Childhood Friend of the Zenith Novel MTL - Chapter 1121

Chapter 1121

The Magyeong Gate had become white.
The hue of the Magyeong Gate, positioned on the hill’s summit, had shifted—or more accurately, it had already transformed.

As everyone stood frozen, stunned by the sight—

“Cheon Ilhwan!”

“Division Leader!”

Namgung Jeohwi called out without delay.

At his shout, a man from nearby rushed over urgently.

“Azure Sky Division Leader, what in heaven’s name is happening?”

The leader of the Azure Sky Sword Division, the premier sword unit of the Namgung Family, Cheon Ilhwan, dropped to one knee.

“…My apologies. I will look into this at once.”
“Do not merely look into it. Are you saying it was not like this during your watch yesterday?”

Because the Magyeong Gate stood atop the hill, the martial artists of the Namgung Family had预先 established a formation and maintained a careful watch.

If any change had occurred, it should have been reported immediately.

“…Yes. Until recently, it was certainly still red.”

That meant—
It had occurred in a very brief period.

‘What in the world is going on?’

Not only were those around me bewildered, but even I, observing from the sidelines, was taken aback.

What is that?

‘A White Gate?’

I had never witnessed anything like it.

I had not once heard of such a phenomenon.
A White Magyeong Gate?

And of all times…

According to Zhongyuan’s historical records, aside from the Blood Demon War, there had never been a documented case of a White Magyeong Gate appearing.

Even in my previous life, Red Magyeong Gates were the most severe we had faced.
I had encountered White-Grade Beasts before, but—

‘I have never seen a White Magyeong Gate.’

There had not been a single instance of a Magyeong Gate turning white.
And now, a Grand Magyeong Gate had become white?

That could only signify one thing—

‘White-Grade Beasts may come forth.’

If the Magyeong Gate’s grade had shifted to White, then that meant—
The entities emerging from it would be White-Grade Beasts.

‘Damn it.’

I bit my lip.
A Red Magyeong Gate was already a grave concern.
And now, a Grand Magyeong Gate had turned White?

‘Is this… also because of me, somehow?’

Most of the anomalies in this era seemed connected to me.
The true question was—

‘Why?’

Why was everything transforming like this?
What even is a White Magyeong Gate?

‘I’ve never come across anything like this before.’

What kind of sudden increase in difficulty is this?

I could sense the mounting tension among those surrounding me.

“…White?”
“Not Red, but White? Does that mean… White-Grade Beasts will appear?”
“It can’t be…! Why now, of all times—!”

Panic began to spread.
Faces darkened with growing dread.

It was only natural.
Even a Red Magyeong Gate had put them on edge, filling them with anxiety and horror.

And now—White?

“Damn it… how are we supposed to—!”
“This is… this is…”

Just as the confusion threatened to overwhelm everyone—

“Silence—!!!”

Whooosh—!!!

A fierce gust swept through the area with a thunderous roar.
The wind howled, carrying a undercurrent of heat.

It was not natural—it was a shockwave infused with aura.
And the one who had released it was—

‘Father?’

It was my father.

Standing with his robes whipping around him, he had unleashed his energy, demanding absolute attention.

“Compose yourselves.”

His deep, steady voice instantly quieted the surroundings.

After seizing control of the situation with just his words, his red-glowing eyes scanned the area.

Then, he fixed his gaze on Namgung Jeohwi.

Even the composed Namgung Jeohwi visibly flinched under Father’s stare.

“Ah…”

He faltered for a moment but quickly collected himself and spoke.

“…We will evaluate the situation. No one panic. Follow orders as instructed. Division leaders, perform your assigned duties.”
“Understood—!”

The formations immediately reassembled, and a defensive perimeter was established.

As expected of a famed martial family, they were not merely a disorganized crowd.

Even with palpable unease lingering, they moved with purpose.

Soon, several command tents were erected, and personnel were dispatched to their positions.

Since the location was the mountain peak, only a limited contingent of forces had been brought up.

The remainder of the troops would be stationed across the mountain, awaiting the coming battle.

Once the forces were in place, Namgung Jeohwi assembled his officers.

“Vice-Commander of the Azure Dragon Division.”
“Yes.”

My father responded to Namgung Jeohwi’s call.

“…What is your assessment of this situation?”

Letting out a slight sigh, Namgung Jeohwi posed the question.

Father, his expression unreadable, answered simply—

“It seems a White Magyeong Gate has appeared.”

“……”

He stated the harsh reality plainly.

At those words, the heads of the major families and the commanders within the tent fell into grim silence.

“…White, you say. Is it truly…?”

Namgung Jeohwi muttered with difficulty.

Beside him, Soi frowned slightly and spoke.

“I thought White Magyeong Gates hadn’t appeared since the Blood Demon War? Why is this happening?”

“The moment the existence of a Red Magyeong Gate was confirmed, this outcome became a possibility.”

“……”

Father cut off Soi’s words without hesitation.

He was correct.
They had already confirmed the existence of a Red Magyeong Gate.

Would it be so surprising if a White one followed?
It was simply a disaster unfolding before them.

“What matters now is our response. If White-Grade Beasts truly emerge from within… no one can predict what will happen.”

Red-Grade Beasts were enormous, far more powerful than Blue-Grade Beasts, and capable of summoning lesser monsters.

This had already been proven true in Hanam.

Which meant—

“Then… does that mean White-Grade Beasts will match the historical accounts?”

White-Grade Beasts were literally considered walking calamities.

Their mere existence was enough to distort the natural world.

They could turn winter into summer—
Or create a massive river on arid land.

That was the known nature of White-Grade Beasts in Zhongyuan.

And—

‘They’re not wrong.’

From my own experience, I knew their words were true.

“Then, our current forces are insufficient. Should we request reinforcements—”
“Calling for reinforcements is logical, but… I doubt it will be of much help.”

“……”

Soi fell silent.

She knew it was true.

If White-Grade Beasts were as powerful as the records claimed—

‘Martial artists below the peak realm will be meaningless.’

They would only be throwing their lives away like dust in the wind.

A heavy silence fell over the tent.

They had never confronted White-Grade Beasts before—
But they had seen Red-Grade Beasts.

They understood precisely how dire the situation was.

And then—

“Lord Namgung.”

Father spoke Namgung Jeohwi’s name.

He turned, his eyes trembling.

“Is there any way to consult the Celestial Sage again?”

“…My father?”

“Yes.”

This was not just Red-Grade Beasts—but White-Grade Beasts.

At this point, they needed the power of the Celestial Sage.

“This is no longer solely the Namgung Family’s problem. This could be a catastrophe for all of Anhui Province.”

“……”

Despite these words, Namgung Jeohwi hesitated.

‘What the hell?’

Even now, he was reluctant?
What kind of nonsense was this?

“Lord Namgung.”

Father scowled and spoke again.

Finally, Namgung Jeohwi clenched his teeth.

“…I will dispatch a message immediately.”

Acknowledging there was no other choice, Namgung Jeohwi prepared to send the letter.

‘At least that’s something.’

I had been concerned they might underestimate the White-Grade Beasts.
But since they were knowledgeable martial artists, their reactions were decisive.

‘The problem is…’

Even so, there remained a critical issue with our overall strength.

‘If the Celestial Sage were to come, that would be one thing…’

But that depended on the Celestial Sage’s mind being unsealed.
In his current state, it was highly unlikely he could use his full power.

‘Hmm…’

In that case—

‘Do I need to get involved?’

As I tapped my fingers against my waist, lost in thought—

“Baek Yangcheon.”

“…Yes?”

Father suddenly called my name.
Startled, I looked up, meeting his piercing red gaze.

“Do you know something?”

“Huh…?”

I was caught off guard.
Did I know something?
Out of nowhere?

“Well… I mean, this is my first time seeing this too.”

What was his intention in asking?
I answered hesitantly, my eyes shifting slightly.

Father nodded.

“I see. Understood.”

And he did not inquire further.

‘What the hell?’

That reaction…
I couldn’t comprehend it.

Did he believe I knew something?
How?

A chill ran down my spine.
Had Father detected something from me?

I was about to say something when—

“Excuse me—!”
“Lord Namgung—!!”

A soldier burst into the tent, breathing heavily.

“T-The Magyeong Gate—something is wrong!”

“What?!”

Something else had occurred.

Something utterly disastrous.

**********

“Move with care!”

An endless stream of people hurried along the road.

Caravans, carts laden with supplies, and refugees formed a seemingly infinite line.

The number of people was overwhelming—
A tide of desperate individuals fleeing for their lives.

Their destination?

A Martial Alliance branch near Anhui Province.

Fear and dread were etched on their faces.
No one had expected to be forced onto the road like this.

Among them—

“Keep your veil on. Don’t remove it just because it’s bothersome.”

“I understand!”

Mi Horan sighed as she spoke to the white-haired woman beside her.

The woman smiled brightly, adjusting her veil.
Seeing her carefree demeanor, Mi Horan let out an involuntary sigh.

“Would you like one as well?”

Another voice joined in—
A beautiful woman, Hyun Soyeon, was offering a sweet pastry to the smiling woman.

“I would!”

“Hahaha.”

Hyun Soyeon laughed softly as if she found the reaction endearing.

Watching the exchange, Mi Horan frowned deeply.

‘What’s so amusing about this?’

How could they smile in a situation like this?

She was utterly baffled.

‘Haa…’

How did I end up in this mess?
And why was I even doing this?

It felt completely absurd.

‘All of this is…’

Because of that infuriating man.

That selfish bastard who acted like the world revolved around him.
Because of him, she had even shed tears.

That was humiliating enough.

But to make matters worse—

‘And now I’m even complying with his request?’

She was actually helping him look after another woman?

It was laughable.

“Haa…”

Mi Horan exhaled deeply, extending her hand.

As irritating as this was, she still had a role to fulfill.

“What are you doing? Hurry up—”

She reached out, attempting to prevent the woman from straying again.

But then—

“…Huh?”

Mi Horan froze, staring at the woman.

She was not moving—she was gazing fixedly ahead.

“What is it?”

The woman simply pointed toward the distant mountains.

That was…

The place where he was.

“What about it? That’s—”

And in that instant—

KUUUUUUAAAAAAA—!!!

“—!!!”
“Eeek!”
“Ugh!”

The ground trembled violently.

A powerful earthquake erupted beneath them.

“What the—!!”

Mi Horan snapped to attention, steadying her stance.

She moved to shield the woman, ready to act—

But then—

“Oh…?”

She turned toward the mountain—
And froze completely.

“What in the world…?”

Above the mountain—

Something unnatural was taking place.

“The clouds….”

The sky was contorting.

The clouds were spiraling, twisting toward a single point.

A sinister, unnatural vortex had begun to form.