396 - Childhood Friend of the Zenith

Title: 天下第一人的童年挚友 - Chapter 397: Northern Rabbit As I stepped outside after concluding my meeting with Cheonghae Ilgeom, the evening sky already draped over us, indicating the end of the day. Though there was still some time left before the dinner I had scheduled. While there was a brief gap, it wasn't enough to indulge in any training, so I decided to head towards the arranged meeting point. ‘Getting caught would make the old man furious.’ If Master Paejon found out that I, already swamped with tasks, was skipping training, it wouldn’t be long before it became an excuse for a beating. ‘That man rather enjoys beating people subtly.’ It was definitely not my imagination. Sometimes I wonder if Paejon's very essence is tied to something other than martial prowess. In my eyes, it’s clear that his avoidance of physical sparring due to his perpetual youth is what’s piling up the frustration, and I just happen to be the outlet for it. ‘...Damn it, I need to get stronger, fast.’ I had to become strong enough not to live with constant fear of being hit or to at least mount some resistance. Thinking about this often made me painfully aware of the lack of solutions. ‘Being able to ignore the difference in levels like that - what on earth is this?’ Each time I face it, I am left speechless. Once, he even coaxed me into a duel, asking me to give it my all. Yet, it ended in such a defeat that it was simply absurd. ‘All channels get completely shut down.’ The reason why I block my martial arts channels and only engage in physical combat with Master Paejon isn’t because it's disadvantageous for him. It’s solely because it’s more beneficial for me. Paejon intercepts all movements intended for attack and pierces through every opening to counter. Though he's supposedly a master of flesh at the pinnacle, as someone who has reached the fire state, I still couldn’t win against Paejon in combat. As a result, I end up being beaten during every sparring session. Paejon pointed out my insufficient skill in grappling and the excessive reliance on extensive internal energy as my shortcomings. ‘Even Shin Noya mentioned this before.’ I had no excuse when it came to grappling. I had focused solely on vast attacks and explosive power, characteristics of firework martial arts. Despite belonging to the martial order, I had no memory of ever delving into grappling skills. Recently, sparring with Paejon has made me realize this more starkly. Compared to pushing through on past experiences, there's so much more needed to make up for what I lack. ‘...Just a bit more.’ No, not a bit, but a lot more effort is required. Fortunately, although his personality is rather irritating, having an excellent master by my side makes it a bit better. Especially regarding grappling. I usually attempted to move while executing Tua Pacheongong whenever possible. This made even walking extremely painful, but the efficiency wasn't bad. Paejon grimaced at my antics. ‘I never did such a thing myself,’ he remarked, looking at me as if I were insane, yet he hadn’t stopped me, implying it was likely acceptable. Moreover, the sensation from my perspective wasn’t exactly pleasant. Walking felt like trudging over a thorny path. Inside, it was like someone incessantly slashing at my entrails with a knife. Bearing such agony while moving made me want to stop immediately. ‘If I can’t endure this much, how will I go further?’ Endurance was merely a matter of pain. As it didn’t pose any significant issue, there was nothing to worry about, aside from occasionally fainting from the pain. Swaying slightly. My focus faltered for a moment while walking. ‘...Ah, I almost passed out just now.’ I shook my head a few times to regain my bearings. Problems occasionally occurred when I couldn’t concentrate, but this level was manageable. The important thing was, as I engaged in all these antics, I somehow arrived at the inn prepared by Dokwang much faster than anticipated. Seeing the brilliant and towering structure before me, I had a thought. ‘I should have walked slower...’ Closer than I expected. Damn it. Once my mind started drifting, time flew by at an alarming speed. ‘Sigh.’ Should I go in? It's too late to turn back now. Just as hesitation crept upon me. ‘Nothing unusual should happen, anyway.’ I exhaled a long sigh, seeking calm, and stepped towards the inn. At that moment. A flood of information rushed into my sensory range. Without revealing any surprise, I organized it in my mind first. ‘...Three on the left. Two above. Four in front.’ The aura of martial artists surrounding the inn felt clearly within my senses. The faint yet specific scent brushing my nose hinted their alignment with the Dang clan. ‘Guards, huh.’ Their gaze was undoubtedly on me, yet there was no disturbing killing intent or aggression sensed. ‘This incessant staring is annoying.’ Considering my options, I decided to apply Tua Pacheongong, elevating my aura significantly. Fwoosh-! Having done it a few times, it became possible. It was like making the aura coarser and fiercer. In an instant, my aura extended outward, directed towards those watching me rather than broadcasted all around. Consequently, I felt startled movements here and there. The hidden presence was disturbed by the sweeping aura. It seemed they didn’t expect to be discovered. Realizing that I was aware of their presence, I sensed a faint hostility. Cogitating over this, I considered. ‘What should I do?’ Toy with them a bit more? Disliking being clandestinely watched, I thought about pushing it further, but being in the Dang clan’s territory, I decided not to extend it. Retrieving my aura, I felt the watchful eyes lessen to some degree. Raising my head, I glanced somewhere. Among the hidden figures, I focused on someone who seemed like the leader, offering a smirk. The masked man widened his eyes upon seeing my grin. Deeply caught off guard, his surrounding aura's disturbance was palpable even at my distance. Observing him briefly, I redirected my attention and entered the inn, as remaining there served no further purpose. Inside the inn, the first sight was the opulent interior. Contrary to my expectations, the inside was much more immaculate and upscale. Having surveyed several inns, this place, borrowed by the Dang clan, was evidently the most luxurious. As I looked around, someone approached me and bowed politely. “Thank you for coming.” Judging by his attire, he appeared to be a servant from the Dang Clan. ‘Hmm?’ Upon seeing the servant, I sensed something peculiar, causing a small, helpless chuckle to escape me. ‘Unbelievable.’ Even this woman, seemingly a maid, was a martial artist. Had I not been this close, I wouldn't have noticed how well she concealed it. ‘So, the man outside wasn't the leader.’ Instead, it seemed this woman possessed a stronger aura. “The master awaits inside. Please allow me to guide you.” As she said this, she turned to lead the way. Unable to suppress my curiosity, I addressed her, "May I ask you something?" She paused, turning her head towards me. "What is it?" "Is it always like this?" “…Pardon?” “Is this how the Dang Clan usually operates? You don’t seem like someone who should be serving as an attendant.” “…!” Her eyes widened considerably in response to my indirect inquiry about why an assassin was working as a maid. Watching her reaction, I spoke slyly. “Ah, should I have played dumb…? Let's just act like I don't know. Please, lead the way.” The woman, with slightly trembling eyes, chose not to reply, bowed her head slightly, and continued to walk ahead. It was evident that she intended to hide it. Facing assassins sent from all directions in my past life has honed my skill in discerning such things. Unless faced with an exceptional assassin, I feel I can identify them. Anyway, setting that aside, I observed. ‘Every single one of them is a martial artist. What's going on?’ Not just the maid leading the way, but all the personnel from the Dang Clan present appeared to be martial artists. The usual inn staff were absent, replaced entirely by members of the Dang Clan. It made sense, given they rented out the entire place. ‘All martial artists, though…’ Was there really a need for such measures? ‘Ah.’ Recalling the purpose of the Dang Clan's attendance here, I began to piece it together. ‘Is it because of the prisoner transport?’ Likely, they bolstered their forces in preparation for leaving with the unorthodox forces to Sichuan, as requested by the alliance. If not for that reasoning, there wouldn't be a strong justification for bringing such a large force. Feeling subtle but frequent glances from around, I walked through the corridor and stopped before a grand entrance. The attendant carefully opened the door for me. “Oh! You’re here.” As the door opened, a pleasant-looking middle-aged man rose to greet me warmly. It was Dokwang, the head of the Dang Clan, whom I had met previously. As I looked at him, I suppressed my nervousness and bowed. “I am Guyoungcheon of the Gu family. I greet the head of the Dang Clan.” “Haha! Nice to meet you, Young Master Gu. Thank you for accepting the invitation.” His cheerfulness distinguished him from other household heads I had encountered, but it didn’t make me drop my guard. From personal experience, I regarded Dokwang as the most unpredictable and dangerous head among the Four Great Families. And predictably, Dokwang addressed me with a subtle undertone, asking. “I heard you experienced some discomfort on your way here.” This referred to the escorts surrounding the inn and perhaps the attendant who guided me earlier. So, he was aware of everything. Or maybe the attendant relayed it to him. Having confirmed this, I replied to Dokwang with a slight smile. “I apologize for my rudeness. My curiosity led to inappropriate actions.” “Oh…. No need for apologies! Young people tend to be curious. I don’t consider it a misstep on your part, so think no further of it.” He laughed, urging me not to worry. Taking this opportunity, I scanned the room. Aside from Dokwang and me, the room was empty. Tangsoe, his daughter, was not present. Detecting my scrutiny, Dokwang seemed to understand and explained. “My daughter will join us a bit later.” “Oh, does she have something else going on?” “Well, not exactly. I told her a later time.” “Pardon?” Confused by his statement, I sought clarification. Dokwang grinned in his characteristic manner and revealed. “There are topics worth discussing privately with Young Master Gu.” “...” His words carried an unmistakable implication. He had orchestrated this private meeting on purpose, making me question his motives. “If it’s uncomfortable, I could call her over anytime.” “No, that's fine.” Though he offered to bring her if I wasn’t comfortable, who would readily admit to feeling uneasy in front of Dokwang? No… perhaps, under ordinary circumstances, I might have bluntly expressed my discomfort. But he was not only Dokwang, a martial head, but also the father of Tangsoe. That naturally significant, yet subtle distinction restrained my tongue. Seemingly satisfied with my response, Dokwang smiled warmly. “You must be hungry. Why don’t we begin with a meal?” “…Ah, yes.” Although the dishes on the table looked exquisite, I couldn't easily bring myself to eat them. As I hesitated over whether to eat, fixation on the enticing food ensued. Dokwang took a bite and queried me mid-mouthful. “Hmm? Why aren't you eating? Please, help yourself.” “Haha…. My stomach isn’t feeling quite right.” “Oh no. It’s concerning to hear that coming from someone young.” I nodded at Dokwang's comment, contemplating internally. Thankfully, there didn’t seem to be any poison in the food. Of course. Dokwang isn’t reckless enough to poison the food outright. ‘Honestly, I haven’t done anything wrong, have I?’ There shouldn't be a major reason for Dokwang to dislike me, so why was I so on edge? While I could speculate about others, I had done nothing significant to irk Dokwang. ‘Maybe I can relax a bit?’ Contemplating this, I carefully brought a bite of food to my mouth when Dokwang addressed me again. “Ah, Young Master Gu. There’s something I’d like to ask you.” “Yes?” “When are you planning on taking my daughter?” “…What?” The chopsticks I was about to use hung frozen in mid-air. What did Dokwang just say? Did I hear him wrong? I shifted my gaze to see his intense eyes fixed on me. His dark green eyes, similar to Tang So-yeol’s slightly curved ones, gave a sense of warmth, yet there was an unmistakable chill lurking beneath. What did this man just imply? As I continued to look at him, dumbfounded, Dokwang spoke again. “Let me ask you once more, Young Master Gu.” As he spoke, the air in the room seemed to grow heavier. “Do you have any intentions of taking our So-yeol with you?” “…What do you mean by that, all of a sudden?” His abrupt question left me breathless. I had expected discussions about my journey to Sichuan, but why was Tang So-yeol suddenly the topic? And what did he mean by ‘taking her with me’? “…What do you mean by taking her?” When I asked, confounded, Dokwang furrowed his brows slightly. “Young Master Gu, you’re more cunning than one might expect.” “…No.” “Are you saying you are merely toying with my daughter without any intention of taking responsibility?” “How could I be playing with Miss Tang? That's nonsense.” “Nonsense, indeed!” Dokwang stood abruptly. “It’s obvious she likes you and follows you around! With bizarre rumors spreading in town, are you implying you won’t take responsibility?” “...” Regarding those odd rumors, I had nothing to say. I'd heard them, too. What was it again? There was talk of me being infatuated with women, allegedly charming many daughters of the noble houses. How absurd. ‘When did I ever charm anyone?’ When did I even have the chance? Listening to those rumors had left me utterly bewildered. The issue was not only problematic for me but potentially for my companions as well. Especially for girls like Tang So-yeol and Moyong Hwa, who were daughters of prominent families, rumors like these could be damaging, as Dokwang pointed out. They could affect their future marriages. That’s why Dokwang was rightfully upset. Messing with potential future alliances.... ‘Wait a minute.’ Come to think of it, both Moyong Hwa and Tang So-yeol didn’t get married in my past life. Moyong Hwa was engaged to the Namgung family but didn’t end up marrying. Dokwang lived his life alone until he passed away.... Perhaps I am a bit innocent in all this? Of course, accusing Dokwang of this now wouldn’t be appropriate. “Master Dang, I had no such intention….” “Are you saying you kept my daughter by your side without such intentions?” “...” “Do you realize such actions are unpardonable?” I shut my mouth tight at Dokwang’s words. I honestly had no reasonable defense. Knowing the affection Tang So-yeol held for me, having her around without clear intentions was indeed not right. “…I apologize.” I did not offer excuses for this matter. Dokwang arched an eyebrow at my admission. “Beyond apologies, you have yet to answer me. Will you take responsibility for our So-yeol or not?” Was he implying I should take responsibility for Tang So-yeol immediately? I wasn’t sure what kind of answer he was seeking, but his words carried implications everywhere. “With all due respect, as you know, I am engaged. I am not in a position to take Miss Tang with me….” The engagement to Namgung Bi-ah and the fact that Tang So-yeol was part of the Four Great Families complicated matters. Even in a society that acknowledges concubinage, which family would send their direct descendant off as a concubine? Dokwang would feel the same way. “Then, if you weren’t engaged, would you take responsibility?” “Well, that…” “If I interpret that as an inability to take responsibility, is that okay with you?” “Considering the circumstances, there are many complications….” “If it’s issues with the Namgung family, I can resolve them for you.” “...!” Dokwang’s shocking declaration took me aback. He was suggesting he could resolve the engagement with the Namgung family for me. This would potentially sour relations between the Dang Clan and the Namgung family, yet Dokwang was willingly offering to do so. He was essentially saying that if I desired it, he would make it possible. Thus, what is your decision? Did Dokwang intend to tie Tang So-yeol to me that strongly…? Even if he insisted on this route, my response remained unchanged. “I’m sorry.” I had no desire to dissolve the engagement with Namgung Bi-ah, no matter what. His face twisted in response to my refusal. The tension in the room increased, as did the pressure from his inner force. “So, ultimately, you have no intention of taking responsibility.” “That’s not what I mean.” “Then what? Are you saying you’ll at least take her as a concubine?” “…” “Be clear, Young Master Gu. What do you plan to do with my daughter? While I see that she has affection for you, if the outcome is uncertain, I won't allow my daughter to stay by your side.” Dokwang had a valid point. If I wasn’t going to take responsibility, leaving her by my side for no good reason was not in her best interest. “After this matter is resolved, my daughter will be betrothed to another family.” “…!” Dokwang's announcement widened my eyes. A betrothal for Tang So-yeol? ‘Is this another change to the future?’ There had been many disruptions in the sequence of events from my previous life, but this struck a particularly consequential chord within me. “…Does Miss Tang know about this?” “Do you think her opinion matters? In matters concerning family alliances, her say isn’t particularly significant.” In the context of alliances between great families, his words made sense. Forming relationships with other clans to enhance each family’s influence wasn’t rare. Especially since Tang So-yeol belonged to one of the Four Great Families. Her value in such a role was more than sufficient. In my previous life, it was abnormal that the engagement didn’t occur. "So, if this is Young Master Gu's stance, I would appreciate it if you stayed away from my daughter from now on." “...” Dokwang’s resolute words hit me like a wave crashing inside. His words were completely true, yet... Why was I feeling so overwhelmed? ‘Tang So-yeol’s engagement.’ Was it the mention of that which unnerved me? It felt like tumultuous waves crashing within me. His words held no error. If I couldn’t take responsibility, then letting her go was the correct path. If I wished for Tang So-yeol to have a different life than before, perhaps it would be for the best for her to part from me, enter into another engagement, and lead a peaceful life. Logical reasoning should have ended when Dokwang finished speaking, yet discomfort was choking me. “Answer me, Young Master Gu. Will you abide by that?” My gaze wavered under Dokwang’s insistence. Why couldn’t I respond? Even if Tang So-yeol harbored feelings for me, there was nothing I could do to reciprocate. Absurdly, I found myself thinking. ‘…Why don’t I want to let her go?’ I didn’t want to send Tang So-yeol away. ‘This is insane.’ It wasn’t just Tang So-yeol. Moyong Hya, Wi Seol-ah, Namgung Bi-ah—any of them. I didn’t want to let any of those beside me go. Realizing that, cold sweat trickled down inside me. Additionally, a single, clear word flashed through my mind. ‘I'm screwed.’ It was too late. The moment this realization hit, I knew it was already too late. I was trying so hard not to feel this way. A chilling sense of foreboding settled over my whole body. This wasn’t good. Not wanting to lose anyone meant they were now precious to me, a weakness. Heavy and scary. This was the feeling I had desperately tried to suppress. Yet one sentence from Dokwang was cracking it open. “Young Master Gu.” Rendered speechless by Dokwang’s persistence, I diverted my gaze. I had to grasp at focus. What was I supposed to say again? Did he want me to send Tang So-yeol away? What should I say? My mind was in a whirlwind. I should ask for some time to think.... “No, I don’t want to.” Ah. Despite my muddled thoughts, the words had already escaped my mouth. Startled at my own outburst, I covered my mouth with my hand. Am I crazy? Not only was I taken aback, but Dokwang also seemed surprised, his expression quickly morphing into a frown. This is a disaster. As I scrambled to think of a way to mend this, the door abruptly banged open as someone barged in. Startled by the unexpected noise, I turned my head. “Is that true!?” To my surprise, there stood Tang So-yeol, her already big eyes even wider. The red flush in her cheeks and her heightened voice were striking. “Young Master! Do you really not want me to go!?” “…You?” I thought she was going to be late, yet she appeared out of nowhere. Despite having my senses extended, I had failed to notice Tang So-yeol’s presence. “You weren’t lying, right? You said you didn’t want me to go, right?” As if overjoyed, Tang So-yeol approached and grabbed my hand. Startled by her reaction, I glanced at Dokwang. “…!” Studying Dokwang’s expression told me all I needed to know. Just moments ago, he had been on the verge of an outburst, yet now his expression had changed. Looking exasperated at his daughter, Dokwang sighed and spoke to Tang So-yeol. “…I distinctly told you not to come in yet.” Even with Dokwang’s heavy-laden voice, Tang So-yeol paid no mind, looking as if she might float away as she spoke. “Dad! Did you hear? Young Master said he doesn’t want me to leave!” “…Yes, I heard. I heard it very well indeed.” As Tang So-yeol excitedly prattled on, Dokwang rubbed his face in exasperation. It was only then that I realized. "Damn." This whole situation was nothing more than an act orchestrated by the two of them.