Childhood Friend of the Zenith Novel MTL - Chapter 924

Chapter 924

Of course. Here is the paraphrased chapter.

***

«You have returned.»
«I greet the Sect Leader….»

Upon our return to the Mount Hua Sect, Shin Noya was already there to meet us.
The disciples immediately bowed with deep respect the moment they saw him.

«You have done well.»
«Ugh…»

Shin Noya gave a slight nod, a faint smile on his face.
For some reason, that overly gentle expression irritated me.

«It is late. Leave the clearing up for tomorrow and go rest.»
«Sect Leader…»

At the mention of rest, Gubong took a small step forward. It was clear he wished to speak, but—

«Rest. I will hear the full account from the one behind you later.»

Shin Noya pointed at me as he said this.
Hearing that, Gubong’s eyes went wide.

«Sect Leader, but the report—»
«The report can wait until tomorrow. Go now.»
«However…»
«Go.»
«…»

At Shin Noya’s firm tone, Gubong bit his lip.
He clearly had more to say, but—

«…Understood.»

He swallowed his words and bowed his head in acceptance.

«Dismissed.»

At his command, the disciples bowed and began to scatter.
Even as he left, Gubong kept throwing glances back at Shin Noya and me.

Especially at me.
His expression was unmistakable.

He wanted something from me. Judging by that look, it was most likely—

‘He’s praying I won’t speak of what occurred. That has to be it.’

It was obvious.
He was all but begging me with his eyes to keep quiet.

‘And why would I do that?’

A man pulling a face like that? It had no effect on me.

Naturally,
I planned to tell everything.

«Come with me.»

Shin Noya spoke as he turned to go inside.
Seeing him leave, I looked over at Cheonma.

«Go and wait somewhere.»

I gave no specific location, but Cheonma offered a small nod and vanished.

*******

The room was dark. Not a single source of light was lit.
The space felt chilly and utterly still.

This could mean only one thing.

‘This old man has been outside the entire time.’

Shin Noya hadn’t been waiting indoors—he had been standing outside all along.

I snapped my fingers.

Snap!
*Whoosh!* A flame sparked to life at once, illuminating the room.

«Why sit in the dark? Trying to save on lamp oil?»

I teased him, pretending not to know, and Shin Noya let out a short cough.

«I simply could not be bothered.»

His expression made it plain he had been found out. I let it go.

We both knew the truth, but neither of us acknowledged it.
I casually took a seat on the edge of the desk.

Curiously, tea was already set out, as if he had anticipated I would come.

We sat in silence for a moment, drinking our tea—

«So,» Shin Noya began,
«What is your assessment?»

My assessment? What was that supposed to mean?
Of course, no explanation was needed.
This sly old fox was sure I already knew what he meant.

Annoyingly, he was correct.

«It was absolute rubbish.»

I answered truthfully.
Shin Noya’s face contorted into a ridiculous scowl at my reply.

«That is one hell of a report.»
«Apologies, but after today, it is difficult to mind my language.»
«…»

Shin Noya looked faintly embarrassed.
It seemed even he was aware he shared some blame.

«Still… was it not effective?»
«‘Effective,’ nothing. If I endure that twice, I will drop dead.»
«Hahaha.»

Normally, a punch would have flown my way by now, but Shin Noya only laughed.
After a brief chuckle, his expression turned solemn.

«I am sorry.»

Hearing that, my eyes widened.
This old man was apologizing?

It was unexpected.
And, to be honest, it made me somewhat uncomfortable.

«…Forget it.»

I replied awkwardly, feeling strangely off-balance.

«Why apologize? It does not suit you.»
«As I said, I believed this was the fastest method.»

I clicked my tongue at his words.
I could understand his reasoning, to a degree.

Having experienced it myself, I could see his point. But still—

‘Even so.’

I could not shake the feeling that Shin Noya had been uncharacteristically hasty.
To be precise—

‘It is not like him.’

This was not the Shin Cheol I knew. It had been bothering me since earlier.
Perhaps that was why I kept wanting to steer the conversation elsewhere.

«Let it be…. You have something else you wish to know, do you not?»

At my words, Shin Noya nodded.

The reason he had sent me in the first place.
It was not merely to learn more of this world. There was another purpose, one I was already aware of.

And so—

«When I first went to the place known as Yahwol Palace,»

I slowly began to recount what Shin Noya was curious about.

*******

The account was not long.
I kept it as brief as I could, so it concluded after just one cup of plum tea.

«…»

Shin Noya sat in silence, deep in thought.

Was it because the events matched what he had expected?
Or perhaps they were somewhat more tangled than he had anticipated.
Maybe there was another reason entirely.

I watched him quietly.
His pensive demeanor reminded me of myself in some small way.

It was not about our looks, but for some reason, the thought occurred to me.

‘…Or perhaps.’

Perhaps I subconsciously wished to be like him.

«I see,» Shin Noya finally said.
«So, that is how it was.»

His expression held both understanding and a trace of complication.
I remained silent, waiting for him to continue.

After all—

‘I already know what he will say.’

At this juncture, there was only one thing left for him to say to me.

After a brief pause,

«Yangcheon.»

Shin Noya spoke my name.
My ears pricked up, and I frowned.

-Yangcheon.

Normally, Shin Noya called me “kid.”
For him to use my name was almost unheard of. It carried significant weight.

«If you would do me a favor—»
«Do not.»

I cut him off.

As I said before, I already knew what Shin Noya wished to ask of me.
Ever since I entered Yahwol Palace and grasped the situation, I had known.

In that case—

«Do not apologize, and do not ask for favors.»

Would Shin Noya be any different?

Did he believe I was unaware of what he was about to request?
I did not think so.

«None of that is necessary. Just continue being who you are.»

«…»

It was aggravating to see that old man, who obviously knew everything, behaving so remorseful and asking for special treatment.

I let out a short laugh and spoke.

“The man with the worst temper in the world, acting so sheepish? What is wrong with you?”
“…What did you just say, you little brat?”

Shin Noya’s face twisted into an incredulous expression at my words. Seeing this, I stood up.

“I will manage it myself. It was not as if I was delighted about it anyway… and it appears to be necessary if we are to return.”

The first part was sincere; the second was a lie.
Necessary to return? I did not truly believe that.

It might be slightly connected, but that was all.

But still—

“So, straighten up. Seeing you play the weakling is disgusting.”

I hated watching that old man pretend to be vulnerable.

“I am leaving.”

Without another word, I grabbed the door and stepped out.
As I did—

“Thank you.”

Shin Noya’s voice reached me.
Once again, I did not respond.

 

*******

Every time I sleep, I remember that moment.

Decades ago, on a night of endless, pouring rain.
Hiding among the trees, barely sheltered from the downpour, trying to conceal my tears within the water streaming down my face.

-Huuu… huu….

I crouched down, clutching my stomach.
My body ached, and I was exhausted. I could not even cry properly; I was too hungry and drained.
What was I to do? My mind was utterly blank.

-Huuu…

Would I simply die here?
The terror of being abandoned and left to die was overwhelming, yet I began to resign myself to it.

Ah.

It would not matter if I died like this.

No one would remember me anyway.
Not my father, not my siblings, not anyone who had ever known me.

I would crumble into the earth and be forgotten.
I was worthless.

So, it would be fine.
I crushed my own will to live and told myself this.

-I want to live…

Then I crumpled my face and wept.

-Please, save me…

Even so, I wanted to live. I desperately wanted to survive.
Shaking violently, I sobbed on the edge of death.

-Good grief.

That was when I heard a voice in front of me.
Startled, I froze.

I grew instantly wary. Were they here to kill me?
Terrified, I tensed up, but—

-Unlucky little thing.

What stood there was an old man in worn, tattered clothes.
An elderly man with silver hair and crimson eyes.

His gaze was fierce, and he cradled a strange object in his arms.
It was round, shimmering with a reddish-purple light. At first glance, it resembled a jewel.

-I came because I thought there was something interesting about a black-haired kid. Guess I should not have bothered.

The old man clicked his tongue and looked at me. I stared back, bewildered. Was he not here to kill me?
As I began to wonder—

-You there. Did you not say you sensed something worth investigating? You lunatic. Do you believe every black-haired child is the one we seek? You said he would be remarkable, but this one is useless.

The old man suddenly started speaking to the empty air.
Witnessing this, my terror only grew.

Ah, I see. He is a madman.
Once I realized that, I began to notice details I had missed before.

‘…His ears.’

The old man lacked the distinctive ears or tail I had seen on others.
What was he? He was a species I had never encountered.

‘Could he be…?’

Could he be the monster my mother spoke of—the one that comes for you when you are near death?
Was I about to die?

As the thought crossed my mind, I reached out with a tiny hand.
My small fingers clutched the hem of the old man’s ragged trousers.

-Hmm?

The old man glanced down, startled.

-Save me…
-What?
-Save me… Please… I want to live…

I sobbed.
Unable to hold back any longer, I cried until even the tears I thought were spent began to flow once more.

-Ha…

The old man let out a hollow laugh.

-I am in no position to care for anyone.

His voice was full of annoyance. And yet—

-Black hair, huh? That is rare.

The old man eventually placed a hand on my head and said,

-…Is this fate? Or is there something you are after?

He spoke as if he did not know the answer himself, then sighed and asked me,

-Child, what is your name?
-…

My name.
Hearing the question, I clammed up, afraid I would be abandoned if I answered.

-…I do not know.

That was all I could manage to say.
It was a strange answer to give anyone, but—

-I see.

The old man did not seem to care and said something else.

-Should I give you one?
-…

I nodded. I did not have the right to refuse.

-Hmm… Let me see.

After a moment of thought, the old man clapped his hands and said,

-Ah, I was looking for someone, and this happens. His surname was… Gu. And a name that means you will not be a fool… Gubong. Yes, from now on, you are Gubong.

That was the moment the boy received the name Gubong.
And the moment Gubong was saved by the old man.

«…»

The memory faded, and Gubong opened his eyes.
He sat up immediately.

“…Phew.”

He released a long sigh. Perhaps because of everything that had happened the day before, he had dreamed of his past—something he had not done in a very long time.

It was not a memory to be forgotten, but dreaming of it now felt unpleasant.

Because it was also connected to the person the Sect Leader was always waiting for.

Gubong frowned.

«…Damn it.»

He cursed under his breath, his thoughts drifting to the guest staying at Mount Hua.

Just as Gubong scowled and muttered—

«Why the harsh words as soon as you wake? Did you have a bad dream?»
«It was not a nightmare, just… huh?»

Gubong’s eyes widened at the voice.
A voice he should not be hearing.

He quickly turned his head. There—

«Good morning.»

The Sect Leader’s guest, the very person occupying Gubong’s thoughts, was standing there.

«Are you awake?»

Gu Yangcheon greeted him with a smile.

«…What in the…?»

Gubong was utterly bewildered by the bizarre situation. Then—

«Now then, let us get to work.»
«Ugh!?»

Gu Yangcheon suddenly seized Gubong by the collar and hauled him to his feet.
It all happened in an instant.