Childhood Friend of the Zenith
chapter-235

When night fell upon the forest at the frontlines, a gentle breeze whispered through the trees.

Rustle-

As the moon revealed itself, casting its radiant light upon the land, Moyong Hi-ah walked through the forest, bathed in its ethereal glow.

Despite the warm weather, she still wore thick garments.

Her porcelain skin was still cold, but now she knew what warmth was, unlike just last year.

She could now even enjoy the cool night air.

Little by little, Moyong Hi-ah embraced the gentle breeze, her eyes closed, when suddenly…

“I heard you were looking for me.”

A voice spoke, drawing closer to Moyong Hi-ah.

To her surprise, it was Gu Jeolyub who approached her.

She opened her eyes, acknowledging his presence, and observed him.

Gu Jeolyub appeared somewhat exhausted, a thin sheen of sweat glistening on his brow.

“You must've been training.”

“I was… just… stretching a bit.”

Gu Jeolyub averted his eyes, avoiding her gaze.

If Gu Jeolyub had to pick the most difficult individuals in this place, first would be the devil himself, followed by the First Lady of the house, then the Captain, and the third would be the Snow Phoenix standing right before him.

…Sigh.

Even right now, underneath the darkness that seeped through the moonlight, the Snow Phoenix's sky-blue eyes gleamed with an icy coldness, her mouth hidden behind her fan.

Does the Young Master realize?

That her eyes held a different gaze when she looked at others.

She assessed their worth, determining whether they would be of use to her, or would bring her harm.

One may question what right she had to judge another's worth, but her unique aura made her judgments seem natural.

Among all the members of the noble clans, Gu Jeolyub believed that the Snow Phoenix embodied nobility the most.

Though I don't get why a noble lady like her acts like that in front of the Young Master.

Oddly enough, the Snow Phoenix's enigmatic aura and piercing gaze that made it hard for others to approach her, all disappeared in front of the Young Master, as if they never existed.

I think it's only the Young Master that fails to realize that..

With a quiet sigh, Gu Jeolyub straightened his disheveled outfit, a result of his training.

“…May I ask why Lady Moyong was looking for me?”

“Ah, it's nothing major.”

Smile.

Moyong Hi-ah replied, staring at Gu Jeolyub with a faint smile.

That smile would've seemed alluring in the past, but by now, it just intimidated him.

“We have something to discuss, you know?”

The Snow Phoenix spoke, her tone surprisingly gentle—a rare occurrence.

Gu Jeolyub knew what her gentle tone meant—he was in trouble.

“Um… what do you mean by that…?”

“I saved you, didn't I?”

“…!”

Upon hearing the Snow Phoenix's words, Gu Jeolyub fell silent.

Unperturbed, the Snow Phoenix carried on.

“About that martial artist from the Alliance you brought back, you left him there on purpose, didn't you? Knowing I would come.”

“Uh…about that…”

“The Sword of Heroic Flame seems to be more clever than I gave him credit for.”

He was caught.

He had resorted to such an option to avoid getting beat up, but it had been immediately detected by Moyong Hi-ah.

Did she help me while knowing that?

He was able to escape thanks to Moyong Hi-ah's help, so it was only fair to acknowledge her help.

Concealing his trembling gaze and the cold sweat on his forehead, Gu Jeolyub responded…

“I happened to have free time, and I just thought it would be delightful to see the Young Master.”

Flutter-

Waving her fan, Moyong Hi-ah approached Gu Jeolyub.

“But now that I think about it, what goes around should come around, don't you agree?”

“Huh? I'm not sure what you mean…”

“Oh, is that so? Then, shall I inform the Young Master about your actions?”

“I am willing to serve you with my life on the line!!”

“I've always liked that enthusiasm of yours, Sword of Heroic Flame.”

Catching another glimpse of her smile, Gu Jeolyub unintentionally gulped.

“…What is it that you wish for me to do?”

“Ah, it's nothing special. At first… I thought I didn't need such a thing, but what happened earlier changed my mind.”

“Huh?”

“…I knew he was a bit slow on the take, but spending time with him made me realize he's far worse than I imagined.”

Crack-!

Though Moyong Hi-ah's face remained concealed behind her fan, Gu Jeolyub definitely heard the sound of something shattering on the other side.

Naturally, he pretended not to notice.

Moyong Hi-ah swiftly changed her expression and addressed Gu Jeolyub with the same alluring smile as before.

“I want the Sword of Heroic Flame to help me. It's nothing too difficult, something that even you can accomplish.”

“…Um, what if I were to… perhaps… refuse your request…?”

“Oh? Are you curious?”

Casually asking out of curiosity, Gu Jeolyub felt the air get colder.

The chill was so bone-deep that even Gu Jeolyub, though possessing less internal heat than Gu Yangcheon, still had a substantial amount of heat, could sense it.

“I pray for your sake, that you aren't that curious.”

Seeing Moyong Hi-ah speak with her face full of a smile, Gu Jeolyub nodded.

…I gotta change the order.

He was certain that she was far more dangerous than the devil.

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

The year I spent on the frontlines was far from pleasant.

For martial artists of Orthodox Sects like myself, the frontlines were in some ways one of the most undesirable places to visit.

Yet, the Gu Clan's Fifth Swordsmen Army stayed active close to the central area. As a result, the year I spent here was anything but peaceful.

Rustle-

As night fell, I moved through the forest with light steps.

The Toxic Qi that permeated the air didn't affect me in my current state. Instead, it seemed to enhance my body, as I was able to absorb the peculiar Qi produced by the demons.

I knew I shouldn't become reliant on this power, but it did help me control the beast within me.

[Grr…]

This power was an immense help in calming down the beast that woke up every time from its sleep, looking for food.

Why are you looking for food as soon as you wake up? I just fed you earlier.

[Grr…]

A Gate of Demons had opened near the forest, so I went out of my way to hunt them all down just so I could feed this beast, but it seemed like it already finished digesting it, as it was angrily looking for food again.

No, you're not hungry. You just want to overeat, don't you?

[…Grgh.]

The beast was acting like this because it had gotten used to me feeding him frequently, even though it could survive for weeks or even months on a single meal.

If you keep acting like this, I might just stop feeding you.

When I spoke with a slightly annoyed tone, the whining of the beast became silent almost instantly.

Seeing that, I clicked my tongue.

They always learn their lesson only after I yell at them.

Whether it's people or beasts, a thorough beatdown is always the answer.

Tap-!

With a light step on a tree branch, I launched myself into the air.

Despite my body growing stronger and larger over time, thanks to the Qi within me, I felt as light as ever.

“Well, that's to be expected with all the crap I ate.”

Since entering the frontlines, I had eaten all kinds of Qi from Demons, so it was only natural that I had changed.

If I had to pick another change besides my Qi, it would be the speed of the purification process of Demonic Qi—it had become much faster than before.

My Destructive Flame Arts was responsible for preventing Demonic Qi from running rampant and cleansing it so I could use it as my own.

Consuming a stupid amount of Demonic Qi over the past year had undoubtedly sped up the cleansing process.

I guess it also improves since it's a type of martial art?

Even though what I said sounded like bullshit, there was no other explanation.

It's something I cannot comprehend.

Setting aside the beast within me, I couldn't fathom how the Destructive Flame Arts could cleanse Demonic Qi.

It was much better than not being able to do such a thing, but that didn't change the fact that I still couldn't understand it.

As one's realm increased, their capacity to absorb Qi also increased. Once Qi reached its limit it overflowed, and the same process was repeated for a long time to reach higher levels.

After experiencing those boring and long steps, I had come to learn one thing:

…This tenant of mine who's always hungry.

The beast that hid deep inside my Dantian wasn't located in a certain spot, nor was it staying where my Demonic Absorption Arts resided, but rather in the place where my Destructive Flame Arts was.

The faint presence that I could feel from my Inner Qi gave me that idea for some reason.

[Grr…?]

It never fails to notice when I'm talking about it.

I didn't learn too many things about this bastard.

During my time in confinement last year, all that I managed to learn was its 'name'. I didn't get to learn why it was inside my body, why it controlled the Qi inside my body without my will, or if it was keeping my body in check so that it didn't go out of control.

This is why I needed to stop this cohabitation already.

I wonder when Elder Shin will wake up.

A year had already passed, and it would soon turn summer.

This meant that Elder Shin's supposed naptime was coming to an end.

“Tsk.”

Moreover, the time for me to leave the frontlines and return to the clan was also drawing near.

Well, I could've already gone back.

Ironically, after dealing with the incident that exploded into chaos half a year ago, I was given the opportunity to leave the frontlines. Yet, I, with my own hands, sent a letter to my father, saying that I wanted to remain on the frontlines.

There is still something I need to take care of.

At the time of writing that letter, I claimed that I had a duty to fulfill as a blood relative of the Gu Clan.

I almost died from the cringe when I sent that letter.

Duty as a blood relative, my ass.

I'm already having a hard time taking care of myself; the Gu Clan is not my concern.

Ultimately, my decision to remain on the frontlines, rolling around in the dirt, despite being given the chance to leave was my own doing.

Of course, making Gu Jeolyub roll around was more enjoyable than I thought too.

But this too will come to an end soon.

In a month's time, or perhaps even sooner if my prediction was correct.

Tap tap!

After leaping through the air for a long time, I felt the presence of others from far away.

There were around ten individuals.

Among the group of well-trained martial artists, I noticed two people that stood out from the rest.

One of them had Qi that blazed like flames, while the other emitted astonishingly sharp Lightning Qi.

It doesn't seem like there's anything special.

I sighed in relief, seeing that they appeared unharmed.

Briefly adjusting my expression, I quickly approached the group as they gracefully leaped this way.

Tap-!

“Woah.”

Seeing me arrive, the person standing at the front greeted me with enthusiasm.

“Little Brother, did you want to see your older sister that badly? So much so that you ran here in such a hurry?”

The woman spoke with a smile, spouting bullshit as usual.

She was the eldest daughter of Gu Clan, the Sword Phoenix Gu Huibi, hailed as the greatest among the Six Dragons and Three Phoenixes.

“You're saying something horrifying as soon as I see you.”

Her black hair swayed in the breeze, looking as beautiful as ever.

The density of her Qi had increased, and I could sense it even as she walked.

This meant that Gu Huibi had grown even stronger over the past year.

“Nothing major happened while Sis was away, did it?”

“Well, nothing major. Ah, maybe the fact that some dude picked up another person?”

As a wrinkle formed between Gu Huibi's brows, I could tell that she understood what I meant.

“…Again?”

“Again.”

“This guy is quite stubborn, huh? For him to pick someone up every time he goes out. Hmm, should I have a one-on-one talk with him for the first time in a while?”

I silently prayed for Gu Jeolyub upon hearing her words.

I may have bullied him a bit, but he should realize that it's only thanks to me that Gu Huibi doesn't personally make him suffer.

If he knew that, then maybe he would sweat less in front of me.

Really, that guy didn't know how to be grateful.

Tsk tsk…

I had kindly boosted his realm, kept him company in case he was lonely, and even handled his problems for him.

So why does he always tremble in fear whenever he sees me?

Back in my days, you wouldn't dare treat your savior like that…

Come to think of it, I'm kinda pissed.

I should make him suffer a bit more.

Around twice as much when I go back.

“Ahh, Sis is so touched! For my little brother to come all the way out here, this late at night, just to see her.”

“I just happened to be on duty.”

“You're just embarrassed to admit it, aren't you?”

“…Sister, did you suffer a head injury or something?”

She seemed fine from the outside, but her unusual behavior made me concerned that she was severely injured in the head.

“I'll say it again… I just happened to be on—”

Step-

I involuntarily shut my mouth in the middle of my response.

For a moment, It felt like even the wind held its breath at the sound of her footsteps.

The group then shifted, as if opening a path for her to walk through with ease.

Sss…

The breeze returned once again.

Moonlight poured down, enveloping the girl walking towards me in its radiant glow. Her bluish-white hair shimmered delicately in the moon's embrace.

How beautiful.

It was as if the very essence of beauty had taken human form.

“…”

I stood there, unable to tear my gaze away from her.

My eyes traced her from head to toe, taking in every little detail.

Her hair, untouched despite the battle she had just come from, seemed to shine even brighter. Her attire, which she wore out of comfort, remained pristine.

It even made me think that she had never entered combat, but the crackling Lightning Qi I could sense from her told me that she had fought with all her might.

That makes sense.

Only then could so many return without a single injury.

The girl approached with an expressionless face, her rich blue eyes seemingly containing the ocean. I found myself speaking…

“Did you eat?”

The roughness of my words contradicted my emotions.

Even I found my own words lacking.

After hearing my question, the girl came a step closer.

Our gazes, once level, now had me looking down on her.

Slowly, she opened her mouth to respond.

“…I didn't eat”

Her reply was brief and slow.

“I told you to eat if you are going to be out and about.”

“Sorry…”

“Make sure to eat when you return, I left some for you.”

“Okay…”

She took another step forward.

Her steps were so light that it seemed as if she might just float away.

Along with it came an unfamiliar scent of flowers.

How could this be?

The flowers I thought had already bloomed to their fullest, now blossomed even more beautifully, to the point where I couldn't dare to pluck them anymore.

The girl drew close, close enough for me to reach out and touch her.

She lowered her head ever so slightly, her hair gently swaying, revealing the top of her head.

“…”

Her movement might seem random, but I knew why she was positioned that way.

It was a habit that she had developed in the past few months.

Despite being bothered by all the prying gazes from those behind her, I raised my hand up and tenderly stroked her head.

Her hair still felt as soft as ever.

“Good work.”

“…Yeah.”

After offering her a brief compliment and feeling a sense of awkwardness, I lifted my hand away. The girl before me, Namgung Bi-ah, lifted her head.

“…Hm.”

I had to hide my reaction when our eyes met because Namgung Bi-ah was smiling.

“I told you not to smile like that.”

“Hmm…?”

“I told you not to smile in public. That's a weapon.”

Namgung Bi-ah's beauty was indeed a weapon, an extremely strong one at that.

Hearing my words, she responded with a hint of frustration.

“…I didn't smile in public…”

“Then what about now?”

“…It's because I'm only in front of you…”

“…”

I shouldn't have asked her.

I felt my ears heating up, so I turned my head away, looking back at the path I came from.

“…Let's head back.”

It felt awkward to stand still like this.

As I scratched the back of my head, a tingling sensation ran through me.

-What a fucking show you two are putting on.

“…”

I heard someone mutter from behind.

It was undoubtedly Gu Huibi's voice.

I heard every word clearly, but I chose to pretend I hadn't. I started to move, taking steps forward.