845 - Childhood Friend of the Zenith

Chapter 845 Whole List The Number One Martial World's Childhood Friend, Chapter 845 (845/1057) After making quite a scene at the Azure Dragon Division, my next destination was, naturally, my quarters. It was late at night, and I wasn't in the best physical condition. Additionally, there were matters to discuss with Song Hojeong, so while leading a group, I started moving. “What’s going on?” As I was walking with the members, I noticed something strange. I heightened my senses and surveyed the surroundings. Yet, I sensed nothing. The darkness was dispersed by the glowing lanterns, and I could sense the presence of insects around my location. That was all. So what was odd? It was the silence that struck me as strange. “Why is there no one around?” Until just a moment ago, members were stationed at every corner of the paths. Since it was the time for night watch preparations, people should have been visible here and there. For some reason, though, I couldn’t see anyone along the way. Feeling a slight unease, I glanced back and asked. “Hey.” My call made those behind me flinch. I merely addressed them, so why were they so tense? I glanced over at the closest person, Song Hojeong. “Why is no one around?” “I-I’m not sure… I will check immediately.” Song Hojeong seemed genuinely confused and troubled. After all, he had come out with me from the Azure Dragon Division, so he couldn’t possibly know. As he moved to ascertain the situation, I halted him with my hand. “What the hell is going on? Where the hell did everyone go?” With a frown at the absurd situation, I walked. I continued on towards my quarters, and then... “…Huh?” A presence, previously undetectable, was suddenly picked up by my senses. As I neared my quarters, my perception changed. ‘They’re all gathered there.’ The presences I hadn’t sensed until now were all at my quarters. ‘What on earth?’ What on earth were those bastards doing there? And it wasn’t just any quarters. To be precise, it was specifically the quarters where I stayed. What on earth were they plotting to create such a situation? ‘Please, let it be something minor.’ I felt afraid. I was scared that I might explode in anger if it turned out to be something trivial. Taking deep breaths, I finally reached the front of the quarters. I cautiously peeked beyond the door. And then. “Huh…?” The sight before me made me automatically widen my eyes. It was unexpected. I had wished for nothing major, yet it was indeed something very significant. “...What the hell is this?” The situation was so different from what I anticipated that, rather than feeling irritated, I was more surprised. As I stood there, unknowingly frozen by the sight, Song Hojeong, curious about the situation, approached from behind. “Lord. What’s going… huh?” Song Hojeong, upon seeing the situation inside, also found himself at a loss for words. The same was true for the other members. Their reactions mirrored mine. That’s understandable. “Why are they doing that?” “I… am not sure.” Those who were supposed to be on night watch were all kneeling with their heads to the ground in front of my quarters. Despite trembling, they persisted in their positions. Faced with such an absurd scene, I let out a frustrated breath and approached. -Groan…. -Ugh…. From the sound, it seemed they had been in such positions for a long time. Moans echoed from various corners, and they were drenched in sweat. “What’s going on with you guys?” Upon my question, the one at the front abruptly stood up. “Loyal...!” “…Loyalty or not, what is all this?” “We assembled and stood by as the Lord commanded…!” Huh? “Command? When did I issue such a command…?” I trailed off and studied the face of the person reporting to me. It looked familiar. Well, he was a member of the Azure Dragon Division, so of course, I knew him... ‘…This guy.’ It dawned on me; he was the one who had informed that Song Hojeong had left for the Azure Dragon Division. ‘Wait a minute… So?’ Recalling up to that point triggered a flash of memory. There was indeed an order I had given him. It was something like.... ‘…Did I tell the ones outside to all assemble in front of my quarters?’ I recalled saying that to give them a scare because their behavior hadn’t been to my liking. So, the “order” he mentioned must refer to that. Then why. “…Why on earth are you all with your heads down?” Why were they bowing to the ground? It made no sense. If I commanded them to assemble, they simply had to assemble. How did this absurd scene come to be? With that meaning in mind, I looked at the guy. “…Well… the Lord said previously… that if you were to command an assembly, we should wait with our heads to the ground….” “….” His somewhat begrudging words made me rub my forehead. ‘…Right.’ It was indeed something I had said. Back when we were coming to Sichuan. At that time, there was another incident with the night watch responsibilities, and I had tipped the tables before. I probably told the members something then. -If you keep doing things this way, if you don’t want to die, next time I say to assemble, have your heads on the ground. This isn’t empty talk, so take it to heart. I had grumbled that at them, and it seems it led to this situation. '...Damn, they do listen well.' To think it was because of my own words, which I had long forgotten. “Sigh….” I sighed and added more words. “…Rise.” With one word, those who were lying down got back to their feet in an instant. Drenched in sweat, they looked utterly exhausted. “…Hmm.” Initially, I intended to intimidate them a bit for the Deputy Lord task, but looking at their state, I lost the will to do so. “…Enough. You've been checked, so disperse and return to your duties.” “Any words…?” “Why? Do you insist on hearing them even when I’m letting you go? Then lay back down.” “N-No, sir…! Loyalty!” With a gesture, they all moved away and disappeared. What was left was the thick smell of sweat, the damp floor, and a shifted thought. ‘I should choose my words more carefully from now on.’ Things turned out this way because of words spat in anger. It made me feel the need for careful speech. In the now somewhat serene setting. Sensing that everyone seemed to be returning to their respective positions, I checked everything before turning my gaze back to Song Hojeong. “The others should return to their positions too….” After seeing off the accompanying members, I continued. I addressed both Song Hojeong, the deputy leader, and Moo Do Hyeok. “You two, come inside with me.” It seemed like I had a lot to discuss. ****************** Once inside my quarters, I took a seat while those two stood. I didn’t even offer them tea. I simply kept the lantern on and began speaking. “Song Hojeong.” “…Yes, Lord.” “Explain the situation.” There was no need for excessive words. The reason I called him was something he should already know. As if my expectation was correct, Song Hojeong calmly began to speak. “The initial contact came from the Azure Dragon Division.” “The reason?” “They proposed an information exchange….” “Exchange?” “Yes.” I nodded at Song Hojeong’s words. Information exchange, on the surface, sounds harmless. The Azure Dragon Division was the support unit, and at present, we were in the middle of a mission, so it appeared all was well.... “Why did you go to the Azure Dragon Division if that was the reason?” What I was curious about wasn’t something like that. All of that is fine. But why did he go there personally? That was more important to me. “...” Song Hojeong couldn’t answer. Noticing his hesitation, I asked one more thing. “You. You intended to refuse them, didn't you?” “…Yes, I did.” He had tried to refuse the Azure Dragon Division's proposal. It was something that was clear from our brief talk earlier. Which only made me more curious. “Then why did you go?” I asked plainly, and after a long hesitation, Song Hojeong finally answered me. “…I went there to refuse their request.” He had gone to the Azure Dragon Division to refuse them. The absurdity made me chuckle unintentionally. “They were the ones proposing the information exchange. And you went there personally to refuse them?” “…Yes.” “Are you an idiot?” “…!” Song Hojeong’s eyes visibly shook at the harsh words. It could have easily been perceived as an insult, but I didn’t hold back. “Even though they used the term ‘exchange,’ they obviously wouldn’t give any information from their side, right?” “...” Beyond the shaking, he swallowed dryly. It meant I was correct. “This wasn’t an exchange but an offering. Naturally, you intended to refuse upon hearing this. Am I right or wrong?” “You are right... But.” “Shut up. I’m still talking.” Song Hojeong swallowed and closed his mouth. “Save your excuses for later if you can. Got it?” “...Yes.” My brow furrowed automatically. “I can see that the Azure Dragon Division likely talked down to you, acted high-handedly, maybe said some bullshit about hierarchy and following orders. Hearing it already pisses me off.” It was easy for anyone to see by observing a bit of the way they operated. “Additionally, their instruction to come over... the disregard is crystal clear. Fine, I’m not thrilled with your actions, but let’s agree it’s all fine. However, do you know what really ticks me off?” What really infuriated me was something else entirely. “Why am I only learning about this now? Why do I only know after everything has happened? That's what pisses me off the most. Understand?” As the head of a division, learning about everything only now was incomprehensible and infuriating. “Now go ahead and make your excuses. Why didn’t you report this to me?” I pressed, glaring at him, but Song Hojeong only moved his lips silently. “Make your excuses.” I urged him, and finally, after hesitating, Song Hojeong tentatively began to speak. “The proposal was made yesterday….” “Speak correctly. It wasn't a proposal but a demand, wasn’t it?” “…The demand came yesterday when you weren’t around, my Lord.” “Alright, then?” “So, I believed it best to handle it myself for the moment….” “Wait.” I interrupted the excuse Song Hojeong was making. There was something I needed to ensure. “Why should it have been handled by you? No, why were you making the decisions in the first place?” “Pardon?” “If I wasn’t around, you wait and report it when I return, and then proceed. Why act on your own? Are you ranked higher than me?” “…No, sir.” “Then why didn’t you report it to me and seek permission first? Why do things as you please?” “I am sorry… At that time, I didn’t think it through. Please punish me.” “It’s not about punishment… sigh….” I ended up rubbing my forehead. Judging the flow of conversation, there seemed to be something he had to say. “Song Hojeong.” “Yes.” “It wasn’t that you didn’t think it through. You knew everything, didn’t you?” “No, no… I really….” “Don’t flap your tongue unnecessarily; you just didn’t trust me.” “…!” At my words, Song Hojeong’s eyes went as wide as lanterns.