Childhood Friend of the Zenith – 577 (Part 2)



577 (Part 2)

“I didn’t come here specifically to fight.”

At least that wasn’t my intention today.

I looked into Shinryong’s eyes as I spoke.

I was just genuinely curious.

“Isn’t it fascinating? I stopped by the inn and there was the miracle of Shaolin eating dumplings.”

“…”

The miracle of Shaolin.

I could see Shinryong’s brow twitch at the mention of those words.

Perhaps because he had no hair it was particularly vivid.

“My acquaintance a Taoist eats meat sometimes too. But I’ve never seen a monk eat before.”

That guy was half-crazy so I didn’t pay much attention to him.

Shaolin felt different.

That’s how perception works.

‘…Well Huang Abulyeong did eat meat so I guess it’s not too surprising.’

Even the so-called hero of Shaolin Huang Abulyeong was said to have secretly eaten meat so it was hard to blame anyone for it.

Still the fact that he brought it up was simply to start a conversation.

It seemed to have taken a much rougher turn than I expected.

“It seems you know who I am Master.”

“I know well. How could I not?”

If I were to pick the most famous person in Henan these days one would be the leader of the Shin Alliance Mudang Gyeomseon and the other would be Shinryong who stood before me.

“New Shinryong. Am I right?”

“…”

Even if he denied it he wouldn’t believe me anyway.

His face looked like that of someone just past their youth.

Despite the youthful appearance his physique was overwhelming.

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Moreover

‘Ignoring such energy would be a bit lacking in conscience.’

Including the heavy energy of Shaolin contained within him.

Anyone who had seen him would surely recognize it.

‘Definitely impressive.’

In my past life I had only seen him from a distance. In fact my own level was so pathetic that I couldn’t truly grasp Shinryong’s power.

Now that I faced him so closely I could understand well.

‘He could be called a monster.’

Had he really achieved that level at such a young age?

It was something I couldn’t comprehend no matter how many times I looked.

How could that be possible?

Could it be…

“Could it be that you also… became a reincarnator?”

“Excuse me?”

“No it’s nothing.”

I hastily retracted my words.

I thought there was no way that could be true.

‘Having more reincarnators would be too much of a headache.’

I knew it was absurd but seeing Shinryong made it hard not to doubt.

He was that impressive.

I had gone through many experiences so I could be considered an exception but to reach that state without any miraculous encounters meant.

‘He truly is an extraordinary genius.’

A talent bestowed by heaven.

There would be no other title for it.

While I admired Shinryong’s appearance I continued speaking.

I still hadn’t introduced myself.

“Oh I am….”

“I know.”

“Huh?”

Just as I was about to introduce myself Shinryong interrupted.

I had to show a slight surprise at that.

“You know?” “I mean I know who you are Master.”

“Um…?”

He knows me?

As I looked at him with a strange expression Shinryong spoke.

“Soyunra Gu Yangcheon….”

“…”

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“That is your alias and your name is it not?”

His words came out without hesitation and my eyes widened.

“What? How did you know?”

It was truly unexpected.

How does that guy know about me?

As that question crossed my mind.

“I just believed.”

Shinryong said with a serious expression.

“If someone like you possesses such power it must be you. I believed that.”

“Oh.”

I couldn’t help but exclaim in admiration.

This meant that the reason I was certain I was Shinryong and the reason he was certain of who I was were the same.

The problem was if there was something else within that.

“But why do you dislike me?”

The hostility in Shinryong’s energy was growing stronger.

The moment I was sure of my identity.

The energy he emitted towards me became more hostile.

When I asked him about it.

“…”

Shinryong didn’t provide any particular answer.

Usually if someone asked so directly they would say they didn’t dislike you.

But that was no different from a confirmation.

‘What is this?’

Is he really just teasing me?

Or is it because I spoke so bluntly on our first meeting?

Hmm.

‘Both would be reasons to dislike me.’

I could acknowledge that thought. It made sense.

Still I didn’t intend to change anything.

‘However it seems that isn’t all there is to it.’

The first impression might not have been great but there was something different about Shinryong.

Something else that made him dislike me.

I stared into his eyes remaining silent for a few seconds.

“…Master.”

After a brief pause Shinryong looked at me and spoke.

“Did you come here to participate in the martial arts competition?”

It wasn’t an answer to my earlier question. Instead it was a question directed at me.

It seemed he meant not to answer what I had asked before.

So I decided to follow his lead.

“Since it’s happening anyway I do plan to give it a try.”

“I see.”

Upon hearing my words Shinryong nodded.

“That’s a relief.”

“Um?”

A relief? What does that mean?

“I’m glad to have met you today Master. Next time… I’ll see you in three months.”

With that he abruptly bowed and turned to walk away.

I tilted my head as I watched his back.

The first part seemed like a lie.

The latter part…

‘To say he wants to see me in three months. Does that mean he will also participate in the duel?’

Then his words now could be seen as a kind of declaration of war.

I thought about this and internally applauded briefly.

I felt a fresh sense of excitement.

‘This feels like something new.’

Perhaps it was the first time since my reincarnation.

“You don’t like me so come to the duel.”

I’ll teach you a lesson.

No matter how I looked at it it seemed to carry that meaning.

It had been ages since I had experienced something like this.

And to have it happen with someone I just met today was quite surprising.

As I thought about that.

“Hey.”

I called out to him immediately.

He paused.

Shinryong stopped walking at my call.

At the same time I could see it.

His shoulders subtly shifted in response.

Was he thinking of fighting here?

It seemed he was fully prepared for that but unfortunately I didn’t want to.

“I’ll keep the secret about the dumplings you ate from Shaolin.”

“…”

As I got to the point he stood there for a moment staring blankly.

Then he turned his body back to look at me again.

Immediately.

“…Thank you for that part.”

Shinryong clasped his hands together in a gesture of respect and then turned away again.

He began to walk down the path he had been taking but somehow his steps seemed to have quickened.

He must have felt embarrassed.

“…Haha.”

I chuckled as I watched him.

He didn’t seem quite normal either.

Whether it was Mudang Shaolin or Hwasan why did the people who should be the most composed all seem to have something missing?

The world was clearly a mess.

Thinking that I stroked my chin with my hand.

“In three months….”

The words Shinryong had just spoken bothered me.

I hadn’t genuinely intended to participate in the duel so I hadn’t thought much about it.

But hearing such words made it troublesome.

“If this goes on I might develop some feelings.”

The emotions might get infused into the cards in my hand.

If that happened it would become difficult to control my strength.

That would be quite a troublesome situation for me.