925 - Childhood Friend of the Zenith

## Chapter 925: The Number One Genius's Childhood Friend “What on earth…!” Gu Bong, suddenly dragged into the situation, muttered in surprise, but the iron grip on him wouldn’t loosen. Trying desperately to escape, he found it impossible to move an inch due to the overwhelming strength. “Damn!” As a result, he found himself arriving somewhere before he was even fully awake. His collar was finally released, and Gu Bong collapsed to the ground. Though he managed a clumsy landing, he wasn’t in the best position. Rising to his feet immediately, Gu Bong frowned and glared at Gu Yangcheon. “What on earth are you doing…!” “Did you wake up a little?” Despite Gu Bong’s questioning, Gu Yangcheon merely smirked in response. “What’s this all about…?” “I told you. I’ve got some work to do, and I need your help.” “And what does that mean?” Being approached at the crack of dawn with such absurdity was bewildering. Suddenly appearing and asking for work? It was incomprehensible, and he had no desire to comprehend it. ‘How can someone….’ Be so rude and straightforward without any manners. Gu Bong gritted his teeth. He wasn't in a good mood already, having dreamt of past memories. ‘Is this truly the person the master has been waiting for?’ Gu Bong bit his lip as he looked at Gu Yangcheon. He didn’t want to admit it. Especially not if it was this man. - You ran away. The words of Gu Yangcheon kept replaying in his mind, lingering annoyingly. “If there’s something you want to do, at least explain-.” He was about to express his suppressed frustration when— “Oh, the brat talks a lot. ” Once again, Gu Yangcheon cut him off. There was a hint of annoyance in his voice. “You're the one who seems to know best, so I'm telling you to help me. I even got permission from the master you serve so faithfully, so try to cooperate a little.” “…Did you say you got permission from the master?” Gu Bong’s eyes widened at Gu Yangcheon’s words. Did the master really give his consent? “For what…?” “I asked to borrow you since I needed to use you a bit, and he said it was fine.” “….” Use him like an object? Although that part irked Gu Bong, the prior mention of permission stifled his retort. The master’s consent was like a leash on his actions. “Hmmm.” Gu Yangcheon couldn’t help but glance at him before adding another comment. “Just so you don’t misunderstand, it’s not that I particularly like you.” “…Then.” “However, you are the most fitting.” “...” Why was he going out of his way to say that if he didn’t like him? Gu Bong didn’t understand why he would acknowledge him as the best if there was no fondness. “So stop being stubborn and get up. I’m a busy person too.” “What is it exactly that you want to do….” Staggering, Gu Bong got up. Watching this, Gu Yangcheon spoke. “It’s nothing major.” It truly wasn’t anything big. “I think I need to sort out some nobles. I’m lacking information.” “Eh?” “Well, you should know, right? Let me know.” But it definitely wasn’t nothing to Gu Bong. “Did you just say to deal with the nobles…?” “Yeah, I need to deal with them, but I don’t have enough information.” Ah, so he didn’t mishear. “No….” But why wasn’t it a misunderstanding? With a bewildered expression, Gu Bong stared at Gu Yangcheon. “Why are you suddenly dealing with them?” Holding onto the last threads of his rationality, he asked. To which Gu Yangcheon replied. “They’re annoying.” A completely non-rational answer came flying back. “Aren’t they annoying to you?” “Well….” Gu Bong wanted to explain that it wasn’t simply a matter of annoyance. Guy was like fire, constantly blazing. Even being near him made Gu Bong feel he might get burned himself. “As for the nobles….” Desperately trying to persuade, Gu Bong struggled to open his mouth. “I thought you’d know better.” “...” He was left dumbfounded by the follow-up comment. There was an imperceptible barb in what seemed an innocuous remark. As Gu Bong stared at Gu Yangcheon, their eyes met, and Gu Yangcheon gave a slight smile and turned away. “Or whatever.” “Nobles.” Did he perhaps know something about him? Gu Bong thought, his voice trembling slightly, ready to inquire when— “Who causes such ruckus in front of someone else's house?” Someone suddenly appeared, interrupting Gu Yangcheon and Gu Bong’s conversation. Seeing him, Gu Bong’s eyes widened. “Elder?” It was the Turtle. Realizing this, Gu Bong surveyed the surroundings. He had been hauled to his tea house. The Turtle, looking displeased, glared at them, his long brows twitching slightly. “Do you know what time it is? Disrupting an old man’s sleep at this hour…” The Turtle said with abundant irritation, clearly displeased. “If you intend to fight, do it elsewhere.” He swung his cane in a dismissive gesture as if telling them to leave promptly. Seeing this, Gu Yangcheon stepped forward and spoke. “We’re not fighting. I just have some business to discuss with you, sir-.” “I have no business.” The Turtle curtly interrupted and headed back inside. Bang! “…Huh?” Gu Yangcheon caught the door before it could close. The Turtle sighed in disbelief seeing this. Caught? “You dare. How…” “That one thing from last time, could you do it again?” “What?” “The ears and tail, I mean.” At Gu Yangcheon’s words, the Turtle scrutinized him. Indeed, the adornments he had affixed were completely gone. “…Where did it go?” The Turtle was taken aback. It had been only a day. They were supposed to last at least three days; why were they gone already? “Oh, that.” Gu Yangcheon spoke with an embarrassed chuckle in response to the Turtle’s words. “I was fiddling with them yesterday… and accidentally loosened them.” “What did you say?” Loosened? What does he mean by loosened? The Turtle, not quite understanding, asked again. “It came loose?” He had warned that forceful handling could cause them to come undone; it seemed that’s exactly what happened. Though, it was strange in itself. They were crafted not to come undone easily. Usually requiring someone like the lunatic master of Hwasan to do so. In concurrence with that, Gu Yangcheon waved his hand as if no big deal. “Oh, no, I mean I unfastened it.” “…Unfastened it?” “Yes.” “How?” It wasn't designed to be undone so easily. It was essentially a curse he had crafted himself. It wasn't something that could just be undone at will. And yet, it was undone? Unable to comprehend, the Turtle asked, and Gu Yangcheon, with a sheepish smile, licked his lips as he replied. “Well... I figured it might be useful if I knew how to wield it, so I was investigating it a little... and it accidentally came undone. Hahaha….” “...” Hearing this, the Turtle looked at Gu Yangcheon as if he were insane. It fell apart just by him tinkering with it? His curse? Impossible. “That can't be. It’s not something that comes undone with just a little tinkering.” “That’s what I’m saying. It shouldn’t have let go, but somehow it did… and I was hoping you could fix it up again….” “…No.” What was he saying so nonchalantly? The Turtle had a lot to point out but held back his words. Something dawned on him belatedly. ‘How can one judge this monster?’ What stood before him was beyond comprehension. Even the master had called it a mere flicker of a difference. If this flicker shifted, it would overflow. A calamity none could stop. It was odd enough that it stayed contained. Beyond his comprehension as per usual. Yet, if there were any tangible reason…. ‘The quality of the soul.’ A soul that shines more brilliantly than others. A vessel and a light enough to offset the rules. While Gu Yangcheon himself might have been ignorant, the Turtle understood it better than anyone. ‘It’s a shame.’ Which made it all the more regrettable. ‘Had he been born into my world at least.’ Had this monster been born where he had been. Wouldn’t there be some hope? Such thoughts crossed his mind. “…The master's favor ended with yesterday. Get lost.” It was a pointless daydream. The Turtle shook his head and put effort into closing the door once more. But. “...” “...” Even when he exerted force, the door did not budge. Finally, the Turtle cried out to Gu Yangcheon. “Let go already!” “If I let go, you won’t do it, right? Just help me out this once. It didn’t seem too hard yesterday.” “This damned brat?” The Turtle’s face flushed red with irritation. He was eerily reminiscent of someone infuriatingly familiar. As the scuffle continued, Gu Bong belatedly intervened to stop Gu Yangcheon. “Sir…! What are you doing with the elder…!” “So, do we just leave as is? We can’t just leave it be.” “Where do you plan on going at this hour?” “Where else? Back to where we were yesterday. They should all be there.” “…What do you mean? Surely you’re not planning to return to the Yaegwol Palace?” Gu Yangcheon frowned at Gu Bong’s words. “Why else would I be going to this trouble? Do I look like I’m doing this for fun?” “...” If only he were doing it out of boredom, Gu Bong thought privately. After silencing Gu Bong, Gu Yangcheon turned once more to the Turtle. “The master agreed to this, so could you please help me?” Hearing this, the Turtle frowned. “The master agreed, you say?” “Yes. He told me to retrieve it. That you'd provide it.” What nonsense was this? “That doesn’t make sense. The request was completed yesterday. The master is fully aware of this.” His mood soured for real. There were boundaries and mutual respect to be upheld. There was no way the master would cross that line first. What on Earth was going on? This couldn’t be ignored. Just as the Turtle grasped his cane with intent to reprimand Gu Yangcheon— “Oh, he also mentioned that if you cast it once more, he’d extend the plum tea allowance by another month.” “Is it three days this time too?” “Yes? Oh, yes.” Gu Yangcheon gawked incredulously at the sudden shift in the Turtle’s attitude. His efforts to close the door ceased. What was it about plum tea that prompted this response? It was just a reasonably decent tea. He should have mentioned the plum tea from the start. The Turtle lifted his cane with care. “And the child from before, is she unnecessary?” It was a question regarding the Heavenly Demon. Gu Yangcheon nodded affirmatively. “Yes. She’s not coming.” He wasn't keen on bringing her along, especially after she kept teasing him the day before. Thankfully, she hadn’t been around since morning. So, it seemed better to leave her behind. “Hmm.” Hearing the response, the Turtle maneuvered his cane. In that moment. Thump—! A peculiar sensation brushed across his heart. Gu Yangcheon concentrated on it. It didn’t spread throughout his body. It hovered, a distinct circle near his heart. It was unfamiliar. Strange, like something mildly unpleasant yet bearable. As he focused briefly, Whoosh—!! He felt the ears and tail of a beast reemerge on his body. Unlike the unnoticed emergence the last time, this time was different. Soft. He touched his ear with his hand, feeling the same softness as before. Soft, soft. He touched it several times over, seemingly amused. Gu Yangcheon, entertained by the sensation, repeated the action. The Turtle, watching him, swung his cane irritably. “All done. The precautions are the same as last time. You may leave. Do not return—.” Just as he was about to dismiss them, the Turtle suddenly halted. Whoosh—!! The ears and tail on Gu Yangcheon evaporated like smoke in a wink. “What the—!!” The Turtle’s eyes grew wide with shock. Did he accidentally botch the spell? No. ‘He dispelled it.’ Gu Yangcheon had dispelled the curse right then and there. Now, the claim that he had undone it yesterday didn’t appear false any longer. But did he really dispel it after he painstakingly cast it again!? “What did he just do….” As the Turtle tried to question in exasperation— “Oh. I see. So that's how it works.” Gu Yangcheon clapped his hands as if he had an epiphany. Clap—! “Whoa…?” With a clap of his hands, the ears and tail reappeared once more. This time, it wasn’t something the Turtle had done. “You… you…” The Turtle stuttered, as if malfunctioning. In contrast, Gu Yangcheon wore an unusually excited expression. “Now I get it. Oh, I thought one more try would let me figure it out. That was perfect.” “No.” “Since I’ve learned it, I probably won’t need to come again. I’ll make good use of it. Thank you. Hey, let’s go.” Gu Yangcheon stepped away from the door without hesitation and moved toward Gu Bong. “...” The Turtle could only watch Gu Yangcheon in silence, unable to utter a word. His name was Sul (術). The fallen king of sorcery. ## 2 Martial Arts 5 Comments 3.1 / 80 Bellion 2024.09.18 09:40 Report King of Sorcery… huh…? 1 Jolsoo 2024.09.26 12:16 Report Will they use sorcery to fight later? 0 DreamingWhale 2024.10.04 23:33 Report How did Sukuna end up as the Turtle?! Is it because of Itadori? Is it because his growth rate is like a turtle? 0 Hideto 2024.10.16 18:47 Report Muyeongchang in one go ㅋㅋㅋㅋ 0 Yeonwoo 2024.10.29 05:31 Report Wow, he steals techniques right in front of your eyes 0 Only logged-in members can post comments. 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