Childhood Friend of the Zenith
chapter-256

After reading the lines written in rough handwriting, I was dumbfounded for a moment.

It was because I didn’t expect to receive a letter from Wi Seol-Ah, nor did I expect her to write one on her own.

And also...

She knew how to write?

That was the first question that came to mind.

Because she lived in the mountains with the Sword Venerable, I thought she was illiterate.

But if this really was from Wi Seol-Ah, then did she learn how to write just so she could send me a letter?

If that was really the case, this letter in my hand now felt even heavier.

Rustle.

I opened up the letter carefully.

I was very curious about what was written in the letter, but unlike my impatient self, my hands were slow.

-Are you doing well, Young Master?

-I am doing fine.

Hehe.

Her handwriting was very uneven.

Even so, there were no traces of her fixing or erasing anything.

I believe that she just wrote a new letter every time she messed up, which is how this letter came to be.

-I’m sorry for leaving you without saying anything.

Yeah.

You should’ve at least informed me.

Or at the very least, you should have left a letter like this.

-Was the Young Master sad because I disappeared?

Sad huh.

-Honestly, I hoped that you at least felt that way a little.

Was I sad?

Hmm.

Now that I thought about it, I think I did feel sad.

Even now, from time to time, I felt that a spot was empty.

Wi Seol-Ah, who woke me up every morning with her loud voice.

The face that constantly appeared, curious about what I was doing.

The girl who came to me, saying that she wanted to eat with me when it was meal time.

Young Master, are you okay?

And that voice of hers filled with worry.

But now, none of those things were here anymore. Perhaps that was why it felt so empty.

It’s only been a year.

It was almost a year.

It had just been a short period of time, but I didn’t know why I was feeling this way.

Did I feel like I had become someone important just because Wi Seol-Ah followed me around?

Did your disappearance shake me that much because I thought that I had become someone special to the young you?

It seems like I am still immature, huh.

Even though I had experienced many things, I was still just a shallow person.

I already knew that you were going to disappear one day, but I was still acting like this.

The letter wasn’t that long, so I continued to read it slowly.

There wasn’t anything special.

I’m doing well.

The food doesn’t taste that good here.

The scenery here is nice, but Gu Clan’s mountains were nicer.

She wrote about how she was doing.

However,

It sounds like she’s forcing herself to say all those things.

It felt like she was telling me that she was doing fine so that I don’t worry about her.

-Oh, and I also started learning how to wield a sword from Grandpa.

From the Sword Venerable?

So she finally started to learn huh.

Wait…?

Then who did she learn from back in Gu Clan?

I obviously thought that the Sword Venerable was the one teaching her.

Did she learn by herself?

But Wi Seol-Ah always spoke about it as if she was learning from someone else.

-It’s fun. Grandpa also complimented me saying that I’m skilled in it.

Of course you would be good at it.

If I thought about Wi Seol-Ah from my past life, it was obvious.

In the first place, she wouldn’t have been called the Celestial Sword if she didn’t have that talent.

-I have also become much taller. Grandpa became sad while saying that I might soon become taller than him.

Despite the fact that the Sword Venerable wasn’t that tall, it was still unexpected to hear that Wi Seol-Ah had grown that much.

Was that true?

Her being small was also nice.

If the content in this letter was all true, then I might be a bit disappointed.

-I’m learning a lot of things.

-I’m sad that I’m far away from the Young Master.

-But I was told that it is necessary for the future.

Because of how she said she was told that it was necessary for the future, reading that last line made me frown.

Did the Sword Venerable tell her that?

Did the Sword Venerable have a good reason for telling her that?

-I’m going to learn even more.

-Then, I can protect the Young Master.

“Who’s protecting whom?”

After reading the confident line she had written in the letter, I smirked.

“…Protect, my ass.”

Instead of protecting someone, I just hope that you will live for yourself.

In my past life, you lived for the sake of protecting others, so I hoped that it would be different this time around.

Protect me, huh.

Those words felt very heavy.

-I want to see you.

So did the words that came after.

-Does the Young Master want to see me as well?

And these words as well.

I find your affection very heavy.

And for me to dare to hear such words from you…

If I could just accept your feelings…

I didn’t know if I was allowed to.

While it was pathetic that I felt happy that she missed me, I was also afraid.

-I really want to see you.

-So please wait for me.

-I’ll make sure to come see the Young Master.

On reading those lines filled with Wi Seol-Ah’s emotions, I let out a laugh and a sigh at the same time.

Yet you aren’t asking me to visit you?

Despite saying all those things, not once did she ask me to come visit her.

She had only written that she would come to me.

…It feels like she’s telling me not to come.

For some reason, it felt that way.

It felt like she was telling me not to visit her until she came to me.

-Goodbye.

After reading the last line, I carefully folded the letter in half and put it inside my pocket.

It felt like a simple letter sending me her regards, but it was also hard to see it that way.

“…This, when did you receive it?”

“I believe it came around three months after you left for the frontlines.”

That meant that it had been around a year.

So nothing came after that?

“Are you planning to go?”

“…Where?”

The First Elder asked me with a very wicked expression.

“Qinghai might be far, but that doesn’t mean it’s impossible.”

The First Elder had told me about Wi Seol-Ah’s location in the past.

Qinghai.

Besides the Kunlun Mountains and the Ten Sect Alliance, it was also the home of the Alliance Leader, the Taeryung Clan.

“I’m curious as to why you don’t bother going there yourself.”

Why was I not going huh?

If I was being honest, I had more reasons to not go compared to reasons to go.

How could I dare to argue with the decision made by the Sword Venerable and Wi Seol-Ah?

Of course, I could’ve simply pushed everything aside and just made up a reason for me to go.

And if I couldn’t come up with a reason,

All I have to do is just visit them anyways.

“Judging by your expressions, it seems like you have considered it at least once, huh.”

“Ahem…”

It was just like the First Elder said.

Just like how I had looked for reasons to not go, in the end, I found myself looking for reasons to go.

…Originally, I thought of visiting her after going to Anhui.

That was the plan, if it was really necessary for me to go to the Heavenly Dragon Academy.

It was very risky, but at the same time, it wasn’t totally impossible either.

That was definitely what I intended to do.

-I’ll make sure to come see the Young Master.

“…I’m not sure yet.”

Hearing my response, the First Elder simply stared at me with a strange gaze.

While staring at me somewhat pathetically, it also looked like he was trying to read my thoughts.

After staring at me for a moment, the First Elder let out a sigh and turned his gaze towards Hao Clan’s Lord, who was brushing the floor.

“If you say so.”

“I feel somewhat insulted by your response.”

“It’s nothing. Anyway, did you accomplish what you came here for?”

“…Yeah, somewhat.”

At first, I came here to argue, but it felt like everything had become impassive due to all the unexpected things.

…Regarding the Dishonored Venerable.

Like the First Elder said, even though he may have said that he was going to come, he wasn’t going to come immediately.

And if the need arises, I’ll just run away.

If he wanted to see me, all I had to do was remain out of his sight.

Though, even if I tried, I didn’t know if it was possible for me to avoid him.

Let’s just not think about it for now…

If I thought about it, I would just become sad, so I decided to simply put it aside for now.

“Then, I’ll be taking my leave now.”

“Hmm? Leaving already?”

“Yes, I have to go see father for a bit.”

“Hmm… Alright, not much can be done if the Lord has given you an order. Spend some more time the next time you come here.”

“…I’ll consider it.”

If I stayed in this place for a long time, I didn’t know what would happen to me.

No matter what, I will never do that.

Forcing my body that had become much heavier, I respectfully lowered my head to the First Elder and went on my way.

I needed to talk with the Hao Clan’s Lord as well, but it felt like he was giving me a hint to not talk to him since he was embarrassed at the moment, so I decided to pay him a visit another day.

Since he was said to be residing in the First Elder’s house, I’d probably visit him the next day or the day after.

Does he have no intention of returning to the Hao Clan?

The Hao Clan’s Lord’s identity may have been a secret, but he was still the Lord of his clan.

I wondered if he could afford to reside in this place,

But I guess it’ll be fine since father has given his approval.

If a problem arose and things went wrong, father would’ve already burned him to death.

After glancing at Elder Mook for a moment, once again, I started making my way towards the clan.

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

Elder Mook’s brushing stopped immediately after Gu Yangcheon left.

Only Gu Ryoon continued to put on a sour face while lying on the floor.

“Kids grow up fast, but he’s changed quite a bit.”

Said Elder Mook as he watched Gu Yangcheon walking away.

Strange emotions were mixed in his voice.

“Do not lay your eyes on him.”

On noticing that the emotion in his voice was greed, Gu Ryoon spoke with a heavy tone.

Furthermore,

Swoosh,

Heat started pervading his small house.

“What the–? Are you thinking about beating up your weakling friend now?”

“You know my personality well, so you should know better that I would just do that.”

“It seems like despite your age, that personality of yours doesn't know how to simmer down.”

“Go back to where you belong after a while.”

“That coldness of yours is still the same as well.”

The affection that he showed Gu Yangcheon had disappeared, and now, only sharpness remained with Gu Ryoon.

Elder Mook knew that this was what the real Flaming Fist was like.

Elder Mook also knew the Flaming Fist’s real title, so he didn’t make any more comments.

“I wasn’t showing greed.”

“What a blatant lie.”

“…Of course, for a split second, I thought that perhaps he might get along with my daughter! But I think you can let that go.”

“You old man, that’s what you call greed. Do you even know how old your daughter is for you to say something like that?”

“…Over thirty, I think?”

“My grandson already has a young, beautiful fiancée, so screw off.”

He even had a pool of choices.

Because for some reason, when it came to finding girls, Gu Yangcheon had an overflowing amount of luck.

“…Hmph.”

Elder Mook snorted in disappointment, but Gu Ryoon didn’t even pretend to have heard him.

After pushing Gu Ryoon out of his mind, Elder Mook simply continued to stare in the direction Gu Yangcheon left.

His eyes were much calmer compared to before.

He is burning stronger than before.

Compared to the last time he had seen him, Gu Yangcheon’s presence was much more powerful.

Was it because he was the son of the Tiger Warrior?

No.

Rather than saying that he was the son of the Tiger Warrior…

It’d be more accurate to call him the child of a noble yet bewitching monster.

He didn’t know how much he had inherited from his mother, but if he had taken a lot from her, then this was the obvious result.

Though it was unfortunate that his little sister didn’t seem to have inherited a lot from her mother, it was important that at least one of them got it.

I pray that he continues to grow up just like this.

While thinking about Gu Yangcheon, Elder Mook earnestly prayed that the flame that was born that way would burn the burden of this land once and for all .

“Hey! Your hands are not moving!”

“How about doing it yourself if you aren’t satisfied!”

Unable to hold back any longer, Elder Mook charged at Gu Ryoon with the broom.

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

Somewhere in the west, a middle-aged man was sweating while climbing a steep hill.

“…Fuck, this is a really rough road!”

The birds in the surroundings flew away in surprise after the man shouted.

While seeing that sight, the middle-aged man, Chuwong of Beggar’s Sect, thought about how he ended up in this situation.

“…Fuck.”

When he thought about it, curse words came out instinctively, but there was no one around to criticize him.

Rustle.

It had already been a year of him stepping on branches, walking around a forest.

He was tricked by the True Dragon and had fled to the west about a year ago.

…If I didn’t go back then.

Things would have been much nicer.

It meant that it had already been a year of him running around endlessly like this, without missing a single day.

He had already gotten sick of complaining about this, but if he didn’t complain about his shitty situation like this, he wouldn’t have been able to survive.

He wondered how the Fighting Dog of Beggar’s Sect had ended up this way.

Chuwong let out a deep sigh.

After walking through the forest, for what felt like an eternity, he began to see a hut in the distance.

…Haha fuck.

As soon as he saw the hut, Chuwong became very nervous.

Chuwong didn’t want to go there, but his feet wouldn’t stop.

Because if he stopped there, he didn’t know what that monster of a person would do to him.

He arrived in front of the hut.

Creak.

When he opened the door and stepped in, he saw that someone was already waiting for him inside.

“…Hehe, master, I am here.”

Despite his large physique, Chuwong showed a feeble figure when he saw the person sitting down on a chair.

This was one of the methods he had learned that would help him survive.

Though the man sitting in front of him didn’t even care.

“You are late.”

After hearing those heavy words, Chuwong hurried towards him and begged for mercy.

“Ah, I… had a lot of work, so I arrived here a little late.”

The young man glanced at Chuwong, and then closed his eyes.

Wouldn’t I win if I were to strike his head right now?

Chuwong considered that thought for an instant, but he immediately erased it.

If he could’ve defeated him like that, then he would have already done so.

Unfortunately, the person in front of him wasn’t someone that something like that would have worked against.

…Crazy fucker, who’s the one that said this person is one of the weaker Six Dragons and Three Phoenixes? I will find the guy who spread that false rumor and kill him!

If he thought about how he was rolled around by the man called the Dragon Warrior, Bi Eejin, for the past year, he definitely wasn’t at the level of a young prodigy.

He definitely couldn’t be compared to those young kids.

Just where did someone like this come from?

If he had to compare, either the Peng Clan’s Dragon, Peng Woojin or the greatest , the Sword Phoenix might have stood a chance against him.

Then what about the True Dragon?

Chuwong thought about the True Dragon, Gu Yangcheon, who had sent him here, but it wasn’t easy to compare him either.

Whoever it was, the fact that both of them were monsters did not change.

Bi Eejin asked while staring at Chuwong.

“The letter I wrote, did you send it properly?”

“…Yes, I sent it right away.”

“And there’s no response yet?”

“Haha… t-that’s right.”

After hearing Chuwong’s response, the young man Bi Eejin frowned as if something felt unpleasant.

“…Hmm.”

Was something bothering him?

Because the atmosphere didn’t feel so good, Chuwong’s shoulders flinched when he saw Bi Eejin frown.

When he felt like this, things didn’t end nicely.

Of course, he thought that to himself.

Thankfully, he had a solution for times like these.

Before Bi Eejin could do anything, Chuwong spoke up first.

“Oh, Master.”

Then, Bi Eejin’s cold black eyes were directed at Chuwong.

Chuwong froze because of his terrifying gaze, but he was unable to stop his words.

“…The youngest Young Lady was looking for you earlier, Master.”

“…”

The youngest Young Lady.

Chuwong saw that Bi Eejin’s expression loosened up a little when he brought her up.

As he expected, this worked really well against him.

When it came to the youngest child, the bad-tempered man would become strangely weak.

“I believe she was looking for you to have a meal togeth…”

Before Chuwong could complete his sentence, Bi Eejin stood up.

He was most likely heading down to the streets to look for the youngest Young Lady.

It was a godsend for Chuwong to run into a blood relative of the Bi Clan while walking around the streets earlier.

Thanks to you, I will live for another day …!

She was a life saver as he would’ve most likely been forced to be hung on a tree.

Bi Eejin started to move.

“Come to me right away if you get a response.”

“Ah, of course! I’ll be there in an instant!”

“You know what happens if you run away again, right?”

“Y-Yes…”

When Chuwong thought back to what happened to him back when he tried to run away, he started shivering.

“Oh, burn this on your way back.”

As he walked past him., Bi Eejin gave Chuwong a letter

“This is…?”

“I’m glad that I’ll be able to meet them sooner than expected.”

“Huh?”

Wondering what he meant, Chuwong turned around, but Bi Eejin had already disappeared by then.

Shortly after, Chuwong opened up the letter in his hands, and inside…

-Scheduled to enter the Heavenly Dragon Academy.

“…Eh?”

Was a completely unexpected line.