Childhood Friend of the Zenith – 570 (Part 1)



570 (Part 1)

**Chapter 571: To Henan.**

The place I rose to was the main gate of the Mudaeng.

As I approached several people welcomed me with smiles.

“Ah Master Gu!”

Yeongpung and Guryunghwa were there along with Geomhu who was standing with some luggage.

“I see you’ve been waiting here.”

“Yes.”

Right after U Bongchwigye said he would finish the interrogation.

Geomhu and Mudaeng Geomseon had finished their separate discussions and were wrapping things up.

After that Mudaeng Geomseon had to take action to resolve the issues that had arisen at Mudaeng.

Thus since guests could not remain in this situation we had to leave Mudaeng quickly.

I shifted my gaze.

Geomhu was talking to the people of Mudaeng from a short distance away.

From the feeling I got.

‘Are those Elders too?’

They seemed to be Elders who had come in place of Mudaeng Geomseon.

I etched their faces into my memory.

They seemed like people I would have to meet someday.

At that moment.

“Oppa.”

Guryunghwa who was next to me spoke up.

“Hmm?”

“…Are we okay?”

Her expression seemed anxious which was amusing. She wanted to appear dignified but she was still young.

Feeling that I ruffled Guryunghwa’s hair casually.

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“Why are you so scared? Just act like usual.”

“…”

Normally she would have flinched and stepped back with a ‘kek!’ sound.

But she seemed quite startled and stayed still.

“Mudaeng said there’s no problem and your master must have said it’s okay too.”

“…Yeah.”

“Then there shouldn’t be any issues.”

There absolutely had to be none.

If there were I would burn that problem away myself.

I just couldn’t stand to see this foolish girl cry.

“…So where are you going now Oppa?”

“Me?”

I pondered over the question quietly.

Was it okay to leave like this? If I left where should I go?

‘With the current schedule…’

Originally I should have returned to the sect for a brief moment.

But having come this far there was only one path.

“Maybe to Henan?”

“Henan?”

Guryunghwa’s eyes widened in surprise at my words.

And then.

“Master Gu does that mean…?”

Yeongpung approached with shining eyes after hearing my words.

“Are you thinking of participating in the martial arts competition?”

The Shinyong Martial Arts Competition which would be held in the summer.

It was a question about whether I was taking steps to participate in it. I smiled and answered.

“Yes well. It looks fun.”

“Ah!”

Upon hearing my answer Yeongpung’s expression brightened with excitement.

“Then we’ll meet again in Henan later.”

“Hmm?”

I tilted my head at that statement.

“Is the sect going too?”

“Yes. I got permission from the Sect Leader.”

Then it seemed that he would also be going to Henan.

“However I think I need to go to Shaanxi first for this.”

“Ah.”

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In Yeongpung’s arms was a precious item.

The precious item known as the Hwasanseon’s beloved was nestled in Yeongpung’s embrace.

It seemed he had received it after finishing discussions with Mudaeng.

‘Hmm.’

I briefly glanced at the precious item and then looked back at Yeongpung.

“Then we’ll be able to meet later.”

There were many words I wanted to say but I held them back.

Was it an illusion?

I felt a slight warmth in my left arm.

I tried to ignore it.

I simply tightened my grip on Guryunghwa’s head.

“You too. Let’s meet next time.”

“Already…?”

As I said my farewell Guryunghwa looked surprised.

Hearing that I spoke as if it were absurd.

“Then should I chase you all the way to Shaanxi?”

“B-but… it’s only been a few days…”

“Then are you going to follow me?”

“…”

“Or just quietly follow your master.”

As I said that Guryunghwa suddenly grabbed my collar.

Wondering what was going on I looked at her.

“…Then this time… please accept my letter.”

“Ah….”

With teary eyes Guryunghwa said that.

I awkwardly nodded my head.

“I’ll try my best.”

I probably wouldn’t but I had to give a proper answer.

As I was comforting Guryunghwa Geomhu approached me.

“Let’s go now.”

His expression didn’t seem very pleasant.

‘That makes sense.’

It wasn’t like he had received good treatment so it was natural for him to feel that way.

I subtly turned my head to look at the martial artists who had come with Geomhu.

They were the Taoists of Mudaeng.

Seeing their condition I realized why they had come.

‘That’s… a protective detail isn’t it?’

It might seem unnecessary for Geomhu to have a protective detail but since he was carrying the precious item returned from Mudaeng it was only right for Mudaeng to provide protection for a certain distance.

They were likely planning to send a few disciples along with the precious item.

They probably wouldn’t go all the way but would turn back midway but that alone would provide justification.

Even if something happened Mudaeng had done its best to return the precious item.

That was the justification.

This meant.

‘It’s clearly just for show.’

That might also be a reason why Geomhu felt unpleasant.

Having thought that far I approached Geomhu and said.

“Well then I’ll be going ahead.”

As I said I would leave casually.

Geomhu looked at me and spoke.

“Are you leaving already?”

“Yes I’m a bit busy.”

“You won’t be leaving right away… why don’t we have a meal together before you go?”

Geomhu kindly offered but I had to decline with a smile.

“Actually Guryunghwa…”

“I’m sorry. The road is busy so I’ll eat with you next time.”

There was no special meaning behind it.

I was really busy.

Time was too tight for that.

Perhaps because I spoke a bit firmly I could see Geomhu’s forced smile.

“Alright… then there’s nothing I can do.”

He looked disappointed but it seemed he was trying to understand since I said I was busy.

Guryunghwa still held onto my collar as if she wouldn’t let go.

“I’ll visit you next time.”

I carefully removed the child’s hand.

Then I turned my back.

Whether it was fortunate or not I didn’t hear any calls after me.

Or perhaps I was just trying hard not to hear them.

No matter how much I tried to forget I walked with a bright facade.

But my toes felt particularly heavy.

******************

After leaving Mudaeng and some time passed.

I was wandering through a certain cave.

Light seeped in through the crumbled ceiling.

It was moonlight.

Splash.

I continued walking stepping on the water that had pooled on the floor.

Perhaps due to the humidity moss covered the walls. When I touched the wall with my fingertips I could distinctly feel the moisture.

Feeling the unpleasant texture I had to click my tongue.

“Tsk why did I have to choose such a place?”

In terms of distance it could be said to be somewhere between Hubei and Henan.

A place a little away from Mudaeng.

I had been told to choose a place as remote as possible and it seemed I had indeed chosen a location where no one would be found.

Splash.

Ignoring the annoying sound I continued walking.

It was a cave whose existence I didn’t know when it had begun.

There were many such places so it wasn’t anything special.

But every time I entered and exited a cave like this unnecessary memories would resurface.

The day when the rain poured endlessly.

The memory of carrying a bleeding woman and running until my legs felt like they would tear.

Recalling that time made me involuntarily smirk.

Having passed through such memories to arrive at the present I could say it was somewhat refreshing.