783 - Childhood Friend of the Zenith

Title: Tenka's Childhood Friend Chapter 783 > Northern Rabbit - Web Novel Archive Past Life. It was around a time not all that different in age from now. Perhaps with only one or two more years added. Originally, leaving the family estate, let alone joining a martial arts alliance, would have been problematic. Yet, for some reason, my father, the head of the family, sent me to the Martial Arts Alliance. A rather unusual decision. Considering I was barely allowed to step outside the family grounds, it was strange how he chose to send me all the way to Hanam. Even now, it's a mystery to me... But back then, I didn't particularly care. In fact, perhaps I welcomed it. The thought of escaping from that wretched house—just for a little respite. And. Because the child who sometimes appeared in my thoughts was there. It might not have been the core reason, but for me, it made the decision worthwhile. However, if I were to choose again, knowing what would happen… I might not make the same decision. Everything I experienced at the alliance was considerably more troubling than I had anticipated... It was also the reason my faith in the righteous sects plummeted. It all started there. Enduring all kinds of disdain and neglect in the Flying Dragon Division, moving multiple times due to the bloody chaos caused by the Heavenly Demon, losing and losing people dear to me until even I was left forsaken... Unnecessary experiences shaped who I am today. They certainly weren't pleasant experiences. Perhaps because of that. “Hmm.” As I walked deeper into the alliance's territory, memories from that time surfaced. Even though quite a bit of time has passed, and it's like those events never happened, they're still vividly clear for some reason. ‘Was that tree shaped like this?’ A single tree in the open garden to my side. I believe it had been there since the alliance was first established. It had stood there for quite some time and was tended to with care, as if it were a symbol by the alliance. Though... ‘The Heavenly Demon appeared and burned it down.’ When she first appeared, she annihilated several lords and martial artists, burning it down with them. Though they considered it a symbol, it wasn't a tree I'd frequently admired. ‘To see that tree, you had to... hold a rather high rank.’ The location I'm walking through is quite deep within the alliance's territory. In my previous life as a low-ranked member, it wasn't a tree I could casually observe or talk about. Well, occasionally, I did catch glimpses if I had to deliver something and passed by. Back then, I merely thought of it as an unnecessarily large tree. ‘Now, it's intriguing.’ The old tree I see again exudes a peculiar presence. An old tree. A tree that endured the passage of time, its roots firmly planted in the earth. Regarded as a sacred symbol by the alliance. Now, I understand why. ‘There's an aura emanating from it.’ The old tree displays a distinctly thick aura. Sometimes, old objects or living beings naturally exude such an aura, I’ve heard. That must be the reason for this particular old tree. ‘Interesting.’ The aura was invisible to me before. Now, it captures my intrigue. It doesn't seem like it's there for no reason... There must be more to it. ‘Should I use Cheonan to see more?’ If I use it, I might be able to see deeper. Just as I was about to channel my energy into my eyes, “The Azure Dragon Lord and Star King are entering.” The voice from ahead made me halt with a reluctant smirk. Unfortunately, it appeared we had arrived at our destination. Creak. The massive gate opened, and I stepped forward. Inside, the space was sufficiently large, even within the alliance. Roughly a dozen tables and chairs were arranged, with several people already occupying them. Whoosh-! ‘Hmm.’ As soon as I entered the room, the peculiar atmosphere wafted to my nostrils. ‘...It’s quite oppressive.’ A heavy and uncomfortable feeling. The room wasn’t small, but the aura emanating from the people inside was the cause. ‘Well, this is something.’ I turned and assessed the people present. There were four of them. With the addition of myself and Ilcheonggeom, making it six. Out of six people present... ‘Five have surpassed a Huakyeong level.’ More than half were at a formidable level. Given the situation, it was only natural for the atmosphere to be stifling. Around the time I was clicking my tongue at the slightly grim atmosphere, “You’ve arrived.” At the center, someone spoke up. He was the only one among us present who hadn't attained a Huakyeong level. Not even a martial artist. “Yes, Elder. Nice to meet you again.” I spoke with a smile to Muk Yeon, the alliance strategist. Muk Yeon also responded with a slight smile. “I wasn't late, was I? I believe I arrived on time, but since everyone is already gathered, I wondered if I might be late.” “You are not late. You have arrived just in time.” “Good to hear.” I spoke and surveyed each individual present. Strategist Muk Yeon. The others... ‘Including Myung Goong, the Twin Phantom Swords and the Silver Wolf Sword.’ The Red Dragon Lord, Golden Dragon Lord, and Iron Dragon Lord. This means, including Ilcheonggeom, there were four lords in attendance. After glancing around, I picked out a chair and spoke. “May I sit anywhere?” “Feel free to take any seat.” Screech. I casually found a seat, and Ilcheonggeom followed suit, sitting at a respectful distance. Muk Yeon, noticing this, looked at me with his distinct gaze and spoke. “I heard there was a bit of tension before you arrived. Was everything alright?” It seems he heard about the incident with Ilcheonggeom. I didn’t mind. It was only natural for Muk Yeon to be aware of it. “Oh, it wasn’t really tension. Just a minor difference of opinion.” I nonchalantly waved it off and simultaneously glanced at Ilcheonggeom, adding. “Isn’t that right, Senior Ilcheonggeom?” “…” Being pointed out, a slight frown formed on Ilcheonggeom’s brow. I thought he might struggle to maintain his composure for a moment, but unfortunately, he did not. “There is nothing worth worry over. Though my subordinate made a grave mistake, the Star King overlooked it gracefully.” ‘Impressive.’ A wry smile almost escaped me at the steady stream of conciliatory words. Ilcheonggeom, who had seemed on the brink of exploding earlier, seemed to have collected his thoughts by now. Otherwise, he wouldn’t have been spouting words so fluently. Listening to Ilcheonggeom’s explanation, Muk Yeon nodded slightly. “I see. Understood.” Does this mean they intend to put an end to this topic? After all, dragging it on would be pointless. There’s something more important we need to discuss now. “Now that we seem to have all present… let’s begin the discussion.” Time to get down to business. With those words, the atmosphere shifted slightly. Tap tap. Muk Yeon placed a scroll on the table and took out a small brush before opening his mouth to speak. “The Flying Dragon Lord is absent due to receiving a specific assignment prior to this. The Protection Dragon Lord has scheduling conflicts with the Alliance Leader. Additionally.” Rustle. The brush gracefully swept over the scroll. “The Divine Dragon Lord is accompanying them for those engagements. Thus, they are also absent.” Hearing about the Divine Dragon Lord piqued my interest. ‘So they're not here now.’ I had hoped to catch a glimpse if they were in attendance, but it seems they’re currently absent. Then. Creak. A peculiar sound came from not far away. The direction was none other than where Ilcheonggeom sat. Curious, I glanced over, but nothing seemed out of the ordinary. “With everyone here, we will commence today’s Grand Lords’ Meeting.” I nodded at Muk Yeon’s words. This was the reason I had come to the Martial Arts Alliance today. ‘A Grand Lords’ Meeting, huh?’ As the name implies, it’s a gathering where the Grand Lords converse, and the reason I was attending was fairly obvious… “The reason for today’s meeting is that the Star King, prior to officially undertaking duties as a Grand Lord, has matters to convey to the other Grand Lords.” Because today, I was to be inaugurated as a Grand Lord of the Alliance. There was no drawn-out ceremony or introductions, which suited me fine. It wasn’t the time or place for such frivolities, and diving directly into the main agenda was preferable. I honestly appreciated the accelerated pace. For reference, I believe the unit name was Star Dragon Division. ‘Ah… I already feel like vomiting.’ The adopted title is appalling, and to make matters worse, the division’s name is dreadful as well. ‘And the reactions aren’t looking good either.’ The condition among the Grand Lords listening isn’t great. Ilcheonggeom maintained a neutral expression, but given the earlier tension, it couldn’t possibly be fine. The other Grand Lords were similar. The Red Dragon Lord showed no noticeable emotion, but the rest clearly displayed discomfort. Even though I wondered why the poor reactions, I roughly knew the answer. ‘It's because an unfamiliar figure suddenly became a Grand Lord. That’s bound to be their response.’ The Grand Lords of the Alliance are akin to the pillars that support it. As such, the premise has always been that becoming a Grand Lord is a position earned through long-standing service within the alliance, demonstrating both strength and loyalty. At least a decade. Possibly more years spent in uncomfortable circumstances, working hard to attain such a post. But when a young upstart like me abruptly seizes such a position, it’s only natural for it to sit uncomfortably with the Grand Lords. However. ‘It also means they were desperate enough to push this through, knowing the dissent it would cause.’ They expected the Grand Lords’ resistance. Despite this awareness, the Martial Arts Alliance decided to appoint me as a Grand Lord. This, in effect, meant. ‘To them, I was more important than the dissent of the Grand Lords.’ That’s how it inevitably appeared to the Grand Lords. Indeed, so, judging by their overt displays of discomfort. “Previously mentioned, the unit the Star King will oversee has been named Star Dragon Division.” Already knowing this, I didn’t react. Instead, I prioritized observing the responses of the Grand Lords to Muk Yeon’s words. “Furthermore, as communicated earlier, the Star Dragon Division will primarily function as a combative unit heading operations against the Unorthodox Faction.” This was news conveyed just yesterday. My division was to play a significant role in addressing the Unorthodox Faction, as hinted before. ‘A unit tasked with handling the Unorthodox Faction.’ Not focused on beasts and humans, but solely created to combat the Unorthodox Faction. As the Alliance Leader mentioned, it was orchestrated for the forthcoming war with the Unorthodox Faction, a kind of demonstrative preparation. “And…” Rustle. Swish. As he spoke, Muk Yeon continued to glance at the scroll. It seemed he was writing something down, though I didn’t observe closely. Are intellectual folks always like this? Mrs. Mi or Moyong Hee Ah occasionally did this, too. It always seemed like they were working on something else simultaneously. Do they consider it efficient? I didn’t quite understand it, but whether I understood or not wasn’t the point. Anyhow. So far, everything was fine. Ultimately, none of it particularly mattered. “The selection process for the division’s members will differ from the internal recruitment it has been till now. Crucially…” The important part. “The Star Dragon Division’s members will be recruited externally through a separate test conducted within five days.” The Grand Lords’ dissatisfaction was poised to erupt from the onset of these discussions.