1239 - Childhood Friend of the Zenith

Snake. It was a word uttered by his mother. "Eat a snake?" What did she mean by suddenly telling him to eat a snake? A snake? What kind of snake? "It wouldn't be just any snake." Surely, she didn't mean for him to eat a snake just wandering about. He wasn't convinced, but the thought crossed his mind. "No way." He hoped that wasn't it. Still uncertain, I looked intently at my mother. "…It's not just any snake, right?" At his words, his mother's eyebrows slightly furrowed. "…Do you eat just any snake?" Her eyes seemed to question who would eat such a thing. What was this? It was quite annoying. "I don't eat them." "Then why are you asking?" "…It's just…." He couldn't outright say that maybe she would eat it. All he was left with was a sense of injustice. "You said to eat a snake. So, what exactly should I eat?" When he asked what kind of snake she meant. "You'll know." "…I will?" "Yes! You already know." My mother said with a smile. "Do I?" Did he really know what snake he needed to eat? As he pondered. "Find the beginning." His mother continued. He was about to ask her further when a loud voice interrupted from behind. "Break time is over!" A voice declared that it was time to resume the sparring. Oh well. "…I'll be back." "Do well!" His mother waved her hand. The phrase "eat a snake" lingered as he headed back to the sparring ground. "Snake…." What could the snake symbolize? As he mulled over it. He abruptly halted. -Find the beginning. The beginning. What beginning was she referring to? If losing his strength was due to the start of the Main Transformation, perhaps she meant the start of that. "What was the start of the Main Transformation?" If the turning point was becoming less human, it would be the shedding. But the shedding was also caused by something else. "The dark power of the Blood Demon." If the issue was the energy infused by the Blood Demon at the Orthodox Conference, that could be it. Or, even earlier. "…Maybe." One possibility flashed in his mind at the mention of a snake. "Could it be that snake from Sichuan?" The giant snake he encountered in the scriptures at the Yeon Pavilion. Could that snake signify the beginning? If it was the start of his encounter with opportunities, it made sense. Moreover. "The energy I obtained there." He recalled the extraordinarily divine energy. Despite its softness, it hadn't significantly elevated his state, which puzzled him. "Perhaps." Could it be that? If it was a snake, that was it. "Eat the snake." Did it mean he needed to find that snake and consume it? "…I was planning to head there anyway." His purpose of going to Sichuan was related to this. If that's how it connected... "I must confirm it myself." It seemed he had an important reason to visit Sichuan. * * * As the break ended, the second round commenced. Given the limited number of participants, the sparring was progressing faster than anticipated. Besides, due to previous upheavals, their numbers had already dwindled significantly. "Why do they always pick me?" He had fought six sparring matches alone. In the process, the Flying Dragon Squad had already been eliminated, and other squads hadn't fared much better. These martial artists sure had a knack for creating unnecessary headaches. Why couldn't they just let it go? What was the point? In the midst of this, there was someone who consistently attained victory. Clang-!! "Victory for the Iron Dragon Squad's Ki Moonhak!" The man who was the vice leader of the Iron Dragon Squad. The one who had admonished the Flying Dragon Squad's vice leader, he was, at least, decent. "Ki Moon Hak." He was called the Unbeatable Twin-Blade. The nickname seemed somewhat juvenile, but he was evidently a formidable warrior. It seemed he wielded dual swords. The way he handled them masterfully showed he was an extraordinary martial artist. "Hmm." Not bad. He seemed quite competent. Judging by his stoic nature and the absence of unnecessary arrogance, he was a promising individual. More detailed observation was needed for thorough assessment. "Hmm." The same applied to other squads. While some squad members appeared a bit lacking, the capabilities of the vice leaders were impressive. That was only natural. To become a leader of one of the Eight Squads in the first place, they had to be of that caliber. Discussing them with the usual rabble was nonsensical. Furthermore. "…Over there." He looked towards Tae Hoan's squad. It was the only team still undefeated. "The Divine Dragon Squad." The warriors of the Divine Dragon Squad. Their skills were outstanding. They weren't called the elite of the alliance for nothing. They displayed a strength unmatched by other squads. "If things go well…" There were even certain squad members who might match up against vice leaders. "Elite is elite." Their power was palpable. Judging from how others tried to avoid confronting them, it was clear they were dreaded. "Hmm." As he observed this, his gaze was caught by movement. "Next." At the judge's words, someone advanced. It was a member of the Divine Dragon Squad, the very person he had been watching. A sharply featured man. He seemed just under thirty, but as a martial artist, he might very well be older. He practiced a type of martial arts focusing on hand-to-hand techniques. He ascended to the sparring ground and, following the rules, pointed someone out. "I challenge the sword of the Blue Dragon Squad." "Oh?" The choice was unexpected. Although Soi was experienced, she was still the youngest of their ranks, so he hadn't expected a Divine Dragon Squad member to call her out. She seemed momentarily taken aback as she eyed the man, but obeying the rules, she stepped onto the sparring platform without complaint. "Thank you for choosing me." "No, I simply wish to test myself against the prodigy of the Mount Hua." There was an odd sentiment in how he mentioned Mount Hua. The vibe wasn't pleasant. There seemed to be something negative associated. Preparations were quickly completed. As they were already warmed up, there was no need for delay. The judge promptly signaled the start. Swoosh--!!! Light shimmered from the tip of Soi's sword. It was the hallmark of Mount Hua's style, a stunning sword aura. "Come. I'll yield the first strike." "…Thank you for your generosity." Whoosh-!! Soi moved in smoothly, showing no hesitation. Perhaps she was already aware that her opponent was strong. She advanced, sharply raising the tip of her sword. This was not an ordinary thrust. "It's the beginning of the sword's path." Her movements were agile, yet steady, indicating a sword she's practiced countless times. Not bad. Soi was certainly worthy of being called the Sword Pupil. After all, she was a prodigy destined to become the Sword Queen. Her talent wasn't something to be underestimated. However. Thump-!! "Ugh!" Her opponent was a problem. The member of the Divine Dragon Squad, known as Chu Yeongyeon, casually broke Soi's sword aura with a simple punch. With precision, he struck her blade, causing her balance to waver. She managed a counterattack by applying her footwork, but... "Too slow." Thud-! "Argh!" Soi's footwork faltered as she was hit in the ankle. The budding leaves were disturbed, causing her sword path to collapse chaotically. "Sigh." It was not just that he specialized in martial arts, but he was a poor match for her. To unleash the true power of her sword path, she needed to maintain its flow. "He's an expert at disrupting it." Chu Yeongyeon's fighting style was exactly the type that sword practitioners dreaded facing. He was specialized in dismantling sword paths and excelling in close combat. On top of that... "The disparity in skill level is obvious." There was no solution. It was a fight where Soi had almost no chance of winning. Although, she was likely aware of it better than anyone. "Huh!" She steadied her breath and charged at Chu Yeongyeon once more. "Hmm." Chu Yeongyeon moved deftly. Thump-! Crack-!! Every time he moved, Soi's sword path was severed, and she sustained minor blows. She tried increasing her speed and adding force to her sword. But even then. Boom-!! "Oof!" With an explosive burst, she was pushed back. Grinding her heel into the ground, she barely managed to hold her ground. Concern was etched on Soi's face. "That last hit was significant." Her side. The spot she was inadvertently struck was throbbing. She almost lost it due to the speed, a speed indicating power in his blows, evidenced by the pain on her face. "Ugh…" She seemed to be trying not to buckle, and it looked rather pitiful. "…Disappointing." Chu Yeongyeon suddenly spoke. "I heard this sword apprentice was exceptional. In comparison to the prestige of Mount Hua, you seem somewhat lacking." "…." Was he trying to provoke her? Chu Yeongyeon's words were sharp. Hearing this, Soi's expression crumpled. "…This is a duel between you and me. Why mention Mount Hua?" She seemed uncomfortable with Mount Hua being brought up. Chu Yeongyeon chuckled slightly. "My apologies." It was clear at first glance. That was a mocking smile. "Yet, with Mount Hua in your name, if your skills falter, wouldn't it tarnish Mount Hua's reputation?" "And what does that have to do with our duel?" "Nothing at all. It's just… I'm a bit disappointed." Crack. Chu Yeongyeon relaxed his grip. Watching him, it was clear. "That guy." It seemed he was toying with her under the guise of instructing her. "He was just playing around." He was simply toying with Soi. His expression revealed everything. "Does he have a grudge against Mount Hua?" Or maybe he just found Soi displeasing. Though it was unclear which, one thing was certain. "I don't like this one bit." For some reason, he had started to get on his nerves. In a very major way.