Childhood Friend of the Zenith-Chapter 475

“...Who are you?”

Shin Noya’s voice, laced with suspicion, echoed around as he narrowed his eyes.

“What…?”

What’s this old man saying? His completely unexpected remark left me momentarily speechless.

Just a second ago, I had a whole list of grievances to air out to Tang Jemoon, yet with that one question from Noya, everything slipped from my mind.

“Noya…?”

“Hm? Is this someone you know?”

Noya, seemingly oblivious to my shock, furrowed his brows as he looked at me.

“Another woman, huh…? Tsk, some things never change, not even your appetite for… such matters.”

His gaze wandered toward Tang Jemoon’s chest.

“Ahem…”

“…Noya.”

Is he really crazy? What on earth is this old man doing?

Not recognizing Tang Jemoon was one thing, but a supposed Daoist staring so openly at a woman’s chest…?

The whole situation was absurd.

“What are you doing, Noya?”

“Ahem…What are you talking about?”

Realizing his embarrassment, he awkwardly cleared his throat and avoided my gaze.

Finding his behavior amusing, I couldn’t help but ask, even as confusion clouded my mind.

“Are you saying you don’t know her?”

“How would I know someone like that?”

“What…?”

At Noya’s response, I couldn’t help but wonder what was going on.

Soft chuckling echoed from afar, where Tang Jemoon sat. She covered her mouth, clearly amused by something.

“Huh?”

Noticing her reaction, Shin Noya’s eyes widened as if he’d figured something out.

Watching this, I, too, felt a small sense of relief. Of course, it wouldn’t make sense if he didn’t recognize her.

I thought, nodding to myself. Just then—

“You… Could it be? Jehui?”

“Huh?”

A name I’d never heard slipped from Noya’s lips. Jehui? Who’s Jehui?

Tang Jemoon didn’t respond to him; instead, she continued to chuckle quietly.

“Jehui… the younger sibling of Jemoon. Right here in front of me.”

Hm.

Seeing Noya so excited, I thought, Where do I even start?

...So, Jehui? Is that Tang Jehui?

If Jemoon’s her elder brother, then the younger sister must be Jehui… What kind of random name is that?

No, that’s not the point here.

For a moment, I got swept up in an odd thought, but this wasn’t what mattered.

“Noya, what exactly are you saying…? Are you saying that’s not Tang Jemoon?”

“Hm?”

When I pointed at Tang Jemoon and asked, Noya gave me a perplexed look.

“You’re the one spouting nonsense. In what way does that woman look like Tang Jemoon?”

“What? I mean…”

“You said the same thing last time, too. What kind of gibberish are you spouting?”

Shin Noya’s expression tightened, and he responded sharply.

“To begin with, Jemoon’s a man. What kind of filthy joke are you making…?”

Noya spoke with utter disbelief, and now I was the one narrowing my gaze at Tang Jemoon.

…What’s he talking about now?

Jemoon… is a man? I looked at Tang Jemoon in astonishment.

How on earth does she look like a man?

Despite everything we were saying, Tang Jemoon—assuming that’s who she was—just smiled with a strangely nostalgic expression.

After a moment, she rose from her seat and addressed Noya.

“It’s been a while, Brother Cheol.”

Brother?

The honorific seemed a bit different. I made a puzzled expression, but Noya’s face brightened upon hearing it.

“I knew it…! You’re Jehui!”

Laughing heartily, he seemed to think he’d finally remembered Tang Jemoon.

Wait, so this woman isn’t Tang Jemoon? That thought crossed my mind, leaving me wondering why this woman had been referred to as Tang Jemoon in the first place.

“It’s really Jehui, Jemoon’s younger sister—”

“You still lack awareness, I see.”

“Hm?”

“Oh?”

As Tang Jemoon approached Noya, her body began to change dramatically.

With each step, her frame grew larger, her build more robust.

“Wh-what…?”

The bewilderment in Noya’s voice grew as he watched the transformation. Tang Jemoon gathered her hair and tied it back.

Standing before Noya with a body that was now imposing and solid, she—or rather, he—spoke.

“Starting to recognize me now?”

Tang Jemoon’s voice, as well as his speech patterns, had completely changed.

Wow.

My mouth hung open.

Tang Jemoon was now as tall as Shin Noya, with a frame reminiscent of the warriors from Hwangbo and Paengga families.

And that voice—it was so deep, among the lowest I’d ever heard.

What is this?

The delicate, beautiful woman I’d seen earlier had transformed into a massive man who looked intimidating just standing there.

Naturally, I wasn’t the only one shocked. Noya stared at Tang Jemoon, his mouth agape, his voice trembling.

“Jemoon…?”

Seeing his reaction, I figured this must truly be Tang Jemoon’s actual form.

...Then, what is going on here?

My mind swirled with confusion.

If the woman’s appearance was supposed to be Jemoon’s younger sister…

And this was Jemoon himself now…

…Who are they?

Which one is the real one?

Was the woman called Jehui the real one, or is the current form of Tang Jemoon the true one?

As such strange thoughts filled my head—

“You…”

Shin Noya looked at Tang Jemoon, his brows still furrowed.

“Were you using Qi Transformation Technique?”

Qi Transformation Technique? I listened carefully; it was the first time I’d heard of such a skill.

Tang Jemoon chuckled lightly at Noya’s question and nodded.

“So, you’ve been deceiving us this entire time.”

“You’re mistaken.”

Tang Jemoon firmly corrected Noya.

“I only deceived you.”

“What…?”

Noya’s eyes widened, confusion plain in them.

In a calm tone, Tang Jemoon replied,

“You’re the only one who was fooled. The others figured it out long ago.”

“...Huh?”

Listening to this, I couldn’t help but feel secondhand embarrassment.

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Qi Transformation Technique.

The name suggested some sort of martial art that could change one’s body. I’d never heard of such a seamless transformation technique.

In general, shifting a woman’s delicate and feminine physique into such a large, muscular man’s build shouldn’t be easy.

Only a martial artist who had mastered shape-shifting might manage something like that, but it’s unlikely that a Tang family elite like Tang Jemoon would focus solely on such a skill.

What in the world is this?

As I was becoming intrigued by this mysterious ability—

“T-then…”

Noya’s voice quivered as he spoke.

“…What about Jehui?”

Recalling the woman he thought was Tang Jemoon’s sister, he asked.

Tang Jemoon chuckled and answered,

“I’m sorry, but I’m an only child, Shin Cheol.”

“W-what…?!”

At Tang Jemoon’s words, Shin Noya appeared utterly shaken, nearly collapsing from the shock.

Well…

If you found out a friend was actually a woman, it’s understandable.

If I suddenly learned that Jang Ryong was a woman, I’d probably have a similar reaction.

What’s even funnier is he was the only one who didn’t realize it.

Apparently, everyone else had figured out that Tang Jemoon was a woman, but Shin Noya alone had no idea about her true gender.

Even until his last breath.

And.

Noya probably never realized what Tang Jemoon felt for him.

That thought left me in disbelief.

And he called me clueless?

Seeing the person who had often called me oblivious acting like this left me shaking my head.

As Shin Noya stood there in shock, Tang Jemoon relaxed, and her physique began returning to normal.

Her muscular form gradually diminished, reverting to the stunning beauty from before.

…It’s amazing every time I see it.

How can she change so drastically?

As I observed her with fascination—

“You!”

Shin Noya suddenly yelled at Tang Jemoon.

“So, you’ve been deceiving me this entire time?”

Seeing his indignant expression, Tang Jemoon bit her lip slightly.

“…I’m sorry…”

With her form reverted, her tone softened once more.

“I had my reasons…”

“And now you’re looking at me like that…! You damn scoundrel…!!”

“Huh?”

As Tang Jemoon attempted to explain, I tilted my head at Shin Noya’s words.

There was something odd in his tone.

“You mean to keep mocking me even in death…?”

“Shin Cheol… What are you saying…?”

As Tang Jemoon looked at him in confusion, Noya pointed at her and shouted.

“Creating this imaginary Jehui, pretending she’s your sister, and tricking me…! All to laugh at me even in death…! You wicked scoundrel!”

“…”

“…”

Oh.

It’s that, isn’t it?

With a look of disbelief, I stared at Noya, realizing it.

The old man couldn’t even conceive that Tang Jemoon was a woman.

Granted, even to me, her feminine and masculine forms seemed completely distinct, so it’s no wonder he didn’t catch on…

But still.

Isn’t this a bit much?

Apparently, Tang Jemoon thought the same, for she pressed her fingers to her temples in frustration.

“...Hm…”

Listening to her sigh, I sensed she was pondering what to do about this situation. It seemed even Tang Jemoon hadn’t expected Noya to be this dense.

Unaware of this, Shin Noya continued to grumble at Tang Jemoon.

“You damn trickster…! Of all things, why’d you have to look so damn pretty… And your chest…”

“…Shin Cheol.”

“What?”

“Could you… step outside for a moment?”

“What the hell are you saying…?”

Snap.

As Tang Jemoon snapped her fingers, a translucent green barrier expanded from her feet, rapidly filling the space.

The barrier widened in an instant.

“What…!?”

The barrier pushed Shin Noya away, widening the space between us, yet it left me and Tang Jemoon undisturbed.

Thud. Thud.

Shin Noya pounded on the barrier, his mouth moving in silent fury, though no sound reached us.

…A barrier technique, huh?

It seemed to be something similar, though I couldn’t identify this exact power either.

“Sigh…”

A weary sigh drew my attention back to Tang Jemoon, who was now visibly exhausted.

“That stubborn fool… Why does he refuse to change?”

With an air of resignation, she muttered, her expression tired.

Seeing her like this, I cautiously asked,

“…Uh… senior?”

“Please, for your own sake, don’t become like him.”

“…Ah, yes.”

Her intimidating expression left me speechless. I decided it was best to ask something else.

“…Just now, how did you do that?”

“Do what?”

“Changing your… gender.”

Crack.

“Uh, no need to show me.”

Tang Jemoon, who had started shifting again, reverted upon my hurried request.

“You are a woman, right?”

“Yes.”

Her nonchalant answer left me relieved. Thank goodness. If the male form had been her true one, I would’ve been a bit shaken.

“Then why… take that form?”

When I asked, puzzled, Tang Jemoon replied as if it were nothing.

“A clan head can’t be a woman.”

“…!”

Her words left me nodding in understanding.

The reason was surprisingly simple.

Considering the era, and even now, the position of a female head would face heavy biases and limitations.

But.

With her martial level, it shouldn’t matter what gender she is.

While I didn’t know her exact level, judging by Shin Noya’s respect, she was likely at the rank of the Three Elders or close.

Tang Jemoon didn’t seem any different. For her to worry about her role due to gender seemed excessive…

Reading my expression, Tang Jemoon offered further explanation.

“That was the original intent… but…”

Her eyes softened, a wistful look crossing her face.

“Teasing that fool… made me lose the right moment to tell him.”

“…What?”

“Besides, everyone else already figured it out. I thought he’d catch on eventually…”

Clink—

A teacup on the table cracked in half with a soft noise as Tang Jemoon’s clenched fist trembled.

“I never expected this… even after death.”

“…”

Shin Noya was impressive in his own way.

Thud. Thud.

As if aware he was being discussed, Shin Noya continued pounding at the barrier outside, though it didn’t budge.

“Ah… truly…”

Tang Jemoon sighed deeply, breaking her usual composed demeanor.

It truly was fascinating.

To think that the graceful, feminine form could transform into such an imposing figure.

When I found my gaze wandering toward her chest—

“Disciple.”

“Yes, yes!”

Startled by Tang Jemoon’s call, I quickly responded.

I’d trained myself to control my gaze around Namgung Bi-ah, yet I’d let my guard down.

I swallowed hard.

I couldn’t allow myself to become like that lecherous old man from Mount Hua.

Steeling myself, I focused solely on Tang Jemoon’s eyes.

They gleamed bright green—a color that meant…

Proof of Absolute Poison Immunity.

That’s what I’d heard, at least… but I wasn’t entirely sure.

It was a level my predecessor had reached, so perhaps Tang Jemoon had as well.

As I looked into her eyes, she spoke.

“Have you had many conversations with that fool?”

At some point, her term for Shin Cheol had shifted to “fool.”

“Yes, I’ve spoken with him quite a bit.”

Until Shin Noya disappeared, I had, at least.

Though, honestly, he never shared much about himself.

As I thought about this, Tang Jemoon looked at me and asked,

“Did he ever mention me?”

“Ah, well, not really, no… Oh.”

Thinking back on our talks, I recalled a name Shin Noya sometimes mentioned.

Without thinking, I blurted it out.

“He did mention a lady from the Moyong family.”

“Ha.”

At that, Tang Jemoon’s expression instantly grew cold.

Watching her reaction, I gulped.

I’d messed up.

This was clearly a topic I shouldn’t have brought up.

Sure enough, Tang Jemoon’s gaze turned icy as she spoke.

“So, he talked about Moyong’s lady?”

I tried to recover, hurriedly adding,

“Not much—just that she was taken by the Thunder Sword.”

“Taken by him? That Namgung Myung took her?”

Hearing my words, Tang Jemoon’s eyes widened, then she chuckled softly.

“You still believe that?”

“Huh?”

“Well, that’s convenient.”

Tang Jemoon’s eyes curved into a smile, but I couldn’t shake the chill it gave me.

“I’d planned on telling him at some point…”

It wasn’t quite a smile; the air around her was filled with cold tension.

“But now… I’ll never tell him.”

Chuckling quietly, she turned away, leaving only the sound of Shin Cheol’s furious pounding on the barrier outside.