1058 - Childhood Friend of the Zenith

**The Peerless Martial Artist's Childhood Friend Chapter 1058: Northern Hare - Web Novel Archive** "Whooooosh----" A spectacle of flower petals scattered across the sky captures my gaze. They bloom endlessly, as if intent on obscuring the ash-gray heavens and the vast emptiness. It's a field unfurled in the sky. So beautiful and pure that even my dry eyes are drawn in admiration. Moreover, knowing those petals did not appear naturally, but were instead shaped by someone's will and enlightenment—how could I not be in awe? "Ahhh..." A quiet sigh escapes my lips. What is this? The petals are so alluring that I reach out to touch them. When my fingertips gently graze a petal, it quivers and falls away. The sensation is vivid. One could easily mistake it for a real flower petal. "…!" Upon feeling it, I was unable to hide my surprise. "…Such a cohesion of energy." Each petal, laden with a level of energy I've never seen compressed to such a degree. I recalled the teachings of Shin Noya when he always imparted wisdom to me. Compression. Didn't he say that the strength of a martial artist's energy depends on how it is compressed and released? Reflecting that very lesson, Noya's enlightenment seeped into each petal. While absorbed in admiration, a voice, tinged with laughter, swept past my ear. "Isn't it a bit early to be astonished?" "Don't just look at the blossomed petals. Look at the roots sustaining them." Prompted by Shin Noya's words, my gaze shifted. I saw his back. Unlike his frail body, his back appeared vast. The old man stood with his back to me, his sword lowered, swaying slightly. His true color. Not the bluish tint that absorbed my energy, but its original form—like when I first saw it—imbued with a purplish aura. While I watched in silence, one petal, still fluttering, abruptly stilled in midair. My breath naturally halted. It felt as though time had stopped. When, in that surreal moment, I continued to watch only Noya's back. "How peculiar." A voice pierced the space, belonging to the one standing before us. "Truly peculiar." A person with azure hair and entirely white pupils. The most peculiar one among us was boldly speaking of peculiarity. "What?" Noya spoke, and the figure responded. "How could someone encapsulate so much within such a trivial boundary? In a way, it's admirable." "While I believe you're sincere, I must admit it’s not quite pleasant to accept praise from such relations." "A commendable job indeed. Perhaps if you had taken just one more step, you could have transcended the boundary and ascended to the heavens." "Heavens, you say." At that, Noya chuckled. "It's a pointless term. Must I really ascend to such a place?" Speaking slowly, Noya moved lazily. As he did, the flower petals followed his steps. "I care not for high places. It's enough for me to plant a small seed and nurture a tree." "A tree?" "Yes. This sword is the tree I've raised. How is it? Haven't I nurtured it well?" "Whoooosh--!!!" The petals began to move as if caught in the wind, steadily gathering towards Noya’s blade. The petals amassed, compressing further. Were it me, it would have crumbled and disintegrated long ago. Yet Noya stood, unyielding. "This is my tree." "Hmmm…" "You mentioned Taechon, right? While I cannot grasp what your heaven entails, this is sufficient for me." 'Taechon?' With that word, I frowned. Taechon? Taechon. I've heard it before. 'That’s…' It was one of the concealed domains within the Martial Alliance. One of them was alleged to be Taechon. Furthermore, '…Isn’t it the phenomenon the Dark King witnessed?' The Dark King once visited the Taechon realm. And his name was said to be Taechon. 'Could it be?' Is that one actually Taechon? Why is such a being here? 'Moreover, appearing in the form of a raven—could this figure be the mastermind behind the raven’s schemes?' I can’t comprehend it. Why would someone like Taechon be there? Caught off guard by this unexpected revelation. "A tree, you say. Splendid." Taechon nodded, acknowledging Noya. "I respect it. I acknowledge it. Your tree is indeed worthy." "My thanks for that." "Show me then. How much can be contained within such a modest spirit and boundary?" "Are you asking me to perform a spectacle?" Noya chuckled audibly. The gather petals formed their final shape. "Very well. I do excel at that." A blade dyed in deep crimson emerged. At that sight, chills ran down my spine. It wasn't just a sword. 'A plum blossom tree.' The plum blossom tree I had seen until now. Noya held it in his hand. The scent of plum blossoms wafted from it—the vitality, the splendor, and the beauty. A martial art embodying nature itself. This sensation of wonder and astonishment resonates within me as a martial artist. '...It's possible.' The sweat trickling down and the goosebumps arising as a martial artist are signs of something being deeply stirred within. While fixated on the blade, unable to avert my gaze. "Youth." Noya called out to me. I couldn't manage a reply. I was unable to even speak. "Watch carefully." Noya did not seem to wait for my answer and serenely moved his blade. A faint, purplish line sketched itself across the air, almost as if painting with such a hue. "This is called plum blossom (梅華)." Plum blossom (梅華). Without further description—simply, plum blossom. I understood. 'It grew and flourished and was finally grasped in one's hand.' Retaining vitality, just as it is. Though formed of energy, it is truly a plum blossom. The meaning behind Shin Noya's words was undoubtedly this. "Yangcheon." Noya addressed me by name. "Yes." Miraculously, my lips parted. "This is my tree. Do you see it?" "…I see it." "What you shall cultivate need not be a tree. But focus on what you can grow. What will you cultivate?" "…" I could not answer. Grow something, he says. It need not be a tree, he says. What could I possibly cultivate? I had never pondered it before. **Just like before.** "Remember this," Noya spoke, urging no response from me. It wasn't a question that needed answering this time either. "Whatever you become, whatever you aim to be, it doesn't matter. If you wish to remain a martial artist, remember to pursue what you truly want. That's all that matters." "..." "Now, watch closely." Noya began to move. The plum blossom swayed. Its fragrance overwhelmed the senses. "This is my tree." The life Noya held in his hand veiled the sky. The tree flowed gently with the breeze. My eyes were entranced by the myriad petals. Budding branches blossomed with them, obscuring the ash-gray sky. Plum Blossom (梅華). An old man's life shadowed Taechon. **Boom---!!!!** The sky split in two. The space that crafted the ashen firmament was shattered. With just a single swing. "Hah." Taechon laughed. He caught the plum blossom with his spear, but I could see how much effort it took by the trembling of his hands. "Remarkable-!" His voice grew louder. "It’s the final stretch. You've arrived." What had arrived? What was at the brink? Though I didn't know, I felt as if I did. "Show me. Show that you can reach it under your own power." Flowing seamlessly, Noya's sword transitioned into the next strike. Another fissure. Two consecutive slashes cleaved a mountain. A cross-like scar etched into the ceiling. **Boom—!!!** Everything quaked. Taechon lightly stomped the ground. In that instant, gigantic tendrils erupted from below. They were far greater than before. Tendrils the size of massive beasts surged upwards. They directed themselves towards Noya. Noya, simply watching, lightly flicked his sword. **Bang-! Bang, bang, bang-!!!** The tendrils burst and scattered, and within that gap, Noya moved. Not swiftly. Just a normal stride, merely moving the sword. With successive strikes, the heavens trembled. And below, the pinnacle sword emerged. enN1WnIzcFhHMVJuR0JvdkNPc013K3JuazBjZThvVmpJdDlUNVIzUi9PVGVQeDdkWTNkSkhmQW5OdmJ4SE5ZcA Taechon, observing it, bore a smile on his lips. "Intriguing." **Thud! Crash—!!!** The pinnacle sword embedded itself in the ground. The impact sent the earth flying high. Taechon's upper body was marred, cracked and damaged. Yet still, his eyes were fixed on Noya alone. "I'm intrigued by you. You, Shin Chul." His fascination turned into obsession. As he spoke those words, Noya's plum blossom thrust towards his throat. **Clang!!** It couldn't pierce through. Noya's blossom was halted by an unseen barrier. Yet it didn't matter. The Plum Blossom Formation. Noya, undeterred by even such obstacles, pressed on with all his strength, etching across the barrier. **Creak—!!!!** "Hoo." Though the sword didn't penetrate, Noya gathered his power with a breath and pushed even harder. **Crunch!!** At last, it sliced through. Watching this, Taechon's smile widened impossibly. "You reached it." A brief statement. A small marvel. "The divine realm." The essence of the plum blossom sought Taechon's neck. It seemed poised to end Taechon finally. "Congratul—." Just as Taechon was about to utter a word to Noya— **Snap.** "…Huh?" At the sound, I widened my eyes. The Plum Blossom Sword fell. The arm that wielded it was disintegrating. "…Noya!" Seeing it, I immediately rushed forward.