Childhood Friend of the Zenith – 486 (Part 2)



486 (Part 2)

”’It looks like I’m staring at a madman.

Is it really that surprising that I swallowed poison myself for this?

[Well you did it knowing it was poison. Aren’t you surprised?]

‘That is true.’

I just feel a bit disappointed.

I thought the Poison King would immediately grasp the situation and change the subject.

Does that mean the shock was that great?

“I took the poison because I knew I wouldn’t die anyway so it’s fine.”

“That’s not the issue right now…!”

The Poison King reacts somewhat violently to my nonchalant remark.

‘Hmm.’

Could it be that he was worried this would worsen the Tang Clan’s reputation?

That was something I couldn’t do anything about.

It wasn’t the time to consider such matters.

If this was a problem then just as I began to understand the Poison King’s reaction.

“What if there are aftereffects?”

“…”

“No matter how young you are what kind of dangerous behavior is this?”

‘Oh.’

The conversation flowed much more normally than I expected leaving me more flustered.

I never imagined he would be concerned about my health. This was a bit unexpected.

[Are you just too distrustful of the world?]

‘This was a bit refreshing.’

Maybe that’s why.

I found myself smiling slightly without realizing it.

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“Mr. Gu?”

“Oh I’m sorry. I wasn’t mocking or anything. I was just surprised by Clan Head’s reaction.”

Saying that I got off the bed.

Twitch.

As I tried to move a strange energy stirred within me. I could tell as soon as I felt it.

This is poison energy.

Perhaps because the energy felt particularly different it was unusually vivid.

‘Hmm.’

Frowning slightly at the feeling of the poison energy.

It was something I had sensed when returning to the current realm but I was only certain of it after consuming the poison directly.

I moved my fingertips slightly and spoke to the Poison King.

“It’s quite fascinating that you’re worried about me.”

“Don’t move. The antidote is still…”

“Is this enough justification for you?”

“…!”

“It seems sufficient to me.”

As I said this with a smile the Poison King tightly shut his mouth.

Justification. Upon hearing those words the Poison King seemed to realize something.

Whatever the matter there must be justification.

Whether it’s personal revenge or moving towards something.

Even if it means overturning a clan.

Such actions required sufficient justification.

That served as a driving force that made it easier for humans to act when they were about to do something.

It was something the Poison King needed more than anything right now.

‘Honestly I could just flip things over out of anger.’

But from the Clan Head’s perspective that might not be the case.

I was showing a bit of consideration.

Moreover.

‘It would be nice to have a reason to go wild.’

I wanted to create a reason to act freely.

[Seeing you only think of these things at times like this is quite sad in many ways.]

‘You always mix insults with compliments. Why not just stick to one?’

[What do you mean by that? It was all insults.]

‘…’

I thought you were complimenting me for being able to think but I guess not.

Sniff.

I awkwardly wiped my nose and walked past the Poison King.

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“As I mentioned last time I’m not waiting for Clan Head’s answer.”

Even if you don’t step up I will act. That’s what I meant.

“I’ll go ahead.”

“Mr. Gu! As I said earlier the antidote is still…”

“You don’t need to give me the antidote. I don’t think I’ll need it.”

“What do you mean…?”

“It’s not as painful a poison as I thought. If I need it I’ll let you know.”

Saying that I made a gesture and stepped outside.

I could feel the Poison King staring at me with a look as if his soul had left his body unable to stop me until the very end.

But truly I was fine.

‘How fascinating.’

Hmm.

Feeling the poison energy gathering in my body I recalled.

Another anomaly that occurred when I returned to the current realm.

I spread my energy slightly towards the felt poison energy.

Then.

Sssssss…!

The poison energy in my body gradually disappeared and smoke began to seep out of my mouth.

Seeing that I had to laugh in disbelief.

‘Why did I drink so much lake water?’

I had absorbed all the water from the Poison Lake yet my energy hadn’t increased at all. What a ridiculous situation.

I didn’t think the Tang Clan would have destroyed their own treasures as a gift.

Now I could finally understand the real gift she had mentioned.

It seemed that I had indeed.

‘This works.’

I had become the body that the Tang Clan had longed for.

myriad poison immunity.

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

After walking a bit I stepped outside my dwelling. In the distance I saw Tang So-yeol standing.

As I slowly approached Tang So-yeol seemed to notice me and jumped in surprise running over.

“Young Master!?”

“Hello.”

“How…?? You said you might not regain consciousness for a few days… Are you okay…?”

“Oh I’m fine. The poison seems to have been milder than I thought.”

As I said this with a smile Tang So-yeol suddenly burst into tears and hugged me.

I was taken aback by the sudden embrace.

“Why are you crying? I’m fine you know?”

“I’m so sorry… I’m really sorry….”

I was taken aback.

I could feel my chest getting wet from her tears.

It seemed she had been very worried since the incident with the Tang Clan.

“When you collapsed as if acting… I thought it was a lie. I’m sorry. Really….”

“…”

Tang So-yeol’s words of apology were truly painful.

[See? You shouldn’t act like that.]

‘… Damn it.’

It was a sincere act on my part.

But it didn’t work. At this point it was clear that the world was wrong.

I wasn’t the one who was wrong; the world was wrong. Yes.

[That’s… not true. Enough.]

No-ya’s reaction as if giving up only made me feel more irritated.

I patted Tang So-yeol’s hair to soothe my bitter feelings.

“Calm down. They said you just need to rest for a few days.”

“But….”

“Stop crying. I don’t want to wash my clothes.”

To be precise it was the attendants who would wash them but I felt uneasy about getting them wet with tears.

“Yes….”

At my words Tang So-yeol made a sulky face.

It seemed my words had hurt her feelings.

Just as I was about to offer an apology upon seeing that.

“Hehe… it’s quite a sight.”

Someone approached and spoke to us.

My gaze shifted.

It was an old man. Dressed in a deep green silk robe with neatly groomed white hair.

Moreover.

He had the same faint scent of blood that I had sensed from the Poison King.

He was the old man who had been by Tang So-yeol’s side since he approached.

“Oh.”

Seeing the old man Tang So-yeol jumped back in surprise.

Her ears turned red indicating she was embarrassed.

“Th-This is our Elder. Elder this is….”

“I know. Young Lady. How could I not know the young hero who has been the talk of the town lately?”

‘Young Lady?’

I tilted my head at the title that came from the old man’s mouth.

Young Lady. And with such high honorifics.

No matter how much she was Clan Head’s bloodline it was too much respect for an Elder of a clan.

In that situation the old man smiled widely and spoke to me.

“Shoyeon. They say you are called that. Hehe… It is truly an honor to meet someone who will lead the future of the Central Plains.”

“Um.”

“I am the Elder of the Tang Clan. My name is Tang Byu.”

The old man introduced himself with a smile.

Tang Byu.

It was a name I had never heard before.

I might be able to recall it if I thought hard enough but I had no intention of doing so.

Tang Byu who seemed friendly and smiled as he greeted me.

I smiled back at him.

Swish.

“Ah!?”

Suddenly I pulled Tang So-yeol into my arms.

Tang So-yeol let out a sound in surprise at my sudden action.

Hmm.

I lightly placed my fingertips on her ears to cover them.

So she wouldn’t hear anything.

Immediately after I looked at Tang Byu’s face and spoke as plainly as possible.

“What’s the matter?”

“…!?”

“Are you looking to die?”

At my harsh words Tang Byu’s smile instantly crumbled.”’