Childhood Friend of the Zenith

In a room filled with silence, the Meteor Sword’s words echoed in Cheol Jiseon’s mind.

-Zhuge Jinseon, I should call you that instead perhaps.

The voice resonated clearly in Cheol Jiseon’s thoughts.

Crack.

Cheol Jiseon clenched his fist at the memory.

He couldn’t forget the smile of the Meteor Sword.

How did he know?

His identity.

No one was supposed to know that he was Zhuge Jinseon, not the Cheol Jiseon he pretended to be.

Only Instructor Cheol Hwanho knew the truth, and Cheol Jiseon was certain he wasn’t the kind to spill the secrets.

Then, just how did the Meteor Sword know about this?

Just… just how?

Cheol Jiseon couldn’t understand.

It was a mystery how the Meteor Sword had learned his true identity.

And yet, the Meteor Sword seemed to know even more.

-H-How do you know about that…

When Cheol Jiseon responded to him without being able to hide his shock,

-Calm down.

The Meteor Sword pointed at him, chuckling.

-How could you tell me to calm down right now…!

-I wouldn’t have looked for you if your name was all I knew.

Despite his smile, a coldness lingered in the Meteor Sword’s expression as he spoke.

Cheol Jiseon flinched at the sight, but he forced himself to remain calm.

-What are you talking about all of a sudden…?

-I know that you have a goal here.

-…!

Cheol Jiseon gasped after hearing the Meteor Sword.

-It must be a long journey to achieve your goal.

-…What are you trying to say?

-I will help you achieve that goal.

Cheol Jiseon frowned as soon as he heard the Meteor Sword’s words.

He didn’t know how the Meteor Sword found out about his identity or his goal, but his response was even stranger.

-…Do you even know what my goal is?

If the Meteor Sword truly knew his goal, he wouldn’t offer help.

However…

-Zhuge Clan’s resurrection. Isn’t that what you seek for?

-…!

The Meteor Sword’s words hit Cheol Jiseon harder than he expected.

It made no sense for the son of the Alliance Leader to say that—the Zhuge Clan’s history was a scar on the Murim Alliance.

-…How… do you… know…

Cheol Jiseon panicked, but the Meteor Sword continued to smile.

-If you help me, then I will help you in return.

-…What reason do you have for you to help me? What is it that you want from me?

-I have many reasons, but this is something only you can help me with.

-What do you mean?

Cheol Jiseon wondered what the Meteor Sword could want from someone like him.

Just what did he want for him to make an approach in such a way?

As Cheol Jiseon’s eyes wavered with uncertainty, the Meteor Sword responded.

-Your ‘Power’, I would like to borrow it for a while.

“…Crack.”

Cheol Jiseon grinded his teeth at the Meteor Sword’s words.

This was the thought that haunted him since.

How did he… find out about that much?

He had concealed this power for nearly a decade, ever since making a promise to his sister.

Aside from his sister, only a handful—barely three people—knew his secret.

Moreover, those people weren’t the type of people to spill his secrets.

At least that had to be the case.

He prayed that would be the case.

Because if it wasn’t, then he wouldn’t be able to trust anyone anymore.

What… What do I do from now on?

He had believed his plan was perfect, but now it felt as if everything was unraveling.

Where had it all gone wrong, and how could he begin to untangle this mess?

Cheol Jiseon clenched his eyes shut because of the overwhelming thoughts.

…I just want to go back.

What would happen if he refused the Meteor Sword’s offer?

He didn’t want to think about it, but he already knew the answer from the look in the Meteor Sword’s eyes.

He wasn’t even given the option of refusal in the first place.

Sister…

He thought of his sister, waiting for him from somewhere far away.

Only then was he able to calm down.

Was the Meteor Sword serious about offering his help?

If so, then how was he going to help?

Even as the Meteor Sword, he was still just a young prodigy.

Does the son of the Alliance Leader really have that much power?

Rumors suggested he did, but the Meteor Sword Cheol Jiseon had encountered left him uneasy.

…Even so, if I can’t help it, then I’ll just have to accept his-

“Hello.”

Tap-! tap-!

As Cheol Jiseon was thinking in his mind with his eyes shut, someone tapped his shoulders a couple times.

“…!”

Lost in thought, he hadn’t noticed someone standing right in front of him.

“Agh!”

As he nearly fell back in shock, the person before him reached out and steadied him.

“Ah…! T-Thank you.”

“It seems like I surprised you, I apologize.”

His smile seemed very refreshing.

Cheol Jiseon flinched at the sight of his handsome face, wondering who this person was.

This person is?

But then, recognition dawned on Cheol Jiseon.

It made sense—others around him were murmuring in surprise as well.

-Isn’t that person from a different group? Why is he here?

-Wudang’s outfit and that face… He definitely is the Water Dragon, isn’t he?

-The Water Dragon? The Water Dragon came here?

The students around Cheol Jiseon all turned their gazes to the man before them.

That much was understandable due to how famous the man was.

He was one of the Six Dragons and the Three Phoenixes, a young swordsman who was considered Wudang Sect’s biggest hope.

He was the Water Dragon himself.

“W-Water Dragon?”

“That’s right. I am the infamous sleepyhead.”

Cheol Jiseon’s panicked response seemed to amuse the Water Dragon, who smiled again.

“I called you many times but you didn’t respond, so I tapped you a couple times. I’m sorry.”

“N-No, it’s my fault… But what brought you here…?”

“Ah, it’s not anything special, but I visited you because-“

Why did the famous Water Dragon come looking for him?

A chill ran down Cheol Jiseon’s spine.

Does this person also?

He wondered if he knew about his identity and power too.

The thought filled Cheol Jiseon with fear.

But instead of confirming his fears, the Water Dragon said something completely unexpected.

“I’d like to join the Cheolyang Cheol Clique. I hope that you accept me.”

“What?”

What Clique?

Cheol Jiseon couldn’t help but frown hearing the Water Dragon.

It was the first time he’s heard of such a word.

“W-What Clique?”

“Was it not Cheolyang Cheol? Was it Yangcheol Cheol instead?”

Yangyang? Yangcheol? What kind of monstrous words are those?

Cheol Jiseon’s confusion deepened, and the Water Dragon tilted his head in response.

“Um, I’m not sure if I understand…”

“The True Dragon told me if I want to join his Clique, then I must go find his leader and get his approval.”

After hearing the familiar title, Cheol Jiseon had to hide his shock.

The True Dragon.

Nothing ever went smoothly when that name was involved.

Gulp.

“…I… see. Then why did you come looking for me?”

Cheol Jiseon didn’t want to know what kind of mess the True Dragon stirred up again.

He had no idea what would happen if he got involved in any of his mess.

With that thought in mind, he asked the Water Dragon, who responded,

“Hmm? I came to you because he told me to get your approval.”

“Pardon?”

What was he talking about?

Why would he need my approval to join this Yangcheol or Cheolyang group?

-The True Dragon told me.

-I must go find his leader and get his approval.

As the Water Dragon’s words echoed in his mind, Cheol Jiseon felt his heart sink.

No way, right?

A nightmare flashed through Cheol Jiseon’s mind, but he believed that such a thing didn’t happen.

Not even the True Dragon would be that crazy.

At least that had to be the case, Cheol Jiseon prayed.

But Cheol Jiseon’s hopes were shattered in an instant.

The True Dragon was far crazier than Cheol Jiseon had imagined.

“The Mad Dog, Cheol Jiseon. I heard you were the leader of the group.”

Hearing the Water Dragon speak in a calm tone,

“Could you please accept me in your clique?”

It felt as if the atmosphere around him froze entirely.

It was as if a snowstorm had swept through, leaving only icy stillness.

“Ugh

“What’s wrong?”

The Water Dragon’s eyes widened as he noticed Cheol Jiseon struggling to breathe, as if he were about to pass out.

“Wake up, are you okay?”

While the Water Dragon fretted over Cheol Jiseon, the surrounding students broke the silence and began to murmur.

Though of course, they were talking about something completely different now.

-He’s the leader…? The True Dragon wasn’t the leader then?

-Actually… I heard earlier in the cafeteria where the Water Dragon and the True Dragon spoke to each other. I thought that it was a lie at first, but was it real after all? Ŕ�

-The Mad Dog huh… He looks weak from outside, but he was a sleeping lion all along?

“No! Not at all!”

Cheol Jiseon shouted after hearing all of the nonsense.

Not only did such nonsensical rumors spread, but Cheol Jiseon couldn’t fathom how everyone believed them so easily.

“I-I’m not like tha- “

-H-Hey! Jin Eesuk! Wake up! Why are you fainting all of a sudden!

-Jin Eesuk fainted after the Mad Dog’s roar…!

-So the true evil leader wasn’t the True Dragon… but the Mad Dog all along!

“…”

Even the student who picked on him in the past, ended up fainting.

Well, it wasn’t because of Cheol Jiseon’s roar, but instead, he was reminded of what the True Dragon did to him.

Cheol Jiseon felt completely at a loss.

“Ah…”

It felt as though his time at the Heavenly Dragon Academy was now utterly ruined.

“So, are you going to accept me?”

After seeing the Water Dragon urging him stubbornly, Cheol Jiseon responded.

“…Do as you wish.”

His voice was devoid of spirit as he spoke.

Forgetting all about his encounter with the Meteor Sword, Cheol Jiseon spaced out for a while before suddenly speaking.

“True Dragon… you bastard.”

It was the first time Cheol Jiseon cursed in his life.

******************“Hmm?”

“What’s wrong, brother?”

“Woocheol, were you just thinking ill of me?”

“Do you think I would ever do such a thing?”

Pe Woocheol responded in astonishment hearing Gu Yangcheon.

How could he speak ill of Gu Yangcheon with him standing right there?

He wouldn’t do such a thing even if it meant death.

He would instead hang himself.

“Really? It felt like someone was talking badly about me.”

Gu Yangcheon put on a confused expression.

“I’m pretty good at spotting them, you know. There’s always so many people around that bad mouths me.”

“There is no one around.”

“Right, I guess I must be mistaken.”

It was understandable. I was already used to people bad-mouthing me.

Even if they did, it didn’t bother me much.

Though of course, if I saw them for myself,

I would’ve folded them into a star.

“…Hgh?”

Pe Woocheol flinched, when I thought violently.

It seemed like he sensed something akin to killing intent.

“Brother.”

“Hmm?”

“About the Water Dragon from earlier.”

“Yes?”

I perked up at Pe Woocheol’s words.

He was suddenly talking about the Water Dragon.

“Why did you bother even mentioning Brother Jiseon earlier?”

“Why? Did it seem strange?”

Pe Woocheol scratched his cheek at my response.

“No, it’s not that… I just wondered if it was really necessary.”

It seemed like Pe Woocheol struggled to understand why I bothered making another rumor about Cheol Jiseon, when I could have instead accepted or rejected the Water Dragon in that spot.

Hmm…

I was impressed by him for a moment.

It seemed like he really was smarter than I expected.

“It wasn’t planned, but it might make things easier for me.”

Creating a wild rumor about Cheol Jiseon.

It wasn’t necessary, but I felt that it was for me.

It would prevent Cheol Jiseon from being picked on, and it would also spread his name a bit more.

Moreover…

“The Water Dragon wouldn’t fall for it in the first place anyway.”

“Pardon?”

The Water Dragon won’t be fooled by what I said as a lie.

Ever since we started talking to each other, the Water Dragon had a playful expression.

He didn’t even seem to believe me ever since the beginning.

There was no way my playful lie had fooled him.

But there was a chance that he actually went to Cheol Jiseon.

Even so, he wouldn’t have actually done that, right?

…He might have.

I couldn’t be sure.

That bastard might have actually gone through with it.

He wasn’t normal when it came to things like this.

Though he was never normal, to begin with.

“You are done for today.”

I told Pe Woocheol as I withdrew my Qi.

“Ugh…!”

Then, Pe Woocheol fell right down on the floor.

It seemed like he was at his limit.

I’d been supervising his training because he begged me to.

Though it was only every now and then.

I could do this much though.

It was a pretty amusing sight, especially since Pe Woocheol tried his best to keep up.

Though Gu Jeolyub’s reaction was even funnier.

Now that I think about it,

The Dishonored Venerable hasn’t visited me ever since then.

He might be in a different group and room, but I was sure he’d come if he wanted me as his disciple.

It seemed like he was trying his best to keep quiet.

To the extent that even the Academy’s students didn’t know the Dragon Warrior was among them.

He seemed to be spending his time here hiding his presence as much as possible.

On the contrary, I heard a few things about the girl named Bibi.

I heard she was called a woodpecker or something.

I didn’t know much in detail though.

And about Gu Yeonseo…

Namgung Bi-ah told me that Gu Yeonseo had been following her.

I didn’t know what her intention was, but I should be able to leave them alone since Namgung Bi-ah said that it didn’t bother her.

It was none other than Namgung Bi-ah, so she would be able to take care of it a-alone.

Maybe.

I left the exhausted Pe Woocheol on the floor and exited the training ground.

He will return once he has regained consciousness.

That’s what I told him after all.

It’s been around 15 days in the Academy.

I had almost completely adjusted to life here.

I ran into Yung Pung a few times during training, but it was hard to approach him—he was always surrounded by others.

Is it because he looks good?

Fair.

With his handsome face and kind nature, it was no surprise he attracted so many people.

Compared to him…

…Others look at me as if I’m a beast of some sort.

What can I do about it though?

I’ll just live as I am, born this way.

I recalled what Tang Soyeol had said about Yung Pung and the Water Dragon.

-I feel sick if I look at them for too long.

-Really?

-Yes, it’s too much for me to handle physiologically, or physically.

She said the same when talking about Namgung Cheonjun and Jang Seonyeon.

It seemed like it made Tang Soyeol sick whenever he saw handsome guys.

I also recalled Tang Soyeol nodding as she looked at me.

-As always… I feel refreshed whenever I look at you, Master Gu. You are the best. I think I could live forever just by staring at your face!

-…

With that thought, I continued on my way.

It wouldn’t be long before it was time for bed.

It wasn’t long until it was time for me to go to bed.

I was in a bit of a hurry, but there was somewhere I needed to go first.

I had someone to meet after all.

My destination was the familiar pathway from before.

It was the path I found while trying to find the secret vault, and it was also the place I met the person I was going to meet right now.

As I got closer, I felt the light scent of flowers pass by me along with the breeze of night.

This was certainly the scent of plum flowers.

It was dense, but it also felt soft.

As I arrived at my destination, keeping my presence hidden, I saw someone waiting for me in the distance.

“Sorry to keep you waiting.”

The lady turned at my words, her long black hair flowing in the air.

“What should I call you? Instructor?”

The lady smiled after hearing my words.

It was a unique yet beautiful smile.

“It doesn’t matter. You can call me anything you want. More than that though, I’d like to hear why you called me in the middle of the night.”

The lady was one of the masters who represented Mount Hua, and the current instructor of the Academy, the Sword Queen.

I smiled lightly at her.

“I’ll get straight into it. It’s not anything special, but I’d like to offer something to you.”

The Sword Queen tilted her head after hearing my words.

I had a purpose in coming to the Academy, and I needed to achieve it quickly.

“Would you like to make a deal with me?”

The secret vault that was in the basement of the Heavenly Dragon Academy.

I had to find it before it was too late, and I needed the Sword Queen’s help to do so.