Childhood Friend of the Zenith Novel MTL - Chapter 1132

Chapter 1132

I stood there, simply observing my father where he had fallen. The slight swelling on his cheek and the fact that he was completely unconscious made quite a statement.

Even though I was aware of the formidable power he’d wielded in his prime, seeing him like this was… oddly satisfying.

‘Did I use too much force?’

If there was a mistake in how I handled the fight, it was my imperfect control over my own strength.

But honestly, this was more his doing than mine.

‘Really, who told him to channel that much energy?’

The Grand Flame Prison technique he had been preparing to unleash—if that had detonated…

‘The entire vicinity would have been obliterated.’

Not only the training hall, but the entire surrounding district would have been caught in the explosion. The whole idea of fighting here was absurd from the beginning.

‘The real mistake was choosing to duel in this location to begin with.’

No matter how large it was, this was still an enclosed space. Training halls of this scale are designed for those at lower levels of cultivation.

Once someone surpasses Hwagyeong, holding a serious duel indoors becomes unthinkable.

This is especially true for martial artists like Father and me, whose methods depend on immense, destructive force.

And yet, knowing this, he had specifically picked this training hall for our match.

‘…I can’t figure out Father’s intentions.’

First, he didn’t just prevent Namgung Hyung’s escape—he actually assisted him. Then, he insisted on testing my abilities in a place like this.

And above all—

‘He wasn’t fighting seriously.’

Father hadn’t used his full power. Whether he was just probing my limits or had some other motive, I could tell he was holding back. That was the opening I used to end the match.

Rustle.

I idly swept some dust from my clothes. I thought about helping him up—but decided against it.

Hmm.

‘He’ll be fine on his own, right?’

I did what he asked, so it should be acceptable. Besides, he practices fire-based techniques; sleeping on the ground won’t make his face stiff or anything.

The only thing that nagged at me—

‘…Was this really alright?’

I had planned to keep my capabilities concealed. Maybe I’d been too hasty in revealing them.

‘…Doesn’t matter.’

Forget it.

It’s already done. Dwelling on it now is pointless.

I rose to my feet. Leaving my father behind, I scanned my surroundings. There was still a place I had to go. Someone I needed to interrogate.

With that, I departed.

****

It was the deepest hour of the night.

Not long ago, this area had been filled with the noise and celebration of a grand banquet, but now it was blanketed in an unnatural silence.

It was striking how completely the mood had shifted.

Perhaps Namgung Jeohwi had given the order to end the festivities early and instructed everyone to remain cautious.

Furthermore—

‘The security has been reinforced.’

Not only were there more guards posted, but their average cultivation level was also significantly higher.

‘Hmm.’

I observed them as I moved. I had no wish to be detected, so I concealed my presence entirely.

After navigating stealthily for some time, I reached my destination. I had infiltrated silently, but as I neared the end, I allowed a trace of my energy to surface.

Since my target was a skilled martial artist, allowing them to sense me wouldn’t be an issue.

Ziiiiing.

I released a faint ripple of energy. Instantly, I detected movement from within.

Creak.

The door opened, and a figure emerged.

It was Hyun Soyeon, dressed in her sleeping attire.

«Good evening.»

«…What are you doing here?»

«Sorry for the late visit. But I had a feeling you would still be awake.»

«….»

Hyun Soyeon, looking somewhat tired, opened the door fully.

«Come in.»

«Entering a lady’s room feels a bit improper.»

«I’m well aware you have no romantic feelings or particular interest in me. Just come inside. It would be more troublesome if we were seen out here.»

«….»

A fair point.

So, I stepped inside.

«…Please set up a barrier.»

Before she could even finish her sentence, I had already erected one.

Once inside, I took a seat casually at the low table.

«Would you like some tea?»

«No, I don’t need a drink.»

«I see. Then—»

Hyun Soyeon adjusted her robes slightly before speaking.

«So, why have you come?»

«Ah, I had something to ask you.»

«A question?»

«Yes. It’s not a big deal, but—»

I paused briefly, allowing a moment for the question to settle.

«Why did you lie?»

«….»

Hyun Soyeon’s hesitation was answer enough.

It appeared my assumption was right.

«You weren’t actually trying to stop Namgung Hyung, were you? It looked more like you were aiding his escape.»

«….»

«But that’s not the main point. That isn’t what I want to know.»

What truly puzzled me—

«Why did you pretend to betray him?»

Why had Hyun Soyeon acted as if she had turned against Namgung Hyung?

Why had she positioned herself as if she were cutting off his retreat?

When I asked, Hyun Soyeon responded with a faint, wry smile.

«…You came all this way just to ask that?»

«I had other matters to attend to. But I wanted to settle this before I left.»

«….»

Why had she done it?

Hyun Soyeon, a woman who had quietly loved Namgung Hyung for years.

‘If it were out of affection, I would have understood.’

If she had simply wanted to stop him because she loved him, that would have been logical.

But she had helped him get away—and then pretended to be a traitor.

That didn’t make sense.

Hyun Soyeon was silent for a long time.

Was she weighing her answer? Or did she simply not wish to reply?

Her gaze seemed far away, as if lost in memory.

Finally, after some time, she spoke.

«Yangcheon, what do you believe is the most tormenting thing for a person?»

«Hmm. That’s difficult. There are too many possibilities to name just one.»

Especially for someone like me, the list of things that can drive a person to madness is endless. Truly.

So many that I’d have to think long and hard to choose just one.

Fortunately, Hyun Soyeon provided the answer herself.

«Regret.»

«…….»

I fell silent for a moment.

That word sounded familiar.

Where had I heard it before?

I couldn’t quite remember, but I was sure I had.

«When a person is burdened by unresolved regret, it can truly consume them.»

«And so?»

Did that mean Namgung Hyung was her regret? Was that what she was saying?

«That’s the reason.»

Hyun Soyeon spoke while looking down at the table rather than at me.

«Because to him, I am the regret.»

«…….»

«And this was the only way to remove it.»

«Are you saying—»

I wasn’t certain I understood completely, so I pressed,

«…That Namgung Hyung felt the same way about you?»

That he loved her too?

At my question, Hyun Soyeon shook her head.

«I don’t believe so.»

Her words were hesitant, but her tone was certain.

«He always sought to transcend the world he knew. The regret I mentioned… wasn’t about his feelings for me.»

Her hands, resting neatly in her lap, clenched slightly.

«Rather, it was my own feelings for him that became the regret.»

«…….»

«He is a kind person.»

Because he knew she loved him.

And that was why he hesitated, why it turned into a regret.

It was intriguing.

What kind of relationship was this?

What sort of bond could lead to a situation like this?

«From the time we first met ten years ago—»

«Ah, I’m not interested in that history.»

«…I see.»

She had been about to recount their past, but I interrupted.

I wasn’t particularly curious about the details of their history.

I only wanted to understand her actions tonight.

Hyun Soyeon gave me a slightly frustrated look, but I paid it no mind.

‘In the end, her reason is straightforward.’

She wanted to make Namgung Hyung’s departure clean and without burden.

That was the only explanation.

Satisfied, I nodded and got to my feet.

«Leaving already?»

«Yes. I’ve heard all I needed to. My curiosity is satisfied.»

There was no reason to remain.

Now that my question was answered, there was no purpose in staying.

«Get some rest, then.»

That tired look on her face—

That subdued energy around her—

They were just the echoes of Namgung Hyung’s departure.

And I was not someone who could offer solace for such things.

Especially since—

‘She is going to marry Namgung Jin anyway.’

I didn’t ask why she loved him, or what their relationship had been.

That future…

Was something I needed to be more wary of than anything else.

Creak—!

I shut the door behind me and stepped back outside.

The sky was still pitch black in the early morning.

Unsurprisingly, Hyun Soyeon didn’t come to see me out.

The only things that stayed with me—

«I’ll escape this hell.»
«Regret drives people insane.»

Both of their statements kept replaying in my mind.

Irritatingly so.

Shaking off the thoughts, I continued on my way.

My destination was my own quarters.

I had done what I came to do.

Now, I just needed to rest.

Or so I thought.

Until—

Krrrrrrroooom—!!

«……What?»

A peal of thunder echoed from somewhere in the distance.

A far-off place.

I immediately turned my attention toward the sound.

Its origin was—

‘That mountain… Where the Heavenly Master lives?’

The very place I had last encountered him.

That old man who made himself difficult to approach.

The same old man who didn’t appear even during the Magyeong Gate incident.

That was where the thunder originated.

I frowned.

‘Ah, this is…’

A sharp, warning sensation traveled down my spine.

Something felt wrong.

The nature of that lightning aura—

It was deeply unsettling.