Childhood Friend of the Zenith Novel MTL - Chapter 909

Chapter 909

“Where have you been?”

The question was aimed at Cheonma, who arrived late, just as morning gave way to noon.

“Walking.”

The brief reply made me press my lips together.

“You’ve been walking all this time?”

“Yes.”

“Where did you go?”

“Here and there.”

“Your answers are truly something.”

It would’ve been less irritating if they’d just said nothing at all. I nearly sighed but held it back.

‘Not that it concerns me.’

Where they went—or even if they disappeared completely—was none of my business. In fact, it might be better if they did vanish. Caring was pointless.

“Tsk.”

I clicked my tongue and started walking. Cheonma followed quietly behind. I thought about telling them to get lost, but chose to pay no attention.

As I walked, I looked up at the sky.

The crimson heavens still felt unfamiliar. And yet…

‘Hmm…’

By the sun’s position, it should be noon. But something felt strange.

‘Time feels distorted.’

It seemed like noon should have passed already, and the sun ought to be descending, yet it remained high and bright.

‘Am I mistaken?’

Maybe it just felt like time was dragging. But that didn’t seem right.

‘The days here aren’t like those in Zhongyuan.’

That was the only explanation. How was that possible? Then again…

‘Time is already broken here. Why dwell on it?’

There were more urgent matters than puzzling over every oddity around me.

“Haap!”

“Haap, haap!”

The training shouts that had echoed since morning continued without pause. Their intensity hadn’t faded, even as hours passed.

I glanced briefly toward the sound but kept walking.

‘Martial artists.’

They swung wooden swords with fierce energy. Their looks varied, but their bearing was unmistakably that of warriors.

Beings from another world.

Yet they practiced martial arts from Zhongyuan. The dissonance was difficult to describe.

Was it just my preconceptions? Or maybe…

‘Is it that I simply can’t accept it?’

I scratched my neck, brushing off a vague unease. I quickened my pace, trying to leave the thoughts behind.

“Greetings.”

Someone stepped in front of me, blocking my path. It didn’t surprise me—I’d sensed their approach.

“Yes.”

My short reply didn’t wipe the smile from the woman’s face.

My eyes drifted to her ears. Like Gubong, she had the ears and tail of a beast. But where he was wolf-like, she resembled a feline.

Studying her, I asked, “Who are you?”

“I am Seol Yeong, a First Disciple. I oversee the training of the Third Disciples.”

Another First Disciple. My eyes narrowed slightly. My last encounter with Gubong, where I’d pummeled him senseless, came to mind.

Noticing my reaction, Seol Yeong waved her hands quickly.

“Oh, don’t worry. I’m nothing like that fool Gubong.”

As if she’d heard all about it, she rushed to explain.

“My fellow disciple is jealous and clueless by nature. I knew he’d make a mess.”

She nodded repeatedly, as if sharing my frustration, and I almost smiled despite myself. She seemed well acquainted with Gubong’s antics.

“He has no sense of boundaries. When he ends up flat on his back, who has to handle the fallout? Me.”

“Should I apologize?”

“Oh, no, no! I’m not blaming you. It’s just… he’s so infuriating. Must he live like that?”

Her genuinely annoyed expression convinced me she wasn’t here to pick a fight.

“So, if you’re not here to cause trouble, what do you want?”

If she wasn’t complaining about Gubong, she had to have another reason. Getting straight to the point, I waited for her answer. Her eyes widened slightly.

“I’d heard about you, and now I see it’s true.”

“Heard what?”

“Do Dong said you resemble the sect leader.”

“…What idiot said that?”

Who dared say something so ridiculous? I wanted to drag them here and break every bone in their body.

“Uh… the gatekeeper. Don’t you remember?”

“Oh.”

It matched that small old man. I recalled his face vaguely, but not his name. So, he was Do Dong?

‘We’ll see what happens when I meet him again.’

I made a mental note not to let it go.

“Ha ha…”

Seol Yeong laughed awkwardly, sensing my displeasure. I scowled. There was no way I could smile after hearing such nonsense.

“So, what do you want?”

My tone turned sharp. It hadn’t been polite to begin with, and now any hint of courtesy was gone.

“Well, it’s just… I heard you defeated Gubong easily.”

“Yes, so? Do you want to fight me, too?”

“What? No! I hate being hit.”

“…”

What kind of answer was that? Did that mean Gubong enjoyed it? That was more than I needed to know.

“Then what…?”

“Ah, right. Actually…”

Seol Yeong hesitated before continuing cautiously.

“I thought it might be good for my disciples to have a new experience. You know, a different kind of training…”

“So?”

“They’ve only trained here and lack diverse exposure. I thought perhaps you could show them something…”

I understood what she meant.

“So you want me to be an exhibition for your disciples?”

“Not an exhibition—a demonstration of martial arts.”

“No.”

I walked past her without another word. I was too busy to waste time on something like that.

“Ah—! Wait!”

Seol Yeong hurried after me.

“Couldn’t you reconsider? For the sake of the next generation?”

“No. Not even once.”

“But perhaps, with your broad generosity—”

“My generosity isn’t broad. It’s narrow. Very narrow.”

“Oh, come now! That’s just a perspective. Generosity can always grow.”

“…”

I stopped and turned to face her.

“Ugh.”

Seeing my expression, Seol Yeong flinched. I must have looked openly irritated.

“Why do you keep pushing? I said no.”

“Ha ha ha…”

“Do I look easy to deal with? No one has ever called me kind or agreeable.”

“Yes, you certainly don’t look it.”

“What?”

“Uh, just a joke! Ha ha ha…”

What was wrong with this woman? I’d rarely met anyone so persistent. Should I just hit her?

“I don’t like getting hit,” she said, as if reading my mind.

“…Can you read thoughts?”

“No, I just had a feeling. Was I right?”

“You’re oddly sharp.”

“Thank you. I hear that often.”

“Then you know what I’ll do if you keep this up, right?”

“…”

Seol Yeong took a careful step back. She seemed to have decent self-preservation instincts.

Still, she didn’t look ready to leave. Since I couldn’t actually strike her, I sighed and tried another tactic.

“Even if it’s a request, I can’t agree blindly. Get permission first.”

“Permission?”

“Yes. If your sect leader approves, then I might consider it.”

“Oh, I already have permission.”

“…What?”

I frowned.

“You have permission?”

“Yes, I asked the sect leader earlier.”

“And what did that crazy old man say?”

“He said to do as I please.”

“…”

I pressed my fingers to my temples. That old man had truly lost his mind.

“He acted busy earlier, saying he’d only be gone briefly. When did he even approve this?”
Suspicious, I asked Seol Yeong,
“…Are you lying?”

Maybe she was making it up to persuade me. But her reply was swift.
“Ah, the sect leader said you might say that.”

“…”

“And he told me to respond like this.”

“…What did he say?”

“‘He’s just a useless brat who eats, sleeps, and craps all day. Quit whining and get to work, you rotten kid.’”

“…”

“‘Tell him that,’ is what he said… I think.”

Even Seol Yeong seemed aware of how harsh it sounded, wearing an awkward expression.

‘…Damn it.’

It was unmistakably something Shin Noya would say.

“Sigh…”

A sigh escaped me.
I already had too much to handle.

I was busy enough trying to find a way back to Zhongyuan, and now this? Help train disciples?

‘Is he insane?’

He tells me to stay put, not go anywhere, then disappears and dumps this on me?

“…That old man is unbelievable.”

Frustration welled up. I felt like storming off.
But as the thought crossed my mind—

“Ah.”

A sudden idea struck me.

“Honored guest?”

“Let’s go.”

“What?”

“Let’s go. I’ll do it.”

“Uh, just like that?”

“Yes.”

After all my refusals, my sudden agreement left Seol Yeong flustered. But I was completely serious.

I even allowed a faint smile, which made her eyes twitch in confusion.

“This could be interesting. Let’s give it a try.”

“…Uh, what?”

Her bewilderment grew, but I meant it.

‘He’s dead.’

Daring to dump this on me? A fiery resolve began to burn within.

As I’d told Seol Yeong earlier:
‘I’ll make him regret it.’ My generosity was incredibly narrow—and exceptionally petty.

 

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

I followed Seol Yeong to the training grounds where the shouts of effort had echoed since morning.

“Teacher!”

As soon as Seol Yeong appeared, the trainees wielding wooden swords stopped and turned toward her with bright faces.

“Have you all eaten?”

“Yes!”

Their voices rang out in unison.

The trainees’ ages varied—some looked to be in their early teens, others just past twenty.

Seol Yeong smiled warmly at them before turning to me.

“Everyone, show your respect. This is an honored guest brought by the sect leader.”

“Greetings!”

Their attire reminded me of the martial uniforms I’d seen in Zhongyuan’s Mount Hua Sect.

‘Was it modeled after those?’

Shin Noya, with his retained memories, must have designed them. How he managed such detail was a mystery.

‘He put those hundred-plus years to good use.’

I’d been slightly worried before, but it seemed unnecessary now.

As I observed the third-generation disciples, I turned to Seol Yeong.

“So, Seol… Miss Seol?”

Unsure how to address her, I hesitated, making her chuckle lightly.

“Just call me Seol Yeong. The sect leader did call you an honored guest, after all.”

“Alright, Seol Yeong.”

“Wait, I didn’t mean you should drop all respect…”

Ignoring her protest, I stepped forward.

“Your instructor asked me to demonstrate something that might aid your training.”

I glanced back, looking for Cheonma. She was already crouched in the shade of a nearby tree, watching silently.

Confirming her location, I turned my attention to the disciples.

And then—

Fwoosh.

Blue flames ignited around my hand.

“Whoa…”

“Wow…”

The fire spread steadily across my body, its glow reflected in their widening eyes.

“Whoa…”

Even Seol Yeong was mesmerized, staring as if she’d never seen anything like it.

To me, their unique appearances were far more fascinating. But judging by their reactions, this was new to them. Smiling faintly, I spoke.

“This is the kind of thing I can show you.”

I could make it far more impressive, but there was no need to say so.

Poof.

The flames vanished instantly.

Disappointment flashed in their eyes; they clearly wanted more. But internally, I thought:

‘Don’t worry. You’ll get a proper show soon enough.’

Dusting my hands theatrically, I used the pause to redirect their attention.

“Instead of something flashy, I think something practical would be more useful.”

“Practical?”

Seol Yeong tilted her head, curious.

“Yes. If it’s training, wouldn’t firsthand experience be better than just watching?”

“Firsthand experience? What do you mean…?”

“Why not try sparring?”

Seol Yeong’s reaction was immediate and flustered.

“Sparring, honored guest, that’s…”

“Hah…”

A scoff came from the group. Turning, I saw a large figure standing out with his massive build and a displeased expression.

Good.

‘Of course.’

No matter where you go, there’s always one. I’d been hoping for it.

Looking at him, I asked, “What’s so funny?”

Caught off guard, he hesitated before stepping forward.

As he drew closer, his size became even more apparent. He was taller than my father or even Elder Il. He was practically a bear—or perhaps…

‘Wait, those ears…’

They resembled a bear’s.

“Senior brother, not again!”

“There he goes starting trouble!”

Sighs of frustration rose from the other disciples. Clearly, he was known for his temper.

However—

“My apologies.”

The large man offered an unexpected bow. For a moment, I thought he might disappoint me.

“I just found your suggestion curious, honored guest.”

Not a disappointment, after all.

“Curious? How?”

“I don’t see how you are qualified to lead such sparring.”

“Oh.”

I couldn’t help a small exclamation. He really had the nerve to say that outright.

“Do-ung, you—!”

Seol Yeong tried to intervene, but I held up a hand to stop her. Judging by the reactions—

‘They don’t all know I beat Gubong senseless.’

It seemed likely. If they knew, they wouldn’t react this way.

Smiling broadly, I asked, “Qualifications? Do I look unqualified to you?”

“From what I see…”

He gave me a critical once-over.

“You don’t inspire much confidence.”

“Mm.”

Though my face could look stern, I was often mistaken for being younger than I was. It wasn’t entirely unfair—I was still young.

This treatment wasn’t new, and I found it both refreshing and amusing.

‘Though it helps that I’m hiding my energy.’

But that wasn’t something he needed to know.

“So, you think I look too weak to teach?”

“Not exactly, but…”

“In other words, you think I should stick to making pretty flames and keep quiet?”

“I didn’t mean it like that…”

“Good. I like this talk of qualifications.”

I casually stretched my wrist, the crack unnervingly loud.

“Honored guest, wait…”

Seol Yeong stepped in, uneasy. I glanced at her.

“The sect leader told me to earn my keep. That’s what I’m doing. Let me handle this.”

“But—”

“Don’t worry. Nothing’s going to happen.”

“…”

After a moment’s hesitation, Seol Yeong stepped back.

“Now, about qualifications… how about a wager?”

“A wager?”

“If you can so much as touch me, I’ll petition the sect leader to grant you a favor.”

“…!”

Do-ung’s eyes widened.

Mentioning Shin Noya shifted the atmosphere. That old man carried more weight than I’d thought.

“Well? What do you say?”

“Are you saying you can make that happen?”

“Why think that far ahead?” I waved dismissively.

“Worry about it after you’ve touched me—which won’t happen.”

“…!”

His pride stung, and his expression twisted.

“So, are you in?”

Instead of answering, Do-ung clasped his fists in a formal salute.

“I am Do-ung, a third-generation disciple of Mount Hua.”

His earlier casualness vanished, replaced with proper decorum. His stance faintly echoed Shin Noya’s teachings.

“Gu Yangcheon of Shanxi.”

I matched his formality.

As we finished, Do-ung reached for his sword.

“Don’t regret this.”

His movement prompted the other disciples to scatter, creating space.

I remained still, observing him.

Solid muscle.

The moment he took his stance, his muscles responded precisely. His lower body was exceptionally sturdy—comparable to Tang Deok’s.

‘The level of these third-generation disciples is absurdly high.’

In Zhongyuan, third-generation disciples were, at best, second-rate—or first-rate if exceptional.

Even the elites I’d first met, excluding Yeongpung, weren’t this capable.

‘The gap is too wide.’

Between Gubong yesterday and Do-ung today, it was clear this world was stronger than Zhongyuan.

Was it Shin Noya’s teaching? Or…

‘Is it because they’re not entirely human?’

Mulling it over, I loosened my fingers.

“Take a proper stance,” Do-ung said, eyeing me critically.

I smiled.

“If it’s necessary.”

“…”

His thick eyebrows twitched. Before he could act, I spoke again.

“Oh, just so you know…”

Do-ung paused.

“Someone yesterday underestimated me and got beaten badly. So, take this seriously. Assess the situation properly.”

“…”

He frowned but didn’t reply. His grip on his sword tightened. I glanced at Seol Yeong.

Noticing my hint, she hurriedly raised her voice.

“Ah…! Uh, sparring!”

Her hand rose and swept down.

“Begin!”

With that—

Clink.

The moment Do-ung began drawing his sword—

Thunk.

“…Huh?”

For some reason, the blade stuck in its scabbard. Something was blocking it.

“What’s this?”

Do-ung looked confused, but before he could process it—

“I told you,” I said.

“…!”

He looked up, startled.

I was already standing right in front of him.

My hand pressed firmly on the pommel, preventing the draw.

“No need to worry.”

Thud!

“Ugh!?”

I struck his knee, forcing him to buckle.

“And no reason to hold back!”

Before he could recover, I drove my fist into his face.

BAM!

“Guh…”

With a dull groan, his massive frame hit the ground.

Thud.

As dust rose around him, I stepped aside.

Just like that, it was over.

“…”

“…Huh?”

The onlookers stared blankly, frozen.

They hadn’t processed what happened.

Silence fell.

Amid the quiet—

“…”

Seol Yeong, her face shocked, muttered.

“You said nothing was going to happen.”

Her wide eyes screamed, What was that?!

Catching her look, I replied.

“Did you actually believe that?”

“Unbelievable!”

Ignoring her impending outburst, I turned to the other disciples.

“Next.”

Unsurprisingly, no one stepped forward.

Of course, I had no intention of letting them off easily.