Childhood Friend of the Zenith Novel MTL - Chapter 1088
Chapter 1088
There were moments, maybe one or possibly more, when the idea had crossed my mind.
If I had to choose a specific time, it was likely when I discovered that my father was far more powerful than I had ever imagined. When I understood that he existed on a completely different level than the Three Elders.
I had often wondered about my father’s youth.
It was a peculiar thing to be curious about. The world only knew him as a figure who barely ranked among Zhongyuan’s Hundred Masters.
And yet, learning that he could easily defeat the Three Elders had been staggering.
When did I learn this? It must have been in my previous life, during my final confrontation with Cheonma.
He was the only one who had ever dealt Cheonma a mortal blow—someone even the Three Elders could not defeat.
That event likely influenced my own battle with the Divine Sword as well.
I had always carried doubts about my father.
If he was truly that powerful, why was he not famous?
Moreover, if he was such a phenomenal martial artist—
“What was he like when he was my age?”
How had my father been in his youth?
That question had always stayed with me.
And today, I finally discovered the answer.
Whoooosh—!!!
“Incredible.”
Blazing Red Heaven Flames. Unlike my own Azure Flames, which had evolved over time, his were a profound, vivid crimson—flawless in both shape and essence.
A true Infernal Flame, honed and perfected through endless challenges, embodying the very soul of the Gu family’s fire.
Watching the flames twist and surge, as if desperate to devour everything in their way, I was filled with awe.
“…This is unbelievable.”
It wasn’t just the sheer heat—
The raw intensity, the resolute will driving it, and the exact mastery over every spark were simply unreasonable.
Fwoosh.
My father’s flames contorted and condensed with overwhelming power.
Naturally, I could achieve something similar to a degree.
“But this is something else entirely.”
My father had already attained Haegyeong.
Judging by how young he looked, he shouldn’t be much older than I am now, yet this was utterly absurd.
“How is his control so precise at that stage?”
My technique was more refined in terms of manipulation, but the pure density of his flames was superior.
The compression and force of the fire defied logic. If flames this concentrated were unleashed, their destructive power would be beyond imagination.
As I watched, unable to hold back my admiration—
“How arrogant of you.”
My father spoke. His words made me jolt. His face hardened into a scowl.
A furrowed brow, sharp eyes blazing with fighting spirit—
I felt myself wilt under his stare.
It was an expression I recognized.
No, it wasn’t just familiar—he was truly furious.
“Make me back down, you say?”
Fwoooosh—!!!
The flames erupted violently, coiling around him like a living being.
“If that’s what you want.”
The instant he spoke, my body moved on instinct.
Even though I knew his realm was beneath mine, that I should prevail in a fight—
I hesitated.
That was the kind of aura my father carried.
The flames were about to fly toward me. Steeling myself, I got ready to respond—
Then.
I stopped.
The flames rushed at me, but I didn’t move.
Because—
I knew someone else would step in.
“Good grief, now this is a mess.”
Slash—!
With a casual remark, something was sliced apart.
The flames, cut diagonally, scattered and vanished.
And then—
“Aren’t we being a little excessive? There are plenty of eyes watching, you know?”
Srrrng.
A sword shimmering with an azure light slid between my father and me.
The Blue Flame Sword Master.
“Calm down, will you? This isn’t just your personal space, you know? Especially—”
Tap.
The Blue Flame Sword Master lightly tapped my father’s forehead with his index finger.
“Vice Commander, I let you step in, but haven’t I told you to keep that temper in check?”
Silence.
“What? Do you need to half-kill another rookie like last year to feel satisfied?”
…Half-kill? Did I hear that correctly?
But—
“I apologize.”
At the Sword Master’s words, my father calmly offered an apology. By then, all of his fighting spirit had already vanished.
“Hmm.”
Only then did the Blue Flame Sword Master return his sword to its sheath at his waist.
Then, he turned his attention to me.
“Yangcheon.”
“Yes?”
I responded as he said my name, his usual sly grin gone.
“You’ve been like this since the first time I saw you—always surpassing what I expect. Maybe that’s why Paejon took a liking to you.”
“Should I take that as a compliment?”
“Does it sound like one?”
Ssshhh.
A sharp pressure brushed past my back.
“This is the Martial Alliance, and unpredictable behavior isn’t exactly welcomed here. No matter your value and potential, your reckless actions won’t always be appreciated.”
Woooom.
A wave of energy flowed out. The Blue Flame Sword Master’s aura enveloped the unconscious Namgung Jin, lifting him into the air and sending him toward the members of the Azure Dragon Division.
“Take him to the medical ward.”
“Understood.”
The warriors carried the bloodied Namgung Jin away.
“To put it plainly, I’m telling you to rein in that temper of yours. If you can’t—leaving this place is always an option.”
If I wasn’t willing to comply, they’d throw me out.
Hearing that, I laughed.
“You find this funny?”
The Sword Master’s face grew stern.
“Ah, my apologies. It was involuntary.”
“Does my authority as Division Leader not sit well with you?”
“No, I’ll do as you ask and try to control my temper. However—”
There were still things I would not tolerate.
“I don’t take kindly to people starting fights with me first. If that doesn’t happen, I’ll behave just fine.”
Silence.
Namgung Jin had provoked me first. So I had beaten him.
That was the truth of the situation.
Even without saying it aloud, the Sword Master must have known.
Someone at his level would have understood Namgung Jin’s condition before even stepping in.
He had simply been curious to see how I would respond.
“Hmm.”
I watched the Sword Master closely.
His reaction to this was rather unusual.
After all, what kind of low-ranking officer had the audacity to say, “I don’t tolerate being provoked” in the presence of a division leader?
To others, I must have seemed completely insane.
“Well, I’ll admit up to that point.”
“L-Lord Commander!?”
The Blue Flame Sword Master nodded, as if he found my words reasonable. The other warriors were clearly stunned by his reaction.
“As expected.”
I had anticipated this.
For one simple reason—
“That man loves talented people.”
The ability to recognize potential—that was the way of the Blue Flame Sword Master. One only needed to look at those around him to see it.
Three warriors bearing the titles of Dragon and Phoenix.
And—
“Even the recruits he personally selects are all exceptional.”
They might seem weak now, but their latent energy and physical qualities were extraordinary.
Observing how his unit operated, I had come to understand his nature.
He enjoyed surrounding himself with gifted individuals.
Or rather, he simply loved talent itself.
And for a man like that, a certain amount of arrogance or disrespect could be overlooked.
That was how I saw him.
From his perspective, I was someone of significant value.
So, I had set the stage.
“A justification for causing a bit of trouble.”
By making it very clear that those who attacked me first would face consequences, I had laid the groundwork.
I wasn’t sure how effective this would be in the long run, but that wasn’t important.
What mattered was the Sword Master’s permission and reaction.
“It got a little rough, but it was entertaining. Not bad.”
“L-Lord Commander…!”
The other division members stirred anxiously, trying to object.
“Why? Is there still a problem? He said he’d behave.”
“But Namgung’s condition, and the Vice Commander’s actions—”
“So what?”
“Excuse me?”
“Namgung lost because he was weak. And as for the Vice Commander, I already gave him a warning—what more do you want?”
“But—”
“Enough. I said it’s over.”
“…….”
The Sword Master spoke with a smile, but everyone understood that his expression was a final warning.
The atmosphere fell silent. Only then did he clap his hands together.
Clap—!
“Alright, seems like everything is settled. Let’s move on.”
By the time he spoke, he was already back in his command seat.
At that moment, I turned my gaze to my father.
He was looking back at me.
Our eyes met—his crimson irises piercing through me.
We said nothing.
For a brief moment, we simply stared at each other.
And then—
He moved first.
Step.
My father slowly turned away, walking back to his seat.
Watching him, I turned my own gaze elsewhere.
“Ah.”
At that moment, only one thought crossed my mind.
“He’s seriously terrifying.”
Even at this age, my father was still scary as hell.
I had to fight hard just to suppress the urge to shrink away.
******
Sunset Over the Martial Alliance
As the once-blue sky deepened into dusk, time passed, and the warriors who had gathered slowly dispersed.
By the time only those with assigned duties remained, the last of the Azure Dragon Division’s forces had scattered.
Creak.
A lone giant of a man slowly walked forward.
Jet-black hair. Crimson eyes.
Gu Cheolwoon, the Vice Commander of the Azure Dragon Division—a man once known as the Divine Dragon.
“…….”
His expression was unreadable as he moved through the corridors. Eventually, he reached his personal quarters—an exclusive residence reserved for a Vice Commander.
“You’ve returned, sir.”
“Yes.”
The attendant inside greeted him with a respectful nod.
“Shall I prepare your meal?”
“Leave it at the door as usual.”
“Understood. Ah, and the portion—?”
“Same as last time. I’ll bring back the dishes myself.”
“Sir, I can take care of cleaning up—”
“It’s fine.”
“As you wish.”
The attendant hurried off, and Gu Cheolwoon, watching them leave, let out a small sigh.
“Haaah.”
He reached for the door in front of him and pushed it open.
Creak.
Inside lay a pitch-dark room.
Silent.
Empty of any signs of life.
Yet, as he stepped inside, the remnants of a meal were clearly visible.
The number of dishes on the table—far too many for just one person.
“…….”
Gu Cheolwoon stared at them, unfazed.
As if this was routine.
Silently, he began gathering the dishes.
And then—
“You can come out now.”
His deep voice resonated through the room.
At that moment—
Two lights flickered into existence.
Small, floating flames.
The kind known as will-o’-the-wisps.
They were violet in hue, slowly shifting and taking form.
And then—
“Hehe.”
A woman appeared.
White hair.
Violet-red eyes.
A beautiful woman, standing there as if she had always been present.
She smiled at Gu Cheolwoon.
“You’re here?”
Bold.
Unapologetic.
At her casual greeting—
“Haaah…”
Gu Cheolwoon let out a long, exhausted sigh.
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