954 - Childhood Friend of the Zenith

Upon returning to the Hwasan sect, it wasn't a straightforward journey. I had to wait until dawn to minimize the risk, recalling advice against moving at night. Re-entering wasn't difficult. I remembered Gu Bong's previous actions and had already secured some turtle shell powder in advance. The challenge was finding the entrance point. "Here," I whispered. It wasn't hard to identify, as distortions in the spatial fabric were clearly visible, even though previously, I needed heightened focus to see with my third eye. For unknown reasons, it stood out starkly clear this time. Was this a sign of change, or was there an issue with the barrier? I brushed these questions aside; pondering them further wasn't a priority right now. Tap, tap. I sprinkled the powder lightly over my body. Even though I found the act unpleasant—like dusting flakes onto myself—it was a necessity I tolerated. After applying some to myself, I turned to the Heavenly Demon. "Not doing it," she stubbornly refused, backing away. "Why not?" I protested, catching her arm. "Don't want to." She brushed off my hand with a flick. What was I supposed to do with this? "So, you're staying here then?" "No." "Then you've got to apply the powder. Otherwise—" Before I could finish, she moved toward the barrier. "Hey, wait!" I called out desperately, but she approached and disappeared into the barrier without hesitation, leaving me bewildered. Was that possible? Faced with unexpected possibilities, I too approached the barrier. Swish—! The world flickered, and the sights I knew transformed once more. I was back inside the Hwasan sect, and she was there, unperturbed and expressionless as usual. "How...?" Though curious about her method, she remained silent, simply watching me. Then without warning— Thud—! "Ow!?" She stomped on my foot, causing me to recoil in pain. The strength she used almost felt like she might have shattered my instep. "What the hell, you crazy woman! What was that for—!" As I clutched my foot and cursed, she snorted, turned heel, and leaped away, leaving me speechless. "What the heck is her problem now? Geez..." I could only glare after her, the enigmatic being she was. ***************** Upon returning, my first destination was naturally to see Noya. As always, Noya was diligently tending to his garden behind his dwelling. "Oh, you're ba—" Noya started welcoming me but quickly narrowed his eyes. "What have you been up to, returning in such a state?" I laughed sheepishly at his words, having hoped he wouldn't notice, but it was evident right away. 'Still can't mask it, huh.' Despite controlling my energy meticulously, Noya's perceptive gaze saw through it. "You were already in rough shape, but now you're a real mess." "It's not that bad. Just some internal damage, but the outside's fine, isn't it?" "Ha. Do you call that talking sense?" He tutted at me, suggesting it was worse than I thought. 'I managed alright, though. I thought it was bearable.' It wasn't the outcome of direct combat. Attempting to wield the Heavenly Demon Divine Art had caused some internal injuries, but I had protected my body adequately. The real problem was— 'Holding down the General was the issue.' Restraining him twisted my insides somewhat, causing a lingering tingling sensation in my spirit. Yet it wasn't much to mention— 'I guess...' My body was rarely ever completely intact. Anyway. "I dealt with a situation." "A situation?" "Yes." I continued, looking at Noya. "I've seen the General firsthand." "...!" Noya's eyes widened at my words, and seeing his interest, I proceeded to explain further. ***************** After hearing my explanation, Noya put down his sickle, resting his chin in thought with a somewhat grave expression. My explanation wasn't extensive. I merely recounted visiting Night Moon to meet Yusa, leading to a conflict with the Azure lineage. That was it. "...Yusa appeared, you say." "Do you know much about Yusa?" "Not extensively, but neither am I ignorant." "What kind of person is he?" "Hm." Upon my inquiry about Yusa, Noya pondered briefly before speaking. "As a pure-blooded Night Moon, he'd reached the pinnacle." "The pinnacle?" It was an intense description. Night Moon, encompassing the beast-men, and among them, he rose to the apex. 'That's true.' The Yusa I met had a powerful presence. 'Especially at night.' When his presence was fully revealed, the power I perceived surpassed my expectations. Comparable, maybe, to— 'Not just a top ten master...' But perhaps at the level of the three greats. Judging by presence alone, it wasn't far from those celestial beings I faced in a previous life. '...Can the General be deemed at the level of the three greats?' Though I hadn't encountered other generals, it seemed to me that Yusa possessed considerable power, at least in terms of sheer combat strength. Reflecting on Yusa, Noya offered further insight. "He favors brute force, and he's not easily taken by surprise. Though he seems naive, his nature is more akin to a serpent." "So, he's strong but annoying, essentially?" "You sure know how to summarize quickly," Noya noted, resigned. "Am I wrong?" "...No, you're right." Noya nodded in acknowledgment. 'As expected.' I gained clarity from his confirmation, though still feeling uneasy. "So, meeting him put you in this state, did it?" "Yes." "But you didn’t fight him, right?" "Ah...yes, we didn't exactly fight, but he used something strange." "Strange?" I gave a brief account of how he attempted to suppress me with his words, and how I managed to replicate it temporarily, using it to restrain him. "…" After listening, Noya's expression shifted to something peculiar. "Is there a problem?" I asked, feeling slightly uneasy. Noya shook his head slightly. "No. You used that against Yusa?" "Yes. Do you know what it is?" "Not precisely, but I have an idea. It's probably something called 'Myeong (命)', which means 'order'." "'命', as in command? Just 'order'?" "Exactly." "That's rather simplistic." Using 'Myeong' to give an order seemed too straightforward a name. Why simplify it to one character? But leaving that aside for now— "‘Myeong’ is a power that compels absolute obedience." I listened intently to Noya's explanation. Absolute obedience. The concept was hard to grasp at face value. "It sounds unfairly powerful." Could such a force exist? I'd never heard of power that functioned without conditions before. "I could understand if it were some kind of power. Even powers aren't that unfair." Take my own abilities, for instance. My power was effective against those with powers, but wouldn't matter against those without. Yet, this 'Myeong' supposedly compels anyone? "No matter their strength or weakness?" "In a manner of speaking, yes." "That can't be right." The idea was unbelievable. Could such a fraudulent power truly exist? It was true I constrained Yusa, but... "Oh, but he used his power on me without effect." "Ah, that’s the issue." "What do you mean?" "Well, young one, even 'absolute' has its conditions." "Come on, then it’s not really—" "Stop quibbling and listen." "…Yes." I was swiftly shut down before I could protest. Why rile me up by bringing up absolutes only to pull back now? I quietly chewed over my words. "When your existence is ranked higher than your opponent." "...Hmm?" "In this full moon’s domain, 'Myeong' applies only to those of lesser rank. It can only be wielded by generals selected by the master." "...What?" Only generals can use 'Myeong'? Then... "What about me?" How was I able to use it then? Not only using it but employing it against a general? Though the backlash tore up my insides, it didn't change the fact that I employed it effectively. Puzzled, I turned to Noya. "Obviously, it's because your rank surpasses that of the general." "Can my rank exceed that of a general?" "Why wouldn't it?" Noya pointed at me with a slightly grim expression. "Think about whose child you are." "...!" His words brought someone to mind immediately. Not my father. Just one other person. Could it be... "You mean it's thanks to my mother?" "Whether it's thanks to her or not, the success against a general largely points to her influence." "..." The implication was clear. As the child of the Master of Myriad Worlds, I was at a higher rank than the generals. "Of course, it's uncertain. If you were able to use it, that’s a strong possibility. If that isn’t the reason, though..." "If not…?" "You mentioned your mother was the reason you were able to come here. She might have left certain arrangements for you." Wrinkling my brow slightly at Noya's words, I considered the possibility. Certainly, she could have. 'When I faced the Blood Demon, my mother sent me here.' Her words then seemed urgent. Never. Under any circumstances. 'Never try to find me.' The worried warning from that day echoed in my mind. I learned through Noya's words that my mother wasn't the same person I once knew. Meeting her might mean peril at her hands, a chilling prospect. Yet, in spite of that... "...I still need to meet her." This bizarre circumstance only strengthened my resolve. "...I warned you once before." "I know, Mother might not even recognize me." Noya eyed me with a worried frown. In the past, I hadn't understood, but by now, I recognized these as concerned eyes. "But what can I do? To return home, I must see her, especially given your request." "..." "And." I rotated my neck—a long-standing habit whether weary or stressed. "I'm prepared to be crafty if that’s what it takes." "...Crafty? How so?" "Some haven't seen their mothers for decades and plan to confront them in person. It's frustrating that she might not remember me. I need to see her and get some answers." "...Huh." "Anyway, that's how it is. Now that you've heard everything, I should leave." "And where do you plan to go next?" "I'm off to visit old man Turtle." My resolve was set. Though I'd made up my mind days ago, it was now unshakeable. My once aching body felt manageable. My tired mind was sharp and ready. "Before I see Mother, I need to spruce up a bit." "…" Noya looked at me as if I were crazy, but I ignored it; I was used to such looks. --- Comments 1. Hidetou, 2024.10.17 22:17 Update the circles, please. 0 2. hwawol72, 2024.10.22 19:50 The Heavenly Demon got sulky, lol, how cute. 0 3. Yeonwoo, 2024.10.29 08:06 The Heavenly Demon is upset. 0 Only logged-in members can post comments. 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