415 - Childhood Friend of the Zenith

**The World's Greatest Friend - Chapter 416: Northern Rabbit - Web Novel Archives** Snap. The moment I opened my eyes, I sat bolt upright. Right after, I circulated my internal energy to check my body's condition. Whooosh—As the energy made a swift circuit from my dantian to the rest of my body, I could finally let out the breath I'd been holding. Sigh. 'Fortunately, there seems to be no issue.' My body didn't seem to have any peculiar problems. If I had to nitpick, perhaps just a slight headache? But that's nothing new, just a usual nagging pain. Satisfied with the status recovery, I clicked my tongue inwardly. The prior situation was replaying in my mind. 'Tsk... All it managed was to light up the surroundings a bit.' The situation the moment before, that is, when I unleashed the secret technique "Red Heaven" to push back the domain of the Dark Sovereign. Red Heaven, too, expands a domain of heat. I thought it was worth a try. But in the end, it couldn’t penetrate through. It only seemed to cause a tremor, as if the Dark Sovereign's domain barely resisted the force of Red Heaven, but that was it. A shame. The thought drew a wry smile from my lips. 'A shame? Not quite.' It wasn't a level to feel regretful, so what's there to lament over? It's only curious why I entertained such a pointless spirit of rivalry. Who knows what might have happened if I'd managed to provoke the Dark Sovereign. Wasn't I just momentarily careless? 'This damn temper of mine.' If there's something that hasn't changed with age and increased skill level, it's probably my temperament. Amused by the thought, a slight smile played on my lips as I attempted to rise. "What reason do you have to laugh like that?" A voice arrived from the front. Raising my head, I looked toward the direction of the voice. The Dark Sovereign stood with arms crossed nearby, and the one addressing me with a bewildered gaze was the Unyielding Master. I replied in a calm voice upon confirming this. "I did well. I did everything as instructed." "Ha…." The Unyielding Master frowned at my response. Although slightly intimidated by that expression, I still felt the need to speak my mind. "I did reach the Dark Sovereign, as you suggested. What's the issue?" After hearing my words, the Unyielding Master finally spoke to me in a defeated voice. "I have ingrained in you the need for flexible thinking and adaptation, given how recklessly you live your life. But to take it even more aggressively...." "Flexible thinking?" That statement, rather, seemed unbelievable to me. What flexible countermeasures can there be when facing death daily? "It was more about seeing the surroundings while looking forward." "Isn't teaching like this somewhat odd?" "This was something I didn't foresee—a way you might break it down like this." After suffering under the Dark Sovereign for an entire month, how was I supposed to comprehend flexible thinking? Surely, the Unyielding Master must have hoped for me to realize something during this training. I, too, did not come out empty-handed, but when I reflect on whether it was useful training, it doesn't particularly feel that way. "...To quit such aggressive actions and then employ even more extreme measures…." "Whatever it is, as long as it gets done, isn't that enough?" "Well... Indeed, you are correct. It seems I underestimated things." I wondered if he was genuinely admitting his mistake. "Ah, you are far crazier than I imagined. This was an oversight on my part." "…" Who the hell is calling whom crazy now? This was the most ridiculous thing I'd heard all year. Do I really have to endure being called crazy by that man?! Absolutely absurd. While suppressing my disbelief, I inquired of the Unyielding Master. "…Then what should I do? Should I try again since the method wasn't as you desired?" "No, there's no need for that. It seems by now it's best for me to give up." Give up. Hearing the Unyielding Master talk about giving up on anything related to martial arts sounded novel. "…Is that alright?" "Upon reaching this point, I can't deny it any longer. There is another method that suits you better." "…I see." "I won't particularly insist on this, so do as you will." Saying that, the Unyielding Master swallowed his words. Should I be pleased? About the part where the Unyielding Master decides to give up. 'I suppose there's nothing bad about it.' Given that the Unyielding Master deemed there was no need to forcibly correct it, he must have given up with that reasoning. Looking at it that way, it's not necessarily a bad thing. So does that mean I can do as I please? That's probably the case, as I was nodding in agreement. The Unyielding Master posed another question to me. "By the way, how did you know?" "About what?" "About the bat's ability being different from reality." "…Ah." The Unyielding Master wasn't talking about anything else. The power the Dark Sovereign displayed. To an observer, it might appear as though the Dark Sovereign used internal chi to create a domain, but that's not the reality. During the night of battling the Dark Sovereign, the truth was my physical body was asleep. Exactly how it worked, I couldn't say, but all the sensations I had experienced thus far turned out to be dream-like. 'To think such vivid dreams of pain could exist.' In my view, it was more similar to a dream. That was the reason why I revived repeatedly. If you ask me how I knew this. "…After more than a month of suffering, it just kind of dawned on me." When you've experienced death hundreds of times within that period, you naturally come to intuitively understand. Initially, it makes no sense for a person to supposedly die and then come back to life. 'Dying and returning to the past is possible, though.' This, well... let's leave aside. Coming back to life dozens to hundreds of times this way couldn't happen in reality. Moreover. 'The lesser fatigue was another clue.' When dawn broke and practice ended, opening my eyes only revealed mental fatigue rather than physical exhaustion. Being thrown into such a merciless practice of dying every night, I thought this was truly insane. Seeing this, it meant that somehow, rest was intertwined within the process. Reflecting on this only brought more questions. 'What kind of power is this really?' It's strange to call it martial arts, yet odd to describe it as a formation technique. The greatest enigma lies in: When did I succumb to the Dark Sovereign's power and fall asleep? Undoubtedly something had occurred for me to fall, but I couldn't recall any such process. It indicated how naturally it ensnared me. 'What could it be?' No matter how much I pondered, I couldn't grasp it. What method the Dark Sovereign used and the nature of its power. 'Maybe that's what makes it all the more terrifying.' Having experienced it once, I understood better. It was clear that the Dark Sovereign resided in a realm far beyond my current capabilities. I observed the Dark Sovereign with a curious sidelong glance. If that person stands at such a level... Where do other formidable figures such as the prime Unyielding Master or the Three Supremes fit in this hierarchy? And where would the Heavenly Demon, who defeated all three Supremes, stand? Then, what of the Divine Sword that killed such a Heavenly Demon? '...Haha.' The road stretches far. The realization struck anew, highlighting the arduous and challenging path that lay before me. Carefully, I rose. It was almost time for the sun to rise, and I intended to prepare for training. My physical condition was fine. Unlike the strenuous trials in the world created by the Dark Sovereign, I'd slept well in reality. '...Though the mental fatigue is unavoidable.' While I wasn't sure about the state of my mind, physically, I felt relaxed. Moreover, 'Was it the Unyielding Master who loosened my muscles each night?' I had subtly sensed changes in my muscles every time I awoke. It seemed likely the Unyielding Master had been performing the "Pushing the Palace and Crossing the Points" technique on me each night. There was no one else here who would do such a thing for me, only the Unyielding Master. I sensed this even during our sparring sessions. Even when venting his frustrations by ruthlessly working me over, I never voiced any dissatisfaction because he intentionally directed his energy to specific pressure points, ensuring that my muscles wouldn't suffer any harm. Thus, if anyone hadn’t rested at night, it was undoubtedly the Unyielding Master, not me. This unwavering dedication to teaching a disciple is why I grumbled only internally but diligently followed his words. He was deeply sincere about nurturing a student. 'He does this every day, it must be strenuous for him too.' The "Pushing the Palace and Crossing the Points" technique isn’t simple at all. It demands intricate actions, requiring the practitioner to embed energy without damaging key meridians. Although somewhat imperfect, the fact that the Unyielding Master, whose body remained at the zenith of strength, was maintaining this effort post the zenith of prowess was indeed taxing. Yet, he infused strength into my body tirelessly, as if unfazed. Knowing this, how could I neglect my training? I had to pursue it until I achieved mastery. As I stood up, the Unyielding Master similarly dusted himself off and rose. "Your gaze is displeasing. Were you criticizing me in your mind again?" "This time, it was a compliment." "From 'this time,' I deduce you criticized me in the past." "..." Whoops. I walked right into his wordplay. A slight cold sweat formed. My instincts kicked in, scanning for an escape if the Unyielding Master decided to throw a punch. Old habits die hard. After being struck so much, these thoughts became second nature. Bang! "What the hell...!" I dodged by twisting my head as the punch flew at me. The Unyielding Master looked at me with surprise. "Oh… You dodged. It seems you've improved." "…What are you doing?" "Since you already anticipated I'd strike, I obliged." "..." His reasoning left me speechless. After all, I had indeed expected him to do something like that. "In any case." "Saying 'in any case' after trying to hit someone…" "Would you like to continue?" "Please continue with what you were saying. I'm listening." "You incorrigible child…." The Unyielding Master chuckled but soon regained a serious demeanor. Each expression of his was intimidating. It was difficult to discern what was genuine because of how quickly he shifted. "In any case… Although it’s not the method I hoped for, you've completed the assignment. As promised." With those words, the Unyielding Master lightly tapped my chest with his fist. "I will teach you the first form of the Two Six Martial Arts." 'Finally.' I let out a silent sigh of relief at his words. At last, I would properly learn that damn martial art. "When do we begin?" Given the current situation, would we start the training in the afternoon? For some reason, it felt novel to learn a martial art from someone else in this manner. In my past life, I only learned the verses and mental art of the Flaming Wheel Art. Everything else I learned on my own, occasionally receiving advice from Elder Iljang. To my question, the Unyielding Master looked at me with curiosity. "When, you ask?" "Pardon?" "Of course, we start now. What do you mean when?" "Now?" Training starts now? That seemed rather sudden. At that moment, as I was momentarily taken aback by the Unyielding Master's decisiveness, I noticed a strange smile hovering at the corners of his mouth. "Don’t worry, since it's the first form, it's not particularly difficult." "…Alright." That wasn't really my concern, though. It was more about the abruptness of the start that bothered me. To top it off, the Dark Sovereign, who had been by our side, was nowhere to be seen. He had certainly been with us just moments ago, hadn't he? "If your hesitation is too obvious, would you like to do it later? If you prefer, I can accommodate." For a moment, I considered starting slowly from the afternoon, but then decided against it, recalling the saying, “strike while the iron is hot.” It seemed wiser to save time. "No, I’ll begin now." "You gave a satisfactory response." Upon hearing my answer, the Unyielding Master nodded repeatedly. So, would he now slowly demonstrate the form to me? However… 'Why isn’t he stepping back?' Contrary to his words of teaching the form, the Unyielding Master remained in front of me, not stepping back, still pressing his fist lightly against my chest. Puzzled, I questioned him about it. "Elder?" "Learning the form is not difficult. I assure you, it’s the simplest among all forms across the central plains." He continued explaining nonchalantly. "…This is?" It was a rather puzzling statement. Those who'd witnessed the Two Six Martial Arts at least once would be astonished by its intricate and flamboyant techniques. Even from my past life, when I almost perished at his hands, it was clear there was something about his martial arts that defied explanation. So how could the Unyielding Master claim the first form was simple? As I mulled over these thoughts, the Unyielding Master spoke to me. "It's simple, indeed. You’ll quickly understand once you feel it physically." "Pardon?" "If you've got the guts, you'll learn quickly." ...What did I just hear? "What does that mean...?" I was about to ask again, thinking I misheard. Whirr—! "...!" I felt a familiar qi emanating from the fist touching me. It was the energy of the Two Six Martial Arts wielded by the Unyielding Master. I glanced at him in fear at that unsettling sensation. "Ah, let me give you a heads-up. Stay sharp. Unlike the training with the bat boy." Before he could finish speaking, my instincts took over, and I twisted my body. Simultaneously, I began to reinforce my body with protective internal energy. "You might actually die." With those words, his fist bore down with force. A heavy impact exploded outwards, reverberating all around. As I braced myself against it, realization struck. The nightmare had ended. Hell now awaited me. ****************** As Guhyangcheon was being relentlessly pushed through the depths of the forest... Swish-! Swish! A silver-haired woman swung her sword alone in a silent clearing. Her movements were so intense that a few strands of her hair clung to her sweat-drenched cheek. Yet she paid no mind and continued to swing her sword. Swooosh—! The blade, laden with electric energy, left traces in the air. In the early dawn light, it almost looked beautiful, but the motion and emotions infused in the blade were anything but. Thwap-! The flowing footwork and the swift sword strikes drew amazement from any observer. But the eyes of the woman wielding the sword were filled with discontent. '...It's not enough.' Too slow. That was her assessment of her own swordwork. Moreover, 'Weak.' Endlessly weak. Her sword movements were seamless, her footwork without flaw. Yet she was not satisfied. '...With this...' Mere skills such as these couldn’t allow her to stand by his side. Thinking of this, Namgung Biya bit her lip. Eventually, even the sword she extended halted. "Haa... haa..." Rough breaths escaped her delicate lips. She lost track of how long she had been moving. Gripping her sword all night, she’d forgotten about sleep. Even so, the suffocating feeling in Namgung Biya's heart did not lift. The woman who used to love wielding a sword was now gripped by an inexplicable heart demon. '...' Feeling a sudden pain, Namgung Biya glanced at her hand with a grimace. Had she gripped too tightly? Her palm was slightly torn. What should she do? What on earth should she do to— '...protect him...?' Thinking of Guhyangcheon, Namgung Biya furrowed her brows deeply. He was the root cause of her heart demon. Guhyangcheon felt endlessly pitiful and precarious. Lately, that was what Namgung Biya perceived in him. Once proud and unyielding, Guhyangcheon seemed increasingly burdened by some unknown weight, growing weary. Even while watching this unfold before her eyes, she stood helpless. That overwhelmed her with a sense of heaviness. 'Unable to protect anything...' When the Black Night Palace had attacked Shinryong Hall. Namgung Biya felt her helplessness keenly. At that time, she couldn’t do a thing. It was only through Dangsoyeol's sacrifice that they managed to escape the crisis. Ultimately, she needed to be saved by him, repeatedly. In such circumstances— 'I am...' What was she, after all this? Her reason for wielding a sword so fervently was to escape the world's stench of evil. By his side now, she no longer smelled that stench. But then, what was Namgung Biya swinging her sword for now? '...To stay by his side...' She enlightened herself with a self-questioned answer. Yet something was missing. Perhaps, even though she couldn’t fully convince herself, it was enough of an answer for her. 'I have to... protect him...' She wanted to safeguard him, who appeared so shaky and anxious. No matter how brilliant and strong others might see him, the Guhyangcheon she saw was different. She saw him almost collapsing every moment, barely hanging on due to what he felt duty-bound to protect. Remembering this, Namgung Biya gripped her sword once more with her injured hand. 'I...' What must she do to protect him? With her current inadequacy, it seemed impossible. Let alone the Black Night Palace Lord, she couldn't even graze the hem of the White Lotus Sword's robes. She had even lost to the sword master, Jamryong. In such a state, who could she possibly protect? Trickle. Blood flowed from Namgung Biya's lips where she had bitten them. It was because she couldn’t bear her own inadequacy. "...I can't go on like this..." She needed to find a way. A way to become stronger. And thus, a way to stay by his side and protect him. She was determined to find it. Crack. Once again, she swung her sword. Her body was already exhausted, but Namgung Biya did not stop. Simultaneously, she recalled the conversation she had with her father in Hanam, a few days before departing for Sichuan. [Your great-grandfather wishes to see you.] Before returning to Anhui, Namgung Jin left these words with Namgung Biya. The absolute ruler of the Namgung family and one of the Three Supremes of Zhongyuan, the Celestial Master, wanted to meet her. [It seems your travels aligning with Sichuan is fortuitous for him.] [...Why...?] When she questioned why the Celestial Master considered her journey to Sichuan fortunate. Namgung Jin provided this explanation. [Coincidentally, he also has business in Sichuan. Go and pay him a visit.] [...] Recalling that conversation, Namgung Biya pondered. If it were her younger sibling, perhaps. But Namgung Biya had little connection with the Celestial Master. She might have glimpsed him several times from afar, yet face-to-face meetings were few enough to count on one hand. Nevertheless, Namgung Biya had resolved to meet the Celestial Master. 'I've got to become stronger.' As the one who touched upon the eminence of the Namgung family's heavenly martial prowess. The Celestial Master might offer a different path to Namgung Biya. She needed to grow stronger. Much, much stronger. She could not remain as she was if she intended to protect him. With that in mind. Namgung Biya continued to swing her sword. This is the last registered chapter. The world seemed yellow. Everything—the sky, the trees, the grass, the river—was spinning around in a yellow haze. This had been my world for the past five days. “Ugh...” I spat on the ground, and blood mixed with saliva came out. Crack! As I rose, my joints screamed with pain. My whole body ached. Though I managed to stay conscious, the cost was significant. My internal energies felt tangled, like my energy pathways were in disarray. My physical state was a complete mess. My qi was coursing chaotically, beyond my control, and my vision was shaky, making it difficult to see ahead. If judged solely by sensation, it wouldn't be surprising to already be at the threshold of qi deviation. But I knew. These disordered sensations would soon settle. And sure enough, not long after... Crackle—!! “Nngh…” Just as expected. The rampant qi and pathways that seemed out of order began to respond. The qi, which had been rampaging as if enraged, was being forcibly drawn back into the dantian as if seized by something. The energy channels, which felt tangled, were forcibly being straightened. The pain from that was beyond imagination. Biting my teeth as I endured the agony was all I could do. 'This... is insane...!' Such was the effect of the Two Six Martial Arts I learned. Now, I understood what the Unyielding Master meant when he said I must internalize the power of the Two Six Martial Arts before I could learn the forms. It was the cornerstone for using the techniques. An artificial transformation of the bone structure. The ability to forcibly drive oneself into a state of oblivion. A force as cruel as it was miraculous, capable of restoring a disordered body through pain. That was the power of the Two Six Martial Arts. Of course, it wasn’t something one could achieve in any circumstance. “Huff... huff...” As my qi and energy channels quieted and the pain subsided to a manageable level, I could finally lift my head. Then I chuckled at the sight before me. '…This is a mad power.' What had once been a place filled with trees and rocks now bore signs of massive devastation, as if something had swept through and left only enormous scars behind. Compared to the mark I had left when facing the Black Dragon Sword and unleashing a massive flame vortex, this was similar. And to think... I created that with just a single punch. One punch. That was the scene wrought from the first form of the Two Six Martial Arts. It seemed like an absurd martial art. Seeing it firsthand, I understood all the more. This martial art deserved to be called divine skill. 'No wonder that old man's punches were so fearsome.' In my past life, during the battles against the Unyielding Master. His every strike felt more like 'demolition' than 'hitting.' It had a singular purpose—destruction and transcendence. It perfectly suited the description of such martial art. However, the problem matched the level of destructiveness. It was the aftermath on my body after using the technique. My energy channels becoming this messed up, and my qi running wild all stemmed from that. On the day the Unyielding Master had demonstrated the technique’s essence directly on my body. I immediately understood why he said learning by being hit was faster. The moment I was struck, the Two Six Martial Arts embedded in me began to react on its own. 'For a martial art to teach its forms on its own...' It was unbelievable. Even though I experienced it myself, I couldn’t comprehend it. How could this even be? Right after receiving a blow from the Unyielding Master, as I panted through the pain, he left me with one remark before disappearing. -From now on, try to grasp it on your own. The absurdity of those words left me bewildered. Striking me first and then telling me to figure it out? This old man must've lost his mind. That's what I surely thought at the time. 'Why does this even work?' As if following the Unyielding Master's words, the Two Six Martial Arts were guiding me on how to move. When I intended to extend, the qi moved first. It paved a path as if instructing me to move in certain ways. Then I instinctively knew. How to apply my qi, where to place my foot, how to twist my waist. The energy showed me the path. If I defied the flow of qi... The pain pointed out immediately that I was wrong. In hindsight, even if it sounded impressive, as the Unyielding Master said, it wasn't that difficult a form. It was merely throwing a direct punch in a straight line. It was just the overwhelming application of energy in that brief process that seemed nonsensical. 'Compressing was tough enough, why is control so difficult?' Compressing the wildly unruly qi and channeling it into a single point through my body. The effort to maintain compression dulled and burdened my body, but I had to endure and act. Even amidst, the pain did not waver. Adjusting the qi delicately to ensure it didn’t scatter amidst my slower movements, then releasing it at the end of the punch's trajectory. That's how it resulted in a single punch (Il-Gwon). Not even worthy to be called a form, yet filled with numerous realizations. The issue was the overload on my body after using this single punch. The whole world turning yellow from pain was a severe issue. The insanely turbulent qi twisted energy channels and qi the instant it was used. Though the Two Six Martial Arts miraculously repaired this, the pain was daunting enough to shy away from using it multiple times. 'Considering that, it isn’t an efficient martial art.' If just one use left me in this state, and the power level was akin to the flame vortex, there seemed little need to use it willingly. What could be inferred was— 'To exert this much without even having mastered it fully.' This much power with virtually zero proficiency. Despite extreme prerequisites and accompanying pain. If a martial art possessed such power, it indeed qualified as a divine skill. Unsteadily, I got to my feet. My breath was still uneven, but I forced myself to act nonchalantly as I turned to look behind me. There stood the Unyielding Master, arms crossed, smiling as he looked at me. His expression was one of considerable satisfaction. "For a first attempt, it's not bad." "…Can't you see I feel like I'm dying here?" "You didn't die, did you?" That damn old man… I frowned at his overly blunt words. "So, what do you think? Do you think you can handle it?" "No, I can't use it twice." "So you can use it once. That's promising." "...Why are you always so needlessly optimistic?" I just said I feel like I'm dying, and yet he's so cheerful. "You seem rather pleased with yourself." "Of course, I'm excited. It's far better than I anticipated." "This?" Judging by the disarray from the martial art's impact, it seemed I had indeed used the power correctly. But the aftermath, the state I was in, was far from pleasing. And he thinks I did well? I looked at the Unyielding Master, puzzled. He chuckled and spoke. "It seems you're mistaken about something." "Excuse me?" "You accomplished something in seven days and nights that I expected to take two months. How could I not be pleased?" Two months? Was this really a form meant to take two months to master, when it's just a single punch? The Unyielding Master approached me and continued speaking. "It may look like a simple move. Even if it appears to be the simplest, it's the one I spent the most effort developing." Since it's the beginning of the forms, I could vaguely understand why it required such consideration. "Regardless, since you've succeeded in using it, you must also realize how intricately it was constructed." "Yes..." My claim of simplicity was only about the movement itself. It only appeared simple; the internal mechanism was anything but. Compression, maintenance, control, release. I had to meticulously fine-tune these four aspects without any deviation. Failure to do so meant the internal energy would burst uncontrollably within, causing immense pain. I experienced this countless times. I struggled for days and finally succeeded. "Don't you realize how remarkable it is to have achieved it in just seven days?" "..." It's hard to fully grasp. No matter how challenging, it was ultimately something that I could manage by enduring the pain. Seeing my expression, the Unyielding Master continued. "I've told you repeatedly, at least when it comes to this." He seemed quite pleased with himself. "In terms of my martial art, there's no one better suited than you." "..." "Not bad. You've done well." Clapping me on the shoulder, the Unyielding Master walked past me. I was still not used to being treated like a genius with such praise. '...A martial art that suits me.' But I had felt it to some extent. Two Six Martial Arts were suited for me. Not because of anything profound, but because the simple truth that I just had to endure suited me best. I shook my head to push the thought away. I didn’t want to be overly elated by such trivial praise. "Oh, right. Lad." "Yes, Elder." "This is just a precaution, but you are prohibited from using this in real combat without my permission." "..." "And you're also forbidden from training it out of my sight. You understand the reason, right?" "...Yes." The reason for this prohibition. If used incorrectly, this martial art could place a significant burden on the body. If an accident occurred, the only person who could manage it was the Unyielding Master. For now, it was best not to use it outside his supervision. Only after I responded did the Unyielding Master leave, seemingly satisfied. Left alone, I immediately collapsed tiredly onto the ground. "...Phew." The dizziness still lingered from the aftermath. It was only after the Unyielding Master left that I could finally breathe a sigh of relief. 'I did it.' I had so many worries about failing, but fortunately, I succeeded. Though a slight annoyance crept in. 'If I knew I had two months, I wouldn't have rushed like this.' Considering he said it wouldn’t take long, I spent sleepless nights thinking I had to finish quickly... Only to learn he anticipated two months. "...Well, it’s done, and that’s what matters." Though it was somewhat frustrating, things turned out well, so I decided to let it go. As I lay there, lost in thought, I sensed someone approaching from afar. At the signal of their approach, I lifted my upper body slightly. Thump. Someone landed gently on the ground some distance away. With graceful movements, they appeared—it was the White Lotus Sword. "Hello?" Giving her characteristic bright greeting, I nodded in acknowledgment. "You've arrived." "What's this? I come at the right time, and you're just lying down?" "...I feel a bit dizzy." I stood up again. White Lotus Sword tilted her head at my response, but she didn't press any further. "You told me not to come near when you’re training. What's up?" "Now that the training is over... there's something I want to discuss with you." "Hmm? With me?" "Yes." Hearing that, White Lotus Sword’s eyes lit up. I wasn't sure what she was thinking, but it definitely wasn't something to be so expectant over... Thinking this, I spoke to her. "Are you free this evening?" Her eyes widened at my question, practically glowing with delight as she gestured at me playfully. "Oh my, are you trying to seduce this sister? Oh my, oh my. Bright kids these days..." "It's not like that." I frowned, immediately denying her nonsense. What on earth is this woman talking about... Who's seducing whom? "Really?" "Absolutely not." "...Really?" Ignoring White Lotus Sword’s strangely disappointed expression, I got to the point. "Remember when I asked you for a favor last time?" "I remember." When White Lotus Sword expressed a desire to continue being my escort. I laid out a few conditions for her. Among them was granting me a favor in the future, which she agreed to, even binding it with an oath. "I'm planning to use that tonight." White Lotus Sword gave another one of her slightly unsettling smiles in response. "Tonight, you say... See? Are you sure you're not trying to seduce me...?" "I'm telling you, I'm not." "...Why aren't you, though?" Why aren't I? Because that's not the case! Why does she keep thinking along those lines? It's completely baffling. With my continuous denial, the White Lotus Sword furrowed her brow slightly and asked, "Then what is it?" The favor I needed to ask her was straightforward. 'He has arrived.' 'He' would have come to a location not far from here. By now, it should be the time for his arrival. Even if it wasn't, I could sense it. I had laid the groundwork for this moment, setting everything up perfectly. The favor involved the situation with him. Tonight. I planned to seek out the Green King personally. Given his sharp mind contrasted with his hefty physique, he wouldn't be reckless enough to attack the convoy directly. He wasn't foolish enough to strike while the Patriarch of the Pega House and the Poison King were present. He would wait for the right moment to grasp the situation. That's why I'd approach him first. Besides, I didn't want the Poison King and the Green King to meet directly. So this actually worked in my favor. You might think it's reckless to confront him head-on, but I'd already taken precautions. As I sorted out my plan and slowly gathered my energy, the White Lotus Sword suddenly asked, "So, it's really not that?" "…" I hadn't even made my request yet, and I already had to run a hand over my face. I felt my patience draining away. This is the last registered chapter.