Childhood Friend of the Zenith Novel MTL - Chapter 1107

Chapter 1107

Of course. Here is the paraphrased chapter:

«……Hm?»

Our gazes locked. Those were unmistakably the signature blue eyes of the Namgung family. To use Shin Noya’s description, he possessed a handsome and striking face that closely resembled Namgung Myung’s.

Yet, compared to Namgung Jin, his features seemed sharper and more severe.

«What… is this?»

The one known as the strange Namgung Hyeong.

He was the individual who would soon flee with the Namgung family’s Blood Sword and become a disciple of the Wudang Sect.

I had been caught staring, mentally comparing him to the younger version I knew.

‘Insane.’

In that instant, I was so utterly startled I couldn’t even think to conceal myself. Was it truly Namgung Hyeong?

Never anticipating I would run into him here, I remained frozen, gaping at him in disbelief.

«……Who are you?»

Namgung Hyeong’s voice was heavy with wariness. His hand had already drifted to the hilt of his sword.

Seeing this, I quickly raised my hands in a placating gesture.

«Ah… well… I’m here with the Alliance.»

«Eh? The Alliance?»

At the mention of «the Alliance,» Namgung Hyeong’s eyes widened a fraction.

«…You mean the Martial Alliance?»

«Correct. I’m from the Martial Alliance.»

As I spoke, I gestured to my chest. I was wearing the Azure Dragon Division uniform provided by the Alliance, complete with its official emblem.

Seeing the insignia, Namgung Hyeong’s posture relaxed marginally, but his suspicion remained.

«…How did someone like you get in here? This isn’t a place just anyone can enter.»

Of course it wasn’t. This was a secret chamber of the Namgung family. An outsider’s presence here was a serious breach.

«Well… I got lost…»

The excuse that left my mouth was feeble.

«…Lost?»

Namgung Hyeong’s caution intensified. Naturally, it would.

«It’s the truth.»

«But there’s supposed to be a gatekeeper outside, correct?»

«There wasn’t one.»

«…No gatekeeper? Truly?»

«Yes.»

«Why wasn’t there one?»

«Why are you asking me that… Hold on.»

I furrowed my brows and spoke up.

«Why are you addressing me so informally?»

«You’re doing the same. You look about my age.»

«Ah…»

I nodded at that. He had a point. This guy was odd enough to earn his title.

«By the way, what are you doing here?»

«Isn’t it obvious?»

«I can see you’re family, but you didn’t enter with authorization.»

«What makes you say that? How could you know?»

«Because I didn’t believe your story about the missing gatekeeper.»

If he had been certain a guard was posted, he would have challenged me the moment I said there wasn’t one. His reaction was more one of confusion, as if he himself was unsure.

«Wow, you’re clever.»

«Also, it sounded like you were speaking with someone. Who was it?»

«……»

At my question, Namgung Hyeong fell silent. It was obvious who his conversation partner had been.

‘It must be Namgung Myung.’

The residual consciousness of Namgung Myung was said to be trapped within the Blood Sword. That was likely the presence he had been communing with.

«…I have a habit of talking to myself.»

«……»

I could sense it from his tone.

‘This guy can’t lie either.’

It seemed we were both terrible at deception.

«Ah, I see…»

«Right. Anyway.»

Namgung Hyeong rose to his feet.

«I’m here without permission, too. I’ll be punished for it, but that’s a separate issue from you.»

*Swish.*

His blade cleared its scabbard.

«I know it’s just an excuse, but I still have a duty to subdue any intruder.»

I wet my lips after hearing that.

«Ah, that’s not a wise decision… Couldn’t we just let this go?»

«I told you. I have a role to fulfill. Let’s try to understand each other, alright?»

*Thud—!*

Namgung Hyeong launched himself at me without hesitation, closing the distance in a flash.

He pivoted his body and brought his sword around in a swift, fluid arc.

‘Oh.’

His movement was seamless. Far more polished than Namgung Jin’s.

It was clear…

‘This guy is better.’

Namgung Hyeong’s skill was superior to Namgung Jin’s.

*Thwack—!*

«Huh?»

Before his sword could build full momentum, I disrupted its flow. I seized his wrist, and his eyes shot wide open in surprise.

*Screee—!*

He tried to push more force into the strike, but the blade refused to budge. A look of pure confusion flashed across Namgung Hyeong’s face.

«Eh, why can’t I—?»

Namgung Hyeong’s body suddenly spun. I hooked my foot around his ankle and broke his balance.

With his guard down, I gave him a light shove with my foot.

*Thump—!!!*

«Crack!»

His body was hurled backward.

Even as he was thrown, I couldn’t help but feel a flicker of admiration.

‘He’s still defending, even now?’

I had created an opening and pushed him, but in that split second, he had gathered energy in his core.

*Creak—!*

Because of that, Namgung Hyeong managed to skid to a halt not far from where he landed.

«Wow…»

He regripped his sword and looked at me, his eyes now gleaming with excitement.

«You’re strong.»

«I get that often.»

«You’re not very courteous, are you?»

«I get that a lot, too.»

«Hahaha.»

Namgung Hyeong let out a short laugh.

«I understand now. It makes sense.»

What was he talking about? As I looked on, puzzled, he declared…

«You’re the Divine Dragon, right?»

«…What?»

He was suddenly spouting nonsense.

«I heard the famous Divine Dragon of the family was visiting. The place has been in an uproar, so I was curious…»

*Swish.*

Namgung Hyeong raised his sword once more.

«Now I see. Your level is truly on another plane.»

One exchange. A single touch.

It seemed that was all Namgung Hyeong needed for confirmation. His eyes shone with certainty.

«You are the Divine Dragon, right?»

«…No—»

«Your face is a bit more rough than the stories described.»

«…Hey?»

I almost snapped back, irritation flaring. Why was he commenting on my appearance?

«Regardless. You are the Divine Dragon, right?»

«Sigh… if I said no, would you believe me?»

«No. If you weren’t… the old man wouldn’t be making such a fuss.»

Namgung Hyeong said with a smile. I let my gaze drift casually to the sword mounted on the wall.

Stop. That boy is a monster. A monster wearing a child’s skin.

‘……’

Senior, your words are a bit too severe.

A monster in a child’s skin? While not incorrect, it was still a disquieting thought.

‘I can still hear it.’

These were words that would be inaudible to anyone not of the Namgung bloodline.

To hear the Blood Sword’s voice required a specific talent.

There was an old legend that hearing it destined one to become the family head, but…

‘They say it doesn’t work that way anymore.’

Since the era of the Celestial Lord, being chosen by the Blood Sword was no longer a prerequisite for leadership.

«Don’t touch it, it’s dangerous.»

«Ugh, so noisy. Old man, I have everything under control.»

«…Do you wish to continue?»

«Of course. I told you, I have my reasons, alright?»

His reasons? Pure nonsense. Anyone could see he simply wanted a fight.

‘He really was this fervent back then.’

The Strange was typically a laid-back individual, easily annoyed.

Was he truly this passionate about martial arts now? Or was he merely thrilled to have found a powerful rival?

I couldn’t be certain.

‘This is pointless.’

I had run out of options.

«Go—!»

Just as Namgung Hyeong charged at me again.

*Whoosh—!*

«Crack!?»

I closed the gap between us instantly and drove my fist into his chin. His head snapped back from the impact.

*Thud.*

Namgung Hyeong dropped his sword and crumpled to the floor, unconscious.

«…Phew.»

I had carefully measured my strength to only knock him out.

He wouldn’t be waking up for at least half a day.

Leaving Namgung Hyeong where he lay, I turned my attention elsewhere.

Descendant! Descendant! Wake up!
The voice of the Blood Sword, still fixed to the wall, continued its frantic shouting. Ignoring it, I scanned the other walls.

‘Was it here?’

During my previous visit to the Namgung family, I had come to this very room and encountered something.

Namgung Myung’s lingering spirit.

I recalled there being something else here, aside from the Blood Sword.

*Swish.*

I walked over and stood before the object I remembered.

‘No reaction?’

It didn’t respond as I’d hoped. No matter how I touched it or channeled my energy, nothing happened.

«Hmmm…»

I had wondered if I could communicate with it upon returning, but apparently not.

‘Then…’

Descendant!
Should I try speaking to the noisy Blood Sword? I could pretend to know something, but…

‘That doesn’t feel right.’

Feigning knowledge would be pointless. Only those of the bloodline can hear the Blood Sword’s voice. Reveing my ability would cause problems.

‘The real problem is here.’

I had accidentally crossed paths with Namgung Hyeong.

Was it right to simply leave him here? That was my dilemma.

«…»

I scratched my head and looked around.

I remembered feeling a draft from somewhere earlier.

A painting hanging on the wall. A faint breeze seemed to emanate from behind it.

I approached and shifted the painting aside.

«…Here.»

A small hole was carved into the wall.

I thought I understood how Namgung Hyeong had gotten in.

I considered it for a moment.

«Should I use this?»

I immediately grabbed the unconscious Namgung Hyeong and pushed him through the opening.

Descendant!
Disregarding the Blood Sword’s shouts, I crawled into the hole after him.

********

I emerged. The passage was longer than anticipated, but I managed to squeeze through.

I found myself in a bedchamber.

It appeared to be Namgung Hyeong’s room.

‘…His room is connected to the secret chamber?’

How was that possible? Yet it was undeniably true.

«Hmm.»

I glanced around the sparse room, unceremoniously dumped Namgung Hyeong inside, and stepped out.

‘It’s small.’

This quarters were more confined than my own and located in a much more remote part of the estate.

It was practically on the outermost edge.

For a blood relative, the accommodations were remarkably bare.

‘Not a single servant in sight.’

There was no guard at the door, no attendant performing chores.

Not one other person was visible.

‘…This treatment is terrible.’

It seemed far worse than anything I had experienced within the family.

It was clear he wasn’t living well.

‘No wonder he fled.’

Now I comprehended why Namgung Hyeong had stolen the Blood Sword and run away.

«Should I head back for now?»

Leaving Namgung Hyeong behind, I moved swiftly toward my own destination.

I reached my room and was relieved to find the protective measures I’d set were still intact.

*Snap—!*

I immediately deactivated them and let out a sigh of relief. It seemed Do Yoon had not yet returned.

Just then…

«Are you in?»

A voice came from behind me.

«Ah, yes.»

«May I enter?»

«Please.»

The door opened with a soft creak, and Soi entered.

She still regarded me with a somewhat uneasy expression.

«The vice-leader has called for everyone to assemble.»

«Right now?»

«Yes. He said to prepare for the investigation to begin immediately.»

«Investigation?»

Were we moving out now? I wondered what it pertained to.

«The Great Magyeong Gate. It’s an investigation concerning the red Great Magyeong Gate.»

«……!»

My eyes widened at her words.

…The Great Magyeong Gate?