380 - Childhood Friend of the Zenith

**Translation:** Crushed by Presence. I felt like I finally understood the meaning behind those words. The heat radiating from the center of Gu Cheol-un was suffocating. All the insects singing in the forest fell silent. The wild animals nearby had already fled for safety. Rustle, rustle. Spring should still bear traces of winter's aftermath. Yet, as the heat spread, the air around bubbled as if boiling. In such a situation where even breathing in and out became difficult... Moyong Tae, glancing at his opponent, managed to speak with great effort. "...Ho-hyeop." Uttering the honorific nickname, Gu Cheol-un's gaze turned to Moyong Tae. Deep red eyes and hair increasingly turning crimson. And an intensifying presence. Moyong Tae swallowed in awe as he looked at Gu Cheol-un. 'Was Ho-hyeop always this powerful?' Ho-hyeop was said to have passed his prime. Yet, his presence was overwhelming. 'Did he hide his true strength all this time?' The common belief in the martial world was that a once mighty tiger in its heyday had become feeble. If he had, indeed, been hiding his strength, the reasons were unknown. Recalling Gu Cheol-un's past glories, Moyong Tae deemed it plausible. Anyone from the same martial generation as Gu Cheol-un couldn't be ignorant of the glory he once held. He was touted as the strongest successor among the generations of martial prodigies and the youngest leader of the legendary martial arts group, Shinryongdae. Even the venerable Sword Master, then the Alliance Chief, confidently asserted that Ho-hyeop would become the greatest martial artist of all time. The title of the Greatest Under Heaven. It's a name every martial artist in the Central Plains dreams of. With the Sword Master's assertion, people believed Ho-hyeop was destined for greatness. That is until the catastrophic annihilation of Shinryongdae led to the Sword Master stepping down from the Alliance Chief's position, and Ho-hyeop retreated to Shanxi after taking over as the Gu family's head. Time passed. As generational shifts occurred multiple times, Ho-hyeop's name gradually faded from history. Once a terror reigning over evil factions, Ho-hyeop was now merely known as the head of the Shanxi Gu Family. As his son, Geombong, began making a name for himself. Talks circulated that he couldn't recover from the deteriorating state caused by the Demon Realm Incident, signaling his prime had long passed. Since Gu Cheol-un's resignation from his leadership position, apart from suppressing the occasional demonic disturbances in Shanxi, he hadn't displayed his martial prowess, which likely fueled such rumors. However. '...They're all nonsense.' Facing the current Gu Cheol-un, Moyong Tae was certain. The rumors spreading through the Central Plains were false. Gu Cheol-un before him was far beyond the bottom ranks of the Central Plains' top hundred martial experts. As a Flower Realm martial artist and one named among the top hundred experts, Moyong Tae, himself, felt assured of his defeat before Gu Cheol-un. The sheer heat and presence emitted by Gu Cheol-un alone were enough to determine his defeat. To say such a being was a mere bottom-rank among the top hundred experts? 'That's absurd.' Craaaack-! "...!" Under the increasingly intense pressure. Moyong Tae clutched his tightening chest. "Baekcheon Sword Master." "...Hah... Hah...." Gu Cheol-un began to approach the sweat-drenched Moyong Tae. "I asked what you were doing." Within the deep voice, a stable rage was palpable. Despite its constant tone, the power it held was expressing fury. "Are you not going to answer?" "...Haaa...." He didn't refuse to answer; he simply couldn't. Gu Cheol-un, indifferent to Moyong Tae's predicament, slowly extended his hand. As Gu Cheol-un's massive hand approached, Moyong Tae had to confront his impending death. Just as Gu Cheol-un's hand was about to cover Moyong Tae's face... "...Father." Pause. At Gu Yangcheon’s voice, Gu Cheol-un's body halted, turning his head towards Gu Yangcheon. The word 'Father' was something Gu Cheol-un hadn't heard from Gu Yangcheon for nearly a decade. With a pause, Gu Yangcheon approached Gu Cheol-un and spoke. "I am alright." It seemed like the suffocating heat was difficult for Gu Yangcheon too. Though his breathing appeared labored, Gu Yangcheon continued to speak without pause. "Lord Moyong was merely offering me guidance. Please resolve your misunderstanding." "…" Upon hearing those words, Gu Cheol-un quietly observed Gu Yangcheon. Though the stare of those crimson red eyes felt burdensome, this time, Gu Yangcheon did not avert his gaze. After a few seconds passed. Swoosh. Gu Cheol-un withdrew the hand extended towards Moyong Tae and straightened up. "Gah." Only then could Moyong Tae release the breath he had been holding back. The oppressive presence and heat that had been suffocating him vanished in an instant. Breathing deeply, Moyong Tae heard Gu Cheol-un speak. "Baekcheon Sword Master." At the call, Moyong Tae wiped the cold sweat and lifted his head. "Is what he said true?" "…" Contemplating how to respond, he wondered if relying on Gu Yangcheon's help was appropriate. Acting on pride might provoke an unpredictable reaction from Gu Cheol-un. Although highly unlikely to be killed, Gu Cheol-un's behavior moments ago suggested otherwise. With that thought, Moyong Tae tightly shut his eyes and gave his response. "…Yes." "…" After hearing Moyong Tae's response, Gu Cheol-un, wearing a peculiar expression, took a step back. It felt as if he was creating space to make it easier for Moyong Tae to rise. Then... "I apologize. It seems I acted rashly without grasping the situation." In a composed voice, Gu Cheol-un offered an apology to Moyong Tae. Notably, his voice lacked any notion of genuine regret. Understanding the circumstance, he knew too. He realized Gu Yangcheon had shielded Moyong Tae. Nevertheless, the apology suggested he chose to let it slide. Recognizing this, Moyong Tae subtly bit his lip and stood himself up. "…I also bear blame for inciting misunderstanding. Think nothing of it." "Thank you for your understanding." Counterfeit apologies and gratitude exchanged for the sake of appearances. Moyong Tae directed his gaze towards Gu Yangcheon, standing behind Gu Cheol-un. Gu Yangcheon regarded Moyong Tae with a delicate expression. **Translation:** Just when Moyong Tae was trying to interpret the expression... -…I apologize. If it's not to your liking, I'll formally visit next time if you wish. '...' Gu Yangcheon's whisper passed Moyong Tae's ears. The promise of a formal visit next time. How could he say such a thing when Moyong Tae's response was uncertain? Even though Gu Yangcheon still didn't sit well with him, Moyong Tae knew it wasn't a situation where he could reproach him. -That's enough. -…! Gu Yangcheon widened his eyes upon hearing Moyong Tae's message. Moyong Tae's tone had shifted to complete informal speech. Though undecided whether to take it negatively, Gu Yangcheon didn't particularly mind Moyong Tae's informal tone. -There's no need for you to come by. -But... -I'll visit next time instead. -…. Did that mean he'd come with the real intention to fight next time? As Gu Yangcheon's lips threatened to tremble... -I'll bring my daughter along then. Prepare yourself. -... -Just saying in case you misunderstand, I haven't accepted you. -Understood. -And I won't in the future. -Understood. Mentioning coming with Moyong-hee indicated there wouldn't be a violent confrontation like just now. Perhaps it was somewhat resolved. As he mused over this, Moyong Tae made a courteous gesture to Gu Cheol-un. "...Since it's late, if permitted, I would like to take my leave." "Do so." "Though unexpected, I will visit again to personally apologize for any harm caused to your son." Gu Cheol-un nodded at Moyong Tae's words. Upon confirmation, Moyong Tae sighed wearily and disappeared. When enough distance had grown and Moyong Tae's presence could no longer be felt... Whoosh— Gu Yangcheon sensed an unseen barrier set up around them. It was undoubtedly Gu Cheol-un's doing. "…" Gu Yangcheon had to wear a vague expression while glancing between the barrier and Gu Cheol-un. After scratching the back of his head briefly, Gu Yangcheon finally spoke to Gu Cheol-un. "Family Head." "Yes." "Why did you do that?" A question filled with curiosity. Gu Cheol-un prepared to reply to Gu Yangcheon's question, but Gu Yangcheon continued before he could speak. "You already witnessed everything, didn’t you?" At Gu Yangcheon's assertion, Gu Cheol-un's eyes widened slightly. ****************** Father had been watching the entire time. I was sure of it. "What was the reason for oppressing the Lord of Moyong?" From the conversation I had with the Lord of Moyong, to asking for guidance and initiating a duel... Father must have observed everything from the start. As evidence, Father spoke to me with mildly surprised eyes. "How did you know?" It meant that he indeed had. And the reason I, who hadn’t sensed his presence, could be certain of this was nothing else. "If it is the Family Head, I thought it would be so." "…" "At least, you're not someone who would be late or forget once you've promised." I had asked to talk about Father and Mother. Since we'd agreed to meet here after dinner, I knew Father wouldn't be late. And as it turns out, I was correct. "That's why I'm curious. Why did you act as you did?" Despite having the opportunity to intervene anytime he chose, why did Father involve himself later? With the martial skill he displayed just now, it would have been more than possible. 'Just how strong is he?' Even now, having reached the Flower Realm, I couldn't grasp how strong Father truly is. What I could be sure of was that he was overwhelmingly more potent than the Baekcheon Sword Master from moments ago. This was something I understood even from my past life experiences. However, I've rarely seen Father exhibit his martial prowess directly. In this life, this was only the second instance. The first was his display in the Dark Night Palace. And now, this overwhelming presence. Even with just these two instances, I was confident. Father is powerful. Beyond anything I could imagine. "…I'm curious why you belatedly oppressed Baekcheon Sword Master." As I posed my question, Father's hair began returning to its original color. The lingering heat in the air also subsided. Finally able to breathe more comfortably, Father spoke to me. "It was simply something that needed to be done." "Something that needed to be done?" "Yes." What did that mean? "I didn't intend to intervene initially." "Then why…?" "Because he intended to point his sword at you for real." "…!" "Do you need any more reason than that?" Because Moyong Tae truly intended to fight me. If it was only to give some guidance, he would have let it pass. But since he was about to cross the line, he intervened. "…Are you saying you truly intended to kill him?" I remembered the heat lingering in Father's hand. Had it covered the Baekcheon Sword Master's face, terrible things would have ensued. Yet thankfully, Father shook his head slightly in response. "I was simply ensuring proper justification. Even had you not stopped me, I would have employed a similar means." "…" Showing signs of anger and managing the situation, or securing various justifications for the Moyong family to lower their stance. Was he acting with that all factored in? Realizing this made Father seem somewhat intimidating. "…I understand, but was it okay?" "What do you mean?" "You've been hiding your power, right? Was it alright to reveal it to the Lord of Moyong like this?" If Father deliberately concealed his abilities until now, there must have been a reason. Was it okay to reveal his true strength so nonchalantly? To this, Father responded with a tone of slight confusion. "Third." "Yes." "It seems you're mistaken about something." "Yes?" Father, with his characteristically sharp eyes, looked at me and swept his large hand through his hair. "This Family Head has never hidden himself." "…!" **Translation:** Upon hearing my father's words, I silently gasped. He never hid his power? "It was simply unnecessary to reveal it." "But the rumors..." "Do you believe the words of others are that important?" "No, I don’t." "Neither does this Family Head. This occasion merely required the use of my strength. Nothing more." This was something I hadn't known. Father had never intended to hide his power. He neither confirmed nor denied the rumors that spread throughout the Central Plains. Saying he didn't use his power simply because there was no need for it was quite a shock to me. ‘…This was unexpected.’ This was truly a revelation I hadn’t anticipated. Knowing my father's personality, it made sense, and yet I never actually envisioned it to be true. As I was grappling with a sense of bewilderment... "Third." My father called me. "Yes, Family Head." "You've surpassed your wall." "..." I swallowed as my father directly acknowledged the fact that I had crossed into the Flower Realm. "...Yes." "When did you surpass it?" "A little over two months ago." "I see." Gu Cheol-un nodded at my words without further reaction. Despite his son reaching the Flower Realm before reaching a mature age, that was the extent of his response. What a consistent person he is... "You've worked hard. You did well." "Yes, thank...what?" Surprised by his words, I widened my eyes and looked at him. When I looked at my father again, he wasn’t looking directly at me. His gaze seemed oddly misaligned, as if avoiding mine. "Family Head...?" "You mentioned you wanted to ask this Family Head something." "Oh. Yes." I contemplated asking what he was staring at, but he deftly redirected the conversation back on track. It seemed he didn't want me to inquire further. I then swallowed dryly. This brought me back to the real reason I had come alone with him here. Right, there was something I needed to address. I had to ask my father the question that had been burning inside me. "Family Head." My father's gaze turned back to me. Facing those deep red eyes, I spoke out. "I’ve heard my mother is alive." "…" At my question, my father's shoulders subtly shifted. Observing his reaction, I continued speaking. "...Do you know where she is?" "…" This cautious question left my father in thoughtful silence as he regarded me. Was he deliberating on how I figured this out or how I suddenly came to ask? As these thoughts circled in my mind, contemplating my own response, my father spoke. "Yes." "…!" "I know." My heart began to pound fiercely at his answer.