Childhood Friend of the Zenith – 316 (Part 2)



316 (Part 2)

The entrance was real.

Seeing that Jang-ryong also remembered it was not a fabrication.

Not only did it create a space.

It seemed as if time had twisted freezing the time outside.

Can this be called ‘martial arts’?

‘Shin Noya said that it was the power of Yeon Il-cheon.’

Even when I met Hwang Abulyeong.

Even now everything I experienced was said to be the power of Yeon Il-cheon.

If it had gone that far.

Isn’t this a level that is not human to begin with?

‘Moreover how did I get out?’

Jang-ryong said.

Not long after I disappeared I was sitting in the corridor yawning.

The moment I opened my eyes I was outside.

…

!

..

I was told that I was lying behind.

‘In terms of time it was at most ten seconds that had passed.’

Considering the time spent conversing with my thoughts that was absolutely impossible.

In the end the difference in time between the space at that time and the outside is clear.

‘If what I experienced was not an illusion.’

Should I say it’s fortunate?

The evidence that it was not an illusion was tied to my hand.

Although it wouldn’t be visible to Cheong Hae-il-gum since it was covered by my sleeve.

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“You must have heard from Jang-ryong but it was not a time to go in and look for something.”

I decided to use this.

The time difference meant that I was the only one who felt it. This could serve as my excuse.

Of course whether Cheong Hae-il-gum believes Jang-ryong’s words or not is up to his judgment.

For reference if it were me I wouldn’t believe it.

I would have hit him to make him talk.

But that’s just my personality.

“…So you’re saying you lost consciousness the moment you entered the room in the end.”

“Yes.”

It’s not something that can be easily believed. Who would believe this?

“So does that mean that Gwan-do-saeng entered the room knowing that there was a connection to the Shinryonggwan?”

“Yes.”

If I had already brought up the connection with Il-gyeong there was nothing I could do about it.

Cheong Hae-il-gum seemed to fall into deep thought going through a moment of silence.

“…Since this is a matter involving an unknown connection I will report this to the alliance.”

He brought this up with a voice mixed with a sigh.

“The treatment of Gwan-do-saeng will also proceed after finishing discussions with the alliance.”

If this goes wrong could it lead to expulsion?

Not only that but I might also be investigated by the alliance.

‘Maybe it won’t go that far.’

Given that there was a connection to Shinryonggwan.

The Murim Alliance wouldn’t want this to be blown out of proportion.

What’s important is what was inside.

Even if they say they will investigate.

If I have nothing I brought from the connection.

If they say they didn’t even discover the existence of the connection.

They probably won’t make a big deal out of it.

“I plan to send a letter to the Nine Families regarding this matter.”

‘…This is a problem.’

If my father finds out that I caused trouble even at Shinryonggwan…

‘This is bad.’

It won’t be easy to get past this.

I have a history of causing trouble every time I go.

There’s a high chance I’ll get scolded this time.

Getting scolded by my father is quite a problem. It’s a very big problem.

Because an angry father is truly terrifying.

“…It’s late so I will call you both again to confirm this matter separately.”

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Since it was the time to enter at dawn.

Cheong Hae-il-gum seemed to be thinking of sending us back first.

He warned us not to mention anything about the connection.

Since he mentioned calling Jang-ryong and me again later.

It means he doesn’t intend to let this slide.

‘Am I going to be expelled?’

There’s a high possibility of that.

From my perspective expulsion would honestly be a welcome event.

Even if the matter of the connection is over.

The most important thing for me is still left to do.

I will finish the matters regarding Jang Seon-yeon and Cheol Ji-seon no matter what.

In the meantime.

‘Something feels off about his hand.’

I felt something strange in Cheong Hae-il-gum’s hand.

It was well covered by his sleeve so I couldn’t see it clearly.

Something was off but I couldn’t tell what it was.

“Get out now.”

As I was examining Cheong Hae-il-gum’s hand the order to leave was given.

I expected to be interrogated while being held.

I had prepared more words.

But it went by more easily than I thought.

‘What should I say? He looks unwell.’

His voice carried a hint of fatigue.

Perhaps it was the expression on Cheong Hae-il-gum’s face that seemed tired.

The tension was not obvious on the surface.

But there was definitely something different.

I stood up leaving Cheong Hae-il-gum behind.

For now it was better to focus on the fact that I had gotten through this first.

After bowing to Jang-ryong simultaneously.

I exited the building.

‘He’s here.’

As soon as I came out I encountered the swordsman.

He must have been waiting outside all along.

Jang-ryong looked slightly surprised to see the swordsman.

Then he sent a strange glance my way.

“I’ll go ahead first.”

This was what Jang-ryong said to the swordsman.

It seemed the swordsman had noticed that he had business with me.

To avoid being caught in a situation that would reveal our connection.

He could have stopped him.

But the swordsman didn’t hold Jang-ryong back.

What is this guy…? What is he trying to do if he gets caught?

Right after Jang-ryong left.

The swordsman quietly moved his steps and I followed him.

For some reason the swordsman’s steps seemed a bit hurried.

The place we arrived at was the path where we had met last time.

“Um….”

“We still have things to resolve don’t we?”

“That it’s dawn can’t we talk later?”

At my words the swordsman looked at me with an expressionless face.

It was a look that said it couldn’t be helped.

Instead of holding Cheong Hae-il-gum back.

He had asked me for something.

To bring a precious item called plum blossom stone from the connection.

In response I had said that if I had such a precious item I would bring it.

“I mentioned earlier but I didn’t have time to bring anything from the connection.”

Plum blossom stone my foot.

I almost died as the space disappeared entirely.

“I’m sorry Swordsman…”

“Arm.”

99

At the swordsman’s short utterance.

I involuntarily flinched.

“Roll up your sleeve.”

‘Tsk.’

I clicked my tongue inwardly at his confident words.

It seemed I had been caught.

“Swordsman.”

“While you can deceive Cheong Hae-il-gum you cannot deceive me. No one else but the eyes of one who has already bloomed the plum blossom cannot be deceived.”

The strong scent of plum blossom emanating from my arm.

It seemed the swordsman was sensing that.

I had tried to hide it as best as I could.

Ah it seems this won’t work.

“…This isn’t plum blossom stone.”

“Roll it up.”

At the swordsman’s firm words.

I finally sighed and rolled up my sleeve.

Then the object tied to my forearm revealed its true identity.

The swordsman upon checking my arm momentarily lost his words.

I had told him but.

This is not plum blossom stone.

It didn’t have the texture or form that would warrant the name stone (石).

The object had a rosy hue.

It felt like a thin cloth wrapped around my arm.

‘This didn’t feel like this originally.’

The item I had picked up under the influence of Noya’s power at the connection was definitely this.

But the sensation I had when I grabbed it back then felt like a round jade bead that fit tightly in my fist.

Now that I came to my senses it was wrapped around my left arm in the form of a bandage.

I’m right-handed so why is it on my left arm?

For some reason that made me feel uneasy.