363 - Childhood Friend of the Zenith

Title: "The World's Greatest Martial Artist's Childhood Friend" - Chapter 364: Northern Hare - Web Novel Archives If one were to ask what the largest framework sustaining the orthodox sects, including the Martial Alliance, is, many would outwardly claim it's righteousness and camaraderie. However, to speak candidly, that’s nonsense. Strictly speaking, such ideals are merely the hopes of those who wish for the orthodox sects to represent that. In reality, what sustains them is simply their power and reputation. And if you were to ask what grants them such formidable influence, it would be the merchant guilds linked across the nation and the martial artists within these sects, who claim the justification of protecting civilians. In an era where Demonic Realms have opened, the standing of martial artists has risen day by day. Though it's called an age of peace and some measures against monsters have been taken, without martial artists, civilians remain at risk. They receive substantial support for protecting civilians from these dangers, and their influence can extend to acting as de facto rulers of regions. They reside in specific areas, preventing the proliferation of monsters. These are the groups that belong to the orthodox sects under the alliance and treaties — referred to as renowned or prestigious families. Throughout the long years, with accumulated prestige, their martial arts have been honed and refined to the point of becoming new divine skills. Looking at the position and fame they possess now, they are more than worthy of being called conquerors. Rooted in a region, taking responsibility for the demonic realms emerging there, The reason clans and factions could establish and solidify their positions was due to their responsibility for the security of their territories. And among these families and factions, some are deemed the pillars of orthodox sects, possessing the broadest influence. In Zhongyuan, they are known as the Four Major Clans. In Anhui, there is the Namgung Clan. In Liaoning, the Moyong Clan. In Hebei, the Peng Clan. In Sichuan, the Tang Clan. These were renowned locations even before the advent of the Demonic Realms, And have come to be known in the modern era as the four pillars of the orthodox sects, wielding the greatest influence among families. Of course, Their long-standing recognition as pillars of the orthodox sects is not solely due to their lineage. Also, it is because the martial artists born from these clans have been exceptional, one and all. This can be confirmed by simply checking the historical records written in Zhongyuan. The title of Sword King has traditionally belonged to the Namgung and Moyong Clans. Although briefly lost to the Sword Lord, that was merely an anomaly. In matters related to blades, it was almost as if the Peng Clan owned the titles. As for poison techniques, they naturally belonged to the Tang Clan. Even now, it is so. The head of the Namgung family is called the Sword King. The Moyong Clan, while lacking martial prowess, had expanded their reach through merchant guilds. The head of the Peng family inherited the long-standing title of Blade King. And the master of the Tang Clan was, as always, known as the Poison King. Even as times change and years pass by, Their presence has never waned, hence they continue to be known as the Four Major Clans. But then, ‘Are such titans assembling in Henan?’ Hearing Peng Ah-hee’s words, I couldn't help but frown. Is this a joke? It didn’t seem like she was lying though. Drip drip. Hearing a subtle noise, I turned my gaze. Moyong Hee was nervously gnawing on her lip. Seeing that, it seemed credible that they were actually coming. I looked from Moyong Hee to Peng Ah-hee and asked again, “What do you mean? The clan leaders are coming?” “The alliance's support unit has just arrived.” “I know that…” Just as I was about to speak, I realized why Peng Ah-hee had said such a thing. It meant messengers had already been dispatched. ‘That means they’ve already sent messengers to the various clans.’ Turning around, the murmuring amongst the crowd was filled with varied emotions, with relief being the most dominant. They believed that the clans or factions would soon be aware of their situation and assistance was imminent. ‘…If the unit arrived now, it means the messengers were likely sent at least the day before yesterday.’ Possibly the very moment the black curtain disappeared or right after receiving the envoy we had sent. Shinryong Hall had been attacked. We hadn’t even managed to handle it properly. The attack had resulted in the deaths of constantiners, heirs to the prestigious families and factions. Shinryong Hall was undeniably an institution under the alliance's jurisdiction. Would it be famed as the top sword education institution in Zhongyuan for nothing? With such a major incident occurring there, Those involved in this matter will inevitably hold the Martial Alliance accountable. Fully aware of this, as was previously mentioned, ‘They’ll likely plan to convene a meeting.’ The Orthodox Council. A gathering where representatives of each organization decide how to handle the situation. It’s a place for discussing the alliance's dealings and future significant matters. Considering the seriousness of the incident affecting their kin and the occurrence of such an incident within the orthodox sects, Merely having a seat at that gathering would be a remarkable achievement in itself. Thus, ‘Even the major figures will make their move.’ They know well how much attending this meeting could bolster their standing. The problem is, ‘It’s happening faster than expected.’ Moyong Hee and I had anticipated a meeting might convene soon, But the process was unfolding too quickly. The time difference might not be substantial, But I hadn’t expected it to become so widely known to those around us so soon in the current situation. ‘Was it urgent?’ Perhaps the aim was to manage this large-scale incident promptly. As these thoughts began to race through my mind, “Are you okay?” Peng Ah-hee spoke to me again. “What do you mean?” “Are you really okay?” “What do you mean, am I okay?” “Didn't you hear? The clan leaders are all coming.” “What does that have to do with anything?” As if wondering why she was asking such things, Peng Ah-hee gave me an expression of disbelief. Why is she acting like this? Given the gravity of the situation, it's no surprise that the main figures from not just the Four Major Clans, but also from other renowned families, would gather here. It's said that those at the very top of martial prowess in wuxia are assembling. There's a possibility we might even see most of the Top Ten or Top Hundred Masters of Zhongyuan. One thought lingers, though: 'Will my father come?' Despite the Guga Clan's more reclusive nature, they are still regarded as a prestigious family, so surely a messenger must have been sent. 'I doubt he will come.' Since this situation pertains to our concerns, I don't think my father would make the journey for this. He only leaves the mountain ranges for matters directly involving Gu Huibi. 'Would he even move if this involved me?' I sincerely doubt he'd take action, knowing the father I know. Still, he'll likely send someone involved due to the importance of appearances, possibly the one expected to take the newly vacated elder's seat, most likely the One Sword Leader. 'I should face Father at some point regardless.' Considering matters related to my mother and seeking guidance on how I should proceed, there is no one better than my father to turn to. As it was in my previous life, when it comes to the martial arts I use, no one has insight and understanding quite like him. In my current unstable state, my father is the only person who could guide me on what steps to take. Seeking him out seems unavoidable, despite the discomfort it brings. Just thinking about it makes me feel uneasy already. As my thoughts churned and I regretted eating breakfast earlier, Peng Ah-hee's voice broke in. "You're seriously clueless, aren't you?" "What? What's your problem?" "Are you not aware of your surroundings?" "Hmm?" I glanced around at Peng Ah-hee's words. Then I spotted women looking nervously around, darting their eyes. What's causing such a reaction about their fathers arriving? "What's wrong with the surroundings?" "They're all the ones chasing after you because they like you." "…" His words stopped me cold, leaving me speechless for a moment. Gulping nervously, I quickly set up a sound-blocking barrier around us. "Why are you bringing that up now?" "See? You're not even denying it. You knew, didn't you?" Listening to Peng Ah-hee's comments, a wave of dizziness swept over me. "No, why bring this up now…." "What I'm saying is, will you be alright when the patriarchs show up, with all of them knowing their precious daughters are chasing after you?" "…" It was a sobering, reality-based comment that struck a nerve. Looking at the group in context, The head of Tang Clan, Tang Muk, also known as the Poison King, is known to be one of the most gentle clan leaders in history. However, he's just as protective of his daughter as Moyong Clan Leader is. Recalling how far he'd go for his daughter, Dokbi, in my previous life, '...Hmm.' An involuntary urge to preserve my survival instinct welled up within me. Before Dokbi achieved true invulnerability to poisons and earned her proper moniker, the Poison King was known as the monarch of poison and daggers. Should he discover Tang Soyeol's current misgivings, '…Perhaps I should be cautious about what I eat from now on.' A shiver ran down my spine. Given that I hadn’t built up any resistance to poisons in this life, it was especially concerning. ...Perhaps I should start training for it now? The problem wasn't solely the Poison King; Moyong Clan's patriarch was an issue, too. To be precise, he posed an even greater issue. Glancing towards Moyong Hee, I caught her eye just as she avoided looking at me. Hey, you can’t just look away! 'How should I handle the White Heavenly Sword Clan?' While worrying about the Poison King was manageable, Moyong Hee's stunt was the real problem. What did she say again? Something about planning to break off my engagement with Namgung Bi-ah and getting engaged to her instead. That led the Moyong Clan to increase their collaboration and support with the Guga. Oh.... That's really a knotty problem. 'There's no fixing it now, is there?' The Moyong Clan's mercantile guilds are already established in the mountain range area, And that's why the district has become so vibrant. Most clans want to trade with the Moyong Clan, and if the Guga suddenly has access to those transactions simply because of her intervention... 'Dammit.' There's no way to handle this mess casually. I have no intention of ending the engagement. 'This isn’t my fault.' No matter how you look at it, it’s Moyong Hee’s fault for making decisions without consulting me. Yet, when I see Moyong Hee, who seems to be gauging the room, the words fail to come out. 'What was she thinking…?' Though puzzled over Moyong Hee's intentions, I can’t help thinking it stems from my influence. Given that she usually isn’t reckless with her words unless still feeling confident about resolving things, I suspect I'm at fault somehow. '…What should I do?' I doubt the clan leaders would decide to oppose me solely because of their daughters. '…Then again, might they? That’s where the problem lies.' It's convoluted through and through. As is often the case, once an incident unfolds, it tends to unravel further. Always makes me wonder, is it just an illusion that the difficulty level of my life seems unusually high compared to others? 'I don’t know.' Perhaps there was some hint or agreement given reader the reactions. While members of the alliance mill about and certain individuals seem uninformed about the gathering, They’re likely apprentices from what are considered relatively minor clans or factions. 'Even in a crisis like this, the hierarchy persists? It's exhausting.' Despite the chaos, the Martial Alliance seems unchanged. Why those at the center of the orthodox sects handle matters like this is beyond me. If it were up to me, I'd turn the whole thing on its head. "By the way." "What now?" "For the record, my father likely won’t be fond of you either." "…" Peng Ah-hee's comment made me scrunch my face in displeasure. What kind of nonsense is that? "…Wait, do you like me? Sorry, that’s a bit…." "Are you trying to die...? Why am I the one getting rejected here?" There was a sharp edge to her voice, a hint of lethal intent within her tone. Her reaction was quite extreme for just a simple question. "It's annoying enough when a handsome guy says that... but from someone as bug-like as you..." Clearly taken aback by her own words, Peng Ah-hee abruptly clamped her mouth shut, sensing a chilling aura emanating from those around. The previously weary-looking women were now exuding a sharp, tense presence. Namgung Bi-ah, who had been yawning groggily, cast a glance at Peng Ah-hee. "...Bug-like?" "...No, I didn't mean it like that..." Though Namgung Bi-ah didn't say much, her tone was laden with discomfort. Peng Ah-hee flinched at this. Namgung Bi-ah refrained from saying more, staring coldly at Peng Ah-hee instead. Feeling the intensity of the gaze, Peng Ah-hee eventually spoke with a slightly awkward expression. "...Sorry." "Okay." Only after Peng Ah-hee's apology did Namgung Bi-ah, and indeed Tang Soyeol and Muyong Hee, break their stares. Watching this, I clicked my tongue inwardly. '...Really, these girls...' Shouldn't I be the one getting the apology? Why are they accepting it and seemingly okay now? I haven't even received an apology yet. "So... why does Elder Peng have an issue with me?" What possible reason could there be for him to dislike me? Ah, right, there is one. No matter how much I try to forget, the broken engagement with Peng Ah-hee remains a thing. And that breakup was my fault for talking too much. 'It would be weirder if Elder Peng liked me.' Even if he disliked me, it wouldn't be strange, but Peng Ah-hee seemed to have another reason entirely. "It's not because of the broken engagement." "Really?" "Yeah." Then what is it? What else could it be? Peng Ah-hee brushed her signature short bob as she explained. "My father... he's quite the jealous type." "Jealous?" "Yes." As she spoke, a bittersweet look crossed Peng Ah-hee's face. ****************** After the brief conversation, I headed off to a secluded forest area. I ensured the others had enough to eat and confirmed that Tang Soyeol and Namgung Bi-ah were gradually recovering. That was a relief. 'I was prepared to retrieve some inner elixirs if necessary.' I still knew of some unclaimed fortuitous opportunities that I hadn't yet seized. I pondered whether I should acquire some for their health, but thankfully the treatment seemed effective, and there were no issues. The only minor concern was the scar likely to remain on Tang Soyeol’s thigh, which nagged at me. Despite Tang Soyeol's reassurances and bright demeanor, I couldn't shake off my unease. 'The gathering... It’s set to happen a few months from now at the earliest.' Considering the distances everyone needed to travel, it might not occur until just before summer, so maybe two months later. The real problem was that until someone from the clans arrived for safety reasons, I couldn’t just return on my own. If I left and faced another attack, it would be another disaster for the Martial Alliance. That meant I'd be stuck here for a few months. 'Tch.' Asking Gu Juelyeop about it revealed that even he's been informed by the alliance, though he said he couldn’t relay it sooner due to my constant hiding and roaming. Still, it wasn't vital information. In summary, messengers were sent to the clans regarding the incidents, with plans to hold the Orthodox Council under the alliance's leader's guidance. More specifics will follow once the incapacitated Cheonghae Il-gum regains consciousness. 'The alliance, yes, but Kunlun will face troubles, too.' Regardless of circumstances, Even though Shinryong Hall belonged to the alliance, the current management was under Kunlun, and failing to prevent the attack would definitely target them. Especially since Cheonghae Il-gum was defeated. 'Tch.' In a world where people love to criticize, that's inevitable. 'Everything seems to be progressing better than expected, yet it's not satisfying.' Despite unforeseen incidents and revelations, Things were proceeding better than my original plan. Achieving the enlightened realm before turning thirty, I managed it earlier than anticipated. My plan to escape Shinryong Hall within the year is practically moot with these incidents unfolding. 'I still worry about Jang Seonyeon, though.' There's no trace, and I can't ask the World Tree. Yes, things are admittedly going better than planned, But the entangled events leave me uneasy at best. Ever since the encounter with the Heavenly Demon, it's become even more convoluted. 'At this current pace, it's insufficient.' Achieving enlightenment at an age where my body isn’t fully grown, Granted, I had a fleeting sense of pride over that fact. Thinking that this pace would suffice, That it might even allow me to replace the title of Divine Sword. But, 'What a foolish thought.' Facing the Heavenly Demon reaffirmed it. It’s astoundingly slow. Too slow to reach my goals. Replace the Divine Sword? With how things stand? Ridiculous. 'I need to be faster.' Noja said it: To forget impatience, To trust in yourself. Upon reaching enlightenment, I began to understand that not just intellectually but emotionally. Yet, 'How could I possibly do that, Noja?' Executing it was another matter. The situation itself wasn't allowing for it. "How stifling." No matter how I ponder it, taking it step by step isn’t feasible. If there’s no shortcut, then I'll have to forge one. Snap. Just as I exhaled a weary breath, I sensed a presence approaching from behind. Turning my gaze to where the presence emanated, "Finally in the mood to have a chat with me?" His voice was calm, neither high nor low, leaving a striking impression. The appearing figure was none other than Bi Eojin, known as the Hidden Dragon. Yet within me, I referred to him as Pajeon, the seasoned youth. Youth, though he appeared, he was probably ancient inside. Waving a hand, Bijein approached. I wasn’t particularly surprised, having anticipated his arrival. To be precise, it was more like I had summoned him. "Why are you hiding and observing from afar when you could just approach directly?" Since yesterday, I had been aware that Bi Eojin was deliberately lingering around me. Given his true identity, it seemed he was intentionally making his presence known, as if beckoning me to notice him. Reflecting on the reason, '...It must be his way of signaling that I should approach him when I’m ready to talk.' It was likely a form of consideration on his part. Indeed, there were certainly things to discuss with Bi Eojin. He had witnessed me undergoing my transformation into a demonic figure and how my martial arts were altered by dark energy. “I could see you were quite busy, so I merely waited.” “…Thank you for your consideration.” “No need for thanks; that’s not what I was seeking. So, should I take it to mean you’re ready to talk now?” “Yes, but before that.” I spent quite some time contemplating what to do. What explanations to give, what Bi Eojin expected from me, And whether I could provide the answers he sought. Yet, I decided this was the quickest method for now. I spoke while positioning my hands for a fist salute. Seeing my sudden gesture, Bi Eojin's eyes widened. "Why the formalities between us…?" "How could I not?" Bi Eojin's smile stiffened drastically. It seemed he had an inkling of what I was about to say. A chilling sensation crept up my spine. Even so, I continued speaking. “I apologize for recognizing you belatedly.” Bi Eojin listened and slowly began sweeping his hand over his forehead, brushing up his hair. In that fleeting moment, The expression that Bi Eojin wore vanished. Though he still appeared as the youthful, wrinkle-free man, His current expression was unmistakably someone else's—a visage that belonged to Biju, not Bi Eojin. Taking in that expression, I uttered my final words aloud. “The unworthy junior greets the Peerless Lord.” The moment those words left me, An immense wave of presence erupted from the Peerless Lord.