698 - Childhood Friend of the Zenith

The Best in the World’s Childhood Friend, Chapter 698 > Northern Rabbit - Web Novel Archive This tale resembles folklore and legend more than history. It is that kind of story. A very distant past. When a dokkaebi, yearning for his homeland, committed a sin. Due to his transgression, the foundation of the world was crushed, and dimensions twisted. From within it poured forth beings who defied the laws. With a mere momentary act, the rules crumbled. The broken rules began to topple the laws set by the world. As a result, countless lives perished. To call it punishment would be an understatement. It was simply more accurate to describe it as an accident. Yes, it was an accident. An accident born from ignorance. However. The consequences of that accident were all the more severe. -Aaah!! -Save me!! Screams resounded everywhere. The world was drenched in blood. -It’s a monster! Creatures of unknown origin appeared and devoured humans. The world was stained with death. The dokkaebi who witnessed this shed tears imbued with flames. For he had undone the world with his own hands. The world was furious as well. Not because the innocent perished. But because the laws it had set were broken, and that was why the divine was angered. The established rules were violated, and the world began to crumble. Seeing this, the world decreed: A broken world is unnecessary. Thus, it would start anew. That’s the verdict the world ultimately rendered. So the dokkaebi pondered. He could neither return to his world nor simply watch the deteriorating world. What should he do then? The dokkaebi thought again. First, he needed to close the gate that was pouring out the entities. He had to close the gate and plead for the world’s mercy. Since he committed the sin. He must ask for leniency. With that in mind, the dokkaebi finally closed the gate. Closing it wasn't hard. Enduring it after closure was another matter, but closing it itself wasn’t particularly difficult. After closing the gate, the dokkaebi sought out the world. He pleaded that he would somehow resolve what he had caused, asking for mercy. At the moment of fervent wishing. Amazingly, the world heeded the dokkaebi's wish. Instead of obliterating the world immediately, it would grant an opportunity. It told the dokkaebi so and simultaneously imposed a certain burden of guilt. If the dokkaebi accepted this, the world would grant both him and the world a chance. Such were the conditions. The dokkaebi, having no options from the outset, accepted without hesitation. Fortunately, the world did not lie. It provided the opportunity as it had promised. If there was a problem. The burden that the world imposed on the dokkaebi, which was called a condition, was far more brutal than anticipated. Even if the dokkaebi regretted it later. The burden was something he could never abandon by himself. ****************** Crackle-! Slide-! A spectacle of force unfolded before his eyes. A dark flow, like charred black, swirled in the air. Even in the night-cloaked forest, it was darker. In that alien-looking scene, he gazed at a small figure. Wearing the familiar martial robes of the Gu family, black long hair fluttering. The eyes that looked at him were as strikingly beautiful as someone else's he knew. In those violet eyes, there was a paradoxical mix of hatred and beauty. He thought of Cheonma. He frowned as he looked at the back of the woman, who in her past life was called a calamity. A small and delicate back. Back then, it had seemed so large, but now, it looked so small. “What are you?” He asked in a strained voice, which made Cheonma glance at him before turning her head back. She faced forward again. In front of her stood someone who claimed to be his grandfather. “Hmmm.” Though cloaked in flames and not fully perceptible, he had a human form and referred to himself as his grandfather. Even without that, the resonance of the Gou Flame Wheel Art made it evident. The very flames were those of the Gou Flame Wheel Art. Recalling that he tried to take the Gou Flame Wheel Art from him, there was some plausibility in him being his grandfather. ‘Though how he managed to take it is another question.’ Ultimately, it was clear that the situation was very perilous. At that moment. -Crackle. The sound of grasshoppers by his ears began to return. The sound that had stopped started to be heard again. The wind brushed against his cheek. As lost sensations began to come back, he wondered what had happened. Had his grandfather relaxed his power? Or had something twisted with the appearance of Cheonma? As questions began to sprout: “Yes, indeed.” Seeing the appearance of Cheonma, his grandfather spoke. “You were here. I had momentarily forgotten.” The way his head nodded reminded him of someone. Annoyingly enough, it resembled his own behavior. Or had he taken after him? “An aura beyond the human realm. It’s been a long time. Have you been well?” “...” At his grandfather’s words, Cheonma extended her left hand. And then. Swooosh--!!! The black aura suspended in the air began to gather in her hand. As soon as he sensed it, a tingling sensation arose within him. It was an immense force. The compressed and condensed energy started morphing from her fingertips, its shape resembling a sword. A power he was well-acquainted with. It was something Cheonma often used in her past life. She never named it back then. The forces of justice gave it the pretentious name of Cheonma Divine Sword. Well, it was befitting of the name 'divine sword.' A single swing of that sword could alter the landscape. Saaa-. Soon the sword was complete. Cheonma pointed the sword's tip at his grandfather. And spoke. “Disappear.” “...” “This is not a place for you.” “Haha.” Hearing Cheonma's words, his grandfather chuckled. “This is indeed...” At that moment. Vuuuum-! “Ugh…!” His heart started pounding wildly. The Gou Flame Wheel Art reclaimed from his grandfather began to act up. It was scorching. The fiery energy coursed through his veins and spread throughout his entire body. Ssssssss-! Because of this, heat began to emanate from his body, causing considerable pain. “To think mere remnants dare impose upon me with such insolence.” For some reason, his grandfather’s voice was tinged with anger, even though it seemed he had been provoked considerably. Is that why the flames are reacting and going into a frenzy? "Anyone on this land could tell me to leave, except for you." Thud. As he took a step forward, the surrounding air violently trembled. Whoosh-! Simultaneously, the temperature soared. It felt like a forest fire was blazing, causing his skin to scorch. "How utterly shameless." Kuuuu--!! The tumultuous energy nearly suffocated him. He struggled to rein in the wildly surging energy. Still, it wouldn't listen. 'Damn it.' He gritted his teeth. Even amid this, his grandfather was gradually approaching Cheonma. In response, Cheonma also began to move her sword slowly. Were they about to clash? 'What the hell.' The absurdity of the situation made expletives spring to mind. His supposed grandfather showed up out of nowhere causing this chaos, and suddenly the Gou Flame Wheel Art was throwing a fit. Cheonma, whom he had loathed so much, stood there blocking his grandfather, sword in hand. Was she trying to protect him? Cheonma? 'What does she think she is?' This is sheer madness, pure and simple. Could the situation get any worse than this? Tightly clenching his fists. He pounded his chest hard. Boom--!!! Crash-! “Hmm.” “…!” The violent sound of energy dispersion made Cheonma turn her head to look back. He had hit himself with enough force to release a wave of air pressure from his body. “Gah.” Drip. Blood flowed. He wiped his mouth with the back of his hand. “Wow, damn… that hurts like hell.” In his haste, he hadn’t controlled his strength. He rubbed his chest with his hand. Damn it. His ribs were probably broken. Every breath was painful, and even a sigh was unbearable. He should have hit a bit softer. The silver lining was that hitting himself had stopped the Gou Flame Wheel Art fit. Better to have cracked ribs than to let it rage uncontrollably. It made him capable of moving somewhat. Both of them stared at him in shock. Ignoring their stares, he walked forward. As he walked, he grabbed Cheonma's shoulder and pulled her aside. “…!” Cheonma widened her eyes as she was pulled, but he didn’t look at her. “Stay out of this. Don’t interfere.” It was a family affair, after all. There was no room for outsiders to interject. As he steadied his breath and moved forward, his grandfather also reacted in surprise. “How did you break free?” The flame’s turmoil. He looked at him as if finding it strange that he had escaped from it. “As if becoming something beyond human could briefly withstand my flames-.” “Why do you call it your flame?” Spit. He spat on the ground, and it was nothing but blood. “It’s my flame.” It was his flame, nurtured through a lifetime of struggle and toil. "Who do you think you are to covet it? I worked myself to the bone to be able to use it." “Heh.” Concealing his creaking body, he confronted his grandfather. “Really, as a supposed grandfather, you can't give anything to your grandson, and instead, you try to take. Have you aged backward?” He had already thrown courtesy away. If his opponent didn’t show him respect, he saw no reason to reciprocate. He could reclaim the flame. The strangeness that came with it annoyed him, but there was no need to bow his head. “If you can take it, try and take it.” “My child, you seem to be under a misconception. If I desire it, I can take the seedling whenever I want….” “Then just drop dead here.” “…!” Speaking of death made his grandfather silent. “What did you say?” “I said I’ll die if you take it.” “...” Just as expected. Mentioning death made his grandfather’s demeanor change. As he predicted. ‘It seems he needs me?’ His grandfather needed him. Whether it was his body, being him, or him being the future head of the clan, it was clear he couldn’t die. “…Ha….” His grandfather let out a sarcastic chuckle upon hearing him. Witnessing this, he acted immediately. “Do I look like I won't do it?" Tilting his head with a nod, he grasped his own neck with his hand. "If you’re going to take it, go ahead." “...” The flames could be taken. His grandfather and his father had met, and he wasn’t sure what conversation took place, but they had mentioned a one-year grace period. In that time, they said they’d take away his ability to use the Gou Flame Wheel Art. If that happened. ‘Everything collapses.’ Everything he had planned would be wrecked. His plans were based on the cultivation level he had painstakingly built up. If the Gou Flame Wheel Art got sealed, it would all be over. ‘That’s not an option.’ If it came to that, he would rather die here. Upon hearing his intentions, his grandfather paused and looked at him. Their gazes locked in silent exchange. Although, calling it eye contact was strange. For it was nothing but flames. In that silence, a short pause lingered. “…Haha.” His grandfather let out a burst of laughter. “Hahaha-!” Wooong-!! Each time he laughed, the air shook. It wasn’t the pressure of energy. It was something subtly different. “How amusing. That child raised his offspring well.” ‘That child’ likely referred to his father. Was saying he was raised amusingly intended as an insult? It sounded like an insult to his ears. “To think you’d try to negotiate using your life.” “You use pleasant words. It’s more accurate to say it’s my desperate act of defying your threats.” Scoffing, he clicked his tongue. “That part about you distinctly resembles your father.” His grandfather reacted as though something similar had happened before. Then, looking at him, he spoke. “Very well. Seeing your determination, I won’t take the flame.” He declared that he wouldn’t take the Gou Flame Wheel Art from him. That was a relief. Still, he didn’t let out a breath of relief. “But.” His grandfather hadn’t finished speaking. “The period is still one year.” “…And in that time, what am I supposed to do? Go to Xinjiang?” “Yes. More precisely, you should come after you have assumed your position.” “Why should I?” “Because it is our karma.” Hearing those words, he frowned. Karma, damn it. “What is there that requires me to go all the way there?” “The Gate.” “The Gate?” “We guard the Gate. That is our duty.” His grandfather's words, ‘The Gate.’ What could that possibly mean? He didn't bother pondering deeply. He was not in a position to think deeply about it. “One year.” His grandfather reminded him again of the timeframe as if asking him to remember. “Before that time passes. Ascend to the position you are meant to hold.” Ascend to the position of the heir and seek Xinjiang. That was what his grandfather desired. So he asked. "What if I don't?" What would happen if he chose not to comply? Upon asking this. "If you wish not to, then so be it." His grandfather spoke in a nonchalant tone. "If you can manage that, of course." "...I see." His grandfather’s words were more frustrating than a direct command not to do it. No matter what he did, there was no escaping it. That sentiment was clearly embedded in his grandfather's words. As frustration caused him to grit his teeth and clench his fists. "And, make sure to take care of 'that' as well." His grandfather's gaze shifted past him to Cheonma. "For us, it’s a precious key." "A key?" "Yes, it’s the key that locks the gate, never to open again." He frowned. A key? Cheonma was a key? "You said you entrusted her to Guihui. What’s your true intention?" His grandfather took Cheonma and left her with Guihui. Where did he find her, and why? He couldn't help but ask. His grandfather referring to Cheonma as a "key" implied some connection between the Gu family’s karma and Cheonma. To his question, his grandfather nodded lightly, as he often did. "For necessity. It’s best to keep precious things visible." For necessity. What concerned him more were the latter words. Keep it visible. That's why he left her with Guihui. He found that unsettling. "Now that I've seen your face as I wished, I shall take my leave." Cutting the conversation short, his grandfather surveyed the surroundings. It was the open air of the forest. "Seems I have a guest coming to see me." Keeping his gaze focused there, his grandfather continued to address him. "Child, remember well. As long as the flames exist, I will be watching over you." So then. "Until next time." With those words, his grandfather became a blaze and vanished in an instant. "..." The spot in the lush forest where he had stood was now charred black. As the air cooled rapidly after his disappearance, he bit his lip. "This is seriously a load of crap." He'd stormed in unexpectedly, spewed his words, and then vanished. ‘What? A polite lunatic?’ Recalling what Patriarch Zun had said about his grandfather made him shiver. ‘Polite, my ass. Just a madman.’ In what world is that considered polite? If that's politeness, then the world must be crazy. And now, he mentioned karma, making it feel like a delay he’d been putting off was abruptly thrust upon him. ‘One year?’ He thought about the period his grandfather had given him. ‘Should I just run?’ He was more than capable of leaving the Gu family behind. Finishing the blood feud was a higher priority than inheriting karma, so leaving the position of heir didn't seem like a huge loss. [If you wish not to, then so be it.] His grandfather's words echoed around his mind. The certainty that he couldn't really escape gnawed at his insides. "Hah…" He let out a sigh, rubbing his face with one hand. Throbbing pain surged from his chest, making him click his tongue. The ribs that had been battered earlier flared with a dull ache. ‘It’ll probably hurt for about three days.’ Considering his accelerated healing, about three days. That seemed like enough time for recovery. He could just leave it alone, but still, it was worth consulting a healer. With that thought, he turned around. Facing him were those violet eyes. Right, he had entirely forgotten that Cheonma was with him just a moment ago. "..." Cheonma was gripping her shoulder with one hand, looking at him with an unreadable expression. Why was she holding her shoulder like that? ‘Is that where I grabbed her earlier?’ The spot he had seized when pulling her aside. Was she clutching it because he had gripped her too forcefully then? ‘I didn’t hold her that hard.’ He wondered if she was just being dramatic, as he looked at her. "Are you leaving?" Cheonma spoke to him. "Are you going?" "Yeah. I’m getting out of here." Originally, he had come to see Guihui and Cheonma, but he didn’t want to stick around in this state. It was time to go back. He needed to head back to his quarters, to think things through and rest. As he turned away, intending to move on, Cheonma grabbed his arm firmly, halting him. "What is it?" He glared at her with an annoyed expression. "Food." Cheonma brought up something completely unexpected. "...What?" "Have a meal before you go." "What kind of nonsense is that?" Why would he eat with her? It was sure to be uncomfortable. After all that had happened, how could he think about eating? He was prepared to shake her off and leave when. "My sister will be waiting." Her words caused him to stop involuntarily. "Why my sister?" "She mentioned she was going to fetch you." Did she mention him before coming out? "...Ah." "Sister prepared something delicious. Come on." Mentioning Guihui, Cheonma tugged at him. He had very much wanted to leave immediately, but hearing about Guihui held him back. 'Perhaps this is a blessing in disguise.' Since things were this way, he might as well conclude everything at once. He thought to himself as he closed his eyes. ****************** Halfway up a towering rock face. An old man sat perched. He wore nothing but bottoms, leaving his upper body bare. Despite clearly being an elder, his body was taut with muscles and scars. A full head of white hair and a face etched with wrinkles. A combatant’s physique that didn’t suit him. Not only that. The long horn protruding from his forehead indicated he was no ordinary human. "..." After some time, the old man opened his once closed eyes. His smoldering crimson eyes were revealed. Quietly gazing, the old man’s eyes rolled, and he suddenly wore a smile. “Chuckle.” He seemed to be trying to hold back his laughter, yet it wasn’t easy. It was evident he found something amusing. How many years had it been? It had been far too long in the old man’s life since such an occurrence. As he continued laughing for a while. Thud. Someone appeared behind him. "It seems you’ve found something amusing." The newcomer spoke, looking at the old man’s back. The old man wiped the smile off his face and turned his gaze to the intruder. The old man's previous smile had vanished, leaving only his chilling eyes. “It was a time filled with deep emotions.” He already knew of the other's presence. That was why he had hurriedly retrieved the flames. “The world's watchdog deems it necessary to interfere.” Hearing this, the young man looked at the old man and spoke. “My apologies. However, things are quite urgent on my end as well.” Despite the old man’s anger, the young man smiled casually. “Pleasure to meet you, Gatekeeper. I’ve truly longed to see you.” The old man responded to the smile. “I was just on my way back from meeting your remnants.” Despite the remark, the young man—Blood Demon—did not erase his smile. He found it all rather amusing. “Such trivial matters have been long forgotten.” What did energy or the physical body matter? To the current Blood Demon, nothing held importance. “There is something I’d like to ask.” Blood Demon—Dogu Jun—spoke with blood eyes fixed on the old man. “Gatekeeper.” He had wiped the smile from his own face as well. “Where is the gate to the Divine Realm?” In that instant. Whoosh---!! As the question arose, the old man's horn began to burn a fierce red. Dogu Jun’s pupils split vertically, emitting light. Kaaa-boom-!! An explosion erupted on the spot.