1219 - Childhood Friend of the Zenith

"It's a son." The words of Eulryeong Sword Queen strangely bother me. "Did she have a child other than Bongsun?" It was an unknown fact. There was no way for me to know that she had a son. After all, it had never been revealed that Bongsun was Eulryeong Sword Queen's daughter. "...A son." But she did have a son, and he's already dead? "When she said he's my age." Roughly twenty. That's useful information, I suppose. I noted it in my mind. As I pondered, her voice continued. "I rambled unnecessarily without realizing it. You don't have to pay it any mind." "...No, it's alright." "What is your name?" "Gu... No, it's Baek Yangcheon." I corrected myself, swapping back the unfamiliar surname. "Baek Yangcheon, is it? Alright. Nice to meet you." "...Yes." With those words, The Sword Queen withdrew her gaze, and I decided to stop observing her as well. "I'm unable to conceal my energy." My sensitivity makes it too obvious when I gaze at her, making it potentially dangerous. "This is a warning." A warning to stop looking. Sword Queen used a gentle approach, but it was clearly a warning. "Hmm." There are countless mysteries. "What kind of world has the times become?" Is the Iron-Blooded General of the previous era still alive? Before Eulryeong Sword Queen instigated the Samadae War, or perhaps... "Could it be a world where that never happened?" I can't be sure, given my lack of historical insight. "Oh great. Did I have any clue?" Could I have known I'd travel to a past world? If I had known, I'd have studied more deeply. "I've only read about poisons from the Tang clan day and night." I should've studied history more. As regret floods in... "Put your mind to work." Putting aside matters of The Sword Queen, I need to focus on what lies ahead. One crucial thing is of utmost importance: "Regaining my power." I must first reclaim my lost strength and energy. That should be my top priority moving forward. * * * With Eulryeong Sword Queen joining us, it didn't change much. After all, we only had one day's journey left. Even with The Sword Queen's presence, nothing significant occurred other than some discussions with Paejon. Thus, we arrived in Hanam at the expected time. More specifically, at the Murim Alliance headquarters. "Deputy Leader of the Blue Dragon Brigade. We've confirmed your identity." After verifying my father's identity, there was no further scrutiny. It demonstrated the prestige associated with the name of the Blue Dragon Brigade. "...Finally back." "Wow..." As we watched Murim Alliance in awe, a voice of admiration came from beside me. "Is this the Murim Alliance?" "Is this your first visit?" "I never had a reason to come." "...I see." Gu Seon was curiously looking around the Murim Alliance as if amazed. Her age... never been to Hanam even once? "Did Guseongyeol intentionally not send her out?" It seemed intentional, but I couldn't be certain. "Alright then, the remaining individuals will report after returning. I will meet with the leader." My father headed to the leader's room, while the rest of us aimed to head directly to the Blue Dragon Brigade. Incidentally, Paejon, Immortal Healer, and Sword Queen also accompanied my father to the leader's room. With that, I headed back to the Blue Dragon Brigade. Upon arrival, a familiar face greeted me. "Oh, you're back." It was the leader of the Blue Dragon Brigade. "We've returned." "Ah, you've worked hard." The Blue Dragon Brigade leader smiled warmly at me, signaling with a subtle flick of his fingers. "The remaining crew can take a rest. You, come along." "Yes." Following his summons, I entered the leader's quarters. The room was far messier than last time. "Have you been very busy?" I asked while taking in the disarray, causing the Blue Dragon Brigade leader to show an embarrassed expression. "Tasks have piled up a bit. Don't worry, just take a seat wherever." "Not worry...?" How could I ignore this mess? I stood on a spot that was barely clean amidst what seemed like a pigsty. Once I managed to stand, the Blue Dragon Brigade leader asked me: "So, how did it go?" He inquired about my time in Shanxi. I scratched my cheek at his question. "There were various events." "Various, huh? Sounds like quite a few." "Yes, well..." Indeed, I had met the main of another world, dealt with the rogue sect fiends, and seen the absurdity of the Peng Family. It had been a series of bizarre experiences. "Would it be correct to assume there was unrest as expected?" "If you mean regarding the front lines... Yes, that's correct." "What happened?" The Blue Dragon Brigade leader looked at me with a peculiar seriousness. At his words, I retrieved a letter from my pocket and handed it to him. "I've summarized everything." "Oh? Impressive." The Blue Dragon Brigade leader accepted the letter with admiration and began reading it. "...Hmm?" He soon narrowed his eyes. "It seems there's a presence of the rogue sects..." "Yes." I'd identified movements of the rogue sects at the front lines. Among them... "The Evil Sect appeared?" "There was friction with the Peng Family confirmed." "Hmm..." "Afterwards, several fatalities occurred in ensuing battles... Furthermore," "The Heavenly Demon appeared..." The term 'Heavenly Demon' made me purse my lips. "That monster appeared here..." "...Yes." "And even clashed with Paejon?" "Yes." "Sigh." A confrontation with one of the Three Greats—Paejon, considered the pinnacle of martial expertise—had occurred. Hearing this, the Blue Dragon Brigade leader clicked his tongue briefly. "This doesn't seem trivial. The Evil Sect is one thing, but why did the rogue sects appear on the front lines?" "I couldn't determine that." "I see, understandable. Hmm." The Blue Dragon Brigade leader fell silent momentarily in thought. He soon broke the silence. "Alright, you've worked hard. For now, take some rest." "...Understood." After a bow, I exited the room. Only then did I release a short sigh. "Ah..." Tiring. Luckily, my prepared information had proven useful. Truth be told, I hadn't exaggerated any facts. "This part is handled..." Regarding the information, I have to wait and see how things unfold once the Blue Dragon Brigade leader meets with Sword Supreme. "A son..." The statement about Eulryeong Sword Queen having a son gnawed at me. Yet, there were more pressing matters. As I exited the room, I noticed the absence of any presence. Gu Seon was taken by Soi, and Namgung Jin and Hyun So-Yeon were nowhere to be seen. Now was the time... "I should go see them now." There was no time to delay. * * * In a location not far from the Blue Dragon Brigade, there was an area within the Murim Alliance dedicated to hosting guests, situated at the center of all the brigades. Perhaps the idea was to establish accommodations in the safest spot. As I headed there, I was stopped by a person standing guard. "Halt. State your identity." "I'm Baek Yangcheon, a warrior from the Blue Dragon Brigade." "Blue Dragon Brigade?" At my words, the warrior gave me a look from head to toe. His scrutinizing gaze was irritating. "The Blue Dragon Brigade, really?" "Yes. Can't you see?" I indicated the uniform I was wearing, having changed into the attire of the Blue Dragon Brigade upon arrival. "Hmm..." His gaze was skeptical. What's his problem? "It seems I'll have to verify your identity..." Just as he seemed ready to insist further: "Let him through." Another figure appeared and spoke to the warrior, who widened his eyes upon recognizing the newcomer. "Ah, Senior...!" "He's a familiar face. His identity is confirmed, let him in." I glanced at the person claiming to recognize me. He was a familiar face to me as well. '...Tang Cheongi.' The future Poison King, though currently known as Poison Dragon, Tang Cheongi. He confirmed my identity. Those slightly greenish eyes flashed his recognition as he looked at me with an oddly sharp gaze. "His identity’s verified. What’s your purpose here?" "I have someone to meet inside." "Who?" "The deputy head of the White Flower Association." "Check it out." "Yes!" The warrior hurried inside to verify my words. This left only Tang Cheongi and me in a somewhat awkward silence. "...You said it was Baek Yangcheon?" "Yes? Ah, yes." Tang Cheongi initiated a conversation. "Sigh..." Then he sighed. What was that for? "...What did you do to my sister?" "...Pardon?" At his sudden mention of a sister, I frowned. Sister? If he meant his sister then... 'Isn’t that that person from before?' The lady from the Tang clan known as Dokbong. I couldn’t quite recall her name, only that she greatly resembled Tang Soyeol. But why was he bringing her up now? As I pondered, Tang Cheongi's face twisted as if he was about to say something. "After meeting you, my sister..." Tang Cheongi began to speak with a frown, but then: "Senior, it's confirmed. He's the right guest." "..." "..." His words were interrupted by the arrival of his subordinate. Tang Cheongi clicked his tongue in frustration. "Go on in." "Ah... Yes." What was he about to say? I tried to ignore it and stepped inside. Inside, after a short while, "This is it." Guided, I arrived at my destination. It seemed Mi Hyo Ran was in here. I headed in. But... 'What?' Something felt off. I expected the place to be quiet, yet I found it filled with people. Curious, I moved further inside. "No, I don’t want this." "Listen." "...I don’t want to hear... I'd rather..." I overheard a conversation. Who could it be? As I slowly approached, Sliiing. "..." A sharp sensation brushed against my neck. A sword pressed against my throat. "Who--" Before the person could finish, Thud-! "Gah!?" I elbowed the individual who had appeared behind me, striking them in the solar plexus. "Urgh..." The warrior collapsed. "Oh." I looked at them in surprise. "...I didn’t mean to." I had instinctively acted first. Oh boy...