Childhood Friend of the Zenith Novel MTL - Chapter 1099
Chapter 1099
When it came to the core responsibilities of the Sword Division, their foremost duty was, without question, the pursuit and elimination of beasts.
This was only to be expected. The Sword Division had been founded for the explicit purpose of combating these creatures—to drill in methods and tactics designed specifically to oppose them.
Consequently, numerous sects, martial clans, and even merchant guilds had assembled their own versions of the Sword Division.
In an age where beasts were rising in rebellion—
A time that maintained a facade of tranquility but was, in truth, rife with hidden perils—the Sword Division wielded substantial authority.
The same held true for the Martial Alliance.
The Sword Division of the Martial Alliance had cemented its role as a major power throughout Zhongyuan.
Perhaps that was the reason—
‘I did occasionally get tasks that had nothing to do with slaying beasts.’
It had been some time since the Sword Division’s obligations had grown to include more than just confronting beasts.
They were no longer merely a unit formed to battle them; they had effectively become the executors handling the Martial Alliance’s broader affairs.
They had almost entirely merged with the Alliance’s own warriors.
Therefore, it was not unusual for the Martial Alliance to delegate various duties to them.
However—
“Division Leader… what is the meaning of this?”
Neither Soi nor I could fully comprehend what was happening.
“A mission, you say?”
“Correct. It is a mission.”
“No, but…”
As Soi pressed him with a deepening frown, the Blue Flame Sword Master cleaned his ear idly before replying.
“What’s the issue? Getting assigned a mission is hardly strange.”
“That is accurate. However, the chosen personnel do not follow procedure.”
“What are you talking about?”
When the Blue Flame Sword Master asked for clarification, Soi bit her lip before answering.
“Involving recruits who have not even served a full month in a mission—does that not violate the Martial Alliance’s regulations?”
As she spoke, she motioned to her side.
Where she indicated, both Do Yun and I were standing.
Just as she stated, we were new arrivals who had not yet completed a month of service. In fact, it had not even been a full week since we enlisted.
“You are not incorrect.”
The Blue Flame Sword Master nodded in agreement.
Seeing that, Soi’s expression lightened a little.
“Then—”
“However.”
The Blue Flame Sword Master interrupted her.
“If this is a command from the Sword Master himself, would that not carry more weight than standard procedure?”
“……!”
At those words, Soi’s eyes widened.
“…You are saying this is a direct order from the Martial Alliance Leader?”
“Indeed.”
“But why…”
The fact that the Martial Alliance Leader had personally issued an instruction that broke protocol—
That seemed to shock Soi profoundly.
‘What is this? What’s happening?’
I felt similarly puzzled.
Being suddenly given a mission was odd enough.
But the Sword Master deliberately overriding standard rules for it—that was even more peculiar.
Just as I was turning this over in my mind—
“You are correct. It is true that recruits with less than a month of service should not normally be sent on missions.”
The Blue Flame Sword Master lowered his hand and took hold of a scroll.
“But.”
He then passed the scroll to Soi.
For a moment, she seemed hesitant, but she accepted it.
“That rule only applies to ordinary recruits.”
The Blue Flame Sword Master smiled as he looked at us.
“You two are not ordinary recruits, are you?”
“……”
“……”
At those words, both Do Yun and I instinctively grew somewhat rigid.
Though, to be exact—Do Yun became far more tense than I did.
‘I see.’
It appeared the Blue Flame Sword Master had already discerned that Do Yun was concealing his capabilities.
Well, given his stature, it was inevitable that he would notice.
‘He is remarkably powerful—even for a Sword Master.’
This was my first encounter with the Blue Flame Sword Master, but my immediate assessment was one of quiet respect.
I had met many Sword Masters before, and each had attained the Hwagyeong level of martial arts.
But this man—
‘He surpasses them.’
The Blue Flame Sword Master was distinctive, even among the leaders of the elite Sword Division.
I did not know if all division leaders in this time were this formidable or if he was simply extraordinary.
Regardless, it was logical that someone of his caliber would see through Do Yun’s disguise.
“Am I right?”
The Blue Flame Sword Master asked, as if seeking confirmation.
But Do Yun stayed silent.
And I just rubbed my cheek, saying nothing.
Given the circumstances, I was starting to grasp the situation.
‘So that’s what this is.’
I had been curious why they were pairing me and Do Yun for this task.
‘…Are they testing us?’
Was this their method of scrutinizing how we would behave?
The thought occurred to me.
“In any case.”
“The mission commences in two days. Ensure you are ready.”
“……Division Leader.”
“I will not entertain any further objections. As I have already explained—”
“This is a direct command from the Martial Alliance Leader.”
“……”
Soi finally fell silent at those words.
Because, if nothing else, it was an order issued by the Sword Master himself.
And within the entire Martial Alliance—
There was no one who could defy his commands.
**********
Once the discussion concluded, we exited. Though the daylight was still strong, none of our faces looked particularly cheerful.
“Haaah.”
Soi’s expression, especially, was something to see.
Her aggravation and annoyance were palpable.
Should I try to speak to her? I was considering it when—
“…See you in two days.”
Without another word, she accepted the inevitable and turned to depart.
Her steps were brisk, her posture radiating a clear warning: Do not approach me.
So I simply watched her leave.
“Hmmm.”
Now what?
As I stood there thinking, I turned to Do Yun and spoke.
“Let’s go to our quarters first.”
“Huh? Oh… alright.”
My offhand comment seemed to startle Do Yun.
He looked genuinely taken aback that I had addressed him.
The reason I proposed going to our rooms was straightforward.
Now that our formal enrollment was finished, the Azure Dragon Division had allotted us living accommodations.
“Which building is yours?”
“The left one.”
“Same as me.”
There were two structures, and it seemed Do Yun had been assigned to the same one I had.
And as if that were not enough—
“…We’re in the same room?”
We had been placed together in the same dormitory room.
Judging by the sounds from within, the other recruits had already moved their things in.
Training had concluded for the day, and since we had been told to use the remainder for personal practice, some were using the opportunity to relax.
So, Do Yun and I began arranging our belongings quietly.
Truthfully, there was not much to unpack.
‘Just some clothes, really.’
I barely owned anything. I simply took out the spare clothes I carried and left it at that.
I was considering whether to just lie down on the bed when—
“Hey.”
“Hmm?”
Do Yun, who had been unpacking, called out to me.
“…How did you figure it out?”
“Figure what out?”
“That I was holding back my true strength.”
“Ah.”
So he chose to address it directly.
Ssshhh—!
The instant he spoke, a change came over the room.
A Qi Barrier.
It was Do Yun’s work. He had effortlessly erected a Qi Barrier, isolating our conversation from outside listeners.
‘So he’s stopped pretending.’
That caliber of Qi Barrier was far beyond what a first-rate martial artist could manage.
He wasn’t even attempting to mask his skill anymore.
I replied casually.
“How did I know? I just noticed.”
“…You noticed?”
“If you want to conceal it, do a better job. The Sword Master is already aware, you know?”
“……”
“Judging by how this is unfolding, it’s clearly deliberate.”
Assigning us to the same mission.
Placing us in the same room.
All of it was by design.
“So, whatever you’re here to do, either hide it completely or commit to it fully.”
“…Aren’t you going to ask what my purpose is?”
“Why would I?”
I frowned.
Did he really think I would ask?
Why in the world would I do that?
“It’s obviously troublesome. I want no part of it. And anyway, it’s not difficult to infer.”
There was no chance his reason for infiltrating the Alliance was the same as mine.
So what was it?
“Revenge? Or espionage? It doesn’t feel like espionage, though.”
“Why do you say that?”
“If it were espionage, you would have made a move on me.”
Now that he knew someone had detected him, he would have taken action.
But Do Yun had not made any attempt.
And besides—
“If you had tried anything, I would have killed you already.”
“……!”
My icy statement made Do Yun freeze solid.
It was a warning.
If he was considering any foolish actions, he had better think again.
“Baek Comrade… just who are you…?”
He asked stiffly, his voice thick with wariness.
I let out a derisive snort.
“I’m not kidding, but don’t get so worked up. As long as you don’t interfere with me, I won’t do a thing.”
“…What if I were a remnant of the Unorthodox Faction? Would you still ignore me?”
“If that were true, the Sword Master or the Martial Alliance Leader would handle you. Like I said, if you don’t cause me problems, I don’t care.”
“…You are not with the Orthodox Faction?”
“That’s a severe accusation.”
I released a dry laugh.
“I mean, officially, I am. If I see Unorthodox scum, I kill them.”
“……”
“Are you Unorthodox?”
“No.”
“Then we have no issue.”
Thud.
I dropped onto my bed.
I had zero interest in whatever had driven Do Yun to come here.
‘Though I’m already caught up in it.’
It was unavoidable.
I had already attracted notice.
As long as I didn’t get pulled in any deeper, it would be fine.
‘Besides, I don’t even know his real name.’
A concealed expert posing as a common recruit.
Unlike me, who was rumored to be the Baek Clan’s hidden ace, Do Yun might actually be a secret weapon from some Daoist tradition.
And yet—
‘What even is Taoism?’
I had never heard of a Daoist martial family in Shanxi.
And I certainly knew of no masters produced by such a sect.
Which meant—
‘Whatever he attempted to do, he did not succeed.’
Either history had consumed him, or he had remained in obscurity.
‘So there’s no cause for me to get involved.’
As I lay there thinking—
“You are correct.”
Do Yun finally spoke.
“My goal is revenge. That is why I joined the Martial Alliance.”
It seemed he felt compelled to speak, even though I had not asked.
‘As I thought.’
So it was revenge.
I was not shocked.
This was a world overflowing with people seeking retribution.
‘Now I really need to steer clear.’
I was about to stop him, to tell him not to say another word—
“Enough of that—”
“The Gu Clan of Shanxi. Gu Cheolwoon. I came here to have my vengeance on him.”
“…What?”
Hearing his words, I sat bolt upright.
What kind of madness was this?
My mind sharpened instantly.
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