821 - Childhood Friend of the Zenith

Translated and Implemented Instructions --- Friend of the World's Greatest Martial Artist - Chapter 821 (821/880) At the old man's words, the One Azure Sword (Ilcheonggeom / 일청검) asked again. "Are you the Gyecheonmun Master (계천문주)?" "Exactly." "Huh?" Could that old man really be the Gyecheonmun Master? It was impossible for the One Azure Sword to hide his astonishment. Only a day had passed since the search began. He was prepared to wait up to half a month, but the master had suddenly appeared today? 'Is it really the Gyecheonmun Master?' Doubt flickered for a moment. The words alone seemed insufficient for trust. Moreover… 'Was he always this strong?' The known level of the Gyecheonmun Master was not particularly high. Even the deputy leader of the Azure Dragon Squad (Cheongryongdae / 청룡대) should have been able to handle him. 'But this man…' The old man seemed to be at least in the Fusion Realm (화경). His level was much higher than the intelligence reports suggested. As the One Azure Sword scrutinized the Gyecheonmun Master with suspicious eyes, the old man spoke. "I heard you've been seeking me, so I thought it'd be polite to show myself first. I hope my presence is to your satisfaction." A laugh escaped the One Azure Sword at the old man's words. "Well…" His gaze became chillingly calm. "Looks like the Alliance (맹) thought rather little of us." At the Gyecheonmun Master's words, the One Azure Sword's expression twisted. "You appear despite knowing the Martial Alliance (무림맹) is after you? Do this even while knowing who I am?" Whooom—!! From his shoulders, the fighting Qi (투기) of the One Azure Sword began to ripple. "If this is a joke, it's not a very funny one." "A joke? As I said, I'm merely observing proper decorum." "Is that so?" Crunch-!! Sword energy enveloped the blade. The aura began to create a wave of force, gathering wind slowly. "Then, I shall also observe the appropriate decorum." Assuming a combat stance, though the Azure Dragon Squad was spread out, they would converge quickly once the battle started. There was also the possibility that disciples from Gyecheonmun could be lying in wait nearby. 'If possible, we subdue. If not, eliminate.' The order was to ascertain any connection to the Demonic Cult (마교) and eradicate them if confirmed. Yet in this situation, a different approach might be justified. The enemy approaching directly was a kind of declaration of war. Slam-! With a burst of strength from his soles, the ground sunk as the One Azure Sword lunged at the Gyecheonmun Master. So swift. By the time the One Azure Sword reached his target, the sound only followed. Thud-! The sword lightly swayed. Like stars scattering, flickers of light surged. Just as the light neared the Gyecheonmun Master’s neck... "I know the purpose of the Star King (성왕)." Halt-! Baaarrr—!!! At the Gyecheonmun Master’s exclamation, the One Azure Sword halted mid-motion. The sword halted, releasing a strong pressure. The blade stopped just short of contact. The One Azure Sword glared at the Gyecheonmun Master with chilling eyes. "...What did you just say?" Though the voice brimmed with lethal intent, he did not continue his actions. Seeing this, the Gyecheonmun Master elaborated. "You asked what I said-." "And I also know the Star King's condition isn't good." "...!" "I believe the Grand Leader (대주) is also aware of this. Am I right?" At the spill of information, the One Azure Sword's eyes wavered. How did he know? Seeing the reaction, the Gyecheonmun Master curled up his old lips in a grin. "Our eyes and ears are not confined to Sichuan (사천)." "…" "If you are surprised, I apologize. But the purpose of the Azure Dragon Leader (청룡대주) did not seem solely adversarial, hence I have come to meet." Saying this, the Gyecheonmun Master moved his hand. His slender fingers reached the blade of the One Azure Sword. "If it's as I've witnessed... I will play along with whatever the Grand Leader (대주) desires... but if not." With that, he pressed against the blade, which moved without any resistance. "How about we have a quiet discussion? I am certain it won't be news unfavorable to the Grand Leader." "…" The One Azure Sword's steady breath betrayed slight tremors. Words he knew he shouldn’t listen to. An unorthodox sect (사파). Moreover, a conversation with the Gyecheonmun Master, suspected of ties to the Demonic Cult. It was unthinkable as an orthodox faction (정파) member and, especially, as the Grand Leader of the Alliance. He should have immediately shut his ears and swung his sword. He should have roared his outrage at the audacity to con the Grand Leader of the Alliance. That was the virtue he must uphold as the Grand Leader, and yet… Clang. Before realizing it, the drawn sword was already restored to its sheath. "...If you spout nonsense, I'll cut you down." He said, clenching his teeth. "I am grateful for your indulgence." The Gyecheonmun Master smiled at the One Azure Sword. And then… "…" The master of the night watched the scene unfold from the shadows. ****************** "Is that so?" He said in response to the words of the Shadow King (Amwang / 암왕). "Yes." "Hmm…" The Gyecheonmun Master and the One Azure Sword had made contact. He clicked his tongue softly to himself at this news. It was expected, yet… "Faster than anticipated." Even if everything went as foreseen, it wasn’t something to just be thrilled about. 'I thought he would hesitate at least once.' Even someone like the Grand Leader of the Alliance, who had steeped himself in the orthodox path for years. Despite knowing the future, he thought he would refuse at least once. But… 'Without hesitation, he joined hands?' At a mere word from the Gyecheonmun Master, the One Azure Sword decided without thinking. Ah, though it hadn’t been confirmed whether he had crossed yet. 'To me, it’s already over.' Once you reach that point, it's all finished. Thinking that far, he found himself slightly amused. 'Was I perhaps expecting something?' Even after telling himself everything was lost, that he should set reasonable expectations, it seemed a glimmer of hope crawled within him. Disappointment occurs only when there is expectation. "Still, I feel somewhat relieved." This time, his smile was genuine, not a smirk. Since he was going to kill anyway, it’s better not to feel any discomfort. In that sense, this was a good outcome. The One Azure Sword had abandoned whatever conviction he might have had, and so it was settled. That sufficed. "Now then, let's see…." He walked ahead, slightly bending down, hearing the splash. It was the sound of stepping on a puddle. The dimness obscured any detailed view of his surroundings. He immediately raised his hand to ignite a flame. Fwoosh—! --- **Newly Encountered Names, Titles, or Proper Nouns:** - One Azure Sword (Ilcheonggeom / 일청검) - Gyecheonmun Master (계천문주) - Azure Dragon Squad (Cheongryongdae / 청룡대) - Sichuan (사천) Translated and Implemented Instructions --- A small flame, yet it illuminated the space instantly. Soon, the entire area came into view. What I had been standing on wasn't a puddle of water. It was all blood. The faint smell of iron reached my senses. My gaze swept over the bloody floor. "Ugh... urgh..." A man let out a faint whimper, seemingly paralyzed by fear. On either side of him lay corpses that appeared lifeless, their throats torn open. I was the one who killed them. This place was where those suspected of colluding with 'the Demonic Cult (마교)' were rumored to meet with the Gyecheonmun. "So then." I reached out and gently caressed the man's cheek. Blood from my hand smeared onto his skin. The trickling blood droplets were likely felt by the man as well. "P-please... please... please..." The man's lower body trembled uncontrollably, and his trousers gradually dampened. It seemed he’d wet himself. Ignoring this, I asked. "Who are you people?" I'd hope he'd answer this time. If he didn't want to end up like those I'd killed before. ***************** Inside a room at the core of the Martial Alliance (무림맹) in Hanam (하남). Scratch. Scratch. A time when most were peacefully asleep. In that room, a single lamp flickered weakly as an old man moved his brush. The speed of his brushwork was so swift that he seemed to have scarcely begun before an entire letter was completed. Indeed, he didn’t seem to tire, not pausing even for a moment. The old man merely focused on the letters, moving proficiently. Despite the swift and intricate work, the letters on the desk didn’t seem to diminish. This indicated the sheer volume. At a glance, it seemed a daunting amount of work that could exhaust anyone, but the old man appeared undeterred as he continued his task silently. If there was any regret, perhaps it was the noticeable drop in speed compared to when he was young? Twenty years, even ten years ago, he would have finished this work with time to spare. His aged body was a stark reminder of time passed. And so, he continued for quite a while. "...Hum." Eventually, the old man lowered his brush temporarily. Then, feeling fatigued, he rubbed his eyes with his thumb and index finger. "I've aged." He muttered with a bitter smile. It was clear that things had changed significantly from back then. At this age, aging was inevitable. But the most troubling part was not just the aging of flesh. 'Even my heart.' Even his heart seemed to have aged along with him. Time could even erode the beliefs and convictions one held. Knowing this, the old man often pondered. '...I wonder.' Did he still possess the convictions he once steadfastly held? How much of what he dreamt of in his youth remained within this aged body? He was curious. So dangerously curious, though paradoxically, he didn’t want to know. Why was that? Perhaps. 'Is it because I already know the answer?' Was he afraid of acknowledging the answer he knew all along? Somehow, it seemed that way, so the old man, Mok Yeon (묵연), let out a bitter laugh as he grasped his brush. '...Too many thoughts.' Lately, he'd been immersed in thoughts he hadn’t considered. Unless engaged in work, this was what happened. He already knew the reason. 'It's probably because of that child.' Wasn't her name Pi Yeon-yeon (피연연)? The girl who appeared claiming to be part of the bloodline of the Sword Queen (을령검후). Since the moment she was brought by the child from Shanxi (산서) and mentioned, Mok Yeon’s mind had been in turmoil. It felt as if he was encountering remnants of a past he’d tried to forget. Despite the excuses he told himself over the years, once she appeared, those excuses no longer held. Was it truly unavoidable? Unable to find the answer, he left the Alliance. But then. 'Upon returning, there she is.' As if reminding him not to forget the task left unfinished, she appeared before Mok Yeon. As if urging him not to flee this time. To uncover the answers he hadn’t presented. It seemed that way. "...Haha." With such thoughts, Mok Yeon chuckled. If this were a problem, then it was an incredibly difficult one. In that case. 'Who is the creator of this insidious problem...?' Who was the creator of the problem that had complicated Mok Yeon's mind? Then, a face surfaced in his thoughts. Not merely content with bringing the child and making her presence known, but continuously reminding him of past events. The Star King (성왕). As he thought of him, Mok Yeon swept across his wrinkled lips. If there was a creator, it could only be that young man. 'Perhaps... did he know everything?' If so, what did he know to act this way? It was beyond comprehension. Beyond Pi Yeon-yeon, the Star King also posed an unsolvable problem for Mok Yeon. At least. For now, that is. "...Hoo." Caught in thought, Mok Yeon began to move his brush again. He had rested enough. It was time to focus on the tasks at hand. Therefore, he intended to resume work immediately. "…" Suddenly, Mok Yeon's moving brush halted. He turned his gaze to the lit lamp. At that instant. Flick. The flame suddenly vanished, plunging the room into darkness. Clearly an unnatural incident. It could be seen as disconcerting, yet Mok Yeon remained composed. It seemed he knew why this was happening. Proving this, Mok Yeon quietly muttered. "...If I'd known you were coming, I would have prepared some tea…. I'm sorry I couldn’t." Though his tone was amiable as if greeting an old acquaintance, his eyes lacked warmth. The room should have been empty. However, once Mok Yeon spoke, someone stood before him. Though the darkness obscured everything, a single thing remained visible — eyes that burned like embers. Staring with emotions akin to wrath, the crimson eyes glared at Mok Yeon. The bone-dry air instinctively made him swallow, yet Mok Yeon suppressed the urge. And after a moment. "I have many questions for you, who broke the pact." The owner of the red eyes spoke in a weighty voice. "Guh." Simultaneously, a large hand grasped Mok Yeon’s throat. His thin, frail body was lifted by the thick hand. "I’ll ask just one thing." "Guh-." "Mok Yeon." --- **Newly Encountered Names, Titles, or Proper Nouns:** - Pi Yeon-yeon (피연연) - Mok Yeon (묵연) Translated and Implemented Instructions --- Gu Cheolwoon (구철운) asked Mok Yeon (묵연). "Where is my son?" His voice carried a threat that sounded as though he might tear him apart at any moment. --- **Newly Encountered Names, Titles, or Proper Nouns:** - None