Childhood Friend of the Zenith – 514 (Part 2)



514 (Part 2)

The sharp sensation sent chills down the spine of the Poison King.

The Poison King is no fool.

He understood well what it meant to feel absolutely nothing.

‘Is this the extent of the difference in our levels?’

Such phenomena often manifested when there was a disparity in levels between opponents.

When the Poison King looked at a martial artist who had just reached their peak or faced top-tier martial artists they would feel this way.

But what if the situation were reversed? How could that be explained?

The Poison King struggled to suppress the words that came to mind.

“… Is that… what you found?”

He gestured towards something behind Gu Cheol-woon.

It appeared to be an entrance leading underground.

He had never known that the Tang Clan had such spaces and entrances.

The Poison King slowly approached the entrance and cautiously expressed his gratitude to Gu Cheol-woon.

“… Truly thank you. Gu Clan Head.”

“…”

Just after exchanging a light clasped hands greeting he was about to head underground.

Creeeak-!

“…!”

Gu Cheol-woon grabbed the Poison King’s arm halting his steps.

The distant pressure felt in his arm made the Poison King swallow hard.

“… Gu Clan Head?”

– This is the last time. Tang Cheon-gi.

“…”

– You called me to clear your family’s sins and I will allow it. But know this clearly.

The energy contained in the telepathy echoed in the Poison King’s body resonating all around him.

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He felt like he might collapse and vomit at any moment.

– I acted out of respect for you who lived somewhat humanely compared to others.

Gu Cheol-woon’s red eyes were fixed on the Poison King.

– If you try to use my child as an excuse to handle matters one more time…

The killing intent in his voice made the Poison King feel as if his legs might give way at any moment.

But they did not.

Gu Cheol-woon was suppressing even that.

Without his permission he could not fall.

This was likely a demonstration for him.

– There will be no next time.

“… I… understand. I will remember….”

As the Poison King spat out the corrupted officials’ names Gu Cheol-woon relaxed his grip.

At that moment the suffocating pressure that had gripped his entire body vanished.

Staggering.

As the Poison King stumbled and moved the martial artists behind him immediately placed their hands on their sheaths.

“… Stop!”

Seeing this the Poison King burst out in anger.

“Remove your hands from your swords at once. This person is a valuable guest of the Tang Clan.”

Shouting with qi the martial artists finally cautiously composed themselves.

The Poison King understood.

Gu Cheol-woon had given a warning through telepathy ultimately considering the Poison King’s honor in front of all these martial artists.

Moreover he was certain that even if he had charged in with the intent to kill he could not defeat Gu Cheol-woon.

Just looking at the pressure from earlier confirmed that.

“I apologize….”

“Let us go.”

At the Poison King’s apology Gu Cheol-woon nodded slightly and began to walk down the stairs first.

The Poison King followed behind him.

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

As he looked around the underground space the Poison King found himself at a loss for words.

From what he could see as he descended it seemed connected to the torture chamber owned by the Tang Clan.

Yet even that was secretly managed mixed with spells formations and mechanisms.

It was a delicate combination that could not be measured in terms of cost.

So intricate that even the Clan Head of the Tang Clan would not know….

“… This is unbelievable….”

The time it took to reach the place from the park was shorter than the time spent descending underground.

This meant it was absurdly deep.

After descending for quite a while the sight that greeted him was.

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“… Hell.”

It would not be an exaggeration to call it that.

The blood and the stench of blood that had been felt since the middle of the stairs.

The miasma that enveloped the air.

Most of it was the blood of demonic beasts.

As he reached the bottom he could see it.

The corpses of demonic beasts piled up here and there.

From the green grade to the blue grade they were all mixed together.

Upon closer inspection they were all known to use poison.

Some had been dismembered with skins and entrails separated.

Bones were also gathered.

Or there were signs that only the blood had been drained.

What were they trying to do with this?

The Poison King had to tightly shut his eyes.

Gu Cheol-woon then asked him.

“Are you scared?”

Scared? The Poison King nodded.

“… Very much so.”

How could he not be?

He had worked so hard to cleanse all sins to be included among the orthodox sects.

Yet he had not cleared even a little.

In fact it seemed to have become much thicker.

The Poison King was terrified of that.

To this Gu Cheol-woon said.

“Then endure it.”

He spoke plainly.

There was no other way.

“If you are shaken by just this much I would not look at it.”

“…”

If he could be shaken by the corpses of demonic beasts he would not be able to endure it.

The Poison King bit his lip at Gu Cheol-woon’s words.

He knew as well. Within the horrifically spread pool of demonic beast blood.

That it was not just the blood of demonic beasts.

Human blood was certainly mixed in. A considerable amount too.

It was not just demonic beasts that had met their end here; many humans had also died in this place. That was the implication.

Even without the Clan Head knowing.

“I’m curious.”

Gu Cheol-woon said as he looked at this scene.

“Are you still orthodox sects after all this?”

“…”

It was a simple curiosity.

Is it still correct to call them orthodox sects after committing such acts?

There was no mocking tone nor was there a sneering tone.

It was purely a question born out of curiosity and that made it hurt even more.

The space was not yet over.

Now it was merely the entrance.

The Poison King calmed his weary mind and continued to walk.

After taking a few more steps he arrived at what appeared to be a spacious center.

“Welcome.”

There was someone inside. The Poison King widened his eyes upon seeing him.

“… Gu Mister?”

A young man with a fierce face and a small build for a male martial artist resembling Gu Cheol-woon.

Gu Yang-cheon was waiting for the Poison King.

“How did you….”

Just as the Poison King was about to question how this young man was here he noticed someone in front of Gu Yang-cheon.

A figure trembling and lying flat on the ground.

The Poison King could guess who it was by the clothes and atmosphere he wore.

Could it be….

“… Elder Il…?”

Thud-!

As the Poison King called out to him the old man suddenly began banging his head on the floor.

Then he said.

“I’m sorry…. I’m so sorry. I am… the trash of the world…. I’m sorry. Please forgive me…. I’m so sorry….”

“…”

Thud-! Thud-!

He began to express his guilt in an exaggerated manner.

What on earth was going on?

The Poison King and the martial artists behind him of course.

“…”

Even Gu Cheol-woon was watching the situation with a sense of discomfort.

“Oh that’s the thing….”

Gu Yang-cheon who was in front spoke with a somewhat awkward expression.

“I was a bit bored waiting…. So I thought I’d get a confession….”

As he spoke his gaze was directed elsewhere.

“I guess the process was a bit too intense. Haha…! Isn’t it funny?”

Gu Yang-cheon forced a smile.

But naturally no one joined in his laughter.