Childhood Friend of the Zenith – 406 (Part 1)



406 (Part 1)

As a storm raged and evening approached after finishing dinner

I had my hand on Moyong Hee-ah’s back in the empty carriage.

It was because I needed to send warmth to Moyong Hee-ah after a long time.

Suuuu.

Perhaps it was because I was sending warmth after such a long time.

“…Ugh.”

Moyong Hee-ah’s back twitched slightly.

I had heard before that it felt strange.

Only after sending a considerable amount of energy did I withdraw my hand.

Once the treatment was over Moyong Hee-ah took a deep breath she had been holding.

“Haah….”

Hearing that breath I spoke up.

“It should take a few more times.”

“…I suppose so.”

The coldness I felt from Moyong Hee-ah had significantly diminished compared to the first time.

At this rate it seemed like the treatment would be completed within the next six months.

‘If that happens.’

Moyong Hee-ah would be able to start training again.

It had already been two years by the calendar.

The time Moyong Hee-ah had not trained as a martial artist.

Two years was quite a long time for a martial artist.

It seemed like she only did basic physical training occasionally.

If it got any later various problems would arise.

‘It seems like Moyong Hee-ah doesn’t care much about it though.’

She didn’t seem particularly interested in martial arts from the beginning but considering that the Moyong Clan was indeed a martial family it was about time for Moyong Hee-ah to start training again.

Get notified for updates: https://discord.gg/93rmBjgP6B

Especially to prepare for the blood calamity that was about to occur.

Looking at Moyong Hee-ah’s back I decided to ask something else first.

“By the way… what happened to your aunt?”

“Ah.”

When I asked about the White Lotus Sword Moyong Hee-ah’s expression twisted slightly.

“My escort?”

I was shocked to hear that she had suddenly come to be my escort.

I heard she had received permission for this.

No matter how I looked at it it was not something that was easily understood.

Moyong Hee-ah seemed a bit tired as she spoke to me about this confusion.

“I don’t really know either… My aunt is originally a bit strange… no unique. Even the Clan Head can’t do anything about her.”

“…”

So what Moyong Hee-ah was saying was that the White Lotus Sword was someone the family had given up on. That’s what it meant.

Goodness….

‘And to think she received permission.’

I wondered who had given her such permission and the White Lotus Sword mentioned Lady Mi.

I was shocked once again.

‘Why is Lady Mi suddenly involved?’

It was surprising that the White Lotus Sword had a connection with Lady Mi.

The person who granted me the qualification for an escort was Lady Mi which was a bizarre situation no matter how I looked at it.

Thinking of that made me sigh involuntarily.

‘An escort what a joke….’

At this point there was no particular need for an escort.

What need was there for an escort for a martial artist who had reached the Hwa-gyeong stage?

Unless one held a position like Alliance Leader or Clan Head.

Usually once one reached the peak they didn’t carry escorts around.

But to have an escort while being at the Hwa-gyeong stage and even the White Lotus Sword at that?

With the bloodline of the Moyong Clan so evident what did it mean for a master of the Moyong Clan to escort me?

Did Moyong Hee-ah see the troubled expression on my face?

She cautiously spoke to me.

“I’m sorry….”

I smiled wryly at her apology.

“Why are you apologizing? You didn’t do anything wrong.”

“Still….”

Moyong Hee-ah’s face which looked genuinely sorry felt somewhat cute… no it felt trivial.

“…It’s a bit annoying but it’s okay.”

In truth it wasn’t okay at all but I thought it would somehow work out.

Join our discord and ping me to update more chapters. Discord: https://discord.gg/93rmBjgP6B

I didn’t know what kind of conversation had taken place between Lady Mi and the White Lotus Sword that led to this situation but I thought I could look at it positively that a high-ranking master was volunteering to escort me.

‘No it doesn’t look good at all.’

I was trying to see it positively.

After all

‘This isn’t the time to be worrying about such things.’

There were more pressing matters to resolve so I didn’t have the luxury to think about the White Lotus Sword for long.

I looked out the window at the rising moon. Seeing its position it was about time.

Confirming that as expected a voice came to my ear as if it had been waiting.

– It’s time. Come.

“…”

Hearing the heavy voice I got up. It was the telepathy of the Dark King.

Moyong Hee-ah looked at me in confusion at my sudden movement.

“Young Master?”

“It’s time to train so I’ll go ahead.”

“Ah… can’t you stay a little longer?”

“Sorry I’m in a bit of a hurry.”

Leaving Moyong Hee-ah who looked disappointed I stepped out of the carriage and moved quickly.

The destination was the same forest where I had met the Dark King last night.

“…Tsk.”

As soon as I entered the forest the same sensation from yesterday swept over me.

My vision darkened and my senses became disoriented in an instant. It was still an irritating sensation.

This was certainly a reaction from reaching a state of ecstasy but looking at it it was clearly the aftermath of the Dark King’s martial arts.

It blinded my eyes and dulled my senses. Was it a martial art similar to formations?

‘It feels somewhat similar to Jeokcheon.’

It felt somewhat akin to the secret techniques I used.

The sensation of Jeokcheon which dominates a certain area with heat was quite similar.

The difference was that Jeokcheon was a power that helped me while this martial art was a power that hindered my opponent.

“…Huh.”

After arriving at my destination I took a deep breath.

Should I stop while I was ahead?

Or should I just run away?

I repeated these thoughts but in the end I chose to face it.

‘I have to try even if it’s out of stubbornness.’

I had to endure it out of anger.

What kind of meaning was there in this kind of training that kept people from sleeping?

The Master wouldn’t have made me do this without any meaning but I couldn’t help but feel frustrated.

‘If it were another person they wouldn’t last a day.’

I had been made to experience such vivid deaths multiple times. If it were someone else they might have lost their sanity before the day was over.

I couldn’t quite understand why the Master had chosen such a bizarre training method.

Even knowing that if you asked why I was pushing through without any complaints

‘Because there’s no other way.’

For now I had to believe. If I saw even a glimmer of possibility.

I had to do as much as I could.

That way there might be a little more hope.

After thinking that far I stood still and straightened my posture.

Then I drew up as much energy as I could.

I opened my eyes and spoke.

“Thank you for your guidance.”

Though I didn’t hear a response from the Dark King with those words

The second night of death began.

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

As time passed like that.

When I opened my eyes the night had passed and morning had arrived.

Had it really been that long?

It felt like my sense of time was becoming increasingly strange just like yesterday.

“Haah….”

Lying on the ground and looking at the sky I could see the sun slowly rising.