Childhood Friend of the Zenith

As the exam entered its second half…

“Brother?”

Bibi turned towards the presence she felt and spoke.

The person who had left her after telling her he’d be right back only returned now.

Bibi had considered looking for him herself since he took so long…

But he finally has returned.

However, Bibi was a bit shocked when she saw Bi Eejin.

“Huh? What’s the matter, brother?”

Bi Eejin seemed a bit off since he returned.

“Did you get injured, perhaps?”

“Injured? Of course not.”

Bi Eejin appeared somewhat uncomfortable.

He got injured?

Is that even possible?

Bibi’s expression changed instantly, swept by shock.

The man who had been perfectly fine after falling off a cliff, returned in such an exhausted state— how could she not be surprised?

“…Did you… run into a red Demon or something?”

Bi Eejin smirked at Bibi’s words.

“Where would we encounter such a thing in our current generation?”

“But, if that’s not the case… This shouldn’t be possible.”

Bibi poked Bi Eejin’s body a few times, fascinated.

“…Stop pressing on it.”

“Does it hurt? Does it also hurt here?”

Bi Eejin sighed, gently pushing aside the fascinated Bibi.

Red Demon, huh?

It was somewhat similar.

Whether it was a red Demon or Gu Yangcheon, they were similar in the fact that they were both red.

He was as violently fierce as a Demon.

Thanks to him, one of his arms broke and a rib was shattered from the first blow he took.

How long has it been ever since I’ve been injured like this?

Bi Eejin had taken great care of his body, worried it might break since becoming weaker after his youth.

However, this only proves my theory that only he can do it.

Bi Eejin became more certain after fighting against him.

His close combat technique was poor compared to his talent and level, and setting aside that he seemed to be hiding something, Gu Yangcheon had instinctive sense in him.

Well, he did seem to be reckless.

He seemed to realize immediately that thinking through his attack was pointless, charging in as if willing to trade a part of his body for it.

But it’s understandable for him to be arrogant if he’s that skilled at his age.

Bi Eejin didn’t know the records, but it was possible that Gu Yangcheon is the youngest person ever to reach the Peak Realm.

Moreover, it wasn’t just that he was the youngest to reach such a level—even among much older prodigies, there were no martial artists who could compete with Gu Yangcheon.

Despite this, Bi Eejin didn’t see the slightest bit of arrogance in his eyes.

Instead, he sought for improvement, fully aware of his weakness.

How odd.

Despite Bi Eejin hiding his strength, each movement from Gu Yangcheon was cautious despite appearing reckless.

It was as if he instinctively knew that Bi Eejin was stronger than him.

He’s also clever.

In just a few exchanges, Gu Yangcheon realized that Bi Eejin had no intention to harm his body.

Because of this, he charged in even more recklessly, knowing he’d have no way to escape if his arm or leg was caught.

…What a monstrous bastard.

It made him shudder.

He knew Gu Yangcheon was injured and couldn’t afford to damage his precious body, so Bi Eejin had to restrain himself as much as possible.

In the end, he only overpowered Gu Yangcheon after sacrificing his arm and chest.

It was like seeing his younger self.

He used to fight like that when he sparred against others.

As if there was no tomorrow, ready to die at any moment.

Good.

How satisfying.

After fighting him, Bi Eejin concluded that Gu Yangcheon hadn’t undergone Eternal Youth as he had.

He was sure of it.

It was clear just by observing him. The bastard’s body was a masterpiece of craftsmanship.

Such a body wouldn’t have been possible if he had gone through the same ordeal as Bi Eejin.

Which was why he couldn’t afford to let him go.

I must prepare.

They had made a promise, so he had to set a date for it.

He couldn’t go in his current state, after all.

“Oh.”

“What’s the matter?”

“Now that I think of it, I forgot to deliver it to him.”

Bi Eejin pulled a letter from his pocket.

It was a letter meant for Gu Yangcheon, but he had completely forgotten about it.

I must be getting old; I keep forgetting things.

Bi Eejin had thought that his memory had improved after becoming younger, but that didn’t exactly seem to be the case.

A dirt raccoon from the Beggar’s Sect had given him the letter.

Bi Eejin had captured the raccoon and used him to his advantage after learning he had been snooping around.

I considered burying him somewhere.

He thought about getting rid of him, but instead had him running errands, as the raccoon proved more competent than expected.

He wasn’t bad either, obedient and quick to follow orders.

Because he worked hard, Bi Eejin accepted a request from him.

I wonder what’s written in it.

Out of curiosity, Bi Eejin opened the letter.

He didn’t care about the fact that he shouldn’t read someone else’s letter.

-To Great Expert, True Dragon.

The letter began respectfully.

-You bastard.

But the tone shattered with the second line.

“…?”

Bi Eejin frowned his eyes a little after thinking he misread it for a moment, but that wasn’t the case.

-Do you know what kind of state I’m in right now…? You bastard. You should come save me if you feel even a shred of guilt! I even sent a letter…!

-Rotten bastard… I’m the fool for thinking I could gain wealth and honor! For fuck’s sake, do you know what happens when a beggar holds a grudge in the dead of winter?

-What do you mean what happens for fucks sake… I’ll be hungry! You bastard.

-I’ll remember this. No matter what, I will…

Crunch.

Bi Eejin crumpled the letter and threw it far away after reading some of it.

Good thing I didn’t deliver it.

It might’ve been bad if he did.

Bi Eejin nodded after convincing himself.

“What is it? What did you throw away?”

“Nothing important. Just… stop poking already.”

“Does it hurt? Brother, does it also hurt here? So it does hurt? It hu- Kyaghh!”

In the end, Bibi’s teasing only stopped after Bi Eejin gave her a good bonk on the head.

“Angh…”

As Bibi sat on the ground rubbing her head,

Now that I think about it.

Something crossed Bi Eejin’s mind as he crumpled the letter.

Why did Gu Yangcheon send a dirt raccoon to research about me?

Bi Eejin had meant to ask but forgot this too.

I’ll ask him later.

There was plenty of time.

All he had was time.

A futile period, he couldn’t even perfect his martial arts.

“…Brother.”

“What’s the matter?”

“Are you going to enter the Academy?”

Bi Eejin tilted his head, puzzled by Bibi’s question.

He wondered what she was suddenly talking about.

“You told me you’d return home after the exam and wouldn’t actually attend the Academy.”

“Did I say that?”

“Yes. You said you wouldn’t even if I die…”

“Hmm.”

He might have said something like that.

He had intended to return home after deliberately failing the exam.

In truth, he wouldn’t have stayed long if the True Dragon hadn’t piqued his interest—but that had changed.

“It’s fine as I have a reason to stay.”

“Oh really?”

Bibi reacted in shock after hearing Bi Eejin.

She hadn’t expected her brother to say that.

“That’s right.”

Bi Eejin responded with a slight smile, then rubbed his chest.

“…Tsk.”

He must have struck extremely hard, because Bi Eejin felt pain in his chest as soon as he smiled.

It seemed his recovery would take longer than he had expected.

A little while later,

Swish!

A few arrows soared into the sky.

Flaming arrows streaked through the air,

Boom!

They exploded, leaving brief trails.

The young prodigies exhaled in relief as they saw the flames.

The flames erupting against the sunset signaled the exam’s end.

Some sighed in relief, others screamed in frustration, but whichever it was, the results didn’t change.

The third stage of the exam to enter the Heavenly Dragon Academy concluded with the setting sun.

******************Beneath a night shrouded in dark clouds, above the harsh tides, an isolated island could be seen.

The island was notorious, rumored to be cursed, and avoided by locals due to the violent tides that surrounded it.

The island was infested with demons, and fierce guards with powerful Qi patrolled its grounds.

At its center stood a massive building.

Creak.

A man walked, his steps echoing in the silence.

He walked through the dark path that didn’t have a single light.

After walking for a while,

Pause.

He halted before a door.

Slide.

He carefully opened the door and entered, seeing an old man sitting with his eyes closed.

“…Great King.”

The old man slowly opened his eyes at the sound of the man’s voice.

He had faded ominous pupils.

“We lost the presence of the one he sent.”

“I see.”

The old man didn’t show much of a reaction despite hearing the man’s words.

The man felt uneasy at the old man’s lack of response but dared not show it.

The old man had always been this way, after all.

The man then shifted the conversation to another topic.

“…According to another report, we’ve confirmed that the Sword Emperor’s descendant is heading to the Heavenly Dragon Academy.”

“Oh?”

Only then, the old man’s eyes glowed as he showed a reaction.

His demeanor was markedly different from before.

“So that bastard didn’t lie after all.”

The old man was reminded of someone.

A young snake who schemed behind his father’s back, without the clan’s knowledge.

He gave a helping hand as he saw darkness from the young boy, but he was more useful than he expected.

“Hyogun, you fool. You should’ve erased all traces if you wanted to stay hidden.”

Chuckle. The old man chuckled with his dry voice.

The man didn’t know what the old man found so funny.

“Indeed, time is nearly upon us.”

Crack.

The old man stood up as he spoke.

As the old man rose, his small, frail appearance gave way to a massive, imposing figure.

“The Heavenly Dragon Academy huh…”

A gathering place for the children of noble clans.

Not bad.

“A very fitting place for this Black Dragon to resurrect in.”

As the old man lifted his body,

Rumble…

His Combat Qi and killing intent erupted, spreading throughout the room.

The Qi was so intense it shook the entire building.

The man could only groan in pain, struggling to block his nose and mouth.

The old man addressed him.

“You mentioned the blood relative of the Poison King is also there, correct?”

“Yes… He is said to be called the Poison Phoenix.”

“Poison Phoenix. How nice.”

The Ten Thousand Poisons Immunity that hadn’t appeared from Tang Clan for a while.

He’s still young, but it wouldn’t be bad to ‘collect’ him before he matures.

After all, a chance had been given.

With that thought in mind, the old man issued an order.

“Inform the Palace Lord.”

He ordered the man to deliver words to the person who hid somewhere in this island.

“Tell him that commission is separate from paying the rent.”

“…Under…stood.”

After the man hurriedly left, the old man chuckled once more, then walked to the window and gazed up at the sky.

The night sky remained heavy with dark clouds, though slivers of moonlight pierced through.

Ache.

The scarred part of his body throbbed as he stared at the moon.

It always felt this way on nights when the moon was visible.

This was why he always kept his eyes closed during night time.

The old man could never forget the swordplay he had witnessed that night.

He rubbed the scar that still ached to this day despite decades of time passing.

“Chuckle…”

When would this pain finally leave him?

Perhaps it wouldn’t be much longer.

The old man didn’t move again until the dark clouds fully obscured the moon.

******************I made it back to the inn to rest shortly after the exam ended.

“I’m disgustedly tired.”

My body was extremely exhausted.

Not only was I injured, but I also fought against the Dishonored Venerable.

As I limped back to the inn, Muyeon, who had been waiting, offered me a helping hand.

Seeing him, I couldn’t help but look surprised.

“Muyeon, did you not go back?”

Muyeon answered with a slight smile.

“I will be returning tomorrow.”

“You could’ve left today.”

“I felt I needed to stay until you finished your exam…”

“Did you think I might fail? Why worry about that?”

If I passed the exam, I wouldn’t be allowed an escort, and I knew Muyeon had matters to attend to back in the clan, concerning Gu Sunmoon.

It honestly was Muyeon being stubborn for him to come to Henan as well.

I told him not to come in the first place.

So he’s leaving tomorrow huh.

After hearing him, I made a suggestion to Muyeon.

“How about you take that dumbass with you?”

“Haha…”

Muyeon laughed awkwardly as I pointed in a particular direction.

My finger was pointing to Gu Jeolyub.

Gu Jeolyub flinched and stood up when he realized I was pointing at him.

“…I passed the exam, you know…”

“You said it was close.”

“It wouldn’t have been… if a certain someone didn’t take my bands.”

Gu Jeolyub’s voice was tinged with frustration.

According to him, he barely managed to get the band right before the arrow was shot.

It was honestly close and I was glad.

I wasn’t able to go back to him to return the bands because my body was thrashed.

I originally was going to return the bands to him, but I couldn’t because of the state I was in, so I was happy that he wasn’t disqualified and passed with his own strength.

If he had failed like that, even I would’ve felt a bit bad.

Also, Gu Yeonseo passed as well.

I think he went to her room right away and fell asleep as soon as he returned because of how exhausted he was.

The others.

A quick glance told me they weren’t in the best shape.

Moyong Hi-ah’s usual polished appearance was gone, leaving her looking haggard, while Tang Soyeol, usually so cheerful, was dozing off with her forehead resting on the table.

What’s wrong with them?

They were so confident that they were going to pass the exam, but they seemed strange.

Did something happen?

Something must have happened for them to be this exhausted.

The only person who seemed fine was Namgung Bi-ah.

While the others were visibly drained, Namgung Bi-ah quietly sipped her tea.

She looked the same as usual.

The only difference was that she wasn’t sleeping.

…Wi Seol-Ah. Did she not come?

It seemed Wi Seol-Ah had gone to her own inn.

That was expected, but I still felt a strange sense of disappointment.

“Young Master.”

“Hmm?”

“Who… is this…?”

Muyeon pointed to the figure behind my back and asked.

“Oh.”

Right.

I forgot about this.

I pulled the bastard who was shivering behind my back towards me.

Because of this bastard, I had to work extra hard to get more bands.

“Say hi.”

“Uh…”

Cheol Jiseon trembled even more under the weight of everyone’s gaze.

How do I even introduce him?

“Hmm.”

After a moment of thought, I spoke.

“He;s a new friend of mine.”

That should do it.

When I said it casually,

“…!”

“Friend…?”

“You made a friend…?”

The crew’s eyes all changed.

They especially stared at Cheol Jiseon with curious eyes.

As if!

How did he end up…

Unfortunate…

Their eyes seemed to be saying such words.

Gu Jeolyub’s eyes were the most intense of all.

He stared at Cheol Jiseon with wide, almost pitying eyes.

He wasn’t saying anything, but his eyes said it all.

Run away…!

I saw Cheol Jiseon roll his eyes around when his eyes met with Gu Jeolyub’s.

What the hell…? Why is everyone reacting like this?

I was rather offended.