Childhood Friend of the Zenith – 420 (Part 1)



420 (Part 1)

**Chapter 421: The Water Dragon River (2)**

It has already been two months since we set off for Sichuan.

Starting from Henan the transport team led by the Poison King was crossing the mountains and we still had half the journey left to reach Sichuan.

We were now facing a wide river.

It was the largest river I had seen since my previous life.

This river is called the Water Dragon River (水龍江).

The place where this Water Dragon River flows used to be a vast plain just a few centuries ago but it was said to have been artificially created during the Blood Demon War due to the rampage of a white-grade demonic beast.

When I first heard this I thought what kind of demonic beast could create a river?

But recalling the misty forest where the main palace of the Black Night Palace used to be it meant that the power of a white-grade demonic beast could change the terrain and even affect the ecosystem.

‘How did they manage to take down such a demonic beast alone?’

I shuddered at the thought of those who had fought such demonic beasts alone back then.

It was none other than the divine Noya who killed the Mist Dragon (霧龍) which had covered the entire region in a hallucinatory mist with death.

And it was the Poison King who killed the Water Dragon (水龍) which turned the land that used to be a plain into a wide river.

He was one of the five heroes who stopped the Blood Demon and a respected figure in the Tang Clan which had transformed into orthodox sects at that time.

‘Terrifying humans.’

Now in a world where the Blood Demon had disappeared and only blue demonic beasts were appearing.

Soon with the descent of the Heavenly Demon red demonic beasts would also begin to emerge.

When that time comes it would be nothing short of chaos.

Even a martial artist who has reached the peak of maturity would not be able to defeat a red demonic beast alone.

But what about those who defeated the white ones single-handedly?

‘No matter how I think about it they must have been stronger than the Three Ancestors not weaker.’

I had thought of him as just a grumpy old man but the more I learned about divine Noya the more remarkable he seemed.

It is said that even the current Mei Hua respects him second only to divine Noya which speaks volumes about his status.

‘So he should be showing up soon… How long does he plan to keep sleeping?’

Right after Noya helped me at the Divine Dragon Pavilion he seemed to have fallen asleep again and hadn’t shown his face since.

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Even the beast within me had reduced its appearances now remaining silent.

‘…Tsk.’

Despite having the body I had longed for all to myself I felt quite uneasy for some reason.

As I was organizing my damp thoughts while looking at the river someone approached me and spoke.

“Young Master.”

It was Mo Yong-hia.

“You should… you should go up now.”

“Ah. I’ll go now.”

Mo Yong-hia who had been saying we should go flinched and bowed her head when she saw Dang Deok standing behind me.

It seemed she still hadn’t gotten used to that massive figure.

Or perhaps she was startled by that fierce face.

Dang Deok had a rather intimidating appearance as well.

“But.”

“Yes?”

“Where did your aunt go?”

“Ah… I think she’s already on the boat.”

“…”

I had to wipe my forehead at Mo Yong-hia’s words.

What kind of situation is it where the escort is missing and the person being escorted just hops onto the boat?

It was truly absurd.

Mo Yong-hia seemed to know this too as her expression was not good.

She spoke to me.

“I’m sorry… Our aunt…”

“It’s not something you need to apologize for so don’t worry about it.”

“…Yes.”

Even though I told her it was okay Mo Yong-hia’s complexion didn’t improve.

Indeed if my family were acting like that I wouldn’t be able to lift my head in embarrassment either.

I ruffled Mo Yong-hia’s hair lightly.

“Go up first. I’ll be there soon.”

“…Yes.”

At my words Mo Yong-hia left a slight smile and headed toward the boat behind us.

Right I had to get on the boat.

To cross the Water Dragon River in front of me.

‘Hmm.’

When I traveled from Shanxi to Sichuan I hadn’t taken a boat but used another method. This time I had to take a boat…

‘It can’t be helped.’

I knew it was the route chosen by the Poison King and the fastest way but I still felt uneasy about the boat.

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I turned my gaze slightly back to look at Dang Deok and asked.

“Hey.”

“…”

Dang Deok’s gaze turned toward me.

There was no response.

He couldn’t speak without my permission.

“Where are the ones you’ve hidden? Speak up.”

When I commanded Dang Deok’s lips trembled as he began to speak.

“…The first point… after that…”

“Then it should be about an hour after we set off. Are they still hiding now?”

“…Yes…”

“Have you already hidden them? You’ve done a thorough job.”

I couldn’t help but smile at Dang Deok’s response.

At my words Dang Deok shuddered.

I had been wondering how he would ambush the transport team with the Poison King and the Clan Head and it seemed he knew we would be crossing the Water Dragon River.

So he must have sent his subordinates to set up an ambush along the riverbank intending to attack from all sides.

Seeing that he must have considerable confidence in underwater combat.

‘There are demonic beasts too and they’re already on standby. What kind of method do they have?’

The Water Dragon River is particularly abundant in demonic beasts. Especially it is home to many dragon-type demonic beasts making it a place where ordinary people cannot go.

The reason the Poison King deliberately used this river was also because of that.

It was a place where the probability of a human ambush was significantly low and it was the fastest route to Sichuan.

As for the demonic beasts someone of the Poison King’s caliber would have plenty of ways to block them using whatever treasures or artifacts he possessed so it would have been seen as relatively safe.

It seemed Dang Deok was planning to launch a surprise attack from above the river.

Given that the Poison King had much to protect whether it be his blood relatives or the transport team it would be dangerous on the river.

As I pondered this a question arose.

‘How did he know?’

I had only learned a few days ago that the Poison King would be traveling through the Water Dragon River.

How did this guy know in advance and prepare for it?

Moreover.

‘It’s strange that he possesses treasures.’

The artifact that his subordinate had was something I had retrieved and kept in my possession.

When I asked what it was Dang Deok said it was an artifact that could suppress its presence by infusing qi.

This meant it was a so-called activation-type artifact.

In terms of value it was an outstanding item worth a fortune.

It was strange that a bandit like Dang Deok had such a thing.

Both the treasured blade and the item were peculiar.

It felt like something was going on in a very strange way.

“Hey.”

“…”

So I decided to ask.

“The treasure you’ve hidden in the Tang Clan. Who is it?”

“…!”

Dang Deok’s eyes widened at my question.

Seeing that I was convinced.

This guy really has hidden something.

I had been wondering how he had devised such a plan and it seemed he had eyes and ears within the Tang Clan.

He hadn’t answered the questions I hadn’t asked so it seemed he had been hiding it all along.

“Who is it? Tell me.”

Now that I had figured it out there was no way out for him.

“…Ugh…”

It seemed Dang Deok was trying to hold back his anger. But it was already a force tied deep within his heart.

He wouldn’t be able to release it with just his will.

After a moment of waiting Dang Deok’s tightly sealed lips finally opened.

“Ugh.”

Hearing this I couldn’t help but let out a shallow gasp.

An unexpected name came out of Dang Deok’s mouth.

I wondered how surprised the person responsible for that ‘treasure’ would have been when Dang Deok entered as my escort.

Even if the Poison King hadn’t realized what Dang Deok was he must have seen something.

I held back a slight smile as I took a step forward.

It seemed there was one more person to deal with on the boat.

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

The departure began after about half a day of preparation.

We had to put the criminals underground and since it was a four to seven-day voyage we had to load plenty of provisions so the preparations took a while.

However because of such preparations once we set sail we were able to have a relatively comfortable schedule.

“Wow…”

From the railing Wi Seol-ah looked at the river in wonder.

Her reaction was so evident that I couldn’t help but ask.

“What’s so amazing?”