Childhood Friend of the Zenith Novel MTL - Chapter 922

Chapter 922

«Where have you been?»

The instant I entered our quarters, Gubong was the first to approach, his question sharp and direct.
He wasn’t alone—the other disciples were also watching me with unsettled looks.

«Just took a short walk.»
«…Out of nowhere?»
«Yes.»
«…»

Gubong’s doubtful eyes remained fixed on me.
His disbelief was obvious, but it changed nothing.

What could he even do if he didn’t believe me?

«What are you all looking at? Don’t you have anything better to do? I doubt you can afford to stand around idly.»
«It’s all because of a certain someone…»
«What was that?»
«Nothing…»

Gubong’s face darkened as he trailed off.
Something was clearly bothering him.

«It’s good you’re back unharmed, but it seems we won’t be leaving this place for a while.»

His expression was serious.

«After the disturbance you caused with Baek Doryeong, the White family will have tightened security—»
«That won’t be a problem.»
«…What?»

My assured response made Gubong narrow his eyes.
How could it not be a problem?

«What are you talking about? Why do you say that…?»
«Oh, I caught some news during my stroll.»

I offered a slight smile at his bewildered look.

«Apparently, a major incident occurred outside.»
«…?»

Gubong tilted his head, perplexed.

*******

The streets of Yahwol Palace were in an uproar, more turbulent than ever.

«What’s happening?»
«How could this occur so suddenly…?»

«Haven’t you heard the news?»

Humanoids with beast-like traits huddled together, speaking in low, urgent voices.
Anxiety and tension were evident on every face.

It was unavoidable.

«I heard the Lord was assaulted.»
«What…? The Lord? Who would even attempt such a thing?»
«They say it was Lord Baek Wol.»
«What…?»

Among Yahwol Palace’s four great families, the White family was notorious for its brutality.

Lord Baek Wol, its chieftain, was feared for his moon-blessed ferocity. His savage and intimidating demeanor made even the most courageous tremble.

So the news of his attack left everyone in disbelief.

And there was more…

«Rumors say he was barely able to defend himself.»
«What? Lord Baek Wol was overpowered?»
«Exactly. And it wasn’t a surprise attack, either.»
«That can’t be…»

The gossip spread rapidly, sweeping through the district like a storm.

«Who could have done this?»
«One of the attendants mentioned a name. What was it again? Ah, yes.»

Cheonma.

«They said it was Cheonma.»
«Cheonma…? What is that…?»

As whispers filled the streets, Gubong’s brow furrowed deeply.

«This is…»

What in the world was happening?
The scene was bewildering, and Gubong struggled to make sense of it.

«…Lord Baek Wol was attacked without warning?»

Baek Wol, patriarch of the White family.

‘A pureblood fanatic with untamed hair and sharp blue eyes.’

That was the Baek Wol Gubong recalled.

«…A half-breed. Worthless.»

A low voice echoed in Gubong’s memory.
Long-buried recollections seemed to be resurfacing.

‘…Damn it.’

Clenching his fists, Gubong shook his head.
Why was he thinking of this now?

He had changed. He wasn’t that person anymore.

«You just ran away.»

«…»

Gu Yangcheon’s voice rang in his ears.
Gritting his teeth, Gubong shut his eyes tightly.

«Phew…»

His sigh was heavy and exhausted.
As his thoughts spiraled, a familiar voice snapped him back to reality.

«I already told you.»

Gubong flinched.

That voice—identical to the one from his memory—sent a cold shiver down his spine.

«Do you really have time to stand around doing nothing?»
«…»
«We should be moving. Unless I’m mistaken?»

At Gu Yangcheon’s pointed words, Gubong opened his eyes.
He was right.

‘…The situation has turned to our advantage.’

A noble had been beaten.
And not just any noble—one closely tied to the White family, central to their current troubles.

Baek Doryeong already held a grudge against Gubong. He had expected the earlier incident to be used against him.

‘But with this development…’

With their lord attacked and severely wounded, the White family would be too preoccupied to bother with minor disputes.

Even so, Gubong couldn’t shake a lingering unease.

‘…Could this really be a coincidence?’

The timing felt too perfect, as if arranged to clear their path.

«…Surely not.»

He stopped walking and glanced at Gu Yangcheon.
It couldn’t be, could it?

‘…Did he attack Baek Wol?’

Was it possible that he intentionally targeted Baek Wol to create this opening?
The idea crossed his mind, but…

‘Impossible.’

Gubong dismissed it immediately. That would be too extreme.
Baek Wol was the White family’s leader—a warrior of formidable strength.

‘Could this «honored guest» really have defeated him?’

And in such a short time? Gubong found it hard to believe.
Still…

‘…But what if?’

He couldn’t completely discard the possibility.

As he shot a wary look toward Gu Yangcheon…

«What are you staring at? Keep your eyes forward.»
«…»

Gu Yangcheon’s growl made Gubong instinctively turn away.
He flinched at his own reaction.

Why did he feel so intimidated?

His pride stung, but he didn’t dare meet Yangcheon’s gaze again.

Approaching the gates, the tension in the air was palpable.

«Move! We need to locate him!»
«No one is permitted to leave the vicinity!»

The guards, normally idle, were now alert and scanning the area with severe expressions.

Seeing this, Gubong frowned.

‘Like this… we won’t be able to exit.’

Even if not directly detained, the lockdown following the attack would restrict all movement.
Could they truly get out under these conditions?

As doubt filled Gubong’s mind, Gu Yangcheon stepped forward.

«Pardon me.»
«…!?»

Gubong stared in shock as Yangcheon addressed a guard.
The already agitated guard scowled at the interruption.

«What do you want?»
«I need to step outside for a moment. Is that possible right now?»

Yangcheon’s casual tone deepened the guard’s frown.

«Can’t you see what’s happening? Of course you can’t—»
«Ah, come now, be reasonable.»

Before the guard could finish, Yangcheon slipped something into his hand.
The guard’s expression shifted instantly.

«…Hmph.»
«We have a valid contract, and our supplies are loaded. Surely we can be on our way?»
«…Contract? Wait, you’re from… Ah.»

Noticing something, the guard studied Yangcheon’s robes.

«You’re from Mount Hua? Here for the provisions?»
«Correct. Our business is concluded. May we pass?»
«Well, even so… protocol requires—»
«Let’s not be too strict about it.»

«Where did you get that money?»

As Gu Yangcheon passed another «token of appreciation» to the guard, the man’s resistance faded completely.

«…Ahem…»

The guard’s resolve broke, and he subtly moved aside, gesturing toward the exit.

«—Make it quick.»

Then he turned his attention elsewhere, pretending not to notice.
It was a silent signal to hurry through.

«All done.»

Gu Yangcheon smirked, waved to the disciples, and motioned for them to follow.

«Let’s go.»

The sudden resolution left Gubong speechless.

«What just happened? How did that work?»

Pulling the cart through the gates, the disciples wore dazed expressions.

«How did we even manage to get out?»

Watching their confusion, Gu Yangcheon spoke up.

«We’re out. That’s what matters. Why are you all just standing there?»

«…But, Sir. How did you pull this off…?»

At Gubong’s question, Gu Yangcheon clicked his tongue.

«No door stays closed if you ask the right way.»
«…That’s nonsense.»

If the world worked like that, nothing would ever go wrong. Gubong objected firmly, but Gu Yangcheon only grinned.

«That’s because you don’t know how to ask properly.»
«What does that—?»
«You fool. Kindness isn’t about manners. It’s this.»

Gu Yangcheon rubbed his thumb and forefinger together.

«Money.»

If the world seems unkind, it’s because you lack enough money.
Gu Yangcheon had bribed the guard.

«…”

Gubong’s face twisted in disbelief.

«So… you bribed him?»
«Bribe? Call it a gesture of goodwill.»
«That’s just—»

Gubong started to argue but stopped himself.
Fine. It worked. The bribe worked, but…

«…Where did you get the money?»

How did Gu Yangcheon have money to bribe the guard?
As far as Gubong knew, he carried no money. He hadn’t even known about Yahwol Palace until recently.

«Did you steal it?»

Gu Yangcheon’s brows furrowed.

«What nonsense is this, you fool? Steal? Who do you think I am?»
«…»
«…Why aren’t you denying it? Damn it!»
«…»

Gubong stayed silent, unsure whether Gu Yangcheon was joking or serious.

«Then you didn’t steal it…?»
«Do you want me to hit you?»
«…»

If he didn’t steal it, where did the money come from?

«Tsk. I obtained it properly. Don’t worry—it won’t cause any trouble.»

Gu Yangcheon clicked his tongue and strode ahead.

Though Gubong still looked suspicious, he let it go.

It wasn’t stolen, nor taken by force.

The truth was…

‘I made it.’

Using his abilities, Gu Yangcheon had fabricated the currency.
He’d examined the local coinage and replicated it.
It wasn’t difficult, though slightly tedious due to differences from Zhongyuan’s coins.

He’d handed the counterfeit money to the guard and walked away.

‘By now, it’s probably gone.’

The money would have dissolved over time.
The guard was likely in a panic, thinking he’d lost it or been tricked.

‘Anyway, we’re out.’

Glancing back, the grand walls of Yaweolgung receded into the distance.

‘…But I’ll likely have to come back here someday.’

The thought crossed his mind, but he continued onward.

*******

Flicker.

A dim lantern cast faint light down a dark corridor.
A man in charred black robes rushed forward, his lips pressed tight with urgency.

Stopping before a large door, he caught his breath and wiped sweat from his brow.

Knock, knock.

He rapped cautiously on the door.

No answer came.

Knock, knock.

He knocked again, more firmly.
When silence persisted, he raised his hand once more, but…

«Who is it?»

A dry, rasping voice emerged from behind the door.

The man swallowed nervously before answering.

«It’s Yeom Eon, my Lord. I bring urgent news…”
«Enter.»

Creeeak—!

Before Yeom Eon could move, the door swung open on its own.
He hadn’t touched it.

Steeling himself, he stepped forward on unsteady feet.

As he entered, the light vanished.

Darkness enveloped him, leaving only the faint shape of a table ahead.
Seated there was a shadowy figure.

The figure was draped in black, so thoroughly shrouded that not even its face was visible.

Yeom Eon didn’t try to see.
He immediately knelt, avoiding any direct look.

The figure radiated an aura of absolute darkness.
Staring too long would risk being consumed by it.

«What is it?»

The shadow’s voice cut the silence.

Suppressing a tremble, Yeom Eon answered.

“…The White family’s leader has been assaulted and is now confined to his bed.”
«Hmm?»

The shadow sounded intrigued.

«Baek Wol?»
«Yes… that is correct.”
«By whom?»

More than the attack itself, the shadow seemed interested in the perpetrator.

“…The attacker remains unidentified.”

The air wavered slightly.
The Lord’s displeasure was clear.

Sensing the shift, Yeom Eon quickly added.

«B-but that is not the primary concern.”

The air stilled—not calm, but waiting.

«Today… a member of the White family’s bloodline was also harmed.”
«By ‘bloodline,’ you mean that fool?»

The incompetent noble whose name wasn’t worth remembering.

«Yes, my Lord.”
«And?”
«Well… it appears the first heir is implicated in some way.”

Vwoom.

«Urk…!!»

Yeom Eon clutched his chest as the air twisted violently around him.

«Is that so?»

The shadow’s words were calm, but…

«Interesting.»

A faint undercurrent of fury was unmistakable.