Childhood Friend of the Zenith – 403 (Part 2)



403 (Part 2)

Time had quietly turned to night.

I had only intended to rest a little but somehow I had ended up sleeping for so long.

If I was going to sleep like this I should have told the kids to wake me up.

‘…Where is this?’

I turned my tired eyes and surveyed my surroundings.

The first thing I saw was a valley and a gravel field. Most of the carriages seemed to be stopped suggesting they planned to stay here for the night.

I tried to expand my perception a bit more but I felt it spreading much slower than I intended.

‘What is this? Why is this happening?’

Just as I was starting to feel a bit flustered I heard the telepathy of the master in my ear.

– Don’t be surprised; it’s somewhat expected.

– Expected?

– Yes it’s the backlash from being forced into a state of ecstasy.

– Ah.

The time when I had lost my mind during training; the master had said that the Tua Pachun Gong had forced me into that state.

So that was the backlash from that moment.

– As I said it’s because you reached a place you shouldn’t have touched yet.

I hadn’t reached that level yet but somehow I had stepped into ecstasy first.

‘So as a result my body is tired and my perception is erratic.’

No wonder I couldn’t seem to release my qi; there was a reason for it.

I wrapped my throbbing head and shifted my gaze.

I was looking for the master but my perception wasn’t spreading properly making it difficult.

In the end I had to ask the master.

– …Where are you?

– Go straight into the left forest.

After hearing the words I moved my steps.

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A forest stretched out behind the valley. It seemed to be referring to that direction.

Since it was a place where no light reached I ignited a flame at my fingertips to illuminate the path ahead.

Even so the surroundings were strangely dark.

I wondered if this was also a result of the backlash. Had my vision darkened?

As I pondered this and ventured a bit further I soon came upon a suitable plain where I could see the master standing in the center.

“You’ve come.”

“Yes.”

“Hmm… judging by your expression it seems you’re feeling quite miserable.”

“…I’m managing somewhat.”

Honestly it was a bit tough. But it wasn’t to the extent that I couldn’t train.

As I struggled to regain my focus and catch my breath.

“It seems your body is now ready so I think it’s time to move on to the next training.”

I had to widen my eyes at the master’s words.

The mention of the next training meant that it was heading towards the one stretch he had spoken of before.

“I feel ready so I intend to pass on the Tua Pachun Mu’s eclipse technique to you. Do you have any objections?”

“None.”

I had been rolling around this much just to learn that one thing. If he was willing to teach me of course I had to learn.

There was no time to rest. I had to split the time heading to Sichuan like this.

“Good. Then.”

The master shrugged his shoulders.

Could it be that he was going to teach me right away without any explanation?

“Before that there’s something you need to do.”

“Something I need to do…?”

Something to do?

As I was about to ask the master about his sudden statement.

Rustle—

A chilling sound enveloped my senses.

Just as I was wondering what this was my vision suddenly began to twist.

My gaze which had been looking straight ahead suddenly shifted downward and I could see the ground.

And I was rapidly approaching the ground.

Could it be that my head was about to be severed?

With a staggering sensation just before my head collided with the ground.

“…Huh…!”

Suddenly clarity struck me.

I immediately exhaled roughly and clutched my neck with my hands.

Fortunately my neck was still intact.

…Then what was that sensation just now?

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As cold sweat streamed down the master’s voice mixed in.

“I told you before about your biggest problem.”

You don’t fear death.

Was that the problem?

I didn’t care whether my body was broken or not. While this could certainly be an advantage I remembered him saying it was too excessive.

“Normally I would have taken some time to correct your twisted movements but it seems there’s a more suitable teacher nearby.”

“…What do you mean by that?”

“You’ve died once now. Do you understand?”

“…!”

“You wouldn’t be unaware that your head was severed.”

Was that sensation just now a situation the master intended? If so was it some kind of hallucination?

Or was it formations?

I couldn’t properly grasp what was happening and just then someone appeared behind the master.

Seeing him I had to swallow hard.

It was the King of Assassins.

Why was that man popping up here? I was filled with confusion.

The master continued speaking observing my reaction.

“I didn’t want to go this far but it seems you’re more exceptional than I expected so I’m feeling greedy.”

“…Elder?”

“Since I’ve decided to train a disciple it must be perfect. After all you are a disciple of this master.”

“Does that have anything to do with the King of Assassins being here…?”

“Of course it does. This friend will help you with your training.”

The King of Assassins would help me with my training? What kind of absurd statement was that?

I frowned deeply and demanded an explanation from the master.

He just smiled brightly and spoke to me.

“There’s only one thing you need to do. From the time the moon rises until before the sun rises you must catch this friend at least once.”

Upon hearing the master’s words I was left speechless.

“Are you talking about the King of Assassins…?”

“Yes the deadline is every day until you succeed.”

Catch the King of Assassins?

Especially at this late hour?

“It won’t be easy so… this friend will continuously approach you instead.”

‘Does that mean I’ll be given a chance?’

Even so it felt quite unsatisfactory.

I had hoped to start training in the Tua Pachun Mu right away.

Being told to play a game of tag was incomprehensible.

Had the King of Assassins also agreed to this strange behavior?

…That must be it.

He must have agreed which is why he was here doing this.

Since it was a situation where I had to comply it meant I had to play tag at my age.

With the King of Assassins no less.

‘Then what was that vision I saw just before?’

The vision of my head falling off; it was too vivid to be called an illusion.

The master had clearly said it was an intended situation.

Was there something more to it?

As I continued to ponder the master took a few steps and spoke.

“Then good luck. I hope you can do it as soon as possible. There’s still much I need to teach you.”

“Are you really leaving like this?”

“Since I’ve told you everything I need to all that’s left is for you to accomplish it.”

Is he really going to leave like this?

As I stared blankly at the departing master.

He turned his head to look at me.

“Oh. I have one last important request which I forgot to mention.”

“Yes?”

“Please don’t break down.”

“What do you mean by that…?”

As he continued to spout strange words I tried to grab the master to ask for a proper explanation.

But I couldn’t utter the words that followed.

Thud-.

Something pierced into my heart.

“…!”

There was no pain.

The blood surged up and my consciousness began to fade.

Even amidst this I confirmed who had stabbed a dagger into my heart.

There stood the King of Assassins looking at me with cold eyes.

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

Hee-ing-!

On a moonlit night a horse was galloping down the road without pause.

Where was it in such a hurry to go? The carriage behind it was shaking violently.

“Ugh….”

Inside the carriage a beautiful woman seemed unable to endure the shaking desperately covering her mouth with her delicate hand. Her skin was so pale it looked almost blue.

Was it because it was her first time riding such a rough carriage?

Moyong Hee-ah felt nauseous and could hardly bear it.

“C-can you slow down a bit…? Ugh….”

With a pitiful voice Moyong Hee-ah pleaded but the speed only increased.

‘I feel like I’m going to die…!’

Moyong Hee-ah thought that all the thoughts flashing through her mind might just be a passing dream.

It wouldn’t be strange to die like this.

Amidst it all the thought that rose to her mind was the face of a man which she found amusing.

With her eyes tightly shut Moyong Hee-ah spoke to the man who came to mind.

‘…Young Master… I guess this is it for me.’

Slowly Moyong Hee-ah was crumbling.

The coachman driving the carriage began to speak in an excited voice.

“Cousin! Look out the window. The moon is beautiful tonight!”

“A-aunt… the speed….”

“Hmm? What did you say? You want to go faster? My cousin knows how to enjoy more than just looking!”

“Ah….”

Perhaps because of her cousin’s request the woman driving the horse smiled brightly and increased the speed even more.

Moyong Hee-ah unable to endure it any longer finally lost consciousness.

But the woman unaware of this only urged the horse on faster.