710 - Childhood Friend of the Zenith

Chapter 710 of "Heaven’s First Friend" > Northern Rabbit - Web Novel Archive The conclusion of the first day of the main event signaled the arrival of nightfall. We found ourselves in an inn immediately after the day’s schedule had ended, where the interior was packed to capacity with an unusual number of patrons. “Wow… I wonder if we’ll even find a place to sit.” It wasn't normally this crowded, but likely due to the martial arts festival, the crowd was overwhelming. “But didn't Lady Mo Yong say she secured a spot for us anyway?” Tang So-yeol remarked with a smile. Ah, right. Mo Yong Hee would surely have staked out a spot. She wasn't one to enjoy the bustle and commotion. Watching Tang So-yeol speak, I couldn’t help but chuckle. “You seem in high spirits?” “Do I? Hehehe….” Winning must feel exceptionally gratifying. Tang So-yeol wore a wider smile than usual, her cheerful disposition apparent in her every movement. ‘…She was a bit frightening on the stage, though.’ The look in her eyes while decimating her opponent with controlled energy was enough to instill fear in even me. In her past life as a Poisonous Concubine, she had a similar expression when vanquishing her foes from sects or demonic cults. Even as times have changed, that expression remained the same. Furthermore, ‘She has grown much stronger.’ Tang So-yeol had surpassed my expectations, reaching a level of power I hadn’t anticipated. I suspected she had barely touched upon Huajing, but she seemed to have reached a more complete state than that. ‘She didn’t even use her school's martial arts.’ Poison arts and hidden weaponry. She didn't employ the martial arts taught by the Tang family to kin. The only art she used was... ‘The power of the Dark King.’ It was solely the power of the Dark King that I had witnessed before. Forming a barrier of darkness, creating a sense of unease within the enclosed space, it was undoubtedly an uncomfortable power. But the real issue was, ‘Calling it martial arts feels inaccurate.’ The Dark King’s power stemmed from his semi-dragon nature and the authority he acquired from it. Then, what Tang So-yeol wielded must have been akin to the Dark King’s authority. Though humans can't typically use such authority, how did Tang So-yeol manage it? Of course, the Dark King's proficiency was overwhelmingly superior, but the key was that she used it. ‘Hmm.’ From what I observed, it didn’t quite feel like she exercised authority. Nor was it martial arts. What remains then... ‘Sorcery?’ It seemed Tang So-yeol used the Dark King’s authority through sorcery. That seemed like the right way to view it. Since it wasn't true authority, the performance wasn't optimal. The flow and usage differed from martial arts, indicating that it was indeed sorcery. 'Can authority be mimicked through sorcery?' If sorcery is a technique brought by dragons, then it would line up, more or less. “Sir?” Engrossed in thought, Tang So-yeol called out to me. Her voice snapped me back to reality. “Oh, sorry. I was just lost in thought.” “Tired much?” “Not really.” There wasn't any reason to be tired. The match was settled in one blow. “If anyone should be tired, it’d be you.” After all, pummeling the enemy with her fuseblade must've taken its toll more on Tang So-yeol. “I’m not particularly tired either. If anything, it feels refreshing.” “…Uh…right…” Had she released some pent-up tension by thrashing the fuseblade around? Tang So-yeol, just as she said, wore a completely refreshed expression. As I watched, a smile crept onto my face subconsciously. “Huuugh…” A groan emerged from behind us. It was Bong-seon. Upon hearing this, I frowned and asked. “What’s your problem now?” “It was…so boring…” Bong-seon responded with a sigh. I could tell what she meant instantly. ‘It was anticlimactic, for sure.’ While Tang So-yeol and I battled powerhouses of Huajing, Bong-seon faced an opponent who’d barely surpassed their limits. As a result, she vanquished them without the need for a real fight. Since then, Bong-seon had been in low spirits. “You should be happy with a victory. You act like someone who’s lost.” “But I wanna fight someone strong too…!” “You’ll meet them next time. Stop whining—it’s noisy.” “...Eugh…” At my scolding, Bong-seon quieted down reluctantly. Clicking my tongue, I turned my head away. The person next to me shook their head disapprovingly. “You’re devouring the poor kid.” The black-haired, youthful master. Paezon spoke. “Would it hurt to be a little kinder?” “Yes, it would. Especially with her.” As if my nature wasn’t already unsympathetic, even attempting to be kind was impossible with Bong-seon. “But sir…How on earth…?” I altered my words mid-sentence, almost calling him an elder. People were around, after all. “Hmm? What do you mean?” “Why didn’t you mention you were coming? You should’ve told us.” Paezon was also in the main event’s first day. Absent without mention, I assumed he wasn’t participating. Upon preparing to leave after the martial arts festival, murmurs echoed around. Talk of some ‘Dueling Dragon’ performing something intrigued everyone, and then Paezon descended from the arena. “There wasn't much to tell. Probably wasn’t much either.” Had he said so, it would have been correct. I asked Paezon while observing him. “Are you really considering winning?” “Well, who knows?” Paezon grinned. His smile was unsettlingly ominous, as always. “I’ll decide based on the circumstances.” “...” So he had no intention of a quiet retreat. I sighed internally. ‘What a hassle.’ The old man never takes things lightly, meaning if we happen to clash on the stage, he would fight earnestly. Then, I had only one thing to ponder. ‘How do I defeat him?’ Defeating Paezon. I needed to find a way. It was as straightforward as that. As I silently pondered through countless strategies, “…Over there… That’s Xiao Yan and Poison Peak.” “Indeed, it’s truly Xiao Yan.” The murmurs I instinctively tuned in carried on nearby. Upon hearing, I discreetly heightened my senses slightly. “He looks even younger up close.” “Is he truly Huajing at his age…?” “Rumored to be acquainted with Poison Peak—seems true seeing them together.” “And the ones with them…” Unlike a few days ago, the crowd’s voices were filled with fascination. I honed my attention towards the whispers about Tang So-yeol and me. I focused more intently on the conversations about Tang So-yeol rather than those about me. “Even from a distance, you could tell, but up close, she’s quite stunning.” “To think such a delicate-looking woman could wield a fuseblade like that….” “A remarkable figure has emerged, independent of the Tang family legacy.” There was plenty said about how I defeated Feng…whomever, but the majority of the chatter centered on Tang So-yeol. It was evident that her arrival left a powerful impression. “To reach Huajing at such a young age… Does this mean she’s at the level of a top-ranked master?” “The greatest emergence since the Divine Dragon, for sure.” “If only she weren’t a member of the Tang family. That’s the only downside.” “Some accuse her of using sorcery as well….” Having overheard enough, I withdrew my heightened sense of perception. That much chatter would surely establish her position firmly. ‘She might even earn a new title before the martial arts festival ends.’ After dismantling a Huajing martial artist wielding a fuseblade in front of all those people, simplifying Tang So-yeol to a mere post-emergence talent wouldn’t do. Thus, it’s likely she’ll gain a new moniker before the festival concludes. Climbing the stairs, we could feel all eyes on us. Although these events diverged from our plan, I found myself more pleased with Tang So-yeol’s growth than with the prearranged outcomes. For some reason, it just felt right. ****************** As we ascended to the fourth floor of the inn, the number of patrons diminished significantly compared to the lower floors. The third and fourth floors were restricted, accessible only under certain conditions, or so I heard. Upon reaching the fourth floor, we were promptly guided by an attendant. “Ah, over here.” Before long, we spotted Mo Yong Hee waving her graceful hand. Beside her sat Wi Seol-a, who had been smiling warmly at me since we began climbing. “You could’ve started eating without us.” “We only just arrived.” “Don’t lie. You’d never arrive precisely on time. You’ve been here well ahead.” “...” Mo Yong Hee fell silent, effectively thwarted by my accurate remark. Nam Gung Bi-a was nowhere in sight. Though able to move about now, she mentioned needing more rest. ‘Woo Hyuk and the little lady aren’t here either.’ Those two would handle themselves, not my concern. We took our seats, and soon after, food arrived. It seemed Mo Yong Hee had preordered it, as we had made no requests ourselves. “It seems you had quite a busy day today. Are you all right?” Mo Yong Hee’s words prompted a small chuckle from me. “Your face suggests you already know everything.” “There was quite a fuss earlier. Congratulations to Miss Tang as well.” “Ah… Thank you.” Tang So-yeol reacted with a modest bashfulness to Mo Yong Hee’s congratulations. Unlike the preliminaries, the martial arts festival’s main event drew a massive audience, and Mo Yong Hee had already gathered all the details. “You seemed a bit excessive, but are you okay with it?” “Hm? What do you mean?” “I thought you might not want to reveal yourself too much?” My bout with Feng Linwei Tan Quan. Even the slight glimpse of my strength there was enough to stir today’s excitement. Thanks to Tang So-yeol, some noise was curbed somewhat, but Mo Yong Hee seemed a little concerned about it. “It’s fine. It’s not that I didn’t want to reveal myself.” I was simply waiting for the right time to show myself. Moreover, “I had to start revealing myself sooner or later.” It was getting harder to keep things hidden anyway, regardless of the timing. The situation presented itself perfectly. "I see..." Hearing my response, Mo Yong Hee nodded, seemingly reaching her own understanding. There was a thoughtful expression on her face, indicating deep contemplation. I decided to let her ponder while enjoying some dumplings. As I chewed, the empty cup before me gradually filled with water. Wi Seol-a quietly poured the drink for me, hesitating only a moment before doing so. It was amusing to see Tang So-yeol almost do the same but then stop. “…Thank you.” “It’s nothing.” Wi Seol-a filled my cup, then Tang So-yeol’s, and finally her own. Mo Yong Hee and Paezon, along with Bong-seon, were skipped in the process. Though Paezon and Bong-seon didn't seem to mind, there was a slight twitch in Mo Yong Hee's eyebrow. Was there some unspoken tension between them? Sensing the subtle rivalry, I decided to shift the subject by addressing Wi Seol-a. “…You’re scheduled for tomorrow, right?” “Yes! I’ll be competing tomorrow.” Wi Seol-a would be part of the second day's matches along with Seong Yul. ‘Hmm.’ The second day of the alliance’s martial contest was likely the true event. Notable figures with significant names were primarily assigned to that day. While a few stood out on the first day, the frequency of notable participants suggested the second day had the upper hand. It couldn’t be a coincidence. The alliance probably orchestrated this strategically. “I see, do your best.” “Yes! I’ll definitely win. Definitely.” Wi Seol-a replied with a smile to my encouragement. Finding her smile endearing, I handed her an item from my plate. ‘…But why is she so adamant about winning?’ I wasn’t sure about her motivations, but with her charming smile, I chose to let it be. Dining together like this had become a rarity given the recent demands of training and duty. ‘It would’ve been nice if Nam Gung Bi-a were here.’ It was a shame. I decided to package some food to bring to her later. Holding onto that thought, we wrapped up the enjoyable meal. ****************** A day passed. I was walking after completing my morning training. Today marked the second day of the martial contest, coinciding with some other commitments outside. Mingling through the bustling crowds, I turned to look behind me. “Are you okay?” “…Yes…” Trailing behind was Nam Gung Bi-a, donning a veiled hat as she walked with me. It had been a while since I strolled alone with her like this. “If you feel uncomfortable, just let me know.” “…And if I do?” “I might carry you or give you a piggyback ride.” “Uncomfortable….” “I’m joking.” “...” Nam Gung Bi-a made a rare pout at my jest. Finding it amusing, I gently tugged her wrist. Unable to step out yesterday, she said she could today, so I took her along. I initially hoped to bring Mo Yong Hee and Tang So-yeol, but they both had prior engagements, so it ended up being just Nam Gung Bi-a and me. Our destination was none other than where the martial contest was held. We made our way directly to the spectator seats. The crowd was even larger today than it was yesterday. If I thought it was packed on the first day, today's turnout was truly overwhelming with not a single gap in sight. “…So many people….” As Nam Gung Bi-a murmured, she sidled closer to me. Guiding her through the throng, we navigated our way to our seats. We already had our spots reserved. According to Mo Yong Hee, the seating in the audience section was long sold out on a reservation basis, but when I asked her about it yesterday, she effortlessly secured us a couple of seats. When I inquired how she managed to obtain seats that had been reserved a month in advance, she ominously replied, ‘Do you really need to know?’ So I chose to remain uninformed. What's the point in questioning good fortune? With some difficulty, we settled into our seats. They weren’t the best available, certainly not comparable to those up front reserved for influential merchants or sect leaders. Mo Yong Hee had offered to get those prime seats too, but I declined. ‘That would be a bit much.’ Being in a modest spot was enough for me. Seated, I gazed silently at the empty martial stage. The hum of voices echoed around us, but I paid it no mind. My eyes were fixed solely on the stage. Sensing my focus, Nam Gung Bi-a asked, “…Are you worried a lot about Seol-a?” “What?” I blinked at her unexpected question. Turning, I saw her impartial eyes locked onto mine. “Why do you ask all of a sudden?” “…Isn’t that why you came today…?” “...” I couldn’t deny her claim. Truthfully, was there any other compelling reason for me to be here? I merely chuckled awkwardly. “You’re right. But it’s not worry that brought me.” “…Really?” “More than worry, it’s curiosity that brought me.” Yes, curiosity. The prospect of Wi Seol-a going onto the martial stage alone was indeed concerning. However, the core reason was beyond mere concern. Just like with Tang So-yeol, I felt anticipation for Wi Seol-a. I was eager to witness the changed expressions of these children—different from their past lives. To see them earn their wings and take flight on their own. I suddenly wanted to witness that. “...” Nam Gung Bi-a observed me quietly, then gently raised her hand to pat my head. “What’s this about?” “…Just because.” It felt peculiar, yet I didn’t resist. As we waited a little longer, someone approached and handed us something. A few scrolls—they seemed to be compact prints of the tournament brackets. I immediately unfolded them and began searching for names. ‘Seong Yul seems paired up naturally… Yeong Pung’s here too?’ Listed was Yeong Pung, the top prodigy of Mount Hua and Sword Dragon. Among others, various martial artists from the Mount Hua Sect were listed as well. Bang Woo Jin and Tao Wang were on there too. Lastly, “…Oh?” I paused at a name on the bracket. Seol-a Wi of Shaolin’s Yuyeon Biochemical Pavilion. “…Haha.” The name printed boldly caused me to burst out laughing. With a facade turning from stoic to annoyed, I grumbled, “These bastards.” Right from the start, I could feel the alliance's scheming at play.