1145 - Childhood Friend of the Zenith

On the night when the moon overlapped. When the clouds slightly covered the sky, making it appear a bit darker. "The clan of Goo-ka, you say." Pae Jon, having retreated to a somewhat secluded spot, unfolded his inner presence and questioned me. "......" I withheld my response momentarily. As I maintained my silence, Pae Jon's gaze fixed intently upon me. The meaning behind his stare was simple: he intended to wait until I spoke. How should I answer? No, that’s not right. The answer had already been determined. If not silence, I was left with only one possible answer. "......Yes." At this point, the Blood Sphere had already been activated, and Pae Jon had probably seen everything, leaving me with no option but to affirm. "Hmm." Pae Jon eyed me intently in response to my answer. "I thought there was a semblance, but to think you were that bastard's offspring." "......" That bastard. The term made me bite my lip. There wasn’t any fond feeling towards my grandfather, so it left a bitter aftertaste. Meanwhile, Pae Jon also bit his lip slightly, a strange resentment etched on his face. "He's got remarkable luck with children, I'm genuinely envious for the first time in a while." His words evoked my father and me while reflecting on my grandfather. "Tsk." After clicking his tongue briefly, he spoke to me again. "Are you a bastard?" "Roughly speaking, yes." "Figures. Knowing the temperament of the head of the Goo family, he wouldn’t have let things be if he knew." His tone was nonchalant, with hardly a change in expression despite knowing I belonged to the Goo clan. "Strange. That guy isn't the type to sow his seed indiscriminately." "......Your remark's a bit crude, isn't it?" "I could be more vulgar, but I'm holding back." "......" "No matter. Anyway, Guryun's bound to cause some nuisance for a while, so be on guard." After delivering this piece of advice, Pae Jon turned around. I looked at him, puzzled. "Are you leaving...?" "Why not? Should I be training instead?" "......No, that's not it." I was flustered by his abrupt departure, hence my query. "Is there nothing else you wish to ask?" "Hmm? What else would there be?" Pae Jon looked at me with an expression that suggested he found my question odd. "I confirmed you're part of the Goo clan, so what more should I ask? Would you like me to inquire why?" He genuinely seemed uninterested. "I could ask countless questions, but that would be endless. Besides, it doesn't seem like you really want to talk about it, does it?" "......That's true." "Then it’s settled. I'm not particularly curious anyway." Pae Jon gave me a sidelong glance. "If you were my disciple, you'd know such things aren't particularly important to me, right?" "......" "Tell me, disciple. What's the most important thing to me?" "......Martial arts." "Exactly, you know well." Pleased with my answer, a grin spread across Pae Jon’s face. "Then let me ask differently. Does your situation hinder my path in martial arts?" "That..." Honestly, I couldn’t be sure. It could either become a hindrance or not, so my answer was limited to one conclusion. "It doesn't." Pae Jon spoke with a nonchalant tone. "If it did, I wouldn't have taken you as my disciple in the first place. That’s how I would have handled it." "......" Being accepted as a disciple, knowing everything, meant he assessed it wasn't worth worrying over. Pae Jon was saying as much. "So just continue what you're doing. Understand that Guryun will be troublesome, and see it through." He wiped away his smile, maintaining his gaze on me. "You seem familiar with Guryun anyway, don’t you?" "......" Again, I couldn't answer. He was a perceptive man. Seeing my hesitation, Pae Jon turned his head once more. "I'm leaving. I’ll be back tomorrow, so be prepared." Thud-! Pae Jon swiftly launched himself away, leaving me there, with only a bemused expression and a brief click of my tongue. "......Tsk." Whether it's the Pae Jon of this world. Or the Pae Jon from my world. Both seem incredibly adept at leaving me speechless. Be it in a good way. Or not. * * * Crackle. Tap. The flickering flame of a small oil lamp danced delicately, threatening to be snuffed out by the slightest breeze. Behind the pitiful flame, an old man adorned with golden pupils, Wi Hyo Goon, quietly observed the young man in front of him. "Deputy Commander of the Azure Dragon unit." "Yes." At Wi Hyo Goon's call, the young man Goo Cheol Woon responded immediately. Simultaneously, Whoosh. The previously faint flame surged, suddenly illuminating the room brightly. The moderately growing flame didn’t unsettle Wi Hyo Goon. He looked at Goo Cheol Woon with slightly furrowed eyes, calm yet intense. "I heard there was an incident." "I apologize." Goo Cheol Woon bowed respectfully in response to Wi Hyo Goon's words. Wi Hyo Goon gestured with his hand, acknowledging the gesture. "It wasn’t your fault. It was more of a calamity, wasn’t it?" "......" It was about the upheaval caused by a white-grade magical beast in Anhui. "What was the condition of the white-grade magical beast?" Though they had discussed it during the day, Wi Hyo Goon asked once more. "It was strong." Goo Cheol Woon's answer differed little from earlier. A straightforward and simple reply. In response, Wi Hyo Goon chuckled softly. "......A simple answer." It didn’t matter. The detailed description was already in the report, and his inquiry had another purpose. "Indeed, it must have been strong. However, it's intriguing that someone could recklessly dispose of such a powerful entity." The person Wi Hyo Goon referred to prompted a noticeable change in Goo Cheol Woon's expression. "The Heavenly Demon... was it?" The person who referred to himself as the Heavenly Demon managed to handle the white-grade magical beast without issue and even... "To think they could take on the Heavenly Lord as well." A being who attacked one of the revered Three Lords, facilitating the escape of Nam Gung Hyeong, the second son. Thus, the Nam Gung family had requested an investigation concerning Nam Gung Hyeong, who disappeared with the Thunder Seed, leading to current involvement from the Beggars’ Sect. The Heavenly Lord had been taken down. Putting it in other words: A martial artist of the Three Lords’ caliber. Stating it as such did no injustice to the situation. "Where on earth did such a person emerge from... Strong not only in martial arts but in commanding demons, as well?" "I'm not entirely certain. From accounts and testimonies, it appears that way." Not only strong in martial prowess, but his ability to command demons was unusual. These demons matched even the size and strength of white-grade monstrosities. Black beasts with formidable builds comparable to white-grade demons, and even those resembling humans with wings. All were under the direct command of the Heavenly Demon. "A human commanding demons..." An unprecedented phenomenon in history. Demons typically regard even their kind as mere prey, let alone heed a human's command. It was inconceivable. Of course. “During our research on the red-grade demon, it was confirmed that it could control lower-tier demons and make them move—” This was verified when the red-grade demon commanded blue and green-grade demons during its attack. Given this, it hinted that demons might follow superior entities. “But he is human.” “……That’s correct.” The Heavenly Demon was human. Though his face remained veiled, no one could deny he was indeed human. A human commanding demons. This fact had not yet spread widely in Zhongyuan. Perhaps they couldn’t suppress the existence of the Heavenly Demon, but they actively suppressed this information to prevent chaos. “……It's a matter that requires urgent understanding.” Wi Hyo Goon narrowed his eyes. It wasn’t to be overlooked. Considering the influence such a formidable being could have on the orthodox faction, one had to focus intensely. And apart from the matter concerning the Heavenly Demon. “Deputy Commander, what of the tasks I assigned to you?” There were still matters to address. Hearing Wi Hyo Goon's question, Goo Cheol Woon’s eyes grew focused, recalling the task. Wi Hyo Goon had tasked Goo Cheol Woon with investigating Baek Yang Cheon and Do Yoon. It was also why two new recruits were included in the recent mission. So, how did things turn out? Had he gathered sufficient information? “…….” Goo Cheol Woon hesitated to answer. It had been long since he felt reluctant to speak of something. It was because, frankly— 'I have no idea.' He didn’t know. As for Do Yoon, he had some notion. Despite being preoccupied with various incidents, there were still glimpses into his character. But. ‘……He is.’ Baek Yang Cheon. Thinking of him elicited complex emotions in Goo Cheol Woon. ‘Bizarre.’ Yes, bizarre was precisely the word. A peculiar individual. Somewhere detached and composed yet incredibly intense. Someone who naturally drew attention, even unwanted. Indeed. Goo Cheol Woon found himself preoccupied with him. Whether it was power that could be concealed further or— ‘…….’ The fact that he was the only human to whom she willingly offered food prodded and nagged at him endlessly. ‘It’s ridiculous.’ It was just food. Just sharing a meal. Why did it affect him so much? Even Goo Cheol Woon couldn’t decipher the reason. The only conclusion he could draw from this was— “I don’t know yet.” He hadn’t fully understood Baek Yang Cheon. “……I see.” Wi Hyo Goon nodded at Goo Cheol Woon's answer. He did not rush or criticize. He merely reviewed the report Goo Cheol Woon presented before him. "And so... you wish to undertake a mission to Shanxi?" “Yes.” “Judging by the individuals you’re requesting, it seems related to current matters?” “That’s correct.” “…….” Wi Hyo Goon remained silent for a moment, examining the report, before setting it back on the desk. “I’ll notify the Commander of Azure Dragon separately about the task. For now, remain on standby.” “……Understood.” “You may withdraw.” “By your command.” Goo Cheol Woon bowed, adhering to formalities before retreating. At that moment— “Seems like the conversation has concluded?” Before Goo Cheol Woon could open the door, Pae Jon entered as if he had been waiting. “……Elder, I distinctly recall—” “Haha.” Wi Hyo Goon frowned at the sudden intrusion of Pae Jon. Goo Cheol Woon, undisturbed by their presence, exited the room. Thud. The door to the leader’s office closed behind him, and the darkened hallway stretched out before his eyes. Creak. As Goo Cheol Woon walked down the corridor, his thoughts were engrossed. ‘Baek Yang Cheon.’ The suddenly emerged enigma. Since his appearance, something felt like it had started to crack. ‘Not good.’ It was not a favorable sensation. Heading to Shanxi in this state could become problematic. If he were to head to Shanxi, surely— ‘Father will take interest.’ His father. The current head of the Goo family would likely show interest in Baek Yang Cheon, much like how Goo Ryun, the head of the Goo Sect, had. That prospect troubled Goo Cheol Woon. Severely so.