734 - Childhood Friend of the Zenith

Chapter 734 - Northern Hare The fourth round of the main competition was over. After ending duels that continued late into the night, only the top sixteen competitors remained. As the number of contenders dwindled before a new Dragon Master would be crowned, time passed, and the days in Hanam grew unusually hot. Though summer had ended, such heat prevailed not solely due to the martial arts festival. Delving deeper into the cause... "Please, just once, let me meet So Yeom-ra!" "I-I'm the head of Buk-ae Trading Guild! Anyone from Baekhwa Guild, quickly…" The reason was likely the crowd gathered outside the door. Initially quiet, the morning air was now filled with the tumult of people. As if the chaos caused by Peculiar Zhon’s recent actions wasn’t enough. This time, it was even greater. "I heard So Yeom-ra is here!" "Just a word, please...!" ...This time, I had no words to excuse myself, as the fault was mostly mine. "Ugh..." I pressed my throbbing forehead. It wasn't even noon yet; what on earth was that number? 'Damn it.' I had anticipated such an outcome, but the crowd far surpassed my expectations. Should I make a run for it? Since the round of sixteen was to begin only in a couple of days, I pondered whether I should retreat to the mountains to bide my time. I was sincerely considering it when— "If you're thinking of escaping, I'd advise against it." A frosty voice from the front dispelled my thoughts immediately. “Surely you’re not planning to vanish after creating such a commotion, are you?” “O-of course not.” I forced a smile at the words of Murong Hia, the voice’s owner. Nodding at my response, she took a sip of tea with a still-elegant gesture. “The Buk-ae Trading Guild, Mi-ryong Escort Agency... Names you wouldn’t see just anywhere have all gathered here.” These were quite renowned names in the central plains. "Gentlemen who never showed an inkling of interest when trying to establish trade connections... have shown up eagerly with bare feet." Her smile as she spoke was somehow rather intimidating. “If I’d known it’d be like this, I would’ve used you sooner, Young Master.” “Haha, indeed.” “Indeed…?” Oops. Apparently, I gave the wrong answer. Murong Hia's demeanor grew colder. "Is that really what you have to say now?" “No... Uh... Well…” “I went through great pains to keep things under wraps, only for this kind of mess. If you were going to make a scene, you might as well have done it properly with forewarning.” "...Sorry." “If you were going to stir things up, you should have done it effectively enough to leverage for publicity…! A heads-up would have helped!” “...” The real issue was being in front of her. I nodded, acknowledging her reaction as reasonable. 'I think the same.' That was even part of the plan. If I were to unleash some power, it would have been at a higher stage, on a definite stage where I could showcase it. But I ended up showing more than intended during the Dragon Battle. 'I got carried away...' Was it because he showed potential? Or perhaps it was his earnest plea to reveal everything. The reason now eludes me, but I was just as fired up. I was excited. Fascinated by his determination not to back down. When I erected a great wall, he climbed it even as his hands tore and bled. 'If there's anyone most different from my past life, it would be him.' He does not crumble. He does not break. That was the image he consistently showed. How such a person had been so ruined in his past life puzzled me more the longer I thought about it. “Young Master, what are you thinking about right now?” “…Nothing.” “You were thinking about something else, right?” “No, I was focused on what you were saying.” “What did I say?” “…That if I were to cause a scene, I should do it properly.” "That was something I mentioned a while ago..." Had the conversation flowed that much already? I must have blocked out the words while lost in my thoughts. Seeing my demeanor, Murong Hia sighed and rubbed her face. Her face, visibly thinner in just one day, caught my attention. She had evidently been through a lot. “…We were discussing the sponsorship offer from Yujeon Trading Guild.” “Oh, right, that was the topic.” To be honest, I hadn't been listening, but I nodded nonetheless. “Yes, sponsorship… indeed.” “Are you going to accept it?” “No, there's no need.” I rejected it outright, and Murong Hia responded as if she had expected it. “Yujeon Trading Guild stands on equal footing with Baekhwa Guild. Are you certain about this?” On par with Baekhwa Guild. This meant being among the top five in the central plains. The Buk-ae Guild and the other escort agencies mentioned earlier were renowned to a degree, but— They were still at a general level. However, when crossing over to the level above, the story changes. They may possess more wealth than notable family clans or academies, and among them, Yujeon Trading Guild ranks quite high. But— “I’m not lacking money. Moreover, the hands offering now aren’t particularly welcoming.” I had enough wealth. In past years, I had carefully built a foundation with knowledge from my previous life, and if that was not enough— “Formally, my sponsor is Baekhwa Guild. Sending people despite knowing that is nothing more than probing.” It wasn't pleasant that someone merely appropriate approached, trying to make contact as if testing the waters. Especially considering my official relationship with Lady Mi as mother and son, it made it even more distasteful. “If any other guild approaches, please decline them as well.” “It’s not just an ‘if’; most have already extended offers.” With this, Murong Hia produced a thick envelope and placed it down with a soft thud. It seemed like it might collapse if nudged even slightly. “You’re aware that right now, in Hanam, the entire buzz is about you alone, aren’t you?” “To some extent…?” “Currently, it’s only in Hanam, but soon it will spread across the region. I've heard even the Open Alliance is going to take action.” So in about two months from now. By that time, the story would have reached places even farther away. Just as the tale of the Dragon Battle spread rapidly. “Of course, even if the stories spread, it won’t be hard to cut off the discussions regarding the trading guilds.” Of course, that's why I made sure to align myself with Baekhwa Guild in advance. Not just any place, but Baekhwa Guild. Being sponsored by such a place puts me in a convenient position to decline other guilds. However— “But now it might be problematic for you to maintain a low profile… Is that alright with you?” This time, things were different from before. It wasn't merely a change of alias spreading around. Not only my appearance, but my name, too, had attracted quite a lot of attention. "The Prospective Greatest Under Heaven." “The Monster Who Shattered Stars.” “The Martial Artist of the Comet.” “A Genius to Be Remembered in History.” “The Ultimate Secret Weapon Hidden by Guga,” and so on. Names that make one's skin crawl just hearing them. These were the words that had propagated in a single day, referring to me. “Ugh…” Damn... I feel sick. What is all this? It's disgusting. Seeing my expression, Murong Hia shook her head at me. “You’ll have to handle it, given the scale of what you’ve done. And... it's not like any of this is false.” While it might seem true to others, I found none of it accurate. It left a bitter taste, as if I had been placed on a pedestal that didn't suit me. That discomfort gnawed at me. But— ‘I’ll endure.’ This, too, was something I had to withstand. It was a necessity. I had to get through it somehow. “Young Master, I need to ask something.” “Hmm? What?” “Why did you touch the Dragon Master's head...?” “...” Murong Hia asked dumbfoundedly, and I let out a mirthless laugh. Her inquiry was likely spurred by the rumors that had spread along with my name. -So Yeom-ra shattered the Dragon Master. -The Dragon Master begged So Yeom-ra to stop but was beaten relentlessly like a demon. -The Dragon Master clung to So Yeom-ra’s trouser leg, blood dripping everywhere. -After the duel, So Yeom-ra humiliated the Dragon Master by grabbing his crown. Such tales of the martial arts festival had circulated. “Who says who beat who?” It was absurd. How could such nonsense spread? Shattered, you say? ‘…Well, that part is true.’ I did fight until his body was wrecked, so it was true that he was shattered. I was no different in that regard. ‘Even now, I feel the remnants of his blows.’ The Hundred-step Divine Fist, which struck my chest as it endured the flames. I was bombarded repeatedly, and I took them all over my body. Though I blocked most of it with my energy, the cracks in my bones made me fear for my life. Strictly speaking, both of us were pushed beyond our limits. ‘I could have subdued him much more easily.’ Though a single strike might have been difficult, I could have finished it in a couple of moves. Instead, I chose to lengthen the engagement and entertain him. ‘…I got carried away.’ I intended to show him a bit more. That’s why I did what I did. “But humiliation? I was flabbergasted.” “Then you didn’t touch his head?” “I did.” “…What?” “But it wasn’t for that purpose.” Touched his crown to mock and humiliate? Damn it. ‘I did him a favor, and this is how it turns out.’ With his body shattered and his internal energy depleted. His breathing erratic and shallow as his energy waned, indicating the imminent onset of Qi deviation. That was the state of the Dragon Master’s body. Left alone, he would have either died or become comatose. For a single duel, it would have been a waste. So I intervened. -Close your mouth and breathe through your nose. You'll die if you exert unnecessary strength. I immediately grasped the Dragon Master's crown and channeled my energy. I stabilized his unstable energy and filtered out the impurities before burning them away. I couldn’t fix his broken bones, but at least he wouldn’t fall into Qi deviation. Perhaps it was due to my sudden energy manipulation that the Dragon Master fainted. Which led to those rumors spreading. -The Dragon Master couldn’t withstand So Yeom-ra’s mockery and lost consciousness. Or— -So Yeom-ra delights in bullying the weak. -He’s talented but arrogant, indulges in women and pleasures. Why do my rumors always contain such ridiculous slander? ‘Is life even worth living with such injustice?’ Especially the part about women and pleasures—where did that nonsense come from? Where else can you find someone who lives as cleanly as I do? “Should we request a retraction from the Open Alliance regarding these rumors, then?” “…Forget it. They’ll die down soon enough.” “As much as I’d like to believe that… I doubt it.” “Anyway, let’s drop this topic and focus on wrapping up the guild affairs as we discussed.” “Understood.” After finishing the conversation, I gulped down tea, hoping to soothe my frustration. ‘So… what should I do next?’ While I had already sent the revised plans due to the shifting schedule, the martial arts festival still had about seven days left. ‘Though it would be great to stick it out till the end.’ If any surprises surface... ‘The main concern is when the First Sword Leader arrives in Hanam.’ I might need to advance the plans depending on how soon he arrives. It had to happen when he reached this place. “Hmmm…” I had already notified the Pildu Ma. And the Hwangbo faction should be preparing, so I assume keeping tabs on the Ami Sect and weighing the Martial Alliance's response is all that remains. Looking at it this way, everything seems to be falling into place. ‘But I can’t let my guard down.’ I must never let my guard down. Things going smoothly inevitably means something will go wrong. My damned luck has always been like that. ‘With everything going so well, something’s bound to twist.’ I must not let that happen. No matter what, I will handle things properly. I vowed to myself, heightening my vigilance. At that moment— “Young Master?” “Oh, yes. Why?” “Did you zone out again?” “…Sorry.” It sounded like Murong Hia had said something. I apologized briefly for not hearing, but Murong Hia, accustomed to my distraction, seemed indifferent by now. “So, what did you say?” “I mentioned that we have a guest.” “A guest? Ah.” I finally remembered. When Murong Hia came to my quarters, she had asked if she could bring someone along. She said it was someone who had come looking for me, so I agreed. “They’ve just arrived… As it’s someone from a guild, I wanted to inform you first.” “A guild?” I furrowed my brow slightly at her words. I’d just asked her to turn away anyone from other guilds, yet here she was bringing someone from a guild? Judging from her reaction, it’s definitely not someone from Baekhwa Guild. “Who is it?” “It’s a figure from Jangwon Guild.” “Jangwon Guild…” My eyes widened at her reply. If she said Jangwon Guild, then— ‘It’s the wealthiest guild in the central plains.’ Beyond the guild’s influence, it was officially recognized as having the most wealth. "If you can’t buy martial pride with money, then you’re dealing with the wrong amount." That was the famous saying left by the previous head of the Jangwon Guild. It was indeed proven when he temporarily enlisted the Iron-Blooded Sword, the greatest martial artist of the era, as his guard. When asked how much he paid to have the supreme warrior as a bodyguard, he calmly replied: —I offered a price worthy of my value. To afford a protector of such caliber, the amount must have been beyond imagination. Anyway— ‘Now someone from that side has come to see me.’ With both Yujeon and Jangwon Guilds showing interest. Did they find me impressive enough to make such influential guilds move? I couldn’t help but feel intrigued. But— “As I mentioned earlier, it’s one thing if a guild leader comes, but just sending an employee is still rather...” “He’s not just an employee.” “So, are you saying the guild leader came in person?” “Yes.” “What…?” “…He’s come to visit personally.” “What did you say?” As I expressed my disbelief, I sensed a presence waiting just beyond the quarters. Knock, knock. It was an aura I had noticed before. “…Who is it?” -Greetings. I am from the central guild. A voice flowed with an inexplicable air of trustworthiness. “Please, come in.” I hesitated momentarily before granting permission. With that, the door slid open, revealing a man. “Thank you for granting me an audience.” A man seemingly in his forties, exuding a benevolent demeanor. I frowned almost instantly upon seeing him. ‘This gentleman…?’ It was a familiar face. Although the lines had softened compared to perhaps the past, it was still unmistakable. Even if not a face I knew well, he was someone to remember. “Pleasure to meet you. I am Jang Yoo-myung from the Jangwon Guild in the central plains.” For good reason. Jang Yoo-myung, the head of Jangwon Guild. In my previous life, he was an immensely wealthy figure who operated Jangwon Guild. “Please, Great Hero, feel at liberty to call me 'Jang.'” He was also the official sponsor of Shin Sword Wi Seol-ah.