Childhood Friend of the Zenith – 409 (Part 1)



409 (Part 1)

The surroundings are quiet.

As if trying to grasp what just happened everyone held their breath and watched the situation unfold.

A few seconds passed like that.

Though it was merely a few seconds the silence felt unusually long likely due to the multitude of thoughts swirling in the minds of those observing.

The moment the silence which everyone had been maintaining was broken.

It was triggered by someone’s words.

“Unbelievable.”

With that brief expression of shock the words that had been barely contained began to pour out incessantly.

“What was that just now? Did you see it…?”

“The White Lotus Sword was pushed back…!”

A fight between martial artists.

A fierce duel where qi and sword qi were rampant.

Even though it was called a duel it was a battle where anyone could not recklessly intervene lacking only the killing intent.

All they could do was watch anxiously fearing that something might go wrong.

No one could intervene.

“Is that even possible….”

“They said it was impressive but the rumors were true.”

Everyone had to widen their eyes at the sight of the young man who casually intervened in the sword fight.

The young man gripping his forehead and glaring around with raised eyebrows.

He was someone who was regarded as the most promising martial artist in the current Central Plains.

“Xiao Yanluo….”

Xiao Yanluo Gu Yangchen.

He was the martial artist who subdued the mastermind behind the recent attack on the Divine Dragon Pass where the criminals were being transported.

A young hero who mercilessly dealt with the unorthodox sects preserving the honor of the orthodox sects.

With this achievement he began to establish himself as a master transcending the title of prodigy.

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“…I heard rumors that he had entered the realm of transformation. Could that really be true?”

“Come on even if that’s the case to reach the realm of transformation at such a young age? Isn’t that a bit of an exaggeration?”

“If that’s not the case how can we explain what just happened….”

“…Well that’s true.”

The one who had been trying to deny his jealousy over the talent of a martial artist clamped his mouth shut.

As a martial artist himself he could not be unaware of how extraordinary the brief display of power by Xiao Yanluo was.

Moreover it was at a level where it was difficult to even comprehend how he acted to cause the recent situation.

“But still to be in the realm of transformation….”

Even if he had reached the peak at that age it was a situation that would leave one in awe.

To be in a realm even higher than that? The man could not easily accept it.

It was likely due to the foolish jealousy that one inevitably possesses as a human.

And there were quite a few others who shared the same feelings as the man.

This was proof that Xiao Yanluo’s talent was exceptional.

Even a martial artist who had trained for a long time could evoke jealousy with such outstanding talent.

However no matter how it was

‘To push back that White Lotus Sword….’

No matter how exceptional Xiao Yanluo’s talent was what he had just done was beyond excessive crossing a line.

Not only piercing through the sword qi of the White Lotus Sword but also pushing it back?

Who is the White Lotus Sword?

One of the influential and skilled women who was mentioned as a candidate for the new Sword Master right after the previous Sword Master’s death.

If one were to name the idols of female swordsmen she would undoubtedly be among the top five.

Though her reputation had diminished over the years since she had stopped her activities

it was an undeniable fact that the White Lotus Sword was a renowned master.

It should certainly be so….

‘Who on earth is that young man….’

What could be said about that young man who had blocked the White Lotus Sword?

The man watching could not understand it no matter how much he thought and this was the same for others as well.

And.

Xiao Yanluo who was receiving all those gazes was thinking.

‘…Oh crap. This idiot really messed up.’

He was cursing himself for losing his temper and causing a scene.

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

Glancing around he noticed there were quite a few spectators.

‘Damn it.’

He had to internally lament upon seeing that.

With several families heading to Sichuan and since the main purpose was transportation there were already many people and it felt like most of them were here.

From the wide eyes and murmuring sounds it didn’t seem like a good situation.

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– It’s Xiao Yanluo….

– Xiao Yan….

The alias that subtly reached his ears only added to his irritation.

Along with that regret mixed in and began to swell.

Such feelings soon turned into resentment directed at the culprits who had created this situation.

‘What the hell is going on since this morning?’

He looked at the people sprawled on the ground with a frown. When three women who were slowly getting up met his gaze they flinched.

Seeing that he silently mouthed instead of speaking.

You three.

I’ll see you later.

Making the words large with his lips he wondered if they understood as all three avoided his gaze.

Then he turned his attention to a woman on the opposite side who looked dazed.

A woman sitting on the ground staring this way with a vacant expression.

The White Lotus Sword Mo Yongbiyeon.

Looking at her made his brows furrow involuntarily.

‘Why on earth is that lady acting like this?’

She was old enough and had a considerable career so it was puzzling why she would cause such a scene.

This was not about the duel.

Dueling is something martial artists can do as long as they are on the same page.

Conversely if they are not on the same page it can escalate even further.

For martial artists engaging in a duel is something that can be done anytime given they are nurturing and training each other.

Let alone a master teaching a novice?

From the novice’s perspective it could be called a miraculous encounter.

‘That was close.’

Just now the situation was problematic.

The sword qi that was rampant was far too deadly to be called a duel. Even if one could overlook that

the energy that the White Lotus Sword had drawn out at the end was the real issue.

‘Was she planning to destroy everything?’

It was too intense to have been merely meant to intimidate.

It was definitely the power that would have been unleashed from the tip of the sword had it not been blocked.

If that had happened

‘They wouldn’t have died but…’

Looking at the level of those kids it was clear that there would have been bloodshed.

A sharp pain.

As he recalled that he felt an unknown pain in his arm.

It seemed he had sustained some minor injury from the recent incident.

Fortunately the wound wasn’t deep and it wasn’t caused by a sword.

As he examined it he could breathe a sigh of relief inwardly.

‘That was a close call.’

While others might have seen it as him jumping in and ruining everything the reality was not that glamorous.

He had aimed for both sides to hesitate due to his intervention and taking advantage of that gap he had used their force against them to send them flying.

It might sound impressive but it was merely a method to block the qi leaving him with nothing but damage.

“Ha.”

As if he wasn’t already tired what was this all about?

Hiding the throbbing pain in his arm he spread his gaze around and then spoke to the White Lotus Sword.

“…What on earth is going on here?”

Upon hearing his question the White Lotus Sword finally wiped the dazed expression off her face and focused her eyes.

She seemed to have been in a daze but was she finally coming to her senses?

“Ah….”

The White Lotus Sword perhaps belatedly realizing the situation around her muttered briefly and stood up. As she looked at him he continued speaking.

“Senior.”

“Hmm?”

“I wonder if this kind of situation is included in my escort duties.”

With a hint of sarcasm in his words the White Lotus Sword’s eyebrows twitched.

Was she getting angry? But that didn’t stop his mouth.

“Well… this is….”

“If it’s an escort shouldn’t you be protecting me? Why are you engaging in a sword fight with my people? I really don’t understand.”

“…”

“Or do you wish for my people to get hurt?”

Considering the years of experience with the White Lotus Sword what he said could be seen as disrespectful.

But no matter what his irritable personality compelled him to speak his mind.

The White Lotus Sword bit her lip and frowned at his harsh words.

Though he was somewhat worried that the sword might turn toward him it was not uncalled for.

“What on earth were you thinking? Is there a reason for this in front of so many people?”

At his question the White Lotus Sword hesitated for a moment before responding.

Her answer was somewhat astonishing.

“…I just saw the kids and thought I’d play with them….”

Seeing the White Lotus Sword who averted her gaze as if embarrassed made him chuckle.

If she had said she wanted to teach them a lesson and had engaged in a duel it might have been a more acceptable excuse.