Childhood Friend of the Zenith – 408 (Part 2)



408 (Part 2)

Bang-! Bang bang-!

The deafening noise echoed continuously as if a gigantic demonic beast had emerged from the forest.

Following the sound countless people gathered.

After all those who set out for Sichuan were all martial artists.

They could not overlook such a dense and intense sensation of qi.

Gradually people began to gather one by one forming a single group.

The more they gathered the clearer it became that at the very least this sound was not one made by a demonic beast.

A martial artist from one faction watching the source of the sound whispered.

“Wow… that’s impressive! How can they do that?”

His voice was filled with admiration.

“To think that three people can coordinate so seamlessly. Their martial arts seem different from one another.”

Two swordsmen formed a pair and engaged in close combat.

Every time a gap appeared a delicate dagger flew in.

The blades swung continuously yet there was no interference in their movements.

It was a sight only those who had trained together for a long time could achieve.

It was astonishing to see such seemingly unripe prodigies displaying such skill.

Hearing such admiration a junior looked at the man with curious eyes and asked.

“Is it really that amazing?”

“Oh dear. How can you not understand that you fool?”

The term “fool” made the junior’s expression twist but it was a fitting remark.

Each martial art had its own unique characteristics.

The energy required to use them was also different.

Since the energy used for martial arts was mostly of a combative nature there was a tendency for them to devour each other.

Thus while it might be understandable if they were in a state of enmity the fact that martial artists could cooperate raised various issues.

The clash of their energies could cause problems in using their martial arts.

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The more intensely they moved the more their paths would entangle leading to issues in their actions.

“Those kids move as if they are one body.”

No matter how well their martial arts matched moving without interfering with each other at such a level was another matter entirely.

The junior seemed to understand nodding slightly.

However there was still something he couldn’t grasp.

“It’s impressive but… none of their attacks are landing.”

He understood that their cooperation was as smooth as flowing water.

He recognized that they were exceptional for their age but even considering that their opponent was overwhelmingly strong.

The women’s attacks were not landing at all and they were often being pushed back instead.

In response to the junior’s words the man said “That can’t be helped… their opponent is the White Lotus Sword.”

The opponent was indeed formidable. That was the most accurate statement.

The man’s gaze turned to a woman who was moving effortlessly even while facing the combined attacks of three.

The White Lotus Sword.

One of the candidates for the Sword Mistress.

That description would suffice.

Among the numerous martial artists present there were only a handful who could reach her level.

Although the White Lotus Sword had not been active for over a decade and news about her was scarce the image she had shown during her active years remained vivid for those who had lived through that time.

“I’m a bit envious.”

“Excuse me?”

To mix swords with the White Lotus Sword itself would be nothing short of a miraculous encounter.

The man felt a twinge of envy towards those prodigies.

The problem was.

‘This duel is more intense than it should be.’

While the atmosphere was filled with competition the absence of killing intent indicated that it was not a real fight…

Even so it felt quite violent.

He wondered if it should be stopped.

As the man watched the duel with a hint of anxiety the junior continued seemingly fascinated.

“Even amidst all this the Poison Dagger is holding its own.”

“Hmm?”

“I heard rumors that her skills were inferior to her alias but it doesn’t seem that way.”

“Hmm…”

The man’s gaze shifted to the woman in the back who was throwing daggers.

Indeed it was true.

The daughter of the Tang Clan rumored to be lacking in skill compared to other dragons and tigers was showing a surprisingly competent performance amidst the storm of qi.

The fact that her daggers flew steadily even in such a situation was proof of her ability.

Moreover her intent to occasionally disrupt the White Lotus Sword’s movements from a distance was evident.

“Certainly. Compared to the rumors she seems much more impressive.”

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“Thank you for saying that.”

“Since it’s a compliment about the Poison Dagger it’s not something you should be grateful for… Huh!”

As the man continued speaking he suddenly sensed something strange and turned around.

It didn’t sound like the junior’s voice.

As expected it was not the junior’s voice.

The junior looked pale as if terrified at the sudden intruder.

The man swallowed hard at the sight.

“Tang… Clan Head…”

The one who interrupted was none other than the Clan Head of the Tang Clan.

The Poison King.

Realizing this the man broke into a cold sweat.

What had he just said? His heart raced making it hard to calm down.

Although he hadn’t realized it having mentioned the Poison Dagger in front of the Poison King could have provoked his anger.

“I-I’m sorry…!”

As the man hurriedly bowed his head to apologize the Poison King waved his hand signaling that it was alright.

Fortunately the Poison King did not seem angry with the man.

Instead he smiled slightly and expressed his gratitude.

“Thank you for recognizing my daughter’s efforts.”

At the Poison King’s words the man repeatedly bowed his head and took his junior away to hide.

The Poison King who had been watching them sighed and looked at his daughter.

‘…What on earth.’

In the midst of such intense competition his daughter was right there.

He had rushed over as soon as he received the report.

He intended to stop the duel immediately upon seeing the situation but…

‘…This.’

He hesitated for a moment upon seeing his daughter’s determined expression.

It was the first time he had seen her face filled with such effort.

While her condition seemed quite dangerous the duel with the White Lotus Sword could be a miraculous encounter for her.

The Poison King did not find his daughter’s martial artist appearance displeasing.

Thus he was watching the duel for a while but…

‘It won’t last long.’

No matter how he looked at it there were too many problems with this duel.

Leaving aside the fact that his daughter was engaging in something unmartial her condition was not good.

The heat radiating from the White Lotus Sword was unusual.

Seeing this the Poison King rubbed his aching forehead.

‘…White Lotus Sword.’

She had been known for her unpredictability for a long time.

Why was she dueling with those kids and was this really something worth being so engrossed in?

If the stronger party was in such a state it could lead to serious problems.

‘If things go awry…’

The Poison King thought about intervening before things escalated if the situation did not calm down.

In such a situation the only ones who could step in to stop the duel were the Clan Head of the faction and himself.

To end such an intense duel one would need to be a martial artist at least at the level of a master.

Among the martial artists gathered here unless the Clan Head was present he believed he was the only one capable of doing so.

Other martial artists would likely be aware of this situation.

Given the circumstances the Poison King was watching the duel with heightened tension.

As the duel progressed the competition intensified.

Normally it should have ended quickly but the reason for the prolonged exchange was that unlike a true martial artist the White Lotus Sword was not trying to kill.

This meant that if she truly intended to kill her opponent the duel would have ended long ago.

While watching the duel with anxious eyes the Poison King’s gaze widened in shock.

A powerful energy began to gather at the tip of the White Lotus Sword as she defended against the combined attacks.

‘That’s…!’

That was dangerous.

Perhaps caught up in the competition the White Lotus Sword seemed to be crossing a line.

The moment he sensed this the Poison King raised his qi.

He intended to jump in immediately to stop the duel. If that power were to explode it would be quite perilous.

Just as he was about to leap someone moved before the Poison King could.

Whoosh-!

A spark flew from somewhere.

“Uh?”

“What’s going on…?”

Both the Poison King who was raising his qi and the onlookers gasped in surprise.

A young man who had not been seen before appeared in the midst of the fierce light.

“…!”

The duelists also seemed startled trying to redirect their blades but it was already too late after they had drawn their weapons.

As blades shot out from all directions they were about to slice the suddenly appearing young man.

Tsk-

A short sound of someone clicking their tongue was heard from somewhere.

Whoosh-!

“What the…!”

“Ugh!”

“Ah!”

“Eek…!”

Suddenly the women engaged in the duel were flung back and began rolling on the ground.

The spectators struggled to comprehend the situation their expressions blank.

What had just happened?

The previous chaos had vanished and the atmosphere had turned eerily calm in an instant.

In that silence the young man stood tall at the center pinching his brow with two fingers.

“Ha.”

He let out a deep sigh and then spoke to the women who were just getting back up.

“…I’m exhausted. What kind of nonsense is this from the morning?”

His voice was filled with considerable annoyance.