416 - Childhood Friend of the Zenith

**Chapter 417: Came Alone** Night had fallen. The warriors of the Tang Clan and Pei Family began their watch and patrols. Sensing it was time, I rose from my seat. "…" As I stood, I noticed an unfamiliar presence beside me. What could it be? With a sigh of recognition, I confirmed who it was. During these hours, there was only one person who would occupy the space next to me. 'When did she get here?' As expected, the culprit was Namgung Bia. The sleeping arrangements were already cramped, and with her tall figure constantly sneaking in, it was becoming suffocating. Moreover… 'How did I not notice?' The fact that she could slip in and lay beside me without waking me suggested a problem. Even though I was accustomed to Namgung Bia's presence, this was a bit concerning. Despite her subtle presence, not being aware of her approaching in my sleep was alarming. What if she were to stab me in the neck...? 'I doubt she would do that to me, though.’ The tension had vanished completely. Whether this was because Namgung Bia's skills had advanced, or because my own edge had dulled, I couldn't say. I needed to be more vigilant. With these thoughts, I got up cautiously. "…" Careful not to wake Namgung Bia, I gently stroked her hair, feeling the silkiness despite her lack of apparent care. Doing this made me feel a bit like a pervert. As soon as I realized this, I withdrew my hand and exited the carriage. Outside, White Lotus Sword was already waiting for me. She must have glanced inside the carriage as I exited, because she gave me a mischievous smile. "You must be in a good place right now." She must have seen Namgung Bia lying inside. How bothersome this woman's teasing could be. "...It's not like that." "Sure, sure, big sis knows everything." "You really don't. How could you know..." "In your youth, it's always like this! Don't pry so much! I'll pretend I didn't see anything." …Please. Though I had much to say, I had to ignore her antics, for it wasn't the first or second time she had jested like this. Especially when more important matters awaited. I turned my focus toward where I felt an unsettling presence. 'Can it be done in a day?' Under the right circumstances, it was possible. I fervently hoped so, but only time would tell. Suddenly— As I cloaked myself in energy, I sensed a subtle aura emanating from White Lotus Sword. Despite her odd personality, she was skilled and perceptive. She didn't ask where I was headed or what I planned to do. Moreover, judging by the fact that she was checking her sword and projecting her energy, she seemed to know what I wanted from her. 'Indeed.' She wasn't one to be underestimated. Once I comprehended this, I quickly accelerated and leaped forward. My destination was where the Green Forest bandits had gathered at Guimun Mountain. ************* **Poison Lord Tang Biseong** The former master of the Tang Clan and grandfather to the current Poison King. It was said that if he had lived, the central world would have added another Deity, referring to him as the Poison Deity amongst the Three Deities, making it Four Great Deities. A master closest to being immune to all poisons, he restored the declining prestige of the Tang Clan, earning their respect. Yet, he wasn't truly a venerable figure. At least not to Tang Deok. "A failure." He remembered Tang Biseong's cold gaze looking down on him. The courtyard stone floor was piled with the lifeless bodies of children, barely nine or ten years old. All of them had received the surname Tang at Tang Biseong’s command. "Master, this child’s physique at least..." Despite a man's urgent words, Tang Biseong's eyes did not soften. "No matter how perfect the body, if they can't learn poison arts, they’re useless. Dispose of them." Hearing those words, Tang Deok cried out desperately. He begged for his life, wailed for mercy. Yet Tang Biseong never halted his step. Until his footsteps faded, leaving only Tang Deok's sobs to fill the underground chamber. Only then did the silent men beside him move towards Tang Deok. As their hands obscured his vision, Tang Deok finally awoke from his long nightmare. His tightly shut eyes opened to gaze at the moon with black pupils. Only then did Tang Deok realize he had been dreaming. "...Hoo." As he lifted his heavy eyelids, Tang Deok raised his massive body. A truly damned dream. Memories he wanted to forget but couldn't remained vivid. 'Now that the time for action approaches, they become even clearer.' As he neared his objective, these unwanted memories surged to the forefront. Tang Deok understood: he was alive because he couldn't forget. Crack. Stretching his muscles, Tang Deok walked onward. Emerging through the bushes, he found a gathering of men. As he appeared, the men quickly stood from their positions of rest. "Leader." "The situation?" "They seem to be preparing to camp for the night." Tang Deok's eyes settled on a distant spot. While dense foliage obscured the view, he knew Tang Clan members gathered out there. Bloodlines of the old man he longed to tear apart. If Tang Deok held a grudge lasting ages... 'I should have killed that old man myself.' For not having slain Poison Lord Tang Biseong with his own hands. Snash. The thought caused him to clench his fist in anger. Despite all the chaos he caused, the old man died of mere old age. As fury and murderous intent seeped from Tang Deok, the nearby bandits began trembling. Such was the force and terror of his aura. Glaring at his men with eyes full of blood lust, Tang Deok commanded, "We strike when they cross the river. Until then, we wait." "At this pace, it'll take around seven nights to reach the river, no?" Upon the man's inquiry, Tang Deok immediately reached out, grabbing the man's head. "Ugh...." The massive hand was enough to clamp down on the man’s head with a single grip. "So, should we rush in and meet an untimely death?" "...Urk..." "Even if you're in a hurry, you have to do things right, don't you?" "Ye...yes sir..." Only after hearing the man's answer did Tang Deok release his grip. Tang Deok was the one who most desired to storm in and kill everyone on the spot. But with the Poison King and the head of the Pei Family present, charging in recklessly was not feasible. Thus, they decided to wait until the enemy crossed the river. Transporting criminals under the restricted conditions of a ship provided them with a significant tactical advantage. It was an excellent circumstance. This was the first time in twenty years that the Tang Clan took charge of a transport convoy. To Tang Deok, who had been waiting for the right moment, this was nothing short of a miracle. Thus, Tang Deok decided to be patient. After all the waiting, what were seven days and nights? If it led to the downfall of the Tang Clan, he could certainly endure it. Tang Deok calmed his murderous intent and regulated his breathing. Acting on impulse would only ruin things. "When the scouts return, report back to me. Especially," Tang Deok’s eyes gleamed with intensity, "bring any information you have on Soyeomra, that whelp." "Understood." Muttering the name, Tang Deok gritted his teeth internally. The only enigma remained that whelp. How he discovered the scouting party was a mystery, but knowing Tang Deok was behind it only added to the confusion. 'How could he have known?' How did he know and have the audacity to provoke Tang Deok like that? Did the Poison King also know? If there was even a chance of that, Tang Deok had to adjust his plans slightly. What mattered was what Soyeomra knew about him, including the term the youth had conveyed to him. ["Failure."] Soyeomra had explicitly told Tang Deok to convey that. Looking at it that way... '...Could this kid possibly know?' Could he know not just his name, but also the identity almost no one was aware of? 'Impossible.' Everyone who knew about that incident was dead. Including his kin and all those involved in the matter. Except for the Tang Clan bloodline, that is. 'Then how does he know?' Coincidence? It seemed too pointed and unnerving. Could it really be a coincidence? Tang Deok felt unease rise in his gut. Clutching his spear tightly, he mused. 'When captured, I need to question him before killing him.' He planned to catch him, and once caught, he'd demand answers. With that resolution, Tang Deok wandered through the thickets. "…!" Suddenly, Tang Deok halted mid-step. His gaze, now taut with tension, fixated on something unseen. There was nothing but tall trees, obscuring any view. Yet Tang Deok sensed it. There was something out there in the distance. Without hesitation, Tang Deok swung his spear toward the source of the strange presence. Whosh—! Bam—! The formidable force from the spear shattered the trees with a blast of wind pressure. But the mighty energy didn't last long. Thump—! Poof—! As the energy pushed forward, it reached a specific point and abruptly burst, dispersing into nothingness. Tang Deok realized someone had intercepted and nullified his attack. Additionally, he felt it. An intense heat exuded from beyond. Thick and searing. Tang Deok leaped towards the energy. As the distance closed, it became clearer. Far off in the darkness, a vermilion flame flickered alone. From the heat, Tang Deok understood. The flame was signaling him. That it was here. Waiting for him to come. 'For me?' Tang Deok drew a wicked smile, increasing his speed. A flurry of fiery sparks brushed past his cheek. In an instant, he stood at the heart of the flames. Boom—! With the impact of his considerable bulk on the ground, a tremendous noise and gust erupted. Dirt and dust mingled, obscuring vision, Whoosh—! Waving his spear quickly, Tang Deok swept the obstruction away. With clarity restored, what he saw made Tang Deok chuckle in disbelief. "...Unbelievable." Unbelievable indeed. Spreading his perception widely, Tang Deok searched for signs, but found only one person standing before him. Realizing this, Tang Deok inquired, "Came alone?" The youth answered Tang Deok's question. "As you can see." "...Ha, really - all by yourself?" "Why would I need backup? In case you were worried, the Poison King isn’t coming." Despite the boy's words being hard to trust, Tang Deok was more puzzled by something else. "What kind of confidence is this?" Tang Deok grinned wickedly as he regarded the youth. Though small in stature, his presence was solid. With flames flickering around him, his hands tucked behind his back, the young man simply stood there, silently watching Tang Deok. Tang Deok continued, assessing him. "Hiding in the shadows to avoid detection would be wisest. Have you revealed yourself because you couldn't contain your arrogance?" The youth finally tilted his head, questioning, "Hide? Why should I?" "You must hide. If you're caught, I'll devour you..." Tang Deok couldn’t fail to recognize the young man who had dared provoke him. A precocious master of fire techniques. Given these distinctive traits, deducing his identity was rather simple. "Pleased to meet you, Soyeomra." Ha ha. What amused him so? Upon Tang Deok’s words, the youth, Soyeomra, suddenly burst into laughter. Observing this, Tang Deok’s brow furrowed sharply. "Why are you laughing? Have you lost your mind knowing you're about to die?" "Oh, sorry. I guess it's just funny seeing you after a long time." "What?" "You’ve always been an idiot." Soyeomra's mocking tone unleashed a vile energy from Tang Deok's form. "...You fool... The world may have elevated you, but you don't know your place. Do you even understand who I am to speak that way?" "And who are you but a failed creation that's been cast aside?" That comment seemed to be the straw that broke the camel's back. In an instant, Tang Deok's rationality snapped. It was clear. This kid knew something. Oddly enough, confirming that fact seemed to lighten his mood. "Alright, I will make sure to kill you right here and now." Just as Tang Deok gripped his spear and was about to release his energy— Gurgle. "....!" An unexpected pain gripped Tang Deok’s stomach, causing him to clutch it reflexively. Caught off guard by the strange sensation tightening around him, Tang Deok was momentarily paralyzed. A voice drifted in from ahead. "I'm glad you like the gift I sent you." Laughter was evident in the voice. Shuffle. The footsteps drew closer. Soyeomra approached Tang Deok, locking eyes with him as he said, "Let's just take it slow and have a little chat first." Seeing the eyes of Soyeomra, Tang Deok gulped internally. For some reason, his eyes gleamed with a violet hue.