Childhood Friend of the Zenith – 317 (Part 1)



317 (Part 1)

<318 Hearing Cheol Ji-seon. (1)

Bang…! Bang!

It was early morning the time when the dawn air filled the training room.

In the large training room that could accommodate dozens of people.

A tremendous noise reverberated causing vibrations.

Along with that the expressions of the students watching the center of the sound were filled with deep fear.

“Grrr!”

The reason for this was probably due to the sound of Pae Woo-cheol rolling around making pig-like noises.

Bang!

Pae Woo-cheol’s massive body crashed to the floor with a loud thud as he rolled around.

He was quite a large figure and every time he rolled dust flew everywhere.

It wasn’t just dust.

The biggest reason the students were left speechless watching the scene was likely due to the overwhelming aura that filled the room.

Pae Woo-cheol who was helplessly rolling on the floor desperately tried to regain his stance.

But what came into the scene was someone’s hand.

The flying palm wrapped around the forehead of the rising Pae Woo-cheol.

And just like that it pushed him down breaking his posture.

“Cough!”

It was a simple movement.

A motion that didn’t seem to require much effort.

Surprisingly it easily knocked Pae Woo-cheol to the ground.

“If you’re going to lose your balance and get up you might as well just lie down you fool.”

After being treated like that Pae Woo-cheol sprawled on the stone floor gasping for breath.

It seemed his stamina had reached its limit.

“Haah… haah…”

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“At first it seemed like you were calculating your moves but then you just rushed in. Why didn’t you just ask to be hit? You’re all bulk and no muscle.”

The tone of the words was incredibly harsh.

At the sharp remarks those who had been eavesdropping flinched instead.

Could there be anyone else who could belittle Pae Woo-cheol known for his foul temper within the Shinryong Hall?

Probably not.

Even if there were there wouldn’t be anyone as terrifying as the person currently mocking Pae Woo-cheol.

“To throw that Pae Woo-cheol around like a child…”

“He tore through the Ban Tang Ki Gong with his hands… is that even possible?”

The students looked on in shock. And rightly so.

The one who toyed with Pae Woo-cheol like a plaything was.

Perhaps half the size of Pae Woo-cheol and in terms of age he was among the younger martial artists in the entire Shinryong Hall.

Of course unlike that his talent and martial prowess were well-known.

Someone who had been watching whispered softly.

“…Jin-ryong tears people apart.”

At that very quiet remark those around him were about to nod in agreement when—

“Not tearing apart you crazy fools!”

“Eek!”

As if he had heard that Jin-ryong shouted loudly.

He seemed to have quite sharp hearing.

As the students hurriedly vacated the area at Jin-ryong’s shout he let out a deep sigh.

“…This is why I don’t come to the training room.”

Especially on days when there was no morning training.

From the perspective of a martial artist if there was no group training.

Most would seek out the training room individually.

On such days it was naturally bustling.

I didn’t know what kind of trouble this big guy was causing.

Scratching his head while looking at the gasping Pae Woo-cheol I thought ‘At least he’s better off than that guy over there.’

Pae Woo-cheol had some tenacity.

He was better than the guy who had already collapsed in the corner.

The one who lay there motionless and unconscious was none other than Gu Jeol-yeop.

—End of Part 1

Ah…

And in front of that Gu Jeol-yeop there was someone awkwardly smiling.

The reason the students were glancing over here was probably partly because of me but this time it was likely due to that arrogant guy.

The one smiling at Gu Jeol-yeop was.

The genius who had claimed the alias of Sword Dragon surpassing Namgung and Mudang.

Yeong-pung.

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Yeong-pung looked at Gu Jeol-yeop with a puzzled expression and then turned to me and asked.

“…Master what should we do about this?”

“What can we do? Just leave him as he is. Ah I really can’t show my face around here because of this embarrassment.”

I would be ashamed to be called the same Gu.

‘I asked for a favor and what do I get? A single hit…!’

The reason Gu Jeol-yeop lay there so pathetically was that he had been knocked out in a single blow during his duel with Yeong-pung.

Yes a single blow.

He couldn’t even withstand one hit.

“Ugh…

Seeing that embarrassing sight made me want to wash my face with cold water.

Yeong-pung was undoubtedly one of the few geniuses born in this era.

But was Gu Jeol-yeop at a level where he could be defeated in one hit?

That was not the case.

How had I trained that kid?

Would he really collapse after just one hit?

“Haha… you seem to be quite… tense.”

“…Even in this situation you’re still trying to save face Master.”

“There’s always a reason isn’t there?”

“Is there a reason for defeat? He lost because he was weak.”

Try saying there was a reason for losing in a real fight.

I wonder if he could still talk after having his neck cut off.

“Ugh…”

It wasn’t that I felt bad for Yeong-pung.

I had asked Yeong-pung who came to train with me to take care of Gu Jeol-yeop right away.

“I’m sorry Yeong-pung.”

“It’s fine. This is also an experience so it’s okay.”

Unlike before Yeong-pung had lost all arrogance.

He still possessed the essential pride a martial artist should have and a certain competitive spirit.

But the unnecessary arrogance regarding talent and martial prowess had disappeared.

‘…His mental state is perfect.’

As his mental state stabilized he endured the harsh training of the volcano.

As his talent blossomed energy seeped in.

The Yeong-pung I had seen before had risen to a level I could hardly imagine.

At its peak just before mastery.

That was the state of Yeong-pung now.

‘So different from his past life.’

I didn’t know much about Yeong-pung back then.

But I knew he had reached the peak and wandered for a long time.

Thinking of that made me feel a bit envious.

‘…I just gave him a little push.’

I had felt guilty about the volcano and didn’t like the way he was acting so I had just given him a little beating.

From that point on Yeong-pung had broken through.

While some were rolling around in pain.

If he continued to grow like this and broke through the era of bloodshed.

I thought Yeong-pung would likely become the next Sword King.

The Plum Blossom Sword King? I wonder if that’s what he would be called.

‘I was expecting a bit from Mu-yeon.’ Although it wasn’t yet known in the Central Plains.

I knew that once Mu-yeon shed the guise of a guard and stepped forward as a martial artist.

He would soon make a name for himself.

‘He’s one of my few people.’

I didn’t completely trust him but.

Among those other than my past life connections Mu-yeon was the one I trusted the most.

Gu Jeol-yeop was also included in that but looking at his current state I thought it might be worth reconsidering.

“…What a mess.”

I had been busy with the funeral so I had left him alone for a while.

I wondered how long it had been for him to end up like this.

“Woo-cheol.”

“Yes… yes Hyung-nim…”

Pae Woo-cheol answered with difficulty at my call.

It seemed it wasn’t enough time for him to catch his breath yet.

“Take him away and put him somewhere.”

“…Uh… can I just throw him on the nearby floor?”

“If possible throw him in a room. The floor is a bit much.”

“Understood.”

Pae Woo-cheol replied as if he felt a bit regretful for some reason.

Why was he so fired up to compete with that guy?

It was a mystery.

As the training time was nearing its end.

I slowly began to rise.

“Are you leaving?”

“Yes.”

“…That’s a shame. I was looking forward to training with you after a long time Master.”

At Yeong-pung’s words I slightly frowned.

No I didn’t have any enjoyable memories…?

I had thought the same when I went to the Mount Hua Sect before.

Anyway those crazy guys obsessed with the plum blossom were all out of their minds.

“Let’s do it together next time. I’ll remember that.”

“Oh… really?”

It was a casual remark about having a meal together next time.