Childhood Friend of the Zenith Novel MTL - Chapter 844

The murmurs around us faded to nothing.
The scattered whispers that remained were consumed by an abrupt, heavy silence. Only the soft crackle of the torches fixed to the walls could be heard.
After a long moment of this suffocating stillness—
«Did the Star Dragon Captain truly say that?»
One of the Azure Dragon soldiers, standing further back, ventured a cautious whisper.
That was all it took. A wave of murmurs rose again, but now they were all focused on Ilcheon Sword.
«The captain… used poison?»
«Never mind the poison. What was that about the Celestial Stream Sect?»
Though hushed, the whispers carried perfectly in the quiet air. The responses were just as anticipated—shock, disbelief, and utter confusion.
«The captain was mixed up with the Celestial Stream Sect? What does that even mean?»
«From the way it was said, it sounded like he was cooperating with the unorthodox sects!»
«What kind of absurdity is this—!»
It did not take long for their confusion to curdle into anger.
Perhaps it was their faith in Ilcheon Sword. I couldn’t be sure, and I didn’t particularly care.
Their reaction wasn’t what mattered—it was Ilcheon Sword’s.
“Good.”
A smile touched my lips as I looked at him. It was impossible not to be amused.
The man was a spectacle.
His trembling eyes, the sweat beading on his forehead, the slight quiver in his aura—it all revealed the profound anxiety churning within him.
And yet—
«What ridiculous lies are you telling now?»
This was a man who had spent decades in Zhongyuan’s martial world. The flash of uncertainty on his face vanished in a matter of seconds.
«Are you so desperate that you would resort to outrageous slander to disgrace me?»
That brief unease was replaced by a low, simmering anger. His ability to regain his composure so swiftly was commendable.
“If I didn’t know better, I might have doubted myself,” I mused.
It probably took that level of skill to conceal one’s true nature in this merciless world. What an exhausting way to exist.
«Lies? That’s a harsh accusation, senior.»
«If it isn’t lies, then what? I admit I am displeased about the deputy, but we came here to offer support. Not to be subjected to this mockery!»
His raised voice held genuine outrage, as if he were truly the one who had been insulted.
How impressive. Truly.
“Is he masking his panic with anger?”
People often say I am a terrible liar. Watching Ilcheon Sword, I felt a flicker of desire to learn his technique.
But…
«If you feel insulted, I apologize. However, I assure you, I am only repeating information that has come to me.»
«Information?»
His eyebrow twitched almost imperceptibly.
«What information?»
«Nothing of great importance… I merely heard a rumor that you, Ilcheon Sword, employed poison in an attempt to target me.»
«Preposterous! Who would spread such—»
He began to retort, but his words died as his eyes followed the direction of my pointed finger.
I was indicating Mun Do-hyuk, who immediately stiffened under Ilcheon Sword’s intense scrutiny.
Ilcheon Sword frowned, his expression darkening. He seemed to understand the situation instantly.
Mun Do-hyuk, for his part, stood rigid, his gaze shifting away.
The fear in his eyes was unmistakable. I nodded to myself.
«This should be enough.»
His reaction all but confirmed my suspicion. Betrayal always left traces, however faint. While it could have been an act, my instincts said otherwise.
«Does that answer your question about my source?»
It was a clear statement: I know what you did.
Ilcheon Sword’s frown deepened. He looked troubled, as if he fully grasped the implications.
«What are you suggesting about that subordinate?»
«Oh?»
I was genuinely impressed by his response.
«So, you’re going to pretend you don’t understand?»
It wasn’t a bad tactic. With no solid proof, outright denial was the most logical strategy.
«Are you claiming you have never attempted any underhanded scheme against me?»
«As I stated before, I am a captain of the righteous Martial Alliance, a guardian of justice and honor.»
His grip on his sword tightened.
«It is true that I hold no particular fondness for you, but I would never sink so low as to stain my honor with such despicable methods.»
«Wow.»
I nearly applauded. How could someone be so utterly without shame?
“Justice and honor?”
I wanted to laugh aloud, but I managed to restrain myself. Barely.
Truly…
«You people never change.»
The more layers you peeled back, the more corruption you found. It was almost impressive how deep it went.
Since he had shown me so much, it felt only right to offer something in return.
«Well, since there is no concrete evidence, I apologize for accusing you first.»
I took a deliberate step back.
«Regarding the matter of the Celestial Stream Sect, I only heard it as a rumor. I assume that is also untrue?»
Ilcheon Sword did not hesitate.
«I will not tolerate any more of these groundless allegations. I have no idea where you heard such foolishness, but I would sooner die than conspire with the unorthodox factions.»
«Exactly! Our captain would never do such a thing!»
«Collaborating with the unorthodox… How utterly ridiculous!»
His subordinates echoed their agreement. Their faith in him was almost touching.
Watching their reactions, I let out a quiet whisper.
«Lay down your life, is it?»
Just loud enough for Ilcheon Sword to catch.
«If that’s the case, then I suppose there is no issue. In any event, I originally came to inquire about the poison, but things got out of hand.»
I moved closer to Ilcheon Sword, keeping my voice even.
«I regret the condition of your deputy, but I believe I have sufficiently explained my reasoning.»
«That pitiful excuse is your explanation?»
«Yes. If you are dissatisfied, you are welcome to report me to the main Alliance or seek your own justice. But if you do, we will also have to address the suspicions I hold against you.»
«…»
«Even if you feign ignorance now, what will you do when we return?»
A slight smirk touched Ilcheon Sword’s lips at my words.
«By all means. I have no reason to fear—I am innocent. But what if every one of the Star Dragon Captain’s suspicions proves to be false?»
If everything I claimed turned out to be a lie? An impossible scenario, but if it were to happen…
«Then what? I will kneel, offer my apologies, and admit my error. That I made baseless claims and acted improperly.»
«Hah… That is a very tempting thought,» Ilcheon Sword remarked, his tone dripping with amusement.
The exchange was telling. He doesn’t care either way.
Whether the matter is investigated or not, the outcome will be the same—for both of us.
“Because neither of us will be making it back from here.”
That thought must have occurred to Ilcheon Sword as well.
«Anyway…»
By now, I had moved closer, narrowing the distance between us. I was near enough that, if he wished, he could have drawn his sword.
But he didn’t.
He merely stood there, glowering at me, his energy taut with hostility.
Meeting his deadly stare, I spoke.
«If you do not intend to settle this now, I have delivered my message and shown you all I needed to. May I leave?»
I had effectively broken his deputy and declared my intention to go. Under normal circumstances, Ilcheon Sword would never have allowed it.
His reputation was at stake. He should have tried to stop me at any cost.
And yet—
“Just as I expected.”
Ilcheon Sword glared but took no action. For a moment, I considered provoking him further, but instead, I simply walked past him.
«I will return after I have discussed the ‘context’ you were so eager to provide with my own subordinates. I am certain that is what you want as well, isn’t it?»
«…»
There was no reply. Silence, as always, meant consent.
The reason was obvious—he needed time. Time to prepare an alibi, or perhaps to plan a more sinister move.
«Or maybe…»
“To set a trap for something far worse.”
That was likely his intention.
«Do not think this is over,» Ilcheon Sword growled, his voice thick with barely contained venom.
Though his words were threatening, it was clear he had no intention of acting now. He was letting me go, for the moment.
I smirked and answered lightly.
«Of course. Do as you see fit.»
«Tch.»
I walked past him completely. His gaze remained fixed on my back, and the other Azure Dragon soldiers glared at me with unconcealed fury.
Feeling their hostility, I muttered under my breath.
«What are you all staring at? Lower your eyes, you fools.»
Whoosh!
«Guh!»
«Ack!»
A brief wave of pressure radiated out, forcing them to avert their gazes. Simultaneously, I suppressed a sudden surge of killing intent from within.
«That was too close.»
The brief release of energy had nearly stirred the killing intent festering inside me. I had momentarily forgotten my precarious condition. I needed to be more cautious.
«Hooo…»
I regulated my breathing, calming myself as I scanned the area. Not far off, I found who I was searching for.
«Hey.»
«Y-Yes, sir!»
The man snapped to attention at my call. It was Song Hojung, the deputy of the Star Dragon Division.
«Come here for a moment.»
«…»
His face contorted into a grimace as I spoke, and he swallowed hard. Clicking my tongue, I walked forward, signaling for him to follow. Behind me, the other soldiers trailed anxiously.

******************

After Gu Yangcheon had departed, the atmosphere in the Azure Dragon Division’s quarters became tombly silent.
No one dared to speak a word.
The soldiers stole furtive glances at Ilcheon Sword, trying to read his mood, and waited until they were certain Gu Yangcheon was truly gone.
After some time, when they were sure he had left, the tension finally shattered.
«Damn it… What does that arrogant brat know?!»
One of the soldiers finally spoke, as if he had been holding the words back the entire time.
«He dared to accuse our captain? Poison? What absolute rubbish!»
«Exactly! How can he spew such slander!»
«It’s because he’s young. He’s impulsive and sees only what suits him.»
«No matter how gifted he is, with a temperament like that, how can he possibly lead a division?»
The complaints were all directed at Gu Yangcheon, their voices thick with contempt.
«He might be powerful, but strength alone does not make a leader in the Martial Alliance.»
«True. He may have achieved much during the recent attacks, but this time he has gone too far.»
The grievances poured out one after another, each soldier seemingly in agreement. It felt as though they could have continued indefinitely.
Just as the flood of pent-up frustrations was reaching its peak—
«For our captain’s honor, we must report this to the elders in Hanam—»
«Enough.»
A sharp, weighty voice cut through the noise, instantly silencing the room. It was Ilcheon Sword, his words infused with palpable energy.
The gravity in his tone made everyone immediately fall silent.
In the new quiet, Ilcheon Sword spoke again.
«Enough of this pointless talk. Focus on dealing with the situation at hand. Take the deputy to the physician.»
«Y-Yes, sir!»
The soldiers scrambled to obey, suddenly remembering the state of their deputy. Their focus on Gu Yangcheon had made them forget their injured comrade.
Several soldiers moved toward the deputy, who had been quietly groaning in pain, and carefully lifted him.
«Ugh… Ngh…»
«Deputy, can you hear us?»
«Move with haste!»
They began to carry the battered man away. As they passed Ilcheon Sword, one of the soldiers momentarily froze.
It was no wonder. Ilcheon Sword’s face was contorted with rage, his eyes burning with pure killing intent.
He looked like a man ready to kill at any moment.