Childhood Friend of the Zenith Novel MTL - Chapter 911

Chapter 911

Gu Yangcheon turned from the path leading to the village and made his way back to Shin Noya.

Though he had other business to handle, this new development had abruptly taken priority.

«Hm?»

Shin Noya narrowed his eyes as he saw Gu Yangcheon approaching once more.

«Didn’t you flee earlier?»

He was standing near Seol Yeong, the human with feline traits, as they dealt with the unconscious disciples. In truth, Seol Yeong was doing all the work while Shin Noya merely observed.

«It wasn’t fleeing. It was a strategic withdrawal.»

«A creative justification, I’ll give you that.»

Shin Noya chuckled, seemingly amused. At the very least, he wasn’t attempting to strike him again.

«After such a dignified retreat, what brings you back? Weren’t you occupied?»

«I was. However…»

Gu Yangcheon shot an irritated glance at Cheonma. His original task in the village had been interrupted because of her.

«I overheard something peculiar and felt I should verify it immediately.»

«Hm?»

Shin Noya tilted his head at the statement, prompting Gu Yangcheon to continue.

«She wandered outside yesterday and claims to have witnessed something odd.»

Shin Noya shifted his gaze to Cheonma.

«Odd in what way?»

Gu Yangcheon answered for her.

«She insists someone was observing her before vanishing entirely. It struck me as suspicious.»

«Someone was watching her, then disappeared?»

Shin Noya’s frown deepened, his demeanor turning grave.

«Where did this happen?»

«She said it was just outside this area.»

«…Outside?»

«Correct.»

Hearing this, Shin Noya and Seol Yeong exchanged a look, a silent understanding passing between them.

«Did she see what they looked like?»

Shin Noya asked the question with clear purpose.

‘He already has someone in mind,’ Gu Yangcheon deduced, recognizing the implication. He answered plainly.

«Brown hair. Wearing a black mask.»

«…!»

«Ah…»

Seol Yeong’s eyes widened in surprise, while Shin Noya let out a sharp breath.

«Sect leader…»

Seol Yeong addressed Shin Noya cautiously, who responded with a grim nod.

«It’s Yarang.»

«Yarang?»

Gu Yangcheon’s interest was piqued. Shin Noya had recognized the name instantly.

«Noya, who is Yarang?»

Gu Yangcheon pressed for an explanation, and Shin Noya straightened up to provide one.

«There is a woman rumored to be omnipresent—her eyes and ears are sharper than any other.»

«Could you phrase that in a way I might actually comprehend?»

«Hmm.»

Shin Noya stroked his beard thoughtfully before continuing.

«She goes by numerous titles, but the one she uses for herself is Yarang. To be more precise…»

His expression shifted, his tone now carrying a distinct edge of annoyance.

«She is known as the ‘Eyes of the Abyssal Chasm.'»

*********

After hearing Shin Noya’s explanation, Gu Yangcheon soon found himself following him to another location.

The distance wasn’t great, and it coincidentally aligned with where Gu Yangcheon had initially meant to go—the lively village near the Mount Hua Sect.

While he didn’t mind returning to the area, he wondered, Why here?

‘What prompted him to bring me back to this place?’

Despite his confusion, Gu Yangcheon remained silent and followed. After walking for nearly an hour, Shin Noya finally halted.

«…What is this place?»

Gu Yangcheon frowned as he looked around. It wasn’t what he had anticipated.

«A teahouse?»

Before them stood a teahouse emanating a fragrant aroma. Though outwardly simple, its structure possessed a subtle elegance.

Even someone like Gu Yangcheon, who had little appreciation for aesthetics, found it strangely appealing.

«Indeed. Let’s go inside.»

«…You’re serious? This is where you brought me?»

«Not exactly.»

Disregarding Gu Yangcheon’s skepticism, Shin Noya entered the building. After a moment’s hesitation, Gu Yangcheon followed.

*Creeeak.*

The door opened with a distinctive sound, and they stepped through.

‘Hm?’

Something felt immediately unusual.

The interior was tidy and refined, filled with the calming scent of tea. The tables and decorations radiated a warm, serene atmosphere.

But—

‘Why does it feel so immense inside?’

The interior space was unnervingly vast, far exceeding what the building’s exterior should have allowed.

‘What is this strange feeling?’

Gu Yangcheon glanced at Cheonma, who was also surveying their surroundings with a curious expression that mirrored his own unease.

«Noya, what exactly is this place…»

Before he could finish—

«Turtle.»

Shin Noya called out with clear irritation, staring into empty space.

«We have a problem. Get out here. Now.»

«Who are you talking to, Noya?»

Gu Yangcheon heightened his senses, searching for any presence other than their own. He detected nothing.

Yet Shin Noya ignored him and continued shouting into the void.

«Turtle!»

His voice grew louder, but there was still no response.

«Are you really playing games at a time like this?»

Shin Noya narrowed his eyes and reached out with his hand.

*Sssshh—*

«…!»

The sword at Gu Yangcheon’s side suddenly flew into Shin Noya’s grasp, transforming into its bladed form.

‘That damn sword.’

It infuriated Gu Yangcheon how the weapon always answered its former owner’s call.

Oblivious to—or unconcerned with—Gu Yangcheon’s anger, Shin Noya raised his aura.

*RUMBLE…!*

«…!!»

The oppressive pressure was immense. Gu Yangcheon’s body instinctively recoiled, his own energy flaring up defensively against the crushing force. It was a primal reaction, beyond his conscious control.

‘This is insane…’

The sheer weight of Shin Noya’s aura was unlike anything Gu Yangcheon had ever felt. Merely standing near it threatened to make his body buckle.

«This is your final warning. If you aren’t visible by the time I finish counting to three, I will dismantle this place.»

Shin Noya’s voice was sharp as a blade, his intent unmistakable. Blossoms of plum energy swirled around him, carrying an uncharacteristically violent edge.

«Three…»

The sword in his hand hummed with power.

«One…»

Just as Shin Noya prepared to swing—

«I simply don’t understand you.»

A new voice rang out from nearby.

«How does three become one? Did you never learn to count properly?»

«You’ve decided to show up.»

Shin Noya smirked as his aura vanished.

‘Is this the Turtle he mentioned?’

Gu Yangcheon turned toward the source of the voice, curious about the nickname.

‘…It really is a turtle.’

Gu Yangcheon understood immediately.

It was, quite literally, a turtle—or more accurately, a humanoid with the appearance of a turtle.

‘At this point, nothing can surprise me anymore.’

Wolves, cats, dogs—he’d seen them all. What was one more?

«And why, pray tell, are you causing such a disruptive scene all of a sudden?»

The old man referred to as the Turtle spoke in a dry, raspy voice, glaring at Shin Noya.

«Shouldn’t you have emerged when I called for you politely the first time?»

«And would I have emerged if you hadn’t made such a spectacle?»

«I was already on my way the moment the door opened, you impudent brat. Do you have any idea how difficult it is for these old knees to move… nghh…»

The Turtle dragged a chair over and sat down heavily.

‘…What in the world?’

Gu Yangcheon blinked. Had that chair been there a moment ago? He was certain it hadn’t.

«Ah, my back…»

The Turtle groaned as he settled, then turned to Shin Noya.

«So, what urgent matter brings you here, you wretched youngster?»

«I thought you might at least offer tea, seeing how long it’s been. You’re unbelievably stingy.»

«Tea is reserved for proper guests. I don’t waste it on delinquents like you.»

«Oh…»

Gu Yangcheon couldn’t suppress a sound of admiration. The remark resonated with him profoundly. Calling Shin Noya a delinquent felt immensely satisfying.

«…»

«Ahem.»

The glare from Shin Noya made it clear that Gu Yangcheon’s approval had been too audible, but he pretended not to notice.

«I don’t need tea. That’s not why I came.»

«Then why are you here?»

The Turtle’s tone suggested he would much prefer if Shin Noya left, but the latter showed no intention of doing so.

«You know perfectly well why I’m here.»

«I haven’t the faintest idea. Old age has weakened my hearing of late…»

«Three—»

«Wait, wait! I heard you perfectly well that time.»

The Turtle hurriedly cut him off before Shin Noya could unleash more chaos, muttering curses under his breath.

«You miserable wretch,» he added with a glare.

Shin Noya smirked, clearly enjoying himself.

«It’s time to work, Turtle. You’ve rested long enough. Get moving.»

At these words, the Turtle’s wrinkles seemed to deepen.

«Didn’t we have an agreement, Sect Leader? I only work once per quarter. It hasn’t even been a month. This is a breach of our contract.»

«That was our agreement, yes. But Turtle, you’re aware of the situation, aren’t you?»

Shin Noya planted Eternal Bind into the floor like a walking stick.

«With the barrier compromised, you’re the only one who can repair it. If it remains damaged, it won’t just be my problem—it will become yours as well.»

‘Barrier?’

What barrier was he talking about? Gu Yangcheon was about to ask when Shin Noya spoke again.

«Yarang has taken notice.»

The Turtle tilted his head slowly, considering this.

«If there’s a problem, we must relocate before it’s too late.»

«…Hmm.»

The Turtle made a thoughtful face, though the agonizing slowness of his movements was frustrating to watch.

«Turtle.»

«It remains a breach of contract. Therefore, I have a condition.»

Shin Noya frowned at the response.

«A condition…?»

«Indeed. While you are correct that the issue could eventually concern me, it is not solely my problem, is it? You know that as well as I do, Sect Leader…»

«…»

Shin Noya said nothing, a silent admission that the Turtle had a point.

«Therefore, I have a demand.»

«Name it.»

«Permit me to sell plum tea in the village for one full year.»

‘Huh?’

Gu Yangcheon blinked. Plum tea? Out of nowhere?

‘Ah, right. This is a teahouse.’

It wasn’t a completely irrational request, given the setting, but it felt oddly specific.

Shin Noya’s reaction made it even stranger.

«Naturally! You’ve been plotting this all along, haven’t you?»

Shin Noya looked genuinely exasperated. Why was he so agitated over plum tea?

«That is my price. I will not negotiate.»

The Turtle’s resolve was firm. Shin Noya, visibly conflicted, deliberated before finally responding.

«A year is too much. Three months.»

«Such a paltry offer for a breached contract. Nine months.»

«The sheer volume makes that impossible. The most I can permit is six months.»

«Hmm.»

The Turtle tilted his head from side to side, as if carefully weighing the proposal.

«Six months… six months, you say…»

After a long pause, he finally nodded.

«Very well. Six months it is.»

«Ugh…»

«It was a fair deal, Sect Leader.»

Looking pleased, the Turtle rose from his seat.

Shin Noya, on the other hand, clenched his fist in what appeared to be defeat.

«Dammit…»

«…»

Gu Yangcheon could only stare in bewilderment at the bizarre negotiation.

At that moment, the Turtle suddenly paused and turned to him.

«Ah, that reminds me.»

He pointed at Gu Yangcheon with his staff and asked,

«What is that monster?»

«…»

The old Turtle had just called him a monster, with absolutely no attempt at tact.