Childhood Friend of the Zenith Novel MTL - Chapter 1138

Chapter 1138

“…What was that?”

My father glared at the absurd statement I’d made so early in the morning. He had just woken, weariness written plainly across his face. His disheveled hair was almost comical to see.

“Pfft.”

I laughed lightly before speaking.

“You haven’t forgotten our agreement, have you?”

That one promise he made to do me a favor. I reminded him of it and continued—

“I need to go to Shanxi. And unless I’m mistaken, the Vice Leader’s hometown is Shanxi as well.”

“……”

Shanxi Province. It wasn’t just my father’s homeland—it was also mine.

“There’s something I need to handle there. I’d appreciate your assistance in making the trip.”

“Ha…?”

My father released a stunned breath, as though my directness was too ridiculous to comprehend.

“…Shanxi? And what business could you possibly have there?”

“That’s… hard to explain. Which is why I’m asking for your help.”

“……”

At my reply, my father’s expression tightened slightly.

What I was essentially requesting was aid for a purpose I couldn’t even articulate.

“New recruits in the Martial Alliance aren’t permitted to leave the grounds for six months unless assigned to a mission. You know that perfectly well.”

“Yes. I’m aware.”

I knew the rule all too well.

Though, amusingly—

‘Was it only half a year back then?’

By the time I had been struggling within the Alliance, I remembered the restriction lasting three years.

But now, in this timeline, it was only six months?

Something must have shifted due to past events.

‘Well, no matter.’

Six months or three years—what difference did it make?

‘It’s not like I intend to stay here that long anyway.’

I had no desire to waste away in this place for six months, much less three years.

“…So, you’re asking me to bend the rules despite knowing that?”

My father let out an empty laugh. I met his eyes and nodded firmly.

“Yes. Otherwise, it wouldn’t be much of a favor, would it?”

“Ha…”

If he had agreed to grant me a request, he ought to do it properly.

Besides, this was the only thing I wanted from him.

“…Shanxi, is it.”

My father narrowed his eyes, genuinely considering.

After a stretch of silence—

“Do you need an answer right now?”

“No. Since we’re departing today, you can tell me once we reach Hanam.”

Knowing my father’s character, if something was truly impossible, he would say so. I wouldn’t press him if that were the case.

However—

‘If he says no, I’ll find another method.’

I had to reach Shanxi. Preferably through legitimate means.

Though this approach wasn’t exactly lawful either—it was still the most viable option.

But if it fell through—

‘Then I’ll operate outside the law.’

It wasn’t as though I’d ever been a model citizen.

Creating chaos was my specialty. If there was no path, I would carve one.

That was the point of this life, after all.

“Anyway, I’ve said what I needed. I’ll go get ready now.”

I stood up and added—

“Take care of yourself. You don’t look well.”

“……”

At that, my father’s eyebrow twitched. Probably still sore from losing to me the night before.

When no response came, I simply closed the door behind me and left.

‘Hm.’

The morning sun was bright against my face.

I had defeated my father.

I had beaten the Heavenly Lord.

For something that unfolded in a single night—it had been a fierce and momentous clash.

And yet—

‘It means nothing.’

No feeling stirred within me.

Beating my father in his youth held no significance.

Defeating a broken, demon-ridden Heavenly Lord held no meaning.

‘Nothing changes.’

My ancestor’s words echoed in my mind.

Today was one of those days when they annoyed me more than usual.

**********

Later That Morning

“Move faster! Load everything up!”

Martial artists of the Namgung family rushed about, shouting orders as they readied the carriages.

They worked in a frenzy, stacking supplies onto the large wagons. The number of people involved was impressive.

Now that time had passed since sealing the White-Rank Magyeong Gate and resistance had been subdued, preparations were complete for our return to the Martial Alliance.

“…Provisions are sufficient. Has the route been confirmed?”
“Yes. We’ve assigned the most seasoned drivers. The horses are the finest available.”

Mi Horan oversaw the final inspections, ensuring all was in order.

As supplies continued to be loaded onto the large carriage—

“Shall we board now?”

I looked around and made ready to get on.

“You’re getting on already?”

“Yeah. It’s not like we have another option, is it?”

“…I suppose not.”

After a brief exchange with Do Yun, I headed toward the same small, worn-out carriage I’d ridden in before.

But just as I was about to climb in—

“Baek Yangcheon.”

Someone called my name.

Turning, I saw Soi.

Her expression was far from cheerful—whether due to the battle against the demonic beasts or her earlier disappointment in me, I couldn’t tell.

“What is it?”

I asked flatly.

She looked at me with disbelief and said,

“…Not that one. You’re riding in this one.”

“Huh?”

That one?

I followed her gaze—

“…You mean the large carriage?”

“Yes.”

The one reserved for my father, Mi Horan, Soi, and my mother.

“…Why?”

Before, they had squeezed four people into a cramped, shaky carriage, but now they wanted me in the spacious one?

It didn’t add up.

As I stared at her in confusion, Soi added—

“It’s the owner’s instruction.”

“Owner?”

I looked toward Mi Horan, who was conversing nearby.

‘She asked for this?’

Mi Horan specifically wanted me in her carriage.

I raised an eyebrow slightly.

‘Why?’

There was no obvious reason.

As I stood there perplexed—

—Glance.

Mi Horan’s eyes met mine.

And in that instant—

‘Get on.’

She mouthed the words clearly.

“Wait a second…”

I was caught off guard.

I turned back to Soi, my gaze questioning.

“…You’re serious?”

“Yes.”

“Just me? Or are others coming too?”

“…The request was… for you alone.”

“Wait, what?”

I frowned.

“So you’re telling me to leave Do Yun and Senior Namgung behind and ride in that big carriage by myself?”

“Well… yes.”

Soi hesitated briefly. Even she seemed aware that asking me to abandon my companions—while she and the others had enjoyed the comfortable ride all along—was selfish.

“I’ve been squeezed into that shaky wagon with them for days. And now, after all we’ve been through, you want me to just walk away? While all of you have been traveling in luxury?”

“I… well…”

Even if the offer came from Mi Horan, Soi clearly felt uneasy about accepting the ride so easily while expecting me to ditch my friends now. Her voice faltered.

“Wow… So you’re basically telling me to be a selfish jerk and abandon my teammates?”

“That’s not what I meant… Ugh… should I ask Lady Mi again if—”

“No need.”

“…What?”

Soi stopped short, processing my response.

“Let’s get on. My back’s been killing me, and I was dreading the journey. This changes everything. Should I go in first?”

Without waiting for a reply, I casually stepped up into the large carriage.

“…Huh?”

Soi stood frozen, staring at me in astonishment.

What did she expect?

‘What’s so bad about a little selfishness?’

It was fine to put yourself first sometimes. Shared misery only multiplied suffering. If one person could avoid discomfort, wasn’t that better for everyone?

I glanced at Do Yun, who was watching me from a distance with a blank look.

‘That’s life, buddy.’

I could only hope he learned to accept life’s harsh truths.

As I rested my chin on my hand, waiting for Soi to board, a voice called out.

“Hey, hey.”

“…Huh?”

I turned at the unexpected sound—

And started in surprise.

“…Damn.”

It was my mother.

She was already inside the carriage, beaming at me.

‘…I didn’t even notice her.’

Once again, I had completely failed to detect her presence.

“…What is it?”

I tried to hide my discomfort as she leaned in close, smiling.

“Have you eaten?”

“Huh?”

Why was she asking about food all of a sudden?

“No, I skipped breakfast.”

I hadn’t been hungry, so I didn’t bother.

But—

“That’s not good.”

My mother’s face turned stern.

“You should eat properly. You’ll get hungry later.”

“I’m not really—”

“Here, have this.”

She ignored me and pulled something from her robe.

What was that?

‘…Food?’

It looked like a rice ball. A lump of compacted food.

What was this about?

“Eat it. Hyun gave it to me.”

“Hyun? Who’s—”

I cut myself off as a name surfaced in my mind.

There was only one person here called Hyun.

“…You mean Lady Hyun Soyeon?”

“That’s right.”

“…”

When had she made this?

The idea that Hyun Soyeon had prepared food and given it to my mother was… odd.

“I don’t need it. You should have it—no, I mean, you eat it.”

I wasn’t about to take my mother’s food just because I had nothing else.

I wasn’t even hungry, so I really didn’t want it. I tried to push the rice ball back toward her, but—

“Hey! Eat it! I don’t need it!”

“Stop it. I saw you eating last time. Just have it already.”

A tussle ensued.

Why was she so determined to feed me?

It reminded me of when Wi Seol-ah was young—just as persistent.

After a brief back-and-forth—

‘Ugh…’

This was getting tiresome.

“…Fine. One bite.”

“Okay! Good!”

I sighed deeply and reluctantly took a bite of the rice ball.

—Click.

At that exact moment—

The carriage door opened, and I found myself looking straight at someone.

It was my father.

“…”

“…”

The scene was as follows—

I had just taken a bite of the rice ball my mother offered.

She was cupping her hands beneath it to catch any crumbs, leaning extremely close to me.

I was motionless.

My father stood there, his face unreadable.

And yet—

‘Somehow…’

I had a strong sense that his expression wasn’t entirely blank.

Just as I began to pull back—

“My, my.”

A new voice chimed in.

Mi Horan had appeared behind my father, taking in the situation.

Then, with a slight smile, she said—

“You two seem very close.”

“…”

At those words, the atmosphere in the carriage turned instantly frigid.