Childhood Friend of the Zenith – 429 (Part 2)



429 (Part 2)

“…At least ten years.”

Shin-ui tried to explain the dangers but Gu Yang-cheon seemed indifferent to it speaking to Shin-ui in a flat voice.

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

-That’s enough.

“…”

The dry voice and the tone devoid of rhythm lingered in his ears.

As the sun gradually set.

A banquet was being held in the square to celebrate the return of the Poison King.

Shin-ui was sitting on the floor of his quarters pouring himself a drink.

“So….”

Shin-ui was reflecting on his conversation with Gu Yang-cheon pondering why he continued to feel a sense of alienation towards him.

It took him a while to realize it.

No perhaps he had known from the very beginning.

‘That child hasn’t changed.’

The thorns haven’t died nor has the tension increased. It’s merely being concealed.

He recalled the first time he saw Gu Yang-cheon.

The boy he encountered then had dead eyes contrasting with his fierce demeanor.

Those eyes belonged to martial artists who had taken their own lives due to the incident in Ma-gyeong.

Gu Yang-cheon possessed the same gaze.

As Shin-ui recalled this he poured the drink into his mouth.

‘You….’

You have no attachment to life from the start. That’s how Shin-ui saw Gu Yang-cheon.

He should have realized it much earlier.

Even while discussing his own death there was a look of contemplation.

There was no fear there.

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Only the complexity of organizing the schedule laid before him.

The fact that the vessel was so unstable would undoubtedly affect psychological factors as well.

He might have often experienced extreme pain or headaches in his daily life.

Yet to Shin-ui Gu Yang-cheon appeared calm despite enduring such circumstances.

‘It’s not calmness. He’s just worn down.’

There was no mind to be shaken by pain.

No fear of death.

That was no longer left in that child.

The moment Shin-ui faced Gu Yang-cheon who had been brought by the Poison King he understood immediately.

A martial artist might not know but Shin-ui’s eyes were different.

Gu Yang-cheon was in a state where it wouldn’t be strange for him to die at any moment.

The reason he asked to show his wrist when he only intended to greet lightly was precisely that.

His insides were a mess.

Gu Yang-cheon’s energy was somehow in harmony but it was close to forced.

A harmony created by force would inevitably cause ripples within the body.

Even if he forcibly held onto it there wasn’t much time left.

Could that child truly be unaware of this?

Shin-ui was left with nothing but questions.

“…”

Yet the fact that he could delay it for ten years brought a somewhat pleased expression to his face which was truly frightening to Shin-ui.

That was not a look of joy at being able to live.

‘What on earth….’

What has so thoroughly broken that child?

A child who had barely reached adulthood bore such a chilling demeanor.

‘What on earth do you plan to do?’

Shin-ui recalled Gu Yang-cheon as he was leaving for the last time.

Had he forgotten his own words about never giving him medicine? Gu Yang-cheon left saying he would visit again.

Watching that back Shin-ui felt as if a heavy stone had settled in his heart.

Seeing someone with no attachment to their own life felt like that to Shin-ui.

“Ugh tsk.”

Even so Shin-ui would not give him the medicine as he had said.

It wasn’t easy to manufacture the medicine nor was it easy to procure the materials.

Right now the only amount of medicine he had left was for Wi Seol-ah.

Of course even if he had the materials it was something he couldn’t give to that child as once taken the medicine could not be reversed.

Even if he tried to close the qi center later it would only lead to an inability to survive.

If he didn’t continue taking it after the first dose it would ultimately cause problems with his innate energy.

How could a physician give such a medicine?

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It was a meeting he had somewhat anticipated.

The way it unraveled felt quite unsettling and bothersome.

As Shin-ui continued to pour himself a drink.

Creak.

He sensed someone entering as the door opened.

Feeling that Shin-ui snorted.

“Hmph you said you wouldn’t come for a while yet here you are crawling in?”

Though it sounded somewhat fierce the person merely smiled briefly.

“It was harder to find than I thought. You seem to hide better than expected.”

A heavy yet subtly soft voice. An old man with wrinkles that bore the weight of time yet his straight back and well-defined shoulders revealed he was a martial artist.

“Well if you dislike the child you should consider moving on. Can you really force it like this?”

Heh heh.

At Shin-ui’s words the old man chuckled repeatedly.

“Though he’s a child he’s a bit older than that.”

“What does age matter?”

“If you care that much why don’t you go? I can’t be the only family member.”

“If I were to visit I know what you would do to those children.”

At Shin-ui’s words the old man approached the floor without giving a particular response.

Swish.

With a flick of his hand the wine bottle floated in the air and was soon drawn into his hand.

Though it was a casual display of psychokinesis Shin-ui showed no signs of surprise.

“Drinking alone in such a shabby manner isn’t like you. Has something happened?”

“Don’t worry about it. I was just thirsty for alcohol today.”

“Hmmm… I see.”

That seemed to be the extent of his interest as the old man did not ask further.

Thud.

As the old man walked slowly towards Shin-ui the martial arts uniform fluttered behind him.

The martial arts uniform had the name Namgung (南宮) clearly written on it.

“Oh then you’ve seen that child too.”

“…”

At the old man’s words Shin-ui’s shoulders trembled slightly.

“Was it So Yeom-ra…? That’s what they called the child.”

“If you want to see him go ahead. It seems the girl from that family is also with him.”

At Shin-ui’s words the old man grinned and sat down next to him.

“Since it’s a bit disappointing to see him now… I’ll treasure it for later. We’ll see him eventually so it’s fine to postpone the enjoyment a little.”

“You’re still as eccentric as ever.”

“That’s a rather uncomfortable story for you to hear.”

The old man shook the wine bottle as he spoke with a laugh.

Though it was cheap liquor he rarely drank it wasn’t bad to sip with the moon as a side dish.

Before long the sun set and on the night sky the full moon rose.

The living history of the Namgung Clan and one of the absolute figures of the orthodox sects of Murim.

The conqueror of the south.

Heavenly Lord Namgung Jeol-cheon gazed at the moon and took a sip of his drink.