1304 - Childhood Friend of the Zenith

Crash-!! Propelling forward with forceful energy concentrated in my legs, I dashed out, crossing the stairs into the open. My vision cleared. Although the surroundings remained dim, it was an improvement from earlier. 'Where's the Poison Phoenix?' I scanned my surroundings. She was already sprinting far ahead. Thankfully, she seemed to have heeded my words. 'She's safe for now.' Whoosh. With a burst of flame, I pressed forward again. If possible, I wanted to dash forward, grab her, and escape swiftly. A fleeting thought crossed his mind. "How unexpected." Sparkle-! A voice came from ahead, accompanied by a brief flash of light. The Sword Sovereign, emanating a golden aura, stood before me. "Child, I thought fleeing was far from your nature. Perhaps I've grown old and misjudged you." "…Haha." For someone his age, he's swift on his feet. With a sense of regret, I dispelled the flames at my toes. "You're fast." "Thank you for the compliment. Once, they often said I was as swift as the wind." "…Yes, I'm well aware." His former title, Gale Sword, was well-known. It not only meant his sword was swift as a gale but also that he, as a person, was incredibly fast. People often claimed he was even faster than the Heavenly Lord of the Namgung family, who utilized lightning techniques for speed. "It's unlikely that I'll see anything more amusing." The Sword Sovereign lowered his sword. "The next target isn't you; it's that girl." "…A frightening threat." My breath escaped as I sighed at the words about catching up to the Poison Phoenix. It wasn't going to work, was it? 'I had hoped for a peaceful resolution.' It seemed better than openly fighting the Sword Sovereign, but it didn't work out. No matter. I hadn't expected it to work anyway. 'Well then.' I clenched my fist, assuming a stance. "Finally, you're prepared." The Sword Sovereign aimed the tip of his sword at me. What was so satisfying to him? "Hoo." I steadied my breathing. Was I really going to fight the Sword Sovereign? How intriguing. 'I might have to fight him eventually.' Of course, I preferred not to fight if possible. What good would come of it? 'Does this mean I've faced all the Three Venerables?' In a past life, I nearly died brawling with the Paejon. I often pretended or actually fought with the Heavenly Lord. 'But I've never faced the Sword Sovereign.' I had never fought the Sword Sovereign before, partly due to conscious avoidance, partly because circumstances hadn't allowed it. 'Thinking back.' It seemed as if the Heavenly Demon didn't want me to fight the Sword Sovereign. Probably because of Wi Seol-ah. "……." Although I didn't know exactly how strong the Sword Sovereign was. 'This much was clear.' Gazing at the Sword Sovereign wielding his sword. 'He's terrifying.' Fear. I no longer felt terror at the sight of any warrior. Seeing the Paejon wasn't frightening but rather annoying, and with the Heavenly Lord, he felt nothing in particular. The same went for Cheolhyun Buseon, hailed as the strongest in the world. I never really found the idea of fighting him frightening. 'But this old man…' Facing him, a torrent of fear surged forth. It was an instinctive feel. Creak. Just a slight motion of his foot. As he contemplated charging forward. Slice-! "……!" I couldn't advance. A sensation akin to having my neck sliced through washed over me. Hesitation took hold as the Sword Sovereign smirked with his eyes. "Wise decision." "Tsk." Despite being praised, it didn't feel good. Did that mean if I'd charged, my neck would have been cut? Probably not. 'It's a warning.' A warning to proceed with caution. An indication not to underestimate him. 'Very well.' That warning held truth. He wasn't an opponent to carelessly analyze. "Phew-." Steadying my breath, I drew upon my energy. Whoom-!! The Wheel of the Nine Flames Wheel Fire skill bound to my heart began spinning rapidly. The circles of incantations within started to turn as well. Activating my mental senses, I enveloped myself not with protective force but with his mental presence. "Hahaha." Witnessing this, the Sword Sovereign chuckled. "Remarkable. To possess such mastery of mental projection at your age…" "I didn't do it for compliments." It was gained through desperate struggle to survive. As I built up enlightenment within my body step by step. "…I truly don't understand. What are you, exactly?" The Sword Sovereign asked, his smile fading. Who was I, indeed? "Well, identity is always a difficult thing to pin down." I was searching for it myself, both before and after regression. Strangely enough, it became even harder after. If I had to define myself now. "A misfit…?" "What?" "I find that thinking that way eases the guilt a bit." "What nonsense are you…" Boom-!!! With a burst of flame, I dashed towards the Sword Sovereign. "Hoooo-." Flames swirled within his exhaled breath. Heat began to radiate from my clenched fists, and the surrounding air grew unbearably hot. Nine Flames Supreme Form, Variant. Starting with a transcendent technique. 'Nine Flames Supreme Shackle.' A beast of flame, suppressed by madness, was unleashed directly towards the Sword Sovereign when— "Transcendence?" The Sword Sovereign looked at him in surprise, seemingly recognizing his level. And concurrently. Shing. 'What?' A sword flew towards my arm. When had it been drawn? It was unseen. The blade targeted my arm imbued with my martial arts. 'Fast.' Too late to create distance. At this rate, my arm would be severed. Should I abandon my martial arts? No time for hesitation. The blade had already reached his skin. Yet. Clang-! 'Huh?' The sound was one of something striking against metal rather than flesh being cut. What was this? I looked down in bafflement. 'Oh.' Something encased my arm. Armor. An artifact from the Paejon had wrapped around my arm without me realizing. "……!" The Sword Sovereign was astonished. Though we were both startled, I succeeded in unleashing my martial arts. "Tsk." The Sword Sovereign clicked his tongue at the erupting flames. Instantly, golden energy surged forth entwining with the flames. The collision sparked a tremendous explosion. * * * Boom-!!! The ground shook violently. Far off, golden energy and bright light soared like a pillar. As if tearing through the night, the powerful presence drew everyone's attention momentarily. "What is that…?" Tang Cheongi looked at the phenomenon in astonishment. Such immense force. Just witnessing it sent shivers down his spine. He had never sensed such an aura before. What on earth was it? With eyes wide open in shock, he stared. "…This aura." Namgung Jin spoke in a trembling voice. He seemed to recognize what this aura was. "It's the Lord's…" "What?" Only then did Tang Cheongi realize the nature of this aura. The golden energy, the overwhelming ferocity—it was the Sword Sovereign's presence. Which meant— "The Sword Sovereign is here?" Was the Sword Sovereign, one of the Three Venerables of the Martial Realm, truly here? This was dangerous. "My sister is in danger…" He gritted his teeth. He had come to rescue her, but if the Sword Sovereign was present, and worse, not on their side... Tang Cheongi quickly moved with urgency. He wasn't worried about Baek Yangcheon. Strangely, he believed Baek wouldn't lose; he seemed like someone who would survive by any means. 'But my sister…' She was different. Tang Cheongi knew her well. Although she was the most talented in the history of their clan, she was a woman without purpose or direction in life. Their grandfather's reckless and harsh ambition had made her that way. She was always ready to leave. When the time came, she was someone who would sever herself without hesitation. To the point where she once said: 'Tang Cheongi, did you know?' She had told young Cheongi. 'If it weren't for you, I wouldn't be in this world anymore.' Her reason for living was him, a child. She had urged him to be happy and always healthy. Those words had always tightened around Tang Cheongi's heart. He felt that if he were to find happiness, his sister might leave at any moment. Thus, he couldn't allow himself to be truly happy. "Dammit." Clenching his teeth, he bolstered his legs with strength. Exhaustion be damned, he had to find his sister. Baek Yangcheon had assured him that she was somewhere around here. 'I must find her.' By any means necessary. Just as Tang Cheongi fortified his resolve and was about to dash forward— "……Huh?" Someone was running towards him from afar. A woman with striking green hair and fine, delicate features. It was his sister. "Sister…?" "Ah…!" The Poison Phoenix stopped in her tracks upon seeing Tang Cheongi. Urgency was clearly etched on his face. "Cheongi…" "Sister…!!" Tang Cheongi ran to her and embraced her tightly. Thank goodness. She's aliv— Whoosh! "Ugh!?" The Poison Phoenix hurriedly pushed him away as he held her. Tang Cheongi stumbled back, startled. She seemed unfazed as she shouted. "Young Master Baek… with the Sword Sovereign… ugh…!" As she spoke, the Poison Phoenix sank to one knee, looking exhausted. "Sister…!" Tang Cheongi rushed to support her. Or so he intended. But someone else was already there to assist the Poison Phoenix. "Where is this happening?" It was Hyun Soyeon. When did she get here? Tang Cheongi looked at her in surprise. He hadn't noticed her approach. "You say Young Master Baek is with the Sword Sovereign?" "…Yes, we must hurry and help…" "Young Master Namgung." At her words, Hyun Soyeon's eyes turned cold. Tang Cheongi shivered as he met those eyes. 'What kind of eyes are those…' Could Hyun Soyeon possess such a gaze? They weren't close, but at least the Hyun Soyeon he knew never looked this way. With a voice as icy as her gaze, Hyun Soyeon called out to Namgung Jin. Instinctively, Namgung Jin responded. "Yes…?" "Go." "What?" Go where? Surely not… "You mean there…?" "Yes." Did she mean to go where the Sword Sovereign’s formidable aura was erupting like a storm? Namgung Jin looked as if questioning the sanity of the task. "Go." "……!" Hyun Soyeon commanded with a chilling gaze. Seeing that, Namgung Jin shuddered slightly. "Ah, alright…" As if given an order, Namgung Jin’s steps turned toward the light. "Run. Don’t walk." With Hyun Soyeon's words, Namgung Jin quickened his pace. Observing him, Hyun Soyeon swept her hair back and spoke to Tang Cheongi. "Young Master Tang, rest here with Lady Tang for a while." "…Lady Hyun. Are you truly going there?" With Namgung Jin, just the two of them? They wouldn’t be much help, so why…? Speaking in confusion— "Yes. I must go. Wherever he is…" "…?" Saying this, Hyun Soyeon followed Namgung Jin. Tang Cheongi watched the woman’s departing figure and pondered. 'Who was that?' The Hyun Soyeon he just saw. Strangely enough, she didn’t appear to be Hyun Soyeon. Was it just an illusion? Moments ago, her brown pupils seemed to glint blue.