Childhood Friend of the Zenith Novel MTL - Chapter 884

Chapter 884

Stepping out, I went in search of the Poison King.

My purpose was straightforward: the Pill.

The moment I found him, I began to speak.
“How is the prepara—”

My words cut off abruptly.

The Poison King was staring directly at me. His complexion was dreadful, as though he might fall over at any second.

I couldn’t just overlook it.
“…Are you alright?”

The question left my lips before I could stop it, genuine worry coloring my tone.

A thread of dry amusement wove through the Poison King’s voice as he answered.
“…Young Master Gu, are *you* alright?”

“Me? Why?”

His counter-question took me by surprise, and I tilted my head, puzzled.

“Your face is extremely red.”

“…”

Instinctively, my hand went to my cheek. It felt warm—no, it was burning, far hotter than normal.

‘Damn it.’

Why was I like this? I swallowed thickly. The lingering effects of the earlier incident hadn’t faded.

‘This is absurd.’

Was it because of what Namgung Bi-ah had done and how I’d responded? Or maybe Tang So-yeol’s words and expressions?

Whichever it was, it was not a good sign.

‘How can someone my age be so affected by something so insignificant?’

If I counted my previous life, I was far from young. How could a small nudge like that unsettle me to this degree?

It was humiliating.

I was better than this, wasn’t I?

Sigh.

I drew a deep breath and circulated my inner energy, forcefully calming my system.

As the heat slowly receded, I muttered,
“…It’s merely warm. The weather is unseasonably hot today.”

“It’s nearly winter.”

“Winter can have its warm days.”

“Everyone else is wearing heavy coats.”

“…I have a high body temperature.”

“Hm.”

The Poison King shot me a peculiar look. This old man… did he suspect something?

‘No, he can’t know.’

If he knew, he wouldn’t be standing there observing me like this.

‘If he knew, he’d be pumping me full of poison, not just staring.’

Judging by his temperament, if he had discerned Tang So-yeol’s motives, he would be making a genuine attempt on my life.

Therefore, this was mere suspicion.

I offered a swift addition to deflect.
“It’s the truth. And anyway, shouldn’t I be the one concerned about you, Clan Leader Tang? You look quite unwell. Are you certain you’re alright?”

“I’m fine. Would you believe me if I said so?”

“No.”

“Then no, I am not fine.”

“Yes, that is the impression you give.”

“…”

The glare he directed at me could have cut steel. Perhaps I had prodded him a bit too far.

Clearing my throat, I adopted a more earnest tone.
“My worry is sincere. Shall I summon a physician?”

“Unnecessary. Why have you come?”

“I came to inquire about the preparation progress.”

“Does my current state not answer your question?”

“Yes, it is answer enough. But will the deadline be met?”

“I will endeavor to meet it.”

“That is not particularly comforting.”

“Would you rather I promise, ‘I will accomplish it even if it means my death’?”

“Yes.”

“What?”

“I am joking.”

In truth, I wasn’t, but the intensity of his stare made me retreat from the statement.

The Poison King observed me for a long moment before letting out a weary sigh.
“…I will meet the deadline, but the process is arduous.”

I understood.

The manufacturing method was fundamentally ill-suited to the Poison King.

While the Martial Alliance had facilitated obtaining the materials, the final component was still the core problem.

The Poison King’s own qi.

The Dokcheon Pill required his poison-saturated energy for completion. Not a small amount—a vast quantity.

‘Enough to confine him to his bed for days after crafting just one.’

Rumors said he could produce, at most, three Dokcheon Pills a week if he pushed himself to the absolute edge.

And that was the maximum. The usual number was two.

‘Which is already a staggering figure…’

For context, creating a single Great Pill could occupy a team of master alchemists for months, or even years.

Producing one or two Dokcheon Pills weekly, with even greater potency, was nothing short of a miracle.

“Have you been in touch with the trading company? Any developments?”

“Most likely. The Young Master of the Tang Clan would have seen to it.”

“I see.”

If a matter of this magnitude was being handled by the Young Master and not the Poison King personally…

It could only mean one thing.

‘He is preparing to relinquish his authority.’

It was a sign he was acclimating the Young Master to bearing weighty responsibilities.

‘It is expected, given the circumstances.’

Even if the Poison King was still at his peak, an early transition would smooth the path for the future.

Setting that aside, I pressed on.
“If the burden is too great, is there no alternative method?”

“An alternative?”

“For example, having the Young Master assist in the process.”

If it was draining him so, why not have the Young Master or a trusted elder help with the manufacturing to boost production?

“Haha.”

The Poison King released a dry, humorless laugh, as if my proposal was foolish.

“Young Master Gu.”

“Yes?”

“You are profoundly mistaken about something.”

“About what?”

“It is not unexpected. Individuals of your caliber are often unaware of such things.”

“…I do not understand.”

What did he mean by ‘individuals of your caliber’?

“Do I seem to you to possess a meager reserve of energy?”

“…”

I paused, considering his question.

‘Meager?’

No, it was not meager.

But it wasn’t exceptionally vast either, or so I had believed.

Sensing my hesitation, the Poison King gave a low chuckle.

“For my rank, my energy is considerable. Among those at the Hwagyeong level, especially the King-tier, I rank in the upper portion.”

“…Is that true?”

I was taken aback, but it was not an impossible claim.

The practice of poison arts inherently consumed vast quantities of qi, similar to flame techniques.

If he was mentioning this, it could only mean one thing.

“Even for someone like me, this process is a severe strain. Having others assist would be of little consequence. Not everyone is like you.”

“…!”

“You possess a preposterously large energy reserve, Young Master Gu. That is why you cannot comprehend.”

“I…”

“I understand. Geniuses seldom grasp the constraints of ordinary people.”

“…”

Being labeled a genius so abruptly gave me a headache.

He wasn’t incorrect, however.

In both my past and present lives, I had virtually never experienced a shortage of energy.

It was the same with the Dokcheon Pill.

While the Poison King strained to create one, I could likely produce several in succession without pause.

Given that, I could not refute his point.

Ultimately, his message was clear.

“Without your direct involvement, this is the absolute limit of what can be done.”

“…My apologies.”

“Do not be.”

Since I had requested the near-impossible, I offered an immediate apology. The Poison King accepted it with a faint chuckle, waving it away.

To him, it must have seemed like the ignorant remark of a blissfully unaware prodigy.

I supposed I should consider myself fortunate for that.

‘So, the current output is the maximum we can achieve.’

I had hoped for a faster pace, but it was acceptable. The drawback was the cost to the Poison King’s vitality—but that was not my problem.

‘It is not my life being expended.’

So, I simply nodded.

“…Then, we will proceed with the preparations as they stand now.”

“Understood.”

“Yes, well then…”

I spoke with a face full of apparent concern, though I knew there were no other options.

‘Please do not push yourself too hard.’

“And if it is at all possible, even if it is difficult, please try to expedite the process.”

“…?”

“Ah, my apologies… That was spoken without thought.”

My true feelings had slipped out unintentionally.

Feeling somewhat awkward, I offered an embarrassed smile. The Poison King simply stared at me, utterly dumbfounded.

“…Heh.”

His soft laugh carried a distinctly frigid edge.

I turned and fled immediately.

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

Back in my quarters, I sensed a presence already waiting inside.

Only one person could enter and leave my space without seeking permission.

“…You’re here?”

“Yes.”

It was Cheol Ji-seon. He was seated at the desk, dark circles under his eyes, poring over a pile of documents.

“Are you well?”

“…No.”

“I see. Good to know you’re fine.”

“…”

Dismissing his reply, I took a seat opposite him. Cheol Ji-seon glowered briefly before his expression settled back into neutrality. He likely knew glaring at me was pointless.

“What is the status of the assignment I gave you?”

He came directly to the point, forgoing any unnecessary talk.

“…The trading company has consented. We can proceed the moment the Tang Clan is prepared.”

“I just spoke with the Poison King. It seems we are clear to move forward.”

“Understood. I will deliver the message immediately.”

Our exchange was efficient, devoid of wasted words. We both understood there was no time for pleasantries.

“I have also dispatched a message to the main headquarters.”

“And the response?”

“It should arrive within a few days.”

“Instruct the branch manager to handle it. We cannot wait.”

We needed to depart for Hunan without delay. The message to the main headquarters was largely a procedural courtesy.

“What of the other matter I asked you to look into?”

“We have been collecting intelligence, but…”

Cheol Ji-seon’s voice trailed off, his face troubled.

“There is nothing concrete. It is all vague rumors.”

The investigation concerned Yeon Ilcheon. We were attempting to uncover everything about him, but beyond the established historical records, details were scarce.

This was not surprising. He was a figure from centuries past. For most, that would be reason enough to abandon the search.

But not for me.

Click.

I clicked my tongue in frustration. For me, even the smallest fragments of information could be critical.

“Give me everything you have gathered so far.”

“It is a significant volume. Are you certain you do not want a summary?”

“Do you have the time to prepare one?”

“…No.”

“Then hand it all over.”

If time was short, I would simply sleep less—or not at all.

Normally, I would request a summary, but I could not risk Cheol Ji-seon collapsing from overwork.

If one of us had to sacrifice rest, it was better for it to be me.

At least my body would not break from exhaustion.

“That is settled. Now, regarding the next—”

“…Ah, before that.”

“Hm?”

Cheol Ji-seon interrupted, passing me a letter.

“It is from the strategist.”

The “strategist.” There was only one person he referred to in that manner.

Jegal Hyuk.

I nodded and accepted the letter.

“What is this about, so suddenly?”

I unfolded it and began to read.

My expression tightened as my eyes moved down the page.

Noting my reaction, Cheol Ji-seon asked tentatively,
“…Is there a problem?”

He would not have read the letter. All communications from Jegal Hyuk were for my eyes only.

I nodded to reassure him.
“It is fine. Let us conclude for today. It appears I must accelerate our timetable.”

“What did it say—”

Before he could finish, I handed him the letter.

Cheol Ji-seon read it, and his face instantly darkened.

The letter stated:

The Divine Dragon Division appears to be mobilizing to seize the Demon Fang Spear.
They have not yet confirmed its precise location, but it seems the Demon Fang Spear has been found.

“This…”

“Do not dwell on it.”

I cut off his train of thought.

“It is likely not a significant issue.”

With that, I rose to my feet.

“But we will need to quicken our pace.”

Sweeping my disheveled hair back, I added,
“Notify the Sword Division and the branch manager. Tell them to prepare to depart tomorrow, or even sooner.”

I had originally intended to wait three days, but the schedule was now compressed.

The Divine Dragon Division was beginning to move, and their timing was impeccable.

Was it merely a coincidence?

‘Unlikely.’

After establishing the Sacred Dragon Division to counter the demonic factions, they were now mobilizing the Divine Dragon Division in my absence.

Was that coincidental?

My eyes narrowed.

‘It is far more probable to be intentional.’

Even if it wasn’t, the fact that the Martial Alliance was acting remained unchanged.

Therefore, we needed to act as well.

“Our course of action is already clear.”

I looked at Cheol Ji-seon and issued my orders.

“When you send the information to the branch, ensure it also reaches the main headquarters. Time it so…”

So that the information would arrive in Hanam just before the rumors did.

“…The news arrives immediately before the rumors break.”

We needed to make a significant impact.

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

The Next Day

Beginning in Sichuan, news began to spread with incredible speed: the Tang Clan had successfully restored their clan’s legendary Pill.

However, the Tang Clan issued no official statement on the matter.

The restoration of the Pill, a long-cherished ambition of the Tang Clan—if true, it was certain to send massive ripples throughout Zhongyuan.

But the shocking news did not end there.

The rumors also claimed the Tang Clan intended to commercialize the Pill.

A miraculous elixir, unattainable even by the likes of Shaolin, Wudang, or Mount Hua, would be available for purchase? It sounded ludicrous.

Yet, letters confirming the truth of these rumors were racing toward Hunan at incredible speed.

At the same time—

*Whistle!*

In the opposite direction, a carrier pigeon sped toward the Sichuan branch.

Attached to its leg was a letter bearing a distinct floral seal.

It was unmistakably the symbol of the Baekhwa Trading Company.