889 - Childhood Friend of the Zenith

Chapter 889: The World's Greatest Companion Kuwoooong---!!! Kwaaah!! The celestial spear, piercing the sky, erupted in a tremendous explosion. In the aftermath, remnants of blue flame rained down like a torrential downpour. Tatadak. The sparks that plummeted to the ground ignited into smoldering ashes. “Aah!” “Take cover!” The warriors below scrambled in panic, trying to evade the fiery deluge. Under normal circumstances, they would have been able to control it. But not this time. Their total concentration had to be on the adversary in front of them. ‘Divine Dragon Lord.’ A masked warrior brandishing a sword, draped in attire illustrative of the martial alliance. The golden embroidery denoted the Divine Dragon Division. Moreover. ‘What is it?’ There was nothing discernible from this figure. Positioned between the swordmaster and myself, warding off both our techniques, yet not a single aura emanated from him. What could be felt, if anything at all, was a faint sense of displeasure. ‘Discomforting.’ It slightly tickled the edge of my awareness. It had always been like that. Even when we first locked eyes. ‘Less than before.’ The aura that had felt so pronounced at the time was now much fainter. ‘…The presence of the Blood Demon seems diluted as well.’ The wretched sensation that made me certain it was linked to the Blood Demon had diminished. Now, there was only an indistinct displeasure and an unnatural lack of anything else. “What are you?” I asked with a frown, but received no response from the Divine Dragon Lord. My lowered fingertip twitched, igniting a small flame. ‘Shall I try the White Flame?’ I pondered how the White Flame might affect him. If he was indeed affiliated with the Blood Demon, it might just be ineffective. Glancing around, I hesitated. There were too many eyes to use it recklessly. Then. ‘What if I just... killed everyone?’ Maybe I should just erase all witnesses. A fleeting thought that I quickly dismissed. ‘Tch.’ I had to suppress it because it was not an option. Tik-! I extinguished the flame and fixed my gaze on the Divine Dragon Lord. “I asked what you are.” “...” Srring-! Clink. The sword spun once in his hand and slid back into its scabbard. The golden aura that had clung to the blade wafted through the air. I narrowed my eyes at the sight. ‘What is this?’ The energy seemed vaguely familiar. Simply because it was golden, one might think it's similar to Wi Seol-ah’s aura, but. ‘No.’ It was fundamentally different from Wi Seol-ah’s aura. The similarity was only superficial. The structure of the heart of the aura was distinctly different. “Divine Dragon Lord.” The swordmaster spoke from behind him. Despite having his attack thwarted with ease, his expression remained nonchalant. “Your presence here implies….” He broke off, his gaze locking onto a specific point. I too followed his line of sight. “Cough.” A cough escaped, accompanying the presence that was now detectable. Sensing it, my eyes widened. ‘Ha.’ The person who emerged was none other than Muk Yeon. His sudden appearance left me inwardly sighing. ‘I didn’t sense him.’ Only now could I sense Muk Yeon's presence. This was a significant problem. ‘Muk Yeon lacks a martial aura.’ He had some aura, but it was virtually nonexistent, making him seem almost like an ordinary person. Only detecting Muk Yeon's presence when he was already near? That meant. ‘Someone was veiling Muk Yeon’s presence for him.’ And the one likely doing it was the Divine Dragon Lord before me. ‘To block attacks while concealing someone’s presence…?’ Erasing someone’s presence is an exceedingly meticulous task. Touching someone else’s aura demands tremendous precision, and to do so while engaging in combat is a feat few can achieve. ‘If it were me….’ It's possible. It's not an impossible theory. But could I block that same attack in such a state? ‘Uncertain.’ I wasn’t confident. It felt like something I could do, but I wasn't entirely sure. ‘But that guy accomplished it.’ What is his true identity? Even when trying to sense his aura, the mask obscured everything beyond. ‘A mask with the same properties as the one given by the Dark King?’ It's a plausible thought. “…Please cease.” Muk Yeon’s sudden words brought a smirk to my lips. “Cease?” “Star Dragon Lord.” “Stop, you say? After laboring diligently in Sichuan based on orders, I come back to find my father imprisoned. What exactly should I cease doing?” “Do you believe this aligns with the wishes of the former household head?” “This isn’t about what my father wants.” Giing. Fire bloomed in my hand. In an instant, a sacred spear materialized. “It’s about what I’m angry about.” “So, you’re willing to oppose both the Divine Dragon and the main alliance?” “If that’s what it takes, gladly.” “...That isn’t the right choice. Surely, the Star Dragon Lord is aware?” “Not every choice can be the right one. Today just isn’t mine.” Clang. I heard the sound. The swordmaster, along with the Divine Dragon Lord, grasped their handles firmly. A single step. Just one more step would mean a full-scale conflict. Would this battle yield any gain, was there even a chance of victory? ‘No gain.’ Victory was also unlikely. I felt it during the fight with the swordmaster. ‘I won’t lose.’ Even if I don’t know about winning, I definitely wouldn't lose easily, and should I use all my strength, I felt I could win effortlessly. Unless the swordmaster had a hidden card. The issue was. ‘That guy.’ The Divine Dragon Lord before me and the warriors from the alliance. Even if I faced them all, would victory be attainable? Of course not. ‘I’m not ready yet.’ Even wiping them out at once, using the Dragonfire Technique would be dangerous. Thus, it was wise to yield now. “So please. Stop provoking me.” Yet, I didn’t want to bow down. “...” Muk Yeon cast me a subtle expression. It wasn't exactly anger, nor was it quite sadness; it was between those. What kind of expression was that? A fleeting question arose, but I quickly dismissed it. "Are you aware of why the former head was imprisoned?" "I've heard a bit." Given how much it's been talked about, it was unavoidable not to hear. "It was a justified result that led to the former head being imprisoned. A trial regarding this matter is scheduled soon as well." A justified result. Fair enough. If he stormed the main camp with intentions to assassinate a strategist, then imprisonment was indeed warranted. "Well." I couldn’t wholly trust that explanation. "Then may I ask." I looked at Muk Yeon and inquired. "Could you tell me why he did it?" "…" I had no insight into why my father acted the way he did. Seeing Muk Yeon's eyebrow twitch slightly gave away his unease. "Don't you think? For me, it's more crucial to understand the 'why' behind his current status as a prisoner than the fact itself." There was no way my father attacked Muk Yeon without cause. Also… 'It's impossible he was just captured.' The idea that he would quietly surrender to captivity made no sense either. "Unless that part is resolved." Fwwoosh---!!! As the flames rose, the ring in my heart spun rapidly. "I have no intention of retreating from here." Even if the plan went awry, I would not step back. With that resolve, I began to elevate my aura incrementally. “…Star Dragon Lord.” Muk Yeon looked at me with a distressed expression. Just as he was about to say something. Fwooosh-! “...!” Suddenly, flames burst before me. Not the familiar azure flames I wield, but a vivid red blaze. “This is…” There was no mistaking it. Just seeing it made my heart throb. These were the flames of the Nine Wheels Flame Technique. Judging by the quality and intensity of the flames, there was only one person who could manifest them. ‘Father?’ Indeed, these are father's flames. As soon as I recognized it, I heard a voice. -It’s alright. My eyes widened at the sound. ‘Where is it coming from?’ It wasn't a transmitted voice. The sound emanated directly from the flames. If such a voice was embedded within flames, it implied that his energy wasn’t fully sealed. So why hadn’t he escaped yet? I couldn't fathom it. His energy felt quite distant. Yet even so, the clarity of both voice and flame was undeniable. -It’s alright, you should return. The solemnity in his voice made me frown. “What do you mean it’s alright?” I wanted to ask why he suddenly ended up in there. But... -Go back and look after Hyoran. “...” -Please. The command left my lips sealed. Hyoran. It was the first time I’d heard father refer to Mrs. Mi by that name. Even more so, to ask a favor? ‘This is maddening.’ I swept my hand across my forehead, falling into a moment of contemplation. My emotions drove me to want to destroy everything in sight, but the potential harm to my side and, above all, my father’s words halted me. ‘Does he have a reason?’ Sending flames to deliver a message implies there’s a precise reason for his current situation. Even so, in the past, I wouldn’t have cared. But now… ‘Why do something like this out of the blue?’ Hearing Mrs. Mi’s name come out of father’s mouth made curses rise unbidden in my throat. If such a ‘favor’ was what he was asking, what was I supposed to do? ‘If he wanted this, he should’ve done it sooner.’ Knowing he could do such a thing, it would've been better if he’d opted for it earlier. These trivial thoughts crossed my mind. No, that's not right. ‘I’m the one who shouldn’t be talking.’ The image of my father from my memories loomed. Seeing me weep yet hesitating to approach, finally turning his back—a middle-aged man at a loss. “Tch.” I clicked my tongue, waving my hand. Paht-! The celestial spear dissipated, and the aura emanating from my body was swiftly subdued. Clang. Seeing this, the Divine Dragon Lord released his grip on the handle he'd been holding. I stared intently at Muk Yeon, holding his gaze before turning away. “…In my rush, I came unprepared. I’ll submit the report later.” “...” “I’ll come tomorrow for a detailed explanation. I’d appreciate it if it were comprehensive so I can understand.” With those words, I kicked the ground and soared into the air. ***************** Right after Gu Yangcheon vanished, the swordmaster turned to Muk Yeon. “…Strategist Muk. Why didn’t you apprehend him?” The swordmaster’s face was full of questions. Muk Yeon, covering his eyes with a weathered hand, replied. “There was no pretext for it.” No pretext? The swordmaster couldn’t believe his ears. “The Star King attacked the main alliance, causing a commotion. What bigger reason do you need?” “If that were the case, then perhaps I should have answered.” “Answered, you say.” “I should’ve said something, but found it unbearably difficult.” His voice, weary, carried a whisper of guilt. On hearing that, the swordmaster understood. The pretext Muk Yeon referred to wasn't one recognized by the alliance, but a personal one he held within himself. “I’ll take responsibility and handle the Star King’s attack. If they choose to hold him accountable tomorrow, you may do so then.” “...” Although the swordmaster’s face displayed clear dissatisfaction, it went no further. And then. “I trust you’ll agree with this too.” Muk Yeon addressed the individual beside him, the Divine Dragon Lord. The Divine Dragon Lord briefly looked at Muk Yeon through the mask. Fwoosh-! Glistening, the golden aura burst forth, and he disappeared. “...” Seeing that, Muk Yeon let out a quiet sigh. A deep, cold sigh indeed. ***************** I immediately headed towards Mrs. Mi’s quarters. Besides honoring my father’s request, it was imperative to understand the current situation. My urgent demeanor led me swiftly past the guards and into the residence. “H-Hey, wait…!” The guards only realized it too late, by the time I had already stepped inside. “Mrs. Mi, are you there?” Drawing in a breath, I called out from outside her door. From within, I sensed her presence. Screech-! The door slid open, and Mrs. Mi emerged. Her eyes widened at the sight of me, her expression one of surprise. “…How on earth?” "I came immediately after reading the letter Mrs. Mi sent. I just came from the alliance." "What?" My words caused Mrs. Mi's expression to change dramatically. Was she surprised I arrived as soon as I received the letter? That's what I assumed. However, "I'd like to hear about the situation first…." "What do you mean by a letter I sent?" "…Pardon?" "I haven't sent any letter in the past few days. So, how could it have possibly already reached you?" As Mrs. Mi spoke, a chill ran down my spine.