806 - Childhood Friend of the Zenith

Title: The Child of the Erlang Sword Queen Mok Yeon’s eyes shook as he read the letter with the words: "The child of Erlang Sword Queen." Watching his reaction, I lowered my gaze. My curiosity was piqued. What kind of reaction would the Mok Yeon, who was once in the Martial Alliance, have toward the Erlang Sword Queen? Was he aware of the events that took place during the 'war' back then? Moreover… "Are you connected to this?" What connection does the old Mok Yeon have to this incident? This question intrigued me, compelling me to write what didn't necessarily need to be written. Show me. If you know something, reveal even a glimpse of your impressions about the world you witnessed then. With that desire in mind, as I continued to observe Mok Yeon... "...Erlang Sword Queen... she...." He spoke in a shaky voice, and seeing that, I thought to myself: "Hold." His reaction was ambiguous. It wasn't quite shock, nor was it akin to sentimentality. What could be sentimental about it? His reaction was far from bringing anything to mind—disappointing in its subtlety. "You couldn't possibly be unaware." The possibility that Mok Yeon didn't know about the Erlang Sword Queen? It's not entirely impossible, but it approaches near-zero probability. He was the elder who managed most affairs of the Martial Alliance during its prime. Even now, despite having returned for less than barely two weeks, the alliance was already undergoing systematic changes. He began making efforts to restore public sentiment and started to eliminate stagnant elements, reforming the broken system. I was amazed at the speed and stability of it all. There were things he couldn't possibly handle unless he knew both the internal and external matters of the alliance. For someone who had been resting for a while, I wondered what Mok Yeon in his prime might have been like. "It must have been remarkable." There's no way this old man wasn't aware of the circumstances. Thus, it was one of two possibilities. Either he conspired along with them, given the situation, or... "Knowing and yet condoned it." I was curious as to where Mok Yeon stood among these options. Of course: "Whichever it might be, the outcome remains unchanged." Regardless of what choice Mok Yeon made, the option of eliminating him remained unchanged. It only alters the process leading to the result. In this sense, his current reaction holds that: "There’s more to be drawn out." With that thought in mind as I gazed at Mok Yeon, he spoke to me. “How did the Star King come to know this woman?” He was asking about the relationship between me, the Erlang Sword Queen's child, and Bongsoon, prompting me to compose myself before responding. "Must I answer that? It wasn’t part of the agreement, after all." “...” No matter the circumstances, I was to accept the five I wanted as swordmasters. That was the condition laid out in writing. Hence, Mok Yeon couldn't press further. He too must be aware of this. "Star King." "Yes?" “Are you aware of who the Erlang Sword Queen is?” "Of course, I am." I replied to Mok Yeon as if it was the most obvious thing. “She’s the criminal who was preparing for the War of Justice, isn't she?” “...” At my indifferent reply, his eyebrows subtly twitched. Yes, the Erlang Sword Queen is a traitor, a criminal. That’s the narrative the current Martial Alliance has written in history. "Knowing that, you still brought her here?" His tone suggested displeasure somewhere, prompting an unconscious smile from me. “Haha, why are you like this, Advisor Mok?” “…What?” “Isn’t there a difference between the mother being a criminal and her child being one? She’s even called an illegitimate child.” “...” “Moreover.” I pointed to a phrase written on the letter with an extended hand. “Most importantly, the Emei sect is vouching for this woman. What is there to worry about?” Pi Yeon-yeon, the daughter associated with the Emei sect, supported by them. Specifically, by Kwon Sun, the head of the sect. It wasn’t just any place, but one of the nine large sects verifying her identity. Thanks to this, there was already a solid justification. However: “The Emei sect being involved might be a concern.” The Emei sect, in particular. To my eyes, the Erlang Sword Queen, the Emei sect, and the Alliance were entangled in something, which caused suspicion in Mok Yeon’s heart despite the identity assurance. “Thus, it seems there’s no problem, but... is there something bothering you?” “...No matter how problem-free it seems, there’s public perception to consider.” “Well, that’s true.” “This could become an issue within the Alliance. Even if the Star King spoke of the condition.” “An issue... Do you mean putting a criminal's child in the alliance?” Even... “The child of a woman who could have sparked the War of Justice?” “…Yes.” I nodded in response to Mok Yeon’s words, as if I understood his concern. “Hmm.” Of course, only pretending to do so. “Advisor Mok, then what should I do? Shall I remove her and add someone else? I’m indifferent either way.” The words that followed were rather ordinary. “I’ve only just learned of this fact not long ago... While I felt it could become a problem, I included her on a whim, so if it’s troublesome, I’ll exclude her.” “…Well.” “Just as you said, it seems it could potentially pose a problem.” “...” As I spoke, I reached out, intending to pull out only the letter related to Bongsoon. Clunk. “Huh?” For some reason, the letter remained fixed, not moving. When I checked, Mok Yeon had grasped the letter and wasn’t letting go. “Advisor Mok?” “Given the stated conditions, it wasn’t a rash suggestion to exclude her.” I narrowed my eyes at his words. “Then?” “I’ll erase the last line. Just be mindful of this part, and it shouldn’t matter.” The last line meant... “Regarding the Erlang Sword Queen?” The information that Pi Yeon-yeon, Bongsoon, is the bloodline of the Erlang Sword Queen. He was suggesting that as long as that part remained a secret, it wouldn’t be an issue. In other words: “He’s willing to overlook it quietly despite knowing. Thus, he’s urging me to include her.” Considering the extent of Mok Yeon’s reaction: “There’s something this old man’s entangled with.” It was evidence suggesting a certain level of relationship with the Erlang Sword Queen. "This seems a bit risky." Not my gamble, but Mok Yeon's gamble. Mok Yeon is wary of me. While he's intending to filter out certain elements within the Martial Alliance using me, he harbors suspicion towards me. Mok Yeon is likely aware that I'm not entirely naive, and that I might notice something strange in this situation. Mok Yeon seems particularly concerned about the child of the Erlang Sword Queen. Enough to insist on including her while keeping a crucial detail a secret. I'm aware of this. Mok Yeon must also be aware of this process…. "And yet, you're still proceeding with this?" It was a situation I found surprising. I thought for sure he would tell me to exclude her. I even had another plan prepared for that scenario. "Well, looks like I'll have to move on to the third plan." Scrap plans one and two immediately. I needed to shift to the third plan right away. “Even if Advisor Mok knows, will keeping it a secret change anything?” “I'll prepare a solution and discuss it separately with the Emei sect.” “Hmm.” Does he have no intention of concealing his concerns? With these developments, I couldn't help but ask. “Why?” Mok Yeon's face frowned at my question. “...” “Is the presence of the Erlang Sword Queen the problem? Or is it her being the mother of a daughter the issue? I don't understand why Advisor Mok is taking this stance.” I asked directly, considering Mok Yeon's risky move. His eyes flashed with a hint of sharpness. "I will respond to your question with your own words, which you previously said to me." “… “ And with that, I fell silent. It was a situation where he had set the conditions so I couldn't ask further, a silent indication for me to stop probing. "Tsk." Regretful, but delving further wouldn’t yield more information. This was already a significant discovery. "I now know Mok Yeon is overly concerned, and he knows something." The rest can be discovered through investigation. "Alright, then. I’ll accept that, and be on my way." “…I won’t see you out.” With those words, I turned my back. As I did, I lifted my hand to wipe the slight sweat formed on my cheek. Although the conversation was fruitful, there was one regrettable aspect. “He probably figured it out.” Just as I learned more about Mok Yeon. Mok Yeon probably noticed something as well. “That I might know something about the Erlang Sword Queen.” I wasn't sure if he fully realized it or simply sensed potential, but it seemed he might have picked up on something. At this moment, I resisted the urge to turn around and observe Mok Yeon’s expression. I wanted to see the look on his face... “...But that would give it away.” I refrained, as such an action could give away too much. Squeak. I pulled the door handle and swallowed deeply. I recalled the words gleaned from the end of our exchange. Do not reveal that Bongsoon is the Erlang Sword Queen. Mok Yeon's words implied that. “I should abide by it.” I decided to comply with his request. It was acceptable. Because: “As long as I don't disclose it, it's sufficient.” After all, speech isn't exclusive to just my mouth. ****************** Having disengaged from Mok Yeon, I redirected my path back to the Dragon Division. Not directly, since I made a brief detour to the Iron Dragon Division. I had questions for Silver Sword, but unfortunately, he was absent at the time. Thanks to that, I had to endure the glaring eyes of the Iron Dragon Division members before leaving. Those brats... I wasn't the one who attacked Silver Sword, yet they held animosity towards me. I contemplated overturning things, but restrained myself. “Since Silver Sword is tolerable.” He was more of a sane individual than expected, so I chose to overlook it. Had it been the Twin Phantom Swords, they wouldn't have been walking. “Tsk.” Anyway. I clicked my tongue lightly and continued toward the Dragon Division. Although there was still some time before the agreed upon meeting, I could pass the time by observing. “I wonder how it turned out.” Though I had set things in motion, I wasn’t sure of the outcome. Despite having told them to clash, there was always a chance they might resolve things through conversation. “I expect the reinforcements acted reasonably, unlike the Alliance members.” All the recruits were at a peak level and above. A tightly-knit group of highly skilled fighters. Because of this, the power imbalance should have been apparent without needing conflict. Therefore, perhaps only the Alliance members fought chaotically, while the other side may have been peaceful. With such expectations, I headed for the Dragon Division. Whoosh-! “What?” As I walked, I suddenly sensed a wave of energy. A thick, palpable breeze of inner energy. “What….” Narrowing my eyes, I recognized the sense—it was familiar. Evidently, I wasn’t the only one who noticed, as nearby warriors were also staring in one direction. Towards the direction where the Dragon Division was located. Feeling this sense, I quickened my pace. Clang-! Boom-! Screech--!! The closer I got, the louder the energy and noise became. “...” Sensing danger, I forced power into my feet and leapt. Instinct told me that something had erupted. Hwoo-! In an instant, the scene changed as I landed within the division. And at that moment: “This is insane.” What unfolded before me was astonishing, forcing an exclamation from my lips. Screech---!!! Crash-!! “Ahh!” “Get back, get away!” Within, a powerful wave of qi raged violently. The cutting pressure of a deadly blade coursed fiercely. Inner energy danced violently in an intense display of swordsmanship. Amidst the intense cyclone of sword aura, I surveyed my surroundings. “Stay back, don’t get close!” “If you get caught, you'll die!” Even the warriors from the Alliance and the reinforcements were busy dodging the sword aura. Some were deflecting the energy here and there. Others tried their best to block, lest it cause harm. Then. Whoosh-!! A sword aura flew straight towards me. I immediately swung my hand, deflecting the energy. Crack-! The sword aura shattered, scattering fragments. My fingers tingled. The energy was remarkably strong, and: “…This energy.” The familiarity of its essence couldn't be ignored, narrowing my brow. “Leader, are you alright?" I turned my head at the voice. Someone was approaching me. It was a familiar face. It was Yeol Tu Jeon Geom, who had helped during the evaluation. As soon as I saw him, I asked, “Explain.” “Pardon, what?” He was using formal speech at that time, but now things were different. Yeol Tu Jeon Geom was momentarily taken aback by my changed tone, but I pressed on without concern for that. “This situation. Explain it to me.” There was no other choice. The owner of the vortex swirling before my eyes—the golden sword and the fierce thunderous tempest—the one wielding such exhilarating and formidable sword aura was none other than... "Why are they fighting like that?" Namgung Bia and Wi Seol Ah. The two were locked in a battle as if they intended to kill each other.