Childhood Friend of the Zenith – 367 (Part 3)



367 (Part 3)

At first I spat out all sorts of curses wondering what kind of absurd technique this was.

But after using it a few more times I began to understand something.

This technique is not meant to inflict pain on the body.

Rather it is transforming the body appropriately.

The more I used it the more changes occurred.

Very subtle changes but I could feel that my muscles were strengthening due to this technique.

It was a ridiculous technique.

I knew that the speed was absurdly slow and unless I practiced consistently there would be no noticeable difference but the fact that I could strengthen my body just by using it and moving was astonishing.

If this became known it would have an enormous impact.

It made me understand why the martial arts of the master were considered divine.

It was a power that explained how he could maintain such strength even after experiencing the reversal of his energy.

However there was a major problem.

‘It’s too painful.’

The act of using this technique and moving my body itself was incredibly painful.

As I mentioned earlier it triggered a pain that felt like I was receiving all sorts of punishments.

At first even extending my arm was difficult.

Twisting my waist lifting my arms—each of these movements brought considerable pain.

And even now after some time has passed it was the same.

Even a slight movement caused sweat to flow and sometimes I would faint from the pain.

Every time that happened I wondered if the technique was like this then did the master move in such pain every time he used martial arts?

At that point it seemed almost perverse…?

No matter how I looked at it it was truly insane martial arts.

While I thought about how ridiculous this martial arts was I also felt

‘I can feel myself getting stronger.’

Even if it was just a tiny bit I could feel myself gradually becoming stronger. The very fact that I could feel myself getting stronger was significant.

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Should I say it was more about the strengthening of the body than the elevation of my realm?

If the master intended and created this he truly must be a monster.

I still hadn’t received proper training in the Tua Pacheon Martial Arts.

But the reason I was digging like a madman in the cave was ultimately because I felt it was genuinely helpful.

“When are you planning to keep this up?”

To those who didn’t know it must have seemed like I was engaging in pointless training.

Moyong Hee Ah was just like that.

“You’ll hurt yourself Young Master….”

“I’m fine.”

I couldn’t tell anyone about the master’s identity.

And since I couldn’t mention that I was training under him the kids must see me as just a madman digging in a cave with my fists.

Yet despite that she still brought me food without trying to stop me.

Perhaps it was because I had been acting so strangely that they had come to accept it…?

That was somewhat unsettling…

“Ugh….”

I paused mid-punch halted by the intense pain I had just felt.

If I hadn’t been in my right mind I would have surely fainted.

“…”

Moyong Hee Ah who had been watching let out a deep sigh and stood up.

“Make sure to eat properly.”

“Are you leaving?”

“Yes Miss Namgung will be coming tomorrow.”

“Why would she come again? Just tell her to rest.”

It seemed like they were taking turns to bring me food claiming it was to match the schedule.

It wasn’t like I was in the cave all day.

I would go back at night to eat so I didn’t understand why they would come to find me for lunch.

And it was on a rotation basis.

‘How does she even know I go out at night?’

Moyong Hee Ah would show up like a ghost whenever I headed to the cave at night.

How did she know?

“I want to tell her to rest too but it’s not that simple. Miss Namgung is quite perceptive unlike others.”

“Hmm?”

“Anyway I’ll be going now. Gu Young Master you will come for dinner right?”

“Probably…?”

Moyong Hee Ah frowned at my unsatisfactory answer.

But it seemed she had no intention of saying more as she turned her back toward the entrance.

Then

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“Oh right.”

“What now?”

“You must come back in good shape after seven days.”

After earnestly reminding me Moyong Hee Ah disappeared outside the cave as if it was truly the end.

“…Tsk.”

Only after hearing that did I recall something I had momentarily forgotten. The seven days she mentioned.

That referred to the day the orthodox sects meeting would be held.

I was in a situation where I had to attend the orthodox sects meeting.

You might wonder why I had to go but I was one of the closest witnesses to the ambush incident.

That damned So Yeom Ra was singing everywhere.

Just thinking about it made my head throb.

The headaches didn’t stop there.

“Ha….”

Thinking about the situation made me sigh involuntarily.

‘How many people were supposed to come?’

It was about those attending the orthodox sects meeting.

It was one thing for the great families like the Four Great Houses and the Nine Great Clans to come but the reason I was so troubled was that I had heard that people from the Gu family would be attending this orthodox sects meeting.

Who was supposed to come again?

Elder Il Captain Il Geom Lady Mi and Gu Hee Bi…

And lastly I think my father was supposed to come too.

Honestly up to this point it was fine.

An incident occurred and since the orthodox sects meeting was being held I thought the Gu family being a renowned orthodox sect should show their face at the meeting.

It was just that…

‘…Why is my father coming?’

My father coming to Henan had various implications.

Even though the Clan Heads of the Four Great Houses were directly attending it was understandable that the Clan Head of the Gu family wouldn’t come.

But for some reason my father had always avoided going to Henan.

He was known as the protector of Shanxi and while the duties of a Clan Head were busy he seemed particularly reluctant to go to Henan.

He was someone who rarely left Shanxi unless it was for a significant matter.

But recalling that he had left the region only for matters concerning Gu Hee Bi or my engagement it seemed he simply felt uncomfortable about Henan.

‘Then does that mean this incident is significant enough for my father to come to Henan?’

In a way that could be true.

But I couldn’t help but feel doubtful.

Above all

‘The very thought of seeing my father is inherently uncomfortable.’

It still was.

Even if it had improved somewhat facing my father was particularly awkward for me.

How could I have stopped my punch mid-motion?

“Shall I call it a day?”

Perhaps it was because I had a stray thought but I couldn’t easily concentrate.

In the end I decided to stop my work for today and as I retracted my punch that had been suspended in the air

I halted the technique I had been circulating in my body.

As a result all the shackles that had bound my body were released and my body drenched in pain became free.

My body was covered in sweat.

It was particularly difficult to move while enduring pain.

There was a refreshing feeling as well.

At this point it was nearly impossible to sweat from training so if I could at least sweat from this I considered it somewhat acceptable.

Immediately after I got dressed and stepped out of the cave.

My destination was the inn provided for the students of the Guandao as accommodation.

Those who survived the ambush could not return to their families or sects.

Unless someone from their respective places sent for them.

Of course if they sent a letter stating that it was unnecessary for their affiliated family or sect to send someone they would send someone but

Such places were quite rare.

Since I had also heard that there would be an orthodox sects meeting in a few months

The Murim Alliance had provided a well-managed place so everyone seemed to be staying there with a sense of endurance.

As I stepped onto the streets of Henan the streets were still filled with the buzzing of conversations.

“No I mean the alliance leader…”

“Didn’t the Alliance Leader say that last time…”

As always they were loudly discussing the rumors that had spread.

“So So Yeom Ra…”

Amidst that I felt my name being mentioned so I pressed my hat down a bit deeper.

Normally I wouldn’t bother with such annoying things.

But because of that rumor I had to wear it forcibly.

‘…This is really annoying.’

A sigh escaped me.

I couldn’t even comprehend what was happening.

‘I need to get back quickly.’

With that thought in mind I moved past the people.

“Master.”

I heard someone calling out to me.

Who could it be? Did they figure it out?

I paused and shifted my gaze. I contemplated ignoring it and brushing it off but I couldn’t do that.

The one calling me was a man wearing a hat like mine.

I couldn’t see his face but

‘He’s strong.’

I could tell that the other person was strong.

The man flinched slightly upon seeing me. He was probably feeling the same way I was.

“…What can I do for you?”

I had a feeling he hadn’t recognized me when he stopped me.

The man shaking off his surprise spoke.

“Do you happen to know where the Baekrim Inn is?”

“…Hmm?”

I frowned slightly at the man’s words.

The place he mentioned was the same as where I was headed.

As I took a defensive stance the man continued.

“I heard that my daughter is staying there but since I came secretly I don’t know the way.”

I looked the man up and down at his words.

He was a strong man. The fact that I couldn’t clearly assess his level meant he was either a martial artist who had reached the realm of transformation or someone at the peak of the martial arts.

Since I still hadn’t relaxed my guard

The man pulled something out from his possession and showed it to me.

It was a letter stamped with the seal of the Murim Alliance.

‘That….’

It contained information about the upcoming orthodox sects meeting.

Seeing that I turned my back on the man. He seemed to be a family member of one of the students staying there.

Since there were more than a few students staying there I didn’t know who it was but feeling the man’s aura he seemed to be quite a formidable martial artist. Was he from a family or a sect?

I was curious but for now other matters took precedence.

“Follow me.”

“Are you going to guide me?”

“Not exactly I’m just heading there myself.”

I began to walk ahead as if to guide the man.

Following me

The White Sky Sword Master Moyong Tae also moved along.