420 - Childhood Friend of the Zenith

Title: Friend of the Unrivaled Hero, Chapter 421: Water Dragon River (Part 2) Two months had elapsed since our journey to Sichuan began. Starting from Henan, the convoy led by Dokwang had been traversing mountains. With half of the journey remaining to Sichuan, here we stood before a vast river. It's the largest river I've encountered since my reincarnation. This river is known as the Water Dragon River (水龍江). A few centuries ago, this was a sprawling plain. Yet, during the Blood Demon War, the chaos caused by a white-tier magical beast formed this artificial river. When I first heard about it, I couldn't fathom how a beast could create a river. Reflecting on the misty forest where the main palace of the Black Night Palace once stood, one could conclude that a white-tier beast possessed power potent enough to alter geography and affect the ecosystem. ‘How did someone defeat that alone?’ Recalling those who vanquished such beasts, I couldn't help but shiver. The one who slayed the Murong (霧龍), which had covered an entire region with hallucinogenic mist upon its death, was none other than old master Shin Noya. The one who killed the Water Dragon (水龍) that turned plains into a broad river was Dokjeolcheon. A revered figure who was one of the five heroes that halted the Blood Demon, and who transformed the Tang Clan into a righteous sect. ‘Terrifying humans.’ We live in a time where Blood Demons have vanished, and only blue-tier magical beasts appear. However, with the forthcoming descent of the Heavenly Demon, red-tier beasts will start to emerge. When that happens, chaos will undoubtedly ensue. Red-tier beasts cannot be defeated even by the mightiest warriors alone. Considering how formidable humans must have been to single-handedly subdue a white-tier beast, it's beyond comprehension. ‘They couldn’t have been weaker than the Three Sovereigns.’ I had thought of old master Shin Noya as a mere grumpy old man, but the more I learn, the more incredible he seems. Even the plum blossom predecessors, who are highly respected on Mount Hua, are said to hold him in high esteem, second only to Shin Noya. ‘So when will he make his appearance? How long will he stay asleep?’ After helping me out at the Dragon Pavilion, Shin Noya appeared to have gone back to slumber, not showing himself since. Even the beast within me has become less frequent, now maintaining complete silence. ‘…Tch.’ Though solitude in my own body was something I had longed for, I couldn’t shake off this uncomfortable feeling. As I was trying to clear my thoughts by the riverbank, someone approached and spoke to me. "Young Master." It was Moyong Hee-ah. "Sir, it's time... to board." "Ah, I'll be there." Moyong Hee-ah, who had told me it was time to board, seemed startled upon seeing Tang Deok standing behind me. It seemed she was still not accustomed to his massive presence. Or perhaps it's his daunting face that surprised her. Tang Deok's grim visage was notorious, rivaling even mine for sheer intimidation. "By the way." "Yes?" "Where's your aunt?" "Oh... she has already boarded the boat ahead of us." "…" I couldn’t help but rub my forehead at her words. As a bodyguard, shouldn’t she at least inform me of her whereabouts instead of leaving me on someone else's word and just boarding the boat? Unbelievable. It seemed Moyong Hee-ah felt this too, as her expression was none too happy. She addressed me apologetically. "I'm sorry... my aunt..." "It's not your fault, so don't worry about it." "...Okay." Even though I assured her, Moyong Hee-ah's expression remained troubled. No doubt if a family member behaved as such, I'd be too embarrassed to show my face either. I ruffled Moyong Hee-ah's hair lightly with a sigh. "Go ahead and board. I'll be right behind you." "...Alright." With my words, Moyong Hee-ah gave a faint smile and made her way toward the boat behind us. Yes, the boat. I needed to board it. To cross the Water Dragon River ahead of us. ‘Hmm.’ While traveling from Shanxi to Sichuan before, we didn’t use a boat; this time, circumstances dictated otherwise. ‘No other choice, I suppose.’ Although it was the route chosen by Dokwang and supposedly the quickest, I found the notion of taking a boat rather unsettling. With a slight turn of my head, I looked back at Tang Deok and asked. "Hey." "…" Tang Deok's gaze settled on me. There was no verbal response. He was unable to speak without my explicit permission. "The men you dispatched—where are they hiding? Provide me with the details." As I uttered the command, Tang Deok's lips trembled as he managed to articulate his reply. “…First checkpoint... thereafter….” "Then they'd strike about an hour after departure, right? Are they still hiding now?" “…Yes.” "You've already set them in place? Quite thorough." Hearing his response, I let out a sly grin. Tang Deok shivered at my reaction. I had wondered how they planned on ambushing a convoy that included Dokwang and the head of the Pae family, but it seemed they anticipated our crossing of the Water Dragon River. Therefore, they dispatched their men ahead of time to encircle us and initiate an assault from all sides. It appears they were quite confident in their aquatic combat skills. ‘Given that there are magical beasts present, and they're already on standby, do they have some strategy?’ The Water Dragon River was notorious for its abundance of magical beasts, particularly aquatic ones, making it inaccessible to ordinary people. Dokwang’s decision to use this route was likely due to it being a place with a low probability of human ambushes, and the fastest route to Sichuan. With the resources and mystical items at Dokwang's disposal, dealing with magical beasts wouldn’t be a concern, likely making it the safest route. Yet, Tang Deok intended to launch a surprise attack on the water. Given Dokwang’s priorities—whether it be his kin or the convoy—he would be vulnerable on water. As those thoughts circled, a question emerged. ‘How did this guy know?’ I only discovered a few days ago that Dokwang intended to take the Water Dragon River. How could he possibly have anticipated it and prepared in advance? Additionally. ‘Him possessing mystical items is odd.’ The mystical item that his subordinate had, which I now kept safely with me, raised further suspicions. When I asked about it, Tang Deok described it as a mystic item that suppresses one's presence by infusing internal energy into it. This implied it was an activated type of mystic item. In terms of value, it was so precious that it could fetch a fortune. It was strange that a bandit like Tang Deok possessed such an item. Both the information and the item were peculiar. Something felt off about how things were unfolding. "Hey." "..." I decided to probe further. "The spy you've placed within the Tang family. Who is it?" "...!" Upon hearing my question, Tang Deok's eyes widened. That reaction confirmed it. So this scoundrel really had planted someone. I had wondered how he orchestrated such a plan, and it seemed he indeed had eyes and ears within the Tang family. He must have been keeping this a secret because he hadn’t answered questions I hadn’t asked directly until now. "Who is it? Speak." Now that I had found out, there was no need for secrecy. “...Unghhhh….” It appeared Tang Deok was desperately trying to resist the compulsion. However, the force was deeply embedded in his heart. It was beyond his will to break. After a brief wait, Tang Deok reluctantly opened his tight lips. “O.” Hearing the unexpected name, I couldn't help but let out a soft exclamation. From Tang Deok's mouth came the name of a person I hadn't anticipated, surprising me considerably. When Tang Deok became part of my entourage, the individual responsible for being the 'spy' must have been equally shocked. Although Dokwang may not have recognized what Tang Deok truly was, the spy surely saw through it. I suppressed a grin inside as I continued to walk. It seemed I had one more person to deal with onboard the ship. ****************** It took roughly half a day of preparations before we set sail. Captives had to be secured underground, and sufficient provisions for a journey lasting four to seven days and nights had to be stocked, so the preparations were extensive. Nonetheless, thanks to these preparations, we were able to embark on the journey comfortably. "Wow..." Weseol-Ah exclaimed in awe as she gazed at the river from the railing. Her reaction was so transparent I couldn’t help but ask. “What’s so fascinating?” “It moves on water!” “Of course, it moves. It’s a boat.” “Wow…” What is this, her first time on a boat? Come to think of it, I don't recall ever being on a boat with Weseol-Ah. Perhaps that's why she's so amazed. I guess I should bring her more often. Watching her enjoy the scenery made me smile inadvertently. Beside the smiling Weseol-Ah, Moyong Hee-ah stood dazed, looking a bit unwell. “What’s wrong with you?” “…I feel a bit uneasy.” “Uneasy? Are you seasick?” “…A little.” Moyong Hee-ah’s words made me tilt my head in wonder. Though her martial prowess was not yet at the highest level, she had reached a first-class level, yet she got seasick? Noticing my skepticism, Moyong Hee-ah coughed awkwardly and explained. “I got pretty violently seasick last time. Ever since then, it’s been like this.” “How badly did it hit you to make you seasick when you weren’t before?” “…I’d rather not remember.” “Oh…okay.” Judging by her expression, it really was unpleasant, so I refrained from asking more. Watching her, I swept my eyes around. Cheoljiseon had gone to the cabin claiming he was dying from seasickness. Jamnyong had also retreated, saying he felt sleepy. Many seemed to be taking rest as they couldn’t train onboard. For me, walking while performing meditation techniques was a form of training, so I was fine. However, it's a bit of a shame to miss out on physical training. ‘As for Namgung Bia…’ I didn’t see her, so she was probably asleep if she was out of sight. Most likely, she was asleep in my cabin, as usual. I had half given up on this by now, so I let it go. Since I hardly sleep because of my training anyway, it didn't matter where she slept. For now, it was better that no one was around. ‘Could it be happening soon?’ Soon, we'll arrive at the position Tang Deok mentioned. This means those gathered to ambush this ship were lying in wait. I hadn't ordered Tang Deok to call off the attack intentionally. In fact, it was advantageous. By fending off the assault ourselves, we could claim credit for preventing it. This would provide an opportunity to request something from Dokwang. Considering that an attack by the bandits without Tang Deok wouldn’t pose much of a threat. Of course, I was aware that failing to attack because of Tang Deok's absence might be a possibility as well. In this gap, I could also take down the rat sneaking around the Tang family. Crack— I stretched slightly. ‘Hmm…’ Surveying my condition, I still noticed a few remaining issues. It was the remnants of the battle with Tang Deok. Normally, with such a condition, I wouldn’t engage in anything strenuous. But the timing was perfect. The ship was carrying Dokwang, the head of the Pae family, the White Lotus Sword, Pae Joon, and the Dark Lord. In terms of power, it was enough to wipe out an entire martial sect or clan, so the danger level was low. It was a good time to discreetly do something if needed. As I was organizing my thoughts, I sensed someone approaching from behind. “Young Master!” A bright, clear voice called out. Glancing back, I saw Tang So-yeol with a wide grin. She was carrying snacks, which made me frown a little. “What’s that?” Half-suspicious, I asked. Tang So-yeol’s face turned crestfallen. “I brought these all the way here... why do you look like that right away?” “No poison in it?” “There’s no poison…! Do you think I add poison to everything I make?!” “Don’t you?” “I don’t!” Tang So-yeol retorted with a slightly offended squeal. Really? I could have sworn I've seen her use poison in almost everything she made before. The way she insisted somewhat embarrassed me. “If that's the case, I'm sorry.” “…Hmph…” With a pout, Tang So-yeol turned her head away. I took a snack from her and popped it into my mouth. Surprisingly, it actually didn’t seem to contain any poison. What’s gotten into her? As I looked at her, puzzled, Tang So-yeol gave me an incredulous look. The amusing part was that Weseol-Ah, seeing me eat safely, quickly dashed over to grab some snacks for herself. Could it be? ‘…Is she checking for poison using me as a tester?’ Is that what's happening here? Wow. Look at her. When did she become so sly? I wasn’t upset, just amazed by her cunning. At that moment... Tang So-yeol, who was passing snacks around, approached Tang Deok and offered him some refreshments with the same smile. "You must be struggling, have some of these." "..." At her cheerful words, Tang Deok's shoulders trembled. For him, seeing a member of the very family of his enemy, someone he would like to kill, must have been infuriating. Thinking it might get dangerous, I moved to pull Tang So-yeol away from Tang Deok. Wooong-! “…!” A strange sensation made me whip my head toward the river. After sensing something odd, I leapt atop the railings for a better view. "Young Master…?" Not only Tang So-yeol but everyone nearby turned to look at me in surprise due to my abrupt action. Though, not everyone seemed aware. Only Weseol-Ah had also started scrutinizing the river with widened eyes. It seemed I wasn't the only one who sensed it. ‘What is it?’ My eyes scanned the trembling waters below. The ship continued its journey, and the river looked the same as always. Yet, something did feel different. Rumble-! Splash! Behind me, someone appeared as if in a rush. Woohyuk and Namgung Bia materialized, and shortly after, a breathless Cheoljiseon also emerged. ‘Did they sense it as well?’ While others, with puzzled looks, couldn’t grasp the situation, staring as if to ask what was going on, my focus remained on the river. The presence was growing stronger. Around that time, even the other martial artists began to notice something, their demeanor changing. Initially, I suspected it might be the anticipated ambush. Given we were near the suspected location and an attack could occur any moment, it wouldn’t have been surprising. But... This was something entirely different. It wasn’t the sort of presence that humans typically give off. ‘What is...?’ As I concentrated more, I began to see it. A shadow was slowly becoming visible beneath the boat. A silhouette reaching around eight to nine meters emerged below us. This revelation sent the martial artists into an uproar. "It's a magical beast!" The martial artists were visibly shaken. These beasts shouldn’t be able to approach the Tang family’s ship—protected by the family’s mystic items. This was the reason only the Tang family’s ships dared to sail the Water Dragon River. Yet, the shadows we saw surrounding us were unmistakably green and blue-tiered magical beasts living in the river. The unexpected situation threw everyone into confusion, but it wasn’t a critical threat. Despite the number of blue-tier magical beasts and the inherent risk of fighting them on water, the martial artists aboard were strong enough to handle them with ease. However... “…This is different.” I couldn't stop my eyes from trembling. ‘This isn’t just that.’ I bit my lip hard. As mentioned, the blue-tier magical beasts swarming our ship were numerous but not concerning. The issue lay elsewhere. I could feel it getting clearer. Something real and massive was stealthily advancing beneath those creatures. Sensing this, I amplified my inner energy to its peak. Something was terribly wrong. It was an occurrence that shouldn't have been possible. ‘Why…?’ Underneath the smaller magical beasts, something far larger began to stir. Realizing the presence of this massive creature changed the mood among the martial artists instantly. They, too, had detected it. Amidst their panic and echoes of “What in the world is that?” bouncing around, I remained calm, for I knew what it was. And because I knew, I was even more incredulous. Unlike today’s magical beasts dwelling on land and sea, these were the true beasts known from centuries past. They had disappeared without a trace, set to only reappear in about four or five years. Monsters that one might only dare to challenge upon reaching the apex of martial artistry. The red-tiered magical beast, born of the vivid Red Magic Mirror. From beneath the river’s surface, the overwhelming presence of a colossal being, unseen for centuries, was being felt.