Childhood Friend of the Zenith Novel MTL - Chapter 1082
Chapter 1082
A Blade Sovereign
The woman who gave her name as Sword Peak—her identity was unmistakable.
She was the Plum Blossom Sword Queen I remembered.
…This was unforeseen.
Not only was she familiar to me, but her appearance was nearly identical to my memories.
Naturally, with her profound cultivation, it was expected that she would show little sign of aging.
Even so—the resemblance was striking.
“Was she present here from the start?”
I had known of her connection to my father, but I hadn’t realized they were both part of the Azure Dragon Squad.
“Is there an issue?”
I had been gazing too intently.
Sword Queen—no, Sword Peak Soi—tilted her head slightly, observing me with a curious expression.
It took me a second to reply.
“Ah, my apologies. You remind me of someone I am acquainted with.”
“I see…”
She paused for a brief moment, her demeanor shifting into something slightly uncomfortable.
Why would she react that way?
Before I could understand—
“Hey now. I know our senior is lovely, but isn’t it a bit forward to be making eyes at her the instant you meet?”
Do Yun.
That irritating man smirked as he murmured next to me, clearly enjoying himself.
And then, it became clear.
Ah… I see.
Soi must have assumed I was being forward.
If that was the reason for her reaction, it made perfect sense.
“No, that isn’t what I intended—”
I rushed to clarify.
But—
“It’s alright. It doesn’t bother me.”
Soi interrupted before I could even start.
…Oh.
Did I just spoil my first impression?
It seemed our initial meeting had already gotten off on the wrong foot.
Time Skip
Once all the recruits had been assigned to their respective sword squads, we followed our seniors to our new living quarters.
That included me.
A group of six recruits, myself among them, trailed behind Soi on the way to the Azure Dragon Squad’s compound.
From what I understood, Azure Dragon Squad was the second most powerful and prominent squad within the Martial Alliance, surpassed only by the Divine Dragon Squad.
As expected, their residence was enormous.
So vast, in fact, that it was situated somewhat apart from the central headquarters.
“…The placement has changed.”
In my former life, Azure Dragon Squad had been located much nearer to the main grounds.
But now?
It had been relocated.
As I considered this shift, we finally reached our destination.
“We have arrived.”
Soi motioned toward an extensive building complex.
“This will be your home from now on.”
It was immense.
Large enough that an uninformed person might confuse it for the estate of a minor noble house.
And on its substantial wooden gates—
The emblem of the Azure Dragon Squad was carved.
“The majority of our members are away on missions, so it is fairly empty at present. For now, let us proceed inside.”
Soi entered first.
The others trailed behind her, visibly nervous.
“Incredible… I still can’t believe it… I actually made it into Azure Dragon Squad.”
Do Yun, predictably, continued chattering.
“Father… your son has succeeded.”
I let out a quiet sigh.
“Baek, don’t you agree?”
“…About what?”
By now, he had done away with formal speech.
After becoming squadmates, Do Yun had pushed for us to speak casually, and I saw no reason to object.
“What do you mean, ‘what’? We’ve just officially joined the Martial Alliance! Our families will be so proud! How can you be so calm?”
“……”
Was it truly such a significant achievement?
Not only Do Yun—the other recruits also appeared deeply moved.
“It seems the Martial Alliance truly holds great prestige at this time.”
For these individuals, merely entering the Alliance was a life-al accomplishment—something capable of transforming their lives and standing.
Naturally, to me, it meant very little.
This was not my world.
And even if it were, I would never hold admiration for the Martial Alliance.
I detested it.
That is why I remained standing there, unaffected.
And, expectedly, Do Yun took notice.
“Well, I suppose simply joining the Martial Alliance wouldn’t be enough to impress you.”
“…Hm?”
“I mean, you turned down Paejon’s offer to take you as a disciple.”
“……”
“In that case, you must be aiming for something much grander.”
Why did he appear more proud than I was?
Then, as if struck by a thought, Do Yun leaned in closer.
“…Just out of curiosity—”
“What is it?”
“Do you have some kind of tragic history? Like, are you driven by vengeance or a hidden family legacy?”
“……?”
Where did that come from?
“I mean, I heard you defeated the examiner in a fight. That level of skill—and yet no one knew who you were? Isn’t that strange?”
“…Hm.”
Well, I did cause a scene when I took down Beomdong.
The gossip must have spread widely.
“Nothing of the sort. I trained alone and emerged somewhat later than others.”
“Damn… so you’re just a natural prodigy?”
He suddenly inhaled sharply, his eyes widening.
“Wait… does that mean—”
He moved even closer, lowering his voice.
Then, he glanced toward Soi.
“…Are you powerful enough to compete with the Six Dragons and Five Phoenixes?”
The Six Dragons and Five Phoenixes.
I turned my attention toward Soi.
So that title was already in circulation?
I recalled that during this period, the Rising Star Generation had not yet appeared.
“I’m not certain. It doesn’t concern me.”
“You aren’t even interested in the Six Dragons and Five Phoenixes?”
“……”
Of course not.
I had long since moved beyond the realm of young talents.
Soi’s current strength…
Somewhere between the peak-level and advanced peak-level mastery.
Considering she had not yet reached thirty, that was quite remarkable.
However—
“She still doesn’t measure up to the real monsters.”
The genuine geniuses of our generation.
In comparison to individuals like Namgung Bi-ah or Wi Seol-ah, she was still a step behind.
Even those I had only glimpsed—
The leader of the Moyong Clan, the Sword King…
Their abilities were exceptional for their time, but—
Compared to the true monsters I knew?
Like that bastard Woo Hyuk, or that damned monk?
They were still not on that level.
I was deep in thought, my eyes fixed on Soi, when—
“Oh, would you look at that.”
“…What?”
“You’re staring again. You’re fond of her, aren’t you? Not that I blame you—Sword Peak is beautiful.”
“…No, that’s not it.”
“But I’m afraid you’re out of luck. Haven’t you heard the rumors? Sword Peak has already given her heart to the Divine Dragon.”
“…What did you say?”
My expression instantly darkened.
CRACK!
“AAAHHH!!”
A slash of sword energy struck the ground directly before Do Yun’s feet.
He leaped backward in alarm, looking up to see Soi glowering at him, her gaze icy.
“You talk excessively. This is neither the appropriate time nor place.”
“…M-My apologies.”
She had heard every word.
Naturally, she would.
At her level of cultivation, no matter how quietly we spoke, she would catch it all.
Soi released a sigh, shaking her head slightly, before turning back toward the residence.
I followed her inside with caution.
And at last—
The base of the Azure Dragon Squad was fully revealed.
“Whoa…”
“Incredible…”
The new recruits whispered in awe.
A spacious training area.
Neatly arranged living quarters.
This… was to be our new home.
The armory was well-organized, and the sheer volume of resources invested into this place was notable.
“This is satisfactory.”
Without thinking, I nodded in approval.
The others also seemed pleased with the facilities.
And then—
“Well then.”
Soi turned to face us, offering a gentle smile.
She appeared amused by our reactions.
Until—
«Everyone, assume a prone position.»
The smile vanished.
“…Pardon?”
“…What did you say?”
“Senior…?”
Everyone’s eyes widened in disbelief.
Had we misheard?
“Are your ears not functioning?”
Soi’s expression turned severe.
«I said, get down.»
Fwoosh—!
A sudden wave of aura erupted.
The pleasant floral scent was swiftly overpowered by a penetrating cold.
The sharp, oppressive force was enough to compel everyone to drop to the ground instinctively.
I followed their lead.
Once we were all face down, Soi began pacing around us, her voice dripping with contempt.
“You believe passing the entrance exam makes you important? Holding your heads so high—do you think this is a holiday retreat?”
The gentle and refined woman from before was gone.
In her place stood a stern, battle-hardened warrior.
«Are you not going to respond?»
“N-No, ma’am!”
“We apologize, ma’am!”
Discipline was enforced instantly.
Even as I lay prone, I couldn’t help but feel a sense of admiration.
«Impressive…»
I had never been aware of this aspect of Soi.
To my knowledge, she had always been described as graceful and compassionate.
But evidently—
She knew how to discipline new recruits.
“You enter the Alliance and this is the behavior you display? This is shameful.”
Her tone was frigid as she continued.
“Listen carefully. You will maintain this position until your seniors return. And—”
BAM!
“ARGH—!!”
One of the recruits was sent crashing into the ground after being kicked by Soi.
«Guh…!»
He choked violently, struggling for air.
“If anyone attempts to use their internal energy, I will personally beat them to the brink of death. Understood?”
Apparently, someone had tried to cheat and was instantly made an example of.
“Y-Yes, ma’am!!”
Everyone shouted in unison.
“Wh-What is happening…?”
Do Yun muttered, unable to believe it.
Meanwhile, I swallowed hard and thought to myself—
«Ah… this is going to be difficult.»
A feeling told me this was merely the start.
**********
Hours Later
“Ugh… guh…”
“…Ahh… my arms…”
Groans and labored breaths filled the air.
The once-bright daylight had dimmed, replaced by the hues of dusk.
And yet, as Soi had ordered, we remained in the same prone position.
With internal energy forbidden, everyone was soaked in sweat, their faces contorted in pain.
“Straighten your posture.”
“I-I’m sorry… ma’am…”
Even now, Soi continued to walk among us, correcting postures with merciless precision.
The recruits were completely battered at this stage.
“Huuh… huuuh… I-I think I might actually die…”
Even Do Yun was visibly shaking, his arms trembling uncontrollably.
“Baek… aren’t you in pain…?”
“…I am.”
Of course, I wasn’t.
If this were enough to cause me strain, all my past training and struggles would have been for nothing.
“You don’t look like you’re in pain…”
Do Yun’s doubtful eyes fell on my completely dry and composed posture.
“…Ugh… I think I’m going to collapse…”
“Just endure a little longer.”
“I don’t think I can…”
“Seriously. Just a bit more.”
“What…?”
“They’re almost here.”
Do Yun stared at me, confused.
Who is coming?
And then—
Soi suddenly straightened her posture and called out.
“Everyone, on your feet.”
The recruits scrambled to stand.
“Gah…!”
“Hngh… my arms…”
“F-Finally…”
They all gasped for air, relieved the ordeal was over.
But.
“Silence.”
At Soi’s single command, everyone froze.
Their discipline had been thoroughly ingrained.
“Correct your posture. The seniors are arriving.”
“…!”
At her warning, the recruits immediately stiffened.
She was right.
They were approaching.
From far away, a powerful presence was drawing nearer.
I shifted my gaze slightly—
BOOM—!
The gates swung open.
The first to enter was a man leading the group.
I wasn’t sure who he was.
But—
He was powerful.
«A master at the Hwagyeong level.»
At the very least, his cultivation had reached Hwagyeong.
«So, this must be the Squad Leader.»
The leader of Azure Dragon Squad—most likely him.
But I wasn’t interested.
I turned my attention to the person walking behind him.
The moment I did—
My focus was completely captured.
“…Father.”
Divine Dragon Gu Cheolwoon.
My father was walking closely behind the squad leader.
His eyes locked directly onto mine.
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