Childhood Friend of the Zenith Novel MTL - Chapter 965

Chapter 965

“Replace the general.”

Upon hearing those words, Yarang went rigid—a reaction that seldom occurred.

Replace the general?
Its meaning required no interpretation.

It meant exactly what it sounded like.

One of the generals currently serving would be relieved of command.

“…”

An image rose instantly in Yarang’s mind. One of the generals.

If her mother’s words were true, then he was the most probable choice.

But that was only Yarang’s assumption. In the end, only her mother’s will mattered.

“Hm~”

Whether she was aware of Yarang’s thoughts or not, the woman began humming a light melody, casually surveying their surroundings.

Was she… enjoying this?

Yarang watched her back.

No.

She wasn’t.

She was only pretending to be.

The sight before her held no true significance.

“These blossoms are rather lovely, are they not?”

She lifted a crimson flower, offering a gentle smile.

A beautiful smile.

Had she not been veiled, her face alone might have captivated any onlooker.

And yet—

Could a smile devoid of sincerity truly hold such power?

The notion left Yarang unsettled.

“…My daughter?”

“…”

At her mother’s call, Yarang responded with a silent nod.

“Come closer.”

She stepped forward slowly.

Just then, her mother reached into the bushes and picked another flower. This one was a pale blue—
unlike the red one from before.

Was it permissible to pick flowers so freely?

The question was pointless.

As Yusa had said—
There was nothing in these lands forbidden to her.

“What about this one? Do you find it pleasing?”

She admired the flower as she spoke.

Yarang merely nodded again.

“Hm. You don’t appear convinced.”

Even as Yarang shook her head in disagreement, the woman remained unconvinced.

She reached toward the grass once more.

Should she be stopped?

Yarang hesitated.

There was no real reason to interfere—
but there was equally no need for such fixation on these flowers.

Perhaps she should act first and reconsider later.

Just as Yarang resolved to step forward—

“Oh. This one.”

Her mother had already plucked another blossom.

Not red or blue this time.

A flower of pure white.

As white and fragile as new-fallen snow.

Seeing it, Yarang’s hand stilled.

“…”

It was familiar.

Why?

Why did this flower stir such recognition?

Her gaze faltered as a strange and sudden feeling welled up inside her.

“Daughter? Why do you—”

Noticing Yarang’s reaction, her mother turned to look at her.

And in that very instant—

Crack—!

“…?”

Someone abruptly seized the woman’s wrist.

Both Yarang and the woman stared in shock at the sudden contact.

“…”

The woman slowly turned to see who had dared to take hold of her.

There, standing rigid—

His face contorted in anguish—

Was Gu Yangcheon.

 

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

From a high tower in Yahwol, Gubong and Shin Noya observed the events below.

“…Ah, that fool… He actually went through with it.”

Watching the scene, Shin Noya released a soft sigh.

He had warned him explicitly not to. He had tried to hold him back.

Yet here he was, creating a disaster.

How could he not sigh?

“Good grief…”

Exhaling wearily, he rubbed his face with his aged, rough hands.

This sigh wasn’t just for that reckless boy—
It was also for himself.

“…Sect Leader….”

Gubong spoke to Shin Noya, his voice tentative.

Hearing this, Shin Noya looked back with a tired smile.

“Are you alright? The wind is cold.”
“Haha.”

At Gubong’s concern, Shin Noya gave a dry laugh.

“Who’s looking after whom here? Do you believe a bit of wind could trouble me?”
“Even so…”
“Don’t fret. A storm wouldn’t move me.”

He waved a hand dismissively, but Gubong’s expression remained unchanged.

He understood why Gubong was watching him like that.

It was the very reason he didn’t elaborate.

Right now, something else demanded attention.

“…Hmm.”

Just what was that foolish boy thinking?

That was what Shin Noya wondered.

‘Yangcheon.’

He could grasp why his emotions had overwhelmed him.

After all—
It was his mother.

The woman he had yearned for.

Naturally, he would respond that way.

But the trouble was—

‘…That is not your mother.’

That entity.
Or rather, that existence—

It was something monstrous beyond description.

Something far too formidable.

If he confused it for his mother and charged ahead blindly—
He would be devoured by the outcome.

That was Shin Noya’s deepest fear.

‘Please…’

Let the wound not cut too deeply.

Holding that thought, Shin Noya kept his eyes fixed on Gu Yangcheon.

Then—

“Sect Leader.”
“Yes.”

Gubong called to him from behind.

“Might I ask you something?”
“What if I refuse?”
“…Then I will not ask.”
“Haha… I’m joking. Speak.”

Even as he answered, Shin Noya didn’t turn away.

After a brief pause, Gubong finally asked,

“Is he… the one you’ve been expecting all these years?”

“…”

Shin Noya glanced at him slightly.

How should he respond?

After a moment’s reflection—

“Yes.”

He decided on honesty.

There was no point in concealment.

“That boy… is the one.”
“…”
“Why? Does that dishearten you?”
“…No.”

It would be untrue to claim he felt no disappointment.

But Gubong was not one to linger on such feelings.

He had suspected this truth for some time.

His emotions were more tangled than simple disappointment.

Jealousy.
Frustration.
Grief.

A whirlwind of feelings stormed within him.

But most of all—

“Sect Leader.”
“Yes?”
“Does this mean… you intend to depart?”

It was fear.

“…What?”

At those words, Shin Noya’s eyes widened slightly in surprise.

His expression seemed to ask, What are you saying?

But Gubong continued.

“If you have found what you sought… does that not mean you plan to go back?”

“…”

Amusingly, Shin Noya did not answer right away.

That alone made Gubong wonder—

Was he refusing to answer?
Or was he unable to?

A thick silence fell between them.

Just as Gubong bit his lip, preparing to shift the subject—

“Do not worry.”

Shin Noya finally spoke.

“I have no plans to go anywhere.”
“…But…!”
“I hesitated to answer immediately… because I needed a moment to feel your heart, Gubong.”
“…”
“If possible… I would wish to sit and speak with you properly about this.”

Swish.

Shin Noya turned from the view and stood upright.

“But unfortunately—
We lack the time for that now.”

“…Sect Leader? What do you mean?”

Gubong was bewildered.

Shin Noya ignored his question and instead—

“Show yourself.”

He addressed the empty air.

In that moment—

“Honestly.”

Thud.

Something landed on the rooftop.

“Hah…!”

Gubong shuddered at the sight.

“You’re as perceptive as ever.”

A young man with hair the color of light green.

The ruler of Yahwol—
One of the four generals of Mangye.

Yusa.

“G-General…!”

Gubong was so startled he could scarcely shut his hanging mouth.

Meanwhile, Yusa narrowed his eyes slightly while looking at him.

“Child of Wolya… what is this undignified conduct?”

“…!”

Yusa’s voice sent a tremor through Gubong’s body.

A primal instinct—
An innate submission to a superior predator.

His body begged to kneel before Yusa—

But—

“Not going to happen.”

Shin Noya moved between them.

The crushing pressure in the air disappeared at once.

Gubong felt his shaking cease.

“Tsk. Do you have any idea how pitiful it is to pick on a child?”

“I was merely instructing him on etiquette.”

“…Hah.”

Shin Noya smirked.

“What is amusing?”

“If it’s amusing, should I not laugh?”

“Your manner is as grating as always.”

“We’re both aware we have no leisure for idle talk.
Why have you come?”

“Who do you think you are to question me?”

Crack.

Yusa gritted his teeth as he glared at Shin Noya.

“Had I not been vigilant, I might have missed it completely.
What in the hell are you doing here?”

“Isn’t it clear?
I came for a stroll with my disciple.”

“A stroll, my foot.”

Rumble—!

The roof under Yusa’s feet splintered.

“Have you forgotten the vow?”

A low growl emerged from Yusa’s throat.

“No. I have not forgotten.”

“You haven’t? Then why the hell are you here?”

A vein throbbed at Yusa’s temple as his fury mounted.

“You and your so-called Mount Hua…
The only reason your wretched disciples are permitted here is the oath our master swore to you.
That oath must be honored—
and the foremost rule of that oath—”

“Was that you, Shin Noya, were never to depart from Mount Hua.”

That was the cost of their peace.

And yet—
Shin Noya had broken it. Twice.

“Perfect. I’ve been wanting to collect what you owe me.”

Yusa’s arm thickened, muscles swelling.

Just as he made to strike—

BOOM!

“…Kuh.”

Yusa dropped instantly.

Shin Noya had already struck him in the face.

Twitch.

Yusa fell to the ground, unconscious.

“Tsk. Yapping like a dog when I’m swamped.
Damn nuisance.”

Without a hint of hesitation, Shin Noya grabbed Yusa and flung him aside before resuming his post.

“…”

It had all happened in a flash.

Gubong stood completely stunned.

A general, felled by a single blow.

A Sect Leader, utterly unperturbed.

And Gubong, caught motionless between them, his thoughts wiped clean.