Childhood Friend of the Zenith – 309 (Part 1)



309 (Part 1)

”'<310th Episode: Listening to the Evil Iron Yang Iron. (2)

A silence enveloped the room.

Sitting still and staring into the void Cheol Ji-seon’s mind was filled with the words spoken by Shin Seong a few days ago during their late-night encounter.

– Jae-gal Jin-seon that’s what you should be called right?

The clear voice seemed to echo even now.

Crack.

As that thought crossed his mind his hand instinctively clenched into a fist.

At the same time the image of Shin Seong smiling and speaking flashed through his mind.

‘How did he know?’

His true identity.

The fact that he was not Cheol Ji-seon but Jae-gal Jin-seon was a secret that no one knew.

Only Cheol Hwan-o who was currently serving as an instructor was aware of this story.

But Cheol Hwan-o was not someone who would spread such information to others.

Cheol Ji-seon knew that.

Then how on earth did Shin Seong know?

‘How… how could he possibly know?’

It was incomprehensible.

How did Shin Seong know about him?

Moreover.

Not only his identity.

Shin Seong also knew other things.

– How do you know that…?

He couldn’t hide the tremor in his voice as he shouted.

– Calm down.

Shin Seong chuckled and gestured.

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– How can I calm down right now…!

– If it was just knowing your name I wouldn’t have sought you out.

The expression on Shin Seong’s face as he said that felt strangely cold.

Even though he was clearly smiling.

Unknowingly Cheol Ji-seon shrank back at that expression.

But he had to try hard not to tremble.

– What do you mean by that all of a sudden…? – I know you have a goal.

— …!

Cheol Ji-seon swallowed hard at Shin Seong’s words.

– It will be a very arduous path to achieve that goal.

– …What do you want to say?

– I will help you on that path.

As soon as he heard Shin Seong’s words Cheol Ji-seon’s expression darkened.

He didn’t know how Shin Seong knew about his identity.

And he didn’t know how he knew about his goal either.

But that was not the strangest thing he had said.

– …Do you know what goal I have?

It was understandable.

If Shin Seong knew what Cheol Ji-seon’s goal was.

Then he wouldn’t be able to say such things.

However.

– You wish for the revival of the Jae-gal Family don’t you?

— …!

To Cheol Ji-seon’s surprise Shin Seong pierced right into his vulnerabilities.

For the son of the Murim Alliance leader to say such a thing was utterly bizarre.

The history of the Jae-gal Family.

In a way it must be a scar for the Murim Alliance.

—… How do you know that…?

Cheol Ji-seon was taken aback.

But Shin Seong merely continued to smile and spoke.

– If you help me I will help you achieve your goal.

– …Why on earth would you help me? What do you want from me?

– There are several reasons but it’s because only you can help me.

– What do you mean by that?

What could Shin Seong possibly want from him?

What was he hoping for by approaching him in this way?

As Cheol Ji-seon asked with trembling eyes.

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Shin Seong soon answered.

– I want to borrow your ‘power.’

…Crack.

At Shin Seong’s final words Cheol Ji-seon bit down hard.

That was the reason for his current headache.

‘How… how did he know that?’

Since the promise with Noona.

It was a power he had hidden for nearly a decade.

The number of people who knew about his secret excluding Noona wouldn’t exceed three.

Moreover those people were not ones who would mention him.

‘It has to be that way.’

It absolutely had to be.

Otherwise he wouldn’t be able to trust anyone.

‘What… what should I do?’

He thought he had set up a thorough plan.

But everything felt tangled.

Where did it go wrong and where should he start to untangle it?

Cheol Ji-seon squeezed his eyes shut feeling lost.

‘…I just want to go back.’

..

…

What would happen if he rejected Shin Seong’s offer?

He didn’t want to imagine it but he could tell by looking into Shin Seong’s eyes.

The option of rejection was never on the table.

‘Noona…’

He recalled Noona who was waiting for him somewhere far away.

He had to calm down even if it meant that.

Was it true that Shin Seong would help him?

How on earth would he help?

No matter how talented Shin Seong was he was still just a prodigy.

Even if he was the only son of the Alliance Leader did he really have the capability?

The rumors certainly suggested so.

But the Shin Seong Cheol Ji-seon had seen felt somehow unsettling.

‘…Even so if it’s a situation where I have no choice I have to accept it…’

“Hey.”

Tap tap.

As he tried to turn his thoughts away by squeezing his eyes shut.

Someone tapped Cheol Ji-seon’s shoulder a few times.

“…!”

Was he too focused?

Cheol Ji-seon hadn’t even realized someone was standing in front of him.

“Ugh!”

Just as he was about to fall backward in surprise.

The person in front reached out and caught him.

“Ah…! Th-thank you.”

“Did I scare you? I’m sorry.”

The smile that followed was quite refreshing.

With a face that was inherently handsome it was almost startling.

As Cheol Ji-seon scrutinized the person in front of him wondering who they were.

‘This person?’

It didn’t take long for Cheol Ji-seon to figure out who the person was.

And it made sense.

Not only him but the people around were already buzzing about it.

– Isn’t that person from another group? Why are they here?

– With that outfit and that face… it must be Jang-ryong!

– Jang-ryong? Jang-ryong is here?

Everyone around turned their attention to the person in front of Cheol Ji-seon.

It was only natural given who he was.

He was one of the Six Dragons and Three Peaks.

A young swordsman known as the Captain of the Mudaeng.

It was Jang-ryong.

“Uh Jang-ryong?”

“That’s right. I’m the famous sleepyhead.”

As Cheol Ji-seon stammered in surprise Jang-ryong laughed again in response.

“I called you several times but you didn’t respond so I nudged you a bit. Sorry about that.”

“Ah no… um what brings you to me…?”

“Oh the reason I came to find the Master is nothing else.”

What could the famous Jang-ryong want with him?

A sharp feeling crossed his mind.

‘Could this person also…’

What if he knew about his identity or power?

As that thought crossed his mind Cheol Ji-seon felt a surge of fear.

However contrary to his expectations.

The words that came out of Jang-ryong’s mouth were completely unexpected.

“I want to join the Iron Yang Iron Faction. I hope you’ll accept me.”

“Pardon?”

What faction?

Cheol Ji-seon frowned without realizing it.

He had never heard such a strange term in his life.

“What… what faction?”

“Isn’t it Iron Yang Iron? Was it Yangcheol?”

Iron Yang? Yangcheol? What a bizarre word.

As Cheol Ji-seon asked in confusion.

Jang-ryong tilted his head at Cheol Ji-seon’s reaction.

“I don’t quite understand what you mean…”

“Jin-ryong said so. If you want to join our faction you should go find the Captain and get permission.”

The familiar sound that reached Cheol Ji-seon.

Jin-ryong.

He swallowed hard without realizing it at the chilling sound of that name.

Because there was not a single normal situation that could arise from that alias.

Gulp.

“…I see. Then why did you come to me Jang-ryong…?”

He didn’t want to know what that person was up to.

He didn’t know what kind of trouble he might get into if he got involved.

With that thought in mind he asked.

Jang-ryong replied.

“Huh? I came to get permission as I was told?”

“Excuse me?”

What does that mean?

To join this Iron Yang Iron or whatever it is.

Why would he need his permission…

– Jin-ryong said so.

– Go find the Captain and get permission.

At Jang-ryong’s words Cheol Ji-seon felt his heart sink.

‘No way it can’t be.’

Nightmarish thoughts flashed through his mind.

But he thought it couldn’t be true. Surely Jin-ryong wasn’t that crazy.

No he shouldn’t be. Please.

Cheol Ji-seon’s firm and desperate wish was.

Easily shattered.

Jin-ryong was indeed crazier than Cheol Ji-seon had expected.

“Mad dog Cheol Ji-seon I heard you are the Captain of the faction.”

Jang-ryong said flatly.

“Can’t you let me join too?”

The atmosphere around them instantly froze.

It felt as if a blizzard had swept through chilling the air.

“Cough… cough….”

“Why is that?””’