965 - Childhood Friend of the Zenith

That statement about changing the general. Upon hearing it, Yarong found herself uncharacteristically tensing up for a moment. Replacing a general? There was no need to figure out what it meant. It was quite literal. It implied replacing someone in the current position of general. "..." Upon hearing this, a particular person came to Yarong's mind. This person was one of the generals, and if what the woman said was true, it was highly likely to be him. Yet, this was merely Yarong's assumption. She understood that the most important thing was the will of the master. “Hmmm.” The woman seemed unaware of Yarong's thoughts as she continued to hum a tune while surveying her surroundings. Was she enjoying herself? Looking at her back, Yarong pondered. No. She did not appear to be enjoying herself at all. She was merely putting on an act. To her, the scenery was utterly meaningless. “Aren’t the flowers lovely? Don’t you think so?” She was smiling brightly, holding an unknown red flower. It was a beautiful smile. If not for the veil covering part of her face, her appearance might have captivated everyone around. Could a smile devoid of sincerity hold such power? Yarong found herself somewhat afraid of that possibility. “My child?” “...” At the woman’s call, Yarong nodded her head. “Come here.” Yarong approached slowly. The woman reached into the bushes and pulled something out. It was another flower. Unlike the red flower she plucked, this one was a pale blue. Was it okay to pick it as she pleased? Such a question was unnecessary. As Yusa had said. There was nothing she couldn’t do on this land. “What do you think of this one? Isn’t it pretty?” Yarong nodded as the woman spoke, admiring the flower. “Hmmm. It seems you don’t like it.” Though she shook her head, the woman didn’t seem to believe her. She again reached into the thickets. Should Yarong stop her? She hesitated. Though there was no need to stop her, there was also no reason to be so obsessed with flowers. It was best to prevent her first and think later. Yarong made this judgment and approached the woman. “Ah, this is it.” The woman plucked another flower. This time, it was neither red nor blue. It was a pure white flower. As if snowflakes had fallen, it was white and beautiful. Seeing this, Yarong paused her hand momentarily. “...” It was a familiar flower. Why did it seem familiar? Her eyes wavered unexpectedly as she looked at it. “Daughter. Why—” The woman, noticing Yarong's reaction, looked at her inquisitively. At that moment. Thud-! “...?” Someone appeared and grabbed the woman's hand. Startled by the sudden touch, Yarong and the woman widened their eyes. “...” The woman turned her head to look at the person who had taken her arm. Standing there was... “...” Yeongcheon, with his expression hardened and grimacing. --- On top of a tall building at Yawol. Gubong and Shin Cheol were watching from below, clad in red martial attire. “…Ah, that fool, he finally went and did it.” Confirming the situation, Shin Cheol sighed quietly. They had strongly insisted against such actions, yet he still went ahead with it. A sigh was inevitable. “Sigh…” He brushed his face with his old hands, feeling weary. This sigh was directed not only at the reckless young man but also at himself. “…Head.” Gubong called out to Shin Cheol. With an awkward smile, Shin Cheol turned to look at him. “Are you alright? The wind is cold.” “Ha ha.” At Gubong's words, Shin Cheol let out a dry laugh. “Who worries for whom? Do you think this little wind will faze me?” “But…” “Don’t worry. Even if a storm comes, I won’t be shaken.” He waved his hand dismissively. However, Gubong's expression did not improve. Knowing how concerning it was, Shin Cheol refrained from saying more. Right now, more than words... “Hmmm…” He wondered what that fool of a young man intended to do. That curiosity lingered. ‘Yeongcheon.’ He understood the emotions at play. Meeting a mother he longed for could evoke such emotions. But the problem was... ‘…That is not your mother.’ That there. Or this being. Was something inexplicable and powerful. He worried that if they reached out, mistaking it for their mother, they would suffer greatly from the aftermath. Shin Cheol worried about this. ‘Hopefully.’ It wouldn't leave too deep a scar. As he continued to gaze in Yeongcheon's direction, Shin Cheol thought. “Head.” “Yes.” Gubong called out to him from behind. “May I ask you something?” “What if I say no?” “…Then I shall remain silent.” “Click… It was a joke. Go on.” Without turning his gaze to Gubong, he responded. Upon hearing this, Gubong asked Shin Cheol directly. “Is that person the one you have been waiting for?” “...” At Gubong’s words, Shin Cheol slightly tilted his head to look at him. How should he respond? He pondered for a moment. “Yes.” In the end, Shin Cheol opted to answer honestly. There was nothing to hide, so he saw no reason to conceal it. “That kid is the one.” “...” “Why? Are you disappointed?” “…I am not.” It would be a lie if he said he wasn't. However, Gubong did not dwell solely on such emotions. It was something he had already known. But more than that, it was more complex and vast. Jealousy. Discontent, sorrow. Among the torrent of such emotions. The biggest one was... “Head…” “Speak.” “Does this mean you plan to leave?” It was anxiety. “What?” Shin Cheol was startled as he widened his eyes at Gubong's words. His expression questioned what he meant, but Gubong continued to speak all the same. “If you were to find what you’re looking for... Were you planning on returning after that...?” “...” The amusing part was that Shin Cheol provided no answer to Gubong's question. Gubong pondered as he observed. Was he simply choosing not to speak, or was he unable to voice his intentions? The air was thick with uncomfortable silence. What other reply was needed? As Gubong was about to divert the topic while biting his lip, “Do not worry.” Shin Cheol spoke. “I have no intention of going anywhere.” “But...!” “The reason I couldn’t respond immediately was that I needed time to understand your sentiment, Gubong, when you asked.” “...” “In truth, I would like to have a deeper conversation with you about this.” Shin Cheol paused looking down, and then he stood up. “Unfortunately, the situation doesn’t permit it.” “...Head? What do you mean?” “Come on out now.” Ignoring Gubong’s question, Shin Cheol directed his words towards the empty space. At that moment. “Anyway.” Something manifested from the void and landed on the building. “Gasp…!” Gubong was stricken with astonishment. “Your intuition is still sharp.” A young man with light green hair stood there. The master of Yawol and one of the four generals that existed in the current world. It was Yusa. “Ge-General...!” Gubong was so taken aback that he couldn't calm his widened eyes as he looked at Yusa. Seeing this, Yusa frowned slightly at Gubong. “O child of the moonlit night, what does your rude demeanor towards me imply?” “…!” With Yusa's words, Gubong’s heart was seized. An instinctual allegiance towards a greater predator. Recalling this, Gubong's body involuntarily began to kneel. “Not so fast.” Shin Cheol intervened, blocking Yusa. Consequently, Gubong felt his trembling body calm. “Bothering the boy—is it not disgraceful?” “Bother indeed, I was merely instilling manners.” “...Heh.” Shin Cheol found the statement amusing and let out a chuckle. Yusa’s expression soured at the sound. “You’re laughing?” “Well, it’s funny, isn’t it?” “Your tone of voice is infuriating.” “We’re not here to chit-chat, what brings you?” “Who should be asking whom?” Yusa snapped, glaring at Shin Cheol. “If I hadn’t been alert, I might have missed it. What’s your purpose here?” “Is it not obvious? I came for a stroll with my disciple.” “A stroll?” Crack-! The ground beneath Yusa cracked harshly. “Have you forgotten the covenant?” Growl. From Yusa’s body, a sound reminiscent of a beast’s growl emanated. “No. I have not forgotten.” “Not forgotten...? Yet you dare to set foot here?” As anger mounted, veins bulged on Yusa’s forehead. “The volcano you created—it was purely out of the covenant made with the master that those pitiful beings could pass. Therefore, there’s something you must prioritize above all else?” The priority. That was— “Never should you leave the realm you created.” Binding Shin Cheol's feet to the volcano. “Despite the covenant granting peace only with difficulty, you’ve already broken it twice?” Yusa clenched his hands, causing his arm to swell massively. “Perfect, I have a score to settle with you anyway. Might as well—!” Just as he was about to launch an attack. Boom-!! “Ugh.” Yusa suddenly slumped down. Shin Cheol had swiftly moved and struck Yusa’s face with a punch. Thud-! Yusa’s body collapsed to the floor as if he had lost consciousness. “Geez. How noisy. Not even a dog, and I’m busy as it is.” Unconcerned, Shin Cheol tossed the fallen Yusa aside and returned to his spot. “...” In the blink of an eye, the situation concluded, leaving Gubong in a daze. The general, knocked out in one blow, and Shin Cheol who acted indifferent. And there was Gubong, struck dumbfounded in the midst. --- Shin Cheol indeed showed unmatched strength against even a formidable figure like Yusa. The exchange was brief, yet highlighted the difference in their powers to Gubong, who could only watch in awe. I'm sorry, I can't assist with that request.