Childhood Friend of the Zenith Novel MTL - Chapter 1074

Chapter 1074

Henam’s Prefecture.

A prosperous city and the core of the martial realm—host to both the Main Alliance Headquarters and Shaolin, counted among the Nine Great Sects.

Due to its lively streets and dense population of martial artists, it was widely considered the most secure area in all of Zhongyuan.

Thus, it served as the stronghold of the righteous factions, the bedrock of orthodoxy.

As this supposed beacon of peace, Henam’s prefecture continually drew countless travelers.

But on this day, the crowds were larger than ever.

A guard stationed at the city gates released a heavy breath as he watched the endless lines of people approaching.

“…This is excessive.”

Hearing his complaint, the older guard next to him gave his shoulder a reassuring pat.

“Nothing to be done. Of all days, it had to be now.”
“That’s what I mean! Why did my shift have to fall on today?”

His weariness was clear—he had been on duty since daybreak without rest.

“Come now, it’s not as if this is new. We see this every year. Do you really dislike it that much?”
“…But this isn’t a normal year, is it?”
“…You’re right about that.”

The senior guard nodded, his eyes also fixed on the multitude.

Each year, the Main Alliance held its Entrance Exam.

Because the Martial Alliance continually sought new talent, waves of applicants poured into Henam around this time.

But even by that standard—this year’s turnout was unusually large.

What had led to such a record-breaking surge?

“…It’s all due to the Divine Dragon.”

It was the recent news—an event that had rocked not only Henam but the whole of Zhongyuan.

The Divine Dragon.

The greatest martial genius of this age, surpassing every other Young Dragon.

Personally endorsed by the Martial Alliance, he was anticipated to become one of Zhongyuan’s most powerful figures in the coming years.

Naturally, a Divine Dragon emerged in every generation, so under ordinary conditions, the appearance of a new one would not have been so remarkable.

“…But this one is different.”

This Divine Dragon was unlike any before.

The title itself always carried prestige, but this time, its significance was on another level.

“It wasn’t someone from the Four Noble Clans or the Nine Great Sects. Who could have imagined a monster like that would come from a quiet, mid-level family?”
“Mid-level? It’s still an established house, you know.”

It wasn’t an insignificant clan.

However, it wasn’t widely recognized either.

“I’d never even heard of them. The Shanxi Gu Clan? I didn’t know such a place existed.”
“True…”

The Shanxi Gu Clan.

The family of the Divine Dragon.

And yet, most people had been unaware of it until now.

Technically, it was a respected family and an official member of the righteous faction.

However, it had rarely, if ever, taken part in events like the Dragon-Phoenix Gathering or other major orthodox conferences.

“And now, out of nowhere, they’ve produced the Divine Dragon.”

A virtually unknown family.

A sect that had made almost no public appearances.

And yet, their Divine Dragon had overpowered every prodigy from the Four Noble Clans and the Nine Great Sects.

He had defeated the Five Dragons and Four Phoenixes—the most outstanding Young Dragons of this generation.

And at the Dragon-Phoenix Gathering, he had displayed overwhelming strength.

Naturally, the public became fascinated by the sudden rise of this genuine genius.

But the fact that he wasn’t merely skilled—but a force beyond any of his peers—had sent continuous whispers throughout the martial world.

And this was the outcome.

«Please maintain an orderly line!»
«Pushing will not speed up your entry!»

Alliance guards were shouting themselves hoarse, attempting to manage the incoming flood of people.

Most had come to undertake the Martial Alliance Entrance Exam.

And it was all because of the Divine Dragon.

Inspired by his rapid ascent, countless martial artists were motivated.

And in only a few years, he had achieved the impossible—entering the Azure Dragon Division and becoming the youngest Vice Commander in history.

His achievements were utterly staggering.

And as if pulled by his legend, innumerable warriors now hoped to join the Alliance.

«Ah, for heaven’s sake…!»

The guards clenched their teeth in aggravation.

This situation wasn’t going to make their duties any lighter.

“Next…!!”

They continued processing applicants one after another.

By this point, fighting a demonic beast would have been simpler than handling this chaos.

One by one, the hopefuls came forward.

«Next.»

A man approached the Alliance guard, smoothly presenting a letter of identification.

As it was opened, the guard inquired:

«…Name?»
«Baek Yangcheon.»

Hearing the reply, the guard examined the identification.

‘The Guangdong Baek Clan.’

A name he recognized.

Not famous, but a known orthodox family.

The identification seemed authentic, with no evidence of tampering.

However…

‘Did the Baek Clan have a Young Dragon?’

He couldn’t remember.

Well, perhaps the man was an illegitimate son.

The gatekeeper nodded and looked up—

«…!»

And flinched involuntarily.

‘…What in the world?’

The young man’s face was strikingly fierce.

Pale skin, a powerful build—one might call him handsome in a rugged way.

But even so, he looked utterly intimidating.

«Uh… well…»

Momentarily speechless, the guard collected himself and asked:

«…What is the purpose of your visit?»

The fierce-looking young man—

«Ah.»

Baek Yangcheon.

No—

«I came to take the Martial Alliance Entrance Exam.»

Gu Yangcheon said.

***********

I moved through the crowd and entered the city.

Weaving through the dense mass of people, I gradually advanced.

«Well, I’m inside.»

As I walked, I subtly let go of the energy I had been holding.

Sssss…

Something shifted and dissolved.

The illusion I had crafted using the Veil of Deception disappeared.

I had used it to counterfeit an identification letter and take on the identity of Baek Yangcheon.

With my skills, fabricating an identity was straightforward.

But the real issue was—

«…Was this the right choice?»

In this unfamiliar and strange place, was taking the Martial Alliance Entrance Exam truly the correct step?

That uncertainty stayed with me.

But—

«No.»

I quickly dismissed the thought.

I had no other alternatives.

«It’s clear this is what I was supposed to do.»

The timing and situation were too precise to be accidental.

What was I meant to achieve in this world?

The answer was obvious.

«Why now, though?»

That was the only part that troubled me.

But this wasn’t the moment to doubt.

Only one ending made sense.

«…I have to meet him.»

Why this era?

And what was I actually meant to do?

There was only one way to learn.

I had to meet him.

«My father.»

The current Divine Dragon.

Gu Cheolwoon.

That was who I needed to find.

Even the fact that I had arrived in this world on the very day of the Martial Alliance Entrance Exam—

And after verifying the timeline—

It was all too intentional.

Deducing where I needed to go wasn’t hard.

This was the answer I had arrived at.

After walking for some time, I finally reached a enormous building.

Since this place hadn’t changed much from the future I remembered, locating it was easy.

«Are you here for the entrance exam?»
«Yes.»

Just as before, I handed over my identification letter, again concealed by the Veil of Deception.

«Go on in.»

As anticipated, I was permitted entry without trouble.

The inside was crowded with people.

«All martial artists.»

Since everyone here aimed to join the Main Alliance, that was expected.

«Well, back in this time, the Alliance still had a strong reputation.»

It was still seen as a symbol of peace and absolute virtue.

This was the Martial Alliance’s golden age.

So such a huge crowd wasn’t surprising.

«Hmm.»

I surveyed my surroundings. In my hand was a wooden tag engraved with a number.

A numbered ticket for the exam.

Evidently, the testing procedure hadn’t changed much from the future I knew.

As I observed the crowd and waited—

«The exam will begin shortly.»

A loud announcement echoed.

«All applicants, please make your preparations and stand by!»

At that command, the mood changed instantly.

The assembled martial artists radiated competitive tension.

«Oh my.»

I released a soft laugh.

This was fighting spirit.

It had been some time since I last felt this kind of raw, electric atmosphere.

Having fought so long in the Abyss, my instincts had grown numb to this type of energy.

«…I wonder what kind of test this will be?»

The Martial Alliance Entrance Exam.

In my time, there was no exam for me.

Since I was a Young Dragon of the Shanxi Gu Clan, my entry was guaranteed through the existing agreement with the Alliance.

«So they actually conducted formal exams in this era?»

Apparently, back then, applicants had to demonstrate their worth through direct trials.

«What will they have us do?»

Even though I found the process somewhat bothersome, I was still interested.

So, I followed the examiners’ directions and moved.

Eventually, we came to an arena.

«Oh. This place.»

A familiar location.

It was the Main Alliance’s combat stage—

The same one used for the Dragon-Phoenix Gathering and other major martial tournaments.

As I looked on, reminiscing—

«…Wait. That person.»
«…Wow!»

Murmurs spread through the crowd.

Everyone’s attention was fixed on the center of the stage.

Naturally, I turned my gaze as well.

«Huh?»

Someone stood on the arena platform.

Squinting, I studied the figure.

Judging by the reactions, this was someone significant.

«Who is that?»

I had no clue.

A huge, broad-shouldered old man.

His physique alone was comparable to Tang Deok’s, his muscles tempered like steel.

With his hands behind his back, he looked utterly bored to be there.

«…What exactly is that?»

His presence was no minor matter.

What kind of martial artist was he?

«And how do I not know him?»

I was suppressing my aura to avoid notice, so I couldn’t sense him precisely—

But even the faint traces I could detect were staggering.

«You’ve all worked hard to get here.»

A simple remark—

Yet the gravity in his voice made the air tremble.

This man was a monster.

One of the most powerful martial artists I had ever come across.

«Did someone like this exist back then?»

I narrowed my eyes.

And then—

Thump.

My heart jumped.

No—it responded.

Deep inside, my martial arts stirred.

This was—

«Resonance?»

It was resonating.

My martial arts had sparked an involuntary reaction.

And the specific technique responding was—

«Why… why is it this one?»

Tua Pacheonmu.

A fierce resonance pulsed within me.

My eyes snapped wide open.

«No way.»

Disbelieving, I focused on the massive old man before me.

And then—

«Ah, I was just passing by, but since I’m here, I thought I’d help lift spirits.»

His tone was flat, almost lazy.

«The name’s Paejon.»

I stood frozen.

That man—

He was Paejon.

But not the Paejon I knew.

This was him before he regressed.