Childhood Friend of the Zenith-Chapter 482

TL Notes:

Poison King - Dokwang (독왕)

Little Yama = Gu Yangcheon

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The moment Nahi regained consciousness.

Naturally, the first thing I did was place a restriction on her. Though Nahi seemed a bit disoriented, it didn’t take her long to grasp the situation, especially as she became aware of the restriction placed on her.

‘So she’s at least quick-witted.’

The look on Nahi’s face when she realized why Tang Deok betrayed her, how her own body had changed, and the secrets she uncovered was quite a sight to see.

Should I call it despair? Or maybe she was just on the verge of it.

That expression, on the brink of everything crumbling, stirred various feelings.

‘Not that it really matters.’

Of course, seeing that expression didn’t evoke any sympathy. If I had felt any, it should have come long ago.

I approached Nahi, who was barely holding herself together, lifted her hair, and met her gaze.

“I have something to take care of.”

“…”

Perhaps because I was still in the state of Demonification, Nahi’s eyes were filled solely with fear.

I could detect a slight hint of reverence, but I had no interest in understanding such trivial emotions.

“You.”

I simply smiled at Nahi as I spoke.

“Do you have any thoughts of revenge?”

At my words, Nahi’s expression shifted dramatically.

I had questions for her, and I planned to make immediate use of her.

The first place we headed, with Nahi leading the way, was, of course, the Poison King’s quarters.

There were incidents involving Dokcheon Lake, as well as matters to verify in advance.

Thoooom!

The process turned out to be rather intense.

An overwhelming pressure filled the not-so-small room, as the fierce, turbulent energy radiating from the Poison King began to seep into every corner, mirroring his agitated state.

“What did you just say?”

His twisted expression made it clear how angry he was. The pressure was palpable, making my skin prickle.

Though the Poison King might fall slightly short when compared to the heads of the Four Great Families, the weight of his energy alone demanded respect.

What was strange was that the former me would have probably felt cornered and tried to placate him.

“If I say it again, that would make it the third time. Do you really want to hear it?”

Yet, oddly enough, I didn’t feel that way.

Perhaps my nonchalant response was the issue, as the Poison King’s energy grew even more intense.

“You truly cross the line. Little Yama, I am well aware of your considerable talent, but I did not think you so lacking.”

Clang!

The teacup in front of him shattered. I had to catch my own to prevent it from breaking.

I hadn’t even finished drinking my tea yet.

Taking a sip from my teacup, I looked at the incensed Poison King and spoke.

“Perhaps it would be best to calm down and hear me out.”

“Calm down? You’re telling me to calm down?”

Well, naturally, he wouldn’t be calm. Here I was, an outsider—a mere youth—coming in and saying I should kill his clan elders.

What family head could accept that?

While I understood the Poison King’s anger, I was also observing him for any further signs.

‘There’s a scent of blood.’

Though the Poison King appeared unscathed on the surface, there was something unusual about him.

The faint, iron-rich scent in the air and a strange, pungent undertone were familiar markers to me.

‘He’s been torturing someone.’

It seemed the Poison King had been torturing someone just before coming here.

If my guess was correct, it was likely…

‘The Black Dragon Sword?’

The criminals transported here, perhaps.

It implied he had been torturing them just before arriving.

‘Hmm.’

With that thought, a question arose.

A figure like the Poison King, even if he had come suddenly, would not have left traces of blood, faint killing intent, and poison lingering on him.

Yet, for me to perceive such an aura now…

‘My senses have evolved.’

It must mean that my various senses, including my qi perception, had become sharper.

‘A shame.’

It would have been beneficial if I had been able to gauge my bodily changes further. Unfortunately, moving in haste left me unable to properly assess my condition.

It couldn’t be helped.

“I heard you damaged a valuable relic of the family. Your current task should be to apologize for such disrespect. Am I wrong?”

I was here, after all, because I had evaporated the waters of Dokcheon Lake.

‘This feels unfair.’

“Damage” didn’t even begin to describe it; I had eradicated it entirely.

Evaporated Dokcheon Lake?

Strictly speaking, this wasn’t my fault.

The real blame lay with Tang Jemoon. After all, it was his family’s ancestor who created the mess.

‘I’m the one under suspicion.’

That was the irritating part.

“Damage, you say. I’m sure you’ve been informed, but if you persist, you’re only putting me in a difficult position.”

I frowned slightly as I faced the Poison King.

The reason for this reaction was clear.

“I did nothing, you know?”

The Poison King should have heard from Nahi’s testimony.

That I did nothing—yet, upon arriving at the lake, the water had suddenly evaporated.

“Hah.”

Of course…

“You expect me to believe that?”

The Poison King wouldn’t believe it. Watching him, I chuckled.

“Well, if you think I simply evaporated all that water, wouldn’t that be just as absurd?”

“…”

“What, did I drink all that water or something?”

As I voiced my annoyance, the Poison King’s intensity wavered.

There’s no way he’d actually believe I drank it all.

No one could think that the lake’s vast waters could disappear all at once.

‘Even I don’t understand how I managed to drink it all.’

Where did all that water and poison go once it entered my body?

Though questions surfaced, I prioritized challenging the Poison King.

“What are you suggesting by immediately suspecting someone who says otherwise?”

Crunch.

The sound of the Poison King’s fist clenching was unmistakable.

Perhaps he regretted it now? Leaving me and Nahi to handle this alone?

At the time, I was puzzled as to why he did it, but now I was beginning to understand the aura radiating from the Poison King.

‘He did seem busy.’

The Poison King had likely begun torturing the Black Dragon Sword and the members of the Black Dragon Guard the moment they were brought to the Tang Clan.

Not alone, of course, but given the number of captives, time was tight.

‘Or perhaps…’

He might be trying to use them for something.

Based on what I’ve vaguely heard about the Tang Clan, I wasn’t convinced this place was entirely clean.

Then again, that’s not surprising.

The so-called righteous clans rarely have spotless hands.

“If you were so suspicious, you could have come to see for yourself. That would have solved everything.”

I pressed the Poison King on this point.

While he might have been busy, I suspected he simply didn’t like me.

Given everything, it was ultimately the Poison King’s fault.

‘No evidence, and with Nahi as my witness, it’s clear it wasn’t me.’

Knowing that, I could afford to act bold.

“To begin with…”

The Poison King looked at me and asked.

“Why did you want to see the lake in the first place?”

His suspicion lay there—why I had gone to such lengths to see the lake.

The Poison King was recalling this event and holding it against me.

“Just curiosity.”

“You’re aware that such an excuse is incredibly flimsy?”

“So, you’d rather I fabricate a reason? Is that it?”

“If you can manage, give it a try.”

Creak.

The Poison King lowered his posture to meet my gaze.

“Evidence may be lacking, but remember, this is the Tang Clan, Little Yama.”

The oppressive gaze he directed at me was sharp.

Even without evidence, it suggested he could detain me at will.

The Poison King was using the Tang Clan’s reputation to pressurize me.

But.

Creak.

I continued to smile as I stared him down, unmoved.

“Indeed, this is the Tang Clan.”

One of the Four Great Families, excelling in the poison arts.

And furthermore…

“A clan unaware of its own corruption.”

The moment I spoke, the Poison King’s hand shot out toward me.

Clench.

“!”

I intercepted his hand mid-motion.

The Poison King’s eyes widened in shock.

He hadn’t expected me to block it.

Neither did I, to be honest.

‘Oh… I actually reacted.’

Not only did I react, but I managed to block him.

Perhaps thanks to ascending fully to Haegyeong?

‘Though the Foundation Shifting Technique does slow me down a bit.’

I had compressed my body and changed its state, leaving a restraint on myself.

What if I removed this restraint and acted in earnest?

Could I defeat the Poison King?

A faint thrill of battle eagerness stirred within me.

‘But not now.’

Though I was curious about the extent of my newfound strength, now wasn’t the time.

Releasing his arm, I spoke to the Poison King again.

“My apologies for my earlier rudeness. That was indeed a bit harsh.”

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“…Little Yama.”

Despite my apology, the Poison King’s anger remained.

Understandably so, as I had openly criticized his clan.

However, I could think of no better way to put it.

The Tang Clan was corrupt.

Having dedicated everything to the poison arts, the clan had rotted to its core.

Unlike the sweet fragrance that lingered around their ancestors.

Caught off guard, the Poison King’s eyes wavered.

I took this chance to ask the question that had been on my mind.

“Clan Head, are you aware of the ‘Heavenly Martial Physique Creation Project’…?”

“…!”

The Poison King’s eyes trembled at my words.

Seeing that reaction, I was sure he knew about it.

“…How did you come to know…?”

It was refreshing to see the usually unshakable Poison King in such a state.

But this wasn’t the end.

“Furthermore, are you aware that this project is still being conducted in secret?”

“Ridiculous…!!”

Clatter!

The Poison King stood up abruptly, overturning the table and shattering the cups.

He sneered.

“To not only disgrace our clan’s legacy but now to spread baseless rumors—what is your purpose?”

I could feel the hostility radiating from him now.

Watching him, I wondered.

Was that reaction genuine?

Was he truly unaware?

‘Not yet.’

It was still too early to conclude that.

For now, I had to focus on the things Tang Jemoon had mentioned.

“Clan Head.”

Even under the intense gaze and the oppressive aura flooding the room, I slowly stood.

“No matter how much you’re angered, the meaning behind my initial words does not change.”

My statement about killing the Tang Clan’s elders.

It might have sounded as though I was seeking permission.

But in truth, that wasn’t the case.

“This is also why I came to Sichuan, specifically to the Tang Clan.”

That wasn’t true at all.

I had intended to slip away after taking what I needed, not to kill the clan elders.

Just a blatant lie, really.

Though it sounded somewhat dignified when dressed up this way.

‘Besides, it’s also Tang Jemoon’s will.’

Before Tang Jemoon left, he had entrusted me with a request.

I was here to fulfill that request by declaring my intent to kill the clan elders to the Poison King.

A declaration.

Yes, this was a declaration.

“I’m not asking for permission.”

“…What?”

“This is a transaction, a proposal to help cleanse your clan.”

“Little Yama, it seems you don’t understand how much restraint it’s taking for me not to kill you right now. Do you truly wish to die?”

“Why are you so angry when I’m merely offering to rid you of the rot within?”

“You…!”

Just as the Poison King was about to reach for me again.

Thunk.

I retrieved something from my clothing and presented it to him.

It appeared to be a delicate, pale green pill.

“…!”

The moment the Poison King recognized it, he froze.

Remarkably, he seemed to understand immediately what it was.

It was fascinating. Despite being lost for hundreds of years, the Poison King, a Tang Clan bloodline member, recognized it instantly.

The object’s true identity was—

“This… is….”

“It’s the Dokcheon Pill.”

The Dokcheon Pill.

The moment he heard its name, the Poison King’s eyes trembled wildly.

If anyone asked what the Tang Clan’s greatest lost legacy was, ninety out of a hundred would likely point to this.

A legendary elixir, one of overwhelming potency compared to Shaolin’s Great Return Pill.

For those without immunity to poison, it builds resistance; for those who practice poison arts, it’s the ultimate opportunity for growth.

A lost relic of the Tang Clan, now before the Poison King’s eyes.

Forgetting his anger, he stared at me with a captivated gaze.

“How… did you come by this?”

“Why don’t you take a seat?”

Pushing the Dokcheon Pill gently toward him, I smiled at the Poison King.

“With this, perhaps you could spare a moment to listen to what I have to say?”

“….”

“Including the story of the Dokcheon Pill.”

I wasn’t concerned about the Poison King’s reaction.

Regardless of his clan’s insult or my own behavior, the Poison King had no other choice after seeing the Dokcheon Pill.

And, sure enough—

Slide.

The Poison King seated himself before me.

Seeing this, I inwardly let out a sigh of relief.