Childhood Friend of the Zenith – 378



378

“Indeed it all depends on how one presents themselves.

That was the thought that crossed my mind the moment I saw Baekcheon Geomju.

When he was wandering around in rags he was merely a charming middle-aged man.

But just by wearing neat clothes and adopting a slightly polished demeanor a person can change so drastically.

It was truly fascinating.

‘No this isn’t right.’

Now was not the time to judge his appearance.

What mattered was why he was here at this hour.

Baekcheon Geomju Moyong Tae was exuding a fierce aura as he looked at me.

Seeing that I asked Moyong Tae.

“…Why is the head of the Moyong Clan here…?”

“I came out for a night walk.”

I was left speechless by Moyong Tae’s words.

With such a fierce aura?

There was no way anyone could mistake Moyong Tae’s current appearance for someone out for a leisurely stroll.

‘Could it be that he really intends to kill me?’

That thought crossed my mind suddenly but I dismissed it.

There was no way a clan head from one of the four great families would suddenly appear alone to attempt an assassination.

He would know better than I that if things escalated in Henan he wouldn’t be able to handle the aftermath.

Having thought that far I lightly bowed to Moyong Tae.

“…I understand. It was an honor to meet you Moyong Clan Head. I wish you a pleasant walk.”

First I needed to leave the scene.

That was my judgment and I tried to move away.

But when I turned around.

Swish-!

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A brief gust of wind brushed past my face.

Rustle-!

A chilling sound echoed and where the wind had passed trees were being cut down and falling.

“Master.”

“…”

I turned my head at Moyong Tae’s call.

He had drawn his sword and was now looking at me.

A subtle mix of elegance and ferocity swelled around him.

Seeing that I couldn’t help but swallow hard.

“I still have not heard your answer.”

“…What answer are you referring to?”

“Your name Master. I am asking if you can tell me now.”

An answer about my name?

‘He must already know it.’

Moyong Tae must already know everything so why ask for an answer?

“…”

It felt like a joke but the sincerity in Moyong Tae’s eyes was undeniable.

Was the previous strike also sincere?

Regardless of what it was the chilling atmosphere would not change.

‘No matter how I look at it this is not a good situation.’

It felt quite uncomfortable.

How should I handle this situation?

‘What about my father?’

My father would be arriving soon.

If that happened this situation would be resolved.

But the discomfort would still remain.

As I was lost in various thoughts.

“If you do not wish to answer then you do not have to.”

Moyong Tae slowly sheathed his sword.

What was this? He looked like he would kill me at any moment but now he seemed to be thinking of leaving?

So easily?

Clang.

Moyong Tae’s blade disappeared completely into the sheath.

As I watched that I suddenly asked.

“If I do not answer what will happen?”

Moyong Tae’s sharp gaze turned towards me upon hearing my question.

The aura was unsettling.

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“I will return as I am.”

A strange feeling brushed past me at his response. Wouldn’t that be a good thing?

Just as that thought crossed my mind.

“Of course I will also take the girl with me.”

“…!”

“The contract made with the Gu family will be honored as it is so there will be no problem. The Trading Company established in Sanseo will also remain intact so you need not worry.”

“…Then what about the illness of your daughter?”

The reason the Moyong Clan had provided various assistance to the Gu family and why Moyong Hee had been by my side until now.

It was to treat Moyong Hee’s illness.

That treatment was still ongoing.

However saying he would take Moyong Hee away like this meant he would no longer continue that treatment.

Moyong Tae replied in a somewhat cold tone to my unneeded concern.

“That is a matter our family must take care of. You need not worry about it Master.”

“…”

That was the truth.

Literally this was a matter for the Moyong Clan so it was not something an outsider like me should concern myself with.

Even so an uncomfortable feeling began to tickle my insides.

I felt quite uneasy.

“Then I will ask one last time. What is your name Master? Can you tell me?”

“…What will happen if I tell you?”

“…”

The crossroads of this choice was merely whether or not to say my name.

Introducing myself held significant meaning for Moyong Tae.

I wanted to know the reason behind it. Moyong Tae looked at me for a moment before placing his hand on the hilt of his sword.

And then he spoke.

“I do not like the name Master.”

“…”

What I heard instead of an answer was a straightforward rejection.

“I believe you know the reason.”

“…Yes.”

“Even so if the only way for the girl to live whom she desires so much is through you then I believe I must endure.”

“Then….”

“One.”

Swish.

The sword that had just been sheathed was drawn once more.

In that moment an aura spread around us.

As I faced that energy my whole body tingled.

Baekcheon Geomju Moyong Tae.

Though he was called the clan head of a prestigious family he was said to be the weakest in martial arts.

Yet the fact that Baekcheon Geomju was the clan head of one of the four great families was not a lie.

‘Just his aura alone could cut me.’

The sharpness emanating from him was astonishing.

I could understand why he was said to have competed for the title of Sword King in the past.

“I have no intention of entrusting anything to someone who cannot even confidently state their own name.”

“…”

“Even if it is for the happiness of that girl I cannot accept it.”

His presence grew increasingly overwhelming. At this point it was impossible not to notice.

If I were to utter my name here Baekcheon Geomju would point his sword at me.

Whether this was a test or if he truly wanted to beat me up I couldn’t tell.

But the words Baekcheon Geomju had said lingered heavily in my mind.

– I cannot entrust anything to someone who cannot even confidently state their own name.

I had no memory of ever being entrusted with Moyong Hee nor did I have any responsibility for her even if it had happened in a past life.

By now all those memories had faded away.

It was something I alone had to keep.

Moreover I was confident that I had not done anything to provoke Baekcheon Geomju.

So why did I feel this discomfort?

Was it because I disliked seeing Moyong Hee?

Why? Was it because Moyong Hee had feelings for me? Because our relationship was becoming somewhat better than in the past life?

Or was it because I needed her who was trying to help me with her clever mind?

“…”

My insides were boiling.

I sought an answer but nothing resonated.

The reason was simple.

I was trying to find another answer while already knowing the truth.

“Lastly I will ask.”

Moyong Tae asked me while pointing his sword.

I knew.

I knew that answering my name here would be a loss.

The moment I spoke I would have to give a definitive answer regarding Moyong Hee.

Moreover I might have to share martial prowess with Baekcheon Geomju.

No that man would definitely fight.

I could already feel it in his gaze.

To fight against a madman who would point his sword at a junior who had barely survived.

What kind of absurd situation was this?

I was not in a state to engage in unnecessary battles.

I didn’t even know the condition of my own body.

Thus there were countless reasons not to do it. There were also plenty of reasons to avoid it.

“Master what is your name?”

“…”

Only one unreasonable reason pressed down on all of that.

It was a truly selfish reason.

A selfish and narrow-minded desire to hope that Moyong Hee would not leave.

That ridiculous greed suppressed all rationality.

Therefore when the head of the Moyong Clan said this.

The choice I could make was originally only one.

I steadied my breath and slowly spoke. As my breath loosened my body relaxed.

Along with that I raised my hands in a clasped hands greeting.

“…The bloodline of the Sanseo family greets you Moyong Clan Head.”

Upon hearing my words Moyong Tae’s gaze wavered.

“My name is Gu Yangcheon. It is an honor….”

As I watched the tip of his sword tremble slightly.

I drew qi up within my body.

The heat spread throughout my entire being.

As qi filled from the lower dantian to the upper dantian I could feel my head heating up.

“I am… also known as Yeomra.”

It was still an alias that felt awkward to say. I felt my ears redden the moment I spoke.

“…”

Moyong Tae’s eyes widened in surprise as he checked my condition.

As I heated up to the upper dantian my presence became apparent.

Moyong Tae realized what level I had reached.

Seeing that I opened my mouth.

“If it is alright with you Moyong Clan Head.”

Heat escaped from my breath.

I could tell without checking. My eyes were likely glowing red.

Feeling the boiling heat.

“I ask that you teach this junior a lesson.”

I requested a duel with Moyong Tae.

In response to my words Moyong Tae said nothing.

He merely straightened the tip of his sword that was aimed at me.

And then.

Kuuuuuu-!

A thick aura began to emanate from Moyong Tae’s body.

He took his stance. Whoosh-! Flames surrounded his body.

The number of rings in the Gu Yeon Hwa Ryun Gong had reached the level of Hwa Gyeong with one more added.

He expanded the rings.

The moment his body was enveloped in bright red flames.

I kicked off the ground first and charged at Moyong Tae.”