365 - Childhood Friend of the Zenith

In the 366th chapter of "The World's Greatest Martial Artist's Childhood Friend," the Power Tyrant speaks with a tense grimace. "What on earth are you saying?" "I'm saying exactly what I mean." He intended to retain the internal energy within him while also absorbing the Power Tyrant's martial skills. Upon hearing this, the Power Tyrant furrowed his brows deeply and spoke to me. "Should I take it to mean you wish to die? If you want, I can kindly assist you in a better way." It was his way of saying he’d rather beat me to death. Quite terrifying, indeed. To this, I replied. "I am not joking." "And if not a joke? Are you toying with me?" "That is not my intention either. I'm sincere." "Hah." The Power Tyrant's reaction was understandable. Normally, one cannot contain two different martial skills within their body. Each martial art channels a distinct internal energy, and if opposing energies clash, the meridians could be ruined, turning one into a cripple. There is a famous anecdote about the Power Tyrant himself—how he abandoned all his previous energy to create a new martial art from scratch. He had to give up everything, even his identity as the Power Tyrant, to rebuild. That's just how it is if you're a martial artist. And here I was, telling the Power Tyrant that I would learn his martial art just like that. From his perspective, it must have seemed utterly absurd. "Are you sure you know what you're saying?" "I do." "If you truly understood, you wouldn't say such things. Unless you're mocking me." His voice increasingly carried a hint of anger. He seemed to genuinely think I was being foolish. Though I was sincere, I chose to ignore his reaction and continued. "I know you have expectations of me." He paused at my words. There's a reason why he's allowing me to continue this far, and a reason why he desires so deeply for me to become his disciple. "I also have things I cannot afford to abandon." "So, you intend to carry both within your body? Do you believe that's possible?" His gaze grew sharper. "You treat martial arts so lightly." Martial skills are such that even if one could carry multiple within the body, mastering just one is a tremendous achievement. My intent to hold both surely didn’t sit well with him. Even so, "If I find it impossible, I will give up. But." I made sure to maintain eye contact with the Power Tyrant as I spoke my final words. "Unless that is the case, I have no intention of becoming your disciple. You might as well kill me." He didn’t respond, and the tension in the air didn't ease. I couldn't tell if he was suppressing his anger or contemplating whether to crush me. Despite my bold words, I was ready to flee if he did attempt to harm me. I couldn't die here. Subtly, I had already figured out an escape route. Fortunately, he didn’t seem inclined to kill me. After a long pause, the Power Tyrant finally responded. "...What will you do if you realize it's not possible after attempting it?" Finally. Internally, I nodded at his words, careful not to show my satisfaction outwardly. I responded to him. "If it turns out impossible, I will do as you desire, emptying what's within and starting anew." The Power Tyrant seemed lost in thought once more, but to me, it already felt like he had made a decision. Although I confidently declared I would abandon my current martial arts and mastery, I had no real intention of doing so. I was quite confident. Confident that I could learn the Power Tyrant's martial arts without discarding the techniques I currently practiced. And fortunately, my conviction proved accurate. ****************** Mi Hyo-ran, the owner of the Baekhwa Merchant Guild and the matron of the Sanseogu family, gazed at her husband with a white fan in hand. Despite being buried in paperwork at his desk as usual, the fierce, yet somewhat weary look in his eyes was evident. His fatigued appearance was concerning, but what mattered more right now was the letter in her hand. "What are you planning to do?" She was slightly surprised by the sharpness of her own voice but chose not to apologize. Hearing Mi Hyo-ran's voice, Gu Cheol-woon, the head of the Sanseogu family and a martial artist known for his chivalry, looked up. His eyes remained a striking crimson. Head of the family, Gu Cheol-woon, returned her gaze and asked again. "What are you talking about?" Feigning ignorance, Gu Cheol-woon's response caused Mi Hyo-ran's brow to furrow intensely. "...Didn't you receive it as well?" Mi Hyo-ran laid a letter on his desk with a firm thump. The blue seal on it clearly marked it as an invitation from the Martial Alliance. "They've announced a gathering. Is it true you aren't planning on attending?" His stern and unreadable face remained fixated on the letter. Mi Hyo-ran made a conscious effort to remain composed though she had been eager to act immediately after receiving the invitation. "Mo Yong-se, who was supposed to meet with the Baekhwa Merchant Guild, has withdrawn their intention." "Hmm." "They must have heard about this first." Though she expressed her thoughts in hypotheticals, Mi Hyo-ran knew it was true. The real reason she brought it up was simple: If they abandoned everything to head to Hanam at a loss, what exactly were you doing here? Gu Cheol-woon's eyes also turned to the letter. Though his expression didn't change as he read it, Mi Hyo-ran could sense his dissatisfaction. "If I recall correctly, you did not attend the last gathering either." Over a decade ago, he had skipped the previous alliance meeting, too. "And I'm aware that, as a consequence, the standing of our family has diminished." While attending such gatherings is optional, failing to do so comes with its own repercussions. Despite being a prominent family, the absence from the Alliance gathering meant they had to accept falling somewhat behind. However, Mi Hyo-ran wasn’t overly concerned about such matters. While reputation was important for a head of a guild, her primary focus was purely personal. It was about her perspective as a parent. "I know your reasons, so I’m not blaming you." "What are you trying to say?" Finally, after Mi Hyo-ran repeated herself, Gu Cheol-woon showed signs of discomfort. Yet, even in the face of his displeasure, Mi Hyo-ran remained unmoved. "I heard you plan to send Lady Il, Elder Il, and Chief One Sword in your stead." This decision, communicated by Gu Cheol-woon to the clan through the chief steward, involved dispatching a delegation to Hanam on his behalf. With two elders and family members included, it could be considered a respectful approach despite him not attending in person. But Mi Hyo-ran wasn't pleased. "Are you truly okay with this?" She sighed, watching him. "I won't tell you to be a good father. I haven't been a good mother, either." With those words, Mi Hyo-ran turned her back. There were many things she disliked. "But it cannot go on like this forever." Even if she felt pity for the man bound to Shanxi, her concern naturally gravitated towards their children. "Even if you don’t go, I intend to attend as the head of Baekhwa Merchant Guild." Though not the top guild, it held a significant position and had provided substantial support to the alliance and the Mount Hua Sect. Therefore, Mi Hyo-ran was well-qualified to participate in the gathering. "If you wish, I will bring the children myself." Despite her words, Gu Cheol-woon remained largely unresponsive. The only indication of his discomfort was the increasingly tense atmosphere in the room. Noticing this, Mi Hyo-ran added one more thing. "I heard one of them was seriously injured." At this revelation, Gu Cheol-woon’s hand, which had been inspecting a letter, froze, and his gaze fixed on Mi Hyo-ran. "There was no such mention in the report." "I see you've read it all." "…" The actual messengers reported that two of the family members, including one from a branch family, were safe and without major issues. However, "That’s not a reason to avoid going, and you know it well." "…" "I'll say no more. Pardon me for intruding." With that, Mi Hyo-ran left, closing the door behind her. Left alone in the room, Gu Cheol-woon slowly rubbed his face with his hand. His eyes eventually settled on the letter on the desk. After a moment of silence, he gazed at the message from the alliance before calling out quietly, "Chief Steward." Summoning the steward, who was likely waiting outside. The door opened, and the steward respectfully approached. "Master, you called?" Gu Cheol-woon, fixing his eyes on the steward, delivered a resolute command in a heavy tone. "Make amendments to the personnel heading to Hanam. Inform them that I will also be attending." “…!” The steward, in his stance, reflexively flinched upon hearing this. However, maintaining composure, he nodded and replied to Gu Cheol-woon. "Understood." He asked no questions and expressed no doubts. After receiving the steward's reply, Gu Cheol-woon dismissed him. Once confirming the steward's departure, he quietly closed his eyes. Thus, As time passed and two months went by, the era arrived when countless individuals began flocking to Hanam.