Childhood Friend of the Zenith Novel MTL - Chapter 871

Chapter 871

In the wake of the tumultuous upheaval, the branch headquarters fell into a deathly hush. The earth was saturated with blood, its metallic odor still clinging persistently to the wind. Martial artists who had lived through the ordeal worked with grim, strained expressions, gathering the dead.

Overhead, the moon’s glow shone dimly through a mist of residual energy, a lingering testament to the fierce combat that had just concluded.

“Secure the prisoners and place them in the cells. Collect the bodies and prepare them for burning,” a voice of authority instructed.

“Shouldn’t we receive approval from the main branch first?”

“These are the direct orders of the Lord Commander. He has stated he will bear all responsibility for the outcomes. Obey his command.”

“Understood.”

Without a moment’s delay, the Star Dragon Unit carried out their duties. Their composure and effectiveness were undiminished, even after the brutal conflict.

“Their power is on another level entirely.”

“I never imagined they would be this powerful…”

The external recruits, sourced from various clans and sects, were clearly operating at their absolute peak. Each appeared to possess strength comparable to, if not greater than, a vice-captain.

These were veteran martial artists who had refined their abilities over many years elsewhere; their expertise and capability were undeniable.

Conversely, the recruits who had originated from within the Martial Alliance were notably missing.

The explanation for their absence was plain to see.

“Why…!”

“What have we done to be treated like this?!”

Those being forced into the cells were not solely from the Azure Dragon Unit, but also included individuals from the Martial Alliance who had been reassigned to the Star Dragon Unit.

“Release me! We are on the same side!”

Their pleas were ignored. The Star Dragon Unit remained impassive, dragging them into confinement with cold determination. Fighting back was pointless; the disparity in their strength was too vast.

Not every person was being imprisoned. A specific group was being singled out for detention, though the reason for their selection remained unclear.

“What is happening?”

“None of this adds up…”

The martial artists of the Azure Dragon Unit could only watch with mounting dread as their allies, labeled as traitors, were either slain or incarcerated.

Why were their comrades being declared guilty? Why were members of the Star Dragon Unit also being targeted?

They could make no sense of it.

And for those暂时 spared, safety was not assured.

“All remaining personnel will be taken to the main branch for questioning due to their association with the accused. Be ready for transport.”

This declaration sent a wave of stunned disbelief through those gathered.

“Damn it… why us…”

They were innocent. They had lived righteous and honorable lives, yet now they were being handled like common criminals. The Azure Dragon Unit members clenched their jaws in helpless anger, their apprehension intensifying.

As dire as the situation was, a more profound and disturbing suspicion was beginning to take root in their thoughts.

“Do you think… could it be possible? Is our commander truly linked to the Demonic Cult?”

“Don’t be absurd!”

One hesitant voice gave voice to the terrible notion, only to be instantly shouted down by another.

“Our commander would never! This is a trap. The Star King obviously engineered this for his own benefit.”

“Right. They say they have proof, but they haven’t shown us any. It has to be a fabricated charge.”

Their words sounded confident, but the slight tremor in their voices revealed their own hidden doubts.

“Our commander… he would never ally himself with the Demonic Cult.”

“Certainly not—or with any other heretics.”

“He must be in hiding, strategizing his next move. He will prove his innocence soon.”

They strained to reassure themselves of their leader’s integrity, desperately suppressing their fear.

Just as they were clinging to that fragile belief—

“He’s returned!”

The cry captured the attention of everyone present, and all heads turned.

“…What…!”

“No… this isn’t real!”

What they witnessed forced them to their feet, their chains clinking softly. Though restrained, they could still move, and they surged forward.

“Commander—!!”

They rushed ahead, horrified by the sight that greeted them.

It was Ilcheon Sword, beaten and covered in blood, his fine robes now filthy with grime and gore. His face was swollen almost beyond recognition, and his eyes were blank and distant, giving him a crazed look.

He was far from alright.

“Commander! Are you hurt?!”

“You monsters… how could you do this to him?!”

“Stop.”

BOOM—!!!

The martial artists skidded to a halt as a powerful shockwave ripped the ground apart right in front of them, carving a deep fissure.

“Cross that line, and I will kill you.”

A light, cheerful voice held them frozen in place. They turned to see a woman stained with blood standing nearby, her spear perched casually on her shoulder. Her expression was serene, as if she hadn’t just delivered a lethal threat.

“Step over the line, and I will put a hole in your face.”

“We… we only want to aid our commander—”

“I will put a hole in you,” she reiterated.

“…!!”

When one of them took a daring step forward, the woman’s aura erupted as she adjusted her grip on the spear, releasing a killing intent so potent it rooted them to the spot.

For the first time, a thought occurred to them:

Was it possible… that this woman was the one who had reduced their commander to this state?

…No, that can’t be…

They rejected the idea. Even wounded, the notion of their commander being defeated by her was inconceivable.

“Lady Pi.”

Equally stunned, members of the Star Dragon Unit approached the woman with caution.

“…Was it you who did this to the commander of the Azure Dragon Unit?”

“Hmm? Yes, that was me!”

She beamed a bright smile, the blood splattered across her face making the expression deeply unsettling.

Her casual demeanor left them speechless. They could only watch, dumbfounded, as she laughed, before turning their worried attention back to their fallen leader.

“Commander, please, speak to us.”

“He’s lost so much blood—we need to treat his wounds—”

“Move back.”

Sching.

The ring of a drawn blade cut them off.

The Star Dragon Unit moved to block their path.

“Lady Pi’s methods may have been harsh, but our objective is aligned. Do not carelessly approach the criminal.”

“Criminal?!”

A martial artist from the Azure Dragon Unit yelled, his face flushed with rage.

“You set him up and then name him a criminal?! The heavens will strike you down for such falsehoods!”

“What evidence do you possess to make such an accusation?!”

“Ugh, they’re so loud. Can I kill them now?”

Pi Yeon-yeon picked at her ear indifferently and raised her spear.

But before she could move, Seong Yul positioned himself between her and the prisoners.

“…Control your impulses.”

“Why? What’s the point?”

Her genuine-seeming confusion was deeply unnerving, sending a chill down the spines of all who heard her.

“You have been instructed to avoid unnecessary slaughter. Comport yourself.”

“…And what gives you the right to command me?”

Her face clouded over, and her aura flared with violent intensity.

“…”

Seong Yul’s expression turned severe as the air grew thick with impending violence.

“Lady Pi, is this truly necessary?”

“You… I’ve detested you since the beginning.”

Sigh.

Seong Yul’s already pallid complexion lost even more color. His hand tightened around his sword, his focus razor-sharp.

The mood transformed completely, and everyone prepared for the fight that seemed certain to erupt.

“Both of you. Cease.”

A voice of command sliced through the tension, stopping them both cold.

“…”

“…Tch…”

The standoff between Seong Yul and Pi Yeon-yeon was broken by a soft yet authoritative voice. Both went rigid, their aggressive energy vanishing immediately.

The one who had interceded was a petite woman with green hair, her physical presence far less imposing than the two she now chastised.

“Have you lost sight of your current duties?”

“…”

“A-ah, no, it’s simply that…”

“Do not offer excuses.”

For once, Pi Yeon-yeon appeared cowed, avoiding the woman’s piercing stare and shifting uncomfortably.

The green-haired woman, Tang So-yeol, fixed a cold glare on the two before speaking again.

“Concentrate on the mission. Your petty squabble can wait. Is that clear?”

“…Yes, ma’am.”

“…Understood.”

The authority in Tang So-yeol’s tone silenced them. Even the members of the Star Dragon Unit quickly averted their eyes, not wanting to attract her notice. The Azure Dragon Unit members gulped, their sense of dread deepening.

Despite her small size, the pressure radiating from Tang So-yeol was overwhelming—almost otherworldly.

“Tsk…”

Clicking her tongue, Tang So-yeol turned her attention to Pi Yeon-yeon.

“Where is the commander?”

Her voice was calm, but it carried a distinct sharpness. Pi Yeon-yeon, still flustered from the reprimand, stumbled over her words.

“H-he… um… the commander said he discovered something… and went to investigate. He ordered us to remain here and wait…”

“Discovered something?”

“Y-yes.”

The clumsy explanation was dubious, but Tang So-yeol decided not to press the issue for the moment. While she was worried about Gu Yangcheon’s state, her immediate duties came first.

“Stabilize his bleeding and apply the restraints,” she ordered, glancing at Ilcheon Sword.

Her command prompted the Star Dragon Unit members to approach the severely injured commander.

“Don’t… you dare touch me!”

Ilcheon Sword, who had been lying motionless, suddenly snapped his bloodshot eyes open and bellowed. His voice carried enough force to make the very air vibrate.

Sching—!

The atmosphere turned lethal in an instant as everyone dropped into defensive postures, their vigilance skyrocketing.

Even on the brink of death, Ilcheon Sword was a mighty warrior—only a single step below the Ten Grand Masters. Underestimating him now would be a fatal mistake.

“Commander!”

“Are you awake?!”

The hopeful cries from his Azure Dragon Unit members only seemed to feed his rage.

“Silence, you wretched vermin—!”

“…What?”

The sheer malice in Ilcheon Sword’s voice shocked everyone into silence.

“Keep your filthy hands off me. Get back.”

His swollen eyes, now shimmering with a sinister violet light, scanned the crowd with utter contempt.

“You righteous sect filth… tearing you limb from limb will not be sufficient… Keh-heh-heh… Soon, the Master will annihilate every last one of you!”

His voice, dripping with insanity, reverberated across the grounds.

“Ah… ah…”

The faces of the Azure Dragon Unit members contorted in utter horror.

In that instant, their most terrible fear was realized.

The man to whom they had pledged their loyalty was not merely guilty of conspiring with heretics—he had been completely consumed by them.