Childhood Friend of the Zenith Novel MTL - Chapter 1081

Chapter 1081

“Baek Yangcheon, you say…?”

“Yes.”

“The one Paejon wished to take as his disciple?”

“Indeed.”

“He appears far younger and more delicate than I imagined. Was Paejon truly interested in someone like that?”

“So it seems.”

“I heard he achieved a perfect score on the demonology examination.”

“What? That exam was reputed to be the most challenging ever administered.”

“That isn’t all. During the first test, he allegedly confronted the examiner directly…”

Whispers drifted toward me.

No matter how softly one tries to speak, a person of my level—one who has attained transcendence—cannot fully restrain their heightened perceptions.

I heard every word distinctly.

By the time their voices became unmistakably clear, my foot landed upon the platform.

A faint creak sounded from the wooden boards as I stepped onto it lightly, my gaze fixed forward.

Innumerable eyes were trained on me.

Among them, I found the man I had just been conversing with.

Do Yun—if that was his name.

The Sanseo Clan, was it?

A person from my homeland, supposedly. Yet I had no memory of ever hearing of the Sanseo Clan.

Likely a member of some insignificant minor family.

It was not worth dwelling on.

I only noted his reaction because it was mildly entertaining.

Even now, he was staring at me, his eyes wide with astonishment, as if he had seen something completely incredible.

Amusing.

It had been some time since I last found someone worth toying with.

I offered him a slight, mocking smile before returning my attention to the matter before me.

Just then—

“Baek Yangcheon.”

A voice called my name, and my eyes shifted toward the sound.

A face I recognized.

It was the examiner from the second test. He was looking at me with unmistakable skepticism.

Ah, he must believe I bribed someone.

A perfect score on that exam.

I had heard it was called the most difficult in history.

Their suspicion was only natural.

But ultimately—

It is merely conjecture.

The true problem lies in my origins.

A member of the Baek Clan—a lowly, insignificant house.

Would someone from such an obscure background even possess the means to bribe an examiner?

That must be what is leaving them uncertain.

“Yes,” I answered.

The man’s brow furrowed slightly.

“…Congratulations on passing. You are the top scorer.”

“Thank you.”

Top scorer.

I had earned that title once before at the Shinryong Hall, but…

…It holds little significance here.

I felt no particular thrill at the achievement.

Then—

“The Alliance Leader will be arriving shortly. Compose yourself appropriately.”

“……!”

My eyes widened slightly at his words.

The Alliance Leader—that could only mean…

…the Sword Master.

Wi Seol-ah’s grandfather.

One of the Three Supreme Masters of the martial world.

The man closest to being called the strongest under heaven.

The public believes that if a contest were held to decide the most powerful warrior alive, the Sword Master would be the undeniable victor.

The legendary figure who once led the Martial Alliance into its golden age of peace.

At least, that is his reputation.

And now, the Sword Master himself was coming.

As that truth settled in—

“The Alliance Leader is arriving!”

A loud announcement echoed from a distance.

But I had sensed his approach long before the shout.

His presence…

An immense force was drawing nearer, step by deliberate step.

Sharp. Lethal.

The air itself felt like a honed edge, threatening to slice into my skin.

A pressure that was suffocating.

It was as if the atmosphere was being crushed flat beneath the weight of his aura.

I turned my head to look.

There.

Emerging from within the main building of the headquarters, an old man was approaching.

A small, frail-looking figure.

Most of his hair was white, though streaks of black remained. His body was exceedingly thin.

And yet—

…This is different.

The instant I saw him, doubt arose in my mind.

Was this truly the same man I knew?

His presence was utterly changed.

The old man I had known wore a kindly expression on his wrinkled face.

But this man—

The Sword Master.

This was not that person.

A finely tempered blade.

A sword given human form.

Merely looking at him made my breath catch.

He feels completely different.

I had never seen him during his tenure as Alliance Leader, only in his later years as a passive observer.

This was nothing like that memory.

I instinctively sharpened my focus.

I cannot be discovered.

I clenched my teeth.

Even though I have already reached the level of the Three Supreme Masters, the true depth of the Sword Master’s power is unknown.

I suppressed my aura as much as possible.

Simultaneously, I allowed just the right amount to remain visible—to conceal it entirely would be suspicious. I adjusted it to the level of an experienced peak master.

“……”

The Sword Master came to a halt before me.

Our eyes met.

His sharp, golden gaze seemed to pierce straight through me.

“So, you are Baek Yangcheon.”

“I am. It is an honor to meet you, Alliance Leader.”

“……”

His golden eyes swept over me from head to toe.

Yet, I could detect no active energy emanating from him.

But at his level of mastery, simple observation is more than sufficient.

“…A new star has risen in Zhongyuan.”

The surrounding crowd stiffened at his declaration.

Everyone understood the profound significance of those words.

And then—

“Oh? Have you taken a liking to him already?”

A voice interjected.

An old man had stepped forward.

I narrowed my eyes slightly.

…Muk Yeon.

A strategist of the Martial Alliance, once famed as the mastermind behind the alliance’s greatest victories.

Even in the world I came from, he had eventually resumed his role as the alliance’s chief advisor.

So, he is already here at this time.

It was not surprising.

It simply meant there was another person to be cautious of.

“I heard we have a new top scorer. I look forward to your future contributions.”

“…Thank you.”

With that brief exchange, the conversation concluded.

The Sword Master turned to address the large assembled crowd.

“To those who have chosen to become the new strength of the Alliance, I welcome and praise you.”

His address was short.

A standard congratulatory speech.

As he spoke, I discreetly extended my senses.

I was cautious—if the Sword Master detected anything unusual, it would be perilous.

So I moved my energy slowly, subtly.

Far too many sharp eyes are fixed on me.

I could feel them.

How many among them were watching me with hostile intent?

As I sifted through the various presences, I realized—

Quite a few.

Even after narrowing it down, the number was still considerable.

Hmm.

I gave a slight, almost imperceptible nod.

This might just be feasible.

It did not seem it would be overly difficult.

Having settled on a course of action, I steadied my mind.

And just as I did—

The Alliance Leader’s speech concluded.

**********

Once the address was over, we were directed to the plaza.

Everyone who had been standing before the platform moved there as instructed.

The reason was simple.

“We will now announce the sword squads to which you have been assigned.”

Those who passed the entrance exam were now formal members of the Martial Alliance. This necessitated placement into a sword squad.

It was an inevitable procedure.

The atmosphere grew thick with tension.

Everyone was intently observing the six individuals standing at the front.

Each represented a different sword squad.

Yet, there are supposed to be nine squads in total within the Martial Alliance.

Nine, which includes the Divine Dragon Squad.

But only six squads had come to recruit.

The reason was obvious.

“The squads that did not come must be the Divine Dragon Squad, the Wind Dragon Squad, and the Guardian Squad.”

The Divine Dragon Squad accepts only the absolute elite; they never recruit new members.

The Wind Dragon Squad and Guardian Squad are special operations units—naturally, they show no interest in fresh recruits either.

“So, the remaining squads are here to make their selections.”

It was logical.

“The selection process will now begin.”

Names were called out one after another.

“Jin Seok-hyeon, assigned to the Flying Dragon Squad.”

One by one, the selected individuals stepped forward, moving toward the representative of their assigned squad.

“Bang Hyeon-yeon, Golden Dragon Squad. Seok Ho-ryeong, Iron Dragon Squad.”

The process was efficient.

It appeared each squad had pre-determined their choices and were merely announcing them.

As the list continued—

“Do Yun, Azure Dragon Squad.”

My name was called.

And then—

“……Baek Yangcheon.”

I turned my head slightly.

“Azure Dragon Squad.”

A murmur spread through the crowd.

“Oh!”

The most vocal reaction came from behind me.

I turned to see the source—Baek Yangcheon’s new shadow.

Me.

“Hah! We’re in the same squad again!”

“……”

“To think I would share a sword squad with the great Baek Yangcheon…! What an honor!”

A dull ache began to form in my head.

From the moment we assembled in the plaza, this individual had not ceased talking.

I could already tell—this was going to be tedious.

Ever since he discovered my identity, he had become even more talkative.

“Of all people… why him?”

And the Azure Dragon Squad, no less.

My ears were in for a trial.

Still…

“At least one thing has gone correctly.”

I tuned out Do Yun’s incessant chatter and concentrated on what truly mattered.

I had gotten into the Azure Dragon Squad.

That was everything.

It was my primary objective.

The odds were not favorable, but I had succeeded.

“…The place where my father is.”

The current squad leader of the Azure Dragon Squad is none other than Divine Dragon Gu Cheolwoon.

The last time I saw my father, he was with them.

So, it was only natural I wanted to go there as well.

And now—

It seemed I had gotten my wish.

“Hahaha! I think we’ll get along just fine, don’t you?”

“…Ah, yes.”

With Do Yun still chattering away, we made our way to the squad’s gathering point.

The blue banners of the Azure Dragon Squad were easily visible.

Locating them posed no difficulty.

When we arrived—

A voice greeted us.

“Nice to meet you.”

Hm?

I turned toward the speaker.

The voice was soft, almost melodic.

And its owner—

She was beautiful.

Delicate and elegant, with a calm, serene presence.

And more than that—

She carried the scent of flowers.

A fragrance I knew all too well.

“…Ah.”

Recognition dawned on me immediately.

Lately, I had been running into too many familiar faces.

The young woman met my gaze and smiled.

“I look forward to working with you. My name is—”

She paused briefly before finishing—

“I am Soi of the Azure Dragon Squad. People call me ‘Sword Peak,’ though I find the title somewhat embarrassing.”

“……”

Plum Blossom Sword Queen, Soi.

This was her… in her youth.