1137 - Childhood Friend of the Zenith

With a creaking sound, Cheonjon slowly stood up. His movements were jarring and unnatural. Creak. Straining to move, the sound of his body groaning echoed, evident to anyone that this was far from normal. I quietly observed Cheonjon. Finally, when he fully rose, Cheonjon's eyes met mine. Seeing his eyes, I clicked my tongue internally. 'Just as I thought.' They were red. Cheonjon's eyes were as crimson as blood, exuding an unsettling, eerie aura that annoyed me just by looking at them. It wasn't the first time I'd experienced this, having already sensed something off before. "Hmm..." He exhaled softly. His voice and appearance were familiar, yet the atmosphere within felt completely alien. "How did you know... This is puzzling." Hyeolma. Or Yongje. Previously the ruler of the realm known as Yonggye, and a being from another dimension that sought to become the new master of Jungwon, the Central Plains. Now, for reasons unknown, he had established a base in the Murim Alliance and was scheming something. 'As expected.' As I looked at him, thoughts formed in my mind. 'He had already started influencing Cheonjon from back then.' The pieces of suspicion fell seamlessly into place. 'When did it even start?' I had been aware of Cheonjon's strange state for some time. 'It was unsettling.' The brief moment when I crossed paths with Cheonjon. That distinct acrid scent and the irritating sensation I picked up then. I didn't miss it. 'Seeing this now.' Looking at the state of Cheonjon, it was clear Nam Goong family had completely fallen under Hyeolma's influence. 'Could it be that's why the current head is in power?' It was troubling that someone seemingly lacking skill had taken the position of head. While they seemed to possess adequate abilities, it was hard to explain solely on that basis. Perhaps it was Cheonjon's strong influence that made it possible. 'I wondered why Cheonjon promoted that man.' If Hyeolma's influence was involved, it started to make sense. “Let me ask you.” Hyeolma, wearing the guise of Cheonjon, questioned me. “Who are you?” “...” A jolt. Something brushed past my body. I grasped and crushed the energy that tried to subtly invade. Crackle. Seeing the dispersed energy, Hyeolma's eyes widened slightly. "Playing petty tricks, I see." "Heh heh..." He must have attempted something, but such tactics no longer worked. Hyeolma, energy torn away, widened his eyes briefly before chuckling lowly. "Strange, indeed. The time hasn't come as I thought... Yet a calamity appears? Is that it?" At Hyeolma's words, I thought inwardly. 'Does he see me as a calamity?' It seemed I was perceived as more than just an ordinary human. "Who are you to..." “You should have already heard, so it's amusing you ask." With a slight smile, I said. "I am Cheonma." "Cheonma, indeed." Hyeolma tilted his head slightly. "Isn't he supposed to be one of the Nine Dragons? How could there be a dragon I don't know?" It seemed he realized I was a Dragon. Indeed. 'With instincts raging like this, how could he not know?' The inherent instinct of a dragon, raging to rip apart any opposing dragon. Was I the only one feeling this? 'I think not.' It was said dragons are inherently arrogant, unable to tolerate anything above them. Such arrogance was even taught by Hyeolma himself. I doubted he felt differently regarding this. 'What’s important.' The critical factor wasn't that Hyeolma knew I was a dragon, but that he failed to truly recognize me. 'He only figured out that I am a dragon.' Aside from that, he hadn't discerned anything significant. "Yongje." "Heh heh..." Hyeolma responded to my call. "...It's a title I haven't heard in a long time. Not only did you survive, but you also seem to know who I am." “How could I not know?” I recalled what my mother had said when facing Hyeolma, mixing her words into my own. “The fallen ruler of a ruined world. Fewer wouldn't know of that." “...” Mentioning the destroyed world momentarily shattered Hyeolma's expression. "Interesting." Whoosh. Suddenly, the air shifted. An aura mixed with the metallic scent of blood. Was it malice or aggression? No, it was neither. It was something indescribable merely as an aura. 'Awe-inspiring.' Or was it sheer magnificence? It didn't take long for me to recognize what this was, having experienced it multiple times before. 'It's something that only beings of a different caliber possess.' Like when I faced my mother. And when I faced Mujeogang. Or. 'When I encountered that being.' The bizarre entity that claimed to be the master of Taechun. The sensation I felt then was akin to this. This meant, this sensation was. 'Something inherent to the rulers.' Not typical humans or ordinary creatures, but those who manage and serve as the pillars of a world. The primal difference they harbor, which I was now sensing from Hyeolma. "You don't bow your head when facing me, indicating you must have been born later... Do you have an aim... or perhaps." Something emerged from Hyeolma's shoulder line. It was a crimson aura, rising like a mirage, taking the form of droplets slowly ascending to the sky. "Didn't Taechun betray?" "..." His words caused me to frown. Taechun? 'Why is his name mentioned here?' The other-dimensional ruler who failed in his attempts against countless realms. I hadn't expected Hyeolma to mention his name. 'So there's a connection between them.' Lacking words to respond, I maintained silence for now. Then. "Interesting. Surely, he knows his leash is in my hands too... Heh heh heh." Hyeolma chuckled softly, appearing to have concluded something. "Calling me out must mean you have a purpose too, doesn't it?" "I suppose so." "However, time is not on our side, unfortunately... So..." Gradually, the aura he was exuding began to fade. Not only did it lose intensity, but even his presence felt diminished. Then— Thud. Hyeolma removed a ring from his finger and tossed it to me. "We shall meet again. I'm looking forward to it." As soon as I glanced at the ring— Thunk! Cheonjon lost consciousness and collapsed on the spot. "......" Though the aura of Hyeolma was no longer present, I didn't remove my mask, just to be safe. I picked up the fallen ring from the ground. I scrutinized it closely, wary of any potential surprises, but— 'Hmm.' It was just an ordinary ring. 'It's odd that he would give such a thing.' Giving me something apparently mundane, while leaving behind a note about meeting again, suggested it wasn't just a simple ring. 'Should I take it or not?' I pondered briefly. Though I contemplated— Swiftly, I put it away in my possession. I had met Hyeolma here in this world, and knowing he existed meant there was potential to gain something valuable from him. 'I don't know how long I'll be here, but.' I should acquire whatever I can. That thought in mind, I nodded once to myself. Then— "Hmm." I turned my gaze back to the fallen Cheonjon. Although Hyeolma's influence lingered on his body, the question remained— 'How should I deal with this?' I found myself conflicted. 'Could I replicate what Father did?' That day in Sichuan, when Father had undone Hyeolma's influence from Cheonjon. He used the Guyeom Taesan Ohhyung to erase Hyeolma's mark and free Cheonjon from his inner demons. So then. 'Might I be capable of the same?' Having reached the peak and ascended, mastering the Guyeom Taesan Ohhyung, perhaps I, too, could remove Cheonjon's inner demons. The thought tempted me to give it a try— '...Hmm.' —but I stopped my wavering hand. 'Let's not.' Uncertain of the method, and even if successful... 'It's uncertain how Hyeolma might react.' Knowing Hyeolma was aware of his influence over Cheonjon's body, reckless action was ill-advised. 'Apologies to Cheonjon.' But, as this wasn't my original world, it was best to minimize unnecessary interference. 'Though I've already caused quite a stir...' Still, it seemed wise to choose my actions carefully. '...At least I ensured Nam Goong Hyung's escape.' Thus, I decided to leave Cheonjon as he was. Securing the ring in my possession, I turned away. Having guaranteed his life wasn't in danger, he would awaken shortly. With that in mind, I vacated the scene. The following day, chaos erupted. * * * Too much had transpired in a single night. Just as I was briefly content with having blocked Baeksaek Mageommun— In that moment, unexpectedly, Nam Goong's second son attempted an escape. And miraculously succeeded. Even more astonishing was the fact that— "Despite Cheonjon's personal involvement, they couldn't catch the second son." "During the search, Cheonjon was found unconscious." Rumors spread like wildfire. '...It's not just rumors; it's the truth, even.' Despite Cheonjon's efforts to capture him, Nam Goong Hyung had escaped with ease. Moreover, during the search, Cheonjon was discovered collapsed. This alone was enough to upheave the entire Nam Goong family. 'Ah, goodness... He was unconscious longer than expected, wasn't he?' A brief span—I'd anticipated he'd awaken sooner. Yet contrary to my expectations, Cheonjon had remained unconscious well into the morning. 'Tsk.' Whether it was due to the overpowering aura I had released or the aftermath of Hyeolma's possession, I'm unsure. But thanks to it, the rumors had spread far and wide. The current head is desperately trying to contain the situation, but— 'What can be done?' I decided to ignore it. As long as my involvement went unnoticed, it was enough. enN1WnIzcFhHMVJuR0JvdkNPc013enRaZUQ1czlRS0g0N2xPOEN5anZPOWtBNmwvNnpWY2pFN0tKNmRTejNEVA The consequences of poor parental guidance would be a debt the current Nam Goong head should shoulder alone. Just as my own father had struggled lifelong with the burdens of my own missteps. ‘This is what happens when you reap a failed parental harvest.’ If he found it distasteful, he should have done better. Not that I had much right to talk, given my own checkered path of growth... But this had little to do with me now, so it was fine. Regardless. Departing from the pandemonium that beset Nam Goong, it was time for a crucial conversation. In the early hours of the noisy Nam Goong household, I ignored the clamor and spoke to the figure before me. "So, the thing is." Hearing my words, the youth, my father in his younger days, looked at me. Gazing into his fiery red eyes, I continued. "I was hoping to visit Shanxi. Could you take me there?" "...?" His expression soured at my sudden request.