Childhood Friend of the Zenith – 339 (Part 1)



339 (Part 1)

”'<Chapter 340: If You Listen. (3)

As the sky began to darken.

Tang So-yeol felt this change as well.

The surrounding energy spread out.

When this unknown texture started to emanate.

What Tang So-yeol did first was.

“Run away. Right now.”

It was nothing less than sending a warning to the surrounding disciples.

Everyone was a competitor.

Although they were in a training situation.

It was not more precious than life.

Judgment had to be swift.

His father a figure known as the Poison King always said this.

Since the Tang Clan lived as both orthodox sects and assassins.

One must always be aware of threats.

And it meant that one had to make quick judgments.

Because the Tang Clan was known for both poison and stealth.

Tang So-yeol always lived with this in mind.

There were always many.

Even if they were all orthodox sects one should not trust anyone.

That was the Poison King’s teaching.

The only ones to trust were family.

Do not let your guard down easily.

Ironically.

It might have been more credible because it was his father who taught this while torturing members of the same orthodox sect.

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After that without any particular difficulty Tang So-yeol ascended to the Poison Peak.

The Poison Peak belonged to the Tang Clan.

Even if it was said to be less effective compared to other dragons and peaks.

It was known for generations as belonging to the Tang Clan.

And it had a reputation that was not particularly rejected by other martial artists or even within the Tang Clan.

In a way it was not strange for Tang So-yeol to ascend to the Poison Peak.

Tang So-yeol’s older brother was also known as the Late-Stage Dragon.

Since the alias related to poison was recognized as belonging to the Tang Clan.

In a way it was a natural story.

However Tang So-yeol was embarrassed by his own alias.

It was not that he was ashamed of the alias Poison Phoenix.

How could one be ashamed of being called the greatest prodigy of the Central Plains orthodox sects?

It was just that.

Tang So-yeol was ashamed of himself.

Because he did not have the strength to deserve that alias.

Tang So-yeol felt embarrassed that such an alias had been given to him.

At the annual Dragon and Phoenix Conference.

Just looking at those he faced there he could tell.

The geniuses who were called the Five Dragons and Three Peaks at that time.

All surpassed Tang So-yeol.

Let alone.

Even if he was called Poison Phoenix he knew that his standing was not that high.

If he knew this would other prodigies who liked to judge others not know?

They would know all too well.

It was just that the descendants of the four great families were quietly enduring.

Knowing that.

Tang So-yeol had to wear a mask even more.

As a noble descendant he had to carry himself properly.

And he had to work hard reducing his sleep so as not to fall behind in skill.

If one were to ask if doing so narrowed the distance with other late-stage prodigies.

That would not be the case.

No matter how much effort he put in realizing that some distances could not be closed was not that difficult.

It was not that he had no talent but.

That did not mean he was at the level to be called a genius.

That was his own assessment.

‘Is that necessarily a bad thing?’

As he spent the day Tang So-yeol thought.

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Is that necessarily a bad thing?

He may not be able to follow the genius.

But he was treated the same.

Even if it was due to the family name.

Isn’t that okay?

He briefly entertained such thoughts in his mind.

But then he felt like vomiting and sat down.

Embarrassment rose to the back of his throat and he could not hold it back.

The Tang Clan had expectations of him.

Was it not said to have myriad poison immunity?

Possessing resistance to all poisons.

Moreover even if he learned the poison techniques from the Tang Clan with fervor he could not reach the level of pure talent.

They saw potential in Tang So-yeol.

Including the Poison King the Elders of the Tang Clan were watching him.

What could that possibly mean?

Tang So-yeol thought it was meaningless.

If it was an expectation born from their greed.

Then it was truly meaningless.

The days passed.

Tang So-yeol began to pay more attention to his appearance.

No matter how he felt inside.

At least his outward appearance had to resemble that of a noble family’s child.

As always.

At social gatherings with the descendants of other noble families.

While drinking from his own poison cup Tang So-yeol suddenly had such thoughts.

How trivial.

It was a word he directed at himself.

Thinking such thoughts inwardly.

His face continued to wear a smile.

‘What am I doing right now?’

He had reached the top tier.

Yet he was hesitating and unable to advance further.

Was it okay to be like this?

He had heard that the Sword Peak had reached its peak.

Jang-ryong and the Sword Dragon said it was only a matter of time.

As for the Twin Dragons he was not sure.

He was someone who had never been well-known from the start.

The Thunder Dragon had no interest but it would not be too late.

Although the Snow Peak was said to be weak in martial power.

He had already made a name for himself with talents other than martial prowess.

In the end the one being eliminated was.

Only himself.

Unable to erase such thoughts.

Tang So-yeol simply smiled.

In the midst of this someone suddenly said.

“Oh Miss Tang about this Tang Martial Arts Conference.”

Someone brought up this topic.

Who was it?

He could not quite remember.

It was probably a descendant from the Sichuan region. Tang So-yeol was not one to remember others easily.

“Yes…”

He still had to respond with a smile.

“I heard that the Gu family’s descendants are coming as well. Is that true?”

“Oh my the Gu family?”

As he spoke Tang So-yeol recalled where the Gu family was.

It was a prominent family in the Shanxi region where the Sword Peak was led by the Clan Head.

It was quite far from here.

‘The Gu family’s descendants.’

Originally the Tang Martial Arts Conference was one of the few representative events of the Tang Clan.

Even if they did not come for networking they would usually send invitations.

In that sense considering a prominent family from Shanxi.

It was too far away and even if they did not come there should not be much of a relationship issue.

Yet they were insisting on coming which piqued Tang So-yeol’s interest a bit.

‘Who could it be?’

Although they said it was a descendant.

It could not be the Sword Peak.

He had heard that she was taking on a significant role in her family and was going to the front lines.

Then could it be her younger sibling?

‘Did she have a younger sibling?’

He thought there might have been one.

He had not talked much with the Sword Peak but he remembered her bright smile when she spoke about her younger sibling.

That smile of the Sword Peak was quite different.

“Are you talking about the Gu family?”

Perhaps intrigued by the prodigy’s words.

Another person interrupted the conversation.

“Yes.”

“The Gu family… do you know who it is?”

“No I’m not Miss Tang so how would I know that?”

It was strange that he knew anything about the Tang Martial Arts Conference which was hosted by the Tang Clan.

Even Tang So-yeol did not know much.

“If the Young Master is coming it would be worth seeing.”

“Hmm? Young Master? Is there a Young Master in the Gu family?”

Everyone’s ears perked up at the prodigy’s words.

Was there already a Young Master in the Gu family?

As everyone focused on his words.

The man shrugged and continued.

“It’s quite a well-known rumor. There’s a son in that family and he’s already being treated as half a prodigy.”

“A son? Just one? That’s nice. He doesn’t have to fight for the Clan Head position.”

“I’ve heard rumors about the cousin. It’s said to be quite tough.”

“Let’s not bring that up.”

After all the cousin was a burdensome figure and he let out a sigh.

“Anyway… although he’s treated as a Young Master the rumors aren’t that good.”

“Rumors? What kind of rumors?”

Since it was a story from the Shanxi region.

It probably hadn’t flowed well into Sichuan.

In fact if it weren’t for the Sword Peak or the Ho Clan he probably wouldn’t have found this story interesting.

“I’ve heard he’s quite a reckless person.”

“The Ho Clan’s son…?”

The son of the Ho Clan?

Once famous in the Central Plains the son of the Ho Clan.

The younger sibling of the Sword Peak who was now called the number one prodigy.

A reckless person?

‘…Hmm.’

From Tang So-yeol’s perspective it was hard to imagine.

By the way a descendant of the Gu family… he felt like he had heard that name somewhere.

“How reckless you ask? Ah I’ve heard he even insulted the daughter of the Peng Clan and was even engaged to her.”

‘Ah.’

Only then did Tang So-yeol recall the story in his mind.

It was related to one of his few friends Peng Ah-hee.

‘Is it that guy?’

He had heard this story in passing.

At that time Peng Ah-hee had been grinding her teeth and talking about it.

Tang So-yeol had also chimed in relieved that he hadn’t gotten involved with such a person.

“The Ho Clan’s child is that reckless huh? I’m curious…”

“Moreover they say he has no talent in martial arts at all.”

“It’s quite a mess. Just as you said he’s not a good match.”

In an instant the room was filled with laughter.

Tang So-yeol did not mix in his words in such a situation.

If he spoke up in such a gap he might face some trouble later.

“Oh didn’t you say the Namgung Clan is coming this time as well?”

“Yes.”

“Namgung? So does that mean the Thunder Dragon is coming?”

Since the Namgung Clan was also quite far away.

He thought they wouldn’t attend such an event but hearing that the Thunder Dragon was coming…”’