Childhood Friend of the Zenith Novel MTL - Chapter 910

Chapter 910

‘What in the world is happening…?’

Seol Yeong, the First Disciple of the Mangye Mount Hua Sect and instructor to the third-generation disciples, could only frown in dismay at the scene of utter disarray before her.

BANG!

«Ugh!»

Amid a loud crash, yet another third-generation disciple was hurled backward, landing hard and skidding across the dirt before coming to a stop.

«Uuurgh…»

The downed disciple shuddered briefly before falling completely still, knocked out cold.

“Hiiik…!”
“Not again?!”
“How many does that make…?”

Those still standing trembled with fear. By now, the unconscious forms formed a small heap at the edge of the training grounds—more than ten of them.

Witnessing this, Seol Yeong pressed a hand over her eyes.

«…We’re finished.»

Her thoughts spun frantically, yet no answer came to her.

‘How did things get this bad?’

The reason was obvious:

‘I never should have brought him here.’

Allowing this incomprehensible monster into the training grounds had been a catastrophic error.

«Next.»

The individual standing at the heart of the turmoil—the origin of her current despair—spoke with infuriating calm.

“Hiiik…! N-no, I can’t!”

The disciple whose turn it was tried to scramble away, but—

“What do you mean, ‘no’? This is a priceless chance! Get back here!”

“Waaaah! Master, please!”

«…»

Seol Yeong could only watch in silence as the disciple was hauled back by the collar of his robe.

There was no running away.

FWOOSH!

An inexplicable wall of fire encircled the training grounds, pulsing with such fierce heat that it deterred any thought of escape.

This was unmistakably Gu Yangcheon’s doing, ensuring no one could slip out.

«Pick up your sword.»

«Have mercy… please…»

«Hah? You claim to be a swordsman, yet you can’t even hold your weapon? What’s the matter with you? Do you need me to draw it for you?»

“Hiiiiiik…!”

«For heaven’s sake.»

‘What kind of man is he…?’

Seol Yeong was appalled by these coercive sparring matches.

When the first disciple was knocked unconscious, she’d been startled but tried to justify it.

‘That disciple did challenge him first…’

Intrigued by his ability, she had allowed it. But now…

‘What is this?’

Seeing it with her own eyes was another matter entirely. Over ten disciples had been rendered unconscious, and yet—

‘He hasn’t taken a single step from his original spot.’

Gu Yangcheon hadn’t shifted from his starting position. He evaded every assault without moving his feet and ended each exchange with one precise, finishing blow.

It was absolute domination.

Could she accomplish something like that?

‘Absolutely not.’

Seol Yeong was honest about her own limits. Perhaps Gubong, who had won the sect leader’s praise, might have stood a chance. But even he…

‘Gubong was defeated by him.’

She hadn’t seen the battle herself, but the result was telling. Even under the moonlight, Gubong had been thoroughly bested and left in a wretched state.

When she later saw him in the medical ward, his condition was heartbreaking.

‘How could anyone be defeated so completely?’

She had wondered how it was possible.

BOOM!

«Ugh!»

Now she knew.

This was how he did it.

Another disciple fell, and Gu Yangcheon indifferently tossed the limp body aside.

«Next.»

Brushing off his hands, his composed expression was deeply alarming.

«M-master…»
«Please, do something…!»

The disciples looked desperately toward Seol Yeong.

«…»

She answered their cries with silence, avoiding their gaze.

«Master…?!»
«Master!»

«Are you deaf? Next.»

“AAAAHHH!”

Their faces were filled with terror and betrayal.

The terror was for Gu Yangcheon, but the betrayal was for her.

‘Forgive me, all of you.’

Despite the guilt eating at her, Seol Yeong stayed quiet. Was it because she feared Gu Yangcheon? No.

Was it because she wanted to show the disciples a “new perspective,” as she’d stated before? In part.

‘But this isn’t what I intended…’

This was no “new perspective.” This was pure brutality.

Not only was his approach unreasonably harsh—

‘Why does he seem to be enjoying this…?’

He was clearly taking pleasure in it. It was written on his face. Gu Yangcheon was genuinely amused by tormenting the disciples.

‘I truly made a mistake bringing him here.’

As understanding washed over her, she recalled her earlier discussion with the sect leader.

When she had requested approval to include Gu Yangcheon, the sect leader had smiled with unusual warmth.

She should have recognized it. That particular smile always meant he was plotting something.

‘Naturally.’

He must have foreseen this. That smile now made perfect sense.

‘…Damn it all.’

What could she do now? This certainly couldn’t go on.

«Focus on your forearm. Is that the correct angle for a swing? I think not. Should I correct it for you?»

Gu Yangcheon slapped the disciple’s sword, sending it clattering away. As the disciple reached for it, Gu Yangcheon hit him beneath the jaw, rendering him unconscious.

«Your stance is shaky. You’re aware of that, aren’t you? Rushing in like that is an open invitation to be struck. Should I oblige?»

He drove his knee into the disciple’s face, dropping him immediately.

«Your abdomen is unprotected. If you’re going to block, do it right. And if your defense will fail, you should prioritize evasion. What’s the logic in offering your flesh to save your bones? That’s a quick way to die.»

Another disciple went down, hunched over and retching.

It continued in this manner.

Every defeated disciple was subjected to a merciless evaluation.

‘It really is instructional sparring.’

Seol Yeong had to admit it.

Despite the brutality, Gu Yangcheon identified every mistake and weakness, then struck precisely there.

The disciples would undoubtedly grow from this—though the price was steep.

«Your foundation is feeble! Are you planning to make up for it with determination? What good is spirit without the fundamentals?!»

“Ughhh!”

«…»

As remarkable as it was, it was equally frightening.

Finally, after what felt like an eternity—

«Next.»

Gu Yangcheon scanned the area, his face showing impatience. This time, there were no cries or objections.

«Hm? Oh.»

Understanding the situation, Gu Yangcheon gave a slow nod.

«Is that everyone?»

Every disciple was either unconscious or paralyzed with fear.

«Ah… I was just getting into the rhythm of teaching—or perhaps, the rhythm of disciplining.»

He looked at Seol Yeong with a dissatisfied expression.

«Are there any other disciples?»

«…No.»

Even if there were, she would never subject them to this.

«A little more and I would have been satisfied, though.»

«Satisfied…?»

«Just a bit more correction—or rather, a bit more pounding—and I’d feel completely at ease.»

«…»

He wasn’t even trying to conceal his intentions anymore.

Acknowledging the full scale of her error, Seol Yeong managed a strained smile.

As she fought down her rising frustration—

«If there are no third-generation disciples left, what about the second generation? Are any of them available?»

 

Gu Yangcheon’s proposal made her go still.

«…Ah, the second-generation disciples… are all occupied with assignments outside.»

«Assignments? Hold on… What?»

«Pardon?»

Gu Yangcheon’s brow furrowed abruptly.

«What did you call this place just now?»

«Which part…?»

«The name you used a moment ago.»

«Oh.»

Realizing what he meant, Seol Yeong began to answer but was cut off.

«You called it the Abyssal Chasm.»

The voice came not from her, but from behind Gu Yangcheon. He whipped around to look.

BOOM!

«Arghhh!»

A fist connected squarely with the top of Gu Yangcheon’s skull, drawing a sharp cry of pain. He stumbled, swaying unsteadily. For a brief instant, Seol Yeong felt a flicker of satisfaction.

But it vanished quickly.

Recognizing the person who had appeared, Seol Yeong immediately straightened her posture and bowed respectfully.

«Sect Leader.»

It was Shin Noya. He acknowledged Seol Yeong with a casual wave before turning his glare to the hunched-over Gu Yangcheon.

«You reckless fool.»

His first words were dripping with ire.

«How many times must I tell you to avoid causing disturbances? And yet, here you are, making a spectacle again! When will you start acting your age?»

Gu Yangcheon, still clutching his head, shot a defiant look back.

«Disturbance? What nonsense are you spouting? You’re the one who authorized this, and I carried out your instructions!»

«Authorization? I authorized you to pummel my disciples into oblivion, you imbecile?!»

«I didn’t pummel them; I gave them gentle reminders because they’re so endearing!»

«‘Gentle reminders’? Keep that up, and you’ll leave someone dead!»

«…»

Their heated exchange was anything but dignified. Watching the two trade insults, Seol Yeong was speechless.

The previously intimidating Gu Yangcheon was now arguing back like a scolded youth, though he deftly avoided the sect leader’s attempts to strike him again.

And the typically composed Shin Noya was now speaking with the volubility of an endless stream.

‘I understand now…’

A sudden clarity came to Seol Yeong.

‘No wonder Gubong held such a grudge against him.’

Seeing them interact, it was perfectly clear.

Though they appeared to be in a fierce argument, Seol Yeong, having known the sect leader for years, could see—he was relishing this.

‘Of course.’

That explained the unusually bright smile from before.

As Seol Yeong nodded to herself in realization—

«Ah! Damn it!»

Gu Yangcheon yelped as another blow landed.

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

«Ugh… that hurts.»

Gu Yangcheon walked away, massaging his aching head. He could feel a bump rising where he’d been hit.

He had barely gotten away before Shin Noya could swing again.

His whole body felt sore. How could it hurt this much from just a few hits?

‘That old man’s punches are something else.’

It wasn’t just “spicy”—it was a pain that lingered.

«Ugh…»

He had escaped, but he hadn’t gotten the answers he was after.

‘The Abyssal Chasm, was it?’

The origin of everything, the place where demonic beasts emerged through the Magyeong Gate, and where Kurung held sway.

A separate realm within this vast world.

‘I never saw this coming.’

The name «Abyssal Chasm» had suggested a bleak, barren void. But this place was stunningly beautiful.

‘Is that why Kurung was present here?’

That would fit, but—

‘Then why are there people living here?’

A place where vanished creatures were said to congregate. Yet they had constructed a fortress here and established the Mount Hua Sect?

The method and the result were baffling to him.

He had wanted to question Shin Noya about it, but avoiding further physical punishment had taken precedence.

Eventually, he found himself back at the village he’d come through earlier. He had inquiries to make there.

«Hey.»

He halted and turned to address Cheonma, who had been trailing him without a sound.

«…?»

Cheonma tilted her head, her expression one of pure, uncomprehending innocence.

«What about protecting me? You promised to keep me safe, but you just stood by and watched me take a beating.»

Where was the boldness she’d displayed against the Blood Demon? This time, she had merely observed from a comfortable distance.

Cheonma blinked slowly, as if the words meant nothing to her.

«Ugh…»

He let out a sigh, aware of how petty his grievance sounded.

«Forget it. Why am I even bothering with this?»

It wasn’t worth the frustration. Shaking his head, he resumed walking.

Why was he so aggravated? Perhaps it was because he was pressed for time and had no patience for distractions.

‘Let’s just concentrate on the task at hand.’

With that resolve, he started forward again—

«Have you finished being jealous?»

He stopped dead. Slowly, he turned to face Cheonma, his expression hardening.

«…What did you say?»

«Jealousy.»

«What ridiculous thing are you saying now?»

«Earlier. You felt jealous.»

«Jealous of what? Of whom?»

«You weren’t?»

«Of course I wasn’t—»

He cut himself off, his jaw clamping shut.

«…»

Oh, hell.

A sudden insight hit him with the force of a thunderclap.

‘Is it possible…?’

Was that the source of his irritation and annoyance?

‘…Was I jealous of those disciples?’

Of the Mount Hua Sect disciples that Shin Noya had taken under his wing?

He, who had received scarcely any instruction, compared to them, who seemed to have been given so much?

Was that what had provoked this feeling?

«Damn it. That’s absurd.»

He emitted a bitter laugh and shook his head. Accepting it felt like gulping down shards of glass.

‘Don’t be ridiculous.’

How old was he? Was he really becoming envious over something like this?

If that were true—

‘I’m no different from Gubong.’

The idea made him recoil.

‘I refuse to believe that.’

Even as he resisted, a persistent whisper emerged from the depths of his mind.

«Ugh… this is pathetic.»

The awareness was humiliating. If it were true, this was the most shameful emotion he’d ever experienced.

Agitated, he turned away from Cheonma.

«…Sigh.»

He exhaled deeply, dragging a hand down his face. He subtly regulated his body heat to prevent any visible flush, swiftly changing the subject.

«Never mind that. Did you notice anything unusual during your time outside yesterday?»

It was a transparent effort to redirect the conversation.

Cheonma was silent for a beat before replying,

«Ah.»

As if remembering, she spoke.

«Someone was observing me.»

«…That’s plausible. Were they from this area?»

«No, from outside.»

«Outside? You ventured outside the Abyssal Chasm?»

«Yes.»

Her calm response made Gu Yangcheon stare at her. She had left the Abyssal Chasm?

«And someone out there was watching you?»

«Yes.»

«…Was it one of the locals?»

«No.»

«…»

An outsider had been observing her?

His earlier embarrassment was instantly replaced by a cold prickle of alarm.

«And then what occurred?»

«They vanished.»

«…»

They had been watching her—and then disappeared.

That alone was sufficient to signal that something was amiss.

But—

«Why are you just telling me this now?»

Cheonma tilted her head, as if the question confused her.

«You didn’t ask.»

«…»

He closed his eyes, pressing his fingers against his eyelids.

‘I want to go back.’

For the first time in a very long while, he felt a genuine longing for Zhongyuan.