Childhood Friend of the Zenith – 380 (Part 1)



380 (Part 1)

I am overwhelmed by his presence.

I felt like I understood the meaning of those words clearly.

The heat radiating from Gu Cheol-un was suffocating.

The insects that had been singing in the forest fell silent. The wild animals lurking nearby had already hidden away.

Rustle rustle.

It was still spring but the remnants of winter lingered.

As the heat spread the surroundings felt like they were boiling.

In a situation where even breathing became difficult.

Moyong-tae struggled to speak while looking at his opponent.

“…Ho-hyeop.”

As he called the alias Gu Cheol-un’s gaze turned toward Moyong-tae.

Deep red eyes and gradually reddening hair.

And the ever-growing presence.

Moyong-tae swallowed hard as he looked at Gu Cheol-un.

‘Was Ho-hyeop this strong?’

Ho-hyeop was said to have already passed his prime. Yet this level of presence was astonishing.

‘Has he been hiding his strength all this time?’

It was rumored in the Central Plains that the tiger who once ruled the past had become weak after his prime.

If he had indeed been hiding his strength the reason remained unknown.

Moyong-tae thought it was plausible when he recalled Gu Cheol-un.

The glory of the past that he had was something any martial artist of Gu Cheol-un’s generation would know.

He was a prodigy chosen as the strongest among the legendary Shinryong and the youngest captain of the prestigious Mang Jeil Sword Corps.

The then Alliance Leader Geom-jun had asserted that the future world’s best would be Ho-hyeop.

The title of world’s best (天下第一人) was a name every martial artist in the Central Plains had dreamed of.

And since Geom-jun who was known to be the closest to that title had declared it people believed Ho-hyeop would eventually become that.

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Until the Shinryong Corps’ destruction incident occurred and Geom-jun left the position of Alliance Leader and Ho-hyeop took the Clan Head position of the Gu family in Shanxi.

As time passed.

With several generational changes Ho-hyeop’s name gradually began to fade.

The once feared presence of Ho-hyeop among unorthodox sects had now become merely the Clan Head of the Gu family.

By the time his son Geom-bong began to make a name for himself.

He had already been unable to recover from the deteriorated condition caused by the Ma-gyeong incident. It was a time when rumors circulated that his prime was long gone.

After Gu Cheol-un stepped down from the captaincy he had shown no force except for the one incident at the Jinma Gyeongmun in Shanxi which likely contributed to the spread of such rumors.

But.

‘…It’s all nonsense.’

Facing the current Gu Cheol-un Moyong-tae was convinced.

The rumors that spread in the Central Plains were false.

The Gu Cheol-un right in front of him was far from just a mere martial artist of the Central Plains.

Moyong-tae the Baekcheon Sword Master was a martial artist of the Hwa-gyeong and had also made a name for himself among the top martial artists.

Yet even he was certain of his defeat when he looked at Gu Cheol-un.

The heat and presence radiating from Gu Cheol-un alone confirmed his defeat.

Could such a being be merely a martial artist of the same rank as him?

‘That’s absurd.’

Creeeak-!

“…!”

Amidst the increasingly strong pressure.

Moyong-tae clutched his tightening chest.

“Baekcheon Sword Master.”

“…Hah… Hah….”

Gu Cheol-un began to approach the sweating Moyong-tae.

“I asked what you were doing.”

From his deep voice a thick anger could be felt.

Even though the tone was completely flat and consistent.

The energy contained within it expressed rage.

“Are you not going to answer?”

“…Huh….”

It wasn’t that he wouldn’t answer but that he couldn’t.

Gu Cheol-un slowly reached out his hand seemingly uninterested in Moyong-tae’s situation.

As Gu Cheol-un’s massive hand drew closer Moyong-tae felt death approaching.

Just before Gu Cheol-un’s hand was about to cover Moyong-tae’s face.

“…Father.”

Suddenly.

Gu Yang-cheon’s voice made Gu Cheol-un pause. He then turned his head toward Gu Yang-cheon.

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For Gu Cheol-un the word ‘father’ was a title he hadn’t heard from Gu Yang-cheon in nearly a decade.

In that moment of hesitation Gu Yang-cheon approached Gu Cheol-un and said.

“I’m fine.”

It seemed that Gu Yang-cheon was also struggling to breathe due to the heat.

Though his breathing appeared rapid he continued to speak.

“Clan Head Moyong was merely teaching me a lesson for my sake. Please clear up the misunderstanding.”

“…”

Listening to his words Gu Cheol-un silently observed Gu Yang-cheon.

Though the red eyes were burdensome this time Gu Yang-cheon did not avert his gaze.

A few seconds passed.

Swoosh.

Gu Cheol-un withdrew his hand that was about to grab Moyong-tae and stood up.

“Hah.”

Only then could Moyong-tae release the breath he had been holding.

The presence and heat that had been constricting him vanished in an instant.

As Moyong-tae gasped for air Gu Cheol-un spoke.

“Baekcheon Sword Master.”

At the call Moyong-tae wiped the cold sweat from his brow and looked up.

“Is that statement true?”

“…”

He pondered how to respond. Should he seek Gu Yang-cheon’s help here?

But if he answered according to his pride he had no idea how Gu Cheol-un would react.

He wondered if Gu Cheol-un might kill him but the actions he had just shown were no different.

Having thought that far Moyong-tae squeezed his eyes shut and replied.

“…It is true.”

“…”

Hearing Moyong-tae’s answer Gu Cheol-un made a strange expression and took a step back.

It felt as if he was creating distance to allow Moyong-tae to rise.

And then.

“I apologize. It seems I made a mistake by not properly understanding the situation.”

He offered an apology to Moyong-tae in a flat voice.

The important thing was that his tone did not sound apologetic at all.

Given the situation he must have known.

That Gu Yang-cheon was protecting Moyong-tae.

Yet to offer an apology meant he chose to let it go and knowing this Moyong-tae bit his lip and stood up.

“…I also have my faults for creating a misunderstanding. Please do not take it to heart.”

“Thank you for your understanding.”

A fake apology and gratitude exchanged for the sake of appearances.

Moyong-tae cast a glance at Gu Yang-cheon behind Gu Cheol-un.

Gu Yang-cheon was looking at Moyong-tae with a subtle expression.

As he wondered what that expression meant.

-…I’m sorry. It may not please you so if you wish I will formally visit you next time.

‘…’

Gu Yang-cheon’s telepathy brushed past Moyong-tae’s ear.

The words about visiting formally next time.

Did he know how Moyong-tae would react when he came?

Moyong-tae still did not like Gu Yang-cheon but there was no situation in which he could blame him.

-That’s fine.

-…!

Gu Yang-cheon’s eyes widened upon hearing Moyong-tae’s telepathy.

Moyong-tae’s tone had completely shifted to a subservient one.

Should he view that negatively? Yet somehow Gu Yang-cheon didn’t feel too displeased by Moyong-tae’s subservience.

-There’s no need to go out of your way to visit.

-But….

-I will visit again next time.

-….

Did that mean he would truly come to fight with the intention to kill next time?

As Gu Yang-cheon’s lips trembled slightly.

-Next time I will bring my daughter with me. Be prepared.

-…

-Just to clarify I have not acknowledged you.

-Yes.

-I will continue to feel that way.

-Understood.

The mention of bringing Moyong-hee meant that at least he wouldn’t engage in a bloody fight like now. Perhaps it was a slight concession.

As he thought that Moyong-tae clasped his hands in greeting to Gu Cheol-un.

“…It’s getting late so if you permit I will take my leave first.”

“Please do.”

“Even if it was unexpected I will personally visit to apologize for the trouble caused to your child next time.”