Childhood Friend of the Zenith Novel MTL - Chapter 882

Chapter 882

I made my way back to my chambers with Seong Yul.

He was practically glowing, his spirits higher than I had ever seen them despite what he had just endured. This fool was so overjoyed he seemed to have completely forgotten that I was the one who had compelled him to absorb the Dragon Pearl.

When he immediately asked to go and test his newfound strength with his sword, I gave him my permission. I could understand his urge. Not only had he broken through to Hwagyeong, but his internal energy had increased exponentially. Who could remain still in such a condition?

‘And besides…’

I remembered the look in Seong Yul’s eyes.

‘There’s a new brilliance there.’

Whether it was due to surpassing his previous limits or the Dragon Pearl’s energy merging with his body, his once-pale yellow eyes now held a much sharper, brighter gleam.

But was this change truly a positive one?

‘They shine more intensely than the Sword Demon’s did in my previous life.’

From what I understood, such eyes were said to be the mark of the Heavenly Killing Star. Could it really be acceptable for them to glow so fiercely?

‘It was the same during his fight with Peng Woojin. Is this actually safe?’

When the Heavenly Killing Star manifests, the eyes illuminate, killing intent amplifies, and the energy can even be molded into physical weapons during battle.

Knowing that, I couldn’t simply assume this new radiance was entirely beneficial.

‘…He does appear to have it under control for the moment.’

Outwardly, there didn’t seem to be any problems. He wasn’t overwhelmed by bloodlust, and no trace of malignant energy was seeping out from within him.

‘Could it be because I suppressed it earlier?’

While I was stabilizing his energy, the Heavenly Killing Star attempted to emerge, and I forced it back down. Perhaps that intervention helped.

‘As for his purified state after the transformation, it’s likely because I had been removing his impurities beforehand.’

Even during our sparring sessions, I had periodically cleansed the accumulated waste from his system. Because of that, his rebirth left behind far less of the usual residual filth.

‘Hmm. This is actually quite good.’

Regardless of the reasons, the outcome was positive. Seong Yul had become more powerful, and that was a victory.

More importantly…

‘I’ve discovered how to utilize the Dragon Pearl.’

I now grasped the function of this incredible elixir. Even if it couldn’t be fully assimilated into the body, it could still be of great use.

‘Naturally, it’s best used after a proper rebirth, but that is far easier said than done.’

Rebirth isn’t something one can achieve simply by wanting it. Ideally, I would prefer to use the pond water, but…

‘…It requires too much time.’

Five years was an impossibly long investment. Yes, it was a miraculous opportunity that martial artists across Zhongyuan would murder for, but…

‘For me, it is far too slow.’

I had too many pressing time constraints to depend on it. Furthermore…

‘I still don’t even understand how it functions.’

What kind of power it contained or the mechanism by which it facilitated rebirth remained a complete mystery. Without that knowledge, using it carelessly was not an option.

And then there was the issue of…

‘The entity in the pond. That is also a problem.’

No matter how deeply I investigated, I could not determine its true nature.

Even Amwang, with his vast knowledge, had never seen or heard of such a thing. This made any further inquiry exceedingly difficult.

‘The only thing I am certain of is…’

There are several concealed spaces beneath the pond. I discovered this while tracing the flow of energy within the formation.

I even disassembled the mechanisms and explored those spaces myself, without informing the others. One of them is where the Dragon Pearls are now kept.

‘What was its original purpose?’

Though the temperatures inside differed, the dimensions of the spaces were identical. Were they designed for secret storage? If so, what was meant to be stored there?

Furthermore…

‘If they are empty, it means either nothing was ever placed there, or…’

…someone had already taken whatever was stored inside. If it was taken, was it the Gate Master (Mun Do-hyuk) of the Celestial Stream Sect who did it?

‘It’s perplexing.’

Even with Amwang’s assistance in searching, we found no definitive answers.

‘What could all of this have been for…?’

I couldn’t stop wondering about the purpose behind such elaborate and intricate preparations.

Fwoosh—!

Frustrated, I released a burst of white flame.

Boom! The flames spread out in a wide circle, consuming everything in their path.

As they roared back toward me, I observed that nothing they had touched had been altered.

“Hm.”

I frowned slightly at the result.

“As I expected.”

No matter how many times I tried, the outcome was identical. The White Flame could not burn ordinary objects.

It wouldn’t set wood alight or even melt stone. While its output could be finely controlled to avoid damaging its surroundings, it refused to ignite anything, even when I deliberately willed it to.

So, was it a flame meant solely for battling demons?

‘Then why was it able to melt the structures underground?’

When I fought the Gate Master, the flames had pierced straight through the walls. Why was it possible then, but not now? I couldn’t identify the difference.

‘At the very least…’

Fwoosh—!

The white flames in my hand shifted into a blue hue.

‘It’s fortunate that I can still control them.’

The newly acquired White Flame, the original Blue Flame, and the Black Flame born from demonic energy—I could command and switch between all three.

‘If the White Flame was my only option, it would have been a catastrophe in a real fight.’

Aside from its overwhelming potency against demons, it was nearly useless in practical combat. It would have thrown all of my strategies into complete disarray.

‘Now that this is settled…’

I extinguished the flames and heightened my energy perception. Once I confirmed there was no one nearby…

Snap!

I lightly snapped my thumb and middle finger together.

Whir—!

The air behind me tore open, forming a rift.

Growl—!

A guttural, bestial growl echoed from the other side of the opening.

I stared at it impassively, turning my attention to the item in my hand.

‘The Demonic Ward Talisman still isn’t reacting.’

This artifact from the Wudang Sect, designed to detect Demonic Gates before they opened, was considered an essential tool for any martial artist of this era.

Yet, it remained inert in the presence of the gate I had created.

‘So it isn’t a true Demonic Gate, then.’

Since this gate was formed using the power of my Authority, it didn’t trigger the talisman’s alarms.

Realizing this, I allowed myself a slight smirk.

‘That makes it even more useful.’

A Demonic Gate that was undetectable by the conventional talisman held immense strategic value.

With that thought, I concentrated my energy.

‘Let’s see how far I can push this.’

The name of this power was Life.

It permitted me to summon any creature I had killed, at the cost of my own energy. That was how I had summoned the hordes of blue and red demons the other night.

Which meant…

‘Perhaps I can summon them as well.’

I focused harder, picturing the form of a White-Rank Demon, one of the most powerful entities I had ever slain.

Whir—!

“…!!”

The instant the thought solidified, a massive amount of energy was drained from my body.

Then…

SCREEEEEEECH—!!!

An ear-splitting roar erupted from within the crack, accompanied by an overwhelming, crushing wave of energy.

“Damn it.”

I immediately severed the connection and forced the gate closed.

Hiss—!

Even after it was sealed, the lingering pressure in the air was palpable. If I had completed the summoning, the resulting disturbance would have been enough to alert the entire branch.

Martial artists would have swarmed this location within moments.

“That was too close…”

Letting out a sigh of relief, I gave a light, incredulous laugh.

“It’s possible.”

It had worked.

I could even summon White-Rank Demons.

Knowing this, I couldn’t suppress a smile.

‘Though it seems the duration will be severely limited.’

Judging by the immense energy cost, I would only be able to maintain such a summon for fifteen minutes at most. But for my purposes, that was more than sufficient.

The fact that the Demonic Ward Talisman didn’t react, combined with the ability to summon White-Rank Demons—even briefly—confirmed the incredible value of this power.

‘This is settled. Now for the final test.’

I extinguished the last remnants of flame and focused my mind once more.

I wreathed flames around my outstretched hand. No, to be more precise, I didn’t just wrap them around myself—I transformed my very body into living flame.

This was the transformation achieved when the Nine Flames Wheel Art (구염화륜공) reached its ultimate mastery.

«I have become one with the flame itself.»

Rather than merely summoning flames or cloaking my body in them, my existence had merged with the fire. This was the pinnacle of power offered by the Nine Flames Wheel Art.

«But what am I actually supposed to do with this?»

I was now facing a rather bewildering problem.

Reaching mastery was undoubtedly a monumental achievement. My abilities had improved dramatically, and though I hadn’t tested it to its limits, I was certain my firepower had increased immensely.

Considering all that, the situation should have been ideal…

«How do I actually employ the ultimate technique?»

The ultimate ability of the Nine Flames Wheel Art was the power I had anticipated the most upon mastering it. The overwhelming strength my father had once demonstrated—how was I supposed to wield it?

Since achieving mastery, I had conducted countless experiments and tests, but I still couldn’t decipher it.

«Will I just have to ask my father in the end?»

I sighed.

«…I was planning to visit him regardless.»

I had already decided I would need to see my father at some point. The vision I’d experienced upon reaching enlightenment had confirmed it.

It wasn’t just about a meeting—it was about having a real conversation.

«I suppose it’s time for a long talk with my father.»

The idea of an in-depth discussion with my father felt strange. It was so unfamiliar that even the thought of it made my stomach tighten.

«…Never mind. I’ll deal with this when I get to Hanyang.»

For now, there was no point in dwelling on it. Shaking off the thoughts, I turned and headed back.

 

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

Upon returning to the quarters, my first destination was the infirmary. My goal was clear: to check on Namgung Bi-ah.

“You’re almost completely healed.”

I made this observation as I withdrew my hand from her back.

“…Mm.”

“You should be able to move around on your own by the day after tomorrow.”

I came here every day to purge the lingering dark energy from her body. Of course, part of the reason was also to see her face.

«Her recovery speed is unusually fast.»

I had noticed it before. Namgung Bi-ah’s body possessed a remarkable regenerative ability. Despite injuries that should have been fatal, she had healed enough to walk within a matter of days.

My own body wasn’t a fair standard for comparison, but even so, her pace was abnormally quick.

«Could it be because I’ve been regularly clearing out the dark energy?»

It was a possibility. In any case, it was a good thing her recovery wasn’t delayed.

I glanced at her bandaged back and spoke.

“Why do you always manage to get so seriously injured?”

“…”

Namgung Bi-ah turned her gaze toward me. Her eyes conveyed a clear message.

—You’re one to talk.

Her intent was unmistakable.

«Ahem.»

I had no real rebuttal for that, so I coughed awkwardly to move past it.

“Hey, stop glaring. Your eyes are so sharp it’s intimidating when you look at me like that.”

“That applies to you as well…”

“Anyway.”

I cut her off. There was no point in continuing this exchange, as I had come here today with a specific purpose.

“We’ll be returning to Hanyang in a few days. You should be able to walk by then, so the timing works out.”

As I spoke, I calculated internally.

«Let’s see… Five days at the most.»

That should be sufficient. Finalizing the schedule with the Tang Clan, concluding the tasks I’d assigned to Cheol Ji-seon and Amwang, and preparing for the journey would take three or four days.

“So, here is the thing.”

“…Mm?”

“Come to my room in two days.”

“…What?”

“Preferably at night.”

At my words, Namgung Bi-ah froze for a second. I didn’t notice, as I was already lost in my own planning.

«By then, I can give her a Dokcheon Pill to stabilize her condition, and if she seems capable of handling it, I could even offer her a Dragon Pearl.»

Having figured out how to use it, I intended to distribute the Yeouiju to my companions one by one. Of course, I would conduct a few more tests before giving one to Namgung Bi-ah.

“…At night?”

“Yes.”

“When I’m better, and at night?”

“Yes, once you’re able to walk, at night.”

“…?”

Namgung Bi-ah tilted her head in confusion. Was my explanation unclear? Why was she reacting this way?

I was about to explain about the Dokcheon Pill when she spoke.

“Are you… planning to sleep with me?”

“No, we’re not going to—wait, what?”

I froze mid-sentence, my eyes widening in shock.

What did she just say?

I looked at her, utterly baffled. I must have misheard her. That had to be it.

But then…

“If that is what you want, I don’t mind…”

Namgung Bi-ah spoke in a clear, unwavering voice.

“Do you… want to sleep with me?”

Her words left me completely frozen, my body stiffening like stone.