Childhood Friend of the Zenith – 571 (Part 1)



571 (Part 1)

”’〈 Episode 572 〉 To Henan. (Revised)

With the end of the words a quiet silence envelops the room.

Thud.

It was so quiet that the only sound that could be heard was the sound of water droplets falling.

Was it because the words were shocking?

After all in three months a bombshell statement about attacking Henan where the Murim Alliance and Shaolin are located.

Normally such a statement would leave one in shock.

But I wasn’t thinking that way.

These guys were not the type to be shocked by something like that.

As evidence I looked up at the air.

In the still atmosphere.

Whoooosh-!

The energy gathered at the ceiling was quietly swaying.

It was a rough and violent form as if showing emotions.

I lowered my gaze from the air and surveyed my surroundings.

The ten pairs of eyes looking at me were conveying countless words despite their tightly closed lips.

Some wore expressions of scorn.

Some had eyes filled with anticipation.

Everyone harbored different reasons.

But they shared the same goal.

There was no fear among them.

How could there be?

‘They were saved from the start so they wouldn’t have such feelings.’

They were the type to use any means necessary for their goals. They expressed their greed without hesitation without being swayed by emotions.

Among them I had gathered only the most capable individuals and put collars on them.

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‘Though they probably wouldn’t think of it as a collar.’

That didn’t matter anyway.

What was important was.

‘Whether I can use them or not.’

That was all that mattered.

As I was thinking this and gazing around.

“Three months you say.”

A voice came through.

It was a youthful voice mixed with a slightly awkward tone.

I immediately turned to look at the owner of the voice.

He was one of the few ordinary-eyed individuals here.

Moreover.

“Right three months.”

He was also a capable talent who could fill my lacking mind.

The young man or rather the boy frowned slightly upon hearing my words.

“Hyung. Last time you said there was still half a year left.”

“Things got a bit tangled up.”

“…”

As I spoke calmly the boy suddenly clasped his forehead with his hand.

He seemed quite frustrated. Seeing that I couldn’t help but smile.

Even looking like that he would find the answer somehow if I just spoke.

He had done so in his past life as well.

‘Though it was for the worse back then.’

The frustrated boy was the grandson of Shin Yi.

Now he was Jeongal Hyuk who had become able to speak.

I looked at Jeongal Hyuk’s neck.

A long scar remained vertically along his neck.

That was the reason Jeongal Hyuk could now speak and also the reason he was helping me.

After staring at it for a moment I spoke to Jeongal Hyuk.

“By the way I brought someone along. You can use him too.”

As I mentioned this I showed Seongyul.

Seongyul had a confused expression not understanding the situation.

How could he possibly understand?

How could he comprehend that I had just declared an attack on Henan?

Jeongal Hyuk tilted his head while looking at Seongyul.

To be precise he tilted his head while looking into Seongyul’s eyes.

“This person… hasn’t received the ‘blessing’ yet it seems.”

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Hearing that I furrowed my brows tightly.

“I told you not to use that word.”

What kind of blessing was that?

Jeongal Hyuk often used such expressions when referring to those I had corrupted.

But I truly hated that.

‘What blessing?’

This was not something noble like a blessing.

This was.

‘A severe punishment.’

It should have been a punishment not a blessing.

A severe punishment that would bind them to their sins making them struggle until they burned away completely.

That was what I considered demonic practitioner transformation.

As I growled in anger Jeongal Hyuk glanced at me and slightly lowered his eyes saying.

“I’m sorry.”

Only after hearing that did I relax my expression.

It wouldn’t be good to prolong this any further.

I had to move on.

“…Alright. Change the plan we’ve set to three months from now.”

“This is already a significant reduction so it might be tough.”

Jeongal Hyuk was right. To move something that was supposed to be handled in half a year to three months would require considerable effort.

In his past life Jeongal Hyuk.

If he were the brain of the Demonic Cult known as Cheon Yu-rang it might have been different.

But with the current young Jeongal Hyuk it might be difficult.

“If you succeed in this I’ll grant you what you wanted.”

“…!”

If something that seemed impossible became possible that was enough.

I would grant him what he desired.

As I said that Jeongal Hyuk’s eyes widened.

“…Hyung… is that really true?”

“Yeah if you pull this off just as you wished.”

What Jeongal Hyuk desired.

That was.

“I’ll open an inn in Shanxi for you.”

A small inn where he could quietly spend time with his grandfather.

That was his dream to open it and live a peaceful life.

He had enjoyed cooking since he was young and indeed he had said his dream was to be an innkeeper.

‘It’s a dream that seems both big and small.’

A guy who could shake the Central Plains with just his intellect wanted to be an innkeeper. It was truly perplexing.

‘…But it might be better this way.’

It was a hundred times better than becoming a strategist for the Demon Lord.

“Is it really… true?”

As I mentioned opening an inn in Shanxi a light sparkled in Jeongal Hyuk’s eyes.

Getting so excited over just opening an inn how could I not use him?

“Yeah I’ll give it to you. If you want I can make it a big one.”

I had just made a good amount of money while raiding the Guangdong region.

‘The goods have been handed over to the Baekhwa Trading Company.’

I planned to sell them through the Trading Company while moving so gold coins would continue to pile up.

‘The financial aspect has been roughly resolved.’

I had sold the night wine that Dang Je-mun had given me.

This time I had obtained and sold a chunk of everlasting iron. With this there shouldn’t be any financial shortages.

‘Then what remains is.’

Reinforcing my forces and replenishing weapons.

As I assessed this I nodded.

Reinforcing my forces was just a matter of quickly mobilizing the personnel I had already selected.

As for replenishing weapons.

‘I don’t know many skilled craftsmen so that’s going to be tough. Then…’

It seemed best to recruit someone who could make weapons.

In fact buying them with gold coins would be the fastest way but…

‘That wouldn’t be enough.’

Weapons that could be bought with money would still leave much to be desired.

I couldn’t be satisfied with just that.

I needed much stronger weapons.

Fortunately I had thought of a few individuals regarding this matter so it shouldn’t be a problem.

‘Then the remaining issue is.’

Time.

‘Tsk.’

No matter how much I tried to rush there was not enough time.

‘I have to find a way to make it happen by putting in the effort.’

If it’s lacking I must make it sufficient.

It was time to think of ways in my head.

“So please shorten the plan a bit.””’