1083 - Childhood Friend of the Zenith

Chapter 1083 of "The World's Greatest Fighter's Childhood Friend" - North Rabbit - Web Novel Archive "Shin... Shinryong..." Someone muttered upon seeing the man appear. Shinryong Goo Cheolwoon. Hailing from the Shanxi province, he was a blood relation who was entrusted with the responsibilities of the current generation's Young Master. Despite being a direct descendant of a prestigious family, he was uniquely an only child, and he had demonstrated overwhelming martial prowess at the recent Yongbongji Assembly. An emerging star that caught the attention of the world. A late-blooming genius with such overwhelming power that people speculated he might become the new pillar of orthodox martial arts in the future. Such was the reputation surrounding him. I gazed at my father. His fiery red eyes were fixed on me, and while I was absorbing this, Doyoon, who was beside me, nudged me gently. "...Baek, Comrade Baek. Look over there. It's Shinryong." "...I know." It's clear when you see him. "Wow. What an impressive figure. I've only heard rumors, but he's definitely different from birth." "..." "Are all the members of the Goo family like that?" No, they're not. "I've never heard of such a place, but given his divine appearance, I bet all members of that family are like that, right?" ...No, they’re not. Just as these baseless misconceptions were beginning to inflate. "Hey, be quiet!?" "Eek! Sorry!" Soi's stern voice brought silence. Doyoon quickly shut his mouth, and the same went for our fellow comrades around us. 'Hm.' Even in that situation, I kept my eyes firmly on my father. "Ahahaha." A burst of laughter rang out. It was the man at the forefront. Judging by my observation, he might be the leader of the Cheongryong faction, and he was the one laughing. "I didn't realize before, but our youngest here certainly knows how to keep things in line." The man approached us with a bright smile, and everyone who saw him flinched. "Cheongyeol Sword Master...!" 'Ah.' Hearing his epithet, I realized who the man was. 'So he was the leader of the Cheongryong faction.' Cheongyeol Sword Master, Shin Cheolyeon. A martial artist once called a Sword Master before Baekcheon Geomju, and quite a famous figure in my knowledge. However, by the time I existed, he was already a deceased martial artist, so my awareness was limited. He was just a name I recognized from the previous generation. That was Cheongyeol Sword Master. 'So he was the leader of the Cheongryong faction.' It turned out that he led the faction during this time. That was the impression I held so far. As I contemplated that while looking at the Sword Master, he spoke to Soi without erasing his smile. "Actually, since new juniors have joined, you don't have to call him the youngest anymore." "Leader..." Soi replied with a slightly flushed face to the Cheongyeol Sword Master's words. "Nice to meet you. I am Shin Cheolyeon, the leader of this faction." As the Sword Master turned to us and extended a greeting, all the comrades immediately bowed. "...We greet the leader." "...We greet the leader." Respect filled everyone's eyes. The position of a leader in this era was an immense honor. To those dreaming of the Martial Arts Alliance, he was both a goal and a hero. Everyone expressed deep respect and admiration as they gazed at the Sword Master. Then. "Ah." The Sword Master's eyes suddenly fell on me. And then. Swoooooosh—! '...!' A presence suddenly seeped in. I wasn't caught off guard; it wasn't that deep. It wasn't enough to reveal my level. The reason for remaining still was different. 'He didn't send it just to me.' Since he sent his presence to all comrades, there seemed to be no reason to react deliberately. The Sword Master gently spread his presence and approached the comrades, extending a handshake to each one. "Looking forward to it." "Th... thank you!" "Ahaha, it's just a handshake, no need to thank me." Was he trying to boost our spirits? As he extended a handshake to all comrades, it finally became my turn. The Sword Master looked at me and, as if realizing something, smiled with his eyes. "So, you are Baek Yangcheon?" "...Yes, that's correct." "The one that Pajeon had an interest in, right?" "......" I twisted my face at the mention. Anyway. 'Because of that old man, everything went haywire.' Unwanted attention was drawn. Damn old man. "...Graciously, he showed me a bit of interest." "Hahaha, a bit of interest! Isn't that a show of humility? If that Pajeon wanted to take you as a disciple, it’s a remarkable position indeed." He approached, extending his hand to me. "In that sense, Cheongryong Faction got lucky. To receive such a genius like you." "..." I stared at his hand quietly. Something about it felt wrong, like I shouldn't take it... But since I couldn't refuse, I cautiously reached out. Firmly. When I grasped his hand, at that moment. Whooosh!! As expected, a presence subtly seeped in. Was he trying to gauge my level? It even came in finely and delicately. It seemed like it was intended to go unnoticed by me, but. 'Tsk.' There was no way I could miss it. It was slightly aggravating how blatantly it probed. What should I do? Such disregard was rare these days. Should I just let it go? Although I pondered briefly. 'Why should I?' Annoyance came first. Putting up with things only goes so far, especially when I have a goal in mind; I had no intention of enduring this. 'Still, just moderately.' Just enough to surprise him a little. I adjusted my energy accordingly and released it. Whoooosh!!!! The boiling energy pushed back the Sword Master's presence. Bang! "...!" The Sword Master quickly released my hand and widened his eyes. Whooosh! A gentle breeze fluttered with the backlash of energy. Then. "Ha-!" The Sword Master let out a surprised laugh. "You are far more remarkable than I anticipated. Hahaha!!!" Contrary to what I feared, the Sword Master's reaction wasn't bad. "I'm sorry. I was surprised and reacted unconsciously." I gave a slight excuse, and the Sword Master, as if telling me not to worry about it, spoke to me. "It’s fine. Rather, I should apologize—who would've thought you'd feel it. Hahahah." Pat, pat—! A strong hand repeatedly patted my shoulder. "You know that, right?" "What...?" "Among the newcomers, you're the second one to sense and react." He seemed pleased. "Although I tried hard to bring you in, I didn't know this was the extent. Good. I look forward to it." "Thank you." They had exerted effort to bring me here. I squinted at that fact. It wasn't a coincidence, was it? "Since today is your first day, we’ll keep the introductions short. To celebrate your acceptance, we're planning to hold a banquet this evening. I hope you all attend." "Understood!" "Then I’ll see you all later. As for the youngest... oh, sorry. Soi, please come to the Leader’s office." "Yes, sir." With a wave of his hand, the Sword Master left the room. The members of the Cheongryong faction moved to follow him, but just before they could. "Don’t just fool around; behave until the banquet starts," Soi warned, casting a stern glance. Her fierce gaze made everyone freeze momentarily. After joining the line-up, Soi brushed past me, and my father did too shortly after. By then, he was no longer looking at me. I, too, refrained from looking at him. Just standing there, feeling their backs fade away. "Hey." Someone else approached me. The voice was quite disrespectful. 'What's this now?' Wondering who it might be this time. "Didn't expect to see you here again." A face just as disrespectful as the voice appeared. With silver hair and blue eyes, it was none other than Namgung Cheon. "You remember me, right?" "...Ah." Why is he here as well? And worse. 'He's part of the Cheongryong faction?' Considering the uniform he wore, it confirmed my suspicion. Damn it. 'He looks like he's going to be a nuisance.' I gazed at him with displeasure, and Namgung Cheon frowned. "What’s with the face? Such disrespect from a newbie." "...Excuse me?" "I’ve disliked you since I first saw you. But you’re lucky to have ended up here." He wore an unsettling grin. I finally understood whom Namgung Cheon Joon took after. "You’re Baek Yangcheon, right?" "...Uh, yes." "Do take care from now on." With a few pats on my shoulder, Namgung Cheon walked past. "Ah." With a sigh, I ran a hand over my face. "...Such a hassle." The endless entanglements were truly exhausting. * * * In the Cheongryong Leader’s office. In a spacious area neatly organized with writings and scrolls. Cheongyeol Sword Master sat behind the desk, smiling as he gazed ahead. Standing before him was Soi, who asked with a curious look. “Did something good happen, sir?” “Hmm? Ah. Not something good, just something amusing.” “Pardon?” “The new recruits this time. They seem quite amusing.” “...Ah.” “Wouldn't you agree?” “...Yes.” Soi affirmed, albeit with a slightly reluctant expression. For her, it wasn’t amusing—among them entered an individual who was quite bothersome. “Judging by your expression, you’re thinking of the same person I am, aren't you?” “...” “Baek Yangcheon, was it? That young man caught my interest.” “...” Soi remained silent. Her thoughts were exactly on that individual. "I wondered how significant it was since Pajeon showed interest..." The Cheongyeol Sword Master’s smile broadened as he recalled the fierce-looking young man. "Certainly worth the attention." It was remarkable. Not only did he perceive the Sword Master's probing presence, but he bounced it back in defiance. ‘He's the second.’ Up to now, only the second to do so. Cheongyeol Sword Master had done this to all the newcomers. And among the numerous recruits, only two reacted. One, like Baek Yangcheon, sensed it and resisted. The other, however. ‘Attempted to devour it.’ He tried to absorb and launch a counterattack instead. It was a particularly aggressive and destructive reaction. "What do you think?" The Sword Master asked, looking at the one who tried such a move. The young man with red eyes, Goo Cheolwoon, looked at the Sword Master. "I granted the favor since it was a special occasion of becoming a vice-leader. But still, it was a significant task for me too." Bringing in a desired recruit. Among them, Baek Yangcheon was an individual who attracted attention from all divisions. Piercing through all that attention to bring him in was a great task even for Cheongyeol Sword Master. Nonetheless, the Sword Master accomplished it. Because it was a request from his vice-leader. “Thank you for obliging.” Goo Cheolwoon bowed his head, and the Sword Master nodded. “Well, in the end, it seems to be beneficial for us, but I was surprised you took an interest.” To others, he appeared indifferent. One might have thought of him as exceptionally cold and emotionless despite wielding the burning power of the Fire Arts. Even as Goo Cheolwoon asked for Baek Yangcheon to be brought in, it was a surprise to Cheongyeol Sword Master. “Was there a reason?” “...” Goo Cheolwoon paused, lost in thought at the question. Soon after, he spoke to the Sword Master. “I’m not sure.” “Hmm?” An unexpected answer. He was unsure of the reason. But. “I don’t know why, but now I intend to find out.” Goo Cheolwoon decided to uncover the mystery he didn’t yet understand. He planned to find out from now.