395 - Childhood Friend of the Zenith

**Title: "The Greatest Under Heaven's Childhood Friend - Chapter 396"** After hearing the ominous “murder warning” (?) from the Poison King through Tang Xuel, I hurriedly finished a meal that I couldn't even tell if I ate with my mouth or nose, and then started moving immediately. Even as I walked through the streets, my mind was preoccupied with finding a way to decline the Poison King's invitation. Yet, nothing convincing enough to dissuade him came to mind. "I hope it's really just for a meal." I convinced myself it was likely just that. Although the probability seemed significantly high, I couldn't shake off the subtle chill running down my spine. "Surely, he wouldn't actually try to poison me." Despite his reputation for stealth, I was aware that he wouldn't resort to such extremes with me. Still, given the rumors and his famous doting nature on his daughter, there was a lingering discomfort. Originally, considering his status as the head of one of the Four Great Families, one might think he wouldn't act without thinking, but... “...Recalling Baekcheon Swordmaster, that uncle, I’m not so sure.” I’ve come to realize that none of the heads of the Four Great Families are ordinary. They certainly didn't seem like such characters in my past life. Was it something unknown to me, or has something changed? "It can't have changed." Even if many aspects changed, altering to that extent seemed bizarre. Perhaps they were inherently eccentric, and I had just never noticed. That's how it ought to be. Otherwise, the future of Zhongyuan... No, it’s doomed from the start anyway. “Sigh.” It's a series of sighs when those entangled with me seem all to be lunatics. Amongst it all, I wanted to avoid dining with the Poison King if possible, but it wasn’t entirely avoidable. Especially due to the Tang clan, rulers of the Sichuan land, which I intended to visit. Moreover, Tang Xuel's excitement about my trip to Sichuan also contributed to this situation. As things stood, I could have easily avoided seeing him if I preferred not to. Traveling without him wouldn’t have been much of an issue. The Poison King also had ulterior motives regarding the trip to Sichuan. “He’s escorting prisoners.” The prisoners believed to be held beneath the Martial Alliance. Those who attacked Shinryongguan, the dark faction martial artists whose deeds helped spread my name across Zhongyuan, known as the Black Dragon Sword and his group. Transporting them to the Tang clan was the task assigned to the Poison King. Thinking about it brought a frown to my face. “What a ruthless method.” Taking them all the way from Henan to Sichuan. Many reasons would cause frowns at the thought of it. While torture could easily be conducted in Henan, as there are always those who refuse to speak. The Tang clan excels at getting even the most tight-lipped to talk. The Tang clan, now hailed as a pillar of the righteous faction, does so because they handle the dark and murky tasks the orthodox factions cannot. Most of Zhongyuan either doesn't know this or tacitly concedes. But I am aware. When the demonic sect overtook Sichuan in my past life. After personally killing the Poison King, I entered the Tang clan’s underground. To carry out the Heavenly Demon’s orders. I witnessed a scene akin to hell. For one like me, who had seen all kinds of trials, to label it hell signifies a sight best forgotten. The clan head, the Poison King, surely knew of those events. Thus, I viewed him with inevitable discomfort. Even the distinctively mild demeanor and appearance typical of the Tang clan became chillingly mask-like upon knowing the truth buried underground. Knowing the Martial Alliance was aware of the Tang clan’s secrets, they must have sought the Poison King’s assistance to send the prisoners to Sichuan. This reassured me further that the Martial Alliance is not as clean as it seems. “This is only natural.” No place can survive being purely clean. I understand this truth better than anyone, yet I still loathe getting too close to it. “Clicking my tongue.” Regardless of the circumstances, the dinner with the Poison King couldn't be refused. The reasons I shouldn't attend were all significant. But the reasons compelling me to go were profoundly more important. “This godforsaken world never offers a break.” My paramount reason for heading to Sichuan. To acquire the white jade stone that is key to perfecting my incomplete Huagyeong and elevating my cultivation stage. And obtaining this white jade stone requires— Nothing less than the permission of the Tang clan. Hence, recklessly declining the Poison King’s dinner invitation wasn’t an option. I thought to rely on Tang Xuel’s help to avoid it, but— “With things as they are, there’s no other choice.” With no alternative, the dinner with the Poison King was unavoidable. Resolving thus, I sighed and continued on my way. Reaching my destination before I realized, I sharpened my focus on the task ahead. The dinner with the Poison King was in the evening. I had matters to attend to during the day. The guards blocking the gate identified me and stepped aside. It seemed they were informed in advance. Slightly nodding in acknowledgment, I opened the door and stepped inside. As I moved forward, my gaze wandered to the guards’ chests. Martial robes stitched with wave patterns in white embroidery. Recognizing them as Kurung disciples due to the distinctive design. As only one sect in Zhongyuan adorned such embroidery. Crossing the entrance, a familiar aura pervaded the surroundings. All sensed from Kurung’s transcendental energies. Despite continuously perceiving them, I pressed onward. The reason I sought this gathering place of transcendents. Was to meet the elder beyond the door before me. Creak. Opening the door cautiously, I was greeted by an elder rising halfway from a couch. “You’ve come.” With snowy hair and a face full of gracefully settled wrinkles. One arm appeared severed as it vanished above the wrist. Nevertheless, he waved his other hand invitingly. This was Cheonghae Ilgeom. **************** Seated carefully, I continued... I accepted the refreshments and tea offered by the venerable one. “How have you been?” “I am well. I apologize for calling you when you must be busy.” “It’s no trouble at all.” How long has it been since we last met? Probably about a month. We crossed paths a couple of times amidst unfolding events, yet this marked the first time Cheonghae Ilgeom personally summoned me. Wearing his characteristic smile, Cheonghae Ilgeom spoke to me. “They say there’s nowhere these days where your name isn’t heard. Is that so?” “...It's not exactly like that.” Though I tried to dismiss it, his words were more accurate than I wished to admit. In the back alleys of Henan, children have even invented a silly game called “Soryeomra play” after me. If I had stumbled across it, those kids would have found themselves with a couple of bumps on their heads. Unfortunately, I never witnessed it firsthand, which was a regret. If I had found them, they wouldn’t have gotten away with it. Whether aware of my feelings or not, Cheonghae Ilgeom chuckled lightly. “Given the significant deeds you accomplished, gaining such recognition isn't necessarily a bad thing.” “…Yes.” It could be seen as something positive. However, I couldn't help but find it vexing, knowing it was a scheme propagated by the alliance. Suppressing my discomfort, I turned the conversation toward Cheonghae Ilgeom. “How is your health these days?” “I am as well as ever.” “I see.” Despite his calm assurances, I found it hard to believe. His missing wrist and the fact that he remained bedridden suggested a severe internal injury. “Moreover, the current situation isn't very favorable.” Although the Shinhyeongwan was under the alliance, its management this time fell to the Kunlun sect. Thus, they couldn’t evade moral responsibility for the damage from the Black Dragon Sword’s attack. With Master Zhang stepping down as Alliance Leader, rumors whispered about. “They say Cheonghae Ilgeom might also relinquish his position as Head.” This was not confirmed—merely gossip. Nevertheless, Kunlun made substantial efforts to address the aftermath of the incident. They held modest services for deceased warriors shortly after the event. They also collaborated on sharing information about them and took care to prevent bodies from decomposing until representatives from their respective sects or families arrived. In my eyes, this fulfilled their moral obligations. Yet, public perception was far less forgiving. Words describing Kunlun as incompetent alongside the Martial Alliance were mounting. Were Cheonghae Ilgeom and Kunlun truly incompetent as some claimed? “I doubt it.” At least, that wasn't my opinion. But I couldn't speak for others. As I pondered this, I finally addressed Cheonghae Ilgeom with my true query. “Elder.” “Yes?” “What is the reason you summoned me here?” I was curious about the primary matter at hand for calling me so unexpectedly. Upon hearing my question, Cheonghae Ilgeom took a sip of tea. He appeared to need some time to compose his thoughts, so I did not press him. After a brief moment, Cheonghae Ilgeom began to speak. “The reason I called you here was primarily... to express my gratitude once again.” “…Haven’t you already conveyed that thanks quite some time ago?” These were words he spoke to me as soon as he regained consciousness. Thanking me for saving the children. It was a sentiment I hadn’t been fond of hearing then, and still wasn’t now. “As long as the gratitude remains, it deserves repeated expression.” “I assure you, it’s unnecessary...” “Besides, gratitude isn't something I intend to express with words alone.” Just as I was half-displeased and about to ask him to stop, Cheonghae Ilgeom produced something from his robe and handed it to me. “What is this?” It was a round item painted golden. About the size and shape of a coin, yet I couldn’t ascertain its purpose. Seeing my curiosity, Cheonghae Ilgeom elaborated. “I heard you’re heading to Sichuan in a few days. Is that correct?” “Yes? Ah, yes, that is true.” How had he heard of this? For some reason, it seemed everyone I met knew about my journey to Sichuan. “This... is a token of my gratitude, prepared upon hearing of your trip to Sichuan. Please, accept it.” Was it intended to be useful in Sichuan? If so, accepting it might be wise. But my concern lay in the justification for doing so. “I’m not in a position to accept such an item, Elder.” I didn’t deserve this token. Many lives had been lost as circumstances shifted due to my actions. I had only retaliated against the dark faction out of rage upon witnessing their deaths. Those who survived? They were simply those who should have lived initially; conversely, those who died were ones who should have lived otherwise. In such circumstances, could I really deserve this? I believed not. Following my refusal, a silence settled. Cheonghae Ilgeom, scrutinizing me, finally spoke while stroking his beard with his remaining hand. “This air of guilt without reason surrounds you.” “...” “What burdens you so, making you feel so small?” Though he asked, I couldn’t offer him an answer. Not to anyone. Did he perhaps sense I wouldn’t share my thoughts? Cheonghae Ilgeom let out a gentle breath before speaking calmly once more. “If you decline it as gratitude, then consider it simply a gift.” “...A gift?” “Do you recall when I mentioned favoring you in the past?” “Yes.” Back when I joined Shinhyeongwan and had a private meeting with Cheonghae Ilgeom. He had indeed mentioned favoring me then. “Consider this as a token symbolizing that affection.” “But—” “Oh come now, do you intend to further embarrass this old man?” “...” Seeing his slight frown, I silently took the golden token and tucked it away into my robe. Only after that did Cheonghae Ilgeom seem satisfied, allowing a smile to return to his face. “Keep that item with you, and when you reach Sichuan, make use of it.” “Use it? Where exactly should I employ it...?” Cheonghae Ilgeom revealed the location where I should use the golden token. “…!” The shock widened my eyes in disbelief. The location he mentioned was precisely the same as where the white jade stone was said to be. ‘How does he know?’ Puzzled by Cheonghae Ilgeom’s seemingly random mention of "that place," I cast my gaze upon him. The old man wore a cryptic expression as he spoke. “I hope this brings you some assistance on your journey.” “...” The sincerity in Cheonghae Ilgeom’s slightly glazed eyes made me bite my lip. Perhaps noticing my reaction, he added with a serene smile. “May you find peace. Not for anyone else, but in a place where you feel at ease.” Peace, he said. Though I wasn’t entirely sure what form of peace he wished upon me, it felt like a distant word, something out of reach for now. “…Thank you.” Despite my confusion, I showed respect to Cheonghae Ilgeom, as I lacked the courage to ask him what he truly meant. He acknowledged my gesture by gently ruffling my hair. His words lingered, inspiring many thoughts. Peace... Though it seemed far away at this moment, I hoped one day to reach that place. That place called peace. ****************** As evening came, I found myself grimacing, reflecting on Cheonghae Ilgeom’s words. ‘Peace, my foot.’ I was reminded once more how ill-suited that word seemed for me. The dinner spread before me was lavish enough to break the table legs, undeniably tempting. Yet, I hadn’t taken a single bite. Eating was the last thing on my mind given the circumstances. Across from me, the man with intense, burning eyes held a cup of tea and gazed at me. The ruler of the Tang clan, the Poison King, spoke again. “I’ll ask once more, Young Master Gu.” Thankfully, the food appeared to be free of poison, yet the fervent desire in his gaze tightened my throat more than any toxin could. Barely managing to swallow the tension. The Poison King posed his question once more. “Do you have any intention of taking our Xuel to be your bride?” At that moment, I realized this dinner was far more daunting than I had initially anticipated.