Childhood Friend of the Zenith Novel MTL - Chapter 1084

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Chapter 1084

The initial day as part of the Martial Alliance proved to be uneventful. No training was scheduled, and we were granted a period of roughly seven days to acclimate, meaning our time was our own for the moment.

We had not yet been assigned permanent quarters; our standing was merely that of initiates who had just been accepted.

Even the formal uniforms of the Azure Dragon Division would not be issued for another three days. Until that time, we were considered novices, expected to make an appearance and slowly become familiar with our new surroundings.

This was particularly true for today.

To mark the arrival of new members, the Blue Flame Sword Master had commanded that a grand feast be prepared.

As expected, attendance was mandatory for every new recruit.

Furthermore, unless an individual was occupied with a critical mission, all other members were also obliged to be present.

«Ahahahaha—!!»

The sound of hearty laughter echoed through the banquet hall, contributing to the vibrant mood.

I was left staring at the place of honor with a deeply contorted look on my face.

«Ahahahahahaha—!!!»

Everything was, on the surface, acceptable.
The feast was acceptable. The situation was acceptable.

But—

‘…What in the world is he doing here?’

I could only glare at a specific individual with the sour expression of someone who had tasted something vile.

An elderly man was seated in the position of highest honor, engaged in casual conversation with the Blue Flame Sword Master.

I was utterly speechless.

“I genuinely did not anticipate you honoring us with a personal visit, sir.”

The Blue Flame Sword Master offered a smile as he spoke, and the old man answered with a slight grin of his own.

“It is good to see you again after so much time. You appear to be in good health.”
“I have grown old, as one does. But I thank you for the generous compliment.”

The old man spoke with an easy familiarity, as if to a peer.

His mere presence meant that not only the new recruits but even the senior members seemed to be holding their breath.

And for a very good reason.

This old man was one of the Three Heavens of Zhongyuan.

His title—Paejon.

That infuriating old man had come here.

*****

«Hahaha!»

As the Blue Flame Sword Master and Paejon continued their discussion—

“…Why is Paejon here?”
“That is truly him, is it not?”

The guests at the banquet could not look away.

This was only to be expected.

He was one of the most formidable figures of the righteous sects, a martial artist who existed at the absolute apex.

One of the Three Heavens—the supreme masters who stand at the very peak of the Murim world.

The opportunity to see such a person up close was a once-in-a-lifetime event.

But—

‘Why in the world has he come here?’

Somehow, that immensely respected figure had found his way to a welcoming banquet for the Azure Dragon Division.

It made no sense to me.

‘This is unbelievable.’

When I first arrived and saw Paejon sitting in the seat of honor, I had almost frozen solid on the spot.

According to the Blue Flame Sword Master, he had come to personally offer his congratulations to the new members.

‘Nonsense.’

That was an outright falsehood.

Did they believe I was unaware of the kind of man Paejon truly was?

Outside of martial arts, he cared for nothing. He was a man consumed by perfecting his craft, completely indifferent to all other matters.

‘Congratulate us? What an absolute joke.’

If he had come here, the reason was transparently obvious.

‘It’s because of me.’

He had come to see me.

‘So he wasn’t going to just let it go, after all.’

Had he truly given up on trying to recruit me?

Of course not.

I should have understood better than anyone—Paejon was not a man who accepted defeat easily.

‘But I never imagined he would go to these lengths.’

Who could have predicted he would intrude upon the banquet itself?

Irritated, I let out a sigh and picked up some food, trying to disregard the growing unease.

“Comrade Baek.”

Do Yun, who was eating beside me, spoke up.

I didn’t answer, merely glancing in his direction.

“…Paejon is here.”
“I have eyes.”
“He is unmistakably here for you, correct?”
“……”

I did not deny it.

Because I couldn’t.

No one present believed the foolish story about him coming to “congratulate” the initiates.

The rumors had already circulated widely.

Everyone within the Martial Alliance knew that Paejon had attempted to take me as his disciple.

And now, he was here.

The conclusion was inescapable.

I could even feel the subtle glances from others, their suspicions being confirmed.

But I paid them no mind.

‘Haa…’

This was a catastrophe.

A complete and unavoidable disaster.

Why did it have to be him of all people?

Tch. I clicked my tongue and shot a look toward Paejon—

“……!”

—and immediately found that he was already looking directly at me.

For an instant, my entire body went rigid.

Then—

*Smirk.*

Paejon smiled.

It was a smirk that made my skin prickle.

What was the meaning of that unsettling smile?

Nothing good ever followed a smile like that from Paejon.

If he was making that face, it signified he was plotting something.

What? Why? What does he have planned?

As a wave of anxiety traveled up my spine—

“You.”

Paejon suddenly pointed at someone.

Not at me.

“Huh? Y-Yes, sir…?”

To my astonishment, he was pointing at Soi.

Sword Peak Soi, who had been seated in a lower-ranking area, started at the sudden attention.

Paejon slowly looked her over with his eyes.

To an observer, it might have seemed like an old man leering at a young woman.

But I knew the truth.

‘He is merely assessing her.’

He held no interest in people unless they possessed potential.

“You must be the one.”
“…Pardon?”
“The Plum Blossom Sword Queen. The disciple that old man took on in his final years. Is that correct?”
“…Ah.”

Recognition dawned in Soi’s eyes before she nodded.

“Yes. I am Soi.”
“Hmm.”

Paejon reacted with clear interest, the corners of his mouth turning up into that smirk again.

“You will do. It seems that old man actually managed to find a worthy disciple before the end.”
“…! Thank you for saying so, sir…!”

Soi beamed at his praise.

«Ohh…»
«Wow…»

The men near her released quiet, admiring breaths.

Evidently, her smile was striking enough to captivate them.

Well, she was undoubtedly good-looking.

Not that it concerned me personally.

So, I decided to concentrate on my meal.

“Excuse me, Elder.”

Abruptly, someone approached Paejon and addressed him.

Curious, I looked over to see who it was.

‘Oh, wonderful.’

It was Namgung Jin—the Sword Dragon. He had quietly approached and was now speaking to Paejon.

Paejon turned his gaze toward Namgung Jin.

“Hm.”

A faint frown touched his features.

“You are…”
“I am Namgung Jin, of the Namgung Clan. My grandfather has often spoken of you.”
“……”

Paejon’s eyes narrowed sharply at the mention of the word grandfather.

“The Heavenly Lord’s grandson.”

Heavenly Lord (Cheonjon).

That was right. Namgung Jin was the grandson of the Heavenly Lord. I had briefly forgotten that fact.

“That is correct. If it would not be too great an imposition, might I have the honor of pouring you a drink?”
“There is no need.”

The disinterest was palpable in Paejon’s gaze—he had already lost all curiosity.

“But, Elder…”
“It appears the Heavenly Lord was not as fortunate as I had believed.”
“……!”

A response completely opposite to the one he had given Soi moments before.

In fact, it was the exact reverse.

Namgung Jin’s composure fractured at the words.

“Leave. I do not care for drinks poured by others.”
“…Understood.”

With a face stiffened by humiliation, Namgung Jin withdrew. I watched him go, scratching my cheek.

‘…That was rather harsh.’

It felt like I was witnessing a deeply embarrassing moment from the future Sword King’s past.

Not a pleasant sight.

The real problem was—

“And now.”

—Paejon turned his attention to me.

“You come here and pour me a drink.”
“…What?”

Paejon looked directly at me as he spoke.

My face twisted in disbelief.

“Did you not hear me?”
“I heard you perfectly. It’s just… completely absurd.”
“Why? I merely asked you to pour a drink.”
“You stated mere moments ago that you do not drink what others pour for you.”
“That is true.”
“Then why—”
“You are not ‘others’.”
“What…?”

What in blazes was he talking about?

“Drinks poured by one’s own disciple are an exception, are they not?”

Paejon stated this with a smirk, uttering complete nonsense.

Everyone surrounding us froze, their breaths caught in their throats.

I could only let out a disbelieving, hollow laugh.

“…Are you being serious?”
“Why? Does the idea displease you?”

I sighed and gave my answer.

“Yes.”
“……!”

A collective gasp of shock rippled through the banquet.

To refuse Paejon—one of the Three Heavens—without a moment’s hesitation…

“I do not enjoy pouring drinks for people.”
“Hah.”

*Creaaak.*

With just a soft chuckle, Paejon’s immense presence made the very table tremble.

My body shuddered on instinct.

Had I pushed too far?

For a fleeting second, the thought of impending disaster crossed my mind.

But—

“You truly are an amusing brat.”

The moment he said it, the suffocating pressure disappeared.

Then, Paejon rose slowly from his seat.

“Well, this is more entertaining. Had you agreed too readily, it would have been dull.”
“I never had any intention of agreei—”
“I have seen your face now, so that is sufficient. I will pay another visit.”
“What do you mean, visit—?! No, don’t you dare come ba—Ah, for heaven’s sake.”

Before I could even finish my sentence, Paejon vanished.

It happened in an instant.

The entire banquet hall fell into a stunned silence.

Everyone had been taken completely by surprise.

Even the Blue Flame Sword Master looked as though he was fighting to suppress a laugh.

‘This guy isn’t normal either…’

I clicked my tongue and stared at the empty space where Paejon had been.

It was then that I felt the heat of someone’s intense gaze burning into me.

I turned my head.

Who was staring at me with such ferocity?

“……”

Of course.

It was none other than Namgung Jin, glaring at me with murderous intent.

‘Ah.’

That look confirmed it beyond any doubt.

He was unquestionably Namgung Cheonjun’s father.

And—seeing the way his blue eyes blazed with pure resentment—I understood something else.

‘…This is going to be a problem.’

It was evident that significant trouble was brewing.

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