813 - Childhood Friend of the Zenith

Chapter 813 - The Best in the World, Child's Friend: North Rabbit - Web Novel Archive Roll—Thunk! It was as if a small marble had rolled over and dropped into something. Mrs. Mi doesn't hate us. That statement felt oddly out of place. Could it be true? I lived convinced that Mrs. Mi resented and hated me. There's no other way to understand it. 'If not, then how?' There are more reasons to hate than to like. There are more reasons to push away than to accept. That’s why I couldn’t wrap my head around it. “Doesn't hate us? How can you be so sure?” How could Gu Ryonghwa be so confident about Mrs. Mi’s feelings? Not understanding, I asked her. Gu Ryonghwa wore a somewhat peculiar expression as she spoke to me. “Brother. Do you really not know?” “What?” “How can you not know...? I really feel sorry for the sisters….” “Stop beating around the bush and speak clearly.” “It's not about talking, it seems like only you don’t know.” Gu Ryonghwa frowned heavily, as if she was about to explain further but then stopped herself. “…Never mind.” “What?” “I’m not telling you.” “Why start something and then stop? That's just unfair.” “You said you would come, but you didn't. You told Yeong Pung you'd go see him, didn't you? Announcing it and then not showing up…. Who's calling whom unfair now?” “...” Once again, my words were lost. She’s gotten better at arguing over the years. Damn it. Feeling speechless, I stayed quiet, and Gu Ryonghwa sighed lightly. “Forget it.... Anyway. What are you planning to do next? Are you going back to Shanxi?” “...” “…You're heading somewhere else again.” I hurried up my explanation to counter her sullen expression. “I have some business to take care of. It’s not that I don’t want to go back…. It’s really just some important-.” “No need to make excuses. I know you're busy.” With her words, Gu Ryonghwa turned to gaze straight ahead. “Are you trying to catch the Heavenly Demon or something?” “...” Her words froze me for a moment. Gu Ryonghwa had mentioned an unexpected name. “I’m aware of it too. That you've become important to people now. That you're busy trying to catch those fiends of the Ma Gyo.” I couldn’t find any words to respond with, so I held both my breath and my tongue. “They say you're called a hero? Honestly, it’s hard to imagine the word hero fits your face, you know.” Though she seemed incredulous, an amused smile tugged at the corners of her lips. “Still, I kind of feel just a teeny bit proud.” “...” “Don’t get it wrong. It’s just the tiniest fraction. Everyone keeps saying you're amazing…. That’s how it grew a little. Got it?” Her insistence made it seem as if she was worried about me misinterpreting her. What kind of expression was on my face for her to react like this? Whatever it was, it must have been a misunderstanding. The expression I bore wasn’t due to embarrassment or because I found it absurd. “It's really alright. Truly.” It was a feeling of shame toward myself. The applause coming my way in a situation I painstakingly created weren’t really mine. Yet. “Brother? What's wrong?” “…Nothing. Just feeling a bit queasy.” Hearing such words from Gu Ryonghwa, I felt a bizarre fondness for myself. I despised myself enough to make me want to vomit. ****************** The next day in the morning. Dressed lightly, I arrived at my destination. After finishing my conversation with Gu Ryonghwa and talking a bit more with Elder Il Jang, I headed towards Mrs. Mi. My real intention was to see Moyong Hee Ah, but perhaps still upset, she refused to meet with me. So, I relayed my message to Mrs. Mi instead. She responded with calm indifference. However, she asked: ‘Are you planning to leave the child here?’ ‘Pardon?’ ‘The child, you know.’ ‘Ah.’ Since it seemed like she was referring to Doldol Yi, I pondered for a moment. Was she suggesting I bring him along simply because managing him would be annoying? That's what it seemed like, so I said to Mrs. Mi: ‘It’d be troublesome for Mrs. Mi to keep looking after him. I should take him back-’ ‘I never said it was a bother.’ There seemed to be a hint of seriousness in her tone. Was it just my imagination? ‘…Is that so? Still, I think it’s better if I take him with me….’ ‘The Wulin Alliance is quite busy, isn’t it? It'll be tough to look after a child too. Leave that to me.’ ‘...’ If she was just going to decide, then why ask…? I wanted to genuinely ask, but I held my tongue. The result wasn’t bad. Taking Doldol Yi with me might have been convenient, but his involvement wasn’t necessary for the mission. With enough people, he wouldn't be of use anyway. For now, it was fine to leave him behind. My only concern was that leaving him alone might lead to mischief…. ‘Maybe he’ll be okay since he seems to be enjoying himself?’ Doldol Yi appeared content, disguising himself as a child, eating well and living well. I heard he was out and about with Mrs. Mi every day. ‘What exactly are they doing?’ I had no clue. It didn’t seem grandiose, maybe just dressing him up and buying a few things to eat. ‘…Hmm.’ Though puzzling, I decided to let it be. As long as he was doing well, that was enough. That's what I concluded as I nodded to myself. ‘The issue isn’t that....’ Thinking about Mrs. Mi’s father, the former Bailian Master, I stroked my chin. ‘I should have tried meeting him again.’ The former Bailian Master. An individual supposedly of direct descent from Gu’s lineage. There were questions I wanted to ask him. ‘But he wasn’t there.’ Last night, as I intended to meet him alongside visiting Mrs. Mi, it turned out the old man was nowhere to be found. Where on earth did he go? Did he truly vanish? Perhaps Mrs. Mi was hiding him, preventing us from meeting. There’s a high possibility that this is the case. ‘But why?’ Why does Mrs. Mi harbor such resentment toward her father, and why is the elderly man regarded as a relative of the Gu clan? The question remains deep. Elder Il Jang said there was no issue to be concerned about. ‘But I’m curious.’ Even if I pretend it doesn’t matter, I can't help but be intrigued. I needed to find out as much as possible. To do so... ‘I have to get this done quickly and return.’ I planned to complete this mission as swiftly as possible. Preferably... ‘Before the season ends.’ With autumn just beginning, my aim was to finish this task before it concluded. With that resolve, I turned around. Behind me stood a group, not numbering more than twenty, looking tense. “Everyone ready?” “…The entire team is prepared.” Tang Sohyeol, standing beside me, promptly answered my short question. Her quick response suggested she'd been ready for it. I felt an urge to pat her for her preparedness, but resisted. Too many eyes were watching. “Good. Then let's start-.” I was about to report to Muk Yeon to set off when, “Hmm?” I sensed someone approaching. Looking over, I wasn’t surprised to see a group coming from afar. It wasn’t a small number, and their attire was notably familiar. It seemed I wasn’t the only one who noticed, as everyone around widened their eyes. “Could it be Ilcheong Geom…?” “It’s the Azure Dragon Division Leader?” Leading the approaching group was a dashing middle-aged man. Ilcheong Geom, renowned as one of the strongest division leaders, second only to the current Swordmaster. He was personally leading his subordinates towards us. Others around started reacting. It wasn't shocking that the Azure Dragon Division was involved. We knew beforehand that this operation would involve cooperation with the Azure Dragon Division, so their presence wasn't unexpected. “What’s surprising is that Ilcheong Geom came himself.” That the Azure Dragon Division leader himself appeared was another matter entirely. “Perhaps he came to see us off.” “But wouldn’t it be unusual for the Azure Dragon Division leader to personally do so?” “I heard they had some conflicts, not a friendly relationship…” As the whispers spread, I stepped forward to greet Ilcheong Geom. “Senior Ilcheong Geom.” “Nice to see you.” With those words, Ilcheong Geom extended his hand slightly. I shook it without hesitation. Feeling the grip, I smiled as I spoke. “…I'm thankful that you decided to assist us, but I didn't expect you to come personally.” “Ha ha. With rumors of this being Sacred Dragon’s debut, I couldn't sit still. I'm glad to be of assistance in any way.” His grip tightened slightly. Not to a point of crushing, but with enough strength. “My only concern was whether this burdens the Sacred Dragon Division Leader. That was a slight worry.” “How could it be? I’ve heard of your recent esteemed reputation, Senior. Your support is greatly reassuring.” “That’s a relief to hear.” Our exchange was warm. Those around us observing couldn't hide their surprise. “Maybe they’re closer than we thought.” “I mean, why would someone like Ilcheong Geom get into conflicts…?” They started forming their own conclusions. Ignoring the tingling in my ears, I focused. The reality wasn’t as amicable as it seemed. ‘This guy doesn't hold back, does he?’ Analysing Ilcheong Geom’s words masked in smiles: -‘With Sacred Dragon’s debut, I couldn’t sit still.’- Worried we might fail as soon as we start, so he couldn't sleep without assurance. -‘A concern whether this burdens the Sacred Dragon Division Leader….’ Won’t it be better if I join you on your first mission? Even if it's burdensome, bear with it for success. Even interpreting his intention slightly differently, it boiled down to those meanings. Counting the hidden jabs in his few words was tiresome. He was riling me up from the start, so I returned a jab: -I’ve heard of your recent renowned reputation- Ilcheong Geom’s success rates hadn’t been high recently. The damages were well-known. Mentioning this in current circumstances certainly didn’t imply praise. “Ha ha.” “Ha ha ha.” With laughs filled with tension, our handshake turned into a test of strength. The grip surpassed usual constraints, entering a domain of competition. Sensing this, I adjusted my posture slightly. Ssss.... Not surprisingly, he infused his energy subtly, masking it as a mistake. Suppressing my grin, I released his hand in mock surprise. Thunk-! As our hands parted, the slight sparking energy fizzled. The breeze ruffled my hair slightly. Simultaneously... “Sacred Dragon Leader.” “Yes.” Ilcheong Geom beckoned me. “If there is any concern, let it lay aside.” He smiled. “Our Azure Dragon Division will fully support Sacred Dragon Division, ensuring the mission’s absolute success.” The confidence in his words was laced with an underlying smirk. Under normal circumstances, such words would be irritating. This time, thankfully, it was amusing. “Concern? Surely not.” I have no worries. Because I have faith in a man like Ilcheong Geom. We shared the same objectives, no doubt. “I trust you, Senior.” In any scenario that may arise. “So, let's do our best together.” I believed he would act just as I hoped.