851 - Childhood Friend of the Zenith

Upon being questioned by Tang Sohyeol about the last known location, the man responded with a worried expression, "I heard it was the western forest, but I'm not entirely sure." "Does that mean they might have gone somewhere else?" she inquired further. "Yes... Often, they don't follow the designated location and search other areas. They probably did the same this time," the man explained. Tang Sohyeol sighed, lightly biting her lip. It was likely that this was the case with Wi Seol Ah and Namgung Bia. "How much time has passed since their expected return?" she asked. "About two hours." "Did they give any indication of being late?" "There was no such notice." "...This is troubling," Tang Sohyeol murmured, her delicate brow furrowing. Two hours wasn't a short period. 'Where could they possibly be?' She pondered, narrowing her gaze. The skills of Wi Seol Ah and Namgung Bia were not insignificant. Therefore, the situation should not be this worrying. Gu Yangcheon himself had emphasized not being late. Yet Wi Seol Ah and Namgung Bia had defied that? If they were late, it should only have been by a bit, but this was excessive. 'Could something have happened...?' she cautiously considered, as an inexplicable unease crept in, a feeling akin to intuition enveloped her mind. The other members were also getting ready to start the search. With two hours passed, it was time to start according to the protocol. "Vice leader... shall we commence the search?" one of the members asked. Tang Sohyeol chewed on her lip at the question. Protocol dictated that they should begin. With no other option, she let out a sigh and prepared to speak, "...Proceed wi..." But before she could finish, she paused and swiftly turned her head. It wasn't just Tang Sohyeol. Others preparing for the search also turned to look in the same direction, although their reactions varied in timing. They weren't just looking, however. "...What is this...?" "...This can't be...!" Within a few seconds, many had collapsed, expressions of terror etched on their faces. "Waaaah!" Some began vomiting on the ground, and others lost consciousness altogether. Those who barely managed to hold onto their consciousness were visibly trembling. Only a few, including Tang Sohyeol, who had reached a higher level of mastery, were still standing. Even so, they were far from normal. Cold sweat drenched their garments, seeping deeply into their clothes. What was going on? Tang Sohyeol looked ahead with labored breaths. The reason for their collective frailty was the aura emanating from the distance. Tang Sohyeol squinted in concentration as she identified the source of this overwhelming presence. It was killing intent. Killing intent covered the surroundings so densely that even with lamps lit, everything appeared dark. The team members were gripped by such fear because of this lethal aura. The problem was, 'How could one possess such potent killing intent...' The intensity was beyond comprehension, making it hard to believe a human could emanate such force. Who could it be? Who was producing this lethal aura? With difficulty, Tang Sohyeol drew the dagger she kept hidden. Within the clan, anyone displaying such lethal intent had to be considered a foe, without a doubt. 'Especially when the young master isn't around.' Who could it be? Though curiosity nagged at her, escaping this aura took precedence. "Phew," she exhaled, drawing upon her internal energy. Just as she prepared to break free from the aura, a figure appeared from afar. As she squinted to identify the master of this killing intent, she muttered, "...Oh?" Upon recognizing the approaching figure, Tang Sohyeol involuntarily released her tension. It was someone very familiar to her. The person walked leisurely towards them. The killing intent they exuded caused their robes to flutter, and their blue eyes, devoid of expression, appeared cold for some reason. It was vastly different from the familiar presence she knew. "Young master Gu...?" she whispered. It was Gu Yangcheon. Was all that lethal aura coming from him? It was unfathomable. "Young ma... no, lord..." Tang Sohyeol stammered in confusion, struggling to maintain composure as Gu Yangcheon turned his eyes toward her. She shuddered, gasping for breath as their eyes met. 'His eyes...' There was an unfathomable depth to them. Meeting his gaze felt like staring into an abyss, from which she feared she might never escape. Why were his eyes like that? Had Gu Yangcheon always looked at the world like this? Her thoughts tangled messily in her mind. Then suddenly, the overwhelming killing aura began to subside, though it didn't completely disappear; it diminished enough for her to move. However, not everyone had recovered. Only Tang Sohyeol seemed unaffected, as the others remained incapacitated. Did the killing intent lessen solely for her? She barely had time to ponder this. "Vice leader," Gu Yangcheon called. "...Ah! Yes..." she responded, her voice trembling with fear. "Report the situation." What did he want her to report? Though she paused momentarily, her thoughts quickly aligned with reality. "Namgung and Wi, the patrol members, have not yet returned..." "The location and time?" "It was the western forest. Two... two hours have passed since..." While speaking, her voice stammered, tears threatening to fall for reasons she couldn't explain. Yet she held them back. "Following protocol... I was just about to give the search order." "..." Tang Sohyeol bit her lip, averting her gaze slightly. She used to long to meet his eyes, but now, facing them was daunting. It was as if she were looking at a completely different person, and enduring that was exhausting. "Noted." Gu Yangcheon nodded slightly. "Two hours. Western forest." He repeated the report, as if to himself, then turned his head left. "Do you know anything?" he asked, his words tinged with a peculiar quality. Although it seemed directed at someone, Tang Sohyeol couldn't see anyone. With her senses muddled by the killing intent, detecting presences was impossible. "There's no answer. Is my voice too soft?" When there was no reply, Gu Yangcheon turned his entire body in the direction he had been looking. "Yes, I'm talking to you. So answer me." A chilling aura intensified once more. "Speak up before I pin you down and force it out of you, bastard." With rough words, a burst of pressure exploded, causing the surroundings to shake as if an earthquake was upon them. Just as the structures and buildings began to show signs of strain, a voice pierced through the lethal intent. "Stop this." Emerging through the menacing aura was Il Cheonggeom, appearing in the direction Gu Yangcheon had been facing. Tang Sohyeol furrowed her brows upon seeing him. Why had the Azure Dragon Lord suddenly appeared here? "Star King, what on earth are you doing...! Unleashing such killing intent within the branch!" Il Cheonggeom's face was riddled with confusion. Was it because of the aura, or because he had been detected while in hiding? It was unclear, but everything seemed off. What reason could there be for Gu Yangcheon to call Il Cheonggeom here? "I said stop immediately!" "I'll ask again. Do you know anything?" "What exactly are you asking?" Il Cheonggeom's expression tightened. "...In any case, I have no idea what you’re talking about. I only came because I had something to discuss. But, what about you! The Lord of a clan releasing such intense killing intent—!" His tone was saturated with disbelief. Upon hearing this, Gu Yangcheon remained silent for a moment before speaking, "Yeah, I suppose you have to say that. That’s the way it should be.... Then I should just play along as if I don’t know either..." "...What?" Il Cheonggeom watched as Gu Yangcheon murmured to himself with a weary expression. To Tang Sohyeol, this was unprecedented. She had never seen Gu Yangcheon look so exhausted before. "Young master...?" Tang Sohyeol approached him with a worried expression. Though the killing intent was frightening, she did not hesitate enough to stop. Attempting to move toward Gu Yangcheon, however, he murmured quietly, "Never mind, I'm tired of this now." With that, he vanished from the spot. She hadn't been able to perceive his movements. Where did he go? Tang Sohyeol quickly tried to sense his presence. Snap-! A sound erupted not far off, drawing Tang Sohyeol's attention. There she saw Il Cheonggeom, staggering with his head turned, and Gu Yangcheon. Il Cheonggeom turned, eyes wide with shock. 'What just hit me?' His cheek? Could it be he had been slapped? By this brat? His cheek burned, and pain seared through him, causing Il Cheonggeom to grit his teeth. "You dare—!" Thud! Crack-! "Ugh!" This time his abdomen took the blow. He felt something breaking inside. Staggering back, he instantly prepared to draw his sword. But... 'What...?' Nothing was at his waist. What was going on? Il Cheonggeom glanced to where his sword should have been but found it missing. "What the...?" "Looking for this?" came Gu Yangcheon's voice. "...!" Il Cheonggeom stared at Gu Yangcheon in disbelief. Gu Yangcheon was holding his sword. How?! Boom-! "Argh!" Gu Yangcheon smacked him across the face with Il Cheonggeom’s own weapon. His head whipped back, blood splattering. Though he clung to consciousness, he had to create distance, but his feet wouldn’t move, as if they were chained. Gu Yangcheon was standing on Il Cheonggeom’s foot. At that moment. Snap-! "Ugh!" His head snapped to the side again, the blow stronger than before. His energy dissipated in an instant, weakening his legs. Thud. Il Cheonggeom collapsed. It felt as though his skin was peeling away. What was happening? Why was he on the ground? His thoughts refused to cooperate. Il Cheonggeom couldn’t comprehend the situation. A sword fell in front of the fallen Il Cheonggeom. It was his own weapon. "For the last time." Il Cheonggeom looked up to see Gu Yangcheon gazing down at him. "Is this your doing?" His expression was as emotionless as it had been in the beginning.