Childhood Friend of the Zenith – 556 (Part 2)



556 (Part 2)

”’It was to see how he would respond.

“If you wear this item like a bracelet you will be able to observe each other’s movements.”

“…Observe movements you say?”

“Yes you will be able to clearly notice movements within a distance that is not too far.”

That’s surprising.

I thought he would speak in riddles since I didn’t know what the item was.

Contrary to my expectations Ubaek spoke honestly about the Yeon-ui-seon.

The problem is in other words.

“You mean you intend to monitor us for a day.”

It was no different from the shaman keeping us captive and watching us for a day.

At my words Ubaek continued speaking without wiping the smile off his face.

“Today marks the fifth day mentioned in this letter.”

The letter stated that the spirit object would be taken within five days.

So today was the last day.

“If it were just a simple prank that would be fortunate. However I believe the chances are greater that it is not.”

“…Why do you think so?”

“Because the letter was in my place five days ago.”

Why is that? I was about to ask.

“I was in this place at the time but I did not notice any presence until the letter was placed on the table.”

“…!”

The Elder of the shaman and a master among the top martial artists of the Central Plains did not even sense someone entering the same space and leaving the letter behind.

This means.

‘The shaman was unaware that an outsider had invaded and caused trouble.’

No matter how lax the defenses were it was still a shaman.

Gu Pa-il-bang is not just any dog’s name; it wouldn’t be easy.

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‘If it were me…’

It might be possible.

If one were to use powers other than martial arts it wouldn’t be impossible.

‘But I can’t do that.’

It was impossible to sneak in and leave the letter on the table without Ubaek noticing.

One would need to be at least at the level of an Anwang (Dark King) to pull that off.

“Thus it means that we cannot help but be suspicious.”

“Hmm.”

Listening to Ubaek’s explanation I understood to some extent.

It felt unpleasant that he was openly stating he would monitor us.

“I understand the situation but may I ask something?”

“Speak.”

“If I say I’m leaving now will you let me go peacefully?”

I hinted at trying to slip away.

“I hope you can understand with a broad mind.” Ubaek naturally indicated that he could not do that.

That makes sense.

‘Since I’ve already heard about the Wind and Cloud Spirit.’

It means he wouldn’t easily let me go.

Hmm.

‘This has become troublesome.’

I was curious about the shaman’s affairs but I had no intention of getting involved like this.

I only needed to know about Gyeojeong and Yeongpung.

Getting entangled in unnecessary matters here was a hassle.

‘Should I just flip the table?’

I calculated in my mind.

Could I flip everything and still leave quietly?

The calculation didn’t take long.

‘Impossible.’

In my current state it was impossible.

I concluded that.

‘If I cause a ruckus over this my plans will be disrupted.’

It’s not that it was impossible.

It meant I wouldn’t do it.

It was too great a loss to abandon my plans for just this one day.

‘Even if that weren’t the case.’

I was thinking of something while looking at the Yeon-ui-seon in front of me.

There were too many strange points in the current situation.

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If I picked each one up and gathered them in one place it would become even clearer.

‘If only Mu Yong-hui or Ji-seon were here it would have been easier.’

If those two were here they might have figured out the answer with just this much information.

I wasn’t that clever so it was taking me a while.

However one thing was certain.

‘There’s a foul smell.’

It meant that something was entangled in this matter.

That was all I needed to grasp.

‘This is good.’

If I used this it didn’t seem too difficult to obtain what I wanted.

‘If my predictions are correct.’

I put on the Yeon-ui-seon in front of me and thought.

Did he say a day?

That would be enough.

A day would be sufficient to confirm what this foul smell was.

Just as I was thinking that.

Creeeak.

I heard a presence from outside.

“Elder the Sword Master has arrived.”

With the voice the door to the place opened and someone came in.

“Master!”

Gureonghwa who had been sitting stood up with a bright smile.

Yongpung also moved along.

Seeing this the one who entered through the door was none other than the current Sword Master.

So Yi.

A beautiful woman with long black hair. She looked to be just over thirty gently stroking Gureonghwa’s head as she spoke.

“It’s been a while. Have you been well?”

“Yes….”

Gureonghwa seemed to enjoy So Yi’s embrace nestled comfortably.

Her gaze briefly lingered on Gureonghwa before turning towards me.

Yongpung must have sent a letter saying I was also coming so she didn’t seem surprised.

“You’ve been well too….”

So Yi who was about to speak to me seemed to sense something and widened her eyes in surprise.

After a few seconds of silence So Yi spoke to me still with a look of astonishment.

“…You’re truly remarkable. How much time has passed….”

I had to smile awkwardly.

It was a somewhat burdensome reaction.

“Have you been well?”

“…Yes.”

Is it really three years since I last saw her?

Considering the last time was at Sinryonggwan it had indeed been a while since I saw her.

I pushed my reaction aside and looked at the box in her hand.

That must contain ‘Gyeojeong.’

Confirming that I continued speaking.

“I will greet you properly later. I don’t think this is a place for me to stay any longer.”

No one objected to my words.

Although I was there as a distinguished guest it was no longer appropriate.

If this was indeed a place for exchanging spirit objects outsiders should not be present.

That was the courtesy owed to the two sects.

‘If it were up to me I would want to see it directly.’

I wanted to confirm right away if that Gyeojeong was real.

But I couldn’t be unreasonable so I planned to step out and wait.

‘If Yongpung uses it I’ll see it naturally.’

I would see it soon enough so there was no need to rush.

After all I had to be tied up for at least a day.

“I will step out first. Please convey any remaining messages to the Master.”

“Ah understood.”

After asking Yongpung to let me know if there were any further messages I finished with a light bow and stepped outside.

Outside the shaman’s disciples were already waiting.

As I mentioned earlier their purpose was surveillance.

‘Tsk.’

As I clicked my tongue lightly the man in front approached me and spoke.

“We have prepared a comfortable space for you. I will guide you.”

Hearing that I was about to follow him when.

-What!? Why is this happening!?

-Wait wait…!

-We have to catch them…!

Voices began to emerge from the back where my companions were.

“Hmm?”

Curious about what was happening I turned my head just in time.

Creeeak-! Bang-!

The door to the place that had been closed opened on its own.

Whoosh-!

Something flew towards me from inside.

“What is this….”

For a moment I was startled by the sudden situation.

So today was indeed the last day.

The letter stated that the spirit object would be taken within five days.

“If it were just a simple prank that would be fortunate. However I believe the chances are greater that it is not.”

I had to brace myself as I watched the object flying towards me.

A long cloth with a crimson hue.

That item which I had seen many times before rushed towards me.

Whoosh-!

Suddenly it wrapped itself around my right arm.

“Crazy!”

Just as I was startled and about to move my body.

“Oh.”

“Huh?”

“Wha…?”

I locked eyes with the people who rushed out of the place in a hurry.

Their gazes shifted from my eyes to my right arm.

‘This is bad.’

Feeling their gaze I had to swallow my breath.”’