Childhood Friend of the Zenith – 497 (Part 2)



497 (Part 2)

In the tranquil space the air shifts in an instant.

It was already overwhelming just from the pressure emitted by Gu Yang-cheon.

Huuuuuk-!

As an unknown heat began to emanate from Gu Yang-cheon’s body the sense of oppression doubled.

‘It’s hot.’

The heat brushing against my cheeks feels distinctly different.

The energy is much denser and heavier than expected forcing Gwae-seon to suppress the corners of his mouth that wanted to rise.

‘Impressive.’

History stands over there.

Gwae-seon was convinced of this.

He was witnessing a stroke that would surely be recorded in history for a long time.

Looking at Gu Yang-cheon Gwae-seon had to think that way.

If it’s already like this how high will it soar later?

The beginning of a pillar that will rise to an unseen place.

From the perspective of watching that starting point a sweet and bitter contradiction was felt.

Is he feeling envy for talent?

No.

Gwae-seon was not the type to feel such jealousy in the first place.

‘When levels are different you don’t feel such things.’

Jealousy is felt when there’s a sense of regret that you could have followed.

In the first place one feels awe towards something far away not jealousy.

That was exactly how it was with Gu Yang-cheon.

It was not a talent to covet.

That was a choice of the heavens.

It wouldn’t make sense otherwise.

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Then what is the regret Gwae-seon feels now?

‘That poor disciple of mine.’

It was precisely the regret regarding Woo-hyeok.

He was worried about Woo-hyeok who was watching such a monster from the side. That made Gwae-seon uncomfortable.

‘Hah I never thought I would worry like this.’

Even he found it absurd.

Worrying that his own disciple might feel intimidated by others of the same age.

Although it seemed that the disciple himself didn’t care much about such things.

Gwae-seon observed Woo-hyeok’s face from a distance.

‘… Why does he look so excited?’

Woo-hyeok was looking over here with an unusually bright face.

Even though his master was about to fight his friend he seemed more interested in when the fight would start.

This is ridiculous.

‘… Do I have bad luck with disciples?’

He had never thought such a thing until now.

On the contrary he had thought he was overflowing with good fortune. But now he felt that Woo-hyeok had somewhat changed perhaps due to choosing the wrong friends.

If that’s the case is that kid the problem?

Gwae-seon looked at Gu Yang-cheon.

It was irritating.

That gaze was quite bothersome.

Rather than being afraid before the fight there was a glimmer of joy in his eyes.

This meant he was looking forward to the fight with himself.

‘Good grief.’

What kind of person is this?

Gwae-seon couldn’t understand it. What was the intention behind welcoming this fight?

He vaguely sensed that the kid was hoping for something from him.

Gwae-seon had good instincts.

However he had no idea what that was.

‘Moreover.’

While Gu Yang-cheon was a problem the bigger issue was.

‘That I am secretly hoping for this fight.’

It was the fact that Gwae-seon himself was subtly looking forward to the fight with Gu Yang-cheon.

His senses were heightened.

His fighting spirit rose uncontrollably soon growling beyond his will.

Perhaps it was because of the instinct he possessed as a martial artist apart from his temperament.

The ambition to meet a worthy opponent revealed itself wanting to crush the opponent.

He recalled the time when Namgung Myung had told him to discipline him while writing his name.

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What was his heart like back then?

Outwardly he had cursed Namgung Myung for making him do this.

‘It’s an excuse.’

Deep down hadn’t he thought it was a good reason? Gwae-seon was piercing through his own contradictions.

He wanted to fight.

Was it because he was faced with such high potential?

How bright that brilliant light was.

Also.

‘How bright will it become?’

He wanted to experience that firsthand.

Sreung.

He drew his sword.

At that moment.

Huuuuuk–!

The pressure emanating from Gwae-seon’s body engulfed the surroundings.

Wuuung-!

Unlike the heavy pressure the sound of Gwae-seon’s sword was refreshingly clear.

It was a part that showed how outstanding the realm Gwae-seon had achieved was.

“Wow….”

Woo-hyeok who had been watching that in awe couldn’t help but express his admiration.

Seeing that he realized that his master was indeed capable.

‘Will it be okay?’

While he watched with interest he also felt worried.

His master who attracted complaints from those around him with his bizarre behavior was not someone anyone could ignore.

Elders and the Sect Leader had said that if it weren’t for his temperament he would have been a shoo-in for the next Sect Leader.

Of course… it didn’t seem like his temperament would change.

It seemed that the current Sect Leader the Mudaeng Sword Master wouldn’t grant him the position of Sect Leader.

On the contrary it seemed that his master didn’t particularly want that position either so it might not matter.

As the atmosphere gradually intensified Woo-hyeok observed Gu Yang-cheon.

His back was straightened.

There was a sense that something had changed in just a few days.

Despite his fierce and chaotic personality there was an unsettling calmness mixed in.

Even though he was a head shorter than Woo-hyeok he didn’t feel small at all.

His face looked battered but even without that Woo-hyeok instinctively sensed that Gu Yang-cheon had changed in some way.

‘What happened?’

He wanted to know.

Although Gu Yang-cheon was silent he pretended not to notice.

He wanted to hear what that intense change was.

Yet the reason he didn’t ask was ultimately due to Gu Yang-cheon’s will as explained above.

Since Gu Yang-cheon didn’t want to speak.

Woo-hyeok simply kept his mouth shut.

Wuuung–!!

The sound of the sword grew increasingly intense and at the same time the heat thickened.

Woo-hyeok reached out his hand.

Something brushed against his fingertips as he waved through the air.

It was a barrier.

A barrier was set up so that the energy emanating from the center wouldn’t reach Namgung Bia and Woo-hyeok.

Though he pretended not to notice Woo-hyeok with his keen ears could ‘hear’ that it was Gu Yang-cheon who had set it up.

Feeling this he looked at Gu Yang-cheon.

‘He will lose.’

If the two fought Gu Yang-cheon would be defeated.

No matter how outstanding Gu Yang-cheon was.

His master would not win.

Could Gu Yang-cheon possibly not know this?

No that kid was stepping up knowing full well.

Why?

Woo-hyeok couldn’t understand the reason.

Gu Yang-cheon seemed to easily spit out everything yet he swallowed the truly important things alone.

Having thought that far Woo-hyeok couldn’t help but sigh and glance beside him.

The two people especially Namgung Bia were staring intently at Gwae-seon.

“… Are you okay over there?”

“…”

She didn’t even look at him as if she had no interest in his words.

Woo-hyeok chuckled at her cold indifference.

“Jae-soo-ssi.”

“Yes?”

“Hah really.”

At the casually spoken title Namgung Bia turned her head.

With that simple yet firm attitude Woo-hyeok couldn’t help but smile.

“Are you okay Jae-soo-ssi?”

“… What do you mean…?”

“That fiery guy is about to fight. I’m asking if you’re okay.”

His master was on the verge of fighting.

When Gu Yang-cheon had come with that face Woo-hyeok couldn’t forget the look in Namgung Bia’s eyes as she watched.

‘… It looked like she was going to slice everything apart.’

How could he forget the very slight tremor in her fingertips gripping the sword handle?

If Namgung Bia and Woo-hyeok had fought then she would have undoubtedly lost.

Her fighting spirit was that terrifying.

But now she was about to face his master.

Would Namgung Bia’s heart be okay?

That was the intention behind his question.

“It’s okay.”

“Really?”

Surprisingly Namgung Bia answered calmly.

“Why?”

Just as Woo-hyeok was about to be taken aback by that answer.

Namgung Bia continued speaking.

“There must be a reason for him to act like that.”

“…”

There was a firm belief in her words.

And in that gap.

“However… I hope it’s not for me… for us.”

A faint sadness mixed in silencing Woo-hyeok.

‘This is a bit enviable.’

A slight envy tugged at him from deep within.

The greatest advantage Gu Yang-cheon had was.

Not his absurd talent but perhaps his precious fortune in relationships.

That feeling suddenly crossed his mind.

Woo-hyeok turned his head. He saw Gu Yang-cheon who had opened his small fist already at the point where the heat had risen to its peak and soon something would happen.

As he thought that and focused his gaze.

Pat-!

Like a lie the new energy between Gwae-seon and Gu Yang-cheon vanished.

Kwaaaah-!

Suddenly a tremendous roar began to erupt.