Childhood Friend of the Zenith Novel MTL - Chapter 950

Chapter 950

“Damn it—!”

*Thud!*

*Crash!*

*Bang!*

Objects soared through the immaculate white chamber. A porcelain vase smashed against the wall, exploding into a shower of sharp fragments.

*Crack!*

Pieces skittered across the floor, and one sliver grazed a woman’s cheek, drawing a thin line of blood.

“Aiyyah…!”

She let out a startled cry, but the young man, Cheong Seon, only scowled darker.

“Quiet!”
“M-my apologies…!”

Even with blood welling on her face, the woman went rigid, her body shaking with terror. Cheong Seon’s aura was simply that overpowering.

“Young master! Please, you must compose yourself…! You’ll worsen your injury!”

A man nearby attempted to reason with him, but Cheong Seon ignored him completely, snatching up anything within reach and hurling it across the room.

*Bang! Crash!*

One item after another was utterly destroyed.

“Damn them!”

Even after this outburst, his rage refused to cool. He stood heaving, his temper still blazing.

Bandages were wrapped around his head, a clear testament to the wound he had suffered.

“Ugh!”

Moving too violently, Cheong Seon staggered, his balance failing him. A wave of dizziness hit, and he winced, gritting his teeth as he muttered:

“…What are those worthless vermin doing now?”

The very ones who had shamed him and reduced him to this condition. At his words, the man beside him answered hastily.

“…They have been placed in chains and confined within the prison.”
“…Is that so?”

*Grind.*

Cheong Seon’s jaw tightened.

“I will make them pay.”

To humiliate him was one thing, but to leave him in such a pitiful state? He vowed that those two would not escape his vengeance.

Especially—

‘That vile, monstrous brute.’

The one who had meddled in his affairs and stood in his way.

‘Those eyes.’

The way that brute had looked at him. Merely recalling it made his blood boil.

Though only their eyes had met, Cheong Seon was absolutely certain.

‘He was looking down on me.’

His demeanor, his expression, his gaze—that wretched man had been openly mocking him.

Even if his words had been superficially respectful, Cheong Seon had not missed the scornful tone. The man hadn’t even bothered to conceal it.

‘In Yahwol, an outsider dares to show such disrespect to a noble of my standing?’

And not just any noble, but some foreigner?

*Crack!*

Cheong Seon’s fists clenched.

‘Those despicable Mount Hua dogs.’

It had to be them. Once again, it was Mount Hua. The very sect that had disgraced him before.

‘Unbelievable.’

A distorted smile spread across his face as fury consumed him. Could it truly be a coincidence?

‘Even that wretched woman was from Mount Hua.’

The woman who had once shamed him also hailed from that accursed sect. The memory made him scowl. Mount Hua was nothing but a plague.

The only thing he could concede—

‘At least their women are beautiful.’

Cheong Seon thought of the nameless woman who had struck him. His lips curled into a leer.

‘She’s strong, I’ll grant her that.’

Strong enough to leave him in this condition with a single blow.

‘But it changes nothing. She’s captured now.’

Secured by the special restraints, she was powerless.

And so—

‘I will kill that detestable fool.’

And keep the beautiful woman for himself.
Cheong Seon’s eyes shone with a perverted fervor as his anger burned anew.

‘Furthermore.’

Perhaps he could use this chance to persuade his father to eradicate Mount Hua entirely. Entertained by the thought, Cheong Seon let out a soft chuckle.

“Heh heh heh….”

Yes, that would do.
He now had the perfect justification.

Consumed by these plans, Cheong Seon moved to leave the demolished room.

*Knock, knock.*

A sound came from the door.

“Who is it?”
-“Pardon the intrusion, young master. The leader has requested your presence.”
“…”

His father was summoning him. How opportune.

“I was on my way.”

The timing was impeccable. Cheong Seon gripped the door handle and spoke.

“Have this room cleaned before I return.”
“…Y-yes, young master.”

The terrified maid replied, her voice quivering.
Cheong Seon paused, his eyes falling on her.

The blood tracing her cheek and her trembling form were pitiable. Yet, she was beautiful—he had selected her personally for that very reason.

Not bad. Realizing this, Cheong Seon spoke.

“You will attend to me tonight. Remain here and wait for my return.”
“…!”

At his command, the maid’s body shuddered violently. Her already pale face seemed to lose all remaining color.

Watching her reaction, Cheong Seon smirked and began to open the door.

But the moment he did—

*Flinch!*

Cheong Seon froze.
A face was directly in front of him, startling him. It appeared to belong to the messenger.

“…What is wrong with you, lurking like that!”

He shouted in irritation, but the messenger gave no reply.

“…What is your problem? Why are you just standing there—”

*Thud!*

“…!!”

Abruptly, the man collapsed.
Cheong Seon’s eyes widened in shock. What was this? Why had he fallen like that?

As confusion set in—

[Well, this isn’t the place either.]

A deep, low voice pierced Cheong Seon’s ears. The sound alone made his heart pound erratically.

He turned toward the voice’s source—the space beyond the fallen man.

“Who’s the—?!”

Before he could finish, a rough hand clamped over his mouth.

*Crack.*

“Mmmpf! Mmmph…!!”

The grip was crushingly powerful, forcing choked grunts from Cheong Seon. The servants nearby tried to react but—

[Shh.]

The quiet utterance froze everyone in place.

[I have a distaste for noise. You will all be silent.]

An overwhelming pressure flooded the room, suffocating every sound.

*Thud! Thud!*

In mere seconds, every servant collapsed. The only one left conscious was Cheong Seon, dangling in the air, held by the mysterious intruder.

His body shook violently. The oppressive energy he felt made it undeniably clear—this was someone far beyond his ability to challenge.

As terror seized him, Cheong Seon’s eyes welled with pure dread.

The figure slowly turned its gaze toward him.

Eyes of a deep, luminous violet locked onto his. Cheong Seon’s trembling ceased—not from calm, but from sheer, paralyzing horror.

The figure finally spoke.

[Now, I will permit you to speak.]

Cheong Seon’s heart hammered wildly at the sound of that voice.

[Do you recall my words from a moment ago?]
“…”

The command replayed in his mind:

[I have a distaste for noise.]

Cheong Seon nodded frantically.

[Good. You are more clever than you appear.]

The figure relaxed its grip slightly, freeing Cheong Seon’s mouth. But he could muster no words, his terrified eyes fixed on the figure.

That was all he could manage.

The figure observed him in silence before speaking again.

[Heir of the Cheong family, you have only one task now.]

Their voice carried a disturbing blend of amusement and icy finality. It gnawed at the core of Cheong Seon’s being.

Who was this person? Why were they doing this? They clearly knew his identity.

Before Cheong Seon could piece it together, the figure delivered its ultimatum:

[Take me to your father. If you refuse, I will tear your limbs from your body.]

The chilling statement obliterated all other thought from Cheong Seon’s mind.

***

The heart of the Cheong family estate.
The largest and most opulent structure among all the buildings.

Every material used in its construction was of the highest grade. The craftsmen employed were master artisans, resulting in a mansion befitting the Cheong family’s ruling lineage.

Furthermore, with each successive leader, the estate was continuously renovated and expanded, growing ever more grand and magnificent.

And the interior?
Its beauty was not merely superficial—the inside was meticulously designed, exhibiting a refinement that radiated prestige.

In the grandest room of this estate stood an enormous chair. Typically, the family leader would occupy this seat.

But now, the one seated there was a young man with light green hair. Kneeling on the floor before him was Cheong Iryang, the current family leader.

Cheong Iryang kept his head bowed as he spoke.

“…I greet the great General.”

The young man—Yusa—smirked at the words.

“How have you been faring?”
“…By your grace, I have been well.”
“It appears so. This chair was not here during my last visit, was it? Have you replaced it again?”
“…That is….”
“No matter. Change is good. This chair is quite soft—it adds to the enjoyment.”

Yusa shifted slightly in the chair, as if genuinely appreciating it, before turning his gaze back to Cheong Iryang and addressing his purpose.

“Ah, my reason for coming is no major affair. Cheongseok, you are to accompany me.”
“…I beg your pardon?”

Cheong Iryang’s face showed his confusion. Accompany him? Where?

“…What do you mean by that, General?”
“What do you suppose I mean? Someone wishes to see you. You will come with me.”
“…”

Someone was seeking him? Cheong Iryang’s mind raced to comprehend Yusa’s words.

Was the General here to escort him somewhere? And who could possibly issue such an order to someone of Yusa’s stature?

It could only be someone of equal rank—another General, at the very least.

‘Why would they want an audience with me?’

The Generals had no reason to involve themselves in matters beyond their own domains. And yet, someone had dispatched Yusa to retrieve him?

“Might I inquire as to the nature of this, General?”

Cheong Iryang posed the question with extreme care, and Yusa tilted his head, considering his response.

“It is nothing too serious, truly. It is merely—”

*Ssssss…*

“…Hm?”

Yusa abruptly stopped speaking.

“General…?”

Cheong Iryang began to ask what was the matter but halted mid-sentence.

“…Hah…?”

Both Yusa and Cheong Iryang turned their attention toward the door. Something was approaching from the other side.

It drew nearer with each passing second.

“What is this?”

Noticing it, Yusa’s lips curved into a smile.

“It seems a guest has arrived.”

A guest neither of them had anticipated was now here.

*Creeak.*

The door opened.

“Guh…!”

The first to enter was a young man with blue hair—Cheong Seon. He was thrown forward with tremendous force, tumbling across the floor.

Cheong Iryang’s eyes bulged in shock at the sight of his son rolling on the ground. But Yusa did not grant him a single glance.

Yusa’s interest was reserved solely for the figure now stepping through the doorway.

“This is a surprise.”

Hands clasped behind his back, a tall figure strode inward. Yusa let out a dry laugh at the sight.

He had not foreseen this.

“I intended to seek you out, yet you have come to me yourself?”

The figure was clad in robes of pitch-black and stood nearly eight feet tall, a mask obscuring its face. Its appearance perfectly matched the description of the one who had crushed Baek Wol.

And now, it was here in person.

“Well, this is a welcome turn of events.”

Yusa smiled with genuine pleasure.

Simultaneously—

“And who, might I ask, are you?”

Curiosity illuminated Yusa’s face as he addressed the masked figure.

But the figure merely glanced at Yusa and replied curtly:

[Be silent, you wretched creature.]

“…”

Yusa’s expression contorted into something unrecognizable.