702 - Childhood Friend of the Zenith

The setting was bustling with people lined up. A black-haired woman, seemingly excited, was looking at her hand. As Bong Soon observed her, Noni inquired. "...Miss Bong, are you feeling good?" "Yes!" Bong Soon responded with a bright smile. "It was so smooth. I want to touch it again. Will that oppa let me touch it again if I see him?" "...I didn't feel it, but my heart was definitely racing." Oppa? Upon hearing the term, Noni felt a dizzying sensation. The figure in question was Shin Ryong of the Shaolin. He was a leading figure among the countless prodigies of the current era, known as the Falling Star generation, and one of the most renowned martial artists in recent years. Naturally, people were already captivated by his appearance, and Bong Soon was brazen enough to want to touch his head. Noni, observing this, almost felt faint. ...To make matters worse. 'What’s with allowing that to be touched?' Shin Ryong actually permitted Bong Soon, who approached wanting to touch his head, to do so. That was the strangest part. 'Is it consideration?' To put it nicely, Bong Soon was pure-hearted. To put it more precisely, she was somewhat lacking. Could Shin Ryong have deliberately treated her like that out of kindness? Given that she was from the Shaolin, known for benevolence, it was certainly possible. 'But somehow...' The way Shin Ryong looked at Bong Soon didn't seem to entirely align with the notions of benevolence and consideration. It felt a bit different from such emotions. At least, that’s how it appeared to Noni. 'It can't be.' Surely not. The thought that a figure from the Shaolin, who was believed to renounce all desires and follow the Buddha's teachings, would yield to desire was irrational. Noni simply believed it to be her own misunderstanding. "Miss Bong." "Yes?" "It was a really lucky moment earlier. It’s quite rude to ask to touch someone’s head, especially someone bald, you know." Hair or no hair wasn’t really the issue, but Noni blurted out nonsense out of embarrassment. "Okay! I got it!" Nevertheless, Bong Soon seemed to somewhat comprehend, as she nodded with a grin. She then proceeded to say to Noni. "So, I’ll spare that oppa once, without killing him. Because I'm thankful." "..." Somehow, it was quite an eerie remark. The fact that it was said with such a pure expression made it even more unsettling. "Miss Bong..." "Attention, please! It’s almost closing time! Everyone, please queue up!" Just as Noni was about to inquire something from Bong Soon, a warning came from a martial artist of the union. "Oh! It’s time to go now! Unni, I’ll head off first!" "Hold-!" Before Noni could stop her, Bong Soon sprinted off towards her designated color on the plaque. Witnessing this, Noni shouted. "Don’t forget the words of the teacher! Moderately!!" "Okay!" Bong Soon didn’t turn back, just lightly waved her arms to affirm. And Noni, watching her go, let out a deep sigh. "Oh dear, what a headache..." Perhaps... or rather, it just so happened they were in the same preliminary competition today. Gu Yang Cheon had simply instructed her to hold back, having agreed to it, yet it was proving more tiring than anticipated. An uncontrolled mischievous rogue. How did such a woman come to be acquainted with Gu Yang Cheon? 'What is he up to again?' Noni squinted, thinking of Gu Yang Cheon. It's been three years since the incident at the Tang Clan. During that time, Gu Yang Cheon was endlessly busy. Except for the moments when she went off for her own training. The encounters in between were almost absurdly timed. Gu Yang Cheon undertook an unbelievable amount of training daily. Whenever he had time, he'd study poisons alongside her or go out. Those outings seemed to have a purpose, done in a hurried manner. And after returning, he would resume his training. She barely saw him rest, let alone sleep properly. Over time, she started to see a few unfamiliar faces. Those whom he brought were all somehow damaged individuals, and the gaze with which Gu Yang Cheon regarded them was stern as ice. Should she say he loathed them? Or did he shun them? Despite his visible disdain, he continued to rescue people. Why was he gathering people like that? It was a mystery she couldn’t solve. She knew Gu Yang Cheon would struggle with such questions if posed. There was even a time when he returned reeking of immense bloodshed. Though she eventually learned that he had eradicated demonic invaders who attacked a village alongside monsters. According to Gu Yang Cheon's explanation. [Just needed to blow off some steam.] His words belied a deeper truth, and yet, strangely, she knew they held hints of sincerity. He was delving deeper. As time flowed daily, Gu Yang Cheon was changing little by little. His realm ascended, his knowledge expanded. The head of the Tang Clan, Dok Wang, claimed Gu Yang Cheon was much more intelligent than he had anticipated. Commonly, it’s described as having a mind for study. Gu Yang Cheon never needed to ask questions twice about the knowledge imparted to him, and he remembered most of what he saw at once. Dok Wang told her this in confidence when they were alone, suggesting that had Gu Yang Cheon been born into the Tang Clan, he’d have been, at minimum, at the elder level. From what Noni saw, Dok Wang’s expression seemed to suggest not just an elder role but that he’d be suitable for the clan leader position, but perhaps due to pride, he refrained from saying so. A remarkable talent indeed. If this was Dok Wang’s evaluation, then Gu Yang Cheon had surpassed the realm of ordinary ability. Yet Gu Yang Cheon had a habit of speaking modestly of himself. He’d claim he was rather dull, saying if he were a genius, things like this would be easy, grumbling while he worked. ‘Just who exactly does he consider a genius?’ Who did Gu Yang Cheon regard as a genius? Does he speak of the revered Three Sovereigns in the heavens? Or the other Six Pillars and Three Peaks? If it’s about the Three Sovereigns, that'd be understandable, but even against the Six Pillars and Three Peaks, it's a perplexing notion. ‘...No matter who it is. Isn’t Lord Gu superior?’ Noni, herself known as one of the Six Pillars and Three Peaks due to her poisonous mastery, considered the comparison. To her eye, there was no match for Gu Yang Cheon. No, the comparison was simply futile. Who would dare compare? From Noni’s perspective, Gu Yang Cheon was a genius bestowed by the heavens. His inherent power, his strategic mind, his overwhelming presence. Even with his handsome looks. There was no more perfect being than Gu Yang Cheon in the world. He might have a bit of a temper and more than his share of luck with women. 'Luck with women...' Thinking of that word, Noni allowed herself a wry smile. "Sigh." She let out a breath that had welled up inside her. How frustrating. 'What should I do?' The day Namgung Bia departed for the North Sea. She could still remember Gu Yang Cheon’s expression as he watched her leave. At that moment, Noni was convinced. She could never take her place. Her relentless, grueling training had elevated her skills to heights she had only dreamed of. Yet, somehow... Noni felt an inexplicable sense of longing. Despite doing all she could to stay by his side, what was she missing? Was she searching for a place she'd never attain? She didn't quite believe it herself, but deep down, she already knew. ‘Giving up is never easy.’ No matter how much you let go, there are things you can't release. Reflecting on this, Noni chuckled softly to herself. And then. "Tsk." A distinct sound emerged from behind. Noni wiped her smile away and turned toward the source of the sound. Not too far from her, a man who was subtly drawing attention from onlookers was staring at Noni. She recognized him. His knitted brows made it clear he bore no good will towards her. Yu Tanggeom. A martial artist renowned in the Huajing region and a master swordsman. He was someone she'd had a minor altercation with previously. Given his presence here, it appeared he was also participating in the preliminaries. "..." Noni met Yu Tanggeom’s gaze. It was an intriguing discovery for her. The fiery emotions that simmered when she thought of him fizzled out the moment she set eyes on him. Her body and gaze cooled. Watching Yu Tanggeom with the same indifference one might have for a stone on the ground, she observed his slow approach. The gap between them gradually decreased. When he was within three steps’ distance, Yu Tanggeom addressed her. "I see that companion of yours isn't here today." To his words, Noni tilted her head slightly. "If you're referring to that companion, to whom do you refer?" "He’s called Soyumra of the Gu family. That young one who dared to insult me." "..." "I was curious enough to inquire who he was. Turns out he’s quite exceptional." A faint smile tugged at the corner of Yu Tanggeom’s lips. "Having such talent at a young age, I suppose it makes sense for him to be so bold. I behaved similarly in my youth." The mention of Gu Yang Cheon drew a crease of displeasure on Noni’s forehead. "With such ability, he's bound to be arrogant. They say he just turned twenty, still quite naive." Judging by his tone, it seemed he had found quite a bit of information. "So, he was probably riding on the reputation of his so-called abilities." Abilities and reputation. The implication behind his words wasn’t subtle. Few genuinely believed the rumors about Soyumra. The claim of being the youngest martial artist in the Huajing to officially certify at the rank of god-level was dismissed as nonsense. The tale of him facing off against a seasoned martial artist also seemed implausible. People assumed some other forces must have intervened in the Shin Ryong incident. Yet, since the rumors had already spread, the alliance made no effort to quash them. These were the tales surrounding Soyumra. Of course, partly due to a brief encounter with Yu Tanggeom, it was confirmed that Soyumra was indeed a formidable young talent. Still, many speculated that Yu Tanggeom wasn’t giving it all during that clash. Naturally so. How could a mere youngster cross swords with Yu Tanggeom unless, perhaps, Yu Tanggeom was merely teaching? That’s what people believed. Listening to such skepticism, Noni interjected. "Senior, I wonder what you're hoping to convey." She cut him off, indicating she was tired of listening. Yu Tanggeom’s face crumpled at her indifference. "Miss Tang, I see you, too, lack manners, just like him. Perhaps you both haven't realized your places." Brimming with baseless rumors, that spoiled brat with his raised shoulders. Or that boastful, renowned family child clinging to past glories. They seemed similarly ignorant of their standing. "Arrogance..." Noni echoed, chuckling to herself. It was different from the smile she wore when thinking of Gu Yang Cheon. This was closer to a derisive laugh. "Who’s saying what to whom...?" "What?" Yu Tanggeom ground his teeth, preparing to retort, but Noni beat him to it. "Perhaps it’s you, senior, who’s blind to the outside world. Unlike Master Gu Yang Cheon, you are well past the age of naivety. How unfortunate." We may be forgiven for our youthful folly, but at your age? Grow up. That was the crux of her message. "What insolence..." Understanding her words, Yu Tanggeom reached out to seize her. However. *Swish-!* "What?" He caught nothing. Noni had vanished. Where did she go? Yu Tanggeom, bewildered, scanned for Noni. *Press-!* "...!" He flinched. From behind him, a sensation pressed against his back. Something was applying pressure there. "Did you know?" The voice startled Yu Tanggeom, causing his breath to hitch. It was Noni. In no time, she had maneuvered, now placing a hand on his back. When did she move? Yu Tanggeom hadn’t noticed. "The wine at the Yinghua Inn is really nothing special. It's curious, isn’t it? They pride themselves on it, yet it lacks flavor." Though seemingly random, Yu Tanggeom stiffened at these words. Yinghua Inn. A familiar place. The very inn where Yu Tanggeom resided. "The price is higher than nearby places, yet the walls are thin, making it poorly soundproofed. I noticed Miss Hwa Wol seems a bit louder than Miss Yang Wol in her moans." "…" He broke out in a cold sweat. Hwa Wol, the courtesan Yu Tanggeom had engaged the previous night. Yang Wol was the courtesan from the night before that. "What...what are you saying?" "Just expressing concern as your junior." There was an ominous edge to her words. Yu Tanggeom was now fully aware of the implications. "When you drink, senior, you use your left hand. Curious indeed, for I see you’re right-handed." "You..." Noni's polished tone was creeping him out. "After every training session, you always sip on plum wine. Did you enjoy it? Two bottles the day before yesterday, and four yesterday. With the martial arts festival looming, you might want to cut down." Yu Tanggeom's cheek began to twitch involuntarily. Even though he was trying to mask his presence here in Hanam, she seemed to have been observing him closely. When had she seen so much? "It's wise to break fixed habits. You never know when someone might poison the drink you consume after training." "You—!" Abruptly, he turned to look back. In that instant. *Tap.* Something sharp rested against the center of his chest. It was Noni’s dagger. So close that it was out of sight from others, Noni directed the blade toward Yu Tanggeom’s heart. "Don’t bother sending people my way anymore. Cleaning them up is becoming a chore." With a whisper that brushed his ear, Noni delivered her message. "From now on, live cautiously. Wherever you are, whatever you do, you don’t know what I might do there." Whether you’re heading to the restroom. Eating. Drinking. Even in the arms of a woman. I can do anything to you, so live with that tension. Yu Tanggeom’s pupils quivered at the threat. Was it the warning? Yu Tanggeom was rendered speechless, merely staring at Noni. Seeing this, Noni smiled brightly. "Well then, until we meet again, senior." With a light bow, she gracefully walked away. As she strolled, she contemplated. 'Should I kill him?' His persistent interference was becoming a nuisance. If only he hadn’t brought up Gu Yang Cheon, she might have overlooked it, appreciating the charm of having Gu Yang Cheon try to protect her. ‘He doesn’t seem to know when to keep his mouth shut, especially considering his age.’ Looks like it’s time to deal with him. As she deliberated this, Noni headed back to her group. ****************** Back alleys of Hanam. While preparations were being finalized for the second preliminaries at the alliance. An individual, hiding something in his arms, stealthily moved through the surroundings. “Hoo… hoo.” He slipped through alleyways, staying out of sight. Maintaining an unchanging pace, he moved constantly. His eyes scanned acres, never staying idle. His conduct clearly wasn’t normal, but his concealment prevented others from noticing him. ‘I must... quickly...’ He had to relay the information he had discovered to his people. Fueled by this singular purpose, he moved. There was no issue with his expression or gait. If he continued like this, he could go unnoticed. As he thought of his mission, excitement flickered in his eyes. 'A descendant of the Sword Empress.' Reflecting on the information he had discovered in the alliance, he bit his lips. They had found someone who appeared linked to the renowned Sword Empress. There was no room for doubt. The appearance might have been ambiguous, but the item that child had was unmistakable to him. 'I must inform them immediately...!' There was no room for delay. As he resolved to report this matter, he turned into another alley. "Going in circles, aren’t you?" *Crunch-!* “Urk!” A hand suddenly emerged from the shadows, gripping his throat and lifting him. "You should've just moved quickly instead of meandering. It's not like it's going to keep you from being detected." "Ughhh...!" The unexpected turn of events forced a pained groan from him. Resistance was futile. As soon as his throat was seized, despair washed over him. Who was this? A person from the alliance? Struggling through agony, he tilted his gaze to see who held him. What he saw was a somewhat youthful face. Next, a shiver ran through his body at the sight of those sharp eyes, and again as their gaze met. A familiar face. Someone among those he had been keeping tabs on. "So-... Soyum..." Trying to utter his captor’s name, he was cut off. "I expected you'd take a bit longer, but you took the bait faster than anticipated. A little delay and I might have missed you." No matter what he tried to say, Gu Yang Cheon, seemingly uninterested, focused on his own agenda. "...Here's the thing. I'm in a hurry, so let's make this quick." With his free hand, Gu Yang Cheon removed the cloth covering the captor’s face. Revealing a visage marred by scars, yet featuring delicate, fine features. He chuckled at the face, which didn’t resemble a man’s at all. "What business does the nun from Sichuan have with our crazy girl?" Nuns of Sichuan. Referring to one of the nine great schools purely composed of women. It hinted at the Emei Sect.