Childhood Friend of the Zenith – 363 (Part 1)



363 (Part 1)

If you were to ask what the biggest framework maintaining the orthodox sects including the Murim Alliance is.

Many would superficially say it is righteousness (義) and chivalry (俠).

But I can firmly say that is nonsense.

To be precise if they are indeed orthodox sects it is merely the wish of those who hope for it.

In reality what maintains the orthodox sects is ultimately their power and reputation.

And if you were to ask what great force allows such orthodox sects to maintain their prestige.

It would be the Trading Companies that are connected and established across the nation.

Along with martial artists belonging to orthodox sects who have the justification of protecting civilians.

As we are in an era where the demonic gates have opened the status of martial artists rises day by day.

Although it is called the generation of peace and to some extent the response to demonic beasts has been established.

Regardless without martial artists possessing qi it is nothing but a danger for civilians.

Naturally they receive a lot of support for the reason of protecting against such dangers.

Moreover they can act like the lords of a region.

By staying in a specific area and preventing the surge of demonic beasts.

The groups belonging to orthodox sects under the alliance and treaties are precisely those.

This referred to the places called prestigious families or renowned clans.

Over the long years with accumulated reputation.

The martial arts that were created have been honed and transformed into divine skills.

Looking at the position and reputation they hold now it is enough to be called victors.

Taking root in a region and being responsible for the demonic gates occurring there.

The reason why the current families and sects could firmly establish themselves is also.

Because they are responsible for the safety of the area they reside in.

And.

Among such families and sects there existed those called the pillars of orthodox sects holding the widest influence.

In the Central Plains they are referred to as the so-called Four Great Families.

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In Anhui there is the Namgung Clan.

In Liaoning the Moyong Clan.

In Hebei the Peng Clan.

In Sichuan the Tang Clan.

These were places that were already called prestigious before the demonic gates opened.

In the current era they are the four pillars of orthodox sects and hold the greatest influence.

Of course.

The reason they could be called the pillars of orthodox sects for such a long time is not solely because of the strong qi possessed by the families.

It was also because the martial artists produced by these families were all exceptional.

Just by checking the records written in the history of the Central Plains one can understand.

The Sword King has traditionally belonged to the Namgung Clan and the Moyong Clan.

What was briefly lost to the Sword Sovereign was merely an anomaly.

As for aliases related to the blade (刀) they could be said to belong to the Peng Clan.

The Poison King of course belonged to the Tang Clan.

Even now it is the same.

The Clan Head of Namgung is called the Sword King.

The Moyong Clan although lacking in martial prowess has widely expanded its reach through Trading Companies.

The Clan Head of the Peng Clan has inherited the alias passed down through generations and is called the Blade King.

The master of the Tang Clan has always been known as the Poison King.

Even as times change and years pass.

Their presence has never been shallow which is why they can still be referred to as the Four Great Families today.

However.

‘Are such big shots gathering in Henan?’

Hearing Pang Ah-hee’s words I couldn’t help but frown.

Is she joking?

It didn’t seem like she was lying though.

Drip drip.

Hearing a subtle sound I turned my gaze.

I noticed Moyong Hee-ah nervously biting her lips.

Seeing that it seemed they were indeed coming.

I looked at Moyong Hee-ah and then asked Pang Ah-hee again.

“What do you mean? The Clan Heads are coming?”

“The support troops from the alliance just arrived.”

“I knew that…”

Just as I was about to speak.

Only then did I understand why Pang Ah-hee said that.

The meaning of troops arriving from the alliance was.

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‘It means a messenger has already gone.’

It meant that they had sent messengers to each family as soon as they confirmed the situation.

I turned my head back.

Even among the already murmuring crowd various emotions were visible in their eyes.

The most prominent among them was relief.

Since their situation had been made known to the families and sects it meant they would soon receive help.

‘…The fact that troops have arrived now means that at least a messenger must have gone the day before yesterday.’

It must have been right after the black veil disappeared.

Or right after receiving the messenger sent from this side.

The Shinryong Temple had been attacked.

Not only had they failed to properly handle it.

But due to the attack many descendants of prestigious families and renowned sects had died.

The Shinryong Temple is an institution that the alliance is responsible for.

It is no wonder it is the best sword training institution in the Central Plains.

With such a major incident occurring in such a place.

Those involved in this matter would likely hold the Murim Alliance accountable.

And the alliance which knows this better than anyone as mentioned before.

‘They must be thinking of holding a meeting.’

A meeting of the orthodox sects.

A gathering where representatives of each organization come together to discuss how to handle this situation.

Since it is a meeting to discuss the treatment of the Murim Alliance which is called the center of orthodox sects and the significant matters to come.

To sit in that place despite the fact that their own bloodline has suffered and that an incident has occurred within the orthodox sects.

Is a remarkable achievement in itself.

So.

‘Great figures will surely move as well.’

They would know well how much it would benefit their standing to be present at such a gathering.

However the problem is.

‘It’s faster than expected.’

While it was correct to anticipate that the meeting would be held the day after yesterday with Moyong Hee-ah.

The process was progressing too quickly.

The difference in time isn’t that great.

But I certainly didn’t expect that the surrounding people would know about it to this extent.

‘Were they in a hurry?’

Given the magnitude of the incident was there an intention to resolve it quickly?

Just as various thoughts were crossing my mind.

“Are you okay?”

Pang Ah-hee spoke to me again.

“What do you mean?”

“Are you really okay?”

“What do you mean by okay?”

“Didn’t you hear? The Clan Heads are all coming.”

“What’s the problem with that?”

I spoke as if questioning why she was acting that way and Pang Ah-hee only looked at me with a dumbfounded expression.

Why is she acting like this?

Given how things have turned out it wouldn’t be strange for the Gu Family as well as the main figures of the Four Great Families to all come.

Not only the Four Great Families but most of the heads of the families called prestigious would likely visit here.

To think that those at the top of the field of martial arts would all gather.

If things go awry I might see most of the martial artists who are the top masters of the Central Plains.

If there’s something that’s a bit unsettling.

‘Will my father come too?’

No matter how much the Gu Family acts like a loner.

It is still treated as a prestigious family so a messenger must have gone.

‘He probably won’t come.’

I didn’t think my father would come for anything related to this.

It would have to be something concerning Gu Hee-bi to go beyond the mountain and river.

‘If it’s something related to me would he really move?’

I didn’t think there was even a slight chance of that.

If it’s my father that I know.

Still there should be a justification so he would probably send someone related.

I expected it would likely be the one who would take the vacant position of Elder this time the Captain of the Sword.

‘Even if not now I need to see my father.’

Including matters related to my mother.

In the future the only person I could seek advice from on how to proceed would be my father.

Just like in my previous life.

In terms of the martial arts I practice the only martial artist who is ahead of me and has enlightenment is my father.

Given the unstable state I’m in now it means he is the only one who can provide guidance on what to do.

Even if it’s uncomfortable I have to go see him.

Imagining that already made my stomach feel uneasy.

As I was feeling uneasy about my tangled insides wondering if I had eaten breakfast for no reason.

“What do you mean what’s the problem… Are you really an idiot?”

Pang Ah-hee spoke to me again.

“Why are you picking a fight?”

“Can’t you see your surroundings?”

“Hmm?”

At Pang Ah-hee’s words I looked around.

I then saw women nervously rolling their eyes around.

Why are they reacting like that when their fathers are coming?

“What’s wrong with the surroundings?”

“They’re all girls who like you and are chasing after you.”

“…”

At her heavy words my mouth momentarily shut tight.

I was startled but soon raised my voice in disbelief.

“Why is that suddenly coming up?”

“Look at you? You’re not denying it? I guess you knew.”

Listening to what Pang Ah-hee was saying a dizzying feeling washed over me.

“No why is that coming up now….”

“What I mean is when the Clan Heads appear in this situation will it be okay?”

“…What?”

“Seeing that their precious daughters are all chasing after you… Are you really going to be okay?”

“…”

How should I put it.

I felt like I was hearing something quite realistic and terrifying.

Looking at my companions after hearing that.

The owner of the Tang Clan who is the father of Tang So-yeol.

The Poison King Tang Muk is known to be the most gentle among the Clan Heads of the Tang Clan.

But just like the head of the Moyong Clan he cherishes his daughter.

Recalling how far he went for the Poison Beauty in my previous life.

‘…Hmm.’

I felt a surge of survival instinct rising within me.

Before the Poison Beauty reached complete myriad poison immunity and received a proper alias the Poison King was indeed a martial artist known as the king of poison and daggers.

In such a situation if I were to see Tang So-yeol’s state.

‘…I need to be careful when eating in the future.’

A chill ran down my spine.

Unlike my previous life I hadn’t built up resistance to poison in this body which made it even worse.

…Should I start training again even now?

Not only the Poison King but the head of the Moyong Clan was also a problem.

To be precise that side might be more of a problem.

I shifted my gaze towards Moyong Hee-ah and our eyes naturally met.

Then Moyong Hee-ah avoided my gaze.

Hey you shouldn’t be avoiding me…!

‘What about Baek Cheon-geom-ju?’

Leaving aside the Poison King the situation that Moyong Hee-ah had set up was the real issue.

What did she say?

I was supposed to break off my engagement with Namgung Bi-ah and get engaged to her.

Thanks to that the head of the Moyong Clan had increased negotiations and support with the Gu Family.

Oh….

That’s really.

‘This is going to be a mess.’

There are already several Trading Companies affiliated with the Moyong Clan established in the Shanxi area.

Because of that the area has become quite active.

Most families want to trade with the Moyong Clan and if that’s the reason the Gu Family could suddenly trade then…