Childhood Friend of the Zenith Novel MTL - Chapter 891

Chapter 891

“It’s been some time.”

I offered a casual greeting.

“…”

The youth in the middle of his meal—Je Gal-hyuk—glanced up at me.

“It has… been a while.”

“Are you eating now?”

“Yes. Would you care to join?”

“No, my appetite is gone.”

I hadn’t come here to share a meal, anyway.

“What of the elder?”

“Grandfather has gone out briefly.”

“Perfect.”

I took a seat opposite him at the table. Je Gal-hyuk was currently a guest at the Divine Doctor’s residence. I had thought about finding him separate lodgings but decided against it for the Divine Doctor’s convenience.

Though it made conversations a little less straightforward, it was manageable.

“By the way, hyung.”

“Yes?”

“How is it that someone meant to be in Sichuan is here instead?”

That was the third time I’d been asked that today.

“An urgent matter brought me back quickly.”

“Ah, that.”

Je Gal-hyuk nodded, as if he were already aware.

“You confirmed it already?”

“I was watching the situation, but it didn’t seem the right moment to send word, so I hesitated.”

“Hesitated, I see…”

It seemed even to Je Gal-hyuk that something was amiss.

Hearing my quiet remark, he set his chopsticks down with a definitive click and asked:

“Then, whose letter was it that summoned you?”

I gave a slight smile at his question. As expected, his perception was sharp.

“It appeared to be from Lady Mi, but it was not hers.”

“Meaning there was interference?”

“Precisely. But I have no clue by whom.”

“When did it arrive?”

“Two days ago. Lady Mi says she sent one as well, but even express delivery wouldn’t have brought it before today.”

“Is that so?”

Je Gal-hyuk’s eyes moved thoughtfully. After a few moments, he spoke again.

“It seems someone predicted the Gu Patriarch’s capture and acted preemptively.”

He delivered his assessment without pause.

“The most likely culprit is the Martial Alliance itself. If not, it is one of two or three other parties.”

“You are certain?”

“No. I need more time to think it through, so I cannot give a final answer yet… Will you still be here tomorrow?”

“I will return after visiting the Martial Alliance, so you can find me by evening.”

“Then I shall give you my conclusions by then.”

“Very well, thank you.”

From that short exchange, he had already formed a theory. It never failed to impress me. I would have needed much longer to reach similar deductions.

‘Not that his conclusions are always correct, of course.’

A single day. That was all he needed to put the pieces together.

And that was sufficient. Naturally, Je Gal-hyuk’s words were not infallible, but—

‘I can trust at least seventy percent of what he says.’

In the past, I would have said ninety percent, but seventy was still reliable.

‘For now, I will proceed based on his advice.’

Using Je Gal-hyuk’s input as a foundation, I began to plan my next moves. I took a sip of water, ready to pose my next question. There was something I needed to verify first.

“So, was this letter truly sent by you?”

After what had just happened, I had to be sure. Je Gal-hyuk took the letter and examined it closely.

“Yes, I sent it.”

A wave of relief washed over me. If this too had been a forgery, it would have been a catastrophe. I would not have known where to start.

This letter was, in fact, the primary reason I had come to see Je Gal-hyuk today.

“What is happening?”

The letter contained news that Tang Deok’s location had been discovered and that the Divine Dragon Division was mobilizing to apprehend him.

“Why has this happened so suddenly?”

“I lack enough information to be certain… But judging by recent movements, it seemed inevitable.”

“Movements?”

“Yes. Did Uncle Tang not tell you anything?”

“No.”

I did not often speak with Tang Deok. I only issued orders when necessary.

“I heard many suspicious individuals have been seen in the area lately.”

“Are they from the Martial Alliance?”

“Most likely.”

“So, you are not sure.”

“No.”

I rested my chin on my hand, thinking. Tang Deok’s current location… Hubei.

He was not there to hide; I had sent him on a mission. But now there were unusual gatherings in the area?

‘This is going to be troublesome.’

I had not yet finished tying the Celestial Stream Sect to the Demonic Cult. If something unexpected interfered now, it would complicate matters.

Then—

“What do you think?” Je Gal-hyuk asked.

“About what?”

“From my perspective, this seems connected to your reason for going to Sichuan. What is your opinion?”

His question made me tilt my head. A faint unease flickered in Je Gal-hyuk’s eyes.

Seeing that, I thought to myself.

‘This is certainly different from my past life.’

Je Gal-hyuk often sought my confirmation.

As if I would know. I was just as lost, which is why I consulted someone smarter.

His questions always felt peculiar.

In my previous life, Je Gal-hyuk would not have shown a hint of uncertainty.

He always believed he was right, that his deductions were flawless, and that anyone who disagreed was mistaken.

That was the mindset of a Cheon Yura. And the frustrating part was that he was usually correct.

Only someone like Cheonma could challenge his assertions.

‘Though I suppose even high-ranking figures like Division Leaders would listen to him.’

Then again, he never treated people like Ghost Thief or the Green King as human, so perhaps not.

Anyway—

‘This is not bad.’

Looking at the present Je Gal-hyuk, I could not help but compare him to the past. It was not that I found him unreliable.

‘It just reinforces that he is a different person now.’

The feeling that the Cheon Yura I knew and the current Je Gal-hyuk were distinct individuals was strangely comforting.

“Why do you keep asking me? If you do not know, what makes you think I would?”

“You might know.”

“I have told you, you are smarter than I am.”

At my response, Je Gal-hyuk scratched his cheek.

“…I do not think so.”

“Of course you are. Otherwise, why would I ask you anything?”

“Perhaps because you need someone to talk to?”

“Do not be absurd.”

I was taken aback. He genuinely seemed to believe I was more intelligent.

What nonsense.

‘Absolutely not.’

This was the same person who had outmaneuvered countless experts on the battlefield, using his intellect alone to defeat powerful martial artists.

‘Could I have done that?’

I briefly considered it, but the answer was obvious. No. If I could, I would have been a strategist instead of relying on my fists.

“Stop talking nonsense. Your judgments are usually correct, so do not doubt yourself.”

“…Alright.”

My trip to the Sichuan Branch, the forces targeting Tang Deok, and the Divine Dragon Division’s mobilization—

The connections were too intricate to be coincidence.

‘So that means…’

Did Muk Yeon foresee this and send me to Sichuan?

‘That is uncertain.’

The Celestial Stream Sect had been causing trouble for five years. Their recent rise was significant, but the timing felt off.

‘If that were possible…’

Muk Yeon would have had to be involved with the Celestial Stream Sect from the start, or have set this plan in motion before I joined the Divine Dragon Division.

But—

‘I am the one who brought Muk Yeon back.’

Muk Yeon’s return to the Martial Alliance was accelerated by the ambush in Hunan, which was my doing.

‘So unless Muk Yeon can see the future, it is impossible.’