1225 - Childhood Friend of the Zenith

The Dragon Sword Championship. The name itself is rustic and conspicuously awkward. Naturally, because it's been around since the founding of the Martial Alliance. From the name alone, it might seem like the Dragon Sword Championship is just another martial arts contest hosted by the alliance, but it's different from the Dragon and Phoenix Meeting or the Martial Tournament. It's an event where only the sword team members affiliated with the alliance can participate. Amongst all, the Sword Team. It could be seen as an unofficial competition where sword teams measure their strengths against one another. Thus, even when the event is held, unlike other tournaments, it doesn’t recruit spectators and is only viewable by members of the alliance. Moreover, it doesn’t occur at fixed intervals. I remember it happening out of the blue once when I was active as a member of the alliance in my past life. At that time, the winner was... '...Wi Seol-ah.' It was she. She alone defeated the entire Meteor generation, known for their unparalleled talents, claiming victory by herself. Of course. 'The head and vice-head didn't participate back then either.' Those who had reached a certain rank were not allowed to participate, making her victory possible. And, it would likely be the same this time around. 'Was it around this time?' It seemed possible, given the era. '...To me, it seems.' The guests who visited the alliance. They're likely the reason. 'Cheolhyun Buseon and the Sword Queen.' I suspected their presence in the alliance might have triggered it. Though, to be honest, it was more than a suspicion; it seemed factual. 'Hmm.' So, you're planning to utilize all sword team members to hold this competition? "Tsk." I clicked my tongue softly, put the message I was holding back into my robe, and stepped outside. Each division could only send five participants. The leader of the Azure Dragon Division intended to slip me into that lineup. 'Will that work?' I wondered what I could achieve with my power now so limited. 'Still.' I secured conditions in exchange, so it's not entirely bad. I asked him to set a condition for me to fulfill. 'I can go to Sichuan.' I wanted to visit Sichuan, so I asked him to provide a justification for it. The leader of the Azure Dragon Division made a subtle expression at that request but... 'Indeed.' Before long, he granted permission. On the condition that... 'I, too, have a condition.' He also set a condition. 'Ensure victory.' "......" His goal was for the Azure Dragon Division to win the competition. Normally, I wouldn't have worried much. 'Even if I lack strength.' My father is in the Azure Dragon Division. Being hailed as the 'Divine Dragon' and currently considered one of the strongest, he's here, so he might have assumed victory was within reach, even if I didn't participate. '...But the problem is.' If there's a concern, it's... 'The Divine Sword Division.' A direct sword team under the alliance leader, known as the elite among the elite. The fact that the Divine Sword Division was participating in the competition was surely the issue. "Hmm." The Divine Sword Division. Frankly, I don't know much about them. They were disbanded during my time, after all. 'Even if they've revived now.' Since I didn't know them well, I hadn't given them much thought. 'But I am curious, indeed.' These elite warriors who shared the history of the Martial Alliance. Especially, the fact that information about their leader's identity was obscured and shielded piqued my curiosity. As I mulled over this, I glanced around. I could subtly feel eyes watching me. Many were observing me keenly. Warriors affiliated with the Azure Dragon Division. They looked at me disapprovingly. 'What are they staring at?' Why are they glaring with such disdain in their eyes? Just as I was wondering... 'Ah.' I understood. That must be it. 'Because I defeated Namgung Jin.' News about me having broken his arm must have spread widely. Even if I was in the same division, leaving him unable to use his arm surely warranted those gazes. "What are you looking at me for?" Of course, I merely understood. I growled, causing them to avert their eyes immediately. So, my lack of energy? Who cares. 'Just pretend to ignore it.' I decided to pretend I was oblivious. With that thought, I moved on. I headed toward a secluded area. Having just returned from a mission not long ago, there wouldn't be new assignments for a while. So, as I ventured into the mountains behind the alliance, I stopped once I found a somewhat level spot and spoke quietly. "Why don't you show yourself?" There was no response to my words. Sensing this, I turned around. "Will you not come out? I've come all the way here." After repeating twice, finally, there was a reaction. Someone emerged from behind. "My, my." Appearing with an abashed smile was Cheolhyun Buseon, whom I had seen during the day. "How did you know?" He looked at me with a gaze of curiosity. To that, I nonchalantly replied. "I had a feeling." "A feeling, you say? Not something you sensed?" "Heh." I chuckled. "How could I possibly perceive the presence of the world's strongest?" If it had been with my true strength, maybe. But with my current condition, there was no way I could sense his presence. "Hmm. True, this must be the case." Cheolhyun Buseon nodded as if he acknowledged what I said. His demeanor didn’t offend my pride. 'The strongest under the heavens.' It's my first time encountering him. In the era I lived, such a title didn’t exist. 'So this old man is the strongest.' The world's most powerful warrior. Amid the ranks of Sword Supreme, Heavenly Lord, and the Dishonored Venerable, he was the strongest in this world. Facing such a person... "But tell me." Cheolhyun Buseon said to me. "Why did this old man think you sensed my presence?" "Who knows. I'm not sure—." Thump. "......!" My field of vision changed abruptly. His enormous hand clamped over my mouth. "Young man. What exactly are you?" The pressure was overwhelming. What kind of brute strength is this? My body shook from the tingling energy. Even in my state of not sensing energy, it was evident. He’s strong. I could sense it instinctively. "I can't understand it. Bijuu, that guy suggested taking a disciple with no apparent energy?" 'Oh.' So he noticed I lacked energy, did he? I suppose that’s why he's acting this way. "Tell me. What are you?" With those words, his hand eased. Finally, I could stretch my stiff neck. "You have quite an urgent temperament. You want me to speak while blocking my mouth, do you?" "Haha. As I noticed before, you have quite the fiery personality. You speak your mind even in this situation? To me, no less?" "If I've upset you, I apologize. It's just that I tend to say what needs to be said." I brushed off my crumpled clothes and addressed him. "I'm not sure what kind of answer you're hoping for, but I'm afraid there's not much I can tell you. My current condition isn't great." "...Not great, you say? Do you really believe that something as trivial as this would cause your energy to vanish?" "Exactly. I find it baffling myself. Even after the Divine Healer examined me, nothing changed." "...The Divine Healer?" "Yes." Once I mentioned the Divine Healer, Cheolhyun Buseon's expression shifted. "The Divine Healer looked after you, you say?" "Indeed. My master requested their help on my behalf." "Ah, now it makes sense. I was wondering why that unpleasant fellow came all the way here." Cheolhyun Buseon clicked his tongue, and seeing this, I continued. "Exactly. But isn't it a good thing?" "And what good is that?" "Thanks to them, you've found the Divine Healer you've been searching for. Seems like a fair exchange." Thud-!! My shoulder felt like a weight had dropped on it. Cheolhyun Buseon's eyes gleamed imperiously in response to my words. "Look at this kid." Crack. A sharp pain shot through my bones. Amidst this, Cheolhyun Buseon asked me with blazing eyes. "I never told you I was searching for the Divine Healer. How did you know?" "…I figured it might be the case." "That's not a sufficient answer. You'd better give me a proper response." Creaking sounds echoed around us. Cheolhyun Buseon's sheer presence was affecting the natural surroundings. "I'm not one to let budding sprouts go untested." Yes, you certainly don't seem like one to do so at a glance. I swallowed those words back. Saying them aloud might very well cost me my life. "The reason is nothing special. It was just a perfect alignment of situations." "Situations?" "I pondered why such significant figures would gather at the Martial Alliance. With both the Sword Queen and you here, what could the reason be?" "You seemed to think I came to see you?" "Oh, please... Who would come all the way to the Martial Alliance just to see someone else's disciple?" They might, sure. It's not impossible given the world's erratic martial artists, and there surely exist those who would. 'But this time, it's not that.' I excluded such a scenario. My reason was simple. 'Considering Cheolhyun Buseon is still alive and will soon meet his end.' I recalled the time of his death. He died shortly after the Sword Lord became the alliance leader, suggesting... 'He doesn't have much time left to live.' This implies he doesn't have much time left. Would someone in such a position go out of their way just to see an acquaintance's disciple? The thought was laughable. So, I made a guess. Why did Cheolhyun Buseon come here? I theorized that the Divine Healer was tied to it all. "Every thread of this event leads back to the Divine Healer. That's my only conjecture." "…A conjecture? So you were testing me?" "Indeed, it seems so." "Ha…!!" Cheolhyun Buseon exhaled sharply. His eyes clearly expressed disbelief and surprise. "This is preposterous." Now, the crucial part begins. While I've revealed what I knew, preparing for what's next was essential. So, the important question was why Cheolhyun Buseon had tracked me down. How did I anticipate that he would come? I prepared my answer. Cheolhyun Buseon soon asked me. "You." He moved his lips. "Become my disciple." "That's actually... what?" I stopped mid-sentence. This was an unexpected question, a deviation from what I had anticipated.