Childhood Friend of the Zenith Novel MTL - Chapter 920

Chapter 920

I lifted my gaze toward the heavens.
The sun was sinking, and dusk was slowly consuming the sky.

Come to think of it, I had observed this earlier—time in this place moved sluggishly.
By now, it ought to have been dark, yet the sun was only just beginning to vanish beyond the horizon.

“So, for true night to arrive…”

By my calculations, it would take approximately two more sijin (about four hours). Only then would darkness fully descend.

While waiting for the moon to appear, I used the time to verify several pieces of information. In the process, I uncovered a few intriguing details.

“Mount Hua? Where is that?”

“I believe I’ve heard the name… Did such a place truly exist?”

As it turned out, the majority of people had no idea where Mount Hua was located.

“You know those roaming sellswords, right? The swordsmen taking on miscellaneous work?”

“Ah, you mean those simpletons…”

“Hey, watch your words!”

Even those who were familiar with the name didn’t seem to hold it in high regard.

“Mercenaries?”

Something felt off, so I chose to investigate further. One of the questions that had been bothering me was finally clarified.

“What? Mercenaries? What does that mean?”

“Where are you from that you don’t know that?”

When they took note of my attire, their suspicious glances eased, and they nodded as if they had understood.

“Ah, you must be from Mount Hua or a similar place.”

When I asked how they knew, a man with deer-like ears replied as though it were common knowledge.

“Here in Yahwol Palace, only those from Mount Hua dress the way you do.”

I grasped that much, but I still didn’t see the connection between my clothing and their deduction. So, I pressed for more details.

“Well, Mount Hua handles the most mercenary work around Yahwol. We assumed you were a new recruit. Was that incorrect?”

I decided to play along for the time being.

The man pointed toward a large building in the distance.
It stood four stories high, and its architectural style was distinctly different from what was common in Zhongyuan.

I approached it cautiously, concealing myself and observing the structure rather than entering directly.

I could sense multiple presences inside. As I evaluated their movements, I concentrated my energy into my hearing.

“This time, as well…”
“Senior, that area requires attention…”
“Next time, we should also inform the sect master…”

That was sufficient. I withdrew my senses, seeing no value in listening further.

“That’s the place.”

Even from those brief fragments of conversation, it was clear they were second-class disciples occupied with miscellaneous duties.
What exactly they were doing, I couldn’t determine.

I wanted to look deeper, but for now, knowing the location was enough.

I turned and leaped onto the roof of a tall building.

From that vantage point, Yahwol Palace sprawled out before me, its lively streets glowing under the fading sunlight.

“Hmmm.”

Aside from Mount Hua’s reputation and the details I had gathered, I had learned a few other things.

The first was this:

“This territory is governed by a general named Yusa Sado.”

Beneath the Lord of All Things, there are four Generals, each ruling their own region. Yusa controls Yahwol Palace.

Under Yusa, there are four families, referred to as nobles.

The families are designated as White, Blue, Gold, and Black.

The White family was the one that wretched Baek Doryeong belonged to—the individual I had encountered earlier.

They oversee a portion of Yahwol Palace’s military forces and several commercial enterprises.

‘And that’s why they arranged a deal with Mount Hua to provide food at regular intervals.’

But that scoundrel Baek Doryeong had exploited the situation to commit vile acts. Despite already receiving the agreed-upon payment, he had refused to deliver the goods on the scheduled day unless extra compensation was provided.

Naturally, it was absurd and grounds for a dispute.

‘Yet it seemed as though that fool Baek Doryeong wanted them to protest.’

“Go on, argue about it. If you want to cancel the contract, I’ll even cover the penalty.”

His demeanor practically invited them to break the agreement.

It was as if he preferred it that way.

And then there was…

‘That bastard Gubong.’

The way he referred to him as “Moonlit Night” was also irritating. It implied a familiarity between them.

‘Looking at it that way, it seems there’s some kind of understanding between them…’

What was the nature of their connection? I didn’t look too deeply into it, as it didn’t appear especially significant.

If necessary, I could always extract the information from Gubong through torture later. That wouldn’t be difficult.

What mattered was this:

‘Is relying on this White family truly our only option for supplies?’

Judging by the tone of the situation, Mount Hua seemed to have fallen out of favor.

The fact that they endured such humiliation from Baek Doryeong yet couldn’t end the contract seemed to confirm it.

At least they had managed to secure an agreement here.
Which suggested the other families likely wouldn’t even consider negotiations.

‘Hmm…’

Narrowing my eyes, I pondered carefully.

‘What should I do?’

To be honest, I felt like dealing with this half-heartedly and moving on.

‘But it feels as though Noya was aware of all this and sent me anyway.’

That cunning old bastard probably anticipated the situation and dispatched me to investigate. Or perhaps even…

‘To resolve it.’

That sly, calculating old man.

And here I was, playing right into it.

‘But sorry to disappoint…’

I observed the shimmering buildings under the twilight and the bustling crowds.

‘I don’t believe I can manage this.’

Taking any significant action now would be excessive.

Dealing with Baek Doryeong already had consequences. Causing another major incident would only make things more complicated.

Looking toward the city entrance, I let out a soft laugh.

‘It’s not that complications might occur—they’re already underway.’

Where we had entered, a noticeable disturbance was unfolding.

“Halt! From this moment, no one is permitted to enter or exit!”

The guards, who had previously allowed free passage, were now blocking everyone.

I assumed this was to prevent Mount Hua from moving the food supplies.
It could be for another reason, but it hardly mattered.

I rose to my feet.

‘Alright, then.’

What should I do?
Should I simply walk away and return? That wouldn’t be too hard. Reporting what I had witnessed to Noya wouldn’t create any serious trouble.

But…

‘I share some blame in this.’

As much as Gubong’s words angered me, if I had controlled my temper, none of this would have happened.

So, turning a blind eye entirely felt… inappropriate.

‘Hmm.’

As I stood there deep in thought, a shout erupted from the east.

“Make way!”

“The family is approaching! Clear the path!”

Looking over, I saw a group of six individuals moving together.

They weren’t riding carriages or horses—just walking. Their destination appeared to be…

‘Where the Mount Hua disciples are gathered.’

That shabby building tucked away in a secluded alley—their designated meeting spot.

The flag they carried fluttered in the wind. I focused on its emblem.

‘That crest.’

A white fang painted on the fabric. I had seen it before—on Baek Doryeong’s clothing.

Recognizing it, I turned my attention to the person leading the group.

A massive man with white hair and an imposing build.

Rugged muscles, animal ears, and a tail—just like Baek Doryeong.

But…

‘He’s in an entirely different league.’

The aura this individual radiated was far beyond Baek Doryeong’s. It was like comparing the heavens to the earth.

Even when measured against Gubong, the disparity was evident.

‘Of everyone I’ve encountered here, he is among the most formidable.’

That might sound odd given my limited exposure, but his presence was simply that overwhelming.

And…

‘Is that him?’

Someone who resembled Baek Doryeong but emanated a far superior aura. The atmosphere and subtle pressure he exuded…

He had to be a figure of significance within the White family.
Perhaps even the family head.

‘If someone of that stature is heading in that direction…’

The intention was obvious.

This was the scenario Gubong had feared, and the one I had been expecting.

‘Hmm.’

Watching the situation unfold, I tilted my head slightly.

Now, what should I do?

‘Should I just make an appearance?’

That seemed somewhat reckless.

If handling Baek Doryeong caused this much disruption, confronting this individual could lead to catastrophe.

More importantly…

‘I may be wearing Mount Hua’s robes, but I am not truly a member of Mount Hua.’

Intervening further as a representative of Mount Hua would only create more complications.

‘In that case…’

After a brief moment of reflection, my eyes brightened.

‘Why not simply cease being associated with Mount Hua?’

If I have no affiliation, then what’s the issue?

Moreover…

‘An unidentified third party.’

That could work.

Smirking, I reached into my robes.

It seemed that after a long pause, things were finally about to become interesting.

*********

“Is this the place?”

Baek Wol, head of the White family, halted before a narrow alley.
At his words, the attendant behind him nodded nervously.

“…Yes. According to our reports, they have been frequently seen in this area.”
“Hmmm.”

Baek Wol grinned, baring his sharp fangs at the response.

Disgust welled up inside him instantly. The alley was dark and grimy.
Not only was it cluttered, but insects crept from the fractures in the deteriorating walls.

Foul and repulsive.

It was the perfect gathering place for vermin. Slowly, Baek Wol advanced deeper into the alley.

The ones he sought were here.
Unlike the lineage he served, they were incompetent, unsightly half-breeds.

‘Disgusting creatures.’

Those who lacked both strength and potential dared to harm his bloodline. Baek Wol found it ridiculous.

The nerve of such trash to injure someone of noble descent.
To make it worse, his foolish son had been defeated and shamed by one of them.

‘I will have to reconsider.’

As the firstborn, he had been grooming him for succession, but this event made him think twice.

If his heir was so weak he could be beaten by such lowlifes, it would be better to pass the title to another child.

That was the only logical path.
Only then could he avoid upsetting the General’s disposition.

As Baek Wol reflected, he reached out and touched the alley wall, lightly dragging his fingers across it.

Crunch!

With no effort whatsoever, his fingertips sank into the stone.

Crack! Crack-crack-crack!
As he continued walking, five deep gashes were left trailing behind him.
The marks resembled the savage scars left by a wild beast.

This was Baek Wol’s method of venting his fury.

The attendants behind him shuddered at the sight.

Whenever their master was in such a mood, entire groups had been torn apart until nothing remained but mangled flesh.

Today, someone would meet that same fate.
And that someone, it seemed, would be the people of Mount Hua.

The attendants were certain of it.

“…Hmmm?”

Baek Wol abruptly stopped in the middle of the alley.
At the same time, he pulled his hand away from the wall.

“Who’s there?”

Baek Wol’s blue eyes scanned the darkness ahead.
It was unnaturally gloomy. The sudden dimness felt foreign.

It wasn’t that light couldn’t reach that spot; it was as though an invisible boundary had been drawn, past which illumination could not pass.
What was this?

Despite the oddity, Baek Wol only responded with a savage chuckle.

“A petty trick.”

Grrrrr.

A low growl rumbled from Baek Wol’s throat.

“Is it Mount Hua? Are you people from Mount Hua?”

His blue eyes glinted, as if he were already sure of the answer.

“Do you know who I am, daring to obstruct my path? Show yourself immediately.”

With an overwhelming presence, Baek Wol clenched his fists, poised to demolish everything.
He raised his voice once more toward the shadows.

“I am the head of the White family, Baek—”

[Be silent.]

“…!”

A voice from the darkness interrupted him, and Baek Wol’s mouth clamped shut.
It wasn’t by his own volition. Startled, he touched his lips. What was this?

As Baek Wol stood in confusion, the voice spoke again.

[I was enjoying the quiet. Do not chatter so loudly.]

Step.

The sound of footsteps echoed, and a figure emerged from the gloom.

[I don’t care who you are.]

Baek Wol’s eyes narrowed as he examined the figure.
This wasn’t someone from Mount Hua.

The clothing was wrong.
The figure wore robes black as the void, without color or insignia.

Long black hair framed their face, with black ears and a tail identifying them as one of the Wolya tribe.

Beneath a fractured mask, a pair of luminous violet eyes were visible.

Seeing those eyes, Baek Wol’s grin disappeared.

“…Who are you…?”

The casual demeanor he had shown earlier vanished.
It couldn’t be helped. From this person…

‘What is this? I can’t sense anything.’

Not a trace of presence could be detected.
Was it even possible for someone to be so utterly devoid of aura or energy?

As Baek Wol’s expression contorted in bewilderment, the figure spoke.

[I am the darkness born of the heavens and the child of all realms.]

And then,

[I am Cheonma.]

At those words, murderous intent ignited in Baek Wol’s eyes.