Childhood Friend of the Zenith Novel MTL - Chapter 926

Chapter 926

A broad grin stretched across my face as I exited the teahouse and made my way through the village.

“Perfect.”

My mood was excellent. I had finally solved the issue that had been preoccupying my thoughts for so long.

“As I suspected, it all came down to the order.”

Squish.

I raised a hand to feel the beast ears now sitting atop my head. They were surprisingly well-made, with a soft and pliable texture.

“This is actually quite good.”

It didn’t feel quite as permanent as when the turtle had first applied them, but this level of quality was sufficient.

What was more important than perfection was that I no longer had to fear them coming loose at a critical moment.

‘The turtle said they would hold for three days, right?’

He had warned that if I moved too vigorously within that period, they might come undone. That was precisely why I had taken the time to learn the method myself.

‘Given how things are unfolding, I will be needing this frequently. It would be a nuisance if it failed midway.’

To conclude matters swiftly, I needed full command of both the technique and the circumstances.
Immediately after my discussion with Shin Noya, I began analyzing the sorcery that had been cast on my body.

That process had taught me several things.
The core of this sorcery was anchored in the heart, while its influence extended throughout the entire body.
It was not merely about manifesting ears and a tail.

Unexpectedly, the energy was diffused across my whole form.

It wasn’t just about appending physical traits; it was more like generating a kind of shield.

Its purpose was not to expose, but to hide.
It was more concerned with erasing one’s presence.

‘It’s more complex than simply veiling one’s energy.’

How to explain it? While it did superimpose over the body, it went a step beyond—

‘Superimposing over the soul?’

It felt as though the sorcery was crafting a barrier directly onto the soul.
The ears and tail were only the surface elements.
Deeper, more complex layers and mechanisms were at work.

‘Initially, I couldn’t comprehend why such a measure was needed.’

But after investigating it thoroughly, I understood.
This wasn’t just necessary—it was absolutely vital.

Superimposing over the soul meant altering one’s fundamental nature.
This was not comparable to wearing a mask or employing Qi Translation Techniques.

This sorcery obscured the very core of one’s existence.

As I inspected and tested it, the reality became apparent.

‘…This is unbelievably advanced sorcery.’

Even for me, it was among the most difficult techniques I had ever encountered.
It required a full day just to comprehend the basics.

A full day.

‘Most things don’t take me more than a few hours.’

The fact that it took me an entire night merely to understand it was a testament to its intricacy.
For the first time, I felt a genuine sense of respect for the turtle.

‘Did he invent this himself?’

If he devised it rather than acquiring it from another, that would be truly admirable.
It also made me curious—

‘What is he, exactly?’

What sort of individual serves as an elder of the Mount Hua Sect, yet has no apparent connection to swordsmanship?
He doesn’t even reside within the sect, but instead operates a teahouse in the village.

It was perplexing.

‘I will have to pay him another visit someday.’

He possessed knowledge that I did not.
And since I required information on sorcery regardless, this was an ideal chance.

Naturally, there was no certainty the turtle would divulge anything.
But I had to attempt it.

‘I must deepen my understanding of sorcery.’

The more I examined it, the clearer it became.
If I intended to merge Nine Flames Firewheel with Tua Pacheonmu, I would require the power of sorcery.

This was an opportunity I could not let slip.
Eventually, I would have to press the turtle for answers.

As I walked, absorbed in my thoughts—

«Pardon me, Master Gu?»

«What?»

Gubong addressed me with hesitation.

«Where are we headed?»

At his question, I looked around. Now that he mentioned it, we had already left the village.

«Oh.»

Where were we going? I had been so deep in thought that I had momentarily forgotten.

«Good question. Where should we be going?»

When I asked Gubong for guidance, his face contorted with disbelief.

«…Why are you asking me?»
«Because you know the route, and I do not.»
«Shouldn’t you at least tell me your destination first?»
«I already have.»

I had stated it from the beginning.

«Yahwol Palace. That is our destination.»

At my words, Gubong’s eyes widened.

«Right now?»
«Yes, right now.»
«Immediately?»
«Immediately.»
«…»

Gubong’s expression twisted further. Returning to Yahwol Palace after just a single day?
His face showed utter disbelief, but I was completely serious.

Of course, I was serious.
If I weren’t, I wouldn’t bother bringing along someone as troublesome as him.

If speed were my only goal, it would be far more efficient to journey alone than to tolerate an disagreeable companion.

Yet I was willing to endure his presence.

Why?

‘Because he is necessary.’

In my estimation, Gubong was essential. Not only for the present, but for what was to come as well.

«So stop grumbling and lead the way.»

I spoke with clear annoyance, and Gubong bit his lip.
He seemed to want to argue, but instead, he simply began walking ahead.

«This way…»

He started to guide me, his steps heavy with reluctance.
Observing this, I smirked and asked,

«Finished complaining?»
«…»

Truthfully, I didn’t need to ask. In fact, asking was unwise.
It could be interpreted as taunting.

I was aware of all that, yet I asked anyway.

«I still have my objections. But if this is the Sect Leader’s will, I will simply obey.»
«Hmm.»

His reply carried a tone of near-blind loyalty to Shin Noya.
I had observed it before—it seemed almost pathological.

Should I remark on it? Or do something different?
I pondered it briefly, but I had already made up my mind.

«Fine, then.»

I chose to ignore it. There was no value in getting involved.
I didn’t particularly want to, either.

Whether he had always been this way or if it had intensified since my arrival, I didn’t care.

As long as it didn’t create any unnecessary difficulty for me, it was irrelevant.

I gestured forward and said,

«Lead the way.»

I had far too many pressing matters to waste time concerning myself with things like that.

*********

We stepped outside. Departing Mount Hua was simpler than anticipated.

Just as when we entered, sprinkling the powder allowed us to pass through unharmed.

Which implied—

‘Breaching the barrier earlier was clearly a mistake.’

There was a correct procedure, and interfering with it had been the root of the problem.

‘…Then why didn’t he just explain it beforehand?’

That mad old man. Would it be so difficult to provide an explanation before pushing me into a situation? Why does he always act first and clarify nothing?

I truly cannot comprehend him.

Sigh.

I released a long breath and continued walking. Outside, the sun was approaching its highest point, indicating it was nearly noon.

How long had we been walking?
As I had stated earlier, running was not an option, so we maintained a steady but moderate pace.

It felt as though we had been walking for an age.

‘I wish I could simply fly there.’

But I assumed there was a reason we couldn’t, so I pressed on in silence.

I hadn’t exchanged a single word with Gubong.
There had been no reason to.

Gubong kept his mouth shut and concentrated solely on guiding us.
I followed him, immersed in my own planning and thoughts.

‘How long will this take?’

How much time would be required to complete the plans I had set in motion?
And—

‘Even if it succeeds.’

Even if everything proceeds according to plan.
Even if I manage to return to Zhongyuan.

‘How much time will have passed there?’

Time flowed differently here and in Zhongyuan.
Even though I had only been here for a few months, Shin Noya had lived over a hundred years in this world.

I held onto the hope that not too much time had passed, but—

‘The sooner, the better.’

It was best to return as quickly as possible.
There was no time to waste lingering in this place.

Especially since—

‘Just being near Cheonma is problematic in itself.’

There were too many complications.
I had a mountain of unfinished business, and I had no intention of frittering time away here.

So I needed to prepare for my departure at the earliest opportunity.

But first—

‘I need to finish what I came here to do.’

I could not leave without fulfilling the promise I had made. It had caused some delays, but it was manageable.

After all, it was for Noya.

«…»

I scratched my cheek, lost in contemplation.

And then it occurred to me.

‘What about afterward?’

After helping Noya,
when everything was finished, and it was finally time to leave—

‘Is Noya coming with me?’

The thought arrived unexpectedly.
Ever since Noya had asked for my help the previous night, it had lingered in the back of my mind.

If Noya cared enough to make such a request, his ties to the Mount Hua Sect must run deep.

He had spent 150 years here.
Far more time than he had spent with me.

Perhaps even more than he had spent in Zhongyuan.

When all was said and done, would Noya leave Mount Hua to return to Zhongyuan with me?
The question hung in my thoughts.

‘Tch.’

The idea left a sour taste in my mouth.
I already had a strong feeling about what his answer would be.

Gritting my teeth, I pushed the thought from my mind.

At that moment—

«We have arrived,» Gubong announced abruptly.

I lifted my head.

«Ah, so we have.»

In the distance, Yahwol Palace came into view, exactly as I remembered it.

Without another word, we continued forward.
Soon, we found ourselves standing once more before the palace gates.

***********

The atmosphere at the entrance was noticeably quieter and more tense than during our previous visit.
The vibrant, bustling energy of the crowd was absent, replaced by a palpable air of vigilance and unease.

This was not surprising.

‘It must be the aftermath of yesterday’s incident.’

Given the chaos I had instigated, this reaction was to be expected.

What they probably had not anticipated was that I would return after just a single day.

«Who goes there?»

As we neared the gatekeepers, they raised their spears in a defensive posture.

They had appeared indifferent last time, but now they were sharp and alert.

«We are from Mount Hua.»
«…Mount Hua?»

At Gubong’s words, the gatekeepers’ expressions shifted.
They hesitated the instant they heard it.

It wasn’t solely because we were outsiders.
There was something more.

Noticing this, Gubong narrowed his eyes.

«Is there a problem—»
«Please wait here for a moment. Hey!»

The gatekeeper interrupted Gubong, quickly raising a hand to signal to someone in the distance.

Seeing this, Gubong’s face stiffened, recognizing that something was wrong.
In contrast, I smiled.

This was looking—

‘Perfect.’

It seemed everything was unfolding precisely as I had intended.