Childhood Friend of the Zenith-Chapter 558: The Ghost Thief of Storms and Clouds (3)

In the cold, damp air of the cave,

Despite its barren and dry surroundings, the fragrance of plum blossoms filled the air.

It was the first time Yeongpung had encountered such a deep and enchanting scent of plum blossoms.

Not even the sect leader’s presence had ever emanated such a profound and lingering aroma.

Days had passed, but the scene remained vivid in Yeongpung’s memory.

The energy of the plum blossoms, rough yet warm, was still palpable.

[It’s good to see you.]

Even the voice that had echoed in his ears—

Yeongpung tried desperately not to forget any of it.

[Though I cannot see or hear you, if you can hear my voice, you must be a child of Mount Hua.]

It was merely a voice, but as Yeongpung listened, he found himself bowing unconsciously.

He didn’t know who it was, but—

For some reason, it felt only right to do so.

[How is Mount Hua these days? Do the plum blossoms still bloom as beautifully?]

To this question, Yeongpung answered in the affirmative.

[I hope that is the case.]

The voice, seemingly unable to hear Yeongpung’s response, answered its own question.

There was a faint sense of longing and faith within its tone.

[Child of Mount Hua, whose name I do not know.]

[I am Shin Cheol.]

Hearing those words, Yeongpung’s eyes widened in shock.

While many throughout Mount Hua’s long history had borne the name Shin Cheol,

The only one Yeongpung could think of now was one man.

Shin Cheol, the Virtuous Sword of Mount Hua.

A hero who had helped thwart the Blood Demon’s reign of terror.

A revered figure who had laid the foundation for Mount Hua’s current glory.

And—

He was the ideal Yeongpung aspired to become.

“The greatest martial artist Mount Hua has ever produced.”

Though Yeongpung himself was hailed as the youngest Plum Blossom Sword Master of his generation,

The title had once belonged to the Virtuous Sword.

Until Yeon Ilcheon, the world’s undisputed number one, appeared in Zhongyuan—

The Virtuous Sword of Mount Hua had never lost a duel.

It was said that when he unleashed his plum blossoms, the heavens themselves turned crimson,

Even if it was the darkest of nights.

He saved the weak under the name of Mount Hua.

He grasped the collapsing sect and threw himself into war.

A figure revered as a true hero, respected by all disciples of Mount Hua.

He was known for his kind and compassionate nature,

Unable to turn away from those who were weak or in pain.

How could Yeongpung not aspire to be like him?

Though his greatest rival was Gu Yangcheon,

The one Yeongpung sought to emulate was the Virtuous Sword.

Because of this—

Thump. Thump. Thump.

Yeongpung could now feel his heart pounding wildly.

How could the Virtuous Sword of Mount Hua be here?

Was this truly his voice?

No matter how much he tried to calm himself, he couldn’t.

He had to believe it.

How could he not, when the overwhelming scent of plum blossoms surrounded him?

He turned his gaze to the orb before him.

This gentle energy and the lingering fragrance came from that very place.

[For you and I to meet here means that fate has finally brought us together.]

[Child of Mount Hua.]

The voice of the Virtuous Sword carried a sorrowful, heavy tone.

When Yeongpung answered the unspoken question, the Virtuous Sword paused briefly before continuing.

[Soon, a calamity will befall the world.]

Before Yeongpung could react to the sudden statement, the Virtuous Sword continued.

[The fact that I am speaking to you now means that we—or rather, I—have failed.]

Yeongpung couldn’t comprehend what he was hearing.

Failed? What could the Virtuous Sword have failed at?

Hadn’t the Blood Demon’s rampage been stopped by the Virtuous Sword and his comrades?

[I am sorry for leaving such a failure to future generations.]

No, it wasn’t true.

Yeongpung tried to say as much, but his voice did not reach the Virtuous Sword.

[Child of Mount Hua, whose name I do not know.]

[Please finish what I could not.]

Though he was only asking for a favor,

Yeongpung didn’t mind.

What mattered was—

[Continue in my stead...]

The figure he admired most was entrusting him with an unfinished task.

That alone was enough for Yeongpung.

Thus, without hesitation, he grasped the nameless orb within the cave,

Allowing its surging energy to flow into his body.

As the plum blossoms filled his dantian, Yeongpung was certain.

This energy, this presence—it could only belong to him.

Accepting it was not difficult.

Though its aura was rough and sharp, its roots were familiar.

All Yeongpung had to do was embrace it.

The energy settled into his body as if it belonged there.

Without any special effort, it found its place within him.

When Yeongpung finally came to, his body had undergone countless changes.

His frame had grown sturdier.

Energy surged through his meridians like never before,

And his cultivation had advanced to a higher level.

It was a fateful encounter.

Amidst his transformed body and heightened cultivation, Yeongpung exhaled deeply.

His breath carried a thick essence of energy.

Feeling this, Yeongpung thought:

“Have I truly become his successor?”

To take on what the Virtuous Sword could not.

Though it was a daunting and chilling responsibility,

Yeongpung felt an unshakable resolve.

He could do it.

No—he had to.

If there was something the Virtuous Sword had failed to accomplish,

Yeongpung would see it through.

He didn’t know what sort of calamity lay ahead,

This chapt𝓮r is updat𝒆d by ƒreeωebnovel.ƈom.

But he would stop it as the successor to the Virtuous Sword of Mount Hua.

He was certain of it.

At least, until—

"What the hell is this nonsense?! Get away from me!"

Yeongpung looked at the scene before him, overwhelmed by an unfamiliar emotion.

It was a feeling he had never experienced before in his life.

******************

Something had gone wrong.

That was the first thought that crossed my mind when the situation unfolded.

“This isn’t good...”

In the midst of the sudden chaos, I turned my head to look at my right arm.

Where there had been nothing before, something was now tightly bound around it.

“...Damn it...”

Cursing inwardly, I glared at the object.

The sensation was unmistakably familiar.

Of course, it would be—it was the same as the thing I’d been carrying on my left arm for years.

The only difference was...

“The one on my left arm is pale blue.”

Even that wasn’t much of a distinction.

After all, the one on my left arm had also been crimson at first.

Biting my lip, I forced myself to think.

“This is Eternal Bind.”

The thing that had launched itself onto my right arm was undoubtedly the Eternal Bind.

Seeing it with my own eyes confirmed it.

This was the same legendary weapon once wielded by Shin Noya, the Virtuous Sword of Mount Hua.

Which meant...

“There are two Eternal Binds?”

One bound to my left arm, and now another on my right.

Both of them were Eternal Bind.

“How is this even possible?”

Questions filled my mind, but this wasn’t the time to dwell on them.

"That thing..."

The voice made me look up.

The Sword Queen was there, along with Gu Ryeonghwa and Yeongpung.

And behind them...

“That old man too.”

Yu Baek was watching with a look of curiosity plastered on his face.

Realizing the gravity of the situation, I adjusted my expression.

I contorted my face into a look of exaggerated shock and confusion.

"W-what is this?!"

Even as I said it, I cringed inside. The words came out stiff and unnatural.

“Damn it.”

No matter how much I tried, my attempts at acting always turned into disasters.

Fortunately, the absurdity of the situation seemed to have distracted them enough that they didn’t notice my awkward delivery.

"Sword Queen... what’s going on? And what is this thing?!"

I directed my question specifically to the Sword Queen. She, too, looked startled as she answered.

"That’s... the Eternal Bind..."

"The Eternal Bind?!"

Feigning even greater shock, I widened my eyes dramatically and exclaimed:

"The legendary weapon said to have been used by Shin Cheol, the Virtuous Sword of Mount Hua, a hero who stopped the Blood Demon’s reign of terror?!"

"Uh... well, yes..."

"It looks shabby and tattered like an old piece of cloth, but it’s said to be indestructible and capable of transforming into whatever its wielder desires, right?!"

"...You seem to know quite a lot about it..."

"How can this be?! How did it suddenly attach itself to my arm?!"

I did my best to act convincingly.

At this point, even Shin Noya, who mocked me daily for being a terrible liar, might have let this one slide.

"..."

"Brother... are you feeling alright?"

“Tsk.”

Apparently not. My sister’s suspicious gaze made it clear that my performance had failed yet again.

“Why isn’t this working?!”

I thought I was doing pretty well this time...

“What now?”

If lying wasn’t going to work, my only option was to feign ignorance...

"Gu Sohyeop."

"Hm?"

Suddenly, I felt someone grip my right arm tightly.

It was Yeongpung.

"That’s a treasure of Wudang."

"Dojang?"

Confused by his sudden action, I looked into Yeongpung’s eyes.

“What’s this...?”

For a moment, I paused.

Something strange glimmered in his gaze.

“Look at this guy...”

It was a feeling I was all too familiar with—a sense of obligation mixed with annoyance.

"Return it."

His grip on my arm tightened.

I felt the strength in his hand but chose to ignore it for the moment. Smiling lightly, I replied:

"Dojang, I’d love to return it, but..."

“Do you think I want to keep this thing?”

“I’m as shocked as you are, you idiot.”

"It suddenly flew out of nowhere and attached itself to my arm. I’m just as much a victim here as anyone else."

"Return it."

Yeongpung didn’t seem to hear my explanation.

If anything, his grip was growing stronger.

I briefly considered how best to clarify the situation, but then a sigh escaped me.

“Ah, this is such a pain.”

With that thought, my body moved instinctively.

"Wait, calm dow—"

Noticing Yeongpung’s odd demeanor, the Sword Queen tried to intervene.

Bang!

But I was faster.

"Ugh..."

Yeongpung let out a short grunt as he fell, clutching his chin where my strike had landed.

Before he could collapse completely, I grabbed him by the collar, keeping him upright as I glanced at the Sword Queen.

Her face was filled with shock at how decisively I had acted.

Meeting her wide-eyed gaze, I spoke evenly.

"Could you explain this to me again?"

"..."

"I didn’t quite catch it the first time."

I smiled, but the atmosphere in the room had already gone cold.

******************

The situation was barely brought under control afterward.

Although Yeongpung fainted, having the Sword Queen and Gu Ryeonghwa present resolved any immediate issues.

“It almost became troublesome.”

Still, I managed to smooth things over—though it was others who bore most of the effort, not me.

“What can you do? It’s not like I did anything wrong.”

This time, I truly wasn’t at fault, and I felt unjustly blamed.

I glanced down at my right arm.

Unlike before, my hand was now empty.

Looking at it brought back memories of the earlier incident, and I had to take a deep breath to calm myself.

“At least it listened to me.”

The thing on my left arm hadn’t budged, no matter how much I pleaded with it.

But this new one—thankfully—responded to my request and slipped off without much resistance.

“That helped resolve the situation.”

At least now I wasn’t seen as the guy who forcibly “stole” the Eternal Bind.

The problem, however, remained.

“Why did it happen?”

Why had the Eternal Bind come to me in the first place?

From what I heard, the Sword Queen had placed the box containing the artifact on the table.

The Eternal Bind had then burst out of the box of its own accord and launched itself at me outside the room.

“What kind of terrifying artifact is this?”

I couldn’t help but laugh dryly when I heard the explanation.

The idea of a treasure with its own will acting like that was something I’d never encountered before.

“Could it have sensed something?”

I considered the possibility, but when I examined the Eternal Bind, I didn’t sense any lingering consciousness or will.

So, I started forming hypotheses.

“The most plausible reason is likely the energy of Shin Noya in my body.”

Since the Eternal Bind had once been Shin Noya’s treasured weapon, that would explain why it reacted to me.

However...

“What about Yeongpung?”

If that were the case, it raised questions about Yeongpung.

He had supposedly discovered traces of Shin Noya in the cave and gained a fortuitous opportunity from it.

If the Eternal Bind had acted due to Shin Noya’s energy, it should have also reacted to Yeongpung.

But it hadn’t.

This led me to an inevitable line of thought:

“Was what Yeongpung found truly a trace of Shin Noya?”

It was a thought that had plagued me ever since we left the cave.

Was Yeongpung truly Shin Noya’s successor?

And if so, what did that make me?

What exactly was the Eternal Bind, and what did this situation signify?

If Shin Noya were still here, this would be an easy problem to resolve.

But in his absence, I was left to ponder it myself.

Yes, ponder.

Even as I assured myself I was Shin Noya’s rightful successor, I couldn’t help but be troubled.

For one simple reason:

“I’m not certain.”

Not that I doubted my status as his successor, but...

“I’m not certain that Yeongpung’s energy is fake.”

That was the real problem—I couldn’t shake the feeling that the traces Yeongpung had were authentic.

Despite some inconsistencies, the energy Yeongpung possessed was undeniably Shin Noya’s.

Of that, I was sure.

“I’ve been observing for days, and it’s clear.”

The energy was real.

In fact, I’d gone to great lengths to prevent any resonance between our energies.

“This is such a damn mess.”

Between the Eternal Bind and all this other nonsense, things were far too complicated.

If everything were fake, it would have been easier to deal with.

But since everything seemed genuine, it was all the more frustrating.

“Damn old man, why do you have to be absent at times like this?”

I swallowed my irritation, biting back curses for the esteemed Shin Noya.

As much as I wanted to blame him, I couldn’t bring myself to curse someone who had taken on tasks in my place.

So, while the situation didn’t sit well with me...

“I’ll think about this later.”

I decided to focus on the immediate problem first.

With that resolution, I steadied my footing.

"Guhh!"

A groan of pain rose from the ground.

I looked down at the source of the sound.

Under my foot lay a man, his face contorted in agony.

Looking at him, I spoke.

"I’m a man of my word."

No matter what means it took, I always kept my promises.

And I was doing so now.

"I told you before, didn’t I?"

As I spoke, fear filled the man’s eyes.

Smiling, I continued, savoring his reaction.

"If you draw your sword, you’ll die."

At my words, Ji Cheol, Wudang’s Virtuous Dragon Sword, began trembling violently.