— "Enough." Someone interceded between them. Tap-! "Gasp!" Both Yutan Geom’s blade and Guyangcheon’s hand were simultaneously halted. Whoooosh-!!! A resounding sword hum echoed. The sound emanated from Yutan Geom’s blade, which was restrained in the grasp of an interruption—a hand lodged gently between middle and thumb. Similarly, Guyangcheon’s hand was captured before it could reach Yutan Geom. "It seems both of you have forgotten where you stand." The chilling voice caused Yutan Geom's shoulders to shudder slightly. In contrast, Guyangcheon raised the corner of his mouth. 'Ah, he’s arrived.' Fortunately, he had shown up on time. Flutter. A white robe billowed in the breeze. Witnessing the figure, onlookers couldn’t contain their awe-inspired whispers. "That, that person is..." "...Jinryeong Sword Emperor!" The name was mentioned with a mixture of admiration. The surroundings fell silent, the air settling. The white martial robes symbolized his status within the Alliance. This elder’s presence silenced the crowd, commanding the atmosphere with a mere nod of his white eyebrows. "It is prohibited to draw swords within the Martial Arts Alliance except during sanctioned duels." Addressing Yutan Geom, his hand visibly trembled. "Moreover, during the martial tournament, conflicts between martial artists are forbidden as well." Jinryeong Sword Emperor, also known as the foremost blade of Henan, was one of the genuine masters in the current world, one of the ten great masters of the Central Plains. 'One of the top ten masters.' Part of the esteemed group, 'Seven Cheol, Three Kwon.' The elder, his piercing eyes flickering, pronounced, "According to the Alliance's law, I will apprehend the two who breached it." "B-but!" Yutan Geom, his face turning a shade of blue, attempted to retort, but the sword emperor’s sharp gaze targeted him directly. "Defiance, Yutan Geom?" "...!" Faced with the weighty question, Yutan Geom's lips quivered uncontrollably. "...No, sir." Despite his status as a top hundred master, Yutan Geom hung his head before Jinryeong Sword Emperor, reduced to mere submission. Rumors aside, in front of the sword emperor, mere silence reigned. That was the weight of a top ten master’s presence. As Yutan Geom sealed his lips with a dire expression, the sword emperor then turned to Guyangcheon. They locked eyes. With a bright smile, Guyangcheon replied immediately. "By all means, proceed with my apprehension. I don’t resist." "..." Upon hearing his words, the old man's expression twisted slightly, yet Guyangcheon paid it no mind. Being apprehended was likewise unimportant to him. ‘Even if I’m taken in like this,’ he would be released soon enough. ****************** "What did you say?" The head of the Martial Arts Alliance, who had been briefed on the situation, frowned deeply. "...You say Yutan Geom has been detained?" "Yes, that's correct," replied the Sword Emperor, who was kneeling on one knee before him. "He was subdued and apprehended after engaging in combat inside the alliance. He is currently placed underground for interrogation." "..." Even after hearing the explanation, the head's expression remained clouded. Yutan Geom apprehended? Engaged in battle and subdued, here, within the alliance? 'You mean that Yutan Geom?' A well-known master among the top one hundred, captured during a skirmish? And inside the Martial Arts Alliance? Perplexed, the leader examined the report in hand. Rustle. The report provided a detailed account of the incident. As he read patiently, the leader's expression increasingly distorted. "His... his groin...?" "..." The Sword Emperor offered no verbal response to the leader's words, seemingly unwilling to even speak the details aloud. "…What is his condition?" "Some treatment is necessary, but they say there are no severe issues." "…That's a relief, in many ways." Indeed, it was fortunate, considering the circumstances. "In any case... this means Yutan Geom did display his capabilities." "Yes, it does." "Was he serious in the confrontation?" To the inquiry about whether Yutan Geom fought earnestly, the Sword Emperor responded, "Being on the defensive initially, he didn't go all out, but he certainly didn’t underestimate his opponent." "Hmm..." An ambiguous yet accurate answer. Regardless, it was clear Yutan Geom had revealed his prowess. The problem now was... The opponent Yutan Geom faced was the real issue. "Guyangcheon... a member of the Gu clan?" The leader's eyes widened as he read. A familiar name. Understandably so, as he was the close friend of the child whom the leader cared for yet was uneasy about. ‘That child, indeed.’ The leader recalled Guyangcheon's face. They had once crossed paths during a righteous sect conference. The progeny of a renowned hero, then known as the emerging dragon. ‘That child fought Yutan Geom?’ Not only that, but he also managed to defend against Yutan Geom's sword? ‘Hmmm.’ The leader's frown deepened. ‘Is that even possible?’ While it could somehow be brushed off as a surprise attack, the unfolding details suggested it wasn’t merely an ambush. So, was this child from the Gu clan truly fighting head-on against Yutan Geom? Withstanding his sword until the Sword Emperor intervened? ‘This is peculiar.’ Rumors abounded about the child's escape from the confines of lesser talents at the Shenlongguan incident, yet... ‘He is still just a child.’ Barely beyond his coming-of-age. Younger even than the hidden dragon Woo Hyuk. Could such a child truly withstand Yutan Geom’s sword? The thought lingering in the leader's mind caused him to immediately turn to the Sword Emperor and inquire, "Guardian Lord." "Yes, leader." "What do you make of Guyangcheon's level?" "…" The Sword Emperor had witnessed the event firsthand, so he should have gauged the boy's capabilities. That was the leader’s assumption. "I am unsure." "...!" Hearing the response, the leader's eyes widened to the size of saucers. "Unsure, you say?" "Yes." He admitted he couldn’t gauge the level. The Sword Emperor’s claim was simple. The leader, barely restraining his astonishment, furrowed his brows even further. "How is that possible?" This was the Sword Emperor—the one who might have taken the title of Sword King if not for the Sword Lord at the time, the current foremost swordsman in Henan, and the protector of the alliance. Could someone reputed as one of the ten great masters in the Central Plains fail to estimate the level of a mere rising talent? While the leader's reaction neared disbelief, the Sword Emperor’s expression remained unchanged. "There’s no falsehood. I couldn’t assess Guyangcheon's level." Effectively, it was as if he couldn’t see it. He hadn’t given his all to discern it, nor did he actively seek to. Yet that made no difference—the level was simply not visible. Even the Sword Emperor, while observing Guyangcheon, couldn’t penetrate his depths. The implication here was significant. ‘Either their abilities are equal or similar...’ Or perhaps... ‘Has he mastered a unique martial art?’ He could have learned a rare martial art, specifically designed to obscure one's true level from others’ perception. Reflecting on the part of the report that mentioned Yutan Geom’s outcry, the leader stroked his chin thoughtfully. ‘There was a mention of witchcraft.’ Reports had included Yutan Geom's declaration of witchcraft as he unleashed his ki. ‘Witchcraft...’ Could it truly be that Guyangcheon used witchcraft? Especially here, in the heart of the Martial Arts Alliance? As someone from a righteous lineage? ‘The former possibility seems unlikely.’ He dismissed the notion of Guyangcheon’s level being on par with the Sword Emperor. Such talent transcended mere natural ability—the realm of wonders unprecedented in practical terms. Nevertheless, the nagging thought was... ‘This child’s lineage is what troubles me.’ Particularly being the progeny of the Tiger of Shanxi. His heritage was a complicating factor. It might not be a miracle, but claiming him as that hero's offspring changed the context. Rustle. The leader gently folded the document and tucked it away, closing his eyes meditatively. "Hmmm..." This wasn’t ideal. It wasn’t the pre-tournament skirmish that concerned him. What mattered was that attention was now focusing on Guyangcheon. He would try to quell the rumors, yet they must already be spreading. That Guyangcheon fought Yutan Geom on even terms. That a young martial artist successfully struck Yutan Geom. The rumors would spread, regardless. And that circumstance was problematic for the leader. ‘Why must it be now that he stands out?’ Yes, now of all times. A martial artist the same age as the Shenlong was stepping into prominence. ‘If that child has indeed reached the transformation stage akin to Shenlong...’ He hoped this wasn’t the case, but the circumstances warranted consideration. Such a situation would undoubtedly pose significant problems. The current initiative being spearheaded by the alliance alongside Shaolin— ‘The Falling Star Birth Plan might face disruptions.’ The impending catastrophe foreseen by the abbot of Shaolin, and the plan for the complete eradication of the unorthodox sects prior to it occurring. This meticulously laid strategy might be at risk of unraveling. Such uneasy seeds began sprouting within the leader's mind. Creak. Sensing these doubts, the leader rose from his desk. "Where did you say the two are being held?" "The interrogation room in the underground section." "Then, let us proceed there. Now." At the leader's decision, the Sword Emperor's eyes shifted slightly. "You intend to handle this personally, my lord?" "Indeed." With a nod, the leader began to move. It seemed necessary to witness the situation firsthand. Only then could the leader ascertain with certainty— Whether the child from the Gu clan would serve as a beneficial component in the plan— Or become a hindrance.