398 - Childhood Friend of the Zenith

Title: The World's Greatest Under Heaven's Childhood Friend - Chapter 399: Northern Rabbit Approximately half an hour had passed since the incident occurred. I was observing the situation while clutching my forehead. First, I checked the faces of the women sitting in a row on my bed. Starting from the leftmost, a woman with brown hair interlaced with golden strands. Wi Seol-Ah. I looked at her and asked. “What’s going on here?” “Huh?” As I spoke, Wi Seol-Ah flinched in reaction. Her eyes were shaking manically in response to my query. As I watched Wi Seol-Ah’s jittery gaze, I asked again. “Why are you all here?” “…Um, well….” Wi Seol-Ah glanced furtively to her side, where Namgung Bi-Ah was, nodding off as if she hadn't fully woken up. What was that look for? As I quietly observed this, Wi Seol-Ah mumbled to herself. “…She told me to come… So I followed her.” “...” I turned to look at Namgung Bi-Ah. Upon sensing my gaze, Namgung Bi-Ah rubbed her eyes and murmured. “…You weren’t…coming over….” “What does that have to do with you coming into my room?” “…Huh?” Namgung Bi-Ah looked at me as if questioning why that wouldn’t be related. What’s with that look? It wasn't unusual for Namgung Bi-Ah to sneak into my bed sometimes, since it had become somewhat of a habit. Yet, it was just as puzzling why Wi Seol-Ah followed her. “Why did you come along?” “…She was leaving… so I just….” Wi Seol-Ah avoided my gaze, her ears turning red at my question. Seeing this, I couldn't help but let out a deep sigh. “…Are you becoming like her too? Why would you come into someone else’s bed to sleep?” “I’m sorry….” “It’s fine… for you.” I was about to say something to Namgung Bi-Ah, but decided to let it go. There was no use, as she never listened anyway. Instead of words, I clenched my hand into a fist and gently knocked it against her forehead. “Ouch…” Namgung Bi-Ah let out a short yelp, clutching her forehead. Her upward gaze mixed drowsiness with a hint of resentment. “Why are you looking at me like that?” “...” “Didn’t you take my blanket last time too?” “…!” Namgung Bi-Ah’s eyes widened at my words. Did she think I wouldn’t notice? She took it rather blatantly for something meant to be a secret. “Why do you keep stealing my beddings?” “They’re insufficient….” “What’s insufficient? The pillow? The blanket? If you’re lacking then just ask me, don’t keep taking them.” It’s not as if the Namgung family lacks money. I didn’t understand why she acted like a penny-pincher all by herself. Namgung Bi-Ah squinted at me, as if displeased with my words. “…It’s not… like that.” “Then what is it?” “…Never mind….” She started avoiding the question. Was she sulking now? Really, what could she possibly be sulking about… Leaving the sulking Namgung Bi-Ah behind, I turned to look at the last person sitting to her right. A woman with light green hair seemed to be acting sulky too. She was Tang So-Yul, whom I had dined with the previous evening. “…You know…” At my voice, Tang So-Yul flinched. She seemed to instantly realize that I was addressing her. “Normally, you wouldn’t enter someone’s room like that, would you?” I was referring to how she had burst into my room earlier. Under normal circumstances, one would at least knock on the door or mention whether they could come in or not. To have flung the door wide open to enter my room. Hearing my criticism, Tang So-Yul just stared at me and then suddenly turned her head away, inflating her cheeks. She looked just like a chipmunk with cheeks full of acorns. Why do they all make such faces? What did I do wrong? “What’s with that expression…” “I admit I was wrong… but…” Just as I was about to ask what the deal was, Tang So-Yul squeezed her eyes shut and spoke out. “This is all your fault, sir!” “…What?” Her sudden outburst left me bewildered as I looked at her. Beside me, Wi Seol-Ah and Namgung Bi-Ah nodded in agreement as if they shared Tang So-Yul’s sentiment. “What did I do wrong…?” Feeling wrongly accused. All I did today was traipse around all day, feeling like an intruder, and then come to my room to fetch my clothes. And suddenly, it’s all my fault. Looking at Tang So-Yul incredulously, the three suddenly stood up as if they were in agreement. I backed away slightly, surprised by their sudden movement. Then they stomped toward the door, as if headed out. Were they truly planning to leave like this? They walked in a manner that clearly conveyed their displeasure. Honestly, letting them leave like that might be for the best. I felt my energy might be completely drained if I stopped them. Just as I was about to let them go without saying anything further. “…Wait.” I stopped Namgung Bi-Ah before she left. She looked at me with an expectant expression. Though I wasn’t sure what she was expecting from me. …The words I was about to say probably wouldn't be what she was hoping to hear. “…Could you ask when I can meet the head of the Namgung clan?” As I mentioned Namgung Jin, I noticed a deep frown forming on Namgung Bi-Ah’s beautiful face. This wasn't the ideal time to ask, but given the training I needed, it was essential to get an answer soon. ‘I can’t just let this slide.’ Honestly, it would be nice to let it pass, but knowing Namgung Jin’s personality, that wouldn’t happen. If anything, he'd be tenaciously pursuing me to grant at least a bit of instruction. In the current situation, I had a perfect excuse should he refuse. Meeting him now to resolve things swiftly seemed the more prudent course. That’s why I brought up the question with Namgung Bi-Ah. Hearing my words, Namgung Bi-Ah replied without relaxing her frown. “…Father… has left.” “What?” I froze at Namgung Bi-Ah’s response. Left…? Where to? Why would he suddenly go somewhere? With a perplexed look, I asked Namgung Bi-Ah for clarity. This time Namgung Bi-Ah gave a proper reply. “…He’s gone to Anhui.” Namgung Jin had returned to his family’s home in Anhui. --- After finishing the conversation, I first sent the girls away. Then, I requested a servant's help to change my clothes and headed towards the cave. Once there, as usual, I began my training, wielding the Tuapachengong technique, while wrestling with the cave walls. However, my mind was filled with thoughts that needed sorting out. ‘Namgung Jin has gone back to Henan.’ Earlier, Namgung Bi-Ah clearly mentioned this. The first question that crossed my mind hearing this was, 'Why?' Returning home makes sense; it’s not unusual for the head of the Namgung family to return to his residence. However, it was somewhat curious that Namgung Jin, who was so eager to advance his martial arts, left without seeking further insights from me. Of course, from my perspective, it was a relief that he left without asking for anything more. ‘…There wasn’t anything I could share with him at the moment.’ Initially, I had lent him words of Shin Noya. The second time, I shared information I'd briefly heard from the Demon Sword Empress in a past life. But at this point, there was nothing more I could convey to him. So, Namgung Jin leaving was not adverse for me. However, the fact that he hurried home to Henan left me slightly uneasy. ‘Is there something happening with the Namgung clan?’ I couldn’t imagine him leaving abruptly without a reason. Thinking if there was an incident involving the Namgung clan around this time, nothing came to mind immediately. With a loud crash, I shattered a large section of the cave wall, pondering the issue. The reason I was so sensitive about Namgung Jin's departure was simple. I was worried that I had altered something yet again. That unease was what was troubling me now. ‘It’s not just Namgung Jin.’ There were a myriad of changes. From the Shinryonggwan attack to the rise of a new leader after the Nakgeom, events had transpired differently. If we talk about the post-Nakgeom leader, it was supposed to be Wi Seol-Ah who would take on the role. The timing was advanced by roughly ten years—a result of unfavorable repercussions. ‘So, who will be the next leader now?’ It was unclear. If someone were to run, likely candidates would come from the Nine Prominent Sects, the Four Great Families, and certainly many martial artists of notable lineage would contest. But the landscape had shifted so significantly that predictions were tentative at best. ‘It’s genuinely confusing.’ I was doing my best, running around haphazardly, but in this regard, I still fell short. Am I really progressing well? I pushed myself harder in training, determined to improve, but deep down, I knew it wasn’t enough. ‘Additionally... my family is no different.’ The changes were also inevitable for the Gu clan. There was the issue that arose from my elimination of the former First Elder. It was the transformation and reform of the Guxianmen that was the issue. Currently, the Guxianmen was being temporarily led by the First Sword Bearer. Given that he was from that sect, he ought to manage well, but…. ‘Come to think of it. Where has the First Sword Bearer gone?’ Since the First Sword Bearer was officially my father's guard, it was mentioned he had come along for the trip to Henan, yet I hadn’t seen him. ‘Is he doing something separately?’ Probably so, but I couldn’t be certain. ‘Moo-Yeon didn't come along, either.’ I had naturally assumed my bodyguard, Moo-Yeon, would join us on the trip to Henan, but he did not. Given this, it seemed there was an intent to manage Moo-Yeon more closely within the Guxianmen. Realizing Moo-Yeon’s extraordinary talent once he'd reached his peak, and considering his original roots in Guxianmen, they probably wanted to nurture him properly. ‘Do they plan to use him as a clan head?’ If speculating intent, that seemed to be the immediate guess. When Gyu Cheol-Yeop heard about it, his expression darkened for a while, probably thinking along the same lines as me. The only advice I could give him was to work tirelessly if he didn’t want to fall behind. If by some chance, Moo-Yeon truly settles into a position within the Guxianmen… ‘I might find it advantageous.’ From my standpoint, it wouldn't be unfavorable. There was something I came to realize with certainty after confronting the Heavenly Demon. ‘A strong force is essential.’ Not just individual strength, but a suitable force was necessary. It reinforced the notion that handling adversaries alone was extraordinarily daunting. I had already recognized this, but from that point, the understanding deepened further. If I were to truly assume the sword of deity’s position. It also implied I needed a corresponding force backing me. Therefore, if Moo-Yeon indeed secures a spot in the Guxianmen. I was contemplating exerting more effort to fully solidify an alliance with them. Initially, I considered joining a specific group like the Murim Alliance, but realized… ‘I can’t trust any of them.’ There wasn’t a single trustworthy group. Realizing just how morally corrupt the central plains had become was quite sobering. Instead of relying on untrustworthy entities, ‘…I will create one myself.’ I concluded it was better to gather people and create something on my own. Hence, despite finding my nickname "Little Devil" utterly ridiculous and clenching my teeth at the rumors spreading, I endured it, thinking of the renown it could generate. In addition, I have been making preliminary arrangements for individuals I may wish to incorporate or assimilate. The concern in this regard is: ‘If by chance... I were to gather all the individuals I have in mind.’ It would never lead them to form what is traditionally called a righteous sect in Zhongyuan. And that was about the extent of it.