Childhood Friend of the Zenith – 561 (Part 1)



561 (Part 1)

”’〈 Chapter 562 〉 I am.

Not long before the incident occurred.

I was yawning in the prison cell where I had been brought.

Perhaps it was because I hadn’t slept well I felt somewhat drowsy.

Noticing my state the person next to me Gu Ryeonghwa spoke up as if to hint at something.

“In this situation Oppa is yawning…?”

“It’s a natural reaction; I can’t help it.”

There’s no one to be conscious of so I might as well do it.

Honestly I would like to sleep but it’s just unfortunate that I can’t.

On the contrary Gu Ryeonghwa looked quite flustered as if she couldn’t understand the situation.

Seeing that I asked her this time.

“Why do you look so grim? Cheer up a bit.”

“Do I look like I’m about to die?”

“It doesn’t seem like an inappropriate situation to me.”

It’s just a matter of being in prison for a bit; is that really something to be so annoyed about?

‘It could be understandable.’

From Gu Ryeonghwa’s perspective it might indeed be that way.

As for me I had a history of coming and going from prisons as if they were my own home.

Gu Ryeonghwa must have lived in the Mount Hua Sect treated as a prestigious orthodox sect.

This situation probably isn’t something she’s used to at all.

‘It’s strange that I’m the one who’s used to it.’

As I chuckled at the amusing thought Gu Ryeonghwa’s expression became even more bizarre.

“Oppa… I know I said this last time but you seem a bit off.”

“I’ve always been a bit off.”

“That’s true but…”

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“What’s that supposed to mean?”

Gu Ryeonghwa responding to my joking remark seemed to agree with a ghostly expression.

It’s truly absurd.

“Does she think she’s normal?”

“What? I am normal!”

“That’s hilarious. Little sister is that really the case?”

“…What do you mean…?”

“Among those with the Gu surname there’s no one who’s sane.”

“…”

Gu Ryeonghwa seemed unable to refute my words merely chewing on her lips.

Seeing that I added one more comment.

“Except for me of course.”

“Yah…!”

As I said that with a chuckle Gu Ryeonghwa was about to explode in anger.

“Haha.”

The one who had been quietly listening next to us Yeongpung let out a laugh.

He had also been dragged here.

As the sudden laughter drew attention Yeongpung looked flustered.

“Ah… I’m sorry. You two seem so close that I couldn’t help it…”

“Does this look like we’re close? Where do you see that?”

“Yeongpung are your eyes really that bad?”

Despite the unpleasantness in my words Yeongpung just smiled.

At least it was fortunate that he didn’t seem to have any particular thoughts unlike Gu Ryeonghwa.

“Unlike this fool you seem to have a bit of composure?”

At this Gu Ryeonghwa shouted “Fool!?” but I ignored her.

Hearing my question Yeongpung blinked his big eyes and replied calmly.

“Though it may seem that way on the outside I am also quite worried.”

He didn’t seem that way but if Yeongpung said so then it must be true.

I nodded slightly and asked something else.

“How’s your jaw? Is it okay?”

“Ah.”

The jaw I had struck last time.

I was asking if it was feeling better and Yeongpung awkwardly smiled.

“It’s nothing. You were considerate weren’t you?”

I had hit him lightly.

If I had hit him any harder it could have cracked a bone so I had to control my strength.

“Moreover…”

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Yeongpung’s gaze turned toward me.

“It’s something I should apologize for isn’t it?”

He must be referring to the incident where he had come out demanding the return of the artifact without any reason.

“Yes well. I’m fine with it.”

I hadn’t been particularly concerned.

No to be precise I didn’t think it was Yeongpung’s problem.

‘It was a bit strange.’

The jealousy and heat I had seen in Yeongpung’s eyes at that time were insufficient to be solely his issue.

The energy that had filled his eyes couldn’t be attributed solely to his emotions.

“By the way I have to ask just in case…”

“Yes?”

“Do you hear an old man’s voice in your head… or something like that?”

“…What?”

Yeongpung made a strange expression at my question.

His face seemed to say what kind of bizarre thing is that?

“Never mind.”

Seeing that I retracted my question.

It seemed that Yeongpung didn’t hear anything.

If I asked further it was clear I would be labeled as crazy so I had to keep my mouth shut for now.

Clank.

As I moved my hand I felt a discomfort around my wrist.

I looked down at my wrist.

A metal restraint was binding my arms.

Seeing that I had to click my tongue inwardly.

‘They used something expensive.’

A restraint designed to prevent the actions of a martial artist beyond the peak level.

Just by feeling it I could tell it wasn’t ordinary iron. Did they mix in some everlasting iron?

Not only had they set a blood seal but they also had me in this level of restraint.

“Unnecessarily thorough.”

It was a rather good method for dealing with criminals.

‘They’re treating me too much like a criminal.’

It wasn’t even confirmed yet. To be treated like this.

Of course.

‘I did commit a crime.’

What I had done previously was indeed my fault.

It just hadn’t been discovered.

Moreover.

‘I have no intention of being discovered in the future.’

I carefully leaned my back against the wall and thought.

How far should I go with this?

How much should I reveal before it’s appropriate?

Where is the suitable line?

I pondered endlessly.

Just to the extent that I could bear it.

I had to clearly define that ambiguous line.

At that moment.

“Master must be okay…?”

Gu Ryeonghwa spoke up worrying about the sword master.

At her words I momentarily halted my thoughts.

The sword master.

There was a reason she wasn’t in the prison with us right now.

‘She must have asked to see Woo Baek separately.’

Perhaps Elder Woo Baek was calling the sword master to discuss matters.

Woo Baek would also know that the current situation was not good.

He must have wanted to reach an agreement with the sword master.

‘They probably think someone has committed a crime against me.’

Someone must have committed the crime.

And they would have acted to pin that crime on me.

That’s what they would think.

Even if I hoped otherwise if they had eyes they would surely have judged it that way.

However.

‘Knowing that they would still try to share the blame with me.’

Even if someone tried to frame me for a crime.

The current Mu-dang no Woo Baek would try to prove that there was some fault on our side as well.

We had indeed made a mistake by letting the item be stolen.

But don’t you also have a crime?

It’s not just our fault.

Or perhaps.

Wasn’t the item that was thought to be lost found in this guy’s room?

What if this guy is also connected to the culprit?

And so on.

They would have to prove that there was some issue on our side as well. Only then…

It would be easier for them to maintain their position.

‘Anyway.’

Just thinking about it is infuriating.

Seeing this situation firsthand I understood the reactions that Woo Hyuk had shown in my previous life.

Every time the topic of Mu-dang came up he would subtly show signs of reluctance.

The way he didn’t want to live like someone who wore the Mu-dang uniform himself.

‘No wonder he only ate meat.

Wasn’t that also part of his rebellion?

Such thoughts crossed my mind.

And.

‘At this point… it’s enough.’

Watching was sufficient at this level.

It had been two days since I arrived at Mu-dang. During that time I had checked various things.

It wasn’t anything special. I had merely confirmed the Mu-dang itself.

I had looked into it wondering if it was different from the Mu-dang I knew in my previous life and I realized one thing.”’