308 - Why is this here? (2) - Childhood Friend of the Zenith

Chapter 308: What Is That Doing Here? (2) A few years ago. It was less than a year after my return. I had attended the Tang Sect's meeting with Wi Seol A. My goal was to find the Gold Thousand-Year Jiaga's secret vault hidden in Sichuan. With Wi Seol A's help, we successfully discovered it. The hidden space, concealed by an intricate formation, was effortlessly located by Wi Seol A. Thanks to her, what might have otherwise taken an unforeseeable amount of time was solved quickly. One might wonder why I bring this up now. It's because the scene unfolding before me strikingly resembled that moment. “Is it really...?” Wi Seol A squatted down, inspecting the bushes. Yet, there was a peculiar sensation at her fingertips as if her hand stirred invisible ripples in the air. Anyone who wasn't a fool would recognize what such a phenomenon indicated. “Could it really be...?” A formation. With the knowledge from my previous life, I was aware that a vault existed beneath the Sinryong Hall. Not recognizing this would be impossible for me. The traces before me suggested that the energy was indeed connecting the space within and without through the formation. After confronting Cheol Hwan Oh and gaining some time earlier in the morning, I'd been scouring this place for days without finding any trace. But here she was, discovering it so effortlessly? Could this formation be genuine? I couldn't be sure yet. The vicinity that housed this formation was near where the Gu Resident stayed. It could have been in place for his protection. I approached Wi Seol A, tapping her shoulder lightly to get her attention. “Ack...!” Wi Seol A quickly turned her head upon my touch. “What are you doing right now?” Wi Seol A seemed genuinely unaware that I had approached so closely from behind. Her expression was startled, and the motion of her hand in the air ceased. “Well, um...” “Is there something there?” “Just... it felt like there was something, so I was checking.” At her response, I couldn't help but laugh briefly. Was she merely checking it out on a whim? Could she even touch it simply because she wished to? How does she do that? I reached out a hand to inspect the air, influenced by her words. But unlike Wi Seol A, my hand found nothing as I brushed at the empty space. Wi Seol A, realizing my ineffectual attempts, gently grasped my wrist to adjust its direction just slightly. “Not there... around here.” It was just a slight adjustment. A tiny tweak to the shape of my fingers. That small difference. Woooom. “...!” I felt it. Clear, though faint, a significant formation unfurled before me. There was indeed something there. I couldn’t say what type of formation it was yet, but its presence was confirmed. And judging by the context, it seemed to serve as a concealment rather than protection. If it were for protection, it wouldn’t exude this kind of energy. Was this the formation guarding the vault? It seemed highly likely. To confirm it, I would need to dismantle it and enter. However, recalling that the Celestial Blue Sword was not far away was crucial. Even if the formation wasn’t executed by the Sword, breaking through could cause energy disturbances. If so, the Sword could easily detect it. Of all places, why a formation near the Gu Resident's quarters? Possibly for the most safety, I supposed. This vault, however, wasn't originally a creation of the Sinryong Hall, indicating the placement wasn’t premeditated. Therefore, the most prudent approach would be to attempt entry when the Celestial Blue Sword was farther away. I’d have to verify then if this was truly for the vault. At the moment, simply knowing a formation existed here was an ample achievement. Even though it was Wi Seol A who discovered it, not me. Wi Seol A seemed indifferent to the formation; she showed no particular interest. Should I be relieved? “Isn’t it surprising?” “Pardon?” “This.” Taken aback by her indifference, I asked directly. The remarkable formation right in front of us—wasn’t it unexpected? Wi Seol A’s eyes flickered briefly. Her crimson lips parted as she responded, “...Everyone has a few secrets they wish to keep hidden.” Wouldn’t it be odd to use a formation to conceal them, though? Yet, for some reason, Wi Seol A didn’t seem particularly intrigued. I couldn't break through this right now, but having Wi Seol A find it was fortunate. Had another found it, it might have become problematic. With Wi Seol A discovering it, I was lucky, if nothing else. Shifting the topic, I probed, “By the way, why have you been avoiding me lately?” “...Excuse me?” While the formation occupied my mind, I needed to ask this. It was my initial intent. By my sudden question, Wi Seol A seemed caught off guard. “I haven't been avoiding you.” “Don’t lie, do you think I wouldn’t notice?” Did she think I was oblivious? She avoided me constantly. If our eyes met, she looked away. When I sought her out, she vanished. Isn't that what avoiding means? “Did I do something wrong?” While I’ve got regrets about how I usually treat others, I didn’t recall wronging Wi Seol A in particular. At least, not in this life. Wi Seol A said nothing. As if trying to avert my gaze, I grasped her chin to prevent her from turning away. “What makes you so dissatisfied?” I needed to know. If I could discern her reasoning, perhaps I could address it. Once, she clung tight, never letting go. Now she avoided me? Unacceptable. I wouldn’t let go, not this time. Wi Seol A’s eyes quivered as she looked at me. Unable to turn her head, her gaze shifted restlessly. Meanwhile, she seemed to have no intention of pushing me away with force. I continued to wait, unwilling to let go until she spoke up. Her hesitant lips finally started moving, albeit slowly, as if she was still holding back. “...It's embarrassing,” she finally admitted. “What?” Her voice was so faint it was barely audible, but I caught what she said. Embarrassing? “What are you embarrassed about?” It was sudden and confusing. I recalled her not wanting to show her changed appearance last time, but she'd since started going around without her cloak, so it couldn't be that. There must have been something else she found embarrassing. As I pondered her words, she added, “Looking at you has become a bit embarrassing.” “Why?” “I don't know.” What on earth had I been doing to make her feel this way? “...It's difficult to look you in the eye,” she explained. “Because I look scary?” “No, no...! You don’t look scary at all!” “Why are you getting angry for me, about my own eyes?” Should I thank her for getting mad on my behalf? “Anyway... it's not that.” “So, what should I do?” “...Give me a little time,” she asked. “Time for what? To avoid me?” “Yes... just a little bit.” Time to avoid me? What kind of absurd request was this? She used to say she wanted to see me, meet me, even snuck around to catch glimpses of me—now she's asking for time to avoid me? “How much time do you need?” “It won’t take long... I'll sort it out soon.” I couldn’t understand why she spoke with such resolve. What exactly did she mean by “sort it out”? “Do you want to go back to how things were?” I asked, referring to the time when I was the rogue master and she the attendant, not so many years ago. Was that what she wanted? But Wi Seol A firmly replied, “No.” “That’s not it. While they were good memories, now I want to be different from back then, which is why I need time to resolve my emotions.” Resolve emotions? A stray thought briefly amused me—what, was she going to eat until she resolved it? If I said that now, I sensed Wi Seol A would surely sulk and avoid me altogether for a while. “Did you know, Master?” “What?” Hearing her call me 'Master' still felt foreign, especially from Wi Seol A, though she had always addressed me this way. “They say wanting something you shouldn’t have is greed.” “Is that what they call it?” Not every desire to have something unattainable is termed greed. Although it seemed to include that notion too, her statement seemed abrupt. Randomly bringing up greed? Her expression was unreadable, like she was trying hard to smile. “You know...” “Yeah?” “I’d like to be a bit greedy myself.” “Really?” It was a curious admission, Wi Seol A expressing a desire to be ‘greedy.’ It wasn’t as if she never showed any greed before; it seemed to hold another meaning. Her face and form had matured, yet there lingered a childlike quality within her. Though we had both grown, neither of us had yet passed into adulthood. “So please wait for me. It won’t take long,” she said, trying hard to smile. Though I wanted to delve deeper, it seemed she was asking me to refrain from further questioning and assured me it wouldn’t take long. Thus, I decided to let it go for now. “...Alright, putting that aside.” “Yes?” “Why were you taken to the Gu Resident?” For a moment, Wi Seol A's face clearly displayed ‘Oops.’ It seemed she had forgotten. “They said you caused trouble—what kind of trouble?” “I didn’t cause any trouble.” “I caught you admitting it just now on your face, though.” “...No, I didn’t.” She turned her head, her eyes tightly shut. How could I believe her now? I knew Wi Seol A wasn’t someone to get into trouble easily. She was more likely to endure and move past things rather than explode like I would. “Are you not going to tell me? Should I go and ask the Gu Resident again?” Of course, even if I went to ask, the Gu Resident wouldn’t reveal another student’s wrongdoings. Yet, it seemed my words got through, as Wi Seol A reluctantly began to explain, her eyes still tightly shut. “So, you hit someone? You did?” I couldn’t help but ask again, as if I’d misheard. It was so unexpected. “Was it one of your own guards or something?” Wi Seol A bit her lip, avoided my eyes, and didn’t reply directly. But her silence was confirmation enough. It appeared she indeed hit someone. And quite hard at that. Pae Woo Cheol, the second son of the Sa Cheon family. A young man just past his youth. Among the elite, his name was rather well-known. With his innate talent, his future seemed promising. Though not at the level of the monstrous Six Dragon Peaks, he was a noticeable presence among the lesser ranks of the Serpent Group. He knew well enough of his own capabilities, for those around him were far below his level. “I’ll stand at their pinnacle.” This was his thought when he arrived at the Sinryong Hall. Although the Six Dragon Peaks were formidable, Pae Woo Cheol believed he wouldn’t fall far behind them. He had surpassed the first-class level and gained strength under his father’s training; he thought he could accomplish much. For him, the entrance examination for Sinryong Hall wasn’t particularly challenging. In fact, it seemed rather easy. He believed the top or second position was assured for him. Yet surprisingly, Pae Woo Cheol wasn’t even close to those standings. Even more surprising was the current examination, where over half of the Six Dragon Peaks participated, leading him to assume all top spots would naturally be theirs, but even that wasn’t the case. Although a dragon claimed the top seat, the second and third seats were not occupied by a dragon or a phoenix. Instead, promising newcomers, including one referred to as a "saintly swordsman," took those positions. Pae Woo Cheol could only nod in acknowledgment as he regarded these individuals. Their ambition and strength were truly exceptional, undeniably different. Yet, a thought crossed his mind—could he perhaps catch up to them with enough effort? It sparked a sense of competition within him. Amidst all this, though, he couldn't shake off one particular curiosity. “Who is that guy?” He turned his gaze to the dragon who secured the first seat. Jin Ryong was notably young, certainly younger than Pae Woo Cheol, and even among the post-genius generation, he stood out as youthful. How could such a person possess a strength Pae Woo Cheol didn't, even capturing the top position? Moreover, Jin Ryong was flippant. During the speech of the Celestial Blue Sword, he sat in the back, legs shaking, and wore an expression that seemed to dismiss the world as bothersome. It was baffling to see someone so unruly—the famed Jin Ryong left such an impression. That very evening, Pae Woo Cheol faced Jin Ryong and lost consciousness after a single blow. He didn’t even get a chance to display his strength. The next morning, infuriated, he charged at Jin Ryong again. Yet he found himself easily subdued once more, despite the surprise attack. Jin Ryong, he realized, had known all along and rose swiftly, thoroughly subduing him once more with surprisingly little effort. In that moment, the reality of the gap between them hit Pae Woo Cheol hard. None of his moves landed. Jin Ryong’s speed and force seemed impossibly superior—a disparity like a sheer wall. Understanding this reality didn’t stop Jin Ryong’s assault. “All right, I get it... stop now, please.” “Stop what, you punk? Why’d you go and disturb someone’s rest?” “Ah! Not there, please!” “Anywhere’s fine, just stay still. Move, and you might never have kids.” “Wait! Boss! Please...!” That morning's events were memories Pae Woo Cheol desperately wished to forget. Even recalling them made his lower half shiver. Ah, this one's a real mad dog. Pae Woo Cheol acknowledged Jin Ryong's madness, realizing compared to him, his own antics were nothing. He could not forget the gleam in Jin Ryong’s eyes as the latter hammered him—he was enjoying it. From then on, Jin Ryong went from someone Pae Woo Cheol sought revenge against to someone he looked up to but couldn't hope to match. This all changed after their first training session under Instructor Cheol Hwan Oh. A training exercise known as the "Beast Capture." Even though all the post-geniuses united against Cheol Hwan, who was known as the "Heavenly Iron Fist," they couldn’t touch him. Pae Woo Cheol, among them, felt an overwhelming sense of helplessness. No matter how many rushed forward, they couldn’t even graze Cheol Hwan's cloak. “...Is this what a real instructor is?” Pae Woo Cheol’s pride, bloated with arrogance from surpassing the first class, shattered hard. Lying flat on the ground, Cheol Hwan Oh addressed him. “Why are you just standing there?” His question was directed past Pae Woo Cheol, towards Jin Ryong, who stood alone, watching the training unfold. “If I join, the training becomes too easy.” Even faced with Cheol Hwan's overwhelming prowess, how could he remain so arrogant? Pae Woo Cheol, already broken, watched in both amazement and incredulity as Jin Ryong smirked, still brimming with confidence. Perhaps this was what made him a dragon. Entranced, Pae Woo Cheol truly considered it impressive—how someone could stand so unyielding amid such circumstances. However, Cheol Hwan Oh seemed unimpressed by this and challenged Jin Ryong to a duel. It was a wager in name only, essentially a threat to crush Jin Ryong. Most of the post-geniuses thought Jin Ryong couldn’t possibly handle Cheol Hwan. Pae Woo Cheol felt the same. The deputy commander of the Blue Dragon Division, a well-known martial arts master in the Central Plains, couldn’t possibly be bested by a post-genius, right? Thus began the match, and Pae Woo Cheol held his breath. Enveloped by the intimidating energy Jin Ryong displayed, he found himself breathless, astonishing at the sheer force hidden within. It was a demonstration of prowess Pae Woo Cheol hadn’t been able to sense until now—an oppressive heat that could distort the air around it. Realizing this threat, Cheol Hwan rushed Jin Ryong, but even he couldn’t stop Jin Ryong's martial arts. Jin Ryong avoided Cheol Hwan's attacks with effortless grace, like he had been waiting for just such a moment to retaliate. Quickly, Jin Ryong retracted his aura, touched Cheol Hwan’s body, and claimed victory. Even the massive energy was a mere facade, Jin Ryong having toyed with the formidable martial artist mentally. Pae Woo Cheol's eyes widened as he watched the spectacle, witnessing Cheol Hwan Oh's stunned expression while Jin Ryong grinned smugly, winning the match effortlessly. This time, it wasn't out of jealousy or rivalry—it was awe. The difference was too vast, leaving no room for lesser emotions. Realizing Jin Ryong was fundamentally different from him sunk in deeper. ‘Be at his side.’ A soaring monster set to pierce through the skies, opening its wings. Now was the time, before it was too late, while he could still be near him. This was a chance. Pae Woo Cheol had long ago abandoned any pride. Lacking the ability to even aspire, he discarded jealousy. With Jin Ryong momentarily resting on land before taking flight again, this was the only opportunity he had. Without hesitation, Pae Woo Cheol approached Jin Ryong, who was talking to Cheol Hwan, and shouted. “Boss!” Though he ran towards Jin Ryong, pleading to be his subordinate, he was knocked out again with a casual uppercut. Several days passed after that. Pae Woo Cheol persistently shadowed Jin Ryong, desperate to be accepted. Despite the insults and beatings, he clung on. Tired of dealing with Pae Woo Cheol, Jin Ryong eventually resigned himself, saying Pae Woo Cheol could do as he pleased. Bam! During a private training session, Pae Woo Cheol intensely struck a wooden training dummy, eventually pulling back his energy and exhaling deeply. “Hoo...” It felt refreshing to train again, something he hadn’t been able to do lately, though satisfaction eluded him. ‘If I want to follow him, this isn't nearly enough.’ For several days, Pae Woo Cheol had observed Gu Yang Cheon and found him to be an extraordinary person, far beyond his expectations. He was admirable, having not only embraced the likes of Dok Bong, Seol Bong, and even the famed Sword Dancer but also accompanying them with ease. Could it be that with power and talent, beauties naturally followed? Having already attracted three, he simply seemed great. Moreover, how could one not be impressed when he would boldly reprimand other groups without worrying about what others thought? Even when summoned by an instructor, there was an underlying unease in Pae Woo Cheol. After all, from his perspective, Gu Yang Cheon’s antics weren’t minor. Yet, Gu Yang Cheon seemed utterly unfazed. Perhaps he wasn’t afraid of someone he’d already bested, such as Cheol Hwan Oh. Yes, it had to be that. His boss was exactly such a man! As Pae Woo Cheol indulged in such proud thoughts, he noticed an all-too-familiar figure in the distance on his way back to his quarters after training. “...Ji Seon, bro?” It was Cheol Ji Seon, a friend of Gu Yang Cheon. Although his level of martial prowess seemed much lower than his own, since Gu Yang Cheon called him a friend, Pae Woo Cheol felt obligated to regard him as a brother. He thought this was how he should show respect to Gu Yang Cheon, and knowing Gu Yang Cheon would appreciate that, he was thorough in his approach. ‘Where's he rushing off to?’ Watching Cheol Ji Seon hurry into the forest, Pae Woo Cheol recalled seeing him being bullied before. With a sense of foreboding, he quietly tailed Cheol Ji Seon, hoping to uncover any impending trouble. Fortunately, Cheol Ji Seon didn’t seem to notice the shadowing presence of Pae Woo Cheol. Following him, Pae Woo Cheol arrived at a secluded area around the Sinryong Hall where someone seemed to be waiting for Cheol Ji Seon. As soon as he saw the individual, Pae Woo Cheol was internally startled. ‘That guy!’ He recognized the person: Jang Seon Yeon, the rising star in one of the Sinryong Hall's currently bustling factions. ‘Why is he with Ji Seon bro?’ When he last saw them, Gu Yang Cheon and Jang Seon Yeon didn’t appear to get along. Rumor had it that Jin Ryong supposedly harbored jealousy and envy towards Jang Seon Yeon, though Pae Woo Cheol saw it the other way around. ‘It seemed like Jang Seon Yeon was jealous of him.’ It was a preposterous rumor in Pae Woo Cheol’s opinion, but Gu Yang Cheon told him not to bother with such talk. "It's irrelevant," he'd say. So he kept his curiosity in check. Yet now, a meeting between Gu Yang Cheon's friend Cheol Ji Seon and Jang Seon Yeon? Pae Woo Cheol focused his senses, concerned about giving away his presence. Straining his hearing, he faintly picked up on Cheol Ji Seon’s voice. - Apologies for calling you out so late, Mr. Cheol. - ...Why did you summon me? - Because I have some business with you. Jang Seon Yeon’s smile appeared gentle, yet it oddly lacked trustworthiness. Why was that? Even Pae Woo Cheol wasn’t sure. As Cheol Ji Seon’s expression remained tense, Jang Seon Yeon spoke with a smile. - First of all, Mr. Cheol. Ah, perhaps I should address you differently. In a brief moment, Jang Seon Yeon ceased his lip movements, rendering his words inaudible. He seemed to have erected a sound barrier. ‘Dammit.’ Pae Woo Cheol cursed under his breath, unable to clearly hear what was discussed. This certainly was a conversation that wasn’t meant for others. Acting quickly to avoid any possibility of being detected, Pae Woo Cheol withdrew himself quietly, carrying his bulky frame back as swiftly as he could. What on earth could Cheol Ji Seon be discussing with Jang Seon Yeon in such secrecy? Not knowing the full story, Pae Woo Cheol realized he needed to report this to Gu Yang Cheon as soon as possible. He dashed off to find him, filled with urgency at what seemed a shocking revelation. Yet, upon hearing the account, Gu Yang Cheon remained nonchalant. “Oh, really?” His calm response baffled Pae Woo Cheol greatly. “B-Boss?” “I was starting to wonder if he was ever going to act. It’s a relief he's making a move,” Gu Yang Cheon remarked, rather indifferently. “...Huh? What do you mean?” “Forget what you saw today.” “What?” With that, Gu Yang Cheon simply lay down to sleep, shrugging it off casually. “Stop standing there. Lie down. Time to get some rest.” “U-understood.” “Oh right, Woo Cheol-ah.” “Yes, boss.” “What’s for breakfast tomorrow?” “I don’t know.” “...Next time, forget about secret discussions. Go check what breakfast is.” “Yes.” What seemed like an earth-shattering revelation turned out to be of little consequence to Gu Yang Cheon, who deemed breakfast the more pressing matter. ‘...Is this how things are?’ Though bewildered, Pae Woo Cheol soon let it go and drifted off to sleep. And for the record, despite answering, Pae Woo Cheol never memorized the breakfast menu during his entire stay at Sinryong Hall.