Childhood Friend of the Zenith

༺ How To Properly Dig A Grave ༻

As soon as the next day came, I made my way to the central area of the Murim Alliance.

I probably wasn’t the only one heading in this direction, as other young prodigies would be there as well.

Since they came to Hanam for this very reason.

For the day of the Friendly Martial Arts Competition.

This was the Flower of the Dragons and Phoenixes tournament and the main purpose for the young prodigies who came to the Murim Alliance at this point of the year.

The name might sound cheerful and all…

But as it was hosted by none other than the Murim Alliance, the tournament was a huge opportunity for everyone.

Achieving excellence in the tournament meant securing lasting fame for oneself.

I had witnessed this firsthand in my past life.

It was easy to understand, considering how formidable the current Five Dragons and Three Phoenixes had become in the future.

‘Though they didn’t become powerful solely due to their fame. Rather, they gained fame because they became powerful.’

That was the essence of it.

However, this perspective wasn’t completely wrong either.

If someone gained fame by showing their worth in this tournament…

Then it meant that they were a young prodigy destined for greatness in the future.

“…Phew.”

I let out a sigh, quickly vanishing in the air, as I was feeling uncomfortable.

I couldn’t help but feel out of place here.

‘In the end, I came here.’

It was a little past noon.

The sun should’ve been high in the sky,

But the only thing I saw was white snow falling down.

Around me, young prodigies were starting to gather here one by one, just like yesterday.

Participating in the tournament was a matter of personal choice.

Those who didn’t wish to take part were free not to.

Despite the tournament being the highlight of this whole gathering, the main goal of this event was so that young prodigies could gather in the banquet.

Nevertheless, everyone opted to participate.

‘It was only natural, considering they had come here precisely for this purpose.’

Martial artists were known for their tendency to show off and brag about their strength.

While there were a few masters who endlessly trained in the mountains and secluded themselves from others to reach the next martial realm…

Most martial artists fell into the category of the former.

This was especially true for those in their youth.

‘They definitely wouldn’t be able to hold back.’

They wouldn’t even think about hiding their power.

Even Yung Pung had a bit of arrogance due to his sheer talent.

It puzzled me that three of the Five Dragons and Three Phoenixes had chosen not to participate in the Dragons and Phoenixes tournament.

Since it implied that they had more pressing matters to attend to.

As I mentioned earlier, Gu Huibi was busy with her clan work and the Water Dragon likely skipped it due to his personality,

But Yung Pung was a different story.

I thought he would enjoy this kind of event.

Did something major really happen in Mount Hua?

‘There isn’t anything I could remember that happened in Mount Hua at this particular time.’

I delved into my memories, but nothing came up.

“Gu Clan’s Gu Yangcheon of Shanxi… Are you rea- “

In the middle of checking me in, the guide gasped.

The reason was obvious.

It was most likely because of the Dishonored Venerable’s recommendation letter that accompanied my invitation letter.

At first, I brought it with me as I thought it would help me.

But rather than be of assistance, it only brought me more burdens.

The recommendation letter from the Second Elder, which I had expected to work in my favor, had done nothing of the sort.

Instead, a strange rumor was being spread about my name.

A nonsensical rumor at that.

“Young Master Gu is the Dishonored Venerable’s disciple? I think I heard that earlier too.”

I let out a sigh after hearing Tang Soyeol.

I heard that bullshit as soon as I woke up in the morning.

Who was whose disciple, they said …?

“Are you?”

“Do you think I am…?”

When I spoke with an incredulous tone, Tang Soyeol smiled brightly.

“If Young Master Gu says no, then it’s a no.”

It was bright.

So bright that left me momentarily speechless.

“How… How did such a rumor spread?”

“Well, usually when someone gets a recommendation letter from a well-known figure, the information gets spread fast.”

“Isn’t it supposed to remain confidential …?”

The information regarding recommendation letters was supposed to be kept secret from others unless the letter’s owner chose to disclose it.

And this rotting piece of shit really called themselves the Orthodox Faction.

“I’m more astounded by how people believe such a thing.”

“Well, it’s not entirely unbelievable, is it?”

“Hmm?”

To my response, Tang Soyeol responded back as if my words were strange.

“Recommendation letters aren’t given to just anyone, you know?”

“…Well… That’s true.”

It was problematic as I couldn’t tell her about the contents of the letter.

It would be even more perplexing to admit that I had brought a letter with my name on it when the contents weren’t about me at all.

Especially when it was the letter written by none other than a Heavenly Venerable.

“The most significant issue would be the martial art you displayed yesterday.”

I had to shut my mouth for a moment after hearing Tang Soyeol.

Was the fact that I knocked out Hwangbo Cheolwi last night really the problem?

‘Maybe I should’ve held back a bit.’

I did act rather recklessly, to be honest.

The first issue was that I barely controlled my power as I had been too fixated on Jang Seonyeon.

And the second issue was my obsession with the idea of impressing the other young prodigies to capture their attention.

‘But the rumor had spread just because of that?’

However, if it really did, then about what?

The only connection I had with the Dishonored Venerable was our shared status as martial artists who used fists.

This wasn’t a rumor that could simply be left to run amok.

The false rumor of me being a disciple of a Heavenly Venerable was a really big issue.

It wouldn’t have been a problem if I truly was a disciple of his…

‘But the problem is that I’m not.’

This could potentially damage the Dishonored Venerable’s name and although he had chosen to live in seclusion…

He might view this as a problem and come for me one day.

Since some random dude was apparently being called his disciple.

‘…Maybe I could use the Second Elder as a shield?’

It was that old man’s fault after all, so it would be fine.

The same went for the ring too.

Oh fuck, the ring…

‘I’m gonna go insane for real.’

How could there not be a single thing that worked out in my favor…

As I held my head because of the sudden burst of pain, Tang Soyeol approached me quietly.

Then she suddenly spoke in a polite voice.

“I honestly thought that you only looked handsome…”

“What…?”

“But you even possess such martial strength… You’re just perfect…!”

What’s up with her now?

“Lady Tang… I suggest that you see a doctor as soon as you can. There is a doctor that I know well, do you want me to introduce him to you?”

The Immortal Healer might have a rough personality, but he was the best doctor in the world.

Even if he complained, he always did his best to heal his patients, so it should work out.

After all, Tang Soyeol looked like she needed his help more than anyone else.

“Right? My Young Master is the best! Oh, Young Master, I brought some dumplighhh…”

I pinched and stretched Wi Seol-Ah’s cheek when she appeared very excitedly.

I really needed some healing time.

“How could life be so unfair for me.”

There were way too many ups and downs.

I thought that I just needed to cause some trouble here, but wherever I went, catastrophe was waiting for me; It really made me wonder if I needed to go see an exorcist.

‘Elder Shin isn’t back either…’

Elder Shin disappeared when my emotion grew out of control and even after a day, he had not returned.

If I had to point out something different than last time…

I still felt a connection to Elder Shin, as though he hadn’t disappeared entirely.

‘Though I’m not too sure.’

A foggy feeling that I couldn’t really describe in words was telling me that for sure.

I felt no such thing back in Mount Hua.

Nonetheless, it did alleviate some of my worries. Of course, it would be problematic if it turned out to be a mistake.

“Hnghh…”

“Oh, sorry.”

Lost in my thoughts, I had stretched Wi Seol-Ah’s cheek for too long.

When I had finally let go, Wi Seol-Ah started to rub her slightly reddened cheek.

“Hngh…”

“Sorry, I had something come up in my mind.”

“Why are you touching my cheek, when you are trying to think…?”

“…”

Clever girl…

‘She was so naïve not too long ago.’

However, Wi Seol-Ah seemed to have become clever recently.

Humans were bound to experience growth, and Wi Seol-Ah was no exception.

‘But it’s gonna be less fun to tease her now.’

In the future, if Wi Seol-Ah changed into the Wi Seol-Ah I knew in my past life…

It would be welcoming…

But would also be disappointing as well.

After all, only the current Wi Seol-Ah could display these expressions.

“…What about her?”

After hiding the emotion I didn’t want to confront, I asked her a sudden but random question.

Even though I didn’t specifically ask who, Wi Seol-Ah answered as she already knew who I was referring to.

“Sis Bi-ah is sleeping back in the barrack!”

“She’s sleeping again…? Does she ever have moments when she’s not tired?”

I got to see how she spent her time since we were together often.

However, Namgung Bi-ah’s usual routine seemed rather simple.

Sleep, eat, train, and then sleep some more.

Occasionally, she would wake up and come to me like a cat.

Which made me think that she had some kind of problem at this point.

“She said that she didn’t get to sleep well yesterday.”

“I don’t believe those words at all.”

There was no way that a sleepyhead like her didn’t get good sleep.

As I was saying that, I asked Wi Seol-Ah after a sudden thought crossed my mind.

“When you said that she’s sleeping back in the barrack, do you mean mine…?”

“Hmm? Yeah!”

“…I see. I figured.”

I had practically given up at this point.

I guess it was like honey to her…

“But I do think we should bring her soon. Since there isn’t much time left until they make the brackets.”

Tang Soyeol suggested as if she was used to such a situation.

Namgung Bi-ah would obviously participate in a setting like this, so we did have to bring her along.

As I made my way toward the back of the building, I noticed a row of barracks set up for the many young prodigies.

This was also where they had to stay during the four days that the tournament lasted.

Normally, they wouldn’t even have provided us with such things.

‘Is this because of Jang Seonyeon again?’

Bacheonmaru, the barracks; none of these were things I got to experience in my past life.

Though it was completely possible that I had simply overlooked them in my past life.

As I was walking, I sensed many eyes on me.

‘Their gazes are so piercing that my face might form a hole at this rate.’

Thanks to the rumor that had spread in the morning and what I displayed yesterday,

It was evident that more people were paying attention to me compared to yesterday.

“…That boy.”

“Is the rumor really true?”

“But even so, to say that he’s the disciple of such a figure…”

“However, doesn’t it make sense that he was capable of what he showed yesterday if the rumor is true? If he’s the disciple of none other than the Dishonored Venerable…”

I’m not.

I’m really not, you guys…

‘I wish I could just shout that I’m not.’

It amused me how I had to find a way to explain to everyone that the rumor was false.

But I guess it would be much better for me to visit the Alliance Leader later so that he could announce it himself.

I had to visit him again anyway because of the ring I found in the purse.

“Sigh…”

I let out a sigh, trying to find comfort in my current situation.

Ugh, I couldn’t wait to go back home.

I felt like this at times throughout the trip, but now it was the only thing I felt.

Ignoring the whispers around me, I arrived at my assigned barrack, but Namgung Bi-ah was already waiting outside.

I wondered what was up with her. After all, I thought that she would be lying down inside or sleeping completely.

‘Hmm?’

My curiosity was solved right away.

I saw the person talking to Namgung Bi-ah.

The Lightning Dragon Namgung Cheonjun, that Namgung fucker was right here.

“…Sister, why are you acting like this?”

“Let me go…”

“I’m struggling to understand why you are suddenly treating me worse than a stranger. The same goes for the barrack as well. We have our own barracks provided to us, but why do you keep coming here instead? This could also be troublesome for the Gu Clan, you know.”

“…”

Namgung Bi-ah turned her head after listening to Namgung Cheonjun. Her gestures showed that she didn’t want to listen to him.

And because of her actions, Namgung Cheonjun’s expression worsened.

“I don’t understand what the problem is… Is it, perhaps, because of Young Master Gu?”

At the mention of my name, Namgung Bi-ah’s expression changed slightly.

“As I expected, did Young Master Gu change you like this? What meaning does that mere engagement have for Sister to- “

Because of how he talked about her engagement, Namgung Bi-ah’s eyes became sharper.

Keep in mind that we were talking about Namgung Bi-ah who always looked emotionless.

“Don’t… speak so rudely.”

“Sister!”

Namgung Bi-ah forcefully freed her arm from Namgung Cheonjun’s grasp.

“Watch your words Cheonjun… And I’m sorry, but I’m not going…”

Namgung Cheonjun couldn’t control his expression after listening to her stern words and clenched his teeth.

But it seemed he wasn’t ready to give up so easily as he tried to grab Namgung Bi-ah’s arm once more.

“Brother-in-law, we see each other again, eh?”

I called out to the Namgung fucker with a bright voice and stopped him.

“…!”

Namgung Cheonjun frowned instantly upon hearing my voice, but restrained himself after he noticed Tang Soyeol next to me.

“Are you here to play or something?”

“…Young Master… Gu.”

“Then you should’ve said something. I didn’t prepare anything.”

Others might not have noticed, but I could see it clearly.

Namgung Cheonjun was forcefully suppressing his storm of emotions with his Qi.

“You even happen to be in front of my barrack, perhaps you have something to say to me?”

I spoke with a smile, trying to put him at ease so that he would tell me everything.

However, Namgung Cheonjun only appeared uncomfortable and his eyebrows shook ever so slightly.

Why? I even tried my best to speak to him kindly.

“I heard that my sister was here, so I came to visit her.”

“Then you seem to be done here.”

“Yes…”

He didn’t argue because Namgung Bi-ah clearly looked like she didn’t want to continue the conversation.

And Namgung Cheonjun knew that as well, so he couldn’t do much more with so many onlookers.

“…I will visit again next time.”

He promised Namgung Bi-ah as he had no other choice, but Namgung Bi-ah continued to avoid his gaze.

After leaving Namgung Bi-ah, Namgung Cheonjun slowly passed by me.

“Don’t be so full of yourself.”

As expected, Namgung Cheonjun whispered to me.

It was funny how he even used Qi to make his voice as soft as possible so that no one else could hear him.

“Do you think it’ll be the same this time, just because of a previous miracle made of stacked coincidences against me?”

I chose not to respond and continued to listen to him.

“You do seem to have talent, but that’s it. You are nothing in a real battle. So you better pray that you don’t go against me in the duel. And if you do, then I suggest you surrender.”

“Why?”

“Because I don’t know what I’ll do to you.”

He walked away after roaring at me quietly.

He was able to speak those harsh words while maintaining his composure.

Which proved that it wasn’t his first or second time doing such a thing.

‘What to do?’

I originally planned to be as nice as I could to him. just for Namgung Bi-ah’s sake.

But if he came out like that, I couldn’t do anything about it.

“I feel like kids these days are getting better at digging their own grave.”

That couldn’t be any more disappointing.

As I was thinking, Tang Soyeol started to groan next to me.

Was she acting like that just because she saw Namgung Cheonjun again?

If that was the case, there might indeed be a problem with her.

Maybe I should really bring her to the Immortal Healer.

As I was shaking my head while staring at Tang Soyeol…

Namgung Bi-ah approached and leaned her head against me.

Both her breathing and atmosphere seemed much more exhausted than usual.

“You okay?”

When I asked, Namgung Bi-ah nodded slightly.

“If you’re tired, then maybe you should rest and not participate in the tournament.”

She shook her head this time.

It seemed like she wanted to participate despite how she felt.

It was surprising to see her express her thoughts so clearly, given her usual reserved nature.

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