736 - Childhood Friend of the Zenith

The World's Greatest Martial Artist's Childhood Friend Chapter 736: North Hare - Web Novel Archive “…So.” Namgung Bia, who had been quietly lying down, looked at me and asked. "…Did you get hit…again?" “..." I touched the top of my head at her remark. Although there was no swelling, the stinging sensation still lingered. It was precisely where Moyong Hia had struck me. "…She's definitely not just proficient." It still hurts. She hit me so hard it felt like a bump should have formed on my head. Moyong Hia is definitely hiding her true abilities. '…Otherwise, there's no way her hands are that powerful.' I was merely half-joking, yet Moyong Hia had smacked my head like she meant it. Thanks to that, my head was still aching. 'I mean, how could anyone stay still after seeing those terms?' From my perspective, I felt wrongly accused. When absurd conditions are listed out, how could anyone not be tempted? The conditions offered by Jang Yoo-myung were at a level that didn't make sense unless he was out of his mind. So it was only natural words slipped out of my mouth unconsciously. Of course, the fact that these conditions were proposed meant I was also trying to figure out Jang Yoo-myung's intentions. 'What exactly is that guy expecting from me?' What does he want that he would offer such terms? Though it’s certainly something to ponder…. '…With terms like those, it's worth accepting, even if there are ulterior motives.' Whether there were ulterior motives or schemes, it was worth considering them at least once. In fact, if there were hidden intentions, I'd even be willing to face them with a smile. “…But you know….” "Yeah." After listening to the entire story, Namgung Bia calmly said while looking at me. “I think you deserved it… for saying that.” “...” I thought Namgung Bia would be on my side, but even she said that. Was it really that wrong? I awkwardly smiled and changed the topic with Namgung Bia. "Never mind that… How are you feeling?" “I’m... okay.” It was clear I was trying to steer off the conversation topic, and Namgung Bia went along with it. “Have you eaten?” “…Yeah… I did.” "Good, make sure not to skip your meals." “Hmm.” She got up and moved her body slightly. Namgung Bia’s health had improved significantly. Although some scars would remain, most of her internal injuries were healing. 'Most of the remnants have been cleansed.' I had frequently visited her to remove any impurities from her body. If she’s recovered to this extent, I wouldn’t need to worry about impurities anymore. She’d likely be able to move freely within a few days. "I’ll come by again tomorrow if I have time." After bidding farewell, I handed her a set of clothes I brought along. Namgung Bia accepted the clothes as if she had been waiting for them. Those were my clothes. Namgung Bia had always asked to bring a piece of clothing each time I visited. So I did. 'I don't quite understand why she needs it.' I didn’t know why, but since she said she needed it, I brought it. It wasn’t particularly expensive — just some plain black clothes... I wondered what she intended to do with them. While watching Namgung Bia meticulously fold the clothes, my gaze shifted. I then looked at the guy lying as if dead in the bed next to ours. “How about you? Are you okay?” “...Yes...” A dying voice responded to my question. The wrapped-up body belonged to Seong Yul. The guy's state was quite a sight. "Tsk tsk." "…Ungh…." He struggled to speak, seemingly in pain, groaning softly at the end. Seeing this, I pressed his chest slightly. "Argh!! Young master, please, no...!" "You're exaggerating." I knew he was hurt less seriously than I was, but... It was absurd how he acted like he was dying. “If you had gone about it properly from the start, you wouldn’t be in this state.” "…Ungh…." "You persisted because you thought you could handle it, and now look at you. You foolish brat." Poking him here and there, I saw Seong Yul writhe in discomfort. The act was partly to tease him but also to check a few things. 'There's some kind of feedback, it seems.' His reactions seemed unusual as if the pain he felt was disproportionate to the injuries described. 'Is this due to properly activating Cheonsal-seong?' Poking again. "Wait… hold on... Argh!" ‘Although deactivation wasn't difficult, confirming whether it's under control remained. If this constantly happens post-use, it becomes cumbersome.’ "Young master... I really… I’m dying…!" "It's okay, it's okay. I've done this a few times before, and people don’t typically die this easily." "Argh…!" After trying out a few checks here and there. As for the results... ‘I’ll need to check again.’ There were still many things left to experiment with regarding Cheonsal-seong. Whether Seong Yul could toggle it on and off by will. Though entering that state increased battle strength, if Seong Yul could fully control it. Whether I could manage him during that state. There were numerous aspects to check thoroughly still. "They mentioned it would take a month or two for full recovery, right?" Once he’s fully recovered, I’ll make sure to work him thoroughly. “...Ah?” Tremble. The moment I thought of that, Seong Yul shivered as if feeling a sudden chill. At least he had quick instincts. “But it has to be done.” This is an essential process to make full use of Seong Yul. If I don't do this properly…. ‘I may have to resort to making Seong Yul a devil.’ He needed to be ultimately refined for use. Hence, it was naturally for Seong Yul’s sake as well. Oh, of course, Seong Yul’s opinion didn’t matter in the slightest. "Anyway…. Heal however you wish." After casually finishing my checks, I was about to walk away when I remembered I had something to tell Seong Yul. "Oh right. Hey." “Yes….” "When you’re all healed up, I’ll tell you what I was going to say last time." "...!" Seong Yul's eyes grew as big as saucers at the mention. The thing I promised last time. I had said that if Seong Yul won the duel against Paeng Woojin, I would reveal to him the secrets of the Cheonghae Sword School. “You… you will?” "You lost quite miserably instead of the victory we wagered on…. But I can afford some leniency." Winning was something I never expected anyway. At some point, it’s something he had to learn about. "If that’s the case… Right now…!" "No, I told you I'd tell you once you're fully recovered." I dismissed Seong Yul's urgent plea outright. Now was not the time. If Seong Yul were to learn the details in his current state.... 'Who knows what he might attempt with his body as it is.' It would be wiser to wait until he was healed and under control. "..." Seong Yul seemed to have a lot on his mind, looking as though he wanted to say more, but he refrained from speaking. He likely knew that no amount of questioning would make me give him an answer. "Anyway, just know that and rest. Don't do anything unnecessary, or you might end up utterly useless." "…Understood…." Seong Yul gave a reluctant assent. Watching him, I turned to leave. 'How many Dokcheon Pills do I have left?' I pondered about giving Seong Yul one or two soon as I counted how many were left. Or perhaps the count was irrelevant now. 'Just as I received news from the Poison King.' There was also a letter from the Tang Clan among the messages Cheol Jisun had compiled for me. 'They've finally succeeded in producing Dokcheon Pills.' The missing Dokcheon Pills from the Tang Clan's past— they'd successfully restored them. 'I suppose I'll need to visit Sichuan sooner or later.' Though not perfectly successful, they found a way forward.... 'I heard there was one issue they couldn't resolve.' I'll have to see for myself what that issue is. Once resolved, significant benefits will surely follow. The Dokcheon Pill is said to rival even the grand elixirs that Shaolin produces, and while I don't gain much from consuming them anymore. 'It's different for the others.' There are many who need to grow stronger for the future, so I’m eagerly anticipating the outcomes. With those thoughts, I stepped outside. As soon as I emerged, a leaf dropped in front of me. It was a half-colored autumn leaf. Upon noticing it, I looked up. The once green leaves were gradually turning in hue. Summer had ended, and autumn began. "…" Holding the falling leaf, I reminisced. - Come during autumn. It was something the Heavenly Demon had said a long time ago. Why must I come at that time? When asked, the Heavenly Demon had replied. Was it because the autumn leaves were beautiful? Or because the scenery was lovely? I don't remember exactly, but it was something like that. Why am I suddenly recalling those words out of nowhere? But I didn't dwell on the thought. Fwooosh! I burned the leaf I was holding, letting it turn to ash. "…" A memory I didn’t need to concern myself with. ******************** I stepped outside the residence. Though the place was bustling with people both inside and around the area, weaving through the crowd was not difficult for me. "…I greet the Cult Leader." An elder, looking well over seventy — a descendant of the Jegal family and master of the Tianlu School, Pil Duma, knelt before me. After leaving the residence, I came directly to see this elder. The mask felt unfamiliar after such a long while, but I spoke to him. [Is everything proceeding well?] I had altered my voice and physique using Ki Transformation Techniques. The injury was severe, making the transformation process unbearably painful, but I had to endure for now. "Yes. Preparations are complete, and we can proceed whenever you command." [Not bad.] "May I ask one question?" [You may.] "When should we commence the plan?" To summon the calamitous creature labeled a 'Hundred-tier Fiend' — a dragon to ravage Hunan — Pil Duma planned to use six monuments scattered throughout the region. He’d mentioned that the dragon was sealed beneath this land. 'That's what Pil Duma said.' I had no clue how the dragon ended up sealed here. Had I heard it in the past, I would have dismissed it as fiction. 'Now I can believe it.' In the present, I sensed a subtle resonance beneath the ground. There was undoubtedly a dragon beneath this land. Though faint, I could detect it clearly. 'Could this be related to the Blood Demon?' Given the situation, it's likely related, but the specifics remain unknown for now. Plus, even with preparations complete, whether Pil Duma's plan succeeds is uncertain. Nevertheless. 'Failure doesn't matter.' Success was never my primary concern, so it didn’t matter. Success would be favorable, but a failure wouldn’t be detrimental. That's not what was crucial. 'The fact that he's a descendant of the Jegal family and is orchestrating something in Hunan.' That was the only aspect I deemed important. [Tianlu General, you seem rather impatient.] I delivered those words with a hint of laughter in my voice. He was essentially urging me with the question, "When should we proceed?" As if to confirm, Pil Duma didn’t deny it. [Don't worry. It shouldn't take more than a few days.] “Being cautious, I must ask…. Can we truly trust you, Cult Leader?” The undertone was clear: his concerns stemmed from not knowing my intentions. [Haha.] This time, I laughed heartily. [Whether you choose to trust me or not is entirely your decision. However, as I said before, our goals align. Moreover,] Wooong. I retracted the energy I'd been emitting to my heart. With that, heavy breathing sounded from all around. [Isn't your very life in my hands a testament to my words?] "…" I released the pressure I had been exerting through my energy. Continued suppression could lead to doubt, so it was a necessary practice. [Do not be impatient. The time is nearly upon us.] "…Understood." Though not entirely convinced, Tianlu General nodded in acknowledgment. Perhaps because of his noble upbringing, subduing him proved challenging. This elder's spirit seemed unyielding. 'Yet, it's fortunate.' He’s someone I can use and then discard without a blink of hesitation. After a few more exchanges, I left the cave. Once outside, I noticed the sun had begun to set. Having been on the move since morning, the entire day had nearly passed. 'Time sure flies.' It was swift — perhaps too swift. What I needed most right now was time. And ironically, it was time that seemed to slip away the fastest. ‘I just told Pill Duma not to be hasty, yet here I am, the most impatient of all.... How absurd.’ It's a contradiction with no equal. A wry smile escaped my lips. 'Anyway... it seems everything on this end is ready.' Now, the matter was on my side. Thinking this, I glanced back. Behind me, someone who had been waiting appeared, kneeling quietly. I wasn't surprised. I had been aware of her presence all along. The figure was a woman with green hair, looking slightly fatigued. It was Nahih, whom I had sent to Hubei some time ago. “Welcome back.” Upon seeing her, I spoke with a smile. Nahih lowered her head even more deeply. “…Greetings, master.” Her voice was dry and brittle, matching her weary appearance. Externally, she showed no signs of injury, but she seemed utterly drained, her energy heavily expended. “How did it go?” Instead of expressing concern, I got straight to the point. There was no time to waste, and Nahih had made it back just in time. This meant that the situation I had anticipated had indeed come to pass. Sure enough, Nahih proceeded to report on the matter. "…The Ilryong Chief has just delivered Na-song into the organization's core." The news I was waiting for was contained within. Alongside her words, a peculiar intensity resonated in Nahih's voice. It was laden with resentment and exhaustion. I couldn't quite discern whether her resentment was directed towards me or the Ilryong Chief. Honestly, it didn't matter much. “Oh, really?” What mattered to me right now was just one thing. ‘The final preparations are complete.’ The trap was well-laid. Now it was time to scatter the bait. A tempting and irresistible bait bound to draw in the ravenous beasts. I would cast such bait. “I must inform Lord Hwangbo.” The time had come to create chaos in Hunan. It was finally time to relay that message.