1140 - Childhood Friend of the Zenith

Half-gray hair that seemed to rise wildly. A physique that easily exceeded eight cheok, a body filled with muscles. He was a formidable middle-aged figure with a ferocious impression unique to the Gu family, covered in a dense beard. To be more precise, he was a man who seemed to sit somewhere between late middle age and early old age. One notable aspect was his eyes, which, with their intense red hue, signified his origins and affiliations. He looked at me with a somewhat flustered expression. And so did I. ‘…Why is this old man here?’ The man was none other than Gu Ryun. The first elder of the Gu family, a figure who was almost like a grandfather to me. ‘…Wow. He’s young.’ It was strange for anyone to see him here, and at the same time, he appeared quite young. Naturally, as this was a past form. ‘Is he really this young?’ Gu Ryun looked noticeably younger compared to the first elder I knew. The difference was enough to make one wonder if it was a mistake. ‘It’s definitely the first elder.’ There was no way I wouldn’t recognize the first elder. This person was undoubtedly him. It wasn't only the heat emanating from his body but also the unique demeanor that was unmistakable. However. ‘...His level of mastery is different?’ The level of mastery emanating from Gu Ryun now was starkly different than in the present life. The first elder I knew was at the flower stage of mastery. Approximately at the beginning to mid-stage. A level positioned somewhere in between a typical martial artist of the flower stage. It was sufficient to serve as an elder of a major family. In terms of skill level, it wouldn't be surprising if he was ranked among the top one hundred experts. But the current Gu Ryun was different. ‘Strong.’ Much stronger. Flower stage beginning? Mid-stage? That’s laughable. This was a mastery fully matured to the flower stage, at its very end. Just a little further, and he might reach the transcendent level. ‘…How can this be?’ If Gu Ryun is like this now, what happened to the first elder I knew? ‘Could it be?’ Was that why? The first elder often remarked that he was much stronger in his youth. I thought it was just a nostalgic grumble. ‘He really had gotten weaker?’ Compared to his current state, it seemed like the difference between heaven and earth. In comparison to his prime capabilities, what remained seemed barely a fraction. ‘It makes sense to feel dejected about it.’ To be fair, it was remarkable how the first elder kept smiling. At that moment. “Greetings to the great hero Yeoma Kwon…!” So Yi, along with Do Yoon and Namgoong Jin, hurriedly paid their respects. “Hahaha. Yes, yes, nice to meet you all.” In response to the greeting, Gu Ryun smiled broadly and waved his hand. “Our little Miss of Hwasan is becoming more beautiful by the day. Has that wretched old man troubled you, Head Master?” When he addressed So Yi as if he knew her, she reacted with surprise. “No, not at all… Master has been nothing but kind.” Judging by how she referred to him as her master, it was likely the Plum Fairy. At So Yi’s words defending her master, Gu Ryun clicked his tongue briefly. “Tsk, tsk. He ought to be. Weren’t you the disciple he finally got late in life? Your influence must be great for that mad old dog to act sensibly.” A mad old dog. The Plum Fairy I knew didn’t fit such a description at all. So Yi seemed to realize this too, wearing an awkward smile as she replied. “Hahaha… Not at all. Master is always a kind person.” “…Kind?” At So Yi’s words, Gu Ryun's expression twisted sharply. “That’s what old age does to us. If you knew what your master was like when he was young, you’d faint on the spot. Urgh…” As if he didn’t even want to imagine it, Gu Ryun shook his head repeatedly. Then he turned to Namgoong Jin next and grinned widely. “Our young boy from the Namgoong family, it's been a while. How have you been?” “…I greet the great hero.” He responded with a slightly reluctant attitude. Watching Namgoong Jin, Gu Ryun smiled menacingly. “Still as cheeky as ever, I see. It’s possible, I suppose.” Though not further reprimanding him, his face clearly betrayed a look of ‘Those Namgoong people are all the same.’ Then he turned to Do Yoon and asked. “And who are you? A face I’ve never seen before.” “…I am Do Yoon of the Sanseo Do family. I greet the great hero.” “Hmm?” At the mention of the Sanseo Do family, Gu Ryun’s expression shifted momentarily. He seemed to sense something. “Is that so? I see. Do well.” “Thank you, truly.” Right after Do Yoon’s answer and a nod from Gu Ryun. “Now then.” Click. The broad hand gripping my shoulder tightened. “Who are you?” “….” “A curious thing. For a moment, I thought you were Cheolwoon, but it seems you're someone else.” “…Great hero.” As Gu Ryun spoke, So Yi interjected subtly. “…No matter how you look at it, you don’t quite resemble Vice Leader... that seemed an unreasonable thing to say…” What? I felt like I heard something rather insulting. It wasn't just that I looked different, was it? “Indeed. Not alike at all. The eyes maybe, just a bit. But Cheolwoon is far more...” “Yes… It seems so…” “…Ah, what nonsense is this. What are you two doing with me standing right here?” Annoyed by being mocked, I brushed off Gu Ryun’s arm that was gripping my shoulder. “Oh?” Seeing that I had pushed away his hand, Gu Ryun wore a curious expression. Looking at this younger version of the first elder, I spoke. “I am Baek Yangcheon of the Baek family. I greet the great hero Yeoma Kwon.” “Baek Yangcheon?” At the mention of my name, Gu Ryun’s eyes widened. Then he laughed with his mouth stretched as if it would tear. “Haha! I see. It's you, the one who caught the eye of that insane man.” “…Pardon?” “What a shame… How did you end up catching the eye of such an insane fellow…” “…What.” “Hearing that a disciple was suddenly being sought, I decided to come and see. Ah, it’s clear now.” “….” Hearing up to this point, I understood. I figured out whom Gu Ryun was referring to as the insane one. Moreover, it’s said that a tiger appears when you talk about it. “Gu Ryun.” An elderly man dressed in a dark robe appeared from behind. He was slightly shorter than Gu Ryun but didn't seem inferior standing beside him. “Greetings, Paejon.” “…I greet Paejon…” The sky of the central orthodox sects. One of the Three Lords, Paejon Biju. “What are you doing here?” Biju grimaced at Gu Ryun. Seeing this, Gu Ryun responded with a hint of interest as he looked at Biju. “What do you think I’m doing? I heard you found a disciple, so I came to take a look.” “……” With those words, Biju's gaze shifted to me. “...Disciple, huh.” The look in his eyes was peculiar, as if he were pondering something or perhaps already at ease with his conclusion. After a brief moment of silence. “Indeed, a disciple.” Biju remarked, and with those words, a ripple spread through the surroundings. It was because Biju had officially acknowledged me as his disciple. “Isn’t that so?” “……” When he turned the question on me, I said nothing. Internally, I just hurled all sorts of curses at him. ‘That damn man.’ Look at his eyes. He's clearly up to something mischievous with me already. Anyway. ‘I thought things were going to settle down after I fled to Anhui.’ But instead, he appeared to have been biding his time. Biju’s gaze was particularly sharp. “Well, I heard you caused quite the ruckus in Anhui.” “...I didn’t do much of anything.” “Is that so? It doesn’t seem that way to me.” “……” He seemed to know something. Or rather, he seemed to suspect something. “Well, that's enough. It’s perfect timing. I was on my way to see you.” “To see me?” He was coming to see me? A foreboding sensation raced up to the top of my head. “Ah, then let’s meet later. I just completed an important mission, and I’m in the middle of reporting to the Lord… Let’s schedule for another time…” “It’s fine. I already have permission from that man.” “…What?” “He said it was okay to take you away.” “No way, what kind of bull—!” Click— “Ugh!?” Biju stretched his hand and grasped my nape without hesitation. “Now, shall we go have an intimate talk? Just between master and disciple.” “Wait, hold on…” I didn’t even have time to protest. By the time I realized what was happening— Whoosh--!!! The scenery had already changed. “Oh, damn it… life.” I muttered to myself in resignation, as always. Nothing ever seemed to go my way. * * * And just like that, Biju suddenly appeared and took Baek Yangcheon away. “….” “….” The group fell silent after the unexpected incident. “Hahahahaha!!!” Unable to contain it any longer, Gu Ryun burst into laughter. “Haha… oh, that crazy guy.” It was a close friend he hadn’t seen in years. Recently, he had claimed to have reached some kind of enlightenment, staying cooped up in the mountains and not coming out. Then suddenly he appeared at the Murim Alliance. And he sent word that he had taken a disciple. Curiosity had piqued, leading Gu Ryun to come all this way just to witness the unexpected situation. “A strange guy found himself a strange disciple.” It seemed fitting to say one oddball had latched onto another. Yet if there was anything peculiar, it was that, ‘He’s an interesting kid.’ An insolent glare. His face, full of worldly discontent, somehow inspired an impulse to smack him. But here was the problem. ‘Just that much.’ Under normal circumstances, he would have forced him to correct his manners. But even as he looked at those eyes, the thought of a simple smack was all there was. Strangely, he didn’t find him detestable. What was this feeling? Moreover. ‘Why did I get confused?’ For a brief moment, why did he mistake him for Gu Cheolwoon? That Gu Ryun couldn’t comprehend. They looked completely different. Exaggeratingly so, Gu Cheolwoon’s looks were far superior, even if just basing it on appearance. Yet, in that instant, the brat had seemed like Gu Cheolwoon. Even the aura and the presence felt different. Something led Gu Ryun to make that mistake. “Hmmm…” It was especially the eyes. The gaze that Baek Yangcheon had. It was a look that must have been gained through life experiences. Yet… it had a certain… ‘Is there another family with an insufferable look like ours?’ A place where it was inherent. It was very similar to the eyes of the Gu family. Actually, it was almost uniquely Gu-like, even among the Gu family members. While indulging in such unreasonable thoughts and scratching his head. Creak—!!! The door to the leader’s chamber opened, and someone emerged. It was the person Gu Ryun had been waiting for. “…First Sword Lord?” Gu Cheolwoon emerged, and as soon as he saw Gu Ryun, his eyes widened. Yes, that face. Gu Ryun nodded in understanding, then asked Gu Cheolwoon with a hint of curiosity. “How come…?” “Cheolwoon.” “Yes.” “Do you by any chance…” He tried to ask as cautiously as possible. “Have any half-siblings or such?” “…?” Gu Cheolwoon’s eyes wobbled at the words. It was an utterly ridiculous notion.