1307 - Childhood Friend of the Zenith

Sparks ignited as Gu Cheolun set foot on the ground. The place, known as the headquarters or perhaps the cocoon, where the Sword Queen resided. It was a place Gu Cheolun rather detested but was nonetheless obligated to visit. After all, the Sword Queen he sought never left her cocoon. “You’ve arrived.” As expected, the Sword Queen greeted him the moment he appeared in the space. Gu Cheolun maintained an expressionless demeanor in response to her characteristically benevolent smile. “Divine Dragon.” “Yes.” He answered to her call. “You're quite late. Did something happen?” Gu Cheolun recalled the events that caused his delay — using Hwalunseong and the embers he left behind. Moreover, he remembered having visited the Sword Sovereign’s domain and leaving the Poison Phoenix there. “There were incidents.” “I figured as much. I didn’t expect you to be so unreasonably late.” The Sword Queen smiled, seemingly unbothered. “So, have you completed the assignment?” “Yes. I've captured her.” The statement about having captured the Poison Phoenix wiped the smile off the Sword Queen’s face. “You've captured her... I distinctly asked you to bring her here, didn’t I?” “I deemed it proper to report first.” “A judgment call, you say.” The cavern rumbled. The intense vibration made Gu Cheolun's shoulders tremble momentarily. A pressure weighed upon him. “Divine Dragon.” “Yes.” A colossal pressure descended upon him, with a sensation that seemed as though his bones would shatter at any moment, yet Gu Cheolun's face remained unflinching. “I make the judgments. How did you have the audacity to act as you pleased, ignoring the orders given?” “I apologize.” He offered the apology without a word of protest, fully aware this was how things would unfold. “The child from the Tang clan is extremely important. She holds something precious.” Something precious, indeed. Gu Cheolun couldn’t comprehend that statement. The Poison Phoenix of the Tang clan was undeniably exceptional in his eyes. Among the renowned dragons and phoenixes of the era, she seemed one of the very best. Different from other worthless individuals, often considered trash by Gu Cheolun’s standards, she was the real deal. While she might not see it that way herself, Gu Cheolun perceived it as mere self-doubt. Thus, despite acknowledging her prowess, he couldn’t fathom why the Sword Queen desired her so ardently. “That means she is absolutely essential.” “I’ll bring her back immediately.” As Gu Cheolun turned to leave again, the Sword Queen intervened. “No, there's no need.” She halted him. Gu Cheolun turned to look at her. “It’s alright, Divine Dragon. I’ve already sent someone else.” “……” A slight grimace crossed Gu Cheolun’s face at those words. Having sent someone already? He gazed at the Sword Queen. “I told you, that child is exceedingly important to me. So.” It dawned on Gu Cheolun. “At this crucial time, we cannot allow her to slip away.” It became clear to him that she hadn’t trusted him. She was aware he had ‘deliberately’ left the Poison Phoenix behind and had made contingencies for it. “Divine Dragon, you will stay here for now, until the Poison Phoenix arrives.” “……” Gu Cheolun did not respond to her words. He merely remained silent momentarily. “……Understood.” He nodded in acquiescence. For some reason, Baek Yangcheon’s face flitted across Gu Cheolun's mind. He couldn’t understand why. * * * Boom! Rumble---! The air crackled violently as shockwaves burst forth in all directions. It was dizzying. Trees uprooted and everything in sight was obliterated. The overwhelming force resembled a cyclone turning the surroundings into a wasteland. Amid the absurd power, his legs began to falter. ‘Damn….’ It felt like an earthquake had struck. The unrelenting barrage was making him gradually sink to his knees. But it wasn’t the pressure forcing him down. ‘Damn it.’ His energy was spent. Not only that, but using it just once had drained all strength from his body. His muscles seemed to tremble of their own accord. ‘…Did I go too far?’ The Heavenly Demon’s Singular Strike. A power that releases all energy in a single explosive blow. It was the first time employing such a method. ‘I’ve made something idiotic for the first time.’ An all-or-nothing assault encapsulated in a sphere, or embedded within a step. This was his first attempt at deploying such raw, unrefined power. ‘Though I created it…’ It was a power he couldn’t reuse. Similar to when he first used the Ascendant Spear but different in many ways. ‘All my strength.’ He exerted every ounce of his energy for an explosive release. Even with his considerable reserves, unleashing it all at once... ‘What a force.’ Surely, even the Sword Sovereign wouldn’t withstand it—such was his hope. “Cough.” A cough wracked his body, flecked with blood. Ah, dizziness. His mind was a fog. Wobbling on his feet, Namgung Bi-ah approached to support him. “Are you alright?” “Do I look alright?” Of course not. Expending all his energy in a single use had left his body ragged. Had he released it more gradually instead of all at once… ‘It’s rational that I’m dizzy.’ The anemia blurred his vision. He sighed. What’s the situation with the Sword Sovereign? With his vision blurred and energy depleted, even sensing presences was impossible. ‘Nonetheless.’ Having received an attack of that magnitude, even if not dead, he must have lost consciousness. That was his hope. “Phew…” He pushed himself up. Supported by Namgung Bi-ah, he asked her. “Namgung Jin… no, your…” How should he phrase this? How did he fare? It was a precarious choice of words. Pondering on how to articulate properly when... “……!” Namgung Bi-ah’s eyes widened as she surged forward. In that instant. Woosh---! Boom! “Argh!” Namgung Bi-ah collided with something and was thrown back. “What?” A gust of wind blew. There was no time to turn around as something else flew towards me. Thud-!! I caught the incoming object and staggered backward. Crunch-!!! After finally stopping, I looked at what had flown at me. 'Namgung Jin...?' It was none other than Namgung Jin. He had come flying at me, already unconscious. What was going on? As I stood puzzled... Whoooosh---!!! Dust from the surroundings shot up into the sky with the wind. As my blurred vision cleared, the scene unfolded before me. “…Ha.” I looked straight ahead and let out a sigh of disbelief. “…What a mess.” Ssssss... Before me was the one who sent Namgung Jin and Namgung Bi-ah flying. Blocking the Sword Sovereign’s path. “What a pathetic sight, Hyogun.” A snorting laugh came from an old man with a giant horn and a fan in hand. Cheolhyun Buseon, the strongest under heaven, sneered at Wi Hyogun. “Were you careless because they were just children? It's disgraceful.” “What brings you here?” To the Sword Sovereign’s question, Cheolhyun Buseon chuckled. “What else, merely carrying out orders as always.” “So the Sword Queen sent you? What of the Divine Dragon?” “Well, that’s beyond my knowledge.” Whoosh. The fan in his hand fluttered. A trickle of blood flowed from Cheolhyun Buseon’s hand at that moment. “Hmm. Seems I didn’t completely block it.” Apparently, Cheolhyun Buseon had fended off the Heavenly Demon’s Singular Strike, and the aftermath had left its mark on him. “Impressive. Truly remarkable.” Cheolhyun Buseon looked at me and spoke. I grimaced as he did so. ‘The interference is unending.’ Damn it. I was just contemplating how to escape. ‘Seriously.’ I did not expect this old man to show up again. “Our connection runs deep, doesn’t it?” “…It's revolting.” “Revolting? It’s no better than this. Would you show that form again? I came expecting it this time.” If he meant 'that form,' he must be referring to my true incarnation. ‘…Is he kidding?’ I spat blood. I had no energy left, let alone for any transformations. ‘What do I do now?’ What am I genuinely supposed to do? While rolling my eyes in thought, “Well, while my amusement is at stake… there's work to be done. A noble lady desires the young heir of the Tang clan. Where is the young girl?” “……” I squinted at the mention of the Poison Phoenix. ‘What on earth...’ Why does the Sword Queen covet the Poison Phoenix so strongly? “And if I refuse to tell you...?” “Hahaha…” Cheolhyun Buseon chuckled. “My young friend.” A breeze was felt—a sharp, biting chill. “I’ve taken a liking to you. However, there's no humor in dragging this out. It’s not like it’ll remain hidden without you telling.” “……” He was right. Even without my words, she wouldn’t remain unfound. ‘Phew.’ I sighed internally. In my current state, could I draw out energy from Cheolhyun Buseon? It's impossible for the Sword Sovereign as he's not Apostle. ‘But Cheolhyun Buseon is a Apostle.’ I could exploit this. Even if his winds repelled powers. ‘…Timing is crucial.’ I needed to evaluate the situation. ‘What about Namgung Bi-ah and Namgung Jin?’ What happened to those who were hurled away? Are they alright? Concerns welled up. Lost in thought, when suddenly— Shakey! “……!” As I tried to rise, my body collapsed again. One knee hit the ground. “Oh dear.” Cheolhyun Buseon reacted. His voice devoid of any emotion. ‘Damn it.’ Biting my lip, I tried to force myself to stand once more. Thud. ‘Huh?’ Something fell from my chest. ‘This is…’ A red orb. It was the precious artifact given to me by the head of House Gu, my grandmother, and previously by Mi Hyoran.