Childhood Friend of the Zenith Novel MTL - Chapter 901

Chapter 901

I was left utterly speechless.
A breeze swept past Shin Noya and toward me, bringing with it the delicate aroma of plum blossoms.

Though the scent was pleasant, it was undeniably tinged with a profound melancholy.

The air felt empty and chilled.
I remained still, my eyes locked on Shin Noya, struggling to digest the statement he had just made.

«The beings that come out of the Magyeong Gate…»

They were the last traces of worlds that had ended when new rulers ascended?
The staggering implication made my thoughts spin.

It was a fundamental rule—a simple, accepted truth—that all life within a world is wiped away when it loses its master and a new one takes its place.

But now—

«This is related to the Magyeong Gate?»

Those lives weren’t just erased. They returned as monsters through the Magyeong Gate. And then—

«We hunt them.»

The Magyeong Gate that manifested in Zhongyuan, and the creatures that spilled from it, had always been pursued and destroyed.
I had never once pondered the true nature of the Magyeong Gate, or what these monsters really were.

The reason was straightforward.

«There was no need to.»

It wasn’t a subject that demanded deep contemplation.
It was just an accepted part of reality.

Occasionally, the Martial Alliance or other factions would try to investigate further.
But even then, the most they achieved was a slightly improved knowledge of the monsters’ behaviors.

Under those conditions—

«Just how deep does this link go?»

How much of this was interconnected?
Why did these erased lifeforms return as monsters?

And—

«If Noya is telling the truth…»

What did he mean by beings that nearly became monsters?
What was this place where we now found ourselves?

Bombarded by a rush of revelations and doubts, I frowned deeply.

As I wrestled with my thoughts, Shin Noya’s voice cut through the quiet.

«Snap out of it and keep moving. Now isn’t the time to stand around.»

I looked up, startled. Shin Noya was already several steps ahead.
I hurried after him and asked,

«If what you said is true, then what were those things we encountered earlier?»

«I told you already. They are entities that almost turned into monsters.»

«That isn’t exactly a clear answer.»

If he was going to be that vague, how was I supposed to understand?

«If lifeforms get erased or become monsters, then what’s the story with that leader? Something doesn’t add up.»

«Add up?»

Hearing my comment, Shin Noya shot me a look.

«You’re mistaken.»

«Pardon?»

«It’s not that something doesn’t add up. That’s just the way it is.»

«What…?»

«When I say it almost became a monster, I mean it did not. The form you witnessed is probably that creature’s true appearance.»

«…!»

His clarification made my eyes go wide.
If that was the case—

«…Are you saying those beings are life from other worlds that didn’t transform into monsters?»

«Correct.»

«But didn’t you say that lifeforms without a master become monsters?»

«Typically, yes.»

«Then how—»

I was about to demand an explanation for why those creatures remained unchanged when Shin Noya cut me off.

«We’re here.»

He turned his head, clearly ending the conversation.
His intentional evasion made me scowl, but—

«…What is this?»

The view before me left me breathless.

«A tree?»

An enormous tree stood before us, so immense it seemed to scrape the sky.
Its leaves, however—

«Are those… plum blossoms?»

The distinctive color surrounding the tree was unmistakable—it was a plum tree.
But why was a tree like this growing here, of all places?

And beneath the tree, something else caught my attention.

«A barrier?»

Was that… a wall?
The sheer absurdity of it made me let out a hollow laugh.

«Let’s go.»

Shin Noya moved toward it as though it were completely ordinary.

«Excuse me?»

«What? Aren’t you coming?»

«…Is that where we’re headed?»

«What else? We can’t very well have a conversation sitting out in the dirt, can we?»

“…”

It wasn’t that I minded sitting on the ground, but that wasn’t the point.
I wanted to ask why something like that was here in the first place, but—

«If you’re wondering, I’ll explain everything once we’re inside.»

At his words, I closed my mouth and followed him without another word.
Still, I had to ask one thing.

«Noya.»

«Hmm?»

«Just what is that place?»

I pointed toward the tree and the barrier beneath it.

Shin Noya gave a short laugh, then answered.

«It’s Mount Hua.»

«…What?»

Hearing his reply, my face contorted in bewilderment.

********

I followed Shin Noya up to the barrier.
It was a great wall made of solid stone.

I studied it with a puzzled look.

«…Hmm.»

It really was just a wall.
I had half-expected some hidden mechanism, like before, but there was nothing—just a plain, sturdy wall.

I briefly wondered if it would shatter if I struck it.

«You look like you’re scheming. Let me be clear—don’t try anything foolish.»

«I wasn’t planning to! Don’t accuse me for no reason.»

I had been found out.

«Tsk, tsk.»

Shin Noya clicked his tongue and looked up at the barrier.

«Open up.»

Who was he talking to?
I was just about to reach out with my senses when—

«Oh!»

A voice answered from above. Someone peeked over the top of the wall.
Their eyes glanced at Shin Noya before settling on me and Cheonma behind him.

«What’s this? Bringing another disciple, are we?»

At that, Shin Noya’s expression soured.

«Disciple? This brat isn’t nearly good enough to be my disciple.»

«I never asked to be! Why are you insulting me out of the blue?»

What was his issue? Who said I wanted that?
As I glowered, the barrier began to vibrate.

Rumble—!!!

The huge gate set into the wall started to open.

It took some time, given its sheer size, but eventually, the iron doors swung inward, and a figure stepped out.

«Hmm?»

I narrowed my eyes, studying the person.

They were very short—only coming up to my waist.
They had a beard, so they weren’t a child, but still…

Trying to hide my curiosity, I watched as the small elderly man spoke to Shin Noya.

«You’re later than we thought, Master.»

Master?

The unexpected term made me frown. That wasn’t what I had anticipated.

Shin Noya scoffed at the old man’s words.

«I got held up dragging this idiot along.»

«Are you referring to me?»

«Who else would I be talking about?»

«I was hoping it wasn’t me.»

«You’re hoping for too much.»

«Your insults are getting creative.»

As we started arguing again, the small man tilted his head and asked,

«Pardon me, but are you two related? You seem awfully—»

«You have a death wish?»

«…Don’t say such annoying things to someone you just met.»

«Well, if you’re not, then fine. No need to get so upset…»

It was genuinely insulting.
What part of me looked anything like that irritable old man?

«Comparing me to that hot-headed brat, of all people…»

«…At least I keep my insults to myself. See? I’m already the better man.»

Bang!

«Gah!»

Damn it. He hit me again.

«You crazy old man…»

«What was that, kid?»

«…Shouldn’t we be going inside?»

Before things could get worse, the small man stepped in to mediate.

«At this rate, it’ll be morning before you’re done. Don’t you think, miss?»

He gestured toward Cheonma, who nodded silently, her face as placid as ever.

«See? Let’s head in.»

«I’ll deal with you later.»

«I won’t be around. Why would I stick around for your scary face?»

«What was that?»

«…Nothing. Let’s just go, please.»

Practically pleading, I got him to stop, and we passed through the gate.

The space inside was unexpectedly spacious.
People were everywhere, and the mood was vibrant.

Laughter echoed from all directions, creating a buoyant atmosphere.

«This feels… unusual.»

I narrowed my eyes, taking in the surroundings.
The feeling was oddly familiar, though I couldn’t pinpoint why.

Then it struck me.

«Ah, that’s it.»

This was just like Shanxi.

When I had first arrived in that county, the bustling, cheerful energy had been much the same.

«It’s identical.»

The similarity was startling.

And that was the problem.

«Why does it feel like this here?»

Why did this place, which wasn’t even in Zhongyuan, remind me so strongly of Shaanxi?
What was happening?

Even stranger—

«Why is everyone so small…?»

Most of the people moving about were as short as the old man from before.
There were a few taller ones, but even they weren’t human.

Not in the way I understood.

No, to be specific—

«Strictly speaking… Noya is the only human here.»

Realistically, Shin Noya appeared to be the only true human in this place.
Neither I nor Cheonma could be considered fully human either.

«Wait.»

As the realization hit me, I glanced around.

«Where is she?»

Cheonma, who had been trailing behind me, was gone.

«Did she slip away?»

If so, that would be a good thing. At least I wouldn’t have to worry about her.

But unfortunately, that wasn’t it.
I spotted a woman with dark hair standing in the middle of the street.

It was Cheonma.

«What is she doing?»

I moved closer and saw she was holding something.

«A skewer?»

It appeared to be food.

«Hey. What are you up to?»

«This.»

Cheonma lifted the skewer as if that explained everything.

«What about it?»

«Eat it.»

«What?»

«It’s good.»

«How would you know?»

I had no idea what kind of food it was.
It looked normal, but this was clearly not a normal world.

Before I could say anything, the vendor, another small person, spoke up.

«She was staring so intently, I thought I’d let her try one. Go on, have a taste. It’s good.»

«Uh… alright.»

«See? They said it’s good.»

«You haven’t even tried it. How do you know?»

From the looks of it, this was the first one she’d been given.
Why was she offering it to me first?

«It’s good. You eat it first.»

“…”

What was this supposed to mean?
Was she checking for poison, or did she genuinely want me to have the first taste because it was good?

Before I could decide, Shin Noya suddenly materialized behind us.

«What’s the hold-up?»

The vendor beamed when he saw him.

«Ah, Master! It’s been a while!»

They clearly knew each other. Shin Noya asked casually,

«How’s business?»

«Thanks to you, it’s always good. Care for one? It’s on the house.»

«Sure.»

Without a second thought, Shin Noya took a skewer and bit into it.
He chewed a few times, then grinned.

«Not bad. Go on, try it. It’s as good as they say.»

«Aren’t you going to eat?»

Cheonma kept pushing the skewer toward me.
Sighing, I took a bite.

It was a flavor I’d never experienced before, but it was pleasant.
Only after seeing me eat did Cheonma finally take a bite herself.

«…Was she waiting to see if it was safe?»

Her immediate action suggested that was the case, but—

«Not that it matters.»

I wasn’t concerned. Thanks to my immunity to poison (Mandokbulchim), no food could harm me.
And Cheonma had never been affected by toxins in her previous life, either.

«It’s delicious,» Cheonma stated, giving a slight nod. Her face was as stoic as ever, but her reaction hinted at approval.

Watching her enjoy the food, I instinctively suppressed a smile.
The way she looked while eating reminded me of Wi Seol-ah, and I almost laughed.

Once the skewer was finished, we continued on.

Shin Noya walked at a much more relaxed pace than before, moving through the street without hurry.

«Master!»
«Oh! Master! How have you been?»
«Well, look who it is!»

People greeted him familiarly at every turn.

Despite the constant salutations, Shin Noya maintained an aloof demeanor, occasionally raising a hand in reply, but nothing more.

«What is going on?»

I couldn’t help but feel perplexed.
This… this was just like—

«It feels exactly like Mount Hua.»

The ambiance, the people, even the general structure—everything screamed Mount Hua. If there were martial artists here, it would be perfect—

«Hahp!»
«Huuk!»
«Fix your stance!»

…There are martial artists here, too.

As we ventured further in, I found them.
To my astonishment, this place had martial artists as well.

Just like in Zhongyuan, people of all builds were practicing with wooden swords, their motions crisp and focused.

And then—

«This is unbelievable…»

Their sword forms were eerily familiar. It was unmistakable.

«That’s the Plum Blossom Sword Art.»

Seeing it left me stunned. I turned to Shin Noya and asked,

«What is this?»

«What do you mean?»

«What is going on here? Why… why is all of this here?»

«You’re asking why there’s a Mount Hua here?»

«…Yes.»

At my response, Shin Noya let out a soft chuckle.

«Heh. From your reaction, you recognize it well. That’s good.»

«This isn’t just a similarity…»

It wasn’t just reminiscent of Mount Hua.
Every detail, down to the smallest, mirrored what I had seen during my own visit.

But what confused me most was why such a place existed in this world.

Could it be—

«Did you make this, Noya?»

I asked the question, though I already had a strong feeling.

«That’s right.»

Shin Noya answered matter-of-factly. I let out a hollow laugh.

Truthfully, I had already guessed as much.

«Who else could have done it?»

Another Mount Hua in a different world?
The only person who could achieve such a thing was the old man in front of me.

But still—

«How… how could you have built all this in just a few months?»

The scale was immense.
It looked like it would take decades, or even centuries, to complete. Yet, he had done it in what felt like no time.

My disbelief was plain, but Shin Noya laughed even harder.

«A few months?»

«What’s so funny, Noya?»

«Kid, do you honestly think something like this could be made that quickly?»

«Then what? Are you saying this was always here?»

«Not at all. Do you have any idea how much work I put into creating all this?»

«So you’re saying it didn’t take long…?»

«It took no less than a hundred years.»

«…What?»

I stood frozen.

«What did you just say?»

I must have heard wrong.

«I said it’s been over a century since I began building this. From an empty plot of land to this thriving community, it’s been a long process.»

A hundred years? The sheer impossibility of his words left me speechless.

«That can’t be. Noya, you vanished only a few months ago…»

«Didn’t you say it was only a few months for you?»

Shin Noya looked at me, his eyes holding a complex mix of emotions.

«Thankfully, not much time has passed for you.»

«…Noya?»

«For you, it may have been only a few months. But for me, it was not. What I mean is this—»

He reached out and caught a single petal from a plum blossom drifting down from above.

The petals had been falling continuously from the massive tree overhead.

It was obvious they came from the enormous plum tree at the center of this place.
Holding the petal, Shin Noya looked at me and said,

«It means that for me, it has been over a hundred years since I came to this world.»