Childhood Friend of the Zenith Novel MTL - Chapter 932

Chapter 932

Returning to Mount Hua alongside Gubong and Cheonma appeared to be the most sensible plan for the moment. There was no other urgent destination, and as events had unfolded more favorably than expected, there was no reason to linger any longer.

Besides, I knew I would have to go back eventually anyway.

Click.

I became aware of the small plaque shifting in my pocket. It was the token given to me by the leader of that group known as the Black Sect.

He had claimed that possessing this would make travel to and from Yahwol Palace far simpler.

Merely acquiring this was a significant advantage. More importantly, it served as a symbol of their willingness to hear me out.

“At least the initial phase was a success.”

Employing Gubong had proven an effective tactic to build a base of operations. I had theorized a link between him and the nobility, and indeed, Gubong’s history was substantial.

“But that’s separate.”

The true surprise lay elsewhere.

“The leader of that place…”

The man known as the White Sect’s leader, Baek Wol, was utterly insignificant compared to this individual.

“Strong.”

His method of veiling his presence, clouding his environment, and casting illusions was extraordinary. Yet that wasn’t all—the man I confronted directly possessed a depth of power I had not predicted.

“I couldn’t get a proper measure of him.”

How formidable was he?
What quantity of strength was he concealing?
My inability to discern it pointed to a single conclusion:

He was immensely powerful. The piercing sharpness in his eyes and the crushing pressure of his aura were far from ordinary.

Had it escalated into a mortal confrontation…

“Hmmm…”

Even in speculation, I couldn’t foresee the result.
It meant I was uncertain of victory or defeat.

“Absolutely distinct from Baek Wol.”

Against Baek Wol, I felt I only needed to bide my time until nightfall to seize the upper hand.
But with this one, he radiated danger even before dusk had fallen.

Which suggested…

“If night falls?”

Should he grow stronger under the cover of night, the probability of my defeat would only rise.

“Hmmm…”

I scowled, weighing my choices.
I was lost in contemplation when…

“What are you doing sitting there so idly? Get out this instant!”

A voice jolted me back to the present.

I glanced up to find the old tortoise glowering at me.

Clicking my tongue, I retorted, “Why are you so determined to eject me? I haven’t even finished a single cup of tea.”

“There’s a large sign outside stating we are closed to visitors, and yet you forced your way in here anyway!”

The tortoise gripped his staff, appearing utterly exasperated by my boldness.

Whack!

“Guh!”

A sharp pain bloomed on the crown of my head as his staff made contact. I rubbed the sore spot, shooting him a glare.

“You claim you’re not open, yet you provided tea regardless,” I stated, motioning to the steaming cup before me.

The tortoise shot me a look of pure irritation.

“And who was it that threatened to cause a disturbance if they weren’t served tea?”
“Well, you served it to me in the end, didn’t you? Last time, you simply threw me out.”

I recalled perfectly how he had brandished his staff and ejected me from the premises. If he was so opposed to my presence, he could have done the same again.

But instead, he grimaced and held his tongue.

What’s this? Does he actually not mind me being here?

Maybe he was the sort who complains incessantly but looks after things in secret?

It didn’t seem likely… but one could never tell.

“Fine,” the tortoise sighed, a sound of profound weariness.

“If you have no business, finish your tea and go.”
“Come now.”

I smiled and replied, “Would I be here if I had no business? I don’t even care for tea.”

“…”

The tortoise’s already deeply wrinkled forehead creased even further.

“Then why have you come?”

He questioned my purpose, his tone cutting.

I drained the teacup in one swallow and said, “Elder, there is a matter I must attend to, and I have a question for you.”

“No.”
“I haven’t even stated what it is yet.”
“It makes no difference. I have nothing to say to you.”

The immediate refusal left me momentarily speechless.
The tortoise was perceptive. His expression indicated he already knew what I intended to ask.

“Damn.”

I gave an awkward chuckle and tried once more.

“Elder, please don’t be so quick to refuse.”
“I might help others, but I will not help you.”
“Why not?”
“Because I have no desire to.”

I wished to learn sorcery, but the tortoise dismissed the notion outright, waving his nearly fingerless hand in refusal.

“Elder—”
“Don’t attempt to coax me with that unpleasant face of yours. It only serves to irritate me further.”
“…”

That one hurt a little.

I fell silent, and the tortoise looked at me, then spoke again.

“You should not venture into this territory.”

“‘This territory’ meaning… sorcery?”

He believed I should avoid involvement with sorcery?

“Why shouldn’t I?”

When I asked, the tortoise slammed his hand on the table and said,

“This world has already granted you far too much favor, but the catastrophes it would summon are more than I can endure.”

“What is that supposed to mean?”

I glared at him, frustrated by his cryptic words.

The tortoise tilted his head as if considering a puzzle.

“I’ve thought this since before—it is peculiar.”
“What is?”
“For a person of your stature, you should not be this… uninformed.”
“…What?”

Was he calling me ignorant?

“You can’t just say that to someone’s face!”
“No… It is strange. For someone of your standing, this is not how it should be. Unless—ah.”

The tortoise stared at me as though he had just uncovered a truth.

Then—

Buzz.

The tortoise’s eyes, shadowed by his heavy brows, began to emit a faint light.

Whoosh!

“…!”

An alien sensation washed over my body. My heart hammered, and energy churned wildly inside me.

It felt as if my entire being was shrouded in an external presence attempting to invade. I instinctively pushed back, and the feeling receded.

“Hmm.”

“What was that just now?”

I knew the tortoise had acted, but I didn’t comprehend what.

He observed me, his frown deepening.

“Ah, so that is the reason.”

“What reason? Stop deducing things on your own and explain!”

“I understand now. You are not merely being restrained—you are also being concealed.”

“…What?”

I had no idea what he was talking about.

Before I could press him further, the tortoise spoke again.

“Let me ask you one question.”

“…What is it?”

“Are you tied to the master of this domain?”

“…”

The unexpected question caught me completely off guard.

He was asking about my mother? It was so sudden I couldn’t hide my fluster.

“Well… yes, I suppose I am.”

The tortoise nodded as if this confirmed his suspicions.

“I see… That explains it.”
“Explains what?”
“What is it you wish to know?”

“Wait, you’re actually going to tell me now?”

“Yes.”

Only moments ago, he had been completely opposed. Why this sudden shift?

Suspicious, I narrowed my eyes at him.

“However,” he added, raising one bony finger.

That hand was barely recognizable as such, but it was still a hand.

“There is a condition.”

Hearing that, my interest was piqued.

“What is it?”

The tortoise’s answer made me raise an eyebrow in bewilderment.

*****************

“So, that tortoise finally agreed?”

After concluding my talk with the tortoise, I went to find Shin Noya.
For some reason, he was tending to a plot of land behind his home.

Not only that, but he seemed dedicated to it—he was even dressed in the attire of a farmer.

“…What are you doing?”

When I asked, Shin Noya glanced over at me.
In his hand was not a sword, but a sickle.

“Is it not obvious from looking?”
“I asked because it is a little too obvious.”

It wasn’t that I didn’t know—it was clear he was farming.
I wanted to know why he was doing it now.

Straightening his posture, Shin Noya answered,

“It is the season to prepare the fields. Once you begin, you find it is quite satisfying. Would you like to try?”
“…No, thank you.”

I lacked the leisure for such activities. Carefully navigating around the cultivated rows, I approached Noya and spoke.

“Anyway… I thought I should seize the chance to learn, since it’s available.”
“Hmm… Is that so?”

Shin Noya let out a soft laugh at my words, prompting me to ask,

“Do you believe it is acceptable?”
“Hmm?”

He tilted his head in response.

“Well, the tortoise elder seemed extremely reluctant.”

His aversion to teaching me sorcery was plain.
His distaste was evident, particularly in how he seemed to detest my very presence.

But then,

“When I brought up my mother, he suddenly consented.”
“…Your mother, you say?”
“Yes. I didn’t elaborate, only confirming a connection when he asked.”
“And that was enough? Along with some strange condition?”
“Yes.”
“Hmm.”

Noya nodded as if something now made sense.

“So, you accepted his terms?”
“They weren’t excessive, and I’m not exactly in a position to refuse.”

I had to take the opportunity when it was offered.
Chances to explore this field were exceptionally rare.

The more I encountered sorcery, the more certain I became.

“I require it.”

To forge the connection I was seeking in martial arts, sorcery was indispensable.
Not just any sorcery, but something more advanced and potent than what I currently understood.

For that,

“I need the tortoise’s instruction.”

He would know—the direction I needed to take and the path I wanted to walk.
That was why I was so resolved to learn from him.

“Then what is there to hesitate about? Proceed.”

Noya’s words were direct and logical.

He was correct. There was no reason not to, but…

“…It feels as though there might be an issue.”
“Naturally, there will be.”

Noya’s tone was serene.

“But does it feel like the incorrect path to you?”
“…”

I had no answer.

“The path is yours to choose. Whatever awaits at its end, if you wish to walk it, then walk it.”

He chuckled softly, as if amused by his own statement.

“I have always told you this—trust in yourself.”
“…If it were that simple, I wouldn’t be living the life I do.”
“It is not simple. But—”

Noya set the sickle down and placed a hand on my shoulder.

“If it is you, you can manage it.”
“…”

That inexplicable faith of his struck me directly, leaving me with an awkward smile.

I felt I had asked something unnecessary.
Or perhaps hearing his response had settled my nerves.

The realization that I trusted this old man more than I knew was slightly embarrassing.
I tried to suppress the feeling, but then—

“Ah, incidentally, that girl who returned wounded—how is she faring?”
“…You mean Cheonma?”

I frowned at the mention of her.
She was currently being treated by Seol Yeong, the first disciple of Mount Hua.

It appeared Seol Yeong also handled medical duties, something I hadn’t been aware of before.

“She said she fought someone who was observing us.”
“Hmm…”

I made certain to say “us” instead of “me.”

“Do not concern yourself with it. It is likely nothing serious.”

How severely could Cheonma even be injured?
She would recuperate quickly if left alone.

When I said that, Shin Noya let out a light laugh.

“It is always amusing when the one who is most worried says such things.”
“Who’s worried?”
“Are you not?”
“Absolutely not.”

What nonsense. If anything, I’d be relieved if she were dead.

I scowled, but Noya simply nodded with a knowing look.

“Very well, if you say so.”
“…Never mind Cheonma. It’s the observers that trouble me. Do you know anything about them?”

I asked, recalling that Noya had seemed knowledgeable the last time.

“I do. There are not many who could accomplish something of that nature.”

As expected, he knew. That was a relief—at least there was information to be had.

“Given that they were conducting surveillance, it is likely a Yarang.”
“A Yarang?”

I had heard that term before.
Was that the title of the watcher?

Focusing intently, I listened as Noya continued.

“Yes, a Yarang. One of the so-called generals your mother kept at her side.”

Noya swung his sickle once more.
Swish. The sound of cutting grass tickled my ears, just as his words struck me.

“She openly proclaimed them to be her children.”
“…What?”

At his words, my entire body went rigid.