Childhood Friend of the Zenith – 370 (Part 1)



370 (Part 1)

It was just past noon.

Henan was as bustling as ever.

But today felt particularly intense.

Each inn was packed to the brim with no room for more guests.

They had even resorted to dragging chairs from somewhere to create more seating.

The waiters were busier than usual having to manage the crowd.

– One more Jukyeopcheong here!

– Yes! Coming right up!

Amidst the throng of people the murmurs filled the air.

With so many more people gathered than usual it was no surprise.

Yet there was something different this time; amidst the bustling crowd a path had been cleared.

Perhaps that was why it felt like even more people were gathered.

It was as if the crowd had been organized to allow people and carts to pass through.

And there were even onlookers standing by careful not to intrude on that path.

The reason for this seemingly chaotic yet orderly arrangement was simple.

– They’ve arrived…!

With someone’s shout the murmurs instantly fell silent.

On the path leading to the Murim Alliance.

Those who had confirmed something at the entrance turned their gazes to one spot.

Thud.

In the distance someone was walking towards them. It wasn’t just one person. A large group was entering together.

They all wore similar martial arts uniforms with swords hanging at their waists.

Seeing this someone exclaimed.

– It’s the Wudang!

The identity of the group that had appeared ahead was none other than the members of the Wudang Sect one of the Nine Great Sects.

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They had come from Hubei for the orthodox sects meeting taking place today.

This meant that the one at the forefront of that group was none other than—

– The Wudang Sword Immortal…!

An elderly man dressed in the distinctive Wudang uniform with long white hair neatly tied back.

He was a martial artist with sharp eyes and an aura of subtle elegance.

It was said that he primarily used the Sword Levitation Technique.

He was always among the top figures when discussing the five great sword masters of the world.

The Wudang martial artists passed through the crowd and were guided by the members of the Alliance who had been waiting.

Though the time it took for the Wudang martial artists to enter the Alliance was short

the people watching were filled with joy.

How often would they get to see the leader of the renowned Wudang Sect?

Moreover there were still many martial artists yet to enter the Alliance besides the Wudang Sword Immortal.

This was precisely why so many people were standing guard and watching.

The fact that the orthodox sects meeting was being held meant that many prominent figures would be in attendance.

It meant they could see them up close.

As I watched from a distance I couldn’t help but feel incredulous.

“Why walk when they could take a cart? They’re doing this on purpose.”

I wondered why they were doing this. The Wudang Sect wasn’t short on money.

What could be the reason for them to walk instead of using a cart?

With so many people standing guard it seemed like the martial artists heading to the Alliance were walking slowly for show.

Could it be an unspoken agreement?

A performance for those who had gathered to see them?

‘What a farce.’

I felt a laugh bubbling up at the absurdity of it all.

If it were a duel or a festival such behavior would be understandable.

That would be a schedule meant for enjoyment so it would make sense.

‘But is there really a need for that at a meeting?’

In a gathering meant to decide the future actions and schedules of the Murim Alliance

was there really a need for such clownish antics?

If it were for public opinion I wouldn’t have much to say about it.

‘No wonder they told me to come to the entrance.’

I felt a twinge of unease for not going.

Had I gone I would have drawn the same attention as the Wudang Sword Immortal just did.

‘They might not even know who I am.’

No thinking that way was impossible since my name was the most frequently heard among martial artists in Henan.

What a mess.

I furrowed my brow and glanced at the guy next to me who was trembling uncontrollably.

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“Hey buddy. Stop shaking. You’re going to bring the roof down.”

“Ugh… ugh… ugh… Huh….”

Could that be an answer?

I sighed at his pathetic state.

The one trembling as if he were about to die was none other than Cheol Ji-seon.

Surprisingly Cheol Ji-seon’s name was also among the prodigies attending the orthodox sects meeting.

I couldn’t help but wonder about that.

Namgung Bia and Dang So-yeol hadn’t been invited yet Cheol Ji-seon was suddenly on the list.

“You’ve been like this since yesterday.”

“…No… I’m not…”

“Not? Do you remember how you were shaking like crazy when you were eating?”

“…”

Cheol Ji-seon’s eyes darted around showing just how tense he was.

Bringing someone like him to the Murim Alliance was dizzying.

‘It would have been better to bring Pae Woo-cheol or Gu Jeol-yeop.’

In this regard those two would have been better choices.

“Ha.”

My head was throbbing.

Just then another cheer erupted from below.

– It’s the Tang Clan…!

There had been a few cheers after the Wudang but none like this.

And why would there be?

The figure that appeared was the Clan Head of one of the Four Great Clans.

My gaze instinctively turned to the street.

The Tang Clan uniforms that Dang So-yeol often wore were lined up as they entered.

The difference between sects and clans was palpable here.

While the Wudang considered a sect didn’t overly adorn themselves

the Iron Clan known for supplying weapons to various clans and sects clearly showed off their wealth.

Seeing that made me realize that Dang So-yeol didn’t dress up as much as I thought.

‘That guy.’

A middle-aged man was walking at the forefront.

He wore a deep green silk robe that seemed to shine.

Just looking at him made my tongue tingle with a sharp sensation.

‘The Poison King Tang Cheon-gi.’

He was the Clan Head of the Tang Clan and currently at the pinnacle of poison expertise.

That was until Dang So-yeol rose to myriad poison immunity and was called the Poison Priest.

‘He looks surprisingly gentle.’

I wondered why Dang So-yeol known for his association with poison and the underworld looked so mild and I found the answer in that man’s face.

His physique was also smaller compared to other martial artists.

He was slightly shorter than me.

Considering I was quite short the Poison King must have been quite diminutive.

‘Did I not see him properly last time?’

This was a story from a few years ago when I attended the Tang Clan’s martial arts competition.

Back then I think I made excuses to avoid meeting the Poison King.

Recalling that made me chuckle.

‘What a crazy guy.’

A descendant of a prestigious family going to the Four Great Clans and not even seeing the Clan Head’s face.

I hadn’t realized it back then due to the rush but looking back I must have been quite the lunatic.

‘It’s surprising my father didn’t get angry.’

Though my trip to Sichuan was forced it wasn’t meant to be that way.

It’s astonishing to think I went there and just snatched a miraculous encounter.

While I was lost in thought

“Hey… Yang Cheon…”

Cheol Ji-seon called me in a trembling voice.

“What?”

“Are you going to stay here…?”

“It’s kind of fun. Don’t you think?”

“…I feel like I’m going to throw up.”

“…”

Hearing that I frowned. Cheol Ji-seon flinched at my expression.

“Oh no it’s fine. I can watch a bit more.” “Don’t be scared man. That’s not what this is about.”

As Cheol Ji-seon said there was really no need to watch.

‘Who else will come?’

The ones who mentioned they would attend from the Nine Great Sects were:

Kunlun Sect Wudang Sect and Shaolin along with the Tang Clan.

The remaining sects had expressed their intention not to attend.

‘What could be the reason?’

That was a puzzling part to hear.

For a meeting of this magnitude it wouldn’t be strange for everyone to come.

Especially since Yeongpung and Geomhu were present I was quite surprised that the Mount Hua Sect had said they wouldn’t attend.

“Hm….”

Questions filled my mind.