Childhood Friend of the Zenith Novel MTL - Chapter 876

Chapter 876

Following the agreement of the Poison King and the martial experts of the Tang Clan to support the Martial Alliance, I went directly to Wi Seol-ah’s location.

“You’ve arrived?”

Wi Seol-ah welcomed me warmly the moment I appeared. I studied her and inquired, “Are you well?”

“I beg your pardon?”

“I asked if you are weary.”

“Oh, not at all. I am fine.”

Having been stationed here since the previous night, Wi Seol-ah had not taken any rest after the combat.

«…I wish I could simply allow her to recover.»

Yet, understanding her nature, I knew she would not remain idle if events were unfolding. She would probably involve herself directly in the branch’s affairs. That was the reason I had given her specific duties to occupy her attention.

Thankfully, although fatigued, she had not sustained serious harm. Even so—

«It troubles me.»

A sense of remorse lingered within me.

«I instructed Namgung Bi-ah to rest, yet I have kept her working.»

Namgung Bi-ah had been moved to the healing ward due to the severity of her wounds. While her swift recovery eased my worries, I had felt unsettled without the presence of the Divine Doctor.

“What is the current situation?”

“There have been no significant problems so far.”

“Good. You have done well. You may return now.”

“Master… will you be remaining here?”

“I must complete the inquiry.”

“In that case, I—”

“You should go to her.”

“…”

When I brought up Namgung Bi-ah, Wi Seol-ah pressed her lips together. It appeared that was the most effective method to persuade her to depart.

“I will join you soon. It will not take much time.”

“…Understood.”

“For your safety, have the physician examine you. Take some rest.”

“Yes…”

Ultimately, I used Namgung Bi-ah as a reason to send Wi Seol-ah away. Shortly after, additional personnel arrived. They were part of the unit assigned to the investigation.

“What… what manner of place is this?”

“What kind of area is this?”

The new arrivals gazed around in open amazement. For anyone witnessing this for the first time, such a reaction was to be expected.

«Well, I have encountered many oddities, so it does not shock me.»

For those unaccustomed to such sights, this would be profoundly disturbing.

“Leader… what is this…?”

One of the members, staring at the golden-toned pool, asked me.

“I do not know yet. We must investigate further. But it is plainly not ordinary.”

I acknowledged my lack of certainty. Nevertheless, one thing was evident.

“For now, it is clear that Cheonma was involved in something.”

“…! Are you suggesting this is also linked to Cheonma?”

“Almost certainly.”

It was inconceivable that it was not connected. I had, after all, put considerable effort into making it appear so.

“What in the world… no, what is the Demonic Cult attempting to accomplish?”

“Could humans truly create something like this?”

“Can they even be called human anymore?”

Their voices were edged with apprehension.

“Taming and summoning demonic beasts… how could any human achieve such a thing?”

Their minds were still struggling to process what they had witnessed the day before. Understandably so. Observing someone open the Magyeong Gate and release demonic beasts would shake anyone to their foundation.

And this reaction was exactly what I had intended.

“Silence.”

“…!!”

The group started at my command, and I spoke with authority.

“Concentrate on your current duty.”

“…Forgive us.”

Corrected, the members returned to their investigation. The Alliance’s representatives did likewise, attempting to examine any residual formations in the area.

«Not that they will discover anything.»

Most traces would have already disappeared. Even if some remained, they would be unable to interpret them. And even if they could, it would be irrelevant. That was not the objective.

“What could this pond be…?”

“There is a demonic beast’s remains in the depths.”

The investigation proceeded.

“There is also a small tree on the level below, though its purpose is unclear for now.”

“I see.”

The tree they referred to was likely the one I had seen with pale leaves. The strange part was that it was now just one floor down.

«Originally, one would need to descend much deeper.»

It seemed the dissolving formation had altered the structure of the space.

«I have already eliminated most of the unusual components.»

Still, I heightened my awareness, searching for any lingering signs. There should be nothing remaining. The Shadow King had given his assurance that he had handled it.

«Even the remains have been dealt with.»

The bodies of the partially transformed entities had all been removed, leaving only ordinary corpses behind.

At this stage, discerning the true function of this place would be impossible. Observing the investigators, I resolved to continue aiding the inquiry a while longer.

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

The investigation concluded—or at least its initial stage. Despite this, the team’s expressions remained somber.

Although they had uncovered much, they were still unable to determine the purpose or intention behind the operations conducted here.

“Did you find anything of use?”

“…My apologies.”

The formation specialist from the branch looked at me with a chagrined expression.

“We detected traces of previously established formations, but the remnants are too faint to analyze properly. It surpasses my skill to interpret them.”

Acknowledging his own limitations clearly pained him, judging by his demeanor.

“We may need to seek help from the Martial Alliance.”

“That would require three months merely to receive a reply. Hmm… Very well.”

“…I am sorry.”

Was he apologizing because he could not assist, or because he was frightened by what he had heard of the previous day’s events?

Likely both. But it was not worth pondering.

“Submit a formal request to the Martial Alliance for assistance regarding formations. Include it with the incident report.”

“Yes, sir.”

“Upon returning to the branch, instruct Cheol to prepare all necessary materials. He will understand what is needed.”

“Understood.”

“You and you—go outside and secure the area. Ensure no civilians approach this place.”

“What should we do if someone insists on entering?”

“Identify yourselves as members of the Martial Alliance and warn them away. If they persist after the warning, eliminate them.”

“…Understood.”

There was a slight hesitation at my command to kill.

It was obvious that anyone attempting to breach the site after being fully warned would pose a danger. Such threats were best removed preemptively.

“We will commence the second phase of the investigation in three days.”

I glanced around as I continued.

“Now that we have confirmed what we can, it is time to proceed.”

Rotating my shoulders slightly, I spoke with finality, noting the flicker of resolve in the eyes of the Azure Dragon Division members.

From this moment onward—

“We are going to purge this corruption. Prepare yourselves.”

“Yes, sir.”

It was time to dispose of the filth.

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

Screams resounded from every direction.

“Have mercy! I beg you!”

Intermittent flashes of light burst amid the turmoil, repeatedly streaking across the air. With each flare, the metallic odor of blood intensified.

Gradually, the frequency of the light flashes diminished until, at last, silence descended. In the aftermath, innumerable corpses lay scattered across the ground.

“We have subdued three targets and eliminated the rest,” reported a voice.

I turned my attention to the speaker. “Our losses?”

“Two have minor injuries. All others are unharmed.”

By the time the sun started to set, the purge was nearly finished. The Azure Dragon Division had been deployed to sweep through and eradicate the Celestial Stream Sect.

«What a disorder they have created, extending their influence so widely.»

Their reasons for establishing numerous branches were not hard to deduce, but dealing with them was a frustratingly monotonous task.

“What should be done about those who fled the area after evaluating the situation?”

“Hunt them down. Kill them if necessary.”

“I will send a pursuit unit at once.”

The subordinate departed swiftly to execute the order, though I believed it to be a futile endeavor.

«The Shadow King and his assassins are already addressing it.»

Of the four known branches, we had handled two. The others were being managed by the Shadow King, who had been eager to act. Locating their hideouts had not been difficult, and I had intentionally permitted him to take the lead.

I wondered if they had uncovered any new intelligence. In truth, I suspected there was little left to find.

“Proceed to the next location.”

“Yes, sir!”

Once the cleanup was finished, we advanced immediately. The branch members and team displayed clear exhaustion. They had been working continuously through the night. While I felt a pang of guilt, I needed them to persevere until the mission was complete.

This was partly why the Shadow King had assumed responsibility for certain tasks—to reduce the burden on the rest of us.

Upon reaching our next destination, a concealed space to the north, the reactions were instantaneous.

“What… what is this?!”

The team’s voices were filled with shock as they looked inside. The area was not large, but its secluded and hidden position gave it a sinister atmosphere.

“They’re… they’re all dead.”

The room was filled with corpses strewn across the floor. A member hurried to inspect the bodies and the surrounding blood.

“…Based on their condition, they died less than two days ago.”

It was evident the deaths were recent.

“Who could have done this?”

The scene was gruesome. The bodies, mutilated as if torn apart by wild animals, were scattered everywhere. While the team covered their mouths in shock and disgust, one of them pointed and exclaimed.

“L-look over there!”

Beneath the shadow of a dimly lit wall, something dark and damp glistened. It was blood.

With a motion of my hand, I summoned a flame to brighten the area.

The light revealed a horrifying sight.

“Hngh!”

“Heavens above…!”

Several corpses were nailed to the wall above. Swords pierced their bodies, blood still dripping from their wounds. Below, the blood had been used to inscribe words on the wall.

“…‘All Demons Bow Beneath the One’?”

The phrase caused the group’s expressions to contort in horror. Its meaning was self-explanatory.

“Does this mean… this was also the work of Cheonma and the Demonic Cult?”

“How did they even…?”

“So the rumors of the Celestial Stream Sect’s ties to the Demonic Cult were true… but why would they exterminate their own?”

One of the members seemed to realize something and widened his eyes.

“Could it be… they were attempting to conceal something?”

“Conceal something?”

“They must have realized we were beginning to uncover their secrets… so they eradicated the Celestial Stream Sect in advance.”

“Severing the problem at its source?”

“That appears probable….”

“But still, how could they commit such a…?”

Words failed them.

«…Isn’t this excessive?»

Even I, who had requested this, felt a cold shudder.

«The Shadow King must have been enraged.»

The display exuded raw emotion. This was not merely efficient execution—it was retribution. The Shadow King’s fury over the actions of Yeon Ilcheon, a descendant of the Demonic Cult, was palpable.

«Perhaps I should allow him some distance for a time.»

With ample work remaining even without him, maintaining some separation for now seemed prudent.

“Continue the investigation,” I ordered, scanning the room. “Remain vigilant for any surprises.”

“Yes, sir.”

“Record everything. We will prepare a comprehensive report for the Martial Alliance. Omit no detail.”

“We will be thorough.”

Under my directives, the team began examining the bodies and surroundings, though a palpable sense of disquiet hung over the process.

Meanwhile, the seeds planted by Cheol Ji-seon began to sprout elsewhere.

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

As autumn yielded to the early cold of winter, a rumor started circulating throughout Zhongyuan. The talk centered on the Demonic Cult and Cheonma.

Word spread that the Demonic Cult had conspired with the Celestial Stream Sect in Sichuan but were halted by the Azure Dragon Division before their schemes could advance.

Additionally, a seemingly fantastical piece of intelligence circulated: Cheonma could open the Magyeong Gate and command demonic beasts.

The Martial Alliance officially refuted the claims, stating the information was unverified. Even the Open Clan distanced themselves, asserting they had no role in spreading the rumors.

And yet, the rumors propagated like wildfire.

The notion that the Demonic Cult had infiltrated both unorthodox sects and the Sichuan branch implied that enemies could exist even within the Martial Alliance itself. Whispers went so far as to suggest that a figure of branch leader stature within the Alliance was involved.

At a time when trust in the Alliance was already diminishing, these rumors only deepened the anxiety.

Compounding the tension, the reappearance of white-rank demonic beasts after centuries only amplified fears.

And now, the idea that Cheonma could open the Magyeong Gate and wield demonic beasts without restraint drove the apprehension to its zenith.

In their desperation, people began to ask:

“How powerful is Cheonma?”

“How does he compare to the Three Supremes?”

Rumors asserted that even the Heavenly Elder, one of the Three Supremes, had failed to subdue Cheonma. If that was true, did it mean Cheonma was their equal—or possibly even superior?

If, by some chance, Cheonma was indeed stronger than the Three Supremes—

If he intended to unleash chaos, open the Magyeong Gate, and wage war like the Blood Demon of old—

Could there still be hope in this world, where even the Martial Alliance could not be trusted?

No one could answer these questions, but one disquieting idea began to circulate in Zhongyuan:

“In a world where the Three Supremes maintain balance, yet no true sovereign exists… is not Cheonma the one true ruler, beyond good and evil?”