Childhood Friend of the Zenith Novel MTL - Chapter 847

Chapter 847

Dawn broke as the darkness receded.
I hadn’t slept at all. There was simply too much to manage in the meantime.
A few days without rest was no burden on my body, anyway. The night was spent attending to duties, as was customary.
By now, Cheol Ji-seon should already be on the move. The others, too, would be performing their assigned parts.
Though it was unclear how the Ilcheon Sword would respond, accelerating the plan meant I had to monitor every variable closely.
With everyone activated for this goal, I could not allow myself to be inactive.
Thus, before the sun had fully climbed into the sky, I began walking toward my objective: the Tang Clan.

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

“Greetings,” I said.
“…Welcome,” the Poison King responded.
His expression was odd, undoubtedly confused by my unexpected arrival. From the looks of it, I had interrupted his breakfast.
“Young Master…?”
He wasn’t by himself—Tang So-yeol was with him.
I allowed myself a slight smile. It appeared their unresolved issues had been settled.
“I apologize for disturbing your meal, but this is a matter of some urgency.”
The Poison King shot an irritated glance toward the entrance, likely directed at the gate guards or the clan’s sentinels. He was probably questioning why I had been admitted without any challenge.
I could sympathize with his annoyance at having his private time with his daughter intruded upon, but…
‘What can he really do?’
In any case, there was little the Poison King could actually do to stop me.
After everything I had done for him, he wouldn’t dare stand in my way. Aware of this, he could do little more than scowl.
“…So, what is so important that you come at such an early and hectic hour?”
His voice held a clear edge of sarcasm, which made me want to laugh.
Oh, so he’s being difficult now?
“I know the timing is poor, and for that I apologize. But the situation is critical.”
Naturally, I had no intention of retreating. My need was genuine.
“It feels awkward to make this request…”
“Then perhaps you shouldn—”
“But I’ve come here to ask regardless.”
I held his gaze and stated, “Please grant me one of the Dokcheon Pills I created.”
“…”
“I understand this is abrupt, but I am willing to wait until you finish eating.”
“You are completely mad…”
“I can hear you.”
“I meant for you to hear.”
“Ah, understood.”
I nodded, accepting his words. He had spoken loudly enough for it to be deliberate. As I stood there nodding agreeably, the Poison King released a heavy sigh and finally spoke.
“…Will one be enough?”
I smiled in response. “For the time being, yes.”
I might require more later, but one would suffice for now.

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

After a short wait outside, the Poison King emerged, his face still set in a displeased grimace.
“Did you have a good meal?”
“It was ruined, thanks to you.”
“Well, I’m pleased to hear that.”
“…What?”
“It was a joke.”
Though I said it lightly, he clearly didn’t find it amusing, his brow furrowing deeply. I added, “I haven’t eaten either, so there’s no need to look at me like that.”
“That is your concern, not mine.”
“Haha. That’s quite cold, especially after I took great pains to resolve your issues.”
“…”
At that, he went quiet for a beat, turning his head away awkwardly before mumbling, “…I acknowledge that much. I am in your debt.”
As expected, the Poison King understood the weight of a favor. It was one of the traits that made me respect him.
“Don’t mention it,” I replied, focusing my eyes ahead.
While I was interested to know if Tang So-yeol’s condition was fully resolved, now was not the moment to ask. My own pressing affairs demanded attention.
We walked together until we reached the same structure I had visited previously.
It was where I had labored for hours to produce the Dokcheon Pills. We entered and went straight down into the underground room.
A chill brushed against my face. Though it was already autumn and the outside air was cool, the subterranean chamber was colder still.
‘No, it’s more than just being underground.’
The atmosphere here had been intentionally calibrated to preserve the energy pills. That was the only logical explanation.
I had no clue how they managed it.
‘This is not my area of expertise.’
My knowledge of energy pills was nonexistent. Even in my past life, I had never studied them. There had never been a reason.
‘With a method like the Demonic Absorption Technique, why would I need energy pills?’
The Shaolin’s Great Rejuvenation Pill, the Mount Hua Sect’s Jasodan, and all other potent elixirs were irrelevant to me.
They were beneficial, of course, but hunting and consuming Crimson-Rank beasts was far more efficient.
‘Still, if I had known it would come to this, I might have learned more.’
Who could have predicted that not only would I be consuming energy pills voraciously, but I would also be crafting them?
Even I found the current reality bizarre; my former self could never have imagined it.
It was a futile regret.
Led by the faint glow of lanterns, we continued our descent. The bottom of the stairs came into view.
The Poison King moved ahead, grasped the handle of the door, and pushed it open.
*Creak.*
As the door swung inward, a subtle draft flowed out.
‘Ah.’
Just like before, the air moved, but this time it carried a distinct fragrance.
The scent was profound and layered, like a masterfully blended medicinal brew combined with the crisp, earthy aroma of spiritual herbs.
Stepping inside after the Poison King, I immediately located the origin of the scent.
The room was colder than I remembered, and the air was saturated with the odor.
It all emanated from the stock of energy pills arranged ahead—specifically, the Dokcheon Pills.
“Is this where you keep them?” I inquired.
“It is where they undergo maturation. They require a minimum of four months to fully develop,” he clarified.
“And this location was chosen because…?”
“This location?!”
My wording seemed to insult him, and he responded with sudden indignation.
“This is a hallowed space of the Tang Clan, permitted only to those of direct lineage.”
“…This place?”
To me, it seemed little more than a chilled, confined room.
Then he continued, “It was established long ago by Tang Jeolcheon.”
“Oh…”
That altered its significance. A place fashioned by the legendary Tang Jeolcheon, the figure who guided the Tang Clan toward righteousness? Such a spot undoubtedly held deep meaning.
“…It is a remarkable place, indeed. Knowing its origin makes it feel sacred,” I conceded.
“Naturally! I see you comprehend.”
“Yes, anything forged by Tang Jeolcheon must carry great weight… But, wait. Was it truly acceptable to bring me here? You said only direct descendants are allowed.”
It struck me as strange. Why had he escorted me here when I had merely asked for the pill?
Even as an ally or a benefactor, granting me access to such a sanctified space seemed improper.
In answer to my question, the Poison King replied airily, “It is fine.”
“Pardon?”
“Broadly speaking, it will all balance out in the end. Wouldn’t you agree?”
“…What do you mean, ‘balance out’? Shouldn’t we be clear on such matters?”
His ambiguous response felt disquieting. What was he implying?
When I pressed him for a clearer answer, he merely pretended not to hear and walked onward.
“Clan Leader—”
“So, which one do you need?” he cut in.
“…”
Seeing he had no plan to explain, I sighed and dropped the subject.
“I need the pill I made,” I stated.
The Dokcheon Pill, infused with my own energy and distinctive properties.
“Ah, there is only one remaining,” he said, drawing back a cloth.
Beneath it were three Dokcheon Pills I had produced earlier, stored as a group. Next to them sat a single pill, separated from the others.
The Poison King pointed toward it and spoke.
“Take it,” he said, his tone offhand.
Surprised, I asked, “I’m sorry? You’re simply giving it to me?”
“…Why does that shock you?”
“Well, it is an energy pill.”
“You made it, and you asked for it, correct? Besides, if I said no, would you leave without it?”
“No, I would likely hesitate briefly… then take it regardless.”
“Then why ask in the first place… *Haah.*”
At my blunt reply, the Poison King sighed, as if giving up.
“Fine. If you are unwilling to just accept it, why not consider marrying into the Tang Clan—”
“Thank you, I’ll take it now.”
Without waiting for him to finish, I picked up the energy pill. There was no reason to engage in frivolous talk.
The pill felt familiar in my palm. It was the same as before—and yet, somehow different.
“Young Master Gu,” the Poison King called.
“Yes?”
“Now that I consider it, what do you intend to use that for?”
His question gave me pause. I realized I hadn’t explained my reason for needing it.
And yet, he had handed it over without any questions. Strange.
The Poison King wasn’t the sort to give things away so freely, even to someone who had aided him.
‘Perhaps he is allowing it because I crafted it myself,’ I thought.
Superficially, that made sense, but something about it felt incorrect.
The Poison King was not a straightforward man. Even if I had helped him, he wouldn’t act without anticipating some form of repayment.
‘…This is disconcerting.’
What could he want from me? The thought passed quickly, but for now, the pill was my main focus.
“Use it? It’s an energy pill, so I will consume it,” I answered.
“…Hmm?”
The Poison King tilted his head in confusion.
“Did you not take one just yesterday?”
“I did.”
“And now you are taking another?”
“Yes.”
“…”
“Do not concern yourself. I am not insane.”
I recognized his expression. Any martial artist understood the implications of taking energy pills in rapid succession.
Too much of anything is poisonous, and energy pills are no different.
The energy contained within a single pill is massive. A martial artist can only absorb a limited amount at one time, relative to their strength.
Even the Poison King, after consuming one Dokcheon Pill, couldn’t fully process its energy and had to let it circulate through his body.
He likely intended to gradually absorb it over a month or two to reap its full benefits.
If he took another pill in this state, the surplus energy would leak out, and he would be unable to retain even half of it.
Furthermore, the excessive energy could cause physical stress.
Considering that, it was no wonder the Poison King looked at me as if I were deranged.
Naturally, these concerns did not apply to me.
‘This is not relevant to my situation.’
No matter how much energy I ingested, I could metabolize all of it and contain it within my body.
That was how I had managed to advance so swiftly in my previous life.
“I have my methods, so please do not worry,” I said to ease his mind.
The Poison King’s reply, however, surprised me.
“I am not worried,” he stated.
“Excuse me?”
“If Young Master Gu is taking it, I assume you have your reasons. From what I can tell, you are the sort who never comes out at a loss, even if it borders on the shameless.”
“…”
It sounded like a compliment, but the final word was pointed. Why “shameless”?
“Then why are you looking at me that way?”
“I was curious about what you are planning. But consuming two pills in a row… It is simply outrageous. Do you have no sense of moderation?”
“…I see. I believe that is enough opinion.”
I interrupted before he could continue.
“In any case, circumstances force me to take it.”
“Very well. Go ahead, gorge yourself.”
“…I beg your pardon?”
“It was a joke. Hahaha.”
“…”
It did not feel like a joke. No, it definitely felt like retaliation.
Doubtless, it was payback for interrupting his breakfast with Tang So-yeol.
‘*Tch*… these old men and their grudges.’
Clicking my tongue softly, I lifted the pill toward my mouth. Just before consuming it, I turned to the Poison King.
“Clan Leader Tang.”
“What? Have you reconsidered? If so, I will—”
“If something occurs after I take this, please do not intervene.”
“…”
He stopped speaking abruptly, his expression turning grave in an instant.
“I understand.”
“Thank you.”
Grateful that he didn’t demand an explanation, I placed the pill in my mouth and chewed.
The flavor, the aroma, the energy—it was identical to the pill from the day before.
*Gulp.*
The moment I swallowed, the energy erupted within me, spreading swiftly and seizing control.
It was profound, potent, and overwhelming.
However…
‘Was I mistaken?’
I detected nothing out of the ordinary.
If my hypothesis was correct, the pill should have activated something, but nothing seemed to happen.
‘How anticlimactic… So this wasn’t the key?’
A blend of disappointment and an unaccountable relief washed over me as I turned to the Poison King.
“Clan Leader Tang, my apologies, but it appears—”
I halted mid-sentence.
“…Ah.”
The emotions churning inside me reversed in a flash.
What I had believed to be incorrect… was not.
“…Damn it.”
The world around me had transformed.
The sky, the earth—everything was enveloped in absolute blackness.
It was the same realm as before, except this time, I was not outside the door.
I was within.
This could mean only one thing:
“…This saves me the trouble of searching.”
The one I had been seeking was directly before me.
A throne, as black as the surrounding void, fractured and eroding as if on the verge of disintegration.
And seated upon it…
He was there.
“Hey,” I called out.
He gradually raised his head to look at me.
His sclera were black, and his pupils were stained a piercing violet, radiating pure malice.
The killing intent pouring from him was oppressive.
Our eyes met, and a wave of nausea hit me, threatening to make me retch. I suppressed it, steadying my breathing.
“Nice to see you, you bastard.”
I spoke to him directly.
“Shall we have a little talk, brother?”
*RUMBLE—!*
The earth trembled violently, as if answering on his behalf.