Childhood Friend of the Zenith – 549 (Part 1)



549 (Part 1)

”'<550th Episode> Shaman.

“Oppa?”

As I was slightly taken aback by the unfamiliar term of endearment the other person seemed equally surprised their eyes wide open as they looked at me.

Even just looking at them their large eyes were rounder than usual.

“Why are you here Oppa?”

At Guryunghwa’s question I too had to furrow my brows.

“That’s what I want to ask.”

Why are they here?

“Why are you here?”

“Oppa what about you?”

We exchanged incredulous looks.

Who would have thought we would run into each other here?

Moreover it had been quite a while since I last saw Guryunghwa.

Originally they were family but the situation had changed since they left for the Demonic Gate.

Given the distance we wouldn’t have had a chance to see each other unless it was a special occasion.

‘How many years has it been?’

I thought it had been about five years since I last saw them.

Perhaps because of the time that had passed Guryunghwa looked quite different from the last time I saw them.

The chubby-cheeked little girl was nowhere to be found.

In her place stood a woman who exuded a sense of maturity.

‘Hmm.’

What should I call that?

If Guhibi or Guyeonseo had the sharp features characteristic of the Gu family Guryunghwa had a softness to her appearance.

It was just like…

‘She resembles my mother.’

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Her looks reminded me of my mother from my memories.

As I was examining Guryunghwa’s face from various angles she was doing the same to mine for the same reason.

No it seemed her gaze was more focused on my body?

“…Oppa.”

“Hmm?”

“Why… why have you grown so much?”

“…What?”

Guryunghwa’s voice sounded as if she couldn’t comprehend.

Grown? What does she mean by that?

Looking into Guryunghwa’s eyes I realized.

‘Ah.’

She must be talking about my height.

Even though I had slimmed down a bit I was still not small.

‘Did I not slim down enough?’

Having grown significantly during the shedding process I had tried to adjust to my original physique.

That was not easy.

‘The people around me are all quite tall.’

The people around me had heights that far exceeded the average.

It was hard to gauge this just by looking.

Perhaps that was why Guryunghwa was so flustered.

“I’ve grown a bit because I’ve been eating and sleeping well.”

“Not just a bit…? You’ve grown a lot.”

For some reason Guryunghwa looked quite aggrieved.

It seemed she was not pleased with my growth.

Indeed Guryunghwa while having good proportions was on the smaller side.

‘She seems similar to Dangsoyeol.’

It couldn’t be helped.

Most of the Gu family members were on the smaller side.

It was only Elder or my father who were exceptions; historically there hadn’t been many tall individuals.

In my previous life I hadn’t even reached six feet.

I had a rather small physique for a male martial artist.

Considering that Guryunghwa being small was unavoidable.

Thus I had no choice but to ignore Guryunghwa’s grievances.

“…So why are you here?”

At my question Guryunghwa slightly frowned.

Just as she was about to say something.

“Shigu.”

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A voice calling for Guryunghwa came from behind.

This was the same presence I had felt earlier.

Upon hearing her name Guryunghwa pressed her lips together.

I shifted my gaze from her to the owner of the voice.

A young man was walking towards us under the moonlit ground.

Even though it was night it felt like light was gathering only in that direction.

Whoosh—.

Moreover the wind blowing from the young man carried a subtle floral scent.

This was definitely not an illusion.

“It’s been a while.”

The young man smiled as he spoke to me.

With his tall stature and handsome face combined with that deep smile he still had that annoying look.

Looking at him I said.

“…Yeongpung Dojang.”

The young man’s identity was none other than the youngest prodigy of the Mount Hua Sect the current Sword Dragon Yeongpung.

“Haha!”

At my call Yeongpung awkwardly smiled and walked over.

“I didn’t expect to see you here. Have you been well?”

Yeongpung approached me with his characteristic gentle smile.

“Yes the Dojang…”

As I spoke I briefly glanced at Yeongpung.

“It seems you’ve been doing well. Quite well in fact.”

“Hahaha….”

Even as I spoke I was internally quite surprised.

‘Look at him?’

Yeongpung’s level was extraordinary.

‘He’s on the verge of a breakthrough isn’t he?’

Just a few years ago Yeongpung had reached the peak of his abilities.

Now astonishingly he was on the brink of a transformation.

Moreover.

‘His energy has deepened significantly.’

The martial arts of the Mount Hua Sect had become incredibly profound.

“…What have you been doing?”

I hadn’t intended to ask but I couldn’t help my curiosity.

What on earth had he been doing in the Mount Hua Sect to change so drastically?

As I asked Yeongpung maintained a slightly awkward expression and replied.

“I didn’t expect you to notice so quickly. As expected it’s Mister Gu.”

“It’s not something you can overlook.”

It was absurd.

If Yeongpung had tried to hide his level it would have been one thing.

But now he was not hiding it at all; rather he was revealing it.

‘How could I not notice with such a huge presence?’

His presence was magnified.

An immense energy was radiating from Yeongpung.

‘That’s why I noticed.’

I could sense someone approaching from afar.

The reason was Yeongpung’s current state.

With such energy emanating from him how could I not be aware?

“Ah.”

Upon hearing my words Yeongpung reacted as if he realized something.

“…Oh dear it seems I’ve made a mistake.”

As he said that his energy began to diminish gradually.

The wind around us lessened and the floral scent subtly faded away.

Once all the energy disappeared I understood how he had been radiating such energy.

“It seems you haven’t gained enlightenment for long.”

“Haha….”

Yeongpung chuckled awkwardly.

It seemed he had recently gained some sort of enlightenment and rapidly grown.

So he was unable to control his energy and was expressing it so openly.

Sigh.

At that sight Guryunghwa beside me let out a deep sigh.

Then she looked at Yeongpung and said.

“…Please I told you to hide your energy.”

“Shigu did I stand out that much?”

“Of course you did!”

Guryunghwa shot a tired look at Yeongpung.

“Do you not remember how many demonic beasts were drawn to you because of your energy on the way here?”

With such strong energy it seemed the demonic beasts had rushed at him upon sensing it.

“I’m sorry. I tried to hide it… but it’s not easy.”

As Yeongpung spoke with an apologetic expression Guryunghwa seemed to have no more words and pressed her lips together.

It seemed she understood it wasn’t intentional.

“Forget it… the demonic beasts were all taken care of by Shigu anyway.”

“No you also put in effort…”

“I have a conscience so you don’t need to say that.”

“…Yes.”

At Guryunghwa’s firm words Yeongpung fell silent.

Watching that I spoke up.

“So what’s the relationship between you two?”

No matter how I looked at it it was a peculiar pairing.

The third-generation disciple Yeongpung and the second-generation disciple Guryunghwa together.

Aside from that it was strange that two people who should be in the Mount Hua Sect were so far away in Hunan.

“That is…”

As Guryunghwa was about to answer my question.

“Sect Leader’s order.”

Yeongpung interjected cutting off Guryunghwa.

“Sect Leader?”

“Yes.”

If Yeongpung was referring to the Sect Leader it must mean the Plum Blossom Sword of the Mount Hua Sect.

“Did the Sect Leader send you two all the way here?”

“Yes.”

It was an illogical combination to send the third-generation disciples who found it difficult to leave the sect along with the young second-generation disciple Guryunghwa.

Given that I wanted to ask more but I refrained.

I understood the implications of what Yeongpung had said.

‘The fact that he mentioned the Sect Leader means…’

It was a significant matter within the sect and without the Sect Leader’s permission they couldn’t speak about it.

That was the implication.

‘It means they’re blocking any prior inquiries.’

Once I grasped that I immediately lost interest.

“Alright. That’s enough.”

As I casually responded Yeongpung smiled slightly at me.

“…Mister Gu you haven’t changed.”

Haven’t changed? No one else has changed as much as I have.

“Is that a compliment?”

“Yes at least I believed you wouldn’t change. I’m relieved.”

It didn’t quite feel like a compliment.

But I decided not to nitpick.

“…So why are you here Oppa?”

At the next question I looked at Guryunghwa.

“Aren’t you supposed to be in Sansu?”

What should I say in response? I pondered for a moment but couldn’t think of anything particularly clever so I decided to answer casually.

“I just… ran away from home.”

“What…?”

As a runaway there couldn’t be a simpler explanation.

“I just wanted to get some fresh air. So I ran away.”

As I said this bluntly Guryunghwa’s expression changed immediately.

She looked somewhat disappointed.

“Oppa….”

“…I was about to go back soon. I’m actually on my way home right now.”

To be honest I was considering going straight to Henan instead of home.

But that didn’t matter.

Guryunghwa looked at me with a look of disbelief for a moment then turned her eyes to scan the surroundings.

It seemed she was looking for something.

“What are you doing?””’