Childhood Friend of the Zenith Novel MTL - Chapter 1144

Chapter 1144

I was in serious trouble.

That initial realization hit me like a physical blow.

‘Ah, this is really bad.’

The situation was dire. I never imagined that artifact would appear here, of all places.

‘I didn’t think it had survived until now.’

Although the Gu Clan’s private collection was less extensive than those of other great families, it still housed a considerable number of relics.

I hadn’t committed every single one to memory. The reason this one stood out was—

‘Because it’s such a strange device.’

An artifact capable of verifying blood relations between two individuals.

The mere existence of such a thing was peculiar.

Ironically, many noble families were willing to pay a fortune for the chance to borrow it.

Apparently, in households where circumstances were particularly complicated, this kind of confirmation was needed more often than one might assume.

That was why I was at least somewhat familiar with it.

‘But I never imagined…’

That I would be the one subjected to it.

I grimaced as I watched blood slide over the surface of the bead. This was how the Blood Wheel Bead functioned.

The user would channel their qi into the bead.

Then, they would introduce the blood of the person being tested.

If the bead responded, it would begin to radiate light.

‘…And now, just as described.’

The bead, now shimmering with a golden luminescence, conveyed a single, irrefutable truth.

‘It’s confirmation of a blood relation.’

It proved that the owner of the qi and the owner of the blood shared the same lineage.

“That’s quite an intense glow. Wouldn’t you agree?”

“……”

Gu Ryun spoke with a bright smile, but I could only respond with a scowl. I let out a heavy sigh and withdrew my hand from the bead.

“Damn it… you cunning old fox.”

“What was that?”

Gu Ryun reacted immediately to my words.

“Oh ho… did you hear that, this young rascal?”

For a second, I thought I had genuinely angered him.

But then—

“With a temper like that, you’re definitely from the Gu Clan! Hahahahahaha—!!”

He laughed as though he was genuinely delighted. What a peculiar old man.

And then—

“From your reaction, it seems you were already aware, weren’t you?”

“……”

Gu Ryun’s instincts were sharp. My irritated response had only confirmed his suspicions further.

‘…Damn it.’

This was maddening.

Why did this relic have to surface here, of all places?

And to make it worse—

‘Paejon was the one who had it?’

The fact that Gu Ryun had gotten it from Paejon meant it had originally been in his possession.

‘Why would he even need something like this?’

I couldn’t comprehend why Paejon would bother keeping it… but that wasn’t the most urgent problem at the moment.

“……Haah.”

How much had Gu Ryun deduced? The fact that he had gone to such lengths just to verify this was ridiculous.

‘Was it simply because we look similar?’

I had no idea what suspicions had driven him to conduct this test, and honestly, I couldn’t even guess.

‘…And my father. Why?’

The fact that Gu Ryun had asked him for blood… and that my father had provided it—that was just as confusing.

As I was struggling to process this chaotic situation—

“For the bead to shine this brightly… it indicates a very strong blood connection.”

The intensity of the Blood Wheel Bead’s glow was proportional to how closely two people were related.

And for it to be this radiant…

It could mean only one thing.

‘Obviously. I’m his son.’

A direct descendant.

His only son. If my father’s blood was used in this test, the reaction was bound to be this powerful.

There was no way Gu Ryun wasn’t aware of that, which explained why his expression grew even more twisted.

“You…”

“……”

Gulp.

I swallowed hard as I met Gu Ryun’s intense gaze.

“…Are you the clan leader’s illegitimate son?”

“……”

For a moment, I nearly lost my composure.

I just barely managed to keep my posture and steady myself.

‘…Yeah, that’s a logical assumption.’

Naturally, from his point of view, there was no possibility of me being my father’s recognized son.

So, in Gu Ryun’s mind, the only remaining option was the clan leader—my grandfather.

It was the reasonable conclusion to draw.

Especially since—

‘He did say I resemble him.’

I had always been told that I looked far more like my grandfather than my father.

Gu Ryun’s assumption made perfect sense.

Since I stayed silent, he took it as agreement, and his face visibly darkened.

“……Impossible. As unhinged as that man is, he was never the type to carelessly sire children everywhere.”

“……”

His characterization of my grandfather was rather… unique. Calling him unhinged didn’t sit right with me.

Grab—!

Gu Ryun suddenly seized my shoulder. His grip was astonishingly powerful.

“Who is your mother? The Baek Clan? How did a child of the Gu Clan end up there—”

“…You’re hurting me. Let go.”

“Ah, my apologies.”

Hearing the annoyance in my voice, Gu Ryun quickly released his hold.

There was a noticeable change in his attitude.

“I already find your actions intrusive. I don’t believe I owe you any explanation.”

I made sure my displeasure was unmistakable.

“Hmph…”

Gu Ryun, recognizing that his behavior had been out of line, pressed his lips together in clear discomfort.

“…I understand your position, but this was a necessary confirmation.”

“Why?”

I deliberately summoned memories of my childhood.

Back when my mother was gone, and I was left shattered, receiving no love from my father.

My voice naturally grew colder.

“It’s meaningless. There’s no point in knowing. I do not belong to the Gu Clan—I am of the Baek Clan.”

“……”

“What does it matter where someone was supposed to be from? For someone who was cast aside, origins are irrelevant.”

The words flowed out more convincingly than I had anticipated.

Whenever I had tried to fake emotions in the past, it never worked. But blending in a bit of my genuine feelings made it sound completely authentic.

The moment I said that, Gu Ryun’s expression shifted.

A look of pity entered his eyes.

“I don’t know why you felt compelled to verify this, but please don’t concern yourself with me. I have no intention of dwelling on it, either.”

“No, that’s—”

“If we are finished here, I will take my leave.”

As I turned to walk away, leaving Gu Ryun standing there with shaken eyes—

“Wait…!”

He reached out toward me, attempting to grab hold.

Sensing it, I tensed my legs, ready to create distance and escape at any moment.

But then—

“That’s enough.”

Grab—!

A hand shot out and seized Gu Ryun’s wrist.

It was Paejon.

“Tsk. This is undignified. A man of your age should know better.”

He appeared, his robes sweeping around him, inserting himself between us.

Gu Ryun’s expression turned deeply grim.

“Paejon.”

“Gu Ryun. When I saw you snatch that bead so hastily, I wondered what you were scheming. It seems you’re just making a spectacle of yourself.”

“This does not concern you. This is a family affair.”

“Oh? A family affair, you say?”

Paejon let out a short laugh.

“Well, my disciple is involved. As his master, how could I possibly stand aside?”

His voice carried an undeniable authority.

Gu Ryun curled his lips into a sneer.

“You’ve only just taken him as your disciple. What right do you have to interfere?”

“By that logic, what about you? You’ve only just discovered he might be your kin, and now you’re forcing the role of a concerned relative—against his express wishes.”

“…What did you say?”

Fwoooosh.

A wave of heat erupted from Gu Ryun’s body.

Even before this, the energy he emitted was on a completely different level than I had anticipated.

“You should measure your words.”

“How much plainer can I be? I’ll say it again—this is undignified.”

Paejon remained completely unshaken.

“You’re overstepping, Gu Ryun. You’re too old for this kind of behavior.”

“……”

At the calm yet firm words, Gu Ryun clenched his jaw.

“…Paejon.”

“Yes?”

“Did you know already?”

…What?

This time, it was my turn to grimace at Gu Ryun’s words.

What was he talking about?

“Did you already know this child was from the Gu Clan?”

His question was aimed directly at Paejon.

Ah, so this old man was thinking—

‘Since Paejon is acting so calm about it, perhaps he was already aware?’

I supposed that was a reasonable assumption from his perspective. But honestly, I believed Paejon was just being his usual self.

And then—

“Yes.”

…What?

Without a hint of hesitation, Paejon nodded.

“What?”
“It wasn’t something I sought out, but… I had a general idea.”

What do you mean, a general idea, you unbelievable old man?

His ability to lie so smoothly without even a change in expression was absolutely astounding.

“So don’t get so agitated. I was planning to bring this up eventually anyway.”
“……What are you talking about?”
“This brat.”

Thud—!

Paejon abruptly placed his large hand on my head.

His touch was rough and lacked any finesse.

“I was planning to go to Shanxi regardless. That Divine Dragon you hold in such high esteem—he and I already have an understanding.”
“……What did you say?”

At Paejon’s words, Gu Ryun’s focus shifted back to me.

“Is that true?”

“……”

Damn it. I shot Paejon a look full of reproach. Why would you say that?

“……Yes. I have matters to attend to there.”
“Hoooh.”

It was true—I was going to Shanxi. And from the look on Gu Ryun’s face, he had just connected the dots.

To him, “going to Shanxi” undoubtedly meant going to the Gu Clan.

Which was accurate.

I had no real reason to deny it. I just hadn’t wanted him to know.

And then Paejon, being Paejon, had casually revealed that information.

Why would he do that?

I turned to him, completely bewildered.

And then—

“So, I’m coming too.”
“What?”
“…What?”

My eyes widened.

“…Where to?”
“The Gu Clan, obviously.”
“Why?”
“What do you mean, why? I told you—I still have much to teach you.”
“……”

Oh, so this was about the martial arts training.

Wait.

“…You’re seriously coming all that way just for that?”
“Naturally.”
“You can’t be serious—”
“Well, that’s not the only reason. I also have some business with the leader of the Gu Clan. This aligns perfectly.”
“……”

Paejon wasn’t even pretending to consider my opinion on the matter.

“So, Gu Ryun. Your visit will have to wait. I have…”

Squeeze.

This time, it was Paejon, not Gu Ryun, who gripped my shoulder.

“…a few more things to discuss with my disciple. Don’t you agree?”
“……”

Hearing that, I pressed my tongue against the roof of my mouth.

…One complication after another.