407 - Childhood Friend of the Zenith

**The World’s Best Martial Artist's Childhood Friend - Chapter 408: Northern Rabbit - Web Novel Archives** [Mistress Mi.] On a night when Muyong Biyeon met Mi Hyo-ran, she saw Mi Hyo-ran's eyes widen in surprise for the first time. She had always thought of Mi Hyo-ran as someone cold and unwavering. To see such a visible disturbance... Could it be that she, too, was getting older? It felt as if something rigid within her had slightly crumbled. Yes. Everyone had aged. After all, more than a dozen years had passed. It was only natural. Every time she recalled this natural truth, a vague unease stirred within Muyong Biyeon. Hiding these feelings, Muyong Biyeon addressed Mi Hyo-ran. [It's been a while, Mistress Mi.] […You….] [How have you been?] The passage of time was evident on her old friend's face, whom she hadn't seen in ages. It wasn't about changes in her skin or wrinkles, but rather a difference felt in the aura she exuded. Should it be said that she had become more refined? Like how treasures gain value with the passage of time, her friend before her had grown into a nobler person through her experiences. Seeing this, Muyong Biyeon thought, [It's unfair.] […What?] [Oh, it's nothing.] She didn't believe that he had chosen Mi Hyo-ran because of this aspect of hers. It was merely the best choice at the time. That's how she used to justify it to herself in the past. However. Was that truly just something of the 'past'? Perhaps she was still lingering in those memories. While Muyong Biyeon was getting slowly swallowed by nostalgia, Mi Hyo-ran observed her and inquired, [How have you been…?] [Well, I've been doing fine. As always.] [I tried contacting you several times. I never received a reply. Was something going on?] [Ah….] That letter from his residence would still be somewhere in the Muyong family estate. She had preemptively asked the head of the household to refrain from sending anything that arrived for her. The head had dutifully respected her wish. [I'm sorry.] This was the best apology Muyong Biyeon could offer to Mi Hyo-ran. There was no need to utter excuses. She had no excuses, and it was a result of her own choice. [Things have been hectic.] [Is that so.] Mi Hyo-ran nodded at Muyong Biyeon's words, and that was the end of it. She didn't question it further or express any resentment, which she had every right to do. The way Mi Hyo-ran chose to handle it was through trust and composure. Because Muyong Biyeon said so, she decided to believe it. Observing her, Muyong Biyeon reaffirmed something. She still couldn't surpass her. […Mistress Mi, you've remained unchanged.] [You're the same.] Muyong Biyeon had to smile wryly at Mi Hyo-ran's words. [Just like the last time we met, you remain the same.] [...] Since the time when everything had ended, and they each set off on their own paths. Muyong Biyeon hadn't changed a bit. Whether it was her appearance or her mindset. Was this something to be pleased about? It troubled Muyong Biyeon that she hadn't matured one bit. Seeing her, Mi Hyo-ran asked, [Did you come to see me?] [Well… I just happened to have some business in Hanam. I heard you were here, so I came by.] [At this time of night?] [I'm sorry….] [It's alright. It's been a while since you've visited.] Her words carried a sharpness that was exceptionally poignant. Even after all this time, Mi Hyo-ran's way of speaking remained unchanging. Muyong Biyeon pulled a sheepish face, while Mi Hyo-ran, with slight hesitation, asked a question. [So, did you come just to see me?] [...] [If you came to see *him*….] [No, I'm here to see you, Mistress Mi.] Just as Mi Hyo-ran was about to say something, Muyong Biyeon interrupted her, […It's not like that.] She denied it again. It was a lie. Muyong Biyeon's original intent upon reaching Hanam was indeed to face that person, but she had decided differently by now. The reason for changing her course was probably because she encountered that person's child. Maybe it was because she saw a young man resembling him walking around. Or perhaps that itself was an excuse, and she was simply afraid of facing him once again. Even Muyong Biyeon couldn't be certain. What mattered now was that she didn't want to meet him just yet. Whether Mi Hyo-ran sensed Muyong Biyeon's feelings or not, she looked at her with a curious gaze. […Will you be okay?] [Of course. I'm always fine. There's no problem.] Muyong Biyeon concealed her complex emotions behind a smile. As she always had. Despite the passage of so much time, the feelings that hadn't dulled became deeper. Muyong Biyeon thought she had moved on from it all. That's why she believed she could finally meet him now. But upon facing his son, who mirrored him so vividly, she realized she was wrong. It was impossible for her to forget him. Thus, Muyong Biyeon couldn't meet him. With her current state of mind, she couldn't confidently face him with a smile. It would be unfair to him and to her friend. Muyong Biyeon hid her emotions and continued speaking to Mi Hyo-ran. [By the way, Mistress Mi, did you know? I met your daughter earlier.] Upon hearing that, Mi Hyo-ran's expression changed. Daughter? If she's talking about her daughter... [Your second daughter. Was her name Yeon-seo? She's a lovely child.] With those words, Mi Hyo-ran sighed a breath of relief. Fortunately. If it was the second daughter and not the first, then she shouldn't have encountered any significant issues. […That's good to hear.] [What?] [Oh, nothing. So, what happened?] Surprised by the sudden mention of Gu Yeon-seo, Mi Hyo-ran asked with a slight startle. Muyong Biyeon considered mentioning the entanglement with the Paeng family but opted to divert to another topic. [She's indeed beautiful. Like you, Mistress Mi.] [...] At that, Mi Hyo-ran averted her gaze slightly. Witnessing this, Muyong Biyeon could smile to herself inwardly. Even after all this time, it seemed that Mi Hyo-ran's bashful reactions were unchanged. [And I happened to meet a famous young man recently. Isn't his name Gu Yang-cheon?] […!] At those words, Mi Hyo-ran's eyes widened as she looked at Muyong Biyeon in surprise. She hadn't expected Gu Yang-cheon's name to come up in their conversation. [How did you happen to meet him?] [He resembles someone a lot.] [The White Lotus Sword…] When Mi Hyo-ran remarked, Muyong Biyeon gave a bitter smile. The nickname still felt unfamiliar to her, even when Mi Hyo-ran used it. [Even Mistress Mi shouldn’t call me that. It feels… strange.] [Then what should I call you?] [You can just call me by my old name, Lady Muyong or Lady Biyeon. Or even, if it comes to it, just like in the past, a cursed woman or someone to kill…] [I'll stick with Lady Muyong.] [Alright.] As Muyong Biyeon unearths embarrassment from their past, Mi Hyo-ran quickly changes the subject. There had been sharp edges between them long ago, and such arguments were inevitable. Now, they were simply memories, she supposed. Perhaps Mi Hyo-ran didn’t realize it, but at least Muyong Biyeon did. [Anyway, I saw him, and he seems quite remarkable. He takes after his father.] [Does he not?] At the compliment to Gu Yang-cheon, a short smile appeared on Mi Hyo-ran's face. For some reason, that smile struck a chord with Muyong Biyeon. Muyong Biyeon knew that Gu Yang-cheon was the child of someone important to her, so she was puzzled by Mi Hyo-ran's expression. A woman without children herself, Muyong Biyeon might not fully understand, but there was one thing she could see clearly. [You've become a mother, Mistress Mi.] [What?] Mi Hyo-ran was now referred to as 'Mom', unlike in her maiden days. Unlike Muyong Biyeon, who was still held captive by those past days. Perhaps that’s why her mind kept picturing the eyes of her niece. Those eyes that mirrored her own—pouring all emotions and moments into a single man—troubled Muyong Biyeon. She hoped that her niece's story wouldn't end up like hers. But what should she do? Would advising against it help? Warning her that such love brings nothing but misery? Would such words have any impact? It probably wouldn’t. That was a truth she knew all too well. By the time those expressions appeared on the face, it was already too late. No one understood that better than Muyong Biyeon. So, what could she do? Muyong Biyeon pondered. On how to help her niece while also sorting out her own unnecessary feelings. To be honest, Muyong Biyeon had already thought of a plan while she was on her way to meet Mi Hyo-ran. [So, Mistress Mi.] Hearing Muyong Biyeon’s call, Mi Hyo-ran looked up. Always direct, without much skill for subtlety, Muyong Biyeon had not devised any brilliant strategy. She only knew how to tackle things head-on. Looking at Mi Hyo-ran's curious expression, Muyong Biyeon asked, [Does your son need a bodyguard, perhaps?] […Pardon?] Mi Hyo-ran frowned at the unexpected question. ****************** Recalling that moment, Muyong Biyeon scratched her head awkwardly. ‘A bodyguard, really?’ Although she had voiced it, she realized it was a rather ridiculous idea. The notion of helping her niece while also trying to forget him by staying close to his child was almost laughable. She knew well how foolish it sounded. ‘But what’s done is done.’ Given that she had already proposed it, she decided to let go of the past. As was her nature, she seldom dwelled on what was already behind. There was but one thing she was attached to. Presently, Muyong Biyeon was walking around the campsite, savoring the morning. ‘His reaction was amusing.’ Right after she proclaimed she would be his bodyguard, she recalled Gu Yang-cheon's expression. ‘Similar yet different.’ Bit by bit, she was noticing it. Unlike his father, who hardly showed any emotional change, Gu Yang-cheon wore his expressions more openly. Especially his overt display of displeasure in undesirable situations—it was a fascinating contrast. Most would suppress such expressions somewhat, but Gu Yang-cheon openly showed when he was displeased. It made Muyong Biyeon wonder. ‘Where exactly is my niece attracted to?’ She pondered what it was about Gu Yang-cheon that her niece, Muyong Hee-ah, found appealing. Frankly speaking, though he resembled his father, apart from inheriting a fierce presence and gaze, his looks weren't on par. She’d hinted at this once, only to see her niece sternly retaliate, so Muyong Biyeon refrained from mentioning it again. ‘His personality isn’t exactly quiet, either.’ He wasn't overly talkative, but he wasn’t particularly silent either. In fact, he seemed to have a rather prickly personality. While rumors tend to exaggerate, the whispers of his fiery temper seemed to hold some truth. So to summarize. His looks weren’t outstanding. His personality was less than ideal. He wasn’t exceptionally built, and he surrounded himself with many women. The only notable aspect he had was exceptional talent and a promising future as a martial artist because of it. If her niece was drawn only by the latter qualities as marriage prospects, she couldn't understand why there was love involved. ‘…Why?’ It was a part of Muyong Biyeon that she couldn't easily fathom. She didn’t quite grasp why others often spoke of him as if blessed with attracting women. ‘Could it be heritage?’ If he inherited not just martial prowess but also this aspect, it made some sense, but it still didn’t quite explain it. ‘…There must be something.’ Surely, there’s a charm she isn’t seeing. Otherwise, things wouldn’t have escalated to this extent. Though she'd been out of her niece's life for a while, she believed the young woman wouldn't fall for someone unworthy. Muyong Biyeon knew this, and that was also why she wanted to support her niece. Simply. Feeling a twinge of conscience was the real issue. The real problem might be that buried within her desire to support her niece was a hidden longing to vicariously experience what she never had through her niece’s happiness. Well, perhaps it's better this way… With those mixed emotions lingering, Muyong Biyeon moved on. After all, she had claimed to be acting as Gu Yang-cheon's bodyguard, so she was in search of him. Normally, she would just monitor and protect him from a distance. Yet, the reason she was actively looking for Gu Yang-cheon now was due to his specific request. ‘He said not to disturb him during night training.’ She recalled how Gu Yang-cheon, with a sense of assurance, had told her, a senior by the hierarchical standards, to stay away at night and not to seek him out. Interestingly, his demeanor didn’t come across as rude or annoying; instead, it seemed perfectly suitable, so she had no hard feelings about it. While it might be in her nature to not care about trivial stuff, it still felt peculiar. To think that impertinence could suit someone was an unusual talent, she mused with a small laugh. With a smile, she continued her search through the forest. “Now, where could our precious young master be… hmmm?” As she looked around for Gu Yang-cheon, her attention was caught by a group in the distance. “Oh…” With a grin, Muyong Biyeon took off swiftly toward them. In an instant, the distance, which had been considerable, narrowed due to her swift movements. Thud. “Hello?” “Yikes!!” Startled by Muyong Biyeon’s sudden appearance, a woman with dark green hair jumped in surprise. The woman was Tang So-ryeol, the progeny of Poison King. Observing this, Muyong Biyeon’s eyes twinkled with interest. It wasn’t because of Tang So-ryeol’s startled reaction. Quite the opposite. The two other young women with her showed little surprise, as if they had sensed Muyong Biyeon approaching and were prepared to greet her. Muyong Biyeon found this behavior intriguing. ‘How curious.’ While the Poison King’s daughter had an adorable charm that would hold its own anywhere, The two women she was now observing were beyond comparison in terms of beauty. Even Muyong Biyeon was momentarily amazed by their striking appearances. One had almost silver-blue hair, with a sleepy gaze and an intriguing aura that was captivating. The other, with brown hair tinged with gold and dazzling golden eyes, seemed to have an alluring pull. Any which way you looked, both women were stand-out beauties in the central plains. Seeing them, Muyong Biyeon nodded inwardly. ‘So that’s who they are.’ By their unique appearances, she could immediately guess their identities. The silver-haired woman must be Sword Dance, the haughty brat’s child. The other must be the successor of the Sword Elder, that old master. ‘Which means…’ All three women present here were pursuing Gu Yang-cheon, much like her niece. ‘Ah.’ Seeing this, she couldn’t help but let out a sigh. His luck with women was excessive, almost to the point of excessiveness. Apparently, he had inherited nothing else but this aspect, resembling his father the most in this regard. Even more so, there was the matter of this Sword Dance woman being… ‘His fiancée, wasn’t she?’ Being called his fiancée meant she had the highest probability of staying by Gu Yang-cheon’s side. Thinking about this, Muyong Biyeon couldn’t help but smile slightly. “Hello, lovely ladies. Do you know who this big sister is?” At Muyong Biyeon’s words, Tang So-ryeol widened her eyes and bowed politely. “The Tang clan greets you, Senior White Lotus Sword…” Following her lead, Wi Seol-ah and Namgung Bi-ah also bowed their heads. “We greet Senior White Lotus Sword. I am Wi Seol-ah….” “…I'm Namgung Bi-ah….” “Nice to meet you. You can relax and just call me big sister.” Such beautiful girls they were. Their appearance aside, they were so radiant they evoked memories of days long past. Especially those who were in love were sure to shine, and in this sense, these girls were already sparkling brilliantly. Like stars, even. Perhaps that’s why. Muyong Biyeon, momentarily distracted from her original purpose to find Gu Yang-cheon, felt a playful urge. “I hear you’re friends with my niece's fiancé?” At those words, the three young women froze in place. After confirming this reaction, Muyong Biyeon continued speaking. “He’s quite lucky, isn’t he? Being friends with such lovely ladies… Please look after my niece. She's a bit irritable like her father, but she’s a good kid.” “By niece… do you mean Lady Muyong?” Tang So-ryeol’s voice sounded puzzled, to which Muyong Biyeon responded with a beaming smile. “Which Muyong? I'm a Muyong too.” “Oh, um…” “I’m just teasing. Yes, my niece.” “Then… are you saying the fiancé… you mean Master Gu Yang-cheon?” “Hmm? Oh yes, that too. Our Yang-cheon.” ‘Our Yang-cheon.’ At Muyong Biyeon’s words, the group's atmosphere shifted once more, with Tang So-ryeol notably coughing awkwardly. She seemed a bit uncomfortable. “Anyway, sorry for intruding suddenly. I came to ask something.” “…Yes.” “Have you seen our niece’s fiancé anywhere? I've been looking for him but can’t seem to find him.” There was a subtle coolness in Muyong Biyeon’s gentle tone. She continued to speak, sensing this subtle shift in atmosphere. She was curious to see how they would respond. “If you happen to see him, could you let him know this big sister is looking for him…” Just as she continued, “I’m afraid there’s been a misunderstanding.” “Huh?” Someone interrupted Muyong Biyeon with a clear voice. She initially thought it was the Tang clan member speaking, but to her surprise, it was the girl from the Namgung family. Her initially drowsy expression and unassuming speech had perceived her as shy. But now, an unexpected aura emanated from her. “What do you mean by that?” “He… isn’t your niece’s fiancé, Senior White Lotus Sword…” Namgung Bi-ah matched Muyong Biyeon’s gaze with clear blue eyes. Eyes so deep that even Muyong Biyeon found them unreadable. ‘…Oh?’ Muyong Biyeon found herself slightly impressed by the aura emanating from Namgung Bi-ah. ‘Who does she think she is?’ She had heard that this girl was one of the most promising martial artists of the younger generation, but her aura was far more imposing than expected. Furthermore: *Killing Intent.* She could discern a palpable aura of hostility from Namgung Bi-ah. Despite appearing the most demure of the group, Could she actually be the fiercest of them all? Namgung Bi-ah was silently conveying her determination not to dismiss Muyong Biyeon’s words lightly. ‘And also.’ Muyong Biyeon cast a quick glance at the other two. The young girl introduced as the disciple of the Sword Elder bore eyes equally as piercing and transformed, While the Tang clan's girl appeared uneasy, seemingly gauging the atmosphere. Seeing the three of them, ‘How amusing.’ Rather than thinking them insolent, she felt a refreshing delight. She had once been like them. Memories overlapped. Was it with Soi, the current Lady of the Sword, that she had a similar experience? There’d been a time when, faced with the previous Lady of the Sword, she’d drawn her sword despite understanding the odds were unbeatable. What had the previous Lady said back then? She couldn’t recall the exact words, But she remembered the actions. Even if she remembered the words, replicating them was out of the question. If Muyong Biyeon tried mimicking those words, her tongue might end up bruised from cringing. So instead, she opted to use her approach. “Ladies, it seems my words just now didn’t sit well with you?” When Muyong Biyeon spoke, the trio flinched. It wasn’t just the words but the hint of killing intent behind them that they felt. However, to their surprise, “Apologies. I tried to tease you, but perhaps I overstepped. I’m sorry.” The sudden apology from Muyong Biyeon seemed to defuse the tension momentarily. An apology coming from the esteemed White Lotus Sword herself made it challenging to continue pressing the issue. Thus, if they desired, they could let the matter slide peacefully. But unfortunately, that wasn’t what Muyong Biyeon intended. Looking at the young women, her smile widened as she spoke. “Instead of this, how about we have some fun?” The three gave expressions of puzzlement at her words. Then— *Shing.* The sound of a sword being drawn. Muyong Biyeon unsheathed her sword. Instantly, her aura of fighting spirit radiated from her body, spreading throughout the forest.