750 - Childhood Friend of the Zenith

**Chapter 750: The Northern Rabbit - Web Novel Archives** *Bang!* *"Gaaaah!"* At that moment, while Peng Zhou was being beaten to a pulp, Everyone in the pavilion watched, unable to close their gaping mouths. "What in the world is happening?" "No matter how you look at it, this is…!" Every gaze was fixed on the scene before them. More precisely, the attention was not on the bloodied figure of the Dao Wang, but the young man who was utterly destroying him. A youth who recently became the most famous person in Hanam, capturing the attention of countless martial artists. He claimed the title of the next reigning martial artist, a title held by the Divine Dragon, and revealed his hidden prowess, skyrocketing his worth in an instant. The immense power and achievements unmatched for his age. People who watched this youth called him a monster and began to harbor questions. He was once referred to as the youngest master of Huajing. After the Divine Dragon Pavilion attack, the boy once known as Jinlong became known as So Yeom-ra. There were rumors that he had reached Huajing then, but they subsided when the Alliance officially recognized the Divine Dragon as the youngest Huajing master. Perhaps that's why speculation existed regarding whether So Yeom-ra had reached Huajing back then. The problem was, if that were true, why did the Alliance recognize the Divine Dragon instead as the youngest Huajing? Such questions lingered, but by now, they were of little importance. What mattered was: "What on earth is that?" The existence of So Yeom-ra himself told all. "The Dao Wang is being defeated so brutally?" A pavilion. A place where not only the highest-ranking officials but also the heads of noble families and prominent clans gathered. Those who had crucial roles in different regions or sects could not even manage their expressions watching So Yeom-ra. "Didn't we hear that So Yeom-ra just turned twenty?" "We saw him match with the Divine Dragon, but... this is too much." Too much was indeed the sentiment all shared towards So Yeom-ra. Reaching Huajing at his age was unprecedented, excluding the Divine Dragon himself, and yet So Yeom-ra's state now surpassed even that. The completeness was different. Where the Divine Dragon had just touched Huajing and begun to walk, So Yeom-ra was already flying. There wasn't even a slight retreat against the Dao Wang. *Boom!* The waves of confrontation reached their peak. The explosive energy even shook the pavilion. Dao Wang Peng Zhou. Though there were whispers that his martial prowess fell short of his fame, he was undeniably a Huajing master. Yet, against So Yeom-ra's fists, Peng Zhou staggered, bleeding. Resistance was impossible. A match was more one-sided violence than an actual battle. "…How should one describe this…?" Someone among the onlookers muttered. No one could answer. How could one describe it? Was it appropriate to label such a level simply as genius? Even 'monster' seemed too narrow to contain this. Such was the sight of So Yeom-ra. "It's unbelievable." A fantasy or a dream, perhaps. If an illusion, it was a horrific scene. If a dream, it was a nightmare. Indeed, this was a nightmare for countless martial artists. Otherwise, such a being couldn’t exist. To bring down Dao Wang so overwhelmingly. It was unbelievable. While everyone shared similar thoughts and silence enveloped the space, *"Heh, heh."* Someone chuckled from a corner. An elder with a head full of white hair. The head of the Mount Hua Sect and one of the top ten masters, known as the Plum Sword. "That child never ceases to amaze every time I see him." Having already thought he was sufficiently surprised during the match against the Divine Dragon, This fight with Dao Wang surpassed that. 'Just what is he hiding?' What does this child hold within? It's insufficient to describe him purely by potential and brilliance. 'Is the son like the father?' Or perhaps, should it be seen as the grandfather and grandson? Whatever meaning one ascribes feels inadequate. Nonetheless, the Plum Sword felt satisfied merely by witnessing the present. 'I've seen the new era.' A future era that lies ahead. It felt like encountering the center of it. Indeed. That child is the center. Whatever era unfolds, that child will stand at the center, if not at the forefront. Experiencing this transition was enough. As Plum Sword came to his conclusion, “Judging by your expression, it seems you're brooding over something all by yourself again.” “...” The voice that chimed in with a tinge of ridicule made Plum Sword turn his head. He subtly covered his nose and spoke. "I thought I smelled something…." "What? What was that?" "Oh, nothing at all." “I heard you, and no, never mind.” The Abbot of the Beggars' Sect, Wu Feng-chwi, shook his head at Plum Sword’s reaction. "Well, given that all your disciples were eliminated, it's understandable if nothing pleases you." “...” Plum Sword's eyes narrowed slightly in response to Wu Feng-chwi's mocking words. As Wu Feng-chwi indicated, all the disciples from the Mount Hua Sect who participated in the martial arts festival had been eliminated. There were issues with matchups, but he had deliberately brought those who were not fully ripened yet. Even Youngpung, who held out the longest, had been defeated, leaving Mount Hua with no presence in the tournament. Wu Feng-chwi pointed that out directly. Feeling uncomfortable momentarily, Plum Sword let out a sly smile. "What? Why are you smiling—?" "Still, isn’t it slightly better than the Beggars' Sect, which couldn’t even participate?" “…What?” Now it was Wu Feng-chwi's turn to frown at Plum Sword’s remark. The Beggars' Sect hadn’t sent a single participant to the tournament. The reason being— "If you belong to the Alliance, you should know participating in the martial arts festival is impossible, shouldn't you?" The Beggars' Sect was directly affiliated with the Martial Arts Alliance, which prohibited participation in the festival. “Hmm, but even if you had participated... I doubt there would've been any noteworthy outcome. I mean, how well can beggars fight?” Plum Sword delicately jabbed at Wu Feng-chwi with polite words. "Why you…!" Wu Feng-chwi ground his teeth furiously. *Thud—!* Another loud crash redirected everyone's attention back to the fight. "Ho-ho. It seems to be over." Plum Sword said with a chuckle, clicking his tongue in disbelief. “…Shall we talk later in private?” “Oh dear, unfortunately… I’m quite busy today… heh heh heh.” *Grit—!!* Even while exchanging such trivial words, their eyes remained glued to the martial stage. A large-built middle-aged man was seen collapsing. His face was so swollen that it was unrecognizable. The Dao Wang, Peng Zhou, utterly battered, finally lost consciousness and fell to the ground. "...So it has come to this." "Could he really have won?" The displayed scene made everyone let out a deep sigh. The Dao Wang, defeated by a much younger man. Those who saw this truth bit their lips in disbelief. This development would precipitate unprecedented events in the future. A huge calamity for the Peng family, And a catalyst for a massive upheaval in the martial world of Zhongyuan. As they anticipated these repercussions, pondering the implications in shock, -The arbiter was about to declare So Yeom-ra's victory. “…!” “…Hah!” *Clang—! Clang, clang—!!* Suddenly, within the pavilion, the warriors began gripping their swords. “…What is this…” A tension, sharp as a blade, filled the air. All, being seasoned martial artists, seemed to sense the same thing. “Wu Feng, what is this?” It was no different with Plum Sword. He was about to call out to the Abbot of the Beggars' Sect with a stern expression. *Uuuuung---!!!!* *Rumble---!!!* Suddenly, tremors erupted around them. “Ugh!” “What is—!!” *Rumble—!!!!* Was it an earthquake? Everyone staggered, unable to balance properly. “…What is that…” A few who managed to keep their balance. Among them was Jinryeong Sword, one of the ten great masters like the Plum Sword, the leader of the Sooho Brigade, widened his eyes watching the sky. Up above, something began to spread across the crystal-clear sky. *Ziiiiiing---!!!* A massive, crimson line emerged. How could such a thing appear in the sky? Long and intense enough to cover the entire sky, the line began to connect and weave together rapidly. Forming slowly into something significant. Jinryeong Sword observed, but then another event unfolded. *Fwaaah—!* “Gasp!” “What is… this?!” Around the pavilion, a barrier suddenly appeared, enveloping it. A crimson barrier, the same color as the line above. Seeing the mysterious barrier encase the pavilion, a few inside immediately took action. *Sshing—!!* Plum Sword from Mount Hua, Jinryeong Sword, And the Swordmaster of the Alliance moved simultaneously, swinging their swords together. *Boom---!!!* The combined might of three top masters erupted against the barrier. A formidable force that could normally devastate the surrounding area. *Pahng—!!* Yet, the sword force fizzled upon contact with the barrier, leaving no trace or harm. Eventually, *Uuun—!!* Failing to halt the progression, the crimson aura enveloped the entire pavilion. An entirely unexpected situation. Witnessing this, the Jinryeong Sword deeply furrowed his brow. He was not alone in this realization. Everyone present instinctively understood. Now… Here, in Hanam, something monumental was commencing. ***************************** Hanam. Above the heartland where the Martial Alliance stood, a bizarre scene unfolded. An old man who witnessed this wide-spread phenomenon laughed gleefully. “At last…!!” A sight he had desired for so long. That sky was within the realm of profound sorcery, a formation crafted with his power. Decades spent honing his skills, finally culminating in this manifestation. How could he not be overjoyed seeing it? “Finally… finally, it’s happening.” The old man looked around with eyes full of fervor. Gathered people, They were those who once held the Zhegal surname, Now hidden, living as mere shadows, their minds filled with revenge. A massive stone among them emitted light. A core component of the sorcerous ritual, sealing an entity hidden beneath the land of Hanam. Six such stones were scattered across Hanam, and the old man had succeeded in finding and performing the ritual to unseal them. “Just a little more, just a little more….” Soon, he would show the Martial Alliance, which cast their kin into darkness, what hell looks like. The thickening sorcerous array in the air. The old man glanced back while clenching his fist. “Listen well, all of you.” “Yes! Great Lord!” At the words of the old man, dozens kneeled. “The time we have long awaited has come. Remember the times when you lost your names and lived as criminals under their hand.” *Thunk!* A blunt instrument he had grabbed hit the ground. “Today, we shall cleanse the shame of the past and show them our might.” *Uuun—!* Dark energy leaked from the old man's shoulders. Resentment and anger, emotions accumulated and spreading everywhere. As if spurred by it, others’ expressions began to change. *Flap—!* Amidst this, the old man donned a robe. Black in hue, adorned with purple embroidery of the character ‘Ma (魔)’, meaning demon. Upon wearing it, others around him followed suit in the same attire. All wore the same uniform. The slight difference being that the old man's robe had deeper embroidery and an armband. Though somewhat conspicuous martial attire, there was a reason they opted for it. “As promised, we are dressed. Now, may we proceed with the plan?” The old man turned to speak. There stood a woman, Nahi. She scanned her surroundings, nodding her head. “Yes.” “…When will the Master appear?” The one who made them wear such attire, the Heavenly Demon, when will he appear, was his question to which Nahi replied: “He is currently attending to another matter but assured he would not be late. Moreover.” *Swish.* Nahi donned a robe identical to the old man's. “He has instructed that promises will be honored…. Fulfill what you desire.” The old man nodded at her words. Though it was curious that the Master had not yet revealed himself, his full attention was fixed on the sky above. At most, a quarter of an incense stick's time remained. Once that time passed, a great being would descend from beneath the lands of Hanam. Should that come to pass, The Martial Alliance, the root of orthodox sects, would crumble, ushering in a bloody revolution. *Clench—!* The old man, as if engraving a solemn vow onto his face, gripped his weapon tightly, his expression steely with resolve. "...Let us go. For the revolution." "For the revolution—!" With what seemed like an immense burden of duty, dozens of individuals began their march towards Hanam. Revenge. Or reclamation. Dreaming of something, many stepped forward. "…" Watching their retreating figures, Nahi only turned her head once their presence fully dissipated. At that instant, *Thud—!!* As if on cue, several figures landed around Nahi. All were martial artists clad in yellow uniforms. At the forefront was a familiar face. It was none other than Hwangbo Yul, head of the Hwangbo family, known as the Wild Tiger Iron Fist. Having appeared suddenly, he offered a set of clothes he had been holding to Nahi. *Slide.* Nahi took the clothes as if she had been anticipating them and immediately began changing. *Drop.* The black martial attire she had been wearing fell to the ground. Over it, she donned the yellow outfit signifying her allegiance to the Hwangbo family. With a headscarf concealing her face, Nahi stretched her limbs and spoke slowly. "…All is as the Master decrees." With those words, she began to move, following the others. In accordance with the Heavenly Demon's orders. They were there to eliminate the evil that had besieged Hanam.