Childhood Friend of the Zenith – 583 (Part 1)



583 (Part 1)

”’〈 Episode 584 〉 Nice to meet you.

North Sea.

A place where snow falls all year round and a blade-like cold sweeps through.

I’ve heard that the cold was already severe but it was said to have worsened due to the death of the white-grade demonic beast the Snow Dragon.

I’ve never been there in my past life.

After all it’s somewhat of a stretch to call it the Central Plains.

‘Outer Regionsmurim.’

Yes it’s Outer Regionsmurim.

Even though the Central Plains is already a vast land there’s a world that stretches even farther away.

In the name of managing the current Central Plains the alliance’s influence does not reach there and they live in mutual vigilance.

Originally they weren’t on bad terms but they weren’t exactly friendly either.

Twenty years ago the ruler of the North Sea the Ice Palace Head came to the Central Plains and that’s when problems arose.

‘I heard he clashed with the Sword Lord.’

The reason remains unknown but the Ice Palace Head fought against the Sword Lord who was the Alliance Leader at that time.

As a result of the battle it is said that the surrounding mountains and vast terrain were devastated.

After that.

The Murim Alliance blocked all routes to the North Sea.

‘Thanks to that all the Trading Companies that were dealing with the Ice Palace at the time reportedly stumbled.’

Honestly I have no memories of that time so I wouldn’t know.

There are only records stating that it happened.

Time has passed and here we are now.

The relationship between the alliance and the Ice Palace is still not good.

They are not classified as hostile forces nor are they in an aggressive posture.

However the people of the Central Plains are prohibited from going to the North Sea.

Ah of course they could go if they had the alliance’s permission.

Get notified for updates: https://discord.gg/93rmBjgP6B

But right after the law was announced no one has received permission to leave for the North Sea until now.

This means that the alliance is merely saying that but has no intention of granting permission.

‘It’s definitely such a situation….’

Suddenly the mention of the North Sea’s young lady?

‘What is this?’

I couldn’t easily show my reaction to Lady Mi’s words.

Whenever something that didn’t happen in my past life occurs it always felt like this.

Yes of course this is something that didn’t happen in my past life.

In the first place when the Heavenly Demon caused bloodshed in my past life.

At that time the North Sea showed no signs of movement whatsoever.

‘The bloodline from there has never come to the Central Plains.’

There might be a few records to find but at least the only person I know is one.

Moyong Hia’s mother.

I heard she was a blood relative of the Ice Palace Head but that was before the Ice Palace Head caused the incident.

But now a young lady?

Even more so from the White Flower Trading Company not the alliance?

There were more than a few things that were hard to understand.

If this is true.

‘The alliance couldn’t have allowed this.’

It means that the Murim Alliance permitted the bloodline of the North Sea to come to the Central Plains.

Moreover it implies that they entrusted the work to another Trading Company without handling it themselves.

That was something that couldn’t possibly happen.

‘What on earth have they done?’

I don’t think the alliance and the White Flower Trading Company have done something together.

Given the current situation the problem lies with the Ice Palace.

The fact that the alliance is willing to endure such humiliation means that the Ice Palace must have put forth some conditions.

What could they be?

What exactly did they propose and what impact will it have?

It was quite concerning.

Damn it.

‘As if I didn’t have enough to worry about already.’

I didn’t want to get entangled in something more here.

But….

‘It seems like I’m already involved doesn’t it?’

The fact that I have a connection to this matter.

The task Lady Mi was about to ask me.

Given the current situation it must be related to the Ice Palace.

Join our discord and ping me to update more chapters. Discord: https://discord.gg/93rmBjgP6B

Do I have anything to do with the Ice Palace?

I’m not sure.

So I quietly stared at Lady Mi.

First I needed to hear an explanation.

As I waited for her to speak Lady Mi continued her explanation.

“The fourth child of the Ice Palace Head has arrived in Henan today.”

“…”

I widened my eyes upon hearing this.

Not that they were coming but they were already here.

“They will probably arrive at the Trading Company soon….”

As she spoke Lady Mi’s gaze towards me changed.

What kind of look is that?

“You’ve probably sensed it already but I have a request regarding this.”

“…Yes.”

As expected. It’s a request related to the Ice Palace.

My expression naturally frowned as the situation became increasingly bothersome.

What kind of request could it be?

Can I refuse? If I could I wanted to refuse outright without listening.

Of course that wouldn’t be possible.

Damn it.

“What do you mean by a request…?”

I cautiously asked.

“Well it’s about the young lady….”

Just as Lady Mi was about to answer a hurried presence was felt from the direction of the door.

Bang-!

Immediately the door burst open and a man entered. From his attire he seemed to be from the Trading Company.

His actions without any formality caused Lady Mi to frown for once.

“C-Captain!”

The atmosphere shifted dramatically with his urgent voice.

Seeing that I thought.

I could tell at a glance.

It was always like this.

“There’s a problem….”

“A problem?”

“Yes…. The young lady….”

For some reason whenever it’s something related to me things never go smoothly and that was the case again.

“…has attempted to escape.”

It was the same this time.

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

A wide-open street.

A blazing sun.

An unknown heat and a crowd filling the street.

The midday sun in Henan is always like this.

Especially now as we approach summer. There were already a lot of people around.

Moreover it was just a little while before the alliance was to hold a martial arts competition.

It was around the time when the crowd began to swell a bit more than usual.

“This year is particularly hot.”

“That’s something you say every year.”

“That’s true.”

People gathered under the shaded tents to escape the sun.

They were fanning themselves trying to pass the time in the heat.

“Ah this time Granny Jin… huh?”

Just as someone was about to start a conversation I noticed the gazes of those around me fixated on something.

Turning my head I could immediately tell.

There was someone who stood out among the crowd.

“What is that?”

“Aren’t they hot?”

“Unless they’ve gone mad from the heat… what are they doing?”

There was a reason for that.

It was the season when sweat would start to bead if you stood still.

It was already a struggle just to manage with a fan.

Yet there was a figure wearing a fur coat in this weather.

The coat was pulled down so low that her face was barely visible.

If someone saw her they might think it was mid-winter not just a cold snap.

No matter how you looked at it it wasn’t attire for summer.

Because of that the attention of those around was heavily drawn.

However the person in question didn’t seem to care much about it.

What she was concerned about was only one thing.

‘There are so many people.’

The streets were filled with people.

She could feel the gazes on her but she didn’t know who they were.”’