790 - Childhood Friend of the Zenith

Translated and Implemented Instructions Chapter 790: Childhood Friend of the Zenith Red, bloodshot eyes. Tears welled up within them and streamed down her cheeks. Her trembling eyelashes and slightly furrowed brows accompanied by the drooping corners of her lips. No matter how much she tried, she couldn’t hold back the tears, and it showed on her face. Such peculiar anguish was etched upon her visage. The current expression of the Heavenly Demon was like that. “…What’s this? Crying?" Upon witnessing this, the hand that held hers loosened its grip. It was an astonishing sight indeed. The Heavenly Demon was crying. The lofty being that once reigned supreme above the heavens and looked down upon all, was now crying so sorrowfully. While cradling Ddolddol, no less. Even her fingertips and her body shivered visibly. Meanwhile, Ddolddol, nestled against her, wore a bewildered expression. Everyone around her, not just Ddolddol, shared the same sentiment. 'What's this?' What truly was it? Why was she bawling like this here? Was she even a being capable of shedding tears in the first place? They had only seen her sneering or with eyes full of disdain. Never with a face like this. Looking at her now, she seemed more akin to Wi Seol-ah. It wasn't just about looking alike, there was that certain feeling. Perhaps that was why. “…” There was a moment of hesitation as the hand slightly retreated. What was making the Heavenly Demon so overwhelmed with sorrow that she clung to Ddolddol and cried bitterly? Watching her, an inexplicable feeling washed over. [Come here.] 'Hm?' He squinted his eyes. He subtly turned his head to scan the surroundings. Whose voice was that? It felt as though someone just spoke, but the sound was fleeting and foreign. [Greet your father, okay?] “…” A headache surged. He had to clutch his temples urgently. Whose voice was that? The sound was unmistakable, yet recognition eluded him. This creeping headache affected even his breathing. Crkk-! Something inside felt like it was fracturing. Woong-! Suddenly, vibrations flared from deep within his heart. It felt like forcibly pulling and holding together what was about to break. Squeeze. Like tying a slack rope with sticky strings, something tightened with the vibration. Simultaneously, the headache and the faint sound vanished. His breathing calmed, and the tremble in his fingertips ceased. With emotions settled, any indecision vanished. He promptly grabbed the Heavenly Demon by her shoulders again. “Step aside.” “…” She showed resistance as if unwilling to let go. He frowned, feeling her reluctance. “Why suddenly appear and cause such a commotion? Do you think this is your private chamber? Step away at once.” “…” “What’s with the sudden tears while holding onto her? Do you even know her?” Does she know Ddolddol? Upon asking this, the corners of the Heavenly Demon’s eyes wavered. What? Does she really know him? If so, from where? As numerous questions flitted through his mind: “…Don’t…know.” The Heavenly Demon spoke. “What?” “I don’t know… I have no clue…” She claimed ignorance. Said she didn’t know whom she was holding. Naturally, it was only logical she wouldn’t know. “Then why that face?” Claiming ignorance seemed odd. Why didn’t she recognize it? Her eyes shimmered as if perplexed by her own unawareness. “What’s with that expression?” “…I don’t know…” “That’s exactly my point. Why make such a face holding a stranger? And then cry like this?” “That too…I don’t know.” “Then what do you know?” “Don’t…” Thunk-! “…!” He yanked the Heavenly Demon who continued to babble nonsense. Perhaps caught off guard, this time she easily let go. The distance widened between her and Ddolddol. Despite her efforts to reach out and clutch him again... Slam-! He intercepted her wrist. “If you don’t know, step away.” The voice that escaped sounded icily cold, even to himself. “…” Was it the tone that unsettled her? The strength drained from the Heavenly Demon’s hand upon hearing it. Sensing this, he pushed the Heavenly Demon away from himself. As she stumbled backward, Gu Heebi quickly caught her in the nick of time. With the distance creating a buffer, the situation began to settle. Observing this, his gaze returned to Ddolddol. “Are you okay?” “Huh? Oh, yeah, I’m fine.” Contrary to the Heavenly Demon’s overreaction, Ddolddol appeared unperturbed. Perhaps it was because its true nature was that of a demonic beast. “Seems like I had another mom I didn’t know about.” “What kind of nonsense is that?” Very odd, nonsensical mumbles accompanied by a brief click of the tongue. “I was enjoying my meal. Tsk.” “…” It’s definite. Something’s wrong with this one. While it somewhat resembles my youthful self, why does it exude such an oppressive atmosphere? 'It seems it resembles me only in appearance, not in soul.' I wasn’t like that, so it must be something else influencing it. That had to be the case, otherwise, it wouldn’t make any sense. While pondering over its odd expression, Ddolddol abruptly set off somewhere. Taking a step forward, its expression morphed. From a deceitfully smirking face to an expression of the utmost innocence. “Grandmother!” With childlike naivety, it burst forth a bizarre title, racing off somewhere. ‘My God.’ Shockingly, its destination was Lady Mi. Ddolddol suddenly leapt into Lady Mi's embrace. And that wasn’t enough. ‘What did it just say? Grand... what?’ What did that little creature call Lady Mi just now? The thought left him feeling blanched. He'd expect an explosive reaction from Lady Mi at any moment. “Did it startle you?” ‘Huh?’ “No, not much.” “…” Astonishingly, Lady Mi nonchalantly cradled Ddolddol and even patted its back reassuringly. “…?” Watching this, he glanced around, bewildered. His gaze found Gu Heebi. This was more startling than watching the Heavenly Demon cry. What was he witnessing now? Yet when he looked to Gu Heebi, seeking answers: “…” “…” Gu Heebi shook her head slightly in response. She too signified her own perplexity. 'Hmm, I see.' He nodded. ‘This is a mess.’ He understood absolutely nothing. Truly so. If one said this was a dream, it might appear more plausible. As that idea formed in his mind, he subtly bowed his head. The direction was not toward Gu Heebi, but the Heavenly Demon she held in her arms. Translated and Implemented Instructions The Heavenly Demon, just as earlier, wore a strange expression while watching Ddolddol nestled against Lady Mi. I frowned as I addressed her. “Hey.” “…” “You’re done now, so you should…” Come along. Just as I was about to say that, “There is much commotion.” “…!” A voice resounded from outside the room. Eyes automatically pivoted towards the source of the sudden voice. At the entrance of the room. Precisely a few steps behind Gu Heebi’s silhouette. The voice came from there. Where everyone’s attention followed was the owner of that voice who had just spoken. ‘…’ Upon seeing him, I immediately realized. ‘That old man.’ That very person. The wrinkled elder, dressed in plain white, adorned by a mane of full white hair. ‘The one who called for me.’ He was the one. The first head of the Baekhwa Trading Company, who led before Lady Mi, the old man who summoned me. ********** Chirp. Chirp chirp. Birdsong streaming from the window. It was much later than morning should be, but the sound made it feel as if it was morning. One might perceive the scene as peaceful. Sunlight trickled through the window, and birds chirped leisurely, making one wonder if peace could be more perfect than this. ‘This is…’ Contrary to that scene, ‘Truly uncomfortable.’ My insides felt increasingly constricted. There was no helping it. Relaxing under the current circumstances would be bizarre. I gazed at the table. The tea before me was still plentiful. Initially hot, it no longer steamed, indicating it had cooled. Furthermore, less tea now filled the cup than when first poured. This implied that much time had passed, and in all that time, not a sip had been swallowed. ‘Ugh.’ It was an undeniably uncomfortable situation. Indeed, it was truly uneasy. “Hmph.” Numerous times I had cleared my throat. With discomfort in focusing my gaze on one spot, I turned it dozens of times. Doing so over and over. ‘Why isn’t he saying anything?’ The individual before me remained unresponsive. He appeared to be an elder in his eighties. He seemingly hadn't learned martial arts. His eyes, sharp enough to slice like a blade. Despite his age, there was a robust aura suggesting he hadn’t been swept away by life’s tumult. His features indicated he likely was quite handsome in his prime. Lady Mi’s father, the founding head of the Baekhwa Trading Company, and, The elder who is nominally my grandfather. After his spoken word quieted the room, he walked in, entering this room without further reaction. He called me out immediately after, thus I couldn't mind the Heavenly Demon or any other matter, and entered the room. Facing him for nearly a quarter of a day, I hadn’t exchanged a single word. The reason was none other than. Simply because he hadn’t spoken. Conversely, I wasn’t one to talk much. At this point, stubborness kept my mouth shut too. ‘Why call me if this was going to happen?’ They explicitly called for me, making me rearrange all my plans, yet there wasn't a word exchanged? ‘Is this some form of intimidation?’ Though it seemed unnecessary, if he wasn’t fond of me, it was possible. As a son of a concubine and an illegitimate child set to inherit the family because I bore the title ‘son.’ If he thought his cherished granddaughters weren't shining due to my existence, it was plausible. '...Hmm.' If that were the reason, I had nothing more to say. It's halfway true, after all. In that sense, the thought was just to humble myself and go with the flow regardless of any power struggles. “…Well then.” Finally breaking the silence, I began addressing the elder. “Honored one.” As the words left my mouth, the elder looked at me. A frigid gaze. I thought the sharpness in Lady Mi’s eyes was striking, and it seemed she inherited them from him. Was ‘honored one’ a term he disliked? Regardless, I couldn’t think of another better term to use. “I heard from Elder Il (Iljang-ro / 일장로) that you called for me, honored one.” As I carefully breached the question, the elder’s previously sealed lips opened. “That’s correct.” A simple reply. Finally, a voice I could hear after what felt like an eternity. “…May I ask for the reason?” Why was I summoned? While our fates hadn’t crossed in a previous life, this individual sought me out in this one. Though similar occurrences happened a few times before, the person before me was beyond the scope of my imagination. This situation evoked strange sentiments even within me. ‘Today is full of nothing but strange occurrences. Annoying as they are.’ Not just the elder, but even the sudden reaction from the Heavenly Demon and Lady Mi’s subsequent display were unexpected. Even witnessing one event would have been odd, but they happened one after another. This meant my mind was in utter disarray. Tap. A teacup was lifted. Without saying a word, the elder took a sip of tea in response to my question. Like mine, the elder’s tea had also cooled. Taking a light sip to moisten his throat, he spoke. “I apologize.” “Pardon?” An apology from him. The words left me at a loss, and I couldn’t help but express a frozen expression. “Suddenly... What for?" “I realized while drinking tea. Seeing it cooled as it was, a considerable time must have passed." “…” Could it be that he hadn’t noticed? “Being of advanced years, I've been getting lost in thought more often. I apologize.” “…That’s alright. And please, please lower your speech. The formality is somewhat uncomfortable for me-.” “I’ve refrained from lowering my speech with those who are not close. Please understand.” “Oh, okay.” Feeling slightly sheepish, I closed my mouth. He did not lower his speech with those not close. A vast wall was set within his words. The implication that I wasn’t close to him, and, as Elder Il stated, he didn’t come simply to see his grandson. That was the message within his words. ‘If so, what indeed?’ Then for what reason did he seek me out? It was entirely beyond my comprehension. ‘I’m pressed for time; it would be preferable to conclude this quickly if it's inconsequential.’ Translated and Implemented Instructions I neither felt fondness because the old man sought me out, nor would I be upset if he kept his distance. After all, we were strangers with not a drop of blood shared between us. He was an unrelated person with no connection in a past life, so I didn’t give it much thought. Merely being Lady Mi’s father was the sole point that pricked at me a bit... ‘...But why does that bother me?’ I pondered, feeling perplexed. Should that really be a worry? After all, Lady Mi also was a stranger in the grand scheme. ‘Hmm.’ I couldn't fathom why such thoughts emerged. Anyhow. “So, for what reason did you seek me out?” Hearing the elder’s words slightly put my mind at ease. If there was no particular agenda towards me, then it meant I had nothing to be concerned about. Thanks to that assurance, I asked in a more relaxed manner, “…” The elder simply gazed at me intently. His piercing stare made me contemplate whether I should straighten my posture again. ...Should I really change it? As I debated, deeply contemplating, “The reason I summoned Young Master Il here is quite straightforward.” Thankfully, the elder began to speak before I made a decision. “There’s something I wish to ask the Young Master.” “What is it…?” “Can you set up a barrier (기막 / gimak)?” “…?” Without dispute, I waved my hand. Woong–!! Instantly, a barrier enveloped the area on all sides. However, unable to modulate the strength, it turned out to be a rather robust barrier. “It’s set.” “Thank you.” What could he want to discuss that required an immediate barrier? I was approaching frustration beyond mere curiosity. “Now, allow me to ask.” The elder posed his question to me. “Have you turned back time, Young Master?” Woong-!! Upon hearing those words, the barrier I’d painstakingly erected trembled violently.