Childhood Friend of the Zenith Novel MTL - Chapter 1147

Chapter 1147

“Keuhk!”

Hack!

Cough!

Wi Seok’s legs buckled, and he dropped to his knees, heaving violently onto the floor.

“Kuh… cough…!”

Tears welled in his bloodshot eyes, and saliva streaked down his chin—a pitiful and undignified sight.

But those hateful eyes of his, still fixed on me with defiance, grated on my nerves. So I lifted my foot.

Smack—!

“Gahk!”

The blow connected with his jaw, and he went down instantly, knocked unconscious and falling into his own sick.

I paid him no further mind and turned my attention back to the woman.

“…Lady Hyun.”

Hyun Soyeon.

She stood there—a woman of unbelievable beauty. So stunning that even with Wi Seok broken on the ground, the men around her remained captivated, staring in a daze.

Of course, she was beautiful.

After all, she resembled her.

Or perhaps…

‘That one was made in this one’s image, really.’

Anyway—

“…Why are you here?”

I stared at Hyun Soyeon, who had appeared as if from thin air. She tilted her head slightly.

“Why? Am I not allowed to be here?”
“Under normal circumstances, no.”

This was the headquarters of the Azure Dragon Division. A place where outsiders shouldn’t be able to wander freely. And within it, this was the Sword Division’s main building—a zone strictly off-limits to unauthorized personnel.

Her presence was impossible.

“Hmm… well, I suppose so.”

Hyun Soyeon tilted her head side to side before answering.

“But I made it possible.”

She offered a bright smile and added—

“I’ve decided to sponsor the Azure Dragon Division.”
“…What?”
“Well, technically it’s our trading company, but… it’s the same thing, isn’t it?”
“…”

Sponsor the Azure Dragon Division?

My expression tightened at her words.

“…Suddenly?”
“It isn’t sudden. I sent a letter some time ago. Probably around the day Young Master Baek departed.”

That would mean… only a few days ago.

If I calculated the time correctly—

“You wouldn’t have even had time to receive a reply.”

Even if she had sent the letter and set out immediately, it should have taken at least two months to get any response.

Yet, here she was, just days after my own arrival. It didn’t make sense.

When I pointed this out, Hyun Soyeon replied as if it were obvious.

“Of course. I sent the letter and came straight away.”
“…What?”
“There was no time to wait for a reply. Not that I needed one.”
“Why wouldn’t you need one?”
“Who would possibly refuse such an offer?”
“…”

I fell silent.

She had a point. Normally, no one would refuse.

This wasn’t a sponsorship for the broader Martial Alliance, but a direct pledge to the Azure Dragon Division…

‘The Division Leader would have moved heaven and earth to make this happen.’

The only reason Mi Horan could freely use the Baekhwa Trading Company’s name within the Alliance was due to the Azure Dragon Division Leader’s backing.

And yet—

‘Despite already having a sponsor, another one appears.’

There must have been negotiations between the Baekhwa Trading Company and the Azure Dragon Division.

‘…But the fact that she’s already inside, walking around freely, means…’

The Azure Dragon Division Leader had already accepted.

And as if to confirm it—

“Well, well. Now this is an interesting situation.”

A middle-aged man landed softly on the ground, a broad smile on his face.

The light blue martial robe he wore fluttered—embroidered with the emblem of the Martial Alliance and a blue dragon.

“The Division Leader…!”

Recognizing him, the assembled members snapped to attention and offered formal greetings.

“Hmm…”

The Azure Dragon Division Leader’s eyes swept over the unconscious Wi Seok, then over to me, and his brow furrowed slightly.

“You’ve stirred up trouble again, haven’t you, our youngest?”
“…”

I considered whether to apologize, but before I could decide, the Division Leader acted first.

Whoosh—!

With a mere flick of his wrist, Wi Seok’s limp body lifted into the air and flew toward the other members.

“Ugh!”

One of them caught him.

“Take him to the infirmary.”
“Y-Yes, sir!”

At the Division Leader’s command, they hurried away with Wi Seok. Then, he turned his gaze to Hyun Soyeon.

At that moment—

“Oh my, our most esteemed sponsor has arrived!”
“…”

His tone was unexpectedly cheerful.

He even rubbed his hands together in exaggerated excitement, leaving me momentarily at a loss for words.

“We should have greeted you in person! I am embarrassed that you had to come all this way yourself.”
“Oh no, the thanks belong to me, for your acceptance.”
“Aha! Your words are as refined as your appearance.”
“Oh my~”

Hyun Soyeon covered her mouth with her hand, laughing lightly at the Division Leader’s flattery.

“I wish I could have shown you a better side of us, but alas. Our members can be a bit… spirited, you see. Hahaha.”
“Oh, not at all. A true martial artist ought to be exactly so.”
“I appreciate your understanding. Now then, shall we continue our discussion inside?”
“Certainly.”

With that, the Division Leader led Hyun Soyeon away.

And as they moved, a voice reached my ear.

—»Come to my office once this discussion is over.»

His tone was now completely different—firm and commanding.

‘Hmm.’

I had a strong feeling I was about to be reprimanded.

**********

Time passed, and the once-clear sky began to blush with the colors of dusk. The Division Leader was still deep in conversation with Hyun Soyeon, forcing the cancellation of a previously scheduled meeting and leaving me with unexpected free time.

After completing some additional training, I decided it was enough and headed toward the Division Leader’s office.

The moment I arrived—

“Come in.”

His voice called out just as I reached the door.

I had deliberately made my presence known.

Hearing his response, I pushed the door open.

Creak.

The door swung inward, revealing the Azure Dragon Division Leader seated inside.

“Take a seat.”

I stepped forward, pulled out a chair, and sat down.

And in that instant—

Kuwoooong—!!

An immense pressure erupted from his body.

“Baek Yangcheon.”
“Yes.”

I felt the full weight of his aura. I didn’t resist—I simply allowed the energy to wash over me.

“Do you believe you can take me lightly?”
“I do not.”
“Then I fail to comprehend. You call this not taking me lightly?”

An icy sensation traced its way down my spine.

‘…He’s strong.’

The Azure Dragon Division Leader was undoubtedly powerful. The First Sword I remembered—that pathetic wretch—wasn’t even comparable.

This man… he was the Division Leader? He seemed to exist on a completely different level.

Perhaps the Division Leaders of this era were simply far stronger than in the past.

“I was lenient the first time you caused a disturbance. Was I not?”
“You were.”
“I overlooked it because your value justified it. However… this is becoming a problem.”

Sssssss.

A heavy pressure tightened around my throat. The Division Leader was exerting significant force.

“At this rate, your actions will impact the entire division. Why did you clash with Wi Seok? You don’t strike me as someone ignorant of the consequences.”
“…”

I scratched my cheek.

Truthfully, I’d just gotten angry and beaten him. I had no desire to keep suppressing myself here more than necessary.

“He reminded me of someone I detest.”

Someone I wanted to kill.

Someone I had killed.

And the image of that bastard as a child? It infuriated me beyond measure.

“…That’s all?”
“That, and he tried to break my spirit. I may have overreacted slightly. I’ll apologize for that.”
“I don’t believe I am the one who deserves that apology.”
“No, you are. I don’t feel sorry toward him, so I’ll apologize to you instead.”
“Ha?”
“I understand I must accommodate the division to some degree, but I lack the patience to tolerate that kind of nonsense. If it happens again, I likely won’t hold back then, either.”

I stated it plainly—I had no intention of enduring disrespect.

“I won’t start anything, but if someone provokes me, I won’t stand idly by.”
“So what? You plan to cause another incident next time?”
“If no one provokes me, there won’t be a next time.”
“And you think I’ll let this slide so easily?”
“If you don’t… then that’s unfortunate, but what choice do I have? I would have to leave the division.”
“…Ha?”

I had no issue with leaving if things didn’t work out.

Hearing that, the Division Leader’s expression turned severe.

But even under his glare, I felt no pressure.

If anyone accused me of underestimating the Main Alliance—

‘It truly is that insignificant.’

Even in my past life, I never held the Martial Alliance in high regard. And in this world? It meant even less.

There was only one reason I had come here.

‘To settle unfinished business.’

To uncover what I needed to know.

To meet my father.

That was all.

‘Even if I leave now… I have other paths.’

I had already secured the necessary connections. If I walked away, I’d simply find another route.

Besides, with that man—the Sword Master—already watching me, staying here was beginning to feel more dangerous than beneficial.

If it came to it, I could just leave.

The real question was—

‘Would they even allow me to go?’

I had a feeling the Main Alliance wouldn’t let me walk away so easily.

And sure enough—

“Hahahahahaha—!!”

The Division Leader suddenly burst into laughter. Simultaneously, the crushing aura pressing down on me vanished.

“…Now this is interesting.”

The pressure was gone, but my body remained tense.

‘…Damn.’

This man…

‘He’s using Sword Will?’

A chilling sensation crept up my spine.

It felt as though the points of countless invisible blades were aimed at me from all sides, ready to strike.

The Azure Dragon Division Leader had drawn his mental sword.

“I must say…”

He spoke, his tone shifting once more.

“I appreciate people who understand their own worth. No matter who they are.”
“If that’s a compliment, should I thank you?”
“No need. Just answer one question.”
“Ask.”
“Are you an enemy of the Martial Alliance?”

A question I hadn’t anticipated.

What was his aim?

I considered it briefly, but the answer was already clear.

“I wonder… At present, I am not.”
“Hooh? At present?”
“Yes. It depends on the circumstances.”
“And what circumstances would those be?”
“The same as always.”

I ran a hand through my hair.

There was only one way the Martial Alliance would become my enemy.

“As long as they don’t interfere with me, I won’t consider them my enemy.”

If they left me alone, I would have no cause to retaliate.

It was that simple.

“Hmm.”

The Division Leader tilted his head, as if weighing my words.

And then—

“It’s not the most satisfying answer, but it isn’t a bad one, either.”

With a slight smirk, he retrieved something from his robes and handed it to me.

“…What is this?”
“A punishment, of course. Whether or not you know your value, consequences must be given. This is yours.”
“…”

I took the letter and unfolded it.

Punishment? What kind of punishment?

As I read through it—

“You’re going to Shanxi. Cause some trouble there for a while. The Vice Leader will be supervising you, so I suggest you avoid any unnecessary actions.”
“…”

It was an assignment. A mission related to Shanxi.

“…Understood.”

He called it a punishment, but in reality, this was proof that my father had secured something from his discussion with the Sword Master.

‘This guy…’

The Azure Dragon Division Leader was fully aware of it, too.

‘Hmph.’

I nodded slightly to myself.

One way or another, my journey to Shanxi had just been decided.