Childhood Friend of the Zenith – 559 (Part 2)



559 (Part 2)

“I…”

In response to my question Seong-yul spoke without changing his expression.

“I can sense the lies of others.”

“What?”

It was another fascinating answer.

To be able to sense lies?

I was about to ask for a detailed explanation but Seong-yul spoke first.

“Yesterday when I faced the Wind and Cloud Ghost I sensed a lie from him.”

The letter stating that the Wind and Cloud Ghost had appeared. The words about him.

Most of it was a lie.

“Oh…”

As I listened my eyes sparkled.

If that statement were true it would be quite a useful ability.

‘Did the Sword Demon have such an ability?’

Indeed.

In my previous life there was something he often said.

[Hehe… I hate lies. That’s why you’re going to die.]

Words he always spat out when killing his opponent.

‘Come to think of it he was a torturer wasn’t he?’

I recalled that most of the torturing of captured enemies was done by the Sword Demon.

When I thought about that Seong-yul’s words held credibility.

“How fascinating. Was that even possible?”

At my surprised remark Seong-yul’s eyes widened this time.

“…Do you believe me?”

“If that’s the case then it must be true.”

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To be honest I said that because I had experience from my previous life.

Who would easily believe such a thing?

“That’s why I’m even more curious. Why are you telling me this?”

“…”

It wasn’t something that could be easily said.

To know the lies of others.

This was quite dangerous information.

Moreover Seong-yul was a Cheonsalseong.

There were already plenty of reasons to kill him so it was strange that he would give me such a justification.

“…I’m expressing it to my Master.”

“Expressing?”

“I have this ability. I’m showing it. It’s one of my useful skills.”

“Why?”

When I asked with curiosity Seong-yul looked at me and calmly spoke.

“I need to let you know that I’m at least somewhat useful. So that you won’t abandon me Master.”

“…”

His calm words were chilling.

“…Wow.”

I had thought he was just a madman suffering from ignorance of the world.

Surprisingly Seong-yul’s gaze was sharp.

‘Was he pretending to be oblivious? Did he see everything?’

It seemed he had been watching me weigh something.

It wasn’t that he was judging whether I was useful or not.

‘Even if that’s not the case he is still useful.’

He was at an age where he hadn’t yet matured but was already at the peak of his potential.

He possessed the talent to become a Sword Demon in the future.

That alone made Seong-yul quite valuable.

“What do you plan to do if I hear that information and decide to abandon or kill you?”

“I thought it was a story of value for you Master. As for being killed… I don’t mind…”

Dying didn’t matter.

But being abandoned was a problem.

That statement was subtle.

“That’s a strange thing to say. Why would you be afraid of being abandoned by me?”

It had barely been less than a month since we met.

There was no bond or anything between us.

From Seong-yul’s perspective it was only natural to feel resentment since I had suddenly captured and dragged him around.

Yet he was spilling information to avoid being abandoned.

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I couldn’t understand it.

And then.

“I don’t know either.”

Seong-yul expressed the same.

“So I want to take the time to understand the reason.”

“You’re quite the madman yourself.”

“…”

So he meant he would follow me.

I sighed looking at Seong-yul with a dumbfounded expression.

“Do as you wish.”

I was in a position where I had to drag him around anyway. Abandoning him wasn’t an option.

At least not yet.

Thinking that I brought up another topic.

“I asked about the Wind and Cloud Ghost.”

It was the question Seong-yul had asked earlier.

Why did the Wudang sect spread lies about the Wind and Cloud Ghost?

“Simply put it’s a political matter.”

A political matter.

That was exactly right.

“The newly appointed Wudang Sword Master and the growing Wudang Sect.”

It was a time when countless stories were emerging as they rode the wave of the era.

The Alliance Leader was placing sword masters here and there increasing stability and boosting approval ratings.

Thanks to that the Wudang’s position was also growing day by day.

In that context.

‘If rumors spread that the Wind and Cloud Ghost was targeting Wudang…’

The interest in it would only grow.

The sects that the Wind and Cloud Ghost chose upon his return.

That was the general feeling.

‘Moreover.’

I recalled Ji-cheol from last night.

‘He was also trying to take advantage of the Volcano’s treasures.’

He was planning to jump in while the Sword Master was absent.

I wondered why someone with an injured arm would do such a thing even if it was an order.

‘It must have been because the circumstances were certain.’

An injured person.

He would have been stuck in a medical facility for treatment so the possibility of being framed as a criminal was nonexistent.

‘The guards must have been in on it too.’

The probability that everything had been arranged beforehand was high.

No I was certain of it.

Originally Ji-cheol would have fled claiming to be the Wind and Cloud Ghost.

If that had happened the Wudang would have been held responsible for not properly guarding the Volcano.

‘Public sentiment would be at stake.’

-It was something stolen by none other than the Wind and Cloud Ghost.

-Is it reasonable to blame only the Wudang for that?

There was a high chance such statements would arise.

Originally public sentiment was like that.

‘Perhaps the discussions had already reached this point.’

I didn’t wish for it but there was a possibility that discussions had already occurred with the open factions.

If that happened it would become difficult for the Volcano to hold them accountable and the Wudang would…

‘They could end up keeping both the treasures and the attention.’

The Wudang would be able to protect the interest they desired while also acquiring the treasures they had lost.

Even if the Volcano ignored this and demanded accountability.

‘They had already gained interest and even as an orthodox sect they could lower the Volcano’s standing which was not aligned with the Murim Alliance.’

No matter what they did it would be beneficial for the Wudang.

What a frustrating situation.

Was this what orthodox sects were supposed to do?

‘They should quietly focus on honing their martial arts instead of engaging in such political maneuvering.’

Later they would get beaten up in bloodshed.

They couldn’t be anything but fools.

Ah of course.

‘Thanks to that my work became easier.’

Due to a few fortunate coincidences.

My side found it somewhat easier to handle things.

Thanks to the Wudang being rotten to the core.

And that would be the same for the situation that was about to unfold.

Suuuu.

I turned my gaze to the presence I felt outside.

[Is anyone there?]

It seemed someone was looking for me.

At that I stood up and went outside.

There were several figures from the Wudang gathered outside.

At the center stood the Wudang Elder Bi-seong-gum Woo-baek.

Woo-baek looked at me with a slight smile and said

“I’m sorry to intrude while you’re resting.”

“It’s alright. What brings you here Elder? You must be quite busy.”

It was a mention of Ji-cheol’s death and the stolen treasures.

At that Woo-baek’s eyes twitched slightly.

“…You must have heard but things have become somewhat chaotic.”

“I was just worried about that. Are you alright?”

“…Haha. I appreciate your concern.”

Woo-baek spoke to me with a tone that held no genuine warmth.

“Originally this shouldn’t be happening… but since it’s a matter that occurred within the main sect I had to come and ask for your understanding.”

“What is it?”

“May I search your quarters for a moment?”

“…!”

At those words I immediately frowned.

“Elder are you suspecting me?”

“I apologize to the former Master but it’s just a confirmation.”

“Ha.”

I had to let out a hollow breath at that.

Then I showed him my wrist.

The wrist adorned with the ribbon that Woo-baek had given me yesterday.

“To have even put something like this on for surveillance and now you’re searching because things have gone awry. What kind of nonsense is this…!”

“…I’m sorry. However it’s for a definite confirmation so I hope you can understand.”

I had to grit my teeth.

And with heavy footsteps I stepped outside my quarters.

“…This is absurd. If you wish to do so go ahead. But I will not forget this rudeness shown by the Wudang.”

“…”

As I spat that out with a growl and stepped aside Woo-baek nodded.

Immediately the Wudang martial artists rushed into my quarters.

After that they began searching as if they wouldn’t leave a single speck of dust behind.

Not long after.

“Here Elder!”

One of the disciples exclaimed in a startled voice as he brought something to Woo-baek.

“I… I found it.”

The item carefully retrieved from my drawer was a blue jade bracelet.

Yes it was the item the Wudang had wanted to exchange.

Seeing that Woo-baek looked at me with astonished eyes.

“How did this happen Master?”

His voice was filled with a chilling tone.

I stammered in response to Woo-baek’s question.

“Th-this… why is it in my drawer…! I-I don’t know anything about it!”

“…”

I tried hard to deny it but Woo-baek’s eyes were already filled with deep disappointment.

“Immediately.”

Whether that was a sign of anger Woo-baek’s voice trembled with rage.

“Subdue those people. And imprison them. The ‘Alliance Leader’ will deal with them personally.”

With a voice that seemed ready to kill at any moment Woo-baek spoke.

As the disciples approached seemingly intending to subdue me I trembled in fear.

But inside I had to smile broadly.

‘This will burn brightly.’

The dry and rotten firewood.

Those were excellent materials that would burn endlessly once ignited.

Seeing the Wudang in its current state it was exactly that.

While being subdued I quietly conveyed a message inwardly.

‘Ddol-ddol.’

To the worm that was probably frolicking somewhere deep in the forest.

‘It’s ready. Bring it here.’

Immediately.

Pududud-!

A vibration echoed from somewhere in the distant forest.