1226 - Childhood Friend of the Zenith

Chapter 1226: North Rabbit Apprentice? Cheolhyeol Buseon’s suggestion made his face contort. What on earth is he saying so suddenly? “Did I hear you wrong?” It seemed like he had heard incorrectly. Thinking that, he asked again. “No, you heard correctly. I meant it as I said. Do you have any interest in becoming my apprentice?” “…….” It sounded like he had heard right. He scratched his cheek. How should he handle this absurd suggestion? Apprentice, really? “……Could it be.” Have you lost your mind? He swallowed back the question. Saying that out loud could be the end of him. “No, I’m not crazy.” “……Wow.” He couldn't help but be impressed. Quick-witted, isn’t he? “Heh? Look at this fellow.” Oops. His admiration must have been obvious, and a feeling of awkwardness passed over him. However, Cheolhyeol Buseon just kept smiling, as if he were pleased. “You really seem to be a good fit.” “For what?” “For being my apprentice.” “…….” He sighed. Why does everyone always trouble me? The thought filled his mind once again. “I’m sorry, but you know my condition is a mess.” “That doesn’t matter. I can fix that.” “What can you fix? Even the gods can't.” If that were possible, would I even be in this mess? Ridiculous. Besides, the condition of his body wasn't the real issue. The real problem lay somewhere else. “I already have a master.” Paejon. As long as he existed, it was meaningless. Even with those words, Cheolhyeol Buseon kept his smile. “That doesn’t matter. If it’s about internal force, that can be dealt with too.” “……With what? Erasing it and learning something else?” Something Paejon had tried to do. Erase the internal force and pass on his own skills. Recalling that insane idea made his face wince. “Oh, come on. Not at all.” Cheolhyeol Buseon gestured to dismiss that idea. “What I’ll teach you isn’t something like internal force. So you needn't worry.” “Not internal force?” Then, what does he intend to teach? With that doubt hidden in his gaze, he looked at Cheolhyeol Buseon. “Think about it. Don’t you want to become the apprentice of the best in the world? It’s not an opportunity that comes easily.” His manner of persuasion felt like a vegetable vendor in a marketplace. The apprentice of the best in the world? The name itself was somewhat tempting. “I’ll pass.” He declined. It was only natural to refuse. In his current state, there was nothing to gain from it. "Oh. Are you rejecting it?" “Yes.” He shrugged. “I don't have the capacity for another master. I have neither the intention nor the leisure at the moment.” “Hmm……” Cheolhyeol Buseon stroked his beard. He clearly looked disappointed. “I appreciate your offer, but I don’t think I can accept it. I’m sorry.” After paying his respects, he moved to leave Cheolhyeol Buseon behind. “What a pity.” He whispered quietly. “I could fix your body, you know.” “…….” He stopped. He could fix it? He turned his gaze to see Cheolhyeol Buseon smirking slightly. “What do you think? Isn’t it intriguing?” “……How is that even possible?” “What can’t be done? I was once like you.” “What do you mean?” “Didn’t you also fail to transcend humanity?” “…….” He narrowed his face. Failed? It was a curious statement. Yet, Cheolhyeol Buseon seemed to know quite a lot, as if he understood everything. “I’m well aware of the karmic toll involved. As an old man, I could fix you.” “……Hmm.” Failure, huh. Though I didn’t see it as failure. It piqued his curiosity. ‘Did Cheolhyeol Buseon attempt transcendence too?’ He had tried becoming something beyond human and failed, losing all energy? That notion made him furrow his brow. Was it something believable? It was hard to accept easily. “If you need time to think, I’ll give you more. I find you fascinating.” “……You're saying that you were in the same situation as me.” “Exactly. That’s why you’re intriguing. Just what are you? It drives me mad with curiosity.” Cheolhyeol Buseon paused for a moment before continuing. “So, come find me. It won’t be a bad thing for you.” “…….” Not a bad thing, huh…… “I’ll consider it.” “Good.” With the answer received, Cheolhyeol Buseon vanished on the spot. Watching the old man disappear without a trace, he fell into thought. “……Hmm.” As always, he reflected. ‘This world is truly unfathomable.’ The world was filled with secrets, impossibly many. No matter how much you uncover. * * * Right after speaking with Cheolhyeol Buseon, he sought out Paejon. “What did you say?” Paejon’s face scrunched up upon hearing his words. “……Whose apprentice do you want to become?” R1o1RUY1V2dWdFByellBWDZwUWJGWnFCMUNHaDZBTWpIT1pwZUplUjNuMHhSNFNMTmtoKzhTRTNwd1JEcWoxQQ “Cheolhyeol Buseon.” “That old fool……!” The air around Paejon distorted. When he recounted the conversation with Cheolhyeol Buseon, Paejon’s energy flared, clearly displeased. “He dared claim you at all? Even after I marked my domain first? And why did you listen to him?” “What do you mean I listened to him? It wasn’t a situation where I could just tune out, was it?” “But you shouldn’t have listened.” “What kind of nonsense is this?” Smack! “Ow!” A blow to the back of his head made him duck down. “Hey……! If you hit me wrong, I could die!” “I’ve got that covered.” “And you’re bragging about it now? Stop.” As he raised his hand to strike again, he blocked it. Truly an ill-tempered man. “So, you’re saying you’ll talk to him later?” “Aren’t you curious?” “Curious my ass. What are you going to do if he says there's a way? Become his apprentice?” “I hadn’t intended to, but if it works….” “Do you want another smack?” “It’s modern times, why rely on violence to solve things?” This is ridiculous. “I’m not doing it, becoming an apprentice. Having more masters won’t benefit me in any way.” Handling Paejon alone was already challenging enough. Naturally, he had no intention of becoming Cheolhyeol Buseon’s apprentice. It was purely curiosity, nothing more. “I’m just curious about how he plans to do it. That’s all.” It was the solution that Cheolhyeol Buseon mentioned that piqued his interest. “A solution, huh…” “That’s why I came to ask if you knew anything about what he said.” When Paejon heard about failing to transcend humanity, he shook his head. “Well, at least it’s nothing I’m familiar with. That fellow was always full of secrets.” “……Hmm.” So Paejon didn’t know either. It was a perplexing situation. “Anyway. You have no intention of becoming his apprentice, right? Then that's that.” “……That wasn’t what I thought was important, though.” The issue wasn’t about masters or anything similar. He took a deep breath. “Okay, leaving that aside… Elder.” “Speak.” “Do you know anything about the Shinyongdae?” “Shinyongdae?” Paejon’s brow furrowed at the unexpected question about the Shinyongdae. “Why are you interested in Shinyongdae? Do you want to join them?” “I’m not particularly interested. It’s just that I need to look into it now.” “Why?” “They say they’re going up to the arena.” “The arena? Ah.” Paejon widened his eyes as if he just realized something. “You mean the arena where those young brats hold their fights. Yes, I heard those guys were planning to make an appearance.” “Did Master hear about it too?” “Geom Jon mentioned it. He said something about needing to put on a show. But why are you…?” Mid-sentence, Paejon raised an eyebrow and smirked. “Look at this fellow. You’re entering the arena too, aren't you?” “……Yes.” “Ahaha. What can you do with that feeble body of yours?” “It’s not like I want to go there. I have no choice because something’s at stake.” “Cheong Ryong Dae Joo, he must have played his cards right. That one has a quick mind.” “……So, given the circumstances, I thought I should find out more about the Shinyongdae and came to ask.” “Hmm, the Shinyongdae.” Paejon’s eyes darted around, pondering how to explain it. “It’s a place where more promising ones are gathered. That’s probably the best way to put it.” “More promising?” “The swordsmen in the martial order aren’t usually worth much.” That was Paejon’s assessment. Despite having the best and brightest gathered within the eight sword squads, his evaluation was rather harsh. But— "Sometimes, promising ones do emerge. Those gathered in the Shinyongdae are among them." “Promising….” It seemed to indicate potential. “A place of survivors, you could say, those not easily defeated.” If Paejon, who rarely praised anyone, spoke so highly of them, they must be exceptionally talented. “But to throw such talents into a children’s playground… Unless Geom Jon’s lost his mind, I can’t fathom why. There’s no need to curry favor with someone like Cheolhyeol Buseon.” “Is the difference really that significant?” Significant enough to compare it to a children’s playground? “Oh, haven’t you witnessed them?” “No, I just caught a glimpse once.” He had once briefly seen someone wearing the Shinyongdae Master’s mask, but nothing beyond that. “I see. Maybe it's because they’ve been sent elsewhere at the moment.” “They’re out somewhere?” “Yes, the current head of the clan is curious about so many things, those poor guys are working hard unnecessarily.” “…….” It seemed Geom Jon had deployed them on some task outside. “In any case, don’t let your guard down, especially with your current condition.” “……I’ll do my best.” Promising fighters. He narrowed his eyes, focusing on the implications of that statement. Looks like he needed to investigate further.