Childhood Friend of the Zenith Novel MTL - Chapter 846

Chapter 846

A quiet tension filled the space. I was the one to break it, addressing Song Hojung directly.
“I didn’t come for excuses. Let’s be direct—it’s true, isn’t it?”
Maybe he thought I would storm off and cause destruction, or perhaps he was afraid the young leader would be swayed by the Azure Dragon Division. Whatever his reasoning, Song Hojung had ultimately shown he didn’t trust me.
If he had truly comprehended the situation, he never would have acted so carelessly.
“Were you trying to protect the division from blame? Or did you honestly believe you could manage this on your own? Whatever your reason, what you did was a mistake.”
“…”
He had nothing to say. It didn’t matter to me.
“I’ve made myself clear to the Azure Dragon Leader. My duty is to be responsible for all of you. You are not responsible for me. And more than that…”
I looked down, focusing on my breathing to suppress the killing aura threatening to rise within me.
“If you had just come to me earlier, do you think any of this would have happened?”
To be honest, things likely would have spiraled out of control even if he had told me. It might have been slightly less chaotic, but only just. That wasn’t the point right now, so I pressed him further.
“Answer me.”
“…I apologize.”
“Tsk.”
Any more talk felt useless. Clicking my tongue in disapproval, I considered what to do next. Frankly, I wanted to remove him from his post as vice leader and be done with it.
‘Even so, it’s a difficult position to reassign.’
Relatively speaking, Song Hojung was still the best candidate.
Finding a warrior within the Alliance who wasn’t a spy was more challenging than it seemed. Knowing the Red Dragon Leader had sent someone reliable made the choice even more obvious.
In the end, it felt like I was letting him off easy because of my respect for the Red Dragon Leader.
“For the time being… you are relieved of your duties.”
“L-Leader, please…”
“Go. And don’t trouble yourself with the Azure Dragon Division’s matters anymore—I will take care of it.”
I cut off his attempted protest with a dismissive wave. This was as far as I would go.
Song Hojung’s lips quivered as if he wanted to speak, but he finally turned and left. I then shifted my focus to the other man in the room.
“Now, it’s your turn.”
“…Pardon me?”
My abrupt statement seemed to startle Mun Do-hyuk. He appeared confused by the sudden attention.
I clarified so he would understand.
“You’ve looked like you have something on your mind for a while now. Go on, say it.”
I had noticed his lingering looks while I was dealing with Song Hojung. To make it easier for him, I gave him an opening.
“Ah… well, you see…”
“My patience is thin, so be quick and clear.”
“…The Ilcheon Sword is now aware of the situation. I am uncertain if this is acceptable.”
At his sudden admission, I instinctively massaged the back of my neck. I could feel the stress building, my muscles growing tight.
Mun Do-hyuk was talking about the fact that I had directly revealed his betrayal to the Ilcheon Sword.
“What is the issue?”
“Well, you see…”
“What? Are you concerned the Ilcheon Sword will retaliate against you?”
He avoided my gaze. My guess had clearly struck a nerve. I hadn’t meant to criticize him for it.
‘It’s a fair thing to worry about.’
The Ilcheon Sword had been staring at Mun Do-hyuk with undeniable bloodlust, and he must have felt it.
“If you’re that afraid, why not return to him? I’m certain he would welcome you back.”
“N-no, that’s not it… I am truly worried…”
“I’m only joking.”
Even if he did go back, it wouldn’t change much.
I gave him a slight smile.
“You’re wondering why I confronted the Ilcheon Sword about it, aren’t you?”
Why had I chosen that moment to expose the Ilcheon Sword’s crimes? That appeared to be the core of his anxiety. Admittedly, there had been no immediate need to do so.
“Am I wrong?”
“…You are correct.”
Having decided to align with me, he now found himself in a vulnerable position. His unease was only natural.
“Don’t be concerned. I had a strategy in mind when I did it.”
“A strategy…?”
“Yes, a strategy. Do you not trust me?”
“No, I—I do trust you.”
“Good. You’ve already chosen your side, so place your faith in me. I will deal with it.”
It made no difference to me. After all…
‘I plan to kill every last one of them.’
The Ilcheon Sword, and all the others. Mun Do-hyuk was no exception. I had no intention of sparing anyone. That’s why it was irrelevant.
“So stop worrying. I will handle everything. For now, you may go—no, wait.”
Just as I was about to dismiss him, a thought occurred to me.
“There is something I may require you for later. Remain on standby.”
“…Understood.”
Mun Do-hyuk nodded, though his expression was still shadowed with worry. It seemed he didn’t fully trust me yet.
Not that it mattered. He had no other options left besides me.
“You may go now.”
“…Yes, Leader.”
“Before you do, send someone else in.”
“Who should I call?”
I smiled at his question.
“He’s most likely asleep right now… but wake him if you must. Tell him I require his presence.”
The person I needed was a specific individual.

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

Time slipped by and the night grew older when a guest finally appeared at my door—a young man whose drowsy demeanor was unmistakable.
His face was a mask of irritation, as if questioning what possible business I could have at such an hour. The visitor was Cheol Ji-seon.
He let out a sigh and spoke in a tired voice:
“…What do you want?”
“Welcome,” I answered with a grin, greeting the weary man. His expression, however, did not lighten.
“You do realize, Yangcheon…”
“Yes?”
“…I have the last watch tonight.”
“I know, and you have my thanks for your hard work.”
“…Huuuuu.”
Cheol Ji-seon pressed his palm to his forehead. It was true—he was stuck with the most dreaded night shift, and, to his misfortune, it was a permanent assignment.
For the entire duration of our time in Sichuan, he had not escaped that post.
‘Because I was the one who assigned him to it.’
It wasn’t just him. Anyone associated with me received similar treatment.
Tang So-yeol was an exception due to her rank as vice leader, but even Wi Seol-ah and Namgung Bi-ah had been given equally tiresome duties.
No wonder Ji-seon was exhausted.
“What can I say? You know it’s necessary,” I said with a shrug.
“That isn’t the point… If you know, why call for me now?”
He was clearly annoyed at being summoned so close to his shift change. But there was nothing to be done.
“Well, if you’re unhappy, why don’t you take my place as leader?”
“…”
“What is that look for? Would you like some personal training? It has been a while.”
“Hahaha… ha… No, I’m fine. See, I’m completely awake now.”
“Good. That’s what I like to hear.”
I felt a slight pang of guilt for rousing him, but it was unavoidable. The sooner this began, the better.
“I called you here for a reason. Speaking of, are you ready to stay up all night?”
“…Do I have a choice?”
“Not really.”
“Then why ask… It doesn’t matter. What do you need me to do?”
Cheol Ji-seon sighed, his eyes reflecting his frustration, but he quickly yielded. He was sharp that way. His compliance pleased me, and I nodded in approval.
“It’s nothing too complex. I just believe the time has come.”
“Time? Time for what?”
“Isn’t it obvious?”
He stared at me blankly, not comprehending. Clicking my tongue, I explained.
“It’s time to spring the traps we’ve laid.”
“…”
At my words, his eyes narrowed. He seemed to understand what I meant.
“Now?”
“Yes, now. We need to gather everything at once, and I need you to get started.”
Since arriving in Sichuan, I had been carefully preparing various schemes. The moment to activate them had arrived.
“But isn’t this… rather sudden?”
Ji-seon frowned, his concern evident. It was understandable; I had originally set the date for three days later.
I would have preferred more time as well, but…
“Circumstances have changed.”
Some unforeseen complications had forced me to move the schedule up.
“It won’t be a problem, even if we act a little ahead of plan.”
“I don’t think it will be an issue, but… what is your approach?”
“What approach?”
“Dealing with Gaecheonmun is one thing, but your main target is the Ilcheon Sword, correct? In that case, acting hastily seems dangerous…”
“What does it matter?”
“Huh?”
I tilted my head and replied, “We’ll simply take care of both at the same time.”
“What?”
Cheol Ji-seon reacted with shock, but I found his surprise odd. What was the problem?
“It’s a perfect opportunity.”
From my perspective, no matter how you looked at it, the situation was ideal. Leaning back in my chair, I rested my chin on my hand and continued.
“The Ilcheon Sword, a man revered across Zhongyuan and the Alliance, is exposed as a conspirator working with a treacherous heretic.”
I tapped my finger rhythmically against my leg as I spoke.
“The Azure Dragon Division uncovers this and launches a swift assault.”
“…”
“In the battle that follows, things become… intense. Oops! The fighting grows so fierce that we cannot capture them alive and are forced to kill them all.”
The more I detailed the plan, the more uncomfortable Cheol Ji-seon’s expression became. I paid it no mind.
“Naturally, the Azure Dragon Division will also suffer losses… What a tragic outcome, wouldn’t you agree?”
“…Yangcheon, you…”
“What? Do you see a flaw in this scenario?”
“…”
“I don’t.”
As long as no unexpected problems emerged, everything would proceed smoothly. And should any issues arise…
“You will handle them.”
Cheol Ji-seon frowned at my words, then asked hesitantly, “…You’re saying you will kill everyone?”
“Kill everyone? That sounds so harsh.”
To an outsider, it might seem like I took pleasure in killing.
“I told you before—I only kill those who have earned it.”
“But in a fight, there are always unavoidable casualties…”
“Hahaha… Ji-seon.”
My laughter cut him off.
“If you’re going to worry about such things, it’s far too late for you to start now, don’t you think?”
“…”
“And those ‘unavoidable casualties’ you speak of? To minimize them, I am telling you to get to work. Do you understand?”
“…I understand.”
“Then follow your orders as they are given.”
A simple chain of command: I give the instructions, and he carries them out. That was sufficient.
This was also the best way to ease any guilt he might feel.
“So just do as I say. As always, I will bear full responsibility.”
No matter what occurred, the weight would fall on me. That has always been my principle when devising a plan.
“I’ve written the specific details in this letter. Follow it precisely.”
Cheol Ji-seon took the letter I offered him. With that, everything was set, save for a few final details.
As I started to contemplate the next steps, Ji-seon suddenly spoke again.
“What about you?”
“What?”
“If you’re taking responsibility for everything… then who takes responsibility for you?”
“…”
The unexpected question left me momentarily silent. Fortunately, I recovered quickly.
“What kind of foolish question is that? Why would anyone need to be responsible for me? I will handle myself.”
“You always…”
His face contorted with a mix of frustration and concern, but he didn’t finish his sentence.
“…I will finish my assigned tasks before the day is over.”
With that, Cheol Ji-seon turned and left my quarters. I found myself scratching my temple, staring at the door he had just closed behind him.
— Who’s going to take responsibility for you?
His words echoed in my mind. It seemed they would not leave me alone for a while.
“Tsk… Foolish kid, saying things he doesn’t need to.”
If only he would just follow orders without getting involved. Who is responsible for me? There was no need, nor did I want anyone to be.
‘I am doing this precisely so that no one else has to carry that burden.’
So it would be best if he abandoned such thoughts entirely.
“Haa.”
Rubbing my temples, I pushed the notion aside. I couldn’t afford to be distracted.
‘Don’t think about it. Focus on what’s next.’
If I got caught up in such sentiments, I would be unable to act. I turned my attention back to the plans.
‘Moving them up shouldn’t cause an issue, but… there is one thing that concerns me.’
Focusing intently, I directed my energy inward, toward my heart. A faint, restless sensation stirred within—an uncontrollable bloodlust, or something akin to a sinister force.
Biting my lip, I acknowledged it.
‘This is the variable.’
A potential disruption during the coming fight. I needed to resolve it before anything happened. Fortunately…
“…I will have to pay a visit to the Tang Clan.”
At least I had an idea of how to manage it.