1106 - Childhood Friend of the Zenith

The Best in the World’s Childhood Friend Chapter 1106 Namgung Jeohwi. He was the current head of the Namgung clan, a martial artist who had reached the pinnacle of his abilities. Though his martial prowess wasn't exceptionally high, he possessed unrivaled political acumen and intelligence, allowing him to surpass his siblings and claim leadership. Due to this, there was often talk that he became the head due to sheer luck and lacked the necessary qualifications. Nonetheless, since he was chosen by the clan's elders and previous leaders, there was no doubting his position as the head of the Namgung clan. '...Blood energy, you say.' That Namgung Jeohwi had blood energy coursing through his body was baffling to me. 'How has this happened?' How could this be? Why was blood energy visible in Namgung Jeohwi's body? I wondered if I might be mistaken. 'That's impossible.' After all, I had experienced Blood Demons firsthand. I knew well the energy I was sensing on him was indeed blood energy. It was unmistakably blood energy. 'Hmm.' I sat deep in thought, my gaze lifting to the ceiling. High and spacious, nothing like the cramped confines of our carriage. It was a proper room. “What’s occupying your mind like that?” Do Yoon, who was unpacking next to me, asked. “Nothing much. Just have something on my mind.” “In that case, I’ll head out for a bit.” “Where are you going?” “To train a little.” With that, Do Yoon stepped outside. I was currently staying in a room within the Namgung clan's residence. Having entered with the head, there was no need for special identification, but the issue was— ‘What could this mean?’ However much I pondered, I could not comprehend why Namgung Jeohwi carried blood energy. ‘Has it been moving for a while?’ If there was already blood energy present, it implied the Blood Demon had been active long before now. 'Hmm.' It seemed the Namgung clan had already been infiltrated earlier than expected. It was an unforeseen situation. ‘How did Namgung Jeohwi meet his end?’ I tried to recall. He was a figure I barely remembered. It was no wonder. ‘A person already dead and gone.’ Namgung Jeohwi had perished during my active years, yet little was known about his death. If my family didn’t know, how could I be expected to know about others' families? The scant information I did recall was— ‘Cause of death: chronic illness.’ The only thing I knew was that Namgung Jeohwi had died from a chronic illness. But now— ‘That chronic illness…’ Thinking now, it raised suspicion. ‘Was it really a chronic illness?’ Death by illness is not uncommon for martial artists. Indeed, it’s common among humans. ‘For martial artists, death typically comes by—’ Old age, illness, or in battle. It would surely be one of these three. So, chronic illness wasn’t that unusual. However talented and physically disciplined one was. They couldn't outright avoid disease. 'Though it doesn't seem strange in that sense...' But with this perspective, it seemed puzzling. Was it because of the blood energy? I found myself focused on the cause of death. ‘What could it be?’ This unease? The cause of Namgung Jeohwi’s death. Chronic illness. ‘His level wasn’t low either.’ He wasn’t young at the time of death, but it didn't seem excessive. It wasn’t long before it happened. ‘Other than the blood energy, there’s no visible issue with his body.’ Not that I could see everything like a doctor. Still, there was nothing overtly strange visible. If that was the case— ‘Could it be.’ Could his death be related to the blood energy? Furthermore— ‘Is the reason he became the head also…’ Could it be that the reason he rose to become head, despite his lack of strength, was— ‘A ploy by the Blood Demon?’ That the Blood Demon had schemed for things to turn out this way? Suddenly, such a thought crossed my mind. ‘Hmm.’ I scratched my head. ‘This is getting complicated.’ I hadn't anticipated the Namgung clan would already be subjected to such manipulations. Not knowing was one thing; knowing now made it a vexing headache. ‘Ah, it's not my problem to solve anyway.’ Fretting over it was pointless. It wasn't like anything would change anyway, and it was merely an added stress. “Ugh. Damn it.” It became a bother. All I could think was I had seen something unnecessary. To fuss over Namgung Jeohwi or the Blood Demon—this wasn't the time for such concerns. “Better to leave it than worry.” I stood up and headed out. The day was still bright. Father had instructed me to await his orders, but— “Might as well not just sit here.” It seemed better to gather some information. Maybe I’d uncover something useful from this place. With that intention, I drew in some energy. Snap— I snapped my fingers, creating a figment in the room. A phantom shaped like my body, crafted using a special skill. With the bedding carefully draped over it, it should maintain the illusion for at least an hour. ‘Alright then.’ Time to move. With that decision, I invoked my stealth technique. * * * The interior of the Namgung residence was expansive. Being the foremost among the Four Great Clans, its sheer breadth was only natural. ‘Seems a bit more spread out compared to the last visit.' Back when I had visited for the engagement ceremony. It felt broader than the residence I remembered. The reduced size wasn't due to any decline in its status. ‘Is it an issue of maintenance?’ Possibly scaled down for easier management due to its vastness. ‘They might have reduced the number of patrol units too.’ Perhaps downsized in accordance with prolonged peace times. Not that it was particularly significant. Tap— I moved cautiously, scanning my surroundings. I had one destination in mind. ‘Where was it?’ A place I'd visited once before. With the head’s permission, I had ventured there, though the layout seemed different from what I remembered, making it harder to find. ‘Where could it be?’ Still searching around when— ‘Ah.’ I found it. In the distance, a not-so-large building with four martial artists gathered around it. 'There it is.' It turned out finding it hadn't taken as long as expected, considering it seemed like a lengthy search. Thump— I landed softly, careful to avoid attention. I inspected the building. ‘The structure hasn’t changed.’ A place I'd been before. It was the Namgung clan’s archive. The exterior hardly looked different from what I'd seen. However— ‘How do I get in now?’ Given that my goal lies within, I must find a way to enter, irrespective of means required. I considered my options, but— '...There's no helping it.' There was really only one way. Swish. I accelerated my movements. Tap-! Thump, thud, thump-!! In an instant, I brushed past the four guards. Before long, they toppled silently to the ground. I had knocked them out with precise strikes to their jaws. Then, using my power, I levitated their unconscious forms and tucked them away in a corner. Snap-! With another snap of my fingers, I wielded my abilities again. Instantly, I conjured an illusion of the guards. I made sure they stood upright and then approached the door. 'Time… about half an incense stick?' At most, half an incense stick. It's safe to assume that spare time before the next shift change. Crrreak. I opened the door and stepped inside. I scanned my surroundings meticulously. The interior was somewhat different from when I had last visited. Perhaps a different mode of organization? 'Hmm.' Surveying the place, I noticed something curious. Crack. "…!" Sensing someone's presence, I concealed myself immediately. 'What is this?' There were presences within? 'Who could it be?' Who could possibly be here? Just as I wondered, a voice broke the silence. “…I said no, didn’t I? Why keep pestering? It's really annoying.” The voice carried a tone of exasperation. “Why should I do such a troublesome thing? I’m already just a decoration in the clan. Why ask me? Have someone else do it. My brother might be ill-tempered, but he gets things done. Shall I introduce him?” It was a voice laced with mock annoyance. Listening closely, I narrowed my eyes. ‘This voice and manner…’ Of all people, it had to be him. I moved stealthily to get a clear view of the person speaking since the shelves obstructed my line of sight. ‘Ah.’ I recognized him immediately. Just as I suspected. A white-haired young man sat at the center of the archive, staring at something. A sword handle mounted on the wall, lacking its blade. The sword once wielded by the Demon Sword Holder, and now carried by Namgung Beeya. ‘Thunder Fang.’ The sacred relic representing the Namgung family. A mystical sword said to be wielded centuries ago by Namgung Myeong. ‘So that means…’ Was the person before me really who I thought he was? Just as I moved to confirm more thoroughly— “What? What did you say?” The young man suddenly turned around. “...Someone’s here? Come on, there's no way…” “……” “Huh?” Our eyes met. I could see his face. It was him. The youth was Nam Goong Hyung. --- Elsewhere, while events unfolded in the archive. “I appreciate you coming here.” In the midst of it all, a conversation was taking place in the Namgung clan leader’s room. Namgung Jeohwi faced a young man considered the most promising talent in modern Jinwon. He was facing the Rising Dragon. ‘...Impressive.’ The youngest unit leader of the Azure Dragon Brigade. Curious about how remarkable the individual receiving all this attention was, he went ahead and checked. ‘To think it would be to this degree.’ Namgung Jeohwi could only marvel as he observed Sinryong, Goo Cheol Woon. ‘Unfathomable.’ How powerful is he? Such strength escaped his detection. Which meant that the young man before him was either comparable or— ‘Stronger than me.’ Implying he was more powerful. Even if he wasn't particularly gifted in martial arts, to be compared to a talent like this was astonishing. ‘They called it the House of Shinfulness, from the Mountains and Rivers, right?’ The Shin family of the Mountains and Rivers. He had heard the name. There were warnings to steer clear. ‘Who would’ve thought they'd produce such a prodigy?’ To witness a genius like this emerge from a house that rarely showed itself. It stirred envy. Namgung Jin was brilliant, yet encountering a talent like this would envy anyone. “Not at all. I’m here simply on orders.” “...Whatever the reason, I am grateful that you’re here to assist the main house.” Namgung Jeohwi dismissed his thoughts. Envy struck, but now was the time for business. “Let us get to the matter at hand, as I mentioned in the letter.” “Yes.” “There has been an unusual occurrence with the Demonic Realm Gate appearing in Anhui recently.” “……” Upon hearing of the disturbance in the Demonic Realm Gate, Goo Cheol Woon's eyebrows twitched. “The grand gate’s cycle is approaching. Since it’s Anhui’s turn, the Namgung clan must act.” “Yes.” The Grand Demonic Realm Gate. Was it Anhui's turn this time? Upon this realization, Namgung Jeohwi continued. “I’ve heard that the condition of the Grand Demonic Realm Gate is unusual.” “...In what way?” “Unlike its typical manifestation. That is to say…” He paused momentarily before speaking. “Red.” “...!” “They say the gate’s color has turned red.” At these words, Goo Cheol Woon narrowed his eyes.