Childhood Friend of the Zenith – 536 (Part 1)



536 (Part 1)

“I have to find it.”

I had to find it.

Something I could believe in and follow as my conviction.

Something that could hold me steady and help me endure the constant shaking.

“Young Master?”

Was it because I had fallen silent in the midst of our conversation?

Moyong Hee-ah called out to me.

“Sorry I was just thinking for a moment. So what happened?”

“What do you mean what happened? We wrapped up everything related to the Tang Clan.”

A sigh mixed with her words.

From the fatigue etched on her face it seemed that Moyong Hee-ah hadn’t slept properly since the incident broke out.

So she wrapped up the dealings with the Tang Clan.

That meant…

“Are you saying you finished the deal?”

I was asking if she had severed ties with the Tang Clan itself apart from the agreements that were already in place.

Normally one wouldn’t be able to just cut off dealings like that during a set period.

‘But given the circumstances…’

If things had escalated to this extent the Tang Clan wouldn’t be able to say much if we cut ties.

Even if the Moyong Clan unilaterally severed the dealings there wouldn’t be any issues.

However.

“I didn’t completely cut ties. If I had I would have been less busy.”

Moyong Hee-ah denied it.

“I just had to change some conditions and revise the ratios….”

Ah.

So that’s why she was busy.

Get notified for updates: https://discord.gg/93rmBjgP6B

What she meant was that she had to completely change the existing treaties.

And she had revised the trading ratios related to them.

‘…She’s quite impressive isn’t she?’

Hearing that made me look at Moyong Hee-ah in a new light.

I had known she was capable but the reason I was surprised was more about…

‘Her position seems to be much higher than I expected.’

The power Moyong Hee-ah held within the clan seemed greater than I had thought.

It was understandable that she could quickly turn the situation around given her abilities.

What I found remarkable was that she could make those changes without the permission of the Clan Head Baek Cheon-gum.

Of course it would be Baek Cheon-gum’s responsibility to confirm and seal the changes.

‘Seeing that she did it without hesitation it must mean she was allowed to.’

The fact that Moyong Hee-ah took the initiative to act suggests she had enough confidence in her decisions.

Noticing the meaning behind my gaze Moyong Hee-ah tilted her head and asked.

“Why are you looking at me like that?”

“I just thought you were quite impressive.”

“…Really?”

She looked at me as if I were spouting nonsense out of nowhere.

I was genuinely surprised but it seemed a bit much.

In the midst of this a question arose and I had to ask her more.

“But why didn’t you cut ties completely and just adjusted things?”

If the Tang Clan’s incident spread throughout the Central Plains it would undoubtedly affect the Moyong Clan which had agreements in place.

Moyong Hee-ah should have known that better than I did yet she only adjusted things without severing ties with the Tang Clan.

In response to my question Moyong Hee-ah slightly averted her gaze and said.

“Honestly I wanted to cut ties.”

“Really?”

“The ship I was on caught fire. I couldn’t stay on it.”

I understood. It was a situation that could easily lead to that conclusion.

“But.”

“But?”

“One can’t live solely by calculations.”

I was slightly taken aback by her words.

She was someone I considered the most calculating among those I knew so I couldn’t help but be surprised.

“What’s with that expression?”

“The expression of someone who just heard the most surprising thing this year.”

“What do you mean?”

“I’m joking.”

It wasn’t really a joke but seeing Moyong Hee-ah’s eyes narrow I quickly changed my words.

Join our discord and ping me to update more chapters. Discord: https://discord.gg/93rmBjgP6B

‘…That Moyong Hee-ah.’

A woman who had ruthlessly discarded those she deemed unnecessary in the underworld focusing solely on survival.

The fact that she handled things this way due to a sense of obligation sounded somewhat different to me.

“Who is it for…? It’s just ridiculous.”

“What do you mean?”

“Nothing.”

Hmph.

Moyong Hee-ah snorted and frowned.

“Anyway since the situation has come to this… Young Master you need to prepare as well.”

“What do you mean?”

“Since the Tang Clan is in this state shouldn’t the Gu family also take some action?”

“…Well they should but I won’t be doing anything.”

Even if they did it would be my father or the Elders who would act.

If anything Gu Hee-bi might step in.

‘What could I possibly do?’

Whether I could do something or not I had no intention of getting involved.

At least not for now.

“Seems like you’re not particularly interested in family matters?”

It was embarrassing but that was true.

I wasn’t particularly invested in it.

My only concern was related to the blood calamity.

Seeing my disinterest Moyong Hee-ah’s expression changed slightly.

“…Then if you get married later there will be a lot more work… Should I study in advance?”

“What?”

“Never mind. If you don’t have any plans there’s nothing I can do. I have a lot of work so I’ll be going ahead.”

“No… Hey what did you just say…?”

“If you have nothing to do please take care of Miss Tang. She looks like she’s having a hard time.”

Ignoring my question Moyong Hee-ah simply said her piece and disappeared.

“…What was that?”

After sending Moyong Hee-ah off I touched my lips.

“Hmm…”

In the solitude Moyong Hee-ah’s request to take care of Tang So-yeol lingered in my ears.

Gone was her usual smile replaced by the dark expression on Tang So-yeol’s face.

The day I sought out Tang So-yeol regarding the jewel.

She had clearly rejected it and said to me:

– I can overcome this.

She was aware of her own insecurities.

And she believed she could overcome it.

Seeing that determination I had to give up on using the jewel for Tang So-yeol.

One.

‘Still it feels wrong to just leave it be.’

At that time Tang So-yeol hadn’t known that things had escalated.

Now the situation could be different.

But to use the jewel on Tang So-yeol now?

‘No way.’

That was something I would refuse on my end.

Tang So-yeol who had said she could overcome it was shining brightly.

I had no intention of trampling on that light.

So should I at least offer some comfort?

‘That’s not it either.’

Given my personality I couldn’t offer that kind of comfort and what Tang So-yeol needed right now wasn’t that.

She needed a path.

She had faith in herself so she needed a way to make things easier.

Even if Moyong Hee-ah hadn’t said it.

I had already thought about this.

Whether it was the right choice or not was uncertain.

But ultimately the final decision would be up to Tang So-yeol.

I would simply show her the paths that seemed right to me one by one.

After taking a few deep breaths I quietly opened my mouth while gazing into the void.

“Senior…”

“Yes.”

I heard an immediate response to my softly whispered words.

The voice came from behind me.

Turning my head I saw the Shadow King kneeling there.

‘I didn’t even sense him.’

I had called out but I hadn’t felt the presence of the Shadow King.

I had just assumed he would be nearby. Thankfully he was indeed there.

I looked at him and spoke.

“There’s something I didn’t finish discussing last time.”

“Yes.”

“I will listen.”

“…”

At my words the Shadow King’s eyes sparkled.

“I don’t know how to lift the curse… but the latter is at least something that can be done easily. I can listen to you as much as you want.”

The request to kill.

That was something I could grant without hesitation. Even right now.

The problem was.

“However it can’t be done right now. I need you Senior.”

It meant that it couldn’t be done at this moment.

“It won’t take long… but after the matter I desire is resolved I believe I can grant your request.”

“…”

“Would that be acceptable to you? If you don’t like it then there’s nothing I can do.”

If he said he didn’t like it it would mean he wouldn’t accept it. There was a hint of threat in my words.

The Shadow King showed no significant change in expression upon hearing that.

He must have already known.

‘That I need to use you.’

The Shadow King couldn’t be unaware of the value of righteousness and he must have pleaded with me knowing all of that.

“What do you wish for great being?”

As expected the Shadow King tried to accept my words without any issue.

Was it that he had no choice?

“First I want to change that guy’s title… but that’s secondary.”

I asked while looking into the Shadow King’s eyes.

“How far can you go for me?”

How far could he go for me and further for what he desired.

I inquired about that.

The Shadow King responded.

“If it’s something I can do anything.”

He declared it firmly.

In fact I should have been the one taken aback by those words.

“Anything…?”

“If there’s someone you wish to kill I will bring you their head. No matter who it is.”