Childhood Friend of the Zenith – 369 (Part 2)



369 (Part 2)

I understand what Moyong Hee-ah intended to do.

But no matter what I thought that someone of Baek Cheon-gum-ju’s stature wouldn’t just let such cuteness slide.

“Haha. Is that so? If our daughter wants something to eat then that comes first.”

But that wasn’t the case.

The sharp man who seemed like he could tear me apart at any moment had vanished leaving only a foolishly happy man with a silly grin.

Seeing that reaction Moyong Hee-ah quickly tried to pull Baek Cheon-gum-ju’s arm and lead him away.

It seemed he didn’t mind as Baek Cheon-gum-ju’s feet began to move slowly.

As the two of them exited the inn with heavy footsteps a voice whispered in my ear.

– See you later.

“…”

It was Baek Cheon-gum-ju’s telepathy. The meaning was clear: he would never give up.

Why was that? I felt as if his words were saying “Wait for me with your neck washed.”

It must be a misunderstanding right?

‘…It’s not a misunderstanding.’

There was no way it was a misunderstanding. From my perspective Moyong Hee-ah had done her utmost to save me.

Otherwise it wouldn’t make sense.

‘Eing ini….’

That cold and rational Moyong Hee-ah wouldn’t have just blurted that out.

She must have made a considerable effort to say it.

What should I do now? For the moment Moyong Hee-ah had taken Baek Cheon-gum-ju away.

Surely they would return.

Should I really run away?

‘There’s no way running away would work.’

Where would I even run to? I had to attend a meeting in seven nights.

As I pondered anxiously about what to do I heard a conversation from the group sitting at the table.

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“…You know So-yeol.”

“Yeah?”

Dang So-yeol responded to Paeng Ah-hee’s words. The situation had been quite shocking.

Dang So-yeol still seemed unable to shake off the shock.

Seeing Dang So-yeol like that Paeng Ah-hee asked with a serious expression.

“…If we tease Moyong Miss later….”

“Yeah.”

“Will we get scolded?”

“…”

The atmosphere turned cold once more at Paeng Ah-hee’s words.

Would we get scolded for teasing her…?

‘That kid would probably die before I would.’

It was clear.

If Paeng Ah-hee acted like that in front of Moyong Hee-ah she would be ground to dust right there.

Let alone calling her “Eing Miss.” The sound of it was just too…

Pfft.

At the sound I turned my head sharply.

While everyone was barely holding back their laughter someone couldn’t take it anymore and burst out.

The strange thing was that when I looked back everyone’s expressions hadn’t changed at all.

But I could see that the others were looking at one person with strange eyes.

Ignoring that gaze Namgung Bi-ah turned her head away.

******************

A few days passed after facing a storm at the inn.

I spent those days in extreme tension unable to relax at night.

I thought that an assassin might come.

It might sound ridiculous.

But looking at Baek Cheon-gum-ju’s eyes at that time I felt it was entirely possible so I worried.

However my concerns turned out to be laughable; nothing of the sort happened.

Since the day Baek Cheon-gum-ju left the inn with Moyong Hee-ah he hadn’t shown up for days.

Moyong Hee-ah was the same.

Somehow….

‘Is Moyong Hee-ah keeping him captive?’

Using that “Eing” or “Aing” on him…?

‘If that’s the case it must take considerable effort.’

Thinking that I couldn’t help but nod my head. I felt a gratitude towards Moyong Hee-ah that I hadn’t experienced before.

However after thinking it over I realized.

‘Actually isn’t Moyong Hee-ah using that tone at home?’

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It was something I had been pondering lately.

Somehow I had gotten used to the way Moyong Hee-ah naturally spoke.

Perhaps…. she spoke like that and used that voice at home?

‘That can’t be true.’

I quickly dismissed the thought.

There was no way that the proud Moyong Hee-ah would do that.

“Have you finished your contemplation?”

“…Yes.”

As I took a breath someone spoke to me.

It was the Master. He often appeared when I was training.

I didn’t know what he usually did.

But I was currently throwing punches in the cave as I always did.

The Master checked my condition and smiled before asking.

“Is it manageable?”

“No. I’m dying.”

Manageable? Not at all.

Today alone I had nearly fainted from the pain more than five times.

Even so the Master just smiled as if he was pleased.

“…You’re just throwing punches. Is this really okay?”

That was a fundamental question.

I had realized long ago how formidable the heart technique of Tuapa Cheonmu was.

Even now I could feel myself getting stronger which was truly an absurd level of efficiency.

But I still didn’t understand why I had to throw punches in a cave.

What was the intention behind it?

The Master looked at me with a strange expression in response to my question.

“It seems you still don’t understand how significant your actions are.”

“Excuse me?”

“Didn’t you say it yourself? That it’s painful.”

“Well that’s just a feeling….”

“Do you think an ordinary human could endure that pain and keep throwing punches?”

“…”

“I was convinced from the first day. You truly must become my disciple.”

Setting aside the fact that I was learning the heart technique it seemed he was referring to the fact that I had been punching the cave since the first day.

“Is that all?”

“Sure it’s possible for one day. It would be difficult for two days and beyond that it’s impossible to endure with an ordinary mindset.”

That made sense.

The heart technique of Tuapa Cheonmu.

The pain it inflicted was beyond imagination.

Still if I could endure that pain I could become stronger.

Pain was nothing.

It was better than the feeling of helplessness and the self-loathing that came from being unable to do anything.

Seeing that I still didn’t fully understand the Master just smiled.

“While I’m worried about your distortion as a teacher I feel quite reassured.”

“Distorted? You’re being too harsh….”

“I’m saying I’m looking forward to it. Hurry up and finish. Only then can I teach you how to extend your fist.”

Hearing that I felt a sense of emptiness.

“Is this what I’m learning from all this? Just extending my fist?”

“Of course that’s the hardship for that.”

It was absurd. Even while thinking that I continued to throw punches.

“Ah hey.”

In the midst of throwing punches I stopped my movements and turned my head at the Master’s call.

“Isn’t it about time to go?”

“…”

I frowned at the Master’s words.

I had been pretending to forget and was considering slipping away unnoticed.

But the Master had pointed it out directly.

“…I guess I have to go.”

In the end I let out a deep sigh and put on the outer garment I had thrown in a corner of the cave.

The reason was simple.

Today was the day of the orthodox sect meeting.

I was in a situation where my attendance was required albeit reluctantly.

Baek Cheon-gum-ju whom I had seen last time would probably be there.

Moreover all the Clan Heads of the four great families including Baek Cheon-gum-ju and Moyong Tae would attend.

Thinking of that I swallowed hard.

No matter how I looked at it it was a situation that promised chaos.

I asked the Master.

“Will you be attending Elder?”

Since the Master was a member of the Bi family I wondered if he would also attend.

The Master smiled brightly and replied.

“Why would I?”

“…”

It was the most annoying expression in the world.