Childhood Friend of the Zenith – 362 (Part 1)



362 (Part 1)

A day has passed.

The night when I almost died at the hands of the Dark King has passed and fortunately I am still alive.

I got up from the bare ground which could hardly be called a sleeping bag.

The environment was not suitable for sleeping but since I had not actually slept and had only sat in a lotus position practicing my internal energy it didn’t matter.

“Ha.”

Having trapped the heat all night hot air mixed with my breath as I exhaled.

“Damn it….”

My physical condition was relatively refreshing.

I had become strong enough that going a few days without eating or sleeping was not a problem.

However it was difficult to change the thoughts swirling in my head.

It was because of the Dark King I had faced at night.

The gap between him and me was something I could not help but acknowledge.

He was a figure who had reached the pinnacle of a certain field a martial artist who would undoubtedly be chosen even if we included the Three Ancestors.

It was understandable that I could not dare to challenge him.

Even if I repeated my defeats several times it wouldn’t shake my spirit.

I should be grateful to have survived.

The problem was the conversation I had with the Dark King at night.

‘The Dark King is a descendant of the Yeon family?’

He never answered but the circumstances suggested he was affirming it.

However there was certainly a possibility that even that situation was a lie.

‘It’s too sudden.’

It had been hundreds of years since the Yeon family was exterminated.

In terms of timing it had been much earlier than the Jae-gal Family.

Now to say that a descendant is still alive…

‘…It’s not impossible but it’s hard to believe outright.’

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A descendant could exist.

There were quite a few people from the Jae-gal Family living under hidden surnames.

Just in my vicinity I could think of three.

In that sense it was entirely possible for a descendant of the Yeon family to exist.

‘But what are the chances that this descendant is active as the King of Assassins…?’

Moreover the Dark King seemed to have some ulterior motive.

I felt it when he pressured me as if to threaten me.

‘If the Dark King is indeed a descendant of the Yeon family.’

Swoosh.

As I slightly rolled up my sleeve I could still see the marks left there.

‘What’s the connection with this?’

The reason the Dark King threatened me was because he felt the energy I had obtained from the Bigo including this mark on my forearm.

What’s important here is that he ‘felt’ it.

I also felt the energy that I thought had disappeared.

He even noticed the secret of my arm which I had never shown to anyone.

Even if the Dark King is not truly a descendant of the Yeon family.

‘It’s certain that he feels something from me.’

But I don’t know what that is. Clearly the energy floating in my body is fourfold.

If we count the energy the Dark King mentioned does that mean it’s five?

‘What the hell it’s like a trash can mixed with all sorts of things.’

I don’t know what I’m doing with this body that already has so much to do.

Moreover the Dark King referred to this as a ‘curse.’

Curse.

It’s a chilling word just to hear.

‘What is it that he calls a curse?’

It seemed too unusual to just be a change in my skin.

Since only a few days had passed since I discovered it I hadn’t felt anything that could be called a change.

I could only guess from the Dark King’s reaction that it wouldn’t be a good thing.

‘That guy when I tried to ask him something just said what he wanted and disappeared.’

The Dark King seemed to have confirmed everything he needed to and vanished in an instant as soon as our conversation ended.

I still had many questions to ask.

How cowardly.

Should I be thankful that I didn’t die?

It was hard to view it positively as I was still angry.

‘Anyway damn it…. Why are all these masters so individualistic?’

No in my view it’s selfishness and cowardice that allows them to elevate their skills.

That said I wasn’t in a position to seek out the Dark King again.

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If he decided to hide there was no way I could find him.

In this desolate situation I examined my forearm once more.

“Should I meet a god?”

I wondered if perhaps he would know something.

Since I had some acquaintance I thought he might not turn me away.

Of course…. It was just a wishful thought as he wasn’t someone I could just ask to see.

For now I moved on.

‘…Let’s eat first.’

The sun had risen and I realized I hadn’t eaten a proper meal in several days.

I didn’t feel particularly hungry.

But I thought that if I shoved something into my mouth it might help clear my mind.

I headed towards the place where food was being served.

Given the situation it would be difficult to find decent food.

It seemed that the instructors and the students were sharing the remaining supplies.

One thing was different.

‘I see some martial artists I haven’t seen before.’

There were a few people looking around with wide eyes.

From their clothing….

‘They are from the Meng.’

From the patterns on their sheaths to the martial arts uniforms they wore.

They were martial artists from the Meng.

They were conversing with the instructors trying to grasp the situation.

I heightened my senses a bit.

– We have sent support from the main unit….

– Probably from the Flying Dragon Corps….

– The Alliance Leader has also….

– The person who led this operation….

As the black veil that had been blocking the surroundings disappeared it seemed that contact with the Meng had been established.

Then support would arrive within today.

Moreover.

‘It’s going to be chaotic.’

This information would undoubtedly spread rapidly throughout the Central Plains.

The unorthodox sect martial artists who attacked the Shinryong Temple.

And the bloodlines of prestigious families that died as a result.

Even if the opening is currently an information hub for orthodox sects they cannot silence all mouths.

It’s not just the four great families involved but also the Nine Great Sects.

Although they are orthodox sects there are bound to be sects and families that are not aligned with the Murim Alliance.

From the Meng’s perspective it must be a dire situation.

That’s why the expressions of those dispatched from the Meng looked quite grim.

It was clear that the situation did not look good.

They would have to contact each family of the students affected by this.

That would also be a problem.

‘Perhaps the information has already reached them.’

I don’t know about other places but at least at the level of the Nine Great Sects or the Four Great Families.

Before the Meng could contact them about the situation they might have already received the information.

Glancing at that I grabbed a few items to fill my stomach.

The food was either clumped rice or some kind of wall rice I couldn’t tell.

But for now I just needed to fill my belly so I didn’t care and took it.

“Thank you….”

One of the students who was about to hand me food suddenly spoke.

I responded with a puzzled expression upon hearing that.

“Are you talking to me?”

“Yes. It’s a word for Mister Jin-ryong.”

‘Who is this?’

I didn’t recognize the face.

I could tell from the feeling that he was also a student and furthermore that he belonged to the fist-fighting faction.

Although I don’t remember faces very well he was someone I had never seen before.

“Sorry but do we know each other?”

At my words the young man smiled bitterly.

“You might not remember. You were busy after all.”

“Hmm?”

“Just before I was about to be killed by the unorthodox sect martial artists Mister Jin-ryong saved me.”

“Ah.”

This was right after my encounter with the Heavenly Demon.

It was when I was furious and turning the surroundings into chaos.

Still I had my eyes open and I had caught and burned the attackers.

There were indeed a few cases like that.

“I wanted to express my gratitude.”

“It was just a coincidence. No need for thanks.”

It was merely a coincidence.

He happened to be there when I was passing by.

That was all there was to it.

“However it remains a fact that you saved me Mister.”

“…”

“I felt truly powerless. Despite all that training I almost died without being able to do anything. Fortunately my body is intact so I can help in situations like this… but it feels futile.”

I looked into the young man’s eyes as he spoke.

The heat was gone.

It meant that the passion he had as a martial artist was extinguished.

“That….”

“I had preconceived notions after hearing rumors about you within the academy. I didn’t know you were a hero who would shine in times of chaos. I apologize for that as well.”